Coffee Talk Archives

Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, March 1

March 1, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Believe it or not … It’s March 1st.
  • World Compliment Day
There’s a reason some people are addicted to social media. A new study found that social media users are driven by “likes” — the same way lab rats are driven by food rewards. It’s basically “reward learning.” Getting a like gives you that reward high — so you crave more.
Are you a double screener? Do you watch TV while also looking at your phone/tablet/laptop? You are definitely not alone. 90% of people in a recent survey said they watch TV while also concentrating on another screen. 25% of those say they text people about what they’re watching. (SWNS)
Speaking of watching TV … ACT II microwave popcorn is releasing a new flavor … mac & cheese popcorn. While some Instagram users have posted pics of the popcorn, there’s still no word on when it will be released. (Delish)
Do you like to work out alone or with other people? Seems the pandemic has led a lot of people to appreciate working out alone. A new survey found that 42% of respondents say they prefer exercising alone. The main reason: You can work out on your own time schedule – where you want and when you want. 33% said working out alone allowed them to focus more on what they were doing, and 37% said they liked to be alone with their thoughts when they worked out. And 20% said they liked working out alone because they don’t feel judged. (SWNS)
Remember the Windows XP default desktop wallpaper, that green hill with the sunny blue skies? The editor of the San Francisco Gate decided to find the actual location in the photo. Turns out it’s across the street from an alpaca farm in Sonoma, California. Photographer Charles O’Rear took the now-legendary shot he called “Bliss” in 1996. Microsoft found it and paid him for the rights, but apparently that didn’t buy loyalty. O’Rear says he’s now hooked on Apple. Ouch.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Friday, February 26

February 26, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Carpe Diem Day
  • National Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Are you a night owl? It could be affecting your work. A study from Finland found that night owls are more likely to struggle during work hours and actually are twice as likely to perform poorly at work than their early bird counterparts. Why? Because they’re tired!
What sounds have you missed since the pandemic began? A new survey found that among the sounds we miss most are live music (38%), a movie playing in surround sound in a theater (35%) and fans cheering at a sporting event (28%). Another sound people miss? Conversation. In fact, 62% of people respondents said social distancing has put a big dent in “the art of the conversation.” (SWNS)
Can’t go on vacation? Bud Light Seltzer wants to fix that … with their “Out of the Office” variety pack. You may not be able to travel right now, but Bud Light wants you to act like you’re on vacation with their new hard seltzer flavors — Watermelon Mojito, Classic Margarita, Mango Mai Tai, and Strawberry Daiquiri. The “Out of Office” packs will be available on March 1. (Delish)
A scientist at Stanford University has a new theory why Zoom calls feel so EXHAUSTING.  Basically, it’s because they’re too intimate, so they’re triggering the parts of our brain that make us want to either FIGHT or MATE.  And that’s stressful.
“On Zoom, behavior ordinarily reserved for close relationships, such as long stretches of direct eye gaze and faces seen close up, has suddenly become the way we interact with casual acquaintances, coworkers, and even strangers.”
The study suggests a few easy fixes like not using full-screen mode, or occasionally turning off your camera. Even getting up and walking around a bit helps.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, February 25

February 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Toast Day
  • National Chili Day
  • National Clam Chowder Day
  • National Chocolate Covered Nut Day
Seems quarantining has changed our bathroom boundaries … With couples spending so much time at home together, bathroom boundaries have pretty much been … well … flushed. A new OnePoll survey found that the average American couple has six conversations a month … while one of them is on the toilet.
Creamy or crunchy peanut butter? Seems crunchy peanut butter lovers are more optimistic than their creamy peanut butter counterparts. A survey commissioned by Jif found that 63% of those who prefer crunchy peanut butter describe themselves as optimists, compared to 56% of those who prefer creamy peanut butter. Crunchy peanut butter fans are also more extroverted and more likely to be night owls. Creamy peanut butter fans tended to be early birds and more introverted. (SWNS)
There are plenty of great stories about bad tattoos … but this one may take the cake. A TikToker asked people to share their stories of their unfortunate tattoos, when a user responded, “I win.” And she pretty much did. “I got this tattoo,” she said in her video. “I’d wanted it for a couple of years. [The saying] basically means like, be true to yourself and real, and not pretending to be something you’re not.” Sounds pretty normal, right? Well, the message wasn’t the problem, the timing was. She got the tattoo on March 4, 2020. The saying she got inked on her forearm says, “Courageously and radically refuse to wear a mask.” She said she’s been wearing long-sleeve shirts all year to hide it. (In the Know)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, February 24

February 24, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
National Tortilla Chip Day: A good day for some chips and salsa.
You hear a lot about all the comfort foods that people have been reaching for over the last year, but it seems just as many people are reaching for healthy stuff  — particularly vegetables. 70% of people in a new survey say they have been eating healthier than ever — and 39% said their stay-at-home time has led to them eating more veggies. 68% said they have been using veggies more in their cooking and in more innovative ways. (SWNS)
Speaking of healthy eating … Move over paleo and vegan diets, there’s a new diet in town … and it’s a combination of both of those popular diets. It’s called the “pe-gan” diet. Created by physician and nutrition author Dr. Mark Hyman, the diet is basically 75% plant-based – with some animal products allowed … like grass-fed meat and butter, organic eggs, and wild-caught fish. (Insider)
We’ve all had that moment when we’re driving and the CHECK ENGINE light comes on.  And then we’ve all ALSO had that moment where we just ignore it, figure it will go away on its own, and keep on driving.
According to a new survey, people will drive around for an average of nine days with the check engine light on before they actually take their car in to the shop.
The survey also found almost half of Americans have been late to an event or missed it completely because of their car breaking down.
The most common things we’ve missed are birthday parties and hanging out with friends.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Tuesday, February 23

February 23, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Play Tennis Day
  • Banana Bread Day
If you could stay one age for the rest of your life, what age would it be? Seems for a majority of people, the perfect age is … 36. A survey found that only 40% of those polled would want to be stuck in their 20s forever. For most, mid 30s is the sweet spot. (SWNS)
Do you have good sense of humor? Good news – you’ll probably live longer. A study from Norway found that people with a healthy sense of humor – those who like to make others laugh and can laugh at themselves — live an average of eight years longer than their grumpy peers. And researchers out of Stanford believe that during difficult times laughter is a great tool for maintaining both mental and physical health. (Travel & Leisure)
Telehealth has become the new normal for doctor’s visits because of COVID, but it turns out Americans really like seeing their doctors remotely — and look forward to doing it even after it’s safe to resume our normal lives. According to a recent survey by Kaiser Permanente, 98% of respondents have used telehealth in some form over the past year and 85% would prefer telehealth for their next doctor’s appointment — pandemic or not. (Daily Motion)
In a wonderful sign that life is returning to somewhat normal, The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff was approved by the St. Joseph City Commission last night to happen, with some safety restrictions, in July of this year on Lake Bluff Park. And, Six Flags says it’ll open all of its 26 amusement parks for the 2021 season. There’ll be capacity limits and reservations required along with face masks. Six Flags is working on exact dates it’ll reopen. In the meantime, the company is looking to hire thousands for the season.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, February 22

February 22, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Margarita Day
  • Walking the Dog Day
  • World Yoga Day
  • Be Humble Day
Everyone is anxious to get vaccinated, and with so many people who are eligible struggling to just get an appointment, seeing celebs post selfies celebrating getting their vaccines when healthcare workers and the elderly are still waiting is a bit infuriating. Most recently, Amanda Kloots posted a selfie to social media celebrating getting a vaccine and was promptly shamed by fans and followers for what they assumed was her skipping the line.
Quick refresher … Kloots’ husband,  Broadway actor Nick Cordero, died last summer after a long battle with COVID and she has been an advocate for not only getting the vaccine, but also following CDC- mandated guidelines. After the backlash she asked the public not to vaccine shame her on such a happy occasion and further explained that she went to the vaccine distribution center to just “see” if they had any extra vaccines after everyone scheduled got one, and she lucked out. (Page Six)
You know how people are being hyper-critical of their looks, because of all the time spend looking at themselves on Zoom meetings? Well, there’s a name for it. Yep, this obsession with perceived flaws has been dubbed “Zoom dysmorphia.” (Real Simple)
Is marriage success in your DNA? A new study from the University of Arkansas found that the key to a happy marriage may, in fact, be determined by your genes. Specifically, there is a gene variation – one that relates to traits such as bonding and gratitude — that may affect how successful your relationship is. So … it’s not your fault … it’s your DNA!
Is your to-do list so big you don’t know where to start? Try the two-minute rule. If you have something you need to do that will only take two minutes, do it first. Then go on to the things that might take 5 minutes. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll tick those to-do items off your list. (Medium)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Friday, February 12

February 12, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year
  • This year we are saying goodbye to the Year of the Rat (go figure) and welcoming in the Year of the Ox. According to USA Today, feng shui principles dictate that the Ox represents the most hard-working of the zodiac and signifies a year of movement and change. Let’s hope that means life will get moving again too!
We’ve been spending most of our time with just the people we live with – and Valentine’s Day won’t be any different. A new survey by dating app Plenty of Fish found that 65% of respondents said they would be spending Valentine’s Day with their “quaran-team” at home. And 70% said they felt less pressure around Valentine’s Day than they had in years past. Even so, people are optimistic about finding love in the new year, with 57% of the singles surveyed saying they were optimistic about finding “The One” in 2021. And this is interesting: 57% also said they are now more open to dating people they wouldn’t have before. And it looks like the pandemic has brought out the romantic sides of people. 58% of those surveyed said romantic gestures are more important to them now than they were before COVID. And it may gave made them nicer, too. 39% of the people surveyed said they think ghosting will become a thing of the past once the pandemic ends. (SWNS)
Do you buy gifts for your pets for Valentine’s Day? If you do, you’re not alone. Last year, roughly 28 million dog-owning households gave their pup a Valentine’s Day Gift and 17 million got gifts for their cats. Americans spend an estimated $751.3 million on gifts for their pets on Valentine’s Day. (Good Housekeeping)
Speaking of pets … Can you tell what your pet is thinking? Seems a lot of people think so. A recent survey found that 76% of the pet owners polled said they can always tell what their pet is thinking by the look on his or her face. 80% of respondents believe their pet has a “very distinct personality.” And 55% say they share similar personality traits with their pet – which probably explains why 64% described their pet as smart. (SWNS)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, February 11

February 11, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day: A day to remember that life is short – so we shouldn’t sweat the small stuff.
  • National Make a Friend Day
  • Satisfied Staying Single Day
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, here’s a good question: Do you believe in soulmates? Seems romance is still alive and well, because according to a new YouGov poll, 60% of the more than 15,000 Americans surveyed said they believe in soulmates. Just 23% said they don’t believe in the concept, and 18% were unsure. Women were more likely than men to believe in soulmates – 64% vs. 55%.
Would you refuse to date someone because of their zodiac sign? Seems there is a particular sign that most people stay away from. Can you guess which one? We’re looking at you, Geminis. A survey asked respondents to think about the relationships they’ve had, and to name a sign they would never date again. 46% picked Gemini. Cancer was the second “least date-able” sign with 37% choosing it, followed by Taurus (36%), Aries (34%) and Leo (31%). (SWNS)
What is the length of your relationship in dog years? If you feel like the pandemic has “aged” your relationship, you’re not alone. In fact, Groupon teamed up with a Cambridge mathematician to develop a formula to come up with the “dog years” equivalent of what a year together during the pandemic is in relationship years. Seems a year together in the pandemic is about four relationship years. (SWNS)
There’s an asteroid out there that’s supposedly the size of the Golden Gate Bridge that’s on course to zip past us around March 21st. It’s somewhere between half-a-mile and a full mile in diameter — and it’s traveling at a speed of 21 miles per second. This thing is big enough and will be close enough for NASA to classify it as “potentially hazardous.” But don’t worry. Scientists say that we shouldn’t panic because it will be 1.25 million miles away when it flies by.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, February 10

February 10, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Umbrella Day
Does virtual “love at first sight” exist? Apparently so. A new survey found that 47% of respondents believe it is possible to find “love at first sight” in a remote dating world. The survey also found that one-third of those polled said they had said “I love you” to someone they had only met online. (SWNS)
Beware Valentine’s Day scams … Yep, even the day of love comes with problems. Valentine’s Day is a great time for singles to mingle, but if you’re planning to spend the night chatting with potential matches on dating apps, experts at the Better Business Bureau, say be on your guard. Valentine’s Day is also a popular time for scammers to try and steal personal information from unsuspecting singles. Your best defense is a good offense — so always reverse image search photos of potential matches to make sure you’re speaking with your actual match, and be very cautious if you take your conversation private and your potential love interest starts asking for incredibly private information or they attempt to jump from getting to know you to madly in love in the blink of an eye. If you suspect catfishing, stop all communication and be sure to flag the account with the dating site. (ABC-11)
An auction house in Culver City, California, is selling a bunch of tools used by spies from back in the 1940s and ’50s that used to be on display at the KGB Espionage Museum in New York City.
Lots of these gadgets feature hidden miniature cameras and microphones. There are belts, packs of cigarettes, wallets and ashtrays — and even dinner plates.
To be clear, these aren’t props from movies. They’re real tools used by real spies back in the day. (The Wall Street Journal)
CBS says 96.4 million people watched the Super Bowl. It was the lowest rated Super Bowl in the last 10 years. 101.3 million people watched last year’s Big Game. The most watched Super Bowl of all time was in 2015 when New England played Seattle. 114.4 million people watched that game. Still, when’s the last 96 million of us did the same thing together in unison?

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Tuesday, February 9

February 9, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS: National Pizza Day
OK, time for some honesty … Is Valentine’s Day a “real” holiday? According to a new YouGov poll, the majority of respondents said it wasn’t. 57% of the more than 21,000 adults surveyed said Valentine’s Day was a holiday people wouldn’t celebrate it if it wasn’t pushed by “commercial entities.” Only 28%  said Valentine’s Day was a “real” special occasion. But, hey, get this … Guys are slightly more romantic than women — with 30% saying they think Valentine’s Day is a “real” special occasion – compared to 25% of women. The genders were pretty evenly split in thinking Valentine’s Day was a commercial holiday – with 56% of men and 58% of women agreeing. But even though we know that Valentine’s Day is a day to get people to spend money on flowers, cards, chocolates and more … 57% of respondents overall also said they had a positive opinion on Valentine’s Day. That one broke down to 61% of women feeling positive about the day and 53% of men.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day … Jilted lovers who find themselves suddenly single heading into Valentine’s Day can make themselves feel a little better … by having a shelter cat poop on their ex. For a $10 donation, The Lexington Humane Society in Kentucky will write your ex’s name inside a litter box and then wait for a kitty to come along and literally do to your ex, what your ex figuratively did to your heart. A post on the shelter’s Facebook page reads, “Our adoptable kitties have your back and will dump all over your ex. Cats can be spiteful creatures, and trust us, they are more than happy to take a #2 on your former #1.” The “Dumps for the Dumped” promotion ends Friday.
What’s your go-to drink on a first date – and does it matter? Apparently, it does. A survey found that 79% of respondents said a person’s choice of alcoholic beverage is important on a first date. And what is the most romantic beverage? 41% said red wine, followed by champagne (38%) and white wine (37%). The least romantic drinks? Vodka and soda and gin and tonic – which got just 14% of the vote. (SWNS)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, February 8

February 8, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
National Football Hangover Day…for obvious reasons.
Going Dutch on the first date is the new norm … A new survey found that 56% of singles think the bill should always be split on the first date. Even those planning to pay for the date have expectations … 68% said they expect their date to at least offer to pay half. (SWNS)
Tip of the day: Don’t put Gorilla Glue or Liquid Nails or any other adhesive on your hair … TikTok might be a treasure trove of awesome beauty tips and styling tricks, but not every person offering advice actually knows what they’re talking about. Case in point, #gorillagluegirl. Chances are you’ve seen the viral video featuring a young woman who ran out of hairspray and decided to use gorilla glue spray adhesive on her head instead. Yeah, she actually did that. Not only did it glue her hair to her head like a Ken doll, but it resulted in a trip to the emergency room. Gorilla Glue even reached out to offer suggestions, but the outlook was grim because apparently her hair had been glued to her head for a month – so treatments like rubbing alcohol combined with shampooing with warm water no longer worked. According to the brand, it’s likely she actually glued her now broken hair to her scalp! Sadly, the hospital sent her home with suggestions for removal, and the latest YouTube video had her and a friend attempting — through much pain — to try to remove the glue. We are all waiting anxiously for updates and hoping for the best, but PSA: Don’t use Gorilla Glue or any adhesive on your hair … ever. (Health)
Forget flowers this Valentine’s Day … You can now get your sweetie a Maine Lobster tail bouquet. Really … what’s more romantic than a lobster dinner? And now you can get a bouquet of them delivered to your door. Each bouquet kit comes with four 5- to 6-ounce lobster tails straight from Maine waters. And the best part? It helps support local lobster men and women. Click here for all the details. (Eating Well)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, February 4

February 4, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
Thank a Letter Carrier Day
Sweater Day
Homemade Soup Day
According to voters on ranker.com, these are the Top10 kinds of soup:
  1. Chicken noodle soup
  2. Chicken dumpling soup
  3. Beef stew
  4. French onion soup
  5. Tomato soup
  6. Cream of potato
  7. Chili con carne
  8. Clam chowder
  9. Ramen
  10. Wonton soup
Speaking of food … Seems because we’ve all been cooking at home more – and have more leftovers – we also have more food in the fridge that has gone bad … food that we’ve basically forgotten about. A new OnePoll survey found that the average American has at least five things in the fridge that have gone bad. And according to the poll, the average person thinks it will take about five weeks before their find the foulest food in their fridge.
Take your job on the road … Perhaps with the new digital nomad worker in mind, Airstream has introduced the Flying Cloud trailer. The new RV features a built-in office so you can work while exploring the country or simply park and have a different office view every day. The new model starts at around $107,000, but when you consider it’s basically a house on wheels, it’s really not such a bad deal. Too bad WiFi isn’t included, although apparently they do offer plans through AT&T starting at $25 per month. (Car & Driver)
How do you feel about couples posting Public Displays of Affection on social media? You may hate it, but a new survey found that 46% of people in relationships said they want their significant other to post more “online PDA.” But get this … 51% of the same survey respondents also said that they judged people negatively if they posted too much couple content. So … kinda like with selfies, people like their own PDA on social media, but not so much when it comes to other people. (SWNS)
And, it looks like the Groundhog was right. It appears that every single state in the US is gonna see below freezing temperatures over the next week. Even Hawaii – which doesn’t happen a lot. Next Monday’s gonna be especially cold. Locally, because of the frigid temps that swoop in to the area starting today, we’ll be susceptible to lake effect snow potential of several inches per day starting today over the next week. Forecasters are blaming something called a polar vortex, which is just a fancy way of saying…winter.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, February 3

February 3, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
Girls and Women in Sports Day: It’s been a good year for women in sports, and the Super Bowl is another example of women making sports history. On Sunday, for Super Bowl 55, Sarah Thomas will be the first woman ever to officiate a Super Bowl game. (NY Post)
Golden Retriever Day: Goldens are consistently named among the most popular dog breeds in America, and 2020 was no exception. According to the American Kennel Club, Golden Retrievers were the number three most popular dog breed in America. (Newsweek)
Here are the Top 5:
  1. Labrador retriever
  2. German shepherd
  3. Golden retriever
  4. French bulldog
  5. Bulldog
Do you ever force yourself to stay up, even if you’re tired, because you feel like you didn’t have enough time to yourself during the day? You know … you’re tired and need to get up early in the morning, but you just keep stubbornly scrolling on your phone. Well, get this – there’s a name for that. Psychologists call it “revenge bedtime procrastination.” Saman Haider, who is a pre-med psychology student at the University of Iowa, stumbled upon the phrase one night while she was doing that very thing and made a TikTok video to share the info and see if other people could relate. The video has been viewed 13.6 million times … and, yes, LOTS of people could relate. (Glamour)
A new YouGov poll found that 48% of women say they’ve been disappointed by a romantic partner who didn’t do enough for Valentine’s Day. Only 23% of men felt the same way. Women between the ages of 35 and 54 were the most likely to say that they’d been let down on Valentine’s Day, with 57% saying they’d been disappointed.
Are you more forgiving of your pet than your partner? You’re not alone. Seems when it comes to bad behavior, we let our pets get away with things – because they’re so darn cute. A survey found that 70% say they look the other way when their pet does something wrong and 71% admit they are more lenient with their pets than their partners. (SWNS)
Some people reach for coffee in the morning – others prefer their caffeine in soda form. Well, now you can have both. Coca-Cola is launching Coke with Coffee. And there are different flavors to choose from: Dark Blend, Caramel, and Vanilla. (Food Beast)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Tuesday, February 2

February 2, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
Groundhog Day. That’s right, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he doesn’t see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
BFFs over BFs … A new survey by OnePoll has found that 56% of respondents – all women – said they would rather be stuck in quarantine with their best friend than with their romantic partner. And 60% of Millennial women said when it comes to being stuck at home, it’s sisters over misters.
Remember when you first got your driver’s license? You thought you were a pretty awesome driver back then, didn’t you? Well, a new survey found that 53% of respondents said they would be afraid to get in a car with their 16-year-old selves driving. (SWNS)
PR Newswire says the Mighty Swell spiked seltzer brand has started a change.org petition to make the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday. Their petition reads: ” A Sunday spent prepping, cooking, grilling, yelling, cheering, eating, drinking, texting AND then the boss expects you to show up to work on Monday? Oof, that makes us tired just typing it out. It doesn’t seem right, even if you’re working remotely, and we’ve got a mighty swell idea to give football fans a day to chill after the big game. According to a fan survey, 100 million Americans tuned in to watch the game in 2020 and of those one in five planned to take the following Monday off. It’s high time we acknowledge this unofficial holiday. That’s why we’re starting a ground-SWELL of support to give millions of fans a day to chill after Sunday’s festivities. We at Mighty Swell Spiked Seltzer are throwing a flag on this absurd expectation to work after such a momentous night.
A survey by the Workforce Institute reveals that 40% of people believe ‘Super Bowl Monday’ should be a national holiday. 20% of people plan to take next Monday off.
The NY Post says pranksters recently changed the Hollywood sign to read “Hollyboob”. Park Rangers quickly took down the extra B’s. Six people were arrested and are now facing trespassing charges. The prank was actually for a good cause, though. It was done to raise awareness of breast cancer.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Friday, January 29

January 29, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Puzzle Day
  • Curmudgeons Day
  • Corn Chip Day
A good day to do a puzzle, have some chips, maybe yell at someone to get off your lawn …
Does a sink full of dishes make you anxious? A new survey of Millennial moms found that 51% of respondents said they can’t enjoy a meal if dirty dishes are looming over them. 80% said they feel calmer when the dishes are done immediately, and 67% said they can’t go to sleep unless their kitchen is clean. Why all the stress over dirty dishes? Maybe this is why: 72% of the Millennial moms polled said their kitchens have become a lot messier since the pandemic started and 69% said their sink is full of dirty dishes more often than not.
The ketchup on a hot dog debate continues … Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White told Drew Barrymore during a recent interview on her talk show that she’s only had one disagreement with host Pat Sajak over the 38 years they’ve worked together. Believe it or not, it was about putting ketchup on a hot dog. Apparently, Vanna prefers ketchup on her dogs and Pat thinks it’s mustard or the highway!  (People)
FYI … according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, putting ketchup on a hot dog after the age of 18 is a don’t.
Does your pet have a favorite song? They say music soothes the savage beast, but what about your average house cat? A recent viral video featuring a cat named Jesse shows the cat sticking his tongue out, bobbing to U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Owner Gary Adams claims his 9-year-old black Persian only sticks his tongue out when this particular song plays — and he’ll stay in that exact position for hours after hearing it. (Metro)
Think those nasal swab COVID tests are uncomfortable?… In China, the alternative may be way worse. They’ve started using anal swabs, and already they’ve become China’s ‘number 2’ method for COVID testing (PUN INTENDED!). They say the virus lingers longer ‘down there’ and gives more accurate results.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, January 28

January 28, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • International Lego Day
  • Blueberry Pancake Day
  • Kazoo Day
A good day you have some pancakes, build something with Legos, and play a Kazoo.
Some products just don’t need a version of the brand in honor of a special occasion. Case in point: Kraft is turning your favorite blue box of Macaroni & Cheese pink for Valentine’s Day, with special Candy Kraft Macaroni & Cheese kits. Not the box (though that could be pink, too) … but the actual noodles and sauce. Yep, there’s a “candy” pack in the box that not only turns the noodles bright pink, but also adds a sweet candy flavor to the decadent dish. Yum? Well, at least they’re free … If this sounds tempting to you, click on CandyKraftMacAndCheese.com from now till February 8th and sign up to get your limited-edition box by Valentine’s Day. (Thrillist)
If you could have 2020 erased from your memory, would you do it? How much would you pay to have 2020 completely wiped from your brain? According to a new OnePoll survey, the average American would pay $2,000 to have any memory of last year deleted. (SWNS)
Soldiers, let your hair down … The U.S. Army is approving some new rule changes that will allow female soldiers to let their hair down. Leaders have agreed to loosen hairstyle and grooming restrictions and will allow female soldiers to have ponytails, braids, twists, and other styles. Highlights and dyes will also be allowed, as will earrings and nail polish. The changes, which will go into effect at the end of February, address the complaints of many female soldiers. The Army’s top enlisted leader, Sergeant Major Michael Grinston, says, “This is about an Army standard and how we move forward with the Army, and being a more diverse, inclusive team.” (Fox News)
Do you know what IYKYK means? It’s hard to keep up with the ever-changing texting lingo, but this acronym is a TikTok fav – so much so, that the #iykyk hashtag on TikTok currently has 3.4 billion views. So what does it mean? IYKYK stands for: If you know, you know. It’s used to refer to inside jokes and other inside info that, well, “if you know, you know.” (In the Know)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, January 27

January 27, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
Chocolate Cake Day
The accolades and opportunities keep pouring in for young poet Amanda Gorman, who wowed audiences worldwide with her moving poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Her poetry books are topping best sellers lists, she has more books soon to be published, including her first children’s book … and it has just been announced that the very talented Harvard grad has been signed by IMG Models, home to Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Gisele Bundchen, Hailey Bieber and more. (People)
Have you gone meat-free? Did you do it for yourself – or did you do it for someone else? If you cut back on meat because of your partner, you are not alone. A survey found that 57% of respondents who cut back on meat said they did it because their partner wanted them to. And 70% of those confessed they would not have done it if their significant other hadn’t encouraged them to. (SWNS)
Would you name your baby after a character in a horror movie? Apologies to anyone named Chucky, Carrie, or Freddy, but being named after a horror movie character — on purpose, anyway — seems a little creepy, no? Fans of 1,000 Pound Sisters are well aware that Amy Slaton is expecting her first baby, and TLC has confirmed that the reality show star, who publicly shares her weight struggles, is expecting a baby boy. It’s great news for the happy couple, but fans are reeling after Amy discussed their top pick for the baby’s name — Gage. Sounds adorable until you hear why they chose it. It’s the little boy’s name in Pet Sematary, the Stephen King novel and horror movie. Amy explains the choice by saying she and her husband, Michael, “both love horror movies.” (Soap Dirt)
Why are so many people eating oranges in the shower? Ask anyone under 22 and they’ve probably done it. The weird internet craze was born on Reddit – where a lot of dumb things come from – as a ‘feel-good’ way to get your daily serving of fruit. Some people think the hot steam intensifies the smell of the orange, but bottom line: you just don’t get as sticky eating it in the shower.

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Tuesday, January 26

January 26, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
National Spouses Day: A day to show appreciation for your spouse.
Trending on TikTok … People are sharing the foods they prefer to eat at temperatures they’re not typically eaten at. One woman’s video, in particular, showing her cold pizza preference, has people talking. Now, when we say cold, we don’t mean regular out-of-the-fridge cold. This woman eats FROZEN pizza without cooking it. “It’s weird, it’s disgusting […] and I love it,” she said. “Why waste time cooking it? It goes to the same place!” At least she knows it’s a strange habit. “Feel free to roast me in the comments,” she said. “I probably deserve it.”
Putting down the phone … In a recent Instagram post, actress Eva Mendez announced that she was taking a break from social media. Seems she made the decision after her daughter told her she was on her phone too much. Mendez said she wanted to focus on being present for her two daughters, Esmeralda, 6, and Amada, 4. (Best Life)
Are you obsessed with the Netflix show Bridgerton? Do you and your S.O.’s names also happen to be Simon and Daphne? If you’re planning a wedding before the premiere of Season 2 of the popular Netflix series, you’re in luck. Hotels.com just announced on Twitter that they would be having a Bridgerton-themed honeymoon sweepstakes. The first lucky couple named Simon and Daphne to get married before season 2 premieres — and can prove it on Twitter — will win a $15,000 honeymoon. If your wedding is coming up, this might be worth changing your names … and if you are already a couple named Simon and Daphne, wedding bells should seriously be in your near future! (Daily Motion)
Sex and the City made the Cosmopolitan martini famous … but according to Sara Jessica Parker, while she was starring as Carrie Bradshaw in the series, she wasn’t a fan of the cocktail … that is, until AFTER the show. She revealed on Grub Street Diary: “To be honest, I really do love a Cosmopolitan. I don’t know how to make them well, but I genuinely love them. Strangely enough, it didn’t happen until long after I stopped shooting the show and the movies,” she said. “I would be served them at restaurants, or people sent them over, and I was always very grateful. But I didn’t really drink the cocktail until after we finished the show. I went to some place and had an exquisite one and then it started.” (Delish)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, January 25

January 25, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Opposite Day: A day to say the opposite of what you really mean. What could possibly go wrong?
  • Irish Coffee Day: A good day to spike your coffee.
Vaccines are sexy … According to a spokesperson for dating app OK Cupid, users who say they’ve gotten the vaccine are getting double the likes of those who say they don’t want to get the vaccine. “Basically, getting the vaccine is the hottest thing you could be doing on a dating app right now,” said OK Cupid’s Michael Kaye. (NY Times)
Why give a regular Valentine’s Day card when you can send a boozy one? Yep, you can now give your Valentine a card with a shot-size bottle of booze inside. The cards are sold by NIPYATA! There are several different Valentine’s Day cards to choose from, as well as five different liquor options: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Casamigos Reposado Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, and Johnnie Walker Black Scotch. The cards are $19.99 each. (Delish)
Are you focused on yourself during work video calls? You’re not alone. A YouGov poll found that 25% of people on Zoom calls are looking at themselves instead of their co-workers. Broken down by gender, 32% of women say they are focused on their faces rather than the faces of their colleagues during work video calls, while 19% of men admit to doing the same.
Speaking of work … Move your office … to the beach. Aruba is one of the Caribbean islands trying to attract remote workers, and the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel in Aruba is making things even more enticing by setting up outdoor workstations so you can have your toes in the sand during your workday. Where do we sign up? (Business Insider)
Speaking of sweet jobs … If you’re looking for a sweet side hustle, Canadian online candy retailer Candy Funhouse is hiring full-time and part-time remote “candyologists” to test and review the thousands of chocolates and candies the company carries. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. And according to their job application, you’ll get paid $30 an hour to do it. Apply here by February 15th. (ABC-7 NY)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Friday, January 22

January 22, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • National Hot Sauce Day: A good day to spice things up.
     
Can you guess the booziest city in the country? If you said Reno, you would be right. The Biggest Little City was number one on Men’s Health’s list of 100 Booziest Cities in the U.S. The editors analyzed a number of factors, from percentage of excessive drinking reports, to DUI-related fatalities, to percentage of underage drinking.
Here are the Top 10:
  1. Reno, Nevada
  2. Denver, Colorado
  3. Billings, Montana
  4. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  5. Fargo, North Dakota
  6. Madison, Wisconsin
  7. Portland, Maine
  8. Toledo, Ohio
  9. Washington, D.C.
  10. Charleston, South Carolina
Speaking of booze … You might not be traveling right now … but you can get onboard with the American Airlines Wine Club. Yep, the airline is offering its in-flight wines to consumers, via a wine club. “Each year, a dedicated team of wine experts carefully reviews nearly 2,000 bottles to select those that will join the award-winning American Airlines wine program,” an AA statement says. “For the first time ever, travel and wine enthusiasts can enjoy these premium wines by having them delivered straight to their door with American’s new Flagship Cellars at-home wine experience.” You’ll get three bottles a month – that you can choose or have a sommelier choose for you – for $100. (Food & Wine)
This is a question for all of you working from home. Are you happy being at home – or are you missing the office? According to a new YouGov poll, home is where the heart – and home office – is. A whopping 80% of respondents said they enjoyed working from home, and 86% who are working from home who weren’t before the pandemic said they would like to keep working from home … at least some, or most, of the time. Only 5% of those surveyed said they want to be back in a physical workplace full-time after the pandemic.
Speaking of working from home … Apparently there is now a wristband that lets your boss know how you’re feeling. No joke. The bracelet, called a Moodbeam, is designed to allow remote workers to let their bosses know their emotional state. The wristband, which links to an app on your phone, has two buttons, one yellow and one blue. Apparently, you press the yellow one if you’re happy, and the blue one if you’re sad. Yeah, no … (BBC)
With online dating pretty much the norm these, there isn’t much talk of people being “set up” on blind dates anymore. But it still happens … and even at our highest levels of government. According to a 2020 survey by DatingAdvice.com, 43% of Americans said they’ve been on at least one blind date — and that includes President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris. (Insider)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Thursday, January 21

January 21, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
National Hugging Day: A good day to hug it out … with someone in your pandemic pod, of course.
This is really cute … Apparently when Mindy Kaling‘s three-year-old daughter, Katherine, saw Kamala Harris being sworn in as Vice President, she asked, “Is that Mommy?” Kaling posted about the cute moment on Instagram, writing, “I was at work, but apparently she said: ‘Is that Mommy? It looks like Mommy.’ Best compliment I ever got! It matters. Happy Inauguration, everyone.” (Pop Sugar)
As they enter the White House, the Bidens are bringing along their two German Shepherds, Champ and Major. Not only do “first dogs” Champ and Major mark a return of pups to the White House, but they are entering the White House as stars in their own right, as subjects of a new children’s book called Champ and Major: First Dogs by Joy McCullough. In addition, Major has made history by becoming the first shelter dog in the White House. (People)
Super Bowl 55 is still more than two weeks away but is already making history. The teams haven’t been decided yet, but the officiating crew has been announced and it includes Sarah Thomas, the first female official in NFL history. On February 7th, she will become the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. The NFL issued a statement saying, “Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official. Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honor.” (NBC Sports)
Well, it turns out money actually does buy happiness … According to Matthew Killingsworth, a researcher from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, the more money you make, the happier you are. The reason? Having money gives you more freedom and more choices. “When you have more money, you have more choices about how to live your life,” says Killingsworth. “You can likely see this in the pandemic. People living paycheck to paycheck who lose their job might need to take the first available job to stay afloat, even if it’s one they dislike. People with a financial cushion can wait for one that’s a better fit. Across decisions big and small, having more money gives a person more choices and a greater sense of autonomy.”

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Wednesday, July 20

January 20, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
TODAY IS:
  • Inauguration Day
  • National DJ Day
  • National Cheese Lovers Day (The favorite cheese of Michiganders? Swiss cheese)
For the first time ever, a vegan restaurant has been awarded the coveted Michelin Star rating. ONA, located near the Bordeaux region in France, doesn’t just avoid meat based foods in their cuisine. According to the New York Times they forego all animal products completely including leather and wool textiles in their seating and décor.
And speaking of Vegan … How do you feel about meat grown in a lab? With more people going vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian, and others cutting back on meat consumption due to health reasons or concerns about the treatment of animals, there’s a new choice – meat grown in a lab. Researchers from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, say they’ve developed a new form of lab-grown meat that tastes better and has a better texture than other types of “alternative meat.” According to the researchers, the meat can even be “tuned” to have whatever fat content or marbling you like. “We are creating slabs of meat,” said researcher Ravi Selvaganapathy. “Consumers will be able to buy meat with whatever percentage of fat they like — just like they do with milk.” He says, “It felt and tasted just like meat.” (EurekAlert)
Now you’ve got a good reason to turn off the camera during your video chats … According to a new study from MIT, Yale, and Purdue University, those video calls are bad for the environment. According to researchers, just one hour in a video conference or streaming shows in high-definition emits between 150 and 1,000 grams of carbon dioxide and requires two to 12 liters of water. However, leaving your camera off during calls will reduce your carbon footprint by 96%. And streaming in standard definition rather than HD could bring an 86% reduction, according to researchers.
Celebs are struggling with their weight during quarantine too. Singer Ciara, who is married to NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and recently gave birth to her third child during the pandemic, has joined Weight Watchers as an ambassador to help with her weight loss and fitness journey. Adapting for safety measures, Ciara says she exercises mostly at home with her children, husband, and pets. She also says that marking down her goals and celebrating with little wins are great ways to stay motivated. (USA Today)
Speaking of goals… TikTok is helping us take on the new year with the 3-6-9 method on how to manifest our goals. Here’s how it works: First, pick what it is that you want to manifest. In the morning, shortly after waking up, write down that manifestation three times. In the afternoon, write it down six more times. Finally, at night, write it down nine times. Seems frequency and repetition are important factors in manifestation practices — and can help turn your wishes into reality. (Yahoo)

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Coffee Talk from Honor Credit Union – Monday, January 18

January 18, 2021 *Mornings, *Podcasts, Blogs, Coffee Talk
Today is:
  • MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY (3rd MONDAY IN JANUARY) — The nation pauses to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The third Monday in January is dedicated as a day of service to celebrate the civil rights leader’s life and impact. He was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968. The holiday was first observed as a federal holiday 25 years ago.
  • NATIONAL PEKING DUCK DAY
  • NATIONAL ‘WINNIE THE POOH’ DAY
  • NATIONAL THESAURUS DAY
They make smartphones and smart homes. How do you feel about a smart toilet? Toilet and bath manufacturer Toto unveiled a concept at C.E.S. last week – a toilet that can assess your health by examining what you leave behind. Ok, that’s a little creepy. Yep, based on your ‘business,’ the toilet’s sensors will track your mental and physical health, transmit the data to an app, then offer suggestions on how to eat healthier or alert you if it detects a possible illness. Still a little creepy. No date yet on when the wellness toilet will be available.
As it turns out, there may actually be some magic in those magic mushrooms after all. Researchers at the University of British Columbia are studying how the psychedelic drug found in magic mushrooms can help treat obesity. The drug psilocybin (sigh-luh-sigh-bin) has been shown to alter neural pathways in the brain that can help people shift their mindsets. The scientists hope the trippy drug can also be used for effective weight-loss purposes. Previous studies suggest that psilocybin is also effective in treating anxiety and depression.
If you’re planning on filing your tax returns early, you’ll have to wait a few weeks. On Friday the I.R.S. said they won’t start accepting 2020 individual tax returns until February 12th. The agency says they need more time to program and test their computer systems after Congress passed a tax relief law last month. The late start date also means you should expect late returns. The April 15th tax deadline, which was extended last year, remains unchanged this year.
The shelter where President-elect Joe Biden adopted his dog threw an “indoguration” to celebrate the pooch’s imminent arrival at the White House. It was all held over Zoom. Recording artist Josh Groban joined the virtual event, singing a version of “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window.” He adapted just for Major, a now 3-year-old German Shepherd. Major is the first shelter dog to ever to live in the White House.

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