#and i need to go to farmers markets this week. for produce to cook with l

[indiegame]

im really excited to document new things here

[monster-effer]

Camping Trip Gone Wild - Caleb x reader

Summary: Caleb invites you to a camping trip and you two are having a great time. But, after snooping through your phone, his jealous side makes itself known. R.I.P. to your pussy!!! Content: MDNI, explicit smut, Caleb and reader are dating, slight dubcon but the reader is definitely into it, questionable use of evol, oral - f receiving, fingering, pet names used: pip-squeak, princess, my love (2.2k wc) A/N: Caleb has been running laps around my mind lately, so I had to write something with him in it. I hope y’all enjoy ♡

You’re shopping at a local farmer’s market when you feel your phone buzz in your pocket. When you unlock it, you are pleasantly surprised to see a text from Caleb. He’s usually wrapped up in his work at this time.

Colonel Apple: Hey pip-squeak. You’re free this weekend right? You: Maybe. Depends on what you have planned.

You watch the typing indicator go on and off for a few moments before locking your phone and continuing to peruse the produce at the local farmer’s market. When you have a bag full of fruits and vegetables you feel your phone buzz once again.

Colonel Apple: We haven’t been camping together yet. Let’s change that? You: Hell yeah, I’m in. What do I need to bring besides clothes and toiletries? Colonel Apple: I have the rest covered. Just bring yourself 😊

The rest of the week passed by at an excruciatingly slow pace. But you have just arrived at the camping site with Caleb and all your supplies in tow. Before you can ask, he starts putting together a chair for you to sit on. When he’s done, he wordlessly gestures towards it as if saying ‘It’s all yours’.

You plop down into the chair and cross your legs. Then you enjoy the rocking motion of your new seat as you watch him work his magic. You were more tired than you thought because the next thing you notice is Caleb gently shaking you awake, his face close to yours and his eyes filled with warmth.

“Welcome back princess.”

You yawn and blink a few times to adjust your vision. When you look around, you see Caleb has made significant progress while you were napping. There is now a huge tent set up to the right side of the campsite. And a second camping chair assembled near a table with cooking supplies neatly organized on top of it.

There are fairy lights hanging in the nearby trees and looped around the top of your tent, giving your campsite a cozy glow. The smell of burning wood and the sound of a crackling fire catches your attention next.

“Why didn’t you wake me up? I could have helped with something.”

Caleb softly chuckles “I did say that I have everything covered. And you need to relax more, your job as a hunter has you running around all over Linkon.”

You huff and cross your arms because you can’t really argue with that logic. So instead, you decide to change the subject.

“I’m hungry. Let’s make dinner and tell some spooky stories around the fire.”

You two roast some hot dogs and settle down on opposite ends of the campfire. Then Caleb launches into a dramatic tale. By the end of it, you’re gasping with laughter at how cheesy the ending to his story was.

Noticing that it is getting dark out, a question comes to mind.

“Can you remind me where the public showers are again? I want to wash up before we go to sleep tonight.”

Caleb points towards the main road near your camping spot and tells you how to get there. “Do you want me to walk you there?”

“No, I’ll be alright. I’m taking a flashlight with me.”

Caleb hums as he watches you gather your pajamas and toiletries. He pulls his camping chair closer to the crackling fire and is about to settle down into it when he hears your phone’s notification sound go off.

He decides to ignore it, but the notification sound pings once more, and then three more times after that. Since you won’t be back for a while, you can’t blame him for being curious about who is bombarding his girlfriend with texts at this hour.

Caleb abandons his plan to chill by the fire and walks over to the tent. He removes his shoes before climbing in and looking for your bag. Once he finds it, he digs around a bit before finding your phone.

From the home screen he can see that all the notification sounds were coming from one source. They were all texts from Rafayel, who you have saved as  ‘The Little Mermaid’ in your phone. Since you two reunited after his “death”, Caleb begrudgingly accepted that he cannot be your only source of social fulfillment. His work as a colonel keeps him busy for long stretches of time, sometimes you two aren’t able to chat more than once a week.

Caleb is stone faced as he unlocks your phone with your password (that he memorized) and begins reading through the recent messages you received. His curiosity over what warranted back-to-back texts needed to be sated, for his own sanity.

His jaw clenched hard as he read Rafayel’s overly familiar texts.

7:10 pm: are u busy this upcoming week 7:10 pm: need you to be my model for this piece i’m working on 7:15 pm: cutieeeeee dun you want to help me 7:16 pm: i’ll take you out for seafood if you agree 7:18 pm: 💔🥺? 🐟🐠🐡

Caleb is always one to compliment your beauty, but the dark feeling of jealousy fills his chest at the thought of the artist eye balling you for hours on end. Before he can read further up in the text thread, he hears footsteps approaching the campsite.

Not wanting to be caught snooping, he quickly stashes your phone back in your bag and sits in his camping chair. He closes his eyes and tries to relax his body despite the fury bubbling under his skin over the artist taking up your time while he’s not there.

“I’m back. All fresh and clean now.”

When he opens his eyes, he hopes his true feelings aren’t shining through. Although he was left almost void of emotions after his chip implantation, Caleb can feel his anger towards the needy artist increasing by the second. He can also feel that anger transforming into a burning need to re-establish what you mean to each other.

Meanwhile as you stand there you can feel that something is…off. As hard as he tries to hide it, you can read Caleb’s emotions better than anyone else.

“I didn’t know you were so well acquainted with that artist…Rafayel,” he spits out his name as if it pains him to utter it.

You’ve mentioned Rafayel in passing but you aren’t entirely sure where this is coming from.

“Rafayel is a close friend of mine, what about it?” You snap at him, beginning to lose your patience.

Caleb smiles coldly before responding. “From the texts I just read, it seems like you two spend a lot of time together. I think I need to remind you of something.”

You feel anger well up in your body. “Why were you reading my texts Caleb? What the hell. And I think you need to be reminded of something called privacy.”

Before you can chew him out, the unmistakable weight of his evol envelopes your body. You gasp as you’re lifted then held up mid air, as Caleb pulls your camping chair towards him. As you futilely attempt to struggle against the hold, he lets your body slowly descend into the chair and stares into your eyes.

“As I was saying, I’m going to remind you that you only need to rely on me.”

“Let. Go. Of. Me,” you say through clenched teeth.

He ignores your demand and drops to his knees before you. Your breath catches in your throat as he spreads your legs and places butterfly kisses on the tender skin of your inner thighs.

You are furious with him for so many reasons, but at this moment, you can’t stave off the arousal building in your tummy.

Caleb begins to suck small hickeys on your skin between peppering kisses all the way up your thighs. You muffle a whine as tingles of pleasure zap straight to your clit. His face is so close to where you can feel your arousal pooling in your underwear. Your thighs are a sensitive spot, and he knows that. If you weren’t weighed down by his evol right now you weren’t sure if you’d be squirming away (or towards?) the torturous pleasure.

“Caleb,” you whimper.

Your voice broke the trance Caleb fell into between your legs. His eyes have darkened when they meet yours once again.

“Yes, princess?”

“M-More please.”

He smirks and doesn’t say a word before forcefully moving your pajama shorts and underwear to the side and licking a long stripe between your glistening folds. His hot tongue is wreaking havoc on your throbbing clit and you all but scream out into the night.

“Oh my god, please please please release your evol. I need to move.”

He detaches from your clit to respond to you. The bottom half of his face is noticeably covered in your slick. And his eyes have a hungry look in them.

 “No can do pip-squeak, you aren’t running from this.”

You let out a high-pitched moan as Caleb leans back in and alternates between dragging his tongue over your clit and making out with your pussy lips.

You take in a sharp breath as you feel tension build up in your belly. Your pussy begins to flutter around nothing.

“C-caleb I’m going to-”

He cuts you off by slipping his middle and ring finger inside of your wet hole. The squelching sound emitting from his ministrations seem amplified by the otherwise quiet night. You can only handle him pumping his fingers inside of you a few times before you reach orgasm.

You almost black out from the overwhelming euphoria as your pussy spasms around the sudden invasion of his fingers. You moan wantonly as Caleb slowly fingers you through your climax.

As you come down from that high, he gently pulls out his fingers. As a small act of mercy, he dissipates his evol and lets your muscles fully relax into the chair. He also pulls down your pajama shorts and undies, leaving your bottom half exposed.

“I hope you’re ready for more, because I’m far from done with you.”

You’re still trembling from the impact of your orgasm as you watch him stand up and remove his shorts and underwear. His thick cock twitches as the cool night air hits it. You hungrily watch his right hand wrap around it and give it a few strokes.

Caleb bends his knees and uses the swinging chair as leverage to line up your pussy with his body. You feel him rub his hot, mushroom tip against your clit and teasingly around your opening.

You shudder at his teasing and consider begging for more. But before you can, he slides himself all the way inside you without warning.

Your hands scramble for purchase before gripping the chair’s headrest. Both of you moan at the sudden, intense sensation.

“I’m so full” you whine as you clench your eyes shut.

He groans and readjusts his hold on the chair.

“Hold on tight pip-squeak,” is all he says before gripping the swinging chair and using it to drill his throbbing length inside of your aching walls. Your back arches sharply from the momentum of being slammed onto his cock.

You can’t do anything but whimper at the deep penetration. Faint creaks can be heard from the chair as your body is forcefully rocked back and forth.

Caleb is showing no mercy to your gushing pussy as he keeps up the brutal pace. You can distinctly feel each vein on his cock drag against your insides. Your mind goes fuzzy when he changes the angle of his thrusts and begins to rut against your most sensitive spot.

Caleb lovingly admires the state he’s put you in. Your hair is a mess, your eyes are unfocused, and it feels like you're sucking him in at every inward thrust.

“There you go my love, all you have to do right now is lay there and take it,” he rasps. He uses his evol to take over maneuvering the chair, so he can rub your clit in time with his thrusts.

Your eyes roll to the back of your head as your mind is filled with nothing but pure bliss. His rhythm turns sloppy when he feels you clench around him.

“You’re doing so good, just let go for me,” he practically coos at you.

You’re barely holding onto consciousness as your orgasm feels like it is never ending. Your legs are shaking, and you futilely try to close them against the onslaught of pleasure.

Caleb continues rubbing your clit and sinking himself inside of you while your spasm.

“Where do you want me to come princess?”

“Inside me please,” you say weakly.

Caleb keens before picking up the pace and burying himself deep inside of you. Feeling the warm spurts of his cum makes you reflexively clench around him. After a few moments, he slowly pulls out and collapses into his chair, letting you both catch your breath.

As you lay there you recall being mad at Caleb about something. But your mind is muddled from the mind blowing, back-to-back orgasms.

Well, you assume it wasn’t that important anyway. And if it was, you’ll deal with it later.

Maybe.

A/N: (Spoiler: Nothing was dealt with. You and Caleb ended up crawling into the tent and fucking some more instead. The end ♡ )

[humming-fly]

North Carolina Relief Masterlist

One of my close friends is currently living in North Carolina and took the time to put together this really nicely organized list of organizations currently taking donations after Hurricane Helene, and I thought it'd be nice to share it on tumblr as well since I know some folks like these kinds of organized lists! All links and descriptions come from her and her experiences with the orgs below. 👍

Foundation

The Community Foundation of WNC - Read no further if you want a catch-all, one stop donation spot for WNC long-term Helene response. CFWNC is a permanent pool of charitable capital for the 18 counties of Western North Carolina including the Qualla Boundary (land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians). They are an amazing source of consistent support to many WNC nonprofits via grant opportunities. They have financially supported so many of the non-profits I have encountered or worked with. Donate to the cause of your choice via CFWNC (including the Helene response specifically) here.

Food Security, Farm Support & More

Bounty & Soul (Swannanoa Valley, Black Mountain, and Asheville) - decade-old non-profit currently typically focused on health and food insecurity now working in partnership with World Central Kitchen, MANNA, Hearts with Hands, and many others to distribute food, hot meals, and supplies. They are also working to resume purchasing and distributing fresh produce from farmers in WNC who still have crops to harvest and sell. Donate to their disaster relief here.

Annie’s Culinary Garden - I often frequent this small but mighty Black Mountain restaurant, which is closely partnered with Bounty & Soul. Annie’s was already embedded in health and food justice work pre-Helene but the last 2 weeks, Annie and her team have been working around the clock (using a generator to power their restaurant) to provide free vegan, vegetarian, and other diet-specific hot meals to retirement homes, distribution hubs, and also to feed the staff and volunteers at these hubs. This has been a huge need expressed to me by community members because much of the food available at distribution sites is not able to be eaten by those requiring special diets. Donate to their effort here.

Haywood Christian Ministry (Waynesville) - WNC’s largest food pantry has partnered with MANNA (WNC's largest food bank?) and is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response. They are also directly purchasing from WNC farms to distribute fresh foods for folks cooking bulk hot meals and for families who can cook at home. For info and to donate, go here. 

Food Connection(Asheville-based) - I first encountered this org at a food waste solutions summit and thought their concept was brilliant. They rescue high-quality, chef-prepared meals and deliver them to neighbors in need (often those who can’t afford to participate regularly in Asheville’s expensive foodie culture). I have since seen them out in Asheville and beyond to rural communities doing exactly what they do best and delivering delicious, no-cost hot meals to Helene victims. Donate to them here.

Foothills Food Hub (McDowell County) - McDowell was hit really hard and this hub is working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute. They will continue to feed vulnerable populations and to support farmers with direct purchasing and a reliable market. Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.

TRACTOR Food & Farms (Spruce Pine*, Mitchell County) - In another hard-hit county, this hub is also working, much like the Foothills Food Hub, on connecting local farmers with folks in a system of equitable healthy food access in rural communities. Donate to this local food hub here.

*Interesting aside: Spruce Pine and its quartz mines were extremely damaged by flooding and this threatens the global tech industry. This rural town is home to one of the world’s only sources of high-purity quartz. The mines are currently trying to re-open.

MANNA FoodBank (Asheville) - This very large organization is still doing what they do best and distributing food, water, and more, despite having their warehouse/headquarters were destroyed in the flooding along the Swannanoa River. Donate online here.

Farmer Support & Advocacy

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) (WNC) - this wide-reaching farmer advocacy org is currently reestablishing communications with WNC farmers and getting aid to them. They also have healthy food programs that, once operating again, will serve tangentially in the relief effort. I have worked adjacent to this org for the last year and am a dogged cheerleader of them and their work. Donations can be made here.

Center for Environmental Farming Systems (Qualla Boundry and WNC) -  CEFS works closely with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, NC State, extension services and more to support food and farm initiatives across WNC. I previously worked adjacent to this org and was extremely impressed by their commitment and effectiveness. Donate (ideally to “Friends of CEFS” for more flexible funding) here. 

Tierra Fértil Coop (Hendersonville) - social and economic farmer cooperative formed by a group of Hispanic community members living in Henderson County that grows and provides culturally-specific foods but also has community programs to support the Latinx community in Henderson county. I have attended some of their educational events and have worked adjacent to them. I am ever impressed by their work. Donate to them by emailing tierrafertilcoophv@gmail.com.

Economic Justice & More

Pisgah Legal Services (all over WNC) - these folks do just about everything “life admin” for WNC's most vulnerable populations and have done so for over forty years. They provide pro bono civil legal aid, health insurance enrollment, and more. I have worked adjacent to them over the last year and could not be more impressed by their broad scope of bi-lingual legal work that maintains incredible efficiency and effectiveness. Donate to them here. 

Just Economics (WNC) - JE works on shaping the economic development of WNC in a way that benefits everyone and promotes a sustainable future. I have attended some of their workshops and found them to be powerfully educational. I am also grateful for their political advocacy for living wages for all in WNC. They are not directly working on the Helene response (as far as I know), but the road to recovery is long and their economic justice advocacy will be especially crucial as WNC rebuilds. Donate to JE here. 

BeLoved (Asheville) - Org working on improving the well-being and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities through our focus areas of Home, Health, Equity, and Opportunity. On-the-ground volunteers are currently collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies and BeLoved will continue to play a significant long-term role in housing and more. Donate to BeLoved here.

Health Services & Equity

Blue Ridge Health (WNC) - Blue Ridge Health is a federally qualified health center that is continuing to provide accessible & affordable medical care and mental health care to vulnerable populations (now including Helene victims) with their sites around the region and mobile clinics. Donate here.

Vecinos (WNC) - This rapidly growing org provides direct healthcare services to underserved, uninsured communities with a focus on WNC's farmworkers at their clinics and with mobile clinics on site at farms. Donate to their continuing services here. 

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (Asheville based) - The ABCCM helps run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced. A personal aside: ABCCM also has an awesome medical clinic serving uninsured folks and they were the only medical service I could find that would treat a tick born illness that I had when I first arrived in the US from Canada (I did not yet have health insurance). To donate to their Helene response, go here.

Schools & Youth

FernLeaf Community Charter School (Fletcher) - FernLeaf was partially destroyed by Helene (one of the school buildings was entirely lifted off of its foundation then dropped several feet away in a truly remarkable display of the power of water from a small nearby creek). Donate to FernLeaf here. 

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County - The local United Way typically works on youth/child food security, educational support, and physical and mental health care services. The org is helping with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims. Donations can be made online here.

Other

Blue Ridge Public Radio - obviously these NPR folks have been working around the clock to keep people informed in the old-fashioned way, over the airwaves. You can support them here.

[omgsuperstarg]

Market Day- Toto Wolff x Black! Caribbean Reader

Author's Note: This one shot is based on another function of Caribbean Life. Going to the Market or Farmer's Market to get fresh food for the household is a normal occurrence and Toto decides to tag along with you and assist.

Saturday mornings are usually a staple of your household. That's the day when you head down to the local farmer's market and pick up the much-needed fruits, produce (ground provisions), & seasoning herbs for the meats and fish. Today, you wake at the crack of dawn to get ready. Toto was fast asleep during the summer shutdown taking the much-needed rest from flying for weeks at a time. This is usually a solo trip, so going out and returning in record times is an art form for you.

All that you needed was in your car, you proceed to leave a note so that he knew your whereabouts and with that, you're off for another fruitful Saturday morning.

Mini time skip..........

You're already halfway through your list when your phone begins ringing.

Hello

"Good Morning darling, I see you've left me all alone", your love speaks playfully.

"Morning to you as well Toto. I decided to let you sleep in because GOD KNOWS you need it and market trips have always been a solo task for me. Plus, I'm getting all the ingredients for SOUP SATURDAY!!", you state matter of factly.

"So where are you?", you inquire.

Turn around.

What!?!?", your voice

In doing what's instructed, you observe your boyfriend in some dry-fit shorts, a t-shirt with silver arrow logos, and some aviator shades with sneakers completing his relaxed outfit. Knowing Toto he always wore the love for his team on his sleeve in both figurative and literal senses. He jogs up to you with a bright smile on his face, one that you've come to love in your three years together.

"Im surprised to see you here, I thought you would be sleeping in since Saturdays' are usually my day", you profess as you hand him one of your market bags.

"Well, I couldn't let my darling do her shopping unaccompanied. Not only that it's a perfect way to catch up and spoil yourself with the florals you admire soo much", the statuesque man states with his accented speech seeping into your bones.

"Well, there's still a few more things that need to be purchased and since I already have meat seasoned for cooking, I say when we arrive home I can make us some soup. Judging the clouds it's going to be a heavy rain shower." you speak observing the bleak sky.

"Ahhh yes, soup is always comforting on a rainy day," he says smiling.

A fruitful trip was completed, you both were now home and cutting up vegetables for a hearty lunch. Dancehall and Soca music is blasting throughout the kitchen which is typical of a Saturday Morning. Toto observes you dancing along to the music and even finds himself nodding along to its infectious beat.

"So its always this noisy when you're back home?", he inquires as he sits near the granite countertop.

"Yes, this is a pretty normal vibe for a Caribbean household. Sometimes I would do my Saturday chores on a Friday so I wouldn't have to and the second Saturday or whenever the funds arrive would be market day. After coming home, I would assist my grandma in making soup, my favorite is Chicken foot and I would add ramen noodles to it as well. Early afternoon we would either bake homemade bread or coconut bake'', you profess wistfully as you think of your island home.

"I think that's quite sweet and I'm glad that you're able to share this part of your life with me,'' he confessed.

"I hope I can drag your butt for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, get some seasoning in you as well as a little more colour, the fangirls I know would appreciate it, me being a major one," you say as you shut the stove off and begin to distribute the food.

The rain finally came down as you both began to eat, the warmness of the soup filling your soul, and the man sharing his love making you feel even more cozy.

[fandom-hoarder]

Happy Wincest Wednesday! My topic of the week (because let's be real, i never actually ask questions. I give topics that i want people to rant about and you all seem perfectly happy to take it from there) is food! We of course all know about Sam and Dean's fights over it, and their constant scoffing at each other's diets, but let's dig a little deeper.

Personally, I've had a brainworm for a while about diners, and how much their entire dynamic would change if they couldn't go to them anymore. The Impala might be their first home, but diners are their second. They're open all night, and basically the same no matter where in America you go. And the menu is varied enough to make them both happy. There's always going to be burgers and salad, plus enough coffee to keep them both awake.

Anyway, let's hear about what they cook for each other, what meals they will both share... And yes, of course we can make it about alternate uses of food, too.

- @schizosamwincester

Happy wincest Wednesday, @schizosamwincester , on a much later WW lol. I've been having my Wednesdays disrupted lately, so these end up marinating a bit or I miss them for awhile lol, sorry.

I think a lack of diners would be most detrimental on Sam, because of how difficult it is to find salads at other 24 hour places. Sometimes gas stations have veggie cups or cup salads, but they're generally not in the best shape. Even if Sam gets a chicken sandwich, it's likely to be breaded and not grilled naked. And I suspect a Sammy who can't get the food he prefers will get grumpy pretty quickly. (His poor sensitive stomach🥺)

They're pretty good at adapting to unfavorable situations, but they do still like their comfort zones, and it wears on them after awhile. They need to be able to stretch their legs and sit across from each other to work through a situation or just take a break from driving when they're between locations.

There are still 24 hour fast food places, but sitting in there at 2am is a different vibe from sitting in a diner at 2am. Diners tend to still afford a sort of bubble of privacy, with more of a separation between the tables, counter, and kitchen; and typically a little more table space and better hot meal variety. And don't forget the pie! Plus, sometimes servers are an important resource or enriching distraction. And most fast food places close down their lobby around 9 or 10pm and just have the drive-thru open, so then they're juggling food and coffee and ipads in the impala. Sometimes there's a picnic table at a park or a rest stop, but then you're dealing with the dark or the elements; the wind is blowing; your coffee is getting cold and you won't be getting a refill; the lighting sucks; there are bugs; etc.

Diner coffee vs fast food coffee vs gas station coffee can be pretty similar, but there's something about having it steadily topped up fresh and hot as they're sitting there together.

But when they settle into the bunker, the kitchen has a lot of the familiar trappings of a diner. It doesn't have the background noise, but it has all of the privacy. And a coffee maker.

Dean enjoys trying to cook the kind of food he loves, of course; and as much as he complains about it, he's also proud whenever he makes something he knows Sam will like. Sam treats himself by going to farmer's markets now that they have a reliable refrigerator with enough space that he can keep produce and experiment with more complex salads, or keeping a carton of egg white for his favorite omelets; but he also tries to get better at COOKING vegetables in ways that will get Dean to eat them. (I feel like a few family dinners at Jody's drive home the point that adding flavor doesn't subtract from the nutrition.)

In the show, it still seems like they sometimes forget they have a whole kitchen to make homemade meals in. Maybe it just takes awhile for things to settle down enough for them to have that sort of routine and keep fresh ingredients on hand---it's hard to always be cooking meals for yourself when you're so used to just ordering. But I think they'd start incorporating more homecooked meals when they could. There's no way Dean doesn't want to cook himself a whole turkey or ham dinner some time and be damn proud of the results. And Sam will be there beside him making some sesame garlic green beans or honey glazed carrots while Dean is peeling potatoes, and maybe they both can't help commenting on how domestic it is.

Also, more gratifying than cooking food for himself, Dean LOVES when he can convince Sam to try something he's made, and then seeing Sam's enjoyment.

As for other uses of food... I don't often delve into it outside of feeder fic lol, but I sometimes love the idea of Sam hand feeding Dean pie. Maybe that's better done in private, but I love the occasional suspense of feeding him in public, getting both of them worked up but having to delay gratification---or maybe the feeding is gratification enough.

To me, that pie in the face in Carry On went a little differently. 👀👀👀

[love-in-the-time]

i need to see the following:

The doctor and donna on a country lane with bags and a basket, coming from the farmer's market in the little french town where they live, on a sunny day and donna has a hat and a pretty dress and she's managed to convince the doctor to wear jeans.

The doctor and donna at the farmer's market inspecting produce and laughing with each other.

donna dancing around the kitchen as she cooks, while the doctor watches, sure that he's never going to leave this little french outpost of his as long as she's there.

he experiments with a beard. donna is pleased. "makes you look even more bloke-y," she says. "like a regular guy." he shaves it off the next week.

patisserie for all! she comes back from town with a literal box of french pastries and they eat them for dinner in the garden like two kids.

i wish i could draw. there are so many possibilities!

[olderthannetfic]

https://olderthannetfic.tumblr.com/post/741872748055396352/as-someone-who-loves-to-cook-very-international-a#notes

One thing I completely forgot to mention. For anyone who eats meat: A GOOD BUTCHER! Too many people really need to find a good butcher, because more than half the "bland" meat based dishes will remedy themselves if you find a good butcher. Especially if you manage to build a line of communication to get cuts of meat as fresh as possible, you'll get fresh and well tasting meat. There's a world of difference between a good butcher's cut piece of meat, and most of what you might find in a supermarket. You know how chicken is considered some of the driest and least flavourful meat? If you get a good butcher who knows some chicken farmers, you might actually be able to get some actual fat and flavourful chicken that gets to eat grass and whatever it can find outside, instead of the mass production farm chicken that get feed with pellets. So much can impact the flavour of meat. You'll also feel much more satisfied eating meat only a few times a week if those cuts actually taste good and filling, which can cut down on your meat consumption, obviously also paired with fresh and flavourful veggies and other sides. And so we don't forget it, same goes for a seafood market. Especially seafood honestly. Some seafood really only tastes good "out of the water, into the pan, onto your plate." If it takes too long, you'll end up with less than stellar tasting meat. You also get fish and seafood that way that hasn't been processed with chemicals and other additives to keep it fresh longer. Flash frozen is also a valid form to get fresh unprocessed fish, so don't be afraid if you hear the fish you're buying was flash frozen. And for vegetables and fruit: A good farmer's market, or at least a list of in-season veggies and fruits. Veggies and fruit will always taste best within their harvesting season. A farmer's market will often have more focus on flavour and actual aroma, rather than how supermarkets some times mostly focus on the looks of the produce. Some vegetables and fruits that you get at the supermarket might be watery and bland, or even dry/woody and stringy, while the farmer's market, mainly/especially for local produce will be a lot more flavourful and aromatic. Having the option to use veggies that actually taste like something really does a world of difference for your diet!

--

There's a place in the Bay Area where you can go select your chicken or duck and wait for them to slaughter it. Depressing, maybe, to have to look your dinner in the face before it's killed, but one meets an interesting cross-section of Chinese immigrants, people who want halal food, etc. Last time I was there, a little old lady told me I needed to make chicken soup immediately on returning home and not refrigerate the chicken, wait, or try to do dishes like roast chicken that require more fat because these particular chickens are too lean.

She said most people have never tasted a proper dish made from freshly killed chicken, at least around here.

[supercantaloupe]

Hi independent living anon back actually you mentioned the instant pot and my friend's mom somehow went from software engineer to food blogger and her first cookbook is like well they're Indian to it's ilke Indian instant pot stuff you should check that out if it interests you and if the book is behind a paywall she has recipes on her site and stuff her blog is called Ministry of Curry. Anyway your post kind of made me realize that the actually mechanics of cooking I feel ok with but it was just the idea of buying my own groceries deciding what to buy and fashioning that into food but now that you said it depends on like figuring out stuff that you want to eat etc I feel like completely changed my perspective even though it's kind of obvious. Anyway super helpful post thanks anon out have a good day/week/year/life

ooh that does sound interesting, i don't cook a lot of indian food myself but i feel like i should get into it because there's a lot of really delicious vegetarian indian dishes and i want to try and expand my arsenal of vegetarian meals.

anyway, with respect to knowing what to buy and what to make with that, one thing that i like to do to make things easier for myself is having a well stocked pantry of nonperishables that i can pull from whenever i need. you can pick up items a few at a time when you grocery shop so you can build your pantry over time rather than having to get everything all at once which is overwhelming and pricey. but basically i try to always have dry pasta, rice, canned beans, canned tomatoes, canned pumpkin, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, broth base, honey, garlic and onions, potatoes, oil, peanut butter, etc in my pantry at all times (and eggs, milk, butter, and yogurt in my fridge). very basic things that can be turned into meals without a ton of prep. then my meal planning for a week will hinge on several factors: what i want to eat, what time am i going to have to cook and eat during the week (ie will i be able to cook dinner during the week or will i have to pack dinners ahead of time every day), and what's available/in season. i do a lot of shopping at the farmers market so i'll often figure out what i want to make based on what's fresh that time of year; recently i've been loving these delicious baby kales, which are only available in the winter here. in the summer it'll be lots of tomatoes and peaches and eggplants! i like to cook with what's in season a lot of the time because you can get deals that way and because in season local produce is very nutritious and usually more flavorful than what you can buy at a grocery store. but that will depend on what you have available where you live.

basically, i don't really sit down and plan in detail what to cook and eat during an entire week and then go out and shop for everything i need to make those things all at once -- i try to keep my pantry well stocked with versatile and shelf stable ingredients that i can use spontaneously to make larger meals out of, based on what i want to eat and what is fresh and available at any given time.

[bonesandthebees]

I've been cleaning my room all day (woo depression hole is gone!) but now I'm so exhausted because all I've had is a handful of potato chips ( I actually hurt my jaw while eating them lmao) and like two cups of water, and I still have some stuff left to clean, but I'm too tired, and I cant eat anything to help because all I have requires cooking and I'm too tired to cook, and too poor to order something, lmao but at least my floor is spotless! I also got a new dress today! It's light purple and my friend is paying for a photoshoot for her birthday and it's rainbow themed and each of us have a different color of the rainbow, and I got purple, and it's super cute and I'm super excited! Anyways, how have you been Bee? Tell me about your life recently :))

yay for cleaning your room!! I actually just folded my laundry so we are both on a roll

but also oh no you need to eat. even if you don't have the energy to cook anything just try to find something you can snack on. one of my desperate level go to's when I'm absolutely way too bone dead tired to cook anything is straight up just butter on bread. the nicer version of this if I have it in my fridge is pita bread with hummus which is a great easy thing to eat if you don't have energy. any kind of nuts or fruit will also help if you have it

and that dress sounds so pretty!! I hope the photoshoot goes well that's so fun

I've been doing good! busy with many things! I'm going to be very busy with both family stuff and work this week so that'll be a bit hectic. this weekend I went to a pilates class for the first time (yes, I'm aware of how much of an LA girl stereotype I am) and my legs are so sore. I already signed up for another class tomorrow and I know I'm going to regret it but I will do my best to persevere

also I made coconut cream pie this weekend and it's so fucking good oh my god. it was definitely a bit of a headache to make but it was so worth it. it's been pretty funny bc lately I've been trying to eat healthier by eating more veggie-heavy meals and buying a lot of produce from farmers markets and things like that, but also I've been on a baking kick so. I'm swinging wildly between my healthy main meals and then constantly having very sugary desserts afterwards lol

[theloveoftoms]

The Farmers Market - Ethan Hunt x Julia

Summary: Julia and Ethan decide to visit a local farmers market. Lots of fluff and sweet stuff <3

A/N: Hello hotties, your girl is back with a fic! This one isn't incredibly long, but I had so much fun writing it! I love Ethan and Julia so much. This story comes from a request about Ethan and Julia asked by the incredible @skinnycruise -I hope you like it! I saw that selfie of Ethan and Julia last week and I couldn't not write about them 🥹 xoxo mac

Word Count: 1.4k

With the warm breeze of May fresh upon the horizon, it seemed like spring was gracing the seaside city of Boston with longer days of sun and warmer weather. With the arrival of spring meant the arrival of another popular attraction; the farmers market.

The first weekend in May, farmers from the surrounding area of the city would bring in their vegetables and produce and set up a market in one of the downtown parks.

Standing in the kitchen, drinking a cup of warm vanilla coffee was, Julia, when the idea of the farmers market popped into her mind for no particular reason. She wasn't too sure why the idea of the farmers market popped into her mind, but the more she thought of it, she thought that it might be fun to go. Julia didn't go too often as it was much easier to just pick up groceries on the way home from the hospital after work, but having her husband back home for a while made the idea appealing to her as a fun little date that the both of them could go on.

So, when Ethan, a man who had lacked sleep for the better part of three months while he was away in Europe chasing after terrorists and criminals, caught up on his sleep, Julia brewed a fresh pot of coffee and made some eggs and toast to wake her husband up with. And while he was busy eating and waking up for the day, she retreated to their shared bedroom and put on a white and blue floral print dress that fell just below the knees. Tucked in her dark hair was a pair of white-rimmed sunglasses that matched both the sandals on her feet and the colour of her linen dress.

When she came back out into the kitchen, Ethan, who was perched on one of the bar stools around the kitchen island grinned sweetly at her like no time had passed since the two of them met, all those many years ago when they had locked eyes across a crowded room.

"You sure you wanna go out?" he asked, snaking a hand around her waist, "because i'm just fine here."

Julia chuckled and planted a gentle kiss atop of her husbands dark hair, "we need something to cook for dinner," she said, "besides, it will be fun."

Ethan nodded, linking his hand with Julia's, "give me ten and I'll be ready," he said gesturing to his outfit that composed of an old worn t-shirt and the pair of boxers he had slept in last night, "unless you want me walking around beside you like this?"

Julia rolled her eyes at her husband, and swatted gently at his bicep, sending him on his was to change.

And surely enough, when Ethan emerged back in the kitchen of their apartment wearing a black t-shirt tucked into a pair of dark jeans - his signature pair of aviators tucked within the neck of his shirt - he looked much more put together.

"All ready?" Julia asked him, smiling in his presence.

Ethan nodded, and followed his wife out to the car.

...

The Boston seaside park was transformed from its usual routine of people utilizing the trails for fitness into a venue that was surely captivating. Among the greenery of the spring-time park was countless booths, each with something different to offer.

At some there were freshly-cut flowers, at others there were handcrafted items, and at most there were some sort of produce or home-made goods.

"What are we on the look out for?" Ethan asked, noticing a booth with crochet baby slippers, all in a variety of tiny sizes with a plethora of pastel coloured yarn composing them.

"You think they have those in my size?" he asked, retracting his prior question, gesturing to the slippers.

Julia snorted as they walked past, picturing a light pink pair of slippers drawn to her husbands feet which made the woman running the booth shoot them a dirty look from across the walk way.

"What's so funny Jul?" Ethan asked, his arm draping around her shoulders.

Julia shook her head, "I was just imagining you in a pair of those," pointing to a light pink pair with a comedically large yellow duck crocheted to the toe of it.

"Please Julia," Ethan replied nonchalantly, "have some class. If you're going to day dream about me in a pair of slippers, at least imagine me in the green ones with the trains."

"Hmm," Julia hummed, trying to hide her smile, "I think the ones with the little pigs would really bring out your eyes."

Julia looked to Ethan to find that his gaze was already on her. From his place beside his wife, the nearly-blue, nearly-green, oceanic eyes of Ethan Hunt were pressed so effortlessly to her.

He noted the way she smiled, and the way the corners of her eyes crinkled ever so slightly when she laughed. He had missed this. He had missed the plain, mundane, ordinary, activities of everyday life. He had missed taking morning walks that were rooted in pleasure. He had missed Julia.

Ethan had missed the soft scent of her fragrant soap. He had missed the way her hand was always linked with his. He had missed her.

Ethan Hunt wasn't really a fan of farmers markets, but even the most ordinary of things seemed to be enough for his busy mind and constant drive whenever Julia was around.

"What do you think about these carrots?" Julia asked her husband as the two of them approached a table of hearty produce.

"I think," he said, pausing, unsure of how to really reply, "their carrots."

"They look pretty good? no?"Julia asked, "we could make a salad for dinner tonight?"

Ethan nodded, noticing a booth across the way that caught his eye. "That sounds great," he said, planting a kiss to the back of his wife's hand.

Ethan walked up with Julia to the selection of vegetables and while she was busy looking through a pile of carrots for the best ones, he saw his opportunity.

"I'll be right back," he told her, "Theres something I want to get."

So, while Julia was busy barging for the price of vegetables with a friendly farmer, Ethan was picking though a variety of flowers at one of the booths across the way.

There were tulips, roses, carnations, and other flowers alike, but none of them really seemed to capture the essence of his wife.

"Do you need any help?" the woman behind the table asked, noticing Ethan's puzzled gaze and unsureness in regards to the flowers.

"Yeah, that would be great," he replied sheepishly, "I'm not too sure which ones to get."

"Who are we shopping for?" She asked, smiling sweetly.

"My wife," Ethan said. "Ive been away for work and I want to get her something nice."

The woman smiled gently and then turned around to the buckets behind her to retrieve a bouquet of neatly wrapped irises.

"How do we feel about these?" She asked, "We just got them this morning!"

Ethan examined the beautiful, almost-sheer-like, flowers that were somehow both the perfect shade of blue and purple. These were Julia he thought to himself before nodding his head in approval.

Ethan handed the woman a twenty dollar bill and wished her a good day as he held the bouquet of flowers tightly in his hand.

By the time he got back to Julia, she was just finishing arranging the carrots and lettuce into the tote bag she had brought along with them from the car.

Looking up in Ethan's presence, Julia's eyes darted to the bouquet of flowers in his hand before meeting the eyes of her husband once more.

"Ethan?" she asked, "What's this?"

Ethan smiled, handing her the flowers, "I just wanted to do something nice for my wife."

Julia smiled, bringing the bouquet of flowers close to her chest, "they're beautiful Ethan!" she gushed, "I love you, " she told him, stepping forward, closing the distance between the two of them.

Naturally, his hands found their way around her waist, and before his lips pressed to hers in a kiss that was gentle and sweet, he repeated the words back to her.

"I love you."

[robustcornhusk]

30's asks, any or all:

2. What proportion of your meals do you cook?

9. What's your emotional support craft?

55. Favorite high-effort meal that you make?

56. Favorite low-effort meal that you make?

2: discounting breakfast (i don't make my own bagels or ferment my own yogurt)... i was going to guess that i don't cook maybe once a week? and i was right: it looks like I've had food from a restaurant four times in the last 30 days: banh mi, two breakfast burritos (for lunch!), and a falafel.

my partner popped up to snoop on what i was doing because they saw me open my budgeting tab to answer a tumblr ask...

9: like craft like a hobby that produces an artifact at the end? only cooking! a friend joked that i don't know how to talk to houseguests except when i have a knife in my hand.

56: chopped potatoes with vegan sausages, tossed in olive oil and salt and too much pepper, roasted at 450f for 30 minutes, yanked from the oven, covered in sherry-vinaigrette-massaged kale, back in for another 8 minutes with convection on.

the potatoes get roasty and creamy, the kale gets crisp in places and limp in others, and the vinaigrette is sharp enough to cut all the richness. easily could eat two pound of potatoes by myself this way.

i would make it at my old apartment when it was hot and my brain was melting too much too cook, which was a problem, because it involved running the oven at 450f for 40+ minutes.

55: i couldn't say what my favorite is, or even what recipe i make that's high-effort, but i complain a lot if there's a lot of moving parts that all need to finish at the same time. probably it's pasta-based, because those are 'easy' meals that i inevitably add a pile of side-dishes to and thus make not very fucking easy.

like i'm making this cherry tomato pasta tonight with the first of the farmer's market tomatoes, and it's so easy, it's not hard, i make it constantly all summer, but also i'm expecting to add 3 side dishes to it and i'm going to complain the whole time.

[or-worse--expelled]

what’s the betting that potterwatch was just a radio project lee jordan was doing in his spare time and never actually stopped after the war

“Harry Potter was spotted at the local farmers market today, good choices in produce Harry! Gotta love the organics”

he’s the only reporter harry will talk to other than giving official statements when he has to as an auror

“I’m speaking to Harry Potter today after the long-awaited conclusion of the trial of quadruple murderer Waldorfus Grenoble. Harry, may I ask you a question regarding the trial?”

“Sure, Lee, I have to be back at work in ten but give it a go.”

“What is in the curry you had for lunch yesterday during the recess? It smelled fantastic and I have to know.”

“Thanks for asking, Lee. I’ve recently come across a book of my great-grandmother Priyanka’s notes on her Punjabi cooking and I’ve been trying to recreate her food. I liked that one but Ginny said it was too sweet so I’m making adjustments.”

“Fantastic. Great stuff. Next up we have an update on You-Know-Who’s whereabouts. Not Voldemort obviously– he’s six feet under, it’s been around 2500 days now and he’s still going strong, no sign of him being not dead any time soon.”

“You’re correct, Lee, he’s dead as a doornail and he’s going to stay that way. You do realize you don’t need to refer to your infant daughter as ‘You-Know-Who,’ right?”

“Sophie starts screaming if either of her dads talks about her and we don’t know why. Any suggestions, and any idea where she is now?”

“Oliver was walking her up and down the hallway outside the World Cup Regulatory Office last I saw her. As for the screaming, with James we gave him the miniature dragon from the Triwizard in ‘94 and that entertained him pretty well.”

“You heard it here first folks, Harry Potter thinks dragons are an appropriate substitute for pacifiers! Thanks for your time, Harry.”

“Any time, Lee.”

“Next week’s password is anything that will make our six-month-old go to sleep for longer than four hours. Signing off, this has been Potterwatch with River and the man himself, Harry Potter.”

[persephonbee]

For me, foraging was the key to getting myself to give vegetables another chance! I used to go weeks without any vegetables and would just leave them on my plate if they somehow made their way onto a plate of mine. With foraging, I didn't have expectations about how things would taste because I've literally never had them before and haven't heard about them, and that helped me view the flavors with an open mind! I always hated spinach, but stinging nettles are weird and cool and make me feel badass to pick and eat, and I'm into the flavor! I've heard it described as a better, earthier spinach. When I first tasted it, I really wanted to like the flavor because they're very cool and also incredibly nutritious, so I was paying attention to the nuances of the flavor and didn't just go "ew, spinach, I already know I hate spinach." Turns out I like it a lot! Also, if you puree it and then freeze it into ice cubes, you can drop one into a smoothie and the taste blends right in and you get SO many nutrients!

Similarly, lamb's quarters (weird name, fully unrelated to lambs, is also called goosefoot) is also delicious and the undersides of the leaves sparkle in the sun, and this motherfucker grows EVERYWHERE. Parking lots, parks, the tiny squares where the trees grow on city sidewalks, everywhere. It also tastes like better spinach, and it turns out I don't actually hate normal spinach either, I just had such bad expectations of it because I Know It Tastes Bad so I always processed it as gross. After eating nettles and lamb's quarters and hearing that spinach tastes similar to them, now I eat them and am like oh, this tastes kind of like nettles! Neat!

You don't need to live in a rural area to forage. You truly can do it in a city. That's how I started.

Now I don't forage as much, but I go to the farmers market and try to find at least one thing that I haven't worked with before, or at least haven't used in a while and haven't explored much, or that's really pretty and gets me hoping that I'll like because of how pretty it is, or that just looks nifty! I like to ask the farmer what the vegetable tastes like and how it's cooked (you can definitely just Google if you want but I've gotten friendly with some of the farmers and so now I enjoy asking them), and then I'll get it and Google recipes for it, and get it home and try it out!

It's been SUPER successful. Using this method, I've discovered that I REALLY like kohlrabi and radishes and honeynut squash and acorn squash and green tomatoes (if you hate the texture of tomatoes normally, try green tomatoes! Much less soft and mushy, almost a little crunchy, and the weird section with the seeds that's kind of slimy is waaaaay smaller! Also the flavor has a really nice freshness to it!) and heirloom tomatoes! I've also discovered that I'm into fresh beets and celeriac and fennel and raddichio and little baby striped eggplants, which I got the first time because they're called fairy eggplants!

I used to HATE kale because I had had it like twice many years ago and the best I could come up with was that if you cover it in enough vinegar, it tastes like vinegar. I was chatting with my favorite produce guy and he had a bunch if kale also that week and I was like ah kale, I wish I liked it, but I've just never been able to get into it. And he was like yeah I used to hate it but my daughter is home from college right now and the other day she sautéed some up with garlic and olive oil and it was actually really good! And I was like you know what? It's been a decade since I tried it, and I didn't try that method, and fuck it, if I hate it then I've only wasted $3 and if I like it then a whole new vegetable opens up, I'll get some and give it a shot. And it turns out to be good like that, and also really good in a pesto with other greens!

My second most hated vegetable used to be broccoli. Last week, I got some broccolini on a whim, because I had heard it could be roasted nicely and I was planning on making something that involved roasting a bunch of vegetables and putting it on couscous, and so there was room for me to try broccolini and then just not put it on there if I didn't like it. Turns out it's AMAZING. Salted it well, roasted it until crispy, and it was one of the best parts of the dish.

Also, did you know they've changed Brussels sprouts? The type that used to be around was very bitter, but several years ago they bred it to be less bitter and yummier and now any Brussels sprouts you get are gonna be the new better ones, AND NO ONE FUCKING TOLD ME. If you haven't tried them in a few years, grab some. Cut them in half, toss them with olive oil and salt, put them on a baking sheet, and roast them in the oven. It's a whole new experience.

When I was growing up, my mom's attitude toward vegetables was that they suck and are gonna taste bad regardless so there's no point in "making them less healthy" by adding butter or salt or dressing (which is also misinformed diet culture bullshit about), so vegetables were steamed or boiled or microwaved and you forced them down and then got on to eating the stuff that actually might taste good which could have butter and salt and seasonings and stuff. I later mentioned this to a friend and he looked confused and said "so you ate vegetables like you were taking shots?" I hadn't thought of it like that before, but he was absolutely right. And obviously I'm not going to force myself to eat yucky things if I have the option of just making the yummy stuff.

The healthiest vegetables are the vegetables that you actually eat. If that means they're covered in butter or cheese or ranch or eaten on a chip or fried or literally whatever, they're STILL the healthiest vegetables. Broccoli cheddar soup that you eat is infinitely healthier than broccoli sitting in the produce drawer until it goes moldy and is thrown away. Salsa and chips is gets vegetables into you, but a rotten tomato in the trash doesn't.

I haven't been officially diagnosed, but I work in mental health and know enough to know that I very likely am Autistic and have/had ARFID, and there was a while where I was essentially living on plain white rice and candy because it was all I could get myself to eat, and I actually was pre-diabetic for a while because of it. If you haven't tried foraging or farmers markets yet, or haven't tried them in a while, it really is worth a shot.

Now I eat vegetables every day and it's not a struggle and I enjoy it. It was worth the time and energy, it really was.

i mean this in the gentlest way possible: you need to eat vegetables. you need to become comfortable with doing so. i do not care if you are a picky eater because of autism (hi, i used to be this person!), you need to find at least some vegetables you can eat. find a different way to prepare them. chances are you would like a vegetable you hate if you prepared it in a stew or roasted it with seasoning or included it as an ingredient in a recipe. just. please start eating better. potatoes and corn are not sufficient vegetables for a healthy diet.

[justcashed]

How to Save Money on Food: Smart Strategies for Big Savings

Food expenses can be a major component of a household budget, but with strategic planning, it’s possible to enjoy nutritious meals while cutting unnecessary costs.

Introduction: The Surprising Wealth Hidden in Everyday Choices

Food is essential, but overspending on it often goes unnoticed. According to recent data, the average American household allocates nearly $8,000 annually to food. This expenditure, however, holds untapped potential for savings. With a careful, methodical strategy, you can reallocate those dollars toward financial goals without compromising quality or taste. I am going to start the art of saving money on food while still enjoying what you eat. 1. Establish a Food Budget Every great plan starts with a solid foundation. Track your current food spending by categorizing it into groceries, dining out, and miscellaneous snacks. Knowing where your money goes allows you to set realistic limits and identify areas for improvement. Actionable Tips: - Set Weekly and Monthly Goals: Allocate specific amounts for groceries and dining out, and stick to them. - Track Expenses: Apps like Mint or Goodbudget can help monitor your spending habits. - Avoid Impulse Purchases: Stick to your list when shopping to stay within budget. 2. Smart Grocery Shopping Grocery stores are filled with temptations designed to make you overspend. A disciplined approach can help you navigate them effectively. Key Strategies: - Plan Ahead: Create a weekly meal plan to ensure you only buy what you need. - Shop Seasonal and Local: Seasonal produce is often cheaper and fresher. Farmers' markets are great for local bargains. - Use Coupons and Cashback Apps: Tools like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards can reduce costs significantly. - Buy Generic: Store brands often offer the same quality as name brands at a fraction of the price. 3. Minimize Food Waste Food waste is a hidden budget killer. Reducing it not only saves money but also promotes sustainability. Practical Solutions: - Organize Your Pantry and Fridge: Keep track of what you have to avoid duplicate purchases. - Preserve Fresh Foods: Freeze, can, or pickle excess produce before it spoils. - Repurpose Leftovers: Yesterday’s roast chicken can become today’s salad topping or soup base. 4. Cook at Home More Often Dining out is convenient but comes with a hefty price tag. Preparing meals at home gives you full control over ingredients and costs. Easy Steps to Start: - Batch Cooking: Prepare meals in bulk and store portions for the week. - Learn Simple Recipes: Websites like Budget Bytes offer affordable and beginner-friendly meal ideas. - Invest in Tools: A slow cooker or instant pot can simplify cooking and save time. 5. Be Strategic About Dining Out When you do decide to eat out, there are ways to enjoy the experience without overspending. Tips for Frugal Dining: - Choose Restaurants Wisely: Opt for places with specials or value meals. - Skip the Extras: Drinks and desserts often have significant markups. - Utilize Loyalty Programs: Many chains offer discounts or freebies through apps. 6. Leverage Technology for Savings Tech-savvy tools can make saving money on food easier and more efficient. Recommended Apps: - Mealime: Simplifies meal planning and ensures cost-effective grocery lists. - Too Good To Go: Lets you purchase surplus food from restaurants at discounted rates. - Flipp: Finds deals and discounts at local grocery stores. 7. Adopt a Long-Term Perspective on Savings Shifting your mindset is essential for sustainable food budgeting. View each dollar saved as an investment in your financial future. Mindset Shifts: - Celebrate small wins, like cooking at home instead of ordering takeout. - Involve your family in meal planning to make it a collaborative effort. - Remember, every step toward smarter food spending contributes to your larger financial goals. Conclusion: Savoring Savings and Success Saving money on food doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or enjoyment. By applying a disciplined, logical approach, you can transform your food budget into a source of financial freedom. Start small, stay consistent, and watch the savings add up over time. Your wallet—and your future self—will thank you. Read the full article

[apexart-journal]

Improv-ing

Well hello, dear blog. (Readers, I came of age during the height of personal blogging, so my tone here can't help but reflect my affection for the medium.) I missed writing last night because I was out socializing with folks from my intro to improv class. With all the time spent alone already during this fellowship, it was really nice to be in the company of a group of outgoing people.

I started the day on a less than stellar note because I'd had trouble falling asleep the night before and wasn't able to get up in time to go to the Zen meditation in the morning. Right now, across the world, LA is on fire and thousands upon thousands of people, among them a few dear friends, have lost their homes with no clear end in sight to the devastation. It's hard not to sit in the profound sorrow of it all, and it's strange to be in Europe while such a tragedy is happening because it doesn't seem to be on anyone's mind here. With that on my heart, I set out to visit the Korai 4 Memorial, which is one of the only sites in Athens preserved from the German occupation during WWII. There in the basement of a building near my local metro stop are walls etched with messages from Greeks who were imprisoned, tortured, and killed for petty transgressions like attempting to steal food and supplies by jumping onto German trucks. When I got there, the entrance gates were down with no explanation.

Rather than return to the apartment, I decided to go to the National Archaeological Museum. Seeing so much powerful sculpture lifted my spirits.

I also spied a real life lead curse tablet:

In the evening, I attended a "taster" class at Improsynthesis, a new improv school that is recruiting for an upcoming series of English language improv workshops. I've never tried improv before, or any kind of acting or comedy class, and while I confirmed that producing spontaneous dialog on the spot isn't really in my wheelhouse, I enjoyed the way improv encourages attentiveness to others, facilitates creative movement, and celebrates the pleasure of making mistakes. I thought the methodology of the teachers was very thoughtful and consent informed - I hope they have a lot of success in the program they are building.

After class I was feeling a bit shy, so I headed off on my own even though the group was invited to go out together. Near the train station I saw a nice looking traditional Greek restaurant and decided to treat myself to dinner there. I used the time to immerse myself in the rhythms of the place - enjoying the way the proprietress chatted with the regulars on a Friday night and her cute scolding relationship with a cat that came in to ask her for dinner (she produced a bag of cat food to lure her out but the cat didn't really leave until after she got a pile of treats too). As I was finishing up, who should I see come in the door other than a teacher from the class, leading in a group of the students. They invited me to join them, and I ended up spending a fun couple of hours chatting with them and sipping hot honey wine.

Today I have been mostly resting and being domestic. My body feels like I've been working out non-stop since I got here (thank you to the hills). I did go to the local farmer's market, which was just as lovely as everyone here promised it would be. I bought some potatoes, lemons, tomatoes, dill, broccoli, oranges, tea, spices, fresh squeezed pomegranate juice, and a couple persimmons because they are in season.

Back at the apartment, I cooked myself a simple meal and used a translation app to figure out the laundry machine. I miss my husband and our cats, and my friends, and Chinatown, but still I'm finding something grounding about focusing on taking care of my own basic needs like this. Now I just wait in suspense to find out what my next week of activities will be.

[taimio]

Unlock the Secrets to Growing Perfect Scallions

Scallion, also known as green onion or spring onion, is a type of onion that is harvested when it is still young and before the bulb has formed. It has a mild onion flavor and is often used as a garnish or in salads, soups, and stir-fries. Scallions are easy to grow and can be planted either from seed or from sets (small bulbs). They prefer well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. The plants can be harvested when the leaves are about 6 inches long, and can continue to produce new leaves for several weeks. Scallions are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as minerals such as potassium and calcium. ```html

Master the Art of Scallion Cultivation

Let me tell you a secret: growing scallions is like having an evergreen magic wand in your kitchen. These humble alliums are the overachievers of the plant world—low maintenance, high reward. With just a little effort, you'll have an endless supply of crisp, oniony goodness at your fingertips.

Why Scallions Deserve a Spot in Your Life

I started growing scallions on a whim, and it was one of the most satisfying ventures I've ever undertaken. They’re forgiving, resilient, and remarkably fast to grow. Forget waiting months like with tomatoes—scallions will reward you in weeks, not seasons.

Plus, they’re the ultimate multitaskers in the kitchen. They elevate soups, salads, stir-fries, and even scrambled eggs. Need garnish? Scallions. Need flavor? Scallions. Need to feel like a gardening genius? Yep—scallions.

The Beginner's Guide to Scallion Success

Scallions are the perfect gateway plant for anyone looking to start a kitchen garden. Here’s how to get started:

Buy a bunch of scallions from your local store or farmer's market—organic if you can swing it.

Chop off the green tops for cooking, but leave about an inch of white bulb intact at the base.

Stick those little bulbs in a glass of water, root-side down, and watch the magic happen.

Within days, you'll notice fresh green shoots springing up like they’re auditioning for an agricultural miracle. Once they’ve grown a couple of inches, transplant them into soil for maximum longevity. Easy, right?

Pro Tips for Thriving Scallions

To truly master scallion cultivation, keep these tricks in mind:

Scallions love sunlight, but they’ll also tolerate a windowsill with decent light. (Yes, they’re that chill.)

Water them moderately—don’t drown them, but don’t let them dry out completely either.

Harvest often! The more you trim the greens, the faster they regenerate. It’s like giving them a haircut they actually enjoy.

Bonus: Scallions are basically immortal if you keep replanting their bulbs. I’ve been harvesting from the same batch for over a year now. It’s like a never-ending scallion subscription—but free.

The Joy of Growing Your Own Food

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a sprig of scallion from your garden and tossing it straight into your dinner. It’s a small, delicious victory.

Scallion cultivation isn’t just about growing plants; it’s about cultivating a sense of connection to the food on your plate. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to impress your friends. (“Oh, these scallions? I grew them myself.” Cue gasps of admiration.)

Ready to Start Growing?

If you’re intrigued by the idea of scallion cultivation, trust me—it’s worth it. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also experience the joy of eating something you grew with your own hands. And if you’re looking to take your gardening game to the next level, check out this guide to other easy-to-grow veggies. Your kitchen (and tastebuds) will thank you.

So go grab some scallions, roll up your sleeves, and get planting. You’ve got this.

``` Learn more about gardening with Taim.io!