The price of one Memorial Day barbecue essential has soared 28% since last year. It’s not meat or vegetables.

The price of one Memorial Day barbecue essential has soared 28% since last year. It’s not meat or vegetables.

If you plan to barbecue this weekend, here’s some good news: You’ll get slightly more beef for your buck. However, unless you want to eat your burger plain, you’ll need to shell out more dough for condiments and buns. A new study from data-analysis company Datasembly found that barbecue staples are more expensive than they…

Zooey Deschanel on her new show — and what she refuses to spend $15 on

Zooey Deschanel on her new show — and what she refuses to spend $15 on

Zooey Deschanel wants to make sure you’re not mentally checked-out the next time you’re filling your shopping cart in stores or online.  “The New Girl” star’s latest gig is an unscripted series that just dropped on the Warner Bros.-owned WBD, +3.16% streaming service formerly known as HBO Max (now Max) called “What Am I Eating?…

Are you in Bavaria or Washington? Four travel destinations that will make you feel like you’re in Europe, without leaving North America.

Are you in Bavaria or Washington? Four travel destinations that will make you feel like you’re in Europe, without leaving North America.

Skip the jet lag and overnight flights: there are places right here in North America whose architecture and ambience will transport you to Europe in the twinkling of an eye. Here are four places to explore. Leavenworth, Wash. Like a small town in Bavaria, half-timbered buildings, carved wooden balconies, murals painted on building facades (a…

Pernod Ricard has ended all exports to Russia, but exit will take ‘some months’

Pernod Ricard has ended all exports to Russia, but exit will take ‘some months’

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard has ceased exports of its international brands to Russia but says it will take “some months” to end distribution of its products in the country.     The French company was slammed last month over its resumption of exports of iconic brands Jameson whiskey and Beefeater gin to Russia, after having earlier ended…

Conservative boycott could create a backlash to the Bud Light backlash

Conservative boycott could create a backlash to the Bud Light backlash

After Bud Light’s recent partnership with a transgender influencer, sales of the beer may take a hit as a result of conservative calls for a boycott — or they may get a boost from other people buying more of the product in response. But whatever the effect, analysts say, it will likely evaporate quickly. What’s…

It’s CPI day: ‘Calmer inflation means lower mortgage rates — eventually’ and food inflation slowed in March, but some items are still up by 36%

It’s CPI day: ‘Calmer inflation means lower mortgage rates — eventually’ and food inflation slowed in March, but some items are still up by 36%

Hi, MarketWatchers. Don’t miss these top stories. Amazon workers’ serious-injury rates still double those of other warehouse workers, study shows A new report, which found slight improvement in Amazon injury rates, coincides with a shareholder resolution calling for an independent health-and-safety audit. Read More Food inflation slowed in March, but some items are still up…

A 63-year-old woman had a heart attack. Her advice could save your life.

A 63-year-old woman had a heart attack. Her advice could save your life.

One person dies every 34 seconds in the U.S. from cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and this means each of us has to be mindful of our heart health so that we are not one of them. I firmly believe we all need to be mindful of our overall health. Being…

Biden taps Stephen Curry, Chloe Kim for presidential fitness council 

Biden taps Stephen Curry, Chloe Kim for presidential fitness council 

President Biden is expanding his roster.  NBA star Stephen Curry and his restauranteur wife Ayesha Curry, Phillies baseball icon Ryan Howard and Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim are among the almost 30 new appointees to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.  The mission of this federal advisory committee, which has also included “Terminator” star…

Walmart will soon sell Hidden Valley Ranch ice cream — and it’s plenty weird

Walmart will soon sell Hidden Valley Ranch ice cream — and it’s plenty weird

Want some salad dressing for dessert? That’s the challenge being posed by the folks at Hidden Valley Ranch, the popular dressing brand, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, the company known for its inventive offerings. They have collaborated on a limited-edition flavor, simply called Hidden Valley Ranch. The one-of-a-kind ice cream is being sold solely through…

Are you ready for Espresso Martini Day? Here’s a bottled version of the cocktail

Are you ready for Espresso Martini Day? Here’s a bottled version of the cocktail

The bottle XXI Martinis Espresso, $37.99 The back story If you’ve been to a bar recently, you’ve probably seen someone ordering an espresso martini. Heck, you may have ordered one yourself. The drink, which is believed to have originated in the ‘80s, is making a big comeback. One recent bar-industry report said the cocktail is…

SNAP participants from all 53 local agencies will finally be able to receive refunds for stolen benefits

SNAP participants from all 53 local agencies will finally be able to receive refunds for stolen benefits

Following reports of stolen food benefits in different states totaling millions of dollars over the past year, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants from all 53 states and territories will soon be eligible to receive their refunds for benefits theft. A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Agriculture told MarketWatch that the Food and Nutrition Services…

TikTok ‘borg’ drinking trend leads to ambulance calls and a university warning

TikTok ‘borg’ drinking trend leads to ambulance calls and a university warning

The University of Massachusetts has issued a warning against a new drinking fad that has gone viral on TikTok after at least 28 ambulances were called in response to student intoxication. The new trend is “borgs,” short for “blackout rage gallons,” which are a mix of liquor, electrolyte packets and water dispensed from gallon jugs….

This restaurant chain offers the worst bang for your buck, customers say

This restaurant chain offers the worst bang for your buck, customers say

When it comes to dining out, customers say Shake Shack SHAK, -0.11% has gotten far too pricey for what it’s dishing out. And that’s despite the fact that it’s even not the most expensive of the fast-casual and fast-food restaurant chains. That’s the big takeaway from a new study by Stifel SF, +1.14%, the wealth-management…

Want to slow the aging process? It may be as simple as eating less.

Want to slow the aging process? It may be as simple as eating less.

Could going on a diet slow down the process of aging? Quite possibly, according to new research. A two-year study of 128 middle-aged people who cut back on calories by 25% found that their bodies aged more slowly as a result. “The intervention effect…represented a roughly 2-3% slowing in the pace of aging,” reported the team of…

Even as inflation wanes, Americans face a looming food insecurity problem

Even as inflation wanes, Americans face a looming food insecurity problem

General inflation is starting to ease, but food insecurity for American consumers is not. And while the easing of inflation could make it into President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech Tuesday night, food advocates and experts say it’s the issue of rising food insecurity that should enter the limelight. More Americans who use food…

New rules would limit sugar in U.S. school meals for first time, but plan draws mixed reactions from nutritionists

New rules would limit sugar in U.S. school meals for first time, but plan draws mixed reactions from nutritionists

U.S. Agriculture Department officials on Friday proposed new nutrition standards for school meals, including the first limits on added sugars, with a focus on sweetened foods such as cereals, yogurt, flavored milk and breakfast pastries. The plan announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also seeks to significantly decrease sodium in the meals served to the…

How would a gas stove ban affect wok cooking and the Asian American community?

How would a gas stove ban affect wok cooking and the Asian American community?

When Charlene Luo was looking for a condo to buy in 2021, she had two nonnegotiable requirements: one, enough space to host friends for dinner; and two, a gas stove with the capacity to install a powerful range hood. Luo, a data scientist, cooks every day and hosts a supper club from time to time…

Sammy Hagar on making music, managing money — and drinking $80K bottles of wine

Sammy Hagar on making music, managing money — and drinking $80K bottles of wine

Sammy Hagar says he still can’t drive 55. But it’s hard to tell if he means that literally, or if he’s speaking about his take-no-prisoners philosophy of life as a whole. Hagar — aka the Red Rocker — is the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer best known for his stints as lead singer of…

Eating these simple foods may slow Alzheimer’s by a third

Eating these simple foods may slow Alzheimer’s by a third

Biogen’s new Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab has gotten the headlines recently. But it’s not the only good news on the dementia front. Far from it. Some might even say we’re making as much progress, or more, outside the drug labs as inside. I’ve already written about the power of walking, crosswords, and meditation to lower your…