Quite recently, I had a craving. And here's what it was: Two pieces of Wonder Bread (white) with a slice of bologna jammed in-between. On one side, butter. On the other side, a frosted blueberry Pop-Tart smashed until it's essentially blueberry jam with bits of pie crust sprinkled in.For some, this doesn't sound enticing. But as a Gen X latchkey kid in the mid 1980s, it definitely hit the spot (and for me, sans the bologna, it still does). With the granted autonomy to make "whatever my stomach desired" while my parents were still at work, I definitely got creative. And I wasn't alone.On the subreddit r/80s, someone simply asks, "Your favorite sandwich growing up." This is accompanied by a photo of six sandwiches with the caption: "And the best 70s/80s 'old school' sandwich goes to…?" (The choices are: grilled cheese, tomato, BLT, bologna and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and egg sandwich.) A peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Photo by Freddy G on Unsplash Over 400 people weighed in, some merely choosing from the list, but many sharing their own favorite "recipes." It's the ultra Gen X uniqueness combined with a "make do" attitude, exemplified perfectly through food. Peanut butter is everythingOne Redditor declares, "PBB&j is phenomenal." Another questions, "Are you really saying Peanut Butter, Bacon, and Jelly? Why have I never thought of this? I have yet to live." Another clarifies, "Peanut butter, banana and jelly is also acceptable."The conversation took an obvious turn into Fluffernutter recipes. The original version is peanut butter (natch) and marshmallow fluff spread on bread. This commenter took it up a notch: "For an extra bit of fancy, butter the bread and toast it like a grilled cheese. You can even sub honey for jelly/jam."One merely suggests, "Peanut butter and honey."And on @rosalind.waters TikTok, a younger person tries an old recipe from the 1970s involving raisin bread, banana, peanut butter, and "pineapple jam" dipped in milk. Yum? @rosalind.waters #vintage #retro #vintagetiktok #70stiktok #70s #1970s #history #vintagerecipes #retrorecipes #vintagefood #vintagefoods A little mustard goes a long way Mustard put on hotdogs and sandwiches. Photo by Thomas Bormans on Unsplash I had forgotten how so many of us Gen X-ers put mustard on everything. One commenter notes, "Don't forget Genoa salami, cheese, and mustard sandwiches." Another suggests the spicier the mustard, the better.There were also those of us who made mustard sandwiches. Literally bread, mustard, and a pinch of salt and we felt like we were Julia Child. (Lots of my friends in Texas threw Fritos on top for a little extra pizazz.) Don't forget the SPAMThe history of this mystery "meat" is quite interesting and not really a mystery at all. On The Kitchn, writer Apple Mandy describes SPAM as "a processed pork product conveniently packaged in 12-ounce cans." She also notes that since its invention in 1937, it has sold over 9 billion cans worldwide. "SPAM has become a staple of any working-class American family for its accessibility, affordability, and versatility," Mandy writes. "But it is perhaps one of the most divisive food products you could find on the shelves. Some love the six-ingredient luncheon meat (including pork), while others dislike it, as it’s high in fat, sodium, and preservatives." It made a comeback in the 1970s and the All Recipes site even posted their list of favorite SPAM dishes. (Home chef Christine Fiorentino posted a '70s-themed disco appetizer recipe involving spam sliders.) - YouTube www.youtube.com On r/80s_sandwich, an entire thread is dedicated to SPAM sandwiches. One (brace yourselves) recommends the SPAM and ketchup combo, which a Redditor said "reminds me of Arby’s." Creative with the cheese Many loved the memory of a simple cheese sandwich, but add that funny Gen X twist: "Grilled cheese....But with bacon." One even suggests smashing Funyuns into their cheese sandwiches.This person gets specific and pairs their favorite childhood sandwich with a location: "Ham, cheese, mayo with potato chips or Doritos in the sandwich on a hot pool day."And another offers this culinary option: "If you get the chance, get a BLT with blue cheese." Thinking outside the box As I exemplified with my Pop-Tart sandwich, other Gen X-ers found the perfect ingredients by rustling up whatever was already in the kitchen."Most of the time we got Miracle Whip sandwiches," a user wrote. "Just Miracle Whip. My parents didn't keep a lot of food around the house that me and my brother could easily eat when we were kids and we weren't allowed to use the stove."And last, but far from least, never forget the Sloppy Joe, which really saw a rise in the '70s and '80s. This, for some reason, was more of a fancy dinner meal (at least in my household) but it was as Gen X as it gets. @thembites we made a manwich for the 1970s! there's nothing quite like a sloppy joe #manwich #sloppyjoe #sandwich

High school loves its cliques. Even when there’s no classroom involved, everyone’s learning who they are by who they’re surrounded by. And if you were one of the kids who never quite fit into any specific crowd, it might have been a lonely time.But here’s the thing: being a loner in high school wasn’t a flaw. It was training for becoming the kind of adult who moves through the world with depth, empathy, and authenticity.Author Alexandra Robbins, who coined the term “quirk theory” in her book The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth, explains that the very traits that make someone an outsider in high school often become their greatest strengths later on. Nonconformity is a wonderful trait, and it's going to be valued in adulthood,” she told Salon. If you're different in school, that makes you an outsider. If you're different as an adult, that makes you interesting, fun, and often successful."Of course, no two people’s stories are the same. Being a “loner” can come from a hundred different experiences…some chosen, some not. What follows isn’t a checklist or a box to fit into, but a look at a few shared traits many former loners say helped shape who they became.Here’s what that often looks like.1. You’re observantWhen you’re not caught up in all the noise of popularity politics, you start to see things others miss. Be it that telling flicker in the eye when someone is lying, or acts of kindness that tend to go unseen. It’s an awareness that sticks with you, allowing you to make connections that feel a little more grounded and real. Two women gazing deeply into each other's eyesPhoto credit: Canva2. You’re fiercely independentYou learned early on that your sense of worth didn’t come from fitting in, which gave you an unshakable independence (even if it was hard won). You’re self-reliant, resourceful, and comfortable doing your own thing. These are all skills that make for confident, grounded adults who don’t crumble under pressure.3. You’re selective about your relationshipsLoners tend to take the "quality over quantity” approach to friendships, choosing a handful of loyal, ride-or-die friends instead of chasing popularity. Therapist and author Esther Perel said it best: “The quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life.” So having higher expectations early on is a pretty good setup for success. 4. You’re comfortable in your own companyWhile plenty of adults still struggle with being alone, you made peace with solitude a long time ago. Time to yourself doesn’t feel empty, it feels restorative. In the quiet, you recharge, reflect, and reconnect with what matters. As psychologist Itai Ivtzan, Ph.D., notes in Psychology Today, “The benefits of solitude include increased self-awareness, enhanced creativity, and reduced stress.” When you can find peace in your own company, you carry it with you wherever you go. But you already know that. A man looking out over a valleyPhoto credit: Canva5. You’re highly self-awareYou know yourself. Really, truly know yourself. You recognize when your emotions are getting the better of you, when to pause, and when to speak up. That kind of awareness helps you move through the world with thoughtfulness, and helps you make choices that actually align with who you are, not who others expect you to be. What a gift. 6. You’re purpose-driven, not status-drivenRemember how popularity was everything in high school? You opted out…maybe not by choice then, but intentionally now. Instead of chasing status or approval, you tend to pursue what feels meaningful. You value authenticity over applause.7. You’re empathetic toward outsidersThankfully, your childhood experience of being on the outside looking in made you softer, not harder. You notice when someone’s being overlooked, and you have a quiet way of making room for them. That kind of empathy isn’t flashy, but, boy, is it powerful.8. You’re private, but you feel deeplyLoners often have rich inner worlds, they just express them in quieter ways. So while you might not wear your heart on your sleeve, your emotions run deep. You care deeply, love intensely, and think before you speak. And the right ones take note. A woman tearing upPhoto credit: CanvaAnd finally, a slightly less “positive” trait…9. You still battle old narratives, but you’re rewriting themEven now, there might be a small part of you that still feels “uncool.” But the truth is, you were never meant to fit in. Every step you’ve taken since high school proves it. We all carry echoes of those teenage years. Growing up just means learning which voices to keep, and which ones to finally let go.So, if you ever catch yourself thinking back to those cafeteria days and feeling like you didn’t belong, remember: the loner you were back then helped shape the remarkable person you are now. You found depth where others chased approval, and peace where others sought attention.And honestly? That might just be the real definition of cool.

Some people just seem to age, for lack of a better term, better than the rest of us. Take Paul Rudd, who hasn't aged a day in 30 years and may actually be getting visibly younger in front of our very eyes.But aging gracefully goes far beyond just how you look or even move. The thing we really want to keep as we get older is our brain power, our mental faculties, and specifically our memory. When humans get into their 80s and beyond, these become incredibly precious.There's actually a name for people over the age of 80 whose cognitive abilities and memory rival the average 50-year-old. They're called SuperAgers.SuperAgers have been a source of fascination in the scientific community for a long time, as they may hold the answers for how all of us can live not just longer, but healthier and happier lives.One research team at Northwestern University has been studying the brains of SuperAgers for the last 25 years. They just recently published their first batch of findings in the Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. - YouTube www.youtube.com The team identified SuperAgers primarily using a delayed word recall test. It's a commonly used assessment in identifying Alzheimer's Disease and involves subjects being presented with a list of words and asking them to recall them after some amount of time has passed, often around 10 minutes.According to the study, your average 80-year-old does about half as well as your average 50-year-old on these kinds of recall tests.There are many different kinds of memory and cognitive function that can be measured, but the researchers focused on this one, called episodic memory, because "Episodic memory function ... is the faculty with the most decline during average aging and also the area of cognition that triggers frequent complaints in older individuals."Tamar Gefen, one of the authors, says less than 10% of people over the age of 80 are SuperAgers. But, wow, are they impressive. CNN recently highlighted a woman named Carol Siegler who won her age group in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament at 82-years-old and regularly auditions for Jeopardy! despite closing in on her 90th birthday.So what are the SuperAgers doing right that the other 90% of us aren't? Here are some highlights from the study:1. SuperAgers both drank alcohol and abstained. They ate clean and nutritious, or they ate lots of junk. Some exercised regularly and others did not. Overall, the subjective "health" of their lifestyle was not a major factor. Exercise is great for your health, but not all SuperAgers were fitness nuts. Photo by Joseph Corl on Unsplash You've heard of the health nuts that live long and virile lives, but you've probably also heard of the 100-something-year-old man who swears by a bottle of whiskey a day. The Northwestern research backs up both stories.At least when it came to their brains and cognitive function, SuperAgers haven't done anything drastically different than the average person—which is an encouraging sign. After all, nobody's perfect.2. There were two major things most of the SuperAgers had in common: They were outgoing and often involved in many activities.The study specifically observes that most of the participants were "gregarious."It's a chicken-and-the-egg scenario, for sure. Whether they were an outgoing bunch because of how sharp their brains still were, or whether their penchant for joking around and trying new things somehow helped them age better isn't for certain. But it's extremely intriguing that the correlation was so strong in the findings.3. Much of the difference between SuperAgers and average agers came down to biological differences in the brain. The brains of SuperAgers were different in a few key areas. Photo by Shawn Day on Unsplash Our brain mass decreases overall as we age, particularly in the cerebral cortex which is involved in memory, learning, and cognitive function. It's a process called cortical thinning.The researchers at Northwestern were able to determine that SuperAgers experienced less cortical thinning than their peers, so they were able to maintain more brain mass through aging. It's possible they are also born with larger brains and able to withstand more of the loss. Some areas of the SuperAgers brains were even thicker and more developed than adults 30 years younger, particularly an area associated with "homeostasis; motivation; emotion; and, most importantly, social networking and affiliative behaviors."Finally, SuperAger brains are somehow better able to protect themselves against Alzheimer's Disease."What we realized is there are two mechanisms that lead someone to become a SuperAger," author Sandra Weintraub said. "One is resistance: they don't make the plaques and tangles [key components of Alzheimer's Disease]. Two is resilience: they make them, but they don't do anything to their brains."This isn't something your average person can replicate, most likely, but don't fret: It could open up exciting new doors into Alzheimer's Treatment and prevention one day if this ability could be harnessed in some kind of medication or therapy.80-year-olds that have the brain power and memory of people half their age definitely seem to have some biological advantages. But that doesn't mean it's all sheer luck. There are steps anyone can take to maintain their brain function as they get older. Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash Lee Lindquist, a geriatrician at Northwestern, recommends a few habits that can help anyone age more gracefully and stay sharper for longer.Though not always a major factor for SuperAgers, other studies have shown that poor physical fitness and BMI can heighten your chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease, so regular exercise and activity is still important.Next up: Continue to challenge yourself. Famously, Dr. Sanjay Gupta says that discovering new things and "stretching" the brain is key to brain health as we get older. It helps create new neural pathways instead of letting them corrode. Lindquist agrees, writing, "Try reading an article on a subject with which you’re unfamiliar, or take classes that put you outside your comfort zone." Or, you could always try out for Jeopardy!Third, it's important to prioritize social connection as we get older. The SuperAgers are social butterflies, which might just come naturally to them or could be related to how their brains age, but either way, we know that loneliness is horrible for your health in the long run."While we can’t guarantee that you’ll never get Alzheimer’s Disease if you have a strong social network, it’s an important part of the lifestyle decisions we can make—like diet and exercise—that can contribute to living better, longer,” says Dr. Lindquist.Finally, remember that it's OK to indulge sometimes, in moderation. SuperAgers with razor sharp brains rarely abstained from sweets and alcohol or lived in the gym. A healthy lifestyle and diet is important, but not at the cost of finding joy, fun, and social connection in everyday life.It's safe to say that most of us would like to live a long life, especially if our brains stay sharp and active into our twilight years. We'd like to remember our lives vividly, have strong friendships, enjoy hobbies, and form connections with our grandkids and great-grandkids and maybe even great-great-grandkids one day. There's no guarantee any of us will win the genetic lottery when it comes to our brain structure, but there are things each of us can do to ensure we have the best chance at such a future.

Millennials and their Baby Boomer parents have generational differences when it comes to parenting. While some Millennials feel that Boomer grandparents have taken an "absent" approach to grandparenting, others are showing up—especially for babysitting duties.Millennial mom Lily Chapman, who is currently expecting her second child, expressed her "controversial" parenting opinion about when her Boomer parents come to babysit. Rather than micromanage and try to instill her own parenting beliefs into her parents, she relinquishes them while they babysit and goes with the flow."Just don’t give her a grape and we’re good lol," she captioned the TikTok video. @ebcjpg Just don’t give her a grape and we’re good lol “I think this is more controversial or unique than I thought it was, but my take is basically: If you’re watching my kid, you can do it your way,” Chapman said in the video. “My baby has three sets of grandparents. They all do things very differently. As long as you’re not crossing an explicit boundary that I’ve set that has to do with safety, I will not be complaining.”Chapman also shared that her dad will send photos of him and her daughter Ruby still up long after her normal bedtime (two hours, to be exact)—but that it's not a problem for her. Her response: "Looks like you guys are having fun."She also added, "I'll be like, 'Oh I hope my baby likes potatoes' and my mom will be like, 'Well she loves my French fries'...and I'm like, 'Hell yeah, sister!" @ebcjpg I don’t care if it’s fear mongering it’s honest and I was not ready lmao However, Chapman did note that one rule she hopes her parents will implement is "strictly, strictly no screen time." But when she gets a photo from one of her daughter's grandfathers of the two watching a baseball game together, she doesn't let it bother her. "Ruby’s cheering for the Rangers? Hell yeah, she is," she said.And many parents watching the video appreciated her parenting perspective. "YES this is how a village works. And who better to disrupt their routine than people who love them vs a teacher or friend later on," one commented. Another mom added, "It’s good for them to see that not everyone has the same set of rules. As long as my babies not eating popcorn I’m good. ??♀" And another wrote, "Part of growing up was 'breaking the rules' with aunties and grandma!!! It’s part of having a village!! I love this. I think it helps teach balance too." Another mom also commented, "I think that’s so healthy. She’ll be adaptable, and have the broader experience of different approaches and experiences." - YouTube www.youtube.com Chapman told TODAY.com that she's taken this approach because she recognizes her need for support as a parent. "There has not been a single day of parenthood when I haven’t needed help...I had to relinquish control right off the bat," she said. "Boundaries are good but they need to be worth it."And her strict safety boundaries? Chapman shared that they are: having caregivers cut her daughters food into small pieces to avoid choking, no guests dropping by while watching her daughter, and always following safe sleep practices.Chapman added that she is open to her personal parenting beliefs being challenged if they are not related to safety. "I want my daughter to remember that grandpa always had the game on—it’s a core part of his personality," she said.

Most pet owners will have multiple pets in their lifetime, and the bonds between humans and their animals vary drastically. Some pets are equal parts annoying and adorable, some are nice companions, and some become beloved members of the family. But once in a while, a certain pet will come along that is qualitatively different. They're special. They get you. And the bond with that one special pet is one that people cherish and remember their whole lives. One woman managed to capture the moment she knew her new Border Collie was her "soul dog" on video, and honestly, it couldn't be clearer. Victoria Lorenzo (@viccttoorriia on Tiktok) shared a video of her dog, Stryfe, sitting in the passenger seat of the car while Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" blares on the stereo. Victoria sings along at the top of her lungs, and as the chorus ramps up, Stryfe—whom she had just gotten—begins to howl along with her. The more Whitney and Victoria belt, the more the dog howls. And then comes the climax, which gets the good doggo barking and howling, all while looking back and forth between Victoria and the world whizzing by outside, as if she's lost in the music like any girl would be. @viccttoorriia I had just gotten her, I went on a drive to blast music and she sat and sang the whole song with me. Still my girl #souldog #trendingvideo #fyp #viralvideo #whitneyhouston ♬ original sound - Sug ? Victoria tells Upworthy that she met Stryfe at the animal shelter the same month she lost her childhood dog. "We locked eyes and I knew she was the one," she says. "My mom and I came back the next morning as soon as the shelter opened up to get her. She loves French fries, music, and chicken. She’s referred to as my 'shadow dog'—she’s always with me wherever I walk."People loved seeing such a clear example of a dog and human bonding in real time, especially over an emotionally charged Whitney Houston song."She’s literally just a girl," wrote one person."When she gave a big howl and started barking on point for the drop ??????? soul mates," wrote another."I just know she feels like she’s in a music video when she takes little breaks to look out the window??," shared another. People were a momentarily concerned when someone who claimed to be a vet chimed in, until they saw what the person's whole comment said: "Vet here. Please be careful when singing and playing loud music like this in front of your dog as it may cause her to leave you and audition and win The Voice."Some people shared their own experiences with their "soul dog," the one pup that they shared a special bond and mutual adoration with. @pennypiepuppy my soul dog ? That bond is not all in people's heads, either. According to Science, research from 2015 shows that when our dogs stare into our eyes, it launches the same hormone response in our bodies that makes us bond to our human babies. That gush of love when you gaze at your puppers? That's real. And the hormone rush happens to dogs, too (albeit to a lesser degree than in humans, which probably isn't too surprising.)Takefumi Kikusui, an animal behaviorist (and dog owner) conducted a study of oxytocin levels in dogs and dog owners at Azabu University in Sagamihara, Japan. Oxytocin is nicknamed the "love hormone" because it's the one that's released when we fall in love. Kikusui's study found that both humans and dogs saw a significant increase in oxytocin levels as a result of gazing into each other's eyes. @kovuthefrenchie ? #souldog #cutestdog #frenchiesoftiktok #frenchiepuppy #petsoftiktok "Mutual gazing had a profound effect on both the dogs and their owners," wrote David Grimm for Science. "Of the duos that had spent the greatest amount of time looking into each other's eyes, both male and female dogs experienced a 130% rise in oxytocin levels, and both male and female owners a 300% increase." Dogs and owners who didn't gaze into one another's eyes showed no release of oxytocin.However, who needed a study to know that the bond some people have with their dog is legit? When that mutual love is there, it's usually pretty obvious, even from the outside. But for those lucky enough to experience it, a "soul dog" is a beautiful bond that transcends basic pet ownership. Thanks to Victoria and her crooning Stryfe for the perfect example.

Brittany Carey knows her way around a thrift store. The California-based mom makes a side hustle of hunting for hidden gems to resell online, which lets her stay home with her kids when she’s not chasing the thrill of a great find. But even for a seasoned thrifter, her latest discovery was next level.While scoping out her local Goodwill in search of a Halloween costume for her daughter, Carey spotted what looked like a basic Halloween mask. “It was dirty, had several holes, and was smushed as if it had been sitting under a heavy box for months,” Carey told Newsweek.Still, something about it caught her eye. When she flipped it over, she noticed a small mark under the chin that read “Fun World.” That single detail changed everything.Carey had unknowingly nabbed herself a vintage Ghostface mask—the same one worn by the killer in Scream, one of the most beloved slasher films of all time. @curatedbycarey it’s almost Halloween, keep an eye out for these at the thrift store!!! #sidehustle #reseller #ghostface #funworld ♬ original sound - curatedbycarey Thinking it should go to a fan that would truly “treasure it,” Carey listed her $5 Goodwill purchase on eBay for just 99 cents. Within half an hour, the bids soared to $405. By morning, they had climbed past $500. When the auction ended, the final price reached $780 (with fees, the buyer paid more than $850).“It was incredible,” Carey said in her Instagram video, which has now been viewed more than a million times. “I’ve always heard of people finding things like this, but I never thought I’d be one of them.” @curatedbycarey #stitch with @curatedbycarey does this mean I don’t have to get a 9-5 job now?! #reselling #sidehustle #ghostface #thriftflip ♬ original sound - curatedbycarey For longtime Scream fans, the story is a perfect blend of nostalgia and movie magic. The Ghostface mask, designed to emulate Edvard Munch's painting "The Scream," wasn’t originally designed for the big screen. It started life in the early 1990s as part of Fun World’s “Fantastic Faces” line of budget Halloween masks, with names like “Weeping Ghost” and “Peanut-Eyed Ghost," according to Newsweek. During production on the first Scream movie, a producer spotted the mask in a Halloween shop and showed it to director Wes Craven, who instantly knew it was perfect.The find couldn’t have come at a better time, either. Ghostface has seen a cultural comeback in recent years, from viral TikTok trends to Halloween costumes for both people and pets. @makoandkonasmom I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS SERIES ? #dogsoftiktok #dog #scream #ghostface #greenscreen ♬ glow up challenge - Spencer Hunt Carey told Newsweek that the sale helped pay for essentials like diapers, groceries, and medical bills—but the true joy came in knowing the mask would go to someone who “valued it.”For anyone hoping to follow in her thrifting footsteps, Carey says patience is key. “It takes time to go through every item, and it can feel discouraging when you’re not finding the right piece," she told Upworthy. "[But] if you can’t find what you’re looking for, I guarantee it will be there waiting for you next week."She also noted that you never know what small piece of information might lead to your next great find: “I learned about vintage Ghostface masks from a friend on Instagram, and that enabled me to know what I stumbled about at the thrift store!”It certainly makes you wonder what other treasures might be lurking in Los Angeles thrift stores. After all, if there’s any city where Hollywood relics could end up sandwiched between old Tupperware and a velvet Elvis painting, it’s LA.