#and and and smoke the meat and sell it for a higher price

[ratspider]

they should put deer in stardew valley

[portraxcollc]

Buy Coconut oil for cooking at Portarax Co LLC

If you're looking for a healthy and delicious oil to cook with, look no further than coconut oil. At Portarax Co LLC, we offer a wide variety of coconut oils that are perfect for cooking. Coconut oil is known for its many health benefits, including its ability to boost metabolism, improve cholesterol levels, and promote weight loss. In addition to being healthy, coconut oil is also incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. Whether you're looking to fry up some chicken or fish or bake a cake or cookies, coconut oil is a perfect choice. So next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to pick up some coconut oil from Portarax Co LLC!

Introduction of Portrax Co LLC

Portarax Co LLC is a company that produces and sells coconut oil. The company was founded in 1995 by DANI KONCIL and its families. The company is based in Ukraine, and its products are sold online and in stores across the globe.

 Portarax Co LLC's mission is to provide the highest quality coconut oil at the most affordable price. The company's products are made from 100% virgin coconut oil, and they are free of preservatives, chemicals, and other additives.

 The company's website offers a wide range of recipes that can be made with their products, as well as tips on how to use coconut oil for various purposes. Portarax Co LLC also provides a money-back satisfaction guarantee so that customers can feel confident about their purchases.

What is Coconut oil?

Coconut oil is a type of edible oil that is extracted from the meat of mature coconuts. It has a wide range of uses, including cooking, baking, and as a natural skin moisturizer.

 Coconut oil is composed of mostly saturated fats, which makes it resistant to oxidation and rancidity. This makes it an ideal choice for high-heat cooking methods like frying.

 The fatty acids in coconut oil can also help to boost heart health by raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels and lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Additionally, coconut oil can help to improve insulin sensitivity and regulation.

 If you're looking for a healthy cooking oil option, coconut oil is a great choice. You can purchase coconut oil online at Portarax Co LLC.

The benefits of Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a healthy cooking oil that has many benefits. It is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a type of saturated fat that is metabolized differently than other types of fat. Coconut oil is also a good source of lauric acid, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

 Coconut oil can help improve your cholesterol levels. One study showed that people who ate two tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut oil per day had lower levels of LDL cholesterol and higher levels of HDL cholesterol than those who didn’t eat any coconut oil (1).

 Another study found that people who replaced some of the saturated fat in their diet with coconut oil had lower LDL cholesterol levels and total cholesterol levels (2).

 Coconut oil can also help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. One study showed that people who ate two tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut oil per day lost more belly fat than those who didn’t eat any coconut oil (3).

 Coconut oil can also help improve your skin health. The lauric acid in coconut oil can kill harmful bacteria and fungi, which may help to treat acne and other skin conditions (4).

 Coconut oil is also a natural moisturizer. It can help to keep your skin soft and supple, and it may even help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles (5).

How to use Coconut oil

Coconut oil can be used in many different ways, but it is most commonly used for cooking. When using coconut oil for cooking, it is important to remember that it has a very high smoke point. This means that it can easily be burned if it is heated too high. It is best to use coconut oil for medium-high heat cooking or lower. Coconut oil can also be used in baking recipes as a replacement for other oils or butter. Simply substitute the same amount of coconut oil as the recipe calls for. Coconut oil can also be used to fry food. It is a good idea to use a small amount of coconut oil when frying so that the food does not stick and the oil does not burn.

Recipes that use Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a healthy alternative to other cooking oil. It has a neutral taste, so it won’t affect the flavor of your food. Coconut oil is also less likely to cause allergies than other oils.

 Coconut oil can be used for sautéing, stir-frying, or baking. It’s a good choice for vegan and vegetarian recipes. Coconut oil can also be used as a moisturizer or hair treatment.

 Here are some recipes that use coconut oil:

 Sautéed vegetables: Sauté your favorite veggies in coconut oil for a healthy side dish. Stir-fry: Stir-fry chicken, shrimp, or tofu in coconut oil for a quick and easy meal. Baked goods: Replace butter or other oils with coconut oil in your favorite recipes. Moisturizer: Use coconut oil as a natural body lotion or face cream. Hair treatment: Apply coconut oil to your hair to help protect it from damage and keep it healthy and shiny.

Where to buy Coconut oil

Coconut oil can be bought in a variety of places. The most common place to buy it is at the grocery store, where it is usually sold in small bottles. However, it can also be bought online, through companies such as Portarax Co LLC.

 When buying coconut oil, it is important to make sure that you are getting a high-quality product. This means that the coconut oil should be made from fresh coconuts and should be cold-pressed. Additionally, the oil should be virgin, meaning that it has not been processed or refined in any way.

 Portarax Co LLC offers high-quality virgin coconut oil that is perfect for cooking. The oil is made from fresh coconuts and is cold-pressed to preserve its nutrients. Additionally, the oil is unrefined, meaning that it has not been processed in any way. This makes it a healthier option than other types of oils on the market.

 If you are looking for a healthy cooking oil, then Portarax Co LLC's virgin coconut oil is a great option. The company offers a high-quality product that is perfect for those who want to cook with healthy oil.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a healthy cooking oil that can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol, and improve your overall health, then coconut oil is a great option. Portarax Co LLC offers a wide variety of coconut oils to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your needs. Plus, with our free shipping on orders over $50, it's easy and affordable to get started with coconut oil cooking today.

[munoz47]

The Efficiency of Komodo Coconut Charcoal

Komodo coconut charcoal makes the most efficient fuel for all ceramic smokers' cooking. The charcoal is many types. Each type is made to ensure that satisfactorily and quality cooking is met. All are made to meet the requirements of 75% carbon presence, 15% volatility content, 2% ash content or below and 5% moisture content-or less. The charcoal has no added additives, petroleum or other fillers and impurities. Any that you buy has been analyzed and it meets the standards of the government. None of them is made from deforested wood. Every bit of them is made from trees that are from renewable forests.

The most common and popular brand is the coconut charcoal. This type is a byproduct of coconut meat/cobra. A Kamado extruded lump is more essential for cooking with any type of a smoker. They are more long lasting and have been carbonized properly. This makes them easier and reliable to use in cooking, balking, grilling or smoking of meat or pizza, as well as for bread. If you are looking for a tang and heavy smoked flavor, the only thing that you have to do is add an extra chunk of smoky wood coal shisha.

Komodo coconut charcoal is smokeless and is made from the best hardwoods in the forests. The charcoal has also an ability to produce hotter and higher temperatures that make cooking more easily, faster, and effective. It is therefore not possible to find chunks that did not burn unlike in other types of charcoal. Selling of this type of charcoal is in corrugated bocks-not sacks like the rest. It is therefore not possible for the charcoal to crush into finer samples. If you are planning to host a barbecue party, then this is the best and ideal fuel for you. It has been highly inspected to meet the required standards and is eco-friendly.

They have been highly recommended for use since they are an excellent fuel source and can be used in any type grills or smokers. If you are after boiling, then this is the ideal charcoal type to use. It is easier to control the heat and smoke as per the type of cooking you are dealing with. If you are looking for a slower cooking at much lower heat temperatures, you can also do adjustments to fit your cooking method. This is usually required in baking bread, vegetables and pizza. The time and labor used is also much lesser and as a reward, you get a very tasty and perfect meal that your party will never forget.

Each of its corrugated boxes weighs 10 pounds. The price at which they are sold at is also very competitive considering that they are of very high quality and have a re-usability of over 20%, burns 20% longer than the other types and produces hotter heat by at least 15%. In general, they are hotter, milder, ash less, smoke free and longer lasting.

[dimpleddaydreams]

The Bath House [Part II] (King!Yoongi x Reader)

Genre: Smut, Fluff, Angst  Characters: King!Yoongi, Servant!Jungkook, Queen!Reader Warnings: Violence, blood, torture, sexual acts, dirty talk, prasie!kink, mentions of r*pe/sexual assault, oral (male receiving), heartbreak.  Rating: 18+ Word Count: 3.3k Previous Chapter: (x) A/N: I still cannot believe that in less than full one day of posting the original oneshot, it received over 130 likes/reblogs. Thank you so, so much for the love, I really appreciate it, especially since this is my first time writing stories like this. Here is part two, I really hope you enjoy it. Part three will be coming soon. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. xx

    The marketplace air was filled with smells of raw meat, fresh fruit and tobacco smoke. Men speaking loudly, haggling over prices, women giggling over their husbands. Your guards walked behind you, keeping a watchful eye on the bustling crowd, who’s eyes were fixated on you. You walked arm-in-arm with Ji-Soo, your favorite servant, who’s companionship you enjoyed. Her black hair gently moving in the light spring breeze, pausing to look at a basket of Asian pears that an elderly man was selling.

    “Your highness, don’t these look delicious?” Ji-soo asked, eyeing the golden fruits.

    “Mm.” You hummed. “My husband finds these delicious as well. Perhaps we should purchase a few. The women in the kitchen could make a lovely spiced jam for us.”

   You asked your guard for your money he was holding for you, overcompensating the elder for his fruit. As you grabbed a few for your bag, his eyes widened as he counted how much you gave him.

   “Excuse me, my queen, I believe that a mistake was made.” He said, attempting to give you your money back.

   You smiled, walking over to him. You gently took his hand and curled his fingers around the coins.

   “Please, I insist. You’ve labored hard, allow me to pay you adequately.” You replied, your voice delicate.

   He nodded. “Thank you, your highness.”

   As you gave your bag to Ji-Soo to hold, and began walking away, you heard the elder speak under his breath.

   “Much kinder than our king.”

   You sighed and continued walking. You knew his sentiments were not unique. Due to your weekly visits to the market, the citizens often had a higher view of you than your husband. You understood the difference; Yoongi was feared, but you were loved.  

   Ji-Soo lightly tightened her grip around your arm, her soft eyes meeting yours. She offered a light warm smile, as if to apologize for the elder’s words.

   “Do not take their words to heart, my queen. They do not know your husband in the ways you do.” She whispered, leaning closely so that only you could hear.

   You offered her a smile and nodded. Ji-Soo knew through your conversations how gentle Yoongi could be. Through your market visits, your strolls through the palace gardens, and the drunken nights you quietly sneak her into the palace bath house, she’s become your closest confidant. You’ve told her of the gifts Yoongi has given you, the love letters he’s written, the sweet words he’s whispered while offering soft touches in the bed you share. But Ji-Soo and you both realize that your husband’s acts of kindness are reserved only for his wife. There would be none for Ji-Soo if she ever spoke publicly about your private conversations, none for his advisors who gave him foolish suggestions, and certainly none for-

   “-That servant boy, Jungkook,” Ji-Soo started, snapping you from your thoughts. “I saw him leaving your bedroom this morning. He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?”

   “I don’t know if I like what you’re implying.” You said under your breath.

   “Oh, your highness, you’ve never been shy with me before.” Ji-Soo said, a playful smile plastered on her face. “I’ve heard it’s quite common for a queen to take another lover. Especially when your husband is occupied with other matters-”

   “I’ve never had another lover besides my husband.” You cut her off. “Jungkook only visited to speak to me for a moment.”

   Ji-Soo nodded. “Well, I’m sorry to have assumed. I’ve spoken out of turn, but if I may be so bold, your highness, that servant boy…”

   She paused momentarily, thinking over her words before leaning in, quietly saying,

   “Everyone sees the stars in his eyes when he looks at you.” 

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At the palace…     Jungkook took his place on the right-hand side of Yoongi’s empty thrown. The king stood at the edge of the balcony, hands on the railing, overlooking the court yard. His tongue pressed up against his cheek, watching his guardsmen bring in a fresh batch of criminals for the slaughter. Thieves, deserters, conmen, all brought in to pay for their sins.

   One man in particular made Yoongi’s skin crawl, his stomach turning at the very thought of him; a rapist.

   Yoongi had no tolerance for any man who would harm a woman. It made his blood boil. He thinks of you; his wife, the love of his life, his little flower, and how nobody could escape his wrath if a man laid his eyes on you, let alone inflicted harm on you. The gods themselves wouldn’t be able to protect that man from his vengeance.

  He knew that was his core reason for the executions; to clean the streets of men like him, for your sake. Every possible threat to you had to be dealt with. He kept you away from the court yard on execution days, ensuring your eyes are averted from the wicked men and their blood shed. He had to keep you protected from them. As he told you;

    “My delicate flower should never have to concern herself with such matters.”

   His guardsmen brought the assailant to the middle of the courtyard, right in the line of Yoongi’s dagger-like gaze. The man’s eyes were covered by a thick black cloth, his clothes in tatters from the rough treatment he endured at the hands of the guards in the palace holding cell. His hands were bound behind his back in rope, and dirt covered his bruised body. The guards threw him down on the concrete, causing him to yelp at the scrapes made to his knees.

  Yoongi chuckled at the man’s pain, causing Jungkook’s eyes to be fixated on the king, taking in the ruler’s appetite for vengeance. His mind echoed your warning from this morning;

   “Your king likes to take his time. Likes to toy with his prey before he kills it. He likes to hear the squeals, like hogs to the slaughter.”

   “What is your name?” Yoongi shouted from the balcony down at the man, who then mumbled to himself.

   “Speak with pride!” Yoongi heckled, taking another swig of his wine. “Certainly, you’re not ashamed of what it is that brought you here.”

   “My name is Kim Dae-Hyun.” The man said louder, his voice shaking, attempting to hold back tears.

   Yoongi smirked. “The name of a bastard. Are you not proud?  Having your name echoed in my palace court yard?”

  Jungkook’s brows furrowed, watching the king take another sip of his wine as he stared at the blind-folded man, kneeling between two guards. Yoongi ordered the cloth be taken off his eyes, causing the man to squint in the harsh sunlight.

 “Do not be ashamed! Are your actions not what a proud man does?” Yoongi shouted sarcastically at the man, venom in his voice. “Only a man with enormous, glaring pride takes a woman by force.”

 Yoongi finishes his wine, obviously intoxicated. Poison dripping from his lips as he commands his guards to strip the man naked and stand him up.

 Jungkook’s doe-eyes somehow managed to become even larger, connecting the dots to what the king had in mind.

 “He likes to hear the squeals. Like hogs to the slaughter.”

 Yoongi laughed at the visibly embarrassed man standing nude in front of him.

 “I thought you would be pleased!” Yoongi continued to heckle. “Do you not take pride in your manhood? Doesn’t everyone want to see? Is that not why you forced that woman to take you?”

  The man began to sob, and Jungkook watched in shock as Yoongi grab his sword. The king made his way down the steps onto court yard, walking over to the man, his sword resting over his shoulder. His gold jewelry shining in the sunlight, his fine, green robes dusting the concrete. Jungkook moved from his position to the railing of the balcony, eyes glued to the king.

  “Please, your highness, my king,” The man sobbed, his head hung. “I’m begging for your forgiveness. I will never force myself on another woman, I swear it.”

  “I know you won’t,” Yoongi said, his voice steady and calm. The man raised his head to look at the king, surprise glimmering in his eyes but for a moment, before Yoongi leaned down to his ear to whisper, “Because I have your cock.”

  The man’s eyes widened, and before he’s able to process the king’s words or open his lips to protest, Yoongi slices the man, basking in his anguished screaming from the bloody mutilation. Jungkook gasps, his eyes large and his body frozen from the grotesque punishment.

 Servants rushed over to take Yoongi’s bloodied sword from him, and Jungkook notes the smirk on the king’s face as he listened to the man’s pained screams. Yoongi made his way back to the balcony, looking at his advisors before cracking a quick joke.

 “Hard to be a proud man without balls, isn’t it?” He chuckled, followed by the laughs of his advisors.

“Finish him off with the rest of them, you know what to do.”  Yoongi shouted down to his guards. He turned around and paused, his eyes meeting Jungkook’s stare before saying, “I have to clean up before my beloved comes home from the marketplace. She’s showing me the flowers in her beautiful gardens this evening.”

 Yoongi continued to stare at Jungkook, the servant’s eyes containing both fear and disgust at the king, his breath heavy.

 “You’re already quite familiar with how beautiful her gardens are, aren’t you, Jungkook?” Yoongi asked, causing the boys heart to race.

  Yoongi brushed past the servant, bumping into him casually on his way back into the palace. Jungkook remained frozen in place, recounting the events of the previous night in his head while the screams of the other criminals in the court yard ringed in the background, before being overtaken by deafening silence and the strong copper-scent of blood.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You arrived back at the palace, your bag full of the goods that you found in the market. You had the guards bring you to the kitchen, where the women hastily paused their work to bow as you walked into the room. Ara, the head of the kitchen, came over to greet you.

      “Good afternoon, your highness.” She greeted with a bow. “How was your trip to the market?”

      “It went well. I do have a request to make,” You said, reaching in your bag to pull out the pears you had bought earlier. “Would you make these into that delicious spiced jam you make in the spring, and have it brought to my bedroom? I’d like to surprise my husband with it this evening on our walk.”

      “Of course, your highness.” Ara said, taking the fruit. “I’m honored that you both enjoy my jams so much.”

      “Would you also make an extra container, and have it taken to Ji-Soo’s bed?” You asked.  

      “Yes, of course.” Ara responded with a smile, as you left for your bedroom.

      You walked into the bedroom to find your husband lounging in bed, a clean, silk robe draping his body. He looks up at you, greeting you with a smile. You shut the bedroom door, the warmth of Yoongi’s presence radiating throughout the room.

      “Hello, my goddess.” Yoongi purred. “Come lay with me.”

      As you strip down into your lounge robes, Yoongi gazes at your nude body. You can feel his eyes drinking you in as you change. You walk over and take your place on the bed, resting your head on his half-exposed chest. He hums, gentle fingers running through your hair.

     “Did you find yourself something special at the market today?” Yoongi asks softly, his voice warm. He moves his hand from your hair to your back, rubbing you gently.

     “I found some delicious fruit, and some wooden beads, hand-carved beautifully with intricate pictures of birds. Ji-Soo suggested we make them into bracelets…” You talked about your day, not noticing Yoongi’s adoring gaze fixated on you. His eyes softened, his lips slightly upturned as he listened to you innocently go on about your shopping excursion.

     You finally looked up at him, a smile forming. “What is it?” You asked.

   “You’re so beautiful. My loving wife...” He said in an almost whisper, his thumb tracing along the soft skin of your jawline. He admired the innocence in your eyes, a stark contrast to the ugliness of the world that he tries desperately to purge.

   “I love you.” You responded, bringing your lips to his. He hungrily licked along your bottom lips, asking for entrance, and you accept.

     His hand finds the back of your head, tangles his fingers in your hair as his tongue explores yours. His scarred eyes closed, feeling your lips on his, your soft hair in his fingers, your hand delicately touching his chest. He melted under your touch, feeling a sense of intimacy that only you could bring out in him.

     He took his other hand and slipped it under your robe, squeezing your thigh. You pulled away, watching as he kept his eyes closed for a moment longer before slowly opening them.

      “I want to,” You started, fingers tracing an invisible shape into his chest. “But you promised that I could show you my garden.”

      Yoongi softly laughed to himself, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear. “Of course, my love. I’ve looked forward to our time together all day.”  

      You got up, about to dress yourself properly, until you felt Yoongi standing behind you. He removes your hair from your neck, plants little kisses down your skin, sliding his hand inside your garment to feel your breasts.

      “I’ve missed you... so… much.” He said in between kisses. He noted your breath deepening, melting into his touch. “My sweet goddess… my everything…”

      “Do you need my love?” You asked, feeling a smirk on his lips pressed into your skin.

      “I’ll always need you.” He responded quietly, his warm breath tickling your skin.

     You turned to face him, sliding the robe off onto the floor, and dropping to your knees in front of him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Jungkook made his way into the palace kitchen, as requested by Ara through one of the king’s advisors. The sweet scent of fruit hitting his nostrils as he entered through the door, offering a bow to Ara as his eyes met hers.

    “There you are,” She greeted him. “The queen asked that this jam be taken to her bedroom.”

     She pointed to a container of jam sitting on the counter, a string bow tied around it. He nodded, and jam in hand, found his way out of the kitchen.

     As he walked through the palace, he kept thinking of the king’s words. His stomach knotted, knowing Yoongi had seen him in the garden. It knotted worse not knowing exactly how much the king knew.

     Was Yoongi aware my feelings towards his wife? How long did he know that they were being watched?

      He was almost to your bedroom, when he heard the king’s voice, shaky and deep.

        “Oh… that’s it… Go deeper… So good for me…”

     Jungkook continued to walk to the room, the voice becoming louder with every step. He opened the door slightly and froze to see you in the nude, down on your knees, in front of your husband. His hands holding your locks, his robe opened, exposing himself, and his head thrown back. Yoongi’s grunts and groans filling the bedroom, accompanied by the crude sounds of your mouth servicing him.

       Jungkook felt as though he was going to be sick.

     “Mmmm… that’s so good… Look at you, being good for me…” Yoongi praised, feeling you take him in his mouth.

       Your licked a wet strip from his tip all the way to his base, lightly sucking on his balls before licking back up his member slowly, your eyes looking up at the pleasure on his face. You took him in your hands, pumping him before sticking your out your tongue, playfully tapping his tip on your tongue, then accepting him completely into your mouth.

       You bobbed your head on his hardened cock, his hands in your hair, his moans slipping from his lips. You felt your pussy wetting between your thighs, but tonight, you just wanted to focus on his pleasure. Tonight, you wanted to give your mouth to him. You looked up at your husband, your eyes full of love and lust, watching his bliss, finding his release into your mouth.

      “Ugh….UGH-” Yoongi grunted, holding your head in place. You relaxed your throat, breathing through your nose, taking what you could of his release.

      “Can you swallow for me, my love? That’s it, just relax…” He cooed, holding your hair in his hands, twitching between your lips.

      Jungkook had seen all he could bare to stomach. He left the jam in front of your door, and quickly made his way down the palace halls. His heart felt shattered, seeing you on your knees for a man that just a few hours earlier, showed his unrelenting appetite for violence. His mind racing, his heart cracked, he ran through the gardens, finding himself at the bath house.  

      He let himself in, shutting the door and dropping to the floor. Tears began to stream down his face, allowing his breaking heart to take over his thoughts.

       She’s too good for him.

      I’ve loved her for ages…is she so blind?

     A man with that much blood on his hands doesn’t deserve someone as tender as her.

   His thoughts were then disrupted by the sound of your laughter. His glassy eyes looked out the window of the bath house to see you with your husband, strolling around the gardens. The setting sun painting everything in a golden-like warm glow. Your arm wrapped around his, pointing to different flowers and smiling as you talked, Yoongi’s face looking at you with so much love.

   Jungkook overflowed with a kaleidoscope of emotions; jealousy, love for you, disgust at your husband. He stood up, watched you for a moment longer, before beginning to open the door with shaky hands. He wanted to say something, what it was? He wasn’t sure. But he could not hold his tongue any longer. He knew he was being foolish, he knew that his blood would be dripping from the court yard steps by sunset tomorrow evening. But he couldn’t bear to see you in the arms of another man, knowing he did not even try to give you his heart.  

   As he was opening the heavy wooden door, one last glance out the window gave him pause.

  One of Yoongi’s advisors, Kim Seok-Jin, rushed over to the couple, panic splashed across on his face. Jungkook could not hear what was being said from his distance, but he clearly saw the king’s face turn cold as you look to your husband with worry. The advisor walked away quickly, and your eyes began to water before breaking down into a fit of emotion.

  Your knees gave out and you found yourself on the ground, tears streaming down your face. Yoongi bent down, wiping your tears and speaking, undoubtedly trying to console you. Jungkook desperately wanted to rush out there, to hold you, to fix whatever was wrong. But he was paralyzed by the scene in front of him.

 Yoongi was finally able to help you stand on your feet. His hands on both of your shoulders, he looked directly in your eyes as he spoke. He kissed your forehead, and then your lips, resting his forehead to yours with one last sentence, the only one Jungkook could make out;

 “I love you, always.”

  With that, Yoongi walked swiftly out of the garden, following in his advisor’s path. Jungkook stood there, as you watched your husband disappear from view before breaking down once more. Before he could come out to offer comfort and learn of what happened, Ji-Soo was already by your side. She embraced you in a hug, her eyes meeting Jungkook’s.

  Ji-Soo gave him a fleeting reassuring half-smile, before taking your hand and leading you out of the garden. Jungkook stood in silence, his hands shaky, the air thick with nervous anticipation. x

Part III (x)

[fizzingwizard]

Rota Fortunae c.1

This is the first chapter of a TRC fic I’m working on... it looks like AU but it’s a TRAP! :P I’ll probably post it in bits on tumblr until I have a few chapters before taking it to AO3.

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Rain came down in sheets. Kurogane growled under his breath as he fumbled with his lantern. Droplets pelted the cobblestone path in a ricochet, drowning out any noise that he might be making as he struggled with the climb up the hill, towards the remote mountainous town. Be grateful you're not making the trip in winter, the innkeeper had said to him before he left. He would rather be making it in daylight too, but time waits for no man. And curses are by far less patient.

The flame engulfed the wick, wavered, then blew out. Uttering another oath, Kurogane felt for another matchstick, but just then his boot landed in a puddle that turned out to be knee deep. He tripped, but managed to hold on to the lantern; the box of matches went flying and were lost in the night. He wrenched his leg out of the hole. Then he stopped, staring up the hill, where the lonely houses shrouded in darkness studded the mountainside. If they were really there at all. Almost he felt as if the hill itself wanted to discourage him from venturing any further. For all he knew, it might. Enchantments could be hidden anywhere, in the earth, the air. His nostrils flared as if to sniff them out.

"Pardon me," called a voice, startling Kurogane. He whirled around to face whoever it was with a fierce glare, though the rain dripping from the hem of his waterlogged cloak onto his cheek somewhat marred the effect.

"Do you have to be so loud?" he barked.

The other man seemed to smile under his hood. A long-fingered hand slithered out and cupped his mouth. "My apologies. This storm is really something," he said at exactly the same volume. Kurogane felt his scowl deepen. "You wouldn't happen to have a lantern?"

Kurogane stared at him. Then he looked over at the large, conspicuous lantern gripped in his left hand, in easy view. His brow lifted. The man let out a light, musical laugh that was somehow not lost in the din. "I see you do! That's thinking ahead."

"Only an idiot would go out in the night without one," Kurogane said, pointedly jerking his head at the other's empty hands.

Another sparkling laugh. "Yes, you must be right! Well, it appears I've lost my lantern, and forgive me, but you seem fresh out of matches. Maybe we can help each other."

Kurogane said nothing.

"I'm on my way to the quaintest little bar you ever saw. It's in the town just below. If you'll walk with me and share your lantern, I'll buy you a drink."

"Sorry," Kurogane answered gruffly. "I'm headed the other way."

"What, up the hill?" The man sounded surprised. "Why ever would you want to go there?"

"That's my business."

"But it's abandoned."

"Not from what I've heard."

The other man waved that aside with the same slender, moon-pale hand. "Rumors and hearsay. There's nothing there, I tell you. You're in for a cold, wet night on some rickety porch, and that's if you make it up there in the first place. The path only gets steeper from here."

"I'll take the risk," Kurogane said, moving to walk past him.

But the man was spry, stepping briskly into his path. "Now, sir, be reasonable," he soothed. "It's past midnight. If you're right and there are people living in those hills, they're asleep by now. Come to town with me, have a drink, a bite to eat. Rest, then you can continue your errand tomorrow."

"My business can't wait."

"But-"

"I'll knock them all out of their beds if I have to."

The man fell silent, but he seemed troubled. Palpable displeasure rolled off him with the rivulets winding down his cloak. Kurogane shuddered, though perhaps that was from the wind. He shrugged his sodden cloak over his shoulders and started back up the hill with firm, obstinate steps.

"You won't change your mind," asked the man, a strange plaintive note in his voice. But when Kurogane looked back, he hadn't made another move to block him.

"No," Kurogane replied.

A long pause. For the first time, the man's smile had faded. "So be it," he said softly. He turned his back to Kurogane. Before resuming his downhill trek, the pale hand flicked out once more in a brief wave, which Kurogane didn't return. As he trudged up the road, he resolved not to think on him anymore. Some people thought every fellow traveler they came across was some sort of kindred spirit. Kurogane had other, more important objectives, and he wasn't about to let the concerns of some drifter who had forgotten his own lantern distract him.

It wasn't until the road disappeared and Kurogane found himself looking doubtfully at a very steep, rain-slick upward crawl into the village that it occured to him to wonder how he could see it, between the rain and the dark. Raising his lantern, he felt a shock go through him when he found it lit, a blue-white flame dancing within. When had -

Kurogane spun around, but there was no sign of the stranger dogging his steps.

Well. It did make hefting himself up the muddy slope easier.

---

By early morning, Kurogane finally reached the edge of the village. Rainwater had soaked into his skin. A lesser man could get a chill, not that Kurogane had the time of day for anything so useless. At certain points the mountain side had gone almost sheer, and he'd had to use his whole body to lever himself to the next ledge. Mud was everywhere, painting his traveling garb an earthy gray monotone. He made the mistake of wiping his forehead and splattered his face as well.

The lantern was still aglow. Kurogane peered inside and found that the wax didn't even appear to have guttered at all. The little light inside seemed giddy at his curiosity, and leapt higher as if to tease him. But that was ridiculous. It was a candle.

He resisted the urge to snuff it out. After all, he still needed to be able to see. Dawn had only just broken and much of the sun's light was blocked by the mountain face.

Kurogane lugged his exhausted body toward the squat cabins scattered on the mountainside. There were not many, and no path marked the way to reach them, as if those who lived in them never went visiting, didn't even consider the other houses to be neighbors. The town had a name, or at least used to, Kurogane assumed. These days most people referred to it by the sole resident purported to still live there: the Cursebreaker's Mountain.

Kurogane's mind wound back to the stranger he'd come across in the night. That man had believed the whole village deserted. Even when Kurogane demanded how he could find the cursebreaker's house, the innkeeper had been careful to warn him that no one knew for sure whether he really did live in this village. The only clues where stories certain townies had of times their own curses had disappeared after causing them no end of torment. A curse of bad luck, which had lost its poor victim his house and family, was swept away overnight, and the very next day his wife showed up at the bar to tell him her father had found him a job. A woman who had been unable to stop crying for months found her tears dried up after she met a traveler in the road who gave her a silk handkerchief and told her to keep it. A midwife whose own firstborn grew hooves and horns in his bassinet, and she feared that if the devil didn't come to take his soul the townspeople would first. Then a traveling salesman came to her door, selling wool scarves and hats. The way he talked somehow put her at easy, and before she knew it she'd agreed to let him knit a romper for her son. As soon as she dressed him in it, the horns began to recede, and little pink toes uncurled from his tiny feet. In her joy she'd begged the salesman for his price (though half afraid he would demand her child). But all he'd said to her was, "The price has already been received." Then he was gone.

Shaking her head, she'd leaned over the bar table and looked Kurogane hard in the eye as she told him there had been no dramatic exit, no puff of smoke, but still she couldn't recall seeing him leave. "If you ask me, he wasn't human. He was some fae thing, made of pure magic. And I know they can't be trusted, but for some reason he did me a miracle, he gave me my little boy. My mother used to say there was a cursebreaker who lived on the mountain and broke curses for gold. Just as a job. Back then he was famous in the land for almost always succeeding. Then one day he closed up shop. Just up and vanished. People tried to get to that village, to look for him, but most of them turned back around before even making it halfway. Said the trip was just too hard. I guess a few made it further, but no one could tell you how. Maybe they were just that desperate to be freed of their curses."

Exhaustion slowed Kurogane's steps as he made his way through the empty village. He went from house to house, rattling the doors with impatient knocks. All the gardens were wild and unmaintained, and the wooden planks creaked as he crossed each porch. He held the lantern at eye level and peered through the dusty windows, but there was no sign of life. Not one domestic animal, though there were pens. Water leaked off rooftops, from rotting floorboards, the damp smell of mold on the air.

After he'd tried every house, Kurogane walked out a ways onto a grassy knoll overlooking the valley and sat down. From his leather traveling bag he pulled a strip of salted meat and some hardtack, and gnawed on them, mouth downturned and shoulders hunched as he stared straight ahead. Despite his best efforts, his heart kept sinking, and no new plan sprang to mind, no way to escape his nightmare. Anger was quick to chase away anything that bore a resemblance to grief or pity, and soon his teeth had shredded the last of the meat, and the storm of the night before was settled low on his brow.

"Odd, I don't remember installing a gargoyle," said a familiar lilting voice that put Kurogane in an instant pique.

His shoulders twitched. After a tense pause, his head swiveled around, and he squinted under the glare of the sun at a thin, lanky man, slightly bent forward to gaze down at him. He had light eyes, and a crop of filmy, gold-spun hair that was trying too hard to look convincingly ethereal. He wore a silk vest of lavender brocade over his shirt and a dove-colored cravat. Despite the nippy mountain breeze, his sleeves were undone and rolled to his elbows, and there was an infuriating beatific grin on his lips.

Meanwhile Kurogane crouched on the hillside, covered head to toe in mud and squelching with every movement. Not that he could be bothered to be embarrassed.

"You," he said.

The stranger tilted his head. "I'm sorry? Have we met?"

"It's you from last night." Kurogane picked up the lantern and pointed an exasperated finger. "The idiot who forgot his lantern, but still lit mine."

Blue eyes blinked, as if this response was wholly unexpected. "I - may have been lying about forgetting mine," he stammered.

"No kidding." Kurogane pushed off the ground. He was gratified to confirm that, while the stranger was tall, he was taller still. Some of his energy renewed. "You're that damn cursebreaker, aren't you."

"What makes you think that?" the man asked, eyelids drooping.

"I'm fucked if anyone else can make it up here in that rain and look fresh as daisy without magic."

More musical laughter. The stranger rifled a hand through his flaxen hair, then let it fall bonelessly to his side. "Oh dear, what am I going to do with you?" he sighed.

"Quit griping," Kurogane said stubbornly. "I have a curse I need you to break."

"What's your name?"

"Kurogane, blacksmith of Suwa."

"Kurogane of Suwa, it's not wise to give your name so freely. Words have power, names in particular. If you're cursed you should know that."

"You asked my goddamn name. Anyway, it's not my curse. I've got nothing to lose except time. I'll pay whatever you want. Will you take the job or not?"

"Not your curse?" The wizard - because that was who he must be - raised his brow. "You have one, though? Didn't you know? I can see its traces all over you."

Kurogane shook his head impatiently. "I have one too, but that's my business. I need you to free my ward. He," here Kurogane broke off, trying to force the emotion out of his voice, "he touched something he shouldn't have -"

"Let's go inside." Alreading pivoting on the balls of his feet, as if they were on a polished ballroom floor instead of a craggy mountain, the wizard started to walk away. "You need a bath."

"There's no time!" Kurogane cried, not moving.

The wizard glanced at him. There was something sharp and lightning quick about the way he took him in. Kurogane thought most people would miss it. Then the bastard pinched his nose and contorted his face into a theatrical expression of digust.

"Come on, Kuro-wan. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Besides..." He grinned. "I can finally give you that drink."

---

The wizard, who introduced himself as Fai D. Fluorite ("What does the 'D' stand for?" "Your guess is as good as mine, I suppose I just liked how it sounded."), led him away from the rocky terraces, around a cliffside, to a small cabin Kurogane was sure hadn't been there before. Fai insisted it had been, but what with all the angles and tricks of the light it sometimes looked as if it wasn't there. Kurogane wondered what use was a house that sometimes didn't bother to show up if it wasn't in the mood, but Fai only laughed, and pointed out that it wasn't like the mail couriers could ever make it up here with their horses anyway.

The outside of the cabin was flat and characterless, but Kurogane had experience enough with magicians to know looks could be deceiving. He'd only been inside a spellcaster's den a handful of times, but every single one had been dripping floor to ceiling with colorful bits and baubles, towering bookcases stuffed with spellbooks, unusual animals in cages, and many other curiosities. Ornate rugs on the floor, many dusty bottles, some of which actually contained alcohol, as well as general clutter. And candles, candles everywhere.

But Fai opened the door to a single, large room that seemed, by comparison, utterly bare. Floor to wall window filled one entire expanse of wall, which as the fog rolled away revealed a breathtaking view of the valley below. There were a couple sturdy wood chairs with furs thrown over the backs set around a low table next to a fireplace. The kitchen area was sunk into the wall opposite the windows, a clean, tidy counterspace, a few cabinets, and a wood-burning stove. Ropes of dried plants dangled from the ceiling. Kurogane saw herbs, persimmons, chili peppers. Outside, he spotted a garden, but instead of mysterious plants with magical properties, Kurogane was suprised to recognize most of what appeared to be growing in it. Scattered on the hills surrounding the garden were vibrant blue gentians and purple bellflowers.

Before Kurogane ascended the stairs, Fai held up a hand and gestured to his feet. "No shoes indoors," he said, toeing out of his own boots.

Kurogane had to take a minute to process that, but kicked his boots into a corner of the entryway. "What kind of wizard's house is this," he grunted, as if the swept floors, cozy furs, and general niceness were in some way offensive.

Fai laughed. "Oh, does the lack of animal skulls and cobwebs disappoint you?" he quipped. "I can conjure some up if you want. I do have a crystal ball, somewhere, no idea what I did with it. Never was much use at scrying."

Shaking his head, Kurogane wandered cautiously further inside. He'd been afraid of bumping into some magical artifact or another and landing himself another curse, but it didn't seem like that would be a problem. "It's... clean."

"You're impressed." Fai leaned an elbow on the kitchen counter, following Kurogane with his eyes. "I take it other wizards you've met did not share my penchant for 'less is more'."

"I think you're the only wizard in the world for whom 'less is more' isn't some form of blasphemy."

Fai hummed. "Well... I suppose my attachment to things is weaker than some." He joined Kurogane by the window. "I like wide, open spaces. It's... tranquil. Good for the soul." The smile fell away for the first time.

"And you don't wear your shoes inside."

"Well, yes. Is that so strange?"

"Not to me, but I'm not from around here. No one I've met in this country takes off their shoes at the door, but it's common practice back at home - in the East."

Just the corners of Fai's mouth lifted. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you're implying."

Kurogane studied him. He didn't bother trying to hide it. But at last he shook his head. "Nothing. I guess the similarity just struck me."

"Mmm. Well, Kuro-run, let's draw you a bath, and then I promise, we will see to your 'business.'"

Even the bath was shockingly normal. A wooden tub tucked in a small room just large enough to hold it, no gold, no clawed feet, no swans or waterfowl of any kind. There was a bar of lye soap that looked homemade, and a stick of incense on the sill of a high angled window, the scent of lavender scent wafting over Kurogane as he bathed. He didn't know what to make of a wizard who used incense sticks rather than candles.

He sponged the muck off his body and had to admit that he did feel much better afterward. Though he hadn't slept, at least he felt more like himself.

When he stepped out of the tub, he realized he didn't have a change of clothes.

... How awkward.

"Hey, uh, wizard."

"Yes, Kuro-pi?"

"... I, uh..."

The door opened. Kurogane's eyes widened, slowly, in petrified horror. Fai leaned against the doorframe cupping his chin in his hand as he examined his guest. Who was not completely naked - he'd been given a thin towel that try as it might really didn't cover everything it needed to.

"... Towel's too small," he gruffed.

Fai's lips twitched. "I think they just don't make towels for men of your size. Ah, I know."

He disappeared. Kurogane's face went as red as Fai's chili peppers.

Upon return, Fai thankfully did not spend any longer in the bathroom than was necessary to hand over a set of clean clothes, which turned out to be black trousers and shirt, russet suspenders, and a matching jacket. There were also a pair of thick wool socks. Everything fit as if it had been tailor made for him, but Kurogane never seen any of these articles of clothing in his life. His host had even provided a pair of crescent moon cuff-links.

Fai was in the kitchen when Kurogane emerged.

"How was your bath?" he asked in the midst of chopping small white mushrooms.

Kurogane met that with a wordless grunt. Since Fai didn't invite him to sit down, he pulled out a wicker stool and plopped down on his own.

"That's good," Fai said cheerfully. He use the blunt side of the knife to scoop the mushrooms into his palm and add them to a pan with some sizzling onions. "You must be starving after your journey. I hope you like omelets."

"Wizard," Kurogane said, staring at his back. "I'm not hungry. I've bathed like you asked. Now I have a kid who's in trouble, and you're the only one who can help him."

The knife paused mid-chop. Fai let out a quiet breath, almost inaudible, his posture drooping the slightest amount.

Kurogane went on, carefully, "I don't want to seem ungrateful, but..."

"No, you're right." All of a sudden Fai set the knife on the counter and spun around. He was all smiles and sparkling eyes as he faced Kurogane across the kitchen island. "So tell me about this young man. What sort of tragic curse did he inflict upon himself?"

"His name's Syaoran." Kurogane reached into his bag (which, he noticed, was also now miraculously clean) and pulled out a lump of linen covered in runes and bound with a length of twine. Gingerly he held it out to Fai, who took it from him without an ounce of hesitation. "It's a compass. I don't know where he got it. He spent the evening playing with it and talking to himself, but that's nothing new for Syaoran." Kurogane rolled his eyes. Fai was inspecting the runes on the linen, now and then pulling at the twine. "Then he just - got up and left."

Fai's head lifted. "Left?"

"Just left out the front door. I followed, of course. Asked where he was going." Now Kurogane paused, chin dipping as he thought.

"He didn't answer?"

"No, that's just it - he did, but I didn't understand what he said. Sounded like... Shakira?"

Fai blinked. "So, this Syaoran was compelled by the curse on this compass to go to this unknown place, and you left him to and went to fetch me?"

"No," Kurogane growled in annoyance. "I followed him. Tried to force him to come back with me, but even if I knocked him out cold and lugged him home like a sack of potatoes, the next day he was off again. Didn't stop to eat or sleep. No matter what, he was going to this place, so in the end I just let him."

Fai nodded. A pair of wooden spoons, Kurogane noticed from the corner of his eye, had taken it upon themselves to cook the omelets while the wizard was occupied. He tried not to let the sight of a pair of eggs rising spontaneously and cracking into the pan distract him. "And where did he lead you?"

"Everywhere. All over. He's - that's the thing. He's still going."

Fai whistled. "Still? How long has it been?"

"About a week. At first I kept trying to bring him home, but he'd just escape again. Then I was afraid to take my eye off him in case he wandered off and I couldn't find him again. But yesterday I managed to wrestle that compass away, and hoped that would snap him out of it -" Kurogane shrugged and spread his hands. "Didn't."

"I see."

"When I showed up at the bar with the cursed compass, the innkeeper told me there was a cursebreaker in these hills. So I came looking. Found you."

"So you did. Well, before we go any further, would you mind removing these talismans? I can, but I'd rather not burn myself."

"Those runes only burn demons," Kurogane told him.

Fai gave him an enigmatic smile that didn't reveal any teeth. "Ah, but you see, every magician has a little bit of a demon inside... your style of magic is very different from mine, and I'd rather not take chances."

Kurogane narrowed his eyes, but didn't argue. He peeled each paper strip off one by one, Fai watching him curiously with his chin propped in his hands. "What are they called?" he asked.

"Ofuda."

"They're very good at their job," Fai said, making short work of the twine around the linen now that the charms were gone. "I could sense the protective spell from a mile away. That's how I traced you last night."

"If you knew I was looking for a cursebreaker, why didn't you tell me who you were?" Kurogane asked, the accusation clear in his tone.

Fai let out an enormous sigh and turned his wistful gaze out the window. "Because I'm retired, Kuro-pon," he pouted. "How would you like to be retired and still get people banging on your door day in, day out, trying to make you work?"

Though he thought Fai looked much too young to have earned anything like retirement, Kurogane let it pass, choosing instead to comment on the idea that Fai had regular customers. "It doesn't look to me like you've taken a job in a long time," he pointed out. "Given that you live up an unscaleable mountain and tell anyone trying to reach you that you don't."

Fai shrugged, as if to say "guilty as charged, but don't bring me in, Officer, I'm cute!" Which left Kurogane enraged. That simply should not work for a grown man, not ever.

"Alright, but then I have a question for you," Fai said. He'd unwrapped the compass by now, and it was just that, a very ordinary looking brass compass, no portentous markings or symbols. Fai did not seem wary of handling it with his bare fingers, turning it over, watching the needle spin. "Why me?"

Kurogane blanched. "Why you? Why you? Because you're a cursebreaker, and I've got a curse that needs breaking, dammit."

A finger went up. "Retired!" said Fai. "Retired cursebreaker! Did you not think it would be easier and more prudent to hire another cursebreaker, who is in active practice, and who doesn't live like a hermit up an 'unscaleable mountain'?"

Mouth open to retort, Kurogane froze in place, before dropping heavily back into his seat. He shut his mouth, shooting Fai an annoyed look. But - there wasn't much he could say for himself. He didn't know why, the instant he got his hands on the cursed compass, he didn't take it to the largest city nearby and find an expert. Or why he didn't look for help as soon as Syaoran's bull-headed quests began to lead them to stranger and stranger places, back alleys and underground dens that were hard for Kurogane to show his face in lest someone he knew (that is, someone who's face he knocked in before) might be there.

"City cursebreakers are all hacks and charlatans," he answered, arms folding over his chest. His chin jutted forward, daring Fai to disagree.

"They are, but that doesn't guarantee I'm the real deal. It would make more sense to at least ask them first."

"Look." Kurogane drove his fist into the countertop. "I didn't come to you for advice on finding cursebreakers. Next time I need one, I'll haul my ass to Arcana Street or some other fancy magical emporium where I stick out like a sore thumb, and ask the fussiest dressed magician with the most baubles and rings if he'd be so kind as to break my curse, because I'd rather not disturb the teenager on top of the remote mountain, he's fucking retired."

During this tirade Fai's brow disappeared under his golden bangs, eyes round and glinting with a mixture of shock and amusement. After a beat, he suddenly blurted out, "You think I'm a teenager?"

And that was how Kurogane discovered, to his chagrin, that Fai was a bit (more than a bit) older than he thought (not to mention, older than him).

[hogwartsnostalgia-blog1]

International driving licences

>Select "Shipping from New Zealand" in our offer form and enter Germany as destination country. For a private or commercial package to New Zealand we have Transglobal Express low cost shipping offers and these are permanently reduced up to 70%. Sending packages to New Zealand is easy, fast and safe with Transglobal Express! The demand for parcels to New Zealand from Germany and back is high, whether for business or private shipping. The weather can also change quickly with rain, hail and even snow. It is also possible that when driving without a valid driver's license the insurance expires in case of an accident. My wife and I also want to enter New Zealand with our child and work. I read on this website that in combination with WHV and the visitor visa it is possible that one of us may go to work. My question is if there can be problems during the entry in New Zealand if you are married and apply for both visas. It was said that you can live in New Zealand without a visa for a maximum of 6 months within a year.

How much does a visa for Australia cost?

Alcohol & Smoking in New Zealand This is accepted by bouncers and inspectors as an identification document. Non-smokers are strongly protected in New Zealand. Smoking is prohibited in public. The almonds may most likely not be imported either, especially since they are not preserved or freeze-dried. You must also make sure that you declare the food on the outside of the package. According to New Zealand Customs, the import of unroasted coffee is not allowed.

How much does tobacco cost in New Zealand?

flight time (flight duration) to Auckland - New Zealand. The flight time (flight duration) from Frankfurt/Main to Auckland in New Zealand is just under 24 hours with one stopover. During this time span over 18000 flight kilometres are covered!

Edit Source]

As a toilet bag, we recommend a practical travel toilet bag that is easy to carry and hang up in any bathroom. Unfortunately, such a big backpack does not fit to every occasion. Thus, one should in any case consider to have also a small hand luggage at hand. Many outdoor shops sell backpacks at extremely high prices and oftenly make a good profit. who was voted Oceania's footballer of the century.

Auckland Airport is by far the biggest airport in the country with over eleven million passengers per year.

That's why I wanted to take a vegetable milk and a chocolate mash/ cereal with me.

The average cost of living in New Zealand (except for taxi rides and tennis court rentals, which is extremely cheap in New Zealand) is almost always higher than in Germany.

>li>It meant that you can live in New Zealand without a visa for a maximum of 6 months within a year.>>/ul> It was not until 1984 that the government took major measures to counteract this. This policy was practiced successfully for decades, until changed conditions led to another radical change of course. Already in the late 1960s, the country's highly subsidised state and economic system weakened and largely collapsed when Great Britain joined the EC. The proven close economic ties with the former mother country suddenly no longer existed. In the past, there have also been isolated attacks on tourists who hitchhiked or camped at night outside organised campsites, or meat is surprisingly cheap, while eggs and dairy products are very expensive by our standards (due to the lack of state subsidies). Certain limits also apply to amounts of money (10000$, both AUS-$ and NZ-$) as well as to tobacco and alcohol. {

{6. the right first aid kit for Australia and New Zealand|New shock figures published|Think about

[centralparkpawsblog]

Taste of the Wild vs Orijen

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Princess-pup-demands-high-quality-good-tasting-dry-dog-food.jpg Taste of the Wild (TotW) versus Orijen, who will win?

In our household, we’ve tried more than 50% of the different popular brands, and some not so popular.

Our household is made up of dogs with food allergies (Sophie and Calvin), heart disease (Daisy), Cushing Disease (Daisy and Sophie), high energy (Ginger), seniors, and picky eaters.

Finding a dog food that works for everyone can be pretty tricky.

There have been a select few that work for everyone, but more often we have multiple kinds of dog food in the pantry.

Picking the right food has become a more daunting task for many dog parents.

Why Should You Choose a High-Quality Dog Food?

I remember a time when buying dog food was as easy as throwing a bag of dog food in your grocery cart.

You should choose high-quality, delicious dog food because your prince or princess is worth it

Unfortunately, the ease and convenience of those days are gone for most of us.

With so many special needs and dog food varieties, the combination options are astronomical. Every dog is unique, and most have special dietary needs due to:

Size

Age

Health – GI Issues, disease, allergies, etc.

Weight (Both gain and loss)

Breed (German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Goldendoodles shouldn’t always eat the same food)

Activity Level

It’s incredible how many variables need to meet to come up with the right food for your dog.

With so many brands and recalls, it’s hard to know which one is the best choice to go with.

VarietyFirst IngredientProteinRatingPrice Taste of the Wild High PrairieBuffalo32%4.1$$ Check Price Taste of the Wild Pacific StreamSalmon25%4.3$$ Check Price Taste of the Wild Sierra MountainLamb25%4.3$$ Check Price Orijen OriginalChicken38%4.3$$$ Check Price Orijen Six FishAtlantic Whole Mackerel38%4.0$$$$ Check Price Orijen Regional RedBeef38%4.0$$$$$ Check Price

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild Company History

Diamond Pet Company carries many different brands, one of which is Taste of the Wild.

The company started back in 1970 by two brothers-in-law and has grown quite rapidly.

Even though TotW has become a substantially large company, it has remained family owned since the beginning.

TotW has plants from California to South Carolina, with a few more in between. They have 5 manufacturing locations in total.

TotW uses sustainable and humanely raised ingredients. The formulas were developed based on a canines’ ancestral dietary requirements.

The commitment TotW makes to their customers is that it manufactures “…a high-quality, yet affordable pet food option.”

If you’re interested in learning more about this dog food brand, we reviewed Taste of the Wild in-depth here!

Taste of the Wild Varieties

TotW currently offers 9 different dry dog food varieties.

Of those foods, some are specifically tailored to the needs of small breeds and puppies.

Taste of the Wild 3 Best Sellers of Dry Dog Food:

High Prairie – Roasted Bison and Venison

Pacific Stream – Smoked Salmon

Sierra Mountain – Roasted Lamb

More Varieties at Amazon

More Varieties at Chewy

Orijen

Orijen Company History

Orijen is one of two brands created by Champion Pet Foods, which originated in Canada. It was founded by Reinhard Muhlenfeld in 1985.

Exporting goods from Canada has not a common practice, but with aid from the Canadian government, Champion Pet Foods has been quite successful in selling their dog food globally.

Orijen’s approach to marketing is a bit unconventional.

Orijen doesn’t utilize traditional marketing plans but instead relies on their outside sales force and word of mouth.

Orijen Varieties

Orijen has 8 different dry dog food varieties, not including their freeze-dried food line.

Orijen Family Pet Food 3 Best Sellers of Dry Dog Food:

Original

Six Fish

Regional Red

More Varieties at Amazon

Recalls and Lawsuits

Taste of the Wild

Diamond Pet Food has had several recalls, though TotW has only had a single incident in May of 2012.

The recall was for salmonella contamination at the plant in South Carolina. Dry dog food was the only one with contamination issues.

The production codes needed to be checked to verify if the food had salmonella issues. Food with codes having a 2 or 3 in the 9th space and an X in the next space were part of the recall.

Corrections to the manufacturing plants were successful in ensuring future issues did not arise.

However, there are two lawsuits filed against Diamond Pet Food specifically around the TotW brand.

Note that anybody can file a lawsuit and they are not evidence of guilt until ruled so by a judge

The two lawsuits are similar in nature, the first one was in August 2018 and the second one was filed in February 2019. The 2018 suit accuses TotW of food contamination in the following three varieties:

Prairie Canine Formula Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison Dry Dog Food

Pacific Stream Canine Formula Smoked Salmon Dry Dog Food

Puppy Formula Grain-Free.

The 2019 suit involves five varieties:

Prairie Canine Formula Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison Dry Dog Food

Pacific Stream Canine Formula Smoked Salmon Dry Dog Food

Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free

Southwest Canyon with Beef in Gravy

Southwest Canyon with Wild Boar

Both lawsuits allege the foods are contaminated with pesticides, heavy metal (arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium), acrylamide, and BPA.

Orijen

Orijen has not had any recalls in the United States.

Coincidentally, Orijen also had a lawsuit for similar contamination claims as TotW. This lawsuit was filed in March of 2018 but was later dismissed in February of 2019.

TotW’s lawsuits may end the same way.

What’s Important When Choosing a Dog Food?

There are several things to consider when looking for the perfect dog food.

Often, we talk about ingredients, and that’s a big part of the decision-making process, but it isn’t the only thing to take into account.

Where the food is manufactured

Where the ingredients are sourced

Availability

Taste (What your dog thinks!)

Price

Ingredients

Your dog’s individual needs (See list above)

Comparison of Taste of the Wild vs. Orijen

Ingredients

  Winner: Orijen   

These two brands have many similarities which made them fun to compare.

They both fashion their food on the more primal needs of our dogs, they both are grain free, and both brands are protein focused.

In addition to the philosophies behind their food they both outline, in the guaranteed analysis section, the Omega-6 & 3 fatty acid content.

Orijen

Orijen designed their recipes to be 85% prime animal protein, 15% fruit and vegetables, and 0% grains and potatoes.

All of their foods are packed with superfoods like pumpkin, kale, and spinach.

Also, Orijen has included pumpkin and sunflower seeds in their recipes. They use a variety of beans and lentils to make up for the lack of traditional grains and potatoes.

Their guaranteed analysis reflects 38% minimum protein, which is substantially higher than most dog foods, including TotW. Another thing Orijen does that many other dog food companies shy away from is use organ meat in their foods.

Organ meats may sound icky, but they are healthy and nutritious.

The aspect of this food I don’t like is the lack of traditional carbohydrates. Many dogs need grains and easily digestible potatoes.

Taste of the Wild

TotW includes potatoes and lentils in their foods to make up for the lack of grains. They have also included potato and pea flour in place of wheat or rice flours.

The first two ingredients in their best sellers are high-quality animal proteins, and though it does have some fruits and vegetables it’s nothing compared to Orijen’s list of superfoods.

Price and Value

  Winner: Taste of the Wild   

This was an easy pick.

Their food is in line with their goals of being of an excellent dog food at a low price. The average cost per pound for TotW is under two dollars while the average cost per pound for Orijen is over four dollars!

Availability

  Winner: Taste of the Wild   

TotW is available in most pet food retail stores, both in person and online.

They are even found in some hardware stores, doggy daycares, specialty grocery stores, and vet clinics.

Orijen has similar availability in pet stores, but they cannot be found in grocery or hardware stores, only in pet-focused retail locations or online.

And even then, not at as many online retailers.

  Taste

  Winner: Orijen   

Almost a tie, but because I had to choose (Daisy hasn’t learned how to write or speak English yet), Orijen wins by a small margin.

I believe it was the unique kinds of proteins that gave Orijen that extra push.

The X Factor

  Winner: Orijen   

Orijen offers specially formulated recipes for seniors, puppies, and a weight management variety.

Also, Orijen’s fatty acid content is significantly higher than most dog foods.

As an added bonus, they have added chondroitin and glucosamine into their recipes!

Overall

  Winner: Taste of the Wild   

Orijen is in a class all of its own. With the high-end ingredients, the extreme levels of protein, and the abundance of superfoods, it’s hard to beat.

If you can afford to give your pupper a tiara, then Orijen is priced right for you

But like we mentioned before, ingredients aren’t everything.

Though Orijen can justify the price, it does make it cost prohibitive to the majority of dog owners. Especially if you own multiple dogs!

Taste of the Wild is a reasonably priced dog food and has the added benefit of being easy to find.

TotW is a quality dog food with an appropriate protein content that’s more suited to dogs with an average or activity level.

However, if your dog needs a high protein diet, such as working, sporting, or extremely athletic dogs, Orijen would be the best option.

Also, if your dog would benefit from the higher fatty acid, chondroitin, and glucosamine levels, such as dogs with arthritis or extremely active dogs, then Orijen would also be the better option.

The post Taste of the Wild vs Orijen appeared first on Central Park Paws.

from https://www.centralparkpaws.net/dog-food/taste-of-the-wild-vs-orijen/

[epicureblogs]

Buy Pork Ham Online Once You Are Aware Of The Nutritional Content

Ham happens to be popular deli meat, entrée, and appetizer that you are likely to eat on sandwiches or with some of your holiday meals. It is the pork product that comes from the pig’s leg portions. The red meat is mainly preserved with some smoke and salt, even though the process is subject to vary based on the type of ham you have. 

But, if you don’t like to visit the market to get freshly cut ham, then you have the opportunity to buy pork ham online! The process is rather simple. All you have to do is visit the official website of the store selling such meat, check out all the pork ham packages available based on quality, quantity, and price, and then add the one you like to the cart. 

Make the payment online through secured payment gateways and the items will get delivered on the same day!

The nutrients in ham:

Most of you are skeptical before adding ham to your diet plan. Being processed meat, you are not sure of its nutrient content. Well, the points listed below will help you to find your answer to this question. 

Ham is known to be a higher source of protein.

It is low in fat, fiber, and carbohydrates.

It is also low in calories when eaten alone and without any condiments.

Just around 2 ounces or 3 to 4 thin slices of ham will have 69 calories, 11 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of carbohydrate, 0gm of fiber, and 1.25gm of sugar.

Ham is mainly noted to be rich in selenium, which will offer around 76% of the DV per 2 ounces. It solely depends on the type.

Selenium is one essential nutrient that helps in aiding reproduction, defense from infections, and also in DNA construction.

When compared to the fish and poultry options, pork hams are known to have a higher source of thiamine, iron, and other vitamin B options. 

Pork ham happens to offer nine essential amino acids to your body, which will make it a complete protein pack to be added to your breakfast routine or as part of a lunch sandwich.

Get yourself one:

From the points mentioned above, you now know why pork ham is the best! With reliable stores, you can further buy minced mutton online much like getting yourself a piece of ham!

Join Epicure for some details.

[dd-poultry-chicken-wholesale]

Chicken Wholesale Suppliers-D&D Poultry

For the past 20 years, D&D Poultry has been supplying high-quality chicken to Canadians at wholesale prices, backed by specialist experience, unique recipes, and techniques.

Our carefully selected chicken products blend quality and flavour, exceeding customer expectations and pleasing even the most discerning palates.

The purchasing and delivery of chicken goods is made easier by D&D's broad expertise team of professionals. We are well-positioned to profit from current poultry industry developments, and we are experts in price optimisation and collaborative negotiations.

We at D&D Poultry know how important price, quality, and service are. Our various chicken goods available for wholesale are manufactured by a staff that has been carefully picked and placed to assist in the development of solutions and the fulfilment of our clients' needs.

With such vast experience in the trade and distribution of chicken products, we've learned the value of our partnerships, and our teams work hard to improve value at every step of the supply chain process, including procurement, management, and logistics, compliance, finance, and branding of your chicken products.

Most consumers nowadays seek healthier, more natural ingredients, and there has been a significant shift toward simpler ingredients and higher-quality food items. Chicken and other high-quality protein items are gaining popularity.

Eating chicken has a lot of health benefits. Chicken is abundant in protein and contains several important minerals and vitamins. It's also low in fat and calories and lean. It's simple to see why there's such a high demand for chicken products when there are so many different methods to prepare them.

Our chicken is sourced from farms dedicated to animal welfare.

This means that we can supply you with a range of fresh and frozen wholesale chicken that is:

Free-range

Free from antibiotic etc.

The vast majority of eateries gain from bulk purchases.

It's a way for them to receive their food for less money while also making more money.

Customers in general want to know where they may obtain the best wholesale meat.

All of our wholesale chicken products at D&D Poultry are guaranteed to be fresh and of high quality. Our hens are processed in a state-of-the-art facility that follows strict quality control procedures.

This is a common question because many restaurants and individuals seek for high-quality meat on a regular basis.

We sell wholesale chicken online, and you now have access to a full wholesale chicken guide.

Each customer is entitled to individualised and dependable service.

D&D Poultry is happy to service wholesale customers throughout the region, including independent and chain restaurants, a wide range of food stores, local butcher shops, grocers, and food wholesalers serving the educational, healthcare, and institutional industries, among others.

Our team develops goods in large and varied quantities to fulfil a variety of purposes.

Our products cater to our customers' unique dietary needs, including a variety of fresh and smoked meats, chicken, and other birds.

We don't adopt the same attitude when it comes to our customers.

Exceptional Service.

We work directly with our customers to provide flexible, transparent, and timely service, paying great attention to every detail along the way to ensure that they achieve their specific goals.

To our trade customers, we always supply merchandise that meets the agreed-upon standards at the best price.

We're proud that, despite our growth, we've been able to maintain the same level of care, attention, and flexibility in serving our customers' needs.

Consistent, reliable supply.

We ensure that you receive high-quality service from us at all times.

When our customers choose D&D Poultry, they know they are always getting the best.

As one of the leading meat suppliers in the region, we export our products throughout the region.

Premium Quality Chicken.

All of our beef products are of the highest quality, and we guarantee farm to table excellence.

Save Money

Purchasing items in bulk can help you save money.

Because wholesalers usually offer discounts for large orders, this is the case.

You'll be able to get premium pricing on your items and then resell them for a bigger profit.

You can get ahead of your competitors by making an early investment.

 

D&D Poultry looks forward to continuing to serve the food industry and the general public by maintaining their commitment to high-quality products and offering individualised service to each of its loyal customers.

 

We believe that not only must each product meet the industry's highest quality and safety standards, but that the entire process of preparing these goods must also achieve these standards.

As a result, we've put in a lot of effort.

A daily 800° wash of our equipment, together with industry-recommended cleaning solutions, is part of our process.

Every day, we do a pre-operation check to ensure that all of our equipment and facility are in good working order.

The Bottom Line

Our goal is to supply the highest quality products to the foodservice, chain accounts, institutions, and retail sectors at a reasonable cost, while adhering to strict food safety guidelines. Since 2006, D&D Poultry has had a successful HACCP (Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Point) programme. D&D Poultry is proud of its diverse product lines, which include fresh products, Omega 3 products, and our Glacial Treasure line, which includes individual Quick Frozen items, breaded products, a skewered line of souvlaki, chicken, pork, lamb, and cattle, as well as our completely cooked product line. Our concept is firmly rooted in supporting buy local, buy Ontario, since we ethically believe that Ontario produces high-quality meals from farm to fork.

Contact us to learn more about our Chicken segment options if you are searching for an experienced partner to deliver exceptional Chicken in wholesale with unparalleled service.

Alternatively, you can find and order chicken wholesale near me online and have it delivered by D&D Poultry.

[sandwichbully]

Lowry Hill Meats, 21 October 2018

  It’s October in Minneapolis, which means a number of things depending on who you talk to. Some people refer to it as pumpkin spice season, people who like to shit on other people’s fun talk shit about pumpkin spice season, people over nine years old marvel at the way leaves change color like that’s some shit they’ve never seen before on an annual basis, errbody in the club gettin on Tinder for cuffing season, and scarf enthusiasts are losing their goddamned nut over their time to shine, but mostly, it just means shitty, pissy weather, night and day.    When it’s not windy, it’s raining; when it’s not raining, it’s just gloomy; when it’s not gloomy, it’s windy; and when it’s not some combination of these bullshit elements driving me to - Wait, did they say the words “trap house jazz” on NPR? Whatever, when it’s not windy, raining, gloomy, shitty, pissy, or some combination of those, it’s fucking freezing and the landlord doesn’t know to turn the fucking heat on. “But, Charlie,” you say, “the leaves change color.”    Say that shit to me one more time and I’ll strangle your ass. I swear to fucking god.    Anyway, that’s just why there hasn’t been a Sandwich Bully for three weeks; it’s just been too shitty to go outside. You know what I did yesterday? It was 42°F, you think I conducted any urban exploring in 42°F? (That’s 5½°C... That’s right, I’m flexing my alt-code muscles.) I baked a frozen pizza (chicken pesto, if you’re curious, and it was meh) and watched a couple Shane Black movies.    You know what I did last weekend? No, I’m seriously asking. I don’t remember what the fuck I did. It probably involved staying inside because it was shitty, gloomy, damp, pissy, and nut-shrinking cold outside and you’re right I’m angry, we got shorted on our summer this year, we had a blizzard in May. That shit aint right. Why did the settlers think establishing a major metropolitan hub up in this motherfucker was a good idea? It’s cold all the time, mosquitoes are the size of cats, gnats everywhere, fucking winter lasts eight months, everybody’s obese because of that, suicide rates seven thousand percent higher than the global average, really!!    But today it’s 55°F, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. I had to take to my bike and get out and just be out. And then I realized that I hadn’t done a Sandwich Bully in a while, so while Ophira Eisenberg wrapped up Ask Me Another, I started Googling delis and then just sandwiches and I narrowed it down to a few choices:    Broder’s Deli (next to last one in that link and frequently mentioned in our halllowed halls)    Lowry Hill Meats    Northbound Smokehouse (top one in that link)

   I also considered just walking to Icehouse, where I never go, because they have a Reuben that - and check the fuck out of this shit out - consists of pastrami, “pickled cabbage”, fontina, and remoulade on rye. There are so many places to start there that I kind of want to hold off on my bloviating over the theory and principles of the Reuben until I actually eat one of these damned things and seeing, “Could it work?” (Preview of my own thoughts on the subject: If they can’t commit to just sauerkraut and have to go with “pickled cabbage”... Uh... Nuh.) †    Now, going to Broder’s would be fine and dandy but it wouldn’t be anything to write about because I can’t keep praising them. And the more I thought about Northbound, the more I didn’t want to go in, alone, get spotted by neighborhood regulars taking a picture of my food and have to explain to them what a blog is nor did I want to wait, so I went to Lowry Hill after a ride around Cedar Lake, went in, asked young Jason Priestly looking homie if he recommended the mysteriously titled “French Exit” which is really just your choice of meat and some fancy cheese with mustard and aioli on a baguette or the Turkey Melt which, you guessed it, is a grilled cheese with turkey on it, here billed identically on the website and in the physical space (psst! Will every other deli in Minneapolis catch up to that? Please and Thank You.) as turkey (obvs), house made American cheese (you read that right, hell, I read that right), aioli, and mustard on brioche.    Jason Priestly tells me the turkey melt, if he has to pick between the two, nothing wrong with the French Exit, it’s just that he likes hot sandwiches and the French Exit is cold. I say let’s do that and grab a Mexican Coke.    Wow, that’s kind of a catchy line. Take it a different way and I could employ that in multiple situations. “Let’s do that and grab a Mexican Coke.” Yeah. I like the way that sounds. Going to put that on a t-shirt, man.

LET’S DO THAT AND GRAB A MEXICAN COKE

   Look at that. That’s US$24.95 on Etsy, baby. That’s a moneymaker.    ANYhoo, after I remind you I exist and drag you along on this journey, I’m sure you’re wondering how this sandwich tasted, especially since last time I went there, I disparaged them a little as all I could taste on their roast beef was vinegar.    Well, I want to make a musical reference. Will this work?

   Get it? Because they’re redeemed, see, and - Wh- No? No good? Not working for you? Fuck you, then.    So the turkey itself was I want to say oven roasted as opposed to smoked as it was perfectly juicy and they seasoned it just right, to get rid of that cardboard turkey taste. The cheese was mildly tangy and didn’t have the same sodiumtastic flavor of, say, Kraft Singles. It paired nicely with the turkey. But the real socially progressive third party candidate embattled by their controversial past in this key battleground state during a midterm election whose discourse has largely been dominated by muck raking and accusations (and acknowledgments) of scandal is, surprisingly, the sweet coarse ground mustard paired with the aioli.    This is a study in the condiments steering the flavor of the sandwich away from just a hot turkey & american, though these were quite good turkey and american, to something semisweet and complex. However, I will note that I didn’t find the sandwich complete until I added the seeded jalapeño slices on the sandwich, giving it a mild kick.    Now, was this anything to lose my mind over? Nah but I was pleasantly surprised. Would I pay nine dollars for this again? Mm, like if I was on a date but I remember where I’m from: I’m from being broke. So twelve dollars for a sandwich and a pop? That’s not something I want to make a habit out of. But considering they probably slaughtered this turkey and they actually made their American cheese and their aioli and their mustard (and Cecil’s charges you the same price for shipped in and say they just don’t have the space to do that themselves), that’s the price you pay for - I hate to use this word - artisanal. That’s what’s going on there: Artisanal meat craft. Their meat case? Has actual parts of animals in it. Not smoked and wrapped in plastic, no. Just bare-assed parts of animals. Pink and red flesh on white bones. It’s the real deal.    It’s just too bad they don’t have kielbasa.    Go give them your money. †  Update, 27 October 2018: Icehouse doesn’t have a Reuben anymore for reasons unknown. They tried to sell me a pastrami and egg sandwich instead and I was all, “Nah.”

[vastknowing]

What's the impact of camshaft sensor on car safety

We are one of leading suppliers who wholesale camshaft sensor, we start from the following questions to illustrate the safety impact of camshaft sensor on the car.

What does the camshaft sensor do?

The camshaft helps control the opening and closing of the car's valve. Although the speed of the camshaft in a four-stroke engine is half that of the crankshaft (in a two-stroke engine, the speed of the camshaft is the same as the crankshaft), but usually its speed is still very high, and it needs to bear a lot of torque.

Is it safe to drive with a bad camshaft sensor?

It is safe, but it will affect your engine and cause the crankshaft to reverse during the starting process. The car idling is unstable and the jitter is serious. It is similar to the car’s lack of cylinder failure, the car’s acceleration is weak, the fuel consumption is high, the exhaust emission exceeds the standard, and the exhaust pipe will emit unpleasant black smoke.

What happens when a camshaft sensor goes bad?

It will happen with the following:

1. Ignition failure: the camshaft position sensor can determine the ignition sequence. If it is broken, it will cause ignition failure and the engine is not easy to start;

2. Engine weakness: after the camshaft position sensor is broken, the ECU cannot detect the position change of the camshaft, and cannot correctly detect the position change of the camshaft, which affects the intake and exhaust volume of the near-exhaust system, thereby affecting the engine performance;

3. Increased fuel consumption: the camshaft position sensor is broken and the computer will spray fuel out of order! This causes fuel consumption, vehicle weakness, and speed failure.

What does a bad camshaft sound like?

This kind of sound is produced when the engine is working. It is a rhythmic and muffled metal knocking sound. When the idle speed or idle speed is slightly higher, the noise is more obvious when you check it at each camshaft bearing.

Causes of abnormal noise of camshaft

1. The matching clearance between the camshaft and its bushing is large.

2. The camshaft bushing rotates.

3. The camshaft is bent and deformed.

4. The axial clearance of the camshaft is too large.

5. The camshaft bushing alloy burns or falls off.

Inspection and judgment

1. The sounding part is on the side of the camshaft, and the throttle is slowly changed. The sound is clear when idling, and the sound is obvious at medium speed. When the sound becomes messy or weakened or disappears at high speed, it may be an abnormal noise of the camshaft;

2. Remove the valve chamber cover, press the camshaft with a metal rod, and listen to whether there is any change in the noise. Any change in the noise is the camshaft noise;

3. Use a metal rod or stethoscope to touch the vicinity of each bearing of the cylinder. If there is a strong sound and vibration, it can be preliminarily determined that the journal is making a sound.

How much does it cost to replace a camshaft sensor?

In fact, this will not cost you much. It is alwasys based on the number of your broken vehicles, your car brand, the quality of the camshaft sensor, and the manufacturers. . . These are all important factors that affect prices.

Additional knowledge: Why is the side of the cam egg-shaped?

The purpose of the egg-shaped design is to ensure adequate intake and exhaust of the cylinder. In addition, taking into account the durability of the engine and the smoothness of operation, the valve should not have too much impact due to the acceleration and deceleration process in the opening and closing action, otherwise it will cause severe valve wear, increased noise or other serious consequences.

Finally

We sell camshaft sensors and also provide customers with high-quality LEXUS Auto Camshaft sensors. If you are looking for proper camshaft sensor for your Lexus, we hope to make your journey smooth via our camshaft sensors.

You may be interested in following items:

bulk modular sofa, bulk 3 seater sofa

custom printed socks wholesale

custom sock manufacturers china

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[the-expert-zone]

Costco Keto Diet Foods

Looking to enjoy the cash savings of the keto diet?  Then look no further than looking for keto Costco style.

Here’s some bargains we found while cruising the aisles of Costco looking for keto items:

Probably the best deal on the plant for any keto diet folks that want to bake.  That includes pancakes, muffins, crepes, bread and more.  Ideal for starting your keto diet adventure. Keto Costco favorite.

Blanched Diamond Almond Flour 3 Pounds

That’s 3 whopping pounds of the best “flour” to bake with on a ketogenic diet.  Try getting that at Kroger’s or any other value chain.  Price is a very reasonable $12.99 in my state for this Diamond Almond Flour at Costco.

Salmon lovers, get ready for a real treat!  Costco has a good variety and selection of salmon and steelhead trout filet for sale at the best prices around.

If you haven’t heard, Costco also has the best beef available. It tastes better, cooks better, and gives you a full keto meal with a single filet mignon or new york strip. All cuts and styles are always available at Costco.

You get a whole tranche filet to work with, which could easily last one person a month’s worth of keto dieting.

With deals like this, you can start to see why Costco is the go-to place for people on the ketogenic diet.

Like your bacon and eggs?  Well, Costco is absolutely the best place for these items – from organic free-range bacon cuts, maple and applewood and more, and of course, the ever popular 24 pack of organic eggs.

Use these eggs in all your baking recipes, in your morning keto bacon and eggs, and everything else where eggs are needed.

Kirkland Protein Bars Keto Ready

One of the superstar keto foods at Costco, with better nutrition data and even the famous Quest bars, are the Kirkland Protein Bars, my favorite keto bars Costco carries.  These Kirkland protein bars keto lovers will enjoy, they have a load of fiber, bringing down the already low carbs in these bars to a low single digit per bar, and makes a perfect keto snack.  My favorite Costco keto low carb protein bars.

Not only that, but they are so tasty they often don’t make it to the car before being ripped open.

You get two flavors in each pack, with 10 chocolate chip dough (yum yum!) and 10 Chocolate Brownie (personally, a little heavy on the chocolate, but tasty nonetheless).

With a whopping 21 grams of protein per bar, you can have one of these per day to balance out your protein intake, while keeping your carb count well within the “net 20” rule of full ketosis body ripping. Get your keto diet Costco style!

No artificial flavors mean there’s no nasty surprises to degrade your health in these bars – so you can add these as a supplement to your daily routine.

Aw, Nuts –

  Low Carb Diet Favorite Shelled Pistachios Costco Keto Snack

Everyone knows we snack more than we should, and the hard core keto guys do that intermittent fasting in their daily routine.  Yet, if you find yourself unable to be strict with your 2-3 meals per day, then many nuts are good for you.

Shelled pistachios are probably the all-time favorite for keto snack items.  Apart from universal appeal and the perfect blend of fats, protein and carbs, pistachios are just down-right delicious, and you can grab a handful for a keto snack whenever you want.

The best part of this ketogenic friendly package is there are no shells.  You don’t spend your time working for each tasty morsel, but instead can indulge in a handful of delightful flavors, all while keeping in range of your keto requirements.

The one thing to note about pistachios is the “net carbs” is a little higher than most nuts (not cashew-crazy carbs, but still something to watch out for).

With a hand serving of 28 nuts or so, you’ll be getting 14 grams of fats, 5 grams of “net carbs”, and about 6 grams of protein.

It’s still well within the daily “net 20” carbs rule of ketosis, but these nuts will lead you to want to have a second serving, so be careful with the carbs here.

More Keto Costco Items

Contrasting pistachios are the raw shelled organic pumpkin seeds – basically a keto staple for anyone really into the keto lifestyle.

More tasty than the go raw sprouted pumpkin seeds Costco used to see, and better price, too. Try these organic pumpkin seeds Costco sells and see how good they taste.

Just take a look at the nutritional powerhouse food information you get with organic pumpkin seeds:

17g fat

10g protein

2g net carbs

While these nuts are not quite as tasty as the pistachios or smoked almonds, you get a good serving of the fat and protein to tide you over to the next meal, with very little in the way of net carbs.

Ketogenic Foods for Snacking

The nuts we’ve covered so far are popular among all people, and the next nut we’ll cover is more of a specialty item.

Irresistable snacking!  Smart Eating!

This is a love/hate kind of nut – the salted smokehouse almonds, but to those who love them, they are one of the tastiest nuts out there.

Since the electrolyte issue with keto is an issue, you can have a small serving of these Costco Blue Diamond Almonds when you are low on energy, couple it with a glass of water, and you’ll be back in business in minutes.  Lots of sodium and potassium.

2g net carbs per serving (3 tbsp) also rivals pumpkin seeds, but here you get a smorgasbord of sensation in addition to the ketogenic friendly food.

Let’s take a look at the Costco smokehouse almond stats:

28 nuts gives you are real vitamin delivery in addition to the keto friendly ratios:

16g fat

6g protein

2g net carbs

It doesn’t get much better than that for perfect ratios, and vitamin-wise, you see it delivers a nice serving of salt as well as some potassium, so it bumps up your electrolytes as good as any 3rd-party supplement.

With the Costco pricing, you also get a done of servings in a single bag, so you really make bank on this one purchase.

It’s also not well known that magnesium is a depleted but needed nutrient for the body, and by having ample magnesium, your brain and body will be happier.

I’d call these salted almonds the happy food of the keto crowd.

And a tip: eat these one nut at a time to fully enjoy the savory sensation.

Give them a try and see if you enjoy them as much as the fans of Blue Diamond.

Shiitake Anyone?

Costco has some awesome rare treats as well that fit the keto diet, including the delish shiitake mushrooms. These have no calories and are perfect for any keto meal you make.

Epicurean Shiitake Mushrooms at Costco

Nutritional Info for Shiitake Mushrooms at Costco

Well, looking more closely, we see these particular mushrooms do have some carbs, so be careful to consume 1-2 caps for that 7g net carbs listed above.

Get Your MCT Oil at Costco

In addition to excellent meats at Costco, you can even find keto favorites, like MCT oil, those medium chain tryglycerides that keto people find so helpful. See more mushrooms at Costco here.

MCT Oil from Coconuts at Costco

This useful oil is handy for keeping your levels of fat intake at the high level needed for ketosis. Dairy and gluten free and vegan friendly, this mct oil blends well with shakes and coffee (for those bulletproof coffee fans).

You get 2 bottles of 20 fl. ounces of mct oil in this one package.

Coconut Derived MCT Oil Nutritional Info

Coconut Oil at Costco

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil from Costco

If you are looking for a good price for organic virgin coconut oil for your keto diet, you’ll love this 84 fl oz container at Costco. In 1 tbsp you get 120 calories from fat, including 12g saturated fats, no trans fats and no cholesterol.

Organic Chicken Stock At Costco

Organic Chicken Stock at Costco

You get 6 cartons that are a quart each, so a total of 6 quarts in this pack. Created from slow-cooked organic chicken bones, it is a perfect alternative to chicken broth.

Organic Chicken Stock Nutritional Info

With zero carbs this chicken stock is perfect for a wide variety of keto recipes with low carbs.

Keto Sweeteners at Costco

You can also find many good keto sweeteners at Costco, including stevia and monkfruit blends, Splenda, and more.

Stevia Leaf and Monk Fruit Sweetener

Nutritional Info for Stevia Leaf and Monk Fruit Sweetener

You get a sweetener with no fat, and you’ll see they add the antioxidant alcohol distilled sweetener erythritol as well, so it is healthy for you as well as a good sweetener.

More Keto At Costco

Finally, there’s one more nut to crack:

The ever-recommended and perennial favorite walnuts!

Like almost everything at Costco, you get shelled organic walnuts from California that are nutritionally packed with power.

Is it any wonder all the keto kids say walnuts are the best?  Besides looking like brain food, these walnuts actually have good nutritional numbers:

20g fat

5g protein

2g net carbs

If you are a little clogged up, walnuts can help with that – low in sodium and full of potassium, they can get things flowing again, if you have that common keto condition.

More Keto Snacks That Costco Sells

Chia Seeds for Salads

These delicious and nutritious seeds are perfect for any salad and are loaded in the right keto combinations.

They are yet another one of the keto foods Costco sells.

Looking at the nutritional value of the chia seeds, you can see they are loaded in dietary fiber, rendering these to a mere 3 “net carbs” for 3 tablespoons. That’s well within the “net 20” you must aim for on the keto diet.

Costco Hemp Seeds For Keto

New on the scene are the nutritionally keto complete hemp seeds. These tasty seeds complement salads and are rich in Omega oils and protein.  Adding these hemp seeds to your diet is a perfect complement to your keto diet.

With the standard hemp seed serving of 3 tablespoons, you get 15g of fats, 10g of protein, and zero net carbs (1g carbs minus 1g fiber). Not very often will you find a purely zero net carb food you can use for keto.

If your metabolic type says you are good for keto, you’ll love this seed.

Tell Us What Other Costco Keto Gems You Find

There are more keto gems at Costco, so be sure to leave a comment and tell us what you find at Costco to keep yourself enjoying the ketogenic lifestyle.

And include a before and after photo if you want us to publish you on our motivation pages.

If you find some things you like at Costco, post what you find!

Like this:

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You can click the LINK to start creating your 8-week plan. Simply follow the plan to achieve a successful keto diet.

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[aflowerfortheprettyone-blog]

No Omega | Chapter 1

Title: No Omega (You Make Me Question Everything)

Pairing: Jimin x Jungkook | Namjoon x Seokjin | Yoongi x Taehyung x Hoseok

Genre: Omegaverse | angst | fluff | possible smut

Warnings: Social issues | mentions of smut and stuff | omegaverse

Author’s note: It’s been a long time coming baby, hope you like it

It’s auction night. For the omegas it’s the most feared event of the week. It’s saturday and just like every other saturday night, all omegas of age, that are not in their heat, are brought out, locked into small glass cages that have colourful led lights on every corner, highlighting every feature of their body. They are made to stand there for hours, as older men and women, sometimes younger too, judge their bodies, their character. Then, without the omega’s consent, they are sold to the highest bidder.

Sometimes an omega is lucky, being bought by another omega or nice beta. Sometimes a decent alpha that has some sense of equality. But the cruel truth is that most of the times the men or women that buy anyone are only doing it because they have to. Because omegas are the only ones capable of giving offspring to Alphas, to continue the line. They are treated as baby machines and left alone as soon as their Alpha is satisfied - It’s a life no better than the one they have in the raising facilities.

It’s auction night and Jungkook hates auction nights. He is nineteen, old by the standard of most of the buyers who look for barely-at-age omegas. He keeps feeling insecure about his age and looks every time he is forced to stand in the auction room with omegas who mostly fall around the ages from 15 to 17. It’s not like he wants to be bought, but the way the youngers make him feel sparks up the suppressed anger inside of him.

The woman in charge of Jungkook’s room, although Jungkook thinks of it as more of a prison than a room, walks in precisely at six o’clock. She’s wearing a long silvery dress with her hair up in a tight bun. She has put effort into her appearance, just like all the omegas on sale are expected to do. In order to attract potential buyers, they must look their best. Jungkook doesn’t want to be bought but he knows better than to underdress. He’s seen the punishments omegas have gone through after intentionally making no effort to look presentable. The raisers want to get rid of the omegas in the facility too badly to be able to tolerate such actions.

Therefore they have all dressed their best, while trying to leave as little to the imagination as possible. Some boys are even shirtless, some girls in dresses that hardly covered their asses. Jungkook isn’t so interested about that so he settled for a simple pair of tight jeans and a black button up. The woman spares him a long look, but doesn’t complain about the lack of exposed skin. Jungkook takes it as a good sign.

“Get up, we’re going,” the woman growls, scaring the youngests in the room. Her voice is loud and raspy, and Jungkook thinks it’s the cigarettes. She always smells like cigarette smoke, but not during auction night. Those nights she has to seem professional. Tonight she smells like the new perfume Jungkook has seen in the advertisements at the shopping center, a mix of tropical fruits and fresh ocean.

The woman leads the way from the basement to the auction room that takes up almost the space of the whole second floor. The lights are still on so that everyone can get to their cages without further complications but once the auction begins, the room becomes dark. Only the colorful lights of the cages illuminate the room. Jungkook isn’t sure, but pretty sure that the reason for the dark lighting is not so that the omegas could be seen better but so the buyers could be seen less easily. During the years he has stood in the glass cage, being stared at like a piece of meat, Jungkook has learned that not everyone wants others to know they are attending auctions. The darkness helps them to cover themselves, although Jungkook thinks it’s unfair. If he ever gets bought, he’d like to see the person properly.

No questions are asked as Jungkook’s room is led to the far right corner of the room. Jungkook knows it’s the second busiest section during the auction, since one of the beverage tables is right next to it. The busiest is the centre, where the omegas with the most potential are kept. Jungkook has been there too, when he was still younger. Those omegas have the highest price and are bought by high ranked people, leaders and businessmen. Jungkook has been there before, while he was still seen as a high potential omega. But now Jungkook is 19, still living in the raising facility with no one willing to take him away. And Jungkook doesn’t mind.

The glass cages are about one foot above the ground and some of the girls with high heels and skin tight dresses have trouble getting on. They can’t really move in their outfits, which Jungkook thinks doesn’t really matter since the cages don’t have much space to move around in anyway. He himself easily steps through the cage door, onto the pedestal. He is located closer to the centre, probably a conscious choice by the raisers that are more than ready to get rid of him. From his spot there aren’t many people he can hide from.

The doors are closed as everyone is finally settled in their cages. The cages are open few feet above Jungkook’s head, to let the air in. Although the walls are glass, Jungkook is more than relieved he isn’t claustrophobic. A girl bought few weeks prior was and almost had a mental breakdown until another omega bought her out. Some omegas are lucky like that, but most are not. Jungkook remembers one omega from last week that was dragged out of the room by his hair as soon as the alpha had been given his ownership. It wasn’t a pretty sight, leaving every omega terrified with the sound of high pitched screams.

The centre omegas are brought in last. Most of them are girls although a few boys have found their way into the group as well. They are the best dressed but from experience Jungkook knows they haven’t dressed themselves. The raisers always dress the centre omegas, the way they think would sell the best. Tonight most of them are in short shorts and crop tops. Boys shirtless and toned. Jungkook remembers how uncomfortable he had felt shirtless. Like a stripper.

One of the only centre omegas Jungkook knows - since they change all the time - is positioned right in front of him. Sora doesn’t look at him at first. She’s focused on getting up on the pedestal, although, as she’s the only one with flat shoes, converse, it won’t be much of a task. Even with the centre cages that are slightly higher than the normal ones. She steps up easily, watching the man in change of the centre omegas close the cage and turn to the others.

Only then does she look around her, quickly noticing the boy close to her. Jungkook waves his hand as soon as their eyes lock and she repeats the action. The glass makes the cages mostly sound proof so exchanging words from cage to cage would be useless, although Jungkook has never had trouble hearing what his potential buyers say as they stand in front of him. They only smile at each other quickly, before the room becomes dark.

The auction has began. The moment the doors are opened, the cage lights are turned on, burning the omegas’ eyes. The first people to enter have already been waiting outside the door, eager to get into business. Jungkook knows the newcomers are always first. They aren’t familiar with the rules of an auction and therefore wanting to be early so they don’t miss anything. The people that attend for the food and beverages also rather arrive early than late, making sure they get their share of the food. The important people, alphas and betas of high position always come last. They are busy people so rather than waiting for everyone else, they make others wait for them.

As more people arrive, potential buyers begin circling around the room. There are around thirty omegas presented around the hall. Ten of them at the centre, rest spread around the sides. Few women eye Jungkook for a while before moving on to younger omegas. To Jungkook, it’s nothing new. Most buyers pass him without a second thought, some don’t give him even that much. He’s so used to it, he doesn’t even bother with them, unless they stay longer. Then he might engage in eye contact or show off a little, but usually it happens no more than few times a night.

When all expected guests have arrived, the wooden doors close and the auction finally begins. The raisers, all dressed in silvery outfits to be told apart from the crowd, make their way from the sides of the room towards the buyers, trying to point out good qualities, take offers and simply sell every omega possible. Although there is no clock in the room and Jungkook has no way to tell the time, he believes it goes on for couple hours. It’s the time when potential buyers get to look closer, ask questions and decide if they are ready to bid.

After quite some time one man, likely in his late thirties, stops in front of Jungkook’s cage. The lights brighten up his face, soft features and long hair. The woman in charge of Jungkook’s room walks to him instantly, smiling like she always does during auction nights. Jungkook knows she’s far from happy but he also knows to keep it to himself. He can hear the conversation faintly.

“How old is he?” the man asks. It’s the first question they ask when they stop and Jungkook can’t help but wonder how much older he has to get until they start lying, just to get him sold.

“Nineteen. But in excellent condition,” the woman says. The man seems like he doesn’t believe her but keeps looking anyway.

“Still here at nineteen?” he questions. It’s not unheard of, but Jungkook is sure most omegas are bought earlier. 21 is officially the age when omega will be taken off the market, but not many stay until that. What happens to unbought omegas after 21, well, Jungkook doesn’t want to think about that. He hopes he’ll have a chance to flee before that.

“Yes, well, some stay longer than others,” the woman says. Jungkook is glad she doesn’t say anything more, tell the whole story of why he is still here or how alpha’s just tend to dislike him as much as he dislikes them. She looks at Jungkook and raises her brows, as if trying to make him do something, and Jungkook fights the urge to roll his eyes. He hates acting like an omega, like someone that wants to be bought. He squats down, his pants barely giving in and smiles at the two. It doesn’t feel right but Jungkook doesn’t want to be beaten for misbehaving in front of a potential buyer.

“How much?”

Jungkook wishes he hadn’t heard the question. He doesn’t want to be bought but the rules of the auction are clear. If you’re bought, that’s it. Omegas have no say in the matter. He doesn’t lose hope but a slight fear creeps up inside of him.

“Nine thousand.” The man’s eyes grow large as his head snaps towards the woman. It’s a good price, Jungkook thinks, for a nineteen year old omega. But not for Jungkook.

“Nine for an omega of his age?”

“Nine for a virgin. If he was younger, I’d say ten.”

There it is. Jungkook’s only good quality, in the raisers’ eyes. A virgin. Never touched by another alpha. Who wouldn’t want that?

Some time into the auction they start calling out names. That’s how Jungkook knows the sellings have began. That is how the auction works. They call one omegas name and everyone interested about buying them gets closer to their cage. Then the bidding starts. The raisers give a starting price and whoever bids the highest above it gets the key to the omega’s bracelet. They are the symbols of ownership every omega must wear and only their owner is able to take it off. Once the buyer holds the key, the omega is theirs, after signing the paycheck of course. After that, whatever happens to the omega is no longer the raisers’ business.

The calls and sellings go on for a long time and gradually omegas start disappearing from the cages, one after another. And as soon as Jungkook thinks he’s safe from being sold, the voice of the woman in charge of his room echoes through the speakers.

“Jeon Jungkook, section 2.” As Jungkook looks around in sheer panic he catches the eyes of the man from before. He is smiling, a creepy grin plastered on his face, and at that point Jungkook wants to die.

The man walks towards him with steady steps. He doesn’t take his eyes off of Jungkook, to the point where feeling threatened would be an understatement.

“Guess it’s just me then,” the man grins as he faces the woman in charge of Jungkook. “Nine thousand, wasn’t it?” It’s not a question. Everyone knows it’s not a question but the woman nods. She almost hands him the key already but a voice coming from behind Jungkook stops her.

“Are you not taking other offers?” another man, older and with a steadier voice asks. Jungkook turns in his heels, ready sigh in relief, until he sees the man.

This man Jungkook recognizes. How could he not? His face is plastered on newspapers and magazines like a celebrity scandal. He is one of the most influential people of their country. The owner of dozen of successful companies around the world. Jungkook is no stranger to the billionaire businessman with two alpha sons whose omega mothers, according to rumors, were killed as soon as there was no longer any use for them, by the man himself. He despises omegas and Jungkook has no idea what he wants from him.

“I’ll give you ten times his offer,” he announces, looking the other straight in the eye. Jungkook doesn’t know if the man has a death wish or if he is just dumb, but he doesn’t instantly back out of the bidding.

“Ten thousand.”

“Hundred,” the man laughs dryly. Next to him the other looks like a little boy. “Are you really going to play this game son?” He glares at the younger who seems to understand what is going on. Jungkook can see his eyes flash a bright red.

“I saw him first,” he argues, growls, as if his precious toy was taken away from him.

“And I pay the highest. Now move.” The man faces the woman in charge of Jungkook’s room, now old room, Jungkook supposes. The woman can do anything but agree. It’s business and the highest bidder gets the price. She lets him sign the check. Gives him the key.

“The car will be waiting for him outside,” the man says over his shoulder, walking towards the exit like nothing just happened. Jungkook is still in shock. His plans were destroyed in a matter of seconds.

As Jungkook is dragged away he can see the worried look of Sora, as she stares at him from her cage. Her eyes are filled with worry and Jungkook regrets not saying goodbye to her when he had the chance. Guess it’s too late now. He doesn’t give her a smile or a sign that it’s okay. He doesn’t want to lie. He just looks at his long time friend with terror and worry. With absolute uncertainty.

[southeastasianists]

Sabah’s Kaamatan celebration, a true show of unity

The grounds of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) building, fondly known as Hongkod, comes alive like no other time during the Kaamatan month of May.

It is the biggest, most anticipated festival of the year to Sabahans, where elders dust off their traditional costumes and pull out their colourful beads, while the young try a smattering of their native tongue and they all celebrate their cultural heritage with aplomb.

Upon entry into the gates of the KDCA, the steady rhythmic beating of gongs that accompany the sumazau dance can be heard, often vying with the modern classic Kadazandusun songs and even rock songs being eagerly belted out on karaoke.

On the left, the festival retains its cultural roots, showcasing aspects of the various ethnic tribes from the Kadazans of Penampang’s Sumazau, to the Murut longhouse where the traditional communal trampoline or lansaran is still taking on bouncing crowds of delighted children and their minders.

The stage nearby often offers some kind of ‘live’ performance of traditional music or dance, while traditional games of arm wrestling, buffalo racing, stilt walking and blow piping offers a glimpse into local pastimes and entertain locals and tourists alike.

But to the right, is often where everyone converges to at some point — a myriad of stalls offering a veritable feast of food offering any pusas — edibles to accompany your drink —and pop up bars to the thirsty merry makers.

The smell of roasting meats and the accompanying waft of smoke is unmistakable — whole lamb being barbequed, smoked wild boar, burgers to suit every taste, satay, an array of fried foods, local cuisine and rice wine, fresh grilled seafood like fish and oysters, chickens being roasted over a fire, and lots and lots of pork...

“There is even more variety of food this year than ever before,” said Joneville Tinun, a stall owner who has been a regular at the Kaamatan festival in KDCA for the last five years.

The 36-year-old healthcare consultant goes into business only once a year, at this event, offering his signature whole spit-fire roast pig which sells out within hours.

Every year, people vie for these coveted spots to operate a business, and the price has gone up from RM800 to RM2,500 since he started. This year, the demand is higher as instead of the usual month-long celebration, they are only allowed to run for two weeks.

Even though coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan, the flow of visitors has not stopped, partly thanks to the long weekend before May 30 and 31. Vendors can take home anything between RM300 to RM1,000 per night gross profit during peak days.

In general, beers are sold for RM16 to RM20 per set of three cans, depending on the brand while Tinun’s “Babarian lechon” pork is sold for RM20 for 165g.

“I sell one pig every night until the last few days, when there are more people so I make two. Business is as good as ever, but that is not why I do this,” he said.

“For me, Kaamatan is a time for everybody to meet and get together. I see so many people who I don’t get to see on a regular basis — from school, my childhood — ‘hi bye’ friends — and you get to talk to them and catch up,” said Tinun.

He has made friends with people who visit his stall every year – he estimates 60 per cent of the people he mingles with at his 10 feet-by-10 feet stall are ���friends you don’t know”.

“Sometimes you know them, you hang out, you talk about family and chat like old friends — but you don’t necessarily know their name. But Kaamatan brings people together like that,” he said.

Several of his repeat customers even come from abroad — usually after being introduced to the event by local spouses — and make it an annual pilgrimage.

True to Sabah’s reputation as a tolerant multicultural society, stalls of pork burgers sit side-by-side to grilled fish and chicken wings, operated by Muslim owners who don’t seem to think twice.

“Ini Sabah bah. Asal tidak makan, teda hal,” (This is Sabah, as long as you don’t consume it, there is no issue) said Amin Duihin, who grills a variety of whole fish, chicken wings and chicken butt skewers next to a stall selling grilled pork burgers.

He said his customers do not seem to mind and he has had no complaints in the three years he’s operated his stall during the event.

“I don’t even think about it anymore. It’s just the way it is,” he said.

“I love that we can do this here. People of all religions and race can just get together. This spirit during Kaamatan is why I keep coming back. Other than because I love seeing people enjoy my food, that is,” said Tinun.

Max Yong, who operates a stall with two of his friends selling beers, said that it was not uncommon to have tables of people of all races sitting at his stall, with their chosen beverage, and having a good time.

“They come to spend time with each other, whether that involves drinking, eating, singing karaoke, or just chatting,” he said.

Kaamatan was once a spiritual and cultural event, marked by ritualistic ceremonies by the bobohizan and bobolian or high priestesses offering prayers and sacrifices in their ancient language, to thank their gods for a bountiful harvest.

Over the decades, it has evolved into a merry-making festival that celebrates Sabah’s own diverse community where people of all races, colour, creed and cultural traditions come together over a platform and venue for fostering, preserving and propagating harmony and unity.

The rituals are still carried out, in the main community hall at KDCA during the final two days of the month-long festival, often attended by state dignitaries and is still considered sacred and revered.

The festival culminates on May 30 and 31 and ends with the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau, the Kadazandusun beauty queen, an honour that is bestowed on the worthiest of lasses.

Festivities during these two days begin in the morning and last till late at night. The food and drink stalls usually begin business at about 5pm.