#how to eat flaxseeds

[adviceformefromme]

Personal health hacks that have completely changed my life in the last 9 months.

Absolute number one is removing carbs from my diet. I had THE WORST crashes and lethargy every single day after my morning oat meal, after my carb heavy lunch, and carb heavy dinner. Despite being vegan my body lacked nutrients and calories from under-eating being plant-based and carb-overloading. 

Introducing grass-fed meat and high quality eggs into my diet. Red meat gets such bad press in the media, but personally it has given me energy, strength and I feel much better eating this in moderation. 

Little exercise each day. Not killing myself with a hardcore workout and then not being able to move for rest of the week (which I was doing previously). I now do a little each day. 1.5 - 2mile run most days, and daily stretches and weights at home. Nothing crazy, but a little goes a long way and I find it much easier to be consistent doing smaller bouts on my own schedule daily. 

Hormone health, ensuring I am keeping my hormones balanced. I make watermelon juice daily with 1.5 heaped tablespoons of flaxseed. Alongside that. I take omega 3, DIM, Selenium, Iodine, Vitamin D +K2, Evening primrose oil for womens health. I eat foods that support healthy hormones, broccoli, carrots, sunflower seeds and removed the foods that cause imbalances (carbs, sugars).

Removing all stress from my life. Including moving overseas, deleting social media and keeping my circle small but wholesome. 

Quit drinking alcohol. Initially I thought I would have the occasional drink but I truly have no desire anymore. My life is significantly better for not drinking. My body never responded well to booze. 

Sleeping properly for 7-9 hrs per night. Meditating for 1 hour before bed usually puts me in a completely zen mode for relaxation. That means my phone is switched off, I use a lavender pillow spray and light candles to set the mood for a goodnight sleep. 

Zeolite detox for heavy metals (currently in the process). I have Zeolith Med powder each day with water to flush out any toxins. 

Learning about gut microbiome, and probiotics..in the process of obtaining kefir grains to make my own batch. Making sauerkraut on weekends and introducing a wider variety of foods into my diet. 

These are completely personal and I can honestly say I feel better than ever. I wish I had done the above years ago, especially the carbs! I got a continuous glucose monitor of Amazon to see how my body was responding to carbs before I completely cut them off and I recommend doing this if you want to know more about how your body is reacting to glucose. 

*this all took time and effort, but once I removed the distractions, the meaningless socialising, the boozing, the scrolling I’ve had time to invest in myself + my health

[handweavers]

last night i tried coping by drinking gin with my cousin and watching peep show on my sofa but we kept interrupting the show every time they would do bob ross painting to discuss our experiences with painting and opinions on different types of paints and i ended up rambling for like half an hour about the spiritual connection i feel with the geological and biological processes that cause natural ochres to develop in the ground and how the bacterial fermentation that creates biogenic ochre and mud dyes that are used in traditional batik back home are a collaboration between humans and other forms of life, then i showed her my jars of ochres ive collected and made into paints in my travels and i think i started talking about this ancient egyptian recipe for curing heartache "a spell against decay in their inside-house" which involved eating mouthfuls of red clay soil mixed with flaxseed cooked in oil and honey (basically making an edible oil paint for inside the body) because they believed it would sate intense longing and heart-sickness. and then we seriously considered trying that as a last resort option for fixing whatever is wrong with me. but all in all i think the grief madness could be worse

[prettieinpink]

YOUR BEGINNER GUIDE TO CYCLE SYNCING — DIVINE FEMININE

based on a health link article

Cycle syncing is when we match our menstrual cycle to our health lifestyle, such as nutrition and exercise. By using your menstrual cycle as a guide of your health throughout, you become in tune of your hormonal needs

Our menstrual cycle has 3 distinct phases excluding your period, which occur over a month.

Follicular(menstruation happens in this phase). Lasts for 6-14 days. Estrogen and progesterone are increasing.

Ovulatory. Lasts for 15-17 days. Estrogen is at its peak, testosterone and progesterone are increasing.

Luteal. Lasts for 18-28 days. Estrogen and progesterone are high, but if the egg stays unfertilised, the hormones decrease and the cycle repeats.

EXERCISE

Menstrual/Follicular

Your hormones are at its lowest, so light exercise and cardio is better suited for your stamina here. Yoga, walking, stretching, jogging

Ovulation

Hormones are increasing, so high intensity exercises are suited for this phase as your energy is higher. gym, cycling, skip rope, running, HIIT

Luteal

As your body prepares itself for another cycle, energy may be low, so light or moderate exercise is best. Pilates, ab exercises, any strength training

NUTRITION

Menstrual/follicular

Your Estrogen will begin to increase in this stage. Drink warm beverages to help with cramps. Despite your cravings, limit fatty/oily foods, caffeine and watch your sodium intake. Eat foods that help with metabolising your estrogen.

broccoli, sauerkraut, cabbage, high quality meats, cauliflower, spinach, sesame seeds, flaxseeds

Ovulation

Your estrogen is the highest so opt for foods that support your liver, protect you from environmental toxins(as they can impact your hormones) and are anti-inflammatory.

Leafy greens, whole grains, eggs, legumes, high quality meat & fish, garlic, almonds, whole fruits

Luteal

Estrogen and progesterone are high, but will begin to decrease. Magnesium rich foods to help fight fatigue, and foods that help with serotonin are best.

Leafy greens, quinoa, buckwheat, dark chocolate, spinach, pumpkin seeds, sweet potatoes, beans, avocado

This is the phase when your cycle is beginning to repeat, so you want to ensure that your diet is optimal. Avoid caffeinated drinks, sugar, deep fried foods and high amounts of dairy.

To start implementing these changes to your lifestyle, track your cycle and begin to identify how long each phase lasts for. Pay attention to how your body responds to each phase.

with that, I wish you luck 💖🎀 i hope we all stay healthy and happy together 👏

[pierrotdoesnteat]

NUTRITION JOURNALS: FIBER

WHAT IS FIBER?

- fiber is a nutrient known as a carbohydrate. fiber includes the parts of plant foods that the body can't digest or absorb.this makes it different from nutrients such as fats, proteins, and other carbohydrates including starches and sugars. the body breaks down these nutrients and absorbs them. instead, fiber passes somewhat intact through the stomach, small intestine and colon and out of the body. - soluble fiber dissolves in water. it forms a gel-like material in the stomach that slows down digestion. it can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar. soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, bananas, avocados, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium. - insoluble fiber doesn't dissolve in water. tt supports the movement of material through the digestive system and adds bulk to stool. so it can be helpful for people who have constipation or don't regularly pass stool. some good sources of insoluble fiber are whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans, and vegetables such as cauliflower, green beans and potatoes.

HOW DOES FIBER HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS?

- eating soluble fiber may help promote weight loss and have other health benefits, but fiber from whole plant foods is better for weight loss than fiber supplements. - for most individuals aiming to lose weight, the target is 23-38 grams of fiber per day. factors that impact your fiber needs include age, gender, activity level, and overall health goals. it’s important to consume both soluble and insoluble fiber from a variety of sources, including fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

WHAT ELSE DOES FIBER DO?

- fiber increases the weight and size of stool and softens it. In general, bulky stool is easier to pass, and this lowers the chance of constipation. - soluble fiber found in beans, oats, flaxseed and oat bran may keep the body from absorbing some of the cholesterol in other foods. as a result, that may lower low-density lipoprotein, also called "bad," cholesterol levels in the blood. high fiber foods may have other effects on heart health, such as lowering blood pressure and lessening swelling in the body called inflammation. - for people with diabetes, fiber may slow the absorption of sugar and help improve blood sugar levels. that's especially true of soluble fiber. a healthy diet that includes both soluble and insoluble fiber also may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

[madamlaydebug]

Flaxseeds have been consumed for over 6,000 years. These magical seeds contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and other antioxidants that naturally promote hormonal balance, and improve digestion, strengthen hair and nails, and even fight cancer!

Flaxseeds are small seeds, often called Lin seeds, that are a great source of dietary fiber and other minerals like manganese and magnesium. They’re also a great source of plant-based protein.

We love adding flaxseeds to baked goods, smoothies, and even to our homemade hair gel/treatment mask. I’d recommend grinding them up (instead of eating them whole) to reap the most benefits.

Do you eat flaxseeds often? How do you use them?

[dailyveganmeal]

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies: The Ultimate Indulgence 🍪

Thick, rich, and gooey with a creamy peanut butter center, these cookies are what dessert dreams are made of. Imagine biting into a crisp-on-the-outside, soft-in-the-middle cookie loaded with chocolate and peanut butter goodness. Oh, and did I mention they’re vegan? Yes, you can have it all.

Here’s a rough idea of how to make them:

Peanut Butter Filling

Mix peanut butter with powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract.

Scoop it into small balls and freeze them while you work on the cookie dough.

Chocolate Cookie Dough

Cream cold vegan butter with sugar until fluffy.

Stir in flax eggs (ground flaxseed + water) and vanilla.

Add cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Fold in a generous amount of dairy-free chocolate chips.

Assembling the Cookies

Grab a scoop of dough, flatten it slightly, and wrap it around a frozen peanut butter ball.

Shape the dough into a large ball, making sure the filling is completely covered.

Chill the assembled cookies in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to prevent spreading.

Bake to Perfection

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-12 minutes. Look for a dry top but soft middle. They’ll firm up as they cool, so try not to eat them right off the baking sheet (I know, it’s hard).

Crispy edges, gooey centers, and an explosion of chocolate-peanut butter bliss with every bite. These cookies are dangerously good!

Want the full recipe with detailed steps and tips? Check it out here and get ready to bake the cookies of your dreams.

[chimcess]

Birdie Shoppe || pjm (VI)

Pairing: Jimin x Reader Other tags: Werewolf!Jimin, Witch!Reader, Shifter!Reader, Shifter!Jimin, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha!Jimin Genre: Supernatural!AU, Werewolf!AU, Angst, Mutual Pining, Fluff, Smut, Word Count: 5.5k Synopsis: Within the four realms of Lustra lay the Bangtan forest home to the Foxglove pack of the north and known as the “land of magic.” It is also home to the Birdie, a powerful witch from a cursed bloodline who is one of the sacred guardians of the forest. Y/N is the 123rd Birdie, a young girl who was given her position too early and asked by the goddess herself to fulfil a task none had ever done before- become the Grand Witch of the Foxglove pack. Now a woman, Y/N is revered as the most loved and powerful Birdie of all time, but hiding under the surface is a woman who has to battle between her duty and her heart. Warnings: Long-hair Jimin (yes, this is a warning), Cursing, ANGST, Crying, Heartbreak, kissing, tongue kissing, Tae is my sweet baby boy and I love him, pretty tame chapter... hope you’re happy... LOL (sorry in advance) A/N: Another fast update. I’m on a roll! This one was a super fun write for me- especially the end. I hope you all enjoy it! Thank you so much❤️❤️❤️

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“Y/N,” Auntie whispered, her fingers running through my hair.

The sun had just begun to rise, the sky was still purple, and I struggled to open my eyes. Stirring, I moaned and rubbed my face. My eyes continued drooping closed and I yawned loudly.

Aldara chuckled, “Wake up, sleepy head. I want to make breakfast together.”

Shaking my head, I flipped over the pancake. In the dining room, Taehyung, Jimin, and the witches were talking about the best fishing spots in Bangtan. Seokjin and Yoongi had decided to drop in this morning, and while I did not get a reason for the sudden visit, I assumed it had something to do with Wendy. Seokjin had seemed surprised about the wolves and asked if we could speak privately after everyone had eaten. I heard Taehyung asking how vegan pancakes tasted good and I laughed.

I had started a vegetarian diet after Aldara died. It was nearly impossible to get meat when I was unable to leave my home. I cut out animal products completely four years ago after I got closer with the animals in the area. It felt wrong to eat someone I could have known. 

“They’re not that different from ‘normal’ ones,” I answered. “I just use oat flour, bananas, and flaxseeds mixed with water. Everything else is the same.”

I could not see the face the alpha made, but I knew it was similar to disgust. Taehyung emoted the same for several emotions. Confusion, disgust, and anger were all similar enough to take a guess. Yoongi laughed and it made me smile. The two of us were the most similar in terms of lifestyle choices, but he ate fish with Seokjin from time-to-time. 

“Why would you mix flax seeds and water together?” Taehyung asked, his bewilderment coating his tongue. 

Grabbing a plate, I flipped the fresh pancake onto my small stack before heading over to the table. Various jars of preserves and marmalades were out along with Yoongi’s homemade syrup he had sent to me. While I had always enjoyed honey on my pancakes and toast, after cutting out animal products, I started mixing and matching to find something I liked more. Peanut butter and banana slices have not been topped by anything else. However, I had used all of my bananas making breakfast and had to settle for syrup.

“It replaces the egg,” I explained. “You mix it with the banana and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken up. It’s something our friend Hyun-jin taught me. He lives in Moland and doesn’t get access to the market very often.”

“How do you get things from the market?” Jimin asked.

“I go very often,” Seokjin replied. “I always get things for Yoongi and Birdie when I go. Yoongi does the same as well.”

I hummed and nodded. “I have great friends.”

After breakfast, Yoongi invited the boys to go on a walk with him in the forest. Taehyung had brought up his new found interest in the beings that lived in Bangtan, and the witch had offered to show him a jackalope borough a few minutes away. Jimin offered to go so he could keep an eye on Taehyung. I knew they could handle themselves but I assumed Jimin wanted to give Seokjin and I space after the solar witch declined the offer. After they left, I began picking up the dishes with Seokjin’s help.

We worked quietly for a time. I washed while he dried. I knew whatever he wanted to say was on the tip of his tongue, his constant opening and closing of his mouth making that known, but I stayed patient. Jin was hesitating which was strange for him but I knew he was trying to collect his thoughts. Wendy threw him off kilter often and all of us were friends so it made talking openly challenging. Yoongi had the same problem but would only come alone if he needed to vent. Hyun-Jin was always his first pick since he was far removed from the forest.

After the dishes were done, I began to wipe down the table and put away the toppings. Seokjin lingered but did not help with this. Instead, he put away the dishes. It took a few more minutes before he spoke.

“Wendy wrote to me,” He said.

I hummed. I did not want to talk about her letter to me yet. I tried to respect privacy as much as possible and kept a lot to myself. We were all too close for comfort at times and overzealous. Wendy was the worst with this and Jin was unable to keep his mouth shut for forever, and so I tried to be someone reliable. Yoongi was better than I was but that was because he never gave much thought to other people. Their problems were not his and therefore did not truly matter.

“She said she wants to be with me.”

“Well,” I sighed. “How do you feel about that?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s… complicated.”

Lifting myself onto the kitchen island, I nodded. 

“I’m sure I can keep up.”

“For as long as I’ve known her, I’ve liked her to some capacity. She’s never really liked me in the same way, at least, not as much as I liked her.” He reasoned. And that was true. 

Wendy had always looked the other way, said one thing and did another, and never truly opened her heart to him properly. Sure, she admitted that she liked him but would run after Yoongi when given the chance. At first, I thought Seokjin was reading too much into things, but when I stopped to think about it, he was right to be upset. Wendy placed Yoongi on a pedestal and often ignored how much she hurt everyone else in the process. Even Yoongi. 

“I knew she meant it when she said she liked me,” He continued. “I knew that she had feelings and affections, but the second she saw him it was like we were twelve again. How can I know she’s serious this time? She’s been away, hasn’t seen anyone in months, and decides she is in love with me. What about when she sees Yoongi again? Will it still be true?”

I felt sorry for Jin. He’s never looked away from Wendy, much like Wendy was never able to fully look away from Yoongi. I knew his heart was genuine, but I was also aware of how sheltered he was. Bangtan was secluded and meeting others was difficult. I was not sure if his want for Wendy would be the same if he realized that the world was much broader than this forest. Still, I was not foolish enough to think that telling someone that there were more fish in the sea would be helpful.

“I don’t want to get hurt again,” He whispered.

“I know,” I replied. “I wouldn’t want that either.”

“How can I trust her words?”

I shook my head. “I… I’m not sure. I’ve always thought you two were just stubborn. I can see how much you both care, but I’m not okay with the toxicity. As much as I want the both of you to be happy, preferably together, I can’t stand the tension. 

“I think you should try it out- if you want to. See what happens. Maybe seeing her sister getting married changed something for her, or the time away- I don’t know. I do know that if you’re coming to me then that means she said something that sat with you. I would think about that and your own feelings.”

“She said that she loves me,” He muttered after a long moment of silence. “She said that after you two spoke- thank you by the way, that she felt more confident to talk to me. It was the first time I felt her apology was genuine.”

I nodded. “It felt that way for me, too.”

We had a long stretch of silence, the two of us just looking at one another, before Jin looked down. With a deep sigh, he ruffled his hair before asking to borrow a paper and pen from me. He knew where everything was so it was an easy yes. I was no more sure of what was to come than before, but hoped whatever it may be that my friends would be happy.

He sent off his letter soon after. I had started sweeping and making a schedule for the day in my head. There was a lot that I needed to get done. My absence had caused a large supply chain blockage to the sea coven and I needed to get on it right away. Shiloh was asleep, her schedule still recovering from her trip, but I would wake her up to make the delivery later. No one else lived close enough to justify the trip and with Wendy still gone I had no one to send it to magically. After some more thinking, I asked Jin if he could write Cordelia and ask if anyone would be willing to pick up the supplies. He agreed easily and got to work.

It was a rare moment of silence with the solar witch. I knew his mind was all over the place, and his anxieties were not helping the matter one bit. I feared the worst but knew he would speak to me about it when he was ready. I would give him his quiet.

“I rejected her,” He finally said, voice cracking.

“Oh, Jinnie,” I cooed, putting my broom down and gathering him in my arms. That was a hard thing for him to do. I was proud of him for doing what was best for him, even if I was hoping my friends could make it work for both of their sake. “I’m so sorry.”

He sobbed, “I can’t do it again, B. I just can’t.”

And I understood. I would deal with Wendy later, her own emotions probably bubbling over. I was sure Jin had alluded to being friends, keeping in contact- something that would give her hope like she had done so many times before. I knew he meant it and wanted the four of us to be like we were. I was no fool to think it would actually happen. Too much had been done and said for anything to be the same as it was. Still, I hope with time we could grow together. I loved my friends dearly and hoped we could spend Yule together like we had when we were young. 

“I know. I know,” I whispered, rubbing his back.

Jin held me tightly and cried.

Over the next three days, Jimin and Taehyung started to venture out of the house more often. I had not heard from Wendy or Jin, but Yoongi wrote daily to make sure that I was alright. He was worried I would get another unexpected visit from the wolves. I was not sure if that was the case, but I was prepared to speak to someone eventually. I had a feeling Hoseok was staying away in order to keep the peace. When Jimin and I spoke about him it seemed like he was trying to make Namjoon change his mind. So far that had not been the case. Taehyung was becoming more resolute to the possibility of a fight and had been training with Jimin for when the time came.

Shiloh had woken up earlier and earlier over the course of the last few days. Not as early as I was used to, but I would take noon over eleven at night. Taehyung and Jimin were still getting used to my late mornings. After staying up well into the night I was not out of bed unless absolutely necessary. My magic was stronger than it had been but I could feel my body was still adjusting. Ever since I was child my magic drained the life out of me. Using defensive magic used even more than anything else and the Namjoon incident had thrown me for a loop. 

Aldara used to worry about my fainting spells after our lessons. She said that it was unnatural for a witch to become so overwhelmed by their own magic, but after many years of self reflection, I realized that my body was always using magic. Unlike other witches who could control their output, my gifts left me vulnerable and weakened. The constant possessions and lack of self control were two of the biggest downfalls of my own power. However, a small outburst would no longer make me as depleted as it once had. The last time I had a fainting spell had been the night I found the cottage on fire.

Flipping through my grimoire, I tried to find the potion I made that reduced anxiety. Wendy was returning tomorrow and Cordelia asked if I could send some to Syrena. I had only made this particular recipe twice and was still too unfamiliar with it to make it from memory. It would be Wendy’s luck that I sent over a shifting potion rather than a mood stabilizer. 

I was worried about her. While it was normal to go weeks without talking, I was afraid she may be upset with me over Seokjin. I was sure she was suspicious we had spoken and probably thought I told him what to do. That, or she had convinced herself that Yoongi had something to do with it. Wendy had a difficult time seeing things for what they were, and while I felt empathy for her, I would never choose between my friends. I loved and respected them both and wished I could get out of the middle of everything. It was her who told him about our conversation in the first place.

Unable to find it I grew frustrated. I hated being so unorganized. Everything was sprawled about and jotted down in sloppy, rushed writing. Half of it hardly made sense to me and I pitied my successor. Poor girl will have to learn how to read hieroglyphics before she could understand half of what was written. Giving up, I slammed the book shut and decided to write Hyun-Jin. He was the only witch I knew that would have something like this on standby. Carefully rolling the paper, I began to chant a new spell I had learned after reading Birdie Pippa’s grimoire, and blew. The paper turned to ash and was gone.

Pippa was by all accounts a whackjob. She had the most unorthodox methods of any witch I had ever read or heard of. Even looking through her countless spellbooks made that abundantly clear. She drew many of her spells in a step-by-step fashion that was somehow more difficult to follow than normal. Every spell and potion had strange ingredients that you would never put together and yet worked. She was brilliant. Aldara always made fun of my adoration for the woman, called me the next “nutcase,” and teased me about my own muddled grimoire. Still, no one could deny how talented Pippa was. This spell in particular was one of my favorites I learned so far. It was simple, used hardly any energy at all, and was extremely effective. I was happy my days of door drawing were gone- even if I invented that one.

The front door slammed open. Screaming, I felt my heart speed up and my vision flash black and white for a moment. Composing myself, I shot daggers at Taehyung as he strolled into the cottage. Jimin bowed, his apology clear, before following the younger alpha inside.

“It’s such a beautiful day!” Taehyung exclaimed, rolling onto the couch.

My eye twitched.

“Try that again,” I demanded.

The man shot up. His confusion was clear. Jimin just glared at him without a word. 

“Try what again?” Taehyung asked.

“Walking into my house like a civilized person,” I deadpanned. “I swear, you act like you’ve never learned manners a day in your life. First putting your dirty, disgusting, muddy boots on my counter and now this? Thin ice, Alpha. Thin ice.”

Taehyung scratched the back of his head and did as I asked. This time he gently opened the door and shut it. Satisfied, I hummed before going back to looking at my spellbook. I really needed to buy a new one just to fix how ugly it all looked. I wanted to slap the little girl who thought this system was going to work. Groaning, I stood up and decided to take my work to the cellar. 

“What are you looking for?” Taehyung asked, face glowing when he realized where I was going. 

The wolf enjoyed taking trips with me and looking over my shoulder. I knew he hardly understood anything since most of it was written in Latin, but I knew it meant a lot to him. His curiosity never seemed to lessen or change. Jimin had not asked to come but I had a feeling it was his way of not being “rude.” I wished he would.

“I need to find a spell for a friend,” I answered. “I have one but I wrote it when I was twelve and did not care if I could read it again. Such a childish thing to do.”

Taehyung laughed and was by my side without another second passing. Both of the wolves enjoyed hearing about my childhood. Tae had said it made me more human, but Jimin always told him that everyone knew I was. I wondered about their own childhood days. Jimin had been brave and reserved when we first met, just as he is now, but there was a sweetness there that was no longer present. This innocence that he could never get back. I knew that he could say the same about me. Seeing him again after all of those years had been a shock to my system. It was almost like our time in the forest had been completely erased from his memory. I was happy to see the gentleness within him again. 

“May I join you?”

Pausing, I looked up at the alpha. Taehyung had already gone down the stairs and I could hear him shuffling through things. Jimin smiled at me and I nodded. I was still riding high after the other night. We had not talked about it but I knew something had changed since then. Jimin was more willing to be near me, his eyes ever so slightly softer, and his voice was like clouds. It felt like the wall of ice he had around himself had melted and I was able to feel his warmth once more. Jimin followed behind me closely.

After lighting the sconces on the walls, I found Taehyung curled in a corner of the room with a book in his hand. It was probably another one of Aldara’s monster books. She had seen so much in her long life. Before she took her place as the Birdie, Aldara had been a monster slayer. The first person in the world to defeat a Quietus, and was so good at it, she chased them out of Bangtan. All the ones that remain are in the southern part of Moland and rely on lost travelers for food. The book Taehyung held were the short stories Aldara had written about her adventures. She was far cooler than me at that age. 

“It’s bigger than I thought,” Jimin whispered. 

“It grows whenever we need a new bookcase,” I replied. 

Jimin did not ask for clarification. He did not ask as many questions as Taehyung did, which I also chalked up to the etiquette training he received when he became an alpha. Taehyung had barely started those before being exiled. I thought about Namjoon and my letter and sighed. I still had not heard back from him. Jimin said my name, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Who was the first Birdie?”

Shaking my head, I smiled. “Her name was Rosette.”

“How did this family thing even start?” Taehyung wondered out loud. 

Taking a breath, I sat down at my small desk and gestured for the two men to sit. I recalled the first time I had heard this story. Back then, Aldara was less rigid and tense. Her hands were so much bigger than mine, and I remember her cooing at the dimples where my knuckles should be. I had been entranced by the blonde woman she had spoken so highly of. 

“Rosette was from the Foxglove Village. This was many years ago when the town was home to all the shifters in Lustra. She was the daughter of a merchant and grew up surrounded by people who adored her. Life in Bangtan was hard but calm. That’s when the tales of the Quietus started to spread down south.”

Quietus were soul eaters. Their human facades hid their true form, a large, shadow-like body that could see through you. They are dangerous, deadly, and most importantly- impossible to kill. Jimin’s face told me he knew of them. Taehyung was still lost in the fairytale. I sighed before continuing.

“These creatures were unheard of. No one in the village had heard of them before. Quietus were the original people of Northorn who had been defeated by the elves that wished to conquer the land. Bangtan was the only place they could go, and they found the perfect meals in the people of Foxglove.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Taehyung interrupted. “Shifters are strong.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “Your ancestors were strong people who lived through the century war and found a home here. However,” I pursed my lips. “These were times when your kind were not fighters. The foxes that were there to protect the city were no match for the Quietus. It was said that no one but one made it out alive.”

“Rosette,” Jimin muttered.

“Yes, Rosette,” I nodded. “She was a beautiful girl. Her long, blonde hair and bright green eyes made her stand out in a crowd. She was a bird shifter who was in love with a fox in town. She was only 16 when the attack on the village began. Of course, she was not the only survivor. She, her sister, and a lucky few were able to escape. 

“Rosette was the oldest and was familiar with military strategies from her time with the fox boy. She told them all to split up and find their way to safety. Rose found herself in this very clearing when she called out to the sky to help her. She asked Lilith for help. Suddenly, she was surrounded by warmth despite the the fact that she was caught in the middle of a blizzard. She knew it was Lilith, she never knew how she did, but it was a feeling, and the wind around her asked what she wanted. 

“Rosette asked for her sister’s life to be spared and in exchange she would do whatever the Goddess wanted. Lilith accepted this offer. In exchange for her sister, Rosette and her bloodline would be tasked with being a guardian of the forest. That was the day we lost our freedom. She woke up the following morning in this cottage, her leg chained just as mine is now, and magic she had never had before. After being alone for over 100 years, Lilith sent her Jordana. We never know when we’ll be sent our pupil but when it happens we have 16 years left. It’s our duty to train them, raise them, and prepare them before our ascension to the spirit world.”

“Why can’t you shift as you please then?” Taehyung asked. Jimin smacked his arm but I waved him off. 

No harm in asking.

“Our transformations are directly tied with the moon and sun. Lilith loves to see us dancing, whirling, and twirling through the sky. We’re lucky we were able to keep that part of ourselves in the deal. Magic and shifting is simply unheard of outside of these woods.”

“Is it the same for genuine werewolves?” Taehyung asked. “The sun and moon thing?”

I laughed, “No, silly. Werewolves are cursed to be compelled by the full moon. They’re practically animals after their first transformation. No one comes back from that and they usually die three months later. Nothing like what you and I are.”

Taehyung seemed placated by this. He often called himself a werewolf much to Jimin’s chagrin. I could understand why the older alpha would be offended. They were born what they are and their bloodline is strong. A werewolf has to be made and their species is dying out in the Ozryn Mountains from starvation. The last werewolf outbreak was decades ago and was swiftly dealt with by the dwarves in Idris.

After the story was over, Taehyung went back to reading Aldara’s book and I got to look around for that stupid potion again. I had yet to hear back from Hyun-Jin and assumed he was busy. He was awful at writing back.

Jimin walked around the cellar and traced all of the books. It was astounding just how many were in here. Aldara alone had written over forty grimoires in her lifetime, and she was known to only figure out defensive magic spells. Rosette had 120, Jordana had 205, and Griselda had the record for the most with 223. I could not imagine having so many ideas. I have only finished three so far and was working on my fourth. I came up with more spells in my youth than I did now. I had a lot more fun with my magic then, too. Feeling bad about myself, I decided to take a break.

“Your aunt was so cool,” Taehyung said.

“Yeah, she was the coolest,” I grinned, my voice growing quiet at the word “was.”

It was late. The three of us had spent the day in the cellar. Jimin quietly skimmed through the books and was happy when I pointed him towards the diaries on the small shelf in the back. Taehyung had enough stories to last him a few more years. I flipped through Pippa’s spell books and made small talk with Taehyung. He always had something to say and it was nice to have someone fill the silence around here.

Taehyung had gone up to take a nap over an hour ago leaving Jimin and I alone in the cellar. He was hunched over a book, eyebrows knitted in concentration, and tongue sticking out ever so slightly. I was sure he knew I kept stealing looks but chose not to comment on my ogling. It was rare to see him so closely and relaxed. Shiloh had let me know she was visiting Morla to give updates on Wendy. Mumbling under my breath, I watched as the pen and ink I had brought down earlier wrote in my spellbook. I caved and let them do the work for me.

While reading over the other grimoires and books within the cellar, I had made myself a few notes of things I could experiment with. It was not as fun as Pippa’s nor as straightforward as Griselda’s, but I was happy to have thought of anything in the first place. Most of my experimenting went to the wolf pack and it was nice to have fun for myself. Aldara would be happy to see my creative muscles flexing again. 

“Birdie?” Jimin called, voice soft and smooth. 

I hummed and looked over. His hair looked dark gray in the candle light and I eyed the messy flyaways floating around him. I wished I could brush them down. Jimin regarded me with the same stoic face I had come to love. I knew it was only a small facade put in place for the sake of his people. They needed a strong, dominant leader around them and no one else wanted to fill that role. I saw the ghost of a smile graze his lips and relaxed further into my chair. Those were only reserved for a chosen few. 

“Why don’t you have anything here?” He asked.

“Everything that I own is upstairs,” I replied. “It would be far too much effort to come here anytime I needed to write or look over my work.”

He chuckled, “So, you do have a diary?”

Blushing, I nodded. 

“All of us do. It’s the best way to keep records for our successors.”

I would not allow him to read mine. It had far too many thoughts that I never wanted to reenter my mind. There was a particular time where I wrote daily and thus created five separate books detailing my misery. I would be mortified if Jimin or anyone for that matter got their hands on those. They held my deepest fears, darkest desires, and above all- my name. I was always the most open in my writing and never felt the need to keep anything hidden. No one had ever noticed them on display or bothered to care much for them at all.

“Yours must be very interesting.”

I shook my head, “Not really. Mostly the angsty ramblings of a teenager. Nothing more.”

I sounded convincing enough. I heard Jimin shuffling around but refused to look his way. Deciding that I was done for the night, I began closing and stacking the grimoires I had taken out. I will sort through them later. Glancing at the walls, I could not tell what time it was but knew it had to be close to sunset. I needed to get to my room soon.

Going to turn, strong arms found themselves resting on either side of my waist. Shocked, I turned my head to find Jimin standing directly behind me. He chest pressed against my shoulder as I turned to face him. He had never been so close to me before. 

I could count the small, individual freckles that dotted along his nose. His eyelashes were longer than I thought they were and flared out accentuating his eye shape. Everything about him was overwhelming and his scent hit me like a freight train. Hands gripping onto my desk, I struggled to speak.

“Jimin?” I managed to get out.

“Can I ask you something?” He whispered, getting closer.

Our chests touched and his hands moved behind my back. I felt his arms wrapping around me but his hands stayed on the table. Nervously breaking our eye contact, I glanced behind me to see his hands sitting one on top of the other. I was shaking and had a hard time breathing. Jimin called my name and I snapped back to his gaze.

“Can I?” His eyes were as black as coal.

A deep shiver went up my spine. Unable to form a coherent thought, I nodded. I swallowed thickly and reminded myself to breathe. Jimin smiled at me.

“Do you enjoy my company?”

Again, I could only manage a nod. Jimin’s face drew closer to mine. I took a sharp breath and held his eyes. I was searching for the meaning of this but found I could not read him anymore. This was a different man from the person that had been reading moments ago. 

“Do you like being close to me?”

“Yes,” I replied breathlessly.

“Do you want me to stop?” He whispered, his breath brushing my lips.

I knew I should have pushed him away and told him that this could never work. Our lives were too different. It was far too complicated. He had a mate out there waiting for him. He would forget about me soon enough. Even knowing all of that, I shook my head.

“No.”

It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Jimin’s lips were soft and warm and lit my body on fire. The kiss was searing and I felt the flames so deeply they licked at my bones. Hot shots of electricity licked my spine and I grabbed a hold of his chest without another thought. Jimin’s arms encased me. Everything that I feared, wondered, and regretted did not matter anymore. None of it matters. He was here and he was mine.

Pulling away, I opened my eyes and saw him already gazing down at me. His eyes were so soft, gentle, and kind. Everything about him made me feel safe. He bent down and nuzzled his nose into my hairline. 

“Thank you,” He whispered. 

Dazed, I only nodded before seeking his lips out again. Jimin cupped my face and drew me impossibly closer. Any tenderness was gone the moment my tongue accidentally grazed his bottom lips. With a small growl, Jimin licked his way into my mouth and roughly grabbed a hold of my hips. Using his leg, he gently pried my legs apart and lifted me onto the desk. My hands had a vice grip on his shirt. 

Suddenly, I felt a cold shiver run through my body and yanked away. Jimin took a few steps back. I could see that he understood what was happening. After choking out a “go,” I stood up from the desk and screamed. Jimin was out of the cellar before the first feather broke through my scarred skin.

Taglist: @greezenini @adventures-in-bookland @kthstrawberryshortcake-main @zae007live @jimin-neverout @nikkiordonez12 @canarystwin​ @yamekomz @chimthicc​

© chimcess, 2023. Do not copy or repost without permission 

[weightloss-hub]

What is a Healthy Vegetarian Diet?: Specifications Breakdown, FAQs, and More

Discover The Ultimate Guide in becoming a Healthy Vegetarian Here

Core Nutritional Specifications

Protein Requirements - Daily intake: 0.8–1.0g per kg body weight - Plant sources: — Legumes: 15–20g per cup — Quinoa: 8g per cup — Tofu: 20g per cup — Tempeh: 31g per cup — Seitan: 25g per 100g

Essential Nutrients Focus

Iron: - Daily needs: 18mg (women), 8mg (men) - Sources: — Spinach — Lentils — Fortified cereals — Pumpkin seeds

Vitamin B12: - Required: 2.4mcg daily - Sources: — Fortified plant milk — Nutritional yeast — Supplements — Fortified cereals

Calcium: - Target: 1000mg daily - Sources: — Fortified plant milk — Tofu (calcium-set) — Leafy greens — Almonds

Omega-3: - Aim for: 1.6g daily - Sources: — Flaxseeds — Chia seeds — Walnuts — Algae supplements

Meal Structure

Breakfast Options: - Oatmeal with nuts and fruits - Smoothie bowl with protein - Tofu scramble - Whole grain toast with avocado

Lunch/Dinner Components: - Protein source - Whole grains - Vegetables (2+ colors) - Healthy fats - Plant-based calcium

Meal Planning Framework

Daily Checklist - Legumes: 2–3 servings - Whole grains: 6–8 servings - Vegetables: 5+ servings - Fruits: 2–4 servings - Nuts/seeds: 1–2 servings

Shopping List Essentials - Fresh produce - Legumes (dried/canned) - Whole grains - Plant-based proteins - Fortified products

Discover The Ultimate Guide in becoming a Healthy Vegetarian Here

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do vegetarians get enough protein? Combine various plant proteins throughout the day: legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and soy products. Most vegetarians easily meet protein needs through diverse food choices.

2. Is a vegetarian diet nutritionally complete? Yes, when properly planned. Focus on variety and include fortified foods or supplements for B12. All other nutrients are available from plant sources.

3. Do I need supplements on a vegetarian diet? B12 supplement is recommended. Others depend on diet quality and individual needs. Consider vitamin D, iron, and omega-3 based on blood tests.

4. How do I prevent iron deficiency? Combine iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources, avoid tea/coffee with meals, use cast-iron cookware, and include plenty of legumes and leafy greens.

5. What are complete protein sources for vegetarians? - Quinoa - Soy products - Hemp seeds - Buckwheat - Rice + beans combination

6. How do I eat enough calcium without dairy? Focus on: - Fortified plant milk - Leafy greens - Calcium-set tofu - Sesame seeds - Fortified juices

7. Is soy safe to eat regularly? Yes. Scientific evidence supports moderate soy consumption (2–3 servings daily) as safe and beneficial for most people.

8. How do I maintain a healthy weight on a vegetarian diet? Focus on whole foods, control portions, include protein at each meal, and limit processed foods. Balance calories like any other diet.

9. Can athletes thrive on a vegetarian diet? Yes. Many professional athletes are vegetarian. Key is adequate calories, protein, and nutrient timing for performance and recovery.

10. What are common mistakes to avoid? - Relying too heavily on processed foods - Not eating enough protein - Forgetting about B12 - Not varying food choices - Inadequate calorie intake

Transitioning Tips

First Steps - Start with familiar meals - Gradually replace meat - Learn new recipes weekly - Stock pantry properly

Discover The Ultimate Guide in becoming a Healthy Vegetarian Here

[cazort]

The more I bake with whole grains, the less I understand how and why nearly everything in our society is made with refined (white) flour. Like it makes no sense. Whole grain is so easy to do. In most cases, it requires only minor adjustments in ratios of wet to dry ingredients, and you get a finished product very similar to one made with all-purpose white flour. Often the whole grain product tastes better. Like I just love the taste of whole wheat. There are so many great kinds too, special wheat varietals like prairie gold, which are a joy to bake with and a joy to eat.

There are whole grain options that sub-in 1-for-1 for common flours. For example, barley flour makes a convincing substitute for pasty flour, texture-wise. There are barleys that produce finished baked goods that are a beautiful red color too, and others that make a rich golden hue.

There are whole-grain flours that are lighter than regular wheat flour, like oat flour. And there are ones that produce richer, moister, denser baked goods, like rye. Rye makes an amazing chocolate cake, chocolate muffins, brownies, chocolate anything, it's super dense and moist, just what you want in one of those ultra-rich chocolate baked goods. You can even use dark rye which is a super high-protein, high-fiber flour.

There are ones that make baked goods bake faster, which can speed up a commercial process, such as ragi.

Nutritionally, whole grains are far superior. They're higher in protein, much higher in fiber, and higher in micronutrients. And unlike enriched flour, they don't have any of the downsides of fortified foods, like the possibility of overdosing on certain ingredients like unmetabolized folic acid, the active form of vitamin A, or free-form iron, all of which can cause serious health problems if you have too much of them.

The problem isn't just the lack of use of whole grain, it's the lack of diversity in grains. Nearly everything is made out of wheat and the rest is mostly made with corn or a few other low-protein grains.

So many grains are out there, which are barely used at all. There are all the wheat ancestors: spelt, khourasan, emmer, and einkorn. There are the wheat cousins: rye and barley. There are the other grains, like oat, teff, and the myriad of millets including pearl millet, sorghum, ragi (finger millet), and samo/sanwa (barnyard millet), among others. Then there are pseudocereals: buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa being three of the most nutritious and easy to work with of the bunch. And then there are nut and seed meals, like almond flour, sunflower flour, and ground flaxseed (not exactly a flour but a useful additive to tweak the texture of baked goods).

It took me around 3 years to get comfortable with these other grains that I can now comfortably bake just about anything I want to bake, with just about any grain combination I have on hand, without having to experiment too hard (i.e. I have an intuition for how each flour works to where I can make it work.) And I only really had about 1 year's experience as a commercial baker before I undertook this project.

If I can do this, why can't commercial bakeries do it? Why is everything still all wheat and all white flour? Why is their "multigrain" game so weak? Like I go to the store and something says "multigrain" and the first ingredient is enriched refined wheat flour, the second ingredient whole wheat flour, and then a "multigrain blend" is the third ingredient, or worse, often fourth or later, after water, sugar, fat, and/or other basics.

Like here I am and I can make muffins, cakes, sometimes even breads that have some flour other than wheat as the main ingredient, and they come out fine. And I'm not a professional.

Why isn't anyone else doing it?

My only explanation is that they're not trying.

TRY, FOLKS. BAKE WITH OTHER GRAINS BESIDES WHEAT. USE 100% WHOLE GRAINS. IT IS NOT THAT HARD.

[getzealthy]

The Role of Protein-Rich Foods in Semaglutide-Fueled Weight Loss

Semaglutide, a medication originally developed for managing Type 2 diabetes, has gained significant attention for its weight loss benefits. However, to maximize its effectiveness, a supportive diet is essential. Protein-rich foods play a crucial role in enhancing the weight loss effects of Semaglutide, making them an indispensable part of your dietary plan. In this article, we’ll explore why protein matters, how it complements Semaglutide, and highlight the best foods to eat on Semaglutide for sustainable weight loss.

Why Protein Matters for Weight Loss

Protein is a vital macronutrient that supports multiple bodily functions, especially during weight loss. Its benefits include:

1. Increased Satiety

Protein helps you feel fuller for longer by reducing the hunger hormone ghrelin and increasing appetite-regulating hormones like GLP-1, the same hormone targeted by Semaglutide. Combining protein with Semaglutide enhances feelings of fullness and minimizes overeating.

2. Muscle Preservation

When losing weight, the body can lose muscle mass along with fat. Protein helps preserve lean muscle, ensuring that the majority of weight lost comes from fat. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism.

3. Boosted Metabolism

Digesting protein requires more energy than digesting fats or carbohydrates, a phenomenon known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). Including protein-rich foods in your Semaglutide-fueled diet can give your metabolism a slight boost.

How Protein-Rich Foods Complement Semaglutide

Semaglutide works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. Protein-rich foods enhance this effect by naturally stimulating GLP-1 secretion. This synergy leads to:

Enhanced appetite control

Improved blood sugar stability

Better adherence to calorie-controlled diets

When combined with a high-protein diet, Semaglutide can deliver faster and more sustainable weight loss results.

Best Protein-Rich Foods to Eat on Semaglutide

To ensure your diet aligns with Semaglutide’s benefits, focus on these protein-rich options:

1. Lean Meats

Chicken Breast: Low in fat and high in protein, chicken breast is an excellent choice for weight loss.

Turkey: Another lean meat option that’s rich in protein and low in calories.

2. Fish and Seafood

Salmon: Packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon promotes heart health while keeping you full.

Tuna: A convenient, protein-dense food that’s perfect for quick meals or snacks.

Shrimp: Low-calorie and high in protein, shrimp is an ideal addition to a weight loss diet.

3. Eggs

Eggs are versatile, nutrient-rich, and an affordable source of high-quality protein. They’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or as a meal component.

4. Dairy Products

Greek Yogurt: High in protein and probiotics, Greek yogurt supports digestion and satiety.

Cottage Cheese: A low-fat, protein-packed dairy option that’s easy to incorporate into meals.

5. Plant-Based Proteins

Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and black beans are rich in protein and fiber, making them a filling and nutritious choice.

Tofu and Tempeh: Excellent options for vegetarians and vegans, these soy-based proteins are versatile and nutrient-dense.

Quinoa: A complete protein that’s also gluten-free and rich in fiber.

6. Nuts and Seeds

While calorie-dense, nuts and seeds like almonds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds provide plant-based protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Consume them in moderation.

How to Incorporate Protein-Rich Foods Into Your Diet

1. Prioritize Protein at Every Meal

Ensure that each meal contains a significant protein source to maintain satiety and support muscle preservation.

2. Snack Smart

Choose protein-rich snacks like boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, or a handful of nuts to curb hunger between meals.

3. Combine Protein With Fiber

Pair protein with fiber-rich foods like vegetables or whole grains to enhance satiety and support digestion.

4. Plan and Prep Meals

Prepping meals with a focus on protein ensures you stay consistent with your dietary goals while on Semaglutide.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

While protein-rich foods are beneficial, it’s essential to avoid processed and high-fat protein sources, such as:

Fried meats

Processed deli meats (e.g., sausages, hot dogs)

Full-fat dairy products

Instead, opt for lean, minimally processed options to maximize weight loss benefits.

Breaking Through Weight Loss Plateaus on Semaglutide

Even with Semaglutide, weight loss plateaus can occur. Increasing protein intake is one strategy to break through a plateau. Other tips include:

Adjusting Calorie Intake: Reassess your calorie needs as your weight decreases.

Increasing Physical Activity: Incorporate resistance training to build muscle and boost metabolism.

Hydration and Sleep: Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are essential for weight loss success.

Conclusion

Protein-rich foods play a pivotal role in enhancing the weight loss effects of Semaglutide. By prioritizing lean proteins, incorporating plant-based options, and avoiding processed choices, you can maximize the medication’s benefits and achieve sustainable results.

Discover the best foods to eat on Semaglutide and make protein a cornerstone of your dietary plan for a healthier, more successful weight loss journey!

[bonefall]

Genuine question--how do Windclan cats get from grain to dough? Do they steal eggs?

You don't need eggs for a flatbread! All they need is dough, flaxseed oil, and a dash of coltsfoot salt.

There's a couple ways to get from grain to dough. Once the grain is ground up into flour, you only need salt, oil, and water.

This video shows the cook frying the dough-- but WindClan bakes it. They have more than enough access to flax to do some frying though. In the Forest Territories they had the Mothermouth Moorland, and in the Lake Territories they have the Southern Delta.

The most annoying thing to source of these basic ingredients is actually the salt! Coltsfoot (or dandelion but from what I've researched coltsfoot produces a lot more) needs to be burned away, leaving behind a collection of salty minerals.

I've been trying to do research into if it's possible to extract salt from blood, however, since WindClan eats an OBSCENE amount of rabbits and would have lots of that on hand. Blood pudding is going to be a must, but I'm wondering if it could replace the coltsfoot salt.

When they can source eggs, they happily use them. There's nesting birds on the moor, but RiverClan and ThunderClan are usually happy to trade and they tend to have way more eggs available. RiverClan is more likely to trade, since their Clan's demand for eating duck and goose eggs is much lower than the supply.

[adviceformefromme]

💖 NUTRITION & WELLBEING EDITION - 10 WEEKS UNTIL 2025 - GLOW UP SERIES [WEEK 10] - 💖

So we’re 10 weeks till 2025, the new year is fast approaching, your energy levels are in the gutter and despite mentally wanting to change your life there’s just something keeping you stuck. You wake up and it’s the same story different day, tired, hungry, moody as hell.

While you might mentally want to change your life, your body needs to be on board and to do that it’s gona need the right foods, drinks and nutrients to have you functioning at your optimal level. Taking drastic action when it comes to changing your diet is how you’re going to see drastic results in your energy levels, productivity and overall wellbeing… 

The foundations: 

🛌 SLEEP: All those late night movies before bed, Netflix and chill, love-is-blind binging needs to stop immediately. You need a set bed time and you need to be consistent. Waking up and going to sleep at the exact same time every single day. I recommend 10pm - 6am or somewhere around there. 

🥱 Sleep with your mouth closed. Use mouth strips from amazon if you dribble, snore, or struggle to sleep properly - breathing through your mouth is most likely the culprit. It’s not natural and disturbs natures rhythm which is breathing through your nose. Mouth strips have been a game changer for me, and highly recommended. 

🚫 No screen before bed. This is obvious but those doom scrolling morning and nights are over. Switch it off, read a book, pray, meditate, do what you need to. This is about resting your body before bed so you can sleep well and function at your best the next day. 

Sleep supplements: Magnesium oil spray or tablets before bed 

🍴 FOODS & DRINKS: 2 litres water MINIMUM per day. Absolutely no alcohol for the next 10 weeks. Strict diet of vegetables, fruits, protein and healthy fats, high quality meats and fish. More herbs into your food. Seeds, whole grains such as Chia, Flaxseed, Pumpkin seed, Bulgar wheat. More pre-and-probiotics. Sprouted veggies. Snack on nuts. No sweets, no cakes, no carbs. No bread, no pasta, no rice, no gluten. No nothing that is not a whole food, or from the earth. You are your own doctor when it comes to food, so you will know what is best for you. Above is the closest diet to nature and has changed my life. Eating vegetables in season. Removing western foods, removing vegetable oil, only drinking structured water, herb teas, and freshly pressed veg juices. Changing your diet might mean you stop eating out, you cut the takeouts, you spend your evenings researching meal preps for Keto, or healthy diet. Your life will completely change when you start feeding your body ALIVE foods, instead of nutrient deficient, processed food that keeps you craving more. Yes you are going against the grain. You will be the minority, but what are the alternatives? Stay binging? Stay eating crap? Stay feeling crap? 

Supplements: 

Chronium, Berberine for support with blood sugar 

D3 + K2, B12, Vitamin C 1000mg, Turmeric, Probiotics, 

DIM, Milk Thistle, Selenium, Iodine Drops, Omega 3, Mega GLA for women’s health.

Other: 

Get full blood panel done to see any deficiencies 

Invest in a continuous glucose monitor from Amazon - see how your body is responding to foods you are eating in real time. 

🏃🏽‍♀️EXERCISE: There is no way around this. You need to do some fucking exercise. Even if you start with 10k steps per day. Just do it. Once you’ve switched up your diet you absolutely WILL have more energy. Join a gym, set the intention, put reminders on your phone affirming you ARE someone whoo does exercise and works out. Leave your gym clothes out before bed. Set yourself up to win. Find a friend or someone to work out with. Look on YouTube for a workout if the gym is not possible. Just try your best. This is a mind over matter. ~You got this. 

🧘🏽‍♀️ Finally…STRESS FREE LIVING…

You can eat all the healthy foods, do your 10k steps but if you are involved in a stressful life, those stress hormones are going to come and f**k shit up. You have to remove stress where possible. This is the NUMBER one health destroyer. Stress literally makes is ill. It depletes your energy, exhausts you, and keeps you in survival - not much different to the animals living in the wild. Your life can be so stress free once you realise you are actually in control of a lot more than you realise. Blocking HIM. Saying no to hanging out with HER. Hanging up the phone. Removing yourself from the drama. Quitting your job. Changing your course. Deleting social media. Switching off the news permanently. Distancing yourself. There is SO much you can do to remove stress. But it’s completely on you. You have to take control if you are serious about changing your life. 

That’s all for this week! Next week more advice on your pre-2025 glow-up.

[rat-ore]

Brain Foods and Memory

Here's the scoop on brain foods. Like you, I've always heard that certain brain find out more here foods can help you think better and improve memory. But I was never quite sure which foods to eat.

Well, after doing lots of reading, I found some answers. It turns out there are several types of foods that can protect your brain, improve how well it works, and even build new brain cells.

First, let me clear up a common myth: yes, you can grow new brain cells as an adult! The myth that your brain stops growing is false. Lots of new research proves that your neurons (brain cells) can put out new branches and make new connections no matter what your age.

Of course, all cells need nutrients to grow. So including brain foods in your diet gives your brain the building blocks it needs. More neurons and connections in your brain equals a stronger memory and a mind that simply works better.

Healthy Fats - Build Your Brain

Much of a brain cell's structure is made up of what are called "healthy fats". The most important of these are the Omega-3 fatty acids. As your brain repairs itself and grows new neurons, it needs an abundant supply of Omega-3s from your diet.

The best sources of Omega-3 fats include cold-water fish such as salmon and albacore tuna. Flaxseed oil is also an good source. Other foods with Omega-3 are canola oil, soybeans, walnuts, wheatgerm, and eggs.

Antioxidants - Protect Your Brain

As we age, substances in our bloodstream known as "free radicals" attack and break down our brain cells. If you don't fight this, you are likely to experience age-related memory loss when you get older. Fortunately, there are a lot of foods that contain a helpful substance called "antioxidants". These antioxidants merge with the free radicals in your blood and make them harmless. So it pays to eat lots of antioxidant foods every day.

Good sources of antioxidants include tea (especially green tea), blueberries and other berries, red grapes, tomatoes, broccoli, garlic, spinach, carrots, whole grains, and soy.

High-Tyrosine Proteins - Spark Your Brain

Besides neurons, your brain also includes important chemicals called "neurotransmitters". Neurotransmitters are the messengers that carry brain signals from one neuron to the next. You may have a great brain structure, but if your supply of the different neurotransmitters is insufficient your brain won't function properly.

[prettieinpink]

Question about Cycle Syncing. Do you know where i can find, like a masterlist of food that fits into the steps of the cycle? I always see the same food but how abt the rest? Would be nice to know for example for meal building.

MASTERLIST: NUTRITION CYCLE SYNCING

This post is a masterlist of everything that is recommended you eat while cycle syncing. if you don’t know what that is, read this beginner guide.

This post is a researched post, because I actually couldn’t find a proper masterlist. So, I researched what kinds of nutrients you need during your 4 phases, but I am NO DOCTOR. Just a little disclaimer!

MENSTRUAL/FOLLICULAR PHASE - high iron, vitamin C foods

VEGETABLES

Spinach

Silver beet

Broccoli

String beans

Peas

Sweet potatoes

Beet greens

Dandelion greens

Collards

Chard

Chilli peppers

Sweet yellow peppers

Parsley

Brussel sprouts

FRUITS

Oranges

Guavas

Black currants

Cantaloupe

Kiwis

Lemons

Lychees

Papayas

Strawberries

Oranges

Watermelon

Figs

Prunes

PROTEINS

Beef

Lamb

Liverwurst

Pork

Veal

Dried beef

Eggs

Shrimp

Clams

Tuna

Sardines

CARBS/OTHER

Whole wheat bread

Enriched pasta

Rye bread

Enriched rice

Tofu

Beans

Lentils

OVULATORY PHASE – complex carbs, lean proteins, anti-inflammatory, vitamin B6, folate/choline

VEGETABLES

Carrots

Spinach

Sweet potato

Red potato

Green peas

Chickpeas

Butternut squash

Asparagus

Turnip greens

Romaine lettuce

Beets

Sweet corn

Mushrooms

Pumpkin

Parsnip

Cauliflower

FRUITS

Bananas

Avocado

Mango

Blueberries

Apple

Peaches

Tangerine

Pink grapefruit

lemons

PROTEINS

Egg whites

Strained yoghurt

Skinless white meat poultry

Plain greek yoghurt

Low fat cottage cheese

Tofu

Lean beef

Powdered peanut butter

Beef liver

Pork loin

Bison

Organ meat

CARBS/OTHER

Lentils

Kidney beans

Green peas

Walnuts

Flaxseeds

Cashews

Almonds

Pistachios

LUTEAL PHASE – High fibre, vitamin B12, magnesium

VEGETABLES

Spinach

Swiss chard

Collard greens

Green peas

Sweet corn

Cabbage

Arugula

Bok choy

Celery

Lettuce

FRUITS

Pears

Strawberries

Avocado

Apples

Raspberries

Blackberries

Blueberries

Bananas

PROTEINS

Animal liver

Animal kidney

Clams

Swiss cheese

Turkey

Crabs

Ham

CARBS/OTHER

Oats

Popcorn

Almonds

Fresh coconut

Sunflower seeds

Dark chocolate

Wheat

barley

[madamlaydebug]

{Things you can eat when cleansing}....

•List of Vegetables (Leafy Greens):

Bok Choy

Cabbage

Celery

Chard

Collards

Dandelion Greens

Kale

Lettuce (romaine, red leaf, green leaf, butter, etc.)

SpinachVegetables (Root Veggies):

Beets

Carrots

Daikon

Fennel

Jicama

Onions

Parsnips

Radish

Turnip

•Vegetables (Starchy):

Squash

Sweet Potato (don’t cook it!)

Zucchini

•Vegetables (Misc.):

Asparagus

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Okra

Peppers (bell peppers and hot peppers)

Radicchio

•List of Fruits (Sweet Category):

Banana

Date (unsulfured and free of preservatives)

Fig

Grapes

Jackfruit

Jujube

Papaya

Persimmon

SapoteFruits (Sub-Acid Category):

Acai Berry

Apple

Blackberry

Blueberry

Cherimoya

Cherry

Loquat

Lychee

Mango

Nectarine

Peach

Pear

Plum

Raspberries

•Fruits (Acidic):

Cherry Tomato

Cranberry

Guava

Grapefruit

Kiwi

Kumquat

Lemon

Lime

Orange

Pineapple

Pomegranate

Strawberry

Tangerine

Tomato

•Fruits (Melon):

Cantaloupe

Honeydew

Watermelon

•Fruits (Non-Sweet):

Bell Peppers

Cucumber

•Fruits (High Fat):

Avocado

Durian

•List of Raw Nuts:

Almond

Beech

Black Walnut

Brazil Nut

Butternut

Cashew

Chestnut

Chufa Nut

Filbert

Gingko Nut

Hazelnut

Kola Nut

Pecan

Pine Nut

Pistachio Nut

Tiger Nut

Walnut

•List of Raw Seeds:

Chia Seeds

Flaxseeds

Hemp Seeds

Poppy Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds

Sesame Seeds

Safflower Seeds

Sunflower Seeds

This list does not contain every fruit, vegetable, nut, and seed that exists in the world, but it does contain most of them. This shows you how many different things you can eat on the cleanse, and you can make so many different recipes with all of them!

¤Sources:

http://www.nourishinteractive.com/healthy-living/free-nutrition-articles/121-list-seeds-nuts

http://www.raw-foods-diet-center.com/list-of-vegetables.html

http://www.raw-foods-diet-center.com/list-of-fruits.html

[robustcornhusk]

20. What's in your freezer right now? (Bonus: any other with an interesting answer that no one's asked yet)

bonus question first, because i take any opportunity to talk about food at length

41 - What's the oldest thing you own?

huh. i was going to say "my grandfather's sword", because that's the cool answer, but i guess it's actually my house, which is both a boring and ship of theseus answer. large portions of this place have been ripped out and put back over its 105 years of existing.

but as for objects that i can carry around, probably the sword, from the 40s.

20 - oh boy! i just cleaned out the freezer two weeks, and it is still 100% full! it's very wide, tall, and shallow; it's got a deep drawer, a very shallow shelf, and one reasonable drawer.

deep drawer:

10 bagels (from the last two weeks)

8 tahini rolls (last night, recipe handed to me by @adiantum-sporophyte)

1 spare bagel, shichimi togarashi (last fucking december)

8 dinner rolls (in the last month; i like them with The Beans)

500g of sourdough bread (in the last month)

bags of corn, peas, raspberries, blueberries, and 6tbsp or so tomato paste

a few ounces of frozen french fries

1 bag of vegan nuggets that i haven't tried yet

1 bag of not-chicken strips

2 bags of breaded not-chicken filets, like for sandwiches

2 bags of not-burgers

the bagels come from partner's favorite bagelry (?). we eat bagels for breakfast 4-5 days a week, so we get 12 bageldays of bagels every 2-3 weeks.

i love fake meat so much. people are out there jerking off, "i feel we should celebrate vegetables for what they are, and not try to make them into what they aren't". poppycock! burger is good. nugget is good. vegetable qua vegetable is also good. they're both good! eat both! one needs micronutrients and big hunks of protein!

the tahini rolls are basically extra flavorful dinner rolls. the flavor is a little hard to pair with, though. i have some stews in mind to try them with.

the sourdough is the leftovers of a huuuuuuuge miche i bought at nearby bakery because i went right at close and it was all they had left. i fucked up and froze it in 3 chunks, instead of slicing before freezing; when i tried to slice up one of the chunks, it was a huge mess. i might turn the rest into ribollita, now that i think about it.

partner had the idea that we'd 3d print some dividers, so that the bagels wouldn't collapse into the frozen vegetables, and the faux meats wouldn't collapse, so we got a profiling tool... and we haven't made the dividers yet. eventually!

shallow shelf:

6 frozen mulberry scones on a quarter-sheet pan

1 basket of frozen mulberries

mashed mulberry to use in lemonade (as suggested by @tinyyellowflowers-blog), occupying one of my eighth-sheet pans

frozen blackberries, occupying another quarter-sheet pan

a deli container completely full of apricot pits

the mulberry scones smelled really weird when i cooked the first two... but they tasted fine. mild; not a fantastic use of mulberry imo. the frozen ones are like ice cream. i'm supposed to bake with the blackberries, and i have been -- made these peanut butter bars, and then merged it with some jam bars; the second one was like the best pb&j i've ever eaten.

the apricot pit bucket is for infusing into alcohol. slaw, a doctor, was over last night, and i casually asked how much cyanide is okay to eat. she made a frowny face at me. then i said it was apricot pits and she was like "that's fine".

i really really need to either reclaim those baking sheets or get more; i use them more for organization than for baking, though.

reasonable drawer:

1 box of "plant based breakfast patties"

1 box of folded fake eggs

1 box of fake poached eggs

3 boxes of tofu skins (help)

8 dinner rolls (in the last month)

1 miniloaf of baharat banana bread (march?)

4oz of pepita dukkah (december)

8oz of flaxseeds (ancient)

6 little containers of apple butter (from a year ago)

1/3 pint of ice cream (a month or two)

2 little containers of a very condensed tomato-shallot sauce (possibly 2 years old)

1 jar of yeast (18 months)

uhhhh, ice

the dinner rolls are parker house rolls, but i don't actually like the parker house shape (too much hassle); i just do them as miniboules. they freeze and reheat perfectly. if i get another 9x13 i could do double batches, and maybe i will.

every now and then we eat bagel sands for breakfast, with bagels (real), egg (fake), sausage (fake), cheese (fake), and i love it. they're so good.

no idea what to do with the tofu skins; i've never used yuba before, and i haven't had hot pot either.

the ice is impossible to get out of the ice bucket, due to how shallowly the freezer drawer extends. for fashion reasons, there's no in-door ice or water dispenser.