Blog Posts by SheSpeaks

Jennifer Rees is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks

Since yesterday was President's Day, why not start today off right with a fun twist on Cherry Pie; Cherry Pie Muffins! Skip the canned cherry pie filling and make your own - it's really easy!

• 24 ounces frozen tart cherries, thawed with excess water drained off {I might be biased - but the ones from Michigan are the best!}
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan except almond extract. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low, stirring frequently for about 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in almond extract. Cool.

Cherry Pie Muffins (based on a recipe from Babble)

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2/3 c. organic brown sugar or sucanat
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2

Online dating services can be enticing in a world where just finding the time to meet potential mates can be difficult. Members of online dating communities like the idea that they can choose from a variety of profiles and are methodically matched up with their "perfect mates". And if they don't care for that first email exchange there is no harm in moving on to the next candidate. But can online dating prove to be as successful as the more traditional, organic way of meeting people?

A recent report from Time magazine discusses a new study published in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest, that finds internet dating may be good for singles who simply want to meet new people but does not necessarily help those looking for long-lasting love.

The study's co-author, Harry Reis, explains the current findings. Reiss says, "There is no reason to believe that online dating improves romantic outcomes. It may yet, and someday some service might provide good data to show it

The 84th Annual Academy Awards are this coming Sunday, so what better time to look back and reflect on some of the biggest nomination surprises for this year? While choosing nominees for each of the categories is a hard and dubious process, and everyone deserving of a nomination can't receive one. It seems that every year the Academy overlooks some obvious nominee choices.

Who would you pick? Do you agree our list of actors below were overlooked in the nominations this year?

Here are our picks for the biggest Oscar "snubs" of the year:

• Kirsten Dunst - Best Actress for Melancholia: Without a doubt one of the most interesting films from this past year, Lars Von Trier's Melancholia tells the story of two sisters who find their already strained relationship challenged when a rogue planet threatens to collide with the Earth. Dunst delivered a career altering performance as the younger sister, Justine, who suffers from severe and debilitating depression. However, her

Many people fret over when is the right time to reveal a pregnancy to friends and family. The standard 12-week wait can sound like ages to some who are bursting with joy and excitement from the news, whereas others are happy to have this time to plan and think about how their lives will change without others offering advice and opinions.

Unfortunately for Drew Barrymore, she may not have a choice of when people find out about her possible good news. TMZ recently published a photo of the actress leaving a doctor's office with a sonogram in her hand and fiancé Will Kopelman by her side. Though her reps had no comment on the topic of her possible pregnancy, the photo seems to be pretty telling.

But for the rest of us who are not hounded by the flashing cameras of the paparazzi and news of a baby bump won't break any records, it's probably a little easier to keep a secret. When to tell that exciting secret is a very personal choice and can often get complicated when both

Maybe you never take it off, maybe you slip it on occasionally, or maybe you've decided to forgo the wedding band all together. How you wear (or don't wear) the ring comes down to personal reasons and taste.

Traditionally, there are many customs involved in marriage and the idea of not taking part in one of the biggest, the exchanging of rings, may sound shocking to some. But many men and women of today are choosing to forgo the rings, feeling no need to wear jewelry to symbolize their love. A report from Huffington Post lists 5 famous non-ring wearers who see no need to sport a band.

Prince William caused quite a stir when he revealed he would not wear a ring after marrying Kate Middleton because he simply does not like to wear jewelry. Will Smith rarely wears his and Christina Aguilera was not usually seen with one during her marriage. Meredith Vieria also goes without the bling as well as new doting dad Jay-Z.

Some feel those who refuse to wear wedding rings may

Lisa Whitham is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks

I am going to share with you my great grandma's recipe for homemade garlic salt. We use this on chicken, beef, pork and fish. I use a little bit just before I put the meat on the grill. We bbq all the time and I don't think I could live without it. I like it so much better than regular salt. It's really simple to make too! It's fresher than garlic salt that you buy in the regular store. This recipe has been in my family for a very long time. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!

2 cups salt - you can use table salt, but I prefer using sea salt

2 teaspoons crushed garlic (Do not use the already crushed stuff. Crush it yourself.)

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teespoon ginger - fresh or powdered. If you use fresh squeeze the water out first.

1 teaspoon paprika - (the kind that isn't hot)

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.

Daisy Kuchins is a blogger who shares her thoughts with us at SheSpeaks

Cocktail: The Artist

Modern Twist on the Bourbon Old Fashioned

The classic Old Fashioned just screams old Hollywood, but just like Best Picture Nominee, The Artist, we've put a modern twist on the old classic. Using orange bitters, which is readily available at most grocers, adds a citrus kick to perfectly compliment your bourbon of choice.

Appetizer: Midnight in Paris

Classic French Cheese Plate

If your mouth was watering while watching Best Picture Nominee, Midnight in Paris, you are not alone! To enjoy the flavors of Paris while staying out of the kitchen, why not serve a

Madonna at Live8

Madonna's upcoming performance at Super Bowl 2012 has the pop star's nerves tightly wound as she admits to having a bad case of the jitters. It's kind of a shocker that such a seasoned iconic singer who has performed for millions would be so anxious about this gig, but it just highlights the fact that everyone at some time or another lets their nerves get the best of them. (Maybe Madonna could use one of these Super Bowl Chocolate Guiness Cupcakes before hitting the halftime show stage.)

People magazine reports about Madonna's state of anxiety over this Sunday's performance and why she has placed so much importance on it. Madonna recently explained her feelings about the game and halftime show to Anderson Cooper saying, "First of all, it's the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is kind of like the holiest of holy in America. I'm going to come in halfway between the church experience and I'm going to have to deliver a sermon that's going to have to be very impactful."

She later