Move over, sourdough: People are embracing old-school cooking skills like pickling, fermenting, preserving and making pantry staples from scratch.
Pinterest is fueling the trend, with searches for homemade spice blends up 209% and kombucha SCOBY recipes up 201%.
Other searches are climbing, too: Strawberry lemonade canning is up 110%, fermenting 106% and indoor herb gardens 50%.
People are making everything from scratch, including jam, mayonnaise, pickles, butter, sriracha, tortillas, ricotta and apple butter.
The idea is less complicated than it sounds: People are starting with just one homemade project rather than trying to make everything themselves.
It’s also a way to ditch the scroll: Instead of spending free time on their phones, people are putting those hours toward learning old-fashioned kitchen skills.

Over Three-Quarters of Americans Feel Like They’re Living On “Auto-Pilot”

The average American hits their energy slump at 2:48 p.m., while 21% start fading before noon.
71% say they skip or delay meals because they’re too busy, averaging about three missed or delayed meals a week.
82% say they feel like they’re going through life on “auto-pilot,” while 70% feel pressure to constantly go above and beyond.
Busy schedules are cutting into hobbies, mental health, exercise and time with loved ones.
44% say they frequently feel like they’re not fully present during meaningful moments.
29% turn to caffeine for an energy boost, averaging 4.6 caffeinated drinks a day, but say the boost lasts just over two hours.

Rupert Grint to Reprise Role of Ron Weasley in Broadways’ “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”

Rupert Grint is returning to the role of Ron Weasley, this time on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
He’ll perform at New York’s Lyric Theatre from February 2 through May 30, 2027, for a 17-week run.
Grint first played Ron when he was just 11 years old and starred in all eight Harry Potter films.
He says returning to Ron now that he and the character are both fathers feels “full-circle,” familiar and completely new.
Grint’s return follows Tom Felton, who recently reprised Draco Malfoy on Broadway.
The casting gives Harry Potter fans another chance to see an original film star step back into an iconic role on stage.

Trailer for “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket” Features AI Gene Wilder Voice

Gene Wilder’s iconic Willy Wonka voice is being recreated with AI for Netflix’s new competition series, with his estate’s approval.
Wonka’s The Golden Ticket drops contestants into a massive recreation of the 1971 chocolate factory.
The show features 12 Golden Ticket winners competing in physical, mental and moral challenges.
The AI-Wonka guides contestants through the competition, while the elaborate sets recreate the magic of the original movie.
Rusty Goffe, who played an Oompa Loompa in the original film, is also returning for the new series.
The nine-episode series premieres September 23rd, with a two-part finale arriving September 30th.

Meta Settles Social Media Addiction US Lawsuits

Meta will pay up to $18 billion over the next decade as part of settlements with nearly every U.S. state over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep teens hooked.
Teens will be limited to two hours a day on Facebook and Instagram and blocked from using the apps between midnight and 6 a.m. unless a parent gives permission.
Most push notifications will be turned off during school hours, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., while Meta will also strengthen protections against age-restricted content.
About $12.7 billion of the settlement is guaranteed, with another $5 billion dependent on whether other major platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, agree to similar restrictions.
The agreement also includes $459 million to resolve state privacy claims tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal and brings an end to a federal trial that had just gotten underway.
Meta denies wrongdoing, and the settlement does not change personalized recommendations or targeted advertising; Florida and New Mexico did not sign on, with Florida planning to continue its case.

Every Tuesday, Troy and Audra attempt to hop on TikTok trends. If you have a suggestion, let us know!

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