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4 Valentine's Day candy options free of dyes and chemicals

As the Make America Healthy Again movement gains traction nationally, many parents and grandparents may be reminded to keep an eye on the kinds of candy their children and grandchildren may receive this Valentine's Day.

To avoid potentially harmful dyes and chemicals in some candies and baked treats, certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco, whose business is in New York, and registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein of Los Angeles offered a few MAHA-minded swaps.

Here are four alternatives for a healthier Valentine's Day this year for all family members.

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Instead of choosing chocolate candies that are "loaded with sugar," artificial food dyes and preservatives, DeCicco recommended trying organic YumEarth ChocoYums candies, which are free of artificial food dyes and high-fructose corn syrup.

She said Rawmio Organic Keto Dark Chocolate Hearts are made with raw cacao nibs.

"This chocolate is the real deal," she said. "There isn't even any butter or milk added – so this is also dairy free."

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Muhlstein recommended a variety of Hu dark chocolate bars, which are vegan, gluten-free and made with organic cacao.

Some colorful candies include a variety of potentially harmful colors, including red dye 40 and yellow and blue food coloring.

DeCicco suggested YumEarth Giggles as a hard chewy candy option, which uses organic fruit and vegetable concentrates for coloring.

The East Coast-based nutritionist recommended Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears, made with natural fruit and vegetable juice, as a swap for gummy or fruit snacks.

Muhlstein also listed a few healthier options for chewy and gummy sweets, including low-sugar Numa Taffy Candy, Pure Organic Fruit Bars, YumEarth Organic Chewys and BEAR Real Fruit Snack Rolls.

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For a bubble gum alternative, Muhlstein recommended Tree Hugger tooth-friendly gum with added xylitol for oral health.

While pink and red-colored cupcakes, brownies and other baked treats are festive and delicious, DeCicco said some red velvet cake mixes include preservatives to extend shelf life, as well as red dye.

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The nutritionist instead suggested Go Nana's Red Velvet Banana Bread/Cupcake Mix, including beet root powder for red coloring and no preservatives.

Muhlstein told Fox News Digital that any cake mix and frosting can be turned pink or red by mixing in natural ingredients like freeze-dried strawberries, pomegranate juice or mashed-up raspberries.

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DeCicco also offered a healthy Valentine's Day recipe for brownies. (See the video at the top of this article.)

Single-ingredient foods like fruits are always a good choice, said Muhlstein.

To make things a bit more festive for Valentine's Day, she suggested the idea of using a heart-shaped fruit cutter to slice strawberries, apples, bananas or other fruits of choice.

Heart-shaped cookie cutters can also be used to shape other food options, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made with all-natural peanut butter and no added sugars.

Some brands are also focused on single-ingredient snacking, such as The Daily Good – recommended by Muhlstein – which makes soft-dried dragon fruit slices of 100% dragon fruit.

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on Super Bowl stats, presidential portraits and culinary cravings

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including a collection of current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz highlights Super Bowl stats, presidential portraits and culinary cravings. Can you get all 8 questions right?

Give it a shot!

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To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here. 

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

Pizza chains bring back a Valentine's Day favorite

Pizza fans who are also hopeless romantics are in luck this Valentine's Day.

Several chains are selling heart-shaped pies this year.

Pizza Hut first sold the pies in 2017 — and will be bringing them back for Valentine's Day in 2025, the Texas-based restaurant chain's website said.  

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"Heart-shaped pizza is a medium 1-topping hand-tossed pizza that's, you guessed it, shaped like a heart," according to the Pizza Hut website.

The item, the website said, could be for almost any occasion, including "Valentine's, Galentine's or whatever-tine's." 

Buyers should know that the heart-shaped pizza does have an odd quirk beyond its shape: It's not sliced. 

"Pizza arrives uncut because we don't break hearts, we bake them," Pizza Hut stated.

The heart-shaped pizza will be available from Feb. 11 through Feb 17, the brand said. 

Pizza Hut is not the only pizza chain to add a romantic touch to its pies this February.

Papa Johns' heart-shaped pizza is baked with a thin crust and comes with one topping, the Kentucky-based chain said on its website. 

"Experience love at first bite this Valentine's Day," Papa Johns said. 

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The pizza, similar to the one sold by Pizza Hut, does not come sliced. Its price starts at $11.99.

The brand called it "the perfect choice" for Valentine's Day. 

The heart-shaped pizza at Papa Johns is available from Feb. 5 through Valentine's Day. 

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"To keep the shape of your heart-shaped pizza, cut from the top middle straight down to the point of the heart, then cut horizontally to make the slices as evenly-sized as possible," the website suggested.

California Pizza Kitchen is also selling heart-shaped pies as part of its "Sweetest Meal for Two" promotion.

The meal comes with one starter, two entrées (including four options of heart-shaped pies) and a dessert, according to the California Pizza Kitchen website. 

The promotion is valid from Feb. 10 through Feb. 15 while supplies last, the chain said. 

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on aviation achievements, Super Bowl spreads and romantic reunions

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz highlights aviation achievements, Super Bowl spreads, romantic reunions and more. Can you get all 8 questions right?

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here. 

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on soda switches, baseball brilliance and revolutionary recipes

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz highlights soda switches, baseball brilliance, revolutionary recipes and more. Can you get all 8 questions right?

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here. 

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on groundbreaking gadgets, medical marvels and Southern staples

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz features groundbreaking gadgets, Southern staples and much more.

Can you get all eight questions right?

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here. 

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

Washington DC restaurants join Trump's inauguration fanfare

Washington, D.C., is preparing for the inauguration of the 47th President Donald J. Trump on Monday, even as extreme weather has pushed the swearing-in ceremony indoors.

Inauguration Day begins with that ceremony at noon. It concludes with official inaugural balls, according to Destination DC.

A number of restaurants throughout the greater D.C. area are featuring inauguration-inspired specials and experiences to mark the event, they told Fox News Digital earlier this week. 

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Here are some stand-out offerings at D.C. restaurants

At the Watergate Hotel, visitors can mark the inauguration at The Next Whisky Bar to celebrate one of President Trump's favorites with an elevated twist, the Presidential Stack. 

This dish features a gourmet take on the classic burger, paired with golden truffle fries and a bucket of Diet Cokes for the ultimate nod to Trump. 

Also available at The Next Whisky Bar is the Presidential Bites Flight, a selection of luxe small plates created to define the occasion. 

Savor black truffle sliders with wagyu beef, mini lobster rolls created from Maine lobster, caviar, yuzu aioli and foie gras. 

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Save room for oysters with caviar, served alongside traditional accouterments, and be sure to sip champagne.

"In honor of this historic inauguration, we crafted a menu that balances playfulness and sophistication, embodying the celebratory spirit of the Watergate Hotel," executive chef Tony DiGregorio told Fox News Digital. 

"From the indulgent Presidential Stack to the curated bites flight, every dish pays homage to tradition with an elevated twist."

At the Salamander Washington D.C., consider booking the "Table 47 Experience." 

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The special menu for two includes whiskey, wine and culinary bites by executive chef Walter Alvarado. 

"Guests and locals alike can indulge in the Table 47 Experience, featuring rare whiskeys, vintage wines and expertly curated bites," Alvarado told Fox News Digital. 

"We are also pleased to present our presidential afternoon tea, a tribute to the remarkable legacies of our nation's presidents."

At the New Heights Restaurant in D.C.'s Woodley Park neighborhood, there's a culinary journey through history with a special three-course dinner menu, "A Presidential Feast: Flavors from Inaugural History." 

Offered exclusively through the end of January, this meal boasts selections from the official menu items served at past U.S. presidents' congressional lunches. 

The congressional lunch is a longstanding tradition held after the swearing-in ceremony. 

"Since New Heights opened back in 1986, we've seen seven leaders in office, so creating a menu from the same dishes enjoyed by past presidents is a truly awe-inspiring moment for me," executive chef Jose Molina said. 

"Cooking for others has always been my greatest joy – it's why I became a chef – so I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate this history than by giving our guests the chance to enjoy these same iconic dishes," he also said. 

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"And doing it right here in our nation's capital makes it even more special." 

At Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt Washington D.C., visitors can sip and savor an afternoon tea from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the weekend before Monday's inauguration.

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The tavern touts that its tea cellar is home to one of the most expansive tea collections in the United States, with over 30 rare, limited-production, single-estate teas. 

The tea experience also includes chef-curated food and gourmet pastries.

"Park Hyatt Washington D.C. is adding more noble items, such as lobster and caviar to the afternoon tea menu in anticipation of our guests' expectations for this important event," noted Jean-Claude Plihon, Blue Duck Tavern's director of culinary and food and beverage.

Restaurant insiders share the secrets of snagging hard-to-get reservations

Reservation apps have made it a straightforward process for patrons to book a table just by a few clicks on a smartphone, but sometimes a table at the restaurant you want to book isn't available. 

Whether it's a special anniversary or just a night out to experience chef-curated menus and great service, if you can't cinch a table at your desired restaurant, it can be a disappointment. 

And if the restaurant is a hot spot that's booked for weeks or even months, it can be even more frustrating. 

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Still, if you think that securing hard-to-get reservations is only for the elite, think again. 

Three restaurateurs shared insider tricks, tips and strategies to increase your chances of dining at the restaurant on your bucket list. 

If you know you want to dine on a certain date, a sound game plan could be to secure the table as early as possible. This can be attained by asking the restaurant when it opens for reservations. 

Many establishments create this model to even the playing field for securing a table. 

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"We open our books on a rolling 60-day basis," Rachel Candelaria, general manager at Press, a trendy restaurant in St. Helena, California, told Fox News Digital. 

"There really are not any hacks to getting a reservation at Press. All our reservations are available on Tock," a website dedicated to securing restaurant reservations, Candelaria said. 

If the common seating time is 7:30 or 8 p.m., you can gain an advantage by being flexible about the time you dine. 

Often, establishments want to turn the table over to maximize the night.

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"Generally, most popular restaurants try to get two seatings on each table, so the easiest times to get reservations are within the first one-and-a-half hours of opening and then again three hours after opening time," Candelaria said. 

If you can dine a bit on the early side or enjoy a later dinnertime, getting a table on your evening of choice could be a better bet. 

If you have some flexibility, consider dining at the hot spot beyond Friday or Saturday nights. 

"Midweek days, like Tuesdays and Wednesdays, usually have less demand, making it easier to secure reservations," Peter Brattander, vice president of food and beverage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.

While online platforms are convenient, Brattander said calling the restaurant directly can sometimes yield better results, especially if you're seeking a reservation on short notice or have specific requests.

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"Personal interaction may also provide opportunities that aren't available online," he said. 

If this is a place you like to regularly dine, "building a rapport with restaurant staff during previous visits can be advantageous," Brattander continued. 

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Also, consider asking your hotel concierge for an advantage. 

"Resort concierges often have priority access to reservations at popular restaurants, so it may be worth reaching out to them for assistance, especially for special occasions," he also said.

If you find that your desired date and time are not available, go the extra step of setting up alerts.  

"Reservation platforms like OpenTable, Resy, etc., often allow you to set notifications for cancelations or openings," Brattander said. 

"Using these tools can give you real-time updates and increase your chances of snagging a spot." 

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In addition, he advised having your payment details already loaded to expedite the process and prevent delays that might cause you to miss a reservation.

Things happen and sometimes people have to cancel their dinner plans — so their loss could be your gain. 

"Some restaurants may experience cancellations during the day, so checking for openings in the late morning or early afternoon can be advantageous," Brattander told Fox News Digital.

Once you've got your reservation, you'll want to make sure you follow some suggested steps to keep it.

It's a general rule that restaurants will give patrons a short grace period, but this can vary from place to place. 

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"Out of courtesy, we hold reservations for 15 minutes," Alex Saitta, general manager of SW Steakhouse inside Wynn Las Vegas in Nevada, told Fox News Digital.

If you are going to be late because of traffic or other unanticipated delays, calling the restaurant could help, but it is not guaranteed. 

Arriving early can allow you a chance to grab a drink at the bar and start your dining experience off without feeling rushed. 

When you arrive, check in with the host or hostess to find out if being seated earlier is an option.  

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"If the table is available, we are happy to accommodate the reservation in advance," Saitta told Fox News Digital. 

Policies vary from restaurant to restaurant, so there's no across-the-board answer. 

Some fine-dining spots allow guests to sit and wait at a table for the remainder of their party to arrive.

Others, meanwhile, require all in the party to be present before being seated.

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on miracle flights, theatrical triumphs and athletic aces

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz features landmark landings, theatrical triumphs and much more. 

Can you get all eight questions right?

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here. 

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

Travel tips for attending President-elect Trump’s inauguration as experts weigh in

President Joe Biden’s inauguration in Jan. 2021 may have been scaled back due to COVID-19, but Washington, D.C., is now preparing to welcome a tremendous influx of visitors for the monumental event this year for President-elect Donald Trump. 

Elliott Ferguson, II, Destination DC president and CEO, told Fox News Digital, "The public hasn’t been able to participate in the inauguration since 2017, so we expect significant interest."

Typically, first-term presidents have larger inaugurations, according to Destination DC’s data partners.

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Kristin Petersen, a travel adviser at Travelmation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, told Fox News that she encourages clients to avoid the rush hour when flying into the Washington, D.C., area.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia are the airports nearest to the nation’s capital.

"Your commute during rush hour will be jam-packed and slow," said Petersen. 

So "I recommend flying in the middle of the week because most people are coming and going from the city on the weekends."

Petersen said she anticipates that hotel rates will continue to rise and rooms fill up.

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"The ideal location is a hotel within walking distance of Capitol Hill," she said. 

"A lot of the city will shut down and many locations will be gated, so it's extremely difficult to move around the city." 

Petersen said she advises visitors to consider staying at destinations that are located outside the district on metro stops if hotel costs in the area are outside people's budgets.

Travelers should check the weather prior to their trip, ensuring proper clothes are packed.

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"We have had a snowy start to 2025 and the temperatures have been below normal …Travelers should anticipate freezing temperatures and the potential for snow," she said.

"You can always remove layers if temperatures increase," said Petersen.

Heavy coats, insulated walking shoes, gloves, hats and even hand-warmers are helpful to pack.

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The inauguration takes place on Jan. 20 on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. 

The parade will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Inauguration Day, lasting 60 to 90 minutes, according to Destination DC’s website.

The public viewing areas for the parade start at 3rd Street, extending to Pennsylvania Avenue near the Canadian Embassy.

Gym owner bans new members in January, has reasons for 'unconventional' actions

Made a New Year's resolution to get fit and healthy again?

One gym owner says good luck with that — because there's no place for new joiners in the month of January at his venue.

Gym owner Clayton Leah, 31, has been turning away potential new members at his gym, Ascendancy Fitness, even though this is the busiest time of year, he told Fox News Digital in a phone interview on Saturday, Jan. 4. "We stopped sign-ups on New Year's Eve," he said.

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He has a specific reason for his unusual stance, he said.

The purpose is to protect existing gym members and long-time fitness practitioners from an influx of new joiners, he told Fox News Digital.

Often, he said, the eager January newcomers wind up dropping away as their intentions to maintain a New Year's resolution wear off. 

Leah said in part that he did not want "to annoy all of our existing members who have been with us for so long."

He added of his gym's news, "I would hate to focus more on the negative than the positive. The response has been overwhelmingly positive," he told Fox News Digital on Saturday.

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"The majority of people appreciate the fact that we've done this and see why we've done it," he also said. "We've always prioritized our membership experience — it's so important to us."

For those who are criticizing his gym for a "not smart" business move, it's actually "been the opposite," he said. 

"The first priority is our members, and they are highly appreciative of what we're doing," he said. 

"Naturally, we have some inquiries about joining. And I've said this before, but as soon as you take something away from people, then people want it more. But that's not why we've done this." 

"We wanted to try and break the mold," he also told news agency SWNS.

He said he's trying to "take an unconventional approach and protect our existing members – that is the most important thing for us."

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The gym is located in Warrington, Cheshire, in England, roughly halfway between Liverpool and Manchester.

His gym has about 650 current members. It also gives one-time day passes for those who want to work out there. 

Leah said he hopes his gym's decision would encourage people to join the gym throughout the year — rather than just in January, when people are drawn to the venue because of ambitious New Year's resolutions. 

He said the fitness industry "is an amazing industry" and "we're trying to help people with whatever fitness and health goals they have."

The gym owner said the only negative reaction to the blocked memberships had been from those hoping to join. 

He said, "The only negative response people have is a case of ‘I was going to join, but now I can’t.'"

He added, "For those people, I say, ‘Well, you should have joined sooner,'" he told SWNS.

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This is not the first case of gyms or fitness clubs banning new members in January.

Equinox, a luxury fitness club, banned new members on Jan. 1, 2023, as Fox News Digital previously reported. 

It was part of a "We Don't Speak January" campaign to discourage short-term New Year's resolutions and encourage long-term commitment. 

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Certified personal trainer and strength coach Melissa Kendter of Pennsylvania said every trainer’s "main passion" should be guiding others toward leading a healthier lifestyle and building long-term success with sustainable habits, as Fox News Digital also previously reported.

Leah of Ascendancy Fitness said his gym is likely to reopen to new memberships in February, although the gym doesn't have a specific date confirmed as yet.

"Obviously our plan was to avoid the January influx," he told Fox News Digital. 

Angelica Stabile of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. 

3 New Year's Eve food traditions said to bring 'luck' and 'love' in the days ahead

New Year's Eve is associated with celebrations of all kinds, including fancy dinners featuring champagne and caviar. 

Yet many New Year's Eve traditions are actually centered on simple, tasty foods that are said to bring luck for the New Year ahead — and are more accessible to most of us. 

Here are three New Year's Eve food traditions from around the world that people swear will bring them luck. 

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Will any of these make your party menu this year? 

In the Southern part of the United States, black-eyed peas are a staple of New Year's Eve cuisine for many Americans. 

Black-eyed peas are said to "bring in the New Year with hope, prosperity and good fortune," Bobby Ford, owner of Bobby Q's Jus Like Mama's, told Fox News Digital. 

Bobby Q's Jus Like Mama's is a soul food restaurant on Long Island.

"These peas are also seen as a symbol of spiritual abundance — and with their nutritional value, as a way to promote health and well-being for the year ahead," he said. 

Black-eyed peas, native to West Africa, were brought to the United States by enslaved Africans, said Ford. 

Legend has it that women hid the peas in their hair. 

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"This act ensured they could grow familiar food in a new land, preserving a piece of their culture and sustenance," he said. 

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Eve began during the Civil War, said Ford. 

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"Over time, it became a New Year's custom, symbolizing hope and the promise of future prosperity," he said. 

The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve began in Spain in the 19th century. It spread throughout other Spanish-speaking countries, says the website Food Republic. 

In recent years, videos about the custom have gone viral on TikTok, with a video that was shared in 2023 by Kroger, the grocery store chain, receiving over 6 million views. 

"Did you know eating 12 grapes on the New Year brings you good luck?" asked Kroger's TikTok. 

The TikTok video went on to note that "as the clock strikes midnight, you eat them one at a time with each chime. If you can finish them before the chime ends, you will have good luck throughout the year." 

Some cultures attach different meanings to consuming the grapes, noted Food Republic.

In Peru, a person who eats 12 grapes under a table is said to be lucky in love for the coming year, said the same website. 

In a TikTok published on Dec. 22, 2022, user @helengmorales posted a video of herself eating grapes under a table at midnight, followed by pictures of her with her fiancé. 

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"My family made fun of me for believing, but look who has the ring now," she wrote. 

Throughout Asia, it is common to eat noodles on birthdays and other holidays as a way to signify hope for a long life. 

In Japan, this comes in the form of the dish Toshikoshi soba, which is eaten on New Year's Eve. 

The name translates to "year-crossing noodle," said Just One Cookbook, a Japanese website.

As in "many cultures, New Year in Japan is about beginning with a fresh, clean slate," said Namiko Chen, the website's author. 

"That’s the essence of toshikoshi soba — a hot buckwheat noodle soup that is healthy and easy to make, and full of symbolism."

Toshikoshi soba "is usually served in its simplest form — buckwheat soba noodles in a hot dashi broth garnished with only finely chopped scallions," she said. Many people, however, choose to add additional ingredients for taste.

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Japanese people have been eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve for nearly seven centuries, said Chen, while the tradition really took hold around the 17th century. 

The noodles are made out of buckwheat, considered a symbol of strength, resilience and fortune. 

"With the hope of good fortune in each bowl, it’s easy to imagine the custom being adopted quickly from family to family, slurping in the symbolism of soba noodles," she said. 

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on New Year’s novelties, highway history and musical milestones

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz highlights New Year’s novelties, highway history, musical milestones and more. Can you get all eight questions right?

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here. 

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

8 holiday train rides and toy train shows for travelers in this festive season

Nothing beats the childhood joy of seeing a choo-choo train display during the holiday season. 

Especially when that includes boarding a Christmastime caboose brimming with holiday decor, smelling hot cocoa wafting through the cars, and enjoying plenty of picturesque views. 

Here's a roundup of some of the best holiday train rides and model train displays in the U.S. for this season of celebration.

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Set your sights on your favorites — and add them to your wish list for a holiday memory for the books. 

Here are eight to catch while you can (some run well into January). It's always best to check dates and ticket prices on each location's website ahead of time.

Have a very Tweetsie Christmas in Western North Carolina at Tweetsie, a Wild West-inspired holiday railroad experience. 

Up in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll ride a train behind a real-deal 1866 steam locomotive decorated with twinkling lights. 

Round that out with Christmas carolers, live holiday performances and the chance to meet Santa in the Gingerbread House back at the home base, and you’ve got the makings of a great holiday memory. 

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The Tweetsie Railroad grounds also boast four classic amusement rides, including the holiday-themed Little Drummer Boy Tea Cup, and there’s a fire pit where you can enjoy s’mores and hot cocoa and restaurants if you need to sit on solid ground for a while. Learn more at tweetsie.com.

For an unforgettable toy train show, head to Indy, where you can scope out The Eiteljorg Museum's Jingle Rails. The model train display sprawls across some 1,200 square feet with 25 model trains wending their way through landscapes as diverse as the White House, the Indianapolis skyline and the Grand Canyon. 

Fun fact: All the 30-plus locations featured in the display are handcrafted from natural materials and adorned with holiday lights to up the yuletide quotient. 

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While here, guests can also enjoy the new winter market where local artists peddle everything from artwork to candles. Learn more at eiteljorg.org/exhibitions.

All aboard to climb up Mount Washington on the Cog Railway for a cuppa hot cocoa with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

This winter, Cog Railway trains terminate at the alpine meadow marvel that is Waumbek Station. With an elevation of some 4,000 feet, the venue boasts panoramas of the southern Presidential mountain range to the Canadian border. 

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Travelers can enjoy a 25-minute pit stop to savor that aforementioned hot chocolate, get cozy in warming huts or stand beside a crackling fire pit. Learn more at brettonwoodsvacations.com.

Throw yourself into a Hallmark movie scene on a vintage train ride that traverses West Virginia’s rolling hills while channeling some North Pole merriment. 

Voyagers will be treated to a 75-minute ride complete with caroling, "The Nutcracker" character dance performances, and "Yes, West Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" story time. 

All of this and more can be washed down with Mrs. Claus’s milk and cookies. A scenic caboose final approach showcases glowing Christmas lights, dancing elves and a Santa cameo. 

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Back at the Christmas Event Barn after the trip, kids can enjoy a petting farm, crafts, photo opps, s’mores roasting and more. 

P.S. A first class ticket will have you hopping aboard a handsomely restored vintage 1940s-1950s dining car with lounge-style seating. Learn more at potomaceagle.com.

In the otherworldly vistas of the American Southwest, holiday splendor is chugging along on the Grand Canyon Railway, which morphs into the wintertime classic, The Polar Express. 

For 90 minutes, you’ll zigzag through landscapes as Chris Van Allsburg’s eponymous children’s book is read. 

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Music, Santa visits, hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies sweeten the deal on this excursion. Learn more at thetrain.com.

Known for its wine-tasting locomotive excursions in Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Wine Train during the holiday season hosts the Santa Train Jolly Journeys, much to the delight of kids — and kids at heart. 

Once you’ve boarded, expert carolers, cookies and cocoa, and Santa visits — plus printed and digital photo opps at four spots along the way. 

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Food-wise, choose desserts at Santa’s Cookie car or a full holiday dinner on an antique Pullman dining car dubbed the Gourmet Holiday Express. 

Don’t forget to soak up the stunning views from the Very Merry Vista dome observation cart before your time on this special train ride concludes. Learn more at winetrain.com. 

For another fabulous toy train show, check this out.

Now in its 37th year of operation, this highly detailed display has about 600 trains, a slew of famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Grand Central Station and the Dallas Skyline — plus a new display made entirely from LEGO bricks, all across 1,600 feet of track. 

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Bonus: Visitors can leave the exhibit knowing their admission fees benefit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, which helps families with ill or injured children. Learn more at trainsatnorthpark.org.

A third holiday train show not to be missed is the impressive setup at the U.S. Botanic Garden in our nation’s capital city.

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Here, get excited about an outdoor model train extravaganza where the miniature cabooses circulate through — fittingly for the setting — pollinators and their plants. 

Throughout the show, which is made from plant parts, you’ll see oversized models of our country’s native flowers like milkweed, an orchid bee pollinating a vanilla orchid flower, a chocolate midge pollinating a cacao flower and much more. 

FYI: As with many museums in D.C., the U.S. Botanic Garden is free of charge. Learn more at usbg.gov/holiday.  

Christmas in Puerto Rico is a 45-day celebration with caroling, festive decorations, family feasts and more

Christmas, Navidad in Puerto Rico, extends far beyond Dec. 25. 

The island proudly proclaims itself as having the "longest holiday season in the world," according to the website Discover Puerto Rico. 

On average, the holiday festivities in Puerto Rico last about 45 days, per the source, commencing right after Thanksgiving, and stretching all the way through mid-January. 

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The holiday season in Puerto Rico is full of rich traditions beloved by families. 

One tradition those who visit Puerto Rico will immediately notice during the holiday season is decorations. 

In Puerto Rico, decorations are typically put up by Thanksgiving, and kept up until the season concludes in mid-January, with opportune picture moments at every corner. 

Parrandas, Christmas caroling, is a holiday staple. 

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Carolers choose houses of family and friends to visit, typically starting around 10 p.m., performing aguinaldos (traditional Christmas songs), with not only their voices, but often with instruments as well, according to Discover Puerto Rico. 

The group you begin caroling with is likely not the same group you end with. 

In Puerto Rico, when carolers visit a house, they'll often stop inside for conversation, food and drink before moving to the next residence. 

Usually, the residences of the house visited will join the group for the next house, according to Discover Puerto Rico. 

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A night of serenading loved ones can last quite a while, often stretching into the early morning hours of the following day, according to the source. 

The biggest day of the holiday season in Puerto Rico actually isn't Christmas, but instead, the night before. 

In Puerto Rico, Dec. 24 is Nochebuena. On that day, loved ones gather for the exchange of gifts, caroling and a large feast. 

Many families will also attend a midnight Mass on the day, known as Misa de Gallo. 

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After Christmas passes, the festivities go on in Puerto Rico. 

Another big event in the holiday lineup is Three Kings Day on Jan. 6, a holiday that "commemorates the visit that the Three Wise Men paid to Jesus after his birth," according to Discover Puerto Rico. 

On the eve of the day, children fill up a shoebox with grass to be left for camels to munch on while the Three Kings leave behind gifts for them, according to PuertoRico.com. 

For a particularly festive Three Kings Day, Juana Díaz is the place to go, as it hosts the largest celebration in Puerto Rico for the holiday. In Juana Díaz, there is an annual festival and parade in honor of Three Kings Day that brings together over 25,000 people every year, according to Discover Puerto Rico. 

Then, eight days later is Octavitas, a post-holiday celebration where families get together and celebrate one last time for the season. 

The end of the holiday season is marked with the San Sebastián Street Festival.

This festival, spanning over multiple days, takes place in Old San Juan, and is filled with live music, dancing, shopping and parades. 

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