painfully    beautiful

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The process of giving birth is painfully beautiful.

The oxymoron "painfully beautiful" gives a more dramatic effect and calls the
attention of the reader. The use of two conflicting concepts to describe something
challenges us to think more, rather than just accepting the expected phrase

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 05, 2024, 03:29:49 PMCatacombs

.            labyrinth

Silent screams

Catacombs

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 05, 2024, 07:33:31 AMTunnels

          passageway

Quote from: LoriDee on May 05, 2024, 12:57:52 PMThis is so true. It is even in some pre-packaged foods. Someone posted on social media that a keyword to watch for is "savory". If the maker describes something as "savory" check for MSG (monosodium glutamate). I didn't believe it until I started looking. Sure enough, those "Savory Mashed Potatoes" had MSG. I stopped buying that brand.

It became a bit of a food boogie-man in the 80's. It's honestly perfectly safe. The FDA considers it a safe food additive along with every other food additive... and every conceivable test and report done has shown that it is not harmful, especially in the kind of doses we get in food.

THAT being said... just like anything else, some people will be sensitive to it. Heck, some people are sensitive to cilantro! So for those people, it's certainly to be avoided.

But otherwise, in reasonable quantities, most people tolerate it just fine.

Quote from: imallie on May 05, 2024, 09:43:10 AMTwo, many MANY people associate Chinese food with the additive MSG - which is a flavor enhancer and is used in Chinese restaurants for sure, but it's also used in most other restaurants as well. 

This is so true. It is even in some pre-packaged foods. Someone posted on social media that a keyword to watch for is "savory". If the maker describes something as "savory" check for MSG (monosodium glutamate). I didn't believe it until I started looking. Sure enough, those "Savory Mashed Potatoes" had MSG. I stopped buying that brand.

Quote from: Gina P on May 05, 2024, 07:46:31 AMPersonally I have greatly expanded foods that I am willing to try. I still avoid Chinese. Seams many use additives that give me a bad Migraine the next day. For me its just not worth the pain. Since you get daily headaches, what's the worst that could happen?
  I guess I aged myself with the comment about phone calls. Haha Times have changed and we must adapt.
Hugs Gina

Two things to unpack about your Chinese food headaches. One - sorry about that! Two, many MANY people associate Chinese food with the additive MSG - which is a flavor enhancer and is used in Chinese restaurants for sure, but it's also used in most other restaurants as well.  It's in soups and sauces and dressings etc.
The story that it's only or mostly prevalent in Chinese food is a myth. So if you are one of the people who are sensitive to it, that might explain some other headaches you've gotten in the past from other food eaten out. It's really everywhere in varying amounts. 

A professional's advice is good on what sounds natural. 
It seems common for people to have excessively high expectations.