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POSTED 11 HOURS AGO
Michelle Obama might be the wife of one of the world's most powerful leaders, but that isn't prohibiting her from tackling some today's universally important issues, especially where children are concerned. The First Lady is expected to release details tomorrow about a new campaign she is heading up that will confront childhood obesity and provide solutions to give our nation's children better opportunities for good health.
Current studies estimate that a shocking 1 in 3 children are obese. One in THREE. Research indicates that unless we nip this problem in the bud, 43% of Americans will be obese by 2018. For the record, obesity is not "overweight," it's not carrying a few extra holiday pounds, it is a debilitating condition that causes a multitude of health problems. Given our already strained healthcare system, a steady growth of obesity rates will mean even more struggles to provide adequate and affordable healthcare for American citizens.
Michelle Obama has been meeting with key members of Congress and the Cabinet about her comprehensive plan, that will include four main elements: increasing the number of healthy schools; increasing the amount of physical activity children receive; improving accessibility and affordability of healthy foods; and empowering consumers and families to make healthier food choices.
"It wasn't that long ago that I was juggling a full-time job with the round-the-clock role of being a mom. And there were plenty of times when after a long day at work, when the fridge was empty and everyone was hungry, that I just ordered that pizza, because it was easier. Or we went to the drive-through for burgers, because it was quick and cheap. And I wasn't always aware of how all the calories and fat in some of the processed foods I was buying were adding up," she said, previewing her initiative in a speech to the nation's mayors last month.
Details of her plan will be released in the coming days. We're really excited to see where the First Lady will be taking this, and hope that her influence is enough to make some permanent changes in the child nutrition arena.
via CNN
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POSTED 14 HOURS AGO
Dr. Conrad Murray, the personal physician who provided Michael Jackson with a powerful anesthetic that was ruled a major factor in his extremely sudden death last summer, has been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Since his death nine months ago, an investigation has been underway that has exposed Jackson's reliance on heavy narcotics including propofol, an anesthetic generally reserved for surgeries but administered to Jackson as a sleeping aid.
Dr. Murray admitted to giving Jackson the drug shortly before he was found unconscious in his Los Angeles mansion on June 25. The coroner ruled that his death was due to "acute propofol intoxication," in addition to other sedatives.
The charge filed by the Los Angeles District Attorney alleges Murray “did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson." Dr. Murray is expected to turn himself in this afternoon at a court hearing, plead not-guilty, and post bail. If found guilty, he faces up to four years in prison.
This story does not get any more sad, but we are glad to finally have some resolution and hope that we can all let MJ rest in peace now!
via NY Times
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POSTED 15 HOURS AGO
Can you believe it? The battle between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts was so riveting, it actually managed to take the title of the most watched event in TV history! Super Bowl XLIV pulled in an amazing 106.5 million viewers, ousting the 1983 finale of M*A*S*H and taking the title!
Granted, the total U.S. population was much smaller then, so the actual rating (percentage of TV homes tuned to an event) was lower than the M*A*S*H episode, but this is still quite impressive. After all, that is a decades-long record!
Why do you think this year's Super Bowl was so compelling to watch? Were the teams just that good or was it something else? Did you watch?
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POSTED 16 HOURS AGO
Not all celebrities in Miami this weekend were focused on celebrating the Super Bowl. Rihanna was among the stars who attended a kickoff party for Pepsi's Refresh Project on Friday night, a charity drive to fund the idea that gets the most votes. Rihanna's chosen idea/cause was DKMS Americas, the world's largest non-profit marrow donor center.
Last year, we wrote about Rihanna's visit with an energetic young fan named Jasmine who was suffering from leukemia. Jasmine lost her battle against this terrible disease on January 27.
"She was a very free, fun spirited little girl, full of energy, always happy, always energetic," Rihanna said, the Associated Press reports. "I always remember she wouldn't sit still. She was always running around, always had a smile on her face."
Touched by her life and her story, Rihanna began campaigning for the cause, famously raised awareness for a New York City mother who was in need of a transplant last year, drawing attention to the need for more African-American marrow donors. If they win the Pepsi Refresh Project, Rihanna says it will help DKMS recruit up to 4,000 individual donors.
If you're interested in becoming a marrow donor, please visit dkmsamericas.org. To vote for DKMS in Pepsi's Refresh Project, visit the Facebook page. Pepsi will be throwing millions of dollars at thes ideas that gets the most votes!
via PEOPLE
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POSTED 1 DAY AGO
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POSTED 2 DAYS AGO
This weekend is quite possibly one of the biggest sports events of the entire year - SuperBowl XLIV. Football fanatics are preparing themselves for a heated competition between two of the best teams in the NFL - the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts.
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What are your SuperBowl plans? Do you have any game day rituals? Are you tuning in for the football or are you more of a "I'm here for the commercials and food" type?
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POSTED 3 DAYS AGO
As we all know by now, American Idol is switching up their judges panel next season (again) by replacing Simon Cowell, the industry executive best known for his snarky remarks and scowling faces. A number of highly qualified (and unqualified) people in entertainment are vying over the job, producers have supposedly set their sights on an unexpected choice: radio shock-jock Howard Stern.
Stern, also known for his nasty remarks and questionable humor, has an enormous following on his early morning Sirius satellite radio program. Stern is at the tail end of a $100 million contract with Sirius and is reportedly looking at "other offers." Though he hasn't got a ton of experience in music, the rumor is that FOX executives think his colorful attitude and ability to stir up controversy would be a nice addition to the lovable cast of judges including Randy Jackson and Ellen DeGeneres.
Of course, this is all just a rumor at this point, so let's not get too heated or excited over this just yet. But we want to know -
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Who would you like to see permanently join the American Idol judges table?
via PEOPLE
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POSTED 3 DAYS AGO
There is nothing less glamorous than a ketchup packet. Especially a ketchup packet on-the-go. They're tough to open, easy to spill, and almost always a mess. H.J. Heinz Co. finally got a clue and decided the 40-year-old iconic condiment dispenser was due for an upgrade, and taking a clue from other condiment holders at fast food restaurants, unveiled a new dip-able design.
The brand new Heinz ketchup packets allow the customer to choose between dipping or squeezing - with a pull-back lid or a tear-off tip. It also holds up to three times as much ketchup as the old packets - which will cost restaurants more per unit, but in the end will mean less packaging.
"The packet has long been the bane of our consumers," said Dave Ciesinski, vice president of Heinz Ketchup. "The biggest complaint is there is no way to dip and eat it on-the-go."
This isn't something you see everyday, friends. This is a big moment. It's also one of those things that you look at and think "Duh, why didn't they do this sooner?" Here's to many less ketchup stains on our jeans.
via msnbc
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