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4 Best hair growth products to help with thinning hair

Discover the top hair growth products designed to combat thinning and promote healthier, fuller hair.

Close-up of hair strands, highlighting products to combat hair thinning and promote regrowth.

Discover the best products designed to combat hair thinning and promote regrowth.

Upworthy may receive a percentage of revenue from products purchased through this article.


Whether due to androgenetic alopecia, stress, or other factors, experiencing hair loss or thinning can be distressing. Fortunately, innovative hair loss treatment plans can help rejuvenate hair follicles and promote fuller, healthy-looking hair. Join us as we explore the top four products designed to combat hair loss, shedding, and dry scalps and stimulate hair growth.



Summary of the Best Hair Growth Products

  1. Best Overall: Hers Hair Blends
  2. Most Customized: Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan
  3. Best for Hair Growth: Unveil The Essentials Kit
  4. Best for Men: Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men

What Causes Hair Loss?

There are many possible causes of hair loss, including:

  • Androgenetic alopecia (male- or female-pattern baldness)
  • Pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid issues
  • Alopecia areata and other medical conditions
  • Scalp infections, flaky scalp, and other scalp conditions
  • Chemotherapy and certain medications
  • Physical/emotional stress
  • Heated tools and chemical styling products
  • Nutrient deficiencies

Best Hair Products for Treating Hair Loss

1. Best Overall: Hers Hair Blends


Hers Hair Blends product, a top choice for combating hair thinning and promoting growth.Hers Hair Blends - Best overall hair growth product for fuller, healthier hair.Hers

What we love:

Hers Hair Blends are a game-changer for women with all hair types seeking effective hair growth solutions. One of the key ingredients, minoxidil, stimulates blood circulation to the hair follicles, promoting healthy hair growth*. From topical solutions to oral treatment options, Hers offers access to a variety of reliable choices for combating hair thinning and hair loss.

Pros:

  • For all hair types
  • Dermatologist trusted ingredients
  • Includes hair vitamins to support healthy hair
  • Proven to show hair regrowth in just 3-6 months.*

Cons:

  • Consistent use required

Specs:

  • Size: 2 ounces (scalp serum)
  • Key ingredients: Minoxidil

Learn more about Hers Hair Blends today!

*Results vary. Based on separate individual studies of oral minoxidil and oral finasteride.

Hers Hair Blends are compounded products and have not been approved by the FDA. The FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness, or quality of compounded drugs.

Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information

2. Most Customized: Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan


Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan, offering personalized treatment for hair loss.Happy Head - Most customized hair regrowth plan tailored to individual needs.Happy Head

What we love:

Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan takes a personalized approach to tackling hair loss. Its powerful ingredients include finasteride, spironolactone, minoxidil, retinoic acid, and hydrocortisone. The combination of expert formulation and ongoing support from a board-certified dermatologist makes it a top choice for those seeking healthy hair growth.

Pros:

  • Suitable for men and women
  • Topical and oral treatment options
  • Consultations with a board-certified dermatologist

Cons:

  • Prescription required

Specs:

  • Size: 2 ounces (scalp serum)
  • Key ingredients: Finasteride, spironolactone, minoxidil, retinoic acid, hydrocortisone

Learn more about Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan today!

3. Best for Hair Growth: Unveil The Essentials Kit


Unveil The Essentials Kit, a top product for promoting hair regrowth.Unveil The Essentials Kit - Best for promoting strong and healthy hair growth.Unveil

What we love:

The Essentials Kit by Unveil offers a comprehensive approach to hair loss treatment, using natural ingredients to promote hair growth and scalp health. The No.3 Thicker Hair Serum enhances density and vitality. The No.0 Scalp Renewal Brush stimulates blood flow to hair follicles, boosting hair growth. Lastly, the No.5 Hair Nutrition Supplements provide essential vitamins to support healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive hair and scalp care
  • Gluten-, soy-, and gelatin-free
  • Formulated with natural ingredients

Cons:

  • Consistent use required

Specs:

  • Size: 1 ounce (scalp serum); 60 count (capsules)
  • Key ingredients: Niacin, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, biotin

Learn more about Unveil The Essentials Kit today!

4. Best for Men: Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men


Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men, specifically designed to combat male-pattern baldness.Keeps Hair Loss Treatment - Best hair loss treatment plan for men experiencing thinning hair.Keeps

What we love:

Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men provides a streamlined, effective solution for hair loss and thinning with clinically proven treatment plans and expert support. Its FDA-approved formulas include finasteride and minoxidil and boast a 90% effectiveness rate. Keeps ensures personalized care through a free consultation with a board-certified dermatologist and treatment plan adjustments.

Pros:

  • High effectiveness rate
  • Unlimited provider access for one year
  • Flexible delivery options

Cons:

  • Requires ongoing commitment

Specs:

  • Size: 90 count (capsules); 2.11 ounces (foam)
  • Key ingredients: Finasteride, minoxidil

Learn more about Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men today!

Finding the Best Hair Growth Products for Your Hair Loss

Finding the right scalp serum or treatment for your hair loss can be challenging. Here’s what to look for:

Price

The best hair growth serum is affordable without compromising quality.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews give insight into a product's effectiveness and ease of use. Avoid options with many reported side effects and unfavorable reviews.

Active Ingredients

The best hair growth serum products are physician-formulated with nourishing ingredients that support new hair growth.

Ingredients Good for Hair Growth

Choosing the right ingredients is crucial for effective hair loss treatment. Here are some key ingredients to look for:

Minoxidil

Found in many of the best hair growth serums, minoxidil helps protect hair follicles and add volume by extending the growth phase of the hair cycle.

Biotin

Used in many hair loss treatments, Biotin reduces hair shedding and strengthens the hair shaft.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto blocks DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss, and can help reduce hair thinning and loss.

Potential Benefits of Using Hair Growth Products

Using hair growth products can yield several benefits, helping to combat hair loss and improve overall scalp and hair health:

Reverse Hair Loss

The best hair growth serum products include powerful ingredients that target the root causes of hair loss and hair thinning to promote new growth.

Enhanced Hair Strength

Hair growth products strengthen hair, resulting in less breakage and shedding, making your hair look fuller and healthier.

Improved Confidence

Using hair growth treatments can significantly boost your confidence after hair loss. Seeing improvements in hair density can make you feel better about your appearance.

Potential Side Effects of Using Hair Growth Products

While hair growth products can be highly effective, they may also come with potential side effects for both men and women, including:

  • Skin/scalp irritation
  • Allergic reactions
  • Hormonal changes
  • Interactions with other medications/supplements

FAQ

How do hair growth products work?

Most supplements and scalp serums stimulate follicular circulation, promoting hair growth and improving hair density.

Are hair growth products safe?

Most are safe when used as directed. However, men and women must choose products formulated for their hair loss needs and be aware of potential side effects.

How long do results take after using hair growth products?

Results typically start to appear after three to six months of consistent use. The exact timeframe can vary based on hair loss severity and individual factors.

Conclusion

Choosing the right hair growth product is essential for addressing thinning hair and hair loss. The products above offer effective hair follicle stimulation to promote healthy growth. By incorporating these treatments into your hair care routine, you can achieve thicker, fuller hair.

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    Joe grew up without stability. Now, he’s giving 10 adopted sons the home he never had.
    True
    Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

    Like many children who are placed in foster care across the United States, Joe’s childhood was marked by chaos and a struggle to survive.

    Joe still remembers neglect and abuse being part of his daily reality. Often left to care for his younger siblings alone, Joe grew up far too quickly.


    He and his brothers were placed in the New York foster care system at an early age. And when he aged out of foster care at 21, he had no family to turn to for support.

    “Statistically, I should be in jail, or I could be dead,” Joe said. “But that’s not my destiny.”

    Today, Joe is determined to change the trajectory for young people lingering in foster care … as an adoptive parent and as an advocate, raising awareness along with organizations like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

    A complex problem with an evidence-based solution

    More than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system are waiting for a safe, permanent home. But the sad reality is that thousands will “age out” of the system between 18 and 21, stepping into adulthood without support, guidance or a safety net.

    The consequences of this can be devastating. Youth who leave foster care without the support of a forever family are much more likely to experience negative outcomes, including homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse and early, unplanned parenthood.


    Through its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is working to be a part of the solution across the U.S. and Canada. Through this program, the Foundation supports the hiring of adoption professionals — known as recruiters — who serve children most at risk of aging out of foster care, including older children, children with special needs and siblings.

    Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters use an evidence-based, child-focused model, identifying trusted adults in the child’s network who may be open to adoption — and research shows that it works. A five-year, national evaluation showed that children referred to the program are up to three times more likely to be adopted.

    Changing the journey for a new generation

    Xavier was 18 and at risk of aging out of foster care without family support when he met Joe.

    “My biggest fear was that I was going to age out and not know how to be sufficient on my own,” Xavier said. But Joe adopted Xavier just weeks before he was set to age out of the system. In the years that followed, Joe adopted from foster care again. And again.

    Today, Joe is a father to 10 sons, seven of whom were adopted with help from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

    “Meeting my boys has put them on a different path,” Joe said. “Wendy’s Wonderful Kids was a real support and guide to being able to do what I try to do: making sure they have the tools to survive.”

    “For me, it’s been beautiful to see that [my brothers are] spreading out to go live their own lives,” Xavier said. “It’s something [Joe] has prepared us for. He gave us the mentality that we could do whatever we want.”

    Writing a new ending

    After aging out of foster care, Joe managed to defy the odds, graduating from college and becoming a school counselor. Still, despite his own success story, he knows that many children who spend time in foster care aren’t as fortunate.

    Joe hopes providing a “home base” for his sons means a brighter future for them.

    “Here, we have people you can call your family — your brothers, your father,” Joe said. “Everybody, no matter where they are, knows that they can come home.”

    Learn more about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and how you can help find forever families for more children lingering in foster care right now.

    middle age, woman, aging, bodies, getting older, study

    If you feel "old" practically overnight, there may be a good reason for that.

    Getting older is weird. You're trucking along, enjoying your middle-aged life, finally feeling like a real adult, when you look in the mirror one day and gasp. "Where did those wrinkles come from?" "Is that skin on my arm…crepey?!?" "Why am I aching like that?"

    Somewhere in your mid-40s, you start noticing obvious signs of aging that seem to arrive overnight. You assumed it was a gradual process that you just hadn't noticed, but it sure as heck felt like it happened really fast.


    New research indicates that may very well be the case. A 2024 study from researchers at Stanford tracked thousands of different molecules in people age 25 to 75 and found that people tend to make two big leaps in aging—one around age 44 and another around age 60. These findings indicate that aging can actually happen in bursts.

    aging, age, old, growing up, growing old, 40s, 60s Simpsons Gif y.yarn.co

    “We’re not just changing gradually over time. There are some really dramatic changes,” said senior study author Michael Snyder, Ph.D., a geneticist and director of the Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine at Stanford University. “It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that’s true no matter what class of molecules you look at.” The researchers assumed the mid-40s changes would be attributed to menopausal or perimenopausal changes in women influencing the overall numbers, but when they separated the results by sex they saw similar changes in men in their 40s.

    @suddenly_susan_

    The accuracy 🤣 #40s #genxtiktok #womenover40 #relatable

    "“This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause may contribute to the changes observed in women in their mid-40s, there are likely other, more significant factors influencing these changes in both men and women. Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority for future research,” said study author Xiaotao Shen, PhD, a former Stanford Medicine postdoctoral scholar who now teaches at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

    elderly couple, aging, age, growing old, aging in bursts Aging happens in bursts, scientists find.Canva Photos

    The study included 108 participants who submitted blood and other samples every few months for several years. The scientists tracked age-related changes in 135,000 different molecules—nearly 250 billion distinct data points—to see how aging occurs.

    The study may shed light on the reasons for jumps in certain diseases and maladies at certain ages. For the 40-somethings, scientists found significant changes in molecules related to alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle. For those in their 60s, changes related to carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle were found.

    body, human body, anatomy, study, aging Research shows the body goes through specific changes in our 40s and 60s.Canva Photos

    The study authors did note that lifestyle might play a role in some of these changes. For instance, alcohol metabolism may be influenced by people drinking more heavily in their 40s, which tends to be a period of higher stress for many people. However, the researchers added that these bursts of aging in the mid-40s and early 60s indicate that people may want to pay closer attention to their health around those ages and make lifestyle changes that support greater overall health, such as increasing exercise or limiting alcohol.

    The research team plans to study the drivers of these aging bursts to find out why they happen at these ages, but whatever the reasons, it's nice to know that the seemingly sudden onset of age-related woes isn't just in our imaginations.

    It's understandable that we worry about aging, as physical signs of aging remind us of our own mortality. We also have all kinds of social messaging that tells us youth is ideal and beautiful and old is bad and ugly, so of course we give aging the side-eye. But none of us can avoid aging altogether, so the more positive and healthy we are in our approach to aging, the better off we'll be, no matter when and to what degree aging hits us.

    This story originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

    stepparent, stepdad, bonus parent, blended family, father figure, parenting, parenting moment, viral video, heartwarming, wholesome, stepdaughter, calling dad, family love, gratitude, emotional reaction, car ride, social media clip, modern family, parenting win, feel good

    Man hears stepdaughter call him "Dad" for the first time.

    Being a parent is often a thankless job, and being a stepparent is usually even more thankless. But most parents show up and do their best to make sure their kids have what they need and feel loved. So when our kids do or say something to show appreciation, it melts our hearts—but nothing melts it faster than a stepchild calling their bonus parent "Mom" or "Dad" for the first time.

    A creator named Shane posted a clip from a video showing his reaction to hearing his stepdaughter call him "Dad" for the first time. The full video was first posted in 2021, but when it was reposted as a clip recently, it pulled on everyone's heartstrings.


    Why this “Dad” moment mattered

    Shane and his wife, Liana, run the social media page Shane and Liana where they post silly videos pranking each other. But this video wasn't a prank. His stepdaughter, London, wanted to surprise him after wanting to call him "Dad" for a long time.

    parenting, parenting moment, viral video, heartwarming, wholesome, stepdaughter, calling dad, family love, gratitude, emotional reaction, car ride, social media clip, modern family, parenting win, feel good Representative Image: A father daughter moment. Photo credit: Canva

    She can barely contain her excitement in the clip, squealing loudly when climbing into the back seat. When Shane gets in the car, London knows this is her chance.

    "Hi Dad, how was your day?" she asks.

    How Shane has shown up for London

    Shane turns completely around in shock as the heartwarming realization of what she just called him sets in. "Did you just call me Dad? Just made my heart melt to know she called me Dad," Shane says full of emotion.

    London and Liana explain earlier in the video that Shane has raised the little girl since she was 2 years old. She didn't meet her biological father until she was 5, and he was only in her life briefly before leaving, so this was a big moment. Viewers under the newly re-uploaded clip revealed that watching the interaction made them just as emotional as Shane.


    parenting, parenting moment, viral video, heartwarming, wholesome, stepdaughter, calling dad, family love, gratitude, emotional reaction, car ride, social media clip, modern family, parenting win, feel good Readers were in their feels about the video. Photo credit: Canva

    "Idk how the mom ain't crying!?! I'm crying," Mari Morales writes.

    Viewers shared their own stories

    "This video hits me right in the heart and soul," Sarah Douglas writes. "My 'step' dad raised me from 7 years old. I’ve never met the sperm donor once, but my REAL dad is the one that chose to love me regardless of biology. Forever grateful for the real men that 'step' up to be there for us."

    "So true the first time my oldest daughter called me dad I cried she’s not blood but she is mine no matter what," Timothy Evans says.

    This article originally appeared last year.

    Popular

    15 old-school casserole recipes that feel like home for boomers and Gen Xers

    Tried-and-true one-pan dinners from back in the day.

    casserole, casseroles, casserole recipe, casserole recipes, gen x, boomers
    Image via Reddit/MyDogGoldi

    Vintage casserole recipes from Gen X and boomer childhoods.

    Childhood dishes can take you straight back to your seat at the family dinner table. Comfort meals that were served there are uber nostalgic. And there is one dish represents the epitome of Gen X and baby boomer childhoods: casseroles.

    These one-dish wonders were loaded with flavor and baked to perfection. Pulled straight from the oven to the dinner table, casseroles filled the house with the smell of unique home-cooked recipes.


    And while most of us are eating casseroles today at Thanksgiving, Gen Xers and boomers grew up eating casseroles on the reg.

    Here are 15 old-school casserole recipes that Redditors grew up eating, which are just as yummy today:

    - YouTube www.youtube.com

    Chicken casseroles

    Fancy Fast Chicken casserole

    "Fancy Fast Chicken is delicious and so simple. Line up chicken breasts in a casserole dish. Dump uncooked stuffing over top the chicken breasts. Pour Cream of Mushroom (Onion or chicken works too) and incorporate it into the stuffing. Top with cheese of your choice, and fried onions if you're inclined. Bake at 350 for 45min or until chicken is thoroughly cooked." - Applepoisoneer

    Chicken Curry Divan casserole

    "My favorite is Chicken Curry Divan. A friend made it for me in college 40 years ago and it is a favorite to this day. Never disappoints. Many people have asked me for the recipe over the years. My best friends kids now that they are grown have each approached me for it.

    1 1/2 lbs chicken breast tenders cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
    3 cups broccoli in bite sized pieces
    2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
    1 cup mayonnaise (must be Mayo)
    2 tsp curry
    Juice of 1 lemon
    Shredded sharp cheddar (use the amount you like o like a nice even cover of the top)
    3/4 cup crushed Ritz crackers
    3 tbsp melted butter
    In 9x13” baking pan layer chicken then broccoli.

    Mix the soup, Mayo, lemon juice and curry together well, pour over chicken broccoli mixture evenly and smooth out. Sprinkle cheese over top evenly. Crush crackers fine, mix in melted butter well and sprinkle evenly over top. Cook at 375° for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and top brown. Serve with rice." - karinchup

    Chicken and Rice casserole

    "This baked rice & cheese casserole has become a staple in our house! It’s great as a side dish, or I’ll add rotisserie chicken and serve it as a main dish." - anchovypepperonitoni

    Chicken & Dumplings casserole

    "The secret of this is not to stir anything. That's what makes your dumplings. When you dish it out, you have your dumplings on top.
    2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 stick of butter; 2 cups Bisquick mix; 2 cups whole milk; 1 can cream of chicken soup; 1/2 medium onion, minced; 1 cup frozen peas; 3 tsp chicken Better Than Bouillon; 1/2 tsp dried sage; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt.

    (1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
    (2) Layer 1 - In 9x13 casserole dish, melt 1/2 stick of butter. Spread shredded chicken over butter. Sprinkle black pepper and dried sage over this layer. Do not stir.
    (3) Layer 2 - Sprinkle minced onions and peas over chicken
    (4) Layer 3 - In small bowl, mix milk and Bisquick. Slowly pour all over chicken. Do not stir.
    (5) Layer 4 - In medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of chicken broth, chicken bouillon, and soup. Once blended, slowly pour over the Bisquick layer. Do not stir.
    (6) Bake casserole for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown." - Superb_Yak7074

    Chicken broccoli casserole

    "I made chicken broccoli casserole last week and that's a favorite here. This is pretty close to how I do it." - gimmethelulz

    - YouTube www.youtube.com

    Potato casseroles

    Funeral Potatoes

    "The unfortunately named, funeral potatoes!" - IRLperson

    Tater Tot casserole

    "Tater tot casserole. My mom made this at least once a week when I was growing up, but she added a quart of green beans to make it a meal. If you brown your ground beef in a good size cast iron skillet, you only dirty up one pan to make it!" - hcynthia1234, upperwareParTAY

    Breakfast casserole

    "I’m making a breakfast casserole this morning for brunch later—a bag of frozen hash brown potatoes thawed, a pound of sausage sauteed with peppers and onions, a brick of cheese grated, eight eggs beaten with a bit of milk and cream and some salt and pepper. Layer in a casserole, ending with cheese. Bake around an hour at 375." - CWrend

    Hamburger pie casserole

    "One of my childhood favorites. Did not add vegetables or cheese though. This was an end of the month struggle meal that everyone loved." - DarnHeather

    Shepherd's pie casserole

    "Shepherd's pie : brown 1.5 lbs ground beef with half a chopped onion, salt and pepper, drain it and then spread into a 13x9 and stir a can of cream of mushroom soup into it. Spread a drained family size can of corn on top, use a container of prepared mashed potatoes for the top layer. Bake for a half hour at 350." - ExplanationLucky1143

    - YouTube www.youtube.com

    Noodle casseroles

    Tuna casserole

    "Love my mom's tuna noodle casserole: 1 bag broad egg noodles, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 2 cans tuna, 1 cup frozen corn or 1 can kernel corn, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 1 tbsp celery salt
    Cook noodles per package directions, drain, then place in a 13x9 casserole dish. Mix in cream of mushroom soup, tuna, corn, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and celery salt. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until done enough for you." - Pinkleton

    Mock Stroganoff casserole

    "Mock stroganoff - brown 1lb ground chuck. Mix in 8 oz sour cream and 1 can cream of mushroom. Add to 1 lb of cooked egg noodles. Season with black pepper. Extras - fresh mushrooms and/or onion cooked with the beef. Any precooked veggies of your choice, peas or broccoli work well. Splash of Worcestershire, soy sauce, or fish sauce. Garlic or onion powder. Parsley, thyme, or cilantro." - Nathan_Saul

    Cabbage noodle casserole

    "I have a quick cabbage and noodles that uses bagged cole slaw. Cook a bag of noodles. Put aside. Cut up a lb of bacon and a med onion. Cook in pan until bacon is slightly fried and onions are clear. Add cabbage(without carrots) let sit 10 min or so. Add to noodles. It's so easy." - conjas11

    @allrecipes

    Thanksgiving prep class is now in session! 🍂🧑‍🏫 If there's one thing you need to nail on the big day (other than the turkey, of course), it's Green Bean Casserole. This recipe tastes just like the one your grandmother used to make, if not even better! 😋 Continue reading or click the link in the @allrecipes bio to get the full recipe. Ingredients: 2 (15-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup ¾ cup milk 1 (2.8-ounce) can French fried onions salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions: Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, and 1/2 of the fried onions in a 1.5-quart casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle remaining onions on top and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. 🧑‍🍳: Nicole #thanksgiving #greenbeancasserole #greenbeans #thanksgivingsides

    Vegetable casseroles

    Green bean casserole

    "This is the best green bean casserole recipe, it does use the canned onions but you make your own cream of mushroom and it's soooo good. I've made it on random weekends, it's not just a Thanksgiving food. I don't know much about older foods, I just really wanted to share that recipe."

    Corn casserole

    "Our family Corn custard doesn't have crackers but we double the recipe and there's never any left over. 2 eggs, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 flour, 2 T soft butter, 1 tsp sugar, 1 can of creamed corn, 1 can of whole corn. Mix all together and bake in a 8x8 about 45 min at 350. Gotta have that!" - Psychological_Bat890

    Movies

    The movie 'Step Brothers' gave incredibly insightful advice using just 4 words

    Sometimes the most profound ideas come from unexpected places.

    John C. Reilly, Will Ferrell, Stepbrothers, movies, comedies
    Photo Credit: Canva, Adam Chitayat, John Bauld

    John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell.

    One never knows where they'll get a pearl of wisdom. Could be a fortune cookie, a spiritual retreat, or a self-help book. On rare occasions, it could even be an Adam McKay-directed comedy from 2008, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. In my case, that's exactly where I found it, and it was a treat to rediscover something so profound in such a (hilariously) silly film.

    The movie is Step Brothers and the plot is not complicated: two men, both of whom still live at home near the age of 40, find themselves in a competitive situation when their respective mother and father get married, making them (ahem) "step brothers." Will Ferrell's Brennan and John C. Reilly's Dale proceed to take part in a lot of hijinks, wherein they fistfight, start businesses, play music, and defend each other's honor.


    Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's characters meet in the film Step Brothers. www.youtube.com, The Beard of Zeus

    But—spoiler alert—it's near the end when Dale's father, Robert, played brilliantly by Richard Jenkins, delivers four words during a speech to them that are so heartfelt and simple, they resonate nearly 17 years later. The words were this: "Don't lose your dinosaur."

    Don't. Lose. Your. Dinosaur.

    It's the idea that, as we age, many of us lose the creativity we once had as children. The very magic that makes us unique should be guarded at all costs, and as we mature, we should make room for that inner child.

    Many seemed moved by this piece of advice, especially its simplicity. One commenter writes, "That's one of the most important messages, actually! I have been trying to search for my dinosaur for long already because I remember how happy I was back then!"

    Another notes the absurdity of the speech: "One of the best clips ever. When he said 'I'll go to medical school, and I'll practice for a little while, and then I'll come back to it,' I about snapped a rib laughing."

    A scene from the 2008 comedy Step Brothers www.youtube.com, sofia sp

    And here's a fun fact: in an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show Podcast, Jenkins revealed that the moment had been totally improvised. At the last minute, McKay instructed him to walk over to Ferrell and Reilly and "tell them you wanted to be a dinosaur." Jenkins was reluctant but gave in to the director's wishes, and it turned out to be one of the most iconic scenes in the film.

    The fact that Ferrell and Reilly were taken by surprise by this speech was not lost on many of the people who commented. One YouTuber writes, "I love how Will and John's reaction to this is genuine. They're literally like, 'WTF is he talking about?'"

    @thericheisenshow

    ‘Step Brothers’ premiered 17 years ago today, so we bring back this incredible story from when Richard Jenkins joined the show and told us that his “Dinosaur Speech” was 100% improvised 🤣 #stepbrothers #willferrell #improv



    In a 2023 article by Health and Wellness Editor for Time Magazine Angela Haupt, she shares that while the concept of "inner child work" is buzzy, it's far from new. "Psychologist Carl Jung is credited with coining it about 100 years ago, and research has long suggested that the quality of our childhood relates to later-in-life outcomes."

    Haupt goes on to explain how "finding the inner child" works, quoting Shari Botwin, a trauma therapist and author of Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing. “We grow up, we get bigger, and our brains become more logical, but that doesn’t erase our thoughts, feelings, or memories from childhood,” Botwin believes.

    Haupt indicates that one doesn't necessarily need professional help to connect to their younger selves. "It’s possible to work on your inner child by yourself; lots of resources exist, like digital and print workbooks and exercises, and a variety of podcasts. Journaling and meditating are often effective." That said, she argues, it can be extra effective if one works with a mental health therapist. "Experts say ego-state therapy, internal family systems therapy, and schema therapy are all proven approaches."

    In whatever way one wants to couch it, the Jenkins "don't lose your dinosaur" riff really pulled the heartstrings of moviegoers. It illustrates that, even in a scatology-driven joke machine, brilliant adages can be found.

    empty nester, empty nesters, declutter, decluttering, decluttering tips

    Mom and empty nester shares her tips for decluttering her home.

    Deep cleaning and decluttering a home is a daunting task—especially for empty nesters. After spending a lifetime creating memories and living together under one roof, doing a big declutter can take an emotional toll.

    It's a milestone that many empty nesters know the sting of. And in an cleaning community on Reddit, a 51-year-old mom and recent empty nester shared her experience cleaning and decluttering her home after entering this new phase of life.


    "In my entire life, my house has always been messy. I mean, I didn’t have a disaster-level situation going on, but if someone dropped by unannounced, it would’ve been super embarrassing," she shared. "When my kids were younger, we had a housekeeper because I just couldn’t keep up. Now that we’re empty nesters, I realized I never really learned how to keep house."

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    She explained that the book Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess played an integral part in helping her declutter—and offered eight helpful tips to fellow empty nesters looking to organize their new lives.

    1. Put stuff away, not down.

    Her first tip is the key to decluttering.

    "Whatever you have goes right back where it’s supposed to go when I’m done with it," she notes.

    2. Do laundry every day.

    And she doesn't just wash and dry her laundry when doing it.

    "Just one load, start to finish. Wash, dry, fold, and put away," she shares. "Also, no chair or floor laundry. It gets put in the hamper or hung back up. No clothes are ever out."

    3. I make the bed every day.

    The benefits keep on giving by doing this, she notes.

    "It just makes my bedroom look cleaner and I smile every time I come in my room," she writes. "Plus we aren’t fighting over the covers when we get in because the bed is straightened out."

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    4. Do a quick daily clean-up of commonly used spaces.

    She cleans the places that her and her husband use frequently.

    "I keep a stack of cleaning rags in my master bath because it’s the only bathroom that’s used every single day. Every night, I spray the counter, wipe everything down, put everything back (that my husband leaves out), and wipe the mirror," she explains. "I also wipe down the toilet. I find that I don’t need a huge, big cleaning of this space because I’m keeping it up daily. Same goes for the kitchen."

    5. Dishes are always put away, cabinet or dishwasher.

    No dishes in the sink or stuck in the dishwasher.

    "Dishes are finished in the dishwasher? It’s emptied and dirty ones are placed inside while waiting for the dishwasher to get full," she notes.

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    6. Don't neglect your shoes.

    When she takes them off, they get put away.

    "Shoes are put away immediately upon walking in the house," she shares.

    7. Knock out small tasks.

    There is no time to waste.

    "If it takes less than 5 minutes clean it while you’re waiting for something else to get done," she writes.

    8. Take no days off.

    Rather than assign certain days for cleaning, she is constantly doing it throughout the week.

    "Lastly, I do not have scheduled cleaning days. I just do something all the time," she explains. "My life is kind of unpredictable, we love traveling or going out for the day so my so called cleaning schedule would be shot to hell every time. It’s better this way, because now I never feel behind."