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“Γεια” reader👋! and other new subscribers this week. welcome to the november version of “tic”. If you’re new, you can catch up on our previous editions right here.

_{(“Γεια“: hi in Greek)}

in this month’s issue of “tic”, we’re going to talk about the philosophy of minimalism, a renowned author and much more… so make sure to share this with your friends, so just like you, they too can enjoy and catch up with more interesting stuff like this!

minimalism.

in this fast-paced, consumerist society, the philosophy of minimalism has come to the fore as a refreshing antidote to the chaos defining modernity. tied to a number of cultural and philosophical traditions, minimalism advocates the simplification of life by prioritizing what really counts, be it material possessions, commitments, or even thoughts.

• the philosophy of minimalism

minimalism is not just cleaning up. it's a way of looking at life to determine what is important and worthy of value in one's life. it's born from various influences, one of which is eastern philosophy, like Zen Buddhism, which focuses on simplicity and mindfulness. minimalists often subscribe to the credo that less is more because giving up on the extra enables them to make room for more meaningful experiences and relationships.

• the rise of minimalism

today, however, minimalism is acquiring a whole new connotation, inspired, in part, by social media and popular culture. “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things”, among other documentaries, and the rise of minimalist influencers have influenced many to reassess how they perceive possessions and consumerism. for those for whom the demands of modern living are relentlessly stressful, the minimalist way of life can sometimes pretend to offer some sort of solution.

• benefits of minimalism

some of the advantages accruable from a minimalist lifestyle are:

1. reduced stress: fewer belongings translate to less mess which equates to a less chaotic dwelling and clear mind.

2. more focus: minimalism nudges people to invest their time and energy in those things that genuinely help, thereby increasing productivity and unleashing creativity.

3. more free time and reduced environmental impact: normally, financial freedom comes about because of the elimination of superfluous expenses that permit a minimalist to invest in experiences, rather than things. this minimalism will guarantee an ecologically friendly life, in that it creates consciousness of consumption and limits the amount of waste produced.

• practical steps to embrace minimalism

here are some practical tips that can help you be minimalistic:

1. declutter: begin with one space in your house and clean it. Take a look at everything and ask yourself if that thing is contributing any value to your life. If not, donate or recycle it.

1. mindful buying: decide whether the purchase is vital, and your values will be reflected by making the purchase. this may prevent impulse buying.

2. limit commitments: a very important part will be learning when to say no-when activities and obligations do not serve your goals or well-being. begin to invest in relationships and experiences that bring joy.

3. create a simple living space: design your living space to reflect simplicity and tranquility. choose functional and aesthetically pleasing items that inspire you.

conclusion: minimalism provides a very compelling framework through which a person can be better directed towards the experience of everyday life. in embracing simplicity, an individual can craft an extraordinary life of clarity, purpose, and completeness. as people increasingly seek to renormalize their time and energy, the minimalist movement grows further, reminding us that less is often indeed more. whether through cleaning out your closet or reevaluating your priorities, minimalism can lead to a more meaningful and rich life.

Roald Dahl: an author of whimsy and wonder ✨

the name Roald Dahl automatically evokes imagination and creativity in the minds of all people, whether young or old, through his fanciful stories and unforgettable characters and he’s one of my favourite authors. born on September 13, 1916, in Llandaff, Wales, Dahl's road to becoming one of the most popular children's authors started with a life full of adventure and experience.

he had a precarious early life, but at the same time, the triumphs were there. he attended a succession of boarding schools and then fought as a fighter pilot in World War II. often, these experiences shaped his view of the world, instilling elements of bravery and resilience into his writing. after World War II, Dahl took on work as a spy for the British government, becoming a multitalented adventurer.

it was not until the 1940s that he began to write children's stories based on his childhood experiences and the time spent with some really interesting people. soon, his style, darkly comical with twists and realistic protagonists, would set him apart. the most famous works of Dahl can be identified as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG. these stories often feature young heroes facing adversity and how courage, kindness, or even creative thinking triumphs over adversity.

from the absurd Willy Wonka to the genius that is Matilda Wormwood, Dahl's characters have turned into cultural icons, adored by readers and immortalized in successful films on-screen and productions on stage. another of his big contributions to children's literature is through his ability to create an enchanted world with magical elements and filled with one of the most memorable, often quirky characters.

in addition to his literary contributions, Dahl was a fervent supporter of children's rights and literacy. his stories spark the imagination and permit young readers to further their own creativity. because his death occurred in 1990, his legacy is in continuing to affect children's lives by promoting literacy and a host of other philanthropic causes through the Roald Dahl Foundation.

the works of Roald Dahl remind one of the pleasure of telling a story and make one believe in impossible things. his tantalizing tales entertain one, all the while urging children to love themselves for who they are and to appreciate the magic of life that surrounds them. and that, as we are reminded by the legacy of Roald Dahl, through storytelling we can inspire generations to dream big and get lost in a world of magic within their imagination.

🔡 wordle fun

here’s an exclusive wordle challenge from us;

dans les coulisses: chocolate. from bean to bar🍫

chocolate, dear to the hearts of so many people, is actually a lot more rich and complex before it finally meets our taste buds. there is a great deal more to every bar other than the fact that they are delicious; there has to be bean sourcing, skilled artisans, and a deeper appreciation of flavour. now we are going to take a peek behind the chocolate curtain and find out where this artwork and devotion come from in the creation of this treat.

sourcing the cacao beans

the story begins in tropical regions, primarily in West Africa, South America and some parts of Asia where cacao trees grow. Farmers cultivate these trees with care. the cacao pods, which contains it’s beans, take about 5 to 6 months to mature. once ripe, they’re harvested by hands which is a labor intensive process that requires skills and precision. when the pods are collected, they are opened, and the beans are removed along with the surrounding pulp. this mixture is then fermented for several days, an important step that develops the cacao bean’s flavour profile. during fermentation, the pulp breaks down, and the beans begin to develop the rich chocolate flavours we all adore.

drying and roasting

once fermented, the beans are spread under the sun to dry. this helps preserve them for shipping. after drying, the beans get shipped to chocolate manufacturers across the world. once these reach them, they are roasted, which is a process that really brings out the flavour. every manufacturer will have some sort of roasting profile by playing with temperature and time in a way that creates a certain taste note.

grinding and conching

after roasting, the beans are cracked open to remove the outer shell, leaving behind the cacao nibs. the nibs are then ground into a thick paste known as chocolate liquor, which contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter. in this step, the chocolate liquor can be separated into these components for various chocolate products.

the next step is conching: continuous mixing and aeration for some hours or even days. this will smooth the texture, increase the flavour, and decrease the acidity. so, the result after conching is a velvety paste of chocolate that can be further processed.

tempering and molding

tempering is an important step in the production of chocolates, whereby chocolate is heated and cooled carefully to stabilize the cocoa butter crystals, so when finished, the chocolate has a glossy finish and a crisp snap to it. after tempering, it can be molded into bars, shapes, or whatever creation we can think of.

flavoring

artisan chocolatiers sometimes add unique ingredients at the right time and infuse their creations with exciting flavours, be it those from sea salt and spices to fruits and nuts. the balance of the flavours contained requires deep knowledge of chocolate itself and complementary ingredients coming together in perfect harmony.

quality control and packaging

before reaching the market, every batch of chocolate goes through quality control in terms of homogeneity and flavour. tasting experts taste the chocolate according to its aroma, texture, and quality parameters. after being certified by them, it gets packaged in mostly exquisite designs that encapsulate the identity and values the brand is associated with.

The transformation from bean to bar in itself becomes the confluence of skill and passion of all those involved in chocolate production, from farmers tendering cacao trees with the greatest care to chocolatiers perfecting their recipes—each a critical step that culminates in the creation of this sumptuous chocolate we so love to savour. So the next time you take a piece of chocolate, take a minute to reflect on the behind-the-scenes world of artistry and dedication it took to bring that piece forward.

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here’s a nerdy fun fact that might surprise you 🤓

did you know that octopuses have three hearts? the two of them pump blood to the gills, where it gets oxygenated and the third one pumps this oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. but when it swims, the heart delivering blood to the body just stops beating, and that's why they love to crawl and not really swim because it is less tiring for them!

thank you for reading! wish you all a wonderful month.

until next month,

“tic.” team