#simply because it was hungry and there was no other more convenient food source

[vullcanica]

Characters baring a mouth full of sharp fangs as show of aggression is top tier but can we talk about how sinister a flash of smooth square omnivore teeth can be. The implications therein? The difference between facing a carnivore vs a member of the terrifyingly, aptly named 'opportunistic eaters'? The fear of being on one's menu, the knowledge that you are on the other's - no matter what you are. The inherent danger of a threat display where there are set rules to avoiding harm turning into a hunt on a dime.

Anyway, thinking about Nikodemus and how beautifully all of this translates into his supernatural setting...

[aurora567]

Lyrical Abstraction Ch. 4

Warning: this story will contain mature content such as but not limited to sex, cursing, blood, violence, kidnapping, torture, ptsd, trauma, depression, mentions of death, Aoi is anti hero and anti hero society.

Summary: Izuku learns something important to know about Aoi, and as much as she hates that part of herself Izuku shares a little about himself.

Word count: 3690

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By the time she returned home she was exhausted, her feet hurt and her arms felt heavy as she carried a couple of bags of things. Most of them were groceries that she had used the rest of her tips on when she stopped at a discount grocery store a little out of her way but it was worth it for every yen saved she could. Her guest would need protein and meat. Things she rarely bought but she imagined he was used to eating more filling meals than she was usually living off of. Using her foot to close the door she carried her bags of groceries to the kitchen placing them down on the counter before she grabbed a small bag and headed for the bedroom.

She gave a soft knock before walking into the bedroom to find the man on his phone apparently watching tv since he could get his own internet service from his home. He had forgotten to ask about what her internet password was before he left. Though Izuku had not yet realized she did not have internet. It was all she could do to afford basic tv and her cell phone.

“I see you didn’t kill over. That's a good sign. Here I got these for you. I'd suggest you take one a day,” She said reaching into the bag to pull out an old worn looking prescription container and tossed it at him watching the confused look on his face as he read the label on the container telling him it was some sort of antibiotic.

“How did you get these?” he asked that hero tone he used on the tv started to slip through.

“You will not like the answer but since you're refusing to do this the easy and right way you have left me with no other options. I also grabbed you some basic painkillers. These may not help a lot but hopefully it will do something,” She said walking over towards the nightstand to place the unopened new box of painkillers for him to use.

Midoriya wanted to argue with her and refuse to use the clearly illegal drugs that the woman had bought. But it was hard to argue when she had been right. It was his fault she bought illegal drugs in order to help him because he didn't want to go to the hospital, and ended up with it on the news he was hurt and once again upset his poor mother. He was being incredibly selfish and in turn this woman who didn’t even know him was having to pay for his selfishness.

“Thanks. I won’t ask again how you got these. Are you sure they are safe though?” He couldn’t help but be a little skeptical. She smiled softly at him and gently shrugged her shoulders.

“My source is as reliable as street scum comes. But he wouldn’t give me something that could kill you. So you should be okay,” she admitted. After all, she couldn’t blame him for being a little unsure. There was always a risk of getting anything off the street. Grabbing his glass she left him in the bedroom before she refilled the glass and returned to the bedroom placing it beside the bottles of pills on the nightstand.

“I am sure you're hungry. I’ll get started on something to eat,” she said simply as she placed the glass down on the nightstand.

“You look exhausted. You’ve had a long day Sugahara. Why don’t we order something in? It will be my treat. It seems the least I could do,” he said, simply flashing her a wide innocent grin. That did all sound like such a great offer. Take out food. When was the last time she ate take out that wasn’t leftovers from the restaurant? It had been a long time. And it wasn’t going to be a cheap microwaveable meal from a convenient store. And if he was paying then she could order all the food she wanted right? It would also mean the food she bought would last longer. But still she was arguing with herself about taking him up on the offer as she nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Come on I know a great place that will deliver out here. They make a great katsudon. Not as good as my mothers but still it’s pretty good,” he said, smiling that innocent boyish grin at her. It was really hard to argue with him. And it did help his case that he was paying. Passing up a free meal would be stupid.

“I can’t remember the last time I had katsudon,” She mumbled as she gave in as her mouth started to water and she could hear her stomach growl as she thought about a nice hot meal.

“Great I’ll order us both some katsudon then,” He said as he reached his phone which he had placed down on the bed while she was getting him a fresh glass of water. It always cost a little extra to get his favourite meal delivered but he didn't mind knowing that it was a good distance from the restaurant to this apartment complex. And the fact they always delivered the food nice and hot so it was always worth the little larger price tag on the meal.

“Alright you order and I’m going to put away the groceries and get changed,” she said as she moved to walk across her room to fetch herself something much more comfortable to wear. Another loose t-shirt and this time some tight soft leggings was her choice of clothes to relax in. But first she needed to put away her groceries, unable to leave them on the counter but that only took a minute before she was making her way to the bathroom.

Dragging her feet slowly she headed to the bathroom. First things first the face paint had to go, it was annoying to wear and running a cloth over her face felt heavenly as she washed away the makeup and worked at cleaning her skin before she changed into her more relaxing clothes.

Walking out of the bathroom she felt at least a little bit of energy having returned. But she paused for a second, usually she would crash on the couch and watch a little bit of tv before bed. But she felt bad just ignoring the man. He had been home alone all day. So she headed to her bedroom and knocked softly before strolling in.

“How are you feeling?” She asked as she slowly stepped into the room and towards the bed.

“I’d be lying if I said I felt fine. It still feels like I got run over by a bus,” he said simply admitting his body hurt a good bit.

“For all I know you did get stabbed and ran over by a bus. Hopefully the antibiotics and painkillers can help a little but I feel without someone with a healing quirk you're going to be hurting like this for a while. What are you gonna do for work? I don’t need cops knocking on my door because they think you’re missing,” she realized she didn’t have a clue if his work was aware of his state or even where he was for that matter even though he hasn’t even been in her place for a full day yet.

“Actually I called them earlier. Our healer is busy if I am lucky then maybe tomorrow she will be available but otherwise it will be the next day before she gets here. I’m not dying so I didn’t want to force her away from other matters. I hope you do not mind,” he said simply. His large scared fingers were suddenly fidgeting with her bedsheets as she moved to sit down on the edge of the bed. It felt too weird to stay standing while he was forced to stay on the bed.

“No, that's fine. At least someone can come get you healed up eventually,” she said with a simple shrug of her shoulders. Though now she needed to figure out what she was going to do about her sleeping arrangement. Her couch was not comfortable. She didn’t have a futon. Looked like she was going to be sleeping on the floor of her living room for the next night or two. Oh well wouldn’t be the first time she slept on the ground. At least her apartment was dry and warm.

Before he had the chance to say anything else a knock at her door had her jump to her feet as she listened to Midoriya tell her it was already paid for. So that made it easy, all she had to do was grab the take out bag from the delivery man and head back to her bedroom. Once returning she found Izuku had squirmed his way to be able to kick his feet over the edge of the bed and looked like he was about to get up.

“Stay put idiot,” she said simply as she walked towards him with the bag of food in hand. She watched him blink his eyes as he looked over at her.

“Huh?” He softly tilted his head a little confused as she told him to stay put.

“We can eat it while sitting on the bed. You do not need to get up,” she said simply as she moved to sit beside him and started to pull food from the bag, handing him one container and some chopsticks while she took the other container.

Both mumbled their thanks for the food and started to eat. The silence felt a little awkward, or at least Aoi found it to be. She didn’t mind though as the food smelled delicious and it was all she could do not to make some embarrassing noise as she took her first bite of food. Still the silence did not bother her that much, she had not eaten a meal with someone in her home in a long time. She rarely had company, she didn’t have a lot of friends she liked having in her home. Izuku must have felt the same awkwardness since they only ate in silence for a moment before he broke it by asking her a question she never expected.

“So what do you do for work?” He suddenly asked in between bites of food.

“Mostly waitress,” she answered softly after she swallowed the mouthful of rice she was eating.

“Mostly?” He asked with an arched eyebrow.

“I’ve done odd jobs as well. Sometimes I’ve worked nights at a bar not too far from here. But the pay isn’t worth the danger,” she said simply thinking about that job. It paid better than cleaning tables. But walking to and from work in the dark was scary. And the amount of patrons who scared her and made her worried about even reaching her home after a shift had her quit fast. Still she worked the odd shift when she was desperate. Which she had a feeling she would be doing after he left. And of course she watched his eyebrows pull together softly and suddenly he started mumbling about how working night jobs had dangers, if the bar was close it was most likely not in a great neighborhood. The rambling continued even as she paused in her meal and arched an eyebrow as she struggled to both hear and keep up with his rambling.

“Do you always ramble on about things sugar cookie?” She asked with a light chuckle before she continued eating again.

“Oh sorry. I’ve always had a habit of doing that,” he said blushing and gently running one hand through his wild and slightly tangled hair. She would need to remember to go get his hair brush or comb the next time she goes to his place to get him anything else.

“You're quite the nerd aren’t you?” She asked rather bluntly and yet that had the man beside her start laughing till a hiss of pain quickly followed and ended the laughing rather quickly.

“Kacchan calls me a nerd all the time. Did as kids and still does. But you're both not wrong,” he admits flashing her a wide smile as he continues to eat.

She had slowed down on her eating already and although she wasn’t completely full she had half her meal left and yet she had slowly stopped eating. Feeling the need to keep the rest for later to help ensure she would have a meal tomorrow she found herself closing the lid on her take out container and hopefully that would get rid of the temptation to continue eating. Some habits she had developed long ago were hard to shake.

“Are you done eating already?” Midoriya asked as he noticed she had stopped eating while he still had just under half his own meal to finish. And he was not yet full.

“Yep. Not all of us are mountains of muscle and strong quirk's. I don’t require as much food as you do,” she said with a soft smile hoping that would be enough for him not to push the question more. But maybe she would have rather than the next question he asked.

“Oh so what’s your quirk then? If you don’t mind me asking,” he seemed so interested and excited over getting to talk with someone about their quirk. But that question had the last of her meal tasting sour on her tongue and her stomach tightening, threatening to remove what she had just eaten. Silently she pushed herself to stand up and turn her back to him not wanting to see the look on his face when she answered. But in doing so she also missed the look of concern that crossed his face.

“I’m quirkless,” she said simply as she walked away taking her food with her so she could use it as an excuse for why she ran from him. He never even got to apologize for the question. It was clearly a subject that bothered her and Izuku could understand that. Pangs of his past feelings about being quirkless quickly had him feeling guilty and bad for asking her about it. And clearly it was a sour spot for her as well. Now his own meal was forgotten as he contemplated if he should attempt to get up and go after her to apologize. But seeing how he barely got himself to the bathroom alone without her he couldn’t imagine he would get far even in her small apartment. And so he looked down at the carpet under his feet as guilt ate him and he waited for her to return.

Aoi quickly put her left overs into the fridge. No longer hungry she was more than happy to toss the container into the fridge. But now she needed to figure out what she was going to do. She just ran out on Izuku and it wasn’t his fault it was a harmless question to him. He did not know her enough to know she was quirkless, and surely in his line of work he only knew people who had quirks. She should not have been so rude to him but still she did not want to go back and face him. Even if she apologized, would he look at her the same way others did? Would he pity her? Or would he be repulsed? Those were the two most popular looks she got. And she hated both. But still she couldn’t hide from him all night. And it was rude of her to run.

Slowly she dragged her feet back to her bedroom and found the man sitting on the edge of her bed staring sadly at the floor before his feet no longer eating his dinner. Now she felt bad for how upset he looked. She may as well have just kicked the guy's puppy. Sighing she continued into the room and slowly walked towards him.

“Don’t look so sad there hero. Your food is going to be cold if you just keep staring at the floor,” she said trying not to let her voice sound upset as she walked over to sit beside the man.

“I’m really sorry,” he said softly before picking up his gaze to look at her as he seemed to be blinking back tears.

“Don’t apologize. It was a simple question,” she said, simply trying to remind herself that it was a harmless question more than him.

“I know what it’s like to be quirkless,” he said simply though the skeptical look she gave him had him quickly continue, “I was a late bloomer. I didn’t get my quirk till right before high school,”

Well that was interesting to learn, she would have never guessed that the number one hero went over a dozen years without a quirk. But he was lucky he still developed a quirk. And yet she recalled the image of Deku with who she assumed was his mother in his apartment. But she didn’t recall seeing any images with a male. So where was his father?

“How did your parents take that? Assuming you were quirkless?” She was curious to know if he could understand her pain with being quirkless.

“It devastated me at first. I had always dreamed of being a hero. And learning at five I was assumed to be quirkless; it crushed young me. My mother could have handled it a bit better, at times I felt she could have been more supportive that I still could have been a hero. Still though she loved me and still did what she could at the time to soothe me,” he answered talking about his mother. But there was no mention at all of his father. Maybe he simply was not around at the time.

“Lucky,” she mumbled, not actually meaning to say that out loud. But it seemed she did and that the man beside her had heard it.

“What about you?” He couldn’t help but ask after seeing how she had reacted to his question about having a quirk and the way she looked upset herself he was already quick to assume her experience had not been as good as his but he still did not expect the answer she gave.

“My parents were in denial for years. At first it wasn’t so bad at five and six. By eight they seemed to be coming to terms with the realization their first born was quirkless. So they started trying for another. A little before my tenth birthday they gave birth to a little boy. And I found myself kicked out and discarded. There was no need for a quirkless child in their house. Both my parents had strong quirks, and they had big plans for a future pro hero with a strong quirk. With the chance my brother could be that they kicked me out,” she said simply ending it there not wanting to tell a near stranger that she lived on and off the streets for over a dozen years since. Even though neither of her parents were hero’s they had both always wanted to be but never made it. Forcing their children to live their dream they were enraged when they could not do that any more.

She watched his reaction as she told him the sliver of what her life was like. And of course he seemed to go through a mixture of emotions as he took in what she told him. Though what caught her off guard was the anger that settled in on his face. Usually people settled on pity when they heard her story. But Izuku seemed mad about it.

“How could they do that? They were your parents, they should love you no matter what,” he was nearly growling as he clenched his hands into fists.

“I have no clue how they could be that way. But it’s fine. I haven’t seen them since. I am alive and well. It’s in the past,” she said simply with a shrug of her shoulders, a little unsure how to get him to settle down.

“Still it’s not right,” he growled.

“And yet it happens. You would be surprised at the amount of kids I met on the streets who were disowned due to their quirks or lack of,” she said simply and watched the surprise cross his face before he sighed and settled down.

“I don’t think I want to know. I have a friend who grew up in an abusive home due to his own fathers drive for strong kids and a protégé who could one day beat and surpass All Might. And he had a quirk. I can’t imagine what life for him may have been like had he been quirkless,” Midoriya said as he thought of Todoroki. He probably shouldn’t have been talking about such a personal matter that was not his story to tell. But still he couldn’t help but tell her wanting to show her he could understand her.

“Even with a quirk do you ever still feel helpless?” She asked softly, not wanting to comment on his friend's story. She had heard similar stories from kids and friends she had made growing up. She had a good idea of what the poor person's life must have been like. She almost wondered if maybe she had met this friend of Midoriya’s since most runaways came from abusive homes like that. But she didn’t ask.

“All of the time,” he said softly, which was both surprising but also somehow nice to hear. To know that even with a strong quirk and strength he still was human and felt helpless at times.

“Oh do you want your food warmed back up?” She quickly changed the subject as she wanted to get away from the personal conversation. A silent nod of his head was all she needed to grab his take out container and run it to the kitchen to warm up and bring it back for him to finish eating.

Next Chapter

[more-stuff-of-pi]

A Piece of Home

request: Would you write an Iwaizumi Hajime imagine where in HS he had a massive crush on Karasuno's female soccer captain since their second year when he met her because she is best friends with Matsukawa's cousin who goes to Seijoh and was close with the Karasuno VB team so she went to their games and when he starts University, he finds out that she goes to the same one and they get together? {from @ofrosesandteacups​}

a/n: this is so so so specific and detailed, I love it! I wasn’t super able to figure out a way to incorporate being close to the Karasuno VB team (and I’m not sure if you meant that for y/n or not) but I hope you like it anyhow! I played around with a new style and I hope it worked well :) lmk what you think! Thank you for your patience, also, and I have my fingers crossed that it was worth the wait :))

notes: this isn’t edited for mistakes so beware. requests are open :) find my masterlist here

pairing: iwaizumi hajime x fem!reader | genre: fluff | warnings: none :) | word count: 2,058

The first time Iwaizumi Hajime ever saw you, he was mid-stretch in preparation for a small match with Karasuno and you were doubled over with fat tears streaming down your face. It caught him completely off guard. It concerned him, too, wondering if you had just been broken up with by one of the Crows seeing as you were wearing a Karasuno jacket. Though, upon closer inspection, the jacket belonged not to the Karasuno volleyball team, but to their soccer team which only served to further his confusion. It didn’t make much sense that a pretty girl from the soccer team would be supporting her school’s boy’s volleyball team that had practically no fanbase.

And then there was you -- who Hajime didn’t see as having any reason to be there -- straightening up with a huge grin spread across your face as you wiped at the tears with the back of your hand, chatting with a girl in front of you. The smile caught him off guard, too. He’s never seen something so open and genuine and carefree before. He may not have known you, but he instantly knew that he would do anything to see that smile again.

❁

The second time Hajime saw you was at a post-Saturday-practice dinner that he thought was just going to be him, Oikawa, Hanamaki, and Matsukawa. They were at their favorite local place, a little ways out of the way from Seijoh, but Oikawa swore up and down that the walk to it was a good cool down after a hard practice rewarded by delicious food. The rest of them swore up and down that it was because Oikawa liked to flirt with the people that worked there.

Hajime was hunched over a large bowl of ramen (“You sure you can eat that much, Iwa-chan?” Oikawa teased. “Shut it, Shittykawa, I’m hungry as hell,” he grunted. “You know, Oikawa, it’s the biggest boys who have the biggest appetites, if you know what I mean,” Hanamaki said with a wink. Hajime fought back a smile at Oikawa’s squawk as he shoved Matsukawa into Hanamaki) when the high twinkle of the bell tipped off at the entrance of the door, a familiar girl prancing in with you trailing behind. Hajime noticed sweat beaded high on your forehead, the sheen casting an angelic glow about you.

Mattsun noticed you both and introduced the two of you -- the girl was his cousin, Matsukawa Himeko, and a player for Seijoh’s soccer team. You were a player for Karasuno’s, the two of you meeting and immediately hitting it off at a training camp in your first year. (Though Hajime must admit that his eyes and ears only really processed what Mattsun said about you.)

You all continued to eat together. Hajime was staring at you, but he was trying his best not to. There was just something so magnetic about you that it made him feel like he had no other option than to look at you. Not like he would have wanted it any other way.

You caught his eye and grinned, secretively and warmly, lips spread across pearly teeth promising to keep the slip-up between the two of you.

Hajime’s heart jumped, shivers of electricity running down his spine.

❁

The third time was at another game, this time a soccer game that Mattsun had dragged their group out to because he had lost a bet to Himeko and didn’t want to ‘suffer’ alone. Hajime was immediately suspicious as Matsukawa was never the type to care over ‘suffering alone’. In fact, he sounded like he was mocking Oikawa and Oikawa, for once, didn’t complain about it, he only wickedly grinned in Hajime’s direction. For the life of him, Hajime couldn’t understand what they knew that he didn’t but then he was being distracted by the cheers and jeers alike erupting from the spectators.

It was easy to spot you, Himeko having told them to be on the lookout for her jersey number and yours. You guys had worn matching numbers since your first year, at first a coincidence that birthed a wonderful friendship but now a continued tradition. Karasuno’s black and orange looked incredible against your skin, the colors emboldened by the confidence and ease in which you carried yourself while thrown into the depths of a game’s battlefield. You had played wonderfully, effortlessly supporting and scoring goals and cheering on your teammates. You had all of the qualities he would expect of a second-year vice captain. Stunning and regal and light-hearted all at once. Simply incredible.

Hajime didn’t notice, but when you had walked over to greet their group with Himeko, Oikawa, Makki, and Mattsun all had sly grins spread over their lips.

❁

The fourth time was months after your third year had started. There hadn’t been any games to attend -- a fact Hajime lamented -- and so there hadn’t been any reason, any convenient excuse, for Hajime to see you. Yet he didn’t need to see you to still have his mind occupied by you. The two of you had had so few interactions, most of them short and yet so incredibly, impossibly sweet. They were all he could think about, the allure that you offered. And, he didn’t know it, but it was much the same of how you felt.

You were in the hallway outside of the tournament gym waiting with Himeko to congratulate them on their successful game. Hajime was shocked to see you, pausing slightly in his steps before trying to hide a grin and the tips of his burning ears. You smiled and Hajime forgot all about trying to hide his own as he easily returned yours, not giving it a thought beyond instinct.

You congratulated him on his game and he congratulated you on your elected captainship though Oikawa swooped in and rode on his congratulations. Hajime would have been mad if he wasn’t content simply being able to talk to this magnetic girl once again.

An easy casual friendship blossomed from then on. Whenever Himeko was with them, you were sure to be there, too, magnetic smile and all. You all had started to make it a tradition to attend every game that you could. Because you were from a different school -- a rival school, no less -- it was harder for them to attend your games and for you to attend theirs but you did every chance you could. Because of the physical distance, it was harder for Hajime to grow closer to you but he was more than happy being able to say hi to you every once in a while than not at all.

❁

The next time he saw you, third year had blinked by in a blur and suddenly you all were college first years, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and nervous, too. You had all been too busy with your respective sports and worrying over college entrance exams to really do much of anything besides an occasional congratulatory or comforting text for when they were due. So Hajime was beyond speechless to hear your laugh halfway across the globe. He had fully stopped in his tracks, desperately trying to decide if he was crazy and hearing things or just incredibly lucky that his long time crush was here with him in a foreign land.

“Y/n?” He called in disbelief, still trying to wrap his head around that you being here at his school was even a possibility.

Your smile dropped just the slightest, confusion taking over as you looked from your conversation to find the source of your name, not many people knowing it as you had only been there for a little less than a week. And then it fell completely when you spotted Hajime, his own disbelief overriding your previous emotions. “Iwaizumi?” You replied, quiet and shy, not sure that you were really seeing the beautiful boy in front of you.

“No way,” he said, a blinding grin that you had never seen completely taking over his features.

Your friend gave you a knowing smile. “I’ll leave you two alone,” they said, patting your shoulder as they left.

You didn’t have time to dwell on that odd smile before you were running over to Iwaizumi, meeting him halfway and lightly punching him in the arm. “You dog! I cannot believe you didn’t tell me you were coming to America!”

He laughed, playfully rubbing at the spot, “I could say the same thing about you.”

“Even the dog part?” You raised an eyebrow.

“After that punch? Especially the dog part.”

You laughed, still shoving him in retaliation before locking him in a huge embrace. Hajime was stunned. Though you shared a handful of friends and surely were friends yourself, you two had never hugged quite like this. There were more awkward side-hugs and weak high fives than Hajime cared to admit, but nothing quite as solid and grounding and purely wonderful as this. You almost pulled away, worried that he didn’t like the hug, and then Hajime was squeezing you back, holding on for dear life.

You two stayed like that for a while, until the sun had started to set. You were two friends longing for home and for each other and you couldn’t tell which one felt further away.

❁

There was nothing like being strangers together in a foreign world to bring two friends closer. Before, you were both polite with secret glances and harbored feelings on the side. Now, you had no filter with obvious glances and harbored feelings growing exponentially. The friendship blooming between you two was natural and anchoring and dangerous as Hajime could feel himself falling deeper and deeper. To think that you used to be just a girl with a charming smile he had a schoolboy crush on and now you were a woman with a contagious laugh he had fallen helplessly in love with.

There were many nights where you two stayed up together whether it was studying in the library until closing; kicking a soccer ball around and laughing at each other; talking about anything and everything until your roommates begged you to shut up; bumping a volleyball while shouting the scientific names for anatomy; snorting loudly at cheesy movies and crunching away at burnt popcorn.

It was the quiet things, the small things, the non-monumental things that had Hajime seeing you in a brighter light. It was the way that you were his personal piece of home.

It was the way that he was yours.

You were sprawled out on his bed, papers and textbooks scattered around you, pen clenched in your hand as you drummed your other fingers. He had been hunched over his desk, staring and yet, no matter how hard he tried, not absorbing what was in front of him. He glanced over to you, his frown instantly melting into a small smile at the way your eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

“You remind me of home,” he said, gently and suddenly and yet naturally. He hadn’t meant to say it, only think it, but the flash in your eyes made it worth it.

“I do?” He nodded. “In what way?”

In the way that you make me feel safe, in the way that I feel grounded with you, in the way that I ache for you, in the way that I love you.

Hajime looked you in the eyes, searching for what you were really asking. He thought that by now there was no way that you could surprise each other, that you both were each other’s best friend. But he still couldn’t tell what you were asking him. He followed his heart like he so often does with you. “In the way that I’d always like to return to you.”

It was a long moment of just looking at each other, Hajime feeling as if he might not ever breathe again, you feeling as if you could fly. “I didn’t know you were so good with words,” you grinned. “Oikawa always did call you a brute.” And the disbelief of the first day was back before Hajime was throwing a highlighter at you. You laughed, dodging it, coming back to return his gaze softly. “Yes,” you said quietly.

He furrowed his brows. “Yes to what?”

“I’ll be your home.”

“You have been,” he admitted.

“Since when?”

He grinned. “Since second year.”

taglist: @samwrights​

[sunriseintropicisle]

Things that makes me happier

I gave up posting number in front of my post title, initially it was to mark whether I reach the goal of posting a writing every week, which made me had to post 52 writings for the year of 2021, and by this point I am pretty sure I am not gonna reach that number so yes, we can forget it. 

So I personally feel like recently I am in a better state of being, and have lots of idea coming up in my head. While I still religiously write on my handwritten journal, I feel like writing, in case my nonexistent reader would like to know, or give some inspirations. Lol, like who you are. 

No, really, I am just really believe in sharing, and I would love to know if my mundane knowledge or experience be insightful even to only one other person. Because I myself found multiple times that a knowledge/sharing that someone posted online impacted me greatly - hence I am just thinking about the other me who may be seeking the things I am about to say/share. 

Things that makes me happier are:

Intermittent Fasting

I have been doing IF for 2 weeks now, and yeah, it makes me feel good. I started initially because, duh, like everyone else, I wanted to lose weight. Some might want to kick me in the ass for saying such thing, and assure me that I have normal body and yada yada. And, as straight forward as it is - I just want to be as skinny as possible. Hahaha. Maybe it is something to do with me very sold into the standard beauty, or maybe it’s got to do with something in the past - I was quite cheeky. 

However, even though I always say that I want to lose weight, over the years I have never really made the effort. Some days I took it hard some days it just a normal day, me eating this and that and whatnot. But then I have noted the intention of  me wanting to be so skinny, on top of those beauty standard I believe have huge impact in me and a quite hard time in the past for being cheeky is because it simply makes me feel lighter, not holding anything within my body. Because for the context and some TMI, I have a not so good digestion, so yeah. There was a period of the time that I often I feel stuffed and bloated - which felt so uncomfortable, that I can’t stand working while sitting because I felt my stomach is getting on my way.

I tried IF a while back, and it worked for me, so now I decided to try it again now. Intention achieved. I believe it was because the time window for eating that pool all the food I eat in a day to be only consumed for certain times (I do 7 hours, my best convenience). I used to eat on times where, looking back, I was not really hungry, you know. Like breakfast - turned out (I don’t know why I forget about this) that I am not a breakfast person. All through high school I don’t remember myself sitting, eating breakfast in my uniform. 

But then I just picked up a habit of eating breakfast while my stomach is actually not really ready for it, which end up making me feel bloated that last long all through lunch and pretty much for the day - and then without me knowing the new day has begin, and the cycle starts all over. 

So yeah, IF had helped me to be to schedule my eating time which made my digestion works better I guess, and no more me having a bloated stomach constantly.

Quitting Social Media

Finally I succeed in cutting myself with social media. This, I also had tried in the beginning of the pandemic I guess - went on without social media for weeks and at that time I really felt the benefit and all, until I came back to social media and can not disconnect ever since. Even though I have been wanting to detox myself, but at the same time I felt really dependent on it.

It took me one lows moment of life to finally be able to went cold turkey about disconnecting. It was when I felt frustrated on Twitter news where every day it seems like there were a bad news - people died, people lost jobs, people complaining, the news about our incompetent and corrupt government and so on. Without me realizing, it took a toll on myself. Other than that was me who checking in Linkedin constantly at the time and seeing my friends’ profile whose climbing up the corporate ladder, while I was unsure and questioning whether I am in the right place (sounds like the problem of these days youth who lives in their own bubble, yeah?). 

So one Friday where I had one of my breakdown, I went MIA for the weekend to the people who are close to me, as well as to my social media. It’s only been 2 weeks now, but it is safe to say that I can reclaim myself within these times, suddenly lots of thinking came up to me, as if all these times the bad news maybe somewhat oppress it or something. And, I also feel more certain about what is going on my mind/heart. 

I believe quitting social media has its downside as well, as like I really am not having an update on the news (90% of my news source is Twitter - how sad yet could not be truer for most of us), I completely blind on our Covid update I even think that Covid is slowing down in the territory. Yeah, as expected you lose win some as well as you lose some, but for now at leas, I decided to win for myself. 

Olympic 2020

I have never watched Olympic before, as far as I remember. Nor that I care about it. But this time is different. I believe the fact that we are on privilege to be in the safety of home have a huge part in me having the opportunity to watch the Olympic - thanks for that. For almost two weeks I was hooked to my TV, even one time I was on my TV from 6am to 10pm and watched all the games they aired. 

To have the company to watch was a big advantage as well. As now I have my sibling in the house, I teamed up with my sister to watch the Olympic, we both did not know that we enjoyed it so much that we invested in each game we watched. We cheered for athletics, we scream for badminton, we gasped for weightlifting. It was a very fun experience. For almost two weeks I change my work station in front of the TV and so did my sister. 

On top of that, what made Olympic special and very intrigued me was the diversity of the athletes. I guess I just did not exposed to such diversity as it was presented in the Olympic. I was presented with some very foreign countries whose name I hardly heard, or the people whose features were different one another. 

Questions like why some sports dominated my a certain race while other sports dominated by others also popped out in my head. And not to mention my awed to each of these Olympian athletes when they perform their sports, I always wonder what it takes for them to be there right now - how many years of training, how much tears were sacrificed and relationships had to be let go. There were just so many elements of the Olympics that made me really drawn and invested in it. 

Youtube

Surprise, surprise. 

Well, my attraction to Youtube recently was different because of the previous para - Olympic. Because of getting really drawn into the Olympic athlete, I was searching lots of reference videos. And as we all know how we are being spied and we are mere a number for these big tech companies, they get to know me better know and present me with more content that I love (or else I had never discovered). 

I am not sure what I searched previously, but Youtube chose that I now an avid cultural researcher, jk. Yeah, I watched a lot about something culture-related on Youtube because it is funny, looking back, I was once really attracted to be a global citizen and what not (what a flavor of youth!!), traveling the world, meeting people from other countries, make impact in the NGO (before long I know the NGOs are mostly funded by big corporations as well, heart breaking reality for me). 

What I am saying is that the savvy man-made tech of Youtube has made me rediscover my old interest about culture! And I just actually learn that you can learn a lot from Youtube’s comment section, which debates often open up you to things which are (1) people can comment based on data and have every intention to educate other people; and (2) people more often be ignorant, and how much you are on the right stance, with the wrong people, you can still be, yeah wrong. 

Somehow the lesson I gained in the Youtube’s comment section was really grounding to me to realize these polar of people, and in the end what you can do is only simply be you because after all, people really will hold on to their own opinion and belief. 

Jigsaw Puzzle 

RECCOMENDED 100/100. Damn, wasn’t it a good choice when one day I decided to try out jigsaw puzzle to entertained myself while waiting my partner to reply my chat message? 

On the one of the breakdown moment I mentioned I believe that I had to have distraction and I thought of either a puzzle or a coloring book. I ended up buying both, but I am positive that I am more drawn to jigsaw puzzle. I first ordered a 1500 piece puzzle and when it first came, I kind of secretly afraid that I will give up. Also my mother being my mother and she was pessimist that I would finish the puzzle. 

But one time I was just playing by myself, not expecting anything or even asked anyone to help me (afraid that I put too much task on other people), yet my sister helped me out, and a while after my mom helped we out as well. Resulting in the puzzle finished in 3 days. Soon after I order new puzzle, and so did my sister. Her order came first and it was a 1000 pieces puzzle, which we finished in 2 hours (boo, it turned out to be too easy), and now we are opening up our 3rd puzzle and tried to work on it. 

I am just really happy that I discovered it, it is really great way to bond and filling time. And every time I successfully put the pieces together - that just very satisfying feelings! I believe I will have more and more puzzle to come in the near future. 

--

I hope one of the thing above will work out for you and make you happier as well as it had affected me. 🤗

[abizarreyodelingincident]

Ridiculous Optimization: The Art of Finding the Right Tool for the Wrong Situation

Chapter two: Never put that on again

Time had long since discovered that his exasperation in dealing with the assembly of goblins that were the legendary heroes of Courage was proportionate to the amount of supervision on any given evening. For example, Wild could and would test any idea he had unless strong armed away by Twilight. Chastising him (or snarking at his ideas if you were Legend or Warriors) meant that you were ignored as surely the result would be so spectacular as to shut up all the unbelievers!

So far, only the incident where he shield surfed down a mountain to perform acrobatics and snipe fifteen black blooded wolfos had managed to shut up anyone. Even Twilight who knew just what Wild could do once properly motivated had whistled low and patted his protege on the back, praising his skills.

Incidentally, Wild was not currently the source of Time's annoyance, despite (because of) Twilight's inability to reign him in. His quiet pup had woken up miserable, red-eyed and sniffling. Yesterday, Sky had exhibited similar symptoms Thus, their group had extended their stay to allow two of their own to recover. Normally, that would have cause some antsiness in a few of the boys, but Wild had been glued to Twilight's side since the start, and Wind had taken his role as Hyrule's aid very seriously.

Time's lips twitched upward. No, no, he shouldn't be comforted by their good natures at the moment. The two hadn't returned from 'a quick supply run' and the sun was setting.

“Still not back?” Legend asked, fretting (or as close to that as their spike could display).

Four shook his head, scrutinizing the hills around them.

Great. They could ill afford to stay out at night on their own. Stallfos might emerge from the open plains and surround them. Normally, in a situation like this, he'd exchange a look with his pup and the situation would resolve itself at a beastly pace. Not an option, at the moment.

Wild yelped as his slate flashed to life, bringing out the voice of their missing Link. “Guys? Guys, can you hear me?”

At once, they converged on Wild, who fumbled with the slate. Bringing it to eye level, he showed them the image of Wind's and Hyrule's faces smushed together over the glass. Their hair had collected an impressive collection of branches and leaves, to the point where Legend pithily wondered if they were learning how to camouflage.

“Hardy har har,” Wind replied.

Wild ignored them both. “What happened to you guys? And where are you? It's almost night.”

“Well, I was gathering the herbs when I noticed a rare mushroom a bit down the hill, and a couple of helpful flowers, and one thing led to another-”

“We got jumped by river zoras.” Wind grunted. The bruises on his arms weren't bleeding, at least. “Had to make a run for it through the forest.”

Hyrule chuckled nervously. “Did you guys know that it's very easy to get lost in the woods?”

“Yes,” Time and Wild deadpanned in unison.

“Well, we're lost.”

“Sounds like a job for our furry friend,” Legend deadpanned, though there was a hint of worry in his eyes. They hadn't seen Wolfie in this world yet, for obvious reasons.

“We can't count on him jumping out of nowhere to find our comrades before night falls.”

“Why not?” Warriors asked, swapping the rag on Sky's face with a cold one. “Wolfie usually shows up when it's convenient for us. I am certain the beast follows us from a distance. It's probably tracking Hyrule as we speak.”

Time prayed to Farore for strength, least he threw his arms in the air and gave up, metaphorically speaking. He just wished his pup worked up the nerves to reveal this one secret. He'd started to suspect that Twilight enjoyed some of the perks of this secrecy a bit too much. None of the others acted as guarded around Wolfie as they did Twilight. They'd accepted the presence of a wild wolf rather easily.

The pup's face when he'd mentioned that had made Time's heart ache.

Time sighed and shook his head. The choice wasn't his.

“You would rather take the chance and leave two of our own alone before night?”

Warriors colored. His gaze sharpened. “Does anyone have a way to locate them quickly?”

Legend shook his head, mumbling something under his breath about having been alone most of the time. Fair in itself, few of them had had adventures in groups. Time's own experience was companion that stuck close to you until the end.

But past that…

Time ruthlessly squashed the bout of nostalgia threatening to return and focused on the present. “Perhaps.”

He gestured for Wild to lend him the slate, and Wild dared not disobey. Even through the screen, the two lost boys cringed at his intense look.

“Hyrule, do you have enough magic for that shapeshifting spell of yours?”

The guilty expression faded in favor of confusion and reluctance. “I… I'd be able to turn into a fairy, yeah, but I can't fly very high if that's what you're thinking. And Wind is stuck on the ground...”

Time shook his head. “That's not why I asked. If you turn into a fairy and stay with Wind, I can find you.”

“Oddly specific,” Legend commented, scanning Time for this ability to find fairies.

“Well, he does lead us to fountains more often than not,” Four replied.

Time passed the slate back to Wild, his hand lingering a second longer on the cub's shoulder. This one's worry was not hidden behind barbs. The scars on his side echoed the ones inside, and without Twilight's reassurance… well, he'd be fine, but not as fine as he could be.

Time bent over his bags and rummaged through for one of the more 'exotic' items he'd found on his quests. Prickling on the back of his neck told him the rests had started staring. Well, Time thought as a mischievous idea got hold of him, at least, they'll have reason to stare.

With his back to them, he hunched over to hide the great silky locks, struggling for a moment with proper adjusting. Then, he whirled around. 

A horrified, blood curdling scream exploded out of Warriors' mouth.

The group startled and drew their swords, including Twilight and Sky, who barely could prop themselves up by their elbows. The tense moment lasted only long enough for them to gather up their wits and realize that no, this was still Time despite the horrifying sight. 

Warriors was on the ground, his face pale and his hand over his chest as if he'd narrowly avoided a heart attack. “W-w-warn us before you put on monstrosities like that!”

The Great Fairy Mask covered his entire head when Time had been a child, but as an adult, he knew the other heroes could make out his smirk. “But your reactions are half the fun, captain.”

Warriors' energetic cursing flew right over Time's head and the mask's long, flowing pink locks. Pink lights like fireflies started floating by his head, and a tug in his head made him turn Four's way.

“Got a fairy on you?” he asked, voice slightly distorted, almost a woman's suave, lascivious.

More shaken than he'd like to admit, Four nodded quickly.

“Good. Keep it on you. I shouldn't be too long.”

Time adjusted the mask over his head, annoyed by the tightness of the fit, and took off, marching on over the hill like a pink nightmare incarnated. It was thus no surprise that only Legend dared go with him.

***

Hyrule, long since changed back to hylian form, returned to the camp feeling six inches tall. He'd gotten distracted again. Old habits die hard and he had been free through his travels, no maps, never having anyone to wait back for him, and he'd led Wind into an ambush! Not to mention how he made everyone else worry.

“Hyrule, it is good to see you back and unharmed,” Warriors told him with sincere warmth.

Which was why it felt strange for his instincts to scream at him to put some distance between them. “But?”

“But if you ever provoke the old man into putting that mask back on, I will join him on the search. And when we find you, I will skewer you, and then myself on the Master Sword.”

Bonus:

“So, what if it had been Wild instead of Hyrule that had gotten lost?” Legend asked, passing the food around the campfire.

Time swallowed carefully, considering. “Assuming Wolfie wouldn't be around?” Legend nodded, neither him nor anyone else noticing Twilight's fleeting guilt. “I own something else that might have helped.”

Warriors choked. “Beh- wah- excuse me, old man?! You subjected us to that when you had another solution?”

Time's enigmatic air thickened. “The alternative was far worse.” With a theatrical flourish, their stubborn old man of a leader pulled out a pig's face and held it up. “This thing allows the user to picks up a scent trail like they were a hungry pig.”

“Why the hell would you not use that one instead?!” Warriors screamed.

Time savored the bite he had in his mouth, because he doubted his next meal would be as pleasant. However, he simply couldn't help it.

“Because then,” he started, letting his tone verge into a whine, “then my poor nose would be even more assaulted than it is now.”

“HEY!”

Four jumped in the air when Twilight snorted his milk through his nose.

In the end, Time was right. The next meal was a goron spice special that no one managed to finish, besides Wild and Hyrule.

[runningwithrio]

Preparing for a Quarantine

With shortages in food and supplies around the world, an economic crisis, and potential longer-term quarantine, we all have to take life day-by-day.

I have been doing a ton of research regarding this topic since the china travel bans, when word of the potential pandemic was beginning. I’ve been slowly preparing, meal prepping, and making sure I can live self-sufficiently if necessary. I’ve also been worried about my family and friends, in the case that others may not be prepared. 

Some things that you should ensure you have:

Medical supplies:

Thermometer, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins and basic medical supplies. If possible, get prescriptions filled ahead of time so you have a 30+ day supply to avoid withdrawal or medical emergencies

Dog/pet food and supplies:

Dog food, cat litter if you have a cat, prescriptions if necessary, and any other essential supplies. Your dog may have less exercise during a time of emergency, so consider getting toys, bones, etc to keep them busy

Frozen meats or protein sources:

I have been buying and storing meals that I've made such as meatballs, pre-cooked food sources, etc. Now that grocery stores even have a meat shortage, and I want to avoid public places, I tried to order my meat from my food subscription box, Thrive Markets, but, even they are two weeks behind on deliveries. With the threat of a military-enforced quarantine on the horizon, I realized I simply could not take the chance, and opted to order from Butcher Box. Another option is to order protein powder, so even if you don’t have frozen meats, you will at least have a long term protein source if necessary

Frozen, canned and fresh fruits and vegetables:

I always have a ton of frozen fruits and vegetables on hand for smoothies, sides for dinner and even freeze my produce if possible when I’m unable to eat it in time. For example, peppers and onions can be diced and frozen for stir-fries, fajitas, etc. These will likely be essential nutrients to keep your immune system strong in the case of a quarantine

Coffee/tea:

This may not be essential for survival, but for me, it’s important for my productivity at work and daily tasks, and I want to avoid withdrawal if I’m stuck at home. I buy coffee beans and grind them daily for the coffee I make at home, and stocked up on bags of coffee beans. Lord knows they won't go to waste

Pasta, pasta sauce, rice:

These are easy and cheap ingredients to stock pile in the case of emergency. I’m a Banza girl when it comes to pasta so I have boxes and boxes at all times in my cabinet. You can throw vegetables and nuts, seeds, cheeses, meats, etc into pasta or with rice and easily make it a balanced meal. Homemade pasta salad is also amazing

Soup and crackers:

Another easy meal, and for me an essential when I’m sick. If I do end up sick, I’ll be relying heavily on my soup and cracker stash

Nuts, seeds, nut butters:

Easy protein and healthy fat source. Can be added to stir fries, eaten as a snack, or put in a breakfast parfait or smoothie

Bread/rolls:

Thankfully, these can be frozen and used at any point, so I have bagels, hamburger rolls, English muffins, and bread stored for when I need it

Ground beef:

Such a versatile protein source. Make hamburgers, tacos, meatballs, lasagna, etc. This is a staple for me because of how many ways this can be used. I buy it refrigerated and freeze if necessary

Bread crumbs:

Can up any meal if you get bored of the same old

Eggs/milk/oil:

Necessary for a lot of recipes. Eggs can be eaten on their own as well and last a long time in the fridge. I recently learned they can also be cracked and frozen

Pancake mix or ingredients:

Easy tasty meal, stores well

Bacon:

Great side, can make BLTs, added to lunchmeat sandwiches, added to breakfast sandwiches, eaten as a snack :)

Flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, spices:

If you like to bake like myself, the opportunities are endless here

Fruit:

Bananas can be frozen if you don't eat them in time, and are great for smoothies, pancakes, parfaits, baking, etc. Apples last a long time, can be eaten as a snack with PB. Avocados go with everything. Berries are incredible. Grapes are the best snack. Please be careful and wash your fruit at a time like this. Well and with an antibacterial soap. I actually have a specific produce spray for washing my fruit, but these days I’m disinfecting

Vegetables:

Carrots and celery last forever. Spinach/kale you can buy frozen and add to pasta dishes, smoothies, stir fry, etc. Tomatoes are big in my world, although technically a fruit lol

Potatoes and onions:

Both last forever and can be cooked in so many ways

Batteries

For appliances and remotes and video game controllers

Shampoo/conditioner/shower supplies

Trash bags, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, sponges, soap, paper products

I hope this helps you think of a few things and prepare if you haven’t already. I’d utilize online shopping if possible. Hungry Harvest ‘rescues’ fruit and vegetables that are surplus, incorrect sizes, or scarred, and are delivered super cheap and farmed locally. They’re in most big cities and surrounding areas, and are so reasonable and convenient! I have a shipment coming Sunday. Butcher Box is pricy but worth it during a national emergency. Grocery stores also often have local delivery options. I find that being prepared makes me feel so much more at ease, because I’ve done everything within my control. Prepare, don’t panic!

[pillosisjadealyssabaj2a]

Para po! Para Po Sana sa Tao, Huwag Isantabi!

BAJ 2-A Camacho, Cristine Grace Mauricio, Daniela Pillosis, Jade Alyssa Vasquez, Mizaki Frances

Traditional Jeepneys have roamed the streets of Manila since World War II. They have been part of our culture for such a long time that they have been our identity. Colorful, unique, and very Filipino. But this last week of February hasn't been very kind to the jeepney community. The Land Transportation Franchising and  Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced that jeepney operations will be halted after June 30, 2023 unless they have joined a cooperative or cooperation. This has sparked into such an enormous debate and has been continuously receiving backlash from drivers, commuters, and the like. Due to this, jeepney drivers came together to plan a transportation strike. They protested by not providing jeepney service for a whole week.

Mizaki Frances with Tatay Fernando. Photo by Daniela Mauricio

The simplest solution would appear to be to simply replace old, inefficient jeepneys with newer, more energy-efficient ones. However, it also has drawbacks. The drivers of jeepneys are the main beneficiaries of this PUV modernization. Tatay Fernando, a jeepney driver, said that since it is their main source of income, "Syempre malungkot, hanapbuhay namin yon. Mawawalan kami ng hanapbuhay. Kahit sarili mo yung jeep, kapag nawala yon wala ka ring hanapbuhay." They will lose their jobs as a result of the phase-out, and their families will go hungry. 

Many jeepney drivers oppose the government loan being offered. Due to the numerous requirements, they are unqualified, and Tatay Lauro, a jeepney driver, claims that he is old enough to be in debt to the government. When he tries to calculate how much money he makes by driving a jeepney, he believes he won't be able to pay.

Along with the drivers, commuters also sympathize with the situation of the jeepney drivers. Commuter Sheryl claims that because the fare would increase if the jeeps were phased out, she would prefer a cheaper fare. The greater problem the government must address—rather than the phase-out—is the continuation of high jeepney fare levels. Despite the convenience that air-conditioned buses provide, an extra fare will be a burden for e-jeeps that employ air conditioning.

While it is evident that the jeepney drivers and commuters will be the most affected by the looming PUV Modernization, there are still more people who will be affected by the implementation. People unseen despite them being in plain sight. Those are the vendors and sellers in the terminals and areas where jeepney drivers pass by or rest. 

For instance, at the Sta. Maria Terminal, there are many kinds of sellers and vendors there. From street food vendors to carinderias, whose livelihood depends on the commuters and jeepney drivers. Those are the lives that will be hugely affected by the PUV modernization. What would happen to them when the terminal where they get their livelihood from could possibly disappear? Are there guaranteed companies who would hire them? 

Jade Pillosis with Teresita, a carinderia vendor. Photo by Mizaki Frances

Teresita, a carinderia vendor at the Sta. Maria Terminal, expressed that she is not certain on how she will find another source of income. “Yun ang (ano) kasi ang kabuhayan namin eh ganito lang. Hindi ko rin masabi kasi ang hinahangad ko lang eh paano ka kumita ganon lang.”

The same goes to Rogelio Villamor, one of the many street food vendors there. He said that there is no other place for them to go. “‘Di namin alam, mahihirapan kami diyan kasi wala ng biyahe eh. Wala kaming mapupuntahang iba. Mahihirapan kung saan kami magsisimula.” They have families to feed too. With the never ending increase in inflation, the cost of everything is at its all time high. Due to the lock down, these stores were forced to close as a compliance to health protocols. Now that they are slowly getting up on their feet again, they will be knocked down yet again with no assurance that there will be someone who will help them. Their voices must be heard too. Their stories are just as important as the others.

As stated by many transport groups and drivers, they are all for modernization if it benefits the environment. However, the cost of the proposed modernized jeeps were too expensive, even with the help of the government they would not be able to afford it. PUV drivers earn so little, yet the weight of the burden was on their shoulders because of a decision made by people who don’t even use public transportation. 

By conducting an interview at the Sta. Maria Terminal, we were able to determine the thoughts and opinions of the people there. From jeepney drivers--vendors there. They have different views, but their collective answers towards the PUV Modernization are the same. The questions prepared by the interviewers were equipped to be answered by the opinions of the participants. There are two kinds of questions that were used, first is the Generalized Questions. These are the more general questions and the background of the participants were not relevant to these questions. The second kind is the Specific Questions, these are also the follow-up questions. Here, the background of the participants were relevant, hence these questions were specified only to them. The tables below represent the answers of the participants to the sets of questions given to them. 

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Table 4

Table 5

The tables above shows that more people are Not in Favor of the PUV Modernization as it has negative effects not just to them as commuters, but also to the jeepney drivers as well (Table 1). And that Jeepneys, more specifically Traditional Jeepneys, Have Big Effect on their lives, hence they prefer it more than the Modernized Jeep despite it being more comfortable (Table 3 & 4). Lastly, the vendors and sellers have no idea where they will get their livelihood from, when the terminal closes due to the jeepney phaseout, and the drivers are not ready to borrow money to comply with the PUV Modernization (Table 5). 

The data shows that the people recognize that this PUV Modernization has more drawbacks than advantages. 

Plackards hanged on a tent at the Sta. Maria Terminal. Photo by Mizaki Vasquez.

Jeepneys have been a huge part of our lives and our collective culture as Filipinos. This traditional mode of transportation has been incorporated into our needs and has been glued into our country's identity for several decades. It is pro-people because of its cheap and affordable fares for commuters, along with the fact that various sectors are dependent on it. This includes the drivers, barkers, takataks, dispatchers, mechanics, and many more. If the looming phaseout were to happen, countless livelihoods would be at stake. It would have a negative impact on the country's transportation system and on our economy in general because thousands of jobs would be lost. The Jeepney modernization program is an ideal program in perhaps a more pro-people government. But with no proper plans and rushed implementation, it would only trample on the poor masses. There is nothing wrong with modernization; we are all for that, but in doing that, it should consider bringing the less privileged into the progression that it proposes.

[sanjeevseo]

Why You Should Eat Fresh Fruits?

A diet high in fruits and vegetables has many health benefits. It helps in lowering blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke, preventing some types of cancer.

It also helps in reducing the risk of eye and digestive problems, and having a positive impact on blood sugar. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables that are not starchy may even aid in weight loss. They do not cause blood sugar surges that can make people feel more hungry.

Sometimes even the slightest modifications in lifestyle can have a significant impact on future health and nutritional outcomes. Therefore, do not delay; seize the fresh fruits suppliers in Solapur right away.

Reduce Your Likelihood Of Contracting Diseases And Illnesses

Fresh fruits are good for you because they include vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These support a healthy immune system, especially when combined with regular exercise. Additionally, eating more fruits and vegetables can help reduce your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Simple For On-the-go Nibbling

The majority of fruits and vegetables do not need to be prepared. You may simply grab them, go, and eat. Stock up on produce you can quickly consume on the go, such as bananas, apples.

Do so if you feel that you don't have time in your hectic schedule to make healthful dishes. Fruits and vegetables are convenient and simple to grab on the go.

Boost Your Fibre Intake

Natural sources of fibre, including those found in fruits and vegetables, support a healthy digestive system. Your body will flush waste and poisons out more efficiently the more frequently you go to the bathroom. Get more natural sources of fibre from fruits rather than relying solely on fibre-enriched cereals and over-the-counter fibre supplements.

Limitless Variety To Discover

You can choose from at least five varieties of apples at the majority of supermarket stores. Given the variety of foods available, there is no reason to ever become tired of eating fruits and vegetables.

Get More Vitamins And Minerals As Opposed To Eating Processed Food

You may feel lethargic and less energised after consuming a lot of packaged, processed foods that are low in nutrition. But because fruits are so rich in vitamins and minerals, you will have better immunity and have more energy.

It is not necessary to eat fruits and vegetables only by themselves or in salads. Look up

fresh fruits suppliers in Maharashtra, then start including fresh produce in all of your meals.

They are rich in antioxidants, which help the skin to retain its radiance and glow. Nourishing the skin and hair. Fruits like papaya, coconut, and others help treat a number of dermatological conditions. Vitamin A-rich fruits give hair a shiny appearance.

The high water content of most fruits makes them a simple and effective way to hydrate the body. Both the summer and the winter require equal amounts of their consumption.

Conclusion

When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, fruit eating is essential. Most illnesses can be avoided by regularly consuming them.

Fresh fruits are a great source of calcium, magnesium, and even important vitamins like K and E. These can boost our resilience to germs and disease while also treating a number of chronic conditions.

[dogshealthproducts]

Old Dog Suddenly Food Obsessed - Why Dogs Act Hungry All The Time

As much as we may love our dogs, we might also wonder about some of their stranger habits and mannerisms. Old Dog Suddenly Food Obsessed

Among the most commonly questioned of these behaviors is that of “acting hungry”, which tends to happen even after our pooches have been fed particularly big meals.

Almost everyone with a dog has experienced this situation: you’ve just fed Bowser and turn around to find him panting and staring at you while you fix your own dinner. He looks like he could eat you out of house and home – and he probably would if given the opportunity!

Why does this happen? Why do dogs act hungry all the time?

Here’s we listed 5 of the biggest reasons below:

1.  Normal Behavior

While there may be some underlying eating disorder as to why your dog acts hungry all the time, there’s also the possibility that this is “normal” behavior. Some veterinarians and pet experts believe that pups were first domesticated because of their almost supernatural ability to mooch food from human beings.

Those big brown eyes and that beautiful face may all add up to an extra scrap or two from the table from time to time, so this theory does seem to hold some water.

Sure, some dogs act hungry all the time because they know it works. Given that food can seem like a limited resource to our four-legged friends, they may be simply doing what comes naturally to grab that extra morsel.

2. Nutritional Deficiency & The Wrong Diet!

First, make sure your feeding your dog enough. Don’t simply throw a scoop or two of kibble in his bowl without knowing how much he or she should be eating daily.  A gargantuan appetite may also be the result of nutritional issues and diseases.

If your dog isn’t getting enough vitamins and minerals, he may look to compensate by getting as much food as possible.  I also recommend including a good vitamin/mineral supplement for your dog, no matter how good the food is that you’re feeding.  Certain breeds are more susceptible to specific health issues such as auto immune problems. Like people, every dog is different. Their genetic DNA is individual to the dog.  Despite that the breed and the resemblance on the exterior,   no dog’s DNA is the same.  So, think of a good multivitamin as an added buffer. This buffer will help your dog by providing the right vitamins and  minerals necessary when he or she’s not a 100% or as the dog gets up in years.  Minerals are vital not only for bone health, but for the heart, muscles and nervous system.

Nutrition for dogs  is a loaded topic and I assure you that if you’re feeding your dog the same food day in and day out (especially kibble); yes, he or she’s hungry.  Your dog needs the right food to thrive. Not a food that’s convenient for you the owner, the right food for him to flourish. A diet whether homemade or raw, that consists of mostly meat, some veggies and other protein sources such as fish and egg, will most likely satisfy your dog’s excessive hunger (providing there’s no underlying health issues such as the ones mentioned below).

3. Diabetes

Another potential issue behind why dogs act hungry all the time is diabetes. The real problem here is that dogs with healthy, balanced diets can even suffer from diabetes.

This condition means that the dog can’t use carbohydrates properly, either because the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or because the cells aren’t processing the insulin appropriately. Either way, the sugars that would normally feed the body’s cells are unable to get where they need to go. This leaves them in the bloodstream and the body, as a result, starves.

Because the body is starving from not using nutrients properly, some dogs may overeat considerably. They’ll likely even lose weight while overeating because the food isn’t being used correctly as energy.

Hunger, as a result, is never satisfied and dogs will obviously be hungry all the time.

4. Parasites

Intestinal parasites are among the most common reasons dogs go to the vet. There are over a dozen different parasites that can cause some serious problems for your pooch, from heart-worm to roundworm to even hookworm.

Roundworm in particular is found in the digestive tract. The infection is spread by small rodents, but it can also come from polluted food or water.

Changes in your four-legged friend’s appetite are common with cases of roundworm, while diarrhea and stomach pains generally also appear. Dogs with roundworm can generally be treated with medication, but detection is vital.

Hookworm is another problem. These parasites clasp on to the intestines and feed on the dog’s blood, leading to anemia. Once again, a dog’s appetite comes into play and symptoms are normally the same as with other parasites.

A tapeworm feeds on the blood and on vital nutrients from the dog’s body. This can lead to blockages and serious digestive issues, which results in increased appetite and bloating.  Typically spread by fleas, the tapeworm has both sexual organs and can subsequently reproduce in the dog’s body.

5. Hypothyroidism

Yet another problem that can lead to an increased appetite in dogs is hypothyroidism. This is a disorder where the thyroid glands are underactive and consequently don’t discharge enough hormones.

This slows the dog’s metabolism because the thyroid gland regulates it.  My doberman Jenna was diagnosed as hypothyroid.  The unfortunate thing about this illness is that most traditional veterinarians will not recognize that the dog is hypothyroid and the dog will go through life undiagnosed and untreated and the owner is left in a constant state of confusion as to what’s wrong with the dog.

I urge you to not solely rely on a traditional veterinarian when checking for thyroid issues.  Be very proactive! Find a good holistic vet and explain your concerns.  Unfortunately traditional vets are not properly educated on reading the blood work panels for thyroid problems.  They say the dog’s range is normal when in actuality, it’s not.  A good holistic vet can correctly read the panel and diagnose the dog when the problem exists.  

There are a couple of ways for a pooch to end up with hypothyroidism, with genetic predisposition, pollution and allergies all making the list. Medications like steroids can bring on the condition, as can a lack of exercise. In the case of the latter, the thyroid hormone thyroxine isn’t produced enough and things like oxygen consumption, infection resistance and growth suffer as a result.

Symptoms include depression, energy deficiency, low tolerance for cold weather, chronic infections, and even weight gain. This disorder is more common in medium to large dogs, with some breeds like Irish setters, Dobermans and Greyhounds genetically predisposed to it.

Better Safe Than Sorry

As you can see, there are a number of reasons your old dog suddenly food obsessed all the time. In most cases, there’s nothing to worry about. But if you’re seeing other symptoms associated with a feverish appetite, get your pooch checked out by a veterinarian.

The panting and the loving gaze while you’re in the kitchen may be innocent enough, but it could also be a sign of something more dangerous.

[your-dietician]

S-85 Reviews - Is Nucentix GS-85 Scam or Legit?  

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S-85 Reviews - Is Nucentix GS-85 Scam or Legit?  

GS-85, also called Nucentix GS-85, is a dietary formula that supports sugar metabolism in the body. According to the official website, it works on two major problems in the body, one is unstable glucose, and the other is chronic inflammation. The natural ingredients inside this formula make it a safe choice, even for daily use. 

(SPECIAL PROMO) Click Here To Buy Nucentix GS-85 at the Lowest Price Online   

Fluctuating blood sugar levels is a common problem all around the world, and millions of people are struggling with sugar management. The biggest reason more and more people are falling for it is because of the changed lifestyle that mainly includes dietary shifts and unhealthy eating habits. When dietary intake is disturbed, the body can’t maintain the sugar levels on its own and needs a little help from an external source, such as Nucentix GS-85.  

Although the market is full of sugar regulatory supplements, each offering unique benefits, it is challenging to go through all of them and choose one option that meets your requirements best. GS 85 sugar support formula is among the best choices for many reasons, especially for people at high risk of diabetes.  

However, deciding it without practically going through the details is impossible. It is natural to have concerns regarding a new product, especially if you have never tried one before. To help to understand the product, benefits, uses and side effects, read this Nucentix GS 85 Glucose Support Formula review.   

Nucentix GS-85 Review 

The GS-85 or Nucentix GS-85 is a glucose support formula that helps the body in managing sugar. This sugar comes from the daily dietary intake that is different in different bodies. Because of the imbalanced and unhealthy diet, the body sometimes loses the efficiency of metabolizing sugar and starts accumulating in the body. Using a supplement heals the damage and makes the body capable of processing the sugar again.  

GS-85 is a lot more than just a sugar regulatory supplement. It also maintains healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight, keeping all as per their natural standards. Many times, people with high blood sugar also suffer from high cholesterol, irregular blood pressure, and obesity. So using a multi-action formula like this helps in all these aspects without needing additional pills.  

It comes in capsule form, and there are 60 capsules in every pack. Taking two capsules per day starts improving the glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and lipids profile altogether. It also offers protective benefits to the heart that is also at risk when all these issues line up.  

In most users, it helps fix issues in glucose utilization by improving insulin levels and response and other hormones that affect metabolism. The official website specifically mentions that it is helpful against ‘metabolic syndrome’ that is not one condition but a collection of various conditions that affect food to energy conversion. GS-85 is a product of Nucentix, a company with a high reputation in the supplement world. A product under its label ensures quality, safety, and faster results that give it a clear advantage over other brands.  

The website states using a 20+ ingredient mix for making GS-85 pills. These ingredients have proven benefits for health and are safe to use even for a very long time. This supplement works independently without needing assistance from more supplements or dietary changes to improve its effects. However, the results are obviously faster when it is used along with a healthy lifestyle.  

This product is exclusively available online and is currently in stock. Because of the high demand, the Nucentix GS-85 bottles are selling fast. Get yours before it runs out of stock. Click Here To Find Out More  

Why Do You Need Nucentix GS-85 Supplement? 

Before jumping to who needs the GS85 blood sugar supplement and why this supplement is a good investment in health, let’s go through the basics of sugar metabolism.  

The word sugar is used for ‘glucose,’ the smallest subunit for the dietary compounds obtained from the food you eat every day. The breakdown and utilization of glucose generate energy using small cellular machinery called mitochondria. And this energy is used to fuel the body, making it run smooth and do all of its functions. The energy required by the body is fulfilled from the diet, but what to do with all that excessive food that a person consumes or empty calories with no nutritional value? 

All of this starts accumulating in the body, forming fat layers that often show up at the belly, hips, and thighs. Without any treatment, it may begin to affect organ functions, changing the way the body works and affecting the quality of life. When the sugar levels are affected, the person becomes highly vulnerable to a number of associated conditions, many of which could be lethal.  

Another issue that affects sugar metabolism in the body is chronic inflammation. Because of this inflammation, the mitochondria’s efficiency changes. Plus, if the person has hyperactive immunity, it makes the whole situation much worse. Not just the mitochondria but the whole cardiovascular system, muscles, vessels, and joints are also vulnerable to severe damage.  

The official GS85 website mentions a condition called ‘Metabolic Syndrome,’ an aftereffect of unregulated blood sugar. It is a combination of all these above-mentioned conditions that put the health at risk for obesity, hormonal imbalance, cholesterol issues, diabetes and heart diseases, and circulatory problems.  

All this is even worse for someone who is aging, overweight, has no physical activity, and also shares a genetic linkage for sugar-regulatory diseases. Therefore, Nucentix GS85 is most suitable for a person who possesses any one or all of the aforementioned conditions. It is exceptionally helpful for someone with a low metabolic rate, anxiety, mood disorders, painful joints, uncontrollable bladder, extreme food cravings, and lack of libido. All of these issues are interrelated, and believe it or not, nearly half of the US population is suffering from these issues.  

Using a dietary supplement like Nucentix GS-85 is a simple and convenient choice to make. It is travel-friendly and can be taken anywhere you go. Simply take two pills with a glass of water and let it do the rest.   

MUST SEE: “Critical New GS-85 Report – This May Change Your Mind” 

How Does GS-85 Work? 

Based on what is shared online, it targets two issues; high glucose levels and inflammatory response. Interestingly, these two issues show up in almost every person who crosses the age of 40. While they are often blamed on age, it is not the only factor responsible for it. A poor, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary choices are equal culprits in this loss, and a combination of all, this is something that increases the risk of damage.  

Inflammation is dangerous for all body organs and for aging bodies; it shows severe outcomes such as back pain, aching joints, swelling in limbs, cardiovascular issues, slow metabolism, and others. If not controlled, this inflammation can even make it to the brain and initiate nerve damage, eye health, and cognition, all of which are needed to live a normal life.  

But this interlinkage also brings the good news that fixing inflammation for once saves the whole body from these effects. And nothing can do it better than Nucentix GS 85 pills. It has ingredients with anti-inflammatory effects and supportive ingredients to enhance the overall impact. Making it a part of everyday life improves health within weeks, and the results are noticeable with the naked eye.  

Nucentix uses plant-based ingredients enriched with nutrients required to heal the body. Some of these control the hormonal response, while others help mitochondria work well and process the sugar faster. As a result, the body gets rid of all the available sugar and utilizes it to generate energy. Therefore, there is no compromise on energy, and despite the metabolic boost, control on appetite, and cravings, the user never feels overly hungry.  

It does not require the user to stop eating his favorite food, but eating in moderation is always a good idea. If physical activity is added, it is also possible for the body to lose some extra weight; that is another benefit of using Nucentix GS-85 capsules.  

RELATED: Pelvic Floor Strong Reviews – Alex Miller Exercise Program Works?  

Nucentix GS-85 Ingredients 

Here is the complete list of all Nucentix GS-85 ingredients.  

Cinnamon: maintains blood glucose levels, controls inflammation, and lowers the fasting glucose levels in the body.  

Gymnema Sylvestre: controls blood sugar levels, removes bad cholesterol, and boost metabolism that triggers a natural weight loss  

Licorice Extract: natural sweetener with an ability to maintain sugar levels in the blood, improve liver and kidney functions, and weight loss.  

Banaba Extract: anti-diabetic effects, improves insulin response, and weight loss  

Vanadium: lowers blood sugar levels and maintains them for long  

Chromium: a mineral that protects from insulin resistance and improves the insulin sensitivity in the body  

Biotin: blood sugar and pressure regulator, aids in sugar metabolism and energy production  

Yarrow Flowers: blood sugar regulation especially in diabetic patients, immune-boosting effects  

Cayenne: anti-obesity, anti-cholesterol, and sugar regulatory effects, also maintains blood pressure and saves from strokes  

Juniper Berries: effective against high blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels, rich antioxidants, and healing benefits for the body  

White Mulberry Leaf: natural sugar levels management, lowering fasting blood sugar levels  

L-Taurine: protection against insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes  

Alpha Lipoic Acid: prevents type 2 diabetes, reduces insulin resistance, neuropathy, and nerve damage 

Magnesium, zinc, and manganese- glycemic control, metabolic boost, and improved insulin production  

Vitamin E and C: glycemic management, antioxidant effects, immunity boost, toxin removal, and protection from free radicals 

All the ingredients inside the Nucentix GS-85 formula are taken from pure natural sources. There are no artificial ingredients, fillers, or additives inside that make it suitable for everyone. It is rare to have allergies to any ingredients inside this formula because they are also a part of everyday diet. Still, if a person has a history of food allergies, it is better to read the ingredient list in detail and avoid taking it if he is doubtful of any ingredient.  

Visit The Official Nucentix GS-85 Website Today To Learn More About The Ingredients And Benefits  

Directions To Use GS-85 Supplement  

It is no different from multivitamin supplements, except that its ingredient specifically targets blood sugar levels, which is not the case with multivitamins. There are 60 capsules in every bottle of Nucentix GS-85 that are enough for one whole month. You can take them after a meal or with a meal; there is no restriction on the usage. But those who have different requirements suggested by a doctor should stick to them.  

Do not combine it with any alcohol or caffeine-based drink. It is a bad idea to use supplements with other supplements or medicines. These interactions can be dangerous and may also push you to a hospital emergency. Follow the recommended usage guidelines for a safe Nucentix GS-85 experience.  

The individual results may vary, and depending upon the health status; it may take a longer or shorter time to show the results. It is best to use it for three to six months to get all of its benefits. Nucentix GS-85 does not need a prescription to purchase, and you can buy directly without providing proof of age or medical condition.   

Best About GS-85 Pills 

Though individual results may vary, here are a few things about this supplement that make it better than all other available choices.  

It improves hemoglobin levels in the blood 

It builds stamina and strength in the body 

It burns fat, boosts metabolism, and maintains a healthy weight 

It targets cholesterol and maintains a healthy lipid profile  

It relieves inflammation and saves the body from substantial damage.  

It works on stress levels, reduces them, and improve the mood 

It controls hormonal response, especially insulin  

It improves nerve function and health  

It prevents the body from a sugar spike  

It improves gut health and speeds up metabolism 

It lowers the risk of diabetes, metabolic and heart diseases.  

All these benefits are achieved after regular use of Nucentix GS-85 for a few months. Skipping its dosage, taking more than the recommended dose, and mixing it with food or drinks changes its effects. Basically, using it in any other way except the recommended method is neither safe nor helpful.  

GS-85 Dosage Guidelines 

According to the official website, the recommended dosage is one to two capsules taken with water. Those who have never tried a dietary supplement before and are worried about how to start can take one capsule for now. After introducing the supplement to their body and making sure of no reactions, they can increase the dose after a few days. It is best to take the GS-85 pill with a heavy meal and use it every day for at least 30 days to expect its results.  

There is no stimulatory ingredient in the Nucentix GS-85 formula, which is why it is safe for everyday use. It cannot affect the sleep cycle, but it is better to take it in the morning so that it directly starts processing the food.   

Where To Buy Nucentix GS-85? Price and Refund Policy 

Nucentix GS-85 is an exclusive online product that is not available anywhere else. It is back in stock and ready for immediate deliveries.  

(DIRECT LINK) Use This Link to Add Nucentix GS-85 Bottles to Your Cart at a Discounted Price  

Another thing that gives a clear advantage to the GS-85 sugar regulatory formula is its price. Compared to all other options, it is much more affordable for the majority of people. That’s why it is high in demand and always sells out within days.  

Although the price is already affordable, there are some promotional offers going on that cut its price even more. Right now, the company has three packages for all customers.  

(SAMPLE PACKAGE) Get one bottle of Nucentix GS-85 for $49 only  

(MOST POPULAR) Get three bottles of Nucentix GS-85 for $45/each  

(BEST VALUE) Get six bottles of Nucentix GS-85 for $39/each  

Although most people prefer to buy one bottle first and order more later, the problem with this approach is availability. Because of the high demand and value, Nucentix GS-85 stock sells out within days and takes weeks or months to restock. Hence, it is better to get three or six bottles at a time and store them to use later. Buying more bottles also gives a huge discount and makes it even more affordable.  

Individual results may vary. All orders of GS-85 come with a 180-day money-back guarantee that is unusual because most companies only offer 30 or 60 days’ offers. This long duration for refund shows that the company is 100% confident of its product and is ready to take a financial loss over it. All unhappy, dissatisfied customers can contact the company and share their concerns. The company asks no questions, and the refund process starts right away.  

You may have to send the bottles back to the company at your expense to get a refund as the company does not pay for the return parcels. Write down your order number and contact information on a page and add it to the parcel so that the company can identify the sender. After sending it, you can contact the customer support line and inform them.  

Here is how to contact the customer support line.  

Phone: 855-208-9453 

Email: [email protected] 

Send the return parcels to this address: 44 Cook Street Suite 100, Denver, CO 80206 

Remember, the money-back offer is only valid for orders bought directly from the official website. If you see it being sold at local shops or unauthorized online sellers, do not go for it, as they may be a fraud. The company has no partners or retailers responsible for its distribution. Do not fall for this trap and lose your money on fake GS-85 pills. The company does not take any responsibility for the customer’s negligence. Choose wisely and only trust the official Nucentix GS-85 for orders.  

Nucentix Reviews – Information About the manufacturers 

GS-85 is made by a company named Nucentix. It is a creation of Dr. Charles Williams and his colleagues. For those who do not know, Dr. Williams is an ex-military officer in the US and a licensed physician in South Carolina. He has created the GS-85 formula after going through medicinal ingredients for months. This product is launched after passing the quality and efficacy tests conducted through third-party laboratories. All this adds more trust to this product, making it look credible.   

Nucnrtix GS-85 Side Effects and Risks  

Nucentix GS-85 seems a relatively simple product, made with natural ingredients and offering preventive benefits. But there are a few limitations on its usage that every new user must know.  

For a start, it is not suitable for children and teens below 18 years of age. It is also not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is not a medicine or can be used in place of medicine. People with underlying medical conditions should avoid taking GS-85 on their own and consult a doctor first. Despite being a natural product, it may cause undesirable effects if it is overdosed or misused by a person. Combine it with a healthy lifestyle and diet to get maximum benefits out of it.   

GS-85 Reviews Verdict – Is It Worth Buying? 

Nucentix GS-85 claims to be a legit product with no bizarre promise or unbelievable declaration. It is a combination of plant-based ingredients with proven health benefits. In any way, it is unlikely for it to go wrong and cause side effects.  

Regular use of Nucentix GS-85 may help maintain sugar levels, weight, cholesterol, and cardiovascular health, all of which are highly desirable in aging people. Every bottle is protected with the 180-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. Try it to experience its benefits. Visit the official website here to place your order.  

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Long Term Fat Loss: What Is the ‘Best Diet’ for You?

Supporters of the proper diet claim that a diet should be followed for life – so you can keep the results. Supposedly, good nutrition is ideally suited for this type of diet. Proper diet, on the other hand, is a relative term and can mean very different things. So let us see what a long-term diet should really look like.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR DIET AS A “DIET” “Diet” does not always mean restricting your food intake to lose weight. The diet can have different purposes. A very simple definition for a diet would be: “a set of principles by which you eat, and a list of foods that you should and shouldn’t consume”. Many people are literally scared of starting a diet because they think that a diet means completely depriving yourself of something.

If you find it difficult to change your eating habits, and you’re afraid of the word diet, you can start with the creation of a new positive association: a healthy diet, the menu to maintain good physical shape, a sports diet for intense training. Change your relationship with food, and you won’t have to suffer.

GET TO KNOW THE DIFFERENT EATING ROUTINES Counting calories, carbohydrate cycling, flexible dieting, paleo, clean eating, intermittent fasting, etc. What unites them and differentiates them from fad fat loss diets? The fact is that they are focused on the quality of products, minimizing the consumption of processed foods. Each meal plan directs you to more healthy food choices. By manipulating their number/amount of servings/calorie content, you will be able to achieve specific fitness goals.

diet

GO AGAINST THE DOGMA There is a myth that to “spark” the metabolism and lose fat, you need to eat often. Despite people swearing that this is true, there is no scientific evidence that 5, 6, or 7 meals a day will help you burn fat. But there is evidence that you can overload your gastrointestinal tract.

People managed to lose fat and gain muscle with periodic fasting. The frequency of eating generally does not affect the results. Someone says that you shouldn’t eat after 6pm, you should eat fruit only until noon, you can not mix fats with carbohydrates, etc, but it’s all a matter of convenience and taste.

CONSIDER THE BODY TYPE There is a basic classification of people’s body types – ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs. Let's explain what they are:

– Ectomorphs have a “fast” metabolism, and a high tolerance for carbohydrates, therefore need high carbs and moderate amounts of protein and fat.

– Mesomorph – the most balanced body type. It is believed that such people simply build muscle without gaining excess fat. A balanced diet containing complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein is what works best for the mesomorph.

– Endomorphs have a “slow” metabolism. Along with the muscle mass, they gain a good amount of fat and have a hard time getting rid of it. Therefore, they should consume moderate to low amounts of carbohydrates and sufficient amounts of protein and fats.

Most people belong to the mixed type though. They have combined characteristics of all three basic types, but one or two usually dominate.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR A COMPLETE DEPRIVATION IF THERE IS NO MEDICAL REASON FOR IT A healthy diet does not mean that a person should completely exclude certain foods from their diet. There is no need to completely exclude cheese, eggs, salt, red meat, cereals, butter, or anything else, which is now considered a “bad food”. You just need to adjust the quantities of certain foods.

diet-cat

READ YOUR BODY’S SIGNALS: 1. Hunger/saturation; 2. well-being/fatigue; 3. comfort/discomfort of the digestive tract.

For example: If your blood pressure drops after a meal and you feel sleepy – cut the carbs. If you are feeling hungry all the time – add some more fat to your diet.

BE FLEXIBLE Be flexible, don’t be scared of the food. You can establish the 80/20 rule – let 80% of the calories come from clean and healthy sources – this is the food that will fuel your body. Let the other 20% come from junk foods. This can be a cheat meal at the end of the week, or a small dessert you can have once a day.

A long-term diet is a way of life. Construct your diet in a way that it won’t make your life harder. There is no reason for your diet to suffer because of normal events like holidays, your job, moving, going out, etc.

[livingcorner]

The Seven Rules of Raising Baby Garter Snakes

Baby garter snakes have different care requirements than other colubrids. They can trip you up if you’re not ready for them, but they’re not that difficult once you know them.

Few people are crazy enough to breed garter snakes and raise the babies, but more than a few of us have unexpectedly been handed the task of raising a large number of baby garter snakes. We may, for example, have been handed a “rescued” garter snake that turns out to be very, very pregnant, which then surprises you one day with dozens of her offspring slithering around her cage.

Oh great, you think. Now what? Suddenly you’re faced with having to look after a whole bunch of little snakes. The sheer number of them can make that a very intimidating situation. And raising baby garter snakes isn’t the same as raising a litter or two of corn snakes. Garter snakes don’t eat mice, you think, and they’re too small for pinkies anyway �� how are you going to feed them all?

You're reading: The Seven Rules of Raising Baby Garter Snakes

Taking care of an adult garter snake, especially if it’s been trained to eat mice, isn’t really any different from taking care of your average colubrid. But baby garter snakes are different. Their special requirements can trip you up if you’re not ready for them, but they’re not that difficult once you know them. I call them the Seven Rules of Raising Baby Garter Snakes, and I’ll share them with you here.

Rule #1: Garter snakes shed immediately after birth. The books say that baby snakes shed seven to 10 days after birth, after which you can begin offering them food. (Even Perlowin’s book on garter snakes states this as a fact.) The first time I had a litter of baby garters, I didn’t see the birth itself, so I waited. And waited. It never came. The next year I was able to watch the whole gory process, and, to my surprise, they were shedding within minutes of breaking out of the birth sac. The shed skins were so thin, they practically disintegrated under the traffic of 42 baby snakes (and one adult); if I hadn’t seen them shed, I’d never have known they’d done it. So if you’re waiting for them to shed before offering them food, don’t.

Rule #2: House baby garter snakes in small groups. The conventional wisdom is to house baby snakes individually in small containers. If you’re facing a large litter of garter snakes — as I did in 2002 with my litter of 42 red-sided garters — that’s an impractical number of plastic boxes. Fortunately, housing them together isn’t a problem. Not only is it more convenient, but baby garter snakes have been observed to be calmer when housed in groups. (Garter snakes aggregate in the wild, especially during hibernation, so we shouldn’t assume that they’re completely asocial.) I split my litter of 42 among four five-gallon tanks: 10 to 11 snakes each. They were small enough at the time that it worked; over time I managed to sell a few, so I ended up able to have fewer snakes per cage as they got larger.

Read more: Beginners Guide to Companion Planting – Heeman’s

They should still be fed individually, though; more about that later.

Rule #3: Dessication is a serious risk on hot days. Dessication can be fatal on hot, dry days, so you want to be able to have a moist spot. The entire cage shouldn’t be moist, because that encourages blister disease. But you can keep a clump of moistened sphagnum moss in one corner of an otherwise dry cage to prevent the snakes from drying out.

Rule #4: Getting baby garter snakes to start eating is hard. I’ve had some troubles getting the little monsters to start eating, and I think there were several reasons for this. For one thing, they’re too small for some of the more conveniently acquired food items, such as pinky mice or bait-store nightcrawlers. Some of them — my wandering garter snakes, for example — looked good and plump at birth, and weren’t hungry, probably due to retained egg yolk. Others had trouble recognizing what they were being offered as food, either because it didn’t move (they responded to live fish but ignored fish fillet and cut-up worms) or because they wanted to eat worms rather than fish or vice versa. Some baby garter snakes would eat anything I gave them; some were fussy; some refused everything I could find.

Which brings me to Rule #5: Using “natural” garter snake food is hard. When people think about garter snake food, they think fish, worms and frogs. We’ll leave aside frogs (i.e., tadpoles) for this article and focus on fish and worms, which are more easily obtained. Whole, live fish can be expensive and full of parasites; you need a lot of them and it’s hard to control how many each snake eats if you’re offering a dish full of fish to a cage full of snakes. Whole worms are too big for baby garters if you buy the big nightcrawlers from bait stores; small worms you collect out of the garden (or off the street when it rains — though that can’t be healthy, can it?) work just fine, and baby garters seem to love them, but it’s hard to get enough of them. And, as I mentioned before, baby garters don’t always recognize worm pieces or fish fillet as food.

A snake being fed fish or worms needs to eat a lot: as often as twice a week. If you have a full litter (two dozen babies, for example), do the math and brace yourself for how many you’re going to need. Assume two to four fish or worms per feeding, per snake, and assume two feedings per week, and you’re looking at around 100 to 200 live fish or small worms each week. That’s a lot of money spent at Big Al’s or time spent digging in the garden!

Now you know why nobody breeds garter snakes.

Rule #6: Getting them on pinkies is easier than you think. Fortunately, worms and fish aren’t your only option. As you may know, I advocate converting garter snakes to a mouse-based diet. It’s not only easier and cheaper, but it’s easier to keep them healthy and growing. I originally thought you had to feed babies fish and worms until they were large enough to accept scented pinky parts, and that’s how I proceeded in 2001 and 2002, when I had large litters to deal with. I lost a lot of babies before they were converted to mice: some to dessication, some to the simple fact that I couldn’t give them enough food. But once I got them onto mice, they were fine; the trick was to get them to that point.

But in 2003, when I had acquired a handful of baby garters, I tried something new: feeding them very small pinky parts right from the outset. And it worked! Not only that, but some of them were more enthusiastic about mouse parts than they ever were about fish or worms! I told a friend about this, and she tried it with a litter of garter snakes in 2004; within two weeks, most of them were eating mouse parts.

Read more: Home gardens: a promising approach to enhance household food security and wellbeing

Not every garter snake will eat mice; I’ve known some adults that would resist everything but live fish, for example. But if you can get them on mice right from the outset, it will be easier for you and healthier for the snakes.

Rule #7: Feed them separately but be efficient about it. Even if you house them together, you need to feed them separately for all the usual reasons: food fights and accidental cannibalism, one snake hogging all the food (especially with live fish, where one greedy snake can eat them all before the other ones notice). But when you have a couple dozen snakes, feeding them individually can mean that either you spend all day feeding them or you spend a lot of money on a bunch of feeding containers.

Jennifer and I found a way to speed up the process by using deli-cup containers. We set out enough containers for the snakes of one cage and put the food in each (by this point, usually a half pinky), and then took the snakes out of the cage and put one in each container. Before long the snakes were well used to this procedure and frequently had clamped down on their food before Jennifer closed the lid on them. While they fed, we cleaned their cage. By the time that was done, some were already finished and ready to go back in. Repeat for each cage. It’s more labour-intensive than simply dropping a plateful of food in each cage, but it’s definitely better for the snakes: it’s safer and makes sure every snake has a shot at the food. Feeding individually is always going to be time-consuming, but we’ve been able to make it about as quick and efficient as we can, I think.

Unfortunately, by the time I’d figured all of this out, we had almost completely run out of baby garter snakes to experiment on: each of our breeding pairs lost one member due to old age or disease, so we haven’t had a fresh litter of garter snakes since 2002. But we’re raising up a trio of checkered garter snakes at the moment; the females are still pretty small, and I don’t think they’ll be ready to breed by next year, but with any luck I’ll be able to test the Seven Rules on a couple of new litters in 2008.

First published in Chorus 22, no. 5 (May 2006).

Source: https://livingcorner.com.au Category: Garden

source https://livingcorner.com.au/the-seven-rules-of-raising-baby-garter-snakes/

[eddiepowerlink]

Bayview Village Neighbourhood

BV’s Urban Contemporary Living

I spent most of my life in Thornhill Village and loved it all the way through. Since I moved to Bayview Village (aka BV) in 2017, I just can’t ignore the convenience, accessibility and modernity of this unique neighbourhood. Bayview Village (BV) is stamped as one of the rarest neighbourhoods of Greater Toronto Area away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Toronto yet vibrant and amusing. At the time I am posting this blog, we are dealing with Covid-19 Pandemic. Many restrictions are in place such as social distancing, gathering limitations, restaurants dining restrictions and closures of small businesses among others. I sat down with Shawn R., Master Barber and Hair Designer, who lives and works in Bayview Village to find out his opinion about the neighbourhood and how his work is affected by the Pandemic.

Let’s Talk About History

Just a year later after Toronto became the first Metropolitan city in Canada in 1953, Bayview Village launched its urban development.  The development led by Farlinger Development Inc with an aim to “fit the community into the landscape” which was envisioned by Dr. E. G. Faludi. Between 1954 to 1965, most of the Bayview Village was developed and has been regarded as “Contemporary Living in Countryside” (Wikipedia).  Today Bayview Village has become an affluent neighbourhood in North York with more than 21,000 (toronto.ca) residents from all walks of life.

Plan Your Visit

Bayview Village is accessible via highway 401 which is connected to northbound highway 404 and Don Valley Parkway from south. If you wish to take the transit and put the environment first, Sheppard subway line is a convenient way to commute to Bayview Village. The Bayview subway station is where you need to get off. The closest Go train station is Oriole station. If you choose to visit between late spring to early fall, please check the weather forecast because you don’t want to miss cruising around with your bikes in adjacent parks and green trails. You can pack your lunch or snacks but if you like to be served, no worries, there are many eateries in Bayview Village area especially in BV Shopping Centre.

Bayview Village Shopping Centre

The posh BV Shopping Centre is more like a special occasion shopping destination. If you like to spend some time window shopping or you are planning an anniversary gift for your significant other, this is a mall you want to spend couple of hours to have on your list.

Come Hungry

Whether you are stopping by for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a Sunday brunch, Bayview Village (BV) Shopping Centre has a wide variety of restaurants to entice your taste buds. Bayview Village has amazing cafes such as Aroma Espresso Bar, Lettieri , Starbucks and Bread & Roses Bakery.  Aroma café offers all day breakfast which you don’t want to miss. You can dine and or Take Out from different restaurants with any budget. The fast food options such as Thai express and South St. Burger to white cloth table top and wine pairing menu at  IL FORNELLO and Oliver & Bonacini will immediately come to site if you enter from the north east entrance. If crave for ice cream, Laura Secord shop will welcome you with its rich flavored creamery. My recommendation is Salmon dinner at the Tabule Middle Eastern/Mediterranean Restaurant. They also have a number of vegetarian dishes to crave for.

Main Grocery Stores

The main grocery stores are Loblaws and Pusateri’s Fine Foods. If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, check out the cheese section of Pusateri’s and pair it with a nice wine from LCBO right across from Pusateri’s.

Treat Yourself

Sometimes the city’s busy life style, would take away the idea of rewarding yourself with a special treatment. Hammam Spa in Bayview Village Shopping Centre offers a variety of treatment for both men and women. Book an appointment and consult with one of the specialist as how they can rejuvenate and refresh you in couple of hours.

Toronto Public Library

There’s a small library in the BV Shopping Centre which can accessed only from outside of the mall located in the south side. Free parking is available.

The Closest Hospital

North York General Hospital is conveniently located on Leslie St., between highway 401 and Sheppard Ave. East.

Bayview Village Park

City of Toronto’s Parks has designated an area for the residents to enjoy sporting and a place to relax. This park is located on Bayview Ave. just 1 block north of Sheppard Ave. East. The park offers 3 tennis courts, 2 table tennis, 2 chess tables, a splash board and Children’s Playground all for free.

Walk, Bike or Hike

Just at the foot of Sheppard Ave. East and Leslie St, Betty Sutherland Trail Park should be on your list. Weather allowing, it’s a short trail to walk, bike or hike. Spend couple of hours to distress and enjoy the serenity of the nature. Some explorer have found their ways around to bike all the way to downtown Toronto.

photo source: https://scenesto.com/2013/09/29/scenes-from-the-betty-sutherland-trail/

Chatting With a Resident of BV

I took the opportunity to sit down with my hair stylist, Shawn R., who is a resident of Bayview Village and works at King’s Crown Salon in BV Shopping Centre to get his opinion on the neighbourhood and the Pandemic situation.

Below is an extract of my interview:

Eddie: When did you move to BV and why?

Shawn: I moved to neighbourhood back in 2018 because I wanted to be close to work. I was fed up with commuting, that’s why I chose to live in this neighbourhood. After all it’s very convenient. Everything is within walking distance.

Eddie: In one word, how do you describe BV’s neighbourhood?

Shawn: Posh!

 Eddie: What do you like the most about BV?

Shawn: It’s very convenient. Most of my daily routines such going to the gym or grocery shopping is within walking distance. If I need to take the public transit, Bayview subway station is a 5 minute walk from my home. On the days that I have to drive, highway 401 is just 2 blocks away which cuts down the commuting time.

 Eddie: What do you do for living?

Shawn: I have been a hair stylist since 2015 and joined King’s Crown Salon in 2018. I am also a session guitarist and conduct private guitar lessons as well.

 Eddie: What do you enjoy the most in your job?

Shawn: My clients! There’s always something to talk about. Entertainment, Sports, Social dilemmas, Politics, personal life issues and everything in middle. And of course gossips lol

 Eddie: How is your work effected during the Pandemic?

Shawn: Like many other businesses, our salon had to shut down. It was somewhat depressing to be away from work and wait in uncertainty. I was glad we reopened. We have to think of time and client management as we have modified our service based on appointments.

 Eddie: Are you optimistic about the future?

Shawn: Yes, But it will take time to adapt to a new normal. We all have to be mindful and take extra cautions.

 Eddie: Any final words?

Shawn: This is a very special time we are living in. Please support your local businesses as we are going through this economic hardship. Anyone who wants to get a hair style consultation or book an appointment,  please visit our website: www.kingscrown1774.com

The Future Developments

photo: urbantoronto.ca

There’s a major expansion plan for BV Shopping Centre which will begin in couple of years. The plan is to build a residential and commercial commercial complex. There will be condominium towers with the shopping centre at the base of them and outdoor retail spaces where shoppers can walk through. To see what’s ahead, please visit: www.futureofbvshops.com

The other upcoming project is the Bessarion Community Centre on sheppard Ave. East  which is currently under construction. This community centre is located beside the Bessarion Subway Station on Sheppard subway line which makes it very convenient for those who avoid driving or just simply want to take public transit.

Final words:

Bayview Village will be witnessing major developments along Sheppard Ave East, between Bayview Ave and Leslie St. This will lead to major traffic congestion in this area in the coming years. The residents have to be mindful of these developments and start planning ahead with their commutes. Those who use the subway may not be as affected as those who drive around for their errands. Overall BV is an established community and at the same time a thriving one. I look forward to seeing more improvements within the community and public events for the neighbourhood in years ahead.

[anxietymachinerecords]

Exactly What Happens To Your Body Whenever You Drink A Smoothie Recipes Every Day

There's nothing like a chilly smoothie to kick start your early morning on a refreshing note, keep those food cravings from increasing between foods, or re-fuel after having a grueling work out. For some, a smoothie is a cherished part of their everyday regular --also it also is practical for those who believe their convenience: You are able to certainly whip one up before heading out the door to run errands, or catch one in the way to the job to force you during those meetings. However, what happens to a body when you drink a smoothie daily? Is it a healthful habit, or no?

The beauty of a smoothie lies in the endless options: You can incorporate all veggies or fruits you enjoy, and then customize the blend to meet your needs in the moment with add ins like protein powder, seeds, nut butter, or even whole grains. That means how healthy your daily smoothie addiction is depends mostly upon the elements you will include. You can get more info on smoothie recipes by browsing https://smoothierecepty.cz/ website.

Having said that there certainly are a number of clear health benefits--and risksto sipping a smoothie each day. Here's the thing you will need to learn before you fire that blender. And because of a lot more healthy eating hints, make certain to join up to the newsletter.

You Will definitely get your Day-to-day dose of vitamins

Seeing as the bottom to get a smoothie on average includes at least one serving of fruit, it really is no real surprise that a smoothie is often chock full of minerals and vitamins.

Consider it this way: Just how likely are you to eat a complete plate of lettuce, a cup of yogurt, plus a banana in one sitting? On the other hand, you can toss all of the ingredients to a blender, sip them as a result of a loaf, and also get your daily recommended consumption of veggies and fruit for that entire moment.

You may get an easy boost of protein

The typical vegetable simply has about 2.5 grams of protein per serving. But in the event that you add other ingredients--saya tablespoon of almond oil or hemp seeds--you are able to improve the protein with a significant amount.

Your blood glucose might spike

Certainly the most important drawback of ingesting sodas over your routine would be that they're usually filled with glucose. Fortunately, in the event that making your smoothie at residence, you also can minimize the amount of sugar by hitting ingredients like whole fruit along with unflavored yogurt.

You might still feel hungry afte

Discussing of the candy things, did you are aware it will cause drops and spikes in your blood sugar that may actually make you truly feel hungry? Not only that but as you are liquifying the fruits and veggies, but you're missing out on some of the fiber, which is what makes food satiating.

You may go on your calorie goal for the day

A smoothie could become a secret calorie bomb, particularly when you begin incorporating calorie-dense food items such as fruit. Thus, keep in your mind it is possible to incorporate too much of a good thing--much when it has to do with healthy excess body fat sources like peanut butter, avocado, and shredded coconut.

Because it can be easy to go ahead if you are only eye-balling the numbers, consider measuring these ingredients out with a couple of tablespoons.

[universally-the-same]

What is health?

I had my second visit to my dietitian who specializes in Intuitive Eating (IE), and Health at Every Size (HAES). When I started going to her, I really didn’t know what to expect. There is so much contradiction between the title”dietitian” and the anti-diet culture of IE and HAES.

In our first session she told me that the only way this would work is if I were completely honest with her. That there would not be any judgements on her part, and she basically told me that it was a safe space. I left that week with the simple assignment of logging my food. Simply keeping track of what I ate, what time I ate, my hunger levels before and after I ate, and if it satisfied me. (My therapist had me to notate any emotions that may be occurring as well.)

It seemed like a simple enough task, but I struggled with it. I’m not one to carry a notebook around with me, and there isn’t an app for the purpose of intuitive eating, so I ended up creating a google doc and updating it on my phone. This was still cumbersome, though I was dealing with it until I hit a very emotional weekend that completely threw me off track with my logging, though I remained mindful while eating.

I wasn’t sure how she would respond being that over a 4 week period I only had 10 days logged, but she didn’t care. There was no judgement, no blame, no shame. She said it was for my benefit and that she didn’t even need to see it, the purpose was to create mindfulness around eating and to be able to identify patterns. Which I did.

One of the things I have always struggled with is the fact that I’m a picky eater. I’ve never been a big fan of vegetables, though I will admit that my palate has grown over the years. But still, every time that I’ve been on a “diet” or when I’ve been trying to “eat healthier” or “better”, I’ve always added in vegetables. To me, they signify a healthy diet.

Even though this whole process isn’t about losing weight, the realization a few weeks ago that I place my nutritional and physical health so low on the self-care scale has made me want to eat more vegetables to be “healthier” so that I treat my body better.

The problem that I’ve been running into is that I feel that younger child rebelling against the vegetables and I’m not sure how to shift that perspective within myself to be able to understand that I’m not restricting or limiting you, inner child… you can still have what you want, but let’s throw some healthier foods in there too as a way of showing love to our body.

I asked the dietitian, how do I shift this perspective? It opened the doors to a conversation about health. The question was, what do you consider healthy?

At first I was perplexed by this question. My initial go to answer is fruits and vegetables, but I prefaced it by admitting to really only liking the “good ones”. But in reality, all fruits and vegetables have nutrients. And if we’re going to get technical, almost all food has nutrients too. It’s just that we live in a world that is so health conscious that the pendulum is swinging too far out of balance.

Over the years I’ve banned canned vegetables from my diet (even though I like them) because I’ve been told by the health industry that they are less nutrient-dense. LESS nutrient-dess. It doesn’t mean that they don’t have nutrients. And let’s be real… they are way cheaper and way easier to prepare when you don’t have the time to do a lot of food prep. Not that there’s anything wrong with fresh vegetables, but can we take a moment to recognize the benefits of eating canned vegetables too?

Another point she made is that health expands beyond the realm of nutrition and exercise. There is also mental health. Being happy, feeling connected to your family, your friends, something bigger than you (spirituality). She pretty much brought the conversation around full circle by making me recognize that the concept of self-care is being healthy.

On my StayWonderfull page, I talk all the time about “perspective” and how if you can shift the way you see things, it can open so many doors and really change your world. I never considered changing up my perspective on the concept of health.

My dietitian and I talked about different foods that I deemed as “bad” foods. She asked me what happened to me when I ate them? Did my stomach get upset? Would I get tired, or get a headache, or indigestion? The answers are all no. Then she phrased the question, how often would you consider eating these foods? Every day? I said no. She asked me why? I explained that I don’t feel a need to eat them every day. She then said, well isn’t that something you are doing that’s healthy? You are choosing to not eat these foods every day.

Plus, as I learn to tune into my body, I realize that I’m reducing the quantity of these foods when I do eat them. I find that halfway through a meal, I’m satisfied. I recognize that if I continue to eat, I will end up feeling stuffed and if I stop I’ll get to enjoy the meal again at a later time (if I end up wanting it later).

And, while we are on the subject of “good” and “bad,” I will say that there are days when I listen to my body and I want the entire meal, and that’s okay too. Some day’s we are hungrier than others.

Nutrition and health is so focused on restriction. You can’t have “fill-in-the-blank” because it’s bad for you. And I use “fill-in-the-blank” because I’ve witnessed it myself how things that were bad for us 10 years ago, are suddenly good for us because “new studies came out”. And same works visa versa.. things that were good for us years ago, are now suddenly bad for us. If you really start digging into it, there is so much contradiction within the diet/health industry. We just choose to ignore it, or put blinders on at the hope of being able to change our bodies.

And that hope is what the health industry preys on. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry. How convenient for them that things are always changing? It’s an opportunity to make more money off of us by coming out with some life-changing… diet, program, supplement, exercise equipment/plan… you name it, the list goes on.

The sad part is that we fall victim to their promises of a “better” self because we so desperately want to change to fit in to a society that has been saturated with a standard that not everyone can realistically live up to. We are all different, guys! Our bodies are different. We have different genes. These promises that the health industry are feeding us, aren’t going to work for everyone one because of this fact, yet we all strive for this unattainable level of perfection.

What we really need to do is stop listening to them and to start listening to ourselves. Take the time to figure out if we are actually hungry. If you so, what food would satisfy us? And then pay attention to your body and when you are full, stop eating. We have to rebuild the trust within our bodies, the trust that has been broken from, in my case, 32 years of never feeling good enough and beating myself up for it.

All these years I’ve looked at my self-sabotage as this horrible failure that needed to be stopped. But looking back at my life through a different lens, I’m realizing that I was equally self-sabotaging my body and robbing it of it’s needs. Of course it was going to get fed up and fight back. Now, my focus has shifted to proving to my body that I’m not going to betray it again. It’s a concept that I really started to understand a few weeks ago and the more that I talk back to that voice in my head, keep reassuring it… the more I’m feeling the shift of trust within my body.

It’s actually a pretty incredible process when it starts to happen. And I’m so incredibly grateful for my journey up to this point because without everything that I’ve been through, this moment wouldn’t feel as big as it does.

For anyone looking for more information on Intuitive Eating, I can’t recommend the book Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole enough, and if podcasts are more your jam, the podcast Food Psych with Christy Harrison is incredibly informational, relateable, and eye-opening. These sources, along with my therapy have been a huge part of my intuitive eating journey so far.

 *this blog post was originally posted on my My Curvy Journey blog on 5/13/2019 and moved to my Universally the Same blog.

[howellrichard]

How to Stock Your Fridge: Tips for Shopping, Stocking and Storing Plant-Based Foods!

Hiya Gorgeous!

Confession time: When I first went vegan, I had no idea what plant-based foods to keep in my fridge. When I took out all the meat and dairy, it turned into a wasteland for leftover macrobiotic experiments and expired condiments!

Of all the kitchen storage spaces, your fridge has the biggest influence on what and how you eat. When you keep an abundance of fresh fruits, veggies, plant-based proteins, sauces and so on at the ready, you’re saving your future self from mealtime stress (thank you, past self!). You’re more likely to reach for nutritious plant-based meals than last-minute takeout or dishes that leave you feeling like crap.

Simply put: A thoughtfully stocked fridge makes it easier, tastier and more affordable to maintain a healthy plant-based diet.

A few months ago, I posted a blog about how to stock your freezer to make plant-based cooking even easier and more delicious (it was one of my most popular posts of last year, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already!). Before that, I wrote about how to save time and money by filling your pantry with vegan staples, and even shared a free downloadable checklist to simplify your pantry-packing efforts.

So naturally, I couldn’t wait to bring you this post on stocking your refrigerator to round out the series… and your kitchen!

We often end up wasting food AND dough (the money kind, not the pizza kind!) because we’re not strategically stocking our fridges. I don’t know about you, but realizing that the mushrooms I bought last week went bad as they languished at the bottom of my produce drawer is one of my least favorite things.

The good news is that maximizing your food’s freshness isn’t that hard, it’s just a matter of knowing what to stock in your refrigerator and how best to store everything. And once you get that down, you can count on tasty plant-based foods at every meal. Yum!

Today is all about boosting your fridge-filling expertise. We’ll talk about the benefits of a fully stocked fridge and how it’ll help you simplify mealtime. Then I’ll share 5 essential tips and guidelines for turning your fridge into a plant-based wonderland—these have been game-changers for me and I think they’re going to change the way you feel about your kitchen!

Then COMING SOON: Part two!

Your fridge is special. I’d go so far as to say it’s the heart of the kitchen. And like I mentioned earlier, stocking it isn’t as easy to master as your freezer or pantry. That doesn’t mean it’s complicated, but it deserves a more in-depth discussion. That’s why you’re getting not one but two posts on the topic!

Part two goes live on February 11, and here’s what you have to look forward to: I’m whipping up a comprehensive list of my favorite fridge staples. You’ll find out what I always make sure to have on hand, what to look for at the grocery store and how to store everything for maximum shelf life. I’ll also share simple plant-based recipes that incorporate each item from the list so you have plenty of ideas when it comes time to cook.

Now without further ado, let’s start our fridge-stocking adventure!

Why is it so important to have a well-stocked fridge?

As simple as it sounds, the best thing you can do to maintain healthy eating that also satisfies your taste buds is keep a variety of fresh, plant-based foods readily available. That way, you can quickly put together meals that taste good AND make you feel good.

No more last-minute scrambling or frantic trips to the store! Plus, if frequent takeout or eating out strains your budget (or leaves you wishing for more nutritious homemade options), you’ll be more likely to avoid temptation if your fridge is packed with stuff you genuinely enjoy.

When I transformed my diet, it took me a while to figure out how to turn plant-based foods into tasty meals. Don’t worry if you’re in that place right now—the first step is getting clear on what to keep in your fridge, what to look for at the grocery and how to store it.

From there, you’ll learn simple ways to create balanced meals by mixing and matching vegan protein sources, complex carbs and healthy fats. We’ll get to that in part 2 of this blog when we cover specific refrigerator staples and how to use them in recipes. If you are interested in learning more about the basics of plant-based nutrition, I suggest checking out my Crazy Sexy Reset in the meantime!

It really comes down to this: The more options you give yourself at mealtime, the easier it’ll be to eat the way YOU want to eat.

How to Stock Your Fridge: Tips for Shopping, Stocking and Storing Plant-Based Foods!

These guidelines have been absolutely essential in my kitchen over the years. They’ll help you make the most out of your fabulous fridge and everything in it!

1. Choose seasonal and local food whenever possible.

Food, especially produce, is tastiest and freshest when it’s in season. If you’ve ever had a tomato in the Northeastern U.S. during the winter, then you know what I’m talking about! Watery, tasteless produce simply isn’t appealing, so why let it take up valuable real estate in your fridge? Plus, sticking with what’s available nearby is a chance to try new plant-based foods and get creative in the kitchen!

Seeking options made or grown locally is also a reminder to slow down and think about where our food comes from. How far did our groceries have to travel and what impact does that have on the environment? How can we better support local businesses (like farmers and independent stores) with our purchases?

This doesn’t mean you have to avoid all off-season food or stuff that has to travel. Do what you can! For example, avocados don’t grow in upstate NY, but they’re a staple in my fridge (I keep them at room temp until they’re ripe, then move them to the fridge to prolong their life!). So I get my avos, but I do my best to balance that out with my other choices.

Also, I love stocking up on in-season produce and freezing it for later. For example, I get all the blueberries I can during the summer so I’m fully stocked until the warmer months return! On Sundays, I move enough berries to the fridge to defrost and enjoy over the course of the upcoming week.

2. Opt for organic and non-GMO whenever you can.

Choosing organic, non-GMO plant-based foods is good for your fridge and the environment. Conventional farming practices, like the use of toxic pesticides, negatively impact our world in numerous ways (some of which we probably haven’t even discovered yet). This is a complex issue that we can’t cover in detail today, but this is a good resource if you want to learn more—getting educated on this stuff can be very empowering!

So why don’t we just eat all organic, all the time? Well, it can be a major burden on your budget, especially depending on the options available near your home. Please don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect! Do what you can while sticking to prices that are comfortable for you. Because think about it this way: If you’re stressed about money, that’s bad for your health too.

My favorite resources for deciding what to buy organic and what’s ok to get conventionally grown are the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists. Every year, the Dirty Dozen identifies the non-organic fruits and vegetables that are highest in pesticide residues. Prioritize organic for those foods. The conventionally grown fruits and veggies that make it to the Clean Fifteen tend to carry fewer pesticide residues, so it’s safer to get non-organic options from that list.

3. Be mindful of packaging.

Some grocery stores have made big improvements in packaging over the last few years. I’ve noticed biodegradable bags in the produce section and reusable totes at checkout. But we still have a responsibility to minimize the packaging we personally consume!

When possible, avoid filling up your fridge with packaged/pre-chopped produce. I know those options are convenient in a pinch, so I’m not suggesting you ditch them altogether—just keep the extraneous packaging in mind. Bring reusable shopping and produce bags with you everywhere (I keep them in my car so I don’t forget). If you don’t have any, check out my brand recommendations in this article.

Also, consider this: A lot of produce comes with its own natural packaging! Oranges and bananas have peels, apples and avocados have skin… you get the picture.

4. Storage is everything.

How you store perishable plant-based foods can mean the difference between having fresh ingredients at the ready and finding slimy/moldy/smelly stuff lurking in the back of the fridge when you’re already hungry. Storage really is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a well-stocked fridge.

I’ll share more detailed storage tips in part two of our fridge-stocking series (coming your way on February 11!). But to hold you over until then, here a few overarching words of advice:

Get good-quality storage containers—I prefer glass because it doesn’t absorb smells or colors and allows you to quickly see what’s inside. Glass is also usually easy to clean and safe for the microwave, dishwasher, freezer, etc.

Remember that each food has unique storage needs. It’s important to tailor the storage method to the food. For example, I suggest washing leafy greens before putting them away, but most other produce doesn’t need to be washed prior to going in the fridge. I’ll share in-depth storage tips for each item on my list in part two of this series!

Try products designed to make food last. I’m not suggesting you go crazy filling up your kitchen with products that promise to extend the life of your food… then you won’t have enough room for the actual food! But certain products are worth trying, like Debbie Meyer GreenBags (or these cotton bags for a plastic-free option). They’re a great replacement for single-use grocery store produce bags AND they make produce last way longer than any other method I’ve tried. This is just an example of what’s available, so go for products that address your needs.

5. Plan ahead.

Planning for the week ahead (even loosely) will make mealtime easier AND streamline your grocery list. You don’t have to map out every meal to reap the benefits of planning. I usually start by taking an inventory to see what basic staples I need to restock. I’m talking about items like nondairy milk, Ezekial bread, spinach for smoothies and kale for salads—the stuff I use every week for my more impromptu meals (usually breakfast and lunch).

Then from there, I choose a few plant-based meals to batch cook, or make when I have more time to spend in the kitchen. I check to see which ingredients I have and add the rest to my list. And voilà… we’re ready for the store!

Before we wrap up, I want to acknowledge a critical reality: Many folks all over the world face food insecurity every single day. Some families simply don’t have the resources to buy enough food for everyone. Others live in food deserts, where access to any fresh food is extremely limited. It’s a privilege to be able to think about stuff like planning ahead, organic vs. conventional, getting nice storage containers and so on. This is a reminder for all of us to acknowledge that privilege, educate ourselves and build awareness, and do what we can to support and help our neighbors.

I can’t wait to share my favorite refrigerator staples with you!

In just a couple of weeks, you’ll find out what I ALWAYS keep in my fridge. You’ll also get detailed tips about what to look for when you’re shopping, the best way to store each item and some scrumptious plant-based recipes to put all of that food to use! Until then, you can catch up on my posts about how to stock your pantry here and how to stock your freezer here.

Keep an eye on your inbox—part two of this delicious series arrives on Tuesday, February 11!

Your turn: Any guesses about which plant-based foods will make it to my favorite refrigerator staples list? Share your theories in the comments below!

Peace & fabulous fridges,

The post How to Stock Your Fridge: Tips for Shopping, Stocking and Storing Plant-Based Foods! appeared first on KrisCarr.com.