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middleearthpixie · 2 years ago

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Wanted Man ~ Chapter Five

Summary: A price on his head, Loki of Asgard finds himself stranded on Earth and in need of one woman's help in order to free himself from the bounty and try to reclaim what he sees as his rightful throne in Asgard.

McKenna Carlin just wanted to put a horrible day behind her. She had no idea that things would get worse before they get better…

Pairings: Loki Laufeyson x ofc McKenna Carlin

Characters: McKenna, Loki

Warnings: None

Rating: T

Word Count: 4k

Tag List: @fizzyxcustard @court-jobi @guardianofrivendell @piggledy-higgledy @evenstaredits

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here!

What she’d hoped would be a quick breakfast at the diner turned into anything but as Loki's eyes practically popped from their sockets as he read the menu. His first taste of bacon led to a four-course breakfast of eggs, pancakes, French toast (she thought he might actually cry when he tasted it with maple syrup), bacon, sausage, and hash browns. She’d never seen a man eat the way he did and it was nothing short of amazing that he managed to put so much food away. She was pretty sure her credit card actually groaned when she paid for breakfast and managed to drag him away from the dessert carousel at the front of the diner.

“You can’t possibly still be hungry,” she grumbled, grabbing him by the hand to pull him away.

“You’d be amazed,” he replied, but allowed her to steer him out the door to her waiting Honda. “I had no idea how well Midgardians ate.”

“Trust me, there was nothing even close to eating well in what you had. And where did you put it all?” She unlocked the Accord and slid in behind the wheel.

Loki sank into the passenger seat with the heavy sigh of a well-fed bear. “So, where do we go next?”

“You need the basics. Jeans. Socks. Underwear. So, we’re heading to the mall.”

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “The mall it is.”

She glanced over at him as she maneuvered through the traffic on Route 18. It was always heavy near the mall and today was no exception. But finally, she pulled into the parking lot and managed to find a space. With any luck, finding Loki suitable clothes would be relatively painless.

And it was. He was perfectly amenable to any suggestions, which was nice for a change since Joe was always a very particular shopper with particular tastes. And what was nicer still? He didn’t mind sharing the load when it came to carrying everything. In fact, when she’d reach to take the short stack of jeans from him, he drew back with an, “I’m quite capable, you know.”

Finally, when they’d amassed enough clothing for what seemed like half of the people in Brunswick, McKenna blew a wayward tendril out of her eyes and said, “Maybe you should try something on now?”

To her relief, he nodded. “I probably should, yes. And where do I do this?”

“Come with me and I’ll show you.” She wove her way through the racks and stacks to the back of the store and the dressing rooms. “Just take something and go in one of the little rooms. I’ll wait right here.”

“Shouldn’t you accompany me?”

Heat flashed through her and she had to bite back the word yes as it pressed against her lips. “No. It’s okay. The rooms are barely big enough for one person and since you’re a little bigger than most of us… well… we’d probably get to know each other a little too well, if you know what I mean.”

His dark brows pulled low. “I’m afraid I don’t, actually. I haven’t the foggiest idea of what you mean.”

“Just… trust me, okay? You’ll be fine on your own.” She handed him the pile of clothes and gave him a little push. “I’ll be right here when you come out. And remember, go slow with the zippers.”

He nodded and off he went, while she paced about just outside the dressing rooms like a nervous mother. When he emerged, he was wearing new Levis, with a plain black tee shirt stretched across his broad chest, and she smiled. He cleaned up nicely. Still looked a little battered, but otherwise…

“These jeans are stiff. Are they supposed to be?” he asked, walking a bit bowlegged in her direction, as if he’d just gotten off a horse.

“They will until we wash them. Don’t worry. Eventually, they’ll be like a second skin. And nice and soft, like the ones I gave you.”

He smiled. “You are very kind, McKenna. I appreciate it. Not many people show me kindness.”

“Well, that’s kind of what happens when you kill and maim people.” She held his stare easily, but still breathed an inward sigh of relief when he slowly nodded.

“Yes, I suppose it does. Would it make a difference if I had a good reason?”

“I don’t think so.” She gestured to his dressing room. “You should go change back, if you’re done trying things on.”

“I am.”

“Good.” She glanced at his feet. Fortunately, his boots went with jeans, but she thought he might like something a little more comfortable as well. Surely her credit cards were groaning again, but so be it. He needed clothes, right?

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s hit the shoe department and then get out of here before I’m completely broke.”

After the mall, she did a quick grocery shop, and when she pulled into her apartment building’s parking lot, she groaned. A white Acura was parked in her space. Joe.

Loki was dozing in the passenger seat and she really hated having to poke him in the ribs. “Come on. We’re here and there’s no way I can possibly carry everything.”

He sat up, rubbing sleep from his right eye with one hand. “I think I can manage.”

She popped the trunk and he lifted everything as if it weighed almost nothing, and her belly twisted into knots as they made their way up to the third floor. Sure enough, the front door was unlocked.

Her keys dangled from her hand as she pushed open the door and as she and Loki stepped inside, Joe poked his head out of the kitchen. “Kenna! Where were you?”

“I was out. What’re you doing here?”

Loki set the bags on the floor just inside the door. “Who is this?”

The two men eyed each other like two lions trying to decide if they were going to do battle. McKenna tossed her keys back into her purse and set her purse on the coffee table. “This is Joe. Joe, this…” She paused, not really sure how to introduce Loki. How did one go about introducing a god wanted in at least two realms?

Joe’s hazel eyes narrowed. “Yes?”

“A friend,” she said, glancing back at Loki only to find he wasn’t looking at her, but still staring at Joe. Not only were his blue eyes icy now but they also had hints of green swirling in them now, and she had the sinking feeling the body count was close to going up by one.

Turning back to Joe, she said, “What are you doing here?”

“I need my Rutgers sweatshirt. Shelley and I are going to Ocean City and I might need it.”

“You broke into my apartment for that? I don’t have it.”

“Sure you do. It’s in the bottom drawer. And I didn’t break in. I unlocked the door, like a normal person.”

As he spoke, he held up the key she’d given him and as soon as she saw it, she snatched it from him. “What are you still doing with this? I told you leave it in the dish, didn't I?”

“Yeah, well, I didn't and I want my sweatshirt, so do me a solid and go get it.”

Her fingers tightened about the key on their own, and she ignored the sting of the teeth biting into her. “Do you a sol—are you kidding me?”

“I think the time has come for you to take your leave now,” Loki broke in, his voice low and steady.

“I think you need to mind your own business, pal,” Joe retorted. “I want my sweatshirt, Kenna. Where is it?”

“I told you, I don’t have it.” And she didn’t. Last weekend, she’d used it to scrub the toilet and tossed it into the trash with a glee that was almost scary.

“Go get it, Ken,” he sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Shelley’s waiting in the car and I don’t feel like getting caught in a ton of traffic.”

“Get out, Joe. I told you, I don’t have it.”

“Come on, Ken. I’m not in the mood for games right now.”

Loki caught her by the wrist and gently drew her around behind him. “She said she doesn’t have it and she’’s .”

“This really doesn’t concern you,” Joe glared at him, “and if you don’t back off, you’re gonna be sorry.”

“Am I? I think not.” Loki never raised his voice, but a flicker of fear shone in Joe’s eyes.

Still, Joe was nothing if not stubborn. “Yeah? You think not, do you?”

Loki didn’t let him finish, but grabbed him by the throat and spun him about so his back was to the door. Joe gasped, “Let go of me, you son of a bitch.”

“Don’t hurt him,” McKenna broke in, grabbing Loki's right arm to try to break his hold. “You’ll get in trouble and he is not worth it."

“I’m not going to hurt him. I’m going to help him leave,” Loki replied evenly, shaking her off as he backed Joe across the room and shoved him out the door to send him reeling backward into the hallway. He hit the far wall with a crash and slid down in a daze, while Loki calmly shut the door on his glazed expression.

A flick of Loki's left hand, and the lock clicked into place, and he turned back to her, his eyes still cold and hard. “That is the man you lived with?”

“Well, he wasn’t always such a jerk,” she replied, sinking onto the arm of the sofa.

“I find that difficult to believe.”

“Yeah, well… he wasn’t.” She didn’t know why she was defending him, except for it didn’t say much for her, that she spent three years of her life accepting Joe’s bossy, overbearing, stubborn ways and for what? So he could dump her for his perfect Shelley, who’d he’d been screwing for months before he’d come clean about it?

Every last bit of happiness drained from her as she reached up to rub her forehead. Up until now, it’d been a pleasant day. She’d actually enjoyed the errands, enjoyed shopping, even enjoyed watching Loki put away his body weight in diner food. And now? Now she just wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head.

Loki put the groceries in the kitchen. “Where do you keep things?”

“I’ll get it.” She sighed as she pushed up from the sofa arm and trudged into the kitchen to join him. As she was putting things in the fridge, she caught sight of the bottle of white wine chilling on the bottom rack on the door. When she finished, she plucked the bottle from the shelf and set it on the counter. “Want a glass?”

“I think we could both use one. Where are the glasses?”

“In the dining room, overhead rack.”

He left, returning with two red wine glasses, but she didn’t care. She plucked the cork from the neck and emptied the bottle into both glasses. It was a Pinot Grigio, light and crisp, and after his first sip, Loki smiled. “Now that’s not quite as good as the coffee, but better than those potato-things I had at breakfast.”

She grinned. “Hash browns. They were hash browns and I’m amazed you had room for them.”

“What will we do for our evening meal?”

“I can cook, you know. I just didn’t have anything for breakfast.” She swallowed another mouthful of wine. A slight buzz settled over her. Perfect. “Beef or chicken?”

“Pheasant, if you have it? Or some wild boar, perhaps?”

“I don’t have them, Loki. Beef or chicken?”

“Surprise me.”

She smiled at him over one shoulder. “There’s another bottle of Cavit on the wine rack. It’s just below the glass rack.”

While he went to retrieve it, she lit the broiler, seasoned the flank steak she’d bought, and got it ready to go in the oven. He came back with the bottle. “A corkscrew?”

“Top drawer, left side. And I have to admit, I’m amazed you know what a corkscrew it.”

“We do open bottles in Asgard, you know.”

“You don’t just use magic?”

He grinned. “At times.”

She glanced up at him. When he smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkled in a way that was really cute. Especially since the bruise was fading from beneath his left eye. “I thought you were going to really hurt him,” she confessed, tearing off a sheet of aluminum foil to line the broiler pan.

“Joe? You should have let me.” Loki expertly popped the cork from the bottle and refilled both glasses. “He didn’t deserve you.”

“Oh, I know. I’m totally a prize.” She looked over and grinned at him.

But he didn't smile back. “Why do you say it as if you don't mean it?”

“Because I don't meant it. And besides, ” she set the steak on the foil and bent to open the oven door. The pan slid in easily and by the time she straightened up, the delicious scent of garlic and pepper wafted up from the broiler, “he wasn’t always a jerk. Not at first.”

“He was trying to win you then. It’s unfortunate he didn’t keep trying to win you, because he should have been doing just that.”

She gave him a look. “Is that so?”

“You have a good heart. People mistake kindness for weakness, and that’s unfortunate, which I know sounds strange, coming from me, but a hint of kindness can go a very long way, you know.” He lifted the wineglass to his lips.

There was something in his voice, a hint of wistfulness, perhaps, that suggested he had personal experience with being shown only hints of kindness. Sympathy swirled through her. He was a villain, he’d actually killed, and yet if she didn't already know what he’d done, she’d never believe it if someone told her right then. Aside from the way he’d handled Joe, and his arrogant demeanor the previous day, Loki had been almost been the perfect gentleman.

“Thank you.” She set down her glass. “Salad or frozen veggies?”

“Salad.”

“Good. Fixings are in the fridge. Go crazy.”

He laughed. “I should have known.”

****

After dinner, McKenna cleared away the table, loaded the dishwasher, grabbed the bottle of wine and gestured to the living room. Loki followed, smiling as she curled up on the sofa and tucked her feet beneath her. He was finally a little more comfortable in the jeans, although they were a little snug in the crotch, which she insisted was how they were supposed to fit. Not quite as comfortable as the clothes he was used to, but definitely cooler.

“Now,” she was saying, swirling the wine in her glass, “tell me about this bargain and the—” she paused, her forehead wrinkling—“the Chitauri. Did I say that right?”

“You did.”

“Good. Tell me why they’re out for your head on a platter.”

He sat down on the edge of the coffee table, trying hard to keep his gaze off her legs. They were tanned and shapely, and rather nice to look at, but this was neither the time nor the place for any type of those thoughts. He needed her help and that was it. She’d had her heart broken recently, although he was certain she’d never admit to it, and she was vulnerable and right now, he felt no urge to play on that vulnerability.

The Midgardians were a curious lot. They warred with one another over the most petty of disagreements and thought nothing of slaughtering one another in mass numbers. They lied. They cheated. They abused one another with unspeakable violence. And that violence was kept to human alone—they were even cruel to those far weaker than themselves. How they hadn’t exterminated themselves yet was a miracle.

He’d hoped to rule them, to bring them peace if nothing else. Unfortunately, thanks to his brother—his adoptive brother—and his group of friends who called themselves The Avengers, that hadn’t happened and now, here he was, relying on one Midgardian woman to keep his head firmly attached to his shoulders. He had to be mad.

No, not mad. Desperate.

He sipped the warm wine in his glass. It made him feel relaxed, more so than he’d felt in a very long time. Relaxed. At ease. Comfortable, even. But could he trust her? He thought so. She wore her heart on her sleeve and seemed quite guileless. It was easy to see how a man like that Joe could simply take and take all he wanted from her, and she would let him.

Normally, he would have sneered at her perceived weakness where that dishonorable Midgardian was concerned, but he felt no such revulsion now. There was something about McKenna that begged to be cared for, a part of her that wanted only to be loved that she couldn’t hide no matter how hard she tried.

“I’m not so certain I can explain them. They come from nowhere and everywhere and can look like anything they please.”

“That sounds horrible.”

“To make a long story short, after I was—shall we say—deposed as king of Asgard, I was exiled and in this exile is where I encountered The Other.” As she opened her mouth, he held up a hand. “Don’t ask me to explain, for I cannot. I made a bargain with him. The Tesseract for control of the Chitauri. I would,” he paused, because no matter how he explained it, she was bound to be angered by it, “rule Midgard as your king with the help of the Chitauri armies and in return, I would hand them the Tesseract.”

“Tesseract?”

“An energy source. A neverending energy source and valuable to all the realms.” He drained his glass and set it on the table next to him. “And quite simply, I failed.”

“The Hulk.”

“Among a few others.” His back ached at the mere mention of the green beast that had grabbed him by the ankles and repeatedly whipped him back and forth until he was, as she pointed out, buried three inches into stone and steel. Not pleasant. Not pleasant at all. “Including my brother.”

“Close family.”

“He is not my family. I was stolen from my family as an infant and raised an Asgardian. But I’m not. Not as Thor and Odin, and even my mother, were.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What are you then?”

“I’m a Jötunn, a Frost Giant.”

“You don’t look like a giant.”

He smiled. “No, I don’t. But I assure you, I am.” He held up his right hand, gave a flick of his fingers, and snow started falling over her.

“What the hell…?” She laughed, setting down her glass and raising her hand, palm up, to catch the gently drifting flakes. “How did you do that?”

“My mother. She was quite the skilled illusionist.”

Snow clung to McKenna's golden hair and she smiled at him as she stuck out her tongue to catch a flake on it. Such an innocent gesture, and yet, his hand went still and the snow stopped.

She sat back, brushing the snow from her leg. “Cold. Now, you say she was a skilled illusionist. What happened to her?”

“She died. Was murdered, actually.”

“Oh my God…” Her eyes went round and wide with sympathy he knew to be genuine. “How awful. I’m so sorry.”

He bobbed his head. “I thank you and if you don’t mind, I’d rather not speak of it.” He tried like mad to never think of what happened to Frigga, for each time he did, his rage bubbled to the surface and threatened to devour him. She wasn’t his mother, but she was the closest thing he knew to a mother and the one person he trusted. She was the one person he loved.

“No, I understand. I lost my own mother not too long ago, although it wasn’t unexpected or violent. She was sick. Brain cancer. And it was a long, slow—” Her voice hitched and she pressed her lips together as her eyes glimmered. Tears. He could almost see her heartbreak.

He moved his fingers again to make it snow a little more, but she didn’t smile this time. So he moved them with a little more speed and created a snowball in the palm of his hand, which he handed to her. “Throw it at me.”

“What?”

“Throw it at me.”

She took the snowball and lobbed it at him. It hit him in the chest and exploded into a shower of white-winged butterflies that sparkled as if encrusted with diamonds as they fluttered all about the room. She couldn't keep the amazement from her voice as she murmured, “How did you do that?”

“I already told you.”

“They’re so pretty.”

“Do you prefer white? Or perhaps purple?” He didn’t wait for her response, but wiggled his fingers and the butterflies sparkled like rich amethysts. “Perhaps green?” Sparkling emeralds darted about the room.

“Perhaps multicolor?” The swarm became a kaleidoscope of brilliant, shimmering butterflies. Then, with a wave of his hand, they all vanished. “And to answer the rest of your question, I thought everything was as it should be. Asgard believes me to be dead. I assume the other realms do as well. But then, the Chitauri appeared. I couldn’t take the chance I might be discovered, and since I couldn’t access the Bifrost, I had to find other, less secure means to take my leave of Asgard. And that’s when I crashed into your flat.”

“Why did they believe you to be dead?”

McKenna refilled her wine glass and as she reached to fill his, he held up a hand. “Thank you, but no.” She set the bottle down and took her glass as he added, “Because I let them think so. Thor believes I sacrificed myself on Svartalfheim and I let them all think it. I avenged my mother’s murder and it was either let everyone believe I was truly dead or spend an eternity in Asgard’s dungeons.”

“Because of what happened in New York?”

He nodded. “Because of what happened in New York.”

“And yet, here you are and I’m not dead. Amazing.” Her words softened, running into one another as the wine hit her hard.

“I’ve no cause to kill you.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” She sank back against the arm of the sofa. “Our clothing suits you, Mr. Loki. Jeans look wonderful on you.”

“I think you’ve had a bit too much wine, Miss…” He frowned. “Have you a surname?”

“Carlin.”

“Miss Carlin.” He smiled as she fought to keep her eyes open. He rose from the table and slid his arms beneath her, one under her knees, the other about her waist, and lifted. She was not quite as light as she looked, but she wasn’t exactly heavy, either.

She didn’t fight him, but looped an arm about his neck, murmuring, “The room is spinning…” as he carried her back to her room and balanced her against his hip as he freed one hand to tug down her blankets.

He shifted her back, and bent to gently place her on the bed’s left side. Her hold on him tightened, and she whispered, “Please stay…”

“No. That wouldn’t be wise,” he replied, reaching up to peel her hand from his shoulder, where her grip was like iron. But he managed to free himself and he straightened, pulling the sheet and blanket up to her chin. “Perhaps another night, McKenna. But not this one.”

Her eyes were already closed, a breathy sigh floating up from her lips as she snuggled down into the pillow. Cinder hopped up to curl into a ball on her other side and Loki stood there for a while, he knew not how long, and watched her sleep.

In sleep, she looked so young. The day’s cares and worries faded from her face. Her blonde hair spilled across the pillow, glinting in the glow of the nightlight plugged into the outlet next to her bed. She was a lovely creature. As beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

“Sleep well, McKenna Carlin. Sleep well.”

#Loki #Loki Fanfic #Loki x ofc #Tom Hiddleston #Thor #Romance #Is it hot in here?#Jersey girl #Marvel #Marvel fanfic

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m5-6 · 7 months ago

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Central Wisconsin Farmers Struggle Amid Trade War and Immigration Concerns

Impact of U.S. Foreign Policy and Immigration Policies on Local Agriculture

Central Wisconsin farmers are facing significant challenges as a result of the trade war with China and potential immigration crackdowns. These issues have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to stay afloat and maintain their businesses. A recent discussion held at Miltrim Farms in Marathon County shed light on the concerns and experiences of farmers in the region.

The discussion, organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, focused on the impact of U.S. foreign policy and immigration policies on agriculture sectors such as dairy farming, ginseng farming, maple syrup production, apple orchards, and organic produce farming.

youtube

Immigration Concerns and Dairy Farming

One of the major concerns raised during the discussion was the potential mass deportations promised by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Dairy farmers heavily rely on immigrant labor, with many workers coming from Mexico and South America. While some workers have legal status through temporary work visas, not all of the workforce falls into this category.

The threat of mass deportations poses a significant risk to Wisconsin dairy farms, which depend on immigrant labor to operate smoothly. Farmers emphasized the need for a legal and sustainable means for foreign-born workers to be recognized and provided with the dignity they deserve.

"It seems foolish to just pretend that foreign-born workers aren't here and that we don't need them," said Hans Breitenmoser, a dairy farmer from Merrill.

Public opinion on immigration has shown a shift towards supporting mass deportations. A recent survey conducted by Axios and The Harris Poll found that a majority of Americans would support such deportations. In Wisconsin, the Marquette Law School Poll revealed that 30 percent of Wisconsinites believe undocumented immigrants currently working in the U.S. should be deported, a figure that has nearly doubled in the past two years.

Trade War Impact on Agriculture

In addition to immigration concerns, Wisconsin farmers are grappling with the consequences of trade policies, particularly the ongoing trade war with China. Wisconsin exported $3.87 billion in agricultural and food products in 2023, making trade a crucial aspect of the state's agricultural industry. When the U.S. imposes tariffs on imported goods, countries affected by these tariffs often retaliate by placing new fees on U.S.-produced products.

The ginseng industry in central Wisconsin has been particularly hard hit by the trade war with China. Over 90 percent of U.S. ginseng production comes from Marathon County, with the majority of the product being exported to China. The trade war has decimated this multimillion-dollar industry, with escalated tariffs initiated during the Trump administration and continued under President Joe Biden.

The number of ginseng producers in central Wisconsin has declined, and existing producers are struggling with declining revenues.

"We have a 120-year tradition in Marathon County for raising ginseng, which is mostly export-driven. So now we are really between a rock and a hard place," said Ming Tao Jiang, president of Marathon Ginseng International.

Farmers in the region also face challenges related to the price of steel and other building materials. Proposed tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum by President Biden could benefit U.S. manufacturers but would likely lead to increased costs for farmers, given the equipment-intensive nature of their businesses.

The struggles faced by central Wisconsin farmers in the wake of the trade war with China and potential immigration crackdowns highlight the complex and interdependent nature of the agricultural industry. The reliance on immigrant labor in dairy farming and the devastating impact of trade policies on sectors like ginseng production underscore the need for thoughtful and comprehensive solutions. As farmers continue to navigate these challenges, it is crucial for policymakers to consider the long-term implications of their decisions and work towards a sustainable future for the agricultural community.

0 notes

flyhighhorny · 7 months ago

Text

Central Wisconsin Farmers Struggle Amid Trade War and Immigration Concerns

How U.S. Foreign Policy and Immigration Policies Impact Local Agriculture

A group of farmers in Central Wisconsin recently gathered to discuss the challenges they face due to the ongoing trade war with China and potential immigration crackdowns. These issues have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to stay afloat and maintain their businesses. The discussion, organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, focused on the impact of U.S. foreign policy and immigration policies on the region's agriculture sectors, including dairy farming, ginseng production, maple syrup, apple orchards, and organic produce farming.

youtube

Immigration Crackdowns and the Dairy Industry

One of the major concerns raised by farmers is the potential mass deportations promised by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Dairy farmers heavily rely on immigrant labor, often from Mexico and South America, to operate their farms. While some workers have legal status through temporary work visas, many do not.

The prospect of mass deportations would have a significant impact on Wisconsin's dairy farms, jeopardizing their ability to function effectively. Farmers stressed the importance of recognizing the presence of foreign-born workers and finding a way to provide them with legal and sustainable means of staying in the country.

Public Opinion and Immigration Policies

Recent public opinion polling has shown a shift in favor of stricter immigration policies advocated by Trump. A survey conducted by Axios and The Harris Poll found that a majority of Americans support mass deportations. In Wisconsin, the latest Marquette Law School Poll revealed that 30 percent of Wisconsinites believe undocumented immigrants currently working in the U.S. should be deported, a figure that has nearly doubled in the past two years.

These changing attitudes have implications for the future of immigration policies and their impact on the agricultural sector.

Trade War and the Ginseng Industry

Wisconsin farmers are also grappling with the consequences of trade policies, particularly the ongoing trade war with China. Wisconsin is a major exporter of agricultural and food products, with $3.87 billion worth of exports in 2023. However, when the U.S. imposes tariffs on imported goods, other countries retaliate by imposing fees on U.S.-produced products.

This has had a devastating effect on the ginseng industry in the state, which heavily relies on exports to China. The trade war, initiated during the Trump administration and continued under President Joe Biden, has led to a decline in the number of ginseng producers and a significant drop in revenue for existing producers.

Impact on Equipment Costs

Farming is an equipment-intensive business, and farmers are also feeling the impact of new tariffs on steel and other building materials. President Biden has proposed imposing steep tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, which could benefit U.S. manufacturers but would likely lead to increased costs for farmers. The rising prices of essential materials further exacerbate the financial strain on farmers and make it even more challenging for them to sustain their operations.

Central Wisconsin farmers are facing a multitude of challenges due to the trade war with China and potential immigration crackdowns. The dairy industry relies heavily on immigrant labor, and the prospect of mass deportations threatens the viability of many farms. Additionally, the ginseng industry, a significant contributor to the local economy, has been severely impacted by the trade war.

The rising costs of equipment due to new tariffs further add to the financial strain on farmers. As the agricultural sector navigates these challenges, it is crucial for policymakers to consider the long-term implications of their decisions and work towards finding sustainable solutions that support the livelihoods of farmers in Central Wisconsin.

0 notes

damasaknjigama · 7 months ago

Text

Central Wisconsin Farmers Struggle Amid Trade War and Immigration Concerns

The Impact of U.S. Foreign Policy on Local Agriculture

Central Wisconsin farmers are facing significant challenges as they navigate the consequences of a trade war with China and potential immigration crackdowns. These issues have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to sustain their businesses and stay afloat in an already competitive industry.

A recent discussion held at Miltrim Farms in Marathon County, organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, shed light on the concerns of farmers from various sectors, including dairy, ginseng, maple syrup, apple orchards, and organic produce. The discussion highlighted how U.S. foreign policy and immigration policies directly impact producers and small businesses in the region.

youtube

Immigration Crackdowns and the Dairy Industry

One of the major concerns raised by farmers is the potential mass deportations promised by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Dairy farmers heavily rely on immigrant labor, often from Mexico and South America, to operate their farms. While many workers have legal status through temporary work visas, there are also undocumented workers in the industry.

The threat of mass deportations poses a significant risk to Wisconsin dairy farms, as it would result in a shortage of labor. Hans Breitenmoser, a dairy farmer from Merrill, emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of foreign-born workers and finding a legal and sustainable means to address their presence in the industry.

Public opinion on immigration has shifted in recent years, with a growing number of Americans supporting mass deportations. However, the potential consequences for Wisconsin's dairy industry cannot be ignored.

Trade Policies and the Ginseng Industry

Wisconsin farmers are also grappling with the impact of trade policies, particularly the ongoing trade war with China. Wisconsin exports billions of dollars worth of agricultural and food products, making it highly vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs imposed by affected countries.

This trade war has had a devastating effect on the U.S. ginseng industry, which is predominantly located in Marathon County. More than 90 percent of U.S. ginseng production comes from this region, with China being the primary export market. The trade war, initiated under the Trump administration and continued under President Joe Biden, has severely impacted the industry, resulting in a decline in the number of ginseng producers and dwindling revenues.

Ming Tao Jiang, president of Marathon Ginseng International, expressed the challenges faced by the industry, highlighting the rich tradition of ginseng farming in Marathon County and the dire situation caused by the trade war.

The Ripple Effect on Farming Equipment

In addition to the direct impact on agricultural products, farmers are also grappling with the consequences of trade policies on farming equipment. The price of steel and other building materials, essential for equipment-intensive farming, may be affected by new tariffs.

President Biden has proposed steep tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, which could potentially benefit U.S. manufacturers but would likely drive up costs for farmers. This poses an additional burden on an already struggling industry.

The challenges faced by Central Wisconsin farmers due to the trade war with China and potential immigration crackdowns are significant and multifaceted. The dairy industry heavily relies on immigrant labor, making the threat of mass deportations a cause for concern. The ginseng industry, a longstanding tradition in Marathon County, has been decimated by the trade war, resulting in a decline in producers and revenues.

Additionally, the impact on farming equipment further exacerbates the difficulties faced by farmers.

As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for policymakers to consider the far-reaching consequences of their decisions. Finding sustainable solutions that support farmers and ensure the viability of the industry is essential for the economic well-being of Central Wisconsin and the broader agricultural community.

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addierose444 · 9 months ago

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Tofu Spinach Salad

To incorporate more vegetables into my diet (and fewer carbohydrates), I’ve recently incorporated salads into my regular meal rotation. I’ll be the first to admit that for the longest time, I didn’t consider salads to be a real meal and just saw them as a side. On the rare occasion I did eat a salad during college it was simply because there was nothing else I was willing to eat. In other words, salads were my absolute last resort. And while I still don’t exactly crave salads, I’ve genuinely been enjoying eating this tofu spinach salad for lunch. The crispy tofu serves as a source of protein and also sort of acts like croutons. While a recipe isn’t really necessary for such a simple meal, I’ve been having fun trying to document my meals and meal planning in this way.

Speaking of meal planning, I make this salad four times a week. And that’s an exact number because part of my whole meal planning thing is all about preventing food waste and knowing exactly how each purchased ingredient will be used before buying it. In the case of this salad, one package of tofu is enough for four salads, the red peppers I buy come in a pack of two, and the blue cheese is enough for the four salads with a little extra. As for the spinach, two bags is significantly more than I need, but that does force me to make another two meals per week with spinach. Still developing the recipe, but one meal I’ve been using extra spinach for has been a spinach omelet. Sidenote, but even with predominantly organic ingredients, each salad costs me less than $3 to make. I didn’t do a price breakdown for the vinaigrette or the tofu ingredients, but the other ingredients total $2.46 (see price breakdown at the bottom of this post).

Ingredients:

2 ounces baby spinach

½ red bell peppers

1 ounce blue cheese

For Crispy Tofu (4 Servings):

14 ounces extra firm tofu

1 tablespoon cooking oil (canola, olive, or avocado)

1 tablespoon tamari

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

For Apple Cider Vinaigrette:

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon maple syrup

Preparation:

Make the Crispy Tofu:

Drain the tofu and press out excess moisture with paper towels.

Cut the tofu into small cubes. (As shown in the photo below, sixths in the x-direction, eighths in the y-direction, and quarters in the z-direction).

Add the cooking oil, tamari, and tofu cubes directly to a quarter-sheet pan. Move the tofu around to coat each side with the oil/tamari and then spread it into a single layer.

Broil the tofu on high for 20 minutes stirring every five minutes. Before the final five minutes, drizzle over the sesame oil.

Prep the Rest of the Salad:

While the tofu cooks, you can prepare the rest of the salad.

Cut the red pepper into thin strips and then quarters.

Combine the vinaigrette ingredients in a small leakproof container.

Add spinach.

Crumble the blue cheese over the top of the spinach.

Top with a quarter of the cooled tofu.

Ingredient Price Breakdown:

Organic baby spinach, $1.99 for a six-ounce bag at Trader Joe’s

Organic red peppers, $3.49 for a pack of two at Trader Joe’s

Organic extra firm tofu, $1.69 for a 14-ounce package at Whole Foods

Blue cheese, $7.99 per pound at Trader Joe’s

Calculation: $1.99/3 + $3.49/4 + $1.69/4 + $7.99/16 = ~$2.46

#spinach salad #crispy tofu #meal prep #meal planning #recipe

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aprillikesthings · 3 years ago

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I'm not disagreeing with your logic, but isn't it also true then that grocers and doctors are parasites? They're no less guilty of holding human necessities for ransom.

Okay, so this is gonna be difficult because I know that there are probably words for the concepts I'm trying to explain, but I don't have an education in economics or policy ("lol I can tell," there, I said it for you) so this...wanders a little. Bear with me, yeah?

Firstly: Housing isn't movable. (Even "mobile homes," really.) I'm not just paying for the walls I live in. I'm paying for the spot of land it sits on. I'm paying to live specifically in this neighborhood, in this city; near my job, where I can ride a bicycle everywhere, where I can walk to grocery stores.

Humans can be moved between houses--but only at a cost of time, stress, and money. So people usually prefer not to do it more than necessary.

If I don't like a doctor, I can (usually) just walk out of the appointment and try to find someone else. If a grocery store costs too much or has bad customer service, I can (usually) shop somewhere else. Obviously, depending on insurance/location the doctor one might be a lot trickier--but with very few exceptions, it's not gonna be as hard as moving house.

Landlords/property companies know my choices are: deal with all their bullshit, or go through the pain and expense of looking for another place--if there ARE any I can afford!--and then moving. (Or, if they evict me for any/no reason, and/or I can't find an affordable place, risking homelessness.)

Part of what you pay for when you buy a house is stability--no one can force you to move just because they want to make the house nicer and more expensive, or because they want to live there instead of you. You're not worried that at any moment someone might come into your house and tell you you're not keeping it clean to their standards, so you better clean it up or you'll be homeless. (There isn't someone watching what I do with the lettuce I bought and disqualifying me from food benefits or even shopping at that grocery store because I didn't eat it all before it went bad.)

Secondly: I am actively making use of my housing for the majority of the time I am alive. If I'm not at work, and not on vacation, I am usually at home. I require housing every single day--even away from home, one of the major expenses is shelter--a hotel, a hostel, a campground and camping supplies. When I am not at home, the majority of my belongings are in my housing.

"You also need to eat every single day?" yes but I don't need to go grocery shopping daily. I shop once a week or less, usually. I could even skip a week, and my choices would narrow a bit but I wouldn't go hungry. I often switch which store I shop at every week based on my needs/wants: Trader Joe's one week, Fred Meyer another, doing an online Safeway order the week after that. I am not locked into one store every single week. Grocery stores know this, and compete amongst among each other by (among other things) lowering prices. Landlords are not doing that.

Tl;dr: I am not dependent on one grocery store or one doctor and can switch if I don't like them. Switching houses is a tremendous pain in the ass and expensive.

Thirdly: With groceries and food in general: it is easier to get SNAP benefits (aka "food stamps") or go to a food bank than it is to get housing benefits/rental assistance, though this might have changed in some places due to the pandemic.

In regards to doctors: There's a lot of effort put into attempting to get poor people on publicly funded health insurance (in most/sane states, anyway). Also, if you go to the ER, they cannot deny you emergency care based on your ability to pay.

But we regularly let people go homeless.

Fourthly: As a general rule (see caveats below) there aren't a ton of people out there buying up all the groceries and medical care and then not using them and holding onto them just so they can wait for the price to increase before selling--and when people do buy up medical supplies just to jack up the price, we all recognize this as unethical and there are even laws against it in many places. There's not entire companies (again, exceptions noted below) whose business model is based on making sure there isn't enough food or medical care to go around specifically with the goal of jacking up the expense of it and making a profit.

Lastly: I actually think it should be illegal for healthcare to have a profit motive. I'm absolutely in favor of single-payer socialized medicine. I do in fact think that holding medical care ransom is also unethical, though your average GP isn't the problem--and unlike landlords, healthcare workers are doing something of value that takes a great deal of skill, and they should be paid appropriately.

Tl;dr, part two: Food and medical care are human rights as much as housing is, but making sure everyone gets them will look different.

(General caveat/disclaimer: In many rural places, there is in fact only one doctor/clinic and one grocery store--and if they jack up the price because they can, they are also unethically holding life necessities for ransom. Ironically (or not?) housing is often much, much less expensive in those places. Aka "Holy shit this house is cheap, but who the fuck wants to live out there? And where would I work???") (ALSO ALSO: lol tbh there are examples of people holding onto all of a particular kind of food with the idea of making it more expensive--the first example that came to mind was Quebec's supply of maple syrup! Which is tasty but not uhhh irreplaceable or necessary for human life. It happens far more often with medication--witness the price of insulin in the US. Which every decent person realizes is unethical, morally wrong bullshit.)

#I hope this makes sense????#I took too long to write this and I know it meanders #plus I fucked up the formatting at one point and then confused myself lol #landlord discourse

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rowandpyr973 · 4 years ago

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Does A Foot Detox Work? Know The Realities

So, we do not recommend this solution unless recommended by a certified physician as well as performed under clinical supervision. In much more extreme cases of hefty metal poisoning, the suggested treatment is chelation treatment under the guidance of a certified medical professional. This entails taking medicines in the form of pills or injections. These drugs, also called chelators, bind to the metals as well as help with the process of their removal. The ordinary individuals usually do not require to be bothered with hefty metals poisoning. As it was elaborated in an earlier write-up, we're subjected to different types of unsafe hefty steels such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromiumand, as well as arsenic. These toxic substances normally discover their method into our bodies through the food we eat, the water we consume, the air we breathe, or the cosmetics we placed on.

It takes a look at your certain situation as well as decides the kind of therapy you get.

The pads cover the soles of the feet as well as cover the sections of the foot that correspond to significant physical systems.

Colon Cleansing Supplements-- There are lots of colon cleansing supplements on the marketplace.

Yes, marijuana detox beverages do work, but you have to know that the majority of them are aimed at passing urine tests as well as do not assist with hair or saliva examinations.

The wrong nutrients, too little rest, stress and the modern-day always-on mentality can put a great strain on health.

Detox programs might be essential to success as, once more, there are no immoral medicines admitted these facilities and recommended medication is taken care of as well as administered by nursing personnel.

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Be careful engaging in risky behaviors.To stay clear of the risk of getting viral liver disease, do not take part in behaviors such as illicit drug use or having unguarded sex with multiple partners. We make every effort to be completely transparent in all of our relationships. To that end, we want you to be mindful that Alcohol Rehabilitation Overview is compensated by therapy companies for the work Alcohol Rehabilitation Guide performs in the growth and also operation of this website. These companies were thoroughly vetted and also picked based on the high quality of therapy they give and their strenuous dedication to honest methods.

How Is An Ionic Foot Detoxification Intended To Work?

Every person has different needs when it comes to treating alcohol usage problem, a condition that can be diagnosed when your pattern of alcohol use is bothersome as well as causes substantial distress. It can vary from mild to severe, depending upon the number of signs you have.

There is no study revealing they boost high blood pressure or cholesterol or have a favorable result on the heart. Any kind of diet regimen that drastically restricts what you consume could bring about alarmingly reduced blood sugar if you take medication for diabetes mellitus. The only kind of detoxification diet that is rewarding is one that restricts processed, high-fat, and sweet foods, and also replaces them with even more whole foods likefruits as well as veggies. That clean-eating technique is your best bet to getting your body in good shape. If your objective is weight loss, a detoxification diet may aid you go down a few extra pounds, but you'll likely just get it back. Ultimately, you have not accomplished anything, and also it's definitely not a healthy and balanced strategy. Exercised for centuries by societies worldwide-- consisting of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems-- detoxification is about resting, cleaning as well as nurturing the body from the inside out.

Various Other Subjects In Client Treatment & Wellness Details

Wait on some scientific evidence that confirms a claim prior to you spend your cash. According to oriental medication, our feet have marks pertaining to the wellness of every body organ in our body. These diet regimens are low in calories, which will certainly leave you with little power to exercise and may disrupt your metabolic price and blood glucose degrees. Prior to you decide to cleanse and also invest large dollars on a magic drink or extra pounds of freshly juiced fruits and vegetables, Patton claims to ensure to evaluate the advantages and also downsides. Solid foods are typically changed with beverages like water with lemon, maple syrup as well as cayenne pepper; eco-friendly tea; or freshly pressed fruit and vegetable juices. Alcoholic liver disease.All alcohol usage need to discontinue in order to allow the liver the most effective opportunity for recovery.

We just recommend this intense colon cleaning strategy for special cases and also those with intense constipation. Less hostile techniques are advised for the average Joe. For the moderate instances of hefty steel toxicity, the most effective treatment is as straightforward as preventing further exposure to hefty metal resources. The hefty metal source usually is a pollutant workplace atmosphere or a toxic food such as fish or shellfish. One of the most typical withdrawal symptoms are fatigue, depression, anxiousness, nausea, as well as sleep disorders. But reducing the sugar intake is not as easy as it might appear. The factor is that sugar consists of habit forming compounds which impact the mind as morphine or cocaine do.

What Occurs During Detoxification?

How COVID-19 Has Impacted Alcohol AbuseAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the varieties of alcohol abuse have remained to climb, triggering problem throughout America. For more details on AAC's commitment to ethical marketing and also treatment practices, or to get more information regarding just how to choose a therapy provider, visit our About AAC web page. If you desire to discover extra therapy options or connect with a specific rehab center, you can surf top-rated listings or go to SAMHSA. We are standing by 24/7 to discuss your therapy choices. Our reps work solely for AAC and also will certainly talk about whether an AAC facility might be a choice for you. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you as well as without any responsibility to become part of therapy. Neither Detox.com nor AAC obtains any kind of payment or other fee that depends on which treatment service provider a site visitor may ultimately pick.

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thegayguard · 4 years ago

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My sister was watching Dirty Money last night and apparently there's an episode about the maple syrup heist and i don't think you understand the amount of self control I'm exhibiting rn by not opening another google doc to write a star crossed lovers fic about pro federation Nicky and barrel-roller Joe.

So I basically mostly wrote it under the cut.

Andy is an anti-federation harvester and Quynh is her uber helpful maple syrup lawyer wife (yes that title is ridiculous. yes, Maple Syrup Lawyer is an actual title real people use). Booker runs black market exports out of Ottawa since his québécois export license "expired" (aka was suspended but Quynh got him out of most of the fines as long as he didn't officially touch business in Quebec again).

Nicky believes that the free market is a recipe for disaster and leads people to anarchy and price gouging. Joe believes the farmers produce and own the product so they should be able to do with it as they will. They meet when Nicky comes to the federation storehouse late one night to grab some paperwork and catches Andy siphoning out some of the barrels from the Global Maple Syrup Reserves to replace with water, and she dragged Joe along because she needed someone to help her get the barrels on the truck (Quynh, as a lawyer, needs to keep her hands clean of all this and Booker is still persona non-grata in Quebec for the time being).

Nicky sees this beautiful man carrying a heavy as shit barrel in his strong arms, sweating in a thin tank despite the snow outside, and immediately gets struck dumb. Joe looks up and sees this bookish lanky man in a soft looking scarf with the face of a statue and freezes in his tracks. Andy, the lesbian with all the braincells at the moment, drags Joe away and threatens Nicky enough to get him to back off for the night.

Joe laments about this beautiful man all the way back to the farm, and Andy tried very hard not to beat him over the back of the head. The next day Nicky gets interrogated on what he saw by detective (and secret anti-federation mole) Nile. When he finally confesses he saw the most beautiful man in the world, because Nile seems so open and trusting, Nile internally sighs and tries not to let it show that she is Not Paid Enough by either party to deal with a Romeo and Juliet situation. She convinces Nicky that Joe isn't a bad guy and he might have his reasons, then leaves him be.

Nicky, in love at first sight for the first time in his life, tries to find Joe by wading through barrel-roller contacts that his father warned him away from, eventually finding Quynh as someone who was known for her sympathy towards the anti-federation farmers. She, conveniently knows Joe and, after Nicky thoroughly convinces her that he means no harm, decides to take him home like a lost puppy.

They pull up to the farm in Quynh’s Prius or w.e. and lo and behold, there's Joe chopping wood in a t-shirt with a flannel wrapped around his waist and jeans rolled up over his docs. Nicky almost passes out in the passenger seat. Quynh shoves him out of the car and Joe looks up and once again is struck by this soft looking academic type with eyes that bore into his soul and Oh No he's falling for a federation lackey.

They all go inside and Nicky reluctantly reveals he's the son of the federation president, and Andy almost immediately throws him out. Joe argues that he should at least be able to stay long enough to hear their case. Joe, ever the poet, waxes poetic about their side of things and Nicky is so in love and so disillusioned by his father's outdated views that he decides to help them from the inside. Andy immediately argues that they don't need an inside man bc they have Nile (which is a surprise to Nicky) and Quynh convinces her that the son of the president might very well have footing to become the next president, who can then dismantle the federation once and for all (no, that's not how the federation works. No, i don't care.)

And so we then cue hijinks with well-meaning naive Nicky trying to take apart this huge institution from the inside with tips from surly modern day pirate Booker, double agent detective Nile, sole owner of all the braincells Quynh, fierce activist maple farmer with a secret personal vendetta Andy, and absolutely gorgeous charming illegal barrel-roller Joe.

#tog #my writing #maple syrup heist #if you dont know about it please read the wiki at least #or watch the dirty money episode #my family is from quebec (not maple farmers sadly but teachers and lawyers for their tribe before my grandad got kidnapped by the govt #but thats a different story)#so i understand the politics and the importance of it all #but i also have to acknowledge that from an oitside perspective this is all onjectively hilarious #millions of dollars worth of maple syrup were stolen from the federations global reserve (where they keep all the excess syrup #in case of a worldwide shortage due to underproduction for a given year)#and they figured it out bc the barrels were rusted away bc they were filled up again with water #barrelrollers btw are blackmarket maple syrup dealers #anyway ppl hate the federation who runs the reserve and controls all official syrup production bc they regulate how much people are allowex #*allowed to sell and at what price and when and where #so they basically control the entire maple syrup market and only the maple syrup market #thats why syrup prices are what they are #bc of the federation #and quebec is the source of a majority of the worlds maple syrup production #so they basically control the worldwide supply of maple syrup #anyway. take this outline/drabble/almost fic thing and enjoy #if anyone wants to actually write it please do i absolutely encourage it

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easyfoodnetwork · 4 years ago

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From the Strategist: 21 Best Grilling Gifts for Every Type of Grilling Enthusiast

Photo: ClassicStock/Getty Images

All the grills and grilling accessories a grill master could want, from the Strategist

At its most basic, grilling is cooking on an open flame, like what our prehistoric ancestors used to do, but if you’re not the kind of person who takes pleasure in lighting charcoal on fire and then cooking big slabs of meat on it, you might be struggling to find the best grilling gifts for someone who does. (Though even self-described grill enthusiasts sometimes need help finding an actually useful but still unique grilling gift.) So to make it easy, we rounded up 21 of the best grills and grilling accessories that would be excellent gifts for the person in your life who likes to fire it up.

For the griller who struggles with lighting charcoal

BBQ Dragon Cordless Grill Fan in Silver

Jean-Paul Bourgeois of New York City’s Blue Smoke calls the BBQ Dragon, “a fire starter’s best friend. This easy-to-use little gadget will clip onto any grill or smoker and assist you in getting those coals burning fast and evenly.”

For the griller who mostly cooks with charcoal

Panacea 15343 Ash Bucket With Shovel, Black

If anyone plays a little fast and loose with the disposal of coals, or wants a safer way to do it, this steel ash bucket will help prevent accidents. As Hugh Magnum, pitmaster at Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue, explains, “It sometimes takes as long as two days for coals to be completely cold, so you don’t put any coals for at least two days into a trash bag, or else that trash bag will go up in flames.”

For the griller who’s terrified of burns

Artisan Griller Insulated Cooking Gloves

Writer Caitlin M. O’Shaughnessy was introduced to these pit gloves by her mother, who used them to take a full turkey out of the oven. “The cotton-lined gloves are coated with neoprene rubber and designed for true-blue barbecuers who have to handle hot meat on the smoker — that means they’re also waterproof, stainproof, and (most importantly) greaseproof.” They also come recommended by Patrick Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in Nashville, who actually prefers these heavy-duty gloves to tongs, especially when working with big cuts of meat, like whole hogs.

For the griller who’s looking to streamline

Stingray 7 in 1 BBQ Tool

Swap out the tool kit for this 7-in-1 grilling tool, recommended by self-described “pretty competent outdoor griller” Steven John, who calls this “the Swiss Army knife of grilling equipment, combining all three tools and even sporting a bottle opener built into its handle.”

For the griller who loves steak

Sloan Personalized Miniature Steak Branding Iron

For Valentine’s Day, writer Leah Bhabha gifted her carnivorous boyfriend a personalized branding iron, purchased on Amazon, and it was an instant hit. “We’ve now emblazoned his initials on everything from ribs to rib eyes, and even busted out the brander for cast-iron cooked burgers (the patty’s initials were covered by the bun, but he liked it so much he branded them anyway).”

For the griller who prefers chicken

Two-in-One Vertical Chicken Roasting Pan

Nick Pihakis of Jim ’N Nicks Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, Alabama, calls this chicken-roasting contraption “one of the best ways to cook a chicken. Not only is upright roasting the optimal position to roast a chicken (fat drips away, heat surrounds the chicken 360 degrees, skin crisps up better), this cooking method allows the steam and vapors to flavor the chicken from the inside cavity out, helping it to stay moist.”

For the griller who’s also a hibachi enthusiast

Elite Platinum EMG-980B Large Indoor Electric Round Nonstick Grilling Surface

If dinner has become a bit of a slog recently, consider setting up a hibachi or Korean barbecue night and using this highly rated indoor grill to do it. Reviewers on Amazon say, true to advertising, it’s truly non-stick (so feel free to go all in on your marinades) and is just as effective at grilling vegetables as a grilling a sturdy ribeye.

For the griller who’s not sure what to do with vegetables

Sur La Table Stainless Steel Grill Basket

Steven John recommends a grill basket, “that can be placed atop any sort of grill (charcoal, gas, or even wood fire) and filled with loose veggies, shrimp, fries, and so on.” It keeps these more delicate ingredients from sticking to the grill’s grates, and, as John notes, “the grate’s cleaner, too.”

For the griller who over-checks their meat

Thermapen Mk4 Thermometer

A meat thermometer is a must-have accessory for a barbecue enthusiast to quickly and easily ensure that meat is fully cooked but not overdone. And for my money, there’s no meat thermometer better than the Thermapen. As I wrote in my review of this gadget, “What makes the Thermapen stand out from other digital kitchen thermometers is its speed and accuracy. According to the manufacturer’s website, this food thermometer can tell the real-time temperature of whatever you’re trying to measure within 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit in under three seconds. That speed makes a noticeable difference when you’re balancing a roasting pan on a hot oven door as you try to take the temperature of whatever’s inside without burning yourself or letting out too much heat,” or dealing with a hot barbecue grill. (And I’m in good company. The Thermapen also comes recommended by Amy and Mike Mills of 17th St. BBQ in Murphysboro, Illinois.)

For the griller who’s getting into marinades

Boiled Cider Syrup

In his roundup of the best condiments you can buy on Amazon, writer Hugh Merwin recommends this boiled cider, which is “kind of pure apple essence,” he explains. However, that sweetness makes it an excellent addition to a barbecue tool kit. “Grillmasters use it at the base of marinades, where it tenderizes meat and its mildly tart and subtle flavor blends in with wood smoke.”

For the griller with a small patio

Fire Sense Large Yakatori Charcoal Grill

Recommended by Leslie Roark Scott of Ubon’s Barbeque in Yazoo City, Mississippi, this large yakitori grill is ideal for those in a “tight space. It’s the perfect size for a couple of steaks, and holds heat like a champ.”

For the griller with no patio

Weber 10020 Smokey Joe

If you’re looking to gift a truly portable grill, for someone who dreams of grilling in Prospect Park, the Weber Smokey Joe is a classic choice. It’s a no-frills option, but it’s got the same durability as the larger kettle-style Weber grill.

For the indoor grill enthusiast who hates smoke

Philips Indoor Smokeless Grill

We discovered this indoor smokeless grill while watching Queer Eye on Netflix, and it’s a solid option for someone who wants to grill but is constrained by the realities of living in an apartment. It uses infrared light to heat the grill and help prevent smoking from dripping fat.

For the indoor grill enthusiast who doesn’t want another gadget

Lodge Pro-Grid Cast-Iron Grill and Griddle Combo. Reversible 20 x 10.44” Grill/Griddle Pan With Easy-Grip Handles

Though it’s more likely to smoke up your kitchen, this cast-iron grill plate from Lodge is “the indoor grill that’s closest in spirit to firing up the charcoal.” (Plus, because it’s essentially a flat piece of cast-iron, it’s much easier to store than a new appliance.)

For the griller who likes that smoky taste

Z Grills ZPG-7002E

As Steven John explains, “a pellet grill is a barbecue grill that uses an automatically fed supply of wood pellets to maintain a preestablished temperature and infuse the cooking foods with smoke aroma and flavor. Your fuel source is also your smoke source.” That means your meat takes longer to cook, but it’s also got more smoky flavor, and in his testing of pellet grills, John liked this one from Z Grills, in part because “you can load up enough wood pellets for hours of smoking with minimal refills required.”

For the griller who wants to go full pitmaster

Masterbuilt MES 130B Digital Electric Smoker

On a long hunt for the “best, not-too-massive city grill,” Lauren Levy discovered that the best barbecue grill is actually this digital smoker from Masterbuilt. That’s according to Myron Mixon, the winningest man in barbecue, who explains, “It’s a digital smoker, so you can actually punch in the temperature you want and it takes you right there from 100 degrees to 275 degrees in just a few minutes.” He continues, “The truth is, everything that someone would want to barbecue you can cook with the Masterbuilt smoker, and it’s much more delicious.”

For the griller who likes to cook low and slow

Akorn Jr. Kamado Kooker

The first rule of Grilling 101: Leave the meat be. But when you’re constantly worried about your provisions burning that can be difficult to do. That’s why the grilling enthusiasts of Amazon love the Akorn Jr., a ceramic, kamado-style grill that does an excellent job of maintaining low temperatures. Plus, it’s about a tenth of the price of the popular, kamado-style Big Green Egg grill.

For the griller who tries to keep their grill spotless

Drillbrush BBQ Accessories

I’ve written about the Drillbrush as the best tool to keep my shower clean, but the company makes different brush attachments with different stiffnesses for different purposes, like this barbecue accessories set, which can be used to detail-clean even the most grease-stained grill.

For the griller who likes to grill and chill

YETI Roadie 20 Cooler

“When you’re smoking whole hogs, you can’t go for a beer run, so you need a good cooler that’s going to keep your beer cold for the night,” wisely notes Patrick Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. That’s why he recommends a Yeti cooler to keep by the grill. “I guarantee when you reach for a beer, it’s gonna be good and cold — just like it should be.”

For the griller who likes to carve meat

John Boos Block BBQBD Reversible Maple Wood Edge Grain BBQ Cutting Board With Juice Groove

This sturdy Boos block has a juice groove to catch any liquid that might come out when carving a big hunk of barbecue. (And this gift certainly doesn’t have to be retired once grilling season is over. It’ll also come in handy at Thanksgiving, when it’s time to carve the turkey.)

For the griller who likes eating barbecue more than cooking

Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece Fine Edge Steak Knife Set

Once they cook the meat, they’ll need something to help you eat it, and that’s where these Messermeister steak knives come in. “There’s a curious delight in using these very, very sharp steak knives to bisect a morsel of beef (or pork, or chicken, or whatever flesh you have lying around),” writes Katie Arnold-Ratliff in her ode to these. “The blade slices through the steak with tactile precision — a kind of buttery, slippery ease that makes me say every time my boyfriend and I use these knives, which is a lot, ‘Man I love these knives.’”

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/2BbdFk9 https://ift.tt/2XwN1ti

Photo: ClassicStock/Getty Images

All the grills and grilling accessories a grill master could want, from the Strategist

For the griller who struggles with lighting charcoal

BBQ Dragon Cordless Grill Fan in Silver

For the griller who mostly cooks with charcoal

Panacea 15343 Ash Bucket With Shovel, Black

For the griller who’s terrified of burns

Artisan Griller Insulated Cooking Gloves

For the griller who’s looking to streamline

Stingray 7 in 1 BBQ Tool

For the griller who loves steak

Sloan Personalized Miniature Steak Branding Iron

For the griller who prefers chicken

Two-in-One Vertical Chicken Roasting Pan

For the griller who’s also a hibachi enthusiast

Elite Platinum EMG-980B Large Indoor Electric Round Nonstick Grilling Surface

For the griller who’s not sure what to do with vegetables

Sur La Table Stainless Steel Grill Basket

For the griller who over-checks their meat

Thermapen Mk4 Thermometer

For the griller who’s getting into marinades

Boiled Cider Syrup

For the griller with a small patio

Fire Sense Large Yakatori Charcoal Grill

For the griller with no patio

Weber 10020 Smokey Joe

For the indoor grill enthusiast who hates smoke

Philips Indoor Smokeless Grill

For the indoor grill enthusiast who doesn’t want another gadget

Lodge Pro-Grid Cast-Iron Grill and Griddle Combo. Reversible 20 x 10.44” Grill/Griddle Pan With Easy-Grip Handles

For the griller who likes that smoky taste

Z Grills ZPG-7002E

For the griller who wants to go full pitmaster

Masterbuilt MES 130B Digital Electric Smoker

For the griller who likes to cook low and slow

Akorn Jr. Kamado Kooker

For the griller who tries to keep their grill spotless

Drillbrush BBQ Accessories

For the griller who likes to grill and chill

YETI Roadie 20 Cooler

For the griller who likes to carve meat

John Boos Block BBQBD Reversible Maple Wood Edge Grain BBQ Cutting Board With Juice Groove

For the griller who likes eating barbecue more than cooking

Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece Fine Edge Steak Knife Set

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/2BbdFk9 via Blogger https://ift.tt/2Xyq7C0

#Blogger #cooking #Eater #food #recipes

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paleorecipecookbook · 6 years ago

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The Essential Paleo Shopping List, Ranked by $-$$$$

One of the biggest barriers people cite to going Paleo is cost. While organic fruits and veggies and grass-fed meats do occasionally come at a steeper markup than processed, packaged foods, the investment in your health is priceless.

Processed foods may fill you up in a superficial way, but there’s a significant trade-off to your long-term health. Paleo-friendly foods, which include whole, unprocessed, and nutritionally sound items, instead nourish and fuel your body.

We know, though, that wallets are not bottomless and budgets have limits. If you ask yourself if you can afford to eat Paleo, the answer is: Yes! There are a variety of wallet-friendly Paleo ingredients to build your diet around, just as there are more splurge-worthy items that you might buy on occasion – this is true of any diet, really.

Below, we’ve ranked Paleo foods by price – from $5 to $20 – so you can determine which items to fill your basket with each grocery trip, and which to save up and splurge on.

We based the categories on real-world pricing, scouring the shelves of national grocery chains with a reputation for health-conscious selections (like Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Whole Foods) and researching items available on Amazon’s digital shelves.

Note: Prices and availability vary by location and seasonality. And depending on where you shop, you may be able to find these ingredients cheaper or more expensive, depending on your grocery shopping habits.

While the list is not exhaustive – there’s a giant range of food available to you on the Paleo diet – we’ve listed the key Paleo staples to build meals around. Use this list as a helpful guide to your next grocery trip!

Under $5

The vast majority of Paleo ingredients we’ve included here ring in at under $5. It’s no surprise that fresh, organic produce is typically the least expensive Paleo item to shop for, and that’s good news, as you should aim to make it a major focus of your meals.

With organic veggies like broccoli and cauliflower, a pound of grass-fed ground beef, and plenty of spices and condiments, you could easily build a meal from this under $5 list.

Fresh Produce

Organic Fuji apples (1 lb): $3

Organic sweet potatoes (1 lb): $1.70

Organic strawberries (1 lb): $3.50

Organic bananas (1 lb): $0.70

Organic tomatoes (1 lb): $3

Organic cauliflower (1 lb): $1.70

Organic broccoli (1 lb): $1.70

Organic whole carrots (1 lb): $1

Organic Brussels sprouts (1 lb): $3

Organic Bartlett pears (1 lb): $2

Organic green grapes (1 lb): $3

Milks/Fats/Eggs

Grass-fed butter (8 oz block): $3

Almond milk (half-gallon): $2.70

Organic, free-range brown eggs (12-ct carton): $4

Meats/Seafood

Grass-fed ground beef (1 lb): $4

Pantry Products

Dark chocolate (1 lb): $5

Organic, unsweetened coconut shreds (12 oz bag): $3.50

Coconut sugar (16 oz bag): $5

Coconut flour (16 oz bag): $3.70

Organic coconut cream (13.5 oz can): $2.30

Organic coconut milk (13.5 oz can): $1.70

Beef bone broth (1 pint): $3

Organic apple cider vinegar (16 oz bottle): $2.50

Balsamic vinegar (16.9 oz bottle): $2.30

Organic coconut aminos (8.5 oz bottle): $3

Nutritional yeast (4 oz bag): $2.70

Spices

Ground cumin (1.7 oz bottle): $2

Cayenne pepper (1.8 oz bottle): $2

Ground turmeric (2 oz bottle): $2

Garlic powder (2.6 oz bottle): $2

Under $10

Items under $10 tend to be staples that you need only buy every few weeks. Think bags of almond flour and bottles of maple syrup for baking, or cooking fats like olive oil, and coconut oil.

Rounding out this list are some meats, like organic, free-range chicken, and a package of Paleo-friendly bacon that’s free from sugar and processed ingredients. While these may be a bit pricier than the conventional stuff, they’re far more nutritious and sustainable for the environment.

Milks/Fats/Eggs

Premium, cold-pressed olive oil (32 oz bottle): $8

Organic, virgin coconut oil (16 oz jar): $5

Meats/Seafood

Organic, free-range, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb): $6

Organic ground turkey (1 lb): $5.70

Paleo-friendly bacon (8 oz package): $6

Pantry Products

Almond flour (16 oz bag): $7.50

Tapioca flour (2.5 oz bag): $9.60

Cacao powder (8 oz bag): $6

Raw almond butter (16 oz jar): $6

Organic, grade A maple syrup (12 oz bottle): $8

Organic raw honey (16 oz jar): $6

Organic chia seeds (2 lb bag): $10

Maca powder (8 oz bag): $8.50

Ground flaxseed (24 oz bag): $6

Under $15

Items that reach the under $15 mark are a bit more of a premium option, or they’re a bulk staple that you only purchase every so often – not a weekly expense. These include grass-fed ribeye steaks and lamb chops, or coconut butter and liquid stevia.

Milks/Fats/Eggs

Ghee (9 oz jar): $12

Meats/Seafood

Grass-fed, organic ribeye steak (10 oz): $13.50

Grass-fed lamb loin chops (1 lb): $11.50

Wild-caught salmon (1 lb): $12

Pantry Products

Arrowroot flour (2.5 lb bag): $12

Cacao butter (1 lb bag): $14

Coconut butter (14 oz jar): $13

Liquid stevia (2 oz bottle): $12

Under $20

The items that ring in under $20 are definitely premium and specialty buys. Think grass-fed New York Strip steaks – something you’d probably only whip up for a special occasion or an especially fancy dinner at home – or chlorella powder for a nutrient-packed smoothie.

Meats/Seafood

Grass-fed New York strip steak (1 lb): $16

Wild-caught shrimp (1 lb): $16

Pantry Products

Spirulina powder (6 oz container): $20

Chlorella powder (8 oz bag): $20

(You’ll Also Love: The Complete Guide to Shopping Paleo)

The post The Essential Paleo Shopping List, Ranked by $-$$$$ appeared first on PaleoPlan.

Source: https://ift.tt/10qRbxJ

#paleo #recipe #food #delicious #healthy #yum #diet

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newstfionline · 3 years ago

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Monday, November 29, 2021

COVID variant spreads to more countries as world on alert (AP) The new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in more European countries on Saturday, just days after being identified in South Africa, leaving governments around the world scrambling to stop the spread. The U.K. on Saturday tightened its rules on mask-wearing and on testing of international arrivals after finding two cases. New cases were confirmed Saturday in Germany and Italy, with Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong also reporting that the variant has been found in travelers. Because of fears that the new variant has the potential to be more resistant to the protection offered by vaccines, there are growing concerns around the world that the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions will persist for far longer than hoped.

Amid massive shortage, Canada taps strategic reserves—of maple syrup (Washington Post) Petroleum stockpiles aren’t the only strategic reserves being tapped this season amid concerns of supply shortages and sky-high prices. The Canadian federation that controls close to three-quarters of the world’s maple syrup production recently announced it will release some 50 million pounds of maple syrup from its emergency stockpile—almost half of the reserve—to keep Quebec’s liquid gold flowing to breakfast tables worldwide. The announcement from the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP), first reported by Bloomberg News, comes after supply was strained by a drop in production and a pandemic-fueled surge in demand. Quebec produces 73 percent of the world’s maple syrup supply but was hit with a shorter and warmer spring sugaring season that caused output to fall by nearly a quarter. Meanwhile, global sales jumped more than 36 percent from 2020.

Blaming the pandemic (AP) Inflation is soaring, businesses are struggling to hire and President Joe Biden’s poll numbers have been in free fall. The White House sees a common culprit for it all: COVID-19. Biden’s team views the pandemic as the root cause of both the nation’s malaise and his own political woes. Finally controlling COVID-19, the White House believes, is the skeleton key to rejuvenating the country and reviving Biden’s own standing. But the coronavirus challenge has proved to be vexing for the White House, with last summer’s premature claims of victory swamped by the more transmissible delta variant, millions of Americans going unvaccinated and lingering economic effects from the pandemic’s darkest days. All of that as yet another variant of the virus, omicron, emerged overseas. It is worrying public health officials, leading to new travel bans and panicking markets as scientists race to understand how dangerous it may be. To the White House, fixing blame on the pandemic is emerging as a modern version of the old “It’s the economy, stupid” mantra from the Bill Clinton years.

Flood watches issued in Northwest as some urged to evacuate (AP) Residents in Washington state were preparing for possible flooding as “atmospheric rivers” once again threatened parts of the Northwest, which saw heavy damage from extreme weather earlier this month. People in the small communities of Sumas and Everson in northwest Washington were asked to voluntarily evacuate Saturday night, The Bellingham Herald reported. Both towns near the Canadian border saw extreme flooding from the previous storm. An emergency alert said road closures in the area could start early Sunday morning. Flood watches have been issued for much of western and north-central Washington for the weekend, and the National Weather Service warned that flooding was possible through Sunday.

Elections in Honduras (NYT) Hondurans are heading to the polls in what could be their country’s most significant elections in more than a decade. Voters will choose a new president, a political contest that has been marred by violence and is being closely watched in Washington. Polls are showing a tight race between Nasry Asfura, 63, a charismatic mayor, and Xiomara Castro, the leader of a major protest movement and the wife of a former president. If elected, she could become the country’s first female head of state. The outcome may have consequences for the Biden administration, which is focused on controlling immigration and fighting corruption in Central America.

USGS: Magnitude-7.5 earthquake strikes northern Peru (AP) An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck northern Peru early Sunday, damaging some buildings and blocking several roads with rubble. While the quake was extremely strong, it was relatively deep—measured at 112 kilometers (70 miles)—which usually reduces the possibility of damage and casualties. The quake occurred at 5:52 a.m. (1052 GMT) and its epicenter was in the Amazon region, 42 kilometers (26 miles) north northwest of the city of Barranca. It had a magnitude of 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Falling stones blocked several highways in the Amazonas and Cajamarca regions in Peru, and the tremor was felt nearly 800 kilometers (500 miles) away in the capital of Lima, where some people rushed out of their homes in alarm.

Camped in Calais, migrants renew resolve to try for England (AP) At the makeshift camps in France near Calais and Dunkirk, migrants are digging in, waiting for their chance to make a dash across the English Channel despite the deaths of at least 27 people this week when their boat sank a few miles (kilometers) from the French coast. Police have stepped up patrols in recent days and the weather has worsened, making this a bad time to attempt a crossing. But most migrants say the tragedy won’t prevent them from climbing into a flimsy inflatable boat packed with up to 50 people in hopes of reaching Britain. “I don’t afraid of anything,” a 22-year-old from Iran who identified himself only as Kawa said in halting English. “Water? If we die … sorry to say this but we already died. Nobody accepts us anywhere. We’re useful. Useless, sorry,” he said, correcting himself. “Just look at these people.” The coast around Calais has long been the jumping-off point for migrants anxious to get to the U.K. But this week’s disaster underscores the combination of dreams and despair that drives people to camp in drizzling rain with temperatures hovering around 40 Fahrenheit (4 Celsius) for the chance to risk their lives at sea.

Swiss vote to approve COVID restrictions as infections rise (AP) Swiss voters on Sunday gave clear backing to legislation that introduced a system with special COVID-19 certificates under which only people who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative can attend public events and gatherings. Final results showed 62% of voters supporting the legislation, which is already in force. The referendum offered a rare bellwether of public opinion on the issue of government policy to fight the spread of coronavirus in Europe, which is currently the global epicenter of the pandemic.

Taiwanese air force warns off incursion from increasingly bellicose China (The Week) Taiwan's military scrambled fighters and readied missile defenses after 27 Chinese aircraft entered its air defense zone Sunday, Reuters reported. According to The New York Post, Chinese public opinion and political rhetoric have become increasingly bellicose in recent months, with some observers fearing that the People's Republic may be laying the groundwork for an invasion of Taiwan, which the PRC government regards as a rebel province. The opinion, long-held by many foreign policy experts, that China would prefer to wait for conditions more favorable to peaceful reintegration is becoming less tenable. Last month, President Joe Biden reiterated the United States' commitment to defending Taiwan against Chinese invasion, but whether the United States could win that conflict is another matter. In the autumn of 2020, the U.S. Air Force held a war game that simulated a conflict with China over Taiwan. American forces were soundly defeated.

High oil prices could chill Japan’s traditional public baths (Reuters) The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t manage to kill off Dai-ni Takara-yu, a traditional Japanese public bath on a Tokyo back street where neighbours have soaked their cares away since 1949. But for third-generation owner Tokuji Ito, high oil prices are the next test. With the coldest months of the year upon him, he must pay 50% more than last year to heat the water for the tubs that are a cherished part of life in his neighbourhood on the western side of the Japanese capital. “It’s really hard,” said Ito, 53. “For a large company, it might not be that big a deal, but for a small, family-run place like us, it’s really tough.” Public baths, or sento, traditionally served people who did not have a bath at home, with bathers scrubbing down in separate men’s and women’s sections before soaking in hot tubs. They have also been places to socialise. Japan’s public baths don’t need any more problems. Their number peaked at 18,000 nationwide in 1968, but now there are only 1,964 after decades of social changes, including more baths at home. Many sento serve beer or have saunas to attract customers.

Israel bars all foreigners, reinstates phone surveillance in effort to contain omicron variant (Washington Post) Israel will forbid the entry of noncitizens for two weeks, starting at midnight Monday, in an attempt to stem the spread of the omicron coronavirus variant in Israel and to allow experts time to assess its level of transmissibility and resistance against existing vaccines. The newest variant, which was first detected in South Africa and which experts say may spread two to six times more quickly than the delta variant, is confirmed in one person and suspected in seven others in Israel. Only three of the suspected cases had recently returned from abroad, raising concern that the variant’s transmission has already begun within Israel. At a three-hour cabinet meeting on Saturday night, the government decided to tighten quarantine rules, reinstate the Israeli security service Shin Bet’s role in surveilling the cellphones of people confirmed to be carrying the variant, and require events of more than 50 participants to apply a Green Pass system, by which participants must show proof of vaccination or recovery. There are no directives to cancel events for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which starts Sunday night.

Israel-Iran shadow war (NYT) Israel and Iran have for years engaged in a covert cyberwar targeting each other’s military. Now the shadow war is broadening and hitting millions of ordinary citizens. In recent weeks, a cyberattack on Iran’s fuel distribution system paralyzed the country’s 4,300 gas stations. It took 12 days for service to be fully restored. A few days later, cyberattacks in Israel hit a major medical facility and a popular L.G.B.T.Q. dating site. The latest attacks are thought to be the first to do widespread harm to large numbers of civilians. As hopes fade for a revival of the Iranian nuclear agreement ahead of talks scheduled to begin in Vienna tomorrow, such attacks are only likely to proliferate.

#headlines #news

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sacredspiral · 7 years ago

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✨🎄 Yuletide muesli 🎄 ✨

the holiday rush (shout-out to my folks working in retail/hospitality/food service) has left me feeling overworked and undernourished, so i took some time this evening to make a big batch of muesli! it’s an easy go-to meal high in omega-3s, fiber, antioxidants, and magical energy we could all use this time of year! 🌙

Ingredients*

-2c slivered almonds -1/2c chopped walnuts -1/2c flax seed -1c pepitas

-1/3c chia seeds -whole/ground nutmeg -whole/ground coriander seed

-1/2c unsweetened coconut flakes -1 1/2c dried cherries -3/4c jumbo raisins

-honey or maple syrup (optional) -2tbsp sea salt -coconut oil (optional)

Directions

-heat large, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium. add a spoonful of coconut oil, melt.

-mix all nuts & seeds in a bowl, add to skillet to toast. grate whole nutmeg (about half or 2 tsp) and five coriander seeds (~1tsp) over mixture. add salt.

-toasting will take about 15 minutes, stir regularly. about halfway through, drizzle a large spoonful of honey and mix well. continue to toast.

-when fully toasted (light brown color, aroma of spices present, glistening from released oils), allow to cool before combining with coconut flake, cherries, and raisins. transfer to airtight container, charge with your intentions + crystals of choice, and keep for up to a week! enjoy with nut milk or yogurt <3 !!

*i’m very fortunate to live near a grocery store with a bulk-food section for oats, nuts, dried fruits, and grains that makes this an affordable option for me. Trader Joe’s also has reasonably priced ingredients - do some research and find what works for you (also swap out anything here with what’s available!) ❤️

#witch #kitchen witch #witchcraft #food magic #yule #yuletide #solstice #winter solstice #kitchen magic #magic #magick #crystals #witchy #witchblr #witch blog #lgbt witch

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addierose444 · 1 year ago

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Sunday Meal Prep

While I genuinely enjoy cooking, meal prep is what makes it sustainable. I typically eat about 19 meals per week (no breakfast on the weekends), but cook a lot less frequently than that. My workday breakfast is peanut butter overnight oats which take just a few minutes to prepare. To make them I simply stir together half a cup of rolled oats, half a cup of milk, two large spoonfuls of peanut butter, and a splash of maple syrup. As the name suggests, the overnight oats are prepped the night before and then spend the night in the fridge absorbing the milk. (I know it doesn’t look very good, but trust me they are delicious and thicken up significantly by morning).

Sunday is my primary meal prep day during which I prep four rice bowls (Sunday lunch and three meals for later in the week). During the week, I’ll often make two servings of other meals so that I can eat the first serving for dinner and the second for the next day’s lunch.

As for my rice bowls, to cook the grains, I bring a cup and a half of water to a boil in a small pot and rinse my two-thirds of a cup of white rice and one-third of a cup of quinoa under cold water in a sieve. Once the water is boiling, I season it with a little bit of Better Than Bouillion Roasted Chicken Base, add the rinsed and drained grains, lower the heat, and set a timer for fifteen minutes.

Meanwhile, I prep my protein which is the part that varies from week to week. About half of the time my protein of choice is tofu, but I like to mix it up with things like ground pork, refried beans, or Beyond Meat (when it’s on sale for less than actual meat). While the pork version is probably the tastiest, I’m really not a fan of handling raw meat and it’s also the most expensive version. Specifically, a pound of all-natural pork (from Trader Joe’s) is over 3.5 times the price of a fourteen-ounce block of Organic extra-firm tofu.

To cook the ground meats, I use my cast iron skillet. I recently started using a 400-degree oven for the tofu as it allows me to cook the entire package in a single batch. The go-to vegetable for my rice bowls has been green beans. Once the protein is done cooking, I simply add some frozen green beans to the pan and cook for a few minutes. (I used to steam the green beans in the microwave first, but have found this to be unnecessary).

To flavor my tofu and ground pork, I use a combination of sesame oil, soy sauce, and honey. I also used a pre-made sauce, Trader Joe's Soyaki, to add additional flavor to the grains and green beans. For the refried beans version, I simply grate in cheddar cheese. And, if I remember correctly, the Beyond Meat version didn’t require me to add any additional flavor elements.

I typically, eat one serving while it’s still hot for my Sunday lunch. Finally, I transfer the cooled food to storage containers and clean up the remaining dishes. The container I use to reheat my lunch at work is America’s Test Kitchen’s top pick for glass food storage containers, the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal container. Overall, I’ve been very happy with the quality and performance of this container. These containers come in a variety of sizes and in both circular and rectangular shapes. I ordered the 3.5-cup rectangular container which fits really nicely inside my backpack and is comfortable to eat out of. While it looks and feels like the perfect size, on occasion I get nervous that I haven’t packed enough food simply because the container cooks too empty. The containers I use for the final two servings are ones I’ve taken restaurant leftovers home in. To keep the food fresh, I’ll throw one container into the freezer and the other two into the fridge.

As for today’s dinner, I’d been craving carbonara for a while now and finally got around to buying the ingredients and making it! Carbonara is one of my all-time favorite meals and is actually pretty easy to make at home. My carbonara isn’t exactly traditional as I sub in bacon for the harder-to-find and more expensive guanciale. For a quarter pound of pasta, I use two slices of bacon, two eggs, and a third of a cup of pecorino romano. To serve, I grate parmigiano reggiano over the top.

#meal prep #rice bowl #overnight oats #carbonara

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mynamemeanscute · 7 years ago

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hfxburgerweek 2018

so i tapped out on day four, after bypassing my personal best (from last year), having endured three nights of meat sweats, extreme thirst, a few minor skin breakouts, and a general desire for #NoMoreBurgers.

in all honesty, i was very tempted to add a couple more to the hit list today (day five), but after not being able to comfortably consume anything but tea and coffee until about 9pm this evening, i decided i had gone about as far as i was willing to go in the destruction of this body. (i tell ya, for a flexitarian who typically consumes very little bread or starches, this event is one solid experiment...)

but alas, i have compiled the details of my [possibly last] adventures in [halifax] burgering below!

as always, please note all opinions expressed here are my own. while a few of the burgers left something to be desired, i have no interest or intention in bashing any of the participating establishments, their service, or their food, so i have chosen to only publicly share my positive assessments. if you have any specific questions, by all means shoot me a message and i’ll be sure to get back to ya. :)

THE BURGS:

day 1

“french toast burger”: sausage patties, fried egg, american cheese, acadian maple syrup mayo. (ardmore tea room)

“beet the meat”: organic vegan burger topped with raw beet and ginger sauerkraut, local kale, roasted garlic veganaise and baked feta-style fresh start fauxmage (imported all the way from PEI). served on a seaweed flax big life bakery bun. (organic earth energy bar)

“the uncle sam”: brisket burger with american cheese, bacon, mozza sticks, lettuce, pickles, tomato, onion and pepperoncini special sauce. (rinaldo’s)

“vegan philly cheese steak burger”: house-made patty with shaved seitan steak, caramelized onions and red peppers, cheese and zesty sauce. (wild leek food & juice bar)

“junkanoo burger”: spicy pinto bean and calloloo vegan patty, with mango and coconut slaw and house-made hot-sour sauce. (the foggy goggle)

“wake 'n' bacon”: coffee-glazed bacon doughnut fritter bun, with a maple aioli and grass-fed beef burger and gooey melted cheddar cheese. (vandal doughnuts)

“the smokey gator hawg”: bayou-raised alligator, acadian pork belly, fried onion straw, apple relish and gator gravy. (unchained kitchen)

“summer spiced local source burger”: moroccan spiced free-range oulton’s beef. hutten summer peach chutney. trueleaf arugula, turmeric foxhill yogurt. on local source rosemary foccacia. (lion & bright)

“hali burger”: fresh, double-ground beef patty, topped with local all-beef salami, slow-simmered caramelized onions and hali deli’s house russian mayo, served on a grilled onion bun. (hali deli old world delicatessen)

day 2

“the gio burger”: kalbi with braised beef, korean bbq sauce, pear, kimchi, arugula and scallion aioli, with calamari fritte. (gio)

“bahn mi style burger”: seared ground pork burger stuffed with braised pork belly, house kimchi, toasted sesame aioli, fresh cilantro. (the carleton)

“the mac stack: flame-grilled beef patty topped with mac ‘n’ cheese, crushed cheetos, kabayaki sauce, canadian cheddar and sauerkraut. (the auction house)

“la latina: 16-hour braised pork, sweet plantain patty, charred poblano mayonnaise, smoked cheese and thin-sliced red onions. (verano food purveyors)

“maya's totally vegan burger”: eggplant, lentil, hummus, lettuce, tomatoes and onion. (lemon tree restaurant)

“squid pro quo: terry’s calamari (crispy fried, spicy tomato sauce, black olives), winter slaw, beer and provolone fondue, on a milk bun. (mappatura)

“the ramen burger”: local getaway farm free-range beef, char siu pork loin, sunnyside egg, cheddar, ramen mayo, asian slaw, japanese pickles, ramen noodle buns. (studio east) **not an official burgerweek burger, as far as being included in the passport, but i am including it here as it gained traction as one of the more interesting burgers being offered during this event, and studio east is donating $2 from each burger sold to feedns, so.

“slamming hot mac 'n' cheetos burger”: 6-oz burger patty, slamming hot cheetos, crusted deep-fried mac ‘n’ cheese, garlic sambal and cheddar cheese, on a 24 Carrots bun. (elements on hollis)

“the black widow”: wild boar, smoked bacon, black bun, crispy onion ring, red cabbage gochubang slaw, chimilantro, black stout beernaise. (primal kitchen)

day 3

“the whole farm”: beef patty, braised lamb shoulder, fried goat cheese, duck confit, double-smoked bacon jam, over-easy egg, honey mustard, spicy mayo and sprouts, served on a house-made sesame bun. (the black sheep)

“macaron burgers”: bacon, maple, apple and butter make up this unique flavour experience. (the old apothecary)

“best little burger in texas”: an unholy union of our texas chili and fajita-spiced burger patty. topped with avocado crema, jack cheese, charred corn, pickled onion and purple cabbage, on a garlic toasted bun. (mexi’s)

“’stuffing’ your face burger”: fresh-pulled chicken tossed in gravy, topped with savoury stuffing and cranberry drizzle, served on a potato scallion bun. ‘it’s like thanksgiving in your hand!’ (off the grill)

“the gouda father”: all-beef patty, jeff’s gouda, smoked bacon, deep-fried mac ‘n’ gouda cheese, tomato, lettuce, red onion and chipotle mayo on a brioche bun. (cheesecurds)

“spicy black bean & vegetable burger”: spicy black bean & vegetable patty wrapped in a chinese spring roll skin, pickled carrots, pickled red onions, cilantro and mango chutney. (cheesecurds)

“the bengal burger”: hand-ground PEI beef, masala glaze, “kachumber” slaw, mango raita and spiced pappadum, on a sesame bun. (2 doors down)

“boomerang”: bbq mayo, lettuce, red onion, cows extra old cheddar cheese, fresh oulton’s beef, applewood smoked bacon, bbq sauce, and lucky fox cajun buffalo chips served on a toasted sesame seed bun. (BOOMburger)

day 4

“the antojo burger”: chorizo burger, queso fundido, jalapeno rellenos, habanero mayo, served with house-made totopos and pico de gallo. (antojos taco & tequila)

“the sloppy joe mcguinness burger”: pulled beef, guinness stout beef jus, shredded cabbage, house pickles, dijon aioli, roasted mushrooms and melted gouda. (stubborn goat)

“the bbq crunch burger”: atlantic beef patty, sydney street stout pulled pork, smoked cheddar cheese, PEI bbq potato chips and maple stout bbq sauce, on a milk bun. (gahan house harbourfront)

“the umami tsunami”: fire-grilled brothers bacon and beef burger, crusted with porcini and espresso beans, mushrooms and onions coated with aged white cheddar on a house-made soft bun. (harbourstone sea grill & pour house)

“surf 'n' turf sliders”: cold-water shrimp patty topped with chorizo espresso jam and charred-lime aioli. (little fish oyster bar)

“jerk burger”: 6 oz. jerk spiced beef patty, orange chipotle aioli, pineapple relish and jalapeño havarti. (canvas resto lounge)

THE STATS

total number of [full] burgers consumed: 28

total number of different burgers tried: 33 (this number differs from the previous because there were a handful of burgers that i split with friends in order to maximize burger sampling)

record number of burgers consumed in one day: eight

number of vegan burgers tried: six (fun fact: four were in the same day, completely unintentionally)

number of burgers that had ketchup as a topping: zero

number of sides ordered: zero

number of burgers that came with sides: 11 (5 fries, 5 salads*, 1 totopos) *whenever given the choice, i opted for salads. i only finished two sides of fries. because burger priorities.

number of beverages ordered: three. coffee with my brunch burgers.

foods besides burgers (and accompanying sides) consumed over the course of the week: none. literally lived off of burgers. and coffee. and water. but mostly burgers.

top five burgers, in no particular order (because i simply cannot decide! and also there were so many other good burgers that it was hard to not make this a top ten list but that just seemed excessive): 1st- “the whole farm” at the black sheep 2nd- “wake ‘n’ bacon” at vandal doughtnuts 3rd- “squid pro quo” at mappatura 4th- “the gio burger” at gio 5th- “the uncle sam” at rinaldo’s

(honourable mentions: primal and antojo)

six interesting burger features, in no particular order, and the burger(s) in which they were featured: -not buns as the buns (french toast at the ardmore tea room, coffee-glazed bacon doughnut fritter at vandal, ramen noodles at studio east) -black bun (primal) -alligator meat and gravy (unchained kitchen) -cheetos (elements on hollis, the auction house) -mozza sticks ON the burger (rinaldo’s) -chinese spring roll skin (cheesecurds)

most ridiculous burger: “the ramen burger” at studio east

most aesthetically pleasing burger: “vegan philly cheese steak burger” at the wild leek food & juice bar (honourable mention: the old apothecary, for their creativity and adorability)

number of establishments i had never set foot in until this week: four

number of different people i burgered it up with: 24

number of workouts completed between burgers: four

highest price paid for a single burger:

total amount of money spent: ~ $367.30 (includes taxes, tips, and a few beverages purchased for other people)

total amount of money from my burger purchases that theoretically will be donated to Feed Nova Scotia: $32

FUN FACTS:

sharing is an excellent way to maximize burger sampling; however, it doesn’t always lend to visual appeal to the dish...

i had my third and final gum grafting surgery done (on my bottom front teeth) on my birthday and the stitches were taken out literally the day before burger week kicked off. as such, i had to be very careful about biting into anything and resorted to destroying cutting up all my burgers into bite-sized pieces and then tilting my head back and to the side in an attempt to place the pieces directly to my molars.

burgering brings out the best in people...

(and one more...)

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