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tinytony-snack · 5 years

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Pancakes and Henley shirts

[A/B/O, superhusbands, cute, funny, established relationship, mpreg]

“Good morning,” Bucky yawned as he entered the kitchen of the communal floor. If Steve wasn’t busy glaring at his pancakes, he would’ve told Bucky to cover his damn mouth. He growled thought, a deep sound that would’ve made anyone else turning back on the spot.

“I doubt it,” he muffled, having his mouth filled in with his breakfast. He was eating his usual huge number of pancakes, bacon and a spinach omelette, but instead of having a quiet breakfast, he was devouring the food as if they attacked him personally.

Bucky stopped, and a quick glance at his friend was enough to imagine how Steve’s morning went. “I should’ve known better than saying something as controversial as good morning,”

Steve grunted in response, a deep sound that came out of his throat, and stabbed an innocent piece of bacon. They stayed quiet for a while, Bucky poured himself some Cap’n Crunch cereal and milk in a bowl and sat at the kitchen’s aisle in front of his friend. Steve was fuming, and stabbing, and swallowing without chewing a pile of innocent pancakes.

Bucky cracked first, and after a heavy sigh he let down the spoon and glared at Steve.

“Clint said you didn’t say a word to him when he was here earlier, and something about killer vibes,”

Steve’s eyes widened in surprise, and a strong sense of guilt made the last bite more difficult to swallow. His rumbles eased, becoming a background noise.

“I didn’t notice he was here,” he admitted, lowering his gaze.

“Yeah, he figured. What’s going on Stevie?” Bucky had an inquisitor gaze, the kind that brought Steve’s memory back of almost a century.

Bucky was improving day after day, and they were all getting used to his presence in the tower. For Steve, it meant getting re-used to his ways of doing, and trying to keep separate what he remembered about his best friend and the person he became. They were two different people, even if Bucky had full control of his mental faculties again, years and years under HYDRA influence changed him at his very core level.

“Tony kicked me out from our bedroom last night,” he said, making a vague gesture with his hand — something he took from his husband — and talking like it wasn’t a big deal.

Bucky didn’t buy it and continued staring at him suspiciously.

“I asked him if I could wash him, a proper bath with scented salts and all the products he likes, and he,” Steve rumbled in distress again, filling his cheeks with all the food he could.

For a moment, he thought Bucky was smiling at him, a sweet and amused grin, but it went away quickly as he appeared.

“He got upset, accusing me to not liking him as before, that I only want to touch his-” That time Bucky interrupted him, with a screech of the spoon against the bowl.

“-belly,” Steve finished, glaring at his friend. “Next thing I know, he’s pushing me out of our bedroom, growling at me and yelling that I didn’t want him anymore, I was only interested in the baby,” three stabs followed his words, and his mouth was full again. His body required an incredible amount of food when he had to deal with Tony’s sudden mood swings and is pregnancy logic.

“And you haven’t seen him since?” Bucky sounded genuinely surprised: he hadn’t been around for so long, but enough to notice that whenever there was Tony, Steve was nearby. Their attachment even increased after the Omega got pregnant.

Steve shook his head twice, and with a sad sigh he got up to get more food. Twenty-first century made him an emotional eater, he coped drowning everything in maple syrup.

“I made breakfast before leaving this morning, hoping to eat it with him and settling his doubts, or, or fixing whatever I did wrong when I asked for a bath. He ate before I came back,” and that’s what really made him miserable: after a whole night alone, his Omega still avoided him during the day.

Maybe he really hurt Tony, he wasn’t only being over-dramatic or throwing a tantrum for his hormones out of whack. Steve had been patient during the past weeks, always support his Omega during the pregnancy: he prepared in time, he did all the lectures - and made Tony at least listen to him reading them - and asked JARVIS to find useful information on internet. There was too much trash over there.

Last night, the Omega caught him off guards: he didn’t expect to be accused of losing interest in the most brilliant, breathtaking, handsome man on the entire planet. The thought kept him awake all night, and he hoped breakfast would��ve been a chance to clarify, to remember Tony he loved him above anything else.

“Did you take off your shirt?” Bucky asked, bringing Steve back to the real world. He stopped with the fork mid-air, his lips already parted to take in the next enormous bite. He probably looked like a fool, mouth open and eyebrows furrowed, but he couldn’t process what he heard.

“Are you joking?” Steve let out another growl, a warning that resounded in the room. Bucky provoked his instincts by joking about his expecting Omega, and about the fight they had, as weird as it could sound. The other Alpha didn’t wince, he shrugged and dunk the spoon in the milk, while pouring more Cap’n Crunch.

“It works with Sam ‘n Clint,” he spoke while chewing, and it wasn’t pretty. A memory soothed Steve’s spirit: Bucky used to lose his charm when there were only the two of them.

“What?” He sounded hopeless. He needed all the help he could get to make Tony happy again. Tony’s anger was bad for both of them: his Omega was on edge, he was feeling the need to hide from his Alpha, and Steve couldn’t take care of his lovely Omega.

“Just take off your shirt and enjoy the show,”

Steve rolled his eyes up, and Bucky pointed the spoon toward him.

“Hey, how come after seventy years I’m still teaching you how to court pretty Omegas?” He sounded a lot accusatory for Steve’s likings, with the pointy spoon in his direction.

“And after seventy years, I’m still ignoring you,” he answered, very mature. His best friend had the ability to make him sound like a sixteen-year-old again.

They finished their breakfast in peace, Steve still focused on attacking the food and Bucky looking at him with a wry grin plastered on his face, sometimes chuckling and shaking his head, as if Steve was definitely beyond help.

After breakfast, Steve joined Sam in the gym, and actually asked for suggestions. Sam’s moral compass often led him to a solution; he trusted Bucky with all his life, but they still had very different ideas about relationships.

In fact, Bucky had joined Sam and Clint, who were already mates, after having experienced the free life twenty-first century allowed, while he had had his eyes only on Tony since he fell from a wormhole in the battle of New York.

After Sam finished laughing at him for being both dramatic idiots - Steve didn’t get upset anymore, he was quite used to it and limited to roll his eyes - he tried for real to help a friend in need.

Talking with him and releasing some frustration against two punching bags, made him recover sufficient calm to confront his Omega. He stopped for a shower first: Tony didn’t like when he showed sweaty in his lab, and the Omega’s mad already. Better not to make it any harder.

He sighed of relief when his passcode opened the tinted glass door: Tony threatened him more than once to change it without letting his Alpha know, and Steve thought, that time, he could’ve done that for real.

“Tony?” He announced himself, looking around to find the genius.

Tony was working on a 3D holographic model of an iron man boot and he didn’t turn around to face Steve, he acknowledged his Alpha’s presence only by stiffing for a second.

“Can we talk?” Steve asked, hoping to get a real answer. He stepped nearby, sitting on a swivel chair and leaning forward. He didn’t want to impose on his Omega, hence being on a lower height than him usually helped.

“What, you wanna ask if I’ve slept and eaten enough for the baby’s health?” He sounded strongly bitter. What would’ve been so terrible about that, anyway?

He knew Tony cared about their child as much as himself and was trying to quit bad habits like not eating enough, or not getting enough sleep, because he was too focused on something else.

Steve opened his mouth to answer, but Tony cut him off.

“Don’t waste your time here, I did, I did. I slept all night and ate everything you left, and I also watched a documentary about giving births, Jarvis will confirm it. It was disgusting, by the way. The documentary, not the food. Now that I think about it, also the food wasn’t that good. Clint had to remove every little piece of mango from my fruit salad. Why did you put it, were you trying to poison me?” A rush of words hit Steve, leaving him disoriented and confused. Tony was talking and moving agitated, and the growls Steve was hearing weren’t a good sign either.

“Wait, Omega wait. Of course I wasn’t trying to poison you. Since when you don’t like mangoes? You made me buy one just the other day,” it wasn’t the first time Tony was being unreasonable, and his pregnancy hormones made it worse.

“Can’t I change my mind? I bet you wouldn’t hold it against your child!” He yelled in Steve’s face, who was looking more worried second after second.

“I’m not holding anything against you, I didn’t even bring it up! Why do you think everything I say is only about our child?” He resisted the urge to stand up and to physically make Tony listen to him. He would never hurt his Omega, but someone needed to get him out from his own head.

“’Cause it’s true! I know when you said I love you, in reality you mean the baby. I don’t matter anymore, and you’ll get rid of me eventually,” that only left Steve with the most ridiculously baffled expression, with open wide mouth and eyes.

He was about to talk back, and standing up just to make a point, but arguing with Tony exhausted him and it wasn’t good for the Omega too. He didn’t want to spend another night alone, and not being able to look at Tony in the morning, wandering around with the cutest sleepy head and making grabbing hands toward him until Steve put a mug of hot coffee under his nose. Well, it hadn’t been coffee since the Omega got pregnant, but they didn’t talk about it.

Forgetting everything Sam said only half an hour earlier, Steve stood up carefully, without meaning to appear authoritative. He unbuttoned the three buttons of his gray Henley shirt, after which he removed it in a slow motion. Tony and his growls froze, and it was his turn to look stunned and bewildered.

“Huh, oh. You’re... You had...” He waved with his hands in Steve’s chest direction. “There are muscles,” He had his mouth wide open and was gasping for hair, without stopping his hands which were creating imaginary shapes in the air at Steve’s abs height.

That was new for Steve: he knew very well Tony could ramble disconnected words for minutes when he was nervous, but he was never wordless. Steve couldn’t remember a time when Tony had to search for words, instead of having a million of them already on the tip of his tongue, ready to talk a mile a minute.

He didn’t look upset anymore, and that was very positive, therefore Steve decided to use that as an opportunity to make peace. Since Tony was remaining still, except for his hands and mouth, he closed the distance and took Tony’s wrists, yanking slightly to make his Omega pressing his fingers against his own chest.

Tony’s scent instantly surrounded them, sweet and yet powerful, leaving Steve amazed. It was the scent of a pregnant Omega: it smelled like fresh, beautiful flowers, with something of warm and tantalizing brought about by his arousal.

His Omega was excited, and Steve released a low rumble of approval from his chest.

“O-oh,” Tony stammered, stroking him over his pectorals and down to the abdomen, following the marked lines of his muscles. “God, you’re gorgeous,” a purr from the Omega, vibrating though his body and curling the edge of the words.

The purrs increased as Tony pressed his faced in the middle of his chest and inhaled deeply. “Alpha,” he moaned around the word, melting like the sweet, perfect Omega he was.

Steve couldn’t believe Bucky’s questionable method worked, for that reason he took a few seconds before reacting. He had his Omega completely relaxed against him, his delicious scent was filling his nose and he could sense a rush of Tony’s wet slick pooling between his thighs. Fuck, he could already feel the delicious taste on his tongue.

He let go of Tony’s wrists and embraced him with an arm, lifting his chin up with the other hand, forcing him to look up. Tony’s eyes were lost in the haze of pleasure, his vision was blurred, softening at the edges.

Steve’s smile was soft then, sweetened by Tony’s cute expression and loud purrs. “You okay sweet thing?” He asked softly, bumping their noses together affectionately.

The Omega buried his face again in Steve’s neck and nodded, still stroking his fingers over the Alpha’s muscles. “’m fine,” words muffled by his position, but Steve already knew it, anyway. “You smell good,” he mewled, stroking his lips against Steve’s skin, making the Alpha groan, his eyes falling shut.

Steve tried to ignore the tightness in his pants; as badly as he wanted to bend his Omega over the nearest surface and resume the previous night activities, for the sake of his marriage he forced himself to settle. Bucky’s method was dangerous, having Tony’s pliant in his arms was making him forget he had somewhat hurt his Omega.

The Alpha allowed himself only a deep breath of Tony’s hot scent, rumbling deep in his chest, a coaxing sound that had his Omega purring in response.

“You smell incredible,” he stated breathlessly. He was overwhelmed by how good the Omega smelled, and his hands, both on Tony’s back hugging him tight, twitched to grab two handfuls of his swell ass.

“Wanna tell me why you were mad?” He nuzzled his nose in the Omega’s hair, stroking his back and shoulders gently.

Tony circled Steve’s neck with both arms, and looked at him directly in the eyes, for real that time. Steve waited, gaze awed by the beautiful face he was observing, and the Omega stuck out his lips, closing his eyes and leaning forward.

He was demanding a kiss, and Steve huffed a laugh, but he wasn’t really laughing, it was full of fondness as he gave Tony what was due him. “Cute Omega”, he whispered, kissing him carefully, cupping his jaw gently, his thumb brushing over his cheek.

Tony’s answer was to purr again, knowing how he affected the Alpha. But Steve needed answers and growled back with a bit of a warning. The Omega pouted, so adorably the Alpha had to resist kissing him again.

“The baby gets all your attention, you never look at me anymore. You- You’ll grow tired of me, bored.”

“That’s not true, I always look at you,” Steve said seriously.

“Only at my belly,” he pouted more, and moved his gaze away.

“At you,” Steve’s voice was final, leaving no room for confusion or misunderstanding. He cupped Tony’s cheeks, gently, he didn’t force the Omega to look back at him but he did, and Steve kissed him on the lips. Tony wrinkled his nose but kissed his Alpha anyway, digging his fingers in Steve’s biceps and using them as a lift when he raised on tiptoes.

The kiss lasted long that time; they kept it chaste, soft lips moving across each other’s with a light caress, every little movement expressing every bit of love they had for each other. It was an amazingly big amount, and they felt it all. Tony tilted his head back, and the Alpha growled possessively at how perfect his Omega was, at how he tasted so good, all for him.

“Christ, you’re beautiful,” Steve breathed the words on Tony’s lips, eyes half-open and fingers laced in dark, short hairs. “I’m still trying to figure out how to make you understand...”

“What?” Tony asked, blinking slowly. Steady purrs were vibrating from his throat.

“How amazing you are. Brilliant, the bravest person I’ve ever known. Too reckless for your own good, and it scares the hell out of me, but that’s how you are. Kind, funny, and so so very smart. You’re the only person who knew how to help me understand a world I could hardly recognize. I know I don’t talk about it, but it was bad before you. For me, it was terrible, I had lost everyone and everything I knew,” he had to stop for a second, just admiring the view.

Tony’s hazel eyes were wide open, liquid and wet at the edges. He wasn’t pouting anymore but his lips were still curled, as if he was keeping them still. He was. Tony’s lips always trembled a little when he was emotional, and it was another detail Steve loved about him.

“Are you gonna proposing again?” Tony’s throat sounded dry. Typical of him, joking at the worst possible time.

Steve chuckled, shook his head and pressed his lips on his Omega’s forehead, keeping them there. “Silly Omega, I would propose to you every day”

He heard a soft gasp from Tony, then strong arms circling his waist, and the profile of the Omega hiding below his chin. He fit there so well, the first time it happened it made Steve stop searching for a sense of belonging; he found his home.

“How could I ever be bored with you? I want to spend every day taking care of you, baby or not on the way. You’re the one I love, the one I want to grow old with, laughing at terrible jokes and worrying for your life every time you put yourself in danger to save others,”

Steve hugged Tony back as tightly as he could, straighten himself and lifting the Omega up with one smooth movement. Tony instinctively wrapped his legs around Steve’s waist as he did, without even a flinch, and still with his face hid in the Alpha’s neck.

“You’ve planned dis,” a sigh from the Omega, who sniffled. “You’ve planned to make me cry,” another sigh as he went on with his accuses.

Steve’s smile was big and bright, the kind that only Tony could make him do. He started moving slowly, the weight of his Omega was almost non-existent but in real he didn’t have a place in mind where to go. He just wanted to keep hugging Tony, soothing him with feather-light kisses on his cheek and gentle rumbles.

“Yes, I did. I’m a master strategist, I’ve planned to get you mad just to make you remember how good I am at removing shirts and do declarations of love,” he joked too, easing the atmosphere.

A wet giggle escaped from Tony, and his entire body shook because he was trying to not laugh. A fist bumped Steve’s shoulder, lightly but firm.

“You’re good at removing shirts,” the Omega confirmed.

“Are there any chances we can keep it between the two of us?”

“Not one, mister Rogers,” more giggles followed the words. Steve couldn’t blame him, Bucky’s method worked, eventually.

“What if I’ll bribe you, mister Rogers?” He asked affectionately. They both changed their last names after the wedding, and the complete version was Stark-Rogers, but every variant was like honey for his ears.

“... What kind of bribe?” The Omega asked after a moment, sounding amused and pretty interested.

They left the lab while talking; Tony was leaving a trail of delicate kisses on Steve’s neck and jaw, sometimes rubbing his nose against his skin to scent him. Steve was just gladly enjoying all those sweet attentions and couldn’t wait to reach their floors to reciprocate.

“Hum, I’m thinking about cheeseburgers and ice cream for lunch. How does it sound?”

“Shit, it sounds good,” and the keen Tony made, Steve could only consider it as lascivious. Maybe Steve was getting lunch earlier that day, a tasteful, trembling and moaning lunch.

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brandyfields66-blog · 6 years

Text

I Ate Like Supermodel Kate Upton for Three Days-and It Wasn't That Hard

What It Is: Kate Upton x Urban Remedy Meal Plan

Who Tried It: Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE.com associate editor

Level of Difficulty: 4/10

When I think Kate Upton, three things come to mind: Her laugh-out-loud role in The Other Woman, her picture-perfect relationship with husband Justin Verlander and her totally enviable physique (and body-positive attitude to boot!). Upton's a supermodel whose hectic schedule keeps her on the go, but she makes sure to eat clean, nourishing meals throughout the day no matter what.

In late June, Upton announced on Instagram that she partnered up with Urban Remedy and its founder, Neka Pasquale, to create an exclusive Kate-Upton-approved meal plan that promotes an organic diet.

The three-day meal plan ($189; urbanremedy.com) features salads, a veggie burger, a black rice bowl and several shots of juice for fitness fans to take before, during and after their workouts. As People.com's self-proclaimed guinea pig, I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to try it out. But this isn't just another celebrity who has no personal attachment to the product she's endorsing. Upton tells PEOPLE she's long been a fan of the company and its delicious and healthy offerings.

So, what advice did she have for me before I kicked off my living-like-a-supermodel adventure? She recommended I pay extra-close attention to subtle and noticeable changes I'd be experiencing in those three days. “I always can tell when I'm eating clean because I sleep better, my skin clears up, and I have significantly more energy,” Upton tells PEOPLE of her own experience with the service. “It truly makes a huge difference.”

And with that heads-up, I was off:

Day One

Tell Me About Your Day: I don't even know how to describe what I felt on my first day. Surprise? Total satisfaction? I was just happy, and yes, most definitely surprised. I kicked off my three-day journey on a Wednesday, which in theory sounded perfect. I'd end this meal plan right before the weekend so if I'm miserable I can just treat myself to cheese fries on Saturday, I thought. But here's the thing: The meals were really, really good - even the smoothies, which I was skeptical about at first. I usually start my day off with a big ol' cup of oatmeal and a banana, but the Green Berry smoothie was first on the meal plan's Day 1 list. I don't have an ongoing relationship with smoothies so I was curious about my very first beverage on the plan. The drink was sweet and thick, but not in an overwhelming way. I was immediately satisfied and much to my surprise, felt satiated. A much lighter green juice (Slender Greens) came next for “mid-morning.” Clearly unexperienced, I kind of forced myself to drink Slender Greens 1.5 hours after the Green Berry, despite still feeling quite full. Lunch called for Thai Veggie Noodles and Chicken. The noodles were made from zucchini, and the dish was delicious. It even came with a spicy ginger lime dressing! And because Kate Upton knows every sane person needs an afternoon snack to get them through the mid-day slump, she included Sour Cream & Chive Zucchini Chips (1/2 bag) in the plan. I was extra cautious about not eating the entire bag. At around 5 p.m. I ate dinner, a Vegan Caesar Salad that came with parmesan seed cheese made from hemp, sesame and sunflower. I did feel hungry a few hours later, though, so I ate an RX Bar after coming across a “plan tip” written at the top of the meal plan schedule card that read, “Listen to your body and eat when hungry.” I took it as a sign to enjoy the chocolate sea salt bar, which I do end up doing while also vowing to not force-drink the mid-morning juice so soon after my breakfast.

How's Your Skin? I've always been prone to breakouts so I'll be honest and say I wasn't expecting an overnight miracle. Regardless, I did keep an extra-close eye on a bump I saw forming on my right cheek that morning.

How'd You Sleep? Like a baby. But I think it had less to do with the meal plan and more to do with my A/C being on the whole night.

How About Your Energy Levels? I will say, I did feel healthier since I was being encouraged to focus on portion controls, and not just eating cupcakes or cookies whenever I needed a break from work.

Day Two

Tell Me About Your Day: I felt like a contestant on the early-aughts reality show Temptation Island, but instead of hunky guys, my temptation came in the form of a catered company lunch and DIY sundae bar. I must persevere! And I did. Somehow. In the morning, I happily gulped my breakfast - a Mint Cacao Chip smoothie - which almost made me cry because it tasted like a cheat meal but is so, so good for you because of the vitamin-loaded spinach, banana, cashews, mint and cacao in it. Lunch and dinner were comprised of Rainbow Salad + Chicken and Ensalada Bowl salads. The afternoon snack, a Cacao Chip Protein Bar, was exactly what I needed after being tempted with goodies. Oh, I also downed almost two liters of water throughout the day … which I mindlessly end with an RX Bar while reading a few articles on my phone. What can I say? I'm a creature of habit.

How's Your Skin? The bump on my cheek got bigger. Again, not your fault, Kate Upton. I blame that one night earlier in the week when I didn't deep-clean my face for this soon-to-be volcano-sized zit on my face.

How'd You Sleep? Not very well but it's entirely my fault. I stayed up late to watch a re-run of Southern Charm. I am too invested in the Thomas-Ashley-Kathryn drama to feel guilty.

How About Your Energy Levels? I definitely started feeling more confident on Thursday, mostly because I coolly rejected the free sandwiches and ice cream being served at work. I did, however, stand within feet of the free food just to see/smell it but found myself back at my desk minutes later (hair flip).

Day Three

Tell Me About Your Day: My morning started off with a 7 a.m. boxing class at Shadowbox, which meant I was finally able to try out the plan's pre-, mid- and post-workout shots. Since I'm only really used to chugging water while exercising and making a protein shake right after, the shots - made with ingredients like beet root (pre), cucumber (mid) and ginger (post) - were a nice little departure. The post-workout shot, in particular, was a nice kick thanks to the ginger and turmeric. It claims to reduce inflammation and officially woke me up. After that, I made my way to work, had a Green Berry smoothie and a Happy Belly juice hours later, when my body was finally ready. In terms of food, Day 3 of the plan is the best one yet. Lunch and dinner were comprised of an umami plant Veggie Burger - which I had to stop myself from eating so fast because it is that good - and a Black Rice Umeboshi Bowl that came with salmon. Salmon! I was thrilled because as much as I love salads, I do appreciate a variety in my protein (i.e. something other than chicken). The afternoon snack called for the last half of the Sour Cream & Chive Zucchini Chips bag, which ended up being more than half because I was so paranoid about eating the entire thing on Day 1. I was very satisfied throughout the day, mostly because I finally got the hang of drinking my mid-morning juice when I felt less-than-uncomfortably-stuffed. That evening was a little trickier. My good friend was treating me and four of her other bridesmaids to a nice dinner a week before her wedding. It took me a very long time to order because I a.) wasn't that hungry at all and b.) wanted to make Kate Upton proud! In the end, I chose roasted chicken with veggies for my entrée … and a little slice of peach cobbler with blackberry ice cream for dessert. (Sorry, Kate!!) It sounded too delicious to pass up.

How's Your Skin? The little bump on my right cheek grew into a full-fledged whitehead, which - spoiler alert! - eventually disappeared almost a week later.

How'd You Sleep? Pretty good! Waking up early for a fitness class before work usually catches up with me at the end of the day.

How About Your Energy Levels? I felt pretty good at work. Not tired one bit.

Conclusion

The meals were delicious and very easy to prep since all I really had to do was mix in the dressing, chicken and salmon. No microwave needed! It was a much-needed reboot to my system, which up until starting the meal plan, only recognized the chocolate chip waffles and chicken nuggets I continuously ate during a weekend binge. The only downside is that the meal plan does have a hefty price tag, which makes sense considering every meal is fresh and packed with nutrients your body needs. That being said, I would definitely still treat myself to the Veggie Burger and a few Mint Cacao Chip smoothies in the near future. The best news? You can buy any item individually.

0 notes

reynoldslevi10-blog · 6 years

Text

I Ate Like Supermodel Kate Upton for Three Days-and It Wasn't That Hard

What It Is: Kate Upton x Urban Remedy Meal Plan

Who Tried It: Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE.com associate editor

Level of Difficulty: 4/10

In late June, Upton announced on Instagram that she partnered up with Urban Remedy and its founder, Neka Pasquale, to create an exclusive Kate-Upton-approved meal plan that promotes an organic diet.

And with that heads-up, I was off:

Day One

How'd You Sleep? Like a baby. But I think it had less to do with the meal plan and more to do with my A/C being on the whole night.

How About Your Energy Levels? I will say, I did feel healthier since I was being encouraged to focus on portion controls, and not just eating cupcakes or cookies whenever I needed a break from work.

Day Two

How'd You Sleep? Not very well but it's entirely my fault. I stayed up late to watch a re-run of Southern Charm. I am too invested in the Thomas-Ashley-Kathryn drama to feel guilty.

Day Three

How's Your Skin? The little bump on my right cheek grew into a full-fledged whitehead, which - spoiler alert! - eventually disappeared almost a week later.

How'd You Sleep? Pretty good! Waking up early for a fitness class before work usually catches up with me at the end of the day.

How About Your Energy Levels? I felt pretty good at work. Not tired one bit.

Conclusion

0 notes

psmf-diet · 6 years

Text

I Ate Like Supermodel Kate Upton for Three Days—and It Wasn’t That Hard

What It Is: Kate Upton x Urban Remedy Meal Plan

Who Tried It: Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE.com associate editor

Level of Difficulty: 4/10

When I think Kate Upton, three things come to mind: Her laugh-out-loud role in The Other Woman, her picture-perfect relationship with husband Justin Verlander and her totally enviable physique (and body-positive attitude to boot!). Upton’s a supermodel whose hectic schedule keeps her on the go, but she makes sure to eat clean, nourishing meals throughout the day no matter what.

In late June, Upton announced on Instagram that she partnered up with Urban Remedy and its founder, Neka Pasquale, to create an exclusive Kate-Upton-approved meal plan that promotes an organic diet.

The three-day meal plan ($189; urbanremedy.com) features salads, a veggie burger, a black rice bowl and several shots of juice for fitness fans to take before, during and after their workouts. As People.com’s self-proclaimed guinea pig, I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to try it out. But this isn’t just another celebrity who has no personal attachment to the product she’s endorsing. Upton tells PEOPLE she’s long been a fan of the company and its delicious and healthy offerings.

So, what advice did she have for me before I kicked off my living-like-a-supermodel adventure? She recommended I pay extra-close attention to subtle and noticeable changes I’d be experiencing in those three days. “I always can tell when I’m eating clean because I sleep better, my skin clears up, and I have significantly more energy,” Upton tells PEOPLE of her own experience with the service. “It truly makes a huge difference.”

And with that heads-up, I was off:

Day One

Tell Me About Your Day: I don’t even know how to describe what I felt on my first day. Surprise? Total satisfaction? I was just happy, and yes, most definitely surprised. I kicked off my three-day journey on a Wednesday, which in theory sounded perfect. I’d end this meal plan right before the weekend so if I’m miserable I can just treat myself to cheese fries on Saturday, I thought. But here’s the thing: The meals were really, really good — even the smoothies, which I was skeptical about at first. I usually start my day off with a big ol’ cup of oatmeal and a banana, but the Green Berry smoothie was first on the meal plan’s Day 1 list. I don’t have an ongoing relationship with smoothies so I was curious about my very first beverage on the plan. The drink was sweet and thick, but not in an overwhelming way. I was immediately satisfied and much to my surprise, felt satiated. A much lighter green juice (Slender Greens) came next for “mid-morning.” Clearly unexperienced, I kind of forced myself to drink Slender Greens 1.5 hours after the Green Berry, despite still feeling quite full. Lunch called for Thai Veggie Noodles and Chicken. The noodles were made from zucchini, and the dish was delicious. It even came with a spicy ginger lime dressing! And because Kate Upton knows every sane person needs an afternoon snack to get them through the mid-day slump, she included Sour Cream & Chive Zucchini Chips (1/2 bag) in the plan. I was extra cautious about not eating the entire bag. At around 5 p.m. I ate dinner, a Vegan Caesar Salad that came with parmesan seed cheese made from hemp, sesame and sunflower. I did feel hungry a few hours later, though, so I ate an RX Bar after coming across a “plan tip” written at the top of the meal plan schedule card that read, “Listen to your body and eat when hungry.” I took it as a sign to enjoy the chocolate sea salt bar, which I do end up doing while also vowing to not force-drink the mid-morning juice so soon after my breakfast.

How’s Your Skin? I’ve always been prone to breakouts so I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t expecting an overnight miracle. Regardless, I did keep an extra-close eye on a bump I saw forming on my right cheek that morning.

How’d You Sleep? Like a baby. But I think it had less to do with the meal plan and more to do with my A/C being on the whole night.

How About Your Energy Levels? I will say, I did feel healthier since I was being encouraged to focus on portion controls, and not just eating cupcakes or cookies whenever I needed a break from work.

Day Two

Tell Me About Your Day: I felt like a contestant on the early-aughts reality show Temptation Island, but instead of hunky guys, my temptation came in the form of a catered company lunch and DIY sundae bar. I must persevere! And I did. Somehow. In the morning, I happily gulped my breakfast — a Mint Cacao Chip smoothie — which almost made me cry because it tasted like a cheat meal but is so, so good for you because of the vitamin-loaded spinach, banana, cashews, mint and cacao in it. Lunch and dinner were comprised of Rainbow Salad + Chicken and Ensalada Bowl salads. The afternoon snack, a Cacao Chip Protein Bar, was exactly what I needed after being tempted with goodies. Oh, I also downed almost two liters of water throughout the day … which I mindlessly end with an RX Bar while reading a few articles on my phone. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit.

How’s Your Skin? The bump on my cheek got bigger. Again, not your fault, Kate Upton. I blame that one night earlier in the week when I didn’t deep-clean my face for this soon-to-be volcano-sized zit on my face.

How’d You Sleep? Not very well but it’s entirely my fault. I stayed up late to watch a re-run of Southern Charm. I am too invested in the Thomas-Ashley-Kathryn drama to feel guilty.

Day Three

Tell Me About Your Day: My morning started off with a 7 a.m. boxing class at Shadowbox, which meant I was finally able to try out the plan’s pre-, mid- and post-workout shots. Since I’m only really used to chugging water while exercising and making a protein shake right after, the shots — made with ingredients like beet root (pre), cucumber (mid) and ginger (post) — were a nice little departure. The post-workout shot, in particular, was a nice kick thanks to the ginger and turmeric. It claims to reduce inflammation and officially woke me up. After that, I made my way to work, had a Green Berry smoothie and a Happy Belly juice hours later, when my body was finally ready. In terms of food, Day 3 of the plan is the best one yet. Lunch and dinner were comprised of an umami plant Veggie Burger — which I had to stop myself from eating so fast because it is that good — and a Black Rice Umeboshi Bowl that came with salmon. Salmon! I was thrilled because as much as I love salads, I do appreciate a variety in my protein (i.e. something other than chicken). The afternoon snack called for the last half of the Sour Cream & Chive Zucchini Chips bag, which ended up being more than half because I was so paranoid about eating the entire thing on Day 1. I was very satisfied throughout the day, mostly because I finally got the hang of drinking my mid-morning juice when I felt less-than-uncomfortably-stuffed. That evening was a little trickier. My good friend was treating me and four of her other bridesmaids to a nice dinner a week before her wedding. It took me a very long time to order because I a.) wasn’t that hungry at all and b.) wanted to make Kate Upton proud! In the end, I chose roasted chicken with veggies for my entrée … and a little slice of peach cobbler with blackberry ice cream for dessert. (Sorry, Kate!!) It sounded too delicious to pass up.

How’s Your Skin? The little bump on my right cheek grew into a full-fledged whitehead, which — spoiler alert! — eventually disappeared almost a week later.

How’d You Sleep? Pretty good! Waking up early for a fitness class before work usually catches up with me at the end of the day.

How About Your Energy Levels? I felt pretty good at work. Not tired one bit.

Conclusion

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the2travel · 7 years

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* World Travel Tips : Top 10 Kansas City Favorites -- Food And Drink Edition

Travel Tips -

It's no secret that Kansas City is a wonderful place. It is lively, young, and only getting better. One of the best things about KC is that there are so many stellar and unique restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, distilleries, and so much more. I’m still finding new gems after calling KC home for nearly 5 years now. Today, I’m sharing a handful of my favorites. These are the places I take visiting friends and family, recommend to out-of-town guests and co-workers, and will keep returning to as long as I live in this wonderful city.

Succotash - Midtown area

One of the most artistic and quirky restaurants I've ever seen, Succotash has definitely proven itself as a favorite among Kansas-Citians, as witnessed by the out-the-door lines on weekends. The vibe here is colorful, lively, and loud, especially on a crowded Saturday morning. I love their fresh-pressed juices. The unmistakable signature of Succotash is the enormous wall-hanging of a woman slurping on a spoonful of tomato soup. Hundreds have posed for pictures with this weird yet intriguing photo. Don't forget to try the sumo-food challenge, if you dare: eggs, ham, peppers, onions, fries and cheese wrapped in a giant pancake topped with sausage gravy. If you manage to eat the entire breakfast set before you, the meal will be on the house, and your name will go up on the wall. I also love that they have a signature dessert, which is a rainbow 8-layer citrus cake.

What I've tried: Farmstand, Body Builder, short stack pancakes, Little Richard, Burrito of Love, mexican coke, Cubano juice, Lawnmower juice, Sexy Beast juice, Ninja Sunrise juice

What I can’t wait to try: Veggie wrap, eggs benedict, zesty dipping platter, Mr Green Jeans juice, 8-layer citrus cake

Favorite(s): Lawnmower juice, Body Builder, chocolate chip pancakes, Cubano juice

Succotash

2601 Holmes St. Kansas City, MO 64108

816-421-2807

The Farmhouse - River Market

This little treasure is one of my favorites. I love coming here for weekend brunch. I have not yet made it here for lunch or dinner, but from what I've heard, it's delightful. The staff is dedicated to merging local, high quality ingredients and food with great customer experiences. They work with local farmers and always have a fresh, seasonal menu. I have never been disappointed here.

What I've tried: Eggs benedict, steak & eggs, cinnamon roll, Midwest Croque Madame

What I can’t wait to try: KC Hot Brown, Airline chicken, pan seared duck breast, pumpkin flapjacks, veggie benedict

Favorite(s): Eggs benedict, cinnamon roll

The Farmhouse

300 Delaware Street Kansas City, Missouri 64105

816-569-6032

The Sundry - Midtown area

After one visit, the Sundry became my new go-to lunch spot. It's close to my work, uses local and organic ingredients, and is fairly priced. Something unique about this place is that you can buy grocery products from local vendors here. The interior is spacious and bright with various seating, and they also offer outdoor patio seating. I love the pop of yellow that they incorporate along with the finished wooden tables and chalkboard walls. Fun fact: They are now expanding to add a full service espresso bar and plan to serve coffee, beer on tap, wine, kombucha, and cocktails.

What I've tried: Lamb & beef gyro, greek chickpea wrap, quinoa salad, Yudon bowl, falafel & hummus, chicken & rice soup

What I can’t wait to try: Sundry club, chicken & bacon carbonara, Bruschetta, soon-to-come breakfast items

Favorite(s): Lamb & beef gyro, Yudon noodle bowl, quinoa salad

The Sundry

1706 Baltimore Ave. Kansas City, MO 64108

816-844-7878

Beer Kitchen - Westport

This is one of my husband's top 3 go-to places - it's a good thing we both love it! It is very loud here, always boisterous and alive with excited conversation and laughter. We've been able to enjoy this restaurant at all hours of the day, so we know it's amazing for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cocktails are the some of the best I've had, and if you're into beer, they have a huge selection, hence the name.

What I've tried: Mint julep, moscow mule, blackberry margarita, turkey-turkey sandwich, mushroom flatbread, zucchini-potato latkes, black-eyed pea hummus, chicken & waffles, veggie benny, fish & chips

What I can’t wait to try: Dutch babies, eggplant muffuletta, Oral Fixation, Ginger Tango, root veggie pot pie, red velvet waffle

Favorites(s): Blackberry margarita, veggie benny, zucchini-potato latkes, turkey-turkey sandwich, mint julep

Beer Kitchen

435 Westport Rd. Kansas City, MO 64111

816-389-4180

Columbus Park Ramen Shop - Little Italy area

What I love most about this restaurant is its uniquely creative personality. I found it in passing, on my way to Happy Gillis for weekend brunch. At the time, I wasn't even aware of the Ramen trend, and assumed the place was a buffet of sorts. I was very wrong. Their menu is small, simple, and oh so tasty. This little restaurant introduced me to one of my now favorite cuisines - Japanese noodle bowls. They are filled with a delicious broth, spinach, meats (or none, if you've vegetarian), tons of fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley, soft boiled eggs, scallions, bean sprouts, sometimes seaweed and, of course, noodles. These bowls are filling, but I never leave with that uncomfortable "stuffed" feeling, or like I ate too much. They are comforting, healthy and so flavorful. To put it bluntly, I'm obsessed. The atmosphere here is fun and very inviting. You can tell that it's a family-owned business by its welcoming and homey vibe. It's compact, but no one seems to mind. A few tables and a bar seating outside allow for a warm summer night under the string lights with friends. The place definitely draws a crowd, especially on those balmy, late spring and early summer evenings. The shop is only open during evening hours from Thursday - Sunday, but right next door sits Happy Gillis for breakfast and lunch!

What I've tried: Shoyu bowl, Chicken Miso bowl

What I can’t wait to try: Mushroom bowl, Daily Pickle

Favorite: Chicken Miso bowl

Columbus Park Ramen Shop

549 Gillis Street Kansas City, MO 64106

816-492-5549

Komatsu Ramen - Westport

Another excellent place for noodle bowls, is this new addition to the Westport area. Komatsu was just opened in 2016 and has already made quite a name for itself. The unfinished wooden interior is an intriguing and modern touch. The menu is organized by the type of broth (pork, soy, or miso) and type of noodle (hakata, tokyo, or hokkaido), and from there, you choose a combination. They have a full service bar and make some great cocktails, for a reasonable price. One thing I like about this place is that they have a daily special for $8. Each day, one of their bowls is chosen and made available for a discounted price. With long, late hours and an extensive menu including salads, hot steamed buns, and even a shaved ice dessert, this place is a crowd-pleaser.

What I've tried: Oishi bowl, Susaki bowl, Takaida bowl

What I can’t wait to try: Seaweed salad, cucumber salad, pork belly buns, Kama bowl

Favorite: Susaki bowl

Komatsu Ramen

3951 Broadway Road Kansas City, MO 64111

816-469-5336

Novel - Westside

One of Kansas City's hidden gems, Novel is one of those places you'll miss if you're not looking. It's located in an old house in the Westside area. Novel serves very creative and gourmet dishes, and the menu consistently rotates. This place is top notch quality, and it's definitely for special occasions. With an organically rustic and modern atmosphere, meals at Novel are a wonderful experience. I wasn't exactly sure what some of the menu items were, but the wait staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and love giving recommendations. You can tell that everyone here, from the wait staff and bartenders, to the chefs, are proud of what they do. This is upscale dining at it's finest. You'd be hard pressed to find another restaurant like Novel, and that is what I love most about it. Everything I have had here was excellent and delicious.

What I've tried: Duck neck dumplings, soft shell crab cake, fried KC shrimp, crispy egg, seared diver scallop, chicken porchetta, coconut pavlova, carrot cake, Chocolate

What I can’t wait to try: Potato bisque, Alaskan halibut, fried blueberry pie, sticky gingerbread

Favorite(s): crispy egg, seared diver scallop, duck neck dumplings, Chocolate

Novel

815 W 17th Street Kansas City, MO 64108

816-221-0785

Quay Coffee - River Market

Besides being adorable, the coffee here is excellent. Quay (pronounced "Key") is one of those coffee shops in which you snuggle up with your favorite book when it's cold outside. I really enjoy the taste of the espresso here, and the cold brew is outstanding. The baristas are friendly and knowledgeable. Bonus points: Their space is highly Instagram-able, so if you want some picture-perfect style, you'll find lots of potential here. The famous window framed by string lights, the farmhouse tables featuring a single vase of a few delicate blooms, and the high ceilings will have you swooning.

What I've tried: Black coffee, cold brew, Americano, spice brown sugar latte

What I can’t wait to try: Fresh vanilla latte, honey latte

Favorite(s): Cold brew, Spice brown sugar latte (hot or iced)

Quay Coffee

412 Delaware Ste. B Kansas City, MO 64105

816-844-7829

Goat Hill Coffee & Soda - Westside

Formerly known as Little Freshie, this space has now become a darling coffee shop serving espresso drinks as well as keeping the house made sodas and snow cones from Little Freshie. The decor is absolutely perfect - simple and clean, yet colorful and trendy. The small menu is not underwhelming; it is just right with enough options for everyone to find something that they like without having a hard time making a decision. They partner with Post Coffee (located in Lee's Summit) for their espresso beans. I have always liked the taste of their espresso, it is more earthy and muted as opposed to sour like some shops in the area. Their flavored lattes are not too sweet, just how I prefer. It is such a bright and cheerful little shop.

What I've tried: Americano, lavender latte, blackberry lavender soda

What I can’t wait to try: Blood orange rosemary soda, vanilla latte

Favorite(s): Lavender iced latte

Goat Hill Coffee & Soda

811 W. 17th St. Kansas City, Missouri 64108

816-491-3832

Hi Hat Coffee - Westwood, KS

Not only is this place cozy and adorable, it is also the home of my absolute favorite latte of all time - the Butter Bean latte. They have some of the most creative latte combinations I've found. As anyone who's visited knows, the place is very small, but the quaint outdoor seating and storybook scenery, especially in the fall, are enchanting. With kind and friendly baristas, delicious menu options, and the slow, scenic feel of a morning spent with friends, this coffee shop is one of the most delightful.

What I've tried: Americano, black coffee, Butter Bean latte, Almonette latte

What I can’t wait to try: Bam Bam, Aztec Mocha, Bee High

Favorite: Butter Bean latte (it's a winner hot or iced, and I usually don't care for hot lattes)

Hi Hat Coffee

5012 State Line Rd. Westwood Hills, KS 66205

913-722-5000

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World Travel Tips : Find cheap flights, hotels and car rentals. Plan your trip with travel guides, personalized recommendations, articles, deals and more. When you travel, you want your bags to travel with you. Follow these tips from travel professionals on how not to lose your luggage.

#best travel guides #Travel Tips #Travel Information #Travel Guide #Travel Agent News for The travel

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mdye · 7 years

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Succotash - Midtown area

What I've tried: Farmstand, Body Builder, short stack pancakes, Little Richard, Burrito of Love, mexican coke, Cubano juice, Lawnmower juice, Sexy Beast juice, Ninja Sunrise juice

What I can’t wait to try: Veggie wrap, eggs benedict, zesty dipping platter, Mr Green Jeans juice, 8-layer citrus cake

Favorite(s): Lawnmower juice, Body Builder, chocolate chip pancakes, Cubano juice

Succotash

2601 Holmes St. Kansas City, MO 64108

816-421-2807

The Farmhouse - River Market

What I've tried: Eggs benedict, steak & eggs, cinnamon roll, Midwest Croque Madame

What I can’t wait to try: KC Hot Brown, Airline chicken, pan seared duck breast, pumpkin flapjacks, veggie benedict

Favorite(s): Eggs benedict, cinnamon roll

The Farmhouse

300 Delaware Street Kansas City, Missouri 64105

816-569-6032

The Sundry - Midtown area

What I've tried: Lamb & beef gyro, greek chickpea wrap, quinoa salad, Yudon bowl, falafel & hummus, chicken & rice soup

What I can’t wait to try: Sundry club, chicken & bacon carbonara, Bruschetta, soon-to-come breakfast items

Favorite(s): Lamb & beef gyro, Yudon noodle bowl, quinoa salad

The Sundry

1706 Baltimore Ave. Kansas City, MO 64108

816-844-7878

Beer Kitchen - Westport

What I can’t wait to try: Dutch babies, eggplant muffuletta, Oral Fixation, Ginger Tango, root veggie pot pie, red velvet waffle

Favorites(s): Blackberry margarita, veggie benny, zucchini-potato latkes, turkey-turkey sandwich, mint julep

Beer Kitchen

435 Westport Rd. Kansas City, MO 64111

816-389-4180

Columbus Park Ramen Shop - Little Italy area

What I've tried: Shoyu bowl, Chicken Miso bowl

What I can’t wait to try: Mushroom bowl, Daily Pickle

Favorite: Chicken Miso bowl

Columbus Park Ramen Shop

549 Gillis Street Kansas City, MO 64106

816-492-5549

Komatsu Ramen - Westport

What I've tried: Oishi bowl, Susaki bowl, Takaida bowl

What I can’t wait to try: Seaweed salad, cucumber salad, pork belly buns, Kama bowl

Favorite: Susaki bowl

Komatsu Ramen

3951 Broadway Road Kansas City, MO 64111

816-469-5336

Novel - Westside

What I've tried: Duck neck dumplings, soft shell crab cake, fried KC shrimp, crispy egg, seared diver scallop, chicken porchetta, coconut pavlova, carrot cake, Chocolate

What I can’t wait to try: Potato bisque, Alaskan halibut, fried blueberry pie, sticky gingerbread

Favorite(s): crispy egg, seared diver scallop, duck neck dumplings, Chocolate

Novel

815 W 17th Street Kansas City, MO 64108

816-221-0785

Quay Coffee - River Market

What I've tried: Black coffee, cold brew, Americano, spice brown sugar latte

What I can’t wait to try: Fresh vanilla latte, honey latte

Favorite(s): Cold brew, Spice brown sugar latte (hot or iced)

Quay Coffee

412 Delaware Ste. B Kansas City, MO 64105

816-844-7829

Goat Hill Coffee & Soda - Westside

What I've tried: Americano, lavender latte, blackberry lavender soda

What I can’t wait to try: Blood orange rosemary soda, vanilla latte

Favorite(s): Lavender iced latte

Goat Hill Coffee & Soda

811 W. 17th St. Kansas City, Missouri 64108

816-491-3832

Hi Hat Coffee - Westwood, KS

What I've tried: Americano, black coffee, Butter Bean latte, Almonette latte

What I can’t wait to try: Bam Bam, Aztec Mocha, Bee High

Favorite: Butter Bean latte (it's a winner hot or iced, and I usually don't care for hot lattes)

Hi Hat Coffee

5012 State Line Rd. Westwood Hills, KS 66205

913-722-5000

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

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