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Spoilers ahead! We've warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you've completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today's NYT 'Connections’ hints and answers for #333 on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Today's NYT Connections puzzle for Thursday, May 9, 2024

New York Times

If you've been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Thursday's puzzle, you're not alone and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I'll reveal the answers further down.

Hints About Today's NYT Connections Categories on Thursday, May 9

1. Various tops for bottles or cans of liquid
2. A certain interval
3. To manage or control
4. Related to a specific animal

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today's Connections Game Answers for Thursday, May 9, 2024:

1. CONTAINER CLOSURES: CAP, CORK, LID, TAB
2. DURATION: PERIOD, SPELL, STRETCH, TIME
3. REGULATE: CHECK, CONTAIN, CURB, LIMIT
4. TRADEMARKS OF A PLATYPUS: BILL, EGG, FUR, VENOM

How'd you do?

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let's Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers.

If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle 1055 ahead.

Let's start with a few hints.

How many vowels are in today's Wordle?

There is one vowel out of the five letters in the word today.

What kind of letter does today's Wordle start with?

Today's Wordle begins with a consonant.

Are there any double letters?

There are no double letters in today's Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today's Wordle?

How to describe lurching movements.

OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We'll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed.

How to play Wordle

The New York Times

Today's Wordle Answer for #1055 on Thursday, May 9, 2024

Today's Wordle answer on Thursday, May 9, 2024, is JERKY.

How'd you do?

Next: Catch up on other Wordle answers from this week.

The Amazing Race continued on its Caribbean tour this week, and followed-up last week with another first-time country for the show. In the Dominican Republic, the five remaining teams navigated slippery cliffs, slimy cacao pods, and a baseball practice to make sure that they got a spot in the finale.

Check out more information below and find out who went home from the race tonight.

Related: Everything to Know About The Amazing Race 36

Who was eliminated on The Amazing Race 36 tonight? Yvonne Chavez (L) and Melissa Main (R)

Yuri Hasegawa/CBS

Yvonne Chavez and Melissa Main – Dating

Yvonne Chavez and Melissa Main admitted themselves in this episode that they were a more under the radar team compared to their competition. Regardless, the dating couple were incredibly consistent, never finishing in the bottom of the pack. Unfortunately, with so few teams left, one mistake is enough to send you there. And that's exactly what happened in the first Roadblock of this leg. Despite help from César, Melissa struggled sorting symbols, putting them in last place and a hole they couldn't dig themselves out. But Yvonne and Melissa left with an invigorated strength in their relationship, having moved in together and had a child since competing.

Which teams finished at the top tonight?

Stop me if you've heard this before, but it was another perfect leg for Ricky Rotandi and César Aldrete. César's attention to detail and Ricky's baseball skills made for a perfect pair, and they finished in first place for the sixth time. Behind them were Rod and Leticia Gardner. Despite Rod's struggles in the first Roadblock sending them to second-to-last, his height and stature had them surging ahead while picking cacao pods, and he even got to relive his previous passion for baseball.

Which teams finished at the bottom tonight?

Juan Villa and Shane Bilek maintained their middle of the pack status the entire leg. Though they remained at Rod and Leticia's heels the entire second half of the episode, the physical tax of the day took a toll on Juan, who gassed out on the way to the Pit Stop. And bringing up the rear were Amber Craven and Vinny Cagungun. Though the two tried to treat each other more positively this leg, there was still instances of their trademark bickering, and mounting frustration when their taxi driver got lost. But they were able to push through and become the last team to make the finale.

Related: Meet the Full Cast of The Amazing Race 36

Who's left this season on The Amazing Race 35?–Amber Craven and Vinny Cagungun – Dating–Juan Villa and Shane Bilek – Best friends–Ricky Rotandi and César Aldrete – Dating–Rod Gardner and Leticia Gardner – Married

Next, check out our interview with Angie and Danny Butler, who were eliminated in The Amazing Race 3 Episode 8.

When Teresa Giudice spotted Taylor Swift entering the VIP area at Coachella last month, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star said she didn’t hesitate long before deciding to approach the pop star with a photo request.

“I don’t like to ask anybody for photos because I don’t like to bother them,” the TV personality said during a Tuesday, May 7 interview with The Talk. However, an in-person Swift sighting was intriguing enough for Giudice, 51, to break from her norm and even pose an uncomfortable question to the “Cruel Summer” songstress.

Giudice, who has starred on RHONJ since the Bravo show’s run began in 2009, described hanging out in the VIP section during the music and arts festival’s first of two weekends in April when “all of a sudden, Taylor and her boyfriend start walking by.”

Though Swift, 34, initially walked past Giudice and her husband, Louie Ruelas, the Bravolebrity explained that she ended up standing nearby. After sharing her initial hesitation to ask for a photo with a fellow celebrity, Giudice said her husband reiterated the name of the star in question to persuade her.

“He’s like, ‘Babe, it’s Taylor Swift!’” she recalled. “And I’m like, ‘All right!’”

Related: Taylor Swift’s Coachella Outfit Includes Sweet Nod to Travis and Jason Kelce

But Giudice said she wasn’t certain that Swift would know who she was. To make sure, Giudice decided to approach the “Shake It Off” singer with a somewhat uncomfortable question.

“When I went up to her, I’m like, ‘Do you know who I am?’ And she said, ‘Yeah,’” Giudice explained.

Swift’s bodyguard then stepped to the side so their photo could be taken. Looking back, Giudice said she was struck by how “sweet” Swift was.

“I’m such a Swiftie now, I’m such a fan,” the Real Housewives star said. "She was such a sweetheart. She really was.”

Giudice’s husband later shared the photo on Instagram. “Two absolute QUEENS, Taylor Swift and my stunning wife,” he wrote to caption the post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Louie A. Ruelas (@louiearuelas)

The photo was one of many Swift-related snaps that went viral in the week that followed the first Coachella weekend, which Swift attended with her Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Several PDA-filled photos and videos showing the power couple dancing together were applauded by fans online as they eagerly awaited the arrival of Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department. Swift ultimately released the project as a surprise double album a few days after her stop by Coachella on April 19.

Next: Fans Can't Recover After Seeing Travis Kelce Lift Taylor Swift Into the Air at Coachella

WARNING! The following article contains spoilers for Survivor 46 Episode 11. Please do not scroll any further if you do not want to learn the events of this week's episode.

Over 46 seasons of Survivor, we have seen hundreds of challenges come and go. Some become permanent mainstays; "Simmotion," which debuted in Tocantins back in 2009, is now a staple for Final Immunity Challenges. Others have become one and dones, lost to the annals of nearly 25 years of history (pour one out for the "Battleship" challenge from 2007's Fiji). And still, there are others that appeared in a fair bit of seasons, but suddenly disappeared from the show altogether with no explanation.

Luckily for us, Jeff Probst does have an explanation for one of them. In talking about the latest episode of Season 46 on "On Fire: The Official Survivor Podcast," Season 45 winner Dee Valladares was asked by producer Jay Wolff if there were any challenges she wished she could bring home off the island to play. Dee did have an answer, but surprisingly, it wasn't of a challenge she played.

"There is one nonphysical challenge that I love," she said. And I have a quick story time. When my cast got back from Fiji and we got together for the first time, we decided to play 'Touchy Subjects' with each other." 

"Touchy Subjects" debuted over 20 years back in Survivor: The Amazon in 2003. In the challenge, the castaways would fill out a survey ahead of time, answering superlative questions about their competitors. The queries range from the positive ("Who would you trust with your life?") to the negative ("Who is the biggest poser?") to even the strategic ("Who mistakenly thinks they're running the game?"). For the challenge itself, the players would then try to guess who the majority answered for each question.

On top of that, most iterations of "Touchy Subjects" were played with an elimination element. Anyone who got a question right got to assign a strike to another player; three strikes and they were eliminated from winning. "Touchy Subjects" was played seven (AKA several) times in Survivor history, with its last iteration in One World in 2012. And, when asked if he would consider bringing it back in the "new era," Probst touched upon why the challenge was retired in the first place.

Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 46

"I think doing 'Touchy Subjects' today would be a calculated risk for us," Probst said. "Because it can reveal so much information that it might steal some of the mystery for what is going to play out. So I think you'd have to reimagine it in the new era."

He then went on to propose, on the fly, how "Touchy Subjects" might work in the modern iteration of the show. "Maybe, at the merge, [we] say, 'Okay, here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna do a check-in, and we're gonna play 'Touchy Subjects.' And you are all going to see where you stand in this tribe right now so that you can then figure out what you need to do to change where you are in the group so you can stay alive in this game.'"

"What is fun about that idea," he continued, "is we're leaning into the unpredictable uncertainty and ever-changing alliances of the new era. To say, 'You're not dead because they voted you most annoying. But this isn't looking good in terms of winning the game if you get to the end.' And then it becomes something where the player can say, 'Wow, I didn't know I was so annoying,' and start to change their behavior. Maybe there's something there I'll take that back to the team."

Probst's point about "Touchy Subjects" possibly forecasting how the rest of the game would go does have historical roots. For example, in six versions of the challenge, the question, "Who would you trust with your life?" was asked. Of the people who were picked, four of them made the finals, and three of them went on to win the season. However, if a season like Survivor 46 has proven anything, it's that contestants in the new era are willing to turn things with the changing of the wind. Not to mention, to Dee's point on the podcast, given Season 46's brazen honesty about their annoyance with some of their cast members and situations, it would have made for great entertainment.

Related: Jeff Probst Announces Returning Players for Survivor Season 50

While Probst is now entertaining bringing one element of old-school Survivor into the new era, there is one that he is refusing to even consider. At the end of "On Fire," he was asked about the "Rites of Passage" segment that used to air during Survivor finales. The sequence, which aired in every one of Survivor's first 21 seasons, had the final three or four players honoring their fallen comrades on the way to their Final Immunity Challenge. They would typically stop by their torch and memorialize them in a few words. The viewers would then be treated to a snippet of the contestant's voice, as they speak from beyond the Survivor grave to look back on their experience. The scene would then end with all of the players' spirits being laid to rest.

"I hated the Rites of Passage," Probst admitted. "You could see the player struggling to say anything that was in any way kind or interesting. It's why I never liked it from a storytelling standpoint, because it didn't move our story forward. And it was coming at the climax of the show. And it didn't provide any information about the players that were still in the game. And I think that's just where the show was, where the game was, the types of people that were playing the game. But in that era, it didn't serve any function. If you decided you really wanted to hear people talking about the players who were no longer in the game, you would design something that, in the process, would give you information about the player still in the game. That would be the point. They're the ones still playing."

"And I gotta say, even hearing me just say that, it's of zero interest right now," Probst laughed. "I don't like the Rites of Passage. I hope we never do it again. And I've never missed it."

While Probst is clearly out on seeing the return of the Rites of Passage any time soon, it seems the door may be open for more old-school elements of Survivor to take root in the new era.

Next, check out the photos, bios, and interviews with the cast of Survivor 46.

It's truly wild how much history is able to repeat itself on Survivor 46. Once again, a challenge win proved controversial, as one person's choices of reward left a spurned Liz away from food. Yet again, someone considered turning on their number one ally to give them a chance in the end. And, somehow, a person felt comfortable enough not to play their idol, only (for the fourth time!) to be voted out.

Check out more information about tonight's episode below and find out who was voted out.

Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 46

Who got voted off on Survivor 46 tonight? Venus Vafa

Robert Voets / CBS

Venus Vafa

True to the celestial body that shares her namesake, Venus felt on her own planet on Survivor 46. The perception of her, as well as worsening social interactions, put her on the outer orbit of Nami early on. And though she survived due to her tribe's record-setting dominance, she wanted nothing to do with them. So as soon as she got the chance, Venus jumped ship, turning the tables on Soda, Tevin, and Hunter. Unfortunately, the ship Venus jumped into wasn't much better. Her actions of causing conflict and spreading names had given her a chaotic reputation and not someone easy to work with. But Venus found the last idol in the game, guaranteeing the outcast would make it through. When she saw Maria's tactics for picking players for reward, Venus thought the non-pizza-goers could serve her a slice of humble pie. Meanwhile, Maria and Q were ready to take out Venus. At Tribal Council, Venus dug into them for their decisions and attitudes towards her and was so confident in Q's demise that she didn't play her newly-found idol. But Venus' previously coy attitude with swing vote Charlie reminded him how unpredictable she can be. And so, stunningly, she was sent out near-unanimously, idol in pocket.

Were any advantages found or played on Survivor 46 tonight?

Yes! Nearly the entire tribe hunted for the idol after Tiffany was voted out with one. Venus found it, yet also was voted out with it in her pocket. It's unknown if another one will be hidden.

Related: Meet the Full Cast of Survivor 46

Who's left in the game on Survivor 46?–Ben Katzman–Charlie Davis–Kenzie Petty–Liz Wilcox–Maria Shrime Gonzalez–Q Burdette

Next, check out our interview with Tiffany Nicole Ervin, who was voted out in Survivor 46 Episode 10.

For nine weeks, they've fought it out in groups. But this week on The Masked Singer, the masks left standing finally merged to begin the endgame of Season 11. And with four powerhouse performers, it was anybody's game, leading to a tense Smackdown and a Golden Globe winner unmasked.

Check out more information on tonight's "Quarter Finals" episode below to find out who was unmasked.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About The Masked Singer Season 11

Who got unmasked on The Masked Singer tonight?

Poodle Moth got zapped in the Quarter Finals. She went out singing "Price Tag" by Jessie J in her solo number, and lost in the Smackdown performance of "If I Could Turn Back Time" to Gumball.

Who is Poodle Moth on The Masked Singer?

After being eliminated, Poodle Moth was unmasked and revealed to be This is Us star Chrissy Metz.

Who's left in the game of The Masked Singer season 11?ClockGoldfishGumball

Next, here's everything you need to know about this season of Survivor.

Donna Kelce has identified some of the key personality traits that she believes her son, Travis Kelce, shares with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift.

The matriarch of the Kelce family made her bold declaration while speaking briefly about her younger son’s relationship during an episode of The Martha Stewart Podcast. The special Mother’s Day edition of the iHeartPodcasts series spotlighted a recent interview that the podcast’s host, Martha Stewart, conducted with Donna ahead of this year’s holiday.

Near the end of their conversation, Stewart appeared somewhat hesitant to mention Swift, who has dominated headlines this year amid her ongoing international Eras Tour, her recent album release and her whirlwind romance with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Still, the businesswoman mentioned how she had seen Donna seated near the “Cruel Summer” singer at Chiefs games during the 2023 NFL season as the two cheered for Travis together.

Related: Donna Kelce Reveals Whether Jason or Travis Spend Mother's Day With Her Each Year

“Well, you know, you never know. Time will tell,” Donna, who is known among fans as “Mama Kelce,” said of her son’s relationship with the pop star.

Donna then called out some of the common traits she believes the two share. “But I know that, you know, they’re both friendly. They’re both generous. They’re both loving. They’re both caring individuals.”

“And they’re both adults,” Stewart added, bringing an end to their discussion on the topic.

Donna and other members of the Kelce family have faced questions often about Swift since the “Anti-Hero” songstress took her relationship with Travis public last fall by attending Chiefs games in person to root for his team. Since those early days, the Grammy Award-winner and NFL star have gotten to know each other both at home and abroad as Kelce traveled to support Swift for some of her Eras Tour shows in Australia and Singapore.

While the couple have recently enjoyed some quiet time together during Kelce’s off-season and Swift’s break from touring, the “Lover” singer is now gearing up for the launch of her tour’s European leg. Her first show back will be in Paris on May 9.

Next: Fans Revolt After Martha Stewart Posts Picture With Controversial Celebrity

Elizabeth Hurley brought another sizzling look onto the red carpet this week as she and her son Damian continued promotional efforts for their new movie together.

The Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery actress posed for photos beside her 22-year-old son in London on Wednesday, May 8. The mother-son duo were at the Everyman Chelsea movie theater for a special screening of Strictly Confidential, which celebrated its official release last month.

In photos taken before the screening, Elizabeth, 58, appeared on the red carpet in a sparkling teal dress and strappy silver-heeled sandals. Her ankle-length dress featured a wide thigh-high slit and a daring front cutout that showed off the actress’ cleavage. She paired the look with dangling silver earrings that stood out against her dark brown hair, which she wore down to frame her face.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Elizabeth Hurley and Damian Hurley attend the special screening of "Strictly Confidential" at the Everyman Chelsea on May 08, 2024, in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Posing for photos on the red carpet beside her was Damian, who wore a black suit and a matching black shirt beneath his open suit jacket. Several of his shirt’s top buttons were left undone, revealing the cross necklace he wore around his neck.

Elizabeth and Damian were also photographed posing with Elizabeth’s ex-husband, businessman Arun Nayar. Actor Hugh Grant, Elizabeth’s ex and Damian’s godfather, also posed for photos with his godson on the red carpet.

Strictly Confidential marked Damian’s feature film debut as a director. The R-rated thriller gained attention ahead of its release for its erotic scenes featuring his mother, who starred in the film.

Though Damian acknowledged during an interview with Access Hollywood earlier this year that some people “find this really controversial," he explained that working together is normal for the Hurleys, adding, "She takes my photos, I take her photos.”

Elizabeth, meanwhile, said knowing that her son was the one who would “look after” her on set was “relaxing.”

“Because the things in his script needed me to do in this weren't necessarily things I'd always done in movies many times before,” she said. “But having him there meant that I felt safe and looked after and I knew in the production, in the post, I knew he'd look after me.”

Next: Elizabeth Hurley Was ‘Born to Wear a Bikini’ in New Photos From Paradise

Before you happily chug away at your (or your child's) stock of Martinelli's Gold Medal Apple Juice, you'll want to check the label, as over 20,000 cases of the product have been recalled.

The voluntary recall was initially issued by S. Martinelli & Co. on Tuesday, April 16, after sampling conducted by the State of Maryland found “elevated” levels of inorganic arsenic, according to an official notice shared by United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), along with a recent report from Food Safety News.

The ongoing recall affects approximately 25,000 cases of the additive-free Martinelli’s Gold Medal Apple Juice From U.S. Grown Fresh Apples 1 Liter (33.8 fl oz.), all of which have best-by dates of March 9 and 10, 2026, the UPC 0 00 41244 00102 6 and a production dates of March 10, 2023.

The product in question is sold at Kroger, Publix, Target, Winn-Dixie and Whole Foods, per the company's website.

S. Martinelli & Company

S. Martinelli & Co. has since reached out to vendors in the 34 U.S. states where the juice is sold, which reportedly include Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The company also flagged the recall to distributors in Puerto Rico and Panama, per Food Safety News.

“At S. Martinelli & Company, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence, and the health and safety of our customers remains our greatest priority,” a rep from the company shared in a May 8 statement with People. “In full cooperation with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), we issued a voluntary recall; we will continue to cooperate with the FDA on any further direction, beyond what was already sent out to our retail customers."

"We have not had any reported health issues related to the voluntary recall," it concluded. Still, consumers are warned not to use the recalled products and instead throw them out or return them to the store where they were purchased.

Inorganic arsenic levels are capped at 10 parts per billion, according to guidance finalized by the FDA last summer. The apple juice tested in Maryland was flagged for just over that, at 11.6 parts per billion.

"Current research indicates that inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic arsenic and the health effects from exposure are more severe," according to the agency.

As for the health effects, arsenic can affect people of any age or health status but some—including fetuses, infants and children—are at a higher risk for more extreme symptoms than others, as the FDA found "exposure to high levels of arsenic during times of active brain development is associated with adverse neurological effects" and developmental defects. 

For adults, long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic has been associated with skin disorders and increased risks for skin, bladder, and lung cancers, and cardiovascular disease. 

Short-term exposure to very high amounts of inorganic arsenic can result in nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning sensations in the hands and feet for people of all ages.

Next: More Than 16,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Is Being Recalled Nationwide—Here's What You Need to Know

We hear a lot about sweet tooths, and if you have one yourself, we can't blame you. On the other hand, some like it hot—as in, they adore spicy food. Regardless of which camp you fall into (if any), you may find yourself with an unexpected, uncontrollable spicy food craving. 

"Why am I craving spicy food all of a sudden?" you ask. It's a good question. Food cravings are often our body's way of turning up the heat (or volume) about a deficiency or want.

"Our cravings can be a sign of what our bodies may be lacking and what they may need," explains Jennifer Hernandez, RD, a registered dietitian with Plant-Powered Kidneys. "We will want to pay attention to this and see if there is something we are lacking. This does not mean that every craving should immediately be fulfilled. We should evaluate that feeling and make sure we are giving our bodies what we need."

So, what does a spicy food craving mean? Seasoned experts gave their hot takes (er, insights).

Related: Suddenly Craving Peanut Butter? Here Are 5 Things It Could Mean

Why Am I Craving Spicy Food? 6 Possible Reasons1. Blame it on your hormones 

While some early signs of pregnancy are myths, there may be something to the spicy food craving one.

"Craving spicy food during pregnancy is quite common and might stem from hormonal fluctuations or simply a desire for intensity in taste," says Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Dietitian Insights. "These cravings are usually harmless, but it's essential for expectant mothers to monitor the quantity and type of spicy foods consumed to avoid digestive discomfort."

Costa points to research on pregnancy and food cravings from 2016. Though most people wanted something sweet, 3.3% of people who said they experienced food cravings were hankering for a spicy dish like chili or curry. 

Even if you're not pregnant (or menstruating), you may be experiencing other hormonal shifts that prompt spicy food cravings. "Leptin and serotonin are hormones that can influence your desire to crave spicy food," adds Julia Zumpano, RD, of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition.

2. You're sick

Not feeling too hot? You may start craving spicy food. "Spicy foods may help clear nasal congestion," Zumpano says. "They can also increase your body temperature, which can help if you have the chills due to fighting off a bug."

Floored? Here's how spicy foods might help you relieve a stuffy nose. "Capsaicin acts as a natural decongestant and may improve symptoms related to nonallergic rhinitis," Costa says. 

That said, satisfying your spicy food craving won't double as a cure for the common cold. "However, it's wise to use spicy foods as part of a broader cold management strategy rather than the sole remedy," Costa explains. "It is important to ensure the body receives adequate hydration and balanced nutrition for a speedy recovery."

3. You're overheated

Spicy foods may be your body telling you, "Hey, it's getting hot in here." 

"Yes, spicy food can actually be craved when you’re hot," Hernandez says, citing a 2015 report. "The capsaicin in spicy foods has been shown to help regulate our temperature."

Costa shared similar information, adding that spicy foods, especially those with capsaicin, may promote sweating. "[Sweating]...cools the body down," she explains. "While this isn't inherently problematic, staying hydrated is essential if consuming spicy foods in hot conditions."

4. It's a mental or emotional thing

Sometimes, cravings are a clue to your mental rather than physical health. "Emotional eating, more specifically feeling sad or anxious, can often lead to cravings for foods that provide immediate, short-term relief of the emotion," Zumpano says.

With spicy food, capsaicin again takes center stage. "Capsaicin can release endorphins, which help combat those feelings. The food never actually solves the problem," Zumpano continues. "Work with a health provider to help you address and deal with the emotion properly to avoid emotional eating...Consider a non-food related way to soothe emotions such as breathwork, massage, a hot bath, calling a friend and taking a walk."

5. Spicy food is part of your culture

"Growing up in cultures where spicy foods are prevalent can lead to a preference and craving for such flavors," says Trista Best, RD.

There's no problem in satisfying these cravings—just make sure to pay attention to your overall diet too. "Over-reliance on any single type of cuisine can lead to nutrient deficiencies or dietary imbalances," Best shares. "People should explore a variety of culinary traditions to ensure they are getting a wide range of nutrients."

6. You're bored

Variety is the spice of life, right? Your diet may be lacking excitement. "Craving spicy foods may stem from a desire for culinary variety and flavor complexity," Best says. 

Related: ‘I’m a Gastroenterologist—This Is the Snack I Eat Every Single Day To Support My Gut Health'

What Deficiency Causes Spicy Cravings?

There's a chance you may not be deficient in any nutrient. "There is a lack of research linking specific nutrient deficiencies to spicy food cravings," Costa explains. "Rather, certain hormonal imbalances or psychological factors are more likely to influence such desires. However, it's essential to understand that while cravings for spicy foods may not directly indicate a specific nutrient deficiency, they might reflect broader dietary patterns or needs."

Speaking to a doctor or dietitian can help.

Are Spicy Foods Bad For You?

It depends. "Spicy foods are not bad for you unless they're highly processed," Zumpano says. "The spices themselves, meaning peppers and spices that come from peppers, provide anti-inflammatory compound."

 However, she says some spicy foods get added to processed items like chips, vegetable oils, fried foods and processed meats.

The rub? "These foods can create more inflammation due to the other ingredients found in those foods," Zumpano adds.

Why Do Some People Crave Spicy Food When They're Stressed?

Spicy food cravings can be a red flag that you're stressed. "Craving and consuming spicy food amidst stress can act as a psychological distraction and coping mechanism, where the physical sensation of pain and subsequent endorphin release serves to alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety for a short period," Costa says. 

It's best to try to cope with stress in different ways. "For individuals who feel overwhelmed with stress, rather than using food to cope, consulting with a qualified mental health professional is strongly recommended," Costa adds. 

Related: Here's To Know About Your Sudden Urge To Drink All The Milk

How Much Spicy Food Is Too Much?

It's not black and white. "This depends on your tolerance," Hernandez says. "Some people eat a lot of spicy food and then experience GI distress. If you experience after-eating effects like heartburn or stomach aches, you may have had too much spicy food."

What does GI distress feel like? "You should not feel a burning sensation," Hernandez says. "This is when you know it's too much."

Next up: New Research Says This Super Popular Drink Could Cause Liver Damage—Here's What a Hepatologist Wants You to Know

Sources

• Jennifer Hernandez, RD, a registered dietitian with Plant-Powered Kidneys
• Julia Zumpano, RD, of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition
• Nutritional and clinical associations of food cravings in pregnancy. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Dietitian Insights
• Capsaicin for Rhinitis. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports.
• Effect of capsaicin on thermoregulation: an update with new aspects. Temperature (Austin).

Relationships of all kinds can be hard. You may struggle to forgive a friend who talked about you behind your back. You may face the temptation to cheat on your partner. You may struggle with jealousy, patience or trust. One major key of a healthy relationship is communication or check-ins. If you and/or a loved one struggle with this, a therapist can be a great person to turn to for guidance. 

When you want to have a more Godly relationship, though, scripture is one place to go. That's where Bible verses about relationships come in. The Word is full of encouraging verses that can guide you on how to have a God-honoring love with your boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, friend, family member or anyone else you have a relationship with. It also has lots of verses for people dealing with other relationship challenges, like losing a loved one, struggling with their singleness or just needing hope in general.

After all, love—in all its forms—is vital. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:13, faith, hope and love abide, “but the greatest of these is love.” This goes for loving ourselves, loving God, loving others, and knowing that we, too, are loved.

Ahead, check out 75 Bible verses that illustrate what Godly love looks like and can encourage you in all relationship stages. These verses can also serve as prayers and reminders for you or you and your loved one.

75 Bible Verses About Relationships

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1. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

2. “Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

3. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

4. “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:2

5. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” — Proverbs 13:20

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6. “Iron sharpens iron, as one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17

7. “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13

8. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:9-10

9. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37

Related: 50 Bible Verses About Forgiveness That Will Inspire You and Help You Heal

10. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” — John 13:34

11. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” — Romans 13:8

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12. “A friend loves at all times.” — Proverbs 17:17

13. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” —1 Peter 4:8

14. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19

15. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

16. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1

17. “Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” — James 1:19-20

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18. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” — Luke 6:31

19. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” — James 1:5

20. “We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.” — Song of Solomon 1:4

21. “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” — Psalm 143:8

22. “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.” — Proverbs 10:12

23. “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” — 1 Corinthians 13:2

24. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:17

25. “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” — Jeremiah 31:3

26. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” — Colossians 4:6

27. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” — Exodus 20:16

28. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” — 1 Timothy 6:18

29. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9

30. “But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” — Ruth 1:16-17

31. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33

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32. “I have found the one whom my soul loves.” — Song of Solomon 3:4

33. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

34. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” — Psalm 143:8

35. “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” — Hebrews 13:4

36. “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” — Colossians 3:9

37. “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” — Proverbs 27:9

Related: ‘A Sweet Friendship Refreshes the Soul’—Here Are 50 Beautiful Bible Verses About Friendship

38. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12

39. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” — Hebrews 10:24-25

40. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” — Ephesians 4:29

41. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” — Proverbs 16:24

42. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7

43. “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” — Genesis 2:18

44. “You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.” — Psalm 71:21

45. “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Mark 10:9

46. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” — Proverbs 10:9

47. “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” — Proverbs 18:13

48. “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” — John 16:22

49. “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” — Proverbs 12:22

50. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way, we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” — Acts 20:35

Related: ‘It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive’—45 Bible Verses About Helping Others

51. “Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.” — Titus 1:8

52. “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” — Proverbs 12:18

53. “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 3:12

54. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” — Psalm 133:1

55. “No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” — 1 John 4:12

56. “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” — Song of Solomon 4:7

57. “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbringing.” — Romans 14:19

58. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” — Hebrews 6:19

59. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” — Romans 12:4-5

60. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.” — Matthew 18:20

61. “Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.” — Jude 1:2

62. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” — Romans 12:16

63. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” — Ephesians 5:21

64. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” — Romans 8:26

65. “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” — Song of Solomon 6:3

66. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” — John 14:27

67. “Let your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” — Psalm 33:22

68. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” — Isaiah 40:1

69. “May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” — Colossians 1:11

70. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4

71. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” — Hebrews 10:24-25

72. “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

73. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31

74. “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7

75. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

Next up, check out these 60 Bible verses on love.

Chicken breast is a weeknight dinner workhorse, but it can also be a bit challenging to cook. Nobody wants to (or should!) eat undercooked chicken, but in an effort to prevent that you often end up with dry, overcooked meat. 

That was definitely the case in our house until pretty recently, when my husband (the same guy who makes the best-ever roasted carrots) cracked the code to flavorful, foolproof chicken breasts. Here's what you need to know. 

Related: My Father-in-Law Cracked the Code to the Best-Ever Beef Stew

The Trick to the Most Flavorful Chicken Breasts

Matt is a fan of DIY seasoning blends and dry brining meats, and his chicken breast method combines those two methods. First, he makes a big batch of his chicken seasoning. He doesn't like to write things down when he cooks, but his food editor wife (aka me) encourages him to do so whenever possible so there's at least a hope that he/we can recreate the magic again. To make the rub, combine these ingredients in a small jar (to make it easy to store the leftovers). 

1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt 
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon gochugaru flakes
1 teaspoon MSG (optional, but highly recommended)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

You can adjust the ingredients based on what you have in your cabinet, but this is the mix that works for us. The onion and garlic powder give it that savory base, the paprika adds some nice color (if you use smoked paprika it'll be smoky too), the oregano brings a bit of herby freshness, the gochugaru lends a mild heat (look for it at Asian markets) and the MSG turns all the flavors up to 11. 

Related: The Spicy New Costco Rotisserie Chicken Hack You’ve Got to Try

How to Make Chicken with Matt's All-Purpose Seasoning Blend

Mixing all of the spices together might be the hardest part of this "recipe." After the spice blend is mixed, you can pound the chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap to make them nice and even, which will help them cook more evenly, and then sprinkle liberally with the spice blend on both sides. 

Transfer the seasoned chicken to a small pan or plate and stick it in the fridge for an hour or two uncovered. This rest time will help the seasonings penetrate the meat and will dry out the surface of the chicken, which will help with browning. The dry brine will also help keep the meat stay nice and moist. Once it's done resting, cook the chicken however you prefer: sauteeing, braising, baking or grilling all work with this method. 

And this rub is great on all sorts of meats. Matt has used it on chicken thighs and thin pork chops with delicious results and it would probably also be delicious on beef or lamb. 

Up next: The Secret Ingredient for Making Jarred Pasta Sauce Taste Like It Came From an Italian Restaurant

A bit of string cheese was all it took for Jennifer Garner to help one of her dog’s dreams come true.

In a video that the 13 Going on 30 star shared this week on TikTok, the proud dog mom showed off the special birthday present she was gifting Birdie on the golden retriever’s 9th birthday. The gift in question had a special meaning for fans who paid close attention to the actress and her pets.

In the video, a clip from an interview that Garner, 52, did with WeRateDogs in February showed the Alias actress claiming that one of Birdie’s goals before aging up this year was to “eat an entire string cheese.”

The video then focused on a close-up image of a white plate on which a single unwrapped stick of string cheese was placed. Garner’s hands could be seen lighting a blue candle wedged in the center of the string cheese.

@jennifergarner

Dreams do come true! Happy birthday, Birdie ♥️🥳 . 🎤: @weratedogs

♬ original sound - Jen Garner

As the video continued, Garner began singing “Happy Birthday” while carrying the sweet birthday treat over to Birdie, who wore a pink birthday hat in celebration of her big day. Before blowing out the candle, Garner took on what appeared to be her voice for Birdie as she made her birthday wish: “I wish for endless string cheese.” Once Garner had extinguished the flame and pulled the candle out of the treat, Birdie was allowed to gobble it up off the plate.

“Dreams do come true! Happy birthday, Birdie🖤🥳,” Garner wrote in her TikTok caption.

Related: Fans Are In Stitches Over Jennifer Garner's Unhinged Video Washing Her Cat

Many of Garner’s TikTok followers praised the actress for having “the sweetest most genuine soul.”

“I don’t think Jennifer could be anymore adorable,” one TikToker commented while another wondered, “I can’t tell if Jennifer is the cutest or if it’s Birdie!!!”

“Birdie is a National treasure and don’t we all just want to eat an entire string cheese,” another fan wrote.

The birthday string cheese idea first popped up in Garner’s February WeRateDogs interview when the actress was asked if Birdie had nine goals in mind ahead of her 9th birthday. The question referred to the list of 50 goals Garner set for herself a couple of years ago ahead of her 50th birthday.

Eating an entire string cheese was one of the items that Garner mentioned as part of Birdie’s list. The golden also wished to “sit at a Parisian bistro,” “swim in the Olympics” and “go on a date,” Garner joked at the time.

Next: Jennifer Garner Celebrated Over Willingness to ‘Help on the Farm’ in Incredibly Relatable Video

Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava has announced her resignation. 

The news comes just two days after Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, announced her own resignation, sharing on social media that she would be prioritizing her mental health. 

Just days later, Srivastava took to Instagram to share a very similar message, revealing that she would be stepping down from the title after finding that her "personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization." 

"After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023," the 17-year-old wrote in her post on Wednesday, May 8. "I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens, and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title." 

Miss Teen New Jersey UmaSofia Srivastava, 16, of Morris Plains reacts upon realizing that she wins Miss Teen USA 2023 title, Thursday night in Reno, Nevada!! pic.twitter.com/HhQ8NJLs0x

— Behind The Crown (@BehindCrown) September 29, 2023

"I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself," she continued, noting that her decision to resign was made after "careful consideration." 

Still, Srivastava promised that she would continue her "relentless advocacy for education and acceptance," by moving forward with her multi-lingual children's book The White Jaguar as well as her partnerships with organizations that include The Lotus Petal Foundation and the Bridge of Books Foundation.

"This work has always been my TRUE purpose," she said, while expressing her plans to finish out 11th grade as part of the National Honor Society and start the college application process." 

She ended her post by writing, "thank you to those who support me for who I am and have always been, not for who I've momentarily become." 

"It has been a privilege," she added. 

Voigt quickly reacted to the post, replying: "I LOVE YOU! So proud of you my angel."

A rep for the Miss USA Organization responded to Parade's request for comment with a statement from the organization's CEO and president Laylah Rose. 

"Our all-encompassing goal at Miss USA is to celebrate and empower women. Our participants make a real difference in this country and around the globe," Rose said. "All along, my personal goal as the head of this organization has been to inspire women to always create new dreams, have the courage to explore it all, and continue to preserve integrity along the way. I hold myself to these same high standards and I take these allegations seriously."

"Please be assured that the well-being of all individuals associated with Miss USA is my top priority," the statement concluded.

Next: Fans Concerned After Shaq Shares Rare Personal Message About 'Love'

Shaquille O’Neal worried some of his fans on social media after sharing a rare personal message about the difficulties of love.

The former professional basketball star shared his message on Wednesday, May 8. It appeared as a simple block of white text over a black background on Instagram.

“I understand…I wouldn’t have been in love with me either. Wishing you all the best… ❤️ All love, Shaq,” the message said.

In a caption accompanying his post, the Inside the NBA sports analyst further wrote, “trust me i get it.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq)

Though O’Neal, 52, didn’t provide additional context for his message, many fans believed it had something to do with his ex-wife’s new memoir. Shaunie Henderson was married to the four-time NBA champion from 2002 until their divorce was finalized in 2011. The two share four children together.

Henderson, 49, released her memoir, Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms, on May 7. In the book, the former Basketball Wives star questioned her love for O’Neal, according to an excerpt obtained by TMZ.

“Looking back, I don’t know that I was ever really in love with the man, but I was in love with the idea of being married to the man I had a family with,” the excerpt from her memoir said.

Related: Shaq Admits He Spends $1,000 on Surprising Beauty Treatment

Some of O’Neal’s fans were baffled by his rare personal message about “love,” and many left comments on Instagram expressing their concern over the confusion it caused.

“😢😢 what's going on,” one fan wanted to know.

“Naw man....who hurting the man of the People Big Diesel!?” another fan wrote, referencing one of the basketball star’s popular nicknames.

Others who appeared to have already read Henderson’s comments were defensive of O’Neal.

“I don’t know Shaq,” one Instagram user’s comment began. “But I do know that those words would’ve hurt anybody. Some things you just need to keep to yourself. But Shaq took the high road.”

"You the ONLY reason she could ever be relevant bro,” another person claimed.

“Ignore that negativity,” one fan urged. “You are loved by many.”

Next: Shaq Finally Shares His Candid Reflection About Meeting Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl

When you think about pasta shapes, does your mind automatically think spaghetti, rigatoni or penne? People rarely think orzo and that's so sad, since it's one of the most versatile pastas to have in your pantry. And these 45 best orzo recipes are proof!

What Is Orzo?

Orzo resembles tiny football-shaped, oval pasta orbs that almost look like rice, but it's pasta we promise! It's a short-cut pasta shape also known as risoni and in Italy, known as pastina or "little pasta."

Related: Healthy Pasta Recipes

How To Cook Orzo Pasta

Like any other pasta, orzo should be boiled until al dente before added to soup, salads or any other delicious recipes.

Related: 30 Types of Pasta

Best Orzo Recipes

Orzo is often used to create delicious orzo pasta salad recipes and makes easy one-pot dinners, like my favorite Lemon, Asparagus and Orzo. Your family will love these quick comfort meals. Orzo also makes for a great side dish to your weeknight chicken or pork. Once you realize how versatile orzo really is, you'll see why it's a good idea to keep orzo on hand in your pantry at all times. Chefs love orzo too! As you'll see, it's the star ingredient in Bobby Flay's Toasted Orzo Pasta.

Need more orzo inspiration? I've rounded up a ton of easy orzo recipes that feature this little known, yet well loved risoni pasta. Don't be surprised if it becomes your new favorite ingredient!

Lemony Chicken and Asparagus Orzo

Mark Boughton Photography

Speaking of which, fast-cooking orzo—a small rice-shaped pasta—is a perfect backdrop for the bright flavors in this nutritious, one-pan dish.

Get the recipe: Lemony Chicken and Asparagus Orzo

Rotisserie Chicken and Orzo Bake

Joanna Cismaru

Orzo cooks faster than most other pasta shapes, so it’s perfect in casseroles, like this one from Joanna Cismaru

Get the recipe: Rotisserie Chicken and Orzo Bake

Instant Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Pasta

Becky Winkler

This stunning orzo pasta salad is perfect for weeknight dinners because you can make it all in your Instant Pot, without the need for a separate skillet for sautéing. It can be enjoyed hot, cold or at room temperature,

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo Pasta

Cheesy Meatball and Orzo One-Dish Casserole

Katie Workman

This one-pot orzo dinner turns super-convenient frozen meatballs into a creamy, slightly cheese main dish, complete with the vegetables built right in.

Get the recipe: Cheesy Meatball and Orzo One-Dish Casserole

White Cheddar Green Bean Orzo Casserole with Fried Onion Strings

Shea Goldstein

Orozo adds another element to the already delicious concoction of green beans doused in a cajun-spiked creamy of chicken sauce topped with crunchy fried onion strings. 

Get the recipe: White Cheddar Green Bean Orzo Casserole with Fried Onion Strings

25-Minute Lemon-Thyme Orzo Pilaf

Recipe Girl

Get cooking on a delicious and colorful side-dish choice that is packed with flavor.

Get the recipe: 25-Minute Lemon-Thyme Orzo Pilaf

Smoked Salmon and Orange Orzo Salad

Sanura Weathers

On those days you need an energizing salad with a fulfilling protein, a healthy carb, and greens, turn to this smoked salmon and orange orzo salad. It’s a salad of whole-wheat pasta tossed with citrusy vinaigrette with specks of salty smoked salmon, oranges, and crunchy celery with baby greens.

Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon and Orange Orzo Salad

Orzo Chicken Soup with Bone-In Chicken Thighs

Real Food with Sarah

This cozy soup is good for the soul.

Get the recipe: Orzo Chicken Soup with Bone-In Chicken Thighs

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Sidewalk Shoes

This cozy orzo chicken soup is made with chicken thighs, orzo and lemon juice. Extra vegetables and a little ginger make it super flavorful, warming and great for a chilly day!

Get the recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Related: 38 Best Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

Orzo Risotto with Meyer Lemon and Spring Peas

Food Hunter's Guide to Cuisine

This cozy meal is pure comfort food.

Get the recipe: Orzo Risotto with Meyer Lemon and Spring Peas

Orzo Salad with Chimichurri Sauce

Amanda's Cooking

This orzo salad is tossed in an herby chimichurri sauce, fresh spinach, and feta. Your healthy dinner side dish is taken care of in less than 15 minutes!

Get the recipe: Orzo Salad with Chimichurri Sauce

Creamy Parmesan Orzo Pasta With Chicken Artichokes and Spinach

The Food Hunter

Similar to mac and cheese, this nourishing recipe is deliciously combines  artichokes, spinach, chicken and orzo pasta.

Get the recipe: Creamy Parmesan Orzo Pasta With Chicken Artichokes and Spinach 

Pesto Orzo Salad

Season and Thyme

Pesto orzo salad is a fresh and simple side dish that is perfect for the summer months. This salad recipe is a cinch to put together, with very little prep work or chopping involved. 

Get the recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Mediterranean Lemon Orzo Salad

Real Food With Sarah

This orzo salad is so fresh!

Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad

Related: 70 Best Lemon Recipes To Brighten Your Day

Chickpea Orzo Soup

Profusion Curry

This vegetable-packed pasta soup tastes unbelievably delicious and will give you a burst of nutrients and a feeling of fullness. 

Get the recipe: Chickpea Orzo Soup

Creamy Mushroom Orzo

An Affair from the Heart

Get the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Orzo

Orzo with Everything

Sheri Silver

You're going to eat up this orzo-filled variation of a corn-tomato-feta salad.

Get the recipe: Orzo with Everything

Greek Pasta Salad with Orzo

Art of Natural Living

Bookmark this salad to make at the tail-end of summer when you have more tomatoes than you can do away with. 

Get the recipe: Greek Pasta Salad with Orzo

Toasted Orzo "Risotto" with Fresh Herbs

Ms enplace

Herby, cheesy, and of course, loaded with orzo, this fresh risotto has got it all.

Get the recipe: Toasted Orzo "Risotto" with Fresh Herbs

Lemon Orzo Salad

Nibble & Dine

This lemon orzo salad with feta is tangy and bright, with tons of fresh lemon flavor from both lemon zest and lemon juice. You can make this easy summer side dish with only 8 ingredients and in 25 minutes!

Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad

Meatball Stew with Orzo and White Beans

Skinny Spatula

This meatball stew with orzo and white beans is hearty and incredibly full of flavour. It has a good dose of protein and loads of veggies.

Get the recipe: Meatball Stew with Orzo and White Beans

Related: 20 Best White Bean Recipes

Egg Lemon Soup with Spinach

Art of Natural Living

Greek Egg Lemon Soup (Avgolemono) is a quick & tasty alternative to chicken soup–especially with orzo and added spinach for even more nutrition.

Get the recipe: Egg Lemon Soup with Spinach 

Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Caramelized Shallots

This Home Kitchen

This orzo is savory, garlicky, and just a touch sweet from the shallots and thyme. The parmesan adds creaminess without making it heavy.

Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Caramelized Shallots

Dill Roasted Salmon Salad

My Therapist Cooks

Orzo adds a grainy pop of texture to this herby salmon salad. 

Get the recipe: Dill Roasted Salmon Salad

Vegan Avgolemono Soup

Vegan Cocotte

 No one will believe this creamy orzo soup is vegan.

Get the recipe: Vegan Avgolemono Soup 

One-Pot Chicken with Orzo, Lemon and Feta

Craving California

This recipe for one-pot baked chicken and orzo is packed with Mediterranean flavors like lemon, olives, fresh oregano, and feta cheese!

Get the recipe: One-Pot Chicken with Orzo, Lemon and Feta

Lemon Asparagus Orzo One-Pot Meal

Veggies Save The Day

One pot, 5 ingredients, and 30 minutes are all you need to make this delicious vegan orzo dinner.

Get the recipe: Lemon Asparagus Orzo One-Pot Meal

Easy One Skillet Ground Beef Recipe with Orzo

Dizzy Busy & Hungry

Your whole family will love this delicious skillet ground beef meal made with orzo and briny olives. 

Get the recipe: Easy One Skillet Ground Beef Recipe with Orzo

Related: 150+ Ground Beef Recipes

Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo Soup

Sweet Recipeas

Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo SoupThis Creamy Tomato Spinach Orzo Soup is hearty and full of veggies and can be made to be either Vegan or Vegetarian, your choice. Vegan Mediterranean Spinach Orzo Salad

Veggies Save the Day

Vegan Spinach Orzo Salad is loaded with Mediterranean flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and pine nuts. It's easy to make in under 45 minutes with only 9 ingredients. It's a delicious alternative to traditional pasta salad.

Get the recipe: Vegan Mediterranean Spinach Orzo Salad

Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

Piping Pot Curry

A light and refreshing side dish, made with orzo pasta, grape tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil. 

Get the recipe: Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

Blueberry Peach Orzo

This lime-kissed orzo pasta is studded with fresh juicy peaches and succulent blueberries and tender peppery arugula leaves offset the fruity sweetness creating a perfect balance of flavors. 

Get the recipe: Blueberry Peach Orzo

Chicken Marsala Orzo

Whole & Heavenly Oven

This one pot chicken marsala orzo takes all the work out of traditional chicken marsala and transforms it into a quick, easy weeknight meal made entirely in one pot!

Get the recipe: Chicken Marsala Orzo

Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta

The Recipe Rebel

A one-pot recipe for tender orzo tossed in a light and cheesy cream sauce.

Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta

Orzo Chicken Greek Style

Scrummy Lane

For the best family dinner, just cook chicken with orzo, tomato passata and a few yummy Greek flavours, then bake.

Get the recipe: Orzo Chicken Greek Style

Related: 42 Chinese Chicken Recipes

Creamy Mushroom Orzo With Spinach

Noshing with The Nolans

This dish is not only velvety but also easy and delicious! 

Get the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Orzo With Spinach

Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup

Amanda's Cooking

This Italian soup is so good we make it year-round. 

Get the recipe: Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup

Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

Mellisa's Southern Style Kitchen

This flavorful orzo with sausage is a versatile dish that can serve double duty as either an entree or a side dish. It’s simple to put together and makes a scrumptious busy day meal option.

Get the recipe: Cajun Orzo with Andouille Sausage

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Little Sunny Kitchen

Get ready to swoon over this Greek-style chicken noodle soup recipe with tender chicken, yummy vegetables, and pasta in a savory and bright lemon infused broth.

Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Goat Cheese Orzo Salad

Savory Experiments

Orzo combines whimsically with tangy goat cheese and tender asparagus in this summer salad. 

Get the recipe: Goat Cheese and Orzo Salad

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

With only 7 simple ingredients, this orzo dish will instantly become one of your go-to weeknight dinners. 

Get the recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

Lemon Orzo Salad

Belly Full

This orzo salad screams springtime with orzo pasta, juicy shrimp, sweet cherry tomatoes, beautiful ripe asparagus, all tossed in a bright lemon dressing. It’s filling, but light, and perfect as a side or main course at home, or for a potluck.

Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad

Related: 40 Chicken Leg Recipes For Dinner

Summer Orzo Salad with Chickpeas and Feta

Peas and Crayons

Eating the rainbow just got easier.

Get the recipe: Summer Orzo Salad with Chickpeas and Feta

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Courtney's Sweets

 Ladle up a bowl full of orzo-full comfort.

Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

One-Pot Orzo Pasta with Garlic, Parmesan and Mushrooms

Peas and Crayons

This creamy orzo pasta is blanketed in a totally luscious sauce and swirled with veggies.

Get the recipe: One-Pot Orzo Pasta with Garlic, Parmesan and Mushrooms

Up next: 9 TikTok Pasta Recipes That Went Viral For All the Right Reasons

Robert Irwin was recently given a not-so-gentle reminder to keep his doors locked. 

The 20-year-old conservationist is currently staying in South Africa to do some work with the South African Wildlife Rescue, but he may not have intended to get this up close and personal with the local creatures. 

In a new TikTok video, Irwin documented a visit from an unwelcome guest who somehow made his way into his hotel room. 

The intruder appeared to be a monkey who was just casually crawling around in Irwin's bathroom. 

"I'm sitting in my room and I hear a noise," he said before panning the camera over to the creature. "Okay, that'll be what it is." 

He then asked the furry creature, "Could you please, uh, exit the premises? I don't need you in my bathroom, mate."

"Thanks, though," he quipped while the monkey scurried back outside.

@robertirwin

This is why you lock your doors in South Africa…😂

♬ original sound - Robert Irwin

"I really thought that door was locked," he then told the camera. "Clearly not." 

"Have a good one. See ya mate," he then yelled to the monkey, who was watching him from a tree outside. 

Fans clearly got a kick out of Irwin's video, with many of his followers pointing out that he was well-equipped to handle such an encounter. 

"At least you're robert irwin in this situation," one person noted, while another added, "No one is more qualified to be in this situation." 

"'have a good one, see ya mate' classic Irwin behaviour," someone else joked. 

Others thought it was funny that the animal happened to run into Irwin, a zookeeper, wildlife expert and the son of The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.

"Little man looked flabbergasted," one TikToker quipped. "'Oh! THE Robert Irwin! I didn't realize this was your room! Apologies let me just skedaddle out of here.'" 

"He just needed to make sure the rumors were true," another joked, while someone else imagined the monkey telling his friends about the encounter and saying, "'you guys will never believe who I saw today.'" 

Next: Robert Irwin Reacts to Being Labeled a Heartthrob by Fans in Thirsty Comments

Travis Kelce will soon have another Funko Pop! figurine modeled after him, and this time around, it appears that there's a secret reference to his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, included in the design.

As fans shared news of the figurine's upcoming release, some Swifties noticed that there appears to be a friendship bracelet on Kelce's wrist in the colors of the Kansas City Chiefs–a detail that is not included in the 34-year-old NFL star's first sold-out Pop! model. While fans only have product photos to go off, the detail seems to be a direct connection to Swift and the importance of friendship bracelets to herself and her fans. 

"Wait, is that a friendship bracelet on Travis’ new Funko Pop…🥹," wrote a Swiftie as they shared a photo of the Kelce toy.

Related: Travis Kelce Keepsake Hallmark Ornament for 2024 Is Causing a Stir

wait, is that a friendship bracelet on Travis’ new Funko Pop…🥹 pic.twitter.com/buuw0zaMJ2

— Jenna (@jennaxkc) May 7, 2024

"I am completely obsessed with this," declared another fan who loved the little Easter egg.

"Omg I want one of those! 😂😂," someone else exclaimed.

"The friendship bracelet is a nice touch 🫶," wrote another Swiftie who eyed the bracelet online. 

Many fans also called for the company to make models of the singer herself, with some suggesting they sell a two-pack of Swift and Kelce together.

As for how you can get the new Kelce Funko Pop! yourself, it's not out yet according to the manufacturer's website, but some online retailers are currently offering pre-orders. 

Along with wearing friendship bracelets whenever he saw Swift on tour, Kelce has also rocked friendship bracelets at other events, such as his brother Jason's emotional press conference when he announced his retirement.

More recently, Kelce connected with fans over friendship bracelets while attending both the F1 Miami Grand Prix and the Kentucky Derby. Fans should keep an eye out as the Eras Tour starts up again, as they might just see Kelce wearing these bracelets while supporting Swift at her concerts. 

Next: Fans Jump for Joy After Shirtless Jason Kelce Funko Pop Finally Released