Basically what I have over the course of the entire day, photos not in chronological order to prevent triggering anyone... Last 2 photos are in a way "volume eating" but not in the traditional sense, as I really do eat with my eyes... I need to see a certain amount of volume, and eat it all, before I feel satisfied - it could've been worse if I went for the more decadent stuff.
I'll be stingy with my main meals - high volume, high protein, low calorie foods. Just so that I can spend the excess calories on snacks on a daily basis. I don't think what I'm doing is healthy, but so far it's the way that I've been doing it for the last 2-3 years and everything is still good.
Not to say that people should follow this, but keep in mind that we need to enjoy life. If it helps you stay healthy, and helps with adherence to your diet, why not? Everything in moderation, it all comes down to balance.
After years of volume eating, the general idea would be to: 1.) Have a stable high protein low calorie food source - for me that would be dried anchovies, dried shrimps, canned tuna, soya chunks. These are the things where I can pre-prep and carry with me wherever I go. That way you'll be sure to have enough protein wherever you go to eat.
2.) Leafy greens are best when it comes to sheer volume. Use them to bulk up the size of the meal. I'm a lazy person, and due to my job I have minimal time to prepare my meals. I would love to try out the awesome recipes that I see here daily but sadly I don't have the time and as a result I just pour water over soya chunks and douse it in Sriracha for super high protein and very voluminous dinner - which takes almost no time to prep.
3.) Don't go out of your way to make everything perfect, that'll cause you so much more stress and slowly force yourself off the diet without you yourself noticing it. Find your sweet spot. It's a lifestyle.

Welcome to Crunchly!

Welcome to Crunchly, your ultimate AI-powered nutrition companion! We are thrilled to have you join our community, where you can embark on a transformative journey towards better health and nutrition.
About Crunchly
Crunchly is designed to be your personal AI Nutritionist, food tracker, and meal planner, all in one convenient app. Our mission is to make healthy eating simple, enjoyable, and tailored to your unique needs. Here’s a glimpse of what Crunchly offers:

• CrunchBuddy - Your AI Nutritionist: Meet CrunchBuddy, your personal AI nutrition coach who provides real-time answers to your nutritional queries, offers personalized advice, manages your meal plan, and keeps you motivated on your journey.
• Personalized Meal Planning: Generate customized meal plans that align with your dietary preferences, restrictions (like allergies), and goals (whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, or maintenance).
• Interactive Food Logging: Log your meals effortlessly using photos, barcodes, or simply by text or search in our vast verified food database.
• Calorie and Nutrient Tracking: Keep track of your daily intake of calories, macronutrients (proteins, carbs, fats), and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
• Real-Time Nutritional Feedback: CrunchBuddy will handle your meal planning, provide daily and weekly feedback, and adjust your program in real-time. Receive immediate feedback on the healthiness of your meals, along with suggestions for improvements, ensuring you stay on track with your nutritional goals.
• Recipe Suggestions: Discover healthy recipes based on your preferences and the ingredients you have on hand.
• Weight and Health Tracker: Monitor your weight, body measurements, and other health metrics over time.
• Progress Reports and Motivation: Stay motivated with visual progress reports and encouraging messages to keep you focused on your goals.

We encourage you to explore these features and make the most of what Crunchly has to offer. Whether you’re here to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply eat healthier, our community is here to support you every step of the way.
Once again, welcome to the Crunchly community! We’re excited to see you thrive and achieve your health and wellness goals.

Beta Program

We’re excited to announce that Crunchly is currently in its public beta phase! During this period, we are actively developing and refining our features to provide the best possible experience for our users. Your feedback is crucial in helping us achieve this goal.
Join the BETA Program
We invite you to be a part of our beta program and help shape the future of Crunchly. By participating, you’ll get early access to new features and have the opportunity to directly influence their development (and have free access to all premium features):
How to Join:

1. Sign Up: Click here to join the Crunchly beta program and follow the instructions to sign up.
2. Explore and Test: Once you’re in, explore all the features Crunchly has to offer. Use CrunchBuddy, try out personalized meal planning, log your meals, track your nutrients, and more.
3. Report Bugs and Feature Requests: If you encounter any bugs or have suggestions for new features, please report them here in our community. Your input helps us make Crunchly better for everyone.

We appreciate your participation and look forward to your valuable feedback. Thank you for helping us make Crunchly the ultimate AI nutritionist app!

Frequently Asked Questions

We will update this section, when we get an overview of the questions you guys have.

Support and Contact Information

If you encounter any issues while using Crunchly or have any questions, we’re here to help. Here’s how you can reach us:
Shoot an email to [support@crunchly.com](mailto:support@crunchly.com), write to us on X, or simply post in this forum.
We strive to respond to all inquiries within 24-48 hours. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.

Closing

Thank you for being a part of the Crunchly community! Our goal is to support you in achieving your health and wellness aspirations with the help of cutting-edge AI technology. Whether you’re looking to improve your nutrition, track your progress, or find new healthy recipes, Crunchly is here to guide you every step of the way.
Remember, this community is all about support and encouragement. Share your successes, ask questions, and connect with others on similar journeys. Together, we can make healthy living enjoyable and sustainable.
Once again, welcome to Crunchly. We’re excited to see you thrive and achieve your health and wellness goals. Let’s make this journey a successful and rewarding one!
Happy Crunching!

Updated my plan today and my new budget is 1,661 calories. Any advice is appreciated!
To maintain 1,900 calories, I usually had a Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich and a big high-protein lunch (sometimes a double chicken bowl from Chipotle), with the occasional fast food stop, and it’s been going well.
I have some cottage cheese and peaches, so I’m thinking of switching up breakfast tomorrow to use those. Next steps: figure out a low-calorie breakfast sandwich and find more high-protein, low-calorie meals + simple recipes to keep me full (or at least almost full) during the day. Any tips or recipe ideas?

I can load into a single player world with my modpack I made, but when I add the same mods to the server mod folder I cant boot up the server with the run.bat file. The command prompt runs for a but then stops at the same spot everytime.
My mods pack has 150 mods in it. Ive added it to both my .minecraft modlist as well as the newly created server modlist. Im positive theres a couple client side mods in there, would that be whats causing the issue?
Hypothetically why do I even need to add the mods to the server, could I not just have everyone who joins have the 150 modlist installed client side beforehand?
Could someone possibly skim this modlist and see if theres any glaring ones that should only be on client or server or something?
Ad Astra AddEnchantedMiners Additional Lights AI Improvements AIOT Botania aiot botania Allthemodium Almost Unified Apllied Mekanistics Appleskins Applied Energy 1/2 applied mekanics Aquaculture 1/2 Arch API Argonauts Ars Energistique Ars Nouveau Athena Ather: Lost Content ATO - All the Ores backpacks badpackets balm better fps Biomes Plenty Block UI Bloodmagic Blueskies bookshelf Botania Botany Pots Botany Trees Btarium Cadmus CC: Tweaked clothconfig cofhcore Comforts Controlling corgilib CraftTweaker crafttweaker Cray Furntirure cupboar Curios API cyclopscore Dark Mode Erwer Deep and Dark Dungeon Crawler Durability Tooltip dynamic lights reforged enderman overhaul Everything Copper Evilcraft Fabric API Farmers Delight Fast Suite ferritecoreembeddium Flux Networks FTB Essentials FTB Lib FTB Quests FTB Teams FTB Xmod Fusion CT GeckoLib Get it together drops Harvest with ease immediatelyfast inembeddium Inv Ess Jade Jade adons JEI Tweaker JM Integration Journey Map JSON Things Just Enough Items libx Lucent M Bridge M Doors M Fences M Furniture M Roofs M Roofs - Biomes M windows magnesium extra Mekanism mekanism gen mekanism tools Modernfix more vanilla lib more vanilla tools Music Manager MythicBotany Natures Compass patchouli Perviamin Venire placebo Productive bees Project E quark radium refoged Railcraft Recipe Stages Resource Config Roughly Enough Items Rsourceful Lib searchables Shimmer simply tools sophisticated backpacks Structure Gel API supermartjin642 terrablender terralith The One Probe thermal dynamics thermal expansion thermal expansion thermal extra thermal foundation thermal innovation thermal integration thermal locomoition titatinian trashslot utilix vanilla aiots waystones when dungeons arise Wind Chimes WTHIT yung api yung djungle yung dungeons yung end yung fortress yung huts yung minshafts yung ocean yung stronghodl yung temples zeta

So I created a mega mod pack (around 325 mods) and the world in single player opens and runs just fine. But when I try to invite anyone they are instantly kicked out and met with the error message:
Java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: unable to fit 2557455 into 3
It was not a crash (I think) so I was not able to get the entire crash report from them, but nevertheless, they are not able to join.
I tried looking up the issue online to see what the issue was and it was apparently something to do with too much data being in one chunk/scoreboard, but I am not sure how to fix it because the world was brand new. Before this I made 3 other worlds that I deleted after one another and for some reason the map data from Xaero's maps remained (I don't know if this information is relevant to the issue but I'll just put it here just in case :))
Below is the mod list, and I was wondering which mods could be the potential issue here.

• MC Dungeons Artifacts (by chronos_sacaria)
• [Let's Do] Beachparty (by satisfy)
• Terralith (by Starmute)
• Another Emerald Expansion (by TriQue)
• Starter Kit (by Serilum)
• Cardinal Components API (by UpcraftLP)
• Ultris: Boss Expansion (by limesplatus)
• XL Packets Fabric (by tfarecnim)
• Savage Ender Dragon[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• spark (by Iucko)
• Void Totem (Fabric) (by Affehund)
• Brewin' And Chewin' [Fabric] (by MrSterner_)
• Clumps (by Jaredlll08)
• [Let's Do] Candlelight (by satisfy)
• [Let's Do] Meadow (by satisfy)
• bad packets (by badasintended)
• Comforts (Fabric 1.16.5 - 1.19.2) (by TheIllusiveC4)
• Not Enough Trinket Slots (NETS) (by Cookie_GD)
• Randomium Ore (by MehVahdJukaar)
• MES - Moog's End Structures (by finndog_123)
• Macaw's Doors (by sketch_macaw)
• CorgiLib (by Corgi_Taco)
• Macaw's Lights and Lamps (by sketch_macaw)
• Piercing Paxels ⚒️ (by AmyMialee)
• Farsight [Fabric] (by someaddon)
• Better Statistics Screen (by TheCSDev)
• ModernFix (by embeddedt)
• Dark Waters (by AzureDoomC)
• Pig Pen Cipher (by DarkhaxDev)
• MC Story Mode Armors [Forge / Fabric] (by chronos_sacaria)
• Mutant Monsters [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• Friends&Foes - Beekeeper Hut (Fabric/Quilt) (by Faboslav)
• ESSENTIAL Mod (by SparkUniverse_)
• Simple Discord Rich Presence (Forge / Fabric) (by Sunekaer)
• Towns and Towers (by Biban_Auriu)
• BCLib (by Quiqueck)
• FTB Library (Fabric) (by FTB)
• Marium's Soulslike Weaponry (by mariumbacchus)
• Dungeon Now Loading 1% (by hexnowloading)
• Structory: Towers (by botanydev)
• Capybara [Fabric] (by ZestyBlaze)
• BetterEnd (by Quiqueck)
• Every Compat (Wood Good) (by MehVahdJukaar)
• Resourceful Lib (by ThatGravyBoat)
• Limited Chunkloading - Chunk cleanup[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• Macaw's Trapdoors (by sketch_macaw)
• TenzinLib (by CommodoreThrawn)
• FallingTree (Forge&Fabric) (by rakambda)
• Shulker Box Slot (Fabric 1.16.1 - 1.19.2) (by TheIllusiveC4)
• Artifacts (Fabric) (by florensie)
• AttributeFix (by DarkhaxDev)
• Enchantment Descriptions (by DarkhaxDev)
• DragonLoot (by pois1xlive)
• Nature's Compass (by Chaosyr)
• Name Pain (by naqaden)
• Cobblemon (by CobblemonMod)
• Macaw's Fences and Walls (by sketch_macaw)
• Kambrik (by Ejektaflex)
• TipTheScales (by Jaredlll08)
• Bosses of Mass Destruction (by Barribob)
• Konkrete [Fabric] (by Keksuccino)
• Tom's Simple Storage Mod (Fabric) (by tom54541)
• Wondrous Wilds (by Ineffa)
• Jade 🔍 (by Snownee)
• Spirit (by terrariumearth)
• Immersive Aircraft [Fabric/Forge] (by Conczin)
• Forge Config API Port (by Fuzs)
• EMI (by EmilyPloszaj)
• Ingredient Extension API (by Jaredlll08)
• [Let's Do] Brewery (by satisfy)
• Projectile Damage Attribute [Fabric & Forge] (by daedelus_dev)
• Mouse Wheelie (Fabric) (by Siphalor)
• YUNG's Better Ocean Monuments (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Traveler's Titles (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Nether Chested [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• Universal Graves (by Patbox)
• Additional Lanterns (by SuperMartijn642)
• FTB Pack Companion (by FTB)
• Vanilla Hammers (by Draylar1)
• Goblin Traders [Fabric] (by MrCrayfish)
• Chipped (by terrariumearth)
• Alloy Forgery (by gliscowo)
• YUNG's Better End Island (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Ocean's Delight (by scouter567)
• Item Filters (by LatvianModder)
• Friendly Fire (by DarkhaxDev)
• [Let's Do] API (by Cristelknight)
• Inmis (by Draylar1)
• [Deprecated] Farmer's Delight [Fabric] (by NewHoryzon)
• Login Protection[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• Lil' Wings (by terrariumearth)
• Fix Experience Bug (now with FABRIC and FORGE versions) (by MacTso)
• playerAnimator (by KosmX)
• Camps. Castles. Carriages. (by Eugene2000)
• Zoomify (by XanderIsDev)
• Repurposed Structures (Fabric/Quilt) (by telepathicgrunt)
• Beautify: Refabricated (by Suel_ki)
• Nyte's Rotten Flesh to Leather (by nyteTHC)
• Naturalist (by Starfish_Studios)
• Cloth Config API (Fabric/Forge/NeoForge) (by shedaniel)
• Icarus (by Cammie)
• YUNG's Better Dungeons (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Thermoo (by TheDeathlyCow)
• Item Highlighter [Fabric] (by Grend_G)
• Farmer's Respite (Fabric) (by JustoPlayzz_)
• When Dungeons Arise - Seven Seas (by Aureljz)
• Sodium Extra (by FlashyReese)
• Fabric Waystones (by LordDeatHunter)
• Enderman Overhaul (by joosh_7889)
• Dark Paintings (by DarkhaxDev)
• Trinkets (Fabric) (by EmilyPloszaj)
• No Chat Reports (by Aizistral)
• AdventureZ (by Globox_Z)
• Resourceful Config (by ThatGravyBoat)
• YUNG's Better Witch Huts (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Better chunk loading[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• Collective (by Serilum)
• Exline's Furniture Mod (by exlinegames)
• Decorative Blocks (by stohun)
• LambDynamicLights (by LambdAurora)
• YetAnotherConfigLib (by XanderIsDev)
• Nears [Fabric] (by DigitalPear_11)
• Goblin Traders (Fabric) (by Jab125)
• Things [Fabric] (by gliscowo)
• YUNG's Bridges (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Connected Glass (by SuperMartijn642)
• Harvest with ease (by CrystalSpider)
• The Graveyard (FABRIC) (by finallion_13)
• Structory (by botanydev)
• Runes [Fabric] (by daedelus_dev)
• Visual Workbench [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• Simply Swords [Fabric & Forge] (by sweenuss)
• Traveler's Backpack [Fabric] (by Tiviacz1337)
• Prism [Fabric] (by Grend_G)
• Convenient Decor (by mim1q)
• Create Fabric (by tropheusj)
• WMITAF (by ShaksterNano)
• Deeper and Darker (by KyaniteMods)
• GeckoLib (by Gecko)
• Polymer (by Patbox)
• Iceberg [Fabric] (by Grend_G)
• Plushie Mod (by Link4real)
• Amecs (Fabric) (by Siphalor)
• Paladin's Furniture (by UnlikePaladin)
• Cloth API (Fabric) (by shedaniel)
• Eating Animation [Fabric] (by theone_ss)
• Winterly (by PinkGoosik)
• Trails and Tales 1.20 [FABRIC] (by swutm)
• MC Dungeons Armors (by chronos_sacaria)
• More Mob Variants (by nyuppo)
• Good Ending (by orcinus73)
• Moonlight Lib (by MehVahdJukaar)
• Additional Additions Fabric (by dqu1jjj)
• Trade Cycling (by henkelmax)
• Architectury API (Fabric/Forge/NeoForge) (by shedaniel)
• Fastload (by StockiesLad)
• Dark Utilities (by DarkhaxDev)
• Mythic Upgrades (by TriQue)
• End's Delight (by foggyhillside)
• Immersive Armors [Fabric/Forge] (by Conczin)
• Let Me Despawn (by frikinjay)
• JourneyMap (by techbrew)
• Faux Custom Entity Data (by Jaredlll08)
• oωo (owo-lib) (by gliscowo)
• Bygone Nether (Fabric) (by izofar)
• Lootr (Fabric) (by Noobanidus)
• Roughly Enough Items Fabric/Forge/NeoForge (REI) (by shedaniel)
• YUNG's Better Mineshafts (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Goodall (by Frogipher)
• Indium (by comp500)
• Critters and Companions (by joosh_7889)
• Durability Tooltip (by SuperMartijn642)
• Runelic (by DarkhaxDev)
• Mythic Metals (by Noaaan)
• Galosphere (by orcinus73)
• Balm (Fabric Edition) (by BlayTheNinth)
• Lithium (Fabric) (by jellysquid3_)
• The Splash Milk (by DragonsPlus)
• EMI Loot (by fzzyhmstrs)
• Incendium (by Starmute)
• YUNG's Better Nether Fortresses (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Snowy Spirit (by MehVahdJukaar)
• Chunk Sending[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• MVS - Moog's Voyager Structures (by finndog_123)
• Building Wands (by nicguzzo)
• Loot Integrations[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• Convenient Name Tags (by mim1q)
• MaLiLib (by masady)
• Puzzles Lib [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• ThonkUtil (by Jab125)
• YUNG's Better Jungle Temples (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Mob Lassos [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• Simple Voice Chat (by henkelmax)
• SuperMartijn642's Config Lib (by SuperMartijn642)
• FTB Teams (Fabric) (by FTB)
• Elytra Slot (Fabric 1.16.1 - 1.19.2) (by TheIllusiveC4)
• Just Enough Effect Descriptions (JEED) (by MehVahdJukaar)
• Advancement Plaques [Fabric] (by Grend_G)
• Bobby (by Johni0702)
• Croptopia (by thethonk)
• Botany Pots (by DarkhaxDev)
• It Takes a Pillage (Fabric) (by izofar)
• Another Furniture (by Starfish_Studios)
• Friends&Foes - Flowery Mooblooms (Fabric/Quilt) (by Faboslav)
• Mythic Mobs (by Kyber_6)
• Too Fast (by Noobanidus)
• Controlling (by Jaredlll08)
• Sodium (by jellysquid3_)
• Charm of Undying (Fabric 1.16.1 - 1.19.2) (by TheIllusiveC4)
• CoolCatLib (by ixDarkLorD)
• Debugify (by XanderIsDev)
• Iron Chests (Fabric) (by cyberanner)
• Falling Leaves (Fabric) (by RandomMcSomethin)
• MmmMmmMmmMmm (Target Dummy) (by MehVahdJukaar)
• Trading Post [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• YUNG's API (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Pling (by haykam)
• Paradise Lost (by ImmortalDevs)
• Frostiful (by TheDeathlyCow)
• Macaw's Furnitures - Oh The Biomes You'll Go (by Samlegamer_)
• FTB Chunks (Fabric) (by FTB)
• Just Enough Breeding (JEBr) (by Christofmeg)
• Charm (by svenhjol)
• Smooth Boot (Fabric) (by UltimateBoomer)
• Iron Bows (FABRIC) (by popcornman200)
• Starlight (Fabric) (by Spottedstar)
• YUNG's Better Desert Temples (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Cave Enhancements (by exdrill_10)
• Ecologics (by SameDifferent)
• SuperMartijn642's Core Lib (by SuperMartijn642)
• More Axolotl Variants Mod (by AkashiiKun69)
• Macaw's Fences - Oh The Biomes You'll Go (by Samlegamer_)
• Miskatonic Mysteries (by cybercat5555)
• Bountiful (Fabric) (by Ejektaflex)
• Macaw's Windows (by sketch_macaw)
• Paxi (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Fabric Language Kotlin (by modmuss50)
• Cobblepedia [Cobblemon Poképedia] (by StalckVinny)
• Cultural Delights [Fabric] (by MrSterner_)
• Cosmetic Armor [FABRIC] (by Apace)
• Cobblemon Counter (by TimInc)
• Rotten Creatures (by fusionstudiomc)
• FTB Ultimine (Fabric) (by FTB)
• Legendary Tooltips [Fabric] (by Grend_G)
• Beacon Overhaul (by HeckinChloe)
• AppleSkin (by squeek502)
• Smarter Farmers (farmers replant) (by MehVahdJukaar)
• Trash Cans (by SuperMartijn642)
• Mouse Tweaks (by YaLTeR)
• MNS - Moog's Nether Structures (by finndog_123)
• CraftTweaker (by Jaredlll08)
• [Let's Do] Bakery (by satisfy)
• Yet Another Cobblestone Generator (by DuckyHatsu)
• Oh The Biomes You'll Go Refabricated (by AOCAWOL)
• Dungeon Difficulty [Fabric] (by daedelus_dev)
• Fabric API (by modmuss50)
• Connectible Chains [Fabric] (by legoatoom)
• Configured (Fabric) (by MrCrayfish)
• Patchouli (Fabric/Quilt) (by Vazkii)
• Connectivity[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• YUNG's Extras (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• Fusion (Connected Textures) (by SuperMartijn642)
• Cobblemon Unchained (by TimInc)
• Carry On (by Tschipp)
• MidnightLib (by TeamMidnightDust)
• Diagonal Fences [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• InmisAddon (by Globox_Z)
• Fabric Furnaces (by Draylar1)
• Oxidized (by safrodev)
• [Fabric] Extended Armor Bars Forked (by Slugstur)
• More Axolotl Variants API (by AkashiiKun69)
• Botarium (by CodexAdrian)
• More Villagers [Fabric] (by SameDifferent)
• TerraBlender (Fabric) (by TheAdubbz)
• Handcrafted (by terrariumearth)
• JamLib (by jamalam360)
• Powah! (Rearchitected) (by thetechnici4n)
• Expanded Delight [Fabric] (by ianm1647)
• Trample No More (by DarkhaxDev)
• Just Enough Items (JEI) (by mezz)
• Vitalize (by terrariumearth)
• FindMe (by Buuz135)
• Towers of the Wild: Additions (by Aureljz)
• Better Combat [Fabric & Forge] (by daedelus_dev)
• Just Enough Farmer's Recipes (by Anxxitty__)
• Friends&Foes (Fabric/Quilt) (Copper Golem, Glare, Moobloom, Iceologer, Barnacle, Wildfire, Rascal, Tuff Golem) (by Faboslav)
• Roughly Enough Trades (by GrigLog)
• Bookshelf (by DarkhaxDev)
• Easy Magic [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• YUNG's Better Strongholds (Fabric) (by YUNGNICKYOUNG)
• AzureLib (by AzureDoomC)
• Explorify – Dungeons & Structures (by bebebea_loste)
• Extra Alchemy (by zabi94)
• Macaw's Holidays (by sketch_macaw)
• Diagonal Windows [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)
• Bad Wither No Cookie - Reloaded (by Kreezxil)
• Cluttered (by beelake)
• Cupboard (by someaddon)
• Straw Golem Rebaled (by CommodoreThrawn)
• Chat Heads (by dzwdz)
• Adorn (by Juicebus)
• Auudio [Fabric] (by Keksuccino)
• BetterNether (by Quiqueck)
• SmartBrainLib (Forge/Fabric/Quilt) (by Scimiguy)
• Just Enough Resources (JER) (by way2muchnoise)
• Yung Structures Addon for Loot Integrations (by someaddon)
• Macaw's Furniture (by sketch_macaw)
• Simply Light (by Flanks255)
• When Dungeons Arise - Fabric! (by Aureljz)
• Jade Addons (Fabric) (by Snownee)
• Duckling (by Frogipher)
• You've Goat to be Kidding Me! (by plantspookable)
• Polymorph (Fabric 1.16.1 - 1.19.2) (by TheIllusiveC4)
• MC Dungeons Weapons (by chronos_sacaria)
• Cobblemon Spawn Notifications (by TimInc)
• Server Performance - Smooth Chunk Save[Forge/Fabric] (by someaddon)
• Easy Anvils [Forge & Fabric] (by Fuzs)

Hi everyone!
I've been cooking for myself for about 4 years and really enjoy cooking myself a good meal. I have no problems following a recipe, I know basic to moderate techniques fairly well but I want to improve and be a small step above your average home cook.
I'm really looking for the following:

• How can I be more efficient in the kitchen? What items should I always have on hand?
• I want to know enough about food/flavors to instinctively throw some yummy stuff together without a recipe

Do I read cook books? Try a bunch of recipes? Watch tons of YouTube? If so, what do I read and who do I watch?
Any and all tips and suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thank you!!

My dog is about 70 lbs and since we rescued him from Aruba when he was 10 weeks old I’ve cooked his meals. He is almost 4 now. His meals included ground turkey, brown rice, apple, zucchini, pumpkin purée, carrots and some NaturVet Calcium-Phosphorus. He got 1.5 cups twice a day and treats in between. That was perfectly fine for him. He scratches himself a lot so he gets Cytopoint shots every few months and he started getting ear issues where he would scratch his ears like crazy and vet would put some medicine in his ears a few times. So the vet told me to stop giving him chicken & turkey. He said no dead birds. Just lamb and salmon. So I switched to kibble with some actual salmon sprinkled on top and Nutramax Welactin Omega-3 Fish Oil. He gets so thirsty when I give him kipple which makes me feel bad. I started with IAMS Lamb & Rice Recipe but he seems to prefer the Aldi brand salmon kibble. Is that ok? Any suggestions on what’s best? I feel bad not cooking his meals anymore:(

Hi. This is a short story of my life.
Born in 90s in central Europe. Grandparents were running a small but successful restaurant during summer holidays. My mother and father (both were 20yo when I was born) were living together with my grandparents. We had a massive seafront house with a restaurant connected to it on one side. Nice happy life with plenty time for various activities and leisure. By the age of 3 I start to read and write, taught how to do so by my grandma who spent quite a lot of time with me. She also managed to teach me how to ride a bicycle without stabilisers ! I finally I had a great way to explore the world around me. We had two dogs which always accompanied me when i was playing outside. My town was surrounded by nature. Pine forests, sea, some nice lakes. During summer holidays place was packed with tourists, mostly families and organised school trips. People used to come to the restaurant to have a great time. I can definitely say I was surrounded by happy and relaxed people. Weird stuff but somehow I remember it all even though I was only three.
Just before my 4th bday my brother is born. He was born with some liver problems and since beginning doctors were sceptical about his health condition. Because of his fragility we form a very deep bond. I remember that I wanted to help to feed him using milk bottles for babies prepared by mom. I lay next to him and bring him my toys to comfort him. I sing songs to hims and show him our dogs though the window making sure he know the difference between one and the other.
Always wanting a brother and feeling you can lose him wasn't pleasant but I knew deep in my heart its going to be okay. And it was. He recovered quickly and today he's got health like a horse. My parents however split up. I never knew why. But suddenly I can't remember my father's face. When we walk to the grocery store I keep calling random males dad. I develop some sort of trauma, feeling abandoned and unloved by my father my mother became my numer one. She was untouchable for me and if I would have to jump into flames to stop her cry I would. I even told her I will marry her when i grow up😉 that's how much I loved her. I never wanted for her to be sad and alone.
We stay together at grandparents house for a while until my mom meets a new boyfriend. They had sex and another bro was on the way so following local cultural standards they had to get married.
My step father works for military. He doesn't like me. He moved in to our house to live with mother and us. suddenly he had more rights than me. And started to get involved with most things around the house and restaurant. He also took my mom away from me and their primary focus was on their new baby. I was left to myself every day. I could do whatever I wanted. I spent hours walking in forests or on the beach alone or with dogs. There was no other children my age in our town. I knew some guys but they were a little older and we didn't really like each other because their mom.was working as a cleaner in our restaurant. They always picked on me and laughed at many things which I considered sacred.
Year or two since my stepfather moved in and my parents now decide to move out from grandparents to an apartment located in the centre of a military Base with two large radars and a watch tower. It seemed really cool for me. Seeing all these soldiers and military stuff for a young boy who loved to play with green plastic toy soldiers was a dream come true.
There was however 5 of us already, but the flat we moved to had only two rooms and was approximately 36m2. It was something new but I loved it at first. The base was surrounded by a razorwire, no one could get in or out without going to the gatekeeper.
I'm 6 now. Time to go to school. Nearest school is 8 km away. My parent do have a car but decide to show me where the bus stop is so I can ride my bike to our old house where my grandparents live, leave the bike there and walk to the bus stop. Then get on the bus and tvlravel 8km to my school. Bear in mind the military Base we lived at was roughly 2km away from my grandparents house. It was also hidden in the forest which was incredibly dark during winter. There was also a military grade path leading to the Base rather than normal road.
Again it was just normal for me. I used to wake up at 6 as a 6 year old. Make myself sandwiches to unburden my mother which was now constantly exhausted and depressed. At least that's what I was told to do. Afterwqrds i was getting on my bike and preparing to shout or sing during my ride because every time I was going through that forest there was some animals there. On a few occasions I was chased by wild dogs and foxes but my parents told my to not be afraid and they'll never hurt me. Ofc I was afraid. I was just acting tough to not let down my mother. I wanted to protect her for all cost. After coming back from school I usually had to hooked the house, take the rubbish out and peel potatoes for dinner. Again small little jobs which I continued to do in this exact routine for next few years. Back then I didn't realise none of my friends from will be able to visit me. My parent also didn't want to take me anywhere in the car saying petrol was expensive.
My two brothers were now a little older and it was time for the youngest one [ lets call him B] to start school. Suddenly my parents decided to sign him up to a different school than me and my first brother [let's call him A ]. They also decided to take him to school using car because he was too small to go on his own. - I think that's the first time my brain froze as I felt treated unfair. I remember my throat narrowing in bitterness. [B] was a really cool kid, a little shy but I really enjoyed playing with him. Now because of his shyness he was allowed to have friends to come over. My parents would also take him to the local city or towns so he could see his friends, using the same car and expensive petrol I was always worried about. I however had to wait for the school bus to pick me up and take to and back from school. Sometimes I would finish lessons at 12:00, but the next bus was leaving at 3pm so I had to wait for 3 hours for the bus. Watching my friends being picked up by their parents. I never wanted to put any additional strain on our budget to feel like a burden. I knew I only had to wait and ill get home eventually. Years go by in almost exact same scheme. We grow, the house is getting too small, our brains develop we notice inequalities but they are always ridiculed by our parents. I was always in good relations with my bro [B] in fact he is my best friend till today. never blamed him for what he receives knowing that his father is here and he will be getting different privileges than me and it's not his fault. He is the one to recieve first mobile phone out of 3 of us, he is the one who gets his first separate bedroom when we move out to a bigger city.
We moved when I was 13. I had to leave all the friends i had gatherd. They ment a lot to me because I never had enough time to spend with them. Nor were they allowed to come to play with me after school. I had top grades and was certainly the best student in the class. I only had to listen during the lesson and was always getting the best marks with no effort or studying at home. My favourite subjects were history, geography, physics and biology.
After we moved however mother signed Me to a sport profiled school which I never liker nor enjoyed. I was now put in a class with compete strangers who didn't accept me because I never liked sport. I never even had any interest for football or basketball. I was really excelling in other subjects tho. Here's where my marks start to drop down, I start to run from school during lessons to find something more interesting to do rather than talk about football with my meathead colleagues. We moved again to a tiny 38m2 apartment and I had to share a 8m2 room with my two brothers. Parent could afford a bigger place but this one was free, allocated from the military to my stepdad.
I was introduced to heavy metal and found my place on earth again. Meet few people started smoking joints going out for gigs and drinking till I collapse. I didn't hide my lack of fondness for my step dad. He never told me he loves me, never talked to me about girls, never took ne to school or prepwred me a meal. He was working however and he used to be a sole provider for the family when my mother could cope with her emotions. By the time I'm 16 yo I realise my biological father must be somewhere and I never actually seen him ? I can't remember his face? I managed to find him and established a contact. I have informed my mother that I'm going to meet my father in a cafe someday. And I did. I came back with a new hoodie. Yes after 16 years of not seeing this guy he wanted to gift me something, he wanted to buy me anything I wanted but I always felt like I shouldn't ask for much. He insisted and bought me a really nice and trendy hip hop themed hoodie. When I came back home and my mothers first word were: "Oh now you got a father yes? " If he's such a good dad he will provide for you because we won't anymore. " I didn't know what just happened? I thought I should immediately return the gift to my father but it was too late. They kicked me out of the house, changing the locks and telling my brothers to never give me anything from the house.
My heart was shattered to pieces. I no longer wanted to live. My only thoughts now were what have I done to my mother to make her so angry. I shouldn't see my father. I shouldn't take anything from him. I walked 35km during night back to my first home. I moved back to my grandmother, she is now actively drinking alcohol. The economy collapsed there's not much people coming during summer time and restaurant was shut down.
I attempted suicide by breaking a Gillette single use razor in pieces and cutting deep along my left hand, I was listening to Linkin parks somewhere I belong which made it even more emotional and a little bit easier. After shit gets real I panic. Nearly faint I use superglue to put my skin together I didn't cut trough my veins maybe because I didn't see then through my tears, maybe because I was too scared to actually die. My hand looks like a mess but I put some bandage and wear long sleeve for next year until a solid scar forms telling people around I had a bad infection.
Mother realised where I am because [b] was breaking the rules and he smuggled some of my belongings to me her hatred for me her own mother started to grow rapidly. She didn't want her to look after me. One random evening when I came back from school I see a a few coins and a 100€ note along with a letter. "You have to leave. I no longer have money to support you."
I left the money on the table. Packed my already tiny inventory and left. I slept at friends couches, in the forest, I broke in to some empty holiday homes to stay there for a few nights.wintwr came so I moved into the city and was breaking into people's basements to stay overnight. Be aware it was illegal my country to work if you're below 18. It was also illegal to be kicked out your house if you're below 18.
I found a job at a local car wash, I had a bit of facial hair now and the guy didn't ask for my age. He also paid cash. After a few days he gave me the keys to the premises so I could sleep on a towel there and have access to water to wash my clothes, drink and wash myself ofc.
I have stared a rock band with some friends and somehow we manage to play a few gigs here and there which also helped me to get by. Unfortunately. The owner of the car wash sells the business. And I'm gone. My last piece of "stability " was gone. I decided to ask my friends for some money with no intention of returning it and bought a flight ticket to England where some guy I met sometime ago promised me a job and better opportunities. Just before I leave I ask If I can join my family for the last time during Christmas.
We ate together, all family was there and my mother was pretending like nothing ever happened. No one even knew I wasn't living with them. My other bro [A] was now under my stepfathers sole. And kept actively provoking strange situations during out last supper together. I broke character and told everyone I'm homeless and I'm leaving to live in the uk. Some people are really bothered until my mum said its all good and she knows what's going on and where I'm going. The next day they have seen me packing my backpack with 2 pairs of socks 2 pairs of pants and my id and a toothbrush. No money, no food, no water. My stepfather volunteers to take me to the airport. He drops me of just in front of departures and drives off as soon as I close the doors to his car.
I ended up in Edinburgh. Without language or any valuable skills, but with hope for a normal life. Unfortunately I didn't know the exact situation here. There was no job prepwred for me and i was used as a puppet to get someone a bigger council house and a few quid in benefits because someone could register as my legal guardian.
I had to live with them for a while, I clean the dishes, I cook and keep on smiling to them for while to survive.
They invite more and more people to live with them in the house. Situation was getting out of hand. In the meantime I have met some people in Scotland. A person which i will call [Z] offered me a shelter and help with finding a job. I didn't know he is addicted to heavy drugs by then. But I have met her. By complete accident I have met a woman online who wasn't interested in my financial situation. We spent some time together talking about our past and realised how much in common we had. She gave me some money because I had nothing by that time and lost around 20kg of body mass. I looked like a pale skeleton. I loved about my situation saying I had some issues with my bank.
We fell in love.
She [let's call her [7] had a life I remember I used to have. Love, normality, she had beautiful clean nails and smile of an Angel. She used to call me and tell me about what she was doing. Preparing for example preparing meals, ironing her shirt etc and it felt so alien to me. Almost too normal. Even when she said I have to decide what's for dinner I felt like shes super privileged, forgetting I used to pick whatever I want from our restaurant. It felt so distant like I never had a normal life.
She applied for uni in England, and she got in. Her mother paid for her accommodation never knowing I'm going to join. I bet her mother wouldn't be pleased back then. 😂. I found a job and learnt English to a fluent level in 1 year. Working doing various things. After 3 years of being together, I applied for medical university and finished it. I paid for her next studies, we have also purchased a small house. I was starting to get really successfull at my job, I even gave a few interviews to respected magazines and radio stations.
My whole childhood I was complaining about headaches. I ofted seen zigzags and lights flashing. My mother told me she already took me to the doctors when I was young and this was happening because I was growing too quick. Ok - I never questioned that. Until recently where I found out I was never taken to the doctors ( someone checked med history ) I was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma A form of cancer that can be easily treated when young.
My relations with family were rebuilt by me during recent years . I tried to re establish connection because I was craving for my mothers love. I needed her approval. Whenever I was projecting my dreams I always seen her coming to my house and telling me how proud she was of me. And of things I have achieved.
I confronted my mother asking if she really took me to the doctors, she lied. When I told her about my cancer diagnosis she stopped talking to me. She's ignored me for the past months just waiting patiently for me to die. She didn't tell anyone in our family about this. Everyone is convinced we never had any serious family issues, and all my success is thanks to her. I'm the only one who has a proper job, out of me and by bros. The house that belonged to my grandparents was run down and sold by my mother for half of its value. My grandmother is still alive and she lives in a tiny apartment where my mother doesn't have to help her with anything. [A] didnt talk to me since years even after I helped him in the most dire situations giving him money and a place to stay when he couldn't find job in our country. He never gave any money back to me and twisted the whole situation to make it look a little shinier when he fell. [B] remains my best friend, but is emotionally numb, never had a girlfi3nd and is incapable of love and emotions. [7] lives with me till now, sleeping as I write all this shit for God knows what reason ??
If you still reading, thanks for your time. I hope there's some lessons to learn from my mistakes.
I might be a weak man because I have emotions and a heart I valued others opinion more than I valued my life I was looking for my toxic mothers approval thinking our family was almost normal.
But I fought for what I believed in My biological father died just a few years go He was nearly 50
I have seen him 6 times in my whole life because I didn't won't to upset mum.
I have not been eating a Christmas dinner since the last time I was home with you mum.
I hope you find your peace.
Sorry for grammar etc I didn't even bother checking it. I wrote it all on my phone just now. Might delete later .
God bless.

So. I would like to lose about 20 pounds, but I have always been naturally thin and have never had to think about it before. I don't have any idea what to do.
But there are a lot of complicating factors. I feel very "precious" writing this, but I have to acknowledge where I'm starting from, and I'm a major pain in the butt. 😅😭

• I eat out a lot, and eating out with friends is very important to me socially. It's not something I'm willing to do much less.
• I do cook at home semi-regularly, but I cook what I know how to cook and what I like.
  • I have a very busy and mentally demanding schedule.
  • There is no time or bandwidth for researching recipes or planning ahead.
  • I've tried meal prep for the week before, and it just doesn't work for me. Usually I'm hitting the supermarket at 9 p.m. and if I'm lucky, I can prepare something which will last me the next couple days.
• I refuse to count calories.
  • I have tried it several times before on MyFitnessPal, and I can't stick with it for more than a few days. It becomes obsessive, because often there isn't an exact match, and I feel like I have to use a scale to weigh everything out exactly. It takes up a ton of time and energy, which I don't have.
  • It's basically impossible to count in restaurants.
  • I already feel guilty every time I eat, and counting calories will make me see food as more evil than I already do. I don't think that's good for my mental health.
  • Eating cannot be another job. I already have about 4–6 jobs, depending on how you count them, and they are wayy more interesting than obsessing about every single thing I'm eating.
• I'm an all-or-nothing thinker.
  • Either I can have a chocolate anytime I want, or I can never have one again. And I don't have the willpower to never have one again.
  • Potatoes, cheese, pasta, and hamburger are either bad, or they're not. I don't have the mental reserves to do the mathematical equations to figure out when they're ok. I have code to write, and music to learn, and graphics to design, and clothes to wash, etc., etc. It's all I can do to get myself fed as it is.
• I don't particularly like "light" food.
  • I don't care for spaghetti squash, pumpkin seeds, chia, tofu, and many of the thousand other "diet" foods I always hear about.
  • Salads, plain steamed veggies, and lean meat cooked with no oil don't fill me up. I need carbs to feel satisfied.
  • "Light" desserts like fruit and whatever else are depressing.
• Apparently, it's hard to know if what you're doing is even working, because you won't see immediate results.
  • Since every body is different, it seems like there isn't any way to know with any accuracy what will work. I don't believe the one-size-fits-all daily calorie estimates you see.
  • Since you can't know, effort put in might be difficult and worthless. so why bother?
• I'm terrified of accidentally making my metabolism slow down, and then ending up having to permanently eat like a prisoner forever.
  • I was doing fine for my whole life. I've just gotten slightly off-track. I'd just like to right the ship and then go back to eating freely.

So there you go. I feel stuck, because my body feels disgusting. I'm thinking about trying Noom, because then it will just tell me what to do, and I won't have to think about it (right?).
TL;DR everything is too hard. And this isn't the only hard issue I'm dealing with in my life right now.

it can be super confusing knowing what to bring as a freshman living in the dorms, so i thought it would be helpful to create a master list of what to bring/not to bring.
please add to the list in the comments — i tried to be thorough but i’m sure i forgot something!!
must have:

• mattress topper
• sheets (twin xl, or full if you’re in cypress)
• pillows (2, maybe a decorative one)
• ottoman
• shower caddy (plastic)
• dehumidifieair purifier
• shower shoes
• comforteduvet
• mirror (full length from walmart are $10)
• brita/water filtepurifier
• backpack, water bottle, notebook, other school essentials
• laptop (even if you use an ipad)
• mini fridge/microwave
• air freshener (bath and body works are the best!)
• dishes (reusable kids dishes from target or disposable ones): spoons, knives, forks, plates, bowls, cups
• laundry basket (rolling or a backpack type are most convenient)
• laundry detergent (warning: tide pods can create issues in the school washers)
• fabric softener
• umbrella
• magnetic key holder (seriously, a personal favorite bc i never lost my keys)
• wallet phone case and/or a lanyard to keep keys on
• umbrella
• firstaid kit (badaids, dayquil + nyquil, melatonin, tylenol, etc.)
• office supplies (scissors, stapler, pens, pencils, etc.)
• towels
• clothes hangers
• disinfecting wipes
• enough socks and underwear
• hanging organizer for shoes
• noise cancelling headphones

nice to have:

• body pillow
• rug
• posters/pictures
• command hooks
• plastic dresser (target/walmart)
• whiteboard
• kettle
• ice cube tray
• desk hutch/organizer
• TV
• rolling cart (ikea has great ones), the skinnier the better
• lamp, fairly lights, LEDs, etc.
• sweatshirts (dorms are very cold)
• extra blankets
• mesh laundry bags
• slippers/slip on shoes
• good walking sneakers
• gator gear
• bedside table (clips on side of bed, great if you need to have a super lofted bed, might take some maneuvering to make it work!)
• sponge + dishsoap
• broom + vacuum
• power strip/extension cord
• candle (not technically allowed…but that’s what the ottoman is for lol)
• airfryer (again, ottoman)
• chip clips
• wall tack/mounting tap
• whiteboard
• over the door organizers (again, not technically allowed, but no one i know has gotten in trouble for them)
• sleep mask + earplugs

what you should know:

• your basic information — home AND dorm addresses, birth date, social security number, prescriptions, medical conditions, usual primary care providedoctor, parent/guardians names and dates of birth
• your UF ID
• how to make a doctor’s appointment
• what food you like (what will you want to make at 2am — drunk or sober? what essentials do you need? cereal, milk, peanut butter, bread, etc. how will you get it?)
• your phone number
• your parent’s phone number
• how to do your laundry
• how to cook at least one very simple meal (sandwich, ramen, pasta, etc.)
• your one.uf login
• how to resolve conflict with your roommate!
• basic social etiquette (don’t slam doors or let them slam past a certain time, try to make your vomit in the toilet, etc.)

don’t bother: * a separate trash can (you will forget to empty it and it will stink up the room! plus there might not even be room for it anyways) * ALL OF YOUR CLOTHES (the number one thing that makes move out hard. you can bring stuff back and trade it out over winter break) * too many shoes (one pair of sneakers, a pair of frat/party shoes, a business casual pair, maybe a pair of boots if you like them, shower shoes should be enough) * things you can buy when you get there (especially if you’re flying, buy shampoo + conditioner when you get here. amazon is your best friend!) * too many pillows * WALLPAPER (it will tear up the walls) * pushpins (maybe i used these, but they leave holes in the walls and a strict RA could charge you for damages. plus, some rooms only have cinder block walls) * pots and pans (unless you plan to cook and already do, you won’t use them) * ironing board * printer * a safe (every room has a drawer that you can add a lock to to make it into a safe if you need to) * a bike if you don’t already use one * anything you plan to start using if you don’t use it already * a rain jacket (if you rush a sorority, you will get a windbreaker, but otherwise no one else uses any kind of rain jacket. an umbrella is key!) * handled steamer
best places for dorm shopping are target and walmart, while the dollar store and five below are great for making things cute and homey!

Back to my 'Deadly, Deadly Humans' universe. Decided to focus more on expanding the setting this time, let me know how you feel about it.
*
​
Humans weren't exactly welcomed by the galactic community with open arms at first. Or wings, tentacles, or whatever other appendage one might have. There were several reasons for this.
​
The first, of course, is that they're terrifying.
​
Well, terrifying is perhaps an exaggeration. Certainly, there are predators which look more intimidating; big teeth, sharp claws, that sort of thing. It was more the idea that a predator could be sentient at all that unsettled people. That, and the fact that when the rest of the galaxy learned about them they were in the middle of their conflict with the Kalu-Kamzku. Now, no one shed too many tears for the Kalu-Kamzku, but the first documented evidence of humans that made it to the wider galaxy were human "soldiers" fighting Kalu-Kamzku Armed Recon Teams. And, well... seeing bits of Kamzku everywhere tended to leave a negative first impression.
​
Add to that the fact that they live in a relatively remote area of space, and are technologically underdeveloped compared to most of the galaxy. It was an effort for anyone to visit them and they didn't have the ships to explore the galaxy themselves.
​
In short, humans were very isolated at first, and given their propensity for violence the rest of the galaxy was happy to leave them that way.
​
Except for the Yuenkei.
​
The Yuenkei are something of an anomaly themselves. Or at least, the ecology of their homeworld is. The planet Yuen itself is fairly typical of many planets that give rise to sentient life: rocky, much smaller than a gas giant, having an atmosphere and an ionosphere and sitting at the right distance from its star for liquid water to exist. An Amia or a TokTok or indeed a human would feel perfectly at home in its temperate environment.
​
But there are no predators there.
​
None at all.
​
The exact reasons for this have long been debated, but the broad scientific consensus is that for the first hundred million years after multicellular life evolved, Yuen's ecology was more or less like any other similar planet. There were sessile photosynthesisers, motile herbivores that fed on them, and carnivores that fed on the herbivores.
​
However, then there was a mass extinction. And that's where Yuen's path diverged.
​
There's only so much you can tell from fossils, but it's thought that a single species of plant evolved a highly effective poison, to the point that it became inedible to all herbivores. Because Yuen only had one continent in that period it was able to spread across virtually the entire landmass of the planet, out-competing every other form of plant life and rendering all the food chains that relied on them extinct. The plant became so pervasive that toxins from its decomposing foliage were carried into the rivers and poisoned the oceans as well, killing everything above the level of plankton. All this took place over a very short space of time, geologically speaking - much less than a million years, and possibly only a few millennia. Before anything could evolve a defence against the poison, it had wiped out virtually every other multi-cellular lifeform.
​
It's theorised that the pre-existing ecology managed to hang on across a few isolated volcanic islands, where the native herbivores had no natural predators. Every so often one of these herbivores would make it to the mainland, and for millions of years it would immediately die as soon as it tried to eat the local plant life. But eventually, a chance mutation occurred, and some extremely fortunate herbivore washed up and found itself in an environment where it had absolutely no competition.
​
From there, Yuen's ecological development proceeded more or less as normal: the plant that caused the mass extinction began to evolve into different species as it adapted to environmental changes and the reintroduction of herbivores, and the new class of herbivore that was able to metabolise its poisons did likewise. A hundred million years later, Yuen's wildlife was as diverse as any other planet's... except for the fact that predators never re-evolved. All animal life on the planet could trace its ancestry back to that one lucky castaway, which apparently was so specialised for a herbivorous lifestyle that none of its descendants ever found it practical to go the carnivore route. Roughly three hundred million years later one of those descendant branches evolved into the Yuenkei, and they evolved in an environment with no predators.
​
Now, at first glance this might seem an odd species to reach out to the newly discovered humans. In fact you'd think the Yuenkei would be the last species that would want to have anything to do with the galaxy's first sentient carnivores. Humans, as meat-eaters, are more alien to the Yuen than almost any other planet in the galaxy that bears intelligent life (almost, but not quite, although we won't go into the Upau-Roekvau and the Ishoa right now).
​
However, there is one thing the Yuenkei lack that is universal in every other sentient species: fear.
​
Before they left their home planet the Yuenkei had no concept of a predator, and therefore they had no instinctive fear of other lifeforms. Well, it's not entirely true to say that they lack the emotion of fear completely. They have an instinctive apprehension towards approaching storms, and they aren't strong swimmers so they shy away from large bodies of water. But in general they're a lot more relaxed than most species, because unlike most species they never had to be constantly watchful for something with big teeth and bad intent lurking in the bushes.
​
Incidentally, even after they left their home planet the Yuenkei didn't have much to fear from predators. The toxic arms race between the dominant plant life on Yuen and the herbivores had continued, just without the sudden overwhelming success the former had previously experienced. The Yuenkei's typical foods are all highly poisonous to most other species in the galaxy, and the poison accumulates in their bodies; this may be one reason that predators never evolved again on Yuen, as trying to become a carnivore would expose them to several hundred times the dose they'd been used to. As I understand it the Yuenkei are so saturated with toxins they actually smell poisonous, and most carnivores have decent olfactory senses. It must give you a certain confidence to know that anything that tried to take a bite out of you would drop dead.
​
Incidentally, the Yuenkei have a complex relationship with their food. Even with their toxin resistance the process of making some of their dishes safe for them to eat is long and complicated, and their culture has made it something between an artform and a sport. A significant amount of the average Yuenkei's leisure time is spent discussing recipes with their friends.
​
The discovery of humans provoked concern among the Yuenkei, of course; just because they don't feel fear, doesn't mean they can't understand danger on an intellectual level. Humans were clearly capable of extreme violence. However, they didn't experience the same immediate, subconscious aversion most species felt when they first learned of humans. Given the Kalu-Kamzku's... well, undiplomatic nature... it was possible they had provoked the conflict.
​
Being unusually level-headed, the Yuenkei decided to give humans a chance. At the very least, there should be no harm in taking a closer look at them.
​
By the time they reached this decision, the conflict between the humans and the Kalu-Kamzku was coming to an end. It had finally occurred to the Kalu-Kamzku to ask themselves why this unknown species was killing them. They came to the conclusion that humans were A) sentient, and B) probably viewed their attempt to sterilize a human colony so they could mine the planet as an act of aggression.
​
Better late than never, I suppose.
​
When the Kalu-Kamzku finally tried to communicate, they were somewhat surprised to find that the humans were actually receptive to negotiation. I am fairly sure the first Kamzku ship given the task of making contact thought they were being sent on a suicide mission. Of course, being the Kamzku they were still too obtuse to work out why their enemy wanted to talk; they were just glad the humans had finally stopped slaughtering them. But the Yuenkei figured it out almost immediately, and it prompted them to advance their plans from observation to first contact.
​
It's important to remember that throughout the human-Kamzku conflict, the flow of information was entirely one-way. That is, the rest of the galaxy got regular updates on events through their embassies with the Kalu-Kamzku, while the humans had absolutely no information about what was going on outside their little corner of the galaxy. The Yuenkei correctly deduced that humanity had had no idea that there were other intelligent species in the galaxy before their encounter with the Kalu-Kamzku, and still were unaware that there were any others besides the Kalu-Kamzku.
​
From the way negotiations progressed between the humans and the Kamzku, it seemed like the humans were intensely, profoundly curious about the aliens.
​
It has to be said, the Yuenkei are not a particularly curious species themselves. Certainly not like us Amia; they have no equivalent of the Science Consortium, spread out across the galaxy looking for new discoveries. It's more in their nature to set a goal and head towards it rather than investigate every new thing they come across. Our view of them tends to be of rather dull, plodding creatures (although in return they find us hyperactive and somewhat intrusive, which is fair enough). However, new sentient species aren't exactly a common occurrence, and one of the Yuenkei's ongoing goals is to maintain mutually beneficial relations with other spacefaring civilisations. This was something that deserved their attention.
​
They understood humanity's curiosity, just like they understood every other species' fear. And they saw a Yuenkei-shaped hole in the equation.
​
They approached the Kalu-Kamzku, and asked for an introduction. The Kalu-Kamzku were at first reluctant to add what they referred to as a 'random disruptive element' into their delicate negotiations with the humans, but the Yuenkei pointed out to them (or spelled out very slowly with simple words) that humans might react more positively to a species that hadn't killed quite so many of them. Plus, the Kamzku weren't exactly known for their skills at diplomacy; the negotiations might go a lot more smoothly with input from the Yuenkei.
​
The Kamzku may be obtuse, but at least they're logical. They could see the sense in what the Yuenkei were suggesting so they agreed to ask the human ambassadors if they would consent to the introduction of a third party. And naturally the humans jumped at the chance.
​
I have to imagine that they must have been at least nervous. Those first Yuenkei who were selected to make first contact with humans. They couldn't feel fear in the way we understand the emotion, but they must at least have felt a heightened state of alertness, surely. Humans had only been introduced to one alien species before them, and it had resulted it a lot of violence. They couldn't have been sure how the humans would react to them.
​
I can't even imagine what the humans thought of the Yuenkei. Imagine a lumpy cylinder, and give it six legs that stick up at a forty-five degree angle from the body, then curve down. In fact, only the bit that sticks up is actually the leg: from the joint to the blunted tip is a keratinous growth not dissimilar to a giant claw. The Yuenkei are essentially walking on stilts - useful for wading through swampy ground or stepping through dense, possibly toxic foliage.
​
The cylindrical body doesn't hold itself level; the back end faces down slightly, because this is where their mouth is. Well, I say mouth... it was a slight surprise to the Yuenkei when they found out that most species have a separate orifice for ingesting food and expelling waste. The front end is even stranger: the Yuenkei's eight eyestalks are almost a metre long, about the same length as their body. Four have large, round eyes at the tip, but the other four only have vestigial eyes that have been superseded by the eyelids, which have evolved into grasping pads, giving them four tentacles they can use to manipulate objects.
​
For the humans, the Kalu-Kamzku must have looked practically familiar by comparison. At least they bore a passing resemblance to organisms that are found on Earth, although then again the fact that they look more or less like a giant praying mantis might not have done them any favours; as I understand it, humans aren't particularly fond of the insects even when they're only a few centimetres long, let alone five metres.
​
For xenopsychologists like us, one of the great joys of studying anything that involves the Yuenkei is that they document everything meticulously, and they don't mind sharing. We have full, high-definition video of their first meeting with the human ambassadors. The room was a large one, obviously, to accommodate the ten Kalu-Kamzku, who entered first, followed by their three much smaller guests, who stayed close to the doors. The Yuenkei had suggested that they keep their distance at first. Firstly, because their appearance might unsettle the humans, and secondly because most species find their smell off-putting, at best.
​
The humans enter the room and proceed to the seats provided. There are ten of them: four diplomats escorted by six of their hunter caste... 'soldiers', as they call them. Unarmed, but an unarmed human trained specifically to kill is more dangerous than just about any weapon you could carry. The Kalu-Kamzku approach the table and formally introduce the Yuenkei lingering at the back of the room, waiting for a sign that it was okay to approach.
​
The humans seemed to be confident at first, but almost as soon as the diplomats sit they start shifting uncomfortably. Finally one of them asks:
​
Did someone bring coffee?
​
Even at a distance, the humans could smell the Yuenkei. However, contrary to what the Yuenkei expected, it wasn't the first time they'd encountered that smell, and they didn't find it repulsive. Quite the opposite, in fact.
​
The human diplomats seemed deeply confused about why there was suddenly an all-pervasive smell of coffee in the room. To the point where one of them got up and started trying to find the source of the scent. The Kalu-Kamzku skittered back as he got closer to them, but the Yuenkei, of course, remained exactly where they were. The human asked if he could approach them and, being completely unafraid, the Yuenkei delegates consented.
​
Interesting piece of trivia: humans aren't carnivores. We usually call them that, because to an Amia the fact that they eat meat is the most notable thing about them. But technically speaking, humans are omnivores. They can eat a wide variety of plants and plant-products, and to them the Yuenkei smelled exactly like a plant whose seeds they roast, grind, and mix into beverages.
​
They call it coffee. It is, to us and most of the rest of the galaxy, extremely poisonous.
​
In the days before Amia made contact with other sentient species, it was theorised by our scientists that any aliens we encountered would be fructivores, like us. Slightly solipsist, you might think, but there's logic behind it: after all, plants have an evolutionary incentive to provide the animals that eat their fruit with a good meal. There should always be more calories in specialising in fruit than in eating other parts of a plant, which the plant will be trying to stop you from eating. And the more specialised consumer always has an advantage over the jack-of-all trades.
​
They were completely wrong about the first part, of course; fruit-eaters are common among intelligent species but they're far from universal. But they had a point about specialisation: if you want to do something well, you've got to devote yourself to it entirely, and that includes what you eat. The downside of specialisation is that you're more vulnerable to interruptions in your food supply, but that's exactly why intelligent species are more likely to be specialists: because once you get smart enough, you can control your natural environment and eliminate that downside.
​
Most intelligent species specialise in a limited range of food sources, and therefore have a limited tolerance for chemicals not found their natural diet. But being omnivores, humans have a natural resistance to a wide variety of natural toxins. A lot of chemicals that for an Amia would be a cause for an immediate and urgent trip to hospital are to humans just a more piquant flavouring to liven up their food with. It seems a little unfair, given how ridiculously durable humans are in just about every other area, that they're also highly resistant to poison.
​
In fact, the only species with a similar broad-spectrum resistance are the Yuenkei, because their toxin-laden plant-life has, through parallel evolution, produced many of the same chemical defences found in Earth's biosphere. In fact, it's thought that the original toxin that caused the mass extinction on Yuen was caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee. A highly potent neurotoxin to most species, but to humans and Yuenkei merely a mild stimulant. The plants on Yuen are almost all highly poisonous, unlike on most planets - including Earth - where only a minority are, and there are so many different types that between them they've evolved almost all the chemicals found in coffee, including compounds like 2-furfurylthiol which contribute to the aroma.
​
The similarities don't stop there. Both Earth and Yuen have a lot of poisonous alkaloids in common.
​
When the human diplomat got within touching distance of the Yuenkei delegates, he stopped. His colleagues, had the same fear response to the unknown that you or I would have; humans have that in common with us at least. So they stayed back and asked him if the aliens were the source of the aroma.
​
He confirmed that they were, but now that he was closer he could smell something else. Something familiar...
​
Chocolate. To humans, the Yuenkei smell of coffee and chocolate.
​
The humans were baffled. The Yuenkei, on the other hand, were interested. It didn't occur to them to worry that their predatory counterparts found their odour appealing. They had never encountered another species that appreciated their cuisine, or indeed could survive it. And the Yuenkei really do like their food.
​
The Yuenkei had decided to make contact with humans merely because they saw that humans wanted to know more about the wider galaxy, and they felt there was no reason not to assist them. Friendly relations with other species generally benefitted both. However, they had discovered much more than they bargained for.
​
They had finally found a species they could swap recipes with.
​
The human diplomats had expected to be talking about ending their conflict with the Kamzku, but when the Yuenkei started interrogating them about what flavourings humans used in their food they soon got deep into a conversation about whether the Yuenkei smelled more like an espresso or a mocha, and progressed from there. It should be mentioned that the Kalu-Kamzku hadn't the slightest idea what was going on. But since the Yuenkei seemed to be engaging in a dialogue with the humans, for once they did the sensible thing and didn't interrupt.
​
So what's the lesson here? Well, first of all if you're worried about a human trying to eat you and want to know how to make yourself unappealing, you can cross coating yourself in poison off your list. They'll probably just thank you for marinating yourself for them.
​
Alright, there is a serious lesson too. It's an easy trap for xenopsychologists to fall into to assume that common ground between species is found by talking about 'important' things like systems of government, technological development, major cultural traits. By that logic, a species of predators and a species from a planet with no predators should have had absolutely nothing in common. And yet, through their shared interest in mixing poisons into their food, the Yuenkei had more to talk about with humans than any other species they'd encountered. More meetings followed, trade opened up, and soon both species had an insatiable desire for the other's culinary products.
​
Sometimes, the little things can make a big difference. The fact that the Yuenkei, the ultimate pacifists, had managed to establish friendly relations with humans went a long way to assuaging other species' misgivings about them.
​
And after the brutal conflict with the Kalu-Kamzku, it really improved humans' view of aliens when they found out that there was a whole planet out there that smelled of coffee and chocolate.
​
​
​