"Struggle meals" go viral on TikTok

TOP OF MIND

The struggle is real, and currently on the dinner table!
Guess what? Prices at the grocery store went down 0.1% from July 2024 to August 2024. That's right!  0.1%!

Unfortunately, they're still up some 15% since 2021, and families across the country are still finding it difficult to manage their grocery budget.

Things are so dire that some people on TikTok are sharing "struggle meals" made from ingredients found solely at Dollar Tree. One video, which has over a million views, shows how you can make three dinners for just $5.

The important bits
The video linked above was for a single person, but even if you have a family of four, the math comes out to three dinners for under $25.

Of course, the ingredients used aren't exactly full of nutrients. The woman in the video purchased a bag of white rice, a can of soup, a can (yes a can) of tamales and a frozen egg roll.

That's not a sustainable diet, and probably not something you want to be feeding your kids every night.

But what are you supposed to do when prices are so high? You just have to get a little creative. Or a lot creative. Or possibly become a magician, but hey, we're parents! We can pull a rabbit out of a hat if called upon!

One of our favorite tips? Don't get tricked into buying fresh vegetables. Frozen veggies are just as nutritious. And if you don't believe us, maybe you'll believe professor of epidemiology, Tim Spector:

They also keep for longer and are typically much cheaper. And they're already chopped for you, which means less prep time!

What does a healthy (cheap) meal plan look like?
This mom was nice enough to share her weekly plan, and honestly, it looks delicious!

DID YOU HEAR

👻 Trick-or-treat, give me a Halloween costume for cheap!
If you're anything like us, you don't have a "DIY" bone in your body. You can't even turn a white sheet into a ghost. We're right there with you, which is why we found some awesome (and affordable) Halloween costumes. No DIY needed! For babies, this Hershey Kiss costume is pretty darn cute. Or why not dress them up as a UPS driver?

For older kids, this Paw Patrol costume is under $40! Or maybe go with the classic donut costume?

🩹 Doctor says you're treating kids' cuts and scrapes wrong
When we were kids, our parents would typically drown our cuts and scrapes with hydrogen peroxide and then slap a band-aid on them. But according to a doctor (and mom of two) on Instagram, that's not the best way to treat cuts. Hydrogen peroxide can actually strip cells needed for wound healing. Instead, the good doc recommends cleaning the cut with soap and warm water. Oh, and don't use Neosporin! Find out why here.

💤 Forever chemicals can cause sleep troubles in young adults
According to new research, forever chemicals are even worse than we thought. The team at USC discovered that "individuals who had heightened levels of four specific types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood experienced worse sleep," which led to more dangerous health conditions. Some PFAS are impossible to avoid, but there are ways you can minimize your family's exposure. 

🐾 This school is using PAW Patrol to teach kids democracy
Which PAW Patrol pup is the best? According to a group of preschoolers, the two finalists are Chase and Skye. They voted by scrawling their names in crayon beneath pictures of the characters, and teachers are using the vote to teach the kids about the democratic process.

🧑‍🏫 Teachers call out parents
You probably don't want to hear what they have to say... ouch!

A DOSE OF GOOD

@brianschwartz53

When October 1st hits 🎃 . #fyp #funny #baby #halloween #dance . To use this video in a commercial player or in broadcasts, please contac... See more

BITES WITH KIYAH

Nothing says "It's October!" like Halloween-themed snacks. Although I am unlikely to get anywhere near as creative as some of these (TBH: my most creative is sticking a little piece of celery in the top of a peeled clementine), it doesn't stop me from pinning allllllllll the ideas.

Here they are, for your viewing - or making! - pleasure.

Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition. Follow her on IG and YT.

HERE’S A QUESTION

According to new federal data, U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates continue to go down. They estimate an additional 80,000 kids did not get vaccinated against diseases like whooping cough and measles this past year.

Last week, we asked you on average how often you "hate" your partner, and there was a tie for first between "weekly" and "once or twice a year," but overall it was close across the board.

RECALLS

Is Boar's Head deli meat safe to eat again? Well, the company says yes, but can we actually trust them? It's complicated.

After all, they're responsible for the largest listeria outbreak since 2011. As of late September, 59 people have been hospitalized across 19 states after eating the contaminated deli meat. Multiple people have filed lawsuits and an official investigation is still ongoing.

Still, the company claims all products you see on shelves today are 100% safe. They also announced they are permanently closing the plant responsible for the outbreak.

More info here.