#but I have noticed that I eat more fruits and veggies now because I buy stuff i like

[lightblueminecraftorchid]

Ways I get fruits n veggies in me:

- putting oranges and peppers on the counter where it’s easy to snack on while I make other food

- buying frozen strawberries for cheap to make smoothies which are cold on a hot day

- buying 100% fruit juices or 100% fruit popsicles so I have cold juice to drink on a hot day

Ways I do not get fruits n veggies in me:

- buying frozen veggies I don’t really want to eat because I think they’re healthy

- buying fruits I don’t really like because I think they’re healthy

- buying fruits or veggies which require prep time to eat in a way I like

- getting upset at myself for not eating enough fruits n veggies

Notice how the ways I eat the fruits and veggies have a built in incentive to eat them?

- peppers n oranges on the counter are easy to eat and require no prep time. If I want a meal, or I’m just I the kitchen, they’re easy to grab and munch on.

- I get bored and distracted when I cook. Having something to do with my hands, like peeling an orange, keeps me busy while keeping me in the kitchen near my food. And then I peeled the orange so I might as well eat it.

- smoothies and cold juice/popsicles work because the weather is hot and I already want to cool down. The incentive exists naturally because I like how they taste and I’m already looking for something cold.

- smoothies/juice/popsicles also have a consistent texture, which unprocessed fruit and veggies do not have. Texture is a big driver of what I eat or don’t, so having a pleasant/consistent texture makes me more likely to choose something.

If u prep ur own food and are worried ur not eating enough fruits n veggies, it might be time to go through how you usually choose what to eat and what’s blocking the fruit and veggie choices. Usually there is something that makes the alternate choice you make more appealing (including not eating anything, that is a choice that you make too).

Does having to cut/peel an orange take too long, so you pick the easily openable chips? That’s great! You have chips! But if you want fruit too, maybe get something you can just pick up and eat, like an apple or pear.

Does having fresh veggies sound great, but they’re not warm and you’re already freezing, so you pick the warm tater tots you can make in the oven? That’s great! You have tater tots! But if you want veggies too, maybe make some warm vegetable soup, or get a microwave pack of steamed green beans or broccoli.

Do you feel like you want to add more vitamins to your diet, but you don’t like the taste of vegetables or fruit, so you just stare in the cabinet and then don’t pick anything? Get something that has what you need that tastes different. Maybe that’s a supplement (talk to your doctor first, those still can interact with other meds or general health), maybe that’s a protein bar you like, maybe it’s chopping veggies up real tiny and putting them in your pasta sauce. It’s okay if it’s not the most “economical” or “healthy” solution; if it results in you actually eating more of what you’re trying to eat, it’s worth it.

This applies to other foods too; I need more protein in my diet, so I buy protein bars and oven-bakeable orange chicken, even if there are “healthier” more protein dense foods. I don’t like kale or beans, eggs and I are frenemies, and steak (my beloved) takes a lot of time and attention to cook properly. I need to drink more water, so I buy powdered lemonade and sparkling water. Maybe you hate chicken and protein bars and sparkling water and lemonade. You’re not me. What do you like? What do you need? What makes your needs more likeable? Go buy/make/do that.

[tame-the-lion-writes]

FLUFF TIME!! (While I’m in class don’t mind me) Reader and her boys surrounding her, everytime she heads to bed the boys follow, and when she has to get up, they whine (Soap). Why is she leaving? Isn’t it cuddle/eepy time?? Whenever she has delivery and has to receive it at the door (and has to leave in bed) they whine but follow anyways.

9/10 chance one of them tugs her clothe towards the bedroom because they are eepy and want to sleeb and that means it’s also her sleeb time.

Imagine she to take work home and is in bed typing in her laptop at 1 AM (while the sound of the keyboard is luring them to sleep, the light is a bother). One of them just pushes the laptop close and softly borks (it is past eepy time)

(I, too, am currently in class as I write this, and should probably pay more attention because we're covering Fourth Amendment rights BUT ANYWAY—also combining this with another Anon’s ask bc they were talking about their German Shepherd getting them to bed on time lol)

The boys may be strange and chaotic, but they're always hell bent on taking care of you. And that often means forcing you to take care of yourself.

Before them, you were just barely clinging to life. Now that you were out of university, there was no rigid routine to keep you in line, so you kinda just... fell apart. An inconsistent sleep schedule with 2-3 hour naps in the afternoon, only to stay up 'til 4 AM. Skipping breakfast because some days, you'd wake up at 11. And on days when you did have breakfast, it would just be a leftover slice of cake or pie, because you didn't wanna cook.

Things have gotten much better since you adopted these weird floofsters, seen as you've finally set an alarm so you can walk them in the morning, and are forced to buy groceries on a regular basis. Still, that doesn't mean there aren't tougher days when you fall back into old habits. That's when the boys come to the rescue.

Nobody eats until you eat. It's like a pact between them—even Soap refuses, and he's the most voracious eater. Price also insists that you eat properly—even when you're picky, he'll refuse to budge unless you grab some fruits and veggies from the supermarket. And Gaz straight up sneaks snacks into your cart when you're not looking, so you only notice when you're already in the check-out line, and it would be rude to go back. They also tug on your clothes or nip you to get you to bed on time.

You’re allowed no less than seven hours of sleep minimum—and bed is, at latest, midnight. Whereas the other boys are more occupied with taking care of your daytime activities, Ghost, true to his breed’s instincts, herds you at night; he’s the first to follow you out of bed if you try and sneak away, and he WILL stare creepily at you while blocking the doorway if you attempt to leave the room. The intimidation is extra effective in the dark and you see those reflective eyes peering out from the shadows. At first, you panicked and threw a blanket at him so he'd stop with his cryptid-ness. Nowadays, you throw the blanket over yourself, knowing he’s not gonna let you crawl back to your laptop.

You've tried to control his herding instincts by following tips on YouTube and Reddit, but it's like bargaining with a brick wall. Sleep—or else.

[stevieschrodinger]

Steve is vaguely aware that Robin is watching him. He knows she's there, at least, but this right now is more important. He's hoovered, he's washed every blanket in the house, he's wiped ledges and dusted furniture and scrubbed the skirting boards. He's on his second day, getting sweaty moving furniture to clean under it.

His grocery list is nearly two pages long, but he keeps adding to it every time he thinks of something. He can't miss anything, this has to be perfect.

"Steve?" Robin asks, as he's on a chair dusting the fancy light fitting over the dining table. It's not quite a chandelier, but it's not far off either.

"Yeah?" He answers absently.

"So, we've established that you're nesting pretty hard."

Steve doesn't answer. He doesn't need too, they've been over this a couple of times already, and Steve knows he's nesting, he's actually very very aware of the fact, but that doesn't mean he can stop doing it, not with how his instincts are roaring at him.

Eddie's been out of the hospital for two weeks now, and Wayne's working a night shift tonight. Normally, Steve would head over to the new trailer and sleep on the couch, getting up in the night to check on Eddie.

But Eddie's feeling better now, and asked if tonight, when Wayne goes to work, he could come here instead. Could sleep with Steve, who unlike Eddie, has a bed which could comfortably accommodate two full grown men, one of which needs a bit of space because he still has healing injuries.

Tonight is different. Eddie's a bit better on his feet, he's feeling stronger, so tonight he's going to sleep here, for the first time, Steve has agreed. Steve's going to go and pick him up. Steve's going to feed him.

Steve's Alphas been pretty insane ever since, trying to make his home as appealing as possible for Eddie.

"Maybe we should go get groceries? I think you need a break Steve."

And that's not a terrible idea. Buying food so that Eddie has a selection of things to eat appeals to Steve on an even more base level than the nesting, so he agrees easily.

Steve tries to fill the cart with bright arrays of fruit and veggies and quality meat and fish. Robin pulls a face and asks, "have you even met him Steve?" Before dramatically swiping half a shelf of chips into the cart.

Steve doesn't mind. He wants Eddie happy. He wants to show that he can provide.

"You know he won't care, right?" Robin tries, yet again, "this won't register with his Beta brain-"

"It matters to me," and Steve stops loading the car when he realises he's snapped at her, "sorry, I just. It matters to me. It really matters that I do this right, okay?"

"I know, I just don't want you to be hurt when he maybe doesn't appreciate all of this the way an Omega would. Hell, maybe even the way a girl might, you know? I just worry about you, I've never seen you like this before."

Steve sighs, and nods, because she's right and logically, he knows that Eddie Munson is not going to notice that Steve cleaned at all. He's not going to bat an eyelid if that house is sparkling clean or filthy dirty. He won't care if Steve cooks or orders take out. These instincts are ALL Steve.

But there's nothing he can do about it. Because of Eddie's injuries, all they've done is Steve scenting Eddie gently on his wrists, mostly to placate Steve's protective and possessive streak. Eddie let's Steve suck a mark onto his throat when he gets desperate. He NEEDS, on a visceral level, for people to see Eddie and know that he's taken. For Eddie to stink of Alpha, of Steve, so strongly that people will think it's Eddie's scent. He's never felt like this about anyone before, and he's at a loss as to how to explain it.

Eddie's on the phone when Steve gets there, Steve letting himself in quietly like he does every night, catching the end of the conversation, "don't worry Rob, I've got it. Yep yep. I know, I get it. Message received. Yeah, I'll call you."

Eddie finally hangs up, turning, a little surprised to see Steve, but then smiling big and for Steve it's like the sun coming out.

"Hey there, big boy," Eddie immediately tilts his head back, an open invitation to Steve's Alpha, and Steve forgets all about the conversation Eddie was having with Rob in favour of scenting Eddie and leaving some fresh bruises on his throat.

When they get to the house, Eddie compliments the tidiness of the kitchen, the neatness of the lounge, how fresh the place scents. He eats what Steve gives him and tells him how tasty it all is, how perfect and filling. He touches blankets and says how soft they are, how perfectly chosen. Steve's preening, so puffed up with happy Alpha pride that it takes days for Steve to realise what had happened, what the phonecall must have been; Rob had coached Eddie.

Steve expects to be hurt, for a second, but that feeling never comes. He's just happy one of his pack is looking out for him, and that his mate is happy. And he knows Eddie is happy. Eddie might be a Beta, but he still smells subtly of fresh cut grass when he's happy.

[luvdzu]

[TXT DREAM WEEK 2023] HARIN'S TMI

q. what’s your phone background right now?

🐝 a photo of the members

q. what are you going to do or eat this evening?

🐝 i’m going to eat out with a friend~

q. can vs can’t deal with piled with kakaotalk messages?

🐝 i leave them on read and forget to respond...

q. what’s your current muscle weight?

🐝 it's enough

q. what artist are you into lately?

🐝 tubatu

q. what’s a snack you can’t live without?

🐝 #1 is always fruits

q. if you could go on a trip right now, which country would you go to?

🐝 tanzania

q. whats something you make sure to do before leaving the house?

🐝 check whether i have everything i need

q. what’s the maximum number of days you can stay only indoors for?

🐝 21 days

q. what do you order the most on delivery?

🐝 tteok? beef soup?

q. what’s your current phone ringtone?

🐝 normal setting one

q. what time did you set your alarm for and what time did you wake up?

🐝 i have it on 6:30 but i wake up at 5:00?

q. which sock do you put on first? left foot? right foot?

🐝 left?

q. your own unique way of enjoying ramen

🐝 i don't add the dried veggies

q. what do you say the most these days?

🐝 “let's do it one more time”

q. what’s a meme or slang you learned recently?

🐝 top rizz? good rizz?

q. what’s the most memorable comment you saw recently?

🐝 “you're the most lovely, harin”

q. what’s the most repetitive color in your closet?

🐝 blue and white

q. what’s the most recent delivery that arrived?

🐝 lip balm

q. song that you listen to the most recently?

🐝 tinnitus

q. what’s your most rebellious escape?

🐝 skipping cram school to practice taekwondo and go to seoul for practice

q. if you could live as a different person for just a day, who would it be?

🐝 i want to do my brother's work for a day, going to university and then sell fruits

q. whats something that disappeared and made you sad?

🐝 sugar rush ride promotion period

q. what’s the movie you’ve watched the most in your life?

🐝 i don't watch movies...

q. where do you sit on the dining table and the sofa, at your dorm?

🐝 i like the floor the most

q. when do you think were your prime days?

🐝 i think i haven't reached my prime days... hopefully soon hehehehe

q. what is a mistake you made on stage that nobody noticed?

🐝 voice crack because i slipped

q. if you could get on a time machine and go somewhere, where would you go?

🐝 choosing between cram school, taekwondo, and trainee practice

q. what’s something that always needs to be there in your fridge?

🐝 fruits, specifically grapes

q. what’s the most useless thing you bought lately?

🐝 i don't really buy things that often

q. what do you absolutely need to eat along with pork belly?

🐝 rice and fruit

q. what’s the most recent thing on your phone’s notes app?

🐝 recipe

q. what’s your own small but certain happiness?

🐝 helping my brother in my free time

[spiinsparks]

—  a child who raised a  child  /  on  homelessness  ;  food  .

   ( *  tws for homelessness / starvation mentions / malnourishment / and in general sonic having like really bad self-feeding habits )

       ||. so  @aeniqmata​  & i were gabbing earlier as we do and l i s t e n...

   Hedgehogs are omnivorous creatures similarly to foxes, except the diets are COMPLETELY flipped. A pet hedgehog’s dominant source of food is kitten food ( which does include high sources of protein, including meat sources like fish and chicken ) but they primarily eat veggies, insects (beetles, worms, etc.) and fruits. Foxes, on the other hand, foxes eat primarily meats, with less emphasis on veggies, nuts and berries. 

        All of that to say  . . . finding a balance between the two of them that would benefit both of their needs was ABSOLUTELY incredibly difficult for Sonic and Tails. Tails needs more meat in his diet than someone with Sonic’s lifestyle could provide. Not to mention Sonic being 11-12 at the time. I won’t talk on flout’s tails’ behalf because honestly her thoughts on it are SO HECCIN COOL and I wouldn’t be able to do them justice - but I can say that while Sonic’s methods weren’t foolproof by ANY means, he did try to go well above and beyond his best.

      We’re talking research into carnivorous diets, with emphasis on foxes, asking other mobian foxes on their travels about THEIR lifestyles in as casual a way as possible because if he HAS to do field research then dangit, he will. Saving up from various odd jobs so that the two of them could go out and eat and purposefully letting Tails pick out whatever suits his fancy (and, by that, I mean he very carefully observes him to see what makes his eyes light up, even if Tails doesn’t pick it on his own... and then ordering that for him anyways, even if it takes up most of his savings, because it’s what Tails actually WANTS rather than what he’s resigning himself to.)        side note: but chilidogs being the sort of safe middle ground for the two of them??? Along with being relatively cheap to buy from vendors, and easy to make on the road.

         Anyways, Sonic struggling to juggle their VASTLY different diets and feeling terrible whenever Tails might fall ill from not having enough - in general, not just when it  comes to properly eating meats.  (But also to that extent, meats potentially being harder for someone of sonic’s former income class (being: none) to get sometimes because of the nature of the islands and mobian-dense populations .... even if the critters exist??? I am a Think.)

       There would be times when no matter how much Sonic would stock up, they ran out.  And, even then,  so often on the go, there’s only so much you can have with you physically on hand. Those times weren’t... great. But Sonic would go out of his way to make sure Tails ate what they had - usually the majority of what they had despite Sonic’s own speed very much meaning he needs to eat way, way more. (his logic: Tails is a kid, and the kid  gets food first. Sonic can eat what’s left and is willing and capable of supplementing with whatever is around that he can gather.)  And he knows he can’t outsmart the fox and he knows he can’t make him worry less, but he’ll play it off and offer to share if it means Tails Does Not Go Hungry Tonight. 

           Sonic is, even now, VERY used to going days without as much food intake as he needs and... at some point he just stopped noticing he was hungry until it started to physically catch up with him.  (intense fatigue, general sluggishness, the occasional stomach pain when it got really bad, etc) Like, logically he knows he needs food, but he can’t really tell anymore on the day-to-day. the signs don’t show up so drastically for him to take heed of it and if he’s preoccupied,  he’ll forget until it’s late, and then he realizes “oh i only had like (1) bagel today.  should probably fix that.”

[saddie-to-baddie]

1.26.23

I'm so tired. Eating more veggies has made me so ravenous at work, the other day I ate my entire lunch on my first 15 minute break. Then for lunch I went and got a wrap from a salad shop, told myself I only would eat half and save the rest for the next day since it was pretty big. Nope, I ate the rest at my desk for my last 15.

🙃

And yesterday was an absolute joke. I slept in too long, so I only made my daughter lunch and I completely spiralled, I skipped breakfast and had fast food for lunch and dinner.

But I have notice that the skin on my hands is very red and itchy, I'm wondering if that's a new flare symptom, I used to notice it a lot before I had been diagnosed and always just assumed my skin was dry/cold weather but it hasn't been especially cold and I've been lotioning myself up like crazy with no change.

So today I'm starting fresh, I'll pack some fruit for break/breakfast since I have no intention of cooking this morning because my mornings are honestly always so chaotic. And for lunch I'll walk to the grocery store and just grab a salad and sparkling water.

On a more positive note, my hair seems much healthier recently! I'm sure it's just the fact that I'm actually conditioning it and using a clip instead of the tangled mess of a messy bun.

I had gotten a little collagen sampler pack to see if I wanted to go that route, take care of the whole "hair, skin, nails" of it all, buy geez they are disgusting in water. I even waited to look up reviews because I didn't want to influence my self. 🥲

So now I'm considering taking some prenatals or something with collagen or biotin in pill form because those drinks are NOT the jam.

I know my hair has never been, and likely will never be, super thick and luscious but I keep seeing this girl at work and she's totally hair goals. I know for sure I can at least improve where I am, especially since I've found out that a side effect of the medication I plan to be starting is hair loss.

[nickgerlich]

Don't Panic

Well, that didn’t take long.It has been exactly one week since the national election, and already some shoppers are responding with fear…fear that President-elect Trump will actually impose the tariffs that were such an important plank in his platform. And if he does, many prices are most certainly going to rise.

So what’s a person to do? Simple. Buy now, even if you don’t need it yet, because prices might be higher tomorrow. It’s called doom spending.

If ever there were a prescription for inflation and/or product shortages, this is it. Some might argue they are acting rationally, but others would say that irrationality is causing this reaction. I get it. If Trump imposes 10-20% tariffs on anything and everything, except 60-100% on Chinese-made goods, it’s going to get crazy. And if you know you are going to ultimately need something, it might just make sense to buy it now.

As I look around my possessions, especially the things I buy fairly regularly, I see a bunch of trail running shoes, all sourced from Vietnam. They typically cost $150 a pair, so add $15-$30 to the price. And that new iPhone 16 I told you I was going to get? I never got around to it, but the 1TB Pro Max model could double from $1599 to nearly $3200, since it is made in China. Maybe I better also get a new MacBook Pro while I’m at it, right?

Perhaps you are thinking of a new car. The Ford Edge, a very popular model that you might think is made in the US, is actually made at a plant in Canada. Planning on a new 75” TV? Better hurry, because all the TVs we buy in the US, aside from a handful of specialty TVs designed for outdoor usage, are made overseas. The vast majority of our clothing comes from Asia and Central America. Most of our winter fruits and veggies come from Mexico and points south. Yesterday I noticed the bag of mini sweet peppers I bought at Walmart came from hothouse operations in Canada.

I could go on and on and on. The problem is the US companies, from retailers to manufacturers, cannot reshore operations at the snap of a finger. Furthermore, international investment takes a long time. It’s not like there are empty factory buildings across the country waiting to be fired up again.

What is most likely to happen is that companies will look for ways to shift production from China—if they currently rely upon it—to other nations where the tariffs would be lower. This has already happened in some sectors, long before Trump started threatening his tariffs. It’s a decent stop-gap measure, albeit not perfect.

And as I have intoned recently, the idea that we can absorb thousands of new manufacturing jobs at a time of extremely low unemployment is problematic. Manufacturers would drive up wages overall, and lure some workers away from lowering paying jobs, like fast food and retail. But then those jobs would need to be filled. We need more humans. Or robots.

Meanwhile, we are faced with the very real possibility of a run on popular products leading up to the 20th January inauguration. And if the tariffs are enacted, there would then presumably be a precipitous drop in sales. Well, at least until I wear out all of those shoes and need a new phone.

Panic buying is a phenomenon unto itself. We don’t normally see it very often, except in winter around here. Whenever the “S” word is invoked—meaning snow—it sends people rushing to the supermarket to load up on milk, bread, and eggs. You know. Because I guess they’re all going to eat French Toast for the near term. Come on. This is Texas, even way up here in the Panhandle. Whatever we get will probably be gone in a day or two. I’m pretty sure we will all survive. Then again, maybe the storm will completely fizzle, and then we will have all that food.

We also saw panic buying during COVID, and again this semester when the longshoremen strike was looming. It’s what caused people to hoard toilet paper and other essentials, irrational thinking by seemingly rational people who did not want to risk being caught without.

Think long and hard before you run out to buy things in anticipation of something that may not happen. For all the bluster our President-elect has, his threatened tariffs may pass to the south or north of us, just like a snowstorm that somehow managed to miss us. It’s hard sometimes to use restraint, especially when FOMO is a very real possibility.

I’m keeping my ear to the ground, and if I begin to sense all this saber rattling is going to become policy, I’ll be ready to pounce. But not until then. I’d much rather be out on the trail than on the trail of more merchandise to fill my house.

Dr “Keep Calm” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[curioussubjects]

I'm not a doctor, but I am chronically ill and I've spent a lot of time trying to find ways to improve my health despite food (sensory problems) and exercise (chronic fatigue) difficulties. I'm hoping my years of trial and error can offer folks in similar struggles some ideas to try.

Eating more plants:

I hate hate veggies. Can't stand the flavor or the crunchy texture (like dry mouth and trouble swallowing level, and that green plant-y smell/taste makes me nauseous).

My mom was actually really clever raising me because instead of fighting me over food, she decided to do something else: hide all the gross plants in food I liked. I'm Brazilian so beans are a dietary staple, and my mom used to hide all kinds of stuff (squash, beets, etc) with the beans, so I'd eat it while only tasting the beans themselves and the seasoning. I don't really enjoy that anymore bc of the texture, but I have discovered that I can hide a lot of veggies in stews and slow cooked beef/pork dishes no problem. Chinese food is also a way I add more veggies to my diet because a good lo mein will make me eat up all those carrots, bok choy, and been sprouts you can throw at me. Some plants I'll never eat even if cooked in something delicious (spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts, peas), but some plants are better than no plants.

I'm also a huge fan of fruit, and it's worth venturing out and trying some if you're not a huge fruit eater and don't need to control your sugar intake too much. Buy pre sliced if you need to! It's ok! Also: if you're in the US and you have an international market with fresh produce near you, go there for your fruit. You'll get more variety.

The best thing you can do to add foods to your diet is experiment. If you problem is texture, is there a way to change the food's texture so you can tolerate it better? Is you problem flavor? How strong is the flavor and could you hide it among other flavors, so you don't notice it?

Here's a final example: I struggle eating enough omega-3s (hate fish, especially oily fish) and getting enough fiber. I also realized I need a lot of protein during breakfast. My solution was to make my own breakfast bar (read: throw stuff in a bowl, mix, bake). Now I regularly eat oats, flax and chia seeds, and almonds. I also add eggs to the mix to up the protein content. And to make the bar actually taste good, I don't stop myself from adding the sugar and choc chips I need to make it edible.

Getting more exercise:

Ok, so this one is really tricky and I'm still struggling a lot with it, but I've had some insights over the past couple years.

Here's the thing, between the POTS, the post-exertional malaise, the hEDS and the AuHD, exercising has been pretty damn miserable for me. I simply do not get the feel good endorphins from it, and instead just feel worse, which makes exercising even harder because my brain simply Will Not Want To Do It.

The best thing you can do if exercise makes you feel like crap is look into pacing (1, 2). I actually found it really helpful to attach my immediate symptoms to my heart rate when I'm exercising, which I then realized is close to what you find the anaerobic threshold in people with CFS/ME is (around 50%-60% of max heart rate for age group). Having a number to look at, makes it a lot easier for me to manage my symptoms so that I don't end up in a nightmare fatigue cycle. Getting a watch that monitors HR is key here, unfortunately, but a pulseox could help you get started.

I've also taken to practicing full body relaxation to help with muscle stiffness, which is the main source of my pain problems and an obstacle when I'm trying to do exercise recovery. I'm not huge on meditation, but I do suggest some guided full body relaxation to help you get started. My physical therapist recommended me this video, which I listened to a handful of times until I felt I got the hang of the process; now I do it on my own. Body awareness is good actually, who knew.

I still haven't found a way to add regular exercise to my routine, but I'm technically still in recovery from years of burnout and fatigue. I'm still very much working on rehabilitation with a physical therapist to work on my muscle weakness and endurance, but at some point I hope I can find some type of exercise that isn't The Worst. The solution here is probably much like the solution with food: find some kind of physical activity that is somehow enjoyable. Personally, I wish there were adult playgrounds near me.

Something else worth looking into: check out your what activities your parks and rec district offers. You may find classes like pilates, yoga, and dance at more affordable prices. It's also worth looking at brochures in nearby communities because even if you don't get resident pricing, non-resident is still cheaper than a gym membership or studio fees.

A lot of younger people have no idea what aging actually looks and feels like, and the reasons behind it. That ignorance is so dangerous. If you don’t want to “be old,” you aren’t talking about a number of years. I have patients in their late 80s who could still handily beat me in a race—one couple still runs marathons together, in their late 80s—and I lost someone who was in her early 60s to COPD last year. What you want is not youth, it is health.

If you want to still be able to enjoy doing things in your 60s and 70s and 80s and even 90s, what you want to do, right now, is quit smoking, get some activity on a regular basis (a couple of walks a week is WAY better for you than nothing; increasing from 1 hour a day of cardio to 1.5 will buy you very little), and eat some plants. That’s it. No magic to it. No secret weird tricks. Don’t poison yourself, move around so your body doesn’t forget how, and eat plants.

If you have trouble moving around now because of mobility limitations, bad news: you still need to move around, not because it’s immoral not to, but because that’s still the best advice we have. I highly recommend looking up the Sit and Be Fit series; it is freely available and has exercises that can be done in a chair, which are suitable for people with limited mobility or poor balance. POTS sufferers, I’m looking at you.

If you have trouble eating plants because of dietary issues (they cause gas, etc.) or just because they’re bitter (super taster with texture issues here!), bad news. You still want to find a way to get some plants into your body on a regular basis. I know. It sucks. The only way I can do it is restaurants—they can make salads taste like food. I can also tolerate some bagged salads. On bad weeks, the OCD with contamination focus gets so bad I just can’t. However, canned beans always seem “safe,” and they taste a bit like candy, so they’re a good fallback.

If you smoke and you have tried quitting a million times and you’re just not ready to, bad news. You still need to quit. Your body needs you to try and keep trying. Your brain needs it, too. Damaging small blood vessels racks up cumulative damage over time that your body can start trying to reverse as soon as you quit. I know it’s insanely, absurdly addictive. You still need to.

You cannot rules lawyer your way past your body’s basic needs. It needs food, sleep, activity, and the absence of poison. Those are both small things and big asks. You cannot sustain a routine based on punishment, so don’t punish your body. Find ways to include these things that are enjoyable and rewarding instead. Experiment. There is no reason not to experiment—you don’t have to know instantly what’s going to work for you and what won’t, you just need to be willing to try things and make changes when things aren’t working for you.

You will still age. Your body will stop making collagen and elastin. Tissues you can see and tissues you can’t see will both sag. Cushioning tissues under your skin will get thinner. You’ll bruise more easily. Skin will tear more easily. Accumulated sun damage will start to show more and more. Joints will begin to show arthritis. Tendons and ligaments will get weaker and get injured more easily, as will muscles. Bones will lose mass and get easier to break. You’ll get tired more easily.

But you know what makes the difference between being dead, or as good as, in your 60s vs your 90s? Activity, plants, and quitting smoking. And don’t do meth. Saw a 58-year-old guy this week who is going to have a heart attack if he doesn’t quit whatever stimulant he’s on. I pretended to believe it was just the cigarettes, and maybe it is, but meth and cocaine will kill you quicker. Stop poisoning yourself.

Baby steps; take it one step at a time; you don’t need to have everything figured out right now. But you do need to be working on figuring things out.

[nonotnolan]

The Best of Both

Dedicated to my Valentine, the lovely @mergeman

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

The fact that I was still trying to work out at the gym a few days a week was a testament to my sheer stubborn force of will. Now that my college days were now several years behind me, it was becoming painfully obvious that I was growing more and more out of shape. So, I decided to join the massive throng of people who made a resolution to work out more in the New Year. Most of the New Year's Eve crowd had given up a few weeks ago, but I refused to let myself become part of a failure statistic.

Which, while that did feel something to be proud of... I really wasn't changing any other part of my lifestyle. I was still eating ramen for lunch and dinner almost every day, my daily food intake was completely devoid of any fruits or veggies, and... well, I wasn't sure if protein shakes were legit science or just overhyped consumerism, but I wasn't buying any of those, either. I showed up, played around on the equipment for a few hours without really breaking a sweat, and then called it a day. I was going through the motions without actually putting in any effort, so of course I wasn't going to see any results.

Honestly, at this point, I think the only reason I was still going to the gym was the amount of free eye candy. Now that the machines were less crowded, the gym rats were free to return to their natural habitat. The beefcakes were completely oblivious to my wandering eye, which allowed me to consume as much eye candy as I desired. Budget-Jason-Momoa was my favorite, but Almost-Tom-Holland-With-Wide-Shoulders was a close second.

And then there was Greg. Well, I have no idea what his real name is, but... I call him Greg, because he reminds me of a guy I knew back in college. He looks looks nothing like Greg. This guy has dark brown hair, a full beard, and massive pecs that were practically the size of my head while my Greg was a five foot nothing skater boy with long, blonde hair. And yet, this guy wears a headband that looks exactly like the one that my Greg used to wear all the time.

"Take a photo, it'll last longer," Greg said, flexing an arm in my direction. He smiled at me, clearly taking my attention as a compliment.

"I am so sorry!" I said, immediately dropping my gaze to the floor. He would be the first person to notice me staring at his amazing body. "I, uhh... it's just, that headband. You remind me of my friend Greg."

Whatever answer he was expecting, he clearly was not expecting that. He paused, fumbling with his water bottle for a few moments before seemingly making a decision. "Follow me," he said, gesturing with his massive hands. He sauntered off toward the back of the gym, where the employee's only cleaning closet was located. Where he was going, I had no idea. But I knew enough about myself to know that if I didn't follow him, I would regret it for the rest of my life.

Greg wedged himself into the closet, standing on top of the mop drain and ducking slightly so that his shoulders cleared the shelves of cleaning supplies. "I know it's a tight fit, but the door has to close behind you," he said. I obliged, standing on top of the vacuum cleaner to do so. Even if this was an elaborate prank, I was standing close enough to him to feel the heat of his body, and the pungent smell of his sweaty body brought all four and a half inches of my manhood to attention. Greg pressed against a portion of wall, there was an audible clicking sound, and then the entire closet started to move. "Yeah, it's an elevator," he said, correctly reading the look of confusion on my face. "Trust me, Bennett, it's only going to get weirder from here."

I had never told him my name. "You really are Greg," I whispered, staring up into his eyes.

He smiled back at me. "For the most part. The old Greg was merged into Keaton's body, and I am the result. I'm about 80% Greg's personality, with the 20% being habits and mannerisms from Keaton. Physically, it's probably closer to 90/10 in Keaton's favor. The perky nipples are all Greg, though," he added, winking at me as he lifted an arm to fondle himself through his muscle tank.

Once the movement stopped, the wall behind Greg slid away like an elevator door, revealing a dimly lit metal room. The center of the room was an elaborate tube contraption that looked like someone had tried to turn a tanning booth into a Science Fiction movie prop. There was some sort of control console off to the side that was displaying a gallery of men on its screen. "Go ahead, pick a body," Greg said, gesturing me over to the device.

"Every man you see listed there has been screened for compatibility with the program," Greg explained. "They're all single, muscular men in peak physical condition. They also think they're agreeing to try out an experimental intelligence boosting drug. Which... in a way, I guess they are. I may not have much of Keaton's personality, but I do have complete memories from both of my former selves."

"I choose him," I said, after scrolling through a few of the other men. There was something about him that felt right. He looked confident, but in a way that suggested a quiet smug behavior and not an in-your-face cocky attitude. I found myself instantly drawn to his wide shoulders, and his eyes were captivating.

Greg looked over my shoulder and smiled. "I see you've chosen Travis, that's an interesting pick. I can't guarantee what you will look like once the merging process is done, of course. You won't keep the same tattoos, I can tell you that right now. Still, I'm sure the new you will be just as charming as he is intelligent."

I could feel my cheeks turning red at that comment, but I decided to ignore it. "So... what happens now? I mean, he's not actually here, right?"

"That's right," Greg said. "So, we're going to run the machine on you first, and it's going to convert you into a... a liquid, basically. We'll also notify Travis that we're ready for the experiment to begin. When he enters the machine, he will be injected with the liquid we made out of you, and... at the end of that process, the new you will be finalized. I know it sounds like a lot, but I promise that it isn't painful in any way."

I nodded, feeling equal parts nervous and excited at the thought of becoming merged with a muscle hunk. "I'm ready," I said, looking over at Greg.

He just laughed at me. "No, you're not. Clothing interferes with the process. You gotta get naked first, then you'll be ready."

"Oh. Ummm... can I at least get some privacy?" I asked, suddenly painfully aware of my still-raging erection.

"You can't," he said, with a wide grin. He grabbed the waistband of my gym shorts, and pulled both my shorts and my boxers down to my ankles. "Besides, I already know that you're happy to see me," he said, reaching around to give my shaft a quick squeeze. "If the new you is also gay, maybe we can have some fun later."

I let out a brief, involuntary moan as a shiver of pleasure rushed up my spine. Well, at least things couldn't possibly get more awkward. I quickly shucked off the rest of my clothes, and stepped into the modified tanning booth. The lights flickered on, and soon all I could hear was the loud hum of the fluorescent lights. My skin started to feel unnaturally warm, and pretty soon I could feel my consciousness slipping away as a peaceful, calming sensation overtook me...

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

The first memory that I have is lying naked on a medical gurney with a massive headache. Moments ago, I had been standing in a tanning booth, except that moments ago I was also sitting on this medical bed thing getting an IV hooked up to my arm. I reached up to feel my hair, which was now trimmed to a short buzzcut. It wasn't different from my short blonde hair. It was a big change from my long brown man bun. My ink changed, but the designs were inspired by the trip to Japan I took after high school. I hated that trip, but it was a family vacation. I always wanted to go to Japan, but travelling just for anime would have been stupid. I glanced over to the mirror to check out my new body. The amount of muscle I grew was almost insane. Honestly, I think I lost a bit of definition, but I can probably get it back. I must have spent at least a half hour examining my new body.

You get the idea. Even now, I'm still occasionally seeing things that trigger conflicting memories from Bennett or Travis, but the first few weeks were the absolute worst. I'm glad that I had Greg at my side to help me through the worst of the merging sickness, as we called it. I've had migraines before, and this was definitely worse somehow.

Unlike Greg, I didn't really feel a loyalty to either of my former selves. I decided that my name would be Benjamin. Like if someone took Bennett's name and made it popular. No one expects a civil engineer to look this good, but it's made climbing the career ladder so much easier. Especially now that I actually want to go fishing with the boss when he invites me out to the lake.

I haven't been back to that gym in several months-- too many conflicting memories, so I just use a home gym setup instead. Greg still goes a few times a week, though. After all, he's still helping the owner find good candidates for merging. I find it weird that Greg still has to pay the monthly membership fee despite being an employee of sorts, but I don't complain. He's the only reason I exist, after all.

Besides, we're dating now. Greg had told me-- both of me, in fact-- that if the new me was gay, we would have sex. Travis thought it was a joke, Bennett decided it was an offer he wanted to redeem. Turns out I'm bisexual. It's a good thing I took after Travis in the manhood department-- Greg can no longer fit my entire shaft in his massive grip. My new 8.5 inch cock is bigger than either of my former selves had before. I'm not sure how that works, but I'm also not about to complain and neither is Greg.

[kaunis-sielu]

Fire Dogs

The fires had been blazing for weeks now, inching closer and closer to your home and firefighters were pouring in. You’d decided to stay, the fire was mostly moving away from town, thank god. The mayor had said that people who were willing to stay and help care for the hordes of firefighters pouring into town were appreciated. So even though you were a single Omega, you’d signed up. You could take in 2-6 firefighters depending on if they were willing to share a bed with one another and if you needed to sleep on the couch. You’d been assigned 3 men, all from New York City, one a Captain and all of them Alphas.

When you open the door as they walk up your sidewalk the first, a man with light hair and blue eyes, gives you a tight smile.

“Hi, welcome. I have a dog, is that okay?” The three men don’t even have to look at one another before all nodding yes. “Great, come on in.” You move out of the doorway and the three men come into the house.

“Thank you so much for opening your home to us.” The first man says, god he smells good, like sandalwood and lavender.

“It’s the least I could do.” You introduce yourself as your dog comes trotting into the room, Cooper’s tail wagging wildly. “But you can call me Fawn, and this is Cooper.”

“Sorry, I’m Steve Rogers, this is Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson.” The first man says introducing himself and the two men with him.

“It’s a pleasure. I’ll show you guys to your rooms.” You lead them upstairs and show them each to a room. Bucky takes your first spare room, Sam the second and Steve is in the master.

“Buck, you’ve got third shift, Sam you’re on first and I’m on second.”

“Do we start today?” Bucky asks as you make your way downstairs, you were given a small packet for the guys, things you would need to know like allergies, presentation, emergency contacts and dietary restrictions. All three are simple, no dietary issues, no allergies, Alphas, Sam has his wife Carol as his emergency contact but Steve and Bucky, or James as he’s listed, both have Rebecca Barnes, Bucky’s sister.

You get started on dinner and Sam wanders down into the kitchen bringing his

“So, why didn’t you leave town?”

“Nowhere to go. And the fire is heading away from here so hopefully everything will stay away from town.”

“The smoke doesn’t bother you?”

“I mean it’s not great but as long as Coop and I are okay I plan on staying. I’ve got some stuff packed up in my car and ready to go but I just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.”

“That’s fair. We do really appreciate you doing this. Letting us stay here.” He’s got such a soothing presence about him that you forget he’s an Alpha until his scent washes over you.

“It’s the least I can do,” you tell him with a smile, “so what does first shift mean?”

“Oh, it’s the really early shift, like 4am. Steve will be out running a crew since he’s a Captain back home and he’s around 10am then Bucky is 4pm.”

“What will I need for you in the morning? Breakfast? Coffee? Energy bars?”

“Coffee would be great. I usually take it with milk.” You jot down coffee and milk on a sheet of paper.

“How do the other two take their coffee?”

“Barnes likes it black, like a psychopath and Steve likes it with cream and sugar so he can’t taste the coffee.” You laugh and jot down creamer.

“Any chance you know what kind of creamer he likes?”

“Caramel I think.”

“I can always ask him too. I’ll set the coffee to go off at 3:15 for you.”

“Thank you.” Sam says as he sits down at the island. “What are you making for dinner?”

“Spaghetti. I make the sauce from scratch, from the garden.”

“It smells great.”

“Thanks, should be about a half hour. I’ve got meatballs in the oven and will have some garlic bread and green beans from my garden too.”

“You’re going to spoil us huh?” He says with a grin and you laugh, hoping that your suppressants work like they’re supposed to and keep you presenting as a Beta.

“I don’t get to cook for others often so I’m being a little selfish. Let me know if you need anything from town or want me to get anything. I’ll go shopping for the week tomorrow.”

“Are they paying you to host us?”

“No, but I don’t mind getting you guys stuff.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely, I wouldn’t offer if it was a problem.” You assure him and after studying you he nods.

“I’ll be sure to let the guys know.” You chat with Sam while you cook. You learn that his wife Carol is an Alpha and a doctor. The Alpha/Alpha pair is uncommon but if it works for them that’s wonderful. You also learn that he, Bucky and Steve served together and that Carol had outranked all three.

It seems that Steve has always been the one to lead their little trio, and when the smell of dinner lures him and Bucky down you include them in the conversation. Bucky, whose scent is oranges and cedar wood, is more chatty and flirty than Steve is but there’s this quiet strength about Steve that’s impossible not to notice.

Sam goes to bed immediately after dinner but Steve and Bucky stay up and watch the news with you. You set the coffee machine for Sam and leave him a note to help himself to anything he wants to eat. Then you bring Cooper outside, he wanders your wildfire lit backyard, the orange glow is spooky and the smell of smoke is thick in the air.

“Come on Coop, it’s bedtime.” You tell him leading him to the living room. Both Steve and Bucky are gone so you change into your pajamas and get ready for bed in the bathroom then head back to the couch where Cooper is laying dead center. “Move it Coop.” He grumbles but gets down, once you’re settled you let him back up on the couch between your feet.

You wake up as Sam closes the fridge.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” He says softly. When he turns and sees you sitting up on the couch.

“No it’s okay.” You tell him as Cooper hops off of the couch. You follow him to the back door and let him out.

“Why are you sleeping on the couch?”

“They needed three more beds so I gave them three more beds.”

“We put you out of your room?” He asks with a small frown.

“I sleep more on the couch anyway, I usually fall asleep to one baking show or another.” You tell him with a sleepy smile, you hadn’t meant to tell them they’d taken all your beds but it was too late now.

“This is your home.”

“Seriously Sam don’t worry about it.” You say letting Cooper back into the house. “Be safe.”

“Thanks.” He says and you go back to bed on the couch.

The next time you wake it’s 9:00 and you want to make sure that you’ve got something ready for Bucky and Steve for breakfast so you get up. You feed Cooper then let him out again, if there wasn’t the fire you’d let him stay outside as long as he wanted. You sit down on the couch and pull your tablet into your lap. Cooper joins you on the couch as you start to draw your characters.

“Morning.” Steve’s voice is low and soft when he greets you.

“Good morning. There are pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns and bacon in the oven. The pans will be warm.”

“Thanks,” you hear him help himself to food and coffee then he comes out into the living room. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Not at all. Don’t let Coop fool you into any food though.”

“No people food for him?”

“Just some fruit and veggies.” You tell him glancing up at the fire captain. “So Sam said you guys were on a 4-10-4 start time but what time are you all home?”

“We’re doing 12 hour shifts, so Sam and Buck don’t overlap but I will with both.”

“Okay, I’ll have dinner ready when you get back. Is there anything that I don’t have that you need? Sam said you liked a certain flavor of creamer.”

“The French vanilla is fine.”

“He said caramel?” You glance over at him again and he has this little shy smile on his face. “I don’t mind, I need to go get groceries anyway.”

“Caramel is my favorite.” He admits and you nod then get back to your drawing. He finishes his breakfast in silence then puts his dishes into the dishwasher, Steve heads back upstairs and you hear him finish getting ready before he comes back down.

“Be safe.”

“Thanks.” He says before closing the door softly behind him.

Bucky sleeps until almost noon, you’ve taken breakfast out of the oven and put it in the fridge. He somehow looks groggy still and you’re worried he didn’t sleep well.

“Good morning.”

“Morning. How are you?” His voice is low and husky.

“Good. Did you sleep okay?”

“Yea I slept great. I could still be asleep to be honest but I might get called in early.”

“Why?”

“There are less guys at base camp right now. Apparently a group of them had some trouble on the way? I don’t know but Steve called.”

“Breakfast is in the fridge if you wanna heat it otherwise I have lunch meat and stuff for sandwiches.”

“I love breakfast food.” He says making his way to the fridge. He starts a cup of coffee then opens the fridge.

You find out that Bucky is a chatter. Which is fine but you’re glad that you’re illustrating today rather than writing because there’s no way you’d be able to focus on writing. He asks you about living in the small town, how you ended up here, about your job, when he finds out you’re an author and illustrator of children’s books he promises to buy his niece a couple books. You tell him to leave his address and you’ll send him a signed copy of the one you’re working on, he excitedly does.

When he leaves at 3:30, not being called in early, you take a break and start on dinner. You want to make sure you’ve got food ready for Sam when he gets back.

Sam comes in at 4:45, Cooper barks excitedly and Sam sinks to the ground and Cooper immediately calms allowing Sam to wrap his arms around him. You don’t say anything, just continue to cook while Sam hugs Cooper to him. You hear him talking softly but you ignore him, whatever he’s saying to Coop is none of your business.

“I’m gonna go take a shower before I eat.” Sam says at full volume, the side of his face still pressed to Cooper’s side.

“That’s fine,” you assure him, “I’ve got about twenty minutes before the rice is done.”

“Okay.” He disappears then Cooper comes wandering into the kitchen. You give him a couple of treats and tell him what a good boy he is.

Sam eats in silence then goes up to his room, you’re pretty sure he goes to bed by 7 but after the day he’s had you can’t blame him.

At 10 you start reheating food for when Steve comes in. Sure enough, 10:30 rolls in and so does Steve. Cooper greets Steve with a wagging tail, Steve gives him a little pat and heads upstairs. You hear the shower turn on and after around 10 minutes Steve is back dropping down on the couch as Cooper puts a head in his lap. Steve absently pets Cooper and you place a plate of food in front of him.

“Thank you.” His tired eyes meet yours and he gives you a little half smile.

“It’s the least I can do.” You tell him sincerely. Cooper stays with his head in Steve’s lap until Steve goes upstairs to bed. You set up your bed on the couch and set your alarm for 3:30 in the morning so you can get food heated for Bucky and coffee and food started for Sam.

You fall asleep still smelling Steve on your couch.

Tag list:

@memyselfandmaddox @thefanficfaerie @patzammit @dsakita @dramadreamer14 @killcomet @thesassmisstress @andahugaroundtheneck @loving-life-my-way @thefridgeismybestie @dumblani @im-just-another-monster @mywinterwolf @giggleberts @biskwitmamaw @geeksareunique @paintballkid711 @lumar014 @also-fangirlinsweden @connie326 @inkedaztec @eralen @valsworldofcreativity @strangersstranger

[itsbun]

On a lighter note: Here are some of the interesting parts of being autistic!

1. Stuffies have to pass the “hug test”.  If they are too small, too hard, too itchy, etc. to hug then I won’t buy them!

2. If I am buying multiple colors of a certain style of clothing, they have to be the exact. Same. Thing.  From the same company, in the same cut and fabric, or I will feel like they don’t “belong” with the others.  I own 5 skirts, all the same size and style, and my t shirts are all the same size with the same neckline.  I wear the same socks in different colors, the same style of choker, and I used to own two pairs of converse to switch between but I have leg/feet problems now and need to wear ugly orthopedic shoes :/

3. I don’t wear makeup or style my hair.  Some of that is from dysphoria (I’m enby) but I just don’t like to do my makeup or have to spend an hour meticulously arranging my hair until it looks a certain way.  I squeeze it when I get out of the shower so my curls stay curly and that’s it!

4. At some point in the last two years I decided my favorite color was pastel pink.  So uh... I made my entire room and 80% of the things in it pastel pink.  Yes, including stuffies.  And bed sheets.  And curtains.  One day I wanna paint the walls pink too!

5. I sit really weirdly.  Like really weirdly.  Like even the fact that I’m gay doesn’t explain how weirdly I sit.  I sit with my feet and legs in weird positions that don’t look comfortable to other people.  Right now I am sitting with one foot on top of a leg of my chair and the other wrapped around the back leg of my chair with my feet in two separate directions.  Yes it’s comfortable.  No it’s probably not helping the leg problems lol

6. I think one of the reasons I sing a lot (every day sometimes for hours!) is because it’s a vocal stim for me!  I looooove singing so much it’s not even funny.  I’ll sing the same song over and over until I don’t wanna sing it anymore, and then I’ll pick a new song!

7. I know every single episode (that I’ve seen) of Spongebob in detail from start to finish.  I can sit there and quote and entire Spongebob episode without watching it first.  The funny part to me is I don’t have a TV in my room, and I watch TV very very rarely when I am sitting with my family.

8. I never stop moving!  I’m always twiddling my thumbs or wiggling my toes or shaking my leg.  I do it without noticing.  I do little dances or rock when I’m bored, I sing to myself very quietly, I pinch at my skin (not in a mean way), I fidget with things in my hands, the list goes on!

9. I am very bad with directions.  If someone walks with me to a place, and I turn around to come back from that place, my brain can’t reorient because I am facing a different direction and didn’t catalogue enough about my surroundings to make it back on my own.  This happened every day in elementary school for over 4 years and continues to happen every time I go places.

10. I am sooo picky with food textures, tastes, temperatures, and how it’s cooked!  For example, I am a person that actually loves mushy room temperature food, but struggles with food that is too hot, too spicy, or too cold.  I don’t like to season my food at all.  I also hate foods with slimy seeds in them like tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, most peppers, watermelon, etc.  I will not eat most fruits or veggies unless they are cooked in the way I know I like.

Aaaand I can’t think of any more rn!  Please let me know if you feel similarly or related to anything!  I like to think it’s unique but it would be cool to meet other neurodivergent pals who are like me!

[malt-o-meat]

carbs is fuel, fast carbs (juice, soda, gatorade) burn faster, so if you feel exhausted and you haven’t had food in a while, fast carbs will give you energy to do more stuff like make more food. slow carbs (oranges, chocolate, pasta) take more time and give you fuel for longer.

protein repairs you, it’s like. building supplies. helps you repair muscles and fibers when they tear from regular use. if you go work out, having protein after will help some with being sore.

fats is oil. it makes protein and carbs do what they do. absorbs vitamins too. it’s sort of the road that protein and carbs build off of. if that makes sense.

vitamins are regulators and your body doesn’t make em

A: tells blood cell building machines what to do

B: precursor to other enzymes. holds their hands and moves with them to do stuff.

C: antioxidant, prevents your body from oxidizing (bad things happen when you oxidize)

D: tells your bones and organs what they need to do with minerals.

E: antioxidant. again. prevent that. don’t want it.

step one to eating healthy: it is better to have food you will eat than food you will not eat. if ranch helps you eat the salad, get ranch. it doesn’t take away the value of the veggies.

step two to eating healthy: think about what you’re doing in a day. i need more carbs in the morning so i can get to work and do job, and more protein and carbs at lunch because i need to repair from the stuff i do for work.

step three to eating healthy: it’s better to start with a little bit of change, even just noticing where you’re at now is good. if you eat mostly carbs, or mostly fat, or mostly protein, you’re not gonna feel too good. your body needs all of those things to work.

step four to eating healthy: cooking at home. find things you like about it. if you can’t but someone else can, ask them for help. if that seems impossible, then what’s the next step for you? what’s the smallest thing here you feel you can do? if you go grocery shopping, it’s ok to buy frozen stuff. throw it in a pan when it’s done microwaving and practice that. if you can’t do grocery shopping and mostly eat at fast food restaurants, clean your kitchen a little bit. spend some time in there, think about a recipe you would like to try.

step five to eating healthy: add, don’t subtract. cram in veggies where you can stand them, or learn to love them, either way, you need them. there’s a list someone made on this website about foods for sensory stuff? if i find it i’ll link it here. make sure you eat a bite a day, better than nothing. doesn’t have to be perfect but it’s a good starting place. i like the crunchy ones, and they’re good after work treats so. i do a bit of that and hummus. that’s just what works for me.

don’t go buying like 30 cans of green beans and then be mad at yourself when you still have all 30 even though you said you’d eat one a day. that’s ridiculous. try for a small goal that’s achievable and if you can’t do that, try something even smaller, till the first success hits.

i am not advising you eat like i do, cause i don’t know you or your needs. i have some slow and fast carbs in the morning, and something with protein mostly cause i like it, so like. a muffin and some milk and some cheese or salami, and if im still hungry, i give it 10 and then eat if i need to. i brought peanut butter to work, and some protein bars so i will do that for lunch, pb like ice cream, protein bar like protein bar, and then some fruit snacks cause i like them! sets me up good for the rest of the work day.

im not a professional, all of the sources for this are my brain and wikipedia. the only thing that i can say for a fact is true is that it is better to try and fail and try and fail than to stay in the same spot. net gain of failure is higher than net gain of not trying.

the typos are intentional and i’m sexier for it

Searching for nutritious food tips online is a nightmare I don't care about losing weight I care about feeding my body what it needs to feel good!! RAHHH!!!!

[leslie-lyman]

There are so many things a wanna know about Tessa and Pero. I see Pero as a curiosity killed the cat type of person, too curious for their own good lol! So maybe a list of first for Pero? What is his first time in a grocery store like? What is his first time in the city like? How does his first time home alone go? If we want to get a little spicy here, maybe what is it like when he see lingerie for the first time? And any firsts for Tessa? Does he teach her anything from his mercenary lifestyle?

Erin! These are excellent questions. I definitely have a running list in my head of “firsts” for Pero that I want to explore. Some may make it into the main storyline of SAMG, while others might see their own one-shots down the line, and all of the things you mentioned are absolutely on my list, so allow me to give you a few of my rambling thoughts here without going into a ton of detail with some of these things. Also disclaimer that some of this assumes that Pero and Tessa have more time together than the seven weeks until the solstice, but in those cases this is all hypothetical musings on my part for now and should not be taken as SAMG canon at this time!

Grocery store: Pero’s first time in a grocery store is sensory overload. Tessa takes him to her local Meijer on a weekday morning when there are as few people there as possible, but it’s still totally overwhelming. Imagine you had never seen fluorescent lights before - you’re indoors, but everything is so BRIGHT. There’s music playing on the loudspeakers (this is a thing Pero notices about modern life, there’s always music playing in the background, in the car, in stores, everywhere) and then every few minutes an automated announcement comes on advertising some deal in the meat department or whatever. This is one of the very first places outside of her house Tessa takes him, and it is one thing to be told about or shown images of modern life, and another thing to experience it. This is one of the moments where Pero very acutely feels the enormity of the changes that have happened in the last thousand years.

And the food - the produce section is pretty straightforward. Pero might not recognize a lot of the types of fruits and veggies there, but it’s at least clear that that’s what they are. Imagine Pero in the cereal aisle. In the freezer section with all the ice cream options. In the bakery department in front of rows of cupcakes and donuts and bread. Imagine Tessa trying to explain to Pero why some Goldfish cracker bags are labeled “flavor-blasted” and others are not. In chapter 4 Tessa tells Pero she’ll buy him anything he wants if he goes to the store with her, but he mostly relies on her that first trip to pick out things for him to try, because he’s trying to just wrap his head around the whole thing.

In a city: Chicago is the most obvious place for Tessa to take Pero. Grennich, her town, is very, very small (you’ll see more of it in chapter 5!), but Tessa shows Pero pictures and video of large cities to give him an idea of what city life looks like now. He’s amazed to see that there are cities that existed during his time that still endure, but that look so incredibly different now (Paris, Rome, Istanbul). Imagine that after the Midwest has dug itself out of winter, Tessa takes Pero to see Chicago. Again, seeing pictures of it and experiencing it firsthand are two very different things. Some things are familiar: the rush of people, the ebb and flow of different smells, the endless noise (though the specific noises themselves are very different).

Tessa and Pero have their own little version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. They take a boat tour down the Chicago River. They spend hours at the Museum of Science and Industry (which Pero finds much more interesting than the Art Institute of Chicago). They eat deep dish pizza and Tessa insists Pero try all dozen-ish flavors of Garrett’s popcorn (he likes the CheeseCorn the best). They take a picture of their reflections in the Bean. Tessa takes him up to the top of Willis Tower and it’s his first time in an elevator. Pero insists he isn’t nervous, isn’t afraid of heights, and if he holds onto Tessa’s hand a little more tightly than usual while they’re up there, well, she wouldn’t dream of giving him any grief over it. Tessa loves Chicago - she went to college and law school here, she grew up visiting the city with her family. But when she left her job and her fiancé and moved back home, her last few years in the city were so awful that they had tainted all of her good memories of it. When she goes with Pero, she gets to see the city anew through his eyes, and rediscovers all the reasons she loves it. Pero helps her heal from the trauma of her old life at the firm and he doesn’t even realize it.

Pero’s first time home alone: It’s like leaving your child home alone for the first time. Tessa is a wreck and Pero is just rolling his eyes and being like, “Do you not remember that time I told you all about how I fought and survived literal monsters on the Great Wall? I think I can handle a few hours in your house by myself,” as Tessa is reminding him for the tenth time not to put anything metal in the microwave if he gets hungry while she’s gone.

Lingerie: The first time Pero sees modern underwear of any kind it’s gonna be a bit of a surprise. Modern women wear fewer layers and less fabric than women in the 11th century did, but actually as far as undergarments go, women largely just...didn’t wear underwear then (though note that this is all based on my googling “medieval underwear” so I am not claiming to be an expert here, lol).

And here’s one of the things about Pero that I’m excited to explore in future chapters: he has no notion of modern beauty standards. Things Tessa might be self-conscious about - how long it’s been since she shaved her legs, what her pubic hair situation is, how old and ratty the bra and panties she might be wearing are, etc. - these are things Pero doesn’t even notice, doesn’t even care about, because the idea that those sorts of things can be changed, that they should be changed because they are somehow “undesirable,” just does not exist for him. He thinks Tessa is beautiful for all sorts of reasons regardless of what she does or doesn’t wear or what she does or doesn’t do with her body hair.

That said, I imagine that maybe the first time Pero sees modern fancy lingerie isn’t on Tessa, but as she’s doing a little online browsing. And he’s like, what the hell is all that??? The thing is, he sees how bras and thongs and garter belts would look good on a woman’s body, but ultimately, he thinks it’s all just so impractical. If he gets to the point of getting a woman’s clothes off, it’s because he’s gonna fuck them. He doesn’t need the additional allure of lingerie, he’s already sold, and it might look nice, but it’s really just getting in the way. Much better in his time when he could slide a hand underneath a woman’s skirts and reach his destination unimpeded.

That is, however, until he sees Tessa in lingerie. And then - well, that’s all I’m gonna say about that for now. 😉

Firsts for Tessa: Oh yes I definitely think Pero teaches her things! He’s both in awe of all the conveniences of modern life and absolutely horrified that it means that Tessa doesn’t know how to do any of the basic survival stuff he knows. And she might gently rib him about wanting to teach her how to do things like start a fire without matches, but she also recognizes that he does so because he cares about her. He may not be great at telling her how much he cares, but he’s much better at showing it than he thinks. If he can make sure she’s able to stay safe and care for herself in some theoretical harsh circumstance where all her modern technology fails, then by god he’s gonna do so, and he’ll sleep better at night for it.

Tessa also absolutely asks him to show her how to use his swords. 100%. And he does, because he may be a grump of few words but the simple truth is he cannot deny this woman anything.

[wanderingcas]

hey so like, i hope this is okay to send? but feel free to ignore it if you don't want to answer. i hope this isn't tmi but recently my mom became a single mom and i've been trying to help out more as the oldest, and that includes meals from time to time. my mom usually doesn't have time / energy to try out new things(frozen meals is the usual) and we're definitely on a budget- i found your post from like. two years ago lmao, saying to message if anyone needed any recipes. i don't even follow you or know you but if you had any ideas for stuff i'd really appreciate it! currently we have a lot of beans but tbh take that with a grain of salt because we can totally go out and get other ingredients, its just a matter of 1. making sure it doesn't cost much and 2. her not having to go to the store super often. do you have anything in general you'd suggest? especially with the fact that i'm a beginner in mind? it's also worth mentioning my mom likes to keep a low amount of meat in the house(but it isn't off-limits, just preferred to not be in everything). i dunno it feels super silly but i don't even feel like i know where to start. thanks in advance!

absolutely it's okay to send!' i answered the best i could, but obviously there's SO much more to go into specifically, so please feel free to message me if you have specific questions

but for every meal, i think it's best to keep it simple: protein, carb, vegetable. everything else on top of that is just extra, but at the base, the meal should consist of that. now, breaking it down into those parts:

vegetables

-frozen vegetables - peas, carrots, corn. you can’t tell these even were frozen when you put them in a soup or a casserole

-potatoes are usually cheap, depending on where you are in the world especially russet potatoes, and they can be baked alongside any protein you make.

-this isn’t necessarily on a budget, but ready-to-mix salads are a great option if you’re looking for something healthy and also fast. but those can be a couple dollars a bag. if that’s not an option, a really good idea is buying spinach (it can last at least a week in the fridge if you keep it good and sealed), buy a favorite dressing, and eat that combo for an iron kick. not the most fun thing in the world, but it’s very nutritious. you can even throw a few croutons or dried fruit in there if you can. plus, spinach can be thrown into any canned pasta sauce you get for an extra vegetable - just let it simmer on the stove for a few minutes until the spinach breaks down and gets soft. it’s a pretty versatile green!

-onions are usually affordable and always elevate a dish - just buy the cheapest your grocery store has, and don’t worry if a recipe says a certain kind (like yellow onion vs. red onion). most of the time, in a pinch, it truly doesn’t matter. we’re not aiming for a michelin star here lol

-celery: you can wrap it in tin foil and it'll last a few weeks in the crisper drawer

protein

-you mentioned you have a lot of beans, which is great, because if you don’t want a lot of meat this will provide you with a lot of protein! some ideas are chili (with those frozen veggies), vegetable soup, tacos, simply just rice and beans... they're really versatile!

-chicken thighs, bone-in, is harder to eat but always cheaper. thighs in general are cheaper than chicken breasts, too. if you can swing it, ready-made rotisserie chickens at the grocery store are the easiest to work with - simply cut and serve with rice, pasta, salad... literally anything!

-somtimes you can find discount meats that are about to expire at the grocery store. your freezer is your friend in this case - buy on sale, then freeze for up to 3 months until needed

carb

-rice is THE cheapest carb and can be used with literally anything. there's a variety of rice, all have their own personality, but get whatever is cheapest - you won't notice the difference in recipes, generally

-bread is obviously yum for any dish, especially garlic bread with pasta - cut a baguette or any thick loaf in half and spread some butter and garlic powder on it before throwing it in the oven wrapped in some foil

-pasta pasta pasta!! buy any shapes or sizes. can work with hundreds of dishes

now for random recipes that you can google for the steps or improvise - they're hopefully not too crazy complicated! obviously not a complete list, but enough to hopefully inspire you. they can all be theoretically cooked in under an hour, too.

-chili, potato soup, any baked chicken dish with veggies + a carb, fried rice, pasta with marinara sauce from an jar + side salad, tacos, quesadillas, beans + rice.

-googling "cheap dinners in 30 minutes" will also get you a crazy amount of results!

in terms of grocery shopping, i'd look up the recipes in advance, then make a list. then you can substitute any veggie or protein you want depending on price.

i hope this helps!! good luck:) and feel free to message me again with any specific questions or if you want specific recipes!! i'd be happy to provide links/steps but i didn't want this ask to get too crazy long <3

[sunshinestardrop]

Ok but like my favorite daydream to have is one where I’m part of the pokemon world and like I dont really do battles or anything but some friends and I buy a house in the middle of nowhere (Probably a heavily wooded arear)  that we dont really intend to use since we’re going on our journey soon and just plan to use it as a sort of ‘rest spot’ for when we need a break.

But we figure thats not gonna work when it occurs to us just how long we’re gonna be gone for an no one will be there to keep the house in shape. So I offer to stay behind and take care of it. Im not much of a battler myself and my only partner is a little Oddish that I never actually caught and just kind of decided it liked me enough to hang around. So they go and I start upkeep on the house. 

But I get bored really quickly. Eventually I come to the conclusion that since I’m pretty good at taking care of Oddish I can probably start gardening as a hobby, so I get to that. I start with random plants I find around and pull out the seeds and when they start to grow I venture out more. I find a apricots tree and start to take seeds from that too- and eventually began taking the fruits from that as I try to dig up some information about how to make pokeballs out of them. 

My garden starts to grow and I know Im not going to be able to keep up with it. So my first goal is to get a water type that can help me water the garden. Because Im an idoit with not only no pokeballs but also no idea how to catch a pokemon I just kind of go to a nearby lake and start throwing food into the water and ask (Annoy) any pokemon dumb enough to come by and eat it. Some want to battle, but Oddish and I are not really capable of battle so they get shooed away. A lot of pokemon reject our offer- apparently not very excited at the idea of no battling- but the tiniest little Dratini comes by and is willing to come along so I just kind of let it wrap itself around my arm and we head off...

and then there’s this whole situation where im a dumbass who has no idea that Dratini only learns like two water moves and neither of them are useful but theyre my friend now and they can stay for as long as they want because Oddish and I love them. Still gotta find a water type to help with my plants tho. 

And eventually I find a Magikarp that is a fantastic splasher and set up my garden a little bit closer to a lake so that my new Magikarp friend can water the plants they only way they know how. 

My garden starts to thrive, and I mean like really thrive! With Oddish’s sweet scent Im able to attract more bug pokemon to pollinate the plants- some that even become ‘regulars’ of my garden and hang around long after they've had their fill- as well as some other Randoms that show up to nibble of veggies that I dont know what to do with. eventually I start to notice that a lot more plants are going missing, some even torn up from the roots. The other pokemon lead me to a munchlax that had been tearing up a good portion of my garden and after a little scolding I show the little guy how to gently take the editable part without tearing apart the entire plant. Eventually I have a little garden helper. Munchlax starts by just picking out the plants I ask him to pick and then eventually learns how to care and tend to the plants when I can’t.

All the while Im still trying to figure out the whole Pokeball making thing, which goes terribly but I have all the time in the world to figure it out. I do figure out that i need some mechanical parts and have to (Regrettably) travel back to civilization to get them. 

Theres a city thats a ways away from the house, so I know I’ll have to make a trip there. I leave Munchlax (the gardener), Magikarp (The waterer), Dratini (The ‘guard dog’ lol), and a few other regulars in charge of the garden (That has grown huge by now) while Im gone with Oddish who insists on coming with me. I bring some of my fruits and vegs with me as food since I dont really have the money to buy anything other then what I need- being a hermit in the forest for so long. 

So we head off with a smooch to each my my friends heads and promise to be back in three days (One to get there, one to search for parts, and the last to head back) 

While traveling in the woods we find some pokemon that won't take “No, we don't battle” as an answer and Oddish- who has technically been training in an unconventional way (Aka, using moves to help me with my garden and sometimes chasing off misbehaving pokemon)- chases them off swiftly. By the time we make it to the city my baby has evolved into a Gloom! Weirdly enough everyone in the city gives us a wide berth while holding their nose. I can’t figure out why though.

I wander through town completely oblivious, simply focused on my goal. While there people whisper about some dangerous organization making its way through the region and worried that they’ll be next but I pay no mind to them, what kind of silly story is that anyway. Someone even has the audacity to accuse me of being part of it! Still, I pay them no mind and Gloom makes quick work of their team when they attempt to battle me. I go back to my search and eventually find a poke center where I can cozy up for the night before head off to buy my stuff. 

It’s the off season for trainers to come and go (where the beginning of spring is usually for young kids to start their journey) so it’s just me and a few stragglers. I chat with some people and we talk about pokemon. At some point I admit that Gloom isnt technically ‘my’ pokemon and just kind of like a buddy that can stay as long as they please. No one there really gets it but Idc. I give people the fruits and veggies i brought along- some trade items and others give money which I take just in case before heading on our way. 

Stuff happens, I get my parts, and along the way I find a shiny charmander that I make friends with and offer to bring them home since they’re pretty skittish and not that interested in battle- and since charmander is such a popular starter pokemon people are almost hellbent on catching the little guy for battle. I feed some stray Meowths and accidently spend an extra day in the city before returning home.

At home Im nearly bombarded by Munchlax and Dratini- who seem pretty frantic- I dont really know what happened but apparently there was some chaos that tore up almost half my garden while I was away and left the two pretty shaken up. Thankfully no one was hurt but I go into a panic because I can’t find Magikarp! 

And am only sent into more of a panic when what was once my little Magikarp bursts out of Their lake- now a fully grown Gyarados. I nearly pee myself in shock but accept the big guy with opened arms. Gyarados seemed to have caused most of the damage, maybe in a rage induced frenzy? or maybe from fighting something very big and very dangerous?  I’ll probably never get the whole picture. So instead of dwelling on it I start to get back to work on my garden.

I continue on with life, receiving letters from my friends via messenger starly (who eventually becomes a Staravia, then a Staraptor) People begin to stop by my house more often- apparently the travelers I met that night told others about me and my willingness to trade (Surprisingly good) food for Knick knacks. Dratini, Charmander, and munchlax evolve once as well. Every now and then a trainer wants to battle, and I let them know that we only battle when the others are up for it. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they aren't. either way the more forceful trainers are ushered away by my very annoyed Vileplume who is happy to offer them a good wiff of their flower. all in all life is pretty good.

Eventually my ability to make pokeballs improve, and I finally make a fully functional pokeball and leave it on my workbench overnight- only to find it in use he next day. Dragonair- whos grown to be quite the little smartass- had claimed the ball as their own.

Whelp, whatever, it was their decision and I was chill with it. Sadly, a few others get jealous of Dragonairs newfound spot and demand a ball of their own. So I spend a few sleepless nights crafting more only to find that Ive run out of parts. With only two working Pokeballs that Dragonair and Vileplume claimed residence of I leave Snorlax, Charmeleon, and Gyarados to care for the garden while I head back to the city. 

Having traveled to and from there a few times I know a good amount of people and pokemon alike (The local strays always clamoring to harass me for food) and I’ve actually started to do business with a local mom and pa shop that buys my stuff whenever I’m in town. It’s a life I never thought possible, but it’s the best life Ive ever lived.

There’s still rumored and people still suspect me, but it becomes less and less as time goes on. Unbeknownst to me many of the trainers that stop by my house on their way to the city also speak very highly of me and I am a welcomed sight to weary travelers. I just go about my day happy with life like a dumbass.

I get challenged a few times, and because of my unconventional way of training my team I’m considered an enigma to people who have been taught how to properly battle. Most of the time My pokemon just kind of... know what they need to do and Im used as an extra pair of eyes to help cover them. They trust my judgment and I trust them. 

It does scare some trainers when all I do is stare in silence while my pokemon just go ham, but whatever. 

Generally I set up a nice life both in and outside of the city. Living my best life like some sort of weird poke hermit. I don't know when or how it happens but I somehow become a sort of ‘destination’ spot for trainers. In no way am I an official battle spot, but I somehow become a halfway house for trainers and travelers alike. A lot of the time if youre looking for a battle you have to get through all the ‘regulars’ that want to make sure youre not here to cause problems, and then a very protective Gyarados that will obliterate you if they feel you have any bad intentions. 

after all that youll be met with a garden spreading an acre out, pokemon freely wandering around just minding their own business and enjoying life, a fiercely protective shiny Charizard and a kindly Snorlax in a farmers hat too small for their head. Apricot saplings line the house and I’ll most likely be chilling on the front porch, or maybe working with Snorlax in the garden. I’ll welcome strangers kindly and offer them some food or a place to stay the night depending on the time of day. 

The world comes to a halt there, a peaceful little bubble where people can take a moment to enjoy the world and not think about their next more. There is no rush. No worries. I am happy, and maybe for a moment you can be too.

---

That was a lot longer then I expected it to be, but I wish this was my life.

Names for my team:

Vileplume- Marigold

Dragonite- Hero

Charizard- Icarus

Snorlax - Gumbo

Gyarados- Leviathan 

[nickgerlich]

Bad Chemistry

If you have traveled abroad, you may have noticed something very different about the foods available there. Supermarket displays may look a lot like what we see here in the States, but by and large, the food you see, buy, and consume there is missing a lot of things…things that are common here.

Things like food dyes, preservatives, flavorings, and other chemicals. And now some people are starting to get mad, recently protesting outside headquarters of Kellogg’s, the company that makes many of the sugary breakfast cereals we have in our bowl each morning.

I find it odd how our FDA can rule so many of these artificial ingredients to be safe, when numerous other agencies and governments around the world have completely banned them. Someone is seriously wrong here, and I suspect the FDA has dropped the ball, instead favoring long-term shelf-stable food products.

But many of the products containing these chemicals don’t need them so much for protection as they do basic marketing. Have you ever seen oranges on the tree in Florida or California? They are nowhere near as bright orange as the fruit we buy at the grocery, because they have all been bathed in orange dye. Fruit Loops? Artificially colored to make us think we are eating various fruits, when of course it’s just highly refined wheat and corn with “natural fruit flavors,” whatever that means.

These products are pervasive in the US, and hard to escape. You have to shop at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, and Natural Grocers to avoid them. You can tell the difference, too, especially with fresh veggies and fruits. If you don’t spray the produce with a preservative, those fruits and veggies will go bad a lot faster than what you buy at Walmart. I see it in breads, bagels, and tortillas I buy at those stores. They will start molding much faster than mass market bread products.

I understand that in the case of preservatives, there is an economic side to the argument. Less waste means cost savings, but at the potential expense of our health.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of food products sold in the US contain one or more artificial ingredients, all of which ostensibly have some noble purpose, but more than likely are not all that good for us. It is a problem created by the collision of several forces, from consumers being uninformed, to being unable or unwilling to buy healthier options, and the political pressure of Big Food in attaining and sustaining FDA approval.

It is not that the US has never banned any additives, because we have. Just not that many.

So what is it going to take to see change here in the US? It is going to take a concerted effort by consumers, meaning nearly all of us, to pressure companies into doing better. A complete revolution in consumer behavior is needed to effect this change. It means we will have to start reading labels and knowing what all those unpronounceable words mean. It will mean boycotting products that are phonier than a $3 bill, like Froot Loops. It means shopping more frequently for perishables, and buying less to avoid waste. And it means it will probably all cost more.

That’s a pretty tough prescription, one that is going to be a hard sell to many. It’s not a big ask if you are educated and make good money; it’s quite another if you come up short in either or both of those categories.

Even when you do care and make a concerted effort, it is hard to completely avoid these additives. Tin cans and plastic containers often contain BPA, or Bisphenol A. This chemical is used in the manufacture of many plastics, and is also used to line the inside of cans. Technically, it is a synthetic estrogen, something I am certain none of us want to be ingesting every time we eat.

In the wake of FDA approvals of these additives, we are left to fend for ourselves. And it seems like the chemicals are winning.

Dr “Doing The Best I Can” Gerlich

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