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A trauma psychologist weighs in on the risks of 'motivational' pressure during quarantine

Photo by niklas_hamann on Unsplash

A "motivational" message has been circulating during the coronavirus lockdown, which is allegedly supposed to kick our butts into gear since most of us now have more time on our hands.

Here's one version:

— (@)

On its face, it may sound logical. We often don't do things because we lack time—or think we do—so now that we supposedly have more time, we should be doing those things now, right?

Just one thing though—there's a deadly global pandemic and massive economic crisis happening, which might be just the tiniest bit distracting right now, Jeremy.

A trauma psychologist from Beirut weighed in on this idea that we should be extra productive right now, and she didn't mince words. Alaa Hijazi's Facebook post has been shared 19,000 times, so people are clearly appreciating her wisdom. She wrote:

I thought I was spared the horrid 'motivational' phrase going around now—'If you don't come out of this with a new skill, you never lacked time, you lacked discipline'—until I saw it on my local yoga studio page.

As a trauma psychologist, I am utterly utterly horrified, enraged, and bewildered about how people can believe and spread this phrase in good conscience.

We are going through a collective trauma, that is bringing up profound grief, loss, panic over livelihoods, panic over loss of lives of loved ones. People's nervous systems are barely coping with the sense of threat and vigilance for safety, or alternating with feeling numb and frozen and shutting down in response to it all.

People are trying to survive poverty, fear, retriggering of trauma, retriggering of other mental health difficulties. Yet, someone has the nerve to accuse someone of lack of discipline for not learning a new skill, and by a yoga teacher!

This cultural obsession with [capitalistic] 'productivity' and always spending time in a 'productive,' 'fruitful' way is absolutely maddening.

What we need is more self-compassion, more gentle acceptance of all the difficult emotions coming up for us now, more focus on gentle ways to soothe ourselves and our pain and the pain of loved ones around us, not a whipping by some random fucker making us feel worse about ourselves in the name of 'motivation.'"

Indeed. Even those of us who are still employed full-time are finding it difficult to focus some days like we used to. The enormity of this pandemic and the global shutdown over it weighs heavy on all of us. Our sense of normality has been turned upside down and the uncertainty over what even the near future holds makes sustained attention a challenge.

Add in the fact that many people now have children at home who used to be at school or childcare, many are struggling to figure out how they're going to pay rent or buy groceries, many are watching businesses or careers they've spent years building crumble before their eyes, many have health conditions that make them anxious about catching the virus, and it's not hard to see how neither "time" nor "discipline" are our big problems right now.

If you want to go read books on hustling and build up some skill set, Jeremy, go for it. But let's not lay a guilt trip on people who are going through a traumatic experience that none of us have experienced before and none of us were prepared for.

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Joe grew up without stability. Now, he’s giving 10 adopted sons the home he never had.

“I want my boys to know that no matter what, they have a place to belong.”

True

Like many children who are placed in foster care across the United States, Joe’s childhood was marked by chaos and a struggle to survive.

Joe still remembers neglect and abuse being part of his daily reality. Often left to care for his younger siblings alone, Joe grew up far too quickly.

He and his brothers were placed in the New York foster care system at an early age. And when he aged out of foster care at 21, he had no family to turn to for support.

“Statistically, I should be in jail, or I could be dead,” Joe said. “But that’s not my destiny.”

Today, Joe is determined to change the trajectory for young people lingering in foster care … as an adoptive parent and as an advocate, raising awareness along with organizations like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

A complex problem with an evidence-based solution

More than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system are waiting for a safe, permanent home. But the sad reality is that thousands will “age out” of the system between 18 and 21, stepping into adulthood without support, guidance or a safety net.

The consequences of this can be devastating. Youth who leave foster care without the support of a forever family are much more likely to experience negative outcomes, including homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse and early, unplanned parenthood.

Through its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is working to be a part of the solution across the U.S. and Canada. Through this program, the Foundation supports the hiring of adoption professionals — known as recruiters — who serve children most at risk of aging out of foster care, including older children, children with special needs and siblings.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters use an evidence-based, child-focused model, identifying trusted adults in the child’s network who may be open to adoption — and research shows that it works. A five-year, national evaluation showed that children referred to the program are up to three times more likely to be adopted.

Changing the journey for a new generation

Xavier was 18 and at risk of aging out of foster care without family support when he met Joe.

“My biggest fear was that I was going to age out and not know how to be sufficient on my own,” Xavier said. But Joe adopted Xavier just weeks before he was set to age out of the system. In the years that followed, Joe adopted from foster care again. And again.

Today, Joe is a father to 10 sons, seven of whom were adopted with help from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

“Meeting my boys has put them on a different path,” Joe said. “Wendy’s Wonderful Kids was a real support and guide to being able to do what I try to do: making sure they have the tools to survive.”

“For me, it’s been beautiful to see that [my brothers are] spreading out to go live their own lives,” Xavier said. “It’s something [Joe] has prepared us for. He gave us the mentality that we could do whatever we want.”

Writing a new ending

After aging out of foster care, Joe managed to defy the odds, graduating from college and becoming a school counselor. Still, despite his own success story, he knows that many children who spend time in foster care aren’t as fortunate.

Joe hopes providing a “home base” for his sons means a brighter future for them.

“Here, we have people you can call your family — your brothers, your father,” Joe said. “Everybody, no matter where they are, knows that they can come home.”

Learn more about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and how you can help find forever families for more children lingering in foster care right now.

Modern Families

51-year-old empty nester who struggled to declutter her house shares 8 tips that finally worked

"Shoes are put away immediately upon walking in the house."

empty nester, empty nesters, declutter, decluttering, decluttering tips

Photo credit: Canva

Mom and empty nester shares her tips for decluttering her home.

Deep cleaning and decluttering a home is a daunting task—especially for empty nesters. After spending a lifetime creating memories and living together under one roof, doing a big declutter can take an emotional toll.

It's a milestone that many empty nesters know the sting of. And in an cleaning community on Reddit, a 51-year-old mom and recent empty nester shared her experience cleaning and decluttering her home after entering this new phase of life.

"In my entire life, my house has always been messy. I mean, I didn’t have a disaster-level situation going on, but if someone dropped by unannounced, it would’ve been super embarrassing," she shared. "When my kids were younger, we had a housekeeper because I just couldn’t keep up. Now that we’re empty nesters, I realized I never really learned how to keep house."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

She explained that the book Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess played an integral part in helping her declutter—and offered eight helpful tips to fellow empty nesters looking to organize their new lives.

1. Put stuff away, not down.

Her first tip is the key to decluttering.

"Whatever you have goes right back where it’s supposed to go when I’m done with it," she notes.

2. Do laundry every day.

And she doesn't just wash and dry her laundry when doing it.

"Just one load, start to finish. Wash, dry, fold, and put away," she shares. "Also, no chair or floor laundry. It gets put in the hamper or hung back up. No clothes are ever out."

3. I make the bed every day.

The benefits keep on giving by doing this, she notes.

"It just makes my bedroom look cleaner and I smile every time I come in my room," she writes. "Plus we aren’t fighting over the covers when we get in because the bed is straightened out."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

4. Do a quick daily clean-up of commonly used spaces.

She cleans the places that her and her husband use frequently.

"I keep a stack of cleaning rags in my master bath because it’s the only bathroom that’s used every single day. Every night, I spray the counter, wipe everything down, put everything back (that my husband leaves out), and wipe the mirror," she explains. "I also wipe down the toilet. I find that I don’t need a huge, big cleaning of this space because I’m keeping it up daily. Same goes for the kitchen."

5. Dishes are always put away, cabinet or dishwasher.

No dishes in the sink or stuck in the dishwasher.

"Dishes are finished in the dishwasher? It’s emptied and dirty ones are placed inside while waiting for the dishwasher to get full," she notes.

@brunchwithbabs
Life Changing Dishwasher Hack #tutorials #kitchenhacks #parentsoftiktok #dishwasherhack

6. Don't neglect your shoes.

When she takes them off, they get put away.

"Shoes are put away immediately upon walking in the house," she shares.

7. Knock out small tasks.

There is no time to waste.

"If it takes less than 5 minutes clean it while you’re waiting for something else to get done," she writes.

8. Take no days off.

Rather than assign certain days for cleaning, she is constantly doing it throughout the week.

"Lastly, I do not have scheduled cleaning days. I just do something all the time," she explains. "My life is kind of unpredictable, we love traveling or going out for the day so my so called cleaning schedule would be shot to hell every time. It’s better this way, because now I never feel behind."

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Community

14 nostalgic retro potluck dishes to send Gen Xers and Boomers down memory lane

Who decided to call it "frog eye salad"?

fondue, jello dessert, crown jewel dessert, retro dishes, potluck dishes

Photo credit: Canva

Do these dishes bring back memories?

Those of us who remember going to potlucks in the '60s, '70s, and '80s likely have distinct memories of certain foods. This was the era before everyone had figured out their dairy and gluten intolerances, when condensed soup and canned vegetables were ubiquitous across the economic spectrum, and when potlucks were more common than a fully hosted dinner party.

Potlucks are the best, by the way. Inviting a bunch friends to come over and bring a dish to share is perhaps the easiest way to gather for a meal and socialize, taking the onus off the host to provide everything and giving people an opportunity to share some of their favorite dishes. In fact, potlucks in the days of Internet recipes and foodies may be far better than the potlucks of old, which often included the same dishes over and over again.

Predictable potluck meals might be good or bad, depending on how you feel about the dishes. (Personally, I can never get enough deviled eggs, but I wouldn't be sad to never see an ambrosia salad again.) We all have our "Aw, yes!" meals and our "Ew, no thanks" ones, so here's a little nostalgic potluck dish list for Gen Xers and Boomers to pick and choose from:

Quiche

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, quiche QuichePhoto credit: Canva

It's a classic for a reason. Quiche is one of those foods that sounds fancy but is actually really easy to make. Essentially, quiche is just a savory egg and cheese pie, which can be dressed up with meats and/or vegetables and seasonings. Traditional quiche has a crust, but or for the carb-conscious among us, there are plenty of crustless quiche recipes to choose from.

Find a Classic Quiche Lorraine recipe on Natasha's Kitchen.

Fondue

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, cheese fondue Cheese FonduePhoto credit: Canva

There was a period in the 1960s and '70s when everyone had a fondue pot, so bringing fondue to a potluck was a whole thing. Various cheeses are melted into a dipping sauce, and guests use tongs to grab and dip chunks of bread, meats, vegetables, or even other cheeses into the fondue. Decadent? Yes. Delicious? Yes. Deleterious to most health goals? Yes.

Find a Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue recipe on Food & Wine.

Cheese Ball

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, cheese ball Cheese Ball AppetizerPhoto credit: Canva

Cheese balls have had a renaissance of sorts with the popularity of the charcuterie board, but for a few decades there it was a throwback to the past. A good cheese ball blends cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and seasonings and is covered in chopped pecans or almonds.

Find a Classic Cheese Ball recipe on Tastes Better From Scratch.

Chicken a la King

— (@)

It's creamy. It's chickeny. It's kind of grossly colorful. What gives Chicken a la King its signature look is green peppers and red pimentos. (Pimentos were all the rage for a bit there in the '60s and '70s. Do young people even know what a pimento is these days? What would they think if they saw a pimento loaf?)

Find a Classic Chicken a la King recipe at The Stay at Home Chef.

Green Bean Casserole

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, green bean casserole Green Bean CasserolePhoto credit: Canva

Lots of people still make this classic dish, especially around the holidays, because few things are more comforting than creamy green beans with that little touch of crunch from the dried onions on top. Plus, you get to feel like you're eating something somewhat healthy. It's green, right?

Finds a Green Bean Casserole recipe at Spend With Pennies.

Potatoes au Gratin

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, potatoes au gratin Potatoes au GratinPhoto credit: Canva

We have Julia Child to thank for the popularity of Potatoes au Gratin in the 1960s and '70s. The dish comes from the French Dauphinois potatoes, and it's rich and decadent but simple enough for anyone to make.

Find a recipe for Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes on All Recipes.

Frog Eye Salad

— (@)

Frog eyes? Really? Could we not just call it pasta custard dessert? Maybe that's not much better, but this strangely named dessert is one of those "don't knock it til you try it" dishes that sounds sketchy and looks iffy but tastes better than you'd expect.

Find a recipe for Frog Eye Salad at Belly Full.

Crown Jewel Dessert

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, crown jewel jell-o dessert Crown Jewel DessertPhoto credit: Canva

I would personally just call this a Jell-o loaf, but it goes by Crown Jewel, Broken Glass Jell-O or Stained Glass Jell-O. The look may be reminiscent of some of the less appetizing Jell-O mold dishes that inexplicably included vegetables and other savory things, but this dessert is all sweet creamy gelatinous goodness.

Find a Crown Jewel Dessert recipe at Vintage Recipes.

Cocktail Wieners

It's not just the mini sausages (aka "little smokies"). It's the sauce made of chili sauce and grape jelly that really makes this retro dish pop. It's literally just three ingredients, but don't mess with it. It works.

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, cocktail weiners Cocktail Weiners Photo credit: Canva

Find a recipe for these babies at Southern Living.

Deviled Eggs

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, deviled eggs Deviled EggsPhoto credit: Canva

Simple. Classic. You either love them or hate them, but they always get eaten. The only downside is the smell, but totally worth it. Dash of paprika is a must.

Find a classic recipe for Deviled Eggs on NYT Cooking.

Ants on a Log

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, ants on a log Ants on a LogPhoto credit: Canva

This is what you bring to the potluck when you forgot to run to the store or when you need to put together a quick, last-minute dish to share. Whoever was the first person to decide celery, peanut butter, and raisins go together may have been out of their mind, but thank goodness they were because, for some reason, it totally works.

No recipe needed for this one. Cut up celery, slap on some peanut butter, and stick some raisins to it. Easy peasy.

Waldorf Salad

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, waldorf salad Waldorf SaladPhoto credit: Canva

I have always been confused by Waldorf salad. While it seems like recipe that would have been created out of necessity, it's actually a fancy dish created by the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel's maitre d’hotel Oscar Tschirky in 1893. He served it to 1,500 high society folks from around the Northeast for the hotel's opening. So, the whole celery and fruit together thing was purposeful. Yes, it works, but it always feels weird that it does.

Find a recipe for classic Waldorf Salad on Foodie Crush.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, pineapple upside down cake Pineapple Upside Down CakePhoto credit: Canva

For the record, my mom makes the best Pineapple Upside Down Cake in the world. I spent decades convinced that I didn't like it and refused to eat it, but one day well into my adulthood I conceded to take a bite and was converted instantly. I don't know why I thought I didn't like it. It's heaven.

Find a Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe on Sugar Spun Run.

Black Forest Cake

Retro recipes, vintage meals, nostalgic foods, potluck dishes, black forest cake Black Forest CakePhoto credit: Canva

This cake is still around and going strong, and for good reason. Cherries and chocolate and whipped cream is a winning combo, and a good Black Forest Cake looks as irresistible as it tastes. Originally from Germany, the decadent cake made its way to U.S. kitchens after WWII and became extra popular in the 1970s. It's a perennial favorite of those wanting to impress their fellow potluckers.

Find a Black Forest Cake recipe at Liv for Cake.

Next time you plan a potluck or are invited to one, try out one of these classics and see how many nostalgic responses you get from those who remember them.

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Popular

15 old-school casserole recipes that feel like home for boomers and Gen Xers

Tried-and-true one-pan dinners from back in the day.

casserole, casseroles, casserole recipe, casserole recipes, gen x, boomers

Image via Reddit/MyDogGoldi

Vintage casserole recipes from Gen X and boomer childhoods.

Childhood dishes can take you straight back to your seat at the family dinner table. Comfort meals that were served there are uber nostalgic. And there is one dish represents the epitome of Gen X and baby boomer childhoods: casseroles.

These one-dish wonders were loaded with flavor and baked to perfection. Pulled straight from the oven to the dinner table, casseroles filled the house with the smell of unique home-cooked recipes.

And while most of us are eating casseroles today at Thanksgiving, Gen Xers and boomers grew up eating casseroles on the reg.

Here are 15 old-school casserole recipes that Redditors grew up eating, which are just as yummy today:

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Chicken casseroles

Fancy Fast Chicken casserole

"Fancy Fast Chicken is delicious and so simple. Line up chicken breasts in a casserole dish. Dump uncooked stuffing over top the chicken breasts. Pour Cream of Mushroom (Onion or chicken works too) and incorporate it into the stuffing. Top with cheese of your choice, and fried onions if you're inclined. Bake at 350 for 45min or until chicken is thoroughly cooked." - Applepoisoneer

Chicken Curry Divan casserole

"My favorite is Chicken Curry Divan. A friend made it for me in college 40 years ago and it is a favorite to this day. Never disappoints. Many people have asked me for the recipe over the years. My best friends kids now that they are grown have each approached me for it.

1 1/2 lbs chicken breast tenders cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
3 cups broccoli in bite sized pieces
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
1 cup mayonnaise (must be Mayo)
2 tsp curry
Juice of 1 lemon
Shredded sharp cheddar (use the amount you like o like a nice even cover of the top)
3/4 cup crushed Ritz crackers
3 tbsp melted butter
In 9x13” baking pan layer chicken then broccoli.

Mix the soup, Mayo, lemon juice and curry together well, pour over chicken broccoli mixture evenly and smooth out. Sprinkle cheese over top evenly. Crush crackers fine, mix in melted butter well and sprinkle evenly over top. Cook at 375° for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and top brown. Serve with rice." - karinchup

Chicken and Rice casserole

"This baked rice & cheese casserole has become a staple in our house! It’s great as a side dish, or I’ll add rotisserie chicken and serve it as a main dish." - anchovypepperonitoni

Chicken & Dumplings casserole

"The secret of this is not to stir anything. That's what makes your dumplings. When you dish it out, you have your dumplings on top.
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 stick of butter; 2 cups Bisquick mix; 2 cups whole milk; 1 can cream of chicken soup; 1/2 medium onion, minced; 1 cup frozen peas; 3 tsp chicken Better Than Bouillon; 1/2 tsp dried sage; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt.

(1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
(2) Layer 1 - In 9x13 casserole dish, melt 1/2 stick of butter. Spread shredded chicken over butter. Sprinkle black pepper and dried sage over this layer. Do not stir.
(3) Layer 2 - Sprinkle minced onions and peas over chicken
(4) Layer 3 - In small bowl, mix milk and Bisquick. Slowly pour all over chicken. Do not stir.
(5) Layer 4 - In medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of chicken broth, chicken bouillon, and soup. Once blended, slowly pour over the Bisquick layer. Do not stir.
(6) Bake casserole for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown." - Superb_Yak7074

Chicken broccoli casserole

"I made chicken broccoli casserole last week and that's a favorite here. This is pretty close to how I do it." - gimmethelulz

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Potato casseroles

Funeral Potatoes

"The unfortunately named, funeral potatoes!" - IRLperson

Tater Tot casserole

"Tater tot casserole. My mom made this at least once a week when I was growing up, but she added a quart of green beans to make it a meal. If you brown your ground beef in a good size cast iron skillet, you only dirty up one pan to make it!" - hcynthia1234, upperwareParTAY

Breakfast casserole

"I’m making a breakfast casserole this morning for brunch later—a bag of frozen hash brown potatoes thawed, a pound of sausage sauteed with peppers and onions, a brick of cheese grated, eight eggs beaten with a bit of milk and cream and some salt and pepper. Layer in a casserole, ending with cheese. Bake around an hour at 375." - CWrend

Hamburger pie casserole

"One of my childhood favorites. Did not add vegetables or cheese though. This was an end of the month struggle meal that everyone loved." - DarnHeather

Shepherd's pie casserole

"Shepherd's pie : brown 1.5 lbs ground beef with half a chopped onion, salt and pepper, drain it and then spread into a 13x9 and stir a can of cream of mushroom soup into it. Spread a drained family size can of corn on top, use a container of prepared mashed potatoes for the top layer. Bake for a half hour at 350." - ExplanationLucky1143

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Noodle casseroles

Tuna casserole

"Love my mom's tuna noodle casserole: 1 bag broad egg noodles, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 2 cans tuna, 1 cup frozen corn or 1 can kernel corn, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 1 tbsp celery salt
Cook noodles per package directions, drain, then place in a 13x9 casserole dish. Mix in cream of mushroom soup, tuna, corn, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and celery salt. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until done enough for you." - Pinkleton

Mock Stroganoff casserole

"Mock stroganoff - brown 1lb ground chuck. Mix in 8 oz sour cream and 1 can cream of mushroom. Add to 1 lb of cooked egg noodles. Season with black pepper. Extras - fresh mushrooms and/or onion cooked with the beef. Any precooked veggies of your choice, peas or broccoli work well. Splash of Worcestershire, soy sauce, or fish sauce. Garlic or onion powder. Parsley, thyme, or cilantro." - Nathan_Saul

Cabbage noodle casserole

"I have a quick cabbage and noodles that uses bagged cole slaw. Cook a bag of noodles. Put aside. Cut up a lb of bacon and a med onion. Cook in pan until bacon is slightly fried and onions are clear. Add cabbage(without carrots) let sit 10 min or so. Add to noodles. It's so easy." - conjas11

@allrecipes
Thanksgiving prep class is now in session! 🍂🧑‍🏫 If there's one thing you need to nail on the big day (other than the turkey, of course), it's Green Bean Casserole. This recipe tastes just like the one your grandmother used to make, if not even better! 😋 Continue reading or click the link in the @allrecipes bio to get the full recipe. Ingredients: 2 (15-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup ¾ cup milk 1 (2.8-ounce) can French fried onions salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions: Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, and 1/2 of the fried onions in a 1.5-quart casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle remaining onions on top and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. 🧑‍🍳: Nicole #thanksgiving #greenbeancasserole #greenbeans #thanksgivingsides

Vegetable casseroles

Green bean casserole

"This is the best green bean casserole recipe, it does use the canned onions but you make your own cream of mushroom and it's soooo good. I've made it on random weekends, it's not just a Thanksgiving food. I don't know much about older foods, I just really wanted to share that recipe."

Corn casserole

"Our family Corn custard doesn't have crackers but we double the recipe and there's never any left over. 2 eggs, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 flour, 2 T soft butter, 1 tsp sugar, 1 can of creamed corn, 1 can of whole corn. Mix all together and bake in a 8x8 about 45 min at 350. Gotta have that!" - Psychological_Bat890

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Pets

Pet owners share what it's really like living with the 'least popular' dog breed in America

They say the English Foxhound isn't a great family dog. Some owners disagree.

dogs, dog breeds, akc, akc breed rankings, most popular dogs, pets, family pets, english foxhound

Flickr/Thowra_uk & CCHO/Flickr

English Foxhounds are the 'least popular dog breed' in America. What's it like living with one?

For many years, Labradors were the most popular dog breed in America. And why shouldn't they be? They're playful, loyal, loving, and non-aggressive. In recent years, however, the American Kennel Club, which tracks such things, has declared that the Labrador's throne now belongs to another popular pup: The French Bulldog.

But the AKC doesn't just rank the top handful of most popular breeds. No, they rank almost all of them (over 200, to be exact). And if you go way, way down to the very bottom of the list, that's where you'll find the official Least Popular Dog in America.

That's right: The least popular dog breed in the United States is... the English Foxhound.

AKC popularity isn't a measure of how likable or even cute a dog breed is, for the record. It's simply a record of how many pure-breed registrations the AKC receives that year, which is an indication of demand for the breed.

French Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds regularly top the list every year.

Objectively, the English Foxhound is adorable. So why aren't they popular as pets in regular family households?

They're extremely energetic, for starters, and they're a working breed that does best with getting their energy out in purposeful ways (hunting, tracking, retrieving). At the very least, they need more exercise than your typical family can provide.

Also, as a hound, English Foxhounds can be extremely barky. The loudness may come in handy when they're working, but it less than ideal in a household environment.

Finally, they have a strong "prey drive," which means they sometimes have an uncontrollable instinct to chase small animals! That's not great if you have cats or other small dogs.

dogs, dog breeds, akc, akc breed rankings, most popular dogs, pets, family pets, english foxhound Look how cute!By Flickr user Thowra_uk - Flickr here, CC BY 2.0

A video from Animal Planet on the breed says the reputation for the Foxhound is a little more complicated: "Since they're bred for fox hunting, you expect them to be strong, fast and determined. What you might not expect is that they're also gentle, friendly, and loving. However, they're rarely kept as pets because they're a pack animal and a working breed."

Commenters by the dozens weighed in with their own experiences of living with the so-called "least popular" dog breed in America:

"As someone who has owned English Foxhounds, I can tell you that they do make excellent pets. If you use positive reinforcement, they are actually incredibly easy to obedience train. I don't know why they are saying they don't make good pets, because they really do."

"I have a foxhound. She is the most lovable, playlful dog ive ever had. Whats funny is she nips at our heels sometimes when were running with her. Its that old hunting instinct"

"My dog Tucker is great he's a foxhound mix though, very intelligent, playful, haha sleepy and extremely healthy. They grow very fast and are adorable puppies! My dog loves to 'hunt' but he really just roams around the backyard pointing and playfully chasing deer, foxhounds are wonderful and are a beautiful breed."

"I own an American foxhound mix that I rescued from the humane society a month ago. She's just the sweetest, friendliest little (well, big) thing and while she isn't as 'smart' as my passed Cockapoo she makes up for it with loyalty and pure affection."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Experts agree. English Foxhounds can actually make incredible family pets—you just have to be hyper aware of what you're signing up for.

"As a family pet, they’re happiest with people who live active lives," says Elam Miller, owner of The Dog Kennel Collection. "They bond deeply with kids who join actions like running, playing or tossing a ball—because movement means connection to them.

Miller—who's been working with dogs, breeders, and boarding facilities for decades—says the best way to live happily with a Foxhound is to give it purpose, and plenty of exercise: "Long walks, scent games, tracking trails, helping them 'search' for treats—that's all their language. Give them that work."

dogs, dog breeds, akc, akc breed rankings, most popular dogs, pets, family pets, english foxhound An energetic and purpose-driven dog, but English Foxhounds are just as loyal and loving as more popular breeds.ccoho/Flickr

The fact that they're listed as the Least Popular Breed means there isn't a ton of demand for them outside of being bred for hunting. But the good news is that a lot of older Foxhounds who no longer hunt wind up needing homes after "retirement," and if you ever come across one in a shelter or rescue group, don't discount it based on its ranking and reputation.

"I love this breed," Miller says. "They’re loyal, stubborn and endlessly capable. I’d never call them 'the least popular dog breed.' I’d rather call them 'the breed you shouldn’t bring home unprepared'. Match their rhythm (instead of fighting it), and you’ll see how gentle and devoted they truly are."

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Humor

13 popular misheard song lyrics, and what the artists are actually saying

"We built this city on sausage rolls"

misheard song lyrics; misheard lyrics; song lyrics; music; songs; funny misheard lyrics

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13 popular misheard song lyrics and what they're actually saying

It doesn't matter how many times you hear a song; if you heard the words wrong when memorizing it, you'll likely still sing them wrong after you learn the truth. But that doesn't stop us from wanting to know if we are singing the words to our favorite song correctly. With most people listening to their music digitally, there's no cassette tape or CD foldout for you to read while you sing along, but it's not always the newer songs people mishear.

People have likely been mishearing song lyrics since the first person sang in front of an audience. One of the most amusing parts about finding out the words to a song is discovering the weird combination of things other listeners were hearing. Everyone mishears song lyrics every once in a while. The more popular the song, the more people get a kick out of the misheard lyrics.

One misheard song lyric that will live rent-free in many people's heads for all of eternity is Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me," which was misheard as "pour some shook up ramen." There's also the one Justin Timberlake will never live down. Every April without fail, memes saying "it's gonna be May" circulate the Internet because of the way Timberlake sang "it's gonna be me" during his N'Sync days.

misheard song lyrics; misheard lyrics; song lyrics; music; songs; funny misheard lyrics Singing about love and ham with passion. 🎤🎶Photo credit: Canva

In a seemingly abandoned Reddit group, r/MisheardLyrics, people shared their musings about songs they've been singing wrong for years. Here's a list of misheard song lyrics that will leave you giggling:

1. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles

For some reason, I want to hold your hand was misheard as "I want to hold your ham," and seemingly nobody questioned their ears.

2. "You're the One That I Want" from Grease, sung by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta

Apparently, some people believe that Travolta was singing, "I've got heels, they're made of plywood," instead of the actual lyrics, "I got chills, they're multiplying." Though some heels may actually be made of plywood, the lyrics are incorrect.

misheard song lyrics; misheard lyrics; song lyrics; music; songs; funny misheard lyrics Singer belting out notes with passion and wit. Photo credit: Canva

3. "No More Sorrows" by Linkin Park

The correct lyrics are, "no, no more sorrows I've paid for my mistakes," but leave it to listeners, and the band instead says, "I've paid for yummy steaks."

4. "Whatever You Like" by T.I.

Some confused club goers were wondering what the rapper's obsession was with Joe Biden because instead of some people hearing, "I want your body. I need your body," they heard, "I want Joe Biden. I need Joe Biden." That would make for a very uncomfortable song for former President Biden seeing as its about wining and dining a love interest.

5. "Cannibal" by Ke$ha

"I am cat nipple" is nowhere in the realm of what she was actually saying, but now you'll never be able to unhear it. The actual lyrics are, "I am cannibal."

misheard song lyrics; misheard lyrics; song lyrics; music; songs; funny misheard lyrics Singer shines in a glittering performance with quirky lyrics.Photo credit: Canva

6. "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" by Aerosmith

"Spoon looks like a ladle," and ya know, a spoon does look like a ladle, just smaller, but that's not what the famous hairband is saying. They were singing the title of the song, "dude looks like a lady."

7. "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga

Paparazzi follow celebrities around trying to capture their every move. Lady Gaga decided to capture the experience in this song about an invasive fan. "I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me, papa... paparazzi" are the lyrics, but some people hear, "I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me, purple, purple Roxie."

misheard song lyrics; misheard lyrics; song lyrics; music; songs; funny misheard lyrics Singer on stage delivering a humorous misquote with passion.Photo credit: Canva

8. "Venus" by Shocking Blue

In an old Reddit thread, someone admitted that instead of hearing the correct lyrics, "I'm your Venus, I'm your fire," they heard "I'm your penis, I'm your fire." Thankfully, those weren't the lyrics, or a clinic visit might be in order.

9. "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas

This misheard lyric actually still makes sense if you're using the slang term "cats" in place of people because people mishear the lyrics as, "everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those cats were fast as lightning." The real words are "everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those kicks were fast as lightning."

misheard song lyrics; misheard lyrics; song lyrics; music; songs; funny misheard lyrics Singer humorously reflects on aging with a mic in hand.Photo credit: Canva

10. "Rare" by Selena Gomez

This song narrowly escapes a wellness check after people mishear the lyrics repeated in the chorus as "It sucks getting older, took a bath with a toaster." No, Selena Gomez was not contemplating bathing with a toaster at the thought of growing old. The real lyrics are, "Saw us getting older, burning toast in the toaster."

11. "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen

What is sausage tea? Not sure anyone knows, but some people hear, "saving his life from this warm sausage tea" instead of "spare him his life from this monstrosity." If there's warm sausage tea involved, life-saving just might be in order, so that could make sense.

misheard song lyrics; misheard lyrics; song lyrics; music; songs; funny misheard lyrics Singer in red lights with humorous text adaptation.Photo credit: Canva

12. "Monster" by Eminem and Rihanna

"I'm friends with the mustard that's under my bed" is what some people have been belting out. There's no shame if you store mustard under your bed for a midnight snacky-snack, but Rihanna was definitely saying, "I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed."

13. "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.

"Let's pee in the corner" is what some R.E.M. fans hear when the song plays, but the words to the song are, "that's me in the corner." Probably better that no one is peeing in the corner with their friends. Surely, it smells better.

There are probably hundreds of misheard song lyrics out there, and it will never get old finding out what other people hear versus what the artist is actually saying. What's a song lyric you've always gotten wrong until someone pointed out the real words?

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