Chick Lit Plus
Celebrity gossip, articles on fashion, health, fitness, and beauty.
Who says you have to feel guilty for having some dessert? I will always have a sweet tooth, so even though I am trying to eat better, I just can’t cut out the chocolate! I found a fabulous recipe in the March edition of Fitness Magazine (page 150), and it is a much healthier version of my favorite pie, which is French Silk. This recipe is for Chocolate Cheesecake, and the ingredients and recipe can be found below. So have your cake and eat it too!
Makes 14 Servings
½ cup crushed graham crackers
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
¾ cup fat-free milk
2 8-ounce packages reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1 8-ounce package fat-free cream cheese, softened
8 ounces fat-free sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
Chocolate curls
1. In a bowl, stir together the graham crackers and butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch spring form pan. Chill while preparing the filling.
2. In a saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over the milk; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir over low heat until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat; cool for 15 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla; gradually beat in the gelatin mixture. Divide the cream cheese mixture in half; gradually stir the melted chocolate into one half.
4. Spread half of the chocolate mixture on the crust. Spoon half of the remaining cream cheese mixture onto the chocolate mixture in small mounds; swirl them together with a butter knife.
5. Spread the remaining chocolate mixture on top. Spoon on the remaining cream cheese mixture, and swirl again. Cover; chill for 6 hours or until set.
6. Loosen the cake from the pan with a knife before removing the side of the pan. Cut the cake into wedges; top with chocolate swirls.
March 26, 2010
The Hills is finally coming to an end. After 6 seasons following the breakout show Laguna Beach, the reality/scripted MTV series will be shutting off the cameras. “We are lucky and honored to have worked with this cast and tell their stories for this long, and we are grateful to the many dedicated fans who have stuck with us over the years. We owe it to those fans, the cast and the show to go out on a high note. And this season will deliver on that goal in terms of drama, story, real emotion and an organic culmination of this saga,” says MTV’s President of Programming Tony DiSanto said in a statement. Season 6 begins airing episodes on April 27th, but right now the big question is if Lauren Conrad will return for the last episodes. After all, it began with Conrad being filmed during high school for Laguna Beach, then following her move to LA on The Hills. Will you be watching the series finale?
March 26, 2010
Lately, I’ve been really upset with my pores. I never had an issue with acne until just recently, and one thing I’ve noticed that I have enlarged pores especially around my forehead and cheeks. I tried a few different remedies to see which worked the best, and I have to say I am really liking the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. Just twice a week, I stick the strips onto my forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin, and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Once stripping them off, I can see everything it took off- whiteheads, oil, dirt. It’s kind of disgusting really looking at the dirty strip, but I feel like they are really effective. And the oil on my face has significantly decreased after only 2 sessions with the strips. The best part for me is they are relatively inexpensive. I got a box with 8 strips for only $7.99 at the drugstore.
The next product I am going to try is also from Biore, and is the Steam Activated Cleanser. The SteamActiv beads helps open the pores, better removing acne causing dirt and oil. Look for that review in a few weeks!
March 22, 2010
Dr. Phil is now a grandpa. The talk show host and author is now grandfather to Avery Elizabeth McGraw, born on Thursday night to son Jay and his wife Erica. People.com reports the baby girl weighed in at 6 lbs., 6 oz., and measuring 21 inches long. This is the first child for the couple.
March 19, 2010
So far, I haven’t posted anything on the Jesse James/Sandra Bullock infidelity rumors, because there wasn’t anything clear to report in my eyes. Today though, Jesse James managed to confuse me even more with this statement he released to People.com:
“The vast majority of the allegations reported are untrue and unfounded. Beyond that, I will not dignify these private matters with any further public comment. There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me. It’s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way. This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”
So I am still wondering: was he unfaithful? He is saying that the allegations are untrue, but he is taking the blame for poor judgment? I sure want to know what the hell happened, because Sandra and Jesse were quickly becoming one of my favorite Hollywood couples.
March 18, 2010
Baby number 7 is on its way for Kevin Costner and wife Christine Baumgartner Costner. A rep for the couple confirms to People.com that they are expecting in June. The newest addition will join brother Hayes Logan, 13 months, and Cayden Wyatt, 2 ½ – his sons with Christine – as well as Liam, 13, Joe, 22, Lily, 23, and Annie, 25, his children from previous relationships.
March 17, 2010
People.com confirms that comedienne Amy Poehler and husband Will Arnett are expecting their second child. The due date has not yet been released, but this baby will join brother Archie, 16 months.
March 17, 2010
Danica McKellar is expecting her first child with husband of one year, Mike Verta. People.com reports the Wonder Years actress, 35, is expecting in the fall. McKellar is also planning to release her third tome, Hot X: Algebra Exposed, in August.
March 17, 2010
Good posture. I will admit, this is not something I often think about. I found myself slouching in my chair, hunched over my computer multiple times a day. But improving your posture can have positive long term effects on your health, and it is important that people are aware of what poor posture can do to your body.
I wad doing yoga a few days ago, which is a great exercise for posture. I can feel my spine lengthening, my neck long, and my back straight. Once I complete a yoga workout, I find myself more focused on the way I am sitting and standing. I sit up taller at the table, I throw my shoulders back while walking, I feel good about myself. But then a few days later I’m back to my hunchback ways. So how can we improve our posture?
If you weren’t already aware, poor posture can do a lot more than make you look like an undignified Miley Cyrus at the Oscars. According to an article on Shape.com, it can also cause continual neck and back pain, frequent migraines, arthritic symptoms, and fatigue. Shape recommends checking your self out in a mirror. You should be able to draw an imaginary straight line from your earlobe to your hip to your knee and the center of your ankle. If you are sitting, put your feet flat on the floor, push your butt back to the end of the chair so your back is completely supported and your weight’s equally distributed on both hips, then push your shoulders back to take the strain off of your neck muscles.
Being aware of your posture will not only make you look better, but also feel better. I recommend practicing yoga, which forces you to sit straight and focus on your posture. Try thinking of these tips when you are sitting at the table or at your desk. The pain that you won’t feel from being hunched will just be another reward. And be sure to check out Shape.com for other posture improving tips.
March 16, 2010
