#dream being challenged to eat slices of lemon...

[traumainpyjamas]

MARK, JENO & HAECHAN \\ #TosTosXNCTDREAM - Card Challenge!

[after-witch]

A Christmas Interlude [Yandere L Lawliet x Reader]

Title: A Christmas Interlude [Yandere L Lawliet x Reader]

Synopsis: A (late) Christmas snippet, set in the Oh Sugar Sugar series.

Notes: yandere, kidnapped

[Christmas is an incredibly busy season for bakers. Juggling special orders, Christmas cakes, lookie-loos and families eager to warm up after walking around admiring the Christmas lights can bring stress, stress, stress. There’s hot chocolate to be made, fresh warm cookies to pull out of the oven, window trees to be decorated. So much to do in very little time.

But it’s also… fun. It’s a blast to decorate Christmas treats, which can be much more elaborate than everyday bakery goods with no need for justification. Miniature gingerbread houses with teeny M&M snowmen, macarons stacked like little trees, and more peppermint than you can shake a stick at--pun intended. Planning out what goodies you’ll be hosting seasonally is an intriguing and rewarding challenge and let’s face it, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm cup of hot chocolate at the end of a brisk Christmas workday.

Not that any of that matters.

Not that you’re doing anything for Christmas this year.

Or rather, not that you’re doing anything you want for Christmas this year.

“It’s not very pretty.”

Your captor’s voice cuts through your bittersweet thoughts so starkly that you almost jerk, coming close to ruining what progress you’ve made on an admittedly pitiful looking Christmas cake.

How can it be pretty? You think. I’m in your bare-bones kitchen. There’s nothing to decorate it with but frosting and food coloring and old birthday candles. And oh, yeah, I’m making it under duress.

You weren’t quite at gunpoint, no; L didn’t order you to make it. He didn’t say if you didn’t make it, he’d do something bad. Really, the worst he’d done (aside from kidnapping you) was force you to be around him. Force you to listen to him talk and rant and ask questions that you hated answering. But if you didn’t answer, he’d wheedle it out, somehow poking and prodding at every sensitivity without you ever saying a word.

And so, the cake was your reprieve. If you make him a Christmas cake, he’ll let you do anything you want for Christmas. Aside from leave, he’d said, but that was a given. 

You feel him leaning down over your shoulder and cringe. He likes invading your bubble. Does he like that you hate it? You can’t really tell, and you don’t want to ask him because that might make him think you want to know more about him. For all that he’s asked about you--whether you answer or not--you’ve refused to indulge in his desire for you to play along.

You sigh and scooch the kitchen stool down, just enough to give yourself some space.

“It’s hard to make it look pretty when I don’t have anything to work with.”

L raises his eyebrow just in time for you to glance over.

“What do you need to work with?”

You chortle, and it’s probably the first time you’ve made a noise other than annoyed, angry, frustrated, sad, and helpless inside your prison. L almost looks… surprised.

“I thought you were into baked goods? I need…” You stop, and you think about your bakery, think about all the supplies you’d normally have arranged out every morning for decorating. “… sprinkles. Different kinds. Big and small and sparkly. Better food coloring, this stuff is too runny and it’s not vibrant. Royal icing for harder bits, so, confectioner’s sugar, little bit of lemon juice, real butter. Flavorings--extracts, you know. Almond, cherry.”

As you continue listing off the goodies, an image of a pretty cake comes to mind. A tiered cake, topped with little house, though not gingerbread--you can’t stand the stuff--but a pretty little cake house with royal icing frames and snowmen made of cake balls and a peppermint chimney on top. Christmas flowers adorning the other tiers, sugar or frosting bows. Simple but elegant, whimsical and cute. It would be on a display case in your shop and you’d smile when customers asked you if it was for sale; “No, a labor of love--but you can special order something similar.”

What becomes a theoretical shopping list has turned bittersweet and you trail off, resting your head in your hand and sighing, all in the hopes that you won’t start crying. He’s so damn analytical when you cry.

You do jerk when you feel L’s hand on your back suddenly, soft and light and rubbing up and down.

Oh. Oh no.  That’s new. He’s trying to comfort you and it might just be more aggravating than his desire to analyze. You squirm, but there’s nowhere to go and you’re forced to accept yet another unwanted intrusion in your life.

“I’m going to take a nap,” you whisper, and you ignore his little noise of protest as you set down the spatula and leave your unfinished cake sitting on the countertop. Ugly and unfinished and pointless. You hate that you can relate to the feeling, but a nap will wash it away, like it always does. At least until you’re forced to confront your reality again.

**

Still groggy, you walk back into the kitchen and the unexpected sight you find there hits you so hard that you think you might still be dreaming. But the softness of your nap has long worn off, and there’s no denying that the items in front of you are real, solid--and delicious.

It’s… your list, more or less. Neatly arranged on the now-cleared countertop, your earlier cake set to the side. He even got out the bowls and whisks and other little odds-and-ends that you would have chosen yourself, if you were willingly setting out ingredients for a baking session.

L is standing behind the counter, half-looking at you, half-looking at the goodies in front of him. He idly pushes a spatula around on the counter, waiting for you to say something, anything, about this… turn of events.

There are a lot of things you could say. You might say. You want to say. But for now, you’ll make do with a simple query:

“Did you get any chocolate chips?”

He smiles. And pops one into his mouth. 

**

The cake is beautiful--was beautiful, before you took the sharpest knife in the kitchen and ceremoniously cut into it, creating picture-perfect slices that ruin the look but fill up a cake plate just right.

You serve yourself a heaping slice, then cut a second for another plate you pulled out of the cupboard. You don’t want L to get ideas about you being domesticated or humbled or anything of the sort, but, a gesture--cake on a plate--was better than having to actually say “thank you” to the man that’s holding you against your will. 

The second mug of hot chocolate, topped with a swirl of cream and cinnamon, is a habit. You always make extra when you’re eating sweets at Christmastime with--friends. But L is not a friend. A habit, you remind yourself, just a habit.

You settle down on the sofa and watch as L fiddles with the remote, looking for the Christmas movie you’d asked to watch as your reward for making the cake. It’s tradition: you always eat something sweet, drink homemade hot chocolate--not cocoa--and watch your favorite Christmas movie in the evening. He makes a little noise of triumph when he finally spots it, and you suppress an amused huff. He has weird habits. You do too, you suppose, being kidnapped notwithstanding.

You stare straight at the screen. Straight at the opening music and opening scene that you’re oh-so-familiar with. You don’t want to see him spot the cake, don’t want to see him eye the mug of warm, delicious hot chocolate. You don’t want to see if he’s pleased or surprised or humbled or if he looks patronizing and slaps on a I-told-you-you’d-come-around smug expression.

You don’t look, but you feel the sofa dip next to you as he nestles in with his own treats. He’s close and warm and munching away happily at the slice in front of him. 

Well, shit. You forgot to include “you have to sit somewhere else” as part of your agreement.

[namfine]

⦿ | 𝕲𝖚𝖑𝖆 : 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕀𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕝𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 | ⦿

gluttony is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items.

                                         - - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -

β pairing: kim seokjin x reader

β word count: 5.3k

β summary: your boyfriend’s mastery of the kitchen is a pleasant surprise. he loves watching you enjoy the food he makes for you, and he has you eating out of the palm of his hand- literally. when a cute little game turns into something more sinister, can you handle the heat, or do you need to get out of the kitchen?

β tags: 18+/smut, bts smut, seokjin x reader, reader insert, boyfriend jin, blindfold, strip game, food play, oral (f + m receiving), light breath play, ripping clothes, unprotected sex (pls stay safe kids), lite monster fucking?, demon au

β part: 2 out of 7 of our seven deadly sins milestone challenge

⋫ link to master list here

β a/n: heya everyone! hope you enjoyed zesty’s first chapter yesterday! we’re diving a little deeper into the next sin. things will continue to unravel from here, so be sure to stay tuned because we will be releasing a chapter every day this week! please go to the masterlist linked above to see the rest of the chapters- you’re definitely going to want to read these bad boys in order. thanks luv, enjoy!

love, ya girl minty ✧

Jin’s front door opens, and a wall of aromas smack right into you. The scents flying into your nose whisk you away to a faraway shoreline, where the fresh breeze is hinted with a little bit of the ocean’s saltiness. The bright smell of lemon and the rich smell of wood chips fill you with delight, and your stomach churns at the thought of what he’s prepared for you. 

You have been seeing Jin for a couple of months at this point, and he had finally, finally offered for the two of you to have a special dinner at his house. You’d been dreaming of taking it further with him every time you had been out with him, but he was a very classy guy, not that you were opposed. He had been intent on the two of you taking time with your budding relationship. Though you had spent hours flushed at your daydreams of him between your legs, eager for him to just get down there already, you allowed your desire to build inside of you. When you were finally allowed to let the dam burst, you wanted it to be a flood.

 He is easily the dreamiest guy you’d ever seen in your life. He’s tall. He’s got the most gorgeous set of lips. His laugh is just ridiculous enough to be endearing. When you’d hugged him goodbye at the end of these last several dates you’d been on, his strong and broad shoulders rippling under your arms had your knees weakened and crumbling in moments. He’s incredibly handsome, and he knows it. 

And you love it.

You’re plucked back to reality when you catch Jin looking you over, slowly up and down, taking in every inch of your form with his hungry eyes. His eyes are much darker than you remember, but it could just be a trick of the light. Tonight, they look like they’re churning with something mischievous. He’s also never been so bold about checking you out before.  Perhaps there is a hope there’s more to his menu tonight than just food. 

“Come in from the night, beautiful,” he says, reaching for your waist and helping you in his front door, “you’re right on time; everything is just about ready.”

You’re glad to come indoors, too. The sun had just barely fully set, but it had already turned cold. He gently shuts the door behind you as you take off your shoes, and for a moment, a waft of something sharp hits your senses. It smells a little like something is roasting, maybe broccoli, judging by that slight sulfur tang.

“What smells so good, Jin?” you ask flirtatiously as you follow him into the kitchen. You take a seat on the stool at his kitchen island and watch as he begins stirring something in a large pot ever so gently. His dress shirt sleeves are rolled up over his forearms, and taking in the sight is stirring something within you. 

“I’ve got one pretty big lobster finishing up in that pot next to me, and this one I’m stirring has the pasta. I’ll be adding the meat to the lemon butter sauce in that pan there, and then I’ll toss it with the capellini which should… just… be… about… done?” he says, eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he whisks out a steaming noodle and slurps it into his mouth, leaving his perfect bottom lip slightly damp. God, you want his mouth on you so badly, you feel like you could die.  “Mmm,” he says, “al dente,” and you can’t rip your eyes off of how his lips move when he speaks. It’s almost as if his words came out in slow motion. That’s how mesmerizing this man is. If there wasn’t a steaming pot in front of you, it would be so easy to just lean across the counter and kiss him, to finally feel his lips on yours, to hold onto his shoulders as--

“Wanna try?” he asks, breaking you from your devilish thoughts. You find his hand itches away from your lips, offering you a noodle that is hanging delicately off of his pointer and middle fingers. You swallow hard before opening your lips and wrapping your mouth over his fingertips, using your tongue to secure the noodle before pulling yourself off. You dared to look up into his eyes, desperately hoping that he would understand your verbal message. You needed him to know how badly you wanted him. His eyes flashed with something incomprehensible, something that looked like, for a moment, wild anger, and you quickly avert your gaze and really hope he wasn’t turned off by your eager advancement. Just as you mentally scold yourself, it hits you again. That smacking smell of sulfur, for just an instant.

“Is there broccoli too?” you ask, trying to play off your daring move. “I thought I smelled some when I walked in.”

“No broccoli, just a summer salad for a side,” he says casually, looking back across his shoulders as he drains the pasta in the sink, steam rising. “I hope that doesn’t disappoint you,” he adds with a little bit of his odd laugh, “I’ve never heard of anyone being upset at a lack of broccoli.”

“No, it’s fine,” you laugh as he turns back to the stove to grab the other pot with the lobster, “I just swore I could have smelled it. Either that or maybe boiled eggs? Maybe for the salad?” 

He turns back to the sink to drain out this pot, and you see three large bright red-orange lobsters fall out into the colander. 

“Nope, not that either, I’m afraid,” he says as he carries the lobsters onto his wooden cutting board and begins the de-shelling process. “The salad is a mix of field greens and spinach with candied pecans, sunflower seeds, sliced strawberry and mandarin oranges, topped with a simple vinaigrette. No egg in sight, my dear.”

You hear a patter and a tinkling sound from his hallway and moments later, a little black and tan miniature pinscher trots out. 

“Jin! I didn’t know you had a dog,” you say, reaching down to let the little guy sniff your hand. He seems unimpressed and hops onto the lounge chair just in the other room.

“Name’s Spot. I got him as a guard dog.”

You glance over at the small pup curled up on the chair and snicker. “There’s no way he’s a guard dog. He’s so cute and tiny!”

Jin laughs a little, “He gets the job done. Alright!” Jin exclaims, clapping his hands together. “Dinner is ready! Go get comfortable,” he says, gesturing to the table, “I’ll bring you your plate.”

Wow, you think, he’s really going over the top with this dinner. You seat yourself and take in how beautifully the table’s been set. Two matching sets of sparkling white dinnerware on either side of the table, and in between, two small candles sit, waiting to be lit. There’s a beautiful clear glass bottle of still water and a very expensive looking white wine to your left. You pick up the wine bottle and give it a look. LaVeyan Vineyards. You’ve heard that name before, but you can’t quite place it. 

You glance back up at Jin who is skillfully plating your food, before glancing over to Spot who is sleeping soundly on the chair. You nearly drop the bottle of wine in your surprise, because there are three dogs on the living chair. You forcefully shut your eyes, only to open them and still find the three dogs still there sound asleep. Just as you’re about to turn and call over to Jin, he sits your plates in front of you and caresses your shoulder, interrupting your gaze from the growing dogpile. When you look back, there’s just the one little snoring pinscher again.

“What is it?” he asks, concern lacing his voice as he rubs circles on your shoulder. “You look like you might be nauseous.”

“No, I’m fine,” you say, “I just must be really hungry.”

“Well, then, enjoy!” Jin says, watching you intently as you take a generous first bite of your salad. The taste is nothing like you’ve ever had before. The sweet nuttiness of the pecans, the crispness of the fresh spinach, the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the tartness of the orange and vinaigrette swirl together and overwhelm and consume you. You melt away, feeling like you and the food are one. 

Sometime later, the wine is gone and your plates are clean. There’s not a drop of sauce or dressing left. You’ve never been so full in your life, even still, you long to eat more.

“Jin, this has to be the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I can’t believe you made this.”

“Only the best for you. But I do hope you have room left, because I think it’s time for… dessert.”

“Dessert?”

“I’d like to play a little game with you. You’re going to close your eyes, and I’m going to feed you something. Using only your taste and smell, you have to tell me what it is. If you get it wrong, there will be… consequences.”

This piqued your interest. You’d almost fainted when Jin let you eat the pasta off of his hand earlier. You wonder for a moment again if he knows just how weak he makes you. 

“Okay, close your eyes.”

You do as you're told, shaking with anticipation. Your world becomes dark, and you sit there waiting for Jin. Something cool touches your lips, and you part them a little bit to allow the food in. It’s a slightly conical shape, but there’s no taste to it. 

“Bite.”

As soon as you bite, the familiar flavor bursts onto your tongue. As you chew, the sweet and tangy flavor coats your mouth, and you smile, knowing that you’ll get this one right.

“Strawberry. Easy.”

“Very good. This next one will be a little harder.”

The next sensation to hit your lips is a surprisingly cool and tangy pudding-like texture. It swirls with what feels like a warm whipped cream that’s been toasted. You can taste the little bit of char on the top, and then there's the crunch of something buttery as you chew. This one is definitely more complex, but you’ve had this before. 

“Lemon meringue pie.”

“You’re right again, my dear.”

“You’re going to have to try harder than that, Jin.”

Your eyes remain closed as you feel something smooth and cool graze against your bottom lip. You open wider to accommodate, and as you close your lips around it, you feel that you’re eating off of a spoon. Once the spoon is gone, you’re left with a sweet and spongy mouthful of… something. This one is definitely more difficult. There’s coffee, cream, and chocolate. Some sort of cake texture fights with a fluffy cream for dominance. There’s something familiar about this taste, though. You remember having it several summers ago with your friend Soobin. Where were you? You struggle to bring up the memory. The smell of fresh bread and a summer breeze soars through you. You’re hit with the smell of after dinner coffee, and then you can see a small plate in front of you at the cafe table. You were in Italy, and the dish you had shared with Soobin was…

“Tiramisu.”

“Impressive. Although I was hoping you would get it wrong. Let me try again.”

“You’re on.”

Feeling cocky, you sit there with your mouth wide open. You’re more than ready for his next challenge. 

In slides something warm and sticky, and you feel the juice coat your tongue as you chew. It’s definitely rice; the texture is unmistakable. It’s sweet, tropical, and pudding-like in consistency. A sticky sweet bite of fruit bursts in your mouth. The cold fruit fights with the warm pudding for dominance, and they end up in a draw, mixing perfectly with each other to create something so harmonious, it should be impossible. You’ve never tasted anything like this, and it’s driving you crazy. 

“So, what is it?” Jin asks. You don’t have to be able to see to know he has a smug look on his face.

“Let me have another bite,” you say. He obliges and you’re sent again into the whirlwind of flavor. This time you pick out coconut and mango as those tropical flavors, as the combination dances on your tongue and drives you dizzy.

“I’ve never had anything like this, Jin.”

“Does that mean that you can’t give me a correct answer?”

“Is it… rice pudding?”

“No, it’s not.”

You open your eyes. There’s nothing on the table but your empty plates and the table setting. Where did those deserts come from?

“I have to know what that was. That was the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.”

“First… Consequences, my dear,” Jin says, standing from the table. He strides over to you and lifts you up out of the chair by your hands. He leads you out of the kitchen and down the short hallway into his bedroom.

“J-Jin?” you stutter, “what are we doing?”

“Consequences.” he states, sitting you on the end of his bed. As you sink into the soft comforter, he walks to his dresser and retrieves something out of the drawer. He turns back around and presents to you a dull orange blindfold. 

“I didn’t say you could open your eyes yet, so I guess this is the only way I can be sure you won’t peek,” he says, poking his tongue into the side of his mouth. The change in scenery seeps in.

“Are we going to continue… in here?”

“I’d like to… heighten the stakes a little,” he says, towering over you. He holds your jaw delicately in his hand, and directs you to look up at him. “Every time you guess wrong, I get to remove a piece of your clothing.”

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

“And once I have you the way I want you, because you will be getting every answer wrong from here on out, I’m going to eat you up. How does that sound?”

There’s no way you can speak right now, so you just affix the blindfold over your eyes and release a shaky breath.

“Very good. Now tell me, what is this?”

You bite down on something that feels like melon, but the taste is… bizarre. It’s savory, and you feel the ice cold juice run out and coat your tongue. It’s incredibly delicious, but you have no idea what it is. It’s an impossible food. As you chew, it gets more and more complex; flavors of cinnamon and ginger swirl together and then as it breaks down further, you begin to taste… ash.

“Jin, what is this?”

“I’ll take that as wrong answer number one. First, your shirt. I’ve been wondering what your bra looks like all night. I bet you put on your sexiest set, hoping I would see it.”

You had never imagined for him to be this… blunt. You would be lying if you said it wasn’t turning you on further. Him simply feeding you already had you soaked. You feel his hands on your hips, and his fingers dip beneath the hem of your blouse, inching it up and gingerly lifting it over your head, careful to not disturb the blindfold. You hear his breath hitch when your breasts are exposed to the chilly air. He was right, you did put on your nicest bra. The way your simple necklace draped down your cleavage and accentuated the curve of your breast was lighting a fire in him. 

“Of course you have perfect tits,” he mumbles. As you open your mouth to ask him what that was supposed to mean, he gingerly places another morsel on your lips. He must be eager for you to try again. You bite down and crack through some sort of hard coating, and a sticky inside clings to your molars. You chew and chew, trying to decipher the flavor, but really nothing is there. It’s as if you were chewing on air. Only when you swallow, you’re met with the taste of dust.

“Jin, this is getting weird,” you say.

“Do you not know what this one is either?” Jin asks, a slightly teasing tone slipping like honey from his lips.

“It didn’t taste like anything at all, Jin!”

“Are you saying I fed you something bad?”

“No, I-”

“Okay then, sweetheart,” he says, slipping his fingers along the inside of your thigh, dipping just below the hem of your skirt, “I think you know what comes next.”

Your breath hitches as he unzips your side zipper. He takes his sweet ass time with it too, fingers barely grazing your hip as he shimmies the fabric down. Your palms begin to sweat as you reflexively lift yourself up to help him get them off. 

“You are a hungry woman, aren’t you?” Jin questions as you hear your skirt hit the floor. You really wish you could see where he is. You really wish you could see where exactly he’s looking. “I knew you would be a dangerous little thing, but coming into my house, my realm, my domain without the decency to even wear panties?” 

You unconsciously cross your legs and tilt your head away from where his deep voice is speaking from a distance. You can’t see him looking at you, but you can feel it. You can feel the weight of his gaze roaming over your body. You feel utterly exposed, and a little humiliated. You also feel very aroused. As if he can read your thoughts, he speaks again, this time quietly into the shell of your ear.

“You know you came here with one thing on your mind. You’ve been teasing me all night. Look at you, you’re practically shaking,” he says with a small chuckle, “you’re touch starved, aren’t you, my darling?”

His large hands wander down your waist and hips and he grips your thigh, just firm enough for you to feel small bruises forming where his fingertips dig into your flesh. His grip is almost sharp, but that tiny bit of pain only causes you to clench around nothing.

“I did promise to eat you up, did I not?” Jin says, as you feel him getting closer to your bare form. There’s an immense heat radiating off of him, and that drives you to reach out and touch him. His chest is as firm and tight as you’d imagined, but his skin is hot to the touch, almost burning. He slightly winces at the coolness of your touch, but is only emboldened by your engagement. 

You feel yourself being shoved back onto his mattress, and your breath leaves your lungs upon impact. The next thing you know, your legs are being roughly opened, the cool air against your dripping heat causing you to clench again. Jin chuckles darkly.

“I’ve barely even touched you, and you’re already dripping for me,” he says, swiping up your entrance and collecting some of your slick. You hear an obscene popping noise, and as soon as you realize what he’s done, you gasp. The mental image you have of Jin’s perfect lips coated in your slick has to be nothing compared to what he actually looks like right now. There’s a guttural groan, not much more than a low rumble coming from the man between your thighs.

“My dear, the gods knew what they were doing when they made you. They knew you would ruin me.”

Before you can ask, his mouth is firmly on your slit, sucking and nibbling at your folds like a man starved. He grunts into your sopping cunt, hands firm on your legs as he slurps up every last drop of you. Your hands find purchase on his comforter, and you thrust up into him, a silent beg for more. 

His tongue slides inside of you, farther than you think it ought to go, but you’re too far gone reeling in ecstasy to protest. His tongue splits you open as his nose finds purchase on your aching clit, and you’re sent into a silent scream. Your hands race to his beautiful black hair to hold onto him for dear life, wanting to be assured he can’t pull away. You twist your fingers through his soft locks and find purchase on two solid objects protruding from his head. 

You edge closer, begging him not to stop as he struggles to hold your hips in place. His tongue is replaced by two of his fingers, that same sharpness you felt before on your thigh now at your inner walls. He curls his fingers up into the spot that will have you seeing stars, and he finally speaks again. This time, his voice is almost an octave lower, and heavy with desire.

“I can’t wait to taste your orgasm on my tongue. Cum for me, darling. Let me taste all that your sweet pussy has to offer.”

And with that, you come undone.

It’s as if your climax rips through your body and destroys everything in its wake. Your bones feel like jelly, and your mind is torn to shreds. Here, in this time and place, it’s as if you cease to exist for an instant. You are utterly consumed by your orgasm. The pleasure is so great that you forget who and what you are; all you know is that you want more. You don’t even register that you’re screaming until you start to come back down. Your body pieces itself back together, your heartbeat resumes normalcy, and you find your hands still firmly affixed to Jin’s silky hair. 

“I want more,” you say, voice cracking. You’re met with another growl, this time directly on your swollen folds. You get a glimpse for only a moment out of the bottom of your blindfold, and that instance will forever be burned into your mind. Jin is looking straight up at you from between your thighs, slick coating his plump and swollen lips. His irises are no longer the warm chocolate hue you’ve grown to love, but between the few stray strands of hair that has fallen into his face now lie two bright and churning orange eyes. 

“What, one orgasm not enough for you?” the man teases, “I knew you were a hungry woman, but I hadn’t pegged you as glutton for punishment. Are you sure you can handle more of me?”

“Jin, let me be clear: I want you to give me everything you have. I want it all.”

You can hear him exhale deeply as you feel him crawling on top of you. His heat again radiates onto your chest, and intensifies as he comes closer. He’s thrown one leg to each side of you, and his weight on your hips is delicious. 

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You don’t realize the mess you’re getting yourself in, little one,” he says, almost tenderly, as he grazes your collarbones with his touch.

“I think it is you who will be rendered a mess when this is all over, dear.” you retort, confident in your ability to make him see stars as well.

“Don’t hold your breath,” he mumbles against your ear. “Or… do.” he says and quickly fastens his hand around the base of your neck. Your heart quickens its pace at your lack of oxygen, but you’re determined to hold out. Only when you start seeing spots does he let go and wrap his hands around your body tenderly. 

“I bet you thought I was going to be rather plain when it comes to sex,” he toys. “You thought you were going to come in here and seduce me tonight. You thought you were with an innocent man. You thought wrong. Nothing could be further from the truth, little one.”

The hand that was once caressing your back is now ripping through the fabric of your bra. As you hear the fabric tear, you feel a deep rumble in Jin’s chest. How can anyone be strong enough to tear through the band of your bra?

Maybe you had bitten off more than you can chew.

You hear what you assume to be your bra hitting the floor, and Jin wastes no time in making you putty in his hands again. He is busy placing open mouthed kisses over your chest and down your cleavage, taking special care to remove your delicate necklace.

“You should be more careful with pretty necklaces,” he says into the crook of your neck, biting down there where your pulse point is. You feel something poking against the inside of your leg, and you wonder for a moment when he managed to remove his pants.

“Jin, please,” you beg, your voice lingering on his name, hoping the extra little bit of whine would get you what you want. You feel his cock twitching right at your folds, and having what you desire be so close and yet so far away is the closest thing to actual torture you’ve ever experienced. You start clenching around nothing again each time you feel his cock twitch. You’re still so wet, he could just so easily slip right i-

Your thoughts are cut short as he takes his time inserting himself into your still dripping cunt. You thought it would be frictionless, but clearly he is much... bigger than you’d anticipated. Inch by inch, he slowly sinks into you. The stretch is slightly painful, but the fullness that accompanies it is to die for. His tip reaches your cervix, and you realize that there is still more of him to go. 

He pauses. You whimper.

“I warned you, beautiful,” is all he says before he’s slamming into you over and over again, hitting your cervix and sending waves of pleasure through you. The slight pain fades and all you’re left with is unbelievable ecstasy. You reach up to hold onto his shoulders, desperate for support. You feel the muscle ripple under your touch, as he uses his arms to grab your hips. You don’t remember his hands being this big, but they seem to be able to wrap all the way around your hips. 

In no time, you feel yourself approaching your second high, and you wrap your hands around his back. You want to dig your nails into his skin; you want him to notice the scratch marks you leave and be reminded of tonight. On your way down, you feel a rough patch of skin near his shoulder blades. Like it’s been shredded over and over again. Jin hisses as your hands drape over his scars, and you’re afraid you hurt him, but it’s followed with the deepest groan you’ve heard yet. His hips start to sputter, and you can tell he’s getting close. You scratch down his back once more and you finally get to hear how he sounds when he comes undone. His release triggers your own, and you’re both reeling through your orgasms, panting hard into each other’s mouths.

He pulls out of you with an obscene pop and you wince at the loss of warmth. You sit up, wondering where he’s gone, but in a flash his warm hands are on your shoulders, holding you steady. 

“You think I’m done with you yet?” he asks, “Or is that all you can take? Do you still want more?”

You feel his seed drip out of you, and that sparks an idea. You quickly get onto your knees in front of him and let your hands roam down his torso until you find his cock, still completely hard. You guide his tip to your mouth, and you hear him gasp. You take in just his tip, tasting yourself on him, and let out a moan of your own.

“You know,” you say against the shaft of his cock, “You would enjoy this so much more if I could make eye contact with you.”

“You’re insufferable, aren’t you?” he grunts out as you continue to tease his tip with your tongue. “You’re almost too hot to handle, you know that? I’d be surprised if anyone else can… handle you like I can.”

“Just admit that you’re not strong enough to last long if I take your whole dick and look at you. Or I could just take off the blindfold and you could prove me wrong.”

“Well, well, is that some pride I see?” he asks with a low chuckle, “Oh dear, you’re in for quite a ride, aren’t you? Have it your way, spoiled brat,” he says as he rips the blindfold off.

Your eyes have to adjust to the new level of light, but when they do, you’re met with the most intense stare you’ve ever seen. Jin is staring right through you, right between the stray pieces of hair that’s fallen into his face. His whole body glistens with sweat; his chest is flashing as he breathes. From his parted lips come his last demand, wrapped up nicely in just a single word.

“Swallow.”

You waste no time in showing him what you can do. You alternate teasing his head with taking him as much as you can with some help from your hands. You quicken the pace and hollow out your cheeks as you make eye contact with him, getting lost in his beautiful brown eyes. He tilts his head back and you can see his Adam's apple bobbing as he tries to contain himself. His abdominal muscles clench when you hit a particularly sensitive spot, and you know you’ve got him. 

He told you to swallow, but you don’t think he was anticipating you being able to do this.

You paused, only just to catch his attention and have his eyes back on you. Opening your throat, you ease down every last inch he has, and he fingers through your hair, using it as a hold as he fucks into your mouth. Tears are stinging your eyes as his devilish length hits the back of your throat, but you know he’s close again. 

You hold out until he’s a sputtering mess inside of you, and his cum is like honey on your tongue. You’ve never tasted something so delicious, and you don’t think you ever will again. You wait for Jin to finish, and without wavering eye contact, you look up at him with your best innocent expression, and display your cum covered tongue. You swallow, as instructed, and lay down feeling proud of yourself. 

“You’re going to be trouble, woman,” is all he says before laying down next to you, cock still twitching, eyes closed as he tries to gather himself.

You take this time to scan the room, now only being able to properly see everything. There’s a beautiful painting of two people mid-sex act, and you make a mental note to ask him about it later, because you notice something rather odd. 

You’ve been on your dinner date for maybe a few hours, but according to the sun outside of his bedroom window, it’s the middle of the afternoon. You look back over to the resting Jin to say something, but the reflection of his back in his dresser mirror is… not right. The skin on his back is… cracked. Like a porcelain doll.

“Jin?” you sheepishly ask.

He opens his eyes. 

They’re bright orange.

[thisweekingundamwing]

This Week in Gundam Wing 8-21 December 2019

Here’s this week’s (and last week’s) roundup!

Remember to give your content creators some love! And join in on the events at the bottom!

~Mod Hel

Fanfiction/Snippets/AU Ideas:

@bobo-is-tha-bomb​

Forgive and Forget (Ch. 3) https://archiveofourown.org/works/18997162/chapters/51814291

Duo Maxwell/Reader, F/M

Duo Maxwell, Heero Yuy, Chang Wufei, Sally Po

Romance, Drama, Angst, Violence, Lemon, Reader-Insert

You’d infiltrate Preventer and expose that fact that it employed and protected terrorists. But that mission proves to be quite a challenge, all information regarding personnel carefully guarded. And the challenge becomes even greater when you meet Special Agent Duo Maxwell. He is pretty much the man of your dreams, all devilish charm, good looks, and bravado. And he kisses like the Devil. You are swept under and recklessly pursue and affair with him. But there is still your double agenda, and that is bound to make everything come crashing down around you. Especially when you find out that Duo is not exactly the man he said he was…

This time of year (1-12) https://archiveofourown.org/works/21716491/chapters/51800791

F/M, Heero Yuy/Reader, Duo Maxwell/Reader, Trowa Barton/Reader, Quatre Raberba Winner/Reader, Wufei Chang/Reader, Zechs Merquise/Reader

Reader, Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, Wufei Chang, Zechs Merquise

Romance, Fluff, mild sexual references, Holiday, Christmas, Reader Insert

Moments to warm your heart in the coldest season of the year...

@doctormegalomania​

Your Body’s Poetry (Ch. 8) https://archiveofourown.org/works/20438891/chapters/51978682

Duo Maxwell/Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton/Quatre Raberba Winner, Chang Wufei/Original Female Character(s), Duo Maxwell/Hilde Schbeiker, Relena Peacecraft & Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell/Original Male Character(s)

Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, Chang Wufei, Sally Po, Relena Peacecraft, Lucrezia Noin, Zechs Merquise, Hilde Schbeiker

Past Relationship(s), Slice of Life, Post-Break Up, Slow Burn, Developing Relationship, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence

Long after the wars, long after peace is established the Gundam Pilots discover one immovable fact: Relationships are hard work.

@janaverse​

Left Simmering on High https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/189792569733/left-simmering-on-high

This is my version of ‘the morning after’ for heero and duo. it is a trope that has been on my bucket list for a long time and no longer is!

i had planned to have a smutty story ready for 12/21 but that didn’t work out and this was done enough - so here it is!

pairing: 1X2X1 - 2X1 implied

warnings: a little angst, a little sap, references to sexual situations

Stickies from Heero https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/189798557138#notes

Sticky note

Stickies from Heero (Ch. 27) https://archiveofourown.org/works/19796581/chapters/51586444

Heero/Duo

♡  ahhh!! the joys of healthy discourse!  heero is showing us his high level snark and duo is as playful as ever.

♡  i have started added some quotes from duo's notes, as well as some more concrete info as to what duo said to cause heero to respond the way he did. i think it reads okay and hope it gives a more complete picture of what is happening!

luvsanime02

Tempting Fate (No Need) https://archiveofourown.org/works/21356479

Chang Wufei, Sally Po, Trowa Barton, Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell

Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Humor, Friendship, Cocktail Friday

Wufei is friends with lunatics and thieves.

Fanart/Gunpla/Photo Manips:

@bobo-is-tha-bomb

https://bobo-is-tha-bomb.tumblr.com/post/189574555701/got-in-my-art-books-today-all-of-them-were

Art books

https://bobo-is-tha-bomb.tumblr.com/post/189632115656/these-are-absolutely-gorgeous-so-happy-to

File Folders

@doctormegalomania

https://doctormegalomania.tumblr.com/post/189551043643/coloured-version-much-happier-with-this-im

Duo Maxwell

@janaverse

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/189798491478#notes

Duo Maxwell, holiday edit

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/189798486308#notes

Heero Yuy, holiday edit

https://janaverse.tumblr.com/post/189570074878/rashid-is-towering-over-his-two-charges

Rashid, Duo, and Quatre

Chasingartwork

https://comicbook.com/anime/2019/12/14/gundam-wing-fan-paints-breathtaking-oasis-scene/

An active instagram user.

Photosets/Gifsets/Screenshots/Manga Pages:

@disturbed02girl

https://disturbed02girl.tumblr.com/post/189792615475

Zechs Merquise, Glory of the Losers

@longhairedanimeguyoftheday

https://longhairedanimeguyoftheday.tumblr.com/post/189633783228/todays-long-haired-anime-guy-of-the-day-is-zechs

Zechs Merquise, washed up on the beach

Fandom Discourse:

@helmistress

https://helmistress.tumblr.com/post/189782310519/a-post-i-never-sent-because-i-wrote-it-up-when-i

My plaintive cry. V_V

Quotes:

@incorrectgundamwingquotes

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189802517817/wufei-if-the-door-was-locked-how-did-you-get-in

WuFei & Heero

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189800421469/relena-okay-describe-your-ideal-man-hilde

Relena & Hilde

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189794441282/wufei-i-like-being-on-my-own-im-better-off

WuFei & Quatre

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189570744349/heero-why-dont-you-rip-his-lungs-out-it-might

Heero, Trowa, & Duo

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189598378169/the-fact-that-lights-dont-start-flickering

Duo

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189597227239/duo-esto-es-tu-culpa-heero-i-know-wufei-wait

Duo, Heero, & WuFei

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189672454475/heero-there-was-a-bunny-at-lowes-today-eating

Heero, Duo, Trowa, & WuFei

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189671816429/quatre-how-did-you-know-i-was-going-to

Quatre & Trowa

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189773572988/duo-welcome-to-catholic-asmr-duo-rustling

Duo

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/189798527638/wufei-how-did-you-even-get-in-here-the-door-is

WuFei & Duo

Calendar Events:

@gundamzine

Rhythm Generation: Shooting Stars, Celebrating 25 Years of Gundam Wing

Zine Content https://gundamzine.tumblr.com/post/186791784139/rhythm-generation-shooting-stars-is-an-unofficial

Pre-orders Open! https://gundamzine.tumblr.com/post/189370843928/gundamzine-pre-orders-are-open-rhythm Open until January 11th!

Q about Free Merch https://gundamzine.tumblr.com/post/189215831466/are-you-really-giving-free-merch-i-am-kinda

Survey News! https://noirangetrois.tumblr.com/post/189773344572/lemontrash-gundamzine-ever-wondered-whos

@gundam-wing-bingo

Gundam Wing Bingo is here!

Come and sign up for a card here: https://gundam-wing-bingo.tumblr.com/post/185466400076/gundam-wing-bingo

@gwcocktailfriday

Cocktail Fridays!

Post responses on Friday, during Happy Hour between 3 & 5 pm in your own timezone.

Here’s the prompt for Friday, December 27th! https://gwcocktailfriday.tumblr.com/day/2019/12/21

For those going to Pillowfort, find us here.

If anyone has ideas for prompts, PLEASE send them in! Our ask box is always open.

In need of Winter prompts!

@thisweekingundamevents

Gundam Wing Holiday Gift Exchange 2019/2020

https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/post/188113410410/holiday-gift-exchange

Schedule: 5-11 January: Post your Gifts!

Holiday Exchange Q & A: https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/post/188824081840/some-holiday-exchange-q-a

Criteria and Schedule Reminder! https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/post/188943007445/holiday-gift-exchange-reminder

Gundam Wing Unorthodox Undercover Work Mini Bang

Posting has commenced! https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/post/189630067650/gwuuwmb

There are still a couple of missing stories, and some missing art, but here’s the list so far!

[guitarboard42-blog]

22 Fourth of July Appetizers for Chilling Out, Snacking, Relaxing All Cool

I love driving up the Oregon coast with my cousins on the Fourth of July weekend, fishing poles and huge beach blankets packed. Every year we rent a big house, with an extra-large kitchen and a long dining table where we can all sit together for meals: not just for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but for little bites throughout the day, as well. The holiday weekend is, for me, really 100 percent about that CGL (Chill Grazing Lifestyle).

Whether I'm dipping crunchy vegetables into my favorite dips (hummus, nori sour cream, garlicky spinach and yogurt) or snacking on BBQ-friendly finger foods (deviled eggs, chips and guac, fish-sauce chicken wings), you can bet I'll be grazing in between all the fishing and swimming and sangria sipping.

So whether you're watching fireworks on the beach with a cooler full of beers or noshing on the deck waiting for the burgers, steaks, and ribs to come off the grill, here are Food52's best Fourth of July appetizers to get you snacking like a champ this weekend.

1. Roman Zucchini Fritters

These cheesy fried zucchini slices are the perfect summer appetizer; a sprinkle of fresh basil at the end adds a nice touch. "I like to retain some texture in my cooked zucchini so I sliced them 1/2-inch thick, which worked perfectly," says recipe author cucina di mammina. "Since it makes quite a large batch, it's perfect for entertaining!"

2. Minty Pea Puree on Toast

I'm never above a frozen pea—in fact, it's one of my favorite ingredients year round. I always keep this minty pea puree up my sleeve (the recipe, not the actual puree) for those nights when I need a quick, light starter before the main dish.

3. Nori Sour Cream Dip

This sour cream dip has saved me on many an occasion. It's got that slight "Hm, what's that?" intrigue (i.e., the roasted seaweed snack and sesame oil), which is great to pull out when you want to serve something comforting and familiar but still interesting. Pile on the crunchy, bitter vegetables here, or serve with Ruffles (my favorite).

4. Deviled Eggs

These world-famous deviled eggs have a teensy bit of butter, which, according to Genius columnist Kristen Miglore, "rounds and smooths over the more acidic ingredients and renders the filling creamy without overtaking it." Mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and cayenne "hover at the edges," Kristen says, allowing the flavor of the golden yolks to shine.

5. Caesar-Style Kale Salad

I like to make a gargantuan Caesar salad at the start of the weekend to make sure everyone packs in some roughage before the junk-food grazing commences. Use dark, Tuscan kale in place of watery romaine and you'll be gold.

6. Ricotta Spoonable

"Take a peek in my fridge," Food52 favorite Dorie Greenspan writes, "and you’ll find the usual staples—milk, butter, eggs and yogurt, and my favorite plus-one: 'ricotta spoonable.'" Ricotta, fresh herbs, lemon, olive oil, and "plenty of salt and pepper" come together into a dangerously spoonable...dip? Sauce? Appetizer? (All of the above.)

7. Multi-Layered Scallion Pancakes

Mandy Lee of Lady and Pups has created an easy-to-follow recipe for these incredible Taiwanese street pancakes with multi-laminated scallions and scallion oil. But she doesn't just stop at scallions. "There’s no reason why the awesomeness of this flatbread can’t be expanded to other herbs besides scallion," she encourages. "Think basil, a little rosemary, thyme, or garlic and parsley."

8. Greek Chicken Meatballs

Garnished with sharp feta, fresh English cucumber, and a Greek yogurt dipping sauce, these light and herby chicken meatballs are perfect for chill grazing over the weekend.

9. Basic Hummus

If you're looking for a classic hummus, then this one's it. It may start from dried chickpeas (which, let's be real, taste better than canned), but the cook time is significantly less than most other from-scratch recipes thanks to a little baking soda in the cooking water. Dip away!

10. Yogurt & Spinach Dip

This creamy, garlicky dip—aka borani—is a classic Iranian appetizer that you can serve with lavash or pita, or a colorful medley of crunchy vegetables.

11. The Crunchiest, Herbiest, Greenest Guacamole

Everyone thinks their guacamole is the best—but dang it, mine is! I don't claim this for many things, but when it comes to guac, I do think it tastes better when all of your ingredients are roughly chopped (not smashed). The real clincher here is the little bit of tomatillo I use in place of more lime juice.

12. Spicy Shrimp

This spicy shrimp appetizer is one of our most popular recipes on Food52. "We love Sriracha's heat, which is warm, lasting, and assertive without being overbearing," Amanda and Merrill write. "Helen (the recipe's author) combined the hot sauce with a few everyday ingredients—olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and cilantro—to create a sublime marinade for shrimp."

13. Okonomiyaki

A Food52 favorite (and winner of Your Best Street Food), okonomiyaki is a Kyoto-style savory pancake stuffed with plump shrimp, cabbage, and scallions. Note to self: Bathe it in the Sriracha-soy-mayo dipping sauce before taking a bite.

14. Fried Goat Cheese With Honey & Black Pepper

This easy appetizer recipe comes from one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta: Ecco. They're famous for these gooey-tart goat cheese balls, which pair beautifully with the sweet, floral honey. Make these and you will not be sorry.

15. Grilled Watermelon With Tequila

Have fun with your watermelon this Fourth of July: Douse the fruit with tequila and lemon juice, dust with chile powder and salt, and grill. A cooling cilantro-lime crème fraîche takes this party starter to new heights.

16. Caramelized Onion Dip

I could eat this onion dip by the spoonful—and often have. Though, according to Amanda and Merrill, "patience pays off here" (i.e., caramelizing the onions), the reward is massive in regard to flavor and comfort.

17. Roasted Artichoke Leaf Appetizer With Feta & Black Olives

Lindsay-Jean Hard's artichoke appetizer is super smart, super fun, and super tasty. I especially love how it came to fruition: "Years ago, Tara Duggan mentioned roasting artichoke leaves," she writes, "and the idea stuck in my subconscious until recently when I had a dream about artichoke nachos and woke up determined to make them."

18. Grilled Corn & Ranch Pizzas

South Koreans adore the flavor combo of corn, ranch, and cheese, and the flavors really do work well together. (Don't knock it till you've tried it!) These are individual flatbreads (which you can cut up further), making them the perfect Fourth of July appetizer or snack bite.

19. Burrata & Burnt Oranges With Pistachios, Mint & Pomegranate

Sometimes, "appetizer" for me means a quick assembly job of fantastic ingredients. Here, nigella and sumac-spiced burrata and citrus star, while pomegranate seeds and pistachios support with lovely crunch.

20. Muhammara

For this satisfying, hearty dip, "roasted red peppers are blitzed with toast, then spiced with the usual Levant suspects: pomegranate molasses, cumin, and Aleppo pepper," writes recipe author Kitchen Butterfly. "Make a lot, you won't regret it!"

21. Avocado & Green Apple Gazpacho

"This silky and refreshing chilled gazpacho soup originated at the Elite paladar in Havana, where the head chef Javier Gomez takes inspiration from the food of Spain," writes Yasmin Khan. "The winning combination of creamy avocado and tart apple makes for an elegant and no-fuss starter, perfect to serve on a warm day."

22. Hmong-Style Chicken Wings With Fish-Sauce Caramel

This Fourth of July appetizer is last on the list but so not the least. Why? Because it's the absolute best thing I've ever eaten out of the Food52 test kitchen.

These vermicelli and pork–stuffed chicken wings are a labor of love (most notably the deboning step at the start of the recipe), but should you be up for the challenge, your friends and family will go crazy over them. The fish-sauce caramel ties everything together and will make you smack your lips dreaming about them for days afterward. (Consider this you're reward for making it to the end of this list.)

What are your favorite 4th of July appetizers? Tell us in the comments below. Source: https://food52.com/blog/24240-4th-of-july-appetizers-recipes

[chocolate-brownies]

There are only a few months left to the year. You’ve got amazing things you want to either start, finish, open, close, or create. It can be both exciting and paralyzing all at once. You think: “How will I ever get it all done?” This thought is followed by a feeling of fatigue. Discouragement. You’re drained; tired of the hustle, of the “do more” mentality that is often celebrated in our culture. Yet you’re still trying to do it all while running on an empty tank.

It’s time to break the vicious cycle.

This may sound harsh, but if you’re trapped in this cycle, you’re missing the point. It’s not about doing it all. It’s about who you will be as you do what you want to do most. This starts by making your physical and mental health a priority. Without health, nothing matters. Forget those goals, projects, and dreams that make your spine tingle.

Desires change the same way the seasons do, but your physical health—and being the happiest person you can be—will never go out of style. There’s another way. Before you continue feeding the beast of doing more till there’s nothing left, review the elements of what I like to call the Health Pyramid. Made up of seven elements based on our basic physiological need to survive, these directives can help you thrive, to be the healthiest and the most productive you can be.

Take Care of Your Heart

We are given an incredible body in which a heart beats, blood flows, and ideas grow. Your heart is your most precious asset. Without it, I wouldn’t have the honor of writing this article for you and you wouldn’t be reading it. Did you know that the heart generates the largest electromagnetic field in the body? This beating drum, no bigger than the size of your fist, reaches far beyond what we can logically understand. It has the power of connecting you to your highest self. A power that has been within you since the moment you were in your mother’s womb. Take care of it.

Start by cranking up your favorite song. Right now. Dance your heart out. Then at the end of the song, pause. Place your hands on your heart and simply enjoy the feeling. Do this several times a day. Bonus: Do this with someone you love!

Breathe Intentionally

Unless you have a committed pranayama practice or have developed breathing skills like a big wave surfer, you probably can’t hold your breathe for much longer than one minute. (I’m betting some of you will want to test this out!) We are designed to breathe; our bodies need oxygen to survive. In fact, the average person can survive for only 3–6 minutes without oxygen. Thus, it is imperative to fuel our bodies with fresh air. The act of breathing intentionally can change everything within seconds.

Regardless, we often take our breathing for granted when considering how to optimize ourselves to live our best life. Often, when anxiety creeps in, breath becomes shallow and short. Take three deep breaths. Notice the difference. Practice slow and deep breathing as you go about your day. Notice the impact this has on how you show up in your life. One of my favorite practices is alternate nostril breathing.

Click here for 3 free simple breathing techniques from the author! 

Make Sleep a Priority

Ever pulled an all-nighter? If you attended college or brought beings into the world, chances are you have at least once. These were a badge of honor when I completed my degree. Libraries staying open 24 hours so that students could stay up all night in order to finish a paper was the norm. It all seems ironic now, considering that cognitive function decreases significantly with sleep deprivation. You would think that a university promotes an environment conducive for becoming the greatest version of yourself… But that’s a topic for a different day.

It’s important to take your sleep cycle as seriously as you do your grades or bank account. Making sleep a priority will increase your energy, restore your mood, clear your mind, and improve productivity—hence support you in accomplishing more of the things that matter most to you. And if that’s not enough, J-Lo attributes sleep to her glowing skin and rocking bod. I’ll take it.

An easy way to improve your sleep is by getting an old-school alarm clock. You know the one with AA batteries that were around before smart phones saw the light of day? Yeah. That one. Use that as your alarm moving forward. Leave your phone in a different room at least one hour before your bed time. That way you won’t be tempted to scroll down J-Lo’s feed when you should be sleeping. Do this for one week. Let us know how it goes.

Photo by Marion Michele

Stay Hydrated

Are you drinking enough water? Is your mom drinking enough water? Chances are one of you isn’t if you abide by the eight-cups-per-day guideline. Proper hydration helps cleanse your body—inside and out. It supports proper muscle function, which is important considering all the amazing things you want to be doing in your lifetime. You want to practice well into your 90s, right? Drink up! Instead of rushing to the coffee machine after turning that old-school alarm off—and not snoozing—have a tall glass of water.

To kick it up a notch, add fresh lemon juice or 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to also awaken your digestive system.

You Are What You Eat

If you are what you eat, are you eating foods that support who you want to become? Unless your dream is to create the next chip empire, chances are that bag of Miss Vickie’s isn’t serving you. I often see my eating patterns go downhill when I start feeling like I have too much going on. When I catch myself and switch the chips for salad, and wine for green juice, I quickly get back on track. Enjoy those salty delights once in a while. Follow the Pareto principle—the 80/20 rule—to stay balanced: 80 percent clean eats, 20 percent soul-food. And if you have “all or nothing” tendencies like I do, a seasonal cleanse can do wonders to get your nutrition back on track. I created the REVITALIZE Cleanse for this reason.

Move Your Body

Since we’ve already agreed to keep practicing asanas well into our 90s, why not prepare our body for a lifetime of fluid movement now? Whether you love to flow, dance, run, or qualify for the CrossFit Games, moving your body is much more than physical strength, power, and flexibility. Movement shifts energy around, releases tension, and creates a sense of peace. The six-pack is a bonus. If you’ve let your movement practice slip, get back to basics by simply going for a walk around the block—or, better yet, unroll your mat and practice on Wanderlust TV 

.

I’ve been practicing for over a decade and teaching for almost as long, yet nothing grounds me more than a practice that brings it back to the foundations—the 21-Day Challenge “Vinyasa for Life” with Schuyler Grant is my favorite.

Love

It’s what the world needs right now. It’s what YOU need right now. More than anything else. Go ahead—change the world, but always remember that to someone, you are their world. No matter what you set your mind to do in this life, remember to love yourself first and most. Be kind to yourself. Discover the hidden treasures within you. Smile more. Hug tight. Laugh often. And if you end up having a few too many slices of pizza on Friday night instead of going to hot yoga, don’t judge yourself for it. Enjoy every damn bite. Love is just as important, if not more so, than any other items on this list. It’s a practice, a journey, an adventure. You may need to love yourself more right now—do one thing today that you love. Maybe you’ll pour a hot bath, call a friend, or write a love letter: to yourself. (No joke, it’s a beautiful gift!) And no matter what you do, remember, do it with love too.

—

Melissa Colleret is a life coach, speaker, and yoga instructor based in Montreal. Sharing her mission to make you come alive and live your best life keeps this passionate entrepreneur on her toes. From 1:1 sessions, online workshops, cleanse programs, and yoga classes, Melissa wakes up every day wanting to inspire and empower.

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The post 7 Ways to Optimize Your Health and Improve Your Life appeared first on Wanderlust.

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These are the best 24 dishes at The Cheesecake Factory

As one of the country's leading Cheesecake Factory experts, I know what it's like to navigate the restaurant's the extensive menu.

It's a challenge for the everyday consumer to choose the right dish among more than 250 menu items. Most Americans can't choose between the Factory's famed Four Cheese Pasta and Fettuccine Alfredo. Who's to blame them? I have dedicated my life to eating creamy poison from mall restaurants, I can't expect the average, healthy consumer to do the same.

If you're an anxious Cheesecake Factory customer, let me help you.

SEE ALSO: Mom's viral rant about cheesecakes is too relatable

Below are the top Cheesecake Factory items that should be on everyone's bucket list. This list is a result of years of culinary research and taste-testing. Please consider this entire ranking to be 100 percent  accurate and true.

Thank you for your support in advance.

24. Four Cheese Pasta

The Factory's Four Cheese Pasta greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: it has so many damn cheeses. Still, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and Romano are classic middle American favorites, and this pasta is all the better for it. Celebrate!

23. Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla Milkshake

The Cheesecake Factory doesn't get nearly enough attention for their milkshakes, and it's understandable. It's not like they're bursting with originality. But what they lack in creativity they more than make up for in robust flavor: imagine your favorite fat combined with your favorite sweet.

22. Cajun Jambalaya Pasta

Look! Real flavor at a mall restaurant!

Image: cheesecake factory

Cajun Jambalaya Pasta frequently tops the list of Cheesecake Factory favorites. Sure, it sounds like something you can get at Epcot, but it has flavor, which is more than you can say of any restaurant attached to a mall.

21. Chicken Pot Stickers

It's almost always a bad idea when an all-purpose chain restaurant tries to go "international." Once you accept, however, that these chicken pot stickers aren't even close to anything authentic, you begin to accept them for what they are — fatty pieces of goodness.

20 Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings are one of those things chain restaurants almost always do better than upscale. It's a fact soon to be proven by science. Cheesecake Factory is particularly adept at the classic buffalo wing, providing a comfortable, suburban level of spice.

19. Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake

Brand excellence

Image: cheesecake factory

Reese's makes everything better including cheesecake. Peanut butter and cheese aren't a combo I'd try anytime, but if there's one chain I trust to execute it correctly, it's Cheesecake Factory. No chain is better at producing delightful low-brow creations with a mid-range level of skill.

18. Almond-crusted Salmon Salad

One of the healthier options on the Cheesecake Factory menu, and strangely not disgusting, is the salmon salad. Plus, you can't go wrong with anything crusted — period. I typically go for cheese-encrusted items, but for those of us who want to be healthy and still a little gross, this is your best shot.

17. Shepherd's Pie

I'm a vegepreferian, so it's been a long time since I've had meat. Still, I sometimes dream of meat pies at night, especially those crafted by the heroes of Cheesecake Factory. You also can't go wrong with a mashed potato parmesan cheese crust.

16. Chicken Parmesan 

Breaded chicken with cheese is an Italian-American gift to the world. I wish more contemporary restaurant didn't snub the dish. Thanks to Cheesecake Factory for standing up for what's right and fatty and including this on their menu.

15. Fish Tacos

Beer-battered fish and avocado is always the correct choice. I wish Cheesecake Factory accepted their middle American roots and embraced the hard shell. Still, there's a lot of stigma against hard shells, and I'm not going to judge the chain for being unprepared to embrace them.

14. Chicken Bellaggio

The Chicken Bellagio is one of the more popular Cheesecake Factory dishes, and it's easy to see why. It combines chicken, slathered in a parmesan cream sauce, with prosciutto and a bunch of boring greens not worth mentioning. Hell, they should probably call rename this place the Chicken Factory. 

13.  Mashed Potatoes

Not everyone can do mashed potatoes, even though everyone thinks they can. The Cheesecake Factory gets all of the points for their mashed potato side. It's creamy and rich and wildly buttery, which is all it takes to rise to mashed potato excellence.

12. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

Cookie dough belongs everywhere, and especially in my mouth. Kudos to Cheesecake Factory for picking up on this '00s fad and making it last. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is an underrated dessert speciality.

11. Chris' Outrageous Cheesecake

Whoever this dude Chris is, I need to meet him.

Image: cheesecake factory

Chris' Outrageous Cheesecake has everything that makes a cheesecake great: coconut, chocolate brownie, moist chocolate cake, and cheesecake. I really hope you open your heart to this cheesecake. Just because it's not one of the most popular cheesecakes on the menu doesn't mean it doesn't have worth.

10. Eggplant Parmesan

I applaud the Cheesecake Factory for making a chain restaurant vegetarian dish that doesn't make me want to vom. The Factory's parm is way less rubbery than most restaurant-made eggplant parms. And while it lacks the glitz and glamor of the chicken parm, it makes up for it in healthfulness (sort of) and style.

9. Chicken Taquitos

I'm not fully sure what this is, but I love it

Image: cheesecake factory

These taquitos are adorable. And sure, they don't resemble anything on a traditional Mexican menu. But that's not why I eat the taquitos — I eat them because they're zesty and crunchy and don't crumble all over my clothes.

8. Crispy Fried Cheese

I feel awkward about putting the fried cheese this far up on the ranking, because fried cheese is always good. Nonetheless, I praise any restaurant that puts Crispy Fried Cheese on the menu and doesn't hide it. Cheesecake Factory, I applaud you for your bravery.

7. Black-Out Cake

It's a cake with multiple layers of chocolate and fudge. It doesn't skimp, it's not thinly sliced, and it doesn't pretend to be anything than its raw disgusting self. We need more cakes like these out there.

6. Dulce de Leche Caramel Cheesecake

Sugar on fat on sugar on fat

Image: cheesecake factory

This cheesecake is heavy on the caramel, so it's not for everyone. Still, the Dulce de Leche is a beautiful option who anyone who's unsatisfied with the frightening level of sugar already present in cheesecake and needs more.

5. Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheesecake

It's always depressing when people recommend raspberries as a solo dessert option. However, raspberries do wonders when it comes to cheesecake. I'm so glad the Factory found a way to be inclusive. 

4. Buffalo Blasts

Fried on fried

Image: Cheesecake factory

It's chicken and cheese in a spicy wrapper.  Wraps mostly terrify me but this one is so foul, it's wonderful. I highly recommend the Buffalo Blast for the foodies bored of the wing.

3. Warm crab and artichoke dip

This is a people's favorite. I've never been a huge fan of crab myself, but I applaud anything drowned in a bucket of cream. Bonus: It likely contains all of your calories for the day. No need to eat anything else!

2. Pumpkin Cheesecake

The pumpkin cheesecake is perfect for the basic bitch, pumpkin-spice-latte-lover in all of us. It's got just enough bite to keep me interested, and buckets of sugar to keep me awake all night.

1. Hot Spinach and Cheese Dip

Cheesy greatness

Image: cheesecake factory

I'm going to take a lot of heat for listing such a traditional, unoriginal favorite first. So be it. Sometimes, you've just got to stand up for what you believe in. I commend the factory for making such a  superior appetizer. As anyone in the foodie community knows, appetizers, not entrees, are where it's at.

Run along, my dear Cheesecake Factory fans, and try everything on this listicle. You (excluding your arteries) won't regret it.

WATCH: Would you throw $19,000 on this bathtub?

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Ask Angela: Savoury toddler snack ideas, nut-free flourless muffins, and more

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Were baa-aaack! Thanks for your patience last Friday as I escaped the flu’s chokehold, lol. I’m happy that we’re into the swing of things again with some fun questions today! How nerdy am I that I get excited to test these things out? I’m basically just relieved that I can taste food again.

In case you missed it, yesterday I posted my recipe for the flourless muffins that have been in our breakfast and snack time rotation lately. We received so many questions about these muffins that I thought I’d include a couple in today’s roundup as well—see the last two for my notes on a nut-free version and ingredient swap. Also be sure to check out the comments in the post itself as I’ve answered a slew of other muffin questions there. I can’t wait to hear what you think about them!

Q1. Great toddler snack ideas! I’m wondering if you can create some more ideas for savoury snacks? I have a two year old who is clearly a vegan foodie. I give him a daily snack at 4pm and once a week try to provide a savoury snack too. Daiya Plain Cream Cheeze Style Spread on top of very small celery sticks has been a hit.

Hi Laurie, I love this challenge! It’s definitely easy to default to snacks that are naturally sweet because they tend to be instant hits with kids. Here is a list of savoury snack ideas your little one may enjoy. I hope my suggestions help! And if any other readers would like to chime in below, please do. A big thanks to my recipe tester Nicole for helping me drum up some ideas! 

Avocado “fingers”: avocado slices tossed in crunchy breadcrumbs or almond meal and garlic powder. Adriana really likes this one and it’s super easy to prepare on the fly.

Carrot sticks (either raw or steamed) dipped in Cashew Sour Cream, hummus, or mashed avocado/guacamole. 

Cooked chickpeas that have been rinsed, drained and dried. Toddlers love a finger food! 

Dill Pickle Smoothie from the app (iOS/Android). This savoury smoothie comes together in a few minutes and I find kids love its tangy flavour too! If serving it the first time you may want to scale back on the lemon a bit until they get used to the flavour.

Avocado Hummus Toast from Oh She Glows Every Day. You can leave the 9-Spice Mix off if you choose, but I recommend letting toddlers try it first. You never know what they are going to like!

Pickles! Pickled cucumber, cauliflower, carrots and beets. Pickles may not be a hit on the first try, but keep offering them.

Sun-dried Tomato and Garlic Super Seed Crackers (Oh She Glows Every Day, p. 81) You can give the larger seeds several pulses in the food processor if your toddler isn’t able to chew them yet.

Seasoned kale chips. Try my Flawless Kale Chips, or if you have a dehydrator my Sun-dried Tomato Cheezy Kale Chips are out of this world! 

Sneaky Shamrock Crackers. These spinach, dill and whole grain crackers can be cut into any shape you (or your kids) like.

Super Power Chia Bread (The Oh She Glows Cookbook, p. 229 and on the blog) This is a dense, hearty bread that packs a nutritional punch. Try it spread with hummus or mashed avocado.

Cast-Iron Tofu (Oh She Glows Everyday, p. 137) cooked in rectangles and cut into thin sticks for dipping in ketchup or mild barbecue sauce. My Crispy Breaded Tofu Strips are also a huge hits with kids.

My Homemade Wheat Thins crackers taste just like the real thing, and they can be frozen too.

My Jumbo Chickpea Pancake cut into small pieces or fun shapes.

Q2. What can I use as a substitute for carrots in your Perfect Veggie Burger recipe? I can’t eat carrots for health reasons. 

Hey Jelena, Grated sweet potato will work just fine in place of the grated carrot. Grated beet could be a fun twist, but I haven’t tried it yet so I’m not entirely certain. I’d love to hear if you do, though! 

Q3. Hi Angela, I’m loving the return of Friday FAQs/Ask Angela. I love unwinding on my lunch break at work reading the weekly post. I have a question about your Nut-Free Dream Bars from Oh She Glows Every Day (p. 211)—do you have any swaps for brown rice syrup in the crust? Every grocery store in my city is out of stock, and I want to make the bars for my mom’s birthday.

Hey Amanda, I’m so happy you look forward to the series every Friday…picturing you reading over lunch makes me smile! I used brown rice syrup in this crust because it’s the stickiest type of liquid sweetener and tends to bind ingredients very well. But your question made me curious, so I tested out a maple syrup option for you as well! Instead of using 2 1/2 tablespoons brown rice syrup, I used an equal amount of pure maple syrup and followed the crust directions as written. I found that the maple syrup crust was softer and crumbled a bit when sliced, but overall it didn’t break apart quite as much as I expected it would with that swap. It still tastes great, so I’d say it’s an option as long as you don’t mind some of the crust breaking off here and there!

Q4. What model coffee grinder do you have? 

Hey Lauren! I’ve used this KitchenAid BCG111OB Blade Coffee Grinder for the past several years, but I do have a couple qualms with the grinder overall. You have to be pushing the lid down for the grinder to run, and I’d much prefer being able to press a button and walk away while I prep my coffee things. You also can’t specify the grind level (e.g. course, fine, etc.) on this model, so it can be difficult to achieve a precise grind. Other than that, the grinder works just fine. But would I buy it again? I would probably look for one that suited my needs a bit better. If anyone has a coffee grinder they LOVE, please do share below!  

Q5. Is there anything I could substitute for the almonds and almond butter in your new Flourless Bite-Sized Breakfast Muffin recipe? I bake for a lunchbox program for kids and I’m always looking for good nut-free recipes. We use SunButter and Wowbutter in place of nut butters. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions? 

Hey Alana, Good news! I just tested a nut-free version of these muffins and it worked great. I used 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds instead of the whole almonds and substituted the almond butter for 1/2 cup of SunButter Organic Sunflower Seed Butter (make sure there is only sunflower seeds on the label). I also upped the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon to balance the sunflower flavour. This nut-free version does have a distinct sunflower flavour (not exactly surprising, haha!), but I still find it pleasant even if it isn’t as sweet as the almond version. Arlo approved of them, but Adriana wasn’t as sold on this version. ;) Mine also turned out a bit darker and more dense than the almond version. All in all, I do think it’s a decent option. I hope this helps and I would love to hear what you and your students think if you try it.

Q6. I’d like to make your Flourless Bite-Sized Breakfast Muffins. Is there anything I can use instead of arrowroot starch?

Hey Tara, For sure! An equal amount of cornstarch tends to work well as a swap for arrowroot in baked goods, so you could try it out. I haven’t tested it myself as I don’t tend to keep cornstarch in my pantry. Please let me know how it goes if you try it!

“Your 3-Layer Nut-Free Dream Cups are the best thing ever. I made half my batch with peanut butter and the other with almond butter. So good. As much as I love peanut butter and chocolate together, the almond butter was amazing. (Though I understand nut-free is great for people who can’t have nuts at all.) MAKE THESE. DO NOT hesitate. I actually cut each cup into quarters as I thought a whole cup was way too much. At times I would have half, but mostly ate a quarter at a time and that was enough. What a treat. I will make these over and over and over and over…. :)”

Hey Trish, Haha…your review was so fun to read. Thank you so much for trying the dream cups! You’ve reminded me that I need to make a batch of these beauties soon because it’s been WAY too long. So many recipes…so little time!

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3 Fun Ways to Prepare Grilled Chicken Breasts

Check Out These Great Tips On Homeschooling ChildrenIs your homeschool classroom all it can be? Could you be doing something more to make it run more smoothly? Of course you could! This article will help you figure out what it will take to make your kids' education better on all fronts, ensuring the best learning possible.Just because you follow a curriculum from another source, does not mean you must follow it to the letter. There are often going to be parts of a curriculum that do not suit your child's learning style or schedule. Be flexible with a curriculum and do not be afraid to drop those parts that are not fitting for your educational plan.While you want your home schooled student(s) to learn as much or more as their traditionally schooled counterparts, remember that you don't have to follow any guidelines when you are the teacher. Try different teaching and learning techniques to see what works best for your student. Also, consider using a reward program to make learning more exciting.Set aside time to give children individual attention. Set up a small area in which you supply them with crafts and learning toys. Ask your older children to teach their younger siblings. They'll all be learning and having fun, too.Cook bulk meals a couple times a week. Having a few dinners frozen and ready to heat and eat in the freezer can make crazy days better. Worrying about what you are going to feed your family as you are trying to homeschool will make things more stressful than they need to be.Don't forget the 'social' side of school. A child gains much more from school than simply academics. Make sure that your child is involved in activities that a school offers such as sports and music. This can be achieved by meeting other homeschool parents and organizing extra curricular activities at the end of the school day or the weekend.Prior to making the decision to homeschool your child, evaluate the relationship that you have with them. If you do not have a great relationship, you are likely going to have difficulty in getting them to cooperate with homeschooling. Discipline in the home is critical if the child is going to do well in a homeschool setting.Remember that when you are homeschooling you do not need to follow a classroom set up. The learning environment can be a lot more flexible, and you can tailor it to fit you and the child's needs. If your child has a hard time rising in the morning, instead of trying to teach them, chemistry at 7am, start their classes a little later in the morning or later in the afternoon.Before you begin homeschooling, be cautious of the discipline being used in your home. Each home has a special kind of "discipline" or training that should also be put to use when homeschooling. Know whether the relationship that you have with your children will make this easier or harder, so that you can make any necessary adjustments.When you are homeschooling your children, things can get pretty hectic quickly if you are not properly organized. Create a schedule like you would if you were going to work. Do what you normally do in the morning, like making your coffee, and take a shower. Having a schedule will prevent chaos in your home.Homeschooling your children should not mean that they are exempt from tests and quizzes. It is important that you give your child a test as often as they would get one in school. This is a great way to determine which area your child is progressing in and which areas require more work on your part.Try to develop the proper timetable for how long you plan to home school your child. If you are homeschooling your child for a short period of time, research as best as you can to become a great teacher for them. If home school is not right for your child, search for alternatives.Make yourself familiar with the concept of learning styles. There's a lot of information available about the different types of learning styles and the different ways of teaching to address each one. Take advantage of this information to determine what your child's learning style is and how you can best address it.Turn off the TV. In many homes, the TV is on at all times. If you want your child to focus on their lessons, you will have to get rid of distractions. While there are some things, your child can learn from the TV, there are times when it should be avoided.If you have in-depth information to teach an older child, wait until a younger child is napping to do so. This type of information needs your undivided time and attention, and you can only offer that if you do not have to tend to the baby. When your younger child naps for an hour or two, your older child can ask questions, ask for your assistance with work and really learn important subjects. Take the opportunity to make this happen.Reading this article was the first step towards bettering your home schooling for your kids. Congratulations! It's great to know you care so much about them that you'll take the time to learn yourself. Keep it up and your kids will end up as exceptional as you dream for them to be.Gluten-Free Diet: Homemade Soups Winter is right here once more, because of this short days and long darkish nights. The sour bloodless sets in making it very unappealing to challenge out into the frigid air. Lounging by way of a warm fireplace ingesting hot soup sounds more appealing to the creativeness than going to paintings or strolling countless errands. So, after preventing the crowds on the grocery keep and bringing home the purchases, what is at the menu this night to meet the myth of sitting across the toasty hearth sipping tantalizing soup? For individuals who are on a gluten-unfastened weight loss plan some exceptional menu alternatives are all herbal beef stew, potato soup, or bird noodle soup.The first soup to satisfy the gluten-free food regimen is an all herbal home made beef stew. Nothing says iciness higher than this meal. It is mouth-watering right down to the last spoonful and really convenient to make. The simplest competencies required for this recipe are cutting veggies and reducing meat. Sounds smooth sufficient, would not it. Here are the ingredients that make this stew appropriate enough to satisfy the fire delusion. Homemade pork broth, onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, roast beef, thyme, basil, pepper, salt, cornstarch, and water are all that are essential. Once these easy substances are blended, boil for forty five minutes and a touch relaxation and rest with dinner are so as. Luscious, luscious, luscious are what every body could be verbalizing.The 2nd soup to meet the gluten-free food regimen is an all natural potato soup. This recipe isn't any extra complex than the red meat stew. In truth, it might be much less complex, if this is possible. This soup is milk based totally, but those on a dairy-loose eating regimen can use coconut milk. The coconut milk produces a fantastic texture that entices the flavor buds. With coconut milk, potatoes, celery, carrots, paprika, salt, pepper, cornstarch, and water, soup might be at the table after the fireplace is rocking with warmth. The complete own family will accumulate round asking wherein this delicious recipe came from hoping that it will likely be made again soon.The 1/3 soup to fill the gluten-unfastened weight-reduction plan is an all herbal chicken noodle soup. Oh, if the others have now not prompted nostalgia to set in, this one honestly will. This soup will depart all people longing for the days of touring Grandma as she produced selfmade noodles with a selfmade hen broth. There were not any artificial elements scattered in her cooking entourage. She made this soup with such gentle loving care that it made the grandkids desire to never depart. The simplest hassle is that Grandma by no means had to fear approximately gluten-unfastened noodles. So, this recipe will leave nostalgia with cutting-edge allergic reactions taken into account. All this is wished for this recipe is selfmade hen broth, fowl, gluten-loose noodles, celery, carrots, thyme, pepper, and salt. After this appetizing soup is entire, head for the fire and prop the ft up with out a care in the global.Now, there will not be any more excuses approximately taste at the same time as on a gluten-loose weight-reduction plan. The options and varieties are numerous and those 3 fun soups are an excellent example of that. Those long iciness nights do no longer want to be full of dry tasteless food. Instead, they may be complete of taste and variety enjoyed around the fireplace with loved ones and near pals.Perhaps the largest cause why chicken breasts are famous is because of their versatility. Aside from being easy to put together, they're packed complete of protein which may be satisfying to the urge for food. But if now not prepared proper, fowl breasts can be stupid and boring to the taste.

Here are three flavorful grilled fowl breasts recipes which you certainly may not name boring:

Grilled Fruit and Herb Chicken

What you want:

4 boneless and skinless fowl breast halves

four slices clean lemon

three/four cup apricot jam

2 tablespoons more virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon clean minced garlic

half teaspoon dried rosemary

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 sheets 12x18 heavy responsibility aluminum foil

Mix apricot jam, olive oil, rosemary, garlic salt, kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl and stir till thoroughly mixed. Place 2 chicken halves on each sheet of aluminum foil. Pour half of of the mixture on pinnacle of fowl in one foil and the other 1/2 on the other foil. Top each chicken breast with a lemon slice. Fold over the sides of the foil to create a packet. Cook the packets on a pre-heated blanketed grill over medium-high warmness for 12-15 minutes until hen is cooked via. Carefully open the packets to permit steam to get away before serving.

Rich and Creamy Grilled Chicken

What you need:

2 boneless and skinless bird breast halves

three/four cup creamy salad dressing

1/2 cup Italian-fashion salad dressing

1/eight teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a huge bowl, mix collectively creamy salad dressing, Italian-style dressing and cayenne pepper. Mix well to mix elements nicely. Add bird to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for as a minimum 2 hours. When prepared, discard extra marinade and cook dinner chook in a pre-heated grill over medium-excessive warmness for 6-8 mins consistent with facet or until cooked through. Allow to chill before serving.

Strawberry Salsa Grilled Chicken

What you need:

4 boneless and skinless fowl breasts, pounded to half of inch thick

2 cups sliced clean strawberries

1 clove garlic, minced

2 serrano chiles, seeded and minced

1/four cup olive oil

1/four cup bitter cream

1/three cup minced crimson onion

four tablespoons raspberry vinegar

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder

Salt and pepper to flavor

Season pounded chicken breast halves with salt and pepper then location in a massive re-sealable plastic bag. Combine 1/2 of the serrano chiles, 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar, garlic and chili powder in a small bowl. Slowly upload olive oil and stir to combine components well. Pour aggregate over hen in the plastic bag and toss to coat. Seal and refrigerate for 2-three hours. In a separate bowl, mix strawberries, mint and sugar. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour then add ultimate serrano chiles, final raspberry vinegar and onions. Let stand at room temperature. When bird is prepared, discard extra marinade and prepare dinner hen in a pre-heated grill over medium-excessive heat for 3-5 mins consistent with facet or till cooked through. Serve chook breasts with strawberry salsa.

Chicken breasts may be anything but uninteresting specially in case you strive these three amazingly pleasing recipes!

Gluten-Free Diet: Homemade Soups

Winter is right here once more, because of this short days and long darkish nights. The sour bloodless sets in making it very unappealing to challenge out into the frigid air. Lounging by way of a warm fireplace ingesting hot

potato soup

sounds more appealing to the creativeness than going to paintings or strolling countless errands. So, after preventing the crowds on the grocery keep and bringing home the purchases, what is at the menu this night to meet the myth of sitting across the toasty hearth sipping tantalizing potato soup ? For individuals who are on a gluten-unfastened weight loss plan some exceptional menu alternatives are all herbal beef stew, potato soup, or bird noodle soup.

The first baked potato to satisfy the gluten-free food regimen is an all herbal home made beef stew. Nothing says iciness higher than this meal. It is mouth-watering right down to the last spoonful and really convenient to make. The simplest competencies required for this recipe are cutting veggies and reducing meat. Sounds smooth sufficient, would not it. Here are the ingredients that make this stew appropriate enough to satisfy the fire delusion. Homemade pork broth, onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, roast beef, thyme, basil, pepper, salt, cornstarch, and water are all that are essential. Once these easy substances are blended, boil for forty five minutes and a touch relaxation and rest with dinner are so as. Luscious, luscious, luscious are what every body could be verbalizing.

The 2nd soup to meet the gluten-free food regimen is an all natural potato soup. This recipe isn't any extra complex than the red meat stew. In truth, it might be much less complex, if this is possible. This soup is milk based totally, but those on a dairy-loose eating regimen can use coconut milk. The coconut milk produces a fantastic texture that entices the flavor buds. With coconut milk, potatoes, celery, carrots, paprika, salt, pepper, cornstarch, and water, soup might be at the table after the fireplace is rocking with warmth. The complete own family will accumulate round asking wherein this delicious recipe came from hoping that it will likely be made again soon.

The 1/3 soup to fill the gluten-unfastened weight-reduction plan is an all herbal chicken noodle soup. Oh, if the others have now not prompted nostalgia to set in, this one honestly will. This soup will depart all people longing for the days of touring Grandma as she produced selfmade noodles with a selfmade hen broth. There were not any artificial elements scattered in her cooking entourage. She made this soup with such gentle loving care that it made the grandkids desire to never depart. The simplest hassle is that Grandma by no means had to fear approximately gluten-unfastened noodles. So, this recipe will leave nostalgia with cutting-edge allergic reactions taken into account. All this is wished for this recipe is selfmade hen broth, fowl, gluten-loose noodles, celery, carrots, thyme, pepper, and salt. After this appetizing soup is entire, head for the fire and prop the ft up with out a care in the global.

Now, there will not be any more excuses approximately taste at the same time as on a gluten-loose weight-reduction plan. The options and varieties are numerous and those 3 fun soups are an excellent example of that. Those long iciness nights do no longer want to be full of dry tasteless food. Instead, they may be complete of taste and variety enjoyed around the fireplace with loved ones and near pals.

Check Out These Great Tips On Homeschooling Children

Is your homeschool classroom all it can be? Could you be doing something more to make it run more smoothly? Tesol Certification  Of course you could! This article will help you figure out what it will take to make your kids' education better on all fronts, ensuring the best learning possible.

Just because you follow a curriculum from another source, does not mean you must follow it to the letter. There are often going to be parts of a curriculum that do not suit your child's learning style or schedule. Be flexible with a curriculum and do not be afraid to drop those parts that are not fitting for your educational plan.

While you want your home schooled student(s) to learn as much or more as their traditionally schooled counterparts, remember that you don't have to follow any guidelines when you are the teacher. Try different teaching and learning techniques to see what works best for your student. Also, consider using a reward program to make learning more exciting.

Set aside time to give children individual attention. Set up a small area in which you supply them with crafts and learning toys. Ask your older children to teach their younger siblings. They'll all be learning and having fun, too.

Cook bulk meals a couple times a week. Having a few dinners frozen and ready to heat and eat in the freezer can make crazy days better. Worrying about what you are going to feed your family as you are trying to homeschool will make things more stressful than they need to be.

Don't forget the 'social' side of school. A child gains much more from school than simply academics. Make sure that your child is involved in activities that a school offers such as sports and music. Tesol Certification This can be achieved by meeting other homeschool parents and organizing extra curricular activities at the end of the school day or the weekend.

Prior to making the decision to homeschool your child, evaluate the relationship that you have with them. If you do not have a great relationship, you are likely going to have difficulty in getting them to cooperate with homeschooling. Discipline in the home is critical if the child is going to do well in a homeschool setting.

Remember that when you are homeschooling you do not need to follow a classroom set up. The learning environment can be a lot more flexible, and you can tailor it to fit you and the child's needs. If your child has a hard time rising in the morning, instead of trying to teach them, chemistry at 7am, start their classes a little later in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Before you begin homeschooling, be cautious of the discipline being used in your home. Each home has a special kind of "discipline" or training that should also be put to use when homeschooling. Know whether the relationship that you have with your children will make this easier or harder, so that you can make any necessary adjustments.

When you are homeschooling your children, things can get pretty hectic quickly if you are not properly organized. Create a schedule like you would if you were going to work. Do what you normally do in the morning, like making your coffee, and take a shower. Having a schedule will prevent chaos in your home.

Homeschooling your children should not mean that they are exempt from tests and quizzes. It is important that you give your child a test as often as they would get one in school. This is a great way to determine which area your child is progressing in and which areas require more work on your part.

Try to develop the proper timetable for how long you plan to home school your child. If you are homeschooling your child for a short period of time, research as best as you can to become a great teacher for them. If home school is not right for your child, search for alternatives.

Make yourself familiar with the concept of learning styles. There's a lot of information available about the different types of learning styles and the different ways of teaching to address each one. Take advantage of this information to determine what your child's learning style is and how you can best address it.

Turn off the TV. In many homes, the TV is on at all times. If you want your child to focus on their lessons, you will have to get rid of distractions. While there are some things, your child can learn from the TV, there are times when it should be avoided.

If you have in-depth information to teach an older child, wait until a younger child is napping to do so. This type of information needs your undivided time and attention, and you can only offer that if you do not have to tend to the baby. When your younger child naps for an hour or two, your older child can ask questions, ask for your assistance with work and really learn important subjects. Take the opportunity to make this happen.

Reading this article was the first step towards bettering your home schooling for your kids. Congratulations! It's great to know you care so much about them that you'll take the time to learn yourself. Tesol Certification  Keep it up and your kids will end up as exceptional as you dream for them to be.

Some Amazing Beauty Ideas You Can Use

It's possible to become more beautiful, Tribal Tattoos  both on the inside and the outside. This means learning all you can on how this can be achieved. Whether you're looking for a small or large change, this article is a good place to start.

Look for a concealer palette that comes with two different shades of concealer. This allows you to blend a perfectly customized shade that will melt flawlessly into your skin. Use small dabbing and patting motions to apply the concealer over red areas, broken capillaries, and any other marks or discolored areas.

Always remove your makeup before you go to bed. After a long, stressful day, it can be tempting to just slip into bed without taking the time to remove your makeup. However, sleeping with your makeup on can cause numerous problems including acne, blackheads and dry skin. By taking just a few minutes before bed to remove your makeup, you can keep your skin clear, healthy and moisturized.

For beautiful hair, add oil to your hair care routine. You can make your hair shinier, less frizzy, and mask graying by adding a few drops of oil to your hair every morning. Good oils to use are castor, rosemary, or sesame oils. All of them are cost effective and widely available.

Try not to bathe in water that's too hot. Hot water makes your pores open too much, letting important oils get out. You will then wash the oil away. Wash yourself with lukewarm water to best take care of your skin. This helps create and maintain soft, supple skin. It will also help you save on your heating bill.

You should get rid of your expensive cleaners, and keep some soap, toner and gel as moisturizer. These kinds of natural items will work wonderfully on any skin type. If you need a little more moisture than aloe provides, add a small drop of vitamin E oil. If you need a medicated toner, add a small drop of tea tree oil.

To heal facial blemishes overnight, wash your face well and dab on a little pure tea tree oil before bed. You can also use tea tree oil full strength during the day or mix it with aloe vera gel for a light, natural, healing daytime moisturizer that tones and firms your skin.

Add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your diet to make your skin more beautiful. Eating more fruits and vegetables have benefits to every aspect of your health, not just to your skin. Raw food can not just make your skin beautiful and youthful, it can extend your life by years.

Consider using a purple eye shadow, rather than black or brown. Black and brown can be boring. Purple can really make your eyes pop. Purple eyeshadow is not as bold as you might think. From a distance, it will look like a black or a brown. Even so, it will give your eyes a little extra something.

If you have time for nothing else, focus on your eyebrows. Sometimes you might not have time to do your makeup. This is fine. However, if you still want to pull a look together, try focusing on your eyebrows. Shape them, brush them and be sure to fill them in. Eyebrows are often the focus of your face.

If you are looking for that natural shine from your eyebrows and lashes, petroleum jelly is a great tool to use. Apply some at bedtime, every single night. When you wake up, make sure to remember to wash it off. This will keep your eyelashes and brows shiny, all day long.

For an inexpensive, spa-like facial just lean yourself over a bowl of steaming hot water! Cover or wrap up your hair, fill any container with really hot water and allow the steam to open and clear your pores! It is soothing and stimulating and very cost effective. Follow up with cold water to close and refresh pores, then add moisturizer!

To get super shiny hair, try giving your hair some deep conditioning! After washing your hair, squeeze out all excess water and apply a healthy dollop of conditioner to your hair, focusing on your hairline, the nape of the hair, and the ends. Apply a shower cap and let the conditioner soak in 10 minutes before you rinse it out. You'll have gorgeous silky hair when it dries!

By taking 10 minutes a week to care for your nails it will help your appearance greatly. This is especially true for men, who very often neglect their nails and cuticles. A little regular maintenance results in much-improved hands. At the very least, nails should be cleaned thoroughly; they should be moisturized; and the cuticles should be gently pushed back.

Use liquid eye liner if you want a dramatic look. It can help your eyes pop and look amazing. Select an angled brush that is small for the best look.

If you have grey hair dyed dark, and your roots are beginning to show, try putting the same color mascara as your dyed hair. If your hair is dyed a lighter color such as blond, spray some hairspray on the roots and use a bit of bronze or gold-colored eyeshadow. Or, you can try one of the root color-combs available at local beauty supply stores.

After reading this, you may want to try one or all of the tips provided. In any case, any of the tips are sure to make you realize that adjustments to your beauty routine, small or large, can have a positive impact on your appearance. It's time to look your best!

[bhlland]

s/p The Fourth Year

It’s to some extent humorous upon reflection… since my return journey from the charming hustle and bustle of mellifluous Charlottesville back to the hinterlands of sentimentally-sweet albeit considerably isolated Fredericksburg, I’ve found this fight for faith to be exhaustibly bothersome. And to be vulnerably forthright, my inceptive response to finishing my final bout of undergrad exams was not one of excitingly poring through my Bible and catching up on all the quiet time entries that I unwisely pushed off. Even less so was my reaction to community-less lifestyle one of enamoring myself with Jesus when my heart felt the most empty.

The most dangerous type of sentiment a Christian could feel is unembellished apathy. At least when the Christian finds himself incessantly grappling with God to figure out his divine schemes and why they are necessary, there is a clear indication of concern in that struggling believer’s heart. To get to the bottom of the mess. To extract hints of higher meaning embedded by a Creator so vastly superior and meticulous and caring who could motivate even the most inquisitive heart to believe again once more in that which seems to teeter on the edge between plausibility and irrationality.

When the Christian’s heart becomes flooded by indifference, what argument can one proffer to stimulate that heart back to life? Sin becomes an even greater and sharper tool for hacking at the bases of spiritual foundation. 

If it wasn’t clear already, my enthusiasm for God has certainly waned over the course of the last several months. I haven’t been able to bring myself to open up my Bible since May. I have spent the past eight weeks and counting glued to my computer screen, endlessly ravaged by my repulsive appetite for pornography, among other vices. I am diffident to reaching out to people because I am haunted by their silent responses. And in it all, my prideful selfishness has done nothing but inflate for reasons who really knows why. 

What then remains after a brutal and seemingly unforgiving four years of pseudo-adulthood? To no one’s surprise: a soiled, irreverent sinner marked by disgrace who has heard the “God still loves you” message too many times to leave any lasting impression. In all that, one random pastor’s prayer is preventing me from already tossing away this whole journey like an inconsequential fluff of lint onto the stained carpet. He said plainly, “I don’t want to lose hope through what you have revealed to me through your Son, Jesus Christ.”

Jesus, you have been clear and intentional in your encounters with me thus far. And maybe I just need some time this Sunday evening to acutely muse over your grace-laden truths for me and for the masses. I don’t want to forget. And until I do, I don’t want to give up. And so... here’s to another year of thinking and dreaming about Jesus:

and appropriately enthralling sunrises that shimmer gold through never-ending hills and valleys layered by tree branch shadows,

effusively sentimental and humbling handmade posters decorated to splashy multicolored perfection for seriously undeserving college students who are just trying their best to help in raising up a younger generation,

totally rad friendmates who stretch the limits of groovy musicality on those pleasurable and way too few beginning-of-the-semester Saturday evenings,

special bros in Christ that never fail to let you know when they’re planning to swoop by and are assuredly joyful even when behind-the-scenes you can tell things might not seem all as put together as presented,

surprise sunsets over Scott Stadium after an unbearably tiring yet sincerely rewarding week of sweet encounters with swell new underclassmen buddies,

alumni folk who provide unexpectedly timely TLC in the form of Bodos bagels just because (and then silently dip out because they didn’t want to disturb our meeting — their generosity knows no bounds),

bright-minded friends who speak in colorful joy because Jesus has so evidently made an eternal home in their hearts that are entirely in tune with His vision for the poor and lost (as well as all those beautiful Vintage lunches providing warm, welcoming spaces those precious Friday afternoons),

suave buddies who unhesitatingly accept your invitation to conquer that next couple-hour-drive-away mountain trail because some Saturdays you just gotta get outta town and sweat out all the worries and doubts with a friend whose heart is willing,

glistening smiles from endearing rascals who keep your heart in the game when ministry becomes the toughest and the end goals seem so distant,

amicably youthful brothamen and sistaladies that make going to biostat lecture on TuTh afternoons probably worth it by keeping you company (and keeping you sane),

invites to an Oklahoma parents friend-party (aka an Oklahoma parents farty) with endless Chipotle catering, fulfilling small talk with never-before-seen UVA faces, and a random competition of musical chairs culminating in a sore bottom and a free lemon pie (with not one but TWO cans of whipped cream deluxe),

down-for-it concert partners that stick through the however-many-hours drive to Norfolk and back, serve as exemplars to the phrase “being lost in worship”, & speak freely and courageously about the goodness of Jesus,

endlessly-encouraging younger sisters in Christ that prove the unifying capacity of Jesus in the span of one late-night rendezvous (not to mention their aptitudes to create an elegant chalk aesthetic),

fortuitous map backdrops + special companions that dabble too in “secret” Alderman affairs (and wonders about what on Earth could be the reason for those precious luminous smiles?),

hope-full teammates that emanate gracious patience, cheerful leadership, and pertinent episodes of prayer when the times seem toughest,

ministry partners that egg your heart to keep going for just another week because the kids we get the privilege to encounter and teach each week are so immeasurably worth every iota of love we could even begin to muster,

one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever witnessed of welcoming a non-believer into the faith community (courtesy of close to 100 strangers coming together at St. Paul’s at 10pm during finals week equipped with streamers, cake, letters, and a whole lot of gospel-rooted love),

gentle-hearted daughters of God who welcomingly invite you to the dinner table to break slices of some of the most deliciously-crafted pizza we can afford to order and taste together (including but not limited to deep dish convos about faith and its accompanying difficulties),

pleasantly unexpected last-minute Text-a-Toasty encounters at Kellogg with inquisitive hearts that provide as many answers as they do questions,

refreshing monthly Theological Horizons forums supplied with tasty sandwiches and even fresher advices and insights into the intersections between faith and occupation,

restoring get-away moments at anointed retreat center locales where you come in questioning it all and at the brink of falling over and yet come out being graciously pointed in a smoother, calmer direction with Jesus leading the way, step-by-modest-step,

sloppy unanticipated final moments with hurting loved ones who reserve the right to eat the whole 호떡 (whose Life is precious and favored and remembered, from then until now until whenever),

husband-wife worship nights filled with collective echoes of admiration and obedience to the Lord that gives us the breath to sing in the first place,

last minute egg-stuffing seshes with highly motivated and quick-fingered peers, mutually devoted to see those cherished young souls become true egg-hunting masters the following Easter Sunday,

midnight inter-fellowship praise rehearsals with dedicated folks that remind me every time to believe deeply in the sovereignty of a God that is able to bring together cultures and differences because He is the center of all that we do and look to,

scenic explorations of hidden walkways and waterfronts post-pigging out at pho restaurants and donut shops (still with some room for overpriced gelato en route back to the good ol’ UV of A),

heartwarming notes and thoughts and memories from dear underclassmen buddies, bundled up and saved, because they are more than special enough to be read two and three and four times over and counting,

end-of-the-semester worship night tear-downs and wrapping-ups, all the credit and thanks to the incredible worship team members, Andrew and his youthful heart, the wonderful pastors of the local Korean Community Church for agreeing to graciously host, and the remarkable congregation whose hearts were spurred to seek and respond,

well-meaning professors who go above and beyond in their convictions for teaching and learning and remain totally all-in for their students from the get-go to the finish line and then some,

zealous teammates who share words like treasured seeds that seep beneath the spaces of the heart and germinate into stalks of encouragement and wisdom in the now and in the what’s to come,

impassioned youth (from middle school to college-bound) that confront their challenges and cynicism with faith head on, for ones that are unafraid to delve deep into the messiness of belief,

closing chapters filled to the brim with affectionate remembrances, lessons learned and still learning, and hopes for newer and fresher encounters with Jesus,

magical afternoons where all worries are cast aside and all that remains and all that matters is the present, carefree, plainspoken exchange with solid peeps that just understand even when you don’t,

and last but assuredly not at all the least of it all, here’s to the gang that heals my heart from even the most painful of bruises. Time stops and even rewinds a couple years with these special buddies. The only regret I have from this Friday is that I only placed 2nd in mini-golf. Until the next wacky late-night rendezvous and heart-to-heart in the church kitchen.

The all-inclusive table of Jesus is evidence to me that God indeed shows no favoritism between the brushed-up pious follower of Jesus comfortably welcomed into the group to the unstable guy that wears his train wreck on his sleeve and doesn’t fit in. You and I, and them and the rest, are all invited. Teach me more, Jesus. I want to keep learning from you.

[michellercole]

I love whole grains so much I dreamed of one last week. My dreaming mind watched a cooking video which claimed that quinoa was cooked incorrectly if any of the “tails” were hanging out of the grains, and the riddle of how to keep these strings tucked into each tiny pearl boggled my mind enough I woke up. Could I keep them from being unruly through a low, vigilant simmer, or was the secret the addition of an acid at a strategic moment? Then I considered that both the premise and concern of this challenge were false. In my waking life, quinoa is done when it looks undressed, and the only person in the house who will eat quinoa, yours truly, is very easy to please regarding whole grains.

One whole grain I enjoy more than quinoa, which has been become as overexposed as the Miami Sound Machine in 1985, is farro. It is an ancient relative of wheat, and it tastes like a lightweight cross between bulgar wheat and barley. Its husk offers a satisfying snap when bitten, and its interior is soft but not mushy.

Today I reminisced about how I used to make tabbouleh with a boxed mix from the Near East company back when I lived in Washington around the turn of this century. I was bold enough to make hummus at home, but I didn’t feel confident enough to make falafel or tabbouleh without leaning heavily on a boxed mix for both of them. Once I moved back to Ohio, I left my dabbling in these dishes behind. While I loved them, they reminded me too much of a place I endured solely through food and cooking. I had an oven in the wall just like Alice in The Brady Bunch, and I challenged it often. My sense of the Puget Sound is darkened only by the personal drama of my time there. Otherwise, it is a lovely place, stunning in its physical beauty and exhilarating in the variety of its cuisine.

My farro salad was born today in tribute to tabbouleh. I need to buy some bulgar soon to attempt this grain salad in its proper form, but today I had a bag of farro I wanted to use up. This is the first time I’ve ventured into cooking with fresh mint. Oddly enough, I had a tragicomic encounter with mint twenty years ago that made me reluctant to try it again. I had grown a mint plant in a foot-wide pot situated on a balcony garden. This “balcony” was actually the flat roof of a one-car garage below. By the end of that growing season, the mint plant had so overtaken that pot that its roots cleaved the pot in two on the bottom. I figured the mint would not overwinter in a pot in zone 5, so I tried to empty the pot. The pot felt impossibly heavy. After pushing the pot a few inches, I planted my foot on the damp patch of rooftop I’d just exposed. Next the roof gave way beneath me and I had one leg dangling into the garage below. I have only my hearty thighs to thank for keeping me suspended in midair and not impaled on the shovels and pitchfork below.

I clawed my way back to the roof and knew that I’d need some time away from mint in all its forms. I revisit this herb for the first time in twenty years with this recipe.

My last addition was sugar, a concession that does not hearken to tabbouleh. I didn’t think to add it at first, but a touch of sweetness really unlocked the flavor of this dish.

Farro Salad

8 servings

4 cups cooked farro (1/2 pound dry cooked, drained, and cooled)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Juice and zest of one lemon

1 T vinegar

1 t salt

1 t sugar or honey

1/2 t freshly ground pepper

1 T white onion, finely diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

2 cups cucumber, sliced

3 cups mixed cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise

Shaved parmesan cheese and additional coarsely chopped herbs for garnish

Whisk together oil, lemon juice, zest, vinegar, salt, sugar, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir in chopped herbs, onion, and garlic. Let rest for fifteen minutes for flavors to blend. Add cucumber, tomatoes, and farro. Stir until well combined. Chill in fridge for a half hour. Top individual servings with parmesan cheese and extra herbs to taste.

Plated

The farro mingles into the scene

The dressing with all the herbs and vegetables

Herbs and mixed tomatoes

Chopped mint, parsley, and dill

Lemon dressing in red mixing bowl

Farro

Farro Salad I love whole grains so much I dreamed of one last week. My dreaming mind watched a cooking video which claimed that quinoa was cooked incorrectly if any of the "tails" were hanging out of the grains, and the riddle of how to keep these strings tucked into each tiny pearl boggled my mind enough I woke up.

[briarofthebush]

Holding hands in Unity against Hate, post election 2016., Greenlake.

Lucy the Best.

A brilliant free 20 minutes of Billy Bragg and Joe Henry at KEXP

Sammy! My dog away from home dog. He gives full body hugs.

Artists at Halloween, Mme Morisot, Snr Riviera,

I’m next to the Charles Bul fountain in Brussels.

The famous Mannekin pis.

Bicyclette dans Leuven

Leuven streetscape

M Leuven Museum, full of many religious artifacts.

Giant head from street fairs, Museum M in Leuven, Belgium

June and I, late 2009.

Snow play at the foot of the mountains, Desert Road, NZ

Mel & I, catching up for the 1st time in 2016.

  12/30/2016

Today is like Spring. It is almost warm. I had that feeling in my bones before I even looked outside.

I am ready to embrace some New Year’s Resolutions for myself. I didn’t do so well on some of them last year. I set writing goals I didn’t stick with. I am getting better at NOT beating myself up about everything, and this might make me slack but, I believe the self-acceptance thing is even more important to me.

I had far more adventures than I could find time to write about this year. That doesn’t mean I didn’t think and reflect about them. I still am writing, but I am still adventuring too. I am happy and proud of myself for doing different things. For saying ‘yes’ to Chile and walking up so many hills there. For seeking out Neruda’s Valparaiso house. For flying back at a moment’s notice to help bury my Stepmother June, an awesome and very much missed pillar in my Dad’s family. For having the wisdom and strength to not go back to Australia, just because I was ‘in the neighbourhood’. For going to Belgium at short notice too, and for being brave enough to use my 3 French words. (Wish I’d used more.) I said ‘yes, we’ll be there’ to an invitation to share Thanksgiving at a beautiful holiday house on a Puget Sound Island, meaning constant social interaction and chilling back with new friends. Some of my adventuring was actually quite difficult, not all of it comfortable, and certainly ALL of it was very expensive. I wish I had done even more though.

I gained in confidence and flow in my teaching reading skills in the adult literacy school. I made beautiful new friendships there, solidified others, was challenged and uplifted by my students’ lives and achievements. My paltry 4 hours teaching a week has added up to over 162 hours of face to face teaching and preparation, and I know I am a valued part of the school. This means the world to me. I have been told I ‘add value’ to the whole process of teaching these very special individuals, who are on all points of a journey to bettering their own lives. I cannot think of a more rewarding thing to be doing. I will probably add another teaching session to my week in 2017.

The work I do at the store, (if you can call it ‘work’) is social, and fun and I am still finding the stock has a certain allure- I want to buy a new scarf nearly every week. (I try not to). I get to hang out with really lovely people of all ages, from different walks of life, and find out about them.We all have slightly different reasons for being there, but are united by our concern for the artisans we support.

For both Johnny and I our cohort of friends grew considerably in a short space of time, but remains stable, and we hang out with a group of fun, mature and slightly younger, beer appreciating teachers and ex-teachers. We really love to be able to kick back and relax with these people, who have accommodated us willingly, and drag us along to concerts and baseball games, brewery openings and parties. They give us rides, and ask us to their ‘things’, keep us entertained and stop us from taking ourselves too seriously. We sing karaoke with them, see bands, look at art, eat amazing food, and generally educate each other about our respective cultural quirks. Introducing words like ‘dink’, ‘arvo’ and ‘wobbly’ and such is a bit of a hobby for us, and collecting these Aussie-isms is a hobby of theirs. ‘Humour’ is common language we all seem to share, so laughing is what we do most of the time.

Happy Hours at the Ram have become a weekly ritual, and now that we are bona fide members of the famous ‘Mug Club’ we are enjoying the novelty of drinking cut price beers out of massive pint glasses and trying to pair this beer with sustaining and not hugely fattening food. I’m not sure we can win this struggle, so we try to eat as many vegetables and healthy homemade stuff as we can through the week. We are not always successful. I am finding the traditionally (bad) revered ways of eating here much much more attractive to me as time goes by. We have an exercise bike and try to move about as much as we can, but I have to say, my gold fish bowl existence, looking out at the wintry streets from my very cosy couch is far more preferable at the moment.

I have begun to enjoy binge-watching on the Netflix again, this year a change from dramas and crime; I am finally embracing the meta-narrative that is Gilmore Girls, and I am really loving it. I think it is a very sweet piece of writing, both in its script and in its character development. I am only half-way through the 8 series and I am unsure how I will go on with my life after it finishes.

I am able to divorce the reality of Gilmore Girls from my own reality, don’t worry, not too much anyway.

… 1/5/2017 …Today I am trying to end this pathetic couch-ridden existence I have taken up- nursing a horrible hacking cough (apparently an actual ‘flu’). I have been annoyingly unwell this last month, with a few days respite for the Christmas long weekend, but perhaps I shouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. My immune system is taking a battering.

I’m trying to make marmalade out of a glut of lemons I sliced and froze months ago. It looks awful and isn’t setting, so I am cooking it to death- and then will bottle and leave up in the cupboard, just like I used to at home when my preserves didn’t quite work out. (Which is fairly often.) I did use a recipe though. Sort of. It smells great. I will be sad if I have to turf it.

I have spoken about our fun lifestyle, and I guess it makes sense that my immune system is down, but then I do wear sensible, warm clothing, and I buy good food to eat at home. I take a good multi- B vitamin, I don’t eat much meat. I make soup, full of vegetable, legumes, and lots of goodness. I still struggle to sleep well, but I have gotten myself into good habits with my bedtime routine and am looking after my own needs; it’s not like I am not good at self-care. I am the Queen of self-care. I just have a lousy immune system. I also neglected to get a flu shot this autumn. And I catch public transport.

Anyway, while I have no voice to have actual conversations I am getting in some very nice quiet spells, just watching Netflix and amazon movies. And playing Words with Friends. I am neglecting my creative side yes; I seemed to bottle-neck for a while there, with too many writing projects on the go- so am reverting to this journalling /blog thing to alleviate some of the pressure, while I try to get things get back into some sort of order and focus.

I am now dreaming about the return to the Motherland Australia as I have only a few more months to go before I have to come home for a while. When I get home, I have a huge list of things I need to concern myself with, in order to make sure our life back here in the US can continue and run smoothly. We very definitely like living here, for so many reasons, and will continue for as long as we can.

Don’t get me wrong, I do miss Australia, the continent, the beauty of the beaches and the bush. I can’t wait to get some wet sand between my toes again. I miss a lot of what makes the communal aspects of living in Aus so special- the relaxed lifestyle, the flexibility of routine, the refusal of Australians to become regimented by the establishment. Americans seem to either not notice that they are, or actually like to be organised and told what to do and feel and when to do it, a lot more than Aussies do- and that is fine, there are so many of them, after all. So it’s kind of weird about the whole election thing- when no one was obligated to enroll or vote. Still scratching our heads over that one.

People are just as busy as we are at home, with work and extracurricular activities, but there is a degree of spontaneity I am really relishing here with my American friends that I couldn’t quite attain at home. It may also be a bit of a cop-out but because we aren’t American, we can be a bit more detached about the traditions and cultural aspects that our friends are a part of- we can’t be instantly acculturated with a fervor for pumpkin pie, or Superbowl, for instance. But we’ll turn up and see what it’s all about, sure (with the option of not liking or wanting to participate.)

Our free and easy way of doing our social life is also possibly a lot to do with the fact that we have jumped into a great void of untried experiences with strangers, and were so out of our ‘comfort zones’ it’s shocked us into being a lot more adaptable. I like this new life and the jolts of reality that force us to respond in fresh ways. There wasn’t a good deal of that potential for reinvention back home, and now there is. You can’t even pay for this wonderful way to grow in your personal life. (Although, we actually did pay.)

So my marmalade hasn’t been a total success, and there goes the 6 good jars I’ve been saving for this. My kitchen is even tinier than the one I had at home, and there isn’t a pantry either. However this hasn’t stopped me from trying to cook a lot of food in it, and I guess I am still addicted to saving and preserving. I think may I have a problem. I have a fresh batch of gravlax in my fridge. Too much for us of course, but there was no way I was going to waste that salmon we didn’t use because I felt too ill to cook it.

I think I’m going to need to get some pectin and redo this marmalade and re-sterilise my jars.

Maybe I could make a New Year’s resolution to not undertake preserving and cooking en masse without adhering to a recipe explicitly.

You were a long time coming, 2017 12/30/2016 Today is like Spring. It is almost warm. I had that feeling in my bones before I even looked outside.