Big Love

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin is smiling her way into the new year on Health's January/February 2011 cover. In the interview, the actress speaks candidly about her struggle with weight and admits that she's been on and off the Weight Watchers program since she was 9 years old. She only uses the diet program for times when she is exceptionally indulgent, and instead keeps up a healthy fitness and diet routine. Here are the highlights:

• On her go-to snack: "Jeanne Tripplehorn taught me . . . make some instant oatmeal, and put a tiny spoonful of peanut butter and a tiny spoonful of jelly in it, and mush it all up. It is like a mushy peanut butter-and-jelly. It's genius. And it's very satiating."
• On being on Weight Watchers: "I have been a member of Weight Watchers for 23 years, and I'm back on it right now. It's the only thing on the planet that doesn't dehydrate you or just make you miserable. I've never had a dramatic weight problem, it's just that I tend to indulge, and then I need to get back on track so I can button my pants."
• On her ballet-based workouts: "Looooove ballet! I have a trainer who used to be a New York City Ballet ballerina, and she does a lot of hybrid Pilates ballet."
• On her favorite form of cardio: "I like the elliptical, 'cause I feel like I'm dancing. And I'm also big on speed-walking outside. Like, I'll speed-walk a couple of miles, get a cup of coffee, speed-walk back. It's so easy. Just break a sweat for 30 minutes and you're fine."

Big Love only has one more season left in its run, and it looks like HBO is bringing out the big guns for the show's Jan. 16 return. The last we saw of the Hendricksons, the family's patriarch had just won a State Senate seat for Utah and celebrated by going public with the truth about his family. As expected, his announcement isn't exactly received warmly, and if this first preview is any indication, we're in for yet another dark season for Bill and his wives. The ominous tagline of the preview is "the end of days is near" as Marge says she's sinking and Barb declares that "we're all unholy."

To go with the short teaser, we can also garner some hints from the first photos from the new season. A clearly pregnant Nicki is sticking with her new modern makeover (with nary a french braid in sight!), the family has some Christmas ice skating fun, and Alby is still lurking in the shadows as always. Most of you said you'll miss Big Love, so get a peek at the beginning of the end.

More pictures and the teaser when you read more

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• Ryan Murphy is making big bucks for his work on Glee — Vulture
• Michael Ealy joins The Good Wife — TV Squad
• Mickey Rourke's next role may be as a gay rugby player – Cinematical
• Gregory Itzin joins the cast of Big Love — Ausiello Files
• 8 things from 1964 to watch for in season 4 of Mad Men — TresSugar
• The Runaways director Floria Sigismondi reveals her 5 favorite movies – Rotten Tomatoes

I'm a big fan of Ginnifer Goodwin, mostly because I love Margene, her character on the hit HBO series Big Love. Margene brings a wide-eyed naivete to the show, and to me seems like a very unlikely candidate for polygamy. After all, she was the babysitter. In real life, Ginnifer joins a growing list of celebs — think Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone — who are vegan. While the thought of giving up all things animal might seem difficult for some, Ginnifer recently shared with 21-Day Vegan Kickstart that going vegan isn't as hard as most people think. Here's what I learned about going vegan from Ginnifer's own transition into the lifestyle.

1. You can live without cheese. Ginnifer says that before becoming vegan she knew without a doubt that she could “absolutely, positively could never give up cheese.” She was wrong. Not only did she manage to ween herself off of "cheeseburgers, pizza, and macaroni and cheese," she got some family members in on the action too. "Now two of my four parents have gone vegan. They see the impact a plant-based diet has had on my life and want to live more healthfully and happily, too."
2. Food is more enjoyable. "Your taste buds will awake, and you can eat more without gaining weight!"
3. It's the responsible thing to do. Once she learned the drawbacks of eating factory-farmed meat, Ginnifer knew she had to go vegan. She admits it was not only an easy choice, but one that was "practical and reasonable" too.
4. It's easy, everyone is doing it. Since veganism has really taken off, Ginnifer says that everything you need to start is already out there. "Go online to discover accidentally-vegan foods you’ve always enjoyed and how to order vegan meals at restaurants you already frequent. Learn about new products and ask your local grocery to carry them. They will."

If you think you can't live without cheese, then try making my vegan mac-n-cheese.

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