Here is the AP Lifestyles Digest for the week of Nov. 17. Note AP's Holiday Gift Guide Digest moved Nov. 12 and is included at the end.
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FOOD
Thanksgiving-Prices: It's been a tough year for America's turkeys. Bird flu has wiped out millions of them, and a separate disease - avian metapneumovirus - is causing them to lay fewer eggs. The U.S. flock size is at a 40-year low, and wholesale turkey prices are nearly double what they were last year. SENT Monday, illustration, photos, video.
Be Well-Thanksgiving Tools: Food safety experts say that six crucial kitchen tools are the key to a safe and savory Thanksgiving dinner. SENT Monday, photos.
Thanksgiving Pie Debate: Which is better: sweet potato or pumpkin pie? A Mississippi baker explains the differences between each as customers weigh in on the cultural debate and share which one they'll be eating on Thanksgiving. SENT Monday, photos, video.
Food-Thanksgiving-Cheddar Cornbread: Thanksgiving tables often feature a variety of dishes, but cornbread is a staple. This year, a cheesy version with sharp cheddar is a must-try. By Katie Workman. SENT Monday, photos.
Food-Voracious-Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie: What happens when pumpkin pie meets deep-dish pizza? By Stacey Mei Yan Fong, Voracious. UPCOMING Wednesday, photos.
Climate Choices-Thanksgiving Waste: Thanksgiving tips to waste less food, save money. Roughly 320 million pounds (145 million kilograms) of food will be wasted at Thanksgiving this year, according to ReFED, a nonprofit that tracks food waste. People prepare more food than is needed and then don't finish the leftovers. SENT Monday, photos.
Climate Choices-Grocery Alternatives: The grocery store is the default resource in the U.S. for fresh food. Meanwhile, there are subscription services that say they provide cheaper food that wouldn't be sold in the grocery store. There's also the decades-old systems of CSA boxes, farmers markets and farmstands. Are these alternatives to the grocery store better for the planet? UPCOMING Tuesday, photos.
MORE ON TURKEYS
Turkey Cuddling Therapy: Instead of sitting down to a meal of turkey this Thanksgiving, an animal rescue farm in Tennessee wants you to cuddle up with a gobbler. Similar to other forms of animal therapy, the Gentle Barn operators say the sessions can help with "stress, grief, trauma or depression, or just to brighten someone's day." UPCOMING Wednesday, photos, video.
Trading Turkeys: No one would trade a turkey for a weasel on the eve of Thanksgiving, but the idea held some appeal decades ago. Wild turkeys hadn't been seen in New Hampshire for more than a century when the state sent 25 fishers to West Virginia in exchange for 26 birds in 1969 and 1970. Those turkeys didn't survive, but a flock from New York later flourished, in a wildlife success story seen around the country. UPCOMING Thursday, photos.
BE WELL
Self-Gratitude: At Thanksgiving, we often show gratitude for external blessings, such as family, food and shelter. But do we stop and think about being grateful to ourselves? Psychologists say self-gratitude, even if it's awkward, can be healthy and important. We ask ordinary people how, and if, they show gratitude toward themselves. UPCOMING Thursday, photos, social video, illustration.
Gray Rocking: It's called "gray rocking," basically making yourself as boring as possible to discourage people from interacting with you. You can use it to de-escalate harassment or abusive conversations, but some people also use it to get through stressful family gatherings. By Jamie Ducharme. UPCOMING Wednesday, illustration.
US-Cannabis Use Disorder-Users: As daily cannabis use rises to historic levels in the U.S., some longtime users are finding it harder to quit. Once celebrated as a safe alternative to alcohol or a tool for relaxation and healing, marijuana has quietly become a source of dependence for many -- especially amid the spread of high-potency products. UPCOMING Tuesday, photos.
TRAVEL
REL-Airport Chapels: As travel picks up for the Thanksgiving holiday season, fliers can find a moment of quiet and relaxation at interfaith chapels or meditation spaces in many U.S. airports. UPCOMING Tuesday, photos.
Be Well-Financial Wellness-Travel Tuesday: Airlines, vacation rental platforms, cruise companies and tour operators are increasingly going after a piece of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales with a holiday promotion dubbed Travel Tuesday. While there are some good deals to be had, consumers will want to pay attention to the fine print on dates and fees. UPCOMING Saturday, photos.
National Park-Scenic Road Reopens: A 36-mile loop road is among the most popular attractions at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but since 2019 a 6-mile section that offered some of the park's prettiest views has been closed due to slumping and sinkholes in the erosive Badlands. The full road will reopen this month with improved viewing spots, offering visitors a chance to see the colorful and rugged landscape where Roosevelt roamed in the 1880s. UPCOMING Tuesday, photos.
GARDENING
Growing an Avocado: How to grow an avocado in a glass indoors. By Jessica Damiano. UPCOMING Tuesday, photos.
GAMES
ENT--YE-Video Games: A roundup of the year's best video games. By Lou Kesten. UPCOMING Tuesday, photos.
CHRISTMAS
Germany Christmas Stars: Created more than 160 years ago, the Herrnhuter Stern (star) is made of paper and cardboard. Invented by a mathematics teacher, the star was used to give pupils a better understanding of geometry. From then on, the children crafted their stars on the first Sunday in Advent and carried this custom back to their families. Today the stars are hanging in the in and outside of churches and in family homes. UPCOMING Wednesday, photos, video.
Germany-Christmas Markets: Germany's Christmas markets open with festive cheer and tight security. SENT Monday.
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In case you missed it:
BE WELL: We Mode; Old Friends; Olympian Swim Tips; Fiber in Food; Obesity Treatments-Accessibility; Study Abroad.
FOOD: Thanksgiving-Polenta with Mushrooms; TV-Lidia Bastianich, with Food-Recipe-Bastianich-Pumpkin Ravioli.
GARDENING: Winter Chores.
COMMUNITY: Poll-Community Priorities.
MONEY: Financial Wellness-Emergency Funds.
PARENTING: One Tech Tip-AI For Schoolwork.
ANIMALS: Zoos-Viewing Veterinarians.
FASHION: Met Gala Exhibit.
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GIFT GUIDES
AP's Holiday Gift Guides for 2025 moved Nov. 12. Slugs begin YE--Holiday Gift Guide-- .
TECH: A curated medley of tech gift ideas for everyone on your holiday shopping list. By Shawn Chen.
GAME CHANGERS: From elevated suitcases to smart pet collars, gifts marked by originality and inventiveness. By Jessica Damiano.
MUSIC: For music fans, the best presents are a bit more creative than buying the latest release of their favorite artist. By Maria Sherman.
MOVIES: Gifts for movie lovers that go well beyond Blu-Rays and cineplex gift cards. By Lindsey Bahr.
NONFICTION BOOKS: Nonfiction for all kinds of readers, including art lovers, puzzle fiends, bird enthusiasts and more. By Leanne Italie.
KIDS' BOOKS: Share the love of reading by giving standout children's books. For all age groups. By Donna Edwards.
COUNTDOWN CALENDARS: Creative advent and other countdown calendars offer way more than food. By Kim Cook.
TASTE OF HOME: Edible treasures that nod to your gift recipients' hometown, heritage or memorable experience. By Katie Workman.
The AP
