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Though we were at first cautious about the idea of a Fargo TV show, the first season turned out to be amazing - and a hit for FX. Since the second season will take place decades before season one, there will be tons of new characters, and casting news is coming in left and right. Patrick Wilson, Jean Smart, and Ted Danson are the latest names to be added to the impressive cast list. Check out who is in the cast so far, and make sure you're all caught up on the details of the second season! Patrick Wilson as Lou Solverson Wilson is set to play Lou, the father of Molly from last season. He's a state patrolman who has recently returned from serving in Vietnam. Ted Danson as Hank Larsson Danson will play Lou's father-in-law, a sheriff. Jean Smart as Floyd Gerhardt Smart will portray Floyd, the matriarch of a major crime family in Fargo. Jesse Plemons as Ed Blomquist The Friday Night Lights alum will play Ed, a butcher. Kirsten Dunst as Peggy Blomquist Meanwhile, Dunst is set to play his wife, Peggy, a beautician who is struggling with societal expectations. Nick Offerman as Karl Weathers Parks and Recreation's Offerman is playing Karl, a Korean War vet and the town lawyer of Luverne, MN. He's "a flowery drunk blessed with the gift of gab and the eloquence of a true con artist," according to FX. Jeffrey Donovan as Dodd Gerhardt Donovan (Burn Notice) will play Floyd's son, Dodd. He's aspiring to take over the family business, and he's got a hot temper. Kieran Culkin as Rye Gerhardt Culkin is Floyd's youngest son. He fancies himself a big shot, but according to FX, "in reality he's just a small dog who barks big." Brad Garrett as Joe Bulo Former Everybody Loves Raymond star Garrett will star as Joe, the frontman for a Kansas City crime syndicate. Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan Mike is Joe's right-hand man, just one part of his crew of gangsters. Rachel Keller as Simone Keller, a newcomer, will play a character named Simone. Angus Sampson as Bear Gerhardt Sampson (Insidious) will play Floyd's middle son, the kindest of the bunch. Jonas Chernick as Syd Schwartz Chernick (Degrassi: The Next Generation) will play a character named Syd. Brad and Todd Mann as Gale and Cole Kitchen Mann twins Brad and Todd are set to play brothers on the show. | 6 | 2,200 | entertainment |
Elizabeth Olsen Alice Eve Alexis Bledel Nathalie Emmanuel Alyson Hannigan Gabrielle Union Emma Watson Nia Long Rose Byrne Demi Lovato Lauren Cohan Garcelle Beauvais Jennifer Lawrence Keira Knightley Emma Stone Sandra Bullock Kandi Burruss Lily Collins Serena Williams Taylor Swift Reese Witherspoon Eva Mendes Jennifer Connelly Kristen Wiig Christina Aguilera Freida Pinto Mary Elizabeth Winstead Olivia Munn Dianna Agron Rachel McAdams Jennifer Aniston Salma Hayek Rita Ora Christina Hendricks Marion Cotillard Kerry Washington Song Hye-Kyo Kristen Bell Camilla Belle Zooey Deschanel Hayden Panettiere Natalie Portman Liu Wen Elizabeth Banks Yaya DeCosta Gillian Jacobs Alexa Chung Amy Poehler | 4 | 2,201 | lifestyle |
The competition is heating up for 'Puppy Bowl XI'. Mara Montalbano (@maramontalbano) shows us this year's contenders. | 8 | 2,202 | video |
The funny, the sweet and the altogether weird "Roses are red, Violets are red, Everything is RED" Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "Dear Mom, I love you! You're doing a good job of not burping at my bustop. Happy Valentine's Day!" Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "My second valentine is for Miss Johnson. She is a great teacher. She is not on the Jedi Council, but is great with the force." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "Form Nicolas to mom I afheshesheight you be caus you are a good mom." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "I love you" Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "I love you so much. I hope nothing ever happens to you." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "I love you with all my butt. I would say heart but my butt's bigger." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "I love you very much. I like you as much as cake. I love you more than anything in the world." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "Mom, I love you more than rainbows and beautiful blue skies. I love you more than buttercups and wings of butterflies. I love you more than ... cow." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "Be my valentine Got love? Die the most painful death" Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "To: Mommy and Daddy From: Evan" Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "Madison in case you for got how cute you are." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "I love mom. Roses are red. The sky is blue. You are in a shape of a heart. And I love you!"To: Mom" Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "Mom, Love Carloz Relly love. Have a good sence of hummer. You are the best." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "To mommy For mom From Lilly" Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! "Dear Mommy: My eyes are blue, I love you. And when it's time to go night night you tuck me in very tight. I love you with all my heart, I love you more than my sushi, and that's alot of love. Thank you for everything, I love you mommy." Love this? Follow us on Pinterest! | 4 | 2,203 | lifestyle |
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The hat said Kansas. The mouth said, um ... something else. "Next year, I'll be playing at the University of Kentucky," Carlton Bragg, a prep power forward, said Thursday afternoon at his high school in Cleveland. One problem: He was putting on a red-blue-and-white cap with a giant "KU" logo on the front as he said it. Pause. "I'm sorry," the teenager said, sheepishly, quickly correcting himself. "Kansas." So it took a second, but it's official. And huge. Not only did Jayhawks coach Bill Self score his first commitment for 2015, he beat out the likes of Arizona, Illinois, UCLA and -- yes -- Kentucky for Bragg's services. At 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, Bragg is an explosive leaper and finisher with a strong face-up game and a jumper that can stretch defenses and pull big men out of the lane. Scout.com ranks the Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School star as the No. 12 prospect in the country; the third-best power forward prospect, nationally; the second-best prospect in the Midwest, and the top prospect in Ohio. Despite strong overtures from the Wildcats and Illini, Bragg said his comfort with Self in Lawrence and the sense of "brotherly love" in the KU program swung the tide. "When I went to Late Night (in the) Phog (this past fall)," he told reporters, "that's when everything changed. It was a great experience." Kentucky and Illinois began Thursday with three commitments each for 2015. The Jayhawks have one, now, but it's a damn good one: The Jayhawks (12-2, 1-0 Big 12) are playing without a true rim protector this winter for the first time in several seasons, and Bragg could certainly help on that front, and quickly. He also could be joining a front line in Lawrence that includes Perry Ellis (a senior next winter) and Cliff Alexander (a sophomore) -- or replacing one of the two, depending on their NBA inclinations. So even if "Kansas" wasn't the first word on his lips Thursday, it was the first one on his head. And, apparently, in his heart. You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter at @SeanKeeler or email him at [email protected] . | 1 | 2,204 | sports |
It's all in the details isn't just another cutesy little saying for the perfectionist bride ; no, she lives and breathes excellence in every single aspect of her life. Some might call her a bridezilla and others might simply say she knows what she wants. If any of the below sound familiar though, well, welcome to the club. The thought of not having customized save the dates or invitations made makes you kind of anxious. Come to think of it, so does making any sort of wedding-related decision . What if you find something or someone (AKA a vendor) you like better down the line? Then what!? Once you get started on Pinterest, you literally can't stop. In fact, you have a secret Pinterest board for pretty much all the wedding details, including one solely dedicated to the font choices you prefer for your day-of stationary. When your maid of honor or mother-in-law kindly offers to DIY the wedding favors for you, panic ensues. Those types of things are best left to you or a professional hand selected by you. The number of bridesmaids to the number of groomsmen in your wedding party has to match up perfectly or else someone's getting added/demoted. Visual symmetry for the win! You'd never in a million years dream of letting your bridesmaids choose their own dresses for fear of what they'd actually choose (even if it was "perfect"). If Kylie Jenner had been your bridesmaid , you'd have made certain her blue hair was gone for the big day! Your budget keeps growing bigger and bigger every day as you realize how much all those teeny-tiny (and in your mind, absolutely necessary) details cost. Who knows, maybe you'll start selling your old designer duds on eBay to account for the difference? Hiring a wedding planner who "totally gets you" was the best decision you ever made because you know planning your wedding is a full-time job and you've already got one of those, unfortunately. More from Brides 20 Ways to Throw the Best Wedding Ever How To Find The Perfect Wedding Dress For Your Body Type The Top Fall 2015 Wedding Dress Trends | 4 | 2,205 | lifestyle |
Written by Krystal Hagen The 1990s were the decade of Hammer pants , flannel shirts and choker necklaces. It was also a decade of pop stars: some with staying power; some we never heard from again. Let's see where they are now. Singer-pianist Fiona Apple released her debut album in 1996 and the hit song " Criminal " earned her a Grammy Award ( which one ?) in 1998. BING: WHY WAS SHE ARRESTED IN 2012 ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Lou Bega German-born singer Lou Bega hit it big with his name-dropping remix of Perez Prado's "Mambo No. 5" ( remember that catchy tune ?) in 1999. BING: WHAT DID HE DO IN 2014 ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HIM NOW Brandy Singer/actress Brandy was only 15 when she released her self-titled 1994 debut album , and one of her biggest hits was a 1998 duet with another '90s pop star . BING: WHAT IS SHE RUMORED TO DOING NOW ? | SEE RECENT PICS Toni Braxton R&B singer Toni Braxton's 1993 debut album was a huge success, but her 1996 follow-up produced the song that would become her biggest hit, " Un-Break My Heart ." BING: WHAT DID SHE WRITE LAST YEAR ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Gerardo Ecuadorian singer and one-hit wonder Gerardo seemed to love flashing his pecs in the video for his 1991 Latin-flavored hit " Rico Suave ." BING: WHERE CAN YOU FIND HIM TODAY ? | SEE RECENT PICS Taylor Hanson Taylor Hanson was the middle sibling of the trio of Oklahoma brothers known as Hanson , who ingratiated themselves into our collective consciousness with their 1997 hit " MMMBop ." BING: WHAT IS HE DOING NOW ? | SEE PICS OF HIS GROWING FAMILY Sophie B. Hawkins Sophie B. Hawkins had two hits in the '90s, including one song reportedly about another woman, and went on to play Janis Joplin on stage . BING: WHAT SITCOM DID SHE APPEAR ON IN 2013 ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Lauryn Hill Singer/rapper Lauryn Hill first hit the scene as one-third of the hip-hop group the Fugees , then struck out on her own with 1998's hugely successful " The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill ." BING: WHAT IS SHE DOING IN 2015 ? | SEE RECENT PICS Natalie Imbruglia Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia inspired a million copycat haircuts when she showed up with her adorable mop-top ( see photos ) in the video for her 1998 hit single " Torn ." BING: WHOM WAS SHE ROMANTICALLY LINKED TO IN 2013 ? | RECENT PICS Jewel Jewel sold more than 12 million copies of her 1995 debut album, " Pieces of You ," which spawned three hit singles . BING: WHAT IS SHE WORKING ON NOW ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Lisa Loeb Singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb got her big break when her song " Stay " appeared on the soundtrack of her friend Ethan Hawke's 1994 film " Reality Bites ." BING: WHAT SITCOM DID SHE RECENTLY APPEAR ON ? | SEE RECENT PICS Ricky Martin Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin first caught the attention of teen girls as a member of '80s boy band Menudo , but his solo career took off in 1999 with " Livin' la Vida Loca ." BING: WHAT IS HIS NEWEST SONG ? | SEE PHOTOS OF RICKY NOW Mark McGrath Singer Mark McGrath and his band had their first big hit with 1997's " Fly ," and kept it going with their successful third album " 14:59 ." He went on to co-host TV's "Extra" and this musical game show . BING: WHICH 2015 MOVIE DOES HE HAVE A ROLE IN ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HIM NOW Sarah McLachlan Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan founded the Lilith Fair tour in 1997, the same year she released her best-selling album, " Surfacing ." BING: WHAT IS SHE KNOWN FOR THESE DAYS ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Monica R&B singer Monica released her debut album, " Miss Thang ," in 1995, when she was only 14. Her duet " The Boy is Mine " with fellow teen singer Brandy was a huge hit in 1998. BING: WHO IS SHE MARRIED TO ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Mandy Moore Singer Mandy Moore was only 15 when she released her first single, " Candy " in 1999, but has since moved on to a successful acting career and is married to this rocker . BING: ON WHICH TV SHOW DID SHE PLAY A DOCTOR ? | SEE RECENT PICS Alanis Morissette Canadian singer Alanis Morissette burst onto the music scene in 1995 with her multiplatinum album " Jagged Little Pill ," which included the hard-charging " You Oughta Know ." BING: IN WHICH HBO SERIES DID SHE HAVE A RECURRING ROLE ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Sinead O'Connor Irish singer Sinead O'Connor's teary-eyed video for the Prince -penned " Nothing Compares 2 U " made her a household name in 1990. BING: WHY WAS SHE IN HOT WATER LAST YEAR ? | WHAT DOES SHE LOOK LIKE NOW ? Darius Rucker Singer Darius Rucker , along with his band Hootie and the Blowfish , had several hit songs off the band's 1994 album " Cracked Rear View ." BING: WHAT IS HE DOING NOW ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HIM NOW Shania Twain Country singer Shania Twain crossed over to pop superstardom with her 1997 album " Come on Over ," which included hits such as " You're Still the One " and " Man! I Feel Like a Woman ." BING: WHAT HAS SHANIA BEEN UP TO LATELY ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HER NOW Vanilla Ice Rapper Vanilla Ice released his best-selling debut album " To the Extreme " in 1990, bringing " Ice, Ice Baby " to the masses. BING: WHAT RECENT TV SHOW DID HE HOST ? | SEE PHOTOS OF HIM NOW | 6 | 2,206 | entertainment |
David's Been Here is in Moldova touring the country's world-famous Annual Wine Festival. Taking place on the first weekend in October, wineries from all over the country come together in Chisinau to present their newest wine selections to both domestic and international tourists. With dancing, music, lots of food and spectacular cultural performances going on, this annual wine festival is one of the most memorable events of the year in Moldova. Watch along as David walks us around the 12th Annual Moldova Wine Festival (October 5, 2013), displaying all the sounds, sights and attractions along the way. Didn't know Moldova was such a big wine destination? The country has actually been home to vineyards since 3000 BC, with traces of grape vines dating back to the Thracians in 7000 BC. Throughout its history, Moldova has been producing wine for itself and surrounding European countries, with over 147,000 hectares of land cultivated for the production. If you love wine tours, wine tastings and everything about viticulture, this annual Wine Festival is a must visit. The best thing about Moldova's wine festival is, of course, the wine, but the cultural performances, delicious food stations, music, dancing and overall buzz of Chisinau makes it an unforgettable experience. If you're planning a trip to Moldova during the beginning of Autumn, make sure you coincide your trip with Chisinau and the country's Wine Festival! | 8 | 2,207 | video |
Mad Money's Jim Cramer explains why he thinks the decline in crude will last longer than most people expect. | 3 | 2,208 | finance |
Days after Nicole Kidman revealed on the Tonight Show that she and Jimmy Fallon could have dated, ET special correspondent Jason Dundas followed up with the 47-year-old actress on her surprising revelation that has since captured the Internet's attention. | 8 | 2,209 | video |
Prep star power forward Carlton Bragg goofs when announcing which school he'll be playing for next year. | 1 | 2,210 | sports |
FOX Sports 1's Jay Glazer sounds off on the Mueller report. | 1 | 2,211 | sports |
Former New York Yankees first-round pick Ty Hensley is currently recovering from what has been described as a vicious attack that left him with multiple facial injuries, including a broken jaw. The attack occurred in a suburb of Oklahoma City back on December 28th. Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Anthony Morales, who was released by the team in training camp, has been charged with felony assault in the case. Hensley's lawyer, Jacob Diesselhorst, had this to say about the case. Ty has no understanding why this occurred or why this person attacked him like this. The lawyer went on to indicate that the relationship between Hensley and Morales is more of a "friend of a friend" type of thing. Both are from the same town in Oklahoma, but apparently had no direct relationship prior to the night of the alleged incident. Diesselhorst also had this to say about Hensley's current condition. Ty was hospitalized and is now home recovering," Diesselhorst said of the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Hensley. "He has multiple injuries to his face, most notably a broken jaw in multiple places. Luckily, he has no neurological injuries of any kind. He is pretty beaten up. He is doing well now and recovering. Besides his facial injuries, we expect him to make a full recovery. Hensley, 21, was a first-round pick in the 2012 MLB draft out of Edmond Santa Fe High School in Oklahoma. He spent the 2014 season splitting time between rookie and low-level Single-A ball. Morales was an un-drafted free agent out of Weber State this past offseason. He failed to make it out of camp with the Panthers. | 1 | 2,212 | sports |
Paul Imig delivers an update on Aaron Rodgers like a champ in single-digit temperatures. | 1 | 2,213 | sports |
LAS VEGAS -- When Ford CEO Alan Mulally gave a keynote speech at the 2007 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), the car industry finally awoke to the fact that the world of the automobile was in the midst of a creative disruption by the world of electronics. It also awoke those who attend CES that the show could be more than just 38 football fields of display space full of iPhone covers from Taiwan. At the 2015 CES, there are more than a dozen cars on display from various manufacturers, from concepts like the autonomous Mercedes-Benz F 015 "Luxury in Motion" concept car to the impending 2016 Toyota Mirai fuel-cell vehicle. Numerous suppliers also are promoting the electronic hardware that will appear in a car you'll be buying soon, from new navigation systems to electronic display screens with more pixels. Of course, there is also something about CES that reduces the automobile to an app, gizmo, or entertainment device, and there's always the temptation to think of the car as a really, really fancy television. Fortunately some carmakers understand that CES is a place to show off serious thinking about the automobile and its daily mission of carrying passengers and cargo. Here are a handful of examples. Audi A7 Sportback Piloted-Driving Concept Audi undertook a long-distance test of autonomous driving by sending a specially equipped Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI some 560 miles to CES in Las Vegas from the company's Silicon Valley outpost in the San Francisco Bay Area. Because such real-world testing is not legal in Germany, this was the car's first exposure to everyday driving conditions, although a similar test car undertook high-speed testing at the Hockenheim racing circuit last October. While the car carried five passengers who rotated as drivers (each certified as an Audi test driver because of legal requirements), the car's autonomous system requested that they intervene for less than 5 percent of the driving distance. The A7 Sportback piloted concept (nicknamed "Jack") relies on a super-computer-caliber ECU to process information from an extensive array of cameras, laser scanners and radar sensors to accomplish this feat, a different strategy than the mapping-based technology employed by Mercedes-Benz and Nissan. Audi's chief technology offer Ulrich Hackenberg tells us, "This is not just a concept car; it is a real car with technology that will appear in the next Audi A8 that will arrive in Germany the year after next." We understand that this car will incorporate a city-type version of the system meant for low-speed situations. As Scott Keogh, president of Audi of America, points out, "Just as with other technologies, there will not be a sudden adoption of autonomous driving technology. It will roll out gradually and drivers will adapt. People are already embracing our adaptive cruise control, which is part of our concept." Some questions remain about navigating such autonomous driving technology through the legal landscape, but Ricky Hudi, Audi's executive vice president for electronic development, says he is sure the obstacles will be overcome. The reason? "It will save lives," he says. 2016 Chevrolet Volt With More Range, Less Weight Even with cheap gasoline flowing like water, more consumers these days are sparked with enthusiasm for the concept of electricity. So it's no wonder that General Motors chose CES for a preview of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. EVs are cars for enthusiasts, just like anything else. As previously announced, the key to the 2016 Volt is more than new sheetmetal. The entire powertrain is new, including the two-motor drive unit, battery, range-extending gas engine and even the electronics. The new motor unit is 100 pounds lighter than the outgoing model's and is 5 percent to 12 percent more efficient, depending on the circumstances. The battery has 20 percent more capacity yet weighs 30 pounds less. And the range-extending four-cylinder engine now has a displacement of 1.5 liters, delivering more power with less noise. It all adds up to quicker EV acceleration, extended EV range, and more refined long-distance motoring. 1,000-hp Renovo Motors Coupe Although previewed at the Pebble Beach concours last summer, the Renovo Motors Coupe will be seen by a far greater audience at 2015 CES. And who would not be attracted to an EV that looks like a Shelby Daytona Coupe? Back in 2010, Christopher Heiser and Jason Stinson had a vision of an EV that looked like fun, not like a science project. As Heiser tells us, "I had that poster of the wine bottle, woman and Ferrari on the wall of my bedroom, and I wanted an electric vehicle that you could imagine in the same poster." Renovo Motors has engineered a unique powertrain to deliver the performance of which dreams are made, a twin-motor unit that makes some 500 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque and ramps up to full power in 37 milliseconds. We've had a quick ride in the Renovo Coupe, and it'll definitely tear your head off as it accelerates to 60 mph in a claimed 3.4 seconds. Of equal interest here is the use of a kit car as the wrapper for this powertrain. It enables the Renovo engineers to skip all the fussy car things that are incredibly difficult and time consuming, as Tesla has learned much to its despair. The result is a lightweight 3,250-pound package with its three battery packs positioned to enhance the driving experience instead of hurt it. At the same time, the Renovo Motors Coupe is more like a toy, a Ferrari-style EV rather than a BMW i-style EV, so we'll see how the market responds. Volkswagen Golf R Touch Navigates the Future You're right, the Volkswagen Golf R Touch does seem like it's just a really, really fancy television, since it's all about big electronic screens in the dash. Actually what we have here is a 12.8-inch infotainment display that responds to gesture control, an 8.0-inch control interface with haptic feedback, and a 12.3-inch instrument display. It's a pretty strong statement from an automaker that still fails to give you a convenient place to plug in your USB drive. But once you get past the lights and flashes, the Golf R Touch makes the point that VW has chosen the touchscreen as its interface for the future. Touchscreen gesture control and haptic feedback reduce driver distraction. The touchscreen also adapts easily to the broad range of electronic operating systems and languages that must be serviced by Volkswagen products. Volkswagen also acknowledges that touchscreen displays help it adapt to the smartphone-based applications (especially navigation) that customers of its entry-level products prefer. At the same time, VW believes that there will continue to be a market for elaborate navigation applications from the carmakers, because premium car-buyers prefer more sophisticated features like voice recognition. | 9 | 2,214 | autos |
If Tom Izzo wants to win a title this season, Campus Insiders' basketball analyst Digger Phelps thinks Branden Dawson must lead the way for the Spartans. Plus, why Minnesota can still make noise in the Big Ten. | 1 | 2,215 | sports |
Sri Lanka's long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has admitted defeat in the presidential election, his office says. | 8 | 2,216 | video |
Miikka Salomaki on scoring his first NHL goal and more after the Predators' win over the Stars. | 1 | 2,217 | sports |
The NHL announced they will use player tracking technology at this year's All-Star Game. Computer chips will be placed in the sweaters and the puck to chart what happens on the ice. Will this take away from the game? | 1 | 2,218 | sports |
Roberto Luongo put together a solid effort in his return to Vancouver as a Florida Panther. Luongo stopped 30 shots in a 3-1 victory. | 1 | 2,219 | sports |
Does Michigan currently have the most disappointing team in men's college basketball? The guys debate. | 1 | 2,220 | sports |
We get you caught up with Thursday's top stories, including the Predators overtime win over the Stars and Gerald Henderson's impressive performance in the Hornets-Raptors game. | 1 | 2,221 | sports |
Ryan McDonagh gives his thoughts on the New York Rangers' win over the Los Angeles Kings. | 1 | 2,222 | sports |
Is 2015 the year you're going to learn (to love) to run? Stop feeling intimidated by the long line of treadmills at the gym! Hop on with one of these beginner-friendly workouts that each offer easy-to-follow instructions and an awesome sweat session. These five plans will help brand-new runners build stamina, strength, and confidence in just a few weeks. No numbers necessary : Instead of getting caught up playing around with a ton of buttons and numbers, opt for this walk-run playlist that alternates your speed with every song. Take it on the treadmill or brave the cold with this easy-to-follow mix. Interval powered : Blast belly fat, build up stamina, and bust boredom with this 30-minute interval run - perfect for all the running newbies out there! The pace only slightly changes and never goes faster than 6.5 miles per hour. In short, you've got this. Burn 300 : Ease your body into a treadmill routine with this ultrabeginner calorie-blasting plan that blasts at least 300 calories. You'll play around with intervals, but don't worry about too many tough sprints that leave you out of breath. Hike it up : This short treadmill hike is the perfect workout for someone who is new to a fitness routine but wants to get their heart rate up. You'll continue to turn up the incline as your pace declines. While this is not a straightforward running workout, you will certainly feel the burn with this one! Take off : This 45-minute plan gradually intensifies after an extended hill workout. A few challenging belly-fat-blasting intervals are sprinkled into the mix, but you'll have plenty of time to catch your breath and recover. Don't worry - when the time comes to get running, you'll take off feeling motivated and warmed up. | 7 | 2,223 | health |
It's getting serious now: On Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate futures tested a low of $46.83 a barrel before rebounding. That's down nearly 57 percent from the summertime high of $107.68 and pushing toward the depths last seen during the 2008 financial crisis and recession that followed. Wholesale gasoline futures tested a low of $1.31 a barrel. The wipeout in energy prices has been covered on all angles in recent months including my recent piece on the negative repercussions for the U.S. economy, corporate earnings, and energy independence. Now, the focus is increasingly turning to how bad the damage could get. New estimates from Bank of America Merrill Lynch put the short-term floor somewhere below $35 a barrel a drop that would represent a decline of nearly 30 percent from here as the market is oversupplied by about a million barrels of oil per day. Options traders are starting to place bets that prices could fall into the $20s in the months to come. It's clear that a quick reversal isn't coming. OPEC is showing steely resolve in its effort to recapture market share from U.S. shale oil producers. Most oil exporting nations are trapped in a prisoners' dilemma: They all want higher prices as their national budgets feel the pinch. For the likes of Russia and Venezuela, the pain is acute and could well result in an outright currency crisis. But none of them want to make the production cuts needed to align supply with the depressed demand that has resulted from economic weakness across much of Europe and Asia. Saudi Arabia is best positioned to turn down the taps, but it appears to have spearheaded the oil price war in the first place for both financial and geopolitical gains. Comments from Saudi oil minister Ali Naimi that prices as low as $20 a barrel would be tolerated suggests that Riyadh despite some palace intrigue surrounding the poor health of King Abdullah is enjoying the spectacle. Oil demand is unlikely to soak up the excess supply anytime soon, with Europe stalled, Japan picking up the pieces from its recent sales tax hike and China still trying to control its runaway housing and fixed-asset investment bubbles without pricking its bad debt problem. The demand situation also has an element of negative self-reinforcement: Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts note that 50 percent of the global oil demand growth of the last decade has come from oil producing countries. That's a problem, with Russia heading into recession and sovereigns in the Middle East drawing down currency reserves. And besides, they estimate that any response on the demand side would occur with a six month lag anyway. So to find a price floor, supply will need to be cut from somewhere outside of OPEC. The big state-owned oil producers are an unlikely source, according to the analysts, because they find production is not price sensitive due to price hedging, low cash production costs, tax breaks and currency benefits. At this point, only Canada's Kearl oil sands project with a breakeven oil price around $55 a barrel is at risk. Yet its operator said it would not shut down even if it were cash flow negative. It's all about who can bleed the longest. Brazilian pre-salt fields need just $23 to cover cash costs. That leaves U.S. shale producers to carry the burden as operating cash flows dry up. But the experience of the natural gas glut of a few years ago, also driven by the success of shale, suggests that operators will at first shift rigs to more profitable fields before cutting output. You can see this in the way rig counts have come down, but production has kept climbing as shown in the chart above. As a result, U.S. production cuts probably won't happen until the drop in new investment, new wells and new rigs starts to flow into current production numbers. All this takes time. But it will happen, with energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie estimating short-term breakeven prices for U.S. shale at around $70 a barrel. Related: Collapsing Oil Prices Could Really Mess with Texas Another wrinkle to the story is that Saudi Arabia is producing less than 10 million barrels a day, holding about 2.8 million barrels a day of production capacity in reserve. If the Kingdom really wants to crush the U.S. energy industry and secure its position as the world's dominant provider of energy well into the future, it could slowly increase production to offset the pullback in U.S. shale oil. At 12.5 million barrels per day, its budget would come into balance with crude at $77 a barrel, according to estimates by BofA ML. But it can afford to be patient, with $740 billion in foreign exchange reserves (worth 98 percent of GDP), zero debt, and $450 billion in government deposits. That would keep prices down long enough to drive many marginal, high-cost U.S. producers out of business, with negative results for the U.S. economy, jobs market and high-yield bonds. Those that remained would face a low-return future with oil prices stuck near their cash breakeven costs. Long story short: In the short-term, prices could very well drop below $35 a barrel to incite U.S. production cuts before recovering into the $70s as Saudi Arabia opens the spigots and captures market share. In other words, get used to lower gas prices. They'll be here for a while. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: As Gas Prices Drop, Gas Taxes Will Likely Rise 6 Top Value Picks for 2015 from Stock Newsletter Gurus 8 Things That Will Get Cheaper in 2015 | 3 | 2,224 | finance |
In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack veteran British one cartoonist is struggling to find a sketch that won't offend anyone. | 8 | 2,225 | video |
Fresh shooting broke out in eastern Paris on Friday, with reports that an armed man had taken a hostage at a kosher grocery store, a source told AFP. The gunman was suspected of being the same man who killed a policewoman in southern Paris on Thursday, who is thought to have links to the assailants who stormed satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday. | 5 | 2,226 | news |
You don't need a gym membership if you're looking to a burn a few extra calories. | 3 | 2,227 | finance |
Plateaus suck. Especially when you're working hard in the gym and in the kitchen to make sure you're doing all the right things to lose fat . You workout a few times a week, right? You're eating healthy, right? You're doing your cardio, right? What more can you do? Oftentimes, all you are a few simple tweaks and you'll be back on track, shedding fat, and getting your six pack. Get back to the basics and jump-start your fat loss this season with our ten tips, all of which are guaranteed to work. Within a few weeks, you'll start seeing more definition in your arms and midsection without sacrificing the gains in the weight room. No. 1: Drop Your Calorie Intake By 500 To slash fat, you must maintain a caloric deficit: you consume fewer calories than you burn per day. Yet, often, we underestimate how much we intake and overestimate how much we use. Instead, keep a food journal for 3 to 4 days and track exactly how many calories you're eating and drinking. Then, gently reduce your caloric intake by 500 calories per day to boost your fat loss. Measure your body fat every few weeks with fat calipers to make sure you're moving the right direction. No. 2: Add One Extra Day Of HIIT Cardio If your fat loss is stalling, ditch the long jog on a treadmill and start doing intense intervals. High-intensity interval workouts burn far more fat than steady-state exercise . Add one extra day of pure HIIT training: use a total-body circuit with goblet squats, rows, push presses, and pushups, and do them each for 30 seconds and rest for 30 more seconds before moving to the next exercise. Instead of a basic sprint interval, you'll hammer your entire body, further boosting your metabolism. As a finisher, use an airdyne bike, stationary rowing machine, weighted sled, etc. and do max-effort intervals, 15 seconds on, 15 seconds off. No. 3: Eat more protein Protein is essential to fat loss. First, it maintains your muscle during a caloric deficit. Second, it keeps you satiated, which prevents overeating and snacking on junk food. Third, it boosts your calorie burn throughout the day because takes more energy to digest compared to carbs or fat. Eat at least one gram of protein per pound of bodyweight everyday and get your protein from whole sources like nuts, eggs, lean meats, yogurts, and quality protein powders. No. 4: Use Heavy, Compound Exercises to Boost Your Testosterone If you're carrying too much fat specifically around your lower abs you might have low testosterone levels. But the consequences of "low T" resonate far beyond love handles: it can hurt your health, sex life, and overall mood (which might be related to sex life). To raise your testosterone levels, you need to focus on heavy, total-body lifts that stimulate a lot of muscle growth, demand an intense neural drive, and unleash a massive hormonal response. Heavy strength exercises also speed up your fat loss compared to bicep curls and calf raises, which will shed fat faster. Your workouts must consist of heavy squats, deadlifts, lunges, barbell presses (flat bench or overhead), heavy rows, and carries. Also, lift as heavy as you can while using great technique. No. 5: Eat more healthy fats To lose more fat, eat more fat. This seems counterintuitive, but healthy fats like animal fats, real butter, coconut oil, nuts, and avocados actually make you leaner and more muscular they keep you full and maintain your good testosterone levels. If you followed the other rules, eating healthy fats force you to lower your carbohydrate intake. Get at least 30% of your calories from good sources of fat and never consume artificial fats, which can cause health problems like heart disease. [pagebreak] No. 6: Stay Hydrated Water ensures that you perform at a high level in the gym because even a slight amount of dehydration can wreck your athletic performance. Worse, by skimping on water throughout the day, you'll actually reduce your metabolism because your body tries to conserve fluids. Start the day hydrated by chugging a tall glass of water first thing in the morning. As for how much water you should actually drink per day, the answer is still debatable I recommend starting simple: fill a liter bottle with water and make it's empty by the end of the day. No. 7: Limit Your Carbs To Workout Days Only As an athlete, avoiding all carbs is a recipe for crappy workouts and crappier results. Carbs give you fuel to build muscle, melt fat, and target your abs; without it, your performance in the gym will suffer. Carbs like fruits and whole grains offer a lot of fiber and vitamins to improve your overall health and help you stay lead. Even starchy carbohydrates like rice and potatoes can help you lean out because they replenish your glucose levels after a hard workout. Eat your carbs ONLY on the days you blast your muscles with heavy, complex exercises. That way, your body will use that energy specifically for recovery and muscle growth rather than fat gain. No. 8: Take Fish Oil Supplements The omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil will help you jumpstart your fat loss. Taking fish oil while following an exercise program increases your fat oxidation and improves your body composition and cholesterol numbers . Fish oil supplementation also creates an extra drop in fat mass and an increase in muscle gain . Boost your fish oil intake to 6 grams per day to get the full effects. No. 9: Try Intermittent Fasting Intermittent fasting increases fat oxidation , which promotes more fat loss. Also, fasting along with exercise boosts your insulin sensitivity , helping your body send nutrients to muscle rather than fat. Better still, fasting during a calorie-restricted diet led to more weight loss than without it. Start simple: skip breakfast for the next few days and eat your first healthy meal of the day in the afternoon. No. 10: Sleep at least eight hours a night We saved the best for last. If you're training hard in the gym, eating clean, and still not seeing great progress in the gym, this is your culprit. Researchers from the Univeristy of Chicago found that shortchanging your sleep slowed down fat oxidation and increased muscle loss by 60 percent. Sleep deprivation also wrecks your muscle gains because it interferes with recovery and growth hormone production, which happens at night during your deep sleep cycles. Get at least eight hours of good sleep every night. | 7 | 2,228 | health |
Five-star basketball recruit Carlton Bragg was announcing that he was committing to Kansas, but accidentally said "Kentucky." Whoops. | 1 | 2,229 | sports |
Martha Price, 52, Stoneham, Mass. Sometimes the hardest part of making a big change is getting motivated. Which is why we've found 15 seriously inspiring women who have lost anywhere from 84 to 206 pounds. Their weight-loss secret? Good old-fashioned healthy eating and exercising. "I started working with a weight-loss coach at Healthy Fit for Women in Woburn, Mass. The key was slowly making changes in the way I ate, which eventually led to permanent habits," says Martha Price. "I used to think I was eating 'healthy' foods, but my portions were way too large, not to mention packed with sugar. I started eating breakfast, then tried to eat five small meals a day, every three hours, instead of larger ones later in the day." Weight Lost: 84 Pounds "I now pay more attention to food labels and allow myself the occasional indulgence to keep cravings at bay," she says. Top Tip: Create accountability for yourself try keeping a journal to keep track of the food and calories you are eating each day. Patti Murillo-Casa, 55, New York City "I tipped the scale as a 238-pound diabetic, thanks to bouts of emotional eating," says Patti Murilla-Casa. "My doctor warned me that if I didn't lose weight, I'd need to take insulin injections, so I joined a nearby gym. I dropped the first 30 pounds by walking on the treadmill, but when my weight started to plateau, I knew I needed to up the intensity. I signed up for Zumba, Spinning and weight-training group classes and was immediately hooked. The sessions felt more like a social get-together than exercise. Best of all, the added activity helped me reach my goal weight." Weight Lost: 102 Pounds Her keys to success: Pick one or two days a week to exercise with friends for 30 minutes, and use these tips to ensure you stay committed. Put a policy in place to encourage people to show up, such as buying coffee for everyone if you back out of a workout session. Create a common goal such as making it to yoga class weekly or losing 5 pounds by Christmas. Use SkinnYo.com, which tracks your group's progress and keeps you motivated. Avis Weiss, 35, Arlington, Texas "After years of watching my weight yo-yo, I saw it climb to a high of 213 pounds and my self-esteem plummeted," says Avis Weiss. "Determined to shape up once and for all, I started doing strength-training routines from magazines. After a month, I already had more definition, so I invested in exercise DVDs like the P90X program, modifying some moves (such as doing fewer reps or using lighter weights) to make them easier. I love how strong I've become. While I'm still working toward my goal weight, my confidence is sky-high." Weight Lost: 73 Pounds Her keys to success: Tone from head to toe with this quick routine. Once it feels easy, add 15 more seconds to each move. MODIFIED PLANK Start in push-up position on hands and toes, then lower knees and forearms to the floor and clasp hands. Keeping upper body in a straight line, hold position for 20 seconds. BRIDGE Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on floor, close to your butt. Press heels down and lift hips off floor until there's a straight line from shoulders to knees. Squeeze butt and hold for 2 counts, then lower to start position. Repeat the move for 20 seconds. WALKING PUSH-UP Stand with feet hip-width, then bend over and reach toward floor. Walk hands out in front of you until you're in a push-up position. Hold for 2 counts without letting hips or belly sink, then walk hands back up to start position. Repeat the move for 20 seconds. Rachel Lima, 39, Sacramento, Calif. "I gradually scaled down my portion sizes (to 1/3 of what I had been eating), and if I wanted ice cream, I went for a walk to get it!" says Rachel Lima. Weight Lost: 85 Pounds Top Tip: Hire a personal trainer. "I started going to one at my gym, 24 Hour Fitness. Who better to invest in than yourself?" she says. Michelle Fritts, 25, Rockville, Md. "I wrote down everything I ate as well as the calories, and did a combination of cardio and weight-lifting at the gym almost daily," says Michelle Fritts. "Sometimes, I'd just go for a walk or do toning exercises in my office during lunch to squeeze in whatever exercise I could!" Weight Lost: 89 pounds Top Tip: Find support from a network of people who are also living a healthy life. "I found mine in my boyfriend and coworkers, as they were either dieting right along with me, or at least working on living a healthier lifestyle," she says. LeAnne Richards, 48, Hesperia, Calif. "I joined Weight Watchers and promised myself I would attend all the meetings," she says. "I also diligently tracked everything I consumed and maintained a one-hour daily regimen of riding my bike or walking." Weight Lost: 90 pounds Top Tip: Find an exercise buddy it not only keeps you motivated but also makes exercising more fun! Maureen Albrecht, 56, Arcadia, Calif. "After years of trying but failing to lose weight with my busy schedule as a law enforcement officer, I tried the Lindora Lean for Life program a medically based program that consists of three meals and three snacks per day and aims to permanently change eating habits," Maureen Albrecht says. Weight Lost: 111 pounds Top Tip: Stop making excuses! In order to change your life, you have to change your habits, which means fully committing to a new healthy lifestyle. Charlotte Siems, 49, Stillwater, Okla. "I started doing the T-Tapp Workout, a DVD series that combines strength and aerobic training. It requires no equipment and takes minimal time (some workouts are just 15 minutes)," Charlotte Siems says. "This helped reshape my body as I lost the weight. I also started to eat only when I was hungry and stop when I was full." Weight Lost: 112 pounds Top Tip: Take your own photos (front, side, back) monthly because sometimes you see progress in those pictures that you won't see on the scale or tape measure. Laurel Fooks, 33, Springfield, Ore. "I got organized: meal planning, food tracking and enjoyable physical activity helped me drop pounds. I started with walking and pushing my baby in the stroller (if it was too cold out, I did Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds in my living room during naptime)," says Laurel Fooks. "From there, I built up to short jogs, and eventually started running. I also joined SparkPeople.com, which provided me with a supportive community and weight-loss network." Weight Lost: 125 pounds Top Tip: Focus on baby steps. If you try to make huge changes in multiple areas all at once, you'll burn out and feel defeated. "I used to never eat breakfast, so I started eating just a piece of fruit when I woke up. Now, I crave a full, healthy breakfast each morning," she says. Mary Darcy, 41, Charlotte, N.C. "I signed up for the Nutrisystem program and, for the first time in my life, I was truly eating a well-balanced diet including fruits and veggies. Plus, I never once felt deprived," says Mary Darcy. Weight Lost: 152 pounds Top Tip: Set small weight-loss goals for yourself it makes the whole process much less overwhelming! Terri Fisher, 40, Sioux Falls, S.D. "I lost my weight through the Weight Watchers At Work program, which was great because the meetings were conveniently held at my office. Once I was able to become more active, I started doing exercises like karate and kickboxing with a couple of my girlfriends, which kept me on track because it's so much fun!" says Terri Fisher. Weight Lost: 201 pounds Top Tip: Tell everyone you know that you are trying to lose weight and get healthy. This kept me accountable during the tough times. Brenda Smith, 43, Lithia Springs, Ga. "I've always worked out, but it was my emotional connection with food that kept me from losing weight. With the help of my trainer at Gold's Gym and participation in a 12-step support group for food addiction, I finally took control of my body," Brenda Smith says. "I recognized that I ate through every emotion I was feeling, whether that was joy, sadness or stress. I learned that receiving support is crucial because you feel a lot of shame with addiction and you need to lean on others to help get you through the difficult times." Weight Lost: 206 pounds Top Tip: Think about how much weight loss will affect other areas of your life. "I never realized how unhappy I really was until I lost weight and improved my health," she says. Lynn, 47, Pittsburgh, Penn. "At first, I lost all of my weight through Weight Watchers online (I never attended a meeting). Only after I lost 110 pounds did I start exercising by walking with a friend at our local track. We started with a mile, and every week added a quarter-mile. I eventually built up the strength to walk a 5K in 38 minutes," says Lynn. Weight Lost: 168 pounds Top Tip: Never, ever start "dieting" until you've done the inside work first. You've got to answer these questions first: Why do I want to lose weight? Is it out of self-loathing or self-love? If the answer is self-loathing, a diet won't work. If you don't love the "you" that's 200, 300 or 400 pounds, you can't take care of yourself the way you need and deserve to as you're losing weight. Learning to love yourself or at least care enough to work toward loving yourself is key to successful weight loss. Lori, 42, Fort Edward, N.Y. "Basically it came down to calorie counting. Since I had so much weight to lose, I actually worked my way through a few different programs like Nutrisystem," Lori says. "During that time, I picked out the things that I liked in each program and figured out how to make it work for me. It took me four years to lose 100 pounds, but I also knew that the changes I was making were changes that I could keep going with and love. I eat a diet that consists of whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats with the occasional cupcake in there!" Weight Lost: 105 pounds Top Tip: Speak kindly to yourself. Expecting perfection is setting yourself up for failure. When you allow yourself to be imperfect and not beat yourself up, you will find it easier to make the right choices. Margo Porras, 41, San Diego "I had been overweight since childhood, but when I hit 210 pounds at age 26, I just had to start exercising. Believing I needed to go all out to lose, I tried running as well as trendy classes like CrossFit and boot camp, but became discouraged when I couldn't keep up. During one class, the instructor kept modifying the moves for me, thinking I was pregnant! I was embarrassed and realized I needed an activity I could stick to, so I started walking more. I began by parking farther away from stores and taking the stairs. Then I took my distances up a notch by walking instead of driving to errands within two miles of my home. As the pounds fell off, I sped up my strolls. Now, I walk at a brisk pace, logging 12,000 steps (or six miles) a day. Not only do I look better, but I also have more energy than ever before," says Margo Porras. Weight Lost: 73 Pounds Her keys to success: Turn a leisurely jaunt into a heart-pumping workout with these three tips: 1. Bend your arms at the elbow as you would when running, pulling them back with force. 2. Shorten your stride length and take faster steps to reduce impact while increasing speed. 3. Tighten your butt as your front foot hits the pavement to help propel your body forward faster. | 7 | 2,230 | health |
Feel sexier and get more satisfaction just from eating more of these foods for better sex. Foods That Put You in the Mood Food and sex: you need em both, you want em bothand, as it turns out, theyre closely linked. A poor diet can lead to a lackluster sex life, while some foods have the power to make you feel sexier or prime your body for some mind-blowing booty. A healthy balance of vitamins and minerals keeps your endocrine system humming, which in turn regulates the production of the hormones estrogen and testosterone, essential for sexual desire and performance, says Cammi Balleck, PhD, a naturopathic physician and author of Making Happy Happen . Enjoying an active sex life is essential to our well-being, and the foods we eat play a large role in ensuring we feel in the mood, she says. So you could call good food and good sex a positive feedback loop. Here, eight foods (plus one meal!) with proven power to up the sexy. Celery It may seem like all this crunchy veggie has going for it is its low calorie count, but trust us, it's sexy, too. Celery contains chemicals called androsterone and adrostenal, which make us feel more sexually attractive, says Balleck. She also notes that celery contains a small amount of male hormones, which can boost female arousal. Need more? "Celery's balance of sodium and potassium make it an excellent diuretic," says Linda DeVillers, PhD, author of Simple Sexy Food: 101 Tasty Aphrodisiac Recipes and Sensual Tips to Stir Your Libido and Feed Your Love . Translation: It can help banish decidedly unsexy bloat. Lobster Sure, part of its appeal is the special-occasion nature, not to mention all that licking of butter off your fingers. But you may eschew this crustacean in fear that a heavy, fatty meal will slow you down sexually. Turns out, lobster doesn't deserve its tag as a high-fat food (except when slathered in said butter!). In fact, it's a good source of lean protein, copper, zinc and selenium. Zinc, in particular, has been linked with a healthy male libido, says deVillers. Lobster is also chock full of the mineral phosphorus, which boosts both your sex drives, says Balleck. Plus, its concentration of essential fatty acids may increase sensitivity in your sex organs. Leafy Green Veggies It may not be easy being green, but it is sexy. Kale, spinach and other leafy greens are high in vitamin A, which is a great hormone-balancer because it supports proper endocrine function, says Balleck. "These foods also contain iodine, an essential mineral for proper function of your thyroid and adrenal glands, which in turn help regulate your mood," she adds. It's hard to feel great about sex if you don't feel, well, great, so fill up on some greens. Strawberries It's not just that these sweet, juicy fruits look and feel sexy (heck, they wear their fertility their seeds on the outside!). The health benefits that they pack give weight to their aphrodisiacal reputation. Aside from a ridiculously high amount of vitamin C, folic acid and fiber, strawberries are a good source of potassium, which helps you avoid fluid retention (goodbye mood-killing bloat). "They even contain omega-3 fatty acids, highly valued for their contribution to a healthy cardiovascular system," says deVillers. And that's essential for sexual arousal and responsiveness. Dip 'em in dark chocolate (click to the next slide to see why), and you have a double whammy! Dark Chocolate Put aside for a moment how good it tastes and feels as it melts in your mouth which is enough proof for most chocolate lovers that chocolate is for lovers. Dark chocolate contains a compound called phenylethylamine, an endorphin released in the brain when you're feeling the warm fuzzies of falling in love. Share a few squares of high-quality dark chocolate before bed, and hopping in the sack will feel all the more delicious. Nuts Many varieties, including walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pine nuts, Brazil nuts and peanuts, contain the essential amino acid l-arginine, which helps the brain do its job circulating neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that send messages to cells (like, "gee, this feels so good more please!"). "And the fatty acids in nuts increase endorphins, making you feel more relaxed," says Balleck. L-arginine also has been shown to dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow to the genitals, which in turn may enhance arousal and intensify orgasms. Blueberries Circulation is a big deal for both libido and sexual function -- without good blood flow, arousal takes longer (its the blood rushing to your sexy bits that primes you for orgasm)and blueberries are great for improving circulation. Their high levels of antioxidants, which destroy cell-damaging free radicals, also make you look sexier, says Balleck. What's more: Blueberries contain dopamine, a neurotransmitter whose job is to stimulate your brains pleasure centers (the ones that make you say, Ooh!). Watermelon True, cool and juicy slabs of watermelon are a staple at G-rated family picnics, but this super-sweet fruit is also a sex-booster. First, bright-red watermelon contains an amino acid called l-citrulline, which helps relax and dilate blood vessels, naturally increasing blood flow to sexual organs and contributing to a hotter climax. Plus, watermelon's mostly, you know, water making it an anti-bloat machine. Incorporating a seed-spitting contest into sex play: Optional. A Carb-and-Protein Balanced Meal Its not just about single food items. A combination can either make you feel sexy or leave you too sluggish or full to do the deed. Jennifer Hanes, DO explains that a woman's libido is stimulated when the neurotransmitter serotonin is released in her brain. Your serotonin level increases when you consume carbohydrates, but a carb binge can result in a massive sugar crash an hour or so later, which leaves you too pooped to party. So skip the bottomless bowl of fettucine alfredo, and go for a meal that combines complex carbohydrates (like whole-grain pasta, brown rice, veggies and legumes, and not simple carbs like white pasta, white rice and white bread, which turn right to sugar) with protein. That'll give you a lasting serotonin boost and stable blood sugar energy. Think steak fajitas with black beans or smoked chicken with baked beans. Then again, maybe the beans would lead to mood-killing, uh, aftershocks. | 7 | 2,231 | health |
Under $250 Every year the brightly lit floor of the Consumer Electronics Show is packed with companies displaying the latest tech products. This year 3D printers, 4K TVs, self-driving cars, and the so-called Internet of Things have taken center stage. Cheapism.com considered the offerings with a $250 budget in mind and homed in on 10 novel yet inexpensive gadgets. Many won't be available for purchase until later this year, giving you plenty of time to save up the funds if one catches your eye. Think you can't afford the new tech gadgets coming out of CES 2015? Click ahead for 10 with price tags under $250. MOTIX With the Motix ($120) you can use a desktop computer without a mouse. The device reads hand gestures with a motion sensor at the top of the keyboard and a strip placed just below the spacebar. Although experts warn it takes a bit of time to get used to, your hands can control the cursor onscreen without reaching for the mouse. SENGLED SMART LIGHT BULBS We've seen LEDs that turn on and off or change colors via remote control or apps, but Sengled's light bulbs go further. The Pulse ($80) and Pulse Solo ($60) have a built-in speaker and the Boost ($50) doubles as a Wi-Fi repeater. The latest, Snap ($199), has a built-in wireless camera with night vision, a microphone, and a speaker. It can even be set to send notifications when the camera recognizes a specific face. SEAGATE SEVEN Seagate's latest portable drive is the slimmest of its kind. The Seven is just 7 millimeters thick, yet it holds 500 GB and has a USB 3.0 port. Although cloud-based services are taking over digital storage, external hard drives can still be very useful, especially when transferring large amounts of data. The Seven will be available within the month for about $100. ACER CHROMEBOOK 15 Chromebooks have always been inexpensive due to their minimalist design. Acer's latest starts at $250 and is the first with a 15.6-inch screen. At the lowest price point, the laptop is expected to come with 1366x768 HD resolution (1920x1080 full HD resolution will be available as well) and a battery-friendly Intel Celeron processor. WITHINGS ACTIVITE POP A smartwatch with smart looks, the Activite Pop ($150) demonstrates a sense of style while keeping the price reasonable. The watch will be available in black, blue, or tan and has the same functionality as other Withings smartwatches, including the original and much more expensive Activite ($450). BABY GLGL That's right -- a smart baby bottle is on the way, or at least a smart bottle holder is. The Baby Glgl senses how much liquid you're giving your baby, tracks feeding times and amounts, and warns you if you're holding the bottle wrong and letting air in. The battery-powered device should be available later this year for about $120. ROOST SMART BATTERY Chirp, chirp -- it's that annoying sound that announces your smoke detector needs a new battery. The Roost smart battery connects to an app that tells you the battery is low before the chirping starts and alerts you when the smoke detector is going off (helpful when you're away from home). Roost batteries start at $40 each, but bundles come at a discount. AMPSTRIP One shortcoming of many fitness trackers is the lack of a heart-rate monitor, which means many of the numbers are rough estimates. The FitLinxx AmpStrip ($150 at retail, or $120 on Indiegogo through Feb. 8 while supplies last) addresses this issue with a simple, waterproof design. It's worn like a Band-Aid on your abdomen and tracks heart rate and zones, activity, skin temperature, posture, sleep, exercise load, and more. QUITBIT A cigarette lighter that helps you quit? That's the pitch for the QuitBit ($100), which tracks how many times you light up each day. The goal is to slowly decrease the number by making you more aware of your habit, or by limiting your usage of the lighter. VYSK QS1 Vysk makes a $40 iPhone 6 privacy case that encrypts photos and text messages and covers the camera lens when you're not taking pictures. The new QS1 for iPhone 5/5S ($230) goes several steps further by adding a microphone jammer and additional battery life; it even encrypts calls. With hacks and other privacy issues all over the news, a little extra security can't hurt. | 3 | 2,232 | finance |
A rare Aston Martin that may have been used as an unmarked police car in the sixties has been found after half a century hidden in a garage. The DB24, built in 1955, was discovered at a property in Gloucestershire and is believed to be worth £250,000 when fully restored. The classic car, which became famous as the model driven by James Bond in Ian Fleming's novels, was bought by a car enthusiast who intended to work on the engine when he retired. Instead it was covered by a sheet and forgotten by its owner, and was forgotten. Videographer / Director: John Robertson Producer: Amanda Stringfellow Editor: Kyle Waters | 8 | 2,233 | video |
Trying to survive between breakfast and lunch (and lunch and dinner) can be a near-impossible feat for many. But rather than turning to your office's supply of free chips and cookies, pack one of these 20 homemade snacks. Munching on these various veggie chips, beef jerky strips, and power bars will keep your belly full and your mind alert, so what are you waiting for? Kale and Sweet Potato Chips For a snack that's a little bit sweet and a little bit savory, mix things up with a combination of simply seasoned kale and sweet potato chips. Smoky and Spicy Almonds A whole slew of spices are used to create the hot, smoky flavor of these roasted almonds . Black-Pepper-Crusted Beef Jerky Though it sounds daunting, you can easily bake up a batch of beef jerky at home. This particular version is drenched in beer and coated with black pepper. Strawberry Fruit Leather Revisit childhood memories of Fruit Roll-Ups with a homemade version: strawberry fruit leather. Cheesy Kale Chips Vegan food skeptics, step aside. These cheesy kale chips contain no actual cheese (or dairy for that matter) yet possess that same umami twang and addictive nature of a cheese-laden chip. They even passed muster (and then some) with our office's most vehement cheese-substitute haters. Tiki Snack Mix Bacon, cashews, and dried pineapple make up this utterly addictive tiki snack mix. DIY Dried Cantaloupe Though it sounds strange, dried cantaloupe slices are just as deliciously sweet as mango. Filet Mignon Beef Jerky Though it sounds totally absurd, filet mignon beef jerky just might be the most snackable thing out there. The tender cut yields melt-in-your-mouth jerky. Mediterranean-Spiced Chickpeas Did you know you can bake chickpeas into crunchy morsels? Season this batch of chickpeas with za'atar, cumin, and cayenne for a spicy finish. Spicy Miso Kale Chips Spice things up with a batch of these crisps , which are topped off with shichimi togarashi, a readily available Japanese seven-spice blend. Equal parts tangy and savory from dressing made of miso and rice wine vinegar, they'll go fast. Cashew-Fig Bars Perfect for camping, hiking, or outdoor activities, cashew-fig bars are almost like cookies . . . almost! Za'atar-Spiced Almonds What's the trick to getting spices to stick on nuts? For za'atar-spiced almonds , frothy egg whites act as the binder. Homemade Cinnamon Apple Chips Bags of apple chips can cost pretty pennies, so why not attempt to "dehydrate" cinnamon apple chips with a standard oven at home? Honey-Roasted Cinnamon Chickpeas Roasted chickpeas don't have to be savory. This batch is coated in honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Maple Bacon Kale Chips Both naughty and nice, maple bacon kale chips are bound to convert even the most stalwart carnivores in your life with their smoky-sweet one-two punch. DIY Dried Mango No sugar is necessary when making homemade dried mango . The technique couldn't be simpler, and the recipe only calls for one ingredient - the fruit itself! Rosemary-Sesame Pecans Rosemary-sesame pecans are salty and sweet, thanks to a generous coating of demerara sugar and kosher salt. S'mores Popcorn Combine salted popcorn, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows for a s'mores popcorn treat to be enjoyed on the go. Cheddar Phyllo Crackers Here's an inventive cheesy snack that doesn't require refrigeration: cheddar phyllo crackers. Salt and Vinegar Kale Chips Inspired by salt and vinegar potato chips , this healthy substitute captures the same can't-put-'em-down quality, without even a glimmer of guilt. | 0 | 2,234 | foodanddrink |
The Duchess of Cambridge usually looks elegant and composed when she's performing her royal duties, but, like every human, she does occasionally drop her picture-perfect grin to reveal deeper emotions. Indeed, Kate Middleton tends to show off her least "princess-y" expressions when she's doing one of her favorite things - watching sports. Since the duchess isn't too princess-y to play sports, it's only natural that some of her funniest moments would come while she is watching athletes do their thing! Keep reading to see Kate's funniest faces from over the years. The "Oh Dear, I Think I'm About to Cry" The "Deep in Thought" The "Precringe" Cringe The "Straight-up Cringe" The "Let Me Think About That For a Minute" The "That Was a Close One!" The "Wait, What Did You Say?" The "Yes, Fan Me, My Prince" The "No WAY!" The "Oh, This Is Getting Bad" The "Oh My God!" The "I Can't Watch - OK, Maybe Just a Peek" The "Please Tell Me I Didn't See That" The "How Did I Let Will Talk Me Into Coming to This?" The "My Hair Smells Good!" The "Oh Look at Those Little Crybabies" The " ¯\_(ツ)_/¯" The "As If!" The "Nail-Biter" The "Double Nail-Biter" The "I'm Having Second Thoughts About This" The "Lip Bite" The "Try to Pull It Together and Smile!" The "This Is Not Looking Good" The "That's So Unfair!" The "ACK!" The "He He He, I Did Something Naughty" The "Things Are Finally Going My Way!" The "Too Happy to Act Regal" Smile The "Double-Thumbed Woo" The "Double-Armed Woo" The "Goodness Gracious, I Can't Believe I Did That" The "Um, Excuse Me?!" The "OMG I'm SO Excited to Meet You" The "So, Umm, Ya" | 4 | 2,235 | lifestyle |
A gunman has seized hostages at a kosher supermarket in Paris, while police in northern France have cornered the two Charlie Hebdo massacre suspects. | 8 | 2,236 | video |
Who will have the biggest upset this weekend in the Divisional Round? The guys take a look. | 1 | 2,237 | sports |
Will Louisville or UNC win the battle of two ranked teams? We preview the matchup. | 1 | 2,238 | sports |
It appears Michael Sam is taking the plunge. Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL, is engaged to longtime boyfriend Vito Cammisano, according to TMZ. The college sweethearts reportedly have been vacationing in Europe. Sam posted photos from the vacation to his Twitter account . While Sam hasn't officially announced the engagement, some social media activity suggests him and his boyfriend are indeed tying the knot. One of Cammisano's friends congratulated the couple on Twitter, prompting Sam to favorite the tweet, which one clearly could construe as confirmation. Sam and Cammisano began dating at the University of Missouri, where Sam became one of the nation's premier college football players. Sam revealed he was gay while playing at Missouri and later was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. Sam and Cammisano famously shared a smooch on national television after the defensive end was drafted by the Rams. Sam has since been cut by the Rams and Dallas Cowboys , but the 25-year-old isn't giving up on pursuing an NFL career. | 1 | 2,239 | sports |
Jim Cramer explains why some major retailers are closing stores and why investors should not freak out. | 3 | 2,240 | finance |
Pecans, Walnuts, and other Nuts That Are Good For Your Health Pecans, Walnuts, and other Nuts That Are Good For Your Health Nuts are a good source of many vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy fats. Plus, they're packed with protein. Here are the ones you should be snacking on. Almonds Almonds are truly a superfood, and they're very tasty to boot. Almonds are loaded with fiber, magnesium, protein, potassium, calcium, and zinc. They can also improve both heart health and blood cholesterol levels. As an added bonus, almonds help you feel fuller longer and can help you avoid consuming unnecessary (and unhealthy) calories. Brazil Nuts Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which is believed to help protect again prostate and breast cancers, skin disorders, anxiety, and asthma and is crucial for thyroid health. Don't eat too many of these, though; eating Brazil nuts in large quantities may cause selenosis, also known as selenium poisoning. Thankfully, you only need one Brazil nut each day to get the recommended daily amount of selenium. Cashews Cashews are a great source of iron they contain more than twice the iron in beef, ounce for ounce. They're also a good source of magnesium, calcium, vitamin B, zinc, folic acid, and vitamin E. They have less fat than some other nuts, too, so if you're looking for a lower-fat option, cashews are a good go-to. Coconut When you think of the word "nut," coconut probably doesn't come to mind first. Technically speaking, a coconut is a drupe (a one-seeded fruit with thin skin, thick and sometimes fibrous flesh, and a hard, stony pit) like walnuts, almonds, and pecans. Commonly referred to as a "tree nut," coconut is unlike other nuts because it contains saturated fat. But, the saturated fat in coconuts is different than the type found in other foods and isn't linked to heart disease. Plus, coconut can help improve blood cholesterol and bolster protein intake. Try sprinkling a small handful of unsweetened coconut flakes onto oatmeal, yogurt, or salads. Hazelnuts According to the UDSA , eating a one-and-a-half-ounce serving of hazelnuts every day helps reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. They are an excellent source of vitamin E and a great source of folate, too. Need a little extra fiber? Try hazelnuts; they have about 10 percent of your daily recommended fiber per handful. Macadamias Arguably the most delicious nut due to their crunchy, rich, and buttery flavor, macadamias contain more monounsaturated fats remember, the heart-healthy fat than any other type of nut. Eating macadamias can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels , which are known to clog arteries. But, be mindful of the high calorie and fat content; a one-ounce serving of macadamia nuts has about 200 calories. Peanuts Peanuts are rich in antioxidants , which help to protect cells from damage linked to heart disease and cancer. They're also good for keeping blood sugar levels even and can help protection against type-2 diabetes. Pecans Studies have shown that pecans can protect against Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and heart disease. And, since they are a good source of vitamin B3, they are the perfect choice if you're feeling lethargic vitamin B3 helps us access the energy in our food. Pine Nuts Pine nuts may be high in fat and calories, but they will keep your heart healthy and can help keep your blood pressure down . Plus, they have more vitamin K than any other nut, which means they can help keep your bones strong. Pistachios Pistachios are known as "the skinny nut." They contain about three calories apiece, are low in fat, and high in fiber. A study from Pennsylvania State University reported that eating pistachios might even help prevent high blood pressure by reducing cholesterol levels in people who have cardiovascular risks. Walnuts Walnuts contain the highest concentration of antioxidants of any kind of nut, and studies have shown that eating them regularly can help reduce your chance of cardiovascular disease and protect against diabetes and certain cancers. They are also a great source of fiber, and they contain omega-3 fats, alpha-Linolenic acid, and plant sterols that are known to help lower cholesterol levels. | 7 | 2,241 | health |
This cat is not interested in the toy mouse, he has bigger worries around the corner! | 8 | 2,242 | video |
A young man decided he wanted to take his friend's mom to prom. The two came to an agreement that if Anthony got 500,000 retweets of his request, he could take the mom to prom. Keri Lumm (@thekerilumm) has the details. | 8 | 2,243 | video |
This little boy was really hoping for a baby brother! | 8 | 2,244 | video |
There doesn't appear to be any slowing down the St. Louis Blues, who are enjoying their highest-scoring three-game stretch in 24 seasons. Looking to stay hot, the Blues try to continue their home success against the last-place Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. St. Louis has followed a 1-5-1 funk with three consecutive wins, a run during which it's outscored foes 20-4. The Blues (25-13-3) are the first team to score at least 20 goals over three games since Carolina from March 3-7, 2009, and it's their first such span since totaling 22 from Jan. 25-29, 1991. St. Louis beat San Jose 7-2 for the second time in six days Thursday while sandwiching a 6-0 win at Arizona in between. Jaden Schwartz notched a career high-tying three assists in the second of those victories over the Sharks as seven players scored for the Blues. "Not since I've been here, no, I haven't (seen it)," forward T.J. Oshie said. "But without scoring the goals, if a couple of those go off the post and out, we're still playing great hockey, we're still getting pucks deep, we're still working for each other." Oshie finished with a goal and an assist, giving him six and seven during a seven-game point streak. Alexander Steen has 11 points in the last five games while David Backes, who scored four times against the Coyotes, has nine. Schwartz recently missed seven games with a foot injury, but he's racked up four goals and six assists during a six-game point streak. The Blues have won eight straight and 22 of their last 28 with Schwartz on the ice. "Really unselfish hockey is what is evident to me right now in a lot of things we're doing," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "When you are unselfish, you come off the ice at the right time, you change at the right time, you leave your teammate in a good spot, you're going to have success. To me, the goals are a result of the way we're playing. We're playing the right way and it's having a big impact on keeping the group together." The Blues should like their chances of keeping things going against the Hurricanes, who are 3-10-2 with one tie in their last 16 visits to St. Louis. Carolina has managed four wins in 22 road games after scoring eight goals during a 1-7-0 slide as the visiting team. While the Hurricanes (13-24-4) have won three of four, each of those victories came at home. They recorded their second-highest scoring total of the season in Thursday's 5-2 win over a Buffalo team that's allowed the league's most goals. Jiri Tlusty, Eric Staal and Victor Rask scored over a 79-second span late in the second period to break things open for Carolina, which had scored two goals or fewer in nine straight games and 17 of its previous 18. "I hope this is foreshadowing moving forward as far as the offense goes, that we can get beyond two and score some goals," coach Bill Peters told the league's official website. Cam Ward finished with 18 saves, improving to 3-8-1 over his last 12 starts despite a 2.18 goals-against average. He is 5-1-1 with a 1.54 GAA and two shutouts against the Blues, last facing them in 2012. Brian Elliott has stopped 65 of 69 shots while starting St. Louis' last three games. The NHL leader with a 1.81 GAA, Elliott is 6-1-0 with a 1.44 mark in his last eight home starts. He has a 1.94 GAA in winning his two starts versus Carolina in St. Louis. | 1 | 2,245 | sports |
Campus Insiders catches up with one of the men responsible for the development of Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Ray Crawford learns about the early years of Mariota's career from the QB Coach at St. Louis School in Honolulu, Vince Passas. | 1 | 2,246 | sports |
England's Andy Sullivan led the South African Open by one shot at the halfway stage on Friday, but former Masters champion and home hope Charl Schwartzel was hovering on his shoulder. Sullivan, seeking a maiden European Tour, added a 70 to his opening 66 at Glendower Golf Club to reach eight under par, one shot ahead of Schwartzel. However, four-time Major winner Ernie Els dropped off the pace with second round 77 after an impressive opening 67. Sullivan, 27, who won a trip into space for a hole-in-one during the Dutch Open last year, carded four birdies and two bogeys in his round. "I thought it was going to be a really good knock on the front nine, but a few little errant drives meant the rough got its payback on me today," said Sullivan. | 1 | 2,247 | sports |
Losing weight is a journey made up of a million healthy choices we make each day. So keep these 100 tips in mind to continue on that healthy path, little by little. Fitness Mix up your routine to avoid weight-loss plateaus.Muscle mass burns more calories, so include three 20-minute strength-training sessions each week.Go for kettlebell workouts - the average person burns 400 calories in 20 minutes . Add sprinting intervals to your workout to target belly fat.Add an extra five minutes to your cardio routine.Choose faster-paced styles of yoga such as Ashtanga or Vinyasa to burn more calories while also getting a good stretch. Don't just stand there! Do squats while brushing your teeth, calf raises while standing in line, or lunges while chatting on the phone.When nature calls, use a bathroom on a different floor to make you use the stairs. Keep weights in the living room so you can do some reps while watching TV.Do one of these 10-minute videos right now. At Home Follow the 80/20 rule , which means eating clean 80 percent of the time and indulging a little 20 percent of the time. Take time once a week to plan out and shop for meals and snacks so you're prepared whenever hunger strikes. Keep a food journal and email it every night to a friend or family member. The accountability will keep you honest.Put a big chalkboard up in the kitchen to jot down your weekly meal plan or one of these inspirational sayings .Once a week, snap a photo of yourself so you can see proof of your body changing. Weight-loss jars are also a great visual reminder of reaching your goal. When boredom, depression, or stress causes cravings, find a nonfood way to satisfy them such as going for a walk, calling a friend, taking a bath, reading a book, or doing some yoga. Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Being tired makes for skipped workouts and extra snacking.Baggy clothes hide your body and encourage lounging around. So even when you're relaxing at home, wear fitted clothes to keep you on track. Keep cut-up fruits and veggies in the fridge to grab for snacks or easy meals. Don't keep junk food in your kitchen. If it's not there, you can't be tempted by it. Breakfast Aim for a 300- to 400-calorie meal.Add fiber-rich greens, avocado, and berries to your smoothie to satiate hunger for hours.You already know never to skip breakfast, but it's also important to eat within an hour of waking to boost your metabolism.Include at least 10 to 15 grams of protein, which suppresses ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates your appetite. Include eggs, which are proven to control hunger . Also include 10 grams of fiber to satiate hunger longer and prevent bloating from constipation.Going low carb is proven to encourage weight loss . Limit the carbs (especially refined carbs like muffins and bagels) and include a little fat.Measure out that bowl of cereal or oatmeal, including the fruit, nuts, maple syrup, milk, and yogurt you add to it. Have a set of measuring cups and spoons on hand instead of eyeballing. Bake a healthy breakfast ahead of time to ensure you don't grab a sugary scone on the run. Make pancakes even healthier by adding mashed baked sweet potato , some pureed spinach and blueberries , or cooked quinoa .Eat a grapefruit instead of drinking juice; the fiber will help you feel full longer, and grapefruit is proven to help with weight loss . Lunch Keep this meal between 400 and 600 calories.Buy fun containers, and pack lunch and snacks from home. Label each with time and calorie amounts to avoid eating everything all at once.Double dinner recipes so you can have the leftovers for lunch. Pack five salads on Sunday night so your healthy meal is already made. Add cooked whole grains to a salad to increase the fiber and protein and make the meal feel more satisfying. In the mood for a hot meal? Make a huge pot of veggie bean soup, divide into two-cup containers, and store in the freezer. Before bed, place a container in the fridge, then grab it before heading out the door in the morning. For sandwich-lovers, use spinach or swiss chard leaves instead of a wrap, skip the slice of cheese, and load up on the veggies.Sip calorie-free water, seltzer, or green tea with your meal instead of soda, sweetened iced tea, or juice.Instead of cream cheese or butter on bread or bagels, spread almond or peanut butter. The healthy fats satiate hunger and can decrease belly fat. Dinner Keep this meal between 400 and 600 calories. Serve yourself a smaller portion, so if you like going back for seconds, you'll just end up eating a normal-size portion.Use salad-size plates instead of dinner-size ones.At the beginning of the week, prepare a big container of salad to keep in the fridge. If the salad is already made, you're more likely to get greens with your dinner. Chew gum while cooking to keep from snacking.Salt causes bloating and butter is high in calories, so flavor pasta, soups, meat, and stews with fresh herbs, garlic, and onions instead. Celebrate Meatless Mondays by making a meal starring beans (another weight-loss aid). You'll love this sweet potato and black bean burrito .Spray on salad dressing instead of pouring. Cut veggies into larger-size chunks. The more chewing you have to do, the slower you'll eat, allowing your brain to recognize the "I'm full" sensation. Freeze pureed veggies to add extra fiber to sauces and soups.Halfway through your meal, stop and drink some water and decide if you're really hungry for the rest or if you're just eating it because it's on your plate. Snack Time Keep snacks to 150 calories or fewer.Aim to consume at least five grams of fiber to really satiate your hunger.Go for protein instead of sugar to keep energy levels going strong instead of crashing. Edamame in pods is the perfect snack since it takes some time to eat and a one-cup serving offers 12 grams of protein.Always bring snacks on the road to avoid having to hit convenience stores, fast-food chains, or airport food courts.Keep snack centers in the fridge and cupboard to avoid grazing and eating out of containers. Make 150-calorie nonperishable snack packs to keep in your purse, gym bag, and office drawer. Nuts are a great option since they keep you fuller longer and boost your metabolism. Choose wet snacks such as melon, peppers, cherry tomatoes, or celery. Their water content will fill you up and prevent bloating. Nosh on these post-workout snacks to avoid undoing all your hard work.For salty-sweet cravings, bake a batch of these roasted honey-cinnamon chickpeas .Munch on an apple. It is full of fiber and works as a natural appetite suppressant . Dessert Eat a little something sweet every day to satiate your cravings and to avoid inhaling an entire pint of ice cream later. When baking, swap out the butter for one of these .Use fruit to add natural sweetness instead of white sugar. Try this muffin recipe .Add veggies to baked goods. You'll never even taste the zucchini in these brownies or the sweet potato in these cookies .If you're constantly craving high-sugar, high-fat foods, it may mean you need to eat more protein .Add protein powder to sweet recipes (like these Rice Krispies treats ) to boost the nutrition. Sip one of these protein smoothies that are sweet enough for dessert.When making cookies, bake half the batch and scoop the rest into ice-cube trays. When your sweet tooth kicks in, pop out one and bake it to satisfy your craving without breaking the calorie bank.Make healthier versions of the treats you crave. These no-bake brownies are sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Make your own low-fat ice cream using frozen bananas and peanut butter or luscious cherries and chocolate . Food Swaps Use veggies like carrots or zucchini in place of spaghetti. Spread hummus, mustard, or pureed roasted red pepper on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise.Nosh on baked carrot chips instead of greasy potato chips. Use silken tofu in place of cream for some recipes such as this dairy-free chocolate mousse .Skip ordering pizza and make one of these crusts at home: gluten-free sweet potato crust , a quinoa basil crust that's also gluten-free, or this low-carb cauliflower crust .Pour almond milk in your cereal instead of skim milk.Choose a whole-wheat wrap instead of two slices of wheat bread. Use sliced strawberries on your PB&J instead of jam.Swap out your hamburger patty for a veggie burger. Go open-faced to cut calories and carbs. At Work Share weight-loss goals with co-workers so they invite you for a postwork Zumba class instead of happy hour.Keep a reusable water bottle on your desk to sip often. Staying hydrated can satiate hunger and cravings, reduce bloating, and keep you more alert. Use your lunch break to work out and then eat later while working.Eat in front of a person rather than a screen. It cuts down on mindless eating and makes you more accountable for each bite.Brush your teeth right after each meal and snack to avoid noshing on your co-worker's bowl of M&M's. Set up reminders on your computer or phone every hour to encourage yourself to get up, walk around, and stretch. Wear comfy shoes so you can take meetings for a walk instead of sitting at a desk. Walk to a co-worker's desk to chat instead of instant messaging.Sit on a yoga ball instead of a chair to work your core. Keep healthier dessert options on hand so you have something to enjoy during office birthdays and other celebrations. When Eating Out Check out menus online before heading out so you have a few healthy options in mind.Choose menu items that are grilled, baked, blackened, steamed, or broiled instead of fried or breaded.Eat a little something before heading out, like a handful of almonds, so you don't arrive at the restaurant famished.Always start your meal with a salad. It'll fill you up, making you eat less of the actual meal, and it's way fewer calories than typical deep-fried or cheesy apps. Ask for all dressings, condiments, and sauces on the side.Opt for the baked potato instead of french fries, and yes, eat the skin!Ask for your entrée to be served on a bed of greens rather than a bed of pasta or mashed potatoes. For wine-lovers, order one glass instead of splitting a bottle.Before your entrée arrives, ask the waitperson to bring you a to-go container so you can package half to save for later. You don't have to skip dessert. Order one and split it with your dinner partner. | 4 | 2,248 | lifestyle |
100 Quick Weight-Loss Tips Losing weight is a journey made up of a million healthy choices we make each day. So keep these 100 tips in mind to continue on that healthy path, little by little. Fitness Mix up your routine to avoid weight-loss plateaus. Fitness Muscle mass burns more calories, so include three 20-minute strength-training sessions each week. Fitness Go for kettlebell workouts - the average person burns 400 calories in 20 minutes. Fitnesss Add sprinting intervals to your workout to target belly fat. Fitness Add an extra five minutes to your cardio routine. Fitness Choose faster-paced styles of yoga such as Ashtanga or Vinyasa to burn more calories while also getting a good stretch. Fitness Don't just stand there! Do squats while brushing your teeth, calf raises while standing in line, or lunges while chatting on the phone. Fitness When nature calls, use a bathroom on a different floor to make you use the stairs. Fitness Keep weights in the living room so you can do some reps while watching TV. Fitness Do one of these 10 minute videos right now. At Home Keep cut-up fruits and veggies in the fridge to grab for snacks or easy meals. At Home Don't keep junk food in your kitchen. If it's not there, you can't be tempted by it. At Home Follow the 80/20 rule , which means eating clean 80 percent of the time and indulging a little 20 percent of the time. At Home Take time once a week to plan out and shop for meals and snacks so you're prepared whenever hunger strikes. At Home Keep a food journal and email it every night to a friend or family member. The accountability will keep you honest. At Home Put a big chalkboard up in the kitchen to jot down your weekly meal plan or one of these inspirational sayings . At Home Once a week, snap a photo of yourself so you can see proof of your body changing. Weight-loss jars are also a great visual reminder of reaching your goal. At Home When boredom, depression, or stress causes cravings, find a nonfood way to satisfy them such as going for a walk, calling a friend, taking a bath, reading a book, or doing some yoga. At Home Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Being tired makes for skipped workouts and extra snacking. At Home Baggy clothes hide your body and encourage lounging around. So even when you're relaxing at home, wear fitted clothes to keep you on track. Breakfast Add fiber-rich greens, avocado, and berries to your smoothie to satiate hunger for hours. Breakfast Aim for a 300- to 400-calorie meal. Breakfast You already know never to skip breakfast, but it's also important to eat within an hour of waking to boost your metabolism. Breakfast Include at least 10 to 15 grams of protein, which suppresses ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates your appetite. Include eggs, which are proven to control hunger . Breakfast Also include 10 grams of fiber to satiate hunger longer and prevent bloating from constipation. Breakfast Going low carb is proven to encourage weight loss . Limit the carbs (especially refined carbs like muffins and bagels) and include a little fat. Breakfast Measure out that bowl of cereal or oatmeal, including the fruit, nuts, maple syrup, milk, and yogurt you add to it. Have a set of measuring cups and spoons on hand instead of eyeballing. Breakfast Bake a healthy breakfast ahead of time to ensure you don't grab a sugary scone on the run. Breakfast Make pancakes even healthier by adding mashed baked sweet potato , some pureed spinach and blueberries , or cooked quinoa . Breakfast Eat a grapefruit instead of drinking juice; the fiber will help you feel full longer, and grapefruit is proven to help with weight loss . Lunch Keep this meal between 400 and 600 calories. Lunch Add cooked whole grains to a salad to increase the fiber and protein and make the meal feel more satisfying. Lunch Buy fun containers, and pack lunch and snacks from home. Lunch Label each with time and calorie amounts to avoid eating everything all at once. Lunch Double dinner recipes so you can have the leftovers for lunch. Lunch Pack five salads on Sunday night so your healthy meal is already made. Lunch In the mood for a hot meal? Make a huge pot of veggie bean soup, divide into two-cup containers, and store in the freezer. Before bed, place a container in the fridge, then grab it before heading out the door in the morning. Lunch For sandwich-lovers, use spinach or Swiss chard leaves instead of a wrap, skip the slice of cheese, and load up on the veggies. Lunch Sip calorie-free water, seltzer, or green tea with your meal instead of soda, sweetened iced tea, or juice. Lunch Instead of cream cheese or butter on bread or bagels, spread almond or peanut butter. The healthy fats satiate hunger and can decrease belly fat. Dinner Celebrate Meatless Mondays by making a meal starring beans (another weight-loss aid). You'll love this sweet potato and black bean burrito . Dinner Keep this meal between 400 and 600 calories. Serve yourself a smaller portion so if you like going back for seconds, you're really just ending up eating a normal-sized portion. Dinner Use salad-sized plates instead of dinner-sized ones. Dinner At the beginning of the week, prepare a big container of salad to keep in the fridge. If the salad is already made, you're more likely to get greens with your dinner. Dinner Chew gum while cooking to keep from snacking. Dinner Salt causes bloating and butter is high in calories, so flavor pasta, soups, meat, and stews with fresh herbs, garlic, and onions instead. Dinner Spray on salad dressing instead of pouring. Dinner Cut veggies into larger-sized chunks. The more chewing you have to do, the slower you'll eat, allowing your brain to recognize the "I'm full" sensation. Dinner Freeze pureed veggies to add extra fiber to sauces and soups. Dinner Halfway through your meal, stop and drink some water and decide if you're really hungry for the rest or if you're just eating it because it's on your plate. Snack Time Keep snacks to 150 calories or fewer. Snack Time Aim to consume at least five grams of fiber to really satiate your hunger. Snack Time Go for protein instead of sugar to keep energy levels going strong instead of crashing. Edamame in pods is the perfect snack since it takes some time to eat and a one-cup serving offers 12 grams of protein. Snack Time Always bring snacks on the road to avoid having to hit convenience stores, fast-food chains, or airport food courts. Snack Time Keep snack centers in the fridge and cupboard to avoid grazing and eating out of containers. Snack Time Make 150-calorie nonperishable snack packs to keep in your purse, gym bag, and office drawer. Nuts are a great option since they keep you fuller longer and boost your metabolism. Snack Time Choose wet snacks such as melon, peppers, cherry tomatoes, or celery. Their water content will fill you up and prevent bloating. Snack Time Nosh on these post-workout snacks to avoid undoing all your hard work. Snack Time For salty-sweet cravings, bake a batch of these roasted honey cinnamon chickpeas . Snack Time Munch on an apple. It is full of fiber and works as a natural appetite suppressant. Dessert Eat a little something sweet every day to satiate your cravings and to avoid inhaling an entire pint of ice cream later. Dessert When baking, swap out the butter for one of these . Dessert Use fruit to add natural sweetness instead of white sugar. Try this muffin recipe . Dessert Add veggies to baked goods. You'll never even taste the zucchini in these brownies or the sweet potato in these cookies . Dessert If you're constantly craving high-sugar, high-fat foods, it may mean you need to eat more protein. Dessert Add protein powder to sweet recipes (like these Rice Krispies treats ) to boost the nutrition. Dessert Sip one of these protein smoothies that are sweet enough for dessert. Dessert When making cookies, bake half the batch and scoop the rest into ice cube trays. When your sweet tooth kicks in, pop out one and bake it to satisfy your craving without breaking the calorie bank. Dessert Make your own low-fat ice cream using frozen bananas and peanut butter or luscious cherries and chocolate. Dessert Make healthier versions of the treats you crave. These no-bake brownies are sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Food Swaps Use veggies like carrots or zucchini in place of spaghetti. Food Swaps Spread hummus, mustard, or pureed roasted red pepper on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise. Food Swaps Nosh on baked carrot chips instead of greasy potato chips. Food Swaps Use silken tofu in place of cream for some recipes such as this dairy-free chocolate mousse . Food Swaps Skip ordering pizza and make one of these crusts at home: gluten-free sweet potato crust , a quinoa basil crust that's also gluten-free, or this low-carb cauliflower crust. Food Swaps Pour almond milk in your cereal instead of skim milk. Food Swaps Choose a whole-wheat wrap instead of two slices of wheat bread. Food Swaps Use sliced strawberries on your PB&J instead of jam. Food Swaps Swap out your hamburger patty for a veggie burger. Food Swaps Go open-faced to cut calories and carbs. At Work Share weight-loss goals with co-workers so they invite you for a post-work Zumba class instead of happy hour. At Work Keep a reusable water bottle on your desk to sip often. Staying hydrating can satiate hunger and cravings, reduce bloating, and keep you more alert. At Work Use your lunch break to work out and then eat later while working. At Work Eat in front of a person rather than a screen. It cuts down on mindless eating and makes you more accountable for each bite. At Work Brush your teeth right after each meal and snack to avoid noshing on your co-worker's bowl of M&M's. At Work Set up reminders on your computer or phone every hour to encourage yourself to get up, walk around, and stretch. At Work Wear comfy shoes so you can take meetings for a walk instead of sitting at a desk. At Work Walk to a co-worker's desk to chat instead of instant messaging. At Work Sit on a yoga ball instead of a chair to work your core. At Work Keep healthier dessert options on hand so you have something to enjoy during office birthdays and other celebrations. When Eating Out Check out menus online before heading out so you have a few healthy options in mind. When Eating Out Eat a little something before heading out, like a handful of almonds, so you don't arrive at the restaurant famished. When Eating Out Always start your meal with a salad. It'll fill you up, making you eat less of the actual meal, and it's way fewer calories than typical deep-fried or cheesy apps. When Eating Out Ask for all dressings, condiments, and sauces on the side. When Eating Out Choose menu items that are grilled, baked, blackened, steamed, or broiled instead of fried or breaded. When Eating Out Opt for the baked potato instead of french fries, and yes, eat the skin! When Eating Out Ask for your entrée to be served on a bed of greens rather than a bed of pasta or mashed potatoes. When Eating Out For wine-lovers, order one glass instead of splitting a bottle. When Eating Out Before your entrée arrives, ask the waitperson to bring you a to-go container so you can package half to save for later. When Eating Out You don't have to skip dessert. Order one and split it with your dinner partner. | 7 | 2,249 | health |
Which Produce Is Right for You? Most nutritionists agree that any produce is better than none at all, but there are some that work better for people who are on diets or are trying to reduce bloat after overindulging during the holidays. To get your new year started off right, we've spoken to some top dieticians for advice on which fruits and vegetables they advise against for clients looking to lose weight. Bananas While she doesn't consider them unhealthy, Lauren Slayton, author of The Little Book of Thin , recommends that those trying to lose holiday weight skip starchy bananas in favor of fruits like raspberries. "However, having said this," Slayton continues, "I tell clients if you're running through an airport, don't skip the banana and opt for the candy bar. It's all relative." Broccoli While broccoli is a healthy vegetable, like Brussels sprouts, it's not a great one if you're looking to detox after the holidays, says Alissa Rumsey, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Broccoli can also cause excessive gas and bloating, which might leave you feeling too gross to hit the gym. Brussels Sprouts If you're looking to ease bloating after the holidays, you may want to skip the Brussels sprouts, says Rumsey. Certain fruits and vegetables are found to cause more bloating and gas than others, which can be counterproductive after a holiday season filled with overeating and feeling full; Brussels sprouts are one of the worst in this regard. Coconut Coconut should be considered more of a treat than a fruit, says Maggie Moon, author of The Elimination Diet Workbook . "Coconut is sometimes considered a fruit, sometimes a nut, but is high in saturated fat either way, and that means cholesterol-raising calories that add up quickly." Cherries Slayton also recommends that clients skip sugary cherries when trying to bounce back from holiday indulgences. "Overfruiting is super common," she says. "What happens is that excess fruit sugar (fructose) is easily welcomed by your fat cells." Therefore, munching cherry after cherry could be counterproductive to your goals. Eggplant This may come as a shocker, since eggplant is usually considered a "healthy" meat alternative, but Moon says mushrooms are a better bet than the purple squash. "Eggplant is a low-calorie food, a good source of fiber, and is loved as a meat substitute because it soaks up flavor," says Moon. "The down side of this is that they really do soak up everything. They're like sponges for fat and seasoning, so it's easy to pile calories and sodium onto eggplant." Grapes A large bunch of grapes actually has about 39 grams of sugar, so if you find yourself mindlessly snacking on grapes, you could be getting much more sugar than you bargained for. Green Peas According to Alissa Rumsey, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, green peas are best eaten in moderation. "Starchy vegetables like peas have higher calorie and carbohydrate content," says Rumsey. "So while they are fine in small amounts, you want to try to fill up your plate with non-starchy vegetables instead like leafy greens, asparagus, mushrooms, or beets." Mango Mango is another sugary fruit that Slayton encourages clients to skip. Instead, she recommends grapefruit and keeping fruit intake limited to one serving a day while detoxing. Orange Juice There's nothing wrong with oranges, but orange juice shouldn't be considered an acceptable substitute for the solid fruit. Orange juice is a great way to get vitamin C and potassium, plus there are options with calcium and vitamin D," says Moon. "However, a dieter may be better served by eating whole fruit instead of juice. Juice concentrates all things by nature: flavor and nutrients, as well as sugars and calories." Potatoes Americans adore potatoes, but they're not the best choice for maintaining a healthy diet, according to Moon. "Even though potatoes are a great-tasting way to get potassium and vitamin C, the problem is that Americans love adding fat and salt to this humble root vegetable and removing the skin, which contains fiber. Additionally, nearly 60 percent of all potatoes consumed away from home are fried," says Moon. | 7 | 2,250 | health |
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President Obama is proposing a plan to make community college free for all Americans. CNBC's Sharon Epperson looks at where the money to pay for it could come from. | 3 | 2,253 | finance |
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Researchers in China say they've figured out how to train monkeys to self-recognize, an ability only known in humans, apes, elephants and dolphins. Jen Markham (@jenmarkham) explains. | 8 | 2,255 | video |
10 Foolproof Ways to Get in the Mood Remember when you first got together with your husband or boyfriend and couldn't pull yourselves out of bed? No? Well then it's been too long! Just because life paying the bills, taking care of the kids and keeping the house in order has gotten in the way doesn't mean you have to shelve the idea of a hot sex life. We talked to the experts and learned there are plenty of ways to rev up your engines again. 1. Do your household chores It may seem counterintuitive, but crossing tasks off your to-do list will put you in a much better mental space for sex. "Research has shown that, unlike men, in order for women to relax into arousal and experience orgasm, the parts of their brain that associate with outside stressors must deactivate during sex," says Ian Kerner, PhD, sex therapist and founder of GoodInBed.com. So while your husband may have no problem getting busy while your house is crumbling around you, you need to feel like there's a sense of order. Tackle your list of chores in order to create a stress-free mental environment that's conducive to sex. 2. Hit the gym There's a pleasant domino effect in going for a brisk jog or taking a spinning class: When you feel good about yourself, you'll be much more in the mood to burn some more calories between the sheets. "Not only will you feel more energetic after a sweat session, but you'll get your endorphins which put you in the mood for sex going as well," says Dennis Lin, MD, director of the Psychosexual Medicine Program at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Working out with your partner is also a great way to squeeze in some extra time together plus, "since you're usually wearing less clothing, it's an easy way to check out your partner's body and get turned on." 3. Take notice when your husband is playing with the kids According to Dr. Kerner, many women report being more interested in sex after seeing their partner spend time with the kids. "It makes sense from an evolutionary perspective knowing your husband is a good dad will validate and stimulate those reproductive urges. It's a win-win situation!" 4. Go to a bar with your partner and flirt with other people "Seeing the person you're with being desired by somebody else can make you want him even more," says Stacey Nelkin, relationship expert and founder of TheDailyAffair.com. "That little bit of jealousy can be an aphrodisiac if consumed in the right dosage." But while seeing your partner in a new light can be a definite turn-on, be sure you're on the same page meaning that neither of you will take the flirting too far before you head out the door. 5. Hold your beloved tight for at least 30 seconds "Studies have shown that, especially in women, when you hug your partner for 30 seconds or more, it produces oxytocin, which is the hormone that facilitates trust and a sense of sexual connection and desire," says Dr. Kerner. While you're there, he recommends, nuzzle into the crook of your partner's neck and take a few deep inhalations. "If you like your guy's scent and most women do, for biological reasons it will usually function as a bit of an aphrodisiac." 6. Make a 'no touching below the belt' rule Instituting this plan for the first 20 to 30 minutes of intimacy will not only force you to focus more on touching and kissing, which, according to Dr. Lin, people tend to abandon when they rush into intercourse, but it will also create novelty. "Doing something new stimulates dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that plays a big role in sexual arousal," says Dr. Kerner. 7. Share your sexual fantasies with your partner According to Dr. Kerner, "the brain is your biggest sexual organ. You can't just rely on the physical stimulation of sex; you also have to take advantage of the mental power." So share your fantasies and desires with your boyfriend or husband. Feeling too shy? Dr. Kerner suggests saying you had a sexy dream about your partner, which will help alleviate any fears of judgment or embarrassment. Dr. Lin has recommended that some of his patients text or instant-message each other their sexual fantasies in order to get comfortable with the idea of sharing. 8. Institute the 10-minute rule "Even if you're not in the mood, give yourself 10 minutes to give sex a shot," says Dr. Kerner. According to him, most people stuck in a rut don't have anything against sex they want to want sex but just aren't giving themselves a chance to do so. "Put yourself through the motions; your body will catch up with you quickly." 9. Try on a different sex personality It's easy to fall into the same role you always take in the bedroom. Make an effort to change that. "We're visual creatures, so buying a different kind of lingerie or doing your hair differently will create a sense of newness," says Nelkin. Just one small change can inspire bigger developments in the bedroom, like trying new positions or sharing new fantasies. 10. Masturbate "People sometimes think that if they masturbate while they're in a relationship they're somehow cheating on their partner or their partner isn't satisfying them. That's just not true," says Dr. Lin. According to him, it's a healthy sexual outlet for many people, and is a surefire way to get in the mood for sex, whether you do it solo or in bed with your partner. | 7 | 2,256 | health |
The 12 Restaurants Where You Need to Eat in 2015 The 12 Restaurants Where You Need to Eat in 2015 We asked a handful of the country's most esteemed food writers, "If a friend were coming to your city to visit, what's the one restaurant where you would tell them to dine?" and allowed them to suggest restaurants outside of their city along with that. Bazaar Meat, Las Vegas "A dedication to careful sourcing and showcasing various types of meats in many forms separates Bazaar Meat from the pack." Heidi Knapp Rinella, Las Vegas Review-Journal Bern's Steakhouse, Tampa Both Larry Olmstead and Heidi Rinella suggested making a special trip to Bern's . Here's what Olmstead had to say: "'Best' is very subjective and, in my opinion, there are very few big cities, like New York, London, and Paris where you claim just one 'must eat' restaurant. However, in a few places there is one restaurant so special in its way that, to me, a trip to that city is wasted if you miss it. A perfect example is Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. I'm just never going to Tampa and not eating at Bern's, which, in addition to great food, has the best and most unique wine program in the country if not the world." Galatoire's, New Orleans "Even though there is a branch of Galatoire's Bistro now in Baton Rouge, the original still looks, feels, smells, and tastes like New Orleans and its menu and cooking has only gotten better under new ownership. If you want to get a sense of Creole cooking unadorned and immutable and if you want to get a feeling for the particular character of New Orleans revelers, there's no better place to be than Galatoire's." John Mariani, Esquire Gotham Bar & Grill, New York City "Everything that typifies NYC is here at Alfred Portale's 32-year-old restaurant : a grand dining room and good long bar, swank, swagger, a very devoted New York crowd of regulars, and cuisine that is always inventive, always generous, never trendy. Service hits that ideal note of professionalism and personality." John Mariani, Esquire Hog Island Oyster Bar, Marshall, Calif. "The DIY grilled oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co. in Marshall, California were incredibly memorable in November, and I think I'll have to find a way to get back out for a view of Tomales Bay in 2015." Daniel Vaughn, Texas Monthly Knife, Dallas "Any visitor to Dallas is probably looking for at least one meal that involves steak, barbecue, or Tex-Mex, at least they should be. Chef John Tesar's Knife just opened last year, and it's a carnivore's playground. Tesar had his own dry-aging room where the beef goes as long as 240 days (which goes for a hefty $80 per inch), or you can get a four different cuts of beef grilled over wood for just $25." Daniel Vaughn, Texas Monthly Pecan Lodge, Dallas "For barbecue, it's got to be Pecan Lodge in Dallas. The beef rib, brisket, and fried chicken are all fantastic." Daniel Vaughn, Texas Monthly Proof Pizza & Pasta, Miami "Miami has a longstanding and not-undeserved reputation for being home to lousy pizza joints. So when a good one opens, people notice. And when a really great one comes around? We do a little happy dance over oven-blistered, Neapolitan-style pies topped with tender oxtail, black garlic, and caramelized onions. We twirl our forks tightly around fat ribbons of handmade pappardelle tossed with roasted mushrooms and a glossy glaze of sherry vinegar. We laugh with glee as we nibble macaron ice-cream sandwiches. And we raise a pint of local craft beer to it all at Proof Pizza & Pasta , the place to eat right now in Miami. The three-month-old Proof is the work of young, ambitious former fine-dining chef Justin Flit, who wanted to open his own spot to showcase local food at reasonable prices. He's already proven that to tourists (who came in droves during last month's Art Basel) and locals, including Miami Herald critic Victoria Pesce Elliott, who awards Proof 3.5/4 stars in this week's restaurant review ." Evan S. Benn, Miami.com Robataya NY, New York "I'd send a visitor to Robataya NY , because where else can you have a whole fish grilled in front of you by a kneeling chef and handed to you on a paddle? The dishes are fairly simple in their preparation (as in: slice, skewer, add salt) but there's something about sitting around that U-shaped chef's counter with the night's ingredients (including the occasional exotic special, like blowfish) laid out in front of you that makes dinner feel like a real event. It can get a little loud with all the kitchen talk and the calls of irrashaimase, but if that gets to you just retreat to the heated toilet for a little peace and quiet." Daniel Maurer, Bedford + Bowery The Duck Inn, Chicago "I had a blast at The Duck Inn and a great meal. Duck, of course. I loved the location, in scrappy Bridgeport, I loved the nonpretention, and I loved watching Kevin Hickey give the once-over to every duck that rolled off his rotisserie." Penny Pollack, Chicago Magazine Tony's Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco " Tony's Pizza in San Francisco is an outlier that is totally unlike any other pizzeria in America, and is also crazy good." Larry Olmstead, Forbes.com and USA Today Que Huong, Houston "When you say Houston has great Vietnamese food, most visitors picture phở or sandwiches. I like to take them to Que Huong restaurant and introduce them to dishes like the rare beef and shrimp salad with water spinach. The intensely aromatic mam ruoc (fermented shrimp sauce) served on the side is not for everyone. Many people are shocked to learn that this Asian salad is locavore food: Most of the nation's water spinach is grown in the Houston suburbs by Cambodian immigrants." Robb Walsh, Houstonia Magazine | 0 | 2,257 | foodanddrink |
David Carr joins us to break down how John Harbaugh can win his eighth postseason game on the road and how Joe Flacco is able to raise his game in January. | 1 | 2,258 | sports |
Arguing about your in-laws is hazardous to your health. Family life researcher Rick Miller, Ph.D. spoke to Life Reimagined about his 20-year longitudinal study tracking health and marriage quality. "There's evidence from previous research that marital conflict leads to poor health, but this study also shows that happy marriages have a preventative component that keeps you in good health over the years," says the Brigham Young University professor. In other words, people in happy marriages live less "in sickness" and more "in health." The study, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family , shows positive marriage relationships sustain health over years and even decades. In the longest study on marital quality and health to date, Miller and his colleagues measured marital quality of 1,681 subjects in two ways: in terms of happiness and satisfaction; and in terms of marital problems like arguing about money, the in-laws, the kids. Respondents then rated their health on a 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor) scale. Those with higher conflict were more likely to report poor health. "The implication is that marital conflict is a risk factor for poor health," Miller says. "Couples who fight or argue frequently should get professional help to reduce their conflict because it is affecting their health." Miller hopes the mounting research on the importance of marriage quality can convince policy makers that health insurance should cover counseling, to help shore up marriage and prevent future health problems. He cites a body of research that reveals marital issues have as much impact on health as diet. One study shows that marital conflict in distressed marriages is a bigger risk factor to health than smoking. "We've put a ton of policy effort into smoking cessation and nutrition, but the research is showing that the stress of being in a crappy marriage is just as detrimental to your health." Marital discord can affect immune function and cause inflammation in the body, "yet it's not getting any play out there." A happy marriage also tends to inspire habits that lead to better health, Miller points out. Happily married spouses sleep better, consume less alcohol, participate together in healthy activities, and encourage one another to follow up on any health concerns with their doctors. And there's the daily camaraderie. "When spouses have a bad day, in a happy marriage they're more likely to support each other and empathize, " Miller says. "That support reduces stress and helps buffer against a decline in health." MORE: Life Reimagined is your first step in rediscovering what's truly important so you can finally start doing what you really want to. Click here to get started. | 4 | 2,259 | lifestyle |
20 Years of the Toyota Tacoma and Beyond: A Look Through the Years 20 Years of the Toyota Tacoma and Beyond Nearly 60 years ago, Toyota sold its first car in the United States, and although it started as just a small, foreign company, it has grown into one of the biggest brands globally. Toyota is best known for its compact and midsize cars such as the Corolla and Camry, but its truck line is also rich with history. By 1969, Toyota started selling the first generation of the Hilux pickup truck, but it wouldn't be until 1995 that the Tacoma name would be introduced. Over the past 46 years, Toyota has improved upon the design, engine, safety, and more to bring us the Tacoma we have today. First Generation: 1969-1972 Toyota Hilux When the Toyota Hilux first hit the scene, it was offered as a short wheelbase with a 1.9-liter engine capable of producing 84 hp. Available only in rear-wheel drive with a standard four-speed manual transmission, the Hilux used the typical truck setup of the time: A-arms and coil springs in front, a live axle and leaf springs in the rear. Production for this model was based exclusively in Japan, and Toyota wanted to position this new truck to replace the older, larger Stout in most markets. However, it wouldn't be until the second generation that Toyota would offer the Hilux in a long-wheelbase version. Second Generation: 1973-1974 Toyota Hilux The second generation offered a longer truck bed, a slightly larger 2.0-liter engine that kicked up the power to 109 horses, and the same standard four-speed manual transmission. However, in the Japanese market this model was only available with a three-speed automatic transmission. The 7.4-foot truck bed became the popular choice in the U.S., and the Hilux name was dropped from advertisements in favor of "Truck." In terms of styling, not much changed between the first two generations. Third Generation: 1975-1978 Toyota Truck Not only was the new Toyota Truck sporting a new design, but it was also larger than its predecessor and provided a slightly bigger engine. That didn't necessarily mean more power, though. The new 2.2-liter engine only pumped out 97 hp, thanks to the weight increases in the engine and larger body structure. Toyota also added the SR5 upscale trim package and an available five-speed manual transmission. By September 1977, the automaker reached an important milestone and produced its 1 millionth truck in the U.S. From here on out Toyota made a name for itself in the compact truck segment. Fourth Generation: 1979-1983 Toyota Truck By 1979, Toyota started selling a 4WD variant of the Toyota Truck. However, it could not be purchased with an engine smaller than 2.0 liters. Toyota also introduced the L Series diesel engine for the 1979 model year on 2WD models. The 4WD models weren't available with the diesel engine until 1983. For the fourth generation, the Toyota Truck was redesigned to make use of a solid front axle and leaf suspension, along with single round headlights. The Mojave model was also introduced in a limited production run that features exclusive bucket seats, a two-speaker multiplex radio, and chrome front and rear bumpers. Toyota also introduced a 2.4-liter engine rated at 97 hp with 129 lb-ft of torque. The new engine came standard on the SR5 model. Fifth Generation: 1984-1988 Toyota Truck The next generation in the Toyota Truck lineup saw more changes, including the addition of the Xtracab, a two-row extended cab option. These models featured the 2.4-liter engine along with the new fuel-injected 2.4-liter that produced 105 hp. For a short time, Toyota also offered two diesel engines, a 2.4-liter and turbocharged 2.4-liter. This was the last generation with the four-speed manual transmission, but in its place Toyota offered three- and four-speed automatic transmissions. The 4X4 models also featured an independent front suspension, electronic transfer case, and optional automatic differential disconnect for the front differential. It wasn't until the sixth generation that the Toyota Truck would be powered by a V-6 engine. Sixth Generation: 1989-1994 Toyota Truck With a redesign that produced a longer wheelbase, Toyota rolled out the 3.0-liter V-6 engine to compete with the likes of Nissan, which already had V-6 trucks on the market. Thanks to the new V-6 engine, the Xtracab SR5 earned Motor Trend's 1989 Truck of the Year award. This award kicked off a string of awards for years. By 1991, small-scale production of the Toyota Truck started at the automaker's NUUMI plant in Fremont, California. This was the future production site of Toyota's new truck. First Generation: 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma For the 1995 model year, Toyota finally gave its small truck a name. The Toyota Tacoma lineup was announced, and carved out a name for itself in the next decade. The new truck offered improved handling and comfort, and as the years went on it added new variants such as the PreRunner Xtracab and Xtracab TRD. By the early 2000s the Tacoma had standard daytime running lights on models equipped with ABS, along with vehicle stability control and traction control. Styling changes were few and far between initially, as the automaker focused more on safety with the addition of passenger-side airbags. But in 2001, the Tacoma received a host of styling changes, new upgrade packages, and exterior color options. Tacoma Production Moves to TMMBC Right at the tail end of the first generation of the new Toyota Tacoma, production was no longer exclusively at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California. In 2004, the Tacoma entered production at the TMMBC plant in Baja California, Mexico. The plant offered an annual production capacity of 180,000 Tacoma decks and 30,000 trucks. In later years, those production numbers grew and the plant created more than 50 jobs. Second Generation: 2005-Present Toyota Tacoma The new generation Toyota Tacoma took home award after award, including the title of Truck of the Year from Motor Trend in 2005 for the Tacoma X-Runner. This trim was introduced for the new model year and featured a 4.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The next model year saw the addition of new standard and safety features, but it wasn't until 2009 that it received any major cosmetic changes. The 2009 Tacoma featured a revised grille and new LED taillamps, and the X-Runner, TRD Offroad, and TRD Sport models featured a smoked headlamp trim. A lower center stack and auxiliary jack were introduced for the 2009 model year, and Access Cab models featured redesigned rear seats for better comfort, along with power windows and doors. Tacoma Adds Safety Features In 2009, Toyota added all the safety features necessary for the Tacoma to earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating. The model included standard Star Safety System and front seat-mounted side airbags, curtain side airbags, and active front headrests. The Tacoma was one of the only models in the small pickup segment to earn this rating, as the Nissan Frontier and Dodge Dakota lagged behind, earning less than desirable ratings from the IIHS. Tacoma Production Starts at San Antonio, Texas Although production still continued at the TMMBC plant in Baja California, Toyota started a new production line for the Tacoma at the San Antonio plant in 2010. This plant was also home to Tundra production and offered a yearly vehicle capacity of 200,000 units. In 2013 -- 10 years after the plant was constructed -- the 1 millionth truck, a Sunset Bronze Mica 1794 Edition Tundra, rolled off the line. Before this, the San Antonio plant's mission was to build trucks for the U.S. market. However, the plant now exports both the Tundra and the Tacoma to 11 other countries. 2012 Toyota Tacoma Gets Restyled Inside and Out For the 2012 model year, Toyota gave the Tundra a thorough refresh, including a refined exterior and completely redesigned interior. The hood, grille, headlamps, and front bumper were updated, and inside the Tacoma showed off a new center instrument panel design with a revised gauge cluster, new steering wheel, and interior black high-contrast center console. Other changes included new seat fabric for the SR5 model, and the Access and Double cab models received new heavy-duty, all-weather flooring. TRD Sport and Off-Road models featured water-resistant fabric protection seats. Toyota also included a new TRD Sport package with minor exterior and interior enhancements. Toyota Launches TRD Pro Series Tacoma For the 2015 model year, Toyota rolled out the TRD Pro Series Tacoma, building on what has become the best-selling compact truck since 2008. In order to increase its off-road effectiveness, Toyota added 16-inch black beadlock-style TRD alloy wheels with BF Goodrich tires, TRD-tuned springs with 2.0 inches of lift in the front, a decreased spring rate, a TRD exhaust, and black "TRD Pro" external hard badging. This model hit showroom floors in August 2014 with a price tag ranging from $35,525 to $37,415. With this edition of the Tacoma, the TRD Pro Series family now has a model for almost every need. Toyota Unveils 2016 Tacoma Read more about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma in our First Look. | 9 | 2,260 | autos |
Osman Iqbal was a cop in Birmingham, England. In his career of fighting crime, he ended up deciding that doing crime would be a great side business. Things were going fine until he decided to drive his new Ferrari to work. Keri Lumm reports. | 8 | 2,261 | video |
Just as certain men's grooming missteps make us cringe think frosty guylights and overplucked eyebrows we (sometimes) make hair, makeup, and skin-care choices guys hate. We polled and they told the top beauty buzzkills to avoid. FRAGRANCE OVERLOAD If you're anything like us, you've been misting on (and misting on...) Prada Candy since the day it landed on your vanity. But if your boyfriend is anything like ours, he'll tell you that too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Here are the numbers you need to know: No more than three sprays for an eau de parfum, four for an eau de toilette. CAKED-ON BASE Painting layers of foundation, tinted moisturizer, concealer, and powder on your face will rub off on your collar...and his. Stick with a lightweight foundation, remove any obvious makeup with a damp sponge, and dab concealer just over blemishes or redness. Men and their dry-cleaning bills will thank you. OVERDONE EYELASHES When poorly done, the Kardashian effect can turn into the spidery effect. We're talking clumpy, flaky, and otherwise arachnid-esque. A few falsies applied to the outer corners make your eyes look wide, innocent, and sexy, without looking like they could walk on their own. DRY SKIN There may be nothing less sexy than dry legs, rough elbows, and chapped everything. Fake hot, humid, summery skin by slathering on body lotion (we love Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 ) as soon as you step out of the shower. He won't be able to keep his hands off you. A SLOPPY SHAVE Nothing says "I've given up" as succinctly as leg stubble. Shave at night for the most precise finish (your legs swell as you sleep, so you'll miss hairs if you shave in the morning) and use a new blade. Doing so will also help you avoid those annoying red razor bumps. YELLOW-TINGED TEETH Who wants to kiss someone with graying or yellowing teeth? For a bright, white, healthy-looking smile, use a treatment like Luster Now Instant Whitening Toothpaste. True to its name, it works immediately. STICKY LIP GLOSS There are lip glosses that moisturize with a subtle sheen, and there are those that are so sticky they could glue together broken glass. Keep your lips kissable with a gloss like Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur it lasts for hours and isn't the least bit sticky. ORANGEY SELF-TANNER A subtle bronze glow is gorgeous, but one coat too many and you're Snooki. Play it safe and go for one that's just a shade darker than your natural skin-tone. If you're worried about making a mistake, dilute self-tanner with moisturizer or try a gradual tanning lotion, such as Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer. STIFF HAIR No man is going to be able to run his fingers through your hair if it's knotted in a bun, pulled into a twist, or otherwise high-maintenance-looking. Go for a more approachable hairstyle, like easy waves, half up, or a pretty ponytail. SMOKY-EYE OVERLOAD It starts off innocently enough: It's just you, an eye-shadow palette, and a mirror. But things can get ugly fast when heavy, dark shadows are piled on top of each other. Create a subtle, sexy smoky eye by slightly smudging black eyeliner along the rims of your eyes. BOLD LIPSTICK That one's too bright, that one's too dark when it comes to lipstick shades, men are like Goldilocks. And it's hard to blame them when every kiss carries the risk of clown face. Keep lips simple with a neutral pink lipstick, such as Burberry Beauty Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick in Nude Rose or L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nurturing and Protective Lipcolour in Fairest Nude. HAIR ADD-INS Guys like us to keep things pretty simple. Keep accessories on your handbag and jewelry, and leave the feathers, extensions, tinsel, bells, and whistles to Ke$ha and reality-TV celebrities. NEON, DARK, AND PATTERNED MANICURES If your manicure is black, glittery, glows in the dark, or is any combination thereof, men are intimidated. Or just kind of freaked out. Play it safe with a timeless red like Nars Nail Polish in Dovima or a pale neutral like Essie nail polish in Mademoiselle. | 4 | 2,262 | lifestyle |
A look at the houses from Meryl Streep's most memorable films. Hope Springs This nondescript suburban Midwestern home mirrors the owners, a middle-aged couple whose marriage is severely lacking passion and spark. Mamma Mia! The creamy blue interiors and Bohemian decor is inspired by this exuberant musical's setting: dreamy, sun-drenched Greece. Julie & Julia As Julia Child, the beloved chef's home and kitchen is every bit as cozy and comfortable as we imagined. Kramer vs. Kramer The Kramers' minimalist New York City apartment makes for a neural backdrop for the ensuing legal battle over custody of their son. The Bridges of Madison County A modest farm house in 1960s-era Madison County, Iowa, is the setting for this story of a steamy four-day affair between a lonely Italian housewife and a dashing National Geographic photographer. Out of Africa A Dutch baroness and coffee plantation owner living in Kenya, the sprawling home of Karen Blixen is the picture of colonial style. One True Thing A suburban New Jersey home is the setting of this drama about a cancer-stricken woman whose Manhattanite daughter comes back to take care of her. Sophie's Choice A Brooklyn boarding house is the setting of this post-World War II drama. The Iron Lady As Margaret Thatcher, the UK's first female prime minister, the residence at 10 Downing Street is as regal as the woman she portrays. This story originally appeared on HouseBeautiful.com More from House Beautiful: • The Most Incredible Home Makeovers in Film History • 5 Famous Movie Kitchens • Top 5 Scariest Horror Movie Homes of All Time | 4 | 2,263 | lifestyle |
The 25 Best Bodyweight Exercises Whether you've let go of your gym membership or you're spending more time shaping up from home, these effective no-equipment moves need to be part of your strength-training routine. You might be all about cardio for that big calorie burn, but a recent study found that strength training burns roughly twice as many calories per minute as previously thought - score! Upper Body: Push-Up Start in a plank position, with palms spread out evenly and your shoulders over your wrists and legs out behind you. Pull your belly button in, and keep your back straight. As you lower and exhale, bend your elbows outward to the sides. Hold at the bottom before you raise back up to complete one rep. Upper Body: Diamond Push-Ups Start in plank position with your hands under your shoulders and your body in one straight line. If your knees aren't on the floor, separate your feet so they're about shoulder-width apart to help you stay balanced throughout the exercise. Place your hands together, directly under your sternum, with the tips of your index fingers and thumbs touching. Your fingers and thumbs should form a diamond or triangle shape. Bend your elbows out to the sides, and lower your chest toward the floor. Then exhale to straighten your arms. This counts as one rep. Upper Body: Superman Lie on your belly, engage your abs, and extend your arms straight out in front of you. Lift your legs, arms, and chest off the floor. Hold for a count of 10, and then slowly release your body back to the floor. This completes one rep. Upper Body and Core: Squat and Reach Begin with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and toes pointed slightly outward. Keeping your weight in your heels, sit back into your deep squat. Make sure your knees do not go beyond your toes. Holding your squat, raise both of your arms overhead. Hold this position for a moment, and then return to standing while lowering your arms to your sides. This completes one rep. Upper Body and Core: Lateral Plank Walk This move will challenge your core and define your deltoids, shaping your shoulders. Begin in plank position with your hands underneath your shoulders and your body in one straight line. Simultaneously cross your right hand toward the left as you step your left foot out to the left. Then simultaneously step your left hand and right foot to the left, returning to the plank position. Your hands move together as your feet step apart. Take two more steps in this direction, keeping your abs pulled toward your spine and your pelvis level. This completes one rep. Reverse directions, taking three steps to the right. Upper Body and Core: Push-Up and Rotate Begin in a plank position with your feet in line with your hips. Lower your body toward the floor, and then push through your arms, returning to plank. Twist to the left, reaching your left arm to the ceiling without letting your pelvis rise or lower. Return to plank position, bringing your hand back to the floor. This completes one rep. Upper and Lower Body: Reverse Plank Bridge Begin seated with your hands behind you with your fingers pointed away from you. Press the heels of your feet and hands into the ground as you raise your pelvis off the floor until it is in line with your shoulders and knees. Lower your pelvis back to the ground to complete one rep. Core: Bicycle Crunches Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground (pull your abs down to also target your deep abs). Interlace your fingers, and put your hands behind your head. Bring your knees in toward your chest, and lift your shoulder blades off the ground. Straighten your right leg out to about a 45-degree angle to the ground while turning your upper body to the left, bringing your right elbow toward the left knee. Make sure your rib cage is moving and not just your elbows. Now switch sides and do the same motion on the other side to complete one rep (and to create the "pedaling" motion). Core: Seated Trunk Twist Begin sitting on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you; lengthen your spine to keep your back straight. Pulling your navel in tight, twist from right to left, lightly touching both hands from side to side to complete one rep. Core: Reverse Crunch Lie on your back on the floor. Place your hands on the floor beside you. Bring the knees in toward the chest with your feet together. Use your abs to slowly curl the hips off the floor and into your chest, and then slowly lower them back to the starting position to complete one. Repeat for one minute. Don't swing your legs to create momentum; use your abs to control your movement. Core: V-Sits Lie on your back, and reach your arms rigidly to your side, off the floor. Lift your legs off the floor, and point them, so they are at about a 45-degree angle. Lift your head, so your shoulders are off the floor as well. When you're ready to begin, lift your upper torso off the floor, and bend your knees. You can lean back to make this move harder or come up more to make it easier. Slowly lower your upper body back down to the floor, straightening out your legs as you do so. Stop when your back is on the floor, but not your head, shoulders, or legs. This completes one rep. Core: Mountain Climbers Start in a traditional push-up starting position -- shoulders over hands and weight on just your toes. Bring your right foot forward, bending the knee and putting weight on the ball of your foot. Switch legs, bringing the left knee forward while moving the right leg back. This completes one rep. Core: Side Plank Sit on your left side with your legs slightly bent and your feet stacked. Place your left hand about 12 inches from your pelvis. Push your hand into the ground, and straighten your legs as you lift your pelvis off the ground. If you have trouble balancing, stagger your feet, so the top leg is in front. Hold for 30 seconds, and switch sides to complete one rep. Core: Full Sit-Ups Lay on your back with bent knees and feet flat on the ground, and place your hands on opposite shoulders. Keeping your heels on the ground and your toes flat to the ground, engage your abdominal muscles, and gently lift your head first, followed by your shoulder blades, coming into a full-sit up position. Hold the position for a second, and with control, come slowly back do to lying on your back. This completes one full sit-up. Lower Body: Good Morning Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and place your hands at the back of your head with your elbows opened wide. Pull your abs to your spine, and keep your back neutral while pressing your butt backward, hinging at that hips, until your back is almost parallel to the floor. Keep a slight bend in your knees as you bend forward. Return to standing, squeezing your glutes when you are upright. This completes one rep. Lower Body: Basic Squat Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold your hands comfortably in front of your chest to help you stay balanced, and bend your knees, lowering your hips deeply, so your thighs are parallel with the floor. Make sure to keep your weight back in your heels. Then rise back up, straightening the legs completely and squeezing the glutes at the top of the movement to get the most out of the exercise. This counts as one rep. Lower Body: Wall Sit Stand with your back against a wall, placing your feet about two feet in front of you. Feet should be hip-distance apart. Bending your knees, slide your back down the wall until your knees are at 90-degree angles. Your knee joints should be over your ankle joints, so you may need to inch your feet farther from the wall to create proper alignment. Don't let your knees fall into the midline of your body or sway outward. Lower Body: Side Kicks Begin with your hands and knees on the floor, with your hands underneath your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Keeping the right knee bent 90 degrees, lift the left leg until it is parallel to the floor. Keep the left thigh still as you straighten your left knee, kicking your leg out to the side. Don't let the leg lower as you kick. Bend the left knee back to 90 degrees, and then lower the leg to the floor. Do this exercise with your right leg to complete one rep. Lower Body: Scarecrow With Back Lunge Step your left leg back into a deep lunge, making 90-degree angles with both knees. Raise your arms out to the side until your upper arms are parallel to the ground. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees, making loose fists with your hands. Hold the lunge while as you rotate your upper arms forward to bring your fists to the floor; then rotate the upper arm backward to bring the fists up. Do not lower or raise your upper arms; keep them parallel to the floor. This complete one rep. Lower Body: Lunge Keep your upper body straight, with your shoulders back and relaxed and your chin up (pick a point to stare at in front of you, so you don't keep looking down). Always engage your core. Step forward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle. Make sure your front knee is directly above your ankle, not pushed out too far, and make sure your other knee doesn't touch the floor. Keep the weight in your heels as you push back up to the starting position. This counts as one lunge. Lower Body: Single-Leg Balance Touch Begin standing with arms overhead with all your weight on your left foot. Keeping your spine long, reach forward, bending your left knee, and touch both hands to the ground. Keep your abs engaged to keep your torso stable. Lower your right leg down while lifting your torso, bringing your arms overhead to complete one rep. Plyometrics: Burpee Lower into a crouching squat with your hands on the floor. Do a squat thrust by jumping your feet back into a plank position. Do one basic push-up, bending the elbows and then straightening back to plank. Jump the feet forward to the hands, and come into a squat. Do an explosive jump straight up, getting as much height as you can. Plyometrics: Jump Squat Start by coming into a squat with your arms by your sides. Swing your arms to the ceiling as you jump off with both feet. Land quietly as you return to the squat position. This completes one rep. Plyometrics: Jumping Lunges To begin, start standing tall with your feet staggered and your left foot slightly in front of your right. Making sure you're not too stiff, keep your stance active with your knees bent in a slight but not full lunge. With your core engaged, push off the bottom of both feet into a jump, switching the position of your feet midair and landing in a basic lunge with your right leg in front. Without rest, repeat this movement, alternating which leg is in front. This completes one rep. Plyometrics: High-Knee Skips Skip in place by hopping on your right leg while bringing the left knee up toward your chest. Engage your abs as the knee comes toward your chest. Switch legs, and keep skipping while pumping your arms. This completes one rep. | 7 | 2,264 | health |
CNBC's Michelle Caruso-Cabrera reports the two terrorists Chérif and Saïd Kouachi who killed 12 people at Charlie Hebdo have both been shot dead. Also, the second hostage situation in Paris at a kosher supermarket is over. | 8 | 2,265 | video |
Two brothers suspected of attacking the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo were killed when police stormed their hideout, and at least four other hostages had been killed at a separate siege at a kosher supermarket in eastern Paris. Jillian Kitchener reports. | 8 | 2,266 | video |
Best and Worst Sweeteners for Weight Loss With so many people making a renewed effort to eat better in the new year, talk of calories and more specifically, how to save them is at its annual peak. At Everyday Health, we're getting lots of questions from readers about sugar and which type is best for people looking to lose weight and give their diet a healthy makeover. Unfortunately, I think these questions about types of sugar obscure the far more important question: Are you eating too much sugar? The American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons (24 grams) of added sugar per day, while men should have no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams). If you're going overboard on sugar, you're putting your health at risk, whether that sugar is coming in the form of maple syrup, agave, or high fructose corn syrup. For these individuals, the priority should always be to eat less sugar by cutting down on sweetened foods and beverages. As for the best type, it's difficult to give definitive answers because there haven't been enough high-quality, long-term studies comparing the metabolic effects of different types of sugar in people, and the studies that have been done in animals and humans have been contradictory. Many of the reasons people use to promote or denigrate specific sugars and sugar substitutes are based on scientific theories that aren't well-validated. With all of that said, here's a brief primer on the most popular sweeteners and some health implications to consider when satisfying your sweet tooth. The 'Real' Stuff: Cane Sugar (Table Sugar), Maple Syrup, Honey I am of the increasingly popular belief that small amounts of real sugar from natural sources is the ideal way to enjoy sweet foods. Adding a few teaspoons of any of these sugars to yogurt, oatmeal, coffee, or tea (but not ALL of these foods on the same day!), or eating one to two foods with added sugar (such as cereal, ice cream, cookies, or candy) per day is a perfectly reasonable approach. People with diabetes can also enjoy small portions of treats with real sugar as part of an overall healthy diet, provided they account for the carbohydrates in their food plan. But restraint is key for everyone, since of all of these sugars add empty calories to the tune of 50 to 60 calories per tablespoon. Since table sugar, maple syrup, and honey are all true sugars, they raise blood sugar quickly (just like white flour and other refined carbohydrates), and if eaten in excess they can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Agave Agave deserves special mention because it's higher in fructose than other natural sweeteners in fact, it can be as high as 90 percent fructose. On the plus side, fructose doesn't raise blood sugars as much as glucose, which means agave has a lower glycemic index than other caloric sweeteners. However, that benefit comes at a cost. Fructose isn't regulated by insulin the same way that glucose is, and there's some evidence that large amounts of fructose raise levels of blood fats called triglycerides, which may contribute to other health problems like heart disease, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome. While a few teaspoons of agave is fine (and you shouldn't be using more than that any way), it's certainly not a sweetener to seek out for its health benefits. High Fructose Corn Syrup High fructose corn syrup isn't actually much higher in fructose than regular table sugar (sucrose), and most (but not all) research shows that the body processes them similarly, suggesting high fructose corn syrup is no worse than other added sugars. That said, high fructose corn syrup is usually found in hyper-processed foods that aren't good choices for many other reasons. Treat it like other added sugars, and stick to the daily limits outlined above. Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin, Acesulfame Potassium Artificial sweeteners don't provide calories and carbohydrates, so they don't raise blood sugars after meals the same way that real sugars do. People have been relying on sugar-free foods and diet drinks to help them lose weight for decades, but a 2012 American Heart Association report found there is not enough evidence to conclusively confirm that substituting artificial sweeteners for sugar is an effective weight loss strategy. Recent research has raised intriguing questions about whether artificial sweeteners have undesirable metabolic effects, but these theories haven't yet been validated. I feel that the best approach to limiting sugar is to reduce the total amount of sugar you eat, rather than replacing sugary beverages and foods with artificially-sweetened versions. That said, for people who absolutely won't give up drinking sweet-flavored beverages, diet drinks are a better choice than sugar-loaded sodas. Stevia Derived from the stevia plant, stevia is touted as an all-natural, calorie-free alternative to artificial sweeteners. However, the form used in packaged foods, beverages, and packets is actually a highly processed and refined ingredient, not a straight plant extract. The whole-leaf and crude extract forms of stevia still haven't been approved by the FDA as food additives because of unresolved safety concerns. I prefer small amounts of real sugars to stevia, but ultimately it's a personal preference. Sugar Alcohols Sugar alcohols are typically found in sugar-free gums and candies. They provide fewer calories and carbohydrates than regular sugar and have less impact on blood sugar because they are poorly digested. While sugar alcohols can be a good option for diabetics, they can cause cramping, diarrhea, and general gastrointestinal distress if consumed in large amounts. | 7 | 2,267 | health |
Few teams significantly improved their roster -- at least on paper -- this offseason more than the Miami Marlins. Despite losing ace Jose Fernandez and slugger Giancarlo Stanton to injury by season's end, the Marlins improved by 15 wins. The front office and coaching staff knew it had a talented, young core. So the Marlins sought out complementary pieces to fill the remaining holes. After earning call-ups in 2013, guys like Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna furthered their development during their first full big-league seasons in 2014. "I feel like Ozuna and myself have both gotten better throughout the year," Yelich said during the last week of the season. "Just another year of experience in the big leagues, and you can't replicate that. You have to go through it, go through those ups and downs and the learning process of the league and what it's like to play every single day at this level. It's difficult at times. To be able to go through that and ride the highs and lows a little bit and understand there are going to be good times and times when you struggle, too. "To be able to experience that and take that into the offseason and realize what you're getting into for the next year is going to be extremely helpful. You can be told all about what your first season's like in the big leagues and what to expect and how it's going to be, but until you actually go through it and experience it, nothing can replicate that. That experience is huge." Watching Yelich and Ozuna in the outfield reminded Stanton, a two-time All-Star, of his first full year in the majors. In 2011, Stanton appeared in a career-high 150 games, hitting .262 with 34 home runs and 87 RBI. Stanton said he learned to temper the emotional roller-coast ride of a marathon season. He doesn't let the highs get too high or the lows get too low. "It's been fun to see Yelly and Oso in a full big-league season," Stanton said toward the end of the season. "Watch and see things that maybe I did my first year and get frustrated at the wrong things, not understand the ups and downs of the year. They both have their little road bumps and push through them. It's been good to see." For Yelich, 2014 required adjustments as early as spring training, when Rafael Furcal got injured. Without a conventional leadoff batter, he slotted into the spot and hit .284 with a .362 on-base percentage in 144 games. He had a brief stint on the disabled list. Though the 23-year-old doesn't believe it affected his play, it did show he could deal with anything thrown at him. Manager Mike Redmond, after all, projects him as a three-hole hitter in the future. Yelich, who saw 4.25 pitches per plate appearance (sixth in majors) in 2014, played in 62 games (61 starts) following his debut on July 23, 2013. Asked whether he was pleased with his performance this year, he called it a "loose term" because "I'm not satisfied with it by any means. I think there's a lot of room for improvement." Take this into consideration: Yelich became the National League's Gold Glover in left field. He experienced the draining nature of a big-league season for the first time. "He's done a great job and really stepped up," Redmond said. "At the end of the day those extra at-bats throughout the course of the season are going to pay dividends for us down the road. Learning the pitching in this league, working counts. He's faced a lot of lefties. There's so many good things he's done over the course of the year. It's been a tremendous year for him not only in his development but our success." Then there are rookies like Justin Bour, who made his big-league debut on June 5, 2014. The Marlins acquired him from the Chicago Cubs in last winter's Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Bour, accustomed to being penciled in the lineup every day over six minor-league seasons between the Cubs and Marlins organizations, learned to come off the bench. "It was different and awesome all at the same time," Bour said. "When I first got called up at least, it was the first time in my life I had to be on the bench and deal with that when I was used to batting fourth and playing every day. It was a bit different but the experience of the pinch-hitting thing was a learning experience for me and I have under my belt that will help me in the future." The 26-year-old doesn't know what his role will be in 2014 after the Marlins signed free agent Michael Morse to a two-year deal. But if his two stints with the club showed him anything, it's that with regular playing time he can produce at this level. As a starter in 15 games, Bour hit .352 with two doubles, a homer and seven RBI. In 25 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter, he batted .100 (2 for 20) with a double and four RBI. "I knew if I got the playing time I knew I could play at that level," Bour said. "Given that time and opportunity really. That's about it." You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at [email protected] . | 1 | 2,268 | sports |
America was the birthplace of almost every type of popular music born in the 20th Century - blues, jazz, soul, country and western, you name it. But arguably the greatest of all was rock music. There are plenty of reasons to visit America, but if you need a few more, Mike Gerrard, Editor of 101 USA Holidays , here picks 10 of the best rock pilgrimage sites. Chelsea Hotel, New York The Chelsea Hotel on New York's West 23rd Street has an impressive list of guests who checked in, though as with the mythical Hotel California, some never checked out again. One was Nancy Spungen, the girlfriend of Sid Vicious, who was stabbed to death there in 1978. Bob Dylan wrote 'Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' while living in Room 211, while Leonard Cohen and Janis Joplin got it on, as described in Cohen's song 'Chelsea Hotel #2'. Other residents have included Joni Mitchell, Alice Cooper, Jimi Hendrix and a whole host more. The building is currently being renovated with plans to re-open in 2015. Chess Records, Chicago Chess Records was such an inspiration to The Rolling Stones that they named an early instrumental after its address: 2120 South Michigan Avenue. Chess released artists the Stones revered and covered like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Willie Dixon, plus blues legends including Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf. Minnie Ripperton (pictured above) who sang Lovin' You once worked there, and today it houses Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation . Willie Dixon's Blues Garden, a small park where there are occasional concerts, is right next door. Elvis's Birthplace, Tupelo, Mississippi Elvis Presley was born into poverty in a shotgun shack in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1936, and you can still visit it and see just how small it was. The phrase shotgun shack comes from the fact that the few rooms are all off a corridor, and a shotgun pellet fired through the front door would exit right out the back. There's now an Elvis museum nearby, and a must-see attraction is Tupelo Hardware, where Elvis's mother Gladys bought him his first guitar for his birthday. It cost $7.75 (plus tax), though Elvis had actually wanted a rifle. Visit the website . Graceland, Memphis Elvis died at his mansion in Memphis, Graceland , where he's buried alongside his parents and grandmother. The upstairs bathroom where The King expired can no longer be visited but you can tour the ground floor of the building, and other buildings, which house a vast amount of Elvis memorabilia, including gold records and stage outfits. Across the street is Elvis's car collection and his two planes (though they recently went up for auction). Grateful Dead House, San Francisco At 710 Ashbury Street in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district is the three-storey Victorian house where Jerry Garcia and various members of the Grateful Dead lived from 1965-68. The house is still there, and though it's now a private home there's still a Summer of Love buzz about Haight-Ashbury, best experienced on a Magic Bus tour . Greenwich Village, New York There are so many sacred rock spots in New York's Greenwich Village that it's worth a few days of pilgrimage time. You could stay at the Washington Square Hotel, no longer that 'crummy hotel' name-checked in Joan Baez's 'Diamonds and Rust', about her time staying there with Bob Dylan. Bo Diddley, the Stones, the Mamas and Papas, Roger McGuinn and John Sebastian have also stayed or visited. The cover of Dylan's 'Freewheelin'' album was shot on Jones Street, and there are several clubs still going strong, including the Cafe Wha where Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen all played early in their careers. Hitsville USA, Detroit The headquarters of Motown Records, 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, is a surprisingly ordinary-looking suburban house ... well, ordinary apart from the fact that it has Hitsville USA in bold letters above the front porch. That was the birthplace of Tamla Records, and where Berry Gordy had his home, his offices and a small recording studio. Eventually the label became so big that Gordy acquired several more houses nearby. It's now the Motown Museum , where fans can still see where artists like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Temptations and dozens more all recorded and hung out. RCA Studio B, Nashville Nashville is full of country music highlights, of course, but for fans that are more rock 'n' roll inclined there's one unmissable place: RCA Studio B . Although many country legends like Dolly Parton, Jim Reeves and Chet Atkins did record here, the thrill for rock fans is to see the place where Elvis recorded 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' and most of his other big hits, Roy Orbison did 'Crying' and the Everly Brothers laid down 'Cathy's Clown'. Strawberry Fields, New York Across from New York's Dakota Building where Lennon lived, and outside which he was murdered, is Central Park. Strawberry Fields is a small but moving memorial, centred round a mosaic with the word IMAGINE inside it, and invariably covered with flowers left by fans. Sun Studio, Memphis The studio which first recorded Elvis and made stars of Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, is still a working studio where U2, Elvis Costello, Billy Swan, Chris Isaak and John Mellencamp have all recorded. Sessions mostly take place at night, leaving the daytimes free for fans to tour and see the tiny recording space, including the original microphone used by Elvis and the gouge marks in the floor caused by Jerry Lee Lewis's thumping piano action. Visit the website . | 2 | 2,269 | travel |
The Chicest Gear for Every Workout How are those New Year's fitness goals working out? If you're like the rest of us, you've probably resolved to get active or at least to take the stairs more often. (If you feel the burn after walking up five flights that counts as a workout, right?) Whether you're finding your zen in Downward Dog or hitting the snowy slopes, a little style can go a long way to make breaking a sweat more bearable. Click through for the chicest gear for every sport. Bikram Babe Move by Alternative hoodie, $74, alternativeapparel.com; Sundry leggings, $94, revolveclothing.com; La Vie Boheme Yoga mat, $86, laviebohemeyoga.com; Klean Kanteen bottle, $20, kleankanteen.com. Dancing Queen Ballet Beautiful sweater, $155, balletbeautiful.com; Olympia Activewear bodysuit, $110, olympiaactivewear.com; Ballet Beautiful leg warmers, $90, netaporter.com; Ballet Beautiful flats, $280, netaporter.com. Snow Bunny Alexander Wang beanie, $250, shopBAZAAR.com; Moncler coat, $1,913, moncler.com; Perfect Moment jumpsuit, $250, perfectmoment.com; Isabel Marant boots, $840, lagarconne.com. Horsing Around Musto Equestrian vest, $280, netaporter.com; Sportmax shirt, $245, shopBAZAAR.com; Cavallo breeches, $210, amirashop.co.uk; Tredstep boots, $300, doversaddlery.com. On the Run Beyond Yoga bra, $64, beyondyoga.com; Frends headphones, $50, shopBAZAAR.com; H&M leggings, $40, hm.com; Jawbone fitness bracelet, $130, jawbone.com; Adidas by Mary Katrantzou sneaker, $170, shopBAZAAR.com. Surfer Chick Karen Walker sunglasses, $360, avenue32.com; Cynthia Rowley wetsuit, $210, cynthiarowley.com; Haydenshapes surfboard, $1,250, haydenshapes.com; Supergoop! sunscreen, $19, sephora.com; Tibi sandal , $395, shopBAZAAR.com. | 4 | 2,270 | lifestyle |
Ray Allen has been biding his time, not playing yet not really retired, waiting for the right call to come. That call could come soon . As the Washington Wizards vie for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Allen would be a "natural" fit to back up starting shooting guard Bradley Beal, CSN Washington's J. Michael reported Friday. Although Allen is said to be considering retirement , the NBA's all-time 3-point king "is not out of the picture," according to Michael. "Until Allen says, 'I'm retired' or 'No, thanks,' the Wizards will continue to chase him," Michael writes. "The reason: Even though they have shooters in Martell Webster and Rasual Butler coming off the bench, they're natural small forwards. Allen is a natural to back up … Beal." Butler is doing this new thing this season where he just doesn't miss threes he's shooting a career-high 49 percent from beyond the arc but he's a career 36 percent shooter from long range, while Allen has never shot worse than 36 percent from deep in any season of his career. So far, the Wizards have been getting by with smoke and mirrors at the backup two spot, and while it's been adequate, no team with NBA Finals ambitions should settle for "adequate." | 1 | 2,271 | sports |
Denver has this "Peyton Manning, game manager" thing working pretty well going into the playoffs. If the Broncos want to reach the Super Bowl, however, they can't afford to hold back "Peyton Manning, game changer." MORE: Divisional round picks: Iyer | Steele | Vegas | Weather report, game info Manning is in an unusual perceived position, in contrast to this time last year. Coming off his record-shattering 2013 season, Manning was seen as the strength needed to carry his team through the playoffs. This year, as the Broncos' defense and running game have become much bigger factors down the stretch, the whispers are now about whether Manning is a liability. First, that's not true. Although Manning's yardage, touchdowns and efficiency paled to what he did last year, they were in line with what he did two years ago during his first season in Denver not godly, but still stellar. The 2014 production dips are tied to issues in the supporting cast shakier pass protection, a less deep, more banged-up receiving corps and a sometimes-overburdened defense. They forced his team to adjust after it's stunning 22-7 loss to the Rams. MORE: Accurate pick | Props | Quants choices | Lines | TV schedule, weather "Last year, the Broncos had the most prolific passing offense in the history of football," Peyton's father, Archie Manning, told Sporting News. "This year, they were rolling along the same way, and then they went to St. Louis and faced a really physical team. "They couldn't block and they couldn't protect, threw all day and couldn't run much. They since made the philosophical move to really emphasize the running game." That plan led to the Broncos winning five of their final six games. It worked because their offensive linemen and healthy tight ends were better suited to run block, and they found a durable, versatile and explosive back in third-stringer C.J. Anderson. WEEKEND GAMES: Ravens-Patriots | Panthers-Seahawks | Cowboys-Packers Now it's time to readjust and put more trust in Peyton. His top targets earlier in the season, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas, are healthy again after some nagging ankle woes. Anderson has proved to be an excellent outlet. Along with Emmanuel Sanders, the Broncos have the ability to reinstall that fear factor. "They need to make sure they haven't lost their mojo with the passing game," Archie said. "That sometimes happens when you work so hard to run the ball." Does that mean Manning getting his pass attempts up to the high 40s and low 50s again? No it means staying balanced while still knowing when to step on it, something with which conservative coach John Fox has had trouble in both Denver and Carolina. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco nailed it this week when he said "it's about being aggressive" in the playoffs. When the Broncos were one-and-done in the 2012 divisional round against Flacco's Ravens, they blew it in a 38-35 shootout loss. Denver went into a running shell late in the fourth quarter and overtime. Against the Colts this time, the Broncos should be able to run effectively and have a big advantage in run defense. In this season's opener (also in Denver) the Broncos were too conservative with a 24-7 halftime lead, enough to give Andrew Luck and the Colts a chance to tie on their final drive. It's different when you're running and playing defense against inferior teams with rally-incapable quarterbacks, rather than top-flight QBs and fellow AFC contenders. If the Broncos foil the relentless Luck again, their reward would be Flacco or Tom Brady, both built from the same attacking mindset. MORE: SN writers, editors rank remaining playoff QBs For Manning and the Broncos, they must find that happy medium between aggressive and conservative, or they can expect to go home before the Super Bowl. The QB sounds prepared to do that ... now his coaches need to comply. "We've tried to find different ways to win football games and hopefully that prepares us well when you get into these playoff games and anything can go on," Manning told reporters this week. "Different games take on different identities. "You never know what it's going to be, but I think we've proven we can win games differently and hopefully that serves us well potentially on Sunday ." Archie Manning talked to SN as a representative of Allstate's AFCA 2014 Good Works team at last week's Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Both of his quarterbacking NFL sons, Peyton and Eli, are alumni. | 1 | 2,272 | sports |
Charlie Hebdo suspects killed by French security forces The two brothers suspected of killing 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris have been killed and their female hostage released alive, according to reports in France. Following a long stand-off with the Kouachi brothers at an industrial complex to the north east of Paris, during which the hostage takers were reported to have told authorities they wished to "die as martyrs", police swarmed the building amidst the sound of gunshots and explosions. AFP have reported the two suspects came out firing at security forces before being shot dead. Pictured : Smoke rises from the industrial building as security forces close in on the two gunmen. A Special Forces sniper works on the roof of the building where the suspects were holding the hostage. French commandos launch an assault as smoke rises from the building. Police forces take position as part of the operation to seize the suspects. French Army members control any vehicle entering the alert zone near Dammartin-en-Goelle on January 9. Police officers communicate inside a school of Dammartin-en-Goele, northeast of Paris. French gendarmes secure the roundabout near the scene of a hostage taking. Mayor of the municipality of Othis, Bernard Corneille speaks to the press as police officers wait near an industrial area where the suspects in the shooting attack at the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo headquarters are reportedly holding a hostage. Helicopters of the French Special Police Forces waits in a field surrounding an industrial estate where it is thought the suspects linked to the Charlie Hebdo massacre are holding a hostage. A member of the security forces walks inside Dammartin-en-Goele. Members of the French gendarmerie intervention forces arrive at the scene of a hostage-taking at an industrial zone in Dammartin-en-Goele, northeast of Paris. French and police officers and gendarmes patrol in Dammartin-en-Goele where a hostage-taking was underway. Police officers block the access to Dammartin-en-Goele. French gendarmes secure the roundabout near the scene of a hostage taking. A member of French special forces stands on the roof of a building. A gendarme blocks the access to Dammartin-en-Goele. A helicopter of the French Gendarmerie flies over Dammartin-en-Goele. Ambulances try to make their way to Dammartin-en-Goele. Journalists work near the scene of a hostage taking. Police vans are lined up in Dammartin-en-Goele. Police officers control the access to Dammartin-en-Goele. A Eurocopter EC 145 helicopter of the French gendarmerie flies over Dammartin-en-Goele. Members of the French intervention gendarme forces arrive at the scene of a hostage taking at an industrial zone in Dammartin-en-Goele. Police officers stop a car at a check point outside Longpont, France. French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve addresses reporters at the end of a crisis meeting with French President Francois Hollande, at the Elysee Palace in Paris. French police and gendarmes patrol in Dammartin-en-Goele. | 5 | 2,273 | news |
Best and worst hot chocolate See which hot chocolate brands ranked highest in our taste test, and which are better left on the supermarket shelf. "The weather outside is frightful" may be a line in a popular Christmas song, but anyone truly familiar with negative-degree temperatures and words like "blizzard" and "black ice" will tell you that when it comes to frightful winter weather, the holiday season is just the beginning of a long haul. When facing night after chilly night, keeping a glass-half-full attitude can be a real challenge. In such cases, it's helpful to at least have something rich, warm, and delicious in your glass like, say, a good cup of hot chocolate. While it's not difficult to make a perfect rendition at home (seriously, you'd be surprised), there's nothing wrong with going the store-bought hot chocolate route. That is, of course, unless you wind up buying a brand that makes something more akin to thin, watery chocolate pudding mix. To that end, eight editors from The Daily Meal blind-tested 10 popular hot chocolate brands, ranging from nostalgia-producing Swiss Miss to high-end selections like Godiva. To level the playing field, and to give each competitor the opportunity to perform to the best of its ability, all of the test samples were made with whole milk, save the fat-free Swiss Miss, which was made with non-fat milk. Taste test criteria included everything from consistency and texture (was it grainy or velvety smooth?) to taste and chocolate flavor (did it taste more like sweet milk or liquid candy bar?). 10. Nestlé Rich Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 135 calories, 9.5g fat, 10.5g carbohydrates per serving (42g) Tasting Notes: "Needs more time to dissolve, a lot of small clumps." "Somewhat bitter taste, reminds me of baking chocolate." "Very intense chocolate taste, like a melted candy bar, cloying." "Smells like brownie batter or flourless chocolate cake, not milky enough." "The richness is a little overpowering." 9. MarieBelle Aztec Hot Chocolate Nutrition: 135 calories, 9.5g fat, 10.5g carbohydrates per serving (42g) Tasting Notes: "Needs more time to dissolve, a lot of small clumps." "Somewhat bitter taste, reminds me of baking chocolate." "Very intense chocolate taste, like a melted candy bar, cloying." "Smells like brownie batter or flourless chocolate cake, not milky enough." "The richness is a little overpowering." 8. Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 120 calories, 2g fat, 23g carbohydrates per serving (21g) Tasting Notes: "Frothy, sweet, but again, where is the chocolate?" "Too sweet, tastes synthetic." "Not chocolatey enough." "Tastes like artificial non-dairy creamer, coats your mouth in an unpleasant way." "Reminds me of my childhood." 7. Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Double Chocolate Nutrition: 140 calories, 1.5g fat, 35g carbohydrates per serving (39g) Tasting Notes: "Not bad, but a little boring." "Medium body, a little powdery on the tongue." "Good consistency, but there's a fake sugar taste and it's not chocolatey enough." "Very sweet, so, so sweet." 6. Swiss Miss Fat Free Nutrition: 50 calories, 0g fat, 10g carbohydrates per serving (16g) Tasting Notes: "Wish it was more chocolatey, but it has that iconic hot cocoa smell." "A little clumpy." "Artificial flavor, light body." "Reminds me of the kind you get in a New York City deli just to keep your hands warm." "Tastes and smells like that classic, traditional hot chocolate you make at home." 5. E. Guittard Grand Cacao Drinking Chocolate Nutrition: 150 calories, 7g fat, 26g carbohydrates per serving (40g) Tasting Notes: "Tastes like bittersweet dark chocolate, not too creamy or overpowering." "Aroma is like smelling into a can or dark chocolate powder." "Texture is like thin pudding mix." "Good, chocolatey flavor." "Slightly bitter, not very sweet." "Very thin and kind of grainy." 4. 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Mix Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 110 calories, 0g fat, 24g carbohydrates per serving (28g) Tasting Notes: "Slight hazelnut flavor." "Smells strongly of almond, not chocolatey enough." "Weak finish, not a pure chocolate taste." "Smells like Lucky Charms marshmallows (tastes like them too)." "Too sweet." "Good consistency." 3. Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Mix Nutrition: 150 calories, 3g fat, 26g carbohydrates per serving (35g) Tasting Notes: "Very creamy, smooth, texture." "Kind of reminds me of Kahlua or almond paste." "Rich, but not a pure chocolate taste (Coconut? Almond?)." "Thick texture, creamy but overly sweet." "Smells like a cupcake." 2. Godiva Hot Cocoa Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 130 calories, 2.5g fat, 25g carbohydrates per serving (30g) Tasting Notes: "Rich, strong, sweet (but not too) chocolate flavor." "Tastes like chocolate pudding." "Smooth texture." "Super dark chocolate flavor, made me want to drink a whole cup." 1. Starbucks Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Tasting Notes: "Good, deep chocolate taste, not bitter, not too sweet." "Would be great with homemade whipped cream or marshmallows." "Grown-up hot chocolate." "Smells like classic hot chocolate." "Tastes high-end." "Like melted chocolate, but there's a slightly chalky aftertaste." | 0 | 2,274 | foodanddrink |
Will all four home teams win in the Divisional round of the playoffs? Bovada's odds are set at 19/10 for yes and 10/23 for no. Which way are you betting? | 8 | 2,275 | video |
Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods after her first run in the women's slalom at the world championships Feb. 12 in Beaver Creek, Colo. Vonn kisses Woods after run one of the giant slalom at the world championships Feb. 12 in Beaver Creek, Colo. Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn attend Tiger Jam 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 17, 2014 in Las Vegas. Vonn and Woods at The Presidents Cup in Oct. 2013. Vonn and Woods take in the Broncos vs. Chiefs game in Denver on Nov. 17, 2013. Vonn and Woods embrace at The Presidents Cup in Oct. 2013. In this photo provided by pro golfer Tiger Woods and pro skier Lindsey Vonn, the couple pose for a portrait. Two months after rumors began circulating in Europe, Woods and Vonn posted separate items on their Facebook pages on March, 18, 2013 to announce their relationship. Lindsey Vonn watches Tiger Woods during the final round of The Players Championship. Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit celebrating "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" on Monday May 6, 2013 in New York. Golfer Tiger Woods and skier Lindsey Vonn attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit celebrating "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" on Monday May 6, 2013 in New York. Skier Lindsey Vonn watches as boyfriend Tiger Woods of the United States plays the first hole during the first round of the 2013 Masters. Lindsey Vonn waits at the clubhouse for Tiger Woods of the US to tee off during the first round of the 77th Masters. Skier Lindsey Vonn attends the first round of the 2013 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2013 in Augusta, Georgia. Skier Lindsey Vonn (R) and a patron attend the first round of the 2013 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2013 in Augusta, Georgia. Skier Lindsey Vonn attends the first round of the 2013 Masters Tournament Lindsey Vonn waits at the clubhouse for Tiger Woods of the US to tee off during the first round of the 77th Masters golf tournament. Lindsey Vonn walks near the clubhouse as she waits for Tiger Woods to tee off. Lindsey Vonn waits for Tiger Woods to tee off. Skier Lindsey Vonn attends the first round of the 2013 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2013 in Augusta, Georgia. Woods and Vonn A picture from 'Ski Racing Magazine' says this is Lindsey Vonn boarding Tiger Woods' private plane. Retired Air Force Capt. Dee Myrick (left), Lindsey Vonn, and Tiger Woods attend the opening ceremony for the Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club on June 25, 2014 in Bethesda, Md. | 1 | 2,276 | sports |
Most stressful jobs in America Stress at work can be caused by lots of things, like tight deadlines, long hours, and dangerous conditions, to name a few. And some professionals endure these things a lot more frequently than others. In a new ranking, CareerCast.com identifies the most stressful jobs of 2015 . The Most Stressful Jobs: Methodology "The amount of stress a worker experiences can be predicted, in part, by looking at the typical demands and crises inherent in his or her job," CareerCast explains. Their ranking system for stress considers 11 different job demands that can reasonably be expected to evoke stress, such as physical demands, travel, and competitiveness. Each demand was assigned a range of points. A high score was awarded if a particular demand was a major part of the job, fewer points were awarded if the demand was a small part of the job, and no points were awarded if that demand was not normally required. Continue to see the full list. 10. Newspaper Reporter Jobs Rated Stress Score: 48.76 Median Annual Salary: $37,090 Projected Growth by 2022: -13% Documenting important local and world events under the public's watchful eye requires taking risks, typically for low pay and the threat of their newspaper laying them off. Such is the daily life of a newspaper reporter, who does it all while under demanding deadlines. 9. Photojournalist Jobs Rated Stress Score: 49.22 Median Annual Salary: $42,530 Projected Growth by 2022: 3% Have you ever seen a breathtaking photo in your newspaper or online and wondered how it was captured? Thank a photojournalist who risks his or her safety to capture important moments in news and history, preserving them forever. 8. Event Coordinator Jobs Rated Stress Score: 49.93 Median Annual Salary: $45,810 Projected Growth by 2022: 33% Event coordinators must ensure such gatherings as seminars, weddings and parties go smoothly. Because setting up these events means meeting strict deadlines, and the groups involved can span a wide range of attendees, the stress associated with this job can be high. 7. Broadcaster Jobs Rated Stress Score: 50.30 Median Annual Salary: $60,070 Projected Growth by 2022: 2% One of the categories ranked in the Jobs Rated report is working in the public eye, and it doesn't get much more public than appearing on camera or behind the microphone. 6. Actor Jobs Rated Stress Score: 50.33 Median Annual Salary: $46,070 Projected Growth by 2022: 4% The nature of stress differs from the five jobs ranked ahead of it, but the challenges a full-time actor faces are stressful in their own right. From chasing auditions to traveling and, perhaps most stressful, performing in front of large and small audiences. 5. Police Officer Jobs Rated Stress Score: 50.82 Median Annual Salary: $56,980 Projected Growth by 2022: 5% The motto of police officers' work is, "To protect and serve." It's a mantra that clearly defines the stress related to the job, as police officers are asked to protect citizens while at the same time serving their communities' best interests. 4. Airline Pilot Jobs Rated Stress Score: 60.46 Median Annual Salary: $98,410 Projected Growth by 2022: -1% Flying a plane is a unique skill that requires substantial training before one can do it as a profession and with good reason. Airline pilots are responsible for the safety of literally thousands of passengers every month. 3. Military General Jobs Rated Stress Score: 63.11 Median Annual Salary: $196,300 Projected Growth by 2022: N/A Near the top of a given branch of the Armed Forces' chain-of-command, military generals oversee critical operations and are responsible for the lives of those who report to them. 2. Enlisted Military Personnel Jobs Rated Stress Score: 70.78 Median Annual Salary: $28,840 Projected Growth by 2022: N/A The men and women of the United States Armed Forces are tasked with protecting the entirety of the nation, both domestically and abroad, and often are placed in harm's way. 1. Firefighter Jobs Rated Stress Score: 71.59 Median Annual Salary: $45,600 Projected Growth by 2022: 7% Firefighters face dangerous situations in ever-changing conditions, and their work is not limited to battling blazes. Firefighters also assist with medical emergencies and natural disasters. | 3 | 2,277 | finance |
Kylie Jenner follows sister Kim Kardashian's lead and blows up the internet with a busty Instagram pic. As John Basedow (@JohnBasedow) reports, the 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' star posted a sexy selfie showing a much more voluptuous bust, which got Twitter talking plastic surgery rumors; but TMZ reports Kylie's curvier chest is all due to the Victoria's Secret Bombshell Bra, which Taylor Swift also sported at their fashion show. | 8 | 2,278 | video |
French television images showed some people running out of the supermarket in eastern Paris after police conduct a raid on the business. Rough Cut (no reporter narration). | 8 | 2,279 | video |
You will never eat peanut butter the same way again. Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies Part savory, part sweet, these crunchy cookiesdipped in chocolate and white almond barkwill be gone in a flash. Get the recipe at Julie's Eats and Treats . Browse: Amazing dessert recipes Peanut Butter Banana Blender Muffins Believe it or not, this blogger says that it took only her 23 seconds to blend together all of the ingredients for these mini muffins. Get the recipe at Thirty Handmade Holidays . Browse: Honey recipes Reese's Peanut Butter Cheesecake Filled top to bottom with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, this cheesecake is sure to satiate any chocoholic. Get the recipe at Taste and Tell . Browse: Cheesecake recipes Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Fudge Pie The salted caramel and peanut butter topping on this pie makes it a dessert no one will forget. Recipe: Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Fudge Pie Browse: Caramel recipes Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Peanut Butter Parfaits These party-ready parfaits are made up of layers of peanut butter mousse, fudge sauce, and oatmeal cookies. Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest . Browse: Oatmeal recipes Deep Dish Peanut Butter Pie This decadent, chocolatey indulgence is made even sweeter by a pretzel crust. Get the recipe at Yammie's Noshery . Browse: Other pie recipes Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pancakes Whip up this breakfast treat with dependable staples right from your pantry: pancake mix, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pancakes Browse: Pancake recipes Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter and Honey Cereal Bars Anything that's no-bake, kid-friendly and only requires three ingredients has our names written all over it. Get the recipe at Healthy Food for Living . Browse: Honey recipes Peanut Butter and Banana Yogurt Pops A perfect after-school snack, these four-ingredient yogurt pops will be your family's new favorite treat. Get the recipe at Home Cooking Memories . Browse: Amazing yogurt recipes Peanut Butter Acorns A small peanut butter cookie and a chocolate kiss in the form of an acorn make a tasty and festive dessert. Recipe: Peanut Butter Acorns Browse: Peanut butter recipes Four-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies These tiny cookies are the perfect way to curb your chocolate craving without feeling too guilty afterwards. Get the recipe at Gimme Some Oven . Browse: Chocolate recipes Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread Let's be honest: Just looking at this recipe is making our mouths water. Get the recipe at Kitchen Meets Girl . Browse: Banana bread recipes No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Graham cracker crumbs, butter, chocolate chips, powdered sugar, and, of course, peanut butter are all you need to make these no-bake bars. Get the recipe at Sally's Baking Addiction . Browse: No-cook recipes Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cupcakes Whipped peanut butter ganache and chocolate glaze elevate plain mini cupcakes into sinfully sweet treats. Get the recipe at Culinary Couture . Browse: Miniature desserts Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites These no-bake, bite-sized treats are great to grab when you need a quick and healthy on-the-go snack. Get the recipe at Creative Juice . Browse: Nut butters and flavored butters | 0 | 2,280 | foodanddrink |
Best make-up and hairstyles at award shows Click through to look back at some of the most memorable make-up and hairstyles sported by the divas at award ceremonies over the years. Angelina Jolie At the 2009 Oscars, the star stunned in the half updo with voluminous curls. Equally striking was her make-up a subtle cat-eye with nude lips. Scarlett Johansson Johansson was a sight to behold in her light eye make-up, glossy lips, and loose curls at the 2006 Golden Globes. Taylor Swift A faux bob with tight curls and scarlet lips lent an air of sophistication to Swift's look at the 2014 Golden Globes. Julia Roberts Roberts simply looked gorgeous with the intricate chignon and peachy make-up at the 2001 Oscars. Michelle Williams With a classic red lip and a loosely-tied side bun, Williams totally owned the red carpet at the 2006 Oscars. Jennifer Lawrence Hair swept back and makeup almost natural except the peachy lips, Lawrence sure scored full points on the beauty front at the 2014 Oscars. Jessica Alba Alba looked flawless at the 2013 Golden Globes with the bright orange lip colour and the side-parted soft curls. Charlize Theron The actress glowed in her pale pink makeup at the 2012 Golden Globes. Her romantic hairdo, accessorised with a dazzling hairband, was just perfect. Halle Berry The 2011 Oscars saw Berry in a smart pixie cut with nude make-up. Definitely a winner! Jennifer Lopez With side-swept hair and dewy makeup, Lopez oozed old-world glamour at the 2013 Golden Globe awards. Anne Hathaway At the 2011 Oscars, Hathaway's loosely-tied low bun along with the berry-coloured lips was one of the most gorgeous looks of the evening. Kate Winslet The 2009 Oscars saw Winslet in a Grace Kelly-inspired hairdo. The elegance of the hairstyle was matched to perfection by the natural makeup. Sandra Bullock Bullock's appearance at the 2010 Oscars was a classy affair. The sleek hairdo is well complemented by the vibrant pink lips. Emma Watson With deep pink lips and a casual low bun, Watson's attendance at the 2014 Golden Globes was a class apart. Adele The singer looked terrific in the elaborate beehive-style bun at the 2013 Golden Globes. The peachy makeup only accentuated the look further. Lupita Nyong'o The side-parted short hair paired with dramatic make-up made heads turn at the 2014 Golden Globes. Reese Witherspoon Witherspoon's retro ponytail and the cat-eye make-up was a winner at the 2011 Oscars. Jessica Chastain At the 2013 Oscars, Chastain's subtle makeup was aptly complimented with the soft curls. Salma Hayek By keeping the hair in voluminous curls and the makeup light, Hayek maintained a balanced look at the 2012 Golden Globes. Beyonce For the 2007 Golden Globes, the singer arrived with sleek hair, parted in the middle. A dash of metallic eye make-up and a hint of colour on the lips finished her look. Drew Barrymore The 2009 Golden Globes saw Barrymore in a voluminous hairdo, blue eyeshadow and pink lips. Natalie Portman With hair tied into a romantic bun and pastel-hued makeup, Portman was a vision at the 2009 Oscars. Elizabeth Taylor Considered one of the classic looks ever, Taylor's eye make-up and hair accessory matched her purple dress at the 1970 Oscars. Freida Pinto The Indian-origin actress opted for a half-up half-down hairdo at the 2012 Golden Globes. Smokey eye make-up and nude lips completed her look. | 4 | 2,281 | lifestyle |
Your credit score may be dragged down by errors in your credit report. A surprisingly high percent of people who check their reports find mistakes. | 8 | 2,282 | video |
Some women call it "the change," but until a woman has gone through it, she most likely doesn't know what to expect. While menopause signals the end of a woman's menstrual cycle, symptoms can begin years before menstruation stops. One of the most common symptoms is hot flashes, which is a feeling of extreme warmth. What Menopause Does While some may joke about a woman's sudden feeling of warmth, hot flashes can be very disruptive to everyday life. They can cause insomnia, distract her from working, and cause excessive perspiration that makes getting through the day without a change of clothes impossible. Decrease in Estrogen Experts are still not completely in agreement about the cause of hot flashes during menopause. Most attribute it to the decrease in the production of estrogen, with estrogen production slowing down as a woman reaches perimenopause. As the Mayo Clinic points out, however, low estrogen alone does not cause hot flashes since patients of all ages with low estrogen have no such symptoms. It is the decrease in estrogen that accompanies menopause that is believed to be the cause. For most women, this decrease is gradual, but many experts believe when estrogen falls, the hypothalamus is adversely affected. Since the hypothalamus regulates a person's body temperature, the decrease in estrogen scrambles the hypothalamus, causing the brain to detect an overabundance of body heat. As a natural reaction to this, some scientists theorize the brain releases more chemicals to help lower body heat, causing a patient's heart rate to elevate as blood vessels constrict to naturally allow more blood to flow through. The increased blood flow increases a person's body temperature, creating that heated, sweaty feeling that can be so inconvenient for sufferers. While this reaction may seem normal while you are sitting in a sauna or experiencing extreme summertime heat, when it strikes for no apparent reason, it can be quite alarming. Patients suddenly find themselves breaking into a sweat indoors, sometimes at the most inconvenient times. Lifestyle Causes Not every woman will experience menopausal hot flashes and those who do will go through it at varying degrees. The key to reducing symptoms may be in first understanding what contributes to them. In general, leading a healthy lifestyle may be a way to keep hot flashes to a minimum during menopause, with such factors as obesity, inactivity, and smoking contributing to the symptoms. Some contributing factors are outside a person's control. Genetics are said to play a large role in whether or not a woman has hot flashes during menopause, with a research study finding that women who have naturally lower progesterone levels suffering more severe symptoms. Additionally, ethnicity may play a role, with doctors at the North Texas Health Science Center finding that African-American women were more likely to experience more frequent and more intense hot flashes than their Caucasian counterparts. Hispanic women also experienced more frequent hot flashes in the study, although the intensity of their hot flashes was less. Secondary complications can disrupt a woman's life as well. Some women experience "night sweats," a form of hot flashes that can cause insomnia. Over time, frequent insomnia can cause major problems for sufferers, with such symptoms as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and even depression. Because of this, it may become urgent to seek treatment from a qualified physician. Inciting Factors While many of the causes of hot flashes are outside a woman's control, certain factors can trigger them or make already existing hot flashes worse. Alcohol and spicy foods can bring on an attack, as can caffeine. Patients may also notice exposure to hot temperatures through taking warm baths or spending time in a sauna may exacerbate symptoms. Stress can also bring on an attack. While these activities alone won't cause hot flashes, when a patient already suffering from a drop in estrogen engages in these activities, the combination could create an uncomfortable situation. For women suffering hot flashes, it can sometimes seem there's no relief. But by understanding what causes hot flashes, a woman can begin to take steps to relieve symptoms. Since nobody knows a woman's body better than she does, experts advise to note when symptoms are at their worst and try to determine what factors are exacerbating the problem. This will help you find relief as naturally and healthily as possible. | 7 | 2,283 | health |
Plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon reveals five procedures he predicts will be most popular in 2015. | 7 | 2,284 | health |
Bystanders heard gunfire and explosions at a grocery store in France where police say a hostage situation is underway. | 8 | 2,285 | video |
Happy birthday, Kate Middleton! | 8 | 2,286 | video |
The state of Kentucky's top-rated college football prospect won't be staying close to home. Running back Damien Harris announced Friday that he is heading to Alabama, home to a truckload of elite running backs in the past several years. Harris, a 5-11, 205-pounder speedster out of Madison Southern High School in Berea (Ky.), rushed for 1,507 yards and 23 TDs as in a senior season plagued by injuries. But his junior season was a big one. He rushed for 2,621 yards and accounted for 43 total TDs. He has 4.40 speed and hits hard. He finished his career with 6,748 rushing yards and 113 TDs. MORE: Why won't Tide go away? Recruiting | Tracking the Top 25 recruits | 5-star studs, duds Harris is the highest-rated player out of Kentucky since the "star" rating system kicked off in 2002 with Rivals.com. He is listed as a five-star prospect by the 247Sports.com composite ranking, which averages all services. His top two for most of the past year were Kentucky and Alabama, and he also took an official visit to Ohio State. Prior to his senior season, he was committed to Michigan, but backed off that commitment about a year ago. The rich continue to get richer, class wise. Alabama strengthens its stranglehold on the nation's No. 1 team spot in the 247Sports rankings. The Crimson Tide now have 26 commitments for the 2015 signing class. Five of Bama's commits are composite five-star prospects: Harris, WR Calvin Ridley , DB Kendall Sheffield, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick and QB Blake Barnett . Brian McLaughlin is a Sporting News contributor. Follow him on Twitter: @BrianMacWriter | 1 | 2,287 | sports |
A good roast chicken is always satisfying. But a great roast chicken is out of this world. To take your chicken to the next level, you've got to make sure you're avoiding the most common mistakes. From seasoning it right to nailing the cooking temperature, here's how to get the most bang for your buck. Err, bird. 1. Don't Settle for Conventional Bargain birds from the supermarket may be cost-effective, but they're seriously lacking in flavor. "Whenever possible, buy the best quality chicken you can find," says Dawn Perry , Bon Appétit digital food editor. The difference between a pasture-raised bird and a feedlot chicken is huge. As Perry says, the better-quality bird actually tastes like, well, chicken. 2. Don't Be Afraid to Season Aggressively Not only does a nice coating of salt make chicken taste good, it helps render the skin a crackling golden-brown (more on crispy skin in rule no. 4). Season the entire chicken well with salt and pepper. Don't forget the back of the bird, underneath the wings, between the thighs, and even inside the cavity. Other additions, like ground spices and finely chopped herbs, are at your discretion, but there's something to be said for a simple salt-and-pepper bird. "I don't always want the song and dance," explains Perry. Bonus points for stuffing the chicken with aromatic ingredients, like chopped citrus, full sprigs of herbs, smashed garlic, and onion. As the bird cooks, the "stuffing" will infuse it with flavor from the inside-out. 3. Never Roast a Cold (or Soggy) Chicken Before you put the chicken in the oven, give it time to come to room temperature. 30 to 45 minutes will do the trick. Taking the bird directly from the fridge to the fire will increase its roasting time and cook it unevenly. Another common mistake many home cooks make is not properly drying the chicken before roasting it. A damp bird makes for limp, soggy skin. There's no need to rinse the chicken, says Perry. If your bird has been packed in plastic, simply remove it and place it on a paper towel-lined sheet tray. Thoroughly pat it dry, then proceed as normal. Many butcher shops keep their chickens unwrapped in temperature-controlled cases, so those are nicely dry by the time you cook it. 4. Choose Your Cooking Method You have two options for roasting your chicken: low and slow or hot and fast. To make the right decision, you first have to decide what type of chicken you're craving. For sticky, rotisserie-style skin with fall-apart meat, cook it at a low temperature for hours. This recipe for Faux-tisserie Chicken calls for three hours at 300˚ once you taste it, says Perry, you'll agree that it's time well-spent. If it's burnished, crackling skin you're after, cook the bird quickly at a high temperature. Our Skillet Roast Chicken jump-starts the process by getting a handsome sear on the stovetop in a pan (preferably cast-iron). Once the skin is golden, transfer the skillet to an oven set at 425˚. The chicken will cook in just 35-40 minutes depending, of course, on the size of the bird. 5. Don't Forget to Let it Rest It can be torture to wait to dig in, but wait you must. The juices need time to redistribute throughout the bird, or else they'll wind up on your cutting board. Once you take the chicken out of the oven, remove it from the pan and let it hang out for 15 minutes. By that time, it will also be cool enough to carve. 6. Always Use the Schmaltz A good chicken will have plenty of fat that renders out into the pan during the cooking process. That's called schmaltz, and according to Perry it's liquid gold. Layer hearty vegetables, like onions, carrots, fennel, or potatoes underneath the chicken before you roast it. They'll soak up the schmaltz, becoming tender, fragrant, and meaty. Another genius use for the fat? After you remove the chicken from the roasting pan or skillet, toss it with big hunks of bread and put the pan back in the oven until they're toasted and crunchy. Once you've tasted schmaltz croutons, you'll never make a roast chicken without them. Browse: Chicken recipes | 0 | 2,288 | foodanddrink |
CNN's Frederik Pleitgen walks us through the entire security operation that killed the two suspected Charlie Hebdo killers. | 8 | 2,289 | video |
Despite having a slight tear and a significant strain in his calf, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy says that Aaron Rodgers was "fine" in practice. Is he really ready to go on Sunday? | 1 | 2,290 | sports |
We are down to only eight teams standing as the NFL divisional playoff games take place this weekend. Four of these teams have been on a bye week, giving them the rest and preparation they need to host their opponents. Here are eight things to watch this upcoming weekend. 1. Will the good or bad version of Joe Flacco show up to play? It's no hidden secret that the New England Patriots are favored to win in the divisional matchup this Saturday when they host the Baltimore Ravens. This means cool Joe Flacco will need to be on his "A" game when it comes to accuracy and limiting mistakes. During the regular season, we've seen games that have ranged from 166 passing yards to 345 passing yards. Flacco also achieved a five-touchdown game but has had two games with zero touchdowns. And just three weeks ago, he coughed three interceptions against the Texans. Does the "best quarterback in the NFL" show up, or will Flacco struggle? Note that the last time these two teams squared off, the Ravens won in a game that eventually led them to a Super Bowl victory just two short years ago. 2. Don't let the sweet talk between Tom Brady and Terrell Suggs fool you. There have been nothing but niceties said between Brady and Suggs over the past few days during press conferences. We all know that Suggs wants a piece of Brady and can't wait to have him some quarterback sacks for lunch on Saturday. Hopefully, Brady's offensive line can keep him protected and out of the hands of a hungry Suggs. Someone is going down a loser on Saturday, so Suggs could be back to shouting his jealousies and hatred of Brady's hair and his attitude again soon. Or will Brady be replacing his recent compliment of Suggs is "phenomenal" with an "F"-bomb? We'll see soon enough. 3. Will the suddenly stout Carolina Panthers' ground attack keep Marshawn Lynch grounded? Last week, the Carolina Panthers limited the Arizona Cardinals' rushing attack to a mere 27 yards. The Cardinals definitely didn't have a player of Marshawn Lynch's caliber on their team, but that's still an impressive performance right there. Additionally, during the last two games of the regular season, the Panthers allowed a total of 112 rushing yards. Lynch also struggled the last time he faced the Panthers in Week 8, managing only 62 rushing yards. Who's got the advantage here? 4. Could Steve Smith Sr. face his former team in the upcoming Super Bowl? The odds are definitely against the Panthers and Ravens advancing this weekend. However, both could take a dramatic step towards a potential Super Bowl matchup with upset victories. How sweet would it be for Steve Smith Sr. to play against the team that abandoned him? Of course, the odds of these two teams both making it to the Super Bowl are the absolute worst as provided by Bovada sportsbook . Patriots-Seahawks: 9/4 Patriots-Packers: 11/2 Patriots-Cowboys: 9/1 Patriots-Panthers: 25/1 Broncos- Seahawks: 4/1 Broncos-Packers: 9/1 Broncos-Cowboys: 12/1 Broncos-Panthers: 40/1 Colts-Seahawks: 14/1 Colts-Packers: 28/1 Colts-Cowboys: 45/1 Colts-Panthers: 100/1 Ravens-Seahawks: 16/1 Ravens-Packers: 28/1 Ravens-Cowboys: 50/1 Ravens-Panthers: 125/1 5. Can the Dallas Cowboys exploit Aaron Rodgers' injured calf? The Green Bay Packers are going into their divisional playoff game with a lame horse in Aaron Rodgers, who has a torn calf . That just sounds painful when you hear the words. Rodgers' calf is a major issue for a quarterback who relies on being mobile when put under pressure. You can bet those Dallas Cowboys are going to do everything they can from blitzes to pass rushing to make Rodgers vulnerable to avoiding pressure with his athleticism. The frigid temperatures won't be any help either in softening Rodgers' calf muscle. 6. Watch out for quick shifting yellow flags and sloppy Jerry Jones hugs. Over the past few days, there has been all sorts of controversy and half-explanations going on about the pass interference penalty that was and then wasn't between the Cowboys and Lions last week. Just ask Matthew Stafford. Will the Cowboys be bringing their friendly referees with them to Green Bay? Hopefully we won't see any slips of the yellow land before suddenly disappearing in front of millions of viewers with cameras everywhere. If Dallas does manage a win over Green Bay, can we handle another sloppy, weird hug between Jerry Jones and Chris Christie? That was one of the worst sports moments ever recorded on a never-ending social media loop . 7. Will Peyton Manning choke? Manning's play has been pretty shaky as of late. Additionally, the last time Manning played in a critical game was when he and the Denver Broncos were almost literally destroyed by the Seattle Seahawks in last year's Super Bowl. Should that version of Manning show up when he faces his former Colts team Sunday, it might be time for him to start looking for retirement properties or another Papa John's franchise to buy. Perhaps the bye week Manning had off gave him time to reflect over his last four games of the regular season where he only had three touchdowns and threw six picks. Yes, this is Peyton and not Eli I'm talking about. 8. Can Andrew Luck advance to a 2-1 against the Broncos? Luck is currently 1-1 against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are favored to win and have a high-powered offensive attack, so Luck will have to duplicate his performance from last week while finding a way to get into the end zone. If the Luck who only threw for 456 total yards in the last three games of the regular season appears on Sunday, the Colts are going to be in trouble. | 1 | 2,291 | sports |
Zosia Mamet, Julianne Moore, and Anne Hathaway all get an F on this week's Fashion Offenders hosted by Wonderwall's Kirby Kristen. | 6 | 2,292 | entertainment |
The owner of Bar Marco in Pittsburg put an end to tipping his waiters in favor of paying his employees a 'living wage.' Not only are they getting more money, they are also getting: health insurance, paid time off, and equity in the company. Keri Lumm (@thekerilumm) reports. | 8 | 2,293 | video |
The 10 Least Stressful Jobs In America If your life outside of work is stressful enough, you may want to consider a career that offers good job security, a positive hiring outlook, a decent salary, and few physical demands, deadlines, and dangers, suggests CareerCast, an online resource for job seekers. To help, CareerCast recently compiled a ranking of the least stressful jobs in America for 2015 . We're not saying these jobs are completely stress-free, but according to CareerCast's methodology, they tend to offer healthier stress levels and higher satisfaction rates than others. CareerCast analyzed 11 different factors that can reasonably be expected to evoke stress, such as physical demands, travel, and competitiveness, for 200 different occupations. Each factor was assigned a range of points , and a lower total score means the job is less stressful than average. 1. Hair Stylist Jobs Rated Stress Score: 5.47 Median Annual Salary: $22,770 Projected Growth by 2022: 13% Hair stylists typically work either with walk-in customers or build their own regular clientele. The most successful doing the latter can open their own businesses and thrive. 2. Audiologist Jobs Rated Stress Score: 6.30 Median Annual Salary: $69,720 Projected Growth by 2022: 34% Audiologists work with clients to identify and remedy problems with hearing. They usually are in control of their schedules and work in a quiet environment, such as a medical office, school, or nursing home. 3. University Professor (Tenured) Jobs Rated Stress Score: 6.94 Median Annual Salary (BLS, all postsecondary teachers): $68,970 Projected Growth by 2022 (BLS, all postsecondary teachers): 19% Gaining tenure requires long hours of research and thousands of written words. For those who achieve it, being a tenured university professor is the pinnacle of academia and allows for flexible schedules and a controllable workload. 4. Medical Records Technician Jobs Rated Stress Score: 7.55 Median Annual Salary: $34,160 Projected Growth by 2022: 22% This is a fast-growing field, as more Americans gain access to healthcare. Medical records technicians often work in a quiet environment. 5. Jeweler Jobs Rated Stress Score: 8.10 Median Annual Salary: $35,350 Projected Growth by 2022: -10% The bulk of jewelers' work is done individually, though interaction with buyers is an element of the job. 6. Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs Rated Stress Score: 8.98 Median Annual Salary: $47,820 Projected Growth by 2022: 22% Working in diagnostic centers at doctors' offices or in hospitals, medical laboratory technicians analyze various samples at their own pace. 7. Seamstress/Tailor Jobs Rated Stress Score: 9.56 Median Annual Salary: $25,590 Projected Growth by 2022: 1% A tailor's work environment can vary significantly. Some work in wholesale environments, others in independently owned stores. 8. Dietitian Jobs Rated Stress Score: 10.23 Median Annual Salary: $55,240 Projected Growth by 2022: 21% Growing emphasis on proper nutrition should contribute to growth in the hiring of dietitians, and the increased demand translates into a pleasant work environment. The BLS reports dietitians can work anywhere from hospitals to schools and in nursing homes depending on specific demand. 9. Librarian Jobs Rated Stress Score: 10.58 Median Annual Salary: $55,370 Projected Growth by 2022: 7% Technology is altering the landscape of a librarian's work, but the end result increases the value of what librarians provide to their clients. Most books and reading materials will all be archived centrally thanks to cloud computing, making resources more accessible than ever before. 10. Forklift Operator Jobs Rated Stress Score: 11.43 Median Annual Salary: $31,150 Projected Growth by 2022: 1% The relative seclusion in which forklift operators work helps this career rank among the least stressful of 2015. | 3 | 2,294 | finance |
Quick Stats: Jim Jefferies, comedian/actor Daily Driver: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (Jim's rating: 7 on a scale of 1 to 10) Favorite road trip: Los Angeles to Las Vegas Car he learned to drive in: 1985 Holden Apollo First car bought: late '70s-early '80s Holden Gemini Comedian Jim Jefferies not only stars as himself on "Legit," the FX show he created, but fans would be interested to know he drives the same car model on the show as in real life: his 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8. It was his first new car ever, and Jefferies laughs when he says it is "orange, like the 'Dukes of Hazzard' orange. I love, love the look of the car. I think out of all the Mustangs and the Camaros, the hottest-looking body out of all of them is the Challenger, out of all the musclecars." He says he liked the orange because it looked unique. Now that he's made some money, Jefferies wants to live like when he was a child playing with toy cars. "I had Matchbox cars and Hot Wheel cars. They were Ferraris, Porsches, Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers. I never had a Matchbox car which was a BMW or a Mercedes," he says. "I really enjoy a good musclecar. I love them." Growing up in Australia, Jefferies says he played with these American toys but never saw the real cars on the road. "In saying that, Australia is I think the only other country on Earth -- and it doesn't do that anymore -- but the only other country besides America that makes their own musclecars. Australia had its own V-8 that we were proud of. I remember in 'Mad Max' loving that car with the nitro in it. It was like all the petrol in the world had run out, the guy still drove a V-8 gas-guzzler. In reality, if 'Mad Max' happened, we would all be driving around in Smart cars and Teslas. But in that future for some reason everyone was still driving V-8s." While he rates the Challenger a 7, he gives the engine a 9. "The problem is the fuel efficiency isn't really good and there's a few interior things I'm not completely happy with, and the steering could be a bit better," he says. "I love the way it looks. Sometimes around corners it drives a little bit like a sled. I've had a couple of other German cars and I felt they cornered a bit better. But for the most part I really do enjoy it. But straight drag 0 to 60 the acceleration on it is amazing." Jefferies bought the Challenger in 2011 and he didn't have the show until 2012, so it was a case of art imitating life when it came to choosing the show car. "I do OK as a standup comedian. I've got my eye on those new Corvette Stingrays, which every magazine has reviewed it as being a dog's bollocks, and I saw it on the street the other day. I really wanted it but there's a bit of me that I don't know if I want to be a dad with a young baby with a two-seat Corvette, just in case you had to travel anywhere," he says. Car he learned to drive in Jefferies learned to drive in Sydney, Australia, in his father's 1985 Holden Apollo. "It was a Toyota Camry but they rebadged it a Holden. That's still a car that my parents drive to this day. My parents never let me drive their car ever, apart from when I learned and my dad was sitting next to me. My dad took it to a car park late at night and put a couple of shopping carts and you had to reverse park on it." Jefferies failed the first two times he took his driver's test. "Both of my brothers passed the test first go. I had two older brothers, so there was a bit of stigma around my house that I had to pass this test and at the time I thought it was the most important thing in the world," he says. When Jefferies failed the second time, he thought perhaps if he cried a little and say that his dad would be really angry with him, then maybe he would be allowed to pass because as he puts it, he "only failed by a little bit." "So almost with tears in my eyes, I sat there with the driving tester, saying, 'My dad's going to kill me, my dad's going to kill me.' My dad's a real nice bloke; I was just trying to win this guy over. So the guy, after the test, he walked over to my dad and said, 'I don't want to get into your private life but he seems like a very good boy and please be easy on him," Jefferies says, laughing. "And I had to retake it again here. I been driving here for a year and half before I even thought about getting an American license." Jefferies was nervous about failing his driver's test in America at 36 years of age. "I passed it right away but I almost didn't get out of the car park because I didn't know my hand signals properly. I got 100 percent on the rest of the test," he says. He took the test on the way to work at the writing room in Marina Del Rey for "Legit." "I think it's funny driving up in an orange SRT8 saying I'd like to get a license, please," he says. First car bought While the Apollo was an automatic, the first car Jefferies bought, a gold late 1970s or early 1980s Holden Gemini, had a manual transmission. "I miss driving a stick shift here in America, because I lived in the U.K. for so long and everyone drives a stick shift over there. If a guy gets an automatic it seems like a little bit effeminate to do that, that you're not a real man if you drive an automatic." He bought it for $480 Australian dollars. "I got the guy down from $500," he says. "By the time I got to drive it the car was already about seven years old, and I started learning to drive in 1992." It was his high school car and Jefferies paid for it with money he made working weekends at the grocery store Woolworths. "I was working as a meat packer in the meat section," he says. "I was the guy who put the sausages in the Styrofoam tray and covered it with plastic and I would do that in the freezer room for eight-hour shifts every Saturday and Sunday." Jefferies says it was a good job because he got paid a dollar more than the workers at the checkout area since he had to work in a cold room. "I was pretty happy with that. I think I was at $9 an hour, it was a pretty sweet deal. I grew up in an area that was, I wouldn't say affluent, but 50 percent of my school was Asian kids, and their parents always rewarded them with a car if they got good grades and most of them seemed to get good grades. I had a couple mates that had cars and I was a year younger than everybody, so I was a year later to the party." Six months before he bought his car, his friend who was also 16 got into a car accident on the way to pick up Jefferies at his house. "Even though I like musclecars, I'm a pretty safe driver. I haven't had too many speeding fines. I've been pretty cautious ever since that moment in my life," Jefferies says. After five years with the Holden Gemini, Jefferies bought a Ford Laser. "When I went to Britain I bought BMWs, so the last 10 years I went through three BMWs and then when I came over here, I got a secondhand Mustang and the Challenger was the first new car I ever had," Jefferies says. When he went to London, Jefferies says he was struck by how inexpensive BMWs were there. "In Australia, German cars were so expensive. The Brits live next door to Germany, so it doesn't take much to ship them over there," he says. "So working as a comic I always got a BMW. When I was working in Britain, I used to run up about 40,000 miles a year because I was driving up and down the country doing gigs." In the U.K. Jefferies had a BMW 318i and later a BMW 316S, which he says was his favorite car ever. "That one was a little black hatchback two-door BMW and it whizzed along and was good on fuel," he says. "I just loved the 316S. In the end what happened to that car was I went away to do two weeks of gigs and the local kids threw rocks in the window. It was left parked in a rough area of London, and I thought, well, I was about to move to America, so I just got the insurance money and just wrote it off. But I really miss that car." The Challenger was Jefferies' first splurge car but there will be more. "I can see myself getting a bigger and better car as my next splurge car. I don't see myself reverting myself back to a sensible car after this one," he says. "I would like each car to get more serious and more extreme than the one before. So if this one's got 425 hp, I want the next one to have more horsepower than that. More than anything I want it to look cool. I just love the design of cars. It was cool, the other day I bought a Matchbox car, or a Hot Wheels car of my car, and gave it to my son to play with and he knew that was daddy's car. As I said, I want all my cars to look like boys' toys now." Favorite road trip "My longest road trip was I went from Sydney to Perth, which is the same as L.A. to New York, in a small little hatchback that didn't have air-conditioning across the Australian desert, where there's a thousand-mile stretch where the road doesn't bend. It's just a straight road. That road trip you really have to focus on staying awake," he says, with a laugh. "You can get rather blasé on that trip." But Jefferies' favorite road trip is the drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. "It's a lovely six-hour trip. You go through hills where you can see snow in the distance, right into the Joshua Tree desert. And when you get to Vegas, and you can see it's 20 miles ahead of you, just these twinkling lights as it get closer and closer. And you get excited because you know you're going to have fun because you're going to Vegas." The trip back from Las Vegas is Jefferies' "most hated" road trip. "You're all hung over and you're going, 'Oh, we're about the hit L.A. and the traffic's going to get really bad,'" he says. If he has a gig in Vegas he tries to go a day early to see a Cirque de Soleil show or some other show. "I normally bring my support acts with me, so we can go out there together," he says. "I always have more fun when I'm doing a gig anyway because the staff are really nice to you. You get a nicer hotel room, people are all going 'Mr. Jefferies' everywhere you go. I try to work it around where there is an actual gig there." Jefferies recently released a Netflix exclusive standup special called "Bare." More Celebrity Drives: Rock Hall-of-Famer Bob Seger Actor, Recording Artist, and Equestrian William Shatner CBS Sports Analyst Bart Scott Dale Stewart Loves His Hot-Rod Cadillac and Custom Chopper Sci-fi Diva Tricia Helfer | 9 | 2,295 | autos |
CES 2015: Day 3 highlights Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, takes place every January. The show features 3,600 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. This year's show was packed with a wide array of gadgets such as drones, connected cars, and a range of smart home technology designed to make everyday life more convenient. Click on to see exciting gadgets from the show so far... Toshiba Virtual Fitting Solution A model tries out the Toshiba Virtual Fitting Solution, a technology that superimposes clothing over live video to show users what clothes look like on, on day 3. Ford Mustang simulator An attendee tries out the Ford Mustang simulator at the International CES. Hopper Voice controller The Hopper voice controller is equipped with a touchpad, which responds to swipe gestures. Remote Control R2-D2 Philip Baddour takes a selfie with a Remote Control R2-D2 at the SMS Audio booth. Kwikset Kevo Bluetooth-enabled lock system A person demonstrates on Kwikset's Kevo Bluetooth-enabled lock system. Available for Android and iOS, this touch-enabled security system eliminates the hassles of a key to open doors. Nixie camera drone An attendee wears a prototype Nixie camera drone during the International CES. The small drone, designed to be worn on the wrist, can be thrown into the air and automatically take a picture or video clip of the user. Dancing Robot Alpha A dancing toy robot named Alpha grooves to the music at the Ubtech booth. All Weather mobility scooter A person sits in the All Weather mobility scooter at the Green Transporter booth. Priced at around US $6,000, this scooter is fitted with a 1440W motor and can travel at a maximum speed of 16 kmph. Monster SuperStar BackFloat The Monster SuperStar BackFloat is high-performance floatable portable speaker that can be used to enjoy music in beaches, pools, showers, outdoors and around the house. The SuperStar BackFloat delivers great sounding quality due to the presence of the acclaimed Pure Monster Sound and features built-in mics that also offer speakerphone functionality for taking conference calls via a smartphone. OpenAir I1.3 infotainment system The OpenAir I1.3 infotainment system is on display at the Visteon booth. It allows users to access their smartphones and apps from the touchscreen panel in the car. Beer pong playing robot A robot plays beer pong at the Empire Robotics booth at the International CES. The Brother Dream Machine Innov-is XV8500D The smart sewing machine features a 10.1" HD LCD display screen, in-built embroider designs and HD tutorial videos. HP Mini desktop The Hewlett-Packard (HP) Pavillion Mini Desktop computer on display during Day 3. Running on the Windows 8.1 operating system, this desktop has a maximum storage capacity of 1 TB and features ports that enable it to stream Quad HD videos. Masimo SET pulse oximetry device World freediving champion Stig Severinsen holds his breathe underwater to demonstrate the functionality and accuracy of the Masimo SET pulse oximetry device, which tracks blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate to help athletes train better. Rotimatic flatbread making machine The Rotimatic flatbread making machine is demonstrated at the Zimplistic booth. This machine features one-touch operation and is capable of making a Roti (Indian flatbread) in a minute. RocketSkates An attendee tries out a pair of RocketSkates at the Acton booth. Available in three models, R6, R8 and R10, the RocketSkates have a maximum speed of almost 20 kmph. Click through to see the exciting gadgets from Day 1 and 2 of CES... Wearable head injury sensor An attendee photographs the BlackBox Biometrics Linx Impact Assessment System (IAS), which is a wearable head-injury sensor. 3D printed dress Attendees look at a 3D-printed dress by Iris van Herpen. Antelope Audi Rubicon Atomic AD/DA Preamp The Antelope Audi Rubicon Atomic AD/DA Preamp, having a retail price of US $40,000, on display. According to the manufacturer, it is the "world's first 384 kHz converter, phono stage preamp and headphone amplifier with an integrated atomic clock." HOM-BOT Square vacuum cleaner This vacuum cleaner can be programmed and controlled by a smartphone. 3D printer A Formlabs Form 1+ 3D printer on display during second day of the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). SmartMat A model exercises on the SmartMat, an intelligent yoga mat, at the SmartMat booth. The SmartMat is capable of storing, monitoring and tracking the progress of the user when used with the free SmartMat App, currently compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablets. It also detects when the user is "out of alignment" and offers real-time feedback on correcting postures. Toshiba Glass The Toshiba Glass, a competitor of the Google Glass, features a small-sized projector, attached to the frame on the right side. Images are projected on series of vertical prism to offer an augmented display. Perfect Bake app-controlled smart baking system Perfect Bake lets the home baker know when to stop adding ingredients and can also recalculate any recipe based on the amount of available ingredients. Lifelike female robot A lifelike robot named ChihiraAico interacts with attendees at the Toshiba booth. Ring video doorbell A ring video doorbell connects with home Wi-Fi to send a video call to the home owner's smartphone. The doorbell has a retail price of US $199 and is expected to be in stores during the second quarter of 2015. Cityzen D-Shirt The sensor of the Cityzen D-Shirt is displayed on a mannequin. According to the makers, the clothing is made smart by its range of sensors that can be used to track speed, heart rate, distance and elevation. Guess Connect smartwatch The Guess Connect smartwatch is compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems. It encapsulates a dual-power system on the inside, powering the device through a regular cell battery, whereas the smarter features can be charged with micro-USB. 3D Guitar A musician plays a 3D-printed electric guitar at the 3D Systems booth. Automated eyeglass and jewelry cleaning machine A Rolex watch is washed in a self-service automated eyeglass and jewelry cleaning machine at the Opticwash booth. 10S Fork The 10S Fork helps people improve their eating behaviour by teaching them to eat more slowly. A red alarm in the fork's handle lights up and it vibrates when the fork enters the mouth in shorter than ten second intervals, reminding the user to eat more slowly. Phonotonics French tech representative Deborah Rombaut demonstrates Phonotonics, a smart object that turns movement into music. Phonotonic allows the user to control the beat, melody and sound effect of the music by moving the pink and yellow forms. Smartband Talk The Smartband Talk is a waterproof device that gets connected to your smartphone and tracks your movements, communication and entertainment. Portable SSD T1 The Samsung Electronics Co. Portable SSD T1 drive is as big as a business card and weighs about 30 grams. With 450 MB per second reading and writing speed, it comes in three models 250GB, 500GB and 1TB. Dash Cam F750 The Thinkware Dash Cam F750 in-car dashboard camera includes GPS, Wi-Fi and a frontal crash-warning system. Wi-Fi video cameras Tonly Electronics' Wi-Fi video cameras let you upload files, provides access to storage, and gives you the ability to share albums and photos with the touch of a button. Vivitar LifeCams Vivitar LifeCams are wearable camcorders that promise exceptional image quality. This wi- fi camera lets users capture all the exciting and everyday moments in life on the go alongwith what happens when they are not at home. Mercedes-Benz F 015 Attendees sit in the self-driving Mercedes-Benz F 015 concept car at the Mercedes-Benz booth. With huge passenger compartment and rotating seats, this car drives around all by itself. Sense Mother Mother smart home solution device is a data-tracker which comes with a built-in flexible ability to monitor motion and temperature. FURO-S smart service robot FURO-S smart service robot is intended to be used as a kiosk in places like airports and banks. Future Mirror A woman reacts as makeup is superimposed on an image of her face in the Future Mirror at the Panasonic booth. A camera in the mirror allows the Future Mirror to display a moving image of your face with added facial hair or makeup in real time. BeamPro telepresence robot An off-site demonstrator interacts with attendees through a BeamPro telepresence robot at the Beam booth. This device comes with two wide-angle camera which allows users to have face-to-face interaction from everywhere. Bluetooth-enabled LED color light bulbs Attendees look at a display made with Playbulb Bluetooth-enabled LED color light bulbs at the MiPow booth. These multi-colour LED light bulb comes with an integrated speaker controlled via Bluetooth. Venue 8 7000 tablet At 6mm, Dell's Venue 8 7000 series tablet computer is the thinnest tablet in the world which lets you capture images with greater depth. Parrot Pot The Parrot Pot c an transmit information on soil moisture, temperature, sunlight and fertilizers and allows for remote watering. Electric car Qualcomm booth demonstrates technologies such as wireless charging and vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Gear VR headset An attendee tries on a Samsung Electronics Co. Gear VR headset during the event. For now, the headset gets connected to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and acts as the display, power source, and brains of the operation. Micro Drone The device is the only micro drone in the world that uses a camera for capturing videos and photos. Winbot Winbot, a window cleaning robot, is on display at the Ecovacs Robotics booth. Performer dressed as a robot A woman dances with a performer dressed as a robot at the Alibaba.com booth. 3D printable Stegosaurus Skeleton A stegosaurus skeleton made by a fifth-generation MakerBot desktop 3D printer is displayed at the event. Harwar Ace Unmanned Aerial Vehicle People photograph a large Harwar Ace Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system at the event. Giant pair of headphones Show attendee poses with a giant pair of headphones at the event. Massage chairs Attendees rest on massage chairs at the Inada booth. SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones This headphone, with built in optical sensors, measures the heart rate of users at all times, it also has the feature of changing the pace of music based on the user's level of activity. Smart washer and dryer This washing machine can be controlled by a smartphone app which even notifies the user about the status of the washer and dryer. RealSense Technology People gesture while interacting with RealSense Technology at the Intel booth. The technology uses 3D and infra-red cameras to allow the user to interact with the monitors by mirroring their movements in snow form. Robotic Spider Dress This robotic dress with proximity sensors, connected to Intel's Edison chip, has three spider legs on each shoulder which protects the users' personal space if their respiration heightens. 3Doodler This is world's first 3D printing pen which squeezes out heated plastic which turns into a solid structure instantly. Valeo Mobi/US Valeo's Frank Kaiser demonstrates the Mobi/US autonomous dashboard, a concept for interacting with a self-driving car as well as with one's smartphone. The steering wheel touchscreen is 1.8' inch and allows users to access their smartphones from the dashboard. The firm allows the driver to switch between traditional and autonomous driving and monitors driver's hands and eyes to determine the driver's ability to drive the car manually when instructed by Mobi/US to do so. 360 degree video Harry Wei holds up Cathy Peng as 48 synced still cameras take pictures of them at the Nikon booth. The pictures are put together to create a 360 degree video. Wearable smart devices Wearable smart devices are on display at the Qualcomm Incorporated booth. Elvis makes an appearance An Elvis impersonator performs at the Goldkey booth. | 5 | 2,296 | news |
Cornstarch is one of those things you probably have hiding in the back of your pantry, but you aren't really sure what to use it for. But this box of happiness that costs around one dollar actually has so many smart uses around the house. And all of these solutions save you time and money, making your busy days so much easier. So dig out that box of cornstarch and get busy! Streak-free windows: Cornstarch is a natural abrasive and also superfine, so adding a tablespoon to the bottle of your favorite window cleaner makes cleaning easier and leaves windows streak-free. Naturally polish silver: Simply make a slurry of cornstarch and water and use for polishing your silver . Your holiday table will thank you. Clean grease stains: Pour cornstarch over grease stains and let set for 20 minutes. The superfine cornstarch absorbs the grease while cleaning the carpet. Vacuum away for fresh carpet. Soothe sunburns: Make a paste of cornstarch and water and smooth over a sunburn. While it dries, it soothes sore skin. This also works for bug bites and beestings! Smell buster: Because cornstarch is superabsorbent, it's perfect for sucking up bad smells. Sprinkle it in smelly shoes and let set overnight. Shake out shoes before wearing. Homemade spray starch: Instead of spending money on store-brand spray starch, DIY your own for crisp shirts. Fix leather stains: Dribble salad dressing on your favorite leather jacket? Sprinkle cornstarch over grease stains, and let set overnight. Gently rub off with a damp paper towel for refreshed leather. DIY body powder: Stop buying body powder at the store and make your own that you can personalize with your favorite essential oils . Mix one cup cornstarch with a few drops of essential oil, and then shake. Chafing help: If you tend to chafe, rub a dust of cornstarch on problem areas before putting on clothes. Clean wood furniture: Love your wood furniture but not the remaining buildup from cleaners? To remove, mix equal parts cornstarch and water to buff away marks. Fix musty books: Get rid of musty smells in old books with a sprinkle of cornstarch . You'll love how fresh they'll smell! DIY dry shampoo: Hair feeling a bit oily but no time for a shower? Use cornstarch as a dry shampoo by dusting it along the crown of your hair and along the base of your neck. Gently work through the hair then brush out. And it's safe to use on your pet, too! Fix floor squeaks: Sprinkle a bit of cornstarch over squeaky floors then sweep. The cornstarch works itself into nooks and cracks, stopping the noise. Calm diaper rash: Soothe diaper rash by soaking your baby's bum in a bath with added cornstarch. The superfine soother calms irritation and helps heal skin. Thicken sauces: Expertly thicken sauces, soups, and stews with these directions for cooking with cornstarch . Extra bonus? It's gluten free. Fluff eggs: It might surprise you, but adding a sprinkle of cornstarch to eggs before whipping makes them superfluffy. Try it. Natural deodorant: Wipe underarms with rubbing alcohol, then dust with cornstarch. The rubbing alcohol gets rid of smells, and the cornstarch helps keep your underarms dry by absorbing moisture. Gluten-free finger paint: Boil together water and cornstarch for easy DIY finger paint that's also gluten free! | 4 | 2,297 | lifestyle |
ST. LOUIS -- A publicly owned 64,000-seat stadium on the riverfront appears to be the best and possibly final effort to keep the Rams from moving to Los Angeles. Former Anheuser-Busch president Dave Peacock -- half of a task force appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon that includes local attorney Bob Blitz -- revealed the plans Friday afternoon for a facility he hopes will persuade owner Stan Kroenke to keep the franchise in St. Louis. Both sides still have plenty of questions to answer, but ultimately whether the city's efforts succeed will likely come down to what the NFL wants. Artist renderings presented a pretty picture of a stadium and surrounding area estimated to cost somewhere between $860 million and $985 million, a range that reflects just how early it is in the process. Support from local and state officials provides a solid foundation, but Peacock's answers to financial questions made it clear there's still plenty of work to be done. "There's a lot of ways, I'm sure, to source the public financing," Peacock said. "Whatever means are required to achieve that, the people in legislative staff and political area, they're assessing that. But I've been given confidence there are ways to source this public financing and do it in such a way that it is either the same or less burden on the community than we have today." Assuming that's true, it's about the best St. Louis residents and Rams fans could have hoped for short of a generous billionaire coming out of the woodwork. Whether or not you believe Peacock's claims of revitalizing the surrounding area and estimates of up to $20 million in extra revenue from freeing up the Edward Jones Dome for events year-round, it's clear this stadium would be a huge benefit to an area in desperate need of redevelopment. The proposal offers a lot to like even for non-football fans, particularly if dreams of a Major League Soccer franchise come to fruition. Nonetheless, based on what we know, it's tough to imagine the plan will do much to get Kroenke re-engaged with St. Louis. Earler this week, a joint venture that includes the reclusive billionaire unveiled a plan to build a privately owned and financed 80,000-seat stadium in the LA area. It's yet another sign he seems dead set on moving back to the city the Rams left in 1995, and no matter how sweet a deal St. Louis gets for its public financing or how much it gives to the franchise, revenues and benefits for Kroenke here will never touch what he could get out West. "Our urgency is not driven by Los Angeles or anywhere else for that matter," said Peacock, who has been working on the project for about a year. "Our urgency is driven by the fact that we build a stadium for our fans and our community to be a community and public asset, and there's an imperative as we've started the Arch grounds as the impetus to continue this great work and position our city for where it deserves to be in people's minds for 2020." Peacock said meeting that target date for completion would make it "lightning-speed" compared with other NFL cities such as Minnesota, Atlanta and San Francisco, or San Diego, which still hasn't been able to move out of its 48-year-old stadium. But at this point, it's the kind of ambition St. Louis needs to make an impression on the NFL. Early conversations indicate the league is willing to listen, and Peacock said the first step for the task force was to go to New York and present its proposal, though he has yet to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell. That's more than St. Louis can expect from Kroenke, though of course Peacock said he'll be open to conversations. In the end, unless Kroenke goes rogue , the city just needs to persuade one of those two entities. It's clear which option would be easier. Peacock made sure to repeatedly emphasize the NFL's bylaws, which require teams to bargain in good faith and exhaust all options with their current city before a move is considered. As he noted, teams are not allowed to move solely for the opportunity to make more money. "The Rams are our team and we believe with this kind of plan the Rams will continue to be our team," Peacock said. "I don't think anyone ever bought tickets to go to a game ... because of the owner. They go to games to have fun. They go to games to see a winner, which we need to see in this town." Persuading Kroenke to stay doesn't appear to be high on the priority list, nor should it be, given his history. Clearly, the league would also stand to benefit in a number of ways from a franchise finally moving back into one of the nation's top markets, but some other factors are working in St. Louis' favor. Kroenke isn't exactly well-liked among league officials and his fellow owners, who would have to approve the move by a three-fourths vote. If St. Louis can provide a viable new stadium that wins approval from the NFL, it might prefer to have teams from San Diego and Oakland move out of old stadiums instead. Of course, one of those two teams could always move to St. Louis if Kroenke leaves with the Rams, but Peacock refused to go into detail on such a possibility. It feels like a long shot for a city that has already lost an NFL franchise once, and it certainly wouldn't have the same potential for public support. The league has announced it won't be allowing any teams to move before 2016, so there's still plenty of time for the stadium proposal to solidify as details fall into place. An early emphasis on transparency offers an encouraging sign going forward, and the group appears to have a workable plan in place. None of that will really matter, though, if the NFL decides it needs to act on its best chance to get back to the lucrative LA market since the Rams and Raiders both left in 1995. Speculation regarding a return has been prevalent for nearly that long, often giving franchises leverage over their home cities. Even the most well connected and resourceful task force doesn't stand much of a chance of preventing a multibillion-dollar industry from getting what it wants, even if it has to bend its own rules. Give credit to St. Louis officials for all the work they've done to get to this point. It's just not clear if anything will be good enough. You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at [email protected]. | 1 | 2,298 | sports |
Opportunities to save ... and costly pitfalls to avoid Because federal tax law reaches deep into all aspects of our lives, it's no surprise that the rules that affect us change as our lives change. This can present opportunities to save or create costly pitfalls to avoid. Being alert to the rolling changes that come at various life stages is the key to holding down your tax bill to the legal minimum. Check out these issues that confront the newly retired. Bigger Standard Deduction When you turn 65, the IRS offers a gift in the form of a bigger standard deduction. For 2014 returns, for example, a single 64-year-old gets a standard deduction of $6,200 (it will be $6,300 for 2015). A 65-year-old gets $7,750 in 2014 (and $7,850 in 2015). The extra $1,550 will make it more likely you'll take the standard deduction rather than itemizing and, if you do, the additional amount will save you almost $400 if you're in the 25% bracket. Couples in which one or both spouses are age 65 or older also get bigger standard deductions than younger taxpayers. Easier Medical Deductions Until 2017, taxpayers age 65 and older get a break when it comes to deducting medical expenses. Those who itemize get a money-saving deduction to the extent their medical bills exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income. For younger taxpayers, the AGI threshold is 10%. Deduct Medicare Premiums If you become self-employed say, as a consultant after you leave your job, you can deduct the premiums you pay for Medicare Part B and Part D, plus the cost of supplemental Medicare (medigap) policies or the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan. This deduction is available whether or not you itemize and is not subject to the 7.5%-of-AGI test that applies to itemized medical expenses. One caveat: You can't claim this deduction if you are eligible to be covered under an employer-subsidized health plan offered by either your employer (if you have retiree medical coverage) or your spouse's employer (if he or she has a job that offers family medical coverage). Spousal IRA Contribution Retiring doesn't necessarily mean an end to the chance to shovel money into an IRA.If you're married and your spouse is still working, he or she can contribute up to $6,500 a year to an IRA that you own. (We're assuming you're at least 50 years old.) If you use a traditional IRA, spousal contributions are allowed up to the year you reach age 70 ½. If you use a Roth IRA, there is no age limit. As long as your spouse has enough earned income to fund the contribution to your account (and any deposits to his or her own), this tax shelter's doors remain open to you. Timing Tax Payments Although ours is widely hailed as a "voluntary" tax system, it works best when there is the least opportunity not to volunteer. So, although we think of April 15 as tax day, taxes are actually due as income is earned, and employers have become the country's primary tax collectors by withholding taxes from our paychecks. When you retire, you break out of that system: Now it's up to you to make sure the IRS gets its due when it's due. If you wait until the following April 15 to send a check, you're in for a nasty surprise in the form of penalties and interest.You have two ways to get the job done: Withholding. Withholding isn't only for paychecks. If you receive regular payments from a company pension or annuity, the payers will withhold tax. . . unless you tell them not to. The same goes for withdrawals from an IRA. That's right: In retirement, it's up to you whether part of the money will be proactively skimmed off for the IRS. With pensions and annuity payments and traditional IRA withdrawals, taxes will be withheld unless you file a Form W-4P to put the kibosh on it. When it comes to traditional IRA distributions, withholding will be at a flat 10% rate, unless you request a different rate or block withholding all together. Things are topsy-turvy with Social Security benefits. There will be no withholding unless you specifically ask for it . . . by filing a Form W-4V. Withholding isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it stretches your tax bill over the entire year. It might also make life easier if you would otherwise have to make quarterly estimated tax payments.Quarterly estimated tax payments. The alternative to withholding is to make quarterly estimated tax payments. You need to if you'll owe more than $1,000 in tax for the year above and beyond what's covered by withholding. Otherwise, you'll face a penalty for underpayment of taxes. The RMD Workaround Retirees taking required minimum distributions from their traditional IRAs may have an extra option for meeting the pay-as-you-go demand. If you don't need the required distribution to live on during the year, wait until December to take the money. And, ask your IRA sponsor to hold back a big chunk of it for the IRS enough to cover your estimated tax on both the RMD and your other taxable income as well. Although estimated tax payments are considered made when you send the checks, amounts withheld from IRA distributions are considered paid throughout the year, even if they are made in a lump sum at year-end. So, if your RMD is more than large enough to cover your tax bill, you can keep your cash safely ensconced in its tax shelter most of the year . . . and still avoid the underpayment penalty. Avoid the Pension Payout Trap There's a menacing exception to the general rule that it's up to you whether taxes will be withheld from payments from pensions, annuities, IRAs and other retirement plans. If you get a lump-sum payment from a company plan, you could fall into a pension-payout trap.If you take such a payment, the company is required by law to withhold a flat 20% for the IRS ... even if you simply plan to move the money to an IRA via a tax-free rollover. Even if you complete the rollover within the 60 days required by law, the IRS will still hold on to the 20% until you file a tax return for the year and demand a refund. Worse yet, how can you rollover 100% of the lump sum if the IRS is holding on to 20% of it? Failure to come up with the extra money for the IRA would mean that amount would be considered a taxable distribution triggering an immediate tax bill, maybe penalties and certainly forever reducing the amount in your IRA tax shelter. Fortunately, there's an easy way around that miserable outcome. Simply ask your employer to send the money directly to a rollover IRA. As long as the check is made out to your IRA and not to you personally, there's no withholding. Even if you intend to spend some of the money right away, your best bet is still to ask your employer to make the direct IRA transfer. Then, when you withdraw funds from the IRA, it's up to you whether there will be withholding. Tax-Free Profit from a Vacation Home The rules are clear: To qualify for tax free-profit from the sale of a home, the home must be your principal residence and you must have owned and lived in it for at least two of the five years leading up to the sale. But there is a way to capture tax-free profit from the sale of a former vacation home. Let's say you sell the family homestead and cash in on the break that makes up to $250,000 in profit tax-free ($500,000 if you're married and file jointly). You then move into a vacation home you've owned for 25 years. As long as you make that house your principal residence for at least two years, part of the profit on the sale will be tax-free.To determine what portion of the profit qualifies as tax-free, you need to compare the amount of time you owned the property before 2009 and after you converted it to your principal residence to the amount of time, starting in 2009, that it was used as a vacation home or rental unit. Assume you bought a vacation home in 1998, convert it to your principal residence in 2015 and sell it in 2018. The post-2008 vacation-home use is seven of the 20 years you owned the property. So, 35% (7 ÷ 20) of the profit would be taxable at capital gains rates; the other 65% would qualify for the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion. Give Your Money Away Few Americans have to worry about the federal estate tax. After all, each of us has a credit large enough to permit us to pass up to $5,430,000 to heirs in 2015. Married couples can pass on double that amount.But, if the estate tax might be in your future, be sure to take advantage of the annual gift-tax exclusion. This rule lets you give up to $14,000 annually to any number of people without worrying about the gift tax. If you have three married children and each couple has two children, for example, you can give the kids and grandkids a total of $168,000 in 2015 without even having to file a gift tax return. Money given under the protection of the exclusion can't be taxed as part of your estate after your death. | 3 | 2,299 | finance |
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