The Morning Mix Blog

There’s a reason Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is on TLC and not The Food Network.  On a recent episode, Mama June grossed out viewers when she whipped up one of her signature dishes- “sketti,” or spaghetti noodles topped with a sauce made with microwaved ketchup and butter.  June prides herself on feeding her family of six on a thrifty $80 a week, and with meals like “sketti,” we can see how she does it!  The episode inspired mixed reactions across the internet, with some people wrinkling their noses at the dish and others admitting they, too, grew up eating noodles with ketchup.  In fact, some people still eat it!  Unsurprisingly, it’s popular among college kids- after all, it’s cheap, easy to make after a few too many beers, and you have to be drunk to stomach it.

What do you think of “sketti?”  Have you ever eaten noodles with ketchup and butter?  Does your mom have any slightly strange signature dishes?  Do you like them, or do you secretly think they’re gross?  What’s your go-to meal after you’ve had a too much to drink?

Looks may not be everything, but they’re pretty important on Facebook.  It’s no secret that the first place most of us look when we visit someone’s Facebook profile is their photo.  A new study found that we actually judge people’s attractiveness based on the comments on their profile pics left by other users.  Experts say that when measuring someone up, we rely on other people’s opinions to help form our judgments.  The study also found that people tend to prefer profile photos that feature people in action over simple head shots.

Do you judge people’s attractiveness based on other people’s opinions/judgments?  Why or why not?  Do your friends’ comments influence your choice of Facebook profile picture?  What kind of profile pictures do you prefer?

There are moments- the terrible twos and the rebellious teenage years, for example- when some parents may regret ever having kids at all. But according to a survey, the number-one regret parents have is spending too much time at work during their kids’ early years. Rounding out the five most common parenting regrets are worrying too much about the little things, not playing with their kids more, not going on more vacations and not taking enough photos.  More than 60% of parents wished they’d done more activities with their children, and almost 20% worry their kids’ lives were affected by something they did or didn’t do.  Two thirds of parents said they would do things differently if they had the chance, and six out of ten parents with multiple children said they actually did change their ways the second time around.

What’s your biggest parenting regret?  Did you raise your second child differently from your first?  In what way?  Is there anything you wish your parents did differently when raising you?

These are literally some of the most annoying words in the English language!  You’re probably guilty of using so-called “crutch words,” a.k.a. over- and often misused terms people say to appear smarter, add emphasis or simply fill space in conversation.  Some of the most common and cringe-inducing crutch words and phrases include: Obviously, irregardless, I’m not gonna lie, per se, personally, quite frankly, totally, fascinating, with all due respect and the thing is.

What’s the most annoying crutch word/phrase?  Which one(s) do you often find yourself saying?

The Happiest Place on Earth just got a little happier!  Disney announced that they are going to start serving alcohol inside the Magic Kingdom.  Beer and wine will be added to the menu at the French-inspired Be Our Guest restaurant in Fantasyland.  Disney’s resorts and other theme parks (like Epcot) already serve booze, but until now Magic Kingdom has always been dry.  While some folks are upset about the development, it’s likely to be a welcome change for the many adults who accompany their kids to the park every day.  Wouldn’t you need a stiff drink after a day at Disney?

Do you think alcohol should be served at Disney parks?  Why or why not?  Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?  Which one?  Do you like Disney theme parks?  Do you think alcohol would enhance the experience?