#and still whenever my family eats nuts or peanuts or anything like that i get anxious

[apencilandpen]

.

[purplesurveys]

1221

Are you mad at your best friend right now? I have absolutely no reason to be angry with Angela now and certainly not since our last petty childhood fight in like, 2009.

Do you know anybody with a pet snake? I used to know somebody, but she’s since gone off the radar and idek if her pet snake would still be alive at this point.

Do you buy your underwear in a pack or seperately? I can go either way.

Have you ever made fun of anybody and later became their friend? OMG yesss this was the entire background of my friendship with Sofie. Though I wouldn’t say I made fun of her...I just found her really annoying at first, and quite ditzy, too. Then something just clicked and worked out along the way and we ended up being best friends for quite some time until we went our separate ways shortly after college life started.

Is the lamp on in the room you're in? Yes; it’s one of my favorite pieces in my room.

Do you have a pair of shoes that you can only wear with one or two outfits? Nah, not really. I mostly own sneakers, which can go with most things casual.

Is there any drink that you absolutely MUST drink cold? Most drinks, honestly; but mainly, I like my coffee and water cold.

Did you sleep in past noon today? I don’t think I’ve ever done that. The latest I’ve woken up is probably a little over 10.

Did your grandma ever tell you about her love life? Neither of them have.

Have you ever painted anybody's nails aside from your own? Possibly, but I no longer recall it.

Anything exciting happening in the month of September? I don’t think so. There are couple of birthdays in the family, but we don’t have plans for those days yet.

Who is your last missed call from? Some media or blogger I ignored because I don’t take calls.

When was the last time you ate Frosted Flakes? I can’t remember...I don’t really eat cereal.

Did you ever NOT want a substitute in a certain class? Yeah, for classes I hated, like math.

Do you ever donate to the less fortunate? Not regularly. When a homeless person or street child knocks on my car while waiting in traffic I do try to give them some money and/or snack, if I have one in my bag.

Did you buy an American flag after 9/11 to put on your car/house/ whatever? I was barely conscious in 2001. I am also not American.

Do you know any songs that are older than you are? ...Many?

Are there framed pictures of you anywhere in your house? Yeah we have some framed photos going up the staircase. I also have my Prep graduation portrait up in my room.

Compared to other people of your age would you be considered 'NORMAL'? Ugh.

Honestly, do you have any Hilary Duff on your MP3 player? I don’t have an MP3 player but I don’t think I ever had Hilary Duff on any of my music players.

Who is worst in your family about calling people back? Probably Nina as she hates making calls to begin with.

Do you like peanut M&M's? Nah, I hate nuts in my chocolate.

When was the last time you had an ice cream sandwich? Safe to say well over a year ago. It’s not my snack of choice haha I never understood why I had to bite into my ice cream.

When was the last time you ate jelly beans? August 2019.

When was the last time you had hot chocolate? Around a month ago, I’d say? My mom fixes me a mug of hot choco every once in a while.

Have you ever caught a friend cheating on their bf/gf? I haven’t.

What was the last song stuck in your head? I think it had been Rain by BTS.

Do you enjoy doing math? If I know how the math works and have the formulas memorized, I can definitely find it fun. Math had actually been pretty manageable for me in school, at least right until we reached trig and calc which were just bleck.

Do you think your mom has secrets she’s never told you? Oh without a doubt. I’m 200% sure everyone in the family has secrets we never share; we’re not open with each other.

Do you own anything you don’t want your parents to know about? Yes.

Do you pose in your pictures or just smile? I will pose if I’m comfortable but most of the time I just smile.

Are there any colors you will NOT wear? I avoid orange as much as possible.

Do you use scented soap in the shower? Nah, just a normal-scented one.

Did you ever want to be a fashion designer? That was never part of my plans, no. 

Who was the last person you danced with? Enjoyable? Angela and Hans. I was drunk, so yes I had fun lol.

Do you like convertibles? I don’t really care for them, or for cars in general.

Have you ever yelled at the television? So many times, usually when a favorite singer or band is performing OR when I’m watching a really intense sports game - usually basketball or wrestling.

How many songs on your MP3 player are about sex? -

Do you like water parks? I think they are nasty for the most part.

Dark or light colored jeans? Light.

Can you take apart a computer and name all the parts? Nope.

Can you take apart a car and name all the parts? Even more so no.

Would your friends describe you as nerdy? I don’t think they would.

How many different colors are you wearing right now? Five.

Have you ever purchased a lotto ticket? Nope.

--

Are you double-jointed anywhere? I am not.

What is the longest amount of time you've spent playing Monopoly? You know, I’ve never even understood the rules of Monopoly...I’ve never bothered to play a round of it. Board games are usually too complicated for me lol.

Have you ever witnessed a tornado first-hand? Not a tornado, no. But I’ve experienced countless hurricanes and floods.

Did you play in the sand box as a kid? It was my favorite part of the playground and I was always exclusively found in a sandbox. I liked the texture (still do) + no one was ever there, so as a shy kid it worked out perfectly for me.

How about on the monkey bars? I tried it every now and then but I wasn’t a very active kid, so my arms would feel strained fairly quickly. It was never the first thing I’d run to whenever I got to go to the playground.

Have you ever made an alarm go off? I don’t think so.

Have you ever colored your eyebrows? Nope.

Did you ever own a pop-up book? Many of them, as a kid.

Have you ever honked at a biker? Yes but only whenever they swerve a little bit and are about to hit my car.

Have you ever taken another person's prescribed medication? No?

Have you ever played golf (not miniature golf)? No, I’ve played neither version. The sport doesn’t interest me.

Do you use gel in your hair? Only for formal events where I can’t afford to show up with my hair all frizzy.

Do you own a garden gnome? We don’t.

Are any of the rooms in your house painted blue? Nope, they’re all white. My parents’ room used to be green (came with the house), but it looked gross so it didn’t take long before they hired someone to paint the walls white.

Do you kick off your shoes as soon as you walk in the door? Yes. Actually, since the start of COVID, we’ve taken to removing our shoes even before we enter. We have a mat right by the front door where we can properly take off our shoes and head inside already barefoot.

Have you ever judged a book by its cover? Sometimes, but I don’t let it linger.

What is the most effective device at the gym? I don’t go to the gym.

Can you drive a stick shift? Hahahaha no, and I’m not so sure I’m ever willing to learn.

Have you ever picked on a substitute teacher? That’s mean and no, I haven’t.

How good are you at giving directions? Terrible. As much as possible I don’t do it and just refer the person asking to my nearest friend/companion.

When was the last time you looked out the window nearest you? Just a few minutes ago, actually. I put an arm out to check if it’s chilly outside since it rained all day today.

Have you ever got dressed with the windows open? Never. I make sure to pull down my blinds every time.

Have you ever given a foot massage? No.

Do public restrooms freak you out? They don’t freak me out per se but like I rarely go into them and use them, even before Covid. The idea of sharing a toilet with strangers is super gross lol and many of them don’t even put away their trash properly.

Have you ever taken a shower outside? I may have, but nothing sticks out.

Have you ever been to a junkyard? I don’t think so.

What do you think of Brad Pitt? I don’t really have an opinion...I loved his episode on Friends, but that’s it.

Have you ever watched the History Channel willingly? Yes, a few times.

Have you ever used pennies to pay for something that cost over 50 cents? I don’t speak US currency, but yeah there’ve been around 1-2 times I had to pay for something worth P50 with just coins. It’s always been embarrassing lol so I try to avoid it and be prepared with paper bills as much as I can.

If a place makes you pay for delivery - do you still tip the driver? Yes.

Without the aid of a cell phone - do you know your parents numbers by heart? Just my mom’s. Since my dad is always in and out of the country (at least until the pandemic), I’ve never gotten to memorize his number.

Can you name 10 former presidents? Arroyo, Macapagal, Aquino, another Aquino, Estrada, Ramos, Magsaysay, Quirino, Quezon, Roxas.

But if we’re talking about US presidents...Obama, Trump, Clinton, Roosevelt, another Roosevelt I believe, Nixon, Reagan, Carter, Lincoln, Washington. I hope I got them right hahaha.

Have you ever bought a gift for a teacher? Just as a kid.

Is your bedroom carpeted? Nope.

Right now, what color is your tongue? Pink.

When was the last time you had a Tootsie Pop? Years ago. I don’t have it a lot.

If you could get the cell phone of your choice - what would it be? iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Who is your favorite super hero? I don’t have any.

How about your favorite villain? I don’t really have any, either.

Do you know anybody who works at a bank? Possibly, but I can’t place a name right now.

What do you usually order from your favorite fast food place? That would be KFC, and I usually order either their Zinger or Twister. FUCK now I want to get KFC :((

Do you hand out candy to kids on Halloween? No, because none of them ever reach this part of the village. We never have to prepare any candy lol.

What perfume/cologne do you wear the most? Heat Rush.

Can you name all 7 dwarfs? I always miss out on one or two.

Does the early bird really catch the worm? Idk what this expression is.

[ninja-go-to-therapy]

The Ninja as Things My Friends and I Have Said

My friend keeps a quote-book and I thought y’all would enjoy this lol

Jay: say your last words to me, I’m about to be smited

Jay: I am so bright, I am star

Kai: Pickles and Dick Jay: Pickle my dick? Kai: PICKLE AND DICK! Lloyd: TICKLE MY DICK?

Kai: I want to play hot potato with a hand grenade

Lloyd: this chocolate milk mocks me

Kai: Can we all agree that when Jay walks he looks like a flamboyant gay drag-queen toddler

Lloyd, looking at a tampon: is that a cheese stick?

Kai: Where you at you little hoe?

Cole: Don’t do gay it’s not healthy 

Jay: I live life as a pirate. Because a pirate is free

Jay: The sun's only up for half the year in Alaska Cole: We have that too. It's called nighttime

Morro: Lick his nuts, they have a sorta Mexican flavor

Kai: I need to be surrounded with seven beautiful naked women in order to sleep at night

Lloyd: You know how there's like a line between bravery and stupidity? Nya: Jay is that line

Jay: Disclaimer: I am an anxious bean

Wu: It’s not your fault but it is your problem

Cole: I can't keep a straight face anymore. It's gay now.

Lloyd: That was such a late reaction it could've been my dad coming back

Zane: DISCO PENIS

Kai: I wanna stand around and look GORGEOUS

Kai: I'm outrageously good-looking Zane: No you’re not

Lloyd: I admit when I'm wrong! Kai: Oh yeah. But I'm like never wrong!

All of the ninja, always: It would be so much fun to hurt a bad person

Zane: what state do I live in? Jay: depression

Kai: cool onesie... can I get inside it?

Lloyd: They call me Santa. I bring snow to the children.

Kai: Don't fucking giggle you little shit.

Nya: I will beat you with a meat stick

Cole: You moan more than the dumpster out back

Wu: Don't stick the plungers on your foreheads!

Garmadon: whY are you SMelLING the plungers?

Zane: How does one piss in a watermelon?

Lloyd: When I become 99 pounds I'm going to eat a pound of chicken nuggets so I can be 1% chicken nugget. It's indisputable.

Cole: It smells like SHIT. Like it smells kinda okay now, but it still smells like shit. So it's like. Perfumeshit

Jay: Your socks are untied

Lloyd: Morro can just molest himself

Jay: Can you please not get a fucking locker smaller than my self esteem

Zane: You be smellin your own shit soon Jay: I already do Zane: Get it? Cause your mom gay. Everyone: ...what?

Lloyd: My name's Lloyd and I wear shoes sometimes

Nya: Unlike Skylor, they actually like balls

Kai: Fuck fuck fucking fuck fucking fucktown

Jay. I’m about to go commit space heater in bathtub

Kai: Vaccines make you gay

Lloyd: It’s not because I’m Asian, its because I eat rice so much

Zane: Hi. I’m Zane. ... my dick fell off

Kai, to Lloyd: Your dad is my fuckbuddy. ... wait. Shit.

Lloyd: You didn’t miss. You hit me right in the fucking nipple.

Kai: Eat my dick

Nya. Bite off your own dick

Cole: Your face looks like you're trying to make your dick fall off

Lloyd: So we were sitting watching TV eating macaroni with a fruit roll-up soaking my feet in a trashcan

Jay: I’m gonna go commit visit Pompeii in time machine

Jay: How can spiders fall from the ceiling and just skrrrrt away

Kai: Because none of us can speak proper sentences

Kai: Hold on. I'm sending a meme. I can't fight.

Jay: Engulf your own dick

Jay: Please don’t have a Boston tea party in my back yard

Kai: Still it felt like I committed a minor crime in Iran with all the water in my nose

Jay: Sensei Wu, please throw scissors... I kinda wanna die

Kai: I got royally fucked

Jay: Get your meaty luscious legs

Jay: The fuck you mean take my pants off? They're always on! Cause no one wants me to take them off!

Lloyd, picking up a napkin and seeing food fall out: IT’S BIRTHING 

Zane, threateningly: Give me your kidneys 

The Overlord: Where is your technology stored?

Zane: I can balance my body on my boner and spin like a beyblade

Kai: My balls are not a muscle

Cole: So apparently I'm not the only one with asymmetrical balls. Lloyd: Wait actually? Cole: Well yesterday Kai gave us a very descriptive description of his balls

Zane, sarcastically: Gosh darn don’t you hate it when you're not allowed to bring your 5 dollar footlong subway to training

Lloyd: So he poked me in the back with a pencil and my third grade self was like, "BLASPHEMY"

Kai: You.... dickmuncher

Jay: We're playing infinity Life. It's like Life but the cars are infinity stones.

Kai: I could have divine gay sex and it would still be nohomo.

Cole, during some super serious training: Bake me into a pie daddy

Kai: a compliment sandwich, like this: I like your shoes, YOU SUCK, your eyes are pretty

Zane, to Lloyd: Don't KILL her! Too much paperwork!

Jay: Stop moving your butt. It's uncomfortable when you clench it

Cole: The STICK.. will be UP YOU! Kai: My ASS is your spot!

Jay, teaching Kai to roller skate: First, we master walking  

Kai: I know I’m beautiful and perfect and amazing and huMBLE

Lloyd: I'm here for a good time, not a long time.

Cole: I'm allergic to emotions!

Zane: Yeet is not a valid Scrabble word

Kai: I love myself 3000. And you should, too. Love yourself, that is. Unless you wanna love me as well, cause that’s cool too.

Zane: Is doing drugs illegal

Lloyd: Post-traumatic stress? More like spicy memories

Jay: Be quiet so I can see

Cole: Why is my wallaber grinding its ass on the floor?

Kai: Whatever, my ass cheeks are balanced ... just as all things should be

Garmadon: IT WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN TO MAKE SOMEBODY THINK YOU WERE GONNA HIT THEM WITH YOUR CAR!

Sensei Garmadon: First of all, nobody says they're fine when they're good

Lloyd, getting himself a donut: A chocolate frosted donut for a chocolate frosted child

Nya, about Harumi: I just loathed her at first sight. Like your dad!

Morro, about Lloyd: He reminds me of a cucumber.

Cole, after becoming human again: I’m like Jesus... I thirst

Lloyd, sipping apple juice out of a shot glass: I'm just... done, ya know

Jay: Zane was eating my popcorn and I was like "hey that's my popcorn!" And he looks me dead in the eye and goes "surprise communism!"

Lloyd: I consumed a spatula

Jay: I almost burned down my house making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Zane, after Jay climbs on his back: Unmount me you heathen.

Kai: Yeah it's been such a dick-licking long time

Karlof: In Metalonia we do not have sister, we have brother with pussy

Zane: I want to delete my meatsack

Little Lloyd: At about 10 I was so hungry so I went to the med tent and pretended to be fainting so I got crackers

Garmadon: Before we leave I'm gonna sing a Disney song to attract all the females. Especially Misako

Jay, about to get sunburned: I know right, sunscreen is gross, you look like a glazed donut after you put it on

Cole: I like nuts but not that much. ... both kinds... I like my own nuts.

Zane: Hi I’m Zane and I’m the only one in this group with any form of common sense

Lloyd: Oh there's just someone throwing up over there! Kai: That’s hot

Cole, having a cashew thrown at him: I don’t want to swallow your nut ... I DON’T WANT YOUR NUT

Lloyd: My uncle is  going to sacrifice my body

Kai: Okay. You ALL can eat MY ass

Lloyd: A picture will last longer than your family will

Garmadon: That last rep was like a hydroflask and this one was like a kleankanteen

Kai: I bet for a second he was like "oh my God they care about me"

Kai: Because no one would be ballsy enough, no pun intended, to whip his dick out and piss on a crowded bus

Jay: Fuck a duck Lloyd: Please just dont ..ff... a duck Jay: But the duck likes it. It goes quackquackquackQUACKAFLACK.

Lloyd: Digiorno? More like I'm fucking hungry

Lloyd: My socks are so wet tis but a small price to pay for salvation

Kai: No means no muchacho

Dareth after failing at spinjitzu: Now I'm just dizzy and my ass hurts

Zane: I said, Cole, don’t orgasm in public, it’s rude, and Cole started moaning as loud as humanly possible

Lloyd: Say cheese! Kai: Whiskey!

Jay: Who the fucking dammit

Jay: Spongebob square-nuts

Jay: Actual- ACTUALLY it WOULDN’T make me more of a smartass because my SMART has yet to be caught up with my ASS

Lloyd: I hate it when my foot becomes the itch

Kai: STDs are like pokemon, you gotta catch em all

Kai: Here y’all are like "I like them 'cause of how they hold themselves and whatnot" and I’m just like “GIRL PRETTY"

Cole: I hate it whenever my foot becomes the gay.

Kai: I’m shit at being a person, not a shit person.

Zane: Buses turn me on

Jay: No pissing in our VSCO hangout!

Lloyd: Are y’all on high?

Kai: Its gotta warm up to start lavaing, now it’s just lamping.

Kai, crying: When I was crawling through the sewer my hair got stuck in my knee pit and ripped out a chunk

Lloyd, deepthroating a plastic recorder: I’m blonde so naturally, I'm good at this

Kai: I’m depressed. I’m stressed. But at least I’m well-dressed.

Lloyd: Nom nom milk carton

Cole, playing Life: Give me children

Jay, on a Thursday: If Friday was a Tuesday, it would be today

Kai: We're eating lotion and calling it spicy butter ... it’s spiritually spicy

Kai: I don’t fucking know! I'm not a cheese wheel!

Zane: Beepbeep bitch what's that? My lie detector smells a lie

Lloyd: I aced two tests today! The PSAT and the rice purity test!

Pixal: I don't really get the phrase "dry as bones" because your bones are in fact, wet

Cole: Kai, Kai, we can draw you as one of those anime girls. With humungous eyes. Actually no, it doesn't matter what the size of your eyes are. But your boobs are HUGE.

Lloyd: Jay wants to become the Alpha hoe

Cole: STOP TOUCHING MY HEAD AND SAYING IT FEELS GOOD

Jay: Deli sandwich equals cold hamburger

Lloyd: How was your day? Cole: Good. I have pie dough in my water bottle

Jay: If we do that we can reach our minimum requirement which is our goal

Kai: You can taste the freedom in that nacho cheese

Lloyd: I lust for the crust

Garmadon: You dirty-minded fools!

Anyone, to Skylor: You sucked the fire

Lloyd: OHMYGOD WE GET TO COLOR WITH CRAYONS!

Nya: Not to be lesbian or anything... but DAMN

Jay: No means no in Spanish

Kai: Bro saxophone is literally the sexiest instrument alive

Wu: The only wrong answers are the ones I don’t agree with

Kai: Look, why do you need to be a bottom to suck someone else's cock?

Cole: Jay, you suck Jay: More so than you do? Kai: Wait... wait you mean like you suck at the game or you’re better at sucking than he is?

Kai: WE CAN WANT YOU SEXUALLY TOO

Cole: That's not kinky, that's just abusive

Lloyd: CAN WE STOP USING THE TERM “BLONDE BITCH”

Cole: That’s not how you do it! Straddle me HO!

Kai: I didn’t mean to kick you in the coochie! Jay, I’m the distance: Be genital with her!

Cole: Yeah, also Jay tackled me and then grabbed me in between his legs and Kai jumped on top and Jay smacked his ass and I tried to record so Kai tried to smack my phone out of my hand and missed and his finger went right in my eye so I rolled over screaming and they got up and threw pebbles at me

Cole: It sounds naked! Music!

Kai, to anyone after they say Wu seems chill: He looks like a big soft squishy man but he is not

Zane: On average, in order to feel happy, you need to be touched, (pokes Jay) 8 times a day Kai raises two fingers on each hand: I’m about to make you ALL happy" *every person at the table in unison scoots away*

Zane: You looked like lord farquad but in a cute way!

Jay, after getting a pizza shoved at him. The pepperoni sanitized my facehole

Kai: I am the WITNESS! VICTIM! And I will play ... the e x e c u t i o n e r .

[shiro-0197]

aw shiro, my love, don't worry about it!! i only hope you're okay and safe :d please only reply when you're free, and don't feel bad about it!! >:(

my day yesterday was okay, i've just been relaxing, and studying occasionally. went out to explore a nearby town too, it's so pretty there. and much colder (since it's a highlands) of course!! Today was great too. I bought doughnuts (they're amazing?? I love doughnuts), and I had instant ramen, but it was SO spicy I nearly died. (Three bottles of water later, because someone finished all the milk in the household *cough* me *cough*) and I'm still just reeling. Sucks having such low spice tolerance HAHA. I'm listening to some old school hip-hop rn, while typing this out :D how were your two days?

here are some i'll be using to teach english :d and that would honestly be much appreciated, he's getting on my last nerve rn. (I included the first few, what do you think?)

thats such a priceless feeling i so totally agree. you're so precious 🥺🥺 i'm sure they're prouder thank you imagine. you're so dedicated!! i'm sure all that extra research you've done will definitely pay off. it's good that you know what the job is roughly like, so you'll be really prepared when you finally do start it. you know that one scene, in the 2nd season of the great pretender? when the chinese mafia boss emphasizes the importance of a translator in literally everything? (like that book award example) i may be getting the thing muddled up, but i found that so cool. like yeah, a book or speech could be absolutely beautiful, but if everyone can't enjoy it due to it being a different language, it would be such a shame. i just find translators really important. sorry, i'm really dorky haha 🥺🥺

awww but i think your personality type is wonderful. a lot of my favourite characters are intj (they're all so precious istg grrrr) yes!! i was in a tooru brainrot yesterday too 😭😭😭 (saw a bunch of couples on my walk, and I was like "if only Tooru was real grrrr") and yes?? there'd be so much to learn from each and every one of them. dedication from hinata, savage lines from tsukki, kindness from yams/yachi, how to be a dork 101 from atsumu. aaaah 😭😭i'm sorry they're all so wonderful.

No pftttt I totally feel you. I saw some people without masks today and I was like "bro wtf" and just really loudly said "I sure hope everyone starts following the rules so the cases don't increase" because I'm a lil bitch like that xD

awww okay!! I'll definitely keep that in mind. Mayo makes everything better, tbh >.< aww that's understandable! I don't have specific preferences but hearing the phrase "soggy cheese" makes me want to cry somewhere :( I don't like nuts in chocolate. I'm very passionate about that? XD ikr??

I'm surprised too, I usually never pass on murder, but I guess you're just special like that 👉👈 sir I'd get married to you as many times as you'd like 😼 oops sorry for being cheesy, but—you like cheese ;)

U

I won't ask why, don't worry. Since I kinda feel the same about Malaysia tbh. It's a love hate relationship, I think HAHA but yeah 😣😣 i don't look up to US at all, and it sucks because people generally do. And I'm just like ;-; why (no offense to Americans tho lol)

is that even legal omg they're so chaotic?? XD how cute tho. Angel does stuff like that all the time too, but I'd never know that when I first met her (she has the most perfect exterior, and then when you get to know her; she's the biggest dork) Schools opening on the 20th, I can't wait to see her then :] (I can, however, wait for the exams which are scheduled for the 25th ugh)

peanut butter is indeed yellow, not up for discussion hehe :) here's my favourite hues!! I love gentle, soft hues like these (pastels) , for yellow; I don't have a favourite. they're all wonderful

ahhh no that's so precious of you!! :)) I'm smiling rn.

yeah skdhskdjsk I'M JUST SO GRRR. Whenever someone goes "hey Ari can you ______" and we both respond?? The tension?? In the air?? Bro skdjskks. 😔🤚 You share a name with one of the most precious characters too tho!!;

This is Shiro from Voltron hehe. I love him so much, just like I love you (tho I'm sure we both know I love you more <3)

I share a name with a book character. His name is Aristotle Mendoza, but his crush-turned-boyfriend calls him "Ari" (which has been my nickname since I was 12). Reading it for the first time was the BEST feeling ever. It's also my favourite book, "Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe".

—Ari :D (no pfttt I love the tag so much. I have my own tag, that's like the best thing ever 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺)

Heyyy I'm so sorry for answering so late!! I know you said not to apologize but..... well hmm no excuse I just feel like apologizing, but either way thank you for your patience!!♡ This is the third time I'm rewriting this, and this time I'm doing this in my notes because fuck it😔

Im glad to hear that!! Highlands are always so pretty. Wish we had those here, but it's only steppe here:( Boring~ ooh, donuts!!! They're really good. I havent much, but I tried them like 3 times and they're so good. I really hope I will get to eat more<3 also WHAT'S THOSE NOODLES' NAME I WANNA KNOW- Are you feeling okay now, though? XD

My days were nice!!! Felt as if I had been hiding three bodies, but I've been feeling better lately. We had online school yesterday so I'm excused from the errands for the half of the day, thankfully. But your messages make me very happy. Though I dont always feel like writing a response (or I get stressed because it doenst save) so very sorry for that😔

Ohh those look so pretty!! I'd totally join to just look at them. The colors are so nice🥺 it looks like one of our olympiad prep slides, though better. I dont have the screenshots sadly😩 Either way I really love the little details like the squiggly thingies or the Ж .... they seem unnecessary but the energy changes a lot without them hehe

I really hope they will be🥺 that'd mean a lot to me. And I'm also really hopeful itll work out. I really don't wanna disappoint my family, which is literally just one person. The less people there are, the more it hurts, you know?

Yeah, that scene meant so much to me!! I dknt remember much, but I was very happy they said something like that, because I've been told being a translator wont work out for me. Now look at me, I'm about to tell them to fuck themselves<3 I was also so surprised to see Laurent know that many languages ..... I aspire to be like him😩 And honestly, I havent though so deep of that but you opened my eyes and now I'm about to float off into the next universe😭 dont apologize though, its very cute!!!♥︎♥︎

Heheh, I guess you're right.. every single anime INTJ is a silent sexy mastermind and I love them . ... YEAH every single time I see a passing couple i cry because I dont have anyone 😡💔 and sometimes when I see people doing something amusing (which includes people failing cuz I'm evil) I just imagine one of the characters doing that and I smile all the way xD Honestly, I'd sell my father on black market for a single day with one of them:( though that may sound like a really low price because his cigarette filled lungs wouldnt cost a lot... I sound like my 7th grade self again I'm so sorry

BAHQHHANEJWJD I HOPE THEY WERE EMBARRASED. I HOPE THEY FELT AWKWARD AND OTHER PEOPLE DID TOO, they deserve it. Like, learn your lesson bitch, it's been a year!

Yeah!!! I love mayo, not to the point where I would gulp it down from the package, but it does make dishes taste good. Same, soggy cheese on itself sounds like a dish served in the ninth circle of hell. You should try nuts in honey!! Like, just straight up dip them in honey. Sounds weird, and it doesnt always taste NEJFJKSKF (depends on the honey)but I think it's worth trying xD Walnuts are the best with honey I think

That was so funny ... TOO FUNNY, I LAUGHED FOR LIKE . 3MINUTES STRAIGHT and I do not laugh when I'm tired. You really are special 😭😭😭😭 cheesy ... HAHRNFJJSF

I'm so sorry for being a bully like that but it's so funny how you left a single U there . Its so mysterious, was it in purpose? Or were you lost in the excitement if messaging me?

I was one of those people, honestly 😭 but mostly because I wasnt aware of its political condition, I guess. Maybe theres more than just politics that's bad about US, but honestly, it has more opportunities than this hellfire. Though now I'm more into Norway and Japan. Really wanna travel there :(

Heheh, yeah, we never really show off to strangers at first. I dont know what exactly I mean by we, but you get my point ♡ Good luck though!! I hope it goes well for you<3

Oh they looks so pretty!! They're really wonderful. Like bubblegum and cotton candy and literally anything sweet... it's so cute !!! And I totally agree, there isnt a bad yellow.

HAHAH, honestly, that reminds me of how there were 4 people with the same name in my class, and whenever the teacher did the attendance thing, they would all stand up. Teachers usually dont say the last names, so we always gotta ask which person they mean if theres more than one person with that name, so yeah.. That happened on accident at first, but then they just did it for trolling xD

OH MY GOD HES SO PRETTY? HES SO PRECIOUS?? HUHHH??? I gotta thank Kuro for this wonderful opportunity of sharing a name with someone like .... him🥺

Oh that's so cool!! Also, he has a boyfriend ... I really need to start reading xD it's so cute though! It sounds like such a good book, I'm glad you share a name with him, hehe!!

I also share my real name with one of the characters in a kids' show, and its SO ugly, I'm in pain. Every time my friends see one of those on TV they go

Which is a pain in the ass, it's so embarrassing...........

Awh, okay!! I'm glad you love it, cuz I do too. Because it's your name.... cuz I love u. That was so lame PLEASEJWJDJSJF I HOPE YOUR DAY WAS GREAT !!! LOVE YOU

[lovemesomesurveys]

You ever played Call Of Duty? Did you like it? Are you into those types of video games at all? Nah, I was never into those types of video games. 

Do you like to cook for people, or do you order to be cooked for? Has anyone ever told you that you were a good cook? Well, I don’t cook except for ramen and that’s just for myself cause my family doesn’t really eat that. My parents and brother are awesome cooks, though, so I get to enjoy what they make.

Do you have any clocks in your house that chime when the hour changes? Do those types of clocks annoy you? We have one in the living room that makes bird noises, ha. We’ve had it since I was a kid.

Has anyone ever let you borrow some of their music, promising you'd love it, but you really didn't? Did you lie to the person and agree, or tell the truth, that you hated it? I’ve had people suggest music to me that I should listen to and I’d be like like, ‘okay, cool I’ll definitely check it out’, but then didn’t. :X haha. Not all the time, but yeah. I’m just lazy. Anyway, I’ve been suggested good music that I liked and others not so much. If I didn’t like it I wasn’t mean about it, I probably said it just wasn’t my vibe or found something nice to say about it like the singer had a nice voice or a lyric that stood out.

What is your usual hair style? Do you tend to wear the same style every day, or do you switch it up a lot? I just throw it up in a messy bun cause I don’t have the energy or motivation to do anything else with it.

Have you had the same doctor pretty much your whole life, or have you went to a bunch of different ones over the years? Have you ever been to the doctor thinking something was horribly wrong with you, but it turned out to be something minor? I had a primary doctor that took care of everything from the time I was a baby to when I turned 21, which was the age limit for that doctor, sadly. I found another primary doctor and I’ve been seeing him ever since. I’ve seen several other types of doctors as well throughout the years. I’ve had to bounce around to a few different pain doctors, but one I’ve had now I’ve been seeing for almost 3 years. Another regular doctor I see that’s been managing something else I have I’ve been seeing for the past few years and I’ve been to them in the past as well.

Do you prefer to go out to get ice cream, or do you just like to get the kind you keep in your freezer? What flavor do you usually get? I’m not a big ice cream person, but I’d say having it at home cause it’s more convenient and I can have as much as I want whenever I want. Going out for ice cream sometimes can be nice as well. I haven’t done that in years or even had any ice cream at all in awhile, though. Anyway, I like strawberry, mint chocolate chip, birthday cake, or peanut butter cup.

Do you look forward to the holidays, or do you dread them? What holiday is your least favorite, and why? I love the holidays. I especially look forward to Christmas.

Is the background on your phone a default picture, or a picture you took? What is the picture of? My lock screen and home screen are different hearts/Valentine’s Day themed backgrounds. I like to change up my backgrounds and if there’s a holiday then I’ll likely do something for that.

What is your favorite type of print (ex: zebra, stripes, argyle)? Do you have a lot of things with this print on it? Plaid. I don’t have a lot of things with plaid anymore, though, just a couple throw pillows and a pair of leggings.

Are there any stores you feel uncomfortable going into (ex: if you dress girly, do you feel uncomfortable going into Hot Topic)? Are there any stores that you refuse, or just never go in to? Sex shops, ha. I’ve been to one once because my friend wanted to go to one for her 18th birthday, but I’ve had no interest in going for myself. Otherwise, I just don’t go into a store because it’s not of interest to me or I have no need to, not because I feel uncomfortable. 

Do you look in mirrors a lot, or do you try to avoid them? How many mirrors are in your house? I avoid looking into mirrors as much as possible and spend as little time as possible doing so when I need to. There’s a few mirrors in the house.

What is your favorite brand of clothing? Is this a brand that is sort of expensive, or is it pretty affordable? I really like Adidas clothing and shoes. Most of my clothes come from Boxlunch and Hot Topic, though.

What person do you text the most? My mom or brother.

Do you have any pictures that always make you laugh, or cry? Are they digital pictures, or printed pictures? What is the significance? Uhh, like funny or relatable memes I come across online.

What are you listening to? An ASMR video.

What were you doing at 4am? I had just finished eating my ramen.

What’s your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Life, Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, Cap’n Crunch Berries, Cocoa Puffs... all the sugary ones, basically. Damn, I haven’t had cereal in so long that sounds good.

What’s the last thing you drank? Starbucks Doubleshot energy drink.

Where is your biological mother right now? She’s in bed, asleep.

Where is your biological father right now? He’s up getting ready for work.

What’s your mood? Right now I’m just tired.

Are you doing anything tomorrow? Nothing out of the ordinary.

Do you cry a lot? Yes.

Have you recently? Yes.

What’s your favorite candy? White chocolate and Reese’s, which they have a white chocolate version of as well, so hey.

Have you ever eaten raw pumpkin? Ew, no.

Does your car have a name? I don’t have a car.

Will you be in bed within twenty minutes? I am in bed. As for if I’ll be asleep, probably not yet.

Who did you sleep with last night? Myself, as always.

Wearing any bracelets? Nope.

What is your favorite color? Pastels, rose gold, sea foam green, coral, and yellow.

What should you be doing right now? Sleeping; it’s almost 7AM.

How much older is the person you’re currently interested in? I’m not interested in anyone in that way currently.

Remember the first time you kissed the last person you kissed? I do.

Have your parents ever caught you drinking? I didn’t drink until I was 21, so.

Do you love the last boy/girl you were talking to? Yes.

Did you have an exciting last weekend? No.

Is there a secret you’ve never told your parents? Yes.

Have you ever flirted with a friend’s crush? No.

Did you have a good birthday this year? I haven’t had my birthday, yet.

Do you lead people on? No.

Who was the last person you made plans with? I made plans to watch a TV show with my mom, ha. That’s about the only plans I make these days or about getting something for takeout.

What is the rudest thing someone has done recently towards you? i can't think of anything right now. which is good. <<<

When was the last time someone really got on your nerves? No one recently.

Have you recently lost any clothes? No.

What places will you be going tomorrow? I won’t be going anywhere.

When is the next time you will kiss someone? I have no idea.

How do you feel about your hair right now? It reallyyyy needs to be dyed.

How fast have you driven a car? I’ve never driven a car.

Have you ever smoked? Just weed.

Is the last person you kissed your other half? No.

Do you think this year is better than the last? It’s only February. We all know how awful 2020 was and we’re still going through it, but we’ll have to see how the rest of the year goes...

Where is the last person you kissed at this moment? I have no idea.

Has anyone seen you in your underwear this past month? Nope.

Would you rather marry Taylor Lautner, or take a million dollars? Give me the million, please.

Do you really believe in forever? Yeah.

What are you doing after this? I should go to sleep.

Someone says “all guys are players” You say? "generalizations are stupid." <<<

Are you an official couple with the last person you kissed? Nope. We never were.

Do you believe in kissing when you’re not together yet? Joseph and I did that for 3 years. I wouldn’t do that now, though. I’m in my 30s and if I date then I want a serious, committed relationship. I’m not looking for flings or to play games. Like, I’ll be upfront with the person and want to know where we stand and what’s going on before we carry on.

How serious are your feelings for the person you like? I don’t like anyone currently.

Do you live close to the person you like? --

[pyrogina]

my keto experience

Intro/TL:DR

As a preface I can report that I lost 17lbs in 30 days while strictly adhering to a keto diet.  I'm a 34 year old canadian woman who works from home as an artist and a huge helping factor for me was the freedom to stay home on the bad days and the ability to purchase fresh meats and vegetables on a weekly basis. This is a really tough diet but if you put the right pieces in place, it might work for you too.  Additionally, I am NOT a dietitian/nutritionist in any way, shape, or form.  Everything posted here is from my own experience and a modicum of research on the net.  Please double-check my facts before you begin this diet for yourself.

Is keto for you?

The first and hardest question to ask yourself about a ketosis diet is, Can I Endure this? And you should not feel any guilt if the answer to that question is no, because this is a very invasive and aggressive diet that will cause you physical pain even if just for a brief amount of time. Similar to vegetarianism, or is extreme cousin, veganism, a keto diet involves cutting out large swaths of the food pyramid to facilitate this diet. This does not mean going hungry, the foods that are removed will be replaced with other foods, only without any (or minimal) artificial or natural sugars. Sugar is just a chemical, which doesn't sound like a huge sacrifice, right? Most adults don't bother adding sugar to anything other than tea or coffee, but sugar is much more deeply rooted in our lives than you may realize.

Carbohydrates can be found in virtually every type of ready-to-serve foods: breads, wraps, pastas, fried snacks, hors d'oeuvre (these are examples of things I ate before this diet). All of these delicious and very satisfying foods have a fiber content and sugar content. You're still allowed to consume these, and I encourage you do so, but make sure to monitor the grams of total carbohydrates you consume that day. During this diet you will only be allowed to consume 20 grams (to 50 grams, depending on your body and personal needs) a day. remember this. Those 20 grams of carbs maybe the difference between you having a normal day and one of the worst days of your life.

Before I chose to begin a keto diet, I had been exercising casually (as before I was sedentary, more details on this later) and consuming about half as many carbohydrates as I had normally done in my life before. During the two years I was living this way, I was able to lose approximately 20lbs (from about 230 to 210).  If you're starting your diet or lifestyle change from scratch, maybe try starting here first.  Its significantly slower (10lbs in nearly a year), but it will not cause any pain or significant inconvenience.

What’s the big deal?/What to eat?

Sugar is a chemical, and more than that, its a drug that your body has been dependent on since you were a wee baby in your mama’s belly.  Sugar makes your brain work and when you mess with your brain’s intake of the all-important-life-sauce it goes into panic mode. In the first 2-3 days (up to 6 if your me!) you will literally, physically go into a state of depression.  Many had described it to me as ‘keto flu’ but as a survivor of 2009s Swine flu, I can most assuredly tell you that keto is much, MUCH worse.

First, my appetite became very finicky (and i'm already a very picky eater).  I had no desire to eat the genuinely tasty keto meals that my boyfriend had lovingly prepared.  I didn't want to draw, and I wasn't even in the mood to play easy video games.  All I felt like doing was crying or sleeping (which I did, for 9 hours in the middle of my 3rd day).  This is why, whenever I speak to someone who’s even moderately interested in this diet to BOOK TIME OFF YOUR JOB!!! It’s inconceivable to me to be forced to face other human beings in this state of physical distress.  You need to pamper yourself while in this state in order to endure it and ensure your success.

There was one more bump in the road around the one-week point but i'm fairly certain it came down to a combination of dehydration and moodiness (period) so perhaps that was an outlier.  Either way, water is the key when you start feeling shitty.  Get yourself a nice BPA-free water bottle that you're comfortable carrying around and keeping full of fresh water.  Once your body is in ketosis (you can check using those little paper sticks you pee on from the drug store, wash your hands!) you will get tired and moody the very instant you become hungry at mealtimes.  Sometimes you don't even feel the familiar hunger pangs from your previous diet and mistake it for just a general bad mood. Always have a sip of water, babes; that’s your brain telling you to hydrate.

Alternatively, after eating a keto meal you still may feel hungry or unsatisfied, even sad (longing for your favourite dessert).  This is where those 20g of carbs come in pretty clutch.  Finding your perfect portion of reward may be impossibly difficult, I can only tell you what made me feel better when I got the cravings.  Blueberries are quite sweet, they have a lot of natural sugar, but a handful of them sufficed as an incredibly sweet treat (some keto dieters have proclaimed that ‘regular things taste much sweeter than before’, I didn't experience this). Minigo/iogo yoghurt cups are fatty and sweet and work as a decent replacement to ice cream (count the carbs!).  On extra tough mornings (in addition to bacon and eggs! Totally keto!) we would split a cavendish oven-fried hashbrown (about 15g; 7.5g split between my partner and I).

There are a surprising amount of natural foods that are not keto, but in careful proportions, can be incorporated into a daily keto diet.  Most every fruit (that I checked) is very sugary but can make for a nice dessert.  Certain vegetables like carrots or potato have too many carbs to be anything more than a boost when you feel shitty. Red onions have a very small amount of carbs (sugar and fibre work together to your benefit!) and server to replace pasta as a side to a nice steak dinner.

On that note, you need fibre to make your BMs move.  Cutting carbs from your life means your number 2’s go bunny mode…. Take a sugar-free metamucil on any day where you have more meat during a meal than other types of food, or the toilet will be a nightmare.

Meals:

Cutting away pastas, breads, and other sides seems like an insane task but with some discipline and creativity, it's quite manageable.  Breakfast didn't change much: eggs any way (sunny side for me, cheddar omelette for my BF) with bacon or sausage. Lunch was some combination of chicken breast and various salads (so many salad dressings are low or no carb! Read the back!). On steak night, we replace noodles with sauteed red onions fried and seasoning.  Snacktime was usually pre-sliced cheddar cheese (go NUTS that shit is A-OK!), unsalted peanuts (other nuts have marginally more carbs, almonds and sunflower are moderate, check what works for you), or small amounts of beef jerky.  Accompany those snacks with a big drink of water, or if you've had enough of that, certain drinks are acceptable like tea or coffee (with sweetner and high fat milk, skim milk is too sugary), diet sodas, sugarfree drink mix (migo, nestea).  Just remember water, water, water.

Is it worth it? Pros/Cons

Cons:

-HURTS LIEK DRUG WITHDRAWL (you're literally coming down from the lifelong chemical addiction of sugar.  It hurts like Trainspotting)

-MEAT (you will be consuming a lot of animal product)

-POOP (even when you have your metamucil, the toilet can take some time)

-SWEETS (the cravings for your favourite yumyums will almost never stop, it takes monk-like discipline)

-BORING (you can't go out and enjoy meals/drinks with friends and family without them or the restaurant making odd or even crappy exceptions.  Keto menu options are slowly becoming popular though)

-TIRED (the first week or two will be very tedious and you won’t have any energy, even your favourite hobbies may seen unfulfilling for a time)

-ALCOHOL (basically none, unless you like vodka and sugarfree mix, you'll get drunk a lot quicker and end up feeling shittier without carbs in your body to process the liquor)

Pros:

-INSTANT RESULTS (in my first week i lost nearly 10lbs, and then two for every subsequent week. note that, just like any diet, there will be bounce-back)

-APPETITE LOSS (once you get into the swing of this, after the 2 week mark, you’ll find you no longer are pained when your hungry and the bigger cravings subside)

-BUDGET (this is a bit of an odd one and may not necessarily reflect your cost benefits.  Before engaging in this diet, my BF and I discovered we were spending too much money on restaurants and leaving the food in the fridge to waste.  This was primarily because we were too lazy to cook.  Getting off our asses and cooking 6 days of the week made an immediate impact on this for us.  If you already do that, this won't apply.  Concurrently, we spent more money at the grocery store ensuring we always had fresh meat and vegetables; this did net us positive)

-REWARDING MEALS (having to stop and think about what it takes to make a tasty and satisfying meal has forced us to look at things in a different way.  Making yourself and your partner a healthy, supremely tasty meal gets those endorphins peaking)

-EXERCISE (Unnecessary! Your choice! Just note that building muscle increases your weight as muscle weights more than fat)

My fave meals:

-Coffee (reluctantly replacing 1tsp of sugar with a fairy-dust sprinkling of sweetner cos i HATE sweetner, its 20-30x stronger than sugar so you only need 1/20th as much)

-Eggs and bacon!!! (sausage sometimes too)

-Garlic grilled chicken with spinach salad (onions, sliced almonds, feta, dressing)

-Steak and red onions (meat rare and onions grilled with seasoning)

-Spicy ground pork tacos (replace the taco/burrito with large boston lettuce leaves, shredded cheddar, green onions, diced tomato, dab of ranch sauce)

-Baked chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and spinach, topped with parmesan

-Slow-cooked pulled pork slathered with sharp cheddar (just eat with a fork!)

-Baked shrimp with garlic butter and parmesan

-Jalapenos stuffed with ricotta, cream cheese and cheddar, then wrapped in a strip of bacon (great late-night snack)

-Even changing the texture of a cheese can change the taste of the meal.  Shredded cheddar adds a salty bite to a lettuce wrap, grated parmesan can trick a baked chicken breast into thinking its breaded.  creamy cheeses can replace other baking sauces entirely.

-Diet pops (make sure its 0 sugar!), and tea/coffees with sweetner are fine, they do contain a lot of sodium though, make sure to drink 1-for-1 with water (meaning: every diet coke or tea you have, accompany it with the same amount of plain water so your body can process it and pee it out).

Variations/Control:

Vitamins: It should be noted that I take a daily multivitamin (C3+D) as I generally don't get enough sun or fruits.  I highly recommend you take these just in general. They help keep skin soft and blemish free (I initially began taking these because of acne on upper arms and it cleared within days).

Activity: As briefly mentioned earlier, I began shifting from sedentary (not moving much, sitting for hours a day) to a more active lifestyle about 2-3 years ago. This entailed a personal regimen of making an attempt at physical activity approximately half the days of the month (period week was generally excluded).  Every other day I would attempt one of the following: walking at least 2km, 15-20m of floor exercises (‘lady push-ups’, sit-ups), 15-20m of time on the indoor bike, or an hour of house related chores (lifting, laundry, cleaning, anything that involves getting sweaty).  In addition to these, yoga is peppered into my lifestyle as frequently as possibly, particularly in the morning before breakfast. On days where i'm unable to exercise, I at least attempt the basic yoga poses to stave off my (no-longer chronic) back pain.

[katiescookingblog]

Snacks and you

With school coming up (or already starting for some of you!), I know it can be such a hassle trying to get everything ready to get back to campus or to simply get everything ready to begin school. This year it’s different and even more stressful! With the pandemic, face masks, online school, etc., getting ready for school is even harder than it used to be. Who has time to think about food with twenty other things on the brain?

This year, as I make my way back to campus (finally!!), I realize I won’t be rushing to class except once a week. That means I'll be sitting around my dorm room with my laptop. What’s the one thing I do when I’m bored? Snack! I snack on anything and everything (candy, potato chips, fruit, you name it) that finds itself within my reach. This semester, as I live in an apartment-style dorm that’s right down the street from our campus store, I’m determined to cook healthier and stop snacking!

I have three secrets when it comes to snacking:

I chew gum

I cook hearty meals that fill me up

Or, should 1 and 2 fail me: 3. I get a healthy, filling snack

I often times find myself chewing at the insides of my lips. This is painful and it becomes a bad habit quickly! What I do when I’m home for the summer (or for quarantine), I grab food to stop chewing on my cheeks. This is nearly as bad as my cheek chewing habit. Chewing gum negates this habit, and it gives me a minty taste in my mouth. Not only do I enjoy that, but it also simulates the “I just brushed my teeth” feeling, making me less likely to eat.

When you’re full, you’re less likely to snack. Now, I’ve had (many) times where I’ve had a big meal and then got up to grab a snack less than half an hour later. So this isn’t a surefire thing, but it definitely helps! I won’t put any recipes here, but anything that features protein (tofu, beans, meat, etc.) is bound to be filling.

Snacking is sometimes unavoidable. Whether you’re eating a to-go breakfast, cramming something in your mouth in between zoom meetings, or grabbing the most available (i.e., closest) food, snacking is just a part of the day.

Before I get into which snacks are more nutritious for you, here are a few tips on how to actively choose healthier snacks:

We’ve all heard it said many times before any time we look up advice on how to eat healthier. Keep the junk food out of the way! If it’s harder to reach, you’ll be less likely to eat it. If this means keeping it on a high shelf, towards the back of the pantry, or putting a blanket over the cake container, try not to let yourself physically see it! This can be hard, and, if you live at home or with roommates, some members of the house may be a little aggravated if you start shuffling things around. I know that whenever I’m with my family, we have a shelf in the pantry about chest-level where we keep the candy, small desserts, and snack-sized chocolates. I don’t think I’ll be able to move that around, since it’s been there for nearly five years (the space dedicated to the candy, not the candy!). It’s especially hard when I open both doors of the pantry and see granola bars on my right and chocolate on my left. If you find yourself unable to move food around, try to have an image in your mind about what you want to snack on. If I think about a granola bar for most of the day and how we have just the kind I like, I’ll be more inclined to grab one.

The second tip I have is a little harder to follow, especially if you’re somewhere with people who share food with you. If you’re able, keep junk food out of the house! Avoid the candy aisle in grocery stores, and don’t even think about the freezer section filled with your favorite frozen treats. (An extra tip on grocery stores: stick to your list! And yes, writing dessert on your list is cheating)

Thirdly, ask yourself if you would eat an apple (or a banana). If the answer is no, you’re probably not hungry. If you really wouldn’t eat an apple because you “just don’t want an apple” (oh how I’ve used that excuse before!), ask yourself the same question with a different, healthier option before you grab the new bag of potato chips that are calling your name.

The last tip I have is mind-blowingly simple: drink water!! Drinking water is good for you, and it’s actually a natural appetite suppressant and can help you lose weight.

When you feel like you just absolutely have to eat something, regardless if you’re hungry or bored, here are some good snack options!

Fruit

Any sort of fruit, whether it’s an apple, a banana, a handful of blueberries, or a mango! Fruit is always a delicious option that works no matter the time, day, or season! I personally adore peaches, even if they’re straight from a can.

Vegetables

Whether it’s baby carrots, a veggie tray, or a whole tomato, vegetables are an amazing option to snack on

Peanut butter and celery or graham crackers

If you’re allergic to peanuts, try almond butter! If you’re allergic to nuts in general, try sunflower seed butter! You can do ants on a log (raisins, peanut butter, celery) and it’s still just as good, but I’m not a big fan of raisins. You can try unsweetened/dark chocolate chips for that healthy chocolate crunch!

Yogurt

I really like flavored yogurts, although plain, 2%, or fat-free is your best bet to be the healthiest option. Try it with loose (plain) granola for a crunch! I like to call that “interesting cereal”

Nuts

Nuts are super healthy! Pistachios, peanuts, cashews, almonds, and walnuts are all wonderful! No matter which nut you choose, unsalted is always healthiest! Unless, of course, you’re allergic. Maybe steer clear of this one if you are

Granola bars

Chewy, crunchy, Nature Valley, KIND, Clif Bars, Quaker, whatever your preference, granola bars are awesome! Be forewarned of just how much sugar is in whichever type you choose (less than 10 grams is optimal)

I’ve kept these options simple. I know when I think of snacks, it’s usually the prepackaged stuff. I’m not looking to spend more than five minutes in the kitchen trying to make myself a snack. I consider dipping graham crackers in peanut butter “making myself a snack.”

[omgkittymonster-blog]

KAT'S KETO STARTER GUIDE

a quick guide to starting keto easily and without worries!

⦁ intro ⦁ science ⦁ myths and misconceptions

⦁ breakfast ⦁ lunch ⦁ dinner ⦁ snacks ⦁ food list CHEAT SHEET:

⦁ intermittent fasting ⦁ what to do when you go out to eat ⦁ what to drink and when

⦁ "carb cycling", cheat days, and how tos: ⦁ things to avoid that are a waste of money

INTRODUCTION TO KETO Keto is an amazing diet and/or lifestyle that when paired with multiple other forms of healthy choices can be a quick way to lose a few pounds or a healthy way to live longterm allowing you to still enjoy life without estranging yourself from your friends and family.  It is very flexible and people that stick to keto find themselves in love with it and raving about their success, as long as they gave it the proper chance! I myself lost ten pounds the first week I did strict keto and I knew then I was hooked!

SCIENCE BEHIND KETO AND WHY IT WORKS The common american diet is very high in sugar, carbs, unhealthy fats, caffeine, sodium, etc. This recipe is a disaster waiting to happen, heart disease, obesity, cancers, diabetes, among a plethora of other terrible life stealing diseases that effect millions of americans. Whether you do a low carb, or low calorie, or low red meat and fat diet, the idea remains the same.  Reduce calorie intake vs output, avoid foods that cause inflamations or gastro-intestinal upsets, and eat filling whole foods that offer a lot of nutrient density. Now, the reason that keto works so good is the science behind the diet: When you reduce the amount of sugar (glucose)  your body intakes, which is its normal source of fuel, it panics, uses what it has, burns glycogen which is stored in the liver and muscles, and finally switches your body to KETONES (which burns FATS for fuel instead).  When your body is in Ketosis, it will burn your body fat and consumed fats for energy, to do normal body functions.  This sounds like a miracle, and I can honestly say it is.  Most average americans have anywhere from a 20%-50% body fat ratio, men usually on the lower end of that, where anything over 30% is usually considered overweight.   That being said, most people have a lot of fuel to burn that they would never have burned if they were eating a large amount of carbohydrates that the body prefers to burn first.  You literally have your own fuel just waiting to go, and you will feel awesome when you see the fat melting off your tummy, thighs, back, face.  :D

Myths and Misconceptions When I first started keto I thought I could eat as many hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, ranch dressings, etc as I could stuff in my face.   Truth be told you can, but your body will be severely lacking vitamins and minerals that you need to be healthy so I would suggest making sure to vary your diet, always include a healthy fat (example: salmon, avocado, macadamia nuts) and lots of greens whenever possible.  If you absolutely cannot, taking a high nutrient density multi vitamin is really smart, as well as looking into electrolyte mixes or supplements. People will try to bully you or shame you for not eating "just one this" or "you have to try a bite" and after a little while, you absolutely can! But during the first month or so, til you become "fat adapted" it is best to be as diligent as possible, and you will be really proud of the results. Not all fats are created equal:  While dirty keto does exist and sometimes is necessary, try to remember that quality of your fuel will always dictate how you feel.  Will you feel better after a slice of greasy pizza or a big salad with lots of veggies and roasted turkey? Easy concept. You don't have to starve yourself.  This was the hardest part for me to learn at first.  Keto foods are filling, yummy, and full of flavor, so eat til you're about comfortably full and give the fork a rest.  You'll find you're sated for many hours! Not all people get the keto flu.  Some adapt to eating high fat really well with minimal issues.  If you are feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or stomach sick, make sure you have plenty of water and if you need to, have a shot of pickle juice or a sprinkle of salt in your water.  Vitamin water ZERO is also a decent way to get electrolytes without having to spend a lot on a supplement.  I'd avoid zero sugar gatorade though, the sweetener in it is sucralose which is bad for ketosis.

NOW TO THE FUN PART: THE FOOD! I do most of my shopping at a normal grocery store, and most of the things I mention can be bought at meijer, target, walmart, or whatever your local chain is. Buy organic if you want! But it isnt necessary.  Meats and dairy foods are best when bought all natural or organic if possible.  Look for words like grass finished, or pasture raised.

Breakfast ideas: Omelets - add whatever meats veggies and cheeses from list fit your choosing Cauliflower "hash" - sautee pieces of cauliflower with meats, veggies, top with cheese and let it melt :D keto "cereal" - 2 cups unsweetened coconut, sprinkle with cinnamon, stevia, coconut oil, pecans, macadamia nuts, whatever.  bake two minutes per side around 375 til toasted.  cool and serve with unsweetened hemp, oat, almond or soy milk and fresh berries if you want! Chorizo and eggs with avocado and sour cream - they do make turkey chorizo too! or make your own by adding hot sauce and spices to ground turkey.  :3 "Two Good" Makes a super low carb yogurt that tastes amazing  - i eat it with berries or a "Quest" brand protein cookie for breakfast! Chia pudding - 2 T. chia seeds, milk substitute or water, stevia, and whatever flavor you want to add! Peanut butter, cocoa powder for PB cup,  raspberry/almond,  blueberry/pecan.  Chill overnight, awesome grab and go Egg muffins  - mix up eggs like youd be making scrambled eggs, add some ricotta or cottage cheese (full fat only), add toppings, bake for 5-10 mins til middle is set (use a tooth pick).  Can freeze and pop in microwave or last a week in the fridge.  I like mine with pesto and mozzarella with tomato on top.

Lunch ideas: La tortilla factory low carb wrap "blt" - these tortillas are amazing and come in many sizes.  If you cant find those, find any brand that says "low carb" - look for net carbs under 6 for best choices.  Add avocado, turkey bacon, mayo if desired, lettuce, tomato, peppers, etc.  Eat with cheese chips (recipe in snacks) Soups:  Creamy chicken chili, broccoli cheese (substitute heavy cream and broth in place for milk in recipes) bone broth veggie soups (imagine PHO or Ramen with no noodles!) MAKE A BIG ASS SALAD WITH WHATEVER MEATS AND CHEESE AND VEGGIES YOU WANT   (that are safe on the list ofc) this is what i do a lot, and i put the dressing on the side so i can just munch on it throughout the day without it getting soggy.   If you find yourself picking certain parts out of your salad right away, try to focus on those more until your body is craving other things.  Some days i eat my meats right away, others i eat all my veggies.  Your body often tells you what you need without even realizing. If you're a grazer make a fruit and nut tray, or "lunchables" almost. There is a recipe for whats called CLOUD BREAD. It's basically like a fluffy meringue that is made with cream cheese and eggs. I dont make it a lot, I almost always would rather have those wraps.  They're that good and last longer :D Try to keep things with you that you know you will eat, rather than things you think you're supposed to eat, because cold fish sounds disgusting vs that yummy five piece chicken tender with hot sauce. >_>

Dinner Ideas: Dinner is my forte because for a long time I was doing OMAD keto, aka "One meal a day keto" where I would fast until dinner every day, except for coffee, tea and water.  During these times I dreamt up many cheat meals that I JUST HAD TO HAVE and went home and keto-ized em.  If there's a will there's a way, bahahaha. OMAD is not recommended at the start of ketosis because you may feel low on energy or dizzy sometimes and we want to avoid bad feelings during initiation so when you see the success you have you won't have a negative feeling as to why it happened.

LITERALLY IMAGINE YOUR FAVORITE DINNER. Whatever you're craving.  You can hack it. We got this.   Chinese/Take out? Easy mode.  You can make stir fries, fried cauliflower rice, sweet and sour chicken (using parmesan for a crust!), peanut "noodles" or "zoodles", egg foo young, etc! American: Wings, burgers, brats/sausages, grilled chicken, etc - most cook out foods in whole form are totally safe. Pair with grilled veggies or a salad, or make a pasta salad from zoodles with homemade italian dressing.  YUMMMM bish Italian: Low carb tomato sauces and "noodles", Fat head Pizza (link to fat head dough recipe will be at bottom.  This shit is dope.  I never even liked pizza before this).  Chicken Parmesan, "Spaghetti and Meatballs", Lasagna: AND OMG GUESS WHAT. Alfredo is like totally fair game, and its really good with mushrooms and chicken. :P Mexican: HOLY FUCK I EAT THIS STUFF SO MUCH.  Like, pretty much everything but the chips and rice are totally gucci for keto.  Taco/Burrito bowls, fajitas, ceviche, salsa, avocado salad, guacamole, and for dipping I make cheese chips or thin slices of cucumber spritzed with chili lime and salt. Greek: Greek salad, schwarma, gyros (either without bread or use the low carb wraps), hemp seed "Falafel", tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, olives, etc. I have even made indian and thai curries, moroccan food, middle eastern We have made chicken tenders, french fries, chips, "nachos", fish fry, breaded mushrooms, mozz sticks, cheese curds.  All your craving foods! The internet is wonderful for this, just make sure you are paying close attention to how much a portion is, or if its higher in carbs than you're allowed for the day.

Above I posted a picture for a shopping list.

This is a nice shopping list but I find it is sort of strict.  Try to stick to these items to start but You can add in things like more nuts or avocados, almond and coconut flours (to make cakes and breads!), and higher starch veggies and fruits as time goes on.  I get down on some cantaloupe pretty often, and have a cupcake at least once a month.

Intermittent Fasting IF is typically considered an advance technique or body reset especially after big meal days or cheating, and while it has amazing health benefits, I would suggest you research it yourself and decide if it's right for you.  I had a lot of luck with it because I hate to keep track of my calories on an app so I knew if I ate whatever I could within a five to seven hour period that the chances that I would eat more than 1800 calories would go way down.   Each person is different, if you feel physically hungry, don't deny that feeling. Here is a link that describes and explains types of IF. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-guide#methods

What to do when you go out to eat We live in a time where many people eat low carb, or restaurants are very willing to wiggle with ingredients or substitutions.  Remember that nicer restaurants appreciate this less, but if you know that it will be happening, you can always call the restaurant and let them know in advance.  Many chefs are reasonable and want your business and willing to help. Always check the menu for words like, naked, ask for sauces on the side, try to stick to things that are usually safe, blue cheese, ranch, vinaigrettes, mayos.  When a dish comes with a carb side, most places will double up on steamed or grilled veg for very little extra or no charge.  I get steak with a literal dick ton of broccoli or asparagus and lotsa butter and its good and filling. :D Burgers can be put on top of a side salad , or ask for a lettuce wrap.  Make sure wings and chickens arent breaded before frying or baking.  Chinese restaurants usually have a section that has all the same ingredients but sauce on the side and veggies steamed, good for when you go out.  Egg drop soup is usually ok as long as you don't eat a gallon of it. If something comes that you really want, but can't have, just have one small bite and cover the rest of it with too much salt or ketchup or something than you can handle, or trade it away.  This will prevent you from eating it all. There's lots of options and understand that whenever you go out, there is a chance that you might slip out of ketosis.  Don't be discouraged because a small slip is a lot easier to deal with than a big one, and you will feel fine within 12 hrs.

What to drink and when Coffee, espresso, unsweetened teas, club soda or la croix like drinks with zero fake sugars added (look for aspartame, sucralose, dextrose, erythritol, etc), pure liquors with no added flavor or sugar (vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila), dry red wine (cabernet, merlot) dry white wine (sauvignon blanc, brut champagne, pinot grigo, chardonnay).  Keep in mind that alcohol still contains a lot of calories and while it will not likely bump you out of ketosis, it does delay your body burning calories because it is too busy trying to destroy the evil alcohol from your bloodstream (dramatic music) so limiting intake in the first month really helps you to get in the swing and feel good and hydrated :P. Side Note: Ketal One makes new no sugar added Botanical Vodka and the Peach one and the cucumber mint one are fucking amazing, the end.

"Carb cycling" cheat days, and how to IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE GONNA CHEAT mentally prepare yourself for that.  Know what you want to eat, what isnt worth it, and how to stop yourself when you are done.  Ever been on a bender where you drank like three days in a row and by the end you're like dude wtf happened all I wanted was to drink friday night and now its sunday where did it go".  This has happened to me lots with holidays and special occasion weekends, and the best advice I have for you is to pay attention to how cheating makes you feel.  Don't feel guilty unless you feel bad for your progress or your body.  Sadly, potatoes make me feel like garbage so I try to avoid them like the plague even when I do cheat. Try to not eat for as long as you can handle after you cheat to allow your body some rest and to burn the glucose and glycogen that may be still in your system.  If you feel good enough some cardio or lifting may help to get you back in faster. Ultimately, if keto is a lifestyle for you, remember that life happens and its ok to be human, and eat things that are unhealthy as long as its not the normal.  Remind yourself that you deserve to be happy as well as healthy and balance that in your mind.  Being positive and recognizing this will help you to not fall off the deep end either way, by being too strict or completely abandoning keto, which often in the early phase will lead you to gaining all that weight you lost back. Carb cycling is a form of keto diet for athletes or very physical people who benefit from a quick carb before intense activity in order to feed their muscles or whatever but as I am not one of those people, I just stick to my higher carb fruits and veggies when I think I might go for a run or walk, or drag my ass down the road, whatever you'd like to call it. >_>

Things to avoid that are a waste of money Don't buy "exo ketones" or "Keto drinks" or powders, anything "bullet-proof" is basically bullshit, you can make the same things for zillions of dollars less and it will taste better as well. Keto urine strips are pretty much just a waste of money, they aren't really indicative of where you are at. Expensive "keto" supplements aren't necessary, take your multi and drink your electrolytes and you should be good to go.  Keep in mind if you are an intense athlete I am not so like talk to your doctor or coach dude.

[surveysonfleek]

088.

Find the nearest book. Read the second sentence on page 13. honestly the closest thing that’s a book is my kindle and there’s no way i’m gna fuck up my place by going to page 13 for this question lol.

Do you own anything that is made of metal and pink? hmm probably only coz i do own a lot of pink.

Is there laundry in your dryer right now? no dryer.

Would you eat a hissing beetle for $1000? i would probably seriously consider it but not do it lol.

If you had to spend a year studying an animal in the wild, what animal? pandas. (this survey is super long)

What is your all time favorite recipe? i had this amazing recipe for the moistest vanilla cupcakes ever but i lost it. i need to find it. i’d always get compliments.

What’s the first thing you think of when you smell strawberries? nothing really.

What’s the nearest thing to your right that starts with an L? lamp. Are there any bells in your house? the doorbell? lol. there’s also bells on the front door, you’ll always hear it if someone opens it.

What’s your favorite informercial? i hate them.

Ever been to AsSeenOnTv.com? no.

If you could have a shopping spree in any store, what would it be? a department store so i can buy something from every section lol.

Where’s the best place to register for a wedding? a department store lol.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever found on the beach? dead blue jellyfish.

Have you ever kissed anyone within an hour of meeting them? no i haven’t.

Can you watch a birthing video all the way through? i’m not sure, never tried.

What would be your act in a talent show? nothing!! 

What channel is on channel 37 on your tv? nothing.

What’s the last thing you wrote? my id number.

Do you have a community mailbox or an individual one? individual. like for my family.

How many keys are on your key ring? only three i think.

What was your first myspace song ever? i forgot.

Besides mama and dada, what was your first real word? haha i have no idea i’d have to ask my parents.

Would you rather be stuck in the desert or in a blizzard? blizzard. i honestly hate the summer heat.

What dessert do you hate? ice cream. like just ice cream. it’s boring.

What candy factory would you love to work at? lindt.

What does an envelope taste like to you? an envelope haha. can’t really compare it to anything else.

What’s your favorite line in your favorite movie? ugh idk lol. i can’t be put on the spot like that coz nothing comes to mind instantly.

Have you ever gone to the bathroom outdoors? yes. i used to go on camping trips a lot as a kid lol.

Would you help a baby cougar w/ the risk of the mama attacking you? no. 

What international monument would you like to visit the most? golden gate bridge - again. i never got pictures with it.

Have you decided where you want to get married? nope. around 30 i guess.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten in a sandwich? meh, i’m not very creative. so nothing too strange.

What’s the most exotic thing you’ve eaten? umm idk.

Is there a crime/criminal that intrigues you the most? no.

What Disney character do you think is the cutest? boo from monsters inc has always been cute for me.

Can you name some of the clever names of OPI nail polish? no lol.

Can you sing the entire theme song to any show? yes. the office. it has no words lol.

Did you ever get ‘the talk’ from either one of your parents? nope. my mum asked me as a kid if i knew how babies were made and i said yes and instantly left her room lol.

Do you remember drinking from a bottle? yes.

What’s in the third drawer of your dresser? leggings, tights and warmer clothes.

What do you keep in the little pocket of your purse? gum.

When people ask for ID, which ID do you use? driver’s license.

Who was the first person you knew who’s name started with a P? pj, my first friend in preschool.

What’s the last form you filled out online? this cashback thing from tolls.

How many times have you had to renew/change your driver’s license? i’ve renewed my license maybe five times now. and this month again coz it’s expiring.

Have you ever been given a bouquet of carnations? no.

Do you have an old computer that just sits at the house? yes lol. we should throw it, no one ever uses it.

Do you read the lyrics in the CD sleeve while listening to the song? i used to when i used to buy cd’s. i’d hate it when the sleeve didn’t have lyrics lol.

Name something you made out of play-doh when you were younger. a ball.

What’s your next appointment for? nothing.

When’s the last time you put glitter on something? on the weekend lol. as eyeshadow.

What’s the worst birthday gift you received as a child? clothes. i hated getting clothes. i was all about the toys.

Do you go into the gas station or stay by your car when pumping gas? stay by my car? then go into the gas station when i have to pay? confused by this question.

When’s the last time you sat on Santa’s lap? omg i don’t remember.

What’s your favorite kind of caramel apple? don’t think i’ve ever had one.

Would you rather wrestle crocodiles or anacondas? crocs. i’d hate to think of dying a slow and painful death with an anaconda squeezing you.

Did you sneeze last night? probably.

Do you hold the remote while watching tv or set it down? set it down unless i’m flicking through channels.

Have you ever done farm chores like milk a cow or shave a sheep? no.

When’s the last time you used a coupon? umm last week when i bought my new hair straightener.

Does your mom know what size clothes you wear now? yes.

Is Love written anywhere in the room you’re in? yes.

What’s the nearest sports equipment to you? basketball jerseys.

Have you ever glued your fingers or hands together? yes. i was fumbling around with superglue trying to fix my shoe and my fingers got stuck together for a good few seconds.

Do you think that they should bring the guillotine back? naaah. too messy.

If you could invent anything to make life easier, what would it be? teleportation so i could travel whenever.

Would you like to run in a giant hamster ball for humans? no.

What were that last kind of nuts you ate? normal peanuts.

Do you own any shirts with political or social statements on them? no.

Do you remember what your 2nd grade teacher’s first name was? mrs. la scala.

Have you ever played Twister & had someone’s butt in your face? haha i don’t remember the last time i played twister.

What was the last thing you cheated on? hmmm idk.

When was the last time you used a walkie talkie? geez probably when i was 10.

Where do you usually go camping? i don’t go camping anymore.

Who do you sleep with when you go camping? well with my family.

Ever been afraid to see a ghost in your rearview mirror when driving alone? hahaha plenty of times. especially after those nights with friends where you just start talking about scary shit.

Have you ever dated anyone whose name started with B? no.

If yes, was it a good experience? -

Do you remember what Doug Funnie’s dog’s name was? i forgot he even had a dog.

What is your favorite episode of The Brady Bunch? no idea. i remember watching it as a kid but totally no recollection of any scenes.

Name a line from a Spice Girls song. coz tonight is the night when two become one. man i had no idea as a 5yo that song was about sex.

Have you ever jumped into a pile of leaves? yes.

What does your swimsuit look like? a black one piece.

Do you like it fast or slow? ha, there’s a time for both.

What’s the last holiday candy you consumed? idk lol.

What’s the last thing you bought at a grocery store? smokes.

Have you ever done a backflip on a giant trampoline? no. don’t think i’ve ever tried doing a backflip in my life.

Do you believe that there is only ONE person out there for everybody? not sure, only because there’s the whole ‘the one that got away’ thing.

Do you prefer flowers or chocolate? chocolates.

Do you remember the first time you used a computer? yeah, there’s a photo of me and everything lol. i was playing some game that came from a floppy disk.

Do you remember the first computer game you ever played? some educational game. i forgot what it was called.

Does your Wii character ever look like you? sorta. but not really.

What’s the last sour thing you put in your mouth? my drink.

Do you remember anything from before you were 3? not really hey.

Do you believe in hypnosis? idk if you’d call it that but there’s definitely a way to get people who are willing to be entranced, to be entranced.

Do you reserve pages in the yearbook for certain people? nope?

Ever had a fantasy about a teacher? haha no. there were hot teachers but i never imagined dating them or anything.

What’s the most humiliating outfit your parent made you wear? it was book week at school and we had to dress up as our favourite character from a book and my mum made me the ugliest tinkerbell costume hahaha. it was true to the character, i just looked terrible in it.

Did you ever want to change religions? no.

Is it hard for you to fall asleep when you have had a lot of sugar? no.

What’s your favorite thing to eat with strawberries? nutella.

How do you eat a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? i honestly just chomp it. 

What would you do for a Klondike bar? nothing.

What’s the funniest bumper sticker you’ve ever seen? -

Ever been up in the mountains? no.

When’s the first time you ever touched snow? i was 5 i think.

What color is your computer desk? that light brown/yellowish wood colour.

Are you baptized? yes.

What did you dream of last night? nothing.

Have you ever eaten an exotic animal? define exotic? the weirdest thing i’ve eaten was turtle. never again.

What do you think is the funniest movie of all time? mean girls and white chicks.

Name a line from that movie? 'yo momma’s so old, she breastfeed like this *blows powder*’ still hilarious.

Would you be surprised if you found out your mom had tattoos? hahaha hell yes.

Would you wear a leather dog collar for free drinks? hahaha. no way.

When was the last time you danced the Macarena? forever ago. i think on a cruise lol.

Can you sing your school’s song? our school song was written and produce the year i graduated, so naturally i don’t remember it since it wasn’t played on repeat throughout my whole school life.

What was your all time favorite subject in elementary school? probably art. it was always really chill.

What’s the last song you sang out loud in the car? idk haha.

Who is the last person you talked to whose name started with a G? ugh, i can’t think lol. gio i guess.

Have you ever bedazzled anything? my phone cover back when it was cool.

Have you ever bought anything off of HSN or QVC? no. Where do you keep your cash? all in my account. i hate carrying cash.

Do you fold laundry while watching tv? no.

When’s the last time you used a protractor? high school lol.

When’s the last time you used a Victoria’s Secret product? the other day.

Can you name the kids from the Cosby Show? nope.

What’s your favorite show on Nick At Nite? never had nickelodeon.

Have you ever made a rubber band ball? no lol. always wanted to.

What zodiac sign do you find to be the most interesting? none. people who truly believe in that shit kill my life. i could read any horoscope and somehow find a way it relates to my life.

Would you ever see a psychic? tempting but no.

When’s the last time you had cotton candy? ages ago.

Where is your younger sibling? in her room.

What’s the last thing you ordered at a Mexican restaurant? tacos.

Do you have an ant problem in the summer? nope.

Do you tan outside or in a booth? outside. but rarely.

Do you still use scrunchies? no.

Have you ever met someone for the 1st time that seemed so familiar? yes. i didn’t officially meet her, but there was this girl at work who looked SO familiar. i spent all shift thinking about it and realized she looks exactly like baby ariel lol.

What’s the most hours you’ve worked in a week? 40.

Do you keep anything in files? yes.

Do you have special ringtones for different people? only my boyfriend.

How do you eat your steak? rare/medium rare.

Is your birthmark shaped like anything? nah, it’s just a small dash.

Can you put on mascara with your mouth closed? yes.

Have you ever worn men’s underwear? no.

Do you own anything that’s fuzzy and purple? nope.

When’s the last time you were kissed on the cheek? on the weekend.

Do you play with pogs? nope.

What wild animal would you like as a pet? a panda that’s tame.

When’s the last time someone hung up on you? idk lol.

Have you eaten an entire pizza by yourself? hmmm. i probably have tbh.

Have you ever fallen out of a tree? nope.

Did you read the Babysitters Club book series? i was obsessed with it as a kid. i’d go to the markets and scope out garage sales just to collect them all.

How about Goosebumps? ^ same.

Ever worn a flower in your hair? yes.

What kind of car did your parents have while you were growing up? suzukis. they don’t have suzukis anymore yet i do lol.

Do you ever wish your birthday was on a different day? nah. i like my birthday.

Do you sunburn easily? i can if i’m not wearing any sunscreen.

Have you read the Twilight series? the first book only and like halfway through the second.

Why couldn’t you go to sleep the last time you were up all night? i was occupied lol.

What breed of dog do you find the most annoying? the small barky ones lol.

What would you name your first born son? haven’t thought that far ahead yet.

Do you cook anything you don’t like eating? no lol. what’s the point!

Do you watch any reality shows on MTV or VH1? no.

Would you have a better chance of surviving in the Sahara or Alaska? alaska. easily.

When’s the last time you pet a cat? omg maybe over a year ago.

Do you remember Eureka’s Castle on Nick JR? nope.

What would you say is Paris Hilton’s occupation? international dj hahahaha.

Are you wearing a necklace? yes.

Do you have any noticeable moles or birthmarks? i have a small mole below my right eye.

Count to ten in another language. ok i just did.

Do you feel uncomfortable telling friends they have boogers in their nose? no. i’d appreciate it if my friends told me if i had any!

What do you remember from sex ed class when you were younger? yes lol. the class thought it was a joke.

What’s the first instrument you ever played? keyboard.

What’s the last thing you wore around your neck? necklace.

[megabrocklesner1world-blog]

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The health and wellness innovation is changing the design of the meals pyramid. With research uncovering the importance of micronutrients found in plant-based food, the new encouraged absorption of good fresh fruit and vegetables is really as large as 70% of one's daily diet. That is equal to 4-5 meals of vegetables & 3-4 meals of good fresh fruit daily! Therefore how will you fully grasp this in to your family's bellies whenever you know they'd rather take a bag of chips, a candy bar, or perhaps a microwavable treat?

· Shakes: An effective way to get protein, good fresh fruit, and vegetables within their stomachs! You can add almost anything to a mixer and develop something delicious. Focus on an excellent bottom like almond dairy, grain dairy or coconut dairy - whatever you prefer. Then to it include a splash of vanilla or almond acquire, a splash of nutmeg, 1-2 scoops of candy or vanilla whey protein powder. To this, you may also include some of the following optional components: 1/4 pot of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of a lover butter, 1-2 tablespoons of surface flaxseed, or 1/4 pot of fresh oats. For taste, contain half a strawberry and you can add any good fresh fruit of choice such as for instance, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, Goji berries, melon - or whatsoever is in season. You may also put in several spinach or kale leaves (remove the fibrous ribs).

· Dried good fresh fruit: A great treat that Walnoten many young ones may eat! The shops all hold therefore many varieties - from dry apples, mangos, pineapple rings, to peaches. See if you will find them with number sugar added. You may also discover sliced new coconut or good fresh fruit spears currently reduce, in your freezing good fresh fruit section. For comfort, have your good fresh fruit currently sliced and in a Ziploc bag ready to grab. If the kids need certainly to make an effort to wash and prepare the good fresh fruit, they'll most likely not eat it.

Idea: include 1 information candy protein powder to almond butter for dipping. (Buy the 2oz plastic containers from your supply yard and bunch them alongside the sliced fruit.)

· Real Good fresh fruit: In place of putting jam or jelly to your enthusiast butter meal, include the actual fruit. Put sliced bananas, strawberries or full blueberries on your peanut butter or almond butter sandwich. If the kids want it sweet, put in a drizzle of honey.

· Chocolate Included Bananas: Are good for dessert. First, reduce your bananas in to pieces and freeze them. Choose a dark chocolate which contains 65% chocolate and melt over a double broiler. Applying toothpicks, throw each cut of blueberry in the candy and formulate on a cookie plate lined with parchment paper. As an choice you can throw them in nuts or unsweetened coconut. Devote the fridge till it sets. Blueberries will also be fun to eat freezing therefore hold plenty of the on hand, as well.

· Grated zucchini and carrots: I include them to almost everything. Anytime I produce surface beef or turkey for pasta sauce, soup, or taco meat, I always eliminate these two vegetables in to it. They actually include a slight sweetness to the meat and digest the taste of whatsoever herbs you are using. My loved ones doesn't also spot the huge difference - even when I include a lot of to the meat. Still another thought is, instead of putting lettuce, use sliced cucumbers, pea sprouts, arugula or spinach leaves in your sandwich.

· Do-it-yourself Soup: You can truly set almost anything in soup (carrots, oatmeal, onions certainly are a great base) and it'll taste great. Cook your vegetables in a pot, include any taste of natural inventory or broth, or include a splash of curry, garlic, soup pepper, cumin, whatsoever your pleasure.

Idea: for different things, mix the soup in a mixer following it's cooked, and mix to a clean consistency.

· Salad club: Make one at the dining table, it's fun !.Put your lettuce in a large pan combined with dressing. Then set a number of reduce good fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts/seeds, diced eggs, whatsoever your creativity - in to small bowls. Each person may "build" their own salad. What you do not use, dates back in the icebox for another day!

· Roasted vegetables: is a superb way to truly get your household to eat them. Cube your vegetables, and put them in a Ziploc bag with some olive oil, sodium and pepper. Shake till equally coated. Place your vegetables on cookie sheet and toast them till crisp and tender. Another option is always to cut your veggies in to 1/4 inch spears, dirt them with flour, soak them in egg whites, and then throw them in Panko bread crumbs, and bake. A hot range is the main element - around 400 - 425 levels for approximately 20 minutes.

I understand that looking constantly to keep fruit and vegetables on hand is actually hard whenever you perform full-time. This is exactly why I do not juice. From the being therefore tired by the end of the afternoon and needing to swing by the food store every other day to reload. Research merely hasn't found ways to capture the tens and thousands of micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables, in a pill yet. However, you can come shut from formulas created from full food concentrates, but it still is maybe not a replacement for classic mother nature!

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35+ Healthy Lunch & Snack Ideas (Kids Will Eat!)

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35+ Healthy Lunch & Snack Ideas (Kids Will Eat!)

We’ve talked about what to pack in kids’ school lunches for healthy food, but healthy snacks are important too! It’s taken many years to get this area of life down, and we’ve made a lot of strides. Here is our ever-growing list of our favorite healthy snacks that aren’t heavy on sugar and contain lots of healthy nutrients that help kids learn, focus, and grow.

Combine several of them and you have a healthy lunch as well!

Here we go…

Beyond the Sandwich: Easy Snack & Lunch Ideas for the Whole Family

It seems like it should be enough of an accomplishment to shop, plan, and prep healthy weeknight dinners, but alas… there are those pesky breakfast and lunch times (and in between times) to plan for as well!

For this reason, I try to repurpose dinner leftovers as much as possible so I have to purchase fewer ingredients and do less prep throughout the week. Still, sometimes you just need a more portable or presentable snack when you’re on the go (or when the neighborhood pack of kids wanders into your living room… be warned: they come back more often if you feed them!).

I’ve grouped my favorite healthy snacks by category, starting with the most prep-intensive (it’s on my kids’ chore list to prep snacks for the week) and ending with my favorite convenience and pantry snacks to buy.

Snacks Kids Can Make

Kids are more capable of making meals and snacks than we give them credit. One of the best things I ever did was purchase this online kids’ cooking course that taught them safe knife skills, measuring, and more. Here are some of my favorite snack recipes that are easy for kids to make themselves:

Smoked Salmon Dip

This smoked salmon dip recipe is easy and packed with nutrients. It’s very easy for kids to make too, despite sounding fancy. I love this dip for a party or a quick snack or lunch. I always like including seafood whenever possible since chicken and beef can get boring.

Homemade Trail Mix

We love mixing up a batch of trail mix for quick snacks. Toss some nuts and dried fruit in a container and store in the freezer. Here are some ideas to include:

Nuts: walnuts, cashews, almonds, etc.

Dried fruit

Unsweetened coconut flakes

Chocolate chips

Carob chips

(I find Thrive Market has the best prices and quality for these. It is a membership-based service but totally worth it!)

Lettuce Wraps

I make variations of these all the time with whatever leftover meat I have in the house, wrapped in romaine lettuce (I add hot sauce). Other favorite variations to wrap in lettuce are:

Lettuce wraps are easy to make, especially if you already have the insides prepared.

Guacamole and Sliced Veggies

Most days, this is an easy snack to throw together in just a couple of minutes. I make easy guacamole by mashing avocado and salsa. Slice carrots, cucumbers, and celery for dipping and you are set. My one year old usually just eats the guacamole by the handful, but with all the nutrients in avocado, I don’t mind at all!

Celery With Almond Butter

This is one of my personal favorite snacks (or breakfasts when paired with hard boiled eggs!). Almond butter is less allergenic and has a higher nutrient profile than peanut butter (peanuts are actually a legume). I just slice celery and smear on almond butter. You can always add some raisins for the “ants on a log” look.

Fruit Kabobs

This healthy snack is easy for kids to make on their own and fun for them to eat too. You can use any fresh fruit you have on hand, but for a really beautiful presentation check out this recipe. Serve with full-fat (not fat-free or low-fat) Greek yogurt to dip for added protein and fat.

On-The-Go

Whether you’re headed out the door to an after-school activity or need something quick for a car ride, these snack recipes for kids are healthy as well as low mess.

Homemade or Nitrite-Free Beef Jerky

Who doesn’t love beef jerky? My kids would eat it by the pound if I kept enough of it around. It is high in protein, and good versions don’t have any chemicals or artificial preservatives. Stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods often carry healthy versions, and you can easily make your own.

Wellness Bars

I make these all the time and my kids call them “candy bars.” These granola bar alternatives are made with a base of nuts and Medjool dates and variations can include anything from cinnamon to dried fruit to dark chocolate. (My favorite is the basic recipe with organic dark chocolate chips… tastes like a cookie!). These are easy to make and a fast snack on the go.

Grain-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

This muffin recipe was made when I discovered we only had 5 eggs left for breakfast (nowhere near enough for our family!). This is one kitchen experiment that turned into a regular family favorite. The best part is it tastes and feels like cake but has lots of protein and fiber to keep you full. I also love to make this lemon blueberry muffin.

Coconut Flour Pumpkin Bread Muffins

Another muffin variation featuring coconut flour. It also freezes well so you can make a batch or two and pull them out of the freezer as needed. Make them in mini muffin tins and you have an even lower mess snack!

Homemade Fruit Snacks

Everyone loves fruit snacks! These fruit snacks are made with gelatin and kombucha, making them healthy and delicious. They are easy to pack when you’re running out the door and don’t make much mess (even with your messiest kiddos).

Homemade Fruit Leather

Another fruit recipe, these mock fruit rollups combine strawberries and beets for hidden nutrients. They roll up really easily and are perfect for packing for a trip. Serve with trail mix or nuts and you have a rounded snack.

Cheese Chips

When baked, cheese turns into a crispy and delicious chip! These real food cheese chips aren’t an everyday snack but they are a healthy (and cheaper) alternative to store-bought chips. They are easy to pack and offer healthy fats to keep kids feeling full.

For a Party

Visiting friends and family when you don’t eat many of the foods that are served at parties can be tricky. That’s why I always bring a plate of one of these party favorites:

Zesty Radish Cream Cheese Dip

Full of healthy fat, protein, and a serving of radishes, this creamy but healthy dip is a great way to get kids eating more veggies. Radishes can be too spicy for kids, but the cheese in this recipe makes the bite of the radish more palatable.

Cucumber With Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese

I could make a meal out of this (and I do sometimes). Simply slice cucumbers and spread on some cream cheese or top with a piece of avocado (or some guacamole). Put a piece of smoked salmon on top and presto- the perfect snack. A healthy fat, protein, and vegetable in one bite!

Deviled Eggs

Full of protein and healthy fats, deviled eggs are my go-to for filling hungry bellies during snack time. This is my tried-and-true deviled eggs recipe, but sometimes I improvise when I don’t have mayo on hand (or the time to make it) by mashing the yolks with avocado and a little salt and pepper. Put some nitrite-free bacon crumbles on top and you have an amazing snack (or breakfast… or lunch…)

Chicken Bacon Bites

These delicious chicken bacon bites are packed with protein (read: filling) and everyone loves them. These are my go-to snack for parties since they’re a crowd pleaser.

Shrimp Cucumber Appetizers

I love seafood and am always looking for tasty ways to get my kids to eat more of it. This shrimp cucumber appetizer recipe fits the bill. It includes healthy fat, protein, vegetables, and even probiotics. It’s a meal in a bite!

For Toddlers

Many toddler snack recipes are full of sugar! These healthier ideas will train their tastebuds to enjoy a whole variety of tastes and textures. See my full list of toddler finger foods here, but here are my favorites:

Chia Seed Squeeze Pouches

It’s no surprise that squeeze pouches are a popular snack for toddlers. They are easy to carry, easy for toddlers to eat on their own (with little mess) and are less likely to cause choking than finger foods. But store-bought pouches are expensive and contain preservatives, little protein, and up to 10 grams of sugar or more! This chia seed recipe is an attempt to make a healthier version for on-the-go. Chia seeds are a great source of calcium, omega-3s, and antioxidants, making this recipe delicious and healthy.

Fruit and Whipped Cream

This is a simple one but is delicious and filling. Add a spoonful of whipped heavy cream (unsweetened) to organic berries or sliced fruit (like apple slices). The fat in the cream will help kids stay full and the fruit adds just enough sweetness.

Homemade Healthy Jello

I grew up eating the sugar and chemical laden jello at my school, but I didn’t want my kids to eat it. So I came up with a healthy version using fruit juice and grass-fed gelatin. It’s not an everyday snack but is a healthier choice than regular jello.

Kale Chips

In my opinion, kale chips are the most kid-friendly way to serve kale. For toddlers, this is an especially good choice because it helps to expose them to greens early so they learn to like them. My kids don’t usually like kale, but kale chips they love!

Roasted Sweet Potato Bites

It can be hard to find snacks for kids (and toddlers especially) that don’t include sugar. But I like to reserve sweet treats for special occasions and give nutrient-dense snacks instead. This roasted sweet potato bites recipe is perfect. It’s easy to make (and freeze for later) and is an easy food for toddlers to eat on their own.

Grain-Free Chicken Finger

A far cry from the chicken fingers you find on most kid menus. These healthier chicken fingers are easy to make and delicious for adults and big kids too!

Healthy Treats

Hey, healthy can be delicious too!

Snow Cream (No Evaporated Milk)

This healthy snow cream (Dairy-free version option) was born when my kids (and the neighborhood kids) wanted to try this treat after a snowfall. Since snow was unusual in our area, I wanted to find a way to make it happen. This recipe uses just 4 ingredients (including snow!) and is a fun and healthy treat for the winter.

Healthy Homemade Chocolate

This recipe is GAPS, Paleo, and Primal friendly.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs (Keto Friendly)

With lots of healthy fats and just stevia as a sweetener, these treats are surprisingly healthy.

Healthy Homemade Marshmallows

This is definitely not an everyday food but when the kids are begging for a marshmallow, this recipe is a much better choice than store-bought marshmallows. It includes nutrient-dense ingredients such as gelatin, marshmallow root, and even probiotics.

Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

These summertime pops are not an everyday snack but they can be a fun and healthy occasional treat. These are made with just 4 ingredients and very easy to make.

My Favorite Snacks to Buy

If you’re not into making your own healthy snacks, there are so many more healthy options now than there were 10+ years ago when I started blogging! Here’s a short list of my family’s current favorites, most of them from Thrive Market, my not-so-secret secret for saving a lot of $ on pantry items like grain-free crackers, nuts, sardines, and many organic convenience foods.

Paleovalley Beef Sticks: Like beef jerky only easier for kids to eat since they’re softer. Best of all, they are made from very high quality (grass-fed) ingredients and preserved through a natural fermentation process, making these sticks a source of probiotics. Use coupon code wellnessmama10 for 10% off.

Epic Bars: These are made from grass-fed, pastured, and wild-caught protein sources. They’re a filling snack (or meal in a pinch) that I feel good about giving my kids. A few of the flavors (like beef and bacon) are AIP compliant.

Hemp Power Snacks: These snacks are made with high-protein hemp, blueberries, and sweetened with dates.

Kale Chips: If you can’t make them, these are a close second. They contain only real food ingredients and come in a variety of flavors.

Cashews: When all else fails, nuts are a great snack. They’re full of healthy fat and protein and easy to bring anywhere. Cashews are the softest nuts, making them a good choice for kids.

Seasnax: This seaweed snack is a great way to add iodine to the diet and kids really love them! They only contain 3 ingredients (including sea salt) and no sugar.

Daily Harvest Smoothie Cups: One snack the kids know is reserved for mom only! Too often we moms get the short end of the nutritional stick, so to speak, just because we’re taking care of everyone else. I keep these pre-portioned smoothie cups in the freezer a quick snack or lunch. They use nutritious fruits and veggies flash-frozen in delicious combinations like Carrot + Chia or Cold Brew + Almond. Also check out their harvest bowls and even healthy cookie dough!

I buy these snacks in bulk and keep them in a safe place in the pantry (read: where kids can’t reach them) so they are there when we need them.

Snacks for Healthy Kids: It Can Be Done!

The next time you’re stumped for what to give the kids for school snacks or after school, try one of these delicious and healthy snack recipes. They are grain free and gluten free and many are peanut and dairy free as well.

If you’re wanting more healthy and kid-friendly recipes, check out my full list of healthy breakfast and lunch ideas or this awesome list of snacks from Mark’s Daily Apple.

I’m sure I’ve missed some great ideas… please share your favorites in the comments below!

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/2518/lunch-snack-ideas/

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How to Make Cauliflower Rice

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Try more ways to dress up your cauliflower rice.

Shrimp with Warm German-Style Coleslaw

We love anything that is tangy or has bacon. With fennel and tarragon, this is a super savory dish. I use the medley from Minute Rice if I don’t have time to make my own. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

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Chinese-Style Ribs

When I was working two jobs, slow cooking was my way of life. Sometimes I had more than one slow cooker going at a time to help me feed my family delicious home-cooked meals. It’s nice to walk in after a hard day’s work and have dinner ready. I hope you agree these ribs are quick, easy and delicious. Enjoy! —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania

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Creamy Paprika Pork

When I was little, I would often ask my mom to make “favorite meat.” She knew what I was really requesting was this homey pork recipe. It’s been in my family for more than 30 years and is still a favorite! —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, Virginia

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Garlic Chicken & Broccoli

This simple riff on Chinese chicken proves you can savor the takeout taste you crave while still eating right. —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin

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Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce

My family loves the sweet and spicy combination and declared this recipe an instant favorite just for that reason. The meatballs start sweet but finish with a little heat! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire

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Coconut Red Curry Stew

This is a fragrant and flavorful dish that’s packed with nutritious goodness. I like to enjoy it with sticky rice. —Marly Chaland, Maple, Ontario

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Garlic Chicken with Herbs

Pan-roasting garlic cloves turns them into rich, creamy deliciousness. This chicken is fantastic with crusty Italian bread or mashed potatoes on the side. —Kathy Fleming, Lisle, Illinois

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Sausage & Chicken Gumbo

This recipe for the classic southern comfort food was the first thing I ever cooked for my girlfriend. It was simple to make but tasted gourmet. Lucky for me, it was love at first bite. — Kael Harvey, Brooklyn, NY

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Takeout Beef Fried Rice

Tranform last night’s supper into tonight’s dinner for six. Hoisin-flavored chuck roast works wonders in this recipe, but you can use flank steak, as well. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Curried Lamb and Potatoes

Loads of rich flavors and spices make this a warming, inviting meal. It’s a great way to impress at a family get-together. —Subrina Goosch, North Carolina

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Black & White Bean Chili

This is a healthy and filling meal that even the kids love! The satisfying chili is great for football games or potluck dinners. —Katti Scott, Manteo, North Carolina

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Huli Huli Chicken Thighs

I’m allergic to store-bought barbecue sauces, so when I found a marinade recipe I could use, I tweaked it a little and began using it with chicken thighs. My fiance loves this over Parmesan couscous.—Erin Rockwell, Lowell, Massachusetts

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Chickpea & Potato Curry

I make chana masala, the classic Indian dish, in my slow cooker. Browning the onion, ginger and garlic first really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas

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Chicken in Coconut Peanut Sauce

My youngest son has been out of the country for several years teaching English. When he returned to the United States, I made this home-cooked meal for him that combined Asian and American cuisine. He loved it! —Sheila Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

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Hoisin Pork Tenderloin

Ramen noodles are anything but college-casual when they’re served with saucy pork tenderloin. Our guests go nuts when we sit down to this Asian-style meal. —Connie Keller, Lake Ozark, Missouri

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Cuban Ropa Vieja

I love having this as a go-to recipe for a weeknight meal. Its great authentic Cuban taste puts it at the top of my list.—Melissa Pelkey-Hass, Waleska, Georgia

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Thai Coconut Beef

My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

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Sweet Potato Curry

This is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes that packs a lot of flavor and nutrition. Curry can be served over rice or on its own. —Aubrei Weigand, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

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Sweet-Spicy Asian Meatballs

I love the sweet and spicy flavors of Chinese food and decided to try to incorporate them into a meatball. The subtle tastes of the meatball blend well with the spicy Sriracha and sweet chili sauce. The garam masala adds a hint of coriander, black pepper and cinnamon for a unique and fun flavor. —Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona

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Curry Shrimp

I created this Indian-style shrimp when we were entertaining some friends, one of our favorite things to do. It works on the stovetop or the grill. —Shana Conradt, Appleton, Wisconsin

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Coconut Lentils with Rice

Years ago I made this recipe for my kids, and they loved it. One of my daughter’s friends would always request this dish when she came over to visit. I recommend basmati rice for this dish. —Diane Donato, Columbus, Ohio

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Tomato-Basil Steak

We grow the basil and bell peppers I use in this dish. It’s easy to prepare, yet so rich and delicious. —Sheryl Little, Sherwood, Arkansas

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Amazing Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is my favorite Chinese takeout food, but I know that it’s very high in sodium and fat. So I got to work at home and created a healthier version. Now I have peace of mind knowing what ingredients are in it and that it’s better for my family. —Barbara J. Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota

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Ginger-Chutney Shrimp Stir-Fry

I made this recipe a lot when I was juggling college, work and a growing family. It tastes like you spent a lot of time making it, yet only takes minutes to pull together. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan

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Cola BBQ Chicken

My dad has been making a basic version of this family favorite for years. I’ve recently made it my own by spicing it up a bit with hoisin sauce and red pepper flakes. Sometimes I let the chicken and sauce simmer in my slow cooker. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois

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Easy Chili Verde

I love chili verde. I order it whenever I can at restaurants, and figured out how to make an easy, tasty version at home. People have the option to eat the chili verde with a fork or in tortillas with a variety of toppings such as cheese, cilantro, minced onions or lime wedges. There are never leftovers at my house. —Julie Rowland, Salt Lake City, Utah

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Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta

Any recipe that is special enough for company, but easy enough for a weeknight meal is a favorite in my book. All you need to finish off the meal is a side salad and crusty French bread to sop up the delicious tomato and wine juices. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

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Satay-Style Pork Stew

Thai cuisine features flavors that are hot and sour, salty and sweet. This one-dish pork satay balances all of them using ginger and red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and creamy peanut butter. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Tropical Tilapia

Take a walk on the wild side and venture into the tropics with this one-skillet dish. Cool mint balances the sweet heat from the jelly. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

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Sweet-and-Sour Beef Stew

This chunky meal in a bowl makes terrific use of nutrient-packed vegetables. It has a deliciously sweet and tangy taste. —Frances Conklin, Grangeville, Idaho

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Food Preservation Examples: A Guide to Food Storage

I tell my friends there are two types of people: preppers and those who laugh at preppers. Why is preparing for a rainy day such a laughable concept? Is it outrageous to think the misfortunes that happen to millions of people could happen to you? In this article, we’ll discuss food preservation examples. And we’ll do it simply, by answering seven questions: who, what, when, where, how, why, and to what extent?

Who Should Store Food?

Everyone who eats food and wants to eat it in the future. Those that want to save money. People who have enough money now but realize they might not have as much if situations change.

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In November of 2011, fierce winds toppled power lines, igniting drought-stricken grass and brush in a residential area of Reno, Nevada. Within twelve hours the fire destroyed thirty homes. School was canceled as police, fire, and paramedic units struggled to contain the blaze. One person died, over 10,000 people were evacuated, 4,100 homes were without power and the governor declared a state of emergency. The fire came within two miles of my house. As I entered my neighborhood supermarket I encountered enraged customers. Frustrated managers and cashiers explained that the store had depended on emergency generators since midnight and couldn’t power the freezers and coolers. All cold or frozen food was discarded per health code. Angered that they had nothing to cook for dinner, the customers blamed the store instead of the current emergency.

Anyone can be left without power for hours or even weeks. Blizzards can confine people for days and it’s been claimed that a local supermarket can only sustain a community for 72 hours. Sustenance declines if the supermarket has to discard half of its stock.

What Exactly is Food Preservation?

The basic answer to what is food preservation; extending your food beyond its natural life through freezing, dehydrating, root cellars, canning, freeze-drying or dehydrating, or converting into products which last longer.

My mother preserved food from her garden. She didn’t know how to freeze dry food, and freeze drying food at home wasn’t the option that it is now with modern equipment. She grew it herself and bottled it in mason jars through water bath and pressure canning. The meat we raised ourselves sat within freezers. We consumed the food through the winter and in the spring she planted again. It was what her pioneering great-grandmothers had done. And now that I have the opportunity to garden my own yard, it’s what I do.

But you don’t have to be the one preserving the food to take advantage of it. Canned food allows consumers to enjoy meals without from-scratch preparation and to keep food for a long time. Some companies specialize in ready-to-eat meals such as pasta and chili while others market for emergency preparation. You can dehydrate fresh produce or purchase it already dehydrated. Developments in vacuum-packing systems allow dried and frozen products to last at least twice as long. Freeze-dried food can be purchased in bulk or small quantities, or you can purchase appliances for freeze drying food at home. And though frozen products have a limited life, especially in disaster situations, they can help with shorter-term needs.

What Foods Should You Store?

Store the foods you eat.

My friend Danielle spent all summer bottling fruit from the local gleaning project. She made applesauce, jalapeno and habanero jams, and prickly pear syrup. Her apartment cupboards overflowed with mason jars. And though her three young children loved the peaches and pears, they weren’t fond of hot pepper jam. Then a series of thunderstorms and flash floods struck. When the power outage continued through dinner time, she realized she had stored the wrong food. Her hungry children could not go to bed on just prickly pear syrup and Danielle did not have a working stove until the electricity came back on. What she needed was dry cereal, canned meals and vegetables, and bottled water. After that incident she slowly stockpiled nonperishable food as she could, buying extra cans of pasta or bottles of juice when she had spare cash.

If you don’t own a grain mill and don’t sprout grains, don’t stock your pantry with wheat. If your aging parent cannot consume much sodium, don’t rely on soups and canned vegetables. Without a wood stove or a yard where you can build a fire, dry beans might be difficult to consume in long-term power outages. And certainly, don’t break your budget acquiring a year’s worth of food at once when you could spend $50 per month at sales.

For a week or two, record what your family eats and how much it costs. Out of that list, consider what can be stored through available methods. Now add in items to replace your favorite perishable products. Use that as your guide for building your supply.

One prepper website advises storing soft grains, beans, pastas and mixes, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, powdered milk, canned meat/tuna/vegetables/fruits, peanut butter, tea and coffee, ramen noodles, and herbs and spices. Another website lists canned salmon, dried beans, brown rice, bulk nuts, peanut butter, trail bars, energy and chocolate bars, beef jerky, coffee/tea, and sea vegetables or powdered super greens. And Business Insider lists ten foods that would survive an apocalypse as honey, pemmican jerky, MREs (military-style meals ready to eat), hard liquor, peanut butter, Twinkies, rice, powdered milk, and ramen noodles.

Don’t forget to store what you enjoy, such as desserts and hard candy. Most situations where you need that food will be dismal and something sweet gives you a moment of indulgence during a hard time.

And especially don’t forget clean drinking water plus a way to acquire more.

When Should You Preserve Food?

Gardeners advise friends that they will be busy from August through October for food storage season. That’s when my garden pushes out the tomatoes, peppers, and squash. I harvest livestock year-round, with a lull in summer since 100-degree weather is bad for hatching chicks and pregnant rabbits.

But the best time to preserve food is when you can get the food.

Tactic #1: Grow the food yourself or align with local gardeners. When it’s ripe and ready, preserve it ASAP. If your tomatoes ripen slowly and you want to make a big batch of sauce, simply wash the fruit and stash it in freezer bags. Once the season is over you can thaw and cook down to a delightful marinara then bottle or freeze it.

Tactic #2: Buy seasonal produce and can, freeze or dry it yourself. This takes advantage of fruits and vegetables at their tastiest, cheapest, and most nutritious. In my section of the world that is usually June for strawberries, July for peppers, peaches, and corn, August for pears and tomatoes, and September for potatoes and onions as warehouses clear out last year’s stock in preparation for this year’s harvest. During holidays I can find sweet potatoes, winter squash, and cranberries at lower prices than the rest of the season. Instead of buying enough sweet potatoes to roast with butter and marshmallows I’ll stock up with twenty pounds and keep them in a cool, dry place for several months. If they start to go bad I’ll roast them then freeze.

Tactic #3: Hit sales and clearance racks. These happen year round and the trick is knowing where to go. Watch local ads for case lot sales. Scout out discount shelves. Since stores cannot sell spoiled goods or anything past the sell-by date, most food is still okay to use if frozen or dehydrated right away. Whenever I visit the supermarket I make my rounds and pick up items I can store and use. Bread reduced to a dollar per loaf resides in the freezer and comes out as the family needs it. Using this tactic we’ve enjoyed portobello stuffed ravioli with Parmesan cheese and artisan sausage for two dollars per plate.

Tactic #4: Purchase from food storage companies. Though some distributors offer 5-gallon buckets containing a month of dried goods, you don’t have to purchase all at once. As your budget allows, order fifty pounds of rice or a #10 can of flour. Gradually build your supply.

Where Do You Store Food?

I live in a two-bedroom Depression Era house. We have no pantry, garage, or basement. My home canning decorates bookshelves built into the wall. I converted a half-bath into a storage room by closing the toilet, setting shelves over it, and placing lightweight products atop. One freezer sits at the end of the breezeway, blocking a door we never used anyway, and another rests beside the dining room table.

If you don’t want a pantry in your living room, convert a closet or just put the food wherever you can. One friend built a platform from boxes of #10 cans in his family room, draped a rug over it, and set the sofa on top. My sister stacked bottled water in her apartment’s coat closet, set her shoes on top, and let her coats dangle over. Another friend stacks boxes, sets plywood atop, then drapes an attractive cloth to make an end table.

Winter squash, apples, and root vegetables should be kept in a cool, dark place. Chest or upright freezers can stay outside if sheltered from wet or extreme weather; a covered porch or carport is perfect if you trust your neighbors. Home canning withstands most temperatures above freezing, but remember that heat can decrease shelf life. Aluminum cans take the most abuse and dented products are still good as long as they haven’t been opened and are used before the “best before” date. Keep in mind factors like rodents, insects, humidity, dishonest neighbors and possible problems with weather.

How Do You Preserve Food?

Find the food preservation method that works best for you.

Home Canning: This method is best for homesteaders, gardeners and those with special diets. My friend Kathy pressure-cans soups because her elderly father cannot consume much sodium. When her father travels, he takes jars of soup so he doesn’t endanger his health with commercial food. If you want to can your own food, first educate yourself on safe methods. Home canning can save money but the initial cost is steep. New jars, lids, pots, and pressure cookers can quickly reach hundreds of dollars. Earthquakes or relocating to new homes can be hard on glass jars. For reliable instructions on how to can food at home, trust the Ball website.

Freezing: Probably the quickest and easiest method, this involves buying foods and stashing them at 0 degrees in freezer-safe containers. Frozen food is quickly thawed and can take minimal preparation, often without heating. Foods that are not safely home canned can be frozen. But though a fully stocked freezer can last up to a week in a power outage if the freezer isn’t opened, each moment without electricity compromises the food. If you want long-term and dependable storage, do not rely on freezers, especially if you live in hurricane-prone areas or anywhere with sketchy power service. Find out how to freeze different foods at Stilltasty.com.

Dehydrating: Home dehydrators cost between $20 and $300. Herbs, green vegetables, fruits, and some meats are safe to dehydrate then either consume dry or rehydrate later. Dried food weighs much less and packs into smaller spaces than foods preserved through any other method. But eggs are not safe to dehydrate at home and milk takes special care. Also, since no water remains in the food, consuming requires additional stored water to either rehydrate or to keep yourself from becoming dehydrated. Pickyourown.com has great tips for dehydrating.

Freeze Drying: Often freeze-dried food tastes better and lasts longer than dehydrated. And it weighs even less. You may wonder how to freeze dry food. But freeze drying at home requires either purchasing special equipment or following specific instructions using vacuum chambers and calcium chloride. If you want to learn how to freeze dry food, follow this link.

Canned Goods: If you spend more time at work than in the kitchen you’d probably benefit from buying food others have canned. Don’t feel guilty because your friend bottles her own tomatoes but you’re stuck paying the bills. It’s getting easier to find healthy canned products. They weigh more but survive the toughest conditions. In a true survival situation, you can acquire all the nutrients you need and even some water from canned foods. And remember to collect bottled water, either in single bottles, gallons, or huge containers.

Cold Storage: Though this is the shortest-term option, it can retain the most nutrients by keeping foods fresh and enzymes alive. Root cellars or basements prolong autumn produce for months. Some cheeses are cured in the same ambient conditions that keep potatoes from sprouting. Foods appropriate for cool, dry storage are root vegetables such as onions, beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and garlic. Also appropriate are winter squash such as butternut or pumpkins. Apples last weeks to months in the same space though peaches and pears will go bad fast. If your potatoes sprout, cut off the sprouts and green parts. Do not use any food that is withered or weeps moisture. And trust your nose: if it smells bad, it is bad. If your food is starting age but is not yet inedible you can cook it then store it in the freezer.

Brining, Pickling, Fermentation: Often converting foods from one form to another unlocks additional benefits. Fermenting wine into vinegar makes it last years longer as long as the process is completed correctly. Though the lives of yogurt and kombucha aren’t significantly lengthened, the probiotics enhance digestive and immune systems.

Smoking Meats: A millennia-old method of preserving meat hasn’t lost popularity. Our methods have just gotten easier and tastier. Smoked meat won’t last years, but it’ll extend the life a little and in a delicious way. You can learn how to smoke meats at home.

There are even more food preservation methods such as vacuum sealing and reusable lids. Use whichever methods best fit your life.

Very important: Use and rotate your food so it’s always safe and nutritious when you need it. This is easy to do if you store what you like to eat. Buy a case of canned tuna, push the old case forward and place the new one behind. Some commercial racks rotate your cans as you place the new ones in the top of a chute and grab the bottom cans for dinner.

Why Should You Store Food?

Not all of us are preparing for manure to hit the fan. We know we might need this food even if the zombies never arrive.

Preserving the Harvest: You worked this hard to grow or raise the food. Don’t let any go to waste. Surplus cucumbers become pickles and a bounty of apples becomes sauce.

Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, blizzards, hurricanes, fires. Weather so cold the town shuts down and the air hurts your face. Flooding that blocks the road.

Disruption of Food Supply: This can be a drought which raises the cost of food or a strike within the transport system bringing food to the grocery store. Problems within the store itself can cause food to sell out or spoil leaving insufficient supplies for the community.

Short-term Emergencies: Maybe you need to leave home fast and either you don’t have spending money or can’t use a credit card. A 72-hour supply in a portable container can alleviate at least one worry.

Lack of Mobility: Perhaps you live in a remote area and the price of gas just skyrocketed. Or maybe you’ve broken your leg and have nobody to drive you to the store.

Unemployment: I’ve known professionals who have been unemployed for over a year because they couldn’t relocate and their skill set wasn’t hiring. Unemployment benefits only pay a portion of what you previously made, and if you struggled to make ends meet in the first place simply not needing to budget in food can make a big difference.

Disability or Untimely Death: What happens if the main breadwinner in the family suddenly can’t earn bread and the secondary adult doesn’t have the skills or education to meet the cost of living? Food storage can help that adult until he or she acquires the necessary career or education.

Budgeting: Red bell peppers can be 4/$1 in the summer and $5.99 per pound in the winter. If you know you’ll need bell peppers, freeze or can them when they’re cheap. If a store has a closeout sale on a specific pasta brand, buy it in bulk. Plus, based on a proven history of inflation, it’s reasonable to acknowledge that foods will never be cheaper than they are right now.

Healthy Eating: We all know healthy ingredients can cost more than processed food. Often we don’t have time to prepare meals that meet health requirements. Cooking in large batches and preserving can save time and ensure we have what we need for optimal health.

Sharing: Maybe you’re not the one that needs the food. If a loved one hits rock-bottom and you have a good supply of food, you can help them out without spending additional money.

Personal Convenience: If you know you’ll use chicken broth often, keep a supply so you won’t have to run to the store if unexpected guests drop by for dinner. Meals are easier to plan if you already have the ingredients.

To What Extent?

72-hour-kits, also known as bug-out bags, take care of a single person’s need for three days. But hard times can last longer than that. Most prepper or self-reliant groups advocate keeping at least three months of food, including water and medications. Having a year’s worth is optimal for enduring long-term situations like unemployment or disability.

Preserve what you can. Do it when you can and however you can. And while others might laugh at you and accuse you of preparing for doomsday, laugh back as you remind yourself that, whether fire sweeps through your town or you have specific dietary needs, you’re secure. At least, your food source is.

What are your favorite foods to preserve and which method works best for you?

Originally published in 2015 and regularly vetted for accuracy.

Food Preservation Examples: A Guide to Food Storage was originally posted by All About Chickens

[ycdiabetes-blog]

Are peanuts good for diabetics? Find Out Now!!

If you are following low-carb diet, you may now have understood that how limited options you have for your diet. Following low carb diet is not a problem for me if I am staying in my hometown, I have done arrangements right from locating the right food to the exact cooking appliances. However, I start facing trouble whenever I am required to visit another city for work, it gets extremely difficult to find the right food. Recently, I had to visit another city for some work, which required me to stay away from my home for 20 days. These 20 days were like hell for me, I had faced so much trouble in hunting food that sometimes I just wanted to leave everything and just give up. I am on this diet for almost a year now, it has helped me a lot to control my blood sugar and even helped me to get rid of high dosage of medicine. But this diet has is limitations!!! It requires extreme discipline and is very difficult to follow. In order to comply with the diet, I have completely shunned my favorite foods. I haven’t touched grainy foods since 6 months and anything that can raise my blood sugar is out of my radar. Foods like biscuits, crackers, cakes, pastries and even basic food like bread and rice now don’t get my attention. Following this regime was not easy, I had made lots of sacrifices and there were days when I literally ate nothing just because I couldn’t find right foods. As I said earlier, when I was out of the city and was staying in community accommodation, my food compliance got tougher. I didn’t have a cooking appliance to cook my food, neither I was able to find the right items from the market. In India, we tend to eat bread (we call it “ROTI” here) with the cooked vegetable; this bread is circular in shape in which we put the vegetable and eat. Now in order to get into “low carb” diet, I replaced this high carb bread with egg’s “OMELETTE” which incidentally is also circular in shape and is also low carb. These types of food changes are not difficult to follow when you are in your own home, you cook your own food and prepare your omelette and eat the way you like to eat. However, when you are staying out of home and is dependent on community kitchen, it gets extremely difficult to persuade the kitchen owner to make these food changes. I too faced the same difficulty; No one wanted to cook omelette especially for me in a place where almost all the customer eats same conventional food. At the time, when no one was agreeing to serve my specialized requirements, I was surviving by eating salads and raw vegetables. You could imagine the kind of discipline required to conform to the low carb diet!!! My struggle came to rest when I managed to find one student’s kitchen who agreed to serve me omelette with vegetable curry.

You can observe how difficult is for someone who is on Low-Carb diet, if they move outside their hometown, they literally have to hunt for proper food. However, there are some items which are low in carbs and are easily available in the market. The one snack I am talking about is PEANUTS!!! Yes, Peanuts are comparatively low in carbohydrates and due to its low glycemic index value, they don’t raise your blood sugar numbers in huge proportions. In this article, we will try to understand the different benefits that the peanuts tend to offer and what caution you have to take while incorporating into the diet. What are Peanuts? Offcourse you know what peanuts are!!! This food item is easily available in the local store, even the street vendors in India are selling this item near your home. But you will be surprised to know that this snack is not really a “nut” like almond or pistachios, Peanuts are basically legumes and are rich in nutrients like phosphorous, Magnesium, B-Vitamins and Anti-Oxidants.   Benefits of Peanuts As I have said earlier, peanuts are rich in proteins, anti-oxidants, and various minerals; so they have variety of benefits to offer if incorporated into the diet. I have listed the benefits below which are not exhaustive: 1. Don’t Spike Blood Sugar Peanuts are food with low Glycemic Index of 13. Now you must be wondering about this new named Glycemic Index (GI) GI basically is a value which tells how rapidly the food can raise blood sugar. It is measured between the scale of 0 to 100. Higher the value of GI, faster the blood sugar will be raised. For example, the glycemic index of rice is 72, so as you eat rice your blood sugar spike within short period of time. Peanuts have low GI value, so they don’t cause blood sugar spike much. But be careful with the amount of peanuts you eat; eating them in large quantities can still raise your blood sugar disproportionately as Peanuts do contain carbohydrate. Whenever, I find difficult to get low carbohydrate food, I always look up for peanuts in the local store. Apart from their easy accessibility and great taste, there are various flavors offered by different food companies that can tickle your taste buds. Some of the peanuts flavor I found in the market are shown in the image below:

2. Weight Control Eating peanuts can satisfy your hunger pangs and makes you feel full for longer duration. For a diabetic patient, it’s very important to maintain healthy weight otherwise a lot of other problems can arise. You can keep small amount of peanuts in your side pocket so that whenever you feel hungry, you can easily access it. This strategy can save you from binge eating which most of us do when we feel starve during the evening. WARNING: Purchase only limited quantity of peanuts. Heavy eating of this food can cause other problems which I am sure you don’t want.

  3. Reduce risk of heart Problems Adding peanuts in your diet can also help diabetics to reduce the risk of heart problems. Its been found that Peanuts: a. Reduce the rise of triglycerides (a form of bad cholesterol) b. Prevents arteries from stiffening Heart Problems is one of the major complications of diabetic patients. I have personally come across diabetic patients who have undergone bypass surgery in their late 50’s. The best thing to do is to maintain your blood sugar in normal level, eating right food and checking blood sugar regularly can keep this complication away. 4. Peanuts are rich in Magnesium Magnesium is helpful for diabetic in following ways: a. Lowers Blood Pressure b. Lowers LDL Cholesterol (Bad Cholesterol) c. Helps to stay blood sugar in control 5. Rich Source of Biotin Biotin is part of Vitamin B Complex family and is known to perform number of essential functions in the body a. Helps the body to convert food into energy b. Helps maintain hair and skin Can diabetics eat chocolates, Read Here 6. Prevent Gall Stones   Click here to know about another low carbohydrate food   CAUTION However, like any other food, eating peanuts can cause complications which can be very serious for your body. In the below section, I have listed some of the cautionary notes which should be kept in mind while incorporating Peanuts in your diet. 1. High Amount of Omega 6 Omega 6 is a type of fats which performs certain helpful functions in the body but if taken in excess it can cause lot of damage. Too much of omega 6 can: a. Cause inflammation b. Promotes Cancer and inflammatory disorder c. The inflammation can worsen diabetes symptoms d. Raise triglyceride levels (hence cause heart problems) Most of the readers will be wondering that in the benefits section it has been written that peanuts are healthy for heart, while in the above “Omega 6 “ section it states that it can cause heart problems. Are peanuts healthy or damaging for heart? In order to avoid the above confusion, let me illustrate simply: a. The anti-oxidants in peanuts helps heart b. High Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio is harmful for heart So if you eat peanuts in large quantity, high omega 6 fats can overshadow other benefits of peanuts. Hence Avoid large dosage of peanuts if you are already suffering from HEART PROBLEM. NOTE: Our Cooking oils are also full of Omega 6 fats. So avoiding fried foods can be very helpful for your health. 2. Cause Allergies Peanuts are one of the major causes of inducing food allergies, make sure that you eat in moderation 3. Peanuts Contaminations Peanuts are prone to fungal infections which can release poisonous substance and contaminate the food like anything. One of the most common poisonous contamination is of Aflatoxin which is cancer causing and is more harmful than even the chemical pesticides. This chemical is extremely dangerous as it is also known to cause mental retardation and memory issues. The fungus grows in a place where humidity is high and at temperature of 30-35 Celsius. So make sure to keep peanuts in dry and cool environment and is thoroughly roasted before cooking 4. Presence of Lectin Lectins are basically a form of protein which we as humans are unable to digest. Lectin cause problems in following way: a. These proteins (if eaten in large quantity) travel unchanged to our gut and cause irritation which results in vomiting and diarrhea b. Damages lining of digestive system c. Makes gut permeable (“leaky gut”): Due to this unwanted substance can easily leak through the gut and enter the blood stream. 5. Salt Content Most of the peanuts available in the market are sprayed with high salt content. High Salt content can be bad for patient dealing with blood pressure. 6. Peanut Butter Most of the peanut butter available in the market are filled up with transfats which are harmful for heart health. So make sure to purchase butter which contain pure peanuts and not this additional items   FINAL WORD So having peanuts can be helpful for diabetic if and only if they are taken in moderation. Uncontrolled consumption can cause complication which i am sure can be very dangerous. If you want us to write on any particular topic feel free to mention the subject in the comment section. Also, share the article with your diabetic community so that they can understand this food better. Further Read Side Effects of Metformin Assessing your HBA1C Range Can Diabetics eat dates? Articles of General Health Understanding Vitamin B2 Health Benefits Of Black Tea Read the full article

[joyfullyimportantyouth-blog]

update

June 28

How close to perfect was today?

As soon as I sat down in 22A, I just listened. No music, staring at people as they moved with their own thoughts.

My baggage was lost, I just made my flights, I spoke to a French girl while kneading my necklace strand in my pocket. I sat down in the evening cold on a cinderblock outside of the airport. And there he was, and we were hugging for a lot longer than we ever have, and I realized this was a new part of my life, and I welcomed it. So it was perfect.

June 29

When did you last sing out loud?

There’s always a chance that it was by myself, cleaning the cafe one last time (it has been the last time for the last two years), singing to M.I.A. when I open the doors, “Work From Home” when I close the doors — freedom.

June 30

What was the last gathering you attended?

A trance/techno music festival in a field three hours outside of Toulouse. I wore the same dress for three days straight because I had no bags and watched youthful Frenchies bond over wine and cheese and dance to techno in a way that middle school grinding cannot handle. It’s a mixture of a jump and a body electrocution that looks really cool all at once.

July 1st

Did anything make you sad today?

There’s that feeling that you have everything you’ll ever need at 5 AM…. and then there’s the switch of doom when you wake up absolutely wrecked at 8 AM the next morning, sweaty and sorry you ever stayed up that late because now everything is the biggest deal ever. So a lot of things made me feel not sad sad, just displaced within myself. Waking up to a new boyfriend should’ve made me happy, but maybe “should” and happy shouldn’t mix together: I just felt sad. So I went for a walk and cried my eyes out. And cried some more when I found my lost jean jacket… delayed tears. And then cried some more with that hollowed out dry feeling, like you’re observing yourself cry.

July 2nd

Share a secret thought…

My first crush ever was JTT (Jonathan Taylor Thomas, I still get goosebumps) which isn’t that unusual if you once bought fake hair scrunchies from Clair’s and ate Ritz peanut butter crackers as an after school snack while playing Bop-It. But I also used to have crushes on some cartoon characters, such as the prince in The King & I (Disney Version); I’m sorry, Mom, I know that when we saw that movie we walked out because they had the Chinese bad guy have buck teeth and you educated me that it’s “ethnically ignorant” to portray people as stereotypes. But I really liked that prince and would think about him on my swing set for hours, twirling back and forth imagining that he was my boyfriend and we would have really long talks and we were both Asian so we would eat Asian food together. It’s like the day you realize you can’t sleep on clouds; very sad and humbling to understand you just can’t be the significant other of a not real person. Perhaps this imagining contributed to my late start with dating.

July 3rd

List 5 things you wish you invented:

Hug Me Pillow

July 4th

What’s the last recipe you prepared?

Tuna casserole - unashamed. I find that I eat things that I normally wouldn’t at home; it’s nice to not think of bread as a carb. It’s called breakfast.

July 5th

What made you lose track of time today?

Watching iAm orchestral rap with my boyfriend and his dad.

July 6th

What are you confident about?

Honestly, it’s pretty hard to feel confident right now. But that’s the point; I’m aware. Since I’ve been here, it’s been hard to feel like I’m good at anything; when I realize I’m feeling sorry for myself, like when my conversations are three minutes long tops because I can’t remember how to say something, I give myself permission to try again tomorrow. And try better. More creatively. I’m confident that I can find the good.

July 7

How did you do it?

Let him beat me at beer pong and head to a Colombian family’s spare bedroom for a week. Ride collectivos and feel very attracted to his Manatee Singlet.

July 8

What is the last purchase you made?

An orthopedic appointment

July 9th

Did you show someone appreciation today?

I bought a Nescafe for the German guy in my class who told me where to locate the United States on a map. His demeanor resembles a Neopalitan Mastiff. 

July 10th

What are you looking forward to?

Being able to speak to anyone in street restaurant French (i.e. “How do you go, do you want the gourmet mustard with the crocodile tears?”)

July 11th

There is no such thing as too much_____

 LOVE.

July 12th

What is the most important thing you were told today?

That what I’m doing is right now for right now.

July 13th What was the last thing you thought about today?

Why I would ask myself if I ask for too much. And also how I wore a California t-shirt and a Lao PDR bag at the same time (if people didn’t already get the message…)

July 14th What is the last book you read?

“Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002,” by David Sedaris. He’d be on my last supper list in a non Oprah dinner party way (but in a non hipster hole in the wall way) -- we could be anywhere and it’d be all good. 

July 15th What matters today?

To try. Like really try.

July 16th

What project are you working on?

An art series that’s not too hyphenated; ordering a metro ticket without the guy telling me in English how he has always wanted to go to Canada.

July 17th

Today I was so _____. intrigued by the American who waxes his Harley Davidson across from my bus stop. Whenever I roll up, he’s either walking in slow circles, as if he cannot remember what he was doing out there, or he is making no progress sorting the recycling, waiting to yell at his neighbors in English. By the looks of him, I would guess after the Vietnam War he met a French girl at a Woodstock knockoff festival while driving his motorcycle around Europe and stayed here. She might’ve dumped him after his grunting and refusal to learn French sapped her of an easy life. And he continued to buy jeans two sizes too small and ride motorcycles through nondescript residential neighborhoods in the imagined spirit of Denis Hopper. I’d like to know if Thailand will be his next move…

July 18th

The last thing I bought myself was… A hiking backpack that was less functional but a better color than the other option, which was neutral but with logos all over. It was the kind of backpack you’d see matched with eyesore dress pants for commuters back in Seattle who would be scorned by the real-milk-drinking tunic French grandmothers here. It was a lovely accoutrement to have on a hike in the Pyrenees last weekend, essential for carting the wine. While gently handling the bottle, Ao sighed: “It’s no good. I can tell by the mark on the cork.” A birthmark of a dent. He opens. Sighs again. Drinks a sip. Spits it out with vitriol. “This is undrinkable. It tastes like vinegar.” Being raised no-frills but knowing the finest of everything, the French have an ingrained and strict set of aesthetic moral standards that will prompt them to say things like: “I’d rather starve than eat that.” I decided to drink some after carrying it all the way up a rocky mountain pass. “Tastes fine to me.”

July 19th I really wish…

Trump would melt into a vat of hydrogenated oil misogynist cheap ties soup with a wall built around it.

July 20th

Who is the first person you saw today?

My boyfriend, Ao, though only half of his face because he likes to barricade the windows so that no light comes in.

July 21st

What memory do you want to keep from today?

Ao: You treat the cat like a toy. It is an animal.   Me: I really don’t like the way you said that to me. Ao: If I were the cat I wouldn’t want to be picked up like you pick it up all the time. Me: I didn’t have a cat growing up. We really need to talk about speaking to each other with kindness and respect. Ao: I really don’t want to talk about everything. Me: I don’t like to be told what to do. Just say you noticed it but don’t tell me what to do.

*Puts passive aggressive PNW flannel on and goes back to bedroom. *He enters room.

Ao: Are you upset? Me: Kind of. Ao: When I’m mad, I’m mad. When I’m happy, I’m happy. I show it. I’m French... Me: I like to talk in a calm voice about my feelings.

*He reaches for incense next to gourmet pate and wine that he keeps in the room. *Deep embrace

July 22nd

I realize tomorrow…

Is one of the three days a week that the boulangerie across the street throws packaged bread into the dumpster. And that beaucoup hippies I live with will grab them. And I will stare at my $15 hemp hearts and gladly eat the free bread.

July 23rd

What was weird about your day…

I was in a car accident but sometimes I forget to count my blessings like I did when Amelia and I were eating hospital food and holding hands and I never felt more thankful for someone to talk to when we got to wake up the next day.

July 24th

How much of your day did you spend completely alone?

Just a little; when I took a nap in Ao’s childhood vacation home bed and my body felt really, really tired from the accident. And then he crawled in next to me and I didn’t feel quite so alone.

July 25th

What word are you using too much lately?

Maintenant *right now* (“I feel ___…. RIGHT NOW!” “I’m doing this… RIGHT NOW!”)

July 26th

How was your day today?

I wore a neck brace in public today and wandered around a small French town home to medieval festivals. 

July 27th

Today I chose to look at celebrity gossip and then eat a lot of bread and cheese while writing. And hang out with my boyfriend at 2 PM because we are both unemployed (which is apparently pretty normal and not that impoverishing in France).

July 28th

Who do you wish had been a part of your day?

My friend Mary. We would be getting wine drunk and reading passages from an astrology tell-all.

July 29th

What was your weakness today?

Claiming there is life beyond Instagram and then going on instagram.

July 30th

The music genre I list to most is… HIP HOP.

July 31st

Today I felt… “humbled.” A little kicked in the nuts. Like the chemical product I brought home made me eco satan and Lang the Vietnamese girl I sit next to in French class can dance grammar circles around me. And that my boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend has this melange of unassuming earthy sensual vibes because she wears the same mom jeans every time I see her (non materialistic) and is a carpenter and has a throaty nurturing voice and plays in the river with her dog (while I sit in a thong bikini hungover on a rock being scolded by my boyfriend for making a penis joke from the sausage served last night). So I felt very humbled and needed to take a nap in the car after that passed and I found a bulletin board in our room of them circa 2013-ish time holding a baby and then I needed to move the tent that is also hers that they share.

August 1st

What improvements are you making?

I can now describe my feelings like a French pop song (“It hurts!” “I want it”).

August 2nd

Share some good advice:

Have the room to yourself once a week for at least six hours of uninterrupted bliss and do whatever the hell you want to do.

August 3rd

What do you want to tell yourself in one year?

You have a job, can smell a good red wine, have a flair for clipped street pedigree French, and you’re enjoying the hell out of yourself, warts and all.

August 4th

What decision are you glad you made?

I won’t say all of them I’m glad I made because not all impulsive decisions end up leading you to a light at the end of the tunnel; sometimes they’re just very dumb (like when I used real spray paint to transform on Halloween night and had to work a double the next day with partial white hair). But I’m glad that I decided to travel on my own. And always have good girlfriends; they’re simply THE BEST.

August 5th

My body is…

An amusement park parking lot right next to a temple. 

August 6th List the people you live with… -Julien, boyfriend of Fanny (description: is the house mom, can make quiche out of the food he finds in the dumpster on Tuesdays Thursdays and Sundays, wears harem pants and kimonos, is very shy nice and contributes rock magazines and a step by step Kama sutra guide in the upstairs bathroom) -Julien #2 (has a way of whistling through his teeth when he talks and looks drunk when he talks, has a very professional tall girlfriend, musician, rarely at home) -Fanny, girlfriend of Julien (or maybe partner; very feminist, wears glasses that aren’t real, doesn’t shave armpits but somehow goes mainstream with her choice of perfume, a Petit Casino creme brûlée scented spray…) -Amalia (the exact definition of je ne said quoi, aka idolized French girl of your dreams) -Adele -Matthieu -Ao (my roommate) -Romain (mumbles and is nice and helps me with the Italian coffee maker that for the French is basic, in the U.S. C’est luxury)

August 7th

Share a favorite quote:

“It’s a terrible thing in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that no one is actually ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally thinking, now is as good a time as any.” -Hugh Laurie 

August 8th What is the last thing that made you cry? Needing to talk about things and then being told I think too much then wanting to talk about why I think so much and then feeling very asexual and confused and hangry after.

August 9th

Were you creative today? How?

I drew very snarky comics that weren’t as funny the next morning. 

My last 5 google searches:

Charlottesville Why is feminism branded Workout plan with whiplash How to say “no way” in French Why did Matt Dillon and Cameron Diaz break up in the 90’s

August 11th Where do you want to go next?

To the chair to start writing my book.

August 12th

What are you grateful for? Leftover ice cream.

What did you eat/drink today?

Whatever a machine would eat: bread and confiture, a pear, couscous salad to counterbalance and then just more bread and butter and cheese. And ice cream. And gummy bears.

August 14th

What are you looking for from life?

Being okay with deeper meaning when it’s there, okay when it’s not; that some things happen in a second, and some things pop up quietly after years then go away. Ya never know.

August 15th

What did the last text message you received say?

Trying on dresses for a wedding, Tolo 2008 what upppp #itstighter —my dearest one, Molly (we wore the same dress)

August 16th

Did you act your age today?

No, because I am 25 and went to class and the last time I did that was when I was 22. Perhaps it was the beautiful summer weather, but during break I started to feel forlorn about not having friends to enjoy this warm weather with. So in the spirit of being 18 and having just landed on campus determined to make friends, I pegged the Korean girl Helen to be my new friend. I quickly stuffed things into my bag while she spoke to the teacher, but as soon as she yelled “a demain!” she booked it out of the classroom, leaving me in her wake. “She’s busy at work with her Venice Biennalle job,” I muttered, heading to the library to do my homework.

August 17th

What was your horoscope today? Was it accurate?

Horoscope for Pisces Rising: “This week pokes around issues of your potency. Issues around feeling valued. Worthy. Wanted. Issues that will have you feeling sensitive to rejection. Sensitive to situations where you feel invisible. Blotted out. Overshadowed.Take the energy that is building within you and use it for creative projects. Let your canvases, blank pages and studios be the spaces that you use to transform any stuck energy. You are not the feelings that flood you, but you can use those feelings as a jumping off point for a great many works of art.” -Chani Nicholas

—YES. I feel all of this.  

[shortondopamine-blog]

may 27, 2017

8:13 pm

my grandma died two days ago.

she likes the beach, cooking, talking on the phone with her friends, visiting her friends, being independent, wearing fuzzy socks, spending time with family, praying, going to mass, eating fruit, and she loves babies.

she’s very mini, not even up to my chin. i’d say probably 4′10″? every time i saw her she seemed to shrink. she swings her arms when she walks, and she’s always bustling around. her nose forms a little mushroom on her face. her hair isn’t all white, and she doesn’t dye it. it’s mostly black, and then a little bit of salt and pepper and then there’s some white. she laughs at her skin when you pull it up on the back of her hand and it takes a couple seconds to drop down again. she eats the leftovers and anything anyone doesn’t want, and when people ask if it’s safe to eat she says, “doesn’t matter, i’m old anyway” and laughs. she doesn’t have cancer or any sickness, she is prone to strokes but she hasn’t had one in a while.

she’s always cold, always asking if me and my siblings have eaten and if we say yes she suggests we eat more, she fondly judges us when we eat something that isn’t the highest quality (because her cooking is the best), she’s always cooking in bulk, she always cooks a ton of food and puts it into containers before she leaves so that we can have leftovers, she always makes the meals me and my siblings like, she adjusts traditional recipes to fit either my nut allergy or my family’s preferences, she’s always getting phone calls, she never says goodbye on the phone, she’s always so so happy to be carrying a baby.

she doesn’t speak english well but she understands it, and can speak it if she needs to. she can always tell if i’m ranting about something to my brother or if i’m crying about something she asks me if i’m okay and is there for me, always wants the best for me. i remember crying because of a girl at school and she instantly was there for me and couldn’t believe what i was dealing with and then wanted to have a word with the girl, wanted to talk to her mom. she sits on the couch sometimes to watch tv with me and my brother and sister even if she doesn’t understand, she’s just there. one time when we were watching mulan she pointed at the guy with the tall blue hate and said “i hate him.” and another time when we were watching harry potter there was a scene with a spider and she was like “oh.. oh my.. OH that’s enough i don’t like this” and stood up and bustled away. for a summer me and my siblings were obsessed with watching cake boss and then when she went home again to san jose we watched a little but stopped, and then a couple months later we picked it up again just as a throwback. and it happened to be when she was visiting us again and she laughed and said “you guys are still watching that show?” and we all laughed and explained.

she’s always so proud to tell her friends about us, to introduce us and when we speak in vietnamese her face beams. when my siblings and i sing together she’s so happy. she’s always so proud of us when we play the piano, when we get honors at school or when we sing, even though it’s not unusual for us.

she used to not like my dog, saying that she, a rescued and formerly abused maltese poodle with only one ear and so she runs a little lopsided, would bite us or hurt us. and now whenever she reads or prays on the couch she always waits for belle (my dog) to jump up and lay next to her. she’s always feeding belle human food, meat she knows that she’ll like even though she shouldn’t and she’ll get chubby. she always says good night to her, and talks to her in vietnamese saying “she that? she understands vietnamese.”

every night she says good night to my and my siblings, but it doesn’t sound like good night she says “nigh...” because she can’t pronounce night. and she opens up her arms for a hug and we always stoop down to hug her because she’s so mini.

when she stands next to her grandsons, the ones who are grown and past college, she doesn’t even reach their shoulders. when she stands next to the four of them she’s more than a head shorter.

she always welcomes my friends and makes them food, trying to be aware that they aren’t used to vietnamese food and learned american and mexican recipes to be able to make food they would wanna eat. and she always gets so happy when she makes something vietnamese and my friends love her food. she remembers them and says like “o i met you” and “o i remember you.” my friends love her too, say that she’s the cutest lady they’ve ever met and that they could fit her into their pocket. she really is so mini.

she’s the strongest lady i know, who lost her husband 42 years ago and took her all her kids across the pacific from vietnam to america, alone. who in her life experienced three of her six children and one of her grandchildren dying. who, no matter what financial state her family was in, always ensured that they had enough food to eat and were safe. who gave my momma the opportunity to go to school and she went to stanford, and she met my dad and because of her, i am alive and have siblings and have met all of the people in my life. 

there were times when i took her for granted. no i didn’t feel completely safe when driving in the car with her, yes sometimes she interrupted me when i was speaking, and yes there were times when i wished she wouldn’t pry. but now i realize she never did. she just wanted to make sure i was okay. she picked the peanuts out of this peanut, soy (type of rice), and meat dish just because i don’t like the peanuts - i’m not even allergic. that’s like picking the almonds out of an entire bag of trail mix. 

she calls me beautiful at the most random times. like i’ll be eating and she’ll be looking at me and then she just says “you’re so cute” in vietnamese, everything she says is in vietnamese, and she loves my curly hair. she loves it when i straighten it too but she says the curls are so beautiful. she lets me wear whatever makeup i like but she always calls me beautiful no matter how much or little makeup i’m wearing. she hems my dresses, sews back buttons on my blouses that popped off, hems my brother’s pants. when she walks into my room and it’s a mess she says to my brother “it’s like something blew up in there.” she peels oranges and then cuts out the seeds, and then she peels back the thin white skin on each piece just because i don’t like it. i’ll eat it, but i don’t enjoy it. i’m not a picky eater, she just always wants the best for me and to match my more specific preferences.

she kisses my sister’s ashes and says a prayer every time she visits my house.

she loves me and my family and all her grandbabies and friends and family unconditionally. she’d visit her friend who had dementia every day just to talk to her and keep her sane. she loves those flowers that smell like vanilla. her friend grows them, and friend always gives them to her and my grandma puts them in a little sauce bowl next to all her framed pictures of family and friends. even when the flowers die, they smell nice. she puts them in her car, too. when she moved closer to my house she’d always invite my siblings and i over for a sleepover. and we did once, and i’m so glad we did. she and my brother went to sleep early but i stayed up all night on the phone with my friend. my friend met her, and he adores her too. 

i love her. i lover her and i don’t believe that she’s gone. she got to say goodbye to everyone in her life. for two weeks she travelled around the world. her last time back to vietnam, then she spent some time on the east coast and she just attended my uncle’s wedding, where she saw more people. at these times, she was able to say goodbye to people without anyone - ever her - knowing it was goodbye forever. that’s probably the best. then there’s no gloominess or a foreshadowing weight. she got to say goodbye.

i love her. i do. and i still catch myself referring to her in the present tense. i don’t believe that she’s gone i feel like she’s gonna appear at my house again with so many groceries and she’ll cook something delicious, and she’ll fold my laundry and she’ll be downstairs reading or praying or talking on the phone. i know she’s dead and i don’t feel like i’m still in denial, but i just don’t believe that she’s gone.

i love her. i didn’t get to fully appreciate her until recently, to tell her all the time that i love her.

i love her.