General General 4 min read

What’s on your plate?

There's life beyond peanut butter: 10 flavors to upgrade your breakfast

Image: Lisa Fotios

The glorious morning toast can be a vessel for multiple flavors. From classic marmalade, peanut butter, or maple syrup, to the ubiquitous avocado, to more adventurous savory fillings and beyond, this humble bread square can carry anything you can imagine. Among the endless options available, we believe the following ten deserve a try or, at the very least, a formal presentation on our list. Which one would you try?

1
Avocado Toast

Image: Brenda Godinez

Let’s get this right out of the way first with a recipe that is as close to perfection as possible. Avocado toast has been a staple of breakfast menus for the last ten years or more, usually paired with scrambled eggs and seeds.

For this version, add a poached egg and top it with tuna salad or alfalfa sprouts for a healthy and satisfying meal.

2
Peanut Butter & Pomegranate

Image: Khysrow Akbari

Peanut butter? Sure. Pomegranate? Not so much, right? You might be surprised by this one, but this odd pairing works quite well. The classic PB flavor is complemented by the fresh fruit , with its natural sweetness and juiciness helping to combat peanut butter's stickiness, plus some extra fiber.

The recipe is simple: just spread a layer of peanut butter on your toast and sprinkle a healthy dose of pomegranate arils on top.

3
Fig, burrata & prosciutto

Image: Kaufmann Mercantile

As with a couple of the following recipes, this very Italian version of breakfast toast might seem a bit sophisticated, but it’s really not. Indeed, a combination of fig, burrata, and prosciutto does look and sound impressive, but it is very easy to make.

If you want to go the whole nine yards, start with sourdough bread as the base. Top it with a slice of prosciutto, a spread of burrata, and the pulp of a fig. The sweet and salty combination is delicious.

4
Spinach & blue cheese rarebit

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

For those who don’t know, rarebit is a hot cheese sauce served on toasted bread . This upgraded version adds spinach leaves and tangy blue cheese, balanced by delicate crème fraîche and wholegrain mustard.

The flavor and texture mix of the creamy cheese, the crunchy toast, and the spicy mustard create a combination that will provide a nice kick to your breakfast.

5
Ricotta, blackberry & pine nut

Image: Nick Sarro

The first completely sweet (or almost completely) toast on our list is packed full of health benefits, thanks to the vitamins C and K, manganese , and more found in blackberries.

For this recipe, simply spread some ricotta cheese on your toast, pack it with blackberries, and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top. The creamy, tart, and crunchy combination will give your mornings a delicious health boost.

6
Boiled egg, avocado & quick pickled radish

Image: Jo Lanta

Yes, we said that the first item on this list was the only avocado toast recipe you will need, but in this one, avocado isn’t the star —just another ingredient alongside the mighty radish.

Place thin slices of quick-pickled, crunchy radishes on your toast , then add some avocado slices on top. Lastly, top with a soft-boiled egg. Done. The spicy-creamy combination of radish, avocado, and egg is a heavenly experience for brunch lovers.

7
Pesto eggs with crushed peas

Image: David Todd McCarty

What are pesto eggs, you might wonder? This recipe is a great way to use up the last bit of pesto in the jar by placing it in a frying pan, along with two eggs and two tomato slices .

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, place the pesto, tomato slices, and eggs in a blender and give it a quick spin to mix everything together. Spread the resulting mixture on two pieces of toast and enjoy!

8
Air fryer yogurt custard toast

Image: Olga Petnyunene

If you have an air fryer, it will come in handy for this delicious breakfast recipe. Start by beating together 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup in a bowl.

Once you’ve done this, spread the resulting mixture over two pieces of toast, add some raspberries on top , and air-fry for 7 to 8 minutes until the custard has set and the bread is crisp.

9
Breakfast Toasts With Cheese

Image: Jez Timms

Cheese is an almost always welcome ingredient in any dish, and breakfast toasts are no exception. From salty to neutral , from soft and creamy to hard , cheese comes in many varieties that can be part of your morning menu.

Ricotta is a versatile option that can be spread on toast with lemon juice, basil leaves, and honey, or with sliced pears, walnuts, and honey. Soft goat cheese pairs well with figs and thyme for a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast. Blue cheese can also be combined with sliced pears, walnuts, and honey. The possibilities are endless.

10
Breakfast Classics

Image: Chris Lawton

The last item on our list is devoted to the timeless classics that have always been there for us and have stood the test of time. From the delicious bacon and eggs toast with spinach leaves to the more upscale smoked salmon with lemon juice and sliced scallions , or a bagel with cream cheese, smoked trout, and cucumber , or even a simple toast topped with butter and your choice of marmalade or caramel, the classics are always there for you.

History History 6 min read

TIMELESS LOVE

Let's Celebrate Love By Remembering These 10 Iconic American Couples!

Among the many events, battles, agreements, disagreements, expansions, gains, and losses that occurred in American history, there were also countless versions of something beautiful: love stories .

While nurturing a relationship over time is no easy task, these 10 American couples not only stood the test of time, but they also became political or cultural icons and left a mark on our country's romantic history. Let's celebrate love by remembering them!

1
George and Martha Washington

Image: Matt Briney

As the first presidential couple of the United States, the union of George and Martha Washington is undoubtedly one of the most important in our history.

George met Martha in 1758. At the time, she was a recent widow with two children, and he was a young officer who soon fell in love with her. Their connection was so strong that they got engaged after just a few months of knowing each other.

George and Martha married on January 6, 1759, and moved to the iconic Mount Vernon, to which they returned in 1797, after George's presidency.

To this day, some of his love letters to her have been preserved, proof of the deep love they had for each other.

2
Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

Image: Neal Sweeney

We all have that cupid friend who finds the perfect match for each of their buddies. The great Martin Luther King Jr. also had a friend who introduced him to the woman who would become the love of his life, Coretta Scott.

Martin and Coretta met in Boston in 1952. They went on a date and quickly discovered many shared values and interests. United by their ideals, they fell in love and were married the following year in Alabama.

Together, they drew strength from one another, building a partnership that led to transformative and lasting changes for our country.

3
John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

Image: Jeremy Wong Weddings

A congressman and a journalist working for the Washington Times-Herald. The two were John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier, who met in 1952 at a dinner party in Washington, D.C.

Just like MLK and Coretta, JFK and Jackie quickly discovered many shared interests and ideals, and the crush was immediate.

John proposed to Jackie, and their engagement was announced in June 1953. They were married in September of that year. Their wedding, celebrated in Rhode Island, was attended by over 700 guests!

In 1960, JFK was elected President of the United States, and Jackie became the iconic First Lady we all came to know .

4
Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash

Image: Ahmed Rizkhaan

Love often arrives when least expected, and that's what happened to Johnny Cash and June Carter while touring together in the late 1950s. Both were married to other people when they met. Their connection was immediate and undeniable, but it took several years before they decided to be together.

Johnny was anything but reserved with his marriage proposal: he proposed to June during a live show in Ontario, Canada, in 1968! Fortunately, she said yes, and they married in March of that same year.

Their deep love was reflected in several duets they performed together, such as "Far Side Banks of Jordan," "Jackson," and "The Loving Gift."

This country love story remains one of the most iconic in U.S. music history, and they are both fondly remembered.

5
Amelia Earhart and George Putnam

Image: Tomas Martinez

Love, respect, and admiration were among the pillars of the relationship between pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart and George Putnam.

Amelia Earhart was already an experienced aviator when she met Putnam, a publisher and promoter. In 1928, Putnam offered her an investment to help her become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. This professional relationship evolved into a personal one, which eventually became a love story.

Amelia and George married on February 7, 1931 , in an intimate ceremony. However, the journey to that moment was far from easy: George had to ask Amelia to marry him several times before she finally said yes!

6
Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: freestocks

Eleanor Roosevelt was 17 years old when she met her future husband in the summer of 1902 . We're talking about Franklin Delano Roosevelt , who was Eleanor's fifth cousin once removed and the future president of our nation.

From the moment they met, they began to secretly correspond and became engaged the following year. Some people opposed this union, such as Franklin's mother, Sara Ann Delano. However, love was stronger, and they ended up making their relationship public and getting married on March 17, 1905.

As it is known, the one who gave the bride away was none other than Theodore Roosevelt, president at the time and Eleanor's uncle.

7
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean

Image: israel palacio

Maintaining a love story under the scrutiny of the public eye is not easy.

However, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean achieved this and much more for more than 50 years! An example of patience, commitment, and resilience, this couple met in 1964, shortly after Dolly moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her music career.

Dean, a businessman, preferred to keep a low profile despite Dolly's fame, but this did not stop them from marrying on May 30, 1966, in a private ceremony.

To this day, they continue to accompany and support each other.

8
John and Abigail Adams

Image: Sandy Millar

John Adams , our country's second president, met Abigail Smith in 1759 . She was a cultured and intelligent young woman who aroused John's interest. They married in 1764 and had five children. In November of 1800, they became the first presidential couple to live in the Executive Mansion, later known as The White House.

To this day, more than 1,100 of John and Abigail's letters are preserved, displaying the deep love, respect, and complicity they shared. In these letters, John referred to his wife as "Miss Adorable," isn't it the cutest detail?

9
Bonnie and Clyde

Image: Tengyart

The names Bonnie and Clyde are so intertwined that it's hard to think of one without the other.

During the Great Depression era, these two outlaws captured the attention of the press and public due to their unbreakable bond, which survived despite their criminal lives.

The two met in Texas in 1930, and, as the story goes, they quickly fell in love. They and their gang committed various types of crimes in several states across our country for a couple of years, managing to evade the law.

However, their luck ran out in 1934 when they were ambushed and fatally wounded by the police in the state of Louisiana.

10
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Image: Hisu lee

Next time you're invited to a fancy event, make sure to go! You might meet the love of your life. This was the case for the iconic actress Grace Kelly , who met Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1955 at the glamorous Cannes Film Festival.

The two exchanged letters over a period before making their relationship official. The prince would visit Grace in the United States, and she would also travel to Monaco.

He proposed to her in December 1955. The union became a global sensation, captivating the press worldwide due to her fame and his royal position. The event that became known as the "Wedding of the Century" took place in April of the next year. She retired from her acting career, and the couple had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie.

Geography Geography 5 min read

Route 66 is not here

Which is the loneliest road in America? 10 scenic and uncrowded routes

Image: Tomas Anunziata

The vast roads of America boast hundreds, possibly thousands, of beautiful scenic roads for visitors to travel and enjoy. But in the age of Instagram—where every gorgeous sunset or idyllic lake must be photographed and shared with the world—it can be difficult to delight in the natural wonders of the road with a sense of calm and solitude. Thankfully, there are still gorgeous stretches of land that, for some reason, have yet to capture the attention of the masses and remain relatively undisturbed. So, make haste and hurry to discover these 10 beautiful scenic routes before the smartphone-yielding hordes find them!

1
The Loneliest Road, Nevada

Image: Jake Blucker

Nevada is a state that offers plenty of wide, ample, and uncrowded places, for sure. The US Route 50 cuts through the heart of the state, offering solitude and stark desert beauty. The name "Loneliest Road in America" was bestowed upon this route by a 1986 Life magazine article claiming that there was not much to see—but that claim couldn’t be further from the truth.

Route 50 has plenty of ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, unsurpassed recreational opportunities , and a selection of authentic Sagebrush Saloons.

2
Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, California

Image: Joris Beugels

Yes, the Pacific Coast Highway, stretching along the coast of California, is one of the most famous and beautiful road trips in the world. But, as evidenced by the diverse landscapes of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, the Golden State has so much more to offer.

Alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and desert expanses make up a jaw-dropping panorama all along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range . The elevated mountainous terrain also offers breathtaking views of Mono Lake, whose famous salt waters are visible from miles away.

3
The Blues Highway, Tennessee, and Louisiana

Image: Tanner Boriack

It may sound like the title of a movie, or an album but, in this case, at least, the Blues Highway is a real road, stretching from Nashville, Tennessee, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Also known as Highway 61, this iconic route passes through Delta Blues landmarks, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the historic jazz legacy of Preservation Hall.

As for natural beauty along the way, the Mississippi’s Natchez Trace Parkway offers a look into the area’s Native American history, as well as features stunning views of southern cypress swamps.

4
The San Juan Skyway, Colorado

Image: Maeghan Smulders

A spectacularly scenic high-elevation drive, the San Juan Skyway loop provides breathtaking views and access to historic mining towns. The route goes along U.S. Route 550 from Durango to Silverton, Ouray, and Ridgway, and then along Colorado State Highway 62 to Placerville, Colorado State Highway 145 to Telluride, Rico, Dolores, and Cortez, before completing the loop back to Mancos and Durango via U.S. Route 160.

Along this 236-mile journey, which takes about six hours to drive, you'll encounter, subalpine forests, historic mountain towns, expansive cattle ranges, and prehistoric Native American ruins.

5
High Peaks Scenic Byway, New York

Image: Kevin Wiegand

The drive along the Adirondack Mountains is not named High Peaks Scenic Byway for nothing. This upstate New York route is a short, but stunning slice of nature. Coming in at just under 30 miles long, the byway begins in the town of Keene and runs to Lake Placid, leading travelers along the highest peaks of the Adirondacks, by breathtaking bodies of water such as Chapel Pond and Roaring Brook Falls, and through charming towns and dense forests.

There are plenty of places to pull over and take in the fresh air and scenery along the drive, as well as numerous trails for those seeking more active adventures such as canoeing, biking, fishing, or cross-country skiing.

6
The Black Hills, South Dakota

Image: mary stahl

There is so much more to the Black Hills than Mount Rushmore. This isolated mountain range in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming covers an area 125 miles long and 65 miles wide. It encompasses rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, otherworldly buttes, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and intricate cave systems.

The name "Black Hills" originates from the Lakota term Paha Sapa, meaning "hills that are black." Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear dark, almost black.

7
North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota

Image: Joe Pohle

The Great Lakes boasts countless scenic drives, and the North Shore Scenic Drive is among the most spectacular. Stretching approximately 154 miles from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Canadian border, the route offers unparalleled views of the northern shores of Lake Superior .

The drive takes travelers through charming towns and rugged coastal landscapes , with plenty of opportunities to stop for food and drink while also taking in expansive forests, cascading waterfalls, and beaches studded with colorful agate stones.

8
Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, New Mexico

Image: Maddy Baker

The Trail of the Ancients is a scenic byway winding through the rugged landscapes of the Four Corners region, where the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah meet. The byway unveils ancient cliff dwellings, underground constructions, and intricate rock art, providing a glimpse into the ancient culture that once thrived in the area.

At the heart of the trail lies New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park, known for its intricate stone ruins of what was once a major gathering place for the ancestral Puebloans.

9
The Finger Lakes Loop, New York

Image: Jametlene Reskp

The Finger Lakes region in upstate New York has plenty of wineries, waterfalls, and charming villages waiting to be discovered. Visitors can explore the area by car, spend the day on a bicycle, take a hike in the woods, paddle on kayak adventures, or tour the many wineries— offering endless opportunities for exploration.

This four-season playground is framed by some of Mother Nature’s finest work, with eleven freshwater lakes fanning out like fingers across the region.

10
Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway, Wyoming

Image: Dan Meyers

Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway is a section of US 14A that ends just west of the boundary for Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. At 27 miles, the steep, two-lane stretch travels among soaring mountain peaks, high-altitude deserts covered in grass and sagebrush, as well as conifer and aspen forests.

The byway gets its name from the Medicine Wheel, a sacred and historic limestone circle that sits near the summit of Medicine Mountain. American Indians constructed the wheel in stages sometime over the last 1,000 years, and still use it for ceremonies today.

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