A conservative's worst nightmare

Let them sit in it.

Let their paranoia chew them apart and leave them with mange.

Let them manifest it.

Take a break. Have a snack. Do something else for a while.

Whether it's been an exhausting week, a frigid winter's day, or just a stressful time, few things are more comforting than a hearty bowl of stew. I make this beef stew for myself whenever I need a true pick-me-up or when I'm preparing for an in-depth magical working. It provides lasting energy, warmth, and strength.

Plus, this recipe is scalable - make a ton and freeze it to enjoy for weeks or just make a little bit for one meal. The measurements below are approximate; measure with your heart.

Ingredients:

Chuck roast, cut to half-inch cubes (you can get pre-chunked stew meat, which is what I typically get)

Flour, enough to coat the beef

Salt and Pepper (about 1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper), for seasoning the beef coating

2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter

1 Onion, diced

2 Large Potatoes, peeled and cut into half-inch to one-inch cubes

2 Carrots, peeled and cut into rounds

5-6 Cloves of Garlic, finely diced

4 cups Beef Broth

Herbs of your choice, such as: Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, Celery Seed, Bay, Chili Flakes

Additional veggies of your choice, such as: Parsnips, Turnips, Bok Choy

Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

Mix together your flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss the beef chunks in the mixture to coat. This will create a nice brown crispiness on the outside.

In your stew pot, sauté your flour-coated beef until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.

Add more oil to your pot and cook your onion until translucent. If you don't mind soft carrots in your stew, add them now and cook until just starting to soften and brown. (Note: I often leave the carrots until after the potatoes are nearly cooked through because I don't like the texture of fully-cooked carrots.)

Once your onions are translucent and your carrots have started to soften/brown, toss in your butter and scrape the bottom of the pot. You want to get all those beautiful, delicious brown bits back into the mixture. You can add a little water if you need help loosening the bits.

Add your garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Put your beef back into the pot (along with any drippings from the plate/bowl you placed it in). Pour your broth over everything and give it all a good stir.

Toss your potatoes into the pot. Bring it all to a boil and reduce your heat to let it simmer.

Add your herbs and spices. I recommend salt, pepper, sage, thyme, celery seed (or salt), and bay. If you like it spicy, you can throw in a bit of chili powder or flakes.

Simmer for at least one hour or until your potatoes are soft and your beef becomes tender, stirring occasionally.

If your stew isn't thick enough by the time your potatoes are done, you can make a cornstarch slurry by combining one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water. Pour the slurry into the stew and let it cook until thickened to your desired consistency.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with crusty bread, veggie side dishes, or whatever else you like.

Optional magic you can include:

As mentioned above, I often use this recipe to bolster or replenish my energy before or after an intense magical working. It also works for physical exertions - I made this for a group of my partner's friends while they were moving heavy furniture to a new apartment, and it gave them all the energy to move everything in one night!

This stew has an intense comforting effect. If someone I know has been working hard, stressing out, or hasn't been feeding themselves properly, I'll make this for them to help them remember to take care of themselves. It's rejuvenating, hearty, and full of love.

Depending on the herbs you choose to include, this could also be a powerful protection spell. Especially in the cold months, I use this as a protective ward against the cold exhaustion that pulls at the body and mind.

Pop a bit of chili in this spell to both speed up its effects and cast out negativity! Nothing clears the sinuses like a nose full of spice, and nothing clears the body of bad vibes like a good dose of chili flake.

Like many of my spell recipes, this one is most effective when it's shared. Give a bowl to your friends, your family, your neighbors, whoever. It makes a wonderful offering to house spirits or ancestors.

If you make this recipe, please let me know your thoughts! And if you enjoy this or my other posts, please consider dropping a couple dollars in my Ko-Fi tip jar!

Herbal teas offer a range of benefits depending on the specific herbs used.

Here are some common benefits associated with herbal teas:

Hydration: Herbal teas, like any other type of tea, provide hydration to the body. Staying properly hydrated is essential for overall health and well-being.

Antioxidant properties: Many herbal teas contain antioxidants that help protect the body against free radicals, which can contribute to aging and various diseases. Antioxidants support cellular health and strengthen the immune system.

Digestive support: Certain herbal teas, such as peppermint, ginger, and fennel, can aid digestion, relieve bloating, and soothe an upset stomach. They may help alleviate symptoms of indigestion and promote a healthy digestive system.

Calming and stress relief: Several herbal teas, including chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm, have calming properties that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and promote relaxation. They can be a soothing beverage to enjoy before bed or during stressful moments.

Sleep aid: Some herbal teas, like chamomile and valerian root, are known for their sleep-enhancing properties. They can help relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.

Immune support: Certain herbs, such as echinacea, elderberry, and rosehip, found in herbal teas, can support the immune system and help prevent or alleviate symptoms of the common cold or flu.

Herbal remedies: Traditional herbal teas have been used for centuries as natural remedies for various ailments. For example, ginger tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and may help alleviate nausea and menstrual cramps.

It's important to note that while herbal teas can provide benefits, they should not replace medical advice or treatment.

When you get the place to yourself..

And they always fucking fail because they're looking for meaning in other people's lives, other people's cultures, other people's heritages. They try to build connections with things that they don't understand, that hold no personal meaning to them, and it shows in how shallow their own interactions with those traditions end up being. They cover themselves in hamsas and worship Lilith and Amaterasu-Omikami in the same altar and give themselves "spirit names" and they just keep looking and they just keep taking because none of it feels right and none of it fulfills them the way they desperately want.