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My first mammogram almost scared me to death

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Current recommendations may seem confusing since the American Cancer Society recently raised the age of first screening from 40 to 45, depending on family history. But for someone with my family history — mother, maternal grandmother with two primary tumors and maternal aunt — it's a no brainer that I would have to start younger, which is why I found myself in the high risk clinic at 30 getting gene tested and palpated and getting my first mammogram last week at age 38.

More: Researchers: Mammograms before 50 can be lifesaving

To say I was terrified would be a massive understatement. I contemplated taking a Valium. I made my husband come with me. I planned my whole day so I would have something to look forward to afterwards. I assumed it was horribly painful to be compressed and braced myself for the absolute worst.

And all that says nothing about the emotional toll.

Watching a person get sick and die of cancer is horrible for anyone. But I spent my entire adolescence — the entire time in which I was developing breasts — watching my mother go through chemotherapy and radiation, watching her get a mastectomy, and lose her hair. Mouth sores, severe nausea, a jagged scar along her chest where her breast once was —  this is what flashes into my head when I see pink ribbons. So it was sickening to walk into the cheerful waiting room outside radiology and be confronted by two giant Mylar balloons in the shape of ribbons — pink, of course.

"I feel nauseous," I told my husband who pushed me through the door anyway. I knew I had to do it. I have three kids, 9, 7 and 2. They need their mom. And my doctor recommended that, despite studies that suggest mammography could be dangerous, it was still important for me to establish a baseline so that my screenings could be monitored more closely.

Mammography might detect cancers that would otherwise go undetected, which can be a good or bad thing, according to some. There are cancers that apparently get treated because of early screening that may never have grown or hurt the woman. So, it might seem that mammography leads to overtreatment. And maybe it does. But studies have shown that, in countries where access to screening is more readily available, women survive cancer more. Given my family history, my doctor decided the overtreatment and radiation risks were worth it.

The actual procedure was much easier than I thought it would be. It is awkward to stand with one breast exposed and have it compressed into a machine. And yes, it was slightly uncomfortable, though, for me, it wasn't painful. "It really depends on your pain tolerance," the tech told me as she forced my breast into position, then compressed it with a clear, plastic tray that looked like I should be eating lunch from it, not smooshing my boob into it.

More: Mammograms may not be the best way to screen for breast cancer

I have a high pain tolerance. Three drug-free births and countless marathons have made me pretty hardy, so it really did not hurt. And once I was in the process of taking the photos, I was no longer emotional, either. It was just another procedure. I left the office and went straight to the MAC store where I did some retail therapy to calm my jangled nerves and felt smug about my decision to take my health into my own hands.

Two days later my doctor called to warn me that something on the test had been inconclusive. "They saw something, but they won't know what until they do further testing." Cue panic and terror. They were able to squeeze me in for a second round of mammograms on my left breast, the place where something "inconclusive" was found and I was told that "now is not the time to seriously worry."

OK, I won't seriously worry. But I am still going to worry. My mother's pain — the whole family's pain — is etched in my mind. The whole way to the hospital, I imagined putting my own kids though that and questioned whether having them was even a good idea given this legacy of shit I was living with. I cried. A lot. I went through the exact same procedure I'd done two days before. Long wait to check in. Get my bracelet during annoying check-in process. Head to pink-ribbon room. Watch The Rachael Ray Show. Wait.

This mammogram hurt more since it was site specific and they needed to be extra careful. And this time the radiologist planned to review the scans immediately. For 10 minutes, I sat in the dressing room, shaking, alternating between thinking positively and planning my funeral. And then the nurse came back and said, "It was a tech glitch, everything is clear. You can go."

And that was that. A tech glitch. At 9 a.m. I thought I was dying and by 12:30 p.m. I learned that was just a technical error. I walked back out into the sun feeling relieved and slightly miffed. But mostly relieved. Yes, it was terrifying, but I'd rather they be thorough than not, and I have taken charge of my health by setting up a baseline that can inform all future screenings.

One ruined morning feels a lot better than being blindsided by cancer. Mammograms are imperfect and annoying and scary and uncomfortable. But they are what we have. I won't be scared anymore. Or, maybe I will be. But I won't let fear stop me from doing what needs to be done.


8 Divergent: Allegiant spoilers from the book

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As a huge fan of the Divergent trilogy, I'm anxiously anticipating what the two-part movie conclusion of the series will bring. What changes will the films make? And how will they handle that bombshell of an ending?

More: Insurgent is a movie for misfits trying to find their place in the world

Like I hope the title indicated, this article contains major spoilers from the Divergent trilogy books.

If you have read the books, then you know that the ending of Veronica Roth's novels was one of the most controversial trilogy endings in YA history, so definitely don't spoil this one for yourself lightly. I highly recommend, if you haven't read the books, to just experience this one for yourself.

But, that being said, here are the things you can expect to see from the movie's two-part conclusion.

1. Tris and Tobias leave the Chicago compound

Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Tobias are taken to the Bureau of Genetic Warfare where they discover the true secrets of the outside world, which isn't so pretty. Lots of ruined buildings.

2. The genetic experiment is explained, kind of

David, the head of the Bureau of Genetic Warfare, tells Tris that the Chicago experiment was supposed to correct genetic damage that was caused by government experiments. The experiments were supposed to perfect humanity by getting rid of things like violence, greed, cowardice, dishonesty and unintelligence. Hmm, sound familiar? Maybe like the opposite of the five factions of Divergent? Tris is divergent, meaning she has overcome the genetic mutations and is now considered genetically pure.

3. Tobias is not so genetically pure

Unfortunately, just because Tobias is divergent, doesn't mean he's genetically pure. In fact, he's put in the "genetically damaged" category and is treated as less than Tris because of it.

More: Who would win: Beatrice or Katniss? Shailene Woodley reveals

4. The memory serum virus

Since Tris is basically the only genetically pure member of the Chicago experiment, the Bureau of Genetic Warfare has this great idea that they are just going to wipe everyone else's memory clean and start with a fresh slate of minds so they can keep reproducing until ultimate purity is reached. Tris isn't so keen on this idea and makes it her mission to stop the Bureau.

5. Natalie Prior's backstory

Tris gets ahold of her mom's journal, thanks to Zoe. She discovers that her mom infiltrated the genetic experiment in Chicago in order to try and stop all the violence that was happening.

6. Tris dies

In order to stop the Bureau from unleashing the memory serum on Chicago, Tris concocts a plan to unleash it on the Bureau instead. But, complicated story made short, in order to make the plan work, someone has to sacrifice themselves. And, of course, it's Tris. The emergency lockdown to keep the memory serum from getting out means the room unleashes a death serum. And Tris inhales it, survives and then is shot in the head by Bureau leader David. Yup, I bawled my eyes out like a little baby.

7. It's all about love

Originally, Tris' brother Caleb wants to be the one to make the death serum sacrifice, but Tris takes his place. Caleb was going to sacrifice himself in order to absolve the guilt he felt for betraying Tris and his family, which, author Veronica Roth wants us to know, is the wrong reason to kill yourself. Tris, on the other hand, is sacrificing herself for the sake of love, which is apparently the justifiable reason to die. And a controversial one at that — just google the conclusion of this series if you want to get into that can of worms.

More: Zoë Kravitz shares details on bloody injury from the Divergent set

8. The city lives happily ever after

Just because Tris and Tobias don't get their happy ending together, doesn't mean all is lost. Tobias is able to convince Evelyn to give up her power-hungry ways and she partners with the Allegiant to create a better city.

The first part of the conclusion, Allegiant, is set to be released in theaters March 18.

Will you be seeing Part 1 in theaters? Which part from the books are you most excited to see play out onscreen?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Allegiant men slideshow
Image: Lionsgate/Red Wagon Entertainment/Summit Entertainment

Cincinnati chili with spaghetti squash — comfort food the gluten-free way

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This version of the famous Cincinnati chili is gleefully gluten-free thanks to using spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta.

Make a batch of gluten-free Cincinnati-style chili with spaghetti squash. It's full of substance and flavor, and it's fun, too!
Image: Patricia Conte/SheKnows

If you’ve never had Cincinnati-style chili, you need to do something about that. However, you don’t have to leave your house and head to Ohio. Make this gluten-free version in the comfort of your own home with spaghetti squash instead of regular spaghetti. Mix in beans, beef, cheese and onions for great flavor.

Cincinnati-style chili is made so many different ways in homes and restaurants everywhere. There are also a few different ways you can serve this dish — with or without onions or beans, or even with or without the cheese (but why would you leave that out?). Typically this dish is made with traditional spaghetti, but to keep this gluten free (and get in some extra veggies), I used spaghetti squash. What a fun treat for family and friends.

This gluten-free Cincinnati-style chili with spaghetti squash is flavorful and fun!
Image: Patricia Conte/SheKnows

Note: Gluten can be found in many different foods and products, from ketchup to soy sauce to candy and seasonings. While SheKnows tries to ensure that these recipes are gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient labels of all food and food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are also gluten-free.

Cincinnati-style chili with spaghetti squash recipe

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 40 minutes | Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 large spaghetti squash
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup diced white onion, plus additional 1/3 cup for topping
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 10 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1-1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon gluten-free hot sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for topping

Directions:

  1. To a large Dutch oven over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, and cook for 2 – 3 minutes or until the onion begins to soften. Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Add the ground beef, and increase the heat slightly. Cook, stirring, until browned.
  2. Reduce the heat back to medium. Add the tomato paste, and mix it into the other ingredients until it breaks down.
  3. Add the tomato sauce and beef broth to the pan, then the Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Stir to combine.
  4. Add the kidney beans and all the remaining seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for a few minutes, then reduce the heat. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. As the mixture simmers, cook the spaghetti squash. Place the whole, scored squash on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high heat for about 5 minutes, then remove. When cool to the touch, carefully cut the squash in half, vertically, with a sharp knife. Scrape out the seeds and strands.
  6. Place both halves cut side down in a microwave-safe dish, and add about 1-1/2 inches of water. Microwave on high heat for 10 minutes, then remove.
  7. When cool to the touch, use a fork to scrape out the inside of the squash in a downward motion to remove the spaghetti-like strands. Be careful, as the inside may still be hot.
  8. Transfer the warm spaghetti squash to individual plates, and top with the tomato mixture. Add the onion and shredded cheese on top, and serve immediately.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

50 gloriously gluten-free recipes everyone will love
Image: Patricia Conte/SheKnows

gluten-free friday
Image: SheKnows

More gluten-free recipes

Southwestern-style spaghetti squash bake
Spaghetti squash with grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes and Parmesan
Spaghetti squash with tomato-mushroom sauce

The Fosters sneak peek: Watch Callie and Brandon's beautiful duet

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We always knew the kids on The Fosters were special for their ability to handle whatever challenges life throws at them, but Monday's upcoming episode will prove just how amazing they all are in a completely different way.

The episode will showcase all of the Fosters' talents when they stage a musical performance of R&J — a modern spin on Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet — composed by Brandon, who also serves as pianist throughout the production.

More: The Fosters' Sherri Saum reveals the silver lining in Lena's kissing scandal

Mariana stars in the play as Juliet — opposite ex-boyfriend Mat's Romeo — but as you can see from the clip above, Callie's obviously got some crazy good pipes on her as well. It's also obvious that Brandon is intent on perfection while mastering his composition of the musical.

He really shouldn't worry, however, because apparently, the performance is so great that the 35-minute musical in its entirety will soon be available on the Freeform app — along with an iTunes album featuring original songs sung by The Fosters cast.

If you're worried the musical production of R&J will replace all of the juicy The Fosters drama that we all know and love, fret not. There's still plenty of behind-the-scenes action with Mariana and Brandon that fills the rest of the episode, especially when it comes to Mariana's current situation with Nick and Mat.

More: The Fosters' Maia Mitchell weighs in on the future of Brallie

"The two worlds have collided," The Fosters' co-creator, Bradley Bredeweg, told TVLine of how Mariana's romantic storyline is reflected in R&J. "She’s never had closure with her and Mat’s relationship. To be going through this whole process of being in a play with him where they’re [playing] love interests has been very hard for her. He’s never wanted anything to do with her since [their break-up], and that’s been really hard for her. But you see over the progressing episodes that there is this undeniable love that they have for each other. So to be portraying these characters [in R&J] that are so close to what they are — [Mariana and Mat] have this forbidden attraction to each other now that they have other people in their lives — it’s going to be hard. I’m excited to see how it all unravels."

More: The Fosters sacrificed Callie's future to teach a lesson about right & wrong

Before you go, check out our slideshow below featuring more teasers from The Foster's special musical episode.

The Fosters musical slideshow

The Fosters musical slideshow

Taylor Swift's ex-fling Matty Healy makes misogynistic remarks about her

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We're pretty sure the only person who still remember (or cares) that Taylor Swift was briefly linked to Matty Healy, lead singer of The 1975, is Matty Healy. Now, the singer is seriously dissing Swift and has us rolling our eyes all the way out of our heads.

Swift and Healy were first linked to each other back in November 2014 when Swift attended a The 1975 concert with friends. Shortly after, the pair were spotted wearing each other's tour merchandise. Healy also revealed during a radio interview that month, "We exchanged numbers. Let's see what happens, she's a sensation."

More: Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris put their love on display (PHOTOS)

Now, over a year later, Healy is opening up about the rumored fling to Q Magazine, even though no one cares anymore.

"So the one time I did have a flirtation with a girl it ends up going everywhere.... I mean, I got on E! News and people were like, 'Who's Matt Healy?' so that was cool," Healy told the magazine.

"But I didn't make a big deal out of it myself," Healy continued. "It's not really anything to talk about, because if she wasn't Taylor Swift, we wouldn't be talking about her. She wasn't a big impact on my life. It's just interesting to me how interested the world is about Taylor Swift."

More: 7 ways Taylor Swift and Matt Healy are actually perfect for each other

When asked whether he has a fear of losing himself when he enters into a relationship, Healy replied, "Yeah. Absolutely. And the reason I mention that is because if I had gone out with Taylor Swift, I would've been, 'F***ing hell! I am NOT being Taylor Swift's boyfriend.' You know, 'F***. THAT.' That's also a man thing, a de-masculinating, emasculating thing."

Ugh, get real! Healy could only dream of being lucky enough to call Swift his girlfriend. It's too bad his self-worth relies on outdated gender norms.

matty healy photo

matty healy photo

However, back in January 2015, Healy talked about Swift during another radio interview, saying, "We met each other, we exchanged numbers in the same way that a lot of people in this kind of world do, and we spoke occasionally, and then she's the biggest pop star in the world. I'm in Australia, there's no relationship or anything happening, it’s funny how people really, really buy into that."

"It didn’t really happen," Healy continued. "As much as it would be amazing for me if it did, unfortunately, it didn't."

Wait, so the "Chocolate" singer once said it would've been amazing to be Swift's boyfriend? Now, he's saying it would've been "emasculating"? Yeah... whatever.

More: Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris celebrate one-year anniversary (VIDEO)

The most annoying part of this is that we actually like The 1975's music. Their new album is really good, and their single "The Sound" is our jam. It's too bad Healy has to be a misogynistic jerk who possibly can't handle the fact that Swift didn't like him that much and decided to date someone much hotter, more successful and likely nicer, Calvin Harris. But who knows what the truth is?

As our girl T-Swift says, "Haters gonna hate!" Later, hater.

Before you go, enjoy our slideshow of Swift and Harris being #relationshipgoals.

Taylor Swift and Calvin Swift slideshow
Image: Taylor Swift/Instagram

Jamie Oliver's comments on breastfeeding do nothing for the cause

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More: How to be a breastfeeding advocate without being a jerk

We're delighted for them and, after four kids, they certainly don't need any advice about parenting. However Mr. Oliver does need some advice on breastfeeding and pretty simple advice it is too: just stop talking about it.

The TV chef does love a good old crusade and we’re right behind him when it comes to tackling childhood obesity and making sugary drinks less accessible. However we don't think he's the right person to get more women breastfeeding.

Nonetheless he's decided this will be his latest mission, reports The Telegraph.

Oliver said to London radio station LBC: "We have the worst breastfeeding in the world. If you breastfeed for more than six months, women are 50 percent less likely to get breast cancer. When do you ever hear that? Never. It's easy, it's more convenient, it's more nutritious, it's better, it's free."

His comments immediately attracted controversy, with many women pointing out that they did not always have a choice when it came to how they fed their baby.

More: My breastfeeding story doesn't always get the response I'm looking for

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 1

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 1

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 2

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 2

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 3

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 3

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 4

Jamie Oliver breastfeeding tweet 4

You'd think, after having four children, Oliver would have some understanding of what the early days and weeks with a newborn are like. If Jools found breastfeeding "easy," well then she's one of the lucky ones. Speaking for myself and the majority of my friends who breastfed, I certainly wouldn't use that word to describe it. "Challenging," "painful," "stressful" and "bloody difficult" come to mind for starters.

For many new mums breastfeeding doesn't work out for various reasons. Others choose to bottle-feed and that's perfectly fine too. We have all the statistics and scientific studies at our fingertips should we choose to read them but, ultimately, every woman makes that choice based on what she thinks is best for herself and her child.

Oliver, 40, and Jools, 41, who celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary last year, are parents to Poppy Honey Rosie, 13, Daisy Boo Pamela, 12, Petal Blossom Rainbow, six, and Buddy Bear Maurice, five.

More: The epic way to respond if your breastfeeding photos get "reported"

Why good moms lie to their kids ... sometimes

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Don’t get me wrong. I don’t begin each day plotting how to deceive my small humans while drinking my first cup of coffee. I don’t lie awake at night thinking of ways to pull the wool over my kids’ eyes. If you want to know the truth, my mind is pretty empty when I’m slurping down my first cup of java, and I don’t usually lie awake at night because I’m stinkin’ exhausted when my head finally hits the pillow.

More: 12 lies moms tell other moms (yes, even you)

But I lie to my kids daily.

You’ll turn into a grease spot if you don’t hold my hand in the parking lot. No one wants to be a grease spot, honey.” 

Chocolate? Oh no sweetie. This is mommy’s medicine. You wouldn’t like it at all. It’s spicy.” 

Those kiddie rides at the entrance of Target? Horses, helicopters or mini Thomas the Tank Engines? You know the ones. They eat quarters and bounce your kids around to the tune of super-annoying music for all of nine seconds.

MoreKids need to hear 'sorry' after moms yell at them

Sorry darling. That’s broken. Maybe next time.” 

Once in a while, we’ll happen upon some “fun mom” letting her snowflake ride the germ-infested fire truck (or whatever) right about the time we’re entering the store. This forces me to explain why I don’t have enough quarters. Or time. This usually results in crying.

I regularly threaten to take away iPads or suspend television watching. As if that would ever happen.

I lie, omit facts and stretch the truth to save time, elicit good behavior, save my sanity and in the case of Santa and the Tooth Fairy, to have fun and add a little magic to childhood.

I care about raising my children to be good human beings and yes, I agree good human beings are generally honest. When I ask my kids about what’s going on at school or who used my hairbrush to scrub the toilet, I expect truthfulness. I am honest with my kids about the big things in life. I give them age-appropriate slices of their adoption stories, my struggle with depression and ugly, scary things happening in the world.

Do I feel guilty about looking my kids in the eye and telling them the Snickers bar I don’t want to share is spicy medicine? Nope. Not one bit. Am I a monster because I don’t want to have a 10-minute conversation about why we don’t have time to ride the rickety, germy horsey at Target?

MoreWhy I won't tell my kids who I'm voting for in this election

No. I’m stinkin’ tired, I’m late, I have 20 zillion things to do and I forgot my list. On top of all that, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to bake cupcakes for some sort of class shindig tomorrow but my planner is buried underneath the mountain of laundry that’s piled on my couch. Maybe.

I’m multi-tasking like a boss and managing to stay one step ahead of the game… usually. But I’m a good mom. I love my kids and most of my waking hours are dedicated to doing stuff for them. I’m not complaining. Busy, unorganized moms take shortcuts and sometimes shortcuts involve little white lies.

Most of my kid lies are trivial. My 5-year-old has started raising his eyebrow when he busts me eating chocolate in the laundry room. I’m pretty sure he’s starting to get the idea that it’s not medicine but something good I don’t want to share. And, I’m pretty sure that when he connects the dots, he won’t be traumatized or lose trust in me.

More12 Thoughts you will have on your first night out away from the baby

I’m a good mom. I lie to my kids sometimes. Maybe not my brightest, shiniest moments in parenting, but I can live with myself. I bet you do it, too. Fess up and don’t make me bust out that “liar liar” line.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

sportsmanship quotes
Image: Tetra Images - Eric Isakson/Getty Images

Ariel Winter proves she's proud of her body with new bikini pic (PHOTO)

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Earlier this month, Kim Kardashian came under fire for posting a naked selfie (her lady bits were covered by black censor bars), and while she received a lot of backlash over the snap, she also received support from many celebs, including Ariel Winter.

More: Ariel Winter channels Beyoncé for her super-sexy birthday outfit (PHOTO)

Winter tweeted her support for Kardashian and said men and women should be able to choose what they want to do with their bodies, without judgment — and Kardashian was clearly happy with the support, and sent her a bouquet and a mention of how powerful it is for women to uplift and encourage other women.

Ariel Winter Instagram 2

Ariel Winter Instagram 2

Now Winter is proving that women should be proud to show off their curves and flaunt their figures publicly. Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Winter uploaded a video of herself wearing a chevron printed bikini. She captioned the post with, "For #springbreak or nah?" — and she's certainly had a reaction to the picture.

More: Ariel Winter fires back at breast reduction scar critics (PHOTO)

Ariel Winter Instagram

Ariel Winter Instagram

While there are critics like gethyperrr, who wrote, "Gets a breast reduction because she says she doesn't wanna be known for her body. Takes pics of herself half naked in bikinis, flaunting her body. Take notice of your male colleagues — how many of them take pics like this of themselves half-naked?"

And nanany123 wrote, "Someone needs a whole lot of validation @arielwinter."

More: Ariel Winter wants to use her troubled childhood to build a better future

There are also men and women who are praising Winter, and commenting on how good she looks — if we're going to be leaving a comment on someone's post, isn't this the reaction we should be leaving? No one needs to be told off, right?

"You look extremely good. Ignore the haters. Be happy with yourself," chefx1122 commented.

"Ariel, I'm sure you heard it a million times today, but you look AMAZING. And forget the haters. AND....I love you," shadowhawk95 shared.

To echo Ariel Winter's previous statements, men and women should be able to do what they want with their bodies. But what do you think of her latest post? Is she encouraging body positivity? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.


I refuse to ruin my kids' Easter this year just because it's trendy

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Candy to children is like currency, and on Easter, we were all rich as kings. Mountains of jelly beans, sticky marshmallow Peeps, Cadbury eggs so sweet they made your teeth hurt, giant hollow chocolate bunnies that always shattered the moment you bit into them. In short, Easter was simple and very, very sweet.

More: 25 adorable hair bows moms can DIY

I’ve only held the title of mom for a few years, but in that time I’ve watched children’s Easter baskets in my Facebook feed grow from piles of plastic eggs filled with chocolate robin's eggs and jelly beans to mounds of gifts, clothes and bicycles with a small wicker basket hidden somewhere in the center of the picture with a chocolate bunny tucked inside as an afterthought. This year I even saw a photo of a child’s plastic pool transformed into a giant Easter basket with the help of a hula hoop handle, filled to bursting with presents.

With this generation of parents more concerned than ever about feeding their children a healthy diet, it’s easy to see where the preference for Easter toys over Easter candy comes from. But seeing as how Christmas was only a few months ago, it’s hard to imagine what else kids could possibly want or need that Santa Claus didn't deliver.

And shifting the focus of Easter away from simple candy to piles of presents not only dilutes the magic of Christmas, it creates unreasonable expectations for all holidays to become an excuse for receiving a ton of gifts. What’s next? Fourth of July gift exchanges?

More: What happens when a mom goes full Marie Kondo on her kid's stuff

Candy isn't supposed to be an every day food, and even if it's the only thing kids receive in their Easter basket, that alone should be enough to thrill them. Plus, if my kids spill LEGOs or little green army men all over the floor, the only benefit I get from bending down to pick them up is knowing I won’t skewer my foot on that toy in the middle of the night. If I pick up a rogue jelly bean that’s perfectly protected from any floor seasonings by its hard candy shell, then I get a sweet treat.

Budget concerns aside, determining what gifts to purchase for your children is hard enough already for Christmas and for birthdays. Preventing Easter from becoming another gifting holiday by keeping the focus on candy is less stressful than having to assess which toys your child doesn’t own or which new one’s they’d be likely to play with. It also makes it very easy to not play favorites and keep things fair between multiple kids. When everyone’s getting the same sweets in their baskets, you don’t have to sit down and tabulate everything you buy to try to make sure everyone is getting an equal value and similar number of presents.

Easter remains one of the few holidays that features candy you can’t readily get year-round, and that’s a big part of what makes it so fun. The reason the Cadbury crème egg and crackly chocolate robin’s eggs taste so good is partially because you can’t run out to the store in September and buy them. Even the sugar monstrosity known as the Peep is novel enough that I’ll try one each year, if only to spit it out and shake my head in disbelief over how I used to eat them by the dozens.

MoreWhy I don't care if you think I'm a bad parent

Sure, Halloween is also a day where we let kids have tons of sugar, but it’s not the same. Halloween candy requires the effort of dressing up and going door to door, and even though it’s free, that candy is just miniature versions of what’s readily available at the grocery store checkout. But Easter is less complex. If you’re religious then it’s about the joy of the resurrection, and if you’re not then it’s about the joy of welcoming another spring. Easter is when a giant chocolate bunny can magically appear overnight, just because (or because your mom happened to have PMS the day she went shopping and went a teeny bit overboard), without a child having to do anything to earn it.

Even Christmas gifts purportedly hinge on a child being well-behaved throughout the year, lest a felt-clad elf doll rat them out to Santa Claus. Each December, kids unwillingly sit on Santa's lap to ask for presents, but even if you choose to treat/traumatize your child by bringing them to meet the Easter Bunny, they're not expected to hold an awkward conversation.

My parenting philosophy is to try to keep things simple, and for my family, when it comes to Easter, nothing is simpler than sugar.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Easter crafts for kids
Image: Peter Muller/Cultura/Getty Images

Blac Chyna gets intimate with Rob Kardashian after breakup rumors (VIDEO)

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Despite what the rumors say, things look like they're going just fine between Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian.

More: Rob Kardashian celebrates his pre-birthday in the cutest way ever (PHOTOS)

Just last week, clues on the pair's social media accounts suggested they had broken up — Kardashian deleted all his Instagram photos, and Chyna posted a quote about getting out of a relationship.

But on Thursday, Kardashian's birthday, Chyna posted a number of videos to Snapchat showing his intimate birthday dinner party at home, and leading to more speculation that the sources who said they broke up may have been wrong.

Rob Kardashian birthday 1

Rob Kardashian birthday 1

The videos show the cake that Chyna bought for her beau — St. Patrick's Day-themed — as she, her son King Cairo and another friend can be heard singing "Happy Birthday" in the background. They also encourage Kardashian to make a wish as he blows out the candles on the cake.

More: Blac Chyna's selfie sparks pregnancy rumors with Rob Kardashian (PHOTO)

Rob Kardashian birthday 2

Rob Kardashian birthday 2

A source close to the couple told E! News that they decided to keep Kardashian's celebration low-key, because Chyna had appearances scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

"Chyna got him a few thoughtful gifts and she is giving him attention," the source said. "Chyna has an appearance in Los Angeles on Saturday, so I think they are local and laying low."

Kardashian also posted a photo on Instagram of the cake he received from his mom, Kris Jenner. It featured a pair of Arthur George socks from Kardashian's designer line drawn on the cake, with "I [heart] you" written on the soles. In red frosting below the socks, "Happy Birthday Rob!" was written on the cake.

Rob Kardashian birthday 3

Rob Kardashian birthday 3

More: Report claims Rob Kardashian would really love to get Blac Chyna pregnant

Do you think Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna broke up and then got back together? Or do you think they've been going strong the whole time?

Male-dominated pawnbroking is actually a great career choice for women

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Traditionally considered a male-dominated field, pawnbroking has changed in recent years. While reality shows like ours have certainly impacted the image of the pawnshop, the influence of women in the industry cannot be overlooked. In honor of Women’s History Month, we wanted to take a look at a few who have personified what it means to be a pawnbroker in the modern age and give you some tips on breaking into the business.

More: How to buy jewelry as an investment

Beverly Loan Company owner Jordan Tabach-Bank reflected on the impact of his mother, Jeannie Zimmelman. “It has been over a decade since the loss of my mother, and our clients still continually express what she meant to them both as a businesswoman and as a friend.”  

Zimmelman owned and operated Beverly Loan from the late 1980s until 2005, after having worked alongside the company’s founder, her father, Louis Zimmelman. Jeannie was known for being ahead of her time, adept at balancing her commitment to running a world-class business with the responsibilities of motherhood and family.

When asked about lessons he learned from her, Tabach-Bank said, “She was known to say, 'ABC: Always Be Closing,' and consistently reminded me to treat customers from all walks of life the same, no matter if they are seeking a loan of $100 or $100,000.” Tabach-Bank proudly remarked that his mom would definitely be featured on the Mt. Rushmore of “women in pawn.”

More: How to negotiate like a pro

Lauren Kaminsky, president of EZ Pawn Corp and member of the board of directors of the National Pawnbrokers Association, believes there is still plenty of untapped potential for women’s empowerment within the industry. A graduate of Boston University School of Management, Kaminsky works alongside her father and brother, managing their 14 stores throughout New York City.

“Our pawn clientele at EZ are nearly an exact 50/50 of men and women. As a woman in the industry, I believe I have a unique skill set that allows me to meet the needs of our female customers and make sure they feel 100 percent comfortable in our locations,” she said.

When asked about influential women in the industry, Kaminsky cites a long list, including Dana Meinecke, Kathleen Barbee, Kathy Pierce, Diane Taylor, Fran Bishop and Professor Sarah Jane Hughes. “My own staff have also taught deep appreciation and respect for the women that are working in the pawn stores every day,” she said. “And of course I admire my cousin Rachel Wilen, who has worked her way up and is now president of the largest pawnshop in NYC. Her strength, knowledge and advice have helped me overcome many obstacles as I have grown in the business.”

Now is a great time for anyone to work in pawnbroking, a 3,000-year-old industry that is challenging, exciting and presents an always changing environment with limitless opportunities. Here are three tips for women who are interested in becoming pawnbrokers:

  • Work your way up: Pawnbroking is a complex business best learned through experience in valuation of goods for lending or buying, sales and customer service.

  • Invest in your skills: Pawnbroking is a competitive industry. Set yourself apart by gaining skills and training that give you an edge over your peers — GIA Certification is an essential start if you’re going to be successful.
  • Get involved: Joining the National Pawnbrokers Association, as well as your state association, is a great way to meet industry leaders and network with your peers. Attending regional and national conferences also keep you abreast of changes to pawnbroking laws and best practices

To learn more about the industry as a whole, visit the National Pawnbrokers Association.

More: 4 staple jewelry pieces every woman should have

Seth Gold will serve as the keynote speaker at the Midwest Pawnbrokers Convention, May 13-15 in Louisville, Kentucky. Register at http://midwestpawnconvention.org/Home.php.

Sticky-sweet, baked-not-fried wings — all the flavor with less guilt

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I really enjoy a big plate of spicy, hot Buffalo wings, especially when we're at a sports bar or a gaming event (March Madness, anyone?), but they're far from healthy. Here's a version that doesn't sacrifice flavor and that's fairly guilt-free since they're baked, not fried.

apricot chicken wing
Image: Brandi Bidot/SheKnows

While I'm definitely a huge fan of good, spicy Buffalo wings, I wanted to take this recipe and make it sweet and savory rather than just spicy. Sweet apricot and pineapple preserves give these baked wings tons of sticky-sweet flavor, with just a hint of spice thanks to the hot sauce.

apricot chicken wings
Image: Brandi Bidot/SheKnows

Sticky apricot-pineapple baked chicken wings recipe

Prep time: 20 minutes | Inactive time: 1 hour | Bake time: 40 minutes | Total time: 2 hours

Serves 6

Ingredients:

For the wings

  • 1 cup honey barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup apricot nectar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • About 4 pounds chicken wings
  • Chopped cilantro, for garnish

For the dipping sauce

  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves
  • 1/4 cup pineapple preserves
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, apricot nectar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, and mix very well.
  2. Trim off the wing tips, and halve the wings at the joint. Remove any excess skin or fat from the drumettes (if using), and place the chicken in a large bowl.
  3. Pour the marinade on top of the chicken, and mix to evenly coat all the pieces. Cover, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  4. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Transfer the chicken wings to the baking sheet, keeping them in a single layer. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink.
  6. In a bowl, mix together the ingredients for the dipping sauce, and pour into a small serving bowl.
  7. Transfer the wings to a serving bowl or plate, and garnish with lots of fresh chopped cilantro. Serve warm with the apricot dipping sauce.

More wing recipes

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Jodie Sweetin gets an adorable surprise visit on DWTS (VIDEO)

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Jodie Sweetin got the sweetest surprise during a recent Dancing with the Stars rehearsal.

More: DWTS Season 22 contestants: Where you've seen them before

In a video posted to E! News, Sweetin is shown rehearsing with her pro partner, Keo Motsepe, when her family made a surprise visit to the studio.

"My babies!" Sweetin excitedly exclaimed, as her fiancé, Justin Hodak, and two daughters, Beatrix and Zoie, appeared at the door. Hodak, who proposed to Sweetin in January, clearly thought his bride-to-be could use a little encouragement during her practice session, which he and the girls were happy to supply.

Jodie Sweetin's family visits DWTS

Jodie Sweetin's family visits DWTS

More: DWTS' Kym Johnson spills details from Robert Herjavec's big proposal

Sweetin invited her adorable family to watch her learn part of a new dance, and at first, they did, sitting on the sidelines and cheering Mom on with applause. But soon, the practice session devolved into a family dance party, with little Zoie improvising some of her own moves: running as fast as she could across the dance floor and then sliding to a stop, as Sweetin joked, "Careful, don't hurt yourself!"

Sweetin will kick off her run on Dancing with the Stars on Monday next week. She clearly has her family's support, but she also has the support of her other family: the Tanners from Fuller House. Sweetin opened up to E! News about the advice she received from her on-screen big sis, Candace Cameron Bure, who also competed on Dancing with the Stars.

"She said this will be one of the hardest things I have ever done, that I will absolutely love [it], and it's a once in a lifetime experience. So I'm really excited to find out myself," Sweetin said.

More: Donald Trump's ex-wife joins DWTS: six things to know about her

Will you be rooting for Jodie Sweetin on Dancing with the Stars? Let us know down in the comments.

8 things you really must know before dating an Aries

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Aries are feisty, fierce and incredibly fast (sometimes too fast for their own good). As the first fire sign of the zodiac, they must always do, be and see everything immediately. There is no room for waiting, ever. As its ruling element dictates, this constellation is scorchingly hot under the collar, especially when things — or relationships — are moving too slowly. Yet you really don’t want to throw any water on this particular conflagration because even if you’re going to get burned, at least you’ll have a blast while doing it. And when I say doing it, I mean doing it — a whole hell of a lot.

More: Weekly love horoscopes

If you want to take this sign on as a lover, you must be ready — and you'd better not be passive. I know from whence I speak because I’m an Aries through and through.

Ready to enter the ring of fire? Here are eight things to know about dating an Aries.

1. Aries are generally not shy

Even if they think they’re shy, there will be some sense of immediacy about them. Something bold, direct, unavoidable and in-your-face. You can pick an Aries out of a crowd easily — they’re the one you can’t look away from. At parties, scan for the person dancing like no one is watching. There’s a really good chance that he/she is a ram.

2. Act fast

If you have a crush on an Aries and are weighing the pros and cons of going for it, you’ve already wasted too much time. One essential life lesson that this sign can teach is this: Life is short, so you must pounce while the iron is hot.

3. Just like puppies and toddlers, you have to run your Aries around to get all that wild energy out of them

An Aries that hasn’t been properly exercised will toss and turn all night, making you miserable. So send your Aries off to the gym, especially if they’ve been sitting around on the Internet. They don’t call us RAMbunctious for nothing.

4. They have (sexual) appetites

Both male and female Aries are sexually voracious and expect to be able to get their needs met on demand. Need a libido or confidence boost? Your Aries lover will not be able to take their hands off you. They’ll make you feel more attractive at a visceral level, even if they don’t heap on the compliments verbally. However, if you lack stamina, you might want to move onto the next sign. Special bonus: If you want to lose weight this season, dating an Aries can get you there faster because they will happily help you burn calories while naked.

5. As debating virtuosos, Aries like to fight before f***ing

It’s pretty self-explanatory. Don’t worry if it seems like your Aries is getting all huffy about something inconsequential — the makeup session will be well worth it. Note that they can go from 0 – 60 on the anger scale in an astonishingly short amount of time.

6. As quickly as your Aries lover’s temper rose in the first place, they’ll forget what you were originally fighting about

Hint: You can always mute their anger mid-argument by just reaching for their genitals. Note that male Aries require almost no foreplay whatsoever, except in the case of fighting as foreplay type described above. One of my exes told me that my nipples were like volume controls to him — if he touched one in the middle of an argument, I instantly forgot why I was yelling. During a political debate with another guy over dinner, he looked at me and said, “I can’t tell whether you want to rip my head off or have sex with me right now.” I was like, duh, both. We Aries are pretty simple in this department. But when you’re not in the mood to get frisky and just need to calm your Aries down, try massaging their head or rubbing their temples — that’s another quick fix.

7. They’re not the best in the sensuality department (mostly the dudes)

This means if you’re a Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn, you might have to teach your partner a thing or two about slowing down and breathing in bed. They like to have a lot of sex, but it won’t always last as long as you might hope. But have no fear! They can be trained.

8. They fight until the finish

On the rare occasions that an argument doesn’t escalate into a naked throw-down, be ready to let them win once in a while — even if you’re right. It can be extremely exhausting to litigate the details when your opponent will not lower his sword under any circumstances but there is nothing that makes an Aries more depressed than losing a battle of the wits. A dejected Aries is a sad sight to behold — you want your feisty little fire-starter to keep their unbridled enthusiasm flowing at all times.

As frustrating as it can be to date, live with or marry someone this hot-tempered, the payoff is worth it — in pure passion. An Aries will love you until the end of time and give you every ounce of their heart and soul. If you’re over the boring, tepid types you've previously swiped right for, find yourself an Aries and never let go.

Kourtney Kardashian addresses rumors that she and Scott Disick are dating

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Kourtney Kardashian is opening up about those rumors: whether she and Scott Disick are actually back together or not.

Just a day after Disick was spotted with rumored new girlfriend Christine Burke (who creepily looks an awful lot like Kendall Jenner), he and Kardashian were seen riding in a car together — a trip she captured on Snapchat.

More: Scott Disick awkwardly comments on Kourtney Kardashian's nipple photo

Kourtney and Scott Snapchat 1

Kourtney and Scott Snapchat 1

More: Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian may be on the road to recovery (PHOTO) 

Their little rendezvous set rumors in motion that they may be reuniting, but Kardashian set the record straight with a second Snapchat video.

More: Scott Disick reveals if he would bang, marry or kill Kourtney Kardashian

Kourtney and Scott Snapchat 2

Kourtney and Scott Snapchat 2

More: Kourtney Kardashian's rough year has helped refocus her priorities

"By the way, everyone relax," Kardashian told fans on camera. "We have three kids together. We spend time together."

Good thing, because Burke might be miffed otherwise. A source says Burke and Disick have been hooking up for weeks, and were spotted at Los Angeles eatery Nobu on March 15, then again at Toscanova in Calabasas the next day. She also accompanied Disick to Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis' vacation home in Punta Mita, Mexico, earlier this month.

But Disick is not the only one having a good time. Kardashian was seen out with Diddy's son Quincy again this week, months after speculation that he was her replacement for Justin Bieber.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

kourtney and scott through the years


How you can prevent divorce even before you reach the altar

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No one thinks about divorce when a couple say their "I do's" at the wedding, but maybe they should. A wedding is a celebration of two people declaring their love and commitment to each other, but the divorce rate in the United States is relatively high. CDC statistics on marriage and divorce show that for 2,118,000 marriages, roughly half of them will end in divorce.

More: Why it is possible to date someone with different political views

We can see the reality of how marriages can easily end in divorce, but don’t let those statistics scare you. There are ways to prevent divorce and maintain a healthy relationship, including some great research from Dr. John Gottman, who has been compiling data for over 20 years.

“Predictors of early divorce are criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling as well as later predictors of emotional withdrawal and lack of positive affect during conflict,” he says. That statement lets us make the assumption that managing conflict in a positive way is the key to healthy, long-term, committed relationships. If the couple can create healthy ways to ease conflict before saying, "I do," they have a better start when issues arise after they're married.

Along these same lines, having a healthy friendship with your spouse before getting married would be a way to create a solid foundation. It's pretty obvious why marrying someone you consider to be a best friend would be great advice. Being able to create a strong friendship before marriage would help the partners grow and learn as a couple.

More: Why even small lies on your online dating profile mean big trouble

In his book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, which is a great resource, Gottman says having a friendship can aid a marriage.

Learning and discussing relationship skills can help during times of conflict, because you'll have the communication tools needed to work through your issues. Individuals can understand their own challenges and create new habits even before entering a relationship. It's also useful to look at this research and understand what a healthy relationship looks like before you're even in one. Knowing what is positive can help you see if you need additional work in certain areas and seek out a trained professional to make some positive changes.

Preventing divorce occurs before the marriage. It can be as simple as learning ways to resolve conflict, manage your own emotional states, share feelings and thoughts in positive ways, create connection with your partner through friendship and ensure negative patterns of communication are not occurring.

There are many resources, such as premarital counseling and individual therapy, to help you on your way to wedded bliss. Learning and reading about positive and healthy relationships before you say, "I do," will prevent later cracks in the relationship. Being able to understand yourself and your emotions before getting into a relationship will help the relationship get off to a healthy start.

More: The obsession with selfies is focusing on the wrong things

Andrew Keegan's baby name is just right for a little miracle

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If you were one of the many who obsessed over the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, the news you're about to read is going to make your heart flutter. Remember Andrew Keegan, our '90s boy crush from 10 Things I Hate About You and the guy who fathered Jessica Biel's baby on 7th Heaven? Yeah, that guy... what's he been up to? Well, Keegan and his girlfriend, Arista Ilona, just welcomed their first child, a baby girl, into the world on Tuesday!

More: How swearing like a sailor made it a lot easier to give birth

Weighing in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces, baby girl Keegan was named Aiya Rose. If you're thinking to yourself, "Wow, what a pretty name," just wait until you hear the meaning behind the moniker. In Hebrew, Aiya means bird, while in Turkish it means "goddess of creativity" and in Japanese it means "miracle." Ilona and Keegan say that their daughter's name is representative of the beautiful experience of bringing her into the world and honors the location where the couple first met — Full Circle Rose Temple.

What is Full Circle Rose Temple? It turns out Keegan has been working on more than just babymaking since his acting career fizzled out in the early 2000s. In fact, he's started his own spiritual movement called Full Circle Venice.

More: People stare at me because my kids' skin doesn't look like mine

Full Circle Venice was founded in Venice Beach, California. It is a spiritual community that seeks to unite like-minded people in the craft of mindfulness, meditation, music and art. Keegan is a co-founder and has apparently been gifted with more than just good vibes on his spiritual conquests; now he's got a beautiful partner and a baby.

Aiya Rose is a beautiful name and, might we add, quite normal compared to many of the celebs Keegan has rubbed elbows with throughout his career. Even better is the meaning behind it, a meaning that the new parents chose to represent their journey together.

More: Catelynn Lowell is leaving her daughter to get the help a mom needs

Unique baby names are so popular now that names that were once considered "classic" or "normal" are almost becoming more unique themselves. It seems like today there are more babies named after literary characters, or babies named after cities, than there are babies named after grandmas and grandpas. Instead of just considering picking from family names, many parents are now opting for names with deeper meanings, powerful names that represent a trait that they'd like their child to have and names that are indicative of a couple's journey through life.

How parents pick their baby names is their business, and there really is no such thing as a bad name if it holds a special place in someone's heart. So to Keegan and Ilona we say congratulations on your new baby girl Aiya Rose!

General Mills will start labeling for genetically modified organisms

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For those who want to know if our food contains ingredients made from genetically modified crops, this is exciting news: General Mills will start GMO labeling on its products nationwide (in the U.S.). The company announced the news days after the Senate rejected a bill that would have blocked states from requiring GMO labeling on food.

More: Chipotle goes GMO-free and makes us love them more

Vermont has a new law requiring GMO labeling on all food sold in the state starting July 1. It's the first state in the U.S. to succeed in making labeling mandatory, but at least 20 states are trying to pass similar laws.

Meanwhile, General Mills can clearly see where this GMO debate is going, and they've decided to save themselves a whole lot of trouble. If they have to label for Vermont, they might as well label for everyone.

More: FDA approves GMO salmon for human consumption

"We can’t label our products for only one state without significantly driving up costs for our consumers and we simply will not do that," says Jeff Harmening, head of U.S. retail operations, in a General Mills blog post. He is now calling for a "national solution" to the public demand for labeling.

In addition to the pledge to label, consumers can now search products on General Mills' website to find out if they contain GMO ingredients.

This is a big deal. Lots of smaller companies (especially organics) tout "GMO-free" on their labels. It's become a marketing tool. But for a gigantic corporation like General Mills — I mean, they make everything — to go transparent is tremendous. I wouldn't be surprised if other large food companies follow suit. We are on our way to GMO labeling whether the laws catch up or not.

More: Nine out of 10 consumers agree: If it's GMO they have a right to know

Will this mean the end of GMO ingredients, too? We'll have to see. The debate over whether they're truly harmful rages on, with more and more members of the scientific community saying they're safe. Even Bill Nye. But at least now we're a step closer to making informed decisions for ourselves.

Brandi Glanville responds to what Ilana Glazer said about her looks (VIDEO)

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Usually Ilana Glazer's jokes are hilarious. There's no denying that her show, Broad City, is one of the funniest on TV right now.

More: Kim Richards defends Brandi Glanville's drinking habits

But one person doesn't think a particular remark Glazer made is very funny: Brandi Glanville.

Glazer and her best friend/partner in comedy Abbi Jacobson made an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, where one of the things they chatted about with host Andy Cohen was The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills — or, more specifically, Glanville and how Glazer was surprised by her change in appearance over the years.

More: Brandi Glanville's Twitter followers lash out in response to family death

"So I was telling Andy, I've watched all the branches [of Real Housewives] when it first started and I've dropped off a bit, haven't seen Brandi in a while," Glazer said on the show. "Her look has changed. You know, on the show, and then also just in our industry, what's going on is physically embodied, and she's just changed. Her face looks very different."

Brandi Glanville reacts to Ilana Glazer's comment

Brandi Glanville reacts to Ilana Glazer's comment

While the comment didn't seem particularly malicious, Glanville, who heard about it on social media, seemed to take it that way.

Brandi Glanville reacts to Ilana Glazer's comment

Brandi Glanville reacts to Ilana Glazer's comment

"It's always nice to judge people on the way they look," she tweeted in response. "Oh well I still think they are funny-no comment on their looks."

Glazer hasn't responded yet to Glanville's clapback, but knowing her, she'll find a way to make everyone laugh this off.

More: Brandi Glanville refuses to move on from her past with Eddie Cibrian

Do you think Ilana Glazer was throwing shade with her comment about Brandi Glanville? Let us know down in the comments.

Joey Feek's hometown memorial will break your heart (VIDEO)

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Rory Feek shared touching details of Joey Feek's memorial service in her hometown, and it was heartbreaking in its perfection.

In his blog This Life I Live, Rory explained that he and daughter Indiana traveled back to Joey's hometown, where a huge memorial was held in the gymnasium of Alexandria High School — the very school "where Joey had played basketball and volleyball and cheered for her home team," he explained.

More: Rory Feek pens heartwarming post about wife Joey Feek's incredible burial

The town where Joey came from welcomed him and Indiana with open arms while saying good-bye to its most famous former resident.

"Bill and Gloria Gaither hosted the celebration, and they and a number of family and friends came up one by one to speak," he said. "Joey's mother and father sang a hymn and shared a few words from their hearts. Her sister Jody talked about being by our side as Joey's caregiver for the last few months and how Joey has impacted her as a woman and mother. And hometown hero Carl Erskine, who pitched for the Dodgers in [the] '40s and '50s played his harmonica and shared wisdom about raising a child with Down Syndrome with me."

More: Rory Feek remembers the "incredible memories" he was able to make with Joey Feek

"Joey's high school coach Mr. Howell even gave me a letter jacket from the high school with Joey's name on it," Rory continued. "An honor that is especially meaningful to a man who's [sic] favorite movie is 'Hoosiers' and never lived in one town long enough to play sports or get the chance to try to earn one on his own."

He then shared a beautiful video of the touching ceremony. Be forewarned: It will definitely bring tears to your eyes.

Joey Feek memorial service

Joey Feek memorial service

"The whole day was so special," Rory said. "Thank you to everyone who was there and to everyone who wished they could be there with us. Like me, I know my wife would've found a way to see the beauty in this sad day."

Joey was laid to rest near the couple's home in Tennessee.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

joey and rory feek slideshow
Image: WENN
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