iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

I have a serious doozy of a Fourth of July review for you --Bush's summer flavors. Beans are a nutritional powerhouse that I'm always hoping for people to include, and there are many creative ways to do this, several of which I tried for this review. When you speak of me, say I did my best.

momofnorank.substack.com

Heaven Help Me: Rocket Pop-flavored Baked Beans

Bush's Baked Beans kindly sent me an amazing box of goodies...but are they good?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

In this week's Sunday Vintage Recipe Roulette, we leave the relative safety of the Cooking with Coca-Cola book's cake section, and head for their "answer to Coq au Vin." I'm using all my registered dietitian powers to keep an open mind for this taste test.

open.substack.com

Coke au Vin? Coq au Coke? in Vintage Recipe Roulette

"Chicken in Coca-Cola Sauce" claims to be the American version of the French classic

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

I've got a rare early Friday edition of Sunday Vintage Recipe Roulette for you, in honor of the 54th anniversary of the Watergate burglary: the 1970s Watergate Cake! I had always assumed it was named for a similar recipe from the Watergate Hotel menu, but the reality is much funnier!

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1970s Watergate Cake

I have always believed this was a homemaker's version of a famous hotel's cake, but it turns out I was very, very wrong

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

This week, Coca-Cola's cookbook of vintage recipes that was a century in the making. It has a section for everything from meats and poultry to vegetables to desserts, whether you want them or not.

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Cookbook Spotlight: Classic Cooking with Coca-Cola

It's from the 90s, but many of the recipes are from outer space

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

My latest viral recipe review for TODAY is a real mess! It sounded kind of familiar, though...so thanks to resident Cajun home cooking expert Genie West for the context!

today.com

I Tried ‘Dirty Spaghetti,’ the Cajun-Italian Dish Making a Mess on TikTok

We’re dishing the dirt on the latest viral recipe hitting your feed.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

I've got dueling blue cheese gelatin salads for you today. Which one will win out, old school class or mid-century technicolor?

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: Dueling Blue Cheese Gelatin Salads

Will old school charm or mid-century technicolor reign supreme?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

This time, when I say this struggle meal is retro, I'm not kidding around -- it's over 2000 years old. It's also delicious, and less than $1 per serving. There's a little twist, though, because the British versions sound...unfortunate. momofnorank.substack.com/p/retro-stru...

momofnorank.substack.com

Retro Struggle Meals: 400 BCE Kitchari, British style

This time, when I say retro, I'm not kidding around.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

In this week's Vintage Recipe Roulette, I'm trying to find the perfect dessert to harmonize with the success of last week's Dr Pepper dinner party fare. Is this pie a real peach, or the pits?

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1984 Peach Chiffon Pie

Is this one a real peach, or the pits?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

I've made several things out of the 1984 Cooking with Dr Pepper cookbooklet, but my last foray into savory recipes, the Spoonburgers and Skilletburgers, left a lot to be desired. How do we think Dr Pep curried rice and Polynesian Chicken with Dr Pep sauce will go?

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: Dr Pepper Dinner Party like it's 1984

In our continuing quest to conquer the Dr Pepper cookbook, I’ve decided to dip a toe into the Dinner Guest page today.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

I'm back on my Dr Pepper nonsense with this week's Vintage Recipe Roulette: a 1983 Dr Pepper Gazpacho Salad. Actual gazpacho, when made with in-season tomatoes, is a thing of rare beauty. This gelatin version? It may be venomous.

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1983 Dr Pepper Gazpacho Salad

I promise there is no Jell-O in it

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

This week's Vintage Recipe Roulette has a little in common with the Depression-era Wacky Cake, but the cake I have for you today isn't just wacky -- it's flat-out insane. No bowl, no butter, no eggs, no milk...and no oven!

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1979 Mocha Lace Cake from Hellmann's Mayo

No bowl, no butter, no eggs, no milk...no oven?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Awright, 1979 was infamously weird, with weird echoes of today's news, but one of the weirdest was this entire cookbook of recipes containing mayonnaise. Yes, that's appetizers, salads, entrees, and...desserts.

open.substack.com

Vintage Cookbook Spotlight: 1979 That amazing ingredient: mayonnaise! from Hellmann's and Best Foods

Y'all like your chili dogs cold, right?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

This week, a struggle meal you might not have seen for a while: Hungarian Chicken Paprikash. Hungarian food used to be on every cafeteria rotation. Why aren't there restaurants on every corner?

momofnorank.substack.com

Retro Struggle Meals: Chicken Paprikash

Hungarian food was all over lunch menus in the 70s. Why isn't there a restaurant on every corner?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Oh man, is this one fun. In this cookbook spotlight, a collection of "Foods with Foreign Flavor" compiled from 1960s home ec teachers. You are never, ever going to guess what's in the Mexican Goulash.

open.substack.com

Vintage Cookbook Spotlight: 1968 Foods with a Foreign Flavor

You are never, ever going to guess what's in the Mexican Goulash.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

As a dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to keep our relationship with food fun, minimally processed, and integrated with a healthier lifestyle. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a story more in line with those ideals. Want to get in on this trend? Butter run! www.today.com/food/trends/...

today.com

‘Churn and Burn’: Runners Discover They Can Churn Butter on Their Runs

If you want to get in on this spreading trend, you’d butter run.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

When Jeff Daniels starts listing the ingredients in his favorite sandwich, I guarantee you won’t be able to guess what’s next! Such a fun review to write.

today.com

Jeff Daniels’ Favorite Sandwich Is a Little Nuts, so I Tried It

Is it “Dumb and Dumber” or Yum and Yummer?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

I'm still on the hunt for a Dr Pepper recipe that tastes like it has Dr Pepper in it. Is this one the key? Even though it's a cookie dough, it has literally no chill, and yet I'm shaking like a leaf... open.substack.com/pub/momofnor...

open.substack.com

Sunday Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1983 Dr Pepper Cherry Nut Surprises

This recipe literally has no chill, and yet I'm shaking like a leaf.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

I would give anything not to have written this article. Since that’s not in my power, I hope you eat this soup in good health, and that you read Dayla’s 25 by 25 linked at the end. www.today.com/food/recipes...

today.com

I Lost My Daughter-in-Law. Grief Makes It Hard to Eat, But I Keep Turning to Her Favorite Soup

Food can be a tool for coping, and remembrance, when things are hard.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

This week in Zen and the Science of Candy Corn, we’re tiptoeing through the tulips of this wonderful vintage recipe pamphlet fromeveryone’s favorite spokescow, Elsie. Almost all of Eagle Brand’s recipes are keepers….almost. There Is one serious doozy in here! open.substack.com/pub/momofnor...

open.substack.com

Vintage Cookbook Spotlight: 1940s Eagle Brand Cookbook of 70 Magic Recipes

You're not going to know what kind of magic hit you -- but it's either the musical kitchen from Beauty and the Beast, or the Oompa Loompa song.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Awright, this Dr Pepper is burning a hole In my pocket, so I’ve got a two-fer for you today — the Skillet Burgers and the Spoonburgers from the teenage party section. They’re along the lines of sloppy Joes, but one of them? It’s a Sloppy Joen’t.

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette two-fer: Dr Pepper Skillet Burgers and Spoonburgers

One of these cursed Sloppy Joes is a Sloppy Joen't

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

It's a chilly, chili-worthy weather day, so first up for Vintage Recipe Roulette with the 1983 pamphlet Cooking with Dr Pepper is... Dr Pepper Cornbread! Will it put some pep in my step, or drop some dread in my bread?

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1983 Dr Pepper Cornbread

Will it put a little Pep in my step, or drop some dread in my bread?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Oooooh have I got a doozy for you today. It's the 1983 publication Cooking with Dr Pepper! It's WAY more committed to the bit than most brand recipe collections, and I can't wait to try some of these out. Which one are you hoping I'll torture myself with?

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage cookbook spotlight: 1983 Dr Pepper recipes

I'm a pepper, you're a pepper, even if we really don't want to be and would gnaw off our own legs to escape.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

The first Sunday Vintage Recipe Roulette of the year rides in like any self-respecting apocalypse, on a pale horse. momofnorank.substack.com/p/vintage-re...

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1940s Frigidaire Frozen Fruit Salad

The first post of the new year rides in like any respectable apocalypse -- on a pale horse.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Sunday Vintage Recipe falls on Monday this week, but hopefully it's worth the wait. This installment, we're taste-testing "Church Window Cookies" from the 1960s, and despite the name, this recipe is definitely from the kitchen of the Devil himself, and it's not even the flavor that's the problem...

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1960s Church Window Cookies

Do they have a prayer of tasting good? That's not even the biggest problem with this recipe.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

The 1950s were awash in novelty fruitcakes. This one Is a real gem, a no-bake “Mystery Fruitcake”. What’s the mystery? Whether it’s brought to you by Betty Crocker, or Fancy Feast.

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1950s No-bake "Mystery Fruitcake"

Brought to you by culinary maven Fancy Feast...I mean, Betty Crocker

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

If you like cranberries, you have absolutely GOT to make this recipe. It's incredibly simple, but man, does it have a lot of bang for its buck! I seriously could not stop eating them. That crunch is spectacular. Big thanks to Erica Kuiper for talking with me about her very special Grandma Lillian.

today.com

Candied Cranberries Are Popping off on TikTok Thanks to 1 Grandma’s Recipe

It might be new to you, but this snappy snack has a lot of history.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

This week in Zen and the Science of Candy Corn, the meat- and gherkin-festooned holiday appetizer trees of yesteryear! Pickles, tuna, shrimp...and a whole lotta baloney! Some of these were even photographed in the wild, and we had the Tidbit Tree when I was a kid.

momofnorank.substack.com

Oh Tannenbaum: Party food trees of yesteryear!

Spoiler alert: it's a bunch of baloney.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Buckle up, kids -- we're trying Knox Gelatine's 1955 insane recipe for Fruit Cocktail Eggnog Pie in this week's Vintage Recipe Roulette! It's a circus clown's idea of a party pie, and that's not a compliment coming from me.

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1955 Fruit Cocktail Eggnog Pie

"Go fancy for the holidays." I guess.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Awright, it's post-Thanksgiving weekend and no one wants to cook, but we still gotta eat. Plus, there's a little nip in the air. It's the perfect time, I guess, to try Cup Noodles' limited edition Thanksgiving flavors, Turkey Dinner and Pumpkin Pie. One of them is good. Can you guess which?

open.substack.com

Heaven Help Me: I tried Pumpkin Pie Cup Noodles

Plus, some links to other reviews of regrettable Thanksgiving-flavored nonsense!

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

I saw a hilarious post about filmmaker Summer Nettles peeling the sweet potatoes she had baked for her family's Thanksgiving pie, and realizing they were the white ones. The Thanksgiving internet was scandalized -- you can't serve that pasty pie to Grandma!-- so obviously I had to make it.

today.com

Accidental White Sweet Potatoes Made This Pie Too Embarrassing to Serve

A slice of humble pie, anyone?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Vintage Recipe Roulette is a two-fer this week, with a couple of 1950s doozies -- Cranberry Candle Salad and Cranberry Souffle Salad. Read on for Jell-O Salad as it's meant to be... momofnorank.substack.com/p/vintage-re...

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1950s Hellmann's Candle Salad and Cranberry Souffle Salad

Mayonnaise Jell-O as it's meant to be...

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

If you enjoyed my viral review of Brach’s Turkey Dinner Candy Corn a few years ago, you might also like my new review of Oreo’s turn at the Thanksgiving flavors bat, for TODAY Food. Yes, there is a turkey one.

today.com

I Tried Oreo’s Thanksgiving Dinner Cookies. One Flavor Will Haunt My Taste Buds Forever

Because all the best Thanksgiving traditions come in a can ... right?

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

For this week's Vintage Recipe Roulette, I have a truly special find from the personal collection of a friend -- a Miracle Whip, Dream Whip behemoth probably printed on an electric typewriter in the 1970s or 80s and passed on by a coworker. He who dies with the most Harvest Gold wins.

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1970s? Dream Whip Orange Cake

He who dies with the most Harvest Gold wins.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I've seen what look like some compelling ideas for food bank donations -- dropping of a load of groceries, or making a "meal in a bag" with a recipe and all the non-perishables to make it. But, food banks have a message about the most effective donations, and it might be simpler than you think.

today.com

Food Banks Are Struggling. Are Cash or Food Donations More Helpful?

One simple step helps ensure your donation can be used.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

I can't wait for y'all to read this one. I got to talk to Jamal Hinton and his "Thanksgiving grandma" Wanda Dench, who are celebrating their 10th Thanksgiving together this year. They represent the best of us -- what a joy to hear about their story.

today.com

1 Accidental Text and 10 Years Later, Wanda and Jamal Are Still Spending Thanksgiving Together

“It’s just amazing to sit back and think that one mistaken text led to so many people’s happiness and joy,” says Jamal Hinton.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

For this week’s Vintage Recipe Roulette, we enter the exciting world of 1957’s contribution to American cuisine, Dream Whip! And we find out just how depressing the color red can be…

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1965 Frosted Cranberry Squares

Red is such a cheerful color. Usually.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

I got to talk to American Pie star Jason Biggs about his teaming up with Kraft for their pretty wild new flavor — Apple Pie! Completely hilarious…but is it good? Read on!

today.com

I Tried Kraft’s Apple Pie-Flavored Mac and Cheese and It Kind of Makes Sense?

Plus, the “ultimate pie guy” Jason Biggs stars in a hilarious new spot for the holidays.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

My latest for TODAY, on a topic near and dear to my heart. Comments from Houston Food Bank and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics very much appreciated.

today.com

The USDA Ended Its Annual Hunger Report. What Does That Mean for Food Banks?

“Ceasing to measure hunger will not end it.”

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Just in time for your Halloween party planning, my Substack is Back in Black again, with 3 recipes and no artificial coloring of any kind. Don't miss my inverse Grasshopper cocktail, the Devil's Horse! momofnorank.substack.com/p/back-in-bl...

momofnorank.substack.com

Back in Black Food 2: Backer and Blacker

I've got a dye-free appetizer, cocktail and cake for your seasonally creepy party

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

This week's Vintage Recipe Roulette is about the 1968 Grasshopper Pie! Because when you think grasshopper, you definitely think lime Jell-O. momofnorank.substack.com/p/vintage-re...

momofnorank.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1968 Grasshopper Pie

Of course it has Jell-O in it. Everything had Jell-O in it in 1968.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

My latest for TODAY...I'm a little concerned by how many people are searching for struggle meals, and I hope this helps. You might not have even heard of my number one, even though it's been popular for a very, very long time. www.today.com/food/trends/...

today.com

A Definitive Ranking of the Most Popular ‘Struggle Meals’

One is so iconic, the others just can’t ketchup.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

My latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social ! Austin's Hiro Technologies has developed a plastic diaper that comes with a packet of plastic-eating fungi. I'm a huge tree-hugger, but after really enjoying The Last of Us, that series about fungus-borne zombification, I had a lot of questions about this!

texasmonthly.com

An Austin Start-Up’s Diaper-Eating Fungus Aims to Solve Our Plastic Waste Problem

Hiro hopes to give parents an alternative to adding to a persistent environmental issue—by making a dirty job just a wee bit dirtier.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

In this week's Vintage Recipe Roulette, the 1968 Campbell's Cookbook recipes for V-8 a la Mode. Would we call this a drink? A sundae? Let's just call it a mistake.

open.substack.com

Vintage Recipe Roulette: 1968 "V-8" A La Mode

I'm not sure what it is, but I do know it shouldn't have had a V-8

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Whenever money is tight, store brands and boxed dinners rise, but this is unusual even in that context. I think people want one pot, fewer dishes, and nostalgia, too. Link for my latest with tips to save $, add protein and fiber in the replies!

today.com

Hamburger Helper Sales Are Soaring. Here’s How to Beef up Its Nutrition

A dietitian offers tips to save money, add nutrition and fancy it up.

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Mom of No Rank @momofnorank.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Previously, everything I had read about stretchy yogurt was how to avoid it when making homemade yogurt, so this is quite the trendy turnaround. I made it, and for the record, the blue one is butterfly pea flower powder. Thanks to @katlieu.bsky.social for her cool copycat recipe!

today.com

What Is ‘Stretchy Yogurt’? I Tried the Viral, 3-Ingredient Recipe

What’s up with this funky ferment? Cookbook author Kat Lieu thinks the name is kind of a stretch.

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