A Current Contest in Shine that you can take part In!!

Shine's Birthday Contest: Bake Us A Cake And Win $100 Worth of Gourmet Baking Ware

We've never met a cake we didn't like.Happy Birthday to us! This April 1st, Shine turns 4 years young. And, over the years that we've been writing/obsessing/looking/admiring/informing (we hope!) on this here interwebs, we've had some amazing adventures. From crashing Fashion Week to traveling all the way to the White House to meet our truly wondrous first lady, it has been an incredible, exciting, and humbling ride. But none of this would be nearly as much fun if you guys weren't around to be in on the conversation. Since Shine launched, our readers have contributed over 8 million comments (!!). You've helped us make Shine what it is today-a dynamic, ever-changing place where we can talk about issues most important (and not so important) in all of our lives. Because of this, our birthday wish is to give a present back to you.

But first, you're gonna have to bake for it. We're looking for the most beautiful, most creative, most delicious (we will obviously have to trust you on this one!) Shine birthday cake that ever was. And what do you get in return? The winner scores $100 worth of gourmet baking ware.

To enter: Bake us a cake, then upload a photo of your beauty to the Shine Birthday Cake Contest Flickr group or post it to your blog on Shine with "Shine Birthday Cake" in the title by midnight EST, Sunday, April 1st. We will post the top five pictures on Monday, April 2nd and open it up to the community for voting. On Wednesday, April 4th, we'll announce the winner. May the best cake win!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years and older or the age of majority in their state of residence, whichever is greater at the time of entry. Ends 11:59 PM EST, 4/1/12.

Mouldy Risk

Should You Be Checking Your Tampons for Mold?

Someone is watching over Danielle Parr, the Texas woman who was about to use this Kotex tampon, unaware of its moldy Swiss cheese center until it accidentally popped out of its applicator.

Aghast, agog and probably a-gag, she contacted the brand's headquarters to report the issue. According to Parr's blog , Kotex reps were not nearly as surprised.

Their initial response: "In instances where it has been found, we conducted tests on the product involved and have found the mold to be a common environmental species that carries no health risk. The vegetative mold is similar in nature to mold on vegetables or in baked goods."

Parr, like any reasonable person, wasn't comforted by the fact that food rots too.

One doctor who saw the tampon in question called it "disgusting."

"If a woman uses a tampon that is contaminated with bacteria, mold, I suppose there can be a risk of infection because you're putting mold in the vagina," Dr. Jay Staub, an OB/GYN, explained to Fort Worth's News 8 , which picked up Parr's story.

Once the case of the moldy tampon spread, Kotex released a new and improved statement on their Facebook page, now over-crowded by irate commenters.

"In the Kotex representative's eagerness to get back to the concerned consumer's e-mail right away, she unfortunately sent her incorrect information about the issue. Nothing is more important to us than consumer safety. Any discoloration or abnormality with our tampons is extremely rare, and we want to do a full investigation to determine the source and follow-up with our manufacturing facility. If you have any questions or concerns at all, please contact Consumer Services"

So I did.

A representative answered a few lingering questions I had like:
Was the moldy tampon a specific sub-brand of Kotex (like the "real talk" U brand)? Nope just the standard Kotex tampons.

Do tampons have an expiration date? No, there isn't anything in the tampons in the would expire so there's no need for an expiration date.

So where does the mold come from? They haven't gotten the samples back yet so they can't say but it could be because of storage-if the tampons are stored in an area where mold could grow. The investigation into how it happened is still ongoing.

If there's a takeaway here it's: holy crap, mold can grow on tampons! Also, always look before you launch.

Celiac Disease

How to Go Gluten-Free: Avoiding Surprising Sources of Gluten

Beware gluten in unexpected productsThe grains wheat, barley, rye, and triticale contain a protein called gluten. People with Celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that effects about 1% of the population in the United States, are gluten-intolerant; their immune system attacks the protein when it reaches the small intestine triggering symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. It can also make it hard for the body to absorb nutrients and lead to fatigue, anemia, and osteoporosis. Celiac disease may slow growth in children.
Diagnosing Celiac disease
If you think you have Celiac disease, your doctor can diagnose it with a blood test. They may also perform an endoscopy to look inside of the small intestine and take a biopsy. Adopting a gluten-free diet usually improves symptoms in about two weeks.

Gluten sensitivity
About one in twenty people react badly to eating gluten but test negative for Celiac disease. "Gluten sensitivity" is an umbrella term that covers about 100 different issues from hives, to numbness, to symptoms of autism in some children. There is no conclusive research about gluten sensitivity, so the examples of symptoms are mainly anecdotal. Peter Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center told the Wall Street Journal that research into gluten sensitivity today is about where Celiac disease was 30 years ago.
Surprising foods that contain gluten
Going gluten-free can be tricky. Besides products such as bread, pasta, and baked goods that contain wheat, barley, rye or triticale, many processed foods and some health and beauty products contain gluten. Some unexpected items that potentially contain gluten include:

• Flavored soy and rice milk
• 
  
• Prepared cake frosting
• 
  
• Cold cuts and hot dogs
• 
  
• French fries (may be contaminated by cooking oil)
• 
  
• Jarred sauces, jams, and gravies
• 
  
• Canned soups
• 
  
• Soy sauce
• 
  
• Salad dressings
• 
  
• Pickles
• 
  
• Instant gravy
• 
  
• Bouillon cubes
• 
  
• Instant hot chocolate
• 
  
• Lipstick and lip balm
• 
  
• Vitamin supplements and prescription and over the counter medications in pill form

Going gluten-free
If you want to go gluten-free, speak with your doctor about which foods are allowed and which to avoid. It's also important to include some grains and legumes in your diet to make sure you are getting enough vitamins. Lentils, rice, corn meal, quinoa, and millet can all be part of a healthy gluten-free food.
According to a Datamonitor analysis, the market for gluten-free packed foods is expected to reach $4.3 billion worldwide over the next five years. A range of gluten-free products can be found in most supermarkets. Stores like Whole Foods have cashed in on the growing demand offer hundreds of products including cakes, pies, muffins, and breads. However, you can make healthy gluten-free food at home, too.

Heels Alert!!

Designer Shoes Are Pricier Than Ever. What's the Most You've Ever Spent?

Designer shoes, like these Manolo Blahniks, are skyrocketing in price. You thought designer stilettos were getting treacherously high, you should see their current prices. Women's Wear Daily dug into this unsettling retail phenomenon by examining the shoe closet of Carrie Bradshaw, the ultimate high heel junkie. In an episode of "Sex and the City" called "A Right to Shoes," the protagonist mourns the loss of her $485 silver Manolo Blahniks (pictured at left) after they're stolen at a house party. We remember watching the episode back in 2003 thinking, good God, that is a LOT of money to spend on one pair of heels. And we weren't alone, because this was the focal point of the TV episode.

Fast forward nearly a decade later and the same pair of Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby Silver Bejeweled Pumps is selling for $755--almost $300 more than Bradshaw's pair. And this is not just regular inflation. We couldn't find a single pair of Manolos under $495 and these beaded snakeskin sandals selling for $1,995.

As the consumer, it's depressing and hard to understand why this is happening. The C.E.O. of Christian Louboutin told WWD their shoe prices are up because the cost of their raw materials is up 30 to 40% in the last 18 months. George Malkemus, the C.E.O. of Manolo Blahnik, told WWD the sudden fixation on designer shoes (and some could argue "Sex and the City itself) is responsible.

"When a young lady says to me, 'I went shopping for shoes and the average price point was $900'-$900 used to be a coat," Malkemus told WWD. "I think that people may have taken advantage of the notion that 'It's all about accessories right now.' When [designer] ready-to-wear priced itself out of the realm of most consumers, shoes and bags were still affordable. Now, what's happened is the shoe people and the bag people sort of lost control of that, and they are scaring off a certain consumer."

While we think those prices are a bit off (who pays $900 for a coat?!) we agree with the sentiment. If you couldn't afford a fancy name brand dress, you used to be able to attain the same effect by getting a designer handbag or shoe. But those days have dwindled. Salespeople are also recognizing this trend, and think the average person saving up for designer heels may be a thing of the past.

"The observation is correct, the prices have shot up dramatically," Daniella Vitale, chief merchant and executive vice president of Barneys told WWD. "We still open up at $395 in designer ballet flats...and Rochas has a loafer at $395, but I would say that those are really becoming the anomaly." In fact, the average price of a designer shoe at Barneys is $770, something the store says is "concerning."

We're concerned too, because many women are shoe obsessed, the majority of us don't have $770 to drop on a pair of heels, and credit card debt is no laughing matter!

While we're discussing price tags, what is the most you've ever spent on a pair of shoes and was your purchase worth the money?

Sleep Treats

You Chews, You Snooze: 6 Foods that Help You Sleep

6 foods that help you sleepIt's National Sleep Awareness Week March 5-11, and did you know that your choice of bedtime snack can affect the quality of the Z's you're getting? The National Sleep Foundation actually suggests that you look for a bedtime snack that has both protein and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates and the tryptophan together will help release insulin and get serotonin and melatonin to the right levels to help you sleep. Try these foods and you'll be off to dreamland.

Almonds and Sour Cherries
1. Almonds and Sour Cherries
Almonds have both tryptophan and magnesium, so a handful of these with a few rice crackers or some tart cherries, which contain melatonin, will get you in a sleepy mood in no time.
Bananas
2. Bananas
Magnesium- and potassium-rich bananas help overworked muscles relax, and when muscles relax they're ready for rest.
Edamame
3. Edamame
Edamame makes for a great salty bedtime snack. Mix with rice for a carbohydrate and a protein-based snack.
Oatmeal
4. Oatmeal
A glass of warm milk helps people fall asleep. Why not put that warm milk in a bowl of oatmeal? Spice it up with your favorite flavors, and you might end your day the same way you started it.
Yogurt
5. Yogurt
Yogurt is the ideal food to get your protein and carbs in one sitting, as it's half one and half the other. I have a soft spot for FAGE and Wallaby Greek yogurts with blueberries myself.
Tea 
 6. Tea
Of course, there's always caffeine-free tea. Wind down with a cup and even one of the previously mentioned snacks. Sweet dreams!

Brunchies Munchies

Simple, Delicious Brunch Recipes

Easy dishes for days when a bowl of cereal just won't do.

Banana Nut Bread
Serves 16 | Hands-On Time: 05m | Total Time: 50m

Ingredients
-1 box yellow cake mix
-1 package Jell-O Instant Banana Cream Pudding & Pie Filling
-1/2 cup water
-1/2 cup vegetable oil
-2 ripe bananas, mashed
-4 eggs
-1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
-Heat oven to 350° F.
-Mix all the ingredients well. Pour into 2 large or 4 small greased loaf pans.
-Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. (For those allergic to nuts, this recipe can be made without the pecans.)

Buttermilk-Cheese Scones
Serves 12| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 30m

Ingredients
-3 cups all-purpose flour
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
-1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
-1/2 cup grated Parmesan
-1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
-1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
-1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Directions
-Heat oven to 400° F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray.
-In a food processor, combine the flour, baking powder, and butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer to a large bowl and add the 2 cheeses, thyme, hot pepper flakes, and buttermilk. Stir until the mixture sticks together. (It will be slightly crumbly.)
-Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead gently until it comes together, about 30 seconds. Shape the dough to form an even, flat round about 1 inch thick. Cut the dough into 12 wedges. Place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
-Bake until the scones are light golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove with a metal spatula. These are best served fresh but can be made up to 2 days ahead. Wrap in foil and reheat in a 250° F oven for 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Pumpkin Bread
Serves 6-8| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 1hr 20m

Ingredients
-1 cup pumpkin pie filling (not pure pumpkin)
-1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for the pan
-3/4 cup granulated sugar
-1/2 cup molasses
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-2 cups all-purpose flour
-1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions
-Heat oven to 350° F. Oil a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
-In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin pie filling, oil, sugar, molasses, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Slowly stir the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture.
-Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack for 10 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the bread from the pan. Invert it onto a cutting board. Serve warm.

Pumpkin Cornmeal Muffins
Makes 12 muffins| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 45m

Ingredients
-1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
-3/4 cup light brown sugar
-1/2 cup milk
-4 eggs
-1 15-ounce can solid pumpkin
-1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
-1 cup yellow cornmeal
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions
-Heat oven to 350ºF. If not using silicone pans, lightly coat two 6-cup muffin tins with vegetable cooking spray.
-In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to slow, add the remaining ingredients, and beat for 3 minutes or just until smooth.
-Spoon the batter into the muffin pans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Sugar-Crusted Raspberry Muffins
Serves 12 | Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 45m

Ingredients
-2 cups all-purpose flour
-3/4 cup sugar
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
-3/4 cup whole milk
-1 large egg
-1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

Directions
-Heat oven to 400° F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or coat it with cooking spray, vegetable oil, or butter.
-In a medium bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups of the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and combine. In a second bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined; the batter will be lumpy. Toss the berries with the remaining flour in a bowl. Gently fold the berry mixture into the batter.
-Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle the batter with the remaining sugar. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Generic Drugs

Are Generic Drugs Safe?

Are generic drugs safe?
What you've always heard: Switching from brand-name to generic drugs is safe and can save you money. In fact, the average price of a generic medication is 80 percent less than its brand-name alternative. The FDA promises that when a generic drug is approved, it has met "rigorous standards" of quality, purity, and potency-a guarantee that makes a swap very appealing.

But wait...: The American College of Cardiology has warned that the absorption rates and potency of generics may differ from those of certain types of brand-name drugs-a discrepancy that could be life-threatening in some cases. With some medications, slight changes in the level of the drug in the blood can cause unintended side effects. For example, too weak a dose of a blood thinner could leave a person vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke; too strong a dose might cause internal bleeding.

The headlines now: By the end of the year, ten top-selling brand-name drugs in America will be available as generics.If you're taking Lipitor for cholesterol, your doctor might suggest generic atorvastatin instead. Patients with asthma will soon have a choice between Singulair and montelukast. The blood thinner Plavix will soon compete with the generic clopidogerol.

So what should you do?: With any medication-generic or brand-name-there's a chance of complications, says Sheila Weiss Smith, former director of the Center for Drug Safety at the University of Maryland. But if your health-care professional recommends switching to a generic, you can feel confident about making a change. Generics may not be exact copies of brand-name versions, but because they have the same active ingredients in the same amounts, they're just as safe and effective. In the rare cases in which drug strength must be exact-blood thinners or certain drugs for heart failure, for example-a doctor should carefully monitor any switch to a generic.

Dieting Tips

Spring Clean Your Diet

Happy spring! If your wintertime diet was a little blah, consider these three, easy steps to cleaning things up...

1. Switch from soda to lemon water: One of the easiest ways to clean up your diet is ditch the soda, gals. Diet-soda or regular, there are plenty of health warnings about the stuff. A favorite drink among detox enthusiasts is lemon water--warm or cold. Just squeeze the juice of a half of a fresh lemon into water and sip. I swear by this beverage when I've had a few glutinous days.

2. Kale: A dietician I spoke to recently described antioxidant-rich kale as nature's scouring pad for its ability to scrub your cells (or some variation of that--I didn't get a direct quote). My favorite type of kale is dinosaur kale, which is darker and denser than some of the other varieties. Loaded with that dark green pigment, kale is chock-full of antioxidants that fight disease and cell damage.

3. Swap out refined sugar and add in more fruit: If you normally sprinkle sugar on your cereal in the morning, try slicing a banana on top instead. The goal here is to think of fruit as your sweetener of choice--and get creative with it! Try apple slices on your almond-butter sandwich instead of jam, or kiwi slices in your Greek yogurt in place of honey.