Christina Hendricks

Christina Hendricks never expected her figure to play such a major part in her acting career in Hollywood. Actually, since garnering so much acclaim for her voluptuous body, the outspoken actress has gone on the record to say she doesn’t like the term full-figured and that the media places far too much focus on women’s bodies as opposed to their talents. Regardless, Hendricks’ portrayal of Joan Harris on Mad Men has, according to Los Angeles Times television critic Mary McNamara, "revolutionized perceptions of beauty on television." McNamara isn’t the only one who finds Hendricks’ breed of beauty appealing, though — in 2010, Esquire Magazine dubbed her the Best Looking American Woman.

Christina Hendricks offended at being called full figured>>

Mindy Kaling

Formerly a favorite character on The Office, Mindy Kaling now stars in her own show — aptly titled The Mindy Project. On the show, the Indian American actress shows off her wide repertoire of talents, including writing, producing and developing the comic gem. Could Kaling’s "real woman" appeal be parlaying into ratings gold? It’s very possible. Her awkward antics are made all the more endearing by the fact that she doesn’t look like she lives off of celery sticks and mustard. It’s believable that Mindy is, in fact, a normal woman who suffers from fat days like the rest of us.

Mindy Kaling to Marge Simpson: You're my hero>>

Melissa McCarthy

What do shows like Gilmore Girls, Samantha Who?, and Mike & Molly have in common? If you answered they were all dominated by scene-stealer Melissa McCarthy, you hit the nail on the head. Since first garnering attention as Sookie St. James alongside the Gilmores, McCarthy has been unintentionally hijacking acclaim on major television and movie sets. I mean, did you see her in Bridesmaids? If by some freak chance the answer to that is no, run — don’t walk — to your nearest RedBox, grab a copy of the DVD and delight in the comic genius that is Melissa McCarthy.

Melissa McCarthy wishes she were a size six>>

Danielle Fishel

As Topanga Lawrence on the 1990s hit sitcom Boy Meets World, Danielle Fishel was that girl — the one all the guys wanted to date and the one all the girls wanted to be. And, hey, why not? She was smart, funny, independent and — let’s face it — one of the healthiest examples of a teen role model around. With a Boy Meets World spin-off confirmed, we look forward to seeing a likewise normal-sized offspring of Topanga and Cory for future generations to emulate.

Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel sign on for Girl Meets World>>

Images, top to bottom, courtesy of: FayesVision/WENN.com, FayesVision/WENN.com, Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com, DanielTanner/WENN.com

Loving out loud

Since the world first met Jillian Michaels on The Biggest Loser, speculation stirred about the fitness guru’s sexuality. Although she never openly dated anyone on the celebrity circuit, rumor had it she and actress Vanessa Marcil shared a brief fling. Curiosities piqued in 2010 when Michaels told Ladies Home Journal, "If I fall in love with a woman, that’s awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that’s awesome. As long as you fall in love… It’s like organic food. I only eat healthy food, and I only want healthy love!" All suspicions were laid to rest this year, however, when Jillian openly acknowledged her love for longtime partner Heidi Rhoades.

Yes, Jillian Michaels is gay: The quiet coming out>>

Mommy... x2

If people were surprised to learn Michaels was gay, the revelation that followed her coming out likely shocked them even more — Jillian and her partner Heidi were now parents of two. Motherhood happened almost overnight for the duo, as Rhoades gave birth to the couple’s son Phoenix the same week their adoption of a 2-year-old girl from Haiti named Lukensia was finalized. Now Michaels and her partner are enjoying learning to balance life as parents of both a toddler and an infant… no easy feat, even for the tough-as-nails trainer.

Two babies and no pregnancy for Jillian Michaels>>

Back on the ranch

Two years ago, Michaels walked away from her fame-making role as a trainer on The Biggest Loser in order to focus on family. With that goal shaping up beautifully, a return to the ranch is a welcome reunion for the fitness fanatic’s fans. She’ll be rejoining old sparring partner Bob Harper — natch! — along with relative newcomer but fan favorite Dolvette Quince. Not only will this year’s show benefit from all three coaches, but it will have a new twist — the contestant age range this year dips as low as 13 years old. So how will new mom Michaels handle working with kids? "Having recently become a mother of two, I am more passionate than ever about helping empower children and families with the information and resources they need to live a healthier life," she said in a recent statement.

A familiar face returning to The Biggest Loser>>

Image courtesy of Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

Start the new year off on the right foot

Parenting teens is a difficult task — and one that keeps changing as your teen matures. When you spend more time having yelling matches and pushing each other’s buttons, it’s time for a truce. We have six great ideas for starting the new year off on the right foot with your teen.

If you thought parenting toddlers was a challenge, wait until they are teens. No matter how patient and calm a parent you strive to be, teens are just a challenge to your parenting skills. Start the new year off with a fresh set of teen parenting tools and see if you can tame the teen beast.

Deborah Gilboa, M.D.— also known as Dr. G — is a board certified family physician, parenting expert, writer and mother of four who loves to help parents increase their knowledge and follow the parenting instincts they already have. We asked Dr. G to share some New Year's resolutions for parents of teens.

How to try not to sabotage your teen's social life>>

What you should know about teens and the consequences of social media>>

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If you aspire to be the next Rachael Ray or Giada , your dream can become a reality with some hard work, great kitchen skills and a drive to succeed.

Chop your way
to the top

In a world where the majority of women run the kitchens in their households, it's quite surprising that the majority of top chefs are men. They run the hot, high-stress cooking lines at five-star restaurants, and we run the cooking and cleaning duties at home. They please high-paying customers while we try to please our demanding 2-year-old. It can be a challenge running a restaurant and running a household, which is why so many women never make it. Women chefs are wanted, though, and needed. If you wish to achieve success by owning or operating a critically acclaimed restaurant, overcome boundaries and take the necessary steps to becoming a successful female chef — starting now.

Step 1: Find your niche

The first step in becoming a successful female chef is finding your cooking niche. Do you prefer baking, grilling, creating ethnic foods or making specialty dishes? To find the answer, be willing to explore and try new things. If you're able to travel and learn about other cultures, do it as often as possible. Once you've found your niche, perfect it. Become a master of your specialty.

Check out Giada De Laurentiis' food tips for moms>>

Read Trisha Yearwood's tips here>>

• Make compromises. Working in a restaurant requires long hours and late nights. Successful chefs have to make sacrifices in their personal life in order to do what they love career-wise.
• Be creative. Chefs very rarely complain of boredom. Constantly be willing to create new dishes and make your current ones better.
• Believe in yourself. Keep a positive attitude and believe in your culinary skills. The only person who can reach your goals and make your dreams a reality — is you.

More on women and careers

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Thinking about making a career move?

Many families are digging out from recent snowstorms, but others are digging out from outrageous debt. Make a plan to get your finances under control in the new year.

Drowning in debt?

Whether you overspent on Christmas or last summer’s vacation, the new year is the time to get your financial house in order.

Your kids got everything they wanted for Christmas, but at what cost? Getting in over your head with Christmas spending is a common problem, so Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance, offers some practical tips to help families reduce debt and get money matters under control.

“One thing that is important for parents to realize is that regardless of whether they overspent on a recent vacation or during the holidays, there's nothing that can be done to change that,” says Schrage. “What can be done is the creation of a plan to pay off the debt as quickly as possible.”

“The time is now to get your credit cards paid off, and you must commit to never carrying a balance again,” advises Schrage. “This should be your number one goal going forward as these wasted interest payments are killing you financially.”

Don’t use your credit cards to pay for ballet lessons or private school tuition. In fact, don't use them at all unless you can afford to pay off whatever amount is due at the end of each month.

“In order to free up funds to apply to your balances, you must establish a personal budget,” Schrage explains. “Compare your total monthly income to your monthly expenditures. Then, identify the ways you can cut back on your expenses to ensure that you are spending less than you are earning.”

With the start of the new year, you’ll need a planner to track your family’s activities. Along with Johnny’s piano lessons and Susie’s softball practices, you should also document money coming in and going out .

Modern families are high-tech families, and staying connected means big monthly utility bills. “Review each monthly billing statement and look for unnecessary fees applied to your accounts. Contact each provider and work to get these fees eliminated,” suggests Schrage.

“Research new cell phone, cable TV and internet packages. The chances are high that you can find ways to save by switching companies. You may even want to consider bundling these services to save even more.”

“In order to keep yourself from falling back into personal debt, you must find a way to prevent overspending going forward,” says Schrage. “Here is the simplest solution: Each time you reach for your wallet or purse, ask yourself, ‘Do I really need this?’ If you take the time to think about it, you'll find that in most cases the answer is no.”

Free up even more funds to devote to your credit card balance. Reduce your grocery bill — by as much as 80 percent — simply by clipping coupons! "Buy multiple copies of the Sunday paper and put together a filing system so you can use your coupons before they expire,” advises Schrage. “Find out when your grocer doubles the value of coupons and shop exclusively on that day. Sign up for the customer loyalty programs to receive even more coupons and special offers.”

“Instead of surfing the internet or watching television after you've called it a day at work, consider some of the many ways to generate income in your spare time,” says Schrage. “You can sell your old digital cameras, cell phones or other small electronics for a profit on websites such as Amazon or eBay, or even fill out paid online surveys.”

Do you have a special area of expertise? Consider launching a consulting business! “Get some business cards printed, spread the word to family and friends and start business pages on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter,” recommends Schrage. “The amount of money you can generate is virtually unlimited — it could even eventually blossom into a full-time career.”

More family-friendly budget advice

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Keeping your contact lists up-to-date and always at your fingertips has never been easier. Now with the Ringya app, moms can simply snap photos of class lists, sports rosters, parent association contacts and other important lists with their smartphones to create organized, sharable digital files. You can get rid of all the paper and the lists will be transformed into digital "Rings" that you can access anytime. You can find contacts easier, filtering by role, name or title. Also, you can call, text or email the entire group . You'll know who’s calling you and easily see how they fit into your world with Ringya’s contextual caller ID. You can share the lists and whenever anyone changes their info, the whole group will get the update. Ringya is a free app that is available now for iPhone and Android.

Designed just for busy moms, the all-new and improved Intuition+ app is a must-have. Create and manage to-do lists, appointment calendars, shopping lists and other organizing essentials. The app also features "Mom's Toolkit" with advice from mom bloggers and other experts that include tips and activities for kids, self-care for moms and much more. Plus, you get Intuition's "Personal Assistant" with advice, tips and motivational messages. What we love is the Smart Grocery List with hundreds of items in the database and the ability to easily add your own. You can also sync the Intuition app with your Google calendar or other calendaring program so you'll always be on top of all your appointments and tasks.

This all-in-one app will cost you a few bucks but it's worth every penny. Awesome Note combines note-taking and to-do lists in one easy to use, comprehensive iPhone/iPad app. It also features event lists, checklists, a diary or travel journal, alarm task alerts and much more. You can attach photos, drawings and maps to your notes. Display to-dos, notes and events in the calendar. You can also sync and transfer your info to Google Docs or Evernote. Plus, you can easily share or email notes directly from the app. Users love the brilliant interface, the drag-and-drop function and the fact that no internet connection is required to add your notes.

If you want to spend a little money on a fantastic app to stay organized, the 2Do app is definitely worth the $10 price tag. This app is available for iOS , as well as Mac OS and Android. Whether you prefer simple checklists or complex project management programs, you can customize this task manager to fit your need. Create projects, checklists or simple tasks. You can drag and drop tasks from and to the lists, as well as sync tasks across all your devices by using Dropbox, Toodledo, iCloud Reminders and other methods. You can share tasks via email, SMS or Twitter. You can create smart lists, add keyword tags, attach contacts to tasks, add voice notes and use numerous other cool functions.

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This tasty chocolate treat can be whipped up in minutes. Use plain Pop Rocks for a traditional white chocolate or flavored to make them your favorite color. It's as fun as it is sweet!

Exploding white chocolate recipe

Yields 6-12 

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup Pop Rocks candy in your favorite flavor or unflavored
• 1/4 cup puffed rice cereal

Directions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds or until smooth and just melted .
2. Carefully and slowly, fold in the cereal and Pop Rocks until evenly combined. Remember, you have to fold carefully or the Pop Rocks will lose their "pop." You’ll hear a bit of popping as you fold, which is OK.
3. Spread the mixture evenly onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
4. Allow to set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour or until hard.
5. Break into pieces and serve.

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New mother-to-be Kim Kardashian made her first official appearance since her pregnancy announcement on New Year's Eve. Kim hosted a star-studded New Year's Eve bash at the Las Vegas nightclub 1OAK at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. She talked to Us Weekly during the soiree and revealed her first trimester woes.

Kim Kardashian pregnant: We're "so blessed">>

"I have felt good. I haven't had any morning sickness, but it still isn't the easiest," Kim said about her pregnancy. "People always say it's easy and fun. It's definitely an adjustment learning about your body and stuff like that. I've been feeling good so that's good."

When asked if she would want to find out the gender of her baby, which is typically done between the fourth and six month of pregnacy with an ultrasound, Kim didn't hesitate. "Of course I do want to know. I can't find out yet, but I do want to know."

Kim Kardashian pregnant with Kanye's baby>>

Us Weekly also reports Kanye West plans to wed Kim Kardashian once her divorce from NBA player Kris Humphries is finalized. A source for the magazine says, "[Kanye's] told friends and family he was gonna [marry] her since the day they met."

Both Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were all smiles at the 1OAK New Year's Eve bash. Kim wore a lacy, long-sleeved black dress cut just below her knees and her hair was tied back in a chic, braided ponytail.

Congratulations again to the happy couple. We wish Kim Kardashian the best of luck with her pregnancy and impending motherhood!

Photo courtesy of DJDM / WENN.com

About 20 years ago, Find Your Facemate founder Christina Bloom became incredibly attracted to a man and fell in love with him. After constantly being told how much they looked alike, Bloom grew curious and began studying other lookalike couples and the science of chemistry in a relationship. In March 2011, she launched the site to transform online dating by eliminating time spent doing questionnaires and going on boring dates by instead focusing on what she calls the most important ingredients in the initial stage of attraction — facial features.

“We believe the first level of attraction is visual,” said Bloom. “From there, the bond grows or falters depending on other elements.”

The way Find your Facemate works is simple. Upload a photo and the site’s facial recognition software analyzes 67 points on your face and compares them to those of the other 60,000 members.

Of course, it’s not all about looks. Styles and values are also compared between users before a match is made.

“The last thing is personality,” Bloom said. “A website can’t determine the perfect fit for you.” She said the website offers members initial contact with someone whom they are likely to have chemistry with, and then it’s up to them to take it from there.

Not convinced just yet? Check out Find Your Facemate celebrity matches and predictions for 2013.

Find Your Facemate is hearing wedding bells in 2013 for Leonardo DiCaprio and The Wolf of Wall Street co-actress Margot Robbie, who have been rumored to be dating since November. Bloom also noticed similarities between Robbie and DiCaprio’s mother , believing he has "met his match.”

Photo credits: Apega/WENN, Dan Jackman/WENN.com, Judy Eddy/WENN.com

After Seal and Heidi Klum split back in January, she began dating her bodyguard, Martin Kristen. Find Your Facemate points out that Seal and Kristen do share similar face shapes, something Klum is obviously attracted to.

Photo credits: Barraza/WENN.com, Michael Wright/WENN.com, Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Twilight star Kellan Lutz may be off the dating market, but Find Your Facemate pairs him with Scarlett Johansson based on how much they look alike alone.

Photo credits: Lia Toby/WENN.com, Brian To/WENN.com

Sure, there always seems to be a constant shuffle between Hollywood couples, but it always comes down to their basic chemistry and compatibility.

“We may lust for pretty or handsome, but falling in love is a whole different ball game. We choose someone who links us to ourselves,” Bloom said.

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Drake was the guy who came up with the abbreviation YOLO in his 2011 song "The Motto"— and he wants to make money off it.

Drake rapped "You only live once, that's the motto...YOLO" in "The Motto," a single from his smash 2011 record Take Care.

"The Motto" peaked at No. 14 on Billboard's Hot 100. But YOLO went much further. The acronym became something of a rallying cry for teens, who usually cry "YOLO!" just before making a stupid decision.

For example, aspiring rapper Ervin McKinness tweeted "YOLO" over Labor Day weekend about his drunk-driving friend, just moments before he was killed in a fatal crash.

Gawker reports that "there are over 100 YOLO trademark applications either live or dead in the United States for everything from cologne to dog collars."

Ten years after dropping out, Drake graduates high school>>

But Drake doesn't like it: He accompanied an Instagram photo of a rack of caps reading "YOLO" with the caption "Walgreens…you gotta either chill or cut the cheque."

Later, he posted an image of T-shirts with characters from comic strip Peanuts, also emblazoned with "YOLO," with the message "Macy's…same goes for you."

Drake's right that YOLO is popular — so much so that it was one of the finalists for the Oxford Dictionaries' 2012 Word of the Year . The Washington Post also name-checked Drake in an April story about YOLO's popularity. The paper said that the "abbreviation has been bouncing around Twitter for a while now," though it "cemented its place in cultural conversation when it was written into the Drake song 'The Motto.'"

Drake is out of luck in terms of grabbing royalties in the United States, at least — he would have had to register YOLO with the U.S. Copyright Office in order to collect damages.

Image courtesy FayesVision/WENN.com

Kris Allen, winner of Season 8 of American Idol, was prompted to announce his wife's pregnancy quite possibly a little earlier than expected.

After a head-on collision with another car, Allen and his wife were both sent to the hospital.

Once he was feeling up to the task, Kris Allen tweeted the news, saying, "Thank you @Ford for equipping me with a car that kept my whole family @katyallen @Zorropup and the little one we have on the way safe."

Later, after a deluge of fan responses, Allen confirmed, yet again, that his wife, Katy, was pregnant. The musician tweeted, "Yes I got in a really bad wreck tonight and yes I’m having a lil baby. #gonnabeadaddy."

Katy and Kris were high school sweethearts and married in 2008. No one in the car was seriously injured, and the baby appears to be fine. Kris broke his wrist, though, and had to have it set. Ouch!

Allen is set to start a new tour later this month. He also used Twitter to convey to his fans that, yes, the tour is still on. It looks like when he returns from his aptly named "Out Alive" tour, Allen will be returning to a new baby! Or at least a very pregnant wife.

Just in case you can't remember which of the many American Idol winners Kris Allen might be, check out this video of his cover of Kanye's "Heartless" at Disney World.

We hope your family heals quickly, Kris, and look forward to helping you introduce your future bundle of joy to the world!

Image courtesy of WENN

We love Mexican food but sometimes it can be loaded with heavy sauces, cheese and lots of empty calories. Here we created a fantastic Mexican-inspired burrito bowl that is not only very filling but healthy!

Cilantro lime rice burrito bowls recipe

Serves 4

Yields about 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• Zest of 1 lime
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions: 

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring 1-1/2 cups of water to a boil. Add in the rice and salt, mixing well. Cover and allow to cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender, 18-20 minutes.
2. In a food processor or blender add cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic and 2 tablespoons water. Blend until smooth. Stir the mixture into cooked rice and fluff with a fork. Best served warm.

Ingredients:

• Cilantro lime rice, cooked
• 1 cup black beans, divided
• Sauteed peppers and onions
• 1 cup frozen corn, cooked
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• Green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh cilantro and jalapeno peppers for garnish  

Directions:

1. In a bowl add 1/2 cup of the cilantro lime rice, Begin layering the bowls with black beans, sauteed peppers and onions, cherry tomatoes, cooked corn and shredded cheese.
2. Top with the green onion, avocado, jalapeno and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

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Even though Justin Bieber was not in the car Tuesday afternoon, Los Angeles paparazzo Chris Guerra possibly thought he was when Guerra tailed Bieber's brand-new white 458 Italia Ferrari . According to TMZ, Guerra exclusively followed Bieber for several months and was following what he probably assumed was Justin Bieber yesterday when he was killed.

A California Highway Patrol officer pulled over Bieber's white Ferrari for speeding, and Guerra refused to leave the scene despite warnings from the CHP officer that the situation was not safe. Guerra continued to snap pictures — receiving two warnings from the CHP officer — and was tragically struck by an oncoming car.

Lamar Odom involved in car accident with motorcyclist>>

Los Angeles police are investigating the incident, and while alcohol does not appear to be a factor in Guerra's death, the paparazzo is suspected of having smoked marijuana earlier in the day. TMZ says it has a source who spoke to Chris Guerra around 5:15 p.m — about an hour before he was killed — who says Guerra was smoking.

Justin Bieber was not driving the vehicle; friend and rapper Lil Twist was behind the wheel during this horrific incident. Bieber released a statement regarding the paparazzo's death, extending his deepest condolences to Guerra and his family.

Lil Wayne almost dies in car accident? Nope he's alive and tweeting>>

"While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim. Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves."

Miley Cyrus also tweeted about tragic incident and hopes the general public doesn't blame Bieber for the death of Chris Guerra.

"It's unfair for anyone to put this on to Justin's conscious as well! Your mom teaches u when your a child not to play in the street! The chaos that comes with the paparazzi acting like fools makes it impossible for anyone to make safe choices."

Chris Guerra was in his late 20s and single and had no kids. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and hope progressive change can be made to protect public figures and photographers in the future.

Photo courtesy of WENN.com

Dancer/singer/actress Julianne Hough seems to have it all, but the 24-year-old reveals it came with a steep price. Hough says that while building her dance career as a child in London, she was preyed upon by a pedophile who took advantage of her physically and mentally.

"I was 10 years old looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer," she told Cosmopolitan of the start of her career, which saw her leave her childhood home in Utah for London. "I was a tormented little kid who had to put on this sexy facade because that was my job and my life. But my heart was the same, and I was this innocent little girl. I wanted so much love."

"While I was in London, I was abused, mentally, physically, everything," Hough explained, but she stopped short of naming her torturer. "I'm a very forgiving person, and I don't want to hurt anybody. What's past is past."

Hough claims that the abuse escalated "when I started hitting puberty, when I started becoming a woman and stopped being a little girl," and that her abuser used the classic tactic of threats to keep her quiet and complicit.

Julianne Hough does her best Sofia Vergara impression>>

"I was told if I ever went back to the United States, three things were going to happen. One: I was going to amount to nothing. Two: I was going to work at Whataburger. And three: I was going to end up a slut. So it was like, I can't go back, I have to be this person."

The abuse didn't end, she said, until one day she saw a performance by one of her fave musical acts and she was inspired to stand up for herself.

"I was like, f**k that. I know who I am, and I don't want to be this person who I am becoming. I left two days later and never went back."

The Dancing With the Stars queen said she didn't tell anyone — not even her parents — because she didn't want to be "a burden."

"I'd rather take the pressure on myself," she told the mag. "To this day, I don't want to be a burden. I didn't talk unless I was spoken to. I would look over to see if it was okay if I answered. I was perfect — perfect to a fault."

So why talk now? "I don't want pity. To me it's more about being that voice for people who don't necessarily have a voice."

Read the entire interview with Julianne Hough in the February issue of Cosmopolitan.

Image courtesy of FayesVision/WENN.com

It may quite possibly be the most dreaded memo from your child’s teacher — someone in his class has head lice. After you get over the ick factor, it’s time to take action.

How to deal with an infestation of head lice

What can you do to check your child and prevent head lice from invading your home — and your head?

If you have never faced an infestation of head lice, consider yourself lucky. The little buggars are much more common than you would think, and chances are you will have to deal with them at some point in your mothering career.

Does your child need an asthma action plan? >>

What are head lice?

Pediculosis capitis are tiny parasites that infect the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes. They lay tiny eggs called nits that resemble flakes of dandruff and can live on the scalp for up to two weeks. Once they hatch, the lice feed on blood from your scalp. Head lice cause no permanent damage and do not carry diseases, but they are difficult to fight. They spread easily through direct physical contact with someone who is carrying them. Sharing pillows, hair ties, combs and brushes, hats and helmets should be discouraged.

Contrary to widespread belief, head lice infestation has nothing to do with personal hygiene. They are quite common — especially among preschoolers — and can easily spread through a family or classroom. Head lice cannot fly or jump from person to person as many believe.

Symptoms

By the time you see the memo, your child may already be infected. Itching of the scalp can be a sign, but the only way to know for certain is to check his scalp. Adult lice and their nits are very small and difficult to detect, so a thorough check with a fine-toothed comb is necessary.

When you may need a second opinion for your sick child >>

What am I looking for?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a fact sheet on their website that includes pictures and detailed descriptions of lice and their eggs. According to the CDC, a fully developed adult louse is the size of a sesame seed, has six legs and is tan to grayish-white in color. Nits are extremely tiny, may appear yellow or whitish in color and can be difficult to detect. Lice can live up to 30 days on a scalp, but will die in a day or two if they fall off.

Got lice? What to do now

Head lice needs to be treated — the sooner, the better. You need to treat your child, check for other family members who may need treatment and treat household items to prevent re-infestation.

• Your child: Treating a child with an active infestation requires using an over-the-counter or prescription medication. Remove any clothing that may become wet or stained during treatment and apply lice medicine according to instructions. If your child has hair longer than shoulder length it may be necessary to use a second bottle of medicine. It is important not to leave the medication on any longer than the directions indicate. If there are no dead lice after eight to 12 hours of treatment, the medication may not be working and you should contact your healthcare provider.
• Other family members: Anyone who shares close quarters with the infested child should be closely checked for nits or adult lice. If an active infestation is detected, they should also be treated.
• Household items: According to the CDC, since head lice require a human host to survive they won’t last long once they have fallen off. Machine wash and dry clothing and bedding in hot water, vacuum carpeted areas and soak combs and brushes in hot water for five to 10 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered can be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks to ensure that no nits or lice survive.

There are a multitude of hair care products, special combs and lice removal systems on the market. We found two to try if you find yourself battling lice.

Don’t panic over a lice infestation. A bit of patience and diligence can rid you of those little bugs in no time.

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Your kid saw you having sex: Now what?
Teaching responsibility

In not surprising news, Donald Trump continued his tirade of annoying tweets and ridiculous opinions after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to avoid the "fiscal cliff" that the nation technically went over on Jan. 1, 2013. The bill was passed late Tuesday night after being passed by the Senate with substantial bipartisan support earlier in the day.

Donald Trump Googles himself>>

Donald Trump sent out harsh tweets urging Republicans to brush up on their negotiating skills. In a set of continuous tweets sent out Wednesday morning, Trump said: 

"This is a terrible deal for the country and an embarrassment for Republicans! Does any Republican have the ability to negotiate?" Trump continued, "The Republicans must face reality & create strong & positive immigration policy — if not they will continue to lose elections. @GOP's election loss and failed negotiations will derive as a case study in how third parties come about."

About 20 minutes ago, Trump tweeted, "Make sure you realize this 'deal' is only a stop gap measure. Obama will be looking to raise even more taxes in the coming negotiation..."

Donald Trump has an Obama-induced meltdown>>

Trump is notoriously vocal regarding public policy and up until now remained a strong supporter of the Republican party. The recent bill to avoid a national fiscal cliff contains higher tax rates on individuals with an annual gross income of more than $400,000 per year and on couples with an annual gross income of more than $450,000 per year. The fiscal cliff deal also includes a slightly higher estate tax and a cap on itemized deductions for individuals with gross annual incomes of more than $250,000 and couples with gross annual incomes of more than $300,000.

Curiously enough, the Huffington Post reports that Donald Trump actually favored major tax increases on the wealthy back in 1999. In his book The America We Deserve, Trump advocated a 14.25 percent tax on individuals who make more than $10 million. Trump acknowledges his position change; he told Slate back in April 2011 that different times require different policy options.

"[Raising taxes] would have been a beautiful thing to do," said Trump. "But the world is different. Now you're talking about numbers that are so big, so astronomical, that what you have to do is put people to work, and you can't be raising taxes now."

Feel free to follow Donald Trump's Twitter feed to stay up-to-date on his latest political rants.

Photo courtesy of DJDM/WENN.com

In Kathy Griffin's defense, CNN really ought to have known better. However, in the cable news network's infinite wisdom, it placed its bets on Griffin's ability to have some self-restraint and hired her to co-host its New Year's Eve coverage alongside Anderson Cooper. As should have been expected, folks at CNN were completely let down.

Unlike Anderson Cooper's pants, which are what Griffin was apparently far more interested in. We watched as Griffin continually ducked down toward Cooper's crotch.

Here's the thing: If the bash were held on Comedy Central or if Griffin's co-host hadn't been the adorably shy and freshly outed Cooper, this would have gone over a lot more smoothly. Even if, you know, her inappropriate behavior had ended with CNN owing a few pennies to the FCC. But it wasn't, he was, and it didn't.

The bash was held on a news network, and Cooper was not only there, but he also appeared to be painfully uncomfortable... which made viewers feel the same way.

Is there a rehab for out-of-control absurdism?

As Cooper tried to conduct a normal, tasteful New Year's Eve broadcast, Griffin didn't pretend to go down on him just once but numerous times. Each time she'd squat down, he'd either yank her back up or squat down beside her. If A.C.'s blood weren't as silvery-white as it is, you'd have probably seen him blush.

The behavior happened so often and lasted for so long that even the other reporters on the New Year's Eve team grew tired of Griffin's gig. Though one of the other reporters had fun with it. See for yourself...

Griffin's actions would be tasteless in any situation, but they could have been funny if her partner were in on the joke. Instead, the aggressiveness of the unwanted situation had everyone on edge — and rightfully so. It's safe to assume this is far worse than when they let Ricky Gervais host the Golden Globes. Hopefully, someone will force Griffin to offer up an apology to our beloved A.C. and to the traumatized viewers.

Photo credit: WENN.com

A cat is a wonderful addition to any home, but do you know what dangers lurk behind closed doors? Make sure your home is safe for kitty before you bring him home.

Make your home safe for your furry friend

As any parent with a toddler knows, childproofing your home is essential for the safety of your little one. Adding a cat to your family means doing a bit of kitty-proofing to ensure his safety in your home. Many common household items can be dangerous for your cat, but with a bit of preparation you can avoid an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

Poisonous plants

Houseplants add to your home decor but can be dangerous for your cat. Some common indoor plants that can be dangerous include English ivy, rhododendron, philodendron and poinsettia. Seeds, leaves, blooms and flowers can all cause health issues for your pet, so it's best to keep your cat away from them if at all possible. The list of plants that are potentially dangerous to pets is long — check a comprehensive list [PDF] to see if your plants are safe.

Toys

Everyone buys a basket full of cat toys for their new friend, but are they safe? Check toys for loosely attached bells, feathers, fuzzy balls or buttons that can easily be chewed off and swallowed by your cat. Squeaky toys are always a hit, but cats may attempt to chew through the toy and get the squeaker out, which then becomes a choking hazard. Anything that your cat may play with needs to be checked for safety before he turns it into a toy.

Not only are cat toys potentially dangerous, but keep an eye on your children's toys as well. Small items like Lego pieces, Barbie shoes, marbles or game pieces are all interesting to a cat, but can easily become lodged in his throat. If possible, keep areas where your kids play with small toys closed off to your cat and make sure that small items are not left on the floor.

Check out these great ways to exercise an indoor cat>>

Don't forget about pet safety in your car>>

Desk essentials

Check your desk and work area for anything that may be enticing to your kitty. Small desk items like pencil erasers, paper clips, twist ties and pushpins are fun to play with but can cause serious damage when swallowed. Your cat can easily jump onto your desk, so make sure these small items are stored away in a drawer or a bin with a lid.

With just a bit of preparation and a watchful eye, your home can be a safe place for the newest furry member of your family.

More on cats

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Ways to pamper your cat every day
What's a healthy weight for cats?

An exaggerated version of Prince Harry's wild reputation has taken hold among the Mujahideen. Global terrorist and Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar claims that our favorite ginger is getting hammered and killing innocent people while on patrol with the British Army in Afghanistan.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Hekmatyar blasted Prince Harry while pledging to carry out more attacks.

"I do not understand how the British public accept their children being sent to certain death in order to please American generals," he told the paper in a video interview from a top secret location believed to be near the Afghan/Pakistan border.

"The British Prince comes to Afghanistan to kill innocent Afghans while he is drunk. He wants to hunt down Mujahideen with his helicopter rockets without any shame. But he does not understand this simple fact that the hunting of Afghan lions and eagles is not that easy! Jackals cannot hunt lions."

The party's over as Prince Harry heads to war>>

"During the Mujahideen attack on the American base the Prince saw that he was the one about to be hunted and was searching for a hole in which to hide himself," Hekmatyar said. The September attack by the Taliban left two U.S. marines dead. Harry was reportedly a mile and a half away at the time.

"It seems that some British authorities still dream about the times of the eighteenth and nineteenth century and they want their ambassador to be treated like a viceroy and their prince to go out in uniform to hunt for human beings and play the satanic role that they used to play in the past."

Or maybe, just maybe, the warlord might be a bit biased and Prince Harry is working hard to keep the free world safe from terrorists — while completely sober. It isn't Vegas, after all.

Image courtesy of WENN.com

What could possibly be more disturbing than watching orange people GTL'ing on the shore of New Jersey? How about watching nine kids from the hills of West Virginia shoot things and eventually release their spawn into this world.

And yet we're telling you: Watch Buckwild.

Why? First, this week is still pretty slow and there's not a whole lot else on television. Also, it looks entertaining. Finally, if nothing else, it's insanely controversial. Check out this ABC report...

In case you were too shocked to catch it all, whatever you think you saw, your eyes probably weren't lying. During those clips, there is mud wrestling, a kid rolling down a hill in tire, a rope swing into water, someone in a construction scoop, some sort of rocket launcher thing, and — yes — a dump truck swimming pool.

First impression: It's a cross between Jersey Shore and Jacka**.

Under no circumstances do we reccomend letting your kids watch this, at least not until high school and then only if you truly trust them not to try any of these stunts. However, it would be a pretty entertaining way to spend an evening. If you grew up in the city or suburbs, you'll enjoy watching how kids in rural areas live. While this show is, of course, hyped up for entertainment value, it's still an accurate portrayal of the fun you can have without malls to wander, boardwalks to roam or concerts to attend. Kids really do drive their trucks through mud for kicks, and you know what? It's actually really fun.

It's terrifying to look at these handfuls of lifelong friends, see their lack of ambition and know that in a few short years they'll be responsible for their own children. However, it's also hilarious watching them try to entertain themselves in the meantime.

Buckwild premieres Thursday, Jan. 3, at 10/9c on MTV. Enjoy!

Image courtesy of MTV

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