Making your own pepperoni hot pockets at home is pretty easy and they taste way better than the store-bought ones! Here's a simple recipe:

Homemade Pepperoni Hot Pockets

Makes: 4 hot pockets
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes

Ingredients

✅ 1 tube of refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade pizza dough)
✅ 1 cup pizza sauce
✅ 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
✅ 20–30 slices of pepperoni
✅ 1 egg (for egg wash)
✅ 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
✅ ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Roll Out the Dough:
   Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.

3. Cut and Fill:

   • Cut the dough into 4 equal rectangles.
   • Spread 1–2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on half of each rectangle (leave about ½ inch around the edges).
   • Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
   • Add 5–7 slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese.

4. Fold and Seal:

   • Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket.
   • Press down the edges and use a fork to crimp and seal them.
   • Cut a couple of small slits on top to let steam escape.

5. Egg Wash and Season:

   • Beat the egg and brush it over the top of each hot pocket for a golden finish.
   • Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder (if using).

6. Bake:

   • Bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
   • Let cool for a few minutes before eating (the filling will be hot!).

🍕 Pro Tips:

• Add chopped bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms for extra flavor.
• For a crispier crust, bake directly on a pizza stone or preheated baking sheet.
• Dip in extra pizza sauce or ranch dressing for maximum deliciousness.

You down to try it? 😎

People who put a black plus sign (or cross) on their forehead are often participating in a religious tradition, most commonly Ash Wednesday in Christianity. This is a significant day for many Christians, especially Catholics, as it marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, reflection, and repentance leading up to Easter.

The cross is made from ashes, often mixed with oil, and is applied by a priest or minister while saying, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," or a similar phrase. The ashes symbolize mortality and the need for repentance.

However, if you’ve seen a black plus sign in a different context, it might have another meaning. Could you describe the situation where you saw it?

Harvesting Worm Castings & Expanding Your Nightcrawler Bin

1. When to Harvest Worm Castings

• After 2-3 months, your bin should have a buildup of dark, crumbly worm castings (worm poop).
• Worm castings are nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants.
• If the bedding looks mostly like soil instead of shredded paper or compost, it’s time to harvest.

2. How to Harvest Worm Castings

✅ Method 1: Migration Technique (Best for Minimal Disturbance)

1. Move most of the bedding and worms to one side of the bin.
2. Add fresh bedding & food to the empty side.
3. Wait a week—most worms will move to the fresh bedding.
4. Scoop out the finished worm castings from the old side.

✅ Method 2: Light Method (Faster, but More Hands-On)

1. Dump the contents onto a large flat surface in bright light.
2. Worms will burrow downward to escape the light.
3. Carefully remove the top layer of castings.
4. Repeat until only a pile of worms remains, then return them to fresh bedding.

✅ Method 3: Screening (For Large Bins)

• Use a ¼-inch mesh screen to sift out the castings, leaving worms and large debris behind.

3. Expanding Your Worm Bin

• If your worm population grows too large, start a new bin or give extra worms to a friend.
• Add a second bin on top with fresh bedding—worms will migrate upward, making it easier to harvest castings from the lower bin.
• Keep multiple bins if you want to raise more worms for composting, fishing bait, or selling.

Troubleshooting Common Nightcrawler Problems

If your nightcrawlers aren’t thriving, check for these common issues:

1. Worms Trying to Escape 🚨

Possible Causes & Fixes:
🔸 Bedding is too wet – Fluff the bedding and add dry shredded newspaper or cardboard. Ensure drainage holes aren’t clogged.
🔸 Bedding is too acidic – Add crushed eggshells or a small amount of agricultural lime to neutralize.
🔸 Lack of oxygen – Stir bedding gently to increase airflow.
🔸 Wrong food – Avoid citrus, onions, or salty foods.

2. Bad Smell 🤢

Possible Causes & Fixes:
🔸 Rotting food – Feed less and bury food properly. Remove uneaten food if it starts to smell.
🔸 Too wet – Add dry bedding and increase ventilation.
🔸 Lack of aeration – Fluff the bedding weekly to improve airflow.

3. Worms Are Dying ☠️

Possible Causes & Fixes:
🔸 Overfeeding – Too much food can cause overheating and ammonia buildup. Feed small amounts.
🔸 Extreme temperatures – Keep the bin between 55–77°F (13–25°C).
🔸 Toxic bedding – Make sure potting soil doesn’t contain fertilizers or chemicals.

4. Worms Are Small or Weak 🪱

Possible Causes & Fixes:
🔸 Not enough food – Increase feeding slightly and add organic materials like coffee grounds.
🔸 Poor bedding – Use a good mix of shredded newspaper, coconut coir, and compost.
🔸 Not enough moisture – Keep bedding damp like a wrung-out sponge.

5. Mold or Pests (Mites, Fruit Flies) 🦟

Possible Causes & Fixes:
🔸 Too much food – Reduce feeding and bury food scraps deeper.
🔸 High humidity – Add dry bedding to absorb moisture.
🔸 Use a lid with air holes to prevent pests from getting in.