Mount Hood

Quick and Easy Recipes for Students on the Go

Written by:Jude Bokovoy

Chia pudding is a great breakfast or snack for anyone in a hurry. All one needs to do is make it the night before. When ready to eat, place some fruit on top and eat with a spoon for a quick pick-me-up. There are many health benefits packed into chia pudding. Omega 3’s, protein, fiber, iron, vitamin B, zinc and magnesium can be found in each of these recipes. 

Simple Base

Start to finish: 3 minute prep time

Yields: 1 serving

2 ⅔ tablespoons chia seeds

⅔ cup milk of choice

Honey or maple syrup as desired

Fruit of choice

Start one’s chia journey with a clean slate. First, pick out a dish. It is good to keep in mind this is what one will be eating out of, because who wants more dishes to clean? Mason jars, small glass cups or bowls are all great options. Add chia seeds, milk and sweetener to the dish. Stir until combined. Leave in the fridge overnight or for at least two hours. Top with fruit of choice. Raspberries, blueberries, chopped bananas or peach slices are all commonly used choices.

PB Chocolate Banana

Start to finish: 5 minute prep time

Yields: 1 serving

2 ⅔ tablespoons chia seeds

⅔ cup milk of choice

½ tablespoon cocoa powder

⅓ banana

1 tablespoon peanut butter or nut butter of choice

Looking for some additional protein to kick start the day? This style of chia pudding is guaranteed to keep one full. Combine chia seeds and milk in a dish. Mix in cocoa powder thoroughly, then place overnight in the fridge. When ready to serve, chop the banana into bite sized pieces and place on top of the pudding mixture. Drizzle nut butter over top. 

Raspberry Cinnamon Spice

Start to finish: 3 minute prep time

Yields: 1 serving



Clicking Cocktails

Written by:Jude Bokovoy

When entering the world of responsible drinking, the most enjoyable hiccup is figuring out what drink to order. There is a wide variety  of options for both liquor and mixers. Listed below are some dependable cocktail recipes that can be tailored to one’s preferences. 

Moscow mule — With a strong punch of ginger and lime, this bubbly drink will mask the taste of vodka, leaving the drinker refreshed. There are many spins on this classic with common flavor additions including pear, jalapeno or strawberry. 

Espresso martini — Calling all coffee lovers. An espresso martini is a great way to transition from morning to night. With the bold taste of espresso, cream and coffee liqueur— this martini’s beauty and taste will last.  

Daiquiri — This classic cocktail includes three simple ingredients: rum, lime juice and simple syrup. Popular varieties include adding strawberry or peach.

Cuba libre — Love cola? Cola, lime juice and rum complete this delicious spiked soda.

Mojito — This refreshing cocktail will bring one back to summertime. White rum, lime juice, simple syrup and mint muddled over ice make for an excellent treat. Try this drink the classic way or spice things up by adding fresh jalapenos. 

Tequila sunrise — This sweet, tropical drink consists of orange juice, grenadine syrup and of course— tequila. 

French 75 — Feeling fancy? Sip on champagne, gin, lime juice and simple syrup with an orange twist garnish. 

Highball — Keep it simple with whisky and ginger ale over ice.

Bloody Mary — Switch things up with a daring Bloody Mary. Consisting of tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, lemon juice and Tabasco, this drink packs a punch.

Sea breeze — This colorful drink contains vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice over ice.

Mint Julep — This fresh cocktail is made with bourbon, simple syrup and mint leaves.

Mimosa — Brighten up the morning with a mimosa by simply combining champagne and orange juice.

Lemon drop — This well known cocktail consists of vodka, triple sec, lemon juice and simple syrup. To add a floral taste, swap out simple syrup with lavender syrup. 

Margarita — How could one forget about margaritas? Though there are many variations, the classic recipe calls for tequila blanco, lime juice, simple syrup and is typically served with a salted rim. Adding jalapeno also brings a delicious kick. 

Whatever one’s drink of choice may be, try branching out every once in a while. It’s always fun to experiment —and who knows? The next cocktail one tries could be their next go-to drink.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu



Local Hiking: Get out in Nature

Written by: Dakota Gange 

When one hears the name “Amazon,” is the image conjured consistent with a website? If the answer is yes, it’s time to get out and spend some time with nature. 

The autumn air is refreshing, and here one can keep more than a six feet distance. 

On a forest trail, the sun kisses one’s skin and the raindrops pitter and patter across the face. The smell of effervescent flowers and notes of pine floats across the nose like the purest form of essential oils. Bird songs fill the sky, while  squirrels chase each other around a tree, bringing out the child in us all. 

During the sunny seasons,  bees and  butterflies float across a field of flowers — pollinating them to their desire. The colder and wetter seasons bring in bold colors of  water droplets among  clouds — perfect for  viewing  a sunrise or sunset from atop a hill or mountain. One might spot a newt scurrying in the mud or hear an owl hoot from a  tree top. 

Nature such as this may not reside in one’s backyard, but they  may exist in  local, easily-accessible hiking, biking and walking trails. 

Listed below are my most frequented and favorite go-to hiking spots in Corvallis —a mere 25-30 minutes away from Western’s campus —even when all I have is two hours to spare. 

The Lewisburg Saddle

Residing in Oregon State Universitys’ McDonald Dunn State Forest, this trail is a great option to get some space from other hikers. Its trails contain old and new growth, as well as some gorgeous Douglas firs. The trail is wide and easy to find; one can walk the full loop —which can take several hours— or make it a shorter hike by turning around. 

Upper Horse Trail and Ridge Trail; Lewisburg Saddle West

This trail is my absolute favorite, taking one through a fairy-like “Fern Gully” wonderland. Containing moss-covered growth, beautiful bent trees and branches creating a tunnel-like view— I often imagine this is where the fairies come out at night to play. 

Fitton Green

Craving a spectacular view of a sunset or sunrise? Well there’s no need to travel up to Mary’s Peak when we have this special place; its view of Corvallis is comparable to that of the large mountain. 

Bald Hill

A classic for the locals, Bald Hill is a crowd favorite, as it is so navigable with multiple trails to choose from. All trails lead from the bottom of the hill to the top, one way or another. One can summit this hill in an hour and the view is simply breathtaking. There are paved biking/walking trails that line the bottom, perfect for wheeled excursions. 

Chip Ross

This trail rests on the cusp of Corvallis’ Crescent Valley High school, off of Highland Drive. It’s a great place to view the city, with wide trails that take you on an up-and-down excursion and a few benches lining the top where you can sit and take in the view. There’s an old oak tree with a large red heart carved into it; one might find a couple sitting on the bench below. Hiking here is spacious and will get your heart pumping.

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu




Oh Gnocchi You Don’t

Written by:Jude Bokovoy

Ever tried gnocchi? This comforting recipe will introduce one to a variety of flavors.

Chicken Pesto Gnocchi

Start to finish: 15 minutes

Yields: 2 servings

½ bag of gnocchi

¼ cup pesto of choice

½ cooked chicken breast

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons balsamic glaze

5 tablespoons parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons red chili flakes

Start by heating a large pan with olive oil. Once the pan is warm, add gnocchi. Cook until the bottom is golden and then flip to brown the top. This should take about ten minutes. Chop the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces then add to the pan. Stir in the pesto along with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese. Cook until fully warm, then plate. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu



Sip On This

Written by:Jude Bokovoy

Tired of the same cup of joe each morning? Let fellow Western students provide some inspiration. Read the responses to questions asked by the Howl below.

What is one’s go to coffee order? 

Macchiato: A classic macchiato is one part espresso and one part steamed milk. However, Starbucks creates its macchiatos just like an iced caramel latte, but layered. First, vanilla syrup is added to the bottom of the cup, followed by milk, ice, and espresso shots. Caramel is drizzled over the top of the entire drink, creating delicious, flavorful ribbons to be drunk from a sip lid. One student prefers to add vanilla bean powder to their Starbucks caramel macchiato. 

Latte: This drink is made with one to four shots of espresso and steamed or cold whole milk. One’s favorite alternative milk can be easily substituted. Students’ favorite flavor combinations include honey with cinnamon and hazelnut with coconut. Other alterations involve switching out espresso with different roasts, like highly-caffeinated white coffee, or replacing milk with half and half or even eggnog.

Chai latte: The name is easily deceptive. Believe it or not, there is no espresso included in this drink. Instead of espresso, this latte includes a chai tea base along with steamed or cold  milk, depending if one wants it hot or iced.

Dirty chai: To make a chai latte “dirty,” add a shot or two of espresso. 

Both the classic and dirty chai are very popular with students. One student turns their dirty chai into a breve by replacing the milk with half and half. Another adds white chocolate. 

Mocha: This drink is prepared just like a latte with the addition of a chocolate syrup or powder. To make a white mocha, swap out regular chocolate for white chocolate syrup or powder. Some students have their mochas with raspberry, peppermint or dark chocolate. 

Cold brew: The smoothest drink out there is a cold brew. Baristas will soak fresh espresso grounds with cold water and strain through a tea cloth and let it sit for 24 hours to gain potency. This drink is served plain over ice or with cream, as preferred by a student. 

White Russian: To transition from morning to night, one student of age likes to wind down with this adult beverage — made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream over ice in an old-fashioned glass.

Students also submitted votes on their alternative milk of choice, as well as their temperature preference. 

Which alternative milk is the best?

Oat: 69%

Almond: 15%

Cashew: 7%

Hot or iced?

Hot: 16%

Iced: 83%

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu



Wonderful Western

Written by:Jude Bokovoy

There are many things for Western students to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season. To practice gratitude, reflect on what there is to be thankful for here at Western. 

Education — Many people don’t have the opportunity to get a higher education. Being a student at a university is such a blessing, let alone a college as great as Western. There are a variety of majors and minors to choose from and there are always opportunities to experiment with extracurriculars. What makes Western unique when it comes to higher education, is their outstanding Teaching and American Sign Language programs. The teaching program ranks fourth in the nation, with American Sign Language following closely behind as seventh.

Resources — There are so many resources available to Western students. Whether it’s counseling, advising, healthcare or housing, Western has one covered. There are also amazing non-academic resources such as Western’s Food Pantry and the Stitch Closet.

Campus — Western’s campus is filled with activities to keep students engaged. There are a wide number of clubs and organizations, coed sports, fitness classes, games and campus activities year round. 

Experience fall — Western provides a unique experience in autumn. Students get to watch the leaves change colors, feel the weather cool and see sunsets much earlier in the day. 

Welcoming town — The beautiful town of Monmouth gives students the feeling of home with its plethora of family owned businesses. Many restaurants are within walking distance of the campus, giving students the opportunity to try something new while supporting the community. 

Location — Monmouth is the perfect place for students who like to travel — being that it is only an hour away from Portland, 45 minutes away from multiple beaches, 30 minutes away from Corvallis, 20 minutes away from Salem and only 15 minutes away from Dallas. Each of these places are different from each other and are full of restaurants, businesses, activities and beautiful sceneries. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu



Not Just Your Mothers Tears

Written by:Nicholas Sarysz

Imagine sitting around a table with one’s extended relatives, who are all giving their very bad opinions on what one should do with one’s life. While it may sound like some form of torture, it is actually what many consider “celebrating” Thanksgiving.

However, the holiday is not about being forced to spend time with one’s extended family. Instead, Thanksgiving is about coming together to celebrate the blessings we all experience. After all, if one is going to be forced to sit next to their politically-opinionated uncle, they might as well at least get a feast and a long weekend out of the ordeal.

Families will most commonly cook turkey for the holiday, sided by various dishes that may include mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and more. Of course, many accompany the day with different activities, such as watching football, sharing what they are most grateful for or even preparing for a Black Friday extravaganza. 

Many others, who are unable to spend time with family during the holiday, celebrate “Friendsgiving.” When it boils down to it, Thanksgiving is all about tradition and being surrounded by the people you love.

The tradition dates back to November 1621, when the first American colonists shared a feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans after their harvest. While this appeared to be the groundwork for a great relationship and a glorious holiday for everyone, it only worked out that way for one of the parties.

Fast forward to 2022 and those that most closely resemble the colonists that arrived from Plymouth run prosperously throughout the country, while the Indigenous people are shoved into forlorn land that the government labeled as a reservation. Today, many people view these reservations as a novelty, where they are able to gamble at casinos and purchase illegal fireworks to set off in their suburban neighborhoods. 

The trajectory taken to get to this point is even worse, as the history between the two sides is nothing more than a long and bloody conflict that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.

The American Government acts as if none of this conflict ever existed and continues to marinate its national holidays in deceptive ways. 

Yet, it is unlikely that any of this will change. Many teachers will continue to white-wash the country’s dirty past by depicting a great relationship between the two sides, all while the students ignorantly craft hand turkeys out of construction paper and finger paint.

So the next time one is  listening to their Uncle Jim rant about this President or that Ballot Initiative, think about the pain and suffering that has gone into the making of the meal that is going cold in front of them— and not just one’s mother’s blood, sweat and tears.

By no means is spending time with one’s family an inherently evil act and neither is forming traditions with those you love. What may be, however, is continuing to pretend that nothing is wrong with the origins of Thanksgiving.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@mail.wou.edu



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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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