#since buying in bulk is quite expensive

[vurelly]

#trying to figure these out #AGAIN pin designs are up on ko-fi! they're the same as my sun/moon sitting stickers #i have to buy in bulk so it'd take longer for me to get the money together without a pre-order #just figured i'd make a poll because this is a little easier than asking y'all to answer in replies #they will ALL be hard enamel btw #since buying in bulk is quite expensive

[j0kers-light]

Hi! how do you think Joker would feel if reader was a runner? I’m not quite there yet but I hope to run a marathon at some point, so I end up having to spend a lot of time running. Which I don’t mind... but I get up before the sun rises and immediately go out to get my run in. Which I feel like J couldn't handle if he slept at the readers apartment that night. And I wonder if he'd be worried about reader being outside alone for long periods of time. I feel like races would be lonely for reader since he obviously couldn't just show up and cheer her on </3. And on a more personal note- I also wonder if he'd or if he'd notice the absurd amount of race t shirts i have 😂. And this is kind of a stupid thing I do, but sometimes I run when I’m sick. Even If have the flu or something I will still try to run it off, which I figure he wouldn’t approve of reader doing. And I’m very injury prone (very). So he might notice notice my slight Advil addiction lol

Sorry for the Kind of random a request. Maybe not a lot to write about, but I feel like I’ve never seen a story/headcannon about a reader who runs 🤔? I had this thought because the running shoes I like are soo expensive (especially when you have to buy them regularly 😵) and I thought of a scenario where he steals reader some shoes in bulk 😅. Anywho you don’t have to write all or any of this if you don’t care (this is basically a self insert of myself so change what you want) , I’m kinda rambling so this may not make any sense. And I love your stories btw 🩷

Hey hi anon!!!!! 🖤✨

You weren’t rambling love, I understood everything you said! AINT NOTHING WRONG WITH A SELF INSERT its why I'm here lol 🤭 thank you for sharing those tiny details, I shall follow them to the letter! Ah! Thank you for reading too!

Disclosure: I am not a runner and I have no idea about this topic so forgive me if anything is inaccurate. Did I drop what I was doing to fill this head canon? YES you're worth it! Representation matters so don’t hesitate to be self indulgent!

I hope you enjoy beloved! Keep runnin'! 🏃🏾‍♀️💨

With the clash of schedules-- Joker usually arrives at your apartment when you're stepping out for your morning run. You pass right by him and he's bewildered on where you're going this early in the day. The sun hasn't even risen yet and why aren't ya wearing anything?!?!! Your sports bra and jogger pants makes him seethe in anger. You look too sexy to be leaving the building!!

This poses a huge safety risk in Joker's mind because Gotham City is never safe but he knows by experience that this is the worst time to be out, alone! Why. Are. You. Out. Running. In. The. Dark? Looking like a defenseless snack? 👀 He flips out when you come back all sweaty yet energized. Whatever that means.... you still look hot. An easy target for sure.

He yells at you for putting yourself in danger until you explain that you're been training for the past few months and nothing has happened. How is it he’s just now noticing? Then you sheepishly explain the odd hours that you run. Mornings and/or nights with no protection whatsoever and Joker.exe stops working.

Joker takes no chances and assigns your security team to follow your training/run route effectively immediately. And as for your skimpy running attire? Girl.

You thought you owned enough race shirts. HA! Joker buys steals you modest running outfits but they do little to conceal your peaches (wink) or your killer legs, much to his dismay. You can wear a trash bag and still look sexy. He begrudgingly allows you to wear your tight outfits because they’re practical.

He stares you down anytime you do a warmup stretch before a run. Oh he'll stretch you out real good.... AHEM! Uh moving on..

Joker most definitely notices your hoard of running shoes. Just how many do you need and why are they so expensive? You explain that they wear down so quickly by running so you constantly need a new pair. Joker takes it upon himself (being the supportive partner that he is) to buy steal the entire store's supply of shoes in your size!

Imagine coming home to a mountain of shoe boxes and Joker's head poking around the corner. 😃 He's so proud of himself but you feel the oncoming headache. He's expressing his love through illegal, over the top gestures.... again. You love this idiot.

And speaking of grand gestures, since J can't attend your races— at least not publicly, he has become rather creative in showing his support. He bribes threatens people to cheer you on in his place or sets up unauthorized checkpoints along the route with banners, balloons, etc. with messages like ‘GO Y/N!’ or ‘Run faster, Bunny!’

It’s so embarrassing when the marathon speakers are hacked and the song, 'Track Star' by Mooski plays because Joker does not know the true meaning behind the lyrics! He just hears, 'she's a runner, she's a track star' and thinks it’s a compliment.

You almost forfeited the race when the urge to hide in shame hits you. The clown dedicated the song to you! Joker means well but this ain't it. The fireworks he rigged to go off when you won the race however were a sweet touch.

Little did you know— if you weren't expected to win, Joker had laughing gas on standby to poison the other runners so you could gain the lead as they fell behind laughing to death... His Bunny will win, no matter what. #SupportiveCrazyBF

Joker does not predict you sabotaging your own chances by running while sick. He doesn't understand your logic of ‘running your flu off.’ It doesn’t make any sense so he’s troubleshooting a plan to help you.

How did you sneak out!?! You should be at home, getting rest and fluids yet you’re knocking back Advil and pressing on like everything is fine. Let's just say Joker is more than furious with you love.

You knew Joker would eventually find out where you were. You shook off your security detail the moment he left and made it to the check in booth for the marathon while still under the weather.

It was just a seasonal flu. No biggie!

Joker was acting like a mother hen thinking you shouldn't lift a finger while sick and he even dressed up like a nurse to further prove just how serious he was about your health. He ordered you to stay in bed and rest— not sneaking out to attend a race. You knew he would be furious but what could he do once you started the competition?

They didn’t perform wellness checks so after everyone got into place and the starter gun went off, the race began.

It was Joker’s fault that he left his patient unattended. The race would only take a few hours and you would be back long before Joker returned from who knows what.

In hindsight, you didn't expect J and his goons to storm the pavilion where the registration booth and spectator zone were set up.

People were none the wiser when multiple vans pulled up, got out, and blended into the crowd. Only when Joker’s goons yielding guns and other weapons started wreaking havoc halfway into the race did things get crazy.

In the midst of the chaos, Joker casually walked up to your upcoming mile marker and waited for you to run by.

He'd only seen you run a handful of times but his keen eye instantly noticed you were more sluggish and less enthusiastic today. You were just going through the motions and looked ready to pass out.

No doubt because his Light was hardheaded and ran a marathon with a flu.

Good thing Joker was good at handling brats. He had no problem plucking you from thin air and hauling you (kicking and screaming) into his van. He hit the wall and it sped off back to your apartment in record time.

If you weren't sick maybe you would've had the energy to fight back more but Joker was able to swat your punches to his face away like a fly.

"J?! What the.. What is your problem!!?! You just ruined a charity race!" You coughed into your elbow as Joker watched in silence.

His face was unreadable and the both of you just swayed with the van's motion as it barreled through Gotham traffic.

Not a peep from your lover. This wasn't good. You were, in essence, in the principal's office. Joker went out of his way to snatch you— in broad daylight— from a public event and he had nothing to say. His intense gaze spoke volumes.

You immediately backtracked to save your skin.

"That wig looks great on you, J. It uh.. *cough* ahem, accentuates your features." You said weakly.

"Don't play with me, Y/n."

Oh. Government name. You f__ked up.

Joker ripped off his ginger wig and fluffed out his own hair underneath. It was a scare tactic, one that was working very well. He was prolonging the inevitable and you knew he was holding back the full severity of his anger.

Finally he licked his lips and spoke. "You wanna know whhhhhhhy it’s a bad idea to, run, while you’re sick hmm? Let’s see.. Respiratory problems, dizzy spells— tch, your accident prone a** can trip on thin air and crack ya head open. Do I need ta go on?"

He waved his hands at you until you shook your head meekly.

"Good! Now... if my Bunny had listeneddd to me.. and stayed in bed, your uhhh charity marathon? Wouldn't have been sabotaged. What's that saying of yours? Play stupid games, win stupid prizessss."

You turned your head in embarrassment but Joker reached over to turn it back towards him. Gone was his stern gaze and replaced with a much more softer expression.

"Think of it this way, Bunny. I came and supported my girl at her uh race." Joker cracked up laughing.

That was not the support you had in mind.

#thanks anon! #thanks for the ask! #i hope you enjoy #ledger joker x reader #joker x y/n #joker x reader #black!fem!reader #nurse joker #ledger joker #dark knight joker #reader insert #heath joker #swf headcanon #joker be so proud of his bunny omg #his lighthouse

[suitov]

Happy birthday '23 (the crossover nobody asked for!)

He ran his fingers through soft, alien leaves. They tickled against the dotted line he'd drawn around his wrist.

He sat back on his heels.

"Ah…" he mused. "I haven't had solid… tangible hallucinations before. Some progression, then. How hopeful. Dying in this state would be nice."

How strange for it to happen here. He hadn't thought about this place in years.

He lay down in the weird green grass, beneath the freakish blue sky, and politely waited for death.

————

Ooh, death was hot.

"Of course," the servant said. "It makes sense that it'd be you. I can never escape you, can I?"

"Do you recall how you came to this place?" asked death.

"I must admit I don't. Was it an earthquake? Building collapse? I remember running off and climbing through some, hmm. Sorry, no, it's all a blur. I was quite upset, after all."

Death, head tilted, regarded him with no reaction.

"So, what was it? Are you allowed to say? Ah, is it something shameful? If I was in flagrante some kind of degenerate delicto, I apologise for an unsightly spectacle."

"There was an electromagnetic disturbance, neighbourhood dogs barked, there was a localised pop of displaced air, and then you appeared on my lawn," said death.

"Oh," said the servant.

Someone had planted snapdragons in the borders. And asters. Further down the garden, where the blighted tree had stood, there were even a few half-grown sunflowers. Which made no sense at all. The tree had been the one thing he hadn't…

"Incidentally, you're quite alive, not delusional, and located in at least some form of physical reality," said death.

"What?" said the servant.

Death was silent.

"Huh?" said the servant, looking around once more. "No, that's wrong. I mean, this place burned down."

"Current circumstances suggest otherwise."

"Oh, no, it burned all right. I was there. Dancing, actually. At least, I think so. The others saw it too."

Death offered him a hand. The servant took it and rose from his knees. Death caught him before he wobbled over.

"Sorry… light-headed all of a sudden…"

"Most likely the air quality. You smell of heavy pollution."

"Ah…?" A deep breath, indeed, went down far more smoothly than the servant was used to.

"Come inside," said death. "I'll spare you the interrogation until you're bathed, changed and fed."

The servant laughed; a broken wheeze he hadn't heard from himself since… well, maybe since he'd burned down his family home. "You're talking about me as if I'm a baby."

"Cutie sweetie baby baby," said death, which was obviously a hallucination, so the servant disregarded it.

"Besides, I don't need any of that. Nor deserve it! I'm a hunted international terrorist, you know!"

"Mmm," said death, then picked him up and took him inside anyway.

————

To the servant's bitter disappointment, what he'd taken for a death god was merely the Ultimate Hope.

Or… should he be saying the senior Ultimate Hope? No, he decided, he wasn't ready to unpack any of that. She'd… she'd been… and he hadn't been there, it hadn't been him, the one thing he thought his worthless life must be for, but in the end it was…

He ducked his head under the bubbles and held his breath until the more ordinary pain took priority.

Afterwards, he came downstairs in the ridiculous fluffy bathrobe and followed his nose to the kitchen, where Izuru was doing something heavenly.

"You don't seem like the type for cheap bulk-buy apple shampoo," he said.

"Ha. My partner complains about it too. I tell him it seems wasteful to buy a tiny, expensive bottle I'll use in a single day. And that's why he usually insists on doing the shopping."

Ouch. That entire thing had been so domestic it made his throat burn and his insides scream out for some unknown thing he'd never experienced.

"Partner," he prompted instead, looking at his wrist, where the pen line had washed off.

"I took it as a matter of course that you'd snoop," said Izuru. "After all, this is your house in some ways. Open."

A spoon appeared in the servant's face. He obeyed reflexively. After a moment, when nothing further happened, he opened his eyes again, retracted his tongue and took an embarrassed sip. "Ah… wonderful. Such talent."

"Salt?"

He hesitated. "Well… a little more couldn't hurt perfection?"

"I thought so." Izuru turned back to the stove. "Cravings remain. Nothing about your symptom progression makes sense. You should be dead."

"That's what I keep saying!" agreed the servant with an emphatic nod. "The universe never quite seems to agree."

"Later, I shall administer some injections that will remove chance from the equation."

"You'll kill me?!" The servant clapped his hands and skipped. "How wonderful! I really am in heaven!"

"No," said Izuru, "you're in my kitchen, thrusting your hips against my leg like an excited puppy. And what I do will not kill you, but it will leave the question of your death solely in your own hands rather than up to the whims of cancer and dementia."

"Well, that's still an improvement!" chirped the servant, then, as an afterthought, stopped what he was doing and sidled away a small distance. "S-sorry."

"Impulse control impairment," shrugged Izuru humpably.

"But what was I…?"

"Asking about my lover."

"Ah. Yes. Right." Obviously he'd snooped… and hadn't needed to snoop far. He'd hardly needed to look through the makeup, the wardrobe, the top dresser drawer. Every room was decorated unfamiliarly, but to an obvious taste, while the spectacular-quality paintings hanging everywhere had a definite… theme to them. "N… Nagito Komaeda lives here."

Was that ever weird to say out loud.

"He does. And so do I. He is my sucrose sire because he's sweet sweet."

What. Just ignore that. "Where… is he?"

"Missing since approximately when you arrived." Izuru left the cooking, caught him and placed him on a chair. "I'm not too worried. He can take care of himself."

The servant wasn't sure of that, and he was him. But if this Izuru wasn't worried…

…this Izuru, clean, washed, brushed, life in his eyes, animation in his voice, absolute mastery of his space, with a wardrobe full of suits in different colours and styles, even a tie with a pawprint pattern, for gods' sake…

"…does he… serve you satisfactorily?" he asked.

"No, actually," said Izuru. "He is a horrible brat who creates problems on purpose and keeps getting hold of forbidden items I have to confiscate. He is insolent, opinionated and thoughtlessly condescending. He's perfect. He protects me from the world being too much all the time and I spend most of my time innovating ways to spoil him. The point being, we serve each other."

If those eyes kept sparkling like that, the servant thought he might weep.

The absolute contrast was making him see his own Izuru -- hah, if you were suicidal enough to call him that -- in a… worrying light. What had seemed like effortless dominance, like superiority so naturally exerted, for in truth, nobody was worthy to approach the Ultimate Fallen Hope, so of course he would choose to go about his life alone…

…was starting to feel a lot more like his Izuru was miserable, lonely and terrified…

"Eat," said Izuru, manifesting table settings out of what seemed like empty air. "You've got a lot of weight gain to catch up on. I'll get a guest room ready for when the drowsiness hits."

The servant did, indeed, get sleepy soon after. Sleepiness that, in the weird silence and lack of choking smog, felt almost healthy.

————

"A day and a half?"

"Normal and expected response to the sudden removal of stress."

"Has there been any sign of… of your…"

"Not yet. I hope he's having fun. I've set up equipment that will alert me to any repeat of the previous conditions. Drink your soup."

The servant didn't know how to ask about the set of clean, folded clothes on the foot of the bed. He put them on. He thought he recognised the shirt.

This must be how Byakuya feels. It's like I'm cosplaying the real him.

Izuru gave him some shots, saying they were "much improved" and "developed for more than five hours this time", whatever that meant. There was no pain, but he slept even more. He woke to a weird sense of clarity and a burning urge to clean the entire house, which he enjoyed doing more than anything he could remember.

He flirted his shameful, disgusting little heart out, but Izuru made no sign that he'd noticed. Some things were constant, it seemed.

And then, at some distant hour in an early morning, the brand new phone Izuru had given him woke him up -- in Izuru's voice, which was strangely erotic -- and told him that a… something something anomaly something had appeared in the dog park.

He threw on yesterday's clothes and raced outdoors after Izuru, long gone ahead.

And, after having his route corrected once by the phone and climbing over the park fence, he found…

…himself. Or the fun-house mirror version of himself. In Izuru's arms.

Nagito Komaeda was literally in Izuru's arms, being held like a baby, giggling in response to the endless stream of kisses dotting his head and neck. It took the servant some time to tear his eyes away and notice the patch of inexistence close by.

"Nagito!" said Izuru. "Look what the grand perversion of time and space dragged in!"

"Yes… sir, I see that," said the servant.

The rea-- the other Nagito was giving him an illegible look. The servant figured he knew roughly what it meant. The descending boot wouldn't be far behind. It was what he'd do.

"I suppose that's my cue to leave, then," he said to them. "Thank you for everything, sir, and it's… illuminating to meet you, Ko--"

"Leave?" Izuru interrupted.

"Yes… you know, to my reality. Swap back. Repair the timelines or, whatever it's called."

Nagito glanced at Izuru. That couples telepathy thing he'd only seen between Tool and Fuyuhiko.

"No," said Izuru, "you're staying. This isn't Futurama where you have to hit the reset button and give the devil its hands back."

"Um, what."

"That reminds me!" said Nagito, and slipped out of Izuru's hands like an escapological cat. "I'll be right back."

Izuru nipped his ear in passing, still looking entirely unconcerned about the whole space-time perversion thing snatching his lover away again.

Nagito seemed to lose one or more dimensions and distort terrifyingly before he disappeared altogether. Shortly, he re-emerged, holding the hand of…

…oh…

"…see, Izuru, I told you, it's okay. It's safe here. You're going to be okay now."

That was when tears decided the servant didn't need to see anything more.

"…it… appears to be… as you have said…"

"It's safe, sweetie. Just wait right here."

"Hello. I am another Izuru. I have brought many photographs of dogs and Nagito Komaeda because they are the most effective stress ameliorators."

"I do not experience stress. …but I will look at these supposed photographs."

He stumbled forward, groping for his Izuru's hand.

"Back again! So, Izuru, babe, I, uh… found these children…"

Wait, what?

#kamukoma #nagito komaeda #servant #izuru kamukura #ikct #izuru kamukura's cuddly toy #despair era #kamumeshi

[soullessfawn]

Fawn’s Space / Alien AU Fic Recommendations

Oops, wrong human by PollyPocketChewer

Wilbur is the exalted one's most trusted advisor. He has been for so long. So naturally when they're trying to establish peace between the galaxies and Earth, he's sent to pick up Earth's diplomat.

Problem is, he grabbed the wrong human.

very normal human behavior by iregretallmydecisions

Tommy has a secret. No one knows. Not the nice lady at the corner store, not the weird guy at the video game store, not Tubbo, and certainly not any of his housemates. He's an alien, sent to study Earth. It's not easy, keeping that secret when he's living with three humans, but he can do it, he's sure.

Wilbur has a secret. He's not told a soul and never intends to . He's an alien, sent to study humans on Earth, so that his people can make first official contact. It's not easy hiding what he truly is, especially when it comes to his three human housemates.

Technoblade has a secret. He's very good at keeping it, but sometimes it's... difficult, around his three human housemates. Loathe as he is to admit it, Technoblade cares about them, and perhaps even feels guilt over his lies. His race wants him to determine whether or not Earth is an ally or an invasion site. But, for the sake of his people and new friends, he will keep his secret.

Phil does not have a secret. He has never, once in his life, kept his mouth shut, even when Puffy tells him to. It's not his fault no one else believes aliens exist. At least his new housemates, normal as they are, seem to tolerate it better than the last guys.

In Orbit (Around You) Carmen_In_Space

"What is he doing," Techno asks as he looks at where Philza's staring at the security feed.

The cameras show the human in his room-turned-cell, dragging all the furniture around. The security cameras don't have audio, but Philza doesn’t need it, because he can hear the sounds of furniture dragging across the floor from all the way down the hallway.

"I think he’s redoing his room," Philza answers.

"He’s bored, guys," Wilbur says from across the room.

"I dunno," Philza mumbles, "he seems to be quite entertained doing this."

or, Philza, Wilbur, and Technoblade have a stowaway on their ship. Philza's determined to befriend it.

and wonder why they never soothed your fevers by chrysomyxa

The thing Wilbur keeps coming back to, petulant as it is, is that this is all incredibly unfair.

They’ve all been onboard The Twitch for a week straight, give or take, traveling through hyperspace as much as the ship’s engine and hyperdrive can take for such a long journey. Deep space is fast approaching, which is something the natural galaxy-hoppers hesitate at, let alone any one planet-bound species like humans. He’s probably the only human for thousands of kilometers around, at this point.

So where the fuck did he pick up a virus?

(Wilbur gets sick onboard. And, being Wilbur, attempts to hide it from the rest of his confused but concerned alien crew.)

Journey of an Ice-time: The Rooster Festival by HumanErrorDiscord

All the easiest sources of protein and meat are automatically out,” Wilbur worries, claw tapping against his custom made chair. “Since…Phil. So, we’d need the expensive shit or we’d need to figure out what Tommy’s missing from the meat and ice.”

“I’m missing the CRUNCH Wil, are you listening?” Tommy shouts.

“Shut up, child,” Techno chimes in. “Keep distracting the bird.”

“FUCK YOU, TECHNO!” Tommy screams, about to get up when Phil protests and gently tugs him backwards with another ‘follow, follow’ noise.

Damnit. His hands are tied and he has no options.

“You devious motherfucker,” he forces a scowl and leans into a scritch. “Trickery.”

“Why don’t we buy eggs?” Ranboo says, ignorant. And…

Hell.

Hell breaks loose.

Lost in Translation by SilverWing15

Techno’s seen a human before, an adult, in the distance.

They don’t look intimidating.They don’t look like much, honestly. Small-ish, built more solidly than Ender and Elytron, but not the bulk of Piglin.

They don’t look like they should have been able to soundly kick the ass of the Dreamon fleet. But that’s what they bloody well did. And now nobody wants to mess with them. Its the prison yard principal on a galactic fucking scale. Take down the biggest guy in the yard and nobody fucks with you.

Nobody except for whoever was stupid enough to steal a human kid. Because, as it turns out, even baby humans are fucking nightmares, since this one managed to crash an entire ship on its own in presumably an escape attempt.

Of course it then managed to get itself caught again by Ender authorities. Who dumped it in here and then into Techno’s fucking lap--thanks, Phil.

OR: Fifteen years ago, humanity reached out to the stars, and the great bully of the galactic playground came and tried to beat up the new kid. Only the new kid kicked their ass, and all the rest of the kids on the playground are too scared to go talk to them now.

#Fawns Fic Recs #tommyinnit #wilbur soot #philza #technoblade #dream smp #ao3 recs #ao3 author #ao3 fanfic #ao3 link #ranboo #tubbo #humans are space orcs #space #aliens #fanfic rec

[not-a-space-alien]

Magnanimous Moonrise Chapter 1M

Hey everyone, I'm here to share a new story. I hope you enjoy it! Please see the masterpost here for the series explanation and content warnings. Here is the corresponding chapter in the complementary story.

Content warnings for this chapter: Knife violence, blood, broken bones, nonconsensual bondage/restraint, gagging/muzzle, implied past sexual assault, heavy emotional distress

Valen hated going out during the day.  He’d never felt direct sunlight before, and he had no intention of changing that.

But he couldn’t only come out at night.  The neighbors were already way, way too suspicious of him.  And the particular mushroom he was here to collect thrived in the heat of the day, withering at night and making them less ideal for harvesting.  That was the only reason he was here, in the heart of human territory, was for these stupid mushrooms that were so picky about where they grew.

It was fucking terrifying, being this far away from safety, surrounded by people that would view him as a dangerous apex predator if they knew his true nature.  But what he needed just didn’t grow in the cold of the northern vampire territory, especially not in the fall when the sunlight was getting weaker and the days shorter.  Fall and winter were most vampires’ favorite seasons for that reason, but there was no way he could get the ingredients he needed anywhere in vampire territory at this time of year, and probably not even in the summer, with the latitude…

He’d already been here for way longer than he’d wanted to be here, but the mushrooms had been surprisingly hard to find.  Maybe it was the season change.

He walked home that day empty handed, heart heavy as he came back without anything to show for his brave excursion into the sunlight.  Even with all his wrappings covering every inch of his skin, and the mask with the darkened lenses, it was nerve-wracking.  He’d been a huge ball of anxiety ever since coming here, which was making it hard to work and get done what he needed to get done so he could leave.

His feet dragged as he unlocked the door and trudged inside.  Maybe he should just give up.  Maybe this was a fool’s errand, just like his entire family had said.

He pulled the mask off his face as he strode into the kitchen.  His mouth was so unbelievably dry from the heat, and he’d been out all day without feeding.  He removed his gloves and wiped the sweat from his brow, shedding his protective layers, then leaned down and took a bottle from the fridge.

The fridge was filled with artificial blood he’d brewed from the ingredients he’d gathered.  This last batch had been…acceptable, but not ideal.  He needed to work on it until it was perfect.  It had to either be cheaper than real blood, or taste better, or both, or no one would buy it.

There was already ethical blood shipped from parts of the world where there were plenty of volunteers willing to give it up for pay, but nobody bought it because it was more expensive and tasted worse because of how old it was by the time it got there.  If Valen wanted to shut down the mass-scale horror that was the blood farms, he needed something that would fill the demand for blood better than real blood.  Which was…quite a challenge.

His concoctions were often foul, but they did the trick.  It wasn’t easy to figure out exactly what it was in the blood vampires needed, but with some guesswork he usually managed to feed himself adequately.  He’d been weaning himself off real blood gradually, now at the point where he only needed genuine human blood once a month or so.  The rest of the time, he could sate his bloodthirst with the strange, artificial-tasting pseudo-blood he cooked up.  Animal blood was a bulk ingredient, but the mushrooms he’d been harvesting had some component he had yet to isolate that added something more satiating to it.  That wasn’t a long-term solution, though; it would only be cheap enough if it could be scaled up synthesized from raw ingredients.

Valen tilted the bottle to his lips, trying to let the nourishment slide down his throat without tasting it too much.  This particular bottle was…bad.

He was so focused on his thirst, and the smell of the artificial blood, that he didn’t hear or smell the humans until it was too late.  He would have smelled them if he’d not been wearing his mask when he walked past them earlier, but he wore the mask while out and about specifically to block out the scent of humans, because he didn’t want to tempt himself when he was hungry.

He heard the footsteps rapidly approaching and tried to turn, but couldn’t do it fast enough.  Something slammed into his mouth as simultaneously two bodies made contact with him, and he realized with horror a bit had been forced into his mouth, wedged under his fangs and pinning his tongue to the floor of his mouth.

One of the interlopers used the surprise to push him to the ground.  The strap on the bit tightened, and he fought a wave of panic as he felt it secured to his head.  He had to get it off.  They did it because they didn’t want him to use persuasion, of course, but it also meant he couldn’t tell them he didn’t want to fight them.  He tried to talk, to say something, get any word out before things went too far, but his tongue was locked firmly in place, his jaw immobilized, and only frustrated sounds came out.  If he could talk, he could use the hypnotic powers of persuasion, and they’d known to go right for his biggest asset and lock it down tight.

The practiced ease with which they were wrangling him told him everything he needed to know about who they were.  Vampire hunters.

He’d come all the way out here, to this remote location, purchasing a house no one cared about, staying inside and slinking around to avoid the neighbors, staying away from every human he came across specifically to avoid vampire hunters. 

Fuck.  Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.  Forget not wanting to fight them.  He had to if he wanted to get out of here alive.  He didn’t want to kill any humans, but if they were going to make it him or them, he would choose himself.

He finally let his full strength loose, shoving the human on top of him back into the wall.  He winced as he felt her bones crack–but he had no time to regret being so rough, because the second human came at him with a knife.

He’d never felt the touch of silver before.  Fuck, did it hurt, especially when it was on a blade being plunged into his abdomen.  He couldn’t suppress the hissing scream that erupted from him like a whistling tea kettle.  He used one hand to fumble with the bit, extending the other out to try and keep his attackers away from him.

Fuck, he should have just used both hands to take the bit off, because the human whose bones he’d just broken came at him again.  He couldn’t fight through the burning, sizzling, stabbing pain of the silver knife enough to stay standing under her weight, because she slammed him into the ground, jarring the knife further.

“The cuffs!” yelled the human on top of him.  “Get the cuffs!”

Fuck fuck fuck FUCK FUCK FUCK.  Valen would probably be embarrassed about the undignified, incoherent noises he was making under less dire circumstances, unable to suppress the instinct to hurl out pleas for a nonviolent resolution.

He felt warm hands on his wrists, wrenching them into a position to cuff them together.  No no no no no, please.  The throbbing pain of the silver in his core burned and drained his energy to fight back.  His heart sank as the cuffs successfully closed, pinning his hands to his back.

“I have ankle cuffs on my belt,” said the first human.

Ankle cuffs!  This doesn’t seem excessive to you at all?  He felt the hands on his ankles, and he took the opportunity to try and do something while he still could, kicking out savagely and blindly.  He felt soft tissue crunching under the blow, and both humans erupted into a chorus of curses. 

The hands holding him down lifted him up.  He flailed around, disoriented.  “Stop struggling!” said the gruff voice.

And just let you do God knows what to me??  He was about to wonder why they were taking him alive instead of just staking him through the heart, but he ran out of time as he was just simply slammed into the wall.

He felt the warm body pinning him to the wall.  Oh, no. No no no.

This was too much.  Restrained, pinned, handled roughly.  It was too much.  He whimpered as his assailant’s legs came up and pinned his own to the wall, surely out of practicality but nevertheless pressing them intimately close together.

The sensation of a hostile presence squeezing him, chest-to-back, crotch-to-ass, mouth-to-neck.  It was too much.  Too much like that time.

He wheezed, eyes wheeling, trying to scrabble out of the hold, but the throbbing silver knife penetrated him, pinning him in place.

Legs shaking, he just let the ankle cuffs come on and snap shut.  Maybe if the ankles cuffs were on, they would let him out of this position.

They didn’t.  His limbs were all fastened together to render him immobile, and they still held him there.  He did his best to let out a pleading cry, but he felt hands around his neck.

Stop, please stop, please please…

It was a muzzle, coming over the lower half of his face.  A muzzle, on top of a bit.  What did I fucking do to make you want to truss me up this much?  He tried to suppress his terrified shaking.  The hands were gentle as they fussed with the leather strap, not even catching it in his hair, but he so, so acutely felt the further locking down of his ability to speak.

The human behind him finally pulled away, and with nothing to support him, he collapsed to the floor.  He couldn’t suppress the sounds as he jolted the knife sticking into him yet again, wishing more than anything for it to be removed.

His vision started to blur from the pain.  His unfocused eyes saw nothing but the floorboards as the two humans talked somewhere vaguely above him.

“Fuck.  He got me good…Are you okay?  …Here.  Just take it easy.  We’ll see the medic when we get back to base.”

“Shit.”

Footsteps towards him, then: “Hold still.”

It took Valen a minute to realize the human was talking to him.  He let out a terrified growl, but it died in his throat as she grabbed the knife handle.  “I said hold still.”

He complied.  It was a mixture of relief and agony when the blade was removed.  The horrible sensation of the silver faded, and he went limp on the floor.

“All right.  I didn’t think this far ahead.  Now what do we do with him?”

He had answers, but he couldn’t give them.  They wouldn’t let him, as long as he had the option to just overpower them with persuasion as soon as he opened his mouth.

The other human answered after a long pause:  “Let’s put him in the coffin, then search the house.”

“Are we going to take him back to base?  To Nick?

“I mean…what else are we going to do with him?”

He tried to control his breathing.  He didn’t know what they were talking about, but it filled him with dread.  It didn’t sound good for him in the slightest.  Why did they take him alive?  What were they going to do to him?

He couldn’t ask, so he just lay there, letting out a miserable whine.

“Oh shut up,” the larger human snapped.  “You tried to kill us.  Don’t expect us to feel bad for you.”

What the fuck would you expect me to do?  Anyone to do?  Just happily get tied up and stabbed?  You attacked me.

“Let’s do it, then.”  Oh God, they both walked towards him, and hands were grabbing him and hauling him up.  He went limp.  What could he do?

Then he saw they were taking him outside.  Out the front door.  He couldn’t do anything, but that didn’t stop him from trying.  He wriggled again, trying to lock up to avoid going through the door.

This just earned him a push, sending him tumbling out onto the porch.  “Fuck off.  You’re going outside to the van.”

He fell terrifyingly close to the line that demarcated the safe shade from the blazing intensity of the sun.  He could almost feel the solar radiation close to his cheek.  He wormed away, trying desperately to stay away from it.  

“He’s scared of the sun,” said the smaller human.

Valen went limp.  Of fucking course I’m scared of the sun.  I’m a vampire.  But why on earth would he expect vampire hunters to care about that?

“Yeah, and I’m sure all his human victims were scared of getting all their blood drained out of them.  I’m not coddling a monster.  Let’s go.”

Fuck.  Fuck.  Valen suddenly realized what the fridge would have looked like to anyone who didn’t know the blood was synthetic.  It didn’t taste or smell the same to a vampire, but to a human eye it would look basically identical.  Oh God, there had been so much of it.  If they’d seen that, they must have assumed he was a mass-murderer, the worst among his kind.

He frantically shook his head, making desperate eye contact, something, anything to try and save himself from whatever was about to happen to him.  The smaller human looked at him doubtfully, but then she left his field of vision as he was dragged backwards by the ankle.

No no no no no!  Stop!  Please!

“Hey, if we throw your cloak over you so you don’t get burned, will you stop fucking struggling?  We just want to get this over with so we can get first aid.”

He sagged, trying to stop hyperventilating.  He didn’t dare make eye contact with the human who’d spoken, but he managed to get out a nod.

The boots in his field of vision walked back into the house, then came back with his cloak dragging on the floor.  Thank God.  Thank God.  That was so much better than nothing.

The world disappeared as the cloak went over him.  He heard them discussing the logistics of getting him to their vehicle, and he let it happen, terrified of the possibility of the cloak being removed midway as punishment for struggling.

He felt their hands on him, carrying his weight with surprising gentleness.  Then he felt the hard surface of a vehicle under him, and bootsteps walking near him.  Then the jingling and clanging of metal.

He tensed.  That didn’t sound good.  That didn’t sound good.

“Okay.  Just lay him in there.”

He wasn’t sure what he expected to see when the cloak was removed, but it wasn’t a goddamn cage just big enough to lock him in, just forcing him to lay there like a corpse in a coffin.

He was seized with the overwhelming dread of a premonition that if he let himself be put in there, that was it.  Terrible, terrible things would happen to him, which he would be powerless to stop, and he could not let himself be put in there.

He kicked out and broke more bones, prompting more panicked cursing and scrambling from the two hunters.  He pushed himself up and against the wall to stand, ineffectual with his legs secured together but it was enough to let him slam into his assailant when she came at him, denting the metal wall behind them both.

More curses, and the silver hunting knife was back.  Mistake!  Big mistake!  The knife is back!  It went into his clavicle this time, sinking into the meat of his shoulder and pulling down.  The explosion of burning pain was accompanied by the smell of cooking flesh and wisps of smoke curling off him.  He ground his teeth against the bit, electrified screams spraying out as best as they could around the intrusion.

The smaller human was back on him, forcing him down, into that horrible contraption.  “Fucker.  Goddamn.  Just–Just get in there.”

No! he tried to shout.  Fucker, no, absolutely not.

But despite his best attempts, he found himself thrust into the metal-barred box.  He still thrashed wildly, his movements weakened by the restraints and the injuries, but he had to try.  He was rewarded by the sensation of skin and clothes shredding under his talons, before the humans’ hands turned him over, supine, and buckled him in with chains, rattling over the metal and resting over his torso.  He could not help but notice that these ones were uncovered silver, without the outer steel layer that prevented burning that the shell of the device was made of, and the only thing stopping the chains from burning into his chest were his clothes.

There was still more.  She moved towards his feet and slid his ankles into restraints that kept his legs pinned to the floor.  Then, she shut the lid, carefully avoiding eye contact through the bars as she locked the padlock and hobbled away.

For some reason, that last part was what broke him.  Tears welled in his eyes and he went limp in his new prison.  He hadn’t even done anything, hadn’t even attacked them until he was under attack, and they still thought all this was necessary, a gag and a muzzle and wrist and ankle cuffs and being shoved into a locked cage and secured to the inside of the cage.  As though they were binding some sort of demi-god they were sealing away.

He supposed they didn’t have any reason to think otherwise; these were all reasonable precautions given what some vampires were capable of…but he was Valen.  He still cried every time his parents yelled at him.  He couldn’t have pets even though he loved cats because he got too sad when they died.  He put bugs outside the house instead of squishing them.  He had always, always tried to choose kindness when he could.  He’d always accepted the scorn trying to be soft earned him in a culture that expected and demanded violence of him, because it was always worth it to know he was doing his best to decrease the amount of pain and suffering in the world as best as any one person could.  And his reward for trying to live that life was this.

He was vaguely aware of the two hunters talking to each other, voices getting fainter as they slid out of the back of the van.  He sobbed, crying out as loudly as he could.  Don’t leave me here like this.  Don’t.  Don’t.  Give me a chance.  Please.

The doors of the van slammed closed, plunging him into darkness.

#hurt/comfort #angst #vampires #whump #vampire whumpee #whumpblr

[pompadourpink]

bonjour mom this might be a stupid question but i'm super interested in environmental protection and i'm trying to go vegan and buy less and all that jazz but everything is super expensive if it's local or it's okay but they have to fly it here etc and i understand your idea of only getting quality stuff but like i don't know yet what i like so i don't want to splurge (not that i could anyway) and i want to avoid amazon but it's super practical and at least it's for sure not a scam and i WILL get my package etc, and sometimes i do like a bit of dairy or i'll have birthday cake but i feel super guilty about it and i'm getting super anxious, do you have any advice??

Hello dear (and oh boy, this is going to be another wall of text),

I've been there. I went vegetarian with the hopes of becoming vegan back in 2012, went super minimalist, started to buy way less, switched to bulk and organic, got a menstrual cup, felt like I had to donate money I didn't have because others needed it more than me and felt awful every time I binned something thinking I actually didn't need that thing and that was a selfish decision, and it was so hard to see other people around me not caring about these things. It was eating me alive and making me bitter and sadder than a bag of rocks. It's a real thing called eco-anxiety and it's well-documented at this point so you can look it up.

In my case, researching capitalism and going to therapy were the key. Because little old me being vegan not only wasn't sustainable because I had personal issues with food and ADHD and it made it worse, but at the end of the day it's not going to be enough to annihilate centuries of specism and make the industry change its mind; just like little old me feeling guilty about buying ice cream because I was going to have to throw away the pot is the most insignificant thing in the world when you look at what Nestlé or cruise boats are doing to the planet.

Whatever you do, you will have to sacrifice something and it will never be enough - you've already noticed it. Change comes gradually, when people come together and stand against what's wrong, which has been harder to do these days where we routinely lose family members and friends to Facebook radicalisation. My advice is to do what I've been doing, after years of trial and error: putting myself first, staying realistic about my goals, practising empathy, remembering to be a role model rather than a preacher, and giving myself time before I make a decision.

I like you prefer to boycott Amazon but between shipping fees, delivery time, dodgy neighbours, prices, fear of scammers (...), I used it occasionally to get stuff whenever it felt like the best solution. But then, at the beginning of the pandemic, I bought face masks online from a French pharmacy, which cost quite a lot but I was trying to do the good thing. Three weeks later I received a white piece of plastic that looked like every package from Wish videos on Youtube from somewhere in China that contained the masks with a little note in broken English stating that those were only for fashion and couldn't be worn for medical reasons.

I did some research and realised that they bought the items for pennies on Aliexpress and got the suppliers to directly send me my order - it's a very scammy and common concept called drop shipping. If you're looking for anything brandless on Amazon (from sunglasses to hairbrushes to decoration and gym equipment), check out Aliexpress and your cart will go from 132,99 to 17 bucks in under five minutes. So after years of judging people who use Aliexpress or Wish, I started doing the same, because what I receive is the exact same thing, but there's no mediocre business tycoon wannabee making a profit on my behalf in between.

And ever since, I've rethought my beliefs. I no longer feel bad about wanting children even though every human being creates a lot of waste in a world where Kylie Jenner takes a private jet to avoid a 40-minute drive. I no longer feel bad about occasionally flying to go on vacation because I have only one shot at living and once in a while I deserve a break. I no longer feel bad about doing my nails even though I will have to buy and dispose of cotton buds because I'm tired of neglecting my happiness to avoid worsening problems I haven't even caused.

I still do what I can. I'm still conscious of what I do, don't waste water, buy all my clothes secondhand, donate money whenever I can and all that, but I'm at peace. I try and that's what matters in a world where succeeding is not an option.

Love,

Mum

#ask #malks

[jedi-bird]

One of the things I like about being an adult is being able to choose just how much or how little I want to own of something, back account willing of course. No one can tell me I can't have 30 pairs of socks. No one can tell me not to buy a tea I like in bulk (which is usually cheaper and yes I'm going to use it all).

And sheets. The number of fights I used to have with my mom about the fucking sheets in our room....

My mom and I shared a room together after we moved in with my grandparents when I was really little. We continued to share a room pretty much up until she died with I was an adult. Between space (my grandparents slept in separate rooms for many reasons, mainly because my grandpa was a jerk) and necessity, there wasn't a lot of choices. My mom also refused to ever go through her own stuff and instead chose to throw away our things, so this also meant our room only had one bed because all her belongings from when she divorced my dad were shoved into that room.

My mom insisted that people could only have one set of sheets. They also always had to be a white background with tiny delicate pink and yellow flowers on them. And she wasn't great at actually doing household chores so washing them took all day and they were usually still damp when it was time for bed.

I used to get yelled at all the time once I hit puberty. My period was very irregular, very heavy, and often "violent" for lack of a better description. No matter how careful I was, there were leaks quite often at night until I managed to convince her I needed different pads than the ones she insisted I had to wear. She screamed at me a lot about this. Never mind the fact that she definitely should have taken me to a doctor because this was not normal, nor was the burning and intense pain and nausea. This in no way helped with the hatred I had toward myself growing up nor was it my fault (took decades to realize this).

When my partner and I got married and I was in the process of moving in, I insisted we have more than one pair of sheets for several reasons. They were okay with it. They, too, had grown up with only one and hated it as well. So we bought two very cheap sets and switched between them.

I have since bought three more sets, brining us up to five. One is my favorite (dark emerald green and so soft); one is light blue and is their favorite (expensive so bought with a coupon and gift card and also very soft); another light blue that is also the only one that fits the air mattress we have for guests; a gray one that is okay; and a white, blue, and grey one with prints of Captain America's shield on it that I have because it holds too much heat but keep because it's pretty and it's a good indicator that I've waited too long to do laundry.

Five sheets might seem excessive, but there's logic behind it. I get sick. A lot. I get sick a lot less now that I'm home pretty much 24/7, but for a while I was very sick every other week. So being able to change a sheet and just go right back to bed feels like a luxury. If one tears (which happened to one of our old ones), we already have replacements. If we change it and something happens we can change it again immediately. I didn't buy they all at once; I've slowly collected them over time, same with pillowcases, and with the exception of that one sheet, nothing has cost more than twenty bucks.

Being an adult and being able to control my environment is wonderful. I get eye rolls occasionally from family about having "too many sheets" or "too many towels" (partner goes through three a day and nothing will get them to change) or "too many plates" (we have enough for four meals before dishes must be done, that's really not that much). My mother in law sometimes makes comments about how she only has three mugs and then freaks out when she wants everyone over and there's not enough cups for everyone; same with silverware (four sets for five people, assuming she remembered to do the dishes), towels, and places to sit. I grew up living like that and refuse to do it again. I don't hoard things and I don't buy more than a set upon amount. But I like not feeling rushed to do chores and not feeling like I can't rest if I'm sick.

So yeah. I like having more than one set of sheets. No one can tell me no. My comfort is in my hands and it's great. That's one of the few parts about being an adult that I like.

#birdy's weird family memories #tmi for medical issues

[vaimetanyx]

"I know how to sew!" I said. "I've made my own patterns before, this doesn't even have sleeves so it'll be easy, right?" I thought.

It turned out great in the end but I definitely underestimated how much trouble I'd have with it

(Full process under the cut)

[Skull pauldron] [Belt] [Greaves] [Toga + sash] [Wig + Laurels] [Armbands] [Flaming feet] [Satyr Sack] [Stygius v1] [Stygius v2] [Nectar]

Part 1 - The toga

The first thing I had to do was decide on the cut of the toga - I opted to move the trim to armpit level because I would definitely get in trouble at con if I went for the full tits out look. If you're going to use a binder like I did, it's best to wear that while making your patterns and making adjustments, as your bust can effect how the fabric sits, and with such a draped piece (especially if you're using a thinner material) it's important to account for that. I don't have binder recommendations, as I made my own sleeveless binder for this cosplay.

What materials did I use? The ones that were the right colour and not too expensive. I barely look at fabric types when I'm buying them for costumes, yes I am ashamed, yes I know it matters, no I will not change my ways. To make the pattern for the toga I used some black poplin I had on hand, and used the professional method of guessing what the pattern should be like and then spending a whole day yelling as I tried to pin and adjust the fabric to sit right. Making the belt before the toga really worked in my favour for this part.

Part 1.5 - The trim and the pauldron attachment

I should have bought a thicker fabric so you can't see the black underneath - as it is, this is 2 layers, one white scrap material I had lying around, and the nice off-white I originally bought for the trim. The top edge was sewn directly onto the edge of the black toga since I measured where it was meant to sit. The bottom was sewn along the edge to get the right length. To get semi-consistent lengths for the spine pattern I cut out a paper pattern, traced it onto the trim, then used my cream thread to sew the pattern on.

The attachment point on the skull pauldron isn't quite at the right angle, but it has yet to fail as I made the attachment point on the toga very secure. It's mainly held on with a section of velcro, secured in position by two snap buttons in the side corners, and had a material covering to hide any flaws and keep it secured. The covering was attached with a mixture of hand sewing and hot glue.

Part 2 - The sash

I originally wanted to do the sash in one continuous piece. However, official art lied to me, and fabric doesn't drape like that. My main measurement was from the shoulder to where it sits on my arm, and then the length was guessed based on mockups. I also included a tiny pouch at sits at the waistline that I could use to store a few bottles of nectar to hand out during the con. From there, I then had to do the most painful section of the whole toga - hand sewing tiny sections of the side material to get it to have a draping look and not leave any spaces. It took forever and needed some wire to stop the front edge from flapping around, but I didn't want to chance cutting it off and making the section from a separate piece of material so close to the con. However, that didn't stop me once the con was done and I had a few months to the next one.

Part 2.5 - side section v2 and hidden phone pocket

Using the correct amount of material ended up with a much nicer drape! It was a painful, painful day as I don't actually know how drapery works and this was all guesswork and trial and error (if that's not obvious by the amount of pins present).

The phone pocket was roughly measured, and made from a few layers of the same red I used for the sash to blend in. I also used a bit of stiff felt to give it more shape to bulk out that back loop section. A bit of velcro to keep the phone in and it's done!

#my cosplay #cosplay process #hades game #zagreus cosplay #look I made this mostly through trial and error and trying it on repeatedly while making adjustments #so there's no easy measurements I can share #but if you want exact size details I can give them to you

[thessalian]

Thess vs Self-Worth Spirals

Bananas are in the dehydrator, refrigerator pickles are chillilng in the fridge, and I’m taking a break (sort of; there’s some uploading shit to do because I’m determined to get this all done this week) between that and boiling up my beets. I didn’t sleep well because apparently either the floors are way thinner than they need to be or my upstairs neighbours are unspeakably loud during sex. So I got treated to about a half-hour of that. Which, I mean, cheers to the stamina, I guess, but please, for my sanity, get a carpet. And I can’t go take a nap now because a) the expected pain flare from last night’s Great Vanilla Fudge Experiment has caught up with me, and b) one of my neighbours on this floor (next door or across the hall; I can’t tell) are doing some quite loud home maintenance. Yay.

My brain is weird. Not bad, not even particularly inefficient, but weird nonetheless. I was slicing bananas and going kind of Zen about it, thinking about the comments I get from mutuals who are enjoying reading about my forays into kitchen and garden experimentation, combined with the people at my office being like, “Oh, but that sounds like so much effort, though”. Somehow, those thoughts collided to actually answer the question of why I spend so much time and effort on stuff like this, and why I started in the first place.

Answer: “I’m having to make an insane effort to feed myself anyway; might as well have some fun with it”.

Because, seriously, all of this started after the fibromyalgia diagnosis. I mean, even before that, food was more of a chore than it is for a lot of people. Not all people, but a lot of people. Because dietary requirements. Dairy I can just about do with proper preparation and the right supplements - that or very small amounts. (Butter on a potato won’t upset me too badly; a bowl of ice cream will.) Gluten? Thaaaaaaat’s a problem. It doesn’t take much at all to set me off, and so much convenience food has wheat flour in it somewhere, either as a base ingredient or as a thickener. While you can get ready meals and the like that are gluten-free, the range is very narrow and it’s expensive for what you get. Hell, even getting things like gluten-free pasta is tricky, since every brand has a different recipe and some aren’t bad while others are awful, so it’s a crap-shoot at best. (So far Sainsbury’s wins for gluten-free pasta. I will no longer touch Tesco gluten-free pasta, because it is really gross.) So effectively I was living on a fairly limited menu.

And then the fibromyalgia came along and made things worse. Couldn’t work full time anymore, so reduced wage. A lot of money was going on painkillers, and the price of prescriptions went up. Brexit plus Covid meant a lot of shortages and higher prices. (That’s not even going into the mess we have now.) Most of all, everything hurt. Every activity just hurt, and was going to, forever.

This, you can imagine, got depressing. Still is, sometimes. But somewhere along the line I guess I thought, “Well, if I’m going to cause myself pain, it’s going to be for something inventive, something fun, instead of just whatever seemed easiest”. So I started my garden - yeah, watering the plants every day is a struggle sometimes, but strawberries and herbs and tomatoes! I knew that fruit was a good idea but it always went bad on me before I could finish it all, and buying bags of dehydrated fruit was expensive, so I got the dehydrator and it’s still one of the best investments I’ve ever made. I got my baking dish and learned to make lasagne and pasta bakes and cottage pie, because that meant one evening’s effort in the kitchen would feed me for almost a week instead of just a day or two, which meant less effort and pain in the long run. Kind of like buying in bulk, but for physical pain instead of sticker shock.

Not only is all this fun, but it also gives me a sense of ... accomplishment and self-worth, which are two distinct things in this instance. The accomplishment is easy - “I made that! Go, me!”, but the self-worth doesn’t have anything to do with having to make these nice things to be worthy of the space I occupy in the world. See, I’ll make this kind of effort for others without a thought, but the fact that I’m willing to make this effort for myself? For my own comfort and enjoyment and happiness? It’s basically me saying, “I am worth this effort. My long-term happiness is worth a little pain, effort, and inconvenience”. I guess if I can think that about myself, I can accept it better when others think it about me. And I have examples of it almost every day. I can sit down to a lasagne full of fresh herbs from my own garden, or go to the fridge and snack on some refrigerator pickles that I made just because I don’t like how most pickles in this country taste, or pack a work lunch that includes a dried fruit mix tailored exactly to my tastes. Yes, it’s nice when others enjoy these things, and I will always try to share when I can. But at the end of the day, I made these things for me. I thought I was worth it. For me, that’s new, and it matters.

Honestly, it’s nice when the self-worth spiral is going upwards, instead of the usual downward trajectory.

#Thess cooks #Thess has issues #But Thess is working on those issues #So GO THESS

[pokerecipes]

Establishing Post

This is my beautiful cooking blog!

I am a chef, currently located in Hoenn. I specialize in creating new recipes and I love testing them with exotic ingredients, hence my blog.

Of course I cant really cook with every Pokemon, some are just not of organic manner and some are just so rare or endangered that it wouldnt be possible or desirable to cook with them.

You may not know much about Poke-cuisine and that's completely okay! That's why I'm making this post first. I'll tell you all about how all the different types taste and how to recognize them!

But first! I buy all my Poke-ingredients from certified vendors and small businesses who I have vetted to be cruelty free and low on any chemicals and I encourage you to do the same!

I do not hunt the Pokemon myself and I do not encourage doing that, it is easy to disrupt a very sensitive biosphere. So please leave the hunting, breeding and butchering to the professionals!

I am aware of the ethical concerns some people have and I understand them. I have Pokemon as well and I'd be devastated if something happened to them but for me there's just that difference between my partners and the food that I serve.

I am not asking you to understand but I am asking you to just block me if you dislike my blog instead of harassing me.

Also, this blog will not include prices beyond me mentioning if something is on the more expensive or cheap side, there's just large differences per region and vendors, also I usually get quite a discount since I buy in bulk usually.

I will make more detailed posts about ho to handle each type but here is a basic list! Also, when wondering about double typed ingredients you should go with the type first listed and keep the information for the second type in mind.

Now to the flavors:

Fire types usually taste very strong, spicy and smokey

Water types usually taste fishy, strong and salty

Grass types usually taste strong, earthy and vary in flavor

Electric types often taste light, staticy and sweet-sour

Ice types usually taste light, neutral and watery

Psychic types usually taste sweet, light and nostalgic

Bug types usually taste  salty, strong and crunchy

Flying types usually taste light, umami and soft

Ground types usually taste earthy, rich and strong

Fight types usually taste umami, strong and pungent

Poison types usually taste bitter, strong and astringent

Rock types usually taste salty, strong and rocky

Ghost types usually taste spicy, feint and deep

Dragon types usually taste spicy, strong and oily

Dark types usually taste dark, strong and slightly umami

Steel types usually taste neutral, metalicy and heavy

Fairy types usually taste sweet, strong and musk

#pokemon irl #pokeblogging #pokeblog rp #unreality #pokerecipes #pkmn irl

[nagasakidivision]

😄 Random question time!

To all the members of Nagasaki Division: How do they do their grocery shopping? Do they come prepared with a list, only buying things that are on it? Do they sometimes deviate from it? Or do they just buy whatever they want? Do they use coupons? Do they have a set limit on how much they spend? Or is money not an issue for them?

Haruto

Tends to get things on impulse, doesn't keep a grocery list and regularly forgets necessities until he's running out and needs to make an emergency store run. Fortunately he sets his own schedule barring any tutoring or other miscellaneous paid obligations so this is rarely an issue, but he's as disorganized with that as he is nearly everything else. He does...attempt to keep a budget (stipend life lmao) but is rarely too bothered about going a bit over since his only other expensive vice is alcohol. Well, and clothes but other than that he's a pretty stereotypical cloistered academic.

Damien

Has only just began to grow out of the "It's a banana, Michael. What can it cost, $20?" mentality. Money has never been an issue for him, even now that he's had a major change of lifestyle. As such, he tends to just do whatever he feels like at the time. In his defense, he does sometimes drop by with surprise gifts for his teammates as a form of affection since he knows that they're not quite as well off.

Shirou

His family had little money when he was growing up, so he's used to having to do a lot with a little. Buys in bulk whenever it's an option, keeps to a strict budget and list of things to get, is a coupon hoarder, works around sales instead of keeping a dedicated shopping day, etc. He's paid well enough now and he has an "alternate revenue stream" though most of it goes to his parents and to people he thinks of as more deserving than him so even though that's not a concern now, old habits die hard and it's hard to grow past the trauma of living on a shoestring budget and knowing if you have an emergency, where you're getting food is up in the air.

(Thank you for the ask! >vo b)

#ask meme #nagasaki division #damien #shirou sonozaki #haruto hirabayashi

[dis--parity]

‘Fancy’ items in the cast’s kitchens

Here’s a random thought for a post that occurred to me earlier today - it occurred to me that each muse on the blog has at least one thing in their kitchen that you don’t exactly see every day. So, here’s a little low-energy post detailing them!

Alex - Rice Cooker

It’s no secret that Alex is a big fan of curry, chili, and anything involving rice. Whether she be making it as a batch meal, or just making rice as a side dish or a snack, she likes to have the rice she makes be perfect! Well, that, and buying rice in bulk instead of just as packets of microwave rice tends to save her a bit of money. She first learned about the rice cooker from a university lecture, where it was used as an example for how signals can be passed through an electronic device, where the rice stops cooking once it reaches the right conditions. Ever since then, she’s proud to own a rice cooker as the most used - and most expensive - thing in her kitchen.

Yeong-Hui & Garis - Tamagoyaki pan

Tamagoyaki is a special type of rolled omelette enjoyed widely in Japan and Korea, and are often added to bento boxes in their respective countries. It also happened to be Miyabi’s favourite breakfast food - her favourite way to season tamagoyaki was with garlic salt, basil, soy sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Yeong-Hui keeps around a tamagoyaki pan, and often likes to use it to make their own tamagoyaki - and whenever Miyabi’s birthday comes to pass, they make a special tamagoyaki using Miyabi’s recipe in remembrance of them.

Garis also likes to use the tamagoyaki pan - but more often, xe uses it to grill sandwiches, gently reheat or refry burgers, or to make pancakes. The sloped angle of the pan actually makes it perfect for all of these, as it allows for them to be flipped quite easily.

Souji - Novelty rolling pins

Having a rolling pin in one’s kitchen may not seem to unusual by itself - but a whole rack of them, of different shapes, sizes, and even materials? It’s most certainly a conversation starter. With Souji being a fan of making small collections of things, the one he is absolutely most proud of is the collection of rolling pins in the kitchen. Every single rolling pin is made of a different type of wood on the handles, and the body is also made of widely varying materials, from simply the same type of wood, to steel, to plastic, to even marble. They’re all different right down to the pin geometry - some of the more uneven bodies, he says, give certain pastries a bit more ‘character’. Besides just looking good, it’s just nice to have a rolling pin for every situation, and have them all be unique in their nature and role.

Theo - Dry-aging fridge

One of the ways that Theo was told he could enrich his life was by taking up a creative hobby, taking pride in being able to make something. Cooking fills that niche well enough on its own, but he decided to take it a step further to truly make the things he loved better. The dry-aging fridge that sits next to his regular refrigerator helps draw the moisture out of the meat over the course of a few weeks to enhance its flavour and tenderness - most often, he purchases large rib roasts and puts them in a special membrane to assist the process of dry-aging the beef, and by the end of it, he is left with some wonderful steaks to cook. As well as making his everyday meals - or at the very least, the ones he prepares for dates - taste far, far better, it also does help him save a bit of money when compared to supermarket prices.

Also, if he never bought it, he never would have discovered how delicious dry-aged bacon is. He’s forever thankful for the fridge, for however a hefty financial burden it turned out to be on initial purchase.

#[𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹 𝐼'𝓁𝓁 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 '𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝑒] Yeong-Hui;; Headcanon #[𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧' 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞] Souji;; Headcanon #[𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈'𝐦 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞] Theo;; Headcanon #{ i was. more exhausted than i thought coming home from work } #{ so here's a fun little headcanon post for y'all } #Alex;; Headcanon #Garis;; isms

[dnsaccountantsfranchise]

What are the benefits of joining an accountancy franchise?

Aspiring entrepreneurs often find themselves at a crossroads when thinking about launching an accountancy firm in the fast-paced world of business. Starting a business in accounting may be an exciting as well as scary experience. Choosing to work for an accounting franchise stands out among the options since it provides a unique set of benefits and a route to success. To put it simply, joining an accounting franchise means collaborating with a tried-and-true structure that will support your business goals. Let's explore why choosing this path can significantly impact individuals looking to establish a successful accounting firm.

An accountancy franchise stands out among the many company options available as a ready-made formula for success. It's similar to walking into a perfectly fitted attire that has previously been created, tried, and tested. This implies that you don't have to begin at the beginning or solve every problem by yourself. Rather, you come into the complex world of accounting services with a strategy for success, which makes the transition easier. Let's now explore the simple benefits that make becoming a franchisee of an accounting firm a desirable option for anyone looking to get into the financial management industry.

To know more details: https://dnsaccountantsfranchise.co.uk/

Benefits of joining an accountancy franchise

Proven business model

Buying an accounting franchise requires joining a pre-existing and established company model. Your time and effort will be spared from trial and error because the blueprint for success has already been created. Those who are new to the world of entrepreneurship may find this especially helpful.

Established brand and reputation

Establishing a brand from the ground up is no easy task. You acquire the credibility and trust that comes with owning an accountancy franchise. Customers are likely to select a well-known brand, offering you a market benefit.

Ongoing support and training

The ongoing training and assistance that comes with becoming a franchisee in accounting is one of the best benefits. In-depth training programs that keep you current on market trends, technological advancements, and best practices are frequently provided by franchisors. This continuous assistance can be quite helpful in managing the accounting industry's complications.

Access to a network

You're not going alone in your business ambitions when you become a member of an accounting franchise. By giving you access to a network of other franchisees, you may promote community, shared resources, and collaboration. This network of support can be quite helpful, particularly in challenging circumstances.

Economies of scale

Joining an accounting franchise gives you access to purchasing power and economies of scale. Discounts for bulk purchases of software, resources, and other essentials can drastically lower running expenses, letting you optimise earnings and put more money back into your company.

Marketing and branding assistance

One of the biggest challenges facing a small accounting firm can be marketing. To help you attract and keep customers, franchisors frequently offer marketing and branding support, including advertising campaigns, a guarantee, and strategies.

Adaptability to market changes

The environment of accountancy is always changing due to shifts in customer expectations, technology, and laws. With the support of a bigger organisation, an accounting franchise is more capable of adjusting to these changes and making sure your company stays competitive and relevant.

Summary

Getting an edge in the highly competitive accountancy business is the real motivation behind joining an accountancy franchise, not only fitting in with the brand. The rewards are obvious, and they include a tested business plan, continuous assistance, and a well-known brand. Examining the possibilities provided by an accounting franchise may be the key to your success if you're thinking about launching your accounting firm.

For more details about your accountancy franchise perks, please contact [email protected] or 0207 148 1706. 

#accountancyfranchise #accountancyfranchiseuk #accountantsfranchise #accountancyfirm #accountingfirm #accountantsfranchiseuk

[jsms01]

Meal Prep: The Key to Eating Healthy and Saving Time

Meal Prep: The Key to Eating Healthy and Saving Time

Are you tired of constantly struggling to maintain a healthy diet while also trying to save time? Meal prep might just be the solution you're looking for. By preparing meals in advance, you can easily control your portions, ensure that you're consuming the right nutrients, and save yourself a significant amount of time in the kitchen. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of meal prep, provide tips on how to get started, and share some delicious recipes that you can easily prepare ahead of time.

Table of Contents

- What is Meal Prep? - Benefits of Meal Prep - How to Get Started with Meal Prep - Plan Your Meals - Make a Grocery List - Prep Your Ingredients - Cook Your Meals - Store Your Meals - Meal Prep Recipes - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Snacks - Tips for Successful Meal Prep - Invest in Good Quality Containers - Don't Be Afraid to Experiment - Make It a Weekly Habit - Keep It Simple - Conclusion - FAQs - Can meal prep help me lose weight? - How long can I store meals in the fridge? - Do I need to cook everything in advance for meal prep? - Can I meal prep if I have a busy schedule? - Is meal prep expensive?

What is Meal Prep?

Meal prep is the process of planning and preparing your meals in advance, usually for a week's worth of food. This involves cooking and portioning your meals ahead of time, so that they're easy to grab and go when you're in a rush. Meal prep can help you maintain a healthy diet, save money, and reduce food waste.

Benefits of Meal Prep

There are several benefits to meal prep, including: - Portion control: By prepping your meals in advance, you can easily control your portion sizes and ensure that you're not overeating. - Saves time: Prepping your meals ahead of time can save you a significant amount of time in the kitchen. This is especially helpful if you have a busy schedule or don't have a lot of time to cook during the week. - Saves money: Meal prep can also help you save money on groceries, since you'll only be buying the ingredients you need for your meals. - Reduces food waste: Meal prep can also help reduce food waste, since you'll be using up all of the ingredients you buy for your meals. - Encourages healthy eating: By prepping your meals in advance, you'll be more likely to eat healthy, since you'll have healthy meals ready to go.

How to Get Started with Meal Prep

Getting started with meal prep can seem daunting at first, but it's actually quite simple. Here are some tips to help you get started: 1. Plan Your Meals The first step in meal prep is to plan your meals for the week. This involves deciding what you want to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and making a list of the ingredients you'll need. 2. Make a Grocery List Once you've planned your meals, it's time to make a grocery list. Make sure to only buy the ingredients you need for your meals, and try to stick to your budget. 3. Prep Your Ingredients Before you start cooking, it's important to prep your ingredients. This involves washing and chopping vegetables, marinating meats, and prepping any other ingredients you'll be using in your meals. By doing this ahead of time, you'll save yourself valuable time during the week. 4. Cook Your Meals Once your ingredients are prepped, it's time to start cooking. Follow your meal plan and recipes to cook your meals in bulk. You can prepare large batches of food that can be easily divided into individual portions. 5. Store Your Meals After cooking, it's crucial to store your meals properly to maintain their freshness. Invest in good quality meal prep containers that are both microwave and freezer-safe. Divide your meals into individual portions and store them in the fridge or freezer, depending on when you plan to consume them.

Meal Prep Recipes

Here are some meal prep recipe ideas to get you started: Breakfast - Overnight oats with fruits and nuts - Egg muffins with vegetables and cheese - Greek yogurt parfaits with berries and granola Lunch - Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and grilled chicken - Mason jar salads with mixed greens, chickpeas, and feta cheese - Wraps or sandwiches with lean protein, veggies, and whole-grain bread Dinner - Baked salmon with roasted sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli - Stir-fried tofu with mixed vegetables and brown rice - Turkey meatballs with zucchini noodles and marinara sauce Snacks - Fresh fruit slices with almond butter - Veggie sticks with hummus - Energy balls made with oats, nuts, and dried fruits

Tips for Successful Meal Prep

To ensure successful meal prep, here are some additional tips to keep in mind: 1. Invest in Good Quality Containers Investing in good quality meal prep containers will make storing and transporting your meals much easier. Look for containers that are leak-proof, durable, and easy to clean. 2. Don't Be Afraid to Experiment Meal prep doesn't have to be boring. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors, cuisines, and ingredients. This will keep your meals exciting and prevent you from getting bored with your food. 3. Make It a Weekly Habit To reap the benefits of meal prep, make it a weekly habit. Set aside a specific day each week to plan, shop, and cook your meals. Consistency is key to maintaining a healthy routine. 4. Keep It Simple Meal prep doesn't have to be complicated. Stick to simple recipes that require minimal ingredients and preparation. This will save you time and make the process more manageable.

Conclusion

Meal prep is a powerful tool that can help you maintain a healthy diet and save time in the kitchen. By planning and preparing your meals in advance, you can take control of your nutrition, save money, and reduce food waste. Start small, experiment with different recipes, and make it a regular habit. With meal prep, you'll be on your way to a healthier and more efficient lifestyle.

FAQs

1. Can meal prep help me lose weight? Yes, meal prep can be a helpful tool for weight loss. By controlling your portions and planning nutritious meals, you can better manage your calorie intake and make healthier choices. 2. How long can I store meals in the fridge? Most meals can be safely stored in the fridge for up to four days. However, it's important to check the specific guidelines for each ingredient and dish to ensure freshness and prevent foodborne illnesses. 3. Do I need to cook everything in advance for meal prep? Not necessarily. While cooking everything in advance can save you time during the week, you can also opt for partial meal prep. This involves prepping ingredients, such as chopping vegetables or marinating meat, and assembling meals closer to the time of consumption. 4. Can I meal prep if I have a busy schedule? Absolutely! In fact, meal prep is particularly beneficial for individuals with busy schedules. By investing a few hours over the weekend or on a designated day, you can have ready-to-eat meals throughout the week, eliminating the need for frequent cooking and allowing you to focus on other tasks. 5. Is meal prep expensive? Meal prep can actually save you money in the long run. By planning your meals and buying ingredients in bulk, you can take advantage of cost savings. Additionally, by reducing food waste through portion control and utilizing ingredients effectively, you can maximize your grocery budget. Read the full article

#Easymealprep #Healthymealprep #Ketomealprep #Mealprepcontainers #Mealprepforbeginners #Mealprepforweightloss #Mealprepideas #Mealpreprecipes #Veganmealprep #Vegetarianmealprep

[healthcareanalystinsights-blog]

Frozen Seafood Market 2023, by Services, Company Profiling, Business Revenue, and Growth Opportunities to 2033

Frozen Seafood Market to Exceed US$ 37,398.5 Million by 2033 amid Burgeoning Demand for Fish All Year Round Worldwide | Future Market Insights, Inc.

The market for frozen seafood is anticipated to be worth US$ 19,382.3 million by the end of 2023. It is set to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% between 2023 and 2033. By 2033, the market is projected to contribute a value of US$ 37,398.5 million.

Seafood consumption has increased significantly worldwide over the last few decades. As living standards rise in developing nations such as Latin America and Asia Pacific, there is likely be an increasing seafood consumption. It will also be driven by millennial consumers' growing knowledge of the benefits of consuming seafood.

Seafood protein is a significant nutritional component in several countries, particularly those with low overall protein intakes. Apart from protein, seafood is a substantial provider of other essential nutrients. Fish and shellfish such as salmon, prawns, and clams, are particularly high in vitamins and minerals such as zinc, selenium, and vitamin B1.

Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help vendors improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. View our PDF Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-17051

Seafood is the main source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Seafood offers defense against a lot of health problems owing to its high nutritious content.

The notion that seafood is a healthful diet has led to increasing consumption, and output is expected to climb steadily as a result. It would benefit from less waste, better use, and enhanced distribution methods.

Since frozen seafood can be kept for a long time, it is more widely available in areas where fresh seafood is more difficult to come by. This implies that consumers can enjoy seafood throughout the year even if they live a long way from the shore or in a region with few transit choices. Frozen seafood is also easier to carry than fresh seafood, which can be quite fragile and call for particular handling.

Fresh seafood can be expensive due to strong demand and the rarity of a few species, while frozen seafood is frequently less expensive. Buying frozen fish in bulk further enables bigger savings and more frugal meal preparation.

Sales of frozen seafood are expected to soar globally due to advancements in freezing technology. It tastes virtually as fresh as its unfrozen version thanks to modern technologies. This has contributed to lowering any stigma attached to frozen seafood and raising global acceptance of it.

Key Takeaways from Frozen Seafood Market Study

The     global frozen seafood industry expanded at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2018 to     2022.

The     USA frozen seafood industry is anticipated to reach a valuation of US$ 9,217.8     million by 2033.

A     CAGR of 6.4% is expected from India's frozen seafood industry from 2023 to     2033.

In     2033, China frozen seafood industry is expected to contribute a value     share of 49.4%.

Based     on product type, the frozen crab segment is estimated to hold a global     market share of 27% in the forecast period.        

“It is projected that advancements in refrigeration would propel the market in both commercial and industrial settings. Growth is also connected to ongoing advancements in sophisticated distribution systems. Technological advancements in seafood product storage, processing, and packaging have further contributed to the expansion of the global frozen seafood industry.” – Says a lead analyst.

Competitive Landscape: Frozen Seafood Market

As the need for novel formulations from the food & beverage industry increases, leading frozen seafood manufacturers are concentrating on products delivering a wide range of health advantages. Consumption of frozen fish has grown over time among all populations.

Leading producers of frozen fish are working to gain a high market share through partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions while continuing to develop new product lines. Due to the increased need for innovative formulations from the food & beverage industry, top frozen seafood manufacturers are likewise concentrating on releasing upgraded and modified items.

For instance,

In     August 2021, Frozen Fish Direct introduced its latest user-friendly     e-commerce site. While numerous individuals enjoy eating fish, Frozen Fish     Direct is aware that they might not always be able to find fresh kinds at     their neighborhood grocery. This information motivated Frozen Fish Direct     to develop and launch their brand-new online store, providing its devoted     clients with a convenient and stress-free option to buy for a large     selection of fish and seafood.        

Get Valuable Insights on Frozen Seafood Market

Future Market Insights (FMI), in its new offering, provides an unbiased analysis of the frozen seafood market presenting historical demand data (2018 to 2022) and forecast statistics for the period from (2023 to 2033). The study divulges compelling insights on the demand for frozen seafood based on frozen seafood market by product type (tuna, rainbow trout, sardines, mackerel, herrings, salmon, shrimp, crab, lobster, krill), nature (organic, conventional), form (whole, fillet), end use (food processing industry, food service industry, retail/household), distribution channel (B2B, B2C, online retailers), and regions.

Information Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/frozen-seafood-market

#Frozen Seafood Market

[ellarohrer]

Is healthy food more expensive than junk food? If so, then is it achievable to eat healthy while on a budget?

I would like to consider myself a healthy eater, and eating healthy is a passion of mine. It wasn’t until I started college this year that I recognized how eating healthy can be such a challenge. I luckily attend college close to home and I have the ability to grocery shop to get the healthy foods I enjoy. I have been able to see lately how fortunate I am to be able to obtain healthy food and to be able to afford it. I have since been curious on how true that really is and it has made me ask the following questions: Is healthy food more expensive than junk food? If so, then is it achievable to eat healthy while on a budget? This is a topic that raises different opinions because everyone can have different outlooks on what they consider expensive and what they consider healthy. I plan to exemplify the argument on whether or not healthy food is more expensive than junk food, and if it is achievable to eat healthy while on a budget. 

This blog post will provide background information needed to understand why there are different opinions around the price of healthy/junk food, and the opinions around if it is/isn’t achievable to eat healthy while on a budget. The background information in this blog post will include opinions and some facts of the following: why unhealthy food is appealing, what percent of U.S. adults are obese, what conditions can proceed from being obese, how to save money and eat healthy, how much food prices have increased, and why money doesn’t guide our choices on what we eat. In an article from The Plutus Foundation, Caitlin See articulates the differences in prices between unhealthy food and healthy food. Caitlin See is currently a personal finance writer who specializes in student loans, debt repayment, credit cards, and budgeting basics. See’s article mentions as to why people choose unhealthy food, and tips on how to choose healthier options. See mentions that the reason unhealthy food tends to be appealing to people is because of the convenience. See stated the following, “[i]t’s easier to pop something in the microwave or make a quick stop at the drive-thru. Many people are juggling multiple jobs and children, which leaves little time for grocery shopping or countless hours prepping and cooking meals each week”. This statement is a great example of why unhealthy eating is appealing. This also demonstrates why unhealthy eating occurs quite often. Although, See also mentioned in the article that eating healthy can occur at more places than at home. Sometimes it just means asking for nutrition information and reading the menu beforehand. Unhealthy choices lead to unhealthy consequences. See provided the following important fact in the article as well, “[a]ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40% of U.S. adults are obese, which can put them at a higher risk for conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes”. The choices we make can lead to harmful consequences that we may not necessarily understand until they occur. They may occur and we may never blame it on our eating habits, but it is important to be educated on the possible consequences to prevent them if possible. In order to prevent the consequences we need to know some strategies on eating healthy and saving money. See provides some solutions such as the following: bulk buying the staples from places like Costco, buying your meats in bulk and saving it for later by freezing it, and buying fruits and vegetables uncut because buying them pre-cut is more expensive.

In an article from Time International, Nik Popli highlights just how much prices have increased and displays why that can be such a problem for families. Popli’s article was published in February of 2023 and mentions how much grocery prices had increased in December compared to a year earlier. Grocery prices had been up 11.8%. Popli stated that since 2021 prices have increased greatly, and almost every food item is more expensive than it was a year earlier. In another article from The New York Times, Mark Bittman wrote to inform people that junk food is not always cheaper than healthy food. Bittman also offered an interesting perspective that mentioned that money is not the reason why we choose what we eat. Bittman stated the following in the article, “THE fact is that most people can afford real food. Even the nearly 50 million Americans who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps) receive about $5 per person per day, which is far from ideal but enough to survive. So we have to assume that money alone doesn’t guide decisions about what to eat”. This statement offers important information that we would not necessarily know beforehand. If someone is enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and is receiving money, then they are not only limited to unhealthy food/junk food. The opinions and facts stated in these articles provide a great deal of background information on healthy food, junk food, and saving money. With this knowledge it is easier to make more educated decisions. 

I believe that this topic is an important one that we don’t all quite understand because it isn’t something that everyone has been educated on. There is so much context behind this issue because there is so much information regarding it. What we eat can affect our health, our mood, our view on our body images, and so much more. All of these affects also regard me and it wasn’t until I understood all of these facts that I finally made a change. My target audience is for those who need a push to make a change, and for those with families because I believe learning good eating habits at a young age is important. In my next posts I hope to cover information on what eating healthy looks like, the benefits of eating healthy, why eating healthy is expensive, if eating healthy on a budget is sustainable, and the argumentative sides of all of it. I want to be able to obtain both arguments on this topic in order to fully display the strengths and challenges that come along with eating healthy. I believe that displaying both sides is necessary because we are all entitled to our own choices and being able to understand the whole situation may bring clarity to others choices.

Bittman, M. (2011). Opinion: Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/opinion/sunday/is-junk-food-really-cheaper.html

Popli, N. (2023). Why Are Groceries So Expensive Right Now? Time International (Atlantic Edition), 201(5/6), 12. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp3.lib.umn.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,uid&db=aph&AN=161709624&site=ehost-live. 

See, C. (2020). The Cost of Healthy Eating vs Unhealthy Eating. The Plutus Foundation. https://plutusfoundation.org/2020/healthy-eating-budget/