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As kids, we all longed to find a surprise prize in our cereal boxes. But this is not what comedian and producer Jensen Karp had in mind when he pouring himself a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch on Monday. Karp found what appeared to be shrimp tails covered in cinnamon-sugar coating mixed in with the cereal — yes, really. And shortly after sharing the saga on Twitter, people became enthralled in the mystery of Cinnamon Toast Crunch shrimp guy — but they could have never predicted what happened next.

After sending a form submission email to General Mills, the creators of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Karp posted a picture of what he found on Twitter. The brand reached out through its own Twitter account telling him that it was probably not shrimp tails in his breakfast, but just “an accumulation of the cinnamon sugar.” 

As the story continued to trend on Twitter, General Mills issued a public statement: “After further investigation with our team that closely examined the image, it appears to be an accumulation of the cinnamon sugar that sometimes can occur when ingredients aren’t thoroughly blended. We assure you that there’s no possibility of cross contamination with shrimp.”

But Karp was not convinced. In fact, he’s currently waiting on a carcinologist to test the pieces. Why? Because in that same box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Karp also found what appears to be dental floss as well as black marks baked into the cereal that he fears may be rat feces. According to the writer, he bought a two-pack of the cereal, and on the second bag of cereal, Karp noticed what appeared to be clear tape on the bottom, leading him to suspect that the boxes could have been tampered with.

You still with me? Because this is about to get even weirder. In a plot twist that we never saw coming, Twitter users were shocked to learn that Karp is no mere man on the internet: He is married to Danielle Fishel, also known as Topanga Lawrence from Boy Meets World, also known as every straight man on Hinge’s first celebrity crush. The pair were married in 2018 and have a son together. And it was perhaps this discovery that caused us to collectively lose our minds. Even Karp found the entire situation ripe for some 2021 bingo combination.

Needed this https://t.co/WuFoAOYK7s

— Jensen Karp (@JensenKarp) March 24, 2021

“To save their company, Cinnamon Toast Crunch needs to make cereal classy again, and what’s classier than shrimp?” pic.twitter.com/pXs2RgZh5c

— Elyza Halpern (@elyzawithawhy) March 23, 2021

I think I found out who put the shrimp in Topanga’s husband’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch. pic.twitter.com/LAYPxobdGh

— Blake Hammond (@BigRadMachine) March 24, 2021

I can’t believe this is all factually correct. https://t.co/imBd8Ts62c

— Jensen Karp (@JensenKarp) March 24, 2021

Obviously, Karp seems to have Topanga I mean Fishel’s full support in his quest to determine how something that looks very much like shrimp ended up in his cereal. “‘Accumulation of sugar particles.’ I am truly at a loss for words,” she tweeted.  

In an email to The New York Times, General Mills representative Mike Siemienas explained that the company is still investigating the incident, but they are confident that “this did not occur at our facility.” While Karp and the company await the test results from the carcinologist, the internet is biding its time by developing shrimp-based dishes that incorporate a Cinnamon Toast Crunch coating. Even Karp admits they look delicious! 

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Growing up, I ate at least one bowl of cereal every single day. Life Cereal was my favorite, though we also always had a few other boxes in the pantry: some version of Chex, Special K, Puffins (original flavor — the peanut butter and cinnamon flavors, I’ve always thought, have a strange texture), bite-sized Shredded Wheat (plain), Crispix. We weren’t allowed “sugary” cereal; Life was the sweetest type we had in the house. While my parents ate Cream of Wheat or eggs, I shoveled bowl after bowl of the cold, crunchy stuff into my mouth before shooting out the door to school. 

But when I went to college, and gradually became an adult with a tepid concern for my health, I stopped eating it. Empty calories, I thought. Not good for you. Turns out, I was merely part of a larger trend: In the United States, consumption of cold cereal peaked in the ‘90s, and has steadily declined since, in large part due to health concerns about the product. 

Until 2020.

Cereal purchases surged for much of last year before finally dipping at its end, making 2020 a reversal, in many ways, of the trends that led to cereal’s decline in the past two decades. Suddenly, all the people who dropped their morning rush to the office now have the time — and the apparent disinterest in a “healthy” breakfast — to sit down in the morning with a bowl of cereal, just like they did as kids. Can it last?

Cold cereal in the United States has a strange, fascinating history, studded with religious mania, mind control, food shot from guns, and the commercial realization that children have immense market power. But this history may be coming to an end. Fewer Americans are eating cereal every year, despite some of them offering a substantial amount of fiber, a critical nutrient in which 95 percent of Americans are deficient. Decades of marketing that focused on children, however, has convinced millions of Americans that cereal is merely a sugary treat, not a healthy breakfast option; it’s something to grow out of, not aspire to. It didn’t have to be this way. 

The origin story of the breakfast behemoth, is actually a very adult one. The first cold cereal was introduced in 1863, when a religious conservative vegetarian and health spa (then called a “sanitarium”) proprietor named James Caleb Jackson created what he called “granula” made out of graham flour. The cereal was so hard it needed to be soaked overnight. John Harvey Kellogg, another religious vegetarian (specifically, a Seventh Day Adventist) and sanitarium owner, similarly introduced his own version of “granula,” which he named “granola” when Jackson threatened to sue. Unfortunately for Jackson, who’s been lost to mainstream history, it was granola — and Kellogg — that stuck. 

Kellogg’s divine inspiration for granola derived from his concern about proper bowel movements and, most famously, his preoccupation with masturbation, which he believed caused a whole litany of health problems, including epilepsy, mood swings, and acne, among other ailments. The solution, he thought, was a well-balanced diet, devoid of heavy spices, flavors, and sugar; so, he developed granola and, with the help of his less religious brother, cornflakes. His brother Will, not being obsessed with masturbation and dietary purity, was convinced that adding sugar to their recipe would make it more popular. Though John disagreed, Will won the fight, wrenching the company from John and ultimately popularizing the lightly sweet cornflakes we’re familiar with today. 

In the 1910s, the Quaker Oat Company touted their Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice inventions as food science breakthroughs and “the eighth wonder of the world.” They were also, according to the company, the first “food shot from guns,” as the rice and wheat grains were puffed in a cannon-like cylinder that was heated from the outside. 

Other forms of cereal would soon follow. The Ralston Purina company developed an early version of Wheat Chex for followers of Ralstonism, a strict — and racist — religious sect that believed in mind control. But it was Cheerios, originally called Cheeri-Oats, that was born at the exactly right time: 1941, right before America entered World War Two. As the war ended, men returned to America from overseas, while women, after spending several years in the workplace, were sent back to the kitchen. Cereal provided a way for tired, frustrated housewives to quickly and wholesomely feed their rapidly growing families before the kids headed to school and their husbands to work, and so cereal, which had been merely one of many breakfast options in the decades prior, soon became dominant.

“Families with children were becoming more time pressured. Therefore, there was a consumer need for a more convenient breakfast option that can be more quickly prepared than the traditional heartier eggs, bacon, et cetera breakfast,” says Jon Quinn, the Director for the Center of Brand Leadership at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. “The rise of mass media advertising, like radio and television, drove demand” as well, he says.

It was around this time that Tony the Tiger would emerge as a mascot that directly targeted children with sugary Frosted Flakes. With Tony, this new form of youth advertising, which would compel children to request that their mothers buy them specific brands of sweet cereal, would catapult cereal into millions of American pantries. Breakfast cereal, which had originally been developed as a nutritious food that people ate at health spas, was transformed into the almost dessert-like product most of us think of today.

This strategy worked — until recently. In the 2000s, Americans were quickly latching on to the idea that low sugar, low carb diets were the secret to good health — or, at least, weight loss. This meant that the effort of decades of marketing, which had focused on getting kids hooked on sugary cereals, was backfiring: Raised on Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, and Cocoa Puffs, many Americans thought of cereal as sugary junk food, not as the nutritious, fiber-rich food its inventors had intended. “Look at millennials: they want health, nutrition, wellness,” says Diane Badame, an associate professor of clinical marketing at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. “They want fresh fruit. They want things that have higher levels of protein.” Despite efforts by some cereal companies in recent years to tout their whole grain, protein-rich options, many Americans aren’t buying it. When they think of cold cereal, they don’t think about high-fiber Shredded Wheat, which could be just as filling as an egg sandwich. They think about (and buy) Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and other cereals designed to appeal to kids, according to a December 2020 report from global market research firm Euromonitor.

Cereal’s perceived status as a nutrient-devoid sugar bomb, however, was only one of many nails in the coffin for the industry. Just as Americans had begun eating more cereal as they had more children in the post-WWII baby boom, and then again in the economically robust ‘80s; once the birth rate went down, cereal consumption also saw a drop. Eighteen percent of Americans don’t even eat breakfast, and those of us who do will often grab something on-the-go, such as a protein bar or fast food. Cereal isn’t very portable, which has contributed to its diminishing popularity: You can’t exactly eat a bowl of cereal as you drive to work. “As Americans spent a greater portion of their time working and commuting for work, a growing portion of them wanted something they can eat when they’re on-the-go — if they ate anything for breakfast at all,” Quinn says. “It is somewhat ironic that the trend that led to the category’s initial growth also contributed to its decline.”

2020 changed all that. For a short time, at least. 

Last year, there was a 20.9% surge in hot and cold cereal, according to Badame. Part of the reason, she says, is that people aren’t relying on the drive-thru breakfasts they’re used to eating on their harried commutes to their jobs. “People are staying home,” she says. “They’re not doing food service. They’re not going to McDonald’s getting a Big Mac or a McMuffin on the way to work.”

Americans have more time to sit down and eat breakfast, but we’re also stressed out, and don’t necessarily want to cook. Instead, we want something easy that still feels like comfort food, which many people consider cereal to be. 

“When confronted with a threat to our lifestyle and what we hold dear, our normal reaction is to retreat into what gives us comfort and reminds of a simpler time and/or of our childhood,” says Quinn. “Cereal fits this psychological need perfectly. Any sort of health concerns take a backseat until the threat is mitigated or removed.”

Those threats, though, are being mitigated and removed, if gradually. As 2020 progressed, the economy slowly opened up, and people either returned to work or at least acclimated emotionally to their new reality; people stopped buying cereal in large quantities, according to Quinn. Some of cereal’s market “stickiness” will remain if people continue to work from home, he says. But the need for nostalgia and comfort has largely faded, which explains some of that end of 2020 dip. This decline is likely to continue further, with Euromonitor predicting that U.S. sales of cold cereal will drop more than eleven percent by 2025.

It’s unfortunate for cereal’s market longevity that the industry focused on its sweet and junky products. Kids eventually become adults, and usually move past the things they’d treasured when they were young (except in times of crisis and stress, as 2020 shows). Advertising to an audience that will age- out limits the reach of that product, particularly when the now-adults aren’t having kids at the same rate their parents did.

People also, quite simply, aren’t consuming ads in the same way they used to. Television, which played a crucial role in marketing cereal to a young audience, has pivoted to streaming, where there are often far fewer ads. People under 40 “are not watching TV anymore. They’re going to Netflix, they’re streaming. And so they’re not seeing the commercials that we used to see,” says Badame. Millennials and kids are either streaming or online; if cereal marketers want to reach these young audiences, says Badame, “they’ve got to promote their products online. Because that’s where everybody is.” Influencer partnerships, including with micro-influencers, could be a great start, she says.

We could also benefit our health if we ate more cereal — certain cereals, anyway.

Most adult Americans still struggle to eat a balanced diet, which is understandable: Worked to the bone, we’re tired when we get home from the office or a long shift (or two), and shopping for and cooking a delicious, healthy meal takes energy many people have already spent, to say nothing of having the time to develop cooking skills. Cereal could be an answer to this cooking fatigue, but it will take some reprogramming of how we think about food to really lean into it. 

But, it might be possible. I love to cook, but I have a digestive disorder that makes me sensitive to a lot of healthy, fibrous fruits and veggies (I still eat and delight in them, but they sometimes give me stomach aches). Only once I came back around to cereal did I realize I could easily and gently reintroduce regular fiber (pun not intended) into my diet. Now, I eat extremely fiber-rich Shredded Wheat, Wheat Chex, and Puffins several times a week; I’m cheaply and easily tackling the issue of getting enough fiber in my diet, something 95% of Americans could also stand to do more of.
Turns out, the original Kellogg was right about at least one thing: Cereal, at least some cereal, is good for your gut. Though the 200-year-old invention will almost certainly never disappear, the gains of 2020 are projected to slow and slide back into the downward spiral the industry had experienced over the past decade. This isn’t the worst thing, since few people should eat quite as much Chocolate Cheerios and Lucky Charms as everyone did in the ‘90s. But I’ll be sorry to see the industry go, especially if my beloved bite-sized Shredded Wheat continues to get harder to find.

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Skimpy bikinis are great! Honestly, truly. There are minimal tan lines, they’re easy to adjust, and — if you find one that really fits — they are actually really comfortable, too (there’s no pinching or chafing common to fuller-coverage bottoms). The cons? At many swimwear brands, revealing suits are often only available in straight sizes, or, the plus sets they do carry are somehow more modest, as if plus shoppers only want full coverage. And brands that do sell string bikinis in larger sizes rarely use plus-size models on their websites, leaving their shoppers in the blind.

Though they’re hard to find, many brands do offer skimpy bikinis in plus-sizes. And since there are plenty of you who want to kick off the warmer months by getting as much sun as possible, we thought we’d find as many itty-bitty plus-size bikinis we can before the first beach day of the year. 

From Frankies and Alpine Butterfly to Good American and Andrea Iyamah, click ahead for an exhaustive list of skimpy and supportive plus-size bikinis.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Natural Hair and an Active Lifestyle Can Coexist – Here’s How!

How to exercise with Natural Hair

by Jacqueline Samarroo

Are you one of those Black girls that avoided physical activities because of your heat styled or chemically straightened hair?  Are you natural now and still avoiding sweating out that fresh twist-out?  I can admit I most certainly was! But, being physically active, sweating, working out AND maintaining your beautiful natural hair can and SHOULD happen.

It has to do with a natural haircare routine that keeps your hair moisturized, protected, and nourished before, during, and between workouts. Keep reading to find a bunch of effective ways to do all three!

Moisturize
Sweat and heat from a good workout can leave curly hair dry and frizzy. Counteract it by prepping your hair overnight or in the morning with a good moisturizer formulated for natural hair care. You can also do a daily leave-in conditioner or the more comprehensive LOC method of liquid (water-based moisturizer) followed by a sealing oil and then a cream.

Put your hair in a protective style
Use a protective hairstyle to shield your curly hair from the rigors of exercise. Try twists, braids, Bantu knots, or a bun – whatever you wish. Of course, your protective workout hairstyle could also be preparation for that awesome twist-out or Bantu knot-out that you plan on flaunting once your workout is over!

Wear your hair up or back
A scrunchie, hairband, hair-tie, or scarf keeps your hair away from your face and away from sweat. Satin is the best material for these because it is smooth and won’t cause snagging and undue friction on your strands. Headbands are great for keeping sweat off your face as long as they are not tight. A tight headband will rub excessively on the fine hairs at your hairline. Also tying a scarf or band around your edges is doing double duty– if you allow your hair (and edges) to fully dry before you remove the scarf, your edges will be laid! 

Choose a cool time and place
Cool down the room to reduce how hot you get and how much you sweat during a workout. Throw open the windows, turn the AC up a notch, or the heat down a bit. If you are doing an outside activity, such as a walk or a run, schedule it for the cooler morning or evening hours.

Air-dry
Allow the sweat to dry from your hair before styling it since natural curly hair becomes more fragile when wet. Avoid using heat to dry your sweaty hair, however, as sweat increases the chance of heat damage to curly hair. Air-dry it or, if you are in a rush, get some assistance from the cool setting on your blow dryer (but never skip the heat protectant).

Co-wash and deep condition
You might get the urge to wash your hair after every workout but regular use of a shampoo with sulfates will dry out your hair and scalp. Instead, co-wash your natural hair once or twice a week to cut some of the grime and put some bounce back into your curls.
Limit shampooing to once a week (or longer) using a sulfate-free shampoo at least some of the time. Also, commit to deep conditioning your hair every two weeks to nourish and repair your hair.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Apart from doing things directly to your hair, there are other healthful ways to help your natural hair thrive while you remain active.

• Drink sufficient water to keep your body hydrated.
• Eat a varied and balanced diet to get the vitamins and minerals natural hair needs.
• Get plenty of restful and restorative sleep.

Another great way to make an active lifestyle and natural hair care work, is to make a routine of them both and sticking to it. Your body, hair, mind, and spirit will thank you for it!

What’s your workout routine and schedule like?! Share below! 

CurlyNikki says: I still don’t like to sweat haha! I walk just about everyday, and do sun salutations but that’s about it.  

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New season, new silhouette, same love for lavender.  A fresh take on spring styling with lavender and soft pleats.

Spring awakening with another dose of lavender today.  This time, with dot patterns and refined pleats.  This particular leg-lengthening silhouette coupled with gentle draping gives these pants a fresh yet familiar feel.  Because of the color and shape, I find that they invite a feeling of travel.  You can imagine wearing them strolling around Paris buying bread or visiting Santorini admiring the blue waters.  It feels relaxed, unrestricted, and peaceful.

Coupled with the dot pattern blouse, it creates a tonal look that feels light and effortless.  This blouse is also beautiful worn casually with vintage-inspired jeans or styled for the office with tailored pants (under $35, I have two pairs of these pants!).

Happy spring and I hope you enjoyed this styling!  Thank you so much for reading!

– OUTFIT –

TOP | Ann Taylor lavender blouse (also comes in ivory)
BOTTOMS | Ann Taylor lavender pants (also comes in black)
BAG | Bottega Veneta bag (best of budget, under $70 similar Steve Madden pouch bag)

The post A Fresh Take on Spring Styling with Lavender appeared first on Wendy's Lookbook.

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Outfit Details:
Top, Pants, Bag & Sandals (similar here and here)

Sponsored by Amazon Fashion

Classic styles have always been a mainstay in my closet, serving as the foundation pieces from which to build new looks. Button downs, shirt dresses, tees, denim, woven bags and sandals are some of the pieces I turn to from one season to the next. Amazon is so essential in my search for fresh, new styles. Whether you’re looking to update your closet essentials, or searching for a spring special dress for an upcoming celebration, see my recent Amazon finds below. And be sure to visit our Amazon Storefront for even more amazing styles to refresh for spring!

Dress, Cardigan (pullover version here) & Bag

Top, Pants, Bag & Sandals (similar here and here)

Dress, Cardigan (pullover version here) & Bag

Top, Pants, Bag & Sandals (similar here and here)

The post Classic Spring Staples Under $100 appeared first on Julia Berolzheimer.

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