Feeding your family keeps getting more and more expensive. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, a family of four in America spends between $996-1,603.a month on groceries.To keep food costs low, many families are finding frugal ways to cut down on food costs and save on groceries. And keeping a budget can help.Spending $10 or less per meal can be a challenge, but plenty of budget food shoppers and frugal food makers shared their go-to's on Reddit. These are 20 meals under $10 that will feed your family. - YouTube www.youtube.com Creamy Veggie Pasta"Bought some half price veggies at my store which were: bag of peppers, $2.50; Container of tiny tomatoes, 2.50; Block of cream cheese, 2.00 And a box of pasta, 2.50. Already on hand was fresh garlic and spices (chipotle spice, dried parsley, salt &pepper, optional red chili flakes) and whole garlic in with the tomatoes to roast and oil. Chopped my veggies up seasoned my veggies and cream cheese with spices and oil and baked at 350 for about an hour till everything was soft . Boiled pasta mashed the tomatoes and cream cheese and mixed in the pasta add pasta water to thin out the." - Delicious_Walrus_698Red Beans & Rice"Red beans and rice. If you have the spices, I make this often. It also leaves a lot of leftovers. Sometimes I'll add extra beans and increase the water and bullion. It's delicious and cheap and filling. Add a cheap box of .69 Jiffy corn bread and it's great. This website is great overall. She breaks each each meal down by cost." - unconfusedsub15-Bean Soup"I bought a 15-bean soup mix with cajun spices ($3) and a kielbasa ($3). Spooned it over white rice and it was so delicious." - belleandbentPulled Pork Shoulder"Pulled pork is fantastic when you can get a whole shoulder on sale. I'm in a HCOL city right now and even here I see it sometimes for $2 a pound. You can season it neutrally and keep frozen (cooked) family sized packs of it in the freezer to use for many different meal." - KetoLurkerHereAgainRoasted Chicken and Vegetables"Initial outlay will be more like $20 but you’ll get several meals out of it. Buy a whole chicken, a bag of potatoes, a bag of carrots, a bunch of celery and an onion, 1 tomato, and 1 bag of egg noodles. You get roasted chicken and vegetables with some of your potatoes and carrots. Pick most of the meat off and save any leftovers. Make stock with the carcass, celery, onion, and tomato. Make chicken noodle soup with your broth, leftover chicken and egg noodles. Leftover roasted veggies make a great hash too. Couple of solid meals for the family." - mstrong73 - YouTube www.youtube.com Chili"Big pot of chili can be a meal one day, then served on baked potatoes another day, then chili dogs for a third meal (if you have leftovers). Growing up, we had a lot of ham and bean soup with cornbread when things got tight financially." - Ill-Description8517Biscuits & Gravy"Ground breakfast sausage, milk, packet of country gravy and one can of biscuits." - Prestigious_Fall_441Chickpea Curry"Chickpea curry, I just use Golden Curry, a can of chickpeas, and a can of coconut milk. I usually have rice and a salad with it. Lentil bowls are also good and lentils are really cheap and of course beans, I will have this with rice." - lenorefosterwallaceChicken Thighs and Veggies"Chicken thighs (bone in, skin on) and a veggie side (your preference, mine is green beans cooked with diced onion/bacon bits/broth or bouillion). I really recommend shaking chicken thighs up with your preferred spices and some baking powder and baking on a baking rack so they come out crispy outside and moist inside. This is a sub $10 meal that feeds 3-4 as I can usually can get 5~ chicken thighs for $4-$5~,a can of green beans and an onion, bacon optional to cut cost or include if you have bacon all the time anyways like I do. I also highly recommend marinating chick breast for at least 30 minutes (recommend asian style flavor, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper and some vinegar, corn starch to thicken) cut it into bites and then pan searing it in some oil, taking it out, then throwing in green cabbage with a bit of butter and garlic powder mixed around (and the remnants of what cooked off the chicken marinade) , then throw the chicken back in when the cabbage is done and before you started the chicken start some white rice in a rice cooker. It's basically a $10 meal for 4 ppl , about $5 of chicken breast and your price of cabbage and the portion of white rice. This one makes a shit ton of food you could literally meal prep 4-5 meals for 1 person with this. If you like cabbage I really recommend youtubing some cabbage based stir fry recipes because one head of cabbage just explodes into a gigantic amount of food." - RuckFeddit70 @clintonsvatos Dinner for less than $10 for 6 people. #poormanscomfortfood #budgetmeals #cheapdinner #familydinner #easymeals #cheapmeals Potato and Chorizo Burrito"Potatoes and chorizo! Just dice up some potatoes, fry them in a pan with some oil and the chorizo until it’s all nice and crispy! We’ll put them in tortillas to make a burrito out of it." - TripleGoddess93Turkey"If you have the money to lay out, big chain grocery stores have turkeys for under a dollar per pound. A 14 lb turkey could feed a family for a week easily. $14/7 days/4 people is 50 cents per person per dinner." - snoopmt1Pork Butt with Onions, Jalapeños and Pineapple"Today, I have a pork butt in the crockpot with onions, jalapeños and a can of pineapple chunks. After an all day cook, I shred then ladle on rice. If I want fancy, I stir a can of coconut milk in the rice while cooking. The pork butt was 99 cents a pound this week at Hannaford. I paid $3.19 for it! Winner, winner because I can get 2 meals out of it! Spread leftover in taco shell topped with a simple slaw. Yummy for the tummy, both meals." - VtflaSalsa Chicken"Salsa chicken is a good value meal. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken. Can be breasts or thighs and frozen chicken is a great option as it is cheaper. If using frozen chicken, make sure you thaw it first before placing in crockpot. 1 cup corn 1 cup beans - black, red or pinto 1 small jar of salsa or Rotel tomatoes- I usually use Rotel and then add some salsa 1 packet taco seasoning. Place thawed chicken in crockpot and sprinkle with taco sealing. Add salsa, corn and beans on cook on low until chick men is tender. Remove chicken and shred and then return back to crock and mix. If the mixture is too watery you can add a little rice and it will thicken as the rice cooks. You can make nachos, tacos or burrito bowls out of the mixture and is many servings." - FurryFreeloaderDrumsticks"If you are near a Walmart, you might be able to find a 5 pound bag of drumsticks for about $6. I put the whole bag in half a pot of water, let it simmer for about 3 hours. Then I took out the chicken, let it cool fir a few minutes and took off all the chicken. Put the chicken back into the broth, added 6 large carrots that were chopped and a container of chicken broth and let it simmer for an hour or so until the carrots are cooked. You could do something similar and add other veg, rice or noodles? What I made is about $8.50." - Maidenonwarpath @thedudenetwork Another meal for my family, another meal under ten dollars!! This was a really good haul, cant beleieve we got two packs of chicken for $5!! Next video posted will be the recipe!! #thedudenetwork #cheapeats #cheapmeals #budgetmeals #familydinner #moneysaver #smartshopper Beef and Noodle Soup"My favorite easy cheap meal is a hearty soup that is so satisfying. You brown a lb of ground beef, boil some macaroni noodles, drain most of the fat from your beef, but not all of it. Saute an onion in the remaining fat in your pan, then once the onion is cooked you pour in a can of diced tomatoes (I like fire roasted, but any canned tomatoes will work) and a bag of mixed veggies (I also toss in any veggie leftovers I have in the fridge) add about 2 cups of water a beef bouillon cube and 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and bring that to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes and then add the macaroni back in and salt & pepper to taste. It is a comfort food at my house. You can use any ground meat, any shape pasta, and any other veggies you want. I also make garlic bread or cheese toast out of whatever leftover bread that I happen to have. It is great with Italian sausage too. It is so easy and good." - RapscallionMonkeeThai Curry"If your family likes spice, Thai curry. $1 can of coconut milk, 1-2 lbs of chicken (get on sale can get for around $3-$4 a lb). Throw some potatoes and carrots in there for filler $1-2 worth. Mae Ploy or Arroy-D curry paste $5 but has enough to make about 10-15 servings worth (more if you don’t like it spicy) and premade paste lasts about 2 years. Fish sauce is a good one that runs an initial $10 investment but will last like 100 meals worth for many different recipes (it does smell bad while cooking but tastes great). Sugar (I just use brown sugar cause it’s cheap and easy). Just serve over rice." - hauttdawg13Pasta a la Norma"Pasta a la Norma (eggplant pasta). 2 eggplants Box of rigatoni or ziti 28oz crushed tomatoes Parmesan Garlic Oregano Fresh basil optional Red pepper flakes. Cut eggplant into 1in pieces and roast in oven with olive oil salt and pepper. Sauté garlic lightly in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes. Toss cooked pasta with sauce and roasted eggplant. Top with parmesan." - Remarkable-Ice-2951Breakfast Tacos"Egg/cheese/potato Breakfast tacos! you need a package of 10 flour tortillas $1.50, a dozen eggs $3.50, 6 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese $3, and three medium or two large potatoes $2. Scrub and microwave the potatoes, probably 11 minutes? No need to peel. While that’s cooking, warm and slightly toast each tortilla by lighting the burner flame under it for about 10 seconds, turn off the burner, flip it over and do the other side. Repeat with each tortilla. Put the tortillas between folds of a folded dish cloth to keep them warm. Mix maybe eight eggs in a bowl with a little bit of water and salt. Not much salt, the cheese will supply salt too. add other seasonings as desired. Heat your large skillet medium high, add a little butter or spray of oil to the bottom of that pan. Pour in the eggs, turn down the heat to low. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the eggs as they cook. Take the potatoes out of the microwave and carefully so as not to burn your hands, roughly chop them. Add the chopped-up potatoes to your skillet. When the eggs are mostly set but still a little bit wet, turn off the heat. Then flipped them over one more time. Add a scoop of eggs/potato/cheese to each tortilla and fold/roll them up." - annalitchka53Dirty Rice"Dirty Rice. Ground beef browned with chopped onions, bell pepper, celery. Seasoned with creole/cajun seasoning and garlic powder. Drain. Add frozen peas and carrots, uncooked rice. Enough water to cook the rice, chicken bouillon to taste. Simmer until rice is cooked and fluffy." - WoodwifeGreen

A lot of people are uncomfortable making small talk, but it’s an essential skill that can make or break your love life, career, and social experiences. Many people believe that being good at chatting with others is something innate, but those who excel at it work at their craft and pick up small tips along the way to become better communicators.One of the tricks that all great communicators know is that you will be more likable when you're more interested than interesting. Study after study shows that people love talking about themselves, and if you ask people more questions, they will like you a lot more than if you did all the talking. So, how do we do this without creating a one-sided conversation where your conversation partner learns nothing about you? The folks at the Science of People have shared the statement-plus question technique. The statement-plus technique“One of the smoothest ways to keep conversation flowing is to share a brief personal statement followed by a question,” the Science of People writes. “This technique accomplishes two things: it gives the other person information about you (making you seem more approachable and interesting) while also redirecting focus to them.” Coworkers having a nice conversation.via Canva/PhotosHere are some examples:Instead of asking “What do you do for work?” say:“I’m a writer for Upworthy, and I enjoy seeing my work read by millions of people. What excites you about your job?”Instead of asking, “Where do you live?” try:“I live in Long Beach, California, and it’s really nice living by the ocean. What do you love the most about where you live?”Instead of asking, “How do you know the person who threw the party?” say:“I met Sarah at a church meeting seven years ago. Do you remember the first time you met her?”These questions enable you to discuss yourself while maintaining the focus on the other person. They are also open-ended, so you don’t just get a one-word answer. You learn their job and what excites them about it. You know where they live, and they get to brag about what they like about the city. The technique also broadens the conversation because, according to the psychological phenomenon known as reciprocal self-disclosure, people are more likely to disclose things about themselves after you share something about yourself. - YouTube youtu.be What is reciprocal self-disclosure?“The most likely result of your self-disclosure is that other people will do the same. In the field of communication, we refer to this as 'reciprocity.' When you share information about yourself, the most likely result is that people will start to disclose a similar type of information from their own lives," communication coach Alexander Lyon says. "In our presentations, we talk about this as a magic wand. Disclosure is the closest thing we have to a magic wand in terms of a concept in communication. When you disclose, other people almost automatically reciprocate."Ultimately, people love to talk about themselves, and if you give them the opportunity, they will like you more for it. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t reveal some aspects of yourself at the same time while keeping the focus on them. The statement-plus question technique allows you to reveal some things about yourself while making the other person feel seen and comfortable telling you more about themselves. It’s sure to elevate your small talk to something more substantial in a relaxed way that doesn’t feel like an interview.

Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke will turn 100 on December 13. Not many people reach centenarian status, so it’s typical to ask those of that age how they’ve stayed alive and healthy for so long. Dick’s spent more than six decades entertaining us on radio, television, and the silver screen. A master at physical comedy, he’s always there to make others laugh, and even at 99, loves to be the center of attention. According to People, he and his wife, Arlene Silver, hosted the Vandy High Tea on October 5. Proceeds will help develop The Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts and the Dick Van Dyke Museum. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caprice Conley (@capricefilms) At Nearly 100 Years Old, Dick Van Dyke Has Enjoyed Every Minute Dick Van Dyke reportedly led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to a 6-year-old boy who traveled from Connecticut with his mom to meet him. But that wasn’t all, as the young boy, Tristian, sat with Bert and Mary Poppins dolls, he watched his idol perform Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious right in front of him. “He was so sharp, was in great health and said he’s feeling good,” an attendee told People. “He was laughing almost the entire time and couldn’t have enjoyed himself more.” Of course, Dick Van Dyke’s age and upcoming 100th birthday became a topic of discussion during a question-and-answer session. In a video posted to Instagram, Dick shared his secret to a long and happy life. “At today’s Vandy High Tea at Vandy Manor, a fan asked Dick Van Dyke his secret to youth — without missing a beat, he pointed to Arlene and said, ‘Right here beside me,’” the caption reads. “They are so wonderful together! She was the best thing to happen to him. How do I get a ticket to Vandy Tea?” a fan asked. “He’s a national treasure,” another person added. May Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday be an incredible celebration and the start of his best year ever. This story’s featured image is by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images. The post Dick Van Dyke Shares Secret To Long Life As He Approaches 100 Years Old appeared first on InspireMore.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time, doctors say Huntington’s disease, one of the most devastating hereditary neurological conditions, has been successfully treated. The breakthrough comes from an ingenious gene therapy that slowed the disease’s progression by 75 percent, dramatically changing the outlook for patients and families. “This is spectacular,” said Professor Sarah Tabrizi, director of the University College London Huntington’s Disease Centre. “We never in our wildest dreams would have expected a 75 percent slowing of clinical progression.” She explained that what would normally be a year of decline may now stretch to four years, potentially giving patients decades of “good quality life.” A therapy years in the making Huntington’s disease typically begins in a person’s 30s or 40s and is fatal within about 20 years. Symptoms range from involuntary movements and cognitive decline to behavioral changes. If one parent carries the faulty gene, there’s a 50 percent chance their child will inherit it too. The condition turns the essential huntingtin protein into a neurotoxic killer. The new therapy aims to permanently reduce levels of this toxic protein with a single treatment. Delivered via a specially engineered virus, the therapy is infused deep into the brain during 12 to 18 hours of delicate neurosurgery guided by real-time MRI scans. Once inside, the virus acts like a microscopic courier, delivering DNA instructions that enable brain cells to produce microRNA fragments. These fragments intercept and disable the messenger RNA used to build the mutant huntingtin protein, lowering its levels and protecting neurons from death. Remarkable results from the first trial The initial trial involved 29 patients and, although full peer-reviewed results are still pending, early data from the biotech company uniQure are striking. Three years after surgery, patients showed an average 75 percent slowing of the disease based on combined measures of cognition, motor skills, and daily functioning. Biomarker data also suggested the treatment was saving brain cells: levels of neurofilaments in spinal fluid, a surefire sign of cell death, were actually lower than at the start of the trial. None of the trial participants have been named, but the impact has been profound. One patient who had been medically retired has returned to work, and others remain mobile despite predictions they’d need wheelchairs by now. “There was every chance that we would never see a result like this,” said Professor Ed Wild, a neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. “The actual magnitude of the effect is breathtaking.” Families finally see hope For families living under Huntington’s shadow, the development feels life-changing. Jack May-Davis, 30, carries the faulty gene that killed his father, Fred, at 54 after years of decline. “It was really awful and horrible watching my dad’s inexorable decline,” he said. But the new therapy has left him “overwhelmed” and able to look to a future that “seems a little bit brighter.” Challenges ahead The treatment is not without hurdles. Some patients experienced inflammation from the viral delivery system, causing headaches or confusion, although these effects resolved with time or steroid treatment. And the cost will likely be high, given the complex neurosurgery involved. “It will be expensive for sure,” said Professor Wild. Gene therapies are often costly but can still be affordable over the long term. The UK’s NHS already covers a £2.6 million ($3.5 million) per-patient gene therapy for haemophilia B. Still, experts believe this is only the beginning. Professor Tabrizi is already working with young people who carry the Huntington’s gene but have not yet developed symptoms, known as “stage zero” Huntington’s. Her team hopes to run the first prevention trial to see if the disease can be delayed or even stopped entirely. “This is the result we’ve been waiting for,” said Professor Wild. “To be living in a world where we know this is possible—it’s very difficult to fully encapsulate the emotion.” Looking toward a new future UniQure plans to seek US regulatory approval in early 2026, with launches to follow later that year. Conversations with UK and European authorities will begin soon after. Dr Walid Abi-Saab, uniQure’s chief medical officer, said the treatment had “the potential to fundamentally transform” Huntington’s disease. For patients like Jack and countless others carrying the faulty gene, the breakthrough represents a shift from inevitability to possibility and a chance to imagine life beyond Huntington’s.The post Huntington’s disease breakthrough: gene therapy slows progression by 75 percent first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When you’re sniffling, sneezing, or just feeling a little off, it can be tempting to power through your usual workout. After all, isn’t exercise good for your immune system? But as cold and flu season ramps up, it’s worth asking: should you really hit the gym when you’re sick? To help you decide when to lace up your sneakers and when to crawl back under the covers, three medical experts reveal what they want you to know: Dr. Jennifer Luz, a sports medicine specialist; Dr. Brian Chow, an infectious disease expert; and Dr. Sarah Eby, a Mass General sports medicine physician. The “above the neck” rule: your go-to sick-day workout guide If your symptoms are limited to the head and neck, like a runny nose, congestion, or a mild headache, you might be fine to squeeze in a gentle workout. “A great general rule of thumb is to keep exercising if symptoms are ‘above the neck,'” says Dr. Luz. However, anything that affects your chest or the rest of your body is a clear red flag. “A fever, body aches, fatigue, cough, nausea—these are signs your body is working hard to fight off something more serious,” explains Dr. Eby. “Adding a workout into the mix only takes energy away from that recovery process.” Why rest is your best friend when you feel awful Even mild illnesses call for more rest than usual. “Recovery takes priority,” says Dr. Luz. “If you push through and exercise anyway, you could extend the duration of your illness and delay your body’s ability to recover from both the virus and the workout.” Plus, Dr. Chow reminds us that the immune-boosting benefits of exercise are long-term. “Exercising while sick doesn’t necessarily help you get better faster,” he says. “It’s okay to take a few days off.” The rare times a workout can actually help That said, if your illness is mild and you’re feeling up to it, a little movement might actually help. “Gentle exercise can help clear congestion and improve circulation,” says Dr. Eby. “You might even feel more energized afterward.” Dr. Luz agrees: “Boosting oxygen exchange and stimulating your immune system with light movement can be beneficial. Just don’t expect to hit any personal records.” When you should definitely skip the gym Fever? Stay home. “A fever is a major sign your body is in full-on fight mode,” says Dr. Chow. “Exercise only adds more stress.” Other times to skip the workout include dizziness, chest congestion, shortness of breath, or if you have a history of heart or lung issues. “In those cases, talk to your doctor before resuming physical activity,” says Dr. Eby. If you do exercise while sick, follow these expert tips If you’re cleared to move, go for low-impact activities like walking or yoga. “Skip high-intensity workouts until you’re fully recovered,” advises Dr. Luz. All three doctors stress the importance of: Hydration Quality sleep A slow, mindful warm-up and cool-down Listening to your body and taking breaks And let’s not forget the germ factor. “If you’re contagious, be considerate,” says Dr. Eby. “Work out at home or skip group classes. And if you must go to the gym, wash your hands, wipe down equipment, and avoid touching your face.” “When cleaning equipment, wipe down any area your body touches and let it dry completely before use,” adds Dr. Chow. If you feel too sick to work out, you’re not being lazy. You’re being smart. Let your body do what it needs to heal, and the gym will still be there when you’re back to full strength.The post Should you work out when you’re sick? Doctors explain when to sweat and when to rest first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.