#Chinese herbal soups

[formeryelpers]

Chong Yuen Fong, 7 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

As you’d suspect from the name, CYF is very Chinese. The co-founder is from Guangzhou/Hong Kong and he founded Coconut Jelly King (which is in the same strip mall and has multiple locations). I’m a fan of Coconut Jelly King…Chong Yuen Fong, not so much. The offerings are very limited and include two rice dishes and Chinese (Cantonese) wellness/herbal soups (3 different soups per day). They also have freshly baked egg tarts and cheese tarts.

Portuguese egg tart ($1.38): It was nice – a delicate, flaky shell (not as thick as other places) but thin with a creamy, eggy filling. The egg flavor was pretty mild. It was on the sweeter side.

Cheese lava tarts ($2.48): The crust was like a crispy, delicate shortbread cookie and the filling was very soft and tasted like cream cheese/cheesecake. It was richer/heavier than the egg tart.

The tarts definitely tasted fresh. They weren’t the best that I’ve had but they were made with skill. Unfortunately, there isn’t much else there that one can purchase. As I was waiting for my turn to order, the woman in front of me wanted to order some soup. They only had one kind of soup that day. She asked about something else on the menu and they didn’t have that either.

Parking was easy to find (shared strip mall parking lot). The décor was interesting, reminiscent of old China in the 1930’s?

3.5 out of 5 stars

By Lolia S.

[sikfankitchen]

Cantonese soup called 排骨莲藕汤 “Pork, Lotus Root & Peanut Soup”. It’s easy to make and has many health benefits such as boosting immunity, digestion and blood circulation. All you need to do is simmer pork bones (blanched with ginger beforehand to remove impurities), lotus root, raw peanuts (soaked for 3 hours or boiled for 30mins beforehand to soften), 1 dried octopus, 3 dried figs, 2 ginger slices and water (enough to cover the ingredients) for 2 hours.

[gutenachtwort]

Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup Looking for an authentic and flavorful soup recipe? Try our mouthwatering Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup, made with a blend of traditional herbs for a comforting and nutritious meal.

[fxigr]

Ingredients for Chinese Apple Herbal Soup

[bespoke-england]

Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup

[allsadnshit]

Do you have any tips or any meals for dealing with PMS? I know everyone is different but curious what you do.

The tough thing about PMS and also why I think it's so hard to get real help is cause your reproductive organs really really conduct a lot of the movement for your body and health so because it's all connected, you have to address it is a whole body issue from what I've experienced - which tends to be overwhelming if you don't have any experience with holistic medicine or traditional Chinese medicine perspectives in healing

For me, I've been taking an herbal tincture specifically for my endo and issues from Elix, they are a wild crafted herb modern Chinese medicine approach to traditional practices which is a little more accessible than trying to find an herbalist locally and it's helped a lot. They also are good about giving a LOT of information about how it works and understanding what to expect from the process since it's very very at its core different from western pharmaceuticals and the side effects and timeline you'd expect

The other thing that I need to work on myself but so believe makes a serious difference is eating and sleeping. Eating a nourishing breakfast like soup or congee is reaaaally important in the connection to your menstrual cycle symptoms and it's not about doing it only on your cycle but like all the time is what actually gives the pay off when pms actually rolls around! And sleeping a full night is not a replaceable thing in your health either - and for many years I never slept more than 6 hours because I had such an early shift and so much anxiety around it.

Lastly I'd say getting a proper natural dry brush for your body and like checking out some YouTube videos on how to brush for your lymphatic drainage and circulation along with regular ginger tea can do so much for your whole system and also genuinely relieves pain in a really helpful way for my pms even if it's not a cure all!

When it comes to pms I think the most important thing to do is to make those little lifestyles adjustments like making sure you work out and sleep and eat BEFORE you try more extreme routes cause there really is something to it!!!!!

[lady0ctavia]

What They're Like When Their S/O is Sick (Allies)

Headcanons for how the Hetalia men would act when their S/O is sick.

America: As far as Alfred F. Jones is concerned, food and entertainment is the best medicine! He'll bring you all your favorite snacks and set up some of your favorite movies. You'll have to be the one to remind him that, while snacks and movies are nice and all, what you really need is medicine. Real medicine. He'll comply and get you what you need, but he'd also insist on cuddling with you the rest of the day while the two of you eat and watch a movie. He doesn't care if he gets sick or not. He just wants to find a way to add some joy to a miserable time.

England: Arthur is similar to Ludwig in that he's an expert caregiver while keeping his distance. He'll get you whatever medicines you need and keep an eye on your temperature. He'll make you hot soup and herbal tea but will make it a point to keep enough distance between you two to keep from getting sick. Arthur is the kind of person who seldom ever gets sick, but when he does, it's pretty bad.

France: Francis is... Kind of a mixed bag, really. While he absolutely wants to help you get better, he's also a bit queasy at the sight of mucus and the sound of vomiting. He'll absolutely be getting you the medicine you need and will stick around to keep you company. But if crap starts shooting out of your face, don't expect him to stay in the room.

Russia: Okay, Ivan essentially acts like a doting mom when you're sick. At first, he'll do the whole 'placing the back of his hand on your forehead to make sure you're actually sick' thing. Once he realizes you're sick, he'll make it his responsibility to get you well again. Making you hot cider, tea, or soup, bringing you multiple brands of different medicines, checking your temperature, setting up a humidifier, the whole nine yards. While he won't cuddle you during this time (which absolutely kills him), he will sit by your side and rub his hand up and down your back.

China: While Ivan acts like a doting mom, Yao acts more like a strict parent. At first, he won't take your illness very seriously. Not because he doesn't care, but because he's someone who, even when sick, will still get up and work hard every day. He only stays in bed if he physically cannot move. So if you can still physically move, you're up and working. But if not, he's gonna insist you stay in bed as he tries to treat you using traditional Chinese medicine.

Canada: Okay, but honestly? The exact same as Ivan. Read the one for Ivan/Russia, and there you go. That's Matthieu. (I swear this isn't me trying to be lazy, this is just the reality. I see their caregiving styles as the exact same).

[mooredanxieties]

Chinese Herbal Silkie Chicken Soup

A popular immune-boosting elixir

Most often, a main ingredient of this soup is the Chinese Yam, a recommendation substitute for potatoes (a Nightshade vegetable) for those with autoimmune disorders because of its anti-inflammatory properties

Hannibal notably left out this ingredient in the soup he gave Will.

Treatments for Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis:

Immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive therapies

Anti-seizure medication

Autoimmune Protocol Diet (AIP): a diet tailored to reduce inflammation, pain, and other symptoms caused by autoimmune diseases

Of the 5 ingredients Hannibal listed, 4 of them are potentially harmful for those with autoimmune disorders:

Wolf berries ("Goji Berries") - A 'Nightshade Vegetable', recommended to avoid if you have an autoimmune disorder

Red Dates ("Chinese Dates" or "Jujube") - The extract has been found to interact with some seizure medications

Ginseng ("Ginseng Root") - Studies have shown it can boost the immune system and exacerbate autoimmune diseases at the same time

Star Anise - Recommended against, according to the official AIP diet for people with autoimmune conditions

Hannibal enjoys creating situations where Will feels compelled to seek comfort (whether physical or emotional) from him, because he enjoys when Will needs him. He enjoys providing Will comfort, and he feels no guilt causing Will to need that comfort.

His actions are always multifaceted.

Giving Will a comfort food that often holds friendly/familial/romantic connotations and ALSO causes Will to be more dependent on him is a 'killing two birds with one stone' plan.

Sweet and cruel in equal measure

[hai7ani]

Hiii no one asked but here's a list of movies i think more people should watch/know about:

It's not that these are necessarily great. i have not much to say about them except i think they are really eye-opening and great for understanding different dynamics especially for me who is still exploring the world

His Three Daughters

On Netflix / notable actors: Elizabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne

A movie about three daughters who come together in their father's NYC apartment to look after their dying father. Eldest sister who has issues especially with her own daughter and never trusting for everything, middle sister who hates conflict and is way too kind and friendly to everyone, and the youngest sister (adopted) who smokes marijuana and bets on sports games all day with her boyfriend, that never speaks up for herself. Their father listens while on bedrest as his daughters fight with each other constantly in the room next to him, about everything that was bottled and pent up in their chest over the years. The movie ends with the youngest sister adding on to the middle sister's singing, "Daddy duck said beep, beep, beep, beeeeeep. And all those crazy little ducks came back."

my thoughts: 👍🏻 good movie to watch if u wanna wash ur eyes lol like. Really washing it with tears

18x2 Beyond Youthful Days (青春18)

On Netflix / notable actors: Greg Hsu (许光汉)

A man and his first love who is a Japanese solo traveler. They met in his hometown of Tainan in Taiwan and fell in love when she started working at the local karaoke to earn some money before moving onto the next part of her journey, but she left soon after with the promise of seeing each other again when they each achieve their goals in the future. Their love didn't advance, and years later when he is fired from his own company due to behavioural reasons, he returns home in Tainan to find an old postcard from his first love. So, he embarks on a journey to visit her hometown in Japan, nicknamed a trip without a destination.

my thoughts: lol like the many people (my irl friends) who watched i hated the ending because it was insane. and i've always liked the countryside boy x new to this place girl trope it's so 🤍🤍🤍

Us and Them (后来的我们)

On Netflix / notable actors: Zhou Dongyu (周冬雨), Jing Boran (井柏然)

A movie about a man and a woman who meets again on a flight years after separating and spending their winter days reminiscing on their past. The movie brings us through their story during every Chinese New Year that they are still in love. They met when he was still a university student aspiring to be a video game creator and she is just, well, her. They break up in adulthood while they're both working hard to make a living for themselves. She has always wanted to marry a man and live in a big house, and he's always tried his hardest to make her dream come true some day. But fights happen, tensions arise, and suddenly they're no longer together anymore. He did chase after her to the train station when they fought back then, and the present her had asked him when they meet again, "if you've had the courage to step on the train with me, I would've stayed with you forever." Yeah, obviously he didn't manage to do so back then.

my thoughts: one of my favourite movies ever please watchhh it's so good

Let's Talk About Chu (爱爱内涵光)

Netflix TV series (8 episodes) / notable actors: Kai Ko (柯震东)

Eldest sister Qiu Wei who struggles with intimacy with her husband who seems a little bit too distant lately and having issues dealing with her traditional, over-bearing mother that keeps on insisting she has kids, despite agreeing with her husband that they wouldn't like to have any and deliberately taking contraceptives, which is why she hasn't been getting pregnant despite her mother's best efforts on boiling her herbal soups. Eldest son Qiu Yu Sen who is gay and takes part in dangerous underground gambling activites, and develops a complicated relationship with the casino manager. Youngest daughter Qiu Ai (the MC) who runs a sex-education channel that helps women understand sex and self-pleasure better, while emphasising on her motto of only having sex without love, while at the same time is struggling on her relationship with long-term fuck buddy, Zhou Ping Ke. Their father who gets caught masturbating to porn by his wife in their bedroom, that ends with their yearly family reunion dinner a few nights later in a mess when his wife erupts.

my thoughts: 柯震东你好帅 😭 one of the series that really focuses on each character's stories and development. A lot happens in this that surrounds sex, and it also really opened my eye on how Taiwan is a very open-minded country. I've heard lots about Taiwan of course and i even visited taipei this july but this series really did the final blow. the first time i watched i loved Qiu Ai's story, and then the second time i decided i liked Qiu Wei's more. Really great watch!

I'll add more if i have any, but here's all so far :>>> lmk if any of you decide to watch and what u think of them! *also keep in mind 3/4 listed are chinese/taiwanese lol u will need subtitles if you don't understand mandarin

[b4ts1e]

▀▄▀▄▀▄Sick Days▄▀▄▀▄▀(𝚐𝚗!𝙼𝙲)

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛'𝚜 𝙸𝚗𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚍𝚎𝚍:

𝚀𝚒𝚞/𝙰𝚞𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚗 𝙻𝚒𝚗

𝚃𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝙱𝚊𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚗

𝙼𝙲 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 (𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙾𝙻:𝙽&𝙵)

𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚝:

𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎: 𝙽𝚘𝚠 & 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 2024

𝙳𝚊𝚢 2 𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚝: 𝚂𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜

𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚙

𝚀𝚒𝚞/𝙰𝚞𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚗 𝙻𝚒𝚗

STEP 1

<> Since Qiu is a popular kid, it's likely that once they hear that you're sick from either your mom or from Mrs.Murray that they'd ask the class to make get well soon cards or maybe to just sign off on one he drew up during lecture. Maybe get the boy's squad into it as well.

<> Because he can't be there to take care of you himself, he'd definitely make it a daily habit, while your unwell, to come and check in after school/dance. Maybe he'd make a cup telephone if you're that sick.

<> I can totally see him asking his parents to help him make something healthy but delicous for you to eat to help get better. Maybe a traditional Chinese congee recipe or an herbal soup.

<> Once you get back to school he most definitely prioritizes spending time with you for the first day of your return, even if he's being asked by others to hang out. ESPECIALLY if this is a common occurance because of your health issues.

STEP 2

<> From what the public demo shows of step two, Autumn would willingly skip school to take care of you- especially if your mom can't be at home with you. Would most likely sneak in through your window, using the trees outside to get access to the roof (and to hide from any adults who'd stop them). Even if you tell them to go to school and to not worry about you- they'd stay anyways. Much like a cat honestly. "Who made you the boss?" type energy.

<> If it's one of those sicknesses where hot and cold flashes are a promenint symptom, they'd be so quick to hand over their jacket to you for while your sick. They'd expect it back once you're better, wash it first of course, but since they can't be with you the entire time you're sick (to avoid being caught) it's a nice sense of comfort. It'd be really comfortable too, especially if they were wearing it right before handing it over- all snug and warm.

<> The first day you're back in action, they'd go to school with you without much of a fight. They probably got in trouble for missing school by their parents, but they really don't care in that moment- they were taking care of you just like they had always done. In their own, closed off, way.

STEP 3

<> Having grown up and matured, I feel like step three Autumn is like a healthy blend of both his ten year old and their fourteen year old self. Being eighteen now and permitted to cook on his own- they'd most definitely make you your favorite sick foods, be it the Chinese style foods he's introduced you too or something from your own heritage. They'd happily make it for you while you were cozied up in bed or on the couch with his jacket or a sweater of theirs.

<> Qiu seems like the type who'd, if you asked, would wash your hair for you while sick or just in general. Being sick makes moving around harder, especially if you're the type to get extremely weak when ill- so he'd willingly do the simple tasks that people usually do in their everyday lives for you, at the drop of a hat.

<> We aren't sure if they're graduated or if he's in their last year of school in step three, so depending on which it is decideds on if they'd take notes on all of the subjects you share for you and retreive your missing work from your classes, or just be at your side unless something comes up and he had to leave your side for a bit. (They would definitely make sure that you wouldn't be left alone, calling Tamarack over for you.) Doting mother bird energy.

𝚃𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝙱𝚊𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚗

STEP 1

<> Tama would definitely be the type to show up, nearly get sick due to proximity, then get scolded by her Omi and Opa to let you get better with the help of your mom. They'd most likely have to explain that her getting sick could affect them more harshly since they're older for her to actually listen.

<> Since she can't visit, she'd make a collection of forest trinkets to give you once you get better. Sometimes she'd hand over certain things to Qiu to have him give them to you- be it something from the forest that she feels needs to get to you asap, or if it's something she and her grandparents made together for you.

<> Would drop by before school or on the weekend to drop off a thermos of freshly brewed and steepened herbal tea, maybe a few handmade and specially cut sandwichs for you. She's definitely the type to peel off her crusts, so she would make sure Omi (the one who helped make this care package) did the same for you. After all- you both are the same with age, why would you like crusts when she didn't?

STEP 2

<> She may not take notes during class for herself, but if you did- she'd do it for you while you were gone. Collecting your work and Qiu's (despite not being friends, she'd do this for you- not them) so that neither of you fall too far behind.

<> She knows that Autumn is visiting you, she sees them waiting in the trees by your window for your mom to leave. She won't say anything, but should she have something for you and can't get it to you herself- she'd attempt to work with Qiu to get whatever it is too you. I won't lie- she'd probably feel really bad for not being able to visit as often as they do, but she can't just skip school or afternoon activities like Autumn does.

<> Never the less, she does her very best to visit when she can- would come over when she's free during the weekend with tea and biscuits for you both to share. If you're well enough to take notice of her insecurities about not being able to do much more than what she has already, she'd likely tell you about them without much proding- but will try to play it off as if it isn't a big deal. (Please give her a bear hug when you're better, she need it.)

STEP 3

<> Remember how I said Qiu would be like a mother bird in this step? Yeah. Tamarack is the same way, it's literally in her character bio for this step. "Rather than the 'mom-friend', Tamarack is semi-jokingly the 'grandma-friend' of her circle." You cannot tell me she wouldn't knit you a sweater or scarf whenever you're resting and/or don't need anything in the moment.

<> She and Autumn definitely take turns taking care of you if they're not outright working together to do so, they know your eighteen now and can take care of yourself, but they want to show you they genuinely care. AND Tamarack wants to make up for her lack of time with being able to do this as a teen and/or kid for you.

<> In the habit of making you tea, she'd definitely still do so even after eight years- unless you genuinely dislike tea...she'll find something to make you that'll help you get better quicker, she promises.

<> Definitely the type to hum 'A Spoonful of Sugar' while knitting or preparing something for you to eat and/or drink. She also believes it works too, because it does, whenever you have to take medicine she'll bring a spoon of honey (clover honey most likely, dunno why but it fits her) for you to have afterwards.

I won't even lie- reading this back I can see a heavy resemblence between the trio of MC, Autumn, and Tamarack to the High Score Trio from The Promised Neverland (Norman, Ray, and Emma). It wasn't intentional I swear. ^^;

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 1,337

[buffetlicious]

The lazy Susan was quickly filled with dishes as we continued with our reunion dinner. The Prawn Paste Chicken (虾酱鸡) featured plump and juicy mid-wings coated in a batter of fermented shrimp paste. Also known as Har Cheong Gai, it is crispy with an umami aftertaste and a hit with young and old.

The stir-fried French Bean with Dried Shrimp (虾米四季豆) might look deceptively plain but plain and simple it is not! The string beans or green beans is flash-fried with minced hae bee (dried shrimps) to absorb the wok hei (wok thermal radiation or breath of the wok) yet maintained the crunchy texture and aroma of the sea (dried shrimp). This dish was one of the highlights of the dinner.

My nephew asked for this Fried Rice with Chicken (鸡丁炒饭) as he preferred it over the steamed white rice the rest of us are having. The Yam Ring (佛钵飘香) featured a ring of deep-fried mashed yam (taro) and filled with sautéed seafood such as prawn, squid and also various vegetables. Normally one would also find cashew nuts in it, but I didn’t notice any this time. Plating is done haphazardly as the chef just poured everything into the yam ring. If I will to do it, I would place the vegetables at the bottom and present the seafood on top with a sprinkle of crunchy cashew nuts over it. Anyway, dish is passable but not fantastic in taste and an “F” for presentation.

Popeye’s power booster canned vegetable is reimagined into Spinach with Trio Eggs (三皇苋菜). To enhance the power, three kinds of egg are used – normal chicken egg, preserved century egg and salted duck egg. Finally, the eyes is also protected with goji berry or wolfberry added into the thick soup. With all the above ingredients used, how can a vegetable soup like this not be good for you?

Fish Maw & Crab Meat Soup (蟹肉鱼鳔羮) is the most expensive dish of the night at S$45 (large portion) due to the two premium ingredients. The thickened soup is chocked with the spongy fish maw, succulent crab meat and I also detected mushrooms in there. Before eating, drizzle a few drops of the black vinegar and add a dash of white pepper.

The Emperor Chicken (皇帝鸡) is also known as herbal chicken. In the olden days, the emperor’s diet was strictly prescribed and monitored by physicians, because it was important for the emperor to be in excellent health in order to focus on governing the Kingdom. This was one of the healthy dishes the emperor ate! The chicken is wrapped in the waxed paper and aluminum foil then steamed for a few hours until the meat is tender and the flavours of the herbs is infused into the chicken.

The last dish to be served is the Poached Prawns (白灼虾). If the ingredients are fresh, you just need minimum condiments and simple cooking style to bring out the best in taste. So here the prawns are boiled in basically water, ginger and scallion for a couple of minutes at most. Chinese cooking wine is then drizzled into the broth to enhance the overall flavours.

For this reunion meal, we spent S$331.76 for the dishes, steamed rice and drinks including 10% service charge. I can foresee the next year we will be back here for our dinner again. After all the food is good and the place is nearby our houses.

[formeryelpers]

Nature Pagoda, 312 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91778

Nature Pagoda looks non-descript but it cooks with some unusual ingredients. It’s a Cantonese restaurant with healing, good-for-you dishes, including appetizers, soups (labeled soups for health on the menu ��� these are made with Chinese medicinal herbs), porridge/congee, veggies, claypot rice, and desserts. Some of the dishes are made with bird’s nest, ox pizzle, hog’s stomach, hog’s tail, frog, and turtle. 

They’re known for claypot rice. The claypot rice takes time so call ahead or be ready to wait at least 20 minutes. They have 21 kinds of claypot rice, from plain ($7.99) to frog, ribs, chicken, curry beef, fish, etc.

Pumpkin with preserved meat ($15.50): One pot can serve two people who aren’t that hungry or are also ordering other dishes. The sauce was served on the side. The sauce has soy sauce and seasonings. It’s pretty simple but fantastic when added to the claypot rice. The rice is infused with the flavors of the preserved meat. The cubes of pumpkin added sweetness and creaminess. They were generous with the meat (mostly thinly sliced Chinese sausage). The Chinese sausage is savory and sweet. There was a proper golden, crunchy rice crust. Two minor disappointments: first, they used regular broccoli vs. Chinese broccoli or bok choy, second, the preserved meat was 95% Chinese sausage, it would have been nice to have a wider variety of preserved meat. But, it was super delicious and flavorful with lots of different textures. Best claypot rice I’ve had in the area.

Nature Pagoda is on a busy street. It’s off by itself and has its own parking lot. The building looks older. The interior was clean and pleasant but no frills. Condiments are kept at each table. It might be cash only but I’m not sure (there weren’t any signs saying cash only or credit cards accepted).

4.5 out of 5 stars

By Lolia S.

[florsial]

Chinese Regulus who love language is food!! Adds a unique twist to common European dishes!! Fruit bowls as an apology!! Who personally designs traditional Chinese clothes for his kid(s)!! Who owns his own set of traditional clothing!! WeChat but literally never uses it!! All important details yes but the FOOD!!

He makes bian rou (Fujianese wonton soup) for James when he's sick and a bunch of other remedies in the form of soup! (James is too scared to admit to him that the black chicken herbal soup isn't all that good) (I agree I dread having to drink that sometimes). He used to send Sirius fried taro cakes in case Hogwarts didn't have any. When he and James are too tired to cook anything he whips up peanut butter noodles and calls it a day. Sirius puts all the yams in his rice congee into Regulus' bowl during breakfast!! Makes batches of mantou from scratch when he's stressed while the Pantheon is snagging the steamed buns every so often, he sends the remaining off to the Marauders, mostly just Sirius and James. WILL FIGHT SIRIUS TOOTH AND NAIL FOR THE LAST BBQ PORK BUN!!! He also makes sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and has to charm them so Barty doesn't steal them before he steams them!! In fact! Regulus eats his zongzi plain with a shit ton of sugar while Sirius prefers them to be more savory and filled with mushrooms and chicken!!

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #372

I feel a little better today. Being downstairs doesn't seem as horrifyingly cold today compared to yesterday. And actually, being upstairs in the warm was a little too much heat for me. So I migrated myself and my things back downstairs where M and J generally are.

That said, J has been out almost all day. I'm a little sad about that, but it can't really be helped. First he had work out of the house, and now he's at his parents' house because it's Christmas (merry Christmas, by the way; I know your world has it, even if it has a different meaning there than here, since as far as I know, Yeshua never visited your world). I couldn't go along with him because I'm still a little sniffly and sneezy; I don't wanna risk making anyone sick, so I stayed home.

I yesterday, I didn't get soup because there was pizza. I thought that I was gonna get soup today, but that didn't work out either, because the place I had intended to get soup from was closed (which is weird, because normally places run by Chinese folks aren't closed on Christmas). That's all right; if they went to spend time with their families, then that's the best thing! I'll get soup tomorrow. Today, I made do with the homemade bone broth I thawed yesterday:

My homemade bone broth is made with so many wholesome and delicious things!!! It's great to drink right out of the jar, and it'll lend my body some strength and help me to recover faster!! Yay!!

I was also ravenously hungry today. I finished all the leftovers I had in the refrigerator – half a chopped cheese sandwich, half a buffalo chicken quesadilla, and the last of the saag paneer. I also made myself a concoction of several different herbal teas; too many to fit into my little glass mug, so I brewed it in a pot, and then put the result in a big mason jar to drink! I sweetened it with honey and... you guessed it, mascarpone cheese, haha! Though I'm out of the stuff now; I'll start using the leftover heavy cream from your cake soon.

...My father texted me today, and I got it because I forgot that with my new phone, all the blocked numbers are now unblocked. He wrote some bullshit about “merry Christmas” and how he “loves” and “misses” me. But. Well. The man knows where I live. If he really missed me, he could visit. If he really loved me, he would have made more of an effort to be part of my life when I needed him most. And the minimal role he did play in my life would not have been abusive. Besides... the man doesn't even know me. He doesn't know who I am as a person, or even basic things about me like the kinds of activities I enjoy, my favorite color, my favorite foods, or anything. He wasn't there for most of the major events of my life. Like. He knows absolutely nothing about the contents of my character or the values I hold or the way I think and feel.

...and not for lack of trying on my part...

…

I wanted to tell him all the things I just wrote to you. But it's a waste of time. As much as I wish that my biological family could be people who are a regular part of my life... all they do is hurt me and tell me how wrong and bad and stupid they think I am. And... I don't have room for that in my life anymore. I'm surrounded now by people I don't have to struggle to get love from. Trying to get love, respect, or even basic goodwill from my biological family is like trying to squeeze blood from a stone; it just doesn't fucking work.

...And it's not because they're bad people. Rather, it's because none of them have been able to do the necessary work to start healing the damage they sustained from their own abusive childhoods. Some of the people I grew up with endured horrors so unspeakable that I dare not write them here. Still, the fact of the matter is that they are, at present, unable to lead lives that would facilitate their healing.

...I'd help them if I could. But my voice is not one that they are willing to take seriously. In their eyes, I am a perpetual child, despite the fact that I'm gonna be 40 in a little less than 5 years. And children are automatically considered stupid and inferior in circles like the ones I grew up in, to the point that it's considered disrespectful if a child speaks up if their adult is objectively wrong about something, even if their failure to speak up would lead to some kind of bad outcome. But at the same time, failure to speak up will also be used as proof of the child's inferiority and stupidity. Go on, ask me how I know these things.

Even if I said anything to my father at this point, it wouldn't result in anything productive. All it would do is stress him out and stress me out, and for what? I could list all the things that happened to me under my stepmother's care, and all she has to do is lie and say “no that didn't happen” and that'll be the end of it.

...Best to stay away.

...And before you ask... yes. I am already aware that the person I'm trying to convince is myself. There is that small part of me that will always yearn for connection with the people who brought me into this world, in the same way that dogs yearn to eat weird things off the ground like pinecones.

Metaphorically, we do not eat pinecones, no matter how appetizing they look. Because they will tear through our bodies, spiky and whole, and then they'll have to come out the other end. And can you even begin to imagine just what an absolute fucking nightmare that would be??? No thank you. We gonna “nope” right the fuck away from that.

I refused to engage with my father's text message for the same reason I don't swallow whole pinecones. Though it might seem satisfying at first glance (at least if we're making pretend that we're some kind of derpy canid), we have to think about the consequences later.

Needing a distraction, but not quite having the brainpower for Hades, and feeling vaguely creative despite still feeling somewhat ill, I decided to work on something else. And then I put the results here:

...Why yes, it is "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac again. Are you getting sick of this song yet from the number of times I've shown it to you? Hahaha...

You might guess even without reading the description that I put it in LMMS in preparation for putting it to a music box. Though the song in the video is in the key of E, I've already converted it to the key of C (because music box paper is marked in the key of C, even though the music box itself plays in F... figure that out). So now it's just a matter of arranging the notes in their proper place in Audacity – easy peasy. Tedious and time-consuming, for sure, but ultimately the process is fairly straightforward once you know what you're doing.

I was almost gonna get started on the Audacity portion today, actually. But then I realized that if I start it now, the time is gonna fly right on by, and I won't even realize that it's tomorrow until 6am or something stupid like that. So if I have energy tomorrow, I'll do it then instead.

Anyhoot. Because I spent most of my time doing this thing, I don't have much else to write about today, and it's already almost 11pm, so I guess I had better stop writing here in favor of maybe quite possibly actually getting to bed on time.

I love you. Please try hard not to forget that you're loved, okay? And please... please stay safe out there so that you can come back to us in one piece. We miss you.

I'll write to you again tomorrow.

Your friend, Lumine

[momoxxxrinn]

Op straw hats crew what do they do if you ask them to buy you or do they have pads/ tampons while you're on your period having cramps dying on your bed cause you can't move due to pain.

Warning: none just fluff, enjoy (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧ no spoilers.

Editor's note: I wrote this in middle of night sorry if there's typo and English isn't my first language. I use shortcut words.

Feature: Luffy,Sanji,Zoro,Usopp, Nami,Robin,Franky,Brook,Jinbe, Chopper

Nami & Robin

Nami & Robin : realistically they both always have pad or tampon nearby. Will let you have as many as you need according to your flow. Because they don't need to go out to buy for you they stay behind feeding you food.

Robin would feed you more like Chinese herbal medicinal soup to relieve pain. Made you bone broth with angelica sinensis or more common ginseng help with bloating, helps with blood circulation flow preventing cramps and digestion. She used to read and learn along her journey before joining the straw hats. She has been all by herself until now so she definitely would love to help you. Saying ton of benefits and most ingredients in a common household kitchen but she uses scientific names.

Nami definitely feeds you chocolate, mikan juice or pasta anything high in iron and magnesium. Cause losing blood might lead you to feel headache or worse pass out and pasta, mikan juice replenishes iron in your body. Nami doesn't want you to pass out from anemia. Chocolate gives magnesium which helps your mood better and gives you energy, chocolate is delicious in general. Either let Sanji cook your favourite food or make food that easy to digest herself. probably cost you big money.

Both of them literally have big sister energy you never had. Would bring you entertainment together like sharing their favourite books or gossip or fashion magazine. Try to let you rest as much as possible. Help you with different hacks like warm water bottle trick if they don't have pad warmer available. If you like to be alone they would sure you got your rest, not letting Luffy or anyone bother you I repeat, especially Luffy. Spoil you with anything you want.

Vinsmoke Sanji

Sanji: would do anything for you, honestly probably know a few famous pads tampons brands but not sure which one you use so he got all the one that would seem to helping bringing more comfort. Would be really proud and waiting your praise. He knows it's probably uncomfortable for you so he bought some painkillers.

On the way back to sunny, saw bunch of good ingredients for you, easy to digest, nutritional and probably bought too much cause he want to give you a super comfort 3 course meal. Definitely don't forget ice-cream cause ice cream make everything better. Bought you a bouquet of lavender for relaxation. He's a romantis

Honestly, he won't let anyone know what he's doing cause he doesn't want you to get uncomfortable with others with your period if you're more personal type of person and don't necessarily need to announce your time of month. Respect you and woman in general cause it's painful, and how strong woman are. Do his research to develop new recipes to relief cramps.

Would giving you facial treatment for your period acne. Do skincare together to keep you company. Actually really enjoyed it.

Roronoa Zoro

Zoro: understandable, totally know that biologically woman body are different than man. The impact of Kuina feeling of the hardships of woman in society in term of swordsmanship is deeper than he realized. Of course his respect towards woman is grew more once you educate him.

Totally get lost every second so you don't expect much from him but surprisingly he did return safely with an actual thing you requested. Probably ended up finding one piece along the way.

Struggling to choose type you use, asking stranger to help him and low-key everyone in the store recommended him different brands products so he ended up buying all. Would be type of guy thinking what size is your vagina. Yes, he knows the biological sciences different woman body with man but that doesn't mean he know everything about woman organs. This man simply an idiot so cut him some slack.

He knows Nami Robin dealing with cramps time to time. Would actually help them when usually he don't, cause he's aware Nami Robin independent and won't need help unless they ask but he love doing small things that make your day a bit better, won't ask for praise or acknowledgement. Woman around him shape the way he is honestly, if you educate him he probably listen but tend to got it wrong sometimes. Again he is muscle head, you gotta go slowly. Once he got it through his skull, he would force you to rest.

Actually asked Sanji to cook you easy digest food, Zoro would bring to you himself. Then asking Sanji to teach him how to cook that recipe. Totally shocked some other crew too lol. Don't really need to do it often cause there's the "love cook". Bring you soft blanket or even use his shoulder as you pillow if needed, those thick yummy muscle. Once he understands more, he encouraged you to exercise or stretch to a point you can handle. His excuse is to best way to relief cramps. This training muscle maniac.

God Usopp

Usopp: have no problems. Honestly probably the most normal among other crew. To him it just like another errands. Understand how period, uterus work and don't mind helping others if needed. Ngl Nami probably had sent him to buy her pad or tampon before, so boi got experience and from experience, food make anyone happy and in this situation it make you happy but gotta watch out from glutinous monkey food stealer Luffy.

Ask and you shall receive. If you ask for anything he would drop what he's doing just to make your day better especially dealing with something you can't helped.

Definitely keep a box or two of pads tampons you Nami Robin use. Would make you lay down and gently massage your lower abdomen to help relax your muscles. Genuinely really good at massaging. I mean look at those biceps muscles. He would be one of the guy who keeps heat pad with him, carrying inside his bag

Jinbe

Jinbe: Imagined a single father with teenage daughter, flustered because his lack of knowledge. Would ask Nami Robin more about woman body. Even though he is older gentleman and sometimes around woman his knowledge is have limits. Know what is period or cramps is, it just he never experienced someone asking his help on this situation and feeling need to do his best is adorable.

Would read intensely the description on the pads tampons brand and selection and decently did a good job. Realized people around him keep starring and not wanting any attention he grab the most comfortable and long lasting pads he saw. If you used tampons, too bad he still struggling to understand how it works that's. Accidentally gives you life time supplies lol.

Keep asking you if he did was acceptable and reassuring him he did a good job. Later learn he could help more than that. Would be happy you ask for his help. I low-key want to hug him and relive my pain. I need a squish mellow out of this guy.

Tony Tony Chopper

Chopper: yes he's definitely is a child in my opinion but regardless he's the doctor. And naturally he learn from Dr Kureha about sex education and woman body too. Tbh Dr Kureha already passed far from her menopause tho. So chopper is not innocent but he still pure tho, definitely don't really understand about lust or that desire of human but it is what it is.

Would believe this task is his time to finally show his usefulness. This is his first big boi errand. He does understand is really matter and important. Of course it's important but not to some extreme intense level. He's cute when he's trying his best. Please give him cotton candy and lots praise the moment he return.

Definitely know what he supposed to do and probably overwhelmed which to choose and ended up buying little bit of everything. Thin, ultra smooth, scented, unscented, wings, non wings, night time, longer version etc. There's probably an older woman helping him after seeing his struggling. Have very wholesome moment with new humans, very kind to him which suprise him. Please create new happy memories for him with human.

Definitely thought buying ice-cream for both of you to share but realized ice-cream may not be the best desserts so he chose something soft, fluffy, sweet marshmallows for you. Ngl he keep staring at your snacks so you feed him. Too adorable. See he put so much effort for you. Better appreciate this child. Since he's the doctor he give you painkillers and herbal remedies to relieve your symptoms.

Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy: what can I say about this man. He's aware of world situation, different between woman body than his and pretty much normal information of a person his age. He's not idiot just umm.. stupid on not this topic, I guess?? Even with his awareness, he don't know cramps exist and once he learn that he's reaction is the most hilarious ever. Super shocked how bad the pain is for you.

Therefore after a few minutes learning new information off he goes buy the necessity you needed. Bought the first thing he saw and call it a day of success. Later learn he bought the wrong stuff, there's difference between a pad and a baby diaper or panty liner. Need Robin to help him out while teaching him new stuff but definitely didn't throughly understand it but somehow got it.

Was excited to bring you food but miraculously it arrived half eaten. Yes magic. Would stretching and making funny faces to crack you up, got drag away by Nami cause you need rest.

Franky

Franky: he's second oldest person in the strawhat and obviously he's an adult and even he got 2 younger sister he adopted. Older brother you can always rely on. Would buy you brand his sister use cause he didn't remember to ask you what brand you use. He's use to taking care of his sister so it's a habit going straight to the store and getting what you need and realised a few minutes later but he's too far to go back.

A type of person would gift you candy but made out of cola, like gummy cola, chewing cola flavour candy etc. Asked if you need massage cause low-key his new invention is a portable massage machine. If you let him use you as his guinea pig first user, he be extremely grateful. Your comments and review is matter. Give you a heating pad that immediately heat up in a second you need and there's temperature changes according to your liking for your lower abdomen. His invention is useful for daily use not just robot nerd.

Brook

Brook: if there's a song to make people sleepy there's a chance of song to relief pain exist or at least distracting you from your pain. Not sure if period products know 50 plus years ago available so got you covered by literally buy like 10 bag full of goodies.

Besides his playful and kinda unique personality, he is the oldest crew members and there's time he can be mature, mostly not but that's his coping mechanism. Love setting up warm bath, sprinkle with few drops of any essential oils you love or he just put lavender oil for relaxing your mind and body. A few oil of rosemary and sage would help better. This man loves bath and the most bizarre thing he did was filled the bathtub with milk, hoping your skin soaked up with all the benefits. 100% asking what colour panties you wearing. If he ask big mom definitely would ask yours. What a way to icebreaking.

Hope y'all enjoy it and thank you for reading this goddamn long writing. ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ 💕

[mylifeisinanotherreality]

oc-tober (shifting edition) day 9!

writing prompt – talking about my favourite "things"

i think i've already talked about my favourite things in my room for day 3, so i'll just take the opportunity to gush about my pets.

i have a dog, and 4 cats in my dr! i have a room dedicated to them with a door linked to my bedroom so they can sleep wherever they like. (i love them so much)

Rocco is a Doberman, and he's very friendly. He barks quite a lot, though he stops when i hold him, but continues after i let him go. He loves people, and loves to bother the cats – he wants them to play with him, but half the time the cats just side-eye him and leaves him alone. He's very protective too, and he tries to make sure everyone is safe (though i trip over him like most of the time – spider senses don't work on him)

Damian is a Bombay cat, and he has the typical gold/ copper eyes of one. He is probably the most grumpy cat out of all of them, but i love him anyways. One thing he loves to eat is chicken, so if i ever buy that home, he'd jump onto the table and stare at me till i feed him (which also means i have to feed everyone else). He lets me pet him though, and if you pet him for long enough, he drifts off to sleep.

Ebony is also a Bombay cat, and from the same litter as Damian. When I saw them, they were the only two left and i couldn't bear to separate them, so i adopted them both! She has green eyes, and is a lot nicer than her brother. She likes to keep to herself, though sometimes she'd just come over and demand pets and i can never say no to her.

Charlie is a Snow Bengal – he was originally bought by his previous owner who lived in the same apartment building but she ditched him in the lobby because the responsibility was too much. The options were to either put him down or send him to a shelter, but when my father told me about it (he owns the building), i offered to take him in. He was so skinny and peed everywhere at first, but eventually, he got used to it and i love him to bits. He's honestly really sweet, and loves food (he'd eat anything you give him), and it makes me so mad that he got ditched after the previous owner bought him just because he was "rare".

Maddie is probably the only cat that i've bought and she's a Ragdoll cat! My parents' friend's daughter was a breeder and since i was forced along to interact, i ended up just playing with the cats. Maddie's a sweetheart, she loves pets and food and is really friendly and relaxed. Apparently, there were a lot of people who wanted to come over to visit Maddie and see if they wanted to buy her, but i took the opportunity then and there to just bring her home with me <3

being a billionaire in my dr is extremely useful when it comes to taking care of all my pets. can you tell i love them? i love them.

normal prompt – answering basic q&a questions

"what are your hobbies?" – i love reading, writing, listening to music, watching movies, playing games and acting! it's pretty basic, i know, but it brings me joy.

"what are some of your favourite games?" – i like horror games, like the backrooms, poppy playtime, fnaf, etc., though i always end up flinching at jumpscares; interactive fiction and visual novels! also otome games, though they aren't my absolute favourites.

"do you have any siblings?" – i'm the youngest of five children so, yes. honestly, i respect my mother for popping out so many children 💀

"what's your favourite food?" – well, it's either herbal soup with rice (all the different chinese soups), or like, chicken chop with mushroom sauce. i like a lot of food, but i also dislike a lot of food.

"what's your dream job?" – well, obviously, i'd love to be an actress and i'm grateful that i have had the opportunities to act in some films, and have my own fashion magazine.

"are you a morning person or night owl?" – night owl, definitely. having to wake up early usually results in me being grumpy up until i shower/ eat breakfast. i also have more energy at night, being able to accomplish more things then.

wow this was a long post.