STUDY: If You Don’t Like Fruits and Vegetables, You Can Blame Your Mom

According to a new study, the foods that expectant moms eat play a big role in what the kids like eating when they’re born.

That means that mom-to-be who don’t eat vegetables might be passing along a dislike for the foods to their kids.

So the next time your mom bugs you about eating healthy, you can tell her it’s her fault you like junk food. (Telegraph)

STUDY: Zombie Fads Peak When Society Is Unhappy

According to a new study, zombie fads peak when society is unhappy.

So when there’s cultural dissatisfaction and economic upheaval, the numbers of zombie movies, television shows, and video games increases.

We also see more “zombie mobs,” where people dressed like zombies gather, stagger around, and dance. As of last year, zombie mobs had been documented in 20 countries, with the largest one drawing more than 4,000 participants in New Jersey. (Yahoo News)

NOSTALIGIA: Things From '90s Movies That You Don’t See Anymore

Here’s a rundown of some things from movies in the 1990s that you just don’t see anymore.

• Answering machines
• Payphones
• Dial-up Internet
• Sinbad
• Scrunchies
• Rollerblades
• Freddie Prinz Jr.
• Pagers (Complex.com)

MONEY MATTERS: More Americans Are Raiding Their 401(k) Accounts to Pay Bills

A new survey has shown that people are cashing out their 401(k) accounts to pay bills.

Of course, financial advisors say it’s not a good idea to raid your retirement. Not only are there penalties for early withdrawal, you’re also putting yourself at risk by spending money now that you’ll need to live on when you’re older. (CBS News)

TRAVEL: Come Fry With Me

Starting this week, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be running weekly flights from New York to Amsterdam using recycled cooking oil from Louisiana. The biofuel is refined at a plant in Baton Rouge and brought to JFK Airport in New York City, powering the engines of a Boeing 777 for the trans-atlantic trip. A similar process will be running in Holland for returning flights.

A KLM executive was on hand for the inaugural flight over the weekend, claiming, “I was with the guy fueling the plane, and he said it smelled like fries.” (Daily Mail)

LAW & DISORDER: New York "Soda Ban" Halted

A judge has struck down New York's large sugary drink ban, one day before it was to go into effect.

Justice Milton Tingling of the state supreme court in Manhattan ruled the new regulation was "arbitrary and capricious" and declared it invalid. The American Beverage Association and other business groups had sued the city challenging the ban.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg claimed the ban was a way to reduce obesity, but beverage manufacturers said the law would infringe upon consumers' personal liberty.

DRINK UP: Soda, Pop, or Cola?

Geographic colloquialisms are a common occurrence in a country as large as the United States. For example, depending on where you live, you might call a sandwich a sub, hoagie or grinder. The same can be said for soda. Depending on where you live in the country, you either say Soda, Pop, Cola or sometimes Coke.

California, Arizona, New Mexico and the Northeast prefer the term "soda." The Southern states seem to prefer "Coke" or "Cola" for their carbonated beverages. And covering a huge portion of middle America and the Pacific Northwest are the "Pop" drinkers. It's pretty amazing how these regionalisms survive considering the impact that the media has on culture. (Pied Type)

STUDY: Average Cost of a Wedding at an All-Time High

The average cost of a wedding reached an all-time high in 2012. According to a study by The Knot and Wedding Channel, the average amount spent on a wedding in 2012 was $28,427. This cost does not include the Honeymoon. That's an increase of $1400 since 2011.

Couples in Manhattan are spending the most on their special days, with the average cost of a Manhattan wedding at $76,678! Alaskans are the most frugal with their wedding budgets. The average Alaskan wedding costs $15,504. (Huffington Post)

BEAUTY: Pill Claims to Get Rid of Gray Hair Permanently

One of the first signs of growing older is getting gray hair. Most of us fight the signs of aging with hair dye and highlights, but a new product claims to rid you of your gray hair – permanently!

"Go Away Gray" is a supplement that contains an enzyme called Catalase, which allegedly "counteracts our body's natural production of hydrogen peroxide."

Apparently, our bodies produce hydrogen peroxide, which essentially bleaches our hair of all color from the inside out. We also produce Catalase – it just decreases as we age, causing grays to become permanent. The thinking is that you can block the graying process by supplementing the body's deficiency of Catalase.

If you are interested, "Go Away Gray" costs $29.99 for a month's supply and can be purchased online. It definitely sounds less expensive than hitting the salon every 4-6 weeks for a color! (The Stir)

PARENTING: Moms Turn Their Sons in for Robbery ... Would You?

Two young teen boys in Philadelphia were caught on a convenience store surveillance tape robbing a 9-year-old girl of $13.

When the moms of the 13- and 14-year-old boys caught wind of the robbery and saw surveillance video of the incident on the news, they marched their boys down to the police station and turned them in. (The Stir)

Celebs with birthdays today: Aaron Eckhart, Darryl Strawberry, Courtney B. Vance, Ron Jeremy, James Taylor, Mitt Romney, Liza Minnelli

CELEB QUICKIES

Elle Macpherson and her billionaire boyfriend, real estate developer Jeffrey Soffer, have gotten engaged. The two reportedly dated for two years before breaking up last March. Apparently they've made up.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar and wife Catriona McGinn are expecting their first child together in September. The former Saved by the Bell star, who married Catriona last July, has two other children from a previous marriage.

Alec Baldwin's daughter Ireland is following in her mom Kim Basinger's footsteps and becoming a model. The 17-year-old recently signed with two modeling agencies.

A 12-year-old boy admitted in court on Monday that he was the one behind a "swatting" prank played on Ashton Kutcher. The boy falsely reported to police last year that criminals with guns and explosives had invaded Ashton's home and shot people.

MATT LAUER: We Didn't Handle Ann Curry's Exit Well

Matt Lauer is finally talking about Ann Curry's botched departure from the Today show.

In an interview with the Daily Beast, Matt says, "I don't think the show and the network handled the transition well... It clearly did not help us. We were seen as a family, and we didn't handle a family matter well." 

Since Ann's abrupt exit last June, the Today show's ratings have continued to decline, and Matt's reputation has taken a big hit. But Matt denies that he was instrumental in kicking Ann to the curb. In fact, he says he supported and tried to help her at the time. He also says that things got so bad after Ann left that he offered to "get out of the way" and leave the show. But his bosses didn't take him up on it. Still, there's much speculation that Matt is on his way out.

The Daily Beast also reveals that Ann was not Matt's first choice to replace Meredith Vieira. He approached former co-host Katie Couric to consider re-joining him on the Today show couch, but the deal never went through.

LA TOYA JACKSON: Trailer Posted for OWN Reality Show

A minute-long trailer has been posted on YouTube for Life With La Toya, the middle Jackson sister's reality show that will premiere April 13th on OWN.

In the trailer, Jackson boasts that she's finally ready to do things her way, after being told what to do for most of her life. Reports say that Jackson will speak about Michael Jackson's death and the way it's affected her family. In addition to her parents, Katherine and Joe Jackson, the show's regular cast will include her business partner, Jeffre, and Kathy Hilton, the mother of La Toya's best friend, Paris Hilton.

PARIS JACKSON: Philadelphia Eagles Interested in Making Her Cheerleader

Prince Jackson has already launched his showbiz career, serving as an ET special correspondent and filming a guest spot on 90210 -- and now his sister Paris has an offer on the table.

After footage of the 14-year-old cheering with her Buckley prep school's varsity squad surfaced online, the Philadelphia Eagles say they're interesting in having Paris join their cheerleader squad. Eagles cheerleader honcho Barbara Zaun tells TMZ, "We think Paris will make a great Eagle cheerleader! We thought she had a lot of poise, confidence and enthusiasm in her cheer performance. Paris has that 'wow factor' that makes a great cheerleader."

Paris will have to wait a few years to take them up on the offer. Eagles cheerleaders are required to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. Still, Barbara says when Paris is ready, they'll be more than happy to give her a shot.

SHARON STONE: Maid Suing

Sharon Stone doesn't care about her help's pain -- at least according to a former maid who's suing the actress.

Angelica Castillo claims she injured her back while loading groceries into a car for Sharon. Angelica says her doctor ordered her to avoid lifting heavy objects, but Sharon had no sympathy. According to the lawsuit, when the maid refused to do some heavy lifting because of the pain, Sharon called her "crazy" and "stupid," and then fired her. Angelica is seeking unspecified damages.

This is the second time in less than a year that Sharon has had legal trouble with a former employee. In May she was sued by a former nanny who claimed Sharon put down her religion and then canned her.

Source: TMZ

KIM KARDASHIAN: Among 12 Celebs Hacked

Usually when celebs get hacked, naked photos are leaked. This time it was their Social Security numbers.

Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson and Ashton Kutcher are among the 12 victims of a hacker who has posted the stars' financial details, such as mortgage amounts, credit card info and car loans. TMZ says the FBI is investigating.

The hacker also went after such political figures as Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Eric Holder, the U.S. Attorney General. Probably not a smart move.

ELISABETH HASSELBECK: Not Fired

So much for those anonymous sources -- Elisabeth Hasselbeck is not being fired from The View.

Barbara Walters set the record straight on this morning's program, saying she wanted to address a "a particularly false story." She insisted that Elisabeth's conservative political views are not an issue, contrary to a story in Us Weekly on Friday. She added, "We love Elisabeth."

Barbara, however, did suggest that Elisabeth may be looking to move on herself, but she gave no specifics.

Source: People

CSI: NY: Star Pleads Guilty to DUI

CSI: New York star Carmine Giovinazzo has pleaded guilty to DUI -- but he's avoiding jail time.

Carmine was arrested in Arizona in January when cops saw him swerving all over the road. But he's struck a plea deal that will keep him out of stir as long as he completes an alcohol-education program by May 3rd. If he somehow manages to screw that up, he will spend 10 days behind bars.

Source: TMZ

MOB WIVES: CHICAGO: Pia Leaks Her Own Selfies

Mob Wives: Chicago star Pia Rizza took an unusual approach when she found out someone was shopping nude pics of her -- she leaked the photos herself.

Pia tells TMZ that she took the shots last year and sent them to her boyfriend. She apparently wanted to send them to Playboy to see if the mag would be interested. But the photos fell into the wrong hands, so that's when Pia decided to short-circuit the process.

Pia allowed TMZ to publish the photos because she doesn't want someone else profiting off of them, and because she's still hoping Playboy will notice.

ANTI-GUN CONTROL PROPOSAL: Rejected in Small Maine Town

Residents in Byron, Maine unanimously voted down a proposal on Monday that would have required them to own a gun and ammo.

Backers of the measure said they were trying to send a warning shot to state and federal politicians trying to pass gun control legislation, but their plan backfired.

More than 60 residents squeezed into the small Coos Canyon Schoolhouse and immediately voted on the symbolic measure, but not even Bruce Simmons, who came up with the measure, voted for it.

Still, Simmons was happy with the results, saying, "I feel we accomplished what we set out to do and I hope we will wake this town up. We made a statement to the federal government that they can't take our guns away."

Source: Reuters

GABBY GIFFORDS: Husband Buys Assault Weapon   

Gabby Giffords' husband Mark Kelly recently bought an AR-15 assault rifle, but he has no plans to use it. Rather, Kelly purchased the gun in Tucson, Arizona to show how easy it was to buy, even with background checks.

Giffords, a former congresswoman, nearly lost her life in an assassination attempt.

Sources: CNN, Facebook

"TRUTH SERUM": Approved for Colorado Shooting Suspect

If Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, he could be given "truth serum" as per a court order that was issued on Monday.

Under Arapahoe County District Judge William Sylvester's ruling, Holmes could be forced to undergo a "narcoanalytic interview" to determine if he was legally sane at the time of the July 20th shooting that killed 12 and injured 70 people.

The process involves drugging the suspect with sodium amytal and pentothal, which is sometimes referred to as "truth serum." The drugs have been known to lower the inhibitions of those given them.

The 25-year-old Holmes is set to enter a plea on Tuesday on multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.

Source: Associated Press

PAPAL CONCLAVE: Process Begins Tuesday   

On Tuesday, Cardinals will go into the Sistine Chapel and begin the process to elect the next pope. Who will get the job is anyone's guess, since there's no clear front-runner and we're not even sure how long the voting process will last.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Archbishop of Durban, South Africa, says there is not rush to get the job done. OC:…into things. :08 [Courtesy of AP]

"This is a great historical moment, but we've got to do it properly, and I think that's why there isn't a real rush to get into things."

WEIRD NEWS: Penny Wise ... Dollar Stupid

An Iowa man probably isn't feeling like a million dollars after being arrested for stealing a rare coin from a collectors' store – then showing up at the same place to try to sell it back to the owner.

According to police reports, when an employee walked away to check a price, the man pocketed a silver dollar worth more than $8000, then left before anyone noticed it was missing.

When he returned a few days later to see what the shop might offer for the 200-year-old trinket, an employee recognized him and chased him out of the store, but couldn't quite catch up with him – although cops managed to track him down a few blocks away.

Scams like this are a dime a dozen. (Des Moines Register)

WEIRD NEWS: Cream, Sugar and ... Eye Drops?

A California man couldn't see eye to eye with his girlfriend – so he spiked her coffee with Visine eye drops.

Shayne Carpenter was angry with his girlfriend after she allegedly badmouthed him, so he set his sights on giving her an upset stomach with the eye drops. The woman, whose name was not released, grew suspicious about her tummy rumbling and did some looking around on his cell phone, where she found a message, "If she's going to be talking crap then she's going to be crapping,'" according to a police spokesperson.

The woman wasn't seriously hurt, but suffered some serious diarrhea. Carpenter has been charged with domestic violence. (KXTV)

WEIRD NEWS: Butting Into the Scent Market

Two Indonesian high school students won a national science competition with an invention that many are likely to pooh-pooh – an air freshener made of cow manure!

The female students earned first prize at the Science Project Olympiad with their air freshener, which is said to have a natural fragrance of herbs and is good for human health because it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals like other freshener products on the market.

The girls collected dung from a farm and left it to ferment for three days, then mixed it with coconut water. The end product is said to have a natural aroma of herbs from digested cow food. Sounds like B.S. to us! (Orange News)

WEIRD NEWS: Sex Shooter

An Oklahoma woman who was hauled in on drug charges gave cops more bang for their buck when she submitted to a strip search that revealed she'd hidden a loaded handgun ... in her most private of private parts.

Christie Dawn Harris was being patted down by a female officer, who asked her to remove her underwear to facilitate the search. Harris objected, saying it was that time of the month, but the officer spotted the handle of the five shot revolver "hanging out" of the 28-year-old's crotch area – and a plastic bag containing remnants of methamphetamine wedged between her butt cheeks.

Harris is being held on felony drug and weapon charges. (The Smoking Gun)

WEIRD NEWS: Mom Tries to Sell Kids on Facebook for Bail Money

An Oklahoma mom apparently lacks the "bonding" gene – because she tried to sell her kids for bail money.

According to local police, Misty Vanhorn tried to sell her 2- year-old and 10-month-old children on Facebook for $4,000.

Apparently she needed the money to bail her boyfriend out of jail. Vanhorn was arrested and will likely be charged with trafficking children. Wonder what she'll try to sell off for her own bail money?! (KOCO)

WEIRD NEWS: Man Lives With 2,000 Barbies

A 41-year-old Florida man is making headlines for living in a real-life Barbie Dream House.

Stanley Colorite has 2,000 Barbies and 1,000 Ken figures – and his seven-bedroom Tampa home has become a museum to the dolls, taking up four rooms, including the bathroom. He even sleeps in a room lined with the dolls. Stanley's collection is currently worth $80,000 and he says he won't stop collecting until he runs out of rooms.
"Barbie isn't just a toy for children, she's for adult collectors too,” said Stanley. “I can't stop collecting – it's like a drug habit, I just can't quit."  (Daily News)

INTERNET FIND

Don't you love it when a child is cast to play a main character in a flashback scene? The casting director always tries to find a kid who closely resembles his or her adult counterpart. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. KidCasting.tumblr.com features the best of these.

TAYLOR SWIFT: "22" Music Video Premieres Wednesday; Lands RIAA Honor

Taylor Swift scored some heavy metal this week from the RIAA, which has named Taylor its top-selling Digital Singles Artist ever.

Recent stats show that 39.5 million Taylor single sales have been certified to date -- including 16.5 million downloads. She also holds the record for the biggest digital sales week ever for a song by a woman, and the second-largest song sales week overall.

Her new video for “22” premieres Wednesday on ABCNews.com and GMA.Yahoo.com at 8:30 a.m. ET. Before the video hits the Web, Taylor will introduce a 30-second preview on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Taylor's Red tour kicks off Wednesday with the first of two sold-out shows at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Brett Eldredge and Ed Sheeran are the opening acts.

MATT NATHANSON: New Single Gets Lyric Video

Matt Nathanson has debuted his new single with a lyric video. The clip for "Mission Bells" includes scenes of him and his band recording his new album, which is untitled but, according to Nathanson, will be out in the summer.

PRINCE: Performing at SXSW

Prince will be performing at the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas this Saturday. Accompanying him on his specially remodeled stage will be his 22-piece band.

Other big-name acts playing the festival this year include The Flaming Lips, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Depeche Mode and Green Day. It gets going tomorrow (Tuesday).

Source: Complex.com

ADELE, BEYONCE: Singing for the First Lady?

Adele and Beyonce are reportedly singing at First Lady Michelle Obama's 50th birthday party next January.

London's Daily Mail reports that Mrs. Obama will be having a "huge, celebrity-packed party for her birthday at the White House" and wants both singers to perform. The paper adds, "Adele has graciously accepted and waived her usual fee for the high-profile private performance. She will sing a selection of her most-loved hits for the first lady and her friends. The Obamas will pay Adele’s expenses as it’s a private party, not a State one."

CYNDI LAUPER: She Feels Like a Heel

Cyndi Lauper is used to targeting songs at your ears, but for her new Broadway musical Kinky Boots, she confesses that she aimed a little lower.

Cyndi tells the New York Post, "Harvey Fierstein calls me to do this musical with him and I asked, ‘What are the rules?’ He said, ‘No rules. Just write. About shoes. Not only how a character feels, but how they move the character forward.’ I had a [freaking] field day. Like my ‘Sex Is in the Heel’ lyrics. A heel’s like a car. A heel’s mobile. Jack it up six inches higher. Stuff like P-p-p-Prada...Jimmy Ch-ch-ch-Choo... I won’t go anywhere without my Manolos."

Kinky Boots is playing in previews on Broadway. Opening night is April 4th.

TINA TURNER: Still in Vogue

Tina Turner has proven she's still "simply the best" by making it to the cover of Germany's Vogue magazine -- as the oldest cover girl in the mag's history.

The 73-year-old took that title away from Meryl Streep, who was a mere 62 years old when she appeared on the front of the mag last January. Tina appears in a relatively modest dark blue blouse and, in a turn of events sure to disappoint some fans, keeps her famous legs covered in all the photos accompanying the story.

Tina, who describes herself as "semi-retired," now lives in Switzerland, having renounced her American citizenship a few months ago.

MARVIN GAYE: Ex Tries to Block Flick

Folks are planning to tell Marvin Gaye's story on the screen and on the stage -- but his ex-wife is doing her best to make sure neither of those projects get off the ground.

Janis Hunter, who divorced Marvin in 1981, but remained close to him until his death three years later, says that producers are focusing too much on the dark parts of the singer's life in both the film Sexual Healing and the stage play My Brother Marvin. Both are slated to begin production soon, but the film is being delayed because star Lenny Kravitz dropped out, to be replaced by Jesse L. Martin.

Janis, who is allegedly depicted negatively in the play, tells New York's Daily News, "I don’t think Marvin is a very happy spirit right now. This is the last thing he would want to have happen. Some of the characterizations, like saying Marvin’s father killing him was a ‘mercy killing,’ you can only imagine how that makes [his] kids feel. It makes me feel bad enough."

For the record, Janis was Gaye's second wife. His first ex, Berry Gordy's daughter Anna, was the subject of his bitter Here My Dear album.