#Which foods boost immunity in children

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved on our archive

By Jessica Rendall

Pfizer's and Moderna's formulas have been the go-to on pharmacy shelves, but Novavax remains an important option.

We're on the cusp of the fall season, which means respiratory viruses like flu, RSV and COVID are expected to keep spreading as weather cools and more people gather indoors.

Luckily, we've got vaccines in stock to help prevent respiratory viruses from turning into severe illnesses. In addition to flu vaccines for the general public and RSV vaccines for older adults and pregnant people, new COVID vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax are available this season to reduce the risk of hospitalization.

This means adults have a choice in which COVID vaccine they receive: an mRNA vaccine by Moderna or Pfizer, or Novavax, a protein-based vaccine that targets the virus in a more "traditional" way. All three have been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration. While Moderna and Pfizer have been widely used over the last few years, the Novavax vaccine is building up a bit of a following.

Novavax, a protein-based vaccine, is an option for those who don't want or can't take an mRNA vaccine. Novavax may also be appealing to those wanting to experiment with the "mix-and-match" approach to COVID boosters as a way to potentially strengthen the immune response.

"Even though mRNA vaccines dominate the market for COVID vaccines, it remains important to have multiple different types of technologies against various pathogens because each may have specific use cases," Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and senior scholar with Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said in an email.

Here's everything we know about Novavax this year.

How is Novavax different from Pfizer and Moderna? Novavax is a protein-based vaccine, which people have associated with a "traditional" approach to vaccination. This is compared with mRNA technology, which does not use dead or weakened virus as an ingredient in the vaccine but instead uses genetic code to instruct the recipient's immune system to respond.

However, Adalja said that calling Novavax traditional may be a "misnomer" because it brings its own innovation to the table. Novavax uses an insect virus that has been genetically engineered to express spike proteins, Adalja explained, which are then incorporated into the vaccine.

"The vaccine itself is coupled with an immune system booster, called an adjuvant, which increases its immunity," he said, referencing a component existing vaccines have also incorporated.

This year, there are also slight differences between Novavax and Pfizer and Moderna's updated vaccines. Both mRNA vaccines have been tweaked to target the KP.2 strain of COVID-19, which is a slightly more recent version of the virus than what Novavax targets, which is KP.2's "parent" JN.1. While the FDA ultimately decided KP.2 was preferred in vaccines, all of them are expected to help protect against severe disease and death.

Who should get Novavax? Does Novavax have different side effects? Novavax was authorized by the FDA for use in adults and children 12 and older, so younger kids can't get this vaccine. But for most adults, which COVID vaccine you should choose depends on your preference and what your neighborhood pharmacy has in stock.

People may opt for Novavax for different reasons, though. For people who do not want to take an mRNA vaccine, having a protein-based vaccine like Novavax available means they can still be vaccinated for the fall and winter season.

Other people may be interested in Novavax for its use in the "mix-and-match" approach to boosting, which in the past has been associated with a strong immune response.

There is some early research that suggests Novavax may have fewer short-term side effects, such as muscle fatigue and nausea, but "we can't say this for sure," Joshua Murdock, a pharmacist and pharmacy editor of GoodRx, said in an email.

"This isn't proven, and side effects do vary by person," Murdock said. He added the CDC doesn't recommend one vaccine over the other, even in people who are immunocompromised.

In general, mRNA vaccines have been found to be fairly "reactogenic" compared to other vaccines, Adalja said, noting that it also depends on the individual. But if someone had a bad experience with the mRNA vaccine, Adalja said, they "may fare better with the Novavax vaccine."

Some flu-like side effects can be expected post-vaccine, no matter which one you choose. This includes symptoms like headache, tiredness, a sore arm and even chills. Not experiencing symptoms doesn't mean your immune system isn't kicking in, but experiencing some side effects may signal that your immune system is responding to the jolt, so to speak.

In rare cases, myocarditis or heart inflammation problems have been associated with COVID vaccination, particularly in younger men and adolescents within the two weeks following vaccination. Research so far shows that Novavax, like mRNA vaccines, may also carry this rare side effect though.

Following high levels of COVID this summer in the US, more information will be needed to see how all vaccines and their freshly targeted formulas fare against the virus that's expected to continue to spread this fall and winter.

"There's no strong evidence that one vaccine is preferable to another in specific individuals, but that will be an important avenue to study for more precision-guided vaccine recommendations," Adalja said.

How to find a Novavax vaccine Novavax announced on Sept. 13 that doses of its vaccine will be available at the following pharmacies:

CVS Rite Aid Walgreens Costco Publix Sam's Club Kroger Meijer Other independent pharmacies or grocers

Novavax also has a vaccine finder on its website. To use it, type in your ZIP code in the small search box, and pharmacies nearby with the vaccine in stock will be displayed.

[blogdays]

Mybabyfor - Devasa+ (2)

Bonding and emotional connection between a mother and her baby are crucial for the baby's overall development and well-being. Building a strong bond with the baby helps in creating a sense of security and trust, which is essential for their emotional and social development. Mindfulness practices can be beneficial for mothers in reducing stress and enhancing their emotional connection with their infants. Spending quality time with the baby, engaging in activities such as talking, singing, and cuddling, can strengthen the bond between the mother and the baby. This emotional connection provides a nurturing environment for the baby's growth and development. Proper nutrition and a well-established feeding schedule are vital for the baby's growth and development. Breastfeeding is recommended as the best source of nutrition for infants, as it provides essential nutrients and antibodies that boost their immune system. Mother psychology should ensure that they have a balanced diet and consume enough fluids to maintain their own health and provide adequate nutrition to their nasal congestion in babies. It is important to follow the guidance of healthcare professionals regarding the introduction of solid foods and the appropriate feeding schedule for the baby's age and developmental stage. Regular check-ups with a pediatrician can help monitor the baby's growth and ensure that they are receiving the necessary nutrition for their development. Maintaining proper hygiene and ensuring regular check-ups are essential aspects of baby care. Baby care tips for mothers, should pay attention to keeping the baby clean and changing diapers regularly to prevent skin irritations and infections. Bathing the baby movements in the womb with gentle products suitable for their delicate skin is important. Regular visits to the pediatrician for vaccinations, anger management in children, developmental assessments, and overall health check-ups are crucial to monitor the baby's growth and detect any potential health issues early on. Additionally, seeking support from loved ones and joining parenting support groups can provide mothers with valuable advice and assistance in caring for their babies. By prioritizing hygiene and regular check-ups, mothers can ensure the well-being and health of their babies.

[homosociallyyours]

This is a post for one of my best friends who's been going through a lot for the past few years. I'll go into more details below, but here's the heart of the matter: My friend has a serious auto-immune condition resulting from the long term after effects of cancer treatments (worsened now by the addition of long COVID to her long list of diagnoses). Over the past few years, she's gotten sicker and sicker and has been forced to change her diet from a vegetarian anti-cancer diet (she's a breast cancer survivor, and fought HARD for her health) to one that's become more and more limited as her body becomes allergic to every food one by one. She's now reached a point where one of the last 2 foods that she was able to eat safely, chicken, is causing an allergic reaction; she has to eat it anyway to survive, so is now very sick all the time.

What can you do?

One of the last hopes that she has to turn things around is something called a fecal microbiome transplant, which has worked miracles for other people with similar issues, but cannot currently be accessed through medical channels in the US for any but one (unrelated) condition. It's really easy to do as a DIY treatment though, it's just hard to find a donor: so we are putting it out there to see if one of you might be able and willing to be that person, or know someone who could do it.

Here is what she has to say about the ask:

Finding the right person to do this is difficult, but actually doing the helping is extremely easy and quick if someone was that person! If you live in the continental US and are fortunate enough to have both physical and mental good health (or know someone or have a child who fit the criteria) and are willing, you might be able to change my life! Please consider clicking through to read more and maybe even come aboard...  (For clarity: this isn't a medical procedure or anything, it is literally just donating poop, there are a few specifics but it is very much from the comfort of your home on your own time.)

You can click here to fill out a google form to see if you might be able to be a donor. The questionaire is detailed: fecal transplant is a bizarre and magical thing in which the patient sometimes can even end up acquiring personal preferences from the donor- the gut microbiome (sometimes called the second brain) is incredible! But this means that any illness, chronic issues, or risk factors you carry may also be transferred to the recipient so while it may feel invasive, getting detailed info in very necessary; I am just too sick already to take on any more problems.

A note- yes, it is possible to buy screened and processed treatments even in the US: unfortunately the cost (~$2k per round of treatment) is way outside my reach, particularly given that it isn't really any better than just getting poop directly from a good candidate (proven via studies), and that often it takes trying a couple donors/ rounds to find a match that gets results. If anyone wants to just buy me that stuff, I sure wouldn't say no to that, but given the severity of my situation (medical and financial; I cannot work due to disability) it is likely I will need to do medical fundraising at some point and I am trying to save that for an even worse point. Also if you have that kind of money to help out honestly it would be better spent on specialists or my astronomical food costs. I will cover all costs associated with this process if I find someone though, of course!

Thank you for reading/boosting/etc, please consider sending the link to possible healthy friends or family who might be a fit, or consider whether you have a child fitting the bill you might be willing to enlist- young microbiomes are the best ones, as children's systems have had less time to be ravaged by the effects of the modern world or the simple deterioration of age.

[boydykebarista]

My name is Anas Al-Sharfa. Since October 7, 2023, we have been suffering from a brutal war that has destroyed our dreams and hopes, exceeding the limits of human comprehension. During this savage war, we have endured hardships that mountains could not bear. We are facing severe water shortages and a critical lack of food and nutrition due to the blockade in northern Gaza for the past 10 months, preventing essential supplies like meat, vegetables, and fruits from entering. This situation has forced us to eat animal feed, leading to weight loss, various diseases, and a significant weakening of our immune systems.

We also suffer from severe water shortages, often walking nearly 1 kilometer to obtain a single gallon of water, which is approximately 16 liters, barely enough for five family members. As a result of the war, our home and agricultural land, which used to provide our daily sustenance, were destroyed and completely bulldozed, leading to major disruptions in our lives. We have also suffered from repeated displacement, moving from one place to another and from one area to another due to the horrific and brutal bombings.

Additionally, we have been deprived of education and the opportunity to build a future. I was studying to become a doctor to help people, but fate did not allow this as my university, where I dreamed of studying, was destroyed. I have been overwhelmed with thoughts during this war—how will I build my future? How will I complete my studies?

We also suffer from fear and terror due to bombings, fire belts, and explosives. Hospitals, which are the lifeline for every sick and needy person, have also been destroyed. We face a shortage of medicines and vaccines while diseases increase and ravage us, with no solution in sight as there are no hospitals or medical supplies available here in Gaza. We live in constant fear for my younger siblings because they haven't received their general vaccinations, particularly after the widespread outbreak of polio due to the lack of cleaning supplies and the massive accumulation of waste in the streets. The streets are also flooded with sewage, posing a grave threat to our children. My brother suffered from jaundice, battling it for about two weeks with fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms. It's a deadly disease, and as mentioned before, there’s no treatment available due to the destruction of hospitals and health centers.

We are also suffering from the absence of cooking gas, forcing us to use wood and plastic to start fires, which could lead to poisoning. We've been without electricity since October 7, spending days in darkness, causing immense fear in my younger siblings. This has also made it extremely difficult to charge our phones and batteries for lighting at night. We had to travel kilometers from our home to find places with electricity, incurring high costs to charge our phones and batteries.

Moreover, we have had no stable income since the beginning of the war after our agricultural land was destroyed.

I kindly request assistance for my family so that we can live a better life.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/7fn48y-gaza-palestine

https://www.tiktok.com/@anas.alshrafa8?_t=8pE6rwceXIG&_r=1

https://www.instagram.com/anas.2007667?igsh=eXZrcDg3ZXYzbXNr

i’m very sorry to hear this for you and your family anas, i’m sharing your fundraiser and reblogging it as well to be boosted. i wish you and your loved ones peace and safety in these horrific times.

anas’s goal is $50,000, and currently not even past $1,000. any donation or share helps.

[tia-amorosa]

🌴Lucky Palms🌴

Marisol & Clark - break time (longer Part)

After spending some time with his son, Clark put him back in his crib. "Hi mom, we were playing music and dad just gave me something to drink"/ "oh, that's good, I almost forgot, oh man... I'm so sorry I can't breastfeed him"/ "is that very bad?"/ "well, it's important, for mother and child. It strengthens the bond between us and boosts his immune system when he gets breast milk".

Marisol had finished writing and got up from her chair. Clark walked over to her with a mischievous grin on his face. “hn, what?”/ “mh, well, … The little one has a full belly and is deeply relaxed. So I thought… We two could relax a bit too". Marisol had to smile a little. “Hmm, and how?”/ “Maybe in the hot tub? Only if you want to…". She looked out of the window for a moment, then kissed him. “Whirlpool sounds good…”.

It took a while before the whirlpool was ready for use. The pump wasn't working properly. But Clark was able to rectify the fault and so they took the opportunity to be alone together for a bit. “Hey, wrong place”/ “why? Oh, I see, hnhn… Wait…".

Marisol grinned as she changed places. “Better?”/ “Much better, yes. Oh man…"/ ‘hn, what?’. . “Sweetie… you know it yourself, but I still have to tell you again… you're beautiful”. She felt flattered. "hnhn, thank you. And you, uh…"/ ‘what?’.

"I… Clark, you know I'm not one to look much at appearances. I… I like your hair and… your eyes…". He was a little amused by the way she was trying to find the right words to compliment him. “hehe, hey… I know I'm not the prettiest guy”/ “that's not true… Your mouth, I really like your mouth”…

Clark had to laugh because she was just too cute. She wasn't shy, and neither was he. And he knew what he could do with his lips…

While his parents enjoy themselves, baby Enrico listens to the sounds around him. It's quite quiet in his room, but he can hear a little from outside… The bubbling of the water… the voices, sometimes a little higher and then a little lower. That calms him down, but he doesn't like complete silence. And he has a little pout ♥ :),

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over dinner, they talked about the latest rumors. “I heard that Don is making out with that redhead, what's her name again?”/ “Which one?”/ “The one with the short hair… Not Kitty, I don't know the other one's name”/ “Pansy. Hm… let him do what he wants…I have nothing more to do with him"/ ‘o.k., then we'll talk about something else….’.

“Lennon has a new lover and now guess who it is, you'll never guess”/ “I don't know, Kitty, his neighbor?”/ “ooh no - Evangeline Finch”. Marisol suddenly coughed and laughed at the same time. "*Cough* that, that's not true, is it? The old lady? What's wrong with him?".

Clark receives a phone call during the conversation. "Hello, Ozzy? Hey, what's going on? Man, take it easy, okay? Have you packed a bag yet? OK, that's good. Is the tank full? Stupid question, you're supposed to take her to the hospital… They'll do the rest, and try not to fall over, you hear? You must just holding her hand, …yeah, don't worry about it".

Of course Marisol had heard the conversation. “Is it starting already?”/ “Yes, Vivienne has been in labor for almost an hour.”/ “Oh, OK, well, then they should probably go to the hospital soon… I hope everything is going well.”/ “Yes, I hope so for her too, even though I have never gotten along particularly well with her, I hope the best for her. After all, me and Oscar want to set our children up with each other". Marisol looked at him with wide eyes and laughed. ”Really? Haha, o.k.".

She put the rest of the food in the fridge and continued talking. “And what if they both have a boy too?”/ “That would be okay, wouldn't it?”/ “Do you want our son to be gay? Gosh, Clark…"/ ”Oh, come on, in this day and age it's almost normal. Hnhn. well, let's wait and see." It's not that Marisol has anything against gays, but thinking about it so early on is a bit crazy.

A little later. Marisol gave her son the last bottle of the day. "Your father may have some ideas, hnhn. Ultimately, of course, it's you who decides who you want to love. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you develop. But don't become a cop, okay? Cops are stupid".

After Marisol had put the little one to bed, she went into the bedroom. Clark was standing at the window looking up at the sky. But he was happy to be distracted by her. "Hmm? What do you want?" he asked her with a grin. "Well, I'd like to... continue where we left off in the hot tub..." She gave him a gentle look that said so much. Up until now, he had always held back because he didn't want to pressure her, even though he often felt strong desire. But he waited patiently until she wanted the same thing of her own accord.

The second time. It was the second time that Clark and Marisol had been able to be so close. The difference was that this time they weren't drunk, their senses weren't fogged, but both were clear-headed and with all their senses with the other.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

End of this Part

@cozygirlsimmer🥰

[floofgryph]

Svyatopolk Tchaikovsky

Species: Human

Birthday: June 16th

Age: 32

Sexuality: Gay

Occupation:

One of the caretakers of Demaryius’ younger children

Chef of Homeworld

Financier of Homeworld

Commercial photographer

A cook at a decent restaurant (formerly)

Derzhatel Obshchaka of the Stavropolskaya Bratva (formerly)

Shestyorka of the Stavropolskaya Bratva (temporarily)

Abilities:

Enhanced durability, endurance, regeneration, stamina, strength, hearing, smell, speed, stealth, tracking, and mauling

Mastery over culinary skills and techniques, stealing, philosophy, psychology, photography, child caregiving, persuasion, and financial management

He possesses an automatic response and intuition for combat

He can spew toxic gasses and streams of highly corrosive acid

He can tap into a feral mind whenever it’s needed

Parasite immunity (only Baylisascaris transfuga can affect him)

Elemental manipulation

Thermal resistance

Pain suppression

Night vision

Super bite

Personality: He has mild depression as well as repressed trauma that aggressively affects them when horrible memories of his past resurfaces. He shows immense bravery, but will crack under pressure when he comes across something or witnesses an event that reminds him of his troubled past. As a schizophrenic, he experiences hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech, difficulty with thinking, lack of motivation, and more. He possesses an inferiority complex due to past trauma, combatting this through performing good deeds and helping others. He occasionally experiences suicidal thoughts, which he tries to drown out either through social interactions or taking amphetamines and fentanyl. Amphetamines increase his sex drive, make him more talkative and energetic, and boost his happiness and confidence. When coming down from amphetamine use, he becomes paranoid and irritable, and experiences high and low mood swings. Fentanyl makes him feel euphoric and confused, relieves him from pain, and causes mood instability.

He’s often kind-hearted and gentle, but that changes when he or the people he’s close to feel threatened or has been harmed. He becomes fairly violent and cruel, and won’t admit to the fact that he can come off as slightly sadistic during those instances. He comes across as fearsome and unnerving at first, but will slowly reveal his respect, kindness, and compassion overtime. Despite being a stoic, he’ll rant about his problems and reveal his buried emotions when he really needs to let it out. He’s a workaholic who finds passionate comfort in his culinary, financial, and caretaking duties Homeworld, but will take a break when absolutely necessary. He places great values on generosity and loyalty, and can be overprotective of children and individuals he sincerely cares about. He possesses impressive street knowledge and is a hardcore maltheist, but he views Demaryius as the only benevolent god. He’s somewhat cynical and carefully attentive to all situations and concentrates on noticing any danger or trouble that might arise.

Likes: The good memories he has of Vsevolod, knowing that other people enjoy his food, seeing Percy smile, watching snowstorms from inside, fossils, scientific thinking, ancient architecture, caregiving, surrealistic photography, and autobiographical writing

Dislikes: People wasting perfectly fine food, feeling useless and inferior, seeing Percy hurt and sad, alcoholic beverages, unlawful activities, fire, horrible parenting, matryoshka dolls, those who are annoying and force their religious beliefs onto others, and depravity

Equipment:

Vsevolod’s Dymkovo toy of a pennywhistle spoon-billed sandpiper

A polar bear pelt that greatly enhances his mental endurance and physical might

A dark blue handbell

A garmon

A butcher knife

A throwing spear made from angelic light

A yellow-and-green OSV-96

A RG-6

Physical and outfit appearance: 

He’s a 6 ft (182.88 cm) ectomorph with an inverted triangular figure, an average musculature, and a square chest. He has small burnt holes scattered across his chest as well as whip and cut marks on his back, lower torso, buttocks, and arms. His right arm has been amputated and his left arm is covered in barely noticeable needle marks. He has dull-looking cerulean eyes, mildly tan skin, and dark brown copper hair in a soft and spiky tapered cut with stubble. On his left outer thigh, it depicts a bloodied white bear with a brownish back devouring a jaculus and standing in icy blue water.

After consuming Demaryius’ blood, he’s now 6’ 9” (205.74 cm) with a noticeably muscular build and sickly pale skin. He still retains all of his scars, but his skin is now uncomfortably rough and slightly burnt-looking. His chest is covered in brown bear fur, and he possesses slightly pointed ears, pharyngeal jaws, and metallic claws. He has dull cerulean eyes with slit reef gold pupils, ocean green outlining, and purplish-black sclera. He possesses a flame-coloured, fish-scaled dragon tail that looks devilish and his hair seems to be somewhat greying. He has pinkish-black horns that grow in response to the empowerment abilities of his polar bear pelt and his pain suppression, needing to trim them when it becomes too burdensome.

In his casual outfit, he wears a bluish-white T-shirt, a coyote fur ushanka with earflaps, and an eggplant purple bomber jacket with black sheepskin lining. He dons cargo pants with six utility pockets and millbrook, gurkha, mirage, and olive green camouflage colours. He has brownish-purple sneakers with three yellow-orange bands on both shoes, and a silver chain necklace. On his left wrist, he wears a ruby and sapphire beaded bracelet that spells the Russian word for brotherhood in pink lettering.

In his working outfit, he sometimes dons a realistic Ussuri brown bear mask, and his amputated arm is covered by pauldron, rerebrace, counter, vambrace, and gauntlet. His armoured right arm is blue-green with phosphorescent yellow-orange veins and the whole design looks draconic and intimidating. His left hand is covered in a safety yellow glove, and he’s wearing dark red dress boots with a glossy sheen. He dons a black apron with a khokhloma pattern in red, gold, and emerald green, which depicts a firebird in the centre with floral decorations surrounding it. When he’s cooking, he dons a dark purple cap with a black fishnet as it’ll be disgusting if his hair managed to get into his food. He still wears the cargo pants, bluish-white T-shirt, and silver chain necklace from his casual outfit.

Family: 

Unnamed grandfather

Unnamed parents

Vsevolod Tchaikovsky (younger brother)

Biography: He and his younger brother, Vsevolod, were born near Stavropol into a neglectful, physically abusive, and emotionally distant family. Their grandfather was deaf and blind, unaware of their presence, but would smoke cigars and sit in front of the TV. Their mother was a mentally unstable nicotine addict who had a knack for forcing her eldest son to take drugs with her, especially heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, and crystal meth. Svyatopolk was “an obedient little puppy” in her eyes, while she verbally abused Vsevolod due to his rebellious and fearful nature. His mother would occasionally use the upper torsos of Svyatopolk and his younger brother as an ashtray. Their father was a functioning alcoholic who worked a dead end job and would often physically abuse the two, especially Svyatopolk. He used whatever he can utilise as a weapon to physically hurt the two brothers, but broken bottles, his belt, and a baseball bat were his most common choices. He would often try to hurt Svyatopolk whenever his mother wasn’t paying attention or inside the house because she'd freak out if anything bad happened to him. During a drunken and furious state, his father once burned Svyatopolk’s hand by forcing it into their fireplace as punishment for breaking his mother’s favourite flower vase. His mother was angry by this, but it severely got on her nerves when her drunkard husband hurt her favourite son.

The two brothers were allowed to leave the house, but only if their father wasn’t around and they were behaving. During the time they were allowed to leave, Svyatopolk and Vsevolod would pickpocket people and steal basic necessities from themselves. They were also beginning to realise that the life that they’re stuck in isn’t normal, starting to yearn for a life outside their home. However, that changed when Svyatopolk got involved with a Russian mafia called the Stavropolskaya Bratva that provided illegal drugs and alcohol, becoming one of their Shestyorkas. The Pakhan noticed that Svyatopolk was quite persuasive and extremely good with money that he promoted him Derzhatel Obshchaka. He was on good terms with the Stavropolskaya Bratva and the Pakhan took special interest in helping him out once he learned about his horrible childhood. Most of the members understood what he was going through because they grew up in terrible households. This gave him motivation to come up with a secret plan to escape his shitty household and turn over a new leaf with Vsevolod. The Pakhan gave Svyatopolk his grandmother’s silenced pistol and he used it to kill his parents and grandfather. He and his younger brother quickly packed up their stuff and headed to a house that was secured with the Pakhan’s drug and alcohol money. Svyatopolk felt obligated to find another job in order to show his independence and aid Vsevolod’s future. So, he landed a job as a cook at a decent restaurant, which allowed him to further develop culinary skills.

Things were going smoothly in his regular and criminal life, but that would change when he came back home from a quick trip to the local convenience store. He noticed that Vsevolod went missing and he feared that the Stavropolskaya Bratva were responsible for this. After killing the Pakhan and most of the Stavropolskaya Bratva through his superb sharpshooting and stealthy skills, he came back home to find Vsevolod, bruised and almost stripped naked. He found out that a serial pedophile broke into his home and sexually assaulted Vsevolod, attempting to kill him in the process. For almost a month, Svyatopolk has been secretly looking for this pedophile in order to avenge the misery he caused to him and his younger brother. He eventually found the person who assaulted Vsevolod and brutally murdered them. When he came back home that day, he found out that the surviving members of the Stavropolskaya Bratva beheaded Vsevolod and burned down his house. This devastating event left him homeless, turning to couch-surfing and drugs to numb the trauma he’s been through. One day at midnight in a snowy park, he committed suicide by overdosing on heroin, fentanyl, and crystal meth, and burning himself alive with a stolen lighter. Demaryius was silently walking through the snowy park by himself when he smelled burning flesh and sensed someone’s sadness. He went to investigate and saw a dying Svyatopolk, deciding to bring him back to life by pouring some of his blood on his face. Once revived, Demaryius took him in as one of his children, becoming one of the caretakers in Homeworld. In order to further prove his usefulness, he became the chef of Homeworld, providing excellent foods for Demaryius and his soldiers.

Fun facts:

He has insomnia, epilepsy, and constipation issues

When it’s raining, he experiences nasty headaches

Due to taking fentanyl with amphetamines, he experiences heart strain and respiratory arrest

He possesses medications for his physical and mental health issues, but he has a bad habit of forgetting to take most of them.

He knows Ukrainian and Polish, some Chinese, and a bit of Hangul

He has difficulty speaking English and his thick Russian accent makes it hard to understand what he’s saying in English at times

He taught himself and his younger brother various subjects such as basic life lessons, science, religion, math, and Russian and world history through reading books that they stole from the local library.

He was raised as a Russian Orthodox Christian, but he gave up on their religious beliefs and became a maltheist. He did this because it felt as though God and Jesus didn’t care if he suffered a fate worse than death.

He tries to forget the fact that he used to be part of a criminal organisation, especially after they killed his younger brother.

He doesn’t want to come out of the closet due to his fear of harsh criticism and ridicule

He has managed to overcome his heroin and crystal meth addiction through the help of Percy and Sister Rosa, but he’s still struggling with amphetamines and fentanyl.

Due to Demaryius being a stressed out workaholic, he and Sister Rosa are responsible with the financial management of Homeworld.

He hates how Demaryius often neglects his mental and physical health due to his overpowering focus on work.

He amputated his right arm above the elbow because it became gangrenous after a lot of heroin use

He occasionally helps with teaching a few of the younger children how to cook and valuable caretaking skills

Whenever he isn’t working, he leaves his amputated arm uncovered as physical appearances don’t worry him the slightest.

He found out that he was gay after he looked through a pornographic magazine that his father secretly owned. It showed all women and none of the images were grabbing his attention sexually, but that changed when he watched a spy movie with attractive men.

Since he was a toddler, he has always had a profound fascination with bears and spoon-billed sandpipers. He views the bear as ferocious, club-footed, and mighty, and the spoon-billed sandpiper as the fragility of Earth’s biodiversity.

He doesn’t like matryoshka dolls because he sees it as a crude imitation of child-bearing

His favourite entertainment consist of melodrama plays, opera, nature documentaries, spy movies, cooking TV shows, cheesy motivational and funny cat videos, and survival horror video games.

His biggest comfort foods are pirozhki with borscht, shashlik, and Vsevolod’s favourite sweet dish, morozhenoe.

He prefers to drink raf coffee, sbiten, and ryazhenka

He avoids alcohol as it reminds him of his father

The only tea he’ll drink is when Miss Katherine makes chamomile and hibiscus teas, which are impressively good in his mind.

He originally viewed Percy as a narcissistic coward at first, but that changed when he began interacting with one another.

He was surprised that Percy has lingering substance abuse issues, which explains why he occasionally comes off as high and/or drunk.

He secretly has feelings for Percy, but he’s too afraid to admit them

He views Maverick as an unnecessary nuisance and a disgrace to the adult world due to his psychopathic tendencies and foolish nature.

He often goes to Rhodopis as a form of emotional support, especially when he’s experiencing a schizophrenic episode or he’s overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts.

Demaryius, Sister Rosa, and Homeworld belong to @nunezs-stuff

Miss Katherine belongs to @vanillafalvoredcoffee

[hey-hamlet]

can you share your theory on the premature aging please i am really interested

Ok so! This is gonna be kinda nerdy - jargon translations at the bottom.

One of my 'how quirks work genetically' theories is that the quirk virus made germline mutations way more common - tanking the fertility rate bc some of the mutations were incompatible with life, but a a lot of those other mutations led to weird hair, skin and eye colours along with quirks. In real life viruses don't do this directly, some but can incorporate themselves into genomes in fragile places that can, indirectly, increase mutation rates. Also in real life these mutations just give you cancer, but anyway.

Another driver of mutation is stress - like real actual 'my life is a mess' stress, but specifically in this case I'm talking about oxidative stress - this can be caused via aforementioned real actual stress, lifestyle problems, immune system responses, etc. Normal metabolism also induces oxidative stress - OFA uses a *lot* of energy - even if it isn't all from calories, it's still got to be used like ATP!

Basically, you get OFA, and a quirk? Your body is mutation central.

Now you may be thinking - hang on, didn't you just say that all those mutations give you cancer? Where is the aging coming in? And honestly fair enough. Oxidative damage is believed to play some part in aging, but not the main part and it wouldn't explain why being quirkless protects you from it.

The answer is lamins - the weird part of the cell you never think about. Lamins are proteins that form a sort of mesh that keeps your cell nuclei nice and round, allowing for easy cell division and nice neat DNA organisation. Progeria is a rare disease caused by a single nucleotide mutation in the gene coding for the processing of lamins, causing them to fold incorrectly, leading to misshapen nuclei. The symptoms of this disease can be simplified to fatal accelerated and premature aging. These lamins and the associated abnormal nuclei can also be found in, unsurprisingly, the elderly (well, in everyone, but the quantity goes up with age).

This disease is typically a germline cell mutation itself, but now we get to play with the quirk virus (and also fudge genetics a touch). If the quirk virus inserted itself near the lamin gene, the chances of mutation are boosted - now, normally those mutated cells would just get cleared away by the immune system and everyone is happy. But, factor in the massive amounts of oxidative stress OFA causes on the already fragile region of DNA and we start accumulating these mutations in the lamin genes all over the place, causing that rapid and fatal aging seen in OFA wielders that have quirks.

jargon translations: germline mutation: mutation within germ cells - egg or sperm - that can pass on to your children. oxidative stress: you know how oxygen rusts metal? wild over simplification, but something a lot like that happens inside you. antioxidants (eaten and produced by the body) are 'easier to rust' and use up all of the reactive oxygen to keep your cells safe. ATP: adenosine triphosphate - the food you eat eventually ends up as this through a long and convoluted collection of pathways, and its the way your cells can actually make use of it. nucleotide: one of the 4 letters your DNA is made up of - in its simplest form, your DNA is just two matching strands made up of a bunch of these letters which your body reads like a computer reads binary code.

sources: i'm not citing them because i do enough of that in university, but studies, my course content and also wikipedia because sometimes you just need to make sure something you though you knew was right or not. you also do not actually need to trust me because this is just a fan theory about an anime, it just needs to sound good. to my knowledge i'm correct though, but have wildly over simplified a lot

[nathanielaaron]

DETOX SUPPLEMENTS FOR VACCINE INJURED VICTIMS

🖲Magnesium — plays many crucial roles in the body, such as supporting muscle & nerve function and energy production.

🖲NAC — (a precursor to glutathione) provides a variety of protective antioxidant effects, block damages to DNA, strengthening all organs, including the brain — dissolves mucus, improves breathing & respiratory problems. NAC powers up the immune system, boosting antibodies, increasing glutathione, which fights disease & aging. NAC has been around for decades, proven to be very safe, with NO SIDE EFFECTS.

🖲Glutathione — is the body's most powerful antioxidant & counteracts the harmful effects of graphene oxide. Human bodies produce glutathione naturally but over as humans age & absorbs toxins, the production of it slows down. Children naturally have high glutathione levels. Glutathione is a body-specific antioxidant that cells need to function & survive. When you get sick, the level of glutathione can drop.

🖲Selenium — a trace element that is naturally present in many foods & available as a dietary supplement. Selenium, which is nutritionally essential for humans, is a constituent of more than two dozen selenoproteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis & protection from oxidative damage and infection.

🖲Quercetin — have significant capability to interfere with SARS-CoV-2 replication and multi-faceted anti-inflammatory and thrombin-inhibitory actions. 

🖲Vitamin D/C/A – promotes immune cell proliferation, stimulates antimicrobial peptides, cytokines and immune cell proliferation, enhances mucosal Integrity, antioxidant, protects healthy cells, activated immune cells, antiviral, coordinates cellular immune response.

🖲Zinc – essential for binding capacity & optimizing lethality of immune cells. Promotes antiviral enzyme blocking viral replication.

🖲Zeolite — has a strong attraction to many heavy metals including mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. It also binds to & removes many chemicals like fluorine & chlorine, eliminating free radicals of all types, and it reverses acute chemical & allergic reactions, all without removing vital nutrients from the body. This makes it a maximum detoxifier.

🖲Pine Needle Tea, Fennel See, Star Anise — contains shikimic acid, high levels of antioxidants & DNA-protective properties.

🖲Dandelion Root —  blocks interaction between ACE2, spike protein & variants.

🖲Black Cumin Seed Oil — is natural alternative for Ivermectin. Nigella sativa has been used as traditional medicine for centuries. The oil from its seeds are effective against many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease — also effective against cancer in blood system, lung, kidney, liver, prostate, breast, cervix & skin.

🖲Fulvic Acid & Shilajit — have long been used in traditional medicine & reduces inflammation and boost immunity. Fulvic acid has been well studied for its effects on immune health and inflammation. Improve disease resistance, increase your immune defenses, fight inflammation, chronic diseases & enhance antioxidant activity.

🖲Bio-Fibrin — is a proteolytic enzyme (a process known as proteolysis - help dissolve proteins. There are over 700 identified human enzymes, and each enzyme has a specific biochemical reaction involving a specific substance.

Activated Charcoal, Chlorophyll, Chlorella, Spirulina, Irish Sea Moss, C-60, Power Immunity, Infrared Sauna, Green Tea, Alkaline Water, Probiotics, Cinnamon & Raw Honey, Avocado, Garlic, Turmeric, Cilantro, Ginger, Cruciferous vegetables & leafy greens are also great detoxes for the body.

[lesboygenius]

My name is Anas Al-Sharfa. Since October 7, 2023, we have beenmaterials materials from a brutal war that has destroyed our dreams and hopes, exceeding the limits of human comprehension. During this savage war, we have endured hardships that mountains could not bear. We are facing severe water shortages and a critical lack of food and nutrition due to the blockade in northern Gaza for the past 10 months, preventing essential supplies like meat, vegetables, and fruits from entering. This situation has forced us to eat animal feed, leading to weight loss, various diseases, and a significant weakening of our immune systems.

We also suffer from severe water shortages, often walking nearly 1 kilometer to obtain a single gallon of water, which is approximately 16 liters, barely enough for five family members. As a result of the war, our home and agricultural land, which used to provide our daily sustenance, were destroyed and completely bulldozed, leading to major disruptions in our lives. We have also suffered from repeated displacement, moving from one place to another and from one area to another due to the horrific and brutal bombings.

Additionally, we have been deprived of education and the opportunity to build a future. I was studying to become a doctor to help people, but fate did not allow this as my university, where I dreamed of studying, was destroyed. I have been overwhelmed with thoughts during this war—how will I build my future? How will I complete my studies?

We also suffer from fear and terror due to bombings, fire belts, and explosives. Hospitals, which are the lifeline for every sick and needy person, have also been destroyed. We face a shortage of medicines and vaccines while diseases increase and ravage us, with no solution in sight as there are no hospitals or medical supplies available here in Gaza. We live in constant fear for my younger siblings because they haven't received their general vaccinations, particularly after the widespread outbreak of polio due to the lack of cleaning supplies and the massive accumulation of waste in the streets. The streets are also flooded with sewage, posing a grave threat to our children. My brother suffered from jaundice, battling it for about two weeks with fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms. It's a deadly disease, and as mentioned before, there’s no treatment available due to the destruction of hospitals and health centers.

We are also suffering from the absence of cooking gas, forcing us to use wood and plastic to start fires, which could lead to poisoning. We've been without electricity since October 7, spending days in darkness, causing immense fear in my younger siblings. This has also made it extremely difficult to charge our phones and batteries for lighting at night. We had to travel kilometers from our home to find places with electricity, incurring high costs to charge our phones and batteries.

Moreover, we have had no stable income since the beginning of the war after our agricultural land was destroyed.

I kindly request assistance for my family so that we can live a better life.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/7fn48y-gaza-palestine

https://www.tiktok.com/@anas.alshrafa8?_r=1&_d=eegd1e4bgd3b6m&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAsV6ZBEz6iF1rqntC6MpuWHuPJiIQPYdXX0aAH-pYWmrFXwLlIRmO02n7dFU1mFVM&share_author_id=7405660048045556753&sharer_language=ar&source=h5_m&u_code=efla4echdd989m×tamp=1724864658&user_id=7405660048045556753&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAsV6ZBEz6iF1rqntC6MpuWHuPJiIQPYdXX0aAH-pYWmrFXwLlIRmO02n7dFU1mFVM&utm_source=copy&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=android&share_iid=7402927531621926663&share_link_id=002275c1-795d-4f6c-9a63-20dc58e8fe46&share_app_id=1233&ugbiz_name=ACCOUNT&ug_btm=b8727%2Cb0229&social_share_type=5&enable_checksum=1

https://www.instagram.com/anas.2007667?igsh=eXZrcDg3ZXYzbXNr

Boosting to help Anas and his family.

[khiptid]

My name is Anas Al-Sharfa. Since October 7, 2023, we have beenmaterials materials from a brutal war that has destroyed our dreams and hopes, exceeding the limits of human comprehension. During this savage war, we have endured hardships that mountains could not bear. We are facing severe water shortages and a critical lack of food and nutrition due to the blockade in northern Gaza for the past 10 months, preventing essential supplies like meat, vegetables, and fruits from entering. This situation has forced us to eat animal feed, leading to weight loss, various diseases, and a significant weakening of our immune systems.

We also suffer from severe water shortages, often walking nearly 1 kilometer to obtain a single gallon of water, which is approximately 16 liters, barely enough for five family members. As a result of the war, our home and agricultural land, which used to provide our daily sustenance, were destroyed and completely bulldozed, leading to major disruptions in our lives. We have also suffered from repeated displacement, moving from one place to another and from one area to another due to the horrific and brutal bombings.

Additionally, we have been deprived of education and the opportunity to build a future. I was studying to become a doctor to help people, but fate did not allow this as my university, where I dreamed of studying, was destroyed. I have been overwhelmed with thoughts during this war—how will I build my future? How will I complete my studies?

We also suffer from fear and terror due to bombings, fire belts, and explosives. Hospitals, which are the lifeline for every sick and needy person, have also been destroyed. We face a shortage of medicines and vaccines while diseases increase and ravage us, with no solution in sight as there are no hospitals or medical supplies available here in Gaza. We live in constant fear for my younger siblings because they haven't received their general vaccinations, particularly after the widespread outbreak of polio due to the lack of cleaning supplies and the massive accumulation of waste in the streets. The streets are also flooded with sewage, posing a grave threat to our children. My brother suffered from jaundice, battling it for about two weeks with fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms. It's a deadly disease, and as mentioned before, there’s no treatment available due to the destruction of hospitals and health centers.

We are also suffering from the absence of cooking gas, forcing us to use wood and plastic to start fires, which could lead to poisoning. We've been without electricity since October 7, spending days in darkness, causing immense fear in my younger siblings. This has also made it extremely difficult to charge our phones and batteries for lighting at night. We had to travel kilometers from our home to find places with electricity, incurring high costs to charge our phones and batteries.

Moreover, we have had no stable income since the beginning of the war after our agricultural land was destroyed.

I kindly request assistance for my family so that we can live a better life.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/7fn48y-gaza-palestine

https://www.tiktok.com/@anas.alshrafa8?_r=1&_d=eegd1e4bgd3b6m&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAsV6ZBEz6iF1rqntC6MpuWHuPJiIQPYdXX0aAH-pYWmrFXwLlIRmO02n7dFU1mFVM&share_author_id=7405660048045556753&sharer_language=ar&source=h5_m&u_code=efla4echdd989m×tamp=1724864658&user_id=7405660048045556753&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAsV6ZBEz6iF1rqntC6MpuWHuPJiIQPYdXX0aAH-pYWmrFXwLlIRmO02n7dFU1mFVM&utm_source=copy&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=android&share_iid=7402927531621926663&share_link_id=002275c1-795d-4f6c-9a63-20dc58e8fe46&share_app_id=1233&ugbiz_name=ACCOUNT&ug_btm=b8727%2Cb0229&social_share_type=5&enable_checksum=1

https://www.instagram.com/anas.2007667?igsh=eXZrcDg3ZXYzbXNr

Boosting!! Donate to help Anas Al-Sharfa & his family!

[recycledcactus]

My name is Anas Al-Sharfa. Since October 7, 2023, we have been suffering from a brutal war that has destroyed our dreams and hopes, exceeding the limits of human comprehension. During this savage war, we have endured hardships that mountains could not bear. We are facing severe water shortages and a critical lack of food and nutrition due to the blockade in northern Gaza for the past 10 months, preventing essential supplies like meat, vegetables, and fruits from entering. This situation has forced us to eat animal feed, leading to weight loss, various diseases, and a significant weakening of our immune systems.

We also suffer from severe water shortages, often walking nearly 1 kilometer to obtain a single gallon of water, which is approximately 16 liters, barely enough for five family members. As a result of the war, our home and agricultural land, which used to provide our daily sustenance, were destroyed and completely bulldozed, leading to major disruptions in our lives. We have also suffered from repeated displacement, moving from one place to another and from one area to another due to the horrific and brutal bombings.

Additionally, we have been deprived of education and the opportunity to build a future. I was studying to become a doctor to help people, but fate did not allow this as my university, where I dreamed of studying, was destroyed. I have been overwhelmed with thoughts during this war—how will I build my future? How will I complete my studies?

We also suffer from fear and terror due to bombings, fire belts, and explosives. Hospitals, which are the lifeline for every sick and needy person, have also been destroyed. We face a shortage of medicines and vaccines while diseases increase and ravage us, with no solution in sight as there are no hospitals or medical supplies available here in Gaza. We live in constant fear for my younger siblings because they haven't received their general vaccinations, particularly after the widespread outbreak of polio due to the lack of cleaning supplies and the massive accumulation of waste in the streets. The streets are also flooded with sewage, posing a grave threat to our children. My brother suffered from jaundice, battling it for about two weeks with fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms. It's a deadly disease, and as mentioned before, there’s no treatment available due to the destruction of hospitals and health centers.

We are also suffering from the absence of cooking gas, forcing us to use wood and plastic to start fires, which could lead to poisoning. We've been without electricity since October 7, spending days in darkness, causing immense fear in my younger siblings. This has also made it extremely difficult to charge our phones and batteries for lighting at night. We had to travel kilometers from our home to find places with electricity, incurring high costs to charge our phones and batteries.

Moreover, we have had no stable income since the beginning of the war after our agricultural land was destroyed.

I kindly request assistance for my family so that we can live a better life.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/7fn48y-gaza-palestine

https://www.tiktok.com/@anas.alshrafa8?_r=1&_d=eegd1e4bgd3b6m&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAsV6ZBEz6iF1rqntC6MpuWHuPJiIQPYdXX0aAH-pYWmrFXwLlIRmO02n7dFU1mFVM&share_author_id=7405660048045556753&sharer_language=ar&source=h5_m&u_code=efla4echdd989m×tamp=1724864658&user_id=7405660048045556753&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAsV6ZBEz6iF1rqntC6MpuWHuPJiIQPYdXX0aAH-pYWmrFXwLlIRmO02n7dFU1mFVM&utm_source=copy&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=android&share_iid=7402927531621926663&share_link_id=002275c1-795d-4f6c-9a63-20dc58e8fe46&share_app_id=1233&ugbiz_name=ACCOUNT&ug_btm=b8727%2Cb0229&social_share_type=5&enable_checksum=1

https://www.instagram.com/anas.2007667?igsh=eXZrcDg3ZXYzbXNr

signal boost!

[aikoiya]

Arcane Writing Prompt - Viktor With Counselor's Daughter F!Reader

For anyone who wants to give this a shot.

Viktor with a daughter of a Councelman fem!s/o from Piltover who he'd met as kids. She's secretly a magicborn on her mother's side with healing magic, but no one knows this, not even herself as her parents have kept this from her.

When her magical reserves are full, her magic gives her auto-healing, auto-regenerative, & auto-detoxifying abilities as well as a boosted immune system (she calls it her magical self-recovery), but the worse the damage, the slower the process of recovery.

Depending on the sort of food she consumes, she can heal certain things faster. So, once she's learned of her magic, she begins to study nutritional gastronomy in order to optimize the healing process. Things like drinking 3-bone tea (nettle, comfrey, & boneset) or bone broth when she has a broken bone.

But, she isn't really aware of any of this in the beginning. Though, she becomes suspicious once she begins studying medicine, but she has nothing to confirm it.

Anyway, she'd run off from her caretaker as a little girl, getting lost in the Undercity. She lived there for a week, essentially homeless, until she met Viktor who took her home to meet his mother. She lived with them for a month, becoming best friends with Viktor & Rio. Accompanying him to visit Singed & helping him with his gadgets.

Then, one day, the Enforcers found her & ripped her away from Viktor.

She cried for weeks because he was her only real friend.

Having learned what it was like living in the Fissures, she grew up to study medicine, biology, pediatrics, pharmacology, biochemistry, bioengineering, neurology, psychiatry, anatomy, biophysics (the field that applies the theories & methods of physics to understand how biological systems work), biomechanics (the study of the structure, function & motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems), & biomedical engineering (which is the study of building prosthetics & other machines to advance healthcare treatment), in an attempt to someday help the Undercity residents have better healthcare, hopefully to find a cure for the Zaun Grey & to also hopefully build a better brace for Viktor so that he'll no longer need a cane, because she knows how much he hated that thing.

Is considered a genius of medicine & biology.

With musicology on the side just for fun because she loves music.

Even becoming something of a Zaun Independence Advocate & supporter of the Children of Zaun, starting up a charity with food & clothes drives as well as collecting learning material to be brought to the Fissurefolk. Has met Vander many times as he's usually the one who distributes the things she brings. They get on very well & he's always sure to show her his gratitude. Cried when she learned about Vander's death as he'd been a good friend to her & honestly more of a father figure than her own father had been. Got on well with his kids & Ekko, but only because they didn't know she was a Piltie at that time. Later becomes a trusted (secret) ally of the Firelights as she provides them with medical assistance, food, clothes, learning materials, medical supplies, & teaches whoever is willing to listen, first aid.

She is considered quite odd amongst the Piltover elite. An outcast. Think Belle from Beauty & the Beast. Her parents outwardly behave as though she were a disappointment while inwardly being somewhat secretly proud of her.

Then, one day in the Academy, she stumbles into a lanky man with a cane & very familiar dayglow eyes.

She's there when Viktor & Jayce make the breakthrough on HexTech.

See's incredible potential in HexTech for medicine, specifically in the realm of biomedical engineering & the construction of more effective medical machines which results in the invention of chemical centrifuges, x-ray machines, catscan machines, & other such devices.

Once HexTech kicks off, she & Viktor build a Susurrecorder, which is a HexTech device that produces sounds at a frequency of 25 to 150 Hertz to mimic a cat's purr, which she discovered is a frequency which aids in bone repair & healing. This, when put together with the Hex Crystal powering it, simulates low-level, gentle sound-based healing magic that gives listeners low-level health regen.

It was a success & is now used in Piltovan hospitals to aid in recovery.

She also discovered Alpha Waves, Beta Waves, & Delta Paterns. Alpha Waves peak around 10Hz. Good healthy alpha production promotes mental resourcefulness, aids in the ability to mentally coordinate. Beta Waves are the fastest frequency of brainwaves (13-40 Hz). They are responsible for focus, concentration & analytical thinking. Binaural beats in the Delta Pattern operate at a frequency of 0.5–4 Hz with links to a dreamless sleep. Meanwhile, 432 Hz frequency is ideal for use as a sleep aid as it is known for its relaxing, calming effects.

Later models of the Susurrecorder are built with a knob allowing users to switch between the Healing Frequency, a mix of Alpha & Beta Waves called Brain Beats, & a mix of Delta Patterns & the 432 Hz frequency called Sleep Tunes.

An even later model built specifically for hospital patients has the Healing Frequency with a switch to turn on Sleep Tunes so that both can be on at once to both aid in sleep while still allowing for increased healing.

Is Viktor's primary doctor when he gets ill (I hc that it's either Leukemia or Tuberculosis) which complicates things because doctors aren't allowed to be in relationships with their patients.

Maybe she also already had a crush on him to begin with, but didn't go for it because of the whole doctor/patient thing & if they got together before he was cured, she'd be forced to stop being his doctor & he might not ever get cured because of it? Maybe Viktor's the one to instigate, but it was while she was his doctor & she only turned him down because of the doctor/patient thing, but not long after curing him, she approaches him because, now, she's no longer his doctor.

She also makes the best & most effective medicines & half her stock goes to Zaun for dirt cheap while the other half goes to Piltover for higher than typical to compensate. It's only because her medicine is so effective that people in Piltover keep using her medicine.

She's planning to move to Zaun to start an independent practice to provide better Healthcare for the city.

Arcane Masterlist

[giraffeter]

Hi again ^^

Thank you for that delicious ArmKhun headcanon answer. I have an immediate follow-up ask. You mentioned that you have vivid background headcanons for all the bodyguards, as if that isn't a massive tease. Any details you'd be willing to spill? 👀

Haha I suppose that was a bit of a tease! Your asks keep making my DAY, I will happily talk about these boys all day every day.

OK, the Giraffeter Bodyguard Backstory Headcanons are:

Big: I alluded to some of this in Gonna Fade You Like That Rush, but in my mind Big is the son of one of Korn's lieutenants — his dad works for Korn, his grandfather worked for Korn's father, the families go back. We know that he's one of Korn's hand-raised bodyguards and that he and Kinn grew up together; I think Korn would not be interested in caring for a bunch of additional children, so my headcanon is that his hand-raised boys stay with their families of origin until they've completed their mandatory schooling, which in Thailand is through Grade 9 — Big would be 14 or 15 when he came to the main family house and began his training. Big is the younger son in his family: his older brother will inherit their family's piece of the Theerapanyakul criminal empire, and Big's been marked for Kinn for basically his whole life. Even before Tankhun's abduction, Big belonged to Kinn. He met Kinn for the first time when he was about 12 and Kinn was 15 or so — Kinn was the coolest Cool Older Teen Big had ever laid eyes on. He smiled that devastating smile at Big and talked to him about video games or something and Big plunged headfirst into a fealty kink that would last the rest of his brief life.

Ken: As much as I have read and enjoyed many fics shipping Ken with various other male characters, my favorite headcanon for Ken is that he is the "token straight" in the main family house, and as such is relatively immune to the psychosexual shenanigans taking place on all sides of him. He's from a fairly well-off family — he grew up in Thailand but went to an international school, and he went to college in Australia. He was a competitive swimmer all through high school and college, which is why the "nice one, loser" moment cuts so deep. He has that very dangerous trait of "smart but not as smart as he thinks he is" in addition to being pretty greedy and amoral, so my headcanon is that he was boosting cars or some shit and stole the wrong car. Chan gave him a choice of "well-paying job for life or bullet in the head right now" and he happily chose the former. He thought working for the mob would be a lot more glamorous and exciting than it turned out to be; that, combined with aforementioned unwarranted self-confidence and greed, was what made it so easy for Gun to turn him.

Arm: I covered this in my answer to your delightful previous ask so I'll be brief here, but my headcanon is that Arm is ex-military and a trained field medic, and has some experience being around PTSD.

Pete: Pete is another one where we actually do know a bit about his backstory: the abusive father, the loving grandma, the complicated relationship to food, the history as a boxer. I don't understand Thai well enough to verify this but when Pete says "boxing" I assume he means muay thai. Pete is a real country boy, and I think he didn't spend much time in Bangkok before he came to work for Korn. I think he dealt with some food insecurity as a kid, from a combination of his dad not having much money and also just not being around much to feed him — I think his grandma (who I think he calls ยาย meaning she's his mom's mom?) took care to feed him up as much as she could when he visited her. My headcanon is that Korn straight-up bought Pete, either for cash after seeing him fight or as payment for a gambling debt his dad owed Korn's organization.

Pol: I think Pol was another one of Korn's hand-raised bunch, although his background is different from Big's. I don't think his parents are directly involved in the criminal underworld in the way I imagine Big's as being; instead, I think they're just regular working-class people who own a business, maybe a shop or something, that comes under Korn's purview. We've seen that the Theerapanyakul empire contains as many legitimate enterprises (bread company!) as illegitimate, and we know a lot of their money comes from real estate, so it might be as simple as Korn being Pol's family's landlord. Maybe they've been tenants of his for a long time, since his dad was still in charge; maybe they were part of the first territory he controlled while he was working his way up. At any rate, at some point when Pol was growing up Korn said "I have a job for your son if he wants it;" now Pol lives in the fancy house, has nice clothes and all his meals provided, and makes more money than his parents do by a long shot. He's the only one of the main bodyguard squad with a good relationship with his family (Pete and his grandma notwithstanding), which is why he's always on the shared phone.

Thanks for the ask! It was fun to write all this out after carrying it in my head for so long!

[restorationwellnessinc]

Why You Should Buy Organic Fruit: Protecting Your Family's Health and Wellness

As we become more aware of the impact our food choices have on our health and the environment, the decision to buy organic produce is becoming increasingly important. When it comes to fruit, opting for organic can have profound benefits for your family's health. Studies have shown that non-organic fruit can contain such high levels of toxic pesticides that the juice of a conventionally grown strawberry could theoretically be used as a pesticide spray on fields. This alarming fact underscores the importance of making informed choices when purchasing fruit.

The Dirty Dozen: What Are They and Why Buy Them Organically?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases an annual list known as the "Dirty Dozen," which highlights the fruits and vegetables most contaminated by pesticides. These foods are tested for pesticide residue, and the Dirty Dozen consistently show the highest levels of contamination. For 2024, the Dirty Dozen includes:

Strawberries

Spinach

Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens

Nectarines

Apples

Grapes

Bell and Hot Peppers

Cherries

Peaches

Pears

Celery

Tomatoes

Purchasing these items organically is crucial to minimizing your family's exposure to harmful chemicals. Pesticides have been linked to a range of health issues, including hormonal disruption, developmental problems in children, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

The Health Benefits of Organic Fruit

Reduced Pesticide Exposure: Organic fruit is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. This significantly reduces the risk of ingesting harmful chemicals that can negatively affect your health over time.

Nutrient Density: Some studies suggest that organic fruits contain higher levels of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients are vital for maintaining good health and boosting your immune system.

Better Taste and Quality: Many people find that organic fruit tastes better than conventional fruit. Organic farming practices often focus on soil health and plant nutrition, leading to more flavorful and vibrant produce.

Environmental Benefits: Organic farming practices are designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly. They help to preserve biodiversity, reduce pollution, and conserve water and soil quality.

Making the Switch: Tips for Shopping Organic

Start with the Dirty Dozen: If you're new to buying organic, begin by prioritizing the Dirty Dozen list. This will help you focus your budget on the fruits that most need to be bought organic.

Shop Seasonally: Buying seasonal produce can often be more affordable and fresher. Visit local farmers' markets where you can find organic fruits that are in season.

Use the Clean Fifteen: Complement your organic purchases with items from the "Clean Fifteen" list, which includes fruits and vegetables that typically have lower pesticide residues.

Grow Your Own: If you have the space, consider growing some of your own organic fruit. This can be a rewarding way to ensure your produce is fresh and free from pesticides.

Protecting Your Family's Health

As homemakers and caretakers, one of our primary roles is to protect and nurture our families. By choosing organic fruit, we reduce the risk of exposing our loved ones to toxic chemicals, support sustainable farming practices, and provide our families with the most nutritious options available. Small changes in our shopping habits can make a significant difference in our health and the health of our planet.

Making the shift to organic fruit is a step toward a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner environment. The next time you’re at the grocery store or farmers’ market, remember the impact your choices have. By investing in organic fruit, you're investing in your family's future and well-being.

Here's to healthier choices and a brighter, more vibrant life!

With health and happiness,

Kimberli Almonla

(Owner & CEO of Restoration Wellness)

[d0etickk]

What are Hosts?

Hosts are the chosen bodies of The Stag. They contain a piece of The Stag in the form of a parasite, which forms a permanent mental and spiritual link that It uses to communicate and change the Hosts’ mind/body over time.

Hosts serve as a means for The Stag to feed directly from the mortal world. A constant stream of energy to keep It alive and powerful enough to continue having influence over the physical plane.

Can almost be considered direct extensions of The Stag’s being, since they keep a piece of It alive. Hosts do retain a certain amount of autonomy from The Stag’s thoughts and desires, depending on strength of will and connection to their own humanity, as well as how long they have been a Host.

Flesh is the body of your lord. Blood is your holy water. Feed, feed, feed.

How does one become a Host?

One must be infected by The Stag when It has taken a physical body. The parasite must enter the Host and embed itself into the brain, eventually growing root-like appendages throughout the Host’s body.

Initial infection(lasting up to a full day or two in a normal human victim) causes fever, body aches, nausea, fatigue, ravenous hunger, lapses in memory(one often blocks out the memory of the infection process), and intense mood swings(often swaying towards aggression). Symptoms ease once parasite fully integrates itself into the Host’s brain and nervous system.

Hosts are often stalked as children and influenced into adulthood until their bodies are strong enough to survive being infected, as well as capable enough to feed The Stag. It may also choose already adult Hosts, though, depending on how much they fit the bill and how desperate The Stag is for a steady source of energy.

Sometimes employed to scout out potential for new Hosts, and aid in the luring of targets. Especially used as punishment if a Host kills another.

Changes

Diet changes to require raw meat, preferably fresh red meat. Bodies require an overall more carnivorous lifestyle. Can be animal, or human. Hosts are still able to consume normal, non-raw foods, they just don't "hit the spot".

As a channel of It’s energy, Hosts become predisposed to sadism and geared towards self-preservation. Animalistic desires are amplified. Flesh, blood, sex, survival, THE HUNT, etc. Hurray

Hosts undergo gradual mutations throughout their lives, none completely identical to the other, both intentionally induced by The Stag and as a byproduct of its very nature. More or less noticeable depending on lifestyle, and how much they embrace The Stag’s influence. Antlers are the one common trait, alongside sharper teeth as they fall out and grow back in.

Go through seasonal antler cycles much like deer.

The longer a Host lives, the more uncanny their appearance becomes.

Hosts are infertile. The Stag has no use for offspring not capable of immediately earning their keep. Energy maintaining the reproductive system is used elsewhere.

When starved long enough, Hosts enter a wild animal-like state where they become largely unresponsive, and seek only to satiate their cravings. They become very accident prone in this state as well. Know those videos of dogs smashing through glass/screen doors chasing something, or deer crashing into windows and acting confused about it? Yeah that’s what its like.

Abilities

Overall heightened senses; can track basic scent trails, see in the dark fairly well(eyes reflect light like an animal), hearing and light sensitivity is higher.

Higher pain tolerance. Can easier ignore injuries in favor of not showing weakness.

Pupils expand and contract much like a cat’s(pupil remains circular), teeth grow back if knocked out.

Boosted endurance, greater muscle capability(can result in harm/overexertion easier, though), greater healing capability(lethal injury is no longer lethal, if taken decent care of. Broken bones heal much quicker), beefed up immune systems, can digest raw flesh and drink dirty water no issue.

Weaknesses

Less in control of their own emotions, especially anger, or hunger. Generally more impulsive.

Can overexert themselves easier, due to bodily restrictions being less mentally registered.

MUST eat raw meat as part of their diet, or become unstable/feverish.

Mutations over time are not always completely beneficial, especially far down the line. Can pose harm or discomfort to the Host.

Can never truly sleep peacefully. Nightmares and insomnia are very common.

Can’t easily blend into society during antler months. Both because of antlers, and heightened emotional instability/appetite.

Sensitive towards loud sounds and bright light. Becomes easily disoriented/overstimulated by these things.

Fun facts

Hosts are generally considered pests/creatures to people(like proxies, demons, etc) who are versed in earth’s freaky supernatural shit. They're like bears you find rummaging through your trash or antagonizing pets. Or mysterious beasts picking off livestock. They're dangerous and unpredictable, but also annoying and kinda stinky.

Hosts are much less in number compared to proxies. Both because they blend in less to society, but also because the process in choosing/grooming a Host is much more lengthy and energy-consuming.

There is no cure to the parasite other than death once it fully integrates.

Hosts are not known to get along very well together, despite being children of the same entity. They often avoid each other, and collaborate only in desperate situations.

[follow-up-news]

Powdered drink mixes that are widely promoted as “toddler milks” for older babies and children up to age 3 are unregulated, unnecessary and “nutritionally incomplete,” the American Academy of Pediatrics warned Friday. The drinks, which are touted to parents on TikTok, in television ads and on other sites, often contain added sugar and salt. The manufacturers make unproven claims that the drinks boost kids’ brains or immune systems, said Dr. George Fuchs, a member of the AAP’s nutrition committee, which released the new report. Formula industry officials said the drinks could be useful for filling “nutrition gaps” in kids’ diets. But Fuchs said older babies and toddlers should be given a balanced diet of solid foods, as well as drink breast milk, fortified whole cow’s milk and water after age 1. [...] Infant formula is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must meet certain nutrition requirements as a replacement for human milk for babies up to 12 months. The facilities where infant formula are made are regularly inspected. There are no federal regulations governing milk drink mixes for older babies and toddlers.