The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Spooky season has arrived, and whether you dress in costume with full abandon or turn off the porch lights first thing on Halloween night, there's one thing that's unavoidable this time of year: candy. In fact, the National Retail Federation estimates that consumers will spend $3.5 billion on candy in 2024. There's candy sitting out in the office breakroom, every grocery store end cap, and in your kid's trick-or-treat bag (will they really notice if you grab a few fun size bars for yourself?). I...
The American breakfast is rooted in both tradition and innovation. Throughout the 1800s, many Americans ate high-protein breakfasts like bacon and eggs. Later, as the industrial revolution led to less physically demanding work, lower-calorie breakfasts became all the rage. But as these meals mostly took place at home, decades would pass before breakfast became a staple on restaurant menus. In the mid-20th century, spots like The Original Pancake House began catering specifically to the morning...
Similar to fashion trends and cultural entertainment, like film cameras or pedal pushers, food trends can also ebb and flow depending on Americans' ever-changing tastes, interests, and technological advancements only to fall out of favor. Cottage cheese was once a popular snack food in America (in the 1970s, the average American ate nearly 5 pounds of cottage cheese according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture). Consumption declined in the 1980s due to the popularity of yogurt—only to s...
Where you live may influence your eating and health habits more than you think. Do you savor every meal or squeeze in a sandwich during your commute? Are you more likely to indulge in comfort foods while watching your favorite show or try new foods dining out with friends? Personality plays a part, but a 2024 Hims study shows regionality may also play a significant role in eating behavior. Hims compares America's most anxious, automatic, enthusiastic, escapist, and uplifting foodie capitals....
It's finally here: The largest national fast food restaurants have released their fall coffee menus for 2024! You're not just limited to pumpkin spice lattes this year—there are all kinds of apple, almond, and chai-inspired concoctions to choose from. While a coffee drink may seem like a quick, low-calorie treat, many are more like desserts when it comes to nutritional value. That's why Hers took a look at the data for the top five U.S. fast food chains by revenue that serve fall-exclusive c...
This year, the beginning of October marks when Jews all over the world start getting ready for the High Holidays: the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashana Oct. 2 followed on Oct. 11 by the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. Rabbis are polishing their sermons for one of the few times they can be confident of a large congregation ready to hear what they have to say. Cantors, who lead congregants in worship, are practicing the special "nusach," melodies used during the High Holidays for prayers. Choir...
Here's my guaranteed no-fail pumpkin cheesecake recipe: -go to Costco -buy a pumpkin cheesecake -serve slathered in whipped cream to cover up the pumpkin taste No, I'm not a fan of pumpkin. I like the seeds, but pie? No. Pumpkin pie spiced latte? Seriously? Do I look like a man bun-wearing hipster soy boy? I think not! For some reason I can't begin to fathom, pumpkin pie spice has become the official flavor of fall. So, to help you celebrate, here's a recipe to make your own Fall Spice Mix, and...
Over the past two decades, ultra-processed foods have grown to make up a majority of Americans' daily calorie intake, and a growing body of research suggests these cheaper eats could be costing us our lives. Top Nutrition Coaching analyzed resources from UCLA Health, Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and academic studies to break down the less savory side of the highly processed foods in grocery stores. An early study that analyzed more than 9,000 people's...
Hamburgers are one of the most iconic staples of American cuisine, embodying the country's values of convenience, indulgence, and comfort. The simple sandwich has roots that stretch back to the 19th century. Though its exact origin is debated, the idea of placing a beef patty between two slices of bread took hold in the U.S. in the late 1800s, with various claims attributing its invention to home cooks or vendors at fairs. By the early 20th century, the hamburger became a part of American...
All men are born with the genetic knowledge and desire to cook meat over fire. It springs from the gender unconscious and forms a large part of the archetypal zeitgeist of what it is to be a Man. Every Grill Master has his own special techniques, tips and tricks. To help you win the Grill Wars by producing the perfect steak this summer, here are a few of mine. The grill: I've used a lot of grills, and nothing works better for all-around use than an old-school charcoal grill. Yes, it's more...
In an era of cupcake wars, crazy creations from cake bosses, and never-ending experimental combinations—think cronuts, brookies, or PieCaken—you might wonder whether the only desserts that matter these days are ones that go viral on social media. But the idea of eating sweets dates back to ancient times and is linked to many culinary practices, like the Romans and Greeks partaking in honey-drizzled pastries. Then, there's the aristocrats' influence of eating sweets after a meal and medieval nob...
The mere thought of barbecue's smoky scents and intoxicating flavors is enough to get most mouths watering. Summer is here, and that means it is barbecue season for many people in the U.S. While cooking on a grill may seem simple, there is a lot of chemistry that sets barbecue apart from other cooking methods and results in such a delicious experience, writes Kristine Nolin, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Richmond in Virginia, for The Conversation. Cooking with fire...
Ribs are a staple of game day cuisine, and every chef has their own secret recipe. Am I going to share mine with you? No. What part of "secret" do you not understand? What I will do is give you a darned good recipe you can use as-is. Then, once you've done a few slabs of ribs, use this as a starting point for developing your very own secret recipe. This rub works well on pork, beef or lamb, but it's good on chicken, too. It's best for "long and slow" cooking methods like grilling, smoking or bak...
Which cities are best for grilling a steak outside this summer? With summer here and National Grilling Month around the corner, Lawn Love ranked 2024's Best Cities for Grilling Meat. We compared nearly 470 of the biggest U.S. cities based on 4 meaty categories. We looked at local interest in grilling, access to butcheries and home improvement chains, and the average cost of meat in the area. We also considered ideal weather conditions for cooking outdoors, among 17 total metrics. Fire up the...
When Cortni Borgerson thinks about the trillion or so periodical cicadas emerging from underground, she sees more than clumsily flying insects flitting from tree to tree in search of a mate. She sees lunch. Some may find that idea revolting, a belief often, if unknowingly, steeped in colonialism and the notion that eating insects is "uncivilized." But Borgerson, an anthropologist at Montclair State University, is among those eager to change that perception. She's a big fan of dining on bugs of...
Hamburgers and hot dogs are the quintessential American summer foods, and everyone needs to be able to do at least one of them well. Truthfully, there's not much you can do with hot dogs besides choosing a good brand and boiling them in a good beer. When grilling outdoors, pick your favorite, make sure your coals are right, and concentrate on quality condiments. For hamburgers, I like 85% lean ground beef because it has enough fat to sizzle well in both the oven and on the grill without too...
July 12th is National Pecan Pie Day! The origins of this day are unclear, but who cares? Pecan Pie is awesome, and obviously deserves its own day. There is a bit of controversy over just where pecan pie was invented, with some saying Georgia, others insisting on Louisiana. We all know, however, that pecan pie was invented right here in Alabama-those who say otherwise are fools, liars, mentally unbalanced, or likely all three. In honor of Pecan Pie Day, here's my Momma's recipe. You'll have the b...
The culinary landscape of the United States is as diverse as its population, with each state proudly boasting its own signature sandwich that often tells a rich story of culture, history, migration, and tradition. From the lobster rolls of Maine to the po'boys of Mississippi, these sandwiches have become iconic representations of their regions, celebrated by locals and sought after by food enthusiasts nationwide. The origin stories of these sandwiches are as varied as the ingredients...
We're approaching that time of year when gardens start "turning to squash", as Momma used to say. Yellow squash and its cousin zucchini are everywhere! They're inexpensive, filling, and complement a wide range of other dishes. One of my favorite ways to use squash and zucchini together is this simple recipe, which roasts fresh veggies into a healthy, versatile side dish. Baked Squash and Zucchini You'll need: 3-4 yellow squash and 2-3 zucchini 1 Tbsp olive oil ½ tsp salt ½ tsp...
Spring is here! The weather's nice, the water is calling, and it's time to start packing those picnic baskets and coolers. In the South, that means fried chicken. No Southern outing is complete without cold fried chicken, just like no indoor gathering is complete without hot fried chicken. It's one of the essential dishes every cook needs to do well, and everyone has their own recipe and way of doing things. My Granny (great-grandmother), Momma (grandmother), and Mom fried their chicken in a...
You've probably already noticed the fresh strawberries at local farmer's markets. While modern farming and supply chains make strawberries available year-round, there's nothing quite like the taste of a fresh strawberry grown right here in Alabama. Strawberries aren't just a treat for your taste buds. They're loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, so you can enjoy them with little or no guilt. Blessed as we are here in Alabama, we can enjoy their deliciousness fresh from the farm for...
A dish prepared with one of the tasty fish species that can be reeled in from Alabama's beautiful beaches was crowned champion of the 9th annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off at The Wharf in Orange Beach this week. Chef Kyle Ogden of Odette Restaurant in Florence, Alabama, prepared his "Spring Tide" dish with pompano as the centerpiece, and it proved to be the winning preparation against three other finalists – Chef Emilio Urban from CoastAL in Orange Beach, Chef Justin Fridley of The Depot in A...
This recipe comes all the way from my great grandmother. She lived all over the world as a military wife before finally settling in Clovis, New Mexico. She brought back many different recipes, and she loved to be in the kitchen making all types of foods. She is one of my main inspirations when it comes to cooking and baking. This recipe came to her from a dear friend and neighbor in Clovis. This has been a family favorite ever since. I hope everyone enjoys this recipe as much as I do. -- INGREDIENTS -- 1 Can of Sliced Apples 2 Cups of Sugar 2...
The year did not start well for dozens of people in 22 states who contracted salmonella from charcuterie meats in January 2024. Foodborne illness outbreaks like this make national headlines with food recalls, hospitalizations, and even deaths. About 1 in 6 Americans will become sick from a foodborne illness this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these 48 million projected cases, most will cause mild symptoms, but 128,000 people will need hospitalization, and...
"Going plant-based" may seem like a fad at the moment. But with $8 billion in sales and a 45% increase in market growth between 2019 and 2022, according to the Plant Based Foods Association, this trend seems to be here to stay. While eating a vegan diet eliminates all animal products, plant-based eating is not quite as limiting. A plant-based diet focuses primarily on plants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, with the occasional animal product (such as dairy, fish, or...
