#i just mix it with other food with more flavour as in to “fill” me more

[aachria]

The long awaited (maybe? Idk how many of you were waiting for this) SSSBMTY College AU!

Majors in bold

Headcanons in regular text

Notes about the art indented in orange

Luffy — Undeclared

Was forced into school by his gramps. (The university dean. The fucking dorm building all the Strawhats but Jimbei live in is named after him.)(it was this or join the navy.) Takes the most random classes he can. Some of them are advanced and require perquisites and no one knows how he keeps getting into them. Wears shorts and sandals in winter & will run any errand or do any odd job for food. He has a very nice bike he got for free from a garage sale that Franky fixed up. There's a campus wide bet on when and what he'll choose as his major. His bucket hat was a gift from Shanks, the universities World Economics prof. Has a million friendship bracelets on his ankles because Ed makes them when they're stressed. Never has a bag on him. Fights Canadian geese on the way to class, like a fucking maniac. Protected species who?

When I tell you that this drawing of Luffy is the first time I've ever drawn actual feet with toes that don't look fucking ridiculous I need to cheer for me. Why is he a different flavour of boy every time I draw him please. His ass isn't rubber in this universe, of course he's scuffed to shit. Chopper ran out of Spiderman bandaids, sorry bud. Advocate for the Single Piercing Luffy™ agenda, he went and got it done with Ed when they got their helix.

Ed — English major Psychology minor

Took History of Piracy for easy grades & a story idea. Known around campus as that asshole who'll tell you exactly which of your roommates ate your leftovers for $5. Is roommates with Luffy because of a system mix-up when they got distributed. Always wears a Burberry trench coat Nami thrifted for $3 and gave them as a bday gift. Carries everything in a ratty falling apart messenger bag. Them and Luffy filled out marriage papers on a dare, Zoro (who got legally ordained on a dare minutes before) oversaw that, Zoro and Ed filed the papers when they were drunk. So Ed and Luffy are legally married. And they don't even notice until tax season and Jonah, Ed's accounting friend, asks about it.

I need you to ignore the inconsistence with the hands in these ok? Some of them get very nice and normal hands, and others get weird shaped blobs. Sorry Ed, them's the breaks kid.

Zoro — Health and Fitness major Mathematics minor

Literally no one knows why he has a Mathematics minor, least of all him. P sure he walked into the wrong class on the first day and just stuck with it. The most terrifying captain of the kendo team the university has ever had. He's won more championships and trophies in his tenure than the school has in its history, the revenue he brings in from sponsorships and such make them turn a blind eye to his... eccentricities (three sword style. Nobody has stopped him yet, anyone who says it's illegal gets penalized). Has had campus security called on him so often from being creepy when walking home from the gym in the dark there's a poster of him in the security office that says 'NOT ACTUALLY A THREAT. JUST WEIRD AND WALKS WITH PURPOSE.'

Zoro's sword patch on his jacket was designed by Usopp, embroidered by Luffy for a class (shittily) and fixed up and sewn on by Ed. Those docs have seen war. He has put them through hell. He has walked through a fucking river with those things, he superglues them back together every time they break. Franky had to strongarm him into getting the soles professionally replaced.

Nami — Meteorology major Finance minor

All of her clothes are thrifted designer things. Regularly terrorizes Value Village employees. Anything she has that isn't thrifted she gets from the many estate sales she plagues, snatching grandma's entire Chanel collection and all her nicest jewelry. She has absolutely everything anyone could ever need in her purse. Tampons and pads? She gotchu. Extra pens? It'll cost you, but yeah. A curling iron? Sure, why the hell not. She runs the betting pool on Luffy's major with Ed. She also writes a gossip column for the school newspaper and has a podcast she uploads a new episode to every few months. Shows up to every class looking like a supermodel no matter the time. 7am? Perfect. 10pm? Fabulous. Your go-to if you get locked out of your dorm. Has a moped but barely uses it.

Nami's bag is a large Prada Gallaria Saffiano bag, which I painstaking drew to accuracy down to the colour even though it still looks ever so slightly different, because Nami is a big purse girl. The compass rose necklace was a going away gift from Nojiko when she left for uni. I think her haircut is so cute I love her sm. Don't pay any mind to how fucking disheveled half of their lineart looks next to her pls.

Usopp — Graphic Design major

Not a member of the archery club, but shows up enough he’s in all the team photos. Was originally the designated driver, had a pretty little mini van they called the Merry, had one of those fucking fuzzy dice hanging mirror things in the shape of a sheep’s head. Got in a bad car accident and she got totaled by some jackass in a red Honda Civic. Dating Kaya, who’s a nursing student. They barely see each other because she’s so fucking busy and half the students are convinced the girlfriend Usopp is always talking about and calling is fake. The Strawhats have a dnd campaign that they run every other week, Usopp DM's. On weekends he works at an axe throwing range and holds the record for most bullseyes in a row. They have his picture mounted on the wall.

Usopp's necklace is the old key to the Merry, and he engraved his belt buckle for a project. I cursed his ass with the giant fuck off portfolio bag because those things are so big and unwieldy. The people in his program's studio never clean their paint up properly, that's why he's covered in it. Advocate for the Usopp With Gages™ agenda. God he is such a cutie patootie.

Sanji — Business degree

Literally grew up working in a restaurant, he’s only going to school to get the degree so he can open his own and also because Zeff threated to castrate him if he didn't get a higher education. Cooks basically every single meal for the dorm, since it’s just the Strawhats (it's a new (old it's old and was refurbished. Everyone assumed it was haunted.) building that they just dedicated to Garp. Has no other residents yet). Him and Zoro fight so much in their shared room half the time he ends up kicking him out and making him sleep in the community room lmao. He just shows up in half the culinary classes because he hates the business ones so much, the one time someone tried to tell him to leave he cussed them out for a full ten minutes while gesticulating wildly with a knife in hand. They never tried that again. Saw one of the profs berate a young lady for wearing a dress shirt to class because it’s impractical and proceeded to take that personally. Yeah he wears three piece suits to all his classes, he could still kick you ass in ‘em. Shut up. Volunteers to show around foreign exchange students because he can speak at least 4 foreign languages fluently. Is it to woo pretty French girls with his charm? Wouldn't you like to know.

I could not draw Sanji in a decent pose for the life of me, his ass was just not having it. He's got one of them really nice leather messenger bags with the lined pockets and filigree, he's very proud of it.

Chopper — PreMed

One of the few Strawhats who regularly sees Usopp’s reclusive girlfriend, and is very confused as to why people think she isn’t real. Still a literal child (is 15 still a child? Yeah that's like barely a teenager), a goddamn prodigy and got in with an incredibly good recommendation from the best doctor in the country, who just so happens to be his adoptive mother. He’s literally too cute for anyone to question that, plus he’s the sharpest tack in the damn class. He knocked his front tooth out ages ago (it was an adult tooth) but he's too fucking busy to get an appointment to get it fixed, just adds another layer to his babyface. Nice girls keep asking him if he's here to go see his parents or older siblings, he's endlessly infuriated by it and Sanji is endlessly jealous. Saved Ed from choking to death in a Domino's parking lot the first time they met, he dropped his pizza doing it so they bought him another. The rest is history. Does not feel cold, wears chunky boots year round. Got them reflective ass eyes like a deer, no one has ever taken a good picture of this child. He looks fucking possessed in his school ID.

TELL ME WHY I ALMOST FORGOT TO DRAW CHOPPER. I finished drawing Franky and was like "gee, only Brook and Jimbei to go! Good for me," and then I had to pause while looking as the picture of the group I was semi-referencing for heights n shit and was like "OH FUCK THE CHILD—" He's so cute tho. He's giving lil baby Goro Akechi. The argyle sweater vest and Timbs were a must, so was his hockey boy haircut. Matching backpack and tie for the win. Oh and the freckles, Chopper with freckles is everything to me.

Robin — Has a million hyper specific degrees. Currently earning her third doctorate.

Very mysterious and sexy. Mature student who occasionally gives lectures in the archeology program when she has free time. Owns a motorcycle but barely rides it. How is she not in debt after so much schooling? Don't fucking ask if you want to live. Is that why she lives in the dorm building? Do. Not. Ask. She and Luffy attend the same Theology class, no one knows how Luffy is passing with such good grades, but Robin is adamant that he doesn't take notes or borrow hers, and takes to having the same scores as him with grace. Child actor on one of those show like Barney (but not Barney dear lord) or Reading Rainbow and people only knew her as 'that kid with the creepy fuckin stare.' She was a meme a few years back, they called her the devil child. Every time someone asks her about it she just says she has no idea what they're talking about while giving them the creepy stare.

Women with Big Bags truther, right here. Robin deserves to be put in a suit. Goddamnit, get that woman in a suit!

Franky — Has a bachelors of Engineering, a bachelors of Architecture, and is earning his (water specific) Architecture degree

Currently the groups designated driver (after the tragic death of the poor Merry) with his supped up SUV, the Sunny. How do all the Strawhats fit inside? The power of love, obviously. That car will NOT fucking move if even one of the seatbelts is undone. Made Ed and Luffy wedding rings after he found out they accidentally got married. (Only after laughing for a half our straight, almost passing out, and laughing again. Then he cried for another hour about how beautiful it was.) He sometimes works as a nude model for life drawing classes on campus. Half of the the Strawhats have, in one way or another, seen him in the buck. Has knee braces from an... incident... with a train when he was younger. Now he volunteers at KidsAbility and has a shift on the campus crisis/suicide hotline. Huge advocate for mental health services at the school. He lives in the dorms for the ✨experience✨. Even worse than Luffy, mf wears booty shorts in the dead of winter. He's constantly dressed like It's laundry day. One of those guys from a famous Vine when he was younger that just gets stopped while he's walking so people can go "TRAMPOLINE VASE GUY??" (Iceberg was recording. I love Iceberg.)

Yes Franky is wearing an I ♥ MILFs shirt, what of it? It was a gift. Drawing him was an exercise in struggling with the pompadour and getting uncomfortably close to drawing Syndrome. Yes, he's cold all the time. No, he will not stop.

Brook — Literally no one knows. Something music related probably.

Fucker has been around forever, there’s old ass profs who swear to god they went to school with him and he hasn’t aged a day. Regularly plays local bars and cafes. Doesn't own a cellphone, he can literally only operate rotary phones. Computers confuse the shit out of him. Knows nothing about pop culture or recent events, but is up to date on everything in the music industry. He sometimes helps organize the old library archives because he's somehow the only person who understands the system they're organized in. Sometimes he'll just namedrop a famous singer/band he's either played with, done karaoke with, or done background vocals/instrumentals for and you have to guess whether he's telling the truth or just saying shit. There's a campus wide betting pool (run by Nami and Ed, go figure) on whether he's a vampire, ghost, time traveler, or Dorian Gray in disguise. Prepares the questions for 70s night pub trivia. Every time the Strawhats plan a ghost hunt he's busy, then at the end they find out that all the paranormal shit they've been experiencing is just him running his errands. It's happened at least four times.

Is Brook off-putting enough? I was trying to make him off-putting. He swears up and down the neck tattoo was gotten on a dare by Elton John, what, you gonna question a man who looks like he stepped out of Coraline? The skeleton gloves were a gift from Ed.

Jimbei — Has already graduated as a Marine Biology major Political Science minor and is taking both a Gender Studies course and a Peace and Conflict Studies course years later.

Teaches martial arts at a local dojo on weekends and volunteers with the martial arts team on campus. Robin helps him organize protests on weekends. He's good buds with a lot of the faculty and gets invited to after work drinks regularly. He helped establish a program that walks people who stay late at the library to their dorms when he was first a student that's still going strong to this day. Lives off campus and has the Strawhats over for BBQ on long weekends. Literally the only time the Strawhats eat food not made by Sanji. The Grill Master™. Somehow holds some kind of record or high score at every single bar/pub in town. Knows every single mailman and janitor by name. MVP of the catch and release fishing club, helps plan all of their trips.

I struggled with him. I struggled hard. That's a man who went his whole childhood with a horrendous underbite and only got it fixed once he was an adult. Ed gave him the fishing lure earrings out of guilt after he brought them on one of his fishing trips and they fell in and nearly capsized their boat. IT'S A REUSED PLASTIC BAG JIMBEI IS RESPONSIBLE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT—

[doormatty3]

Onions and Orgasms (Orm Marius x Reader)

Masterlist Ao3

Ocean Eyes Masterlink

Summary

[Orm Marius x Female Reader] [Orm Marius x You] Being in a relationship with Orm is interesting, to say the least—he’s loving, kind, and undoubtedly overwhelmed by human customs. To help him adapt, you often cook together, showing him human traditions through the joy of making delicious food, something you have both grown fond of. Typically, his lack of kitchen knowledge and skills isn’t a big issue, but you soon discover that some food items need more explanation than you initially anticipated. OR: You laugh about Orm’s horrible kitchen skills, and he shows you with what he *is* skilled.

Wordcount: 7,362

Warnings: 18+, unprotected sex, creampie, vaginal sex, fluff, smut, dirty talk, fingering, orgasm denial, anal fingering, oral sex

A/N: I don't know what it is about Orm that just doesn't let me go... I had to write another story about him (I know exactly what it is - it's Patrick Wilson)

This is set after my Ocean Eyes story—you don't need to have read it, though. The only thing you need to know is that Orm and Reader-Chan are in a happy relationship, and Orm—well, he isn't that good with surface dweller stuff, but he tries.

You know that Orm doesn't understand much about humans and their customs—you'd been living with the man for quite some time, and his antics are nothing new.

Though he tries and makes an effort for your sake, sometimes he even does it so well that you forget he is the former king of Atlantis. But other times, it is all too obvious that he is still a stranger to this world.

"Why must everything be cut into such small pieces, honey?" Orm asks, his tone filled with genuine curiosity as he concentrates on cutting vegetables. The two of you are cooking together, an activity that has become a cherished routine of your everyday life. It is in these quiet moments that Orm's sincere attempts to integrate into your world were most apparent. And not only did his efforts shine, but so did the love between you.

You look at him, a fond smile playing on your lips.

His brows are furrowed in deep concentration, and his unruly blond hair nearly reaches his nose now. His piercing blue eyes are focused on the small kitchen knife and the bell pepper he is meticulously slicing. The knife seems almost comically small in his large hands, and he grips it with such strength that you are surprised it hasn't broken yet.

It is somewhat amusing, considering how skilled he is with his trident compared to the struggle he faces just holding the knife properly.

"Because we're going to fry it, sweetheart," you explain gently, appreciating his efforts to learn. "Cutting the vegetables into smaller pieces helps them cook more evenly and quickly."

Orm nods slowly, processing the information. He glances at you, his expression a mix of determination and puzzlement. "Fry… that means to cook them in hot oil, right?"

"Exactly," you confirm, guiding him through the process. "It gives them a nice texture and flavour."

As he resumes cutting the bell pepper, pleased with your answer, you can't help but admire his dedication.

Orm, the fierce warrior who once ruled an underwater kingdom, now stands in your modest kitchen, struggling with the simple act of slicing vegetables. It is a testament to how much he cares about adapting to your world - about making a life with you.

You watch as he continues his task, his concentration unwavering.

Despite the awkwardness, there is just something endearing about his efforts. The way he holds the knife, the careful precision with which he makes each cut, and the slight furrow in his brow all speak of a man determined to master even the most mundane aspects of human life for the sake of the one he loves.

"You're doing great," you encourage, stepping closer to him. "Just a little more practice and you'll be a pro."

Orm glances up at you, and a small, sweet, appreciative smile tugs at the corners of his lips.

At that moment, you are once again mesmerised by how much you love him. The depth of your feelings seems to swell within you as if you are seeing him for the first time all over again. The love you feel for him is a constant, ever-growing force that never ceases to amaze you.

"Thank you," he says softly. "For being patient with me."

You reach out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from his eyes. "We're in this together, Orm. Every step of the way."

He smiles brightly at you, his eyes crinkling at the corners and sparkling like the smoothest water in sunlight before he returns his focus to slicing the last few pieces of bell pepper.

When he is done with the paprika, Orm hands you the bowl, his eyes meeting yours with a look of accomplishment. You take it from him with a grateful smile.

"Thanks," you say, putting the bowl away so you can use it for cooking later. "Can you cut the onions, love?" you ask, gesturing towards the small pile of onions on the counter.

His puzzled expression tells you he isn't sure which vegetable you mean, so you point at them and specify. "You have to peel them—the brown skin has to go. Then, dice the white part in small pieces."

Orm nods and grabs an onion, examining it closely before starting to peel. You watch as he works, his large hands moving slowly and carefully. It is kind of cute - the way he approaches this simple task with such determination.

He peels away the first layer, the dry, flaky skin falling away to reveal the smooth white beneath. As he begins to slice, his concentration deepens, his brows furrowing just as they had with the bell pepper.

After a few cuts, however, you hear him mutter a curse under his breath. Glancing over, you see him blinking rapidly, his eyes beginning to water.

Orm wipes his arm over his eyes, confusion etched on his face. "Why do my eyes hurt?" he asks, blinking more frequently now. Before you can warn him, he uses the same hand he had just cut the onion with to rub his eyes.

"Orm, no—" you start, but it is too late.

His eyes widen in pain, and he quickly withdraws his hand, the irritation clearly intensifying. Tears stream down his cheeks, not from emotion but from the sharp sting of the onions.

"Why… why am I crying?" he asks, bewildered, as he tries to blink away the tears. He brings his hand up again, clearly frustrated, and you quickly grab his arm to stop him.

"Sweetheart, you're making it worse," you say, unable to help the laugh that bubbles up. "Let me help you."

You grab a piece of tissue paper and go to the sink to dampen it. Then you dab it over his eyes, gently cleaning his hands as well.

He grumbles, clearly in a bad mood from the sting and the tears, and you can't help but laugh again. "The mighty Orm, taken down by a humble onion," you tease lightly.

Orm's expression darkens slightly, a mix of frustration and embarrassment, his brows knitting together in a grumpy frown. "This is ridiculous," he mutters, his pride clearly stung, but your laughter only intensifies.

Acting a bit condescending, you pat his cheek. "It's okay, sweetie. Onions can be tricky. Maybe next time I'll handle them - we'll find another battle for the fine Atlantean warrior."

His eyes flash with a mix of frustration and something deeper. Before you can react, he roughly presses you against the counter, his grip firm but not painful.

Orm's lips crash down on yours in a heated, possessive kiss. You gasp in surprise but quickly melt into the kiss, your hands coming up to rest on his broad chest.

When he finally pulls back a bit, his breathing is heavy, his eyes dark with unresolved tension. "Don't mock me," he says, his voice low and husky.

You look up at him, breathless and a little dazed from the unexpected kiss. "I wasn't—" you begin, but the words catch in your throat.

"You think this is funny?" he murmurs against your lips, his voice a low growl as he interrupts you. "I may not be skilled in the kitchen, but I'm skilled in getting you off."

Before you can respond or comprehend what he said, he kisses you again roughly, his hands roaming your body with a fervour that makes your heart race. You bury your hands in his blond hair, pulling him closer as the kiss deepens.

It is intense and devouring.

You feel his tongue against yours, the insistent pressure of his lips sending shivers down your spine. Orm's kiss is demanding, almost punishing, and you meet it with equal passion, losing yourself in the moment. The sensation of his lips on yours, his hands exploring your body, is intoxicating. You cling to him, your fingers tangling in his hair, feeling the world blur around you.

His tongue teases and explores, sending waves of heat coursing through your body. You moan into his mouth, the sound muffled by his relentless assault. He growls in response, the vibration travelling through you and making you tremble.

Orm's hands slide down your back, gripping your waist with a possessive strength that leaves you breathless. His fingers dig into your hips, pulling you against him, the hardness of his body pressing into your softness. His tongue explores your mouth with an urgency that makes your knees weak, and you moan into the kiss again, your body responding eagerly to his touch as you clench your thighs, feeling yourself growing wet.

When Orm finally pulls back, his eyes are smouldering with renewed intensity. He doesn't move away from you; instead, he tightens his grip on your waist again, pressing you firmly against the counter. The heat of his body radiates through your clothes, and you can feel the raw power in his muscles as he holds you there, trapped between the cool surface of the counter and him.

"You drive me crazy," he murmurs, his breath hot against your ear. His hands roam over your sides, tracing the curves of your body with a possessive hunger. "You laugh at me, but you have no idea what you do to me."

You shiver at his words, a thrill of excitement coursing through you. "Orm…" you whisper, your voice trembling with anticipation.

He silences you with another kiss, rough and demanding. His tongue explores your mouth with an urgency that causes your eyes to flutter closed as you respond eagerly, your hands clutching at his hair, his shoulders, anything to ground yourself in the whirlwind of sensation.

Orm's hands move with a new purpose, sliding under your shirt to caress the bare skin beneath. His touch is electric, sending shivers down your spine as he explores every inch of you. His fingers trace patterns over your back and sides, each touch leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

He tugs at your shirt, lifting it over your head and tossing it aside, exposing your bare skin to his hungry gaze. His eyes darken with desire as he takes in the sight of you, his hands roaming over your now exposed breasts, his thumbs brushing over your sensitive nipples.

The sensation is almost too much, and you arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping your lips as you respond in kind, moving your hands from his hair over his broad shoulders and biceps, feeling the strong muscles beneath his clothes.

He lifts you onto the counter with ease, his powerful hands gripping your waist firmly as he keeps his lips connected to yours.

He breaks the kiss just long enough to look at you for a second before his mouth descends on your neck.

He kisses and nibbles at your sensitive skin, his hands continuing their exploration of your body. His touch is both tender and demanding, a combination that leaves you aching for more. His breath is hot and tantalising, making you let out a breathy moan as your hands come up to touch his shoulders, feeling the hard muscles beneath his skin.

"You drive me wild," he murmurs against your neck, his voice a husky growl.

His hands move to your breasts, teasing them with a touch that sends shivers down your spine.

His fingers expertly trace circles around your nipples, each caress making them harden under his touch. You gasp, arching into him, your body responding eagerly to his ministrations, and you feel your pussy growing wet as arousal pulses through your veins. He growls appreciatively, his mouth moving lower, leaving a trail of kisses down your chest.

"Orm," you breathe, your voice a mixture of frustration and need.

He smiles against your skin, his lips trailing down to your chest. "You think it's funny to laugh at me, don't you?" he murmurs, his mouth closing over one nipple. He sucks gently, his tongue flicking over the sensitive peak, drawing a moan from your lips, your nails digging into his shoulders.

A whimper escapes you as he switches tactics, using his teeth to graze over your flesh with a delicious roughness, sending sparks of electricity coursing through your veins and making your clit throb. But then, just as quickly, he soothes the ache with a soothing stroke of his tongue, leaving you trembling with desire.

Your hands find their way to his hair, fingers tangling in the blond strands as you pull him closer, unable to contain the overwhelming need for him. "I'm sorry," you manage to gasp between ragged breaths, though your words are lost in the haze of pleasure.

"I'm not," he growls, lifting his head to look at you, his eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and desire. "You drive me mad."

He switches to the other breast, his mouth and hands working together to drive you wild as he sucks and nibbles on your sensitive nipple and kneads your tit with his hand. The sensation is overwhelming, a mix of pleasure and anticipation that makes you tremble. You can feel the heat building between your legs, your need for him growing with each passing second, slick against your underwear.

"You're mine," he whispers, his voice filled with a possessive intensity that makes your heart race. "All mine."

With that, he captures your lips in another searing kiss, his hands moving down to your waist, leaving your breasts aching as the cool air hits your wet, hard nipples. It's deep and consuming, a mix of hunger and tenderness that leaves you breathless and makes you moan into his mouth again.

You cling to him, your fingers tangling in his blond hair, pulling at the thick strands to drag him even closer as you lose yourself in the sensation of his mouth on yours.

Orm's fingers trail over your thighs, his touch light and teasing, driving you wild with anticipation. He spreads your legs wider, his eyes dark and predatory and a smirk on his lips as he takes in the sight of you.

"Orm, please," you whisper, your voice a desperate plea.

He smiles, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Patience," he murmurs, his lips brushing against your neck, sending waves of pleasure through you. "I want to savour this."

His hands roam over your thighs again, caressing and teasing, driving you to the brink of madness as his long fingers draw intricate patterns through the fabric of your clothes. Each touch is electric, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. His fingers dance closer and closer to your cunt, but he never quite touches you where you need him most.

You can't help but whimper, the sound a mix of frustration and desire.

There's a part of you that wishes you hadn't teased him so mercilessly about his lack of knowledge of cutting onions and kitchen skills in general. You know he's going to drag this out, making you suffer and beg instead of just giving you what you want.

Orm spreads your legs further, positioning himself between them. His large, calloused hands cup your face tenderly, guiding your gaze to meet his. You lift your hand to touch his stubbly cheek, running your thumb over it, and gaze into his blue eyes that are now dark and reflecting desire.

He closes his eyes, his impossibly long lashes resting against his cheeks as he lets out a sigh. He leans forward, pressing his forehead against yours. The sweet gesture makes your heart flutter in your chest, your love for him threatening to spill out.

"I love you," he murmurs, his breath warm against your lips. The sincerity in his voice makes your chest tighten with emotion.

"I love you too," you whisper back, your voice trembling with the weight of your feelings.

Orm's hands move from your face, trailing down your neck, over your shoulders, and coming to rest on your breasts again. He squeezes them gently, his thumbs brushing over your sensitive nipples, sending shivers down your spine.

He kisses you again, deeply and passionately, his tongue exploring your mouth with a hunger that matches your own. Every stroke of his tongue, every brush of his lips, is filled with an intense desire that makes your head spin. It's intoxicating, making you dizzy with want.

You feel his hard cock straining against his pants as he presses himself against you, making you whine with need. The pressure against your cunt is maddening, and you're sure you're wet enough to leave a spot on his pants, were you naked.

Orm's hands move with a deliberate slowness, heightening your anticipation.

He chuckles softly at your response, a low, rumbling sound that vibrates through your body. Pulling back just enough to gaze into your eyes, his hands begin their journey lower, gliding over your stomach until they reach the waistband of your pants.

He pulls them down slowly and with agonising patience, taking his time, his eyes never leaving yours. The anticipation is almost too much to bear, your body aching for his touch. Every inch of skin he reveals feels hypersensitive, exposed to the cool air and the heat of his stare.

Orm's smirk deepens as he slides your pants down, leaving you in just your underwear. His fingers continue their torturous teasing over the fabric, pressing and rubbing in just the right way to drive you wild. Your hips buck against his hand, seeking more friction, more contact, more anything , but he holds you steady, keeping control as you soak your panties even more.

"Do you like this?" he asks, his voice a low growl. "Do you like being teased ?"

You shake your head, unable to form words, your body writhing with need.

He finally slips his fingers beneath the fabric, touching your cunt directly, and the sensation is almost too much. You cry out, your back arching as his thumb finds your clit with practised ease and drags the rough pad over it in circles, finding a slow and perfect rhythm.

"You're perfect," he whispers, his voice filled with awe and adoration as he slows his movements even more before halting completely and pulling his hand from under your panties, making you whimper in protest.

You feel a blush creeping up your cheeks, but before you can say anything and protest properly, his hands are on you again, his fingers trailing over your thighs, spreading your legs wider. He leans in, his mouth hovering just above your skin, his breath hot and teasing.

He starts to kiss his way up your inner thigh, each touch sending jolts of pleasure through you, and you slump back onto the counter, keeping yourself upright by your arms.

His lips are soft and warm, his tongue darting out occasionally to taste your skin. The sensation is exquisite, making you squirm with need.

"Orm, please," you beg, your voice barely more than a whisper. "I need you."

He looks up at you, his eyes dark with desire and a hint of mischief. "Patience," he murmurs, his voice a deep, velvety growl. "I want to savour this."

He continues his slow, torturous journey up your thigh, his mouth finally reaching the apex. He pauses there, taking a moment to breathe in your scent, his hot breath ghosting over your panties and sending shivers down your spine.

Then he begins to kiss you through the thin fabric of your underwear, his tongue flicking over the damp cloth, tasting you in the most maddeningly indirect way possible. When his tongue finally presses against your neglected, throbbing clit, even through the fabric, you gasp loudly, your back arching off the counter.

His groan of appreciation reverberates through your pussy, sending vibrations that intensify the pleasure to dizzying heights. You can feel the heat of his mouth and the wetness of his tongue seeping through your panties, creating a delicious friction that has you moaning his name.

Desperate for more, you grip his hair tightly, your fingers tangling in the blond strands as you try to pull him closer and prevent him from stopping. But Orm maintains his torturous pace, teasing you mercilessly.

"Please," you plead, your voice breaking with desperation. "I need more."

He grins against you, the vibration of his laughter sending shivers through your body. "As you wish," he says, his voice low and husky.

Orm pulls back slightly, prompting a whine of protest from you as you tighten your grip on his hair, too caught up in the haze of arousal to grasp why he wants to pull back.

"Honey, you need to let me move a bit to take off your underwear," he says, his tone affectionate yet teasing.

Blushing furiously, you release your tight hold on his hair, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and desire flood through you. His gaze meets yours, his eyes dark with need and amusement.

"My needy girl," he murmurs, his voice low and husky with desire.

Before you can respond, he leans in quickly, capturing your lips in a fierce, passionate kiss. His mouth moves hungrily against yours, his tongue exploring every inch with a fervour that leaves you breathless. The taste of him is intoxicating, filling your senses and leaving you craving more.

When he pulls back and settles between your legs again, you're dazed - by the pleasure he's providing and his closeness. It is as if you can never get enough of him.

With a deft movement, he hooks his fingers into the waistband of your underwear and slowly slides them down your legs. He pauses for a moment, his eyes drinking in the sight of you, completely exposed and vulnerable. His gaze is intense, filled with a mix of love and desire that makes your heart race.

Orm leans in, pressing a soft kiss to the inside of your thigh, then another, moving closer to your now bare cunt. He looks up at you, his eyes locking with yours, as he leans in, his breath hot against your most sensitive area.

His hands grip your thighs firmly, keeping you in place. "I'm going to give you something to laugh about," he murmurs, and then his mouth is on you.

This time, there is no barrier between you.

The first touch of his tongue is like a shock of electricity, making you gasp and clutch at the edge of the counter, your fingers curling around the edge as you brace yourself for the onslaught of sensation.

He licks a long, slow path up your slit, savouring your taste with a low, appreciative groan. His tongue swirls around your clit, flicking and teasing with a skill that has you moaning. He alternates between gentle licks and firm strokes, driving you to the brink of madness.

Your hands find their way to his hair, fingers tangling in the blond strands as you pull him closer and try to ground yourself. He hums against you, the vibration sending shivers of pleasure through your entire body.

His mouth works in perfect harmony with his hands, his fingers parting your slick cunt to give him better access to your most sensitive spots.

He plunges his tongue inside you, tasting and exploring your pussy with a fervour that makes you moan loudly. He moves with a rhythm that is both precise and unpredictable, keeping you on edge, never knowing what to expect next. Each movement, each flick of his tongue, brings you closer and closer.

Just as you feel the orgasm building, he pulls back, denying you the release you crave. The sensation is exquisite torture, leaving you gasping and trembling with need. He watches you, his blue eyes dark and intense, enjoying the sight of you teetering on the edge.

"Orm, please," you beg, your voice a desperate plea. "I need to cum."

He lifts his head just enough to speak, his lips glistening with your arousal and his blue eyes dark. "Not yet," he says, his voice a low growl. "I want to hear you beg some more."

With that, he slips two fingers inside you, curling them to hit that perfect spot. His thumb finds your clit, rubbing in slow, deliberate circles. The dual sensation is almost too much to bear. You writhe against him, your body on fire with need. Every nerve ending is alive, screaming for release.

But he isn't done.

His free hand trails down, his finger thick and calloused, pressing gently against the tight ring of your ass, the sensation foreign and electrifying.

You tense instinctively, unsure of what to expect, but the gentle pressure of his touch is surprisingly comforting as he explores your puckered hole for the first time.

He circles the entrance slowly, teasingly, his movements deliberate and controlled. Each touch sends a shiver of anticipation down your spine, the unfamiliar sensation stirring something deep inside you.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this," he murmurs, his voice husky with need.

Your breath catches in your throat at his words, a mixture of anticipation and excitement flooding your senses. You cling to him, your nails digging into his skin as you surrender to the pleasure of his touch.

Orm's fingers press against the tight entrance, the sensation foreign yet undeniably arousing. He moves slowly, carefully, easing his finger past the resistance with a gentleness that belies the intensity of his desire, making you gasp as a mixture of pleasure and discomfort floods your senses.

"Relax, honey," he whispers, his breath hot against your cunt. "I'll take care of you."

You nod, your body trembling with anticipation as he continues to explore you, his touch sending shockwaves of pleasure through your body. "Orm," you gasp, unable to form coherent words as pleasure washes over you in waves.

Orm eases his finger deeper inside you. The stretch is intense, the feeling of being filled in a way you've never experienced before, both overwhelming and exhilarating.

He chuckles softly, the sound sending shivers down your spine. "That's it, honey," he murmurs, his voice filled with dark amusement. "Let go, and let me take care of you."

You moan in response as you adjust to the feeling.

You can feel every ridge and contour of his finger within you, the sensation, unlike anything you've ever felt before. As he begins to move his finger in and out, the feeling builds, pleasure mingling with the slight sting of discomfort until you can't tell where one ends and the other begins.

The sensation of being filled in both holes at once is overwhelming, desire flooding your senses as he sets a rhythm that drives you wild with need.

Orm's voice is a husky growl as he speaks, his words sending shivers of anticipation down your spine. "You like that, don't you?" he murmurs, his breath hot against your ear. "You like feeling my fingers in your tight little ass."

You whimper in response, your mind clouded by desire and undeniably overwhelmed by everything he's doing to you. His fingers move within you, stretching and filling you in a way that leaves you gasping for breath.

Orm's touch is possessive, almost primal, as he drives you closer and closer to the edge. "You're so fucking tight," he groans, his voice thick with desire. "Someday, I'll take you there too."

His words send a jolt of heat straight to your cunt, the idea of him taking you in your ass sending waves of desire crashing over you as you clench around his fingers.

"You enjoy that?" he growls, his voice low and guttural. "You enjoy being filled up like this, don't you, honey? Having both your holes stuffed?"

His dirty talk only serves to heighten your arousal, the words sending flashes of pure, hot want through your body as he works you with his fingers and mouth. You cling to him, your nails digging into his skin as you ride the wave of sensation, your body writhing with need.

Orm is relentless, his fingers moving with a skill and precision that leaves you breathless. You can feel the tension building inside you, a coil wound so tightly it's about to snap.

The combination is almost unbearable. Your body feels like it's on fire, each touch and movement pushing you closer to the edge.

"Please, Orm," you whimper, your voice breaking. "I can't take it."

He grins against you, his teeth grazing your sensitive flesh as he pulls back slightly, his fingers still working in and out of you, the sound of your wet pussy loud and obvious. "Not yet, sweetheart," he says, his voice a dark promise. "You can, and you will take it,"

His fingers in your cunt curl just right , pressing against your G-spot while his thumb continues its torturous circles over your clit, causing you to clench and whimper.

Meanwhile, the finger in your ass moves in and out, the tightness around it making Orm groan with satisfaction. "You're so tight here," he mutters, his voice filled with dark pleasure. "I love feeling you like this…And I think you need more to clench on."

Orm adds a second finger to your ass, stretching you slightly, the sensation both foreign and thrilling and even more intense than before.

He pumps his fingers in and out of both your ass and pussy, curling them to hit just the right spots while his tongue flicks over your clit with maddening precision. The pressure builds inside you, each touch bringing you closer to the edge, but he pulls back just before you can tumble over, denying you the release you crave driving you wild with frustration.

Your entire body is a tight coil of tension, every nerve ending on fire as he denies you your release again and again. Your breath comes in ragged gasps, and you cling to him, your nails digging into his scalp as you try to pull him closer, but he keeps control, maintaining that perfect, maddening rhythm.

"Please, Orm," you sob, tears of frustration pricking at your eyes, your clit throbs almost painfully, and you feel your cunt twitching around him - you feel ready to snap.

He looks up at you, his eyes dark with desire. "Beg for it," he commands, his voice a rough whisper.

"I beg you," you cry, your voice hoarse with need. "Please, let me cum. I need it. I need you ."

Orm's expression softens just a fraction, and he increases the pressure, his mouth and fingers working together to bring you to the brink once more, driving you higher and higher until you finally explode.

This time, he doesn't pull back.

The wave of pleasure crashes over you, and you scream his name as you finally find your release, your voice raw and hoarse with need. Your body convulses, every muscle tightening as the orgasm rips through you.

But Orm doesn't stop, his fingers and tongue continuing their relentless assault, prolonging your orgasm until you're shaking and breathless. He flicks his tongue rapidly over your clit while curling his fingers inside you, hitting that perfect spot again and again.

The pleasure is almost too intense, your body shuddering as another orgasm builds, crashing over you in powerful waves before you've come down from your previous high.

Your vision blurs, your mind slipping into a haze of ecstasy as your senses are overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the experience.

Your legs tremble, and you clutch desperately at the counter, your breath coming in ragged gasps. "Orm, oh God," you moan, your voice breaking with the intensity of your release.

And then, just as suddenly as it began, it's over.

You collapse against the counter, your body spent and trembling with the aftershocks of your earth-shattering climax. The world swims hazily before your eyes as you struggle to catch your breath, your heart pounding in your chest.

The overwhelming intensity of your orgasm leaves you disoriented, and before you can fully comprehend the moment, everything goes dark, and you black out.

When you come back to your senses, you find yourself cradled in Orm's arms, his touch gentle and reassuring. His eyes, filled with love and concern, lock onto yours. He kisses your forehead softly, the warmth of his lips soothing and tender. "I love you," he murmurs, his voice low and full of adoration.

"I love you too," you whisper back tiredly, still shaking from what happened. Your body still tingles with the aftershocks of your intense release, and you feel an overwhelming sense of contentment and love.

Orm cups your face with his large, warm hand, his thumb gently stroking your cheek as he looks into your eyes. Through the haze in your mind, you can't help but appreciate how his blue eyes sparkle with emotion and how wet his chin, cheeks, and neck are from pleasuring you.

"You okay, honey?" he asks, his voice low and gentle, filled with genuine concern as he checks in with you.

You nod and bite your lip, your body still trembling with aftershocks of pleasure. "Yes, sweetheart, I'm okay," you manage to say, your voice breathless and shaky.

Orm's thumb slides over your bottom lip, sending a shiver down your spine. He leans in to kiss you, and you taste yourself on his tongue, the sensation causing you to clench around nothing and whine into the kiss.

The feeling of his residual wetness on your skin and the hardness of his cock pressing against your bare cunt only heightens your desire.

The fire in you, which had dimmed to a soft glimmer, now flares back with full fervour, threatening to consume you whole. Every touch, every breath, feels like it's adding fuel to the inferno raging within you.

When the kiss breaks, your hands move frantically to Orm's shirt. You tug at the fabric, desperate to feel his skin against yours. He chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates through your core and obliges you by pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it aside.

Your breath hitches as you take in the sight of him, his muscular chest and chiselled abs glistening slightly from the exertion. The light catches on his body, highlighting the hard lines and contours that speak of strength and power.

The prominent vein running down his biceps stands out starkly against his skin, leading your eyes down to the rest of his strong arm. You trace its path with your gaze, marvelling at the sheer strength contained within.

His pecs are firm and inviting, his nipples hardening slightly in the cool air, a contrast to the heat radiating from his body. His chest, broad and sculpted, rises and falls with his heavy breathing, the rhythm hypnotic and alluring.

Your eyes travel down to his abs, each ridge and valley inviting your touch, a landscape of desire that begs to be explored. The lines of them lead your gaze downward to where his hard dick strains against his pants, the sight making your pulse quicken and your mouth go dry with longing.

You can't help but run your hands over his firm muscles. The contact sends a jolt of electricity through you, a reminder of just how much you want him. His skin is warm and smooth under your touch, and you can feel the tension coiled in his body, ready to be unleashed.

"God, you're so hot," you murmur, your voice filled with awe and desire, your mind still hazy from the orgasm he gave you as the words slip out without thought.

He chuckles lowly at both your words and behaviour.

"You find this amusing?" you ask, breathless, as you trace the lines of his body with your fingers.

Orm's eyes darken with a mix of amusement and desire. "I find it amusing how needy you are," he says, his voice a low growl. "But I can't deny that I enjoy it. Don't think I have forgotten how you laughed at me with those onions."

He steps back slightly, his hands moving to the waistband of his pants. With a fluid motion, he pulls them down, followed by his underwear. His hard cock springs free, standing tall and proud and glistening with precum. The sight of him, fully naked and aroused, sends a fresh wave of desire coursing through you.

You reach out, your fingers wrapping around his cock. Orm groans, his head falling back as you stroke him, his muscles tensing and rippling under your touch as you pump him a few times.

He opens his eyes, the intensity of his gaze piercing through you. "I need you," he murmurs his voice a low, gravelly whisper that sends shivers down your spine.

He leans in to kiss you again, his hands roaming over your body, reacquainting themselves with every curve and dip.

His hands trail down from your face, caressing your neck and shoulders, before moving to your breasts. He teases your nipples, rolling them between his fingers and sending jolts of pleasure straight to your core. You arch your back, pushing your breasts into his hands, your body responding eagerly to his touch.

"Orm," you murmur, your voice filled with need. "I want you."

He steps closer, positioning himself between your legs once more. His hands grip your hips, pulling you to the edge of the counter. "Then you shall have me," he says, his voice rough with desire.

As he presses against you, you feel his thick, hard cock sliding against your cunt, the sensation sending sparks of pleasure through you. He doesn't enter you yet; he just teases you, making you gasp and moan with each movement.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard," he growls into your ear, his breath hot against your skin. "You're mine, and I'm going to make sure you never forget it."

You whimper in response, the anticipation driving you to the edge again. "Orm, please," you beg, your voice a desperate plea.

He chuckles darkly, a possessive gleam in his eyes. "I know, honey," he murmurs. He continues to tease you, his tip brushing against your slick folds, the sensation almost too much to bear. You moan, your hips bucking in response, desperate for more.

Finally, when you think you can't take it anymore, he positions himself at your entrance, his eyes locking with yours.

With a gentle yet firm push, he slides into you, stretching and filling you completely. The sensation is overwhelming, and you cry out, and your body arches into his, a mixture of pleasure and relief as he buries himself to the hilt, the fullness making you feel complete.

Orm pauses, giving you a moment to adjust to his size, his eyes never leaving yours. "God, you feel amazing," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

He moves slowly at first, savouring the feel of you around him, each thrust measured and controlled.

His hands roam over your body, caressing your breasts, your waist, your thighs. Every touch sends sparks of pleasure through you, making you arch and writhe against him. His fingers find your nipples, pinching and rolling them gently, sending jolts of pleasure straight to your cunt, making you moan wantonly.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his lips brushing against your ear.

You cling to him, your nails digging into his shoulders as he begins to move faster, his thrusts deep and powerful. The rhythm is intoxicating, a dance of passion and desire that leaves you breathless. His cock fills you completely, hitting all the right spots with each powerful thrust.

He leans down to kiss you again, his tongue exploring your mouth with the same fervour as his hips.

"You feel so good," he groans, his voice rough with pleasure, each word punctuated by a powerful thrust. "So tight, so perfect." His breath is hot against your ear, sending shivers down your spine.

"Orm," you moan, your voice a desperate plea. "I'm so close."

He smiles against your skin, his movements growing more urgent. "Not yet," he growls, his voice still carrying a hint of grumpiness.

He slows his thrusts, pulling back almost entirely so only his tip is inside your pussy before pushing back in with agonising slowness. The deliberate pace keeps you on the edge, your body begging for release. His thumb finds your clit, rubbing in slow, teasing circles that make you whimper.

"Sweetheart, please," you beg, your voice trembling with need. "I can't take it."

Your body trembles with the intensity of the sensations, each stroke of his cock pushing you closer to the edge. You can feel every inch of him, every vein, every ridge, and it's driving you wild. His touch is everywhere, his hands roaming over your body, caressing, squeezing, sending sparks of pleasure through you.

"Orm, oh God," you moan, your voice breaking with the intensity of your need. "Please, let me cum."

His eyes lock onto yours, and he sees the desperation there.

His expression softens, and he increases the pressure, his thumb circling your clit more firmly while his other hand grips your hip, pulling you even closer. His thrusts become deeper, more powerful, each one sparking that fire inside you. The tension builds, a tight coil of need that threatens to fracture at any moment.

His hips start to snap against yours with a rhythm that is both demanding and precise, his cock hitting that perfect spot inside you with every thrust. He leans down to kiss you again, capturing your lips in a searing kiss, his tongue exploring your mouth with the same intensity as his thrusts.

You cling to him, your nails digging into his broad, muscular back as you meet each thrust with equal intensity. The feel of his bare skin against yours, the play of his defined muscles under your fingertips, adds to the intoxicating pleasure. His chest, hard and chiselled, presses against your breasts, the friction against your sensitive nipples like adding fuel to the fire in your veins.

You moan in response, your hips bucking against his as the pleasure builds higher and higher, an unstoppable crescendo. The slick friction of his cock inside you, the pressure of his pelvis and thumb against your clit with every thrust, drives you mad with desire.

His movements grow more urgent, his thrusts faster and harder. The sound of your bodies coming together, the slick heat of your arousal, fills the room.

You wrap your legs around his waist, pulling him deeper inside you, needing him closer. "Orm," you moan, your voice a desperate plea.

"Do it," he growls, his thrusts becoming more erratic, the control slipping as he nears his peak. "Cum for me, honey. Let me feel you." His words are a command and a plea, the urgency in his voice pushing you over the edge.

You scream his name as you shatter around him, your orgasm ripping through you with a force that leaves you breathless once more. Your body convulses, every muscle tightening around him, your cunt gripping his cock in a vice-like hold that draws a guttural moan from deep within him.

Orm continues to thrust into you, prolonging your orgasm and driving you to the edge of madness.

His movements become frantic, his rhythm breaking as he succumbs to his own release. He thrusts into you one last time, deep and hard, and you feel the hot, pulsating rush of his cum filling you. His body shudders, and he holds you close, his breath ragged and his heart pounding against yours, his head buried in your shoulder.

As the last tremors of pleasure fade, Orm pulls back slightly, his eyes softening as he looks at you. He looks utterly spent, his body drenched in sweat that glistens in the light, and his hair plastered to his forehead. You reach out to brush it from his eyes and cup his cheek, feeling the warmth of his breath on your face. He smiles at you, a sweet, loving smile that makes your heart flutter, before leaning forward and pressing a long, tender kiss to your forehead.

He pulls back and lifts you from the counter, cradling you in his arms. "Let's get you cleaned up," he murmurs, carrying you to the bathroom with a tenderness that makes your heart swell with love.

[transactinides]

i'm super bad at cooking and never know where to start because every recipe out there asks for ingredients i simply don't have at home so do you perhaps know what basic ones would be good to stock up on? like eggs and stuff...especially when it comes to spices i have no idea what is okay to use

Haii o/ very honored that you sent me an ask, and ofc I’ll do my best to help! This reply got a bit out of hand so. Long text under the cut. Behold. Feel free to reach out in asks or dms or whatever with any future questions (@ everyone tbh).

Food is, of course, very subjective, so my idea of a perfect list of foods to keep a stock of will not be universal, but I hope this will, at least, give you some ideas if anything. 

First of all, I usually mentally break down my typical weekday recipe into vaguely carbs source - protein source - veggies, buy a couple of options for each category and just switch them around for variety. My standard set is

rice / pasta (usually spaghetti re:shapes) / glass noodles

eggs / chicken / tofu / bacon

random pack of frozen vegetables, bell peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, leafy greens. garlic and onions too

I have an option of making egg fried rice with chopped up bacon and added frozen vegetables one day, then blending the leftover vegetables with bell peppers and tomatoes to use as pasta sauce with chicken and spaghetti the next day, then branching out and making eggplant tofu stir fry with glass noodles, then using whatever eggplant tofu stir fry i had left as rice balls filling and making myself a quick vegetable salad on the side… And all those things are easy to make and don’t need much fussing around. 

Other options to consider would be potatoes (you can roast them with whatever, boil, fry, etc), buckwheat (my wife doesn’t like it otherwise I’d use it more often), kidney beans and chickpeas for your carbs*; fish and meat for your proteins (those are. a bit too expensive for me usually); carrots, cabbage, leeks etc. 

The list looks long, but, again, you just need to pick out a couple of things from each group and throw shit in a pan so to speak. And a lot of them are easily soup-able (boiling water chicken potatoes carrots rice? boom soup. etc), which is another easy base recipe to exploit.

Now to the matter of spices. Salt and pepper are obvious enough, but a good thing to look for are, especially if you are just getting into cooking, spice blends. Something something French Herbs™ something something Taco Seasoning™ something something Seven Spice™ something something Garam Masala™. There’s a lot of different ones, but they are, essentially, a formed flavor profile in themselves, so you don’t need to worry about mixing spices and herbs that might not go well together, and by paying attention to contents you can learn for yourself what individual seasonings are commonly used together.

Also, everyone, hold your judgement real quick and trust me with this, but ooh I always save leftover flavor packets from instant ramen and reuse them in other dishes. Egg fried rice just doesn’t taste right without suspicious red powder courtesy of shin ramen… It’s probably MSG my beloved or something…

While I’m at it, bouillon cubes are handy to have, you can use them for soups, crumble them up in other recipes. Adding one to the water you’re cooking rice in is a great hack at making it more flavourful.

In general, while I do actually have way too much spices (and keep buying more… very excited about my newly acquired dried tarragon…), the ones I’d advise to have for an average person would be:

Salt (ideally both coarse grain and fine grain, but fine grain only serves you just right)

black pepper (both in a mill/grinder and peppercorns), red pepper flakes

paprika, garlic powder, ginger powder

bay leaves, dried oregano, basil, thyme, dill, cinnamon, coriander, cardamon, cumin, turmeric, sumak....

I really got a bit carried away by the end, but. You don't actually need to buy all of them and at the same time, just start with whatever couple of things you'd need for whatever you are cooking and let your collection build up over time, since spices aren't something you need to buy often anyway 👍

Other things I think it’s nice to have in stock in your kitchen would be flour and baking powder, vinegar (distilled vinegar, rice vinegar… I like to have balsamic vinegar too but it’s so expensive it’s ridiculous ngl), soy sauce, cooking oil of your choice (I use sunflower oil, olive oil and sesame oil), panko or breadcrumbs, starch (i have potato starch, cornstarch and tapioka starch, I would suggest just getting cornstarch at first).

* going to clarify here that while beans are often brought up as a source of protein, most are rich in complex carbs, excluding edamame and green beans for example. And since I mostly often cook beans with meat, they check out my daily carbs in my head.

[venomous-ragno]

Morning! Is there any chance you would do a Gromsko/FemaleReader who is also Polish? She's new to the team, feeling a little out of sorts, feeling homesick, so she makes Gołąbki? (They're cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork and rice and covered in tomato sauce) It's a very hearty, warm meal and I think I speak for most Polish people that Gołąbki is a definite comfort food. Maybe Gromsko could help her make it? Excitedly eat it? Tell her a story about his childhood while he does? I dunno, I am so happy for a Polish character I am in my feelings about him. Thanks so much, and no pressure!

A/N: This was a lovely request, and I hope you feel the same kind of wholesomeness reading it as I did when I wrote it. Hope you enjoy!

Tags: Gromsko x reader, friends to lovers, fluff

Warnings: None

You'd just started a new job with an international team, and it would be an understatement to say that you were feeling a bit out of place. Never before had you seen such long, impressive rows of flags fluttering in the wind as when you'd stepped out of that helicopter; anxious but excited at the unknown that lay ahead of you, eyes lingering on the many colours, voices and impressions that had you hold your breath.

Truth be told, it wasn't easy. Not that you thought it would be, but watching the soldiers around you in their groups, formed by bonding over shared nationalities, cultures and languages - you couldn't miss the tight pull in your chest, that little bit of jealousy as they found a piece of home somewhere so far away.

You missed Poland, missed home.

No amount of work stacked unto you could dull the lingering ache of homesickness. Your tight schedules let you take your mind off it for as long as you were busy; but as rest came, when the dorms were all but silent you found yourself wide awake.

Who were you let yourself drown like that? As mother had always told you, nothing comes close to her home made food. So, one day you decided to make Gołąbki, a traditional Polish dish that always brought you comfort and warmth.

As you started preparing the ingredients, you heard a knock on your door. It was Gromsko, much to your surprise. "Hey, I smelled something delicious coming from your kitchen, and I had to come check it out," he said with a grin as he leant against the doorframe.

You laughed. "I'm making Gołąbki," and held up a head of cabbage. "It's a comfort food my mother used to make."

Gromsko's eyes lit up. "I love Gołąbki", he exclaimed. "Can I help you make them?"

Together, you spent the afternoon preparing the cabbage leaves, mixing the filling of minced pork and rice, and rolling the Gołąbki into neat little packages. As you worked, Gromsko told you stories about his childhood in Poland, and you found herself feeling more and more at ease. Finally, you two put the Gołąbki into the oven to bake, and the delicious smells filled the air. When they were ready, Gromsko and you eagerly sat down to eat, enjoying the warmth and comfort of the meal.

As you savoured the flavours, Gromsko turned to you with a smile. "You know, I've been feeling a bit homesick too," he admitted. "But this meal, and this time spent with you, has made me feel a lot better. Thank you."

You couldn't help the shy smile sneaking unto your lips. "Thank you for helping me make it. It's nice to have a little piece of home here with me, and it's even better to share it with someone who appreciates it."

And as you finished this meal, prepared with laughter and having put your heart into it, you both felt a little less out of place, and a little more connected to each other, despite the distance and differences between the base and your beloved home country.

Over the next few weeks, you and Gromsko spent many afternoons cooking together, exchanging stories and learning about each other's childhoods, families, down to your favourite kind of ice cream; whenever training didn't go too hard on you, you'd meet up in your dorm, cooking and enjoying each others presence. You even taught him how to make pierogi, another traditional Polish dish you fondly remembered.

As time went on, you found that you weren't feeling as homesick anymore. You had made a friend who understood the challenges of being away from home, and who shared a love for the same comfort foods that reminded you of home. Someone who recognised that longing look in your eyes, and whenever your gaze strayed off into a daydream like that, grounded you in this new reality with an ever new story.

One day, as you and Gromsko were sitting on the balcony of your dorm, watching the sunset over the base, he turned to you with a serious expression. "I want to show you something," he said, and gestured you to wait for him. It took him but a couple moments to return with a small metal box, rusty at its corners, having travelled far and wide until all paint had chipped off.

You curiously eyed the box in his lap. Gromsko hesitated for but a moment, but opened it to show you an array of photos - landscapes, family pictures, a cat on the street and people you didn't know. And as he talked, you listened in awe, feeling the adoration he held for Poland wash over you and fill you with a sense of peace.

When he finished, Gromsko turned to you with a smile. "This box was a gift my grandfather gave me," he explained. "I've always kept it with me since then, this little piece of home. I wanted to share it with you, because you've become like special to me here, like a safe haven where I never expected to find one."

Touched by his words, you hugged him tightly. "Thank you," you whispered. "You've become... Special... To me too."

From that moment on, you felt a deep sense of belonging in your new home. The long rows of flags no longer seemed foreign or intimidating, but rather a symbol of the diverse group of people who had come together to serve a common purpose. And whenever you felt a pang of homesickness, you knew that you had someone who understood, and who was always there to share a comforting meal or a beautiful memory.

[yummilily]

Wraps: Chickpea Edition (~15 min)

I don’t know what it is about wrapping stuff in tortillas, but it’s been one of my favourite ways of eating just about anything for the longest time. And chickpeas just so happen to be something I always have on hand, so this recipe is a win for me all around. Hopefully, you’ll think so too!

Considering my love for all things “wrap”, this will likely not be the last recipe of this kind, but I thought it a good place to start for one reason specifically: As much as I’ve always loved them in theory, I did struggle with the right wrapping technique for years, until finally finding the one explanation that worked for me on Youtube, which I wanted to share. Your preferences might be different, but if you have no idea how to go about it, try this!

Equipment:

Microwave or pan

Sieve

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas (265g drained)

2 wraps (⌀ about 25 cm)

Other than that, it’s up to you. Chickpeas are extremely versatile and you can season them just about any way you want! Try recreating some of your favourite foods in chickpea form, like a curry or roast chicken, or with one of my go-tos:

BBQ style:

1-2 tbsp BBQ sauce

Salt and pepper

~1 tsp (smoked) paprika

2 handfuls lettuce

2 tbsp sour cream

½ bell pepper, diced or cut in thin strips

Curry style:

1 tbsp curry powder

Salt and pepper

2 tsp oil

2 handfuls baby spinach

2 tbsp yoghurt

1 spring onion, thinly sliced

Caprese:

1 tbsp basil

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

125g mozzarella, diced

2 tomatoes, diced 

2 handfuls arugula

Balsamic glaze

Instructions:

Drain and rinse the chickpeas well. 

Now you have two options: Either pat them dry and use them as is, or put them on a plate (on a paper towel) to heat in the microwave or in a pan on medium high heat. Here are two short videos for the microwave and pan version each! 

Evenly mix the chickpeas with all spices and/or sauces.

Warm the tortillas in the microwave or on the stove. I wet them a little first (just holding my hand under running water for a second and spreading that over the tortilla) to prevent them from drying out and making them more flexible.

Now it’s time to assemble! For wrapping newcomers, I would recommend starting with less filling than you think you can handle. You’ll get there, but allow yourself to practise the roll first. Now wrap!

Optionally, place the wrap in a hot pan with the seam down to seal it. While you’re at it, lightly toast the other side as well.

Enjoy!

Notes:

When placing the fillings, I like to start with some sort of sauce as a base, usually sour cream, to make things stick in place a little. I layer on any leafy greens last, because that keeps things from getting too messy when you have to get a good grip for tucking the filling in and rolling. 

I highly recommend using some sort of sauce in this, regardless of what kind of flavour you're going for. Otherwise the chickpeas would be very dry. That being said, the less runny the sauce, the easier it will be to wrap.

You can absolutely make these the night before and keep them in the fridge for a quick breakfast the next morning!

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

I am hereby adding my own request into the Spicy spring fling lot💖

Being a notorious Bottom Melkor lover I would very much want to see our dear dark Lord have a lovely first time with his most trusted balrog Gothmog in the times of Utumno before Mairon was seduced💖💖

I possible I'd want to see these prompts/dialogues used: 29&12 from the first time list, "I like being close to you, you're warm"&"Don'tmind me, just enjoying the view" from the vanilla list and lastly number 23 "say my name" from the spicy list.

For the spiciness the hotter the better so bring on the INFERNO!🔥🔥🔥

I brought the inferno. I think.

“Take the reins”

Prompts: "I like being close to you, you're warm" & "Don't mind me, just enjoying the view" & "say my name"

Pairing: Melkor x Gothmog

Themes: Slowburn | Smut | Soft

Warnings: Mentions of prisoners being tortured | Monster fucking (Gothmog in an elf mixed with demon-ish? Fana) | Dom Sub aspects | First time | Bondage (hands)| Impact play (Spanking) | Biting / Marking | Blindfolds | Choking | Dirty talk | Explicit language | Penetrative sex | Cream pie | Oral

Word count: 3k words

Summary: Melkor finally understands the freedom that comes with letting someone else take control. (Or, the one where Bottom Melkor realizes he enjoys being Bottom Melkor.) 

Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 | Minors DNI | 18+

Want to be tagged? Want to know the rules? Read all here.

The stream of silver light rose higher and higher, first cresting over the peaks of nearby mountains before spreading out all over the darkened sky. The silver light belonged to the tree many called Telperion, and the gold light that would come later belonged to the one called Laurelin. Gothmog cared not one whit what the others called either tree. His eyes saw no beauty in them and he decided to leave the ramparts. As High Captain of Utumno, he had other duties to see to.

As he descended deeper into the fortress, the noises from within grew louder. The sounds of artificers hard at work, the roar of furnaces, the shouts of orcs and goblins, and, beneath it all, the screams of new prisoners. Gothmog easily turned a deaf ear to the latter. He thought the Eldar were fools. If they had only recognized Melkor’s authority over them instead of resisting, they would have been among those like him instead of suffering unending torment.

Gothmog’s thoughts went back to the new lights. His lord had been wroth when his attempt to destroy the Lamps resulted in the two Trees. When they told him of the trees and the light they shed, Melkor’s fury had been a fearsome thing to behold. Oh, he had calmed, but only after he had taken his anger out on the first lot of prisoners that had caught his attention. And now he was in his private chambers, brooding as always. This was how Gothmog found him—seated by a table filled with food, staring into his goblet of wine.

They did not need to eat, drink, or even sleep, for that matter. None of the Ainur required such things, but they liked to indulge. Not just food and drink and sleep, but in other, more pleasurable pursuits as well. Oh, Gothmog eagerly partook, but from what he heard from the others, Melkor rarely did.

He found it all very interesting.

"What news?" Melkor continued to stare into his wine. After his attempts to destroy the Lamps only resulted in the creation of the Trees, Melkor found that what little he had indulged in had lost all flavour.

Gothmog stood to attention by the door, lest his lord turns and find him showing any sign of disrespect. "Many and more Ainur are joining your cause, sire. I received word Aulë’s favourite has been listening and is intrigued."

"Mairon. The artificer without peer."

"So they say, sire."

"So they say. What do you say, High Captain?"

Gothmog swallowed and considered his words. Melkor had never sought his counsel in such a manner and he had to tread very carefully. One wrong turn of phrase and he would be joining those rotting in cells deep within the bowels of the fortress.

"He is quite skilled; I have seen some evidence of it myself." He kept standing at attention, his eyes fixed firmly on the wall before him. "As for him being without peer, I would think the firstborn son of Finwë may have something to say about that."

"Fëanor," Melkor spat and slammed his goblet on the table, spilling wine all over. He rose from his chair and started pacing the room like an angry beast. "He shut the door to me, the fucking fool."

He had gone and said the wrong thing. Gothmog thought frantically and settled on playing to Melkor’s ego. "He is, sire," he said quickly, "A fool. You are wise to see it. Truth be told, I think most of them are."

Melkor stopped his pacing and studied his High Captain Keenly. As the leader of the Valaraukar he very much looked the part, all tall and terrifying with those leathery wings and curved horns of his. But there was a strange beauty to him, with his elf-like ears and elegant features. Melkor felt his very fëa stir by the image. He quickly found something else to look at, in case he gave himself away.

"Perhaps you are correct," He did not notice his captain’s jaw drop in absolute shock when he sat back down again. "The Eldar are all fools."

It was the first time Melkor had spoken so casually. Gothmog did not know what to make of it.

"So many burdens," Melkor sighed without even realizing it. "All of them growing heavier by the day. And my foes grow thick like weeds. Every time I rip them out more spring up in their place."

Such an exchange would never have happened before. More at ease, Gothmog felt a strange sense of courage surge through him, making him bolder. "You take too much onto your shoulders, sire."

"Perhaps," Melkor shrugged.

"Perhaps you should let someone else take the reins," Gothmog could not seem to stop himself. Something wicked and daring took root, something that seemed determined to take control of his tongue. "In some capacity at least."

Melkor turned his head. "What did you say?"

"What I meant is," the words stumbled out before Gothmog could even think them through. "It could be very liberating to hand over control to someone else and for you not to have to burden yourself, sire. Even for a little while."

He quickly bit his tongue. Melkor glared, his inky black eyes as cold as the winters that ravaged the region. His countenance was a mask, one that gave nothing away. Oh, but he was thinking, even if he did not wish to show it.

To let someone else take control for once. Melkor would not even dream of relinquishing control of his rule. That would never happen. But to let someone else hold the reins in other aspects...

His High Captain was one of those who partook in as many physical pleasures as possible. He had experience in ways Melkor could not even begin to fathom. 

He looked at the table, at the rich food, and at what was left of his wine. Nothing appealed to him and he was starting to understand why. There had been another hunger within him, one he had neglected for as long as he had existed. It had to be satisfied, he knew that, but he had no inkling of how to do it. His gaze slowly cut to Gothmog again.

It would be very liberating to hand over control to someone else, Gothmog had said. Perhaps this should be put to the test.

"Would you like to do it?" Melkor said lightly, "Take the reins?"

Gothmog turned and stared. "Sire?"

"Take control," Melkor said with a casual air even as anticipation grew. "Not when it comes to the ruling, of course, but in an intimate fashion."

There was that wicked and daring feeling again. This time it had grown stronger and Gothmog caught on to what Melkor was hinting at. Still, he wanted to hear the words spoken out loud. "Take control in what way, sire?"

"The way you said, with me allowing you to take control. Of me." Melkor looked over his shoulder and found Gothmog locking the doors to his chambers. He faced forward again, a rare smile on his face. "What do you think, High Captain? Is this possible?"

"Perhaps," Gothmog made his way towards the table, ready to turn and leave at a moment’s notice. And behave as if their entire exchange never took place. "But that would mean submitting completely. Can you do it?"

Melkor swallowed, feeling oddly bashful for the first time ever. Submitting completely. It may hurt his pride to do so, but the notion of submitting completely to another felt rather enticing at the same time.

"I think I can," he said and pushed his chair back. Melkor rose, not knowing what else to say or do or expect. All of this was completely new to him. "But how?"

"Leave it to me." Gothmog took his lord’s hand, giddy with anticipation. Until they were done he would be the master and Melkor the obedient servant, something he could not have imagined even in his wildest dreams. "Now, show me where the bed is."

It was not far, and it was surprisingly elegant. Gothmog expected something sparse and rather somber, but the large bed with its silk sheets, the polished stood floor and the exquisite furniture were all unexpected. And that bed gave him ideas.

"Your garments are too much," Gothmog said. "Relieve yourself of them."

Melkor complied. It was all oddly thrilling, letting someone else issue the orders and him obeying in return. His armour had to be undone, then his clothes, his boots. When his fana was fully exposed he found himself flushing.

"What now?" He mumbled under his breath.

"In bed." Having already gotten a taste for commanding his superior, Gothmog fully intended on making the most of it. Besides, he had to admit that Melkor was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He almost felt bad about the notion of wanting to ruin that beauty a little. Almost. That feeling went away quickly when he came up with his next order. "And keep your hands over your head."

The urge to submit grew easier now and made his very fana tingle. Melkor did as he was bid, watching Gothmog strip.

His second-in-command had skin like beaten copper. Eyes that were afire. Silky black hair that gleamed and his nails... Melkor found himself aching to feel those nails rake over his skin. When Gothmog came over, it was with his whip in hand. Melkor obediently lifted his arms and watched once more while his hands were bound at the wrists before they were secured to a bedpost. He tried to move them and found that he could not. It made him feel vulnerable. He loved it. When he looked around, he found Gothmog by the side of the bed again, his sash in hand.

"Do not mind me," his second-in-command said in a voice that had already gone rough. "I am just enjoying the view. Now. Keep still."

Melkor nodded, wondering what he was up to. Gothmog surprised him by coming over and blindfolding him with the same sash. It was soft and thick. Melkor could not see anything, could not anticipate what was going to happen next. It excited him even more. "What happens now?"

"You no longer get to ask such things of me," Gothmog was very much the one in charge now. "Not until I am done with you. Until then, you must obey."

Obey. Melkor never had it in him to obey. His every instinct was to go against the urge. "I cannot do it," he whined despite himself, all eager thoughts of submission forgotten. "Not complete..."

A slap stung his thigh, and he gasped. A second quickly followed on the heels of the first. "You do not speak unless you are spoken to." Gothmog's words had a steely edge to them. It made Melkor hard. "Is that understood?"

"Yes," Melkor whimpered weakly, even as he gave in to Gothmog's authority.

"Will you obey?"

"Yes."

"Fucking pathetic," Gothmog grinned wickedly, eyeing Melkor like a predator sizing up its prey. The greatest of them all was yielding to him, a mere Maia, and he could not get enough of it. "The greatest amongst the Ainur yielding so easily."

Bound and unable to leave the bed, Melkor could do nothing but agree. Truth be told, he liked being degraded in such a manner.

Another slap stung his thigh and Melkor moaned. Gothmog eyed his whip, feeling sorry that he had to use it to bind Melkor’s hands. It did not matter. There were other things he could do. Melkor, on the other hand, could do nothing but wait. His restraints and lack of sight meant he had to rely on what remained to him—touch, sound, and scent mostly. And the scent of iron and flames and the chill from the world outside clung to Gothmog’s skin like perfume. He wanted to say something about it, about how good it was, but then he remembered the role he undertook.

He had to submit. And obey. And only speak when spoken to, lest he ruin everything. With a frustrated groan, he bit his tongue.

Gothmog heard it and grinned. He got in bed, his large frame making the bedding sink even more from the weight. Melkor took a deep breath, readying himself for what could happen next. Gothmog said nothing and gave nothing away. He moved between Melkor’s legs and spread them apart. His hands were hot, not that Melkor felt any discomfort in them. His fana could tolerate far more than that.

A fourth slap made him moan Gothmog’s name. The sound was like sweet music to the Balrog’s ears.

"Say my name," he commanded before making Melkor’s thigh sting again. "Say it!"

The pain and pleasure and heat that came from the flat of Gothmog’s hand rendered him lightheaded and dizzy and willing to do anything. His High Captain’s name fell off his lips repeatedly, and Gothmog laughed triumphantly.

"Listen to you," he growled. "Crying out for me like a needy little slut already. I should make you do it more often."

He dipped his head to taste, running his lips over the insides of Melkor’s thighs and belly, his sharp teeth leaving bruises wherever they marked, his growls muffled against Melkor’s skin. Melkor writhed beneath him as Gothmog kissed and marked his way higher and higher, stopping at the crook of his neck.

"Kiss me," he craved one desperately and was willing to go against their rules to beg for it if need be. "Please." 

Gothmog’s growl was low in his throat. Once, he decided. He would indulge Melkor’s request just once. His kiss was demanding, hungry, and far from tender. He gripped Melkor’s face with his hand while they kissed, his teeth leaving his lord’s lips swollen and bruised, his nails digging into soft flesh. When his tongue slipped past Melkor’s lips the latter nearly sobbed.

How could a being that dealt out death and torment arouse such a fiery need? One that grew only stronger with each passing moment? Melkor did not know the answer. All he did know was that he was going to look forward to more of such encounters.

Nails started to rake down his torso, his thighs, making him arch his back. "By the time you walk out of these chambers," Gothmog hissed in his ear, "Everyone will know who you belong to."

"Yes," Melkor could not help but agree. Gothmog's nipping at his throat and making him moan with pleasure rendered him unable to do anything else. "All will see."

The spikes that went down the length of his spine right up to the tip of his tail grew heated; their veins of fiery red, yellow, orange, and gold slowly sparked to life, the air around them smoldering. Gothmog felt his wings shake and his need for more grow. He spread Melkor’s legs further apart, his hand gripping at his lord hip and lifting his back off the mattress. Melkor braced himself.

A slick finger penetrated his hole, slowly opening him up with careful thrusts. "Such an obedient slut you are," Gothmog groaned deeply when Melkor rolled his hips. "Taking me without complaint."

"Yes," Melkor responded eagerly as jolts of pleasure washed all over him. "I am an obedient slut."

"My slut, yes?"

"Yes!" Melkor’s back arched as a second finger joined the first. "Your slut!"

Gothmog growled again, his entire fana trembling when he pulled out and held onto Melkor’s hip tight this time. Holding his erection with his free hand he entered Melkor again, carefully, hesitantly, before finally pushing through. He was in him, felt him, all of him. He barely heard his name come out in half-moan, half-whimper.

His name. Just his. Gothmog savoured it and kept still for a moment, letting Melkor get used to having his cock inside him. He ran his hands over Melkor’s thighs, his flesh now scorching against Melkor’s own. Greed and lust soon became too much to bear and he started to move. Melkor felt his fana being pushed higher up the bed repeatedly. He could see nothing, all he could do was feel.

And he felt so much, from the heat radiating from Gothmog’s body, to hips slapping against the insides of his thighs, the nails that marred his fana every time they raked over his skin. The sensations that came with it all—the pain and the pleasure, especially the pleasure—were unlike anything Melkor had ever experienced. He thought he could easily become intoxicated by this.

Gothmog moved his hand over Melkor’s throat, applying gentle pressure every time he pushed back in. His grip would tighten and release, tighten and release. His own thrusts grew erratic, his fana tensing like bowstring, his moans matching Melkor’s. Soon. It was going to happen soon. His fana shivered and jolted. One last thrust was all it took. One last thrust, one deep, satisfying grunt as his orgasm ripped through him. His nails dug into Melkor’s silver-grey skin, leaving little gouges as he spilled his seed.

The weight in the bed shifted as Gothmog slowly pulled away. Melkor was still bound, his own needs unmet. "Please," he begged. "Do not make me wait any longer."

If not for the blindfold Melkor could have easily seen Gothmog’s wolfish grin. "I like you begging," he said. "Do it again."

Melkor pleaded without shame. "Please, please, please. Just finish me off. Make me come. Please."

"Needy sluts should not be rewarded so easily," Gothmog dipped his head and ran his tongue up Melkor’s shaft. The moan that followed was the most guttural he had ever heard. "But I suppose I can give you what you desire so desperately."

Melkor struggled against his restraints when Gothmog took all of him into his wet mouth. He groaned when Gothmog lay a hand over his stomach, to stop him from moving so much. It did not take very long; Melkor could not hold on for much longer. His fana shuddered violently as he climaxed, his warmth filling Gothmog’s mouth.

The haze he found himself in slowly lifted when Gothmog undid his whip and removed the blindfold. Melkor blinked his eyes as clarity slowly came to him.

Words could not describe what happened or how Gothmog made him feel. Words would not be enough, and he was unsure how he could even begin explaining. He looked up at his captain, utterly satisfied, and came up with one final request.

"Stay with me. I like being close to you, you are warm."

Tags: @cilil @edensrose @asianbutnotjapanese @fictionfordays

[m34gs]

In your own head canons, what are the dorm leader's one (1) favourite junk food?

Ecstatic to answer this! Thank you for asking, friend. (For everyone's information, I did get clarification from Kim: no healthy snacks, no desserts like cakes or puddings, talking about junk foods like candy, chips, chocolate, etc.)

Riddle: For Riddle, I would say "Creme Savers"; specifically the strawberries and creme flavour (don't judge me, that is how it is spelled on the packaging lol). I just think he would love the sweetness, and I think the red and white candy goes very well with his aesthetic.

Leona: Honestly, black licorice. I don't know why, to me it just suits his vibes. I can picture him chewing on it while he lazes in the sunshine. Also, I imagine that he would think it's funny when Cheka first asks him for candy and he gives him the black licorice and watches his nephew just make the absolute most disgusted face after trying it.

Azul: I think Azul would enjoy the very expensive type of chocolates. You know, like the Purdy's chocolates or something; and typically the cream-filled ones. I think he tries to avoid buying them though, because he doesn't want people to know about his personal likes and dislikes. And because I think he is still shy about his past as a chubby octo-mer baby and I don't think he wants anyone to associate him with anything that might lead them to connect the dots and figure it out. (But I think Jade and Floyd usually get him some once in a while. Jade leaves it discreetly in one of his desk drawers in the office for the Monstro Lounge. Floyd puts it in the most obvious places to see how quickly Azul will try to smuggle it out of sight of everyone else.)

Kalim: Kalim likes chips! They're salty and delicious and shareable! I think Jamil probably has to avoid the chip aisle altogether if he brings Kalim shopping with him, unless he suddenly wants ten bags in the cart and a puppy-eyed Kalim begging him to let them buy the chips so he can share with everyone.

Vil: I think Vil likes peppermints and other mint candies. He's done modeling and acting and many other things that put him in the public eye, and has many obligations. There's likely been more than once he's been late to a meal because of publicity things, so having a few mint candies to suck on probably takes the edge off the hunger, while also giving him fresh breath (which I think he'd find important when acting. It can be incredibly hard to act when someone is in your face and all you smell is coffee breath or the traces of onions from their salad).

Idia: Idia canonically has a line for his SSR card when he is on the home screen that goes "want a gummy worm? I just love bright-coloured candy". I adore this line with all my heart. And I love that it extends to all brightly coloured candies! Therefore, I think Idia would really love Jolly Ranchers (or the Twisted Wonderland equivalent of those). They are very vibrant and bright, the original candy is a hard candy so you can suck on one for a while as you game, and they have very strong flavours. I feel like he would really enjoy them and have a bowl of them nearby when he's gaming, especially late at night. (and Jolly Ranchers are also one of my favourite candies and Idia is my favourite, so by that logic: yes.)

Malleus: Malleus is one of the fae, and so I think he would actually enjoy strange combinations of human foods. Like, not abominations or whatever Lilia creates in the kitchen. Just, the mixing of two flavours that you might not think would go together at first, or that when you think about it seems an odd combination. I think he'd be delighted by caramel-filled dark chocolate with sea-salt on top. The combination of sweet, gooey, and salty is interesting and, in my opinion, mildly addicting. I think he'd find it a bit fascinating and I think he'd enjoy one or two during tea time with Yuu/MC on the regular. :D

Thank you for this very fun ask, I hope you enjoy these answers! As always, I love discussing Twisted Wonderland headcannons with you; and I would love to hear your own opinions and thoughts on what you think each Housewarden would like! Especially since you wouldn't tell me before because you didn't want to sway my opinions lol :)💜

[qteekitchen]

Strawberry Lemonade Bunny Hugs 🍓🍋🐰

Easter always makes me think of the bunny shaped cupcakes my mom used to make. To decorate them she would use angel hair pasta broken into little pieces to look like whiskers. We never really did much Easter egg decorating, but I really loved hunting for chocolate eggs. I got these special bunny cookie cutters recently and just had to use them this Easter.

I'm calling these cookies "bunny hugs" cos they're two lil bunnies sandwiched together, with a sweet strawberry jam filling alongside a tart homemade lemon curd. The cookies are buttery and bright, marbled with strawberry powder made from grinding up freeze dried strawberries, and topped with a chocolate egg that they're holding onto with all the strength that their lil bunny arms have!

The candy coating on the eggs crack in the oven and it looks so cool to me, like the bunnies are cracking them open, eager to get into their milk chocolate insides.

If the Easter Bunny hasn't visited this year and you have no chocolate eggs, then nuts, dried fruit, or a different candy more to your liking can be used.

The homemade lemon curd is super easy, it only takes one egg and one lemon, instead of having to do a bunch of separating of egg yolks that then need tempering over a double boiler. It's all done in a shallow bowl in the microwave and only takes a couple of minutes.

The bowl needs to have low sides so that you can see the curd thickening. Any time you see it steam or rise, take it out and stir it to prevent it from boiling, which would cause it to curdle.

The jam filling is reduced down to make it thick so the cookies don't get soggy, as well as intensifying the flavour.

I was thinking that these cookies could easily be made vegan if you leave out the curd and just use the jam for the filling. In that case I'd start off with 1/3 cup of jam instead of just 1/4.

There's no egg in the cookie dough, so all that would need replacing is the butter.

Overall these cookies are quick to make, as the fillings can be completely prepared while the dough chills in the fridge. The only time consuming step in fiddling with the bunny arms, but that's due to the type of cookie cutter I chose, but you could use any! This recipe is easily doubled, especially when choosing a larger cookie cutter size.

I love messing around in the kitchen and baking my own things, but I've never written out a recipe I've created for other people to read, lol. If it seems complicated with a lot of steps, it's just bcos I wanted to be as clear as possible. Thank you to my mom for giving this a proof read and for her suggestions. Oh, and for teaching me how to bake in the first place 💗

Strawberry Lemonade Bunny Hugs 🍓🍋🐰

Yield: approximately twenty small sandwich cookies

🍪Cookie dough

•2 tablespoons (30 mL/32 grams) granulated sugar

•zest of half a large lemon (or one small lemon)

•1/2 teaspoon of honey (or corn/maple syrup)

•1/4 cup (62 mL/56 grams) softened unsalted butter

•1/8 teaspoon of table salt

•1/2 cup plus one tablespoon of all purpose flour (140 mL/82 grams)

•yellow food colouring (optional)

•1 tablespoon of freeze dried strawberry powder (or red/pink food colouring)

•Candy coated chocolate eggs, nuts, dried fruit or other candies

In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend the sugar, lemon zest and honey together using the paddle attachment. Add the yellow food colouring, if using. The other half of the lemon zest will be used in the lemon curd.

Add the softened butter to the bowl and cream together with the lemon sugar for one minute on medium speed until smooth, but not fluffy.

Add the flour with the salt into the butter and sugar and mix for thirty seconds.

Form dough into two pucks, wrap in plastic and let chill in the fridge for thirty minutes. While it is chilling make the lemon curd.

🍋Lemon curd

Yield: 3/4 of a cup (175mL)

•1 large egg (50 grams) at room temperature

•3 tablespoons (45mL/37 grams) of granulated sugar

•Zest of the other half of the large lemon or the zest of one whole small lemon

•3 tablespoons (45 mL/45 grams) of lemon juice (one large lemon or the 2 small lemons)

•Very small pinch of table salt

•1 1/2 tablespoons (21 grams) of room temperature unsalted butter

Crack the egg into a low sided microwave safe bowl. Scoop about 1/4 teaspoon of the egg white into a very small dish, such as an egg cup or bottle cap. Cover and place in the fridge. This will be used to attach the chocolate eggs to the cookies later.

Zest the lemon(s) into a jar and set aside. Juice the lemon.

Whisk the sugar and salt thoroughly into the egg, making it as smooth as possible.

Add the lemon juice and stir this in with a rubber spatula. Add one tablespoon of butter in pieces on top.

Microwave the mixture on high at thirty second intervals, stirring with spatula throughout. Do not let it boil.

When the curd reaches the desired consistency, strain it through a fine mesh sieve into the jar with the reserved lemon zest. Add the half tablespoon of butter and mix. It will thicken further as it cools. Place the sealed jar in the fridge and remove the cookie dough.

Break each dough puck in half and sprinkle the broken edges with strawberry powder or red food colouring.

Press halves back together and break apart again in the opposite direction, adding more strawberry powder. Knead  the dough lightly with your hands to create a marble effect but don't overwork it.

Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to a 1/2 centimetre (1/4 inch) thickness.

Cut out shapes and place cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Gather up scraps, apply more strawberry powder and reroll the dough, cutting out more cookies.

The bottom half of the bunny cookie sandwich don't need arms, so either cut or pinch those off and add them to the scrap dough to be rerolled.

Cut out an even number of top and bottom bunnies.

There will be a small amount of dough not big enough to roll and cut out, so save that for repairing the arms of the top half of the cookie sandwiches, if they need it.

Using a chopstick or small brush, apply a small amount of the reserved egg white on the arms and tummies of the top bunny cookies.

Place the chocolate eggs/nuts onto the top bunnies and carefully press their arms onto the eggs. If their arm tears, use a little crumb of the scrap dough to patch it up.

Chill the cookies on the cookie sheet in the fridge for thirty minutes.

🍓Strawberry filling

•1/4 cup (50mL) of jam or jelly

Pour jam onto a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for one to two minutes, depending on how viscous the jam was to start. It will thicken as it cools on the plate. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. When it reaches temperature, bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes. They should be set and no longer shiny on top, but not browned. Let cool completely on a rack.

Assemble the cookies by spreading a thin jam layer on all of the bottom bunnies. One by one, apply lemon curd to a top bunny and sandwich together with a bottom bunny. You could also choose to have just curd or just jam as the filling, or even blend the two fillings together.

Store for one week in an air tight container in the fridge.

Happy Easter!🐰

[spearheadrampancy]

i made a hard list of 21 rules to get me to stop smoking/vaping. they limit what i can do and provide explicit circumstances for when i can or cannot get nicotine. some rule ideas for those trying to quit:

dont do it around others. dont do it in other peoples homes or gardens. even if they say its okay. dont have nicotine when you're on your 10min/half hour breaks. get food or a drink or do something else instead. pick a specific day of the week and dont do it on that day. pick a certain place you go to a lot and swear off doing it there. i chose london, for example. the whole entire city of london.

if you vape, ditch the disposables and switch to a pod or tank based system or something similar. you can sell it after. it will encourage you to not just mindlessly vape. if you use a rechargable/refillable vaping system, set a time in the evening where you refuse to recharge or refill it after. you can even go one step further and say if it runs out of power or liquid at any point, you dont recharge/fill it until the next day.

limit your options. aggressively. make it boring as hell. if you get cigarettes, dont substitute another kind in when your regulars are out of stock. for vaping, limit what flavours you can get. even further: never try a new vape flavour. further still: dont mix vape liquid flavours. its possible to get nicotine free vapes, or low nicotine liquids as well as the low nicotine cigarettes mentioned earlier in the chain. do this, it will help you satisfy hand-to-mouth cravings while reducing the nicotine you actually get.

stop ordering nicotine stuff from an online retailer, unless it's something hardware related (eg: vape coils) and you have absolutely no other option. only buy stuff on certain days. my rule for this is "buy only on uni days", as in days that i specifically leave my house to go to uni and not just any tuesday/wednesday. limit how much of a "stash" you can have at any given time - buy less and dont fall victim to multibuy offers. get a receipt everytime and remind yourself of how much your spending on it.

make a point of throwing away your nicotine related trash. make it into a big deal. i had a number of dead disposable vapes i kept forgetting to throw out, which causes two problems: its a serious fire risk, and seeing them just made me want to vape or smoke. get rid of them and reward yourself for doing so. or the opposite: dont leave your stuff in easy to reach places. make it a chore to do it. make it annoying. i keep my vape stuff in a shitty ziplock back which i shove to the bottom of my backpack. make it an absolute pain in the ass to do, so that you have to consider your actions.

with their permission, make a rule that involves someone else. let them hold you accountable, or just use it as a way of talking yourself out of it. maybe its that you talk to someone whenever you buy more cigarettes. maybe you send them your last photo when you get the urge to smoke. maybe you become more lenient about letting your girlfriend steal a bit of your vape while youre out because then it dies faster and they're not even addicted to it like you are anyway.

my primary rules to begin with were no online ordering of disposable vapes, and no more new brands/flavours. the first cuts down on how easily accessible it is to me, and the second will infuriate my autism in no time at all and making me burn out on doing it (is my hope, at least). i've already gone from getting through one disposable vape in a single day to having one last me closer to three days, and ive only really been trying for a month.

get silly with it. get inventive. but above all find a method that works for you. there is no one true method to quitting.

For the most part, my approach to prescribing hormones is “sure,” but I will note that the one thing I lean HARD on patients about is smoking. If you’re transgender, and you’re on hormones, the number one thing we want to protect is your cardiovascular health. That’s frankly the number one thing I want to protect in all my patients, but anyone taking exogenous hormones is at higher baseline risk. And the best thing you can do for your heart is DON’T SMOKE. It’s a bitch to quit, and I didn’t even smoke much or long before I quit in my late teens, and I STILL didn’t enjoy quitting and had smoking dreams for years. It’s harder to quit than just about anything else up to and including crack and heroin, and that’s coming from a patient of mine who recently passed in her early 60s who’d done all of those things—for years and years—but eventually was able to quit everything except smoking. And that killed her. She developed severe COPD and eventually called to say her blood oxygen saturation was dipping into the 70s, which is incompatible with life. She was lucid enough to decline medical care, including refusing to call 911 or go to the ER. A week later, after both I and one of our outreach nurses had contacted her to ask her to please go to the ER, I got a notification that she’d been found dead. She had been so frustrated that she wasn’t a candidate for a lung transplant.

One of my oldest trans patients is in her late 50s. She’s had blood clots that went to the lungs. Repeatedly. Smoking raises that risk. Estrogen raises that risk. She’s a veteran with PTSD; of course she smoked.

These aren’t theoretical. These are humans I’ve cared for over years of their lives. I have been rooting for them—my beloved former addict, who spoke without shame about her years of homelessness and drug use in the city; my queer elders, who are slowly trading in their motorcycles for power scooters. I want everyone to live their fullest, best life.

Smoking doesn’t fit into that. Please don’t smoke. I don’t want you to die like that—not now and not later. I want you to have the future that you may not be able to see yet, but exists.

Since I moved home as an out queer, word got out, and there’s a whole apartment complex of lesbians in their 60s to their 80s who come see me—sitting next to their wives in the office, nagging about blood pressure meds, tattling about not having gotten the shingles shot they said they would. To be clear, when I was growing up in town, I knew no lesbians. Not one. I knew one gay kid in my class, which eventually turned into two. We were it. To see these women living decades with their wives and being able to squabble like any couple in my office over who was supposed to bring their home blood pressure cuff in for us to check it… it means the world to me.

[nepothots]

I’ve had a complicated relationship with myself.

I’ve known myself for 26 years and sometimes I don’t know me at all.

It’s strange really, an out of body experience of looking in the mirror and touching the glass to see if it wobble’s. A Disney movie of complication mixed with wonder. What I confess to God when I’m captivated with anxiety is: “will I leave my mark just like I did when entering it?” The Devil himself enters and I’m in wonder of even answering the question. Lilith hears me above all.

I’ve always had this sense of need to imprint my soul onto others. The same with others imprinting onto me. I firmly believe it’s because I want to perfect human emotion before I perfect my own. Please taste me before I have the privilege of tasting you.

I do however, believe that we take on a bit of the person we have befriended, loved, experienced, etc etc. We dont peel our apples the same because someone taught us an easier way, a sweeter way, enjoying a bit more of the apple. That chicken soup grew onto us when we are sick because our past lover insisted it. Our mouths coexisting because we needed to taste the flavours of both broth and us. My favourite shade of lipstick isn’t because of me, it’s because my skin looked absolutely breathtaking when she kissed me. Ruby red that blended with my blue veins. My pale skin adored by yours.

I do think imprinting onto yourself is important too. Allowing ourselves the pleasure of experience who we are is necessary when wondering what we think of this world. We pretend others know us before we are able to understand, we know us better than anyone. Our very soul knows who we are. We explore ourselves at such an age that is important to us. All of our milestones we remember because those were memories that shaped the very foundations of ourselves. We wouldn’t be this way without the implications of the choices we’ve made.

I do think while typing this, self love IS imprinting on ourselves. Circling back, we experience ourselves before we let another see our body.

The first intimate touch of slowly scratching our arm.

Touching our hair without a care in the world but we realise why we like someone touching our hair.

The foods we like and why we love passing on the love.

The spot that’s touched that we know but we have to show someone. Such an act of tenderness that we strip ourselves of the walls that protect us.

Why I must like my showers hotter than hell because I know in some study I’m lonely but who’s to say that? Maybe my body is most nurtured when I love it better in the hot?

We love ourselves first without realising the notion of “self love club.” We’ve fallen in love with ourselves since we took that painful breath of air when we were born.

8 pounds and 9oz. Pure perfection before we started pointing out all the things people pointed at us for. Our very existence questioned. We are beautiful.

I always tell myself that I don’t feel this way, love this way, take care of myself this way, take care of others, love others as deeply as I do without my mother’s love.

I was imprinted from the moment my mother made me. She was the first love of my life. The first awareness of doing everything I can for her love to be felt through me.

Let me pass it on.

Let me fill the next person with an ounce of her love.

Her love, her love, her love.

Let me just pass it on and maybe the world will be better than yesterday. Allow me the motion of sharing my mother’s deepest gift. Me. You. Us.

Maybe imprinting is just how I’m finding out that self love is how we’ve unknowingly created ourselves through growth. Growth in the unknown of taking care of ourselves without knowing that’s love. Protecting ourselves, nurturing ourselves, pleasing ourselves, spoiling ourselves, and freely embracing ourselves. Don’t ever be ashamed of who you are.

How unbeknownst to us that loving ourselves is without the realisation. It’s simply doing everything and anything that continues our existence. Our journey.

With love, so much love, pouring love out of me, oozing out the impossible, and completely unapologetically throwing up in love:

Nepo

[adamfinchley]

OUR TEETH MAY LOOK BAD BUT THE STRENGTH IS THERE

When I was working and living in Turkey, I had to see a dentist for some emergency work on an extremely painful tooth problem.

It turned out to be my last remaining wisdom tooth trying to appear out of the gum, and the only way to deal with it was by extraction. 

After the procedure, the dentist and I had a chat and I learnt a couple of interesting facts. The first was that he told me that I have exceptionally strong bones because it was difficult to pull the tooth from the bone. 

It also follows that hard teeth equates to hard bones. Then he told me something about his experience with teeth in people of different nationalities. He reckons that by looking at someone’s teeth, and mainly the dental work, he could tell where they were from.

Some of the worst dental work had been performed on the British. This is particularly true with the more elderly people. And I told him that I think I knew why. 

In the years after the Second World War, for some reason there was a shortage of dentists in the UK. In the nineteen fifties and sixties, the NHS tried to entice dentists from Australia and other Commonwealth countries with the promise of a nice relocation package and good salary. 

Crucially, they were offered a bonus for every filling they performed. Consequently, many became filler happy. And children had fillings they never really needed. It seems the UK also continued using an amalgam for many more years.

Amalgam is mercury mixed with solid shavings of silver, copper or tin. The mix was entirely up to the individual dentist. 

On the plus side, my Turkish dentist reckoned that British teeth of people over a certain age were strong because of milk rationing.

Free milk was given to schoolchildren in the nineteen-twenties and by the nineteen-forties, nearly ninety percent of all schoolchildren from the earliest age, were getting free milk.

This was what gave the British the edge in tooth strength. Other countries followed suit with France offering fresh yoghurt and soft cheese also on the free menu. 

There are many nutritional advantages to milk, but the most important for growing children is the strength its calcium gives to our teeth and bones. 

There are fifteen minerals and thirteen vitamins that we need almost daily, and calcium is just one. Nearly all the others are obtained from different foods, and the fresher and more natural, the better.

Ultra processed foods contain unnecessary ingredients like artificial colourings, flavouring, emulsifiers, sugar and sweeteners, are not good for our gut microbiome.  

Vitamin D3 is unique in that it can be obtained by simply standing in bright sunshine for a minimum twenty minutes a day. Given the dreary and overcast British weather, a supplement vitamin D3 is a safe and useful standby.

[apo1ogeticallymyself]

Food Log 9 (16/6)

Weight: 171 lbs

Gained obviously.

Day 1 of the new plan.

( I go for a walk and the amount of calories I burn (100 cal per mile) determines my limit)

EARNING THE CALORIES:

15.56 miles walked

100cal/ mile = 1556 burnt

Daily limit: 1556 cal

Intake

10:00

Yogurt oats and fruit - 281 cal

Flavoured coffee- 6 cal

Coke Zero- 1 cal

14:30

Vegan wrap - 368 cal

Coke Zero - 2 cal

17:00

Mashed Banana + cocoa powder -129 cal*

Coke Zero- 1 cal

*Literally just a banana mashed up with some cocoa powder, I dont understand how it tasted so bad?

20:00:

Garlic tofu shawarma + salad - 439 cal

Coke Zero

Made too much filling had to use 2 wraps so high calories, purged a little but only a little I stopped cos I bit my knuckle and reopened the cut which started to bleed.

Total: 1224 calories

Exercise:

38,819 steps / 18.01 miles

Fitbit calories burnt: 4853

My estimate: 3551 *

(100 cal/ mile + BMR (1750))

Net:

-3629 calories (Fitbit)

- 2327 calories (my estimate)

Notes:

This sucked ngl, eating a lot when your bingeing is easy but planning to eat more is rlly hard. I ate that veggie wrap and all I could think about was purging, I didn’t. Anyway I’m hoping this will help me to binge less. Idk seems like a good idea.

Tried the coconut one today, 1/10 worst one yet

49g of protein is pretty good? Mixed opinions on protein because I need to lose some muscle as well as fat but obviously building muscle helps to burn fat so idk 🤷‍♀️

Only took photos of these two, but I can describe the others

The veggie wrap looked like a wrap

The mashed banana and cocoa looked like brownie mix?

[chavanhealth-product]

A Daily Dose of Green Goodness: My Tonic Greens Experience

Draft 1

A Daily Dose of Green Goodness: My Tonic Greens Experience

Feeling sluggish, foggy-headed, and generally lacking in vitality had become my norm. I knew my diet wasn't ideal, filled with processed ...Draft 1

A Daily Dose of Green Goodness: My Tonic Greens Experience

Feeling sluggish, foggy-headed, and generally lacking in vitality had become my norm. I knew my diet wasn't ideal, filled with processed foods and lacking the essential greens I needed to thrive. That's when I came across Tonic Greens, a powdered greens supplement promising a daily dose of essential nutrients. Here's how Tonic Greens has transformed my well-being.

Packed with Powerful Greens and Superfoods

What truly impressed me about Tonic Greens was its comprehensive blend of greens and superfoods. From nutrient-rich kale and spinach to antioxidant-packed acai and goji berries, the formula seemed to cover all bases. I was particularly excited about the inclusion of wheatgrass, known for its detoxifying properties, and spirulina, a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. Knowing I was getting a concentrated dose of these greens in every scoop felt like a step towards a healthier me.

Improved Gut Health and Digestion

Within a few weeks of incorporating Tonic Greens into my routine, I noticed a significant improvement in my digestion. Gone were the occasional bouts of bloating and sluggishness that had plagued me for so long. I believe this is due to the presence of probiotics and prebiotics in the formula, which contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. A happy gut, as they say, leads to a happier you, and Tonic Greens certainly played a role in achieving this for me.

Increased Energy Levels and Enhanced Focus

The most noticeable change since taking Tonic Greens has been the boost in my energy levels. The afternoon slump is a thing of the past, replaced by sustained energy throughout the day. This has significantly impacted my productivity, allowing me to focus on tasks for longer periods without feeling drained. I attribute this to the blend of vitamins, minerals, and natural energizers like green tea extract present in the formula. Feeling sharp and focused has been a welcome change, making me feel more confident in tackling my daily activities.

Easy to Mix and Deliciously Green

While I wasn't exactly looking forward to the taste of a greens powder, Tonic Greens pleasantly surprised me. It mixes surprisingly well into smoothies, juices, or even just plain water. The flavour is mild and slightly sweet, thanks to the added stevia and natural fruit extracts. I typically have a scoop in a morning smoothie, and it blends seamlessly without overpowering the other ingredients. The ease of incorporating it into my routine has been key to making it a consistent habit.

A Valuable Addition to My Wellness Journey

Overall, Tonic Greens has been a valuable addition to my wellness journey. It's provided me with a convenient and delicious way to get my daily dose of essential greens and superfoods. With improved digestion, increased energy levels, and enhanced focus, I feel like a much better version of myself. If you're looking for a way to boost your greens intake and revitalize your well-being, Tonic Greens is definitely worth a try. Remember, consulting your doctor before starting any new supplement is always a good idea, but based on my experience, Tonic Greens is a fantastic way to get your daily dose of green goodness.

Draft 2

A Green Powerhouse: My Experience with Tonic Greens

Feeling sluggish and lacking the energy to tackle my day? You're not alone. That was me until I discovered Tonic Greens, a daily greens powder t...Draft 2

A Green Powerhouse: My Experience with Tonic Greens

Feeling sluggish and lacking the energy to tackle my day? You're not alone. That was me until I discovered Tonic Greens, a daily greens powder that's become a vital part of my morning routine. Now, I wake up feeling refreshed and energized, ready to conquer whatever the day throws my way.

Packing a Punch of Greens

Tonic Greens isn't your average greens powder. It boasts a powerful blend of over 50 fruits, vegetables, and algae, all packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This comprehensive mix ensures I'm getting a good dose of the good stuff my body needs to function at its best. What I particularly appreciate is the inclusion of superfoods like spirulina and chlorella, known for their detoxifying and immune-boosting properties.

Enhanced Energy and Improved Focus

Since incorporating Tonic Greens into my routine, I've noticed a significant improvement in my energy levels. Gone are the days of dragging myself through the afternoon. The sustained energy boost I experience is likely due to the blend of greens, vitamins, and adaptogens like ashwagandha, which helps manage stress and improve mental clarity. This translates to better focus throughout the day, allowing me to be more productive and tackle tasks with a sharper mind.

Aiding Digestion and Gut Health

We all know the importance of gut health, and Tonic Greens prioritizes it with the inclusion of probiotics and digestive enzymes. These ingredients help break down food more efficiently, leading to better digestion and nutrient absorption. Since using the product, I've experienced a noticeable improvement in my gut health, with less bloating and discomfort.

Easy to Mix and Deliciously Green

Let's be honest, greens powders can be intimidating, especially when it comes to taste. However, Tonic Greens surprised me with its pleasant flavour. The powder mixes easily into water or my morning smoothie, creating a refreshing and slightly sweet drink. The addition of natural flavours like apple and lemon helps mask the grassy taste often associated with greens powders, making it a delicious way to start my day.

A Well-Rounded Approach to Wellness

Tonic Greens isn't just about a quick energy fix. It offers a well-rounded approach to wellness, promoting healthy digestion, boosting energy levels, and supporting overall health. With its blend of powerful greens, superfoods, and digestive aids, I feel confident that I'm giving my body the nutrients it needs to thrive.

A Green Habit Worth Having

If you're looking for a convenient and delicious way to up your daily intake of greens and superfoods, Tonic Greens is definitely worth considering. It's become an essential part of my morning routine, providing me with the energy, focus, and gut health support I need to feel my best. While individual results may vary, I highly recommend giving Tonic Greens a try and experiencing the green power for yourself!

Draft 3

Feeling Energised and Revitalised: My Experience with Tonic Greens

For a long time, I felt like my body was running on fumes. I constantly battled fatigue, sluggish digestion, and a dull complexio...Draft 3

Feeling Energised and Revitalised: My Experience with Tonic Greens

For a long time, I felt like my body was running on fumes. I constantly battled fatigue, sluggish digestion, and a dull complexion. I knew I needed a change, but with my busy schedule, juicing fresh greens daily seemed like a distant dream. That's when I stumbled upon Tonic Greens, a convenient and potent green powder supplement that promised to deliver the benefits of a whole garden in a single scoop.

A Powerhouse of Greens and Nutrients

Tonic Greens boasts a comprehensive blend of greens like kale, spinach, and wheatgrass, alongside other beneficial ingredients like spirulina, chlorella, and probiotics. This combination intrigued me, as it offered a wider range of nutrients than what I could typically get from a handful of vegetables. The inclusion of probiotics was a particular draw, as I'd heard good things about their gut health benefits.

Improved Digestion and Increased Energy Levels

Within a couple of weeks of incorporating Tonic Greens into my routine, I noticed a significant improvement in my digestion. The bloating and occasional discomfort that had become a daily nuisance started to fade away. This, I believe, is due to the prebiotic and probiotic content in the formula, which likely helped promote a healthier gut flora. Additionally, I experienced a noticeable increase in energy levels. The midday slump became less frequent, and I found myself tackling my tasks with renewed vigour.

Easy to Mix and Deliciously Refreshing

Gone are the days of wrestling with clunky juicers or prepping mountains of greens. Tonic Greens comes in a convenient powder form that mixes effortlessly into water, smoothies, or even yogurt. I usually opt for a simple mix with water, and surprisingly, the taste is quite pleasant. The formula has a slight grassy note, but it's masked by a hint of natural sweetness, making it easy to drink every day.

A Natural Glow and Overall Wellbeing

Beyond the improvements in digestion and energy, I've noticed a positive change in my overall well-being. My skin appears brighter and more radiant, and I feel a renewed sense of vitality. I attribute this to the potent blend of antioxidants and vitamins in Tonic Greens, which are likely nourishing my body from the inside out.

A Valuable Addition to My Wellness Routine

If you're looking for a convenient and effective way to boost your daily intake of greens and essential nutrients, Tonic Greens is an excellent choice. It's become a staple in my wellness routine, and the positive impact on my energy, digestion, and overall health is undeniable. While it's always best to consult your doctor before starting any new supplements, Tonic Greens has been a valuable addition to my daily regimen. It's a simple way to pack a powerful punch of green goodness into your day.refreshRegenerate drafts volume_up

A Daily Dose of Green Goodness: My Tonic Greens Experience

Feeling sluggish, foggy-headed, and generally lacking in vitality had become my norm. I knew my diet wasn't ideal, filled with processed foods and lacking the essential greens I needed to thrive. That's when I came across Tonic Greens, a powdered greens supplement promising a daily dose of essential nutrients. Here's how Tonic Greens has transformed my well-being.

Packed with Powerful Greens and Superfoods

What truly impressed me about Tonic Greens was its comprehensive blend of greens and superfoods. From nutrient-rich kale and spinach to antioxidant-packed acai and goji berries, the formula seemed to cover all bases. I was particularly excited about the inclusion of wheatgrass, known for its detoxifying properties, and spirulina, a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. Knowing I was getting a concentrated dose of these greens in every scoop felt like a step towards a healthier me.

Improved Gut Health and Digestion

Within a few weeks of incorporating Tonic Greens into my routine, I noticed a significant improvement in my digestion. Gone were the occasional bouts of bloating and sluggishness that had plagued me for so long. I believe this is due to the presence of probiotics and prebiotics in the formula, which contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. A happy gut, as they say, leads to a happier you, and Tonic Greens certainly played a role in achieving this for me.

Increased Energy Levels and Enhanced Focus

The most noticeable change since taking Tonic Greens has been the boost in my energy levels. The afternoon slump is a thing of the past, replaced by sustained energy throughout the day. This has significantly impacted my productivity, allowing me to focus on tasks for longer periods without feeling drained. I attribute this to the blend of vitamins, minerals, and natural energizers like green tea extract present in the formula. Feeling sharp and focused has been a welcome change, making me feel more confident in tackling my daily activities.

Easy to Mix and Deliciously Green

While I wasn't exactly looking forward to the taste of a greens powder, Tonic Greens pleasantly surprised me. It mixes surprisingly well into smoothies, juices, or even just plain water. The flavour is mild and slightly sweet, thanks to the added stevia and natural fruit extracts. I typically have a scoop in a morning smoothie, and it blends seamlessly without overpowering the other ingredients. The ease of incorporating it into my routine has been key to making it a consistent habit.

A Valuable Addition to My Wellness Journey

Overall, Tonic Greens has been a valuable addition to my wellness journey. It's provided me with a convenient and delicious way to get my daily dose of essential greens and superfoods. With improved digestion, increased energy levels, and enhanced focus, I feel like a much better version of myself. If you're looking for a way to boost your greens intake and revitalize your well-being, Tonic Greens is definitely worth a try. Remember, consulting your doctor before starting any new supplement is always a good idea, but based on my experience, Tonic Greens is a fantastic way to get your daily dose of green goodness.

[helth-product143]

A Daily Dose of Green Goodness: My Tonic Greens Experience

I've always strived to eat a balanced diet, but let's be honest, life gets busy. Between work, errands, and social commitments, fitting in five-a-day portions of fruit and veg can feel like a constant battle. That's why I was excited to try Tonic Greens, a powdered green supplement that promised to fill any nutritional gaps and give my health a welcome boost.

Easy Does It: A Fuss-Free Addition to My Routine

One of the things I loved most about Tonic Greens was its convenience. The powder comes in a handy tub, and the recommended serving size is just one scoop a day. I found it incredibly easy to incorporate into my routine. In the mornings, I'd simply mix a scoop into a glass of water or my favourite smoothie. It blended seamlessly, leaving behind a subtle, slightly grassy taste that wasn't unpleasant at all. In fact, after a while, I even started to enjoy the earthy flavour!

A Powerhouse of Greens and More

Tonic Greens boasts an impressive blend of over 57 ingredients, including a variety of leafy greens, fruits, herbs, and essential vitamins. This diversity of ingredients is what really appealed to me. I knew I was getting a potent dose of good stuff, from the immune-boosting properties of spinach and kale to the detoxifying effects of chlorella and spirulina. The inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics also promised to improve my gut health, which is something I'd been wanting to focus on.

Feeling the Green Glow: Improvements

Within a couple of weeks of taking Tonic Greens daily, I started to notice some positive changes. My energy levels felt more consistent throughout the day, and those afternoon slumps became a thing of the past. I also found myself digesting food more efficiently, and any bloating or discomfort I'd previously experienced seemed to disappear. Perhaps the most significant change was a newfound focus and clarity. I felt sharper mentally and more productive in my work. Whether this was due to the improved gut health or the vitamin boost, I can't say for sure, but it was a welcome addition to my daily experience.

More Than Just a Supplement: A Commitment to Overall Wellbeing

Tonic Greens became more than just a supplement for me; it became a reminder to prioritise my health. The ease of incorporating it into my routine made it a sustainable choice, and the positive effects I felt motivated me to make other healthy choices throughout the day. While I still enjoy the occasional treat, I found myself reaching for fruits and vegetables more often, knowing that I was giving my body the best possible fuel.

Would I Recommend Tonic Greens? Absolutely!

If you're looking for a convenient and effective way to fill nutritional gaps and support your overall health, then I can't recommend Tonic Greens highly enough. It's a simple addition to your routine that delivers real results. With its impressive blend of ingredients and noticeable benefits, Tonic Greens has become a staple in my wellness journey.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert

[woodelf68]

Can I bribe anyone to vote for Gina by sharing her DELICIOUS cookie recipe that she FREELY shared with fans in the December 1964 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine? (I grew up on this cookie and I strongly recommend making multiple batches of them. Like 3-4 batches of 30 cookies each. Trust me on this.)

GINA LOLLOBRIGIDA'S CHRISTMAS WREATHS

½ cup soft butter or margarine

⅓ cup granulated sugar

1 egg, separated

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract*

¼ teaspoon almond extract

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

¾ cup chopped, shelled pistachio nuts or tinted walnuts (see below)*

½ cup strawberry jam*

Make any time up to two weeks ahead:*

Start heating oven to 300° F.

With electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter until creamy. Beat in sugar, egg yolk, extracts, then flour, sifted with salt.

Form into balls, using about 1 teaspoon of dough for each.

Dip in slightly beaten egg white, then roll lightly in nuts.

Arrange cookies on greased cookie sheets. With fingertip, make a depression in the center of each.

Bake 25 minutes, then remove to wire rack and, while still warm, fill centers with jam.

Store tightly covered. Makes 36 cookies*.

To make tinted walnuts: Start heating oven to 300° F. Add 2 dashes green food color to 2 teaspoons warm water, then add ¾ cup chopped California walnuts and toss thoroughly. Spread on cookie sheet and bake 8 minutes. Makes ¾ cup.

*****

*NOTES! -- These are adaptations my family made over the years:

First, the nuts are very much optional, just tint the dough green instead (before adding flour for easier mixing) -- in fact, tint the dough green even if you do add the nuts for a more festive looking cookie! But note that without the nuts, the cookies are much tinier, so you want to make them a little bigger. Aim for 30 cookies per batch instead of 36, arranged on a standard size cookie sheet in rows of five across, six down. (If you're making 2 batches or more, divide your dough evenly into one large ball per batch, then divide each ball into 30 little balls which are as even in size as possible.) We always refrigerated our batch-sized dough balls (wrapped up in wax paper) for at least an hour before rolling them out, I think it made for easier, less sticky handling.

Second, if strawberry jam isn't your thing, you can substitute with any other flavor of jam or jelly. While of course a red colour will look the most Christmassy, I can confirm that grape jelly is delicious. Also, add the jelly/jam BEFORE baking.

Third, instead of using 1/4 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 tsp almond extract, use all almond, 1/2 tsp of it. It gives the cookies a much more distinctive flavour.

Propaganda

Hedy Lamarr (Samson and Delilah, Ziegfeld Girl)—Look. I'm sure someone has already submitted Hedy Lamarr because she was spectacularly beautiful, and a very strong lady too: she fled both an abusive marriage AND nazi persecution at a very young age and rebuilt a life for herself pursuing her love for acting all on her own!! Her career as an actress was stellar; while she began acting outside of Hollywood (her very first movie, Ecstasy, won a prize at the Venice Film Festival), she conquered American hearts very quickly with her first movie in the US, Algiers, and then just kept getting better and better. If all this isn't enough, she was also an inventor: her invention of the frequency-hopping spread spectrum radio transmission technique forms the base of bluetooth and has a lot of applications in all kinds of communication technologies. I think that deserves a prize, don't you?

Gina Lollobrigida (Solomon and Sheba, The Hunchback of Notre Dame)— One of the highest profile movie stars in Europe across the 50s and 60s. International sex symbol. Starring in European and American movies. She appeared in movies alongside Hollywood stars such as Humphrey Bogart and Rock Hudson. Was in 54 movies by 1970. A MOVIE STAR in every essence. Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Won three David di Donatello, a Golden Globe two Nastro d'Argento, and six Bambi awards. And nominated for more.

This is round 4 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Hedy Lamarr:

The only person you can find both on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in the Inventor's Hall of Fame--her radio-frequency-hopping technology forms the basis for cordless phones, wi-fi, and a dozen other aspects of modern life. She was also passionate in her efforts to aid the Allies in WWII (unsurprising for a Jewish-Austrian Emigree to America), and her name served as the backbone for one of the best running jokes in what is possibly Mel Brooks' best movie. Look, Louis B. Mayer apparently believed he could plausibly promote her as "The world's most beautiful woman". Is an entire website full of people going to be less audacious than one Louis B. Mayer? I didn't think so!

Described as "Hedy has the most incredible personal sophistication. She knows the peculiarly European art of being womanly; she knows what men want in a beautiful woman, what attracts them, and she forces herself to be these things. She has magnetism with warmth, something that neither Dietrich nor Garbo has managed to achieve" by Howard Sharpe, she managed to escape her controlling husband (and Nazi Germany) by a) Disguising as her maid and fleeing to Paris or b) Convincing the husband to let her wear all of her jewelry to a dinner, only to disappear afterwards. Also she was particularly clever and helped develop Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (I can't really explain it but anyway...)

Her depiction of Delilah and Samson and Delilah just lives rent free in my head. The woman was gorgeous.

One of the most beautiful women ever in film, spoken by many critics and fans. Beautiful shapely figure, deeper seductive voice, and often played femme fatale roles. She was also brilliant and an inventor. Mainly self-taught, she invested her spare time, including on set between takes, in designing and drafting inventions, which included an improved traffic stoplight and a tablet that would dissolve in water to create a flavored carbonated drink, and much more.

Gorgeous and brilliant pioneer of modern technology and the middle part.

Gina Lollobrigida:

She was an international sex symbol once dubbed as The Most Beautiful Woman In The World. She acted in films in both Italy and France before starring in Beat The Devil with Humphrey Bogart. When portraying soprano Lina Cavalieri, she sang all of the songs in her own voice. This role won her the very first David di Donatello Award for Best Actress, Italy's academy awards.

She was one of the highest-profile European actresses of the 1950s and 1960s, a period in which she was an international sex symbol. Humphrey Bogart once said of her: "She makes Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple."

Literally starred in a movie called "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World". I rest my case.

[tleeaves]

Since I've had to go on the plainest, barest diet ever (overexaggeration) after being sick way too many times in a short period (not an overexaggeration, unfortunately), everything feels like So Much right now. Scents? I smell too much of them, I can literally tell the change when I move through the house because different rooms smell differently. Something's cooking? I am smelling All Of That and it makes me hungry for something I can't have. Taste-wise? Plain old sugar and salt hit different now. I'm way more sensitive to the taste. Way more appreciative of sugar too, not gonna lie 😂 I cannot eat porridge without it. I used to have other things on/in my porridge but those are stripped away for now and this morning I had only a pinch of sugar because it was all that was left in the jar and I realised that porridge is plain as fuck. So I went hunting for sugar to mix in a bit more.

Also the way I can smell one thing and have it completely ruin my appetite for another? So frustrating. Also the conflict between smell and taste in general. Smelling meat pies but eating scrambled eggs (with only salt and pepper for flavour, and there was definitely too much of both of those for my mouth, hoo boy. Yuck.)

Also, people around me eating chocolate and desserts, meanwhile the most flavourful thing I can have is banana. Just a banana. I'd say sugar biscuits, which I like, but plain bananas probably hold the most concentrated intensity in flavour of all the things I eat currently. Haven't got yoghurt yet, but hopefully we'll get some and see how that goes.

But anyway, it's torture having other people around you eat normal, delicious, stomach-filling things, while you stick to much less fun stuff. Granted, my family was kind enough to eat the same dinner I was last night, which was sweet. Just some plain seasoned chicken with vegetables.

It's been a time, folks. It's been a real time. And this has to go on for about a month. I LOVE FOOD, THIS IS THE TRAGEDY HERE, I'VE LITERALLY ALWAYS SAID I COULD MARRY FOOD 😭 I LOVE FOOD AND I LOVE CHOCOLATE AND I LOVE DESSERTS AND I LOVE SPICY THINGS AND I LOVE CHEESY THINGS BUT I'M ALSO LACTOSE INTOLERANT TO TOP IT ALL OFF HERE. AAAAA.