Classic Onion

Attractive Girls Union Refuses To Enter Into Talks With Mike Greenman

This is one of the funniest take-downs of the "Nice Guys" phenomenon. Watch, laugh, discuss.

Bo-Tax?

According to the New York Times some in the plastic surgery industry are steamed over the Bo-Tax proposal that would levy a 5% tax on elective plastic surgery.

The tax, which would be paid by the customer but collected by doctors, would be levied on any cosmetic surgery that is not necessary to address deformities arising from congenital abnormalities, personal injuries resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring diseases, a definition taken directly from current tax code covering deductible medical expenses.

One doctor cited the embarrassment often associated with plastic surgery as a reason few patients have come forward to oppose the bill:

“You’re taxing a disorganized group that has no one of its own representing it,” he said. “There’s no American Society of Plastic Surgery Patients.”

Dr. Teitelbaum said some patients might be embarrassed to admit to having had cosmetic surgery. “They don’t want to come out and march on Capitol Hill,” he said. “You’re not going to have a million-man Botox march.”

A slightly more effective argument (to my mind) is that this bill is discriminatory against women, who make up the majority of plastic surgery patients:

Terry O’Neill, the president of the National Organization for Women, said middle-age women, who make up a bulk of her group’s financers, would be particularly susceptible to the tax, especially now. Many who have lost jobs might be considering surgery, she said, because they are looking to impress potential employers.

“They have to find work,” Ms. O’Neill said. “And they are going for Botox or going for eye work, because the fact is we live in a society that punishes women for getting older.”

Ms. O’Neill said women commonly pay higher health insurance premiums and suffer wage discrepancies from men. “And now they are going to put a tax on middle-aged women in a society that devalues them for being middle aged?” she said.

Although I do find the argument effective, that more women will be paying this tax, I do not personally oppose this tax. The problem isn't the tax, its the unhealthy expectations of the unaging woman and that a woman's worth is bound up in her appearance, that's the primary problem with plastic surgery in general. I'm much more concerned with the lack of maternity care and the ability of insurance companies to charge women carte blanche more for health insurance than men--which a quality healthcare reform bill will stop and a reform bill that includes some additional levies is crucial to get there. So, what do you think readers? Am I being too harsh on plastic surgery & plastic surgery patients? What's your take?

Lunch: Wicked Good

You'll probably see the following combo twice more this week: Sunshine SouthWest Veggie Burger on Arnold's Multigrain Sandwich Thins (100 cal per bun with 4 grams of protein & 5 grams of fiber each) and Pacific's Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup. Above you'll find the ingredients.

Altogether now!

Close-up #1: I also had organic baby carrots, a couple dill pickles and some snow peas to go along with the veg burger & soup.

Close-up #2: SOUP!

I smooshed some avocado with light mayo on the bun and melted a piece of smoked Gouda over the burger. The smoked Gouda is sooooo good, but I think I won't waste it by melting it over the burger again. Its better as a snack at room temperature. I brought some munster as well, so that'll probably be featured in future pics.

Protect Yourself from Germs at the Gym

In this article, Protect Yourself from Germs at the GymPrevent colds and flu with these simple tips By Christine Luff , the author gives tips to stay healthy at the gym.

• Bring your own towels and mat.
• Get out of your sweaty gym clothes as soon as possible
• If you don't have time for a shower, at least wash your hands or wipe them down with hand sanitizer before you leave
• Clean the gym equipment before and after use.
• Keep your feet covered. Wear flip flops or water shoes when walking around the locker room or pool area to avoid picking up germs or fungus that can cause athlete's foot and other issues.
• Keep your gym bag clean.
• Stay home if you're sick.

Back to Basics: Food Blogging

You might have noticed I haven't been blogging as regularly as LisaD! I've been working on my Ph.D applications for the past few weeks pretty intensely (plus there were several deadlines at work). I still haven't finished all of my app's (its a process), but I will be better on the blogging front. One thing I'm going to start doing regularly is food blogging again. I think its helpful to put out there what you eat and quite frankly it gives you pause when considering the salad or the burger--which would photograph better? Or more honestly, which do I want the whole world (okay, 150 readers or so, plus my mom) to see?

Today was Oikos Greek Yogurt with Flax Plus Granola and some Chia seeds (so good--I love these guys in yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, etc.). It was honey flavoried, which I've had in another brand and didn't care for too much, but in Oikos it was subtle and tasted great. I'm glad I tried honey again.
I also had English Breakfast Tea with Vanilla Soy Milk by Silk and some Agave. The Vanilla Soy milk was fabulous and I'd love to try it in Chai Tea as well. Why the soy milk? Well, it has a longer expiration date than cow's milk and I didn't want to buy half and half, to cut down on the saturated fat. So I thought I'd try it and it worked great. I'm battling the last legs of a pretty bad cold here, so I might have another in a bit. This cold was particularly cruel as it hit me right after going to the gym three days in a row last week! I probably won't be able to head back to the gym until Wednesday (though I teach that night, so probably Thursday). I sure do love the ellipitical. When I buy a house, I'm getting one before new furniture. Despite this cold, I will do arm weights today during lunch. My brother (from the Mid Summer's Night Race) has been on a great fitness jag recently, riding his bike and doing weights almost every day. So, just a shout out to him and thanks for the inspiration. He didn't even start up in response to a birthday or New Years, it was just time.

Peace

Book Review: Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters

I just finished reading Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters by Nancy Pelosi and Amy Hill Hearth. The book was a quick read about 170 pages. Nancy Pelosi tells just the service facts of her life. No deep family secrets here. She mostly talks about a lot of the catch phrase that she clung to to get where she is now such as:

"Don't agonize, organize"
"Do it for the 1 in 5" - Referring to the one in five children who go hunger in America.
"Know your power"
"The plural of anecdotes is not data"

Yet, what I like mosted about the book is her recognition of working mothers in politics. She said for her it was less of a burden because her youngest was high school jr. when she ran for congress. She acknowledge that it would have been harder if she still had little ones. Yet, she did acknowledge that women who started younger got further faster. Her final commentary on the issue was whatever path you chose. Chose it for yourself and be happy with your decision.

Heidi Klum: “I’m Proud of Being the Curvy Model”

Heidi Klum didn’t plan on walking the runway of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last night, but let’s just say she’s a little bit impulsive. “I felt great the night of the fashion show and decided last minute to walk,” the supermodel, 36, who welcomed daughter Lou, with husband Seal, last month, tells PEOPLE exclusively. Klum, who had already been fitted for her dress, opened the Enchanted Forest-themed part of the show, wearing a vine-strewn corset and a full white skirt. “I loved my outfit,” she says, “so I thought, why not?” Her surprise appearance, known only to Victoria’s Secret insiders, drew screams and applause from a shocked audience during the live show Thursday night. Though Klum, who was expected only to host the festivities, said that while her new job behind the scenes meant there was “definitely less pressure,” walking in the show was a thrill for her. “I’m proud of being the curvy model on the Victoria’s Secret stage,” she says, adding that she enjoyed the show herself. “The Black Eyed Peas and all of the looks for the show were fantastic!” You can watch Heidi — and all the Angels — hit the runway when the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show airs on CBS at 10pm EST on Dec. 1.–Charlotte Triggs

Here is another case of a person losing weight crazy fast after a pregnancy. Yet because she didn't lose all of it in 30 days. She is trying to pass herself off as "curvy". Please stop the insanity, being pregnant doesn't make you curvy it makes you pregnant. Also losing tons of weight in 30 days is not good for the majority of most people.

So I am giving Hedi Klum a "Fail" on this statement.

Kate Moss Blasted for Saying Being Skinny Is Better Than Eating

After she told Women's Wear Daily that she lived by the slogan, "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels," the model, 35, has been attacked by eating disorder groups for her "dangerous" viewpoint.

"Comments like this make it even more difficult for young people struggling with an eating disorder," said Mary George, a representative of a British eating disorder charity called Beat. "She probably doesn't realize how dangerous such comments can be."
It is true that words are powerful. Yet, the bottom line is women should look for role models in their life and focus less on fashion magazine role models.

Stillbirth Risk Higher for Black Women

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - African-American women are twice as likely to suffer a late-pregnancy loss as white women -- partly because of higher rates of pregnancy- and labor-related complications, a government study finds.Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health found that among more than 5 million pregnancies in 2001 and 2002, black women were more likely than white or Hispanic women to have a stillbirth.

Among African Americans, 22 of every 1,000 pregnancies ended in a stillbirth. That compared with 10 and 10.5 per 1,000 among white and Hispanic women, respectively.

Health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes and certain complications during pregnancy -- such as uterine bleeding and premature rupture of the sac surrounding the fetus -- explained a larger share of black women's stillbirth risk compared with white and Hispanic women.

The same was true of labor-related conditions, including problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.

Those disparities suggest that improvements in black women's health before and during early pregnancy could help erase some of the gap in stillbirth risk, the researchers report in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Mammogram Guidelines May Be Wrong for AA Women

The U.S. Prevention Task Force (USTF) just released new guidelines that suggest that women do not need to begin getting mammograms until they turn 50 instead of the previously suggested age 40. The USTF also suggested that self exams are not recommended any more as the found they do not reduce breast cancer death rates.

According to CNN, other cancer awareness organizations also suggest that women should spend less time on self exams and just try to be aware of the changes in their breasts.

This information could be damaging to African American women, who statistically visit the doctor less frequently than other ethnic groups. It's been noted that breast cancer tends to develop in Black women at an earlier age than that of other groups and AAW's are more likely to die from breast cancer. Some breast cancer awareness advocates worry that the release of the USTF's information might actually encourage women to become less aware of their breasts and visit the doctor less frequently, which could lead to an increased breast cancer death rate.

We have to remember that we have to be our own medical advocates. We have to know our own history and we have to do our own research so we know what questions to ask our doctor. Also, don't stop asking questions until you are satisfied with the answer. Also, remember a second opinion is worth the cost even if you have to pay for it yourself when it comes to quality of life issues.

Book Review: High On Arrival

High On Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips was a very honset straight forward book. She also talks about being on the Cocaine Diet. Yet, she actually referes to it as a drug problem unlike Valerie Bertinelli. Mackenzie Phillips has gone through a lot in her life and she faced up to a lot of those things in this book. This is a great read if you want to see how far to the bottom someone can go. Yet, please avoid this book if you are in recovery. Her vivid descriptions of drug use maybe a trigger to you.

Megan Fox Tired of Girls Thinking She's "a Slut"

Megan Fox - who has bragged about falling in love with a stripper and being bisexual - has one gripe about the way women perceive her.

"Girls think I'm a slut," the actress, 23, tells this weekend's edition The New York Times Magazine.

But Fox - who is on-again with Brian Austin Green - tells the magazine, "I've been in the same relationship since I was 18."

The problem?

"If they think you're attractive, you're either stupid or a whore or a dumb whore," she says of girls. "The instinct among girls is to attack the jugular."

She says she doesn't mean to come across as a sexual person.

"If I had been a typical starlet and said all the right things, I wouldn’t have escalated to this level," Fox says. "I sit down and do an interview and I talk like a person and that, for some reason, is shocking. All women in Hollywood are known as sex symbols. You're sold, and it's based on sex. That's O.K., if you know how to use it."

When it comes to men's magazines, "there's a certain character that I play," she says. "She’s not fully fleshed out — she doesn't have her own name — but she shows up to do men’s-magazine interviews. There's something so ridiculous about always being in your underwear in those magazines, and you know the interview is going to run opposite those pictures. So, there's a character that talks to all of them."

Overall, Fox says it's been "a crazy year. I’ve learned that being a celebrity is like being a sacrificial lamb. At some point, no matter how high the pedestal that they put you on, they’re going to tear you down. And I created a character as an offering for the sacrifice." Consequently, Fox says she is going to have to "pull back a little bit now."

Says the actress, "I do live in a glass box. And I am on display for men to pay to look at me. And that bothers me. I don’t want to live that character."

Megan Fox needs to take control of her image if she wants to be received differently. You rarely see actress like Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, and Anne Hathaway doing men's magazine shoots in underwear only. So if she wants to be seen differently, but on clothes and stop offering overly signalized sound bites.

Expert: Stars Make Sex Tapes Because They're "Narcissistic"

why do celebs still make sex tapes in the first place?

"You like the spotlight. You may have some narcissistic tendencies, and you're more likely to have an exhibitionist side," Dr. Jenn Berman, a sex expert and licensed therapist, tells Usmagazine.com.

Psychotherapist Rhonda Findling, author of Don't Call That Man!, tells Us celebs are being "unrealistic" if they think footage will never surface.

"They are naive and in denial," Findling says. "It should be considered self-destructive. They shouldn't have the video camera running if they're having sex with somebody."
For those who feel the need to film, Findling advises doing it with "somebody you can trust, who doesn't have a track record of being deceitful or damaging other people's careers or being manipulative."

Although it likely isn't necessarily legally binding, Findling also recommends signing "a contract or a letter of agreement beforehand saying you can't release it."

She also encourages the participants to tape and watch footage immediately — and then delete it.
"If you cannot control yourself, maintain control of it," adds Berman, who hosts a love and sex radio show on Sirius. "Film it in a format that is not made to copy, release or disseminate easily. Record it onto one DVD and keep it under lock and key. That way, it is less likely to get out than if it's a file sent on your iPhone."

If a celebrity, like Prejean, made a sex tape before they became famous, there's little they can do but "pray a lot" to keep it from being released publicly, Berman says.
Said Berman, "If you've made a sex tape and you're a celebrity, it will come out."

This article applies to real people also. Don't be naive to think your sex tape will not get out. Respect yourself and your body. Don't let anyone pressure you into dump activities. Be your own person.

Exclusive: Halle Berry: "My Mother Was a Battered Woman"

Halle Berry is no stranger to domestic violence.

"My mother was a battered woman and that was my childhood for a good chunk of it," the star, 43, says in an interview with NBC's Natalie Morales for an NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams segment airing Thursday.

"Early on in my life, I made choices, and I chose men that were abusive because that was what I knew growing up," she said four years ago, when she was honored by the Jenesse Center for her humanitarian work.

Through therapy, the star has said she learned what to do if and when a relationship turned violent.

Now, however, Berry -- who has said, "I'm not the girl that has the best relationships" -- has found happiness with beau Gabriel Aubrey, with whom she has 19-month-old daughter Nahla.

I am glad Halle Berry spoke out. People forget that their childern often follow in their patterns. So when you stay with the abuser it still afects the child.

Wynonna Judd Apologizes for Dissing Taylor Swift

"I understand that my comment . . . came across as a negative statement," Judd writes.

Before the awards, Judd told USA Today that the 19 year-old's nomination was "too much, too soon . . . Time is God's way of keeping everything from happening at once. It's just too much of a good thing soon . . . I want kids to earn it."

But Judd clarified online Thursday: "My intent was not to take anything away from her talent and contributions to the country music industry...all of which are truly unprecedented for an artist of ANY age."

Wynonna Judd is back pedeling due to industry pressure. But I stand by my comments. I continue to think that hollywood's youth obssesion, puts these child acts on a pedastal then tears them down. Make it stop all ready.

Wynonna: "Too Soon" for Taylor Swift to Win Entertainer of the Year

"You want my honest comment? It’s too much too soon," the singer told USA Today before the show. "Time is God’s way of keeping everything from happening at once. It’s just too much of a good thing too soon."

"Now it’s over coffee breaks, the success, almost," she added. "You have to play catch up ... It's like the girl who wins an Oscar and she's under 20. What do you do from here?"

I agree with Wynonna. Hollywoods obsession with youth keeps creating these child stars such Miley Cyrus, Taylor Lautner, Brinteny Spears, and ect. Then we over sexualize them. The outfits they wear (booty-shorts, squines, low risers) would never fit into a classroom or office setting.

Then we tear them down in the media for the stupid mistakes lack of experience cause. I say we start protecting our children and better manage the enforcement of child labor laws.

Tape Worms: Fat Be-Gone?

Oh, my gosh Tape Worms as Diet Solution is a real thing? I've heard people joke about it (in life and on TV), but I didn't know that intentionally getting Tape Worms as a diet aid was a real thing. Above you'll find a Vintage Ad I got from The Fat Nutrionist. From the looks of the add, its early 20th Century--Edwardian Era, I think. Still, I love how this shows that diet hucksters try to use "science" to sell their dangerous crap. Gee, the worms have been "Sanitized" according to the add--how do you sanitize an organism that can drill its way into your brain and lay eggs? Hmmm??? Yeah, I saw that on House. The other thing I find odd about this add is up at the top, "No Diets, No Baths"--what does bathing have to do with weight-loss? Let alone, the absence of bathing being a desireable thing? Of course, how often you bathed varies from culture and time period, but I don't get why that's a relevant selling point. Then, right next to the lady is all that yummy, new fangled "processed food" that she gets to eat once the worms are absorbing the calories. So, weird, so wrong. Peace.

I Want to Go to There

I so want to see this movie--I love mixed genre (comedy/action) plus Tina Fey and Steve Carell? Date Night looks like tons of fun. What does this have to do with Health, Fitness or Feminism? Ummmm, laughing is good for you?

French Women Do Get Fat???

Oh, NOOOESSSS! Apparently the French are human!!! According to THIS study, French women do get fat!

The article says:

According to a 2009 study published on Tuesday, 15.1 percent of France's women are classed as clinically obese, while a further 26 percent are overweight.

The survey, conducted by TNS Sofres Healthcare and Swiss pharmaceuticals company Roche, also pointed to similar trends among the male population, with 13.9 percent of Frenchmen obese and 38.5 percent overweight.

The world has long marveled at the ability of the French population, and particularly its women, to remain thin in a country famed for its pastries, cheese and wine.

French author Mireille Guilano even published a diet manual in 2004 entitled "French Women Don't Get Fat," praising the eating habits of women who prefer to savour their food calmly and never snack between meals.

But the reality is that over the past 12 years, the average French person has put on 3.1 kg (6.83 lb) and added a further 4.7 cm (1.85 inches) around the waist, the survey showed.

Doctor Marie-Aline Charles, who helped conduct the research, said urban lifestyles were largely to blame.

"Obesity rates have really risen sharply in urban areas where there's a concentration of sedentary jobs, public transport, less need to walk and a much greater availability of food," she told Reuters in a telephone interview.

However, other countries, especially the United States, were faring worse, she said.

"We're currently seeing in France the same levels of obesity as in the United States in the 1970s, so we're about 40 years behind," she said.

Wii: Your Shape

This could be interesting, its Wii Shape, an interactive Wii fitness game that serves as your workout coach, checks your form (via a camera that comes with the game) and allows you (unlike the other Wii Fit products) to have a continuous workout based on your preferences or target areas, so you could set it for 15 minutes of abs or a 40 minute overall workout. It doesn't seem to require that little white platform (which looks way too small to be a safe place to do exercise on in my opinion).

Here's what the reviewer over at FitSugar had to say:

the game tailors workouts to you in type, length, and difficulty level. The game includes 400 exercises, so your workouts are never the same, which keeps you on your toes and busts the boredom common to home workouts. You can select to focus on cardio, strength training, or toning exercises, and focus on a specific body part. I selected a 15-minute burn, aka cardio, focusing on my backside. After a five-minute warmup, I did many lunges and kicks peppered with some old-school aerobics moves. When my grapevine turned sloppy, Jenny chimed in, "Please follow me." When I corrected my footwork she gave a "Fantastic!" You can also have the game add in exercises with equipment you already own, like an exercise ball, hand weights, or an aerobic step. Unlike many Wii Fit games, Your Shape creates a continuous workout and you can sweat it out for 45 minutes nonstop.

You begin playing the game with a fitness test, and every nine workouts you take the test again to assess your improvement. You can compete with other users registered to your game — up to four. The game drops Nov. 24, and will be available at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and other large retailers. If you're more of a mobile game player (or your kids hog the TV or the Wii), a PC version of the game, also $69, will be available for purchase in early December. This version comes with the camera as well so you can work out with Jenny anywhere.

So, how about it, Nintendo, send me a Wii and a copy of the game and I'll do a six-week challenge with it, documenting how it aids in weight-loss and fitness goals! Or, hey, send me a Wii and Lisa a Wii and we'll do a longer challenge to see who can lose the most weight while using the system.

Kelly Osbourne: I've Lost 20 Pounds on DWTS -- But I'm Still "Starving!"

The reality star, 25, has dropped 20 pounds as a result of her stint on Dancing With the Stars, but not without sacrifice, she says.

"I'm f------ starving right now!" Osbourne told Usmagazine.com backstage at Monday's performance show in Los Angeles, where Osbourne and her partner Louis van Amstel earned rave reviews for their '60s-inspired jive.

And though she's hungry, Osbourne's svelte new bod is turning heads. Van Amstel, who has helped the now size-2/4 Osbourne waltz her way into the final five, can definitely see the change in his partner's figure.

At least she is keeping it real. She says it is not just the dancing. It is also the not eating that is getting the weight off. Past contestants like Denise Richards said she was dancing and eating pizza and lost weight.

Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time

We at FFFB are often discussing Valerie Bertinelli. In order to be fair, I wanted to read more about her. So I read her book. Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time . She is so out of touch with reality. I felt that she spent the whole book talking about other peoples problems and not seeing her part in it. She talks about being on the "Cocaine Diet" but she did not believe that it was an eating disorder, disordered eating, or a drug problem. She talks about doing drugs with Mackenzie Phillips, but describes how she distances herself from her after the arrest. She kept saying she was such a good person and so thankful for her parents rules even though she constantally talks about breaking those rules.

The one thing I did learn from book that I always suspected, Jenny Craig recruits they celebrity spoke people and pays them a lot of money. She said she got with Jenny Craig threw her agent even though she knew Kirstie Alley from her kids school.

Vintage Ad-: Wate-On

I thought that this was interesting. Remember, the pressure to be skinny was not always ideal, even in Hollywood. This actress is endorsing Wate-On, a weight gain supplement to help her add pounds on to a figure deemed too skinny for the early 1960's aesthetic. Of course, we here at FFFB try not to pile on the body-snarking of any shape, skinny bitches included. As always, let's try for our healthiest, whatever your frame tends toward. If that means gaining a few pounds or losing a few pounds, that's up to you. If you currently weigh 250 lbs, aiming for 100lbs is probably not going to be the healthiest for you, but 160lbs might be great. Conversely, if you weight 100lbs, aiming for 135lbs might not be realistic for you either, so think about 120lbs.

Jeremy Piven: I Grew "Breasts" From Drinking Too Much Soy Milk

The Entourage actor has sworn off the healthful dairy milk substitute -- he chugged 12 cups a day -- because of an unflattering side effect, reports the Huffington Post.

"I was the guy that dabbled in soy milk, but now I've found out soy milk has enough estrogen for me to grow breasts," the Emmy winner explained. "I had to put the soy milk down. It was a very confusing time."

Well the estrogen may not have given him man boobs but the calories could have. Soy milk is a 100 calories a cup . So if he drank 12 cups a day that is 1200 calories on top of what other foods he ate during the day. 12 cups of anythings besides water does not equal moderation in healthy diet. So remember just because the food has health benefits it doesn't mean you can forget about portion control.

Dance Your Ass Off Returns!

Oxygen is bringing back its popular weight-loss show, Dance Your Ass Off, for a second season in 2010.

“We loved watching as contestants danced off nearly 500 pounds,” says Amy Introcaso-Davis, Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Development for Oxygen Media.
The show, which premiered earlier this year, paired a dozen professional dancers with overweight contestants, who competed to dance off the most weight.

Ruben Permel of Las Vegas ultimately won the competition when he shed 73 lbs. “On the show, we learned choreography, a routine. Now I can go social dancing. I can do the fox trot, I can do the salsa, I can do a swing dance with a complete stranger,” he told PEOPLE. “It’s kind of cliché to say, ‘Oh [the show] changed my life,’ but actually it did.”

The show’s second season will be produced by Magical Elves, the production company responsible for Bravo’s Top Chef. “We hope to inspire the entire country to eat healthy and get off the couch and dance!” says Introcaso-Davis.

No word on whether Marissa Jaret Winokur, who hosted the first season of the show, will be back for season 2. –Elaine Aradillas

Mariah Carey on Her Precious Make-Under: “I Felt Completely Rancid!”

Moviegoers may be taken aback by Mariah Carey’s decidedly glammed-down turn in the film Precious as a dowdy social worker, and the singer herself had an even stronger reaction the first time she looked in the mirror. “I felt completely rancid!” Carey told PEOPLE at the film’s premiere at the AFI Audi Film Festival. But because the novel that the movie is based on “changed my life,” she gave herself over to director Lee Daniels’ vision for the character’s un-made-up look.

I love me some Mariah Carey and I one day want to look like her glamours self. Yet, I feel sorry for her right now that she has such issues with becoming the part and looking regular. Every actress knows that the character doesn't have to be anything like you to play her. I just feel that her public self is so wrapped in the "glamour" that she can't pursue a Carey in acting.

Kate Winslet Wins $40,000 in Libel Suit about her Weight

Academy Award winner Kate Winslet said Tuesday she was "delighted" to win a payout of about $40,000 from a British newspaper that said she lied about her exercise regime.

"I strongly believe that women should be encouraged to accept themselves as they are, so to suggest that I was lying was an unacceptable accusation of hypocrisy," the 33-year-old mother of two said in a statement.

I am glad Kate Winslet stood up and told the truth. So many people try crazy celebrity diets to look like the stars based on what they read in the tabloids. Therefore, it is important to point out fact and fiction in these issues in order to protect people from themselves.

Tyra Banks: Kiss My Fit Behind

On The Tyra Banks Show this Wednesday, the host reveals her longtime struggle with chronic stomachaches. "I would get major attacks," Banks, 35, says. "I would be in bed for days, it was so painful."

Thanks to the help of nutritionist Heather Bauer, Banks re-evaluated her eating habits by keeping a food diary. "I switched up my unhealthy eating habits for healthier eating habits, and I haven't had a tummy attack since December '08," she says.

Banks is now revealing how she lost almost 30 lbs. since her famous "Kiss My Fat Ass" incident in early 2007.

I personally think all celebrities are pressured to lose weight to stay on TV. Yet, I think the best thing that a regular person can take from this article is that food journaling is a great place to start for diet and illness tracking.

Wynonna Judd: Coming Home to Myself

Wynonna Judd: Coming Home to Myself is an excellent book. It has really changed my perspective on my on life. She is very honest in the book. She talks about how in order for her life to change, she had to learn and change her "life script". She discusses her weight issues, but she does it from a point of physical and psychological healthy versus the bikini challenge train of thought.

I also like how she talks about how your dysfunction in food, spending, and relationships can all show up in other areas of your life such as weight.

She is a big advocate for life coaches, medication, and therapy to get her where she is today.

So even if you aren't into country music this book is still an excellent book if you are a woman seeking 'balance' in your life.