#plus if I can’t process proteins on top of that it makes food as a whole very difficult

[ghostickle]

The top two guesses for what the fuck is wrong with me rn is celiacs or Graves’ disease and celiacs looks really possible but I Really don’t what that to be it cause there’s already so many foods I can’t eat im already very limited in what I’m able to eat and that would knock out just about all of it and in a weird way I hope it’s graves cause then it’d also explain a lot of the issues with my eyes

[evansbby]

Waittt how did you ‘fix’ yours if you’re comfortable sharing😭😭 my sister has it and i want to help but i have no idea how

Putting it under a read more. TW MENTIONS OF EATING DISORDER I think??? Idk but just to be safe just don’t even open it if you have eating issues. Also TW discussion of weight !!!

Also I’m not even giving advice bc everyone is different, this is just my experience…

So at first I went to the gp and they just gave me birth control pills to regulate my period bc I literally NEVER had it regularly. In fact I believe in 2018 or 2019, I went the whole entire year without having a period.

Anyways, I don’t recommend birth control for pcos! I know everyone is different! And it DID regulate my period but I think BC just stifles the symptoms instead of solving them. Plus it gave me morning sickness and mood swings lmfao.

What worked for me is first losing the weight I gained during lockdown and then losing more weight on top of that. I won’t say how I lost that weight bc looking back… what I was doing definitely wasn’t a healthy thing to be doing and I won’t share bc I don’t want anyone else to do that looool. Just majorrr eating disorder tbh.

Anyways losing weight made my period regular and I was regularly getting my period every single month since February 2021! And then I started eating healthily and this I CAN share: I would eat a LOT of protein (chicken/eggs) and like Brussels sprouts and fibrous stuff to keep me full. I stayed away from processed food, junk food, sweets ALL OF IT! Obviously on special occasions I would not restrict myself but it was more of a lifestyle change.

On top of that I kept very very busy and active. I was at uni or out with friends or working as a waitress which meant I was averaging 20k steps per day. It helped me maintain a good healthy weight without restricting food.

I know that a lot of girls with pcos struggle with eating bc it feels like everyone else can eat whatever they want and not put on any weight but for us it’s different 🥲 but personally for me I just had to stop making excuses and feeling sorry for myself and just put in the work to see the results I wanted. That meant eating healthy and staying active and turning that into my lifestyle.

oh and i also get laser hair removal bc i was sooo hairy fr i mean im brown and i have pcos so that's double hairy 😂😂😂 BEST DECISION EVER!!

The thing is, it’s hard when it comes to PCOS to give advice bc everyone’s body is so so different! That’s why I scroll past every single “pcos advice” video on tiktok bc I always knew I needed to figure out myself what would work for me. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help! This is just my experience!

[floatyduckthoughts]

The other day, I was out walking with my aunt and our dog.

The snow crunched under every step, dry and heavy. ❄️

My aunt, trying her best to survive the cold, had one hand shoved deep into her jacket pocket while the other held the leash, sacrificing itself to the freezing air. “My hands are so cold they hurt, -every movement is torture!” she complains dramatically, switching her hands: one to the warmth of the pocket, the other to control our little fluffy dog goblin. 🐾

Our dog, by the way, didn’t care one bit about the cold. He kept diving face-first into the snow like some fox, entirely unbothered and enjoying himself. (That’s some flex)

My aunt, meanwhile, would occasionally shield her blushed cheeks with her hand, as if that would somehow preserve her face from dying out.

I wasn’t different from my aunt at that moment. I was even ready to shove my face into my jacket as much as I could, not caring how ridiculous it would look to the passing neighbors. -EXCEPT I noticed…my eyes…

Why don’t my eyeballs feel cold? 👁️👄👁️

Like, your eyes are just out there, completely exposed, and yet they don’t scream for help like your hands or face do. The only thing I notice is that they sometimes feel dry, but that’s more annoying than painful.

-It’s kind of like when I’m at home, staring at my laptop for too long. My eyes dry out, and I feel like they start to get crispy, but that’s still not pain, it’s just discomfort. So, what gives?

Naturally, I started overthinking this.

-Is it about blood vessels? Nerves? Some kind of difference in the structure?

-Are tears just way more impressive than we’ve been giving them credit for?

-And why doesn’t the moisture in our eyes freeze like wet hands do when you’re outside? (Pathetic hands)

These were clearly questions too good to leave unanswered, so I decided to Google my way to an explanation.

Disclaimer: I’m not a big brain. Just a sus duck who has too much access to the internet.

Anyway, here’s the deal:

According to an article called “The Composition of Tears and Their Role in Eye Health” by Troy Bedinghaus (2024) on the website Verywell Health, tears are basically mix of:

-Water

-Electrolytes (things like magnesium, calcium, and sodium that give tears their salty taste- yum)

-Proteins

-Lipids (fats)

-Mucins (more proteins)

SICK, right?!! :DD …..

Hold up! Don’t leave! Let me break it down 🕺

-Mucus is this blend of water, oils, proteins, and other stuff that helps tears stick evenly across your eye.

-The water-saline solution is full of vitamins and minerals to keep your eyes in good shape. (Not that important for our question)

-And then… there’s oil!

Oil is the MVP here. It keeps your tears from evaporating too fast. Without it, your eyes would dry out in no time, which explains why people with bad oil production get dry eyes. So, while the rest of your body is losing heat, like that one SpongeBob scene, your eyes are chilling (HA! Pun intended) under a protective film of oil.

Now, why exactly do your hands feel like they’re dying in the cold?

According to Earth Network’s article “What Is Cold Weather? | Extreme Cold Weather Safety,” wind robs your body of heat super fast. -Duh (≖_≖ )

Plus, there’s something called sublimation—basically, when ice or water turns straight into a gaseous state, it sucks heat out in the process. Your hands can’t handle all the skill issue, but your eyes? They’ve got their oil shields!

So, to sum up: It’s not really just about nerves or blood vessels (though those definitely matter, it’s just a bit too much for my smooth brain and the text is way too long), but it’s the oil. Who would’ve thought?

This, of course, made me wonder again!: If oil protects your eyes, what would happen if I covered myself in coconut oil? Makes sense right? Right???!

Would I finally defeat winter?

I didn’t actually try this, but according to an article by Heather Nicholds called “Top 6 Foods That Keep You Warm When It’s 30 Below,” coconut oil might…kind of help?

Apparently, fats generate warmth when they metabolize, and coconut oil works like a charm as a moisturizer. Dry, cracked skin loses heat faster and gets super sensitive to cold, so keeping it moisturized helps lock in some warmth.

Am I saying coconut oil will turn you into an unstoppable human creature? -Nope. But it might make surviving winter a little less, miserable. Un poco

You are welcome ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ💯✨

[thedisneychef]

Are Recipe Boxes Worth It? Exploring Meal Subscription Services

Recipe box subscriptions are becoming increasingly popular these days, and it's easy to see why. Who doesn't want the convenience of having all the ingredients needed for delicious meals pre-measured and delivered right to their door? But are they worth the cost? In this article, I'll explore some pros and cons of subscription boxes so you can decide if one is a good investment for your cooking needs. The idea of having everything you need for dinner ready in just a few steps sounds great – no trips to the store or time spent measuring out spices. Plus, many recipe boxes come with recipes that have been carefully crafted by chefs, giving home cooks an opportunity to try something new without spending hours poring over cookbooks. On top of that, most services offer meal plans tailored to dietary restrictions like veganism or gluten sensitivity. All of this makes it tempting to sign up for one! Maybe You Also Like: - Are Overnight Oats Recipes Healthy and Easy to Make? - Are Recipes Copyrighted Or Patented - Are Recipes For Making Proteins Advantages Of Recipe Boxes I definitely think recipe boxes are worth it. Meal planning can be such a tedious task, and having all of the ingredients delivered to your door in one box helps save so much time. Plus, you don’t have to worry about going out to buy groceries or even worse – forgetting something important at the store! With these meal kits, everything is ready for you when it arrives. Another great advantage of using a recipe box service is that they provide recipes from different cuisines from around the world. So if you get bored with cooking the same dishes over and over again, this could be a great way to explore new flavors and ingredients without feeling overwhelmed. All of the meals come pre-measured so there’s no guesswork involved either. Plus, most of these companies offer discounts for first-time customers so you can test them out before making any long-term commitments. It's an easy way to add more variety into your weekly meal plan while also saving time and money in the process! Disadvantages Of Recipe Boxes I've discussed the advantages of recipe boxes, so let's now explore some of their potential drawbacks. One major issue with these meal delivery kits is that they don’t offer much flexibility when it comes to customizing recipes or creating your own dishes. Additionally, although all the ingredients are conveniently provided, you may end up with too much food for a single serving and lots of leftovers. This could be an issue if you’re trying to save money by not overbuying groceries as well as wasting food due to incorrect portion sizes in the kit. Another downside of using recipe boxes is that you can't compare prices like you would in a store — meaning you won't find any discounts on items from week to week. Plus, since there isn't the same variety available each month, people who eat meals regularly at home and have specific shopping lists will likely have trouble finding everything they need consistently within one delivery service. Overall, while recipe boxes provide convenience and ease for novice cooks, experienced chefs might find themselves wanting more options. The lack of customization and smaller portions also means it may be difficult to rely solely on these services for regular grocery needs. Cost Comparison I've been wondering if recipe boxes are worth the money. After doing some research and looking into the cost, I believe they can be a great time-saving option for meal planning. The main benefit of using these boxes is that all of your ingredients will come pre-measured and ready to cook. This makes preparation much faster than having to shop for each ingredient separately. It also helps reduce food waste since you’ll only get what you need for each dish. Plus, most recipes are designed to be cooked in one pan or pot, so there's less mess and cleanup afterwards! Not only do recipe boxes save time, but they can also help with budgeting as well. Many services give discounts when ordering multiple meals at once, which means you won't have to worry about overspending on groceries every week. All in all, it seems like investing in a recipe box could be worth it if you want to save time and money while still eating delicious homecooked meals! Types Of Recipe Boxes I love meal planning and grocery shopping, but sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, there are now recipe boxes available to help make this process easier. Recipe boxes provide delicious recipes with all the ingredients you need conveniently delivered right to your door. With these boxes, all of the hard work is taken out of planning meals and I can just focus on cooking up something tasty! There are many different types of recipe boxes to choose from that suit every style and budget. Some offer a wide variety of gourmet ingredients while others specialize in organic produce or vegetarian dishes. Depending on how often you plan on cooking, some boxes have subscription plans where you receive new recipes each week for an ongoing fee. Other companies may give you the option of ordering individual one-off meals at any time. No matter what type of meal box service you decide to go with, they can definitely save valuable time when it comes to preparing food. All the guesswork has been eliminated so I can get straight into creating exciting dishes without worrying about finding recipes or going out shopping for groceries. Finding The Right Subscription For You Now that you understand the different types of recipe boxes available, it's time to find out which one is right for you. Meal planning and grocery shopping can be a huge hassle if you don't have the right tools. A subscription-based recipe box could be just what you need! When considering your options, think about how many people will be eating from the meals created with these recipes. Do you want to stick to vegetarian or vegan ingredients? Or are there certain allergens or cuisines that should be avoided? With all of this in mind, choose a few services that seem like they would work for your needs. Check reviews online to see what other customers say about their experiences with each company. Take into account both positive and negative feedback before making your final decision. Consider not only the quality and variety of dishes, but also the convenience factor if some companies offer delivery while others require going to stores or ordering additional items separately, that could affect your choice as well. Whatever service you select, make sure it fits your lifestyle so mealtime can remain stress-free! Frequently Asked Questions What Are The Health Benefits Of Using A Recipe Box? Using a recipe box can be highly beneficial for your health. With meal planning and cost savings, you can save time in the kitchen while making sure that everyone is getting the nutrition they need. Meal prepping with a subscription-based recipe box helps to reduce food waste, plan ahead for meals, and stick to healthier ingredients. In addition, these boxes provide convenience by sending all of the necessary items right to your door so you don't have to worry about shopping trips or forgetting key ingredients. All of this combined makes it easy and enjoyable to cook healthy meals at home! How Often Do Recipes In A Recipe Box Get Updated? Recipe boxes are great for busy people who want personalized recipes delivered right to their door! But how often do the recipes get updated? Most recipe boxes offer a rotating selection of new and seasonal dishes, so you can always expect something fresh. Plus, with convenient delivery, it's easy to stay stocked up on ingredients too! Are There Vegan And Vegetarian Options Available In Recipe Boxes? If you're vegan or vegetarian, recipe boxes can be a great way to get creative with plant-based meals that don't break the bank. Many of these meal delivery services offer an array of recipes tailored towards people following different diets, from gluten free and Paleo to vegan and vegetarian - so it's easy to find something you'll love. Plus, many of them provide helpful tips for adapting recipes if you want to make them even more budget friendly. So whether you prefer hearty stews or light salads, there are plenty of delicious options out there! How Easy Is It To Cancel A Subscription To A Recipe Box? It's important to know how easy it is to cancel a subscription to a recipe box before you commit. Depending on the company, cancellation processes can vary from simply logging into your account and clicking "cancel," or having to call their customer service line. Make sure you read through any marketing tactics that may be involved in signing up for a subscription - sometimes there are hidden price comparisons that could make canceling difficult or costly. Are The Ingredients In A Recipe Box Guaranteed To Be Fresh? When it comes to recipe boxes, one of the most important aspects is whether or not the ingredients are guaranteed to be fresh. Although shipping costs and portion sizes can vary between services, you want to make sure that what you're getting is top-quality. Generally speaking, quality companies will offer a guarantee on their ingredients so that customers know they'll get something fresh every time. If this isn't stated outright then it's worth checking with customer service before signing up for the subscription. Conclusion In conclusion, recipe boxes can be a great way to get creative in the kitchen and make meal-prepping easy. With fresh ingredients delivered right to your door, you don't have to worry about grocery shopping or finding recipes online. Plus, with vegan and vegetarian options available, it's easier than ever to create healthy meals for everyone at home. The only downside is that some subscriptions may not offer frequent updates on their recipes - so if you're looking for something new each week, this might not be the best choice for you. However, if convenience and health are top of mind when planning what food to eat during the week, then investing in a recipe box could be worth it! If you're looking for more delicious recipes to try, be sure to check out The Disney Chef's recipe categories! Whether you're in the mood for something sweet like a cake recipe, something savory like a chicken or pork recipe, or something fresh like a vegetable or seafood recipe, there's something for everyone. And if you're a meat-lover, don't forget to check out the beef recipes category for hearty and satisfying meals. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find a new favorite recipe to add to your collection. Read the full article

[ladyseaheart1668]

Endless Summer Book 4: Daughter of Vaanu (Chapter 56)

Description: The Catalysts attempt to return to their lives as River Skye finally comes home.  tagging: @endlesshero1122 @mysteli @feartheendlesssummer @whatmcsaid @tigerbryn11

Chapter 56: Not Over

Alodia

I almost can’t believe how quickly I start to feel better once the fever breaks. The pain, which had felt like some hellish demon with teeth made of red-hot iron gnawing at my lower back, begins to recede within hours. 

“That’s how it tends to go with an infection like this once we find the right antibiotic,” the doctor tells me. “You are fortunate, though. These days, a lot of bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. But the infection is responding well to treatment, and all your vitals and your blood work look good. And your daughter appears as healthy as a baby horse. ...I would just like to take a quick look at how you’re healing from the birth if that’s okay.” 

I nod, turning onto my back with Jake’s help as the doctor draws the curtain around the bed. Improved as I am, I know I’m not at full strength yet, because moving still hurts. I guess I must have winced, because the doctor raises an eyebrow in concern as she pulls on a pair of gloves.

“You okay there?” 

“I think so. Guess I’m still pretty sore.” 

“That’s to be expected. You probably won’t feel one-hundred percent for another week or two at least.” 

I draw my knees up and part my thighs while the doctor pulls up a stool at the foot of the bed and lifts the blanket. I keep my attention focused on Jake’s face above me and the pressure of his hand on mine as the doctor carries out her checks. Occasionally, I let my eyes wander around to the multiple bouquets and mylar balloons that have built up over the past couple days, gifts from the Catalysts, Tahira’s team, my aunt and uncle, and Jake and Diego’s parents. 

“Everything is healing beautifully. Stitches should be dissolved by next week. You’re probably going to be feeling pretty tender for a while though.” 

“Yeah, we had the whole tearing conversation with my OB in California some time ago.” 

“Good. If you have any pressing questions regarding the birth and recovery, you can of course ask me, or one of the maternity staff. We can also forward your hospital records to your regular OBGYN.” 

“How long do you think it will be before we can go home?” Jake asks. 

She pulls the blanket back down and stands, peeling off her gloves. “Well, the fact is, we want to get her and your baby out of here ASAP to lower the chances of either of them picking up a secondary infection.” She smiles at me. “Now that the fever’s gone, we’re gonna get you off the drip and onto some oral antibiotics, and we can pretty much start the discharge process immediately.” 

“So soon?” My own question surprises me, but it’s out of my mouth before I realize it’s on the end of my tongue. 

“Believe me, it’s better we get you both out of here.” 

“I know. It’s not that I want to stay here. It’s just...thinking about how we’re going to get home...how soon we can get home…” 

“That’s all taken care of, Princess. Aleister is having Castor and Pollux deep cleaned, and he and Grace are gonna put us up for a few days until Mike gets up here from Santo Domingo. Diego and Varyyn are with Estela and Quinn, and your aunt and uncle basically paid for hotel rooms for everyone else.” 

His infodump has my head reeling a little, but there was one particular tidbit I find myself fixing on. 

“Why is Mike…?” I trail off as realization crashes down on me in an icy wave. A bit of information I had nearly forgotten in my struggle to bring my baby safely into the world while fighting a fever. Jake wasn’t worrying about me for all that time from the safety of our home in California. I don’t know the details, but I have a sinking feeling that has something to do with the reason that Mike isn’t here with us now. 

Jake folds my hand between his palms, glancing at the doctor. “Hey...do you have everything you need? I’d like a few minutes alone with my wife, if that’s okay.” 

“Of course. I’ll get the ball rolling on your discharge.” 

I wait until I’m sure she’s well clear of the room before I reach to stroke Jake’s cheek. “...I know Lundgren got his filthy hands on you. ...Fiddler told me. ...I’m guessing he got a hold of Mike, too.” 

He leans into my touch. “...And Sean and Michelle. Nabbed us all as I was bringing ‘em back from the island.” 

“I don’t know if she told me that. That conversation got swallowed up in worrying about you, and then I got sick and River started coming, and…” I swallow, running my thumb along the fuzzy ridge of his cheekbone. “...Did they hurt you? Any of you?” 

He shrugs, not meeting my eyes. “Knocked us all around a little. Michelle’s the smart one, of course, so she escaped the worst. ...Mike’s in Santo Domingo having his prosthetics repaired. Lundgren ripped them out ot torture him.” 

I shudder. “Oh, god...Oh, Jake, I’m sorry...I’m so sorry…” 

I’m crying before I realize it. And as soon as I do realize, it turns into sobbing. Jake reaches down to gather me in his arms and cradle my head against his shoulder, rocking me tenderly. 

“It’s okay,” he murmurs into my hair. “It’s okay. He’s gonna be fine. You’re gonna be fine. In a few days, we’ll be home with our baby.” 

“I w-wanna be home,” I hiccup. “I wanna be home with River, but I’m scared of leaving everyone again. I just wanna bring them all home with us…” 

“Well, it’s a very big house. ...On the other hand, you cram us all into the same house long term, it might start to feel less big. Plus, it would mean a brutal cross-country commute for some of them.” 

I can’t help chuckling a little bit, which makes the sobs start to die down. Jake gives me a moment to get myself under control before he speaks again. 

“...How are you feeling, Princess? Really?” 

“Physically?” I pull back gently to lie down on the pillow again. “Definitely better. My head is clearer, and I don’t hurt as much. But I’m still worn out. And by the way, you’re gonna have to make due with blow jobs for awhile, because it’s gonna be a long time before you stick that thing in me again, if ever.” 

It’s his turn to laugh, and he bends to kiss me. “Princess, I will tug it for the rest of my life as long as you’re still a part of that life.” 

“I will be a part of your life as long as the universe allows,” I promise. “...But Jake, we both know this isn’t over.” 

He sighs, and I see his forehead crease before he presses it to mine. “I know. I know you’re right. But for River’s sake--and mine--will you let the others take care of that for now? I ain’t saying don’t worry, because I know that’s impossible. But River and I need you healthy. Can you stand to let yourself be looked after for a while?” 

I feel a rueful smile tug at one corner of my mouth. “Am I to assume that arguing is pointless?” 

A tapping at the open door to the birthing suite distracts Jake from answering. We both look up to find Raj and Diego hovering in the doorway, Raj with a paper bag in his hand, and Diego with his right arm in a soft blue sling. It’s the first time I’ve seen him since River was born, and I sit up a little straighter as he hesitantly steps over the threshold. 

“...Are we interrupting?” 

The baby has started fussing, and Jake eases off the edge of the bed to go pick her up. I open my arms to Diego. Just before he rushes into them, I see his face twist with anguish. And as he falls against me, his one-armed grip is surprisingly strong. 

“Goddammit, Allie,” he whispers quiveringly. “Goddammit…” 

“...Did I scare you?” 

He pulls back sharply, enough so he can look me in the face, but he keeps a grip on my shoulder. “Did you scare me?! You had me on my knees saying the Ave Maria! Do you know how long it’s been since I said the Ave Maria?!” 

There isn’t really a lot I can say to that, but I smile ruefully. “...Thanks for staying with me.” 

“What, you thought I’d bail?” 

I snort. “God, no. But I can still be grateful.” 

“...You’re really okay?” 

I nod. “I’m fine. The fever is gone, and the wound doesn’t really hurt anymore. I’m still pretty sore down there, though.” 

A smile finally starts to play cautiously around his mouth. “...Well, that part’s Jake’s problem.” 

“How about you?” I ask, gingerly touching the strap of his navy blue sling. 

“That’s nothing serious. It was dislocated, but they popped it back in. Just got to wear this for a few more days, and take it easy once we get back home. ...Raj brought food, by the way.” 

“Oh!” I pull back a little to smile at Raj. “Sorry, big guy. I didn’t mean to ignore you.” 

Raj chuckles. “We’ll blame it on the new mommy brain and leave it at that. Speaking of which…” He shoos Diego back enough that he can drag my bed table over across my lap, and sets an insulated lunch box on top. “I figured you could do with something better than hospital fruit cups and oatmeal, so I brought you a special Raj lunch. Michelle supervised its creation, and it’s full of stuff that’s supposed to be good for new moms.” 

“What is it?” 

“So glad you asked!” With a flourish, he opens the bag, and pulls out each item in turn, presenting them like a game show prize lady. “A sandwich of salmon, spinach, and poached egg on whole wheat bread with a garlic white bean spread; in case you are extra hungry, a side of gourmet trail mix made from an assortment of nuts and dried fruit; and to drink, a pineapple-orange-banana smoothie with extra protein powder, and just a few extra leaves of spinach!” 

I can’t help but be uplifted by his enthusiasm, and hold out my arms for a hug. “I must be the most spoiled new mother in the world.” 

Raj embraces me lightly over the table. “As you should be. You know in some Asian cultures, a new mother spends a whole month resting while her mother-in-law takes care of her and the baby.” 

“Oh yeah?” I look at Jake. “Think your mother would spend a month taking care of me?” 

“Honestly, I bet she would. The problem would be getting her to ease up and let you start taking care of things after the month was up.” 

“Hmm...probably best not to give her ideas then.” 

“Probably. We’ll have my folks over in few more months, when we’ve had a chance to get settled.” 

“...But…” Raj says, “in the meantime, do you think you guys will be needing any extra help? I know it’s going to be a pretty full house as it is, but Diego’s going to want to take it easy with lifting and stuff for a while, and Michelle says Mike will probably need time to recover, too. If you need a couple extra pairs of hands and someone to do the cooking, I have some downtime, and I know Lila would be happy to come along.” 

I look questioningly at Jake, who shrugs. “I don’t have anything against that. It’s a big enough house. And if Varyyn and I are gonna be the only ones at full strength for the time being, I wouldn’t say no to a couple extra pairs of hands.”

“And probably better those hands be Raj and Lila than anyone’s parents,” Diego adds. “I bet Varyyn would prefer not having to wear his disguise twenty-four-seven.” 

“Yeah. And,” Jake adds with a sigh, shifting River to rest against his shoulder, “it’s probably preferable not to involve anyone who ain’t already involved in the bigger picture. ...Like you said before, Princess, this ain’t over.” 

“But for now, we’re all safe and sound, and Allie has a lunch to eat.” Diego smiles encouragingly as he pushes the tinfoil-wrapped sandwich toward me. “Go on. Dig in.” 

Jake

I gotta admit, it does my heart good to see my wife savoring the meal Raj brought her and enjoying our friends’ company. She seems almost back to her old self as she talks and tells jokes and teases with them. Although, as I put River in her arms, I can’t help but be reminded that she’ll never be exactly like her old self again. Not now that she’s a mama. Not like I’m ever gonna be exactly like my old self again either. I’m a daddy now. That’s gonna change me forever. The thought scares me, like it has a lot over the past nine months. But just a look at that precious little face is enough to reassure me that I am never gonna regret it. 

Diego and Raj eventually leave us on our own again. After nursing and burping, River sleeps just long enough that we can fill out her birth certificate, nestled side-by-side on the bed. From there, it’s not more than an hour or two before they’re wheeling Alodia toward the hospital exit with River in her arms again while I walk at her shoulder, a baby carrier in the crook of my elbow and my arms laden with flowers and mini mylar balloons. Any staff we happen to pass on the way out smile and wave or give us their congratulations. I have a feeling that in a hospital, any chance to see a patient off happy and healthy is a cause for celebration, and that probably goes double for a new mama leaving with a baby. 

Grace is waiting in a car for us at the curb outside the hospital. One of Reggie’s old carseats is in the backseat. Grace settles the baby in the carseat while I help Alodia into the seat beside her. 

“There’s a surprise for you guys when we get to our place,” Grace informs us as I circle around the car to get in on the other side of River. 

“Nothing too strenuous, I hope,” Alodia quips. “I am not up for a party yet.” 

Grace chuckles as she starts up the car. “Oh, believe me, I realize that. No, everyone is pretty sure parties are off the table for you for the time being. ...But you do know that everyone is going to want to see you before you leave, right? You gave us a scare, and no one wants you to go before we all know you’re okay. ...Plus, everyone wants to see River.” 

“I am not opposed to visitors,” Alodia assures her. “Just...only a few at a time.” 

“Absolutely. We won’t let you get overwhelmed.” 

“River, either,” Alodia adds, stroking our sleeping daughter’s downy hair. “Poor thing is probably overwhelmed as it is, suddenly coming into all this noise and color and light.” 

“Birth is the craziest thing that ever happens to us, and none of us remember it,” I remark, letting the blade of my forefinger run gently back and forth across the soft back of River’s tiny hand. Her little fingers twitch just slightly, and the base of her pacifier rocks back and forth across her lips, but she doesn’t wake up. I don’t expect the quiet will last. 

River does sleep throughout the half hour or so it takes to drive to Aleister and Grace’s luxury Northbridge apartment. As we pull up to the curb, I realize what our surprise is. 

“Mike!” 

I must have been a little louder than I thought, because River wakes up with a cry that can only be described as irritated, but it doesn’t fully register until I have already launched myself out of the car towards Mike. He’s balancing on a walker, so I at least have the good sense not to jostle him, but I can’t hold myself back from grasping him firmly by the shoulders. He grins, carefully removing his hands from the walker one at a time to grasp me back. 

“Good to see ya, Grandpa.” 

“Shit, you too! We weren’t expecting you for another couple days! How are you feeling?” 

“Well, as you can tell,” he says, nodding at the walker, “I’m not quite ready to run a marathon yet. But my new legs are healing up nice. ...Good to see you, Goldilocks.” 

His gaze shifts over my shoulder, and I turn to look back at my wife supporting herself on Aleister’s arm while Grace bounces River in her arms. Alodia smirks at me, her eyes twinkling mischievously. 

“I feel like I should make a joke about you abandoning your wife and child in the car to go hang out with your buddy,” she drawls. 

I grin sheepishly as Mike carefully returns his grip to the walker. “Sorry about that. Let me make it up to you.” 

I lunge and sweep her up bridal style, and I have the pleasure of feeling her arms twine around my neck. 

“Mmm, much better. However, unlike your daughter, I am actually capable of walking.” 

“But you don’t have to. Not right now, anyway.” But I do return her to her feet after capturing her mouth in a kiss. I don’t entirely take my hands off her yet, though. After her ordeal, I don’t think she’s really that much steadier than Mike right now. Her grip as she slips her arm through mine confirms my concerns. 

I’m standing between my wife and my best friend, and neither of them are fully able to stand under their own power. I’m starting to feel that much more grateful to Raj for volunteering to help us out for a while. 

I think Mike notices Alodia’s weakness, too, because his forehead creases just a little. “You all right, Goldilocks? From what I hear, you gave everyone a real scare.” 

“It was pretty scary on my end, too. But I’m fine now. How about you?” 

Mike shrugs. “Ahh, you know. A few weeks of rehab, I’ll be a six-million dollar man again. In the meantime,” he adds wryly, stroking the frame of his walker, “it’ll be hard to call Jake ‘Grandpa’ when I’m dottering around on this thing.” 

“You just called me ‘Grandpa’ two minutes ago.” 

“And I cannot tell you how hard I internally cringed. Seriously, if you could have seen my internal expression, you’d have thought I was sucking lemons.” 

I am morally obligated to reach out and swat him for that, but before I can, Alodia abruptly steps forward to wrap her arms around his shoulders. It’s an awkward embrace, encumbered by the walker and both of them still being weak, but it’s a sincere one, and Mike leans into it gratefully. 

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Alodia murmurs. 

“You too,” Mike says softly, reaching up to pat her shoulder with one hand. “But can we go inside? I wanna properly meet that baby you’ve been carrying around for the past nine months!” 

***

The Catalysts come by in shifts throughout the afternoon and evening, apparently having planned it all out beforehand. No one stays more than an hour at a time, which proves to be a good thing, since Alodia is clearly worn out by about eight in the evening. We’re set up in the guest room of the Rourke apartment, with River in a bassinet beside us, and Mike on the foldaway bed in the living room. 

Alodia nurses River and rocks her to sleep before lying down herself. At first, I curl up beside Alodia in bed. She’s asleep within minutes, but I’m not as quick. And after an hour, it’s pretty clear that I’m not on my way to dreamland any time soon. I don’t want to leave Alodia or River. I never want to leave Alodia’s side again. But I’m restless. Anxious. And eventually, the desire not to disturb what precious little sleep my wife might have before our daughter wakes her up again wins out over my irrational need to pace back and forth between them. I check the windows, making sure they’re locked, then I slip out of the room as quietly as I can, heading back out into the living room. 

I find Mike, Aleister, and Grace all seated in the living room. On the coffee table are four short, round glasses and a bottle of golden red liquid that I’m guessing is some kind of whiskey. 

“We were starting to wonder if you had also fallen asleep,” Aleister says. He gestures to the glasses. “We thought you might like to wet your baby’s head.” 

“Kind of a weird expression,” I remark. Nonetheless, I pick up the bottle and take a seat in an armchair to read the label. “Ooh, Irish Mist. Fancy.” 

“It is not every day that one becomes a father. The night Reginald was born, Diego, Varyyn, and I toasted his birth with Irish Mist.” 

I crack open the bottle, and lean forward to fill each of the four glasses about halfway. I set down the bottle and raise my glass, the others following suit. 

“To River Skye McKenzie, my beautiful angel. And to her mother, my better half, who is truly the best and bravest of us.” 

“Here, here!” Grace says. We clink glasses, and I take a long, deep drink, savoring the sweet notes of honey and spices riding atop the alcoholic burn of whiskey. I return my glass to the table empty and lean back in my chair. 

“When my sister and I both were born, my grandpa had my dad and the men of the neighborhood over to smoke cigars on the porch.” I chuckle a little. “Rebecca remembers helping our grandma in the kitchen, and seeing all the men outside smoking. She says what she remembers most about the day I was born was our dad coming in from outside to give her a hug, but she pushed him away and said, ‘No, Daddy! You stink!’” 

My story prompts the expected laughter. 

“I am afraid Irish Mist will have to do tonight,” Aleister says. “I did not think to buy cigars. Nor would I know enough to ensure I was purchasing a quality product. As I understand it, Cuban cigars are the best, but those are illegal.” 

Mike shudders. “Honestly, I think the smell of a Cuban would be enough to give me flashbacks. Lundgren used to smoke contraband Cubans.” 

“Same here,” I agree. “I mean...there was that one time…” 

“...That one time what?” 

I chuckle a little, rubbing the back of my head. “Okay, no one currently in this room was there when Zahra blew up MASADA…” 

“What’s that got to do with Cuban cigars?” 

I sigh, but in spite of myself, in spite of how literally everyone else in the room with me was in some kind of bad situation at the time, I feel a smile playing around my mouth at the memory. 

“Okay, so it’s me, Alodia, Sean, Quinn, Estela, Craig, and Zahra trying to find another way out of the complex after the gondola gets severed, and when we go through a control room, Zahra gets the idea to blow the whole thing up. We figure it’s worth the couple extra minutes, so we let her do it. And while she’s rigging the system, I find one of Lundgren’s Cubans somewhere on the floor. ...And I light it up. But only to spite the bastard.” 

“But did you enjoy it?” Mike asks. 

“Hell, yeah! The hype ain’t a lie, buddy. Not saying I’d do it again unless it were one of his personal stash, but that was a real good smoke. ...Still...it wouldn’t be right to celebrate River with Cuban cigars. Lundgren and Rourke did enough to taint her birth.” 

“Nothing has been tainted,” Grace says firmly. “She and Alodia both came through it well and healthy.”

“I ain’t losing sight of what’s important,” I assure her. “But I can’t let my guard down, either.  ...We all know this ain’t over.” 

Grace sighs. “...No, you’re right. It isn’t over. ...Which means...I should probably tell you what I learned in Ireland.”

Diego

I knew that the Catalysts wouldn’t have sat on their hands while any of their own were in danger, but I am surprised to learn just how busy they were during the time that Allie and I were in Arachnid’s claws. I’m even more surprised--and frankly unsettled--by some of the things they learned. Yvonne might be alive. Lundgren flew the same plane that killed Allie’s parents, even though the twisted wreckage of that plane is the property of the NTSB. The whole mess with Allie’s mom, that weird AI message from a program made by Allie’s mom. It all leaves us with a lot more questions than answers. 

I told the police everything I felt like I could safely tell them. I went so far as to tell them that I think Everett Rourke might be alive because that’s who our kidnappers claimed they were taking us to. I don’t know if they believed me. I don’t know if the future of the Vaanti is safe. A part of me hopes that they lose interest in the case since everyone who was abducted has been recovered safely. But I also know that none of us are really safe until Rourke is either back behind bars or dead. 

Aleister and Estela make all the travel arrangements for those of us going back to California, including my folks and Allie’s. Castor carries me, Allie, Jake, Varyyn, Mike, Raj, Lila, Rebecca, and River. For once, Jake and Mike aren’t going to be flying. Pollux is taking our families. A third plane, smaller but no less luxurious, takes Jake’s parents back to Louisiana. They’re reluctant to leave him. They don’t want to be apart from their son, or their daughter, or their granddaughter. He assures them they can come visit soon, but that their daughter-in-law needs some time to recover first. 

At the airport, Allie’s aunt and uncle hesitate to part from her on the tarmac. Allie stands with River in her arms, patiently enduring as Molly smoothes her hair and kisses her forehead, asking if she’s sure Allie doesn’t want her and Rob to wait at the airport in California to drive her home. When Allie insists she’s sure; that Molly and Rob should go ahead and get home so they can rest. Rob says they’ll make sure there are cars waiting for us to take us all back to the house in Laguna. 

My parents board the plane before I arrive at the airport. On board the plane, I nestle up with Varyyn on one of the double-width leather seats. I wind my arms around him and bury my face in his shoulder, inhaling his scent. He kisses the top of my head. 

“Are you alright, my love?” he murmurs. 

“...I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’m just...disappointed. I knew my parents weren’t ready to meet you. But I had hoped...I don’t know. I had hoped it wouldn’t be like this. Even if I knew it probably would be.” 

Varyyn sighs, bringing a hand up to stroke my cheek. “They may yet come around. Or they may not. In the end, it is up to them. All I can promise is that I will love you regardless of their decision.” 

“...I love you, too.” 

“You guys all set?” Raj’s voice makes me look up. The others are boarding behind us and finding their seats. Jake helps Allie settle in and get her seatbelt on, River still cradled in her arms. 

“Are you sure a plane is really the best way to travel with a newborn?” Lila asks. 

“When the choices are between a rental car, a train, or a private plane for a cross-country trip, a private plane is hands down the best option,” Rebecca declares. “I mean, if we were on a commercial plane, I’d think twice, since those things are basically flying petri dishes. But this plane has been deep-cleaned, unlike the train. It’s more comfortable than a car, and faster than both the car or the train.” 

“Yeah, but what about her little ears? All the pressure?” 

“The doctor says that if I nurse her during take-off and landing, that should keep her comfortable. Besides...I just want to be home.” 

Home. The word washes through me in a way that comforts me even as it makes me want to cry. Images flash through my mind of the house I share with my husband, my best friend, her husband, and his best friend--and now, my little niece and goddaughter. Watching movies in the living room with Allie. Sharing dinner around the table or out on the balcony. Cuddling with Varyyn in the hot tub in the evening, letting the warm, swirling water sap the energy from my body, and then sliding into bed beside him and drifting off to sleep in his arms. At home, I don’t have to hide. I don’t have to walk on eggshells or worry about losing anyone’s love. At home, I’m safe and free. I meet my best friend’s eyes, offering her a tired smile. 

“I’m with you, Allie. Let’s get home.” 

Raj

Nothing but the best for my friends, that’s my motto. I came to the house in Laguna Beach to make sure that my friends would have the best care while they needed it, and I waste no time in getting down to business. Alodia, Diego, and Mike need space to convalesce. But with a new baby in a huge house like this, there is a lot to be done. Jake and Varyyn can’t be expected to do everything, and that’s where I and Lila come in. 

River is constantly monitored. Whenever she cries, someone is ready to come running to change her diaper, or to bring her to Alodia for feeding. I prepare meals ahead of time that can be easily heated and served, so no one goes hungry. Lila helps me cook and keep the house clean. Alodia’s aunt and uncle attempt to send cleaning and catering services to her at one point, but they end up being politely refused. Lila and I have everything under control, and none of us want strangers poking around here. 

Alodia is occasionally moody, snapping at everyone to stop fussing over her, and she can’t wait to be free of this gilded cage and go back out into the world. This is usually followed by tearful apologies, with all of us assuring her that we don’t take it personally. She just had a baby, she’s allowed to be moody. Besides, the moment someone places River in her arms, it seems like everything is right in her world, and everything is right in our world, too. 

...Except it’s not. Not entirely. 

River is happy and healthy. Alodia is getting her strength back. Diego gets rid of the sling, and Mike starts to get around without the walker again. But underneath the surface, there is still trauma. There’s still fear. 

“They’re having nightmares,” I tell Lila one morning as we’re preparing breakfast. She pauses for a moment with a knife poised above an orange before swiftly slicing it in half. 

“Is that so surprising?” she asks. She doesn’t look at me as she speaks, but concentrates on making sure the thick, white heart of the orange half in her hand is positioned properly on the cone of the juicer before she presses down and begins to twist. Bright yellow juice splashes down into the container below. 

“Well, no. But it is sad. Jake and Alodia especially should be concentrating on enjoying their new baby, not having nightmares and worrying about whether Rourke’s coming back for them.” 

Lila pulls the now-deflated orange rind off the cone of the juicer and tosses it on the countertop. Ribbons of tattered orange flesh cling to the inside of the rind. She picks up the other half. 

“...Do you ever have nightmares from Mr. Rourke?” she asks softly. 

“Of course,” I reply. “Not as much as before, but I think we all have them sometimes. After what we all went through, I think I’d be more surprised if any of us didn’t.” 

The twisting of the orange on the juicer slows just slightly. The toaster pops behind me, and I pluck four pieces of perfectly browned bread from the slots to toss onto a plate. 

“...I have nightmares, too.” 

The butter has been softening on the counter, and my knife slides easily through it. The heat from the toast softens it further, and it spreads cleanly. 

“...You want to talk about it?” 

Lila shakes her head, picking up her knife and another orange. “No. Not now. They don’t really matter anyway. They’re about things that happened in the past. I’m less scared of them than I am of what happens in the future.” 

“Do you mean Rourke’s next move?” 

“Of course that scares me. ...But more than that, I’m scared of him trying to use me against all of you again.” 

“We won’t let that happen, Lila. You’re safe with us.” 

“...But are you safe with me?” 

I pause a moment before putting down my knife. I turn to Lila, put one hand on each of her shoulders, and turn her toward me. 

“Lila...look at me. ...Has Rourke approached you at all since you’ve been with us again?” 

Her eyes widen in what looks like genuine surprise. “What? No, I...that isn’t what I meant!” 

I relax just a little. “...Okay.” I slowly take my hands away from her shoulders. “...You’d tell me if he had, wouldn’t you?” 

She nods. “Of course.” 

“Good. ...Because if he approaches you again, we can help you. We can help keep you out from under his thumb. ...We’re not gonna let him just have you back.” 

A weak smile lifts the corners of her mouth. “I believe you.” She hastily turns back to the oranges in front of her. “You should...um...finish buttering before the toast gets cold.” 

Overhead, the sharp, piercing cry of an infant rings through the air. I smile. Another morning blending into another day. It’s not perfect. We’ve got reason to worry. But for now, all is well. 

Diego

I keep my head down as I move through the halls of my high school, clutching the straps of my worn-out backpack. It’s the same shabby gray one I’ve been carrying since freshman year. I’m a junior now, and the corners near the bottom are starting to fray where the sharp corners of paper-bag covered textbooks have dug into them. 

My stomach growls. I skipped lunch again today. My parents were gone to work early again, and I didn’t leave myself enough time to make myself anything this morning. I barely had time to scarf down a banana for breakfast. I didn’t have enough cash for a cafeteria lunch, either, and besides, I preferred spending my lunch period playing on the computer in the library to sitting by myself at the end of a table filled with noisy strangers anyway. 

If I can scrape together enough change from the bottom of my pencil case, I might have enough to get a bag of chips from the vending machine before I have to go to my after school job. But for now, my hunger isn’t all that sharp, and I am heading towards English Lit, the only class I currently look forward to. 

The class is taught by Mr. Hunter. He also teaches the film-making class I want to sign up for next semester. He’s in his early fifties, and not handsome. He is tall and lanky, with gray-green eyes and a dark helmet of slicked back hair that sits atop a rectangular face. He has one of those mustaches that seemed to be popular in the 1970’s that always make a man look a little sketchy. He wears paisley shirts and slacks, and his voice reminds me of Bert from Sesame Street.

Mr. Hunter is the best teacher I’ve ever had at this school. When we studied Romeo and Juliet, he started off by giving us all a printed-off list of Shakespearean insults. When one girl tried to mumble her way through a line-reading, he shouted, “Put some feeling into it, you saucy wench!” 

Mr. Hunter is also gay, and he does not attempt to hide this. When my parents ask about my teachers and which ones I like best, I leave this fact out. If they knew, they would make me switch to another class. Mr. Hunter has a picture of himself with his boyfriend on his desk. I’ve seen it when I’ve gone up to hand in assignments. His partner is bald and ruddy-skinned. He’s not handsome, either, but he has an open, friendly smile. Sometimes, I imagine them kissing. I worry that I have a crush on Mr. Hunter. 

On the post of every classroom door is a laminated pink triangle, with a message proclaiming that this is a safe space for LGBTQ students. These triangles are mandated by the school district. Not every teacher honors them. One teacher actually tore hers down and refused to put it back up. She was fired. Last year, two girls were voted “Cutest Couple” in their senior class. I look at the triangles, prominently displayed as I walk into each classroom, and I don’t feel particularly safe. I feel safe in Mr. Hunter’s classroom. 

Inside Mr. Hunter’s classroom, two boys from the football team act out a love poem with one of them in a curly blond wig and the bottom of his shirt tucked into his collar to create a crop top. They end with a flourish, with the boy in the wig jumping into the other boy’s arms and goosing him. Everyone applauds their performance, including Mr. Hunter. 

Outside Mr. Hunter’s classroom, guys of all stripes growl “faggot” in my direction, and even the girls who are nice to me seem pitying more than anything. There’s a Pride club that meets after school two days a week, but I don’t dare join. I’m slowly realizing I can’t deny the truth anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can just announce it to the world. 

I have just enough change to buy a bag of chips after school. I put it in my backpack as I make my way toward the library where I work for a few hours each day. I see Sam Dzugan eyeing me as I pass through the main doors to the school, and feel dread so familiar that it’s almost dull. Of all the bullies at this school, Sam is the worst. He also knows where I work. If he’s bored and hungry for a power fix tonight, I’m in for a rough walk home. 

But he doesn’t follow me to work. At the library, I set to work filing back the books from the return cart. As I do, my mind wanders to the same place it always does: Alodia. 

Alodia. My ideal friend. I conjure up an image of her beside me. She would be pretty, like all the most popular girls at school. I summon a small, pale figure with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. I talk with her in my head as I wander the aisles of the library with the return cart. I can picture her cheeky smile as clearly as if she were really beside me. I have spent many years getting the details of her perfect. Early incarnations of her were dark-haired. Green-eyed. Taller. I drew pictures of her. I wrote down her description in a private notebook that I kept under my mattress. But she never felt as real as when I wrote her with golden blonde hair and sapphire eyes. 

She laughs at all my jokes as I work the rest of my shift. I forgot to eat the chips I bought, and I’m hungry enough now to start feeling dizzy. ...Alodia would invite me to dinner at her house. A huge, fancy house with a pool, where a chef would have prepared a gourmet meal. 

“Don’t worry about Sam,” she would say. “If he gives you any trouble, I’ll fight him off.” ...Because Alodia would be fierce. A fighter. Alodia was a hero. A hero who loved me unconditionally. 

Alodia was never meant to be my lover. I wasn’t looking for a lover when I first dreamed Alodia into existence, which is probably why I always imagined her as a girl. I could scarcely imagine having a lover before I had a friend. That was what Alodia was to me. A friend. A friend who would always love me. A friend who I could tell my secrets to without judgment. A friend to fight for me and protect me, who saw value in me, and needed me back. 

But my friend is a fantasy. And when I leave work and Sam corners me in the encroaching darkness, Alodia vanishes…

...I wake up with a gasp, bolting upright in the darkness of my room. Beside me, Varyyn grunts in his sleep and rolls over, the moonlight reflecting off his blue skin. I stare at his sleeping form for a moment, trying to take stock of myself. I’m shaking. My pajamas are damp with sweat. I feel cold. I feel sick and empty with fear. I don’t exactly remember what I was dreaming about, but one thought keeps echoing in my mind: Allie. I have to find Allie. 

I slip out of bed as gently as I can while I’m still trembling. I don’t want to wake Varyyn. As I slip into the hall, motion-sensitive lights plugged into the sockets near the floor illuminate my path. My dream is still hazy, but bits and pieces trickle back as I shuffle down the hall with my hand on the wall. I was alone. Allie didn’t exist. It was a timeline that I have all but forgotten, and it felt entirely too real. 

I need to find her. Or at least evidence that she still exists. The door to the nursery is slightly ajar, enough that I can see the soft glow from the lamp on the bedside table. I peek through the crack in the door and relief floods through me. Allie, bundled up in her robe and slippers, sits in the rocking chair with River in her arms, gently rocking back and forth. I exhale slowly. I should go back to bed, but I am not ready to let her out of my sight yet. I start to push open the door. She gasps a little, looking up sharply. 

“Oh, Diego!” She smiles at me, settling back into her chair. “You startled me.” 

“Sorry,” I whisper back. “...Did I wake up River?” 

“No. I just fed her, so she’ll probably be out for an hour or two.” She looks up at me as I come to settle into the armchair across from her. “...What are you doing up?” 

“...Bad dream,” I admit. “...About...about you. I had to come check on you or I was never going to get back to sleep.” 

I half-expect her to joke about me being a creeper watching her while she sleeps, but instead she sighs. “...I kinda know the feeling.” 

“Yeah. I bet you do.” 

“You wanna stay up with me for awhile?” 

“Yeah. But I feel like I should be telling you to get some sleep while you can.” 

“I probably should be sleeping,” she admits. “...But I don’t really want to let her go.” 

There’s not really much I feel like I need to say to that. I understand. I don’t think there’s anyone in this house who doesn’t empathize with that feeling in one way or another. Especially now. 

“...Diego…?” 

“Yeah, Allie?” 

For a long moment, she doesn’t say anything, though her mouth opens and closes a couple times. Then, she swallows and takes a deep breath. 

“...I love you. I love you, and I love Jake, and Raj, and all the Catalysts…” 

“We love you, too, Allie.” 

“...When you imagined me. In that other timeline. When I didn’t come to be until the Island...did you ever imagine my future?” 

I can’t help flinching. Her words feel like a cold pinprick at the top of my spine. “...Allie...I...I don’t really remember that timeline…” 

“I know. I know. But...it happened. It existed. I was once born to be what you needed. What all the Catalysts needed. ...But now...now I have River. Someone new who needs me. She needs me more than any of my Catalysts.” 

“I...I think that’s true,” I say slowly. “...We all love you, and we want you with us. But River is your child. She’s helpless and new. She needs your love and your care and your guidance to survive.” 

“...I’m scared, Diego. I’m scared by how much I love her. I’m scared by how much she needs me.” 

My earlier fear is being replaced with concern that is entirely for my friend.  “...Allie...are you okay? Is this some kind of postpartum depression?” 

“I don’t know what this is, Diego. I know that I love River more than I ever thought I could love anyone alive. I would have torn myself apart for my Catalysts without hesitation. I gave up my existence to give my Catalysts the world. ...But I can’t consider that anymore. Because River needs her mother.” 

“Oh, Allie. That’s not a bad thing. None of us want you to tear yourself apart.” 

“I know. ...But I am afraid of what happens if the world asks for it. ...If I end up at the Threshold again, or a new Raan’losti…” She looks up at me. “...Diego...I think I have to face what’s in the pool shed.” 

I feel my blood run cold. I know what’s in the pool shed. The collection of objects that were left for us in the Crystal dimension when we went to rescue Tahira. Including…

“...Are you sure?” 

She nods. “...It was left for me to find for a reason. I have to touch the Andromeda idol again.” 

[kimberly-spirits13]

Crush Pt. 2 (Request)

Pairing: Batman x reader

Synopsis: You’d always been a bit nervous and awkward around the famous Batman but after Clark finally convinced Bruce to ask you out, you were going on a date that weekend.

Note: Honestly in this I just imagine that they day job would either be in fashion or writing, maybe journalism or a mix of both. Fashion journalism anyone? lol

Warnings:

Word Count: 1571

        You knew how you got Bruce’s number, it was still just processing. Clark was the one behind all of this and you knew it. He had finally convinced Bruce to ask you out after one day at the watchtower and thankfully, the famous Batman did. You had just woken up. Today both you and the Batman were having a day off. Everyone would know why you cashed that weekend in if everything worked out the way you hoped it would.

        It was mid Saturday morning. You didn’t want to sleep in too long seeing as you told yourself that even though you were having dinner with Bruce, you’d be late. It didn’t really make sense but it was what you almost always went by. He had mentioned that he had a few kids, they were all busy elsewhere however. You chuckled at the thought of Batman having kids. It wasn’t unknown that he had all of his side -kicks who eventually became their own heroes, you just thought it was funny that he felt the need to make sure they weren’t going to bombard the two of you.

        Getting out of bed after a while of debating it, you put on some music and started getting ready for the day. The sunlight streamed into your apartment from all of the windows once you opened the curtains. It was cool when you stepped out onto the balcony. The noise of cars below filled the city and was ever present in the atmosphere around you. You loved living in the city but for the fact of the chances of an attack. In the part that you lived however, that wasn’t really an issue. Downtown was more of the probable area for any sort of attack. You and Diana tag teamed in New York when she wasn’t in Paris. She often flew back and forth from each and since you guys got along really well, it wasn’t a big deal.

        After showering, you got dressed. There were a few things that you needed to do before your dinner tonight. The first of those was getting a new outfit. You typically had many things that you could wear for work dinners or events that you were attending. It was important to look nice at your day job since you were top in the hypothetical food chain. Once you made editor- and- chief at the company you worked at, everything had gotten even more lavish.

        You attracted a percentage of media and press coverage all by yourself so you didn’t really know what to expect tonight with Bruce. Walking out into your ride surrounded by paparazzi and your security, you got into the back as fast as possible and road off. The first place you would stop was Barneys New York.

_______________________________________________________________________

        Once inside of the shopping center, you were mostly left alone but for a few people who either wanted pictures or the very rare autograph now a days. Not many people asked for that at all and sometimes it was weirder to ask for one rather than a picture. It was pretty quiet inside without too many people in some stores. Those were mainly the stores that you stuck to. Walking around, nothing particularly caught your attention. Everything was something that you really already had for work purposes. The only thing that you thought might be nice was a black off the shoulder long sleeve top with a bit of cleavage but not enough to look tacky for what you were going out for. It reminded you of a shirt you already had once but it had gotten destroyed on a past mission. You actually really liked the shirt and decided to get it. You’d have something back at your apartment to pair it with.

_______________________________________________________________________

        For the rest of the day, you did nothing but either hype yourself up or sit on the couch watching whatever you wanted to. That was at least after you had visited your office and picked up a few things that you needed to get done with writing and such. There were some formats and colors that you needed to okay before Monday morning’s printing.

        It was 4:30 before you even thought about moving from the couch again. Bruce was set to pick you up at 6 for your dinner reservations at Marea which is right on Central Park. It would be a quick ride there but you did feel kind of bad that he was driving from Gotham to New York. It wasn’t that far away but that didn’t mean it didn’t bother you some.

        Since you had plenty of time before he arrived, you got a protein bar and then started touching up your hair once you found the perfect playlist. From there, you thought it best to touch up the little amount of makeup you had on from the errands you had to run earlier and then got dressed. For the time that you had remaining, it was just a matter of waiting. You’ve been on dates with semi important people before. You’ve been out with very important people before on even just business dinners. Hell, you’ve even been to the Met Gala, you just really didn’t want this date to go wrong.

_______________________________________________________________________

        Bruce had already come and was sitting in your living room. He had brought flowers so you were putting them in a vase before you left.

        “You know Clark was actually the one who told me I had to ask you out.” He said making you laugh some.

        “I did know, that man can’t keep his excitement over someone else’s relationships under wraps for the life of him. I’ll thank him if it works out.” You replied putting the flowers into the vase.

        “Well, the only way we’ll know is if we go. Shall we?” He asked gesturing towards the door.

        “Indeed, we shall.”

        The two of you headed out and made your way to the back entrance of the building. Typically, if you were with a larger group of people and didn’t want to be noticed, you’d summon a car to come back there. It was a bit risky at times depending on what was happening or the time, however you were pretty sure you’d be fine, especially now that Bruce was there. He opened the door for you and you slid in, quickly followed by him. The driver already knew where you were going and since you knew the driver, there was no conversation.

_______________________________________________________________________

        Once at the restaurant, you both were out of the car and inside as fast as possible. Before anyone could get any sort of pictures or message that you two were there, you were brought into a nice and quiet back room of the building for your reservation. There you sat down and got your menus.

        “So ... Mr. Wayne, what do you do when you’re not either working a massive corporation or managing a mass company of those interested in intergalactic security?” You asked.

        “Haven’t quite figured that out yet. Having multiple children leaves not much else to do.” He answered.

        “I would assume it would be a bit time consuming. In all aspects.”

        “And you? What with being in a leadership position at the top fashion editorial magazines in the world on top of your countless side jobs. What do you do as a down time?” Bruce questioned mimicking you, making you smirk a bit.

        “Yoga.” You said with a straight face making him cock his brow, “I’m just kidding. In all seriousness, if I have the chance, I get 8-12 hours of sleep.” “So, nothing that exciting as well.”

        “Well we seem to not be the most exciting of people.” He looked a bit relaxed at that moment but almost seemed to have tensioned up once more.

        “Oh, the irony of it. I think if anyone were too exciting they’d ultimately be boring and predictable.”

        “I guess that that is correct.” He smirked at the comment, “You seem more intelligent than what you let off. And that is saying a lot.”        

        “Why thank you. It does serve its purpose. Imagine the editor-and-chief of some magazine being able to follow in conversations on international affairs military and business.” You said, “It’s fun for me.”

        “Must be. Plus is seems a good cover.”

        “It is.”

_______________________________________________________________________

        The two of you talked and talked well into dinner almost forgetting that you would have to leave. It was the first time that either of you had felt comfortable doing anything like this. Sure, you had Diana and he had Clark, but neither of you had seen interactions like this with them. Bruce payed for dinner and the two of you left. This time it was from the front of the restaurant. There was press out front with cameras and questions. You both quickly got into the car and laughed about what tomorrows tabloids would look like.

        Bruce dropped you off. You didn’t let him stay the night, much to his pleasant surprise and he left to head back for Gotham. You locked your door and set the alarm for the apartment, greeting security as they arrived for their night watch. You weren’t quite sure how you felt about everything, you just knew there was nothing negative surrounding the night. Smiling, you went off to bed ready and waiting to see the articles and pictures drowning the important news out tomorrow.

[honestsycrets]

Strawberry Day-light [ Ivar x Reader ]

❛ pairing | ivar x reader [ modern ]

❛ type | drabble, strawberry with Ivar for my patron @alicedopey . 

❛ summary | after you decide to leave bed early, ivar comes to find you.

❛  warnings | implied plus size reader.

The recipe was pretty simple. But you couldn’t help think that you were doing something wrong as you stood at your boyfriend’s counter, cutting the tops off of strawberries to throw into a black death machine; his blender.

You’re not really a fan of these protein shakes or-- whatever. You love your food and while you love him, you never interjected on his work out life. Except for one question... Was that whole milk? Protein says that it should be that but… at the same time. What if it isn’t? It could just as easily be nonfat milk, because fat bad, right? You’re not sure what the man drinks to stay like... that.

Your finger flicks from one side to the other. Then, there’s a shuffle behind you. “It’s almond.”

“Shit!” you curse, your hand snapping to your chest. When you turn around, you find him sitting there, slightly amused by the looks of it. “What are you doing up?”

Ivar blinks. A languid smile makes its way up to his cheeks as he shuffles his wheelchair over to the countertop. “You know you don’t need to cut them,” he mentions, then angles his chair toward you. “The blender, you know, does that?”

Your cheeks flare up because Ivar’s finger flicks into a cocky little spiral. “I never would have guessed.”

“You’re welcome.”

“When did you get up?” you come to the granite countertop with the almond milk and begin the oh-so-important process of his morning smoothie. “You were asleep when I left.”

“It was cold.” He plucks up a strawberry. He excuses. You hear, you know I can’t sleep when you leave, behind his excuse.

He admits to it with a smile in his heavy eyes. He’s exhausted. You look toward the mess, quickly doing away with it and hitting the button to the blender. Then, nibbling on your plump lower lip you figure he’s not hungry. It’s not what he’s here for. He probably had a better reason for being loitering around if it wasn’t for a good workout. 

“Want me to come back to bed?” you ask, starting down the hall with his smoothie in tow. It would most likely be left on his black furniture while you curled up under his arm, under the bed of security that was his many blankets and pillows, and you’d smell nothing but him. 

He doesn’t answer, but the sound of his wheels dragging over is the only answer you need. You set the smoothie down and slide into bed, watching as he came in after you, securing himself on the left side. You follow after, batting away the handle that helped him get out of bed from your face. The warmth of blankets envelops you as he carefully brings them back up, dropping his head against the pillows.

“Are you okay?” you ask. “Your smoothie--” 

“No.” He breathes. “This is all I need.” Bed, cuddles, and a good smoothie to waste away the day. Some days aren’t gym days-- this was one of them. 

@beyond-the-ashes @supernaturalvikingwhore @mblaqgi @wuxiesalt @hopplessdreamer @therealcalicali @rekdreams-fandom @moondustmemories @athroatfullofglass @poisonedjoinery @strangunddurm @shookforyoojung @peachesnpisces @tierneygonzalez @hexqueensupreme @nohemi2500 @queenmissfit @alicedopey @dmv49 @sallylebecks @terrainhead @mybarnesmyhero @youurkryptonite @lif3snotouttogetyou @vikingsmania @looneytunes20033 @bat-fam-blob @oneofthelothbroks @lovelynerdytraveler @chinduda @whatamood13 @honeyofthegods @ilvebeenabad @queenbeeta @wonderlandofsu @tephi101 @alicedopey @supernaturalvikingwhore @tootie-fruity @titty-teetee @queen-see-ya-in-valhalla @ethereallysimple @deathbyarabbit @deathbyarabbit @readsalot73 @natalie-rdr @lol-haha-joke @lisinfleur @hissouthernprincess @marvelousse @dangerous-like-a-loaded-pistol @vikingsmania​ @wish-i-was-a-mermaid @lif3snotouttogetyou @gruffle1 @cris101071 @gold-dragon-slayer @babypink224221 @wonderwoman292 @naaladareia @beyond-the-ashes @generic-fangirl @chinduda @laketaj24, @peaceisadirtyword, @ly–canthrope @cris101071 @daughterofthenight117 @unassumingviking @ladyofsoa, @inforapound @winchesterwife27 @feyrearcheron44@readsalot73 @squirrelacorngliterfarts @gold-dragon-slayer @medievalfangirl @sallydelys  @bluearchersstuff @affectionrabbitt @whatamood13 @notyouraveragegirl17 @igetcarriedawaywithyou @unacceptabletatertots @ivarandersen @stra-vage @tgrrose @cookies186 @learninglemni-blog @theleeshanotlouise @soiproclaim @msmorganforever

[aladdinthefortuneteller]

Weight Gain With 4 Simple Steps

Gain Weight With 4 Simple Steps

1) Eat High Calorie Foods

You probably heard this a million times before. If it was this easy you wouldn’t be looking here to gain weight.

I’m going to give you some unorthodox foods you probably haven’t tried before. Thus, your weight gain journey will be much easier.

Why should you listen to me?

Cuz I have been there. I was a super skinny kid up until my university years. Then, throughout endless research, trial and error, I managed to bulk up to 105kg.

On a side note, I was 65kg when I started uni.

I did this over years. However, it took me so long cuz I was making mistakes.

Alright, let’s get to work. These are the high calorie foods that will bulk you up in no time. These foods should be in your daily diet to gain weight.

1)Peanut Butter

Peanuts and peanut butter contain nutrients that may boost a person’s heart health and improve blood sugar levels.

Depending on how much you eat in a day you can put on pounds during weight training or bodybuilding.

Protein. Peanut butter contains 7.02 grams (g) of protein per 2-tbsp serving. This is essential ingredient for us to put on quality mass.

Magnesium. With 57 milligrams (mg) of magnesium, each serving helps towards the RDATrusted Source of 400–420 mg in men. Magnesium plays a role in over 300 chemical processes in the body. Including putting on muscle.

Phosphorous. Each serving contains 107 mg of phosphorus, which is about 15.3 percent of the RDA of 700 mg for adults. Phosphorus helps to build healthy cells and bones and helps to produce energy.

Zinc. A serving of peanut butter provides 0.85 mg of zinc. This is 7.7 percent of the recommended daily intake of 11 mg for men.

Niacin. Peanut butter contains 4.21 mg of niacin per serving, which makes a useful contribution towards a person’s recommended intake of 14 to 16 mg.

Vitamin B-6. With 0.17 g of vitamin B-6 per serving, peanut butter provides almost 14 percent of an adult’s RDA of 1.3 mgTrusted Source.

Can you see one thing from these ingredients? Yes, all help to produce energy, and the more energy our body has, the more it stores. This is how we gain weight.

Don’t think like: “Oh okay, I will eat a spoon of it here and there.” NO! You have to eat loads of this to gain weight.

I remember eating 5-6 table spoons a day which really made a difference.

You are not a normal person! You have to get out of your comfort zone to make a difference.

My suggestions is at least 4 table spoons a day with meals.

2) Weight Gainer

Weight gainer should be one of your go to snacks. I scoop of weight gainer contains redicilious amount of calories full of carbs, protein and healthy fats.

The best part about weight gainers is they are cheap! Also way cheaper than whey protein.

I recommend making a shake with banana, weight gainer and 2 spoons of peanut butter.

You can visit this page to find high-quality and top-rated weight gainers. My personal favorite is the chocolate flavor.

They mix up with almost everything and taste amazing! So, buy one of them and you will thank me.

Don’t forget, these are called weight gainers for a reason. They pack on mass quick. BUT, the important part is to not replacing them with meals.

Always eat your solid meals first and before you go to sleep make a shake with banana, weight gainer and any other ingredient you like.

Even if you are full after the meal, you have to consume a shake. That way your muscles will repair during the night.

Also you body will store the extra energy.

3) Milk

The nutritional composition of milk is highly complex, and it contains almost every single nutrient that your body needs.

One cup (240 ml) of whole cow’s milk with 3.25% fat provides

Calories: 149

Water: 88%

Protein: 7.7 grams

Carbs: 11.7 grams

Sugar: 12.3 grams

Fiber: 0 grams

Fat: 8 grams

Some athletes consume 2 liters milk per day to put on as much mass as possible. I don’t recommend that. But, you can see why they do that.

If you have lactose intolerance, you should consume lactose-free milk.

By the way, I used to put milk in my before-bed shakes. Including weight gainer, banana, peanut butter, and 2 glasses of milk.

That shake will make you strong as a bull and will guarantee to turn you into a bodyguard. If you don’t feel like puking, you can drink milk instead of water.

I had many friends who did this technique. It takes time to get used to. But once you get used to it, people won’t recognize you.

2) Eat Till You Are Uncomfortably Full EVERY MEAL

When talk to a hardgainer, they always mention the time they ate the whole large pizza.

But when I ask them what did you eat for the rest of the day, nothing comes out.

This is the issue. If that one large meal you ate recently was gonna cut it, you would not be here.

BECAUSE,

This is the simple reality.

You have to feel uncomfortable after every meal. To gain weight and put on the quality mass on your frame, you have to eat till you are feeling sick.

So, the uncomfortable feeling you have after a huge meal, should happen after every meal of the day. Not just one meal.

How Many Meals A Day To Gain Weight?

Speaking of meals, I subscribe to eating at least 4 big meals a day.

Assuming you will have the pre-bed shakes, that will make 4 huge meals plus a giant shake. So, that puts you around 3k to 4k calories a day.

All in all, I want you to feel like ”If I take one more bite, I will have to go to the hospital.” EVERY MEAL!

3) Gain Weight By Exercising Less

This might not include all of you.

BUT,

I am talking to the ones who love running on the treadmill. The more you run and the excessively you train, the more weight you lose.

The trick is super simple. Keep your weight training under 45 mins. Also, don’t do cardio. Never, Ever!

If you are doing any sports, avoid spending calories doing cardio. You are better off lifting weights under 45 mins.

This way you will be able to utilise precious calories to build muscle and gain weight.

If you really love running, and can’t live without some sort of cardio or outdoor activity, just walk.

If your heart rate elevates, your body starts burning calories. Especially, ectomorphs like you and me, we literally destroy calories in minutes.

So far, we talked about the duration of the exercise and the type of the exercise.

Now, let’s cover how much you should train a week.

The optimal scenario is to train 4 times a week. WEIGHT TRAINING. You can get away with 3, but less than 3 will impact your apatite.

Also if you go crazy and train everyday of the week, your body will have no time to recover and muscle.

We don’t want that!

4) Sleep Less To Gain Weight

Look, I’m not saying drink 5 energy drinks at night.

You are here for my unorthodox weight gaining tactics. So listen tight.

I figured this out after I graduated and started working. This led me to sleep very early and I wasn’t able to add another meal to my diet.

Including me, some people can only eat so much in one sitting. So my solution was to add meals instead of increasing the portion size.

Going back to the story, since I was sleeping so early I wasn’t able to squeeze in another meal in.

That day I decided to stay up a little bit later to smash my next meal.

Benefits?

The upside of this is you can also do extra work. Study, watch movies, read, hustle…

I became more productive and gained mass. That was a win win for me!

I urge you to try this. Sleep less than you usually do. The more you stay up late the more you get hungry.

It gives you the room to eat and more time to sneak in snacks.

If you liked this article please make sure you share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Trumbler, LinkedIn and Instagram.

https://menshealthprotein.com/gain-weight-with-4-simple-steps/?fbclid=IwAR3ZVejp1xqqIN9IQ8lX--UvdaUSo1Y5a4F3FVcktioqw0v_D2VyZUy_bfg

[theunderdogwrites]

Why I’d Make A Terrible Cult Member

In case you didn’t hear NXIVM founder and Ryan Gosling look-a-like, Keith Raniere, 

was sentenced to 120 years in prison after being convicted of sex trafficking, racketeering and conspiracy after testimony that he had created a harem of sexual “slaves,” branded with his initials and kept in line with blackmail. There are currently two docu-series running right now (SEDUCED: INSIDE THE NXIVM CULT and THE VOW) that give you a chilling look into this cult. Both series are palatable and will have you saying – “How the hell did these people get pulled into a cult? Because from my couch I can tell you that would never happen to me!”

There is so much information out there about the NXIVM cult that I don’t feel the need to educate you on all their dastardly deeds. Instead, I want to ramble on about how the majority of us probably feel we could never be drawn in and held captive by a cult. Plus, after that election in the United States we could all use a wee laugh.

First…

The TOP FIVE Reasons WHY I’d Make A Terrible Cult Member

5. Terrible with Crowds

Does anyone really like crowds? Hoards of people gathering is a whole lot of stupid I just don’t want anywhere near me. Cults can’t survive without people. I suppose you could be a cult of one. If that is allowed, I want that. I brain-wash myself on a daily basis as is (‘Today is going to be awesome!’ ‘You absolutely do deserve a donut!’ ‘Drinking wine from a mug is considered sophisticated!’) so I feel I could make this work. Gym clothes are required clothing but will make an exception for all-day PJ’s on the rare Friday when I ‘just can’t even’.

4. Blindly Following Directions is Not My Strongest Quality

I am not a wanton rebel but I do fail (succeed) at being a part of a collective consciousness, especially where one person places themselves in charge of everyone else. While I don’t require for you to have degrees or letters of recommendations from heads of state, I must insist that you’re not a fascistic idiot. Also, you need to be a good person. Not just on the outside where you’re putting on a show for others, but on the inside where it really counts and shines through without you having to promote your intentions. There is just no way I am able to blindly follow directions from a person who I do not respect. And typically, I don’t respect anyone who craves and NEEDS control over a group of people, no matter the size, to make themselves whole. The bottom line here is: if you are this type of person and you attempt to snare me into your cult, I promise you I will be your problem child.

3. Isolation? Yes Please!

Cults wish to isolate you from your family and friends because then it becomes easier to indoctrinate you without any outside voices cluttering up your mind. Instead of isolating me from family and friends (who, I assure you would appreciate the break) it would be much more effective to separate me from my inside voices, of which there are many. Obviously, I am more attached to those voices than my family and friends and I bet my inside voices would eat your inside voices for breakfast, so if your intention is to try and control me you better be prepared for a fight similar to that of the Game of Thrones Battle of the Bastards. But seriously, I’m begging you… please isolate me from my inside voices. I could use some peace and quiet. This is a cry for help people!

2. Refusal to Have My Food Intake Monitored

The NXIVM cult preyed on women by forcing them to go to extreme measures in order to lose weight. They often had to take pictures of their food (counted and weighed on a scale) and ask permission to eat. Right away I’d have a serious problem with this bullshit. If I want a donut. I am going to eat a fucking donut. You want a picture of it? Ok, knock yourself out:

I’m eating this no matter your opinion.

I understand that withholding / limiting food (valuable protein, nutrients etc.) makes it easier to break someone down but just how far gone do you have to be to allow someone else to monitor and approve BY TEXT MESSAGE what you eat? I guess if we want to pull at this thread we can say organizations like WW, Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem “approve of” and even provide you with what they want you to eat in order to be successful if using their programs… and if I wanted to rip into them some more I could claim they are somewhat “cult-like”, but at least they don’t require naked, compromising photos of yourself just in case you fail to lose weight and they want to keep you accountable.

Confession time: when I go to a restaurant with friends and they want to “share” plates, I am not amused. Who the hell came up with this concept of “sharable plates”? If I want to order some crab cakes (usually two to a order) what makes you think I want to give you one in exchange for some of your fries? If I want fries, I will fucking order my own fries. Now that this secret is out… sorry to my friends who have politely forced me to share my food with them.

1. I Can’t Be Any More Brain-Washed Than I Already Am

BRAINWASHING: any method of controlled systematic indoctrination, especially one based on repetition or confusion.

Here’s a thought – we brainwash ourselves.

Well, first it’s our parents. And we don’t have much control over that for a long time. In that mix of original brainwashers is television with it’s cleverly made and repetitive commercials. We are being advertised AT from an early age and it’s a process that continues for our entire life. You don’t watch TV? Doesn’t matter if you own a cell phone or surf the web or have a pair of working eyes. It’s everywhere. You’re being convinced you need stuff. Or persuaded to believe in the magical powers that alcohol will give you (which through experience is NOT charm, grace or coordination). Just last week I realized I’ve been programmed to not give a flying fuck whenever I see a Kardashian. Or Mariah Carey. Or emails from Christian Mingle (please stop contacting me, you really don’t want this).

We brainwash ourselves into believing certain untruths in exchange for temporary happiness. I believe we all fall into this trap. Let’s be real and admit that life is fucking hard. Our collective goal is to be happy and to survive. If you need to convince yourself of some untruths for a short while in order to get through, you go right ahead. Just don’t let the lie take over your reality. It’s destructive. And you’ll miss out on how beautiful life can be if you don’t pull your head out of your own shit.

These two NXIVM documentaries really had me shaking my head in disbelief over just how these seemingly intelligent men and women fell for such a gigantic load of crap. To listen to this Keith Raniere speak and think to yourself “yes, here is a stable human being I want to follow who just happens to talk about how it would feel to rape a baby (it feels like nothing apparently) and requires us to kiss him on the lips when we say hello and goodbye” seriously puts your mental health into question. Am I right? Because I don’t actually know. Am I sitting in judgement of these cult members? Maybe just a little and that is simply because I believe myself to be… not smart, but not a total moron. Now having said that, I know that everyone is searching for spaces where they can belong. Where they feel comfortable enough to be themselves. Spaces that speak to them and people who mirror their desire to be better, do better. Their tribe, if you will.

If you were brand new to this planet and I told you about this activity that millions of people took part in, in some capacity, where they used a curved stick to chase around a hard rubber object on frozen water while wearing steel blades, you might give me a curious, tilted head look. You know, the one you give someone when you’re trying to determine whether or not they’re insane. Sports teams and especially their fans could be considered cult-like. Some people will shell out big $$$$ to attend the Super Bowl dressed head to toe in their team’s colors. Soccer fans in Europe have killed referees over what they felt was a bad call.  

Look at this line-up:

This was for the release of the latest iPhone (12). All these people brought together by an inanimate object with the technology to make/receive phone calls, take photos, listen to your conversations and advertise to you across all your social media platforms. Oh, and it can tell you the time.

If you dig far enough into the NXIVM cult (beyond the “ring leaders” who profited financially and at the same time fed their perverted yearning for supremacy over others) you will inevitability come across people who were at their very core – lost. Lost and looking for purpose. Lost and looking for a place where they could belong. Lost and looking for something special. I don’t know about you, but when I am feeling lost and low on hope, I don’t always make the best decisions.

Time to go eat all the donuts.

And if you’re interested in making me a member of your cult, please PM me. I come with impeccable references as long as you don’t believe a word of what they’ll say. I really am a constant fucking delight.

[thetastystreetfoodphotography]

Simple and Tasty Food Substitutions

Whenever we speak about the topic of food, it's almost a sure thing that someone will bring up the topic of their favorite food or foods. Unfortunately, due to the seemingly continual rise of excess processing, additives and preservatives being a common part of so many of the foods we eat, choosing a favorite isn't always the healthiest choice, is it?

Thankfully, there are many ingenious ways to "reproduce" your favorite (not-so-healthy) foods in ways that are good for you! That's what I'd like to discuss today. Plus, I want to give you some great recipes along the way!

First though, I would like to go over my 3 basic "ground rules" when it comes to choosing the foods you eat. Follow these and you really can't go too wrong:

RULE #1 - Whenever possible, make it yourself. If you are serious about losing fat, you also must get serious about eating healthy, natural "real" foods as much as possible. Go and get the fresh ingredients you need, spend some quality time with your kitchen and start cooking.

RULE #2 - Never eat from a box or a bag. My only exception to this rule is pre-washed lettuce and other greens that are packed in plastic bags. Remember, if it's able to stay on a grocery shelf for weeks, months or even years, how many preservatives are in it, right? Look at the ingredients list; if you can't pronounce it, do you really want to eat it?

RULE #3 - Shop the perimeter of the store. You've heard this again and again. The best, freshest, most nutritious foods are located around the perimeter of the supermarket. So that's where you need to shop, period.

Remember these 3 simple rules, and half the battle is already won! Now, let's talk about some simple and tasty food substitutions.

I want to share three ways that I use natural, healthy ingredients in my cooking, in place of things that would normally be considered "less than healthy." Also, I'm including a couple of great simple recipes that you can try right away and prove that eating our favorite foods doesn't have to mean eating foods that aren't healthy (or tasty).

Beans, Beans, the Musical Fruit: Don't worry, I'm not going to finish the rhyme (you know the rest). Beans are one of the staples in my kitchen at all times. They are a great substitute for fat-laden ground meats, providing a terrific source of protein along the way. The other thing that beans can give you is the ability to cook and bake without gluten. Gluten is a naturally occurring protein which is usually found in wheat, barley, rye and other carbohydrates. Gluten itself is not necessarily bad for you, but many people do have difficulty digesting gluten (ie. those with celiac disease). By using ground bean flour in place of traditional wheat flour when baking, it is possible to make something "gluten-free." Now, I want to share a great recipe with you for gluten-free brownies with black beans:

Black Bean (gluten-free) Brownies

Ingredients:

1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans (rinsed and drained)

3 eggs

3 tablespoons canola oil

4 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup sugar

Directions: Mix ingredients together in a blender/food processor until pureed. Pour into a greased 8x8 cake pan. Stir in some chocolate chips and nuts, or leave plain. Bake at 350 F for approximately 30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting.

An Apple a Day Keeps Fatty Oils Away: You may already be aware that a great substitute for fatty oils in your baking is good old, unsweetened applesauce! Simply peel and core some apples of your choice (I use Empires or Macs myself), place them in a pot on medium-low heat, covered, and let them cook down until they are nice and mushy. I use a potato masher to finish them off. Typically the substitution ratio is 1:1 from oil to applesauce. If you're trying this for the first time, I would recommend that you experiment with it a few times before going full-on to the 1:1 sub. So if your recipe calls for a cup of oil, try using half a cup oil and half a cup applesauce. Remember that using the applesauce will affect the texture and taste (making it softer and sweeter), so try a few combinations to see what works and what tastes the best for you.

Mimic the Texture, Maximize the Nutrition: One of my favorite dishes is shepherd's pie. I love the combination of lean ground meat (I use lean ground turkey, chicken or bison) with tender vegetables, and that wonderful "gravy" that comes naturally when it's baked. However, the abundance of fluffy white mashed potatoes on top always bothered me a little because they represent what I call "empty calories." I mean, there isn't really a lot of quality nutrition in mashed potatoes (and they are usually high in fat too). So I wanted to try to find a good substitute that would provide some extra nutrients. My search ended when I found a recipe for shepherd's pie using mashed cauliflower for the topping! Here's the recipe. Try it and I bet you'll be surprised how good it tastes:

Lean Shepherds Pie

Ingredients:

Topping:

10 oz fresh cauliflower florets, steamed and mashed

2 tbsp low fat sour cream

2 tbsp low fat cream cheese

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 egg, beaten

4 oz fat free cheddar (optional)

Filling:

Non-stick cooking spray

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1.5 lbs lean ground turkey, chicken or bison

1 tbsp dried basil

1 tbsp dried oregano

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp ground thyme

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

10 oz low fat chicken broth

2 tbsp corn starch

1 can peas and carrots

1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli

1 turnip, finely chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Steam cauliflower, drain and mash slightly. Add all topping ingredients and mash or whip with electric mixer until fluffy. Set aside. In large fry pan, coat with cooking spray, add onions and garlic and sautee until tender. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Add all seasonings and prepared vegetables. In a separate bowl or cup, mix corn starch into chicken broth and stir until dissolved. Pour into meat mixture and heat through, stirring until thickened. Coat square or rectangle baking dish with cooking spray and pour meat mixture into baking dish, spreading evenly over the bottom. Spoon topping onto this, sprinkle with paprika if desired and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

[ketoanalystpro]

Would You Like to Know Exactly What to Eat to Lose Fat and Get Healthy Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods or Starving Yourself?

If you're serious about achieving permanent fat loss and a complete health transformation while eating your favorite foods every meal…

I invite you to read this page.

Here’s The Deal:

In my opinion, the nutrition industry is hopelessly broken. Instead of helping people improve their health and overall physical appearance, the world is filled with myths, scams, and flat-out lies.

I mean, it’s obvious the current dietary guidelines don’t work. Just look at the stats. 71.6% of American adults aged 20 and above are overweight, of which more than half are obese![1]

Now, if you’re one of the millions of people who follow all the nutrition rules outlined by health and fitness “gurus” but still carry excess fat, it is not your fault!

The Truth Is:

No matter how genetically “doomed” you may think you are, and no matter how frustrated you may feel after trying and discarding many diets, you absolutely can have the lean and alluring body of your dreams.

You see, getting into fantastic shape isn't nearly as cruel as nutrition and fitness “gurus” want you to believe. In fact, if you avoid the four most common and catastrophic diet mistakes, shaping your dream figure is actually a simple process.

Do You Make These Four Common Diet Mistakes That Sabotage Your Health and Stall Fat Loss?

Mistake #1 ( Not being in a calorie deficit )

According to some “experts,” losing weight and keeping it off is all about controlling the types of food you eat.

They say particular foods are "fattening" because they pause fat burning and cause a hormonal environment that leads to weight gain... while other foods "balance" the system and stimulate fat loss.

While that’s partially true, it doesn't give you the full picture. The reason is that if you want to lower the number on your scale, the most important thing you must do is enter a caloric deficit.

It’s simple. If you consume more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight. And if you consume fewer calories than you burn, you’ll lose weight. That’s a scientific fact.[2]

Looking for proof? Well, dozens of studies show the vitality of calorie balance.[3-19] One of these is a case study by Mark Haub, a professor of human nutrition at Kansas State University.[20]

He carried excess pounds and, knowing the importance of calorie balance, decided to do an experiment. For two months, he only ate foods like Twinkies, Oreos, Dorito, and protein shakes while maintaining a daily energy deficit of 800 calories.

The result? In just two months, he lost 27 pounds and reduced his body fat from 33.4% to 24.9%.

Now, I don't recommend you follow such a diet, but it illustrates my point. If you want to lose fat, you must be in a calorie deficit.

Mistake #2 ( Severe calorie restriction that gives you the metabolism of a 90-year-old lady )

If an energy deficit of 250 calories a day will get you lean, a 1,000-calorie deficit will give you the results four times as fast, right?

Wrong! Many people make this mistake, and I used to do it too before I knew any better.

The truth is, severe calorie deficits screw up your physiology. That's why almost all low-calorie dieters regain the lost pounds when they stop the program... plus, most often gain some more on top of that.

You see, your body doesn't know you're trying to get ripped for the beach. Instead, because you're starving yourself, it thinks you're stranded with no food.

As a result, your body’s metabolism will plummet to prevent you from losing weight. This means that as soon as you come off your diet, your body will store as much food as possible as fat to prepare itself for the next starvation.

That’s why it’s essential to eat according to a calorie target fine-tuned for your body, your situation, and your goals.

Mistake #3 ( Thinking all calories are created equal )

Thus far, we've looked at calories. And while calories are a crucial piece of the fat loss puzzle, they're in no way the only thing that matters. You see, when most people say they want to lose weight, they actually strive to improve their health and look better.

The thing is, if you want to accomplish such feats, you shouldn’t strive for weight loss. Instead, set your sights on fat loss. That's because losing weight doesn't necessarily improve health and appearance, but losing fat does.

Now, when it comes to fat loss, calories remain a crucial element. But what is just as crucial is your macro intake. In other words, your consumption of protein, carbs, and fat is vital. How you set up your macros has a profound effect on how your body will respond to the meals you eat.

For example, if you consume too many carbs, it’ll be near impossible to lose fat even if you maintain a calorie deficit. That’s because carbs spike insulin, a hormone that blunts fat loss in two main ways.

One of these is that elevated insulin levels block the release of fat from your fat cells.[21-23] And if your cells can't release fat, your body can never burn off the excess.

Second, elevated insulin levels cause the storage of energy found in your bloodstream to morph into body fat cells.[23-25] This means the energy won’t get burned off by tissues like muscle but instead snakes its way around to places like your hips and abs.

That’s why researchers call insulin the "fat storage hormone," and that’s why carb-rich diets make it nearly impossible to lose fat.

Insulin is but one example. Optimizing your macros is crucial for many more reasons, so in a minute I’ll show you how to set up your macros to triple fat loss.

The best part? The method I’ll show you in a minute from now is effortless to follow and never leaves you hungry. In fact, this eating style is so satiating and easy to follow that you would probably forget you were on a diet if you weren’t losing fat so fast.

Mistake #4 (Following an unrealistic, overly restrictive diet )

Willpower works like a battery – you only have so much of it until it runs out. That’s why very restrictive diets deplete your willpower, increase your cravings, and lead to binging – the exact opposite of what you want when trying to build your dream body.[26-27]

I've seen it countless times before... a guy or gal who is dedicated to losing weight and getting healthy. To kick things off, they start a diet that only allows food like tilapia, asparagus, and chicken. After all, that’s what the fitness magazines recommend.

While the results are great in the beginning and the dieter loyally brings Tupperware boxes packed with "healthy" meals wherever they go, their willpower eventually runs out and that diet gets tossed out the window.

Just keep in mind that dieting itself is already hard. Don't make it even harder for yourself by enforcing all kinds of unnecessary restrictions. Otherwise, you’ll likely take on a “screw it” mentally after a few weeks or even days, wake up in a sea of Twinkie wrappers and be back to square one.

The Solution to These Diet Blunders:

A Keto Meal Plan Customized to Your Body, Situation, Goals, and Taste Buds

If you want to take all the guesswork out of your diet and follow a guaranteed-to-work plan, then you'll love my brand-new custom keto meal plan service.

For the last few years, I’ve united leading nutritionists, personal trainers, and chefs to develop custom keto meal plans that are effective, convenient, cost-effective, and (most importantly) enjoyable.

And when I say "custom" meal plan, I mean it. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, “here are some recipes pulled together from random blogs” meal plans many nutrition “gurus” sell for way too much money.

Instead, we tailor your entire meal plan to your own unique situation, needs, goals, and dietary preferences to ensure you experience optimal progress and follow a diet you enjoy.

In other words, your days of suffering on ineffective and overly-restrictive diets are finally over. It's time to start working based on a method that's best for you.

What Truly Sets These Meal Plans Apart is that They’re Based on the Keto Diet

Unless you were lost in the Himalayas for the last few years, I bet you've heard of the keto diet. In fact, you probably have a friend or family member who has transformed their body like magic with this diet.

But in case you didn’t know or just forgot, here’s a quick recap. A keto diet is an eating style where you consume almost no carbs, moderate amounts of protein, and high amounts of dietary fat. So, you’ll be eating tasty high-fat meals like ribeye steak with roasted garlic and butter.

“Why would you do that?” you may wonder. Well, a very low carb intake puts you into a state called “ketosis.” You see, under regular circumstances, your body relies for the most part on glucose (the stored form of carb).

When you minimize your carb intake, however, there's not enough glucose available for your body to fuel all its functions. And because some tissues like your brain cannot use fat for fuel, your body needs an alternative energy source to stay alive.

That’s where ketones come in. Ketones are chemicals produced in your liver when glucose is scarce. Various tissues like your brain can use these ketones for fuel when glucose is absent.[28] That's an excellent outcome because, otherwise, you would die.

Now, when your body uses primarily ketones and fatty acids for fuel, you're in a state called “ketosis.” That’s invaluable because...

Ketosis Gives You an “Unfair” Advantage on Your Fat Loss Goals

You’ll Get Your Custom Keto Meal Plan for Less Than 5% of What You Would Normally Pay

Having a personalized nutrition plan created just for you can get REALLY expensive REALLY fast.

If you go to a nutritionist, you'll pay around $100 for your initial meeting and an average of $400 per month for modifications and check-ins. So, for an 8-week nutrition plan, expect to pay around $900.

And after spending all that money, it's very likely you'll end up with the same outcome as the rest of their clients: devastated with your results and clueless about what to do next.

I know how it feels because I've been there myself... forking over thousands of dollars for no results. And I know how shattering it is to spend all that time and money and not even end up close to your ultimate goal.

I don’t want you to suffer from such an experience, and that’s why I'm offering this service. My goal is to help people transform their health and figure without going through the unnecessary struggles that often come with it.

That’s why I offer this service not for $900. In fact, the price is not even 5% of that because if you act today, you’ll get instant access for just $37.

I know, this is much less than what you would expect from such a service. But I want to make my custom meal plans available for everyone. And I want to help one million men and women around the world take charge of their health and figure. That’s why I don’t want price to be an issue.

But that’s not all. Besides this low price, I also back you with a robust and straightforward 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Try Your Custom Meal Plan Risk-Free and Judge for Yourself. If You’re Not Satisfied, You’ll Get All Your Money Back

[kenyel-kenyel]

Would You Like to Know Exactly What to Eat to Lose Fat and Get Healthy Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods or Starving Yourself?

 DOWNLOAD HERE FOR DIET PROGRAM

If you're serious about achieving permanent fat loss and a complete health transformation while eating your favorite foods every meal…

I invite you to read this page.

Dear friend,

Is it true? Has modern science finally discovered a diet that can strip off body fat like clockwork, while still allowing you to eat tasty meals like ribeye steak with roasted garlic and butter?

Hi, my name is Rachel Roberts. I'm not a professional ad writer, but what I have to share with you is so extraordinary and powerful that I decided to write this myself. So bear with me a little.

Here’s The Deal:

In my opinion, the nutrition industry is hopelessly broken. Instead of helping people improve their health and overall physical appearance, the world is filled with myths, scams, and flat-out lies.

I mean, it’s obvious the current dietary guidelines don’t work. Just look at the stats. 71.6% of American adults aged 20 and above are overweight, of which more than half are obese!

Now, if you’re one of the millions of people who follow all the nutrition rules outlined by health and fitness “gurus” but still carry excess fat, it is not your fault!

The Truth Is:

No matter how genetically “doomed” you may think you are, and no matter how frustrated you may feel after trying and discarding many diets, you absolutely can have the lean and alluring body of your dreams. You see, getting into fantastic shape isn't nearly as cruel as nutrition and fitness “gurus” want you to believe. In fact, if you avoid the four most common and catastrophic diet mistakes, shaping your dream figure is actually a simple process.

Do You Make These Four Common Diet Mistakes That Sabotage Your Health and Stall Fat

Mistake #1

Not being in a calorie deficit

According to some “experts,” losing weight and keeping it off is all about controlling the types of food you eat.

They say particular foods are "fattening" because they pause fat burning and cause a hormonal environment that leads to weight gain... while other foods "balance" the system and stimulate fat loss.

While that’s partially true, it doesn't give you the full picture. The reason is that if you want to lower the number on your scale, the most important thing you must do is enter a caloric deficit.

It’s simple. If you consume more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight. And if you consume fewer calories than you burn, you’ll lose weight. That’s a scientific fact.

Looking for proof? Well, dozens of studies show the vitality of calorie balance. One of these is a case study by Mark Haub, a professor of human nutrition at Kansas State University.

He carried excess pounds and, knowing the importance of calorie balance, decided to do an experiment. For two months, he only ate foods like Twinkies, Oreos, Dorito, and protein shakes while maintaining a daily energy deficit of 800 calories.

The result? In just two months, he lost 27 pounds and reduced his body fat from 33.4% to 24.9%.

Now, I don't recommend you follow such a diet, but it illustrates my point. If you want to lose fat, you must be in a calorie deficit.

Mistake #2

Severe calorie restriction that gives you the metabolism of a 90-year-old lady

If an energy deficit of 250 calories a day will get you lean, a 1,000-calorie deficit will give you the results four times as fast, right?

Wrong! Many people make this mistake, and I used to do it too before I knew any better.

The truth is, severe calorie deficits screw up your physiology. That's why almost all low-calorie dieters regain the lost pounds when they stop the program... plus, most often gain some more on top of that.

You see, your body doesn't know you're trying to get ripped for the beach. Instead, because you're starving yourself, it thinks you're stranded with no food.

As a result, your body’s metabolism will plummet to prevent you from losing weight. This means that as soon as you come off your diet, your body will store as much food as possible as fat to prepare itself for the next starvation.

That’s why it’s essential to eat according to a calorie target fine-tuned for your body, your situation, and your goals.

Mistake #3

Thinking all calories are created equal

Thus far, we've looked at calories. And while calories are a crucial piece of the fat loss puzzle, they're in no way the only thing that matters. You see, when most people say they want to lose weight, they actually strive to improve their health and look better.

The thing is, if you want to accomplish such feats, you shouldn’t strive for weight loss. Instead, set your sights on fat loss. That's because losing weight doesn't necessarily improve health and appearance, but losing fat does.

Now, when it comes to fat loss, calories remain a crucial element. But what is just as crucial is your macro intake. In other words, your consumption of protein, carbs, and fat is vital. How you set up your macros has a profound effect on how your body will respond to the meals you eat.

For example, if you consume too many carbs, it’ll be near impossible to lose fat even if you maintain a calorie deficit. That’s because carbs spike insulin, a hormone that blunts fat loss in two main ways.

One of these is that elevated insulin levels block the release of fat from your fat cells. And if your cells can't release fat, your body can never burn off the excess.

Second, elevated insulin levels cause the storage of energy found in your bloodstream to morph into body fat cells.[23-25] This means the energy won’t get burned off by tissues like muscle but instead snakes its way around to places like your hips and abs.

That’s why researchers call insulin the "fat storage hormone," and that’s why carb-rich diets make it nearly impossible to lose fat.

Insulin is but one example. Optimizing your macros is crucial for many more reasons, so in a minute I’ll show you how to set up your macros to triple fat loss.

The best part? The method I’ll show you in a minute from now is effortless to follow and never leaves you hungry. In fact, this eating style is so satiating and easy to follow that you would probably forget you were on a diet if you weren’t losing fat so fast.

Mistake #4

Following an unrealistic, overly restrictive diet

Willpower works like a battery – you only have so much of it until it runs out. That’s why very restrictive diets deplete your willpower, increase your cravings, and lead to binging – the exact opposite of what you want when trying to build your dream body.

I've seen it countless times before... a guy or gal who is dedicated to losing weight and getting healthy. To kick things off, they start a diet that only allows food like tilapia, asparagus, and chicken. After all, that’s what the fitness magazines recommend.

While the results are great in the beginning and the dieter loyally brings Tupperware boxes packed with "healthy" meals wherever they go, their willpower eventually runs out and that diet gets tossed out the window.

Just keep in mind that dieting itself is already hard. Don't make it even harder for yourself by enforcing all kinds of unnecessary restrictions. Otherwise, you’ll likely take on a “screw it” mentally after a few weeks or even days, wake up in a sea of Twinkie wrappers and be back to square one.

Try Your Custom Meal Plan Risk-Free and Judge for Yourself. If You’re Not Satisfied, You’ll Get All Your Money Back

It’s simple: if, for any reason you're not satisfied, shoot me a message and ask for a refund. Just tell me you're not happy and you'll get your money back.

And by satisfied, I mean you're 100% happy with your custom meal plan. You have no regrets, and you're certain, without a shadow of a doubt, that you've made the right decision.

So go ahead and "test drive" your custom meal plan without any financial risk. Order your custom meal plan, try it for 60 days, and see the results. In the unlikely scenario you're unhappy with the service, email us your receipt and we'll return your payment without question.

 This Service Is NOT for You if:

We’ve been around long enough that we’ve noticed there are three types of people we can't help:

1. You don’t take action, but instead want to spend all your spare time trying to figure out the optimal diet.

2. You think you already know what you need to do to build your dream body and you’re unwilling to follow an expert’s instructions.

3. You're not interested in using science-based dieting strategies but would rather mimic what the average Joe is doing.

That being said, if you're looking for a science-based, "Done For You" plan where you’ll lose fat and improve your health while eating delicious foods every meal...

Here’s What I Want You to Do Next

Are you serious about achieving permanent fat loss and sparking a health transformation? Great! Then here’s how the process works:

Step #1 Do This Now

Start by clicking here! You’ll see a few questions to answer about your current situation, food preferences, and goals. Nothing crazy. We just need some basic info to understand your circumstances better. Answer these questions as accurately (and honestly) as possible, and make sure your email address is correct so you can receive your meal plan.

 Step #2 Here’s What Will Happen Next

Once you’ve completed the survey, we’ll create your custom meal plan for you. Just enter your payment details to get instant access to your custom-made keto meal plan.

Step #3 Are You Ready?

If so, today is the day you rise to the challenge and transform your body and health because ultimately, this service is for people who recognize a great opportunity when they see one and act fast.

    The Way I See It, You have Three Options From Here

Option #1

Ignore everything you've just read and change nothing. If you decide to take this path, remember the old saying, "if you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got."

Option #2

Try to lose fat and improve your health through "trial and error." Fly solo with the attitude "throw it on the wall and see what sticks." You may reach your goal at some point with this approach, but not without countless frustrations and setbacks that leave you on the verge of giving up.

 Or, the smartest option…

Option #3

Skip all the frustration and take charge of your figure by investing in your custom meal plan. Eat based on a scientifically-proven method that's crafted to help any person, at any age, and in any situation enjoy long- lasting fat loss results.

To get your custom keto meal plan, click the button below. Go through the questionnaire. Enter your payment details. Just like that. You'll get instant access to your custom meal plan. You’ll be able to start your new diet within minutes of ordering!

I've never been more excited and proud about one of my programs than as I am now. And I can't wait for you to enjoy the life-changing results you'll get by investing in yourself today.

DOWNLOAD HERE FOR DIET PROGRAM

[wlstories]

IMPORTANT: Don’t let the stress of the world put you in a position where you’re eating your way through the news cycles. These are stressful times, and while you can’t control the outside world, the one thing we CAN control is what’s on your plate. Cooking is one thing we need to do during social distancing so we might as well enjoy the process. It makes time go by faster and presents an OPPORTUNITY to learn and grow our talents!! My dinner this Sunday night 👉 @realgoodfoods bacon wrapped stuffed chicken with pepper jack cheese!! (Spicy and INSANELY GOOD!!) 380calories 32 grams of protein!!! Only 3 carbs!! Paired with spinach salad (my all-time favorite) a lil low cal blue cheese @kensdressings and @birdseyevegetables French cut green beans marinated it in a sweet pineapple-garlic sriracha glaze with a drizzle of sriracha on top....I made it fancy. ____________ Plus I get to show off my new @disney Ink & Paint series plates! how freaking cool are there’s?!? Where my Disney nerds at?? 😉 and I think even @crowmoonkitchen would be impressed by my mad plating skills. Side note: I miss Disney and can’t wait until it’s safe to go again!! Maybe the next @wlmeetup has to be at Disney?! Anyway tonight’s total calories: 500 ish. For a FULL MEAL that insanely filling. How can you beat that? A lot of this journey is simply about changing the way you think about food not depriving yourself!!!! The moral of the story is you can have what you want you just have to be smart about it. Count calories and don’t beat yourself up when you have a bad day. Hopefully this message helps somebody in our community. _______________________ Add me on the Facebooks👇 Facebook.com/Keithwls ________________________ #wlstories #motivation #fitness #health #wellness #healthychoices #weightloss #weightlossjourney #realgoodpizza #positivevibes #realgoodfoods #fattofit #socialdistancing #obesetobeast #fedupfam #eatathome #extremeweightlossjourney #smartpoints #countingcalories #cheatmeal #mealplanning #mealprep #nevermissamonday #budgetmeals (at South Tampa, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-DsElIht4M/?igshid=1azvq0zr96y67

[phroyd]

Every year, I look for important themes in sustainability that will have lasting impact on society, from glaring evidence of global megatrends to inspiring stories of corporate action. The year 2018 brought extreme change — in weather and environmental ecosystems, in political winds and power, and in the expectations of business. It also brought incredible clarity about the scale of our challenges and opportunities.

So let’s start with the big picture before moving to some corporate success stories.

The world’s scientists sound a final alarm on climate

We have about 12 years left. That’s the clear message from a monumental studyfrom the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). To avoid some of the most devastating impacts of climate change, the world must slash carbon emissions by 45% by 2030, and completely decarbonize by 2050 (while, in the meantime, emissions are still rising).

The IPCC looked at the difference between the world “only” warming two degrees Celsius (3.8°F) — the agreed upon goal at global climate summits in Copenhagen and Paris — or holding warming to just 1.5 degrees. Even the latter, they say, will require a monumental effort “unprecedented in terms of scale.” We face serious problems either way, but every half degree matters a great deal in human, planetary, and economic losses.

It wasn’t just the IPCC that told a stark story. Thirteen U.S. government agencies issued the U.S. National Climate Assessment, which concluded that climate change could knock at least 10% off of GDP. Other studies tell us that sea level rise is going to be worse than we thought, Antarctica is melting three times faster than a decade ago, and Greenland is losing ice quickly as well. If both those ice sheets go, sea level rise could reach 200-plus feet, resulting in utter devastation, including the loss of the entire Atlantic seaboard (Boston, New York, D.C., etc.), all of Florida, London, Stockholm, Denmark, Uruguay and Paraguay, and land now inhabited by more than 1 billion Asians.

All of this suggests that business must dramatically change how it operates: companies will need to push well past their comfort zones from areas like politics and policy to engaging consumers to how they make investment decisions.

Entire towns are wiped off the map by extreme weather

This year the weather devastation around the world got, in the words of one colleague, “biblical.” The town of Paradise, California, was effectively eliminated by wildfires (that, yes, are made worse by climate change), killing at least 85 people. Most houses in Mexico Beach, Florida, were destroyed by Hurricane Michael. Unprecedented rains and damage from Hurricane Florence slammed North Carolina and temporarily turned a major highway into a river. Typhoon Mangkhut ravagedthe Philippines and parts of China, killing dozens of people. Incredible heat blanketed four continents this summer, with records falling across Europe and Asia. Venezuela’s last glacier is disappearing. Finally, Capetown, South Africa, is essentially out of water due in part to drought — the city nearly shut off all the taps this year, but has held off “Day Zero” through ongoing restrictions and aggressive citizen action.

The consequences of these extremes are not theoretical. What is the economic cost to an area with no water, or one that’s under water, or burned to the ground? In the U.S. alone, it was $306 billion in 2017, shattering records.

Coral is dying, insects are disappearing, and the fate of major ecosystems looks dim

The world’s top coral expert confirms that at 2 degrees of warming, all coral will die. This will destroy a critical part of an ocean system that provides protein to hundreds of millions of people, helps blunt coastal storm surges, and supports the livelihoods of people working in fishing and tourism.

And it’s not just coral: there’s the death of pacific kelp forests, radical declines in insect populations, and continuing population drops in all mammals and bees.

How does this all connect to business? For some sectors, it’s obvious: the food and agriculture industry will have trouble feeding us without pollinators, and tourism takes a big hit without coral and other wildlife. But more broadly, society will not thrive in a world where entire pillars of planetary support are collapsing. And if society can’t thrive, neither can business.

The U.S. environmental protection system continues being dismantled … from within

The EPA and Department of Interior are reversing years of protections for air, water, and land. In 2018, the Trump administration has opened up offshore waters and rolled back safety rules for drilling, greatly weakened the voice of science in policy, reduced focus on children’s health, and moved to make it easier to build dirty coal plants.

The big question now is whether businesses will push back and go down a cleaner path on their own. It’s easy to see why multinationals might as they face pressure from sub-national regions — California Gov. Jerry Brown held a Global Climate Action Summit which produced many aggressive climate goals from cities and state, for example. Gov. Brown also signed aggressive new laws committing to carbon-free electricity statewide by 2045 and requiring solar on all new homes. So even if U.S. action sputters, governors and mayors who influence local and regional business conditions will be pushing the clean economy and pro-climate agendas.

In pointed contrast to the U.S., the EU backed a proposal to strike no new trade deals with countries not in the Paris climate accord (i.e., only the U.S.), France will shut coal plants by 2021, India just cancelled plans for big coal plants, and China banned 500 inefficient models of cars.

A prominent leader retires, but new leaders step up

For nearly a decade, no business leader has done more to bring sustainability into the business mainstream than Paul Polman, Unilever’s outgoing CEO (Full disclosure: I’ve worked with Unilever). His depth of understanding of our biggest global, social, and environmental challenges, and his commitment to use business as a way to tackle them, has been unparalleled. But it wasn’t just talk. The company also grew throughout Polman’s tenure and the stock outperformed peers and the FTSE index. Luckily, there are other corporate leaders who are stepping up, including Danone’s Emmanuel Faber (see below for more).

But climate isn’t the only area where we’re seeing bold stances. Societal issues more broadly made headlines, too. The New York Times declared 2018 year that “CEO activism has become the new normal,” with prominent voices like Salesforce’s Marc Benioff leading the way. Other notable moments include Nike making Colin Kaepernick — the man who led NFL player protests about police violence against African Americans — the face of its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign (sales rose quickly). Under pressure from survivors of school mass shootings, Dick’s Sporting Goods stopped selling assault weapons, and other companies cut ties to the powerful National Rifle Association. Kroger celebrated a year of its “End Hunger” initiative. Unilever threatened to pull its substantial ad dollars from Facebook and Google if they didn’t police “fake news and toxic content.” One hundred U.S. CEOs urged action on controversial immigration issues. And more than 100 U.S. companies gave employees time off to vote.

Danone North America becomes the world’s largest B Corporation

A “B Corp” certification requires answering an intensive set of questions on environmental, social, and governance issues. But most importantly, it commits a company to create value for all stakeholders (customers, employees, communities, and so on), not just shareholders.

French consumer products giant Danone has now put 30% of its brands and businesses through the certification process and says that “companies are fundamentally challenged as to whose interests they really serve.” Becoming a B Corp is arguably is a direct statement about whose interests it values most, and it’s and fascinating frontal attack on the dominance of shareholder capitalism.

More investors are viewing climate and sustainability as core value issues

Something is shifting in finance. Vanguard wants CEOs to be a force for good. Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, said that “70% of [UK] banks, who normally have a shorter horizon, are viewing climate as a financial risk—not a CSR one.” Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock, the world’s largest asset owner, encouraged longer-term thinking about environmental, social, and governance issues in a strongly-worded letter to large-company CEOs.

Anecdotally, I’ve talked to leaders at big banks who are now thinking differently about purpose and systemic risk. And in a quieter move, a major real estate investor in Miami began pulling money out of coastal assets to avoid risk of sea level rise. Watch this space.

The clean technology explosion continues and accelerates

Three big clean tech themes wowed me this year.

1) Renewables keep getting cheaper. According to Lazard’s annual analysis of the cost of building new power plants, renewables are now the cheapest. And another global analysis showed that new wind and solar are cheaper than one-third of the coal already on the grid — and will be cheaper than 96% of existing plants by 2030.

2) Corporate buying of clean energy keeps rising. By the end of just the first half of 2018, businesses bought more clean energy than they did in 2017. Companies like Owens Corning (disclosure: a client of mine) are buying enough green energy to pitch their products as cleanly manufactured (which they started doing in late 2017).

3) Electric vehicle sales are exploding, and it’s not just small vehicles: even container ships are going electric. UPS bought its first EV delivery vehicles at price parity to combustion engines, and China is adding nearly 10,000 electric buses to the roads — equal to the size of London’s entire bus fleet – every five weeks.

China rejects the world’s trash

For years, the U.S. had a great deal: When container ships arrived from China with goods, we sent them back filled with our recyclable paper and glass. But starting January 1, 2018, China stopped accepting our trash. The ripples of this move are unpredictable and still moving through the system, but in some regions, materials piled up and prices for recycled content plummeted. In a business world trying to go “circular” (i.e., find a use for everything and eliminate waste), it was a wake-up call about how much waste we still produce.

The battle against single-use plastic heats up, starting (somewhat oddly) with straws

Sometimes weird things hit a tipping point. For a combination of reasons, including a viral video showing a turtle with a straw stuck in its nose, companies waged war on straws this year. Marriott, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, and the city of Seattle, among others, all banned or are phasing out straws. It was a very small part of a larger conversation about “single-use plastics,” most notably plastic bags, which IKEA and Taiwan are banning as well.

Raising the bar for suppliers

The greening of the supply chain is a perennial story, but there are some noteworthy recent actions. Apple created a $300 million fund to help suppliers in China build more solar, and also partnered with Alcoa and Rio Tinto to develop a better smelting process to make carbon-free aluminum. On the labor side of the supply chain equation, PepsiCo and Nestle cut ties with a palm oil supplier over human rights abuses and Coca-Cola said it would work with the U.S. State Department to use blockchain to fight forced labor.

Meatless options grow plentiful

Given the way most cattle is currently raised, one of the most effective things an individual can do to reduce her carbon footprint is eat less meat. The options to do so are growing, and the rise of products made from non-animal proteins has been remarkable. The Impossible Burger, Beyond Meat, and other brands have made believers out of skeptics (they taste great) and are, as the Wall Street Journal put it, “overrunning grocery meat cases.” In another fascinating move, tech company WeWork went meat-free in its offices and even stopped reimbursing employees on business trips for meat meals.

What comes next…

I’m sure I missed many stories, especially globally (my view is from the U.S.). Predictions are hard, but I’m safe in assuming 2019 will be a bumpy ride again. Ultimately, today’s global political situation is, at best, unpredictable. Brazil now has a strongman-style leader who talks about cutting down the Amazon, but the U.S. just swung its House of Representatives back the other way, giving power to Democrats who want more focus on climate change, inequality, and other sustainability agenda items. No matter what happens politically, it seems clear that companies will continue to feel pressure, internally and externally, to do more on social and environmental issues. While the problems face we are extremely serious, I remain optimistic that companies will be doing more in 2019 than ever before.

[consulting-celiac-in-the-tardis]

31+ Healthy Junk Food Alternatives for the New Year

New blog post! Now that 2020 is here, I know a lot of people set goals for moving their body a little more and eating a healthier diet. And while I 100% believe that junk food can be part of a healthy diet (and have even written a post about why I’m healthier eating more processed foods), I did discover plenty of healthy junk food alternatives in 2019 that not only had less sugar, more veggies and protein or a little more nutrition than the typical treats...but also tasted freakin’ delicious. Some of the foods I’m including below have been mentioned in previous blog posts, but most were completely new to me last year, and are totally new for the blog too!

So whether you’re looking for healthy snack options or just want some ideas of delicious snacks to try in the New Year - that also happen to be a little more nutritious and 100% gluten free - keep reading to learn about 31+ healthy junk food alternatives.

Savory:

Crunchy Snacks:

The Real Coconut chips

If you’re looking for grain free or paleo chips that give tortilla chips a run for their money, look no further than these. These healthy chips are also vegan, and I love that these are thick and crunchy. As a bonus, all of the Real Coconut's products use easily digestible plants like coconut, plantain and cassava as their main ingredients.

Rhythm Superfoods vegetable chips 

Be warned - these vegetable chips are not everyone’s favorite, and people seem especially torn about the beet chips. However, if you want some crunch and to increase your vegetable intake at the same time, I think Rhythm Superfoods' veggie chips are an awesome choice.My top three favorites are the kale chips, carrot chips and beet chips (in any of the flavors). All of the healthy chips are not only gluten free, but also vegan and non-GMO. 

Beanfields chips

I’ve written about these gluten free and vegan snacks before, so I’ll just say they’re made partially with beans (yay extra protein, fiber and potassium) and addictively tasty.

Artisan Tropic chips

Artisan Tropic offers a variety of certified gluten free chips made out of cassava or plantain. They come in flavors like Barbecue and Jalapeño, but my favorites are the plain sea salt. These chips are also vegan and paleo, and have fewer calories and fat than the traditional potato chip. 

Saffron Road chickpeas

Saffron Road offers a variety of certified gluten free frozen meals and sweet chickpeas, but I also love their savory baked chickpeas, which come in flavors like Bombay spice, Chipotle, Korean BBQ and Sea Salt.

Green Mustache crackers

Biting into Green Mustache’s “Cheddarish Crackers,” you would never guess this healthy savory snack is gluten free and vegan. Green Mustache makes their “munchies” out of nutritious ingredients like chickpea flour and kale, and I love that they donate any unsellable crackers to local farmers for livestock.

Simply 7 Snacks chips

Like Artisan Tropic, Simply 7 Snacks sells certified gluten free chips with a range of different base ingredients, including chips made with quinoa and lentils. All their snacks are free of gluten, trans fat, preservatives and artificial colors and flavors. My favorite chips of theirs are the Original Quinoa Curls and Sea Salt Lentil.

Meals and Sides:

Real Good Foods' pizza  

As I've shared before on Instagram (the best place to see even more gluten free product reviews!), Real Good Food’s cauliflower crust pizza consistently blows me away. I don’t taste the cauliflower at all and I love that the pizzas are the perfect size for one meal. Their cauliflower pizzas are grain free, low carb and high protein. 

Right Rice

I definitely don’t think that you need to avoid or replace regular rice in order to “eat healthy.” However, if you are trying to increase the amount of protein in your diet, Right Rice is a tasty plant-based option. Right Rice actually made of lentils, chickpeas, peas and rice, but you can cook it just like you would at regular rice and serve it the same. It comes in many different flavors and my favorites are Original, Lemon Pepper, and Spanish. 

Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi

For months, I heard everyone and their mama rave about Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi, and the rave reviews were right on target. My favorite way to prepare the cauliflower gnocchi is defrosting it a bit in the microwave before finishing it off in the skillet. 

Mikey’s hot pockets

Ommmggg, y’all. Like I’ve shared before, I’m an ambassador for Mikey’s and while I love their grain free pizza crusts and English muffins, their gluten free hot pockets are something else. So far, I’ve tried (and loved) the Ham and Cheese, Cheese Pizza Pockets and Pepperoni Pizza flavors. This traditional junk food is given a bit of a nutritious upgrade by using plant based cheese and cassava flour. Besides being grain free, Mikey’s hot pockets are dairy and milk free, soy free and paleo friendly. 

Sweet:

Crunchy Sweets: 

Safe and Fair's kettle quinoa chips

If you like sweet and salty popcorn, this flavor of Safe and Fair kettle popcorn quinoa chips is sure to become a new favorite. They also feature quinoa for a boost in protein and are certified gluten free, as well as free of eggs, shellfish, fish, dairy, peanuts and treenuts.

Spudsy's sweet potato puffs

Sweet potato gets a sweet upgrade with these gluten free puffed chips. Made with a mix of sweet potato flour, rice flour, pea protein and other ingredients, their churro flavor seriously tastes like a delicious cinnamony fried treat.

Skinny Dipped Almonds

I can thank Skinny Dipped for making me absolutely obsessed with chocolate covered almonds. Their dark chocolate is my top pick, but strawberry and PB are delicious too. The almond base makes this sweet snack high in protein and fiber with just the right hint of chocolate. 

Dang Foods' coconut chips 

If you love dried fruit, Dang is another awesome company to know about. Their coconut chips come in many different flavors and the crunch is out of this world.

Bada Bean Snacks

You already know I love snacking on flavored chickpeas, but these roasted broad beans are equally delicious. These high-protein snacks are also high in fiber and relatively low in fat, and Bada Bean has many different sweet and savory flavors, but cocoa and cinnamon are my favorite. Bada Bean Snacks are also gluten free, soy free, non-GMO and vegan.

Foods Alive's Globe Trecker Trailmix 

As I've mentioned previously, I’m an ambassador for Foods Alive and one of my favorite products of theirs is this superfood trail mix. Can’t go wrong with crunchy peanuts and cacao nibs and chewy dried mulberries and goji berries. All gluten free, raw, non-GMO, organic and vegan.

Quinoa Munch

This healthy snack is made with quinoa and corn and not only tastes like a light, crunchy cross between popcorn and cereal but also offers some calcium, iron and protein. I prefer the chocolate flavor to passion fruit but both are tasty.

Bare Snacks' banana chips 

Bare Snacks sells gluten free dried chips made from bananas, strawberries, coconut, apples, sweet potato and many other Whole Foods. Their dried banana chips are one of my favorite healthy snacks before bed.

Candy and Cakes:

Free2B's Dark Chocolate Sun Cups

Now, these sunflower butter cups certainly aren’t “health food.” However, compared to a traditional Reese’s peanut butter cup, Free2B’s is a bit lower in sugar, avoids the top 12 allergens, uses Fair Trade dark chocolate and tastes just as delicious. Free2B also sells different chocolate bark (called “Snack Breaks”) that are also made with high quality, allergen-free ingredients and addictively tasty.

Alter Eco's Coconut Clusters 

This healthy chocolate snack only lasts a few days at my house...and I live alone. There is just something so irresistible about a chocolatey treat that also has the crunch of toasted coconut shreds. Besides being certified gluten free, Alter Eco’s Coconut Clusters are free of soy, artificial flavors and emulsifiers, and only have 5 grams of sugar per serving.

Project 7’s Gourmet Chewies

I’ve never been a huge Skittles person, but I do love having a few of Project 7 Gouet Chewies with my night snack. These are chewy candies with a slightly crunchy exterior that are made with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. They’re also gluten free (of course), non-GMO, organic and made in the US.

Nibmor

I’ve stumbled upon tons of delicious, healthier chocolate brands over the years (if you want me to write a round up of just those, let me know in the comments!), but Nib Mor is the brand that can now always be found in my parents’ pantry. Their chocolate is certified gluten free and vegan, organic, non-GMO and Rainforest Alliance certified. My Mom’s go-to buy is the Extreme Dark Chocolate, which is 80% cacao and features crunchy cacao nibs for extra antioxidants.

Rule Breaker Snacks

Who knew that gluten free brownies and blondies made with chickpeas could taste so good!?! Rule Breaker Snacks’ desserts are also vegan and nut free, and come in several flavors. My top two choices are the Birthday Cake Blondies and Deep Chocolate Brownies, and I appreciate how big the chocolate chunks always are.

Veggies Made Great

It is seriously amazing that the gluten free muffins from Veggies Made Great have vegetables as the two first ingredients. You don’t taste the carrots or zucchini at all, and these muffins (particularly the double chocolate and banana chocolate chip flavors) are especially delicious popped into the microwave for a few seconds. These veggie-packed muffins do contain eggs but are free of gluten, soy, peanuts and tree nuts.

Julie's Real Carmel Vanilla Blondie Mix

I couldn't resist sharing an amazing product from another company I love and serve as an ambassador for: Julies Real. They only recently released their paleo blondie and brownie mixes, and they are seriously some of the tastiest gluten free baking mixes I’ve ever tried. Plus, the mixes are certified gluten free, non-GMO, organic, paleo and free of dairy, soy, peanuts, cane sugar, flavorings and extracts. The instructions on the back of the baking mixes do call for an egg and a good amount of nut butter, but I’ve made these baking mixes vegan and lower fat as well by instead using one ripe banana, one vegan egg replacement from Bob Red Mill and only 1/4 cup of nut butter.

Soozy’s Grain Free Muffins

This was one of my last finds in 2019, and these paleo muffins seriously blew my mind. They are made of all-natural, unprocessed ingredients like cage-free whole eggs, almond and coconut flour and extra virgin coconut oil. Plus, Soozy’s Muffins are certified gluten free and free from grains, soy, dairy, GMOs, fillers and additives. I’ve tried the Double Chocolate and Wild Blueberry flavors and both were insanely soft, moist and loaded with flavor. They reminded me a lot of the fancy coffee shop muffins I enjoyed before celiac disease!

Ice Cream and Cold Desserts: 

Wink Frozen Desserts

Since my last dairy free ice cream round up, I hadn’t tried Wink Desserts yet, and they definitely deserve a mention. This vegan, low sugar and low calorie ice cream alternative is def not a good option if you don’t enjoy artificial sweeteners, since you definitely taste them with Wink. However, I still really enjoyed all the flavors of Wink I got to try - especially Dark Chocolate, Vanilla Bean and Salted Caramel - and the texture of the ice cream got super creamy when given time to thaw.

The Worthy Company's Blendie Bowls 

This isn’t a frozen dessert per se, but the Worthy Company's Blendie Bowls are some of the tastiest veggie-packed puddings I’ve ever tried. Each blendie bowl is packed with two servings of veggies, eight grams of vegan protein and fiber and only eight grams of sugar. You’d never guess that there are legumes one this thick pudding, and while I enjoyed eating it chilled on its own, it also makes a BOMB healthy frosting.

Vixen Kitchen

On the note of frozen desserts, I wanted to mention Vixen Kitchen’s paleo and vegan gelato. It’s sweetened with maple syrup as well as being organic, and I ended up loving the Midnight Mint flavor, as well as Naked Vanilla. This isn’t my favorite vegan or paleo ice cream that I’ve ever tried, but it’s a pretty tasty option if you’re looking for a frozen dessert with more wholesome ingredients.

Eat Fronen

Last but not least - I talk about making banana ice cream all the time, but Eat Fronen takes banana ice cream to the new level. This dairy free frozen dessert comes in five different flavors that are made mainly of bananas, along with four or fewer other ingredients.  Madagascar Vanilla and Strawberry were my two surprise favorites. I really wish I could make my own banana ice cream half this thick and creamy!

What I Hope You Learn about "Healthy Eating" in 2020

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I do not think that people need to avoid traditional junk food or comfort food in order to be healthy. Personally, I lovvvve digging into a decadent full-fat, high-sugar cookie when I’m craving one...but I also love eating it with a veggie-packed pudding or using super dark chocolate while baking. That’s my definition of balance, and I hope that 2020 - and maybe even this list of yummy recommendations - will help you find yours.

In fact, my biggest hope for and goal of this post is to expose people to brands that might make it a lil’ easier to eat more vegetables and protein or less sugar. And if you are starting a new lifestyle like paleo or vegan, or need to avoid allergens like gluten, dairy, soy or nuts, this list should give you more ideas on what food options are really available for you, too. So whether eating a bit healthier is a goal you want to set in the new year or you just scrolled for the foodporn, I hope you’re taking away whatever tidbits of information will help you craft an even yummier new year! Have you heard of or tried any of these products before? Which are your favorites...or which do you want to try first?

via Blogger https://ift.tt/2FdeuaQ

[carrotlunch07-blog]

Yogurt and Oats for Breakfast

Yogurt is a super versatile ingredient or dish in itself. This recipe for yogurt and oats contains all kinds of extra goodies to help you start the day right.

You love yogurt. It’s a health food, isn’t it? It’s even what they call a super food. But, is it really all it’s cracked up to be, or are there some things you should take into consideration when you choose yogurt to enjoy at home?

Yogurt has long been considered a healthy food to enjoy on a regular basis. Not only is it high in protein and important nutrients, but it also can aid digestion, boost your immunities, protect against osteoporosis, and promote heart health and a healthy weight.

However, for years yogurt companies have stuffed their yogurts with sugar and additives making it a little less impressive as a healthy food. The junk they put in can detract from some of yogurt’s innate benefits.

So, how can you enjoy yogurt without all the bad stuff? 

Buy or make it plain and dress it up yourself.

Yogurt: Health food or junk food?

As you know, over the last few years I’ve been doing some serious food reading. Not about cooking per se, but about nutrition, portion control, eating habits, our food sources, government regulations on food, and the way marketers try to get us to buy stuff. It has been an education to be sure.

Some of the books that have had a tremendous impact in how I think about food include:

It’s through the reading of these books that I’ve made slow shifts in how I shop and cook and in how my family eats. We’re not as “crunchy” as they come, but we don’t eat exclusively out of a box, either.

Slowly but surely, I’m making changes to improve my family’s diet without busting our budget. I cook more from scratch, and we try to avoid chemicals, artificial ingredients, processed sugars, and unfermented soy. I am working on making healthy eating easier over all.

One of the new wrinkles in this healthier eating paradigm, has been to examine the yogurt we eat.

Yogurt has always been one of my very favorite breakfast foods. In my non-pregnant and nursing years, I haven’t really been a milk-drinker, so yogurt and cheese help me keep up on my calcium.

Years ago I was a diehard Yoplait or La Creme fan. Coupons and sales were plentiful for those items so I could keep the refrigerator stocked to the brim, buying as many as 60 cartons at a time. I thought that I was buying “health food.”

It was only later when I started to reduce our intake of processed sugars and processed foods in general that I found out how SWEET these yogurts actually were. Plus, often they had all kinds of ingredients I couldn’t pronounce.

How to switch to plain yogurt

So, I made some changes. I started buying large 32-ounce cartons of plain, or sometimes vanilla, yogurt, preferably Cascade,  Mountain High, or Fage brands.

Not all my kids liked that change. But most of them have gone along with it, especially when honey or maple syrup is drizzled over the top. Occasionally I buy Trader Joe’s vanilla and blueberry cups, but not often.

If you or yours are slow to be won over to plain yogurt, consider one or more of the following toppings for plain yogurt:

maple syrup

honey

jam

fruit syrup

fresh fruit

granola or nuts

It may take some time, but you’ll be a convert before too long.

Uses for plain yogurt.

Plain yogurt is an incredibly versatile ingredient to keep on hand.

It’s great to use in baking instead of buttermilk. Just mix half yogurt and half milk as your buttermilk substitute.

Use it as a thickener in smoothies.

Mix it with whipped cream to reduce the fat and increase the protein in your favorite sweet topping.

Substitute it for sour cream in recipes to give an equivalent tang without all the fat.

Can you make yogurt at home?

Believe it or not, it’s incredibly easy to make yogurt at home! A few years ago I experimented with making yogurt myself. One night I tested two different methods:

I also read about the microwave/oven and cooler methods, but decided to go with these first two methods. The next morning I compared the yogurts I had made. They were like Laurel and Hardy, one was thick, the other thin.

The slow cooker method was good, but thin like buttermilk. Folks suggested that I strain the yogurt to thicken it, but it was so thin, the yogurt went right through the sieve. I used some in baking and churned the rest into frozen yogurt.

The yogurt incubated on the heating pad was thick and creamy. Since we like THICK yogurt, you can guess that I’m a fan of the heating pad method.

Try them both out and see for yourself which you prefer. I originally tested with whole milk, but have since made homemade yogurt with nonfat milk and it turned out fine and thick, albeit a little on the tart side in comparison.

My preferred method for making homemade yogurt is to combine 1 quart milk, 1/4 cup powdered milk, 2 tablespoons yogurt with live cultures, and to incubate it for 5 hours according to the heating pad method.

Enjoy Yogurt and Oats for Breakfast.

As a born Francophile, I’ve loved reading The French Women series by Mireille Guiliano and have been encouraged by many of the suggestions she has to offer for life, work, and good eats.

One of those habits that I’ve adapted for my own is what Ms. Guiliano calls “Magical Breakfast Cream”. I can’t vouch for its magical properties, but I know that I like it, at least how I tweaked it.

I’ve made some significant changes to her recipe. Her recipe calls for shredded wheat cereal instead of oats, flax seed oil instead of meal, and orange instead of lime, as well as the addition of ground nuts. My tweaks are thanks to what I normally stock in my pantry.

This variation has become my daily breakfast, packed with protein and filling enough to get me through the morning.

Yogurt is a super versatile ingredient or dish in itself. This recipe for yogurt and oats contains all kinds of extra goodies to help you start the day right.

Cuisine: American, French

Keyword: oatmeal, oats, yogurt, yogurt and oats

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

2 tablespoons rolled oats not cooked

1 tablespoon chopped roasted almonds

1 teaspoon flax seed meal

the juice and pulp of half a lime

1 teaspoon honey

In a small bowl, layer the ingredients in the order listed. Stir or not, depending on how you like it.

Level up your meal planning and prep.

Need a little extra motivation to get on your meal planning game? Want to make lunch packing less of a drag? Creating a kitchen survival kit to help you WIN in the kitchen this school year.

I’d love for you to join me for the next Mom’s Kitchen Survival Workshop!

Together, we’ll create a plan to help you get dinner on the table every night, fill your freezer with wholesome snacks and breakfasts, finesse your lunch-packing skills, and even make sure you get a daily dose of MOM food.

Learn more here so that when registration opens, you won’t miss out.

Source: https://goodcheapeats.com/2018/09/morning-yogurt-and-oats/