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These photos won a National Geographic contest, and they're breathtaking.

For over 120 years, National Geographic has brought the world to your doorstep.

The iconic magazine, TV channel, and brand has built their name showcasing the planet's most beautiful and exotic places in writing and photography.

Every single month, the glossy, high-resolution pages of National Geographic are filled with some of the best photography in the world.

They also hold an annual photography contest, open to amateurs and people outside of Nat Geo's employ. It's a chance for photographers all over the world to showcase their work.

The 2016 winners of the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest were announced in July.

As you can imagine, they are breathtaking:

"Winter Horseman" by Anthony Lau (Mongolia)

Grand prize winner. All images courtesy of National Geographic.

"The winter in Inner Mongolia is very unforgiving," writes photographer Anthony Lau. "At a freezing temperature of minus twenty and lower, with a constant breeze of snow from all direction, it was pretty hard to convince myself to get out of the car and take photos."

"Wherever You Go, I Will Follow" by Hiroki Inoue (Japan)

"Nature" first place winner.

"It was the time of day immediately following sunset. I heard a voice. 'Wherever you go, I will follow you' the voice says." — Photographer Hiroki Inoue.

"Ben Youssef" by Takashi Nakagawa (Morocco)

"Cities" first place winner.

"Even though there were a lot of people in Ben Youssef, still here was more quiet and relaxing compare to the street outside in Marrakesh," wrote Takashi Nakagawa. "I was waiting for the perfect timing to photograph for long time."

"Rooftop Dreams, Varanasi" by Yasmin Mund (India)

"People" second place winner.

"I arrived at my guest house in Varanasi at 5:30am," wrote Yasmin Mund. "I instinctively climbed the 7 sets of stairs to the rooftop (which happened to be the highest in the vicinity) to see the sunrise over the famous Ganges River. As the sun was rising I looked over the right hand side of the balcony and my jaw dropped with disbelief."

"Double Trapping" by Massimiliano Bencivenni (Brazil)

"Nature" second place winner.

"I was in the Brazilian Pantanal along the Rio Negrinho," wrote Massimiliano Bencivenni. "I realized that the river, at certain points of the loops, created places where there were many yacare caimans. I saw a yacare sink suddenly, and I immediately looked for the best location to photograph when it resurfaced. The whole thing lasted only a fraction of a moment."

"Silenced" by Wing Ka H. (China)

"Cities" second place winner.

"This photo was taken on my last trip to Guangzhou, China," wrote Wing Ka H. "This place is the school dormitories of South China Normal University. When I was hanging around, most of them were taking a break. After lunchtime, they needed to go back to study."

"Remote Life" by Mattia Passarini (India)


"People" third place winner.

This woman is carrying a log to warm up her home in the remote village of Himachal Pradesh.

"Lagunas Baltinache" by Victor Lima (Chile)

"Nature" third place winner.

"I embarked alone on this adventure to find images not yet published of the most arid desert in the world and its contrasts," wrote photographer Victor Lima. "Despite the Atacama Desert being one of the best places on the planet to do night photography, in my prior research I discovered that there were not many night photos in the main tourist destinations there."

"Celestial Reverie" by Jeremy Tan (Malaysia)

"Cities" third place winner.

"Lightning seemingly strikes Komtar Tower, the most iconic landmark of George Town, capital of Penang state in Malaysia, during a thunderstorm. It is symbolic of the rejuvenation that the city, famous for a unique blend of centuries-old buildings and modern structures, has enjoyed in recent years." — Photographer Jeremy Tan.

"Muscle Beach Gym" by Dotan Saguy (USA)

"People" honorable mention.

The iconic Muscle Beach Gym in Venice Beach, California.

"Bears on a Berg" by John Rollins (Canadian Arctic)

"Nature" honorable mention.

"To me, the relative smallness of these large creatures when compared to the immensity of the iceberg in the photo represents the precariousness of the polar bear's reliance on the sea and sea ice for its existence," wrote John Rollins.

"Divide" by Kathleen Dolmatch (USA)

"Cities" honorable mention.

"From a doorless helicopter looking south on Central Park West, dividing the architecture and Central Park," wrote Kathleen Dolmatch. "The flight was my birthday gift."

It probably seems like there's a lot of ugliness in the world lately.

Terrorist attacks, shootings, political drama — it's exhausting.

But it's nice to be reminded that there's always beauty in the world, and sometimes it takes a keen, highly trained eye to find it.

Photographers often have to wait around for hours or days to capture images like these. They have to climb on roofs or get in helicopters or put themselves in dangerous spots just to grab a single moment of the world's intense and fleeting beauty.

When they do, it's so worth it. Because we all get to enjoy it.

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5 ways people are going "all in" this week

From the silly to the sentimental, here are five ways people on the internet have been giving it their all.

5 ways people are going "all in" this week
5 ways people are going "all in" this week
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Going “all in” is its own kind of magic. Whether it’s a wildly energetic karaoke performance, a full-blown birthday bash for an elderly Chihuahua, or an over-the-top homecoming proposal (more on that in a moment), there’s something undeniably joyful about witnessing pure, unfiltered enthusiasm. Seeing that kind of passion and creativity, you can’t help but smile.

To celebrate that all-or-nothing spirit, we’ve rounded up some of the internet’s finest examples (at least for this week) of people fully committing to the bit. Prepare to be impressed, amazed, and maybe even a little inspired to go “all in” yourself.

1. This high school biology project

@jimcheo jordin sparks said it best #funny #funnyvideos ♬ No Air (feat. Chris Brown) - Jordin Sparks

Oh, to be in high school again. The days where you could be as silly as you wanted and still somehow get an A (for effort). This student-made video—a project for biology class, explaining the respiratory system—is the perfect example of a high school assignment, as well as a great example of someone truly going “all in.” Does this explain the respiratory system? Kind of! But is it full of creativity, passion, and genuine hilarity? Absolutely. The dedication it took to make this video alone—and the enthusiasm of the kids that made it—certainly deserves an A.

2. The Grandma Stand

One thing that’s great to go “all in” on is spreading cheer and joy—and that’s what our friends are doing this week with The Grandma Stand.

The premise is simple: You’ve got a grandma at a booth who gets people talking about the good stuff in their lives. Today’s question? What’s one small thing that brings you joy? The answers are sweet and thoughtful, and the result is a whole lot of goodwill (and hugs!) between total strangers. That’s always lovely to see.

Another thing we like to go “all in” on? Saving money. And right now our friends at All In are giving us a fantastic deal on some seriously tasty snacks. To get a free (!!!) box of their organic snack bars, sign up with your phone number on Aisle, grab two boxes of All In bars at Sprouts, snap a pic of your receipt, and text it through Aisle. They’ll Venmo or PayPal you back for the cost of one box, and then all you have left to do is enjoy your new favorite treat. Easy peasy.

3. This extremely specific HOCO proposal 

@dawson002256 best hoco proposal ever #fyp #hoco #viral #proposal ♬ original sound - .

Speaking of high school: Gone are the days where you can simply walk up to someone in the hallway and ask them to be your date to homecoming or prom. Kids these days are starting their own tradition—elaborate staged “proposals” in order to officially pop the question: Will you go to the dance with me?

Homecoming proposals are a perfect example of going “all in,” just by themselves—but this particular one is truly special. The creator shares that she loves sharks and is afraid of butterflies, so for a truly unique and heartfelt “proposal,” her potential date actually dresses up like a shark and stages a massive fight with his friends—all dressed in butterfly costumes—on her front lawn. The commitment, the creativity—it’s all here, on full display. (And she said yes, by the way!)

4. The Anthropologie rock prank 

@phoebeadams112

His full on crash out at the end HAHA

♬ original sound - Phoebe Adams

The internet has been obsessed with this viral prank, and it’s not hard to see why: Not only is it hilarious, the women who are doing the pranking are truly committing to the bit.

The prank started with one content creator, Phoebe Adams, who posted a TikTok of her unboxing a package in front of her boyfriend, Dan. Adams, bursting with excitement, pries open the box to reveal…a rock. But this isn’t any ordinary rock, she explains, gushing over how “perfect” it is. This particular rock is one-of-a-kind, from the bougie retail chain Anthropologie—and it only cost $150. It was on sale!

Dan, rightfully, is horrified and confused. But Adams keeps on torturing him: “This isn’t a regular rock! It’s a one-of-a-kind rock they found on the ground.” (“That’s where rocks COME FROM!” --Dan)

The best part is that this prank quickly went viral, and other creators are following in Adams’ footsteps. Husbands and dads everywhere are confused. It's mayhem. And probably the funniest thing that's happened on the internet this year.

(Even Anthropologie (the brand) has gotten in on the fun. That’s true commitment.)

5. The most elaborate (and fun) wedding entrance we've ever seen 

@benaholtzman Nothing says ‘forever’ like forcing your friends to learn the dance from Miss Congeniality 💍✨ #oneinamillion #weddingtok #weddingentrance #misscongeniality ♬ original sound - Ben Holtzman

We’ve all seen the movie Miss Congeniality, right? For those of you who weren’t teenage girls growing up in the early aughts, allow us to break it down: Sandra Bullock plays Grace Hart, a frazzled special agent working for the FBI. After an extensive makeover (because every movie from the late nineties and early aughts loved a good makeover montage), Gracie enters the Miss America Pageant undercover as Gracie Lou Freebush to prevent an act of terrorism that’s been threatened to go down during the competition. Long story short, it’s a feel-good classic with some of the most memorable movie lines in cinema. (“What is your idea of a perfect date?” “I’d have to say April 25th, because it’s not too hot, not too cold—all you need is a light jacket!”)

In the movie, the contestants all enter the stage to introduce themselves to the audience in a choreographed number to the song “One in a Million”—and so that’s exactly what these two grooms (presumably huge fans of the movie) have done for their wedding entrance. The choreographed sequence involves the grooms and their wedding party (and maybe even some of the guests), and they all truly give an unforgettable performance. Whether you’re a fan of this movie or you’ve never seen it, this wedding entrance really is one in a million.

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Ask kids this basic question to instantly make them more cooperative — the answer doesn't matter

Just by asking and listening, you've already won.

via Hunter Johnson/Unsplash

This trick can fix any attitude.

Raising kids can be a frustrating experience, no matter how rewarding you also find it. Sometimes, it can feel like half of parenting is repeating yourself over and over again, asking your child to brush their teeth or take a dish from the living room to the sink. It’s exhausting and makes you feel like a nag. Don't you wish there was a simple way to make your kids listen the first time?

Dr. Rebecca Kennedy, aka “Dr. Becky,” is a clinical psychologist and founder and CEO of Good Inside who says she has a quick way to make your kids more cooperative and less rude. Talk about killing two soul-crushing birds with one parenting stone. Dr. Becky got into psychology after struggling with anorexia as a teenager.

“Okay, no matter how old your kid is, you can use this 15-second tip to decrease rudeness and increase cooperation,” she says in a TikTok video with over 32,000 views. “Find your child today and ask them this question. 'Hey, I was just wondering, what could I do better as your parent?'”

parents, children, child, parenting, trick, communication A mom and son talk on the couch.Canva Photos

The psychologist says that even if the child has a random or impractical answer such as “Let me stay up ‘til midnight” or “I’d like to eat macaroni and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” just to listen. Simply by listening, you can change your child’s behavior.

She says we should also ask more questions to further the conversation: “Tell me more. What would that be like?”

@drbeckyatgoodinside

Want to improve your relationship with your kid in less than 15 seconds? Watch this reel for a quick-win strategy. The best part: When we use strategies like this in calm moments, we reduce the frequency of difficult moments with our kids. Of course, I’m a realist… I know you need in-the-moment strategies too! Cue: My Conquering Problem Behaviors Workshop. You’ll get an entire toolbox of in-the-moment and outside-the-moment strategies for reducing outbursts and strengthening your bond with your kid. Learn more in the link in bio!

“I mean, imagine your boss coming to you randomly and asking how they could be a better manager to you. Just by asking the question and listening,” she continued. Dr. Becky says that asking our kids how we’re doing as parents communicates three essential ideas: “I care about you. I respect you. I'm invested in this relationship.”

This type of questioning builds a connection with a child that can spill over into other behaviors. “You're building connection. And with more connection always comes more cooperation,” she ends the video.

The big takeaway from the video is that when we enhance our connection with our kids, they will be less likely to disobey or be rude because they feel heard and respected, so there’s no need to act out. They will also return that respect by listening to you when you have a request, such as taking out the trash or putting down their phone and coming to dinner.

Some people in the comments got funny responses when they asked their kids what they could improve. “I asked my 5yr old. I got a mildly scathing look and she said ‘erm, maybe try and burn dinner less next time?’” one parent wrote. “My 5 yo told me to look better and get a haircut,” another added.

Dr. Becky’s quick question is a great way for parents to strengthen their relationships when things are going well instead of trying to forge connections during conflict. It’s a great reminder that even when parenting, an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure.

family, parents, kids, parenting, bonding A happy family.Canva Photos

Dr. Becky sums up the importance of prevention in her TikTok caption: “When we use strategies like this in calm moments, we reduce the frequency of difficult moments with our kids,” she wrote.

This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

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A 3-word method can help you make relaxed small talk that doesn't feel like an interview

Injecting some personality can make things a lot more fun.

via Canva/Photos

A man and woman chatting over some wine.

A lot of people are uncomfortable making small talk, but it’s an essential skill that can make or break your love life, career, and social experiences. Many people believe that being good at chatting with others is something innate, but those who excel at it work at their craft and pick up small tips along the way to become better communicators.

One of the tricks that all great communicators know is that you will be more likable when you're more interested than interesting. Study after study shows that people love talking about themselves, and if you ask people more questions, they will like you a lot more than if you did all the talking. So, how do we do this without creating a one-sided conversation where your conversation partner learns nothing about you? The folks at the Science of People have shared the statement-plus question technique.

The statement-plus technique

“One of the smoothest ways to keep conversation flowing is to share a brief personal statement followed by a question,” the Science of People writes. “This technique accomplishes two things: it gives the other person information about you (making you seem more approachable and interesting) while also redirecting focus to them.”

small talk, conversation, office party, people talking, wine Coworkers having a nice conversation.via Canva/Photos

Here are some examples:

Instead of asking “What do you do for work?” say:

“I’m a writer for Upworthy, and I enjoy seeing my work read by millions of people. What excites you about your job?”

Instead of asking, “Where do you live?” try:

“I live in Long Beach, California, and it’s really nice living by the ocean. What do you love the most about where you live?”

Instead of asking, “How do you know the person who threw the party?” say:

“I met Sarah at a church meeting seven years ago. Do you remember the first time you met her?”

These questions enable you to discuss yourself while maintaining the focus on the other person. They are also open-ended, so you don’t just get a one-word answer. You learn their job and what excites them about it. You know where they live, and they get to brag about what they like about the city. The technique also broadens the conversation because, according to the psychological phenomenon known as reciprocal self-disclosure, people are more likely to disclose things about themselves after you share something about yourself.

- YouTube youtu.be

What is reciprocal self-disclosure?

“The most likely result of your self-disclosure is that other people will do the same. In the field of communication, we refer to this as 'reciprocity.' When you share information about yourself, the most likely result is that people will start to disclose a similar type of information from their own lives," communication coach Alexander Lyon says. "In our presentations, we talk about this as a magic wand. Disclosure is the closest thing we have to a magic wand in terms of a concept in communication. When you disclose, other people almost automatically reciprocate."

Ultimately, people love to talk about themselves, and if you give them the opportunity, they will like you more for it. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t reveal some aspects of yourself at the same time while keeping the focus on them. The statement-plus question technique allows you to reveal some things about yourself while making the other person feel seen and comfortable telling you more about themselves. It’s sure to elevate your small talk to something more substantial in a relaxed way that doesn’t feel like an interview.

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Man's side-splitting monologue on why 'women don't want to date anymore' is eerily accurate

The women in the comments are convinced one of them snitched.

Canva Photos

A viral TikTok argues that women don't want to give up the joy of their own personal peace and freedom for anyone.

There's been a lot of discourse on the state of modern dating and a lot of theories on why it seems harder than ever for people to find connection with romantic partners. Could it be that the achievement and education gaps between men and women are altering the dynamics? Have social media and dating apps broken our brains and hearts? Do we all have unrealistic expectations and unlimited options, leading to never feeling satisfied with anything or anyone?

Those are all intriguing options, but an alternate theory has recently arisen that's quickly gaining steam: Maybe being single isn't as lonely as we think. Maybe being single is actually freaking awesome.

A guy on TikTok who goes by Get To the Point Bro shared a hilarious monologue on why women who have been single for a long time "don't want to date anymore." Women say he absolutely nailed it.

the office, andy bernard, dating, relationships, dating advice, single, romance, love The Frenchman's monologue was absolutely spot on Giphy

At first, it might seem like he's poking fun, either at single women or at the men who can't seem to win them over. But not so! What he's done is perfectly captured the joy many people find in being single and, frankly, able to do whatever the hell they want.

"Some women have been single for so long they don't date anymore, they grant you access to their peaceful little empire like a reluctant queen handing you a visitor's badge," he says. "You text her good morning and she's already annoyed, like 'Why are you disturbing the sacred silence of my personal growth journey?'"

He goes on, "Bro she's been sleeping diagonally in her bed for three years, she's not giving up that territory because you opened the door and paid for coffee."

"You plan a cute date, she's thinking 'That sounds nice but also I could stay home, deep clean my apartment, do a 12 steps skincare routine, order sushi and not have to listen to a man breathe.'"

"You try to check in emotionally, 'How are you feeling?' She's feeling fantastic because you're not here."

"You're not competing with other guys. There are no other guys. You're competing with her weighted blanket, her peace, her cat named Chairman Meow, and the simple joy of not having to share her fries."

These are just a few of the best lines from the nearly 2-minute rant, all delivered in the most amazing French accent you can imagine. Please, enjoy:


@gettothepointbro

DATING A GIRL WHO IS USED TO BE ALONE CAN BE VERY HARD .

The best thing about the video is the discussion in the comments. Women want to know how this man got access to this top-secret information. The rant is so eerily, frighteningly accurate that women are convinced this French guy is living in their heads. That, or someone's secretly leaking intel.

"dammit. somebody call a meeting of the council. he knows too much."

"I dont often offer this compliment to the male species but you explained it better than I ever could."

"Alright, who’s told him this info??? So exposed right now"

"The joy of sleeping diagonally across my bed cannot be fully explained."

"This is the most accurate profiling I’ve ever heard. You absolutely ailed it."

Clearly, we've tapped into a real phenomenon here.

@gettothepointbro

CAN YOU RELATE LADIES ? THAT’S WHY WE LOVE YOU ❤️

The truth is that many people—both men and women—are disillusioned with the sad state of the dating scene these days. App burnout is a real thing, and meeting new people in real life is a ton of work. So, it's no surprise that more and more people are just choosing to stay single and enjoy all the perks that come along with it. This is a stark change, especially for women.

According to FiveThirtyEight, "Women were also more likely than men to say that they weren’t dating because they have other priorities right now." Priorities like travel, career, friendship, and even just self-care—all things that wind up taking a backseat when people get involved in relationships. It wasn't too long ago that women of a certain age that were still single were called "spinsters," but that word has lost a significant amount of power. This new generation of women aren't embarrassed or ashamed to be single; they're loving it for exactly all the reasons this video describes.

This article originally appeared in April.

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20 meals under $10 that can feed your family on a budget

Quick, easy, and cheap.

Images via Reddit/Delicious_Walrus_698

Quick and easy meals that are $10 and under.

Feeding your family keeps getting more and more expensive. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, a family of four in America spends between $996-1,603.a month on groceries.

To keep food costs low, many families are finding frugal ways to cut down on food costs and save on groceries. And keeping a budget can help.

Spending $10 or less per meal can be a challenge, but plenty of budget food shoppers and frugal food makers shared their go-to's on Reddit. These are 20 meals under $10 that will feed your family.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Creamy Veggie Pasta

"Bought some half price veggies at my store which were: bag of peppers, $2.50; Container of tiny tomatoes, 2.50; Block of cream cheese, 2.00 And a box of pasta, 2.50. Already on hand was fresh garlic and spices (chipotle spice, dried parsley, salt &pepper, optional red chili flakes) and whole garlic in with the tomatoes to roast and oil. Chopped my veggies up seasoned my veggies and cream cheese with spices and oil and baked at 350 for about an hour till everything was soft . Boiled pasta mashed the tomatoes and cream cheese and mixed in the pasta add pasta water to thin out the." - Delicious_Walrus_698

Red Beans & Rice

"Red beans and rice. If you have the spices, I make this often. It also leaves a lot of leftovers. Sometimes I'll add extra beans and increase the water and bullion. It's delicious and cheap and filling. Add a cheap box of .69 Jiffy corn bread and it's great. This website is great overall. She breaks each each meal down by cost." - unconfusedsub

15-Bean Soup

"I bought a 15-bean soup mix with cajun spices ($3) and a kielbasa ($3). Spooned it over white rice and it was so delicious." - belleandbent

Pulled Pork Shoulder

"Pulled pork is fantastic when you can get a whole shoulder on sale. I'm in a HCOL city right now and even here I see it sometimes for $2 a pound. You can season it neutrally and keep frozen (cooked) family sized packs of it in the freezer to use for many different meal." - KetoLurkerHereAgain

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

"Initial outlay will be more like $20 but you’ll get several meals out of it. Buy a whole chicken, a bag of potatoes, a bag of carrots, a bunch of celery and an onion, 1 tomato, and 1 bag of egg noodles. You get roasted chicken and vegetables with some of your potatoes and carrots. Pick most of the meat off and save any leftovers. Make stock with the carcass, celery, onion, and tomato. Make chicken noodle soup with your broth, leftover chicken and egg noodles. Leftover roasted veggies make a great hash too. Couple of solid meals for the family." - mstrong73

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Chili

"Big pot of chili can be a meal one day, then served on baked potatoes another day, then chili dogs for a third meal (if you have leftovers). Growing up, we had a lot of ham and bean soup with cornbread when things got tight financially." - Ill-Description8517

Biscuits & Gravy

"Ground breakfast sausage, milk, packet of country gravy and one can of biscuits." - Prestigious_Fall_441

Chickpea Curry

"Chickpea curry, I just use Golden Curry, a can of chickpeas, and a can of coconut milk. I usually have rice and a salad with it. Lentil bowls are also good and lentils are really cheap and of course beans, I will have this with rice." - lenorefosterwallace

Chicken Thighs and Veggies

"Chicken thighs (bone in, skin on) and a veggie side (your preference, mine is green beans cooked with diced onion/bacon bits/broth or bouillion). I really recommend shaking chicken thighs up with your preferred spices and some baking powder and baking on a baking rack so they come out crispy outside and moist inside. This is a sub $10 meal that feeds 3-4 as I can usually can get 5~ chicken thighs for $4-$5~,a can of green beans and an onion, bacon optional to cut cost or include if you have bacon all the time anyways like I do. I also highly recommend marinating chick breast for at least 30 minutes (recommend asian style flavor, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper and some vinegar, corn starch to thicken) cut it into bites and then pan searing it in some oil, taking it out, then throwing in green cabbage with a bit of butter and garlic powder mixed around (and the remnants of what cooked off the chicken marinade) , then throw the chicken back in when the cabbage is done and before you started the chicken start some white rice in a rice cooker. It's basically a $10 meal for 4 ppl , about $5 of chicken breast and your price of cabbage and the portion of white rice. This one makes a shit ton of food you could literally meal prep 4-5 meals for 1 person with this. If you like cabbage I really recommend youtubing some cabbage based stir fry recipes because one head of cabbage just explodes into a gigantic amount of food." - RuckFeddit70

@clintonsvatos

Dinner for less than $10 for 6 people. #poormanscomfortfood #budgetmeals #cheapdinner #familydinner #easymeals #cheapmeals

Potato and Chorizo Burrito

"Potatoes and chorizo! Just dice up some potatoes, fry them in a pan with some oil and the chorizo until it’s all nice and crispy! We’ll put them in tortillas to make a burrito out of it." - TripleGoddess93

Turkey

"If you have the money to lay out, big chain grocery stores have turkeys for under a dollar per pound. A 14 lb turkey could feed a family for a week easily. $14/7 days/4 people is 50 cents per person per dinner." - snoopmt1

Pork Butt with Onions, Jalapeños and Pineapple

"Today, I have a pork butt in the crockpot with onions, jalapeños and a can of pineapple chunks. After an all day cook, I shred then ladle on rice. If I want fancy, I stir a can of coconut milk in the rice while cooking. The pork butt was 99 cents a pound this week at Hannaford. I paid $3.19 for it! Winner, winner because I can get 2 meals out of it! Spread leftover in taco shell topped with a simple slaw. Yummy for the tummy, both meals." - Vtfla

Salsa Chicken

"Salsa chicken is a good value meal. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken. Can be breasts or thighs and frozen chicken is a great option as it is cheaper. If using frozen chicken, make sure you thaw it first before placing in crockpot. 1 cup corn 1 cup beans - black, red or pinto 1 small jar of salsa or Rotel tomatoes- I usually use Rotel and then add some salsa 1 packet taco seasoning. Place thawed chicken in crockpot and sprinkle with taco sealing. Add salsa, corn and beans on cook on low until chick men is tender. Remove chicken and shred and then return back to crock and mix. If the mixture is too watery you can add a little rice and it will thicken as the rice cooks. You can make nachos, tacos or burrito bowls out of the mixture and is many servings." - FurryFreeloader

Drumsticks

"If you are near a Walmart, you might be able to find a 5 pound bag of drumsticks for about $6. I put the whole bag in half a pot of water, let it simmer for about 3 hours. Then I took out the chicken, let it cool fir a few minutes and took off all the chicken. Put the chicken back into the broth, added 6 large carrots that were chopped and a container of chicken broth and let it simmer for an hour or so until the carrots are cooked. You could do something similar and add other veg, rice or noodles? What I made is about $8.50." - Maidenonwarpath


@thedudenetwork

Another meal for my family, another meal under ten dollars!! This was a really good haul, cant beleieve we got two packs of chicken for $5!! Next video posted will be the recipe!! #thedudenetwork #cheapeats #cheapmeals #budgetmeals #familydinner #moneysaver #smartshopper

Beef and Noodle Soup

"My favorite easy cheap meal is a hearty soup that is so satisfying. You brown a lb of ground beef, boil some macaroni noodles, drain most of the fat from your beef, but not all of it. Saute an onion in the remaining fat in your pan, then once the onion is cooked you pour in a can of diced tomatoes (I like fire roasted, but any canned tomatoes will work) and a bag of mixed veggies (I also toss in any veggie leftovers I have in the fridge) add about 2 cups of water a beef bouillon cube and 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and bring that to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes and then add the macaroni back in and salt & pepper to taste. It is a comfort food at my house. You can use any ground meat, any shape pasta, and any other veggies you want. I also make garlic bread or cheese toast out of whatever leftover bread that I happen to have. It is great with Italian sausage too. It is so easy and good." - RapscallionMonkee

Thai Curry

"If your family likes spice, Thai curry. $1 can of coconut milk, 1-2 lbs of chicken (get on sale can get for around $3-$4 a lb). Throw some potatoes and carrots in there for filler $1-2 worth. Mae Ploy or Arroy-D curry paste $5 but has enough to make about 10-15 servings worth (more if you don’t like it spicy) and premade paste lasts about 2 years. Fish sauce is a good one that runs an initial $10 investment but will last like 100 meals worth for many different recipes (it does smell bad while cooking but tastes great). Sugar (I just use brown sugar cause it’s cheap and easy). Just serve over rice." - hauttdawg13

Pasta a la Norma

"Pasta a la Norma (eggplant pasta). 2 eggplants Box of rigatoni or ziti 28oz crushed tomatoes Parmesan Garlic Oregano Fresh basil optional Red pepper flakes. Cut eggplant into 1in pieces and roast in oven with olive oil salt and pepper. Sauté garlic lightly in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes. Toss cooked pasta with sauce and roasted eggplant. Top with parmesan." - Remarkable-Ice-2951

Breakfast Tacos

"Egg/cheese/potato Breakfast tacos! you need a package of 10 flour tortillas $1.50, a dozen eggs $3.50, 6 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese $3, and three medium or two large potatoes $2. Scrub and microwave the potatoes, probably 11 minutes? No need to peel. While that’s cooking, warm and slightly toast each tortilla by lighting the burner flame under it for about 10 seconds, turn off the burner, flip it over and do the other side. Repeat with each tortilla. Put the tortillas between folds of a folded dish cloth to keep them warm. Mix maybe eight eggs in a bowl with a little bit of water and salt. Not much salt, the cheese will supply salt too. add other seasonings as desired. Heat your large skillet medium high, add a little butter or spray of oil to the bottom of that pan. Pour in the eggs, turn down the heat to low. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the eggs as they cook. Take the potatoes out of the microwave and carefully so as not to burn your hands, roughly chop them. Add the chopped-up potatoes to your skillet. When the eggs are mostly set but still a little bit wet, turn off the heat. Then flipped them over one more time. Add a scoop of eggs/potato/cheese to each tortilla and fold/roll them up." - annalitchka53

Dirty Rice

"Dirty Rice. Ground beef browned with chopped onions, bell pepper, celery. Seasoned with creole/cajun seasoning and garlic powder. Drain. Add frozen peas and carrots, uncooked rice. Enough water to cook the rice, chicken bouillon to taste. Simmer until rice is cooked and fluffy." - WoodwifeGreen

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Kids being treated for cancer get their own newly designed Brave Barbie and Ken dolls

The dolls are made specially for children with illness-related hair loss.

Screenshots courtesy of Children's Hospital L.A./Instagram

Kids at Children's Hospital L.A. got a special surprise.

Toy dolls of today may look different than those made centuries ago, but they still serve the same purpose. Some kids play with dolls to pretend to be a parent, some to role-play a range of imaginary identities, and some to practice social situations, figuratively putting themselves in the doll's shoes and developing empathy in the process.

It seems logical that kids who have dolls they see themselves in would find comfort in playing with them, so imagine how a child who has lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other illness would feel having a doll made just for them. And not just any doll—an iconic Barbie doll that reminds them that they are brave and strong.

As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 100 Brave Barbie and Ken dolls were delivered by Mattel to Children's Hospital L.A. for kids undergoing cancer treatment. Brave Barbie and Ken are bald and come with hats and wigs, reflecting the reality that many children undergoing chemotherapy see when they look in the mirror.

Mattel introduced the first Brave Barbie in 2013, making her the only toy in the world created and distributed exclusively through nonprofit partners. Now, the first-ever Brave Ken doll joins Brave Barbie, along with a new Brave Barbie model with brown skin and dark hair. The toy manufacturer announced that 10,000 of the dolls will be distributed worldwide to children fighting cancer or autoimmune diseases that result in illness-related hair loss.

“For more than a decade, Brave Barbie doll has offered children comfort in seeing themselves reflected and reassurance that they are not alone on this journey,” said Nancy Molenda, Vice President of Global Corporate Events and Philanthropy at Mattel. “With their meaningful new look and expansion to a Brave Ken doll, these dolls continue to embody courage and compassion. Placing these dolls into the hands of families and seeing the light they bring during life’s hardest moments is profoundly humbling and a privilege we hold close to our hearts.”

Children's Hospital L.A. explained what the dolls mean to the young patients in their care and expressed gratitude for Mattel's generosity.

"These dolls bring moments of joy, spark imaginative play, and help kids feel strong and supported during treatment, where they may experience hair loss," the hospital shared on Instagram. "Our Child Life Specialists use dolls to help children understand their treatments and feel more at ease in the hospital. These toys are wonderful teaching tools, making medical procedures less scary by creating a safe, fun, and supportive space for learning."

Brave Barbie and Ken come with "fashion-forward" outfits and five accessories: headphones, a hat, a headband, a rooted wig, and a customizable sticker pack.

Chase Carter, director of community engagement at CureSearch, helped develop the Brave Ken doll, which he describes as "deeply personal" since he is a childhood cancer survivor himself. “It was important to me that Brave Ken carry the same message that Brave Barbie has given kids for years, that they are seen, valued, and strong even in their toughest battles,” Carter says. “These dolls are far more than toys; they are symbols of courage and companions in the fight.”

Mattel has shared that over 120,000 Brave Barbies have been distributed since her launch in 2013. This year, the program has expanded globally thanks to partnerships with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), Starlight Children’s Foundation, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, and other international organizations, including Koala Kids, Save the Children, Fundación Teletón, and In-Kind Direct.

As Children's Hospital L.A. wrote, kids who are dealing with serious illnesses like cancer demonstrate what true bravery looks like every day. How wonderful to have that courage reflected to them in their imaginative play.

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