#bulk freezer paper

[customboxes01]

Custom Freezer Paper to Boost Retail Packaging

In the food sector, packaging is vital in maintaining freshness, ensuring hygiene, and aiding brand recall. The right packaging solution can create an impact for retailers dealing in perishables on customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Effectively used packaging material like custom-printed freezer paper is durable, food-safe, as well as good for marketing. Whether you sell fresh, frozen, or deli products, the right freezer paper can help you improve your product’s shelf life and presentation. 

If you want to gain a broader competitive advantage in business, consider the benefits of custom-designed packaging. In this blog, we will be discussing how investing in freezer paper is how retail packaging can help make your packaging game much better.

The Importance in Retail Packaging

Food retailers require expertise in packaging products that not only preserve the quality of the food but also reflect a branding image. The most widely searched option in food preservation is meat freezer paper which protects foods from moisture and exposure to air. This specialty paper protects fresh and frozen meat from freezer burn and spoilage. Freezer paper, however, is formulated to keep the product’s flavour and texture intact. Custom printing on them enables businesses to project their logos, brand messages, and product details with top packing standards. Special packaging solutions such as custom freezer paper can help businesses be noticed in the market while maintaining freshness and aesthetic appeal.

Perishable Food Products

Freezer paper is crucial for food companies that freeze and sell food products. Freezer wrap paper is particularly effective in creating a moisture-resistant barrier, preventing food products from getting dried or spoilt. Most food retailers use this kind of paper to keep their products looking fresh and safe. Freezer wrap paper is also used so that leaks do not reach other items and contaminate them, with butchers and supermarket companies preferring the thick composition of freezer wrap paper. Using personalized branding options, companies can improve their packaging and provide high-quality goods to their clients. Investing in premium freezer paper delivers more customer happiness and product reliability.

The Appeal for Butchers and Meat Retailers

In the meat industry, hygiene and product safety are crucial and packaging is essential for such industries. Butcher freezer paper sheets are those used in meat shops and grocery stores because of their strength and non-stick properties. The freezer paper protects the meat from environmental elements and also prevents it from getting spoiled up to the time it reaches the consumer. Butcher shops use freezer paper for the same reason: It holds ink well, so they can print important product information right on the packaging. For meat retailers, custom-printed butcher freezer paper amps up the product presentation and opens branding opportunities. Utilizing quality butcher paper helps businesses positively discourage their customers from taking their meat elsewhere and aligns themselves with providing their customers with fresh and well-packaged meat.

The Other Benefits of the Food Packaging

Perhaps the best feature of freezer paper is that it keeps moisture in and prevents leakage. Waxed freezer paper is made specifically to seal in freshness and it prevents freezer burn. This wax coating helps to protect against outside contaminants as well as make the paper stronger. This feature is especially useful for businesses using them to store foods for a prolonged time. If greater care is needed for perishable items, waxed freezer paper can be used for wrapping fish, cheese, etc. Businesses that choose wax-coated options can keep their products in optimum condition, while also adding a touch of professionalism to their brands.

Bulk and Wholesale Processes

Buying bulk freezer paper is a good choice for companies that want to reduce expenses, without sacrificing quality. Bulk options permit retailers to purchase premium packaging materials at cheaper unit rates, which is optimal for food business spending when at higher quantities. Purchasing freezer paper wholesale is when restaurants, butcher shops, and grocery stores buy freezer paper in large quantities so they always have a fresh supply of packaging materials. Wholesale freezer paper, on the other hand, provides bulk savings for those organizations that use a lot of packaging. Wholesale packaging solutions allow businesses to focus resources on other areas of their operations, while still ensuring a high level of food safety.

Custom Printed Paper for Branding

For any business that wants to establish its market identity, custom branding is an important step, and custom-printed butcher paper gives all businesses a great way to represent their brand identity. Branded freezer paper used in restaurants, delis, and grocery stores creates a lasting impression on customers. For example, you can print logos, slogans or product details on the paper, ultimately enhancing brand recognition and customer loyalty. Along with that,wax-coated freezer paper will provide the printed designs to remain in form without any smudges, which is also a vital element in the entire presentation. Integrating functionality with decorative and aesthetic elements can improve product appearance and create an experience that lives on in consumer memory.

Conclusion

Using custom freezer paper as part of your retail packaging strategy provides many benefits, from keeping your products safe to improving your brand image. Bulk and wholesale options help retailers optimize their budgets while ensuring quality. 

Therefore, when you are investing in your custom-printed freezer paper, you are investing in your professional image, product longevity, and customer satisfaction as well!! If you’re in the food retail industry, upgrading to high-quality freezer paper is a no-brainer for giving your brand a competitive edge.

[sandersstudies]

Things to gift when somebody you know if having a hard time:

If you know an individual or family who is handling grief, illness, injury, a new child, or other extenuating circumstances and you aren’t sure how to help, here’s some thoughts. (Sincerely, somebody going through a hard time who experienced the generosity of my community in a new way.)

Food. This one is probably both traditional and obvious. Bring something that’s easy to prepare or reheat, and easy to store. (If you want to be extra kind, consider portioning out meals for easy storage and freezing, or gifting them in few extra freezer bags or Tupperware containers, if it’s appropriate.) I’ve heard other people mention it can be especially helpful to include a food that can be eaten ambient or cold over a few days, like a snack tray. Consider if the current situation has any obstacles to eating (Is the sick person on a special diet? Are the people in the household low on time, energy, and/or attention to themselves? If a parent is pregnant or breastfeeding, have they removed certain things from their usual diet? Are there small children in the house?)

Alternatives to food. Grocery, delivery, and restaurant gift cards may be appropriate depending on the situation. They can have some choices about what they eat with the ease of delivery, or stock up on essentials. (There might be a casserole for every day of the week, but do they have bread, eggs, or cereal for a simple breakfast?) One person even gifted me a year-long grocery membership.

Plates, bowls, utensils. Save them from having to do dishes by offering plastic and paper alternatives.

Household essentials. We had a family member with a CostCo card drop off bulk amounts of toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, etc. This is one less thing for the family to think about.

Children’s “busy” items. Coloring books, puzzles, or quiet toys are a boon to parents who are under the pressure of dealing with illness, injury, funeral planning, or a newborn. Children can feel confused or lost in the shuffle even under the care of good families, so a small gift both makes them feel special and buys parents a few minutes to breathe. If you’re close to the family, you can even offer to take children with you to the park, the library, or a film when parents need some time.

Favors. If you’re very close to the family and it’s appropriate to the situation, you might offer to serve as dog walker, laundress, or dishwasher for a day or two.

Something they love. If the household’s basic needs are covered, consider giving something thoughtful that they enjoy in whatever way is most appropriate.

[sometimesanalice]

Sweetest Devotion

Summary: Loving Bradley is the easiest thing you've ever done, and coming home to him is always the best part of your day. Especially when you come home with cake. But a slight mixup at the bakery leads to the sweetest of promises.

Pairing: Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x Female Reader

Length: 5k

Warnings: So much fluff (side effects may include giggling and kicking your feet)

(Author’s Note: this fic was written for my one year celebration of the ‘Like I Can’ series, but it can be read on its own!)

After a long week, there was no place you’d rather be than at home with Bradley.

The two of you have been living together for a couple of months now, but seeing his Bronco parked in the driveway of the condo you shared knowing the empty spot next to it is meant for your own still made your heart flutter out of sheer giddiness.

Even if he still teased you about your practical Honda Civic’s lack of street cred. But it did have a spacious backseat with its own set of doors and an actual trunk, unlike the Bronco.

And on the rare rainy days you got in San Diego, Bradley was asking to borrow your car rather than risk the interior of his big blue baby. Those days you just got to preen as you handed over your car keys to him. Sure, you could be the one to drop him off, but it was funnier watching the way he valiantly attempted to hold back his grimace as he tried to adjust the driver’s seat to comfortably fit his bulk.

As you pull into your spot, you’re hit with that same gust of summer breeze warmth you always are as you. It was a feeling you didn’t expect to go away any time soon.

It takes a bit of finesse getting the front door open with your work tote and purse slung over one shoulder while you cradled the paper bags of bread and box of treats you’d stopped for on the way home in the other.

Bradley had texted you to let you know that he was making dinner earlier, but had forgotten the bread during his grocery run and had asked if you didn’t mind making a quick stop to grab some. He’d promised to make it worth your while, and while you would have done it for him anyways, a little extra incentive was always nice.

Especially after the way he had teased you in the shower this morning.

You picked up the baguette that he’d requested along with a couple loaves of fresh bread for sandwiches that you were planning to stick in the freezer for later. At the checkout, they’d had a few fun pink bakery boxes packed with six individually wrapped cake slices in different flavors. It seemed like more fun than the basic red velvet cupcakes you had been debating as you waited for your turn to pay, so you’d picked up one of those boxes too. Since it was Friday, you figured a little treat was very much deserved after such a long week.

The two of you had just gotten back from a little trip back home not too long ago, but you were already dying for another vacation. Ideally one that involved creamy blended beverages served in coconuts and Bradley Bradshaw wearing some 5-inch inseam swim trunks with his thick thighs on display in the golden sunlight.

It had been so nice to see your parents and to visit the sights of your childhood growing up together. You’ve always gone home for holidays, but it had been years since he’d been there with you. Some things had stayed the same like the ice cream shop where Bradley had had his first job. And some things had changed with the times like the empty parking lot where he’d first taught you how to drive was now the site of an upscale organic grocery store. Now that you and Bradley were you and Bradley, the nostalgia of your younger years felt extra sweet as you’d strolled with his hand tucked yours.

It’s a miracle you get through the door without dropping anything.

You’re waiting to hear the scamper of little paws against the laminate floor headed your way as you kick off your heels, Duck was usually the first one to greet you when you got home.

The puppy was growing all too quick for your liking. For as much as Bradley grumbled about being woken up early on the weekends by the black and white ball of fluff, you’ve caught him on more than one occasion cooing at the dog and slipping him treats. The sweet, goofy little dog was the perfect addition to your dynamic duo.

Even if Bradley still got huffy about the name and how Duck had come to be in your life.

On the occasional night when Bob’s friend Casey from the animal shelter- the man you’d been on exactly half of a date with once close to a year ago- was invited to come hang out, your boyfriend always was finding reasons to stand a little closer to you or leave his hands lingering a little longer on your hips. Those nights usually end with the two of you sweaty and out of breath, tangled in the sheets of your canopy bed.

You can hear Bradley singing along with one of his playlists in the kitchen and the sounds of drawers opening and closing as you tuck your purse and tote under the side table at the entrance. You smile to yourself as you drop your key fob into the bowl where his are already resting, the key to his Bronco was on the same keychain with the little fighter jet charm that you’d given him when you were teens when Mav had given him the Montero for his 16th birthday.

Taking the bread and box of cake slices with you, you pass through the living room you see Duck passed out belly up on his Sherpa lined dog bed. His ears flopped out to the side and his little paws twitching as he dreams about chasing balls or squirrels. It’s a good think your hands are full or you’d be collecting even more photos of your sweet boy in addition to the hundreds you already had on your phone.

“I’m home,” you greet, rounding the corner to the kitchen, the savory smell of onions and garlic growing stronger the closer you get, “And I come bearing a baguette.”

Standing in front of the stove is Bradley with a checkered kitchen towel slung over his shoulder. His curls look a little damp, still drying from the shower he must have taken earlier. The soft looking shirt he’s wearing is pulled taut across his back, and the sweatpants he has on are hugging the curve of his ass in the best way. He looks so at ease and comfortable, none of the tense strain in his body that he sometimes comes home with.

Bradley looks over his shoulder towards you with a grin on his face, “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” His pretty brown eyes rake over you in a way that has you wondering about just how he is planning on thanking you for picking up the baguette you’d stopped for. He lets out a low whistle, “Damn, I love that skirt on you.”

“I’m glad you clarified,” you say, sending him a wink and setting your bakery haul down on the island counter, “I wasn’t sure if you were talking to me or the armload of freshly baked carbs.”

He leans his hip on the side of the counter, “A little yeast and flour have got nothing on you, kid.”

“Now you know you can’t go around saying things like that an expect me not to fall in love with you,” you tease, opening the freezer to put the sandwich bread away.

“I’m failing to see a problem with that- oh shit,” he curses, hastily turning back to the stove to adjust the range knob as something spits and sizzles on the top of the convection cooktop.

You step around the island and over to him, wrapping your arms around his waist from behind him. He’s always been the right kind of warm, the kind that makes you want to melt into him. You press your face against his back, his shirt soft against your cheek. Under the woodsy smell of his body wash there’s still a faint lingering scent of jet fuel. It’s your favorite smell.

“Hi, sweet girl,” he says, settling his big hand over yours, still stirring the sauce with the other. And you can almost see the easy, contented smile on his face just from the gentle tone of his voice.

“Hi, Bradley,” you hum, happy to be home.

“How was your day?”

“I’m glad it’s the weekend,” you say with a sigh, “The beach day tomorrow with everyone is going to be much needed.” A sympathetic sound rumbles from his chest as his thumb runs over the back of your hand. You were looking forward to sitting under the shade of the stripped umbrella and feeling the sand between your toes as you sip on an icy cold beer. “How was yours?”

“Not too bad, I took Seresin out and now he owes me $200. So overall, it’s been a pretty good day,” he says, clearly pleased with himself. “Cyclone let us out early, so I was productive. Did some errands, got the groceries. Well, most of them. I even took Duck to the dog park and let him run around for a bit. He made friends with a Great Dane, I took a few videos of them playing on my phone for you.”

The mental image of Bradley recording a video of your puppy being cute and playing in the park in the same way a proud dad would film his kid’s little league game makes you feel more than a little weak in the knees.

Pressing up on your toes, you skim a kiss against the side of his neck and prop your chin on his shoulder to peer at what he’s cooking up.

“It smells really good in here,” you tell him, taking in the pot of sauce simmering away on the stove. Off to the side there’s a cutting board with some fresh basil chopped up and a pile of papery vegetable scraps and a couple empty cans of tomato sauce.

“Yeah? It’s been awhile since I’ve channeled my inner Stanly Tucci, so I thought some homemade spaghetti and meatballs sounded good.”

Your eyebrows raise on their own, the surprise evident in your voice, “Homemade meatballs?”

“Ok, maybe those came from Trader Joe’s,” Bradley admits, “But the sauce is all me. I even put the red pepper flakes in it the way you like it.” He reaches over for a handful of basil and adds it into the pot.

You send your thanks up to Carole for making sure her son at least had known the basics of cooking. He could more than hold his own in the kitchen, and the competent way he handled a chef knife in his big hands was endlessly attractive to you.

“‘Semi-homemade with Bradley Bradshaw’ has a nice ring to it, want me to pitch it as a reboot to the Food Network?” You feel the way he chuckles under your palms, the muscles of his stomach contracting and releasing.

“I don’t think I’d make it out with my liver intact. That woman loved her cocktails strong, I’m pretty sure her sangria recipe would send me to the floor,” he jokes, “No wonder why our moms were always watching her.”

“A woman after my own heart,” you sing, “I’m so glad I inherited such good taste from them.”

Bradley shakes his head amused, “The good news for you is that there’s a bottle of red open and waiting for you, funny girl.”

The promise of wine perks you up immediately. Pasta, wine, cake, and Bradley. What more could a girl need?

“God, you’re the man of my dreams.”

“I sure hope so,” he says, squeezing your hand.

“Oh, you are so getting lucky tonight, Lieutenant.” You take advantage of the way he leans his head back and laughs to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

You slide your arms back from around his waist, only managing to take one step towards the bottle of your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon that’s breathing over near the sink with one of your wine glasses set out next to it before you’re being stopped with a gentle hand on your wrist.

“Hold up, where do you think you’re going, kid?” Bradley asks, tugging you back to him with a grin.

He doesn’t wait for your response before he is leaning in to properly kiss you for the first time since he left for work this morning.

At the press of his lips against yours, you feel every ounce of strain you’d been carrying from the day dissolve like melted sugar. A satisfied hum escapes you and you feel the way the corner of Bradley’s mouth ticks up at your reaction to him. His hands cup your face, tilting you head until it was at the perfect angle for him to deepen the kiss. You don’t even notice he’s back you up against the island until the countertop is digging into your lower back, too distracted by the way the coarse hairs of his mustache scrape along your upper lip.

If it weren’t for the sound of the timer going off the two of you might have almost would have forgotten about dinner entirely, it wouldn’t have been the first time it’s happened.

“Is there anything I can help with?” you ask, smoothing out the wrinkles of his shirt from the way you’d had it clutched in your fists just moments ago before letting go of him so that he can silence the beeping coming from the oven.

“You want to make us a salad to go with it?”

“Yes, chef,” you purr as you spin on your heel taking off in the other direction.

And really you should have expected the cheeky way his hand connects with your ass in a quick, sharp slap. You shoot him a glare over your shoulder, but he’s already facing the stove and stirring the sauce again as he adjusts the seasoning with a smirk.

You take a moment to pour yourself a glass of the wine Bradley had opened for you and take a sip. The bold, juicy flavor dancing across your tongue as you set about gathering the things to make a simple salad to go with the dinner he’s made for the two of you.

This is your favorite part of the day, when it’s just the two of you together.

The back and forth has always been easy with him. Whether it’s making dinner or running errands or doing laundry together. The things that always felt mundane on their own had become some of the things you most looked forward to during the week. It’s not that you need to be around him, but you always want to be around him.

When Bradley declares the sauce to be perfect, he comes and joins you at the island. Grabbing a cutting board of his own he starts slicing up the fresh baguette you’d picked up, offering you the end to snack on.

“Oh, what’s this?” he asks, picking up the box of assorted cake slices.

You continue chopping the cucumber in front of you, “Isn’t that fun? They had a stack of those at the checkout. I think they must have made too many cakes this week on accident, but it’s so smart of them so sell them that way. Why get one flavor when you can have six? Best of both worlds for everyone.”

“That so, huh?” he sounds amused by your enthusiasm, “Is there something else you wanted to talk to me about?”

It hadn’t been a particularly noteworthy visit, other than you’d been able to score a parking spot in front of the building, “Uh, not that I can think of?”

“You sure?” Bradley prods.

“No?... Oh! I was going to pick up that marbled rye you like while I was there getting the baguette, but they were already sold out. So I got a loaf of the multigrain brown bread and some sourdough instead.”

“Mmm, interesting.”

Stopping your salad prep, you look up at him skeptically, “Ok, why are you mmm-ing me, Bradshaw?”

Bradley’s eyes are alight with playful mischief as he slides the box of the cake slices towards you and pointedly double taps on the sticker on the upper right corner of the pink box with his finger.

You hadn’t stopped to read the shiny gold label when you’d grabbed it at the bakery, the tempting layers of cake and frosting and fillings had immediately sold you on it, but you couldn’t unsee what the curly scripted font said now.

Wedding Cake Sampler

“So, when’s the wedding? I’m assuming I’ll be invited,” he grins.

You feel your face get hot as you realize your mistake. It wasn’t just a sample box, but a very specific type of sample box. A very specific type of sample box for a very specific occasion.

Suddenly the interaction with the bakery employee as you were paying makes so much more sense now.

“Oh my god, the girl at the checkout said ‘Congratulations’ and I said ‘Happy Fri-yay’ back to her,” you groan, covering your eyes with your hands, “I thought she meant it like ‘Congrats on making it to Friday’ thing.”

He laughs, “Sweet girl, that’s about the damn cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Happy Fri-yay, Bradley! She was congratulating me on our- I mean- the nonexistent impending nuptials she thought I had and I reply to her that? We need to find a new bakery, I can’t go there ever again,” you lament. It’s truly a tragedy, since they have the best sticky pecan rolls in the area.

“And you call me a drama queen,” Bradley lightly teases, “She probably thought it was funny.”

You groan again, louder this time. If he was going to call you a drama queen, you’d at least try out your best Mariah Carey impersonation.

Your face is still hidden behind your hands when you feel Bradley gather you into his arms, running a warm hand up and down your back. “C’mon, it’s not even that bad. I’m sure I did at least three things more embarrassing than that today.”

“Yeah, I bet you did too,” you grumble into his chest without heat. The way he chuckles at your surliness lets you know he doesn’t take it personally. Not only is he getting laid, but you decide you’re definitely going to give him head too for being the sweetest man alive.

He takes your wrists in his hands and pulls the away from your face, “I gotta tell you, I’m glad it was just a little mix up. It would have sucked to find out my girlfriend had a fiancé I didn’t know about.”

You can see every shade of brown in his eyes as he looks into yours, the affection and amusement rippling there the same way the light catches the surface of a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning.

At this point you really do just have to laugh at yourself. It’s such a silly thing to get worked up about, especially since you know you’re probably more ruffled about Bradley potentially thinking that you’re trying to drop a not-so-subtle hint with it. And fact of the matter is that you still probably would have picked it up anyways, you just might have peeled off the incriminating sticker off in the car before bringing it in.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Bradshaw. I’ve got my hands more than full enough with you.”

“Yeah, you do,” he boasts, the insinuation is not lost on you.

You snort a laugh and shove at his chest lightly. He drops a kiss to the side of your head and makes his way back to the other side of the kitchen island as you get back to your salad making duties.

“Hey, just so you know, I can’t wait to eat wedding cake with you later,” he says as he continues to slice up the baguette.

You playfully toss a cucumber at him for his teasing and he pops in mouth with a grin.

A little later, when you have your steaming bowls of pasta in front of you at the dinner table, he raises his glass of wine to you, “Happy Fri-yay, sweet girl.”

And your laugh is as crystalline as the clink of your glass meeting his in cheers.

After the leftovers are put away and the dishes cleaned, the two of you are cozied up watching the new romcom that was just added on Netflix.

You’re stretched out across the couch with your feet in Bradley’s lap eating the cake you’d picked up. You try a bit of each flavor deciding which one you like the most to save it for the end, while Bradley takes his chances and eats one slice at a time before moving on to the next one. It’s truly unhinged behavior and you couldn’t help but tease him about it when you’d noticed his cake tasting methodology.

Bradley moans around a forkful of cake and you know he’s just found the carrot cake- his favorite.

He’s always been a bit of a pseudo health nut with questionable logic. “It’s got carrots and walnuts, it’s basically a superfood” he’s claimed on multiple occasions, while purposefully excluding the part about the pound of butter and cream cheese that goes into the frosting.

“I’d clear my schedule in heartbeat and take you to City Hall any day of the week as long as we get to have this carrot cake when we get married,” he says right before he licks the frosting off of his fork.

Your breath catches in your throat.

When, not if.

He says it so easily like there’s not a doubt in his mind that it’ll be you and him facing each other at the end of an aisle as vows about forever are exchanged.

He says it like a fact.

He says it like he knows.

“I didn’t realize I missed the part where you asked me,” you say, setting your plate on the coffee table in front of you, too full of the hope of it all to keep eating.

“And here I was waiting on you, kid,” he says playfully, taking another bite.

He’s teasing, you know he is. Bradley isn’t the type of man who would lead you on or play games with your heart.

“Bradley.” It’s an almost whine the way his name comes out of your mouth as you nudge his thigh with your foot. You turn your head to bury your face in the cushion of the couch, suddenly feeling very bashful.

The two of you have never talked about it, at least not like this before. Only in casual passing comments like getting a place with a bigger backyard for Duck or about setting up a joint banking account. A hypothetical future.

“Hey, c’mon. Look at me,” he coaxes, squeezing your foot. When you peek at him, the look on his face is all open sincerity, “You’re my forever girl. I love you and I’m planning on spending the rest of my life with you. That is, if you’re ok with that.”

A rush butterflies happily swoop and swirl around in your stomach.

He’s been in your life for almost three decades now. You’d known the boy, the teen, and you more than liked the man he’d become. You had absolutely no intention of ever letting him go. He was yours. Forever and always.

“That’d be ok with me,” you tell him freely. You watch as his smile gets wider and broader until it’s taking up his whole face, his eyes crinkling around the edges. “I think I could handle quite a few more decades with you, Bradley Bradshaw.”

“Is that so?” he drawls, his fingers skimming up and down the top of your calf.

“Oh, definitely. You’re stuck with me,” you grin.

“Good.”

He tugs your ankle, pulling you until your back is flat against the couch. You squeal in delight as he pins you down on the cushions, your arms and legs wrap around him on their own drawing him in even closer. Then he’s kissing every inch of your face that he can reach as you laugh in delight.

If it weren’t for Bradley’s sturdy bulk on top of you, you’re pretty sure you might have just floated away. You’ve never felt this incandescently light in your whole life.

He brushes one more quick kiss to the top of your nose before he pulls away, “But just so we’re on the same page, that wasn’t an official proposal. More like a declaration of intention.”

“I don’t know,” you muse, stroking his pink cheek, “Sounds like you’re desperate to wife me up, Bradley. Practically begging for me to take you to the courthouse.”

His hands go straight for curve of your waist, attacking that ticklish spot that’s always made you giggle and squirm. Only taking mercy on you once you’re out of breath. You’re almost positive that the smile on your face might be there permanently.

You don’t miss the intensity in Bradley’s eyes as they trace over your face as he settles himself more fully on you, “You don’t know the half of it, kid. But I’m letting you know now, I’m not going to make either one of us wait long for it.”

And then his mouth is on yours.

You feel the promise he’s making to you in his kiss. The caress of his hands along your body feels like a vow. You feel every ounce of just how much he loves and cherishes you. The cake was sweet, but his honeyed kiss tastes even sweeter.

“Tell me we can have carrot cake at our wedding, sweet girl,” he murmurs against your lips.

Our wedding.

The thought of it made you giddy.

You wanted to wear his ring on your finger just as much as you wanted to see him wearing one of his own one day. You liked your last name, but there was nothing more you wanted than to be Mrs. Bradshaw. It would be another thing you and Carole could share. A name and the everlasting love for her son.

“Ok, we can have carrot cake at our wedding,” you agree, wholeheartedly, “It’s basically a superfood, after all.”

“Damn right it is,” he beams.

The cake is quickly forgotten in favor of pulling your shirt over your head.

You might not have a ring. Yet.

But you did have a lifetime with Bradley and a carrot cake to look forward to. And that was more than enough for you.

Bradley was pretty sure that there was nothing better on this Earth than having you draped across his chest as you slept soundly in his arms. Your breathing had softened and evened out ages ago, but his mind was whirling with thoughts of his bright future with you.

He’d meant it when he’d told you he wasn’t going to make you wait long. Bradley didn’t know how much longer he could go on calling you his girlfriend when all he really wanted to call you his wife. He’s imagined you in a white dress walking towards him more times than he could count.

When he’d planned the surprised trip back to your shared hometown as a gift for your six-month anniversary, he might have had some ulterior motives. While it was nice to see the place you’d both grown up in again as adults, there had been a more pressing issue on his mind the whole time.

He hadn’t been able to control the nervous bounce of his leg or his sweaty palms when he’d ask your mom’s permission for your hand in marriage. It hadn’t been any easier the second time, when he’d had to do it all over again with you dad that sunny day at the golf course.

Bradley knew it was a bit of an antiquated tradition, but he’d never proposed to anyone before and he wanted to get it right. He wanted you and your parents to know just how serious he was about his intentions to love you for the rest of his life. He’d even asked Mav for his blessing too, just to make sure he had his bases covered.

It had thrown him through a loop when at the end of the trip you mom had slipped him the ring she’d worn while she was married to your dad. She’d told him there was no expectations or pressure to use it, she just wanted him to have it just in case.

The engagement ring his mom had worn had been tucked in the back corner of his nightstand for almost four months now. Bradley had pulled it out of storage sometime around the third month of officially dating you. It would be too soon for anyone else, but he’s already had decades with you. And he’d never been more sure about anything in his life as he was about knowing you were the one for him.

The two of you had always been perfectly right on time in your own way.

He’d dwelled on it for weeks trying to figure out if he should give them both to you at once. Or if he should propose to you with one and save the other to you during another monumental moment, like when the two of you started a family. He figured could turn one into a necklace or something for you.

Bradley could feel the presence of both rings every time he walked into the bedroom. They were both equally were important to him, he wanted to get it right.

His mom had known and loved you, he knew that she’d have been so excited to see her ring on your finger. And after his mom had passed, yours had helped him during those rough days in ways he didn’t think he could ever properly thank her for. Even though your parents’ marriage hadn’t worked out, they were the reason that you were here and he couldn’t imagine his life without you.

It wasn’t until Natasha had shown him the Toi et Moi style ring that things locked into place in a way that made his heart race at the very idea of it.

The right ring for the right girl.

He lets his fingers trail up and down your back gently as you slept soundly against him.

In the kitchen earlier that night, he might have bent the truth about his day just a little bit.

The final design had been sent to his email that morning. And it was more perfect than he could have imagined.

He did win $200 from Jake and had gone to the dog park with Duck, but he’d also stopped by the jewelers across town to give them both of the family heirlooms because he didn’t want to waste a single minute.

Two diamonds, one ring. The start of you and him. A story of your beginnings to be worn on the finger that would tie him to you with a golden thread for the rest of your lives together.

He’d even paid extra to have it engraved.

My sweet girl. My forever girl.

I genuinely thought I was one and done after I wrote my first fic in December of last year. And then came these two. 'Like I Can' was meant to be a oneshot that turned into a 3-part series that turned into half of my masterlist. I adore this couple with my whole heart. Thank you for reading along and celebrating with me!

Elle (@callsignspark) thank you for sending me the TikTok that inspired the headcanon about the wedding cake sampler, I'm showering you with shiny 'thank you' shaped confetti! And another big thank you to Jordan (@gretagerwigsmuse) for getting as giddy about these two as I do and for always enthusiastically reading the snippets I send you! You both are the best!

If you enjoyed these two, you can read their story from the start here!

You can read my other stories here!

Taglist:

@gretagerwigsmuse @sehnsuchts-trunken @notroosterbradshaw @tongue-like-a-razor @laracrofted @bradshawsbitch @starryeyedstories @top-hhun-main @startrekfangirl2233 @callsign-viper @teacupsandtopgun @shanimallina87 @angelbabyange @oneelleandaneye @mizzzpink @cornishkat @alana4610 @20th-centu-fairy-girl @pono-pura-vida @donttouchmycarrots @eg-dr3amer3 @whaledots-blog @a-beaverhausen @hangmanscoming @mandolin22 @theweekndhistorybook @lilpeekabooze @high-bi-imgonnacry @ahintofkiwistrawberry @ruewrote @spiderman-stilinski @jayniebop @my-soulmate-is-mycroft @imaginecrushes @keyrani @chicomonks @artemissunn @mayempress @eddiemunsonreader

[yandere-daydreams]

Best creepy roommate is absolutely dottore because like. You cut him so much slack because he pays far more of his share of the rent than he should, and he helps you avoid the hundred dollar doctor visits by taking a quick look at you whenever you're seeing double and sweating up a storm. He even lets you eat whatever he scrounges for meals, as long as you take care of the shopping. He's got a lot of benefits.

So just... Keep ignoring all the shit he brings home from work. Ignore the samples he keeps in the countertop freezer (that you INSISTED he buy after you nearly drank a bio sample instead of your milkshake). Ignore that he really shouldn't be dealing with paperwork where you can see it (isn't that a breach of privacy, or something?). ESPECIALLY ignore the concerning terms you sometimes see scrawled out. Death_of_child is totally innocuous in programming, right...? It's probably... Probably similar in the medical field, too. It's fine. It's totally fine. It has to be fine, because you don't have any other options.

modern au dottore my beloved,,, he'd just be the most unhinged, sleep deprived medical student with the sketchiest internship and the weirdest ""homework"" you've ever seen. honestly, you're not even sure why he needs a roommate at all when he pays 95% of the rent and the bulk of your food/utility bills, but it probably has something to do with the liter or so of blood he asks you to ""donate"" every couple of weeks, or the hidden cameras you'll find littered around your living spaces every so often. you're pretty sure you're part of some fucked up case study thesis paper, but housing is expensive and you really can't afford to have a full-time job while you're still in school, so you just kinda have to put up with occasionally letting him mix his ""supplements"" into your coffee and try not to let his evil cackling keep you up too late at night. it's not even necessarily a yandere situation, he's just like that in every universe.

[vampire-meta-knight]

DIY Goth Shorts

Goths of Tumblr, grab your sewing needles and safety pins, because have I got a fun and easily-customizable project for you!

I’ve been gothifying shorts and pants for a couple years, now, and they’re just so much fun to make! Very affordable, too, since all the shorts I get are either thrifted or from Walmart. From then on, I add anything I see fit—patches (bought from Hot Topic and Etsy or DIY), beads, chains, safety pins, fabric paint, embroidery, charms, ribbon, lace, buttons—you get the idea. Lots of my lace trim comes from thrift stores, charms are easy to find in bulk online, you can get beads at Walmart or your local craft store, embroidery floss and needles can be found at Walmart and are cheap (and easy to learn how to use!), and if you don’t want to buy patches you can easily make your own by creating stencils with freezer paper (tutorials are on YouTube) and dabbing on fabric or acrylic paint with a sponge brush.

I’ve also tie-dye bleached and dyed some black shorts for a cool black-and-red and black-and-purple pair. I’ve customized long pants for colder weather, as well, which may get their own post if people are interested.

If all this sounds intimidating to a new crafter, worry not! I have some really simple pairs that took no skill. I don’t have pictures, but I have one pair that just has 2-inch safety pins on the hem and a chain pinned at the pocket. That’s it! No sewing, no painting, just pins!

I also have a pair that has sew-on-studs on the hem and one patch on the leg for a less-busy design if all the eclectic clutter isn’t your vibe.

Point is, you can add whatever you want to some shorts to make them uniquely yours. They can be as busy or plain, colorful or monochrome, girly or grungy as you like! Heck, they don’t even have to be goth. I encourage anyone who knows how to hand-sew or embroider to customize their clothes, no matter their style. It’s fun!

[tightwadspoonies]

I am allergic to all nightshades (tomato, potato, peppers, eggplant) as well as shellfish. I'm also physically disabled, so standing at the stove or counter for long periods of time is painful. My food options are so limited as a result, and I end up relying on frozen foods more than I'd like. Any ideas?

Trail mix: Lots of things can be purchased in pre-sized pieces from bulk stores and mixed in zipper bags. I recommend dried fruit or berries without added sugar, seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, etc..), nuts, and puffed grain or cereal pieces. Making your own mix is usually a healthier and more customizable option than buying pre-made, so you can expand it out to a meal or just eat as a snack.

Meal shakes- Combine a regular smoothie recipe with some heavy cream or nut butter for more calories. These are much easier to clean up after if you use a stick blender and rinse it off immediately.

The following recipes minimize prep, or allow prep to be done at a different time than the meal will be consumed:

Sheet pan meals: Cut pieces of 2 different vegetables (sweet potato, onion, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, etc...) and a meat (chicken, sausage links, beef, pork, etc...) into 1-inch cubes, toss in oil of choice with spices of choice (I like garlic, onion, salt, and black pepper), lay on a sheet pan, and bake until the meat is cooked through (30-45mins at 350F).

The chopping can be done seated and/or done ahead on a good day (or even purchased pre-cut at some supermarkets) and frozen (lay on a baking tray in the freezer for an hour, then put in a zipper bag) for a quick meal on a bad day. You can cut down on dishes by lining the pan you freeze or cook with in parchment paper.

Instant Pot or slow cooker meals: Put some meat, roughly chopped onions, spices of choice, oil of choice, and broth in a slow cooker or instant pot, set to appropriate settings and wait.

Make rice or other starch ahead of time and freeze in portions. Then all you have to do is microwave it to go with a sheet pan dinner or instant pot dinner.

Non-nightshade sauces can be tricky, but here is a relatively easy one that doesn't require sautee-ing. It does require an instant pot or slow cooker and blender or immersion blender.

[mariatesstruther]

thinking about an au in which maria miller is a high profile celebrity or film industry laywer and tommy is her personal chef :)

it kinda got long so hey here’s a cut. mariatommy lovers pls enjoy

maria is always working herself to the bone, so much so that she’s already hired a personal stylist, an executive assistant, and two assistants for her assistant. all her clients tell her that she works too hard, deserves a break, but she honestly loves her life—she just has a little bit of an issue taking care of herself outside of her work, is all. it’s not a big deal, at least not to her. but at tess’s insistence suggestion, she hires a personal chef; apparently, she needs someone besides herself to make sure her fridge is stocked, to remind to eat when she’s not working, to remind her to drink water in the morning before coffee (and okay, tess. that’s fair.)

in comes tommy miller, one of the executive chefs from miller brother’s cuisine. together, tommy and joel have established a longstanding culinary empire: what started as a chilean-fusion mom-and-pop in austin developed into a series of high-profile restaurants all over the country, as well as a private chef gig tommy decided to start on the side. he got set up with maria through tess, a longtime celebrity client of them both, who suggests that working for her would be good for him—whatever that means. he’s heard her name a few times, just from being familiar with people business, but has no idea what he’s in for when he first shows up at her three-story luxury condo door. he’s struck first by how beautiful she is, with her flawless, glowing skin and long, flowing silk-pressed hair. he’s struck second by how smooth her voice is as she introduces himself and welcomes him in—she says it’s a mess, which is ridiculous, as the only thing remotely out of place is a near-empty glass of wine on her coffee table, sat next to two laptops and a pile of papers so big it gives him an instant headache. he’s struck third and most intensely by the fact that the only thing she has in her fridge is leftover pasta, a box of frozen tempura shrimp, and four bottles of rosé. it alarms him. a woman who works this hard and is this fucking beautiful needs more than scraps in her kitchen, he thinks. he gets to work immediately

maria’s first impression of tommy is that he looks more like a cowboy than a cook. he’s sans a hat, but he’s wearing western boots and a fur-lined leather jacket and has a belt with a western-style buckle that’s bigger than her fist. he calls her ma’am in a low scratchy voice, offers his hand when they go downstairs to see her freezer, thanks her with a close-lipped, charming smile when she offers him a glass of water. he listens intently while she explains what her schedule is like and follows her politely as she walks him around her kitchen—she tries not to blush when she realizes just how empty it is, but he doesn’t seem to judge, which she appreciates. they sit down at her dining room table, the big bulk of him swamping her luxury klarel chair, and he takes down her dietary restrictions and preferences like he is doing bible study. maria doesn’t remember the last time someone listened and dedicated their attention to her so intently—it makes her hot, and it makes her excited to be taken care of by him. he explains his plans for her first week, a specially-curated menu meant to give them both an idea of what he can offer her, and everything sounds delicious. by the time he leaves, her mouth is watering and her stomach is tight with hungry anticipation

at first maria doesn’t think she’ll see all that much of him—she assumes he’ll either be in her kitchen, leaving her to work, or dropping premade food off for her to heat up when she wants to eat. but he’s always there, the first face she see’s when she wakes in the morning and when comes home from work at night (not that she’s complaining. he’s got a good face). at first it’s to get constant feedback on his dishes for her, but then it’s just because it’s what they’re used to. he’s always asking her what she wants and what she likes, and always makes sure she gets it in record time. once, love-drunk and halfway to a food coma from a machas a la parmesana he’d made, she joked to him that he’s the most perfect man she’s ever had in her life. it makes him blush over the banana pudding he was making for her, at the time

so he stays with her for months, and then months turn into a year, and then a year turns into three. they become family, mostly because he has so much of it and she has none. joel and her and two peas in a pod, and his daughters ellie and sarah become two of her favorite little beings in the whole world. tommy becomes a fixture in her life not just at home, but in her office, too. he brings her lunches and makes extra for her assistants, who always look at him with hearts and starts in their eyes. at least once a month, he and joel cater for her office, bringing lunch for all her staff. all her coworkers joke that she should marry him, and eventually, she really does start to consider it.

once at three am, she came home from a night out with tess a little too drunk and texted him to request a southern style lobster roll. she expected him to be asleep, because he’s the one between the two of them that actually makes an effort to get some shuteye, and that she would be treated to her craving maybe the following day. but by the time she’d gotten out of the shower, however, he’d texted back a simple on my way—within the next hour, he was at her door with 5lbs of lobster, fresh-baked butter rolls (where the fuck he got fresh rolls at 4 fucking am, she had no fucking clue. she still doesn’t), and his homemade cajun seasoning mix in hand.

that night, they each eat two rolls and share a bowl of the potato chips they’d made from scratch together earlier that week. they curl up on her couch, spending the rest of the morning bouncing between kitchen nightmares and scandal. between episodes, she kisses him for the first time, and he kisses her back. the next day, she offeres him the guest room. he accepts

for @clickergossip @ameerawrites and @bumblepony ofc bc i feel like yall would vibe with this and are always keeping ME fed with your brilliant fics

[butts-bouncing-on-the-beltway]

I'll want to break down the chicken and beef into pre-marinaded freezer baggies with any roots or beans or sauces paired with them in a lil bundle of baggies, that way meals become as simple as popping a baggie set into a cast iron in the oven or on the stove. The last of the current priority garden, home, and body ingredients are in the mail, and I'm just waiting until I have the last of my salts and amino acids to mix them up.

Upcoming projects:

1) add compost cultivator to The Stacks now that there is a sizeable hay patch and an existing decomposition culture to support

2) Start tree seed trays (wild plum and black cherry)

3) Start greens seed trays (amaranth, turnip, beet, collard)

4) start shrub seed trays (Alleghany blueberry)

5) start wildflower seed trays (flax, marshmallow)

6) bury seed trays in coco coir and compost when The Stacks are fully decomposed

7) infuse olive oil with shea butter cubes, resins, cracked seeds, and salts in pourable cruets

8) break down chicken and beef into ready-prep single meal and bulk meal portions and freeze (burger/meatloaf mix, chili mix, carne asada, carne criolo, buttermilk chicken for battered cutlets, pulled chicken and ranch for pizza root-fries, kung pao chicken, green curry chicken, pulled chicken for matzoh soup, meatballs, lemon garlic chicken, ground beef crumbles, Date Night Steaks, sliced roast beef packets, jerky, BBQ for beans, dumpling filling, seasoned battered chicken for fried chicken strips and cheesy chicken pasta/veggie-noodle lasagnas, etc)

9) sauce tomatoes and freeze

10) bake a round of washing soda

11) ferment some rice for washing cakes and scalp scrubs

12) mix laundry detergent (epsom salts, resin infused oils, seed infused oils, washing soda, hand soap)

13) mix body scrubs

14) mix and set washing cakes

15) mix and jar scalp scrubs

16) mix and jar hair cremes

17) mix and jar hair masques

18) mix and jar skin masques

19) mix and bottle serums

20) mix and bottle texture spray

21) mix and jar bath salts

22) deep clean kitchen (wash counters, wash sink, treat drain, sweep and mop floors, wash cabinetry, wash appliances, run cleaning cycles on oven and dishwasher, clean out traps and catches, wash trash can and deoderize, empty and sanitize recycling bag, clean cat cozies, sanitize kitty meal plates, sanitize communal water fountain, sanitize water pitcher and replace filter, etc)

23) juice citrus (lime, lemon) and bottle/refridgerate

24) make citrus paste (lime, lemon) and freeze

25) make chimichurri base and freeze

26) make basil, garlic, and sesame paste and freeze

27) make kefir

28) make garlic confit and freeze

29) make caramelized onions and freeze

30) make pepper paste and pepper jelly and freeze

31) make pickles (onion, garlic, peppers, sundried tomato) and freeze

32) make curried carrot and lentil soup and freeze

33) make chicken stock and freeze

34) make kimchi

35) make samosa and empanada wrappers (corn masa pastry dough)

36) make dumpling wrappers (rice paper)

37) make and freeze dumplings, samosas, and empanadas (veggie mince, meat mince, kimchi and rice, Oaxaca and honey, Oaxaca and beans, Oaxaca and pepper jelly, curry chicken, veggie curry)

38) mix and bag sazon rice packets

39) prep herb and spice mix bottles

40) season and freeze root-fries and root-wedges

41) marinade and freeze veggie side dishes

42) air fry and package chickpea pops

43) make candied snickie snacks (nuts, jerky, coffee beans, carrots, citrus)

44) cut and batter Oaxaca strips for battering (seasoned lentil and rice flour) for paneer pakora and fried cheese sticks

45) cut Oaxaca strips for cheesy pastas

46) make and freeze queso fundido (Oaxaca cubes, peppers, garlic confit, coriander, oregano, paprika, chili pepper flakes, cumin, salt, cracked peppercorns, sundried tomatoes, shea butter curls, buttermilk, meatmince)

47) mix and freeze omelet/egg casserole mixes (queso fundido, onions, salt and pepper, fresh herbs, liquid whole egg mixed with buttermilk and rice flour, sundried tomato mince)

48) repot Pomegranate in compost and coco coir

49) identify and butcher the rooster

50) source scrap wood for laying nests, cat climbers, garden stakes, cat toys, chicken toys, carry/storage crates, etc)

51) mix dehumidifer/air filter pack for upstairs bathroom

52) deep clean upstairs bathroom (wash sink, wash floors, wash toilet, wash cabinetry, refill hand soap, wash counters, polish hardware, wash mirror)

53) wash towels and hang out to dry

54) wash blanket/bed linens and hang out to dry

55) wash clothes and hang up to dry in rounds of 2× outfits or 1× linens per basin

56) deep clean our bathroom (wash sinks, wash counters, sweep and wash floors, wash cabinetry and walls, refill deoderizer, clean shower, polish hardware, wash mirrors, refill hand soap, organize shower and sink products, wash toilet)

57) deep clean bedroom (take out trash bins, pick up floors, vacuum and sanitize carpets, wash walls, organize clothes, organize dog toys, sanitize dog meal dishes, wash and polish side tables/trunk, wash bedframe, sanitize mattress, change sheets and blankets)

58) vacuum and sanitize upstairs carpets

59) wash walls upstairs

60) clean guest bedroom (sanitize mattress, wash and replace bed linens and blanket, pick up floors)

61) move office couch to living room

62) move office desk/supplies to guest bedroom (for now)

63) plan a workout routine (minimum 2x gym days/wk for rowing and cycling and traction, min 2 home workouts/wk -> prioritize range of motion, balance, and gradual endurance building)

64) plan a hygeine routine (min 3x wash day/wk for skin, max 1x wash day/wk for hair)

65) organize my next round of plans

[bigheckinbraindrain]

Once-a-Month Meals

I recently found a website called Once a Month Meals (OaMM). The idea behind it is that they have many MANY recipes that you can prep ahead of time and freeze for later. You can create a menu plan, add up to 15 recipes from their site to your menu plan, and then tell the system how many servings you want each meal to be and how many make-ahead meals of each recipe you want, and it guides you through it.

Yesterday was my first attempt at this. I picked 15 meals that looked/sounded like they'd be really good. I made my shopping list (they allow you to download an exact shopping list, but I wanted to write it out to combine a few things, like there would be an entry for Chicken breast and another for chicken thighs, but I only eat breast, another entry was for diced tomatoes and one for diced tomatoes with chilis that I combined together). And when I got home from the store, I started in.

As I understood it, the basic steps for doing a meal plan session are to

Make your meal plan from the available recipes

Print out a shopping list (the website creates this)

Shop for the items on the list

Print out the prep-day sheet

Make all the recipes

Freeze

My experience of last night's endeavor was that it sucked. Hard. The recipes were good and the prep wasn't really that bad, but there are some things I could have done differently that would have made a huge difference.

I learned a lot in my first go-round. Some things I realized part-way through, some I realized once I was cleaning up my disaster of a kitchen at the end.

My tips for my next round will be:

PAY ATTENTION TO PREP TIMES ON THE RECIPE CARDS

Make my meal plan

Shop at a warehouse grocery store like Sam's, Costco, or BJ's because bulk, man

Pre-prepare my cooking by figuring out how much hamburger meat I need to have "cooked" for a recipe, chopped onions, etc. Do all that the night before

Use these little cups to measure out my spices for all recipes beforehand

Figure out what I'm going to eat for the next 2 or 3 days to keep in the fridge instead of freezing.

Make up my Ziploc bags and bowls with their labels

Group similar recipes together (like my Santa-Fe chicken and my taco pasta) because I can reuse some of those mixing bowls without having to wash and dry them in between when a rinse would do just fine

WEAR MY GOOD SNEAKERS FOR ARCH SUPPORT because I didn't last night, and my feet were dead weight about 5 recipes in

Download an audiobook to listen to while I'm prepping. Or a podcast. Or something.

Make sure I do my flash-freeze recipes in a logical order. Somehow, all my flash-freeze ones were near the end. Since I needed freezer room to store the pans before packaging the item, I couldn't do them in succession. Honestly, I'll probably ensure I only do 2 or 3 flash-freeze recipes per prep day, and do one at the start, one in the middle, and one at the end. Or just start and end.

Make an "eat" calendar. I will make a little post-it note and pre-write each individual meal on one note, then add it to my calendar (so I can move them around if I want to). I could also use calendar software to do this, but I like the tactile feeling of placing and moving stickies. I'm a very techy person but this is one thing I do like doing with paper.

Get 11 inches-wide plastic storage bins. I can freeze all my bags lying down, flat, and then put them into these storage bins in order of when I'm going to eat them

[lowwasteorbustanut]

I have not had 2 days off in a row for about 2 months now.

I’m so exhausted.

But this weekend I FINALLY had 2 day off together, so it’s back to meal prepping!

I actually had some energy after work on Friday, which was a total surprise 🤣

And the meat department at the grocery store I work at allowed me to get ground beef from the case AND use my reusable container. So no plastic/wax paper for me!

I have some quinoa I wanted to use, so I made quinoa unstuffed peppers. Because I love stuffed red peppers, but they’re a lot of work and hard for me to make when my psoriatic arthritis is flaring.

Turned out AMAZING!

(Click through for pics, recipe link, and waste breakdown)

Of course everything was purchased in bulk.

Quinoa, seasoning salt, and taco seasoning from my local bulk department.

Meat from my grocery store, I’m my reusable container.

Veggies purchased in produce department, without stickers. All ends/unused bits were put in my compost bin.

Tomatoes were from a can, so the lid was still recyclable.

And the “broth” I cooked the quinoa in was from Better Than Bouillon vegetable. I still have a lot left, and when I’m done the glass jar will be cleaned and recycled (or reused). Unfortunately the lid cannot be recycled, so if I don’t reuse the jar the lid will be trash.

Still it’s VERY little waste for a good amount of meals.

[rohidasblog]

Weight loss diet

          2 Eating Habits That Drastically Change Your Weight Loss Efforts, Say Dietitians

When it comes to weight loss, you want to focus on maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle, not just drastically shedding pounds. Weight loss is achievable by many different ways, including exercise and or practicing self-care. Your drinking and eating habits can also affect your weight, and it's important to keep up with your practices.

Sometimes, your weight loss journey may feel like a dead-end, and you want to try and switch your routine in order to keep persevering on your goals. The good news is that there are eating habits that can help you continue your process. The Nutrition Twins, Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT, and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, who are also members of our medical expert board, gathered their insight to help create

                1 Divide temptations into single portions and place them in the freezer

 Buying produce and other perishables in bulk may make for a successful grocery shopping trip but it forces you to eat everything before the products expire. That's why The Nutrition Twins recommend that when you come home, immediately divide any food that you find tempting into single portions and place them in the freezer.

"Because frozen food requires defrosting, impulse eating will be prevented and willpower is taken out of the equation," say The Nutrition Twins. "This simply requires a plan! Know that you're only having one—and take one serving out to defrost."a list of eating happens that can help drastically change your weight loss efforts.

Seeing your food intake on paper may give you a whole new perspective on what you're eating and how much of it you're eating. Keeping a food diary or journal helps log your food consumption throughout the day.

      2 Write down what you eat.

The Nutrition Twins say that research shows that people who record what they eat lose twice as much weight as those who don't. It will hold you accountable and make you aware of what you've eaten. In the particular study of approximately 17,000 people, those who kept daily food records lost twice as much weight as those who kept no records,

[customboxes01]

Custom Freezer Paper With The Ultimate Solution For Food Storage And Packaging

Freezer paper plays a critical role in the storage and preservation of meat and other perishable commodities within the food storage and packaging sector. Unlike traditional wrapping fabrics, it includes a surface coating (specific) that prevents the leakage of liquid while preventing freezer burn. This is an option for butchers, slaughterhouse personnel, and food businesses. No matter if you are in search of the rolls, the big sheets of paper, the custom-printed sheets for the branding, and so on, the freezer paper will be the winner of absolute versatility. It has changed from the butcher houses to the kitchens of the homes as a main food product for preservation. But how do you discriminate the freezer paper from others (e.g., wax paper, plastic film? The answer lies in its unique composition and durability. Using personed printing, this idea can be further developed into giving the concept of brand identity to firms. In this article, we are going to cover the different forms of freezer paper, what it is used for, and why there is still a need for the use of freezer paper as a packaging solution.

Behind Paper

Meat preservation necessitates specific vessels to ensure freshness and avoid contamination. Freezer paper for meat consists of a plastic/wax coating (one side) and exhibits a barrier property to both moisture and air. This is the one prevention of freezer burn that can alter the taste and the texture of the meat. In contrast to traditional paper, thanks to the rigidity of freezer paper, it can be used at very high temperatures without ripping. However, they also employ it for masking other meat products such as steak, poultry, and seafood, and as such, they extend their storage of products. Besides, thanks to its non-stick characteristics, it is easy to handle (that is, it is easy to package quickly and easily). Nowadays, a lot of food companies have been applying customized freezer paper to apply label designs (e.g., loo and ad texts) on their packages. However, this does more than enhance the consumer product presentation; it also promotes brand identity among consumers. Irrespective of the use, freezer paper remains at the tip of the spear for home use or use for commercial purposes in meat preservation.

More Than Just Storage

Freezer wrap paper is more than just a way to store food; it is also a protective component from contaminants. The paraffin-coated side prevents water loss and thus ensures the freshness of foods over extended periods. In contrast to plastic wrap, which is known to retain too much moisture and result in freezer burn, freezer wrap paper provides a permeable barrier. It is an excellent tool application for fish, birds, and terrestrial meats. It has a rigidity that gives it shear resistance, and therefore, it is a strong choice for packaging. Bulk freezer paper is a cheap way for a company to maintain the quality of food and sustainability. There is now a large number of brands that offer eco-friendly alternatives to freezer paper, which offers environmental benefits while maintaining performance.

Must-Have For Meat Shops

Meat shops and meat processors, with the aid of freezer paper, efficiently seal off fresh cuts. Nevertheless, butcher freezer paper is stiffer than other wrapping products and should, therefore, be preferred for applications where a good grip is wished for. Its ability to prevent leakage without damaging the meat's's freshness is the main benefit of the market. The merit of butchery freezer paper is that it is still possible to retain the juicy and natural appearance, color, and texture of the meat. In contrast to plastic bags, which can result in discoloration, butcher paper guarantees that the meat stays appealing from a visual point of view.

Custom butcher paper wholesale (with the brand mark as packaging) enhances packaging. That is, but with the cost of butchers and meat wholesalers being able to market themselves using premium packaging. Whether to use it for steaks, sausages, or deli meat, butcher freezer paper is essential in every butcher shop.

Long-Lasting Freshness

Waxed freezer paper is coated with a film of wax that protects against freezing injury. The wax layer is impermeable to loss of moisture. Therefore, food retains its juiciness and its flavor. Such freezer paper is used widely in the manufacture of cheese oish or pastries. Among the more striking properties of waxed freezer paper is its ability to flex/twist. It can be further employed in both primary and secondary modes of cryopreservation and cooking in a chef and home cook kitchen. Also, it is non-adherent materials that prevent the foodstuffs from sticking to the packaging. Containers of frozen foods are commonly sealed with waxed freezer paper due to their high barrier property. It ensures freshness of the food even during extended storage periods, which directly translates into reduced losses and improved quality index of the food product.

A Cost-Effective Solution

Bulk freezer paper is a feasible, economical solution that is suitable for use in large-scale food businesses and kitchens. Bulk procurement of packaging materials reduces the cost of packaging, but it, on the other hand, takes care of the continuous supply of high-quality wrapping material. Wholesale freezer paper is available in an array of sizes that enables businesses to tailor their packaging requirements. Rolls to pre-cut sheet stock, bulk freezer paper facilitates ease of handling and high efficiency in food processing. Besides cost savings, bulk purchasing also diminishes environmental waste. The era of disposal freezer paper substitutes being limited to manufacturers is over, as many are now developing recyclable and compostable freezer paper substitutes and are,e therefore, a sustainable option for companies willing to contribute to a greener environment.

Conclusion

The selection of an appropriate freezer paper has decisively the most significant influence on ensuring the food quality is acceptable and shelf life is prolonged. All types I, NC, including butcher paper to waxed papers, have types of which some are used for the storage and packaging of food. Companies purchasing good quality freezer paper consequently guarantee such products do not spoil, keep a good flavour and are neat in appearance. Custom Flavored freezer paper is thought of as the best compromise between utility and brand for consumers seeking to elevate their packaging/slogans and logos. It is quasi-professional looking and also prevents the food from freezing. Bulk purchasing (having a lot of packaging needs to be filled) is a very cost efficient approach to be used.

[3plable]

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[vintagewomansstuff]

Yay we have food in our supermarkets again! floods here every year and within 24 hours the supermarket shelves are bare. You get the hoarders who bulk buy and stock the freezers ( they have generators) everyone else has to scramble for the left overs. Tinned food all gone, toilet paper all gone, tissues etc all gone fruit and veg. fresh and frozen all gone. But Coles in Innisfail stocked their veg dept. with locally grown bananas. No bread or milk or eggs. Every year the same thing. We handle it well I think, we just wait for the trucks to roll in. Why they don't build better roads is beyond me! Have a good one folks!

[dankusner]

Old reliable...

MASS Gallery Takes on “Toxic Masculinity”

Photographer David Hurles’ pornographic works and personal archives comprise new show

When one imagines a late artist’s preserved portfolio, they may picture an accordion folder lined with tissue paper, a big zippered binder, or even a simple cardboard packing box.

Yet when presented with photographer David Hurles’ entire life’s archive, MASS Gallery President Beth Schindler was handed a Ziploc bag.

The contents of that bag, along with personal effects, comprises the Eastside venue’s newest exhibition – “Toxic Masculinity: The Old Reliable World of David Hurles.”

While in San Francisco working on West Coast lesbian party Power Snatch, Schindler was introduced to Hurles through archivist Christopher Trout, whose couch she crashed on.

“[Trout] had been working on this big gay archive – the Bob Mizer archive – in San Francisco,” Schindler recalled, “and through that process, became friends with David, one of his closest friends up until the day that he died.”

Schindler’s own interest in gay historical archives – and their more messy elements – inspired Trout to share his collection of Hurles’ work.

“He went into this other room,” Schindler said, “and grabbed these Ziplocs, like gallon-sized freezer bags packed full of individual old photos from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s. And he was like, 'Check these out.’ And I was like, 'What in the fuck is this?’”

Those photos form the bulk of “Toxic Masculinity,” a title reflective of Hurles’ particular taste in men.

His lovers – and photographic subjects – were often violent heterosexual criminals, aka rough trade.

“99.9% of these guys were gay for pay,” Schindler explained.

“They’re in all kinds of dire straits. They’re real rough trade, you know: lots of black eyes, chipped teeth, bad tattoos.”

In an interview with Hurles’ peer and “Toxic Masculinity” collaborator Dian Hanson, Hurles described his type as “bank robbers, strong-arm men and murderers.”

“Would a person appeal to me more if he were straight?” the photographer said to Hanson.

“I have to say so. If he’d been to prison … ten extra points for that. I came to realize I was attracted to sociopaths.”

These men – all examples of the titular toxic masculinity – were captured by Hurles’ lens in various states of undress.

Under the business name Old Reliable, he distributed the nudes through the mail, which ended up getting him in legal hot water.

But his urgency in taking the photos didn’t come from any artistic ambition.

His desire was his work’s entire fuel.

In copy Hanson wrote for the exhibition, she described a particular phenomenon Hurles experienced where the more out of focus his photos were, the more attracted he was to their subjects.

“While other photographers worked at making saleable products,” Hanson wrote, “Hurles concentrated on getting close to the men who made him tremble.”

For Schindler, there’s power in preserving the whole of Hurles in MASS’s upcoming exhibition: not just his photographs but his life’s ephemera.

“The main focus for me as an archivist is to really honor the broad scope of what was in the archives of David,” she said.

“He was a really amazing note taker. He logged everything.”

Pen-pal correspondence with Gore Vidal and John Waters; the letters Hurles wrote his imprisoned boyfriends; Hurles’ driver’s licenses; his mug shots; eviction notices and neighborly complaints:

All of these items stand just as tall in the story of the photographer’s life as his pornographic work.

“People will really get a feel for who he was as a person, not just what he was excited about in photographs,” Schindler said of the show.

“Because, honestly, what he was excited about, for photographing, was men with boners.”

Toxic Masculinity: The Old Reliable World of David Hurles

[kyoko-has-awakened]

Realising that accomodating yourself by doing things "not the way they're supposed to be done" is perfectly fine is big part of the process. Can't cook every day? Cook in batches and pop it in the freezer. Even pasta can be frozen.

And so can deli meat and cheese, sliced or blocks. Buy in bulk, separate in bags (or wrap in baking paper, absorbs moisture, keeps them dryer), take one out when needed.

Even cooking an egg sounds exhausting? Some bread or some cheese crackers, salami, a piece of fruit, maybe some cheese. It will keep your body running and keep the hunger away. Because you deserve to eat well even when you can't move to prepare something.

Can't clean your space in one go. Don't. Vacuum today, mop tomorrow. Dust when it doesn't feel like a mountain. Can't vacuum the whole place in one go? Do it a room at a time. Will it be as clean as it would be if you did it all at once? No, probably not, but it'll definitely be cleaner than if you never did it because it was too big of a task.

Bottom line, do things the way that give you a comfortable life, whether that's the "right" way or not.