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Whoa, this completely flew under my radar

The circular dent on the side of milk jugs is a feature that most people encounter daily but rarely question. This small indentation, often overlooked, holds a significant purpose in the design of milk containers. While many consumers might assume it is merely an aesthetic choice or a manufacturing quirk, the truth is that this dent plays a crucial role in the functionality and safety of the jug. Understanding this feature requires a closer look at the design and engineering principles behind everyday objects, which often go unnoticed.
The Purpose of the Circular Dent: An Overview
The circular dent on a milk jug is not just a random design choice; it serves multiple practical purposes. Primarily, it acts as a pressure release mechanism, allowing the jug to expand and contract without breaking. This is particularly important during transportation and storage, where temperature changes can cause the milk to expand.
Additionally, the dent contributes to the structural integrity of the jug, preventing it from collapsing under pressure. By understanding these functions, consumers can appreciate the thought and engineering that goes into the design of a simple milk jug.
Historical Context: The Evolution of Milk Jug Design
The design of milk jugs has evolved significantly over the years. In the past, milk was delivered in glass bottles, which were heavy and prone to breaking. As the dairy industry grew, there was a need for a more durable and cost-effective solution. The introduction of plastic milk jugs in the mid-20th century revolutionized the industry, offering a lightweight and shatterproof alternative. The circular dent was introduced as part of this evolution, addressing the need for a design that could withstand the rigors of modern distribution and storage.
Reason 1: Structural Integrity and Pressure Management
The circular dent enhances the structural integrity of the milk jug by allowing it to flex under pressure. When the jug is filled, the liquid exerts outward pressure on the walls. The dent acts as a pressure release point, enabling the jug to expand slightly without cracking. This feature is especially useful during transportation, where jugs are stacked and subjected to varying temperatures. By preventing structural failure, the dent ensures that the milk remains safely contained until it reaches the consumer.
Reason 2: Cost Efficiency in Manufacturing
Incorporating a circular dent into the design of milk jugs also contributes to cost efficiency in manufacturing. The dent allows for a reduction in the amount of plastic needed to produce each jug, as it strengthens the structure without requiring additional material. This not only lowers production costs but also reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing. By optimizing the design for material efficiency, manufacturers can produce more jugs with less plastic, benefiting both the economy and the environment.
Reason 3: Consumer Safety and Spill Prevention
The circular dent also plays a role in consumer safety by reducing the risk of spills. When a jug is dropped or handled roughly, the dent absorbs some of the impact, preventing the jug from bursting open. This feature is particularly important in households with children, where accidents are more likely to occur. By minimizing the risk of spills, the dent helps ensure that milk is not wasted and that consumers are not exposed to potential hazards from broken containers.
Reason 4: Environmental Considerations and Recycling
From an environmental perspective, the circular dent aids in the recycling process. The design allows the jugs to be easily crushed for recycling, reducing their volume and making them more efficient to transport and process. This feature supports the broader goal of creating a sustainable and circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled to minimize waste. By facilitating recycling, the dent contributes to the reduction of plastic pollution and the conservation of resources.
Reason 5: Aesthetic and Branding Factors
While functionality is the primary driver behind the circular dent, aesthetics and branding also play a role. The dent provides a unique visual element that can be used to differentiate products on the shelf. Some brands may choose to incorporate their logo or other design elements into the dent, using it as a branding tool. This subtle feature can enhance the overall appearance of the jug, making it more appealing to consumers and reinforcing brand identity.
Common Misconceptions About the Circular Dent
Despite its importance, the circular dent is often misunderstood. Some people mistakenly believe that it is a flaw or defect in the jug, rather than an intentional design feature. Others may assume that it serves no purpose at all. These misconceptions highlight the gap between consumer perception and the reality of product design. By educating consumers about the true function of the dent, manufacturers can foster a greater appreciation for the engineering that goes into everyday items.
Conclusion: The Unseen Importance of a Simple Design Feature
The circular dent on the side of a milk jug is a testament to the ingenuity and thoughtfulness that goes into product design. While it may seem insignificant at first glance, this small feature plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of milk packaging. By understanding the purpose and benefits of the dent, consumers can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of everyday objects and the unseen work that goes into making them both functional and reliable.

Dog Won’t Leave Woman Alone – When Husband Discovers Why, He Calls The Police

George’s eyes were going back and forth between the pacing dog and his wife, Zoe. His eyes were filled with a silent worry as he looked on. They had agreed to dog-sit Rex, their friend Corey’s well-behaved pooch. George and Zoe had expected an easy time, and indeed, the initial days were a breeze. However, the peace didn’t last long…

The house was silent except for Rex’s constant movement. The dog was acting strange, walking back and forth erratically, looking like he could pounce at any moment. George felt uneasy, not knowing what to expect, both he and Zoe had little experience with dogs, especially such large ones. Rex kept pacing back and forth, his eyes darting around the room as if tracking something only he could see. The hair on his back bristled, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. A feeling of dread crept over George. Rex’s behavior signaled that something was very wrong.

But what was it? Why was Rex so focussed on Zoe? From the moment Rex entered their home, he stayed by Zoe’s side, showing an unusual level of interest. This obsessive behavior unsettled George, and he knew something didn’t add up. And then on top of that, there was the text message. George felt Zoe’s eyes on him. Was she hiding something? Her smile seemed forced, not reaching her eyes. This just wasn’t right and he was determined to find out what was going on…

During Rex’s first days here, everything was calm and ordinary. Rex behaved perfectly normal. Zoe, showing her affection, frequently played with Rex on warm afternoons in their small garden. Meanwhile, George was immersed in his own world of work and routine. Everything seemed normal. At least, that’s what George believed…

But then, a quiet change swept through their home. Rex started acting differently, becoming strangely attached to Zoe. He would watch her every move, his intense stare creating an unsettling atmosphere. George started to feel an unexplainable unease.

One morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, gently illuminating the room.George was still sleeping, but a soft sound from Zoe’s phone woke him up. Stirred from his slumber, he opened his eyes and glanced at the softly lit screen of her phone.

A new message had popped up. George knew he should respect Zoe’s privacy—it was an unspoken rule. But something powerful, a mix of curiosity and an eerie sense of unease, gripped him. He felt compelled to read it. Maybe it was his gut feeling?

George quickly looked at Zoe, who was sound asleep and unaware of the thoughts racing through his mind. He was torn between respecting her privacy and the strong urge to read the message. His heart was pounding in the quiet room. Finally, he couldn’t resist the urge any longer and started unlocking her phone.

The message was from a number George didn’t recognize; it wasn’t saved in Zoe’s phone. His heart started beating faster. He had a bad feeling that this could change their perfect relationship. Should he keep reading or ignore it to keep the peace? He paused, unsure of what to do.

A voice in his head warned him – once he read the message, he wouldn’t be able to forget what it said. However, there was no turning back now. Curiosity and unease drove him forward. With a pounding heart, George read the first few words. They were cryptic, leaving him even more confused than he had been before reading the text. What could it mean?

The message read: “You’ve told me that I can’t tell George about this and that you’ll tell him when the time is right, so that’s wha…” The message abruptly ended there. He had to open the message to read it entirely, but that could mean Zoe discovering he was snooping around. Suddenly, Zoe started to stir; she was waking up! George hastily locked the phone and returned it to her pillow. A whirlwind of questions swirled around in his mind. What was Zoe hiding from him?

The next few days were tough for George. He started to doubt everything Zoe did and said. Their home, once full of laughter and love, was now quiet and filled with doubt. Everything just felt wrong. Even Rex started acting weird around Zoe, like the dog could sense George’s unease.

Besides, Zoe began leaving the house late at night and would deny ever being gone. She insisted he must have been dreaming because she had been right beside him all night. But George knew better. Every time she disappeared, it was like finding another sign of betrayal he never expected. One evening, overcome with feelings of betrayal and engulfed in confusion, George reached his breaking point.

On top of that their communication had worsened. Where they once couldn’t stop talking and laughing together, their house was now quiet and tense. They argued more often, each lost in their own problems. George kept thinking about a mysterious message on Zoe’s phone. He felt both angry and helpless. “Does she think I’m stupid?” he wondered, feeling his anger rise. He believed something was very wrong. Not knowing what else to do, he called the police. Their once-peaceful home became a tense battleground.

George noticed many signs that Zoe was behaving strangely and he couldn’t ignore them. However, it wasn’t as he initially thought – that she had cheated on him. It was something much worse. So when he reported his concerns to the police, they took them seriously and arrived at their house promptly. The situation escalated quickly upon their arrival. They asked a lot of questions. Zoe looked trapped under the hard stares of both the officers and George. But as they talked, surprising truths started coming out. Every mystery, from Rex’s behavior and Zoe’s secret trips to the strange text message, was getting solved. George was hearing answers he wasn’t ready for, answers that could change their lives. And they were nothing like he could have ever expected…

And to think that all of this began with a simple text message just a couple of weeks ago. That particular day George was enjoying a quiet evening at home when his phone buzzed on the coffee table. It was Corey, his best friend. Corey was due to travel abroad for a work trip in a matter of days, a trip that promised to immerse him in new cultures and bustling foreign cities for several weeks. It was an adventure George was slightly envious of. However, an unexpected issue had come up.

Corey’s loyal Doberman, Rex, was unable to accompany him on this international escapade. Normally, a friendly local dog sitter would step into Corey’s shoes, ensuring Rex was well-cared for in his absence. But fate, which is often unpredictable, had disrupted those plans. The sitter had canceled at the last moment because of a family emergency. Time was running out, and Corey was in a tough spot.

Corey had sent a message to George, but with every passing second, anxiety bubbled up. “I can’t wait”, he thought. The idea struck – if George saw Rex’s big, soulful eyes, saying no would be impossible. So, Corey wasted no time and, with Rex by his side, headed to George’s house.

As soon as Corey arrived, he began explaining his urgent situation to George. He was caught between an impending work trip and the need for someone to care for Rex Maybe George could keep Rex for two weeks? Just then, Zoe, George’s partner, walked in. Corey’s plea was still hanging in the air. Upon seeing Zoe, Corey quickly turned to her, saying: “Hello,my sweet Zoe”, in a soothing tone. It was clear he wanted something from her. Perhaps she would be easier to convince? ………….

A recently adopted stray dog saved a newborn baby’s life in the middle of the night

They discovered their freshly adopted pitbull chewing from their newborn baby’s cot in the middle of the night.  When they looked closer at the infant and realised what the dog did, they started crying.

One family, the Robinsons, had a 6-year-old boy, and when the wife became pregnant with their second child, they chose to relocate to a larger house in a rural region where they planned to construct a farm. They weren’t permitted to have a pet at home since they were renting a small apartment before purchasing the house, but now that they had their own property, they really wanted to adopt a dog.

They went to different shelters to adopt a dog, and as they were hearing all the tales about how each animal got up there, they came across a shy Pit Bull called Benson.

Unfortunately, Benson’s life was not an easy one.  He was used for fighting for many years and was finally discarded on the streets.  When volunteers discovered him, he had already lost confidence in humanity and was reluctant to raise his head.  After some time at the shelter, a family welcomed him in, but his bliss lasted barely two weeks.  The family decided they didn’t want him since he was unfriendly.

When Mrs. Robinson heard this, she decided she had to provide him a better life.  They adopted Benson, and despite his unusual behaviour at initially, he quickly became friends with the family’s kid Mathias.

When the baby was born, Benson just expressed love and affection.

One night, however, the family heard a loud barking coming from the baby’s chamber.  When they noticed Benson chewing the crib’s ribs, they ran to investigate.  They initially feared the worst, believing he intended to harm the child, but he was really doing the opposite.  As it turned out, the infant had stopped breathing, and Benson was attempting to reach her.

The family took her to the hospital, where they were informed that if Benson did not notify them of the baby’s condition, she would undoubtedly die.  Thankfully, it did not happen.

Mrs. Robinson never expected Benson to save her child’s life in exchange for saving his own.

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MY DAD LEFT MY MOM FOR HIS “SOULMATE”—BUT HE NEVER TOLD US WHO IT WAS

When my dad sat us down and said he was leaving my mom, I thought I misheard him. My parents had been married for 26 years. They weren’t perfect, but they weren’t divorce bad. At least, I didn’t think so.

“I’ve met someone,” he said, rubbing his hands together like he was trying to warm them up. “I didn’t plan for this to happen, but… I can’t ignore it. This person is my soulmate.”

I glanced at my mom, waiting for her to explode. But she just sat there, quiet. Her hands folded in her lap, eyes fixed on the table.

“Who is it?” I asked, my voice shaking.

He hesitated. “I—I don’t think that matters.”

“Of course it matters!” I snapped. “You’re blowing up our entire family for someone, but we don’t get to know who?”

He didn’t answer.

Over the next few weeks, he moved out, got an apartment across town, and refused to say a word about the mystery person. No pictures. No introductions. Nothing. My mom never asked, or if she did, she never told me.

At first, I assumed it was an affair. Some woman he met at work, or maybe someone from his past. But the longer time passed, the stranger it all felt. He didn’t remarry. He didn’t bring anyone to family events. It was like he had vanished into his own world.

Then, one night, I ran into him at a coffee shop. I almost didn’t recognize him—he looked… lighter. Happier. And he wasn’t alone.

He was sitting with someone. Their conversation was quiet, intimate. But it wasn’t the way a man sits with a mistress. It was something else. Something I hadn’t even considered.

And in that moment, I finally realized why he never told us who he left for.

As I approached the table, a chill ran through me. The person sitting across from my dad was not a woman, as I had assumed, but an older man, his hair speckled with grey, his laughter lines deep and familiar. It was Mr. Peterson, our next-door neighbor from when I was a kid, a man who had always been like an uncle to me.

I stood there, frozen, as the reality of the situation dawned on me. My dad looked up, his eyes meeting mine, filled with a mix of fear and relief. “Hey,” he said quietly, gesturing for me to join them.

Hesitantly, I sat down. Mr. Peterson smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners, a gesture of peace. “It’s been a long time,” he said.

“Yeah,” I managed to reply, my mind racing. All the memories of Mr. Peterson being around during my childhood, the weekends spent fishing, the barbecues, the heart-to-heart talks—it all made a different kind of sense now.

“We wanted to tell you,” my dad began, his voice trembling slightly. “But we didn’t know how. We’ve been close friends for decades. Over time, that friendship turned into something more. Something neither of us expected but ultimately couldn’t deny.”

“It wasn’t about leaving your mom for someone better,” Mr. Peterson added gently. “It was about being true to ourselves after years of hiding who we really are.”

As the words sunk in, I looked from one man to the other, seeing the truth in their expressions, the relief of no longer hiding their reality. It was a lot to process, but seeing my dad genuinely happy, lighter than I’d ever seen him, made the shock start to ebb away. I realized then that love is profoundly complex and that finding one’s soulmate isn’t something that can always be neatly categorized or expected.

“I just… wish you’d trusted us sooner,” I said, my voice softening.

“We were scared,” my dad admitted, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “But we’re here now, hoping you’ll accept us.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of years of unspoken truths between us start to lift. “I need time,” I said honestly, “but I’m glad you’re happy.”

We spent the rest of the evening talking, reconnecting in a way we hadn’t in years. It wasn’t easy, and there were moments of awkward silence, but it was a start—a beginning to understanding and, hopefully, acceptance.

The Way You Crack An Egg Reveals A Lot About Your Cooking Skills

It’s hard to believe what people can find to argue about these days, but one big kerfuffle in the culinary world is about how to crack an egg. Some home cooks say hitting the shell on a flat surface, like a counter, is less likely to rupture the yolk, but others argue that the edge of a bowl produces a stronger break. And then there are those who suggest using a knife, or cracking an egg against another egg.

Who knew there were so many ways to complete this simple cooking task? Well, chefs, of course — and they shared their opinions with us. When you consider how many eggs a home cook cracks in a day, compared to how many a chef might crack, it’s probably wise to follow the advice of these professionals.

As Bjorn Thompson, executive chef at Breva at Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis, said: “After cracking a few thousand eggs, I developed a preference for how to streamline the process.” So with that, let’s crack on.

Which method do most chefs prefer, and why?

The chefs we talked to said that how you crack an egg does make a difference in your cooking. You want to keep as much of the shell intact as possible, so you don’t end up with fragments in your finished dish. You also want to keep the yolk intact ― especially when you’re poaching or frying eggs, or making something where the whites and yolks need to be separated. Because it’s more likely to protect the yolk, most chefs we talked to prefer cracking the shell flat against a countertop, rather than on the edge of a bowl.

Penny Stankiewicz, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, explained the food-safety case for countertop cracking: “Eggs are not clean on the outside, and cracking one on the rim of a bowl can force shell inside, and could end up contaminating the inside of the egg with the shell’s bacteria.”

Culinary scientist, food scientist and author Jessica Gavin said the countertop method avoids damaging the egg’s vitelline membrane, which protects the yolk. “If you crack on the edge of a bowl, you need to control the force to avoid piercing the delicate yolk membrane,” she said.

The countertop is not only safer, but faster.

Other chefs who prefer the “flat surface” method include Bruno Enciso, chef de cuisine at Lutèce in Washington, D.C. For him, it’s a matter of speed, which is always a top priority in a professional kitchen. “I can crack many eggs at one time with this method, whereas on the edge of a bowl you have to crack each egg one at a time,” he said.

We heard a similar argument for efficiency from Marque Collins, director of food and beverage operations for Tullibee and the Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis. “Usually I’m cracking eggs in bulk for brunch, so the countertop method tends to make less mess and is pretty efficient when I’m going through flats of eggs at a time,” he said.

Many argue that cracking on the edge of a bowl shoves the shell inward, potentially forcing pieces into the raw egg.

Other methods include using a knife — or even another egg.

Chef Tolu Eros of Ile in Los Angeles generally prefers the flat-surface approach, but noted that there are occasions that call for a specialized tool. “If you’re trying to separate the egg, you might use a sharper tool, like a knife, to make a cleaner break in the middle,” he said.

You don’t need a counter or a bowl if you follow Stankiewicz’s suggestion. “I prefer to crack eggs against one another,” she said. “Only one at a time ever cracks, and since I’m generally cracking many eggs at once, this method really moves things along.”

The site of the crack matters, too, said chef Shamim Popal, co-owner and chef of Lapis in Washington, D.C. “I always crack an egg in the middle, then raise it over the bowl and split it in two with my thumbs,” she said. “By cracking in the middle, you have two shells, and it’s easy to separate the white from the yolk if needed. You get a clean cut and avoid getting runny egg on your fingers or dropping bits of shell in the bowl.”

Once the egg is cracked, your work isn’t done. According to chef Yoonjung Oh of Hive Hospitality, “the main takeaway is to be vigilant about avoiding shell pieces, so always double-check after cracking to ensure a clean result.”

Give your cracked eggs a ‘layover’ in a separate bowl.

Most of us grew up just tossing raw eggs directly into a dish, but that approach carries some serious potential flaws, said Altreisha Foster, baker and owner of Sugar Spoon Desserts and president of the Cake Therapy Foundation.

“I prefer cracking eggs one at a time into a small bowl before adding them individually to my batter,” she said. “This gives me control over each egg and prevents any mishaps that could ruin the batter, like broken yolks, bad eggs, rotten eggs or pieces of falling shell. Cracking into a separate bowl is the best way to avoid any issues before mixing ingredients.”

Yes, your attitude matters, too.

No matter which method you choose, be aware that eggs sense fear, so proceed boldly.

OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but Eros did say that a little swagger can be a big asset. “The real trick is to crack with confidence and know how to handle the egg once it’s open,” he said. “Separating the shells smoothly makes a big difference, but the method you choose is more about personal preference.”

What Really Happens If You Eat Eggs Past Their Sell-By Date?

One of the top food stories over the past few years has been the notorious rising cost of eggs (the current national average is $4.62) due to supply chain issues. And in late January, things have gotten even worse — many store shelves’ egg sections are empty, thanks to the bird flu epidemic.

So with that in mind, you may wonder how to make the most of your eggs. Is it OK to eat them past their “sell-by” date instead of throwing them out?

Or is that a bad idea? We spoke with health and food safety experts to find out how far we can push the limits — and what may happen when we do.

Sell-by dates reflect an estimate of how long the eggs’ quality can be maintained — not necessarily safety

In the United States, the outsides of eggs are washed with warm water to clean the shell — but that process also removes the exterior cuticle, which HuffPost has previously reported prevents bacteria and spoilage. (Europeans don’t wash their shells.)

After undergoing that process, in the U.S. “eggs can last between three to five weeks post-purchase as long as they are refrigerated and stored in an environment with a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Dr. Michael Chichak, medical director at MEDvidi.

Pete & Gerry’s, a popular brand of organic and pasture-raised eggs, adheres to a similar timeline. “For our eggs, best buy date means that we recommend consuming them on or before the date printed on the carton,” said Cameron Whitehead, the brand’s chief operating officer. “Our eggs are typically processed within a few days of being laid and printed with a best-by date, which is 30-45 days from processing, depending on different state regulations.”

According to Dr. Laura Purdy, a board-certified family medicine physician, sell-by dates can be confusing because the government doesn’t regulate food product date labels. “In fact, this is solely up to the manufacturers and companies to determine how they are going to create that date, which is usually picked based on quality,” she said. “This means when the food item is going to be the freshest and taste the best. It has nothing to do with the food being safe to consume.”

How does an egg even go bad if it’s not contaminated with something like bird flu?

“Eggs naturally have a small air pocket,” said Darin Detwiler, a food safety academic, adviser, advocate and author. “As they age, moisture and carbon dioxide escape through the porous shell, increasing the air pocket size. This makes the egg less fresh but not necessarily unsafe.”

He further explained cracks in the shells can allow bacteria to enter, leading to contamination. Because of chemical degradation, the old eggs begin to smell bad. “Proteins and fats in the egg break down, creating foul-smelling sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide,” he said. “Spoiled eggs often have an off-putting odor, slimy texture or discoloration.”

Trista Best, a registered dietitian at The Candida Diet, added: “Fresh eggs have a pH of around 7.6, which is slightly [alkaline],” she said. “As eggs age, the pH rises and results in a sulfur taste.”

Most eggs can maintain their quality between three to five weeks after production.

The rule is: If the eggs smell fine, it’s probably OK to eat them. “As long as the eggs are stored in the fridge, eggs shouldn’t spoil,” said Shelley Balls, a registered dietitian nutritionist for Consumer Health Digest. “I’ve eaten eggs two months past their sell-by date. They just don’t have the quality that they once had.”

OK, sure, but let’s say you eat that two-month-past-its-expiration-date egg. Are side effects possible?

6 Red Flags Japanese Chefs Look For When They Order Sushi

Whether it be fresh yellowtail sashimi or a piled-high rainbow roll, Americans love sushi. But when faced with an encyclopedia of fish options, it’s hard to know what to choose.

There’s long been a rumor that when you order tuna at some sushi restaurants, you’re actually just getting a worse-quality fish dyed red with food coloring. So it’s no wonder diners often feel wary when perusing a sushi menu.

We spoke to sushi chefs across the United States about what they look for when they order nigiri, sashimi and rolls, plus the biggest red flags to avoid before you pick up your chopsticks.

Color Is Everything

All of our sushi experts agreed that the color of the fish is the No. 1 indicator that something’s not quite right. For chef Takeshi Ikeuchi, executive chef of Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs, Florida, it’s the first thing you should consider before taking a bite. “Diners should avoid anything that is dull or discolored,” he said.

Chef Masatomo “Masa” Hamaya, culinary director of O-Ku and Junto in Bentonville, Arkansas, confirmed this is the biggest dealbreaker. He explained, “When it comes to any kind of fish, when you see the color changing or any discoloration, it’s a red flag because it’s oxidizing, which isn’t a good sign.” Once a fish oxidizes, it begins to break down fatty acids and turn rancid.

It Shouldn’t Look Dry

Fish should have a natural sheen and luster, like it’s straight from the dock to your dish. Mitsuhiro Eguchi, corporate sushi chef at Nobu Chicago, said, “Dry fish means there is a loss of freshness.” The same goes for the rice. Eguchi said, “If the rice is too hard or dry, that means the balance is off. That’s a sign of poor rice quality.”

It Should Smell Like The Ocean, Not Like Fish

There’s nothing worse than a fishy smell emanating from atop your rice. However, sushi chefs note there is a major difference between an “ocean” smell and a “fishy” smell.

Hamaya said, “Fish should exude the flavor of brine or the ocean. If you’re tasting the ocean, it’s full of umami because most fish have umami, and that’s normally a great sign. If it’s more fishy-fishy, then it’s about to be rotten.” And if the restaurant itself smells fishy, then it’s time to turn around and find a new sushi spot.

Take a look at the cleanliness of the counters at the restaurant.

It Actually Shouldn’t Be Cold

You may think a cold piece of fish means it’s being properly refrigerated, but it’s a big sign the sushi chef isn’t a pro. Eguchi said, “Good sushi is served at a warm, human-touch temperature.” If there is a mismatch in temperature between the rice and the sushi, that’s how you know the chef’s sushi skills may not be up to par.

Always Judge The Display Case

Perusing the clear display case stocked with fish is part of the fun of going out for sushi. But chefs urge you to take a good long look at the products inside to decide the freshness and quality of what’s being served. “A well-organized display case and fresh-looking fish with a natural sheen are good signs,” Eguchi said. If the display case is left open for long periods or looks messy, it’s a sign the chef may not be taking hygiene and organization seriously.

Check Out The Actual Restaurant

The cleanliness of the actual restaurant was another unanimous must from the sushi chefs we spoke to. “Restaurant cleanness is definitely among the most important aspects when ordering sushi. It shows the chef values the condition of his restaurant and the quality of the dining experience for guests,” said chef Masa Shimakawa at Soko in Santa Monica, California.

Eguchi added, “When I’m checking out a sushi place, I pay attention to a couple of things. First, how clean is the counter? And what about the chef’s hygiene? If the chef is constantly wiping their hands, I feel much better about the food.” No one wants food poisoning or, worse, a trip to the hospital.

Top Ordering Tips

We’ve shared a lot of red flags and “don’ts,” but our experts have plenty of “do’s” for picking the best type of fish next time you’re out for sushi. Eguchi’s go-to is maguro (lean tuna) because it’s simple yet fundamental. He said, “Freshness and handling directly affect the taste.”

Tuna is also a favorite of Shimakawa. “I love to order different cuts of tuna, as this is a great indicator of the quality of a restaurant. A good sushi restaurant always has high-quality tuna available,” he insisted.

Ikeuchi recommends trying kohada, a small silver-finned fish. “It has a really rich flavor and is also a great way to see a chef’s skill level. It has a lengthy preparation process, including a marinating period in vinegar, and can be difficult to execute well,” he said.

When Hamaya orders sushi, he switches between a classic tuna nigiri and mackerel or sardines because “sushi chefs always cure them,” he said. “In order for them to cure it correctly, some sort of technique is required. The way chefs cure is different from chef to chef, and I can tell by eating their mackerel or sardines just how great their culinary technique is.”

Adults can sleep with stuffed animals, too. It might even be a good thing, experts say

Max Genecov is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, a dad, and a stuffed animal owner.

“I’ve always had them growing up, I had a big fantasy life with them (as a child),” he said. “I just think that they’re nice things you have.”

He has a plush racoon from his childhood, crochets them when friends or family have babies, and still sometimes hugs a stuffed animal or uses one as a pillow when he sleeps, he said.

It might sound unusual, but when you think about it –– is it really?

Plush sales grew over the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2024, 21% of plush toys were sold to adults over 18, according to Juli Lennett, US toys industry adviser at Circana, a market research and technology company in Chicago.

Stuffed animals “struck a chord with young adults and adults as a means to entertain, collect, and provide comfort during the pandemic,” she said in an email.

Build-A-Bear even has an entire section of its website dedicated to products for grown-ups. A survey the company commissioned found that more than half of people held on to a childhood stuffed animal, and about 40% said they sleep with a plush toy.

“I wonder if people are seeking more comfort in the face of uncertainty,” said Dr. Jade Wu, a sleep psychologist and founder of Thrive Sleep Clinic in Durham, North Carolina. And for people living on their own, it could be nice to have something to cuddle with at night, she added.

There is nothing wrong with having a stuffed animal as an adult or using one to sleep better, experts said. In fact, there are a lot of positives to it.

Many people have held onto their stuffed animals from childhood, and many people have bought new ones in adulthood, data shows.
Many people have held onto their stuffed animals from childhood, and many people have bought new ones in adulthood, data shows.

Stuffed animals are for anyone

As a mental health therapist in Seattle, Dr. Jessica Lamar uses stuffed animals with adults who are working through trauma, she said.

They go to Build-A-Bear and make a bear to represent their inner child or a younger version of themselves so they can heal trauma from childhood, she said.

Patients giving the bears the comfort, connection and compassion they might not have gotten enough of as a child can be very helpful, Lamar added.

But stuffed animals aren’t just for people working through trauma. Anyone can benefit from the gentleness, softness and self-soothing that a cute, plush object can bring, Genecov said.

Lamar agreed, noting that a stuffed animal you’ve had since childhood can provide nostalgia, a connection to family or friends you are far from, and a touchpoint for pleasant memories.

“It can be very cozy, relaxing and nice,” Wu said. “There’s no reason why adults can’t have the benefits of that kids get.”

It’s not immature to cuddle with a stuffie

But that is the problem –– stuffed animals are for kids, you might be thinking.

“If we think about it from the lens of being like a healthy, balanced adult, I actually think it’s really helpful to say, ‘Hey, I am this adult who’s in college, and I still have this healthy attachment to my childhood,’” Lamar said. “It’s really wonderful to be able to say, ‘This is a part of my child self that I want to stay connected to.’”

Maybe there would be an issue if someone became severely distressed or unable to sleep when they were separated from their stuffed animal, Lamar said. It could also be a problem if people used their stuffed animals to avoid other issues, said Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist in Weston, Connecticut.

But both said they haven’t seen that become an issue.

In fact, using a stuffed animal to feel better could be good modeling to the kids in your life, Greenberg said.

“This is one of the ways to self soothe. We take something like an animal into our bed; it’s comforting,’” she said. “That’s one of the things you have to teach kids when they’re young, how to self-regulate, how to self soothe.”

Especially important is to let boys keep their stuffed animals –– they need self-soothing too, Greenberg said.

A sleep buddy

A stuffed animal in your bed at night might be meeting evolutionary needs, Wu said.

“We evolved to live in tribes and to have a village,” she said. “We sleep the best when we feel safe, so when we’re feeling vulnerable … then we want that bodily contact.

“Social sleeping makes us feel more safe and sleep better. So, a stuffed animal may be sort of a good alternative to having someone else sleeping in your bed.”

Even over the course of a life, it makes sense to need contact when you sleep, Lamar added. The womb is a very safe space; then as babies, humans are swaddled to sleep, she said.

“As we get older, that obviously becomes less of a need, but that need is still there,” Lamar said.

Some stuffed animals are even weighted to provide a little extra pressure when you snuggle up.

“There is some research showing that weighted blankets, at least, can help to calm the mind and body,” Wu said. “I could definitely see a weight of stuffed animals serving a similar function as a weighted blanket in that way.”

If nothing else, stuffed animals can help with better sleep by providing a signal to the brain that it is time to wind down, Wu added.

“The feeling of it, the smell of it, the sight of it, can be associated with sleep, and so helps to signal that you know sleep is coming,” she said.

However you use your favorite stuffed animal –– displayed on a shelf, tucked in a closet or ready for you in bed at night –– it is great if it can be a way to get better sleep, Greenberg said.

“If it helps you with stress, it’s a much better alternative than taking a tranquilizer or drinking a glass of wine. It hurts nobody,” she said.

I went to hospital and had to wait 16 hours for surgery – when I woke up I realised they had amputated my leg

A young woman who went into A&E crying woke up to discover her leg had been amputated after she waited 16 hours for surgery.

Molly Harbron, 26, said she was in ‘a lot of pain’ as she made her way to Dewsbury and District Hospital in West Yorkshire.

The former carer’s foot and leg were left numb and discoloured by blood clots and she knew ‘something wasn’t right’.

But Ms Harbron has now been handed a six-figure payout as doctors admitted they probably wouldn’t have had to chop her leg off if she’d had surgery by 9pm the same day.

The then-22-year-old made her way to A&E complaining of a numb and cold left leg and discoloured foot at 11.30am on April 25, 2020.

Medics suspected deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot in a vein – but failed to carry out adequate tests.

Just over a day later, Ms Harbron woke up from surgery to discover the amputation.

She said: ‘I was in a lot of pain, I knew something wasn’t right.

Molly Harbron post-amputation. Hospital staff admitted Ms Harbron probably would have avoided having her leg amputated if she'd had surgery by 9pm same day

Molly Harbron post-amputation. Hospital staff admitted Ms Harbron probably would have avoided having her leg amputated if she’d had surgery by 9pm same day

‘I was crying to my mum and asked her to take me to the hospital. All I remember was there being a delay and then waking up from surgery.

‘When I was woken up the surgeon showed me they had amputated my leg. However, I didn’t really believe them as I could still feel my leg.

‘When the realisation dawned on me I just broke down and cried.

‘Before my amputation, life was great. I was really active, I went running three times a week and had a physically demanding job which I loved.

‘But then it felt like life wasn’t worth living with one leg. I couldn’t come to terms with the fact I had lost a leg and I needed to take it further because I didn’t want it to happen to anyone else.’

Hospital staff admitted Ms Harbron probably would have avoided having her leg amputated if she’d had surgery by 9pm same day.

Instead, her surgery was delayed until 1.30pm the following day – and doctors were unable to restore blood flow to her leg.

She had to spend a further 18 days in hospital following the amputation, which led to her quitting her job as a carer.

Molly Harbron before her leg amputation. She said: 'Before my amputation, life was great. I was really active, I went running three times a week and had a physically demanding job which I loved'

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Molly Harbron before her leg amputation. She said: ‘Before my amputation, life was great. I was really active, I went running three times a week and had a physically demanding job which I loved’

Ms Harbron needed to be carried up and down the stairs to her first floor flat each day, as she was unable to make the trip on her own.

She instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which admitted a breach of duty.

A month after leaving hospital, she met her partner Daniel.

The couple has since married, and she was able to walk down the aisle through the use of a prosthetic leg.

However, Ms Harbron said the prosthetic was not designed for her body and felt uncomfortable to wear.

Now, as part of a six-figure interim payout, the former carer has moved to a bungalow and started using a specially designed privately-funded prosthesis.

She said: ‘The first prosthetic I had from the NHS was very uncomfortable. I could only wear it for an hour max.

‘However, the new prosthetic fits to me. It helps me walk more smoothly.

Lawyers are now working on getting Ms Harbron a final compensation package to pay for life-time support, physiotherapy, and upkeep of her prosthetic

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Lawyers are now working on getting Ms Harbron a final compensation package to pay for life-time support, physiotherapy, and upkeep of her prosthetic

‘I can walk downstairs, go to the shops, drive and I’m hoping to run one day. It’s changed my life so much and I feel like a normal person again.

‘I never imagined I’d have the life I have now. I have a brilliant husband, an amazing family; I never imagined that was possible.

‘I thought my life was going to be me stuck in a wheelchair, until I realised I can do anything I put my mind to.

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‘By sharing my story I hope I can not only help others who may be struggling with going through something similar but also improve care.

‘What happened to me could have been avoided so I want to try and prevent it happening to someone else.’

Lawyers are now working on getting Ms Harbron a final compensation package to pay for life-time support, physiotherapy, and upkeep of her prosthetic.

Ashlee Coates, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing her said: ‘Through our work we too often see how failings connected to inadequate assessments and delays can lead to significant injuries.

‘Molly’s case vividly highlights the life-changing repercussions patients can be left to face.

‘Molly has faced an incredibly difficult time attempting to come to terms with the physical and psychological impact of her losing her leg. However, she’s always remained determined to make the best recovery possible.

‘We knew the priority for Molly was ensuring she had a suitable home to live in and access to the specialist support she required.

‘The part payment of compensation has allowed this to happen. The progress in her rehabilitation has been phenomenal and Molly is now working towards the life she wanted.

‘Although her story is a stark reminder of the need to uphold the highest standards of patient safety, it also highlights how, through early access to rehab, people can start to flourish after losing a limb.’

Stop hounding me you big ape! The unlikely friendship between an orangutan and a dog

They make an unlikely duo. But after meeting at a reserve for endangered animals, Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe the Bluetick hound have become inseparable.

And now the pals have released a picture book capturing their unorthodox friendship.

The best friends were besieged by young fans as they held their own signing for the new release at a bookstore in Georgetown, South Carolina.

Best of friends: Suryia the Orangutan and Roscoe the dog at their book signing

Smile for the camera: But I do wonder if Cheetah and Rin Tin Tin got bored with book signings too?

Smile for the camera: But I do wonder if Cheetah and Rin Tin Tin got bored with book signings too?

Pooling their talents: Is that the doggie-paddle you're doing, Roscoe?
The beast of friends: Of course I love you, but just don't try any monkey business...

Pooling their talents: Roscoe gets a helping hand for the doggie paddle while the pair are clearly in love

A proper nana: Actually, I'd prefer something with a bit more pedigree, chum

A proper nana: Actually, I’d prefer something with a bit more pedigree, chum

Entitled Suryia And Roscoe, the book shows the pair enjoying each other’s company at the South Carolina wildlife reserve where they met.

Just hanging around: The king of the swingers up a tree alongside orangutan's best friend

Just hanging around: The king of the swingers up a tree alongside orangutan’s best friend

In one photo, a stubborn Roscoe refuses to eat a banana offered by his friend.

Another shows Suryia in a life jacket closely watching over Roscoe as he goes for a doggie-paddle.

And, as if posing for holiday snaps, they are also captured taking walks through the gardens and posing in front of an elephant.

The friends have garnered worldwide media attention, appearing in the National Geographic magazine and on the Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres shows in the U.S.

They met four years ago when Roscoe followed staff from The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in Myrtle Beach as they walked home.

He was immediately spotted by the orangutan, who ambled over to make friends.

Dr Bhagavan Antle, the reserve’s founder, said: ‘Roscoe looked really thin and a little lost so we fed him and took care of him.

‘He followed us through the gate and ran over and found Suryia. As soon as he saw Roscoe, Suryia ran over to him and they started playing.

‘Dogs are usually scared of primates, but they took to each other straight away. We made a few calls to see if he belonged to anyone and when no one came forward, Roscoe ended up staying.’

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