#lets enjoy the local food and culture as much as we can

[c28hunter]

Enjoying my not-controlled-by-ed-girl summer is not so easy when your friend keeps making comments about how unhealthy, greasy, not-fit local food is

[shitsndgiggs]

hey can you make a story about Arda güler x danish girl.

where the danish girl goes to Turkey and meets Arda, where they spend a lot of time together and fall in love with each other

i love you story's

LOVE IN ISTANBUL - ARDA GÜLER

When you meet a guy on your vacation to Turkey, things turn for the better

Arda Güler x danish! reader

︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿

The sun was shining brightly as I stepped off the plane in Istanbul, the city where East meets West.

This was my first vacation in Turkey, and I was excited to immerse myself in its rich culture and history.

My plan was to start with a visit to the Basilica Cistern, before heading to the famous Hagia Sophia.

After checking into my hotel, I made my way to the Basilica Cistern. The cool, dimly lit underground space was a stark contrast to the bustling city above.

I wandered through the columns, admiring the reflections in the shallow water. As I was taking pictures, I heard a voice behind me.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I turned around to see a tall, handsome man with a warm smile. "Yes, it's stunning," I replied.

He extended his hand. "I'm Arda."

“Y/N,” I said, shaking his hand.

"Are you here on vacation?" he asked, his english clear but tinged with a turkish accent.

"Yes, it's my first time in Turkey," I replied. "What about you?"

"I'm actually a local, but I love coming here. It's one of the quieter spots in the city," he said. "If you need any recommendations or a guide, I'd be happy to help."

"That would be great," I said, grateful for the offer.

Over the next few days, Arda and I explored Istanbul together. He showed me the city's hidden gems and shared stories about its history.

We visited the bustling Grand Bazaar, took a boat ride on the Bosphorus, and enjoyed delicious turkish food at local eateries.

One evening, we found ourselves at a cozy café near the Galata Tower. As we sipped our turkish tea, Arda looked at me with a playful glint in his eyes.

"How about I teach you some turkish?" he suggested.

"Sure, I'd love that," I replied eagerly.

"Okay, let's start with something simple. 'Merhaba' means 'hello,'" he said.

"Merhaba," I repeated, trying to mimic his pronunciation.

"Perfect! Now, 'Teşekkür ederim' means 'thank you,'" Arda continued.

"Teşekkür ederim," I said, feeling a bit more confident.

"Great job! And if you want to say 'I love you,' you say 'Seni seviyorum,'" he added, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Seni seviyorum," I whispered, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

Arda laughed softly. "You learn fast. How do you say ‘I love you’ in danish?”

“You say ‘Jeg elsker dig’, ” I said, looking into his eyes

"Jeg elsker dig," he echoed softly, his gaze filled with warmth.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I realized how much I cherished these moments with Arda.

Despite knowing that my vacation would soon come to an end, I felt hopeful for our future.

On my last day in Istanbul, Arda insisted on taking me to the airport. As we stood near the departure gate, I felt a lump form in my throat.

"I can't believe my trip is already over," I said, trying to hold back tears.

"I know," Arda replied, his voice filled with emotion. "But this isn't goodbye, Y/N. We can stay in touch and visit each other."

I nodded, grateful for his words. "Thank you for everything, Arda. You've made this trip unforgettable."

He took my hands in his, his eyes serious. "Seni seviyorum, Y/N.”

"Seni seviyorum, Arda," I replied, my heart swelling with love.

As we shared a final hug, I knew this was just the beginning of our story.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Crowley not so subtly begging Papa Asim for donations :3c

Ah, yes 😌 A tale as old as time… Nobody let Jamil overhear this—

Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.

“Night Raven College is greatly honored by your presence, Mr. Asim!!” Crowley warbled as he flitted around his desk, wine bottle in hand, and right up to his guest. "Please, allow me to pour you a drink!"

Mr. Asim and Kalim were seated in luxurious chairs (something Crowley had specially procured for this occasion), cushions silken and stuffed with the down of baby birds. The businessman was draped in the finest fabrics with expect stitching, brilliant peacock greens, blues, and golds bright against his white hair and rich skin.

He beamed—his smile so much like that of his son—and held up his glass in a hand heavy with sparkling gems. "Most hospitable of you, headmaster. I'll have just a nip, thank you."

"My pleasure!!" Crowley purred, tipping the bottle over. A stream of deep garnet liquid filled Mr. Asim’s glass halfway. The aroma of finely aged grapes and mulled spices filled the headmaster’s office.

“Smells good! Can I have some fruit juice too?” Kalim asked.

“Errr, when you’re older, Asim-kun! For now, you may have sparkling water.”

“Gahahah! Listen to your teacher, Kalim. The man’s job is to keep you safe while you’re at school.”

“Awww… Alright, dad!”

Crowley tended to the boy, then poured himself his own drink. He made himself comfortable back behind his desk. Swirling the wine in his glass, Crowley eyed the (very wealthy) man across the way.

How much cash was stuffed in the inner lining of his suit? How many credit cards could fit in a single wallet? Was one wallet enough to contain all of his financial assets? Surely not.

Family Day was a means of cultivating good will with students’ relatives and netting donations. If he played his cards just right… Crowley licked his chops—he could practically taste the thaumarks now.

Mr. Asim took a healthy swig. “So! Tell me, my good man. How’s my boy been doing this year?”

The headmaster practically jumped to answer the question. He had prepped himself for this, taking care to prune his feedback of any mention of subpar, just-barely-passing grades.

“Ah, yes! Asim-kun is very cheerful and friendly. He’s one of the few in the student body willing to lend an ear and a helping hand to his peers! Truly, a ray of sunshine in the dark, a cool sip of water in the scorching desert!”

“Hmm, that certainly sounds like him.” Mr. Asim thoughtfully stroked his bushy white beard. “Never has been the type to keep to yourself. Gregarious one, he is. At home, Kalim chats up everyone: the locals, the servants, the animals we keep, his siblings. The ability to communicate across different groups is a valuable thing.”

“I wholeheartedly agree!! And Asim-kun is so good at it,” Crowley gushed. “He reaches out to others regardless of their dormitory—why, I’ve seen him inviting staff members and reclusive Ignihyde and Diasomnia students to his get-togethers!” (The headmaster fondly recalled the delicious foods he had stuffed himself with at a recent Scarabian banquet.)

“He’s beloved by members of his dorm. They couldn’t ask for a better person to lead them. His enrollment alone has done so much good for our school!” Crowley paused dramatically, then slyly added, “And, of course, Night Raven College is most gracious for the generous donation received upon your son's transfer. The newly renovated Scarabia dorm is greatly enjoyed by all.

“Alas!! Our school seems to have fallen on hard times as of late. We experienced big commotions on campus between winter break and the cultural festival…” Crowley lamented, holding his head in his hands. Sorrowful sobs punctuated his sentences.

“If only a kind benefactor would spare us a few million thaumarks for repairing and expanding our facilities! F-For the benefit of the children, of course!”

"Mm?" Kalim cocked his head for a moment—then his face lit up with realization. "Oooh, you’re talking about when Jamil—”

“N-Not now, Asim-kun!!” Crowley hastily silenced him. Sweat beaded on his brow. “The adults are talking!”

Mr. Asim set his wine down and leaned forward. His expression became serious as he laced his bejeweled fingers together, eyes narrowing into ruby slivers. At once, his presence was less like that of a jolly neighbor and more like a powerful sultan, ready to command with the wave of his hand.

Crowley gulped. This man was no pushover.

"How is Jamil doing?"

"Viper-kun? " Crowley scrambled for composure. "Th-This meeting is about your son, so I don't see why... I don't know if I can divulge information on other students...!!"

"He is my son's attendant and closest confidant. I should like to know how he fares.” Mr. Asim turned to his son. “Kalim? Your thoughts?”

If he spills the beans, it’s over for me!! Not just no donation, but my reputation—Night Raven College’s reputation—forever tarnished in the eyes of the public!

“N-No,” Crowley said quickly, “I-I can provide a report if that’s what you want!!”

“I want to hear what Kalim has to say first. Go on, my boy.”

The headmaster’s face fell. One testimony from Kalim, and all of his efforts to flatter Mr. Asim would have all been for naught.

“Dad…” Kalim’s face was uncharacteristically flat. “About Jamil, he…”

It’s over.

“Jamil’s been having a hard time at school! But I didn’t know that until really recently. It turns out, he was really upset and hurting, and he couldn’t tell me about it.” Kalim’s eyes drifted shut. “I feel like… I’ve failed him as his friend.

“I want to be the person he can come to if he wants to be heard. I want to support him. Then I thought, ‘maybe the problem is me’. Maybe I’m not that kind of person in Jamil’s eyes. Maybe I’m not good enough yet.

“So… I made a promise to myself, dad! ‘I’ll get better, so one day Jamil can feel good about coming to me’.” Kalim beamed, the sunshine taking up his entire face. “That’s my goal!”

"Hmmm."

Crowley had entirely deflated into his chair. A prayer to the Great Seven was on his lips, begging for mercifulness.

Mr. Asim suddenly smiled, cutting the tension. "That's good to hear."

Crowley bolted up, talons digging into his seat's arms. "I-It is?!"

“There are some things money can’t buy. I could hire the best tutors in Twisted Wonderland—in fact, I did at one point!!—but there are lessons you can only learn through first-hand experience. I wanted Kalim to have those kinds of opportunities, so I sent him to this institution.

“Birds kept in cages never learn to fly on their own." Mr. Asim nodded firmly, placing a hand over his son's. A belly laugh bubbled out. "The world will open up to you if you open your eyes to it and are willing to change with it.

“I'm happy that you were able to come to understand that during your time here. You’ve matured so much, Kalim. You're well on your way to becoming a dignified successor."

"Wow, you really think so, dad?"

"Yes, I see that the future is in good hands."

Mr. Asim stood and reached into his suit. Crowley's heart stood still when he produced a gold-plated fountain pen topped by enormous diamond and… a rectangular pad of papers.

Jackpot: his checkbook.

“I'd like to invest in that future,” Mr. Asim continued with a laugh, “and in this fine, reputable establishment. Name your number, Crowley, and you shall have it.”

“R-Really?! ANY number?!” There were practically thaumarks dancing in the headmaster’s beady little eyes.

Crowley seized Mr. Asim’s free hand and gave it a vigorous shake. “Thank you so very much, sir!! I can guarantee you that these funds will be put to good use!”

[antianakin]

Zeb brings Rex to Lira San at some point to introduce him to the people there, both the Lasat who had already been there as well as the two Lasat survivors from Lasan. I have to assume that the culture on Lira San is significantly different from the culture that had developed on Lasan. Lira San is literally thought of as a LEGEND on Lasan from what we know which means it has been so long that these two cultures have probably developed in very different directions over time. So while there's probably stuff that Zeb IS familiar with on Lira San, there's going to be so much that he's being introduced to for the first time, as well.

Zeb is so excited to introduce Rex to his people, his culture, but he hasn't really ever spent any time on Lira San himself. He went down quickly to get the other two survivors settled there the first time they arrived and, for security reasons, doesn't go back until after the Empire is defeated. So he's not quite prepared for what it's actually like there. He tries showing Rex things he remembers of his culture, but everything is off or wrong somehow, and he ends up feeling like he doesn't know ANYTHING about these people or this culture and instead of being fun, it's just frustrating and devastating for Zeb, especially since Rex seems genuinely impressed by everything anyway, no matter how wrong it is. Eventually, he just snaps because he can't take it anymore and storms off.

Rex follows and Zeb tries to tell him to leave because he'll never get it and Zeb can't begin to understand. Rex says that Zeb's right, he'll never get it, because his people won't ever have something like this. Rex is never going to find some hidden enclave of the clones somewhere that have been safely and peacefully developing their culture on their own. It's just him and Gregor and Wolffe now, as far as Rex knows and it always will be. So Rex will never understand the pain that Zeb is currently going through by being confronted with a culture that feels like it SHOULD be familiar, but isn't quite. He'll never be confronted with an entire culture that manages to simultaneously bring him so much joy and relief as well as endless pain and devastation.

But this puts him in a unique position of being able to see the Lira San culture through the eyes of an outsider, without the pain it causes Zeb. He offers to show Zeb what HE sees when he looks at Lira San, to let Zeb explore this culture through Rex's eyes instead of his own. Zeb agrees, reluctantly, but it actually works. They go back through the market, the landmarks of this city they're staying in, the surrounding landscapes, the people, the language, the music. And instead of being frustrated at what he CAN'T see, he starts just enjoying being able to listen to what Rex CAN see. He can't always see it himself, he knows that it might take him a while to see it for himself and that sometimes he might NEVER see it, but for now, it's enough that Rex can see it and enjoy it and tell Zeb all about it.

They try a bunch of new foods together, they spar together and practice both the fighting styles they already know as well as try to learn local Lira San styles, they take a lot of trips out across the planet to see its different flora and fauna, they go see performances. Rex and Zeb just... spend a long time experiencing everything Lira San has to offer. And Zeb recognizes the irony in Rex having to sort-of introduce Lasat culture to him instead of the other way around, but he loves Rex so much for giving him this. He already knew how much Rex meant to him, he wouldn't have brought Rex to Lira San otherwise, but this is the moment he realizes he's going to spend the rest of his life with Rex.

In return, Zeb tries to ask Rex about the clones as much as he can. He asks Rex to talk about Wolffe and Gregor, but also about everyone he's lost. He asks about the 501st, and learns about Fives and Echo, about Hardcase and Dogma, about Tup and Jesse and Kix, about Appo and Denal and so many others. He asks about the other captains and commanders and hears about Cody and Fox and Ponds and Bly and Gree and Doom and Monnk. He asks how the clones chose their names and hears so many stories about the different ways clones got their names, some choosing them for themselves and some being given them by other clones, some naming themselves after something they loved and some naming themselves something that sounded cool at the time. He asks about hair and tattoos and learns about whether Rex ever wanted to dye his hair a different color and what everybody's tattoos meant and how the clones learned to tattoo each other when they left Kamino and started to see tattoos on other species.

And Zeb doesn't just ask for these stories so he alone can hear them, he sometimes asks when they're just walking around the marketplace and have picked up a gaggle of little Lasat kids who think they're cool and are perfectly happy to try to follow along with the stories Rex tells about his people. Rex always makes sure those stories are funny or heroic. He saves the sad ones for when he and Zeb are alone.

It turns out that the Lasat also had a tattooing culture of its own. The people of Lasan had had their own styles of course, but the practice itself had been brought there from Lira San, so Zeb asks Rex if he would want to teach the clones' style of tattooing to the tattoo artists on Lira San, so that the style at least could live on even if the clones themselves did not. Rex needs a few minutes to get himself together enough to try to teach anyone anything, but he is more than happy to work with the tattoo artists and pass along what he knows of his people's tattoo culture. Afterwards, Zeb asks if Rex wants to get tattooed with him, something they could share. A piece of both of their cultures, linking them together.

Rex says yes, because this is the moment HE decides he's going to spend the rest of his life with Zeb.

[dark-bear-productions]

Oh I am very interested in anything you have to offer! Dutch food is one of my least known European cuisines, so I'll take anything 👀

Alright, let’s go over a few quintessentially Dutch dishes. I got this question when I mentioned hutspot, so let's start there. Hutspot has its own Wikipedia page, featuring this pic:

It's boiled potato, carrot, and onion mashed together. Wikipedia tells me its served with klapstuk, which is apparently a cut of beef from the ribs. To my knowledge I've never had that, but my parents used to serve their hutspot with hachée, which is a thick beef, onion (and apparently apple?), and herb stew, so that's pretty close I think. Hachée looks like this:

Keeping in line with this tradition of smashing potatoes and boiled vegetables together, our national dish is boerenkoolstamppot (like German, Dutch enjoys stitching words together; it means kale mash, basically). This looks thus:

As you can tell, the real star of the dish is the sausage. It's rookworst -- smoke sausage --; meat, spices and salt smoked in a horse shoe-shaped casing. I just learned that these were traditionally made in November, the Slaughter Month, which happens to be when kale is harvested, leading to this classic combo.

(By the way: keep in mind The Netherlands didn't have potatoes until the 16th Century. I'm not sure what we did with boerenkool, but hutspot was made with parsnips instead of potatoes.)

On the subject of making interesting sausages: the Dutch looove their fries (usually the thick kind, with mayo), and the best way to eat those is with either a frikandel or a kroket. A frikandel is mincemeat with spices, looking like this:

A kroket is essentially a thick ragout rolled in breading, looking like this (both sausages are popular on bread, too):

While we're talking about food from the snackbar, let’s talk about my favourite junkfood: frietje oorlog (literally war fries, but it means messy fries). These are fries served with mayo, raw onions, and saté, an Indonesian peanut sauce:

Note that having this is fully a result of colonialism. Indeed, the Indonesian rice table is official Dutch cultural heritage. But that's insane to me, so instead I'll use the raw onions to talk about Hollandse Nieuwe (Hollandish New One):

This is herring caught and sold at a specific time of year, eaten gutted, deboned, and decapitated but otherwise raw, with raw onions.

Now, as a final mention before I need to get up, let’s talk sweets. We Dutch love our pastries and cookies, and there's an absolute mass of local and regional cakes and waffles and what have you, but one sweet that actually serves as dinner is the Dutch pancakes:

They're thicker than crepes (and in a restaurant much bigger and thicker than the ones in this picture I got online), but they really are just flour, milk, and eggs fried in a frying pan. They're traditionally eaten with a very dark sugar syrup and powdered sugar, but people put on lots of stuff. A very popular variation has raisins and/or apple slices added in the pan before the batter to have them sit *in* the pancake. Another adds young cow's cheese and folds the pancake like a calzone, yet another fries bacon and pours batter over top. But the main take is that a sweet dinner isn't unusual in The Netherlands.

Alright, I believe these are our biggest hits. There's a bunch more, of course, including regional stuff and things influenced by former colonies, immigrants, etc. But these are some very very Dutch dishes that I have had very very often. Hope you enjoyed the read! Feel free to ask questions.

[quokkaholic]

Playlist🖤 h.j

Hi all! This is my first time posting a fanfic, so if you read this please give me some grace :) I am definitely open to suggestions especially when it comes to the title

Warnings: Cussing, drinking (I’ll update the warning list as I go, please let me know if I missed anything or)

Synopsis: This is a Han Jisung fic. It will be about a fmc who is in graduate school for library science and is working at her local library. It will probably be y/n bc, let’s be real, we all self insert no matter what the character is named. That being said, I will be writing her as a 23-24 (haven’t decided a birthday but she was born in 2000) y/o , midsize, slightly alternative looking (short hair, piercings, tattoos), well traveled, woman who lives in the southern United States. She meets Han (idol) at a bar on her biennial solo vacation. They hit it off massively (of course) and primarily bond over their shared interest in each other’s culture and love for music. There will be mature/sexual content eventually. I do plan to add Lee know to the relationship later on so it’s kinda a throuple situation with very light mm. Also, side note, I’m aware that Han is not fluent in English. In a perfect world I’d be able to write a language barrier romance without it being offensive, but I am not confident in my ability to do that. So this is an au where Han is knows English fluently. I might incorporate him not knowing more obscure words that’s aren’t necessary for effective communication but idk.

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Chapter 1

Busan Blonde

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The Busan sun is beating down on my sandy blanket making me especially grateful for the umbrella I begrudgingly decided to rent. I’m dedicated not to waste a single moment of my two weeks here is South Korea after saving up for it for the past two years, but, on vacation, lounging on the beach is no waste of time. Even after saving for the past two years, I still have to eat at convenient stores and stay at hostels more than id like; part-time work at the library doesn’t pay much, but I knew that and still decided to go back to school to study library science. Despite those skimpy funds, I have found a way to vacation out of the country every other year since I turned 18, and this year South Korea was my destination.

I’m somehow already on my fifth day here. The first day was just shopping, shoving my face with authentic food, and trying to adjust to the 15 hour time change. The last four days were a whirlwind in Busan, where I landed. It has been a constant speed run of temples, Culture villages, and museums. Luckily yesterday on my fourth evening in Busan, a friendly group of Spanish travelers came to the hostel and invited me to Haeundae beach with them for some actual relaxation. I have really enjoyed spending time with other travelers and hearing about their home countries and other vacations as well as sharing my own. They are a a few years younger than me, but I have experienced first hand that age shouldn’t come between friendships. I have met many the retiree traveling the world, and some I even still keep contact with today. That being said, the more time I spent with them the more apparent it becomes that while age shouldn’t be an issue, maturity can be. I debate on declining their offer retroactively, but fuck wouldn’t that just make it awkward as hell. The beach will be nice no matter what, beaches are always nice! We all meet up for a surprisingly docile breakfast, but as soon as we all arrive at the water my gut feelings prove to be correct. Unfortunately their niceness cannot overcome the maturity gap between us. As friendly as they are, the group has become a bit too… rowdy. Kicking sand, shooting water guns, I had to draw the line when a pair of them started crossing the boundary between second and third base just right there next to me. The lady sitting next to me who i learned last night is named Gloria gave me an apologetic look when i whispered to her that you were going to have to go ahead and move somewhere else, but i got her socials before finding a more peaceful spot out of earshot. While i was right about the group’s lack of tact, I was also right about beaches always being great. The rest of the afternoon was spent alternating between reading in the sand and wading in the waves, after a short nap I headed back to the hostel to wash up and grab my bag and head to the train station to head to Seoul.

The train ride was pleasant with stunning views as the sun set. It was only two hours and some change; I only brought two books with me to save valuable carry on space, so in order to have something to read on the flight home I decided to crochet and listen to music instead. I’ve already started working on your Korean memories playlist: a playlist of songs I have been listening to while here, songs I have heard here, and songs that just remind me of my time here for one reason or another. It’ll take a while until it’s fine tuned; i’ll be listening, adding, removing, and listening again for at least a few weeks.

Upon arriving in Seoul, I’m god damned starving. I stop at a small shop with a picture of rabboki in the window. That was enough to draw me in. There’s a few customers in here as well despite it being past ten at night. I embarrassingly stumble your way through ordering. Even though I am not anywhere near proficient in even the most basic Korean, i will always attempt to speak the native language of the countries I visit out of respect. The food was exactly what i needed warm, comforting, and the extra cheese I was recommended was definitely the right decision i thought at least until my almost inevitable tummy ache later.

Arriving at my hostel, i can’t help but be slightly disappointed in the quality. To be fair, I thought I had hit the jackpot with these accommodations, but unfortunately the pictures online don’t really line up with what I’m seeing. I find my bunk and quickly prepare for sleep in the shared bathroom then lay in bed. I tell myself it’s okay, this hostel is just a place to sleep and bathe. Just when im about to drift off to sleep, im yanked back to consciousness by the grating sound of my bunk mate snoring like a god damn chainsaw.

————————————————————

A.n lol we’ll meet Han next chapter I promise 💕

-mo

Next

[to-taiwan-from-fanny]

Independent Excursion 1: Academic Cultural Reflection of Night Markets.

I’ve gone to an absurd amount of night markets throughout our numerous days in Taiwan, both independently and with the entire study abroad group as an excursion. I’ve been to most night markets around the Taipei area but the one I’ve gone to the most by far (a whole three times!) is Shilin Night Market. Not going to lie, I’ve definitely spent well over $4000 NTD within the few hours I’ve been there. There’s such a huge variety of different stalls, ranging from clothing stores, to arcade style challenges, to claw machines, and of course food. 

Faith and I had gone to the Shilin Night Market on our 2nd day officially in Taiwan (we had come to the country a few days before the main group arrived) and it was my first real experience of one. I’ve been to Chinatown in New York and have heard tales of my mother’s haggling adventures in Hong Kong secondhand but the reality was even better than what I could imagine. There was so much to see and do it was almost overstimulating. 

When googling “things to do in Taiwan”, night markets are guaranteed to be on the list. Frequented by both natives and tourists alike, they’re a crucial part of Taiwanese society. It’s a center for fostering community, stimulating economic growth, preserving current culture and innovation. But what draws people to night markets in the first place? This study from Chuang et al. (2014) finds that the main contributors to the high number of people going to night markets being “the low unit prices, with products under US$3.30 compromising approximately 70% of [the market]”, the festivals/performances, and the servitude of the vendors. 

Being someone who has gone to multiple night markets in my short time in Taiwan (just a bit over 2 weeks!), I completely attest to all points given. I've noticed that the pricing of things here are pretty similar or even more expensive than it is in America, with the main price disparity being the food costs. How could I resist myself from trying as much food as possible when it’s so cheap? 

But don’t let all my yapping about food fool you: night markets aren’t just a place to eat. Because of how ingrained they are into Taiwanese culture, they also act as social gathering spots where family, friends, and colleagues alike can come together to mingle about and enjoy a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else. I had such a fun time going around the night market, both alone, with Faith, and with a huge group. It’s a different experience every time and I’ll really miss it when I go back to boring Gainesville. 

In recent years, though, local Taiwanese government has been actively trying to curtail the prevalence of night markets, they continue to flourish in modern times, though not to the same extent (Taipei Times, issue 09/05/2009). I didn’t initially understand why the government would be trying to make night markets less prevalent in society considering how it makes up such a huge part of its society, but upon further research, I understand why. 

It’s not the most hygienic place: the stalls are tightly packed and air-flow isn’t the best. COVID-19 only exemplified these concerns, as the crowded nature of night markets was a super-spreader hub. The noise and waste generated by the night market can also be detrimental to the environment and the people living next to them. Despite all these downsides though, the importance the night markets serve cannot be denied by anyone, which is why they’re still so many today despite such a large number of concerns. They also act as competition with more formal business - the ones we see more often in America. It's a delicate balance between preserving culture and reducing health and safety concerns. Tai, W. P., & Chang, J. (2015)

These night markets are a livelihood for thousands of Taiwanese citizens but contrary to what I had assumed before, the vendors at the night market aren’t only those who can’t find employment elsewhere but, in fact, are mostly people who chose this profession as an alternative to the traditional “dead-end laborious 9-5 white collar jobs” (Liu, Yu. 2009). 

Though I hadn’t put much thought into this initially, this really does make sense. East Asian societies put a huge emphasis on education, big company jobs, etc, and Taiwan is no exception. Being a child of Chinese immigrant parents myself, I know just how much the pressure is to “succeed” both academically and professionally. I completely understand why the youth would be drawn to this. To those who are tired of the mundaneness of everyday life, tending a stall in the very night market they might have grown up going to seems like such a wonderful escape from the “rat race”. 

[rabbitcruiser]

National State Fair Food Day

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Check out the State Fair Food section at Food Service Direct and bring the fairgrounds to your backyard this summer with easy-to-follow recipes of classic state fair foods. Whatever your food needs are, wherever you are, Food Service Direct has you covered — build your unique menu today.

History of National State Fair Food Day

State fairs are a summer staple. Taking place once a year, people flock to the fairgrounds to enjoy the stalls, livestock, rides, and gifts. But let’s be honest, it’s all about the fried and delicious food, on sticks, and otherwise. The food is memorable and we look forward to enjoying it again all year long. Some of the best state foods include corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, deep-fried cookies, cheese on a stick, and chicken wings.

The first U.S. state fair was held in Syracuse, New York in 1841, and has been running successfully every year since. The second state fair was in Detroit, Michigan, which ran annually from 1849 to 2009.

Originally, state fairs were a display and celebration of the country’s agriculture; the produce, crops, and the growers who worked dedicatedly to cultivate a successful harvest. It highlighted the agricultural pride of each state, its local vendors, and regional foodways. As the structure of the country gradually shifted from agrarian to industrial, state fairs evolved to include music, amusement rides, games, and more industrial products.

But why wait for the state fair every year when you can enjoy the mouthwatering state fair food at home? Food Service Direct has you covered with everything you’ll need — from supplies to ingredients, for recreating foods-on-a-stick, cultural dishes, over-the-top desserts, and more. It’s the choice marketplace for local distributors and large manufacturers, offering a vast variety of food and related products for creating tasty meals.

National State Fair Food Day timeline

15,000 B.C.

The Beginning of the Hospitality Industry

The ancient Lascaux caves in France are used to provide accommodation for other tribes.

19th Century

The Beginning of State Fairs

State fairs are organized to display and promote state agriculture, livestock, and farm products.

20th Century

A Shift Occurs

As societies shift from agrarian to industrial, modern state fairs expand with the addition of amusement rides, exhibitions of industrial products, entertainment, and more.

July 11, 2022

The First Celebration

Initiated by Food Service Direct, the first-ever National State Fair Food Day is celebrated.

2022 State Fair Food Index Key Stats

Methodology

Food Service Direct, the first food-focused online marketplace, executed a survey in July 2022 with 2,051 adults from all 50 U.S States. To discover how U.S. consumers love state fair food the most, what are their favorite state fair food items, and how it impacts their enjoyment and quality of life. 

*Fairgoer is somebody who has gone to a state fair at least twice.

State Fair Food Favorites

#1 Fries

75% of the fairgoers in Maine always get fries at the State Fair, followed by 70% of the fairgoers in Pennsylvania.

#2 Corn Dogs

50% of the fairgoers in Arkansas and Texas always get Corn Dogs at the State Fair, followed by 45% of the fairgoers in Idaho.

#3 Roast Corn

43% of the fairgoers in Florida always get Roast Corn at the State Fair, followed by 40% of the fairgoers in New Mexico and Wisconsin.

Desserts

#1 Funnel Cake

83% of the fairgoers in Mississippi and Arkansas always get Funnel Cake at the State Fair, followed by 80% of fairgoers in Oklahoma.

#2 Cotton Candy

43% of the fairgoers in Vermont always get Cotton Candy at the State Fair, followed by 60% of the fairgoers in Mississippi.

#3 Snowcone

45% of the fairgoers in Mississippi always get Snow cones at the State Fair, followed by 40% of the fairgoers in Florida, Missouri, and South Carolina.

National State Fair Food Day FAQs

What is the most popular state fair food?

Some of the most popular state fair foods are deep-fried Oreos, fried chicken in a waffle cone, deep-fried Snickers bars, pizza cones, and cotton candy.

What is a state fair?

A state fair is an annual display of the best of a state’s local produce and products, as well as a recreational gathering for people in the U.S.

What is the most popular state fair?

The State Fair of Texas attracts a staggering 2.25 million visitors every year, making it the largest state fair in the country.

How To Celebrate National State Fair Food Day

Order your favorite state fair foodsHead over to Food Service Direct’s website. Browse and order from their large variety of state fair foods.

Try new recipesRecreate state fair foods by following different recipes. You won’t miss out on anything!

Host a state fair partyInvite your friends and family to a backyard state fair gathering. Include your favorite state fair food on the menu, and include games and other activities.

5 State Fair Foods You Can Easily Make At Home

Corn dogsCorn dogs on a stick can easily be made at home, and our pro-tip is to dunk the dogs in a tall jar full of batter for an even coating.

No-fry fried ice creamEnjoy the great taste with a crispy cinnamon coating, minus the oily mess.

Deep-fried cookiesA true indulgence that is a hit with kids especially.

Turkey legsThe best marinade for turkey legs or any other state fair meat dish is available at Food Service Direct.

State fair lemonadeSip on this thirst-quenching beverage, close your eyes, and imagine you’re at the state fair.

Why We Love National State Fair Food Day

For the love of foodWe at National Today love food holidays best. And if it is a day that celebrates countless well-loved dishes? We just can’t contain our excitement.

Bringing state fair food to your kitchenWhy not enjoy great state fair food in the comfort of your home without having to stand in sweltering temperatures and long queues. We are all for it.

Services making life easierFood Service Direct is dedicated to making the distribution of food easier for home cooks, chefs, food vendors, manufacturers, and event planners. With everything you could possibly need for creating culinary delights under one roof, what’s not to love?

Source

[watching-pictures-move]

Steven Seagal is... OUT FOR JUSTICE!

In the crossover event of the season, @thechurchofsplatterdaysaints and @watching-pictures-move have decided to join forces and tackle the human ponytail himself, Mr. Steven Seagal, starting with the 1991 John Flynn-directed classic, Out for Justice. There will be twice the bone-breaking, twice the indignant speechifying, twice the atrocious outfits, twice the weird cosplaying as members of other cultures. You can find @thechurchofsplatterdaysaints's thoughts on Out for Justice HERE. We hope you have as much fun reading about it as we did revisiting and writing about it. Enjoy!

Among its many qualities, Out for Justice has an all-timer title card. Seagal is sitting in a van with his partner on a stakeout when he notices a pimp beating on his hoes. Because he is presumably an honourable man (not in real life, and maybe not onscreen either), he decides to blow this bust that was likely several months in the making and dishes out some of the justice of the title on the pimp. Because Seagal is a foot taller than the pimp, he handily brushes off any swings the guy takes at him, and then tosses him through a windshield. Freeze frame. “Steven Seagal,” over the hole in the windshield, between the guy’s limp torso and Seagal’s scowling face. Cut to black. “Out for Justice.”

The movie is, in my humble opinion, Seagal’s best movie, in large part because it most entertainingly solutions for his shortcomings. Seagal can be an awkward physical presence (we’ve all seen that clip of him running in Above the Law), but this movie gets a lot more mileage out of the way he towers over his co-stars, like a spectre of death descending upon them, his hands kept busy with weapons both improvised and deliberate so he doesn’t flail them around awkwardly. The movie gives him a convincing streetwise swagger, and while his disinterested line readings and slipping Italian accent could be the source of laughs (and the latter certainly is), they place him intriguingly between both sides of the law. He gets scenes where he pleads with his captain Jerry Orbach to let him use less conventional methods. “I'll feed you every dope-diggin' dive he's got, but let me do it my way. You just give me an unmarked and a shotgun, alright?” In a first for movies about loose cannon cops, Orbach agrees after a few seconds of deliberation.

These alternate with scenes where he pals around with the local mob guys, alternately paying his respects and insulting them depending on his mood. Seagal at this point was cosplaying as a man with connections to the Sicilian mob (something that was truer of producer Julius Nasso), and he tries to sell this by lovingly reminiscing about the time his mob relation left some poor bastard in the trunk of their car while taking him to the movies, his Italian accent disappearing for large stretches of dialogue only to pop up when you least expect it. (That’s just Seagal keeping you on your toes.) The movie originated as a heftier story about the mob, and traces of this ambition can be felt in the Arthur Miller quote that opens the movie, and the smoky widescreen cinematography that wrings a certain grim atmosphere from the Brooklyn streets. Squint at some of the shadowy wood-paneled interior scenes and you see hints of Gordon Willis’ work on The Godfather. Given that this is a movie about Seagal beating the bejesus out of half of Brooklyn’s population, the finished film lacks such depth, but these elements do give a certain weight to the violence that transpires.

Less successful are the attempts to position Seagal as a family man and animal lover (he finds an abandoned puppy and christens it “Coraggio”, which is the strongest his Italian accent gets during the entire movie), although we do get a scene where Seagal tells the grocer he won’t buy dog food from New Jersey (“I don’t want no radioactive stuff”) and a hilariously out of place punchline to end the movie ("Is that a police dog or what?"). The scenes with his wife, a nice Italian girl who had the misfortune of having Seagal inflicted on her and is looking to get a divorce, have a really uncomfortable energy, especially when they have a heart to heart conversation him sitting on the couch and her kneeling in front of him. Moments like this, and other scenes where he speaks crudely to women, intimidates them or jerks them around, are where Seagal’s real life sleaziness seeps in. I understand that this may make parts of the movie hard to watch for some, but I do think these scenes carry a certain meanness that works with the overall movie. This is a cruel world, and that extends to our supposed heroes.

But the movie’s masterstroke is the villain. Seagal has never agreed to lose a physical altercation, so a more physically imposing villain would be a non-starter. Instead the movie pairs him with a villain who’s crazier and totally unpredictable, a totally demonic William Forsythe who goes on a crack-addled violent rampage seemingly with a death wish. Within the first few minutes, he not only offs Seagal’s partner in broad daylight in front of his friends and family, but then shoots a motorist in the head over a roadside argument. Anything can happen.

Because Forsythe is a maniac and Seagal is ruthless, the violence here gets pretty unhinged. Every altercation is a twist on Newton’s third law: every action has a disproportionately gruesome reaction. (The movie had to be edited down from an initial MPAA rating of NC-17.) Pull out a meat cleaver on Seagal? Expect some fingers lopped off. A shotgun is within reach? There’s a good chance somebody’s losing a knee. And don’t even think about picking up that corkscrew. The most entertaining stretch of the movie has Seagal insult every single jag-off in a bar and then take them out one by one with the help of some billiard balls in a towel, in a bone-crunching twist on Eddie Murphy’s star-making shakedown of a redneck bar in 48 Hrs. (Among his opponents is Dan Inosanto, sparring partner of Bruce Lee, referred affectionately by the other patrons as “Sticks”. In real life Inosanto could likely kick Seagal’s ass, but the scene is still a lot of fun.) And the final confrontation is less a fight scene than the systematic destruction of the villain’s body.

And holding all this together is a constant state of movement, with both the villain and Seagal driving around Brooklyn wreaking violent havoc, the movie exploding unpredictably into violence every few minutes. All bets are off.

[observeowl]

Back up plan part 3 S.J

Scarlett Johansson x reader

Summary: Going to Japan with Scarlett

Part 1 Part 2

Scarlett POV Despite saying I make her spontaneous, it didn't seem like it. The only spontaneous part was booking the flight ticket for tomorrow. Within the same day, she had already managed to plan ahead what she wanted to check off the list while we were in Japan.

"You want to add anything to the list? Anything you wish to see?" Y/N tilted her head back to ask me. I shook my head in reply as I sat at the living room while she was at the dining table typing away on her laptop.

"I thought you said spontaneous? This isn't spontaneous."

"It is for me. I didn't even make reservations or anything. I am just listing where we like to visit. So we don't waste any time."

We booked a morning flight so we would reach Japan in the morning. So, in order to fight jet lag, we were planning to stay up the night and sleep on the plane. (If I calculated correctly. It was a whole mess thinking about it. If I'm wrong, just go with it.)

It was not easy staying up the night , but leaving the luggage for last helped a lot. Lots of laughter and giggles were heard as we tried picking out each other's outfit and blasting music in the room. Mainly choosing from my closet since Y/N hasn't moved in yet. The room was in a mess by the time we were done messing around. Clothes were everywhere, on the floor, on the bed and on the door handle.

We booked a cab ride to the airport in the morning, the adrenaline had died off and staying awake was much of a struggle. Thankfully, we only have a few hours left until we can sleep on the plane.

After checking in, we sat by the gates waiting for the plane to arrive. It wasn't a peak period for travelling so there weren't a lot of people around. Y/N was scrolling through her phone to keep her awake while leaning on my shoulders. I leaned on her head and did the same as well.

Once we got seated, it was sleep straight away. Y/N didn't waste a minute and went straight to sleep without hearing the announcement. I followed soon after the wheels left the runway.

Your POV We were still high in the air between the clouds but I could see the skyscrapers as the country came into sight.

Scarlett was still sleeping soundly next to me so I blew softly at her face to move her hair off her face. Her nose scrunched up slightly before moving in her seat. I love seeing her so carefree. It's about two hours left before our feet get to touch the ground.

"Scarlett." I shook her slightly. "We are about to land." I thought it would be nice if she could enjoy the view from above as well. She leaned over my body to get a better view since I was sitting at the window seat.

"Magnificent."

>time skip this is getting too long<

"Let's go!" I pumped my fist in the air and dragged Scarlett along after checking into the hotel and placing our luggages there. The first stop was food. There were inflight meals but how can it compare to local delicacies?

Both of us shared a bowl of ramen so we could try more options. Our faces were touching as we slurped the noodles and moaned at the exquisite taste. The gyozas were so juicy and crispy as we took a bit of it.

The highlight of the day was when we got on a night cruise around the lake, seeing different lights illuminating the city. Japan is popular for their neon lights and the way they have big billboards around the city. We sat at the front of the boat, letting the cold air blow across our faces as we were in each other's arms.

"I'm so excited for tomorrow." Scarlett said as I opened the door of our hotel room.

"It'll be the best day of your life. Hopefully." I whispered the last part and gave Scarlett a kiss.

Scarlett POV Y/N always loved to learn and experience the culture of the country she visits. So I wasn't surprised when she suggested wearing their traditional costume. We went to a shop where they allowed us to put on their kimono and yukata. With plenty of pictures taken with their folding screen as background, we tried to mix and match the pieces, mostly failing because they were all so unique and required another piece of the clothes to latch on.

"I thought we had one last place to go?" I ask Y/N, since we have been resting in the hotel for a while.

"Yeah, but it's not time yet." She took a look at the time on her phone. "Just a while more."

What could it be that she needed to be aware of the time? It was almost dark outside, limiting the activities we could do.

"Okay, let's go."

Y/N brought me to a normal beach but it was so dark that you could hardly see anything. There were a handful of people with large professional cameras, waiting for something to happen.

"Why did you have to wait until now? Shouldn't we have come earlier?"

"Time isn't of the essence when I'm with you. But when I am with you, I always wish the day would be longer, there's a lot of things I wish to be able to do with you. I want to be the person who makes you happy everyday. I know I may have not gotten the spontaneous part down, but marry me?"

Y/N pulled out a red velvet box and got down on one knee. As if on cue, the beach lights up, surrounding us with blue lights, slowly spreading across the beach, lighting up the area.

"I also want to be the person who makes you happy, makes you excited for a new day and share experiences together. So yes, I love you so freaking much."

Y/N stood up and dust off the sand before sliding the ring on my finger. Y/N was still shaking and fidgeting.  "I'm so excited, I don't think-"

I pulled her closer to me and gave her a passionate kiss. She froze for a moment before placing her hands on my waist and returning my kiss.

"I thought we planned this last minute? How did you get this ready?" I raised my hand that now has the addition of a new ring.

"I bought it when I was working overseas, I knew you were the one."

"You and your planning." I let out an airy laugh. "How far have you planned ahead?"

"You'll have to come with me to find out."

---

It was a struggle waking Y/N up the next morning. Y/N said we have a relaxing day ahead since this was our last day here before we fly back to the States.

"Come on... wake up." I was shaking Y/N as she groaned and turned away. "Hey, I don't want to spend my first day as your fiance arguing with you because you can't wake up."

"Kiss me and I'll wake up." I leaned in for a kiss but swerved up to her forehead. She tsked but got up regardless.

We went to an underwater aquarium in the afternoon to see the aquatic creatures. We got to touch the starfish, stingray and even the dolphins. It was very cool to walk amongst the fishes to feel a sense of freedom. Though Y/N was not a fan of accessories, I got her to buy a matching dolphins keychains that we could strap to our phones.

Y/N said to save the best for the last so I questioned. "The beach proposal was pretty amazing, I don't know if you can top that."

"Maybe not the sentiment and the view, but the person with me makes it a lot better." Y/N was sweet with her words.

I recognised the place as it came to sight, it was the Bell Tree Tower. One of the famous tourist spots to visit. We bought our tickets and went up to the observation deck. From there we were able to see the busy streets of Japan.

"Every Sunday, they would have fireworks that we can see from here." Y/N said as she dragged me to the front to get a clear view of the fireworks. "This is the last place to visit because I want to be able to say I brought my fiancé here with me." Y/N looked up at me, leaving all the bang from the fireworks behind her.

"One day, I'll bring my wife to the tallest building in the world." 

[peonierose]

WIP Ask

I would like ALL those questions answered for the mermaid WIP. Please and thank you!🙏🏼😚

Hii Cari 🩷

You’re such a sweetheart you know that? 🩷

Okay here we go (I hope its okay if it gets a bit longer).

👀 - An excerpt from my WIP

(I’m giving you two excerpts from Ocean‘s Daughter 🩵)

“You’re right. We should head home. The sun is already setting. Let’s not get caught during the night.“ He says and I nod.

Kainalu tries to pull the anchor up, but it doesn’t budge.

”Damn. Looks like the anchor is stuck.“

I look down and the metal chain that leads to the anchor doesn’t come out of the water.

“It’s probably just stuck around some algae or seaweed. I’ll go down and unstuck it.“

“Thanks. I owe you one.“

“You got it, my little water princess.“

“Bite me Lahela.“ He grins at me and I laugh as I put my scuba mask on and jump into the water.

”Here I drew something for you. You might want to try this out.“

I take the note from Ernestine.

My eyes widened.

I clear my throat.

”Oh wow. That’s…very graphic. I’ll keep this in mind.“ I tuck the note away.

”Yeah. Yeah. Now go ask her out and give her a nice orgasm she won’t forget very soon.“

I laugh and have to wipe away tears from the corner of my eye. I swear this woman is something else. But I love her. She's great. One of the best patients I’ve ever had.

”I will. Thank you, this is a good suggestion.“

Ms. Davis nods and even cracks a small smile.

”Oh I know. Now go. I want to enjoy my pudding and no Eugene won’t get any since he ratted me out.“

I laugh again and place a soft hand on Eugene’s shoulder as I lean in to whisper.

”Please take good care of her and call me should she feel unwell at any time. Okay?“

I handed Eugene my card where I scribbled down my personal cell number.

Eugene smiles a watery smile.

”Thank you Dr. Lahela. I appreciate it.“

👑 - A random fact about one of my

OC‘s

I’ll take Kainalu from Ocean‘s Daughter 😍

Kainalu owns a restaurant called Uhane - which means Soul in Hawaiian - that serves local, traditional Hawaiian food. Such as Katsu or Kona coffee 😍

🦀 - Favorite piece of dialogue:

”I didn’t catch your name?“ Dr. Danbury looks pointedly at me and I cross my arms over my chest.

”I didn’t introduce myself. I’m sure you can find your way back on your own. Have a safe trip. I hear the waters are treacherous.“ I turn around and don’t wait for their response.

☀️ - Current word count

For part 1 - 3974

For Part 2 - 8386

Though it may change, as the story progresses I‘ll either add or remove things from the story. I was thinking of even posting the story in parts 😍

❄️ - Toughest aspect of my WIP

A tough part is building the story and the progression, making it make sense. Also the Hawaiian culture, mythology and history are tough because I’m not an expert so I’m relying on a lot of research online. It’s fun to learn about Hawaiian history and their mythology though. Most Hawaiian words I can’t pronounce though, so I look up the pronunciations if there are any pronunciations listed online 😍

🍕- My characters' favourite food

Luna

Pizza 🍕

Barbecue

Açaí bowls

Malasadas

Bryce

Garlic shrimp with rice

Poke

Coco Puffs

Croissada

Noelani

Leoda’s Pies

Mac and Cheese Pancakes

Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie

Manapua

Kainalu:

Loco Moco

Mochiko Chicken

Saimin

Haupia

⚽️ - Genre of my WIP

Fantasy with a dash of romance and some humor.

🤔 - What's the inspiration behind my

WIP?

The inspiration behind this AU was a scene from H2O - Just add water - Season 1, episode 26. Where a marine biologist is hunting mermaids to study them and use them as experiments for scientific purposes. So I used that inspo and turned it into a AU with my own twist added to the story. Using Hawaiian mythology instead.

🎁 - Prologues or no prologues - Why?

I love prologues. They’re so much fun. Because it tells you a bit of the story lying ahead. You can make it short or a bit longer. I think a prologues is good especially if it’s a new book / story that you’re reading. So a prologues can be helpful to give you an idea what’s next and for you to adjust to the story and characters.

🎶 - WIP playlist

I’ve made two playlists on Spotify:

Here there are Part 1 & Part 2

Thank you so much for sending me this ask it means a lot 🥹 Have a beautiful day Cari and keep on shining 🩷🩷🩷🩷

[female-malice]

I mean no disrespect to you, here, but I disagree with your views about homesteading. First off, not everyone necessarily needs to own their own homestead like you assumed in order to produce enough food for everyone via homesteading (and, let's be honest; because interests tend to vary from person to person, not everyone will even necessarily want to). Even regular farming tends to overproduce more than they need to just to grow enough to earn a profit, which is necessary, because there is no way to really regulate how much food each plant or livestock animal will produce. In order to produce just enough, you have to plant or raise more than you actually need. A large amount of food gets thrown out before it ever hits store shelves because it can't be sold, either due to minor cosmetic flaws or because there is just so. Damn. Much of it that the supply overpowers the demand. This is known as farm surplus, and it produces a LOT of the methane gas in our landfills that contribute to global warming (I mean, not as much as oil and gas, of course, but still a lot) whilst millions go hungry. Sustainable, biomimicry-focused methods of farming, such as those employed in permaculture and by the Savory Institute, actually produces significantly more food per square mile of farmland than even conventional agriculture farming methods do, so it is more than possible to feed everyone off of far fewer small homesteads using sustainable, biomimicry-focused methods. So, no, not everyone needs to homestead for homesteading to still be the answer to our hunger problem, without wreaking the environment. The problem, however, is Capitalism, which is a profit-driven system that artificially limits amounts of common things that we actually have a nearly never-ending supply of (diamonds, food, you get the idea) in order to increase their market value. If we have too much of them, only the amount that can be sold at an actual profit will be sold, and the rest thrown out, resulting in the aforementioned farm surplus rotting in landfills that I already told you about, and the fact that the global food system is run by corporations instead of regular people who produce and farm the food is a main cause of this. What we need to do is get rid of the global Capitalist food system, and instead, write the concept of food sovereignty into law. After we have done so, there won't be such an issue with farm surplus, and everyone will be able to eat all of the food that sustainable homesteads provide, rather than throwing so much of it out over profit motive, people and planet be damned.

All you've done here is taken my argument against homesteading and twist it into a strawman.

Homesteading. It means working the land on your own private property. Private food on private property. That is the definition of homesteading. You can romanticize it all you want. Most of us in western society were raised to romanticize settler culture. But homesteading is inefficient, disorganized, and vulnerable to natural disaster. And anyone could show up and present themselves as a benevolent homesteader only to have terrible intentions for the community. We can't just leave the power of food in the hands of some random private individuals. No way.

Now reread my post. What did I recommend in my post? Public farming co-operatives. Collaboration between farm co-operatives, local universities, local food banks, local public schools, and local supply chains. Public food on public property. That's the definition of co-operative farming.

If you want to keep your land private, then rewild your private land. You can start a native plant nursery while you're at it. There's enough food on healthy wild land for one or two people. Enjoy.

If you want to grow large quantities of food on your land, then your land must become public land. And you must give up control of your land to the community. Food belongs to everyone. So the land food grows on must belong to everyone.

Private food needs to end now. And homesteading does not end private food. It only winds back the clock to feudal politics. I know this is raining on everyone's post-apocalypse cottage core fantasies. But we can't run a society on individual fantasies. We need an organized collective vision and we need to build public local institutions around that vision. No more fantasy.

[amr-hossameldin]

Excerpt from Journal

I’ve caught myself daydreaming often lately. In some of those daydreams I’m financially stable, I make good money, I have a nice car, a nice house, and enough money to live a luxurious life. In some other daydreams, I’m living in Europe, not much richer than I am today. But I have time to travel and explore all the different cultures and histories there. I read a ton of books and have the peace of mind to sit and enjoy a cappuccino and pastries in local cafes. Some times I think I can find a balance between both scenarios and live the best of both worlds.

What I noticed is my tendency to think that in those scenarios I’ll be happier than I am today. But here’s the thing, today I am living a life that I could not possibly have imagined a year ago, let alone a few years ago. And let me tell you, it looks nothing like how I pictured it would be, not even close. Yet, I feel happy, happier than what I could imagine back then. Life went in a completely different direction than what I have planned and it was perhaps one of the best things that has ever happened to me. In the chaos of all the plans going out the window, I found myself. I learned quite a lot and grew a lot. One of the most important lessons is not to hold on to plans too much. Life has a way of messing with those. I learned to be resilient and learn from each opportunity I have. Like I always say: Life will not stop stepping on your face till you learn the lesson.

I am not who I think I am. Amr in those daydreams does not exist. I am, though, the person who said and did the things I remember when I look back in memory. That is who I am. We are what we say and do, not what we think of ourselves, and definitely not what other people think of us. This view of life made me see every difficult situation, every hard decision, as a chance to create the person that I want to be. So that when I look back in memory, I can say: Yes, I am a person with principles. I do not crack under pressure. I am disciplined, strong and brave. And these are not wishful fantasies, these are moments in which I was tested, in which I created the person that is all those things. 

This brings me back to the point: Happy, calm Amr in those daydreams is nothing more than a fantasy if I do not create him, through actions, now. I do not need money for that.  I already have more than enough. In my everyday life, I do not feel like I’m lacking anything. I’m blessed to be debt free and financially independent. I have a roof over my head and food on the table. I want for nothing and am quite content with what I have. I will not lose sleep over the nicer things I could have. Whatever I end up owning after working my ass off is not really mine. In a few years I’m going to die. Then other people will live in ‘my’ home and drive ‘my’ car. Was it really ever mine to begin with? The only real thing I can think of to take from this life is experiences. Collect as many experiences as you can while you can. Meet as many people, read as many books, learn as many skills, try as many things, travel to as many places. This is what true wealth is. This is what a truly rich life is. In that sense, I am wealthy. I do feel quite rich, like I own the whole world. I am healthy, have a ton experience to look back on and enough people to talk to. I’m blessed with everything that can possibly make me happy right now already. I do not need to wait for a better tomorrow to be happy when I can be happy right now. All I need to do is be present and appreciate what I have.

The happiest I’ve been recently is spending the whole day at a local cafe reading and having pastries with coffee. I silence my phone, put on classical music in my headphones, and easily lose myself in the book for 5 hours straight. Taking notes, underlining, contemplating. It was peaceful. Peace, such an underrated feeling. I’ve also been quite happy about all the new  recipes I’m trying recently and new creations I’m making to those recipes. Cooking and baking is like an art. I like the challenge of making the most filling, tastiest and lowest calorie version possible. Those are things I did alone, and they did make me feel happy and peaceful. I like the quiet. Sometimes I catch myself weary that other people might disturb that peace by getting too close, as is mostly the case actually. I’m not sure where this will lead eventually but I do know that I really like my peace and have no intention of letting it go anytime soon. I guess as I grow older I’m way more selective of who’s close and who I talk to. I think it’s healthy too. In any case, I should take my own advice and just be present and enjoy the moment.

I’m not exactly sure why I’m sharing this. It may all be quite obvious, but it took me a while get there. I guess maybe it could resonate with someone. Which reminds me of this excerpt from Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha when asked to give a word of wisdom from what he attained: "But I will say no more about it. Words are not good for the secret meaning, everything instantly becomes a bit different when we utter it, a bit adulterated, a bit foolish-yes, and that too is very good and appeals to me, I also very much agree that one man's treasure and wisdom always sound like foolishness to another." So I guess you must already know to know. In which case, I’ll leave it here anyway for those who do.

[foodandfolklore]

Quinoa; It's Beautiful Story and Tragic History

Quinoa is one of those foods that has made it's way into modern food trends. It seems to have exploded out of nowhere. It fits many diets as it's low carbs, vegan, gluten free, and a complete protein. Is this superfood newly engineered by scientists? Nope. It's actually one of the oldest staple foods of the Americas. So why isn't Quinoa as common as Potatoes and Tomatoes?

If you've never had Quinoa, it's a seed that is eaten like a grain. It's small and round, coming in a variety of colours. Tan, Red, and Black are most common. It can be ground into a flour, but it's most commonly eaten by boiling like rice. It tastes like a slightly nutty rice and I quite enjoy it. That's assuming you get the coating off.

Since I live in Canada, most Quinoa that's bought comes prewashed. This is because Quinoa has a protective coating over it to help keep pests away. This invisible coating is very bitter and soapy, thus it needs to be washed off. But this coating is one of the things that makes Quinoa so resilient. It can grow basically anywhere. Flat lands, highlands, mountains, dry lands; it's absolutely astounding how a crop this nutrient dense can grow so easily.

And the Indigenous populations of the central Americas knew this. Quinoa was the backbone of their diet. It allowed their people to thrive, their children to grow up strong, new mothers to lactate and provide milk for their young; It was a gift from the Gods. They worshiped Quinoa and regularly laid out offerings to the beings who gave it to them.

So when European colonizers first came to the Americas, they saw how important Quinoa was to the Inca locals. And they didn't like that. Some of them didn't like the religious aspect, and thought it inappropriate they were worshiping false Gods. Others saw how healthy and strong the food made them and felt threatened. So the colonizers set out to destroy Quinoa and the culture around it. They tore up fields, destroyed offerings, and placed a Ban on Quinoa eating and worshiping. It's pretty pathetic how threatened someone can feel from food, but sadly it worked. And it wasn't just Quinoa, they abolished cultures, other foods they didn't like; we are missing so much and it physically hurts me to think about.

But, we have Quinoa today. This is because Quinoa can grow anywhere so some natives took some seeds and climbed high up into the mountains. They cultivated the quinoa there and it was eaten mainly by locals. Until the 1970s when some American students of a Bolivian Mystic and Philosopher brought the grains back to the US after eating the food on the regular. A while after, it took off in popularity.

Kitchen Uses

As mentioned, Quinoa is a good substitution for rice. I actually just cook mine in a rice cooker. You always want to cook Quinoa at a 1 to 2 parts ratio. 1 part dry Quinoa to 2 parts Water (Or other liquid). You can eat it hot or let it cool and use it as a base for a salad. Try mixing it with some diced cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, mint, parsley, feta cheese, and a little olive oil and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste, easy fresh salad.

I love using Quinoa in cooking and Kitchen Magic. It has the Nick name Mother Grain and it's just so nourishing. Quinoa is great at Absorbing Negativity and Promoting Health. Since it can grow in almost any kind of environment, this promotes Adaptability, Overcoming Obstacles, and Growth. It's also known for it Abundance, Spirituality, and Fertility properties. But don't forget, it's also a seed, so New Ideas and New Beginnings. You take advantage of colour magic and black Quinoa, so not only will it Absorb the Negativity, but Also Ward and Banish.

Mythology

Finding an actual story about Quinoa has been tricky. I have found many shortened summaries of mythology and stories, but not a beat for beat retelling. Which I feel is important. But I found a video of an Andean man telling the story of how we first got Quinoa. I encourage you to watch the Video, but I'm also going to write the story down in case the Video is taken down one day. I've added in some of my own words based on the visuals used.

Tradition has it that the Aymara people used to talk to the stars. Since that time, it has been told that nearby Titicaca Lake and it's fields started producing their first crops. However, in the night, someone would come to the fields and rip up the potato plants growing there.

There was a young man who guarded the fields by the Lake. One night he wanted to surprise the potato thief. So he brought a loud hand bell with him, and stayed up through the night watching the potato fields.

It was here that several young women showed up in the fields. The young man heard someone digging up potatoes so he went to investigate. The young man stayed hidden and pushed back the tall crops to see three young women gathering potatoes.

The young man stood high and rang the warning bell. Startled, the women fled; however, one of them tripped and fell, and he captured her. It was a cold night, so the young man offered some clothes off his back to keep her warm while they waited. She smiled at him for his kind gesture.

The bell had awoken the villagers and they were on their way to get the potato thief. They sounded angry and ready to take out their rage on the potato thief. The young man grew concerned for the women, but she simply handed him back his garment.

And so it was that the young woman turned herself into a bird and flew away to where her companions, the other stars, lived. The young man was flabbergasted and couldn't explain to the other people what had happened.

The next day, he went in search of the Condor [A type of Vulture] so that it could carry him to the stars that had taken flight off the Earth. He had to climb high, high up a cliffside mountain to get to the Condor. But once there the Condor stretched his wings and became large enough to ride.

The Condor bore him to where the young star was. High up to a beautiful land covered in golden crops called Quinoa. The young man reunited with the woman star and they enjoyed each other's company, running through the fields of Quinoa.

She lived with the young man and fed him Quinoa. Yet there came a day when the young man wanted to return to the Earth to see his Parents. So he got on the Condor to fly back home. Before leaving, the star gave him Quinoa to take back to his people. Then the Condor flew off.

As the young man came back to earth on the Condor, he scattered the Quinoa as he went. The seeds planted themselves into the soil and grew into new Quinoa plants on Earth.

From then on, Quinoa has been grown in order to feed the Andean people. Yet it was unheard of by the rest of humanity. Quinoa is life. Quinoa is hope. Quinoa is the past. Quinoa is the present. And Quinoa is the future of mankind.

[vishnu2004]

June 18 - Kyoto International Manga Museum

I had no expectations going into today. I had never read a manga before, let alone visited a museum dedicated to the art of manga itself. Despite this lack of exposure to anime, I kept my mind open and looked forward to this exciting day. I thought about wearing a polo and nice pants today, but my polo was really wrinkly and I didn’t have time in the morning to get it steamed by Nico and Raj. Unfortunately, the shirt I chose was still pretty wrinkly. We took the train to the manga museum. We waited in a brief line before entering and exploring the history of manga along with a brief performance involving some manga pictures and an energetic performer. I really enjoyed today's visit because it was my first exposure to anime and manga, and I would say it was a very positive one.

I chose to read Attack on Titan, thanks to recommendations from Raj, Aulora, and Sam Bullard. It was captivating, sad, and scary all in the span of just 20 minutes of reading. I'm definitely gonna watch the show. Afterwards, Sam, Zander, Raj, Nico, and I went to a local Italian spot where I had some delicious lasagna, bread, and minestrone soup. I don't think I can remember the last time I've had Japanese food. I need to have some soon. In the afternoon, we rented some kimonos and walked around different Kyoto temples as well as a 7-Eleven to take pictures. It was super fun! At night, we revisited Raj’s favorite rooftop bar for a gentle end to the night.

Academic Reflection

Having not read any manga before, this reading was meaningful in a whole different way because it was basically my first exposure to the history and importance of manga to Japanese subculture. This reading helped me understand how important manga is considered to Japan’s cultural identity abroad. I never realized how much controversy exists over the soft power associated with Japan's manga image, with critics noting how it may be a detriment to Japan's international image while others note that it increases the country's notoriety abroad. This discussion reminded me of the Hello Kitty controversy in which critics note how it detracted from Japan's strong, samurai-esque image in the eyes of foreigners to one that was much weaker and less impactful.

Traveling to the manga museum gave me a whole new perspective on why this writing form is so popular around the globe. It contains many similar elements of surprise and graphic design that are used in Western comics while maintaining a distinct black-and-white, panel oriented design. Reading Attack on Titan for the first time was captivating and interesting; I'm genuinely going to watch the anime on Netflix as soon as I can.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Egg Day 

National Egg Day on June 3 finds eggs finally breaking out of their shell.

Eggs had some tough years as health experts fretted about the high cholesterol content. But after a revision of the American Heart Association’s guidelines in 2000, the health benefits of eggs seemed to outweigh the concerns. The AHA says healthy adults can enjoy an egg per day and easily remain within the daily cholesterol limit.

Also, a single egg has only 75 calories, which is great for those looking to lose weight. And the seven grams of protein in an average egg almost makes this a superfood with a great calorie-to-protein ratio. So those of us who are big fans of poached, scrambled, over easy, hard-boiled, fried, sunny-side-up, or soft-boiled eggs can feel free to use National Egg Day to utter that timeless phrase, “How do you want your eggs?” And it doesn’t matter if it’s 7am, 7pm, or somewhere in between.

Eggs are great to eat anytime … or any day, for that matter.

National Egg Day timeline

Neolithic AgeWhich Came First?

Archaeological evidence for egg consumption dates back to this period.

1400 B.C.Earliest Records

Fowl lay eggs for human consumption as early as 1400 B.C., according to records from Egypt and China.

300 B.C.What an Idea!

Chicken farmers start incubating chicken eggs in warm clay ovens.

1920sPrimitive Methods

Eggs are still mostly farmed in backyards.

National Egg Day Activities

Try eating a non-chicken egg

Try a new recipe with eggs

Emphasize eggs in your day’s activities

Although Americans primarily eat chicken eggs, that’s not the case in all cultures. Pheasant, quail, goose, gull, and turkey eggs are all popular to eat around the world, offering a slightly different taste from chicken eggs. Consider trying duck eggs, which have more of an orange and blue tint to them. Do you need more food at breakfast? An emu egg is equal to about 12 chicken eggs, while an ostrich egg is equal to about 24 chicken eggs.

Don’t let National Egg Day slip away without cooking a new egg recipe. Consider trying an egg recipe from another culture, such as huevos Mexicana, oyakodon (from Japan), or the French "omelet au boudin de Nancy." (Every French recipe just naturally sounds great.)

Eggs aren’t just for eating on this day. Consider visiting the local zoo and see if you can learn more about birds and eggs in nature. Build a birdhouse with a transparent plastic back so you can see the eggs and the hatchlings as they develop. And because it’s June, consider playing Mythbusters at home and testing whether it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.

Why We Love National Egg Day

Arts & eggs

They can be prepared so many ways

They're good for the brain

Although most people crack the egg shell over the frying pan and don’t think any further about it, uncracked eggshells are great for crafts. Of course, at Easter time, many people paint and decorate hard-boiled eggs. But you can use eggs in arts and crafts at other times too. Hollowed out eggs of all sizes — from ostriches to robins — are used in home crafts and decorations. Just make sure you hollow out the egg first.

We feel pretty confident in saying that, no matter how much you love eating egg dishes, you haven’t tried every possible way to cook eggs. (And if you’re sure you have, you should apply to be the permanent CEO of National Egg Day.) Eggs can be cooked alone or placed in other dishes. Because nearly every culture incorporates eggs into its cuisine, the number of worldwide egg recipes is almost endless.

Nutritionists have not only found that the nutritional value of eggs outweighs their cholesterol level, but that eggs have a positive effect on brain development and on memory enhancement. The nutrient, choline, which is similar to the family of B- vitamins, plays a part in the process of developing signaling molecules in the brain. This means moms should hide the sugary breakfast cereal when it's test day at school for the kids; go with eggs instead!

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