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News,
Mental Health,
Southern Lifestyle & Recipes


Southern Water Pie Revival: The Depression-Era Dessert Making a Sweet Comeback
A forgotten Southern classic born from hardship, this simple water pie with a few additions, proves that resourceful cooking can still surprise modern taste buds
Natalie Frank
Aug 311 min read


Creamy Southern Pasta Salad with a Tangy Twist: A Classic Comfort with a Modern Spin
A soulful Southern side dish packed with flavor, history, and a hint of charm
Natalie Frank
Aug 211 min read


Guilt-Free Southern Vegetables: 3 Air Fryer Veggie Recipes That Keep Tradition Alive
Healthy Southern flavors without the deep fryer — crispy, savory, and perfectly seasoned Foodista [CC BY 3.0] Vegetables have been an...
Natalie Frank
Aug 151 min read


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
Aug 101 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


The Unspoken Rules of Southern Gas Station Culture: Where Gossip Flows Like Sweet Tea and Boiled Peanuts Are Sacred
Inside the small-town South’s favorite gathering place, where pit stops turn into porch sittin’, strangers aren’t really strangers, and...
Natalie Frank
Jul 111 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


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


Chicago Fire's Bold $650M Stadium Plan Aims to Transform 'The 78' into a Thriving Urban Hub
Privately funded soccer stadium set to anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, blending sports, community, and revitalization Natalie C....
Natalie Frank
Jun 41 min read


A Half-Inch from Hysteria: Surviving Southern Snow Like a Local Hero
One flake to rule them all — A hilarious deep dive into what happens when snow falls below the Mason-Dixon Line Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D ...
Natalie Frank
Jun 21 min read
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