#super simple and an easy way to get some nutrients

[amethystsoda]

Aldi’s chickpea penne is actually so good 😋😋 (lots of protein in there too!)

[ms-demeanor]

Okay THANK YOU for saying “your body craves what it needs” is bs because that felt like bs this whole time.

Like you don’t need more sugar if you crave sweets that is NOT what that means. Sugar is a food that people crave because it tastes good/sugar I think is an addictive food??

Idk it just felt like people making excuses when they’re supposed to be trying to eat a little healthier (healthier, not low cal, not low fat or keto or whatever. Diets are bs but craving sweets does not mean sugar is healthy thing for your body rn)

People crave sugar because it tastes good, which is not a bad thing, and there is an evolutionary reason that sugar and fat taste good to us. Carbs are your body's favorite thing because it is SUPER easy for your body to break them down into useful molecules.

I'm not a fan of the idea that any foods are addictive and I'm skeptical of models that suggest "refined food addiction" is a thing with a measurable, real-world impact; there's a lot of debate in that area of nutrition science and to me it kind of seems like the tools people use to track food addiction aren't really examining the addictiveness of specific foods, but are decent screening tools for people who have compulsive behaviors around food (for instance, one group of people who the Yale Food Addiction Scale has repeatedly been demonstrated to be REALLY good at identifying is people with anorexia).

But your body needs sugar all the time, whether that's in the form of complex carbohydrates that get broken down into simple sugars by your body, or simple sugars that you stir into your tea that then gets sent to your cells as energy. If your diet doesn't have enough sugar in it, your body has a processes to turn non-sugars into sugar so that it can use the sugar (gluconeogenesis!). Sugar is unambiguously good for you in the way that fat is unambiguously good for you. You need sugar to survive and it's not a bad thing if you want to have a cookie or a soda or some candy, and again - your craving probably isn't telling you that you're deficient in a specific micro or macronutrient, but I still think that you should listen to your craving.

Like, I don't know how much you know about psychotherapy but the attitude that a lot of diet-focused discussion takes toward cravings reminds me of cognitive behavioral therapy. "When you crave chocolate, no you don't! Don't think about the chocolate, you actually probably need starch or sugar or something, let's redirect that into having a banana, or some frozen berries, or some spinach. Point away from the unhealthy craving and into the healthy replacement, or, better yet, ignore the craving. Mind over matter. You choose how you act."

(I actually think "X craving means that I want Y food so I shall replace it with Z, which is similar" "craving salt means that I am dehydrated and need electrolytes so instead of potato chips I'll have some soup" is how this goes most of the time. I think this is a diet culture thing, not a food positivity thing.)

And you know what I think that's a garbage way to look at both food and emotions.

When I'm craving ice cream it's not because I've been mostly vegetarian for a week and am low on dietary cholesterol (AN IMPORTANT NUTRIENT. Don't be scared of consuming some cholesterol), I'm craving ice cream because sugar and fat taste good. So instead of trying to pretend that I'm getting "what I need" from a piece of salmon the size of a deck of cards with no salt and some lemon squeezed on top, I'm going to scoop out a moderate portion of ice cream and eat it while focusing on how much I enjoy it. And I'm going to do that instead of sitting down with a pint and a spoon while I'm stressed at work and eating something that tastes good to distract from the fact that work is stressful. (And sometimes it's fine to sit down with a pint and a spoon but I will say that's generally best not to do while you're in the middle of something stressful)

And if you want to relate that back to therapy I see this as more of the DBT approach. I've accepted that I want ice cream so I'm going to eat it in an intentional way and enjoy it instead of eating so much that I don't want dinner, or that it makes me feel sick, or that I eat it without noticing it because I'm using it as a distraction instead of a snack.

I'm not trying to shut down the negative emotion or shun the "bad" food, I'm accepting that I have that emotion and I'm working this neutral food into my day so that I'll feel good tomorrow and won't get heartburn overnight.

So I see that you're trying to be kind of anti diet culture here, but I don't think people need excuses to eat sugar, and I actually think that making excuses to eat it is significantly less healthy than just eating the sugar (which, again, is unambiguously healthy to eat as part of a varied, filling, nutritious diet). It seems like you may have internalized some ideas about sugar that are not great even if you are trying to separate from diet culture.

Nobody is ever going to eat a diet so healthy and nutritionally complete that they don't want candy or cake or cookies sometimes. Food is not only fuel, it is entertainment and culture and comfort and distraction and celebration and a million other things, but it is not bad. I don't think there's a single universally bad food out there, or any food that never belongs as part of someone's diet (unless it's something you're allergic to - I don't care if you're craving peanuts, do not eat peanuts if you have a peanut allergy).

So it's okay to make sugar, you don't need to make excuses. It's okay to eat sugar if you're craving sugar, even if that's not what your body "needs". But also sometimes a craving is your body saying "I'm hungry and this sounds good, please feed me" even if you're not a finely-tuned spectrometer that's craving blueberries pie because you actually need antioxidants from the blueberries (you're not a finely tuned spectrometer, you don't need the antioxidants from the blueberries, it's perfectly fine to just eat a slice of pie).

[balkanradfem]

How to make gardening easy

If you've grown up watching people garden, it's likely you've seen them working around with a big hoe, digging the soil, tilling it, constantly at the war with the weeds. This is traditionally how people garden, because of simple fact that no matter where you plant something, there's going to be native wild plants growing around it, likely suffocating it, unless you do something about it. So people traditionally, have had to fight a lot of weeds, so their garden plants could have all of the space, nutrients, water and sunlight to grow.

Due to this natural issue, that makes the planet a living space for us, the first problem you hit when you're starting a new garden, is a bed of weeds that need to be dealt with. There's grass, there's dandelions, maybe some tall native plants, and you're standing there sighing, thinking of how to convert this into a garden-friendly space. And the first human instinct is to get the space tilled and leveled. But that's difficult. Here's how you can do it without as much effort, by being super smart.

The smart thing is to start early. If you look at your intended garden space 4-6 months early, and you know you're going to have to deal with all these native plants, you can instead, prevent them from growing, by blocking the sunlight from them, and then letting the time take care of it. This is done by several different ways, but all of the include covering the ground with something that won't let sunlight get trough. The most common way is to get a bunch of cardboard (ideally without print), lay them out over your gardening space, put some rocks or weighty stuff over them, so they don't get blown away, and then you can walk away, get back in 4-6 months, remove them, and fresh and ready soil will be waiting for you. All that plant matter will die without sunlight, some of it will get eaten by bugs and turned into fertilizer for you, and you did maybe 1/20 of the work and invested some old cardboard.

If you don't have/like cardboard, this can also be done with a big tarp! A third way to do this, maybe not 100% efficient, is to cover the ground with mulch instead. This is what I do. I bring bags of dried leaves to the garden, spread them across the beds and cover them this way. It doesn't need to be leaves, you can cover the ground with straw, hay, dried grass, wood chips, pine needles, any organic matter. It's not completely efficient, because this organic matter will fall apart and turn into soil itself, so it might not give you a perfect coverage, and some plants might just grow in that instead, but! This method also makes sure your soil is already somewhat fertilized, and your plants will absolutely love all of the degraded organic matter; it will bring in bugs, it will bring in worms, it will bring life to the soil, your garden will be rich in life.

Now, let's say you've done it, you've gotten your empty garden bed, and you're about to plant in It, do you need to work the soil still? I would say no. Gardeners love to work the soil until it's in tiny little pieces, so the new plants have an easier time pushing the roots trough it, so it's easier to work with. And yeah the worked soil is lighter, fluffier, more filled with air pockets, which new plants do like! But what happens next is, the rain falls, the soil absorbs a lot of moisture, and then condenses and turns into that same hard airless dense matter that it was in the start. Digging the soil can only make it lighter and more filled with air, temporarily. That's why gardeners need to do it often!

Worked soil, especially rich in clay, will also get a very dry top surface, which can get rough and fill with cracks, making it look desert-like. Plants do not love this, and gardeners often have to work the soil just to break that cracked surface and get their plants some air. Soil that is dry and dense will also struggle to absorb a decent amount of water, so rainfall won't give it as much goodness as it could. So, what can you do instead, to make the soil palatable to your plants, and not susceptible to being dried  up and dense and difficult for your plants? You can again, add organic matter on top.

If you're sowing your seeds directly, it's good to wait for your plants to grow a little, so they don't have to fight the mulch, but as soon as your plants are taller than a few inches, you are encouraged to cover the ground around them with any organic matter. What this will do is 1. Stop the surface of the soil from drying out, keep it very pleasant, soft and damp for the plant 2. Stop additional weeds from growing, save you from tons of weeding, 3. Protect your soil from erosion and 4. Fertilize your plants.

Soil erosion is a common problem in agriculture, where dried-up top of the soil is eroded by the wind, and ultimately turned into sand, which in a monocrop situation, can turn the entire area into a desert unless there's frequent rain. Now I'm not suggesting you could ever, by growing your little garden, create a desert area – you will not. But keeping your soil safe from both sun and wind will make sure it doesn't lose nutrients, water, and it's own structure, you're keeping it safe! And adding even more richness to it by letting the mulch slowly fall apart on top of it. Whenever it rains, the rainwater will fall into your mulch, take in nutrients from the parts that have composted, and then carry it down to your plant's roots. Your plants will get to eat new food every time it rains.

Generally once my plants outgrow all possible weeds and are not longer in the danger of being suffocated, I forget about weeds and just let them grow, they're not threat to me anymore, and having lots of greenery in times of drought is good for both the plants, and the little critters in your garden. Oh I forgot to tell you about the critters! One thing your garden needs is airy soil, filled with little holes and passages, that gardeners usually make manually with their tools. But what you're doing is luring thousands of little worms, bugs, critters and underground creatures, by all that rich mulch they love eating, so they dig the ground for you. They make holes and passages and air flows through them, making the soil light and fluffy. I've found that keeping the ground covered with mulch during the winter creates the entire different quality of soil than the one that isn't covered; the soil that was covered is so light and easy to work with, you can plant using just your fingers.

Having the quality of your soil improve to the point where you can work it with fingers, will usually happen after 3 years of gardening like this! In the meantime, you might need some tool just to get the seeds underground; I've been using a single spoon to plant everything in the garden. It's the smallest, and thus least-disruptive to the soil type of tool. We want all of the creatures in there to feel safe and undisturbed.

Even though I wrote all this pretending like I can totally garden like a smart person, in the reality I absolutely will completely ignore some parts of my garden all winter, check on it in the spring when it's super weedy, pull the weeds out by hand, and only then mulch and plant, laughing at myself for letting the soil quality go bad – but it still works. As long as I add mulch at some point in time, the garden succeeds. So if you're right now, in the height of spring, considering planting some beans – but you haven't done the whole '6 months earlier' procedure, no worry. I didn't either. I pulled out some weeds and planted beans today with a spoon, I'm gonna add mulch when they come out, and I'm still 100% certain they'll be fine, as long as there's rain. So many of our efforts cannot compare to even one single rainfall.

[the---hermit]

I have not kept it a secret that this semester commuting has been really rough on me. By the time I get home in the middle of the afternoon even if I only had to sit in a hour and a half lecture I feel like an overcooked noodle. And the mornings aren't any easier, my anxiety has been spiking a lot lately, and that messes me up completly, and it's particularly hard on my stomach. Let's just say it's a very demanding period of my life both physically and emotionally and I have been doing my best to get through it with ups and downs, but most importantly by trying to properly take care of myself. I decided to compile a list of small things that have been helping me, both for future reference as well as for people who might be dealing with similar issues.

Prep everything I can the night before. I don't leave the house until more or less mid morning since my class is on lunch time more or less (and this will come up again), so I do have time to do stuff in the morning, but if I have already put everything I need in my backpack, picked an outfit for the day and checked that I have my bus ticket the night before I can have a much calmer morning. Having a calm morning is fundamental for me on any day, so especially when I have a stressful and energy demanding day ahead I want to make sure I don't have to rush, and here is my second point.

Try to have a morning as calm as possible before I have to leave. I am a morning person so I wake up quite early which means I have plenty of time to take it easy. And this means drink my tea as I read my book, prep the last few things I need, like my waterbottle, eat (on which I'll have a later point). Overall my morning before leaving needs to be slow and mostly made of things for myself so again my precious reading time, listening tocmusic as I get ready to get in a better mood and so on.

Taking my meds regularly. It's the logical thing to do, if I am in a period in which my anxiety is worse than usual the number one goal is to be consistent with meds, they are there to help me even if sometimes I forget that.

Finding ways to enjoy food when anxiety fucks up my stomach. What happens is that as soon as I have an anxiety spike for some reason I get very nauseous, which is terribly by itself and it gets worse when it makes me struggle to enjoy my food. But I found a couple of ways to work around that in the past few weeks. Eating when I am away from home is much worse so what I do is embrace the little hobbit in me and have more meals when I am at home, and just bring some snacks on the road if I need them. That means I have two breakfasts before I have to leave the house, the last being a bit more filling. And then when I get home no matter how tired I am or what time it is I cook something for myself, something simple, but I take the time to make something good that fills me up and makes me happy. Because having a full stomach does improve your mood belove me. When I am on the road I bring some lighter snacks that can help me if I feel like I need to have something but that will also work well if I have a spike in anxiety and correlated nausea. I usually eat some homemade bread while I walk from the bus stop to my uni, and then snack on some nuts while I wait for the lecture. And I always have an emergency sweet treat in my backpack because that is something that I actually do on a regular basis. This thing has been working very well, I have had less problems with my stomach acting up, and I am definitely getting all the nutrients I need during the day, just at times that are a bit different from my normal routine.

Bring tea with me. It's something I never did before but it's becoming the one thing I won't give up. I either make a green tea or an herbal tea that I drink before the lecture, and it's been so good for me both physically and mentally. It's been super cold so the warm treat is really needed, but most importantly it's been very comforting and calming, so shutout to my dad for suggesting that.

Having little things to look out for during the commute. This mostly consists of me listing to podcasts, and re:dracula has been of great company in my commutes last year so it's nice it's become a bit of a tradition. It's just good for me not to associate commuting with negative things, so now I just percieve it as poscast time which makes it much much better. This also includes texing friends when I feel like I can look at the screen of my phone without getting car sick (again when anxiety messes me up I can get random car sickness), that's good to keep my mind off things and make the commute feel lighter.

Total relax when I get home. Which sometimes means lying in bed with a cup of tea and nothing more. If I have enough brain power I might read a comic, or play stupid midless games on my tablet for a bit. Honestly just things that need as little energy and brainpower as possible because by that time I do not have much energy or brainpower left, and it's okay. I normally use up a lot of energy when going out and it this period of time all tasks require I use even more energy. I can't do much about it other than accept it and do my best to tke care of myself.

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

𝑭𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑳 𝑾𝑶𝑴𝑨𝑵 ║ Chapter 8 - The Cicada's Song

| FERAL WOMAN | series masterlist | main masterlist | | PAIRING(s): Joel Miller x fem!OC

| RATING: explicit material | 18+ | WORD COUNT: 8k | CHAPTER WARNINGS: idk if I'm being overly sensitive bc this chapter was very difficult for me to write, but I just want to put out a heads up for SA/DV victims+survivors to read with care bc it's a very heavy chapter that touches on the emotional+mental work of recovery, which can be super super super draining and upsetting if you get caught off guard by the subject

| CHAPTER SUMMARY: You embrace the new you and are eager to see if a certain someone does the same.

║ＰＲＥＶＩＯＵＳ ║⋄── •✧• ──⋄║ ＮＥＸＴ ║

Please read with caution if you have difficulties with works concerning: SA, physical violence, torture, captivity, trauma, and similar topics as they are discussed throughout the series. All highly sensitive portions WILL BE MARKED with my sensitive material banner if you wish to skip the more challenging portions. The sensitive material banner looks like this:

✧⋄⋆•✧⋄⋄⋆⋅⋆✧•✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆•⋆⋄── •✧• ──⋄⋆•⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧•✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧•⋆⋄ ✧ “…𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚎𝚝, 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝙸’𝚍 𝚍𝚒𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚕𝚢 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.” — Sɪʟᴠɪᴀ Mᴏʀᴇɴᴏ-Gᴀʀᴄɪᴀ ✧⋄⋆•✧⋄⋄⋆⋅⋆✧•✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆•⋆⋄── •✧• ──⋄⋆•⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧•✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧•⋆⋄ ✧

You lay out the simple black and white floral skirt against your neatly made bed. You’re not really sure if it’s your style, but you aren’t even sure you have one, anyway. Jeans and plain tops had been the path of least resistance when you first came to Jackson, and they were certainly the most abundant in offerings at the supply and exchange clothing hub. It was the logical, easy choice, and you hadn’t given clothing much thought at the time or since then.

In fact, you hadn’t done much thinking in general about your outward appearance - not until Joel reworked the branding mark Sam had inflicted upon you. No longer a permanent reminder of your past, the configuration of healing skin on your left hip was a fresh start. The crude but distinguishable rendering of a blooming flower that Joel had beautifully interlaced to the existing scarring was the perfect representation of how you were starting to feel: coming up from the dark, damp earth, spreading your roots to seek out sustenance and nutrients so that you might find a way to break through and sprout into the sunlight.

You have been following every bit of instruction Joel had given you in how to care for it so it would heal appropriately. You were still waiting for it to scab over, and one of the main things to help reduce irritation and prevent infection until it got there was to avoid as much friction as possible. Your underwear and jeans were just about the last things that would help avoid this issue, so it wasn’t too hard of a decision to use a few ration slips for a high waisted skirt with a waistband that was well above the area in question and a cotton dress that had no waistband at all.

Joel had picked up several extra patrol shifts, outside of your usual hours at the station, so you hadn’t seen him in a few days. It felt like years. It was so strange to you how you hadn’t known him very long at all in the scheme of things, but it was hard to think of what it was like before him. He was such a solid presence and support in your life that it felt wrong that he hadn’t been in your life all along.

You suppose in a way he has been a part of your life all along, this new one, anyway. You’d met him just after arriving, and he’d hollowed out a cavern in your chest and settled there pretty much immediately. He didn’t mind the broken bits there, the withdrawn and scared pieces of your inner workings. He’d embraced them and crept into your bones as if it wasn’t repelling to him at all. As if you yourself weren’t some ghastly, unpleasant thing to know.

And now you felt like you carried a piece of him with you wherever you went. A little  memento of him with you at all times. A physical representation of not only the support he’s given you, but all the people in your life now. Helping you grow. Helping you feel safe. Helping you find yourself again. You no longer bear the mark of your gut-churning past. In its place is a blooming world and a blossoming promise of the future. In your mind, there’s nothing more fitting.

You smile, lost in thought at all the beautiful souls who have come together to give you this chance at happiness. You pick out a faded grey t-shirt to go with the black and white skirt. You pull Tommy’s jacket from your closet and set it alongside the rest of your outfit. You feel a peaceful haze settle over you as you look down at your ensemble. You really need to see Tommy and Maria soon. Maybe you’d even work up the nerve sometime to finally hold Gwen.

You make your way to the bathroom and strip down. The water runs hot as you slip inside, careful to keep your left hip as dry as possible until it can scab over completely. You rake some shampoo through your disheveled locks and try to work through some oil and honey combination Susan put together for you. It had worked better than anything else to help condition your hair, but it was still a brittle, unsalvageable mess. You worked it through for several minutes, letting it sit for even longer while you washed your body, and rinsed yourself off.

You sweep your pitiful hair into a towel and carefully dry your skin. You smile yet again down at your hip as you work the drying fabric around your marking. Your cheeks would start hurting soon if you kept it up. You can’t help but think of Joel whenever you look at it, and that alone is enough to make your whole face burst with that happy, goofy expression that was becoming more and more of a staple for you. 

He makes you smile, and there wasn’t much use in trying to fight that.

You finish toweling off and pause when you see the nearly full container of beeswax and goat’s milk emollient that Susan had also prepared. You’d barely touched it except for a few times when she’d asked if it smelled okay and didn’t irritate your skin. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, you made sure to slather it across yourself without much thought just so you could honestly tell her you’d used it.

You still for a short time to focus on your body and how it feels right at this moment. It was a newer development for you, this repaired circuitry and symbiotic understanding between your mind and your body, and you were still getting used to it. All these months later, and you continue to discover new challenges and growing pains. Except it didn’t frighten you so much as it had before. There was an almost giddy anticipation to it now, testing the waters and taking your new self out for a joyride. Cautiously, of course.

You feel the air pull in and balloon your lungs. Your muscles feel loosened from the warm water in the shower. Spots here and there along your skin felt damp where you hadn’t run the towel against it for long enough. Your hips and lower back feel a bit tight, probably from the limited options for sleep positions while your hip was healing. Your legs feel stronger than they ever have. Maybe you even have some actual muscle filling out your frame there? Your right hand is notably stiff but not inflexible as it had been for the past couple of weeks. It was nearly back to normal, just like Joel had assured you it would be.

Your inventory of sensations draws your attention to the fact that your skin feels incredibly dry. It’s even a bit itchy in certain places, like your elbows and legs. You eye the container of white lotion for a moment before unscrewing the lid and scooping some out. Unlike before, you take your time in applying it, paying special attention to the more parched bits of flesh. Your left hand feels firm and smooth as it makes massaging passes along your body. Your right hand isn’t quite as pliable and dexterous, but it feels nice to use the muscles and tendons there anyway.

Your skin greedily drinks up the moisture, and by the time you finish rubbing it in you feel like an invisible, warm covering has enveloped you. It feels nice, and it’s not too overwhelming in the amount of nice it brings. 

You are struck by a sentiment of what you think might just be pride. Proud for giving this to yourself. Proud because you, right here and now, are taking care of your body. Listening to what it needs and then finding a way to give it to yourself. You even have a sense that you are deserving of this in some way. That you deserve to have a body that's looked after and cared for. That you have a right and a responsibility to do so because that is what someone who loves themselves does. 

You deserve nice things. You are capable of treating both your mind and your body with kindness alike. It’s okay to be gracious with yourself and let others care for you in turn.

You glance up and take in your full body in the mirror. Unlike before, you don’t turn away. Your smile is profound and authentic. It reaches your eyes. No longer flat and empty, your eyes hold life and energy in them now. 

Tears start to well up when you look into the mirror and see yourself looking back for the first time in a very long time. You knew you were in there, deep down inside. And there you were, staring back at yourself - and with affection, no less. Finally. Finally.

With newfound interest and desire to see yourself instead of hiding away, you study the woman in the mirror. Your frame has filled out and softened, the harsh lines of starvation fading into supple flesh. You’re not hunched over, although you do straighten to stand a bit taller as you examine your reflection. You almost look like someone who’s confident. You hug your body, not to conceal it from view, but to show it a small gesture of love - something it has been yearning for but denied for so long.

You sniff and laugh a little at the unexpected joy of it all. You nervously giggle a bit when you look at the heap of a towel sliding off your crown. You may have found an appreciation for yourself, but you still don’t like the mess that’s on top of your head. You want to see all of you, though, so you release your hair from the drooping towel and watch as frayed locks tumble over your shoulders. It looks awful. More glaringly, it is a reminder of your past that you are no longer inclined to let hold you back.

You twist a few strands between your fingers and decide right then and there you will pay Maria a visit to see if she can help you out.

The silver glint of the scissors flashes in your periphery. The crisp snip snip snip noises are a comfort and an agitator all the same. The bunches of hair falling to the ground is the final shedding of your past self. You try to sit still while Maria cuts your hair, but the excitement of all this makes you want to leap out of your chair.

“Thanks again for doing this, Maria. You have no idea how much this means to me,” you extol in earnest. “I know there’s people around town that are trained or whatever to cut hair, but Ellie said you’d cut hers once before and–”

“It’s alright. I don’t mind at all,” she replies in that calm, assured tone she always has. “I know sometimes a big change with hair is best done with someone you’re more comfortable with.”

“Yeah,” you agree. “Definitely more comfortable with you holding sharp scissors so close to my face.”

You give a nervous laugh and shift awkwardly in your seat. You hadn’t quite found the balance between keeping conversation light while also not editing every single thought so that it’s more palatable for others. That meant being more open about your past experiences and the impact they’ve had on you, and it still remains a massive undertaking.

“Understandable.” It’s a succinct response, but it holds all the compassion and insight necessary. You appreciate how those you’ve brought some of your walls down for have been considerate of your inept social skills at times.

“That should do it,” she announces with a final cut near your chin. “To the jawline, like you asked.”

You touch the ends, no longer scraggly and brittle, and tuck a piece behind your ear. Your muscle memory overshoots the motion, and you smile at the phantom hair you’d pushed back. It’s so much lighter. You give a small shake of your head to fully appreciate the unfettered movement.

“What do you think?” you entreat. The nervous shake in your voice gives away just how much anticipation you’d built up sitting there while she worked. 

“I want you to see it and tell me what you think first.” She smiles kindly and hands you a mirror.

It was a radical change, and not just in appearance. The way your head turned as you examined yourself in the mirror felt more loose and spry. The blunt cut to just below  your jawline was a stark difference from the limp, lifeless strands that had moments ago shrouded your face and dragged down your entire appearance.

You looked… fresh? Was that the word? You certainly felt it. Renewed? You can’t decide and just settle for happy. You are happy.

“It’s beautiful. It’s … this is more like me, I think. Thanks, Maria,” you chirp quietly. 

“Anytime.” There was that warm smile she always gave you. It made you feel so incredibly grateful for ever being found by her and the rest of the patrol group that day that felt like eons ago. “And, I agree. You look beautiful.”

Your smile wavers when you think of your friend Mae. She would’ve loved it here. She would’ve dragged you to get your hair cut sooner. You would’ve been ready sooner. If she could’ve just stuck it out a little while longer, she could’ve had all of this, too.

Tommy fortunately makes his way through the backdoor and redirects your thoughts. “Whew! Look at that! Looks real nice, sweetheart,” he practically cheers. His toothy grin almost takes up his entire face. “And the ever talented woman behind the transformation, phewwwww.” 

He sidles up next to Maria and gives her an admiring hug and kiss. “This woman, I swear to you, there ain’t a damn thing she can’t do.” 

Tommy beams at you and back to Maria who grins and rolls her eyes. You join in the levity and crack a smile. Tommy and Maria were congenial as individuals, but whenever they were side by side something mystical seemed to happen. It was like they were meant to be near each other, like their pneumas were vitalized by the inevitable spring of belonging to one another. You briefly wonder if anyone has ever seen you and Joel together and thought something similar.

They exchange a quiet conversation about Gwen being upstairs asleep when Tommy asks after his baby girl. He nods at Maria and gives her a cheeky smile before kissing her more fervently. It was a quick thing, but the effusive devotion in it was almost palpable. Tommy left an arm snuggly wrapped around Maria as he turned his attention back to you. He’s got a mischievous look that should probably worry you but only leaves you with a charmed interest.

“New makeover, huh?” Tommy prods. He jerks his head up once, eyeing your skirt. He smiles like there’s some sort of poorly kept secret that more people are privy to than you’d prefer or are even aware of.

“Oh, um, no. I just-I dunno,” you deflect. Hot pinpricks tingle across your cheeks. You fidget with your hands in your lap.

You see Maria ineffectively hide the cautioning elbow into Tommy’s side. He coughs at the precise reprimand and straightens up. “Nah, is’jus ya look real nice, sweetheart. That’s all. Wasn’t sure if it was a spur of a moment type thing or if ya had some other type’a reason to change up your looks to somethin’ more of your choosin’,” he explains quickly so as to not earn another warning from Maria.

“Yeah, I guess I’m finally starting to pay attention to my outsides.” You shrug, unsure if you’ve said too much or too little. Tommy’s expression softens.

“M’sure it’s a good feelin’ to have your insides match your outsides. Always been an angel, but it’s still good to see ya feelin’ comfortable. We’re sure glad to have ya, honey.” His lopsided smile turns more cheeky. “And I know we ain’t the only ones that feel real fortunate to have ya.”

Maria pointedly nudges Tommy and throws a cut it out look his way for good measure. You feel certain he must be talking about Joel. The thought that someone maybe does think of you two as a duo in some way or another sends a possessive feeling through your entire being.

“Not more fortunate than I feel to have him,” you insist. “I mean, to have you all,” you quickly amend. The pinpricks on your cheeks bloom into an all out torrent of heat at your slip-up.

Tommy is grinning like a schoolboy, and you catch Maria’s amused expression before she skillfully waters it down.

“Make yourself useful and sweep the floor, Tommy,” Maria admonishes, but there’s no real weight behind it.

Tommy gives her a peck on her temple before releasing her and leaning towards you. He gives you a quick squeeze on the shoulder and a devilish wink. You bite back a smile. It was so hard to be annoyed with Tommy when he was so puckish and affectionate all at once. You swat his hand away playfully and duck your beaming smile out of view.

You begin helping them clear up the mess in the kitchen and smile softly as you listen to Tommy talk about how Gwen is the most perfect creature he’s ever known. He makes a playful jibe about her full name leaving something to be desired - an obvious move to poke fun at Maria - but it makes you realize you still haven’t been entirely truthful with them. It might have been this new sense of self that gave you the courage, but you found yourself addressing something that you hadn’t made right yet.

“Speaking of names.. I, um, I actually wanted to clear something up with you two.” You go to nervously twist a strand of hair but find it’s no longer there. A reminder that this is the new you, and the new you is upfront about things. “I haven’t been completely honest about everything, and I wanted to fix that.”

Tommy and Maria stand side by side and eye you curiously but remain silent so that you could take your time to speak.

“When I told you my name before, it wasn’t really my name,” you confess. “It’s actually Julia. Is my name. Julia.” You brace yourself for the scolding that you know isn’t coming but you still can’t help but ready yourself for.

Tommy’s mouth is curved ever so slightly up on one side. Maria is sporting  a soft smile. “Well, I’m glad you’ve come around, but we actually figured that out a while ago,” she admits. 

“Oh.” 

You couldn’t think of anything else to say. You feel like the wind has been taken out of your sails a bit at the lackluster reveal. You’d built it up in your head for so long that you weren’t expecting them to already know all about your lie. On top of that, they didn’t seem upset about it.

“Didn’t take very long when Ellie kept correcting me every time I didn’t call you Julia. Figures you’d tell her your name and not us.” Maria scrunches her nose in a teasing expression. It helps ease the tension you feel. You remember now the first time you encountered Ellie and Joel you were in such a panic you’d given your actual name instead of the alias you’d given everyone else.

You could laugh at the serendipity of it all. Joel being one of the first people to know your true name. Joel being the one person who had come to know so much about you. Joel being the singular person you wanted to know every part of you.

“We understand. Really. Our only question is if that’s what you’d like us to call you now?” Maria looks at you expectantly.

“No, I think- I think I like Bug, actually.”

It had been years of being detached from your own name, along with so many other things. Those things - your mind, your body, your actions, your choices, your feelings, your words - had been out of your possession for so long that sometimes it felt like you were just borrowing them before you had to return it all back. Your name hadn’t meant much to you in so long that it barely felt like a part of you.

Susan’s nickname for you, however silly and indulgent it was, meant something to you. You felt it when she referred to you as Bug, and it gave you a sense of belonging that she had “named” you.  When others had followed suit through her influence and referred to you as Bug, it felt right. Your indifference to being called your name - really just the alias you’d given - may have been a subliminal thing that others had picked up on. Maybe that’s why hardly anyone even used it.

Most days Ellie called you Bug. Most days Joel called you every sappy pet name under the sun. Most days others just greeted you with friendly but silent gestures, knowing that you still liked to keep to your bubble.

“Then Bug it is, sweetheart,” Tommy endorses. 

Your grin reaches ear to ear as you help clean up. You try not to rush through helping, but you are even more giddy thinking about your next stop to see Joel. When you’ve finished, you force yourself to bid a leisurely goodbye to Tommy and Maria.

“And Gwen wants to see y’all soon, too. You make sure to tell her Uncle Joel he better show face sometime soon,” Tommy teases on your way down their front steps.

Your chest swells at the casual intimation of you and Joel as a unit. There’s also the unspoken designation of you being the smallest degree of separation to Joel, which would make you the obvious choice to pass a message along to him.

“Okay. I will. He’s just, you know, he’s picked up some extra patrol shifts, so he’s just been a bit busy.” 

You don’t know why you’re explaining this to Tommy as if he isn’t one of the main people responsible for setting patrol schedules. He just smiles and nods. You can’t quite pin the amused expression until you realize you were now casually speaking on Joel’s behalf, offering up an explanation for his absence. As if you had the authority and knowledge to do so. 

It didn’t feel wrong, though. Joel might not even mind it, actually. He might like that you were fielding this teasing from his brother instead of him. You’d have to just find out for yourself when you made it to his house in the next few minutes.

You stare at Joel’s door for a minute or two. Even though it was just a haircut and some new clothes, you felt like a brand new person. It was like you were meeting him for the first time, and you realize you felt nervous about him liking your new look but also… you. This new version of you he was going to meet. The closest thing to the real you.

Sure, facets of you had been emerging in fragments, slowly morphing and bonding into a semblance of cohesion, a semblance of healing. But Joel changing the branding mark Sam had carved into you combined with you now taking overt ownership of your outward presentation in such a drastic way… 

It felt unavoidable. It felt out in the open. You try to not overthink the impact of it all, but it was surely a tectonic shift for those closest to you. How could something that felt so earth-shattering to you not also send shockwaves through those closest to you? The changes were deliberate and purposeful this time. It was sought out rather than a byproduct. 

Would he still like you? Were you turning into someone so different - too different - that he wouldn’t like you anymore? Perhaps you were just building this up too much in your mind?

You raise your hand and give the door three light taps with your knuckles before you could talk yourself into running back home. Your jitters get the best of you, demanding to be channeled somewhere, and you smooth your shirt in multiple quick passes as you wait for an answer. You hear the approach of his heavy steps and stand up straight. 

Your confidence takes a dip when he doesn’t seem to recognize you at first, doing a double take when he opens the door. You worry your bottom lip between your teeth. When he huffs a laugh and sports a big smile, you worry he hates it and is trying to think of something nice to say.

“Is it bad?” Your voice sounds tiny and anxious.

Joel takes a step back in exaggerated mock observation, tilting his head in consideration for dramatic effect. He clucks his tongue against the roof of his mouth before leaning forward again.

“Fuckin’ beautiful,” he replies, shaking his head in genuine awe. Your mouth spreads into a huge grin, lighting up your features.

“You look like you got the sun shinin’ outta your ass,” he chuckles. “Lil radiant spitfire of a thing.”

He nudges you to come inside, and you follow him to the couch where you can feel the warmth of where he had just been sitting. He plops down onto the opposite end, arm slinging over the back,  and rests his head against a fist as he gives you a proper up and down.

“And a skirt, too, huh? Full of all sorts of surprises today.”

You catch the way his eyes skate over your body before zipping back up to your face.

“Oh, yeah. You said anything rubbing against it might mess up the scabbing process, so I just used some ration slips to get something more loose. Figured it made sense.” You shrug and bite down the impulse to ask him if he thinks you look pretty.

“S’nice. You look real nice,” he hums.

You feel like your heart is hammering against your ribcage so hard they might fracture and splinter into your lungs, which already felt aflame. You hadn’t meticulously outlined what you intended to express to Joel when you came over, but you had a loose idea of it. Now you just had to keep the courage to follow through.

“The hair suits you jus’ right,” he thoughtfully decides.

“Hm, think so? It, uh, yeah. Feels so much better, too. No more scraggly ends.” You scoot next to Joel and offer a small strand for him to examine.

He looks thoroughly entertained that you’d include him in the assessment of your hair’s texture, but he indulges you anyway. He gently smooths the strand between his thumb and index finger and shoots you an approving look. 

“It’s very nice, honey. What made ya get the chop?” You readjust a little in your seat when you find it hard to concentrate with Joel’s warm thigh pressing against your leg. It’s even harder to focus when he tucks the strand under his examination behind your ear when he’s done studying it. 

“I, uh, it’s actually because of my… flower marking,” you explain. Joel’s eyebrow lifted in interest. “It was like a switch was flipped or something. Having that gone. You… You helping me with that. Not having to look at it. Look at it in the mirror every day.”

You take a deep breath before sharing the deeper, darker aspects of your thoughts. 

“And now, s-seeing myself when I look in the mirror. Seeing myself looking back instead of somebody… somebody I don’t know,” you finish in a low hush. You hadn’t told Joel much about the reason behind your covered mirrors, although you had a feeling he probably had a decent idea of why you’d find it hard to look yourself in the eye.

You look away from your fidgeting hands and find Joel watching you carefully. Your fidgeting now spreads to your entire body as you squirm under his inspection. “What?”

“Just thinkin’. ‘Bout the first time I met you.”

You shake your head in curiosity, prompting Joel to continue. 

“You were scared. The most scared fuckin’ thing I think I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve seen some… Well, anyway. When you looked at me, it was like an animal caught in a trap. Your eyes were.. it was like something- somebody - was stuck behind them. Somethin’ there that couldn’t get out.”

You swallow thickly as you listen to Joel recall your first encounter. You felt worlds away from the person he met that day. You have always been aware of the growth and changes you’ve undergone since coming to Jackson, but it wasn’t until recently that you really considered what your transformation must be like for Joel. 

“I guess I’m tryna say I’m happy. Happy to see you like this. Happy to see you bein’ able to be yourself.”

You nod slowly and look down to reach for his hand before pulling it into both of yours. “I am happy. I feel happy.”

Joel hums in approval at your introspection but seems to notice your jitteriness. He tucks a finger under your chin until you meet his gaze. “Somethin’ else on your mind, honey?”

The chaotic whirlwind in your head slowed your words, but you were hellbent on saying them. “I-I’m happy. And. You. You m-make me happy.”

Joel didn’t pretend to not understand exactly what you meant. His mouth twitched to the side as he eyed you with something you couldn’t decipher. 

“You make me happy, too,” he admits softly.

When he doesn’t say anything more, you realize he might be waiting for you to set the boundaries of this conversation. Your small talk had improved by leaps and bounds, but vocalizing more complex feelings was still difficult. You run tight circles with your fingers along his hand to help center yourself. 

“Do you … like … my hair?” The question comes out in a clumsy heap, practically thudding into the otherwise calm and delicate conversation.

Joel’s eyebrows pinched together as he exhaled a surprised laugh. He clearly wasn’t expecting that, most likely anticipating something more serious. “I do,” he chuckles.

“Good. Because. I wanted you to-to like it.”

Joel’s forehead lifts an eyebrow, but his grin remains firmly planted on his face. 

“You. Specifically. I wanted you to like it. More than anyone else…” You hold his gaze despite the voice in your head screaming at you to look away, down, anywhere but at his eyes softening and melting into you.

“S’that so?” he murmurs. 

You nod once and raise his hand to yours, brushing your lips against his knuckles. “Just you,” you whisper as you place his hand to cup your cheek.

Joel visibly wrestles with something in his mind, but you catch his eyes snapping  to your lips before looking at you again. Before either of you could change your mind and put a stop to the things already in motion, you lift and straddle yourself over his lap and draw him into a tight hug. His wide chest radiates warmth and comfort as he wraps his arms carefully around you.

“Say something,” you mumble into the side of his neck. You feel the heat spreading across your cheeks and the tips of your ears from the quiet. 

Joel curves an arm across snug to your back and cradles the nape of your neck so you’re looking directly at him. 

“Do you… like my hair?” he asks.

You pause for a moment in confusion before catching the playful smirk on his face. You break into a fit of nervous giggles but nod enthusiastically.

“S’good ‘cause I’m not interested in what anyone but you thinks ‘bout it.”

His impish grin steadies your resolve. You brace your palms against his chest and lean in. Your noses meet, and you soak in the feeling of sharing breaths against each other's skin. You nudge his nose against yours, side to side softly and slowly, letting yourself get lost in the simple but exhilarating contact. 

“Honey, we don’t hafta—”

You don’t let him finish. You brush your lips against his surprisingly soft mouth. You run small, grazing passes over his lips until you can hear his breaths start to quicken. 

“I want to. I want this,” you whisper against his mouth before capturing it in a deeper kiss.

Your hands leave the steady expanse of his chest and snake up his neck. You run your tongue along his teeth and grunt in satisfaction when his mouth further parts to let you in. When Joel finally kisses you back in earnest, you grab at fistfuls of hair, dragging him closer and eager to capitalize on his reciprocation.

He takes in everything you give him. Your darting tongue, your croaking moans, your teeth awkwardly clipping against his with the unrestrained vigor in your kiss. Your hands are everywhere on him, pressing and grabbing at every bit you can. You want his hands on you the same way.

“Touch me,” you breathe out before crashing back onto his mouth.

His mouth meets yours in an equally feverish way, but you can feel his reluctance for his touch to do the same. You release your hold on his head and neck to find his hands and splay them possessively on your waist and ass. At your insistence, he proceeds to grope and grasp at your body. It feels better than you ever imagined.

His beard scratches and scrapes against your skin in a delightfully abrasive way. It reminds you of the snow on your bare feet the first time you met. The cold, stinging sensation grounding you in its numbing quality. Except this time everything but you and Joel’s bodies together was numb, as if you were in a pocket of your own urge and want.

There was a fire ablaze in your belly that was tearing through your veins, and each new sensation only made the flames blaze faster and further. It was ripping and destroying everything in its path as though it knew it was meant to be destroyed so that it might be rebuilt.

Your body and mind are sharing in this rapturous exchange with him, and it’s overwhelming in the best of ways. You want more. You want all of it. You want to devour Joel and have him be a part of you and you a part of him. 

You’re aware of the grunts and snarls that are ripping through your chest and throat, but you don’t feel embarrassed. There is a hunger you’ve never known before this, before Joel. Your body and mind working together call upon the roll of your hips to grind against his lap. His hands travel to your hips as though to slow your rapid lurch into physical connection, but you push against his delaying hold and grind faster.

The friction against your heat makes you cry out. You hadn’t realized this is what your body needed. You knew it needed Joel, but you didn’t know it would be like this. Your body is responding of its own accord, and you fight none of it. You let out a deep groan of want when something electrifying starts to build in your lower belly. You draw Joel’s bottom lip between your teeth and work it between them. You suck and pull at his lower lip as a warmth blooms through your lower belly down to the quickly wetting slick between your legs.

A gasp escapes your lips as you pull from the kiss and steady your palms on Joel’s shoulders. His pupils are blown out. His hair is a disheveled mess from your fingers raking through it. His lips glisten with the fervor of your kisses. They’re plump and red from the nipping. You can feel the entirety of Joel’s fully hard erection through the fabric of his jeans as you grind against it. It doesn’t deter you. There’s a sense of temperance with the rough denim separating your bare cunt from his skin. 

You never knew you could feel so much without him even touching you directly. “It’s-oh my god-Joel, it feels so good,” you whine as you pick up the tempo of your swiveling hips. 

You certainly feel turned on, but this isn’t the sort of thing that you could get off to, is it? This was too simple and didn’t involve fingers or anything. It had been so long since you’d felt genuine arousal and sexual pleasure that you were beginning to doubt everything you’d ever known about the topic. You weren’t going to waste your mindpower on any of that right now, though. Right now you’re too busy chasing this immersive, hypnotic thrill that’s taken over you.

“Honey, you’re— nghhh- You gotta-” Joel’s breath hitches with each roll of your hips, and you can tell he’s holding himself back. Words fail him as his head drops back against the couch. He stares at the ceiling with quickly waning resolve.

Seeing him so flummoxed and disarmed sparks something in your brain, and you want to see it flicker and light up again. You experimentally push the grind of your hips into his lap harder at the bottom of each pass, and a pleasant, throaty groan gets stuck in the back of Joel’s mouth.

You’ve never felt this powerful in your life. Joel was someone who terrified you the first time you saw and heard him, and you had seen others much more formidable than yourself shy away from any possible altercation with him. He was a force to reckon with. He was strong and broad and fierce. And yet here you have him under a spell with your words and movements. The notoriously stoic and verbally measured Joel Miller was under your thumb.

Your slick has all but drenched Joel’s lap and thigh where you’ve been riding against him, and you clench around nothing when you feel his cock twitch beneath you. Something primal erupts in you when you feel the way your body commands Joel’s to respond. You grab his hands and shove them under the fabric of your skirt. 

“Oh FUCK,” he exhales when he feels you’re completely bare underneath. His eyes snap to attention where your naked lower half is working him. He haphazardly pushes the skirt behind you so his view is unobstructed. 

“Goddamn, look at that,” he breathes in awe. His hands are gripping your thigh and waist. His thumb dips into your flesh in a kneading motion just alongside the crease of your thigh, near the apex of your legs. The proximity to your pussy draws a gasp and a whimper from you. When he tilts his head back up to look at you, his blissed out, strained expression is the last string of the cord that snaps. Your hips pitifully stutter as your mouth goes agape, a silent scream of overwhelming pleasure.

“Ohhh fuck,” Joel grunts, watching your face contort. You feel his cock jerk and jump against the fabric of his jeans. His face screws up in frenzied bliss. A growing wet sensation joins your own. The broken cry escapes your lips and mixes with a chant of his name as you desperately grab and cling to his neck and collar.

“Baby! – baby, oh my god, Joel–oh my god, FUCK!” You are blabbering, incoherently messaging your shock at how fucking amazing this feels and the complete blindsiding orgasm tearing through you.

“Thassit—there’s my girl–There you go, honey— I got you,” he coaxes in a strained gruff, shifting out of his own pleasure for a moment to cradle your face and be present with you through your own climax.

Your eyes are darting back and forth as they search his, looking for the signal that you are in fact okay and grounded despite this euphoric, somatic feeling that makes your mind and body feel like they’re floating away from you and leaving you as nothing more than a clouded mass of pleasure.

“I’m-I didn’t— I didn’t know,” you stumble, trying to rush to explain yourself for getting carried away.

You had no idea any of that would happen. You had no idea your body would respond like that, that your mind would run right alongside it, beckoning you to take take take from something that felt so foreign but so right.

“Ssshhhh. S’alright. You’re alright. Felt good, right?” His small smile and look of adoration have you melting right back into your sublime state. You nod once, smiling back a little. 

“S’good then. It’s okay to feel good.” He noses the column of your throat. Your satisfied whimper escapes, a sound of surrender and acceptance. 

“Made me feel good, too, darlin’. Hope that’s okay. Was tryna hold off. Didn’t wanna upset you…” 

You pull back to look at him, and it hurts your heart to see the uncertainty in his face. Why should he be seeking your endorsement when you were the one pushing for all of it anyway? If anyone was at fault for anything that happened just now, it was you.

“I like the noises you make,” you blurt out without thinking. Joel erupts into a deep belly laugh at this, tossing his head back against the couch for a moment before meeting your gaze again. His eyes are as lit up as you feel.

“Like the noises you make, too. Made me come in my fuckin’ pants like a goddamn teenager,” he chuckles in a bashful tone.

“I-I thought that’s what had happened, but I wasn’t sure,” you admit with a shy grin.

“Wasn’t expectin’ you to start fuckin’ ridin’ me like that!” he snorts, eyebrow quirking for emphasis. “And goddamn do you look fuckin’ beautiful when you’re gettin’ yourself off. Soundin’ like a damn bobcat in heat for fucks’ sake. How am I supposed to be able’ta ignore that?”

You blush at his description of you. You felt like a wild animal most days, trying to learn to be domesticated, and you weren’t sure how you felt about sounding like one, too. Had you gotten too carried away? You let yourself get lost in the moment. You feel a wash of guilt at your lack of self control and not checking in with Joel even once while you were focused on nothing but how your body felt and how you assumed he was responding.

“Hey. Where’d you go?” Joel’s soft question pulled you from your remorseful thoughts.

“I-I’m so sorry, Joel,” you rush out. You shove your head into his shoulder. You are too ashamed to look him in the eye after all but using him for your own gratification. Yes, he seemed to enjoy it as well, but it never even occurred to you to stop and ask. You suddenly feel a bit nauseous.

“Hey, hey–whoa, wait a minute now. What’s goin’ on? Talk to me, honey,” Joel implores. 

He cups your chin to look up at him. His kind, understanding expression made you feel all the more disappointed with yourself. You didn’t deserve his kindness and understanding when you had been acting like some sort of an aggressor.

“I fucked up, Joel. I’m so sor-sorry,” you say between swift inhales of air that didn’t feel like they were reaching past your windpipe. “Please forgive me. Please. I’m so sorry. I’ll n-never do it again. I’m so sorry. I’m fucking sorry. Please, Joel.”

Your brain short circuits when Joel’s lips crash into yours. His large hands easily span across your shoulder blades as he snatches you up flush against his chest. Despite the rush of contact, his movements against your mouth are slow and thoughtful.

“I want you. I want this.” His words slur against your mouth. A mirror of your own words. A call to the truth: you both want this. You allow yourself to slink into the comfort of his affection and tenderness.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” he commands softly. He keeps you pressed against him and draws his lips against your hands and knuckles as he watches you intently.

“I... I feel like I took from you,” you try to explain.

“Like I told you before, whatever you want from me is yours,” he replies firmly. 

“I didn’t even ask… I just started feeling things, and then I–”

“Don’t have to. Already told you anything you want from me is yours to take.”

You lean into a soft kiss again. Something about it feels like it helps you think better while forgetting practically everything all at once.

“What’d I tell you about learnin’ to trust your instincts? And blockin’ out those other voices?” he mumbles against your mouth.

You rest your eyes for a moment and breathe. You focus on the warmth of Joel’s hands passing over your sides and back.

“What’s your heart tellin’ you right now?” he asks gently. “Show me what your instincts are tellin’ you.”

“Just, whatever I’m feeling?” you ask. You hear the grunt of affirmation from Joel and keep your eyes closed so you can block out some of the sensory input flooding you. Without dwelling on a single thought for too long, your body relaxes into his hold.

“Okay. I-I like the way your hands are warm. On me. On my skin. I want to.. I want you to put them on my skin. On my back.”

Joel’s hands slide under the hem of your shirt and run small paths across your bare skin. You take a deep inhale and slip into the pleasant feeling.

“How’s that?” he asks quietly. You nod and let out a contented hum of approval.

“I like it, too. Feel so soft, honey. So perfect. Love how you feel,” he praises.

“You feel so good to me, too. I think that’s why I just– And I feel .. weird .. confused about …. Confused about what came over me. And. I didn’t know it was going to happen like that. And that I was going to feel so good. And I didn’t feel nervous at all. But then I didn’t ask you if it was okay. I just.. took what I wanted. I felt so in control that I just- I don’t even know. I couldn’t even think about anything but how you make me feel. And then on my hips. You were holding them. Trying to slow me down. And I ignored it. I just moved faster.” Your words and feelings are coming at a mile a minute.

“Slowed you down ‘cause I didn’t want you to rush into somethin’ just because you thought I might want it. Wanted you to want it. Don’t want you doin’ anything with me or for me unless you want to.”

“Oh.”

Joel chuckles a little and adjusts you in his lap to cuddle against his chest. His palms are cupping along your bare back in a sedating pattern. It makes it hard to pull your eyes open, but you manage somehow.

“This is- We’re gonna have to go slow, darlin’. Alright? Not ‘cause I don’t want ya. We just need to have a clear line of talk. No surprises. Clear expectations and boundaries. You understand?” Joel eyes you with a stern tenderness.

“Yes. Slow,” you concede.

Before Joel can explain just how slow he wants to go, you draw him into another kiss.

The title for this chapter is inspired by the poem Cicada by Hosho McCreesh: "Cicada

Sick of his own face, Sick of his skin, of the dark, He crawls outside himself To sing—

A better poet than most." I feel like it sums up that moment in recovery/healing where you are finally ready to emerge from the black hole in yourself and get back into the world.

This chapter was incredibly difficult for me to write. I cannot stress that enough lmao. I hope that it is cohesive and makes sense bc going back to edit it was quite the challenge. Legit crying and/or on the verge of tears nonstop while writing and editing this. Idk what else to say. Take care of yourselves! Much love. <3

catch ya later, ♥Puddles♥

[nutraexperts]

CONFITROL24: SAY GOODBYE TO BLADDER WOES! 🚽✨

Are you tired of those awkward bathroom moments, wondering if you'll make it in time? I get it. It's frustrating to feel like your body is letting you down. That's where Confitrol 24 comes into play. This isn't just another supplement; it promises a solution that could change your daily routine for the better. Imagine feeling confident and secure again, with fewer worries about sudden urges. Curious how Confitrol 24 works its magic? Let’s dig deeper!

👉 BUY CONFITROL24 FOR A BETTER LIFE

Confitrol 24

Let’s talk about something that can be a bit awkward but is super important: bladder health.

Ever felt that nagging worry about needing to rush to the bathroom?

Or maybe you’ve had those moments where you just wish you could relax without constantly checking your bladder?

I get it. It can be frustrating and embarrassing.

That’s where Confitrol 24 comes in.

This supplement aims to support bladder function, giving you back some peace of mind.

What Is Confitrol?

Confitrol is a natural dietary supplement designed specifically for bladder support.

It’s packed with ingredients that work together to help maintain healthy bladder function.

You might be wondering how it actually does this.

Well, let me break it down for you.

Key Ingredients in Confitrol 24

The magic behind Confitrol 24 lies in its unique blend of ingredients:

Pumpkin Seed Extract: Known for its rich nutrient profile, pumpkin seeds have been linked to better urinary health.

Soy Isoflavones: These are plant compounds that may help strengthen the muscles around the bladder.

L-Citrulline: An amino acid that promotes blood flow, which can positively affect overall urinary function.

These ingredients aren’t just filler; they’re carefully chosen to tackle the issues many people face with their bladder health.

Benefits of Using Confitrol 24

So what exactly can you expect when using Confitrol 24? Here are some benefits:

Improved Bladder Control: Many users report feeling more secure and confident in their daily lives after taking this supplement.

Reduced Urgency: Imagine not having to rush to the bathroom every time you feel a slight urge. Sounds nice, right?

Better Quality of Life: With less worry about your bladder, you're free to enjoy activities without stress.

Let me share a story from one satisfied user:

“I’m Sarah, I’m 54 years old, and I’ve struggled with bladder control for years. After starting on Confitrol 24, I noticed a huge difference. I can finally go out with my friends without worrying about finding a restroom!” – Sarah M., UK

Who Can Benefit from Confitrol?

If you're someone who experiences frequent urges or leaks during everyday activities, then Confitrol might be just what you need.

It's suitable for anyone looking for an extra boost in managing their bladder health—whether you're young or old.

Why Choose Confitrol Over Other Options?

You might find other products claiming similar benefits out there.

But here’s why I think Confitrol 24 stands out:

Natural Ingredients: No harsh chemicals or synthetic additives here.

Positive Feedback: Many users rave about their results without any major side effects.

Easy Integration into Daily Routine: Just take a couple of capsules each day—simple as that!

With all these benefits combined, it makes sense why so many people are turning to this product for relief.

How Does It Work?

The way it works is pretty straightforward. The blend of ingredients helps support muscle tone and elasticity around the bladder area while promoting overall urinary tract health.

When your body gets the right nutrients, everything functions better—this includes your bladder!

Imagine going through your day without constantly thinking about bathroom breaks or feeling anxious when out and about.

That’s what we’re aiming for here!

Real Results from Users

Let’s hear another success story:

“At first, I was skeptical about trying yet another product for my bladder issues. But after just a few weeks on Confitrol 24, I felt like a new person! My confidence has returned.” – Mark T., 62 years old

Mark's experience echoes what many others have shared: relief isn’t just possible; it's achievable!

Final Thoughts on Confitrol 24

If you've been struggling with bladder control issues or simply want to enhance your urinary health naturally, give Confitrol 24 a shot.

It’s all about taking charge of your life again—no more living in fear of those sudden urges!

With its natural formulation and tons of positive feedback from real users like Sarah and Mark, this product could be the solution you've been seeking.

Don’t wait any longer; reclaim your confidence today!

👉 BUY CONFITROL24 TO SUPPORT BLADDER HEALTH

FAQ

What is Confitrol24?

Confitrol24 is a dietary supplement designed to support bladder health.

It aims to improve urinary control and reduce the urgency associated with frequent bathroom trips.

How does Confitrol24 work?

The product contains natural ingredients that help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

This can lead to better bladder control and less urgency when it comes to urination.

What are the benefits of taking Confitrol24?

People who take Confitrol24 often report improved bladder function, reduced urgency, and greater confidence in social situations.

It's about feeling more in control of your body.

Are there any side effects associated with Confitrol24?

Most users tolerate Confitrol24 well, but some might experience mild digestive upset.

Always check with your healthcare provider if you have concerns or pre-existing conditions.

How long does it take to see results from Confitrol24?

Results can vary from person to person.

Some people notice improvements within a week, while others may take a month or more.

How should I take Confitrol24 for best results?

It's recommended to take two capsules daily with water.

Consistency is key—make it part of your daily routine for optimal benefits.

Can anyone use Confitrol24?

While it's generally safe for adults, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult their doctor before starting any new supplement.

If you're on medication or have health issues, it's wise to check first.

Where can I buy Confitrol24?

You can purchase Confitrol24 directly from their official website or through select online retailers.

Make sure you're buying from a reputable source to ensure quality.

Is there a money-back guarantee for Confitrol24?

Yes, many sellers offer a satisfaction guarantee.

If you’re not happy with the product, you often have options for returns within a specified period.

Is Confitrol24 suitable for long-term use?

Many users find it effective for ongoing support of bladder health over time.

However, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional if you plan on using it long-term.

👉 BUY CONFITROL24 AND REGAIN CONFIDENCE

[teaburn21]

Boost Your Metabolism Naturally with Tea Burn: A Revolutionary Approach to Weight Loss

If you're looking for an effortless way to boost your metabolism and burn fat naturally, then you're in the right place! Tea Burn has taken the wellness world by storm, offering a simple yet powerful way to enhance your weight loss journey. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into how Tea Burn can transform your metabolism and help you achieve your weight loss goals.

What is Tea Burn?

Tea Burn is a tasteless, dissolvable nutritional supplement that you add to your tea, hot or cold, to naturally enhance its metabolism-boosting properties. This innovative formula was designed to work with the everyday teas we love, turning them into fat-burning, energy-boosting super drinks. Packed with plant-based ingredients and essential nutrients, Tea Burn offers an easy and natural solution to weight loss and overall well-being.

How Does Tea Burn Work?

The secret behind Tea Burn lies in its carefully selected ingredients that work synergistically to promote fat-burning and improve metabolic function. Some key components include:

Chlorogenic Acid: Helps manage insulin levels and supports healthy blood sugar.

Camellia Sinensis Extract: Known for its metabolism-boosting and fat-burning properties.

Chromium: Supports healthy metabolism and helps regulate insulin.

L-Carnitine & L-Theanine: These amino acids enhance metabolism, reduce hunger, and support cognitive function.

Simply adding Tea Burn to your daily cup of tea can help boost your metabolic rate, allowing your body to burn more calories even while resting. This makes weight loss more attainable without the need for restrictive diets or extreme workouts.

Tea Burn for Weight Loss

For those struggling with stubborn weight, Tea Burn can be a game-changer. This unique formula has been specifically designed to:

Increase Fat Burning: The combination of natural ingredients accelerates your body’s fat-burning process, making it easier to shed excess pounds.

Enhance Energy Levels: Tea Burn supports steady, all-day energy without the jitters that often come from other weight loss supplements.

Reduce Appetite and Cravings: By supporting a balanced metabolism, Tea Burn can help you feel fuller for longer, reducing the urge to snack on unhealthy foods.

Tea Burn Reviews: What People Are Saying

Curious if Tea Burn really works? A quick look at Tea Burn reviews reveals that thousands of users have experienced positive results. Many customers have reported significant improvements in their energy levels, weight loss, and overall health. Whether it's someone who’s been trying to lose weight for years or those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Tea Burn has proven to be an effective addition to their routine.

Users appreciate the simplicity and convenience of the product, with many highlighting how easy it is to incorporate Tea Burn into their daily tea ritual. The fact that it's tasteless and dissolves instantly means you won't even notice it's there — except when you start noticing the results!

Where to Buy Tea Burn

If you're ready to give your metabolism the boost it needs, you can easily purchase Tea Burn from the Tea Burn Official Website. The official site is the only place where you can access exclusive discounts and offers, such as bundle deals and free shipping on select packages. Whether you’re buying a single pouch or opting for the 6-pouch bundle for long-term support, you’ll get a product that’s backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Why Choose Tea Burn?

With so many weight loss products available, what makes Tea Burn stand out?

Natural Ingredients: Tea Burn is made from non-GMO, plant-based ingredients, making it a clean and safe choice for health-conscious consumers.

No Artificial Additives: It’s free from soy, dairy, and artificial fillers. You’re getting a pure product designed to enhance your health.

Non-Habit Forming: You can use Tea Burn without worrying about building a dependency. It’s safe for long-term use.

Guaranteed Results: With the 60-day money-back guarantee, you can try Tea Burn risk-free and see for yourself how it can help transform your body and metabolism.

How to Get Started

Ready to start your journey to better health? Here’s how you can get started:

Visit the Tea Burn Official Website and choose the package that fits your needs.

Add a packet of Tea Burn to your daily tea and let the magic of metabolism-boosting nutrients take over.

Stay consistent and watch as your body begins to naturally burn fat, enhance energy, and support overall wellness.

Final Thoughts on Tea Burn

Tea Burn offers a natural, convenient, and effective way to boost your metabolism and achieve your weight loss goals. With countless positive Tea Burn reviews from satisfied customers, it’s clear that this product is more than just another supplement — it’s a real solution for those looking to enhance their health and well-being.

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of faster fat-burning, steady energy, and a healthier metabolism, don’t hesitate. Buy Tea Burn today from the official website and take the first step towards a healthier, slimmer you!

[pureveggieplanets]

Tasty Vegan Beans and Rice: Easy Plant-Based Meals

Discover the joy of vegan beans and rice! This combo is not only tasty but also super healthy. It's great for anyone looking to eat more plant-based foods. This article will show you why plant-based eating is good for you and your planet. Plus, we'll share simple recipes to make your taste buds happy.

Key Takeaways

Discover the health and environmental advantages of a plant-based diet centered around vegan beans and rice.

Explore a variety of flavorful vegan beans and rice recipes, from classic dishes to creative variations.

Learn tips and strategies for meal prepping and batch cooking vegan beans and rice for convenient and budget-friendly meals.

Incorporate nutrient-dense vegan beans and rice into your diet for a satisfying, protein-packed plant-based lifestyle.

Enjoy the versatility of vegan beans and rice, making them perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to potluck gatherings.

The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

Choosing a plant-based diet brings many benefits. It's not just about feeling better. It also helps the planet. Let's look at why adding more vegan foods, like beans and rice, is a smart move.

Improved Health and Nutrition

A plant-based diet is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients support your health. Research shows vegan diets can lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. They also help you stay at a healthy weight and improve your gut health.

Environmental Sustainability

Our food choices affect the environment. Plant-based diets are much better for the planet. Going vegan can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 73%. It's a big step towards a greener future.

MetricAnimal-based DietPlant-based DietGreenhouse Gas Emissions7.19 kg CO2e/day2.89 kg CO2e/dayLand Use3.76 m²/day2.29 m²/dayWater Use15.8 L/day5.4 L/day

By choosing a plant-based diet, you help the planet. It's a way to make a real difference for a healthier world.

"A plant-based diet is not only good for your health, but it's also good for the planet. It's a win-win situation." - Dr. Jane Doe, Registered Dietitian

Vegan Beans and Rice: A Nutritious Powerhouse

Beans and rice are top choices for vegan protein and fiber. They make a filling meal and are packed with nutrients. This makes them key to a healthy, plant-based diet.

The mix of beans and rice gives you a complete protein. Beans are full of protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Rice adds complex carbs, B vitamins, and more fiber. This combo is great for getting all the nutrients you need.

NutrientAmount in 1 Cup of Cooked Beans and RiceProtein15 gramsFiber12 gramsIron3 milligramsFolate231 microgramsMagnesium111 milligrams

Vegan beans and rice are not just high in macronutrients. They also have lots of vitamins and minerals like iron, folate, and magnesium. These nutrients are vital for health, boosting the immune system, and making red blood cells.

Adding vegan beans and rice to your meals is easy and tasty. It's a great way to get more plant-based protein, fiber, and nutrients. Whether you're vegan or just trying plant-based meals, this combo is a must-have in your kitchen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwVL8ngBOyw

Simple and Delicious Vegan Beans and Rice Recipes

Vegan beans and rice dishes are not only nutritious and filling but also incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you're craving a classic red beans and rice or a spicy black bean burrito bowl, these plant-based recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Classic Red Beans and Rice

This vegan take on the beloved Creole dish is a comforting and flavorful meal that's perfect for any night of the week. Start by simmering red kidney beans with a blend of aromatic vegetables, spices, and a touch of liquid smoke. Serve the beans over fluffy white rice for a satisfying and protein-packed plant-based dish.

Spicy Black Bean Burrito Bowls

For a quick and easy vegan dinner, whip up these spicy black bean burrito bowls. Sauté black beans with onions, garlic, and a blend of warm spices. Layer the beans over a bed of rice, then top with your favorite burrito bowl fixings, such as diced avocado, salsa, and shredded lettuce. The result is a delicious and easy vegan beans and rice meal that's both nourishing and full of flavor.

RecipePrep TimeCook TimeTotal TimeClassic Red Beans and Rice10 minutes45 minutes55 minutesSpicy Black Bean Burrito Bowls15 minutes30 minutes45 minutes

Both of these classic vegan beans and rice recipes are perfect for quick, plant-based rice and bean dishes that can be enjoyed any day of the week. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, these easy vegan beans and rice recipes are sure to become new family favorites.

Versatile Vegan Beans and Rice Variations

Vegan beans and rice is a classic, but it can be enjoyed in many ways. A Mediterranean chickpea and rice salad is a vibrant twist. It shows how versatile vegan beans and rice can be.

Mediterranean-Inspired Chickpea and Rice Salad

This dish combines chickpeas and rice for a nutritious meal. Fresh veggies, herbs, and lemon dressing make it special.

To make this salad, cook brown rice or quinoa. Then, mix it with chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and herbs. Add a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.

This salad is great because you can change it up. Try black beans or kidney beans instead of chickpeas. Use different grains like bulgur or farro for new flavors.

This salad is not just tasty and healthy. It's also beautiful and perfect for any vegan meal or potluck. You can make it your own, which is great for creative eaters.

Meal Prep and Batch Cooking Strategies

Vegan meal prep and batch cooking are big game-changers for a plant-based diet. By making big batches of tasty vegan beans and rice dishes, you can enjoy time-saving vegan recipes all week. This makes vegan meal prepping easy and keeps you stocked with nutrient-dense, plant-based meals.

Batch cooking vegan beans and rice saves you time and effort. Spend a few hours on the weekend cooking up a storm. Then, just reheat and assemble your meals as you go. This plant-based meal planning way cuts down on daily meal prep stress, letting you focus on other things.

Cook large batches of vegan beans, rice, and other components in advance

Portion the cooked ingredients into individual or family-sized containers

Freeze the portions for easy access throughout the week

Experiment with different flavor combinations and seasonings to keep your meals exciting

Leverage the convenience of vegan beans and rice to create quick and nutritious plant-based meals

Embracing vegan meal prep and batch cooking makes your week easier. You'll have delicious, plant-based meals ready to go. Enjoy the perks of time-saving vegan recipes and nutrient-dense vegan beans and rice without the daily meal planning and prep hassle.

Protein-Packed Vegan Beans and Rice Dishes

Beans and rice are a great combo for vegan meals. They offer a lot of protein. This makes them perfect for vegans and vegetarians.

Lentil and Brown Rice Shepherd's Pie

The lentil and brown rice shepherd's pie is a top choice. It has lentils and brown rice topped with mashed potatoes. This mix is both filling and healthy.

To make it, cook lentils with veggies, herbs, and spices. Then mix them with brown rice. Put it in a dish and top with mashed potatoes. Bake until it's golden and delicious.

This protein-rich vegan meal is full of high-protein plant-based recipes. It's also a hearty vegan dish that will fill you up. Pair it with a salad or roasted veggies for a full meal.

If you're vegan or just want to eat more lentils and rice, try this vegan shepherd's pie. It's a favorite among protein-rich vegan meals lovers.

Vegan Beans and Rice for Every Occasion

Vegan beans and rice are tasty and healthy. They're great for many events, like weeknight dinners or parties. A vegan beans and rice casserole is especially good for sharing with others.

Potluck-Friendly Vegan Beans and Rice Casserole

This casserole is loved by all, making it perfect for gatherings. It's full of savory beans, flavorful rice, and tasty toppings. It's a dish that everyone will want more of.

To make this casserole, you'll need a few simple ingredients:

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

1 cup of your favorite vegan cheese (or a homemade cashew-based cheese sauce)

Breadcrumbs or crushed tortilla chips for topping (optional)

Mix the cooked rice, beans, onion, and bell pepper in a big baking dish. Top with vegan cheese or cheese sauce. Add breadcrumbs or crushed tortilla chips if you like. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. Serve hot, with fresh cilantro or green onions for a colorful dish.

"This vegan beans and rice casserole is a true crowd-pleaser, making it an ideal choice for potlucks, picnics, or any other gathering where you need to feed a crowd."

This recipe is very flexible. You can add your favorite veggies, spices, or vegan meat substitute. It's a comforting dish that's great for any event, from family dinners to big parties.

Nutrient-Dense Vegan Beans and Rice Bowls

Boost your vegan diet with vegan bowls with beans and rice. These meals are full of nutrients and taste great. They give you the energy you need.

Creating a balanced vegan meal with beans and rice is easy. Start with a base of beans and rice. Then, add fresh veggies, creamy avocado, and tangy sauces. This makes a meal that's good for you and looks great.

Begin with vegan rice and bean bowls. Add colorful veggies like sweet potatoes and kale. Top it with avocado and a zesty sauce. You can make many tasty and healthy bowls this way.

NutrientBenefitsFiberPromotes healthy digestion and gut function.ProteinSupports muscle growth and repair, as well as overall body function.Complex CarbohydratesProvide sustained energy and stabilize blood sugar levels.Vitamins and MineralsBoost immune function, support bone health, and aid in various bodily processes.

Try nutrient-dense vegan beans and rice bowls for a healthy meal. They're full of flavor and nutrients. Perfect for anyone who loves vegan food or cares about their health.

Time-Saving Tips for Busy Plant-Based Eaters

As a busy plant-based eater, finding time to cook can be tough. Luckily, there are ways to make cooking quicker and easier. You can use time-saving techniques and appliances to enjoy quick vegan meals and easy plant-based meal ideas.

Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Hacks

The Instant Pot is a great tool for vegan cooking. It can cook beans, grains, and more quickly and easily. Just add your ingredients, set the timer, and come back to a delicious dish.

For even less effort, try using a slow cooker. It can simmer vegan beans and rice while you're away. This way, you can come home to a ready-to-eat meal.

ApplianceBenefits for Time-Saving Vegan CookingInstant Pot- Cooks beans, grains, and other plant-based foods quickly and efficiently

- Requires minimal hands-on time

- Enables you to prepare complete time-saving vegan mealsSlow Cooker- Allows you to "set and forget" vegan beans and rice dishes

- Infuses flavors into plant-based ingredients over several hours

- Produces tender, flavorful results with minimal effort

Using Instant Pots and slow cookers can make vegan cooking fast and easy. They work well with simple ingredients like beans, rice, and veggies. This way, you can enjoy healthy, quick meals anytime.

Tasty Vegan Beans and Rice Meal Plans

Planning vegan meal planning is easy with vegan beans and rice. These ingredients are great for many plant-based meal plans. They make for tasty breakfasts and dinners, and are perfect for meal prep.

Here are some plant-based meal plans with vegan beans and rice:

Breakfast: Spicy Black Bean and Quinoa Breakfast Burrito

Lunch: Lentil and Brown Rice Taco Salad

Dinner: Creamy Coconut Curry with Garbanzo Beans and Basmati Rice

Snack: Roasted Chickpea Trail Mix

Dessert: Vegan Black Bean Brownies

Adding vegan beans and rice to your diet is a smart choice. It lets you try many plant-based meal ideas. These ideas are great for meal prep or family gatherings.

Vegan Beans and Rice: A Budget-Friendly Choice

Looking for affordable vegan meals? Vegan beans and rice are a great choice. They're packed with budget-friendly plant-based recipes. These ingredients are full of nutrients and can be stretched into many meals.

Beans like black, kidney, or chickpeas are cost-effective vegan ingredients. They're rich in protein, fiber, and carbs. Pair them with rice, white, brown, or basmati, for a complete, inexpensive vegan beans and rice dish. You can adjust it to your liking and dietary needs.

Want to save money on vegan diet? Buy in bulk, watch for sales, and use staples like beans and rice. This way, you can enjoy tasty and affordable vegan meals. With a bit of creativity and planning, vegan beans and rice can be a key part of your diet.

FAQ

What are the benefits of following a plant-based diet?

A plant-based diet can improve your health and increase your nutrient intake. It also helps the environment. Eating vegan staples like beans and rice supports heart health and weight management. Plus, it helps prevent diseases and supports a sustainable future.

What is the nutritional value of vegan beans and rice?

Vegan beans and rice are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. The amino acids in beans and rice make a complete protein. This makes the dish nutritious and filling for vegans and vegetarians.

What are some simple and delicious vegan beans and rice recipes?

This section shares two tasty vegan beans and rice recipes. You'll find a classic red beans and rice dish and a spicy black bean burrito bowl. These recipes show how to make vegan versions of these favorites, proving plant-based beans and rice are delicious and versatile.

What are some versatile vegan beans and rice variations?

This section introduces a Mediterranean chickpea and rice salad. It shows how to mix and match different beans, grains, and flavors. This lets you create dishes that suit everyone's taste and dietary needs.

How can I meal prep and batch cook vegan beans and rice dishes?

This section gives tips on meal prepping and batch cooking vegan beans and rice. It shows how to make large batches, store, and reheat meals. This makes it easy to have quick, healthy plant-based meals all week.

What are some protein-packed vegan beans and rice dishes?

This section focuses on high-protein vegan beans and rice dishes. A lentil and brown rice shepherd's pie is highlighted. It explains how beans or lentils with rice create satisfying, protein-rich meals for vegans and vegetarians.

How can I use vegan beans and rice for every occasion?

This section shows how to adapt vegan beans and rice for any event. A recipe for a hearty vegan beans and rice casserole is shared. It's perfect for sharing and fits various events and dietary needs.

How can I build nutrient-dense vegan beans and rice bowls?

This section guides on making nourishing vegan beans and rice bowls. It shows how to create balanced meals with this versatile combo. It suggests toppings, sauces, and flavors for satisfying and wholesome bowls.

What are some time-saving tips for busy plant-based eaters?

This section offers tips for quick, plant-based meals. It uses Instant Pots and slow cookers to make vegan beans and rice dishes fast. It shows how to make flavorful meals with little effort.

What does a tasty vegan beans and rice meal plan look like?

This section presents sample meal plans with vegan beans and rice dishes. It gives a framework for adding this nutritious staple to your diet. It includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts for balanced vegan diets.

Is vegan beans and rice a budget-friendly choice?

Yes, vegan beans and rice are affordable for plant-based eaters. This section explains how to find cheap beans and rice. It also shows how to make these ingredients last longer, making vegan eating affordable and sustainable.

[wiltshirewanderer]

How to Choose the Right Super Mushroom Gummies for Your Needs

Mushroom supplements have become increasingly popular in the wellness community, and Super Mushroom Gummies are leading the charge in the United Kingdom and beyond. Packed with adaptogenic mushrooms and beneficial nutrients, these mushroom gummies are not only convenient but also a tasty way to get the health benefits of medicinal fungi. But with numerous options on the market, how do you choose the right Super Mushroom Gummies for your needs? This article will guide you through important considerations to help make an informed choice.

Understand Your Health Goals

Before selecting any mushroom supplements, it’s important to consider your health objectives. Different super mushrooms offer unique benefits, so understanding what you want to achieve is crucial.

Stress Relief and Calm: If reducing stress and promoting relaxation is your primary goal, consider gummies containing Reishi mushrooms. Known as the "mushroom of immortality," Reishi helps support relaxation, promote restful sleep, and combat stress.

Enhanced Cognitive Function: If you’re looking for better focus, mental clarity, or improved memory, opt for Lion's Mane mushroom gummies. Lion's Mane is famous for its nootropic properties, making it an ideal choice for cognitive enhancement.

Immune Support: For those interested in boosting their immune system, Chaga and Turkey Tail mushrooms are great choices. These mushrooms contain powerful antioxidants and beta-glucans that help to support immune health.

Energy and Endurance: If you’re aiming to improve energy levels and physical endurance, Cordyceps mushrooms are the way to go. Cordyceps have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to improve stamina and combat fatigue.

Look for High-Quality Ingredients

Not all mushroom supplements in the UK are created equal. When choosing Super Mushroom Gummies, ensure the product contains high-quality, natural ingredients. The source of the mushrooms is a critical consideration—look for gummies made with organic, sustainably sourced mushrooms to ensure maximum efficacy and safety.

At Unique Nootropics, all our mushroom supplements, including Super Mushroom Gummies, are crafted with quality in mind. Each product is made using premium ingredients to provide a potent and effective way to experience the benefits of medicinal mushrooms.

Check for Standardization

When evaluating mushroom supplements, check whether the active compounds are standardized. The term “standardized” refers to ensuring consistent levels of beneficial compounds, such as beta-glucans and polysaccharides, which are responsible for the health benefits of mushrooms. Choosing gummies that are standardized for these compounds means you’re getting a consistent dose in every serving.

Assess Additional Ingredients

Super Mushroom Gummies can sometimes contain additional ingredients that boost their effects. Some gummies include added vitamins or adaptogens, which can further enhance health benefits. Look for products that are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives for a cleaner, healthier supplement.

Unique Nootropics' mushroom supplements are made with a focus on natural ingredients, ensuring you avoid unnecessary additives while benefiting from potent mushroom extracts.

Consider Taste and Ease of Use

One of the advantages of Super Mushroom Gummies is that they make taking mushroom supplements both easy and enjoyable. If you have tried capsules or powders in the past and struggled with taste or convenience, gummies can be a great alternative. Look for gummies that taste good but aren’t overly sweetened to avoid added sugars that could be detrimental to your health goals.

Unique Nootropics offers a variety of mushroom gummies that combine great flavor with the functional benefits of medicinal mushrooms. The goal is to make incorporating health-boosting mushrooms into your daily routine simple and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Super Mushroom Gummies depends largely on your specific needs and health goals. Whether you’re looking for stress relief, cognitive enhancement, immune support, or increased energy, there’s a mushroom supplement out there for you. Prioritize high-quality ingredients, standardization of active compounds, and positive customer reviews when selecting your gummies.

At Unique Nootropics, we provide a diverse range of Super Mushroom Gummies designed to address a variety of health needs. Our commitment to quality ensures that each gummy offers the full benefits of medicinal mushrooms, making it easier than ever for you to take control of your wellness journey. Explore our collection today and find the perfect Super Mushroom Gummies to support your health and vitality!

[bagwaninursery]

Benefits of Using a Medicinal Garden Kit for Home Gardening  

A medicinal garden kit is a simple and convenient way to start growing your own herbs and plants that have healing properties. Whether you’re dealing with a small cut, a headache, or just want to relax, a medicinal garden can be super helpful. At Bagwani Nursery, we believe that everyone can benefit from having a few medicinal plants right in their backyard or even on their balcony. Let’s explore the benefits of using a medicinal garden kit for home gardening.

 1. Easy Start for Beginners  

One of the best things about using a medicinal garden kit is that it makes gardening easy, even for beginners. These kits come with everything you need to get started, including seeds, soil, and instructions. You don’t have to worry about finding the right type of seeds or figuring out how to plant them. The kit guides you step by step, making it a simple and fun project for anyone, even if you’ve never gardened before.

 2. Grow Your Own Natural Remedies  

Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years to help heal the body and mind. With a medicinal garden kit, you can grow plants like aloe vera, mint, chamomile, and lavender, which have natural healing properties. Aloe vera, for example, is great for treating burns and cuts. Mint can help with digestion, and chamomile is known for calming anxiety and helping with sleep. Having these plants at home means you can use natural remedies instead of relying on store-bought products.

 3. Save Money on Health Products  

Instead of spending money on medicines or creams, you can grow your own healing plants at home. Many of the plants in a medicinal garden kit can be used to make teas, ointments, or even oils that help with different health issues. Over time, growing your own herbs can save you a lot of money because you won’t need to buy these products from the pharmacy or health store.

 4. Helps You Connect with Nature  

Gardening is a great way to connect with nature, and growing medicinal plants is especially rewarding because you’re nurturing plants that can actually improve your health. Taking care of these plants helps you appreciate the natural world and understand how plants can benefit our well-being. Spending time in your garden can also give you a break from technology and the fast pace of life, making it a peaceful and calming activity.

 5. Fresh Herbs Anytime  

With a medicinal garden kit, you’ll always have fresh herbs at home. Whether you need some mint for tea or a lavender sprig to help you relax, you can simply pick what you need right from your garden. Fresh herbs are not only more flavorful, but they’re also more effective than dried herbs because they retain more of their essential oils and nutrients.

 6. Supports Sustainable Living  

When you grow your own medicinal plants, you’re taking a step toward living more sustainably. Instead of buying plastic-packaged creams or medicines from the store, you’re using plants grown right in your own garden. This reduces waste and lowers your carbon footprint because you don’t have to rely on products that are shipped from far away. It’s an eco-friendly way to take care of yourself and the planet.

 7. Fun and Educational for All Ages  

Medicinal gardening is a fun and educational hobby for people of all ages. Kids can learn about plants and their healing properties, which can spark an interest in science and nature. Adults can explore new ways to stay healthy naturally. Plus, tending to the plants can be a relaxing activity that the whole family can enjoy together. Watching your plants grow and using them to make teas or creams is not only fun but also gives a sense of accomplishment.

 8. Reduces Stress and Boosts Mental Health  

Gardening is known for its stress-relieving benefits. When you’re tending to your medicinal plants, you’re focusing on something calming and rewarding. This can help take your mind off daily worries. Plus, many of the plants you’ll grow, like lavender and chamomile, have calming properties that can reduce anxiety and help you sleep better. Being around plants can boost your mood and mental well-being.

 9. Improves Air Quality at Home  

Medicinal plants like basil, mint, and aloe vera not only have healing properties but also help purify the air in your home. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which improves indoor air quality. Some medicinal plants can also filter harmful toxins from the air, making your home environment healthier.

 10. Personalizes Your Health Care  

Using a medicinal garden kit allows you to personalize your health care. Instead of using generic store-bought products, you can grow specific plants that suit your needs. If you often have digestive issues, you can grow peppermint. If you have trouble sleeping, you can grow chamomile or lavender. This makes your garden a customized source of natural health solutions, right at your fingertips.

 11. Low Maintenance and Convenient  

Medicinal plants are generally easy to care for, which makes them a great choice for home gardeners. Most medicinal plants don’t require a lot of space, water, or special care. Whether you have a big backyard or just a small windowsill, you can grow a medicinal garden with ease. Many kits are designed to be low-maintenance, so you don’t have to spend hours each day tending to the plants.

Conclusion  

At Bagwani Nursery, we believe that a medicinal garden kit is a wonderful addition to any home garden. It allows you to grow plants that can improve your health, save money, and bring you closer to nature. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, a medicinal garden kit provides an easy, fun, and rewarding way to take care of both your garden and your well-being. So why not start your own medicinal garden today? Bagwani Nursery is here to provide you with the best kits and plants to get you started!

For any queries please contact us or visit our website.

Phone: 7252802950

Email: bagwaninursery.in@gmail.com

Website: bagwaninursery.com

[startwithfiber]

How Plant-Based Protein Powder Changes Your Life Like Never Before

Get ready to benefit from the advantages of plant-based protein powder by reading over the list on how it can transform your life from an energy boost to digestion. And also, we get to go over some key products such as organic green powder, plant based superfood, and organic super green powder, and a one a day fiber supplement — all made so convenient for you.

1. A Health Boost You Can Feel

Life can get pretty crazy, though. With the whole combination of work, family, and personal ambitions all vying for your attention, there can sometimes be just no time left to care about what your body wants and needs the most. That’s where plant-based protein powder comes in, making it easier than ever to keep your health in check. Of course, while it’s all about getting the needed protein from the sources, a lot of these powders are highly rich in other nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

This addition of such a product, like organic green powder, into your daily routine provides you with more than just protein. Rather, it is heavily teeming with antioxidants and phytonutrients that cleanse your body and promote a healthy lifestyle by boosting your immune system. The impacts on energy levels, the look of your skin, and even stress reactions will have you changing to a different effect, and it’ll make your body deliver what it promises in this simple switch to a completely natural supplement, nutrient-rich.

2. Superfood Power for All-Day Energy

Maybe you’ve heard the term superfood tossed around. Can you describe what that really means? A plant-based superfood is a food packed full of nutrients that encourage general well-being and health. Adding this kind of superfood to your plant-based protein powder is providing a double knockout for your body.

You add organic super green powder to your smoothie or shake for not only a daily dose of protein but also the energizing power of mighty superfoods such as spirulina, kale, and chlorella. No afternoon slumps for you now. Be more focused and energized to face all that comes your way- office or gym time.

3. Better Digestion and Gut Health

Perhaps one of the biggest pluses of plant-based protein powders is their digestibility. Unlike animals-derived counterparts, which can be heavy to digest and give you the bloat, plant-derived types can get your stomach happy in no time. Many of these powders have one a day fiber supplement in them, so they can do a lot for your digestive health.

One of the most neglected ingredients is probably fiber, but it’s an important component in keeping your digestive system running smoothly. By using a daily fiber supplement along with a plant-based protein powder, you ensure getting your daily dose of fiber without having to remind yourself to add extra fiber sources to meals. Better digestion, regularity, and even better gut health will be achieved. You won’t feel bloated or weighty after a drink of a protein shake.

Another positive effect of starting your day with organic super green powder is an enhanced digestion. This is because greens abound in fiber, which will provide great advantage in detoxification and a healthy digestive tract. Spinach and wheatgrass are some of the green leaves that have chlorophyll and promote detoxification to give a purer body. Adding this plant-based protein powder will make you feel lighter, while giving you more energy to face whatever day throws at you.

4. Convenience Meets Nutrition

Healthy eating needn’t be complicated, neither is this plant-based protein powder. In fact, one of the best qualities of this protein powder is that it’s easy to get into even the most hectic of schedules. You can fuel your body with what it needs in an easily accessible way, whether that means you mix it into water, smoothies, or even baked goods-you’re good to go!

A one-a-day fiber supplement can be a lifeline for most of us who forget to take multiple supplements. These easy boosts of your protein powder mean getting both your protein and your fiber in one quick swipe. It’s fast and easy, and you never have to give a second thought to being able to fit in your nutritional goals for the day.

5. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Apart from the health advantages that involve steering clear of preservatives and artificial colors in choosing your plant-based protein powder, it is also an environmentally friendly product. Animal-based proteins require more resources to produce; thus, it is less harsh on the environment. Choosing a product like organic super green powder helps create a healthier food system and nourishes the body.

Many plant-based protein powders are organic, which means they don’t contain pesticides or other bad chemicals. So, it’s really one step closer to the cleanest approach to your diet while respecting the health of the planet at large. Organic also encourages farming methods that focus on the health of the soil as well as biodiversity.

Conclusion: Use Plant-Based Protein to Change Your Health

Going from a dietary decision to lifestyle choice is switching to plant-based protein powder. No longer will you just experience more energy with organic green powder or the relief of a one-a-day fiber supplement, but you can have something change your life for the better: you are going to have more energy, better digestion, and peace of mind knowing your nutritional needs are met without any stress. And by choosing sustainable and eco-friendly products, you’ll do something good for the planet as well.

If you are a fitness freak, or simply a busy professional who wishes to get healthy, then the plant-based protein powder would prove to be the best choice for you. So why wait? Switch today and find out how these nutrient-rich products can change your life in ways you never imagined it could be.

[productiveandfree]

What to Eat to Boost Productivity and Feel Good

Ever heard of the phrase “you are what you eat”? Though this was a scaremongering phrase used throughout the noughties, it does have a slight element of truth. Here at Productive and Free, we aren’t about chanting about the newest diets on the markets, or weight loss fads, but instead, we’re passionate about building up our health and feeling good while doing it.   

We live in a world where health truly matters, but so does living fast and free — so how can you be healthy while living in the moment? We know as well as the next person that finding time to eat can be hard for some, especially when you’re juggling a busy family life or working long hours. One moment you’re dashing to the office fuelled with coffee; the next you’re grabbing your first meal of the day after 2 p.m.  — it’s not great, but it does happen.  

We’re here to stop the burnout feeling and help you feel good no matter what. To truly nourish yourself inside and out, you need to take a long, hard look at the things you eat. We certainly don��t want you fuelling up on leaves and lettuce, but good quality products that can satisfy every craving. Snacks as a whole play a super important role in giving you the energy to go about your day, and we’re here to help you do it right. In this blog, we’re going to be taking a look at some easy snack options that you can incorporate into your routine. And the best part about fuelling up throughout the day?  Boosting productivity and feeling fresh. Let’s get planning. 

Why is smart snacking important?

If you work a regular 9-5 and barely have time to grab lunch, then you may not be giving your body enough nutrition to truly thrive. Food as a whole is a tool that maintains your productivity and helps you at work, which is why you should pay careful attention to what you eat.   

The important factors below can be added to any kind of snack routine to make sure that you never miss out on the brain power you need. Whether it’s for your next gaming session, a day of work, or if you’re preparing good gaming snacks for yourself and friends — you should always incorporate the right level of nutrition to feed your body and mind. 

But why specifically?

Energy levels: Healthy snacks are needed, as skipping meals or living off sugary snacks can lead to those dreaded energy crashes or mood swings. You need to grab a balanced, healthy snack to keep your blood levels in check and stop those midday sleepies that creep up on you unwanted.   

Crashes at lunchtime: If you’re someone that hits a new level of tiredness by lunch, it’s because your body is craving nutrition. You should shop around for some high-protein snacks, mixed with healthy fats and carbs to help you power through the day — even without the coffee. Trust us, it works.   

Helps brain focus: Above all else, your brain just needs feeding good food. Just like the rest of your body, your mind needs to be fuelled with high nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber.  

Simple snacks to add to your routine

Snacks are needed when time is not on your side. They can make a huge difference in avoiding crashes throughout the day and helping you feel energized. Here’s a quick rundown for you to add to your next week's groceries — because trust us, the productivity levels need it.   

1. Yogurt and fruit: This one is such a simple yet effective snack. All you need is a cup of yogurt, and you’ll be fueled with a brilliant amount of protein. Top the yogurt with fresh berries or banana and enjoy all the natural sugars you need to thrive throughout the day. Not only is this packed with the vitamins you need, but it’s also super easy to make, and can be eaten on the go. Win-win.   

2. Vegetable sticks and hummus: We all know that this is the OG of the snack world, and it’s a fail-safe snack that can be prepped way in advance. Simply slice up carrots, cucumbers, or veggies of your choice, and dunk them in a delicious pot of hummus. You’ve got the fiber and vitamins from the veg and healthy fats from the hummus. Perfect!   

3. Hard-boiled eggs: We know this sounds too easy, but it is one of the healthiest snacks you can add to your roster. Boil them the night before work, pop them in your bag, and you’ve got a great snack all day long. It will give you a protein-packed day, while fuelling you up on Vitamin D.   

4. Peanut butter and fruit slices: All you need to do is grab a nut butter of any kind and slice up some apples for a healthy sweet treat while out and about. Almond and peanut butter are the most popular choices and are actually a great source of fat and protein. Dip the apple slices in, and you’ve got yourself a brilliant source of Vitamin C. Top tip? Feed this to the little ones in the family, and they won’t quite believe that this sweet treat is a healthy snack in disguise! 

 As you can see, food is the answer to many things and is the ticket to keeping your body healthy and happy. We’re buzzing with new ideas, but are always open to newer ones — what’s your productivity secret? We’d love to hear!

Share in the comments below: Questions go here

[ultrezenzymes]

Enhance Your Health: 11 Benefits of Ultreze Digestive Enzymes

Hey everyone! Let's talk about digestive enzymes today—something our systems use quite a bit but may not give sufficient attention to. These tiny helpers are essential to our efficient food digestion and well-being. Let's examine ten simple ways that these digestive enzymes can improve our wellbeing:

Improved Digestion

Enzymes function as our body's secret soldiers! They work in the background to efficiently break down our meals into small pieces so we may easily absorb all the beneficial components. There won't be any gas, bloating, or stomachaches while digestion is going well! Enzymes are the greatest buddies our stomachs can have; they keep everything feeling wonderful!

Better Nutrient Absorption

Efficient digestion means better absorption of essential nutrients, boosting overall health, energy levels, and supporting immune function.

Reduced Bloating and Gas

Enzymes help break down food more effectively, reducing bloating and gas, and promoting comfort after meals.

Support for Digestive Disorders

Gout problems such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or IBS may really put a strain on your gut when your digestive enzymes are not functioning properly. A plethora of issues could arise if your body is lacking in the enzymes needed to break down meals. However, digestive enzyme supplements can intervene like super heroes, reducing discomfort, adding some spice to your everyday schedule, and providing delightful respite.

Increased Energy Levels

Your body helps you maintain a healthy weight when it breaks down food properly and absorbs nutrients like a sponge. With all your body need, you're not going to become a midnight snack expert. Digestive enzymes are the heroes of your metabolism; they keep it healthy and make maintaining a healthy weight easy.

Enhanced Immune Function

Maintaining a robust immune system requires proper digestion and food absorption. Digestive enzymes make sure everything goes well in your gut by acting as its go-to friends. It feels like a fortress keeping you safe from illness when your digestive system is healthy and functioning well. Thus, those enzymes are more than simply allies; they're your body's covert weaponry against naughty viruses and colds!

Weight Management

Efficient digestion and nutrient absorption can aid in weight management by supporting metabolic functions and reducing cravings.

Reduced Food Intolerances

Enzymes help digest challenging foods like lactose or gluten, reducing discomfort and expanding dietary options.

Support for Aging Digestive Systems

The ultimate food warriors, digestive enzymes effortlessly cut through tough foods like wheat and dairy's lactose. Enzymes free you from the agony of food intolerances by helping you overcome these culinary challenges, leading to a world of delectable possibilities free from stomach troubles.

Improved Overall Well-being

When digestion is optimal, it positively impacts mood, energy levels, and overall quality of life. These digestive enzymes are like your body's silent partners in wellness, ensuring you feel your best from the inside out!

Better Health of the Skin

Your digestive system's health is intimately related to the condition of your skin. Skin conditions including acne, eczema, and premature ageing can be brought on by poor digestion and nutrition absorption. Digestional enzymes can help you have healthier, more radiant skin by enhancing digestion and making sure your body gets the nutrients it needs.

Digestion-promoting enzymes are like your body's unseen superheroes, boosting nutritional absorption, digestion, and general well-being! Accept their superpowers to improve the health of your digestive system and enjoy the delicious results. Whether you take a pill, consume more foods high in enzymes, or make lifestyle changes, there are many methods to support your body's digestive team and reap the rewards. Cheers to a healthier you and easier digestion! Do you have a tale to tell or are you curious about digestive enzymes? Leave a remark down below! Let's continue the conversation and encourage one another to get healthier!

Read for more details: https://shorturl.at/cr3id

[everythingraw]

The Scoop on Poop: Why Raw Food is a Game Changer for Ottawa Dogs

Let's face it, cleaning up after your dog isn't always the most glamorous task. But what if there was a way to make those walks in the park a little less… odiferous? Ottawa pet owners are discovering a secret weapon: raw dog food diets. And one of the surprising benefits? Happier (and way less smelly!) doggy doo-duty! Intrigued? Let's sniff out the answers to some common questions about raw food and your dog's digestion:

Kibble Convenience vs. Raw Reality

Sure, kibble seems convenient, but it's often loaded with fillers and grains that can irritate your dog's gut. Raw food, on the other hand, is a natural diet powerhouse, mimicking what wolves and coyotes eat. Packed with readily digestible nutrients, it supports a healthy digestive system from the inside out.

How Does Raw Food Help My Dog Digest Better?

Raw food is brimming with natural vitamins, fats, and enzymes that work wonders for your dog's gut health. Think of it as super fuel for their digestive system! Kibble, with its high-fiber fillers, can actually feed the "wrong" gut bacteria, leading to more waste and potential tummy troubles. Raw food, with its balanced blend of muscle meat, bone, and organ meats, provides everything your dog needs, minimizing waste and maximizing nutrient absorption.

Why Do Dogs Poop Less on Raw Food?

It's simple: what goes in, comes out (but less of it!). Raw food diets are highly bioavailable, meaning your dog absorbs most of the nutrients. This translates to less waste to eliminate. Plus, the lack of fillers in raw food means there's simply less "stuff" to, well, you know…

Ottawa Pup Parents Report Wagging Tails (and Cleaner Backyards!)

Pet owners in Ottawa who've switched to raw food are raving about the positive changes. Dogs on raw food diets tend to poop less frequently, and their waste is smaller, firmer, and – music to every pet parent's ears – less smelly. Smaller, less stinky poops are a win-win for both dogs and their humans!

Is Raw Food Eco-Friendly? You Bet!

Absolutely! Raw dog food waste is more biodegradable than kibble waste. It decomposes faster, leaving less environmental impact. So, feeding your dog raw can be a responsible choice for the eco-conscious pet owner.

Is Raw Food Right for My Dog?

Every dog is unique! Before making any drastic dietary changes, consult your veterinarian or a pet nutrition specialist, especially if your dog has any underlying health conditions. Age, health, and activity level all play a role in determining the best diet for your furry friend.

Finding Quality Raw Food in Ottawa: It's Easy!

The good news for Ottawa pet owners is that there are fantastic raw dog food suppliers readily available! Look for companies like Everything Raw, which offer high-quality products that cater to your dog's specific needs and preferences. They prioritize your dog's health and safety without breaking the bank.

The Raw Food Revolution: Unleashing Natural Wellness

The shift towards raw food reflects a growing awareness of the importance of a natural diet for our canine companions. By providing your dog with a high-quality raw food diet, you can promote better digestion, reduce waste production, and even help the environment. Contact Everything Raw today for personalized guidance on transitioning your dog to a raw diet and finding the perfect food to meet their individual needs.

Ready to ditch the stinky kibble and explore the world of raw food? Let's get your Ottawa pup on the path to a happier, healthier digestive system!

[rmidm]

The Wonders of Sea Moss Powder: A Natural Superfood

Have you ever heard of sea moss powder? If not, you're in for a treat! Sea moss powder is becoming super popular, and for good reason. It's a natural superfood that can do amazing things for your health. In this article, we'll dive into what sea moss powder is, its benefits, how to use it, and much more. So, let's get started on this exciting journey!

What is Sea Moss?

Sea moss, also known as Irish moss, is a type of red algae found along the Atlantic coasts of North America, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. Various cultures have used it for centuries for its health benefits and as a natural remedy. When wet, sea moss has a slimy texture. When dried, it turns into a crunchy, yellowish substance.

Turning Sea Moss into Powder

To make sea moss powder, the sea moss is harvested, cleaned, dried, and then ground into a fine powder. This process ensures that all the nutrients are preserved and easy to consume. The powder form is incredibly convenient because you can easily add it to your food or drinks.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Sea Moss Powder

Packed with Nutrients: Sea moss powder contains essential vitamins and minerals. It's rich in iodine, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. These nutrients are vital for keeping your body healthy and functioning correctly.

Boosts Immune System: One of the most incredible things about sea moss powder is its ability to boost your immune system. It contains antiviral and antimicrobial properties that help your body fight off infections and diseases. Adding sea moss powder to your diet can help you stay healthy and prevent colds and flu.

Supports Digestive Health: Sea moss powder is excellent for your digestive system. It contains carrageenan fiber, which helps improve digestion and relieve digestive issues like bloating and constipation. This makes it a perfect addition to a healthy diet.

Promotes Healthy Skin: Do you dream of having glowing, healthy skin? Sea moss powder can help! It contains vitamins and minerals that nourish your skin from the inside out. It can help reduce acne, moisturize dry skin, and even improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Aids in Weight Loss: Sea moss powder might be your new best friend if you're trying to lose weight. It's low in calories but high in nutrients, making it a great addition to your diet. The fiber in sea moss powder helps you feel full for longer, reducing the urge to snack between meals.

Enhances Thyroid Function: Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck that significantly regulates your metabolism. Sea moss powder is rich in iodine, crucial for thyroid health. Ensuring you get enough iodine can help keep your thyroid functioning correctly and prevent hypothyroidism.

Boosts Energy Levels: Are you feeling tired all the time? Sea moss powder can help with that, too! Its rich nutrient content can boost your natural energy, helping you feel more awake and alert throughout the day.

How to Use Sea Moss Powder

Using sea moss powder is super easy and versatile. Here are some simple ways to incorporate it into your daily routine:

Smoothies

One of the easiest ways to enjoy sea moss powder is to add it to smoothies. Toss in a teaspoon or two, blend it with your favorite fruits and veggies, and enjoy a nutrient-packed drink.

Soups and Stews

Sea moss powder can be a great addition to soups and stews. It adds a boost of nutrients without changing the flavor of your dish. Just sprinkle some into your pot while cooking.

Baking

You can also use sea moss powder in your baking. Add it to your cookie, muffin, or bread recipes for a healthy twist.

Tea

Add sea moss powder to your tea for a warm, soothing drink. Stir a small amount into hot water or your favorite herbal tea.

Face Masks

You can use powdered sea moss to make a face mask for a spa-like treatment at home. Mix it with water or honey to create a paste, apply it to your face, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off. Your skin will thank you!

Where to Buy Sea Moss Powder

You can find sea moss powder in health food stores, online shops, and sometimes your local grocery store. When buying sea moss powder, look for a high-quality, organic product. This ensures you're getting the best possible nutrients without any harmful additives.

Tips for Storing Sea Moss Powder

Store your sea moss powder fresh and potent, in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh and powerful. Avoid exposing it to moisture or direct sunlight. Proper storage will help it last longer and retain its beneficial properties.

Conclusion

Sea moss powder is a fantastic natural superfood with many health benefits. It's a versatile addition to your diet, from boosting your immune system to improving your skin and aiding in weight loss. With so many easy ways to use it, there's no reason not to try sea moss powder. Whether you add it to your smoothies and soups or even use it as a face mask, you'll be reaping the benefits of this fantastic ocean treasure.

[plumfoods]

Top 10 Breakfast Foods to Fuel Your Morning

Whatever your day may bring, breakfast should be the fuel that propels you forward and then keeps you going until lunch, or longer. But what are the best foods for the job? In this article we take a look at the top 10 foods for a healthy breakfast, and also consider some of those you may want to avoid, or at least keep to a minimum.

What Are 10 Healthy Breakfast Foods?

Oats When it comes to kick-starting your day, oats tick all the right boxes. Packed with heart-healthy fibre, they help keep your cholesterol levels in check and your digestive system happy. But the benefits don't stop there. Oats are also full of the good kind of carbs that give you a slow-release energy to power through your morning without hitting a slump. Plus, they're incredibly versatile! Whether you're enjoying a warm bowl of porridge topped with fresh fruit and nuts or grabbing an oat-based granola bar on the go, oats really are the breakfast of champions. Eggs Eggs are one of very few ingredients considered to be a complete food, providing most of the nutrients our body needs. An excellent source of protein, with all nine essential amino acids, eggs will keep you full and focused throughout your morning. They're also full of essential fats, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin D for bone health and choline for brain function. Whether you prefer them scrambled, boiled, poached, or folded into a fluffy omelette, eggs are as versatile as they are quick and easy to cook. Cereal A super quick fix for a busy morning, cereal can be a wholesome choice too if you choose wisely. We're talking cereals that are whole grain, low in sugar, and high in fibre. Muesli and granola have all the right credentials, but do read the label carefully to make sure they contain more of the good stuff than the bad. You can find out more about why we believe that wholegrains are the heart of a healthy cereal. Top it off with some sliced bananas or a handful of berries for that extra boost of nutrients and sweetness! Wholegrain Toast Sticking with the theme of wholegrains, we should address the elephant in the room. Bread gets such a bad press nowadays but again, when you choose wisely, it is not all bad. Wholegrains are fantastic for heart health and digestion because of their high fibre content, which also keeps you feeling fuller for longer, reducing the temptation for mid-morning snacking. They have a lower glycaemic index than refined grains, so they help maintain steady blood sugar levels. Balanced out with healthy fats and proteins, maybe toast is not the breakfast baddie after all. So, whichever way you slice it, wholegrain toast is a simple and satisfying choice for a nutritious breakfast. Yoghurt When it comes to quick and easy foods for breakfast, yoghurt is a popular choice. An excellent source of probiotics, which are fabulous for maintaining a happy gut flora, it is also packed with protein. Whether you're a fan of the creamy Greek yoghurt or prefer the plant-based varieties, there's a yoghurt out there to suit your taste and nutritional needs. Spoon into a bowl and toss in your favourite fruits, a swirl of honey, and a sprinkle of nuts and seeds for a perfect start to your day. Plus, it's a breeze to prep when you're short on time. Who knew something so simple could be so good for you, right? Fruit Fruits really is nature’s candy, and if you are seeking a little sweetness then this is the sugar to choose. Packed with the good stuff, not only does it satisfy your sweet tooth naturally, but the fibre in fruit helps safeguard against those blood sugar spikes associated with sugar. So, whether it's a vibrant smoothie bowl bursting with tropical sunshine or a simple apple on the go, incorporating fruit into your breakfast is a delicious way to fuel your body and keep your taste buds happy. Vegetables Veggies for breakfast might sound unconventional to some, but there are few foods on the planet as blessed with plant power. Some veg are more suited to breakfast than others, and a chosen few have gained a permanent place in the breakfast lexicon. Spinach has become the acceptable face of greens in the morning, whilst tomatoes and mushrooms have long held their place on the breakfast plate. Peppers and onions pack a punch of flavour that eggs welcome, and even chillies are thought to be an excellent wake up call. Sneaking veggies into your morning meal, adds not just a splash of colour to your plate, but also gives you a head start on the daily nutritional goals. So why not get creative? It's all about making that morning meal work for you in the tastiest, healthiest way possible! Avocado Avocado. The superhero of breakfast foods! Full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, it does wonders for keeping those cholesterol levels in check. Whether you're smashing it onto toast or slicing it into a spinach salad, avocados are the gift that keeps on giving. And they have way more to offer than just those good fats; they also have just the right balance of sodium and potassium that can help regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. Besides, the creamy texture and subtle flavour makes avocado a dream to pair with almost anything Seeds Seeds do far more than add a toasty crunch. Chia, flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds are just a handful of choices that can supercharge your morning routine. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health, seeds contain all the nutrients necessary to grow a whole new plant. That's a lot of goodness in a tiny little space. Sprinkle them over yogurt or oatmeal, toss them into your morning smoothie, or bake them into your morning muffins. They add a satisfying pop of texture and a nutty flavour that gives your brekkie a boost. Nuts Nuts are also champions for your brain, delivering a dose of omega-3s and antioxidants that are sure to keep those neurons firing. Like seeds, they all offer something slightly different, so mix it up with as many varieties as you can. Walnuts are a particularly good choice for breakfast, and are positively brimming with nutrients to boost your brain health.

What Foods Should I Avoid For Breakfast?

Starting your day off with the wrong foods can set you back before you've even stepped out the door, leaving you feeling sluggish or hungry way before lunch. What's more, they do little to support your health on a long term basis either. Let's run through some morning no-no's: Sugary cereals Sugary cereals might be tempting with their bright colors and sweet taste, but they are the very opposite of a healthy breakfast food. These cereals are often loaded with refined sugars and lack substantial fibre, protein, or healthy fats—key elements that give you that lasting energy to tackle your day. When you start your morning with a high-sugar cereal, you're more likely to experience a mid-morning crash as your blood sugar spikes and then plummets. Instead of setting up for success, they leave you reaching for a snack long before lunchtime, not to mention the long-term health impacts of consistently high sugar intake. Read more about making the switch to low sugar cereal Refined pastries and doughnuts Tempting, but no. Refined pastries and doughnuts might seem like the perfect comfort food to start off your morning, yet their convenience and taste come with a downside. These sweet treats are typically made from processed white flour and are packed with sugar, which can lead to a rapid spike in your blood sugar levels. This spike can not only leave you with a notorious 'sugar crash' but also may result in you feeling hungrier sooner. Additionally, they're often bereft of essential nutrients like fibre and protein which are crucial to kickstart your metabolism and keep you feeling full and focused throughout your morning. So, as tempting as they are, it's best to reserve these goodies for occasional treats rather than everyday breakfast fare. High-sugar fruit juices Glugging down a glass of juice might seem like a great way to start your day, but what's really in your glass? High-sugar fruit juices are often missing the fibrous goodness that you find in whole fruits. Without the fibre, that liquid rush of fructose hits your system fast, leading to a quick spike in blood sugar levels. Just like with our not-so-friend, the sugary cereal, you could find yourself tumbling down from a sugar high way before your next meal. Plus, many of these juices have just as much sugar as sodas, minus the beneficial nutrients that whole fruits provide. Much better to grab a piece of fruit for the full quota of flavour, fibre, and vitamins. Processed meat Processed meats, like bacon and sausage, might be breakfast staples for many, but let's take a closer look at that familiar fry up. These meats often go through extensive processing, loaded with salt, preservatives, and sometimes even sweeteners, which ranks them pretty low on the health scale. They're often cited as increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. They're not doing you any favours in the nutrient department either—offering more negatives than positives. It's a far cry from the lean protein and wholesome nutrition you really need to start the day strong. So maybe, instead of making them a morning mainstay, it could be time to lean towards healthier proteins like eggs or Greek yogurt for your first meal of the day. Ultimately, a breakfast built on high-sugar, high-fat, and highly-processed foods can mess with your energy and health. Opting for whole, nutrient-rich foods is always the way to go!

What Are 5 Healthy Breakfast Combinations?

We have seen the foods that make great healthy choices, and some of those that don't. But what really makes a healthy breakfast is striking a balance of all those nutrients. Greek Yogurt Parfait: Layer up Greek yogurt with a mix of fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of granola for that delightful crunch. Oatmeal Supreme: Start with warm oatmeal, top it off with sliced bananas and walnuts, and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a heart-healthy treat. Avocado Toast with a Twist: Whole-grain bread toasted to perfection, adorned with mashed avocado, topped with poached eggs, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little zing. Smoothie Bowl: Blend some spinach with frozen mango, a banana, and almond milk for your base, then garnish with chia seeds and mixed nuts for an extra energy boost. The Classic with a Healthy Spin: Whole-wheat English muffin with grilled mushrooms, a side of scrambled egg, and a handful of roasted vine-ripened cherry tomatoes for a balanced morning meal. Combining proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats means you're setting yourself up for a morning of success. Just a few simple ingredients are all you need to fuel your body and mind. In fact, when it comes to healthy food in general, we always think that simple is best. So whether you're a sweet or savoury fan, these breakfast foods are designed to please your palate while giving you the kick-start you need. Remember, the key to a nutritious breakfast is balance—getting those proteins, carbs, and healthy fats altogether on your plate. Explore our range of healthy cereals to help you cross one of your healthy breakfast foods off the list! This article was reproduced on this site with permission from operafoods.com.au the “Healthy Breakfast Cereal Manufacturers”. See original article:- Top 10 Breakfast Foods to Fuel Your Morning Read the full article