Southern food is beloved by many, and those of us raised on it just consider it dinner, not a special cuisine. But since Southern food is pretty geographical, there are plenty of Americans who haven't had the opportunity to try authentic Southern food. There are a few soul food restaurants that get it right sprinkled across the country, but all are not created equal.Since Southern cooking isn't available throughout all of America, it shouldn't be a surprise that it's not a staple across the pond. Josh Carrott, author of "Once Upon A Time in Carrottland," runs the YouTube channel Jolly, where he has people try new foods. He decided to invite a group of British schoolboys to try a few Southern staples. The boys are in year 9 in England, which means they're between the ages of 13 and 14.Since Carrott isn't Southern, or even American for that matter, I can't say how the food was prepared. What I can say is that my very Southern grandmother would give the sausage gravy preparation the side eye, but other than that, it looked as authentic as possible.The boys were served biscuits that were perfectly golden, and there was immediate confusion. Apparently biscuits are flat and hard in England, so the boys were sure they were being served scones. It only took one bite for them to come around to the idea of the buttery fluffy delight that is the Southern biscuit. But the taste test for the biscuits wasn't over—Carrott mixed up some white sausage gravy and smothered the delicious bread.None of the boys were eager to try a meal that many Southern households eat regularly."Let's call it interesting for now. I'm not going to make a judgment," one boy says."It looks like a chopped-up ferret," another lamented.To be fair, if you've never seen biscuits and gravy, it doesn't look instantly appealing, but once you try it, the dish suddenly looks amazing every time you encounter it moving forward. Maybe it isn't everyone's favorite thing, but being able to drive through a Whataburger and grab it to go brings me childlike joy. After trying everything offered, all of the boys agreed that the Southern food was delicious, including the sweet tea. Several of them said they preferred it over their British hot tea—no one tell their parents. It feels like it would be as shocking as finding a Southerner who prefers unsweet tea. You can watch the entire video below.This article originally appeared on 6.22.23

Rodney Smith Jr., of Huntsville, Alabama, was recently profiled by KMBC for his generous donation to two 11-year-olds who fulfilled his 50 Yard Challenge in Gadsden, Alabama. Ja’Torrian Taylor and Tevin Rice, founders of TJ & JT Mowing Service, completed Smith’s challenge to mow 50 yards for the elderly, veterans, and people unable to care for their lawns for free."I’m heading down to Gadsden right now. These are good, hard-working kids that deserve some gratitude," Smith, known as "The Lawnmower Man," told KMBC. Smith had been told that Taylor and Rice were sharing an old lawnmower that a neighbor had donated to them.When he arrived, he gave both teens a mower, a blower and a trimmer for their hard work, hoping they’ll use their new equipment to expand their business. "Giving these boys lawn equipment is teaching them discipline," Smith said. "If they tell someone they are going to mow a lawn, they need to mow the lawn.""Remember, this is not the end; it’s just the beginning," Smith added. "This could be the beginning of a successful lawn service."Smith’s commitment to taking care of people’s lawns started in 2015, and the following year he went viral for helping a 93-year-old woman who could no longer mow hers. The photo of Smith and the woman received over 1 million likes.Five years ago, Upworthy profiled Smith for setting a bold goal of mowing lawns for free in all 50 states. His goal was to promote his initiative that "provides free lawn care to our elders, those who are disabled, single mothers, and our veterans, who do not have the time, resources, and/or money to manicure their yards."As part of this goal, he created the 50 Yard Challenge, which has been a smashing success.As of May 2023, 4,588 pre-teens and teens are participating in this challenge across the United States. If everyone completes the challenge, that will bring the total number of lawns mowed for free by Smith’s Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service to 229,400.Kids and teens can take part in the challenge by sending them a photo holding up a sign that says, “I accept the 50 Yard Challenge,” and in return, they’ll receive a white Raising Men/Women shirt along with shades and ear protection to get started. For every 10 lawns cut, they will get a new color shirt.• 10 lawns earn an orange shirt• 20 lawns earn a green shirt• 30 lawns earn a blue shirt• 40 lawns earn a red shirt• 50 lawns earn a black shirtAfter completing the challenge, the child or teen will receive a mower, a blower, and a trimmer, just like Ja’Torrian Taylor and Tevin Rice from Alabama.Smith’s story is an incredible example of how one good deed from a kind-hearted person can lead to an outpouring of kindness across the country. It also teaches young people the values of giving back and self-discipline as well as the entrepreneurial spirit.Learn more about Smith’s nonprofit and donate at Weareraisingmen.com.This article originally appeared on 6.23.23

The true staples of soul. The post Musical Messages: Mavis Staples selects her greatest songs first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

from The Epoch Times: Victor Davis Hanson is well known for his intelligent commentary and astute analysis of current events. But for his latest book, he tackled a topic related to his work on military history. It’s called “The End of Everything: How Wars Descend Into Annihilation.” Mr. Hanson studied four historical examples of wartime […]

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The anti-Israel Biden Regime has reportedly offered Israel intelligence on the whereabouts of Hamas leaders in tunnels underneath Gaza — but only if Israel ends its ongoing attack on the last Hamas stronghold in the Gaza town of Rafah. Breitbart (h/t Nita) The Washington Post reported on Saturday: “The BIDEN REGIME, working urgently to stave off […]

According to a leaked internal report, the Department of Veterans Affairs is conspiring to strip veterans of much-needed healthcare options. Daily Caller reports that the Veterans Health Administration commissioned a VA “Red Team” report to plan how to steer more veterans into VA-run facilities instead of independent or “community care” providers. Neither the House nor Senate […] The post Admin to Cut VA Benefits While Handing Freebies to Migrants? appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

When our justice system can become weaponized to take out an opponent, it’s the worst kind of election interference. Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg even initially turned this case down, but the pressure to prosecute Donald Trump was intense. Funded by George Soros, Bragg invented a crime that wasn’t even on the books. How can you […] The post When You Lose CNN’s Fareed Zakaria appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.