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Herb and Spice Blending: Creating Your Mixes
Trivia: Who was the first female gymnast to score a perfect 10 in the Olympics?
RetireHub
July 12, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Saturday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on herb and spice blending: creating your mixes, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
💻 $94 OFF – VEAT00L 10.1” Android 13 Tablet (6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Expandable)
Stay connected and entertained with this powerful yet affordable tablet. With an octa-core processor, vivid 1920x1200 HD display, and expandable storage up to 128GB, it's perfect for streaming, reading, or video chatting with family and friends—plus, it runs on the latest Android 13 system.
🛏️ $170 OFF – MLILY Ego 6” Twin Memory Foam Mattress (Bed in a Box)
Upgrade your sleep with this comfy, compact memory foam mattress that arrives in a box for easy setup. Designed to relieve pressure points and support restful sleep, it's ideal for guest rooms, kids, or anyone needing a cozy new bed at a great value.
🎪 $80 OFF – Ainfox 10x10 ft Pop-Up Canopy Tent (with Carrying Bag, Pink)
Bring shade and charm to any outdoor gathering with this easy-to-set-up canopy tent. Whether you're hosting a picnic, setting up a market booth, or just enjoying your backyard, its bright pink design and portable carry bag make it fun, functional, and festive.
What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: William Todd Rookie police officer Milo Moffat and his boss Detective Percy Watts investigate what was initially thought of as an abduction for ransom of the richest family in Braxton. They slowly uncover a much darker motive than money, but can they find the girl before it's too late? |
On this day in 1979 the Chicago White Sox held the infamous Disco Demolition Night, blowing up disco records at Comiskey Park between games of a doubleheader. The stunt sparked a chaotic fan riot that disrupted the field and led to the second game being forfeited—marking a spectacular clash of music culture and sports history.
Herb and Spice Blending: Creating Your Own Mixes
There’s something special about cooking with herbs and spices you’ve blended yourself—it’s part creativity, part tradition, and all flavor. Blending your own herbs and spices lets you tailor seasonings to your taste, skip unnecessary additives, and infuse your meals with personality. Whether you’re aiming for a cozy stew, zesty rub, or calming tea blend, homemade mixes bring freshness and joy to your kitchen.
The basics of spice blending start with understanding a few categories: base spices, like paprika, cumin, or turmeric, add body; aromatic herbs, such as oregano, thyme, and rosemary, bring complexity; and heat elements like chili powder or black pepper offer a kick. Sweet notes—think cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom—can round things out beautifully, especially in baking or warm winter dishes.
A great place to begin is with a classic blend like Italian seasoning. Try mixing dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of garlic powder. For a taco blend, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of cayenne. You’ll be amazed at how much better it tastes than store-bought—and how good your kitchen smells while you’re mixing!
If you’re into grilling, making your own dry rubs is a game-changer. A smoky BBQ rub might include brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, mustard powder, garlic, and a hint of cinnamon. For fish, a dill-lemon-pepper mix is bright and flavorful.
Storage tips: Keep your blends in small glass jars with tight lids, away from direct sunlight and heat. Label each with the date and name. Most homemade blends stay fresh for 6–12 months.
And don’t overlook tea blends—a relaxing herbal mix of dried chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and a few crushed mint leaves makes for a soothing evening sip. Add a bit of dried orange peel or fennel seed if you want to experiment.
Blending herbs and spices is a wonderful activity to share with friends or family. You can even make small batches as gifts, packed in jars with handwritten labels. Best of all, it’s an easy way to keep learning and experimenting in the kitchen—no fancy tools or chef skills required.
So pull out those jars, get sniffing, and start creating your signature blends. Your future meals (and taste buds) will thank you!
🌿 Do you ever make your own herb or spice blends at home? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Do you meditate?
It looks like meditation is a journey with many starting points! While just over 10% of respondents are dedicated regular meditators, a larger group—nearly 25%—have dipped their toes in but haven't quite made it a habit. A curious 9% are brand new and eager to give it a try, while about 21% shared that staying still is the biggest hurdle. Interestingly, the largest group—nearly 34%—said meditation just isn’t for them, and that’s okay too! Whether you're committed, curious, or content doing your own thing, it’s clear that everyone is finding their own rhythm when it comes to mindfulness.
TOP COMMENTS
“Sleep meditation videos on YouTube at bedtime! 🥰”
“Meditation is comparable to free medicine. It is as routine as exercise for me.”
“I’ve done it semi regularly and seem to do best with guided meditation. I’d love to get more consistent.”
Strong Shoulders, Simple Moves: Build Support and Stay Independent
Maintaining shoulder strength is about more than muscle—it’s key to staying mobile, pain-free, and independent as we age. With a few gentle exercises like wall slides, resistance band pull-aparts, and light arm rotations, it’s possible to improve shoulder stability, ease tension, and reduce the risk of injury. Add in mindful posture, slow progressions, and regular movement, and you’ve got a shoulder-friendly routine that supports everything from carrying groceries to reaching overhead—helping you feel stronger and more capable in everyday life.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Corecore
Meaning: “Corecore” is a newer internet slang term referring to a genre of short, emotional video edits (often found on TikTok) that blend music, quotes, and visuals to evoke strong feelings—usually about modern life, nostalgia, or existential reflection. It’s like a digital collage of emotions, meant to make you feel something, even if it's hard to explain.
In a sentence: "After watching that 'corecore' video my grandson made of our old family photos set to music, I was teary-eyed—who knew TikTok could tug at the heartstrings like that?”
Good News of the Day
Scottish Tidal Turbine Achieves Record-Breaking Six-Year Operation Without Maintenance
A tidal turbine located off the coast of Scotland has reached an impressive milestone by operating continuously for more than six years without any unplanned maintenance. This achievement highlights the durability and reliability of tidal energy technology, even in the challenging conditions of the open sea. The turbine is part of the MeyGen tidal energy project in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, which aims to harness the power of tidal currents to generate clean, renewable electricity. By running smoothly and consistently over such a long period, the turbine demonstrates the promising potential of tidal power as a sustainable energy source that could help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This breakthrough brings us a step closer to a future where renewable tidal energy plays a significant role in meeting global energy needs, offering a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative.
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RetireHub Trivia
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The scientific term for the study of insects is...? |
In which city would you find the historic landmark known as the Hagia Sophia? |
Who was the first female gymnast to score a perfect 10 in the Olympics? |
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