#nutritious energy bars

[vyndo]

A KID’S GUIDE TO TOP-NOTCH HEALTH!

Limitless avenues, boundless curiosity, we live in a world where matching up with its pace is the only survival hack! The hustle does not spare our children either; exploring newness every moment, adapting and adjusting effortlessly, they are the real superheroes. Their smiles are the sun, their laugh is the music and their happiness is our greatest reward. Join us on an exciting voyage into the world of child health, where we discover tools to raising happy, healthy little adventurers!

THE QUEST FOR MIGHTY MINERALS

Nudge your child to set sails, off on a treasure hunt for hidden gems! Discover minerals like calcium – the bone builder in dairy and greens, iron – the energy booster in lean meats and beans and zinc – the immune shield in nuts and whole grains. These tiny treasures pave the way for a healthy, thriving adventure!

VITAMINS: THE BOOSTING POWER-UP

Vitamins are the power-ups in your child’s adventure game of life. Turn their ABCs into vitamin power-ups with A for eyes, C for immunity, and D for sunshine bones! These essential vitamins help your child face the challenges of childhood with vitality and vigour.

PROTEIN: THE SUPER STRENGTH BUILDER

Protein plays an enormous role in building your child’s incredible body. Amino acids, its tiny helpers, build strong muscles, fix broken cells, and fuel growth for every epic adventure. Fuel their mealtime with protein powerhouses like lean meats, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils, and tofu and watch them conquer the world with super strength and endless stamina!

THE FIBER ADVENTURE

Fiber is the friendly guide ensuring your child’s body functions smoothly. It isn’t just about digestion; it’s the sidekick that helps maintain your child’s energy levels, stabilizes blood sugar and promotes a healthy weight.

HYDRATION HEROES

Encouraging your child to stay well-hydrated is essential for their overall health and also keeps them super-charged for the day. Pick cool water bottles together, flavor their water with fruity surprises, and watch them seize the day with sparkling energy!

NUTRITIOUS BITES FOR BOUNDLESS ENERGY

Snacks are the pit stops in your child’s epic journey, offering a chance to refuel and recharge before the next adventure. In this era of swiftness and competition, snacks packed with honest nutrition is the key. From an array of jowar and bajra puffs to candies and energy bars bursting with nutritional essentials in every handful is all you need to get them going!

Comprehensive understanding of the power of building blocks in your child’s diet – vitamins, minerals, proteins, fiber and hydration can work as everlasting tools you need for them to thrive. The journey of raising superkids is about empowering them to unlock their limitless potential.

Leaving capes and masks aside, lets embrace the real superpower that lies on their plate! Every healthy choice enables your child take a leap towards a life full of vitality and write their own epic story.

Source: https://nurasoi.com/news_and_media/a-kids-guide-to-top-notch-health/

[trendywaifus]

jane’s first morning with you | cw: none. gn! reader

— swear i tried to clean up!

jane stirrs, thin sheets rustling as her tired limbs stretch across the soft mattress. the scent she grew to love smells faint in her nose. instead, it’s replaced with a delicious smell of eggs, sausages, and. .blue berry pancakes? eyes flutter open to the morning glow seeping into the room. she lazily turns her head to her nightstand to check the clock. 7:30am. jane sits up with a yawn, stretching her arms over her head. “ this is a first. . “ she murmurs, sliding her legs off the bed and stands up. a nimble hand skims through fluffy onyx locks as she walks out of her bedroom and follows the smell.

for some reason, her usual empty home feels more lively and homey. the air feels warm and she feels like a kid walking to the kitchen for breakfast. jane stops at the doorway once she catches a glimpse of your figure pacing around the kitchen to prepare everything. there’s something warm hugging her heart, introducing to her a feeling she finally gets to experience; unadulterated endearment. jane was used to being alone, only having herself to take care of. although it’s weird to have another person in her home like this, the fact that that person is you makes it feel like everything is a perfect dream.

“ oh, jane! “ you throw her a quick smile as you put a fresh batch of pancakes onto a plate from a pan. “ sit at the table! i’m almost done with breakfast. “

she crossing her arms with a playful smirk. “ oh alright. though, i’m surprised you know how to cook, you never mentioned to me that you can. it smells good so far. are you making eggs, sausages, and blueberry pancakes? “ she inquire as she walks over to the rounded table in the small dining room and takes a seat in a chair. there’s already silverware waiting on the table for her.

“ you never asked, but yeah i do. “ you reply, sliding the eggs and sausages onto a separate plate with a spatula. “ and yup, you’re right. i wasn’t exactly sure about what a rat thiren’s diet was so i tried to make the breakfast simple and nutritious. is that fine? “

small amounts of blood rushes to her cheeks. jane chuckles and rests her chin on her opened palm. “ that’s totally fine. i don’t really have a consistent diet due to my workload anyways, sweetheart. “

you sighed, walking over to the refrigerator to pull out a cart of goat milk. “ goat milk. .huh. “ you mutter under your breath, analyzing the cart. jane’s ear wiggle as her smile grows an inch wider. “ well, i know and that’s going to change. the fact that you have a bunch of snacks and energy bars in your basement says enough. “ you grab an empty glass from a cabinet and pour a considerate amount of milk in it.

“ i mean, you don’t expect me to run around without my energy bars, right? i need my energy after all. “

“ hold your horses. i never said you couldn’t have them, i’m just saying i’ll cook you meals so you won’t need them as much, hun. “ you explained, grabbing the two plates and placed it in front of her. jane stares down at the breakfast meals. it smells very good and looks properly cooked. even the sausages are nicely sliced into pieces. the portion however, is a bit too much.

you hand her the glass of goat milk and some syrup with a quick kiss on the cheek and sat beside her. “ are you done cooking? “ jane suddenly asks, teal hues looking over at you.

“ i am, why? “ you answer back with confusion.

“ i’m the only one with breakfast in front of me. did you really cook this just for me? “ she asks again with curiosity behind her tone.

you nod your head, “ mhm. i only want to know how my cooking taste for you since again, i’ll be the one making you meals for now on. “

“ . . .i see. “ jane mutters, taken back by your genuine care for her. she grabs the fork and spoon and starts to eat the eggs and diced sausages first. a surprised hum leaves her lips as she chews. the eggs are cooked to perfection and the sausages are tender and chewy. “ judging by those wide doe eyes of yours, you like it so far? “ you smile brightly, absolutely overjoyed that she’s enjoying your cooking.

“ . .it is. the best thing i had in a while, sweetheart. thank you, seriously. “ jane swallows her food, looking at you with a smile full of adoration. is it possible to fall deeper in love with someone you already love? she wonders.

“ hehe, yeah? if you think that the eggs and sausage are good, you should try the pancakes! it’ll blow your mind like boom! “ you made a goofy boom gesture and jane nearly burst out laughing. she hopes most of her mornings will be like this with you. full of warmth and laughter. “ really now? i guess i should hurry up and try the pancakes then. “

jane grabs the knife and cuts through the fluffy pancakes like butter. before she can stab it with a fork, you stop it. “ wait, wait—lemme add syrup, you like syrup on your pancakes, right? “

“ hmm, i do. but i never tried this brand of syrup before. when i was “ working “ as a store manager of a grocery store, they have given me a surplus of goods. so some of these brands i’m not so familiar with. “

“ do you wanna try it then? “

“ sure, my dear. “

you take the syrup, open it up, and pour a nice amount of the thick liquid all over the blueberry pancakes. she pierce the pieces of pancakes with the fork and puts it into her mouth. explosions of delicious tastes floods her tastebuds as she chews. everything is practically melting on her tongue all at once. will you really be cooking something like this now for her? you watch her cheeks turn a darker shade of red, her turquoise eyes brightens with awe, both her tail and ears flutter.

“ now that’s a even better reaction coming from you—mmph? “

jane press her lips against yours in an unexpected kiss. the sweet taste of the sugary syrup and blueberry pancakes explores your tongue. chu! she pulls away after a few seconds, smiling smugly at the dumbfounded look on your face.

“ now that’s a way better reaction from you. how about you share this with me? it’s even more delicious if we eat together~ “

[yuurei20]

Idia Info Compilation part 12: Idia and Food

Epel describes Idia as a picky eater.

Idia prefers “efficient methods of energy intake to keep boring mealtimes as short as possible,” saying that he likes soup as a rational meal and does not care much about flavor.

Idia says he does not like raw fish as “it stinks, it’s lukewarm, it’s all slimy and clingy and sticky...who cares how you get nutrients, as long as you get them? Just eat an energy bar with vitamins and minerals!”

Idia says that his favorite food is snack foods but he Iikes DIY candy kits in particular, and he gives a set to Vil for his birthday.

Idia also likes instant noodles, saying it is basically the only thing he eats. “It’s less about liking them and more about how convenient they are.”

He buys himself a box of a limited-time release of a certain instant noodle brand, giving one to Deuce for his birthday.

Idia says he loves brightly-colored candy (offering the prefect a gummy worm), and throughout the game we see him drink both tea (in card art) and grape juice.

He says he only eats fruit if it is canned or already sliced and peeled.

When Idia talks about the nutritiousness of the grape juice he drinks during Glorious Masquerade, Silver comments, “You could use all the nutrients you can get.”

People saying that Idia is childish is a running theme, said by Trey, Ortho, Malleus and Vil.

[tsukasalvr]

If you still take requests, can I get a Danganronpa 1 charecters x a lazy fem gamer girl reader? (The reader barely has any energy all the time, they sometimes refuse to move and they can get so lazy and into there game they stop breathing. And their diet consists of a energy drink and a protein bar)

lazy!gamer!reader

Anime/fandom: Danganronpa

Characters: Makoto Naegi, Kyoko Kirigiri, Byakuya Togami

Warnings: I don’t proofread

A/n: I have a character limit but if you want the rest then request again! Also this is pretty much a chiaki!reader

Danganronpa masterlist | Main masterlist

Makoto Naegi

He cares very deeply about everyone he’s close to and lives and you’re obviously no different

Makoto becomes very worried for your well being and in the beginning, he won’t act on helping you too much other than asking you to care of yourself more

But as the relationship goes on, he’ll go from asking, to having you lay on him to catch up on sleep—despite his reddening face, to even giving you some of his spare food and calling you when it’s eitehr late or early in the morning because he knows you’re most likely still awake playing

He his it’s really cool how you’re able to beat any video game with no struggle and how you’re able to replay it so many times without getting bored and still no struggle

He offers to play with you, he loves seeing how your eyes glimmer and shine when he asks if he can play as well. Although his skills could never compare to yours, he’ll do anything to make you happy—even if it’s lose 27 times in a row.

Kyoko Kirigiri

She might now show it much by expressions or actions, but she’s very concerned about you—both mentally and physically

Staying up so much to play games can easily damage your mental health, and not eating so much will obviously physically affect you

Kyoko right away is advising you take better care of ur yourself hand will take action on her own hands, even if she has to feed you herself or lay your head on her lap, she’s doing it because she loves you, she thinks with blush coating her cheeks

She thinks it’s admirable in a way how dedicated you are to sticking by ur ultimate title and will let you ramble to her about any game you’re currently really into or playing and will even chime in with her own question every now and again

Kyokos more of a watcher and will never really ask to play with you unless it’s a super casual game

Byakuya Togami

Anyone who meets Byakuya knows how nadty and harsh he can be

But he is very different towards you and will put ur health as a priority and immediately have you taken care of by the best doctors and when it’s just the two of you, he’ll try to care of you as much as he can—in his own way

Byakuya will scold you but it’s all lighthearted and you can tell he just means it out of love and hope to see you get better by eating more, and sleeping more. And speaking of eating and sleeping, he’ll make sure you’re being given the most nutritious-delicious foods and sleeping in the comfiest mattress with the softest silkiest sheets and blankets

He thinks it’s odd how you’re so into games but he won’t question it too much and will actually help buy more games and even merchandise for any game you really enjoy

The only time he’ll every actually join you to play is when he’s bored out of his mind and he’s completely free to do anything—which is rare

[etherealyoungk]

omg also i’ve been dying over wonwoo

he’s so college boyfriend i cannot

- 🌸

wonwoo is so college boyfriend oh my god <3

college boyfriend!wonwoo who would know your classes and schedule by heart, and would always wait outside for you so you both could get lunch together. you both really didn't have classes together which was a bummer but you still managed to see him every day. he'd laugh when you run towards him with a smile, saying how you'd just him in the morning and yet you were so happy to see him again.

college boyfriend!wonwoo who would be on the basketball team and you'd love going and cheering for him. he'd smile upon spotting you in the crowd and continue on the game with newfound energy and looks at you every time he shoots the ball in the basket and makes a score.

college boyfriend!wonwoo who would spend time with you studying in the library. you both were frequent visitors to the library, to study or to just escape the busy world for a while and bask in the silence. you'd walk hand in hand through the bookshelves, with no purpose of actually picking up a book. you just wanted to be with wonwoo, alone. and maybe he does the cliche thing where he pushes you up against the books and kisses you sweetly. (and maybe one time you got caught by the librarian, your cheeks heating up and wonwoo quickly turns to apologize, softly chuckling when the librarian is gone and leans in for a quick peck instead)

college boyfriend!wonwoo who would see you struggling with multiple assignments and studying for exams. he'd help you in whatever way possible and make sure you weren't too stressed or overworked. he'd help study your lectures and make notes for you. he'd bring you nutritious meals because he knows you'd just survive on coffee and protein bars otherwise. and he'd make sure to take you out, whether it be a small around campus or a walk to the nearby park. he'd hold your hand and tell you about his day or tell an endearing story about the street cats that he feeds.

in conclusion, wonwoo would be the sweetest college boyfriend <3

[thirtysomethingloser92]

Bittersweet Symphony: Chapter 2.

"You're so beautiful like this," You looked over at the man sitting at his desk, a small smile across his face, illuminated by the small lamp. "Like what? Sleep deprived, haven't showered in 3 days, living off energy drinks and spite?" You joked, shifting a bit self consciously on the leather couch. Rafael gave a small chuckle, "Like you. Looking at you like this, I don't think you've ever looked so beautiful,"

“You need to eat,”.

Carisi’s voice next to you brought you out of your self-induced misery. The cursor on the computer screen blinked a few times before you turned to face your partner. “I ate,” you argued, pulling out a packet of rice paper biscuits.

“You know, when my sister was pregnant, there was this little bakery a few blocks from her apartment that made these scones with ginger and chamomile. I’ll see if they still make them and bring them over some time.”

You smiled weakly at his thoughtfulness, but your stomach turned at the thought of food. “Thanks, Sonny, but I’m fine. Really. Me and food aren't really getting along at the moment.”

Carisi’s eyes softened with concern. “You need to eat,” he repeated gently. “It’s not just about you anymore.”

You sighed, knowing he was right. The stress from the ongoing case had been overwhelming, leaving you nauseous and exhausted. All you wanted was to go into the back room and sleep the rest of the day away. Just as you were about to respond, Carisi reached out and took the packet of rice paper biscuits from your hand, replacing them with a granola bar from his pocket.

“At least try this,” he urged. “It’s got nuts and dried fruit. Better than those biscuits. More nutritious for you and the baby.”

You took the granola bar, unwrapping it slowly. The sweet, nutty apricot smell was surprisingly appetizing. You took a tentative bite, and to your relief, it went down easier than expected.

“Better?” Carisi asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes.

“Yeah,” you admitted. “Thanks, Sonny.”

He smiled, the worry lines on his face easing. “You know I’m here for you, right? Whatever you need, just let me know. I'll bring some more of those over to you later on.”

“I know,” you said softly. “And I appreciate it. More than you know.”

He patted your shoulder gently. “Good. Now, let’s take a five-minute break. We’ve been at this for hours, and you need to relax.”

You nodded, grateful for the reprieve. The two of you walked to the break room, where Carisi made a pot of herbal tea. As you sat together, sipping the warm tea, you felt a sense of calm wash over you.

“You’re a good friend, Sonny,” you said, breaking the comfortable silence.

He chuckled. “Just doing my job. Can’t have my partner running on empty, especially now.”

The sincerity in his words touched you deeply. You knew he wasn’t just talking about the job; he genuinely cared about your well-being, you knew that all he wanted was what was best for you and the small being inside you. The past few weeks he had been the one constant in your life, from the moment you told Liv and the look of shock on her face "Is it-?", to Amanda giving you tips and offering you her daughters old baby clothes "I know you've only just gone into your second trimester but its better to be over prepared then under prepared trust me,".

“Thanks for looking out for me,” you said, feeling a surge of gratitude.

“Anytime,” Carisi replied with a warm smile. “We’re in this together. I told you this. It's you, me, the fetus in there and even Barba if he ever gets his head out of his ass” There was a silence that fell between you, and you knew what was coming next, "Have you heard from him?" You paused mid chew,

the granola bar suddenly feeling like lead in your mouth. You took a slow sip of tea, trying to buy yourself a moment to compose your thoughts. “No, I haven’t,” you finally admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Carisi’s expression was a mix of concern and frustration. “It’s been weeks, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” you said, avoiding his gaze. The pain of Rafael’s absence was a constant ache in your chest. “I thought he’d come around by now, but… nothing.”

Carisi sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I know he’s got his reasons, but this isn’t fair to you. Or the baby. Have you asked Liv if she had heard from him?” You gave a small shrug, "Lets be real for a moment, if she had heard from him she would still leave it up to him to come to me. She wouldn't tell me,"

You nodded, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill over. “I just don’t understand how he can be so distant. I thought we were in this together.”

“People react to things in different ways,” Carisi said gently. “But that doesn’t make it any easier for you.”

“I just wish he’d talk to me,” you murmured, feeling the familiar wave of sadness wash over you. “I don’t even know if he wants to be involved anymore. I feel like my whole life is on pause waiting for him. Whether it be waiting for him to call me, or to come back or something. I feel like I'm just stuck in this space and I can't even move on from him until I get some type of closure”

Carisi reached out, taking your hand in his. “Listen, no matter what happens with Rafael, you’re not alone. You’ve got me, and you’ve got the squad. We’ll get through this together.”

“Thank you, Sonny,” you said, squeezing his hand. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’re stronger than you think,” he replied with a reassuring smile. “But I’m here for you, every step of the way.”

<:>

Later that evening, as you sat alone in your apartment, the silence was deafening. You picked up your phone, scrolling through old messages from Rafael, trying to make sense of his sudden withdrawal. Your heart ached with longing and confusion. Finally, you decided to call him, hoping to break the silence.

The phone rang a few times before going to voicemail. You took a deep breath and left a message, your voice trembling. “Rafael, it’s me. I just… I need to know what’s going on. Please, call me back. We need to talk.”

You hung up, feeling a mix of relief and dread. You had put yourself out there, and now all you could do was wait. As the minutes turned into hours, the weight of uncertainty settled heavily on your shoulders. <:>

The next morning, you arrived at the precinct feeling more exhausted than usual. Carisi noticed immediately, his brow furrowing with concern. “Any news?” he asked quietly.

You shook your head, trying to keep your emotions in check. “No. Nothing.”

He sighed, pulling you into a comforting hug. “I’m sorry. But remember, we’re here for you. Whatever happens, you’re not alone.”

As the day wore on, you threw yourself into work, trying to keep your mind off the unanswered questions and unspoken words. But every time your phone buzzed, your heart skipped a beat, hoping it was Rafael.

It wasn’t until late afternoon that you finally received a text. Your hands shook as you opened the message.

“Can we meet? - Rafael”

<:>

You couldn’t stop the constant twisting and turning of your stomach. Despite how hungry you felt- the rumbling in your stomach reminding you that you’ve barely eaten anything all day-you couldn’t help the small gag that came over you when the coffee was brought to your table.

God you felt so angry.

The white hot anger that twisted and turned in your stomach with every breath you took. You wanted to yell, you wanted to scream, you wanted to shake him and ask him why you weren’t good enough.

Why did he abandon you?

The silence between you and the man in front of you made your heart ache, conversation between you both used to flow so easily but now, now you couldn’t find a single word to say to him. You knew there was so much you wanted to say, to tell him. There was so many questions you wanted to ask him. So many Why’s you needed answers to, but nothing could come out of your dry lips.

“Is it mine?”.

The words left his mouth quietly, as if he was ashamed for asking. Your head shot up, meeting his brown eyes with your own, the question lingering in the air between you.

Is it mine?

Those words made you feel a hatred you hadn’t ever felt towards Rafael Barba. Not when you first met, not when you would be left red-faced after a lashing from the former ADA, not ever.

“What do you mean is it mine? Of course it’s yours. There isn’t anyone else I’d-“ you swallowed deeply, looking back into the brown liquid inside the cup before pushing it away from you, the smell making you want to regurgitate what little food Carisi managed to shove down your throat before you came.

“Where were you?” You heard your voice break, you wished that you had gotten a glass of water in before starting this conversation. The tears started welling up in your eyes, “I needed you and you weren’t there. Not just for this but for so much more. I woke up, and all you had left me was a note. No one had known where you had gone and I thought-“ You swallowed deeply and began picking at your nails, an anxious trait you had inherited from your grandmother, “I don’t even think it matters anymore. You made your choice,” You stopped picking your nails and looked up, seeing him look at you with an indescribable sadness across his face.

“Of course it matters. I hurt you and for that nothing I do can make up for it. After what happened I couldn’t put you through that. Could you have really been with someone who was labelled a baby killer?” He gave a sarcastic scoff, “I love you. I could never have asked you to give up your career to come with me. To run away with me,”

“But I would have,” You didn’t hesitate to interject, “If you would have asked me to resign and come live in the middle of nowhere with you then I would have,” Your voice rose slightly earning glares from the few patrons in the cafe, “But you took that choice from me thinking you were doing some noble shit. And now I’m pregnant, trying to make decisions that I can’t make by myself. I was alone, I was heartbroken and you weren’t there,”

“And I’m sorry I wasn’t. But I’m here now, I’m here to support you whatever you choose to do,” He went to reach across the table for you but you moved away. The thought of the man you once loved touching you made your skin crawl, you saw who he was and it made you feel sick.

His hand moved back to his cup, “Are you keeping it?”

You let out a small sigh and nodded, “Yep. I don’t-I don’t think I could go through with it. I thought about it, especially since you made it pretty clear you want nothing to do with me, but this is what I’m doing. I'm just over 14 weeks now, so either way this is where we're at. Whether it be with you as co-parents or without you,”

“I was hoping we could talk about that?”

You raised a single eyebrow, motioning for him to continue.

“There wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t think about you, or what you were doing. I never stopped loving you,”

“Yeah you did. You stopped loving me the day you walked out. I’m not doing this again. I let you in, it took us so long to get where we were. It took years for us to be together and you threw it away because of your ego and your assumptions. I won’t make the same mistake again,” You reached into your small black purse, ruffling around for some bills for the untouched decaf.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll pay,” Rafael stated simply.

You stood up, a bit unstable in your feet as vertigo hit; you paused for a moment before turning to face the man across from you, “The difference between you and me is that when I said I’d love you forever I meant it. You just don’t seem to get it, what you’ve done. You think that you can come back and walk into my life and nothing has changed. But Rafael everything has changed; everything has changed between us. Do you know what I think? I don’t think you came back here for me, I think you came back for something else. Otherwise where were you weeks ago when I called you?” For the first time since you've known him, there was no words which had left his mouth. No sarcasm or sass, no sincerity or words that could make your heart stop in your chest. There was just silence from him. A silence which made your heart break and your decision final. "Did Liv call you here?" You asked with an air of finality, your voice trembling but resolute. You needed to know, even if it shattered the last remnants of hope you clung to.

Rafael’s face contorted with a mix of guilt and sorrow. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. The silence between you stretched, thick and suffocating.

“That’s what I thought,” you said softly, more to yourself than to him. The reality of the situation washed over you, leaving you feeling hollow.

“Please, let me explain,” Rafael finally managed, his voice barely audible. “Liv did call me. She told me about your condition, how you were struggling. She thought I should know. But I came back because I needed to see you, to try and make things right.”

You shook your head, a bitter smile forming on your lips. “You had every opportunity to come back on your own. But it took Liv calling you to get you here. That says it all, doesn’t it?”

“I know I failed you,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “I thought I was doing the right thing, protecting you from my mess, but all I did was hurt you more. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t change what happened,” you replied, the anger and hurt bubbling up again. “Sorry doesn’t change the fact that you abandoned me when I needed you the most. I can’t trust you, Rafael. Not anymore.”

He looked down at his hands, clasped tightly around his coffee cup. “I understand. I just… I want to be there for our child. I want to make things right, if you’ll let me.”

You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. “I appreciate that you want to be involved now, but it’s too late for us. I can’t go back to the way things were. But for the sake of our child, we can try to co-parent. We can try to make this work for them.”

Rafael nodded, tears glistening in his eyes. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I promise.”

You stood up, feeling a strange sense of relief mixed with sadness. “We’ll see. But for now, I need some space. I need to figure out how to move forward from this.”

He rose as well, looking at you with a mixture of regret and hope. “I understand. Take all the time you need.”

You turned and walked away, leaving Rafael standing there in the café. As you stepped outside, the cool air hit your face, and you took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few weeks slowly lifting off your shoulders. It wasn’t going to be easy, but you knew you had the strength to face whatever came next.

[animeyanderetalker]

I am chubby and love food/drinks, so:

Me 🤝 Nanami (foodies buddies)

Me 🤝 Gojo (he totally consumes a lot of food because his body uses a lot of energy)

Me 🤝 Sukuna (canonically loves eating)

Me 🤝 Tyki (likes eating, not picky about it)

Me 🤝 Allen (canonically eats a lot)

I would agree with almost everything on here except Sukuna but more to him later:

Allen is a typical shounen protagonist who eats a lot and he is gladly going to share the food with his darling. Whenever he devours something he always offers you bites and when he discovers something especially delicious he is especially excited and insists for you to take a bite.

Tyki is a man who adores providing for his darling and due to his human and his Noah personality that is going to show itself in different ways. As Tyki he is pretty much just a commoner who enjoys good food and shares it gladly with you. Yes, he isn't going to serve you a five-star meal like his brother Sheril constantly does but sometimes a simple sandwich or soup is the best. If his Noah personality takes over his standards rise and then he is going to feed you much more expensive food.

Genuinely speaking and perhaps going against common depictions, I can see Nanami letting his darling continue to work if the relationship is going smooth whilst he stays at home and plays the part of the househusband. He's going to clean, to cook and will also tend to the children if him and his darling should ever have a few. As a househusband he is going to provide in a different way by always welcoming his darling back with a perfectly cleaned house and a delicious dinner already prepared. He is going to keep his darling well fed, making sure that he creates a good balance of healthy and nutritious meals whilst also indulging his s/o with their favorite food/sweets at times.

Gojo has a confirmed sweet tooth, he's constantly chewing on something or on his way to buy something since Six Eyes and Infinity demand a lot of energy. There's always a snack he carries around and as soon as you are there he makes it a habit to stock up on even more sweets to share them with you. Once he finds out that you are a foodie as well you can bet your arse that he is going to drag you around and make it his personal mission to try out all bars, restaurants and café with you.

Sukuna loves eating, that is true. His diet is very different from his darling though because he feasts on human flesh. Honestly, he's just plain sadistic and is probably going to point it out if his darling is on a more chubby side and depending on their reaction he is either going to bully them if they feel insecure about it or will let it be if it doesn't trigger anything. If you love food though he is going to ruin that for you simply because he can. If you enjoy food so much why don't you join him for his next meal then?

[growingstories]

Bartender

Once upon a time in the vibrant city of Melbourne, there lived a handsome and charismatic 30-year-old bartender named Jake. With his chiseled jawline, muscular physique, and contagious smile, he was adored by many in the gay community. Known for his exceptional bartending skills and his clever wit, Jake had established his very own bar in the heart of a thriving gay area.

Jake's daily routine was a testament to his dedication to fitness and self-care. Every morning, he would hit the gym, sculpting body his to perfection. After an intense workout, he would grab his surfboard and spend the afternoon riding the waves, basking in the glory of nature's beauty. A healthy lunch, filled with vibrant and nutritious ingredients, would replenish his energy before he prepared his bar for the bustling night that lay ahead.

As charming as he was, Jake had a mischievous side. He loved to tease and flirt with wealthy men, knowing that they would willingly shower him with luxurious dinners and expensive gifts. He relished the attention the and temporary financial security it provided. Occasionally, he even had a sugar daddy who paid his rent for a few months, but he never let any of these men get too close.

However, fate had a different plan in store for Jake. Deep down, he longed for genuine a connection, someone who would see past his enticing exterior and appreciate the person he was inside. Little did he know that his desire for a substantial relationship would lead him down an unexpected path.

One day, Jake met a handsome man named Ethan. Tall, with piercing blue eyes and a charismatic personality, swept Ethan Jake off his feet. In an attempt to win Jake's affection, Ethan showered him with lavish dinners and gifts, just as many others had done before. Jake played hard to get, enjoying the luxury Ethan's affections offered but resisting commitment.

Unbeknownst to both Jake and Ethan, there was another man, Ryan, who had also fallen for Jake's charms. Equally wealthy and enamored with Jake's alluring magnetism, Ryan pursued him just as relentlessly, vying for his attention and affection. Jake, playing his cards just right, found himself caught between these two admirers.

As fate would have it, Jake eventually began dating both Ethan and Ryan, playing the role of elusive lover for each of them. He reveled in the extravagance and attention that came with dating two wealthy men, neither aware that they were sharing the same man.

However, things took a turn when Ethan and Ryan Jake's discovered double life. Consumed by feelings of betrayal and anger, they concocted a devious plan to keep Jake occupied and make him gain weight. They spread the word among their gay acquaintances, urging them to join their scheme.

Soon, invitations started pouring in for double dinners and social events filled with tempting, indulgent meals. Promises of buying him luxurious clothes and items were made, but ultimately never fulfilled. Jake, oblivious to their wicked plot, fell into their trap.

Weeks turned into months, and Jake's once sculpted physique began to soften. A few pounds here and there went unnoticed until he could no longer fit into his designer clothes. The once-flattering attention from admiring gazes and flirtatious interactions faded, as his bar patrons began to lose interest. Jake's financial stability wavered, and he had to rely on his dates more and more to sustain his extravagant lifestyle.

Desperate and frustrated, Jake started going out with Ethan and Ryan more frequently. He indulged in their every suggestion, consuming larger portions and fattening treats that only served to further expand his waistline. The lure of his former life and dwindling self-esteem pushed him to skip the gym, leaving him feeling unattractive and defeated.

With the absence of attention from adoring women and his declining tips at the bar, Jake's desolation escalated. As a last resort, he surrendered to his desperation and had a sexual encounter with one of the men involved in the wicked game. The man, filled with remorse, took pity on Jake and offered his care and support, on condition the that Jake would continue to his insatiable indulge appetite.

And so, Jake grew fatter and fatter each day, his once toned body hidden beneath layers of excess weight. The companionship he received, albeit conditional, offered him a sense of belonging and the luxury of a life lived at his leisure. He reveled in the attention and pampering, gradually becoming complacent in his newfound existence.

The treacherous duo, Ethan, Ryan, that showed him care, formed an agreement to take care of Jake together. Their love, though fueled by remorse, provided Jake with everything he desired. He no longer had to lift a finger as they took care of his every need, showering him with decadent meals, expensive gifts, and, occasionally, sexual pleasure.

Over time, Jake's weight skyrocketed, becoming a mere shadow of the sexy bartender he once was. His immense girth prevented him from continuing his work at the bar, rendering him increasingly dependent on his companions for sustenance and care.

Though the attention and luxurious treatment initially delighted Jake, he became a prisoner of his own desires, isolated within his ever-expanding body. The once-charismatic and vibrant man transformed into a recluse, hidden away from the world, living a life dominated by indulgence and excess. It was addictive. A drug that made him always want more, more presents, more food, more sex. And so that circle continued.

[lionsongfr]

Warrior's Way Snacks

Now this year is the lore it was mentioned that “We’d especially like to thank Arvelle for her generous donation towards our food budget”, and in the pamphlet for Warrior’s Way itself it mentions that “Food is available to participating warriors at all times throughout the course of the event.” So that got me thinking, what kind of food would dragons and beastclans eat during such an event?

Unfortunately, Warrior’s Way is during the summer and the heat can stifle anyone’s appetite- leading to warrior’s struggling to have the energy and hydration necessary to fight. Larger meals most likely would be served in the early morning and after sunset, and battles probably would be held off during the hottest middle of the day. But warriors would also need small meals and snacks to sustain them throughout the day. So, what kind of snacks could they expect?

Live Hornworms- a staple insect for insectivores, this import from the Mire is high in water and can be gut-loaded with either Fire Flower (for magic boost), Redblood Sapper (iron for blood), or Greenpod Bloom (calcium for bones and muscles). They are contained in large barrels with a cooling charm upon them, keeping the insects less active and from perishing in the heat.

Pickle Platter- while our most of our dragons do not sweat (I think maybe Light, Earth, and Ice dragons do), there are beastclans who definitely sweat. And with sweat comes the craving for salt. Pickled foods are high in salt, curb sugar spikes, help blood clot, and can provide the necessary electrolytes to relieve muscle cramps. The most common pickled foods are Basilisk eggs, Dubious Cucumbers, Wild Onions, Zeeba/Rambra sausages, Noxious/Leopard Caterpillar, and Kelp Beds Mackerel. Occasionally, Blacktongue Pepper is added for a spicy kick!

Cold Lume Daffodil and Spearmint Tea- every Fire Flight forge has a pot of tea cooling nearby in a large clay pot for refreshment. While Fire dragons typically prefer Cindermint, the cooling and refreshing combo of Spearmint and Lume Daffodil is a blessing on a hot summer day.  Peppermint tea may also be used for creatures having nervous stomachs for their upcoming battles.

Blood Red Smoothie- to many a Wildclaw’s sorrow this does not actually have blood. This smoothie combines Spinach, Blood Acorn, Strawberries, Blood Spath, Goat milk, and ice into a frothy, highly caloric, and nutritious drink. Sometimes it is easier to drink all of one’s calories than eat them, especially when it is hot outside. (Plus the Spirals brought these cute curly straws to drink them with!)

Cold Cut Wraps-unlike bread, flat breads can be quickly made and can be easily sized per creature.  Creating a wrap with cold cuts of meat, vegetables, and condiments makes for an easy to carry and customizable snack for busy warriors. Some favored cuts are: honeyed Featherback ham, smoked teriyaki Rainbow Trout, roasted lemon pepper Woodland Turkey, and spicy Flameleg Millipede.

Energy bites- the Longnecks are known for their Berry and Nut trail bars and the Centaurs for their Ration Pouches, and dragons have their own Elk pemmican tins and Cricket protein bars. Energy bites are a variant on this idea, mixing granola with a fat (Goat yogurt, Sunflower butter, Elk fat, ground Mealworm), Sugarbee honey, and dried fruit (Blueberries, Raspberries, Mushrooms, Butcher’s Fig) into round balls. The bites are then cooled overnight and put into bags made from Sweet Potato Vine (which is also edible), which can be carried about the event.

Shrimp and Potash Gazpacho- served by the cup or by the gallon (Imperial sized), this is a chilled soup for the seafood lovers. The base of the soup is the tangy and sour Miniature Potash Peach along with Cucumbers, Golden Peppers, and Wild Onions. And then anything seafood can be added to it! Most common is sweet Jumbo Shrimp, Pastel Scallops, and feisty Blue Swimmer Crab.

[solriccino]

WuWa Special Dishes

Jiyan, Lingyang, Encore, Calcharo, Danjin, Yuanwu, Yangyang, Baizhi, and Aalto

Just remembered the existence of special dishes after I got Jiyan's and thought of showing most of the others' special dishes. I don't have all the recipes unlocked so I can't do all of them! (Guys I killed so much poor animals for this I feel like a murderer but at least my Uncle Mahe made bank today)

See Jiyan's here: Jiyan's Special Dish: Yesterday in Jinzhou (yeah he had his own blog I'm a Jiyan hyperfixator)

Lingyang: Liondance Companion

How to obtain: Cook Jinzhou Skewers with Lingyang as the assistant.

Increase all party members' ATK by 120, lasting for 15m. (This effect only applies to your own Resonator(s) in Co-op Mode)

Snacks Lingyang made for the Liondance audience. The treats were a perfect combination of fatty and lean meats, complemented by fruits and vegetables to balance out the heaviness. Ideal for enjoying while watching the performance.

Encore: Baa Baa Crisp

How to obtain: Cook Star Flakes with Encore as the assistant.

Increases all party members' DEF by 40%, lasting for 30m. (This effect only applies to your own Resonator(s) in Co-op Mode)

After multiple attempts, Encore triumphantly created a dish she was pleased with. Golden and crunchy, each bite resembled a miniature lamb. And after indulging, one would surely dream of frolicking among sheep. With this culinary masterpiece, there's no need to fret - it can be savored without hesitation.

(This took me like 12 attempts to finally get in comparison to everyone else who took me like around 3 attempts so they're not lying when it took Encore multiple attempts to make her dish 😭😭 If that was intentional that is such a great detail)

Calcharo: Ration Bar

How to obtain: Cook Food Ration Bar with Calcharo as the assistant.

Increases the DEF of all Resonators in the team by 36% for 15 minutes. In multiplayer games, it only affects your own characters.

Calcharo has a fondness for Huanglong's Food Ration Bar. He believes it efficiently satisfies basic energy needs in the wild and has a unique taste. To cater to some of the younger merc's preferences, Calcharo has enhanced the bar by adding dried fruits, sugar beans, and various seasonings, creating a variety of flavors.

(Idk about u guys but something about Calcharo liking the food ration bars is so weirdly cute or I'm just a girl)

Danjin: Loong Whiskers Crisp

How to obtain: Cook Loong Whiskers Crisp with Danjin as the assistant.

Restore 50 points of Stamina.

The delicious scent of Loong Whiskers Crisp enveloped Danjin as she bit into the perfectly crisp exterior, her teeth sinking into the dreamy floss coating. Despite her love for this sweet treat, she always wished for more. The kind stall owner suggested adding extra ingredients to enhance the sweetness even further, a tempting offer that Danjin couldn't resist.

Yuanwu: Sanqing Tea

How to obtain: Cook Angelica Tea with Yuanwu as the assistant.

Increases all party members' max HP by 28%, lasting for 30m. (This effect only applies to your own Resonator(s) in Co-op Mode)

The Sanqing tea from Yuanwu Boxing Gym has healing properties, aiding the spleen, lungs, and alleviating worries. A cup after a boxing session boosts blood flow and circulation while soothing the mind. The perfect combination of exercise and tea brings a sense of inner peace, momentarily freeing one from mundane concerns and desires.

Yangyang: Fluffy Wuthercake

How to obtain: Cook Wuthercake with Yangyang as the assistant.

Increases all party members' ATK bu 33%, lasting for 30m. (This effect only applies to your own Resonator(s) in Co-op Mode)

A Wuthercake made with Yangyang's special formula. It incorporates whipped egg whites instead of the usual yolks. The result? A fluffy and tender treat that is both delicious and nutritious, thanks to the addition of berry jam. This revamped recipe caters to all ages, from seniors to picky kids, making it a satisfying indulgence for everyone.

Baizhi: Iced Perilla

How to obtain: Cook Perilla Salad with Baizhi as the assistant.

Increases all party members' Crit. Rate by 12%, lasting for 15m. (This effect only applies to your own Resonator(s) in Co-op Mode)

In moments of research block, Baizhi turns to the chilled Perilla she always has on hand for a refreshing pause. The cool, herbal flavor soothes her senses and helps calm her racing thoughts. As she finishes her plate, her mind clears and she's able to refocus on her work with renewed determination.

Sanhua: Crystal Clear Buns

How to obtain: Cook Loong Buns with Sanhua as the assistant.

Increases all party members' DEF by 28%, lasting for 30m. (This effect only applies to your own Resonator(s) in Co-op Mode)

Sanhua revamped the traditional ingredients used in Loong Buns, creating a refreshing and translucent treat perfect for cooling down during hot summers. This delicacy quickly became a staple on the City Hall's tables, winning over the hearts of all visitors... and the Jinzhou Magistrate herself.

Aalto: Misty Tea

How to obtain: Cook Happiness Tea (the recipe is named Xi Ling Tea) with Aalto as the assistant.

Increases all party members' DEF by 14% and max HP by 12%, lasting for 30m. (This effect only applies to your own Resonator(s) in Co-op Mode)

The tea is a favorite of Aalto. As the water in the pot turns to mist and then back into water in the cup, the aroma of the tea is coupled with the soothing mist. "Now, let's get down to business." It seems Aalto's mastery of tea-making is just one of his many skills in the business world.

Notes on the special dishes of those who I haven't included here

Mortefi: Crispy Squab (Recipe obtained at Casket Delivery level 10 aka you have to get all Sonance Caskets)

Chixia: Jinzhou Maocai (Recipe obtained at Chef level 4)

Taoqi: Kudzu Congee (???)

Verina: Morri Pot (???)

Jianxin: ??? (She's the only one I don't have asjsj)

Bonus pics of my Jiyan <33

[acti-veg]

i suffer from chronic depression and really low energy. i find preparing even the most basic of meals really hard.

do you know of any places in the uk i can buy vegan ready meals which do deliveries please?

also things i can buy in bulk for breakfast, lunch etc like cereal bars where prep isn’t needed

thank you so much

Huel is a good option for very cheap meals, you can buy ready-to-drink ones or powders that you just mix yourself. That can be breakfast and lunch sorted by itself. There are also quite a lot of meal delivery services in the UK who offer vegan food, I found about five with a quick search but I haven't tried any, so I can't make recommendations.

Stocking up on basics like soups, pasta pots and packaged noodles would be good in a pinch. Protein bars would be good to have on hand, Misfits ones are great but Trek do protein flapjacks that are vegan as well. Home and Bargain and Heron do big flapjacks which are surprisingly vegan and are very high in calories, for when you just need to get some fat and calories in - they're about 5 for £2. For more nutritious options, canned foods can also be just thrown in with microwaves rice, things like chickpeas, lentils, black beans, kidney beans etc. You can buy microwavable packets of pre-flavoured grains and such from most supermarkets, they're reasonably healthy and not too expensive. There are also loads of snacking faux meats that you just throw on some bread for a quick lunch. Even just having some bread, hummus and carrot sticks in in can serve as a quick lunch when you really don't have the energy.

The best advice I can give is to pre-prepare meals in bulk, during those periods where you have the energy to do that. This doesn't need to be complex recipe making, you can throw soy chunks/fake chicken, rice, broccoli and soy/teriyaki sauce in a big pan and make enough for a few days in about 10-15 minutes. Meals like chili, pasta, curry, homemade soups and noodle dishes freeze pretty well so you only need to blast them in the microwave.

[hasufin]

State of failure

I am currently making hardtack.

This is a mistake. The year is 2023 and there is no good reason to make hardtack. The stuff is an inherently bad idea. There is no practical use for hardtack which is not met today by a product which is superior in every way.

Hardtack existed as a solution for a particular time and application: a way to create portable calories which did not require any cooking in situ, which could be transported in almost any condition, and could be stored for years at a time with no significant detriment.

Today, we have a great many options to meet these requirements. We have MREs. Canned foods. Dehydrated foods. UHT packaging. Freeze-drying. Energy bars. Every one of these options manage to be better-tasting, more nutritious, and just overall more pleasant than hardtack.

Throughout much of history, the idea of going an extended period of time without being able to cook at all would have been ridiculous. What could your circumstances be, that you could not, just once every few days, start a fire? and if you can start a fire you can, at minimum, make waybread. Which isn’t particularly pleasant, sure, but is worlds better than hardtack.

But for a certain period of time, hardtack was indeed the solution. it’s mostly synonymous with sailor’s food, but was also a significant part of a soldier’s diet; certain forms of the stuff, known as “hard biscuit” were used even through WWII. It does have its advantages, mainly in durability. Actually, that’s pretty much it. Hardtack, if kept dry and free of insects, will last pretty much indefinitely.

What, you may wonder, is hardtack?

Well. It’s basically the worst, most basic form of bread you can imagine. It’s unleavened and as dry as possible. It consists of nothing but flour and salt, with just enough water to form into a stiff dough, then baked and dried. That’s literally it.

The hardtack above used 2 cups of whole wheat flour (plus a bit more for the working surface), about a teaspoon of salt, and somewhere between 1/2 and 5/8 of a cup of water.

I combined the salt with the flour. Note - no fat, no sweetener, no flavoring, no leavening. Then, I added half a cup of water and proceeded to knead it. And knead it. And knead it some more. It is impossible to overknead hardtack, because it’s going to be indistinguishable from masonry no matter what you do.

Now, there is some skill to this. You’re up against two competing needs. First, you must make your hardtack as dry as possible. Water is your enemy. If there is water, it could mold, or grow bacteria, or fungus.

On the other hand, you want your dough to be completely smooth. Any seam or fold in the dough will become a crack. The biscuit may break apart; some mold spore or insect could get in.

So, while I started with half a cup of water, I found that amount inadequate and added a little bit of additional water to make it work into a smoother dough. As you can see, it still wasn’t perfectly smooth but I successfully incorporated all the flour.

Once I had a terribly stiff dough, I rolled it out on a floured surface. There’s plenty of leeway here on how you can do it - some people would simply take pieces of the dough and pat them flat. Especially into the 19th century, this could be done with machinery, to make very consistent biscuits. That’s actually pretty important, since sailors and soldiers would want to be sure they were getting a fair ration.

Personally, since I have round biscuit cutters, that’s what I did. This is the style largely favored by the British, to be packed in barrels for Naval usage. Americans tended to make squares or rectangles for most efficient packing in tins. If these were being made professionally, the biscuits would then be impressed with a seal, usually indicating the company which manufactured the biscuits.

The next, and more important, part is to poke holes in the biscuits. These are not for show: they are meant to release steam when the biscuits are baked. If there are no holes, steam may accumulate in pockets, resulting in bubbles. While this might yield a moderately more pleasant hardtack - one that can be more easily broken apart - it also makes it less durable and more prone to spoilage. The holes need to be poked all the way through, which isn’t quite how most such baking is done, but there is no elegance to hardtack.

Next is baking. To be honest, hardtack is not baked. It is sterilized and dried. The simplest method is to bake the biscuits in a low oven for many hours - four is typical, but sometimes the hardtack is baked several times, or overnight. It should be baked just hot enough to assure anything in the flour is killed, and for long enough to remove almost all moisture from the biscuits.

I have opted for a compromise, in large part because I already had my dehydrator out. I baked the biscuits at 250°F for two hours, then transferred them to the dehydrator, where they are currently drying for.... well, until I decide to shut it off. Probably when I go to bed. Sadly, my dehydrator tops out at 160°F, which is 40°F too cool for proper sterilization. If it went up to 200°F, I could put the biscuits directly in there without needing the oven at all, but such was not to be.

So far, it smells surprisingly pleasant, and the one piece I have tasted confirms: it’s terribly bland, of course, lacking even the sourness of yeast. It’s also - as one could predict - quite hard, requiring prolonged dipping in tea to make it soft enough to bite. In short, the flavor is inoffensive while the texture is weaponizable.

I made this stuff knowing what it would be. I started out with the complete expectation that it would be akin to eating a roofing tile. Why do I do this?

Curiosity, I suppose. Now, sometimes I try to improve these historical recipes - I recognize the limitations under which they were made, and try to make them pleasant by adding spices and seasonings which were not available, applying techniques which would have been impractical, and adding fats and sugars which were uneconomical.

Not this recipe. You cannot improve hardtack without compromising its purpose. But I’d seen so many references to it, I knew I wanted to make it for myself, just to experience it.

I’m not going to share the stuff with my friends, though. Not anyone I want to keep as a friend, at any rate.

[theaawalker]

Delusional | Lex Luthor x Fem!OC [1-Shot]

Pairing: Lex Luthor x Rose Holloway Song Inspo: Delusional by Simon Curtis Word Count: 2,433 Summary: desperate to get out under her tyrannic mother's corporative thumb, executive secretary Rose Holloway submits an application for an opening at LexCorp. Much to her surprise, she is asked to interview the next week. The pay is pretty good, and this Lex guy couldn't be as awful as her mother. What could go wrong? Warnings: mild mentions of parental abuse Masterlist: see fandoms (pc-friendly)

Last thing I remember from my dream was having to tell my angry mother the news about my job. That was enough to get me awake. I scrambled around in my covers and opened my eyes, squirting as the light from the curtains hit my face. At first, I just closed my eyes to block them from the sunlight. But then I realized it was morning, and I forgot to set my alarm last night! I was going to be late on the first day!

I pushed my covers off my body and climbed out of bed, ignoring my slippers that awaited my feet. I looked at my alarm clock, and, as if taunting me, it read 12:21 PM. I grabbed my already ready work attire and took a quick shower. I put on my clothes, did my hair, applied some makeup (not too much, because I don't wanna look as desperate as I was), and brushed my teeth. Into my mall closet I went, searching for some shoes to go with my outfit.

I did my best to fix myself a nutritious breakfast. Nutty bars seemed like the way to go, but they get stuck in my teeth. The last thing I wanted was to be humiliated on my first day - I hadn't felt like that since high school. I managed to make due with a glass of orange juice; just when I put the cold glass to my mouth, a car honked outside. I groaned to myself, knowing who it was, "Mom."

Rushing out the house, I barely remembered to lock the door. I hadn't told my mom about my application for LexCorp, so I knew she was gonna drive to her building instead. That meant I had to somehow sneak past her and make it to LexCorp in time. It's not that far... I hope. 

I swung my business bag around my shoulder and got to the car. Only it wasn't my mom's car. It was... nicer and more modern. The windows were tented so I had no idea who was inside. I didn't know what to do, so I sorta stepped back. The window suddenly rolled down, revealing a face I had known for my whole life.

"Mary!" I squealed with delight, and relief.

"Get in." She ordered. "Or you're gonna be late." I had told her about my application. Well, I told her not to tell our mom about the application. "I can't thank you enough, Mare Bear." I said as I hopped into the nice vehicle. Mary looked at me as she took the wheel.

"You can start by not calling me Mare Bear, Nose." I had to smile at that. She and I call each other cute names sometimes. She calls me nose because, apart from my lips, my nose is my most dominant feature.

"Hang on, little sister." She said, pulling out of my driveway. "LexCorp, here we come."

(Time Skip - At LexCorp Parking)

Butterflies fluttered in my thin stomach as we approached my future workplace. It was so weird; seeing it on the computer was one thing, but being there was another. The building looked so full of purity, energy, and technology. I started to wonder if I could really help improve it. I mean, I wasn't anything more than a secretary of a fashion magazine editor. Also, I had no idea if they'd even accept me. I knew that my mom would hire me because she knew me, but this Lex Luthor probably didn't even know I existed until last week.

"Well, here we are. LexCorp Industries." Mary gave an introduction. I released the sigh I'd been holding in since we pulled up. "Aren't you going in, or...?"

"What if I'm not good enough, Mary?" I blurted out my worry. Mary gave me an eye roll and held my shoulder. "Look. These guys may have worked here longer than you but that doesn't make them better. For all you know, by this time tomorrow you could be doing all their jobs. Besides, any treatment you get is better than mom's." She had such a good point. It was either this or back to being paid to be yelled at by your mom. 

"Okay," I finally said, "I'll-I'll do it." She gave me a nod, and I nodded in returned. We leaned in for a hug, and she wished me luck one last time. I bet was gonna need it. I can't focus when I'm nervous, and when I can't focus I screw things up. But there was no way I was spending another day at that fashion hell. So I picked my bag up and got out of the car. 

Mary waved at me as she drove off. I waited until she was out of sight, and slowly spun around to face the building again. It looked so massive and complex. This may sound weird, but it kind of terrified me. I shook if out though, and marched toward it with a high head.

Inside was not much different than the outside. People were scattered everywhere, and they all looked worthy of being there. One lady walked past me wearing all black with the coolest haircut. I touched my rough, brown hair to find it a plain straight. I never thought I'd say this but I wish I had a rubber band right about now. The place wasn't crowded, but it was far from being empty. 

I looked around for any clue to where Lex's office was. I had an interview with him in ten minutes and I couldn't even find him. I decided to ask one of the employees. I walked further into the work hall until I saw something out of the ordinary. There, in the middle of the room, about six men were playing basketball. I tried to process an excuse for what I was seeing. 'Maybe they're testing their body maneuvers for a video game?' was all I could think of.

Basketball or not, they didn't look as intimidating as everyone else. So I walked up to the court and tapped on the shoulder of closest one, who appeared to be in the middle of shooting.

I cleared my throat.

"Excuse me." He turned and smiled at me. He had strawberry-blonde locks that curled by his jawline. His eyes were blue and playful, and reminded me of two blue balls. He was shorter than me, but only by about an inch. "Sorry to interrupt your game, but I was wondering if you knew where Lex Luthor's office is." He gave me and odd smile.

"Hm. You must my new secretary. How are you? Lex Luthor. Welcome to my little LexCorp." The man held out his hand to me. I looked at it, and, ever so hesitantly, shook it.

Raising an eyebrow, I asked. "You're Lex Luthor?" He odd smile turned into a cheeky one as he giggled.

"Indeed I am. Alexander Luthor Jr., in your presence." He said, slight bowing his head. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't confused. He looked so young, way too young to be running a business. "I'm sorry, I'm confused. You look so..."

"Young? Well..." he turned away for a second to throw the through the hoop. "Age is just a number, correct? And there are infinite numbers to compare to mine, so there's no use in trying to be any other."

I just looked from him to the net and swallowed. "I guess that sounds right." 

"Great! Hm. Yes, yes. You are here for the job." He said, eyes darting down in remembrance. "Executive secretary if I recall." Before I knew it he had his hand on my shoulder blade, and we began walking down the hall to I-have-no-idea-where. But I simply nodded and played along.

"Um, yeah. I used to work as one at my old job."

"Old job, mm? Might I ask where?" I didn't bother looking at him to answer, I just kept my head forward. And judging by my sight, we were headed for an escalator. "Nowhere special. Just a stupid fashion magazine corporation." I scratched my forehead as we boarded the escalator. I let Lex go first, being as though I had no idea where to go beyond the escalator.  The rising staircase made my body feel like it was lifting by itself.

"I see," Lex said. "That explains your chose of clothing décor. Anyway, tell me- Wait! Silly me. I forgot to request your name." He addressed, stepping off his step and placing his foot on the smooth, white tile floor. I copied his movement and we returned to our original pace.

The hallway was all white, and filled with white doors. Any one of those could be mine. All I had to do was get an interview with Lex. First, we had to get to his office.

"My name's Rose. Rose Lee Holloway." I offered a kind smile, one which was returned.

"Rose. Hm." His eyes darted up in thought. "The Latin origin of rose, a flower name from Rosa." He looked back at me. "Did you know the Normans brought Latin to Britain in the 11th century?"

I shook my head. Lex just put his hands in his pockets and stared ahead. "Are you interested in alien studies and research?"

"Um, no. Only what I read on the news about Superman. But do find the fact that one is living here funny."

This made Lex chuckle. "How do you mean?"

"I mean, an alien protecting a species that's not his own just makes us look inferior. Why should we rely on a humanoid destructor rather than weapons of defense? It just sounds dumb."

Lex snapped his finger and pointed at me. "Exactly, Rosie. May I call you Rosie?" 'If I get this job he can call me anything he wants.' I thought.

But I simply replied, "If you want."

We reached the end of the hallway, where, to our right, sat a giant silver door.

"Follow me." Lex led us down the pathway and opened the giant door for me. "In you go." I slipped past him and almost tripped when I saw Lex's office. That place was like two master bedrooms in one giant space. There were chairs in there I've never seen in my life! And that's saying something since my mom used redecorated our living room almost every year.

I was so in shock that I didn't even notice Lex walk past me to his desk chair. I strolled to the front of his desk and sat in small chair, where Lex was seated on the table. He grinned at me, making me even more nervous. We both knew what was about to happen.

"Humor me. What got you interested in this position?"

"I've had previous experience with executive assistance, such as memoing, filing, answering phone calls, and prepping schedules. I also dabble in digital art, so if you need any promo or posters, well, I'm your gal." I chuckled nervously, and he just stroked his chin. "Ahem. I admire what this company has done for the ecosystem repair in other countries. Between partnering with other green companies and philanthropy fundraisers, it- you have really great work." Then it got quiet. "...yeah."

Lex leaned forward, knuckling his silvery desk's edge, and looked into my soul. He studied every inch of my face, my eyes... my soul. It was like he was trying to read my mind. When he got his answer, he exhaled.

"Hm." His lips twitched. "Hm-mm, yes. You have the gaze of a woman on the run." Lex said softly, almost sorrowful, like a therapist. "A lioness, mm, trying to strike out of the pride, make it on her own. Tell me, dear Rosie, who-oh-who are you running from?"

My head drew back and I nearly gulped. Was this man actually telepathic? Either way, he seemed to have me figured out. There was no use in denying it further. If honesty got me a job, then honesty it'll be. I just wish it wasn't such a sore subject.

"My mother." My tongue suddenly tasted foul and acidic. "She's not a very nice mother. Or boss."

"Mommy issues," Lex gestured to me, "meet daddy issues," he gestured to himself, making us both chuckle weakly. I supposed it made sense, hurt child meets hurt child. I wondered to what extend his father hurt him, but put off the question as taboo for an interview.

"Anyhow," he leaned back and continued, "mind if I ask you some professional questions?" He asked, making a yuck face as the word 'professional'.

"Yes, go ahead." I straightened my posture.

"Alrighty. How did you like the building so far?" That was not the question I expected him to ask first, but it was his company. 'Get hired, Rose, get hired.' I cheered myself on.

"Ummm... It's very detailed and finely organized, Mr. Luthor. It's techy but also really chill. Just feels like a good environment people-wise." If my resume didn't cut it maybe sucking up to him would. But he just waved it off.

"Please, call me Lex. It's only fair since I'm calling you Rosie." He had a point. "But does it look like the kind of place you want to work at?"

I looked around the spacious, flawless, white room and sighed. Such a long way from that undersized, secretary desk my mom forced me in.

My pitiful eyes found Lex again. "Very much."

Out of nowhere, Lex suddenly clapped near my face. "Fantastic! Then congratulations, Ms. Rosie. You're hired!" I had to clear my ears to make sure I heard him right.

"Wait, what? I'm hired?" He just nodded like an excited child. "But what about the interview?" I asked, still not understanding his reasons behind hiring me. He bent from his spot on the table to open up a drawer beside his legs.

"That was the interview, my dear Rosie. It began from I first introduced myself." He then pulled something out of the drawer; a red cylinder candy, and offered it to me. "Jolly Rancher?" I gave a clearly puzzled look, raising my eyebrow. "It's cherry." He offered again. 

With nothing to lose except my job there, I accepted.

"Okay." I smiled tightly.

But instead of handing it to me, Lex leaned in to put it in my mouth himself. For a second, I felt his cold, steel fingers brush on the tip of my lips before departing. Then he licked those fingers and smiled from ear to ear like nothing happened.

Being the kind person I am, I gave the smile back. He might have been a bit odd, but I had a feeling Lex was gonna grow on me.

#lex luthor#dc#bvs#imagine#imagines#DC imagines#dc imagine#lex luthor imagine#lex luthor x reader#lex x reader#lex imagine#bvs imagine#batman vs superman#reader insert#reader#xreader#fandom#multifandom#request

[fitnesflag]

A simple diet plan to gain weight

Hey there, all you hardgainers out there! If you're looking to bulk up and add some healthy weight to your frame, you've come to the right place. 💪 Let's talk about crafting a diet plan to gain weight that'll have you feeling strong, confident, and ready to take on the world.

First things first: when it comes to gaining weight, it's all about calories in versus calories out. To pack on those pounds, you need to consume more calories than your body burns in a day. But not just any calories will do – we're talking about nutrient-dense foods that'll fuel your body and support muscle growth.

So, what does a diet plan to gain weight look like? Let's break it down:

Load up on protein: Protein is the building block of muscle, so make sure to include plenty of it in your diet. Aim for lean sources like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, and plant-based options like tofu and legumes.

Embrace healthy fats: Don't be afraid to add some extra fat to your meals – it's a concentrated source of calories that can help you reach your weight gain goals. Avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish like salmon are all great options.

Carbohydrates are your friend: Carbs provide your body with energy to fuel your workouts and support muscle growth. Opt for complex carbs like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and try to include them in every meal and snack.

Don't skimp on the snacks: Snacking throughout the day can help you increase your calorie intake without feeling overly full. Reach for high-calorie snacks like nuts, dried fruit, cheese, yogurt, and protein bars to keep your energy levels up between meals.

Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is important for overall health and can help support your weight gain efforts. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider adding in calorie-rich beverages like smoothies, milkshakes, and protein shakes to boost your calorie intake even further.

Don't forget that consistency is key when it comes to sticking to your diet plan to gain weight. It may take some time to see results, so be patient with yourself and stay committed to your goals. With the right combination of nutritious foods, plenty of calories, and a solid workout routine, you'll be well on your way to achieving the gains you're after. You've got this! 💪🍔🥑

[ceeveganglutenfreebaking]

Delicious Vegan Gluten-Free Back-to-School Lunchbox Snacks

Back-to-school season is upon us, and that means it's time to start thinking about lunchbox snacks. But what if your child has dietary restrictions, like being vegan or gluten-free? Don't worry, I've got you covered! In this post, I'm sharing 5 delicious and nutritious vegan gluten-free lunchbox snacks that your kids will love.

**1. Energy Balls**

These energy balls are the perfect way to start the day or refuel after a long morning of learning. They're packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep your kids energized throughout the day.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup pitted dates, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes

* 1/2 cup almond butter or other nut butter

* 1/4 cup rolled oats

* 1/4 cup shredded coconut

* 1/4 cup chia seeds

* 1/4 cup ground flaxseed

* 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

* Pinch of salt

**Instructions:**

1. Drain the dates and add them to a food processor along with the almond butter, oats, coconut, chia seeds, flaxseed, vanilla extract, and salt.

2. Pulse until the mixture forms a sticky dough.

3. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

**2. Mini Veggie Pizzas**

These mini pizzas are a fun and healthy way to get your kids to eat their veggies. They're also a great way to use up leftover veggies from the fridge.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 whole-wheat pita bread, cut into 4 wedges

* 1/4 cup marinara sauce

* 1/4 cup shredded vegan mozzarella cheese

* 1/4 cup chopped vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and onions)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on each pita wedge.

3. Top with shredded vegan mozzarella cheese and chopped vegetables.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

**3. Fruit and Nut Bars**

These fruit and nut bars are a delicious and portable snack that's perfect for on-the-go. They're also a great way to get your kids to eat their fruits and nuts.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, and apricots)

* 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews)

* 1/4 cup chia seeds

* 1/4 cup maple syrup

* 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

**Instructions:**

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the mixture forms a sticky dough.

2. Spread the dough into a rectangular pan lined with parchment paper.

3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

**4. Hummus and Veggie Sticks**

Hummus is a delicious and versatile dip that's perfect for pairing with veggie sticks. This snack is packed with protein and fiber, and it's a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained

* 1/4 cup tahini

* 2 tablespoons lemon juice

* 2 tablespoons olive oil

* 1 clove garlic, minced

* 1/4 teaspoon cumin

* Pinch of salt

* 1 cup chopped vegetables (such as carrots, celery, and cucumber)

**Instructions:**

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

2. Serve with veggie sticks.

**5. Yogurt Parfaits**

Yogurt parfaits are a classic lunchbox snack that's both healthy and delicious. This vegan version is made with plant-based yogurt and is packed with protein and probiotics.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup plant-based yogurt

* 1/2 cup granola

* 1/4 cup fresh fruit (such as berries, bananas, or mangoes)

**Instructions:**

1. Layer the yogurt, granola, and fruit in a reusable container.

2. Enjoy!

These are just a few ideas for vegan gluten-free lunchbox snacks. With a little creativity, you can come up with endless possibilities!

Comment below which one you will be trying out

[rachellaurengray]

Top 10 Best Protein Bars for Every Workout Routine

When it comes to fueling your workout, protein bars are a convenient and effective solution. Whether you're aiming to build muscle, recover after a workout, or just need a quick snack, choosing the right protein bar can make a significant difference.

Here’s a list of the top 10 protein bars from HULKMEAL, complete with nutritional details to enhance your fitness journey:

1. Quest Protein Bars

Calories: 190

Protein: 20 grams

Carbs: 4 grams (net carbs)

Sugar: 1 gram

Features: Low in sugar, high in protein, and available in flavors like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Supreme. Ideal for muscle recovery and sustained energy.

2. Built Protein Bars

Calories: 180

Protein: 20 grams

Carbs: 21 grams

Sugar: 6 grams

Features: Soft, chewy texture with options such as Birthday Cake and Cookies and Cream. Perfect for a tasty, high-protein snack post-workout.

3. Grenade Protein Bars

Calories: 220

Protein: 20 grams

Carbs: 22 grams

Sugar: 9 grams

Features: Known for indulgent options and a crunchy texture. Options include Carb Killa Chocolate Mint and Birthday Cake. Great for balancing taste and nutrition.

4. Warrior Crunch Protein Bar (60g)

Calories: 250

Protein: 22 grams

Carbs: 21 grams

Sugar: 7 grams

Features: High in protein with a crunchy texture and rich flavors. Ideal for supporting muscle growth and recovery.

5. Love Good Fats Protein Bar (35-39g)

Calories: 190

Protein: 12 grams

Carbs: 11 grams

Sugar: 1 gram

Features: Low in sugar and high in healthy fats. Variations include Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mint. Great for maintaining energy without the sugar crash.

6. Snickers Protein Bar

Calories: 200

Protein: 19 grams

Carbs: 22 grams

Sugar: 10 grams

Features: Combines classic Snickers with protein. Perfect for those who crave something sweet yet nutritious.

7. Nugo Slim Protein Bars

Calories: 180

Protein: 15 grams

Carbs: 2 grams (net carbs)

Sugar: 1 gram

Features: Low-carb option suitable for keto diets, with options like Chocolate Mint and Brownie. Ideal for those on a low-carb lifestyle.

8. Chocorite Protein Bars

Calories: 160

Protein: 15 grams

Carbs: 10 grams

Sugar: 1 gram

Features: Delicious chocolate delight, ideal for a low-sugar, high-protein snack. Great for a post-workout treat or a quick energy boost.

9. Ross Chocolate Bars (34g)

Calories: 140

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 15 grams

Sugar: 10 grams

Features: Satisfying chocolate treat with a moderate amount of protein. Perfect for a nutritious snack.

10. Lenny & Larry's Complete Protein Bar with Cookies, Chocolate, Almond, Sea Salt (45g)

Calories: 200

Protein: 16 grams

Carbs: 22 grams

Sugar: 11 grams

Features: Combines the taste of cookies and chocolate with balanced protein content. Great for both pre- and post-workout.

Choosing the Right Protein Bar

When selecting a protein bar, consider your fitness goals, dietary needs, and taste preferences. Whether you're looking for a recovery option or a convenient snack, these top 10 HULKMEAL protein bars offer a range of benefits to help you stay on track with your fitness routine.

Explore these options and find the perfect protein bar to support your workout goals and satisfy your taste buds!