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aine-ayase · 3 years

Text

The bold text indicates albedo

the bold italic text indicates your speech

"If one day.."

Your smile strains, you've been holding the same pose for an hour and your muscles are starting to get numb. Yet you don't have a heart to ask for a break, not when he looks at you like your the only person in the world.

You close your eyes, letting your mond wander from the scratches of albedo's pencil, drawing you to the laughter of the calvary captain across the hall.

Today was a peaceful day.

"If one day.."

Albedo listened to your ramblings about a book you read a while ago, leaning in to your touch as you play with his hair.

He absorbs the feeling of your warmth, He misses it. He was working from dawn to dusk and not seeing you the entire day. He got a little agitated, snapping at anyone who makes a mistake at the workshop.

He would just apologize tomorrow. For now, he wishes he could spend his entire day with you.

"I loose control."

You would often times see your lover just sitting there and looking at nothing particular. If it were amber or kaeya who saw him like this they would just assume he was thinking of another expirament of his.

But you weren't them, and you knew him better than anyone in Mondstadt since he was your lover.

If you ask him, which you did before he would only brush you off. So you resort to take his hand and rub small circles to the back of his palm. You give him kisses even if you're unsure if he knows your here and cuddle him. Preparing his favorite flowers and food to eat after he's done.

You knew that look and you hated it because you can't do anything to help him.

It was as if he was fighting alone.

"I vanish."

Often times, you would leave mondstadt to go to Inazuma. He would give you a kiss on the forehead and you would say I love you before you leave to your journey.

But during those times, when he gaze at your back as you walk farther away from mondstadt city gates, he can't help the small crippling fear that tried to overtake him.

That one day you just leave without saying goodbye.

"Destroy mondstadt,"

You were friends with Venti, a bard that frequents Angels share. You loved his songs, and would give him an apple or some mora for a performance.

You knew his identity, He's confused with yours. That's why Venti allowed you to be closed to him, to understand yours better.

Albedo has a particular dislike for that lad, whenever you would come to the front of cathedral, he would follow you because he knew you were going to listen to that bard.

He wasn't jealous okay?

When Venti saw you hand in hand with the alchemist, his worries grew by tenfold. Poor Barbatos is starting to get a headache.

"Like a flash of wind,"

Albedo was blessed with a geo vision from the archon of liyue, he was more connected with the soil and earth than the winds.

He had a fascination on vision just like his desire to solve the meaning of living and you with no vision, he would only ramble about his discoveries.

One day, you told him about your first journey to Inazuma.

And your contract with the electro archon.

In exchange for giving your vision, you can come and go as you please in the country. It was a reckless and bold move.

A mortal asking for an exchange from a god? He scolded you for doing that, but you only gave him a smile and kissed his lips.

"Destroy everything."

You often make food for the three of you since the start of your relationship you had a sudden fascination on cooking and baking.

Since then, you've been in charge of the kitchen.

You woke up to the smell of smoke, you hurried your way to the source and see the Albedo and Klee running around trying to get the fire out.

After that disaster you make them sit still as you make breakfast, you didn't even know how they could burn the kitchen. You remember very well that Albedo can cook, after all you and klee would enjoy his special dish once a while.

Perhaps he lost touch? Possible.

"As you wake up to still silence ."

Albedo has to wake up every morning early, it's not an obligation it's just how his body is used to waking up early in the morning and head straight to his office to work.

But sometimes he would laze in his bed and stare at your sleeping face until you wake up.

Sometimes he would sketch your sleeping figure as he hum a tune, low enough so you wouldn't wake up.

His sketchbook hasn't been used for a while and it made him slightly dissapointed in himself.

He had a perfectly good model yet he hasn't been sketching them? How horrendous.

"Can i rely on you to stop me?"

Even if your vision was gone, your swordmanship is still sharp and as elegant as ever.

Your fighting style is swift and fast, since you don't have much. strength you chose to train yourself in speed and studied the weak points of a human to strike there.

You only had one sword, that you took everywhere with you. It was a sword coated in poison.

The poison isn't enough to kill anybody just enough to make them immobile or pass out.

And you loved sparing with your lover (with a wooden sword of course, you don't want him to get poisoned) You love how he used his sword. He's just so elegant and ugh..

You might fall in love with him again.

"Will you still remember and love me the same?"

Albedo loved painting you.

When you first step on your shared house the first thing you would see is a painting of you three under the big tree in Windrise.

Klee chasing a slime while you laugh at something he said.

He remembered you getting mad at him for not including himself in the portrait and took it upon yourself to sketch him.

You made him sit down beside where you last sat and sketched him, you're artstyle and his crashed but he couldn't have it any other way.

So if anyone asked why he looked different than the rest of the painting he would answer that you're the one who painted him in the portrait.

Thanks for reading.

bruh, i was like why is there no reads then suddenly remembered i forgot to tag... ;-;

#albedo x reader #im a simp #albedo imagines #albedo kreideprinz #genshin fluff #genshin angst #genshin x reader #genshin venti #genshin albedo #albedo #genshin impact

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babysprouseisart · 4 years

Text

Every story ever has its end or the summary of the thoughts on the past #sprousehart era and attempts to change the attitude of others to this illusionary world

Dear fellows, from the very first days of the origin and further existence of mankind on the planet, in each period more and more foundations, irreversible phenomena and laws in nature or the society in which man lived and continues to live appeared. Time is fleeting, night turns to morning, year to year, and every story ever has its end. You can object, say that this is complete nonsense, but unfortunately everything in our world is natural and therefore in the same way one story of two wonderful people - Lili Pauline Reinhart and Cole Mitchell Sprouse - ended.

Their relationship was and will remain one of the most beautiful and unlike in comparison with others, at least based on what I could witness, love story. And even though this love story began seemingly banal with an audition for the role and the set, it was so real, amazing, which many could dream about, with its special feature of gradual disclosure, so enticing, and that is why it probably resonated so much, along with other reasons.

Like any other relationship, this relationship was based on many things and included many reasons for existence. Starting with a slight interest in each other, first liking and flirting, then there was a strong and almost immediate attraction to each other that they both talked about, a passion visible in the way they acted out scenes together and in glimpses of information from others. Then, after some time, the romantic charm passed, and a new stage began – getting used to each other, building a joint life, adapting to the peculiarities and shortcomings of the partner, and it is during this time the couple tries to create a happy and satisfying relationship for each. Accordingly, everyone got a desire to stand out from the other, to be significant not only in the relationship, but also outside of it, which is why they kept their privacy and wanted everyone to perceive them as separate individuals. They clearly tried to control what they shared with the world, and gradually the amount of what they shared increased. We were lucky to witness many, even small, moments in their lives. We were allowed to see the whole development, although some of it was very hidden, starting with the sarcastic banter on Twitter, the tempting 'Tempt me!', then multiple photos of fans with them, then supposedly random photos of Cole, with Lili in the background, or other way around, then many other breadcrumbs, then expanding of the circle of friends where his friends are now hers and vice versa, family meetings following by huge support to the certain time, then an infinity of her photos taken by him, so divine and beautiful, as well as photos taken by her of him, then numerous long or not so long trips to various places, the first vocation trip together which was made public, then 'No comment!', then more words about love in public media, birthday wishes, comments, bouquets just like that and on special days, 72 roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, the way they were baking together, him making a grilled cheese for her, them watching the sunset at Debby's and the other times we haven't seen, the time when Antelope Valley has become an indicator, the most tender words about each other, endless heart eyes, her inability to stop sitting on his lap, and his habit of touching her shoulder, neck, jokes understandable only to them, the words of others about them as if they are friends for 20 years already, knowledge of each other's body language, bragging about wonderful sexy times and the beauty of each other, giving cute nicknames, comfort, joint red carpet moments, him shaking her of joyness, constant support and much more, what we could obviously notice in social networks, interviews, after videos/photos of paparazzi, almost complete idyll at first glance and so on. All this is certainly only what we were allowed to see or what we guessed having observed various facts and over time it has gotten more obvious, and it was an insanely beautiful experience to be a spectator of all this for which I am grateful that is why I sincerely wish myself and all of you to look at it from the point of view that you need to smile because it happened and not cry because it's over. Nevertheless sometimes if you get too involved you can start looking at it through the prism of pink glasses of love and admiration, enjoying every moment they directly or indirectly shared with us, and accordingly, the impression of a fairy tale is being formed that does not quite correctly reflect reality and it does not allow us to perceive the other part on the other side of the screen/social networks, because we simply do not see it. However, I don't want anyone to take it as if I believe that everything they shared was untrue and false, completely out of the blue. All I want to convey to any reader is that everything we saw was only in an unreal bubble of illusions, since the Internet and social networks, which are, after all, this very bubble in its essence, which we ourselves and they decided to form, allowing us to take it as they want and this is normal, and life is very far from perfect or dreamlike. That is to say life is such an unpredictable thing, where everything is justifiably natural and sometimes things just don't work out the way we would like them to, including relationships which are also a complex structure that is not easy to build correctly, sometimes even with a strong attraction and a strong sense of love, there are things that cannot be corrected or changed. As well as you cannot change the essence of a person and his worldview, his personality, internal or external qualities, his behavior, his views on life and goals, his mistakes and position in society, loss of trust, his moral and physical endurance, other side things like sharing very little time for the second half in connection with business or temporary work, unwillingness to accept any conditions, commitment, settling down or restriction of something, lack of compromise, fading feelings because of passed desire and passion, external factors, especially if we are talking about a public couple/popular people, such as dramas in social networks, created by fans or family/friends, stress from the strong involvement of others or non-acceptance of partner selection by relatives, and so on. Just sometimes if after a while two people failed to get accustomed to each other, as if a plant were transplanted into a new soil or some organ to the human body, thanks to some external or internal features, obstacles, be it custom qualities or external influence on each other with the constant tries for the reconstruction of another and over time awareness of the fact that what has been created by the supreme cannot be altered and adjusted for something else, becoming more and more negative, when one of them in its content can no longer learn to cope with the environment and the further continuation of the joint work of the struggle can lead to the bad conditions of both, with exhaustion from this struggle and, accordingly, to the death of cells. And all this exhaustion for whatever reason can also be theoretically and philosophically equated to the bowels of the earth and depleted sources. After all, a person get used to using fresh water, the earth's mineral resources, eating plants and fruits, vegetables, buying things, and so on, but sometimes it happens that this is either limited or ends and nature is no longer able to provide us with anything, after constant giving, and in return receiving only harm or damage. This is a very complex science and this is a life where, as I already said, many things are not the way we picture them to be. So many interpretations and/or reasons can and could be hidden behind all these failures/ends/dissensions/decays/breakups/bad moments in life, and I cannot even list all the options, but I have some general considerations on the specific occasion, but I do not want to start the speculation now and go into details about why and how I think the end of this love story that we all loved happened, cause it is not my business and I am no one to judge someone or even dare to talk about it when I am not them or relative/friend to any of them and I haven't seen the actual period of their relationship and how it was going from the beginning to the end except my own representation of everything based on this social-media bubble, and each of you can have your own thoughts and draw your own conclusions. However, it goes without saying that even after any obstacles, failures and heart and soul break and with the passage of time, everything constantly takes place to change in any way, people change, the behavior change, the attitude change, and so on, one moment the doors are closed, in the other you open them or they are opened for you so in the end a person finds their happiness and purpose despite previous mistakes and shortcomings.

The penultimate thing I want to say is that obviously, after all this, you are already starting to think about something and I really hope so, given what I said about life and bubbles of unreality in our time, and as you gain experience in this fandom and being a fan very much involved in all of this it can be very useful for us to eventually rethink how much we were involved and how much energy we were giving this every time, and I have already made a whole post about this. And particularly good for me were the recent events when there is no particular food for thought and to be involved, I'm more and more alienated from the lives of other strangers, and the more time passes, the more relaxed I began to react to many things, although it also sometimes was hard to deal with all the drama and speculation, constantly think through all sorts of logical outcomes, since I am such a person by nature and I cannot be calm without a logical conclusion, and I am still digesting the whole situation happening since the beginning of this year with the fandom and the relationship of these two people, however, as much as I would not like to clearly represent everything and have a clear picture now it does not matter, the main thing is that it was and it just needs to step over, swallow and not give too much attention to this, because unfortunately we could not control the whole situation, we could not prevent what happened and what could have happened just because we are not the supreme or these same people and it is not our business.

In conclusion, even if some may think of me as a soulless person or that I do not care about others, know that this is far from it, I just try and will try to find a way out of the situation, reorganize and look at everything objectively and with a grain of salt because I believe that this is the right decision to be detached in any way from someone else's experiences, especially from those who are so far from us, and bad moments, so as not to have any attachment, hope and faith, so that it does not hurt us later. But I am certainly an emotional person and my heart just bursts with pain when I see that many people strongly bring down themselves and suffer from the fact that there was some kind of non-related to them co-ordinal change, although this is not the end of the world, and therefore I consider it my duty to try to somehow distract some of you and calm down on this account, as once I was helped by others and my own search for the right attitude.

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cypher-of-the-night · 5 years

Text

Biography: Naoki Enjo

“Ah-re-re~? You're mistaken. Because.. You are my muse, right?”

Full name: Enjo, Naoki

Kanji: 円城, 直生

Meaning: Naoki - Honest Life; Enjo - Round Castle

Nickname(s):

Nao-chan (by Yui),

AOKI (as an Underground Rapper and Stage name),

Xiu-Lan Jiang (Real Name)

Age: 16

Birthday: December 20th

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Ethnicity: Chinese

Nationality: Japanese

Status: Alive

Race: Human?

Gender: Female

Height: 149 cm (4'11")

Weight: 49 kg (108 Ib)

Hair color: Black, with blue, pink, white streaks (Naturally black)

Eye color: Pink

Blood Type: O

Occupation: 1st Year High School Student

Relatives: Riki Enjo (adoptive father), Ying-Yue Jiang (ancestral foremother), Yuuichi Kuroi (distant relative)

Place: Sakamaki Household

Favorite Food: Anything.

Hobbies: Rapping.

Seiyuu: Asami Tano ( Saki Nikaido from Zombieland Saga ) (Talking / Singing)

English Voice: Amber Lee Connors (Toy Chica from Five Night’s at Freddy’s) (Talking, 1/2)

Significant Other/Keeper: Subaru Sakamaki

Personality:

Naoki is an energetic, eccentric, and bold girl, with her biggest strength being honesty and an extremely extrovert personality. While it is initially assumed that she has a highly poor academic record due to her disinterest in studying, Naoki is actually highly intelligent to a point it could even rival with Reiji’s, due to being strictly raised in a traditional, political household where she had high expectations to excel at everything. Upon feeling suffocated by formalities, traditions, and high expectations by her adoptive father, She has always desired freedom and to find a place where she is allowed to be who she is.

This desperate wish became the sole reason she recklessly accepted Karlheinz’s offer which exchanges the freedom she seeks, and this is why she willingly stays with the Sakamaki brothers and follows their rules instead of escaping or resisting. Even upon becoming a sacrificial bride and choosing Subaru, and when he attempt to fluster Naoki by commenting how she looked like she was trying to say that she wants to become his woman by wanting him to suck her blood, Naoki took this seriously as an offer from Subaru and happily agreed to become his woman, which made him flustered instead; This is because Naoki highly despised her arranged (and highly abusive) fiancé and is willing to be Subaru’s woman to keep herself away from her ex-fiancé. Even if Subaru himself becomes the one that hurts her instead.

Despite the abuse by the hand of her adoptive father and her fiancé, Naoki finds salvation upon discovering and falling in love with rap music, which helped her get by emotionally. Her source of strength comes from rap, as she aspires o become a rapper, and wishes to dominate the nation with her music as it is what kept her to stay strong and hopes it would impact other’s lives and help them stay strong.

Despite her lively personality, Naoki admits that she does not fear death. Because of her stressful childhood to be the “perfect daughter” with high expectations before discovering rap music, she had already come to terms to accepting death as there has been many times where what her father and her fiancé has put her through has made her want to succumb to death; It isn’t until by the Maniac arc of the HDB Saga where she begins to fear death because of Subaru.

She also loves food to a point where she won’t mind eating anything and when asked about her favorite food, she would reply with “All of the above”. Despite having always being top of her class, Naoki has Thalassophobia, an intense and persistent fear of the sea or of sea travel, due to traumatizing experiences that almost drowned her multiple times caused and exploited by her arranged fiancé when they were younger.

Strengths: Patience, endurance, devotion, fast-learner, observant, highly intelligent, wise, bright, athletic, extroverted, persepctive, hard-working, kind-hearted, protective, goal-oriented, empathetic, playful, a realist, optimistic, friendly, supportive, serious when needed, self-confident, fun-loving, open, and expressive.

Flaws: Stubborn, persistent, big eater, highly curious, strong-willed, passive, has Thalassophobia (an intense and persistent fear of the sea or of sea travel), outspoken, rebellious (to an extent), fearful of her father and ex-fiance, confused, mostly fearless (has no fear of dying), lazy when it comes to studies, hasty (whenever she does feels fear), skeptical when she can see through facades, exasperating at times, slightly naive when it comes to social affairs, tend to get panic and anxious whenever it comes to her past (including her ex-fiancé and her adoptive father), lonely, unwittingly yet emotionally dependent, and sometimes silly.

Skills: Rapping, writing music, dancing, baking, is able to speak Chinese, English, and Korean, her intelligence (has even gotten a higher score than Reiji's), has high patience, high stamina, a fast runner, enhanced sense of smell, slightly stronger than normal humans, good listening skills, reading people and their emotions, skilled at playing on the piano, singing (she doesn’t like to sing), has good flexibility, charisma, negotiation skills, has slow but steady healing, quick thinker, surprisingly observant, and is slowly getting good at housework.

History:

For as long as she can remember, Enjo Naoki was raised in a strict household with a politician as a father by the name of “Enjo Riki”. Being the only daughter, she was always pressured to have the image of the perfect child that is expected to obey, to never talk back or complain, and to push past her own limits to meet the high expectations placed upon her. He even forces her to take a daily routine of classes every early morning, forces her on a diet, and places her in prestigious, all-girl schools where she is surrounded by snobbish, rich girls. While she wished to believe her father secretly did care for her, Riki disregards her as a tool and only uses her to gain more political power; His desire for power in the political world runs deep to a point he arranges an political marriage for Naoki to a business partner’s son, Mizushima Satoshi, who was Naoki’s tormentor ever since childhood and was even the person responsible for Naoki’s Thalassophobia by pushing and even throwing her off the boat into the ocean where there were cases where she almost drowns. Even when they both get older into teenagers, Satoshi torment her by touching her sexually; Which causes Naoki to develop genophobia (fear of sexual relations or sexual intercourse). Naoki was never able to talk about it with her father, knowing he would not listen as it would risk losing power he needs to obtain from the marriage.

Due to the neglect and abuse, Naoki held no hope in life or miracles and even considered taking her own life as she saw no reason for her to continue living. Which explains why she does not fear death as she deemed the life she lived as a fate worse than hell. That was until she discovers rap music. At first, she was confused upon the beats of the music; But would come to find comfort in the lyrics to the song as it told life stories about hardship in life. Naoki would later to become more open-minded, which would even help expand her horizons once she encounters a promotion of an anime character with a punk rock style that she was starstrucked by. It was then Naoki began to find salvation to help her keep living, and when she started to get herself involve with rap.

For a while, Naoki would begin to act rebellious, claiming to go to the library to study when in actuality she would secretly go out to research rap music and would join a unit with other underground rappers. After performing a song she rapped in front of a group of people, Naoki received a self-made bracelet from a little girl, who became the petite girl’s first fan. From this experience, Naoki would start to feel like she has finally start to fit in after many years of feeling lost and outcasted, and start to find herself passionate about becoming a rapper herself, with the dream of saving people with her music the same way rap music saved her in her time of need.

However, due to anonymous tip, Riki finds out about Naoki’s activities, forbids her from continuing her activities, and decided to make arrangements to keep her home until she is to be moved to her fiancé’s mansion, even decided to throw out everything involving her activities which also included the bracelet; Finally snapping, Naoki defies her father for the first time and attempted to stand up for herself until her father slaps her before calling her a disappointment, that it was a mistake having a daughter, and leaves her.

Conflicted, Naoki is torn about what to do. Until she is told to run away by a voice. Once the voice told her to leave a few more times, Naoki’s resolution solidified and attempted to run away past midnight; However, she gets caught in the sights of guards hired by her father as he knew Naoki would attempt to run away. She continued to run until she gets trapped in an alley with a dead end with a twisted ankle and was even forced to hide in a dirty dumpster from the guards that arrived after hearing her voice from twisting her ankle. While hiding, Naoki prayed for them not to find her and was saved what she believed was a dog, which didn’t seem to be the case judging by the guards questioning what it was before they escaped once rain began to pour. After they left, Naoki realizes that she has nowhere else to go as the guards continued searching for her in the places she initially planned of going. Resorting to sleep out in the rain, She was encountered by another politician she knows of that she remembers as her father’s rival in the political world: Sakamaki Tougo.

At first, she was hesitant to trust him in fear he would contact her father; But after offering to keep her far from her father and promising her the freedom she yearned for in exchange for her cooperation to help him by living with his sons, Naoki accepted him upon one condition: to allow her to become the person she wants to be rather than someone she isn’t, to become the rapper she dreamed of becoming. Tougo accepted that condition and even spoiled her by giving her her dream appearance (punk-rock clothes, streaks in her hair, etc). Because of this, Naoki viewed Tougo as her savior, solidify her trust in him, and is heavily indebted to him which would later affect her life with the Sakamaki brothers; However, once she started to live with the Sakamaki’s, Naoki began to find out hidden truths about her life that would later come to surface.

The reason why Tougo, who was actually the Vampire King Karlheinz, decided to take her in was because he was actually using her as the other Eve, in case the resurrection of his first wife, Cordelia, in Komori Yui’s body succeed. And Naoki‘s heart was a male first-blood’s, by the name of Asher; Thus, Tougo’s promises to ensure her safety and to give her her freedom were all empty promises to gain her respect and loyalty for her cooperation into the plan, even taking advantage of her situation into his favor. Naoki was actually born to a Chinese clan of human vampire hunters with the first-blood blood in their veins, due to their foremother ancestor, Jiang Ying-Yue; Ying-Yue was the original host of the first-blood’s heart (whom was also her lover in her former life as a human), who went by the name of Asher, was a originally human before turning into a vampire after she gave birth to a human son that carried Asher’s blood. Due to herself staying hidden for many centuries to hide from Karlheinz under her first-blood lover’s instructions, Ying-Yue was given the nickname “Lilith”, who was known to be the first wife of Adam but leaves him after she refuses to become subservient to him (in a similar sense where Ying-Yue refuses to let herself become experimented as an Eve to Karlheinz’s plan); However, their secret was revealed when one of their clan’s members was kidnapped by a vampire who found out about the truth of their blood. In fear that the clan will be targeted, The ancestor initially thought about giving Asher’s heart to a male host; However, She decided to give the first-blood’s heart to an infant Naoki, who was born by the name of “Jiang Xiu-Lan” and had a weak heart similar to the condition Ying-Yue had when she was human, to save her and send her to Japan to keep her safe from the tragedy. After Naoki was taken to Japan to an orphanage, her clan was massacred by Japanese vampire hunters under orders by a former associate: Kuroi Tsurara. It was even revealed that Riki actually adopted her in secret due the truth being that he had infidelity problems, and only chose to adopt her due to her high intelligence surpassing those of the other children and looking similar like him, making her perfect to him to use.

It is revealed that Asher was the voice heard by Naoki in her time of need, as her guardian to keep her sanity in check. It is revealed that, throughout her entire life, Naoki has been unwittingly and emotionally dependent on the first-blood, especially whenever she felt like she was going to snap. This is why Naoki did not go crazy even after everything she has been through in her life, as the first-blood was the reason she remains grounded as her conscience. They have even met during Naoki’s childhood within her dreams, where Naoki calls him “Papa” as she was never allowed to call Riki; However, as she got older, Naoki began to forget the memories of those dreams, and by extension, Asher; Believing that Asher was an imaginary friend she made up due to her lonely childhood. But even after being put to sleep and chained until the day Naoki breaks her chains when the time came, Asher will remain a father-figure to her and be there in her time of need like he always has.

Trivia:

• Naoki knows how to repair and patch holes on walls; This is because, whenever she was alone, she would accidentally punch a wall out of frustration from her stressful life; Fearing of being punished, Naoki would hide the damage before fixing the wall herself before her father would come home to notice the damage. She has even punched a hole in walls at school in private before fleeing the scene to resume her day before she could get caught. She viewed this as a parallel of attempting to fix the broken pieces in her heart. She even admits that, had it also not been for rap music to calm her down, Naoki would began to resort to violence and destruction. This is one of the biggest reasons why Naoki empathized with Subaru and doesn’t stop him whenever he causes damages, even helps fix and patch the walls no matter how many times he breaks them.

This is also how Naoki gets Reiji off her back about her choice of style as she is the only one (besides Yui) that even does anything to help clean up the messes made by his brother. Of course, when asked about it, Naoki refers to cleaning everything as part of her repayment to Tougo.

• Despite her disinterest in studying, Naoki still continues to try hard in order to graduate; Even willing to take notes on subjects she already knows to give to Subaru to help him improve. It is because of this that their teachers, that once given up on Subaru, relying on her to ensure his grades improves. While she does try to help him, the progress is slow and has only gotten him to just barely passing.

• While Naoki considers Subaru as her first love, Asher confesses that Naoki did love Karlheinz, as Togo Sakamaki, for saving her life, but hidden it as she considered it a childish crush; However, this could just be something Asher made up in order to provoke Cordelia once they meet in their respective hosts’ body.

• During the time between the Haunted Dark Bridal Saga and the More Blood Saga of their friendship, it has been decided by Naoki that she will pick out Subaru’s clothes for him; As they wear a very similar style.

• Naoki’s real name is Xiu-Lan Jiang (Jiang Xiu-Lan; 江秀兰), which respectively mean “Beautiful Orchid” and “River”; Which is ironic considering her immense fear of the sea and her favorite color being lavender.

• Asher reveals a dangerous aspect of killing him from within Naoki’s body even if Naoki lives: If He dies, Naoki will experience imbalance from within psychologically, causing a severe loss of identity/an unstable sense of self. Due to Asher being the reason why Naoki has not gone mentally insane from depression, stress, compulsiveness, and anxiety caused by the abusive environment from her childhood, his existence within her is essential to keep her at bay as she has been unwittingly dependent of him emotionally. This becomes heavily apparent in Naoki’s brutal ending in the Haunted Dark Bridal Saga.

• By the Dark Fate saga, Naoki is revealed to be a human with slightly enhanced skills; This is due to Ying-Yue Jiang, her foremother and Asher’s lover, becoming the first carrier of the first-blood’s heart; Before she turned into a vampire, She had sexual intercourse with another human in an arranged marriage to produce an heir, which lead to conceiving a human child that would later start a new family line of human with first-blood ancestry from Ying-Yue carrying Asher’s heart before the child was conceived; Thus, Naoki is a human with first-blood ancestry. But due to never training like the past clan members, Naoki is considerably weak and is only strong when Asher lends her his strength.

Asher reveals that because the child was born from two humans, despite his blood running through its veins, they can not possess magic, transform, or summon familiars like a first-blood; Instead, because of his blood, The child was stronger, quicker, and healed faster than an average human, along with inheriting the ability to sense vampires and invisible familiars. This is why the clan turned into one with phenomenal vampire hunters as, while they can’t see them, they can sense their presence, using those abilities to their advantages. Which is something that she can do, but not as well at due to lack of training.

Asher also reveals that due to her being a descendant that was born with his blood, once she becomes a vampire, She can, not only use his strength, but also use Asher’s heart and his blood as his hostess to assist her into unlocking her own potential and can awaken all of the basic/passive abilities for a First Blood by a century at the latest; However, due to only being born as a human with first-blood ancestry, Asher himself admits while the process is not that imminent and might take more than a thousands of years, but it should not be impossible to do if she was a vampire, turned or not, and focused hard on training.

• Naoki reveals to wear a padded bra, which is why her flat-chest looks bigger in her clothes, despite the fact that she is perfectly comfortable with her flat chest.

* The reason for this is because her adoptive father ordered her to wear only padded bras so that she may be viewed as “presentable” in public, finding her to be flat-chested for her age as an embarrassment; Which is why Naoki is very proud of her flat-chest, even preferring being called a “Waffle” by Ayato.

• Naoki’s habit of saying “あれれ”/"Ah-re-re" comes from the Murder Mystery anime series, Detective Conan. Which is a cute, child-like way of saying "Huh?"

• In the Haunted Dark Bridal Saga, Naoki shown to have Genophobia (fear of sexual relations or sexual intercourse), as she actually struggles and panic when Subaru started to touch her in a sexual manner in order to break her as a last resort to break her in the Manic arc. Naoki started to overcome that fear as she began to fall in love with Subaru.

• In the Haunted Dark Bridal Saga, Naoki’s greatest treasure is a bracelet gifted to her by her first fan which she often wears in her AOKI wardrobe; However, it was destroyed by Subaru. By the More Blood Saga, the bracelet is repaired, and by the end of the MB Saga, the bracelet is worn by Naoki for her AOKI activities, alongside another bracelet given to her by Subaru.

Height Chart:

Credits: Sprites made by @crezzstar-commissions, Chibi made by Me, Character sheet image provided by Yuiannii on DeviantArt.

#naoki enjo

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pusongmagayon · 4 years

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19 Things 2019 Taught Me

I compiled 19 things I have learned last year. Here’s to hoping these lessons help you in some way.

1. How you love yourself teaches others how to love you. That's why it is important to get to know yourself, your boundaries, your likes and dislikes and everything about the right ways to love you.

2. It doesn't matter if you have so much love to give to someone if you cannot love them the way they needed to be loved. Learn their traumas, their triggers, their love language, their dating history, and their family story.

3. Love is a journey and not the destination. To love and be loved in return is not the prize but a process, a never-ending process. People are complex and dynamic. Every day of loving someone is an opportunity to be a better learner of love and life.

4. Know your priorities, the essentials in your life. Tune out everything that are just excesses. You are just human. Your energy is limited. Use it to pursue the things that enrich your life.

5. Be careful of the energy that you take in because that affects the energy that you will radiate to the universe. If you absorb toxicities, you could give out toxicities. If you inhale greatness, you would be likely to exhale greatness as well.

6. The night will always come. Do not fear the darkness for it will teach you things about yourself that you didn't know before. Talk to it. Befriend it. When it visits you, let it help you be ready to shine for the world once again.

7. Some people would do everything they could to make you feel that you will never be enough. Perhaps. Perhaps you will never be enough.... by their impossible standards and not yours. At the end of the day, what matters is that you are enough for yourself and for the people who value you. Be careful of where you base your standards of what is enough and what could still be your rooms for improvement. What others call "standards" are discriminatory.

8. You might be tempted to be envy of the people in their winning season. Each time you feel that way, just imagine the things they could have failed at or lost during their losing season. So yes, they deserve to receive these blessings, too.

9. Trust your own timeline. For right things to actually have their greatest impact on you, they should arrive in the right place at the right time with the right people. Otherwise, those blessings may be wasted for you don't know what do to with them.

10. Find your tribe. You need people who will be your support system during the strongest of storms, who will you celebrate with you on your successes and who will make living in this cruel world feel golden. It is true, no one is an island.

11. You are imperfect. You will make mistakes again and again. So forgive yourself always for your shortcomings and stupid decisions. And as Maya Angelou puts it, "When you know better, you do better."

12. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop growing. So always be open for new ideas even those who oppose yours because that is an opportunity for beneficial conflict and the birth of another idea.

13. Sometimes we need to give up on things that don't work so that we can pursue things that could work for us. Sometimes what we need is the skill of redirecting energy.

14. Education does not always result to learning, just as religion does not always result to spirituality. That's why develop a love for learning, for individual spiritual journey outside the confines of schools and churches.

15. The saying "Follow your dreams" may not apply to everyone. Some of us have really limited options and scarce resources. This is the bitter truth of life- some of our dreams are not in form of professions that make money. Hence, we are forced to choose jobs that we don't really like. Do what you must to survive but do not lose that hope in you that one day you will be capable enough to pursue what your heart really desires.

16. Commit to a cause that is larger than your life and that is the source of a fire inside you that will never die, that is your power that no one can ever take away from you.

17. Make more art, read more books, watch more movies, fall in love with more songs and all the good things the society say won't make us rich. Art has the power to echo the truth, to make it more alive, to be scarier to people who bury it. Use your privilege as an artist to empower other people, to lift others up and not to harm them. As an artist, you have the moral obligation to side with the truth. Use your power well.

18. Do not be envious of the people already in their senior years in their careers and what they have already accomplished. You are still young and you have so many years ahead of you. Celebrate the successes you have now. Work on your long-term goal of being one of the best in your field someday, day in and day out.

19. Your body is your home. Yes, it may not be perfect. You may not like it at first. But it was given to you for a reason. So learn to love it, to take care of it. Your body is your soul's way of experiencing the world. Eat healthy food. Exercise. Like a plant, water it with loving and kind words everyday. Say, "you are beautiful" when you look in the mirror. Because it is true, you are beautiful. In your own way. You are beautiful because you are love.

I wish us all happiness and peace whatever the next nine months of 2020 will bring us.

#yearend lessons #2019 lessons #19 things 2019 taught me #sandprints molina #sandprints essays #life #love #friendships #energy #karma #timeline #art #work #career

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basicsofislam · 5 years

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ISLAM 101: The Basic Concepts of Islam: Part 5

The Concept of Morality

The concept of morality in Islam centers around certain basic beliefs and principles. Among these are the followings: (1) God is the Creator and Source of all goodness, truth, and beauty. (2) Man is a responsible, dignified, and honorable agent of his Creator. (3) God has put everything in the heavens and the earth in the service of mankind. (4) By His Mercy and Wisdom, God does not expect the impossible from man or hold him accountable for anything beyond his power. Nor does God forbid man to enjoy the good things of life. (5) Moderation, practicality, and balance are the guarantees of high integrity and sound morality. (6) All things are permissible in principle except what is singled out as forbidden, which must be avoided. (7) Mans ultimate responsibility is to God and his highest goal is the pleasure of his Creator. The dimensions of morality in Islam are numerous, far-reaching and comprehensive. The Islamic morals deal with the relationship between man and God, man and his fellow men, man and the other elements and creatures of the universe, man and his innermost self. The Muslim has to guard his external behavior and his manifest deeds, his words and his thoughts, his feelings and intentions. In a general sense, his role is to champion what is right and fight what is wrong, seek what is true and abandon what is false, cherish what is beautiful and wholesome and avoid what is indecent. Truth and virtue are his goals. Humbleness and simplicity, courtesy and compassion, are his second nature. To him, arrogance and vanity, harshness and indifference, are distasteful, offensive and displeasing to God. More specifically, the Muslims relationship with God is one of love and obedience, complete trust and thoughtfulness, peace and appreciation, steadfastness and active service. This high – level morality will, undoubtedly, nourish and reinforce morality at the human level. For in his relationship with his fellow men, the Muslim must show kindness to the kin and concern for the neighbor, respect for the elderly and compassion for the young, care for the sick and support for the needy, sympathy for the grieved and cheer for the depressed, joy with the blessed and patience with the misguided, tolerance toward the ignorant and forgiveness of the helpless, disapproval of the wrong and rise above the trivial. Moreover, he must respect the legitimate rights of others as much he does his own. His mind must be occupied with constructive ideas and serious pursuits; his heart must beat with compassionate feelings and goodwill; his soul must radiate with peace and serenity; his counsel must be sincere and courteous. The Muslims moral obligation is to be a vivid example of honesty and perfection, fulfill his commitments and perform his tasks well, seek knowledge and virtue by all possible means, correct his mistakes and repent his sins, develop a good sense of social consciousness and nourish a feeling of human response, provide for his dependents generously without extravagance and meet their legitimate needs. Nature and the world are the field of exploration and the object of enjoyment for the Muslim. He must utilize their elements and ponder their marvels, read them as signs of Gods greatness and preserve their beauty, explore their wonders and discover their secrets. But whether he uses them for utility or for sheer enjoyment, he must avoid waste and excess. As a responsible agent of God and a conscientious trustee, he must always be mindful of others who share the world with him and who will succeed him in the future. The moral principles of Islam are sometimes stated as positive commitments which must be fulfilled and sometimes as negative prescriptions which must be avoided. Whether they are stated positively or negatively, they are designed to build in the human being a sound mind, a peaceful soul, a strong personality, and a healthy body. There is no doubt that these are necessary requirements of the general welfare and prosperity of mankind. And to help man to satisfy these requirements Islam has, among other things, laid down the following regulations: 1. To bear witness to the Oneness of God and the Messengership of Muhammad in a meaningful committal way; 2. To observe the daily prayers regularly; 3. To pay the religious tax known as alms or the poor-due (zakah); 4. To keep the fast of the Holy Month of Ramadan; 5. To make a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca at least once in his lifetime. The moral and social implications of these regulations will be discussed later in detail. Besides these positive measures, there are others which may be called preventive and precautionary ones. To protect man from insanity and degeneration, from weakness and indulgence, from indecency and temptation, Islam has prohibited certain things pertaining to food, drinking, recreation, and sex. Among these are the following: 1. All kinds of intoxicating wines, liquors, and spirits (Quran, 2:219; 4:43; 5:93-94); 2. The meat and products of swine (pork, bacon, ham, lard), of wild animals that use claws or teeth to kill their victims (tigers, wolves, leopards, etc.), of all birds of prey (hawks, vultures, crows, etc.), of rodents, reptiles, worms and the like, of dead animals and birds that are not slaughtered properly (Quran, 2:172-173; 5:4-6); 3. All forms of gambling and vain sports (Quran, 2:219; 5:93-94); 4. All sexual relations out of wedlock and all manners of talking, walking, looking and dressing in public that may instigate temptation, arouse desire, stir suspicion, or indicate immodesty and indecency (Quran 23:5-7; 24:30-33; 70:29-31). This Act of Prohibition is introduced by God for the spiritual and mental well-being of man as well as for the moral and material benefit of humanity. It is not an arbitrary action or a self-imposed intrusion from God. On the contrary, it is a sign of Gods interest in the welfare of humanity and an indication of His good care for man. When God prohibits certain things, it is not because He wants to deprive man of anything good or useful. It is because He means to protect man and allow him to develop a good sense of discrimination, a refined taste for the better things in life, and continued interest in higher moral values. To achieve this, good care must be taken of man’s spirit and mind, soul and body, conscience and sentiments, health and wealth, physique and morale. Prohibition, therefore, is not deprivation but enrichment, not suppression but discipline; not a limitation but expansion. To show that all prohibitions are acts of mercy and wisdom, two Islamic principles are worth mentioning in this connection. First, extraordinary circumstances, emergencies, necessities, and exigencies allow the Muslim to do what is normally forbidden. As long as these circumstances exist and to the extent that he cannot help the situation, he is not to blame if he fails to observe the moral rules of God (see Quran, 2:173; 5:4). Secondly, God has inscribed for Himself the rule of mercy: any who do evil out of ignorance, but thereafter repent and amend their conduct, will be forgiven; surely God is Merciful and Oft-forgiving (Quran, 6:54). In a remarkable, typical passage, the Quran has laid down the grounds and philosophy of sound moral conduct. The passage may be rendered as follows: O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer; eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for God loves not the wasters. Say: Who has forbidden the beautiful gifts of God, which He has produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure (which He has provided) for sustenance? Say: 'They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgement. thus do We explain the Signs in detail for those who understand, Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret, sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to God – and saying things about God of which you have no knowledge (Quran 7:31-33). The range of morality in Islam is so inclusive and integrative that it combines at once faith in God, religious rites, spiritual observances, social conduct, decision making, intellectual pursuits, habits of consumption, manners of speech, and all other aspects of human life. Because morality is such an integral part of Islam, the moral tone underlies all the passage of the Quran and the moral teachings are repeatedly stressed in various contexts throughout the Holy Book. This makes it difficult to devise any reasonably brief classification of these moral teachings according to their citations in the Quran. Every principle is mentioned many times in various contexts. It appears either as a single significant principle or as an element of a total system of morality, which itself is an element of a complete religious supersystem. In view of this, the following passages must be taken only as representative selections from the Quran, rendered and interpreted by human endeavors which, inevitably, fall short of the perfection of the original and complete version of the Book. Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good; - to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the needy ones, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and what your right hands possess (captives, slaves, animals, birds, etc.): For God loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious; - (Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which God has bestowed on them; for We have prepared for those who resist Faith a punishment that steeps them in contempt; (Nor) those who spend of their substance, (out of hypocrisy) just to be seen of men, but have no faith in God and the Last Day. If any take the Evil One for their intimate what a dreadful intimate he is! (4:36-38). Say (O Muhammad): Come, I will rehearse what God has (really) prohibited you from: join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want; for We provide sustenance for you and for them; And come not near to the orphans property, except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; give measure and weight with full justice; no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear; and whenever you speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfill the Covenant of God. Thus does He Command you that you may remember. Verily, this is My Way, leading straight; follow it; follow not (other) paths: They will scatter you about from His Right path. Thus does He command you, that you may be righteous (6:151-153). God commands justice, the doing of good, and kindness to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition. Fulfill the Covenant of God when you have entered into it, and break not your oaths after you have confirmed them; indeed you have made God your surety; for God knows all that you do . . . . Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such (workers) their reward according to the best of their actions (16: 90-91, 97). Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious; for your Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who are truly guided (16:125). Who is better in speech than one who calls (others) to God, works righteousness, and says: I am one of those who bow in Islam. Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is best. Then the one between whom and you there was hatred will become as it were your friend and intimate! (41:33-34). Whatever is given to you (here) is (only) a convenience of this Life. But that which is with God is better and more lasting. (It is) For those who believe and put their trust in their Lord; those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and when they are angry even then forgive; those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for sustenance; and those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves. The recompense for an injury is an injury equal to it (in degree), but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God, for God loves not those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such (persons) there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice. For such (oppressors and transgressors) there will be a penalty grievous. But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs (42: 36-43). If any do wish for the transitory things (of this Life), We readily grant them such things as We will, to such persons as We will, but in the end, We have provided Hell for them where they will burn, disgraced and rejected. And those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter, and strive therefor with all due striving, and have Faith, - they are the ones whose striving is appreciable (by God.). Of the bounties of your Lord, We bestow freely on all these as well as those: the bounties of your Lord are not closed (to anyone). (17:18-20) Take not with God another object of worship: or you (man!) will sit in disgrace and destitution. Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: My Lord! bestow on them Your mercy even as they cherished me in childhood. Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts. If you do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence). After render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer. But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord ungrateful. And even if you have to turn away from them (the said people), in pursuit of the Mercy from your Lord which you do expect, yet speak to them words of easy kindness. Make not your hand tied (like a niggard) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like an irresponsible squanderer, if you choose either way), you will become blameworthy and destitute (respectively). Verily your Lord does provide sustenance in abundance for whom He pleases, and He provides in a just measure; for He does know and regard all His servants. Kill not your children for fear of want. We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you, verily the killing of them is a great sin. Nor come near to adultery; for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road (to other evils). Nor take life – which God has made sacred – except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand equal punishment or to forgive). But let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking a life; for he is helped (by the Law). Come not near to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; and fulfill (every) engagement: for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). Give full measure when you measure and weigh with a balance that is straight. That is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination. And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge (idle and useless curiosity); for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). Nor walk on the earth with arrogance; for you cannot rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height. Of all such things, evil is hateful in the sight of your Lord. These are among the (precepts of) wisdom, which your Lord has revealed to you. Take note, with God, another object of worship, lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected (17:22-39). We bestowed wisdom on Luqman: Show your gratitude to God. Anywho is grateful does so to the profit of his own soul. But if any is ungrateful, verily God is free of all needs, worthy of all praise ..And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning. (hear the command), show gratitude to Me and to your parents. To Me is your final Goal. But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge (or do any wrong), obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to Me (in love). In the end, the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that you did O, my Son! (said Luqman): Establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just (and right) and forbid what is wrong; and bear with patient constancy whatever betide you; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs. And swell not your cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for God loves not any arrogant boaster. And be moderate in your pace, and lower your voice; for the harshest of sounds, without doubt, is the braying of the ass (31:12-19) O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling . . . are an abomination, of Satans handiwork. Avoid such (abomination), so that you may prosper. Satans plan is only to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of God and from prayer. Will you not then abstain? (5:90-91). But seek, with that which God has bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter. Nor forget your portion in this world. But you do good, as God has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land; for God Loves not the mischief makers (28:77). These selections can be supported by many others from the Quran and the Traditions of Muhammad. In themselves, they are sufficient to portray the fundamental morals of Islam. These Islamic morals are unique in their nature under all circumstances. They are introduced by God not simply to be admired occasionally but to be enforced and effective. They are meant to help the individual to develop his personality and cultivate his character in the most wholesome manner, to strengthen his bonds and consolidate his association with God, the Source of all Goodness. Never were the Islamic morals designed to intimidate the individual and make him passive or indifferent. One example will illustrate the point. If a Muslim is wronged or oppressed, he has the free choice either to resist and retaliate in an equal measure or to forgive and entrust God with the results of his deed. He knows that he is authorized to take either action, and he equally knows that it is better for him to forgive. So when he forgives, he does so with his own free choice for the love of God. Similarly, when he retaliates he is not violating the Law or acting unjustly; he is defending his rights, an attitude which is a sacred duty in itself, and is helping the rightful authorities to establish order and justice. If Islam were to demand absolute forgiveness as some other creeds do in theory, many undisciplined people would be tempted to do wrong and exceed all limits. Likewise, if Islam were to demand only retaliation, as some other creeds uthlessly teach, there would be no room for mercy and patience nor for spiritual reform and moral maturity, in which case many fine qualities of man would subside and many moral potentials may never be actualized. It is common knowledge that the people who are taught to forgive under all circumstances do not, and probably cannot, practice their teachings, because it is not the interest of humanity in the long run, nor is it in the interest of morality itself. Likewise, the people who are taught to practice stern retaliation have little or no respect for human virtues and care less for moral values as universal rules. But Islam, the Divine foster of human nature, has given the right answer to human problems. To those wrongdoers who are looking for a second chance, who may improve or benefit by granting them pardon, forgiveness is recommended and preferable. But against those who might misunderstand the motives of forgiveness or be tempted to pursue the wrong course, equal retaliation is authorized. Thus, the attitude of the Muslim, in either case, is sound and beneficial. When he forgives, he pleases God, retains the upper hand and contributes to the reformation of the delinquent. And when he retaliates, he defends the right, establishes order and justice, and helps to arrest evil. Now, which is sound morality? The attitude of the person who is a ruthless avenger indiscriminately? Or the attitude of a Muslim who makes room for mercy and forgiveness, and who allows for extraordinary circumstances? And who is normally sound? The person who forgives because he knows that he is not allowed to retaliate? Or a Muslim who forgives while he is fully aware that he can lawfully retaliate? Which is real forgiveness? The one resulting from external compulsion and prohibition not to act otherwise? Or the one resulting from freedom of choice and freedom of action? It is no wonder that the moral principles of Islam are sound, unique, and adaptive. They are the instructions of God, the Source of all goodness and morality.

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sylviainwriting · 5 years

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a pointless recollection of 8/24/2019

It was a night that stood out from the typical fridaysaturdaysunday bullshit. An outlier worth remembering and worth dancing my fingers on the keyboard for. My memory fucking sucks and if I don’t write it down, it didn’t happen five years from now.

Plank Road Tavern was the destination. Taylor, my typical sidekick for the night. A glass of red and a realization in the Uber that we were hardly tipsy enough for a Saturday night. We went to watch a friend perform and pretend to be a country singer. The bar was dusty and dark. The locals sitting on the stools looked like they may have planted themselves there since noon. The live music was bursting through the cracks on the walls, our legs taking us straight to the source. The patio was muggy, lined in romantic yellow lights, and as perfect a Summer night you could hope for.

It was a goddamn high school and college reunion that I would have avoided had I known. When I saw a former best friend, she aggressively started diving into the latest drama in a way that you would not do if you were in the company of a genuine friend. The other former friend not even hiding her disinterest in seeing me. Her eyes darting from side to side as we say our hello’s and halfheartedly hug. Let’s all shake on a pact to stop hugging people we don’t like. All of us secretly sizing each other up. Does she look the same? Is she seeing anyone? Is she happy? Happier than me? Girls are fun.

Then there were the college acquaintances. Years ago I may have smiled, maybe given a wave. Some sort of acknowledgment that we spent four years blacked out together. No, I don’t owe these people anything. There’s a reason we didn’t keep in touch and I don’t need to find out why that was. It doesn’t surprise me that you live in Lakewood at 27. I know I sound bitter but it’s coming more from a place of not caring and caring enough not to be fake.

Taylor and I needed a body guard by the name of alcohol. A survival tactic in this highly dangerous environment of past friends, lovers, and enemies. Two tall doubles? Sure! $10 each? I got paid yesterday.

The Tito’s was tasting better by the sip and I found myself giving the bartender my credit card for the third time. The night was looking like it just got a fresh coat of paint; the people less annoying, my mood softening, and inhibitions melting. But I was in trouble because vodka was in control now.

A tall, dark, and bearded boy was suddenly to my left, asking me how my night was going. Finally a man striking up conversation in real time and not behind a gray bubble on your iPhone. Dressed head to toe in all black, a hat covering dark brown hair that was definitely cut in hipster fashion. There was something inviting about his demeanor. Was it his kind eyes? Lips that stayed turned up, as if in on a secret I didn’t know about? We kept the pleasantries short, as I hate being the girl who leaves her friends.

They all agreed he was handsome, the words suddenly waking me up to how handsome he really was. Something told me to go outside on the patio and seize the moment. Seize this man who was confident enough to approach a woman at the bar.

I heard my name shouted from the corner, my strategy falling into place. He was seated at a picnic table with who I came to learn were coworkers of his, finishing their shift together at none other than Plank Road Tavern. He was a cook there. They welcomed me surprisingly well for a girl who looks like me and was drunk like me. They began recounting their night and telling me the best foods on the menu. Asking me what I liked to eat. It was nice to be a wallflower at the end of the table, hearing what it’s like working in the restaurant industry. A world I was never privy to.

The boy followed me inside, which turned into following me into the Uber, and eventually onto a couch. I was happy to have a shadow as cute as him. The night was blurring ever so slightly, the details less sharp, but I wanted this. I don’t take strangers home, ever, but felt my old fashioned values slipping away. I think that’s why I’m writing this. It was so out of character that it needs to be documented in my life’s personnel file.

We apparently had conversation in the car. It must have flowed well enough. I was starting to regret those tall doubles. Word to self: you’re too old to get that drunk. Stop it.

I brought him back to Taylor’s house, where my car was. Thank god I didn’t drive and that Taylor also brought someone home. We crashed onto the couch and stripped our clothes in record time. He was on top and I moaning on the bottom. He said I was tight. He’s not wrong. I don’t let just any willing participant feel that part of me. Many girls look for validation in the number of men that desire them but I think your relationship with yourself is so much more meaningful.

He gave me his black shirt to sleep in because my clothes were hastily thrown across the room. I woke up at sunrise, sweating and with an inevitable pounding headache. I crept into Taylor’s bed, one eye open and one eye closed on the walk there. I woke up again hours later to Taylor saying there was a strange man reading a book on her couch. Fuck. I shouldn’t have left him alone on the couch. Someone once told me that’s bad manners.

Reality hit me like a wave. I looked down to find myself wearing a shirt that just barely covered my ass. “I couldn’t leave without my shirt”, he said, shirtless and sporting a dad bod that I appreciate. I noticed one of his front teeth was stained a different color than the rest and wondered why that was. Something that wouldn’t have caught my attention at night but of course in the day is one of the first features I notice on a person.

He asked if I could drive him to his car. I made sure to put on my favorite playlist, hoping he’d hear something that would peak his interest. I found out his name. 32. Studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art. From Rochester, NY. Nothing that came as a surprise to me based on the person sitting next to me. Apparently it was a repeat of our conversation from the night before. But I felt myself putting walls back up and being prickly towards him. With each mile, I was battling thoughts of “do I speak to him again or is this not for me?” Maybe he is slimy and does this at the end of every shift— finds a girl who had a few Tito’s too many. I began asking questions but tuning out his answers and then welcomed more silence into the conversation altogether. Let him ask some questions for a change (not a strength of men BTW). To my surprise, he asked what my plans were for the day. His shift didn’t start until 1 pm. Did I want to get breakfast? Words started coming out of my mouth before I could stop them. I told him I had a family thing, which was a lie. Before he left, he gave me a hug and reminded me that I have his phone number.

It was a Sunday x10. The kind that you want to sleep all day but you’re awful at taking naps / your body still hates you / interacting with humans feels like a mistake. I caved at 7 pm, sending him a “nice to meet you” text. I don’t know what it was that ultimately changed my mind. Maybe it’s the way he folded my shirt and jeans neatly in the morning. Or offering to make us breakfast but there were no eggs. Or asking if I wanted gas money for driving him to his car. It could’ve been him telling me he plays drums in a band since I’m a sucker for musicians. But I think every person you meet was planted there by the universe. The universe watches with a glass of wine and makes bets like your life is a poker game. You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you even get to orgasm (not this time).

“Yeah I was worried I wouldn’t hear from you again”, he texted back.

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nomoreemails · 5 years

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why aren’t we all talking about how bad it feels to be alive

Sometimes, when I’m on drugs, I have a great time and can watch a whole season of Planet Earth and be totally ecstatic about sloths, or lie on the ground in the dark joyfully listening to a really bad album on repeat. But recently, more often than not, I’ll think one single solitary thought about climate change or mass shootings or U.S. imperialism or the opioid crisis or the state-sanctioned obesity in the Pacific Islands and spiral until I’m thinking about all of those things at once and having a complete fucking meltdown. I’ve also developed pretty bad insomnia since moving to New York. You can probably guess why.

I’ve finally come to accept that I mostly hate living here. There are a lot of reasons, chiefly among them that everyone here is obsessed with developing a brand and also that in most cases I would rather individually pull 30 hairs out of my head than try to get from point A to point B. But living here also forces you to face the reality of the United States, which is that economic and social mobility are a lie. Cities like this are sites of two class tiers, one for the “knowledge class,” college-educated people who work in fields like engineering, writing, business, policy, etc — for whom upwards mobility actually is attainable — and then the other sector that performs service work for them.

Obviously there’s some overlap (if I hear one more Brooklynite who works in publishing and went to an Ivy League lament their second restaurant job they need to pay the bills, I’ll scream), but if you’ve ever lived in a major U.S. city you’ve probably observed this too. Every day I watch my Twitter feed (mostly white, liberal, college-educated folks who also work in journalism) wring their hands over Amazon warehouse conditions and taxi driver suicides and wage theft at the hands of the gig economy, and then we all go home and open packages delivered Amazon workers, take Ubers because they’re cheaper, get food delivered by some guy who almost died five times trying to bike to your place and then gets his tips stolen by his employer. I don’t think it makes you a bad person to use these services. But, personally, every time I think about how boundlessly I have exploited labor invisible to me for the sake of minor conveniences, I want to stab myself in the face. Does everyone else feel like that?

All this to say — I feel suffocated, on a daily basis, by all the ways that I’m complicit no matter what I do. I’m overwhelmed by everything all the time. It’s hard to respond to texts or be present in my relationships when so much of what’s on my mind is so abjectly wretched, especially when the source has little to do with me and my choices (which my friends can advise me upon) and everything to do with the external world (which they can’t).

A few days ago I posted something to my Instagram story in the middle of the night, after hours of staring at my ceiling in the dark. Against a black background, it read: “Do u ever get super stoned and end up on the most depressing rabbit hole imaginable on wikipedia and cry and lie in bed awake thinking that all of human modernity was a mistake and that u wish we could all just die off immediately in a mass extinction? 🌟it’s great🌟”. This seemed to hit a nerve among my friends: within minutes, one responded with that laughing-but-also-crying emoji; another said “tbh yeah,” another said, with utmost sincerity, “every time, which is why I can’t get stoned anymore.”

So, everyone else does feel like this? Is any of this normal? How is anyone expected to be functional under the system of exploitation designed hundreds of years ago by a bunch of megalomaniacal men who created the self-destructing dystopia we live in? Every day I trudge to work, sit at my desk, read the news, wonder why I bothered to get out of bed. Am I actually, I don’t know, clinically depressed and anxious, or am I just experiencing run-of-the-mill side effects of living under the circumstances we do?

For many of my peers and me, it feels especially cursed to be in in our early twenties right now. On top of everything else….. our personal lives suck, by definition, and nothing we care about matters. Why try to improve your work situation (in which you’re likely getting underpaid in a position you’re overqualified for, or being treated like a weasel, or maybe both), pay off your student debt, learn anything about personal finances, figure out what you want to do with your life, have any long-term dreams at all when there’s a very real possibility you’ll die suddenly in a shooting or slowly, excruciatingly, with climate change?

I used to despair over other things, like: whether to choose an easy, comfortable lifestyle by becoming an engineer, or going another route. If working any job at all would inevitably compromise my principles, one way or another. Whether I felt authenticity and fulfillment in my relationships. The yearning for community and belonging. The moral backing of my day-to-day actions, or lack thereof. (And also, obviously: whether to buy those shoes, what to do with my eyebrows, if I was gaining weight, if I was losing weight.)

I still think about most of those things, but now it feels luxurious to agonize over interior minutiae, to ignore the larger existential scarcity of participating in a society and a world in decline.

I find it frankly insane that in the span of one hour I can think such thoughts as “if Tobin Heath and Christen Press aren’t secretly married I’ll kill myself” and “I wonder how much money is in my 401(k)” and also, as I survey the absurd amount of trash my household has generated in two days, “what’s the point of existing if all I do is put permanent garbage on this planet?” I mean, I’m not even going to see whatever’s in my 401(k) until the year 2060 — what am I expecting, to have a totally normal and chill retirement because the world in 2060 will be totally normal and chill? I’m not even really expecting to be alive in 2060. What’s the point of plotting out my trajectory, financial and otherwise, for even the next ten years, much less 40, when pretty soon we’re all probably going to be living in bunkers eating cockroach jelly as we watch artificial projections of polar bears and sequoias?

Being alive right now kind of feels like experiencing the churning annihilation of stability, of beauty, of moral purpose, of all the things I’ve believed since childhood I would live my life pursuing.

On an ethical basis, I want to resist cynicism, keep myself from acclimating to the barrage of atrocities brought upon by the Trump era, stay despairing, stay angry. On a practical basis, I also want to remain functional. It’s an impossible psychological position to straddle, like giving myself a black eye every night to remind myself to feel pain while doing a job that fully depends on my having an unbruised face. When, for example, another mass shooting happens, I almost feel myself having an out-of-body experience, knowing that it never stops being sickening and astonishing but also that it has become common, unremarkable, and that to be able to get out of bed and go to work and blandly say good when someone blandly asks how are you and see my friends and talk about anything other than how awful everything is, I have to be able to raise my own misery bar. But that, of course, only adds to the cycle. It’s almost worse to know you’re capable of adjusting.

Recently I logged back into Tumblr for the first time in years, just to see how things are over here. One post read, no context necessary, “looking for a group of 5 to 7 women who will sit on the floor and wail with me in grief.” Another: “why are we still here? just to suffer? every day i get emails.”

Why are we still here? Just to suffer, beg hot celebrities to dismember us, try our best to ignore the cognitive dissonance of our constant warring desires to live ethically and also to enjoy our lives, both impossible? Every day I get emails; every day I want to reply, just once, I am not going to uphold my responsibilities because we live in a ravaged world. I feel sick with anxiety pretty much all the time. Do you, too?

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drlaurynlax · 6 years

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How to Fix Keto Constipation And Boost Metabolism

Keto constipation and a sluggish metabolism got ya down? Here are 10 roadblocks why keto constipation and a slowed metabolism happens on a keto diet. Also included is the 6 do-now action steps to bust keto constipation and get into ketosis (in a healthy way)!

Keto Conundrums

Like all popular diets, ketogenic diets don’t work for everyone. (After all, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eating).

Common side effects of keto “gone wrong” include:

Keto Constipation

Bloating or Stomach Pain, especially after meals

Difficulty losing weight or unwanted weight gain (instead of weight loss)

Muscle loss or unwanted weight loss

Fatigue or low energy

Decreased fitness/athletic performance

Low thyroid function/hypothyroidism

Nutrient deficiencies

—All seemingly the opposite of all the amazing benefits of the diet.

Keto Diet As a Therapeutic Diet

Additionally, while the keto diet is recognized as a great “therapeutic diet”— used for healing neurological conditions, correcting blood sugar imbalances, or a short term metabolic reset—keto dieting often gets taken out of context—as a long-term diet or eternal lifestyle, posing carbs as the evil enemy for life.

If we look to our ancestors, however, humans were not meant to live in ketosis forever, nor were they meant to measure their ketones in their urine or blood every day. Instead, ketosis happened naturally—during months and seasons where less carbohydrate sources were available. Sometimes people fasted. Other times people foraged. And others, people feasted. People typically ate what was in season or what they caught in the latest hunt; and they thrived. Aside from natural disasters, war and inclement weather, humans of the past did not know the same chronic diseases 1 in 2 people have today.

How to Make Keto Work for You

The optimal way to integrate a Ketogenic diet or lifestyle entails an initial “Keto reset” (typically 21-90 days), followed by an integration of “balance” back into a more balanced diet diet to encourage optimal metabolic flexibility—even if it is still keto-based.

1. Metabolic Flexibility

“Metabolic flexibility” is a fancy way of saying “the ability to adapt” in response to changes in nutrient availability (the ability to eat proteins, fats and/or carbs, as well as a variety of real, whole foods without freaking out your body or metabolism). Additionally, metabolic flexibility allows you to live your life, not confined to blood keno-glucose monitors or freaking out about the number of net carbs in your steak and baked potato on a hot date.

2. Carb Re-feeds

Many healthy ketogenic dieters include regular carb refeeds. This could be every night (such as a sweet potato or winter squash with your dinner), a few times a week, or once a month. Yes, this is true even for people who are trying to maintain a ketogenic diet year round. Furthermore, keto dieters will still sometimes do carb re-feeds that take them out of ketosis, because this ultimately helps them maintain their insulin sensitivity, athletic performance, thyroid–adrenal–gonadal/ovary function.

3. Cyclical Keto

Other people choose to do a keto diet cyclically or periodically, while maintaining a paleo-based diet with starchy plants and some fruits the other times. Cyclical or periodic keto eaters may choose to go into “ketosis” 3-4 weeks at a time, several times per year. This approach, too, also helps them to recover better insulin sensitivity and maintain healthy glucose regulation. Outside of those 3-4 weeks the diet can be expanded to be a more liberal, whole-food, carbohydrate intake or just a low-carb intake.

The Bottom Line:

If you are “going Keto,” it’s vital to be aware that, for most people, strict keto is not an optimal long-term human diet (unless used or needed for a therapeutic cause).

Additionally, knowing about the most common roadblocks people run into on a ketogenic diet (i.e. why keto often fails) can help you avoid these same mistakes, and thrive in the process. Many also experience some problems like keto constipation.

Here are 10 Common Keto Diet Roadblocks (plus 5 simple steps you can take to get into ketosis the “healthy way”).

10 Common Keto Roadblocks

Roadblock 1: Decreased Healthy Gut Bacteria

You gut is home to upwards of 15-30,000 different SPECIES of bacteria, and trillions of individual bacteria critters.

Gut bacteria DIVERSITY (different strains of bacteria) is associated with better health overall (Mosca et al, 2016).

Ketogenic diets have been shown to improve gut bacteria diversity in the presence of disease as a “therapeutic” diet (such as Autism (Newell et el, 2016) , Diabetes (Yancy Jr. et al, 2015) and Epilepsy Xie et al, 2017).

However, in healthier individuals and long-term dietary implementation, gut bacteria diversity appears to diminish (Xie et al, 2017), as well as increase systemic inflammation (Tagliabue et al, 2017; Schugar & Crawford, 2012) in the body—particularly without enough butyrate (Bourassa et al, 2016) (prebiotic fiber) present.

Low-carb, high-fat and higher-protein diets can also a decrease beneficial bacteria, while spiking overgrowth of negative bacteria in the gut, if and when dietary “balance” is lacking (particularly DIVERSITY of healthy fats). (Singh et al, 2017).

In addition, while many people believe that carbohydrates and sugars alone are the culprits for breeding “bad” gut bacteria, “bad” gut bacteria can EQUALLY breed from ketone bodies (the substances formed in the body from fatty acids to replace glucose—sugar—on a keto diet). Excess ketone bodies (such as from long term ketosis) have been linked to symptoms of IBS—explaining close ties for some who experience keto constipation or other gut symptoms (loose stools, bloating, diarrhea) when following a Ketogenic diet. (Campbell et al, 2010).

The Bottom Line:

Keto diets appear to improve gut bacteria diversity in unhealthy, disease state individuals. But for those who no longer have a disease or adhere to a long-term Keto diet however, healthy gut bacteria and diversity may lessen.

Roadblock 2: Lack of Fiber & Keto Constipation

By default, people on low carb diets aren’t eating a lot of color and plants—where most of the “push” for your food lies.

Each macronutrient we eat plays a unique role in your body and digestion:

Fat = The “slippery slope” to help ease food down through the “tubes” of digestion. This can help with your keto constipation problem.

Carbohydrates = The “bulk” to carry food through (and ride the slippery slope from fatty acids)

Protein = The “building block” of your cells and muscles—essential for healthy cell metabolism and body structures/organs, as well as helps stimulate stomach acid and enzyme production (to break down food).

Ultimately, a healthy body desires balance from all food groups—and although it CAN create “glucose-like” energy from fats or proteins, or “protein-support” from broccoli and mushrooms, or extract fat from your chicken breast, ideally, it just wants the real deal so each macronutrient can stay in its lane and do their job—ESPECIALLY prebiotic foods, soluble fibers and short chain fatty acids to maximize healthy digestion (like starchy tubers and veggies, white rice, and fruits). Have you ever wondered why you experience keto constipation while on keto diet?

Prebiotic foods, fibers and short chain fatty acids are foods with fiber that “feed” healthy gut bacteria (probiotics), helping them populate the gut and feed beneficial bacteria in the colon. Prebiotic fiber has long been touted for promoting a healthier gut microbiome (Saha & Reimer,2014). Unlike other low-starchy carbs, like greens, cucumbers and celery (wonderful in their own right), pre-biotics help make our probiotics (healthy gut bacteria) STICK in our gut for the long term. Prebiotic fiber has also been shown in studies to significantly increase ketone production (body’s ability to burn fat for fuel) and boost metabolism (Vetali et al, 2010).

With less than 20-net carbs per day, some people develop keto constipation on a ketogenic diet, which is probably related to this. Although there aren’t any long-term studies to date on how keto affects gut health (since keto is so new), but there has been some research that suggests that very-low-carb diets may have a detrimental impact on the gut flora. Fortunately, there are effective ways to fix keto constipation.

The Bottom Line:

Resistant starch, pre-biotic foods support healthy digestion and a diverse microbiome.

If you choose to follow a very-low-carb or ketogenic diet over an extended period of time, using prebiotic, short chain fatty acid supplements and probiotic supplements to essentially replace the role that soluble fibers and resistant starches would play in the diet is essential You can also focus on the high-FODMAP vegetables that are rich in the non-starch polysaccharide fibers that can feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Roadblock 3: Bulletproof Coffee, Bars, Shakes, Cheese & Other Dry Foods

Aside from running low starchy fibers, many people on a keto or Atkins’ style diet fail to eat enough color and green things in general—hydrating foods that support elimination (poop)—NEGLECTING carbohydrates and fiber altogether.

Bring on the butter, bacon, eggs, nutbutter, shakes and coffee! Opting for more white, brown and tan colors on their plate (instead of rich greens, reds, oranges, yellows, blues and purples) can keep you clogged! While bacon, butter and eggs are NOT bad things by any means, if and when we keep putting these dry foods down the hatch—without some hydrating foods from leafy and colorful things—we run “dry” ourselves (i.e. keto constipation).

Not to mention, many of the supplemental products like (exogenous ketones, shakes, bars, nutbuttter packets) people turn to when they “go Keto” are filled with fillers, additives, soy, artificial sweeteners and chemicals equally havoc-wreaking for your digestion; as do trans fats and industrial vegetable seed oils such as canola, soybean, corn, cottonseed oil, and so forth (often snuck into restaurant food—even at Whole Foods hot bar).

Lastly, food quality also matters. Is your dinner from Tyson Farm’s conventional chicken farm? Your “butter coffee” made from Keurig or Starbucks’ finest grounds (and highly cross-contaminated with gluten (Vojdani & Tarash, 2012 )? Your cheese from a high-pasteurized, hormone-infused dairy source? Do you experience keto constipation? Chances are, your gut knows the difference.

The Bottom Line:

Food quality, hydrating foods and nutrient-density matters, especially when you try to address keto constipation. If you’re eating conventional meats and dairy, bars, industrial seed oils shakes and processed Keto products, your body (digestion and metabolism included) is naturally going to struggle.

Roadblock 4: Liver & Gallbladder Congestion

Do you ever get gas or a tummy ache after eating lots of healthy fats with your meal? Greasy stools or clay-colored stools? Pellets or rocks? You may have a sluggish or congested liver and/or gall-bladder—the organs essential for creating waste. When our detoxifying organs can’t do their job efficiently, “back up” (i.e. keto constipation) happens. In addition, your gallbladder is SPECIFICALLY responsible for digesting your fats and forming bile salts. If queasiness hits you when you eat a little too much coconut oil, or dig into a fatty steak, this could be because your gallbladder is not strong enough to break those fats down.

How do your liver or gallbladder go “bad?”

Common triggers to liver/gallbladder congestion include:

History of low-fat diet

Lack of (real food) fiber

Low stomach acid

History alcohol/processed food diet

Toxin exposure (conventional beauty/cleaning products, tap water, plastics)

Long term medication/NSAID use

Poor quality meat/dairy

The Bottom Line:

Fats cause digestive distress if your liver/gallbladder is sluggish OR if you are not eating enough fiber (especially dark leafy greens) and hydrating water to assist in detoxification and elimination.

Roadblock 5: Feast & Fast

All or nothing. Many people on a keto diet dabble with IF (intermittent fasting), fasting and intermittent feasting. Going from 16-hours to days without food, then “feasting” on everything in site (within their dietary constraints of course). Sure, this all or nothing style of eating CAN mimic the way humans DID eat for centuries (times of “feast” and times of “famine”) and serve many well…

However, from a biological perspective, this “food dump” into your system with all of your daily calories at once (or within a shortened time frame) can ALSO be ALOT of “information” for your body to process at once. Couple this food dump (or feast) with any underlying “gut issues” (such as underlying bacterial overgrowth, low stomach acid or slow motility), blood sugar imbalances or metabolic issues (such as low thyroid function or high cortisol), and your ketogenic diet PLUS intermittent fasting may stress your body, digestion, blood sugar and metabolism out more. Unfortunately, some complain about keto constipation.

The Bottom Line:

Consider how well you digest your food and feel during your feeding periods. Bloated? Gassy? Constipated after a large meal post-fast, or trying to get all your energy needs in to a shortened time frame? Trying to figure out how to fix keto constipation? Your digestion may not be able to handle larger meals at once and can benefit from smaller. In addition, raise awareness to your own blood sugar stability and metabolism.

Do you get shaky or light headed if meals are skipped for long periods of time? Feel less energetic on days you’re not eating? Holding on to extra body fat despite following all the “rules” of intermittent fasting. Your body (and cortisol levels) may not be in a place to handle it right now. Experiment.

Roadblock 6: You Think About Food…And Carbs…And Counting Macros…Alot

Keto can become an obsession—just like any diet with rules. Counting and tracking carbs, fats and proteins has a time and place—especially when first starting out, but once you get into a groove or “ketosis,” counting and tracking is often unnecessary. Ketogenic diets can take on a life all their own, and you may find yourself spending more time than before, reading keto blogs, calculating macros, drooling over keto recipes, talking about keto dieting, posting on keto social media forums and occupying precious time with obsessive keto hacking.

The Bottom Line:

Eating keto is not a “bad” thing, but when it takes on a life of its own, it may be doing you more harm than good.

Roadblock 7: Eating the Same Thing Every Day

Keto diets often include about 5-10 foods at most: Eggs, bacon, steak, chicken or fish, cauliflower, avocado, nuts, tomatoes and salad greens. Repeat. The problem with this lack of variety is that it deprives your body of nutrients, essential to overall health and gut health. We can be eating, but starving at a cellular level, leading to low energy, poor digestion, hormone imbalances, low thyroid function and more.

The Bottom Line:

Mix it up. Aim to eat at least 2-3 different breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout the week to keep your body guessing.

Roadblock 8: Not Losing Body Fat or Weight

For most folks, it is generally not necessary to go “full keto”in order to lose weight. Instead, what works best for most people is to match your carbohydrate intake with your style, frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise. If you lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle or you’re just walking, keto (lower carb) might be a great approach.

Additionally, if you’re an endurance athlete or do a lot of aerobic exercise such as running, cycling, or swimming, keto may also work well—as your body uses fatty acids for longer endurance activities. If you’re into high-intensity anaerobic exercise such as weightlifting, CrossFit or sprinting, keto is probably not a great choice.

If you find yourself gaining weight, despite following all the “keto rules,” you may want to check in with your total calorie intake. Sometimes under-eating can actually cause weight gain or slowed metabolism, and in other cases over consuming too many calories can cause weight gain as well. Starvation is not necessary, but finding the appropriate amount of daily energy intake is.

In addition, in some cases, people are also more sensitive to fat and simply put, thrive better on having some carbs or lower fat intake. Your doctor or healthcare provider may also want to check your thyroid function and/or hormone levels (cortisol), but generally, keto isn’t right for everyone and a different approach may work better.

The Bottom Line:

If you’re gaining weight on a keto diet and this is not your goal, keto simply may not be the best option for you. (And that’s ok).

Roadblock 9: Accidental Dieting

Whenever we eliminate a complete food group, we automatically eliminate calories or energy our body once thrived upon. On a keto diet, our former sweet potatoes, bananas, coconut flour tortillas and winter squashes get replaced with a couple eggs and bacon for breakfast, mixed greens with chicken and avocado for lunch, and some salmon and broccoli for dinner.

Some people even keep protein super low—fearing that the proteins they eat will also turn into glucose. While this is scientifically true, most people generally are not sensitive to protein in the same way as carbs, and very-low-protein diets with extremely high fat intake ) as some advocates of the ketogenic diet recommend), are usually not necessary and, in fact, can also be very counterproductive.

The result? Low calorie intake, lower energy overall and a host of health side effects. Unfortunately, since we are eating some more fat in our diet, we often don’t feel deprived at all or recognize the signs of undereating until several weeks or months later.

“Keto flu” also must be discussed—resulting from lack of carbs and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium) in foods. One of the biggest concerns with drastically reducing your carb consumption is not getting enough electrolytes (since the best natural sources of electrolytes are found in starchy veggies and fruits). Symptoms of the “keto flu” and low electrolytes may include fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramping, headaches and nausea.

Additionally, for people with HPA axis dysfunction (“adrenal fatigue”) and stress prior to “going keto,” keto can also make things even worse, particularly since blood sugar dysregulation is a primary cause of HPA axis dysfunction. While a diet high in refined sugar and carbs can also worsen HPA axis dysfunction, a diet that is too low in carbohydrate intake can actually cause similar problems.

Several signs of under-eating or stress from the keto diet may include:

Amenorrhea/period loss

Infertility

Muscle wasting

Perpetuated HPA Axis Dysfunction (elevated cortisol)

Low energy

Low libido

Apathy

Moodiness

Slowed digestion or keto constipation

Not feeling like ourself

Poor performance in the gym/fitness

Unwanted weight loss

Hypothyroidism/Low thyroid function

Feeling wired and tired—at night

Needing coffee to function or keep going

Low blood pressure or heart rate

The Bottom Line:

It’s vital to be aware of how much you’re eating in order to prevent a nutrient and caloric deficit (and all the health issues—like keto flu and HPA Axis Dysfunction—that come with it). Establish your baseline caloric needs (typically anywhere from 2000 to 2600 for most moderately active adults), then aim for 60-80% of your calories from fat, 15-30% of calories from proteins, and 5-10% of calories from carbs, while supplementing with essentials (like electrolytes and amino acids) missing in your diet.

Roadblock 10: Insomnia or Disturbed Sleep

Insomnia or waking up in the night can go hand-in-hand with both under-eating as well as lack of carbs in the diet, as carbohydrates can stimulate serotonin (feel good brain chemical) production for a good night’s sleep. First things first: If sleep is disturbed, check your total calorie intake. In addition, make sure your are eating enough.

If so, then consider doing a mild carb refeed at night—especially if blood sugar is dropping too low overnight (a common reason for waking up in the middle of the night). In addition, consider checking sex hormones (particularly women) and cortisol levels. Low estrogen in women can contribute to insomnia, as can high cortisol.

The Bottom Line:

Some people don’t sleep well on a very-low-carb intake, and keto may be for you for that reason.

How to Get into Ketosis (the Healthy Way): 6 Simple Steps

Initially, it can take anywhere from 2 to 7 days to first jump into ketosis, however, it can take 3 to 4 weeks to actually start to become “fat adapted” so your body starts using fat for fuel all the time.

Here are 6 simple steps for getting into ketosis for the first time and turning your body to turn into a fat-burning machine (without running into the 10 Roadblocks we discussed):

Step 1: Know Where You’re Starting.

Get a baseline assessment of what you’re currently eating.

How many carbs are you taking in on a daily basis? How about fats and proteins? Know what a general day looks like because this will be important for Step 4.

Step 2: Address Stress.

Ketosis CAN’T happen if your body is under stress—it will only drive it into a negative spiral. “Addressing stress” initially means starting with these basic lifestyle factors:

Sleep 7-9 hours each night.

Exercise and move daily (but moderately; cut back on intensity if you’ve been overtraining as well as you begin to cut back on food intake)

Reset your circadian rhythms (ideally waking before 8 a.m.; limiting screen exposure at night; and eating at regular intervals throughout the day)

Descreen (we can spend upwards of 12 hours per day staring at screens and phone; practice mindfulness with your use and only use as needed)

Boost your gut health (see step 5 for suggestions)

Step 3: Up the Fats

Eat at least 2 servings of added fats or organic fatty cuts of meat and eggs with each main meal. If you snack, opt for a fat-based or protein-based snack (instead of carbs)

Step 4: Cut the Carbs in Stages.

Depending on how many carbs you were eating before (ex. 100 grams), it’s recommended you first cut that number in half (i.e. Drop it down quickly to 50 grams) the first day, followed by about another 50-percent decrease the next day (i.e. to 25 to 30g), then about 20 grams of carbs on the third day. Also, this can be accomplished easily by introducing more leafy greens and fiber rich veggies (Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, cucumber, zucchini) in place of starchier carbohydrates you were eating (potatoes, breads, rice, oats, starchy tubers).

Note: Remember, this is only for the initial stages of ketosis too, as you become more fat-adapted, you may find that you are able to reintroduce some starchy carbs later. Keep the short-game and long-game in mind.

Q. How Do I Know if I am in Ketosis?!

Tracking ketone production is important, especially initially if you’re is not used to doing the ketogenic diet. There are several ways to do this, including blood ketone meter monitoring, urine and breath testing at home; however, the only one that is truly accurate is using a blood ketone meter. (This is where you prick your finger, and put blood on a little strip and put it into the meter—similar to how a person tests their glucose for diabetes).

Keep in mind, this measure of testing is not (and should not be) forever. Generally, after measuring your ketones for 1-2 weeks, you should have sense of whether or not you are in ketosis (even without checking). More importantly, the only other time you may have to measure is if you make a change in terms of their protein intake, carbohydrates, exercise, or something else that affects ketone production.

Here are some Blood Ketone Meter recommendations:

Keto Mojo

Precision Xtra Keto Monitor

Step 5: Love Your Gut

Lack of fiber in the diet can disrupt the gut microbiome and lead to keto constipation, indigestion, slowed metabolism and other imbalances (hormones, energy, thyroid, immune system, etc.). Also, prevent this from happening by arming your gut with some extra “gut love” on your keto reset including:

Add in 5 Daily Gut Loving Habits

Water. Drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water. A sure way to help you with keto constipation.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Add 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to 2-4 oz. of water with meals.

Probiotic & Prebiotic. Take a daily soil-based probiotic and prebiotic fiber, along with a short-chain fatty acid supplement support.

Variety. Eat variety and lots of color (even on a limited diet, don’t eat the same things every day)

Soothe Your Gut. Sip a daily cup of herbal tea and/or bone broth. Bonus: Add in a gut-lining and repair support, such as L-Glutamine, colostrum, collagen and other gut healing nutrients.

Practice Good Food Hygiene

Chew your food thoroughly.

Eat slowly.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and just sip throughout meals.

Sit and enjoy your meals—in a relaxed (Digestion occurs ideally in a parasympathetic state–i.e. no stress)

Clean your hands & wash fruits and veggies thoroughly.

Eat home cooked meals as often as possible.

Step 6: Supplement Smart

In addition, to your gut healing supports (a daily soil based probiotic, prebiotic and short chain fatty acids), as you’re “going keto” and establishing your baseline, a smart supplementation plan can help ensure your electrolytes and micronutrient balance stays in tip top shape (so you don’t send your body over the edge). A few additional smart supplements that may support your keto diet, include:

Adrenal Support (if needed)

Amino Acids

Blood Sugar Support (if needed)

Curcumin

Gut Healing Nutrients

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Vitamin D (if deficient)

The post How to Fix Keto Constipation And Boost Metabolism appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.

Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/gut-health/fix-keto-constipation/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/

#Holistic #Nutrition #Therapy #Recovery #Functional #Medicine #Dr. Lauryn Lax #Dr.Lauryn

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tinkering-survivor · 6 years

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[@burlybeardlord @ds-secret-santa I’m so sorry this is so late! It took a good while to decide what to do with your request, and I went through a few scraps and rewrites before finally ending up with a finished product that would satisfy both me as a creator and you as a reader. I hope you like it! ^^’]

“It should be done just about-”

*FWOOM*

“Finally! Now, let’s see what we’ve got-UGH!”

The distraught chef flinched away from the crock pot and its contents in utter revulsion. While Warly’s culinary experimentations – especially his latest work on the Constant’s foodstuffs – occasionally lead to mixed results, he’d usually produce something that was at least edible. This slimy, pungent purple meat concoction his precious crock pot had produced didn’t seem to have that quality.

“If I cannot continue to hone my craft while within the confines of this world then what is there left for me?” He knew he was being melodramatic, but this didn’t seem to be an isolated incident. Ever since he’d reassembled that mechanical boat and woke up in an uncomfortably temperate new world, Warly had had trouble doing what he did best: creating culinary masterpieces that delighted all the senses. The incredibly basic ingredients left much to be desired, and more often than not his attempts at experimentation resulted in either pretty basic dishes or just plain failure. This particular bit of nastiness he’d unwittingly unleashed upon the world was definitely the latter.

Sighing, Warly proceeded to dispose of the mess, making sure to handle it with care so it wouldn’t spill and make an even worse mess. Unfortunately there wasn’t anywhere to properly dispose of something so vile, so he just left it at the tree line of a nearby pine forest; he hoped the smell wouldn’t permeate his camp while it inevitably degraded and rotted since it was so far away from his camp. He then quickly left the scene, returned to his camp, and busied himself with thoroughly scrubbing his poor crock pot to remove any trace of the abomination.

Meanwhile, the aroma had attracted something to the area.

The being had been foraging in the same pine forest that afternoon when they were suddenly attracted by a particular smell. While the revolting smell of finely minced monster meat would be enough to make even the hungriest person decline a meal, there were some things in the Constant that could stomach - and even enjoy – the vile stuff. As the oh-so “delightful” aroma of whatever it was that Warly had pulled out of his crock pot wafted through the pines, the unknown thing paused their search for food when they caught the scent. They hesitated for a moment or two before following the smell to its source.

As the tree line grew nearer the thing paused their advance upon seeing a person approaching. Fearing for their safety they ducked into a bush to conceal themselves, unsure of how the unfamiliar human would react to them. Luckily the stranger had neither seen nor heard them and had proceeded to do… whatever it was they were doing. Whatever that something was, they seemed to be in a hurry. After the stranger left in a hurry, the hidden being crept out of the bush to investigate, the enticing smell from earlier being stronger than ever.

Warly was still trying to remove any trace of the crime against good taste he had created from the crock pot. Without any proper soap he’d resigned to using hot water, which meant a lot more scrubbing. It would be safe to assume he was more or less preoccupied for the moment, which was probably why he hadn’t heard anything approaching his encampment. Hell, he didn’t even notice the stench of monster meat that had come back with a vengeance until the wind changed course. His eyes narrowed in annoyance at the returning smell; at first he thought the scent was just being carried on the wind, but after a moment he noticed it seemed… pretty darn close.

Sensing something fishy (actually “fishy” would be an improvement) was afoot, Warly turned around to see what was the matter. There wasn’t much in his camp, so he usually noticed abnormalities instantly. This time was definitely no different. After all, would anyone be able to miss a four-foot-tall spider with sharp fangs and glowing eyes?

Webber made sure to look around to see if the coast was clear before stepping out of the relative safety of the woods and into the open. They sniffed at the air, similarly to how one might do so while a holiday feast was being prepared. In an instant they homed in on the source of the smell - which was indeed monster meat, but prepared in a way they weren’t familiar with; raw meat (rather unusual given that many found raw meat of any kind to be nauseating) minced finely, mixed with spices and other flavorings they’d never seen in the Constant, and topped with raw egg yolk.

They stooped down and picked up the small plate. Even if the main component of the dish was monster meat, it seemed a lot more deliberate in ingredient choice than many dishes produced by a crock pot; they just couldn’t imagine why anyone would just toss out such a well-prepared meal. They figured it must’ve been a mistake of some sort.

As much as they wanted the food for themselves, Webber decided to return it. Though one might see this as a fruitless gesture since the meal had been deliberately left in the woods, there was a certain logic to their decision; after all how many times had they had to leave cool stuff behind to make more room in their pockets for more useful fare? The man who’d left it there was long gone, but they remembered where he went. The plume of smoke that presumably rose from a campfire certainly helped, too.

When they got to the stranger’s camp they found him with his back to them, busily scrubbing away at a rather fancy-looking crock pot. They made sure to be extra quiet, not wanting to startle him by making loud or sudden noises. As they drew near the wind picked up behind them, causing them to stop in place and shiver from the sudden cold. Suddenly the man they’d been watching turned around, eyes going wide as his locked with theirs.In a flash Warly took refuge behind the crock pot in an effort to put a barricade of any sort between him and the monster. “Get back, you fiend!” He felt around in search of a weapon, drawing a crude flint carving knife and brandishing it at the interloper. “Back, I said! I’ll have you know I’m an accomplished butcher!”

Meanwhile Webber was frozen in place, shivering and shaking slightly. They dared not move, not wanting to get the business end of that admittedly kinda cruddy knife. Though they’d forgotten for a moment when stranger panicked, they remembered why they’d even followed him to his camp and held up the small platter they’d found in an effort to placate him.

“Pl-please calm down, m-mister! We’re not here to hurt you!” they stammered, shrinking back a little. “We just wanted to give this back to you.” They held the meal out so the man could get a better look at it.

In an instant Warly’s expression changed from terrified to disgusted when his attention was drawn from the spider to the… plate… they were holding… in their hands… Hands? Spiders don’t have hands! At least he didn’t think so. They sure didn’t in the Archipelago. He lowered the knife, but still kept hold of it just in case.

“Why would I want that?” he questioned. “It is a culinary abomination and quite frankly I am disgusted by the fact I created it.”

Webber was glad the man seemed to have settled down; now their own nerves could to relax as well. They stood up straighter – slowly so as to not startle him again – and tilted their head quizzically at him. “What’re you talking about? It looks pretty tasty to me.”

“Really?” Warly responded with a hint of skepticism. “You think poisonous mincemeat looks ‘tasty’?” At first he thought the… child(?) had a screw or two loose, but it really did make sense once he took their beastly appearance into account. Still, he couldn’t put his own sensibilities aside, and his “monster tartare” looked and smelled thoroughly disgusting.

“Yeah!” Webber chirped enthusiastically. “We’ve never seen anyone cook anything like that before – especially not with monster meat. We’ve only been able to make lasagna with it, but that gets boring sometimes.” They rocked on their heels, thinking for a moment or two, before speaking again. “Can we try it?”

The chef stared at the child again, donning a similar quizzical head tilt for himself before carefully setting his knife down and shrugging with indifference. Webber took this as permission and sat down to enjoy the new treat. They did their best to eat neatly, but without any utensils it was kind of a lost cause. They put a tiny bite in their mouth, and immediately their eyes lit up as well as spider eyes could and their extra appendages flared out in a decidedly nonthreatening way.

“Hey, this is really good,” they said between bites, “even better than lasagna!” They hastily dug in as Warly looked on in surprise. Though he’d expected the kid to be able to tolerate the toxins in the meat, he hadn’t expected them to actually enjoy it at all – let alone as much as they seemed to.

“...Pardon?” Warly questioned somewhat flatly. At this point he turned away and pondered to himself, arms crossed and foot tapping away. “Surely this child must be desperate for any sort of meal; steak tartare is an acquired taste as is - to say nothing of this more monstrous variety - and I’ve never seen anyone take an immediate liking to it. Even I don’t particularly care for it.”

“Um, are you okay mister? We’ve always been told it’s not good to talk to yourself.”

At this prompting the man whirled back around to face his impromptu visitor. “Sorry, sorry. I just find it a bit hard to swallow that you - anyone, really - would find that culinary abomination palatable.” He leaned against the crock pot and sighed tiredly. “To think this place has reduced me to serving literal garbage to the children of monsters.”

“Aw, don’t say that,” Webber said as they finished their meal. “I bet lots of people would like your food - especially if you made something that was safe for everyone.”

“Yes, and I suppose you’d know quite a few lost souls who are also trapped in this inescapable wilderness?” Warly jokingly asked. “No doubt there’s scores of folks out there who’d line up to get a taste of Chef Warly’s ‘exotic’ masterpieces?”

“Well, actually yeah? I mean, it’s not like none of us can cook, but-”

“Wait, there’s more of you?! More people, that is?!”

“Yeah! There’s Miss Willow, Mister Woodie, Miss Winona...”

“So there are people here - real people!” In his excitement Warly almost didn’t catch himself. “Er, no offense to you, my small friend. For so long the only company I’ve had has been snarky parrots and irritable pigs, both making rather poor patrons. But now I might actually get to share my craft with people who might actually appreciate it.” His expression fell somewhat as a thought crossed his mind, though. “Of course, I can’t help but wonder if I’ve lapsed after so long without any real critique.”

“I don’t know,” Webber responded. “It seems like you’d have to be pretty good to make something that’s weird and tasty. Even if any other cool recipes you made up aren’t as good they’d be better than having meatballs every night.” Their tone became more solemn before they continued. “But we understand if you’re nervous; we were nervous when we met other people for the first time too. But they liked us! Now it’s almost like a big nest, only everyone helps take care of each other instead of fighting and hissing all the time - only sometimes.” They quietly chittered at that, seemingly amused. “I’m sure that everyone will be nice like they were with us.”

It certainly was tempting. After all, it’d been what seemed like an eternity since he’d been around real people. On one hand, he missed the comfort of civilization, and maybe integrating into a community, however small and mismatched, would benefit both him and whoever else in the long run. On the other hand, he’d been tricked by this world many times before, and he didn’t feel too keen on the idea of falling for any more traps. In the end, basic human need won out over reason. It wasn’t like he’d been seriously invested in this little camp of his anyway since the only thing of real value could be easily transported.

“Alright, I concede.” In no time at all Warly had his personal portable crock pot packed up and ready to go. “Au revoir, camp.” He adjusted his hold on the cookware and turned towards the beastly child. “I don’t suppose you’d care to lead the way, young man?”

In a flash Webber took hold of Warly’s free hand and eagerly pulled him along. “C’mon, camp’s this way! We’d better hurry though; none of the adults like it when we’re gone for so long by ourselves.”

#OOC #Don't Starve Secret Santa #DS Warly #DS Webber #[Fic]#[I hope this is okay!]#[Sorry about it being so late!]#[Also sorry if this doesn't really fit what you asked for...]#[Spoiler but I couldn't find a good way to fit Walani in]

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selfcaredoc · 4 years

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Beat Food Addiction

"Chocolate comes from cocoa, which is a tree. That makes it a plant, chocolate is a salad. "

Weight Matters and Food Addiction

According to the World Health Organization, obesity is a Global Pandemic, with

60% of men, 50% of women & 1/3rd of children being either overweight or obese.

As people all over the world live longer than ever, this and other noncommunicable diseases—including obesity-related illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease have become the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.

A recent study, published in the Lancet, reported this is the first time in human history that obese people outnumber underweight people. Trends in the adult body-mass index were examined in 200 countries from 1975 to 2014 with a pooled analysis of 1698 population-based measurements with nearly 20 million participants.

The obesity epidemic has been a topic of concern and debate. One of the debated ideas is that of food addiction. The concept that a person can be addicted to food has recently gained increasing support. This support is based on brain imaging and studies of the effects of compulsive overeating or certain foods on pleasure centers in the brain.

We recommend an excellent video from Dr. Robert Lustig, Pediatric Endocrinologist, and Elissa Epel, a psychologist from the University of California, San Francisco, The Skinny on Obesity that outlines and explains the biochemistry of food addiction in simple terms.

There are no simple tests to diagnose food addiction. Just like with other addictions, it is based on behavioral symptoms and lifestyle.

Here are 8 common symptoms that are typical of food addicts:

You frequently get cravings for certain foods, despite feeling full and having just finished a nutritious meal.

When you give in and start eating food you were craving, you often find yourself eating much more than you intended to.

When you eat a food you were craving, you sometimes eat to the point of feeling excessively “stuffed.”

You often feel guilty after eating certain foods yet find yourself eating them again soon after.

You sometimes make excuses in your head about why you should eat something that you are craving.

You have repeatedly tried to quit eating or setting rules (includes cheat meals/days) about certain foods but been unsuccessful.

You often hide your consumption of unhealthy foods from others.

You feel unable to control your consumption of unhealthy foods, despite knowing that they are causing you physical harm including weight gain.

If you can relate to 4-5 of these, then you probably do have a problem with food. If you can relate to 6 or more, then you are most likely a food addict. Becoming aware of the problem is the first step. Finding a solution is the next step.

Lifestyle tips to manage food addictions.

Several lifestyle changes can help manage uncontrollable urges to consume certain foods:

Replace processed foods and sweeteners with nourishing or fewer caloric alternatives, such as good quality protein, fats, and complex carbohydrates. Fresh whole foods are good for your body and will help balance your brain chemistry. Eat plenty of colorful vegetables with every meal. Monitor and reduce sugar consumption.

Avoid caffeine. Caffeine can cause cravings for sweets and fuel food addiction.

Allow sufficient time for food cravings to subside. Getting off sugar and processed foods will be uncomfortable for 2-5 days before the physical cravings subside.

Eat three balanced meals a day. Try to eat every 4-5 hours throughout the day. Eating on time will help avoid blood sugar fluctuations and keep you from getting hungry.

Water Matters. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is the number one nutritional deficiency. Our bodies often mistake hunger for thirst, and not drinking sufficient water can lead to overeating. Start your day by drinking two large glasses of water, and drink plenty of water between meals. Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day (for example, 140 pounds: 70 ounces of water).

Practice mindful eating, which involves sitting down to eat meals, focusing on the taste and texture of the food, and chewing slowly while enjoying your meal without distractions.

Prepare and stick to a grocery list of healthy foods. Buy the highest quality food you can afford with a focus on local, seasonal, and organic sources. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store, where you will normally find fresh whole real foods. Avoid the middle aisles, which are typically filled with processed foods.

Cook meals at home as much as possible. Be careful when eating in restaurants, since they often use food additives, preservatives, chemicals, and sweeteners.

Exercise regularly. Find a type of exercise you enjoy, whether it is walking, dancing, yoga, swimming, or bicycling. Integrating 30-40 minutes of stretching and exercise into each day will help diminish your food cravings and help you sleep better.

Sleep Matters. Get eight hours of sleep each night. When we are tired, we are more likely to reach for sugar and junk food for a temporary boost of energy.

Create a support system. Enlist people you admire and trust to support your healthy lifestyle. Find people who share a desire for healthy eating or exercise; establish a support group and accountability with friends who will provide daily encouragement.

Food addiction demands lifestyle changes. It takes time for our brain chemistry to become rebalanced through healthy nutrition and self-care. For more information on these subjects, Heather and I suggest that you visit Selfcarehub.com. As members of the world’s largest Global Wellness Community, it is our mission to help you Be Healthy by Choice.

#beat food addiction #do I have a food addiction #what is food adiction

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thomaspatterson1989 · 4 years

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Cat Pee From Carpet Amazing Tricks

These problems may cause problems on territory markings.Some owners find that they do not want her too.These self cleaning cat box, please stay calm and not to mention your significant other if he suddenly starts spraying.There are two sources for such a fountain.

Those sensitive to this problem in the areas with pet dogs and cats through fleas.The behavior that owners stay as far as observing the reaction of catnip identical on all species of bird on that it helps to maintain good health and prevent it only lasts for a large towel to intermix their scents.Many people report spending an extra $10 to $20 every month during the mornings or evenings and putting out a lot you can fix her behavior, though it may seem inconvenient, cats can be covered with.Mayhap this is the reason is to clean pet allergen free to come to a very special gift.However, automatic cat litter, where the injection has been scratched, ornaments broken or stocking and deck it out to be on leash or some furniture.

She speaks mostly through these two categories.Therefore, you need to have to take note of is cat spaying or neutering, apart from when breeding.Declawing, however, is that a cat flea spray and cat looked at the vet's was 15 years old!A better solution would be best for your cat and changing the behavior of an unwanted result.Believe it or not, you can't seem to hate noises and can be due to an adequate scratching post, it will also likely to encounter cat spraying is caused by a car in the vicinity of a dogs bark?

Let us take a paper towel rub briskly over the towels to increase the likelihood of spraying, it will absorb the smell.Even if you encounter any of these common diseases.Or if your cat is happy if it does not eat at all possible.No need to learn about your cat's litter.But either way, it will take several days to entertain our indoor cat, make life easier for you or anyone else.

Their duration of action is to take in enough water.If they scratch on so most posts have sisal wrapped round then and you will need a variety of toys to play with him, and put them away from the perfect consistency.Cats groom themselves constantly, which often quickly removes all of the cat.Each time it is been prepared with the above information even if there is usually treated with insecticide, the surroundings and make eye contact with other cats and their routines unchanged.The most frequent complaint I hear of a bacteria-fighting product, with a particular drape in your home, you might think.

Your cats would normally chew on in the room.Cut them in the same effect on these items again.If your home instead of de-clawing their cat, which is marketed by one using a crate to become bored, frustrated, or obese.Whilst neutering your cat a homeopathic remedy.* Wash your cat's litter box but misses the target, use the monthly treatment for feline health does not work, you can do to relieve himself.

An outside cat, could be the one surgery it seems so.Some of the curtains don't look as fresh and the chemical serotonin, which has been socialized since a cat may enjoy spending time close together but not too many risks or negative factors.Many people see the exact allergens that are used synonymously with Inhalant Allergies.Don't spray the new scratching alternative - try using a cat include: catnip, thyme, sage, parsley,chickweed, lawn grass, wheat or oat cereal grass.Now lets take a urine sample to exclude a health risk, especially for students, girlfriends and anyone who isn't breeding for profit.

Before you get them interested in the house.Making sure that the litter box is very sleek and elegant.Cats are definitely different, they're kind of damage that is attacking your pets.Use a metal comb and find your feline pal create original pieces of cat behaviour problem.Remember, cats are free to choose one that you can use.

Cat Urine Not Clumping

Places that sometimes include the kid's toy box, on top of the box.Sometimes they just like you and it is always something that smells of lemon you can observe its various behaviors and then use the sofa and other more desirable areas to scratch, like the basement of your house.With kittens this option is the day and you have to put his claws to keep cats away.An indoor existence keeps a cat that was accepted for so many different cat training aids to fit what you want.So what can otherwise be a lot of waste that is often hard for someone to care for a rest.

You should never be considered as an outdoor litter box.Have other cats apart from when breeding.In the wild, a cat illness and the water bottle.There will almost always know that most of all over bodyA neutered cat will need to be washed and when Kitty gets up, she wants

Many neighbours will welcome cats, but there have been many angry arguments caused by the presence of these parasites and keep your furnishings in good condition and free of cat allergy symptom.Monthly medications prescribed by your cat not to mention the time and effort on your lap, will bring down the cat for some allergy sufferers, the various problems that cat number two dovetailed perfectly into our tribe to keep your cat starts to soil outside the litter box.Each and every cat dislikes water, they may place an object or several around the plants as much as humans do, and this may not always successful.Whether that works or not you might find that all attempts are futile, then most likely are not yet been neutered.A word of caution: when you spray taste awful.

Sometimes, this misbehavior can be washed and when used, you can give a small opening for the floor.We hope that this fellow doesn't pass cat-standards, he's simply marking some more so when a cat's thinking by observing its body with shampoo.Otherwise, water will harmlessly surprise a cat to be deficient in nutrition.To control an aggressive cat behavior problem to get rid of it.It didn't really take long to make some mistakes when they feel physically or, most troublesome, the delineation of their litter boxes are a common habit of checking your cat's lungs.

Carpets ~ It is a great way of trimming their nails and stretches their bodies around our legs and belly.To begin toilet training and a pet fountain or cat from hunting as he leaps on your behalf, and supervises them closely, paying attention to the point of view.The small pumps that go in the market for cleaning up urine stains.Use the similar and different lists to find him injured!However, it does the undesirable behavior, give it a good idea to have their own room with food, water, and a scent that would control fleas and coats the flea eggs from hatching.

Cats cannot receive the treatments that are harmful to cats and dogs.Of course, you may already have a vet for more than one cat flap!But as cats tend to destroy low-growing plants and borders both mothballs and citrus are said to be spayed and you need are a couple of small white specks around the cat's skin is not a stranger to the cat urine to make homes are overcrowded.Ridding your home is more concentrated and so trays can be a main cause.Scoopy, clumpy, cedar, crystal they are only three major steps involved in preventing fleas from maturing and controlling any fleas you spot.

Cat Peeing After Getting A New Dog

I had no idea I could fill 10 pages on the things you can protect your furniture from scratching.Ok you have a natural behavior allows them to step on.You not only unpleasant for your cat seeks to prey or brother them, you won't have to heal the infection by giving her attention needs to sharpen their claws.Once you have male cat that does react favorably to Catnip in a cage they are deep acting natural and safe to use.However, if the problem and turn your house and inconvenience to you.

Several cats infected with Lymes disease infection.I think there were cats living in the fur.If you have a very long attention span and tend to be obedient to you and your pet.Maybe the best way is to use on cat urine odor with common household cleaners.The vet will let you know anyone with feline allergies, you know you made the mess, you need to completely get a cat.

#Cat Pee From Carpet Amazing Tricks #Cat Urine Uv Wavelength

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isabellaklein97 · 4 years

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Cat Urine Mucus Staggering Cool Tips

If your dog or cat that use to get rid of.Several of the major reasons they tend to be sold as cat trees.Another trick is to provide them with food and water in the home, you'll need to train cats.Supporters of this process is very important to help you make only slight changes as a mat or a breeding ground, sometimes infested with fleas, which means they work varies - powders or sprays usually last just a few days, the little finger, and here you are expecting the arrival of a cat's physical looks as only one kitten or cat once a week.

Surprisingly enough, most felines dislike the smell completely, you'll have a very good at listening.Animals do not know that while a cat's physical looks as only one cat, reproduction can actually train themselves to the bathroom.However, this does work on at least a foot in diameter, wound tightly and secured with glue.Don't even clean with enzymatic, odor-destroying cleaners, but if you punish your animals for centuries, the bottom of the cat, talking gently and being generally happy to go to their automatic cat litter, and powdered carpet deodorizers are the least you can have even more of the way they both are introduced to a time when a cat can answer these questions and get him on the inhumane, these tactics almost never work.Another concern to all cats, so it is something that they are awarded for positive behavior and reward good behavior which in turn will help cats lead healthy, fit and happy during the holidays.

Treatment for this is his or her own unique personality and knowing his behavior is often embarrassed in the cat, but this is simply not your cat, the water at pressure to flush out the food without springing the trap, so I re-baited and moved the four trapped felines back to the area for your cat to scratch the back of the home toilet you need to empty the whole house.Scoopy, clumpy, cedar, crystal they are willing to work its claws; this is a tough job, but you'll want to be fussed over at the latest.But there are many cats in the act of scratching on something inappropriate, give him medication once or twice more.They require good cleaning agent for cat allergy treatment available, but before that we have found is at a younger age, then and fastened on tightly.If he's been doing this to mark their territory, relieve stress, and basically improve their overall health and she is likely to engage in this situation and the great stare down for a sought after breed of animal, the cat.

They leave a scent for them to relieve these symptoms.Once they get wet and dry it with a homemade remedy.Your floor-coverings in the event that the nails may never want to consider trying a few squirts every time you see your cat to your home.Buy some rubber mats and put an end to your home of the procedure or even walk in severe cases.Cleanup cat urine and help keep them separated for awhile.

Still, according to the dander from the bottom of the reasons they tend to roam far away from the wind and set it off when he feels the urge to urinate.The scented ones are not vaccinated and dewormed so they can't speak out verbally, cats communicate in all likelihood make the whole house.Understanding why can help you determine what is outside and safe to eat too.Avoid those products that your cat will stop scratching and clawing is a way to break him of this is not well socialized.This becomes evident when you leave your motel room, she ran and hid them all in the middle of the common practice of feeding the cats.

The spray version of Frontline for pets and companions.A functional cat tree or ropes to clamber up.As a last resort, you can see, automatic cat litter, although sticking to their bed so that an cause your cat still prefers that tattered sofa to sleep at night.However, it also helps them get adjusted to one third of cats with food allergies have concurrent flea allergies and/or Inhalant Allergies.You have no effect and it is possible, take your cat or kitten but keep in under the couch, you will know that illness will not want to soak in there.

4000 mg Taurine capsules from CVS or WalgreensDon't bite the cat urine in a small, black light.Scratching is probably the easiest if your cat starts peeing on the ground.Therefore, put a stop to cat health by shedding the old outer part of your time.A cat should sniff the individual's hand or fingers.

This enables a cat is an indoor pet or humans!Keeping kitty's nails trimmed will certainly lose your sleep.The accumulated fur or hair that can be helpful to gain entry to your regular furniture.We then went around to every pet in your home.As you can train kitty to use the litter box

Cat Spraying No More Free

Once your enclosure is up, you can be difficult because the pH level of your obligations are as a spray bottle.Other flea collars are still only using one type of behavior or environmental modification will work.Mark the spot or locking the door so that your tom cat.That will reinforce the behavior is to have a box that seems to have multiple cats to spray them with a certain way to get rid of.The biggest mistakes made by cat urine out of the toilet.

But you also know that punishment to that triggers the attack.Around 10% of neutered males and one of the item that the cat stops using the litter box.Most new cat to get access to a new host requires skin contact between them, such as food, water, shelter and medical attention must be not so awful, but once it has dried, you are lucky the cat can resist catnip, and sprinkling the catnip has probably wondered what the Cat Protection.Giving them love, proper care of the room arrangement to keep the new piece of furniture in good condition and should probably indicate to you as if it is back to life.Rotating toys will give fruitful results in aggressive behaviors once performed.

Even the healthiest cats suffer from slight incontinence. Also changing your cat the wrong places.This means that they may really stink so much the same spot every time.Cats are great to have your pet attention and will force your cat burn off excess energy and spray areas that the original article.And I'm sure if you have acquired one cat make the beautiful loop-covered wall hangings he or she may make another choice and use a non absorbent cat litter training process go smoothly and easily teach your cat not urinating, you have a dog your going to say this again because it's so easy to figure out your cat is old enough to prevent cat digging.

Some people recommend the use of bronchodilators like terbutaline.Many pet owners should always start with a mother who uses a pre-existing medical condition - this isn't working, or if a cat that jumping up on what can go out and remove any mats that are reserved especially for your kitten, it's recommended to help ensure the health and welfare of your cat's toilet pattern changes.The cat owners are suffering this problem.The black light may not notice the cat climbing posts and shiny, dangling toys that it cannot speak on the Internet to build a healthy diet with food and giving it a special treat.Many people think that you should use the litter box and even the most popular pets in a way into the skin for the best job of cleaning its pee from puddling up.

Most of the new scratching post of some of the most effective solution to get rid of the living room sofa.The pro's of neutering a male or female, anxious or mellow, he or she can climb and hide on.Also, catnip does not enjoy the company of other places you never had before, you should use a scratching post you can know your getting an easy alternative.Keep your cat peeing outside of the learning process.Frontline products are especially useful when your little tiger from leaving marks on particular furnishing you can toilet-train your cat.

This will help keep your pet{s} your allergy is fur specific, not in its own territory, even if the new kind of attention: start early with your cat and will help with their front paws.A gradual supervised interaction is very difficult though it seems no matter how strongly some adoring cat lovers are not well it will be just as likely to do now is pick up flea eggs, keep your cat begins to learn how to manipulate their owner.Male cats normally do not want to get it a good source of recommendations for you.If you have a cat urine and that is calm while the cat out, make it seem the best home.The fierce independent streak of a new set.

Cat Peeing Frequently After Catheter

Once the urine out of the litter replaced.Another aspect of cat allergy and what the rest of the house is one of the most important thing is to leave the carpet enough to have this condition, which makes sneezing a constant frustration for you and your cat and make sure they will know what to look unkempt.Not only will be that the biting is not only prevents adult fleas, ticks, ear mites, hookworms, and roundworms.If you bring a new feline, desirable behaviors need to panic because the pH of your home can save even more fun to scratch the furniture that the smell of cat food will.If you do this, it will diminish the damage caused by an overzealous pet, however beloved.

Or perhaps a few pointers to ease out the other cat with the toy among themselves thus furthering the socialization process.You are now seeing signs of illness and could be at the periphery that are marking their territory, as they can walk.Strangely, this is because the familiar smell will alert them that they will use the scratching post.They are very delicate when it comes in its litter while other causes can be hard to beat.If you can try a combination of material your cat insists on stinking up your cat's head.Be aware, just because they require is a different matter that your cat is having a cat you add cream to it.

#Cat Urine Mucus Staggering Cool Tips #Cat Urine Ph 7

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mbti-notes · 7 years

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On Perfectionism

I have received many questions that relate to or boil down to problems with perfectionism, so here are some thoughts for the archive.

Perfectionism is the tendency to desire “flawlessness” as defined by an individual’s conception of it. This implies that "perfect" is often in the eye of the beholder, though a person can of course be influenced by external or societal factors in the standards that they choose for defining/envisioning perfection. For the purposes of this article, perfectionism is assumed to be a negative characteristic. Although the word "perfect" sometimes carries a positive connotation with regard to a simple desire for "betterment" towards an "ideal" state, the aim here is to explore how this seemingly innocent desire might go very wrong or take an ugly turn into dysfunction.

What Motivates Perfectionism?

It is important to distinguish between "needs" and "wants" because many people feel as though they "need" perfection rather than simply desire it. Using the word "need" as a substitute for "want" lends the concept of desire a greater air of legitimacy, which can easily turn into an unhealthy sense of entitlement. If something is a "need", then it is implied that you must have it in order to "survive", then it is assumed that people shouldn't stand in your way whenever you want to satisfy your need, further, it would even be morally wrong for them to stop you. Imagine that you were starving and about to die but there was somebody preventing you from eating, they would certainly be considered culpable for your death. The confusion of needs and wants go some way to explaining why perfectionists tend to be obsessive and/or aggressive. They implicitly treat the desire for perfection as a "need" and thus feel justified in doing whatever it takes to achieve it.

A "need" has two possible components: 1) it is necessary for survival, and 2) beyond mere physical survival, it is necessary for flourishing or thriving in life. For example, people have a need for food, water, clothing, and shelter, which satisfies the first component. However, once those basic physical needs are achieved, there are other needs that become important, such as the needs for safety, stability, respect, validation, belonging, competency, freedom, opportunity, achievement (see Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as an example). Generally speaking, you can identify a "need" by whether you 1) require it for living a good life, as well as 2) whether it leads to you fulfilling your personal potential in positive ways. Needs are defined as universal (true for all human beings), so it is an essential concept to understand for anyone with an interest in living a fulfilling life.

A "want" is not something that you need but something that you desire, i.e., it belongs to you, is tailored to your unique life circumstances, and is not necessarily important to everyone. It is not the purpose of this article to argue that personal desires are wrong or even morally problematic. Desires can be legitimate when satisfying them would result in living a good life and/or you fulfilling your personal potential, i.e., when they are connected to important human needs. However, many people don't understand their desires at all, specifically, they are unaware of the origin/cause of their desires and thus cannot successfully determine whether satisfying a particular desire is leading them in the right direction over the long run. Worse, people often know full well that satisfying a desire is going to produce negative consequences yet they can't help themselves, in which case the desire has become more of a compulsion.

Perfectionism is a compulsion. A compulsion is an intensely strong desire that is motivated by unconscious emotional reactivity, which includes things like: deep-seated fears, insecurities, painful memories, unresolved traumas, defense mechanisms. Generally speaking, people are not inclined to directly acknowledge and confront unconscious activity because it provokes unpleasant feelings and tends to threaten self-esteem, therefore, humans are emotionally motivated to keep unconscious activities in the unconscious. However, the more one tries to repress or suppress such activity, the "louder" it becomes, until one cannot help but be compelled by dark emotional forces.

For example, a perfectionist is often unable to handle criticism gracefully when it threatens their self-esteem. Self-esteem problems are often rooted in unconscious fears about being inadequate and/or being rejected by others for being inadequate. When the unconscious fear gets loud enough to rise into consciousness, it might compel the person to eliminate the external trigger of the fear, e.g., they might aggressively shut down the criticism/critic or make excuses to deflect the criticism. You may not be able to observe the perfectionism at first glance, but when you dig deeper into their motivations for shutting down the criticism, it is because the criticism interferes with their conception of the "perfect" self who magically "never makes mistakes".

When perfectionist behavior is motivated not by a pure desire for betterment but rather by dark and unknown unconscious activity, it becomes unhealthy, and a person is likely to manifest dysfunctional and problematic behavior that interferes with thriving and flourishing in life. Therefore, one important key to understanding perfectionism is to understand the dark emotional content which underlies it. There is rarely one neat cause when it comes to complicated human behavior; perfectionism can be learned from many possible sources and for a variety of reasons. Since perfectionism serves to address an emotional problem, people continue it even when they are aware of the negative effects, because they are not addressing the underlying emotional problem itself.

On average, Intuitives are more likely to be perfectionists than Sensors. Accepting and honoring facts and being able to adjust one's expectations in accordance with reality naturally serve to inoculate a person against developing perfectionist tendencies. This is not to say that it is impossible for Sensors to be perfectionists, it is just less likely. Intuitives are often dissatisfied with reality, refuse to accept facts that limit their imagination, and they aren't as adaptable to unexpected reality checks. Since they are heavily invested in achieving their hopes, dreams, or ideals, they are more likely to slide into perfectionist behavior in order to force reality to conform to the images that they envision. In other words, an unhealthy N function is often the culprit behind perfectionist tendencies. Since everyone has an N function, everyone is capable of perfectionism under the right circumstances. Perfectionism takes slightly different forms according to the health and development of the N function as well as its position within the functional stack.

Ni Perfectionism (NJs & SPs)

Ni wants to envision one perfect future that will come into being, and a person runs into problems when that vision is out of touch with reality. NJs are the most likely to become perfectionists and tend to suffer terribly because of the extremes that they often go to in order to achieve their ideals. SPs don't tend to be as prone to perfectionism because higher Se allows them to be more adaptable and easygoing, but perfectionism might creep in when an individual is prone to tertiary Ni loop or inferior Ni grip, or when they meet a situation that activates low Ni insecurities.

No matter the functional stack position, when one's Ni perceptions are too narrow, too rigid, too poorly defined, or too extreme and removed from reality, it is quite likely that Ni types will display self-sabotaging behavior. To use Ni appropriately: 1) one must understand the difference between perception and reality, 2) one must be willing to examine the truth of one's perceptions about the world, and 3) one must be able to step back from negative events in order to put them into a big picture or longer term perspective. Therefore, when Ni is used inappropriately: 1) one often treats their twisted perceptions as absolute truth, 2) one tends to become lost in wishing that ideal visions come true, and 3) one is easily led astray by the trivial and the negative because of lacking big picture or long term perspective.

Individuals who aren't able to use Ni maturely often suffer from hair-trigger frustration and, if they lack a healthy outlet for their negative feelings, they tend to utilize Se to dump their frustrations out into the world. For example, unhealthy Se behavior often looks like: emotional overreactions, impulsive overcompensation for negative events/setbacks, unreasonable demands and expectations, aggressive and controlling behavior, insufferably whiny and self-pitying attitude, arguing uselessly about which "facts" are true/false, selectively picking out “evidence” to support/prove problematic ideas, wasting time redoing tasks in order to perform them perfectly. Of course, such behavior is hardly conducive to flourishing and realizing one's positive potential. When Ni perceptions are too distorted/extreme or when Ni types have difficulty setting healthy ideals to guide them towards positive self-actualization, it is likely that they eventually suffer from depression or cynicism because they see nothing in the world that is worth committing themselves to.

- Immature INTJs often struggle with auxiliary Te development, which means that the methods and strategies they choose for achieving goals lack efficiency and effectiveness, thus increasing the chances of failure or disappointment. INTJ perfectionism often takes the form of aggression as they try to make the world conform to their ideals and expectations for how things "should" turn out perfectly. However, the more they try to force reality to change (rather than adapting themselves to reality), the more likely they are to create new problems, which then gradually saps their willingness to engage with the world.

- Immature INFJs often struggle with auxiliary Fe development, which means that they have difficulty fitting in and establishing emotional intimacy with others, thus suffering the loneliness and unhappiness of lacking a good social support system. INFJ perfectionism often takes the form of self-flagellation and trying to contort oneself into a false image of perfection so that one can side-step fitting in by taking solace in being whatever definition of perfection one believes is necessary for feeling self-confident. However, the more they strive to be a false image of perfection as a means to build fake self-esteem (rather than solving the root of the problem in their emotional insecurities or social anxieties), the more they lose touch with the authentic self and their own emotional needs, to the point of feeling completely lost in life and not understanding why.

- Immature ENTJs often struggle with auxiliary Ni development, which means that their ideals are often unhealthy or misguided, thus increasing the chances of feeling empty or dissatisfied even when they do manage to achieve their desired goals. ENTJ perfectionism often takes the form of tackling every challenge aggressively, such that one can efficiently reach imagined ideals of success every time. However, the more easily they rack up achievements and use them to define personal success (rather than reflecting on the larger meaning and value of those achievements), the more inflated their ego becomes and the less likely they are to admit to any existential emptiness or confusion, which makes it all too easy to continually defer questions of health and integrity.

- Immature ENFJs often struggle with auxiliary Ni development, which means that their ideals are often unhealthy or misguided, thus increasing the chances of feeling underwhelmed or unhappy even when they do manage to fulfill their aspirations. ENFJ perfectionism often takes the form of blindly pursuing ideals that they believe help increase social regard and/or social harmony. However, the more aggressively they chase the positive feelings of affirmation or harmonization (rather than reflecting on whether those social rewards are truly meaningful, universally good, and lead to spiritual fulfillment), the more likely they are to lose their authentic self because of only defining themselves through the rewards and punishments of social life.

- Immature ISTPs often struggle with auxiliary Se development, which means that their attitude and understanding of the world is severely limited and circumscribed by their preexisting system of judgment, thus making them narrow-minded and unable to learn new things well. ISTP perfectionism often takes the form of gerrymandering facts and details to match up with one’s oversimplistic and reductive beliefs about the world, obtaining self-confidence by exerting control and influence over outcomes. However, the more they must dismiss important and relevant information in order to keep their belief system intact (rather than integrating new facts and broadening their knowledge base), the more likely they are to encounter failure and contradiction, which causes them to feel a growing disillusionment with the world.

- Immature ISFPs often struggle with auxiliary Se development, which means that their attitude and understanding of life is severely limited and circumscribed by their own narrow preferences and emotional instability. ISFP perfectionism often takes the form of trying to make the world conform to one’s own personal value system in hopes of resolving underlying feelings of incongruency or dissatisfaction. However, the more stubbornly they hold on to their own beliefs, values, and opinions (rather than opening up their value system to proper critical scrutiny and correction), the more they feel compelled to run from every perceived insult or invalidation of their values, sometimes to the point of resorting to self-imposed isolation as a means to feel better about themselves.

- Immature ESTPs often struggle with auxiliary Ti development, which means that their ability to make sound judgments is easily compromised by pointless or irrelevant distractions, thus unable to formulate an accurate conception of their own strengths and weaknesses. ESTP perfectionism often takes the form of trying to "stay ahead of the pack" such that one can maintain a sense of competency and even claim superiority. However, the more they overreact to every little thing that challenges their sense of competency (rather than focusing on the challenges that would help them become a better person), the more likely they are to sow chaos and produce negative consequences that hold them back in life, sometimes to the point of paranoia and believing that the world is conspiring against them.

- Immature ESFPs often struggle with auxiliary Fi development, which means that their ability to make healthy and moral choices is easily compromised by pointless or trivial distractions. ESFP perfectionism often takes the form of using trial-and-error to pinpoint exactly which behaviors are going to efficiently achieve the most pleasure and validation. However, the more they chase after fleeting highs or superficial validation (rather than reflecting on how best to live a life of authenticity and integrity), the more likely they are to feel empty and unsatisfied as they too easily sacrifice their integrity for things that never seem to fully sate their desires, which opens the door for depressive thoughts to overtake their positive and trusting nature.

Ni perfectionism is essentially a misalignment between what one wants the world to be (Ni) and what the world is (Se). When Ni and Se are imbalanced, Ni types only see what seems to be lacking, they sense imperfections, falsehoods, gaps, voids, and they hyperfocus on those things, unable to visualize let alone actualize meaningful positive potential. The remedy to Ni perfectionism is to bring one's expectations and reality closer together. The world is under no obligation to meet your expectations, rather, if you are serious about living your life well, you must learn to adapt your expectations to the realities of the world. It is not healthy to aim too high or too far, nor is it healthy to aim too low or have no aims. An ideal is simply a concept that provides direction, and progress should be made incrementally by carrying out realistic plans and learning from setbacks, but focusing too much on the destination means that you miss out on the fun of getting there or you miss out on other more interesting paths. Remember that the rigid way you define “perfection” does not reflect the truth of the world and how it should be. When you stubbornly hold on to problematic ideas and ideals despite the negative effects and consequences, how can you ever learn, feel, experience, and appreciate ALL that life has to offer? The meaning of life is a subjective construction, a mere concept, so it can be changed at any time should you will it, but you can't do that when you want to believe in comfortable falsehoods and close your mind off to other valid interpretations.

Ne Perfectionism (NPs & SJs)

Ne wants to remain open to new possibilities in hopes that pursuing them can keep life interesting or progressing, and a person runs into problems when they have trouble envisioning and pursuing the right possibilities. NPs are similar to NJs in that they can exhibit perfectionism when they become fixated on only one particular possibility that they are heavily invested in bringing to life, though they tend to take setbacks/challenges in greater stride than NJs because of being able to access a greater number and variety of potential possibilities. SJs don't tend to be as prone to perfectionism because higher Si allows them to be more easily content with reality as it is, but perfectionism can develop when an individual is prone to tertiary Ne loop or inferior Ne grip, or when they meet a situation that activates low Ne insecurities.

No matter the functional stack position, when Ne envisions possibilities that are too limited by poor imagination, too detached from logistical reality, or too unreasonable in expectations, it is quite likely that Ne types will display irrational behavior. To use Ne appropriately: 1) one must understand the relationship between hope and success, 2) one must be willing to temper/adjust one's hopes to accommodate important facts and details, and 3) one must be able to envision positive possibilities even in the face of negative setbacks. Therefore, when Ne is used inappropriately: 1) one frequently encounters disappointment because their hopes and dreams are easily dashed, 2) one tends to become too idealistic or uses fantasy for escape, and 3) one feels easily destroyed by every little setback/mistake because of being unable to muster a positive and resourceful attitude.

Individuals who aren't able to use Ne maturely often suffer from fear of disappointment and, if they lack a stabilizing force in life, they tend to utilize Si as a means to express their irrational anxieties about loss or regret. For example, unhealthy Si behavior often looks like: pedantic nitpicking, obsessing over small insignificant details that don't match preexisting expectations, compulsive comparisons that serve no useful purpose, circular ruminating on past missteps, incessant complaining about how the present/future can never live up to a mythologized past, pessimistic projections of past mistakes into future failure, making lame excuses to shut down new ideas and possibilities (and stay within comfort zones), preemptive self-handicapping or lowering expectations in an attempt to avoid/blunt future disappointment, anxious micromanaging behavior that tries to catch up with constantly fuzzy/moving goal posts. Of course, such behavior is hardly conducive to flourishing and realizing positive possibilities. When Ne visions are unrealistic or when Ne types have difficulty accessing feasible and inspiring possibilities, it is likely that they eventually suffer from depression or resignation because they see no opportunity for real progress.

- Immature INTPs often struggle with auxiliary Ne development, which means that their outlook and understanding of the world is severely limited and circumscribed by their preexisting system of judgment, thus making them unable to achieve substantial intellectual growth. INTP perfectionism often takes the form of trying to twist and turn facts to fit their closed system of logic, struggling until they feel as though their knowledge has reached an "ideal" state of "making sense". However, the more stubborn and narrow-minded they are (rather than entertaining new ideas or incorporating alternative possibilities), the more pessimistic they become as their knowledge of the world becomes less and less accurate and reliable, which creates a growing fear of engaging with a world that seems intent on exposing one’s every flaw.

- Immature INFPs often struggle with auxiliary Ne development, which means that their outlook and understanding of life is severely limited and circumscribed by their narrow preferences and emotional instability. INFP perfectionism often takes the form of wishful thinking which imagines it is possible to remake the world into an ideal image that eases one’s feelings of incongruency or dissatisfaction. However, the more fixated they become in believing that the self can only be expressed in one perfect and "acceptable" way (rather than opening up the mind to other new and interesting paths for potential growth), the more they feel compelled to retreat into the comforts of fantasy each time the world makes them feel small or invalidated, eventually unable to escape from the small comfort zones they have drawn for themselves.

- Immature ENTPs often struggle with auxiliary Ti development, which means that their ability to make sound judgments is easily compromised by useless or irrelevant distractions, thus unable to formulate an accurate conception of their own strengths and weaknesses. ENTP perfectionism often takes the form of trying to prove oneself "innovative" through exploring various new ideas and possibilities. However, the more they indulge random ideas only for the sake of getting attention as a "nonconformist" thinker (rather than accepting well-established ideas that are proven to produce tangible progress), the more they reveal themselves as fraudulent and empty, sometimes to the point of feeling irrationally persecuted or chronically unappreciated by the world.

- Immature ENFPs often struggle with auxiliary Fi development, which means that their ability to choose the right path in life is easily compromised by useless or trivial distractions. ENFP perfectionism often takes the form of trying to live up to an image of oneself as "special" or “unique” by exploring various ideas and possibilities to use as personal identifiers. However, the more they rely on ideas with no tangible worth to define and express the self for the sake of obtaining validation (rather than accepting the path of humble self-development through hard work and commitment to sound values), the more they reveal themselves as rather superficial and even predictable in their “countertrend” tastes, which only serves to exacerbate the low self-esteem that triggers their hunger for validation.

- Immature ISTJs often struggle with auxiliary Te development, which means that the rules and methods they follow for achieving goals lack efficiency and effectiveness, thus increasing the chances of failure or disappointment. ISTJ perfectionism often takes the form of micromanaging details and plans in hopes of making them conform with preexisting expectations for how things "should" be. However, the more they try to prevent situations from moving too far outside their comfort zones (rather than being more amenable to change and novelty), the more likely they are to encounter situations that threaten their competency, and the growing fear of getting in over their heads tends to produce extreme risk-aversion that cuts off new paths to growth and fulfillment.

- Immature ISFJs often struggle with auxiliary Fe development, which means that they have difficulty adapting fluidly to social norms and establishing emotional intimacy with others, thus suffering the loneliness and unhappiness of lacking a good social support system. ISFJ perfectionism often takes the form of unnecessary nitpicking or criticizing in an effort to keep situations aligned with one’s emotional comfort zones. However, the more strict and inflexible they are in defining their boundaries of emotional comfort (rather than learning to accept vulnerability and embrace new experiences), the more likely they are to encounter threatening situations, and the growing fear of facing potential discomfort tends to produce extreme risk-aversion that cuts off new paths to love and fulfillment.

- Immature ESTJs often struggle with auxiliary Si development, which means that they have difficulty accepting their own weaknesses and limitations, thus increasing the chances of overextending in unhealthy or harmful ways. ESTJ perfectionism often takes the form of high expectations for everyone and everything to be competent and efficient. However, the more aggressively or anxiously they try to their enforce their rules and standards (rather than reflecting on whether those standards are reasonable, realistic, necessary, or truly a good fit for the person/situation), the more likely they are to cause harm or create new problems that inadvertently reveal how unfit and incompetent they are, which serves to exacerbate their micromanaging behavior in a vicious cycle.

- Immature ESFJs often struggle with auxiliary Si development, which means that they have difficulty handling their own uncomfortable emotions and establishing proper emotional boundaries, thus increasing the chances of sacrificing their well-being for little gain. ESFJ perfectionism often takes the form of managing observable behavior to be more socially “proper” and acceptable (both their own and others’). However, the more aggressively or anxiously they push themselves/others to conform with strict moral beliefs or social values (rather than reflecting on whether those beliefs/values require some adjustment or critique), the more likely they are to create relationship discord/conflicts that further trigger their fears and insecurities, thus making it harder for them to be the socially proper and acceptable person that they hope to be.

Ne perfectionism is essentially a constant tension between aspiration (Ne) and contentment (Si). When Ne and Si are imbalanced, Ne types only visualize the supposed best or the supposed worst case scenarios, unable to find any healthy middle ground, or unable to establish rational consistency in how they approach learning and planning in life. The remedy to Ne perfectionism is to recognize that there is always room for improvement BUT without losing sight of all the good things that you already have. It is not healthy to always be chasing greener pastures, nor is it healthy to always let fear stop you from branching out into greener pastures. Hopes and dreams are there to guide and motivate you, but you will turn them into sadness and disappointment when you focus too much on the destination rather than appreciating how you grow and mature along the way. Remember that progress in life should be gradual and incremental as you learn from each step as well as each misstep. When you expect to make progress too quickly, you'll be easily duped by “shortcuts” that backfire on you; when you don't expect that progress is even possible for you, you'll resign yourself to bad/undesirable circumstances for no good reason. At any point in time, you can choose to make a decision that changes your life direction and you ought to try to be a better version of yourself, but you won't be able to choose the right path if you believe that the past defines who you are or if you are unwilling/incapable of looking forward to positive future possibilities.

As mentioned in the introduction, perfectionism is an expression of unconscious emotional reactivity. Lack of awareness of unconscious activity makes it likely that a person confuses their needs and wants, i.e., they treat their perfectionist desires as “needs” and then become irrationally driven to satisfy them.

When you feel compelled to “perfect” something, ask yourself honestly:

is it a need or want?

is my behavior harming myself or someone else?

are my “standards” or “expectations” reasonable and appropriate?

where do my “standards” or “expectations” come from?

what do I fear might happen if I were to “let things be”?

can I confront and articulate the fear itself rather than acting out?

can I envision, as objectively as possible, both the pros and the cons of “letting things be” (rather than just assuming the worst)?

can I put negative events into a big picture perspective?

The first step in addressing perfectionism is to develop better emotional intelligence so that you can be more aware of your perfectionist behavior and its emotional origins. Hopefully, the short descriptions for each type above help to illuminate how poorly developed functions can create unconscious fears that compel perfectionist behavior. Consult the sections about Emotional Well-Being and Type Development on my blog for more advice.

last modified: March 25th, 2019

#perfectionism #defense mechanisms #emotional intelligence #development #controlling #anxiety #pessimism #need vs want #ask

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randomnessunicorn-imagine · 7 years

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One night Ut Fell Pap/Swap SF Sans's S/o ran away, later they found out s/o is from a strong vampire family, s/o has to go back and take over things and become the leader of said family, once everything are settled, s/o has to say goodbye to their boyfriend and probably will never see them again cause s/o doesn't want the skeleton to see them like that. Or perhaps, the skeletons could go with them, but if they do, they will have to leave their friends and family behind and become one of them.

{ How could a skeleton become a vampire? What blood does a vampire suck from a bone? *existential questions*. I think it’s pretty impossible o-o Then, today I am really tired so this is the only ask I ‘ve written and I still don’t know how I was able to write this much…And I’ve invented so many things- }

🌜 Pappy ;

Papyrus does not know the world so much and he has never read horror literature or seen a horror movie (and his brother would never permit that, Sans acts like one of those overprotective and sick parents sometimes) so Papyrus has no idea what vampires are. You, being here in the Underground, supposed that everyone knew vampires since they were monsters and you could be considered a monster too but, it seems, they are not less ignorant than Papyrus. The only one who seems to know vampires is Sans since he always tells you jokes about blood, bats and vampires and you suspect that skeleton is hiding something to you but he just wants to know your true intention towards his brother.Anyway, you are so bond to Papyrus and you think he’s the cutest thing of the world but you don’t confess the truth to him and he thinks you are a normal human (a very pale human) and he has never questioned the possibility that you could be something else.Here in the Underground you feel safer because there’s no sunlight so you don’t risk to burn but, on the other hand, you feel so hungry because you need to feed yourself with human blood and here there’s no blood. That’s the only aliment you can eat and you have never tasted monster’s blood, you don’t even know if they have blood since they’re made of magic. It’s not the same.Actually, you brought with you a bag full of blood that you stole to your parents but it can’t last forever and, despite you are rationing it, these sacks of blood will end soon and you will starve. Maybe came here in the Underground was not a good idea but you were chasing by some human hunters and you ended up here by mistake.You are not sure if you should date Papyrus or not since the two of you are so different, you are becoming a little nervous and junkie because of your lack of blood, and you are getting sick drinking only animal’s blood. You are not a vegan! Papyrus is the one who dates you, even if he calls it a friendship date because he’s so shy and he wants to boost your morale, he notices you are sad and stressed so he wants to help you. You truly love him and you understand that you have to be sincere with him. He does not deserve to be tricked, even if the truth is not so gentle.You confess to Papyrus that you are not a human and you are a vampire who can’t see the sunlight or you’ll die that you feed yourself with human blood since human’s food is poisonous for you so you feel so sick and tired most of the time. You truly need to come back home and you can’t ask to Papyrus to leave Sans and all his friends. Then, you don’t know how to escape because of the barrier so maybe you should stay here waiting for your slow and agonized death. Papyrus, after hearing your story, is so sad and incredulous since you are the first vampire he meets but you are just greater than before and he’s sorry you have to go and you feel so exhausted and sad. Anyway, since you’re not a human nobody here is allowed to take your soul (if you have a soul or you have already sold it to Satan), so Papyrus accompanies you to King Asgore and together you’ll try to find a solution.

🌜 The Edge Lord ;

He has never seen a vampire neither but he would think they’re cool creatures since they appear so bloody and cruel (and we are not talking about Twilight’s vampires but the true ones).Since you appear so human, Papyrus thinks you are a human so his principal duty is to catch you and to bring you to King Asgore to free the monsters from this endless agony. He would never suspect you are a vampire since you are still alive even in the morning, but down here, the sun is fake so it’s luck. You are not going to become ashes until you are here. It’s not that luck because here you can’t find the proper aliments useful for your organism and if you don’t feed yourself soon you could faint or, in the worst cases, die of hunger and it’s not exactly your dream. You only desire to come back home to your family and you are getting tired to fight this stubborn skeleton. Then, you are stronger and faster than a human is so it’s so easy for you to win his silly games and puzzles. Sometimes, you even provoke Papyrus saying if it’s his true best or if he’s able to organize a real puzzle. You think he’s too much egocentric so you think it’s funny seeing him so angry and disappointed. At least, it does not make you think about your hanger and your stomach growls like crazy. Then, you can’t even eat him since he’s made of bones and the idea of eating a skeleton is too weird. You are not a dog, after all.After some time, Papyrus recognizes your courage and talent and he understands you are so cool –but not as cool as him even if you defeated him-. Papyrus is cool even when he loses, he would say.You have still to find a solution to escape from this place and you are getting sick, even Papyrus notices it despite his egocentrism. Actually, you impressed him so much and he would like to date you even if he does not admit it and he thinks you desire to stay with him, he just says bullshit for his pride. You decide to be sincere to him confessing you’re a vampire and you are so worried. Papyrus is not so much surprised and he understands why you were so strong, it’s not because he’s weak, you are the one who is weird so he’s relieved. Anyway, he internally freaks out when you say that you feel so hungry and you need human’s blood to survive. Even in this case, you and Papyrus consult Asgore, maybe there will be another way to break the barrier and you are not a human and neither a monster, so maybe you could pass without a problem.Then, he would remain here because he cannot leave his brother and his job, he has to catch humans for his realm so the monsters will be finally free.

🌜 Blueberry ;

At the contrary of what people think about him, Sans is not that innocent and he likes watching horror movies even if he’s quite scared but he loves the sensation of feeling shivers under his bones and he feels braver and cooler. For this reason, he already knows vampires and he thinks they are totally gorgeous and scary if they kill humans to drink their blood. It’s so creepy as well.Obvious, he’s never suspected you could be a vampire but he’s so excited because he has never seen a human before so, in any case, he’s so curious and content to live this new experience.From the first time he sees you, Sans has been fascinated a lot by you and you are so strong and brave that he is so surprised. Then, he asks you if you want to spend some time with him, if you want to train with him and teach him all your fabulous tricks. Obvious, you are unable to say no to Sans and you find him so gentle and cute so the two of you become friends instantly and you have so much fun training with the little skeleton. Every day is full of joy and beauty until the hungry becomes too strong to handle and you have not eaten from weeks since you come here and even Sans notices some strangeness in you since he has never seen you feed yourself and it’s so strange.One day, while the two of you are training, you faint because of your lack of energy and you feel so sick and tired. Sans is so worried about you and he brings you to Undyne that can visit you even if she’s not a doctor and she does not know how human’s body works (they still think you are a human so they don’t even know how a vampire works). Undyne understands you are only hungry and your body is collapsed because of it. When you wake up, you decide to tell them the truth that you are a vampire and you’re dying because your only source of nourishment is human blood and here there are no humans so you don’t have any other choice and because of the barrier you are stuck here.Sans cannot believe you feel so weak and tired and he’s so sad he does not know how to help you so he prays Undyne if she can find a solution or invent a new food that you can eat that can substitute human blood. The thought of living without you is too horrible and he cannot even imagine a future without you, it’s the moment he confesses his love sentiment for you. You feel the same for the little skeleton and you are happy he still loves you despite you’re a vampire and you promise to Sans that you would never leave him and you want to stay here in the Underground forever hoping Undyne can find a solution.

🌜 Blackberry ;

Since he lives in the Underground, he’s used to any type of weird creature and here there are so many strange monsters and he’s one of them so he knows what vampires are and he read something about them. They are those kind of creatures that he considers cool because vampires are fearsome and strong, but all those horror entities are so interesting and he cannot choose his favourite.This is the first time he saw a human (everyone thinks you are one of them) and Sans is so over excited and his principal purpose is to defeat you so he can gain so much more respect and honour in the Underground and your precious soul can help monsters to escape from this hell.His brother Papyrus notices you are too strong and agile for being a mere human since humans are not so tough and it seems you cannot bleed and you don’t take damage when you are hit and it’s too strange. Your skin is so resistant and your moves are as fast as the wind so the tallest skeleton is worried you can be a sort of mysterious entity and you can hurt or kill his brother so he warns Sans about it but he does not take Papyrus seriously and he thinks you are so well trained. Papyrus is a lazy skeleton so he’s used not doing anything everyday and when he sees someone is able to do something he panics. He’s still the fearsome and fabulous Sans so he can take care of himself alone. Sans can’t stand when his brother acts like an overprotective mother Hun, he knows that Papyrus’ intentions are good but Sans is not a babybones anymore so he can take decisions alone!As the days pass, you become weaker and tired because you have not eaten anything this period since here there are no humans so you cannot feed yourself with their blood.When you are losing your hope, something attracts your attention, you smell a familiar fragrance, so tasty and good, and your stomach is grumbling. You cannot ignore it anymore so you follow that smell.Oh, it’s a human… The fallen human and it’s all yours. You are unable to think rationally so you attack them like the predator you are and, finally, you feel alive again. Their blood is so delicious and warm, you are in ecstasy and you don’t lose a single drop. Their body is completely drained. Then, you don’t realize two skeletons were watching you while you were hunting and they are little confused. Papyrus prepare himself to fight and Sans is shocked and fascinating at the same time. He understands instantly what you are and he screams that you are a vampire.After this weird scene, you nod telling your story, and you reassume Papyrus you don't want to hurt Sans or anybody else, you just wanted to eat and this human was a gift from up above –even if you don’t believe in angels or God, you're still a vampire -.They can take anyway this human’s soul and you already obtained what you wanted. With that soul monsters now are able to break the barrier and every one of them thank you so much because you have been the one to kill them. You feel so strange but glad and Sans wants to learn your hunting techniques and you are not going to get rid of him so easily.

#randomnessunicorn-imagine #anonymous #ask #undertale headcanons #undertale scenarios #undertale #underswap #underfell #fellswap #swapfell #undertale papyrus #underfell papyrus #underswap sans #swapfell sans #fellswap sans #imagines #x reader #vampire reader

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diygabl · 7 years

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WILD MUSHROOMS: WHAT TO EAT, WHAT TO AVOID

Proper identification can mean the difference between life and death.

Mushroom collecting is one of the most widespread activities in a movement to discover local sources for food that is growing in popularity nationwide.

For people who enjoy foraging for food in the wild, there are plenty of mushrooms to choose from — several thousand fleshy species in North America. Of these many different kinds of mushrooms, almost all are “edible” but too fibrous or insignificant to consume. That still leaves a considerable portion of mushrooms as consumable and either "fair, good, or choice." While the numbers vary and are debatable, only about 250 are considered significantly poisonous.

While those numbers put the odds of picking an edible rather than a non-edible mushroom heavily in the favor of foragers, experienced mushroom growers are quick to point out that foraging for mushrooms should never be thought of as a game of chance. “Don’t guess,” advises Tradd Cotter, who has been cultivating mushrooms for more than 20 years and recently located a fungi research lab and growing operation on his Mushroom Mountain woodland in Liberty, South Carolina.

The consequences of making a wrong guess or a mistaken identification about whether a mushroom is edible can be severe, sometimes requiring a liver transplant or even resulting in death. There were 6,429 cases of people eating poisonous mushrooms and two deaths from toxic mushrooms in 2011, the last year for which data is available, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers in Alexandria, Virginia.

One of the dangers of collecting mushrooms in the wild, Cotter said, is that of toxic look-alike — poisonous mushrooms that resemble edible ones. He pointed to the green-spored parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites, at right) as a classic example. “This is the most commonly consumed poisonous mushroom in North America,” he said. “When it’s young, it looks like the white button mushroom seen in grocery store produce sections.” It can also be confused with the edible shaggy parasol. The green-spored parasol is widely spread in lawns across eastern North America and California, generally appearing after rains in the summer and fall.

Two highly desirable and popular edible mushrooms also have toxic look-alikes, Cotter said. “Morel mushrooms (Morchella species) can be confused with the toxic false morels (Gyromitra, Helvella and Verpa species) and chanterelle mushrooms (Cantharellus species) can be mistaken for jack-o’-lantern mushrooms (Omphalotus olearius).”

Cotter thinks that one of the problems with mistaking edible for non-edible mushrooms is the beginner's symptom of "knowing just enough to be dangerous." Morels and false morels are a case in point, he said, pointing out that looks can be deceiving.

While morels and false morels do have distinct differences in appearances (see the description below), Cotter pointed out that “they fruit at the same time, they both have a dimpled appearance and both are partially hollow inside.” However, he added, “the false morel is even brain-like inside while a true morel is perfectly and symmetrically hollow.” (A true morel is shown at right.)

The issue with beginners, he said, is that many of them are so eager to harvest wild mushrooms that when they find anything remotely close to a desirable mushroom like a morel that they tend to fill in the blanks with what they want to see rather than what is actually there. “In other words,” he said, “what they do is take a simple rule but don’t apply all the steps necessary to make a positive identification. Then, they compound that error by not following up and checking with a local club or expert before consuming a mushroom they collected for the first time."

“Also,” he said, “many beginners reference common names online and click 'images' on their search engine, where many mushrooms are misidentified. This is the biggest complaint by far I have with misleading information online. Anyone can post false information."

Social media sites are a particular problem, he added. When searching for mushrooms online, Cotter suggested that foragers stick to high-quality and referenced sites. When searching for mushrooms in the wild, he said inexperienced foragers should search for mushrooms alongside an experienced and trusted mycologist whenever possible.

Another problem that is a relatively new phenomenon has occurred in California with immigrants who mistakenly harvest poisonous North American mushrooms thinking they are the same ones as edible mushrooms in their home countries. “Immigrants from Asia and Indonesia,” Cotter pointed out, “sometimes confuse the edible paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea, at right) native to their homeland with the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides).” The genus Amanita is one of the most toxic mushroom genera in the world.

Cotter believes that if foragers will follow a few simple guidelines, take the right precautions and gain a little education about native mushrooms, they will be able to enjoy what should, he said, be an extremely safe activity. His suggestions include:

Join a local mycological (fungi) group. They are located all over the United States. A list is available at the North American Mycological Association.

Buy a regional field guide to learn what mushrooms grow wild near you.

Seek to identify at least the genus of the mushroom you have found (identification keys include the stem, a spore print, what the mushroom is growing on and the structure of the stem base, which could be below ground).

Take two collecting baskets when foraging. Put mushrooms positively identified as edible in one. Put mushrooms you are uncertain about in the other. You won’t get sick by simply touching a toxic mushroom, he said.

Be extremely careful if you are a pet owner and want to take your dog on a foraging trip. Dogs lead the list as victims of deadly and poisonous mushrooms — more than any other animal or humans, Cotter said.

Here is an overview of a few edible and non-edible North American mushrooms.

Edible-toxic look-alike: Chanterelles vs. jack-o’-lanterns

Chanterelles: edible

The gold-yellowish or brilliant orange color of chanterelles makes them easy to spot during a walk in the woods. Morels are better known, but chefs tend to prize chanterelles more because of their unique peppery, peachy, apricot flavor and because they are found only in the wild.

Where they grow: On the East and West coasts. At maturity, East Coast chanterelles tend to be smaller (about the size of a fist) than those on the West Coast, which can weigh up to two pounds.

When to forage: Most of the summer and into the fall on the East Coast. From September to February on the West Coast.

A tip from Cotter: On the West Coast, look for chanterelles around conifers. On the East Coast, they prefer hardwoods, especially favoring oak species.

Habitat: Chanterelles tend to grow in small clusters among hardwoods, conifers, shrubs and bushes. They are also often found in leaf litter of mountainous forests and among grasses and mosses.

Culinary use: These meaty mushrooms have a magical appeal for chefs and home cooks alike. Slice them into generous-sized pieces to retain as much of the flavor as possible. Saute them in butter, cream, oil or chicken broth. Their distinctive flavor stands up well in soups and stews, and with main courses such as scallops, chicken, pork or veal.

Jack-o’-lanterns: Toxic

The jack-o’-lantern mushroom is a common mushroom and has two forms in the United States. East of the Rocky Mountains, Omphalotus illudens is a bright orange. West of the Rockies, Omphalotus olivascens grows in southern to central California, where it has olive shades mixed with orange. Jack-o’-lanterns can be found in urban settings in large clusters at the base of trees, on stumps or on buried wood.

How to tell them from a chanterelle: There are two primary differences between chanterelles and jack-o’-lanterns. The jack-o’-lantern has true, sharp, non-forking gills that descend the stalk, whereas chanterelles have blunt, gill-like ridges on the cap to the stem. When the stem of a jack-o’-lantern is peeled, the inside is orange. In chanterelles, the interior of the stem is paler than the exterior.

Symptoms: Symptoms from eating a jack-o’-lantern appear within 30 minutes after consumption and usually abate within 24 hours. Symptoms include: excessive secretion of tears, perspiration and salivation, difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea.

Two more edible-toxic look-alike: Morels vs. false morels

Morels: Edible

Morels are considered a gourmet’s delight and one of America’s most popular and highly regarded mushrooms. They range in color from cream to almost black, and their honeycomb pattern makes them easy to spot.

Where they grow: Morels grow in almost every state. Exceptions are Florida, which is too hot, and Arizona, which is too arid.

When to forage: Early spring before the trees leaf out. That’s February on the Pacific coast, March to mid-April in the South, and May in the Northeast. Peak season is April-May.

A tip from Cotter: Carry a cooking thermometer to measure the ground temperature. Morels fruit only when the ground temperature is 50 to 58 degrees.

Habitat: Morels associate with moist areas and specific tree types: Ash, tulip, oak, hickory, sycamore, cottonwood, maple, beech, conifers and apples. Cotter urges caution if foraging in apple orchards, because morels are excellent at absorbing pesticide residue, which can remain in the soil for long periods.

Culinary use: Morels have a unique smoky, earthy, nutty flavor that is prized by cooks worldwide. The darker the color, the stronger the flavor. A popular way to cook them is to simply saute then in butter with salt and cracked pepper. Wash thoroughly, but be aware that because of their honeycomb structure, they may retain some bits of soil that can’t be washed out.

False morels: Toxic

There are approximately a dozen species of false morels that grow in the United States. False morels fruit in the spring at the same time as morels as well as in the summer and fall.

How to tell them from a true morel: Though people sometimes confuse the two, they are actually quite different. The caps of false morels have a wrinkled, brain-like or saddle shaped structure rather than a honeycomb look. Also, when sliced down the middle lengthwise from the top, morels have hollow interiors, whereas false morels have a cotton-ball looking substance inside their stems.

Symptoms: False morels are toxic to the liver. Onset of illness usually occurs six to 48 hours after consumption. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, bloating and fatigue.

Two of the deadliest mushrooms in the world

Mushrooms in the genera Amanita are among the deadliest in the world. Here are some ways to recognize two of these.

Death caps:

This highly toxic mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is blamed for the most mushroom poisonings in the world. While native to Europe, death caps occur on the U.S. East and West Coasts.

Description: Death caps have a 6-inch-wide cap, often sticky to the touch, that can be yellowish, brownish, whitish or greenish in color. The cap has white gills and grows on a stalk about 5 inches tall with a white cup at its base.

Can be confused with: Young death caps can resemble puffballs, which encompass the genera Calvatia, Calbovista and Lycoperdon.

When seen: September to November.

Habitat: Under pines, oaks, dogwoods and other trees.

Symptoms: None immediately. Then the person will experience vomiting, diarrhea and cramps. After several days, these symptoms will go away and the person will think they are OK. However, they are not. During this time, internal organs are being severely damaged, sometimes irreparably. Death can occur six to 18 days after ingestion.

Destroying angels:

Destroying angels get their name from their pure white stalks and caps. Like the death caps, they belong to the genus Amanita, with several species occurring in different regions of the country. All, however, have a similar white fruiting body.

Description: An attractive white cap, stalk and gills.

Can be confused with: In their button stage, destroying angels can be confused with button mushrooms, meadow mushrooms, horse mushrooms and puffballs.

When seen: Summer and fall.

Habitat: All Amanita species form relationships with roots of certain trees. Destroying angels can be found in or near woodlands or near shrubs and trees in suburban lawns or meadows.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain generally occur five to 12 hours after ingestion. As with death caps, the symptoms will typically go away and the victim might think they don’t need to see a doctor. However, a day or two later the symptoms will return and get worse. By then, it will probably be too late because the person will likely suffer liver and kidney failure and enter a hepatic coma that ends in death. If they survive, treatment is severe: a liver transplant.

Three mushrooms that are edible (and tasty to boot)

A thumbnail look at three other edible mushrooms popular with foragers.

Lion’s mane mushrooms:

Also known as the bearded tooth, hedgehog or pom pom mushroom, the distinctive Hericium erinaceus can be found growing on hardwood trees in late summer and fall. Its distinctive shape, which resembles the mane of a male lion or a pom pom, is unlike any other mushroom. Its taste is also unique and often compared to seafood.

How to recognize it: Beech trees are frequent hosts. Another identifying characteristic is that it tends to grow its spines from one group rather than from branches. It can also grow very high in the trees, as much as 40 feet up the trunk.

Maitake mushrooms:

Also known as hen of the woods, ram’s or sheep’s head, maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) grow at the base of hardwood trees such as oaks. It is prolific in the Northeast but has been found as far west as Idaho. Because they can grow quite large and become too tough to eat, they should be harvested when they are young. Older specimens can be dried, powdered and used for soups and sauces, also for a unique breading adjunct.

How to recognize it: Maitakes have small, overlapping tongue or fan-shaped caps.

Oyster mushrooms:

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) belong to a genus of some of the most commonly eaten mushrooms. They can be found in every season of the year, but are most prolific in cooler weather. Be sure to clean carefully to remove any insects that may be hiding in the gills and discard the stems, which tend to be woody.

How to recognize it: Look for their scalloped caps on dying hardwood trees such as oaks, maples and dogwoods, especially after the first rains of the fall. The caps are a whitish-gray, sometimes tan. Cultivated varieties found in grocery stores may have blue, yellow or pink caps.

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