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10 Incredible technologies that are changing the future of medicine

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From mental health to grinding our teeth, technology is changing where, when and how we access healthcare. You may have already experienced this if you are one of the millions of people who are tracking your health with a Fitbit bracelet or the Health app on your iphone. For the past 20 years, I have been fascinated by the way that technology impacts humanity. Everyday, I read hundreds of articles and blogs about health and medicine to find the best practices that are shaping the healthcare landscape. Here are 10 new technologies that blow my mind:

1. Holographic medicine

Microsoft and Case Western Reserve University have partnered to demonstrate how HoloLens can be used to teach medicine. In this video, we see students examining bones, muscles and organs in 3D.

"To create holograms, the HoloLens uses a mini computer equipped with lenses, projectors, motion sensors and speakers. The resulting holograms are realistic enough that people may convince themselves that the images they are seeing are real objects. The 3D image that a hologram creates is the result of light particles bouncing around the engine of the computer, going through the goggle’s lenses and ricocheting off of each other as they hit different layers of blue, green and red glass." (From Medical Web Experts)

How cool is that! The holographic computer could also produce simulations that let future doctors communicate more effectively with patients. For example, doctors could explain complex medical procedures to patients with holograms instead of text or images.

2. Virtual reality therapy for pain

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Virtual reality is not just for video games anymore. Daniel Harvie and his colleagues at the University of South Australia are pioneering virtual reality technology that lets you immerse yourself in an alternate reality and cure your pain. Most of us think that physical pain exists only in the body, but research shows that how we perceive pain with our mind has a big impact on the discomfort that we feel. By retraining the brain to experience safe movement in the body, we can learn to become pain-free.

3. Instagram for doctors

Image: Figure 1

While you were sharing what you had for dinner last night on Instagram, thousands of doctors were using a similar app called Figure 1 to share images of injuries, illnesses and mysterious medical conditions. Dr. Joshua Landy, co-founder of Figure 1, says that he wanted to provide a useful tool for doctors to help each other in a safe, private way. Don't worry about your next embarrassing medical condition going viral on Figure 1; there are strict regulations to use Figure 1 and all the doctors are verified before they have access to the app.

4. Transformational behavioral healthcare technology

Image: Lyra

Did you know that 1 in 5 people in the United States suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse disorder? These conditions are ruining the lives of millions of people. The former CFO of Facebook, David Ebersman, founded Lyra Health to help people with behavioral health problems. Lyra Health uses predictive analytics and surveys to identify at-risk people and then matches them to professionals who can help. And we can all support them by joining the campaign to #stopthestigma of mental illness.

5. Electronics in the brain

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Over the past 20 years, we have been implanting electronics into the brain to treat neurological illnesses; but they often cause damage or get rejected by the immune system because of their size and material. A game-changing technology — a small, flexible mesh implant — has been developed, which can be injected into the brain with a syringe, minimizing problems and scarring. It's less than half a millimeter when injected and then unfolds inside the brain. It's connected to external wires that allow doctors to improve the function of the brain. One of the features of the implant allows the brain to detect colors and assign a tone to each color, allowing blind people to "hear" color through bone conduction.

6.Heal is the ‘Uber’ for doctors

Image: Heal

If you have ever spent a whole day in the waiting room of a doctor's office or ER just to get a prescription, you will appreciate this new technology. Heal is a smartphone app that lets you summon a doctor to your door for a flat fee of $99. The Heal doctors arrive in 20 to 60 minutes and bring an assistant and supplies that allow them to diagnose and treat minor problems like infection or cuts that need stiches. Heal started in Los Angeles and is expanding to cities all over the United States.

7. Maven turns your smartphone into a women's health clinic

Image: Maven

Next time you are Googling your symptoms on the internet and practicing self-diagnosis, try Maven instead. Maven is a digital clinic for women where you can access medical and wellness practitioners via video to get prescriptions, advice or treatment plans. Similar to Heal, Maven saves you the time and energy of visiting the doctor's office. The video sessions range in price from $18 to $35 and give you access to a variety of practitioners from gynecologists to nutritionists.

8. ‘Be My Eyes,’ an app that helps blind people see

Medical App

Medical App

I was shocked when I saw this app on a TV program a few weeks ago. There was a blind woman in her home holding up a can of food to her smartphone and a voice was reading the label out loud to her. I discovered that Be My Eyes is a non-profit company that uses technology to connect the blind with volunteers who can inspect what the blind person is looking at and describe it to them while answering any questions. Through these direct video calls, more than 80,000 blind people have already been helped!

9. The world's first mindfulness bracelet for emotional balance

Image: WellBe

What girl doesn't like an excuse to buy jewelry? How about a piece of jewelry that can eliminate stress! The WellBe is an elegant, light-weight bracelet connected to a mobile app that helps to keep your emotions in balance. It gives you personalized messages, meditations and other exercises to manage your stress. This super successful Indiegogo campaign was 150 percent funded and bracelets start shipping worldwide in December 2015.

10. Smart mouthguard to protect your teeth

Do you ever wake up with a headache and stiff jaw? Did your dentist tell you that you needed to sleep with a mouthguard? Well, now there is a high-tech solution with sensors that help you stop grinding. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a smart mouth guard that detects if you're grinding your teeth. Not only is this useful for keeping our teeth safe, but it can even help us sleep better.

Which technologies do you find most interesting? I'd love to know your favorites, so tweet them to me @GabrielleTV!


Anna Kendrick's new motto should be everyone's life goal

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And in a recent interview with Elle Magazine for their "This is 30" anniversary edition, the Pitch Perfect star told us all about the compass that guides her life, and of course it's hilarious.

She said the best advice she ever received was from another funny and familiar face, James Corden, who told her basically to woman up just before performing at the Oscars after she mentioned to him that she was nervous. He said to her, "You have to enjoy yourself because the 13-year-old you would punch yourself if you didn’t."

More: Pitch Perfect 3: 5 possible plot lines for the sequel

Pretty solid advice, actually. Think about that next time you turn down an invite because you've already taken off your bra and put sweatpants on.

The worst advice she has ever gotten is pretty bad, too. She was once told to never have a backup plan, and being young at the time, she listened. She said, "It really is terrible advice but I followed it. I had this singularity of focus." But she says that her success is "so much dumb luck and hard work and some kind of magical mixture of the two."

Good thing that worked out for her (good thing for us, too? Come on, do you follow her on Twitter? My life would a little darker without her Twitter.).

More: Anna Kendrick joins long list of actresses calling out sexism in Hollywood

But of all the advice she's gotten, good and bad, it is the advice she is giving that is best of all. When asked what her new motto is, she said, "I can't think of anything that wouldn't make me sound like a pretentious f***face."

She continued, "Maybe that should be my motto: Don't be a pretentious f***face."

New life motto, ladies and gentlemen.

More: Anna Kendrick refused to get sexy for the Pitch Perfect 2 trailer poster

Condoms don't reduce sensation for men, says science

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This often leaves women feeling guilty — because after all, we don't know what it's like to work with such temperamental machinery down there. However, science, in all its infinite wisdom, has officially proven this fear to be unfounded. According to this new research, if men blame condoms for erectile disfunction, they should really be blaming their own penises.

A study was conducted with 500 heterosexual men between the ages of 18 and 24. About 38 percent said that putting on a condom had no affect on their sexual performance, while another 32 percent said that that's where their sexual disfunction begins. However, according to The Cut, the 32 percent who blamed the condom actually suffered from erectile dysfunction unrelated to condom use.

MoreNew glow condoms will light up at the sign of an STD

The condom/erectile dysfunction relationship is not a commonly researched subject, even though it's a common sexual issue for couples. Dr. Cynthia Graham, coauthor of the study, says in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, "Increasing evidence suggests, however, that they [erectile problems] may influence whether condoms are used correctly or from start to finish of sex."

What she means by this is that there is a psychological component at play when a man with either known or unknown erectile dysfunction tries to put on a condom. He may psych himself out, or the pressure over accomplishing the sexual act he wants to perform may cause his erection to fall before the condom comes out of the wrapper. Thus, he may try to avoid using one altogether.

More: Coffee may be the magic cure for erectile dysfunction

It makes perfect sense — they have equipment that has to work in order for the desired act to be achieved, and that in and of itself is nerve-wracking. Now imagine that you have to take your eye off the prize, so to speak, to put on a slippery rubber sleeve that isn't sexy at all. While I'm not trying to reinforce a guy's excuse not to wear a condom, I can understand why they'd want to throw the blame there — because then, if things fall short, the blame doesn't lie entirely with them.

MoreThe spray-on condom may be a reality sooner than you think

The research paper flat out states this concern. "Men who first experience loss of erection when they use condoms might worry about [difficulty] experiencing erections more generally and hence be more vulnerable [to erectile problems]." It's a vicious cycle of a problem, and the researchers point to lack of understanding around the actual condom application as one of its roots.

They found that more than a third of the men surveyed had never learned how to put on a condom correctly. That lack of know-how could easily contribute to anxiety-rooted erectile dysfunction. Thus, blaming the condom comes down to men's fear of being vulnerable, and admitting that they might have a physical or emotional problem. However, until men receive better sexual eduction, and/or stop looking to throw blame elsewhere, the number of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies will continue to rise.

In the meantime, ladies, if your guy says 'no' to condom use, you have the right to say 'no' to sex despite the guilt you may feel.

More6 Extremely common sex problems it's OK to finally talk about

Kim Richards goes missing & her ex promises to reveal major secrets (PHOTO)

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An insider told Radar Online that Richards was admitted to rehab under a 5150 psychiatric hold instigated by her family, but once that ran out, the facility could not legally hold her there against her will — and the Real Housewives star decided she'd had enough.

"Kim decided to leave," the source said. "She just bolted. The staff has no clue where she went, and it was definitely against medical advice. Her family had just visited over the weekend!

"Kim said she was cured, and felt good enough to go back to Los Angeles," the insider continued. "This is the worst thing Kim could do at this point because she has a court appearance this week for being drunk in public at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

"Kim is her own worst enemy. She is going to end up dead if she doesn't get serious about this!"

If true, this wouldn't be the first time Richards flew the coop — she allegedly left a treatment center before finishing back in June, too.

Richards does not have a verified Instagram account, but the one most likely to be hers has had some interesting activity. The page has been silent for 19 weeks, until yesterday when this dedication to her daughter was posted.

Kim Richards instagram

Kim Richards instagram

Could Richards have fled rehab to spend her daughter's 20th birthday with her? Possibly. Or it could all be a lie — rehab, leaving rehab, the 5150 hold — and a new post by Richards' ex Monty Brinson seems to imply that very thing.

More: Kim Richards' ex-husband writes a cryptic message about her future

In an Instagram message that has since been deleted, Brinson said someone close to the star has been selling stories about Richards to the tabloids and he knows who it is — and he is prepared to tell all very, very soon.

"…And tomorrow be prepared to read my post," he wrote. "I've found out a lot of stuff and I'm not afraid to say how I feel, the truth will started [sic] getting out about every situation in the last 5 years. I thank her fans who have believed in @kimrichards11 through her journey and you will not be let down. Isn't that what friends are for, I had to find out the truth first because I wouldn't want to lie and finally I know through some of this investigating work from another friends all the details and all the people who have been selling these false story's 5 percent truth rest lies. I wouldn't do this for Kim but would also do it for my family and friends. And if I wanted to I could say a lot of things about others that I know for a fact but a lot of people would be hurt. I just believe in love, living your life as you wish as long as you don't hurt others. Photographs of others, that would ruin families, voice mails, paperwork. But since so many people trust in me as a gentleman I would ask them if I could say it first. Then people can judge their perfect lives. Also I will mentioned the name who has been selling and telling these false stories I have it on tape."

We can't wait!

Fast-food kids' meals have too much salt, according to study

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The study — the first of its kind — looked at 163 popular kids' meal combinations from popular fast-food chains around the world, and findings show that Canadian kids are consuming some of the saltiest fast-food meals.

More: 19 Nutritionist-approved, grab-and-go snacks for kids

When comparing the same meals served in different countries, researchers found that over half the meals sold in Canada contained more than 1 gram of salt, which is more than an 8-year-old should eat in one sitting. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 should get no more than 1.9 grams of salt per day, Health Canada recommends.

For example, KFC’s Junior Chicken Burger contains 3.65 grams of salt in Canada, compared to 0.9 grams in the United Kingdom. In Costa Rica, if a child eats a KFC Popcorn Chicken meal (5.34 grams of salt per serving) just twice a month for a year, they would be eating a whopping 18 teaspoons of salt (106.56 grams) more than a child eating the same meal in the U.K. (0.9 grams of salt per serving).

And what does this added salt mean? “The more salt you eat as a child, the more likely you are to have serious health issues in later life,” says Professor Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of WASH. “This can include high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis and kidney disease. That is why it is vitally important that children do not get used to the taste of salt.”

More: 7 Healthy food habits to practice with your kids

Nobody’s suggesting we serve our kids only lentils and beets from now on (can you imagine?), but it’s important that we have access to nutritional information to make informed choices. Stephanie Tucker, a nutritionist at WASH, stresses the importance that “all fast-food restaurants should provide nutrition information, so that people can know exactly what is in their food.”

OK, so in a perfect world, this study is irrelevant, because we serve our children only kale, celery and lean proteins (in fact, they are begging us for it!). But you know what? Fast food tastes scrumptious. And it’s convenient. And when eaten very moderately, we shouldn’t be overly concerned.

More: 15 Cartoon-inspired meals that your kids will love

What do you think? Are you going to stop buying fast food for your children?

Ashley Madison data leak linked to Canadian suicides

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While police aren’t currently circulating more details on the deaths, they are investigating the hackers for the criminal data breach, according to the BBC. The increasingly impactful repercussions of the hack are leaving Canadian users of the site beyond alarmed.

More: Josh Duggar's Ashley Madison account reveals his extramarital preferences

Ashley Madison is a paid extramarital dating website run by Canadian-based company Avid Life Media. The website boasts a purported 37 million users worldwide, 273,000 of which belong to Canadian email addresses, according to Global News.

National Post reported that hundreds of user emails exposed in the hacking appear to be linked to the RCMP, military and Canadian government officials at federal, provincial and municipal levels. Using government email addresses for Ashley Madison could be considered a misuse of government resources — possibly leading to employment repercussions or firings for alleged users.

The impact of the data release has been far-reaching and serious for Canadians, with the now two related suicides reported in Toronto and a growing list of users that could face further consequences... beyond angry spouses.

More: 6 Ways you can cheat without even touching someone else

In July, the hacker group known as The Impact Team publicly threatened to release customer data in response to what it deemed to be immoral behaviour and dishonest security claims; on Aug. 18, the hackers followed through on their threat.

Avid Life Media is currently offering a $500,000 reward for information on the hackers, and Toronto police have issued a statement declaring the hackers’ actions as illegal and under investigation.

More: Beware! People in these professions have higher cheating tendencies

Celine Dion candidly shares her terminal husband's dying wish

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More: Celine Dion’s reaction to her husband’s cancer is heartbreaking (VIDEO)

The 47-year-old singer is returning to her Las Vegas residency after taking a two-year hiatus to care for her husband, René Angélil, who has terminal throat cancer.

In a candid, emotional new interview with USA Today, Dion opened up about her struggles over the past two years, especially coming to terms with her husband's diagnosis.

"I didn't want to be here at first," she said about returning to the stage. "I don't need it. Don't get me wrong — I love singing for people, but I have priorities."

More: Celine Dion postpones shows due to husband's cancer

She continued, "But René really gave me a gift. All my grieving, it was during this last year. I think I've got this, for now. When it hits me, it's going to hit me. But my biggest job is to tell my husband, 'We're fine. I'll take care of our kids. You'll watch us from another spot."

Dion met her now-73-year-old husband when she was only 12. He was her manager before they married in 1994. She told USA Today he was "the only boyfriend [she's] ever had" and "the leader of the band all [her] life."

Now, she said she tries to stay strong for the ailing Angélil, but that sometimes he "needs something more sensitive than that, more than just positivity... René says to me, 'I want to die in your arms.' OK. Fine. I'll be there. You'll die in my arms."

For now, Dion is set to return to the stage on Thursday. She said she doesn't know yet whether Angélil will make it to the show, but that it will be an emotional time for her regardless.

"There will be moments of emptiness, laughter, awkwardness, tearing up," she said. "But that's the point of coming back — otherwise, I (would) just release an album."

Our thoughts are with Celine Dion and her family during this difficult time.

More: 6 Female celebs who married much older men

What's your take on Dion's attitude about her husband's illness? Head down to the comments and share your thoughts.

Switched at Birth: A mysterious guest star will shake things up for Bay

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We were full of questions, and Katie Leclerc was full of answers recently during an interview with her about the hit show Switched at Birth and what is going to be happening with Daphne as well as the other characters. She reminded us that when we left the family, Bay was in a crisis, and that is where we will be finding her when the show returns to our televisions. When asked what scene she is most excited for fans to see, she actually mentioned one with Bay — that she is also excited to see — because she wasn't there for filming.

More: 10 Switched at Birth spoilers about the controversial Season 4B

Guest stars and split personalities

"There's a scene that I have not yet seen and I believe it starts the episode. I think it's the first scene in the episode. I'm not in the scene, so it's just Vanessa [Marano], and it's the many versions of Bay and she's having a mental crack. I think it'll be really Orphan Black-ish. It'll be really cool to see how the editors do it and how the many versions of Bay are very different. We can really see how Bay has changed over the last few months as well."

Leclerc also discussed the mystery person returning this season, but wouldn't give his or her name. She explained, "I don't know if I'm allowed to say who it is or not, but the fact that you don't know who it is makes me feel like I don't think I can [laughs]. Oh, shoot. Daphne has made some enemies over the past four seasons. Maybe not necessarily enemies, because this person is in a position of power and Daphne was a teenager at the time. Daphne doesn't have any direct interaction with this character, but Bay does. So, Bay's malice towards him is definitely palatable, but our girl Bay has a way of getting her way, so I wouldn't worry about it too, too much."

More: 13 reasons why Bay needs to catch a break

A blossoming relationship

Fans have been excited to finally see Daphne in a solid relationship, and they are not alone. Leclerc is also thrilled with her relationship with Mingo. She explained the Daphne and Mingo connection by saying, "Mingo, though, is totally on Daphne's side, and I love Mingo for Daphne. He pushes her and motivates her in ways that none of her previous boyfriends have, and he's really good, and I like that we didn't know whether they were going to be friends or enemies at first. They definitely have each other's back, and I think it's a really beautiful relationship."

What had Katie Leclerc the most excited during the interview? The possibility of there being a Season 5 of Switched at Birth. She explained that coming back to film the second half of Season 4 was like returning home, but said, "I think what will be extremely exciting is if we get a Season 5. The return to set for Season 5 is going to be super jump-for-joy, awesome!"

More: The reasons why Switched at Birth's rape plot isn't black and white

Who do you want to see pregnant on Switched at Birth this season?


Switched at Birth theory: This baby is the plot twist Toby needs most

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For months now, the internet has been buzzing with the news that someone was going to get pregnant on Switched at Birth. As the summer premiere got closer, no one gave any real clues as to which character it would be, but one thing was made very clear: The pregnancy storyline was going to come with a controversy.

More: Man Crush Monday: Switched at Birth edition with Lucas Grabeel

In a TV show, pregnancy plus controversy usually equals abortion. But the ABC series took this storyline in a different direction when, in the last moments of the summer premiere, it was revealed that Lily and Toby's (Lucas Grabeel) baby has Down syndrome.

Lily and Toby's baby: Will Down syndrome affect their decision?

Lily listed out all the reasons she wasn't ready to be a mother when she told Daphne about the unexpected pregnancy. She's just 24, she has no family nearby, and she's just getting started with her career. The fact that the baby now has Down syndrome means that the show could still be gearing up to introduce the idea of abortion. It's a topic that is already heated with debate and adding in the baby's genetic disorder will make it even more so. Will they decide to keep the baby or not? That will be the big question for the next episode.

Toby's life may have found a new direction

If they do decide to keep the baby, I'm going to toss out a controversial topic of my own and say that I think Toby could make an excellent single father. It Lily decides that she's not ready to be a mom and wants to go off and do her own thing, I hope that Toby steps in and raises the baby himself. Sure, his life isn't in the best place right now but who says life has to be perfect in order to bring a baby into the world? If people waited until everything was "just right" before having a baby, there'd probably be no kids ever again.

More: 10 Switched at Birth spoilers proving it's going to be a controversial season

It seems like Toby's been struggling to find a direction for his life since his marriage fell apart. DJing is great and all, and it's nice to see him finally happy again, but he needs to find a deeper meaning and, boy, wouldn't a baby do just that? Toby is an extremely supportive guy and has always been there when his sisters and the rest of the family has needed him. He's got all the qualities that make someone a caring father, he just needs the chance to do it.

Toby will make the best single dad ever

Will it be a challenge? Heck yeah, but he's up to it. Just look how he handled everything when he discovered his sister was switched at birth. He embraced Daphne with open arms and learned to sign like a champ. There's no doubt that he will open his heart to his child and offer him or her the support they need to take on anything life throws their way. Let's not forget how his family comes together to help whenever one of them needs it. That baby would be surrounded by love.

People will undoubtedly argue that Toby is in no condition to raise a baby, but the only reasons they'll have will be material ones. They'll talk about his lack of finances (especially now that his parents are facing trouble in that area). They'll talk about his job as a DJ and how that will keep him out all night. They'll talk about how he doesn't have a college education. But when you look at the most important aspects of being a good father: Love, strength of character, encouragement — these are what he has in plentiful amounts.

More: Switched at Birth: 13 Reasons Bay really needs to catch a break

What Toby's new life could mean to the show

Purely from a storyline viewpoint, Toby becoming a single dad will take the series into places no one could have guessed it would go. The pilot was about two girls switched at birth, one of which was deaf and the other was not. The series has grown beyond their story and included all of the people around them. A series is made richer by having more characters and beefing up Toby's storyline will only do great things for the show.

What do you think about the latest controversy on Switched at Birth? Do you think Toby could raise a child with Down syndrome on his own?

RHONY's Kristen Taekman is the latest victim of the Ashley Madison hack

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More: The RHONY reunion looks like a hot mess, thanks to Ramona (VIDEO)

Real Housewives of New York star Kristen Taekman's husband Josh Taekman is reportedly the latest name to surface in the hack, which exposed the personal information of more than 37 million account holders on the website, which exists to help husbands cheat on their wives.

According to E! News, Josh's account on the site could be a breaking point in the reality TV couple's already strained relationship.

"Kristen is embarrassed by this entire situation," a source close to the family told the site. "They have had their problems in the past but worked hard on them. This could be the final straw and the end of their marriage."

E! reports that Kristen and Josh are currently in Los Angeles on their EBOOT tour, and that their marriage was already on the rocks before the Ashley Madison information surfaced, as documented on the show.

More: The Kristen Taekman and Bethenny Frankel feud on RHONY has gone too far

During the couple's debut on RHONY, they argued explosively in front of the cameras, drawing negative comments from viewers on social media. The arguments and the reactions from fans became factors when producers chose not to show Josh any longer on the popular Bravo series.

E! news reports that representatives for both Kristen and Josh have yet to comment, and the couple's RHONY co-stars haven't addressed the scandal yet, either.

More: RHONY's Kristen Taekman on her feelings about the Bethenny Frankel drama

Do you think this news will spell the end of the Taekmans' marriage? Who do you think will be the next celebrity couple affected by the Ahsley Madison hack? Head down to the comments and share your thoughts with us.

Our Little Family's Michelle on the toughest question Jack has ever asked (VIDEO)

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Summer fun with new friends

Summer was busy for the Hamill family, and will end up being a treat for the viewers. The family did a lot of traveling, including going to Oregon. According to mom Michelle, her family "did a crossover special with the show Little People Big World. We went out to Portland and we all had a blast." Who had the most fun on this trip? That is easy. "I have to say the person in our family who had the most fun was Jack. When asked his favorite part of the summer, he will tell you it was going to the Roloff farm." Besides traveling to Oregon, the family also traveled to New York to do some sightseeing. Back at home, Hamill told us, "The girls took their first dance class, Dan went skydiving and I took a cooking class."

More: Michelle talks about teaching her kids that it is OK to be different

We wanted to know more about what we would see this season on Our Little Family, and Hamill spilled the details. "The one thing that you will be seeing on Our Little Family is how much the girls have changed. Their personalities are really shining through this season. You will be able to see how they are so unpredictable; we can't figure out which is which, personality-wise, sometimes. Just when you think you have them figured out, they switch on you. This season you will also see more day-to-day reality, what our life is like on a daily basis."

More: Jack's best one-liners on Our Little Family

There has been a lot of controversy over the years regarding having television productions in homes with children, and how it affects the children. So we asked Hamill what her kids think about all the cameras and she gave us a funny answer. "The girls are oblivious to what is going on. I think they think that the crew is here to play with them. Jack totally gets it, and understands completely that we are shooting a TV show, and we will be on TV. When we are in the process of shooting he will wake up and ask, 'What are we shooting today?' He really loved shooting the days with the Roloffs and then coming home and watching his new friend Zach on their show."

Parenting can get emotional

Getting serious during our interview with Hamill, we asked her about answering those hard questions that every parent has to answer. She was extremely honest about one particular question that her son asked her and how it personally affected her. She told us, "The hardest question that I have had to answer came from Jack. He wanted to know why he can't run as fast as the other kids. He was about 4 at the time, and I just simply explained to him it is because his legs aren't as long as the other kids'. He seemed to be good with that answer. But I have to tell you, it did pull at my heartstrings a little bit."

More: All about Jack's hockey adventure on Our Little Family

After watching the clip above, we had to get Hamill's take on her gift. She exclaimed, "It truly was the best ever. I always ask for something that I need, like new sunglasses, a new wallet, a new purse. This was the first year that Dan and the kids made something on their own. It means so much more than a new item. I will always have it, and can look back on it and remember that this is something that they made on their own. Especially how fast they are growing up."

Are the Hamills willing to do a Season 3?

So what is coming up after Season 2 for the Hamill family? Hopefully a Season 3. We asked Hamill if her family would be willing to come back for a third season if TLC invited them, and she said yes. Our Little Family fans can rejoice and hopefully celebrate many more years of watching the Hamills on their TVs.

Be sure to watch Our Little Family Tuesday nights on TLC, and look for Michelle Hamill's exclusive blog on SheKnows after every episode of Season 2.

Pork loin that gives you an excuse to have bacon and bourbon for dinner

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Pork tenderloin is one of my go-to meals because it can be made in the oven or on the barbecue and cooked whole or cut into medallions or small pieces. It's so versatile.

Pork-tenderloin-with-bacon-and-bourbon

This pork loin is super easy to make with only 3 ingredients, and that's counting the pepper.

Pork-and-bacon-with-bourbon-sauce

And for a little extra-special touch, buttery bourbon sauce is drizzled on top of the pork and tastes so good with the bacon.

Bacon-bourbon-pork-on-plate

You'll just have to give this succulent pork loin a try — that's all there is to it.

Bite-of-pork-loin-wrapped-in-bacon

Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with bourbon sauce recipe

Succulent, tender and moist bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is topped with a bourbon sauce made with butter and maple syrup.

Serves 2

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 50 minutes | Inactive time: 8 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 8 minutes

Ingredients:

For the pork tenderloin

  • 1 pound boneless pork tenderloin
  • 4 slices bacon
  • 4 dashes ground black pepper

For the bourbon sauce

  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 dashes salt
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Directions:

For the pork tenderloin

  1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Wrap the pieces of bacon around the pork from 1 end to the other, covering as much of the pork as possible. Gently tuck in the end of each piece of bacon under part of the bacon that is already wrapped.
  3. In an ovenproof skillet or shallow pan, lay the bacon-wrapped tenderloin in the middle.
  4. Bake uncovered until thoroughly cooked (about 50 minutes).
  5. Remove from the oven, and let rest for about 8 minutes before cutting.
  6. Cut in thick slices, and serve warm, topped with bourbon sauce.
  7. Serve with vegetables and potatoes.

For the bourbon sauce

  1. About 10 minutes before the pork is done cooking, heat a medium-size saucepan on low to medium heat, and add the bourbon, butter, brown sugar, salt and maple syrup.
  2. Stir as the sauce warms.
  3. Continue to cook on low heat until the sauce starts to slightly thicken (about 10 to 12 minutes). Stir as the sauce warms.
  4. Drizzle on top of thickly sliced, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin.

More pork tenderloin recipes

Parmesan-crusted baked pork medallions
Baked pork tenderloin and Parmesan-mushroom sauce
Grilled pork tenderloin with spicy harissa paste

Bounce authors explain how they treat all those steamy sex scenes in the book

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The girls' final installment of the Boomerang series, Bounce, comes out today, and for the first time in the trilogy, they navigate new territory: that of the enigmatic younger man.

Skyler Canby is a 22-year-old cellist trying to make her way in Los Angeles as a musician when she lands the starring role in a hot new romance film. Grey Blackwood is her audition partner — a fellow musician and general go-to guy for his brother the film executive, Adam.

When Skyler and Grey kiss as part of the audition, sparks fly, but Grey is only 19. Skyler can't have a romantic attachment to an immature younger guy, can she? No matter how sexy he is.

Bounce from the Boomerang seriesBounce is part of a super popular genre, hot right now, called New Adult. Rossi explained, "The genre focuses on the stage of life that occurs after high school, into the early 20s. Characters are often in college and have more independence than in Young Adult novels, but they're still trying to find their way in the world."

More: New Adult vs. Young Adult: What’s the difference?

Oberweger said, "Writing about characters who are more fully entering the adult world, engaging in love relationships with greater acknowledgment of its physical expression, dealing with who they want to be — creatively and professionally — is truly compelling."

She's right. Skyler and Grey are both just growing up, really. Skyler, for instance, feels the pressures of being thinner and thinner to make it in Hollywood. Grey feels the pressure of trying to live up to his family's (and his self-imposed) expectations.

Rossi admits she didn't want to make the body image stuff too heavy-handed. Instead, her intentions with taking on Hollywood were further-reaching. She said, "If the story was meant to 'teach' something, it would really be about being enough — realizing that your beauty is not dictated by outside constructs unless you buy into that. And realizing that your worth isn't dictated by your acts, only, but by who you are. And that who you are is perfect and enough."

More: Author challenges literary world to publish only female writers for a year

What's perfect about Bounce? The sexual tension. With the Young Adult genre, authors have to tiptoe around steamy content. According to Oberweger, not so in New Adult. "Veronica and I agree on the basics of treating sex with candor and sensitivity, making sure a sex scene does as much work as any other scene in the story, and focusing those scenes on character emotions, first and foremost. We want readers to think the scenes are hot and also to be moved."

Speaking of hot, let's take a moment to admire Grey Blackwood, our young male lead. He's a hard rocker, but he's a vulnerable disaster, too. "For me," Rossi said, "his real sexiness stems from his passion. He lives hard; he does everything full-tilt. I admire that. I find that kind of energy and confidence really attractive. People like that make you pay attention."

Oberweger continued, "I responded so much to Grey because he was a bit more of a mess than the others, because he did more stumbling — and, as Veronica remarked, he did it with gusto."

Although the ladies worked together to write Bounce, they didn't have the chance to hang out often during the course of writing. They wrote together from across the country, emails flying. However, they did have time to invent a drink while developing Bounce, called the Maverick, which, in Rossi's words, is "highly memorable."

More: The next big thing for YA: Is dystopian dead?

Now that the Boomerang series has come to a close, Rossi has a two-book Young Adult series coming up, with the first book, Riders, launching in February. She said, "It's a modern-day fantasy about four teens who unwittingly become incarnations of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. It's got action, romance and general hilarity." Oberweger will continue to do what she does and rock life like a Choose Your Own Adventure book.

Now, enjoy a tease from Bounce, out today (reprinted courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers).

Homemade dog treats that will freshen your pup's breath

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If I didn’t know what an ingredient was, I moved along to the next treat. I even Googled a few things. Then it occurred to me, “Robin, you’re a nutritionist and chef, why don’t you make your own dog treats?” I tried to remind myself that I barely have time to shower, let alone make homemade treats for Hank, but I decided it couldn’t hurt to research foods that promote oral health. That research turned into one amazing treat, even for humans. And I must confess, this was one of my favorite recipes to create.

These treats are wheat-free (which is as important for some dogs as it is for some humans) and crammed with dog-friendly ingredients that promote good oral hygiene.

Here’s what I included and why: 

  • Oats: Abrasive texture helps clean teeth
  • Brown rice flour: Plenty of dogs are sensitive to wheat
  • Parsley: Freshens breath
  • Cinnamon: Freshens breath
  • Coconut oil: Not only boosts the immune system and digestive and metabolic health, it combats bad breath
  • Green tea: Kills the microbes that make stinky breath, lowers bacteria in the mouth and reduces the acidity of saliva, which reduces dental plaque
  • Peanut butter: Dogs love it

Wheat-free, breath-freshening dog treats recipe

I had such fun with these — and so did Hank. Give them a try and tell me how it went in the comments!

Makes 20 to 24 treats, depending on the size of your cookie cutters

Nutrients per treat if you make 24: 89 calories, 3g protein, 15g carbs, 2g fiber, <1g sugars, 2g fat, 9g cholesterol, 118mg sodium.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
  • 1-1/2 cups brown rice flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup brewed caffeine-free green tea
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water

Directions:

1. Place the oats in a food processor fitted with the metal blade.

Dog Treats

2. Process until finely chopped.

Dog Treats

3. Add the brown rice flour, baking soda and cinnamon and process until blended.

Dog Treats

4. Add the parsley leaves and process until blended.

Dog Treats

Dog Treats

5. Add the egg, peanut butter, coconut oil, and green tea and process until blended.

Dog Treats

6. Add the chicken broth or water a little at a time and process just until the mixture comes together to form a dough.

Dog Treats

7. Transfer the dough to a large piece of parchment paper and roll out to 1/2-inch thickness (if the rolling pin sticks, cover the dough with plastic wrap).

Dog Treats

8. Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into shapes and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. I chose my cookie cutters based Hank’s favorite things: chasing rabbits, love and healing on walks. OK, the hand is for healing, and maybe he would rather chase rabbits, but I thought it was funny. I also free-formed two bones.

9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before delighting your dog.

Dog Treats

Here's how it went down in my house...

Hi, Mom.

Dog Treats

What’s that?

Gobble, gobble…

Dog Treats

Mmmmmm.

Dog Treats

More?

Dog Treats

All fresh!

Emma Roberts shamed for being too fit and thin in lingerie campaign (PHOTOS)

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Since launching last spring, #AerieREAL has exclusively featured models. Roberts is the first non-model to star in the body-positive campaign, which boasts photos that are completely unretouched — no digital nipping, tucking, airbrushing or tanning allowed.

More: Fans hate Melissa McCarthy's ridiculously Photoshopped picture (PHOTO)

"We left everything: beauty marks, tattoos," Aerie style and fit expert Jenny Altman told ABC News when the campaign launched last year. "It's a selling point because our customers represent this great demographic, and they don't get to see what girls their age really look like."

And although such a relevant and necessary concept shouldn't be revolutionary, sadly, it kind of is.

Roberts, for one, couldn't contain her excitement over being involved with this inclusive campaign. Sharing several shots from her shoot on Instagram, the actress gushed, "So excited for you guys to see my @aerie #aerieREAL campaign finally!! This photo is not re touched and has no filter!! Remember REAL is sexy. REAL is cool!!"

Emma Roberts Aerie 1

Emma Roberts Aerie 1

Emma Roberts Aerie

Emma Roberts Aerie

Emma Roberts Aerie

Emma Roberts Aerie

At the launch dinner celebrating her part in the campaign, Roberts opened up to People about how the message behind the brand fits in with her new life philosophy of embracing that which is real.

"Since I've turned 24, I really, like, cleared out toxic people in my life. I only surround myself with people — with work and with friends — people that are going to make me feel confident and make me happy and make me laugh. And so that way, the mean things don't get to me as much," she said.

Unfortunately, despite Roberts' good intentions in spreading a body-positive message, her involvement in the #aerieREAL campaign was not immune to those "mean things." And while that in and of itself is disappointing, the truly disheartening thing is where the bulk of the criticism was coming from.

In Roberts' own demographic (and close to it), young girls and women were overwhelmingly supportive. "You go with your bad, natural sexy self. No need for touch ups," wrote one fan. "So inspiring, finally something REAL again! Thank you for doing this!!" weighed in another.

And it didn't stop there. From "Thank you for promoting girls to love their bodies!" to "You are such an inspiration," thousands of comments poured in from young women who saw Roberts' participation for what it was: an opportunity to help females realize that real is beautiful.

More: Emma Roberts looks fabulous in new blond style

It seems that the audience who really missed the message was the older female demographic. (To think, we wonder where the younger generation gets the "mean girl" syndrome.)

"Funny. For being a 'real' ad campaign, she still has 10 lbs of makeup on her face and a strategically placed robe/sweater to cover her 'real' skinny body. Whatever makes her feel more confident. I like the message. I don't like the execution," remarked one woman.

"She's a disappointing choice for this campaign. She does not represent 'real' body type because she is one of the skinny celebrities," said another. "Plus most 20-something women don't really like Emma Roberts as an actress or person."

"I really don't think skinny white objectively beautiful women in their 20s need more uplifting," insisted one woman.

"She's a beautiful young lady, and I applaud her for trying to help young girls accept their God-given bodies as beautiful," another woman commented, adding, "But I must say it almost defeats the point of the message when those preaching it rarely require the help of Photoshop."

Only, isn't it actually statements like this that defeat the message? The message the #aerieREAL campaign is trying to get across is that real is beautiful. The underlying reality of that message is that real looks different for everyone. There is no universally "real" woman.

As far as age or race or — yes, weight — being a factor, I didn't realize there was a threshold for empowerment. I find the notion that there are physical markers for whether a woman should or should not be celebrated and encouraged to be particularly problematic.

Yes, Emma Roberts is thin. Not unhealthy. Not toeing some extreme. Thin just happens to be one of the myriad body types that exist in the world. As such, I would be willing to wager there are many girls out there who do look a lot like the petite actress.

And, sure, there are plenty others who don't. We are all aware that a singular woman could not possibly be the embodiment of every body type, right? The hope here is that in seeing Roberts willing to be so vulnerable and real, other celebrity women will be inspired to join the campaign or others like it.

More: Meghan Trainor shockingly edited to look thinner on the red carpet (PHOTOS)

Roberts summed that sentiment up well when chatting with Refinery29, saying, "I'm honestly surprised more people aren't jumping on this bandwagon!"

Whatever the desired effect the female commenters above had, it's that kind of mentality that proves how far we have to go in fighting the stigma of perfection. After all, how will we ever be an inclusive society if every time a woman tries to present her authentic self, we tell her she isn't enough?

Emma Roberts Aerie ad


The 10 stages of going back to school... for moms

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Here are 10 mixed feelings that every mom has on the first day of school.

1. They're away all day. This is the best day I've had since the last first day of school!

Excited GIF

GIF credit: Giphy.com

2. Oh, wait. But first we have to buy school supplies. What the heck are Book Sox?

Kardashian GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

More: School supplies your kid actually needs

3. And, of course, back-to-school clothes that are bound to end up stained and with weird holes, but still cost more than anything I own.

Shopping GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

4. I can kiss my low-key mornings goodbye. There's a science fair project that needs to be thought up, put together and finished in the next 40 minutes. Thanks, Son.

Walking Cat GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

5. And I lose my evenings to homework. Thanks, learning.

Breaking Bad GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

More: How much should you really worry about your kid's homework?

6. And I need to come up with five school lunches a week. Which is great, because I am fantastic at ordering pizza.

Simpsons GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

7. And I need to try to make them healthy so their teachers won't judge me. Well, healthy-ish. Let them know those are organic cheese doodles, Charlotte.

Inside Out GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

8. Oh God, I forgot about all those theme days. Damn you, Crazy Hair Day.

Not Today GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

9. Not to mention the fact that we only did three things on your summer wish list. Maybe we'll go to LEGO Land, Disney World and Disney Land next year, kiddos.

Sorry Lawrence GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

More: How to put sunscreen on kids in 10 (not so) easy steps

10. But the biggest problem is that they keep getting older. I'm going to download the soundtrack to Fiddler on the Roof and sing "Sunrise, Sunset" through my night-before-the-first-day-of-school wine.

Dumbo GIF

GIF Credit: Giphy.com

Women's Equality Day is about looking back as much as it is looking forward

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Still struggling for equal rights, pay, and more, women of history have fought their blood, sweat and tears to make America a place that women can feel comfortable in. Here's a peak at the past 100 years of monumental moments in women history.

(1848 - 1920) Women's Rights Movement

The Women's Rights Movement began in 1848, sparking a nearly decade long fight for gender equality in familial responsibilities, more opportunities in education and career, as well as political voice.

(1916) First Woman elected into congress

Jeanette Rankin was elected to serve into the House of Representatives, serving a two-year term as Montana's Representative-at-large.

More: How women are taking the wheel to fund their dreams

(1917 - 1918) Women in the military

During the last two years of World War I, women were permitted to join the military as nurses and support staff. Over 400 women lost their lives while serving during this time period.

(1919 - 1920) 19th Amendment

On June 4, 1919 Congress passed the bill that allowed women the right to vote, ending the Women's Rights Movement and women suffrage.

(1925) First woman governor

Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman to serve as governor, serving a two-year term in Wyoming.

(1933) First woman in the U.S. Cabinet

On January 25, 1933 Francis Perkins was sworn in as the first woman to hold Secretary of Labor.

(1943 - 1954) First women in baseball

In 1943, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was created as a means to keep baseball in tact while many of the players were serving in WWII.

(1960) The pill

Thanks to the hard work of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, Endocrinologist Gregory Pincus and biologist Katherine McCormick, Enovid is the first approved birth control pill available for contraceptive.

(1963) Equal Pay Act

On June 10, 1963, John F. Kennedy signed a law eradicating wage discrepancies based on the sex of the worker.

(1963) First Woman in Space

On June 16, 1963 Russian astronaut, Valentina Tereshkova, became the first woman in space on flight Vostok 6.

(1964) Sex discrimination

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passes as means to end sex discrimination in the workplace.

(1968) First African American woman elected into Congress

Shirley Chisholm makes history by becoming the first African American woman to hold a seat in the House of Representatives.

More: It's time we recognized how influential women's lives are to news and media

(1972) Equal Rights Amendment

First proposed by the females in the Women's Rights Movement in 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment is passed on March 22, 1972, stating “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”

(1973) Roe vs. Wade

After three years, the Supreme Court rules in favor of abortion, noting that abortion is a "fundamental right" under the constitution.

(1981) First woman in the U.S. Supreme Court

Being denied by over 40 law firms early in her career, Sandra Day O'Connor breaks gender boundaries by becoming the first woman elected into the U.S. Supreme Court on July 7, 1981.

More: Meet the 7 ad companies who are changing our culture

(1984) First woman to run for Vice President

Although she was not successful, Geraldine Ferraro placed her name into history books by becoming the first female Vice Presidential candidate.

(1993) First female Attorney General

Janet Reno not only was the first lady to serve as Attorney General, she also held the second longest term of any of her predecessors, serving eight total years.

(1997) First woman Secretary of State

Elected during the Clinton administration, Madeleine Albright served her title as the first female Secretary of State for nearly 20 years.

(2005) First African American woman as Secretary of State

Shortly after Albright's departure, Condoleezza Rice becomes the first African American woman in her position at the White House.

(2012) Highest amount of women in Congress

Breaking the 1992 record, 2012 saw more than 100 women elected into the Senate and House of Representatives, including a wonderful mix of ethnicity's.

(2014) Equal Pay Act revisited

In April 2014, President Obama signed an Executive Order to avoid workplace discrimination and protect women when negotiating equal pay.

(2015) Marriage Equality

On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage through-out the nation, allowing women (and men) to marry whoever they choose.

Sarah Silverman writes amazing tribute to her late mother (PHOTO)

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And immediately go hug or call your mother.

The School of Rock actress honored her mother's memory on Monday with a tweet about her beautiful mom. Beth Ann O’Hara, Silverman's mother, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the age of 73.

She wrote, "She was a know-it-all in overalls & two different colored socks. And defiantly, no bra."

More: Sarah Silverman inspires everyone with her rallying cry for equality (VIDEO)

She mentioned how her mother helped her become confident and to do things on her own. She recalled, "The woman who, when I was little, gave me detailed directions to the restaurant ladies room then secretly watched as I found my way to it on my own."

Sarah Silverman's tribute to her late mother

Sarah Silverman's tribute to her late mother

It seems that independence training stayed with her as she grew into not only one of the greatest comedians of our time, but a strong feminist and social activist, too. She wasn't done honoring her mother’s memory and legacy. She finished by recounting a few of her favorite stories and parts of her mother's life. She continued, "The woman who went back to college at 42, and skinny dipped in ponds…"

More: Did you know you pay a vagina tax? According to Sarah Silverman, you do.

But she saved the absolute best for last when she shared her mother’s words of wisdom on love with us, saying, "… and [she] told me never to protect myself from a broken heart because it was so very worth the pain to get to experience love."

Silverman is the youngest of five siblings and her mother sounds exactly like the type of woman I hope to become and strive to be as I continue to grow as well as raise my own child.

Condolences to the Silverman family on the loss of a beautiful woman.

More: Sarah Silverman slams ring rumors, claims she won't marry

Toddler forced to undergo surgery to remove stuck earring

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When the North Carolina mom went to remove her toddler's earring, she noticed that the front flange was actually embedded into her daughter's earlobe — only the post and the earring's back remained, sticking out the back of the 3-1/2-year-old's ear. What was left of the earring was stuck, and she was unable to easily remove it.

More: Teen pulls the unthinkable out of his ear after an excruciating earache

"I watched it for a few days hoping that it would work itself back out," Moore says, but after a few days, she was no longer comfortable waiting and made an appointment with the family's pediatrician.

The family was promptly referred to an ear, nose and throat doctor, who quickly determined that outpatient surgery was the best option for safe removal. This situation was stressful enough, but when Moore went to remove her other earring before the surgery took place, the face to that earring also fell off.

"Luckily, this one was not embedded in her ear yet, and the doctor was able to remove it while she was under anesthesia without having to cut the earlobe," she shares. "He did, however, have to make an incision on the ear with the embedded earring in order to remove it."

Sophia's embedded earring

Image: Michelle Moore

Her surgery went well and the toddler will recover fine, but Moore spoke with SheKnows because she wants to get the word out about these earrings to save other little kids the pain and heartache.

More: Alternatives to piercing kids' ears

"Sophia has had her ears pierced for about a year," she explains. "She initially had another pair of earrings, but likes Hello Kitty so my mother-in-law bought her a pair of Hello Kitty earrings from Claire's." Moore notes that her mother-in-law was hoping to get a quality pair of earrings so she selected a set of starter earrings, which are the ones that are used when someone gets their ears pierced.

Nobody expects the face of an earring to fall off, allowing for the flange of the earring to become embedded in their child's ear. And nobody wants to see their young child going under anesthesia because they were wearing earrings that didn't work the way they were designed to — which is to not fall apart while in a child's ear.

If your child has pierced ears, make sure you inspect them regularly to make sure the front is firmly attached to the post so this doesn't happen to your child. You should also make sure you follow the directions for aftercare to keep infection at bay. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rubbing alcohol or antibiotic ointment be applied to a new piercing three times daily for a few days to reduce the risk of infection. After that, parents are advised to keep an eye on the post on the back of the ear, which can also become embedded in the earlobe, as well as keeping an eye out for contact allergies, tearing and other complications.

More: You have been wearing your earrings all wrong

Moore has since been in contact with Claire's, who apologized and promised to investigate further. Claire's had not returned SheKnows's call for comment at press time.

Has your child had an earring issue? What happened?

How to help your kids avoid back-to-school marketing madness

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You may be able to avoid impulse-buying by shopping online. But that won't solve the problem of your kids getting targeted with back-to-school buying messages through websites, online games, Facebook updates, and even YouTube.

Plus, social shopping -- wherein kids spread the message about their favorite products to other kids online -- is gaining momentum with marketers. Help your kids learn to recognize -- and avoid clicking on -- these types of promotions.

Always keep your family's budget and practical needs in mind as you shop. If your kids are interested in a product, challenge them to comparison shop and list the pros and cons of an item. Help them figure out what they really need -- as opposed to what they want (and may get tired of soon). If you have the teachers' school supplies list, pay attention to the "no" items -- for example, why buy a fancy calculator if they're not allowed in school? Encourage kids to join their peers in spending their own money (which, according to the NRF's survey, averages about $34.40 per kid).

Beyond that, nurture a healthy sense of skepticism -- what we call "ad savvy" -- so your kids learn to view media critically.

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