#combined with the life affirming tea

[sucharide]

it makes me so sad that there are so many people out there who will never understand the pleasure of a vegemite and butter english muffin with a nice cup of english breakfast tea in the morning

[1-800-local-slut]

Practice

Notes: I don’t care what anyone says, werewolves have a mating season or something. I was on 2014 Wattpad when mating season fanfics were a thing, just let me have this.

Scott McCall needs to practice some self-control.

Kinktober Masterlist

༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻༺༻

Scott McCall, is a beast. You can’t convince me otherwise, he literally is. He’s a animal on the field, when it comes down to it he got so good by practicing. Hours and hours of painstaking practice hindered by his asthma but now he was undoubtedly great. With his enhanced physicality plus the gift all that practice got him captain of the lacrosse team. Practice was discipline, which Scott tries to instill in himself along with him pack members. 

Discipline and practice led Scott to be a diplomat who always tried to see the best in others and try to find the best way to lead his friends and anyone else he promised to protect to the best path possible. He practiced anything he needed to excel in. He practiced controlling his urges as a werewolf. Practice in making the hard choices he has to make as a leader, practice in balancing his life. Yes, practice was the defining factor in Scott’s life. 

So when Scott met you and knew that he wanted, no, needed to be with you for the rest of his days he practiced. He knew what that meant. He wanted to be with you no matter what, and one day have a bunch of kids with you (when he ‘jokingly’ said five, you laughed so hard you choked) had to practice being a man. Not a ‘man’ in the sense that he was big and mature. No, he had to practice being the man you needed.

He had to practice adjusting to your culture, your needs, your view on life as a black woman. And once he did, the good times rolled and haven't stopped since then. Lately, with a new Spring though Scott felt as if he needed more practice. Or more discipline. He wasn’t sure which.

Everyday he was horny. Every night he was horny. Every afternoon he was horny. It was like how some people get allergies, Scott was afflicted daily. Instead of swollen eyes he had a swollen dick and nothing was helping. Meditating, tea, trying to focus, having sex with you. Nothing.

Eventually it got to the point when you had to tell him you needed a break. It was constant. Constant creampies, orgasms, hair pulling, kisses, words of affirmation and aggression, and you needed a break. So, you booked yourself a spa treatment to escape Scott’s urge to hammer his hips into yours as hard as possible and left him to himself for the day. All his practice was failing him at the moment. He couldn’t force himself relax, to not open any photos of you and immediately jerk off like it wasn’t 8:15 in the morning. He hadn’t even had breakfast. What happened was, he woke up to you giving him a kiss goodbye. He got a whiff of your perfume as you floated through your bedroom door then once he heard your apartment door close. 

What was his favorite little trick to stop himself from giving into his base urges? A trip down memory lane of course.

More specifically the time you too had sex and he came so hard that you almost got turned into a werewolf on accident. And when he realised he may have been so persistent because he wanted to fuck you because he was amazing filling you and your apartment with kids. With little boys and girls (perhaps three or four) running around. Maybe a boy with his hair and your eyes? A girl who was the perfect combination of the two of you together? Maybe twins, a boy who took after you and a girl who took after him? Either way, Scott fucked you like he was about to make it happen.

He fucked you with such intensity that morning that you were out of commission for the rest of the day. The room was a dark red color from the small special lights you two bought for your bedroom when you first moved, and he didn't know red could make someone look so good. The sweat shimmering on your skin, the creamy ring you left around the base of his dick, while he growled over you. His eyes ran over your skin, admiring the myriads of hickeys he had bitten into your skin.

You were like a work of art that Scott was blessed to admire for the rest of his days. He slammed himself into you that night, while you squealed and shook from the pleasure. Your dark brown beauties rolling back would be concerning to Scott in any other situation but in that moment it was all he wanted. He wanted to see you spazz out and droll over him. He wanted your eyes to roll back, he needed to see you moan with clarity from feeling him cum inside of you. 

When he slipped out, he decided that night he could give you a slight break, and was in your face roughly kissing you. You were perfect, so as he leaned down and closer to you his hand found his dick. He hissed, from the warmth of your hand and feeling his dick stimulated from the gorgeous woman giving him a hand job. You were both breathing heavily while sloppily making out but Scott couldn’t let you do better handy work than him. What type of man would he be? 

Taking two fingers, determined to get you ready to go again, Scott used all the practice he’d gained over the years and his knowledge of how girls worked, pressed two fingers against your wet clit. You were slick, and very hot down there. In truth, he would’ve gone for your tits, warm and soft like two large pillows but he’d had to stop kissing you for that. He settled for rubbing two fingers up and down your pussy, hearing you whimper. Relishing in every shudder of your body, how you whimpered in his ear. 

Two fingers slipped inside of you, and he was fighting back the urge to push you on your back and bite you until you were crying from joy. But Scott has to remember there is such thing as too rough, something he learned after what he refers too as the ‘incident’ and you call ‘the almost trip to the emergency room’ either way he learned that lesson. So with practice he made sure he never hurt you that way again in such an intimate moment. 

You moaned into his kiss, and he remembered to give you a softer kiss. Something just a little bit softer while he passionately thrusted his fingers inside of you. You were giving him a handjob so good he was about to drop to his knees and give you his entire life. After a moment, he slipped back into you, his grip on your hair returning. 

Your mascara was running down your face, while he tried easing back into the thrusts. He didn’t want to immediately overwhelm you. You moaned and that was his sign, to pick up the pace. He was about to cum inside of you and act on that little urge of his. You liked creampies anyways. Thats an understatement, you loved creampies. Now you were staring into his eyes, moaning nonsense to him. 

Telling him you were his, bad move. Now there was no chance for him to have the good sense to pull out of your pussy. Well according to you, his pussy but he wasn’t picky (those words made his head spin). When you moaned out for him to cum in you, what was he supposed to do? ‘Oh no thanks sorry babe!’ he did what any man so lucky to see you this way would do: he doubled down. Holding you in place his eyes flashed down at you and his whole body trembled. His stomach clenched and he sunk his teeth into the crevice of your neck, leaving a dark bruise to form there. 

One more thrust as you creamed all over him, arching your back while you moaned nonsense about how much you adored him and ‘thank yous’ while he rolled his hips into you. He saw it so clearly. He saw you, pregnant and planting a soft kiss onto his forehead while you sat with a toddler next to you. 

Recalling this event was supposed to help Scott trick himself into calming down. Still he couldn’t stop himself. In the past, Scott was able to calm himself by recalling all the past times and telling himself not to be greedy because you two had incredible sex all the time. 

But what the hell? Everyone has lapses in discipline, and some practice never hurt anything. Shrugging out of his pajama pants, he grabbed the led remote close by flicked on those red lights you were under a few nights ago.

[letters-to-lgbt-kids]

My dear lgbt+ kids, 

New Year’s resolutions can be tricky when you struggle with low self-worth or body image issues. 

There may be a lot of pressure to „better yourself“. It depends on your environment and social circle, of course - but in some, that’s basically synonymous with pressure to obsess over your body. You need to „glow up“: lose weight, do a more complicated skincare routine, stress more about your body shape, work out harder, stress more about numbers, enjoy food less, pick an aesthetic and stress about fitting into that box more… 

And all that stress can be, well, pretty effing stressful. Especially if you already struggle with all the other stress factors life throws at you! Not to mention that it can easily trigger obsessive behaviors that will harm your physical and mental health. 

So, what to do? Well, the most obvious suggestion would be to just not make any resolutions at all. You have full permission to reject the tradition and refuse to treat the first day of January as some special day for making changes. (After all, it is just a day as any other! A New Year’s resolution is not more likely to succeed than a life change starting on July 18th. Or October 3rd. Or… you get my point, any random day). 

This can be a great choice if the whole concept is just too tainted with pressure for you. You can just say no to the whole thing. But what if you don’t want to? Maybe you like the idea of resolutions and just don’t like the weight/bodyshape focus. Or maybe you know you will get asked a million times anyway and you want to have a quick answer ready rather than having to defend why you don’t do that tradition. Or, if you already know you have obsessive tendencies, maybe you feel like not having one would backfire because people around you will be judgmental („oh, so you don’t have the willpower for that“ etc.) and that’ll make you choose a triggering one despite knowing that’s no good for you. 

In those cases, there are a few options: 

Choose one of the traditional „better you“ ones but focus on adding rather than restricting: instead of cutting food groups or calories, add healthy foods or habits. Add a piece of fruit to your breakfast. Try a certain number of vegetables you haven’t tried yet. Learn a new recipe every month. Try out different teas and keep a journal of which ones you like so it becomes easier to stay hydrated. Go on a walk once a week. Add some nice stretches to your morning routine and write down which ones you enjoy most. 

Choose a resolution related to skills, education or hobbies rather than your body: Read a certain number of books. Learn a language. Learn to play an instrument. Learn to knit. Challenge yourself to memorize a poem once a month. Go to at least 5 different museums this year. Teach yourself how to say your favorite word in as many languages as you can. Read up on that historical era you were always curious about. Watch a nature documentary once a week. 

Choose a resolution focused on mental or emotional health rather than physical: Write down one thing you’re grateful for every day. Dedicate 2 minutes daily to deep breathing. Commit to reaching out to your friends weekly. Go to therapy. Learn how to meditate. Celebrate your small victories more often. 

And if those options still feel too pressure-y: Choose a fun or silly one! Who says a better you needs to mean a fitter or more skilled you? Why not make a resolution to improve the quality of your life by just adding more whimsy or giggles or harmless adventure? 

Some examples: start a collection of silly socks and wear them at least once a week. Try a certain number of „outrageous“ food combinations and rate them from most to least disgusting. Commit to drawing a cat in a silly hat weekly. Learn a skill you’ll most likely never ever need in real life. Start a „affirmation journal“ and write honest-but-silly compliments about yourself in it daily (You’re so good at having eyebrows). Pet at least 20 dogs this year. Let Wikipedia choose a random topic and challenge yourself to become an expert on that topic. Watch all movies with your third favorite actor in it. Start a blog about frogs. Try as many different flavors of cake as possible. Buy something yellow once a month. Kiss your partner more often (consensually of course). Take a certain number of pictures of birds outside. 

With all my love, 

Your Tumblr Dad 

[tiredwitchplant]

How to Use Herbs : Rosemary

Hwello there. We have talked about rosemary and its uses in a previous post. If you haven't read it, please click here: Rosemary

Now I shall provide some spells, tonics, recipes and etc on where you can utilize it. Let us begin :)

Author's Note: From I noticed a part is usually a teaspoon. You can add more according to your needs, but I would always start with that measurement first.

Alchemist Formula for Binding:

One part benzoin gum (Saturn, binding)

One part patchouli (Saturn,binding)

One part Solomon's seal (Saturn, protective)

One part rosemary oil (Saturn, protective)

One part frankincense oil (Sun, success)

Mental Focus Magical Tea:

I part rosemary

1/2 part spearmint

1 cup of boiling water

Mix herbs in a small jar

To brew, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of the herbal blend.

Steep for 5 - 7 minute. Strain and drink.

Spells:

Remembrance for Lost Love (Heartache Healer)

6 drops of rosemary oil

3 drops of peppermint oil

1 drop of lavender oil

White candle

Add the oil to the top of the candle, one at a time, in a clockwise direction around the wick.

LIght the candle and gaze into the flame

Visualize your fond memories of the person who left your life. As you do this say, "I thank you for the time we had together, I thank you for the love we shared, I thank you for being an important part of my life. We have parted, we move on, we remember. I wish you the best life has to offer and hope you have found happiness."

Allow the candle to burn out of its own and dispose of the remaining wax away from your home or bury it in the spot you and the past partner enjoyed together.

Broom Cleansing Spell

 Use one or any combination of the following botanicals: broom, cedar,fennel, hyssop, rosemary, sage, vervain.

Arrange the botanicals and tie them to the bottom of a branch withraffia, visualizing, charging and knotting. (Any branch may be used,however an ash branch is considered particularly powerful.)

Sprinkle with salted water or any preferred purification formula.

Sweep the area.

Disassemble the broom outside, away from the cleansed space.

 Bury the components in the ground or toss them into living waters, flowing away from you.

Ghost Keep Away Spell (Boundary Line Spell)

Place three peeled cloves of garlic in a bowl, together with one handful of sea salt and one handful of fresh rosemary leaves.

Grind and mash the ingredients together.

Sprinkle them to create a boundary, as needed.

Bad Habits Bath

Add the following to a tub filled with warm water:

Essential oil of clary sage

Essential oil of frankincense

Essential oil of lavender

Essential oil of lemongrass or May Chang

Essential oil of rosemary

Enter the bath and inhale the fragrance, and accompany with affirmations and positive visualizations.

Kitchen Witch Recipes:

Super-Quick Bonus Recipe for Gwion’s Red Onion Pickle Bliss

Fills one pint-sized jar

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes, plus 30 minutes to cool in the fridge

1 medium red onion

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup water

10 black peppercorns

2/3 cup white wine vinegar,

rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 sprig rosemary

1 clove garlic, peeled and halved

Slice the onion very thinly and place it in your clean, dry jar. Set it aside.

Add the rest of the ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil until the sugar has fully dissolved. Stir carefully so you don’t break the rosemary. The sprig is in there to add flavour, and you’ll discard it before the next step.

Let the pickling mixture (the water, vinegar, and spices) cool down for about 10 minutes. Discard the sprig of rosemary and pour the remaining

ingredients into the jar of onions. Make sure all of the onions are submerged

in the picking liquid. If you have to, use a spoon to push the onions down in the jar. Seal the jar and put it in the fridge to cool. The onions are ready to eat once they are cool, about 30 minutes.

Serve them on avocado toast, burgers, salads, or just with a fork straight out of the jar. Remember to kiss your partner or partners before eating the onions out of the jar, unless they’re into pungent kisses.

Goat for a God: Roasted Goat Leg with Grape Molasses

Great for Deities: Dionysus, Pan and Thor

Serves : 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

1 goat leg (about 3 pounds)

1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons black pepper

4 tablespoons grape molasses

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon coriander

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

1 cup white wine + one glass for sipping and toasting while cooking (use mead if you're cooking this for Thor)

1 bay leaf

2 large carrots, chopped into

1" chunks

1 celery root, peeled and chopped into 1" cubes

Open the bottle of white wine or mead and take a hefty drink. (This is optional but deities do like when you drink with them but they can respect if you don't partake.)

Preheat the oven to 375° F.

Liberally season the goat leg with salt and pepper.

Rub the minced garlic all over the goat leg too. If it helps, poke a few holes in the goat leg so you can get the garlic right into the meat.

Place the rosemary sprigs and bay leaf in the bottom of a large roasting pan and put the goat leg right on top. Add the carrots and celery root around the edges. Pour the olive oil all over the goat and rub it around. Coat the carrots and celery root too.

Pour the white wine around the bottom of the roasting pan.

Loosely cover with kitchen foil and put the whole pan into the oven for 2 hours.

About an hour and forty-five minutes into the cooking process, it’s time to make the glaze.

Mix the grape molasses—which is a super-condensed syrup made of grape must—in a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil, the coriander, and the cumin. You can substitute honey for the grape molasses if for Thor.

At the two-hour mark, pull the roasting pan out of the oven and paint the goat with the grape (or honey) and spice glaze.

Pop the goat and veggies, uncovered, back into the oven for another 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 145° F.

When you’re ready to serve this dish, scoop the veggies into a bowl (fornow) and put the goat leg on a platter. If you have access to one, get a cedar plank and serve the goat on it.

Medical Tonics and Infusions:

Infusion- An infusion is the simplest way to prepare the more delicate aerial parts of plants, especially leaves and flowers, for use as a medicine or as a revitalizing or relaxing drink. It is made in a similar way to tea, using either a single herb or a combination of herbs, and may be drunk hot or cold.

Pot Infusion

For a cup:

1 tsp (2–3 g) dried or 2 tsp (4–6 g) fresh herb (or mixture of herbs) to a cup of water

For a pot:

20 g dried herb or 30 g fresh herb (or a mixture of different herbs) to 2 cups (500 ml) of water

Warm the pot, then add the herb.

Pour in water that has just boiled, replace the lid, and infuse for 10 minutes.

Strain some of the infusion into a cup. A teaspoon of honey may be added if desired.

Storage:

Store in a covered jug in a refrigerator or cool place for up to 24 hours.

Tonic Making

Standard Quantity:

200 g dried or 300 g fresh herb chopped into small pieces to 1 quart (1 liter) alcohol—vodka of 35–40% alcohol is ideal, although rum hides the taste of bitter or unpalatable herbs

Standard Dosage:

Take 1 tsp (5 ml) 2 –3 times a day diluted in 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp (25 ml) of water or fruit juice.

Place the herb in a large, clean glass jar and pour on the alcohol, ensuring that the herb is covered. Close and label the jar.

Shake well for 1–2 minutes and store in a cool dark place for 10–14 days, shaking the jar every 1–2 days.

Set up the wine press, placing a muslin or nylon mesh bag securely inside. Pour in the mixture and collect the liquid in the jug.

Slowly close the wine press, extracting the remaining liquid from the herbs until no more drips appear. Discard the leftover herbs.

Pour the tincture into clean, dark glass bottles using a funnel. When full, stopper with a cork or screw top and label the bottles.

Storage:

Store in sterilized, dark glass bottles in a cool dark place for up to 2 years. An amber glass jar is the best option.

Sorry this post is so long @_@ But please enjoy and use wisely. Bye byes~

Sources

[milksuu]

Do you have any random dad!phel headcanons you'd like to share about how he deals with twins? Because I'm still obsessed 🥲

hc: dad!phel and his twin boy parenting from mom!reader

tw: mention of death, angst, minor injuries

notes: rcv'd multiple req. for this one, so here you all go! between dad!phel and yandere!phel...I can't pick one atm. im obsessed with both. still working on some dad!phel comic pages. stay tuned for those. <3

dad!phel made a special request to be a stay-at-home father for the first few years to raise the twins. just until they were of elementary school age. working from home was a huge help, and none of the his band mates minded. and of course, neither did manager auntie alune. considering she wanted what was best for her brother and nephews.

dad!phel made sure to keep them on a consistent schedule as infants, doing everything from feedings to cuddle times. it took him multiple failed attempts to get them in sync, especially when they shared a crib. if one woke up, then sure enough to other did. wailing and crying. double the sleepless nights for him. he made the healthy-dad choice of switching from heart attack inducing energy drinks to zen-out green tea. but even that was becoming an addiction. at some point he did buy a seperate crib for each. and baby monitors helped help him anticipate when one was stirring, so he could intercept one before the cries woke the other.

dad!phel encouraged the twins individuality whenever he could. naturally, they gravitated to each other whatever the situation was. it was no different between him and alune. except he felt he relied too heavily on his sister most of the time, which made social life difficult for him to navigate through without her. to make sure this wouldn't happen to either of them, he never bought matching sets for clothing or toys. allowing them to decide how they preferred to express themselves. of course, he would never turn down a matching gift set from his band mates or alune. usually he saved those pairs for when they were being watched over by the gifting recipient. it saved him from a awkward situation, made the other person happy, and the twins apathetic. a small win.

dad!phel also encouraged them having different sets of skills and hobbies, to even friend groups. again, not easy when they constantly wanted to hold each others hands for dear life, especially in new situations. it wasn't unusual for one to cry when the other was taken to another activity in their primary school years. it always weighed heavily when the instructors mentioned these outbursts between them. thinking perhaps he wasn't being a good or fair father to them. it took many pep talks from alune and the school counselor that this was normal, and he was doing his best as a single father.

dad!phel was never the best at making lunches...or breakfast, or dinner, or anything culinary related. Everything was either undercooked, overcooked, over salted, or just not the right combination of ingredients. it was one of his sore spots as a stay-at-home dad. the twins stopped complaining when he all but lost it when trying to make a ham sandwich without too much mustard. the twins quickly learned to just say 'thanks dad this is great', feed it to the neighborhood stray or flowers growing outside, and sneak into the fridge later. but they always appreciated when their dad writes words of affirmation on their school lunches, like 'keep on shining my awesome stars', and 'love you to the moon and back'.

dad!phel makes sure the twins keep up with their sign language retention and development, making it a rule for them to always use it at home. believing it will help them bolster their prospects in the future. when they're being rather defiant teenagers, he will only respond to them if they sign to him while speaking. otherwise, he pretends he's deaf rather than mute , and just continues on with whatever he's doing. it doesn't take them long to change their tune, especially if their asking for the latest video game about to release.

dad!phel was and still is the master of all pranks. everyday is a potential battle field of trick mines and purposefully placed banana peels. he has house cameras installed for a reason. watching anytime the twins are hiding to blast him with a double-trouble water gun. little do they know, he has a water balloon launcher at the ready. the twins smarten up real quick, find the hidden cameras, then hack into the security system. uploading and rendering a static image of a 'peaceful' household. then it was dad!phel who had to smarten up real quick. especially when their prank on him almost blew up the neighborhood powerline generator. (he rather not go into details)

dad!phel doesn't have any pictures of mom!reader around the house. ever since her passing, it's been too difficult to have any kind of reminder. a pain that he can't seem to get over, no matter how many support group session he takes himself to along with the twins. but he is trying, for the day he can unbury a single photo he has of mom!reader from the depths of his closet. and buried deep in the recesses of his heart.

"Dad. It's not fair. It's like you just keep her all to yourself," one of the twins stated.

"Sure, you've told us about her, but you've never showed even one picture. So, why's that? Why won't you show her to us?" the other cut in, biting on his words. "Did you even love her?"

Dinner conversation fell to a static silence. It shocked him to his core. He had heard these words before. These whispers. At the funeral. Relatives. Family members. Friends. Conversing in front of him. Behind him. All around him.

[Look at him. He's not even crying.]

[Does he even feel anything? She died giving birth to his children for God's sake.]

[I feel bad for them. Even if they weren't planned. Imagine having to be raised by a father so emotionless as him. Does he even have a heart?]

[Did he even love her?]

His eyes were wide, staring at nothing but a distant memory. Lost to everything. His hands trembled. Reigning them to steady, he placed them on his barely emptied plate. Without a word, he lifted himself along with his plate, sauntering heavily to the sink. Washing, picking, scrubbing. Every spot. Every lie—they were all wrong. He felt everything. So vividly. So painfully. If he surrendered to even a fraction of it, the whole world would break into unmendable pieces. So he couldn't cry. Couldn't feel anything. He had to be strong for her. He had to be strong for them.

"Dad. Stop. You're going to—!" One of the twins rose in their seat, but it was too late. The plate shattered from the destructive pressure, slicing bits and pieces of his hands. He didn't feel a thing. Maybe they were right after all.

The twins rushed to their father's side. One worked on removing the splinters of ceramic digging into his palms, the other pressing wads of paper towels to his gashes and cuts. When the moment settled, the twins sniffed on their tears, hugging him at each side.

"We're sorry dad. Really sorry," one choked, burying their nose into his sleeve.

"We...We didn't mean..." the other hiccuped, dampening his other sleeve. "We just wish we met her. That's all."

In the vacant stare of his eyes, a wetness blurred his vision. For the first time. Since he gathered the two bassinets from the NICU staff. To the moment he stepped into a cold empty home with them. Afraid to even touch them, till they reached out and took hold of his fingers. The tears came pouring, and he felt they would never end. Drowning and suffocating him in such bitter sweet memories.

He gathered his sons in his arm, condensing himself in the comfort of their soft beds of hair. Allowing the tears to stain his face and drip in dollops from his quivering chin.

They had to know. They needed to know. They deserved to know. That he loved their mother more than anything in this world.

And with them, he felt her love every single day.

[housewife-noire]

Depression Master Post

I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR THERAPIST, JUST SAYING WHAT WORKS FOR ME

Tips that work for me:

♡Utilize your audio notes apps on your phone as an 'audio diary', talk to yourself like it's a podcast, interview, imaginary bestie etc

♡warm wet rag, toner (I use a bottle type and a spray type), moisturizer, Vaseline for a 'lazy' skincare routine. You can also use rose water to cleanse your face. This takes literally five minutes

♡modified stretches/workouts are your best friend, it's actually very easy to do stretches without getting outta bed or even moving your blanket!!

♡open up your blinds!!!!!

♡ensures and similar brands w/ extra protein for days you absolutely can't get out of bed

♡can't shower? No problem. You can get bathing cloths at any pharmacy otc (you can purchase with an HSA card as well!) Just add water to the pack no soap or rinsing needed

♡any food is better than no food!!!

♡90 minute rice + tuna packs are good 5 minute meals w/ some substance. You can add any add ins you want(I add fried egg and avocado)

♡download the finch app!! It's super cute and like a self care tamagotchi

♡allow yourself the time to rest

♡have a self love/feel good Playlist ready

♡rewatch your fave childhood show/movie. Anything that's been longer than 5 years since you've seen it works best imo

♡pedialyte AND water to keep hydrated, add a pinch of pink salt to the water

♡mix water, rubbing alcohol and essential oils to make an air freshner spray for bedding and clothing

♡if you're not on any medications, combine l-theanine and st John's wort supplements for mood health (can also add St John's wort, damiana, lavender and mint/catnip to a tea or smoke blend)

♡pure tart cherry juice before bed to help you sleep

♡download the I Am app and repeat the affirmations you see out loud thrice

♡can't brush your teeth? Get a water flosser and add a bit of mouthwash & peroxide to the reservoir to kill bacteria and remove stuck food

♡use pink or brown noise as your background for sleeping, you can find these on youtube

♡download MindDoc & Gratitude if you have the spoons to have prompts and questions to answer about your mood

♡digital coloring books!!! I use infinite painer and sketchbook on my Samsung tablet

♡if you scroll any app, pick the one you see the most positive or nontoxic feed (lemon8 and tumblr for me), this way your consumption is potentially bettering your life

♡charge your phone and other devices in a separate room/a few feet away from your bed to reduce scrolling and help promote getting out of bed to turn off alarms etc

♡daily shower spray cleaner, helps keep your tub clean. I spray after I get out

♡use Groupon to schedule yourself a moodboosting self care activity for the month (massage, tanning, filler, facial)

♡eat with a tray in bed

♡spray your fave body spray before bed

Hope these tips help someone!!! Add your own in the tags or reblog ♡

Happy House Spousing ♡♡♡♡

[rachellaurengray]

Upcoming Moon Phases

Here are the key moon phases for the upcoming lunar cycle:

September 18: Full Moon in Pisces

September 24: Last Quarter in Gemini

October 2: New Moon in Libra

October 10: First Quarter in Capricorn

Mark your calendars and embrace the energy of these phases!

Unlock the power of each lunar phase with these unique tips for manifestation and personal alignment:

September 18: Full Moon in Pisces

What to Do: Dive into deep emotional work and use this full moon to release old patterns. Practice a guided meditation focused on healing and intuition. Consider a moonlit ritual where you write down what you wish to let go of and then burn the paper safely as a symbol of release.

How to Dress: Opt for flowing, ethereal garments in soft shades of ocean blue, silver, or lavender. Consider wearing moonstone jewelry to enhance your intuitive abilities.

What to Eat: Focus on foods that soothe and cleanse, like herbal teas, sea vegetables, and citrus fruits. Prepare a meal mindfully, incorporating ingredients that feel nourishing both physically and spiritually.

Manifestation Tip: Create a vision board or journal about your dreams and aspirations. Visualize them coming to fruition under the full moon’s light, and write affirmations that align with your highest goals.

September 24: Last Quarter Moon in Gemini

What to Do: Use this phase for introspection and mental clarity. Declutter your physical and mental space by organizing your surroundings and your thoughts. Engage in intellectual activities like reading or brainstorming new ideas.

How to Dress: Choose versatile, comfortable clothing in lively colors like yellow or light green that stimulate mental activity and creativity.

What to Eat: Opt for brain-boosting snacks like dark chocolate, nuts, and fresh berries. Prepare a meal that combines a variety of textures and flavors, stimulating both mind and body.

Manifestation Tip: Reflect on your achievements and reassess your goals. Write down any insights or new ideas that come to you. Create a plan for overcoming obstacles and moving forward with renewed focus.

October 2: New Moon in Libra

What to Do: Set clear intentions for balance, relationships, and harmony. Light a candle in a pink or white hue during a quiet moment of reflection. Write a letter to yourself about the balance and beauty you wish to invite into your life.

How to Dress: Embrace stylish and harmonious outfits in soft pinks, pastels, or earth tones that align with Libra’s sense of aesthetics and balance.

What to Eat: Enjoy balanced, aesthetically pleasing meals such as colorful salads, fresh fruits, and delicately prepared dishes. Consider hosting a small, elegant dinner to foster social connections and harmony.

Manifestation Tip: Craft a manifestation statement focusing on love, partnership, and personal harmony. Visualize a balanced life and set intentions that align with creating peace and equality in your relationships.

October 10: First Quarter Moon in Capricorn

What to Do: This is the time to take decisive action toward your goals. Create a detailed plan and set actionable steps. Use this phase to tackle tasks that require discipline and structure.

How to Dress: Wear practical, professional attire in earthy tones like dark brown, charcoal, or navy, reflecting Capricorn’s grounded and ambitious nature.

What to Eat: Enjoy hearty, sustaining meals like roasted root vegetables, lean proteins, and grains that support focus and energy. Prepare your meals with intention, thinking about the goals you’re working toward.

Manifestation Tip: Write out a detailed action plan for your major goals. Use this phase to break down your objectives into manageable tasks. Visualize each step you need to take and the success you will achieve with disciplined effort.

Harness the energies of these moon phases to amplify your manifestations and align with the cosmos for personal growth and success.

[gascon-en-exil]

In your opionion is there things that Engage did better than 3 Houses or things they did worse than 3 Houses ? if that is the case, which one and why ?

Those are two different questions, and ones that people have been bandying about online for months now. I thought for about five minutes about turning this into a video prompt, but there's already plenty exactly like this on YouTube - plus I'm currently working on way too much as it is.

What FE16 does better than FE17:

In general, character work - I say in general because there are characters I like in Engage and characters I very much don't in Houses, but the more substantive supports and other side interactions in the latter help the cast stand out more. They're also broken up more, so it's easier to focus on the groups you enjoy.

Non-Avatar queerness - So much lovely subtext, so many paired endings. I've done multiple videos centering around them, even. I said in a video a few months back that I dislike how so many of Engage's non-Avatar supports end with bland affirmations of friendship, which in combination with the lack of endings really kills the potential of pairings like Fogado/Bunet and Timerra/Merrin. Dimidue though? When their A support pivots around the word "friend" you just know that it's a euphemism, and that they'll be calling each other that mid-coitus that evening. Throw in around a dozen other pairings who've gotten big based on subtext and you've got a bunch to choose from.

Cozy life sim elements - The Somniel may be more streamlined and its loading screens slightly less agonizing, but the monastery better nails the feel of a persistent hub area - even if its coziness kind of undercuts the tone of the game's second half. This isn't something I'm really into, but I know a lot of fans get into stuff like gardening and fishing and tea time, and the calendar system and (weird) time progression does make Houses feel more like a life sim in contrast to the Somniel and its randomized character loadouts. Also, Engage has way more to grind for if you want to see everything, which is annoying. This is in contrast to...

100% Completion - It may be something only I care about, but Houses goes above and beyond any other mainline FE if you're a completionist. Of course there's the support logs and event gallery and such (features Engage doesn't even manage correctly), but there's also the in-game journal which provides a ludicrous but still doable 100% target in the form of watching a whole bunch of bars fill up very slowly over dozens of playthroughs. This requires so many spreadsheets to keep organized - love it!

What FE17 does better than FE16:

Story originality - Yes, really. Houses's story is three variations on the series standard plot, plus one other option - side with the conqueror -that Fates came up with first. Engage is the least politically-interested game in the series, and it barely even teases at a mundane war between nations before it's back to fighting zombies and collecting rings. Original doesn't necessarily mean good, but at least Engage knows exactly what kind of story it's trying to tell and what it can feasibly expect to do.

Tangible, linear worldbuilding - Engage isn't as ambitious, but it's more successful thanks to more traditional FE worldbuilding tools like talking to NPCs around the world as opposed to gathering them all in hub. The single story also helps keeps everything orderly and easy to understand, rather than going for an unreliable narrator + mystery box approach across multiple routes and half-assing the execution.

The Avatar - No contest here. Alear is an actual character with an identifiable arc, and while it's not the most compelling thing in the world it's leagues ahead of anything Byleth can claim. Byleth is a blank vessel for the player (and also Sothis for a while, lending them some facsimile of a character in the form of her reactions) with a ludicrously contrived backstory to justify why they are the way they are; Alear has fears and development and a backstory that's coherent even if it relies on a fair amount of cliché. Also, even in localization Alear as a god complex fantasy is undeniable, whereas Houses bends over backwards to act like a main source of its appeal isn't teacher-student sex. Speaking of -

Avatar queerness - Again, no contest - not that I especially care. Byleth's same-sex S rank options are limited, while Alear can give their not!engagement ring to every character regardless of gender, a huge step up in open-ended self-insert romance that gets mostly overlooked because they can also give the ring to preteens.

Understanding of FE's camp appeal - The above only underlines how much better Engage can be when it comes to the campy and the tasteless. From the ridiculous outfits to the Emblem stuff being compared to Saturday morning cartoons or Power Rangers or such to Zephia/Zelestia to the AU dragon incest wank nonsense, Engage wears its silliness on its sleeve. Houses doesn't totally lack that element, with stuff like the Proper Conduct Tournament and Manuela's...everything, basically, but like the teacher-student fetish it's hidden beneath this veneer of respectability that begins to grate after a while. Most of that is probably just overcorrection for the poor response to that sort of content in Fates, but it obviously didn't stick...not even for Fódlan content in Heroes. Look at the new duo Cathmir, and tell me these characters still aren't being sold on sex appeal aimed primarily at straight men.

Handling of characters of color - Not something I discuss often, but it has to be said. Solm is as developed of any of the other main four nations of Elyos, with just about as much of a role in the story and a presence in gameplay (i.e. you spend around half a dozen chapters there). There are still some oddities, like how the royals and NPCs are all dark-skinned but the retainer characters aren't, but compared to the various periphery nations of Fódlan it's a real standout and actually feels like a part of the world. Sreng is a plot device in Hopes, and even less than that in Houses. Duscur, Brigid, and Dagda basically only exist in relation to Dedue, Petra, and Shamir respectively. Even Almyra, from which we get two playable characters including one of the lords, barely appears at all, and most of Claude's Almyran heritage is left out of his writing because he spends the whole game disguising his identity.

Standard gameplay - I play on Normal and freely abuse time rewinding so my opinion here isn't going to be held in any regard, but go check out anywhere Engage is being discussed online and you'll see tons of tier lists and comparisons of builds and chapters and Emblems and whatever else. You know, the things that people ordinarily talk about when it comes to FE, and not -

Less enabling of toxic fandom elements - The inbuilt faction drama in a faux-serious war story, the continued growth of the anti phenomenon first seen when Fates was current, and a years-long global pandemic fostered endless division and conflict that persists to this day. It somehow even continues a year after the release of Hopes, now in the form of bashing Engage because it didn't sell as much (while still talking about its gameplay way more than I could ever bother, go figure) and IS is being more conservative with its Heroes appearances. There's still pointless nonsense to argue about here - like the aforementioned incest wank - but there's far less of it in a linear story that doesn't encourage players to latch as hard onto their favorites.

Non-100% replay value - Related to the gameplay, if you're not going for all the supports/bonds/achievements there's much more variety you can pull out of repeat playthroughs of Engage via the standard ways to mix up your runs in FE: using different characters, allocating resources differently, limiting yourself in certain ways etc. Houses's gameplay is so freeform and has such clear best options that for replays you're relying on the story...and there's exactly four stories. Worse, White Clouds is almost the same regardless of house, and there's a bunch of crossover content among the Part II routes as well, even Crimson Flower, which leads to it all feeling quite repetitive even if the narratives technically go to different places.

Nostalgic throwbacks - Not only the Emblems, but also the many legacy paralogues. These were a fun element of Awakening and Fates's DLC, and it's nice to see them brought back here with a bunch of callbacks for fans of those older games. Houses has...its batch of DLC classes all coming from Awakening, and the Archanean regalia appearing as random drops. Oh, and probably the least notable playable version of Anna ever.

Absurdly cute mascot factor - Could have talked about this under the camp factor, but some players get really into how adorable Sommie is. It's a fount of memes and goofy videos if nothing else. Is IS taking notes from Pokémon?

And yet I still prefer FE16 overall, because it better caters to my specific interests (gay stuff that doesn't involve Avatars, spreadsheets). The years of fandom toxicity are unfortunate, but I've grown accustomed to laughing at it when it amuses me and ignoring it when it doesn't.

[klarity-jane]

The Power Duo: EFT Tapping and Switchwords for Emotional Transformation

Life can be hectic, unpredictable and sometimes, straight up stressful. Whether it's transitioning career or home, financial challenges, or an argument with a loved one; that pressure can really take its toll on our mental and emotional well-being. That's why it's vital to find bunches of healthy ways to stay calm in the face of life's obstacles.

One powerful technique that you may know by now that I find quite effective in achieving immediate relief is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping. EFT involves tapping on specific points on the body while repeating certain affirmations or phrases. This can help to shift feelings of anxiety, overwhelment and other lower vibrational energies to promote a sense of ease and refreshment.

Pairing EFT tapping with switchword combinations is like tea with lemon to me. It offers a layer of mitigation to increase efficaciousness and cohesion. With EFT tapping working to shift the mood and switchwords communicating beyond the ego, it can be like hacking into a paradigm.

Allow me to share a simple EFT sample script - like a template of sorts - that you might use for support in sliding into a mellow state while remaining alert and centered throughout the day:

Start by tapping on the karate chop point on your hand (the fleshy part between your wrist and pinky finger) while repeating the following affirmation 3 times:

"Even though I'm feeling [anxious/stressed/overwhelmed/etc.], I sincerely accept how I feel and I'm loving myself through it."

Next, tap on the following points, while paying attention to your breathing and repeating the switchword combination for each point:

Eyebrow: PEACE - CALM

Side of eye: RELAX - RELEASE

Under eye: TRANQUILITY - EASE

Under nose: CALM - CENTERED

Chin: SERENE - GROUNDED

Collarbone: PEACEFUL - COMPOSED

Under arm: CALM - FOCUS

Top of the head: EASE - POWER

Repeat this sequence 3 times, or until you feel more calm than anxious. As I've mentioned before, this is a suggestive script, so I encourage you to modify the switchword combos to whatever resonates with you and gets you in that sweet spot.

Staying calm is a practice. As a matter of fact, pretty much everything I write about here takes commitment for results. It's just about what methods are promptly effective, fun and feels natural to consider implementing on a regular basis or as needed. We all have moments of stress and anxiety, it is what it is. By incorporating techniques like EFT tapping into our daily routine, we can grow to respond more and more to how we feel with compassion and grace, regardless of the hurdles that appear.

So the next time you feel yourself getting overwhelmed or triggered, perhaps take a few minutes to tap through this EFT tapping sequence. You might just find yourself quite impressed with the results.

Namasté and blessings 🙌🏿

[yourhealthjourney]

SlimPulse Dietary supplement - weight loss

SlimPulse: An Outing to Persuading Weight decline

In the ongoing high speed world, weight the board has changed into a clearly basic concentration for some. With ceaseless dietary enhancements open articulating to assist with weighting decline, it very well may be overpowering to find a thing that really conveys results. Enter SlimPulse, a dietary improvement wanted to help with weighting decline attempts through a mix of ordinary decorations and shrewd counting.

What is SlimPulse?

SlimPulse is a dietary improvement that hopes to work with weight decline by refreshing the body's handling, lessening hunger, and broadening energy levels. The thing combines a degree of decorations known for their conceivable clinical advantages, pursuing it a famous decision among wellbeing fans and those hoping to shed additional pounds.

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Key Decorations

1.Green Tea Concentrate: Well known for its illness neutralization expert properties, green tea separate is a critical piece of the time related with weight decline supplements because of its capacity to help handling and advance fat oxidation.

2.Garcinia Cambogia: This tropical normal thing separate contains hydroxycitric horrendous (HCA) which is made a point to disturb a protein that adds as far as possible. It comparably goes presumably as a longing suppressant.

3.CLA (Outlined Linoleic Damaging): Found normally in meat and dairy things, CLA is recognized to assist with lessening muscle versus fat while protecting mass, spreading the word about it a well part for weight the pioneers.

4.Caffeine: This striking impetus increments energy levels as well as updates metabolic rate and fat consuming during exercise.

5.Fiber: Certain definitions unite fiber to assist with extra making satiety, making it more straightforward to oversee hunger and diminish all over calorie affirmation.

How Does SlimPulse Function?

SlimPulse is supposed to help with weighting decline in more than one way:

Handling Lift: By overhauling metabolic rates, SlimPulse assists the body with consuming calories much more competently.

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Craving Control: Decorations like Garcinia Cambogia add to hunger camouflage, assisting clients with dealing with their caloric affirmation without feeling denied.

Expanded Energy: The joining of caffeine and other animating parts stays mindful of energy levels, making it all the more obvious to remain dynamic and focused in on works out.

Advantages of SlimPulse

1.Natural Decorations: With a complement on typical thinks and mixes, SlimPulse could address those mindful about planned added substances.

2.Comprehensive Help: As opposed to zeroing in exclusively on fat misfortune, SlimPulse plans to propose generally help for weight the bosses, including hunger control and energy levels.

3.User Acknowledgments: Different clients report positive encounters with SlimPulse, including moreover made energy and detectable weight decline, especially when gotten along with major areas of strength for an everyday practice and work-out day to day plan.

Contemplations Before Use

While SlimPulse seems, by all accounts, to be empowering, pushing toward any dietary redesign with alert is head:

Counsel a Clinical advantages Fit: Going before beginning any new improvement, particularly for weight decline, talk with a clinical thought supplier to guarantee it lines up with your thriving necessities.

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Way of life orsFact: Redesigns are not an enchanted blueprint. Joining SlimPulse with a fair eating standard and normal development is essential for accomplishing conceivable weight decline.

Individual Whim: Everyone answers diversely to supplements, so results can sway. Following movement and it is head to transform each case in turn case.

 Conclusion

SlimPulse adjust in the colossal extent of dietary upgrades focused in on weight decline, because of its mix of standard decorations and complex strategy. While it could assist clients with accomplishing their weight the board targets, it is best when part of a comprehensive way of life that combines smart thinning down and genuine work. Whether you're hoping to ship off your weight decline experience or defeat a level, SlimPulse could be a useful sidekick while going to better success.

Disclaimers

There are in affiliate link of a best product in this article which may make some prophet for me.

[high-rise-jeans]

Period Subscription Box: Revolutionizing Menstrual Care for Modern Women

Menstruation is a natural and essential part of a woman’s life, yet for many, it can be an uncomfortable and inconvenient experience. The traditional approach to managing periods often involves last-minute trips to the store, dealing with limited product options, and navigating the occasional embarrassment or discomfort. Fortunately, the advent of the period subscription box has revolutionized how women manage their menstrual cycles, offering convenience, comfort, and customization.

What is a Period Subscription Box?

A period subscription box is a monthly service that delivers menstrual products and other self-care items directly to a subscriber's doorstep. These boxes are designed to provide everything needed for a comfortable and hassle-free period. The contents typically include sanitary products such as tampons, pads, or menstrual cups, as well as additional items like pain relief solutions, skincare products, snacks, and even a few surprises to make the menstrual experience more enjoyable.

Why Choose a Period Subscription Box?

Convenience: One of the most significant benefits of a period subscription box is the convenience it offers. No more emergency trips to the store or worrying about running out of supplies. With a subscription box, everything you need arrives on time, every month.

Customization: Many period subscription services allow you to customize your box according to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prefer tampons over pads, organic products, or have specific brands you trust, there’s a box out there that can cater to your preferences.

Comfort and Self-Care: Periods can be physically and emotionally taxing. Many subscription boxes go beyond the essentials by including comfort items like herbal teas, chocolates, or soothing bath products. These extras help turn your period into a time for self-care rather than just another inconvenient part of life.

Sustainability: For those concerned about the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products, several subscription services offer eco-friendly alternatives, such as reusable pads or menstrual cups. These sustainable options not only reduce waste but also provide long-term savings.

Cost-Effective: Although a subscription might seem like an added expense, it can be more cost-effective in the long run. The convenience of having products delivered to your door, combined with the added value of self-care items, often outweighs the cost.

What’s Inside a Period Subscription Box?

While the contents of a period subscription box can vary depending on the service and the level of customization, here’s a general idea of what you might expect:

Menstrual Products: The core of any period subscription box includes the essential menstrual products you use regularly. This could be a mix of tampons, pads, panty liners, or menstrual cups. Some boxes offer organic or hypoallergenic options for those with sensitive skin.

Pain Relief Solutions: Periods often come with discomfort or pain, so many subscription boxes include items like heating pads, pain relief patches, or herbal teas designed to ease cramps and soothe muscles.

Skincare and Beauty Products: Since menstruation can sometimes affect your skin, many boxes include skincare products tailored to your needs. These might include face masks, moisturizers, or gentle cleansers that help you maintain a healthy complexion during your cycle.

Snacks and Treats: Chocolate cravings are real, and many period subscription boxes understand this. You might find gourmet chocolates, energy bars, or healthy snacks to satisfy your cravings and boost your energy levels.

Self-Care and Wellness Items: From scented candles to stress-relief bath bombs, these extras are included to encourage relaxation and self-care during your period. Some boxes might even include mindfulness tools like journals or affirmations.

Surprises: To keep things interesting, many services include surprise items in each box. These could range from new beauty products to try, to small gifts or seasonal items that add a fun element to your monthly delivery.

How Does a Period Subscription Box Work?

Subscribing to a period box is typically straightforward and involves the following steps:

Choose a Subscription Plan: Most services offer different subscription plans based on the frequency of delivery, the number of products, and whether you want additional items like snacks or beauty products. You can often choose between monthly, quarterly, or even single-purchase options.

Personalize Your Box: Many period subscription services allow you to customize your box according to your preferences. You can choose the type of menstrual products you prefer, the quantity, and any additional items you’d like to receive.

Set Your Delivery Schedule: Period subscription boxes are designed to arrive just before your cycle starts. You can set your delivery date based on your cycle’s schedule to ensure you have everything you need when you need it.

Enjoy Your Monthly Delivery: Once you’ve subscribed and customized your box, all you need to do is wait for it to arrive. Most services provide tracking information, so you’ll know exactly when to expect your box.

Why are Period Subscription Boxes Popular?

Period subscription boxes have become increasingly popular for several reasons:

Tackling the Taboo: Menstruation has long been a taboo subject, and many women still feel uncomfortable discussing their periods openly. Period subscription boxes help normalize the conversation around menstrual health by making it a more mainstream and personalized experience.

Empowerment and Education: Many subscription services go beyond just providing products; they also aim to educate and empower women. Boxes may include informative pamphlets, access to online resources, or even partnerships with organizations that support menstrual health education.

Supporting Women-Owned Businesses: Many period subscription services are run by women, for women. By subscribing, you’re often supporting small businesses that prioritize women’s health and well-being.

Global Impact: Some subscription boxes have a charitable component, where a portion of the proceeds goes towards providing menstrual products to women and girls in need. This global impact resonates with consumers who want their purchase to make a difference.

Common Questions About Period Subscription Boxes

Are Period Subscription Boxes Worth the Cost?The value of a period subscription box depends on your individual needs and preferences. For many, the convenience, customization, and added self-care items make it worth the cost. Additionally, some services offer discounts for longer subscription commitments, making it more affordable over time.

What If I Don’t Like a Product in My Box?Many services allow you to provide feedback on the products you receive. If there’s something you didn’t like, you can often request not to receive it in future boxes. Some companies even offer a satisfaction guarantee, allowing you to exchange products.

Are There Options for Eco-Friendly or Organic Products?Yes, many period subscription boxes offer eco-friendly and organic options. You can choose boxes that focus on sustainable products, such as reusable menstrual cups or organic cotton tampons and pads. These options are great for those who are environmentally conscious or have sensitive skin.

How Do I Choose the Right Subscription Box for Me?The best period subscription box for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors like the types of menstrual products you use, any additional items you’d like (such as snacks or skincare), and whether you prefer eco-friendly or organic options. Reading reviews and comparing different services can also help you make an informed decision.

Period subscription boxes are more than just a convenient way to get your menstrual products delivered. They represent a shift towards personalized care, sustainability, and empowerment for women. By subscribing to a period box, you’re not only making your period more manageable but also embracing a modern approach to menstrual health. Whether you’re looking for convenience, comfort, or a little extra self-care, there’s a period subscription box out there that’s perfect for you.

[giankumar-blog1]

Embracing Abundance: A Self-Discovery Journey

Amidst life's rapid pace, it's too familiar to adopt a scarcity mindset, presuming that time, money, and opportunities are always limited. Accordingly, we get caught up in a vicious cycle of desiring more and obsessing over our shortcomings instead of our blessings. However, what if we go inwards toward the feelings of abundance rather than scarcity?

Abundance, in my opinion, is not just about materiality. It's a way of thinking emphasizing possibility, gratefulness, and immense potential. It's about accepting life's abundance in all its forms while experiencing and realizing the richness around us.

The first step on the path to abundance is changing one's viewpoint. It calls upon us to practice presence and mindfulness, stop amidst the turmoil, and recognize the presence of wealth inside and outside. Besides everything else, it's also about appreciating those small pleasures that make us happier every day, like a warm cup of tea, a meaningful discussion, and the beauty of the outdoors.

Throughout this journey, gratitude becomes our devoted companion, helping us acknowledge and appreciate the abundance—large and small—that enters our lives. By starting each day with gratitude, we make room for more blessings to come our way and establish an abundant positive feedback cycle.

However, abundance involves both giving and receiving. We find the ability to share our blessings and talents with others when we come to terms with our riches. Acts of generosity, whether assisting, encouraging words, or just giving of our time and presence, magnify the wealth in our lives, providing a feeling of wholesomeness.

The path to abundance may occasionally take us through difficult and limited times. However, these are the times when we test our resiliency and inventiveness, which encourages us to believe in the inherent wealth of the cosmos. We may overcome challenges with fortitude and a firm conviction, emerging from them more robust and understanding of what lies ahead.

Ultimately, the path to abundance is highly personal—a voyage from self-discovery to self-awareness to self-realization with gratitude. It's about accepting our inborn merit and potential for abundance rather than holding onto restrictive ideas and cultural conditioning that tell us we're inadequate.

The idea of prosperity rides on the sails of global generosity, where worldly richness and spiritual essence combine. It goes beyond simple ownership to encompass an inner attitude that leads us across the vast seas of abundance, avoiding the shallows of insufficiency engrained in us from childhood onward.

Beyond accumulating wealth, abundance embodies one's values with a giving consciousness. The air we breathe, the sunlight that covers the earth, the limitless oceans, the unending void of space, and the sparkling stars are all gifts to us. Therefore, abundance reflects personal beliefs and a readiness to offer freely; it goes beyond financial wealth. Piercing the layers of conditioned scarcity via deep introspection is the first step in walking the path toward abundance.

Therefore, whenever you embrace abundance in its fullness and not only amass wealth, it shall change the course of your life holistically. We are then not only enlightened but also celebrate life. All you need to do is expand your awareness to observe the opportunities around you with a positive mindset to visualize and attract all you desire with an affirmative attitude. 

As we set out on this trip, let us remember that abundance is a way of life—a frame of mind we can develop every moment—rather than a place to arrive. May we tread on this journey with bravery, curiosity, and steadfast faith in the infinite abundance that each of us possesses. Remember that all you seek does not come by chance, luck, or destiny. It exists for you to see, feel, apply effort and intelligence, experience, and understanding to realize how to transcend from self-desire toward selflessness. 

For more information please visit www.giankumar.com (Best Spiritual Author)

[sallytations]

Survivor at 78!

It is my birthday today. To have survived until the age of 78, is a feat made of some unlikely combination of luck and hubris. When I think back to some of my life adventures, it seems amazing that I am still here.

There was the time we got caught in an approaching hurricane, while sailing our boat off the coast of Hawaii. My friends Eric and Richard and I were trying to get to Maui to what we thought was safe harbor before the weather turned truly hazardous.

But the hurricane unexpectedly veered toward us.  We were in grave danger.  The coast guard came out to facilitate a rescue, guiding us back to safety.  This was in the early 70’s, before there were such reliable electronic communication and navigation systems.

Then there was the time I went into the jungle of Uganda to try to photograph gorillas.  Our party included a conservator acting as guide, a professional photographer from Paris Match, a woman assistant photographer, some bushwackers, my friends Eric and John Paul and me.

We were all carefully schooled by the gorilla expert on what to do and why, including that we should never show fear to a charging gorilla. Unfortunately, the woman assistant photographer got hysterical when the gorilla charged toward us. 

Her screaming, exactly the wrong thing to do, caused me to turn around and slap her in the face because she was a danger to us.  She stopped screaming, but the charging gorilla veered toward John Paul, picked him up, bit him and threw him into the jungle.

After the gorilla went back toward his family and away from us, we carefully separated the bushes and discovered John Paul, alive, but bleeding from a wound in his buttocks.  So, our guides made a stretcher out of tree limbs and shirts. We then trekked back to the nearest outpost of civilization, a coffee and tea plantation.

Traversing the rows of growing coffee, we approached the main house and knocked on the door.  A portly gentleman dressed in shorts, with an ascot around his neck, answered the door.   He had a glass of brandy in his hand as he greeted us.

We explained our predicament – an injured companion bitten by a gorilla.  The plantation owner approached the stretcher where John Paul was lying face down.  Describing the gorilla, he said, “Oh. The bloody bastard,“ while pouring the remaining brandy from his glass into the open wound.

Years later, on a lunch break from the courthouse in Santa Monica, I was having lunch with friends, regaling them with the gorilla story.  Suddenly, a man approached from the other side of the restaurant, affirming the story I had just told.  It was John Paul, who was visiting from abroad and had gone to the courthouse in search of me.  Having been told that I was at lunch, he came to the restaurant.  My coworkers were amazed, both at the story and at our reunion.

I also suffered altitude sickness at the base camp of Mt. Everest when I went up with an all-woman expedition.  I needed to come down to a lower altitude immediately.  The problem was a snowstorm swirling all around.  My Sherpa, An Lang Mo, guided me down, even as I kept insisting that I wanted to stop and rest, which would have been fatal. 

I also thought it would be a good idea to take off my jacket, since my body core was terribly hot.  In these kinds of circumstances, your body tries to preserve vital organs by flooding your core with blood to the detriment of course, of your limbs.  Luckily my trusty guide was stronger and wiser than I was, and we made it back down to a safe location where I could recuperate.

In 2011, I was diagnosed with a grave form of cancer.  My doc told me that I “should get my affairs in order,” because I probably had 18 months of life left.  After four rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant, I survived many years until now, a remarkable thing. 

In the years following, I got pneumonia several times as I checked off places on my bucket list. That is, I went to Bhutan, a nation where there is a national happiness index to absorb the culture and see Tiger’s Nest Monastery.  I also went to Paris with family to stroll the charming streets and eat at my favorite little cafes. Then we went to Argentina so I could learn to dance the tango. Brielle cooperated in this endeavor, dancing beautifully.  All the family came to stay and celebrate my idiotic fantasy.

So, as I look at my foreshortened life span, I am filled with incredulity at the life I’ve lived. I am grateful for the astonishing good fortune that I have such wonderful family and friends.

Love to you all....

[kakivino]

Il Poggione 2012 Brunello di Montalcino

Seductive bouquet explodes with roses, sour cherry, raspberry, tobacco, tangerine and a kiss of oak. Sanguine, sapid and seamless. Life-giving acid backbone keeps southern plumpness in check. Tangy red fruit and iron notes extend to the firmish finale, where elegant yet vigilant tannins look to prolong peak drinking pleasure by another 5 years. Lovely balance and harmony. Lots of wine here. — ★★★★

Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino Region: Montalcino, Toscana, Italy Subzone: Sant'Angelo in Colle Cépage: 100% Sangiovese Grosso Abv: 14.5% Production: 200,000 Élevage: Long aging in 30-50hl French oak barrels followed by bottle aging Distributor: Milawa

Critic Reviews:

Good full red. Medicinal red cherry, raspberry, sweet spices and mint on the fresh, precise nose. Bright and sweet, with a penetrating, austere quality to its flavors of red fruits, minerals and medicinal herbs. Harmonious acidity nicely frames the pure, long, youthfully tight finish. Lovely young Brunello that will repay cellaring. Ian d'Agata (Vinous, 03/2017) 93+

Shades of leather, spice, tea and iron surround the strawberry and cherry notes in this sleek, energetic red. Firm and tense, with a solid band of tannins lending grip to the finish. Best from 2021 through 2034. 11,000 cases made. Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator, 06/2017) 92

Tasted blind. Subtle, earthy cherry on the nose. Very backward yet elegant and almost lithe on the palate. Perfect balance, very poised and yet with a muscular structure. Walter Speller (Jancis Robinson, 01/2017) 17

Sant'Angelo in Colle. Dark garnet. Intriguing mix of fresh veg and compost on the nose, plus a bit of charred meat. Round on the palate – already very suave, and very Brunello. Confident expression of the vintage’s combination of ripeness and freshness. Drink 2019-2032. Jancis Robinson (Jancis Robinson, 01/2017) 17.5

Ripe plum, tobacco, dark spice and balsamic aromas adorn this invigorating red. Firm and full-bodied, the palate delivers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and grilled herb flavors with a backbone of youthful, bracing tannins. It's already tempting but give it time to fully come around. Drink 2020–2032. Kerin O'Keefe (Wine Enthusiast, 04/2017) 93

Il Poggione is a Brunello superstar and a vintge like this reveals every reason why that affirmation is true. From the second the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino pours into the glass, you know you are in for something special. The wine is darkly saturated and rich in appearance. Absent are those slightly amber or browning hues you often get with Sangiovese in a hot vintage. Nor does the wine show flat or tired characteristics. Instead, the quality of fruit is vibrant and rich. This is a healthy, generous and exuberant Brunello with dark density and succulent fruit flavors that are followed by integrated spice and tobacco. The balance is impressive and one thing you get here is fresh acidity. This is not to be underestimated, because the acidity quota in the 2012 vintage across the appellation is not as high or evident as usual. This is one of the year's best Brunellos. Drink 2017-2030. Monica Larner (Wine Advocate, 02/2017) 95+

[more-than-a-princess]

Sonia nodded, affirming his suspicions. Yes, her homes were full of family stories and legacies, and yet they were so full of such tales that she, like her father before her, would spend her entire life living up to the greatness of her ancestors. In a world rapidly changing by technology, revolution, and people who wished to govern themselves from elected political servants as opposed to absolute monarchy, that was a tall order. To find where a royal family even belonged in modern society. Japan's answer was to relegate them to figureheads in charge of going through the motions of tradition sequestered away in the Imperial Palace alongside a healthy schedule of charity work and state visits to various countries around the world. And while they were both political allies and good friends of the Novoselic Royal Family, it wasn't a future she could imagine for herself.

No, Sonia Nevermind craved for the opportunity to make real change, real impact, on Novoselic, to transform it into a country ready to take on the challenges of the future while still honoring the best of the past, and the traditions that were worth holding onto and passing down to younger generations. Being an ornament on display in historical dress, or even the most elegant gowns from the world's top couturiers, hardly fulfilled that.

"Yes, that is correct," She confirmed. "Homes in my family are passed from parent to child, or from monarch to family, often during important life events: an 18th birthday, a marriage, bestowing a title. And of course, a monarch's coronation means they have ownership of all of the royal residences. I was given my townhome, which is my primary residence whilst in Novoselic, when I turned eighteen and I will likely be given a country manor upon my eventual marriage."

It made birthdays and Christmases, for the most part, a bit less grand when it came to gift-giving and receiving, but it did provide motivation for many in her family to become working royals who eventually married and continued on with the lineage. Real estate and wealth came with it, and few material gifts could add up in terms of financial value. But what offset such lackluster celebrations was indeed the unexplainable events that transpired in so many of her family's homes.

"Well, castles and manors tend to be drafty until modern heating mechanisms are installed, which is why they have so many fireplaces," Sonia began, wanting to get the boring part of the answer out of the way first. "But unexplainable sounds and items moving? Oh, that happens all the time! I do see ghosts on occasion: they kept me company when I was a child and I did very much enjoy hosting tea parties for them all. But as I grow, they appear less and less: maybe because they do not favor the skepticism of adults and prefer the wonder of children. Who knows?"

A thought that brought a smile to her face: perhaps more than most, she understood what it meant to grow up too fast and leave childhood behind. The longer someone could hold onto theirs, even and especially if it was due to the presence of the supernatural, the better. Fear, naturally, didn't factor in: she welcomed every supernatural being she came across, and not even the most gruesome horror film could deter her from that.

"I think we have plenty of time for both films," She offered, settling back against the sofa. Or rather, it was her way of telling him that she was happy, more than happy, to stay for two films and that she had nowhere pressing to be, or even anywhere she preferred to be than where she was right then. At his apartment, about to introduce him to her favorite genre, and with comfort food to boot. Nothing was fussy or pretentious with Ryuji Sakamoto. She liked that about him: there was a relaxed aura about him, and a confidence that so many tried to imitate. He was generally a content and happy person, Sonia thought, and that drew her to him.

"But for food? I think the best for watching films is a combination of pizza, popcorn, and sweets! If only because a table and some care is needed for indulging in fondue or raclette." Something about melted cheese made it go with anything, including movies.

While it was clear that his and Sonia's own respective views as to what made a home seemed to differ, he still found himself relieved that he could engage in such a friendly discussion with her about their own respective, differing views on homes. Of course, he had always grown up with tiny homes meant for two, cozy little homes that you could come back to - and even years later, it would still feel like home. He could still remember the house he grew up in, back in Hokkaido, quite well - he could even fondly remember the small house in Itabashi, where he'd lived during his high school years.

"I guess that makes it nice though, yeah? Old homes would have more of a history to them, yeah? A story?" He piped up, hoping to hear more about the sort of homes that Sonia was accustomed to. Of course, with her being a princess and all, it was tough not to immediately picture castles and grand palaces right out of a fantasy manga or a fairy tale book. Even a little more realistically so, in his mind he had always pictured one of those enormous mansions that was practically like a maze to walk around in! He'd never really thought too much about the age and the history of a house, but now that Sonia had mentioned it, there was an interesting sort of appeal to it - especially in homes that had much history there. "I'm guessing they're the sort of homes that have been in your family for a while - passed down from family member to family member or something like that?" He would have guessed as much for royalty - their houses probably weren't exactly the sort that you'd see listings for in the local paper.

"Have you ever noticed any evidence of any hauntings, Sonia?" He asked, not out of skepticism or condescension but rather a genuine desire to know - there was an undeniable appeal to the paranormal and the existence of ghosts - really who could say for sure, whether or not any of it was real or not? "You know, like maybe strange cold winds, things moving when they shouldn't, doors closing, yeah...?" At least those were the most popular examples, he could think of, though with a ghost, anything was possible really. "You wouldn't be scared if a ghost was mean or wanted to take revenge...?"

That would have been one of his fears in regards to meeting a ghost - what if they wanted to hurt him?! Had he accidentally pushed someone too far, been mean to the wrong person? The thought of a ghost haunting him was enough to make his face visibly pale! ...Though, he managed a nervous smile at seeing Sonia's own enthusiasm at the topic. "Ah, so Laurie is the main character then!" He could realize that much, chuckling at the title of 'Scream Queen'. "Heh, with a title like that - she must be one hell of a hero and a survivor! I can't wait to see her in action!" He hadn't even seeing the movie yet and he could already feel like he related to the character - with them both being tough survivors! Laurie definitely had on an edge on him, surviving a babysitter killer and all. "I'd like to watch that movie, too! It'd be cool to watch the effects and then later on, wonder how they did!" He had always been rather in awe of movie effects and how they worked - they all looked damn cool to him!

"Ordering in some food would be good - what do you think makes good movie food, Sonia?" Though he was tempted to suggest ramen, he worried that he might run the risk of spilling it - especially if he was going to be watching a movie that was going to be making him jump and wriggle around a bit! "We can definitely do an amusement park, that'll be our next outing," He declared, reaching for his phone. "But first, food!"

"Any suggestions, Sonia?"

[thelaundrybitch]

LBH - 1-Year Anniversary

TURTLE DOVES!!!

I cannot even believe it's been a whole year since the first chapter of my first fic was posted 😭

I am still planning on finishing it; it's just that life has been a bit crazy.

BUT! Here is a teaser, and bonus chapter for Little Blue Hearts' anniversary.

I hope you all enjoy it.

And thank you all for reading, liking, commenting, and reblogging my work (or any combination of those, lol). It means the world to me 💙💙💙

18+ content - for mature audiences only!

Reblogs only, please!

Little Blue Hearts cover art by the lovely @leosgirl82

What a Year

~Liv~

I’m sitting in the kitchen with Ashley at the breakfast bar, watching Mike make breakfast for the full house that has moved into the lair.

“Can you believe it’s been A YEAR?!” Ashley marvels. She’s recounting the astounding and exceptional events that have transpired since I was brought into the turtles' lives.

And she couldn’t be more right.

The anxiety. The injury. The farmhouse incident…

I went from being a complete loner to having the most loving found family anyone could ask for, making me feel like the luckiest woman alive.

And, of course, that brings us to Leonardo.

I’d finally found the other half of my heart. 

Who’d have thought that the beautiful turtle-man actually existed?

And that he’d choose little ol’ me, out of all the fish in the sea?

I stand and walk to the dry bar where all the coffee and tea reside, and set to making Leo’s tea.

The rest of the family would be making their entrance for breakfast shortly. Leo currently has them stretching in the dojo.

Behind me, Ashley is laughing heartily while Mike accuses her of only liking him for his cooking, after stealing one of his famous muffins right out of the still hot cupcake pan.

“That’s only partially true,” she teases him as he stops and gives her a pointed look, “I am all about that hot body of yours.” 

I chuckle as Mike lets out a gasp in exaggerated exasperation, his hand over his chest like she just chucked the biggest, most unforgivable insult at him.

“I bet Liv loves Leo for his personality, and not his body,” Mike sasses her, drawing a loud “HA!” from Ashley.

Mike glances from Ashley to me and back. I can see his nosey-assed question being planted directly into her cerebrum.

Her smile goes from innocent to insidious with the quirk of Mike’s brow ridge. 

"What's your favorite part of his body?" Ashley asks, eyes sparkling with mischievous curiosity.

"Guess," I say, smiling at her with a challenge in my gaze as we hear everyone walking down the hallways and getting ready to file into the kitchen for the morning meal.

Leo comes in first, walking straight toward me, leaning down for a quick kiss as I hand him his tea that I just finished making.

“His teeth!” yells Vanessa as she comes through the door behind Leo.

"What?! That’s weird,” Donnie smiles, pulling the brunette into an embrace. “Arms," he guesses with a chuckle.

“What? Why?! Nice teeth are unbelievably attractive,” she affirms, winking at the genius.

“That is so true!” agrees Michelle. “But I bet it’s those thighs,” she grins, wiggling her eyebrows. 

"Is there something I should know?” questions the red brute with a single brow quirked at his fiance. “Definitely chest," Raph adds.

“Baby, we all know that you’ve got the most delicious thighs known to all of humankind,” the doctor drawls, a sultry smirk dancing across her face as she appreciates the power and magnitude of her turtle-man. She lets out a squawk as she’s rewarded with a low, rumbly growl while he snatches her up and buries his snout in her neck.

"Nah. I'm gonna say it's gotta be his dick," Asserts Mikey, passing out plates to everyone so they can grab some of the breakfast he conjured up, from the kitchen island.

"Mike!" Exclaims Ashley through a choked snort as she tries to refrain from laughter. Snickering comes from all parties as they collect their choice of breakfast foods and sit at the new, oversized oval table that can now accommodate all of us.

"Well! We hear her screaming his name AT LEAST once every day!" He states, defensively, glancing around the room for support for his claim. I look at the faces of all my friends from where I’m sitting next to the leader, waiting for their reactions.

Ashley is the first to respond after she thinks for a second, shrugging and nodding in agreement. Everyone else has come to the same conclusion, nodding almost in unison.

My eyes go wide, and I feel my body flush with adrenaline.

"I thought the walls were insulated!" I say, aghast with this sudden revelation.

"The outer walls," Leo confirms calmly with a smirk as he sips his tea.

"LEO!" I yell, smacking his arm playfully, but also just enough to sting.

"What?!" He asks with feigned innocence, smiling like the Cheshire cat.

"Oh, my God! You knew it, too?!" I admonish, absolutely mortified, as my hands reflexively move to cover my face so I can die of embarrassment, trying to retain some of my dignity.

"No shame, girl. At least we know he's keeping you satisfied," Raph tries to assuage, except his smile is purely antagonizing.

I'm blushing harder than a ripened tomato.

"So… Am I right?" inquires Mikey, wiggling his eyebrow ridge, a grin so dangerously large it’s ready to split his face clean in half.

I look around the table at the group of them - all smiling like idiots - waiting for my answer.

Ok. Fine. I can play your game.

I hop up and over to sit in Leo's lap, his tea threatening to slosh over the lip of the cup as I surprise the shit out of him.

He puts his tea down on the table and moves both hands to my waist as I look up, smiling at him sweetly.

"His eyes are beautiful,'' I coo, reaching up to cradle his face with one hand. I give him a salacious smirk, as my thumb roves in circles along his jawline.

"But my favorite part?” I ask, my voice dropping to just above a whisper, “Are his lips…" You can hear a pin drop in the kitchen as everyone watches me slowly moving my thumb across his full, luscious pout.

I now have his complete attention, as I hear his breath hitch and feel his hands tighten around my waist.

I turn and give a devious smile to everyone sitting around the table as I slowly get up from Leo's lap.

"And my favorite part about his lips?" I sass, "Is when they're all. Over. My. Body." I emphasize, turning and walking out of the kitchen, leaving everyone astonished with eyes bulging and jaws agape. 

As I make the corner out of the kitchen, I hear an eruption of cheers and the unmistakable sound of a chair squeaking in protest as it’s pushed across the laminate, followed by the back of it hitting the floor. 

Squealing through a giggle as Leo snatches me from behind and tosses me unceremoniously over his shoulder, he growls out a "naughty girl," and slaps my ass while he takes off at full speed to our room.

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