Ice Cream Company Will Pay You $5,000 To Stick To Your Resolutions

Are you already finding it tough to stick to your New Year's resolutions? Maybe this will sweeten the deal for you. Halo Top Creamery is now taking applications from people willing to document their resolutions progress in exchange for $5,000 (along with free ice cream).

The popular ice cream company is looking to endorse their very own team of "Halo Top Athletes", as mentioned on their official website.  Ten people will be chosen to track their progress when it comes to sticking to their resolutions. The resolutions can vary in terms of physicality and difficulty, but they must be something tangible that you can easily keep track of.

A few examples of these resolutions listed on their website include, "starting pickleball or practicing mindfulness through yoga." Other examples include learning how to do a backflip, or run a nine minute mile.

If you are chosen for one of the endorsements, you will be expected to share a 30-second video post every week for eight weeks straight in order to show the world your progress. So if your resolution is to do 100 pushups straight, you could share a video of you improving your form and increasing the amount of pushups you do each week.

Video documentation will begin mid-February and end around mid-April, so you must be available to record yourself at least once every week in that time frame.

But with all the work comes all the rewards! Each Halo Top Athlete will receive a $1,000 check at the start of the promotion. They will then be offered a Halo Top Endorsement Deal worth over $5,000. This includes merch, coaching sessions, and of course, various flavors of Halo Top's signature ice cream just for sticking to those resolutions.

If you want to become a Halo Top Athlete you can click here to fill out an application. You must provide a photo of yourself as well as a video detailing your specific goals for 2024 in order to qualify. Halo Top is accepting applications through Friday, January 19.

We have kicked off the new year, and many people are using it as an opportunity to ditch booze for the entire first month of 2024. The "Dry January" trend encourages people to abstain from alcohol for 31 days straight.

Originating as a campaign devised and spearheaded by Alcohol Change UK over a decade ago, Dry January serves the purpose of addressing the adverse effects of alcohol, as outlined on their website. In response to this movement, numerous restaurants and bars are adapting their menus to include mocktails and nonalcoholic versions of popular drinks, including nonalcoholic beers and wines. Although not a new concept, its popularity is on the rise.

Many sober-curious people in the United States take on this annual challenge. According to previous surveys by Morning Consult Pro, participation in Dry January ranges from 15% to 35% among U.S. drinkers overall.

Statista projects that the revenue in the non-alcoholic drinks market in the United States will reach US$526.1 billion in 2024, with an estimated annual growth rate of 3.22% (CAGR 2024-2027). This surge is attributed to an escalating demand for healthy and natural non-alcoholic beverages in the country.

Harvard Health Publishing has reported that even a one-month abstinence from alcohol can hold noticeable health benefits. A study in BMJ Open found that regular drinkers who refrained from alcohol for 30 days experienced improved sleep, increased energy, weight loss, lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels, and diminished cancer-related proteins in their blood.

So, if you're thinking about dialing back on the booze or just starting the year with a clean slate, why not jump on the Dry January train and give up beer, wine, or spirits for a month? And if you're curious about some cool nonalcoholic options to enjoy during Dry January, check out some of our top picks.

When it comes to nonalcoholic beer that captures the essence of a lager, Heineken 0.0 stands out as a reliable pick. It's only 69 calories per serving and has fruity, malty flavors. Someone even took to Reddit to share their love for the NA beer with many people agreeing that Heineken 0.0 tastes better than the "real" Heineken.

Samuel Adams's Just the Haze kicks off with a citrusy aroma, featuring the scents of grapefruit, tangerine, and lime alongside tropical fruit flavors like pineapple, guava, and passion fruit. Visually, it has a hazy pale amber look with a golden-orange glow. It's worth mentioning that according to the Samuel Adams website, the "non-alc Hazy IPA" has less than 0.5% alcohol and is only 98 calories.

The Gruvi NA Dry Red Blend has cranberry and cherry aromas with hints of cardamom and nutmeg. With a gluten-free and vegan-friendly tag, it packs less than 0.5% ABV and only 45 calories per serving. According to their website, it was an award winner at the International Wine and Spirits Competition 23. If red wine isn't really your thing, they also have a line of white wines.

There are plenty of nonalcoholic liquor replacements and not all of them are created equal or carry the flavor of actual alcohol. Ritual Zero Proof is an easy choice. They have alternatives to tequila, whiskey, rum, gin, among others. Their tequila substitute brings a tropical and earthy flavor.  Meanwhile, their rum substitute captures the warm vanilla and toasted spice essence of a dark rum. They also carry gin and whiskey alternatives.

Three Spirits Elixirs are designed by plant scientists and bartenders to "make moods and enhance connections throughout the day and into the night." They pack their drinks full of active plants, adaptogens, and herbs. Their NA drinks cocktails are 100% vegan and cruelty-free.