#i love them as an ingredient and ill eat a slice on a burger. also i like that salad w the basil ans cheese

[amygdalae]

Speaking of the garden though. Look what came off one of the other tomato plants

[rdclsuperfoods]

To the relief of cooped-up powder hounds everywhere, skiing has proved to be relatively safe during the pandemic, thanks to the abundance of fresh air and natural social distancing on the hill. But one aspect of a day at the resort still poses significant COVID risk: the ski lodge. To avoid crowded indoor spaces, many Outside editors have been trading their slopeside burgers and chicken fingers for meals prepared at home. 

But which brown-bag lunches are best for getting you through a day at the resort? We rounded up the Outside staff’s favorite to-go meals, below, then asked Kristen Gravani, the director of sports nutrition for Stanford University athletes, to weigh in on our choices. Gravani, a former college ski racer, says there are three components of a good to-go meal: 

The right balance of nutrients. Generally, you want your meal to be higher in carbohydrates, with a moderate amount of fat and protein. Carbohydrates are a skier’s main fuel source, and a little fat and protein help stave off hunger longer while providing slowly released energy. (Exact proportions will vary depending on your individual nutrition needs, but typically, the more intense and sustained your ski day is, the more this ratio will skew toward carbs.)

Ingredients that sit well in your stomach. If you know that spicy chili makes you sprint for the bathroom, leave the beans at home. The less your stomach is churning, the more you can enjoy your turns.

Food safety. If you’re carrying a meaty burrito around in your pocket, that’s the ideal habitat for bacteria that causes foodborne illness. Ideally, you want to keep perishable foods cold, or just stick with shelf-stable options. 

With those criteria in mind, here’s what Gravani thinks about Outside editors’ ski-day lunches:

Breakfast Burritos

Pandemic or not, my go-to is a homemade breakfast burrito: a ten-inch tortilla, hash browns, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and green chili. It’s really two meals in one. I eat one half on the drive to the mountain, then wrap the other half in tinfoil and stash it in my jacket for lunch. That, plus an energy bar in reserve—I’m a fan of GoMacro’s maple sea salt flavor—always gets me through the day. —Chris Keyes, editor 

I have two go-to ski lunches, depending on how much I rallied that morning. If I’ve given myself enough time to get a breakfast burrito from my favorite spot in Santa Fe (hello, Betterday Coffee!), I will eat exactly one-third of it for lunch, with a Modelo on the chairlift. (The first third is consumed on the drive up in the morning, and the last third on the drive down at the end of the day.) Betterday burritos are made up of five key ingredients: tortilla, egg, cheese, and chile. Sometimes bacon, too. If my morning is rushed (or my bank account strained), I’ll eat a Perfect Bar for lunch—it’s my favorite on-the-go snack. Its macros are pretty well-balanced, so it feels less like a sugar or protein bomb and more like a meal. I also wash that down with a Modelo. —Abbie Barronian, associate editor 

GRADE: B

“You’ve got really good combinations of carbs, fat, and protein,” says Gravani of the two burritos. The tortilla and hash browns provide a nice boost of carb-based energy, while the eggs and cheese round things out with protein and fat. Gravani thinks the GoMacro and Perfect bars are also solid choices. Food safety in regards to the burritos, however, docks them a grade. “When you put a warm burrito in your pocket, keeping that moderate temperature as it’s cooling down over time puts it at risk for microbial growth,” she says. If you’re going to go with a perishable lunch, it’s better to refrigerate it first. 

Quesadillas

My go-to lift lunch is the eggadilla. First, fry two eggs, making sure to break the yolks so they don’t run all over your gloves when it’s time to eat. Then sauté whatever veg you have on hand—onion, bell pepper, zucchini, etc. Finally, stack your eggadilla on a tortilla, with a layer of cheese on the bottom, your egg and veg in the middle, and another layer of cheese on top, and then add the second tortilla. Heat the whole thing in a large frying pan, or just microwave it. Cut it into quarters, and put it in a Ziploc bag, so you can throw in your pack or even a jacket pocket. It’s portable, squish-proof, delicious, and filling. —Luke Whelan, senior research editor

An excellent ski lunch consists of a few triangle-shaped sections of leftover, cold, homemade quesadilla—I use flour tortillas, sautéed mushrooms, chopped chicken breasts, Mexican-blend cheese, and canned green chile. It carries well, because it���s already flat. I also take along some good salsa in a small, leakproof container. —Alex Heard, editorial director

GRADE: B

“I love the addition of vegetables here,” says Gravani. “Along with that lean protein and carbs, it seems like a nice combination.” The quesadillas, above, have a similar protein-fat-carbs ratio to the breakfast burritos, making them a well-balanced choice for a midday ski meal. But they also lose points for the elevated potential to bring on a bout of foodborne illness.

Frito Pie

I always bring a thermos of good-quality chili, like Annie’s, and a bag of Fritos. When I’m feeling fancy, I’ll top the chili with shredded Tillamook white cheddar. Bonus: it’s gluten-free, which is a must when you have celiac like I do. —Aleta Burchyski, associate managing editor 

My boyfriend and I are known for only bringing Frito pies on backcountry and camping trips. It’s what we ate growing up at the Santa Fe ski area, and we’ve been continuing the tradition during the pandemic. We bring a bag of Fritos, a thermos of hot beef chili, and sometimes also a bag of shredded lettuce and cheese. It’s full of carbs, protein, and salt—what more could you ask for! We accompany the meal with a thermos of hot chocolate or tea. And as any ski day should have, a candy bar will always be on hand. —Petra Zeiler, art director

GRADE: B-

“I give them points for being able to navigate that meal and bring it heated,” says Gravani. And while the macronutrient balance is decent, this meal’s potential to cause tummy troubles warranted a grade reduction. The combo of fat, fiber, and spice can lead to an upset gut. “Especially with beans, it can cause GI distress for some people,” she says. Being at a high altitude doesn’t help the stomach situation either. Some people may have no issue with the magical fruits, and GI problems are very individual, but if you’re unsure about your reaction to beans, you may want to save yourself—and everyone in your group—the trouble. 

PB&J

I keep it simple with an almond butter and jam sandwich, usually on Trader Joe’s Super Grain and Seed bread. I pack on the almond butter, and go light on the jam so it doesn’t get all sticky, and put it in a small Ziploc bag. It’s great fuel, and I can cram it in a ski-jacket pocket and eat it on the lift. It doesn’t matter if it gets smashed. In fact, it tastes better smashed a bit, because the jam marinates the bread. I also always keep some peanut M&M’s or a Kind bar in my pocket for extra fuel when needed. —Mary Turner, deputy editor

PB&J all the way! This sandwich is a classic and might be the ultimate-adventure pocket snack; we even have articles to prove it. But I don’t make just any old PB&J—if it’s going in my pocket, it has to be a “dub” PB&J. Instead of loading up just one side of the sandwich with peanut butter, I prefer to coat each slice of bread with a thin layer of peanut butter, and then add the jelly in the middle. This is key for keeping your PB&J al dente all day, an improved sandwich structure for zero sogginess and better pocket durability for the inevitable yard sale. If you’re looking for something a little more gourmet, just add bacon. —Jackson Buscher, video producer

GRADE: A

It’s hard to beat the humble PB&J. Not only does it meet the right balance of nutrients that you need to keep skiing through the afternoon, but it’s also easy to digest and shelf-stable. Gravani herself likes to pack a PB&J when she hits the slopes. “Having a less heavy lunch, and being able to supplement with some snacks, sets you up to avoid that post-lunch slump,” she says. Chairlift grazing not only reserves more time for skiing but also can keep you energized throughout the day. 

Cold Pizza

During ski season, Friday nights at my house are usually pizza nights. Homemade pies loaded with cheese, veggies, and pepperoni are the ultimate comfort food and the best way to cap off a stressful workweek. The leftovers also make the best ski lunch imaginable. My boyfriend and I always make extra to bring to the mountain the next day. A few slices fit neatly into a Ziploc that lies flat in my jacket pocket, and they’re easy to eat one-handed (and glove-handed if it’s frigid and I’m really desperate). It feels more indulgent than the usual PB&J or energy bar but is still easy to snack on during lift rides without making a mess. Plus, cheese and bread are good endurance fuels, right? —Ariella Gintzler, associate editor

GRADE: B-

A cheesy slice contains more fat than would be ideal midway through a ski day, according to Gravani. That means you may feel sluggish after eating it, as fats tend to sit heavier in the stomach and digest slower than carbs and protein. 

Tortilla Wrap

With a kid at home, I’m all about efficiency on the slopes. My go-to lunch is a simple flour-tortilla wrap with peppered salami, cheddar cheese, avocado, and hot sauce. It’s easy and tidy to eat on the run, but the protein hit gives me sustained energy without bogging me down. —Will Taylor, gear director

GRADE: A-

“I do love that he chose a shelf-stable meat, and the rest of the components are really quality, too,” says Gravani. Salami is still a fatty meat, though, so swapping it out with a low-fat alternative like turkey would make this meal perfect and help avoid post-meal sluggishness.

Cheese and Crackers

Since I won’t be able to treat myself with chicken fingers and ranch dressing this year—the absolute best ski lunch, in my opinion—I’ll be packing my favorite backpacking meal: cheese and crackers. I prefer a solid hunk of cheddar cheese paired with Wasa Multi-Grain crispbread. And I’ll throw in a beef stick or jerky if I get really hungry. —Kelsey Lindsey, associate editor

GRADE: B+

“This one is lower protein and higher fat than is ideal,” says Gravani. Adding in a lean meat like turkey jerky to increase the protein would achieve a better nutrient balance.

via Outside Magazine: Nutrition

[newscheckz]

Anti-Inflammatory Recipes For Chronic Illness

New Post has been published on https://newscheckz.com/anti-inflammatory-recipes-for-chronic-illness/

Anti-Inflammatory Recipes For Chronic Illness

What does food have to do with chronic illness? A lot. Treat yourself and your gut to these delicious, anti-inflammatory dishes. Dinner is served!

Having a healthy gut can go a long way to feeling better and managing chronic health issues.

Chronic inflammation often goes hand-in-hand with chronic diseases, causing pain and a host of other symptoms throughout your body.

Appreciatively, we can support our body’s ability to feel better by fueling up with whole foods that are dense with nutrients that the body can use to reduce inflammation.

It’s important to note that each person with gut issues will have to determine which foods are triggers for their condition.

Keeping a food diary and then discussing it with a registered dietitian or GI specialist might be very helpful.

Other lifestyle interventions, such as stress management and adequate sleep, are also helpful.

Below charming recipes are anti-inflammatory and tasty, getting you one bite closer to a happy healthy gut and in good physical shape you.

Spaghetti mash with avocado basil dressing

Spaghetti squash is a hidden gem among squashes. You can make it as a side dish or into a main meal because of its similarity to spaghetti.

I love this recipe because it incorporates diverse nutrient profiles, and the bright sauce adds a burst of creaminess from the avocado.

Ingredients:

For the main dish:

1 spaghetti squash

1 lb. cooked chicken breast

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 bundle asparagus, steamed and chopped into 1-inch pieces

1 tsp. sea salt

1 tbsp. olive oil

For the sauce:

2 avocados

1/4 cup and 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 cup fresh basil leaves

3/4 tsp. sea salt

1 clove garlic

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (191°C).

Slice the spaghetti squash in half (I do it the long way, but both ways work), and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Place face down on a baking sheet.

Put into the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes or longer, until the skin is easily pierced and you can shred the insides.

While the spaghetti squash is cooking, steam and slice the asparagus, cut the chicken breast, and halve the grape tomatoes.

To make the sauce, add the avocado and 1/4 cup of olive oil into a food processor or blender. Blend, then add the basil leaves, sea salt, garlic, and more olive oil by the tablespoon as needed.

When the spaghetti squash is done, shred the insides and add to a large serving bowl. Add the ingredients you chopped, plus 1 tbsp. of olive oil and 1 tsp. sea salt and toss.

Drizzle over the sauce before enjoying.

Pan-seared lemon turmeric chicken salad

Turmeric is a spice that’s been used medicinally for years, especially in Ayurvedic medicine.

Curcumin is the substance in turmeric that provides a potent reduction in inflammation.

Adding turmeric to your food is a simple way to kick it up with an anti-inflammatory punch!

Pair it with lemon, another anti-inflammatory food that’s packed with vitamin C (crucial for the immune system) and helps with many digestive ailments.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

For the salad:

1 medium sweet potato

1 lb. chicken breast

1 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. turmeric

zest of 1 lemon, plus a drizzle of lemon juice

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 cup strawberries

6 cups fresh spinach

For the dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

juice of 1 lemon

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/8 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper

Directions:

Use an already roasted sweet potato, or roast one medium sweet potato at 350°F (177°C) for one hour, remove from the skin, and cut into rounds.

While the sweet potato is baking, set a large skillet on medium heat. Season the chicken on both sides with 1 tsp. sea salt, turmeric, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Once the skillet is hot, add 1 tbsp. olive oil and add the chicken to the pan.

Flip the chicken after about 10 minutes, then cook for another 10 minutes. When finished, slice into strips.

Slice the strawberries.

Add the spinach to a large salad bowl. Place the sweet potato, chicken, and strawberries on top.

Now mix the dressing. In a small bowl, add 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well and drizzle over the salad before serving.

Grilled chicken thighs with pineapple-mint salsa

There’s nothing better than the crispy skin off of chicken thighs. This recipe takes them to the next level with a dose of tangy pineapple-mint salsa.

Thighs are a relatively inexpensive cut of chicken, so this recipe is cost-effective too.

But the iconic ingredient here is the pineapple. It has an abundance of vitamin C, B vitamins, and minerals as well contains a special enzyme called bromelain, which helps support digestion.

Grass-fed beef and veggie burgers

Why grass-fed beef? Cows are ruminants and meant to eat mostly grasses. Yet, our modern agricultural system has turned to cheaper ways of feeding cows, like wheat, corn, soy, and by-products, which also make the cows get bigger faster.

When the cow eats foods it shouldn’t, it becomes unhealthy, just like us.

Properly fed cows equal healthy cows, and healthy cows equals healthy meat for us.

This colorful recipe beats a regular old burger because it’s also filled with veggies loaded with fiber and antioxidant power.

Broccoli cauliflower soup

This tastes like an indulgent cream-based soup, but instead uses dairy-free coconut milk.

The recipe fits the criteria for many healing diets like paleo and AIP (autoimmune protocol).

Broccoli and cauliflower are both part of the brassica family, a nutrient powerhouse.

Also called “cruciferous vegetables,” these goodies are especially high in carotenoids, which are the precursor to making vitamin A and are touted for their numerous health benefits.

Another star of this dish is bone broth. Bone broth is incredibly soothing to our gastrointestinal system.

It’s a dense source of amino acids, minerals, collagen, and other substances that help to repair the gut lining.

Try making it at home for the most cost-effective and delicious broth.

This soup gets gratuity sockets because it’s freezable, which is perfect for fatigue-filled days.

Crispy drumsticks with balsamic fig sauce

In most places, fresh figs are seasonal, so grab them while you can.

Figs are a source of potassium, among other minerals, and fiber, which supports regular digestion.

Also they are so tasty no matter how you choose to serve them: whether sliced up in salads or used in a heartier dish.

Basic broiled salmon

There are so many benefits to salmon but the most talked about is its high amounts of omega-3 fats.

Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory and that alone makes salmon a perfect food for those living with chronic illness.

This healthy source of protein is also rich in B vitamins and vitamin D.

Serve with your favorite sides, and don’t forget the lemon wedges!

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[paleorecipecookbook]

The Food Lover’s Guide to Paleo Snacks

When folks are first starting down the Paleo path, one of the top questions they have is, “Are there Paleo snacks? Can I have snacks on a Paleo diet?”

The short answer is, yes—snacks are allowed on a Paleo plan! This is a complete guide to all of your Paleo snack options, including homemade and store-bought.

Whether or not you should be snacking on your diet is up to you and your hunger levels. When people are transitioning to the Paleo diet, they may find themselves hungrier than usual, and some people just need to eat more regularly to maintain steady blood sugar and energy levels.

So if you find yourself getting hungry between meals, then by all means have yourself a Paleo snack! Having Paleo-friendly snacks on hand can help to sustain energy levels throughout the day. Our PaleoPlan meal plans include optional snacks that can help a lot of folks to more easily transition to the diet.

7 Tips for the Best Paleo Snacks

1. The need for eating snacks varies from person to person based on their activity level, metabolism speed, genetics, current health level, and more.

2. In general, just let your appetite guide you, but keep in mind that when you’re transitioning your diet, it’s not uncommon to find yourself hungrier than usual.

3. Be sure that you’re snacking for the right reasons (i.e. not because you’re bored, tired, emotional, or anything other than genuinely hungry).

4. Keep in mind that thirst is often disguised as hunger! Make sure you’re drinking enough water each day and not mistaking thirst for hunger.

5. If you find yourself snacking all day long, there may be an underlying issue that needs addressing.

6. Some folks need to eat more often than others to maintain steady blood sugar and energy levels. Growing children, athletes, people with impaired digestive function, fast metabolizers, pregnant women, folks healing from illness, and others may benefit from snacking between meals. These individuals may also need to eat more carbohydrates throughout the day, and include more carbohydrates in their diet overall.

7. If you’re trying to lose weight, opt for snacks that are lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and fats.

3 Rules of Thumb for Snacking on Paleo

When we’re used to eating pre-packaged snacks like granola bars, chips, and baked goods, it’s hard to imagine going without them. Since most pre-packaged foods are not an option when you’re eating Paleo, you’ll have to think ahead and plan your snacks in advance. Let’s start with some basic rules of thumb for snacking.

Macronutrients

When you’re stocking your fridge and pantry with Paleo snacks, be sure to include a variety of protein, fat, and complex carbohydrate options.

Choose proteins and fats over carbs. Proteins help to stabilize blood sugar, balance mood, and reduce sugar cravings. Healthy fats promote satiation so you don’t feel hungry as often.

Choose non-starchy vegetables over fruit and starchy veggies.

Small Snacks

Don’t over-consume carbs or calories in any one sitting. It’s way too easy to binge on fruit and starches, but the reality is that our bodies can only uptake so much glucose and calories at any one time. Excess food eaten that cannot be used by your body for immediate energy gets turned into fat tissue and food for pathogenic gut microbes.

Balance

Avoid snacking on carb-rich foods in isolation (i.e. don’t eat fruit or starchy foods alone). Eating carbohydrates without a protein or fat can trigger a blood sugar roller coaster. First the blood sugar spikes, then it falls, which can trigger hunger, fatigue, crankiness, and cravings. This cycle then causes a desire for more carbs.

Eating a protein and/or fat with your carbohydrates slows down the delivery of glucose to your bloodstream. Also, protein and fat do not spike blood sugar as quickly or as drastically as carbohydrates do. The blood sugar roller coaster can set you up for decreased insulin sensitivity and diabetes down the road.

Is Fruit Okay for a Paleo Snack?

Fruit is definitely Paleo, but be mindful that consuming too much fruit can interfere with weight loss and contribute to high blood glucose levels because fruit is sugar too! Try keeping your fruit intake to a couple pieces a day (or less) and eat it in the later part of the day to help control your blood sugar levels.

Rotate the types of fruit in your diet to ensure a variety of vitamins and minerals. In general, berries are best because of their nutrient and antioxidant content. I generally recommend that people steer clear of dried fruit, as it’s even more concentrated in sugar than fresh fruit. Mainly, you want to avoid getting stuck in a rut eating the same fruits over and over, like bananas and apples.

23 Best Homemade Paleo Snacks

Here are some delicious and easy Paleo snacks to take on the go, or to just nibble throughout the day. You can get even more snack recipes from our Paleo recipe gallery.

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

No-Bake Energy Bites with Golden Turmeric

Beef Jerky

Paleo Granola

Coconut Oil Fat Bombs

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Maple Bacon Wrapped Peaches

Crunchy Chicken Fingers

Cajun Oven-Baked Pickles

Endive Salmon Poppers

Berries + Coconut + Lime

Berries with Balsamic Vinegar and Almonds

Homemade Sour Strawberry Gummies

Ants On a Log

Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops

Guacamole Deviled Eggs

Creamy Eggplant Spinach Dip

Garden Fresh Zucchini Bread

Kale Chips

Paleo Hummus

Muffins and other Paleo baked goodies

Spiced Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Paleo trail mix

20 Quick Paleo Snack Ideas

When you’re hungry or busy and just need a quick on-the-go snack, any of these options will fill you up.

Dinner leftovers

Make extra dinner (or batch cook big portions of meals and snacks) so that you always have something on hand. Our meal plans help people save a lot of time and money by frequently using leftovers for snacks and meals the next day.

Leftover meats

Poultry legs, thighs and breasts, pork chops, burger, bacon, or any kind of leftover meats make a protein-rich snack that’s especially delicious with avocado or guacamole smeared on top.

Pre-cooked meat strips

I always have a rotating variety of marinated and cooked meat strips (beef, chicken, lamb, pork, etc.) in the fridge that I snack on when hunger calls.

Hard-boiled eggs

Easy to make and super portable, there are many variations when it comes to jazzing up boiled eggs! Try them with salt or spices sprinkled on top or topped with guacamole or salsa. You can make a quick egg salad by chopping up boiled eggs and mixing them with Paleo mayo and spices. I hard-boil a dozen eggs each week to have on hand for various uses.

Jerky

Homemade or store-bought, jerky is a great snack to eat on-the-go! Be careful though, because many jerkies out there are not Paleo. Read the labels to ensure they’re gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and fully Paleo friendly.

Olives

Not only are they delicious and totally Paleo, but olives are also a source of healthy fats including oleic acid and phytonutrients that act as antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Avocados

Avocados are delicious snacked right out of the shell with just a dash of salt and pepper, but there’s also a ton of ways to prepare avocados to keep things exciting. Try these 9 Ways to Stuff an Avocado for a quick and healthy snack!

All the Veggies

Try them chopped and blanched or raw, dipped in a delicious Paleo dip. Remember, stick to non-starchy veggies and pair them with a protein or fat to increase snacking satiation.

Paleo dips

Paleo dips are perfect for adding some extra energy to meats, veggies, or fruits, or you can even try making your own Paleo crackers.

Sea Snacks

Wild smoked salmon, canned sardines, sashimi, and other sea snacks are a great way to get enough anti-inflammatory omega-3 in your diet.

Salami

Sliced into rounds, this is a super-portable snack that’s also a great addition to your bento box. Just make sure you look for a nitrate-free version.

Paleo-friendly deli meats

A lot of deli meat out there is not ideal, due to the addition of nitrates and other preservatives and non-Paleo ingredients. Be sure to read ingredients, but Applegate, Simple Truth Organic, and Diestel Turkey are good brands of healthy deli meat to try. Deli meats are delicious when eaten alone or rolled around avocado slices or veggie strips. Turkey deli meat rolled up in a leaf of lettuce with onion and guacamole is one of my favorite snacks!

Sweet potatoes

Keep a few pre-baked sweet potatoes in your fridge, but be sure to add fat when you snack on them! Try them smashed up with coconut oil, cinnamon, and sea salt.

Fruit slices with nut butter

Apple or pear slices with portable nut butters and/or coconut butter are a great on-the-go snack. Bonus: kids love them, too!

Smoothies

Smoothies are a great snack, fast to prepare and easy to take on the go. Be sure to add a fat (like avocado or coconut milk) and/or protein (like protein powder or collagen) to lower the glycemic response. Focus on vegetables over fruit. Use the entire vegetable or fruit when possible, since the fiber slows down the delivery of sugar from the fruit juices.

Paleo muffins

Make a big batch of Paleo muffins or other Paleo baked goodies and keep them in your freezer. Then you can pull a few out for a snack when you need them and they’ll thaw in 10-20 minutes.

Paleo yogurt

Made from full-fat coconut milk, Paleo yogurt tastes just like your favorite dairy-based product and is delicious topped with Paleo granola/muesli.

Crepes

Have these Paleo crepes pre-made in your fridge and simply add some almond butter, coconut oil, or coconut manna to them for a quick snack.

Bone Broth

Sipping on a cup of bone broth is extremely nourishing and contains all sorts of gut-healing nutrients, healthy fats, and about six grams of protein per cup!

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are a wonderful and portable snack on the Paleo diet, just don’t overdo them. Nuts and seeds contain anti-nutrient chemicals like phytates which can trigger inflammation when eaten in excess.

Nuts and seeds are also a source of omega-6, an inflammatory fatty acid. For these reasons, it is best to keep your nut consumption to a small handful per day or less. Also, rotate the types of nuts and seeds that you’re eating in your diet, and don’t get stuck on one type.

Be careful when buying nuts because many brands have been roasted in non-Paleo oils like peanut, canola, safflower, sunflower, and other “vegetable” oils. Your best best is to get plain roasted nuts salted or unsalted with no oil or to buy raw nuts and soak them in water overnight before eating. Soaking or “sprouting” nuts and seeds helps to reduce their anti-nutrient content—just be sure to rinse them well after soaking and do not drink or use the soak water!

The Best Paleo Snack Resources

To find even more awesome Paleo snack ideas, check out these helpful resources.

PaleoPlan’s Snack Recipes

How to Pack a Paleo Lunch & Snacks To-Go

6 Paleo Snacks to Fight Cravings

Paleo Sweet & Savory Snacks – A Paleo Snack Guide

PaleoHacks Snack Recipes

Are Store-Bought Paleo Snacks Okay?

Thanks to the rise in Paleo popularity there are actually a lot of Paleo snacks and foods sold online and in health food stores. As you start exploring, you’ll see products like “Paleo cookies” and “Paleo crackers.”

While some Paleo purists like to argue that foods like cookies and crackers aren’t Paleo, I think there’s a time and a place. As a Paleo nutritionist who works with people every day struggling to change their diets, I assure you these foods can be really helpful for folks who might otherwise not be able to make Paleo a reality.

Having said that, some of these pre-purchased snacks are more Paleo than others, and you’ll have to read the ingredient labels to determine whether or not you should be eating it. If you don’t recognize or can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s probably not Paleo! You can always reference our Paleo Shopping Guide from your smartphone while you’re at the store to help figure out if it’s Paleo-friendly.

15 Best Store-Bought Paleo Snacks

1. PaleoLife Box

Paleo Life Box is a monthly box of Paleo snacks delivered to your door, with shipping available to the United States and Canada. I love the variety and tasting experience that I get in my box each month, and it’s a great bang for your buck too. Expect a mix of meat snacks, bars, cookies, veggie chips, granola, chocolate treats, seed and nut mixes, dried fruit, and more.

2. Bubba’s Fine Foods

Bubba’s carries grain- and preservative-free snacks and “un-granola.” Their Original Snack Mix tastes just like the Original Chex Mix!

3. Pili Nuts by Hunter Gatherer Foods

These wild sprouted pili nuts have the highest levels of magnesium and healthy fats and oils, as well as the lowest levels of carbs of any nut. Pili nuts are reminiscent of a macadamia nut, but less bitter and even better.

4. Grass-fed Collagen Bars by Primal Kitchen

These decadent and delicious bars contain more collagen than a cup of bone broth! Available in four flavors: Dark Chocolate Almond, Coconut Cashew, Chocolate Hazelnut, and Macadamia Sea Salt.

5. Bacon’s Heir Pork Clouds

Made from dried pork skins cooked in olive oil and lightly seasoned with herbs and spices to create a perfect crunch experience sans carbs! Available in four flavors: Malabar Black Pepper, Rosemary and Sea Salt, Habanero Pepper, and Cinnamon Ceylon.

6. Jilz Crackerz

These delicious crackers are made from nuts, seeds, and spices and are available in three flavors: Mediterranean, Tuscan flavor, and Cracked Pepper/Sea Salt.

7. Muffin Else

Want a Paleo muffin in two minutes? Just add water, microwave, and enjoy a single delicious Paleo muffin in a cup! Available in several flavors.

8. Vital Choice Wild Seafood

Smoked sockeye, king salmon candy, wild salmon jerky strips, and other wild seafood and meats are omega-3 rich snacks for the brain and body.

9. Simple Mills

Crackers, muffins, and other boxed baked Paleo goodies that are easy to make, and even easier to eat!

10. Siete Tortilla Chips and Tortillas

You won’t miss tortilla chips or tortillas on your Paleo diet ever again. In fact, these taste better than any grain-based tortillas you’ve ever eaten! They’re my favorite.

11. Epic Snack Strips

These meat strips are the perfect protein snack to take on the go. Made from quality wild meats and ingredients, they’re available in four flavors: Wagyu Beef Steak, Smoked Salmon Maple, Turkey Cranberry Sage, and Venison Sea Salt Pepper.

12. Paleo Mom’s AIP Protein Snack Box

This sampler snack box is filled with Paleo protein-rich snacks which are also AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) approved. The AIP On-The-Go Box is another great snack option for folks eating either Paleo or AIP.

13. Artisan Tropic Plantain Strips

Plantain chips are starchy, slightly sweet, and rich in fiber. These plantain chips are sturdy enough for dipping and crunchy enough to satisfy those cravings! Available in four flavors: Sea salt, Naturally sweet, Cinnamon, and Spicy cayenne.

14. One Stop Paleo Shop – Bar Box

There are seriously too many delicious Paleo bars available these days to not mix it up! This bar box sampler includes the “best of” Paleo bars, from sweet to savory. All are totally Paleo and free from preservatives and other junk.

15. Paleonola

This delicious Paleo granola is made from nuts, seeds, and other Paleo ingredients. Available in six flavors: Original, Chocolate Fix, Maple Pancake, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and Pina Colada.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there’s a ton of super healthy options when it comes to snacking on Paleo, from easy to complex, from homemade to store-bought. With so many options available, it’s easy to find healthy snacks that will help you stick to eating Paleo when hunger and cravings arise.

The main point to keep in mind is that preparation is key. Since you won’t be dining out of vending machines anymore, you’ll want to have your snacks planned out in advance.

The best news is that many favorite non-Paleo snacks can be recreated using Paleo-friendly ingredients and a little creativity.

Your turn: Leave a comment below and share what your favorite healthy snacks are. Got questions on how to hack your favorite snack to make it Paleo? Ask away!

The post The Food Lover’s Guide to Paleo Snacks appeared first on Paleo Plan.

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[avengerofyourheart]

For the Love of My Life- Pt 2 (End)

Characters: reader x Bucky?, reader x Steve?, reader x Tony(but not really),     Wanda, Natasha, Sam (mentioned)

Summary: Modern AU. Reader is a young actress in her first big role when a man from her past offers a chance to fix her biggest regrets.

Song Inspiration: Cleopatra by The Lumineers

Warnings: sex mentions, fluff, heartbreak?, bit of angst.

Word Count: 4.6k (yeah, the splitting this to make it shorter thing didn’t work out so well. :D )

A/N: This story gripped me tight and wouldn’t let go from the instant I thought of the opening scene. It took on a life of its own and I’m kinda in love with how it’s turned out? I really hope you like it. Apologies that it took longer to post this part! Work and illness made it really difficult, but here it is! Please let me know what you think!! :)

Tags are at the bottom

<<<Part One

__________________________________________________________

Previously:

Steve paused before speaking, unsure how to proceed. “Y/N…is there any way…could I see you again before I leave?” he blurted the last part before he lost his nerve.

You smiled, “I’d like that.”

He sighed in relief, “Okay. I’ll be in touch. Good night, Y/N.”

“Good night, Steve,” you echoed as he pulled you into a lingering hug. He smelled amazing, like Old spice aftershave with an undertone of fresh linen. He watched you climb the stairs and step inside before walking away, your heart rate beginning to slow at last.  

______________

You woke up the next morning alone, stretching spread-eagle across the full surface of the bed with a smile on your face. Last night was unexpected and while you still didn’t know what it all meant, you tried not to overthink things. Stepping out of the shower, you saw a few text notifications on your phone.

Bucky’s read:

Hey babe. Up for Ultimate Frisbee in the park and a few burgers?

then clicking over to Steve’s message:

Good morning, Y/N. Are you free this afternoon?

You typed out a reply to the blond.

Sure. Lunch? I know a great little cafe.

Sounds good, came the reply, so you sent him the address and set a time.

Next you replied to Bucky:

Can’t today. Grab a slice this evening?

You knew a conversation had to happen, so you confirmed plans with him for tonight and hoped you’d have more clarity by then.

Arriving at the cafe early a few hours later, you chose a table near the windows and sat down. Steve entered moments later, prompt as always. He pulled you into a hug and even pecked a kiss on your cheek before sitting. The server came to your table and you each ordered something light. The cafe was small, but specialized in fresh, local ingredients with artisan bread baked daily. It was one of your favorite spots.

You asked about the wedding this weekend and his plans for the rest of his trip. The both of you ate slowly, prolonging your time together. There was a lull in the conversation and the tone turned more serious as Steve shifted in his seat.

“Y/N…I feel I should ask…I wanted to last night, but didn’t want to seem presumptuous. Are you seeing anyone?” he inquired, leaning forward.

You considered the question a moment before replying. “I…have been. Nothing serious, but….I heard you were dating a girl in Boston.”

He sighed with a nod, “Sharon. That ended almost a year ago. Didn’t quite fit. Y/N….forgive me for being selfish, but I know if I don’t ask, I’ll kick myself for the rest of my life. Although, considering you broke it off last time, I might just be a masochist. Could we…is there any chance for us?”

You opened your mouth to speak, but Steve rushed forward.

“I know we’re in different places right now and it’s been so long, but I have to say, seeing you again…my feelings haven’t changed. I love you. And I would marry you in an instant.” Eyes wide at his admission, he stuttered on, “That’s not what I…I didn’t mean right now, but maybe..”

“Steve,” you cut him off, “I confess…seeing you again has stirred up feelings I wasn’t sure I still had for you. I thought they might just be buried under all the guilt from letting you go. You were so amazing to me and I…it just wasn’t the right time.”

“I never blamed you for feeling that way,” he replied, clasping your hand in his on the table before you. “And I never stopped loving you. As far as timing goes, I won’t push or ask for anything you’re not ready for, but…I’m open to a future together and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Hope and confusion swirled underneath the surface as you took in this information with surprise. Staring into his bright blue eyes, all those years full of love and joy, but also highs and lows, came flooding back. As a couple, you weren’t without your troubles, but he had steadied you when you found yourself teetering over the edge with your tendency for drama. It came with the territory of majoring in theater and spending time with people so similar to yourself. Steve had been your rock, bringing you back to earth when needed, and you were the one to pull him out of his shell when he was buried in medical texts and craved levity, although he’d never come out and say it. You balanced each other out well.

Could this happen? Was there a way?  Not to find your way back to then but to move forward, hand in hand, into an uncertain but possibly bright future?

He took your silence as a negative, withdrawing his hand from yours, “It’s too much, isn’t it? I did it again. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“No, no! It’s not that,” you assured him. “It’s a lot, yes, but…there are just things to consider. Could I maybe take some time? You have the wedding tomorrow and I need to get back to work then, but…I promise to be in touch either way.”

“Yes! Of course. I understand. Here,” he pulled out a pen and scrawled something on a napkin. “This is where I’m staying. I won’t have my phone with me often tomorrow, but you could leave a message with the front desk if you want. I’ll look forward to hearing from you. And break a leg tomorrow,” he grinned, capturing your hand once again and pressing his lips to your knuckles.

He dropped a few bills on the table and headed for the door, possibly thinking the sooner he left you in your thoughts the sooner he would have an answer. Steve spared another glance your way with a smile before he stepped outside and was swallowed by the crowd. _____________

That afternoon you wandered the park aimless, your mind filled with “maybe’s” and “what if’s”, knowing that in order to decide, you needed to lay all your cards on the table. There was a time when you might have drawn out this scenario and milked the idea of two possible suitors, but in the past few years you’d realized that life itself was messy and dramatic enough. There was no need to add fuel to the fire. Especially as an actress, being a part of so many fateful love stories and doomed marriages that at times you just wanted to scream at your character, “Why can’t you just calm down, listen, and say what you actually mean?!?”. Which is why in real life, you now believed in having the hard, honest conversations, painful as they might be.

By the time you headed to the West Village to meet Bucky, you weren’t much closer to finding an answer. You met him outside Joe’s Pizza not far from his apartment. Greenwich village was filled with artists, actors, and various eccentrics which is where Bucky found himself sharing an apartment with 4 other struggling artists. After grabbing a slice each, you wandered down the street and sat on a bench with the brunet settling beside you.

“You missed a good game today. You know the guy who plays Antony’s right hand man? Sam? He did a full-on face-first dive into a mud puddle but made the save,” he let out a loud guffaw. “It was amazing.”

You let out a pity laugh, folding your pizza in half before taking a bite and wiping your hand on a napkin.

Bucky noticed your distractedness. “What’s going on, Y/N? How’s that old friend of yours?” he asked, trying to remain nonchalant.

Setting down your paper plate with the half-eaten slice on the bench, you turned his way, “Bucky…I know we keep things casual and I’m okay with that, but something’s come up and I feel like you should know.”

“Okay?”

Taking in a deep breath, you told Bucky an abridged version of your past relationship with Steve and how you broke it off before moving to the city. You shared how long it had been since you’d seen him and how out-of-the-blue it was for him to come to the show. You even mentioned dinner last night, but not quite the lunch today. Pausing, you picked up your now-cold pizza and considered whether it was still worth eating.

“So,” Bucky began, “This guy just shows up out of nowhere after 3 years? What, to win you back or something?” He let out a laugh, but then saw your expression. “Wait, you’re serious?”

“I saw him again today. And yes, he wants to possibly be together.” You met those grey eyes, seeing the storm begin to rise behind them.

“And what do you want, huh? What about us?” he demanded, more volume in his voice.

“Is there an ‘us’? I mean, really?”

“I though so. I’m not seeing anyone else, are you?”

“No…but that doesn’t mean we’re a couple. There’s more to it than sleeping together and hanging out when it’s convenient,” you protested.

“What, brunch on Sundays? Matching jogging suits? Shared bank accounts? I care about you, Y/N. Is that not enough?” he pleaded.

“What are my parents’ names, Bucky?”

Shock registered, “What?”

“Do I have any siblings? Am I a cat or a dog person? Am I allergic to anything? What’s my favorite color?” Bucky remained silent, knowing full-well he couldn’t answer. “Look, I’m not accusing you. I don’t know any of those things about you either. That’s because it’s easier. We’ve been seeing each other almost 2 months and I still don’t know where your hometown is. We’ve never had the deep conversations. We keep things light and that’s fine, but having a real relationship requires effort.”

Bucky huffed out a sigh, elbows resting on his knees as his head hung low. “I….I could do that. I could be that person for you, Y/N. I like what we have now but we can be more.” He leaned forward, grasping your hands in his. “I can be that guy, if you wanted me to.”

You shrugged, “Maybe we could be. I’m sure you can be that guy, but do you truly want that? This is not just about what I want, what do you want, Bucky? What we have works because it’s convenient. We…we work together, we have the same schedule and same days off. We see each other almost every day but don’t necessarily spend time together so there’s space. But what about later on? What about when the play ends and we end up doing different projects with different schedules? I’ve tried dating other actors before, it’s like a long distance relationship but in the same city. Nearly impossible, but if it’s really what you want, I’d consider it.”

Bucky pulled away to run both hands through his hair, seeing the truth in your words but head shaking in disbelief. “So what, I have to commit or we’re done? Is that what you’re saying? I have to prove I can compare to this Steve guy?”

“No,” you gently protested, resting a hand on his thigh. “There’s no ultimatum. No comparison. This isn’t about him. Sure, his showing up threw a wrench into things but I think this decision would have come sooner or later. The play would end, we would maybe try to stay together or things would fizzle out. It happens. Honestly, if Steve hadn’t shown up, would you even be thinking about commitment right now?”

You had hit another nerve, seeing Bucky’s jaw clench. “Would you? What do you want, Y/N? Is he what you want?”

Tucking both hands in your jacket pockets, you paused, “I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m ready or if it could ever work out with him. And you’re right, I probably would have kept things the same between you and I without a thought. But this is where we are. And I know if I’m even going to consider making a change, I need to be honest with you.”

Bucky stood then, crumpling the trash in his hands before tossing it in a nearby can. He turned toward you, though his gaze was off in the distance. “So what now?”

“Now,” you got to your feet, closing the distance between you, “we go back to work tomorrow and see how we feel. I care for you too, Bucky. Please know that.”

“I know,” he whispered, almost a look of surrender in his eyes as they met yours. Pressing a short kiss to your lips, he brushed a thumb across your cheekbone before pulling you in for hug, your head resting against his warm chest.

You two stayed that way for a few minutes before he broke away.

“I need to think about all this. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he spoke, shoulders hunching.

“Okay. See you tomorrow,” you replied, watching him walk down the street before you headed for the Subway, your mind still a tempest of thoughts.

_______________

The next morning, you woke to your alarm and attempted to resume the routine you’d neglected the past few days. Lacing up your sneakers, you went on a 3 mile jog through the neighborhood and into the park before looping back around. Once home, you did some yoga stretches to help your flexibility and prevent injuries during your more physical scenes. You hopped in the shower and got ready for the day just in time to catch the train.

Today’s rehearsal would involve a full run-through and lighting reset of certain scenes. Part of why you’d had the past 2 days off was to repair sets and broken lights that had been problematic for weeks. Not to mention that glitchy trap door that Tony hated with a fiery passion. You were one of the first to arrive and went through your vocal exercises in your dressing room. Although this play wasn’t a musical, maintaining your voice projection and breathing took work.

The director called everyone together then and went through the plan for today. Nick was the most unique out of all the directors you’d worked with. He was a no-nonsense man who wouldn’t give a second thought to replace an actor who was giving him trouble. He loved the theater, but he demanded a house of order. He was known in theater circles as “Nick Fury” but everyone was too intimidated to ask whether that was a stage name or not.

As the cast dispersed to their necessary places, you searched until your eyes met Bucky’s. He spotted you as well and offered a small smile and you responded with one of your own. Bucky exited the stage along with most of cast while you remained and waited for your co-star to appear. Tony sauntered up to you with Starbucks in hand, having clearly missed the entire meeting. Typical.

“Good morning, Cle…I mean, Y/N,” he smirked.

You shook your head with a smile. Well he kind of tried. “Morning, Tony. Have a good few days off? How’s Pepper?”

“She’s…good. Probably,” he shrugged, avoiding your gaze as he took a sip of his coffee.

You just rolled your eyes. Of course he wouldn’t actually take your advice, but you let the subject drop. Too much on your plate as it was to concern yourself with his needless drama. As long as he didn’t drop to one knee again, you two would be just fine.

The run-through went fairly smoothly as you did your best to commit any changes to memory. Tony was being Tony, needing to be reminded of a few changes once or twice before the scene flowed. By late afternoon, the cast was released for a dinner break before reconvening for the show tonight.

You went out to eat with Wanda and Natasha, two of your ladies in waiting in your Cleopatra scenes. While you three ate, you considered asking their advice about your current situation, but then decided against it. They were sweet girls, but they were the type that would claim they were “jealous” that you had two possible men in your life and would tell you to consider yourself “lucky”. They reveled in the drama, basically. Instead, you made occasional comments about their own love lives and spent most of the time trying not to drive yourself crazy with thinking.

After dinner, you returned to the theater and slipped into your dressing room only to find Bucky sitting on the couch. He stood upon your arrival and took a few steps forward.

“Hi,” you spoke, setting down your bags on the floor.

“Hey,” he responded, running a hand through his thick, brown locks. “So, I’ve been thinking…”

He paused for moment, so you urged him on gently, “And?”

Bucky held your gaze before he closed the distance between you in a flash, capturing your lips in his for a passionate kiss. Large hands pressed against your back, melding your body with his as your fingers grasped the front of his shirt. His tongue slipped past your willing lips and suddenly the kiss was hungry and desperate, needing more and more of each other until you broke apart with chests heaving.

Brain nearly oxygen deprived and thoughts swirling, you began, “Bucky, what…”

He stopped you with a blurt of words, still breathing heavily, “My name is James Buchanan Barnes, Bucky for short, born and raised in Brooklyn. My favorite color’s blue. I have 3 younger siblings who still live there with mom, her name is Winifred, and I visit every chance I get. I’m a dog person, but I don’t mind cats. I’m not allergic to anything I don’t think, but I hate mushrooms with a passion and I think I might be in love with you.” Finished speaking, he finally took a deep breath.  

“Wow,” you uttered, trying to process this new information about the man before you as well as his confession.

He gathered your hands in his. “Y/N, I don’t…I don’t know what will happen in the future and I can’t say that I would have thought about any of this a few days ago, but you’re right. This is where we are and I’m not ready to let go without a fight. I want to learn those same things about you, too. But I guess it’s up to you.”

Releasing you, he headed for the door while you stood frozen in thought.

“I won’t blame you, though,” he said quietly, hand on the knob. “I just want you to be happy,” Bucky looked back to meet your eyes with a half smile before closing the door behind him and you were alone.

Dropping your head in your hands, you let out a low groan at your current predicament. You were still perplexed at how you had gained the interest of two incredible guys who you cared for deeply. The fact that it had come down to your choice was just cruel. Part of you thought that your talk with Bucky last night had clarified that fact that he didn’t want a relationship, but obviously that was not the case.

Feeling yourself crumble under the weight of this decision, you sat down at your vanity and flicked on the lights surrounding the mirror. Your reflection showed your lack of sleep last night and the weariness in your expression. Attempting to focus on the upcoming show, you squared your shoulders and pulled out your makeup bag. While applying your eyeshadow, attaching false eyelashes, and adding a touch of rouge to your cheeks, your mind still wandered.

Your attraction to and connection with these two men was startlingly different. Steve knew you so well and had seen you at your worst and still wanted a future together. He balanced you out, yin and yang, and there was no doubt that you still loved him, or at least the Steve you knew 3 years ago. But was it enough? How much love is enough love to take the leap?

Bucky, on the other hand, he understood you as an artist and an actor. He knew what it was like to fully immerse yourself in a role and emerge changed, and yet the same. He got how crazy your schedule could be and that emotions spilled over into real life on occasion. It hadn’t happened recently for you, but certainly in the past when you were single. Would Steve question that side of you? He saw it somewhat in college but not as a professional.

Also, Steve’s life was in Boston. He was busy with his residency and while a 4 1/2 hour commute wasn’t the end of the world, it was an obstacle. But there was a chance he could find himself working at a hospital in New York in the future, from what you understood. Bucky was here in the city and he said he could be in love with you, but did you feel the same? You cared for him, but was it enough to stake your future on?

After 30 minutes of applying your makeup, a single tear of frustration and pain that you were going to hurt either of them snaked down your cheek. Determined not to ruin a half hour of work, you sniffled and shook off the onslaught of thoughts. Now was the time to clear your mind and get into character. It was time to get to back work.

The first act went smoothly with only one small wardrobe hitch on your side, resulting in you wearing the wrong shoes in Egypt, but otherwise all was well. During intermission, you isolated yourself and focused on eating a snack, hydrating, and remaining in character. The second half began and you could feel Cleo filling you completely, your lines and mannerisms portrayed without a second thought. It wasn’t often that Y/N completely disappeared for a time and you became Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, so effortlessly.

As you entered the last scene, you returned to Ancient Egypt as the regal Cleopatra with raven hair and the fiercest winged eyeliner the world has ever seen. In this modern take on their story, Antony and Cleopatra declare their difference of opinion about love in this last scene as opposed to the first as written by Shakespeare. This was meant as a look back at where they started and and how their love may have conquered all were they not so stubborn to admit it.

“If it be love, indeed, tell me how much,” you demanded, coyly baiting your Antony.

Tony responded, “There’s beggary in the love that can be reckon’d.” Meaning, that if his love could be measured, it would not be true love at all.

Your Cleopatra replied, “I’ll set a bourn how far to be beloved.” She wanted to see how far he would go, how much he would give to love her.

“Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth, “ was his response, saying that Cleopatra would have to go beyond the earth and heavens to find a space not touched by his love.

As you passionately embraced your Antony and pressed a kiss to his lips, you could feel the tears stream down your face. The curtain fell and you quickly pulled away.

“Wow, Y/N, I think that was our best show ye….why are you crying? Are those real?” Tony leaned forward, closely inspecting your face. “Was I really that good?”

You laughed, giving his shoulder a shove, “Despite your own belief, not everything is about you, Tony. I was…caught up in the moment.”

Carefully brushing away the tears, you were thankful for waterproof mascara and eyeliner with no black smudges visible on your fingers. After the first curtain call and then the second, you reveled in a show well done and the sudden realization that you knew who you had wanted all along. Your heart had already decided while your brain made everything much too complicated. There was no such thing as a measured amount of love and thanks to Antony and Cleopatra, you knew it for yourself.

Rushing off stage, you passed Wanda and Natasha, hearing their congratulations on your performance, “Thank you both so much. Have you seen Bucky?”

They both seemed perplexed by the question, having no context. Natasha answered, “The hot foot soldier who looks better in a skirt than either of us? Um…I think I saw him leave out the side door after the first curtain call. Why?”

“Nothing, I just…I need to talk to him. Could you two help me get out of costume?”

They both nodded, following to your dressing room. Now that you had your answer, you needed to do something about it. Within 15 minutes, you were outside hailing a cab. You felt a little bad dodging fans tonight, but in the words of Harry from one of your favorite movies, “When Harry Met Sally…”, ‘when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’ You just hoped you weren’t too late.

Fidgeting nervously in the back of the speeding cab, you knew what you had to do. Pulling out your phone you sent out a short text that still said so much.

I’m sorry.

Arriving at the address you had given the cabbie, you climbed out and rushed through the doors, punching the up button for the elevator forcefully. With the sound of a ding, you rushed inside and selected the correct floor. Exiting and finding the correct door number, you felt a buzz in your pocket, then fishing out your phone and reading the words on display.

I understand. Wishing you all the best.

Feeling certain about your choice and relieved that no one was truly hurt in the process, you confidently knocked on the door and within seconds it swung open.

“Y/N?”

You smiled at his disheveled appearance: white dress shirt untucked and only buttoned halfway, black tie loose around his neck and slightly wrinkled slacks upon his long legs with bare feet. His blond hair stuck up in 10 directions and bleary eyes gave you the impression he had fallen asleep that way after the wedding.

“Steve. Hi,” you greeted. “I know it’s late. I wasn’t even sure you’d be here but I thought I’d take the chance.”

“Um…come in,” he stepped aside to let you enter.

You surveyed the mildly unkempt state of the room before turning around to face him.

Taking a deep breath, you blurted all you’ve wanted to say since the theater. “I’ve spent the past 48 hours trying to figure out how to make everyone happy and what I want and what the future looks like for me, even with the uncertainty of my job and your career path and Bucky’s sudden desire for commitment and…”

“Bucky?”

“Sorry, that’s the guy I was kind of seeing, but anyway….it all came down to this. I left my heart with you when I left for New York. I never really got close to anyone or let myself consider a future with someone else because what I want hasn’t changed. I love you, Steve. I want…you. Even with the possible obstacles and questions up in the air, I …”

Steve couldn’t let you finish because as he heard the words he needed, he closed the few feet between you to capture you in a kiss that felt so amazing, so familiar and just so…right. Being in Steve’s arms felt like coming home. With one arm around your waist and the other hand cradling your head gently, you melted into his touch. This was the heaven and beyond where you knew your love together could never be measured.

Pulling away with your foreheads touching, the widest smile was upon his handsome face. “I love you, Y/N. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“I love you, too, Steve. I’m ready to begin forever with you, right now,” you grinned, finding his smiling lips once again as the missing pieces of your heart found their rightful place.

____________________________________________________

Oh, boy. That was a monster to write!! I truly hope you liked this and please let me know your thoughts!! I have another fic based on a different Lumineers song in the works but it might be a little while before it’s out. I’ve got a lot going on but I’m writing and posting as often as I can! I love you guys!! Thank you for your support and patience!! 

Aaaaand I’m still working on the tagging situation, I swear. Soon!!

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[dailyhealthynews]

Mum loses 12 stone eating ‘fakeaways’ after spending £400 a month on pizza and KFC

A single mother of three who used to spend £ 400 a month on takeaways has now lost 12 stones.

Donna Griffith’s weight reached 22nd place, and that’s when she knew she had to do something – but even she was shocked at how much weight she’d lost creating her own take-away favorites at home.

Donna’s weight skyrocketed as she started eating snacks on a regular basis – but instead of giving up her favorite foods to lose weight, she decided to create her own range of healthy “fakeaway” meals instead.

Donna lost a staggering 12th place in just six months, taking her from a size 26 to a slim size 8.

Donna Griffiths, 37, who lost over 10 stones by trading takeaways for fakeaways and taking up hoola hooping. The mother of three from Cardigan, West Wales now has a successful Instagram account where she posts about her diet and exercise. Image: Rowan Griffiths

The 37-year-old told MirrorOnline, “I’ve tried countless diets that made me feel at a disadvantage, so I decided to accept my love for takeaway rather than reject it.”

Donna, who was spending around £ 400 a month on takeaways, decided it was high time to swap her regular KFC, kebabs, and burgers for tasty homemade versions.

So the single mom started researching healthy eating tips and combining them with elements of various diets and weight loss plans that she had tried previously.

Before long, Donna – who also started hula hooping an hour a day – had her first delicious low-fat recipe.

She decided to document her weight loss journey on Instagram, where her simple dishes – made with leaner staples like Weight Watchers Wraps and Frylight Cooking Oil Spray – soon earned her an army of fans.

And after receiving countless messages of support from people all over the world, Donna believes she has finally found her “calling”.

“I’ve always loved food to the point of obsession,” she said.

“I just loved all the foods we all know we shouldn’t eat, and I didn’t have an off switch.

“I had a huge fried breakfast, five sugars in my coffee, endless bars of chocolate… but my real Achilles heel was greasy takeaways.

“Instead of fighting it, I figured that if I’m smart, I don’t have to feel like a martyr.”

Caption: Slimmer loses 12th place in weight loss and still enjoys takeaway credit: Spicentice

Donna said she often ordered a large doner kebab and family-size pizza just for her or a Chinese takeout meal with a large serving of fries on top.

It was not uncommon for her to go to bed physically ill from eating so much. But it wasn’t until after the birth of her third child two years ago that she knew there was something to be given.

“I saw myself in the mirror and just hated what I had become,” she said.

“I knew I was on the quickest path to orphaning my children and I was broke.”

Inspired by her mother Sharon, who recently lost 3rd place, Donna signed up for weekly classes.

But she said, “I realized that I had been on so many diets that I could take the best of them all and make a diet that worked for me.

“Creating my fakeaways has become my absolute obsession, along with my rapidly shrinking body as evidence of what they can accomplish.

“I couldn’t afford a gym or spend too much time without my kids, so I bought a £ 10 hula hoop on eBay.

“Basically, I wanted to show that losing weight can be cheap and easy. Soon I weighed less than when I was 10 – and it was a lot of fun. “

Donna, the mother of Jayden, nine, Jessie, seven, and two-year-old Jack, said the physical and mental toll of being pregnant and then raising their children alone fueled her junk food addiction.

“I was a little chubby as a teenager,” she says. “But the moment I left home and started ‘eating for two,’ along with the often overwhelming boredom of breastfeeding and caring for toddlers, I began to self-destruct.”

Donna remembered a midwife warning her that her weight would endanger the health of her unborn child.

She was advised to eat strawberries instead of her usual family-sized Galaxy chocolate, but Donna admits that she replied, “Only when I can have them in a bowl of sugar!”

The mother visited the hospital regularly during her pregnancies because of concerns about her high blood pressure – but Donna admits she “dodged a bullet” when all three of her children were born healthy.

The freshly slim mom, who also maintains the weight through regular long walks near her house in Cardigan, Ceredigion, has no regrets that she decided to lose weight.

She said, “Every single aspect of my life has changed in the past two years. I am the mother my children deserve and the woman I should always have been. “

Continue reading

On the subject of matching items

Continue reading

On the subject of matching items

Donna’s fakeaway meals: Nacho Mountain

A mom of three who spent £ 400 a month on takeaways dropped a staggering 12 stones in six months after swapping her eating habits for low-calorie fakeaways. Single mom Donna Griffiths knew things had to change when her weight finally hit 22 stones if she was to be fit enough to run around with her kids.

ingredients

WeightWatchers cases

Fry light edible oils pray 2tsp onion granules

2 teaspoons of paprika

salt and pepper

For the salsa:

4 tomatoes peeled and chopped

Half a finely diced red onion

1 grated clove of garlic

Small bunch of chopped coriander

Splash of white wine vinegar

Squeeze out the lime juice

50g low-fat cheddar cheese, grated

Jalapeño peppers

Old El Paso guacamole

Extra light cheese triangle

Chili powder

● Cut the wraps into eight pieces, sprinkle with Fry light, sprinkle with onion granules and paprika and cook in the oven for a few minutes until crispy.

● To make the homemade salsa, whisk together tomatoes, onions, garlic, coriander, white wine vinegar and lime juice in a blender, then add low-fat cheddar cheese, jalapenos and 1 tablespoon of Old El Paso guacamole.

● Finally, make your chilli cheese sauce by melting the cheese triangle in the microwave with a dash of water for 30 seconds and adding chilli powder to taste.

Donna’s kebab night

A mom of three who spent £ 400 a month on takeaways dropped a staggering 12 stones in six months after swapping her eating habits for low-calorie fakeaways. Single mom Donna Griffiths knew things had to change when her weight finally hit 22 stones if she was to be fit enough to run around with her kids.

5 chicken legs cut in half

1 teaspoon each of paprika

Onion and garlic granules

Oregano, chili powder and cumin

Splash of lemon juice

Half a red cabbage, thinly sliced

A small red onion, thinly sliced

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

salt and pepper

1 onion, peeled and cut off at the bottom

Pepper, chopped into 3 pieces

Whole grain pitta bread

● Marinate the chicken in the spices, lemon juice, and salt and pepper for 30 minutes.

● Prepare sauerkraut by mixing it with the sliced ​​onion, white wine vinegar, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

● Next, stick three skewers in an onion and thread the marinated chicken legs onto the skewers, then top with the peppers. Wrap foil around to keep the juices in. Bake in the oven at 220 ° C for 30 minutes

● After the oven, cut the chicken into slices, slice the onion and paprika and serve in a wholemeal pitta with pickled red cabbage.

Spicy burger

A mom of three who spent £ 400 a month on takeaways dropped a staggering 12 stones in six months after swapping her eating habits for low-calorie fakeaways. Single mom Donna Griffiths knew things had to change when her weight finally hit 22 stones if she was to be fit enough to run around with her kids.

1 large chicken breast

1 egg

30g Doritos Heatwave Chips

A potato, grated

1 teaspoon onion granules

Frying oil

Corn on the cob

whole-grain bread rolls

Iceberg lettuce

Light mayo

Cheese slice

● Cut the chicken breast in half to form two roughly round pieces. Tender with a rolling pin.

● Dip in egg, then in the minced Doritos, then bake in the oven at 200 ° C for 25 minutes.

● For the rösti, pre-cook the grated potato, add 1 teaspoon onion granulate to the rest of the egg.

Spray on a squirt of Frylight, shape into a patty, and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

● Boil your corn on the cob for 10 minutes.

● Pop your burger in a whole wheat bun, add lettuce and 1 tablespoon mayonnaise. Add a slice of cheese and Mayflower Southern Style sauce.

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/mum-loses-12-stone-eating-fakeaways-after-spending-400-a-month-on-pizza-and-kfc/

[lugoisnumerouno]

REVIEWING: The Habit

IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE HABIT OR BURGERS OR FOOD OPINIONS SKIP THIS B/C ITS HELLAAAA LONG ILL SEE YOU AT THE NEXT TIME OK BYE ~ Okay so this review of the Habit was inspired solely because I found out that if you sign up for the Habits email rewards service that you get a free char burger scan code in your inbox. So thus, with that information, this review was born. I have been registering all of my email accounts under different names and I’ve been going to different Habits every single time throughout Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley. I am determined to try every single char burger on the menu, which shouldn’t be too hard since they have only 4 different types of char burgers on the menu. There is the teriyaki burger, the grilled onion portabella burger, the Santa Barbara burger and the BBQ bacon burger. So without further ado here is my review of each burger, that was brought to you by my finessing abilities. March 19th 2018 The Teriyaki burger. It is only JUSTICE! to review this burger first. I love the concept of having grilled pineapple on my burger. It makes it sweet, tangy, citrusy and it adds a delicious scent to it. A lot of the times when you go buy tacos al pastor you can see that they cook the meat with grilled pineapple. This gives the meat a juicy sweet flavor that is unmatched. It is different than orange infused meats or lemon infused meats. Pineapples are a happy medium that give meat a tangy, sweet flavor. It was after calc that I decided to get this burger. I saw on Facebook that The Habit was giving away free burgers to people who signed up to their char burger email list. I pounced. If it’s free it’s for me, and I would love to try all of their burgers on their dime. So when I went to the Habit near my house I was surprised that I had to pay 33 cents because I thought I got a free burger. No honey, I got a free char burger with cheese, the basic normal one, if you want an upgrade you have to pay the difference. But that’s okay, I went to my car and grabbed 33 cents from my change compartment and ran back to get my teriyaki burger. Let me tell you it is delicious, you can’t go wrong with pineapple meats. They give you a whole circle wedge of grilled pineapple which by the way is the best and the meat is so juicy and moist. It was fully cooked and it had caramelized onions which are the WAY TO GO! Caramelized onions that are grilled to perfection soak up the juices/fat of the meat and deliver you flavor. The pickles are good but In-N-Out’s pickles are better. The mayo is a must on sandwiches and I am glad to see that it is on the teriyaki burger. Side note: vegan mayo is just as good and is tbh much healthier and is a great substitute if you want to cut out an egg product in your life. The buns on this burger were good and fresh. It was a good burger. But that teriyaki sauce was atrocious, I tried to ignore it but it was bothering me too much which is weird because the first and second time I ordered a teriyaki burger I loved the sauce. This time it felt fake and too sweet, it was too much with the pineapple, maybe if they cut the sweetness of the sauce it would be better. But as for now, the teriyaki burger from the Habit is my go to whenever I visit that joint and until next time peace out mis amigos :)   March 21st 2018 The Grilled Onion Portabella Char Burger. I went to the Habit near my school and I ordered a portabella char burger. I was thinking about getting the bacon one but I felt like the portabella was a healthier option and I wanted to try their aioli sauce. The burger was just a burger. The meat though was fantastic, it was warm and juicy. It was thick. And the mushrooms were just mushrooms. I used to be obsessed and in love with grilled mushrooms and I would want them on my steak, on my burgers, in my tacos. I wanted them everywhere but now as an adult I’m not really into them. I don’t think they are disgusting but I don’t savor them as much as I used to. They are kinda bland and they only taste bomb when they are grilled or hidden in soup. But even on this grilled burger, these mushrooms were just mushrooms. Nothing special. The burger had a delicious bun that is characteristic of the Habit and their tomatoes were fresh and I like the way they cut their lettuce. Very different from In-N-Out which gives you giant wedge slices of lettuce so much so that sometimes you have to eat a part of the lettuce first before you take a bite into your burger or else your first bite is going to be 20% burger and 80% iceberg lettuce. The Habit chops up their lettuce, making it easier to eat and more organized and more appealing. I like the lettuce chopped up like that thank you very much. Now for the best part of the portobello burger: the AIOLI SAUCE. DELICIOUS AF. The only reason I would order this burger ever again would be to taste that delicious sauce. It was white with things inside of it, tbh I couldn’t get a good look at it I was too busy chomping down on my burger. I loved the sauce so much that I licked it up off the wrapper with my finger. I loved this sauce. My go to Habit burger is the Teriyaki burger and if I had to choose one burger out of the ones that I have tried so far: The Teriyaki burger or the Portobello burger, I would still choose the Teriyaki burger but hands down the Portobello has the better sauce of the two. I would order the Teriyaki and get the aioli sauce on the side. Also the very nice cashier was such a sweetheart to me, I wanted to be her friend. She let me have a free drink :) (I filled it up with half Sprite half water). So to wrap up today's trip to the Habit, the Portobello burger is Veronica approved because of the sauce. If you are indifferent about mushrooms and don’t care for aioli sauce then skip this burger but if you are curious then try this. The mushrooms were just mushrooms, they could have done them better. Maybe if they cooked the mushrooms WITH the hamburger meat and let it soak up the juices and let it become charred with the burger and maybe added something spicy it would be bomb. BOMB. run me my check @theHabit, I just gave y’all a winning idea. (Also: when I was eating my burger I ordered it “for here” and I was eating my burger and reading up on the ingredients on the Habits website and one of the employees got really close to me and I instantly shifted my phone away from them because I felt embarrassed and didn’t want the employee to see that I was checking up on them on their website….OOPS ) Btw the difference I paid was 94 cents. March 23rd 2018 The Santa Barbara Char Burger. There was a lot of anticipation and hype behind this burger. I searched up photos of this delicious looking snack online and it looked massive. The burger itself looked like a whole meal, there seemed to be a substantial amount of guac and the sourdough bread looked fresh and toasted at the same time. I took my brother out to get a burger as well, he got the regular ol’ char burger with cheese and his complaint was that there was not enough mayo and that the burger tasted better without the pickles. My sister didn’t get anything and just napped when we were there. The Santa Barbara Char burger was everything that I expected. The guac was amazing, it had chunks of avocado which I loved and it was a hefty amount of guac that was spread out evenly which I appreciated. There's nothing more annoying than pay extra for guac and getting a tiny little spoonful, this was the opposite, the Habit was generous with its guac. (Actually I’m not sure if you could call this a guac, it was just mashed up avocado chunks, it’s not the guac you would imagine with chopped tomatoes and onions etc.) The tomatoes were delicious and sweet and the lettuce was shredded and the burger came with two hamburger patties and two slices of cheese. The patties were thick and juicy, they retained their moisture and were grilled. The burger also had grilled onions, which could have been better. I feel like the Habit serves you grilled onions that they have pre grilled, so when you eat your burger your grilled onions are disappointingly cold. Anyways the SB burger comes with 2 slices of cheese and 2 patties, a good amount of avocado, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and grilled onions all on toasted sourdough bread. The sourdough bread makes this burger unique. It gave it a lighter taste to the burger and it was delicious, it was perfect. The sourdough bread is what makes this special, it also looks more like a sandwich than an actual burger. The sourdough bread is perfect on this. This was a messy burger and it was a lot so it will definitely fill you up. I had to take half of it to-go. You can add jalapeños from the bar to this and ask for the aioli sauce (on the side if you haven’t tried it before) if you want to be extra. It's a good, fulfilling burger that was definitely worth it and I would get it again. However, can it be better? Yes, yes it can be. Now is it better than the teriyaki burger? Maybe, it's definitely in that realm bc I’m in love with grilled pineapple but I love the complexity of this burger and plus its a lot more burger. However that being said I might have just found my new go to Habit char burger. :) - NONE OTHER THAN, YOU MAJESTY, VERONICA