#we have joes cooking and cherrys wine

[neon-witch-ritual]

OMG OMGOMGOMG

sk8 ova trailer sk8 ova trailer 😭😭 i love that the voice actors for cherry and joe are just as excited that the boys are back

[sk8theinfinitysims4-leavan]

Nanjo Family

The Nanjo family consists of eight members in the main family, Kotaro, the eldest son, Kojiro, the middle son and Kosuke and Koharu the younger twins, Yuzuki, the father, Aoi, the mother and the paternal grandparents, Haruki; the grandmother; and Toshio; the grandfather; who all but Kojiro and Kotaro live in the Nanjo family home. On the other hand the maternal grandparents, Riko; the grandmother; and Yuma; the grandfather; live with their twin sons, Seijo and Hideo, on the Nishimura family farm. While the Nanjo's daughter and the Nishimura's middle daughter live respectively with their husbands and children.

Many of the characters are constantly changing, such as hair, eyes, facial features, to make them look more like the canon, but keeping our way of making sims, so the appearance may vary a little over time. We will reblog when some change is made.

Names marked with * are unofficial characters. Names marked with ** are unofficial names, carefully researched and chosen. Characters marked with ✩ are the most common ones to appear in our stories.

And this family, oh well this family, is a little bit longer than the others, so be prepared for a somewhat long post, but hopefully you will enjoy it. Once we finish introducing all the families/members that appear in story in this batch of future story posts, we'll get down to the business of posting the main story.

~All the family under the cut line~

Disclaimer: English and Japanese is not our native language, so it's possible that we have writed and/or translated some things incorrectly. 🙇💦

南城虎次郎 (Nanjo Kojiro) ✩

First name: 虎次郎 (Kojiro)

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Job: Owner and chef of the Italian restaurant "Sia la Luce"

"S" Name: ジョー (Joe)

Stance (Skateboard): Regular

Birthday: July, 7th

Zodiac sign: Cancer (蟹座)

Blood type: 0

Weight: 84kg

Height: 186cm

Age: 26

Son of Yuzuki and Aoi Nanjo. He has three siblings, an older brother, Kotaro and two younger twin siblings, Kosuke and Koharu. He's a renowned Italian food chef in the area, great gourmet and fetén cook, no one in the place misses his meals. His specialty is Carbonara, a dish praised by Kaoru, although he doesn't say so, accompanied by a glass of white wine and small cherry tomatoes. He always tries to try and cook new recipes in which includes in his menu, both savory and sweet dishes, although personally doesn't like desserts so sweet. Apart from making food, lately he has taken a liking to creating cocktails and drinks and is quite good at it.

He has a best friend since childhood, whose name is Kaoru Sakurayashiki and they get along like cats and dogs. They have known each other since Kindergarten, and since that time they have always been together, although had already been together since their parents are neighbors and friends.

His body is his temple so he doesn't punish it with junk food or steroids, in his free time he also usually dances, and as a good Nanjo he likes to make jokes, something he probably inherited from his grandfather Toshio.

When he was little he used to go to his maternal grandparents' farm, where he learned to love plants and farm work. He learned how expensive farming and ranching is, the time and all the steps each product has to go through to get a quality product. His grandparents have a restaurant and had a cafeteria-shop; currently run by their middle daughter with her husband; in this restaurant they use part of the quality products they grow on their land, another part is received by Kojiro and the rest is sold to the local people.

Kojiro is a brave guy when it comes to serious moments, in some circumstances he gets scared but it's something that happens to all people.

He likes sports; as can be seen by his large muscle mass; and usually goes to the gym. Besides being somewhat "obsessed" with muscles, he loves and appreciates seeing it in others. He has one sport that he practices more than any other with his friends and that is skateboarding.

Kojiro is a very romantic and passionate guy, people say he's a great kisser, and usually goes with college girls in each of his arms in his free time. He's a very friendly guy, it doesn't take him long to make friends with someone new. Working in his restaurant he's never short of a friendly smile.

When he can goes for walks in the countryside like when was a child, he's very happy when hiking. Kojiro is very good with painting, photography and writing, could it be on his mother's side? For some reason he doesn't like Hip-Hop, but loves world music, romantic music and pop music. His favorite colors are green, pink and red.

At S (Crazy Rock); a secret place where many people go skateboarding; he's known as JOE.

(Photo Cooming Soon...)

Close-up of his face and full body view

(Photo Cooming Soon...)

Close-up of his face and full body view (DK, Teenager)

(Photo Cooming Soon...)

Close-up of his face and full body view (DS, Child)

(Photo Cooming Soon...)

JOE "S"

虎次郎のお兄さん (Kojiro's big brother)*

First name: 虎太郎 (Kotaro)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Job: Pediatrician (Hospital Doctor)

Age: 32

Son of Yuzuki and Aoi Nanjo. He has three siblings, a middle brother, Kojiro and two younger twin siblings, Kosuke and Koharu. Kotaro is a young doctor, who someday would like to open his own practice but for now works at the hospital going to house calls, especially in the place where his grandparents live. His specialty is pediatrics, he takes care of children from 0 (newborns) to 12 years old (primary school). From a very young age he knew wanted to be a doctor, because one day his little brother Kojiro got lost in the forest and when he was found saw the work of doctors to make sure his brother was completely well, although he never really knew it was the paramedics, not until he was older. His favorite patients were Kojiro and Kaoru, his little brother and his little brother's best friend, as they always had some little bump or scrape on their knees, especially in the summer. Kotaro would sometimes get angry when they had nothing, as he said it was a day he couldn't practice, something he grew out of over the years.

He enjoys video games especially with what he can compete against someone, either with his siblings or a friend. Sometimes he even makes his own videos and shows them to his patients while cures or checks them, he also writes little stories that gives to his patients with an unnamed hero/heroine, a talent he started to develop thanks to his little brother Kojiro. Something Kotaro usually does in his spare time is photography, he has always said that if wasn't a pediatrician, he would have been a photographer.

Kotaro is a correct and polite guy, he always treats his patients and all people in general with respect. He is seen by everyone in the hospital as a great leader, the first days of practice he was immediately, and in less than a week everyone was already talking about him positively. He is self-confident, and when he thinks he's right, no one can change his mind. His grandparents sometimes call him to consult him about the store as he also has a good eye for business.

His brother Kojiro and his brother's best friend, Kaoru, used to see him as a hero when they were kids. Nowadays Kojiro still sees him as a hero, Kaoru on the other hand sees him as a madman? How can he work surrounded by children every day? The children he takes care of also see him as a great hero, although Kotaro has never seen himself as such. Although he looks very serious, he's a great joker and many of his older patients (8-12 years old) leave the office laughing, and instead of going to the doctor it looks like they have gone to visit a great friend.

He's often the one who brings order to his parents' meals at home, and always tries to follow a healthy menu and eat correctly.

Both he and his grandfather Yuma have the same decorative taste, Yuma is the maternal grandfather who lives on the Nishimura farm. Kotaro was always saying that when he grew up he would live in a house that had the furniture that his grandfather had, now that he lives in an apartment, asked his grandfather for advice and has it decorated with similar farmhouse style furniture. Although he knows that someday will have to move out of there, if wants to set up a private practice in the place where he lives, as currently doesn't have much space, he has a mini office in his apartment, but barely goes into it. His favorite color is red as says, it's a color that gives a lot of life. Perhaps autumn is his favorite season?

虎次郎の弟ちゃん (Kojiro's little brother)*

First name: 虎介 (Kosuke)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Ocupation: Middle School Student (中学校)

Age: 15

Son of Yuzuki and Aoi Nanjo. He has three siblings, an older brother, Kotaro, a middle brother, Kojiro and a twin sister, Koharu. Kosuke is a normal student who likes jogging and wants to try to be like his two older brothers, big muscles and strong. He's the leader of "Futago" club, where his sister is also a member.

When he and Koharu were little, always tried to follow Kojiro and Kaoru everywhere in the house, something Kaoru didn't like, as he wanted Kojiro to only pay attention to him. So Kaoru always ended up misleading them and they lost sight of them or couldn't open the door because he locked it with a latch, something for which Aoi ended up scolding Kojiro, as she didn't like that they left the door closed that way. Kojiro would always say that it wasn't him and would argue with Kaoru so that he wouldn't do it anymore, but despite this it was a situation that was repeated more than once.

Kosuke attends violin lessons, since it is an instrument that he has been playing since he was a child and likes it very much. His parents agreed that he should take lessons, and who knows, may become a great violinist in the future.

He likes to collect objects he finds on the long walks takes with his crew. Sometimes he plays the hero in front of everyone, just like his sister Koharu. Lately he has met Miya, and from time to time they go out on weekends to the park or for a drink, together with his twin sister and Miya's friends. He also has a slight romantic interest in Hayner.

He doesn't like summer music, maybe it's because he had a bad experience at the annual school camps where they do courage tests, as his classmates often played them in the background when they stayed in the rooms at night. As an adult he says he will have an island-themed house and it will be all yellow, his favorite color.

虎次郎の妹ちゃん (Kojiro's little sister)*

First name: 虎介 (Koharu)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Ocupation: Middle School Student (中学校)

Age: 15

Daughter of Yuzuki and Aoi Nanjo. She has three brothers, an older brother, Kotaro, a middle brother, Kojiro and a twin brother, Kosuke. Koharu is a girl who recycles everything she can, if something is broken she will try to fix it or give it a second chance. Her grandmother on her father's side has made her a member of the spa gym she goes to, and she's very happy because it's a gift from her grandmother, apart from the spa she also uses the gym to get in shape. Koharu is an excellent caregiver, and her neighbors sometimes leave their little ones with her when they have to go out somewhere.

Her favorite sport is snowboarding, although she has rarely been able to do it, as can only do it when she goes to Hokkaido with her paternal grandparents or her parents. She also wants to skateboard, but doesn't know how to approach her older brother, Kotaro, who keeps telling her that it's a very dangerous sport. She has also thought about telling Kojiro, thinks there would be no problem with him, but still doesn't know how to go about it.

Lately she has met Miya, and from time to time they go out on weekends to the park or for a drink, together with her twin brother and Miya's friends. She also has a slight romantic interest in Paul Schneider.

When she puts on her headphones, she listens to pop music, as she loves it. And when her twin brother complains about the summer music, she laughs and plays it even though she neither cares nor dislikes it, just to annoy him. As an adult she says that her house and personal things will be bohemian decor. She likes the color white, as it reminds her of the snow has seen a few times, not to mention that she can snowboard in it. A few years ago, for her brother Kojiro's birthday, she, Kosuke and her grandparents on her father's side went to Hokkaido, which is why they weren't present at Kojiro's birthday, she was also unable to snowboard because it wasn't snow season, something that saddened her a little.

虎次郎の母親 (Kojiro's mother)*

First name: 美空 (Aoi)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Maiden name: 西村 (Nishimura)

Job: Portrait and landscape painter

Age: 50

Wife of Yuzuki, daughter of Yuma and Riko Nishimura and big sister of Aoko, Seijo and Hideo. She has three sons and a daughter, Kotaro, the eldest; pediatric doctor, Kojiro, the middle one; chef and owner of a restaurant "Sia la luce", and the youngest, Kosuke and Koharu, who are twin siblings and had several years after giving birth to Kojiro.

Aoi is an ambitious woman, who wants all her children to be successful doing what they love the most. She's very much a homebody and whenever she can tries to get the whole family together, whether on weekends or holidays. She's also a great sportswoman, in fact her children have inherited that from her, since she has accustomed them to play sports since were very young.

She never misses a good music concert even if it's on television, in fact she was the one who encouraged Kosuke to play the violin. The instrument she likes the most is the organ but she has never played it, hopefully someday she will have the opportunity. Aoi also loves to dance, especially when she goes to karaoke, either to the rhythm of her song or to the rhythm of whoever is singing.

When she was younger, apart from helping her father, in her free time she dedicated to painting portraits of the customers of the restaurant or of the cafeteria-shop and landscapes. She liked painting so much that in the end became a portrait and landscape painter, and that's what she does now. She also liked to write down everything that came to her mind, from stories to thoughts.

Sometimes she plays video games with her young children, if her husband or some of her other children aren't around, whom she would also join.

Aoi usually listens to Blues, she says it's a music that conveys a lot of feelings. Her house is usually furnished and decorated with basic things, sometimes made by her husband or her daughter Koharu. As for colors, she sometimes has silly arguments with her daughter Koharu because she loves white, which Aoi doesn't like outside of a canvas at all. She thinks that the canvas is the only place personally likes, because it allows her to let her imagination run wild and fill it with colors. So she prefers the house full of colors as thinks that way the house will have more life.

虎次郎の父親 (Kojiro's father)*

First name: 祐珠生 (Yuzuki)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Job: Businessman

Age: 52

Husband of Aoi, son of Toshio and Haruki Nanjo  and big brother of Nodoka. He has three sons and a daughter, Kotaro, the eldest, a pediatric doctor, Kojiro, the middle one, chef and owner of a restaurant "Sia la luce", and the youngest, Kosuke and Koharu, who are twin brothers. Yuzuki is a man who thinks a lot about money and how to save it, so he likes to make everything can and tries to economize as much as possible, although sometimes it's difficult for him having a large family. Every morning he goes jogging when can, because being a large family sometimes it's difficult for him to go to the bathroom before going jogging and he has to wait his turn, when he goes to the bathroom it's so late that he runs out of time and has to go straight to work.

He's very happy that her son Kosuke loves to play the violin, as he hates the piano. Actually there is an explanation for all this, because when he was in high school wanted to learn it and found it impossible. Teachers made him show his ability in front of the first year students; at the beginning of his third year, he became very nervous and ended up playing so badly that most of his classmates laughed at him and during the whole year they nicknamed him "the clumsy pianist". To this day, from time to time Aoi likes to remind him of this, calling him by that nickname. But only in times of slump, to remind him that there was a time when he had it worse.

With four children he finally got a little tired of children's music, apparently if he has grandchildren surely won't sing or play them a single song in that style. When it comes to decorating there are sometimes a bit of decorative differences as far as his wife and him are concerned, as she likes basic decor and he likes more suburban contemporary. Also as his daughter likes a color that isn't considered cheerful, so his wife thinks he is a bland, as Yuzuki likes black color.

虎次郎のお婆さん（南城）(Kojiro's grandmother, Nanjo)*

First name: 春妃 (Haruki)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Job: Babysitter

Age: ???

Wife of Toshio and mother of Yuzuki and Nodoka. Haruki is a very cool woman, she's very fond of anime and manga and when can goes to an event of her favorite series and manga. She likes to do sports, and every weekend usually goes hiking. She doesn't like painting at all and when her son chose Aoi to marry and learned about her work, she didn't like the idea very much. With the passage of time she still doesn't like painting but likes her daughter-in-law and has even said that if her son had left Aoi because of her, she would have made the biggest mistake of his life. Haruki is a very proud grandmother of her grandchildren and is very happy with each one of them.

The style of music she likes the most is centered, and usually listens to it when is alone. The colonial decoration is the one she prefers the most among all the existing ones and if she can with a gray base color, a color that her husband also likes.

虎次郎のお爺さん（南城）(Kojiro's grandfahter, Nanjo)*

First name: 敏雄 (Toshio)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Job: Development Director (Programming Technician)

Age: ???

Husband of Haruki and father of Yuzuki and Nodoka.He was born and raised in Okinawa, as his father was originally from there and his mother of Italian descent moved to live with his husband. Toshio is a very thrifty man and always tries to spend little money, especially on objects that himself sees that he can fix or that someone else can fix. Something his son has learned from him.

Many times he likes to be alone on the beach, walking listening to the waves of the sea, while he relaxes and reflects in solitude. Although on the other hand he's someone who likes jokes, something he can't do when is alone. He's often considered the joker of the Nanjo family.

In his private office he always plays nu-disco music, his favorite. Toshio is an expert in patio decoration, something he praises, and many of his neighbors have asked him for advice, which he has given and they have thanked him with great joy because when they have put it into practice it has turned out fabulous. He loves the color gray as does his wife Haruki, something that Nodoka, his daughter, abhors.

虎次郎のお婆さん（西村） (Kojiro's grandmother, Nishimura)*

First name: 利恋 (Riko)**

Last name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Job: Farmer and owner of Shizen Restaurant

Age: ???

Wife of Yuma and mother of Aoi, Aoko, Seijo and Hideo. Riko and her husband Yuma have a family farm, along with two businesses. The farm is known as the Nishimura Farm, from it they bring, meat, eggs, dairy and dairy products and fruits and vegetables they grow to two locations, the Nishimura Cooffe-Shop which currently their daughter Aoko along with her husband own, they sell fresh produce in the store part and sell local homemade sweets made by themselves with their own ingredients in the coffee shop. Then there is the Shizen Restaurant which they and their two young sons, Seijo and Hideo own, where everything they serve is made by fresh produce also from their farm.

She's a very cheerful woman and is a genius. She's the only one who managed to trick Kaoru into drinking milk without him knowing, among many other things, like when she made all her grandchildren, her younger sons and Kaoru lanterns with fireflies, on the condition that they would let them go free. Riko is a very homely woman and likes to spend time with her children and grandchildren, many summers Kotaro, Kojiro and Kaoru spent at the farm together with Seijo, Hideo and them.

Like his daughter Aoi, he loves jogging and goes for a good morning run in the countryside. She would love to have a cat, but says that no cat has wanted to adopt her yet.

Riko loves listening to pop music and when she's with Koharu they have a great time listening to it together. She has always loved playing the guitar, from a very young age, and when would watch old western movies and play with his children and grandchildren, she would pretend to be a guitar playing outlaw, something the kids really enjoyed. Downstairs at the farm they have a small room, where their younger children or older grandchildren when they came to visit, stayed, a room that was eventually left for Kojiro and Kaoru and where they sometimes took ADAM. In that room Riko likes to stay a lot, especially when her grandchildren or her children are not there, because it¡s decorated with modern furniture, something she loves. The color she likes the most is green, and is in luck because can see it every time she looks out the window… or at a mirror.

虎次郎のお爺さん（西村） (Kojiro's grandfather, Nishimura)*

First name: 侑真 (Yuma)**

Last name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Job: Farmer and owner of Shizen Restaurant

Age: ???

Husband of Riko and father of Aoi, Aoko, Seijo and Hideo. Yuma's family were the former owners of the farm and the two businesses. He was an only child and had always dreamed of having a large family. When he married Riko he explained to her that being an only child, he didn't want his children to feel the loneliness he felt, and that he would like to have a house full of children and grandchildren. Riko came from a family with siblings and knew how much fun it was not to be an only child, how much fun they had when were all together, even if it was a headache at times, and their parents had a hard time keeping everyone quiet. So they agreed that whatever children came would be fine, and despite having a hard time having more than one child, they ended up having four.

He's a very polite man and never refuses a good morning greeting, even if he doesn't know the person; even though it only happens in summer, when tourists come from internal or abroad. But on the other hand he likes to look for things in the garbage, which he always finds to fix and/or decorate the house because thinks that there are people who throw things away because they have no use for them. In addition, he also likes to fix the damages in the farm.

When he wakes up in the morning likes to go jogging in the mountains, and see the plants that are there, as well as going for walks and collecting objects. Of course he also loves farming, and believes that getting something by your own hands is the best thing that exists in this life.

He likes the organ, once he heard it on TV and fell in love with the instrument, so much so that he bought some vinyls and cassettes that he played when they went by car, something that his daughter Aoi listened to and ended up becoming fond of as well. On the other hand, the music he can't stand is American music. He really likes the farmhouse decoration, although thinks it would be better if it were all yellow, as it's the color he likes the most. Although he doesn't dislike the way it has been decorated and painted at the end.

ミカ（西村）(Mika, Nishimura)*

First name: ミカ (Mika)**

Last name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Age: 13

Mika is the Nishimura family dog, she has two puppies Bella and Kiwi and is teaching them the art of protecting the residence from vermin that wish to eat the chickens that the Nishimura's have on their farm. She's now an old lady so doesn't have the agility and skill had in her younger days and spends much of her time hanging around the place and resting; when she's not teaching her puppies.

ベラ（西村）(Bella, Nishimura)*

First name: ベラ (Bella)**

Last name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Age: 7 months

Bella is one of the Nishimura family puppies, she's daughter of Mika.

キウイ（西村）(Kiwi, Nishimura)*

First name: キウイ (Kiwi)**

Last name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Age: 7 months

Kiwi is one of the Nishimura family puppies, he's son of Mika.

虎次郎の叔父（西村） (Kojiro's uncle, Nishimura)*

First name: 星城 (Seijo)**

Last name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Job: Freelance fashion photographer and owner of Shizen Restaurant

Age: 27

Son of Yuma and Riko, younger brother of Aoi and Aoko and twin brother of Hideo. Seijo is a good little fellow with his friends, he spends most of his time among the plants on the farm, as he likes to help his parents. But unlike his father is a mess at fixing things. He loves dancing and when goes out with his friends goes to places where can dance. Kaoru is "envious" of him because he's lactose intolerant. At first Seijo didn't like not being able to drink freshly milked milk, and was very angry that his brother could drink it, but later he bragged to Kaoru about it. He also has no problem telling people things to their faces about everything he thinks.

He's a guy who knows how to control his emotions, is very responsible and polite when he wants to be, and is very sociable with everyone, the only problem he has is that loves to have controversies with everyone. Seijo only has a year difference with Kojiro and Kaoru, so together with his twin brother Hideo, he loved to tell them that they should obey them in everything because they were a year older, when they came to visit the farm.

虎次郎の叔父（西村） (Kojiro's uncle, Nishimura)*

First name: 秀王 (Hideo)**

Last name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Job: Freelance writer and owner of Shizen Restaurant

Age: 27

Son of Yuma and Riko, younger brother of Aoi and Aoko and twin brother of Seijo. Hideo is a very correct guy and a great host, polite but with an intense humor with his friends. He's a mediator in the conflicts that his twin brother gets into, luckily he's a very thoughtful guy and a very empathetic person. Although is a bit irresponsible. When he was younger, unlike his brother, he didn't do his homework on time.

He doesn't like working on the farm and doesn't like playing sports either, he hated playing sports when was little because they always played ball sports and his glasses ended up broken, many times by his own brother Seijo. Now that he's older, doesn't do anything, not even walk in his lands, he says that when can he will go to work outside the farm and the family business and write adult stories that captivate people, although for the moment he's starting to write children's stories.

虎次郎の叔母（松本） (Kojiro's aunt, Matsumoto)*

First name: 蒼心 (Aoko)**

Last name: 松本 (Matsumoto)**

Maiden name: 西村 (Nishimura)**

Job: Owner of Nishimura Cooffe-Shop

Age: 40

Wife of Hideaki and mother of Ami and Arata. She's the daughter of Yuma and Riko, younger sister of Aoi and older sister of Seijo and Hideo. Aoko is a very thoughtful woman and before saying anything or making any decision she thinks more than once. She loves art, and whenever can she goes to the museum with her husband and children as a family, although sometimes her mother or one of her siblings also join her. When she can, she plays video games with whoever can find playing with the console.

Reading is her forte, before going to sleep she reads for a while. Her daugther loved to have her mother and father read to her when was younger, as they both love reading. She's a very romantic girl and never says no to alone time with her husband. The two met when Hideaki went on a visit to Okinawa to see a friend, saw how there were free breakfasts at the Nishimura Coffee-Shop and everything else did the magic.

She's currently the owner of Nishimura Coffee-Shop with her husband. Aoko is an expert creator of farm fruit drinks, which she sells there.

虎次郎の叔父（松本）(Kojiro's uncle, Matsumoto)*

First name: 英秋 (Hideaki)**

Last name: 松本 (Matsumoto)

Job: Owner of Nishimura Cooffe-Shop

Age: 35

Husband of Aoko and father of Ami and Arata. The two met when Hideaki went on a visit to Okinawa to see a friend, saw how there were free breakfasts at the Nishimura Coffee-Shop and everything else did the magic. His childish behavior is something that sometimes complicates Ami's education, as Aoko won't let him do something but he contradicts him and talks to her as if she were just another friend and sometimes it seems that instead of a daughter and a baby, she has a third child.

He loves reading like his wife, and loved and loves to read children's books to both his daughter Ami and his newborn son Arata. He's also an art lover and whenever they can they go to museums as a family.

虎次郎の従姉妹（松本）(Kojiro's cousin, Matsumoto)*

First name: 和美 (Ami)**

Last name: 松本 (Matsumoto)

Ocupation: Middle School Student (中学校)

Age: 13

Daughter of Aoko and Hideaki and older sister of Arata. She loves to eat food without meat products and dance with her friends and in her room whenever music plays around her.

虎次郎の従兄弟（松本）(Kojiro's cousin, Matsumoto)*

First name: 嵐太 (Arata)**

Last name: 松本 (Matsumoto)

Occupation: Eating, sleeping, crying and doing his special "things"

Age: Days

Son of Aoko and Hideaki and younger brother of Ami. At the moment he only knows how to eat, sleep, cry and do what every baby does. Although on the other hand he loves to feel relaxed and listen to his father when he tells him illustrated children's stories.

虎次郎の叔母（南城） (Kojiro's aunt, Nanjo)*

First name: 乃都香 (Nodoka)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Job: Engineer

Age: 38

Wife of Lea and mother of Kei and the little baby on the way. She's daughter of Taisho and Haruki Nanjo and younger sister of Yuzuki. Nodoka is a woman who would love to have a veterinary farm, to work in it, as she likes animals very much. She's very clean and always keeps the house like gold cloths. She's very confident in what does and knows how to control her emotions, has a very good education and tries to educate her two little ones as they educated her. Apart from animals, she's also very good at painting.

She's a woman who is very clear about what wants for her life, and it's a quiet life surrounded by her family and friends, on a nice farm with a veterinary clinic. Despite this, she's currently working as an engineer, and there are no plans in the near future for that dream to come true.

She met her husband Lea thanks to Kojiro and Kaoru, who at the age of eight found a lost Italian foreigner in the city and brought him to the Nanjo's home. Thanks to them Lea came to visit Nanjo's house, and when he entered the University had some doubts and problems that he didn't know how to face, so he asked Nanjo's grandparents for help and they gave him the mobile number of their daughter Nodoka, who told them that she would be the right person to help him to adapt to the University.

As time went by, they became friends and from friendship came love, they got married, she became pregnant and they went to live in their own house.

Regarding music, she doesn't like electronic music, thinks it's too noisy and would scare the animals. She has two fashion styles that fill her closet and are country style and basic clothes, are very simple and pretty at the same time. It's clear to us that she likes farm things, even farm decorations are also her thing, not to mention that she loves going to visit the Nishimura family farm. The color she avoids at all costs is gray, saying it's the first blandest color she has ever seen.

虎次郎の叔父（南城） (Kojiro's uncle, Nanjo)*

First name: Lea**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Bachelor name: Morelli

Job: Marine biologist

Age: 33

Husband of Nodoka and father of Kei and the future son or daughter on the way. Lea is Italian and at the age of 15 he had to move to Japan to study in a Japanese high school with his grandparents. He got lost in the middle of the city and met Kojiro and Kaoru, who, at the age of eight, took him to the Nanjo's house:

Kaoru: I've already got an Italian! Kojiro: What Italian?! That's me! Kaoru: You're not Italian… Kojiro: I'm almost a quarter Italian! Kaoru: But only a quarter, he's a full Italian… Kojiro: Sai cucinare? Lea: Piatti più o meno facili... Perché fai questa domanda? Kojiro: You see? He would only make you simple dishes, he would never make you the dishes that I will make.

At the Nanjo home he met Kojiro's grandfather, who communicated with him in Italian. Kojiro's grandparents knew his grandparents and offered to drive him to them. Eventually he would visit Kojiro and Kaoru, as well as Nanjo's grandparents, from time to time. With Nodoka he coincided very few times; since she was going to the University; and he didn't take her very much into account. When Lea entered the University; with the career of marine biology; formally met Nodoka, over time they became friends until they finally fell in love. He is a marine biologist and by learning Japanese, he was able to find work in the area. He is a dog lover, and when the Nishimura grandparents offered him to have a dog, he looked at Nodoka with puppy eyes, arguing that their child Kei, 9 years old, needed a puppy and they named him Orgoglio. He's self-confident and very creative, so he always manages to make others convince him of his ideas.

虎次郎の従兄弟（南城） (Kojiro's cousin, Nanjo)*

First name: 一結 (Kei)**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Ocupation: Middle School Student (中学校)

Age: 14

Son of Nodoka and Lea and brother of the future son or daughter to be born. He's very active and a fan of self-improvement. He's not very convinced at the moment to think about having a brother or sister in the near future.

Orgoglio（南城）(Orgoglio, Nanjo)*

First name: Orgoglio**

Last name: 南城 (Nanjo)

Age: 6

Orgoglio is the Nanjo family dog.

Next family will be Shindo Family. See you on Thursday! 🌹🛹

(To see more families, click on #SK8 FamilyTrees hashtag)

[cherryblossomsandhydrangeas]

The Cultivation of the Hydrangea - Prologue

Read the Prompt [Here]

You can also read this on my Wordpress.

Tags: Single Father Kaoru, Trans Sakurayashiki Kaoru, Canon Typical Violence, Canon Divergence, Full Swing Kiss Aftermath, Hurt/Comfort, Trauma, Panic Attacks, Adam Canon Characteristics, Familial Reconciliation, Food as a love language, Gift giving as a love language, Original Characters, Slow Romance, Accidental Pregnancy

Relationships: Endgame MatchaBlossom, Past LoveBlossom, Platonic Nanako & Kaoru, Platonic Hiromi & Kojiro & Kaoru, Platonic Kaoru & OCs

Trigger Warnings: Physical & Mental Child Abuse, Transphobia, Misgendering, Child Neglect, Pedophilia, Ableism Note: (The beginning of all scenes with triggers will be marked with a -X-)

Word Count: 11,544

Time to Read: 64 Minutes

Chapter Summary: The infamous beef between Adam and Cherry Blossom draws near, along with the end of life as Joe knows it.

“I think I'll take the Osso Buco tonight. And a glass of Lafite if you will.”

“Oh, feeling fancy tonight, aren't we four eyes?” Kojiro huffed as he wrote down the order, a small wisp of a smile dancing on his lips as he passed it through the window to the kitchen for one of the line cooks, Tagawa Rioto, to take. The chef rested his forearms across the bar and whispered, “Early celebration before your beef with Adam?”

Kaoru scoffed, leaning back in his chair, “No. Just wanted to try something different, that's all.”

It was a night just like many other nights. Sakurayashiki Kaoru had found himself drifting through the luscio vetro doors of Sia La Luce as the last of the dinner rush's customers filtered out the establishment, bellies full from delicious meals and tongues stained from decadent wines. He's seated in his usual seat, twiddling with his fan while the busboys cleaned the dining tables and the manager and sous chef counted down the registers.

“Still. Didn't even settle for the Tomato Risotto, the Crab Ravioli, or hell, even the Pasta Puttanesca." The smile dropped from Kojiro's face. “Are you worried about Saturday?”

Worried, or perhaps the man's anxiety was beginning to overwhelm him? The previous weekend, everyone at S was bursting at the seams for the titular beef between the gallantly Matador of Love and the ice demeanored AI Skater, but a singular phone call had destroyed the tense yet exciting atmosphere of the tournament.

“What?!" Kojiro remembered Adam snarling into his phone, his grip on the device near-shattering. The god of the mountain had been disgruntled ever since he pulled Cherry Blossom's card from the selection box, his reluctance to race the pink-haired ninja ever evident as his normal pre-battle peacocking was nowhere to be found.

Adam's brows had pinched; his lips fell into a repulsed frown. Whoever was on the other end of the line was obviously delivering some very unwelcome information.

“Ugh," Adam sighed before picking up his board and flipping it over his shoulder. “God help me. Fine, doggy, I'm coming. Be a dear and have my suit ready, will you?”

The little beep as he hung up seemed to echo around the now silent starting line. Adam turned to Cherry Blossom.

“Sorry, Cherry darling, looks like our little rendezvous will have to wait. You know just as well as I do that we can't just ignore when duty calls," the matador said and shrugged in response to the rosy haired man's raised brow.

The S Gallery started to moan in disappointment, “No way!s”, “Come on!s”, and “Are you fucking kidding me?s” coming out from all around.

“You could just forfeit here and now," Cherry Blossom had said cooly, crossing his arms as Adam took a small step towards him. “It would save you the embarrassment of losing later.”

Some of the gallery gasped. Some even whistled and crowed at the audacity.

Adam had grinned, “Hah, cute, but no. You're not going to ruin this for me, Cherry. Besides, you've been vying to beef with me for so long, it'd be so horribly pathetic if I didn't finally grant your wish.”

“Tch," Cherry had glared as the man walked past him.

As two capmen opened up the gates for their boss to pass through, Adam suddenly turned around and held his arms out wide.

“Fear not, everyone~" a lilt had made it back into his voice. “While I sadly must depart, I assure you the tournament will resume as soon I deal with a couple annoyances.”

Adam clicked his heels. “Oh yes, I can see it now, can't you? Sparks to fire, fire to ash, enmity running through our very bones, through our very flesh. Oh, the tracks will be flush and full with our passion!”

As it was whenever Adam showered the mountain's occupants with his baritone voice, the S Gallery was enraptured and triggered into a vigorous furor. Cheers, screams, and chants were abound. Boards were held aloft, high over skater's heads like flags waving in the wind. The fan groups came to life, injecting the mountain air with bolts of fanatical energy.

“Hell yeah, Adam!”

“You got this, Cherry!”

“Cherry-sama, don't lose!”

“Can't wait, Adam!”

“Adam!”

“Cherry!”

“Adam!”

“Cherry!”

“Adam!”

“Cherry!”

As the crowd's rowdy screams grew louder, the matador's grin grew wider, his fangs on full display for all to see. He clicked his heels again, and the wind slid in to pick up his cape as he twirled round. As he walked out of the iron gates- a black sedan waiting for him on the other side- he gave a few final, foreboding words of departure. They still echoed in Kojiro's mind even now.

“Next Saturday. The Parable of Sakura!”

“It's not Saturday I'm worried about," Kaoru muttered as he set his fan down on the bar. “I've had a rough week.”

“What happened? Difficult client?" Kojiro asked.

“It's nothing I can't handle," Kaoru replied, pausing as a server, Oshiro-san, came bearing two wine glasses and a 1996 vintage.

“Thanks, Hirohito," Kojiro smiled as he accepted the glasses. “Don't worry about the rest of those dishes, I'll get them. And tell Jona that after she plates the polenta she can leave as well. I'll take care of this freeloader," he continued with a smirk in Kaoru's direction.

The calligrapher rolled his eyes. “Oshiro-san, I must thank you for constantly putting up with this bumbling oaf of a man. Though, perhaps the paycheck is why you tolerate him?”

Hirohito smiled, having grown used to the two's banter a long time ago. “It's nothing, sensei. Chef's always been good to me, so I like to stand by him as much as I can.”

Kojiro laughed, “See, now that's what we call loyalty, four eyes. I'd imagine you'd kill to see an employee show you that.”

The server chuckled, “But the pay's good too," and headed back into the kitchen to finish the night's duties with his coworkers.

As a betrayed look fell upon his friend's face, Kaoru snickered, “Aww, gonna cry?”

The restaurant owner flipped him the bird as his sous chef and manager shut the drawers on the registers and walked over to him.

“Deposit bag's in the safe," the manager, Uehara-san, said as she slid the night's paperwork into the pocket of Kojiro's apron. “I'm gonna head out early tonight, see you Chef, sensei.”

“Goodnight, Uehara-san." Kaoru nodded at her while Kojiro said, “Night Sayuri.”

As the manager hurried out the door, the head chef slapped a hand on his sous chef's shoulder.

“Thanks again for coming tonight, Miyoko," Kojiro said earnestly. “I got a text from Teijo a couple hours ago; his plane is still delayed. Possibly going to be stuck in Osaka for a couple more days until the storm clears.”

“I needed a few extra hours anyway," Miyoko shrugged as the rest of their coworkers filtered out the back.

“Polenta's plated, Chef!“ Jona smiled. “Nice to see you again, sensei.”

“Likewise," Kaoru waved in their direction. “I hope all of you have a good night.”

“Thanks, sensei!" many replied in unison. “See you tomorrow, Chef!" the employees of Sia La Luce called as they left the two alone.

Kojiro waved them off as he spoke, “Now, what exactly is making you so tired?“ and popped open the bottle of Lafite to fill the pink-haired man's glass.

“I told you it's nothing I couldn't handle." Kaoru reached over and swirled the glass in his hands. “Just the usual.”

“Which usual? Client who doesn't know what they really want usual or client who wants to get inside your yukata usual?”

“Both wrapped in one," Kaoru grunted before taking a sip from his glass.

“Oh geez, “Kojiro shook his head, his curly, forest green locks threatening to come loose from their tie. “Let me go check on dinner while you get into it.”

The calligrapher sighed, “It's not much to talk about. He has a party coming up so he wants me to make a banner, but he doesn't know what he wants the banner to say, so I've been spitballing ideas waiting for him to say yea when he's constantly saying nay." He took another sip of wine. “It'd go a bit faster if he didn't get distracted trying to look down my collar.”

“He's not gonna see much other than your binder.”

“They think if they keep trying they'll get me on a day when I'm not wearing it.”

“He's gonna have to see you on an off day for that. And honestly, he's kinda sounding like the type of client you reject after the first time.” Kojiro pondered for a second. “Unless this one happens to be your type. Maybe after his commission he can make up for some of the stress he's caused you.”

“You know I don't do one night stands, you pig.”

“Hey, I'm just saying, maybe you'll get a full night's sleep for once.”

“I sleep well enough, thank you,“ Kaoru retorted.

“We both know that's not true," Kojiro countered through the window. “Seriously, you're trying to hide it, but I can see you've used concealer under your eyes.”

Kaoru's fingers hovered over his face, inches above his tired eyelids. “Fine, so I was up late a couple nights, but it wasn't because of this client. It's nothing too serious.”

Kojiro's voice sounded a bit off from the other side of the kitchen. “You sure?”

“Positive,“ Kaoru responded.

“Really positive? Cause if something's bothering you right now I think it's fair to use the same excuse Adam did. If he tries to make you forfeit I'll just call him out on his bullshit.”

“Thanks, but I intend to settle everything this Saturday. Besides, I don't think the Gallery would tolerate another abrupt ending to the tournament like that.”

Kojiro huffed, well aware of just how close the S Gallery got to city destroying ball sports fans when something ruined the electrifying energy of the mountain. He was about to give a word of assent, when suddenly, Kaoru's phone started to sing like a morning dove.

Kaoru retrieved his phone from his bag, eyes narrowing at the ID as he stood from his seat. “I have to take this. Be right back.”

“Take your time. I'm not going anywhere.”

“Hello?“ The calligrapher's voice drifted away as he walked to the front of the restaurant, the door letting off a little chime as he walked out.

Alone, Kojiro began to whistle, eyes utterly focused on the meal in front of him. Using a fork, he pierced one of the veal shanks, humming in approval as the tender meat easily gave way and broze broth trickled down into the simmering pot. Reaching over, he pulled the plates of plated polenta closer to him before reaching up and grabbing a ladle.

“I'm back, sorry about that,“ Kaoru said as he returned to his seat.

“What happened? Client cancel on you or something?”

“Not a client. It was just a friend calling, nothing serious.”

“Oh, a friend you say?“ the chef jested and smirked. “And here I thought you didn't do one-night stands.”

“I will fucking stab you in your own restaurant.”

Kojiro snickered. It wasn't every night that the calligrapher got a random call, but Kojiro never gave up the chance to tease his rosy-haired friend whenever a misdial or a telemarketer interrupted their nightly rituals.

“So, when you win, who do you think you'll go up against next?“ the chef asked, switching the conversation back.

“Don't know. It could be Shadow, it could be Snow, it could be this Snake, it's all chance anyway,“ Kaoru replied with a a shrug.

“You don't think Miya can beat Snake?”

“Miya's good.“ Kaoru frowned as he took another sip from his glass. “But, I don't think he's that good. Snake's experience will triumph over Miya's skill.”

“Yeah, well, I'm living proof that that's not exactly true.”

“Just because your technique's so sloppy that you could lose to a rookie doesn't mean everyone else will.”

“You of all people know that's no normal rookie!”

The two argued back and forth about their skating techniques as Kojiro plated the braised veal shanks and vegetables atop the polenta. Their conversation broke as he slide the plates onto a serving tray along with a basket full of the last of the day's fresh bread. He walked out of the kitchen, throwing open the door with a flourish and winked at his best friend.

Kaoru huffed, smiling into his glass.

As Kojiro set his plate down in front of him, the calligrapher suddenly jumped, eyes a bit wide. “Oh, I almost forgot, did you remember to give your okaasan the herbs I gave you?”

“Yeah, she made pesto pasta for herself and chichi one night, used the thyme for some cornish hens, think she said she was going to turn the lavender into syrup,“ Kojiro said as he sat down and picked up a fork to stab at his veal. “Can't believe my haha got you of all people to start an herb garden.”

“Perhaps I've learned the pleasure of nursing plants.”

“You can feel pleasure?”

“I could break this bottle of wine and ruin these counters, you do know that right?”

“Oh, and what are you gonna do when I have to replace them? Sit at the tables where people probably stick gum under?”

“I'm gonna throw veal on your chef whites.”

“I'll send you the receipts for the dry-cleaners.”

“You are insufferable,“ Kaoru pouted and shoved a forkful of veal, carrot, and polenta it into his mouth.

Kojiro chuckled, reaching over for the Lafite to fill his own wine glass.

“So, you prepared to wipe the track with him?”

“Everything is going to be fine, Kouki. You don't have to worry so much.”

“I know, Raki. It's just...it's him you know.”

“You don't have to remind me again.”

Kojiro reached for a piece of bread, and Kaoru reached for his glass once more.

“Hey, Kouki?“ Kaoru called as he drained the last of his Lafite.

“Yeah?”

“After this beef with Adam. I...I have something I need to tell you.”

“Why can't you just tell me right now?”

“Because you-because...it just has to be after.”

“Is it something bad?”

“No, not bad per se, but it may be a bit shocking.”

“Hmm, are you secretly planning to elope to Canada with that Kurihara guy?”

“What?! Kojiro, that man was older than my sofu!”

“Really? Cause with the way he was coming onto you, you'd think he was at least in his fifties.”

“He was not coming onto me; he's just really passionate about the history of calligraphy. He was complementing my stroke work.”

“Oh yeah, I'm sure those were the “long lines and lustrous curves” he was talking about.”

“Oh my god, shut up!”

“Make me!”

--

As the last of the lights to Sia La Luce blinked off, the engine of his panel van came to life with a dissonant hum.

“Carla, please play Car Soundtrack 7.”

“Okay, Master. Playing Car Soundtrack 7.”

He started off. Darkened buildings waved him down the road; bakeries with dead ovens, other restaurants, flashy clothing stores, and the like drifted by as they were enveloped by the shadows trailing behind the vehicle.

It didn't take long before he was driving by his temp studio and storage as well. The cherry blossom tree out front was dancing, twirling this way and that like a stout ballerina, her hair fanning out against the brisk winds of the night, the street lamps her spotlights and the moon and stars her ever captive audience.

“Incoming message from “Mongoose”," Carla interrupted the soft tunes of the radio. “Don't stay up all night making out with Carla. It would be a shame if Sleeping Beauty lost the only two traits he was known for.”

“Carla, reply with a middle finger emoji.”

“Replying.”

For a few minutes, there was a back and forth of chimes between the two departed friends. Kojiro eventually sent his last goodbye and the song on the radio returned, the combined forces of Lafite and light piano chords lulling Kaoru into a meditative state.

Perhaps it was the calm night, perhaps it was the wine, perhaps it was the songs trilling through his mind, nevertheless, inadvertently, his mind wandered to the past.

"Are you going to break up with me?" the nineteen year old Kaoru asked.

His childhood room was both clean and messy in its own right, his own little haven of programming and engineering textbooks stacked up on the shelf closest to his desk, canvases and scrolls piled up in his closet, nearly spewing out the door, paints and inks and their smells clung heavily to the tatami mats and anything else that was laid out during the long sleepless nights of fights against anxiety attacks. That night, he'd laid in bed next to his second closest companion, the only light offered to them from his moon-shaped lamp on the left nightstand.

"Now, why would I do that?" Adam- no, Ainosuke- asked as he lazily flipped through the latest edition of his astronomy magazine. The blue-haired skater had always been somewhat interested in his little hobbies; it made him wonder if he didn't have his own stash of magazines at home.

Kaoru pursed his lips, his fingers curling around an errant string from his pillowcase. "You haven't wanted to come over like this in a while, and you haven't wanted to beef lately either; I was starting to think you'd gotten bored of me..." and immediately flushed when he looked up and caught a scarlet eye peeking over the edge of the magazine straight at his legs. He'd only been out of the bath for about five minutes when the signature tap tap tapping against his window meant that either his boyfriend or his best friend wanted entry and was in severe danger of falling from the cherry blossom tree's high branch that raked its fingers against the glass, so he'd hurriedly slipped on his bra, boxers, and a t-shirt to go let them in.

"My obasans have had me practicing for a violin recital," Ainosuke muttered as he set the magazine down next to the lamp. "I've been neglecting you. I'm sorry, darling."

"No, no!" Kaoru waved him off. "Family matters suck, I understand. For the past couple weeks my otoosan has been making me take tea with with a few of his business partners."

"Why?" Ainosuke raised a brow.

A sour looked came upon Kaoru's face. "He and my sofu have been "concerned" about my marriage prospects."

"Oh," the blue haired teen gave him an amused smirk. "And what are they like?"

"If you added yours, mine, and Kojiro's ages they still wouldn't be the same age as some of my "prospects"."

Ainosuke let out a loud, sharp laugh that filled the room and echoed down the hall. It was fine; Kaoru'd been the only resident in the house for the last couple of days anyway.

"Are you going to be the topic of those talk shows where people make fun of old men with young brides?" His eyes twinkled with mirth. "Or will you be on the front cover of a tabloid in a wedding dress?"

Kaoru snorted. "I'll jump off a bridge before I let anyone force me into a wedding dress."

Ainosuke huffed. "I think there's a better way to ruin your marriage prospects."

"How?"

In a flash of white, the other had thrown himself on top of him, his hands cradling either side of his head and a knee pressed between his legs. Kaoru's eyes widened a bit as he sunk down into freshly laundered cotten sheets.

"One thing I know all men hate," One hand had trailed inside his shirt to fiddle with the clasp of his bra. "is when they see something they want claimed by another man."

His bra was undone, and he gasped as that same hand slipped into his boxers. He reached up and started tugging on the other's jacket and turtleneck.

"You better not bite me too hard," "Kaoru grunted as his boyfriend leaned down to kiss his neck. "Kojiro called you a vampire last time he saw the mark you left."

"Maybe I am a vampire, and I'm claiming you as my mate."

"Oh, a creature of the night? And here I thought you were heaven-sent," Kaoru joked as he finally got the other's tops off and froze.

Both of Ainosuke's forearms were like a canvas, streaked with vibrant red strokes all the way up to his elbow. The last time he had seen them, they were a powdery pink, but these had been irritated, prodded, and scratched. Kaoru gently trailed his fingers along one of his forearms, and Ainosuke grew still.

The rosy-haired teen reached up to cradle his cheek. "One day, you have to promise to tell me about these, okay?"

In the dim lamplight of his bedroom, Ainosuke's eyes had always seemed brighter, like an ardent sun, fuller, like polished rubies. He stared down at him unblinking, and Kaoru stared back, unafraid and amorous.

"Fine."

Pulling him down, Kaoru pressed a gentle kiss against Ainosuke's lips. "Go on. Claim me."

The rest of their clothes were discarded on the floor as his boyfriend reached a hand under his mattress to retrieve a condom. Once more, they came together, hot and rough like asteroids, murmurs cool like comets sprang from their lips, with each thrust they became closer and closer.

"Ainosuke~"

"Look at me, darling. Don't focus on anything else. Not your family, not those old perverts, not even Joey. Just me. Keep all your attention on me."

After, they'd laid in his bed for a couple more hours, Ainosuke's head rested against his breasts, his breath even against his warm, sweat covered skin.

It'd be a sweet memory if he hadn't seen the man lead someone he'd called his Eve off a cliff just a week later.

It was a long thirty-five minute drive before he was moving by the larger atelier and driving into his garage. The radio shut down with a small chut; the engine shuttered before dying. He grabbed his bag, and when he climbed out of the driver's seat the estate greeted him as an old friend.

“Carla, what's the temperature for tomorrow?" Kaoru asked as he unlocked the door, the lights from the living room receiving him from the genkan.

“The temperature is estimated to be high 32*C (89*F) low 22*C (72*F) with a estimated 7% chance of rain. It is recommended to wear sunscreen along with your parasol.”

“And my schedule?" he said as he slipped off his zori, the sound of the television playing Akatsuki No Danuja went through his ears.

“You have a meeting at Kaede Cafe at 9:30am, you then slotted time between 10:45am and 12:45pm to grade your students' trimester projects, at 1:30pm you scheduled to meet with Yamamura Hayate to discuss payment on the march exhibition piece, and you then slotted time between 6:00pm and 8:00pm to work on commissions.”

“Thank you, Carla.”

“You're welcome, Master. Have a goodnight's rest. I will begin playing Melody 1.”

--

“Thank you for meeting with me here today, Yamamura-san.”

“No, please, the pleasure is all mine, sensei.”

Lunch time at Sia La Luce was a venue of golden rays, the evening sun shining through the windows to bask diners in its soft light. The air was filled with the sounds of guitars as waiters and waitresses danced and weaved through tables, their hands filled with streaming trays and cold drinks.

Two bowls of steaming cioppino sat on the table between the calligrapher and his client along with a basket of breadsticks. The smell of crab, scallops, shrimps, and other delicacies from the sea wafted up to their noses and made their mouths water.

“I was elated when you agreed to meet with me in person about the exhibition piece instead of doing an auction, “Hayate said as he spread a napkin across his lap. “You see, my wife just loved it and wanted to have it sent to our vacation home in Spain, and I couldn't say no to her.”

“It's truly no problem," Kaoru replied as he folded his hands atop one another, his fan buried beneath them. “Believe it or not I prefer to talk with buyers one on one rather than auction off my pieces. It means that someone loved my work enough that they were willing to take time out of their day for it, and it gives me a chance to speak with others who respect the art of calligraphy as much as I do.”

The two let off hearty chuckles.

“Well, I won't waste your time, sensei, and I wouldn't want to let this delectable meal grow cold, so I'll get straight to the point. I'm offering ¥1,500,000 for this piece with an additional ¥5,000 to have it shipped directly to the port for my men to receive." Hayate smiled.

“¥1,500,000? Oh my; that's certainly the highest offer someone's ever started with," Kaoru said with faux surprise. “Most people usually start at ¥10,000.”

“Those people don't usually frequent art museums," the business man countered. “I've been to enough to discern whether or not something is pure garbage with too many zeros behind it or a work of art such as yours.”

“You flatter me," Kaoru tapped his upper lip with his fan and fluttered his lashes.

“You flatter yourself, sensei. Honestly, Kida-sama was a genius to leave his legacy in your hands.“

At the sound of his master's name, Kaoru's smile became a bit real.

Hayate reached inside his blazer to retrieve his checkbook. “Now, sensei, do we have a deal?”

“Indeed we do. ¥1,505,000 is a very generous payment. Thank you, Yamamura-san," Kaoru beamed as the man scratched the numbers down.

“Honestly this amount almost feels paltry." Hayate smiled as he tore the check out and handed it across the table.

“Such a man with words, Yamamura-san," Kaoru chuckled. “Carla, please put a notice on my website that the march exhibition piece has been sold, and send a receipt for the amount of ¥1,505,000 to Yamamura-san's email.”

“Okay, Master," the purple bracelet responded.

“I've always been envious of your assistant," Hayate marveled at the slender device. “Dutiful and only speaks when she needs to.”

“Sometimes I feel like I'd be lost without Carla," Kaoru said with a smile towards his wrist.

Payment secured, the two dug into their meal, fish and scallops melting on their tongues along with the garlic and parsley of the bread. With their business concluded, the two shared a light conversation, of course, about the calligrapher's business.

“Have you ever thought about starting a museum, sensei?" Hayate asked as he dabbed at his mouth with a napkin.

“Museum? Why, no, I can't say that I have," Kaoru set down his spoon. “While I have visited and donated to a few, I can't ever say I've had the thought to put my works in one or create my own.”

“You should," the man's voice took on a conspiratorial tone. “AI Calligraphy after all is a way to bring the art and history of the skill to the modern age, into the minds of lower class children and other everyday people. You could start your own museum, mix together your technical know how and calligraphy to your heart's content.”

Kaoru giggled into his hand. “Are you sure you just don't want a chance to see my pieces whenever you wish, Yamamura-san?”

“Ahaha, I won't say no.” The business man grinned. “A museum would give more like minded people a chance to meet and chat.”

“Oh, have you ever met someone at my exhibitions that you wish to speak to again?”

“Plenty! Why, at the march exhibition I ran not only into a friend, but a few more people who I ended up business partners with.”

“Oh, what luck. I'm happy that you could meet them.”

“Yes, yes. Oh, and thinking of that exhibition, I have another question, sensei.”

“Ask away, Yamamura-san.”

“Right, well, for context, it was right as a friend and I were leaving the exhibition. It was the oddest coincidence; just as we were about reach my car, we ran into another man with the last name Sakurayashiki!”

Kaoru froze, his hands frozen in mid-air. “Is...that," he took a breath, dropping his limbs. “Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed," Hayate nodded. “He was a rather astute man. We ended up taking lunch with him and talking for a while about your works. He happened to know alot about you, almost intimately, and I couldn't help but wonder if you two were related in some way. Tell me, do you have a relative with the name Daishi?”

Under the table, Kaoru's hand gripped his thigh tightly. His heart, that had been relatively calm throughout this entire interaction, was starting to beat a bit faster.

'Damn it,' he thought. 'I didn't even see him that time around.'

“I do have a relative with that name," Kaoru painted a tight smile on his face. “Though I haven't spoken with him in almost a decade. If it was him, I'd honestly be surprised that he remembered much about me.”

Hayate nodded. “Understandable, I was just so curious since he seemed to know so much about your work. He has, it seems, been to every one of your exhibitions, and to every auction, and to every charity fundraiser you attended. I couldn't help but think he was a close relative.”

“What dedication!" Kaoru said through nearly gritted teeth. “Perhaps it is him, and he's trying to reconnect. Perhaps I should look up his number and give him a call.”

Hayate chuckled. “Indeed. Now sensei-, “the man was interrupted by a loud buzzing sound from his back pocket.

“Excuse me, sensei, that must be my son with this quarter's report. I will be right back.”

“There' s no problem. Take your time, Yamamura-san.”

As Hayate stepped out of the restaurant, Kaoru took his chance to remove his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stave off a headache.

'Fuck, 'he thought. 'Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Giving up, Kaoru covered his face with his hands, taking a deep breath, but not allowing himself to let out the load groan he wanted to. The chatter of other tables in the vicinity and his reputation well on the forfront of his mind even now.

A tiny clink caused Kaoru to remove his hands. In front of him on a cute, little, flower-shaped serving dish laid a serving of vanilla panna cotta with a mixed berry coulis.

“You okay?" Kojiro asked as he handed him a dessert spoon. “Do you need to take a step in the back to breathe?”

Kaoru shook his head. “I...I'm fine. It's just....it's my otoosan.”

The chef's eyes narrowed. “He's still stalking you?”

“Apparently," Kaoru looked back to see if Hayate was still occupied. “I hadn't seen him in a few months. I thought he finally stopped.”

Ever since Kaoru had started living on his own, he'd made an effort not to think about his father. However, he quickly learned that his father was not so keen on forgetting or letting go of his child. Sakurayashiki Daishi was like a blot of stray ink on the well crafted art-piece that was Kaoru's career and adult life. It was small and hard to notice, but if he were to slip up even once it would smudge and reveal the imperfections not only in his work but in himself.

“You really need to consider getting a restraining order," Kojiro ran a hand through his forest green locks. “He can't keep harassing you like this.”

“He won't comply with a restraining order, and I can't risk him retaliating by outing me to some of my clients." The calligrapher grimaced. “You know he would.”

Kojiro rested his hands on the table, “Have you thought about hiring a security guard? They could be with you when you do your exhibitions.”

“Once or twice, but it seems like a waste of money to have a security guard just to have him looking out for one person." Kaoru placed a hand on his chest, breathing slowly to ease his heart.

'"'In two, three four,' Kaoru thought and exhaled, 'Out, two, three, four.'

“Your safety is always the most important thing. I can even get a uniform and be with you on those days if it would make you more comfortable.”

“My exhibitions are always during your work days, and you never take days off," Kaoru denied. “Plus, it would be during the lunch rush, and you need all hands on deck for that.”

“I can hire another line cook," Kojiro replied flippantly.

“Can you even afford another line cook?" Kaoru let out a deep breath.

“I'm back- Oh, hello," at the sound of Hayate's voice both men straightened up.

“Welcome back, Yamamura-san," Kaoru said easily. “This is Sia La Luce's owner, Nanjo Kojiro.”

“Hello, Yamamura-san," Kojiro grinned and took the man's hand to shake it. “I hope you've had an enjoyable time.”

“Hello, Nanjo-san, I have indeed. A fine establishment you have here." Hayate nodded. “Wonderful food, wonderful music, and just the right company." He smiled at Kaoru.

“Still with the flattery, Yamamura-san," Kaoru opened his fan to hide and fix his deteriorating smile.

“Well, I'm happy you've enjoyed yourself. I'll leave you two to your dessert," Kojiro easily shifted the man's attention to the dining table. “Please, let me know if you need anything else," he said while staring directly at Kaoru.

“Thank you, Nanjo-san, “Hayate eagerly sat down for the treat.

“Have you ever had panna cotta before, Yamamura-san?" Kaoru asked as he scooped a bit of the gelatinous cream.

“I have not. This surely looks delectable!”

“Well let's not dawdle, we wouldn't want this to get warm would we?”

“No indeed. Let's dig in, sensei.”

--

“You got this, Papaya!”

“Keep it up, Hawk! You're almost there!”

The air was thick with the salty taste of sweat, the cloying smoke of nicotine, and the burning tinge of rust. Leaves from the surrounding woods rustled off their branches, raining down on unsuspecting persons, giving them a very brief respite of cool nighttime air. Lane lights flickered and the swarming moths, nats, and other insects bzzzzed around the warmth of the yellow bulbs.

Not for the first time, and not even for the hundredth time, the mountain space had become a congregation of painted, flashy, dressed up, dripped out bodies. Longboards, streetboards, and cruisers filled nearly every hand, knocking against one another as their owners whooped and raved.

And everyone in attendance wouldn't have it any other way.

“Bzzzt!”

“Fuck yeah, Papaya!”

“No way; Hawk lost!?”

“I can't believe it!”

“Believe it, baby!”

A bit of a ways away from the megatron, along the jagged rocks of the mountain's sides, the top skaters of S watched languidly as the current beef came to its end. They had been there for a while now, and, having somewhat had their full of the ramps and bowls for the night, rested while the lower ranked skaters had their fun.

“Joe!" A blonde haired woman chirped excitedly as she ran up and grabbed a hold of one of the man's arms, resting her chin on his shoulder as she asked, “Joe, are you gonna skate tonight?”

“Yeah!" Another fan grinned as she took a hold of his other bicep. “Please, Joe, you haven't skated a beef since last week!”

These two women were a normal sight to see in the Muscle-Bound God of Skateboarding's arms. They were prominent members of the man's fan group, The Sunflowers, bearing his signature tattoo along their neck and right arm respectively. One was undoubtedly a skater, her orange sneakers dirty, soles caked with dirt, laces stained brown, and the lip bent, while other wore classy white heels with an embroidered sunflower on the sides.

“Sorry, ladies." The Six-Pack Skater smirked, wrapping a hand around both of their waists to pull them close. They sighed dreamily, pressing their breasts against him as he continued, “Cherry-sama has been so scared about his beef with Adam Saturday, I've been keeping him company so he doesn't chicken out.”

The women giggled, while, beside him, the AI Skater scoffed, crossing his arms. “Scared?”

Joe winked at the man, “It's okay cinnamon stick boy. Everybody here already knows you're as skinny as a twig, so it's no surprise that your scared Adam could throw you around with one arm.”

Cherry Blossom glared. “Throw me around? You wish. It's unlikely that he could even lift me.”

To be honest, it wasn't. Both of the skaters had a very distinct memory of their adolescence, of when their former friend picked up the pink haired man- albeit with both hands- and carried him in his arms all the way to the underpass where they frequented after the AI Skater's ankle had swollen up from a particularly nasty bail.

“Cherry-sama isn't afraid of Adam!" another voice chimed in.

“Yeah! There's no way he's gonna lose!" shouted one more.

Not too far away from the main group rested both Cherry Blossom's fan group, The Yozakuras, and the rest of The Sunflowers. Like the men they cheered and fawned over, the two groups had their own rivalry. It was somewhat for show; it wouldn't make much sense for two rival groups to be buddy buddy with one another while their star attractions were snarling in each other's faces, and their revelry often caused the S Gallery to stir, igniting beefs between lower ranked skaters who wanted to be up at the top with the three greats.

“You know, Cherry, it's fine to admit that Adam could lift you like a newborn baby.”

“You know, Joe, it's fine to admit that your brain is smaller than a fly's.”

The two went at each other, this particular row more for the pageantry than one of their genuine tiffs. Their fans chimed in every so often with their own color commentary, turning a few heads from the screens to the habitual verbal face off between the infamous AI and Six-Pack Skater.

“I'm telling you it's not possible. He can't lift me.”

“Nah, it's definitely possible. Let's ask your robot girlfriend. What do you think, Carla?" Joe looked down to the purple and black board.

The skateboard's LEDs flashed. “While Master weighs the same amount of pounds as Snow, who Adam threw around with ease, Master also has more experience in skating with Adam, therefore there is a 69% chance that Adam would not even be able to lay a hand on Master, let alone pick him up.”

“Carla, don't humor him," Cherry chided.

“My apologies, Master,“ Carla went dark.

“You should listen to your machine, Cherry. It only wants to keep you safe.”

“Carla is not a machine!”

Sitting on a small boulder just a couple feet away, Shadow watched as the two older men got louder and closer with one another, having abandoned their boards at their feet while fire sparked in their eyes.

“So, how much longer do you think they're gonna go at it?" he murmured to Miya.

“Until Cherry leaves for the night," Miya muttered back.

“You weigh as much as a bag of feathers!”

“And you weigh as much as a bag of rocks!”

“Grasshopper!”

“Imbecile!”

Rolling his eyes at their antics, Shadow looked back to the current beef. Tabby was losing horribly to the Red Helens, their tornado carousel technique having disoriented the other to the point of vomiting on their board in the middle of the race, slipping and falling flat on their face, and losing a lot of headway right in the beginning of the match. He didn't really feel sorry for them, seeing as not only did Tabby owe him money from their own beef, but they'd been antagonizing the Helens for a while now. They were getting their just desserts.

“So, still no Reki and Langa tonight?“ Looking up, Shadow watched as Joe waved away his fans and walked towards him and Miya, his routine argument with Cherry Blossom already over.

“No," Miya frowned from his spot crouched on the ground as he set down his switch. “Langa was busy, and Reki just said no,“ he grunted as he pulled out his phone to show the men.

“I tried calling him and he didn't pick up," Miya gave Joe a concerned look. “Do you know what's wrong with him?”

“I can't say I do," Joe shook his head before sighing, “I tried talking to him last week, but I haven't seen or heard from him since.”

“Langa's been really depressed lately too. He hasn't skated once since your beef," the thirteen year old replied.

“I haven't talked to Reki since before the tournament," Cherry sighed as he strode over. “Neither he nor Langa have ridden by my studio either. Troublesome children.”

“I'm sure they'll work it out," Joe gave Miya a reassuring smile, leaning back on the rocks, “All we have to do is be there when they need us.”

Cherry looked at Miya's phone, squinting, “As much as I would love to continue this conversation, it's about time I head out,“ only for his fans to moan in disappointment.

“Cherry-sama, please don't go!”

“Yeah, stay a little longer, please.”

“You never stay all night, Cherry-sama. At least run a beef before you leave!”

“Sorry, but no." The pink-haired ninja ran a hand through his ponytail to untangle a knot. “Goodnight," he said to his companions before strolling off.

Joe watched as the lithe man walked off, his board tightly grasped in one hand while he tapped away at his phone with the other. He stepped through a hole in the fencing and slipped into the woods. It wasn't long before he was disappearing into the foliage; not even the stark white of his hakama was able to be seen.

“Aww.” One of the AI Skater's fangirls stomped her foot. “I wish Cherry-sama wouldn't leave so early! He always goes around this time.”

“I know," another pouted. “It's not fair.”

“He's so mysterious the way he goes into the woods, like prince from a fantasy novel!" One squished her cheeks, a blush dusting her pale cheeks.

“I tried following him once and got lost," a third cried. “I had to message the capmen on the forums to come save me.”

“Oh no! Did you get in trouble?”

“No, but I did get them a carton of cigarettes, some tea, and dango as a thank you.”

“Oh, that's great!”

As The Yozakuras pondered on the destination of their resident heartthob, the Six-Pack Skater couldn't help but smile. When he and Cherry arrived at S that night, they had parked their motorcycles near one of the abandoned security offices they had found hidden amongst the overgrowth and trees in their youth. It was mostly a hideout that the AI Skater snuck away to when he would be hit with a sudden panic and didn't want to lose face in front of the Gallery, but it was also a space for them to have a bit of peace and quiet, even inside their mountain paradise. Even after nine years, it was still a well hidden secret; the only ones to know of its exact location were Cherry, Joe, and Adam, though that didn't mean that their fans didn't try their hardest to find it.

“It's so hard to believe that they used to be the watch dogs of this place," Shadow deadpanned as the men and women continued to wail to one another.

“Watchdogs?" Miya raised a brow at him.

Shadow shrugged. “It's more of a rumor, but I've heard more than a few of the older skaters say that The Yozakuras were the capmen before capmen were actually a thing.”

Miya shoved his switch and his phone is his pockets. “That doesn't make any sense, old man.”

Shadow gritted his teeth. “I'm twenty-four! And it's not like I came up with it, just something I hear every now and again.“ He turned to Joe. “Is it true?”

It was Joe's turn to shrug. “No idea. If it's true you'd have to ask Cherry next time you talk to him. He took charge of S after Adam left, and I was all the way on another continent. By the time I came back, the megatron was up and the capmen were tending to the track.”

“Huh," Miya immediately whipped his phone back out. “Gimme a minute.”

Shadow and Joe watched the teen type away. “I doubt he's gonna respond while he's driving home.”

“Yes he can; he has Carla," Miya shot back.

“True enough.”

After a while of tapping keys and notification bings, all of a sudden, Miya groaned, throwing his head back as he jumped to his feet.

“He's no help," he nearly pouted as he lifted his phone for the two to see.

“No help at all," Shadow shook his head. “I'm gonna go get a drink and a snack, be back.”

Shadow stalked off. Miya huffed as he put his phone away yet again, a small glower forming on his face.

“Meh, it's not that big of a deal," Joe said, patting his back. “Besides, it's not like the capmen are all that interesting.”

“Lies," Miya denied. “You don't think about how mysterious they are?”

“How so?" the Six-Pack Skater rested his hands on his hips,

“Maintaining the tracks is a full time job, so it would be hard for them to have a day job. Adam has to pay them, so that means they do taxes, but what do they put their job down as? If they have families, then what do they tell them they're going to work for?" the boy talked on.

Joe snickered. “Who knows? You can barely see their faces half the time. Maybe the capmen are all secretly androids that Adam paid Cherry to create.”

Miya sighed heavily. “You're no help either.”

Seeing the boy's dejected face, it was pretty obvious to the twenty-six-year-old that Miya wasn't all that beat up about S's mysterious maintenance workers. Instead, as he shoved his hands in his pockets, palming at his phone like he wanted to whip it out again, Joe guessed that his thoughts were focused on the absent redhead of their group.

Well, there was one thing that could cheer him up, if only a little.

“Say, Miya, how about you and I have a beef?" he kicked up his board as a show of challenge.

“You want to lose to a kid in front of everyone again?" Miya immediately mocked.

“Hey!”

--

-X-

As soon as his mother's room went dark and the sound of light snores echoed in the hall, he tip-toed his way out of his room and through the house, stopping to press two fingers to his father's picture, before slipping out into the night. There were still a few lights on within the apartment block, so he dipped and weaved to avoid being seen by the nosy neighbors who would certainly question his mother if they saw him sneaking out. Flies and other chittering insects greeted him as he made it to the street, throwing his board down to get on his way.

At this time of night, the path to Sia La Luce was a mostly quiet one, though it was sometimes disturbed by the screeching tires of motorists on their way home. All of the businesses down that way were either closed or closing, owners and employees readily awaiting the sweet embrace of their beds and pillows after a hard day's work.

On regular nights, he wouldn't be making this trek alone. No, normally, he'd be making ride with-

“Reki," Langa said to himself, his eyes downcast.

Even with the tournament having been put on pause for a week, Reki still hadn't made an appearance at S. He'd taken a longer leave from work, and none of his texts had received even a single reply.

Without his notice, Langa slowed down to a crawl, the force of his kicks not nearly as strong as they could be. It took him a quarter of an hour to reach his destination. The imminent sounds of an argument between the Six-Pack and AI Skater was the first thing Langa heard as he skated around the corner towards the Italian restaurant.

“Tell me again why you needed a soccer mom van for work?”

“I told you that I needed a large space to transfer my canvases and supplies.”

“I feel like you could've just bought a pick-up truck.”

“I will leave you on the side of the road.”

Sitting in the front seats of his panel van with the windows down, Joe and Cherry narrowed their eyes at one another.

“It's just canvases, brushes, and ink; it can't take up this much space. Seriously, this is just like when you got all those LEDs for that Carlacycle of yours.”

“Are you forgetting that I also used my purchases to tune up the rustbucket you call a motorcycle?”

“Hey, slime," Miya chimed in as the door to his right slid open and Langa jumped in to sit beside him, “What took you so long?”

“Sorry," Langa mumbled. “I lost track of time.”

“Lost track of time, aren't you excited?" Shadow called from the back. “We got a downright legendary beef in like an hour.”

Langa pondered Shadow's words for a moment. He once thought racing Adam- experiencing the heart pounding exhilaration that was the King of S- was what he wanted all along. However, the thought of just being at S as it was didn't even cause a flutter in his heart.

“I guess I'm a bit excited," he muttered, looking up at the front seats. “Good luck, Cherry.”

“Thank you," Cherry turned away from Joe. “Reki's still a no show?”

Hearing the other high schooler's name, Langa's heart felt gripped by a hand made of ice.

“I can try texting him again," he replied and swiftly pulled out his phone.

“We won't be able to wait for him, unfortunately," Cherry said as he twisted the keys in the ignition. “If we don't leave now, we'll be late.”

As the group headed down the road, a bit of chatter started between the three adults while Miya flipped up his hood, somewhat immersed in his game, though his eyes flickered to Langa's phone every so often. Langa himself was just as focused on the device, blocking everyone out.

“So, Cherry," Shadow said. “When was the last time you beefed Adam?”

“My last time? Hmm, I think it was almost eight years ago, a little while after the first ever tournament at S. He challenged me to race him down one of the now defunct tracks.”

“Really? You never told me about that." Joe raised a brow at his friend.

“You were at work that night, and he asked me to keep it a secret between us," Cherry replied, gripping the steering wheel tightly for a second.

“There are secret tracks at S?" Shadow questioned.

“There are a lot more tracks that aren't really used anymore," Joe replied. “Some were too dangerous. Others would take a lot more upkeep than the we ones we use now.”

The van came to a stop at one of the traffic lights.

“Huh," the Anti-hero of S leaned forward in his seat. “So, who won?”

“Adam won, but not by much, “Cherry said.

As Cherry talked about his prior loss, Joe looked to the back seat. Usually, the teens were especially nosy when it came to matters prior to their arrival to the mountain, so not hearing them talk once was a major surprise.

Miya was still playing his dungeon crawler, the sprite of a red-haired knight hacking away at a vampire feasting on the heart of an innocent maiden. Langa was still staring at his phone; his eyes were glistening just the slightest bit.

“Hey, Langa, you good?" looking up, the young Canadian's clear blue eyes crossed with Joe's burgundy ones.

“I'm...fine," Langa muttered.

“Reki?" Joe asked knowingly.

“...Yeah," the teen answered, a solemnly slid his phone into his shirt pocket.

“Is he coming tonight?" Miya looked up, pausing his game. “He's pretty much missed the whole tournament.”

“I don't think so," Langa shook his head. “The last time I talked to him about it, he said he didn't care. I thought I saw him when I raced Joe, but I couldn't find him.”

“Hmm, that so?" the Six-Pack Skater pondered. “I talked to Reki before our beef, told him to come by, but I never actually saw him. After Kaoru's beef, how about we ask the capmen at the gates whether they remember seeing him or not?”

“I doubt the capmen would remember a random red headed child," Cherry disagreed. “I'll have Carla scrape the video records tonight and text you all later.”

“Sounds good to me," Shadow shrugged. “Besides, even if he doesn't show up, we can give him the good news later that you knocked Adam off his high horse.”

“Oh, Carla could keep a video and we can show him later," Miya smiled. “Reki might come back if he sees Adam lose.”

“I don't know," Langa looked down at his chest. “I just want to talk to him.”

The rest of the ride to S was filled with minimal chatter and a few quips between Joe and Cherry. Every once in a while, Langa would pull out his phone and look at his screen as if the final message would change on its own.

It didn't take long before they were driving through the gates of paradise. Cherry got out early, throwing the van keys at Joe to hurry to the starting line while they found a place to park. With just five minutes until the beef, the four of them flagged down a capman to race them to the top.

“Langa-kun!" The Matador of Love waved excitedly from his spot at the starting line. “Have you come to cheer me on? Oh, I can feel your yearning for our union even from here!”

Everyone watched as the Matador emitted large flashing hearts of rose gold. He was so utterly focused on the boy before him it was entirely possible that someone could sneak up and steal his case of cigarettes from him, and he wouldn't even notice. Langa himself simply blinked at the man, wholely uninterested in his usual mannerisms and mind preoccupied on something more import.t.

“Don't you worry, my Eve. We'll have our chance to race again very soon! I pro-

“Are you ready or not?" Cherry interrupted, his lips downturned behind his mask. "Or do we all have to wait another week while you stand there and fawn?”

Adam abruptly paused, and then suddenly, all the energeticness he was exuding seemed to fade away.

He turned and gave Cherry a lackadaisical smile. "Oh, I forgot you were here.”

“You!" Clenching his fists, Cherry almost threw Carla to the ground.

“Let's get this over with," Adam said brusquely.

A blaring horn silenced everyone on the mountain. Both skaters leaned forward, eyes focused on the starting line.

Three...Two...One...

“Bzzzt!”

--

“Tell us again, Nanjo-san, what exactly is your relationship with Sakurayashiki-sensei?”

“He's my best friend. We...we grew up together.”

The bright, fluorescent lights were pulling on the ends of his nerves and kicking at the front of his skull. His legs felt like jelly, barely holding him up as he swayed back and forth on his aching feet. Kojiro braced himself against the cold wall of the waiting room; he could very clearly feel the continuous thump thump thumping of his heart against his ribcage.

“And you can confirm that you're his emergency contact?" the officer asked as he jotted down notes in his PDA.

“In his medical records, yeah. In his phone, maybe.”

The heavy cough of a nearby elderly man in a wheelchair made Kojiro jump a bit. He rubbed at his arm, nerves already frazzled beyond belief. He took a wary glace across the room, watching as one of the receptionists inputted information on the newest patient.

The chef had never hated hospitals as much as Kaoru did, but he was willing to come around to his way of thinking just this once.

“And remind us, how did he end up in his condition?" the second officer prodded.

Kojiro's breath almost hitched as the events of just a few hours ago waded through his mind. First astonishment, then pride, then the loss of hope, shock, a moment of pure anger and fear, racing down the track as fast as he could, dust flying into his eyes, gravel cracking under the wheels of his board. Ad- that man- standing over Kaoru as he bled out onto the ground.

He didn't remember much after getting into Shadow's car. Not leaving out of S's gates. Not the high-speed drive down the road. Not reentering the city. Not even making it into the hospital parking lot.

He did remember running in. “Somebody please help me!" he had screamed.

He remembered putting Kaoru down on a stretcher, the entire right half of his face covered in blood. His left leg was twisted, his foot flopping as a nurse tried to rest it in the middle of the bed.

“Oh god," he had said as a sudden body shift had Kaoru spitting blood onto the blue sheets of the gurney.

“Let's get him to imaging!" one of them shouted.

Hee tried following the entourage of health care workers in to the backrooms, but one of the receptionists started pushing against his chest.

“You can't go back there, sir!”

“But...Kaoru...he-he's”

A scream from the back, “Code Blue!”

Code Blue. What the hell did that even mean?

He vaguely remembered the security guard and Hiromi grabbing him by the shoulders.

“He's safe now, Kojiro." The Anti-hero of S held him tight. “He's safe; the doctors will take care of him. Come over here with me. Let's take a breather, okay?”

It was only through Hiromi's coaxings that he was able to answer the triage nurse's questions, as jumbled and stunted as they were. It wasn't too long after they were left to wait that law enforcement showed up.

“We were just on our way back from a costume party," Kojiro replied. “We were walking back to the car when a truck swerved around the corner and hit him.”

“And you didn't think to call 119?" the officer raised a brow, trying to catch him in a lie, while the first added, “The car didn't stop?”

“He was unconscious and bleeding so much. I just...I wanted to get him help alright. Get him to the hospital instead of just sitting there and waiting." His fists clenched and he took in a deep breath. “I wasn't thinking clearly at the time, alright? I just....I needed to get him some help. And no the car didn't stop.”

He didn't know exactly which of the hospital populous called the police. Maybe it was the triage nurse at check-in who recognized Kaoru immediately from his hair and was currently whispering into the landline to someone. Perhaps it was the security guard who saw the blood spread across Kojiro's chest, pants, and hands and assumed he was the cause of Kaoru's state. Maybe it was the father of three who was sitting in the waiting area with his children, his wife's condition currently unknown. It could've been anyone really, but it didn't really matter now did it?

What did matter was that Kaoru was a very well-off and acclaimed artist. He had enough money to pay every single bill of whoever was unfortunate enough to end up there that night, and then buy the hospital just for the hell of it. His name held enough prestige that businesses in the West tapped his talent for signs, cards, and other stationery no matter the shipping cost just to have the bragging right of “I did business with Sakurayashiki Kaoru.”

People like that usually had an array of doctors and healthcare providers at their beck and call. If those people couldn't be reached, then they went to a more affluent facility; one that didn't have chipped tiled floors, dingy white partitions, and fading blue waiting room chairs.

It was more than a little suspicious when someone of Kaoru's social standing ended up in an everyday man's hospital.

“Can you tell us what this car looked like?”

“It was red; I don't remember much else. Sorry, but I wasn't too focused on the car at the time. Maybe it was a Hyundai, maybe it was an Altima. And before you ask, no I didn't get the license plate.”

The officer gave him a suspicious glance, orange eyes sweeping over his tattoo for the longest of seconds, before he sighed, sliding his PDA into his pants pocket.

“We may have some more questions at a later date, Nanjo-san. Please make sure that we are able to reach you." The officer said before walking off, his partner not far behind him.

Kojiro simply waved his phone in their direction, eyeing them both relieved and embittered as he finally moved over to fall down into one of the waiting room chairs. He ran a hand through his wind-wrecked hair, uncaring if chips of dried blood got stuck in between the threads.

“You sure you don't want to wash up, might make you feel a bit better," the sound of Hiromi's boots clacked against the tiled floors.

“I'll wash up when they finally tell me how Kaoru's doing," Kojiro replied. “It's been hours, yet nobody's talked to us yet.”

“That's good in a way." Hiromi sat down beside him. “Means he's still alive and kicking.”

The smell of coffee wafted up Kojiro's nostrils. “I got you something to drink," Hiromi said, pressing the cup into Kojiro's still trembling hands. “Thought they'd never leave.”

“They didn't question you as long as they did me," Kojiro grunted, swirling the cup in his hands, the warmth doing little to calm his nerves.

“I'm not covered in blood. Nor do I have a visible tattoo. And I don't look like I could defeat Mike Tyson and The Rock in a 2 v.1," Hiromi joked as he stretched out.

Kojiro let out a weak chuckle. “No, but you do look like you could take a cinnamon stick boy." Then paused. “At least in appearance. Back in the day, Kaoru would take on eight guys at a time with just a baseball bat.”

“That sounds terrifying," Hiromi shuddered, his mouth gaping at just the thought.

“It was...for the people who pissed him off.”

“I can imagine. They did check the car. I managed to hide our boards under the boot, and they didn't ask too many questions about the blood in the backseat. They were a bit suspicious of the dirt on the tires though.”

“Did they take a sample?”

“No.”

“Then they'll live. Soon as the day starts good, go to a car wash.”

A silence encompassed them then. Kojiro's attention flipping back and forth between the black double doors of the emergency wing and the slowly cooling coffee in his hands. Hiromi sipped at his drink, tapping away at his phone.

“I got a hold of Langa; he took Miya home then went back to his place. Tried getting a hold of Reki, still no answer," Hiromi said after a while.

“That's good," Kojiro nodded. “I'm glad they're both safe. Least Reki didn't have to see tonight.”

“Wish none of them did," Hiromi grimaced. “I was gonna bring Miya with us, but the kid ran off. I didn't want to waste time going after him so I-”

“You don't have to explain it to me," Kojiro patted the other man on the leg. “Thank you, by the way.”

“No problem.”

Kojiro finally took a drink from his lukewarm coffee. The call of “Hashimoto-san” from the receptionist was one of the only little sounds in the waiting area aside from the ever-ticking clock and the barely above a whisper voices from the corner televisions.

“You know, Kaoru started skating a year after I did?" Kojiro started as he set his cup of coffee down near his feet.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. His family...they were the strict sort of people and had pretty much planned Kaoru's entire life out for him, and it goes little to say that skateboarding wasn't a part of it. Between calligraphy and everything else he had going on the only time he got to even look at a board is when we had sleepovers.”

“Wow, would have thought you two started at the same time or something.”

“Yeah, I was so pissed when he learned how to rail grind quicker than I did. Held it over my head for weeks, the dick.”

“Like you probably didn't hold it over him when you learned to Madonna or something.”

Kojiro grinned. “It was actually a Grosman Grab.”

Hiromi was quick to lead Kojiro into a conversation of beginner and freestyle moves, a welcome distraction. While the constant talk of Ghetto Birds, Darkslides, and Rocket Airs could never take Kaoru off the twenty-six year old's mind, it did do the trick in getting his nerves to settle just the littlest bit.

“Wait, a Roastbeef Grab!" Hiromi exclaimed. “Isn't that more your style?”

“Kaoru would try anything back in the day," Kojiro snorted. “You should have seen him when he did a Benihana then went straight into a Daydream Flip. He even had Adam cheer.... “Kojiro grew quiet before he could finish his sentence.

His eyes found the doors once more. They were still, and not a bit of movement could be seen behind the opaque glass.

Kojiro bit his lip. Skateboarding had been such an important part of the duo's lives for almost two decades, and now there was a big possibility that Kaoru may never walk again, let alone skate.

“I'm going to kill him," Kojiro whispered, his hand coming up to cover his mouth. “I'm going to kill that son of a bitch.”

Hiromi squeezed the man's shoulder. “Gonna have to get in line after Cherry's fans," he said. “Some of those girls looked like they wanted blood.”

“They're the ones who are going to have to get in line.”

Adam had had a punch waiting for him for a very long time. Seven years of longing, hope, and anger all wrapped up into a gloved fist. When before it would have been on the shoulder or perhaps in the gut, now Kojiro could only imagine white, red, and gold mask fragments digging into alabaster skin.

Or perhaps, he could use another method? Adam was so very clever, coming up with new techniques on the fly. Maybe Kojiro should take his skateboard and give Adam a secondhand demonstration of just how effective his new move-

“Ahem, excuse me?" a hesitant voice broke through the man's seething thoughts.

Turning, Hiromi and Kojiro took note as a young woman stepped up to them.

“You are Nanjo Kojiro, right?" The woman stepped a bit closer. “Here for Sakurayashiki Kaoru?”

She was a woman of around average height. Her brown locks framed her oval-shaped face, her grey eyes a bit cautious. She was dressed in a white tee, a black and gold Mami Band jacket, blue jeans, and matching sneakers.

Kojiro found himself raising a brow. She'd used their real names, so she couldn't have been from S. And she obviously wasn't a doctor or nurse, dressed like that. Was she an undercover cop? Maybe they sent a pretty face to try and get a confession out of him.

“Uh, yeah," Kojiro did his best to put on his signature smile as he got up from his chair. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

The woman took a deep breath. “I'm Takahashi Kioko, Sakurayashiki-san's babysitter." The woman gave him a small bow. “I was instructed to find you or Nanjo Chiyoko in case of an emergency.”

Kojiro stood shocked still, confusion overcoming his buzzing nerves.

“Um," Hiromi stared at the woman, incredulous. “I'm sorry? Come again?”

“I'm Sakurayashiki-san's babysitter," Kioko repeated, as if it was the most normal sentence one could speak in this situation.

“A...a babysitter?!" Kojiro exclaimed. “Why in the world would he need a babysitter?”

“That's-

“Kioko-oneesan," a sleep-ridden voice grabbed the men's attention, drawing their eyes down from the woman's face to behind her.

Holding tight to her left leg and jacket was a little boy. He wasn't well put together, like his white t-shirt and denim overalls had been shuffled on in a hurry. His shoelaces were still untied, tripping hazard trailing behind his blue power ranger sneakers. His rose colored locks were mushed together like he'd just been woken up from a deep sleep. His scarlet eyes were brimming with tears.

The child stared at Kojiro and Hiromi, his wide eyes as he tugged hard against his caretaker's pants as if he was trying to drag her away. The boy whimpered, his bottom lip wobbling as he asked,

“Where's chichi?”

---

For Kaoru's and Kojiro's nicknames I decided on names that I think would fit the child versions of them. Kaoru = Raki with the characters meaning “comfort” and ���rare”, and Kojiro = Kouki meaning “light” and “hope”. The nicknames were given to them by their mothers.

-

haha = mama okaasan = mother chichi = papa otoosan = father sofu = grandpa oneesan = elder sister/big sister obasan = aunt

-

Original Character List (so far, good god just what have I gotten myself into?)

Sakuaryashiki [Redacted]– Kaoru's son Takahashi Kioko – Kaoru's Babysitter Uehara Sayuri – Manager of Sia La Luce Fujimori Teijo – Sous Chef of Sia La Luce Miyamoto Miyoko – Sous Chef of Sia La Luce Kawasaki Jona – Cook at Sia La Luce Tagawa Rioto– Cook at Sia La Luce Oshiro Hirohito – Server at Sia La Luce Kurihara - A client of Kaoru's Hashimoto – Random Hospital Occupant Yamamura Hayate – A client of Kaoru's Kida [Redacted] – Kaoru's master/calligraphy teacher Nanjo Chiyoko - Kojiro's mother

Read the Next Chapter

[swseats]

ECLECTICLE 7/25

I took a field trip last weekend. Fortunately I decided to hit the road early. It was Saturday and there would be traffic on the way to Napa -- that was expected. Napa is popular this time of year. Heck, Napa is popular every time of the year. I had been invited to the Culinary Institute of America at Copia to attend a masterclass on hamburgers given by George Motz - hamburger historian and burger scholar. Initially I was on the fence about going. I mean let’s face it. How much can a person learn about Hamburgers (apparently A LOT!), plus my week had been, up to that point, a bit stressful. But it was a friend I wanted to spend more time with, so I said yes to the invite. 

The grey cloud cover of the East Bay morning provided a comfortable chill to the air as I climbed into the driver’s seat of the car. I double checked the details of today’s excursion, copying the address to feed into my phone’s navigation app. One hour and a few minutes. Just enough time to take in a podcast and finally get some “Alone Time”.

I have always enjoyed spending time with myself. Alone. Not having to be on. Giving my brain space to recharge or work on some conundrum that is nagging at me -- all thorny and difficult to untangle. I seem to be prone to having a number of those issues. Not unlike many others I am sure.  Even if I am reading, or just staring off into space, or even driving north to make hamburgers in the wine country, I can really put my mind to solving a tough problem when I have few other distractions save the whirring of the perpetual motion machine between my ears.

Some folks I know find it hard to be alone. Even downright scary. They seem to equate being alone with being lonely. Those are two different concepts though. Lonely is a feeling. A sadness based on a lack of connection. You can feel lonely in a crowd of people. Being alone, however, is different. It is that physical place where no one's expecting anything. You can operate on your own time -- on your own schedule. You can take the time to figure out what the heck you just argued with your significant other about or plan what your making for dinner. Both very worthy problems to sort out.

Driving up Hwy 29, catching glimpses of the foothills in the distance, covered with a melange of sun kissed golden hues interspersed with evergreen and orange, the windows are down and I’m feeling the warm fresh air on my face. My thoughts are on the road, the podcast and the task of purposefully not stressing about a couple of last week's challenges. I am alone, at least for the next 30 minutes, and am very glad I said yes to this adventure. It is important to look for those little openings of solitude that present themselves. Those chances to be bravely and happily alone.

+++

I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to learn how to be alone and not defined by another person.

-Oscar Wilde

+++

If you’re new here, ECLECTICLE Is my “Eclectic Listicle” of the recent things that have been happening in my world. It is a regularly occurring place to toss out items of interest and information. My hope is that you will enjoy it and find something useful. So, let’s get going. 

+++

Sometimes, you just need a break. In a beautiful place. Alone. To figure everything out.

-Unknown

+++

What I’m eating:

One of the best things about living in Northern California is the cornucopia of foods inspired by and directly from a multitude of cultures. Last week the wonderfully talented Chef Nora Haron had a mainly Southeast Asian inspired bakery pop-up. The FYUB pop-up (The name of her new venture) was in partnership with new coffee spot Orbit Coffee and Doughnuts. The baked goods were filled with great flavors, new tastes, and even gluten free options. My favorite item? The butterscotch cookie!!

What I’m reading:

This water recycling project in the West Bay looks like a really good thing. Glad things like this are happening. Especially in a state that has a history of drought and water shortages.

Massive recycling project to save 30 million gallons of drinking water per year 

Ummmm...Because BUTTER

Astronauts Carved Out Of Butter For Ohio State Fair

I think the last hybrid fruit I got excited about was the Pluot. I am actually intrigued by this. Is it worth braving a Trader Joe's? Hard to say 😀

Cherry Plums Are the Delicious Fruit Hybrid We Never Knew We Needed

This is such an important read. Solving the issue of food justice requires a host of solutions. There is no silver bullet. The start would be setting the right premise and asking the right questions. This article by S. Margot Finn is an awesome place to start.

What the Food Movement Misses About Poverty and Inequality

What I’m Listening to:

Author and scholar Ijeoma Oluo talks about her family’s creativity with food growing up poor, her work around race and teaching her kids resistance. Just so much to listen to and unpack. And extra added bonus, I love the recipe for pasta puttanesca!

Podcast: Cooking By ear

Episode: EP9  Ijeoma Oluo and Puttanesca

[sandjsbeachbumbonanza]

Day 150 – Bermuda gives us the finger

We had an unwelcome surprise this morning. We learned that we now cannot go to Bermuda, so we are scrambling to figure out what to do. The frontrunner is St Kitts & Nevis. We spent most of the day at the Sky Bar on the computer trying to look at options. We took a brief break to visit Joe’s Beerhouse for a late lunch. S had the bratwurst with sauerkraut and J had the roast chicken with barbecue sauce. We split an amazing dessert, vanilla ice cream with cherries cooked in a red wine sauce on top.

When we returned to the hotel, J immediately started out filling out the many forms we will need to get from here to the US.

We then went up to happy hour and got back on the case. After many hours of searching, we think we know where to go after the US. Sadly the UK entry requirements are draconian. Even if you return from a non-red list country, you have to quarantine in a residence or hotel for up to 10 days, during which you must take multiple COVID tests. But hey, the bright side is that you are allowed to leave your quarantine location to take the tests and this is still better than 10 days in an airport hotel room. S does not want to go back to the UK until the restrictions ease, but J has to return for work.

We were so full from our Joe’s Beerhouse lunch that we could only get down tomato soup for dinner. We are both exhausted from today’s last-minute travel upheaval.

[sussex-nature-lover]

Monday 8th February 2021

Still Snowy Here

Through the Hall window

It didn’t seem to stop snowing yesterday and it’s still snowing very gently now, although a fair bit disappeared in the night.

We were about to close the curtains last night against the dark, when we noticed visitors again. The quality of the photos isn’t great as the lamps were on inside

Every now and then they looked in at us, but we were keeping very, very still.

There were visitors after the curtains and blinds were closed as well, or very early this morning.

The outside table

Outside it’s been a very black and white day. The Rooks have been agitated and on the move all morning and at one stage absolutely peppered the garden and hoovered up all the seed. I tried to get a photo but as soon as I approached the window they took off in a massive black cloud.

‘Joe’ Rook in the snow. I’m sure Joe Root (the cricketer after whom we name all the Rooks) is feeling much warmer out in Chennai!

More black and white from this Blackbird who was very interested in some fresh lamb fat that we put out.

and finally for a bright splash of colour, I’ve included this Blackbird and Robin combo because it looks strangely like Robin is levitating.

KITCHEN NOTES:

The lamb fat that Blackbird enjoyed so much was trimmed from a leg that I cooked yesterday. It’s one of the easiest Sunday meals I ever make and yields enough for three sittings for us.

In a large roasting tin I stud the lamb with sliced cloves of garlic pushed into the meat and then rest the seasoned joint on a bed of all kinds of everything. Yesterday it was new potatoes, celery, cherry tomatoes, chunks of carrot, fennel, chopped preserved lemons and some red onion. To that I add a big jug of stock and at least half a bottle of wine, two tablespoons of red currant jelly go in as well. If you have herbs you can throw some in as well. I would normally add a couple of Bay leaves and sprigs of Oregano, but I wasn’t going out in this weather. Cover with foil and slow cook at about 140-150° (not fan assisted) for around five hours, although you can get away with less.  Yesterday I found half a bag of frozen ratatouille as well so that went in as well to use it up. 

All you have to do is take it out of the oven a couple of times and baste adding more stock if necessary. It’s very much use your own judgement. The stock thickens to a most delicious gravy so it’s a complete meal cooked in one the tray. If you want some crunch, serve with roast potatoes instead of adding new ones to the recipe - that depends on having a separate oven for high heat though.

Take it from me, apart from being really tasty, it’s so much easier than pie - either the baked kind or the maths formula.

SPOTTED TODAY:

Heart Warming Rescue Story

[cutsliceddiced]

New top story from Time: West Coast Farmers Had A Hellish Summer. It Might Not Be An Aberration.

Larry Tristano is looking out over what used to be his lush 13-acre farm in Santa Rosa, California. Less than a month ago, the fields were full, and he and his small team at Triple T Farm were harvesting cherry tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash.

Now, there’s nothing but burnt ground. On Sept. 27, two raging Northern California wildfires, the Glass and Shady fires, converged, rapidly burning thousands of acres. The family homes on the property—where he and two more generations of his family lived—were burnt into ash; so were the barns, tools, livestock, an SUV and more. “After the fires in Paradise, I drove through and said, ‘I feel so sorry for these people.’ But you’ll never know how anybody feels until you’ve gone through it,” Tristano says, choking back tears. “It’s just horrible.”

Up and down the West Coast, farmers are reeling from a hellish summer of consecutive and overlapping crises. First, COVID-19 spread across the country, endangering the lives of farmworkers who were deemed as essential and devastating the restaurant market. Record-breaking hot stretches, which made this August the hottest one on record in California, burnt crops and decreased yields. Then a new wave of fires descended across the forests and hills, displacing workers, demolishing homes and blanketing regions with stifling smoke. “We’re trying to put the best food on the table and it’s been very, very rough,” Tristano says.

While some might chalk up these events to a series of freakish aberrations, there are signs that none of these crises will disappear anytime soon. Climate change is facilitating record-breaking heat spells; fires are raging every season in part due to poor forest management; many employers are resigned to COVID-19 lingering through the start of next year’s planting season. Once a land of bounty, the Golden State has turned into an unrelenting minefield of obstacles that have exposed the many flaws of an entire ecosystem.

As West Coast farmers and farmworkers start thinking about long-term solutions, they are often stumped. “We’re focusing on ‘How I get through today,’ but this might be what California looks like every August and September,” says Lorraine Walker, who runs Eatwell Farms in Dixon, California. “I have spoken with a few farmers and asked them, ‘What are you planning? Everyone’s response is, ‘We don’t really know.'”

Jenna Schoenefeld—The New York Times/ReduxA volunteer with GleanSLO organizes strawberries in a bin at a farm in San Luis Obispo, Calif., on June 4, 2020. Before the pandemic, GleanSLO volunteers typically gleaned from backyard fruit trees—now they visit farms.

COVID-19’s “Rollercoaster Ride”

The agricultural output of the West Coast is massive. California’s Central Valley grows a staggering quarter of the nation’s food and 40% of its fruits, nuts and other table foods. Oregon raked in $238 million in 2019 from wine, while Washington produces 65% of the nation’s fresh apples. If you buy a piece of produce from your typical American supermarket, there’s a good chance it came from a West Coast farm.

But the state of farms in the United States was precarious even before COVID-19 struck earlier this year and plunged the nation into a recession. In 2019, the number of farms filing for bankruptcy increased 24% from the previous year, while the U.S. farm debt grew to $425 billion. Foreign competition, trade wars, regulations and unpredictable weather made life hard on farmers. In California, massive wildfires ripped through expanses of fields that grow wine grapes, tomatoes and other goods.

COVID-19 added a new chaotic layer of unpredictability. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride, from panic buying to loss of demand to the food service business disappearing,” says Joe Pezzini, the president and CEO of Ocean Mist Farms, which is based in Castroville, Calif. “Every day’s been a new challenge.” Some farms took a huge hit from the loss of critical buyers like restaurants and school systems; others were buoyed by the increased interest in home cooking with fresh produce. The decreased price of many crops hit some farmers hard; others were able to float through thanks to government loans. As farmers realized they had excess supply, they dumped milk, slaughtered livestock and smashed eggs.

Regardless of COVID’s impact on a farm’s bottom line, the workforce bore the brunt of the risk. There are 400,000 agricultural workers in California, a population that was deemed essential during the pandemic. Researchers and advocates estimate between 60% and 75% of them are undocumented, and a majority are Latinos. Their typical lack of unionization and the constant fear of deportation have long made them vulnerable to workplace coercion. “The inequities that COVID-19 has highlighted, they existed pre-COVID,” Estella Cisneros, the legal director of the Agricultural Worker Program at California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., says. “There’s a lot of pressure on farmworkers to continue working, and a lot of fear of retaliation.”

This year, Cisneros says that her office has fielded many complaints from California farmworkers who say their employers are not taking proactive steps to protect them or are simply ignoring Cal/OSHA regulations about protective equipment. “Some workers said that instead of being given masks, they were given something that much more resembled hairnets,” she says.

Many of the farmworkers that the CRLA assists are part of an aging population, have preexisting conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and have little access to healthcare or job alternatives. Harrowing statistics have confirmed how vulnerable Latino populations are to the virus: In California, they represent 61.1% of COVID-19 cases and 48.6% of deaths, despite making up only 38.9% of the population. “It’s highlighted how at the mercy these workers are at the hands of people who are not the workers themselves,” Cisneros says.

In Oregon, Reyna Lopez, the executive director of the farmworker union PCUN (Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste), says that a quarter of farmworkers polled in a member phone survey said they hadn’t seen any improvements in safety measures being taken by employers. “We’ve also heard that enforcement of the rules isn’t good—and when there is a complaint, people aren’t seeing it getting investigated,” she says.

Lopez and Cisneros are both fighting for the extensions of OSHA regulations related to COVID-19 in their states. They worry that the virus will continue to spread through vulnerable communities if workers are kept in packed labor housing units and sent out into the fields and processing plants in unsafe conditions, especially once the season picks back up next spring. “We have to be ready for May, when we’ll see lots of people coming for the harvest,” Lopez says. “This year, that’s when we saw a lot of outbreaks.”

Brian L. Frank—The New York Times/ReduxWorkers pick corn in the pre-dawn hours to avoid the heat of the day in California’s San Joaquin Valley on Aug. 21, 2020.

A Record-Breaking Heat Wave

Some farm owners have viciously complained about regulations like a rising minimum wage and water restrictions, saying they are squeezing their already meager margin of profit. “The costs are becoming so exorbitant, you’re seeing a lot of ground be idle or sold to other growers,” says Bruce Blodgett, the executive director of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation. “People seem to forget we compete in a world marketplace that doesn’t have the labor or regulatory costs we do. Farmers are saying, ‘I’ve had enough, I can’t compete.’”

While Blodgett and others fight a battle over regulation, they’re also getting hammered by increasingly chaotic weather systems. Blodgett says that heavy rains during cherry harvest season in May slashed the potential cherry revenue in half. Then a record-breaking scorching summer set in, threatening both the crops and the ability of farmworkers to work in the face of heat exhaustion. In August, nearly 14,000 lightning strikes hit California over a 72-hour period. In early September, L.A. County hit an unprecedented 121 degrees.

Some 300 miles north of Los Angeles on the central coast of California lies Taylor Farms, which produces salads and vegetable kits and racks up billions a year in total sales. For the last two decades, Taylor Farms’ crops have thrived in the moderate climate of Salinas, where the coastal breeze and fog suppress summer temperatures and allow leafy greens to thrive.

But this year, record high temperatures hit Salinas once again, forcing Taylor Farms into a work schedule they’ve never tried before: complete night shifts, with workers reporting at midnight and working through 6 or 7 in the morning. “We kept people as cool as we could. At the same time, it was an awful rough six weeks for everybody who’s in this business,” Mark Borman, the president of Taylor Farms California, says. Despite the change, Borman says the company has lost about 23% of its projected yield over the last four weeks due to the heat wave.

Ocean Mist Farms, which specializes in artichokes and brussels sprouts and operates in the same area, was similarly impacted. “Lettuce gets burn on it, and there may be a supply issue coming up for Thanksgiving,” Pezzini, the CEO and president, says. “You have to salvage what you can.”

Bigger companies like Taylor Farms and Ocean Mist have some flexibility to deal with climate change: they can simply alter or move their operations. Pezzini hopes to move his artichokes and brussels sprouts closer to the coast where it’s cooler, and has been using drip irrigation in order to combat the water drought plaguing the state. Borman is looking at his options outside the state entirely. “Today, we grow more and more lettuce in Central Mexico. We’re growing more in Colorado,” he says. “We want to diversify our growing regions, so as things continue to change, we’ll have the right development from a seed perspective and have some flexibility.”

But smaller farmers aren’t afforded the same adaptability. Walker, at Eatwell Farms, says her tomato crop was “beyond disappointing” this year due to the combination of an extremely hot August followed by weeks of smoke blocking the sun. She says she might plant her tomatoes earlier in the season when it’s cooler—but that would impact the planting of her winter crops before it. “We don’t have much wiggle room,” she says.

Courtesy Kendra KimbrauskasThe view from Shimanek Bridge Farm near Scio, Ore., when wildfires swept through the area in September.

“The Sun Didn’t Rise”

While rising temperatures threaten livelihoods, they mostly don’t threaten actual lives. But the fires that follow the heat waves do. Over five million acres have burned in California, Oregon and Washington combined during what has been the most active fire year ever on the West Coast. Experts say that climate change, lightning strikes and poor forest management have combined to provide the kindling for infernos that have killed over thirty people and destroyed thousands of buildings.

Kendra Kimbrauskas, the co-owner Shimanek Bridge Farm near Scio, Oregon, had previously not thought much about the risk of fires when in September, she woke up to a strange sight. “The sun didn’t rise. It was black like it was midnight,” she recalls. “The ash was falling, and it looked like it was in the middle of winter, with snowflakes in your headlights. At like 11 a.m., the sun finally came through and turned everything a really eerie red—like blood red.”

Kimbrauskas hooked up her horse trailer and headed to the county fairgrounds, where she stayed for almost a week. While her farm was ultimately untouched by the fires, many were not—and she dove into a community rescue effort to save the many animals that had been left behind. She ended up using her truck and a trailer to transport abandoned animals to the Linn County Expo Center, where a noisy scene was developing. “We’re talking hundreds of farms, thousands of animals,” she says. “It was like Noah’s Ark, with any animal you can imagine that people were scrambling to get out of danger: horses, sheep, bunnies, ducks, geese, alpacas.”

Kimbrauskas says she has committed to regenerative farming practices that will hopefully lead to more fire-resilient farms. But this experience has shown her how even the best preventative measures may not be enough. “We also have to be prepared to just leave,” she says. “If we don’t have a plan, we may lose our lives.”

Amanda Lucier—The New York Times/Redux Julio Hernandez cuts the hair of his brother, Alvaro Hernandez, at a farm that opened space to people displaced by wildfires in Central Point, Ore., on Sept. 26, 2020. The Almeda Fire leveled some of the only affordable housing for the immigrants who work the fields, kitchens and construction sites of southern Oregon.

Lopez, of PCUN, said that many farmworkers in areas adjacent to evacuation zones were still told to go back to work and endure hazardous air quality. “It’s really important for people to understand there were thousands of outdoor farmworkers still out there working while this was still happening,” she says. “We spoke to a farmworker, Manuel, who said that during the peak of the wildfires, he was feeling nauseated, had a headache, and his body was hurting. He’s still not feeling 100%.”

Many more lost their homes. In Phoenix, Ore., about 200 miles south of Scio, a wildfire ripped through a predominantly Latino community, destroying nearly 1,000 housing units, most of them mobile homes and RV parks. Many members of the community are agricultural workers who toil at the area’s food processing plants and wineries, and have nowhere to turn. “In less than five minutes, everything was gone,” Phoenix resident Jairo Gomez told the Washington Post.

Larry Tristano, in Santa Rosa, suffered the same fate. He himself was in Wyoming when the fire rolled through—but his family was still in their Santa Rosa house and scrambled to get out when they learned of the evacuation order. “My wife grabbed our parents’ wedding pictures, her mother’s scrapbooks, personal things, clothes, our dogs, and that was it,” he says.

Two days later, Tristano returned to nothing. “The only thing that survived was one greenhouse and the tractor. Everything else is gone,” he says. In response, he started doing the only thing he knows how to do: farming the land. “We got a generator. We hooked up the well. Our vegetable crops did survive, and we’re actually back at the market on a limited supply. We’re not going to let this beat us.” Over two weeks, over $29,000 has been raised on GoFundMe for the farm’s workers and its recovery.

Jessica Christian—The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty ImagesGround scorched by the Glass Fire leads to an untouched vineyard along Silverado Trail in Calistoga, Calif., on Sept. 29, 2020.

While Tristano is plowing ahead, there are many signs that the triple crisis for West Coast farmers is far from over. In Washington, the apple crop will be up to 10% smaller than expected due to wildfires and extreme windstorms battering orchards. Economic recovery has been slow, and COVID-19 could very well be lingering when many farm workers return in full force to plant seeds in the spring, threatening their health and slowing down schedules. And federal assistance has been underwhelming: while President Trump has spearheaded record farm subsidies, most of the money has flowed to Southern states and big farms, a nonpartisan watchdog agency found.

Borman, of Taylor Farms, says these compounding issues could affect the consumer through higher prices or a decreased selection. Restaurants may start building their menus around less perishable greens, like cabbage or iceberg lettuce, to protect against volatility. He expects some farmers to move out of the region to greener pastures, “whether that be into central Mexico or even further south into South America.”

As far as how West Coast farmers are adapting to these looming struggles, Borman doesn’t have an answer. “It was a really tricky year. There’s a lot of uncertainty, but I don’t know if there’s a lot of strategy coming out of it yet,” he says. “Honestly, everybody’s a little shell-shocked right now.”

via https://cutslicedanddiced.wordpress.com/2018/01/24/how-to-prevent-food-from-going-to-waste

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Icy fruits are ideal for essentially any occasion: breakfast, a snack, in a shake, a healthy and balanced treat ... the opportunities are really countless. While many nutritional experts claim that nutrient damages from cold is extremely minimal, it is very important to note that (depending upon the water web content of the fruit) the loss of certain antioxidants like beta-carotene is possible during the freezing procedure.

Freezing fruits yourself at the optimal of perfection may really reduce the ripening or decay procedure, preserving the levels of particular healthy nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. In truth, the pre-packaged frozen version might be no even worse than the fresh, which will certainly frequently experience some nutrient loss throughout its trip from farm to supermarket.

Throughout the cold process, the water inside the fruit's cells broadens as it freezes, which often causes cell membranes to swell or break, causing a softer structure when the fruit is defrosted. The remedy? Eat the icy fruit when it's still icy (so rejuvenating), layer it in chocolate or pop it in a blender, in which case the texture won't make a distinction.

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Try out these six, and also you'll be well on your method to frozen fruit bliss. Katherine Carroll Water web content: 74% Icy bananas are not just scrumptious, yet are likewise a fantastic way to protect and get extra use out of excessively ripe bananas. If you're trying to find a healthy and balanced treat choice, attempt banana "wonderful" lotion, an easy version of "gelato" that has just one active ingredient: icy bananas.

Get rid of the peels prior to freezing to make them a lot easier to consume once iced up. Anika Mian Water web content: 81% Admittedly, I'm not a significant fan of routine grapes, but when frozen, they transform, becoming much sweeter as well as taking on a nearly ice cream-like appearance. Grapes are notorious for being a high-sugar fruit, yet at only 62 calories per cup, they fade in contrast to a "little" late-night snack, like a single cup of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough Ice Lotion (540 calories).

Anika Mian Water web content: 85% I didn't think anything can be extra revitalizing than blueberries till I uncovered the Holy Grail: icy blueberries. Stick to the frozen range, as well as never again will certainly you have to suffer with the discomfort http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=frozen fruits of out-of-season berries (read: mushy or tasteless). You can buy them in gallon bags, however I directly advise freezing them right in the container.

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When frozen, every bite tastes like a less-artificial Dreamsicle. Comparable to bananas, get rid of the peel before cold so that you have simple accessibility to the freshly iced up goods. Water content: 87% Frozen raspberries melt in your mouth like a Hershey's kiss. Pop them in a mixer with a little sugar as well as a sprinkle of almond milk as well as you've obtained yourself a remarkably very easy raspberry sorbet.

Truthfully, there are few things far better than coming home to the view of a fruit-filled fridge freezer. Frozen fruit is pass on the easiest, healthiest as well as most delightful means to #treatyoself. Remember, though, to stick to low-water-content fruits for much better taste, structure and also general nutrient content.

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Whether your grocery store runs out your favored fruit and vegetables or you're trying to limit your journeys to the grocery shop, icy fruits and also veggies are a wonderful choice. They can be a lot more nutritious than their fresh counterparts, as they're flash-frozen and also will certainly retain nutrients without ruining. And they're fantastic to have on hand when you wish to include some healthy aspects right into your dishes.

They're nutrient-rich and also will work in countless various recipeswe've even included some recipe suggestions to obtain you began. Polina Prokofieva/ShutterstockStrawberries are a breakfast (as well as treat) traditional for a factor. They're high in vitamin C as well as are delicious in baked products, mixed into healthy smoothies, or offered atop yogurt or oat meal for a hearty morning meal.

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Ekaterina Kondratova/ShutterstockIf you can discover frozen butternut squash at your neighborhood grocery shop, it deserves a buy! You can include the cubes to baked mac as well as cheese for a nutritional boost, or roast the dices as well as serve them atop a salad. The most effective part? You don't have to do the work of slicing the squash yourself.

Here are 20 Hard-to-Find GroceriesAnd Where to Find Them. ShutterstockFrozen peas are good for even more than calming your pains and also discomforts! Adding peas to your dishes will certainly give you an added protein increase as well as supply you with even more than 3 grams of fiber, too. Appreciate them in stir-fries or included in soups.

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ShutterstockYou do not need to burst out the spiralizer each time you desire a pasta replacement. Brand Names like Trader Joe's and also Green Giant sell spiralized zucchini, carrots, as well as more. Throw them with pasta sauce or stir-fry them for a low-carb dinner. Try your spiralized veggies in this dish for Zucchini Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs.

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Table of ContentsFrozen Fruit Salad Things To Know Before You BuyThe Greatest Guide To Frozen BlueberriesSome Of Fresh Frozen Fruit

Diana Taliun/ShutterstockWhatever way you purchase itcanned, iced up, or freshcorn is a delicious means to include even more taste and also nutrients to your dish. Use icy corn in homemade salsas or white chili dishes. We enjoy these 20 Corn Recipes That Crush It. ShutterstockBroccoli is a great resource of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Try roasting it with garlic or sauting it stovetop for an easy side dish. For a super-easy recipe, attempt these Broccoli-Cheese Eggs in a Cup. ShutterstockFresh cherries can be pricey, so maintaining the frozen variety on your shopping checklist is a should if you're trying to save money. Put the fruit to great use in this Wonderful and Luscious Chocolate-Covered Cherry Healthy Smoothie Dish Dish.

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Use it in any kind of recipes where you 'd make use of routine rice! These 20 Cauliflower Rice Recipes are a great location to begin. ShutterstockNo, you can not most likely to your favorite sushi area during quarantine, but you can still make a tasty bowl of edamame at residence. Just microwave some icy edamame, add a little salt, and you're good to go.

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George Dolgikh/ShutterstockYou do not need to wait up until Thanksgiving rolls around to appreciate a tasty side dish of Brussels sprouts. If you buy them iced up, they're wonderful at any time of year! Attempt cooking them with bacon for a yummy addition to any type of dish. Attempt the veggie in this Brussels Sprouts Garnished With Bacon as well as Almonds Recipe.

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They do not need to be baked right into a casseroleyou can prepare frozen environment-friendly beans for a straightforward side meal to any chicken supper. Try these 17 Good-for-You Eco-friendly Bean Recipes. ShutterstockAs with bananas, you might not find frozen grapes in your grocery shop. However you can freeze fresh grapes for a fast and simple reward! You can even use them to cool down your a glass of wine without sprinkling it downall of these usages are why grapes are one of the 50 Foods You have actually Been Eating Wrong Your Whole Life.

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Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein lost her weight and also maintained it offand in You Can Drop It!, she'll show you how to lose it, also. More than 240,000 customers have actually chosen her programand now it's yours to maintain.

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Table of ContentsThe Facts About Frozen Fruit Bags UncoveredWhat Does Fruit Do?

The potassium in cherries additionally makes them an excellent workout recovery snack (considering that potassium is an electrolyte), so Cascio says including them in a post-run or post-virtual exercise smoothie mix can assist nourish muscles. One study published in the European Journal of Sports Science found that cherry concentrate cause much less muscle mass pain post-workout. "Another fun reality regarding cherries is that they have melatonin, which is linked to better rest," Cascio states.

Associated Stories Okay, so you possibly aren't going on any tropical vacations anytime soon, yet a minimum of you can get a preference of somewhere beachy with this frozen fruit. "Even when fresh papaya is hard to obtain, virtually every supermarket has actually frozen papaya," Cascio states. She's a follower of this fruit due to the fact that of its fiber, vitamin C, as well as beta-carotene (a forerunner to vitamin A) web content.

" It has more than 200 percent of the quantity of vitamin C you require for the day." Take that, oranges. Cascio claims that papaya can also aid with irregularity as well as bloating because of the enzyme papin, which helps digest proteins. This makes it a terrific after-dinner snack. Try it by making vegan nice-cream; just utilize your blender or food Find more info processor or food cpu to mix your icy papaya with the plant-based milk of your option.

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( Or, follow this dish. It utilizes fresh papaya, yet frozen papaya functions simply as well.) Mango is another exotic fruit that isn't constantly simple to find fresh, however is available iced up at nearly every food store. Similar to papaya, Cascio says it additionally aids with digestion since it has plenty of probiotics and also fiber, both of which are essential completely digestive tract wellness.

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Icy fruits are perfect for primarily any type of event: morning meal, a treat, in a shake, a healthy and balanced treat ... the opportunities are really unlimited. While the majority of nutritional experts state that nutrient damage from cold is very marginal, it is necessary to keep in mind that (depending on the water content of the fruit) the loss of specific anti-oxidants like beta-carotene is possible during the cold procedure.

Freezing fruits on your own at the optimal of ripeness may actually slow down the ripening or decay procedure, preserving the degrees of specific healthy and balanced nutrients, like vitamins, minerals as well as phytochemicals. Actually, the pre-packaged frozen version might be no even worse than the fresh, which will certainly commonly experience some nutrition loss during its journey from farm to grocery shop.

Throughout the freezing process, the water inside the fruit's cells expands as it ices up, which sometimes causes cell membranes to swell or rupture, causing a softer structure when the fruit is thawed. The remedy? Eat the icy fruit when it's still frozen (so refreshing), coat it in delicious chocolate or pop it in a mixer, in which situation the structure will not make a difference.

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Experiment with these 6, and also you'll be well on your method to icy fruit happiness. Katherine Carroll Water web content: 74% Icy bananas are not only delicious, yet are likewise a great way to maintain and obtain added use out of overly ripe bananas. If you're trying to find a healthy treat choice, try banana "great" cream, a basic version of "ice lotion" that has just one active ingredient: icy bananas.

Get rid of the peels prior to freezing to make them a lot simpler to eat as soon as iced up. Anika Mian Water web content: 81% Admittedly, I'm not https://primix.co.il בלנדר ninja a massive follower of normal grapes, yet when iced up, they change, coming to be much sweeter as well as handling a virtually ice cream-like structure. Grapes are notorious for being a high-sugar fruit, but at only 62 calories per mug, they pale in comparison to a "little" late-night snack, like a single mug of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough Gelato (540 calories).

Anika Mian Water web content: 85% I didn't believe anything can be much more refreshing than blueberries till I discovered the Holy Grail: frozen blueberries. Adhere to the icy range, and also never once again will you have to suffer via the pain of out-of-season berries (read: mushy or tasteless). You can buy them in gallon bags, yet I directly recommend cold them right in the container.

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Table of ContentsThe smart Trick of Frozen Berries That Nobody is Talking AboutNot known Facts About Frozen Strawberries SmoothieFrozen Berries Fundamentals ExplainedHow Frozen Fruits Healthy can Save You Time, Stress, and Money.

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When frozen, every bite preferences like a less-artificial Dreamsicle. Similar to bananas, get rid of the peel prior to cold to ensure that you have easy accessibility to the newly frozen items. Water content: 87% Icy raspberries thaw in your mouth like a Hershey's kiss. Pop them in a blender or food processor with a little sugar and a sprinkle of almond milk and you've obtained an insanely simple raspberry sorbet.

Truthfully, there are couple of things much better than coming home to the view of a fruit-filled freezer. Icy fruit is pass on the easiest, healthiest as well as most scrumptious way to #treatyoself. Remember, however, to stay with low-water-content fruits for far better flavor, structure as well as overall nutrient web content.

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Whether your food store runs out your favored fruit and vegetables or you're trying to restrict your journeys to the grocery store, icy fruits and also veggies are a fantastic option. They can be extra nutritious than their fresh counterparts, as they're flash-frozen and also will keep nutrients without spoiling. And also they're wonderful to carry hand when you wish to integrate some healthy and balanced components right into your meals.

They're nutrient-rich as well as will work in many different recipeswe have actually also consisted of some recipe ideas to obtain you began. Polina Prokofieva/ShutterstockStrawberries are a breakfast (as well as dessert) timeless for a reason. They're high in vitamin C and are scrumptious in baked goods, mixed right into shakes, or offered atop yogurt or oatmeal for a hearty morning meal.

The smart Trick of Fruits That Nobody is Talking About

Ekaterina Kondratova/ShutterstockIf you can find icy butternut squash at your regional grocery store, it deserves a buy! You can add the dices to baked mac as well as cheese for a nutritional boost, or roast the dices as well as serve them atop a salad. The most effective component? You do not need to do the work of cutting the squash yourself.

Below are 20 Hard-to-Find GroceriesAnd Where to Locate Them. ShutterstockFrozen peas benefit more than calming your aches and discomforts! Including peas to your meals will offer you an extra healthy protein boost and offer you with greater than three grams of fiber, too. Appreciate them in stir-fries or added to soups.

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ShutterstockYou don't need to damage out the spiralizer each time you want a pasta substitute. Brand Names like Investor Joe's and Environment-friendly Titan market spiralized zucchini, carrots, and also much more. Toss them with pasta sauce or stir-fry them for a low-carb supper. Experiment with your spiralized veggies in this dish for Zucchini Pasta with Turkey Meatballs.

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Diana Taliun/ShutterstockWhatever method you purchase itcanned, frozen, or freshcorn is a delicious way to add more taste and also nutrients to your meal. Usage icy corn in homemade salsas or white chili dishes. We enjoy these 20 Corn Recipes That Crush It. ShutterstockBroccoli is a great resource of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Attempt toasting it with garlic or sauting it stovetop for a very easy side recipe. For a super-easy recipe, attempt these Broccoli-Cheese Eggs in a Mug. ShutterstockFresh cherries can be expensive, so keeping the icy range on your buying listing is a should if you're attempting to save money. Put the fruit to great usage in this Sweet and Luscious Chocolate-Covered Cherry Healthy Smoothie Dish Recipe.

The 10-Minute Rule for Frozen Fruit Bars

Utilize it in any kind of recipes where you would certainly use routine rice! These 20 Cauliflower Rice Recipes are a fantastic location to begin. ShutterstockNo, you can not most likely to your preferred sushi location during quarantine, yet you can still make a tasty dish of edamame in the house. Simply microwave some icy edamame, add a little salt, and also you're good to go.

A Biased View of Frozen Berries

George Dolgikh/ShutterstockYou do not need to wait until Thanksgiving rolls around to take pleasure in a delicious side recipe of Brussels sprouts. If you purchase them iced up, they're terrific whenever of year! Attempt cooking them with bacon for a delicious addition to any dish. Try the veggie in this Brussels Sprouts Garnished With Bacon and also Almonds Dish.

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They don't have to be baked into a casseroleyou can prepare frozen eco-friendly beans for a simple side meal to any type of poultry dinner. Try these 17 Good-for-You Green Bean Recipes. ShutterstockAs with bananas, you might not discover icy grapes in your supermarket. But you can freeze fresh grapes for a quick and easy treat! You can also utilize them to cool down your wine without watering it downall of these usages are why grapes are just one of the 50 Foods You have actually Been Consuming Incorrect Your Whole Life.

The Single Strategy To Use For Fruit Freeze

Registered Dietitian and also Nutritional expert Ilana Muhlstein shed her weight and also maintained it offand in You Can Drop It!, she'll reveal you exactly how to shed it, as well. Greater than 240,000 customers have chosen her programand currently it's yours to keep.

|

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Table of Contents10 Easy Facts About Frozen Greens ShownThe 6-Second Trick For Frozen Fruit Salad

The potassium in cherries likewise makes them a fantastic workout recovery snack (since potassium https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/?search=frozen fruits is an electrolyte), so Cascio claims including them in a post-run or post-virtual exercise shake can help nurture muscles. One research released in the European Journal of Sports Science discovered that cherry concentrate cause less muscular tissue discomfort post-workout. "Another enjoyable reality about cherries is that they have melatonin, which is linked to better sleep," Cascio states.

Related Stories Okay, so you most likely aren't going on any kind of tropical trips anytime quickly, but a minimum of you can get a taste of somewhere beachy with this frozen fruit. "Even when fresh papaya is tough to obtain, nearly every food store has frozen papaya," Cascio claims. She's a fan of this fruit as a result of its fiber, vitamin C, as well as beta-carotene (a forerunner to vitamin A) content.

" It has over 200 percent of the quantity of vitamin C you need for the day." Take that, oranges. Cascio says that papaya can likewise aid with bowel irregularity and bloating because of the enzyme papin, which assists digest proteins. This makes it a terrific after-dinner snack. Try it by making vegan nice-cream; just utilize your blender or food processor to blend your frozen papaya with the plant-based milk of your choice.

Best Frozen Fruits For Smoothies Can Be Fun For Everyone

About Fruit Freeze

( Or, follow this dish. It utilizes fresh papaya, however frozen papaya functions just as well.) Mango is an additional tropical fruit that isn't always simple to find fresh, however is readily available iced up at virtually every grocery shop. Comparable to papaya, Cascio claims it also aids with digestion since it's complete of probiotics and also fiber, both of which are vital forever intestine health.

3 Simple Techniques For Frozen Fruit Smoothie Mix

" Some healthy eaters are delayed my mango due to the fact that it's a high-sugar fruit, however due to the fact that the fruit is naturally-occurring, it really isn't anything to stress way too much concerning," she

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We commonly booked those musings for biscuits, pancakes, or hash (locate our favorites listed below ). However after that we feasted on a heaping serving of Onefold’s spectacular deep-fried rice with Chinese sausage(” lap cheong” ) Denver business broker, and also all that transformed. Garnished with sauted slices of sweet, weighty lap cheong (or duck, pork, or bacon) and also 2 deep-fried eggs, it’s a satisfying shock that we mean to eat on repeat. onefolddenver.com Picture by Aaron Colussi. Prop styling by Natalie Warady. RiNoNearly every food author in Denver has actually extolled Kyle Foster’s biscuitsand below we go again. They are baked to buy as well as have crusty sides that smash just so when you attack right into them. They are tender inside, salty, as well as oh-so abundant.

They havethe requisite half-cracked texture, yet they’re additionally in some way pillowy and also absolutely hold extra butter than a common biscuit. Foster is, put simply, a biscuit brilliant. As well as please tell Foster that, this time Tyler Tysdal and Title Card Capital, 5280 sent you. juleprino.com Chinese food Celebrity Cooking area on Mississippi Avenue for the ideal dim sum around. You’ll wait for a table on weekend mornings, but the pan-fried turnip cake with XO sauce, shrimp-stuffed eggplant, and congee with duck egg.

are worth it. starkitchenseafooddimsum.com English food The British Bulldog, since if you’re going to invest your weekend break early mornings viewing Premier Organization matches, you might too do so over a full English breakfasttwo eggs, a” banger”( sausage),” rashers”( bacon), mushrooms, beans, fried tomato, as well as toastat this 12-year-old Five Factors pub.

britishbulldogdenver.com Ethiopian food Colfax Opportunity’s Africana Coffee shop, which opens up at 9 a – Harvard Business School.m. africanaethiopianfood.com Vietnamese food Pho 95 on Federal Blvd forwhat else?a steaming dish of its trademark brothy noodle soup, an usual breakfast in Southeast Asia. The Pho 95 special, with filet mignon, brisket, and flank, is a timeless Denver hangover remedy. pho95noodlehouse.com Filipino food Aurora’s Sunburst Grill, where a hearty plate of” tocino “( Filipino-style bacon cured with pineapple juice), eggs, as well as rice expenses just$ 7. Photo by Aaron Colussi. Prop designing by Natalie Warady. LoHiCradling a porcelain mug of steaming joe inside the Bindery.

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‘s bright, busy room on Central Street is a lovely way to greet the day. The beans come from Denver’s Queen City Coffee Collective, which has been seducing regional java enthusiasts with its artisan, direct-trade coffees because 2007. thebinderydenver.com Uptown & ArvadaWe’re certain avocado toast has absolutely nothing to do with millennials ‘reduced homeownership rates, yet paying greater than$ 10 for the fashionable staple isn’t a great idea for any person’s wallet. Luckily, Steuben’s Avocado Goddess Toast will just establish you back$ 5and it’s absolutely divine. The kitchen area toasts ciabatta, rubs it with a rich, herby, sour-cream-based schmear, tops it with thin slices of buttery avocado, and garnishes it all with shaved radish as well as a drizzle of olive oil. Almost. steubens.com LoDoWe’ve eaten scores of leathery, flavorless omelets over the yearswhich, in a community recognized for the recipe, is more than a little unsatisfactory. Say thanks to goodness for Urban.

Farmer, then, where the Denver omelet gets its due. Available throughout weekend break breakfast and also weekday breakfast, cook Chris Starkus ‘model is studded with chunks of baked eco-friendly chiles, red pepper, as well as local ham as well as covered with a generous( if nontraditional) put of barnaise sauce. Lastly, we can lay insurance claim to an omelet worthwhile of our city’s great name. urbanfarmerdenver.com Multiple locationsNot just is the Post’s fried chicken regularly spectacular, with a superbly crispy, completely skilled crust and also juicy meat withina mighty great meal all on its ownbut the pleasant dining establishment’s a.m. food selection likewise approves our wish for numerous brunch-acceptable methods to consume the humble bird. postbrewing.com Picture by Sarah Boyum. BerkeleyIt’s easy to put pancakesfilled with delicious chocolate chips or jam, saturated in fudge sauce or whipped cream or whatever excessive spice sweet-toothed guests might consider temptingon a brunch food selection.

What’s harder is to make a pancake that tastes excellent solo. Wendell’s, the upscale diner that took over the original DJ’s Cafe space on Tennyson Street last year, has actually achieved the last with its large buttermilk appeals, which are lightened with whipped egg whites and also flavored with brandy, vanilla paste, and also lemon zest. wendellsbreakfast. Tyler Tysdal SEC.com Methodology: To assign a cost each for every of these meals, we completed the average cost of an entre, a coffee, as well as a mixed drink or beer. Break out your( fancy) stretchy pants prior to tackling the Sunday breakfast buffet at this hotel near the Park Meadows shopping center. The price includes real-time jazz, endless mimosas, and also an all-you-can-eat buffet with made-to-order omelets, a raw fish and shellfish bar, as well as carved beef ribs. Its distance to matine shows at the nearby Denver Doing Arts Intricate simply contributes to the appeal.

. edgerestaurantdenver.com This Cherry Creek stunner inside the Halcyon resort provides special, Italian-inspired breakfast fareincluding the trademark poultry Parmesan and also light-as-air gnudiand fresh-juice Bellinis( cucumber-lime, white peach, grapefruit-pomegranate )are blended tableside from a restless cart. Our go-to: a$ 6 Bloody Mary and the Fettster (seeded rye toast with caper cream cheese as well as smoked salmon )with a prompt top. Platte Management. oliveandfincheatery.com With pop-art-bedecked walls and also a huge roster of boozy beverages, this two-story Sunnyside place is perfect for households and revelers alike. Order a bacon flight.

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as you question between purchasing the Costa Rica Benedict( smoked pork belly, jalapeo cornbread, pineapple salsa, chipotle hollandaise) or the bacon shrimp and also grits. Get a coffee from Crema Bodega, a mixed drink from Curiowe like the rum, apple brandy, and citrus concoction called Dead Presidentsand a substantial cinnamon roll from Izzio Bakery to take pleasure in at one of the food hall’s lengthy area tables.

denvercentralmarket.com Get one of the most bang for the least buck at the Sloan’s Lake station of this preferred counter-service spot. riseandshinedenver.com Picture by Aaron Colussi (Harvard Business School). Prop styling by Natalie Warady. AuroraIt’s virtually impossible to select just one thing from Annette’s breakfast menu, however when pressed to do so, chef Caroline Glover’s waffles drift above the remainder. Their light appearance comes from a yeasted batter Glover rests overnight for utmost flavor development and loft. Also better, the covering combinations change once a week and also with the periods, from apples with salted caramel and whipped lotion in the be up to blackberries with lemon curd and whipped cream in the springtime. annettescratchtotable.com LoHiMeals at There Denver are often riotous events, specifically if you go during breakfast, when the dining establishment supplies rotating amusement with styles like burlesque, yoga, as well as bluegrass music. For $7, you obtain 3 incredible fried orbs that are crunchy on their cinnamon-sugar-coated outsides, feather-soft within, and also generously full of tart, house-made raspberryPinot Noir jam. Breakfast with a side of burlesque dance may not be every person’s thing, however we’re quite certain these doughnuts are. therehospitalitygroup.com Capitol HillVegetarian as well as vegan Denverites need not experience with bland tofu shuffles and butter-free toast, many thanks to Cap Hillside’s hipster institution, City, O’ City, where the entire a.m. My personal fave would need to be the Queso Arepa. Who does not enjoy mozzarella cheese, avocado and also fried plantains!.?. !? Photo thanks to @milehighandhungry on Instagram This french toast is the most effective brunch option in Denver. It’s a gooey as well as beautiful mix of bread, butter, berries, cinnamon, vanilla and syrup.

Prior to founding Freedom Factory, Tyler Tysdal managed a growth equity fund in association with several celebrities in sports and entertainment. Portfolio company Leesa.com grew rapidly to over $100 million in revenues and has a visionary social objective to “end bedlessness” by donating one bed mattress for each ten offered, with over 35,000 contributions now made. Some other portfolio business remained in the industries of wine importing, specialized lending and software-as-services digital signage. In parallel to managing properties for services, Ty was managing private equity in real estate. He has had a variety of effective private equity financial investments and numerous exits in trainee real estate, multi-unit real estate, and hotels in Manhattan and Seattle.Image politeness of @milehighandhungry on Instagram Vert is not just housed in the stylish and pleasant area of Clean Park, yet it has an awesome food selection that is frequently transforming. Every component they utilize is neighborhood and homemade, and while they constantly have sandwiches and also salads, they switch up their specials and also sides so you can attempt something brand-new every single time you go.

Image thanks to @infatuation_den on Instagram If you can’t inform from this picture, this is the best darn pizza in the state of Colorado. Fresh, self-made dough as well as regional, organic active ingredients baked with each other in a traditional block stove makes these pizzas taste like they’re appropriate out of Naples, Italy. Basic ingredients and conventional techniques make Restaurant Locale a must.

16 Top-rated Tourist Attractions In Denver – Planetware

You obtain to select the base, healthy protein, kind of curry, veggies and flavors to develop a custom-made Indian curry dish that has extraordinary flavor as well as spice. The components as well as choices are incredibly fresh as well as continuously changing, enabling you to switch it up whenever you go, but I highly recommend the coconut curry and also poultry.

Picture thanks to @infatuation_den on Instagram grass-fed meat, Tillamook cheddar cheese and also fresh lettuce and also tomatoes make this cheeseburger an essential. They throw on a few of their unique sauce for the finest combination of tasty and also tasty, as well as their newly baked bun is the cherry on top. While their yummy burgers are a factor alone to go, Larkburger’s truffle fries are my favorite french fries in Denver, hands down.

I would do anything at any kind of give minute to consume these fries and also I indicate anything individuals. Photo courtesy of @infatuation_den on Instagram Bonnie Brae is a real Denver facility. They make their homemade ice cream and also cones on site every day, and also have a plethora of tasty flavors offered (Harvard Business School).

Whether it’s a summer season’s night or great mid-day, Bonnie Brae is constantly crowded with pleased youngsters, families, and big teams of friends – business broker in Denver. Image thanks to @infatuation_den on Instagram Denver Biscuit Co. has a nationwide credibility for dishing out insanely excellent biscuits, and this credibility can not be extra precise. Their biscuit french toast has the ideal degree of sweet taste and also is pleasantly indulgent, while their egg biscuits are the most enjoyable method to begin the day.

syndicated from Best Places To Explore Nature Outside Lone Tree Neighborhoods via David Rawlins

syndicated from Best Places To Explore Nature Outside Lone Tree Neighborhoods via Personal Recovery Kit

[momdefrazzler]

9 Best Things To Do In Lone Tree News Travel

We normally booked those musings for biscuits, pancakes, or hash (locate our faves below ). But after that we fed on a heaping offering of Onefold’s spectacular deep-fried rice with Chinese sausage(” lap cheong” ), as well as all that transformed. Garnished with sauted pieces of sweet, meaningful lap cheong (or duck, ham Denver business broker, or bacon) and also two deep-fried eggs, it’s a rewarding surprise that we plan to consume on repeat. onefolddenver.com Photo by Aaron Colussi. Prop designing by Natalie Warady. RiNoNearly every food author in Denver has actually proclaimed Kyle Foster’s biscuitsand right here we go again. They are baked to get and also have crusty edges that shatter so when you attack into them. They hurt inside, salty, and also oh-so abundant.

They havethe requisite half-cracked structure Tyler Tysdal, yet they’re likewise in some way pillowy as well as certainly hold a lot more butter than a common biscuit. Foster is, merely place, a biscuit genius. And also please tell Foster that, this moment, 5280 sent you. juleprino.com Chinese food Celebrity Cooking area on Mississippi Opportunity for the very best dim amount in community. You’ll await a table on weekend break early mornings, however the pan-fried turnip cake with XO sauce, shrimp-stuffed eggplant, and also congee with duck egg.

are worth it. starkitchenseafooddimsum.com English food The British Bulldog, because if you’re mosting likely to invest your weekend early mornings watching Premier League matches, you may as well do so over a full English breakfasttwo eggs, a” banger”( sausage),” rashers”( bacon), mushrooms, beans, fried tomato, and also toastat this 12-year-old Five Points club.

britishbulldogdenver.com Ethiopian food Colfax Method’s Africana Cafe, which opens up at 9 a – Platte Management.m. africanaethiopianfood.com Vietnamese food Pho 95 on Federal Blvd forwhat else?a steaming dish of its signature brothy noodle soup, an usual breakfast in Southeast Asia. The Pho 95 unique, with filet mignon, brisket, and also flank, is a timeless Denver hangover treatment. pho95noodlehouse.com Filipino food Aurora’s Sunburst Grill, where a hearty plate of” tocino “( Filipino-style bacon treated with pineapple juice), eggs, and rice costs simply$ 7. Picture by Aaron Colussi. Prop designing by Natalie Warady. LoHiCradling a porcelain cup of steaming joe inside the Bindery.

Best Places To Explore Nature Outside Denver Neighborhoods …

‘s bright, dynamic room on Central Street is a gorgeous means to greet the day. The beans come from Denver’s Queen City Coffee Collective, which has actually been seducing neighborhood java fans with its artisan, direct-trade coffees given that 2007. thebinderydenver.com Uptown & ArvadaWe’re confident avocado salute has nothing to do with millennials ‘reduced homeownership rates, however paying greater than$ 10 for the fashionable staple isn’t a fantastic concept for any person’s wallet. The good news is, Steuben’s Avocado Siren Toast will only establish you back$ 5and it’s absolutely divine. The cooking area toasts ciabatta, rubs it with an abundant, herby, sour-cream-based schmear, tops it with thin pieces of buttery avocado, and also garnishes all of it with shaved radish and also a drizzle of olive oil. Practically. steubens.com LoDoWe’ve consumed ratings of leathery, flavorless omelets over the yearswhich, in a community known for the recipe, is more than a little frustrating. Give thanks to benefits for Urban.

Farmer, after that, where the Denver omelet gets its due. Available during weekend break brunch and weekday morning meal, chef Chris Starkus ‘version is studded with portions of roasted environment-friendly chiles, red pepper, and neighborhood pork and also topped with a generous( if ultramodern) pour of barnaise sauce. Lastly, we can claim an omelet worthy of our city’s good name. urbanfarmerdenver.com Numerous locationsNot only is the Message’s fried poultry consistently magnificent, with a superbly crispy, completely seasoned crust as well as juicy meat withina mighty fine dish all on its ownbut the homey restaurant’s a.m. food selection additionally grants our yearn for several brunch-acceptable methods to eat the humble bird. postbrewing.com Image by Sarah Boyum. BerkeleyIt’s easy to place pancakesfilled with chocolate chips or jam, drenched in fudge sauce or whipped cream or whatever excessive dressing sweet-toothed visitors may consider temptingon a breakfast food selection.

What’s harder is to make a pancake that tastes great solo. Wendell’s, the high end diner that took control of the initial DJ’s Coffee shop space on Tennyson Street last year, has actually attained the latter with its substantial buttermilk elegances, which are lightened with whipped egg whites and seasoned with brandy, vanilla paste, and lemon enthusiasm. wendellsbreakfast. Tyler T. Tysdal.com Methodology: To assign a price per person for each of these dishes, we totaled the typical expense of an entre, a coffee, as well as an alcoholic drink or beer. Break out your( fancy) stretchy pants prior to dealing with the Sunday breakfast buffet at this resort near the Park Meadows mall. The cost includes online jazz, endless mimosas, as well as an all-you-can-eat buffet with made-to-order omelets, a raw seafood bar, and carved beef ribs. Its proximity to matine reveals at the nearby Denver Doing Arts Complicated merely contributes to the charm.

. edgerestaurantdenver.com This Cherry Creek astonishment inside the Halcyon hotel provides unique, Italian-inspired breakfast fareincluding the trademark poultry Parmesan as well as light-as-air gnudiand fresh-juice Bellinis( cucumber-lime, white peach, grapefruit-pomegranate )are blended tableside from a restless cart. Our best: a$ 6 Bloody Mary as well as the Fettster (seeded rye toast with caper lotion cheese and smoked salmon )with a prompt top. Tyler T. Tysdal. oliveandfincheatery.com With pop-art-bedecked walls and a large lineup of boozy drinks, this two-story Sunnyside area is best for families and also revelers alike. Order a bacon flight.

10 Best Places To Shop In Denver, Co – Usa Today 10best

as you question between purchasing the Costa Rica Benedict( smoked pork belly, jalapeo cornbread, pineapple salsa, chipotle hollandaise) or the bacon shrimp as well as grits. Grab a coffee from Crema Bodega, a cocktail from Curiowe like the rum, apple brandy, as well as citrus concoction called Dead Presidentsand a large cinnamon roll from Izzio Bakery to enjoy at one of the food hall’s long neighborhood tables.

denvercentralmarket.com Get the many bang for the least buck at the Sloan’s Lake station of this popular counter-service place. riseandshinedenver.com Picture by Aaron Colussi (business broker in Denver). Prop designing by Natalie Warady. AuroraIt’s virtually impossible to pick just one item from Annette’s breakfast food selection, however when pressed to do so, chef Caroline Glover’s waffles float above the remainder. Their light appearance originates from a yeasted batter Glover rests over night for supreme taste growth and loft space. Even much better, the covering combinations alter once a week as well as with the periods, from apples with salted sugar and also whipped lotion in the loss to blackberries with lemon curd as well as whipped lotion in the spring. annettescratchtotable.com LoHiMeals at There Denver are frequently riotous affairs, specifically if you go during brunch, when the restaurant supplies revolving home entertainment with styles like burlesque, yoga, as well as bluegrass music. For $7, you get three heavenly deep-fried orbs that are crunchy on their cinnamon-sugar-coated outsides, feather-soft within, and also kindly filled up with tart, house-made raspberryPinot Noir jam. Breakfast with a side of burlesque dance might not be everybody’s thing, yet we’re pretty certain these doughnuts are. therehospitalitygroup.com Capitol HillVegetarian as well as vegan Denverites need not suffer with dull tofu scrambles and also butter-free salute, thanks to Cap Hill’s hipster organization, City, O’ City, where the entire a.m. My individual favorite would need to be the Queso Arepa. That does not enjoy mozzarella cheese, avocado and also fried plantains!.?. !? Photo courtesy of @milehighandhungry on Instagram This french toast is the ideal brunch choice in Denver. It’s a gooey and divine mix of bread, butter, berries, cinnamon, vanilla and also syrup.

Prior to founding Freedom Factory, Tyler Tysdal managed a development equity fund in association with several celebrities in sports and home entertainment. Portfolio business Leesa.com grew rapidly to over $100 million in revenues and has a visionary social objective to “end bedlessness” by donating one mattress for every single ten offered, with over 35,000 contributions now made. Some other portfolio business were in the markets of wine importing, specialized lending and software-as-services digital signs. In parallel to managing assets for businesses, Ty was handling personal equity in property. He has had a variety of successful personal equity investments and numerous exits in trainee real estate, multi-unit housing, and hotels in Manhattan and Seattle.Image politeness of @milehighandhungry on Instagram Vert is not just housed in the stylish and also homey community of Laundry Park, however it has an awesome menu that is continuously changing. Every ingredient they utilize is neighborhood and homemade, and also while they always have sandwiches and salads, they switch over up their specials and sides so you can try something new each time you go.

Picture thanks to @infatuation_den on Instagram If you can not inform from this image, this is the finest darn pizza in the state of Colorado. Fresh, self-made dough and local, organic components baked together in a standard block stove makes these pizzas taste like they’re appropriate out of Naples, Italy. Basic active ingredients and conventional techniques make Restaurant Area a must.

12 Best Free Places To Go In Denver – Only In Your State

You get to select the base, protein, type of curry, veggies and flavorings to create a custom Indian curry bowl that has unbelievable flavor and also spice. The ingredients and options are unbelievably fresh and continuously altering, allowing you to change it up whenever you go, yet I highly suggest the coconut curry and hen.

Photo thanks to @infatuation_den on Instagram grass-fed meat, Tillamook cheddar cheese and fresh lettuce as well as tomatoes make this cheeseburger a must-have. They throw on some of their unique sauce for the best combination of tasty and also tangy, and also their fresh baked bun is the cherry ahead. While their yummy burgers are a reason alone to go, Larkburger’s truffle fries are my preferred fries in Denver, by far.

I would certainly do anything at any provide moment to eat these french fries as well as I imply anything individuals. Image thanks to @infatuation_den on Instagram Bonnie Brae is a true Denver facility. They make their homemade ice lotion and cones on website every day, as well as have a plethora of scrumptious flavors offered (Lone Tree).

Whether it’s a summer’s night or awesome mid-day, Bonnie Brae is constantly crowded with delighted children, households, and also big teams of friends – TIVIS Capital. Image courtesy of @infatuation_den on Instagram Denver Biscuit Co. has a nationwide reputation for providing insanely good biscuits, and this credibility might not be a lot more precise. Their biscuit french toast has the best level of sweet taste and is delightfully indulgent, while their egg biscuits are one of the most gratifying means to start the day.

syndicated from 9 Best Things To Do In Lone Tree News Travel

syndicated from Originally posted on 9 Best Things To Do In Lone Tree News Travel

[jenroses]

Turkey Day Menu 2017: GF and allergy friendly

From http://jenrose.com/turkey-day-menu-2017-gf-and-allergy-friendly/

Courtesy of my sister, who is willing to adapt menus for other allergy issues. Comment here if your needs are different. 

First off, we have multiple allergies and food issues. In short:

Me; Militantly gluten free and no strawberries or sulfites due to allergies. Also allergic to crustaceans (lobster, crab, possibly shrimp?), peanuts, hazelnuts, lima beans, oats, banana, and weird issues around standard commercial dairy and eggs, but I do fine with certain local products on eggs and dairy. I also randomly have issues with tomatoes, garlic, onions, some veggies,  peppers, but there are meds I can take that help reduce inflammation to tolerate those. Some forms of garlic are better than others. I avoid most soy, refined sugar and mold-type cheeses due to inflammation issues.

My eldest: Allergic to soy, egg, dairy, peanuts and wheat.

My middle: No citric acid or citrates, reacts to wheat in weird ways, same for natamycin

Hubby has texture/taste issues (goes beyond dislike, not an allergy) with visible egg, set gelatin, and most cheese (except pizza.)

Youngest is Intensely picky.

A turkey dinner is actually one of the easiest meals to adapt.

So, within those parameters, here is our menu, according to Sis, with bullet commentary by me.

  Turkey: 20 lb Shelton free-range, brined with herbs and spices, salt water, and apple juice or cider with no added citric acid

I don’t usually brine turkeys, but I trust Sis. Dad uses wine on the turkey, I cook at high heat and don’t touch it or baste it or brine it, but I might slip some kind of fat under the skin.

Stuffing: Costco gluten free bread cubes, better than bouillon based broth, herbs and spices, soy/dairy/egg/gluten free sausage, chopped apples & walnuts

I haven’t looked at Costcco’s gluten free bread cubes, but it’s really hard to get bread that everyone can have. Happy Campers is probably the best bet. Elegant Elephant has a sourdough loaf that can also be converted to cubes easily. Middle kiddo and I can both do Franz gluten free. Eldest and I can both do BFree. Bread is very regional, don’t be afraid to investigate. Other good substitutions include riced cauliflower, quinoa, and brown rice. Just substitute those for the bread in your favorite stuffing recipe, and be prepared to either cook the grains in broth and/or adjust the liquid content down.

Sausage: standard breakfast sausage is our usual–use whatever standard breakfast sausages you can tolerate. We use sausage-shaped ones, but loose sausage can also be used. Nuts are optional, sub sunflower seeds if you want the texture but can’t do tree nuts, or omit.

Apples work for us, cranberries and raisins are other options we’ve used in the past.

Better that Bouillon is something we also call “Chicken squishy” (or “beef squishy”) and is well tolerated by all of us. We use the organic low sodium version from Costco. Vegan options exist. Turkey is probably the ideal for this meal.

  Potatoes: potatoes, olive oil, salt

I mean, you can do almost anything with potatoes, ranging from just swipe a little oil on the skins and bake, to peel (or not) and boil and mash. Contrary to popular belief, mashed potatoes are fine without milk and butter, especially if they’re going to be buttered later and doused with gravy. Sub chicken broth or veg broth for flavor and texture if you want creamier potatoes, and Earth Balance for butter if you really want them “buttery”.

Pro flavor tip: While I love a peppery olive oil, if you get the “Extra light Napoleon” it tastes very buttery, a la melted butter.

Sweet potatoes*: plain, roasted whole

*actually Garnet or Jewel Yams (which are sweet potatoes, but very orange.)

The neat thing is that sweet potatoes take zero work. Stick them in the oven at whatever temp and roast until squishy.

Once roasted, the skins slip off and they can be sliced or mashed and amended as people like after. One of my favorites involves mashed sweet potatoes with coconut milk, coconut sugar, and spices like ginger and cinnamon. For dairy-and-citrate having people, slice the cooked sweet potatoes and layer with butter, maple syrup, orange and/or lemon zest, orange and/or lemon juice, ginger, nutmeg and paprika.

If you must have them with marshmallows, see my marshmallow recipe. Make the marshmallows with vanilla, not peppermint.

One year we made purple yams, garnet yams, and Japanese sweet potatoes, and mashed them separately and let people pipe them onto their own plates.

This was more work than it was worth given how picky my children are, but a lot of fun for those who both like sweet potatoes and like playing with their food.

Gravy: tapioca or rice flour, better than bouillon based broth, herbs and spices, assorted drippings and giblets

Most of the liquid should come from the turkey, plus the cooking water from any boiled potatoes if you have it, which can be boosted with Better than Bouillon if needed.

Holler if you want to know how we do gravy.

Cranberry sauce: cranberries, sugar and/or honey

I’m lobbying for maple syrup.

Homemade cranberry sauce is the absolute easiest thing. Put cranberries and sweetener in a small pan on the stove. Simmer for 10 minutes. Adjust flavor with more sweet, spices as desired. It really is that easy. It goes from whole berries to sauce sort of all-of-a-sudden. Cook for a minute or two longer to thicken.

Not middle-child safe as cranberries are inherently high in citric acid.

You can make a similar sauce with frozen blueberries.

Applesauce can fill a similar ecological niche on the dinner plate for those who can’t have citric acid.

Green beans: fresh green beans, garlic, mushrooms (I’m hoping for chanterelles), olive oil, salt

Probably using some sort of frozen garlic as I react less badly to frozen garlic than to fresh or dried.

If you can find a safe cream of mushroom soup, use that if you want a more casserole-y thing

Pacific Foods has a yes-dairy-no-gluten condensed cream of mushroom soup.

Adding coconut milk (full fat) to the above would give a similar effect.

This will taste outstanding even if it’s not creamy.

If dairy isn’t a problem, use butter

Add a little wine if you can tolerate it

And the best mushrooms you can get.

Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts, uncured bacon

*side-eyes hard*

I hate Brussels sprouts.

But they’re hypoallergenic

I guess

Raw sauerkraut

Plain, lactofermented sauerkraut is delightful and will help with digestion. It also adds a bright acid note to a heavy meal

We buy it. Sonoma Brinery is fantastic, but Trader Joe’s also has a very good version.

Oregon Brineworks Ginger Roots would be fantastic and pretty alongside a turkey dinner.

Vanilla ice cream

Sparkling cider

We watch for added citric acid but lots of brands are fine

Wine

“Well Red” from Trader Joe’s is no-sulfites-detected and passably drinkable

“Our Daily Red” is a cooking wine that is no sulfites detected but kind of awful tasting

If you can find Orleans Hill Zinfandel, it may be the best NSD wine I’ve ever had.

Gluten free pies:

We buy gluten free crusts that everyone can eat. IDK the brand

Where you can’t buy safe crusts, chop sunflower seeds or whatever nuts can be tolerated very fine (not paste) and toast them with a safe butter substitute and press them into the pan a-la crumb crust.

If they’re not staying up, just line the bottom like a cheesecake

Or do a straight up custard

It is possible to substitute gluten free flour for wheat flour 1;1 and palm oil, coconut oil or Earth Balance (we do the soy-free) for the fat, and then follow almost any pie crust recipe. Or google “gluten free pie crust” if you want.  We just buy crusts, it’s easier and the texture is more consistently what we want.

Pumpkin (eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla, spices)

Note that this is a dairy-free recipe.

It’s basically just exactly the recipe on the Libby’s label but substituting eggs for the dairy

It’s a lot of eggs

It tastes better that way

and sets up VERY well.

Not safe for my eldest

Egg-free pumpkin (tapioca starch, pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla, spices)

Note that this is corn-free, vegan, soy, egg, dairy and gluten free.

I would use coconut sugar

Apple (apples, brown sugar, spices, rum)

When I make apple pie, I mix the rum (or whiskey, but that’s not necessarily gluten free) with butter, sugar and a little starch to make a “hard sauce” that gets mixed in with the apples

People have gotten tipsy off of my apple pies

We have used booze to stop the apples from browning (it may not work but people think the browning is booze)

(they’re probably right.)

If citric acid is an issue, don’t use lemon in your pie

If it’s not, definitely use lemon in your pie.

Cherry (cherries, tapioca starch, sugar, almond extract)

Use almond flour for the crust if you want to really punch up the cherry almond goodness.

[jacrey19-blog]

Coffee processing

How would you take your espresso? Two creams, twelve sugars? Nine splendas? Heaps of high fructose corn syrup in that latte? Or then again would you say you are to a greater extent a perfectionist that adores the sensitive nut and chocolate notes of a Guatemalan? What about the sweet caramel completion of the best straight coffee shot around the local area? All things considered, before you can drink up Joe in any technique, espresso beans must be expelled from the cherry. Indeed, even natural espresso. That is done in two or three different ways relying upon the nation of starting point and it is called preparing. Notwithstanding the developing district's impact on cup taste, every strategy for handling gives the bean a particular flavor profile in the general last taste of the espresso.

The wet procedure is the procedure wherein the natural product is expelled from the seeds (beans) before they are dried. The wet procedure strategy is additionally called washed espresso. In this strategy the organic product is expelled in water and the beans are generally dried on yards in the sun.

Wet prepared espressos like those from South America, Colombia and some from Ethiopia. Most Central Americans like Guatemalan and Costa Rican are wet-prepared also. These espressos cleaner, more brilliant, and fruitier. Most nations with espresso esteemed for its apparent causticity, will process it utilizing the wet-process.

The dry procedure is another technique, otherwise called unwashed or normal procedure. It is the most seasoned strategy for preparing green espresso beans where the whole cherry is cleaned and afterward set in the sun to dry on tables or in dainty layers on yards, totally unblemished and the dried cherry is expelled after it has dried. This will give the espresso a better taste because of the natural product drying flawless.

The greater part of the espressos in Brazil, Ethiopia and India utilize the dry strategy. In blustery territories be that as it may, it isn't reasonable. In any case, there are numerous qualities that are straightforwardly identified with the manner in which these espresso beans are handled too. Dry-handled espressos like those from Indonesia, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Yemen. The dry-process (otherwise called the characteristic strategy) produces espresso that is substantial in body, sweet, smooth, and complex. This preparing technique is frequently utilized in nations where precipitation is rare and heaps of bright days are accessible to dry the espresso appropriately.

Another technique utilized in Brazil basically yet in addition utilized on certain ranches in Sulawesi, Indonesia and Sumatra. These are known as semi-dry handled espresso (otherwise known as pulped regular or semi-wet procedure). The espresso is set up by evacuating the external skin of the cherry and drying the espresso with the sticky adhesive and the inward skins as yet sticking to the bean.

With respect to the pulped regular technique for preparing espresso beans, taking out the maturation arrange that evacuates the silver skin considers an espresso that has both wet and dry attributes. In this manner, more sweetness than wet-prepared espressos, of the group of dry-handled and a portion of the sharpness of a wet-prepared espresso. This kind of handling just occurs in nations where there is generally low stickiness and the espresso can be dried quickly without aging. The nation that has put this procedure on the map is Brazil. FYI maturation happens when the internal disgusting adhesive is expelled before drying. Pulped espresso beans are put into concrete maturation tanks with water where they are permitted to age for 16-36 hours.

Typically re-passed fruits, or floaters as they are additionally called are disposed of however some especially have a flavor profile that is better than most pulped espressos. These specific fruits drift in the water during wet-preparing on the grounds that they have dried excessively long on the tree before being gathered enabling the bean to remain in contact with the adhesive for a more extended measure of time before maturation starts. These are in some cases called raisins also. This strategy might be viewed as a fourth technique for preparing espresso. Be that as it may, these espressos generally exceptionally constrained.

Presently before you go gaga and dismantle up to the nearby Starbucks for a trial, get genuine! You won't discover anything close measuring quality at the green monster. You need to go to a quality autonomous bistro or roaster of gourmet espresso beans. The greater part of these spots are your neighborhood autonomous café. What's more, on the off chance that you drink your espresso dark you are prepared to go! You can truly select the flavor profiles of any espresso when you savor it its characteristic state. On the off chance that you are one to suffocate your blend in cream and sugar or are a vanilla latte addict forget about it! You won't taste anything besides sugar. Suffocating the espresso won't let the common flavors be delighted in and relished.

There are characteristic sugars inside espresso beans simply holding on to wake up. This is the thing that the cooking procedure does. As the bean warms from within, the sugars normally caramelize and penetrate the surface. The level of sweetness and different flavors are legitimately identified with the length of the broiling time frame. That is the reason dull (French) broiled espressos taste consumed. Dark=burnt espresso sugars. Get it? So as to get each subtlety and note out of an espresso, it must be measured. That is, 'guzzled' from a spoon. By doing this, the espresso gets an opportunity to truly cover within your mouth and tongue consequently overwhelming your taste buds. There truly is anything but a superior method to test espresso.

Essential espresso tasting wording is:

Corrosiveness - This is a lovely pungency that is you can taste on the back of your sense of taste. It ought to be recognized from harsh, or an unsavory sharpness. An acidy espresso is practically similar to a dry wine.

Lingering flavor - The vibe that is experienced after the espresso is gulped. It is otherwise called the completion.

Parity It implies that nobody quality overpowers all others, however there is sufficient multifaceted nature in the espresso to stir intrigue.

Body-The general mouth feel. This is the feeling of largeness, extravagance, and thickness at the back of the tongue when you rinse the espresso around your mouth.

Flavor - Acidity has something to do with flavor, thus do fragrance and body. A few espressos have a more extravagant, more full flavor than others, while different espressos an acidy tang that will in general overwhelm everything else

Regardless of whether you are not intending to 'mug' espresso as we experts do, you will get increasingly out of your cuppa Joe by drinking it dark. Along these lines, give yourself a treat at some point and attempt espresso dark in the event that you never have. In the event that you have and couldn't have cared less for it, odds are you didn't have amazing Arabica espresso beans for your mix! You can't locate the genuine flavor attributes of an espresso bean except if you utilize the great stuff! Go to your nearby free café and get some information about their entire bean choice. They may simply make them stun espressos. Some nearby cafés are doing espresso tastings (cuppings) these days. It is by all accounts an in thing. Attempt it at some point!

[dreaming-of-seth-blog]

Meant for a Life With You

Chapter 5: Singing in the Kitchen

A/N Hi it’s Melissa. I hope you love this chapter. It’s a lot more upbeat and much longer than the rest.

______________________________

Nikki’s point of view:

I served the rest of my sentence at the hospital. Three days. It took the life out of me. The deep hatred for I had hospitals was a harsh reality, and it was getting way too intense for me to handle. I felt so much relief being put in the wheelchair to leave. But not just relief, I was also feeling pain, considerable nerves, and a lot of  guilt. Somehow, Seth actually was bringing me home with him. Considering I was a total stranger until five days ago, it felt weird sitting in his car and on the way to his home. His car was so clean. It smelt new. There was a long silence on the drive home, and to make matters worse, I was so nervous that I couldn’t think of anything to say. We already discussed the damn weather, so we just sat there listening to the radio.

“I, um, am excited for you to see the house. It’s all furnished and ready for you, us.” Seth says to fill the air with some noise.

‘Oh shit that was so sweet…’ I think to myself. The guilt was eating me away.

“I can’t wait baby.” I smile. “I’m also starving so I really am dying to get there.” I over exaggerate.

“Oh god you poor child.” he fake pouts for me with the stench of sarcasm.

“Shut up.” I whine like the child he’s accusing me of being.

“We’re less than three minutes away. Do you think you can handle being hungry that long princess?”

“Oh why must you put my through this terrible torture good sir?” I tilt my head back and place the back of my hand on my forehead to be extra dramatic.

“Yeah that’s what I thought.” I see him roll his eyes at me.

We drive for a couple more minutes and we finally reach the gate. We come up the driveway, and I see the biggest, most beautiful house I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I say under my breath “Damn.” And stare with my mouth hanging open.

“So I’m assuming you like it?” He smirks.

“I love it no matter what, because it’s ours.” I wish that were true. I wish this whole situation wasn’t all in my mind. I wish we were really married and met in a normal way. Like through friends or at a party or something a little more romantic than ‘Oh he hit me with his car, and I tricked him into playing house with me.’   

He smiles, looks at me, and says, “Me too.” As he parks the car and steps out to help me get into my wheelchair.

“Baby, it’s so beautiful, I can't believe you. I’ll never be able to say thank you enough. Thank you.” I smile as I sit down. He rolls me inside and every corner we turn I’m more and more amazed at how gorgeous his house is. He shows me the first floor in my chair but promises to show me the rest later. ______________________________

Seth’s point of view:

I was relieved when Nikki loved the house. It made me so happy because I want her to like where she’s going to be living, I care about her opinion. I’ve known her for a short time but I already care about her so much. It was almost scary how quick it happened.

“What can I make my lovely wife for lunch?” I ask hoping she picks something I actually know how to make. I can’t hold back a smile at calling her my wife. This whole situation is ridiculous and crazy, but I can’t just leave this woman alone. I am convinced she has me trapped in some sort of spell, because all I can keep thinking is that she’s perfect in every way... I have tried to find any small flaw to keep me from falling for her, but everything is just right when we’re together. Her voice, her laugh, her humor, her smile, how sweet she is, her love of god damn cats, and everything else about her. She breaks me from my thoughts with a question.

“On a scale of one to ten, how good is you grilled cheese?” She looks at me very serious.

“Uh probably like a seven out of ten.” I pause. “Maybe an eight.”

“Do we have tomatoes?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Then I would love one of Seth MacFarlane’s famous home-made grilled cheese sandwiches with tomatoes please. ” She puts a lot of emphasis on the please.

“Then I would love to make you one.” I cheesley bow and smile. I pull all the ingredients and tools I’ll needs to make us lunch.

“Do you wanna watch a movie after this.” She asks me shyly.

“Yeah, you can pick one and then I'll pick one.” We can kill the rest of the night.  I start to cook and I don’t even notice I’m humming until Nikki speaks up.

“Tease.” the hair on my neck stands at the pure seduction in her voice.

“Oh yeah?” I try to brush it off as I start cutting tomatoes.

“Yes sir. In fact the world’s biggest tease.” God damn. I want her right here on this counter and I’m not even looking at her. What is she doing to me?

“Now tell me sweetheart, why is that?” The sweetheart was more condescending than affectionate.

“You’re humming…. not singing. You’re giving me lunch and a hum, I want dinner and a show.” I turn to look at her and she’s smiles at me so big I almost fall to the floor. She’s so perfect. “Sing monkey.” She demands.

“What’s in it for me?” I turn back and start grating cheese.

“You get to make your wife a very satisfied women.” I could feel she was taunting me with her word choice.

“Wait, no one told me I would have to cook for you, and make you happy all at the same time.” I turn the stove top on and start to assemble her sandwich. “I’m sorry but you get one or the other missy.”

“If it were possible to roll my eyes to death, it definitely would have happened by now.”

“Fine, I’ll sing for my bride, BUT only because we're still in the honeymoon stage.” I point at her with the spatula after flipping her grilled cheese. “Also because you’re cute.”

“You’re damn right.”  I can see her blush which makes me smile.

“So madam, what would you like your monkey to sing to you this fine aftern-”

“Joey, Joey, Joey.” she answers faster than I can finish my sentence. “It’s my favorite that you've ever sung.” I turn back to the stove top and pull her food off the pan. I plate her meal and give it to her. “Thank you my love.” She rolls her chair closer to the counter and starts to eat.

“You’ll have to remind me, how does that one go again?” I turn to assemble my sandwich and throw it on the stove.

“Like a perfumed women…” she starts to sing and I’m taken aback by how beautiful her voice is, “The wind blows in the bunk-house...”. I hold my breath waiting for the next lines to come flowing from her mouth but they don’t. Her singing was like a drug that she just suddenly cut me off from . I wanted, no needed more.

“Why’d you stop?” I asked before thinking, “It was beautiful.” I try to recover.

“No, no, no, you’re the monkey today sir.” she motions for me to sing and I do as she says. Right where she left off is where I pick up.

“Like a perfumed woman,

Smellin' of where she's been,

Smellin' of Oregon cherries,

Or maybe Texas avocado,

Or maybe Arizona sugar beet,

The wind blows in,

And she sings to me,

'Cause I'm one of her ramblin' kin,

She sings:”

Nikki takes over,

“Joey, Joey, Joey,

Joey, Joey, Joe,

You've been too long in one place,

And it's time to go, time to go!,

Joey, Joey, Joey,

Joey, travel on,

You've been too long in one town,

And the harvest time's come and gone,”

I start back up.

“That's what the wind sings to me,

When the bunk I've bunkin' in,

Gets to feelin' too soft and cozy,

When the grub they're been cookin' me,

Gets to tastin' too good,

When I've had all I want,

Of the ladies in the neighborhood,

She sings:”

Nikki takes the last verse,

“Joey, Joey, Joey,

Joey, Joey, Joe,

You've been too long in one place,

And it's time to go, time to go!

Joey, Joey, Joe.”

“That was a very very beautiful song, thank you for singing to me.” she say as she takes her last bite.

“Thank you for singing with me.” I finish cooking for myself and throw all the dishes in the sink to let them soak. We eat and watch movies until the night is over.

This was our routine almost everyday I didn’t go to work for a week straight. I drastically cut down my hours at work as much as I possibly could  to be with her. Nikki was so understanding about me having to leave her. I still feel bad, so I decided to get her a cat as a ‘late wedding gift’ so she wouldn’t be as lonely. We named her Rose, she has this fur patch on her head that swirls just like a rose.  She and Hank get along amazing which means that Nikki is always sending me pictures of them.

______________________________

Nikki’s point of view:

Lisa and Aurora come over to visit me at my new home while Seth is at work.

They tell me how much they miss me, ogle at the house, and ask me a million questions about Seth.

“Have you screwed that hot piece of ass yet?” Lisa asks hopeful to hear a dirty story.

“That’s a little difficult considering that I’m basically bound to this wheelchair.” Luckily in a week or two I can use a crutch on my good side.

“Well he could give you like, a lap dance or something… I don’t know get creative.” Aurora jumps in.

“No, no, no I want that man just as pent up sexually as I am. If I have to suffer looking at that scrumptious human being, then so does he. I’ll jump his bones the second I get these damn casts off.”

“We will be expecting full details… before and after!” Lisa almost demands.

“Deal.” I reply.

“When do we get to steal you from this house?” Aurora asks.

“When I get out of this thing.” I point to the wheelchair.

“Ughhhhh” They both groan.

“There’s literally a movie theater and a pool here. I don’t know why you two want to leave.”

“Cause you can’t swim…” Lisa says while going through her phone. “Cause your casts.”

“You technically still owe us a girls night.” Aurora reminds us.

“What if we have a sleepover type thing here?” I say hesitantly. “Face masks, popcorn, boy talk, gossip, rom-coms, the whole nine yards.”

They look at each other and then look at me. “Deal.” They agree in unison.

“Tomorrow night. We’re bringing the wine and face masks. You handle the rest.” Lisa states.  

“The good shit we have hidden under the sink though. I won’t be able to take my painkillers if we’re going to drink.” I reply

“We’ll have to get a few new bottles.” I forgot we drank it all while binge watching Rick and Morty last week.

We say our goodbyes and I plan for tomorrow.

I text Seth “Aurora and Lisa are coming over tomorrow. I hope that’s ok.”

“Well I was supposed to have my nudist dinner party tomorrow night, but I’ll just have to move it to Saturday.” His text makes me smirk at the thought of him in the nude

“WHAT?? And you didn't invite me?? I am just so insulted because I would have loved to go to a nudist dinner party.”

“I know. How could I right?”

“Honestly, I don’t know who I even married. I’m taking the cat’s and running right now.”

“Ha! You couldn't run from me even if you wanted to.”

“You’re right... too much work for sure and I would miss you more than I could handle.” I was telling the truth. I double text him “When are you coming home? I’m in a clingy mood today.” Also true.

“I won’t be back until around 7.” I’m gonna die of boredom for the next three hours. He sends me another, “But I will bring you home whatever you want for dinner. AND anything you need to fulfill that sweet tooth of yours.” It amazes me that he remembers my biggest weakness.

After discussing our choices for dinner we decide on chinese. The three hours with out him were slow and boring. I spam him with pictures of the cat’s while waiting in agony for his reply. To kill time I play some songs on the piano even though I was rusty. I watch a movie and as I start the second one I finally hear the sweet noise of the front door opening.  

“Nikki, I’m home!” He shouts from the door.

“I’m in the living room!” he walks in and the scent of the food hits my nostrils causing my mouth to water.

______________________________

Seth’s point of view:

As I make my way to the living room I see her sitting there on the couch with her leg with the cast raised up onto the table. Her hair is tied up, she’s in comfortable clothes, and all she has to do is smile and it drives me crazy.

“Hey there handsome” she makes my chest warm up with happiness. Her smile grows.

I try to hold back how I feel, “That smile of yours will be the death of me.” Out of habit I lick my lips. I can see her blush from a mile away so much that she’s at a loss for words. After setting the food down on the table and I say “I’m going to change into something more comfortable. I’ll be right back. ”

“Ok.” is all she musters out. As I’m walking to our room I can’t help but to smirk to myself about how easy it is to make her blush. A thought comes to me as I change into my black sweatpants and white t-shirt. She probably wants out of this damn house some time soon. We’ll have to go out this weekend get her away for a little. After returning to the living room I see that all of the food has been pulled out of the plastic bags and opened. She had to move her pillow and her leg off the table to make space for it all. The room smells amazing, it looks amazing too with her sitting there. I sit down on the couch next to her not leaving much space between us.

She asks me, “How was work?”, and slurps up a noodle.

I start to eat, “It was really good actually. I uh got the news that the sets for Orville are going to be ready in a week for us to start shooting.” I eat a few pieces of chicken.

“Oh that’s amazing! I can’t wait to see the real thing!” she places her hand on my thigh. “I’m so happy for you baby.”

This sign of affection sends my heart racing, I look up from my box of food to meet her eyes. Fuck. Something happens to me and I can’t hold it back anymore. I lean in and place my hand gently on the side of her face, pulling her closer to me slowly. I pause to make sure that she has no objections. I can feel her breath. Before I can, she closes the small gap left between us and our lips connect. We kiss slowly but full of feeling, my whole body is full of warmth. My hand moves to the back of her neck where I entangle my fingers in her hair. Her good hand reaches up to my chest where she grabs at my shirt and bunches it up. Our kiss starts to quicken and my hunger for her is growing. I slowly drag my hand up her leg, to her hips, then to her sides, and leaving it at her waist. She pulls me in even closer and I take it she wants more. The thought of teasing her excites me, so I trace her bottom lip lightly with my tongue. She bites my lip gently and I can’t control the groan that escapes my throat. She pulls away and gives me a smirk  dripping with evil and lust.

Master List 

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Frozen fruits are excellent for generally any type of occasion: breakfast, a snack, in a smoothie mix, a healthy and balanced treat ... the possibilities are truly countless. While a lot of nutritional experts say that nutrient damages from cold is very minimal, it's essential to keep in mind that (relying on the water web content of the fruit) the loss of specific antioxidants like beta-carotene is feasible during the freezing process.

Icing up fruits on your own at the height of ripeness may in fact slow the ripening or degeneration process, preserving the levels of certain healthy nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and also phytochemicals. Actually, the pre-packaged frozen variation may be no even worse than the fresh, which will commonly experience some nutrition loss during its trip from farm to supermarket.

Throughout the cold procedure, the water inside the fruit's cells broadens as it freezes, which in some cases triggers cell membranes to swell or burst, resulting in a softer structure when the fruit is thawed. The remedy? Eat the icy fruit when it's still frozen http://edition.cnn.com/search/?text=frozen fruits (so refreshing), coat it in chocolate or pop it in a blender, in which case the appearance won't make a distinction.

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Experiment with these 6, as well as you'll be well on your method to icy fruit happiness. Katherine Carroll Water web content: 74% Frozen bananas are not only tasty, but are likewise a terrific way to protect and obtain extra usage out of excessively ripe bananas. If you're trying to find a healthy and balanced treat choice, try banana "good" cream, a simple version of "gelato" that has just one ingredient: icy bananas.

Get rid of the peels before cold to make them a lot easier to eat as soon as iced up. Anika Mian Water web content: 81% Undoubtedly, I'm not a significant follower of regular grapes, but when frozen, they transform, coming to be much sweeter as well as taking on a nearly ice cream-like structure. Grapes are well-known for being a high-sugar fruit, yet at just 62 calories per mug, they pale in contrast to a "tiny" late-night snack, like a solitary cup of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough Ice Lotion (540 calories).

Anika Mian Water content: 85% I didn't assume anything might be more refreshing than blueberries until I uncovered the Holy Grail: icy blueberries. Stay with the frozen selection, and also never ever again will you have to experience via the discomfort of out-of-season berries (read: mushy or tasteless). You can purchase them in gallon bags, yet I directly suggest cold them right in the carton.

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When frozen, every bite preferences like a less-artificial Dreamsicle. Comparable to bananas, get rid of the peel prior to cold to ensure that you have easy access to the newly iced up items. Water material: 87% Icy raspberries melt in your mouth like a Hershey's kiss. Pop them in a blender or food processor with a little sugar and a splash of almond milk as well as you have actually obtained a hugely very easy raspberry sorbet.

Honestly, there are couple of things much better than coming residence to the view of a fruit-filled fridge freezer. Icy fruit is hands down the most convenient, healthiest as well as most tasty means to #treatyoself. Bear in mind, though, to stay with low-water-content fruits for far better taste, structure and total nutrient material.

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Whether your food store is out of your favorite fruit and vegetables or you're trying to limit your journeys to the supermarket, icy fruits as well as veggies are a great alternative. They can be a lot more nutritious than their fresh equivalents, as they're flash-frozen as well as will certainly maintain nutrients without ruining. And they're wonderful to carry hand when you wish to incorporate some healthy elements right into your meals.

They're nutrient-rich and also will certainly function in plenty of different recipeswe've also consisted of some dish suggestions to obtain you began. Polina Prokofieva/ShutterstockStrawberries are a morning meal (and also dessert) classic for a factor. They're high in vitamin C and are tasty in baked items, mixed right into smoothies, or offered atop yogurt or oatmeal for a hearty breakfast.

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Ekaterina Kondratova/ShutterstockIf you can locate icy butternut squash at your regional supermarket, it deserves a buy! You can add the dices to baked mac as well as cheese for a nutritional boost, or roast the dices and also offer them atop a salad. The finest component? You do not have to do the job of chopping the squash yourself.

Here are 20 Hard-to-Find GroceriesAnd Where to Locate Them. ShutterstockFrozen peas are good for even more than אבקת חלבון calming your pains as well as discomforts! Adding peas to your meals will offer you an additional protein increase as well as supply you with greater than three grams of fiber, also. Enjoy them in stir-fries or added to soups.

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ShutterstockYou don't have to damage out the spiralizer each time you desire a pasta alternative. Brand Names like Trader Joe's and also Environment-friendly Giant offer spiralized zucchini, carrots, as well as a lot more. Throw them with pasta sauce or stir-fry them for a low-carb dinner. Try out your spiralized veggies in this recipe for Zucchini Pasta with Turkey Meatballs.

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Table of ContentsThe Ultimate Guide To Frozen Fruit SaladFrozen Fruit Drinks Things To Know Before You BuyFrozen Strawberries Can Be Fun For Everyone

Diana Taliun/ShutterstockWhatever method you purchase itcanned, frozen, or freshcorn is a delicious means to include even more flavor as well as nutrients to your meal. Usage frozen corn in homemade salsas or white chili dishes. We like these 20 Corn Recipes That Crush It. ShutterstockBroccoli is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, as well as vitamin K.

Try toasting it with garlic or sauting it stovetop for an easy side recipe. For a super-easy recipe, try these Broccoli-Cheese Eggs in a Mug. ShutterstockFresh cherries can be costly, so keeping the icy selection on your shopping checklist is a should if you're attempting to conserve money. Place the fruit to good use in this Wonderful as well as Creamy Chocolate-Covered Cherry Smoothie Dish Recipe.

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Use it in any kind of recipes where you 'd use normal rice! These 20 Cauliflower Rice Recipes are a wonderful place to start. ShutterstockNo, you can't go to your favorite sushi place during quarantine, however you can still make a scrumptious dish of edamame in your home. Just microwave some icy edamame, add a little salt, and also you're excellent to go.

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George Dolgikh/ShutterstockYou don't have to wait up until Thanksgiving rolls around to take pleasure in a tasty side recipe of Brussels sprouts. If you acquire them iced up, they're wonderful any kind of time of year! Try cooking them with bacon for a delicious addition to any dish. Try the veggie in this Brussels Sprouts Garnished With Bacon and also Almonds Dish.

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They do not need to be baked into a casseroleyou can cook frozen eco-friendly beans for an easy side dish to any kind of chicken supper. Try these 17 Good-for-You Eco-friendly Bean Recipes. ShutterstockAs with bananas, you may not find icy grapes in your food store. However you can freeze fresh grapes for a quick as well as simple treat! You can even utilize them to cool down your a glass of wine without watering it downall of these usages are why grapes are one of the 50 Foods You've Been Eating Wrong Your Whole Life.

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Registered Dietitian and also Nutritional expert Ilana Muhlstein shed her weight as well as kept it offand in You Can Drop It!, she'll reveal you how to lose it, also. More than 240,000 customers have actually picked her programand now it's your own to maintain.

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The potassium in cherries additionally makes them a terrific exercise recuperation snack (given that potassium is an electrolyte), so Cascio claims including them in a post-run or post-virtual exercise smoothie mix can help nourish muscle mass. One study published in the European Journal of Sports Science discovered that cherry concentrate result in less muscle mass soreness post-workout. "One more enjoyable reality concerning cherries is that they have melatonin, which is linked to better sleep," Cascio states.

Relevant Stories Okay, so you possibly aren't taking place any type of tropical holidays anytime soon, but at the very least you can obtain a preference of somewhere beachy with this frozen fruit. "Even when fresh papaya is difficult to get, almost every grocery store has actually iced up papaya," Cascio states. She's a fan of this fruit due to the fact that of its fiber, vitamin C, as well as beta-carotene (a forerunner to vitamin A) material.

" It has over 200 percent of the amount of vitamin C you need for the day." Take that, oranges. Cascio states that papaya can likewise help with irregular bowel movements and also bloating as a result of the enzyme papin, which aids digest healthy proteins. This makes it an excellent after-dinner snack. Attempt it by making vegan nice-cream; simply utilize your blender or food cpu to mix your icy papaya with the plant-based milk of your option.

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( Or, follow this dish. It utilizes fresh papaya, but icy papaya functions simply as well.) Mango is an additional tropical fruit that isn't always easy to discover fresh, yet is offered frozen at almost every supermarket. Similar to papaya, Cascio says it also aids with food digestion due to the fact that it has lots of probiotics as well as fiber, both of which are vital completely gut wellness.

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" Some healthy eaters are delayed my mango since it's a high-sugar fruit, however because the fruit

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Frozen fruits are best for generally any type of event: breakfast, a snack, in a smoothie mix, a healthy treat ... the opportunities are truly endless. While most nutritionists say that nutrient damage from freezing is extremely marginal, it's crucial to note that (depending upon the water material of the fruit) the loss of certain antioxidants like beta-carotene is possible throughout the freezing procedure.

Icing up fruits yourself at the top of perfection might in fact slow down the ripening or degeneration procedure, preserving the degrees of specific healthy and balanced nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and also phytochemicals. Actually, the pre-packaged frozen version may be no even worse than the fresh, which will often experience some nutrition loss during its trip from farm to grocery store.

During the cold process, the water inside the fruit's cells expands as it freezes, which occasionally triggers cell membrane layers to swell or rupture, leading to a softer structure when the fruit is https://primix.co.il thawed. The service? Consume the icy fruit when it's still frozen (so revitalizing), layer it in chocolate or pop it in a mixer, in which situation the structure will not make a difference.

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Experiment with these 6, and you'll be well on your means to frozen fruit happiness. Katherine Carroll Water web content: 74% Frozen bananas are not just scrumptious, but are likewise a terrific means to maintain and get added usage out of excessively ripe bananas. If you're trying to find a healthy treat choice, attempt banana "good" cream, a basic version of "gelato" that has just one active ingredient: icy bananas.

Remove the peels before cold to make them much simpler to consume as soon as frozen. Anika Mian Water content: 81% Undoubtedly, I'm not a significant follower of regular grapes, but when iced up, they transform, coming to be much sweeter and also tackling a practically ice cream-like structure. Grapes are well-known for being a high-sugar fruit, yet at just 62 calories per mug, they fade in contrast to a "small" late-night snack, like a solitary cup of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough Gelato (540 calories).

Anika Mian Water web content: 85% I really did not assume anything could be extra revitalizing than blueberries till I discovered the Holy Grail: frozen blueberries. Stay with the frozen range, and also never again will you need to experience via the discomfort of out-of-season berries (read: mushy or tasteless). You can get them in gallon bags, yet I directly suggest cold them right in the carton.

|

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Table of Contents6 Simple Techniques For Frozen Fruit MixSome Of Frozen Fruits For SmoothiesGetting The Best Frozen Fruit To WorkFresh Frozen Fruit Fundamentals Explained

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When frozen, every bite tastes like a less-artificial Dreamsicle. Comparable to bananas, get rid of the peel before freezing to make sure that you have easy access to the newly iced up products. Water content: 87% Icy raspberries melt in your mouth like a Hershey's kiss. Pop them in a blender with a little sugar and a splash of almond milk and also you've obtained a hugely easy raspberry sorbet.

Truthfully, there are couple of points better than coming home to the view of a fruit-filled fridge freezer. Frozen fruit is pass on the most convenient, healthiest and also most scrumptious method to #treatyoself. Bear in mind, however, to stay with low-water-content fruits for better flavor, texture and general nutrient content.

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Getting The Frozen Fruit Salad To Work

Whether your grocery store is out of your favorite produce or you're attempting to limit your trips to the supermarket, icy fruits and veggies are a terrific option. They can be more healthy than their fresh equivalents, as they're flash-frozen and also will certainly retain nutrients without ruining. As well as they're wonderful to have on hand when you desire to integrate some healthy aspects right into your meals.

They're nutrient-rich as well as will certainly operate in plenty of different recipeswe've also included some dish suggestions to get you started. Polina Prokofieva/ShutterstockStrawberries are a breakfast (and dessert) timeless for a reason. They're high in vitamin C and are tasty in baked products, blended into shakes, or offered atop yogurt or oatmeal for a passionate breakfast.

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Ekaterina Kondratova/ShutterstockIf you can locate icy butternut squash at your local food store, it's worth a buy! You can include the cubes to baked mac and also cheese for a nutritional boost, or roast the dices as well as serve them atop a salad. The very best component? You don't need to do the job of slicing the squash on your own.

Here are 20 Hard-to-Find GroceriesAnd Where to Locate Them. ShutterstockFrozen peas are excellent for greater than relaxing your pains and also pains! Including peas to your meals will certainly give you an additional protein increase as well as give you with even more than three grams of fiber, too. Appreciate them in stir-fries or contributed to soups.

Frozen Strawberries Can Be Fun For Everyone

ShutterstockYou don't have to burst out the spiralizer each time you want a pasta alternative. Brands like Investor Joe's and also Green Giant market spiralized zucchini, carrots, and much more. Toss them with pasta sauce or stir-fry them for a low-carb dinner. Attempt out your spiralized veggies in this dish for Zucchini Pasta with Turkey Meatballs.

|

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Diana Taliun/ShutterstockWhatever means you acquire itcanned, frozen, or freshcorn is a tasty means to add even more taste http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/?action=click&contentCollection&region=TopBar&WT.nav=searchWidget&module=SearchSubmit&pgtype=Homepage#/frozen fruits and also nutrients to your dish. Usage frozen corn in homemade salsas or white chili recipes. We like these 20 Corn Recipes That Crush It. ShutterstockBroccoli is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Attempt roasting it with garlic or sauting it stovetop for a simple side meal. For a super-easy dish, try these Broccoli-Cheese Eggs in a Cup. ShutterstockFresh cherries can be costly, so maintaining the frozen range on your purchasing checklist is a should if you're trying to save cash. Place the fruit to good use in this Wonderful and Velvety Chocolate-Covered Cherry Smoothie Mix Dish Dish.

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Use it in any recipes where you 'd utilize regular rice! These 20 Cauliflower Rice Recipes are a great place to begin. ShutterstockNo, you can not most likely to your favorite sushi area throughout quarantine, yet you can still make a scrumptious dish of edamame at house. Just microwave some frozen edamame, include a little salt, as well as you're great to go.

Not known Facts About Frozen Mangos

George Dolgikh/ShutterstockYou don't need to wait until Thanksgiving rolls around to delight in a tasty side meal of Brussels sprouts. If you buy them iced up, they're terrific any type of time of year! Attempt cooking them with bacon for a tasty enhancement to any kind of meal. Attempt the vegetable in this Brussels Sprouts Garnished With Bacon as well as Almonds Dish.

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They don't have to be baked right into a casseroleyou can cook icy eco-friendly beans for a simple side dish to any type of poultry dinner. Try these 17 Good-for-You Environment-friendly Bean Recipes. ShutterstockAs with bananas, you may not find frozen grapes in your food store. But you can ice up fresh grapes for a fast and also simple treat! You can even use them to cool off your red wine without sprinkling it downall of these usages are why grapes are among the 50 Foods You have actually Been Eating Incorrect Your Whole Life.

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Registered Dietitian as well as Nutritional expert Ilana Muhlstein shed her weight and also maintained it offand in You Can Drop It!, she'll show you just how to shed it, as well. Even more than 240,000 customers have picked her programand now it's your own to keep.

|

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Table of ContentsFrozen Fruit Drinks - An OverviewFrozen Fruits For Smoothies Fundamentals Explained

The potassium in cherries also makes them a wonderful workout recovery treat (given that potassium is an electrolyte), so Cascio states including them in a post-run or post-virtual exercise healthy smoothie can assist nurture muscle mass. One research released in the European Journal of Sports Scientific research found that cherry concentrate result in much less muscle mass pain post-workout. "An additional enjoyable truth about cherries is that they have melatonin, which is linked to much better sleep," Cascio claims.

Associated Stories Okay, so you possibly aren't going on any kind of tropical vacations anytime soon, however at least you can get a preference of somewhere beachy with this frozen fruit. "Even when fresh papaya is hard to obtain, virtually every supermarket has frozen papaya," Cascio says. She's a fan of this fruit due to its fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene (a forerunner to vitamin A) content.

" It has more than 200 percent of the quantity of vitamin C you require for the day." Take that, oranges. Cascio states that papaya can also assist with constipation and bloating due to the enzyme papin, which aids digest proteins. This makes it a fantastic after-dinner snack. Attempt it by making vegan nice-cream; just utilize your blender or food processor or food mill to mix your frozen papaya with the plant-based milk of your choice.

Some Known Facts About Buy Frozen Strawberries.

How Frozen Mangos can Save You Time, Stress, and Money.

( Or, follow this recipe. It uses fresh papaya, yet icy papaya functions simply as well.) Mango is one more exotic fruit that isn't always simple to find fresh, yet is readily available frozen at nearly every food store. Similar to papaya, Cascio claims it also assists with digestion because it teems with probiotics and also fiber, both of which are essential forever digestive tract wellness.

The Facts About Frozen Fruit Mix Uncovered

" Some healthy eaters are delayed my mango due to the fact that it's a high-sugar fruit, yet because the fruit is naturally-occurring, it really isn't anything to worry excessive regarding," she says. "Bananas are also a good pre-bedtime treat since they contain tryptophan, which is connected to much better sleep," Cascio says. "Sometimes I like to include some thawed bananas to my yogurt for a healthy dessert." Like papaya, you can likewise make use of frozen bananas as the base for homemade vegan ice lotion, as well.

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