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Woman shares 'weird' things her family did growing up. Now everyone wants her parents.

As one commenter wrote, "I thought parents never knew what they were doing but yours DID."

parenting, parenting hacks, happy childhood, parents, raising kids
Courtesy of @michel.c.janse/TikTok

Michel Janse had some intentional, fun-loving parents.

There are lots of ways to be a good parent and lots of ways to be a crappy parent, and once you become a parent, you realize that the difference between the two isn't always clear. You might think you're doing something great for your kids, only to have it backfire and realize it was a mistake. Or you might think you're really screwing up the whole thing, but eventually see that you've given your kids exactly what they needed.

Once in a while, though, you see a parenting example that makes you go, "Whoa, now that's how it's done." That's exactly what people are saying about Michel Janse's video, which describes the "weird" things her family did while she was growing up (which she realized halfway through were probably just stellar parenting hacks).

@michel.c.janse

weird things (maybe?) my family did growing up. But now I’m realizing most of these were just parenting hacks

"We had even and odd days for healthy and unhealthy breakfasts," Janse shares. "What does that mean? It means we would get cereal on like the first, third, fifth, seventh, and we'd have to have like eggs and fruit on the second, fourth, sixth…it was my mom's way of being like, 'These are the rules, you can't have sugary cereal every day. You have to have protein today, sorry."

Janse says her parents bought poker chips that they used for screen time currency. Each poker chip represented 10 minutes of screen time (which included computer time or TV time during her childhood), and they received three chips a day. If they wanted to watch a 2-hour movie, they'd have to save their chips up for four days.

chips, parenting hacks, parenting, screen time, gif, clever Card Game Poker GIF Giphy

"We got $12 a week allowance if we did above and beyond chores," she said. "We had mandatory chores, but then there was like weed the whole garden, clean the baseboards, and whatever if we wanted to get our $12." Then they were given three piggy banks, one for giving/generosity, one for savings, and one for play. "As a kid, we got it into our mind that 50% of this we get now, and 40% goes into savings and 10% goes into generosity, whether that's tithing or whatever."

She explained how her parents "gamified" dinner by creating teams (usually her and her mom versus her sister and her dad) and competing to see who could out-theme the other. They would plan out the meal, including going to the store to get the necessary ingredients, and they'd decorate the table according to the theme they had come up with. "It was SO fun," Janse said.

Then she shared how she and her sister had to "recycle" all of their Ziploc bags, bringing them home from their school lunches, washing them out, and reusing them. She said she was embarrassed rinsing out her baggy at school, but now she sees her family as "sustainable kings and queens."

family, parenting, kids, playing games, card games Family playing cardsPhoto credit: Canva

From switching off who got to sit in the front seat by using odd and even days to bringing cards everywhere they go so they can break out a game of Spades at any time, Janse's parents seemed to have a knack for making parenting both fun and effective, which is really the ultimate goal, isn't it?

People in the comments were impressed, especially those who may not have had the most wholesome or healthy upbringing:

"'Weird things that my family does' and it’s the best parenting I’ve ever heard."

"I love whatever is wrong with your parents 😂"

"Ah, so you were RAISED raised."

"Please don’t delete this until i have kids."

"Sorry, but your parents are brilliant. They created healthy boundaries and responsibility."

"Some of y'all fr don't got trauma? I didn't even know that was an option."

"Get your mom a mic and put her on camera, NEOW!"

"I thought parents never knew what they were doing but yours DID."

"This is a very balanced and healthy way to raise kids. Taught y'all responsibility, health competition, financial literacy, empathy, creativity, sustainability, sharing, hard work and reward. They did a great job."

So many people said they were taking notes and asking for more, so Janse did a series of follow-up videos with more memories of how her parents parented and answered people's questions:


@michel.c.janse

Replying to @Caisee here’s some fun cute things they did that shaped me 🥹🥰

It truly is wonderful to see so many practical examples of stellar parenting and how those choices still impact someone as an adult. You can watch more of Janse's follow-up videos about her parents' intentional approach to parenting on her TikTok channel.


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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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Man visits his empty home and discovers squatters, so he moves in with them

Talk about toxic roomies.

Canva

A couple moves boxes into their new home

Picture it: you buy a new home knowing it's a bit of a fixer upper, but it's yours. You're expecting to move in slowly while you work on the house, but when you make your way to your new-to-you home, someone is already living there. Or maybe you're selling a home that's been sitting vacant and when the realtor gets there to show the property, someone has moved in. What do you do?

The logical answer would be to call the police because, clearly, there are intruders in your home who have made it their own. You have all the paperwork showing you own the property so it should be a no brainer. Wrong.

Marco Velazquez had this very situation happen when trying to sell a vacant home that he owns. When he reached out to the local authorities, he was informed that the people who moved into his home unlawfully cannot be forced out.

Under the current law in Illinois where the incident took place, squatters have rights and the police cannot forcibly remove squatters from the home. It's unclear if the squatters were scammed or if they were aware the property was not legally theirs as they presented police officers with mortgage paperwork, but the mortgage company listed did not exist.

squatters, squatters' rights, homeowner rights, Marco Velazquez, property dispute, Illinois law, moving in with squatters, viral story, real estate nightmare, eviction Row of boarded-up homesCanva

No matter how the couple came about living in the home, it wasn't legally theirs. There needed to be a resolution, but they weren't interested in leaving. That's when the homeowner decided to come up with something a little out of the box: Velazquez decided if the people in his home couldn't be removed, they'd be getting a new roommate–him.

"I said I'm not moving out and I said at one point they gotta leave, they gotta get tired of us being in the property. I called a couple of friends to stay overnight and I knew they were not gonna like that," Velazquez says to ABC 7 Chicago.

The homeowner moved in with his wife and several friends, bringing air mattresses and blankets determined to tire out the squatters. However, it quickly became apparent that the illegal tenants were not planning to move out. In actuality, the morning after Velazquez moved in, the squatters demanded he pay them $8,000 for them to move out. While the stunt of moving in with squatters was a Hail Mary, Velazquez knew that the arrangement wasn't safe and heard stories of squatters staying for months.

squatters, squatters' rights, homeowner rights, Marco Velazquez, property dispute, Illinois law, moving in with squatters, viral story, real estate nightmare, eviction A man walks down a alleyCanva

Instead of continuing to wait out the squatters, the man started negotiations with the couple to get them out of his house so it could be sold. He paid the couple $4,300 to leave his home. Shortly after the pair moved out, he learned that the woman had previously been arrested after squatting in someone else's home. Velazquez is hoping that he can also bring charges against the woman and her male partner for squatting in his home.

"We didn't want to give them money but we heard really bad stories about squatters taking over properties six, eight, ten months, even a year," Velazquez says. "I heard stories before about squatters. I never thought it was going to happen to me."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

This article originally appeared earlier this year. It has been updated.

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Mom's 'book report' approach is a brilliant way to deal with baffling Gen Alpha slang

"It's not that deep" is not an acceptable answer.

Photo credit: Canva

Many feel this generation's litany of nonsense words is something different.

I know it’s our lot in life as we get older to not jive with whatever slang the cool kids come up with, but the Gen Alpha lingo has simply crossed a line, hasn’t? Literally saying “6 7” to signify…nothing? Absurdism has its place, but are we, the ones charged with guiding our future leaders of tomorrow into adulthood, seriously gonna stand idly by and let that kind of brainrot slide? Nay, I say nay!

Thankfully, one mom has come up with a brilliant way to respond to what nonsense parents might hear coming out of their kids' mouths.

“What I've been doing with my two sons is I’ve been ‘book reporting’ them,” said content creator @Dewwwdropzz in a TikTok.

@dewwwdropzzz ♬ original sound - Dewwwdropzz

Essentially, what she means is that any time her kids come home and say something ludicrous like “6 7,” she has them do research on where the term actually came from. “We go on a journey together, and we decide to research what that means, where it comes from, why it happened, and where it stemmed from.”

So far, her kids haven’t rebutted with another Gen Alpha phrase, “It’s not that deep,” primarily because they are already being taught that everything is, in fact, interconnected in some way. However, if she ever does hear those words, you can bet that there will be a book report on it.

@juventus 6 7 🗣️‼️‼️‼️ #meme #67 #UCL #juventus #bvb (meme assets: @🦬🏹Первобытный🏹🦬 ♬ original sound - Sanity

This is a pretty cool idea, as it addresses questionable behavior without resorting to punishment, while also helping kids develop critical thinking, research skills, curiosity, and, perhaps most importantly, the wherewithal to not mindlessly parrot what they hear from others. All attributes that feel rather…vital, in this day and age, wouldn't you agree?

Other folks seemed to be on board with the concept and were eager to try it out themselves.

“This is probably the best thing you can do for your kid. I’m going to start this with mine.”

“I’m putting this in the back pocket for sure.”

Others, including parents and teachers, shared similar strategies they've already incorporated.

@mrcoachwhitehead and that’s what that means! #fyp #foryou #teachersoftiktok #education #highschoolteacher ♬ original sound - eazye_editz

"My rule is that they can't use words if they don't know the meaning," a commenter wrote. "This started after my oldest (8 at the time) came home saying ‘uwu.’ He heard it at school and thought it was a funny sound. Which is fine, but words have meaning. I don't want him hearing offensive words and causing someone harm just because they ‘sound cool.”

“If one of my students keeps interrupting saying these things I ask them to please stand up and explain what they are saying to the class, what it means, and why it is so vitally important that we needed to hear it right now," a teacher wrote. "If one actually knows we applaud because they not only knew but had the bravery to give an impromptu lesson. That has happened twice in 3 years. Usually they apologize and choose to stop.’”

Others were begging that the meaning “6 7” be explained. Again, people, it’s intentionally meaningless. Hilarious, right? Let’s just pray it goes the way of “cheugy.”

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These 4 words can keep a conversation flowing forever no matter how bad you are at small talk

There's literally no way to screw this up.

Credit: Canva

A couple talking over coffee.

Many people find making small talk to be an excruciating experience. They think it’s boring to talk with a stranger about the weather, sports, or weekend plans. They may also feel like they don’t have anything to contribute to the conversation, or they don’t understand the point of having one in the first place.

However, those who excel at making small talk have a tremendous advantage in their professional and romantic relationships, as well as forming new friendships. Most importantly, small talk is a window to transition into medium talk or, eventually, deep, meaningful conversations. The problem is that many people get stuck in small talk, and things stall before progressing to something beneficial.

conversation, friends, small talk, chatting Two women chatting in front of a fire. Credit: Atlantic Ambience/Pexels

How to get better at small talk

The great thing is that, like anything, making small talk is a skill that we can all improve by learning some simple conversation techniques. One technique that is great for keeping a conversation going, like hitting a ball back and forth past a net in tennis, is a simple statement:

"It reminds me of…”

A Redditor recently shared some great examples of how the phrase can be used to turn a mundane topic, such as the weather, into something much more fun:

Them: "It's been really rainy, huh?"

You:

Option 1 (Personal Story): "Yeah, it reminds me of a time I went on a run in the rain and nearly got hit by a car."

Option 2 (Music / Pop Culture): "It reminds me of every Adele song. When I'm driving, I feel like I'm in a music video."

Option 3 (Family): "It reminds me of my dad, he used to love playing with us in the rain as kids."

Option 4 (Thing you watched / World News): "It reminds me of this documentary I saw where they're trying to make it rain in the Sahara Desert.”

Option 5 (Place you lived): “It reminds me of when I lived in Australia, it barely ever rained there. I actually love this weather.”


- YouTube www.youtube.com

You see in this example that using “It reminds me of…” opened up the conversation to five potential new and more exciting topics. The “You” in the story could have responded with, “Yeah, it sure is rainy,” and the conversation would have ended right there. But instead, branching off the topic of rain into something a bit deeper took the conversation to the next level. You get extra points if you can take the “reminds me of” into a topic that you assume the other person will be interested in.

What’s a polite way to change the topic in a conversation?

Using “this reminds me of…” is also a polite way to move the topics in another direction, especially when it's a topic that you don’t want to discuss or one that makes you feel a bit uncomfortable. Or, if it’s a situation where the other person is monologuing on one topic for a very long time, this makes it easy to transition away from their diatribe.

conversation, small talk, chatting, cafe Two guys chat at a cafe. Credit: Helena Lopes/Pexels

Ultimately, the phrase is an excellent way for you to save the person you’re talking to from being stuck in the small talk rut as well. It shows you understand that when someone brings up the weather, they are merely getting things started with something both of you have in common. They probably don’t want to talk about the weather for 30 minutes, unless they are a meteorologist. “It reminds me of…” is an invitation to go a bit deeper and shows the other person that you’d like to learn more about them.

This article originally appeared in April. It has been updated.


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20 comforting and cheap slow cooker meals that will keep you full this fall

Feed your family with these affordable ideas.

Image via Canva/Richard Stonehouse

Slow cooker recipes that are cheap and perfect for fall.

Fall is the unofficial season of the slow cooker. Crisp air and chilly temperatures beckon the kitchen staple out of the cupboard and onto kitchen counters to once again fill the house with savory smells throughout the day.

With food costs and grocery bills at an all-time high, slow cookers are great options for cooking up cheap, budget friendly meals in bulk.

Slow cooker fans came together on Reddit to share their favorite affordable recipes and meal ideas. These are 20 of the best, budget-friendly slow cooker meals for fall.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"3 chicken breasts, a jar of salsa, 1/4 cup taco seasoning, can of black beans, can of corn. 6-8 hours low, shred. The key to stretching it is the meals you make with it. It's taco salad, it's tacos, it's burritos, it's nachos, etc, It goes a long way since it's the protein and not the whole meal, plus it's versatile." - rem87062597

"Meatball subs and spaghetti. Bag of frozen meatballs, 1-2 jar of pasta sauce, sub buns, box of spaghetti. Make the meatballs on night one in the slow cooker, make meatball subs. Night 2 is spaghetti, which can be made in the slow cooker, but I recommend a stove. Night 2 becomes leftovers for night 3 and 4 if you made enough/are eating alone. You might even have enough in your budget left over for garlic bread." - PokemonBreederJess

"Buy what is on sale. Cheaper cuts of meat work better in the crock pot because of the low and slow nature of cooking., Chuck roast will often go to 4.99/lb. If you can't find a cut under 3 # to get it in your price range then you can ask the butcher to cut you one. You can throw the roast in the crock pot with any liquid you want. Beer and Italian seasonings makes a great Italian beef. There is Coca Cola pot roast, or just water is fine too. Can throw in potatoes and carrots for pot roast style meal. Or use for pulled beef sandwiches or tacos. So versatile." - wi_voter

"Ranch chicken, 2-3 pounds of whatever chicken cut is on sale (thighs, breasts, drumsticks, quarters, cutlets, it doesn’t matter!), 2 large potatoes cut into 4ths or a good helping of mini potatoes, a half cup of baby carrots, ranch packet, cream of whatever soup (personal favorite celery). Low all day or high for 3-4 hours." - LimeCookies

"Sliced Pork loin, diced potatoes, can of diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup brown sugar, cup of water, 2 beef bouillon cubes, 2 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons corn starch & granulated garlic." - Longhorn7779

@stephgigliotti28

✨ Crock Pot Cooking Tips You Need to Know! ✨ 🍴 Soften cream cheese the easy way → Set it on top of your crock pot lid about an hour before cooking is done. The heat will soften it perfectly! 🍴 Making a dessert? Lay a clean kitchen towel under the lid to catch condensation and keep your treats from getting soggy. 🍴 No peeking! Every time you lift the lid, you add 20+ minutes to your cook time. Only open if the recipe says so. 🍴 Low & slow is best, but if you’re short on time, cook on HIGH for half the time listed. (Example: 6 hours on low = 3 hours on high.) 🍴 Shred chicken in seconds with a hand mixer right in the crock pot. Game changer! 🍴 Safety first → Never lock the lid while cooking. The lock is only for travel. 🍴 Traveling with your crock pot? Use a travel bag or box lined with towels, secure the lid with rubber bands, and keep it on the floor of your car. 👉 If these tips helped, share this with a friend and follow along for a new crock pot recipe every day in October! #CrockPotCooking #SlowCookerLove #Crocktober #KitchenTips #SlowCookerMeals

"Something like this cheesy smoke sausage and potato soup recipe." - CraftyCrafty2234

"Big pot of beans with whatever meat you have - ham, bacon, sausage etc. I then make rice and cornbread. Delicious, comforting, and financially a struggle meal for sure." - Hips-Often-Lie

"I usually pair (2 cans) green beans with (1 pkg/2 links) smoked sausages, or (2 cans) great northern beans (the white ones) with ham (either cut from ham steak or 1 pkg cubed). Both I cook in a can of chicken broth and one can's worth of water. Medium heat, covered for about 15 minutes. If it's low heat you can cook it longer (like if you're making cornbread)." - ComprehensiveZone931

"I love this split pea soup recipe. It's very forgiving, too: I have to omit the onion (spouse can't eat them) so I double the garlic, always comes out fine. If I don't feel like dealing with a ham hock or can't find one, I get a ham steak and cut it up small. Ham steaks tend to be salty so if I'm using one I skip the salt." - chernaboggles

"The first time I ever made this chicken / stuffing amalgamation I ate the entire amount over the course of the night, I just kept going back for more and more. 🔥🔥🔥🔥" - ToeKneeTea

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Mississippi pot roast slaps." - mysteryteam

"Chicken tortilla soup is pretty cheap if you already have the spices and so soooo good. The way i do it is 2 chicken beasts, 1 can of corn, 1 can of black beans (drained), 1 can of diced tomatoes and another smaller can of diced tomatoes with the green Chiles, 1 small can of tomato paste, 2 chipotle peppers (to be plucked out later) plus the juice from the small can, a dash of garlic and onion powder, maybe at least a 1/2 a tbsp of cumin and paprika or smoked paprika, a little bit of chili powder, then shred a whole bunch of cheese into it I used a whole block of jack cheese last time, and fill the rest up with chicken stock. Use low sodium chicken stock so you can add salt to taste, you may want to go light on the salt b/c the nacho chips you add to your bowl will be salty. I let it go for like 8 hours on low but 4 hrs on high would probably do it too. Tastes even better the next day. This is my bastardization of some recipe I saw online then lost, there's lots of different takes on the recipe. The only thing you might have trouble finding are the canned chipotle peppers but it can probably live without it." - Mohander

"Bbq chicken drumsticks. Generously season & dump in bbq sauce. Serve with corn fresh or canned, maybe a baked potato. Both this recipe and the one above are from dinner at the zoo, which I specifically visit for budget slow cooker meals." - CarefulCamel253

"Lemon garlic butter chicken thighs." - CarefulCamel253

"I made this French beef stew last week and it was just soooooo comforting. I did it in the pressure cooker though - 1hr instead PC instead of 8hr in slow cooker." allevana

"My own favorite concoction- slow cooker Salsa chicken Layer Couple boneless chicken breasts, half packet of taco seasoning, small jar of salsa, can of rinsed and drained beans (any kind), corn or hominy, rest of taco seasoning. You can cook it on low or high depending on how much time you have. Shred the chicken when it’s done and mix it all together. Throw in some cooked rice, or eat on tortillas with additional toppings." - snow-haywire

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Frozen cooked meatballs. Two bottles of chili sauce. 1 bottle of grape jelly. Quick. Easy. So cheap. Can spread for 2-3 meals." - HighJumpingAlien

"Turkey-sweet potato stew can be made fairly cheaply, and is hearty, healthy, and good for leftovers. The amounts below are really just suggestions - if you don't eat meat, leave it out; if you want it more bean-y, use two cans of beans, etc. Dice about half a large onion and sauté in a little oil (I like to use bacon fat for added flavor, but if you don't do pork, it isn't necessary), then add a pound of ground turkey and brown. Peel and finely dice a sweet potato (any size; I usually use a medium to large one). Put the meat, onions, and sweet potato in the slow cooker with a can of lentils or black beans and a can of diced tomatoes (undrained); season with garlic salt. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the sweet potato is cooked through. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream."
- DandyCat2016

"Boneless skinless chicken thighs, a can or two of cream of mushroom soup, a teaspoon or two of better than bullion chicken flavor. Low 4-6 hours. Shred the chicken mix back into the gravy, serve over rice with a vegetable on the side. Comfort food for sure. Cheap, easy, and delicious, too." - Little_Season3410

"I like to cook dry-rub pork ribs in the slow cooker. The meat just falls off the bone. I use this dry rub. Here are good directions (but I prefer my dry rub recipe instead of the one they mention)." joesperrazza

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12 photos of women before and after an orgasm shines a new light on women's sexual wellness

"We hope that everyone viewing this project will feel more confident about their bodies and sexuality."

Marcos Alberti

Imagine if this kind of joy had a bigger place in the world.

You might recall Marcos Alberti's mega-viral "3 Glasses" project from 2016, in which he photographed people after they had consumed one, two, and then three glasses of wine. The series was impactful in part because it showed the physical transformation that comes from being relaxed after some wine. That, and it touched on a common curiosity. Haven’t we all wondered if we look as different as we feel after getting a little tipsy? (Spoiler alert: the answer is yes.)

Using a very similar format to “3 Glasses,” as well as the elements of lightheartedness, novelty, and rawness that made it so special, Alberti utilizes his photography to delve into a topic much less discussed: women’s sexual wellness.

The concept is simple: photograph women before, during, and after an orgasm. You can see why he calls this the “O” project.

Despite the subject matter, Alberti assures viewers that the intention wasn’t to be explicit, or even erotic, for that matter. The 20+ women who participated, of varying ethnicities and varying levels of sexually liberated versus conservative countries of origin, were completely covered below the waist while using personal massagers.

“The underlying message: all women deserve to be in control of their sexuality, no matter their background. Women should be free to be empowered by–and have a little fun with–their sexuality,” Alberti wrote on his website.

Similarly, Fan Yang, Global Brand Manager of Smile Makers (a sexual wellbeing brand that partnered with Alberti for this project) noted that the goal was to break through stigma and show female pleasure in a positive, healthy light. The hope is that not only society normalizes female pleasure, but that women themselves connect to their sexuality without “shame and secrecy.”

Given that all the women who participated were “in awe” seeing themselves “glowing and radiant” in their final photo, as Yang put it, it feels safe to say mission: accomplished.

Take a look:

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com


marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com


marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com


marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com


marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com


marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com


marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

In a video posted to YouTube, we get a behind-the-scenes look at Alberti’s process. Welcoming the models in, setting up his camera behind a curtain for privacy, talking them through the process, making them feel safe and comfortable, etc.

We also get to see the “awe” that Yang spoke of. It’s palpable.

“Initially, I was still apprehensive… [with] a lot of worry. And this one [referring to the final image] is like “Ha! Life is beautiful!” one woman shared, grinning ear-to-ear.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

We can talk ad nauseam about how women’s pleasure shouldn’t be a taboo subject, about how it’s a natural, vital part of her overall wellbeing, how it can lead to better mood, heart health, immune function, sleep, intimacy, self-esteem…yadda, yadda yadda…but there’s nothing like actually witnessing its semi-miraculous powers firsthand. It’s one of the things that make photography so powerful. We feel something raw and honest on a visceral level, so that we can THEN talk about it with empathy and understanding. It’s clear that Alberti knows this on a deep level and is using that knowledge for something truly good.

Be sure to follow Alberti (@marcos_alberti ) on Instagram to keep up-to-date with all his work.







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