Jessica Simpson I'm more confident about my body now

Simpson: New Beau, New OutlookJessica Simpson has been the subject of cruel comments about her weight and appearance. Read on to learn how she's gaining her confidence back!

Few celebrities receive more brutal scrutiny on their weight fluctuations than singer and reality star Jessica Simpson. Now, she's speaking out in hopes of encouraging other women to love themselves for who they are.

The cruel taunting has taken its toll on Simpson.

"There's no way you're not going to be affected by the ugly things people say about you," she told USA Today. "It's very hurtful. It definitely brings up a lot of your own insecurities."

30: a turning point

Simpson credits her positive outlook to maturity and a strong relationship with her family.

"The moment I turned 30, I really did feel a switch in my life … I had this coming of age moment … I love the woman inside of me," she said

And her family, including sister Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, is there help boost her self-esteem when she needs it.

"It takes a great family and wonderful friends – and love definitely helps, too -- to get through it."

Boyfriend love

Simpson is also quick to gush about her relationship with New Orlean's Saints football player Eric Johnson.

"I'm the most confident I've ever been," she said of her relationship with Johnson. "[He] brings out a lot of light in me."

Simpson jumped into the relationship with both feet and she's got marriage on her mind -- though not right away.

"[I] definitely dreamed of being married my whole life and having children, so hopefully that's in my future."

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How long do eggs stay good in the refrigerator

Egg Survival It's important to get tips on how to protect yourself and your family from food-related illnesses. It's sometimes easy to determine when food in your refrigerator has gone bad. All you usually have to do is check for mold, or for a foul odor.

Question: How long can you keep eggs in the fridge?

Expert answer: We tell consumers to look to the egg carton dates to judge freshness. A couple of bits of info regarding the sell-by date: The USDA says that the date can be no further ahead than 30 days after the packing date. Your store can choose any day within that 30 days to date the eggs.

If you don't find a date on the carton, using the eggs within three weeks of the carton date should allow them to be used within optimum quality. By "optimum quality," we refer to the fact that the yolk will be high and upstanding, and the white will be tall and firm. As the membrane releases from the shell, the whites spread out, so you want to use fresh eggs for poaching and other recipes where shape is important, and save the older eggs for scrambled eggs and recipes that includes eggs.

Question: How can you tell when eggs have gone bad?

Expert answer: Eggs are one of the few animal foods that you can keep in your fridge and still be optimum quality. Eggs are unlikely to go bad in a refrigerator setting, but would dry up over time. Eggs don't automatically go bad or spoil after date.

If the eggs do not already have salmonella, it will not grow in an egg as it sits in your fridge. If it does contain salmonella, the number of bacteria will be quite small because it does not grow in cold environments, like a refrigerator, and with proper handling, cooking, and other food safety measures, the bacteria will be killed.

More on food Safety

5 Food safety myths debunked
The savvy seven: How to protect your plate
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5 Steps to a healthy social life

Be Social,
Stay HealthyAs we get older, it becomes harder and harder to maintain a healthy social life. But research shows going out and having a ‘girl’s night’ or nurturing old friendships is vital to our long-term mental and physical health. Feeling connected to others reduces stress and is good for the heart. Here are a few things that you can do to improve your social life.

1. Join a book club – or any club!

Meeting new people can be intimidating, but it's much less nerve-wracking if you know you're about to meet people who share a common interest with you. So look in your local newspaper or even on Facebook for "social" or "activity" groups that interest you. You'll instantly feel engaged once you start chatting about your passion with like-minded people.

2. It's not all Sex and the City

While the idea of having a group of gal pals a la Sex and the City may seem like the norm, it's not. In fact, fewer women can say they've been friends with the same group of people since high school. Why? Because as we get older we change. Our wants, desires, likes and dislikes evolve, and so do the types of people we spend time with. So the next time you're feeling disconnected, look around you, you're probably surrounded by people with whom you've developed casual relationships. Whether it's someone from work or someone you see weekly at your book club, all it takes is an invitation for coffee or a run to deepen a bond with another person.

3. Head to happy hour

A great way to enhance your social life is to become more engaged in your work life. Your co-workers and even your boss all have lives and personalities you probably don't see while you're crammed into cubicles during the 9 to 5 grind. By going out after work or catching up with co-workers on their time, you may realize you have more in common with them than you think. And keep in mind, you do, after all, already share the fact you work together.

4. Volunteer

Volunteering is one of the best ways to learn more about your community and become more positively involved in people's lives. Whether you volunteer at a pet shelter or sign up to be a Big Sister, you'll meet tons of people who share the same passions as you do. What's more, most organizations won't ask for more than a few hours of your time each week, so you'll be able to meet like-minded people in a well-spent short period of time.

5. Learn the art of small talk

Striking up a conversation with a random stranger can seem like an incredibly daunting task, but if you hone the art of small talk you may realize it's not as awkward as you first thought. First, get over the fear that you're going to make a fool of yourself and just be yourself. Second, approach any new person you meet with a sincere smile; it will immediately put them at ease. From there, start asking the person questions about their likes or dislikes; if you know you share something in common, such as looking at the same exotic produce in the supermarket, use that as your conversational catalyst. Within minutes, you'll likely find yourself in the midst of a fun get-to-know-you discussion.

You have to be social to improve your social life and, in doing so, you'll also be bettering your health.

Healthy ways to boost your social lifeBreaking the rules of social behavior When gossip is actually healthy How to be a great friend

Heart-shaped brownie treasure boxes

Fill Their Hearts With Love On Valentine's DaySurprise your special valentine with a heart-shaped brownie treasure box. Fill it with candy, ice cream or chocolate kisses and wrap it with a sweet message to proclaim your love.

Skip the traditional card and give your honey an edible valentine instead. Who could resist breaking into a heart-shaped brownie treasure box to find out what sweet surprise is hiding inside? These boxes are bursting with love and will bring a smile to your loved one's lips.

Heart-shaped brownie treasure box recipe

Yields 5-8 completed brownie treasure boxes, depending on size of mold

Ingredients and supplies: 1 box of brownie mixEggs, vegetable oil and water to prepare mixChocolate frosting or chocolate candy meltsItems to put inside: candy, ice cream, strawberries, chocolate kisses, etc.Heart-shaped cookie cutter, the same size as your heart-shaped moldHeart-shaped acrylic boxes for molding brownies (found in most hobby stores)Ribbon or string, for messageSmall slips of paper, for messageDirections:1Bake brownies

Bake brownies in a 9 x 13-inch pan, according to directions on box. While they are still warm, cut brownie hearts with a cookie cutter.

2Fill heart containers

Place each brownie inside a heart-shaped acrylic container.

3Shape brownie hearts

Press them down inside the molds with a spoon or small melon baller. Allow them to cool completely.

4Remove brownie hearts

Remove brownies carefully from plastic molds with a small knife.

5Fill 'em up!

Fill brownies with desired candy, ice cream, strawberries, etc.

6Seal brownie treasure boxes

Pipe a line of chocolate frosting or chocolate candy melts along the edge. Align the tops and press closed to seal shut. Clean off any excess frosting or chocolate candy melt from edges.

7Add your Valentine's Day message

Tie your sweet message around the brownie boxes with a ribbon or string, if desired, and present to your valentine.

More food crafts

Fruit Roll-Ups fortune cookie valentines
Edible teacup cookies
Pop-up groundhog cookies

Tonight's Dinner Creamy polenta with sausages and roasted grapes recipe

Grapes Get Even Sweeter When RoastedDuring these summer months there's so much fruit available you could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never have the same kind twice. And while fresh, raw fruit is delicious as a meal or a snack, roasting or grilling it makes for an even sweeter treat.

Sausage is a delicious protein. It doesn't matter if you grill it and stick it in a bun with mustard or chop it up, fry it and serve it with eggs. No matter how you choose to eat your sausage, it's always a delicious, savory option. But when you roast sausage with your favorite fruit, you not only get a sweet side dish, you also get a sweeter protein.

This is where it gets difficult, though. What kind of fruit should you use? While peaches and plums are a scrumptious choice for roasting and grilling, seedless grapes are also good and a slightly more unusual choice this time of year. That's because the juice that escapes when they're cooked combines with the juice of the sausages to create an awesome sauce that blends perfectly with the polenta.

Creamy polenta with sausages and roasted grapes

Serves 4

Ingredients:1/2 cup cornmeal2 teaspoons ground thyme, dividedSalt and pepper to taste2 tablespoons unsalted butter1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage1/3 cup chicken broth1 pound red seedless grapes, cut into bunches1 shallot, finely chopped1/3 cup dry white wine, like chardonnayDirections:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.Whisk together the polenta, one teaspoon of thyme and two-and-one-half cups of water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a plate and microwave for four minutes. Carefully remove the plate and whisk the polenta. Cover and microwave for another four minutes. Repeat until the polenta is thick and creamy, about 12 minutes. Stir in the butter, season with salt and pepper and set aside.While the polenta cooks, heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and fry until browned, about four minutes. Add the broth, remaining thyme, grapes and shallots and place in the oven. Roast until the grapes begin to carmelize and the sausages are cooked through, about 15 minutes.Spoon the polenta into shallow bowls and place the sauasages and grapes on top.Deglaze the pan with wine, drizzle the sauce over the sausages and serve.

More Tonight's Dinner recipes >>Other grape recipes

Banana grape milk
Concord grape glogg
Spinach, grape and bacon salad

Star Jones Heart disease happens to women

Rise up
& fight heart disease

I, like a lot of women, grew up being told that I could be whatever I wanted to be and do whatever I wanted to do if I just put my mind to it. What we don’t often hear until it may be too late is that heart disease can cut our big plans short.

Heart disease happens to women

When I thought of heart disease, I always thought that's an old, white guy disease. I told myself, “That could never happen to me.” But three years ago, it did happen to me. And it happens to countless other women across the country each day. Heart disease affects more than 43 million of our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends in the US. Not only is it the No. 1 killer of women, but it kills one in three women each year.

A healthy lifestyle can inspire

I didn’t know it when I was growing up, but my family history had already placed me at risk for developing heart disease. Coupled with obesity and a past lifestyle that was sedentary and unfit only added to the risk. I made major changes to change my health. Weight loss surgery, a healthier diet and exercise resulted in a 150-pound reduction of my weight. Yet heart disease still found its way to my door. I found out that I had fluid around my heart, a faulty aortic valve and a genetic disorder that required open-heart surgery to save my life. Immediately, I decided to take control of my body, my health and my future. Facing down heart disease gave me purpose and inspired me to help the countless others in this sisterhood who represent the faces of heart disease.

Rise up and join your sisters to fight heart disease"Heart disease affects more than 43 million of our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends in the US."

For more almost three years now, I’ve served as the National Volunteer for the American Heart Association (AHA) and have learned more about how I fell into the crosshairs for heart disease. It turns out that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for all women, and while African American and Hispanic women are naturally at a greater risk for developing heart conditions, only about 20 to 30 percent of us actually think that we’re at risk. How can we expect to fight the disease if we don’t even know we are in danger?

This is exactly why the passionate women involved in the Go Red For Women movement have been raising their voices for 10 years to share the truth about heart disease. I’m thankful every day that I’ve been able to rise up with my sisters to fight against heart disease, and now I’m rallying others to join this fight. Let’s shout even louder to spread the word and encourage our sisters to take the Go Red Heart CheckUp to assess their own risk factors.

Commit to lifelong heart health

Making heart-healthy decisions is a life-long commitment, and it takes a lot of work. This February, for American Heart Month, I’m engaging in a month-long personal nutrition and fitness challenge where I will participate in a physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, whether it be working out with my Equinox trainer, just taking a long walk or joining my favorite SoulCycle spinning class. I've decided to kick my heart health into high gear by "restarting" my nutritional clock with a month-long nutrient filled Daily Benefit program for optimal heart health. I’m also committed to supporting my heart sisters in style by wearing red every day throughout American Heart Month, starting on February 1, which was the 10th annual National Wear Red Day.

This year, you can support the cause by participating in the Go Red For Women America Goes Red Challenge, which is asking women across America to go red bigger than ever this year! So help us fight against this silent enemy and put an end to heart disease. Because our health is non-negotiable, because we have the power to save our lives and because the best force for women is women.

For she who has health... has hope, and she who has hope... has everything!

More heart-healthy tips for women

New research on women and heart disease
Natural ways women can prevent heart disease
How the flu can hurt your heart health

7 Best exercises during your period

Top Workouts
For Your PeriodStudies vary widely regarding menstruation's effects on workouts. Some say it helps, while others say it harms. Still others say it’s easier to get injured. The truth is that there’s only one real rule for working out during your period: Listen to yourself.

If you're cramping in a major way, listen to your body and take the day off. One day off every month really isn't a bad thing. Then again, if you forego your fitness routine from the first hint of PMS to the last day of your period, you'll be sitting on the couch for nearly two weeks every month without exercise -- and that's too long. So, here are seven exercises that might be perfect for you during your period.

Walking

Even experts against a hardcore workout on your period have to agree that a walk gets you moving without injury or danger. So, put on some sneakers and sunblock, and hit the road. Walking by itself isn't a huge calorie burner, but you will feel good about the fact that you exercised. Don't stress the exact calorie count.

Running

If you're feeling up for a jog, go for it. The endorphins you release during an intesnse cardio workout can help you beat the period ickies that you may be feeling. Hydrate well before, after and during your run, if possible; some researchers say you dehydrate more easily on your period. Whether that's true or not, err on the side of safety and keep drinking.

Yoga

Yoga is very customizable; many poses have options to match your skill level. Inversions aren't recommended during your period, although this has no definitive medical basis. Still, having the option to relax in the goddess position if you're not up for a headstand is nice.

aerobics

Sometimes, when you're on your period, you just want to go a little crazy. Aerobic exercise is the perfect way to let loose. Plus, aerobics classes are typically held in a low-pressure environment where the focus is on fun.

dancing

Shaking it up on the dance floor isn't exercise in the traditional sense, but it will rev your heart rate and burn some calories. This is a great option because it doesn't feel like exercise -- and when you're on your period, you might need a little motivation to get gussied up and feel great about who you are. Stepping out into an evening of dancing and fun will certainly give you that extra oomph and make you feel fabulous.

Planking

When it's that time of the month, all you want to do is stay home and watch Lifetime movies. Make the most of your TV time by holding a plank position during the commercials: 

Get down on the floor.Put your arms and elbows under your chest.Raise your body using just your forearms and toes, and hold.

This is an intense all-over workout. Start by holding your plank during every other commercial and work up to holding through an entire commercial break.

Working out from home

Pop in an exercise DVD or pull up an on OnDemand workout. You don't need to dress in fancy workout gear, and quitting early won't be embarrassing if you're just doing it in your living room. Only you will know that you sweated to the oldies in your flannel nightie for exactly 14 minutes before sinking back into your couch to watch the Real Housewives reunion. (Nothing makes you feel less hormonal than watching legit crazy people, right?)

Don't use your period as an excuse to forget your fitness routine -- but do listen to your body if you need a break from it. Give some of the above workouts a try.

More health tips for women

Quiz: Do you take good care of your body?
Pap Smears 101: What you need to know
6 Ways to boost your body confidence