#definitely have to make less lentils and rice

[acti-veg]

I’ve been admiring the success of animal agriculture industry shills on this platform for a while now, so I’d like to share my own price list for any potential interested parties:

£5: I will pretend that I own a leather coat passed down in my family since WWI.

£12: I will forget that any other materials exist besides leather, wool and plastic. For an extra £2, I’ll also shame some poor people who can’t afford to buy animal fabrics in the process.

£15: I will (with a straight face) claim that I only eat cheeseburgers because some indigenous people have to hunt to survive. Alternatively, I can claim that food deserts are the reason I eat meat, despite me not living anywhere near one.

£20: I will weaponise whatever social justice issue is in vogue at the time. I can pretend I believe quinoa is picked by child slaves, vegans eating soy is responsible for deforestation, or that the mere suggestion that animals should have rights is racist or ableist. Enough people who also secretly feel bad about not being vegan will share it uncritically that it’ll drown out anyone offering a sensible rebuttal.

£30: While professing to be a leftist, I will abandon all of my existing anti-capitalist values as soon as animal agriculture is mentioned, and argue for a level of trust in corporate entities that would make a Republican blush. When questioned about this inconsistency, I’ll silence my critics up by asking them if they’ve ever worked on a farm. The fact that I haven’t either will hopefully never come up.

£50: I will make a series of claims about how vegans are destroying the environment. I will make sure these posts appear in the vegan tag, then react with shock and fury when vegans respond to it. I will not be asked for a source, but if I am, I will respond with a 1989 study published in Big Beef Magazine, while insisting on an impossible burden of proof for anyone trying to disprove my claims. No one will question this.

£100: I’ll pretend that I think that veganism is only for rich, white, able-bodied people. When people who don’t fit that stereotype tell me I’m erasing them, I will ignore and/or block them. I’ll have to also pretend that I think beef is less expensive than rice, beans or lentils. When someone calls me out on this, I’ll just move goal the goalposts and start ranting about how not everyone has time to cook. I’ll need another £5 to forget how to read every time someone quotes the Vegan Society definition at me.

Anyway please get back to me if you’re interested; we’ve started pretending fur is sustainable now too so I’ve got my eye on a humane (lmao) mink coat. Chat soon my problematic faves, as a huge lover of leather it would be a genuine pleasure to lick your boot.

[vegautistic]

I never posted when I was supposed to! I apologize, I just kinda needed a break from being online.

The benefit, though, is that I have a lot more to talk about in regards to chickpea tofu.

So, I’ve made two different kinds of tofu - I’ve made a chickpea tofu made in a similar way to traditonal soy tofu (twice!), and I’ve made a Burmese tofu using chickpea and lentil flour.

Chickpea tofu

I followed this video from Mary’s Test Kitchen (a vegan channel a definitely recommend!).

The first time I made this, I failed. It didn’t curdle properly. But I know where I went wrong - I didn’t blend the pulp finely enough, so the second time I made it, I blended it for longer, and it worked great! I had a kinda janky set up for resting the tofu, and so it still retained a good bit of moisture, but overall I was happy with the result.

I like making this tofu because not only do I get delicious tofu made from the chickpea protein, but I still have multiple byproducts to still use - chickpea whey, the chickpea pulp, and chickpea starch.

I had it with some teriyaki noodles I made, with some zucchini and mushrooms. So so good

Burmese tofu

This was made using a combination of chickpea and lentil flour, due to some awful “chickpea lentil rice” I had sitting at the back of my pantry. I thought I would make it into something potentially better, thus Burmese tofu. And oh man it was REALLY good.

I was afraid of it having too jiggly of a texture, so I cooked it down a bit more than other people did in their videos - until it was a thick paste. This resulted in a less jiggly but still soft and creamy tofu with a LOVELY flavor.

I had this for dinner last night. Coated it in a little potato starch, pan fried it, and lightly coated it in a little sauce I made. It was delicious, I’m so excited to have the rest! I only used one cup of the flour. And it made a good amount.

Will be making both again :D

[remembertoeat]

Lunch/Dinner Recipe: Burrata Stonefruit Salad

TIME: ★★★✰

PRICE: ★★★✰

EASE: ★★★✰

CLEANUP: ★★★✰

I first found this recipe when I was watching a video by Caroline Franco, who does a lot of Mediterranean recipes. I couldn't find a separate recipe written up for it, but this is her website!

I gave this recipe "my own flare," and by that I mean "used what I had on hand." It's fairly easy and quick to make, especially if you already have cooked lentils on hand. This definitely takes 20 minutes or less to make, and only takes about 5-10 minutes if you have cooked lentils on hand. Some of the ingredients can get a bit pricey, (burrata cheese, pistachios, off season stone fruit,) but buying one set of these ingredients gave me lunch for a whole week. Ingredients: 1. Leafy greens for your salad base 2. Stonefruit (peaches, plums, nectarines, etc. I used 1 nectarine, 1 plum, and a couple dried dates for this) 3. 1/2 cup of cooked lentils (I cooked up some green lentils.) 4. Pistachios 5. Burrata Cheese -Cook your lentils. I cooked mine in a rice maker with some chicken broth, but you could do veggie broth or water to make it meatless. -Grill or pan cook your stone fruit with a bit of olive oil and salt until it gets some color. I used my cast-iron pan but you could totally do this in a regular pan. The color might just be a little different.

-chop your pistachios -assemble ingredients into a salad!

You definitely don't need dressing for this, but if you chose to, I'd use something light and fruity.

I REALLY loved this salad and highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they might enjoy it!

[krenenbaker]

Recipes for Dove (and others, too)

This is a small selection of recipes that I put together for @dove-da-birb. They are some of the recipes that I and my family use, mainly vegetarian, but also with a few non-vegetarian options. I tend to adapt these a bit when I make them, usually adding more of the seasonings and aromatics, but the recipes are a good basis to build off of.

The recipes are from The Ultimate Vegetarian Cookbook, The Paleo Diabetes Diet Solution, and a couple websites (which I've linked).

Recipe Websites I Often Use

The 1940s Experiment - A website containing a variety of recipes from 1940s Wartime Britain. They can be a little hit-or-miss, but I linked a few of my favourites below. They're definitely rather British in nature, so may or may not appeal. Many of the recipes are wither vegetarian, or have a vegetarian option.

Just One Cookbook - A HUGE collection of Japanese recipes, from mains, to sides, to desserts, to a whole lot of other dishes. There are a lot of recipes that I've enjoyed from here!

Sides and Starches

Tattie Scones (Tippitiwychett) - I LOVE this recipe. It's just a really good starch to have with a meal!

Mock Black Pudding (The 1940s Experiement) - One of the many "mock" foods of the era, this is a fried, seasoned oat patty. It's nice with either veggies and a protein for dinner, or with eggs and tomatoes for a savoury breakfast.

Lemon Garlic Pasta (Pinch and Swirl) - Just a nice, simple pasta recipe. I generally add some spinach towards the end of the cooking process to wilt a little, and it's also really tasty if made (significantly) spicier. Roasting the garlic beforehand also adds another layer of richness to the dish, but it's not necessary.

Mains (Vegetarian)

Mushroom risotto (Recipe Tin Eats) - I posted about this the other day, but it's a really rather nice recipe if you enjoy risotto and/or mushrooms :)

Mock Goose (the 1940s Experiment) - Not goose, but a baked lentil dish! It's surprisingly nice, especially topped with cheese in the last few minutes of baking.

Mock Crab (The 1940s Experiment) - Again, not crab, but a cheesy scrambled egg dish. It's nice on toast as a quick lunch, with some fresh veg as a side. I would definitely recommend using less margarine/butter, as it can get a bit too oily otherwise.

Masoor Dahl (Choosing Chia) - This is an alright basis for this recipe, but I usually add about double the amount of seasoning (if not more). It's a quick recipe, though, so it's nice in that way.

Tofu Katsu Curry (Okonomi Kitchen) - I'm a HUGE fan of curries, especially Japanese curries. This recipe, with breaded tofu cutlets, is a nice recipe, and I often use it. I usually just make triangles, rather than the "cutlet" shape suggested on the website, and I also make "family style" curry (as in this recipe). (Also, Okonomi Kitchen is another website with a lot of good vegetarian/vegan dishes!)

Curried Squash Soup - I don't remember what this exact recipe is like, but you can alter the seasoning to suit your tastes ^w^ (Using frozen, cubed squash is a really good option here!)

Vegetarian Bolognese - You can use canned beans instead of dried, and though they won't have the bay leaf flavouring, it's a quicker way to make this sauce. I'd also recommend adding some heat, either with pepper flakes, fresh hot peppers, or canned chipotles.

Roasted Ratatouille - You can of course just use normal diced tomatoes for this. It won't have the same smokiness, but it's still just as good!

Mains (non-Vegetarian)

Greek-Style Turkey Burgers - My family makes these into meatballs, usually. They also need more seasoning than is called for in the recipe, by quite a bit. (Mint is also a nice addition to these!)

Baked Haddock with Peppers and Tomatoes - This recipe is more me just putting the concept in this collection, of white fish baked in a chunky tomato sauce. It's always just a nice, simple meal to have, especially with some rice or wild rice.

[oliver-backman]

The Hidden Gem of Nepal: A Trek to Khopra Ridge

If you’re looking for a trek that combines stunning mountain views, rich culture, and a peaceful atmosphere, the Khopra Ridge trek in Nepal might just be what you need. Less crowded than other well-known treks like the Annapurna Circuit, Khopra Ridge offers a chance to experience the Himalayas in all their glory, while soaking in the local culture and hospitality of the communities along the way. Here’s a look at this unforgettable journey.

The Journey to Khopra Ridge

The adventure begins in Nayapul, a lively town near Pokhara that serves as the starting point for many treks in the Annapurna region. From there, you’ll hike through small villages, lush forests, and terraced fields. The trek usually takes about 7 to 9 days to complete, and although it’s challenging, the paths are well-marked, making it accessible for most trekkers with a reasonable level of fitness.

As you make your way up, the landscape begins to shift. The air gets thinner, and the views of the snow-capped peaks become more dramatic. One of the best parts of the journey is the gradual change in surroundings, from the subtropical forests near the lower elevations to the alpine meadows closer to Khopra Ridge.

Local Culture Along the Trail

What sets Khopra Ridge apart is the opportunity to connect with local culture. The trek passes through villages that are home to the Gurung and Magar communities, both of whom are known for their warmth and hospitality. The local people still live in traditional stone houses and continue their farming and herding practices, offering trekkers a glimpse into their daily lives.

Along the way, you might have the chance to stop by local teahouses, where you can try some delicious homemade dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), a staple in Nepali cuisine. Don’t be surprised if the locals invite you to join them for a cup of tea and a chat about their lives and traditions—Nepali culture is known for its friendliness and sense of community.

Key Highlights: Views and Landmarks

One of the main reasons to trek to Khopra Ridge is the incredible view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. As you approach the ridge, the panorama unfolds in front of you—snow-capped peaks stretching across the horizon, with Machapuchare (Fishtail) and Dhaulagiri standing out in all their majesty. The viewpoint at Khopra Ridge is a photographer’s dream, offering one of the best vantage points in the region.

Another highlight of the trek is the sacred Khayer Lake, located just below Khopra Ridge. The lake is considered holy by the locals, and many pilgrims make the journey to its shores. The hike to the lake from Khopra Ridge is a bit more challenging, but the views are absolutely worth it. Surrounded by towering mountains, the serene lake is a peaceful and magical spot to relax and take it all in.

Why You Should Trek to Khopra Ridge

There are several reasons why Khopra Ridge should be on your trekking list. First and foremost, it’s an opportunity to get away from the crowds that fill more famous treks in Nepal. The tranquility of Khopra Ridge gives you the space to truly appreciate the natural beauty and cultural richness of the area.

Additionally, the trek offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. The landscape is constantly changing, from dense rhododendron forests to open meadows and alpine terrain, so there’s always something new to see. Plus, the warm hospitality from the locals makes every stop along the way feel like a special experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or someone looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, Khopra Ridge offers a little bit of everything—stunning views, cultural insights, and unforgettable memories. If you’re looking for a trekking experience that’s both challenging and rewarding, this hidden gem in the Annapurna region is definitely worth considering.

[bedekarhospital]

PCOD and PCOS: A Guide to Understanding, Managing, and Thriving

PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) can be overwhelming. While both involve ovarian cysts and hormonal imbalances, they differ in severity and impact. PCOD is generally considered a milder condition where ovarian cysts are present, but the symptoms are often less severe and more manageable. In contrast, PCOS is a more complex syndrome that involves irregular periods, infertility, and a higher risk of long-term health issues such as diabetes and heart disease, often requiring more comprehensive management. 

Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that disrupts the natural fertility cycle in women. It occurs when an ovary overproduces immature eggs, which accumulate and cause a hormonal imbalance. If conception becomes challenging, individuals can visit the renowned Bedekar Maternity Hospital in Thane for comprehensive treatment and effective solutions to address the issue. 

Common Signs and Symptoms of PCOD and PCOS 

● Irregular periods 

● Excess hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, and back ● Acne and oily skin 

● Weight gain or difficulty losing weight 

● Thinning hair on the scalp 

● Multiple cysts on the ovaries (visible via ultrasound) 

● Pelvic pain or discomfort 

● Infertility (more common in PCOS) 

How Diet Affects PCOD/PCOS 

One of the key factors in managing PCOD/PCOS is addressing insulin resistance, which is common in both conditions. Insulin is a hormone that helps convert sugar into energy, and when the body is resistant to it, it disrupts hormone balance and makes weight management more challenging. A well-balanced diet can help regulate blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance, and support overall hormone balance. By focusing on whole grains, lean proteins,

healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory foods, individuals with PCOD and PCOS can reduce symptoms such as acne, excessive hair growth, and inflammation while supporting long-term health. 

Recommended Foods for Your PCOD/PCOS Diet 

● Fruits: Berries, apples, citrus fruits 

● Vegetables: Leafy greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes 

● Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, oats 

● Lean proteins: Fish, poultry, beans, lentils 

● Healthy fats: Avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil 

Foods to Limit or Avoid with PCOD/PCOS 

● Refined sugars and sugary foods (candies, sugary drinks) 

● Processed foods (fast food, packaged snacks) 

● Refined carbohydrates (white bread, pasta) 

● Fried foods and trans fats 

● Dairy (for some, may worsen acne and inflammation) 

● High glycemic index foods (potatoes, sugary cereals) 

● Alcohol (can disrupt hormonal balance) 

Additional Lifestyle Changes to Consider 

Incorporating physical activity and stress management techniques are crucial for improving PCOD/PCOS symptoms. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing. Stress reduction practices like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can also help regulate hormones and boost overall well-being. 

Can you have a Healthy Pregnancy with PCOD/ PCOS? 

Currently, there is no definitive evidence that any specific treatment can prevent the development of PCOS, as the risk is largely influenced by genetic factors. However, preventing weight gain, particularly during adolescence and early adulthood, may help reduce the likelihood of developing PCOS symptoms. Despite this, there are various medical treatment options available, and one such option is seeking care at Bedekar Hospital, the best maternity hospital in Thane.

What are some misconceptions about PCOD/PCOS 

A common misconception about PCOD/PCOS is that it is caused by or linked to ovarian cysts. While the term 'cystic' is in the name, cysts are neither the cause nor a primary symptom of PCOD/PCOS. Another misconception is that women 

with PCOS cannot conceive. In reality, many women with PCOD/PCOS can become pregnant naturally, without medical intervention. For those facing fertility challenges, successful conception is often achievable with appropriate treatment. 

How to maintain mental health while managing PCOD/PCOS 

Managing PCOS can be emotionally challenging, but it’s essential to prioritize mental well-being. To keep your mental health intact, consider incorporating stress-reducing practices such as regular exercise, mindfulness, and meditation. Building a strong support network, seeking professional counseling if needed, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle can also help you cope with the emotional and psychological effects of PCOS. Additionally, you may approach the experienced gynecologists at Bedekar Hospital, the best maternity hospital, for expert support and guidance in managing your condition. 

The Key Fact 

Managing PCOS and PCOD can be difficult, but with a PCOS-friendly diet and lifestyle adjustments, you can alleviate symptoms and improve your mood. If your symptoms persist, it’s important to consult with a doctor to identify underlying causes and explore appropriate treatment options at the prominent Maternity hospital in thane “Bedekar Hospital”

[fuchsea]

my sister is also my best friend and bane of my existence hahaha, i also have a younger brother who is closer to my age and like we’re close yes but also he’s a straight tech bro who loves to argue for fun, so we don’t have a TON in common and we hang out less than i do with my sister. then again my sister and i are extremely codependent so i don’t do much without her.

yesss i love that movie so much! and yes my parents got married in a snowy cabin in the mountains on new year’s eve with chinese food :’) and then waited a month and a half to have their reception on valentine’s day bc they’re Extra.

i actually love to cook a lot so i have lots of recipes, but i do love like a penne alla vodka, or maybe just a homemade tomato sauce and dollops of ricotta. the other night i made a meat sauce and penne and then layered it with italian cheese in a casserole dish and topped with cheese and breadcrumbs before baking. that turned out pretty good! i also like making tomato sauce that has blended up carrots and spinach, still totally smooth and tastes a bit sweet. i love vegetables but sometimes i want them hidden lol. my mom and i also make a very simple beet sauce that’s super good. and ofc i love making a classic fettuccini alfredo aaannnyyytime of the year.

oooo i love being cozy too!! esp when u have a fireplace aaaaa. i do love soup, my mom makes soup every sunday and it’s always a different kind. my favourite is her savoury pumpkin soup topped with crème fraîche and toasted pumpkin seeds oh my god its incredible. last sunday she just made chicken noodle which is also very good.

those holidays sound super cool! festival of the lights sounds soo beautiful omg. what types of foods do u have during them? happy belated diwali! i miss home during my fav holidays too, i’m from a little forest town in the mountains so nowhere in the world will ever feel as cozy in the winter.

anything interesting on the agenda this week? i’m hoping we’ll go to this fancy hotel that has a huge christmas tree because that also makes me feel verrryyy festive! ❄️🌸

hellooo beloved 💙 sorry for the terribly late reply!

not ur brother getting the classic middle child treatment ah 😭😭 but yeah there's nothing that can match ur relationship with ur sister and especially as an elder sister, it's even more special when they come to u for things and share their life with u. it almost makes u feel special and trusted and i love that. what's the most favourite memory u have with ur sister? 👀

ur parents are so romantic and cute oh my god i love that for them 😭 like that is such a movie romance thing for them to get married in a snowy cabin with chinese food and then having a reception on valentine's 💙

stop those recipes sound SO good ahhh now i'm craving a good bowl of pasta all over again. i do love the penne alla vodka (but i make it without the vodka 😬) and i love love love pesto too. this one time a few months ago i made a pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes and baby mozzarella and it was truly so good! i love having veggies in my pasta so best believe i will be adding all the veggies possible to it! the sauce with carrots and spinach sounds very delicious i want to try it now. my mum makes this dal (lentil soup that we have with rice) with spinach in it and it's my absolute favourite thing in the world.

i have not yet lived in a place with a fireplace but definitely yes! the best vibes ever ever. ur mom definitely makes the best soups ever those recipes all sound so so good 😭

we make loads of sweets and snacks for diwali! my favourites are : chakli (it's rice flour + gram flour + spices fried into a spiral shape) and holige (it's basically wheat flour tortilla (or have u heard about naan?) stuffed with a mixture of boiled chickpea and jaggery). my mum makes loads of other things too but these are my most favourite during diwali!

during ganesh chathurthi the most traditional sweet is called modak which is basically a dumpling with grated cocunut and sugar syrup filling. it comes both steamed and fried and i love love love it!

ooh i love forest towns! they have such a mystic and serene air to them and they get so cosy during the winters 🥺

i just had a christmas party yesterday and i won a bunch of prizes so i'm very pleased with that! this weekend i might go get some shopping done and look at the christmas decorations across the city! please do let me know if u go see the christmas tree! when do ur christmas holidays begin and are u excited to relax for a bit?

[40sandfabulousaf]

大家好! I've tried and loved Anta's sports bras, shorts, gym tights, shoes, tees, backpacks, sling bags and caps. In a previous post, I said I would try their socks. Imagine my excitement when my order arrived! Numerous Olympics medals have been won by athletes wearing this brand, so it's definitely high quality. I haven't worn them yet, they have to be washed and dried, but I'll test them out soon. The fabric feels thick and durable, the elastic strong. I'm quietly confident that I'll like them as much as I've liked all my Anta buys so far!

It's been some months since Mummy had lunch at the swimming club, so I took her there. She ordered Hokkien mee (stirfried egg noodles and vermicelli in prawn broth with prawns, squid, pork and egg), I had the salmon rice bowl. The meal came with crunchy cucumbers, sweet corn, broccoli, onsen tamago and a thick slice of salmon. Unfortunately, there was too much mentaiko sauce. This is partly made up of mayo so it was rather gloopy. Apart from that, the salmon was moist and tender and the veggies were fresh. I slurped up the onsen tamago at once; it was too good to break apart and mixed into the rice! Except for the gloopy mentaiko, this was delicious; I'll return to savour their other menu items.

The rainy season is here, along with downpours and cloudy skies. I craved soup, so SC, ML, MI and I returned to the stall which sells delicious red garoupa soup. As I slurped down springy thick bee hoon (vermicelli), sank my teeth into tender fresh fish and sipped piping hot broth, my thoughts returned to Gaza. It's winter there; their storms and strong winds seem worse than ours. Do Palestinians have enough hot meals to keep them warm? It can get chilly in Singapore right now, but we're sheltered in buildings; they live in flimsy tents. Thankfully, besides my country, other nations are chipping in to help. Meanwhile, American funding for UNRWA remains suspended.

I'll share my weekly simple breakfasts out of compassion for Palestinians in Gaza more often because Israel's genocide in the war-torn strip seems to be worsening. Innocent civilians barely have enough to eat and those who're in northern Gaza are experiencing severe famine. How so many of them can still smile warmly at the world in their videos, I don't know, but their spirit and determination to survive is amazing. As my stomach growls louder and louder after eating these weekly simple breakfasts until it is time for lunch, I'm reminded of how terrible Palestinians' hunger is. I feel so sorry for them and pray that their suffering will end soon.

In the next post, I'll share how I make a quick and easy lei cha (ground tea rice) at home using canned vegetables, lentils and tau kwa (firm tofu) without the gross soup. This meal is high in protein and fibre and because lentils contain starch, they're a quality form of carbohydrates. There's no cooking involved, i.e. you save on gas or electricity costs. It's also low in saturated fat. The bonus: it takes less than 10 minutes. Year end closings are extremely busy for companies and I'm not spared from this hectic pace. When I'm extremely tired and don't feel like cooking, this is my go-to for a quick and easy moderately healthy meal. If you're also looking for ways to prepare dinner in a jiffy, I hope it helps you. 下次见!

[pasanglsherpa]

Gokyo Trek

The Gokyo Trek is a great trekking trip that offers tranquil alpine lakes, stunning mountain views, and a taste of Himalayan culture. It's definitely an excursion not to be missed. This journey, which is situated in Nepal's Everest region, provides an amazing diversion from the more popular Everest Base Camp route. Everything you need to know about the Gokyo Trek is provided here, including tips on how to be ready for this amazing adventure and what to anticipate.

The Gokyo Trek: Why? 1. Magnificent Landscape Reknowned for its breathtaking natural splendor is the Gokyo Trek. Trekking through the heart of the Everest region, you'll be able to see some of the highest peaks in the world, including Makalu, Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse. The trek's high point is the group of immaculate, blue lakes at Gokyo, which are surrounded by massive, snow-capped mountains. This hike is a photographer's dream come true because of the amazing landscapes.

2. The Three High Passes and Gokyo Ri The climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 meters or 17,575 feet), a viewpoint with an unmatched vista of the Everest mountain, is one of the trek's most satisfying experiences. The hike also gives you the chance to prolong your adventure by crossing the Three High Passes (Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La). This demanding but worthwhile circuit offers a variety of views across the Everest region.

3. Less Congested The Gokyo Trek is sometimes less congested than the Everest Base Camp trek. This makes it possible for hikers to have a more peaceful experience and establish deeper connections with the area's pristine natural environment and indigenous culture.

4. Interactions Across Cultures You will pass through traditional Sherpa villages along the way, where you may see historic monasteries, learn about local customs, and enjoy the friendly hospitality of the Sherpa people. Your trekking trip will take on a whole new dimension because of these settlements' rich cultural heritage.

Organizing Your Expedition 1. The Ideal Time to Hike The pre-monsoon months of March through May and the post-monsoon months of September through November are the ideal times to complete the Gokyo Trek. The best views of the mountains are available during these months because of the generally calm weather and bright skies. Trekking is not recommended during the monsoon season (June to August) because of the torrential rains that are brought on by it, and during the winter (December to February) because of the intense cold.

2. Licenses and Rules You'll require two primary permits in order to trek in the Everest region:

Trekking in the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park requires a Sagarmatha National Park Permit. The Nepal Tourism Board issues TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) cards, which can also be obtained through accredited trekking companies. Trekking agencies or Kathmandu are the places to get these permits. You will need to carry both permits on your walk because they will be inspected at several locations along the way.

3. Lodging and Dining On the Gokyo Trek, lodging is usually offered at teahouses or lodges along the trail. These provide modestly priced, cozy accommodations with the necessities. In addition to more international alternatives, the teahouses typically provide robust and nourishing meals like dal bhat, or lentil soup and rice, which is a traditional dish from Nepal.

4. Safety and Acclimatization Because of the high altitude of the trek, adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness. It's critical to maintain hydration, climb gradually, and take rest days as needed. The schedule for the trek is typically created to allow for acclimatization, but pay attention to your body and be ready to modify your plans if needed.

Trek's Top Points: 1. Gokyo Lakes The focal point of the walk is the Gokyo Lakes. Towering peaks provide a dramatic backdrop for these five glacial lakes, which have blue-green tints. The lakes offer a calm and beautiful environment for rest and contemplation, and they are sacred to the Sherpa people who live nearby.

2. Gokyo Ri One of the trek's highlights is the ascent to Gokyo Ri. You will be rewarded with expansive views of the Gokyo Lakes below as well as Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu from the top. Gokyo Ri offers an especially breathtaking view of the morning, when the first light illuminates the Himalayan peaks in a golden glow.

3. La Passe Renjo Should you decide to prolong your journey across the Three High Passes, Renjo La Pass (17,674 feet, or 5,388 meters) provides amazing views of the Everest region and neighboring peaks. For those that conquer it, the pass offers a sense of accomplishment and is renowned for its secluded beauty.

4. Villages of Sherpas You pass through various Sherpa settlements on the walk, including as Machhermo and Phortse. These communities, with their unique architecture and religious customs, provide glimpses into Sherpa traditional life. Trekking with the Sherpas and visiting local monasteries adds to the trek's rich cultural experience.

Last Words The Gokyo Trek is an amazing journey that blends breathtaking scenery, difficult tasks at high altitudes, and fascinating cultural encounters. This walk offers a gratifying and unforgettable experience, whether you're exploring the serene Gokyo Lakes, taking in the breathtaking views from Gokyo Ri, or getting a taste of the colorful Sherpa culture.

Get ready for an experience that will put your stamina to the test, awe you with its scenery, and provide quiet moments for introspection. Prepare for a trek across one of the most gorgeous areas on Earth by putting on your hiking boots, packing your luggage, and getting ready.

Happy hiking!

[laurkamkitchen]

Yet another dinner I chose as an attempt to use up some lingering pantry ingredients — lentils, spelt tortillas, cauliflower rice, and chipotle paste (which I used in lieu of the powder).

I made roughly a third of this using 2 tortillas and serving with some pico de gallo. I didn't have nearly as much frozen cauliflower rice left as this called for, but just went with what I did have.

Ultimately, this made wayyyy too much on the lentils front. I definitely could have used less lentils and more tortillas. In terms of taste, I really wasn't that impressed; this was overall just okay and not something I'd really be keen to return to.

[ms-demeanor]

So the naan recipe i linked above is much better for naan than the yogurt flatbread was; it rose more and had a more bread-like texture and flavor even if it didn't act just like naan.

Okay so the original post of that yogurt flatbread says to use just one part flour and one part water and fry, that's it.

The next person who reblogged it said to use self-rising flour, whole milk greek yogurt and a pinch of salt. It was someone else in the thread who said it was a weight ratio, not a volume ratio. And I think it was someone else in the thread who mentioned rolling it out with oil and using the oil to cook it in the pan.

What I ended up doing was trying to stick close to the original two ingredients as possible; I made the first very small batch with greek yogurt and all-purpose flour, rolled it in oil and fried it. I didn't measure the flour or yogurt, just mixed until it had formed a ball that was just leaving the sides of the bowl - standard flatbread dough, definitely less yogurt than flour by volume. I kneaded it to make sure that all of the flour was incorporated (I was really trying hard not to add too much yogurt so there was some loose flour/crumbs of dough in the bottom of my bowl when I turned it out to knead).

These fried up in a way that looks somewhat like my 'naan' above, but it was whiter in the un-burned parts and less crispy in the browned bits.

This first attempt was very flavorless except for a strong taste of yogurt. I tried it with garlic butter, vinegar, and soup. I ate one of three pieces of this that I made.

The next small batch was the same except that I added a hefty pinch of salt. There was a perceptible improvement with the salt, but it was minor and I still couldn't get past the yogurt taste. Maybe it works better with wheat flour than rice flour because wheat has a stronger flavor or something, but this still just didn't taste like much other than salted yogurt. I again tried it with garlic butter, vinegar, and soup. It just wasn't very good. It was bland and yogurty and (because of the gfree flour and possibly the density of the yogurt as a binder) it didn't absorb much of the liquid I was testing it with. I ate one piece and one bite of this and decided that nope, fuck it, I wasn't eating this anymore.

Now. Okay.

So the naan I linked up there requires having a few more ingredients onhand and the ability to plan for at least an hour/hour and a half to let the dough rise, but it tastes MUCH more like bread and other than that hour is juuuuust about as easy as the yogurt bread to make. You make both of them in a very hot skillet and cook them for a short period until you get browned spots on either side.

If you want to try something else that has fewer ingredients but needs more time to plan ahead and requires a blender, @shieldfoss shared a recipe from Food Wishes with me earlier this year that I thought was quite good and have made a few times since - its ingredients are lentils, water, and salt. You soak the lentils in water, blitz in the blender until it's a thick batter, then fry like pancakes. This is very good, gluten free, and quite easy but you need to know ahead of time to soak the lentils, so this doesn't come together fast. But if you've done the prep and soaked it, it takes no time at all to fry up the flatbread.

There are a couple more naan recipes I want to try, one of which calls for an egg and that I'm hopeful will work better with g-free flour because of the extra protein from the egg.

Thankfully the yogurt bread is easy to make and fairly inexpensive in terms of ingredients, so by all means try it. But it is very dissimilar to naan, even in terms of how weird gluten free breads are in the first place. If you've got yeast and time, even if it isn't going to turn out like proper naan, then the recipe i linked above is a much better approximation than the yogurt flatbread. (that recipe made six pieces, it has been less than 24 hours, and I have eaten 4 of them. It isn't the light bubbly stretchy stuff I remember from before I got my diagnosis but it tastes good and does have a nice-ish stretch, though it is a bit chewy.)

Okay so I don't want to respond directly to the post because it seems like it wouldn't be polite, but that recipe for 1:1 yogurt/flour fry bread that's floating around is. Well. I'm not going to say it's bad, and I'm sure some people will like it, but it tastes overwhelmingly of yogurt and you *have* to add salt and even then it still tastes like yogurt.

Also someone on that post was like "is this Naan? This is naan! I didn't know naan was so easy to make" and that's because it's not. Naan requires yeast and butter and salt and does include some yogurt but it's like one part yogurt four parts flour, not 1:1.

Anyway. I made it and I found it so unpleasant that I threw out more than half the dough. It didn't taste good with garlic butter, it didn't taste good with vinegar, it didn't taste good with the lentil soup I made it to pair with.

There are some decent simple flatbread/fry bread recipes out there but "mix one part yogurt and one part flour then fry and dip in vinegar" is not one that worked for me personally. And if you're going to try it, please please please add salt.

[luciusaelius]

Memories

a kiss could be a powerful connection

Happy Valentine!

this is a Valentine gift in Minekura's Valentine gift exchange.

Dear Crowoxy, I hope you like this story as much as I liked writing it!

This large Saiyuki fan group acts positively on me as a real sanzogroupfamily and I was glad to have this occasion even if I was really afraid at the beginning for I never made a Valentine’s gift like this. Love from Luciusaelius

Also special thanks and happy birthday to Alex.

hope you all enjoy it!

MEMORIES

1. Family dinner

Gojyo finished his cigarette and pushed the stub on the grey stone jamb.

"Where the fuck have those two gone?"

He cast a glance at the set table where a tray filled with meatballs lay waiting for Goku. They smelled wonderful, but he would not pay Hakkai any compliment. He peeked under a covered pot and a delicious smell came up from there too.

Hakkai was bustling about in the small kitchen moving an amazing number of courses to the dining room - definitely out of proportion for any normal family's dinner.

The crew had asked for lodging in town but the rooms of the only inn were sold out; the owner had proposed that they stay in his small country house, next to the oak forest where he used to chop wood.

'This place is not so bad', thought Gojyo; he was just annoyed by the fact that the two nice girls at the reception would not be at hand.

There was some peace there and in case of an attack the fight would be less dangerous and harmful than it would have been in the middle of a town. He could still go back and stroll around after dinner to check what was in the air.

He looked at the table again, then through the large window toward the trees, whose leaves were passing from bright green to dark violet as the light changed soon after sunset.

A memory from long ago punched his chest: he used to live with Hakkai at  the time. He had come back late - he had spent the night fooling around and drinking hard. When he got in he saw all the nice food Hakkai had prepared for dinner still on the table. Hakkai had covered everything with cellophane not knowing at what time he would come back.

Hakkai was like that. He would never complain, like a silent guest. This made him angry: he'd have rather been mistreated, to have an excuse to tell him something hideous, and he was sure anyway that it wouldn't had worked and he would have felt even more guilty.

He took a serving spoon, determined to taste that tempting mush of lentils and curry in which chops of pork meat happily floated; it was calling him like a witch’s potion; but as soon as he raised the pot lid, trying carefully without succeeding not to make any noise, he was reached by Hakkai's voice as he came out of the kitchen with another large tray.

"Put down that spoon, guy. We should wait for the others"

The same old tone, apparently kind, imperative in substance.

He huffed, annoyed.

"Who knows where the fuck those two are right now. Sanzo was looking for a pack of cigarettes, but if Goku catches the scent of food from restaurants downtown he will never come back until his stomach is full. Meanwhile here our food is getting cold!"

Hakkai began to laugh.

"Don't worry: Sanzo will keep him in line. I've been cooking enough for an army and that should be enough to feed even Goku"

"Ok, ok"

Gojyo lifted both hands in a sign of surrender; he turned the spoon between his fingers like a skilled card player would do with an ace and put it back upon the table.

Hakkai was a bit surprised that he didn’t insist; he smiled at him. He went into the kitchen again and came back with another dish, an enormous one piled with reddish rice balls on top of a multicolour spread of tempura vegetables.

"These rice balls are made in the style of the far west lands, I learnt the recipe in a correspondence course. Would you like to try one?" he asked, kindly.

"Is it worth creating works of art that will last only for a few seconds?" asked Gojyo, raising his eyebrows. Colors and geometric shapes made the tray a joy to behold.

"Is it a waste of time going to look at the cherry blossoms?" said Hakkai, squinting as a smile curved his lips.

2. A shot

While he was leaning on the table to put the new course down a bullet pierced the window glass. Hakkai got out of the way just in time. He dropped the tray and ran together with Gojyo to escape from other hits and to check outside. Goijo had got out his blades.

There were just three rough Yokais in front of them, badly armed but determined: it was a matter of seconds to get rid of them. They had expected a quiet human family preparing for dinner and not someone who would fight back.

"I guess they saw the smoke of the chimney and came by looking for prey; they were not aiming at Sanzo's group, let alone the sutra. They just wanted us for dinner."

"What a hassle" added Gojyo, and lit another cigarette, moving outside just to check if  there were really only three.

He turned inside. Hakkai was cleaning up; fortunately only some of the rice balls had rolled on the table when he had dropped the plate.

Hakkai was so immersed in the task that he didn't even notice that he had been slightly hit.

His green headband was soaked with blood that dripped through onto his cheek.

"Hey man, wait a minute or you'll transform that white cloth into a polka-dot one"

"Oh, it's nothing serious" answered Hakkai bringing his hand to his temple. "Yes, now I see I stained the tablecloth" he added, frowning.

Gojyo put out the cigarette, took a clean towel and approached him to clean away blood and check the wound. "Yes, of course. Nothing", he mumbled. He did not trust Hakkai: when he talked about his health he had a tendency to underestimate the severity.

Hakkai blocked his wrist. Gojyo had the feeling he didn't want him to get nearer. He looked into his eyes.

Gojyo had a worried look on his face and behind, hidden in the dark of the pupil there was still the anxiety of a frightened child. In the days when he had found him and cured him, every now and then that look emerged but he was quick to hide it behind his sarcastic jokes.

Hakkai was annoyed about the wound made by three stupid hungry Yokais and he would not take any ironic comment at that very moment. He maintained the grip. Gojyo's lips were near, and to provoke him he rested his lips on his.

Gojyo jumped back.

"What the hell!"

Hakkai flashed an embarassed smile.

"Sorry, I.." he raised his right hand hiding his look. "please give me a cigarette"

Gojyo searched for his packet. He was annoyed for he felt something had turned on at that touch; he would have wanted to punch him in the face. He went toward him, slammed the packet on the table and caught a glove in Hakkai's left eye. Gojyo took his face with both hands and kissed him, at first angrily, with a demonstrative rage that passed into a physical involvement.

When he detatched from him, Hakkai stared. His dialectic skills had abandoned him. He felt his heart beating in his temple while a first blurred, then increasingly clear image composed itself in his head.

"Here, when you decide to do something, do it properly, at least"

said Gojyo responding to the look.

He took the packet back and passed him a cigarette; he took another one and lit it, then passed him the lighter.

"Gojyo"

"Hm?"

"I've remembered something.."

"What a serious tone! did you forget something in the oven and burned it?"

Gojyo let out a wisp of smoke and stared defiantly at him with the cigarette between his lips. After a few seconds he opened his eyes wide, and the lit cigarette almost didn't roll onto his shirt.

Hakkai continued. His look had changed; it had become harder.

"It happened to you too...didn't it, Kenren?"

"Field marshall!" Gojyo dropped on a chair "I think I need a drink. Something strong"

Hakkai laid down two cups, poured sake for himself as well, and lit the cigarette. His hand trembled slightly.

They plunged into silence separated by two thin threads of smoke.

The others came back after a few minutes. Goku had a large packet in his arms; it smelled like chocolate and fresh bread. Hakuryu hovered on his shoulder smelling it.

"Why did it take you so long?" asked Hakkai

"The ravenous monkey's fault?" added Gojyo.

"He wanted to eat and I prevented him. I told him you were making dinner especially for him. " said Sanzo addressing Hakkai. "So he grabbed half of the desserts on display in the bakery and ate more than half of those on his way here"

Hakkai laughed.

"Will he have enough room left in his stomach for the dinner?"

 "I'm staaaarving" screamed Goku.

"Do you have any doubts? I don't think he will leave us any leftovers for tomorrow" said Gojyo.

"Who are those lying out there?" asked Sanzo.

"Three louts who wanted us for dinner" replied Gojyo.

"Hm," commented Sanzo. "On their plates, I guess. Yokai won't get off their backs here either"

“we weren’t expecting any attack and could not feel them coming near” added Hakkai.

"Hakkai! the smell is spectacular. Let's eat huh? let's eat? Enjoooy!" Goku had dumped the bag in Hakkai's arms and started uncovering platters and tureens.

"Wait for the others, you idiot monkey. I had to wait a century for you to come back"

"Hurry up, rather, you retarded kappa, or else you'll complain to me if I then eat more meatballs than you"

Sanzo peered at Hakkai. His eyes were curiously shiny and alive, as if he had a fever, and he had a wound on his left temple.

"What happened? Have you been trying to gamble with your good eye?"

"Nothing serious, rather we will have to reimburse the damage they did to the window and wall."

"Right then. I'll go back to the owner later so we can pay him, tell him to dispose of these bodies and we'll leave directly without going through the village. These people out here won't go back to their cronies and maybe someone else might come looking for them. At this point it is better to leave as soon as possible, tonight or tomorrow at dawn. What time did this happen?"

"Just twenty minutes before you arrived"

Sanzo mulled over the fact that he had had a curious sense of estrangement half an hour before arriving at the oak wood, as if he did not recognize the place where he was; it happened while he was dragging Goku away from the bakery; he had attributed it to hunger and fatigue and had not given it too much thought. Out of the corner of his eye he had seen Goku looking repeatedly at his wrists.

Dinner was as expected. Hakkai passed bits of meat to Hakuryu. Goku busied himself cleaning up the tureen before moving back to the desserts, grabbing a colorful cookie that Hakuryu sniffed diffidently. Hakkai poured sake again and Gojyo pulled his cup next to him, taking the opportunity to peer at him as he filled it. His hunger had passed and he had no desire to argue with Goku.

Sanzo noticed this and it seemed strange to him. He got up from the table and lit a cigarette while Goku  moved on to the candied fruit.

"You go and pay the lodging guy. Remember to tell him we need a mortician," he said; he grabbed the newspaper and plopped down on a couch near the fireplace.

"I'll dematerialize them if you wish" Hakkai said.

"No, you look pretty tired already and it's better if they realize in the village themselves where they might end up as game. Sometimes if they don't get scared they don't realize how close the problem can get."

"Hakkai?" asked Gojyo, nodding toward the door. "Let's go ourselves. Goku is still stuffing his face and when I go out with him women tend to think he's my son. If it suits me I'll stay in the village and see you all in the morning"

"Do whatever the hell you want but mind if you come back late we’ll leave you here" said Sanzo, uttering a quick farewell while casting a glance from under his glasses at Goku who continued to rummage through the bag of sweets.

3. Memoirs expand

They reached the town walls by jeep. After a band of vegetable gardens and shacks, the urban fabric became more compact. Winery signs lit by torches swayed in the wind, casting strange glows. They parked a few steps from the inn; they paid and told the keeper about the assault. They went out, closing the door behind them. The wind had risen up.

"The poor guy got so scared that he didn't even want to get his window glass refunded" Hakkai said. "I don't know if he's going to go back to chop wood over there. But at least he promised to send someone in the morning to remove the corpses" They walked toward the walls even though neither of them felt like going right back.

"Shouldn't we tell them? The facts we remembered involve them too"

Gojyo did not respond; he stopped and lit a cigarette, sheltering it from the wind with his hand. The wind increased again so much that they struggled to walk. They took shelter in an alley. Gojyo put Hakkai with his back against the wall and kissed him without any preamble. Hakkai stared at him bashfully.

 "I just wanted to see if I could remember anything else"

"I know that you like women, you don't need to justify yourself to me" Hakkai answered.

 Gojyo smiled.

"OK, you are the exception. I mean, I don't mind kissing you, at least. For now, though, I don't want to have any further experiences. Can we stay friends?"

Hakkai laughed.

"All right, I'll buy you a drink without asking for a room"

"The girls at the counter were two: we can go up together if you want" Hakkai shook his head."Together in separate rooms?" Gojyo added.

"No, I'd rather go back to the base."

"You're boring, mate, you know?" he crossed his arms. "Please don't tell them about what we remembered without me"

Sanzo took off his glasses and laid the newspaper beside him; he stood up and lit a cigarette. Had he closed his eyes while reading? Perhaps fatigue had caused him to lose consciousness for a moment and he had fallen asleep. The vivid dream he had had, however, made his heart hammer in his chest. Goku came out of the bedroom, approached him and looked at him bewildered. "Konzen" he said. He grabbed his sleeve and began to cry.

"Stop it, Goku, get it over with"

Sanzo wondered what was going on. Goku had called him Konzen. So it was not a dream They had had the same vision and in the vision his name was Konzen. Goku threw himself at his knees.

"Get up, you fool"

"Konzen. Konzen. Konzen."

"Shut up, cut it out if you don't want a bump on the head. You're not a kid anymore"

He had him pulled up holding him by the scruff of his neck but he was moved too. After a moment's hesitation he hugged him to calm him down.

“Why did this come back to us, why so suddenly?” he asked himself without saying a word. Instinctively he touched his chest where the door had squeezed him until it took his breath away, until he had vanished in a golden haze.

He remembered the pain he had felt looking into Goku’s eyes, a golden flash and utter black, soon after.

Hakkai and Gojyo re-entered the inn. The innkeeper looked at them worriedly.

"Quiet, no bad Yokais. There’s just a cursed wind outside” said Gojyo.

“would you kindly bring us a bottle?" added Hakkai.

They chose a table in the least rowdy spot. The sake bottle arrived along with two small cups decorated with leaves. Hakkai filled them both. They downed them at the same time. "We must tell the others" said Hakkai after a while.

 "Tell what? about the Celestial Kingdom? About how they took us out? Sanzo will think we've gone crazy"

"It concerns them too"

"There’s also the fact that it's not a good memory. It's painful. Maybe we can spare them that, what would change anyway?"

A man dressed in white, his hood pulled down over his shaggy hair, approached. Without waiting for an invitation he grabbed a chair and sat at their table.

"you two were kissing"

Hakkai and Gojyo looked at each other puzzled.

"What?" they replied in chorus. They were uncertain of what to say; he looked strangely familiar.

“That would be none of your business, anyway” Gojyo added.

The stranger continued, with his deep voice.

"I'm not sure I can turn into a jeep again. Buy me something to drink in the meantime" "what the hell..." said Gojyo.

The two stared at him in disbelief as the memory became clearer.

"Commander" said Hakkai.

"Shall we walk back home?" suggested Gojyo.

"That would be better. The place where you parked me was damn cold; I tried to transform into my usual small dragon form to move and saw you in the alley. When it happened I found myself in the shape you see here"

"And remembered who you were" said Hakkai.

Goujun downed his sake and nodded.

4. A pending promise

They knocked and opened the door. Goku started shouting and Sanzo could not stop him: the room echoed with ‘Tenpou chan, Ken-niichan, Tenpou-chan, Ken-niichan...’. His calls resounded like a mantra from wall to wall.

"You guys kissed, huh, you and the brat?" Gojyo asked Sanzo with a raised eyebrow.

 Sanzo stared at him puzzled.

"You remembered too" Hakkai said with an uncertain smile.He was relieved to no longer have to wonder whether to tell him or not.

Sanzo's gaze was fixed, as if he was chasing a memory that was not yet complete and comprehensible. He came back to life frowning when he saw Goujun behind the two.

"And where does that one come out of?"

"Sorry. I'm not sure I can turn into a jeep again" said Goujun.

Sanzo crossed his arms.

"Well, dragon, you better get busy because I'm not going to go deal with a car-seller, much less continue the journey on foot" Sanzo turned to Hakkai. "How would you explain this?"

"Um, an energy discharge? We - Gojyo and I - had a vision just before the attack... then again just a few minutes ago" Hakkai said.

Sanzo noticed the slight blush that had appeared on his face but asked no further questions. Gojyo lit a cigarette pretending indifference while staring at the dark trees beyond the window. Goujun shook his head.

Sanzo realised the strange feeling of deja-vu had started when he had taken Goku by the hand to drag him out of the bakery.

Goku was jumping and running from one side of the house to the other.

"If you go on like that you'll soon run out of fuel and the pantry thanks to you is empty already" Gojyo shouted at him, showing him a paper bag where only crumbs were left.

"We have to reach the hills we have seen from the highest part of town. It is the flowering season. You promised"

"What hills, you fool: have you forgotten that we have urgent work to do in the west?"

"It's April, we just need one day off. Just one. It is you that have forgotten. You promised it. You all promised".

They felt they somewhat needed a bit of time to cope with that memories and agreed to detour, just for one day. They asked around and were told that what Goku had seen in the distance was actually a sheltered hillside at the foot of the mountains, not far away, where plum and cherry trees grew.

Cherry trees were in full bloom. In a few days the petals would begin to fall, one after another. They ignored what else to expect in that life. They did not remember everything of the past, only random precise scenes and feelings. But they all felt it was right to keep that promise. A silent way to claim they were still togheter, despite everything.

Goku had fallen asleep on the bright green grass, his head on Sanzo's lap. Sanzo smoked while looking at the clouds of flowers that filled the sky with white and pink.

Gojyo was drinking sake sitting on a branch; he had asked Goujun to join him but he had replied that since that certain day he could not stand heights in that apterous form; he leaned against the trunk slowly sipping from his small cup.

"it's true. These are much more beautiful," Sanzo said, breaking the silence.

Gojyo jumped down. He had seen a shadow pass over Hakkai's face. "Well, what's with this funeral face? You used to like cherry blossoms"

"We left the heavenly realm on a heavy charge"

"And for a good cause, right?" Gojyo added.

Goujun sat down on the grass, wrapped his cloak upon his shoulders and looked at them.

"When you disappeared, the cherry trees up there suddenly lost their flowers and leaves. The memoirs I wrote and my witness rehabilitated you. Your choice was a brave one. Perhaps you’ll come out of the cycle of rebirths one day. And hopefully I will come out too. I'm pretty tired of carting you around"

Before long they all fell asleep, perhaps from sake or the early spring sun.

"It's not still time you thugs. We'll talk about it in a while" yawned Kanzeon Bosatsu; white petals falling and dancing through her silvery haze path."I enjoyed that spicy spark, anyway" she added looking at Hakkai with a sly grin.

They woke up covered in petals; Hakuryu laid curled in the grass at the bottom of a giant cherry tree. The only thing they remembered was that they had changed their route because Goku had strangely insisted on seeing the cherry trees blossom.

[infamousbrad]

Brad's Food Pellets: the HDR?

Statement of the Problem: C-PTSD and Orthorexia

Most Recent Experiment: Military-surplus Humanitarian Daily Ration packets?

I have recurring bouts of pervasive anhedonia, probably related to C-PTSD and definitely made worse by the texture sensitivity of my autism-spectrum disorder. One of the major impacts of this on my life is that I have severe difficulty staying fed: I have days, sometimes multiple in a row, where the thought of eating anything makes me gag. Eventually, when I'm on the point of collapse, I'll choke down some of the fattiest, most sugar-sweetened food there is just to keep from getting falling over or passing out, if that's all I can stomach. But that ends up making things worse, because it's not satisfying and it's even more depressing.

This has been made worse in recent years by seemingly non-stop pressure to lose weight, despite the absence of any scientifically demonstrable way for me to do so. In the last year or so, this has manifested as what I recognize to be the symptoms of orthorexia, food-avoidant behavior driven not by desire to get thin but by fear of "eating something that's wrong."

One way that I've been trying to manage this is by experimenting with what one of my closest friends calls "Brad's food pellets." These are food solutions that are as nutritious as I can make them while meeting several criteria: high shelf stability, low price, and perhaps most importantly, lowest possible prep time, cooking time, and cleanup time. If food's going to be gross no matter what I do, I need to at least get it over with quickly.

I found out via a Reddit blog post that there is a now 20+ year old collaboration between the big-three military-ration companies, at least three US government agencies, and at least two big disaster relief charities to continuously improve something called the Humanitarian Daily Ration: a salmon-pink nigh-indestructible self-padded heavy Tyvek envelope containing 2200 calories' worth of vegetarian, kosher, halal, nutritious, varied food that can, if necessary, be eaten with no additional preparation, for a maximum of $5 per day.

The collaboration hasn't settled on "good enough" and based on user feedback, they've revised the menu at least three times that I can find evidence of, not counting the one that's in progress right now. Because there's a new 2023 formulation (more infant-friendly food in every packet, substitution of sesame for peanuts), huge stocks of the 2011?-2022 formulation are being dumped onto the military surplus market right now. The State Department, the Army, FEMA, the Red Cross, and the UN High Council for Refugees are rushing to stock up on the 2023 formulation as fast as the big-three "MRE" companies can make them.

So it's trivially easy, if you search online, to find multiple vendors offering to ship a crate of ten 2022-model HDRs for $50 or less, including shipping, even though they're explicitly not intended for general civilian use. I decided to see if these would make acceptable "food pellets" and ordered what turned out to be "menu B," the one that primarily comes from the vendor Sopakco. Which crate you get is deliberately random, they're not labeled on the outside, and online reviews suggest that "crate B" is the worst of the three, so this makes a good worst-case experiment. It came with:

10 packets of unfrosted brown sugar Pop-Tarts, two per packet

10 peanut butter packets and 10 strawberry jam packets (bread not included)

16 packets of ultra-concentrated mildly-spicy tomato soup in three different flavors: lentils with rice, black eyed peas with rice, and lentils with potatoes and mixed vegetables (or as I said after adding the red and black pepper, "three different flavors of vegetarian chili")

4 packets of ultra-concentrated mild yellow curry with rice & lentils

10 packets of large saltine crackers flavored with powdered mixed vegetables, two per packet

10 large shortbread cookies

10 large cinnamon-oatmeal cookies

20 ingredient lists printed on heavy card-stock, and

10 "accessory" packs, each of which contains one plastic spoon, one napkin, one wet-wipe, one salt packet, one ground black pepper packet, one large red-pepper flake packet, two sugar packets, and a pack of paper safety matches.

Yes, the breakfast and both deserts are identical every day and, frankly, not great. The cookies and the Pop-Tarts are astonishingly dry and crumbly for the crate still having more than two years left on its "best used by" date. The Pop-Tarts and the shortbread cookie are also awfully bland for something that's going to be eaten every day. (Which is why they've been replaced for 2023 with tastier options.) At least the cinnamon-oatmeal cookie, dry and crumbly as it is, is very flavorful.

Each daily packet includes two of the concentrated-soup entrees, with a predictable rotation, but guaranteed not to be the same two days in a row. I can reconstitute one in a small saucepan, with half a packet or so of water, on an induction cooking plate in not much more than a minute, and once I crumble in one of the two daily crackers, it's an astonishingly tasty meal, enough that it cuts through both of my food-aversion issues, with zero cognitive/emotional load on me -- just grab one of the two that the packet chose for me.

2200 calories a day turn out to not be enough to satisfy me on some days, but I have previous "food pellet" experiments that I can pad out a menu with. I can write those experiments up, if there's any interest in the reblogs or comments?

But for now, I think I have, if not a solution, a reasonably well-tolerated treatment. As long as they're available on the military-surplus market, I'm going to re-order a crate every time I drop below four packets left. And, specifically:

On any day where it takes me longer than two hours to persuade myself to eat something, anything, for breakfast, it means I'm having one of "those" days, so I'm going to open another HDR packet and eat whatever it gives me.

[lucysweatslove]

So I’ve been getting nauseous, a little lightheaded and dizzy, and a bit shaky about an hour after I get home from the gym.

I usually do some form of weights which depending on the breaks I take can take 45 min to an hour. Nothing super heavy right now, actually pretty light 5x5s, never going to failure, and with 1-3 min of rest between sets. Afterwards, I like to do a little cardio because cardio is good for the heart and like 150min of moderate cardio is recommended per week for general health or whatever. Then I have my protein shake on the drive home.

I used to do a lot of arc trainer and do like 15-20mi of vigorous cardio since that counts as like 30-40 of moderate but it’s less time. When I started feeling sick, I thought maybe that vigorous exercise is just a bit much for me right now (like I’m getting sick or something? Idk). So I switched to spinning, light-moderate effort (like just getting HR into that moderate zone), for like 25 min + 5 min “cooldown.”

Spoiler alert, the nausea is still happening and I’m getting super annoyed by it. Yesterday, I couldn’t even THINK about the dinner I had planned (lentil pasta, because I actually really like the taste but dislike the texture of regularly cooked lentils, and also folate!). I had to make toast and jam and wait like half an hour before I felt well enough to have a proper meal.

I think I need more carbs, maybe a little more salt too. I loosely tracked a couple of days to see where I’m at with carbs, and unsurprisingly, it was definitely low. Now I’m trying to find ways to up my carbs at meals in general, especially the more starchy carbs, and it’s been surprisingly difficult? Most of my carbs rn come from fruits, and I’ve realized we just don’t have a lot of carby foods easily cooked or ready to eat. We don’t even have potatoes?? (Clearly this needs to be remedied; I just struggle to cook them myself because executive dysfunction). Last year I was trying to up my fat intake since I was still kinda stuck in the low fat foods I just always ate, and now I feel like I’m so good at eating fats with my favorite 2% milk, eggs, avocado, nuts and seeds, not-extra-lean turkey, etc, that I don’t have room for the starchy carbs. But my body seems to be screaming at me to MAKE room for them.

Anyway, that’s why my “dinner” tonight was like 2x my normal amount of oatmeal (with a banana and some strawberries). And why I am probably going to get more starchy foods when we go grocery shopping next, especially potatoes because I love potatoes, and maybe bagels or naan to mix up breads. We have dried rice but it’s such a pain and a time commitment to cook, and we have bread for toast but sandwiches and toast get so tiring after some time too.

[postmodernmulticoloredcloak]

Well. I am no expert except I hate the texture of chickpeas and definitely can live without the texture of most of the others, and by live without I mean I avoid them.

Red beans have a texture I vastly prefer to other kinds of beans I've tried, if it can help

Also I find that the texture of beans is more of less enjoyable depending on where they are/how they contrast with other textures. Beans in minestrone? No thanks. Red bean curry? Yeah. (Basically how you'd make curry but with beans instead of chicken/meat.)

Hummus and farinata (flat "bread" but made with chickpea flour) are chickpeas without the texture! I love them!

Hulled red lentils made excellent soup, they cook quickly and lose their consistency entirely (tip: red lentils, bit of rice, broth, bit of olive oil, curry powder or other spices of your choice, put all in a pot, cook, enjoy)

Eggies? They have a bad reputation because of the high cholesterol but they're good for you if you don't guzzle them down like Gaston. Also your level of cholesterol is mostly due to your genetics anyway. Boiled or poached even better because no fry

Probably not what you're looking for but... chicken. That's the most environmentally friendly meat. It's fine to eat chicken. If everyone switched from beef to chicken the positive effect on the environment would be enormous, even if it doesn't entirely switch away from animal flesh.

Nuts!! Especially pinenuts, peanuts, almonds, walnuts. Peanut butter also counts ;)

Parmesan cheese (parmigiano reggiano or grana padano). Also good for calcium, important especially for female and transfeminine bodies

Seeds if you like them (hemp, chia, pumpkin...)

Vegetables rich in proteins, like spinach or Brussel sprouts

Well, tofu. Go to a well equipped Asian store for that, though, or it will probably suck. Your best choice is tofu that's been already seasoned. The Chinese have little bags of ready-to-eat pieces of tofu with various flavors!

Technically seitan, but the last time I bought some it was so bad I never got it again. I used to buy a certain brand but at some point I couldn't find it anywhere anymore. It was the only brand I liked :')

Never tried tempeh, so idk

Oats

Mushrooms

Spirulina

Whole wheat flour products (bread, pasta) instead of white flour products, they have a generally better nutritional value

Okay Vegans/Vegetarians,

People who understand plants hello! Here's the thing. I would like to eat much less meat (it is not time to try to convert me) but I hate:

-beans

-peas

-lentils

-chickpeas

It's a consistency thing, if there's a plant on here that I've missed but has a similar consistency? I hate it too. So...any other sources of protein popular in your diets?