This New Cookbook Helps You Master Whole30 Once and for All

Sara Cagle
Oct 23, 2018

Cookbookmarked! is our new series where we review the latest cookbooks from the foodie influencers you follow. Check back often to find out which new releases are worth your hard-earned cash and the recipes you should try first from each.

With a ban on sugar, dairy, grains, or alcohol, the Whole30 program requires willpower like no other. If you do take it on, you'll spend a hefty chunk of time planning and prepping your meals. That means it's incredibly helpful to reference a Whole30-compliant cookbook, especially one geared toward the most prep-friendly gadgets in the kitchen: the slow cooker and Instant Pot.

Melissa Hartwig, the co-creator and CEO of the Whole30 program, penned the new The Whole30 Slow Cooker cookbook ($30),featuring 150 Whole30-friendly recipes for the slow cooker and Instant Pot, so it's legit as can be. The book features recipes by contributors other than Hartwig, so you might spot some of your favorite health bloggers, like The Defined Dish or The Castaway Kitchen, or find new ones to follow.

If you're unfamiliar with Whole30 (or just skeptical that you can take it on), Hartwig outlines the rules, the results, the methods and, most importantly, the whyof Whole30 in the intro. “Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black is. not. hard," Hartwig writes. “It's only 30 days, and it's for the most important health cause on earth: the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime."

Hartwig's book is full of bright, exciting recipes you may never have thought to make. Before you get upset about grain-free, cheese-free meals, flip through The Whole30 Slow Cooker to find yourself drooling over items like chicken shawarma salad, smoky sweet potato chili, and shrimp scampi noodle bowls. These recipes are not the beige mush that you might associate with slow cookers.

One thing you won't find in the book is desserts, since part of Whole30 is about quashing cravings for “less healthy" foods like ice cream and cookies. But your body will adapt with each day you cut out added sugar, and since you'll be eating gourmet foods like scallops and potatoes with garlic-saffron aioli, you shouldn't miss candy too much.

For Whole30 dieters who are new to the gadgets, Hartwig provides plenty of slow cooker and Instant Pot tips and suggests that you make the book's meals in the most convenient ways for you. That might mean turning on your slow cooker before you leave for work or right before you go to bed (and yes, she's seen that episode of This Is Us, she jokes in the preface).

Exciting, flavorful, and anything but boring, the book's crave-worthy recipes will lure you back even when your 30-day journey is over. Read on for three must-make recipes, including slow-cooker chicken, lime, and avocado soup; Instant Pot chicken cacciatore with zucchini noodles; and Instant Pot Chinese sesame chicken.

Chicken, lime, & avocado soup

(Serves 6)

Cook Time: 8 hours and 25 minutes

This soup is a staple in our house. Not only is it easy to make, but it's also filled with flavor and is oh-so-satisfying. Why? Because avocado . . . and lots of it! I just love this soup, rain or shine, and I know you will too.

Ingredients:

  • 2 quarts Whole30-compliant chicken broth or chicken bone broth
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) Whole30-compliant diced tomatoes
  • 1 medium white onion, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder or regular chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 (2 pounds) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
  • 3 avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced

Directions:

    1. In a 6-quart slow cooker, stir together the broth, tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, garlic, chipotle powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken.
    2. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
    3. Use tongs to transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken. Return the chicken to the cooker and stir in the cilantro and lime juice.
    4. Top servings with avocado and serve with lime wedges.

Instant pot chicken cacciatore with zucchini noodles

(Serves 4)

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Cacciatore means “hunter" in Italian and refers to a dish cooked with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, herbs, and sometimes wine. This Whole30 version doesn't contain any wine and subs zucchini noodles for the standard wheat pasta or rice that is usually served with the chicken, but it still has amazingly rich flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 8 (about 2 1/4 pounds) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) Whole30-compliant diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup Whole30-compliant chicken broth or chicken bone broth
  • 2 tablespoons Whole30-compliant tomato paste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 package (10.7 ounces) zucchini noodles or 2 small zucchini, spiralized
  • fresh chopped parsley (optional)

Directions:

  1. Season the chicken with the oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper.
  2. Add the coconut oil to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Select Sauté and adjust to Normal/Medium. When the oil is hot, add half of the chicken and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, 4 to 8 minutes. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
  3. Select Cancel. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  4. Add the onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt to the pot. Add the chicken. Lock the lid in place.
  5. Select Manual and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Use quick release.
  6. Transfer the chicken to a plate; cover to keep warm.
  7. Select Sauté and adjust to Normal/Medium. When the sauce is simmering, add the zucchini noodles. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thickened and the zucchini is crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.
  8. Select Cancel. Serve, topped with parsley if desired.

instant pot chinese sesame chicken

(Serves 4)

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Here is my Whole30 take on the Chinese takeout staple. It's clean, absolutely delicious, and will leave you oh-so-satisfied. The best part? It's one of my kids' favorites!

*To toast sesame seeds, heat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

**To steam fresh broccoli florets, combine in a microwave-safe bowl with 3 tablespoons water. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup Whole30-compliant chicken broth or chicken bone broth
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Whole30-compliant fish sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 package (10.8 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, or 4 cups broccoli florets, steamed*
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted**
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Directions:

  1. Place the chicken in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of the arrowroot and toss to coat.
  2. On a 6-quart Instant Pot, select Sauté and adjust to Normal/Medium. Add the avocado oil. When it's hot, add half the chicken and cook, stirring once, until golden brown, about 6 minutes.
  3. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Select Cancel.
  4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the broth, coconut aminos, vinegar, sesame oil, fish sauce, and remaining 1 teaspoon arrowroot until the arrowroot is dissolved. Add red pepper flakes (if using).
  5. Return all of the chicken to the pot. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Lock the lid in place. Select Manual and cook for 6 minutes. Use quick release. Stir the chicken. Let stand until slightly thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, cook the broccoli according to recipe note directions.
  7. Serve the chicken over the broccoli. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and green onions.

For more slow-cooker recipes, pin to your heart's content by following Brit + Co on Pinterest.

(Excerpted from The Whole30 Slow Cooker © 2018 by Melissa Hartwig. Photography © 2018 by Ghazalle Badiozamani. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved)

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Get Into The Spirit Of The Season With These Paleo Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookie decorating is holiday tradition for us here at B+C, so we were so stoked to find this recipe for paleo cookies that adds a healthy twist to this classic holiday dessert. These sweet treats will shine among the rest of your Christmastime tablescape, and they are super easy to make. Plus, they'll pair well with just about any Christmas dessert. Just combine your paleo-friendly ingredients to prep the dough, let it sit overnight, then bake for ten minutes! The best part about this recipe is of course, all of the fun holiday-time shapes you can cut. Consider this recipe your go-to for healthy cookies, though, since you can make them year-round in any shape you like. Let's get to decorating!

Ingredients for Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

For the cookies:

  • 1/2 cup grass-fed salted butter, softened
  • 6 tablespoons raw honey
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

  • 6 tablespoons coconut butter or coconut manna
  • 1/4 cup cacao butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • Plant-based food coloring
  • Vegetable-dyed sprinkles, for topping*
* Look for vegetable and fruit-dyed food coloring and sprinkles in natural grocery stores or online, and avoid artificial colors to keep these cookies Paleo friendly!

How to Make Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

  1. Add the softened butter and honey to a large mixing bowl. Cream the mixture together using a handheld mixer until it is smooth. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and whisk until they are well combined. Pour in the almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda, and continue mixing until the batter has come together smoothly.
  2. Separate the dough into two, and place each one on top of a piece of plastic wrap. Roll each dough into a ball, then flatten to a thick disk, cover completely with the plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove one of the dough discs from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic and place the dough on top of a piece of parchment paper, then top it with another piece of parchment paper. Use a roller to flatten out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch thick. Work quickly with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters, and use a thin spatula to lift the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes, then place on a wire rack for further cooling. Gather the leftover scraps back into a ball in the plastic wrap or parchment paper and place it back in the refrigerator, while working with the other piece of dough. Do this in batches to keep the dough from getting too warm and so you don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
  5. While the batches of cookies are baking, use a small saucepan to lightly melt the coconut butter and cacao butter together over low heat on the stovetop. Remove the pan from the heat when the ingredients have just melted together. Stir in the desired amount of honey, then set aside to cool and thicken up slightly. If you are using food coloring, add in the desired amount into the frosting mixture (1-2 teaspoons of green or red should do the trick). If you plan on only using white frosting, only use a small amount of honey, as it can make the frosting an off-white or light brown color.
  6. After the cookies have completely cooled, decorate them with the frosting and sprinkles as desired. If you don’t have any professional piping tools, an easy fix is to place the frosting in a plastic sandwich bag and remove all the air when sealing the top. Cut a tiny tip off one corner of the plastic bag, then gently squeeze and pipe over the cookies. Use one plastic bag or piping bag for each color of frosting. Top with corresponding sprinkles and enjoy!

Is your mouth watering yet? Check out our newsletter for more delicious holiday recipe ideas!

Recipe development and photography by Sarah Anderson.

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Send This “Swoon-Worthy” Valentine’s Day Gift Guide To Your S.O. Before Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day is essentially the holiday geared towards little treats – and what better way to ensure you get exactly what you want than giving your S.O. a not-so-subtle hint (AKA this curated Valentine’s Day gift guide). Our list of perfect V-Day gifts is packed full of the little treats you’ve got your eye on, plus some real swoon-worthy picks – from luxury skincare to decadent chocolates – that’ll truly make your day.

Scroll on for the best Valentine’s Day gifts you’ve been dreaming of!

Mutha

Mutha Body Butter

This luxe body butter is as rich as can be, and will instantly take first place over your current body lotion collection since it's clinically proven to improve skin tone, discoloration, stretch marks, and skin firmness. You'll especially love the 48-hour hydration factor.

Amazon

Steve Madden Goldie

This "glamorous and captivating" scent will make you feel so sexy on V-Day and beyond. In addition to floral and fruity notes, it has a gourmand effect that truly makes it stand out. Plus, the heart-shaped bottle is a perfect fit for the holiday.

Coach

Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 26

You deserve to feel spoiled, and this shoulder bag will definitely fulfill that dream. Its durable construction and timeless color will be in your fashion rotation for years to come!

Nordstrom

Slip Lovely Lashes Pure Silk Contour Sleep Mask

This contoured sleep mask made of sleek silk allows you to get your best beauty sleep, all without disturbing your lashes. It's especially helpful if you have lash extensions!

Sephora

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

You already know the hype of this rich lip butter. Ask for your fave flavor for V-Day!

Compartés

Compartés I Love You Gift Box

Because a Valentine's Day without chocolate is like peanut butter without jelly.

Nordstrom

UGG Classic Ultra Mini Platform Boots

These are about to become *the* cozy boots that define each and every one of your winter outfits. We can't recommend 'em enough if you're all about that cozy life.

Birthdate

Birthdate Pendant

You can customize this pendant based on your exact birth date, so each one is unique from the other. This is perfect for all the astrology lovers out there, plus there's options for silver and gold for every kind of personal style!

Flamingo Estate

Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle

This bougie candle smells like pure heaven, so lighting it up every day will be a total treat. It's a tasteful departure from your typical Valentine's Day aromas, like vanilla and rose.

Dieux

Dieux Angel Face Duo

Your skin's gonna adore each of these products from Dieux – so grab the two at once! First up, the Baptism cleanser provides a gentle clean without stripping your skin's natural moisture. Next, the Instant Angel moisturizer swarms your skin in rich hydration, locking in beneficial moisture to keep you lookin' real glowy.

Adidas

Adidas Gazelle Bold Sneakers

This year's hottest sneaker style, all in a V-Day-ready colorway?! Yes, please.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass

This heart-dotted glass will make drinking your morning coffees, matchas, and juices that much more joyful.

Smoosh

Smoosh Body Scrubber

This silicone body scrubber features a fun and unique design so that the coordinating bar soap is embedded within the piece. It still gives a great lather and will last you years without producing as much waste as a traditional loofah. We love this playful pink color to inspire a satisfying shower, every time.

Lush

Lush 'A Lush Kind Of Love' Gift Box

There's nothing like a Lush box when it comes to gifts. This V-Day-themed one includes 2 bath bombs, one Lush Bubbleroon, a body conditioner, a body wash, a body scrub, and a soap bar to fix up your next self-care night.

Maude

Maude Burn No. 3 Soy-Based Massage Candle

This is one of the best Valentine's Day gifts you can use in conjunction with your partner. The candle melts down to a soft, soy-based massage oil that only gets warm, not hot, so you can easily pour it out ahead of an at-home couple's massage (yes, please!) or simply for sexy time.

Glossier

Glossier You Eau de Parfum

This cult-fave perfume from Glossier sticks to your skin and magically adapts to smell like you. You'll be smellin' like a whole treat come V-Day.

Sephora

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Serum

This luxury serum encourages nothing but a full-on glow by brightening the look of dark spots and evening skin tone.

New Balance

New Balance 530 Sneakers

Hot girl walks and errand outfits await you with these stunning sneaks from New Balance. They're equal parts comfy and cute, so you won't have to worry about sacrificing style for practicality when you wear 'em!

Typology

Typology T41 Replenishing Lip Balm

Upgrade your Chapsticks and Carmexes with this luxe lip balm that provides unmatched hydration using ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It comes in a practical clear shade, plus three more blush-y colors if you wish to have a stronger wash of color on your lips and cheeks.

Owala

Owala FreeSip

Hydration is key for health and happiness – make sipping more fun with this beloved bottle from Owala!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more gift ideas all year long!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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35 Minutes & One Sheet Pan Is All You Need For This Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

Minimal effort — that's our favorite phrase. Do a bit of arranging, brushing, and drizzling, then let the oven take care of the rest of the work for a dinner that's sure to end up on your regular recipe rotation. We use chopped potatoes, carrots, and red onion in this honey mustard chicken recipe, but you could easily replace 'em with baby new potatoes, baby carrots, and shallots (or scallions) to skip the knife work!

Bonus: Throw a bit of cooked couscous or quinoa in the leftovers (maybe a cheeky sprinkling of goat cheese too), and tomorrow's lunch is sorted. If you love the sheet-pan method, take a look at some of these veggie sheet pan dinners.

Now onto our delicious honey mustard chicken recipe!

Ingredients for Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken

Brit + Co

  • 3 large red-skinned potatoes, chopped into bite-size chunks
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-size chunks
  • 1 large red onion, peeled and sliced into chunky wedges
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 medium head of broccoli, broken into florets
  • 20 asparagus spears
  • Small bunch of parsley, finely chopped

Directions for Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Arrange the potatoes, carrots, onion, and chicken breasts on a large sheet pan.

Brit + Co

3. Mix together the honey, mustard, and brown sugar. Brush this mixture on the chicken breasts. Drizzle two tablespoons of the oil over the chicken and vegetables, then sprinkle on the salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.

Brit + Co

4. Take the sheet pan out of the oven. Use a spatula to turn the vegetables over, then add the broccoli and asparagus. Drizzle on the remaining oil and sprinkle on another pinch of salt and pepper. Place back in the oven to cook for a further 5-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Brit + Co

5. Sprinkle with parsley and serve!

Brit + Co

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This post has been updated.

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The '1923' Season 1 Ending, Deaths, & Betrayals, Explained

1923 season 2 premieres on February 23, 2025 — just over two years since the first season ended. Which means, if you're like me, you need a refresher on where your favorite characters stand before pressing play on the new episodes. Who were the Duttons in 1923? What happened to Spencer and Alex on 1923? If you've got questions about the season 1 finale, then you came to the right place!

Here's everything you forgot about the 1923 season 1 ending, before 1923 season 2 premieres February 23.

The '1923' Ending, Explained

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The 1923 season 1 finale, "Nothing Left To Lose," finds the Duttons, and their friends, scattered across the world — and season 2 will be all about their fight to get back to one another.

After killing Sister Mary, Teonna (Aminah Nieves) is on the run from Father Renaud and Marshall Kent when she's finally reunited with her father Runs His Horse and Pete Plenty Clouds. Literally all I wanted this whole season was for Teonna to reunite with her family and I'm so glad the show gave her something good in the end. It also looks like there could be romance blossoming between her and Pete, but first things first: I need the beginning of season 2 to introduce Teonna to the Duttons (and the cast wants it too!).

The Duttons have a lot to lose in the new season of '1923'

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Back in town, Jacob (Harrison Ford) finds himself face-to-face with Banner again, who's been released from prison (and who you'll remember was originally arrested for attempted murder. Not cool Banner!!!) But this group has more than Banner to deal with.

Jacob's foreman Zane is attacked by the police while his wife Alice is arrested for their interracial marriage. Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph), pregnant with her and Jack's (Darren Mann) first child, suffers a miscarriage. And when Whitfield shows up to the ranch, he announces that he's paid the property tax the Duttons owed, meaning if they don't pay him the full amount by the end of the year, the land is his. Even though Yellowstone proves the ranch belongs to the Dutton family in the present day, I can't help but feel a little nervous as 1923 keeps playing out.

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Meanwhile, Spencer and Alex (Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer), on their way back to Montana via ship, are interrupted by Alex's ex-fiancé Arthur. Well, until he challenges Spencer to a duel, attacks Spencer after he loses, and ends up getting thrown overboard. Spencer and Alex are immediately separated (Spencer's to be dropped off at the next port, while Alex is locked in her room, set to return to London). But at the last moment, she finally runs to the deck waving a letter from Cara, and promises Spencer she'll meet him in Bozeman, Montana. And I'll definitely see them there.

What did you think about the 1923 season 1 ending when you first saw it? Let us know on Facebook and check out the 25 New TV Shows You NEED To Watch In 2025 (including 1923 season 2, of course).

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12 "Old-School" TV Shows You Can Actually Stream Right Now

Who can forget days spent lounging on our grandparents' sofas while they watched one of their preferred 'old-school' TV shows? If they weren't tuned into The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune, they were probably watching I Love Lucy or Gilligan's Island. We may have complained at first...until we realized how kooky and fun these series were. Where else were we going to get slapstick comedy in black and white?

Since we hardly see rerun episodes of these timeless classics anymore, we're celebrating them by remembering why we loved them so much — and letting you know where you can stream them right now!

Here are all the old school TV shows we miss seeing on our screens!

Apple TV+

1. I Love Lucy

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Paramount+
We thought we'd gladly be housewives if it meant we got to be gorgeous and witty like Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball). Together with her on-screen husband Ricky Ricardo (eventual off-screen ex-husband Desi Arnez), she showed that housewives could find things to do besides maintaining a home.
She and her neighbor/best friend Ethel Mertz would often find themselves in hilarious situations that were reprimanded by their Ricky as well as Ethel's husband, Fred Mertz (William Frawley). Remember the episode Lucy and Ethel tried working at a chocolate factory? We vowed never to think we had what it takes to be on anyone's assembly line after watching it.

Amazon Prime Video

2. The Brady Bunch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+

The Brady Bunch took having a stepfamily and turned it on its head with the blended Brady family. Because of their love for each other, Mike and Carol happily took on each other's children as their own: Greg, Marcia, Jan, Peter, Bobby, and Cindy. There was also the housekeeper Alice and the the lovable dog, Tiger!

Each episode seemed to revolve around getting used to living together, sibling rivalry, and more adventures that often ended in valuable lessons. Despite their differences, the Bradys showed that families don't have to be perfect to have a lot of love.

Amazon Prime Video

3. The Andy Griffith Show

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Paramount+
Andy Griffith was America's favorite sheriff and father because he seemed to know just what to say or do in different situations. Goofily assisted by deputy Barney Fife, he worked to balance solving petty crimes with raising his young son, Opie. Also, we can't forget the warmth and wit Aunt Bee brought to the show!

Apple TV+

4. Gilligan's Island

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Before Lost, many of us remember watching Gilligan's Island with our grandparents. Our favorite part of theme song is, "The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle with Gilligan, the Skipper too, the millionaire and his wife, the movie star, the professor and Mary Ann. Here on Gilligan's Isle!"
There were so many different personalities that we could always count on something silly to happen.

Roku

5. I Dream of Jeannie

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
This is a hot take, but I Dream of Jeannie was a little cringe even back then. But, we still loved watching Jeannie make an incredible mark in Captain Tony Nelson's life. We're not saying we agreed with her sneaking into his bag or breaking off his initial engagement, but she sure knew how to cause a scene.
Maybe this is why we love watching reality TV drama 👀.

Amazon Prime Video

6. Leave It to Beaver

Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Leave It to Beaver felt appropriate for us to watch because it was all about young Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver's mischievous adventurous with his friends and the silly sibling rivalry that took place with his older brother Wallace aka Wally. It spoke to the accuracy of growing up as a kid who has an active imagination and too much time on their hands, no different than when some of us were kids.

Peacock

7. The Dick Van Dyke Show

Stream: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video
The Dick Van Dyke Show gave us an imagined look at the production of a TV show where Rob Petrie was the star. Somehow he'd try to split time between his career and personal life, often with funny results. Set in New York, it gave us a taste of having a budding creative career and family, not unlike what some of us having today.

Amazon Prime Video

8. Bewitched

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Aside from Lucy and Ricky, our favorite TV couple used to be Samantha and Darrin from Bewitched. Despite their love for each other, it's obvious they have hiccups to navigate in their marriage. Darrin wants Samantha fit into suburbia while her family could care less about her changing who she is. With a twitch of her nose, Samantha could deploy a spell in no time...even if Darrin didn't always approve.

Peacock

9. The Munsters

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock
The Munsters is another classic TV show that seemed to poke fun at living life in the suburbs. Unlike The Addams Family, the Munsters did their best to assimilate into their neighborhood as much as possible. Despite the glaring fact their family's comprised of vampires, Frankenstein, and an unseen pet, it was a touching show that placed a huge value on a family's love for each other.

Apple TV+

9. The A-Team

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Did we really watch old school TV show reruns if they didn't include one episode of The A-Team? It's the prime reason we randomly say, "I pity the fool," in the voice of Mr. T. Aside from that, Faceman, Hannibal, and Murdock helped round out the team with their various expertise from being in the Special Forces. We saw them go on various 'missions' that usually involved fight scenes, explosives, and risky getaways.
It was a departure from some of the other shows we watched, but there was something exciting about seeing them find outlandish ways to escape narrow moments.

Hulu

11. M*A*S*H

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu

Some of us have family members who served in the different branches of the military so watching M*A*S*H helped us make sense of some things that may have happened BTS. Specifically focusing on the 'hospital' portion of the war, M*A*S*H. Though there were some funny moments, but the show also did a great job of showing how scary the war could be.

It was expertly produced in our opinion and continues to be one of the shows we miss watching.

Peacock

12. The Beverly Hillbillies

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock
Last, but not least, The Beverly Hillbillies routinely takes up space in our brains. There was something funny yet endearing about seeing Jed, Elly May, Jethro, and Granny pack up their lives in the country to move to the glamorous California. The Clampetts may not have been posh like their neighbors, but they made sure there was never a dull moment when they were on TV.

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