Table of ContentsTable of ContentsBest Streaming Devices OverviewWhat to consider about streaming devicesApple TV 4K (late 2022)Roku Streaming Stick 4KNvidia Shield (2019)Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K MaxGoogle TV StreamerFrequently Asked QuestionsThere basically are two kinds of folks when it comes to smart TVs and how we use them to access all of our streaming services. There are those who just use whatever operating system is already built in, and those who prefer to plug in one of the best streaming devices available.That's not to say there's anything wrong with the former, especially since Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV power so many smart TVs, with LG and Samsung picking up the slack with their own operating systems.Then there are those who prefer to have a little more control and who want to use some other stick or dongle or box to stream their videos and maybe do a good bit more. There's something to be said about treating your TV like it's a dumb display, especially if it's an older model and doesn't have all those smart things built into it. That's where all these options come in.Going with a separate device also gets you what we consider to be the best option. That's subjective, of course, but we get paid to make tough choices. So here's what we think are the best streaming devices of 2025. Some are newer than others. Some may be replaced in the months to come. All will serve you well.But, yes, we do have a best overall streaming device pick.Apple TV 4K (2022): The simplest, cleanest experience you'll find from a streaming device.Nvidia Shield (2019): An excellent choice for gamers that's had great longevity.Roku Streaming Stick 4K: There isn't a better budget streaming device that offers a complete, smooth experience.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max: A streaming device built for Amazon integration.Google TV Streamer: Google's TV Streamer improves on Chromecast for the Google home.The most important distinction between the different streaming devices available (and deciding factor before purchasing) is what OS it runs. This can determine how many ads you come across while navigating the OS, what apps might be available (although at this point most of the major ones are available everywhere), and any additional features they include, like smart home assistant integration. Here's a breakdown of the options you'll find on our favorite streaming devices.RokuRokus interface is consistent across every model, whether youre talking the top-of-the-line Roku Ultra or the entry-level Roku Express. There also is a certain look to Roku apps (which the platform calls "Channels"), and you wont find interface differences across different apps as much as you might on other platforms.As weve mentioned before, youll find nearly every streaming service or channel you care about represented here, and unlike certain other platforms, you wont find any gaps, with the notable exception of iTunes, which is only available on Apple streamers.And if you're in the mood for the top-of-the-line Roku, there's a new Roku Ultra for 2024. We have one on the way to us now, so expect a review of it soon.AmazonLike Roku, Amazon offers a single experience across a bevy of devices. It's got four Streaming Sticks at various prices, the Fire TV Cube, which offers the same features plus hands-free voice control, various Fire TV televisions with the operating system built-in, and third-party soundbars that also have Fire TV OS built-in.Apple TVAs you might expect, Apple TV devices are designed to offer a seamless experience, especially when paired with other Apple products. In addition to offering a huge number of streaming apps, the Apple TV platform also supports Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and Apple Fitness+, and can even act as the master control for HomeKit devices. HomeKit-compatible security cameras, for instance, can be streamed to the Apple TV with just a few clicks.The Apple TV app (yes, there's an app that goes by the same name as the device) is actually a curated and personalized interface for browsing content from your favorite streaming services as well as being the official home of Apple TV+, all the details of which you can find in our thorough Apple TV+ explainer. Other features include watch lists, watch next, and dedicated tabs for sports and live TV.Apple would prefer that users buy and rent content via iTunes, so you wont currently find an app for Google Play Movies and TV. There's a workaround: Make sure you're signed into the YouTube app, and your purchases should show up. Failing that, Google Play offers a mobile app that allows content to be streamed to an Apple TV via AirPlay but only from an iOS device.Android TV/Google TV (Google TV Streamer, Chromecast/Nvidia Shield)Android TV is a little different from the other options here in that manufacturers can put their own spin on the interface, similar to what phone manufacturers do with Android.Google has migrated Android TV over to the Google TV interface, which debuted on Chromecast with Google TV. This interface de-emphasizes individual apps in favor of a curated and personalized content recommendation layout that is arguably much more helpful when trying to find something to watch.ChromecastRIP Chromecast, which was replaced by the Google TV Streamer. Until the debut of the Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast ran entirely on the magical power of casting i.e., beaming content from one device wirelessly to your TV. Everything about the Chromecast was controlled via your casting device including app search, content playback, and even private listening modes whether that was an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet, a Windows PC, or a Mac.But the Chromecast with Google TV changed that script, bringing in a handy remote control and on-screen interface, putting it on much more of an even playing field with its competitors. However, with the launch of Google's latest device in August 2024, the Google TV Streamer, its existing Chromecast devices will be no more, so get them while you can.Apple TV 4K (late 2022)The best overall streaming deviceJump to detailsRoku Streaming Stick 4KThe best budget streaming deviceJump to detailsNvidia Shield (2019)The next-best streaming deviceJump to detailsAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K MaxAlso great, but for those who don't want RokuJump to detailsGoogle TV StreamerThe Chromecast replacement has some real smartsJump to detailsZeke Jones/Digital TrendsThe best overall streaming deviceApple TV 4K (late 2022)Apple TV 4K (2022) ReviewProsLightning quick navigationGorgeous Audio and Video outputFeature-packedExtremely PowerfulIntuitive, uncluttered interfaceConsSeveral features exclusive to Apple usersIt might be a couple of years old, but Apple TV 4K still has the simplest, most consistent experience you can get, with a relatively open-ended shelf life. Those in the Apple ecosystem can make use of some of the extra features, but it's not just for those with iPhones and iPads. In the world of $50 streaming sticks that absolutely can get the job done and get it done fairly well, it's perhaps a little hard to recommend something that costs three or four or five times as much. And to be clear, Apple TV 4K doesn't do three or four or five times as much as its competitors. In fact, you can make the argument that it actually does a little less. More on that in a second. But what it does do, it tends to do better and with fewer headaches.What you get for that extra money is hardware that should darn near last forever. (Just ask anyone who's still happily using the original Apple TV 4K, released in 2017.)It's powered by the A15 Bionic processor, there's support for HDR 10+ (important for Samsung TV owners as Samsung doesn't support Dolby Vision), has Ethernet connectivity (of the super-fast Gigabit variety), as well as support for Thread and Matter, and will likely continue to be supported for years. The fourth-generation Apple TV, released in 2015, is still supported on tvOS. So there's plenty of reason to believe that an Apple TV 4K purchased today should be supported at least five years.Apple's tvOS is simple. The home screen is app icons, and that's it. No real recommendations of shows or movies or live channels. No advertising. Nothing that overwhelms. Those who are all-in with Apple's ecosystem also will get the added bonus of things like AirPlay 2 and HomeKit as well as ridiculously slick integration of using your iPhone or iPad for the on-screen keyboard.Apple TV 4K isn't inexpensive, but it's still the best.Is an update coming soon? This model is nearly two years old going into late 2024, and it wouldn't surprise us to see a new one in the coming year (here are a few things we'd like to see in an update). But the late-2022 model will remain supported for years. If you want one now, buy one now.Apple TV 4K (late 2022)The best overall streaming devicePhil Nickinson/Digital Trends / Digital TrendsThe best budget streaming deviceRoku Streaming Stick 4KRoku Streaming Stick 4K ReviewProsAffordableEasy to useAll the features you wantConsRoku's advertising scheme means trackingRoku is the grandfather of streaming, back before it really became a thing. It remains as easy to use as ever, with "Channels" taking the place of apps. One Roku device works exactly the same as the next. It's just a matter of what specs and features you get at what price.The Streaming Stick 4K gets you 4K UHD resolution, support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and improved Wi-Fi over previous models. It does come with a basic remote that forgoes extra features like voice control, but if you really want the extra functionality, the Roku Voice Remote Pro can be purchased separately. Or take a look at the beefier Roku Ultra instead.Roku's operating system gets pretty regular updates, which usually brings some new features, interface updates, and access to new content. It's easy to update your Roku when needed.Roku has really started to stand out in the past couple of years with its inclusion of free shows and movies on its own distribution source, the aptly named The Roku Channel. The series and movies are all supported by advertising. There's a lot of old content that you'll recognize, as well as new original content.Advertising-based content means more tracking, however, and that's just something you have to keep in mind when it comes to Roku. But it's hard to argue against the value proposition of the Streaming Stick 4K.Is a new one coming? Given that the current model was released in September 2021, it wouldn't surprise us in the slightest to see a new model in 2025. The only question is when.Roku Streaming Stick 4KThe best budget streaming deviceRelatedPhil Nickinson / Digital TrendsThe next-best streaming deviceNvidia Shield (2019)ProsGreat for game streamingGood variety of appsExcellent AI upscalingConsDoesn't come with a game controllerNo included HDMI cableThe best streaming device that's not Apple, plus a great option for gamers, the Shield (also often referred to as "Shield TV") has a history dating back to 2015. That ancient hardware, running Nvidia's Tegra X1 processor, was overpowered for the time and keeps that original box running just fine today.The most recent Shield, released in 2019, comes in two flavors. Both add Dolby Vision into the mix, in addition to Dolby Atmos decoding. The non-Pro model comes in a cylindrical body for some reason. The Pro has more RAM and doubles the onboard storage to 16GB (both models still allow for external storage) and is meant for gaming via Nvidia's G-Force Now system. And the Tegra X1+ processor is as good now as it was at release. Additionally, Nvidia does a great job at ensuring even more longevity to its devices with frequent updates that bring additional features and capabilities to the box.Is a new one coming in 2025? Frankly, we have no idea. It's amazing that Shield is still available, and even more amazing that it's still as good as it is. That's a testament to the hardware.Nvidia Shield (2019)The next-best streaming devicePhil Nickinson / Digital TrendsAlso great, but for those who don't want RokuAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K MaxAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max ReviewProsSame great Fire TV experienceDouble the storageImproved processorFaster Wi-FiPrice is rightConsDoesn't include the best Alexa remoteWaiting on some new AI featuresLaggy interactionsIf Roku just isn't your thing or you prefer the native Amazon and Alexa experience, a Fire TV stick might be the one for you. The original Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has been a great buy for a couple of years now. The Max has newer, faster internals, Wi-Fi 6E, and continued support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It ships with the latest Alexa Voice Remote, which doesn't include hands-free voice access, but does have proper television controls.What it doesn't change is the same great experience you'll get with Amazon Fire TV OS. While the home screen may still be a bit busy for some, that's just a testament to how much great content is available in the Amazon ecosystem. Start with Amazon Prime Video, of course, which has all the movies and series you could possibly want, as well as more than its share of great original content.And that's all before you get to all the third-party streaming apps, games, and other options available on Amazon Fire TV. The Amazon Fire TV Stick remains an excellent choice and one that's tough to beat.Any real complaints we have here tend to be in performance. This is still a low-cost device, and laggy graphics and load times occasionally remind us of that fact.Is a new one coming in 2025? This version was released in the fall of 2023 and is unlikely to be updated anytime soon. But Amazon may well update the Fire TV Cube, which has different features and is more expensive.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K MaxAlso great, but for those who don't want RokuPhil Nickinson / Digital TrendsThe Chromecast replacement has some real smartsGoogle TV StreamerGoogle TV Streamer ReviewProsStock Google TV experienceFaster than ChromecastBetter remote controlSmart home hub supportConsCan't hide it behind a TVThe Google TV Streamer takes everything that was great about Chromecast with Google TV mainly the stock experience and direct love from Google itself fixes what needed fixing, and adds what needed to be added. It fully replaces Chromecast in the Google ecosystem.The basic experience isn't really much different than Chromecast with Google TV. You get the same busy homescreen and all the same apps.But new this time around is an improved remote control that's easier to hold and easier to use, with a lost-remote finder built in, so you can make it chirp when it goes missing. While the base itself can no longer be hidden behind a television, it's not meant to be because of the addition of a bunch of smart home tech.The Google TV Streamer supports the Thread and Matter standards, which help all your smart devices talk to each other and work in a single ecosystem. And the Google TV OS has been updated so you can view cameras and adjust lights and temperature using your TV remote.Welcome to the future.Google TV StreamerThe Chromecast replacement has some real smartsHow do we test?We are serious about how we test products here at Digital Trends. We test our streaming devices over a period of days or weeks, replicating exactly how youd use them in real-life scenarios. That includes testing them for speed, convenience, intuitiveness, and a variety of features. Accessibility to a wide variety of apps is also crucial after all, most TVs and Blu-ray players already are set up for basic streaming so a designated streamer should offer something more.But beyond that we watch TV, too. We use these devices day after day, year after year. We live with them, just as you'll live with them.A streamer might have the best hardware in the world, but this wont matter if you can only watch content from one streaming service. To meet our standard, a streaming media player ideally supports all or most of the major content providers, as well as a wide variety of newer features like 4K Ultra HD and HDR. Finally, we look at how much quality and how many features you get on a dollar-by-dollar scale to ensure each of our top streamers is not only a great experience but also a great value. Words and terms you need to know4K ultra HD: While no longer the highest resolution available (that title goes to 8K), 4K UHD is the highest resolution with significant support from content creators and distributors. At around four times that of 1080p HD (3840 x 2160), it's the standard for all but the most expensive new TVs.802.11ac Wi-Fi: Superseded by Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ac is still plenty fast fast enough even for streaming 4K HDR content but it's not as reliable (or as fast) as Ethernet.Android TV: An app-centric smart TV platform powered by Google's Android software and available across smart TVs, set-top boxes, and more.Google TV: A curated and personalized smart TV interface that runs on top of the Android TV software. We expect that Google will eventually make the Google TV experience the default for all Android TV devices.Casting: A term popularized by Google for making content found on a mobile device or PC appear on a TV or wireless speaker.High dynamic range (HDR): Short for high dynamic range, HDR offers better contrast, better brightness, and more colors than standard dynamic range (SDR). It's considered by many to be a more notable visual improvement than the jump from 1080p Full HD to 4K Ultra HD resolution. Not all media streamers support it, and of those that do, not every flavor of HDR is necessarily supported.HDR10: The most widely adopted HDR format. If you buy an HDR TV, it may support other formats too, but it will always have HDR10.Dolby Vision: A dynamic HDR format (as opposed to the static HDR10), Dolby Vision has several advantages, such as the ability to gauge your HDR TV's capabilities and tailor the HDR experience. Not all TVs or media streamers support it, however, so be sure to check the specifications before you buy.HDR10+: A license and royalty-free dynamic HDR format that competes with Dolby Vision. It initially showed up on Samsung TVs (which do not offer Dolby Vision), however, it is now gaining traction among other TV makers like TCL and Vizio. So far, only a handful of streaming video services, like Amazon Prime Video, support HDR10+.Dolby Atmos: A technology that allows sound designers to specify the positioning of audio in an immersive, 3D soundstage. Sounds can be placed anywhere around a room, bringing you deep inside the action on-screen. Dolby Atmos sound systems can include multi-thousand-dollar setups with installed ceiling speakers, but can also be had in a $200 soundbar that creates a virtual Atmos experience from as few as two channels. Support for this sound format varies from device to device, and not all streaming services offer Dolby Atmos content. Those that do, don't offer it on all of their TV shows and movies.Single sign-on (SSO): A feature that allows users to use a single login to automatically sign in to all linked apps, provided they support the feature. This is supported by each of the devices we've picked here, but it requires an account through a paid TV provider. Editors Recommendations

Books by Elliot Abrams and Joshua Leifer take on a sense of growing division and uncertainty among American Jews.

Shane Snider, Senior Writer, InformationWeekJanuary 3, 20252 Min Readheliography / Stockimo via Alamy Stock PhotoA federal appeals court this week ruled that the Federal Communications Commission and Biden administration overstepped their authority by reviving net neutrality rules last year.The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals three-judge panel said the FCC was wrong to label broadband as a telecommunications service instead of an information service. The distinction was the basis for giving FCC power to wield net neutrality rules.Under the rules, which were struck down during the first Trump administration, broadband internet providers could not block or throttle internet access or speed up access to certain websites that pay higher fees. Net neutrality proponents say the rules ensure open and fair access to the internet, while detractors say the rules stifle innovation and weaken competition.Net neutrality was first approved in 2015 under the Obama administration and struck down the first Trump administration in 2017. In a down-the-line partisan vote, the FCC restored the rules last April.Democratic FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel urged Congress to take action against Thursdays court decision.Consumers across the country have told us again and again that they want an internet that is fast, open, and fair, Rosenworcel said in a statement. With this decision it is clear that Congress now needs to heed their call, take up the charge for net neutrality, and put open internet principles in federal law.Related:In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tim Wu, a Columbia law professor and consultant for the Biden Administrations competition and antitrust policy, disagreed with the courts ruling.When Congress passed the Telecommunications Act in 1934, it clearly wanted the American people to enjoy non-discriminatory, low-cost communications services. Finding otherwise is blatant judicial activism that puts corporate interests over American democracy, he wrote.Republican FCC commissioner Brendan Carr applauded the courts decision, deriding the FCCs nearly limitless power over the internet as a utility under Title II of the Communication Act.Rather than focusing on a broadband agenda that would bridge the digital divide, the Biden Administration chose to waste time and resources imposing these unnecessary command and control regulations, Carr said in a statement. I am pleased that the appellate court invalidated President Bidens internet power grab by striking down these unlawful Title II regulations. But the work to unwind the Biden Administrations regulatory overreach will continue.Related:In the published opinion, the judges wrote that the action to restore net neutrality resurrected the FCCs heavy-handed regulatory regime.Tim Wood, net neutrality advocate and general counsel of Free Press, scoffed at the courts ruling.Its rich to think of Donald Trump and Elon Musks hand-picked FCC chairman characterizing light-touch broadband rules as heavy-handed regulation, while scheming to force carriage of viewpoints favorable to Trump on the nations broadcast airwaves and social media sites, Wood said in a statement. With this ruling, the 6th Circuit has for now denied the public the internet access service that it deservesRead more about:RegulationAbout the AuthorShane SniderSenior Writer, InformationWeekShane Snider is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of industry experience. He started his career as a general assignment reporter and has covered government, business, education, technology and much more. He was a reporter for the Triangle Business Journal, Raleigh News and Observer and most recently a tech reporter for CRN. He was also a top wedding photographer for many years, traveling across the country and around the world. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and two children.See more from Shane SniderNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Nicotine pouches have become popular in the USShutterstock/Piskova PhotoAdolescent drug use in the US largely declined in 2024, with one exception: nicotine pouches. Compared with the previous year, their use roughly doubled among teenagers, though overall rates remain low.Between February and June 2024, Richard Miech at the University of Michigan and his colleagues surveyed more than 24,200 adolescents at 272 secondary schools across the US. For students in 8th, 10th and 12th grade which typically corresponds to ages 13 to 14,

HealthScience initially struggled to match the pace of the pandemic, leaving people unclear of the best ways to stay safe from the virus, but now we know so much more which could be essential when the next pandemic hits 1 January 2025 Looking back on the covid-19 pandemicNot touching your face. Panic-buying toilet roll. Disinfecting groceries. Some of the advice and behaviour of the early days of the covid-19 pandemic can, in retrospect, seem utterly bizarre. But when an unknown virus swept rapidly around the world, we were engulfed by questions how does it spread, who is most at risk, how can I avoid catching it and just how bad is this going to get that the instruments of medical science couldnt immediately answer.None of us could comprehend the scale and broad societal impact of this, the speed at which it developed, says

WHO US Department of Energys SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, US National Science Foundation WHEN 6 months The next time you glance up at the night sky, consider: The particles inside everything you can see make up only about 5% of whats out there in the universe. Dark energy and dark matter constitute the rest, astronomers believebut what exactly is this mysterious stuff? A massive new telescope erected in Chile will explore this question and other cosmic unknowns. Its named for Vera Rubin, an American astronomer who in the 1970s and 1980s observed stars moving faster than expected in the outer reaches of dozens of spiral galaxies. Her calculations made a strong case for the existence of dark mattermass we cant directly observe but that appears to shape everything from the paths of stars to the structure of the universe itself. Explore the full 2025 list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies. Soon, her namesake observatory will carry on that work in much higher definition. The facility, run by the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the US National Science Foundation, will house the largest digital camera ever made for astronomy. And its first mission will be to complete whats called the Legacy Survey of Space and Time. Astronomers will focus its giant lens on the sky over the Southern Hemisphere and snap photo after photo, passing over the same patches of sky repeatedly for a decade. By the end of the survey, this 3.2-gigapixel camera will have catalogued 20 billion galaxies and collected up to 60 petabytes of dataroughly three times the amount currently stored by the US Library of Congress. Compiling all these images together, with help from specialized algorithms and a supercomputer, will give astronomers a time-lapse view of the sky. Seeing how so many galaxies are dispersed and shaped will enable them to study dark matters gravitational effect. They also plan to create the most detailed three-dimensional map of our Milky Way galaxy ever made. If all goes well, the telescope will snap its first science-quality imagesa special moment known as first lightin mid-2025. The public could see the first photo released from Rubin soon after.

WHO Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI WHEN Now Make no mistake: Size matters in the AI world. When OpenAI launched GPT-3 back in 2020, it was the largest language model ever built. The firm showed that supersizing this type of model was enough to send performance through the roof. That kicked off a technology boom that has been sustained by bigger models ever since. As Noam Brown, a research scientist at OpenAI, told an audience at TEDAI San Francisco in October, The incredible progress in AI over the past five years can be summarized in one word: scale. But as the marginal gains for new high-end models trail off, researchers are figuring out how to do more with less. For certain tasks, smaller models that are trained on more focused data sets can now perform just as well as larger onesif not better. Thats a boon for businesses eager to deploy AI in a handful of specific ways. You dont need the entire internet in your model if youre making the same kind of request again and again. Most big tech firms now boast fun-size versions of their flagship models for this purpose: OpenAI offers both GPT-4o and GPT-4o mini; Google DeepMind has Gemini Ultra and Gemini Nano; and Anthropics Claude 3 comes in three flavors: outsize Opus, midsize Sonnet, and tiny Haiku. Microsoft is pioneering a range of small language models called Phi. A growing number of smaller companies offer small models as well. The AI startup Writer claims that its latest language model matches the performance of the largest top-tier models on many key metrics despite in some cases having just a 20th as many parameters (the values that get calculated during training and determine how a model behaves). Explore the full 2025 list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies. Smaller models are more efficient, making them quicker to train and run. Thats good news for anyone wanting a more affordable on-ramp. And it could be good for the climate, too: Because smaller models work with a fraction of the computer oomph required by their giant cousins, they burn less energy. These small models also travel well: They can run right in our pockets, without needing to send requests to the cloud. Small is the next big thing.

Olive oil is a staple in Mediterranean cooking for a good reason it's simple and delicious.My favorite Trader Joe's olive oil comes in a 16.9-fluid-ounce bottle. Alison Van Glad I pick up Italian extra-virgin olive oil at Trader Joe's. The best quality olive oil is extra virgin, meaning the oil is extracted the first time the olives are pressed for their liquid.My favorite part about olive oil is its versatility. I use it as a nonstick agent on my pans, a base for sauteing veggies, and a topper for added garnish and flavor. Trader Joe's often has a large variety of fresh herbs.I usually pay just under $2 for an ounce of herbs at Trader Joe's. Alison Van Glad When creating my shopping list, I prioritize what I can purchase fresh especially when it comes to herbs.After all, any dish can be elevated with fresh herbs.If I know I need to use my herbs over an extended period, I put them in a resealable bag with a damp paper towel in the fridge to help extend their freshness. A freshly sliced tomato adds the perfect crunch to a sandwich.The cost varies, but I usually buy my favorite tomatoes on the vine for $2.50. Alison Van Glad Trader Joe's has several tomato varieties, from cherry tomatoes for easy snacking to Roma tomatoes for making sauces.I prefer to purchase tomatoes on the vine because I find they have a longer shelf life. Longevity is a priority because I'm only meal-prepping for one. I know I can find fresh, in-season produce at my local Trader Joe's. Sometimes I can find eggplant for under $2. Alison Van Glad An essential part of the Mediterranean diet is eating whatever fruits and vegetables are in season.So, I stock up on seasonal vegetables at Trader Joe's, where I find produce in season is often centerstage and reasonably priced.I also like to check Trader Joe's website for recipe inspiration for my seasonal veggies. Most of my dishes use onions and garlic. I try to buy heads of garlic and shallots at Trader Joe's when they're under $1. Alison Van Glad There's a reason garlic and onion are classics in Mediterranean cooking: Both are delicious and high in natural antioxidants.My Trader Joe's carries a wide selection of onions, so I always know it will almost always have the variety I want. However, I also love swapping basic white onions for the more delicately flavored shallot.I like to dice onion and garlic, saut them in olive oil, and store them in an airtight container in my fridge to use throughout the week for omelets, veggies, and pasta. I make sure I'm always stocked up on canned beans.I use white beans to add protein to some dishes. Alison Van Glad I've found that beans are a popular source of protein for the Mediterranean diet.I use canned beans to whip up quick dips and salads that pair perfectly with fresh sliced bread. Sometimes, I blend them with fresh herbs, pasta water, and lemon juice to make a creamy protein-packed sauce. Pasta is my favorite comfort food, and Trader Joe's has plenty of varieties of it.Trader Joe's has a ton of different pasta shapes. Alison Van Glad Although not necessarily a crucial part of the Mediterranean diet, pasta is a great base if you want to consume more legumes and veggies. Sometimes, I also top my pasta with a white-bean sauce to create a high-protein dish.I like to stock up on several different pasta shapes so I never get bored mixing and matching them with new sauces. Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.This story was originally published on January 2, 2024, and most recently updated on January 3, 2025.

The US Department of Transportation has hit JetBlue with a $2 million fine for delayed flights.The DOT called the unrealistic flight schedules deceptive and anticompetitive.Half of the $2 million fine will be to compensate JetBlue customers.JetBlue Airways was fined $2 million by the Department of Transportation, the agency said Friday, for operating chronically delayed flights.The first-of-its-kind penalty follows a DOT investigation that found JetBlue promised its customers unrealistic schedules that did not reflect actual flight departure and arrival times on four routes between its New York and Florida bases, and destinations in North Carolina and Connecticut. The agency called this practice a "deceptive and anticompetitive" way to unfairly generate business by misleading customers.The DOT also said it is looking into similar practices by other carriers but did not go into specifics.In recent years, many airlines have resorted to padding their flight schedules with additional time buffers to give their crews extra leeway absorb weather, mechanical, ATC, or airport congestion issues and still arrive on time.Half the $2 million will be paid in cash to the US Treasury, and the other half will be set aside as compensation for JetBlue passengers harmed by future delayed flights. Compensation and vouchers for each affected passenger must be valued at at least $75.Just 74.5% of JetBlue flights managed to stay on schedule last year, according to the latest data from Cirium. That puts it behind all major US competitors. Only Frontier had a lower on-time percentage.JetBlue said the government should upgrade the nation's air traffic control system to increase reliability for all flights."We appreciate how important it is to our customers to arrive to their destinations on-time and work very hard to operate our flights as schedule," the airline said. "While we've reached a settlement to resolve this matter regarding four flights in 2022 and 2023, we believe accountability for reliable air travel equally lies with the U.S. government, which operates our nation's air traffic control system."The US is experiencing a shortage of air traffic controllers, which has limited its ability to handle high traffic flows. This has resulted in heavy delays during the holiday travel and summer vacation seasons. United Airlines recently claimed that 343,000 of its customers were negatively affected in November by delays caused by air traffic controller shortages at its Newark Liberty International Airport Hub.Shares of JetBlue fell about 2% in trading Friday morning.

Lemons are prominent in Mediterranean cuisines, and I use every part of the fruit.A squeeze of lemon can add a burst of acidity to a dish. Kristina Lopez Lemons are a grocery staple for me, as they're often the star ingredient in Mediterranean-inspired meals and drinks.In addition to using it in recipes,I squeeze lemon juice in my water or tea every morning and put the zest in my nondairy yogurt as a midday snack. Grapes are naturally sweet and make an excellent addition to charcuterie boards.My favorite grapes are red and black, but I like to buy different colors. Kristina Lopez I love that grapes satisfy my sweet tooth without also giving me a sugar high.Sometimes, I'll putSpecially Selected grapes on charcuterie boards alongside manchego cheese, goat cheese, roasted almonds, toasted baguette slices, pine nuts, cucumber slices, bell peppers, and roasted-garlic hummus.I also like to slice grapes in half, freeze them, and drop them in my drinks like ice cubes to sweeten them without using sugar. Tomatoes are almost always on my grocery list.Roma tomatoes add a rich taste to many iconic Mediterranean dishes. Kristina Lopez Tomatoes are a hit in marinara sauces and Greek salads, but I think the fruits' true magic is their ability to maintain their flavor and texture in pretty much any dish.Roma tomatoes are always on my grocery list, whether I use them for minestrone soup or bake them into a puff pastry topped with feta cheese.They also give me a dose of vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, a plant nutrient in tomatoes that researchers have linked to several health benefits. South Mill Champs' stuffed mushrooms stuffed are delicious and light.I try to buy the South Mill Champs stuffed mushrooms when I find them. Kristina Lopez I didn't always enjoy eating mushrooms, but incorporating more Mediterranean-inspired ingredients into my diet has inspired me to try more foods I thought I'd never like.Now, I love making mushrooms at home. One of my favorite buys is the South Mill Champs mushrooms stuffed with spinach-and-artichokefilling. Since they're premade, I don't have to worry about following a recipe.The mushrooms are small enough to serve as a side dish or to eat as a light snack. A little bit of goat cheese goes a long way.I liked the flavored goat cheeses at Aldi. Kristina Lopez Even if I only add a small dollop of goat cheese to my salads and charcuterie boards, I still get a punch of tangy flavor.Aldi carries a range of goat cheeses, though I particularly love the Emporium Selection garlic-and-herb variety. It'sgreat to spread on toasted crostini, and I recommend topping it with chopped tomatoes and avocado. Park Street Deli's chickpea salad is packed with fiber and flavor.This Park Street Deli salad has chickpeas, edamame, cranberries, carrots, and bell peppers. Kristina Lopez There are so many things you can do with chickpeas, from putting them in salads and stews to making them into hummus and falafel.One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in the Park Street Deli chickpea salad, which hasedamame, cranberries, carrots, and bell peppers. The cranberries' sweetness cuts through the vinegar dressing's acidity, and the crisp bell peppers complement the edamame. The Specially Selected oven-baked flatbread takes very little time to prepare and tastes excellent.I can experiment with different toppings when I have a flatbread base. Kristina Lopez I like picking up Specially Selected flatbreads at Aldi, which tend to be large and full of flavor. They're also easy to customize.I love topping them with different Mediterranean flavors, like grilled chicken with feta, artichoke, spinach, roasted chickpeas, mushrooms, shallots, and goat cheese with pesto. I usually drizzle balsamic vinegar on top to finish it off. Pestos pair well with flatbreads, pasta, hummus, and so much more.I switch between pesto types depending on what I'm cooking. Kristina Lopez Pesto makes a great base in so many recipes, and Priano often has different varieties of the sauce.Its alla Genovese pesto is green, nutty, and garlicky. Its red rosso pesto is more tomato-forward and equally delicious.I toss warm linguine in the green, basil-based pesto and spread the red, tomato-based pesto on flatbread. Sometimes I mix either into hummus to add some flavor or use them to season chicken, beef, veal, and seafood. I keep Tuscan Garden marinated artichoke hearts in my pantry to dress up salads and pizzas.I buy Tuscan Garden marinated artichokes, which come in glass jars. Kristina Lopez Artichoke hearts and leaves have so many vitamins and minerals.Some people eat the Tuscan Garden marinated artichoke hearts straight out of the jar, but I like to experiment with them, whether I'm adding zest to simple salads or using them as a pizza topping. Savoritz Parmesan crisps are a high-protein, low-carb alternative to potato chips.Savoritz Parmesan crisps don't make me feel sluggish after I eat them. Kristina Lopez I don't focus on limiting or cutting out carbs, but I care about finding delicious alternatives that are better for my health.Savoritz Parmesan crisps have 13 grams of protein and 1 gram of carbs per serving, which aligns with my nutrition goals.I like to crunch Savoritz Parmesan crisps over a Caesar salad or use them as crackers on a charcuterie board. Priano balsamic vinegar adds a nice acidity to salad, pizza, and meat.Balsamic vinegar can be a great meat marinade. Kristina Lopez I use Priano's balsamic vinegar to make a Mediterranean-inspired salad dressing, combining high-quality olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, garlic, and Italian herbs and spices.I pour this mixture over romaine lettuce, tomato wedges, thinly sliced red onions, cucumber slices, and a chunk of Greek feta. Sometimes, I add a roasted marinated lamb leg or chicken breast to the salad for extra flavor and protein. When I can't decide which hummus I want, I choose Park Street Deli's pack of four.Park Street Deli's hummus quartet allows me to try different flavors before committing to one. Kristina Lopez Hummus is such a large part of Mediterranean cuisine that it needs no introduction. However, it can be hard to choose which flavor I want to have in my refrigerator until my next grocery run.Park Street Deli's hummus quartet solves that problem by offering four flavors in one container: classic, roasted red pepper, roasted garlic, and cilantro jalapeo. I try to buy this variety pack whenever I can find it.Although I'm not a huge fan of jalapeo, I've spread this hummus on turkey wraps and avocado toast, and it isn't the worst combination I've ever tried. Aldi's Mediterranean-herb salmon is an easy-to-prepare, delicious entre.I love salmon, and this one from Aldi bakes beautifully. Kristina Lopez Aldi's delicious Atlantic salmon tends to be affordable and it's the star of many of my meals. I especially like the one seasoned with Mediterranean herbs they give the fish so much flavor.I like to pair it with a vegetable medley that includes broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and green beans.The Mediterranean-herb salmon also goes well with Greek lemon potatoes or pasta in a light sauce with lemon and garlic butter. The Bremer gyro-sandwich kit is a top-notch lunch option.It's nice to have easy-to-make meals on hand for when I get too busy. Kristina Lopez As a freelancer running my own business, it can be hard to pull myself away from work.Luckily, Bremer's gyro kit has everything I need for a quick lunch, including 16 ounces of fully cooked gyro meat, 8 ounces of tzatziki sauce, and five pieces of pita bread.The gyro meat can be warmedin the microwave or on a skillet for a quick, delicious lunch or dinner. When I can't make paella from scratch, I look for this Specially Selected frozen meal.Paella is a Spanish staple that's become a favorite in my house. Kristina Lopez Spanish paella is typically made using a saffron-and-seafood broth, which gets absorbed into the rice during the cooking process. Then, seafood like fish, shrimp, clams, squids, and mussels adds the flavors of the Mediterranean Sea.Whenever I can find it, I like to pick up Specially Selected's frozen Spanish seafood paella. It's agreat meal for busy nights with pollock, shrimp, and calamari. I use raw honey in many Mediterranean-inspired recipes.I like to add a touch of honey and lemon juice to my tea. Kristina Lopez When I visited Spain and Greece in 2022, I liked seeing locals use honey to sweeten their meals and desserts.It's a smart, obvious, and natural way to enhance the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine.I like to drizzle Specially Selected raw honey over rich Italian pizza to create a contrast between sweet and savory flavors or dip Greek doughnuts in a honey-and-cinnamon mixture.No matter how I use it, raw honey is a delicious way to add sweetness to a dish.This story was originally published on March 6, 2023, and most recently updated on January 3, 2025.