. good morning. breaking news. the 15-year-old pakistani girl shot in the head by the taliban nearly three months ago released from a british hospital overnight. we'll tell you why her recovery is far from over. still the speaker, john boehner shows his trademark emotion as he's re-elected to his leadership post on capitol hill. as vice president joe biden welcomes lawmakers and their families to washington like only he can. >> come on, mom. take a chance. >> beautiful. before she was princess, a never-before-seen photo of diana

emernls and take a look at what's written on it. not to be published. why it's finally coming to light "today," friday, january 4th, 2013. >> announcer: from nbc this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller center. good morning. i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm erica hill in for savannah this morning. secretary of state hillary clinton plans to return to her office next week after she was, of course, hospitalized for a blood clot in her head. >> that is good news. she won't be doing a lot of traveling, though, because the doctors have asked her not to do that. her daughter, chelsea, has been by her side through the entire episode. they clearly have a very special mother/daughter bond. we'll talk about that a little bit later on. then if you're looking for a little extra motivation, maybe stick with that new year's diet resolution, believe it or not,

there are some new websites where you can win money, cold hard cash, by wagering on your weight loss. are they legal, though? >> a lot of people don't think it's a good idea to stake money on the ability to lose weight. we'll talk about that. remember ted williams, the homeless man who was addicted to drugs? two years ago when this video came out, it brought him to overnight fame. now the man with the so-called golden voice is determined to reach out and help others who are struggling. we'll catch up with ted williams a little later in the show. also more on that photo of diana, getting a lot of attention this morning for a number of reasons. a lot of people want to know just when it was taken, who is the person in that photo with her and why british newspapers never released it. there's more on that. >> on this friday morning, let's start with the real work beginning today for the new session of congress. nbc's capitol hill correspondent kelly o'donnell has the latest on that. good morning, kelly. >> reporter: good morning, matt.

congress gets down to business today, leftover from the old congress and that is billions in relief for hurricane sandy victims. we're also learning about special tax breaks in that fiscal cliff deal. with so much criticism leveled at speaker boehner, there were some questions about whether his future was in doubt. the rousing applause for john boehner capped his return as speaker of the house. after a turbulent few weeks of setbacks that have cast doubt on his power and influence, a dozen rebellious conservatives turned against him, but boehner had enough votes. and, following tradition, the top democrat, nancy pelosi, did the honors. >> eye present the people's gavel to the speaker of the house, john boehner. may god bless you! >> reporter: while boehner is known to show emotion, it seemed to reflect the pressure he has been under. >> you come here humbled by the opportunity to serve. >> reporter: the fiscal cliff

drama also cost taxpayers with special interest. the law extended for two years tax breaks already on the books, including $430 million for hollywood, producer to make their movies and tv shows in the u.s. $70 million in tax credits for nascar track builders. $59 million for algae growers, $7 million for buyers of electric scooters. all were part of the package passed late in the night to prevent the fiscal cliff crisis. senator john mccain says those breaks should not have been partitive must-pass bill. >> do we need a special tax break for these special interests like algae growers? why not give a special tax break to the american citizen? >> reporter: while some tax breaks may seem questionable, the law does more like helping teachers provide classroom

school supplies and helping veterans. it gave vice president joe biden much of the spotlight as the key negotiator. >> happy new year. >> reporter: his role thursday swearing in senators turned a few heads as he clearly relished meeting senators' families. he is back here today to preside over another important tradition, joint session of congress where electoral college is officially recorded. that means today is finally the end of the presidential election. matt? >> good news for a lot of people. kelly o'donnell, thank you very much. we'll have more on that photo-op with vice president biden. and david gregory on sunday, on "meet the press" his special guests will include mitch mcconnell. willie geist is in for natalie over at the news desk.

good morning. >> good morning, erica and matt. good morning, everyone. the 15-year-old pakistani girl's education advocate targeted and shot by the taliban has been released from a british hospital. malala yousafzai will seek medical attention in central england. she was shot in the head in pakistan by the taliban for her campaigning for girls' education. secretary hillary clinton is returning to business as usual next week. clinton is upbeat and recovering well after being hospitalized for a blood clot in her head. she is at home, resting, but already calling her advisers and working with her staff. we'll have much more with clinton and her special relationship with her daughter, chelsea. when gabrielle giffords heads to newtown, connecticut, today to meet with the families of the victims of the deadly school shooting there. giffords was wounded in a mass shooting in tucson, arizona, in

2011. her husband, astronaut mark kelly, will also attend the private meeting today. meantime the survivors of the connecticut shooting headed back to school thursday and one image getting a lot of attention, showing one young student flashing a hopeful message much peace. now cnbc's courtney reagan is at the new york stock exchange. >> good morning, willie. investor also take their cues from that jobs report. final employment report for the government from 2012. in other economic news, the minutes from the latest said meetings on thursday, it appears several policy maker would like to stop the fed's bond-buying program by the end of 2013, having some speculating about the end of the stimulus. the georgia school board member accused of running over a

teenager to get into a parking space has now resigned citing, quote, personal and family reasons. the incident caught on surveillance video, police arrested angela cornett. the high schooler leaned into her vehicle, she claims. anti-trust probe of google find that is the search engine does not unfairly favor its own. google has agreed to license patents that are essential to rival devices. when you have to spend the whole day doing photo-ops and swearing in new senate members you have to find a way to keep yourself entertained and vice president joe biden, as you may know, is a master at that. >> you've got a million dollar smile. a lot to smile about. spread your legs.

i want you next to me. need any help work iing. holy mackrel. >> if you have a few minutes, go online. someone tweeted to me if it doesn't work out for joe biden becoming president some day he has a hoshot at being host of family feud. >> my favorite is holy mackrel. >> tell us how you really feel. >> get a loet load of these. >> as usual, here was the line. >> come on. >> never stayed on the right side of it before, so why today? >> really. let's see what we've gotconcern. we're looking at more rain and

snow down in texas. i mean, abilene has picked up four and a half inches and that's what they get for the whole year and we've got other one to three inches in the big bend area to new mexico. wind advisories of jamestown to water town and light snow. talking about maybe one to three inches, again, for today. but some areas in upstate new york near watertown could pick up nine to 12 inches of know over the next 24 hours! we'll get your local forecast. but get a load of this?

clouds north and west of washington but over the nert area it's colder. some parts of southern maryland and northern virginia are in the uer teens and later today into the low 40s and lots of sunshine and a bit of a blustery west wind increasing clouds on saturday. high near 40. for the game on sunday, looking good. partly to mostly cloudy at time >> that's your latest weather. erica? >> al, thanks. now to an alarming trend. a designer drug known as bath salts, the u.s. navy is fighting a problem with a new video. we do want to warn you some of these images are disturbing. jim milkuloklaszewski is at the

pentagon. >> reporter: it's clearly aimed at scarying any sailor who is thinking about using the drug known as bath salts. since hitting the internet two weeks ago, it's got gone viral. the navy video opens as if you are the young sailor about to embark on a terrifying, mind-bending trip, snorting the synthetic drug bath salts. your physical reaction is almost immediate. >> hey, what are you doing? >> reporter: you don't notice anything wrong but others do. >> are you okay? >> yeah, i'm fine. >> reporter: but not for long. the threatening hallucinations begin. your growing paranoia explodes into violence. back home even your roommate has te

turned demon. >> what's wrong with you? sent to a hospital gurney, the sailor continues to fight that continues until only heavily sedated. psychiatry resident says violence is only one troublesome reaction to bath salts. >> when people are using bath salts, they're not their normal selves. they're angry, erratic, violent and unpredictable. >> reporter: navy officials say the troubling video was produced after an alarming spike in the use of the designer drug by sailors last year. under the seemingly harmless name bath salts, the crystal concoction is a witch's brew of different synthetic drugs similar to amphetamines. once legal it's now banned by the dea. some may think this video is over the top but not mark ryan,

the director of louisiana's poison center. >> my impression of the psa was that i'm sure some people think it may be exaggerated. it may be uncomfortable for some people to watch, but it's accurate. >> reporter: calling it one of the most serious psychotic disorders he has ever seen. >> bath salts not only will jack up your family and your career, it will jack up your mind and your body. >> although the drug bath salts has been banned nationwide, there are so many variations of the drug using different chemicals that by themselves are legal it's almost impossible to enforce. the navy is so concerned that just this week it started drug testing sailors for any trace of the bath salts drug. >> jim miklaszewski, thanks. matt? as congress gets set to vote on an aid package for victims of superstorm sandy today,

thousands of cars ruined by that storm are stirring up a little controversy. tom llamas is in new york with details. tom, good morning. >> reporter: matt, good morning. we're just outside a private airport. behind me, 15,000 to 18,000 sandy cars. it's what you can't see here on the ground or even up in the air in a helicopter that has officials worried, that these rows and rows of cars could be threatening the drinking water just beneath this airport. when sandy hit the superstorm paralyzed cities in more ways than one. by some estimates wind and floodwaters damaged nearly a quarter million cars, many a total loss. >> the water pretty much damaged all the inside. everything is just kind of, i guess, floating around in there. >> reporter: new york knicks basketball player amare stoudemire famously instagrammed

this photo when he found out what sandy had done to his range rover. so what happened to all those cars wrecked in the storm? tens of thousands have wound up here on the eastern part of long island. insurance auto auctions iaa, which works with the insurance companies, is leasing the runways from the town of riverhead. the town says it will make nearly $2 million in six months. this automobile graveyard is turning into a giant money maker for the town, but some say it's a giant mistake. >> sandy was a natural disaster nobody could do anything about. this is a natural disaster in the making that is just simply an error of government. >> reporter: 20 local environmental and civic groups wrote to the new york department of environmental conservation in protest saying gasoline, oil, anti-freeze, lubricants and the interaction of salt water with auto parts pose a threat to long island's sole source aquifer.

>> it's no different than what you would see at smith haven mall. this is less damaging to the environment. >> reporter: the town supervisor says the town sits too deep to be affected by any leaks. the d.e.t. says it's monitoring the situation but so far there's been no violations from the cars parked on the runways. they are inspected and monitored to make sure they don't leak. the most a single car will stay here, six months. sold at auction with the vin number, identifying they are sandy salvaged cars. now if you're shopping for a used car right now, there's a good chance you could come across a sandy car. if for some reason the dealer doesn't tell you, you can always check out the vin number on the car, vehicle identification number. you can do that online to find

out if it's a sandy salvaged car. matt? >> tom llamas for us, thank you very much. hillary clinton's treatment for a blood clot this week has really put her relationship with her daughter in the spotlight this week. andrea mitchell joins us. >> thank you, erica. set to get back to work next week after a hospitalization for a blood clot in her head. helping her get through this, her husband, of course, and her daughter, chelsea. they may be the most recognizable mother/daughter duo in america, in the spotlight this week as never before. hillary clinton in a picture shown round the world, leaving the hospital wednesday hand in hand with chelsea. family friends say both chelsea and bill clinton were the best medicine hillary could ask for. >> while the secretary was in the hospital, chelsea and her husband were just a tremendous resource for her and a source of

affection and a source of optimism for her to return to good health. >> reporter: the special bond between hillary clinton and her only child has always been ovs. obvious. as a white house teenager, chelsea accompanied her mother on an official trip. in a recent interview with jenna bush hager, the clintons recalled their christmases at the white house. >> often we would sneak down the night before, try to get a look. >> i fundamentally know she would be the best president for all of our mothers and all of our daughters. and all of our future mothers and all of our future children. >> reporter: they were both inspired by hillary's late mother, dorothy rodham, the cherished grandmother chelsea says she thinks of every day. now it's hillary who speaks

longingly of becoming a gather grandmother. >> of course, it is no state secret skret that i hope to become a grandmother some day. >> reporter: chelsea, now an nbc news special correspondent is also taking a more public role, occasionally standing in for her mother. >> i'm proud of my mom for many, many reasons. but one of the reasons i'm chiefly proud of her is the legacy that she'll leave as secretary of state. >> she and chelsea have a very, very strong relationship. and an identity with each other. and i think, frankly, of all the jobs hillary has ever had, being the mom of chelsea clinton has been her favorite. >> speaking personally, there is nothing you can say to me that makes me happier than say something nice about my daughter. >> it is a very special relationship that clearly brings joy every day to both and it has helped hillary clinton find the strength against occasional adversity. erica? >> andrea mitchell, thank you. >> good news here, secretary of state going back to work next week, which is nice to hear

she's on the mend. meanwhile, coming up, this video made ted williams an instant celebrity. two years later, the man with the golden voice is giving back in a big way. we'll catch up with him in just a little while. also a never-before-seen photo of diana, before she was a princess and why it was marked not to be published. first this is "today" on nbc.

erica is sitting here with two devices. >> i am. >> blackberry, cell phone. >> i'm okay with it. >> and she had her ipad the other day. could you go through something called digital detox, going ten days without any of those devices. >> could i just choose one to give up? >> no, all of them. oh! what was that? but what they didn't know... go, go, go! was that we wanted to help little eli celebrate his first flush - in the biggest way possible.

look! eli! first flush! celebrate your first flush - with new and improved pull-ups! and for even more fun, check out our pull-ups big kid app at pull-ups.com i'm a big kid now! again! here's a better idea. pillsbury grands! flaky layers biscuits in just 15 minutes the light delicate layers add a layer of warmth to your next dinner. pillsbury grands biscuits let the making begin. i can't breathe, so i can't sleep. and the next day i pay for it. i tried decongestants... i tossed and turned... i even vaporized. and then i fought back with drug-free breathe right. these nasal strips instantly open my nose,

like a breath of fresh air. i was breathing and sleeping better. [ female announcer ] exercise your right to breathe right. get two free strips at breatheright.com. hey it's your right to breathe right. yep...doh. [ boy ] slurpably fun and a good source of calcium. dads who get it, get go-gurt. she gives me snickers peanut butter squared and i eat it. it's snickers with creamy peanut butter, would you like one? let's just keep an open mind. [ groans ] [ male announcer ] if you like peanut butter and chocolate, you'll love peanut butter and snickers. not just the ones you can find on a map. but the ones you can find in your heart. because inspiration doesn't favor those who sit still. it dances with the daring and rewards the courageous with ideas.

ideas that inspire. ideas that take you places you never imagined. ideas big enough to make the heart skip a beat and, in some cases, maybe two. toyota. let's go places. good morning. its 7:26 on this friday, december 24th. i'm aaron gilchrist. a former prince william county jail guard is specific expected to need guilty. anthony mcintosh found ronnie white unresponsive in his jail cell in 2008 and never told anyone. white was in jail accused of killing a police officer. a medical examiner initially ruled the death a homicide but later said he may have strangled himself. mcintosh was charged with lying to law enforcement investigating the death. a trial on on strurks charges was supposed to start next week. and the traffic alert now. all lanes of wisconsin revenue

are back opened temporarily after a water main broke in chevy chase, maryland and crews finished repairing the eight-inch main yesterday afternoon and plan to finish repairs to the road after this morning's rush hour. we'll go to mike cremedas for more on traffic, mike? still looking great on the beltway and 95 delays have eased up an and earlier accident is gone, a little delay in woodbridge. a live look at the camera north slight delay, things look better once you get to the springfield interchange. a 25-minute ri

good morning, teens and 20s throughout ouch f much of the region. a clear sky over washington with a few clouds noshtd and west of the metro area. later today, sunny with highs reaching the low 40s. a bit of a blustery west wind

and the tomorrow morning, the highs are near 40. good weather for the skins game on sunday. partly to mostly cloudy and in the mid 40s hovering in the low 40s

back now at 7:30 on a friday morning, the 4th of january, 20 2013. take a look at this. it's a never-before-seen photo of diana that is now coming to light. it was taken before she joined the royal family and it is marked "not to be published," which is why i guess we're showing it. >> i said the same thing this morning. >> anyway, we'll have more on that photo straight ahead. i'm matt lauer alongside erica hill. erica is here while savannah takes a little time off. >> it is up for auction. >> exactly. you may remember this guy. >> when you're listening to nothing but the best of oldies,

you're listening to magic 98.9. >> in an instant ted williams went from homeless to a national celebrity, even appearing here on "today." two years later, how is the man with the golden voice doing? we'll catch up with him. >> and you text, you talk, you get directions. what if you were asked to put your smart phone down for a week or maybe even two? we'll meet more young women who did it with some surprising results. let's begin this half hour with the never-before-seen photo of diana that's about to be auctioned off. kier simmons is in london to tell us all about it. kier, good morning. >> reporter: remember before princess kate, william's mom, princess diana, was one of the most photographed women in the world. however this photo set to be auctioned in new hampshire, is rare and mysterious. diana spencer reclines next to an unidentified young man, gently rests a book on her

shoulder. she is 18 or 19. bottle of whiskey is on the window ledge. the photo is believed to have been taken on a swiss skiing holiday. it was sold to a newspaper two days after diana's engagement to prince charles. mysteriously across it are the words "not to be published." it shows a rather young, carefree girl, a bit gagauche i you like, really. we catch diana on a rare private moment. and it's all about to change before she became a worldwide icon. >> reporter: a never-before-seen picture of diana before her engagement, marriage and worldwide fame and before all the heartache, divorce, the accident in paris that ended her life. this early fophoto is intriguin. we don't know who the young man is, who the photographer was or why it was published. when it's auctioned in the u.s.,

some are expecting it to sell for a high figure. in fact, experts say while it might normally be worth around $750, your probably going to need to spend a lot more than that if you want to bid for it this month, matt. we just don't know why it wasn't published until now. >> when you say a lot more, are we talking hundreds of thousands, keir? what are they expecting? >> i think you just don't know with an auction, do you? it could well go to thousands more. you'll need to reach deep into your wallet, matt. >> that's not me. but thank you, keir. appreciate that. keir simmons in london for us this morning. >> good, i don't have to worry about bidding against you now. a behind-the-scenes look at a new reality tv program that takes viewers inside what many of us see a solemn occasion, funerals. kerry sanders is in dallas. a lot of people wondering, kerry, if maybe the reality producers have run out of ideas at this point. >> reporter: you know, erica, i've wondered the same thing. if you've been to a tradition funeral you know it's hush tones and some sobs.

there exists in this country funerals that are more than a celebration of life. they're a party. it's all captured on tlc's new reality show "best funeral ever." for many, funerals are a moment for the living to grieve. but for some, funerals are a reason to have a party. yes, that's a pig. and this is not called a funeral. rather it's called a homegoing, put together like a theatrical production. >> we as a race of people, we have always celebrated our homegoing services. being absent with the body we are present with the lord. >> reporter: willie koelt mccoy's funeral was a tribute to his biggest accomplishment. among the voices of one of the most memorable jingles in the

decade. >> these are families who have lost loved ones so there is never any disrespect with these type of homegoing celebrations. >> reporter: along with a fountain flowing with barbecue sauce. all of it captured on camera for the tlc show "best funeral ever ever." >> if there are no accuracy here at all we will still be doing these types of services. for those who think this is another reality show, this is our reality. >> reporter: funerals cost anywhere from $5,000 to upwards of $40,000. >> that looks like 24 karat gold. >> to some they may seem over the top. >> do these reindeer bite people? >> spent his whole life in a wheelchair, never got to ride any of the rides.

>> reporter: so they took his ashes to the state fair. >> have the time of your life, jerry. >> this is a wonderful way to have closure. >> reporter: this is very much a look inside a culture that exists in our country. while it may seem odd or funny to some that they have a funeral that is a dallas cowboys themed funeral, to those who come here it is what they hope is the best funeral ever. erica? >> kerry sanders, thank you. "best funeral ever" premieres sunday night at 10:00, 9:00 central on tlc. >> it's fine for some people. i just want hysterics, tears. pure tears. >> i just want a party at mine. >> really? >> you want an uplifting ceremony? >> i want it to be uplifting, absolutely. >> now a check of the weather from mr. roker. >> announcer: "today's" weather is brought to you by massage envy. this new year, start your wellness resolution with massage envy.

i will tell you, they are getting snow in west texas and it's still coming down. check out el paso. this is unbelievable. they've picked up about four inches of snow. again, they get it out there but not all at once usually, it's over the entire winter season. so again, the snow continuing in texas. let's show you what we've got happening for today. we're talking about cold air. we've got talking about cold ai. we've got a tropical jet bringing the moisture down into the south. that's why texas and the combination of snow and cold air and moisture, that's why they got temperatures anywhere from 18 to 20 degrees below normal and polar jet coming across northeast bringing lake effect snow as well. teens and 20s into the plains and into the ohio river valley. you got to go down to southern florida to find temperatures in the 80s. look for showers in the pacific northwest and morning snow west texas. rain in southern texas. and snow squalls around the leeward side of the eastern

great lakes. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning, a clear sky over the metro area and points south and south and east of washington. that's where we have the coldest temperatures. but clouds north and west of the metro area but they should break up as the day progresses. under those clouds it's a bit milder around freezing. where it cleared out it's down to the teens in many locations. looking at the next several days, we'll have cold, dry weather today and tomorrow and on sunday, a lot of clouds around and heights reaching mid 40s during the >> that's your latest weather. of course, it's a big one on saturday. it's not just saturday football. it's wild card saturday. ooh, we've got two games. bengals taking on the texans, mostly cloudy. 54 to 57 degrees. and then we continue wild card saturday as the vikings go into

the frozen tundra of lambeau field. 19 to 23 with possible flurries. who will prevail? you'll find out on wild card saturday. erica? >> al, thanks. up next, we'll catch up with ted williams, the once homeless man with a golden voice, two years after his rise to fame. and would you be willing to bet on your weight loss? new websites that allow you to do just that. first these messages. [ female announcer ] what would you call an ordinary breakfast pastry

that's been wrapped in a flaky crust stuffed with a gooey center toasted up all golden brown then given a delicious design? a toaster strudel. pillsbury toaster strudel. so delicious...so fun. yeah we both relieve coughs, sneezing, aches, fevers. and i relieve nasal congestion. overachiever. [ female announcer ] tylenol® cold multi-symptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion. nyquil® cold and flu doesn't.

is the only yogurt brand endorsed by weight watchers and your taste buds have always endorsed us. so, you know what this means... this is a real win win! yoplait, it is so good. gives you 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 50% annual bonus. and everyone...but her likes 50% more cash. but i'm upping my game. do you want a candy cane? yes! do you want the puppy? yes! do you want a tricycle? yes! do you want 50 percent more cash? no! ♪ festive. [ male announcer ] the capital one cash rewards card gives you 1% cash back on every purchase plus a 50% annual bonus on the cash you earn. it's the card for people who like more cash. what's in your wallet?

we are back now 7:42. an update on a guy we've been following a couple of years now. ted williams, former homeless man with the golden voice. stephanie gosk recently caught up with him. stephanie, good to see you. good morning. >> good morning, matt. we had a great chance to go out to columbus, ohio, and see what his life is like now and what his life used to be like. he admits he still has his fair share of struggles. two years ago, this was ted williams' street corner. and in some ways, it still is. >> hey, my brother, how are you doing, man?

>> great. >> happy new year. >> nearly everything in his life has changed. everything, that is, except the voice. >> right back here. >> but the memories of 17 years of homelessness are still fresh. >> what's it like to have to stand in a median in a highway and ask people for money? >> i thought it was the most degrading thing i thought that was the lowest form of homelessness. >> reporter: he was standing right here when a reporter from a local ohio paper shot him with the most unlikely of gifts. >> when you're listening to nothing but the best of oldies, you're listening to magic 98.9. >> reporter: days later he was on the "today" show. >> oh, god! hi, mr. matt lauer. >> announcing the "today" show. >> this is "today." >> the man with the golden voice proved he is also something of a performer. >> live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> reporter: you don't just get

it, ted. you nail it. i mean, you completely nail it. >> i loved it. >> reporter: how did you get that so good in that one moment? >> i had been practicing, practicing. >> reporter: it didn't go unnoticed. now he has a commercial with kraft macaroni and cheese. >> they're made for nights just like this. you know you love it. >> reporter: a job and an apartment later there's no doubt that life improved. he even had an emotional reunion with his mother. but there are still some struggles. relationships with his seven children are strained and williams battles a dangerous demon, drug and alcohol addiction. >> matt lauer was very scared for me at one point. he mentioned on the air, you know, ted -- >> a lot is happening very quickly. >> yes. >> i lived over here. >> reporter: he's taking it a day at a time and focusing on the things that matter to him, like the homeless. >> some people look the me with

admiration and are like, god, if you can do it, you can do it. and i feel like if i fail, what is that person going to do? >> reporter: shouldering that responsibility, he says, keeps him on track and focused on what he does best. he didn't shy away from a chance to show me how it's done. >> stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york. >> the truth is i've been practicing since i got that -- i can't do it. the guy is a marvel. >> he's right, i was nervous about him. i was nervous also -- i was worried he had surrounded himself with people who might take advantage of his newfound fame. i hope he has kind of settled into life a little bit. >> yeah, he has. he still is the first one to acknowledge the fragility of his situation. and as i said, he is keeping one day at a time. >> thank you for the update, stephan stephanie. we appreciate it. up next, could you unplug for ten days?

what it may do to you and why it may be time to try a digital detox right after this. i've always had to keep my eye on her... but, i didn't always watch out for myself. with so much noise about health care... i tuned it all out. with unitedhealthcare, i get information that matters... my individual health profile. not random statistics. they even reward me for addressing my health risks. so i'm doing fine... but she's still going to give me a heart attack. we're more than 78,000 people looking out for more than 70 million americans. that's health in numbers. unitedhealthcare. that's why i got them pillsbury toaster strudel. warm flaky pastry with delicious sweet filling my kids will love. plus i get two boxtops for their school. toaster strudel. the one kids want to eat. to make peanut butter so deliciously creamy. ♪

it can even be a game changer. that's why choosy moms and dads choose jif. ♪ [ female announcer ] mcdonald's dollar menu just keeps getting better. introducing the all-new mouthwatering grilled onion cheddar burger, topped with melty white cheddar and caramelized onions. plus all your tasty favorites for just a dollar each. ♪ every day, as always, there's a lot to love for a little on mcdonald's dollar menu. ♪ delicious. but say i press a few out flat... add some beef sloppy joe sauce... and cheese fold it all up and boom!

i just made an unbeatable unsloppy joe pillsbury grands biscuits. let the making begin. just how long could you go without your digital devices? think about it for a minute. no texting, no surfing, no facebook, no twitter. natalie morales recently caught up with four 20 somethings who

tried it. >> reporter: meet kathy mae, rosalie, four roommates who say they're addicted to their smart phone. i want you to describe how often you're on dline, on facebook, instagram. >> pretty much all day. >> reporter: we challenged them to a digital detox. >> for the last time. >> we're not dying. >> kind of. >> socially. >> dying a social death. >> reporter: almost two weeks without smart phones, facebook, twitter, instagram or google. no digital communication, period. >> no phone. no life. i don't know what to do with my hand. >> seriously like ten times i wanted to logon to facebook. ten times. >> i felt like i was actually have i

having withdrawals. i know it's crazy. >> i feel like i have no idea what's going on in the world. >> reporter: do you feel like you have been completely cut off? >> the "today" show, i love t it's three hours long in the morning and i don't always have three hours. >> so we need to start speaking in 140 words or less? >> created some practical problems, too. >> i think we should take this squ squiggly line. >> no phones mean no maps. >> i don't know how to navigate! i have gps for that! >> reporter: amidst the frustrations of being off the grid came revelations. >> it's so easy to use your phone as a way of expressing yourself. sometimes i need to relax on expressing myself a little bit and let myself think it over. >> reporter: final unplugged bunch, rings, dings and distractions were replaced with actual human interaction. >> my mind is more clear. >> really, i think so, too. i can think more. it sounds really stupid, but --

>> reporter: by the end of the detox, the roommates agreed there was definite value in unplugging. >> we definitely got closer. we talked to each other. there wasn't anybody else involved. it wasn't like the entire world on our phones. >> reporter: quality of your lives has improved in that sense? >> definitely. >> we're a little less of a dysfunctional family now. >> a little less, but still we are a little dysfunctional. >> could you do it? >> i think i could survive. >> two devices here. >> work and personal, that's why they're separate. you have to constantly check in, feel like you know what's going on. news wise. but i made a concerted effort around my kids to put them down. >> we did it for a week in montana. >> it's one thing to do it on vacation. day-to-day lives, i don't know how you could do it. >> it's probably true. we want to show you a transition here, pete souza, one of the great gigs in washington, photographer of the white house,

has released some of the photos he has taken over the past year. some of these are really wonderful, including this one. >> this is robert gibbs and the president, who were coming back to the white house, driving the chevy volt. he told the president about it and the president took it for a spin. >> this speaks for itself, president obama sitting on the rosa sparks bus. >> from 2012, cozy corners restaurant in oak harbor, ohio. the president said he was eating some pie. anybody want some pie? this little boy took him up on the offer, came over and took a big bite. >> from aaugust 8, 2012, an 8-year-old girl, make a wish girl just overcome with emotion, getting to meet the president. >> and the final one, trick or treater outside the oval office pretending to be spiderman.

the secret service tackled that little kid right after this. look what mommy is having. mommy's having a french fry. yes she is, yes she is. [ bop ] [ male announcer ] could've had a v8. 100% vegetable juice, with three of your daily vegetable servings in every little bottle. this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those veggies and beans, that's what may help lower your cholesterol and -- well that's easy [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup.

♪ ♪ [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. lose up to six pounds in two weeks. with the cereal you love... and so much more. what will you gain when you lose?

faster than mandy can hang up on mr. monday. you hang up first. [ female announcer ] in just 60 seconds, you've got snack-defying, satisfying totino's pizza rolls. [ ringing ] it's on. let's roll. a little more. there's a real, like, camaraderie in the parking lot... shut up! that's it! let's go in the car. my time to shine is the smoked pulled pork. i think it's done broseph! pretty much got it down to a science... pretty much. we also really like a great pulled pork sandwich even when we can't make the game. you ruined it! some people even like it better. really? yep. [ male announcer ] new carving board pulled pork, get that delicious slow smoked taste without the hassle. it's game time food.

it's oscar mayer. 7:56 is your time now on this friday, january 4th, 2013. the skins' first home playoff game in 13 years is this sunday and you're all showing us your redskins' pride from entire families to the dog and even a pony out there. the pictures are pouring in. thanks for sharing them with us and keep them coming. e-mail them to skins fan at nbcwashington.com or tweed @nbc washington and use the hash tag skins fan. more like hockey weather. it is a cold morning starting off with a clear sky over washington and points south and's but clouds are west and north of washington where the temperatures are right near freezing but where it's cleared out down into the teens. southern maryland and parts of northern virginia and reagan national, 33. later today up to 40 and near 40

on saturday good weather on sunday.

no serious accidents on 270 but we're seeing a bit of aed ly in hyattstown but looking good at the falls road camera and heading to the beltway. >> thanks, mike. another update in 25 minutes. back to the

friday morning. it's the fourth day of january, 2013. and it's kind of a chilly one and a breezy one here in new york city. about 33 degrees. we've got overcast skies. we also have a very big post-holiday crowd here in new york city. thank you for stopping by. i do, too. i've noticed it's not as crowded trafficwise this week. a lot of people are coming back this coming monday. thanks to these folks for stopping by. i'm matt lauer along with erica hill, in for savannah, who is

taking some time off. she will be back on monday. and mr. al roker joins us as well. we are talking about a challenge for a lot of people this time of year, losing weight. >> there are now some websites where you can actually bet on your weight loss against some people you don't know. we'll take a look at at those, how they work and whether or not they're a good idea. survival guide to upcoming weekend, what's new, what's hot, what's hip, all those things. movies and music you can entertain yourself with and also fashion. did you know the head-to-toe denim look is back? >> uh-huh, prepare yourself. >> so get ready. from a vacuum-riding baby to a touching surprise at the rose parade, we will let you decide what the top online video of the week was. just a couple of minutes ago we showed you a piece natalie has done for "dateline," digital

detox. it's all partitive show that comes up sunday night on "dateli "dateline's" new year new you. willie geist is in at the news desk. good morning, willie. >> good morning. the house voting on the first part of a $60 billion relief package of victims of superstorm sandy. house speaker john boehner, criticized for postponing that vote, was re-elected thursday for another term as speaker. arizona senator john mccain is among those expressing outrage at the fiscal cliff package passed this week, extending existing special interest favors for the next two years. fortsed to turn in her badge amid accusations that she falsified dozens of arrest reports. miguel almaguer has that story. >> reporter: the veteran police officer has been with the force ten years, once considered a promising and rising star in the

police department, she is now at the center of what could become a lawsuit. corporal lisa steeb, first woman named as utah highway patrol trooper of the year, is today out of a job, the rising star fired amid allegations of misconduct. she made a career of pulling over alleged drunk drivers is accused of falsifying police reports, claiming sober drivers were drunk. julie tapia says she was pulled over when pulled over by steed. although the corporal said she failed her field sobriety tests, tapia says that blood tests showed there was no alcohol in her system. attorney bob sykes says a multimillion dollar class action lawsuit will soon be filed against the former trooper and the utah highway patrol.

>> terrible abuse of power and an abuse of constitutional rights. >> reporter: the uhp is not commenting on the case, but sykes says for at least two years, they were aware of steed's alleged misconduct. a fellow officer warns steded's reports could threaten the dui squad's credibility. 11 out of 20 arrests showed no impairing drug in the system. four of them had nothing at all. >> she continually, regularly charged innocent people with a serious crime despite the fact that her superiors knew she was doing it. >> reporter: this isn't the first time corporal steed has made headlines. after tasing a suspected drunk driver four years ago, steed and the department were sued, resulting in a $40,000 settlement. today, steed is appealing her termination. her attorney says she is one of utah's top cops.

>> she's taken thousands of drunk drivers off the road. very, very few of those cases have been reduced or dismissed. but that doesn't mean that she didn't act fairly. >> reporter: a former trooper of the year, out of a job and now accused of misconduct by the very people she arrested. at least one utah district attorney says he won't prosecute any arrests where steed was the arresting officer. she is appealing her termination. that hearing should be coming down the road in a few months. wi willie? >> miguel almaguer, thank you. for a look at what's trending today, a quick roundup of what has you talking online. 6.8 million downloads made gotier's "somebody i used to kno know" top viewed. top selling album of the united states for the second year in a row, adele, the first in the

modern era. exuberant viral video. she was bummed she didn't get to visit her family. so she went to baggage claim at lax and danced around people who did have families. angela has done the same sort of thing before in places like laundromats and also in a shopping mall. and this video shows you're take ing a risk when you put your faith in unwitting strangers. >> what do you need? oh! what's wrong with you? >> i trust you. >> i trust you! >> i don't know what he's expecting those people to do. maybe not so bad landing in sand but this guy also does the fall,

as you can see there, on sidewalks. why? we may never know. it's now 8:06. sending it back out to matt, al and erica. matt, thank you always for catching me when i fall. >> whenever i can. that gets my early vote for the dumbest thing i've ever seen in 2013. >> willie does the trust fall with matt except he grabs his tush. >> and as often as he can. >> mr. geist, thank you very much. mr. roker, how about a check of the weather? >> let's check it out for rocki weather? >> your pick city today, happens to be sioux city, iowa. news4, sunny, cold, 30 degrees. let's see as the satellite view, radar, you got a lot of wet weather and making its way from houston to dallas, snow back through the western parts of texas. rain in the pacific northwest. lake effect snow squalls and eastern great lakes. look for plenty of sunshine through florida, sunny skies in the mid-atlantic states although a little chillier. our cameraman, jimmy corrigan,

to do the trust fall! >> oh, no! >> that's your second vote for the dumbest thing i've seen this year. >> oh, very good. >> making two appearances in two days. >> very impressive. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. it is the kwold morning here. good morning, right now near 30 in washington with nearby suburbs colder than the south where it's been clear but clouds north and west keeping a little warmer around the freezing mark. later we'll be up around 40 degrees. much of the region with lots of sunshine and a blustery wind from the north and west settling down tonight. tomorrow, another day a lot like today and increasing clouds during the afternoon and evening and partly to mostly cloudy on sunday and good weather for the >> and that's your latest weather. >> he's on a roll. >> creative bunch. >> no question about it. coming up, betting on your ability to lose weight online. we'll tell you more about that.

but first, these messages. nature's true celebrities aren't always the most obvious. it's more than being glamorous, or tall. it's not all about who sparkles the most. or who is the best dressed. what nature really cares about is what you have to offer. like the stevia plant. small and humble with a surprising secret to share... sweetness. truvia sweetener. zero-calorie sweetness, born from the stevia leaf. from nature, for sweetness. i'd like to thank eating right, whole grain, multigrain cheerios! mom, are those my jeans? [ female announcer ] people who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who don't.

multigrain cheerios i've been fortunate to win on golf's biggest stages. but when joint pain and stiffness from psoriatic arthritis hit, even the smallest things became difficult. i finally understood what serious joint pain is like. i talked to my rheumatologist and he prescribed enbrel. enbrel can help relieve pain, stiffness, and stop joint damage. because enbrel, etanercept, suppresses your immune system, it may lower your ability to fight infections. serious, sometimes fatal events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, and nervous system and blood disorders have occurred. before starting enbrel, your doctor should test you for tuberculosis and discuss whether you've been to a region where certain fungal infections are common. don't start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. tell your doctor if you're prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if, while on enbrel, you experience persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. [ phil ] get back to the things that matter most. ask your rheumatologist if enbrel is right for you. [ doctor ] enbrel, the number one biolog medicine

prescribed by rheumatologists. these are sandra's "homemade" yummy, scrumptious bars. hmm? i just wanted you to eat more fiber. chewy, oatie, gooeyness... and fraudulence. i'm in deep, babe. you certainly are. [ male announcer ] fiber one. i'm in deep, babe. you certainly are. we asked total strangers to watch it for us. thank you so much. i appreciate it. i'll be right back. they didn't take a dime. how much in fees does your bank take to watch your money? if your bank takes more money than a stranger, you need an ally. ally bank.

your money needs an ally. back now just about 8:12 on this friday morning. weight loss, websites where you can bet your way to a leaner figure. the battle of the bulge, with two-thirds of americans overweight or obese and billions of dollars spent on weight loss program programs, some are now going online, putting their money where their mouth is. >> that is a social dieting game where people compete to lose weight and put money upfront into the pot and anyone who accomplishes their goal, which is to lose 4% of your starting weight in four weeks ends up splitting the pot. >> dietbet.com is a growing number of weight loss wager

programs, where people bet on whether they can shed those unwanted pounds. >> the average is about six pounds over the four-week game. >> stick.com and fatbet.net is also in on the action, offering incentives for slimming down, offering dieters various ways to earn cold hard cash, $300 to $1,000 for reaching a healthy body mass index, offering a teen weight loss competition. grand prize whopping 10 grand. a study published in the journal of american medical association found those with the financial incentive to lose weight were almost five times more likely to reach their target than dieters with no money at stake. founder and ceo of dietbet.com. he is here this morning along with five people who have participated in his program. valerie anderson, randy nicolo,

and meredith venkil. good morning to all of you. we'll get to your results in a moment. you have a 93% success rate. >> correct. >> what's the average bet here? >> affirming bet is about $30. >> what's the average payout? >> about two to three times that. about a third of the people win. it's not winner take all. everyone who wins splits the pot equally. >> it's always over a four-week period. you rely on photos, too, to determine the winner. >> we do. >> do you get a little concerned? it's pretty easy these days to doctor a photo. >> people aren't doing it for the money. they're really doing it for the weight loss. we put people through a process that you have to document not just like you lost 4% of your weight but also show yourself getting weighed, show you the scale. we give you a weigh-in word that's specific to your game. people feel that there's integrity around the weight verification, but they're really in it for the weight loss more than the money.

>> you're all doing it together in an office like you guys did, it's easier to keep tabs on people. valerie, you won the pool. you lost 11 pounds. >> i did. >> what was it about for you, the camaraderie or did you want the cash? >> i actually think it was both. the cash was motivating but i was looking for something to help me get motivated to lose weight and stick to it. a diet that holds you accountable and also you can enjoy it with your friends, your co-workers and just really -- it's competition and it keeps you on your goals and it just keeps you going with losing weight and being excited about it the whole time, not dreading going to the gym or dreading dieting. it was a way to set my life up to meet my goals and really accomplish everything i wanted. >> and be more accountable? >> absolutely. >> randy, you're in charge of this operation. you're the head of the company. >> i run the company, yes. >> you lost nine pounds. >> i did. >> you tell me you've lost another four since then. you'll start this again with an even larger group of co-workers. what was the benefit you saw of

having everybody do it together? >> one of the things about having a great company is a great culture. 60% of the company will start a diet on monday. it really did promote camaraderie. you always know what everyone else is eating for lunch, is this guy getting chicken wings or are we going to do something a little healthier? it will help us all maintain what we started when we started this first diet bet a couple of months ago. >> it's essentially like gambling. there's a question of legality. one former prosecutor told us that a weight loss program like this could potentially have some legal issues. have you looked into that? are you concerned about it at all? >> we have. the reason it's not gambling per se, is it's entirely under your control. whether you notice or not or it feels like it or not your weight is under your control. you're not betting on something that's outside your control like a football game or a spin of a

roulette wheel. >> that's why it's all legal? are all of you participating in this new round? >> yes. >> it was really fun the first time. >> what was fun about it? >> doing something together as a group activity, being in the office together and snack together, had lunch together. we went for salads together. it was very motivating. >> a whole new -- really quickly before we let you go, any idea how many people actual ly maintain the process? >> we see a lot of people playing month after month and a lot of people coming back to us when they want inspiration basically for a new -- to kick off a new year's resolution or new diet. >> or to stick with what they've done. maintenance is the hardest part. nice to have all of you with us this morning. happy new year. and good luck. >> thank you. david and victoria beckham's 10-year-old son following in the footsteps of his famous parents, right after this. not just the ones you can find on a map. but the ones you can find in your heart.

because inspiration doesn't favor those who sit still. it dances with the daring and rewards the courageous with ideas. ideas that inspire. ideas that take you places you never imagined. ideas big enough to make the heart skip a beat and, in some cases, maybe two. toyota. let's go places. [ female announcer ] hamburger helper stroganoff. beefy. creamy. stroganoffy. helpers. forty dishes, all delicious. to make just about anything delicious. introducing new jif chocolate flavored hazelnut spread.

whatever you put it on... reaches a whole new level of deliciousness. choosy moms choose jif. [ annoyed ] i'm pure milk chocolate on the inside. and i love that about you. and here i thought you loved me for my brain. is that made of chocolate too?!!! ♪ [ tylenol bottle ] me too! and nasal congestion. [ tissue box ] he said nasal congestion. yeah...i heard him. [ female announcer ] tylenol® cold multi-symptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion. nyquil® cold and flu doesn't. ♪ yer always after me lucky charms! whoa. i forgot how good these taste! [ lucky ] ♪ they're magically delicious woman: we're helping joplin, missouri, come back from a devastating tornado.

man: and now we're helping the east coast recover from hurricane sandy. we're a leading global insurance company, based right here in america. we've repaid every dollar america lent us. everything, plus a profit of more than $22 billion. for the american people. thank you, america. helping people recover and rebuild -- that's what we do. now let's bring on tomorrow. progress-oh! [ female announcer ] with 40 delicious progresso soups at 100 calories or less, there are plenty of reasons people are saying "progress-oh!" share your progress-oh! story on facebook.

it's friday. we're getting for the weekend with what's up, what's new and what's in. three people who know are here with their expertise. senior writer for newsweek and the daily beast. >> good morning, matt. >> let's start with the box office. any oscar contenders here? >> i'm willing to bet a few dollars that naomi watts is nominated best actress. it's based on a true story. it's a tear jerker, but really good. >> bring a tissue movie. matt damon is opening in a movie called "promised land." he teams up with the director in this one. >> goodwill hunting. they get back together 15 years later. he plays the guy that's trying to buy the drilling rights to a small town, it's about fracking.

>> there is a slasher film out this weekend getting controversial comments because it's opening so close to the newtown shooting. this one is something you said you saw. it's incredibly gory. >> it's incredibly gory. they didn't screen it to critics. this is the seventh texas chainsaw massacre movie in 3d. it's bloody. >> i don't want to see it in 2d much less 3d. >> i think hollywood needs to be more responsible, especially after the shooting. people say things need to be different and i think they do. >> jay-z and the great gatsby, unusual combination? >> new movie comes out in may just announced that jay-z will be doing the score, which i think is appropriate. jay-z's voice is full of money. >> we're always expecting lady gaga to do something surprising, she's going on tour but adding an extra component to this tour.

>> there will be buses outside her tour where a lot of her fans who suffer from depression or eating disorders can get help. little monsters can get a little help when they go see lady gaga. >> sounds like a good idea. >> thank you so much. >> let's go to willie. >> what's up when it comes to celebrity news? alicia quarles joins us. good to see you. >> good to see you. >> katie perry and john mayer. >> a year ago she was in hawaii with her ex, russell brand. >> john mayer has a track record, doesn't he? >> jennifer aniston, jessica simpson. he has kept katy around for a while. making good music together. >> bradley cooper and zoe -- >> they met last year, tried to

rekindle. word is they broke right before new year's. he's back on the market. >> haunted castle. >> joining the cast, she claims that the castle which is 400 years old is haunted. she claims that pictures were coming off the wall. don't laugh. shirley believes in a lot of different things. this should be an interesting season. >> speaking of brits we love, the beckham family. it's never too soon to get your young child into modeling. >> 10-year-old romeo beckham is following in his parents' steps in modeling. one of the most coveted jobs in modeling gone to the 10-year-old cutie. >> beckham's thinking about moving to china. >> new soccer team. we'll have to see. >> erica? >> willie, thanks. last but not least what's in? up first, head-to-toe denim. >> done wrong it's very scary. done right it's great.

head t head-to-toe denim with the long sleeve shirt, jeans, dress, old navy basics. key, mix textures, weight and shades. if you do head to toe of the same exact denim -- >> that's out. colors, green is the color of the year. pastels are really in. >> pastel accessories, year-round essential. it's not just for easter. we have all these fun options. you can go big with a bag or you can go a little more delicate with a little watch or headband. >> little splash of color. we like it. hair products that look more like skin products and bright neons we'll sioux more of. >> yes. bright pink lips are the perfect compliment to emerald. fun colors from sephora. gloss down there that's more sheer or go with a really heavy dense lipstick. this is definitely taking place of the red lips. >> pretty color. i'm afraid of coloring my lips

but you pull it off. >> treating your hair like your skin with treatments, l'oreal products for your hair. like a moisturizer. skin. >> now we know what's in. jen, thanks. your local news. good morning, it's 8:26 on this friday, december 4th. i'm aaron gilchrist. breaking news in the district. a taxi driver is in serious condition after being stabbed. this happened in the 500 block of kenyan street in northwest. police say they're looking for a black chevy impala with the taxi cab company on it. if you have information give them a call. here's traffic with mike cremedas. thank you very much, aaron. we had an accident eastbound 66 at the beltway. all travel lanes have been re-opened. a live look at that incident delay at nuttily. so slow getting to the beltway with a 24-minute ride from 286 to 495 and a 28 miles an hour.

also, an accident westbound central avenue at the beltway. two separate incidents but easy to get by. aaron? >> thank

here's your storm team 4 seven-day forecast. warmer on wednesday and thursday and might get some rain on thursday. highs in the 50s both of those days. want to see your pictures of your r

8:30 now on a friday morning. it's the 4th day of january, 2013. and we've got a lot of folks starting their weekend off with us here on the plaza. we always appreciate that. even though it's a little chilly and overcast. al will fix that up just in time for the weekend. i'm matt lauer, alongside erica

hill, who is here while savannah is taking much-needed time off. mr. al roker joins us as well as willie geist. what do we have coming up this hour? any time you are looking for a job, you hear internship is one of the best ways to get connected. for some re-entering the workforce, especially some moms, this may be the way to go. we'll take a look at the trend and see if it's right for you. the man behind perhaps the most successful franchise in the history of television "law & order." there it is, al, you've got it. now dick wolf is here to try something new. we'll talk to him about his first novel. >> and, according to reviews, trying his hand pretty successfully. >> first, we would like to say hello to the very lovely allison sweeney, host of "the biggest loser." i got to do the rose parade with

alison. >> it's been like two days since i've seen you. good to see you again. >> you guys are tackling a serious topic, childhood o obesity. >> we are getting into it. we are ready to have the conversation, helping our kids get healthy. statistics are pretty staggering and are getting worse. we found some amazing kids that we know america is going to fall in love with. we have them involved in challenges. they're out there having fun. they are not competing. they're not weighing in. we are just here to inspire them, motivate them and their families to live healthier lives. >> 14 and 15-year-olds, how will they emotionally handle not only the weight loss part but the national television part? >> the truth is, they think they are already being bullied, they are already having a hard time. we want to support them, be their friend and find them a new conversation to have about what we can do right. and they are inspiring their families and their communities and other kids that watch.

and it's been fantastic so far. i know america is going to love them too. >> quite the emotional journey. jillian michaels is also back. >> yes, we have jillian back. she is more jillian than ever. >> whoa, what does that mean? >> fantastic. she is on fire. day one, episode one, you'll see she has taken the time off to get back at it. and they -- you know, i think that she feels on fire from what is happening in this country, what we need to do to remotivate ourselves. jillian is back at it. i'm so proud of this season. i want everyone to watch. you'll fall in love with these people. it's amazing. >> season premiere is -- >> sunday night. this sunday. >> on nbc you can see it at 9:00, 8:00 central time. o'. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. good morning. i'm storm team4 meterologist tom kierein. we have clouds north and west of the metro area but they should

break up as winds pick up later this morning. those clouds are cruising in on upper level winds coming from the north and west bringing in the cold air and get a little gusty winds by later this morning and during the afternoon. we'll have temperatures that are right now, only near 20 to our south and 30s north and west and in the low 40s later this afternoon and then tomorrow, more of the same with increasing clouds. good weath >> that's your latest weather. allison sweeney is going to be sticking around for our 9:00 hour for the take three. >> for the good stuff. i love that part. also ahead, we'll take a look at "today's" top clicks. your chance to pick the video of the week. first this is "today" on nbc.

all right. we're back at 8:36 with "today's" top clicks where you get to vote for your favorite viral videos of the week.

we are starting off the new year with a brand new batch, mr. geist. >> the very best of the year, 2012, drum roll, please. >> i knew it. >> it's the scary elevator ride. right, al? >> that's been my favorite. >> you had this one picked. from a variety show in brazil. the lights flicker, then they go out. when they come back, a ghostly little girl appears in the elevator with these poor people. hidden cameras, of course, there to catch the reaction. unsuspecting passengers. it's cruel, it's mean. >> i love the video. then the ride to the emergency room. >> or the janitor who has to clean up. >> let's move on to this week's top clicks. first up, a touching moment of tuesday's tournament of roses parade. al was there to witness this one in person. sergeant eric paz, deployed to afghanistan, stepped off the float he was riding to surprise his wife and 4-year-old son. al, that was an incredible moment. >> everybody was crying over

th this. it was just amazing. she didn't know he was there. she thought she was there as part of a contest to take a picture during the rose parade and then he comes up from behind and it's just magic. tours in afghanistan and iraq. >> seven months in the making? >> yes. >> and his wife said she could never watch those reunion videos when they come up online, it was too difficult for her but she said the real thing was pretty good. >> clip number two, definitely do not try this one from home. >> no. >> baby girl's ride on a roomba robotic vacuum was posted three years ago but now is catching fire online this week. matt lauer, your take? >> i don't like this video only because -- how old can this baby be, 8 months, something like that? that's a hardwood floor. >> yeah. >> she falls over backwards on that thing? that's the overcautious parent in me. >> i see with the hardwood floor. >> though now she's ride iing a dyson. >> very good.

>> she's moved on. and she started wearing a helmet, just in case. >> next up, a music video with more than 1.5 million hits on youtube. ♪ i knew you were trouble when you walked in shame on me now flew me to places i've never been ♪ >> so why does that have 1.5 million views? canadian group with acapella version of taylor swift's "trouble." >> i think it's in trouble. >> maybe this will do better. trending on today, exuberant angela dancing around the baggage claim at l.a.x. >> i love this. >> like nobody notices. >> i mean, no one is even looking at her. says something about l.a. >> it does. >> it also tells you, this is how happy you get when the airlines actually deliver your luggage. >> she has done this kind of thing in places like malls and

all over the country. this is kind of her bag. so "today's" top click choices are the rose parade reunion, baby's roomba ride, double the trouble and baggage claim dance. >> we'll see if it continues its run on top. >> head to today.com where we'll reveal the winner next friday and put it up against three new videos. we're back in a moment. first this is "today" on nbc. lucky charms?! ♪ yer always after me lucky charms! whoa. i forgot how good these taste!

[ lucky ] ♪ they're magically delicious now all general mills big g kid cereals have more whole grain than any other ingredient in cereals like lucky charms and cinnamon toast crunch, the delicious way to help them grow up strong.

back now at 8:42, it can be tough to lapped a new job, especially if you've been out of the workforce for an extended period of time. now some companies are offering the equivalent of an internship to adults. as janet shamlian explains they can be just the ticket to kicking off a new career chapter. >> reporter: in the daily dash

to get her daughters off to school, kate mccloud didn't use to be in full makeup and a dress at 6:30 in the morning. but it's her new normal now that she's got a full-time job again. after five years at home, kate was eager to resume her career but faced the question that has haunted many professiturned stae moms. >> if you take time off you have to figure out how to get your foot back in the door. i pulled up their site. >> reporter: not just a foot but all the way back in, senior position with daily grommet.com which helps launch unique products. >> making sushi can be tricky, even for people who have experience with it. this takes all the stress and anxiety out of it. >> reporter: some of the products on the website. kate started as little more than a 40-year-old intern, three-month deal part-time for

not much pay. >> you don't lose your brain cells because you take care of a child, right? >> reporter: co-founder of the dailygrommet, still loves playing around in the stockroom. >> these balls bounce on water. >> reporter: she championed the idea of temporary hires, saying she didn't mind the gap in kate's resume or teaching her new software because the boston area mom had everything they wanted. kate's ten hours a week turned into 40 and a competitive salary. the daily grommet uses short-term hires trying out candidates who take an extended break, usually women who stayed home with children. >> you can peel this away and reuse it. >> reporter: she says there's nothing charitable about what she's doing. assess simply good business. >> they're going to work harder than they would have otherwise because they're grateful. they're going to value that arrangement, which means probably better retention. >> reporter: kate has the flexibility to shuttle her

daughter to ballet practice. and with short-term, no obligation arrangements, she can screen what she considers top talent, multitasking mothers ready to resume a career. >> it's an affordable children's shoe sizer. >> reporter: for "today," janet shamlian, nbc news, boston. >> co-founder of i rewatch.com. and columnist of the harvard review. good to have both of you here with us. we talk about this all the time when you talk about people re-entering the workforce. is this the best way to do it, to get your foot in the door? >> this is an excellent way to get your foot in the door. it's a tryout. you have to see it that way and be willing to take the tradeoff. but it's -- for many women it's the perfect thing to do. >> women, and some men, could be willing to take the tradeoffs. what's in it for the company? >> the companies have an

opportunity to try out someone before making a permanent commitment to hire them. both parties have a chance to evaluate the working relationship. >> is there ever a concern from either side about this sort of feeling like cheap labor, i'm just being used? i'm disposable for a short period of time? that has to come up, i would think. >> it's true there's a range of competition for the internships. but it's really important to focus on the experience itself and not so much on the pay. because the experience is going to give you something relevant and recent to put on your resume. it's great conversation material when you're talking to a hiring manager, much more productive to talk about what you learned in your internship than to talk about the fact that you just came off an eight-year career break. >> although there are marketable skills in that career break as a stay-at-home parent. >> that's what the value is to the company. but we talk all the time about the resume gap. what do you put in a resume gap? how do you get that first step back?

this is a first step back for a lot of people. >> and give them something to talk about. what about something like volunteering? does that give you the same something on your resume as this kind of internship would? >> have something. be a consultant during that period of time, volunteered during that period of time or do something more structured, like this. the benefit of this, it's reciprocal. these are companies looking to try people out. i guess that's a step better if you're ranking them. >> right. >> to do something to show that, okay, i'm ready to come back and i can demonstrate it. >> and how common are these internships for people later in life? can you go to a company if you don't think they offer it even and say, hey, how about this arrangement? >> you should absolutely think about doing that. the company does not have to have a formal program. we are only seeing the beginnings of an emergence of programs at some companies. if you're in an interview and

think the hiring manager is hesitant to hire you because of your career break, suggest a short-term arrangement. it will take the perceived risks from their perspective of hiring you permanently. >> thank you both this morning. >> thank you. up next, a new kind of thriller from the man behind "law & order." first this is "today" on nbc. wheeeeeeeeeeeee!

wheeeeeeeeeeeee! whee! whee! wheeeeeeeeeheeee! heads up. everything you love about geico, now mobile . download the geico app today.

dick wolf is best known as the creator and producer of nbc's successful "law & order" franchise. now he is branching out with a novel called "the intercept." this has been in the works for a while. >> a few years on and off since about a month and a half, two months before 9/11 when we got that go ahead from nbc to do a miniseries called "terror" which started with an al qaeda training camp in afghanistan, with 10-year-olds saying god is great, death to america. the brother of one of them coming to new york, driving over the canadian border with three other young muslims, coming into new york. setting off a bomb under the shuttle in times square. >> ready to go into production on this. here comes 9/11. by the way, from 9/11 right here, variety. after that attack you had to

shelf all this. >> had to. >> the plot in the book could be like a tv show, ripped from the headlines. research wise, what do you do for something like this? >> well, a lot of the people that i had made contact with in the community 12 years before i kept in contact with people in the nypd, intelligence division i had known. so, there were a lot of people i was able to talk to. and the thing i'm actually pretty pleased with is tit's pretty accurate. >> details are intense. i'm not going to give anything away here but you discuss a bomb that's created and you write about the creation of that bomb. do you fear at all that you crossed a line in terms of details? >> unfortunately, i think that if we suffer from anything, it's sort of minimizing the intelligence and the effectiveness of the enemy. believe me, there is no violation of security. there's not anything in the book

that, unfortunately, terrorists don't already know. >> there is another aspect to this book. you deal with this other dynamic of instant fame, celebrity, what it does to people and what it says about our culture. why did you decide to highlight that? >> it is a thriller. we had to hide some of the cards throughout up until the end of the third act. it was really a structural thing. one of the things that has always interested me is, a, the price of celebrity and how quickly it can come and how quickly it can go away. you deal with this every day of the week. and it was an added color that i thought was important. >> i was intrigued to see that the "today" show makes an appearance in the book. a little reference you write in, where i'm even mentioned in that. thank you very much for that. >> you're very welcome. the biggest risk in terms of using real people -- there was a big risk. >> by the way, osama bin laden,

mayor bloomberg, ray kelly, other people. >> and president obama. >> right. >> who was still the president in the book. so that was -- it could have been very embarrassing, if there had been a different result in the election. >> these days books when they are successful there's immediate talk about turning them into movies. have you thought about that? >> i thought about it. nobody has called yet. it's a first novel. i think that, frankly, my druthers would be to do it as a miniseries but they don't make miniseries. >> not much anymore. if it does go to film do i get to play myself? >> absolutely. i think all of them can come in. maybe we can even do it -- >> looking for a little side payment here, which would be nice. after "law & order" went away a couple of years ago, you said at the time, quote, never complain, never explain. you feel like explaining a little more now? >> no. we all have bosses. we have the same boss at that

time. it was an inexplicable decision for me but -- >> do you miss it? >> yes. i miss the people. you talk about a bully pulpit, "law & order" dealt with subjects that all the writers were interested in and i think the biforcated structure gave it a real way to do stories that most shows don't have. >> this is called "the intercept." good to see you. >> my pleasure. we're back, but first the week that was here on "today." >> secretary of state hillary clinton in the hospital. >> pulling the country back from the brink of the fiscal cliff. >> student and staff from sandy hook elementary head back to

class this morning. >> secretary of state hillary clinton back at home. and she is already getting back to work. >> i think that the cover was intentionally provocative and controversial. >> kim kardashian and kanye west are expecting. >> how was it in times square last night? did you have a good time? >> still have my sequins on. it was a crazy night. >> some of the gang here in studio 1a feeling the burn this morning. >> we're surrounded. >> good morning. >> here in pasadena just across from the famed rose bowl itself. >> i can't believe i'm on the plaza. >> banished words of 2013. >> you like the maze ball? >> i just heard it. >> you've had enough champagne by now. >> look who's talking over here. >> i know. >> you'll get a payoff 1,000-1. >> that's an amazing piece of advice. >> i just want a party at mine. >> really? >> yes. >> you want an uplifting

ceremony? >> i want it to be uplifting. >> i could bring you back some grapefruit. >> second vote for the dumbest thing i've seen this year. >> french fries, willie french, or did the potato favorite originate in belgium? >> she loves you, al. all of you. >> but me especially. yeah, grandma! whoo! three, two, one!e! 8:56 is your time now on this friday, january 24th, 2013. good morning. the cold is bone-chilling out there and let's check in with storm team4 meterologist tom kierein for the forecast. tom, good morning. >> as it warmed up much. the wind beginning to pick up a little by the right now and it's in the low 20s to our south.

north and west, it's a bit milder in low to mid 30s. reagan national at 36. later today, the low 40s and we'll have a lot of sun but the wind will be a bit blustery and saturday, the wind dies down but still cold and increasing clouds. good weather for the game on sunday. should be mid 40s at the start of the game and near 40 by the end of t

accident westbound central avenue at beltway is out of the way and no residual delays. much better at 66 eastbound and travel lanes are all opened there and no serious backups. a 23-minute ride eastbound 66. far fax county parkway to the beltway at 29 mary. >> thank you. >> we want to see pictures of your redskins pride. e-mail them to skins fans at i moved to new york to work in fashion. i came here with just a suitcase, maybe two. and luckily i found an apartment just three blocks away from t.j.maxx, which was perfect because i needed everything and i still needed to make rent. t.j.maxx is such a great place cause i know when i go in there i'm gonna score. they've got such great deals on all my favorite brands.

fashion direct from designers. savings direct to you. this maxxinista can make it anywhere. t.j.maxx. let us make a maxxinista out of you. back now with more of "today" on this friday morning, the 4th day of january, 2013. a crisp, sunny day here in midtown manhattan. nice to spend it outside on the plaza on a friday. inside studio 1a i'm willie ist along with al roker and kit hoover from access hollywood. >> everything is backwards, like i'm sitting here with y'all. >> you don't want to go back to billy, do you? >> i'm not going anywhere. >> you're going to host with me. >> doing a little give and take. >> yeah. >> what else is coming up this half hour? new year's resolutions,

getting on budget or getting in shape. it could cost more than you think. we have some reasonable solutions. not 12, but 13. >> lucky 13. >> hot spots from the french riviera. that looks all right. before we go traveling we've got our news headlines. >> that sounds good. nation's job market posted steady gains in december. the economy added 155,000 jobs last month. the unemployment rate stayed the same at 7.8%. earlier november rate was revised higher from the 7.7% that was first recorded. new congress is getting down to business with the house voting on the first part of a $60 billion relief package for victims of superstorm sandy. house speaker john boehner, criticized for postponing that vote, was re-elected yesterday

for another term as house speaker. senator john mccain is expressing outrage for the fiscal cliff extending special interest favors for another two years. secretary of state hillary clinton is planning her return next week to business as usual. the state department says clinton is upbeat and recovering well after being hospitalized for a blood clot in her head. she is at home, resting, but already calling her advisers and working with her staff. former arizona woman gabrielle giffords will be in newtown, connecticut, today to meet with the families of the victims of the deadly school shooting there. giffords, as you know, was wounded in a mass shooting in tucson, arizona, in 2011. her husband, astronaut mark kelly, also will attend a private meeting today. meanwhile, survivors of the connecticut shooting headed back to school on thursday. and this image is getting a lot of attention, showing one of those students flashing a hopeful message of peace. federal anti-trust probe of google finds the search engine does not unfairly favor its own

services. the settlement comes without forcing google to make any major concessions on how it runs its search engine. google has agreed to license patents that are essential to rival devices. aarp, known for its political muscle and money-saving deals for older americans, now venturing into the dating game. it's teamed up with website how about we.com to encourage singles over 50 to find romance online. one-quarter of the aarp's 37 million members are single. what better way to start off your friday with gratuitously cute animal video. this pug has a unique way of going upstairs to bed. his owners posted the video as magic pug. >> wasn't there a warner brothers character that did that in a cartoon? >> doesn't it look like his belly is too big to clear the

steps? >> that's how peppy la pew walks. >> that's it. this goat is imitating the chicken he shares his pen with at the local petting zoo. or he is saying something more profoun profound. >> mocking those poor chickens. >> has a gene simmons tongue. that's a long tongue. >> wow! now 9:04. four minutes after the hour and you are up-to-date. al, how about a check of the weather? >> all right. let's see what we've got f let's see what we've got for you. we're looking at more rain down through texasy. snow is starting to taper off. we may see another one to three inches of snow in western parts of texas and southern new mexico. we got wind advisory from james town to watertown. and add that to lake effect snow

blowing around the next 24 hours and rough driving conditions. check out the snowfall amoupts. anywhere from one to three inches but right around watertown and to the south they could pick up a foot of snow. that's what's going on around the country here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. good morning. still below freezing. much of the area south of washington, right around the metro area and points north we're in the mid 30s now. later today, into the low 40s and a few clouds coming and going and tomorrow more of the same. we'll probably have more clouds during the afternoon and evening. and partly to mostly cloudy on sunday. rain and it should be mild or midweek and for the game on sunday, looking now time for "today's" take three. we each give our take on the top

trends. allison sweeney from "the biggest loser.." >> she came in to co-host with me. she looks just as good at 5:00 am in the morning as she does now. something with your little pug nose. >> pug nose. >> that's right. >> i bounce up the stairs like that pug did. >> that's right. >> happy anniversary. your 20th anniversary on days of our lives. >> that's right. thank you very much. yes. i'm very excited. 20 years. >> lot to talk about. we'll talk about the show in just a second but couldn't wait any longer to show you this. >> joe biden. vice president biden turning on his particular kind of charm at the senate swearing in yesterday, shmoozing with the mothers, grandmothers, daughters, anyone who is a woman. >> you've got a million dollar smile. there's a lot to smile about. spread your legs. you're going to be frisked. i want you next to me. i want you next to me. as they say in southern delaware, you're looking good. >> watch where you're walking.

>> need any help working on your pecs, let me know. holy mackerel. >> wow! >> very welcoming. >> only joe biden can get away with that as it turns out. >> this one. this one. >> he does a little pet there. >> if you watch the whole video, if there was an older woman, he would get all up next to their ear. >> maybe there's something to said about the equal opportunity flirtation. >> backbone like a ramrod. >> later on he said show me something that people -- >> richard daswson. >> yes, how we love richard dawson. >> that was about 20 seconds. that went on all day. and repeating some of his lines. >> i can't get enough of it. like i need more of it. >> take two new year's resolution reality, 45% of people make resolution. how about 8% actually accomplish them. >> wow! it's a long year.

>> i resolve to make a resolution but then i didn't do it. >> there you go. first week of the year 75% of people are still on track. a steady decline from there, though. obviously allison, number one is get back in shape. why can't people do it? >> i personally think resolutions come across more as diets. when you break the rule or you set a resolution, i'm going to lose weight and one day when you fall off the wagon you give up and quit. for me it's better if you aim at more like a positive motivation. this year i want to achieve x. and then if you struggle, it's a whole life plan. it's a plan for the whole year. you're not just going to quit and give up, walk away. the most frustrating statistic about it was how many people don't make resolution at all. just given up on the whole idea. >> more than half. >> i hope shows like "the biggest loser" and what you guys talk about on the "today" show every day of just giving people good ideas keeps people motivated. try again tomorrow.

you have a bad night, try again tomorrow. keep at it. >> forgiveness with the weight loss. don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day. >> that's what happens. you have a bad day and say to heck with it. you try to make yourself feel better by eating. you feel worse when it's over. >> or you cheat. you do it even bigger. one cookie and then you have 12. i've already done it, i'm going to keep going. >> you have to be realistic about your goals. don't maybe say i'm going to lose 50 pounds but i'm going to lose five pounds this month. >> small attainable goals. give yourself something to be proud of. go out, go for a walk, take a workout. the next healthier choice is easier. >> your show kind of piggybacks what you're doing on "the biggest loser." you're doing something different with the kids. we showed joe biden there. we also know the president and first lady are very involved. >> move.org.

national discussion about weight loss. we're so sensitive to taking care of the kids' psyche and helping them in a really positive way without the competition, but at the same time they need to -- they have taken responsibility. bingo, for example, who you will fall in love with on sunday, he is amazing. they sought us out. they want to make these changes. they want to be inspired to make healthier choices. and they have dreams and aspirations. lindsay wants to do gymnastics and the cheerleading and it's so from frustrating to think that your body at that age is holding you back. we want to get these kids healthy and help parents start at the beginning and help their parents be healthy all along. >> you see the kids asking for help, it breaks your heart and bingo is one to watch. >> cute, cute. so precocious. he is ready to fill your job any second. and he wants to be on tv. he's going to break hearts. he's going to be a heartbreaker.

>> and what was his namo? >> doesn't miss one, does he? >> no. >> iphone fashion. >> did you just make the turn with the iphone? >> i did. we use the term fashion loosely. >> why? >> it's an ear phone. >> hello. >> turn it around. >> here's the phone. >> what do you possibly need brass knuckles for on your iphone? >> is there a crime associated with that? >> this, joe biden could get away with. >> that's kind of frisky. >> these are the best. >> wait, i needed this at the rose parade and people were making fun of me for my michael jackson -- >> blue tooth in it and this is how you actually make the call. you go like this. >> no, no. >> yes. >> one of those pranks you play on savannah? >> no, it really is. >> you talk to a person in your gloves? >> can't you also operate the screen with your gloves on?

>> right there. >> in the thumb? >> there's a thing in the thumb. >> i want a shoe phone. >> this is our paige, mack. >> that's unfortunate. >> how is that different from a pocket? >> lot classier. >> it is. >> is it working for you? do you like it? >> it's a little less formal than my usual -- but yes. >> do they come in mom jeans? >> does it look awkward with the pocket? >> kind of stylish. >> no, no. >> nice try. >> we're telling you no. >> you go to unzip and -- >> al! >> just going for the iphone. >> you've been so good to me all week. thank you for everything. >> of course. >> i brought a little thing for

you. >> i have a call to make. >> can i see those? actually gave you a parting gift. >> from the kitchen. >> i've got to say i've never been in the kitchen besides yesterday. opened the fridge. bottle of bubbly. that fridge is stocked. thank you so much for being so welcoming. >> we loved to have you here. this is a photograph of you stealing from us? we can always remember it. >> the bad thing about bottom's up, i'm trying to stick my bottom's up, but i didn't mean my bottom. >> bottom, pug nose. >> you're on a roll. >> allison sweeney, thank you for hanging out with us. we'll see you as host "the biggest loser" when it premieres sunday, 9:00, 8:00 central here on nbc. sticking to your resolutions and your budget, when we come back. [ fingers tapping ] [ rain pattering ] [ heels clicking ]

[ female announcer ] yoplait light tastes great now... ♪ ...and feels great later 20 delicious flavors of yoplait light, now at 90 calories each. yoplait, it is so good! [ coughs ] [ baby crying ] ♪ [ male announcer ] robitussin® liquid formula soothes your throat on contact and the active ingredient relieves your cough. robitussin®. don't suffer the coughequences™.

the blissful pause just before that rich sweetness touches your lips. the delightful discovery, the mid-sweetening realization that you have the house all to yourself. well, almost. the sweet reward, making a delicious choice that's also a smart choice. splenda no-calorie sweetener. with the original sugar-like taste you love and trust. splenda makes the moment yours. hmm, we need a new game. ♪ that'll save the day. ♪ so will bounty select-a-size. it's the smaller powerful sheet. the only one with trap + lock technology. look! one select-a-size sheet of bounty is 50% more absorbent than a full size sheet of the leading ordinary brand.

use less. with the small but powerful picker upper, bounty select-a-size. very interesting. cool. i like "success." joy. i got cracker chips. [ laughing ] chocolatey pretzel. mmmm.... special k! [ female announcer ] snack and stay on track with special k. i like "confidence." i am a confident lady. [ laughter ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ female announcer ] nothing gets you goi quite like the power of quaker oats. today is going to be epic. quaker up.

this morning on "today's" money making, realistic solutions. plans for 2013 could get a little pricey. >> jean chatzky, always good to see you. >> nice to see you, too. >> let play a little high, low. we begin with losing some weight. >> number one new year's resolution, according to the university of scranton. you want to do it big, expensive. you want to get a nice piece of exercise equipment for your home. it's actually worth spending the money on a good treadmill or good elliptical, particularly if you're going to put the miles on it. if you don't want to spend as much, you can do it yourself with just a great pair of running shoes. this is how i do it, quite frankly. this is the brooks adrenaline gts. it's not a minimalist shoe. it's $110. it has some stability if you pronate at all it's a good shoe. great for men and women. >> these are all inexpensive devices to have in your home. >> right. the gym is another option. personal trainer, 6.5 million americans actually use now is

going to cost you $50 to $60 an hour. if you don't want to spend that much, you can put together a home gym like this with all of this stuff for under $100. you need somebody to tell you what to do. who better than that than jill and her dvd is $15. >> what about the cleansing? this is such a huge trend i feel like. >> it is. right. supposedly she does it once a month. blueprint cleanse will ship across the country, $65 a day. you get six juices. but if you want to spend a little less, do it on your own, we asked our friend, joy bauer, how do you do a cleanse yourself? she has one in a blender. this is joy's greens in a glass. >> okay. >> we should try it. we've got the recipe on our website. it's on joybauer.com aas well. it's actually pretty delicious. i was tasting it in the back. i'm not going to taste now so i can keep talking. put your spinach in it. her three rules are no sugar, more vegetables than fruits and

try to add some protein. >> sometimes these cleanses -- i did one with my wife once. >> you did? >> you can't even choke one of these down. >> i actually know a lot of people who have done this particular cleanse and they like i it. >> something i always wanted to do and have a hard time maintaining. it's expensive. >> hiring a professional wardrobe designer will cost you $50 to $200 an hour. most popular place in your house to organize. this is their medium size closet on sale which will cost you a little bit over $400 for a three by four closet. it's really pretty easy. you need somebody to hang that top bar in your closet like a handyman, and you can do the rest yourself. >> can you, willie? >> i can hang a top bar. >> i would pay somebody $50 to do it but i could do the rest.

>> my wife is laughing right now. >> never hung a bar in your life. >> right. >> these are great books, my favorite organizing books, julie morgan sterns organizing from the inside out and it's all too much from peter walsh. >> what are we talking about here, coffee? >> talking about saving money. the coffee example is, i will just give you, a little bit tired except that people spend $1,000 on coffee each year. >> no. >> the average american worker, according to a survey by accounting principles, spends $1,000 on takeout coffee. >> i believe that. my kids now run to starbucks. >> i like starbucks coffee. i make it at home. it's $10 a bag. add it all up over the cost of the year, i spend less than $300 on coffee, which is a $700 savings. if you're willing to go with cheaper coffee, you'll spend considerably less even after you

add this cuisinart 1200 coffee maker. >> does it taste as good at home as when you go into the store? >> i make amazing coffee. >> just saying. >> the average american worker spends $2,000 a year on lunch. on deli sandwiches, takeout sushi. if you're willing to put the items in your grocery cart, things like yogurt, make your own sandwich, take leftovers from home, you can bring the cost down to $1,000. first week you take your lunch to work, you're going to hate it. the second week it's going to be not so bad. by the third week you do it, it's just going to be what you do. that's how you form these habits. >> it's healthy. oprah packs her own lunch. >> stop it. >> yes, lady o packs her own lunch. nice to meet you. >> nice to meet you. >> thank you, jean. 13 hot spots to visit in 2013. first, these messages. [ female announcer ] why settle for plain bread?

here's a better idea. pillsbury grands! flaky layers biscuits in just 15 minutes the light delicate layers add a layer of warmth to your next dinner. pillsbury grands biscuits let the making begin. she can't always move the way she wants. now you can with new stayfree ultra thins. flexible layers move with your body, while thermocontrol wicks moisture away. keep moving. new stayfree. while thermocontrol wicks moisture away. avoid bad.fats.

don't go over 2000... 1200 calories a day. carbs are bad. carbs are good. the story keeps changing. so i'm not listening... to anyone but myself. i know better nutrition when i see it: great grains. great grains cereal starts whole and stays whole. see the seam? more processed flakes look nothing like natural grains. you can't argue with nutrition you can see. great grains. search great grains and see for yourself. for multi grain flakes that are an excellent source of fiber try great grains banana nut crunch and cranberry almond crunch. try our new southwestern mac and cheese with grilled chicken, served with soup or salad. chili's lunch combos. starting at 6 bucks. more life happens here. we replaced people with a machine.r, what? customers didn't like it. so why do banks do it? hello? hello?! if your bank doesn't let you talk to a real person 24/7,

you need an ally. hello? ally bank. your money needs an ally. [ coughs ] [ baby crying ] ♪ [ male announcer ] robitussin® liquid formula soothes your throat on contact and the active ingredient relieves your cough. robitussin®. don't suffer the coughequences™. the quest for the best contest. warm up those vocal cords. we are looking for the best "today" show jingle. >> love it. >> we've been enjoying your tunes so far. we want to hear more. solo act, groups up to three are allowed. submit a video of your original diddy about our show. you don't get to say diddy a lot unless you're saying -- >> p.diddy.

>> meantime just ahead, jump-starting your diet with tricks to keep you fuller longer. first your local news and weather. we really love tailgating. a little more. there's a real, like, camaraderie in the parking lot... shut up! that's it! let's go in the car. my time to shine is the smoked pulled pork. i think it's done broseph! pretty much got it down to a science... pretty much. we also really like a great pulled pork sandwich even when we can't make the game. you ruined it! some people even like it better. really? yep. [ male announcer ] new carving board pulled pork, get that delicious slow smoked taste without the hassle. it's game time food. it's oscar mayer. keeping up with the kids is tough, so i drink emergen-c. with vitamin c for immune support and b vitamins for natural energy, i'm ready for whatever they get into. get your free sample at myemergenc.com. stay healthy and feel the good. blast of cold feels nice. why don't you use bengay zero degrees?

it's the one you store in the freezer. same medicated pain reliever used by physical therapists. that's chilly. [ male announcer ] new bengay zero degrees. freeze and move on. . good morning, it's 9:26 on this friday, december hth. i'm aaron gilchrist. a check on traffic with mike cremedas in for danella. mike? >> looking good on the beltway right now and we had an earlier incident on northbound and southbound 395 near washington boulevard but that was quickly moved out of the way and no residual delays. a 13-minute ride on northbound 395 from if beltway to the 14th street

good morning, fwrex o fedex field. the forecast for the skins as they take on the seahawks. sunday afternoon, kick offat 4: 4:30. it should be in mid 40s under mostly cloudy sky and a light wind down to 40 degrees by the end of the game. around our region now this friday morning, it is cold and we're still in the 30s and we're in the metro area points north and west and still in the 20s farther south and later today,

low 40s storm team 4 forecast, next week, dry weather for the first three days and rain on thursday. we want to see your pictures of your redskins pride. e-mail

come on, dad, be nice. she's making crabby snacks and homemads! come on, dad! >> what are you so up about? >> he's very happy. >> he's happy. >> you're so up, up, up, up. >> isn't that a good thing? >> no, you're just up, up, up, up. i don't know what that is. are you taking the proper dosage of your medication? >> am i taking the correct dose? of course i am. >> willie asked me that this morning. golden globes in los angeles, live there as all the stars make their way down the red carpet monday morning right after the globes. whether you're a beach bum at heart, we've got 13 of the

hottest destinations for 2013. >> i'm going to hit all of them. we know many people's resolution is to get fit. but listen to this. fitness trainers have taken over the public parks and beaches. we'll talk about a fitness feud going on. >> such a california problem, fitness trainers taking over the beaches. come on. and are you sabotaging your weight loss without even knowing it? we have diet tips and tricks to keep you from overeating. lester, good to see you. >> good to see you again. happy new year with the fiscal cliff negotiations over for now, immigration, gun violence and the environment are some of his top priorities in the second term. will he have better results with the new congress? we'll take a closer look at that. plus, planning your vacation this year, we'll tell you what you can expect to pay for air fa fare, rental cars assuming you have any money left from christmas. >> right. national aquarium in baltimore, i got up close and

personal, got a feel of what it takes to care for some of the animals there, including the dolphins. i believe we bonded. i spent some time with an octopus. i am still scared of said octopus. >> did you get in the tank with said animals? >> only with the octopus. >> how did that go? >> he's pa-- it's pathetic. when i finally reached the courage to touch the octopus, i jumped back and hit my head. then i went in for more. >> hey now. >> erica, i saw her polka dot tights, saw hers and went in. >> i'm on my own. >> sorry, al. >> lester and sfwloo look nor some snow showers continuing in the upper

ohio river valley and as we move to sunday sunday, we're look at more lake effect snow and if leeward side of the great lakes and rain, heavy rain in central florida and rain on the pacific northwest coast with mountain snow in the pure pacific northwest. that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning, clouds north of washington and northwest are beginning to break up a little bit and still sunny around the metro area in points south and we'll have that sunshine around the metro area through the rest of the afternoon as we get temperatures getting into the low 40s. right und washington and points north and west and still only in the 20s to near 30 farther south. tomorrow, more of the same with increased clouds and mostly cloudy to partly at times on sunday. good weather for the game and monday, tuesday, we don't forget this saturday is not just any saturday. it's wild card saturday. thank you. thank you for bringing that in. we're going to start the afternoon as the bengals invade

reliant stadium as the houston texan texans. then to the frozen tundra of lambeau field as the vikings take on the packers, cloudy with possible flurries, 19 to 23. that's a spring day at lambeau! wild card saturday on nbc. >> love your voice. >> oh, yes. we all, of course, remember tempest bledsoe, she stole our hearts, some more than others, we should point out, from "the cosby show." >> your dad doesn't like me because i never asked him to let you marry me. >> i hate the idea of fathers

marrying daughters. he can't give me away. i'm not a goat. >> no, you're not. you're a tigeress. >> we are not having sex right now. >> tempest joins us this morning. >> good morning! >> good to see you. >> great to see you. this show hits a little close to home for 30 something dads who maybe had moments for ones like we just saw there. for people who haven't seen the show, explain it. >> it's called guys with kids. it's about three gentlemen, two married, one recently divorced. they all have young children and they're trying to negotiate their relationships with their ex-wives and their wives and their children and still trying to, i guess, maintain their manhood and -- >> it's not easy. >> it's not easy at all. are you blushing, by the way? this was one of your childhood crushes. you love vanessa huxtable. >> look at this now. >> more of a teenager.

>> i was hot for felicia rashad, that's how old i am. >> there you go. there you go. >> good hair right there. >> claire! >> everyone on the face of the earth watched "the cosby show." we're about the same age, i think. yeah, when i was 9 or 10, vanessa. >> you're blushing a little. what's one thing you learned from bill cosby you still carry with you today? you were on that show for many years. >> eight years. we're still very close. probably just the power of example rather than the words you speak. a lot of people say a lot of things but what they do is something different. what he says always coincided with what he does. he was an inkrcredible example professionalism. i will always adore him. >> the show is a lot of fun. temperaturepest bledsoe "guys with kids" wednesday nights. >> jimmy fallon?

>> yes, jimmy fallon! >> you have to say it just like that. >> oh, yeah, all the time. >> keep it going. >> it's in the contract. >> jimmy is right there, too, with you. >> master of disguise. >> temppest, give us one more. >> love you! [ male announcer ] let's go places. not just the ones you can find on a map. but the ones you can find in your heart. because inspiration doesn't favor those who sit still. it dances with the daring and rewards the courageous with ideas. ideas that inspire. ideas that take you places you never imagined. ideas big enough to make the heart skip a beat and, in some cases, maybe two. toyota. let's go places. i'd like to thank eating right, whole grain, multigrain cheerios!

mom, are those my jeans? [ female announcer ] people who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who don't. multigrain cheerios very interesting. cool. i like "success." joy. i got cracker chips. [ laughing ] chocolatey pretzel. mmmm.... special k! [ female announcer ] snack and stay on track with special k. i like "confidence." i am a confident lady. [ laughter ] to say get well to your loved ones. this came for you, mommy. [ female announcer ] but when you send a kleenex® care pack,

complete with america's softest tissue, you're also giving a warm gesture of care. kleenex®. america's softest tissue. something this delicious could only come from nature. new nectresse. the 100% natural no-calorie sweetener made from the goodness of fruit. new nectresse. sweetness naturally. [ coughs ] [ baby crying ] ♪ [ male announcer ] robitussin® liquid formula soothes your throat on contact and the active ingredient relieves your cough. robitussin®. don't suffer the coughequences™.

and the active ingredient relieves your cough. it's no ordinary nonfat yogurt.k it has twice the protein of regular lowfat yogurt. and at 80 calories, it's the lightest greek yogurt with fruit. its creamy, thick texture helps satisfy you. so you won't feel like you're running low on satisfaction. light & fit greek. be light and fit. and satisfied.

>> announcer: "today's" travel is brought to you by venture card. earn points you can actually use. this morning on "today's" travel, 13 hot destinations for 2013. >> nilu mohamed is here from travel & leisure. >> we have travel correspondents all around the world and we put them to the test every year. we want to come up with the hot destinations. we looked at a variety of destinations, if there was news in the destination, new hotel in the destination. these 13 destinations for 2013 are it. >> some surprises out there. >> here in the united states. you say hot destinations. i'm not sure people associate minneapolis with a hot destination. but you say it is. >> i associate it with a hot destination because my husband's family is from there. >> there you go.

>> it's a big -- it's become kind of a foodie mecca, which is hard to believe. the reason is, i think, partially because there's a lot of scandinavia influence in minneapolis. the nordic cuisine, they're inspired by that with the farming and the foraging movement. one of the restaurants, the bachelor farmer, with its own rooftop garden which we see in new york and l.a. another restaurant called union which has an alum from copenhagen. lots of hotels to stay at. minneapolis is having a moment. >> maybe just don't go at the height of winter. but it's a great time. >> people are so nice there. >> wholesome, very nice folks. hello to my in-laws. >> are you on board with nordic cuisine? >> she's on board. >> puerto rico. i love you don't need a

passport. what elts makes it great? >> great new hotel, important hotel openings we want to take note of. it dates back to the 1900s. it's just being reopened shortly. and a hotel that someone here is going to, actually, very soon. >> good. >> do i want to out him? >> no. >> this is an inkrcredibly lux hotel. they paired up, doing renditions of favorites like suckling pig. amazingly beautiful. great access to nature. >> succulent pig. >> i got married in puerto rico, by the way. >> you did? >> yes. >> couple of seconds here left. can dachlt one resort town in particular you like. >> outside of quebec city. this was a place that took 10 years and $350 million to make. it is a winter wonderland.

if you're a family and want to go skiing, i cannot believe they have rates aat their hotel for $150 a night right now. a value and beautiful. this is the kind of scenery you'll love both in the wintertime and summer. >> what about in italy? >> over and over again. you should, too, because there are values to be had here. you know, frances ford copola opened this, in the hometown of his grandfather. southern italy. you're in the boot. and what i love about this place is that it's got the gorgeous citrus groves, incredible access, lots of italian magic. this is the police to go. >> i'm going to go have some new nordic cuisine right now. >> if you want the full list, travel & leisure.com. >> a new fitness is brewing in santa monica. >> oh, yes, it is. .

that's double miles you can actually use. tragically, their buddy got sacked by blackouts. but it's our tradition! that's roughing the card holder. but with the capital one venture card you get double miles you can actually use. [ cheering ] any flight, anytime. the scoreboard doesn't lie. what's in your wallet? hut! i have me on my fantasy team. that's been wrapped in a flaky crust stuffed with a gooey center toasted up all golden brown then given a delicious design? a toaster strudel. pillsbury toaster strudel. so delicious...so fun. i honestly loved smoking,

and i honestly didn't think i would ever quit. [ male announcer ] along with support, chantix is proven to help people quit smoking. it reduces the urge to smoke. it put me at ease that you could smoke on the first week. [ male announcer ] some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. if you notice any of these stop taking chantix and call your doctor right away. tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems, which could get worse while taking chantix. don't take chantix if you've had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it. if you develop these stop taking chantix and see your doctor right away as some can be life-threatening. if you have a history of heart or blood vessel problems, tell your doctor if you have new or worse symptoms. get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack. use caution when driving or operating machinery. common side effects include nausea, trouble sleeping and unusual dreams. with chantix and with the support system it worked. it worked for me. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. it worked for me.

vo: for cold and flu season, honey, don't use your sleeve. there's clorox bleach. [ female announcer ] new roc® retinol correxion max. the power of roc® retinol is intensified with a serum. it's clinically shown to be 4x better at smoothing lines and deep wrinkles than professional treatments. roc® max for maximum results. try our new southwestern mac and cheese with grilled chicken, served with soup or salad. chili's lunch combos. starting at 6 bucks. more life happens here.

♪ ♪ [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. lose up to six pounds in two weeks. with the cereal you love... and so much more. what will you gain when you lose? it's that time of year again when a lot of people are trying to get fit. local trainers are taking over the city parks. it's having an affect on public recreation areas. diana avlear is there. good morning. >> reporter: city officials tell me they want it to stay beautiful. that's why they want to charge trainers in exchange for using the parks.

when it comes to working out, it's tough to beat the beach. >> always the sunshine, nice breeze, ocean right beside you. the motivation is definitely there outside. >> reporter: but ruben lawrence and other trainers are facing a battle with the city of santa monica. >> dozens and dozens of groups have set up shop here, really, as their base of operations for their training and boot camps. >> reporter: a new proposal could require trainers to pay a yearly $100 fee. 10% to 15% of their revenue in exchange for using the city's public places, including historic palisades park. >> 10% to 15% of their revenue sounds like a lot of money. >> they're also doing more wear and tear on our parks than they normally would. if they were in the gym that

they normally would operate in, they would be paying that owner. >> reporter: commissioner says equipment used by trainers damages the park. >> a, it's starting to sag and we're starting to have to install new wood in this area. >> reporter: residents also complain about the noise, starting at the crack of dawn. >> we have one boot camp instructor who, at 6:00 am, is shouting in the middle of the park. >> reporter: but lawrence says the new law would penalize trainers already playing by the rules. >> we pay for licensing, perms and already do pay a percentage of what our income is to the city. >> reporter: santa monica residents and visitors seem split. >> i love the group exercise classes. >> it's not good. for dog walkers, for walkers. >> i just think it's a bad idea. raise money some other way. >> reporter: what everyone seems to agree on is a need to work out a solution that fits the trainer's needs and the needs of the city. santa monica is not the only city wrestling with this issue.

all across the coast many beach towns have banned group classes outright and fees are charged for any trainer who wants to use the city parks. santa monica will revisit the issue in march. >> thank you so much. avoiding calories

>> announcer: new year new you is brought to you by ankle ogs special k products. this morning on new year, new you 2013, getting real with your diet plan. rachel keller is author of "eat to lose eat to win." good to see you. >> good to see you, al. >> lots of places where those calories can add up to pounds. >> these little mini bites turn into megabytes. >> scooping things out from the leftover plates. >> absolutely. as the mother of four, there's

always stuff leftover, little pb & j crust. amazing thing is that each one of these transactions is equal to -- yep. about 135 calories. >> don't graze on the leftovers? >> definitely not. >> this looks pretty healthy. >> yes. the book has an action plan. when you have an action plan you have to be realistic. reality is we all need treats. these are some examples of good little treats in the evening if you want to chill out. and you could have like a little glass of wine and frozen grapes. >> i notice you have strawberry chocolates. you melt the chocolate and dip the strawberry? >> absolutely. little fudge bar. this is great when you're dining out. very sorbet-esque. >> you want to boost the flavor of good foods. you say spices are a great way to do that without salt. >> absolutely. without salt and health benefits. this is what i call -- this is like a flavor mix.

you have tumeric, anti-inflammatory, black pepper. that helps you absorb the tumeric. garlic, some ginger and you just basically take an empty shaker, put it all in there. one shot deal for health and flavor. put it on roasted veggies. >> got something in the morning, too? >> am shaker, must have. make this for your neighbor or friends. take it to work. cinnamon, gran laulated orange peel. it helps to suppress your appetite, great antioxidants. >> i want to get to this last part here. pomegranate juice? >> this is like iced tea with chia seeds. >> oh, chia. >> you can bypass that afternoon vending machine trip. >> we have to

brunsz at 9:57. d.c. police are looking for a 2007 black chevy impala taxi cab after it was carjacked and the taxi driver cabbed d.c. license plate 01939 h it was last seen on kenyan street. here's your forecast with tom kierein. good morning. around the region now, we have cold temperatures. still struggling just to get

into the 30s south of washington. right now, though, it's in the mid-to-upper 30s and the metro area peaking in the 40s later this afternoon. clouds coming and going and more of the same on saturday and good weather for the skins game on sunday. late-morning traffic with mike cremedas. looking good on the beltway. eastbound 66 a bit slow inside the beltway after the dulles toll road and an accident noubt on route 1. right lane shut down. no major backups on 95. >> thank you. we're getting ready for sunday's big game. "news4 midday." redskins cheerleader yankee us redskins cheerleader yankee us live for a preview of all the redskins cheerleader yankee us live for a preview of all the (woman) 3 days of walking to give a break cancer survivor a lifetime-- that's definitely a fair trade. whoo! you walk with friends, you meet new friends, and you keep those friendships. it was such a beautiful experience. (jessica lee) ♪ and it's beautiful ♪ undeniable (woman) why walk 60 miles in the boldest breast cancer event in history?

because everyone deserves a lifetime. visit the3day.org to register or to request more information and receive a free 3-day bracelet today. ♪ building up from deep inside it was 3 days of pure joy. susan g. komen's investments in early detection and treatment have helped reduce breast cancer mortality in the u.s. by 33% since 1990. help us continue serving the millions of women and men with breast cancer who still need us every day. register for the 3-day now. (woman) it's just been an amazing, amazing journey. i love these people. ♪ and it's beautiful

from nbc news this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> oh, yeah. it is try day friday. guess who is back for another day. meredith vieira. >> guess who else is here, cindy lauper is here. >> she is. >> she's going to talk with us because she has a new reality show that's out. it will be interesting to see her in that -- we've seen her in lots of different venues but never like that.

>> we were oning with all she knows about the business why did she decide to do reality tv? i'm interested to know what her answer is. >> how is it, by the way, for you? >> other than this, it's been great. it's been great. it's great being here. >> it's fun? >> seeing everybody. it's really lovely. >> feel like home again? >> no. no, is it does. it does. i'm having a hard week because my kids are going back to college on sunday, and i realize this vacation because our oldest son, ben, lives in china, and he came home for three days, which was great, and then he left for tasmania on christmas to visit his girlfriend, and i realized in that moment that my kids are not going to be around for holidays. it's not -- when they're little, they're there, but now that's not going to happen as much. >> gabe, yeah. >> he comes home last night with lily, and the lights are -- i'm sitting in the living room having a glass of wine, actually. >> of course, you remember. of course, you were. >> he said, mom, do you notice

anything. gabe had pierced his ear, and he is not somebody that -- i thought why did you do that? he said because dad has once pierced ear. richard did it when he was 18. he wears one littleeering. it's a reminder of his hippie days. i want dad to know i'm always thinking of him. it was so sweet. it was a wonderful moment where you go, oh, he is a good boy. >> he is. wow. >> yeah. it's probably going to get infected, but it was a sweet moment. it was a sweet moment. it really was. >> all right. we know that new year's resolutions have passed. a lot of people have made them and probably broke them. >> i don't make them. >> you don't make them? >> no. i know i'm going to break them. >> okay. >> i try to be good all year long. but you do. >> i make the same ones usually every year. i make the resolution to be more organized and neat and so i can find stuff, and yesterday i was coming home, and i was carrying a dry cleaning bag, and i had so many packages, and i'm at my

apartment door, and i cannot find my keys, and i'm digging in my purse, and the purse i have is a long -- those long purses. >> you can never find anything. why do you have that? >> i don't know. i was so pissed in that hallway, and you know when you're just standing there going, and you are just, like, you're letting loose. >> like the way you've done on every show so far that i've been on. >> i want to clarify. >> no, let's not. >> who swore yesterday. it was not me. okay? of the two of us, it was not me. >> it was me. okay. >> this is kind of cool. >> it's very cool. it's an interactive map and helps everybody keep their resolutions. if you click on the dot, you find out somebody's resolution. >> that's cool. you can look around. if you want to look like what people are resolving in your area, you can check. let's check. what are some of the -- what are snft -- >> organize hoda's purse. stop swearing on tv.

that's not mine. clean meredith's fireplace. a love dot means yellow. pink is family. blue is other. that's kind of a cool idea. you can go on that app, and you can even click all the way around the world to find out what people in china are resolving and what people in europe and that kind of thing. >> would that encourage you to keep your resolutions seeing what other people are doing? >> no. i would be curious to see what other people want to do. >> yeah. >> what kind of changes they want to make. >> i bet so many people it's losing weight. they want to lose weight. >> yeah. >> there's actually a new app that's out. is that correct? >> this is a cool thing. this is the kind of deal where you punch in your height, your weight, and how much weight you want to lose over what kind of a period of time, and you type it in this app, and it's called my fit pal.com. they say this is the number one app for weight loss. it breaks it down to how many calories you need to eat per day to get your goal by whatever time you would like to reach your goal. >> i thought that was cool. >> you don't really have to think about it. you put the info in, and it follows it for you. >> you put your food in. they calculate the calories.

you know how many more calories you have before the end and that. i don't think i'm disciplined enough to punch everything in, and i think if i even wrote down what i eat over the course of a day -- >> you would be freaked out. >> i would be disgusted with myself. >> you are not a big eater. >> i am. you know what i'm big on? this junk food. >> this is true. there's a new study. three million people from all over the world, and it shows that people who are overweight are actually live longer than people of normal weight. slightly overweight. >> yeah. >> i think that's very interesting. >> i think it is too. i think it's, what, 10 to 20 pounds or 20 to 30. >> they say if you have extra meat on your bones, things like if you fall down -- >> less likely to break a bone. >> less likely to break a bone. >> if you get sick, fat reserves, your body can kick into those. actually, if you are overweight, they say you're more likely to go to the doctor on a regular basis. you have -- >> you have issues. >> so you're getting checked out more often. >> i do not believe that part, do you? >> yeah. i think -- >> do you? >> why not? >> i don't know. i don't know. it seems a little weird.

i think 20 to 30 pounds is a big gap, isn't it? >> yeah, but they also said that if you are slightly obese, maybe that's 20 pounds, 30. , you're going to live at least as long. as least as long somebody with low weight. what's that about? >> let's have a little drink. where have you been? >> so there is -- >> hmm. >> isn't that nice? it's colby red. it's very delicious. >> so people in nebraska have taken on a new game, and it's called fling the fruitcake, and this is because a park superintendent -- this is real. it happened. park superintendent did not like fruitcakes, and so he decided to make a contest of tossing them. i guess in measuring how far people were throwing them. >> i love this. fruitcakes are disgusting. >> they are nasty. what they've done here so that people don't waste food is they've filled those cakes with bird seed so that the birds can polish off the cake. it's not wasting it exactly. there are no -- there's no

really any prize winners, but it's something fun to do. we thought what would be fun -- more fun than us doing it here. so we have -- oh, my god. oh, wait. look at youssef and jerry. where would you like to stand? these are heavy. the idea is to see how many people -- >> these might hurt you. >> do you have helmets? seriously, you might need a helmet. >> i can't throw that far. >> can you throw that far? >> i don't know. please stop cursing. we turn the whole thing or half? >> half. >> oh, they're moving. ♪ >> jerry. >> jerry! wait. oh, yeah. come on, jerry. come on. come on, youssef. come on. oh, that was right in the kisser. i like this game. i'm going etting out a lot of

aggression. oh, hit him on the leg. ♪ >> this is fun. come on. oh, my god. i like this game. oh, my god. i'm exhausted. how is this cake? >> i don't know. eat it. give me a bite. get over here. it's terrible. >> is it awful? you're not supposed to eat anything off the floor. >> oh mishgs god. i feel so much better for having done that. >> don't you? >> while we catch our breath, do you know what i think it's time for, it's time for bobby's buzz. come on over, b.t. >> i'm so impressed, hoda. dancing around. >> hello. >> i hit it more than hoda. >> she kind of did. >> she was running in those heels. >> i was running. that was crazy. >> i want to help you get the year off on a stylish step.

a couple of things that i want to give you, right now if you want to take inventory of your wardrobe, take everything in your closet that's hanging and turn it backwards and then as you wear things this year, turn the hanger -- put it back normal, so by the time you edit your closet in the spring, everything that's backwards you haven't worn. >> get rid of it? >> yes. that's a good way to help you start. i have some cool new boot stick from the container store that will keep your boots together and standing up in your closet, and everyone should are a fabric shaver. this is a really cool idea to get rid of all the pilling on the sweaters. >> oh, yeah. >> turn it on. it's amazing. it gets rid of all those dots and gives your sweater, especially this time of year, all winter long you've been putting your purse and it kind of gets marked up, and then, of course, everyone should have a steamer. you're saying yes, but i'm shocked at how many people probably watching right now do not own a steamer, and if -- >> really? you use the iron. >> you don't have to iron. it's so much easier.

if you can't get rid of your iron, this panasonic is cordless. it's a steamer and an iron. it's cordless, and eight seconds it charges, and you steam and iron. >> i don't like steamers because your hair frizzes out. >> you're not supposed to steam your hair. >> what is the matter with you? could you get burned. >> oh, my goodness. >> bobby is -- bobby, winter clothes are not your spring clothes. >> by the time spring comes and you're going to put your winter stuff away, you'll know what not to store. >> oh, okay. >> so it helps you edit. >> for the next season. >> exactly. all right. be careful when you tweet. how to make sure you and your kids are safe when it comes to social media and twitter. >> girls just want to have fun. cindy lauper tells us about her new reality show. first these messages. alright let's break it down.

mom, pop it. ♪ two inches apart, becky. two inches. t-minus nine minutes. [ ding ] [ female announcer ] pillsbury cinnamon rolls. let the making begin. ♪ [ female announcer ] the gold standard in anti-aging. roc® retinol. found in roc® retinol correxion deep wrinkle night cream. it's clinically proven to give 10 years back to the look of skin. now for maximum results, the power of roc® retinol is intensified with a serum to create retinol correxion® max. it's clinically shown to be 4x better at smoothing lines and deep wrinkles than professional treatments.

new roc® retinol correxion® max. nothing's better than gold. you're always on, so we're always ready. tyson grilled & ready chicken. no preservatives, 98% fat free, and fully cooked. we'll take care of dinner, you take care of everything else. ♪

♪ [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. lose up to six pounds in two weeks. with the cereal you love... and so much more. what will you gain when you lose? with more than 400 million tweets sent every single day, chances are you or your kids are using twittory communicate with friends and family. >> but you could be sharing more information than you know, and with complete strangers no less. today.com's kyle michael miller explains how you could be putting your security at risk. >> you don't tweet. you were thinking ahead. >> exactly. that's not a real concern. >> if you are not much of a tweeter at all, you've sent, what, five or six tweets since 2011? >> rub it in. >> hoda, you are the queen of the tweet, and mare dilt, whether you are doing the

tweeting or it's your kids, they're probably doing it with a mobile device like this, which could be revealing much more information than you want to put out there. ♪ >> today we live in a world of instant communication. that's great for sending messages fast. this lightning speed tweeting, posting on facebook, and instagram could put your safety and security at risk. >> i love facebook, but i adore twitter, and i especially love it during my show to read what people are saying. >> welcome back. >> msnbc anchor tamron hall is savvy at twitter, but she once revealed too much information at a concert. >> i tweeted i was there, and someone found me. now i will often say i was at a location rather than i am there, and just for logical reasons. >> after being a victim of cyber bullying a few years back, safety is a top priority for her. overall you feel like you're pretty safe on twitter? >> i do. i think i am. >> i checked your twitter account and found out that she wasn't being as safe as she

thought. starting in mid-october whenever you were tweeting from your iphone you have been tweeting out your location too. let me show you. >> i thought i stopped doing that. are you serious? >> i am serious. so let's look here. >> no, i took it off. >> smartphones have built-in gps software for apps like maps and weather use to give you location-specific information. >> head northwest on west 49th street. >> it's easy to forget your location is turned on when using other apps too. with location enabled on twitter, your tweets show this icon and your city. simply clicking this link launches google maps and allows anyone to zoom in to your approximate location. >> that's border line creepy. >> it's not border line creepy. it is creepy, and it makes me not want to tweet now. >> while she was tweeting during the presidential debates one night, she wasn't at work or in a public place. >> so this neighborhood looks familiar to you? >> it does, indeed. that's where i live. >> google maps and smartphones say a location information is

approximate, but i found out it's actually pretty accurate. >> can't wait -- >> with location enabled, i tweeted from inside magnolia bakery. >> on google maps it registered my approximate location is right here on 49th street and the corner of sixth avenue, but it's really only about one, two, three, four, five steps away from the actual location. >> to show just how much information you're sharing with location-enabled for social media, i tracked today show intern morgan lentes for a few days. she got her haircut on 46th street, left for work from west 33rd street, visited the studio 1a control room at 48th street, shopped at macy's at 34th street, met her brother-in-law for a drink near pen station, ate dinner at her friend's apartment on ninth avenue, flew to ohio leaving from la guardia airport, stayed at a friend's apartment in columbus, and had dinner at mad mex restaurant on north high street. >> it freaked me out to think

that you basically know where i was. >> through google maps i was able to find street view pictures of every place she went. >> what about this one right here? >> this is the one that freaked me out the most. that's my friend's apartment in columbus where i spent the weekend. >> my hands are shaking. that's crazy. >> 230r tamron she uses some maps that need her location, but we found out the reason it was showing up on twitter too. >> it's on. >> your location services on. >> that's exactly what happened. >> turn off. >> turn off. never to be turned back on again. >> done. >> done. you learn something every day. >> yeah. >> the very freaked out tamron hall. you are very savvy, tech-as ay, but you had no idea you were -- >> i purchased a new iphone. hi the generation before this, whatever, and i bought it, and it was automatically, i guess, loaded with the location services on. i had no idea.

>> you thought you blocked it. >> i thought i did, and then when i got this new phone, it was automatically set up, and when i was happy kyle did not show my home, but it showed through my window of my home where i was tweeting from wre. >> i think what a lot of people do, like, you're at a concert, and you say i'm at a concert, and that's not -- you corrected yourself, and you said i'm not going to do that again, but a lot of people, you're there and shooting pictures. you're excited. is that a no-no? should you not tweet if you are at a public event like that? >> i think you need to balance it. it's a clear balance. you can have a lot of benefits from actually tweeting and checking in. you can get rewards and get discounts. you can benefit from it and meet with people in places where they're in the same area. the problem is if you are doing it too much or if you are starting to do it where people can start to stereotype you. are you going to bars and restaurants? are you always hanging out at clubs? are you in the doctor's office tweeting and your location from the doctor's? that could tell of shortcomings. maybe we should increase your premium. >> paying that close attention to your tweeting? >> absolutely. >> i get worried sometimes

because when you say -- even if you just say you're not home, i have thought about -- i wonder if someone know i'm not at my apartment, and therefore, i'm on vacation, let's say, and they say, wow, that's a perfect open target for someone to go ransack a home. does that happen? >> it has happened. with twitter and everything, it's brand new. there was a lot of that. don't tweet when you are going away for vacation or extended periods of time because people that may know or you can find information about your address could use that against you. i don't subscribe to that thought that people are waiting for me to leave my residence, but you still have to have a dose of comfort and some security and some peace of mind. >> go ahead. i'm sorry. >> you just -- the biggest thing i see people also do is they check in at their home. don't -- >> yeah. >> the presidential debate was on that night, so i was watching for work, and obviously, since i'm an american citizen that votes, i was watching, and i'm tweeting there live, but the thing -- there's a movie called indians estate with will smith, and when i saw kyle's piece, i

felt we were living in that time where someone, whether it's a company or someone who chooses to follow you, can track your every move. that is creepy. >> what if i am a parent? >> some are totally i don't want to hear anything about it. i don't want my kids on it at all. unfortunately, we have to raise our children to be internet citizens. we need to teach them how to make smart decisions with technology, and the thing that they do like about it is that they can cookie crumb where they go. some parents say i'm going to -- i want to know where you are and when you check in, i can get a text message on my phone, so i know where you are. that's peace of mind to some. >> all right. well, one last question, kyle. how do you physically turn it off? like if you want to get rid of that location service, what should you do? >> if you are an iphone or ipad user, it's really, really simple. you just go to your ipad. it works the same way on your iphone. you hit settings. go to privacy. then you hit location services right up here, and it shows you all of the apps that need your

location to function. if you want it on for maps, we can have it turned on for maps because that means your gps location to work, but if i want to turn it off for 2013, it's off for twitter, so all my tweets don't show my exact location. >> if you were to turn off your complete location service, do that. if you were to turn off a big button on top, that means everything goes away. if you want no one to know anything, that's how you do it? >> correct. >> if your map is on, people don't know you're there, do you? >> correct. >> just to make sure. >> you pick and choose. kyle, thank you. thanks, guys. thanks for everything. sarah is across the street righting the crowd up because we asked whacky questions. >> right after this. this is $100,000. we asked total strangers to watch it for us. thank you so much. i appreciate it. i'll be right back. they didn't take a dime.

how much in fees does your bank take to watch your money? if your bank takes more money than a stranger, you need an ally. ally bank. your money needs an ally. to say get well to your loved ones. ♪ this came for you, mommy. [ female announcer ] but it takes the touch of kleenex® brand, america's softest tissue,

to turn a gesture into a complete gift of care. [ barks ] send your own free kleenex® care pack... full of soothing essentials at kleenex.com. kleenex®. america's softest tissue. so it can feel like you're using nothing at all. but neosporin® eczema essentials™ is different. its multi-action formula restores visibly healthier skin in 3 days. neosporin® eczema essentials™. [ doorbell rings ] ♪ you're a pizza delivery guy? ♪ well come on in man, what you waitin' on? ♪ [ male announcer ] for fresh delivery taste without the delivery price. it's digiorno.

>> it's time for three, two, one live with sara haines who is hanging out with people at the nbc experience store. >> you have a question or two from us. >> i have lou who told me to call him love. >> meredith, how has it been hosting with hoda? >> seriously, it's been great. i love hoda. she's hysterically funny, and i always have a good time. i'm thrilled to host. >> it's fun. >> we had a good time. >> we did. >> we've been drinking. >> sara, thank you so much. >> how much -- >> that's it?

>> i know. sometimes things are short here. all right? how much do you know about taking care of your skin during the winter? we'll separate the myths from the fact. that's a contest between me and you. >> you may be afraid to go to your boss. we'll tell you how to ask for that raise you deserve. back after this. all out on the ? yeah, but i'm so slow taking them down after all the fatty ? holiday food. but that's normal. what do you mean that's normal? it doesn't have to be. to me normal means feeling good inside. not slow. try some activia. activia helps with occasional irregularity when eaten three times a day. keep a video diary and let me know about your new normal. very interesting. cool.

i like "success." joy. i got cracker chips. [ laughing ] chocolatey pretzel. mmmm.... special k! [ female announcer ] snack and stay on track with special k. i like "confidence." i am a confident lady. [ laughter ] "are you a cool mom?" i'm gonna find out. [ female announcer ] swiffer wetjet's pads are better than ever. now they have the scrubbing power of mr. clean magic eraser so you don't have to get down on your hands and knees to scrub away tough, dried-on stains. hey, do you guys think i'm "momtacular" or "momtrocious"? ♪ [ female announcer ] swiffer. now with the scrubbing power of mr. clean magic eraser.

you can do more business per second. and with more reliable internet, that's more per second. and with a dedicated line, it's more per second. and with an additional line, it's more... table for 15? [ male announcer ] ...per second. but most importantly, it's more... mmm! [ male announcer ] ...per second. get the speed and reliability of the verizon network so you can do more business per second. get high-speed internet and phone for just $84.99 a month when you sign up online with a two-year price guarantee. you'll even get a $200 verizon visa pre-paid card and an additional line included. so, choose verizon and get both internet and voice with 99.9% reliability and a dedicated line straight to your business all for just $84.99 a month when you sign up online with a two-year price guarantee. and get our worry-free guarantee

with professional on-site installation. that's the powerful difference of verizon. visit verizon.com/smallbiz or call 1-888-610-8090 for other offers. verizon.

>> we're back on this try day friday. pop icon cindy lauper is here to talk about her latest project "cindy lauper, still so unusual." that's her reality show premiering on we tv next saturday. >> the grammy winning artist has been in the music fri industry for over three decades and shows no sign of slowing down. >> you don't. >> hey, cindy. >> i got an emmy too. >> you are very busy. >> you are. >> i did. i got an emmy when i did man of value. they did really great work. >> you have done it all, this one, hasn't she? >> we were saying in the chat we wondered why you decided a reality show, given all you know about the craziness of that

world. >> well, yes and no. >> okay. >> because, you know, it's not "the apprentice." there's no envelope. nobody is winning. no contest. it was such an unusual year for me. you know, i never planned it like this, but all of a sudden everything started happening at once. >> tell us what's happening. what kind of things. >> well, you know, about four and a half years ago harvey firestein said what are you doing, and at that point i had just finished the dishes, and i said, you know, i finished the tour. i finished -- >> yes. >> he says would you like to write something for me? i'm writing a play. would you like to do the music? honestly -- >> broadway. >> i love him. >> that's a scary proposition. >> yes and no. i write the songs. i'm not writing the dialogue. >> right. right. >> and i thought, you know, if i worked with harvey, it would be

fun. you know? >> in your show what are we going to see? there's mention of your husband is in it, your son is in it. all the things you're juggling at once. what will viewers see? >> everybody else except you have to pick -- fix yourself up and look extra nice when you go to work, otherwise you get in trouble, you know, but i think it's the struggle of the juggle. i had an extremely big year with writing music for the play, but i started four years ago, and, you know, it's a process that just keeps going and going, and i am privileged to be walked through this process with harvey firestein and jerry mitchell and one of the tony-winning orchestrators, steve reamas. you couldn't ask for a better entrance. >> what are people going to learn about your personal side that they didn't know before?

>> i don't know. i think my life is an open book, and the other thing was i finished writing a book this year, so i wrote a memoir. i'm doing this play, and i love tv anyway, and i also love film, and although everybody says, oh, reality shows, i really feel that it's only been 20 years old. that's not old for a genre. >> do you have any kind of editorial control? does everything that's been on the air -- there's something that you said this is okay with me, i would like this on? >> well, yeah. i think that it's not "survivor," although i'm working with mark burnett. what do you want -- like, could you imagine if you said to me, well, what's it about, and i said, well, i don't know, you know? it's so secretive. even if i haven't seen it. because we're all part of it. >> your vulnerable side ends up too on the air, right?

>> well, listen, it ends up wherever you are. you know, it is kind of the good, the bad, and the ugly. there was a couple of things. you don't have to make stuff up because, honestly, in my life it happens. you know? >> you can't control it. >> you don't have to make that stuff up. >> we wish you the best of luck with your show on broadway. >> when does that open? >> well, it opens in march -- no, in april. it previews in march. billy porter is in the play. stark sands, and wonderful cast. emily ashford. it's just really -- >> we wish you great luck with that and with the show. it's going to be on we tv. >> we tv. 9:00. >> of course, it is. >> on the 12th. >> how can we forget? >> you know, there was a little mishap. >> okay. okay. thank you, sweetie. >> do you need to change your skin care routine, by the way, for winter? >> are you talking to me? >> we'll take a beauty quiz and find out separating myth from

fact. i have a magic trick. i had a client who came in... she'd been doing her own tax returns for maybe two or three years. i said, "let me just look'em over and make sure there's no mistakes." they were really, really wrong. i did them over, and i called her... and said, "you're gonna get a total of about $10,000 back." i wave my wand and refunds suddenly appear. i can help you. something this delicious could only come from nature. new nectresse. the 100% natural no-calorie sweetener made from the goodness of fruit. new nectresse. sweetness naturally.

you're always on, so we're always ready. tyson grilled & ready chicken. no preservatives, 98% fat free, and fully cooked. we'll take care of dinner, you take care of everything else. i'd like to thank eating right, whole grain, multigrain cheerios! mom, are those my jeans? [ female announcer ] people who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who don't. multigrain cheerios i honestly loved smoking, and i honestly didn't think i would ever quit. [ male announcer ] along with support, chantix is proven to help people quit smoking. it reduces the urge to smoke.

it put me at ease that you could smoke on the first week. [ male announcer ] some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. if you notice any of these stop taking chantix and call your doctor right away. tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems, which could get worse while taking chantix. don't take chantix if you've had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it. if you develop these stop taking chantix and see your doctor right away as some can be life-threatening. if you have a history of heart or blood vessel problems, tell your doctor if you have new or worse symptoms. get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack. use caution when driving or operating machinery. common side effects include nausea, trouble sleeping and unusual dreams. with chantix and with the support system it worked. it worked for me. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor if chantix is right for you.

it is time for today's beauty, and booedy myth that is will spreez you. do you know if you are caring for your skin correctly as the seasons change? >> a lot of people don't realize they're making mistakes when it comes to skin care, and here to test our knowledge on skin care is beauty and lifestyle expert sarah ebbingenberger. hey, sarah. >> hello. >> we're playing a game. >> we are.

>> i'm here to set the record straight, and we're going to play a game. you have your paddles. >> i will ask the question, and then you say if it's a myth or a fact. >> okay. >> okay. question number one, ready? >> yes. >> using preparation h around your eyes will decrease puffiness. >> fact. fact. >> fact. [ buzzer ] >> what? >> it's a myth? >> don't believe everything you read. >> i was on television with somebody putting that hem reside stuff on. >> i hope it was in the 1990s because in the 1990s they reformulated and took out the key ingredient. it used to work a long time ago, but it no longer works. >> we're playing dirty here. question number two, apply deodorant in the morning after you shower? >> fact. >> fact. [ buzzer ] >> come on, ladies. ideally you apply it in the evening when your sweat

production is at your lowest. >> but then ool take a shower and waufsh it off. >> it stays on for 24 hours. if you put your deodorant on when you are wet, which is what you are going to be, then it works half as well as if it's working in the pour. >> what if you dry off? >> you need to fully dry. don't be damp. you need to be fully dry so the deodorant can be most effective. >> that tricked us. >> let's try the next one. perfume can make you appear pounds lighter? >> true. >> myth. >> fact. >> i say myth. >> meredith won. >> 1-0. >> that's like -- >> the smell and taste treatment and research foundation found it to be true. when you wear a spicy floral scent, you look 12 pounds lighter according to men. >> you look 12 pounds lighter. >> men -- >> they love the smell. >> because they're distracted. >> the smell perception changes your body image.

>> that is -- >> i haven't believed one thing so far. >> all right. the next one. your morning cup of orange juice can cause chapped lips. >> true. >> fact. >> all right. you got this one. that is true because the citrus is the low acidity that causes your lips to be more dry. >> should you put chap stick on before you -- >> or use a straw. rinsing your hair in beer will cause it to have more volume? >> fact. >> yes. >> true. >> all right. >> thicken up. it is true. it is true. okay. number -- well, there is a gift basket to be won here. it is serious business. number six, brushing your hair 100 times will increase the shine. >> myth. >> myth. >> all right, ladies. you got this. this is great. >> wow. >> marcia brady was an over achiever in that category and did not need to brush her hair 100 times.

>> this matters. this is the tie-breaker. >> it's not a tiebreaker. i'm going to win. tiebreaker. >> trust me. it is. >> dab toothpaste on a break-out to make it -- >> fact. [ buzzer ] >> it no longer works. it actually dries out the zit but it makes it dry around the surrounding area so it's a bull's eye. >> it doesn't look good. >> let's review and see who won. >> you won by one. >> it doesn't matter how you win. >> well, you do win a basket. >> it's a gift basket. >> oh, my god. >> preparation h. deodorant. that's the best deodorant. that secret kind. eucalyptus. >> we can share. i'll give you the preparation h. >> i don't want it. >> i don't want to embarrass you at the drugstore. >> something we want and deserve, but we often dread doing it. >> how do you ask for a raise? we'll talk about it after this.

♪ ♪ [ female announcer ] take the special k challenge. lose up to six pounds in two weeks. with the cereal you love... and so much more. what will you gain when you lose? [ doorbell rings ] ♪ you're a pizza delivery guy? ♪ well come on in man, what you waitin' on? ♪ [ male announcer ] for fresh delivery taste without the delivery price. it's digiorno.

without the delivery price. ( ♪ ) for those nights when it's more than a bad dream, be ready. for the days when you get a sudden call from the school, be ready. for the times you need to double-check the temperature on the thermometer, be ready. when you have children's motrin on hand, you're ready. for high fever, nothing works faster or lasts longer than children's motrin. be ready with children's motrin.

>> now on "today's money" how to ask for a raise even if you feel you deserve one, you may not know the right way to ask for one. >> how do you get that difficult conversation start? here are some ideas from jean chaski and rhonda flora. >> this is such a tough topic. sometimes we know we're underpaid, and we know people around us are paid more, but just the idea of walking into our boss's office is a tough one, isn't it? >> especially for women. >> so much more for women than for men. nine out of ten women in a poll said they believe it's embarrassing and two and a half times more women than men said they found it humiliating. it really bothers me. there is nothing humiliating about asking for a raise. especially if you have done the work to deserve it.

that means putting yourself in the right frame of mind and really doing your homework so that you know how to do it. >> when you say that, what do you mean? how do you prepare for the conversation? >> i think timing is key. time issing very important. >> yes. >> first, don't roll in after a two-week vacation and walts into your boss's office and think that's a good time for a raise. nor should you do it after a company-wide e-mail that is gone out and announcing massive layoffs. it's not at performance review time, but after you have overdelivered on a project. sflo how do you know if you do deserve one because people aren't talking about their salaries, so you don't know what everyone is making around you. >> my secret sauce is go into a different company where you have friends that are in similar jobs that you are and say not how much do you make, because nobody wants to answer that question, but what would somebody with my skills earn at your company. that's the question that people actually feel comfortable asking, and you should also hit the internet. web sites like salary.com and

monster.com, they are -- >> pay scale. >> they have so much information on exactly what people are earning. >> when you go in, what is the conversation? how do you start that conversation? i happen to know that this is what other people make in -- >> what's the right way? >> do your homework, and bench mark your salary against other executives in similar cities. don't benchmark yourself against someone in new york city if are you working in tulsa. the more information you have, the more ammunition you have to state your case. go into your boss's office with a list of accomplishments, recognitions, awards. things that you have really overachieved on. most likely your boss has no idea that you have done all this work. having that list handy gives you the ammunition. >> a lot of bosses are saying all well and good, jean, i know have worked hard and, like, there's nothing there. what do you say there? >> you need to be prepared with a list of other things that you might be willing to take in lieu of money. >> such as? >> more flex time or something? >> more flex time, more

vacation. more flexibility to do other things. i wouldn't leave without suggesting that i'm going to come back and revisit the concept of actual money in six months because that's what it's all about these days. salaries have been stagnant for such a long time. >> should you give a specific number? >> absolutely. >> tell them what you want. >> 5% or 10% higher than you actually want to be. >> why? >> so your boss has some place to negotiate down. >> okay. so he doesn't feel that -- >> it's got to be a win for the person on the other side of the table. >> be prepared for a no answer, and then have a list of things that you would accept instead. >> great. sounds good. thanks, guys. >> thank you so much. >> it is time to cut the fat. >> healthy and fun foods that could save calories without losing flavor. first, this is "today" on nbc.

the champagne is popped and

the gifts unwrapped, the food chowed down. we enter 2013 with a goal of losing weight and feeling better. >> one way to eat smarter is to make healthy swaps when you are cooking. here with a few tricks up her sleeve is director of nutrition at calorie count.com rachel burman. how are you? >> definitely. well, you know, we want to make healthy swaps, but our weight is not only dictated by our health. we want to incorporate ingredients that have a lot of nutrition and pack in health benefits without compromising on flavor, right? >> first off, get rid of the butter. >> it's rich in those artery-clogging, saturated fats that we just don't need in our diet. instead we're going to use some pureed fruit. you can use avocado, prunes, apple sauce. the avocados work the best because they do have that fat so that the consistency will be great, and those are the heart-healthy fats. >> do you usually use the same measurements. >> they're one to one swaps. one cup of butter for -- >> what's the cookies?

>> these are the cookies that you are going to taste. they're equal parts peanut butter and olive oil instead of butter, and that's really packing in the heart healthy fats. we need fats in our diet. you don't want to feel deprived. otherwise -- >> i'm glad. >> those are good. >> water. that's fine. >> you all right? >> great. so here is a fun little trick. i'm not trying to give egg az bad rap here at all, but if you don't have eggs on hand or you want to make a recipe vegan-friendly, you can use a table spoon of flack seed mixed with three table spoons of water. it creates this gel-like consistency that can substitute for the egg yolk. it's a great trick. it's adding omega 3's. sthoo this is a weird one coming up. >> this is a little unusual, but if you want a cup of flour out of a recipe, say you have celiac

disease air gluten sense at this time, and you want to cut, you can use black beans. this is in a chocolate recipe. they're pureed. a can of black beans. >> how would that even correlate to flour? >> it works with the consistency. take another sip of water. >> no, because this is moist. that's a little dry. this is not bad. >> maybe it's not for you, but -- >> it's not bad, though. i would eat that. i would. >> great. >> but you didn't. >> later. so instead of -- this is another one. bred crumbs are in a lot of comfort food recipes. instead of bread crumbs can you use crushed nuts or rolled oats. that adds a serving of whole grains. i think what we're swapping in is better. >> i agree. >> and just have sodium and not much nutrition. >> what's at the end here?

>> exactly. >> we're talking about cream subsubstitutes here, and scream, you think cream cheese, ice cream, a lot of saturated fat, right? even if we use half of the cream cheese in recipes for like a cheesecake, for example, with half greek yogurt, even a full fat greek yogurt will cut calories and saturated fat. you can use 2% or 0% as well. everyone has different thresholds. it definitely works, and it's still tasting delicious, and protein is added. our last taste test here. ice cream. for someone who has a sweet tooth, right? after a meal, you might want a scoop of ice cream, and instead of something like a chocolate chip ice cream, we're using banana ice cream, and this has no cream in it at all. >> banana. >> frozen banana with clark chocolate chips, almonds wrish. >> while meredith is having that -- >> no, it's for you. it's for you. >> before we say good-bye, we've got a special hour coming up on tuesday, meredith. are you coming back? we're getting fit and doing our

entire show on treadmills. >> are you serious? >> anyway, we want you to send your photos to klg and hoed why i can't.com. meredith, thank you for filling in. was it fun? >> it's been great. it really has been. >> see you later.