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News,
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Southern Lifestyle & Recipes


Bourbon Peach Fluff with Candied Peaches: The Dessert That’s Sweet as a Summer Evening
Creamy, fruity, and impossibly light, this Southern twist on a vintage favorite will be your new go-to dessert Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D ...
Natalie Frank
2 days ago1 min read


Illinois Governor Stands Firm on Protecting Texas Democrats Due to FBI Arrest Threats, Other States Join Fight
As partisan redistricting battle heats up ahead of 2026 midterms, J.B. Pritzker vows to safeguard lawmakers who fled Texas in protest...
Natalie Frank
4 days ago2 min read


One-Pot Creole Jambalaya with Chicken & Turkey Sausage: A Healthier Take on a Southern Classic
This bold, flavor-packed one-pot jambalaya swaps in turkey sausage and lean chicken for a lighter yet authentic Creole dish Natalie C....
Natalie Frank
7 days ago1 min read


Shift in Chicagoans Attitudes Towards Work, Workplace During, After Pandemic According to Recent Survey, Based on Age
Changes in different age groups view of work, workplace occurred due to pandemic found in new survey Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D August 5,...
Natalie Frank
Aug 57 min read


Living Between Yesterday and Tomorrow: What It Really Means to Be Southern Today
Exploring the pride, paradox, and evolving identity of Southern life in a rapidly changing world Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D August 3, 2025...
Natalie Frank
Aug 31 min read


Southern Belle Cheesecake with Bourbon Praline Drizzle: A Decadent Twist on Dixie Dessert Traditions
This rich, velvety cheesecake with warm, buttery praline sauce captures the soul of Southern hospitality, one luscious bite at a time...
Natalie Frank
Jul 291 min read


Why Every Southern Home Has a Room No One’s Allowed in
Unlocking the curious case of plastic-covered couches, unused china, and Southern hospitality’s strangest tradition Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D...
Natalie Frank
Jul 271 min read


SATIRE: National Avocado Shortage Leads to Emergency Toast Rationing
Millennials across the country brace as beloved brunch staple vanishes, prompting creative DIY solutions, and a black-market for avocados...
Natalie Frank
Jul 214 min read


Southern Zen: What Boiled Peanuts Reveal About Cultivating Patience in a Hectic World
A meditative journey into slow living, tender flavor, and life lessons tucked inside this humble Southern snack Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D. ...
Natalie Frank
Jul 191 min read


Where to Celebrate National Karaoke Day in Chicago
Try out one of these options to enjoy singing just to sing Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D July 19, 2025 Teo Romera /flickr [CC BY 2.0] CHICAGO,...
Natalie Frank
Jul 193 min read


Southern Lemon Meringue Pie with a Buttery Grits Crust: A Tangy Twist on a Dixie Classic
Discover the soul of the South in every bite of this bright, citrusy pie, with a surprising crust that honors Southern roots and elevates...
Natalie Frank
Jul 181 min read


How an Ancient Martial Art Is Giving Parkinson’s Patients New Strength and Stability
Capoeira, born out of resistance and rhythm, is now empowering people with Parkinson’s to move with confidence and reclaim control over...
Natalie Frank
Jul 162 min read


Why Every Southern Town Has a Haunted Bridge, a Broken Bell, and a Lost Bride
How Southern ghost stories shape memory, identity, and the hidden grief behind every whispered tale Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D July 9, 2025...
Natalie Frank
Jul 91 min read


Southern Silence: Why Mental Health Conversations Are Still Taboo Below the Mason-Dixon Line
The generational stigma, cultural expectations, and quiet suffering behind the South’s mental health crisis Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D July...
Natalie Frank
Jul 71 min read


Chicago's Jarvis Beach Sees Massive Fireworks Display on July 4th
Despite the City of Chicago not hosting official July 4th fireworks for a number of years, beachfront displays were seen up and down Lake...
Natalie Frank
Jul 53 min read


Southern Vinegar Pie Revival: The Unexpected Depression-Era Dessert That Still Wows Today
Discover this tangy-sweet Southern classic born from hardship, perfected with bold flavors, and reinvented for the modern table Natalie...
Natalie Frank
Jul 51 min read


July 4th Fresh Berry Red, White & Blue Poke Cake: A Naturally Sweet Southern Celebration
Made with real strawberries and blueberries, this cool and creamy cake brings patriotic flavor to your summer table — without the...
Natalie Frank
Jul 32 min read


Southern Goo Goo Cluster Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Peaks and Bourbon Ganache Drizzle
An irresistible twist on a Tennessee candy classic — these over-the-top Southern cupcakes are filled with nostalgia, rich flavor, and...
Natalie Frank
Jun 292 min read


From Prison to the Spotlight: Chicago Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for 35 Years Finds Redemption Through Theatre
After decades behind bars for a crime he didn't commit, Brian Beals reclaims his future, empowers his community through healing power of...
Natalie Frank
Jun 252 min read


Reclaiming the Kudzu: The Green Invader That Ate the South — And the Guilt We Buried With It
How an invasive vine became a symbol of unchecked ambition, forgotten shame, and the tangled beauty of Southern resilience Natalie C....
Natalie Frank
Jun 252 min read
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