Drinking on the Cheap: Wines

April 1, 2013 Meaghan Morrison Leave a comment

So, you need to buy some wine. You’ve been invited to a dinner party and asked to bring a bottle of wine, or you want to buy a decent bottle for a friend. Problem is that you don’t know anything about wine (we can help with that) and while you don’t want to spend $80 on a nice bottle, you don’t want to look cheap either. Well, good news! You can get good wine without blowing a day’s pay. The number one rule about wine (contrary to what the fancy-pants “connoisseurs” would have you believe) is that it doesn’t always matter what the wine costs.

Where does one find these awesome cheap wines? Anywhere from your local grocery store to BevMo!, Trader Joe’s, Costco, or Target.

BevMo! is great if you don’t know what you want, because they have a little blurb about the wine on the shelf tags, with descriptive words like buttery, fruity, or earthy and a rating from Wilfred Wong, their own personal taster (who seems to have good taste in my experience). These descriptions usually try to embrace the experience of the wine, not necessarily exactly how they taste, so I would suggest going for whatever sounds good to you. BevMo! also has a pretty knowledgeable staff, so talk to them if you need help—they answer questions from novice drinkers all day, so no question is too weird for them. Their 5-Cent Sale is fantastic and available at most branches at least twice a year (plus there’s always a rotating selection of valid 5-Cent wines on their website), so you can buy one bottle that looks good and get the second for 5 cents. I like this sale because it’s a little easier to justify buying a $20 bottle when you get two for $20.05.

Trader Joe’s gets the overstock from wineries making room for new bottles, so their wines are awesomely priced. They have the famous stereotype-crushing “Two-Buck Chuck” Charles Shaw wine that’s now, contrary to the nickname, $2.50. Charles Shaw does make great award-winning wines, beating out higher-priced competitors, and it is a great, reliable wine for a dinner party. I probably wouldn’t give it as a gift though, since it is well-known for being an inexpensive wine.

Now that you know where to go, what the heck kind of wine should you get? It’s always good to match the wine with the food being served if you’re buying for a dinner party or event. Rule of thumb: white dinner wines with fish and lighter foods; red wines with red meat and hearty foods; and, leave the syrupy dessert wines for after dinner. A great website to bookmark is WineToMatch.com, where you can enter a description of your meal, and it will recommend wines to pair. Chardonnay (a crisp and sometimes buttery white), Pinot Noir (a lighter, fruity red), and Cabernet Sauvignon (a dense red) are good go-to wines for gifts, because they’re so popular and easy to find. A few good labels to look for are Yellow Tail (ignore their silly commercials), Sterling Chardonnay, and Ravenswood Vintner Blend series. [For more information on the different types of wines check out: "Wines: Understanding that Shit."]

It really boils down to what you like. Taste everything, and don’t be afraid to buy a bottle just because you think the label is awesome or it’s got a fun name (especially if it fits with your fellow guests’ or gift recipients’ sense of humor). If it looks good, go for it! Keep a wine journal, or a list of wines you’ve tasted, and write down what you thought of them. Find a wine you like and use that as your go-to. Your own favorite wine will make a great gift to give: it might be something they hadn’t tried yet and it makes the gift a little more personal. You may not love every wine you try, but at least if you stick to the less expensive ones, it’s not a big loss and you can always use it for cooking!

Photo by Meaghan Morrison

Style

Five Outfits Every 20-Something Needs in Her Closet

March 29, 2013 Charlotte Lewis 4 Comments

Ladies, your twenties are all about finding out who you are and making tons of decisions. Among those, trying to come up with outfits every day, sometimes multiple times a day, risking that moment of dread that happens as you peruse your belongings: All your dresses are too casual or too fancy. It’s too cold for bare legs, but still too warm for tights. Your jeans are a decade old, and nothing matches!

If this sounds anything like your inner thought process, listen up, because these five staples are a great starting point for every 20-something’s closet.

1. An interview outfit.

I don’t know about you, but I spent a lot of time in my early 20s interviewing for jobs. There’s nothing more exciting than getting that call—but then it hits, that punch to your gut when you realize you have nothing to wear. Eliminate that panic by having a go-to interview outfit. This way, you can focus all your attention on mentally prepping for your interview (and updating your portfolio), instead of wasting effort on scrambling to put together an outfit.

But, not every job is going to require the same kind of outfit, so make sure you know what your industry dress code is. I once got the advice that you should be dressing for the job you want, not the job you’ll get. For example, I go to work every day wearing jeans, but my designated interview outfit is a dress, boots, and a blazer.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to show off your personality with your accessories (purse, shoes, jewelry), but do keep your interview outfit on the conservative side. Too-short hemlines and cleavage-baring necklines aren’t professional: there’s a place for them, but not at an interview!

For a more in-depth look, check out “Hirin’ Attire: Job Interview Wardrobe Tips.”

2. An LBD and FMPs.

My two favorite acronyms: Little Black Dress and Fuck Me Pumps. Don’t roll your eyes. Just accept it for what it is. Every woman should have them.

No matter your style, a little black dress is an important wardrobe item. It can be used for practically any event – dates, nights out on the town with the girls, dinner parties, weddings, etc. The dress can reflect your personality: there’s no “right” LBD, just the right one for you.

FMPs are equally important. These are the shoes that make your legs look amazing, and you feel like a super model in them. These are the shoes that your date sees and immediately thinks about defiling you… with the shoes on. Even if you think heels aren’t necessarily for you, give them another try. Heels come in all kinds of heights and styles, and I’m sure you can find a great pair that gives you that extra boost.

Pro Tip: Invest in a pair of Dr. Scholl’s cushioned insoles for your FMPs. They will change your thoughts about heels and discomfort forever.

3. Jeans that show off your assets.

I’m sure you already have jeans in your closet, but everyone should have a great pair that can make any outfit.

Keep the following in mind:

First, they should be dark wash. Light wash jeans were all the rage in the 80s; medium wash in the 90s; but, dark wash jeans are here to stay. They’re the most flattering: they’re slimming and stream-lining, and they can be paired with any top in all the lands. Dress them up with a silky top for night, or wear a tank top, and flip flops for a warm day.
Second, they should be tailored. Make sure you get jeans that fit. No matter what your body type is, there is a pair of jeans out there for you, waiting for you to find them. When you try them on, make sure you use a 360° mirror to check out what you look like from every angle. If they’re long, pay a few extra dollars and get them hemmed. It really does make a difference.
Last, they should be nice. Use your own discretion as to what that means, but I have converted even my most frugal friends to the ways of designer jeans, because they fit better and last longer. Designer jeans are made from better material, so they won’t wear out in a few months like non-brand ones.

Pro Tip: If you’re not willing to shell out big bucks (or you simply can’t afford it), places like Loehmann’s or Nordstrom Rack frequently have great brands on sale. Or, go try on an expensive pair in the store to find the size/style for you, then buy them cheaper online at Bluefly, Overstock, or eBay. Used clothing stores like Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet are also good places to try if you don’t mind doing a little hunting.

4. A matching set of sexy bra and underwear.

As a 20-something, it’s highly likely you are either dating or in a relationship. And there may come a point where you’ll take your clothes off in front of someone else. When the time comes, don’t be wearing old, threadbare, or mismatched underwear. It’s important to have a sexy set that makes you feel confident—something that you’d want to show someone else.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be crazy risqué. No need for a red, lacy, see-through set: just have something that makes you feel sexy and self-assured. I actually feel more attractive when I wear matching underwear, so I’ve invested in several matching sets for a daily basis. But, I still have a different “fancier” set for special occasions.

5. A cozy pair of sweats.

In stark contrast to fancy undergarments, it’s equally important to have a cozy pair of sweats to wear around the house. Your twenties can be hectic, and sometimes, my favorite activity is just staying in all day and catching up on TV. The best thing for those days is a pair of comfy sweats.

I have a friend who was in such dire need of them (and so ready to get out of her jeans), she stopped in the middle of a road trip to get a pair from Target. She now changes into them as soon as she gets home from work each day. Your sweats should be the most comfortable thing you can imagine putting on after a long day at the office. Or the perfect thing to wear while reading on the couch, drinking tea, and snuggling with your dogs (you just got an insider look at my Saturdays).

Because, really, your 20s are all about finding what makes you comfortable and learning how to balance that with how you present yourself to the outside world. And, while learning how to be your best self, it’s important to look the part.

Photo by Charlotte Lewis

Food

Learning to Live Gluten Free

March 27, 2013 Jennifer Dorsey Leave a comment

Chances are, if you walk around any grocery store, you will see signs of the gluten-free movement. Some stores have entire sections; others have bright, noticeable labels to help you find products free of wheat, barely, rye and other gluten ingredients. What you may not know is that these products are not just a side effect of the latest fad diet; it’s how millions of people around the country with gluten intolerance and celiac disease manage their condition.

I won’t go into terrible detail here on symptoms and diagnosis, or what it’s like to react to gluten. Gluten intolerance symptoms are very specific, not only to the person but also to the amount of gluten ingested, and many people’s symptoms also change over time. But for the curious, you can check out this pretty comprehensive list.

What I am more interested in explaining here is the “how.” How do you live without gluten and not hole up in your apartment, destined to never eat anything other than fruits and vegetables grown in your own backyard…? Fine, that’s a little overboard, but it really can be tough at first. However, it is doable and, with a little work, can easily become just another part of your daily life.

Do Your Research

You must do research in order to understand how to live with this disease. But don’t just go and scour the big bad west of the Internet without a bit of planning and a cautious eye.

There are many exaggerations, lies, and outright scams out there when it comes to anything medical (or, I guess, any topic created). This problem especially applies to gluten intolerance because it has become such a fad to not eat gluten. So instead, here are some tried and true resources to get you started on the right track.

There’s much more out there, and some of it is quite good. Just make sure it’s coming from a reputable source before believing it.

Learn to Love Food Shopping

Raise your hand if you like food shopping. If you’re like me, your hand is firmly plastered to your side because the idea of going into the grocery store at least once a week for tons of specific things is, well, akin to a dental appointment. I’m with you. I feel your pain. And I promise, it gets easier.

Food shopping is important because (1) you need to buy a lot of fresh foods to stay both healthy and gluten-free, and (2) that’s the only way you are going to eat anything that isn’t bland meat, fruits, and veggies.

Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Giant Foods, and Wegmans all have great selections of gluten free products—from pasta to breads to baking goods—it’s all there. Just make sure you also learn to read labels. Many sauces, oils, and even spices have gluten. If in doubt, ask an employee, or consult a trusted list, before you buy.

Cook? Yes, You’ll Have To Do That, Too

For some of you, stepping into the kitchen may bring pure joy. But if you’re the kind of person who prides yourself on your PB&J skills with a side interest in boiling water, then this may take a bit of extra effort. But it’s totally worth it.

There are many great recipe sites and books out there, sharing both original concoctions and plays on traditional meals with the right substitutions. You may not be very good at them at first. That’s fine. It will get easier, just like cooking does in general. Eventually, you will love how easy it is to make your favorite recipes without any gluten at all.

Pro Tip: If you share a kitchen with those who are blessed with a tolerance for gluten-y goodness, it’s good practice to have a separate set of cooking utensils, pots and pans, and baking sheets. Gluten contamination happens all too easily on these surfaces. Also be sure to extensively clean your kitchen counters and other prep areas before and after every use, and also thoroughly clean any shared plates, utensils, or cups. While those who are not as seriously affected by gluten may not find these small contaminations bothersome, those with full-blown celiac disease often get sick from even the smallest interactions. It’s a good habit to learn.

You Have to Be Pickier About Where You Eat Out

The good news is that you don’t have to give up restaurants, happy hours, and late night munching. The bad news is that your favorite spots may or may not still be viable for you. Many more restaurants and other eateries now cater to those of us who can’t eat 98% of their food anyway. Pizza places, burger joints, and sit-down establishments are now dedicating parts of their menus to us. But even then, there are few things to keep in mind.

Here’s how to find the best places that will handle your requests with ease:

Call ahead and ask for a manager. They will be able to tell you any accommodations they offer and how broad their options are. While some restaurants have dedicated separate menus, others just modify a couple of their recipes by substituting something for something else. These may be good options, but still be wary. Their kitchen staff may not be as attentive and you’ll need to be extra vigilant in making sure they do it right.

Try to be familiar with the menu beforehand. This will save you review time and allow you to more specifically handle working with the staff so that you don’t slow down the whole process. Also, it cuts down on surprises.

Tell your waiter or waitress as soon as you are seated that you have a gluten allergy. She’ll ensure you have the proper menu and will tell you if there’s anything you should be aware of. This will also give you more time to work out the details while the rest of your party has time to make their selections. Often, this will even prompt a manager to come over, who will likely be more familiar with the processes of the kitchen and handling food sensitivities. Some restaurants even make this a policy.

Be wary. I hate to say it, but no matter what, eating out is a risk for those with gluten sensitivity. Your food is being prepared in the same place as food with gluten, by a busy and sometimes overworked kitchen staff. While there is still a good chance you will have a perfectly fine experience, be ready for the possibility of contamination and side effects. If your symptoms are severe, be extra careful and consider ordering something entirely from scratch that you know will be gluten free. If the chef says that he can’t guarantee that there won’t be contamination, consider whether this will be okay for you. The risk sometimes may be too high.

If you’re not sure where to start looking for gluten-free friendly establishments, check out the Gluten Free Registry. (It’s comprehensive and covers most of the country.) While it is sometimes a bit outdated, and includes old restaurants or forgets new ones, it’s a great starting point and often will help you think of other places that haven’t even crossed your mind.

Learning to live gluten-free may seem overwhelming, frustrating, and downright unfair, but it will get easier. If you stick to your new habits, are extra vigilant, and are above all patient with yourself and those around you, then the habits and routines will fall into place naturally. Gluten-free living doesn’t need to be hard, it just needs to be done right.

Photo by Jennifer Dorsey

Geekery

How to Make a GIF

March 25, 2013 Richard Thayer 1 Comment

In 1987, a new type of image format, known as 87A, was released by CompuServe. This type of format allowed for a broad range of colors and the ability to loop. It would eventually become what we know today as an animated GIF, or Graphic Interchange Format. Today the GIF is still used in a variety of online settings, such as moving graphics for a site or part of a meme or a piece of art in itself. But what do you have to do to make a GIF?

To make a GIF, you’re going to need a few things:

1. A collection of images you wish to animate or a video

2. A copy of Adobe Photoshop

Once you have these, it’s time to get to work!

The first thing to do is prepare your source material. Depending on the kind of GIF, your images will come from different places.

Slideshow/Looping GIFs

Some GIFs are just loops of still images without a lot of real animation. This is probably the most basic type of GIF to make. The first thing you want to do is gather all of your images in one folder, preferably in the order you want them to appear in your GIF. It is important that they are all sized as big as you want your GIF to be, otherwise you will have to do this manually in Photoshop.

Next, open Photoshop and create a new file (set the image size to whatever the size of your GIF will be).

Place your images into new Layers by using File > Place. You will see your images appear as individual layers on the right. Make sure they are in the correct order if they aren’t already. The bottom layer will be first in the animation, but you can adjust it however you wish.

If you are using CS6, click on a tab at the bottom called Timeline. If you are on an older version of Photoshop, you must go to Window > Animation to see this.

Select Make Frame Animation in order to get to the right mode. It should create a frame of your topmost image.

Next, pull the Animation drop-down menu and select Make Frames from Layers. This will make a new frame from each layer. This includes the background layer, so delete this if you don’t want in your animation.

“But my animation looks all choppy!” You might be saying.

Refining Your GIF

At this point, you have several options. You can save it at this point, but you may need to refine the timing. The main tools you will use at this point are the delay and tweening. For this example, you should only need to set the delay. It is normally defaulted to a 0 second delay, and set to repeat only once. Change this to repeat forever if you want it to loop. Beneath each frame, you will see a triangle. By clicking this, you can set how long each frame should last. If you select all of your frames, you can adjust them all at once as well.

Tweening is used in GIFs to smooth the transition between two or more frames. It creates a more fluid transition between your images if they are not already optimized for animation.

To tween an image, select two frames that are side by side and click the Tween button by holding Shift. The menu that pops up will ask how many frames to create between your frames.

Using too many can make your images appear ghostly, but not enough might not do anything at all.

No Tweening

Some Tweening

Too Little Tweening

Too Much Tweening

You will notice subtle differences between the above images, and depending on what effect you are trying to achieve, there are different solutions possible. Remember, if you tween your frames, you will probably have to adjust your delays as well.

Video Clip GIFs

But the real reason you’re here is to learn how to make all those funny meme GIFs from various films and TV shows!

Another method of making a GIF is to convert a video file to frames. This is probably one of the most common types of GIFs, and is very popular in meme culture. It is also very easy to make once you have access to the video you want.

The only difference in the process is how you obtain the images. Instead of placing images, you must import a video clip into Photoshop. (It is important not to use a very long video, or it will take a long time to load: under 10 seconds is usually a safe bet).

[File > Import > Video Frames to Layers... GIF]

A pop-up menu will allow you to trim the specific portion of your clip you want to use. This will automatically convert your clip to frames, and then you can edit the delay and tweening if you wish.

Saving Your GIF

Lastly, you will have to save your file to the proper format. Instead of using the normal Save feature, use Save for Web or Save for Web and Devices.

[File > Save for Web... GIF]

This menu gives you options to select the proper format, plus different sizing and optimization functions. This tool is designed to allow you to keep your full Photoshop project saved at the highest quality so you can then save multiple versions of your work in various formats. To make sure your GIF remains animated, select GIF from the formats and click Save below. The file size will be much larger than a normal JPEG.

That is all you have to do to create your GIF! Note that the speed of your GIF may be different than what you viewed in Photoshop, so you may have to play around with different settings to get precisely what you want.

Another interesting feature (new to CS6) is the ability to make transparent GIFs. These function in the same manner and are created the same way, however, they utilize the transparent background that can be used in other Photoshop projects. By using these in your GIF, you can make an animation that can be layered onto a website and you can still see the background through it.

Animated GIFs are seen by some as an emerging art form in itself. With this knowledge, you can easily play around with them and see for yourself, or just give a cat some laser beams!

And that is all there is to it!

Relationships

6 Ways to Make Friends in a New City

March 22, 2013 Shilpa Rao 1 Comment

I’m a very outgoing person but I’ve realized that once you enter “adulthood,” dynamics change entirely. Aside from childhood or college friends, some of whom you may just outgrow, I had no clue how to make friends. How did couples meet each other and go on ski retreats to the Poconos? This happened, right?

Despite my general anxiety of meeting new people, I decided to leave my roots in Kansas (yes, I know) and move to New York. And again in 2012, I decided to quit my job and New York City, and I moved to Bangalore, India. While my future memoir will describe this move as a glamorous and inspirational change, I’ll let you in on a secret (which now makes us good friends!): I was terrified of leaving all my friends and that I would never be able to connect with anyone ever again.

I may have a penchant for the dramatic, but I understand how scary it is meeting people in a new city or country. Therefore, on my one-year anniversary of the “Shilpa Moves Abroad” saga, I offer you six practical tips that have helped me replace my book at dinner with a conversation.

1. Register for Meet-Up groups:

This one may seem very obvious, but you’ll be surprised how many people feel ashamed or too shy to sign up for expat clubs or various meet-up groups. It may feel like Internet dating for platonic friendships, but everyone attending the events also has the intention of meeting new people; essentially, it’s like the first day of kindergarten, except for adults.

2. Take a fun class:

Shy about going to a bar or dinner alone? Joining a group class is not only a fun way to learn a new skill or craft, but also great for continuously engaging in fun activities with others, long term. Classes meet consistently, so you can even build up the courage to start talking to other classmates over time: it’s not a “one shot” moment. The real benefit is that everyone there already shares a similar interest and the commitment to exploring it fully.

3. Join a gym:

To be frank, I only started going to the gym to meet people and to feel less hypocritical about working for a health awareness website. Aside from the health benefits (blah blah blah) of a gym, what health mags won’t tell you is that gyms are teeming with young people! I live relatively isolated from the “cool” parts of town, but I ended up making a great friend at the gym who lived in my building, was from New York, and could bench press 180 — what a triple threat!

4. Go to that random party where you only know one person:

Congrats, you made one friend! Now the key to multiplying them is to take him/her up on any offer to go to a house party, a dinner party, or a random bar where you won’t know anyone else. If you enjoy one person’s company, chances are you’ll meet and enjoy his or her friends as well. Party crashing is the new networking.

5. Sign up for networking groups / listservs / professional Google groups:

Speaking of networking, you should continue to do that! Aside from the obvious benefits of meeting mentors and industry connects, you will also meet equally ambitious people who can become lifelong friends. I am a part of numerous business listservs that host Happy Hours, panel discussions, and gala events.

6. Volunteer:

Whether you join an organization or sign up for a one-day effort, a few hours of your time to give back to the community can give you the warm fuzzies and possibly a friend! When I first moved to New York, I volunteered by counseling rape victims in the ER. Due to the difficult nature of work, we had an intense four-day training session where I met a girl who ended up being a friend well after our volunteer duties ended. Showing passion for a common cause lays a strong and healthy foundation for friendship.

The ultimate theme in these tips is to keep putting yourself out there. Obviously, you’ve taken a big step and left old comforts for a new city and new adventures. You will meet and engage with people whom you’ve never been exposed to before — provided you are willing to take on any experience and encounter with a grain of salt and a possible tequila shot.

Photo by Remi Coin

Brainfood

St. Patrick’s Day: Where you come from?

March 17, 2013 Remi Coin Leave a comment

St. Patrick’s Day—just another excuse for decent folk to get shitfaced and deface the world with obscene amounts of green. But that saint part isn’t in the title for show: Saint Patrick was a real dude who roamed around Ireland in the 5th century spreading Christianity to the pagan Druids. So how did a chaste saint influence a now not-so-chaste day of celebration? Join me for a little historical adventure.

Saint Patrick was like most saints: pious and devout. Born Maewyn Succat in Roman Britain, he was captured by Irish bandits at the age of 16, and sold to a druid in Ireland. For the next six years, he lived as a slave before a mysterious voice told him to escape. It said, “Very soon you will return to your native country. Look, your ship is ready.” Patrick diligently followed this voice, walking a measly 200 miles across the Irish countryside to catch a (pirate) ship back to Britain.

He then headed over to France for formal priesthood training and eventually left as a bishop, with instructions from the Pope to return to Ireland and convert the Irish peoples to Christianity. He spent the rest of his life wandering Ireland, converting everyone he could, and while it’s not clear what year he died—460 or 493 A.D.—historians all agree on the day he died… March 17th.

Fun Fact: He was also the first person ever to publicly condemn slavery.

How did we get from saintly Patrick to intoxicated Shamrock Day?

It wasn’t until 1000 years after his death that Luke Wadding (just some scholar) would champion the church to put an official feast day on the liturgical calendar. Even then, March 17th continued to be a minor holiday in Ireland until the 1970s.

Blame America for really revving up the green themed party (some even argue that St. Patrick’s Day was actually invented by Irish-Americans). Back when there were only 13 colonies, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City as a nod to Irish soldiers serving in the English military and, by 1848, it had grown to be the largest parade in the world. In America, St. Patty’s Day started and continues to be not just about the religious aspect of Saint Patrick, but a celebration of Irish heritage. How does this translate into green beer, green rivers and this? Your guess is as good as mine.

Ireland has since come around, making it a public holiday (1903), making a law that forced bars and pubs to close for the day (1905), repealing said law (1970s), and finally creating their own St. Patrick’s Day Festival (1996) that sprawls for five days.

But why all the green?

The symbolism of the green comes from an anecdote about good ol’ Saint Pat. It is said that he taught the concept of the holy Trinity with a three leafed shamrock. The green of the shamrock then became associated with Irish Catholics. Since Ireland’s population is predominantly Catholic, this spread throughout the world, inexorably linking Ireland with green. It also helps that Ireland is literally green themed (cough: rich green landscape), hence its nickname the “Emerald Isle.”

Fun Fact: St. Patrick’s Day was originally associated with the color blue (St. Patrick’s blue), the connection being Ireland’s coat of arms which are blue and gold.

Extra Credit: The green in Ireland’s flag symbolizes Catholics while the orange is associated with Protestants (William the Orange), and so when the flag was adopted in 1919 it was meant as a sign of peace between the two factions.

Wait, St. Patrick’s Day is not always on March 17th?

Mostly, but no. When St. Patrick’s Day falls during Holy Week (the final week of Lent) it gets booted to a later date because solemnities are more important than feasts. Most recently it was moved in both 1940 and 2008 for this reason, but don’t worry: it’ll stay on the 17th for another 150 years (until 2160). And this only really counts if you’re celebrating the religious aspect of the holiday rather than the cultural one.

Photo by Meaghan Morrison

Food

A Tale of Two Kitchens: Living With and Without a Microwave

March 15, 2013 Liz Bohinc 3 Comments

The Microwave Oven. Invented in 1947. Described on Wikipedia as a device that “heats food by bombarding it with electromagnetic radiation.” Though it sounds like something out of a comic book, the microwave is in fact a staple for the young professional, the college student, and the lazy cook.

But there is life beyond the microwave oven for these simple folk.

I would know. I lived without a microwave for a year after moving to Los Angeles. And no, I’m not a big cook. If you open my cabinets right now, there is a lot of instant oatmeal. But I had my reasons for refusing to cave for a microwave.

First, they are kind of expensive for an optional appliance. A quick Target.com search puts them at $55+. After buying furniture, putting down a security deposit, and starting up my electric bill, I didn’t really want to spend that money. When it came down to the Dirt Devil or the microwave, I chose the Devil.

Also, even quick or instant dinners can be made in a conventional oven—even your Lean Cuisine! It does take a bit longer. You actually have to wait for the oven to heat, and it takes 20-40 minutes to cook instead of three. And there were a few times I may have burned my instant dinner because I forgot it was in the oven. (I was too lazy to invest in a good egg timer—okay, I’m still too lazy to invest in a good egg timer.)

In the end, I still found this cooking technique to be better for me. If I came home from an eleven-hour work day hungry, I would throw something in the microwave and wolf it down. But if I actually have to take my time to heat it up, I eat slower for some reason. Maybe my appetite settles during the cooking process. Without the microwave, I would make big casseroles or veggie stir-fries. I could still reheat them in the oven—even egg dishes like Stratta reheat easily.

And don’t fret: you can pop popcorn and make Ramen on the stove. You don’t even need special popcorn! All you have to do is cut open the bag, pour the kernels into a pot, cover it and turn on the heat. If you have a clear glass lid, it’s even more fun! You can watch the kernels ricochet off the sides of the lid. Kernels in the bag should already be salted and oily but for tips on how to pop and season plain old kernels (not from a bag), Recipe Girl has some great tips.

This does not mean microwaves are evil. You might have noticed I said I “used to” live without a microwave. Yes—I have one now. I acquired it when a friend moved cross-country and couldn’t fit it in her car, so it was free. It is nice to have for defrosting things and reheating leftovers. It is also great for steaming vegetables (certain things just don’t taste good when they are grilled in a skillet on the stove).

But I’m happy I had that year to curb my craving to eat instant pizza every day for dinner, just because it was easy and available. And this microwave takes up so much counter space, I frequently consider giving it to someone else, knowing I could live without it!

Photo by Meaghan Morrison

Relationships

Appreciating a Life

March 13, 2013 Christina M. Tedesco 1 Comment

The summer of 2011, my brother and sister-in-law announced that I would be blessed with another nephew or niece. When you hear joyful news like this, excitement and happiness run through your entirE body, leaving no room for any negativity. After all, this is joyous news—why would hesitation and doubt even enter your mind?

A few months prior to his birth, my brother and sister-in-law visited the hospital to find out if their little bundle of joy was a boy or a girl. The doctor brought two pieces of news: they were having a boy, but there were complications. This tiny little boy, only a few months along, had something called spina bifida and was going to need prenatal surgery 20 weeks into the pregnancy. The rare surgery could only be performed in three hospitals in the entire country, so they picked up their things and temporarily moved from Buffalo, NY, to Cincinnati, OH.

The day of the surgery came along, and with many people praying and rooting for baby Sebastian, he got through the surgery like a champ! His delivery date was moved a couple weeks earlier to the end of January.

We celebrated, but in the snap of a finger, things changed, and the doctors realized they would have to deliver him immediately. Sebastian Rocky Galen Tedesco joined us on November 4^th, 2011 (named after the great Rocky Balboa since they were both fighters and both champs).

With the happiness and joy came fear and concern. As much as we wanted Sebastian with us, we knew that this early appearance would only bring more complications.

But each day, Sebastian seemed to be getting better and better. He even started breathing on his own! There was still a long road ahead, but he was ready for the ride. Then, December 3^rd complications arose and we were told he had a 50/50 chance. As the day went on, that chance decreased until the doctor took Sebastian off life support and allowed him to leave this world in his mother’s warm embrace.

Within the 29 days that Sebastian was alive, however, he lived a full life. He has impacted hundreds of people, young and old: family, friends, and even strangers would approach us, sharing how Sebastian had changed their lives. Through him, a foundation called the Sebastian Galen Westgate Foundation was created to raise money for children and families who need support. Though Sebastian is no longer physically here, he is still working in this world – through me, through his family, through his foundation, through the people he never met. Since the Sebastian Galen Westgate (SGW) Foundation was created, we have raised money for numerous causes.

For example, we recently supported a little girl with cancer and her family. Though we cannot understand what her family is going through, we can relate to the struggles that come along with sick family members and understand that with these hardships come financial difficulties.

Last year, we participated in an event called March for Babies, which raises money for premature babies every year. We formed teams in Sebastian’s name in California and New York. We raised thousands and thousands of dollars for children born prematurely. People we never even met donated to the cause and even signed up to take part in the 3 mile walk.

When the tragic school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School took place, the SGW Foundation raised funds from all over the country and sent a gift card to the elementary school for new school supplies for the children.

In just over a year since Sebastian has been gone, already so much good has come from his time here. We know the future holds many more opportunities to spread Sebastian’s story and to reach out and help others where help is needed.

This small boy, weighing less than two pounds, taught me so much. He taught me that there’s no use in dwelling on things out of our control because they will happen anyway. He taught me to appreciate even the smallest things in life. And perhaps the greatest thing he taught me is to never take anything for granted, because things big and small can enter and leave your life in a flash.

These may sound like clichés, but because of Sebastian think I finally understand what it all means. Sebastian accomplished so much in his short time here and, when it is my time to go, I want to be able to say the same about myself: that I lived my life like Sebastian did his, fighting till the end.

Emerson said, “It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.” Nothing could be truer: someone who is here for under a month can do more good in this world than many people can do in decades.

When someone close to us leaves this world, it’s okay to be negative. It’s okay to hurt. It’s okay to be angry, to think it’s unfair. It’s okay to not understand. It’s okay to not get over it right away. It’s okay to dwell on it. It’s okay to question it. Not only is it okay – it’s normal. Many have experienced losing someone, but no one has had the same experience as you, no one can tell you how you are supposed to feel. But one thing that can help is to not let these feelings take over, and instead look at what you learned from the person you lost and keep it with you always. Losing Sebastian was the hardest thing I have ever experienced, but I get through by looking at his life and how much his has affected mine. It helps to not only think about the good memories, but think of what he meant to me and to others who knew him.

The hardest part is not to see what they have done in your life, but learn to appreciate it. To live life the way we know we should, to be able to release the negativity and to grasp what living truly means. Often we realize opportunities when we’ve already missed the opportunity, but it’s never too late to start appreciating life and living it to its fullest. To break through from those things that are holding us down, and to open our eyes and realize we only have one chance, so we should try to do it right. Do the things you know your loved one would look at you and smile for doing. And remember even though they are not here with us, they are still here within us. If we keep them alive, they can never truly die.

Photo by Remi Coin

Career, Style

Hirin’ Attire: Job Interview Wardrobe Tips

March 11, 2013 Liz Kerin 3 Comments

You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

Usually, I can’t say I agree with that old-fashioned adage. But a job interview isn’t an ordinary real-life scenario. It’s the only situation in life, aside from maybe a first date, in which you are placing yourself in front of another person and fully preparing yourself to be judged. And, just like a first date, even if you’re a dazzling conversationalist and your resume (or OkCupid profile) is full of all the perfect catch-phrases—if you don’t look the part, you might not get to second base. By which I mean a second interview.

Because I am a 20-something in the year 2013 and because every publication under the sun tells me this is true, I will go on roughly a hundred thousand job interviews within my lifetime. I’ve already been around the job interview block, and I probably won’t be stopping any time soon.

Here are a few things I’ve learned about interview wardrobe choices since my days as a newly minted college grad, clutching my BFA for dear life, and praying for health insurance.

Fancy Footwork

Gentlemen, this might not be as intense a topic for you. The height and style of your shoe is rarely an issue, but even if it’s a “totally laid-back workplace” and you’re wearing your loafers or leather low-rise boots with jeans, I absolutely suggest that you polish your shoes! Shoe polish is easily accessible and they even sell these nifty all-in-one polishes at places like CVS or Walgreens. A grown man polishes his shoes—and gets that job!

Ladies, I know that a high heel makes you feel confident and powerful. I know you love the way it click-clacks on the tile floor, as if to say, “Hey everyone! I have arrived!” But I urge you to leave those amazing Loubotin look-alikes you scored on JustFab.com at home. Don’t risk being taller than your interviewer and doom yourself to some really awkward handshakes. Besides, if those shoes could talk, they’d tell you they want to be at a bar, not under a desk.

A few easy solutions are a stylish pair of patent leather or animal print flats, a small kitten heel, or leather or suede ankle boots. If you’re normally a little shy in the face of fashion risks, that’s totally okay, but don’t be afraid of a pop of color or a bold print! There’s no law that says all footwear has to be black nowadays.

SUIT UP! Or don’t?

This will differ depending upon the industry of your dream job and the company’s office environment. Try your very best to research what the dress code is before you go in, though sometimes it’s hard to gauge unless you know someone who works there!

But here’s a tip, for both guys and gals: be absolutely sure you need to wear that suit. If you’re interviewing at a place like a law firm or a major corporation, it’s definitely advisable to suit up, especially for the guys. But I’ve seen many male candidates stroll into casual office environments wearing their best suits, looking super uncomfortable, both physically and mentally. You don’t want to come across as stodgy or old fashioned.

For guys, you can always get away with a nice pair of black slacks and a collared dress shirt. (Tucked in with a belt! For real, this goes without saying!). Bring a blazer that you can throw on at the last second if you’re feeling under-dressed.

Ladies, a black pencil skirt is your best bud. Buy one and love it and pair it with anything and everything. A business-casual blazer also goes a long way in life, so it’s great to have that handy, too. If you don’t feel like wearing a skirt, black skinny pants or flowy black slacks are a great alternative. There’s a lot of debate surrounding black jeans, but I say that if the material is denim to the touch, then thems be jeans and you probably shouldn’t wear them! Skinny pants that are cut like jeans but are made of non-denim material are a much safer bet, especially when paired with a semi-formal top.

Also, an addendum on formal shorts: I adore a good formal short. And once you land this dream job, you might totally be able to get away with wearing them. But maybe leave them at home for your interview. Some people still view shorts as too casual a look, no matter how much pleated realness they’re serving.

Hey You, Yeah You with the FACE.

Ladies, very simple day-time makeup is advisable. Go easy on the eyeliner. You want your potential new boss to focus on the brilliant words tumbling from your lips, not your Amy Winehouse impersonation. Do wash and style your hair, but don’t go overboard with a new style you don’t usually rock (i.e. maybe not those Heidi braids you still can’t do without spraining your wrist).

Guys, if you’re going to style your hair, opt for a small dash of pomade. It’s much more flexible and easier to work with than gel.

And one more tip, take it or leave it: if you’re a glasses wearer, leave your contacts at home! This could be nothing but a silly coincidence, but every time I wore my glasses to an interview, I was offered the job. True story! Maybe I looked more trustworthy? More collegiate and organized? Who knows! But hey, it can’t hurt.

Conversation Pieces

If you’re like me, you dread even the slightest awkward pause and would jump out the window before letting the conversation run dry. Here, you could kill two birds with one stone by incorporating a fashionable accessory that could also potentially lead to this: “Hey, I love your (necklace/tie/bracelet/etc.)! Where’d you get that?”

Guys, this could be anything from a really nice wristwatch to a bold new tie. We’re talking, like, Joe Biden bold. Not the Homer Simpson Christmas tie you got from your mom in eighth grade.

As for the gals, know that a statement piece doesn’t have to break the bank! Stores like H&M, Forever 21, and the sale rack at Anthropologie have some really fun jewelry that will absolutely do the trick. My tip is to choose ONE piece: a vintage locket or a pair of chandelier earrings. But not both at once!

Do you have any additional tips for job interview wardrobe choices? We’d love to hear what you think. Leave them in the comments below!

Photo by Meaghan Morrison

Relationships

Check please! Surviving a bad date.

March 8, 2013 Kyle Martirez-McIntosh 3 Comments

Navigating the dating landscape can be impossible. Too often, trying to balance work and fun prompts the raging debate: is this situation casual or something to pursue long-term? However, on occasion, there are those woefully horrible dates that make the decision for you. And before you’re done debating sparkling vs. still, one of you is not-so-secretly trying to light the tablecloth on fire in an attempt at a stealthy getaway.

Prevention Is The Best Protection

Recently, a friend and I decided to swap horrible dating stories. While I blathered on about a rude waiter and a date who covered everything in ranch dressing, she countered with a guy who took her to dinner and got a hotel room to celebrate what he thought was the next step in a blossoming relationship—two dates in. Knowing ahead of time that she wasn’t all that interested in the guy, she cunningly told her roommate to call at 11pm with an “emergency” that required her to go home immediately. Sure enough, the call came in, after a curt reminder that getting a hotel was extremely presumptuous, she was safely in a cab and he was left on the curb.

When a dating train wreck is on the horizon, it’s best to politely decline upfront. But, if you really can’t get out of it, a friend in need can be the perfect scapegoat. The biggest trick is knowing (1) what is plausible, and (2) what is least likely to blow up on you.

Be Blunt

Chances are that if you aren’t enjoying yourself, neither is your date. Being upfront and stating the obvious can be a refreshing change of pace, and might even give the evening a shove back in the right direction. If someone breaks the tension and outright states that things seem tense or awkward, it is a clear signal that you can either try to salvage the night or abandon ship. If you’re out for drinks, stop after the first round and find a way to delicately say the night is ending for you. Dinner is tougher, but maybe you’re suddenly peckish—a to-go container and the check are all that stand between you and freedom.

Bad dates are wars of attrition: if you can just make it to the point where conversation starts to lag—from inebriation or food coma—you may be home free. Most of all, recognize opportunities to leave: any time a new activity is proposed is your chance to make a graceful exit. Rip the band-aid off and call it a day.

Lie Your Ass Off

We’re led to believe dating is a beautiful shared human experience where you get to meet a variety of people, all in the hopes that one day you will find that “perfect” someone. Or rather, it’s just a giant test on how well you can lie to someone. Nobody throws up a red flag like “I’m still in love with my ex” or “I’m planning on making a doll from your hair” until there’s some security in the relationship. If you’re already deceiving the person across the table from you, why stop now that you’re trying to bail?

A demanding job is a ready-made excuse. Never underestimate the power of slipping off to the bathroom and coming back with “I’ve gotta head into the office.” Or maybe your neighbor discovered that your fake pet got out of the house. (Be careful with that one, a nice guy/girl may offer to help you look.) Bottom line, if you’re trying to get out of a date, you probably don’t know the person that well. Who are they to call bullshit on your lies? Get creative!

Be Rude

Nothing kills a date faster than a supreme lack of tact. Talk about past relationships. Make up a story about how you came to this very same restaurant with a different date and then had mind-blowing sex afterwards. Recount that sex to your current date in startling detail with a strong sense of wistful longing.

You can kill any conversation with a well-placed heavy sigh and monosyllabic answer. If things start heading in a productive direction, cut them off with a simple “Ugh, that bores me!” If you’re never going to see this person again, you have free reign to be an asshole, so relish it.

Get Weird

From time to time you may become Facebook friends with someone before you can go on a formal date. Depending on your level of interest, why not pretend you’ve gone a few photo albums too deep into their profile for them to feel comfortable. Throw in a quick “I combined our faces in Photoshop to see what our kids will look like” or “I was so excited about tonight, I told my mom everything about you” and time how quickly they call for the check.

Instagram Your Food

I don’t care if Julia Child has risen from the dead to serve you a foie gras terrine wrapped in the pelts of a dozen baby harp seals who shit beluga caviar. If your date doesn’t immediately leave the table when you do this, then you probably should make sure your napkin isn’t soaked in chloroform, because they seem dead set on marrying you, with or without your consent.

Buckle In

If it’s really a lost cause, and there is no way to get out of it (you were picked up and your date is your ride, you’re at some godforsaken work event you can’t leave, etc.), give in and just have fun. Sure, you’re there with someone you don’t find particularly alluring, but who knows what another glass of wine and an apathetic attitude towards impressing your date will do.

Actually, this is probably just a recipe for disaster. So if all else fails…

Don’t Overthink It

Unless you are like the dozens of people clogging my News Feed with daily engagement announcements (and because you’re reading this I’ll assume you aren’t), you are still figuring out your love life. There is often a strong inclination to feel guilty about blowing someone off, but it’s important to remember that you aren’t doing anyone any favors by staying at a date you really aren’t enjoying.

If you’re desperate enough to get away after splitting an appetizer, chances are you won’t be going halfsies on a set of monogrammed towels anytime soon. By cutting out early, you are saving them the time of wondering how things went and whether to call you.

Getting out of a bad date is rarely a question of tactics, but rather a question of guts. If you’re too concerned with coming off as rude to someone you clearly have no interest in seeing again, be prepared to deal with a messier split later because you dodged the conversation the first time around. But make no mistake: that confrontation will come.

If you don’t leave a bad date early, make it clear at the end that you don’t actually have an interest in hearing him talk about his stamp collection or having her show you how to urban forage next weekend. Dating is hard enough. Don’t get bogged down in polite pretense.

Photo by Meaghan Morrison