tips – Topical Fruit

Four Ways to Cut Calories on Thanksgiving Without Making It Sad and Weird

If you’re trying to keep Thanksgiving a little lighter this year (and not just the gravy), you can cut some calories without turning the meal into a health food hostage situation.

No one’s asking you to swap the turkey for a lentil loaf or serve mashed cauliflower with a side of tears. These tips will let you shave off calories while still keeping the “Thanks” and “giving” in Thanksgiving.

Here are four easy swaps to lighten up your Thanksgiving plate — and no, you don’t have to eat anything that jiggles unless you want to.

Pick white meat, skip the skin.

If you’re a turkey traditionalist, this one’s easy. White meat has about 50 fewer calories per serving than dark meat, especially if you skip the skin. Buying a whole turkey breast instead of a full bird is another smart move, but fair warning — some folks need their dark meat or they’ll riot. Maybe do a quick family poll before going full white-meat-only.

Stuff your stuffing with less fat.

You can still make stuffing from scratch and have it taste amazing. Try fat-free buttermilk instead of whole milk, and only use half the butter you normally would. It’ll still have that cozy, carb-loaded flavor — just with 90 fewer calories per scoop. Bonus: you might feel slightly less guilty going back for seconds.

Green beans over green bean casserole.

We get it, the crispy onion topping is half the reason people even look at green bean casserole. But if you skip the cream-of-something soup and make sautéed green beans with just butter and those same fried onions on top, you’re looking at about 150 fewer calories per serving. It’s still crunchy, still delicious, just… less beige.

Pick pumpkin over pecan.

Dessert is where Thanksgiving calories really go to party. A slice of pecan pie can hit around 800 calories, thanks to its sugary, buttery filling. Pumpkin pie, by comparison, clocks in at about 270. That’s a 500+ calorie difference per slice. So if you want to indulge but not go into a sugar coma, pumpkin’s the smarter pick.

Look, it’s Thanksgiving — no one expects it to be a diet day. But if you make just a couple of these swaps, your belt (and your future self) might thank you. And if you still end up eating like it’s your last meal, well… there’s always January.

Why You Should Stop Cutting the Stem Off Your Pumpkin

Halloween is basically here, and that means it’s officially pumpkin carving season.

But before you grab that serrated knife and go full horror movie on your gourd, here’s a simple tip that could save your masterpiece from turning into a moldy mess: Stop cutting the stem off your pumpkin.

Sure, tradition tells us to carve a lid on the top, yank it off, scoop out the guts, and go from there. But according to pumpkin pros and a bit of science, that top-down method is actually the fastest way to ruin your jack-o’-lantern.

Here’s why: the stem is not just some random little nub on top. It was literally the pumpkin’s lifeline when it was growing.

It connected the pumpkin to the vine that fed it nutrients and water. So when you chop it off, you’re basically removing the cork from the wine bottle of rot. It opens your pumpkin up to air, moisture, and decay much faster.

Instead, cut a hole in the bottom or the back of the pumpkin. That way, the stem stays intact, acting like a natural seal. Your carved creation will last longer and attract fewer bugs. (Unless you’re trying to summon flies for some reason, in which case… you do you.)

This carving hack has actually been floating around the internet for a while, but it still seems to shock people every Halloween. Think of it like carving 2.0.

Not only does the bottom-entry method help preserve your pumpkin, it also makes it easier to place it over a LED light. You just lift the pumpkin and plop it down instead of awkwardly reaching in from the top.

So this year, skip the decapitation and try the butt cut. Your pumpkin will thank you by not collapsing into a sad, mushy puddle by Halloween night.

Happy carving! And remember: the stem is your friend, not your target.

How Much Do You Spend Over-Tipping?

How much do you think you spent this year tipping when you really didn’t want to?

A new report says the average American shelled out $150 in “guilt tips” over the past year. That’s money handed over because the iPad spun around and you panicked.

They’re the kinds of tips no one feels good about. You know the ones: when a screen asks for 25% after you pick up your own muffin, or when you tip for a haircut that looks like a geometry project. Maybe even for “services” that don’t really need tipping at all, like an oil change.

It’s not just you getting cranky about it, either.

65% of people say they’re officially fed up with tipping culture.

And that number’s gone up the past two years. It’s become so ridiculous that nearly two-thirds of folks say they’d rather just pay higher menu prices if it meant restaurant workers got fair wages and tipping went away entirely. (Unfortunately, that dream usually crashes and burns when restaurants actually try it.)

Here’s the twist: even though everyone’s sick of it, tipping amounts are still going up. 45% of diners now leave 20% or more at restaurants, and almost a quarter tip delivery drivers that much too.

So yeah, we’re irritated, broke, and still tipping like champs. America: land of the free, home of the guilt-tipped latte.

Wedding Trend: Credit Card Machines to Collect Gifts

If you’ve paid for a wedding lately, you know booze isn’t cheap. 57% of couples spring for an open bar, but the average cost of alcohol at a wedding is around $2,400.

So that might help explain this new trend: credit card machines at the bar.

One couple in the U.K. went all in, using card readers like the ones you see at restaurants to help pay for their honeymoon. They also had QR codes posted with the message: “Don’t be tight, pay for our flight!” Then they funneled the money into their honeymoon in Mexico. (So yes, you were technically buying them margaritas before they even left the country.)

They didn’t share how much they made, but they said their guests “absolutely loved it.” (Which might be true… after the third gin and tonic.)

To be fair, they did this instead of accepting wedding gifts. The couple had been together for 14 years, already had a home and appliances, and didn’t really need another air fryer. They just figured it’d be more fun, and more practical, to let people swipe for their shots instead of wrapping up a blender.

The credit card company said they’re hoping this catches on at other weddings. Because nothing says romance like tapping your AmEx while the DJ plays “Shout.”

And honestly, what’s next? Venmo requests from the bride during the bouquet toss? A QR code on the cake that says, “Chip in for the frosting?” Maybe the best man will pass around a contactless reader during his speech… like a church collection plate, but with more tequila shots.

Seven Money-Saving Hacks That Actually Cost You More

Ever tried to pinch pennies and ended up burning through more cash instead? According to frugal Reddit users, some so-called “money-saving hacks” can backfire big time, and might even cost you more than just dollars. Here are a few of the top offenders:

1. Chasing Cheap Gas

Sure, a gas station across town might have prices a few cents lower, but unless the savings are significant, you could end up spending more on the drive than you save at the pump. Factor in wear and tear on your car and the value of your time, and it often doesn’t add up.

2. DIY Projects Gone Wrong

Taking the do-it-yourself route can seem thrifty, until you’re knee-deep in a bathroom renovation with a leaking pipe and no clue what you’re doing. Redditors agree: unless you really know your stuff, complex repairs can lead to bigger, costlier problems down the line.

3. Homemade ≠ Cheaper

It’s tempting to assume making something yourself is always more economical. But with the low cost of mass production, many household items or foods are often cheaper (and more reliable) to buy than to build or cook from scratch, especially when you factor in the cost of tools, ingredients, or failed attempts.

4. Buying Just Because It’s on Sale

Sales can be seductive, but frugality means buying what you need, not just what’s discounted. Stocking up on items you were going to buy anyway? Smart. Grabbing two waffle makers “just in case”? Not so much.

5. Meal Kit Services

These services sound like a great way to cut down on takeout spending, but they’re not always a solid investment. Many users admit they sign up with good intentions but still end up ordering food, and letting the meal kits go to waste.

6. Always Choosing the Cheapest Option

It’s a classic mistake: buying the cheapest shoes, appliances, or clothes only to have them fall apart quickly. Quality often means longevity, and longevity often means actual savings.

7. Growing Your Own Food

Gardening might sound like a budget-friendly way to eat, but between soil, seeds, tools, and time, it can turn into an expensive hobby. Unless you’re going full homesteader, you might spend more on tomatoes than you’d ever pay at the store.

In the world of budgeting, shortcuts can seem smart—but it turns out, they might be more hassle than they’re worth.

The Best (and Worst) Ways to Cook Bacon

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Bacon lovers, prepare for a sizzling debate. Whether you prefer it crispy, chewy, smoky, or somewhere in between, how you cook your bacon might be just as important as the kind you buy — and according to the food experts at TheKitchn.com, some of us have been doing it all wrong.

Let’s be honest: it’s hard to make bacon bad. But when it comes to getting that perfect balance of crisp, flavor, and (let’s not forget) easy cleanup, some methods clearly outshine the rest.

🔥 The Top Two Bacon Cooking Methods

Oven-Baked Bacon (The Clear Winner)

Hands down, the best way to cook bacon is in the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lay your strips out flat, and bake at 400°F. Go for 18 minutes with regular-cut or up to 24 minutes for thick-cut slices. The result? Evenly cooked, crispy bacon without the splatter — and bonus: parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze.

Cast Iron Skillet (For Purists)

Want that traditional sizzle? A cast iron skillet still holds up. Start with a cold pan, place the bacon in, then heat to medium. Flip occasionally and cook for 8–11 minutes, depending on thickness and how crispy you like it. It takes a bit more attention, but it delivers that classic, smoky flavor and gorgeous caramelization.

🙅‍♂️ The Two Worst Ways to Cook Bacon

The Water Method

Yes, it’s a real thing. This technique involves covering the bacon in water, boiling it, and gradually lowering the heat until the water evaporates. Supposedly, it helps render the fat and reduce splatter — but according to testers, it’s messy, inconsistent, and not worth the effort. Stick with dry heat.

The Microwave

You probably already know this one’s not ideal. While it can work in a pinch, microwaved bacon tends to come out hot, rubbery, and unevenly cooked. Even with paper towels to soak up grease, you’ll rarely get that satisfying crisp — just a lot of limp disappointment.

So, What’s Your Go-To?

Everyone has a bacon method they swear by. But if you haven’t tried oven-baking with parchment paper, this might be your sign. It’s cleaner, easier, and arguably more delicious.

After all, life’s too short for bad bacon.