Perspectives on Food: A Middle Eastern Diet

Posted by Mohannad Aljawamis

The aroma of molten cheese and hot dough struck me as I walked towards the kitchen. It was my host sister heating up a slice of pizza, seemingly unconcerned with the clock reading 7 a.m. However, coming from Jordan where I lived until I was fifteen, I was perturbed.

The next few mornings did not come as a surprise, but I struggled to contain my confusion. Chinese food leftovers, steak and mashed potatoes all seemed to convey a fact about the American diet: time does not seem to put much constraint on the type or amount of food consumed.

This was strange for me, as the Middle Eastern diet I am accustomed to puts a special emphasis on time. Time is as crucial to maintaining a healthy diet as the ingredients of the food we put in our bodies. Hopefully, this piece can serve to provide some insight as to what about your diet needs to change in order for you to become a healthier person.

Time

It seems that there is a direct relationship between the importance of a meal and how late in the day it takes place. We know that dinner is a family activity that is given high priority and is regularly prepared in the home. Lunch is not given as much attention as it often interferes with work time. Breakfast is almost negligible because people tend to eat it separately at their convenience.

Understanding this, what aspects of time in a typical American diet are healthy? When the meals are served at a much earlier time, it allows for proper digestion of all meals and proper use of calories before bedtime.

What is unhealthy, then? The relationship explained above is. It may be important to consume a big dinner, especially after physical exercise and to help preventing late-night snacking, but neglecting lunch and breakfast are bad habits. Breakfast in particular is a critical meal that cannot be skipped or simply replaced by coffee. Breakfast is your first source of energy for the day, and plays a big role in maintaining a healthy metabolism.

In a Middle Eastern diet, the relationship between the time of day and meal priority is almost the opposite. Breakfast is an important meal in which many items are served in a sit-down style, and lunch also plays an essential part. It is the biggest meal of the day and is ideally home-cooked. Dinner is hardly given any attention at all compared to the previous two. People usually eat a sandwich, fruits, or often even just breakfast foods.

The Middle Eastern diet is not perfect though, as meal times are pushed back, with lunch served around 3 or 4 p.m. and dinner served as late as 10 p.m.

Ingredients

The expression "Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper," refers to the amount of food that is appropriate for each meal, but it is important to remember that the content of the meals should always be healthy as well. Breakfast should include carbohydrates to provide you with energy but should ideally not be packed with too much refined sugar.

Avoid pancakes, sugary pastries and sugary cereals. Use whole-wheat bread and healthy cereals that are made up of unrefined complex carbohydrates and are abundant with fiber. Don't forget your protein to give a boost to your memory, concentration and learning ability. A Middle Eastern breakfast consists of pita bread served with various dishes of olive oil, mixed herbs, cheese, eggs, hummus and tea.

Lunch should be a very well balanced meal. It should contain about equal parts carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, focusing primarily on energy supply because it is served early in the day. Protein should make up a much smaller portion of your lunch. If you would like to have a dessert or a treat, have it after lunch instead of dinner so your system will have a much longer time to process it.

Dinner is theoretically the last meal of the day, and the nutritional group in focus should be protein. Protein feeds both muscles and your brain, and it is necessary for you to get a good amount after your day to enrich those cells. Avoid carbohydrates at dinnertime, and do not consume fried or processed food. These items can cause weight issues and sleep problems if eaten at a late time.

Hopefully, this comparison makes apparent the healthy qualities and flaws of your diet so that you are able to adjust to a healthier lifestyle.

Frugal Foods, Happy Stomachs: Homemade veggie burgers

Posted by Ashley Copperstone

Hey readers, how much do you love Turkey now that we've made it into the post-Thanksgiving stretch? I'm sure each and every one of you is sick of all those heavy leftovers sent back to school with you, so this week I've prepared a lighter and healthier treat to bring some ease to your guilty consciences and stomachs.
Considering finals are also around the corner and time is becoming tighter, I figure that no one has time to go food shopping or pull off any kind of Julia Child culinary masterpiece. During weeks like these, students need something quick, easy, and full of nutrition. As such, I've concocted a recipe for some homemade veggie burgers.?
Forget spicy black bean burgers and garden burgers from the Dining Hall or Price Chopper because these simply blow them out of the water. They include fresh ingredients and are made with the love only your own two hands can provide. You won't be able to stop chowing down on them. The best part about this recipe is that you can basically toss in any vegetable you happen to have sitting around in your fridge, spice them to your liking and then freeze them for later cooking. During this busy time of year, how can you say no to such efficiency? So, grab your biggest mixing bowl and get ready to enjoy a meal that puts packaged burgers to shame!??

Ingredients:?
1 can of black beans, drained and mashed?
1 small onion, diced?
? cup of frozen corn, cooked?
? cup of frozen peas, cooked?
4-6 small mushrooms, diced (Any kind will do)?
2 eggs?
1 cup of breadcrumbs?
Salt and pepper to taste?
1 teaspoon paprika ?
1 teaspoon fennel seed?
2 teaspoons parsley?
2 teaspoons basil ?
? cup of vegetable oil ?
1 bun (gluten free, whole wheat, whatever)??

Step 1: Combine black beans, onion, mushrooms, corn, and peas in a mixing bowl. On the stove, heat vegetable oil at medium-high heat in a medium sized saucepan. ?
Step 2: Add eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices to the bowl and mix thoroughly ?
Step 3: Form vegetable medley into patties. If they don't stick together, add more breadcrumbs. ?
Step 4: Cook as many patties (3-5 minutes per side) as your heart desires and freeze the rest for later. ?
Step 5: Place patty on bun and enjoy! It's as easy as that!
       

Asian Cultural Awareness hosts College's first Cultural Night Market

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins

On Saturday, Nov. 10, Asian Cultural Awareness and a number of other student organizations hosted the College's first Cultural Night Market in the Spa from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event was a huge success, attracting visitors for the entirety of its duration and kept onlookers captivated with thrilling performances from groups like Breakbeats, Skidaiko, Lift Every Voice, Skidmore Pride Alliance, Ujima and ACA.

The market featured an array of delicious goodies from cultures across the globe. ACA provided East Asian shaved ice, baya kyaw chips and a number of other dishes. Lift Every Voice provided a tantalizing loaf of corn bread. Ujima tempted passers-by with cupcakes bearing national flags from all around the world. Pride Alliance brought a whole array of tasty, rainbow-colored baked goods. One could not help but succumb to any number of these treats.

Entrance to the market was free, and most market items cost no more than five dollars. Students could make purchases with cash or Skid card by purchasing one-dollar tickets at the desk at the entrance. This system rendered the market far more accessible to students without excluding community members who only had cash available for use.

The market offered many other exciting highlights, including Henna tattoos provided by Hayat, priced anywhere between one and five dollars, as well as an arrangement of jewelry By the end of the night, many of the event's attendees wore one of Hayat's exquisite designs.

A slideshow featuring fun facts and photos of cultural night markets in Asia and other areas of the world played throughout the night offering educational entertainment that made the evening even more informative and enjoyable.

The Cultural Night Market was the culmination of a year of intensive planning on the behalf of ACA and twelve other groups. Although organizers Elaine Woo '14, Carol Wu '14 and Shanna Williamson '14 originally intended for the program to be their Honors Forum project, they received such a positive response from the groups they had presented the idea to that the Market quickly escalated into a campus-wide event.

When fall semester arrived, the groups worked tirelessly to accomplish their goal. "We definitely spent more than thirty hours [on planning]," Wu recalled. "We dedicated a lot of our time to this event to be successful, and impact as many people as we could."

They did so with minimal budget, only spending twenty dollars from the Student Government Association account.

Successful off-campus advertising attracted roughly a multitude of people from town. "[Hosting the event] was a really good way to bridge the gap with the Saratoga community," Woo observed.

Student response was overwhelmingly positive. The event's incredible attendance brought in over six hundred dollars over the course of two hours, at least half of which was met within the first thirty minutes.

Proceeds from all sales at the Cultural Night Market will go towards providing program improvements and resources to Project Lift, a free after-school prevention program providing inspiring role models for students in grades one through five in Saratoga Springs.

The organizers of the event have expressed interest in turning the Cultural Night Market into an annual event.

Club Profile: Skidmore Logrolling

Posted by James Rider

It is no secret that students on campus often don flannel, but who would have thought they would be going full-out lumberjack in the athletic center pool? This year, the Outing Club is offering a chance for students to try logrolling once a week in the open swim area of the pool, and many students are seizing the opportunity to try this unique sport.

"Logrolling is a sparring sport," said Will Hoeschler '14, who started Skidmore Logrolling. "Two people compete on opposite sides of the log to try to knock each other off the log by spinning it in different directions. Normally it's a three out of five match."

Hoeschler started Skidmore Logrolling based on a passion that he developed earlier in his life. "I started [logrolling] when I was four years old," said Hoeschler. "My mom is a seven-time world champion, and she taught my sisters and I how to roll."

Most of Skidmore's logrollers are still in the training phase. At last Sunday's practice rollers learned how to get up on the log, find their center of gravity and get it rolling with short, choppy steps. "We probably get around five or six people who come consistently, and newcomers are always filtering in," Hoeschler said.

The students involved with Skidmore Logrolling have found themselves both thrilled and challenged.
"Its looks easy, but it proves to be quite difficult," said Henrey Faebre '16.

"It's like you're a little kid trying to learn a new sport," agreed Will Clark '16.

"It's a great workout," said Gokul Bakshi '14. "It's a lot of cardio. I can feel it in my abs and legs especially."

The College's 12-foot log, which is optimized for beginners to learn the sport, includes a strap-on rudder to slow the log's motion, and carpeting for added grip. "The log is made out of Western Red Cedar, the most buoyant type of wood," said Hoeschler.

Hoeschler hopes to bring a Keylog to campus soon. "It's the first ever synthetic logrolling log," he explained. "Its only weighs sixty pounds, making it more portable. When it's filled with water, it has all the characteristics of a real log."

Hoeschler has been working tirelessly to insure that Logrolling at Skidmore goes competitive. His sisters started a logrolling program at Middlebury College in 2002 as a PE class. "The hope is that they will come down for some type small tournament between the schools in December," said Hoeschler.

Those interested are encouraged to join the Logrolling Club Facebook page, contact Hoeschler, or simply come to a practice at the athletic center pool at any of the times announced on the page.

Frugal Foods, Happy Stomachs: Mom's Tortellini Soup

Posted by Ashley Copperstone

Frugal Foods, Happy Stomachs: Mom's Tortellini Soup

Not to reinforce parental stereotypes, but my mom is known to be quite masterful in the kitchen on occasion. She has, year after year, cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal for my family on her own, which is no small feat. That is not, however, where she truly shines. I am a big believer in the mantra that simple cooking is the best cooking, so today I am letting you in on a big family secret. Well, I'm sure if you saw the dish you could figure out the ingredients on your own, so it's not too much of a secret, but that isn't what's important. What is important is my mom's tortellini soup.

On cold winter nights in my childhood, usually Sunday evenings before the Wonderful World of Disney movie special played on ABC, my mom would pull a package of tortellini out of the fridge and immediately I was happier for the soup than for the film. It started out really basic, with tortellini, chicken stock and parsley, but as I grew older and my palate expanded, we began to add a little more flavor and more ingredients. So, pick a Sunday, gather up your school family and thank my mom as you chow down on this delicious soup.

Mom's Tortellini Soup (With a Twist):

?3 Sweet Italian sausages, defrosted and uncased

?1 appropriately sized package of Tortellini

?? carton of chicken stock 

?2 cups of water

?4 fistfuls of spinach

?3 Portobello mushrooms, chopped

?1 onion, chopped

?A pinch of parsley

?A pinch of basil

?Salt and Pepper to taste

Step 1: Place a saucepan on the stove on medium high heat. On another burner, fill a stew pot with chicken stock and water, and bring to a steady boil.

Step 2: When the saucepan becomes hot, toss sausage meat into the pan and cook until browned. Take the meat out of the pan and throw the onions and mushrooms in. Once browned, put the onion and mushroom mixture into the stew pot.

Step 3: Once stew pot has reached a boil, place tortellini in and cook for five to eight minutes if defrosted and eight to ten minutes if frozen. Stir when needed.

Step 4: Once the tortellini is halfway cooked, place spinach and sausage in the stew pot and continue cooking.

Step 5: Add parsley, basil, salt and pepper.

Step 6: Once tortellini is cooked, take it off the burner, put the soup in a bowl, and add some cheese.

Step 7: Enjoy while hot!

Born to Bake: Chocolate chip s'mores cookies

Posted by Grace Harman

You would likely be hard-pressed to find anyone who dislikes the s'more. There's something about the gooey combination of melting chocolate and toasty marshmallow crammed in between crunchy graham crackers that is completely and utterly irresistible. Even people who hate marshmallows (which, I must admit, is a category I fall under) can't help but succumb to temptation in the face of a well assembled s'more.

There is, however, one obstacle that stands in the way of consistent s'more enjoyment: good s'mores require toasted marshmallows and toasted marshmallows require a fire. Considering that building a campfire isn't the most practical or simple task, I spent a good deal of time thinking of a decent alternative to satisfy my s'mores cravings. Given my passion for sticking random delicious surprises inside baked goods, I decided that the way to go was to bake a whole s'more into a chocolate chip cookie.

It was a good choice. These cookies turned out wonderfully, and totally capture everything wonderful about fresh s'mores in an easy to handle package. The chocolate chip cookie wraps around the perfectly toasted S'more like a blanket of soft, chewy goodness. This is one cookie you most definitely do not want to miss out on.

Just a heads up: this recipe makes four LARGE cookies. Feel free to make them smaller if you would rather have more cookies.

Ingredients:

For the cookie dough

? 2 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

? ? tsp. baking soda

? ? tsp. salt

? 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm

? 1 cup brown sugar, packed

? ? cup granulated sugar

? 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk

? 2 tsp. vanilla extract

? 1 ? cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For assembly
? 1 cookie dough recipe, at room temperature

? 8 graham cracker squares, broken into halves (see header note above)

? 4 marshmallows, snipped in half lengthwise

? 1 full-size Hershey's bar, divided between each of the prospective cookies

To make the cookie dough:
1. Preheat oven to 325

Skidmore community welcomes election results

Posted by Jean-Ann Kubler

On Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m., over 100 members of the College community congregated at the Tang Teaching Museum to celebrate democracy and follow the results of the 2012 presidential election in real-time.
The event, "What to Expect When You're Expecting the Election: Election Returns Extravaganza," was part of an on-going exhibit, "We The People."

Upon arrival, participants in the event were greeted with gifts: pocket Constitutions and PEZ candy dispensers adorned with the faces and names of Founding Fathers, including James Monroe, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The George Washington dispensers were the most in demand and disappeared quickly. Participants were also invited to create their own "I Voted" stickers with the provided supplies.
After receiving their gifts, participants moved into an exhibition room patriotically decorated in red, white and blue. Three flat panel TVs, each tuned in to a different news network, were mounted on the back wall of the event space and computers were set up so that participants could conduct their own research as they watched the results roll in. 

The most talked about segment of the night's events was likely the crash course in electoral politics, presented by Government department Professor Ron Seyb, which kicked off the event. 

Seyb began his talk with a preface, saying "I've been brought here to offer some clarity about what has been a very murky election season, and to give some predictions." But, Seyb continued, "The only prediction I'll offer is that we may not have an outcome tonight."

Equipped with a PowerPoint presentation, Seyb went on to explain the ways in which the Electoral College allows for just eight swing states to control the results of presidential elections. Each state is given a specific number of electoral votes based upon its total number of federal representatives (Senators and Congressmen). 

48 out of 50 states use a winner-takes-all system inwhich the presidential candidate that receives the largest percentage of the state's overall votes is then given all of the states electoral votes. So, even if a candidate only wins 51% of a state's popular vote, that candidate receives all of the states electoral votes. 

For this reason, Seyb explained, only states that are not reliably Republican or reliably Democratic really matter to a candidate's ability to be elected, and these are the states where most of the campaign money is spent.

"There are 15 major media markets in these 8 states," Seyb noted, and those markets are saturated with mostly negative campaign ads. In October, 89 percent of Romney's and 94%of Obama's swing state ads were negative.

To help the audience understand the nature of these ads, Seyb screened one from each campaign.

Seyb suggested that the reliance on negative advertising might not benefit candidates in the way the public might expect. "I'm more of the opinion that [negative ads] actually repress voter turnout-particularly among Independents and Republicans." 

Prof Seyb went on to explain the importance of not just specific states, but specific voting districts within those states, to a candidate's ability to win. Like states, there are some districts that are reliably partisan and some where the politics are not as clear or frequently change. "These are the districts that will get the most attention tonight." 

He also explained that though the Electoral College is often viewed as a less democratic system than a direct popular vote, it actually offers more of a role for minority voters. Using Colorado and Florid, both swing states, as examples, Seyb noted that the Latino population is higher within those states then it is nationally. "This forces candidates to court votes that they could otherwise ignore in a direct election system."
The event ended with questions from the audience about a variety of topics directly and tangentially related to the night's election, including foreign affairs, and electoral reform.
Following the event, Seyb noted that he had two main goals going into the event: to provide a defense of the Electoral College that didn't neglect any of the valid criticisms of the system, and "to help students who, like most Americans, find the Electoral College to be as understandable as the proof for Fermat's Theorem to gain some purchase on the how the Electoral College operates to choose a president."

Senior Government major and event participant Jeremy Wood '13, thought Seyb's talk was particularly useful for community members without an educational background in government.

"I think for people who don't have a real depth of knowledge in electoral politics, it really helped explain why presidents focus more on some states than others," Wood said. 

Seyb's talk was the last formal aspect of the night, but festivities continued until 11pm and participants were invited to tweet their reactions to the Tang event as well as the election results using the hashtag "#skidelection2012." 

Participants also happily posed for pictures with life-sized cutouts of Mitt Romney and President Obama and snacked on the provided appetizers and pizza.

Restaurant Review: Elizabeth's Table

Posted by Tegan O'Neill

The main attraction at Elizabeth's Table is that you get to pay your bill with just a few taps to the screen of an iPad. Aside from that and a few exceptions, you could prepare and enjoy a superior meal in the comfort of your own home with relative ease, with the added benefit of not having to deal with awkward middlemen between the kitchen and the table.

Entering Elizabeth's Table, it only becomes obvious that seating is self-determined when no one bothers to come greet you after a lengthy wait. Options for seating vary, between cushioned benches for those who want a cozier spot, and large communal tables for groups that need more space. The layout is somewhat odd, considering the restaurant's space is long and spacious. In spite of these issues, the atmosphere generally doesn't feel intimidating. 

Classic tunes stream through the airy dining room creating a relaxed vibe, one that might be a bit too relaxed considering the servers' general lack of enthusiasm towards the whole milieu. When asked what the day's selection of baked goods were, the servers were not equipped with answers. They could not say what flavors the cupcakes were, and, more embarrassingly, when asked what the petite apple tarte tatins were, the response I received was "an apple thing" followed by a blas?? "whatever." 

The tarte tatin turned out to be a delicious creation which made it sad that the servers did not know the name of it. What was not to like about caramelized apple sandwiched between a light crust on the bottom and an airy buttercream on top?
Although the somewhat sloppy menu could have been written with more attention to aesthetics, it does offer a respectable array of familiar sweet and savory options. No items are way out there-nothing is crazily creative or overly decadent. The food is simple, modest and, thanks to quality ingredients, good. 

The quinoa hash ($11) proved to be a hearty and satisfying choice. Mixed into the quinoa were chunks of sweet potato, slivers of onion and rounds of mushroom that gave the dish a well-rounded character that hit both the sweet and savory notes. This savory note is only punctuated further by the poached eggs that are broken atop the dish, allowing their yolks to ooze over the contents of the bowl. Eating this dish, it seemed as if egg yolks were made to be poured over the crunchy seeds of quinoa. It seems that the caliber of the french toast ($8) depends on the bread they use. Elizabeth's Table uses challah from Slice of Heaven Bakery, baked across the street at Temple Sinai. While this is indeed good bread, I regret not trusting my instinct to be wary of this bare bones french toast. The menu warned me that all the french toast would come with was a dusting of powdered sugar and local organic maple syrup and sure enough, that was all I got. Although it was not bad, it really needed a little something else to bring it to life. Syrup helped to make it less dry, but what would have been perfect was some fruit or a creamy cheese. 

Elizabeth's Table feels somewhat unfinished, and there are definitely some kinks to be worked out. The service was disappointing, and the attitude of the restaurant did not seem to be one of enthusiasm or pride. I felt the meal was satisfying enough, with wholesome food and reasonable portions, but it was all food that I could have made at home without much effort. I suppose I would rather eat at my own table.

Born to Bake: Savory dinner rolls

Posted by Grace Harman

I'm not going to lie: bread has always kind of scared me a little bit. I love the idea of fresh bread, but the entire process has always seemed so daunting. Therefore, when my grandma got me a bread maker for my birthday, I was overjoyed. With this device, it could not be easier to have fresh bread. You simply throw all the ingredients into the oven, press two buttons and when you come back,

Falstaff's haunted house frightens students, warms hearts

Posted by Maxx Salat

Each year, October comes to a close with people across the globe donning guises, participating in trickery and telling tales of ghouls, goblins and miniature candy bars in celebration of All Saints' Day, known to many as Halloween. For college students, however, Halloween is often reduced to a haze of binge drinking and throwing together a last minute costume to ensure a reduced price on a Chipotle burrito, a black and orange variation on our usual weekend activities.

In an unlikely twist this past Wednesday, Oct. 31, a group of students demonstrated that Halloween can be celebrated on a college campus with mirth and pure intentions through the construction and orchestration of a haunted house at Falstaff's.
The haunted house was conceived, choreographed and acted entirely by students. Although this event only ran between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., students could be seen racing in and out of the venue for almost a day before the first tour. 

Alex Orthwein '13, who served simultaneously as the eccentric greeter and creative force behind the haunted house, said the operation began almost a month prior to the event. 

"We had been having meetings and reiterating ideas about shopping and production for almost a month, but it didn't seem like it would come together until James [Kuzio] '15 designed the sound for it. Then, as we were doing build on Tuesday, the whole thing suddenly seemed tangible," he said.

Funding for the project came primarily from Cabaret Troupe and out of the students' own pockets. Although involvement with the Theatre Department afforded Orthwein access to a number of costumes and other resources, many of the set pieces, effects supplies and cosmetics were either donated by students, or picked up on one of many shopping trips to stores such as Spirit Halloween and Allerdice Party Rent-All. In spite of these costs, the event remained free to any willing entrants.

The haunted house had several sections, each thematically independent of the last, but all with the sole purpose of terrifying students. Included amongst these were a cobweb-strewn hallway, a haunted farm, a confined chamber filled with smoke, and a dance floor littered with zombies who performed choreographed routines to numbers such as Michael Jackson's "Thriller." 

Divided by curtains and cobwebs, the Falstaff's known to students for its dance parties and open mics suddenly transformed into a claustrophobic madhouse filled with stalking specters and personified nightmares. Although the walking tour only took a few minutes, it served its purpose, a point made clear by the regular shrieks of students that could be heard from Perimeter Road. 

"It may have been short, but I think it was clear that it was effective," Orthwein said.

The motivation behind the haunted house was to spread holiday cheer, according to Orthwein. 

"I think that it's a lot of fun, and [it's] something that needs to happen," Orthwein said. "Halloween is something that can often be forgotten on college campuses. Yeah, we have Moorebid and those events, but I figure a good old haunted house is something that we needed to spread cheer and help out during midterms." 

Orthwein said he has already expressed interest in putting on similar events for other holidays this year, as well as seeing to the continuation of the tradition he created. 

"I'm a senior, and this was my chance to finally lead something great and I want to keep it going," he said. "I plan on continuing to do haunted houses every year, and getting better at them."

Orthwein wishes to thank everyone involved, including but not limited to Gavin Berger '15, Alyssa Hammond '16, Shea Sonsky '15, Allison Schilling '15, Will Hoeschler '14, Emma Starr '16, Kyle Amato '15, James Kuzio '15, John Barrack '15, Noah Samors '15, Kirsten Brink '14, Becca Zipursky '15, Ashley Turcan '16, Costume Shop Manager Patty Pawliczak, Theater Manager David Yergan, Associate Director of Leadership Activities Robin Adams, and Cabaret Troupe.

Frugal Foods, Happy Stomachs: Stuffed Mushrooms

Posted by Ashley Copperstone

Recently, I discovered that my so-called best friend and housemate hates mushrooms. Her response to my inquiry as to why was simply that she had never tried one before. This did not go over well with me, considering my ritual consumption of a Portobello mushroom at least three times a week. I also consider trying things at least once to be fairly important, so since then I have sneakily been plotting away, trying to figure out how to introduce my friend to the glory that is the mushroom. 

As I expected, this recipe not only got her to try mushrooms, but had her asking for more. Stuffed mushrooms are pretty much my favorite dish, regardless of additions and preferences. They are warm, filling and, like take-out, somehow get even better with time.

Stuffed Mushrooms:

? 4 sweet Italian sausages, de-cased

? 1 onion, chopped ? 3 cloves of garlic, crushed

? 1 bundle or bag of spinach ? ? bag of frozen peas, defrosted 

? ? cup of tomato sauce

? Pinch of basil

? Pinch of oregano

? Salt and pepper to taste

? ? cup of grated cheese

? ? cup of breadcrumbs

? 4-6 Portobellos, washed and drizzled in olive oil

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350

The Freshman Fifteen: Myth or Fact?

Posted by Mohannad Aljawamis

"The Freshman Fifteen" has quickly become one of the most popular and most commonly used expressions for teasing and unintentionally warning first-year college students in the United States and Canada of the number of pounds that they often put on as a result of the new lifestyle of college.

While the phrase seems to mock the naivety and inexperience of newcomers, the idea actually remains true and very prominent amongst college students. Studies show that most first-year students experience a weight gain at some point during their first semester.

Although this may seem frightening, it is important to recognize that you have control over "The Freshman Fifteen." The frequency and assertiveness of this term may imply that it is a definite occurrence, but if you know the causes of this phenomenon you can easily avoid it not only in your freshman year, but also throughout your entire college experience.

Step One: Know the Causes

When dealing with an unfamiliar issue, learning and understanding are critical to coming up with a solution. You must be able to discern fact from fiction. While you may believe that "The Freshman Fifteen" is out of your control, what you eat is an essential factor in working to lose or gain weight.

Skidmore College offers its students an all-you-can-eat dining hall, in which the food is delicious and there are plenty of options to satisfy a wide variety of tastes. The range of foods and the attractive display often makes it very tempting for students to go for seconds and unintentionally over-eat. Further, because the dining hall works with such a massive quantity of food and patrons each day, the nutritional value of the food does not always seem to be a priority. It is much easier to prepare french fries than baked potatoes and the accompanying condiments.

However, food is only one part of the story. There are several factors that one must consider when it comes to weight control in college life. Alcohol can be a large part of the social scene, and many students drink large quantities without realizing its effect on their weight. A standard size Margarita has around 550 calories. A Long Island Iced Tea has 543 calories, more than are found in a Big Mac from McDonald's. Most shots and beers contain around 100 calories per serving. Without addressing the quantity of sugar in most common mixers, a college drinker can consume somewhere between 400 and 1000 calories in a night of drinking.

Additionally, sleep deprivation can also cause weight gain. While sleep seems to be a time where we shut down, unbeknownst to some, our bodies are still functioning and processing our food intake from the day prior. Lack of sleep causes low levels of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and metabolism.

Step Two: Take Action

As we depart from the halfway point of the semester, it may become clear to some students that "The Freshman Fifteen" is not a joke. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes and keep them in mind every day.

It is important to work out regularly, make dietary choices with nutrition in mind when eating in the dining hall, organize your schedule, and get enough sleep. Additionally, students should feel free to contact one of the College's Peer Health Educators, who have been educated on this phenomenon, and are well outfitted to help students in need. Health Promotions is located on the first floor of Jonsson Tower in Health Services. You can also contact Mohannad Aljawamis, a current Peer Health Educator, at maljawam@skidmore.edu.

President and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife delivers "The Policy Environment" lecture

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins

Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, offered a glimpse into the political battle between legislators and environmental conservationists on Thursday, Oct. 11 in Gannett Auditorium in a lecture entitled "The Policy Environment."

Established in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife works to promote innovative long-term solutions to protect wildlife and to preserve biodiversity. The non-profit organization has a rich history of fighting for environmental conservation on the legal front and working with policymakers to establish legislation that will ensure that wildlife populations are not increasingly marginalized.

Clark's lecture primarily focused on recent threats posed to the Endangered Species Act, which established a comprehensive list of all species considered endangered or threatened with extinction. Defenders of Wildlife has worked since 1973 to defend this act and continue maintenance of the list.

"[The Endangered Species Act] is the strongest environmental federal law currently existing, one that ideally possesses enough clout to slow biodiversity loss through the protective measures it authorizes," Clark said. "We are in the midst of the Sixth Great Extinction. Earth is losing something in the range of 30,000 to 100,000 species per year, a rate that is accelerating as a result of human overpopulation. Evidence of this mass extinction can be found in the rapid decline in bee populations throughout North America-a shocking trend that is only just beginning to wreak havoc on agriculture."

In spite of these alarming developments, an effective response has not yet been seen from government, according to Clark. In fact, the Endangered Species Act has faced intense political opposition in recent years. Acting as the cornerstone for endangered species protection, this act has been challenged by attacks to remove key provisions posed by conservative politicians.

"Intervention by Congress," Clark said, "has seriously threatened the gray wolf's status on the endangered species list in the past several years. The battle between legislators and the Defenders of Wildlife has further manifested itself in an effort by the Appropriations Subcommittee to halt additions to the endangered species list."

Clark highlighted cooperation as the central solution to protecting biodiversity and wildlife and in preventing further political measures from dismantling laws related to environmental conservation. She believes that scientists, legislators and environmental groups must collaborate to initiate long-lasting, effective protection laws.

Clark illustrated the importance of Defenders of Wildlife maintaining an influential power in government. An environmental organization possessing a strong political presence would ensure that environmental interests are not only considered, but are prioritized.

Another key component to success in conservation lies in reaching the base support of the public. Unfortunately, a language barrier has largely prevented scientists from getting the environmental message across, as they struggle to address the average American.

"Scientists must bring [the issues] into a frame the audience can understand," Clark said.

Rather than delving into the language of science to portray the devastation of biodiversity loss, environmental groups appeal to the emotions of the public, using the stories of treasured animals, such as the polar bear, in order to incite awareness.

Similarly, topics such as the rising of sea levels and natural disasters directly appeal to an audience that has witnessed devastation from events such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Obtaining support is all about placing issues in the right context, and for Defenders of Wildlife and other environmental organizations, this remains the crucial step in changing perspectives inside and outside of the political environment.

Born to Bake: Cheesecake cupcakes

Posted by Grace Harman

As a New Yorker, I love good cheesecake. For me, it's right up there with bagels and take-out Chinese food as a Manhattan dietary staple. The only issue is that cheesecake can be really, truly terrible. A bad crust, runny consistency or overly sour filling can easily ruin what is otherwise an awesome dessert.

In a fit of homesickness spurred by my parent's visit during Celebration Weekend, I decided I wanted to try my hand at cheesecake. The only issue is that I tend to give everything I bake away to friends to avoid massive weight gain, and cheesecake isn't particularly portable, making it difficult to share with lots of people. Fortunately, a fairly obvious solution presented itself: cheesecake cupcakes.

Unlike the chocolate cheesecake cupcakes I made a few weeks ago, which were simply outfitted with a cheesecake center, these cupcakes are actual miniature cheesecakes. Topped with chocolate ganache, these treats not only look classy, but also are wonderfully delicious.

Ingredients:

? 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

? 2 tablespoons white sugar

? 2 tablespoons melted butter

? 16 ounces cream cheese

? 1/2 cup white sugar

? 1 tablespoon white vinegar

? 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

? 2 eggs

Directions:
? Preheat oven to 325

Restaurant Review: Druthers

Posted by Tegan O'Neill

Druthers, Saratoga Springs's newest brewery, was definitely the place to be on a recent Saturday night, with a crowd so dense that servers could barely squeeze through the expansive maze of tables. Such support for the Saratoga dining scene was exciting to see. The people around me clearly seemed out to have a good time; they were there to enjoy good company and good beer and, judging from the volume level, I am pretty sure they were. The food, however, was another story. Druthers, I've learned, is a brewery first and an eatery second.

The Smoked Sausage Chips ($7), which began this meal's tribute to cheese, meat and starch, was probably the strongest plate of food that came out of the Druthers kitchen. The potatoes were cut into thick pieces with a cheesy sauce, laden with chunks of sausage and lightly spiced with fennel. They actually tasted just as good as the menu implied they would.

The flavor profile of sour cream and onion chips swept me into a nostalgic mood, and there was also hint of spice (maybe curry, or chili, or paprika) that made what I was eating seem slightly exotic while still maintaining an air of pleasant comfort. Sadly, the portion was much too large for only two people to finish, and chips drenched with cheese are not the type of thing that you can really enjoy reheated.

The From the Smoker Mac and Cheese ($15) was another story. It was advertised as super creamy and cheesy, with hunks of pork and bacon to please meat lovers and just a dash of BBQ sauce on top to give the dish some flair. It had the potential to be show-stopping, but it was only average. It simply felt like an overly creamy version of the classic macaroni dish, which left me bitter and disappointed. There was not enough BBQ sauce, pulled pork or smoked bacon and, in general, not enough flavor complexity to sustain my interest past a few mouthfuls. For something so bland, the portion was unreasonably large.

Worst of all was the Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Sandwich ($13). Some might say that one should never have great hopes for meatloaf, but I beg to differ, having been lucky enough to experience a truly delicious meatloaf sandwich in the past. Reading the menu's description detailing beer braised mushrooms, smoky BBQ sauce, melted cheddar, and crispy onions on buttered sourdough, I knew I wanted it in front of me. What they called a meatloaf sandwich, though, tasted like a burnt hamburger. I was astonished that each time I went back for another bite, I tasted less and less. The bread, too, was disappointing and the fries reminded me too much of McDonalds for me to enjoy them. As if all that were not enough, the presentation on the plate was horrendous. Druthers' poor meatloaf sandwich really had nothing going for it.

What I learned from eating out at Druthers is that if you like food to take the center stage when you go out to eat, eating at this brewery is not a good idea. If you like to savor your food and if you like portions to be on the small side so that you are left tantalized, eating at this brewery is not a good idea. If you like to use an inside voice when you go out to eat, eating at this brewery is not a good idea. But if you know all of these things ahead of time, and accept them as given, by all means, go out to eat at Druthers and enjoy its pub food and extensive beer selection in all of its glory.

To read more of Tegan O'Neill's outings, visit her blog at http://tegan-and-sarah.blogspot.com/

Dr. Katrina Smith offers new course on meditation and stress reduction

Posted by Zoe Dartley

Dr. Katrina Smith is a self-proclaimed late convert to meditation. A clinical psychologist at the college's Counseling Center, she began her training five years ago to help with the management of her personal stress levels. Now, she is teaching a one-credit meditation course on mindfulness-based stress reduction entitled Stress Reduction and Mindfulness.

Smith's course teaches various types of meditation, including yoga, body scanning, breathing awareness, walking meditation, and mindful movement. Smith believes that a class like this has much to offer to the student body.

"Students were reaching out for solutions and options. It's a large-scale way of helping students to deal with their stress," Smith said.

Two therapists working for the holistic practice "One Roof" in the Saratoga community started Stress Reduction and Mindfulness at the College seven years ago. The eight-week long class was originally developed for hospital patients suffering from chronic pain, but has since extended its reach to people afflicted with issues stemming from anxiety, depression, or any mood disorders.

Smith believes that anyone can benefit from meditation.

"[This program] is not specific to any problem. It is about centering and being present," she said.

In order to prepare for teaching the class, Smith attended an intensive one-week course taught by John Kabot-Zinn, founder of University of Massachusetts Stress Reduction Clinic and Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society. Kabot-Zinn's program has found much success and is currently being offered at over 200 medical centers and clinics internationally.

"By and large, it's been most successful with helping individuals to manage depression, anxiety, and pain. However, you don't have to be diagnosed with anything to have stress in your life," said Smith of the program.

Stress Reduction and Mindfulness is offered for the first half of the fall and spring semesters this year. While the program is based in meditation, a field with deep roots in spirituality, it is not a religion or philosophy class.

"The focus of the course is not tied to Buddhism or any specific philosophy. It starts with the physical and understanding your body and gaining some control over the mental process," Smith said.

Students can find the course listed on the College's master schedule as Physical Activity course 129 (PA-129C 001).

Smith highly recommends her course to any student who is looking for a new perspective on stress.

"Meditation can be individualized," Smith said. "Each individual's problems won't necessarily be solved, but meditation can help support strength, tolerance, and your capacity to gain perspective on your problems."

A Senior Girl's Survival Guide & Rules for Texting in the Dating Pool: What Would C. Do? Advice from an Anonymous Friend

Posted by C.

Attention, Senior girls/women/witches/warlocks/what-have-you: This is a sad, sad time for us. We have officially landed on the lowest tier of the totem pole of courtship. I know this is a pessimistic thought, but as I write this I am three pizza slices deep after my first day of trying to be healthy; so please, spare me, as I am not in a post-sex euphoric state.

This brings me to the main concern of my current standing as a senior girl trying to get frisky: the competition is stiffer than an over-ripe banana. There are the new faces of the freshmen, the slightly seasoned sophomores and the not-so-juvenile juniors. And then... there are the senior girls. 

Senior girls have a minimal pool of potential mates; we've had many more semesters to mix and mingle with our potential prospects. We've had multiple semesters to scope the scene and for the scene to scope us out as well.

When you're a senior, canoodling within the senior class seems feasible and not as sour as you would think, but there are things to consider: First, you have probably hooked up with the people you have wanted to by now. Second, your prospect may already have a significant other that has been in the works for years. Third and final, the eyes of senior boys are probably on the new set of chicks flocking into this coup.

Then there are the juniors, sophomores and freshmen. The juniors are a compatible bunch, but they are followed by a steep ride on the cougar train. As your partners get younger and younger, the situation gets weirder and weirder. Unfortunately, there is a double standard in place that gives guys a greater range of flexibility with the age of their intimate associate, but if you purr like me, it is okay to cougar it up (well, really down) for some awkwardly adolescent kisses and touching every once in a while.

On to the question:
Dear C.,
I just started talking to this guy that seems great. I'm really into him and I think he definitely likes me,--I'm just not sure in what way. We text all the time, but what does it mean if he doesn't text me first, but when I text him he answers super quickly?
-First is the Worst?

Dear First is the Worst?,
We are conditioned to think guys must make the first move, but that's not the case.
It surprises me how many ladies still tame their loins because they don't want to be the first one to text, so good for you for doing you!

Just because he's not trying to call you, beep you, when YOU want him to reach you, doesn't mean he's not into you. However, when he answers quickly, it doesn't necessarily indicate anything other than his strong attachment to his phone.

First is only the worst when it gets excessive and annoying. Soak up this piece of common knowledge: Don't be a "texual cling-on!" You should not ALWAYS be the one initiating conversation. Give yourself some time to distance your heart and/or horniness from your QWERTY keyboard. If he is into you and wants to talk to you, he's going to make the effort and hopefully will send some sweet nothings your way.

If you want to have a chance for him to initiate a text, cease conversation for a while and see if he comes around. Do not set any expectations. If he doesn't try to get in contact with you virtually or physically, then you have a clearer, although slightly more somber, idea of his feelings for you.

Maintain a solid friendship even if things don't work out as desired. If they do, I wish you many moons of face-to-face conversation!

Stars and hearts,

C.

For advice, contact me at SkidWWCD@gmail.com with questions.
Privacy is guaranteed.
Advice can remain unpublished upon request.

Born to Bake: Oreo Reese's chocolate cupcakes

Posted by Grace Harman

More often than I'm willing to admit, I have the urge to bake unrelated delicious things into a cupcake just to see how it works out. Sometimes the cupcakes don't rise, or they burn, or they do that weird thing where the inside stays raw while the outside is crispy as bacon. When something along those lines happens, the unfortunate concoction is tossed under a layer of crumpled up paper towels in the garbage to hide the shame of my failure. Other times, though, something wonderful happens.

Luckily for us, this time my cobbling together of ingredients actually turned into something pretty awesome. I've taken a yummy, basic chocolate cupcake recipe, and added in two classic treats: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Oreos. Topped off with a peanut butter Oreo buttercream frosting, these cupcakes are an overload of chocolate-y goodness so good, you may need to sit down to enjoy them.

If you haven't made buttercream frosting before, it's really very simple, and I would recommend taking a swing at it for this recipe as the frosting is a pretty integral part of the Oreo Reese's Chocolate cupcake experience. However, if the idea is really too daunting, just grab a can of vanilla or chocolate frosting from the store and I'm certain you'll still be pleased with the outcome.

Cupcake Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder A pinch of salt 1 ounce bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 3/4 cup buttermilk 16 chocolate sandwich cookies 16 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350

Born to Bake: Nutella banana muffins

Posted by Grace Harman

Bananas are one of the cheapest fruits you can buy. They're soft, sweet and full of things that are good for you. Thankfully, you can quickly remedy that last part by baking them into a Nutella Banana muffin. Yes, they are as wonderful as they sound.

While this may sound like a challenge to make, the base recipe for these treats is essentially the same as it would be for classic banana muffins. I don't think anyone reading this is looking for something so plain, however, so I went ahead and added a little bit of oomph into the mix.

When I recently found myself with a bunch of bananas on the verge of going bad, I figured the best thing to do was make muffins with Nutella. Nutella is great with pretty much any fruit, and if you haven't had a granny smith apple with Nutella yet you are truly doing yourself a disservice. While the stuff may have about 11 grams of fat in just two itty bitty tablespoons, it's still about as close to ambrosia as we lowly mortals are ever going to get. I personally elect to put it in or on everything, especially banana muffins.

Regular banana bread is, of course, delicious on its own, but think about how delicious it might be with some hazelnut -spread swirled in. If the two dozen muffins I made hadn't already been demolished by friends, you can bet I'd be scarfing one down as I write this recipe out.

Ingredients:
? 3 cups all-purpose flour

? 2 teaspoons baking powder

? 2 teaspoons baking soda

? 1 teaspoon salt

? 6 large bananas, mashed

? 1-1/2 cups white sugar

? 2 egg

? 2/3 cup butter, melted

? 1/4 cup Nutella

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350

Frugal Foods, Happy Stomachs: Turkey chili

Posted by Ashley Copperstone

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, fellow students, but winter fast approaches. Harsh winds are blowing, the air is getting chilly, and frosted ground seems to be just a few days away. I could've sworn I smelled snow near The Local on Van Dam Street last night!

But don't worry, my friends, because the often painful departure of summer means that good things are also on their way. Wonderful things like Saratoga Apple's cider doughnuts, on-campus events like Moorebid and Thanksgiving break are all growing closer and closer. So, put a pumpkin in your window-seat, grab another blanket for your bed (take one off if you live in the dorms!) and bust out the scarves, hats and ugly sweaters because we are diving headfirst into fall.

In honor of autumn, I bring you warm love and happiness in a bowl. Dig deep into your cabinets for a big pot, because tonight is Chili Night. It may sound like a culinary challenge, but don't be scared because chili, while delicious, is possibly one of the easiest dishes to prepare! This recipe is actually the work of my mom and godmother, so be prepared for something that registers somewhere between cleanliness and godliness.
In the interest of pleasing my readers as I have done in the past, this recipe is already gluten free and you can easily substitute the turkey for beef, chicken, tofu, or even just beans and vegetables. After all, chili is chili no matter what you put in it! If time is a concern, you can also start preparing this dish in the morning and leave it in a crockpot to cook until you're ready to eat it later in the day.

Turkey Chili:
1 lb of ground turkey meat

1 14.5 oz can of Del Monte Diced Tomatoes

1 8 oz can of Del Monte Tomato Sauce

1 can of Beans (Any kind will do! Pick a favorite or two)

1 pack of chili mix (Ortega is good!)

1 portabella mushroom, chopped

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

A pinch of Parsley

A pinch of Cinnamon

A pinch of Basil

A pinch of Chili Powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

NOTE: Basically everything works well in chili. If you have any veggies in your fridge that you want to use, just throw them into the chili pot!

Step 1: Heat saut?? pan to medium-high heat and brown meat.

Step 2: While the meat is browning, empty both cans of tomato sauce into a large pot and mix in the garlic and chili mix and put them on medium heat. Alternatively, place this mix into a crockpot on low for 7-8 hours, or high for 3-5 hours.

Step 3: Drain the excess oil off of the meat, and mix this into the chili pot.

Step 4: Brown mushrooms and onions in the saut?? pan used prior, and add them to the chili mix when sufficiently cooked.

Step 5: Mix in the extra spices.

Step 6: WAIT! Stir when needed! Patience is a virtue.

Step 7 (optional): Grab some chips, bread or something else delicious to dip in the chili! 

Step 8: When your patience is all but gone and the chili meets your ideal consistency, it's time to eat. Enjoy!