Mount Hood

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



Add Some Flair to One’s Winter Schedule by Using Some of these Course Options

Written by:Jude Bokovoy 

Need ideas for classes to register for this upcoming term? Have too many extracurriculars to fill more than interests? Take a look at these wonderful opportunities to help branch out for winter term.

Anthropology 216 – Cultural Anthropology: Focuses include learned beliefs, behaviors and symbols utilized in cultures and societies around the world.

Anthropology 332 – Forensic Anthropology: This course is taught from a forensic anthropologist’s point of view analyzing the history of the discipline. Students will learn about goals, techniques and simpler uses of forensic anthropology. 

Art 120 – Beginning Digital Art & Design: Looking into the impacts of visual design, students will create art and designs using software. 

Art 250 – Introduction to Ceramics: Dive into the world of ceramics by creating pieces using handwork and wheel-throwing techniques.

Biology 134 – Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology: This inquiry-based student centered course walks through basic chemistry, cells, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems of the human body. 

Business 315 – Financial Management: This course goes over budgeting, profit planning, capital management, financial forecasting and much more information that could be helpful for any student. 

Chemistry 420 – Forensic Laboratory Techniques and Documentation: By analyzing physical evidence, one will learn about DNA, explosive residues, papers and inks, arson debris, gunshot residues and serology by using various techniques. 

Communication Studies 236 – Contemporary Issues in Media: Become aware of how media impacts individuals, organizations and the government. This class specifically focuses on the impact of reality T.V. 

Communication Studies 360 – Sport Communication: This course looks into individualized areas of interest including player-coach communication, media spectacles, controversies, journalism and many other sport related issues. 

Computer Science 361 – Algorithms: Learn about how algorithms are designed and implemented.

Criminal Justice 320 – Operations Administration in Homeland Security: Gain skills on how to collaborate with a community to take action concerning homeland security.

Criminal Justice 328 – Forensic Osteology: Through hands-on learning, one will get to identify human and skeletal remains while learning about a variety of related topics.

Dance 171 – World Dance: Hula: Explore the Polynesian dance, hula, through movement while learning its cultural meaning and values.

Dance 255 – Introduction to Dance: Get a feel of a variety of dance styles including hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theater and more.

Dance 340 – Conditioning for Dancers: Create a perfect, individualized conditioning routine catered to one’s dancing preferences. 

Earth Science 106 – Exploring the Oceans and Atmosphere: Learn about the Earth’s systems through chemistry, geology and physics. 

Earth Science 320 – Basic Meteorology: Study meteorological phenomena including topics such as the atmosphere, air pressure, heat transfer, precipitation and much more.

Entrepreneurship 384 – Going Into Business In Oregon: This course introduces students to the inner workings of starting a business in the state of Oregon. 

Exercise Science 455 – Physical Activity & Aging: Learn about the long term effects of individual and public healthcare that can motivate one to change lifestyles.

Gerontology 200 – The Aging Self: Your Pathway Through Adulthood: Students will learn about how their personal decisions will affect their life trajectories through discussion and self reflection.

History 489 – Environmental History: Watch the world transform through the history of agriculture, scientific inquiry, urban growth and more.

Literature 386 – Form and Meaning in Film: Observe film as an artform through the lens of a filmmaker. 

Philosophy 103 – Introduction to Logic: Students will analyze the techniques used to make decisions, problem solve and make judgments.

Political Science 203 – International Relations: Learn about the relations between international organizations and nations, as well as global problems and potential resolutions. 

Psychology 449 – Psychology of Creativity: Topics cover social and cultural contexts of creativity, individuality and collaboration in the creative process.  

Sociology 315 – Social Stratification and Inequality: Examine the concept of social classes, distribution of resources, causes and consequences of poverty, stratification and inequality.

Sustainability 201 – Nature and Society: Examine how society has affected nature through research and lab exercises. 

Theater Arts 328 – Stage Combat Studio: Learn how stage combat is executed first-hand by using Society of American Fight Directors’ recognised weapon styles. 

Writing 361 – Poetry Workshop: Become a poet through use of proper technique and appreciation of the artform. 

For more information check out the schedule planner accessible on the Western Oregon University Portal 2.0.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu








Rating the Best of Celebrity Halloween Customer

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

This Halloween season, many celebrities did not wait until Oct. 31 to don their costumes. This year, social media saw some of the craziest costumes worn by celebrities. Whether it’s because they are hilarious or just outright different, here are some of the best celebrity Halloween costumes of 2022, rated. Every celebrity costume can be found on their respective Instagram accounts.

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum took the creepy — and hilariously funny — route this Halloween, dressing up as a pink, hyper realistic worm. The model’s costume turned many heads this Halloween, leaving them asking “What in the world?” To match Klum, her husband, Tom Kaulitz, dressed up as a fisherman. What else would one expect from the Queen of Halloween? 10/10.

Couple Frankie Jonas and Anna Olson

The youngest and forgotten brother of the Jonas Brothers poked fun at his sibling, Joe Jonas, and ex-girlfriend, Taylor Swift, with the recreation of one of their more iconic stage moments. Anna Olson embodied Taylor Swift in a tight, silver dress while Frankie Jonas dressed as the spitting image of his older brother in a fitted black shirt. It is unknown whether or not Taylor Swift approved of the couple’s costumes. 7.5/10.

Joe Jonas

Joe Jonas may not have sported the iconic Taylor Swift red lipstick, but he did sport the red lips of the iconic figure, Flo from Progressive Insurance. He completed the look with all-white attire and a blue headband to accentuate those brown locks, topped off, of course, with a pin reading, “I love insurance.” 8/10.

Kim Kardashian

This Halloween, the “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star donned the character, Mystique, from the X-men superhero universe. Funnily enough, and in a twisting turn of events, Kim accidentally wore the costume to a friend’s birthday party, in a small misunderstanding that the party was a Halloween costume party. For that, it receives a rating of 8.5/10.



Space Up this Year Friendgiving Spread with this Captivating Dessert

Written by:Jude Bokovoy 

Don’t let the name drive one away — this olive oil cake recipe has subtle notes of lemon that will satisfy any craving. This cake is perfect for a Friendsgiving with countless presentation options, simple ingredients and perfect for a light dessert.

OLIVE OIL CAKE

Start to finish: 1 hour 10 minutes

Yields: 8 servings

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

⅔ cup granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup greek yogurt

2 large eggs

⅔ cup high quality olive oil

Juice of half a lemon

Zest of a whole lemon

Garnish

⅛ cup powdered sugar

20 raspberries

Preheat the oven to 350℉. Add dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir until combined. Create a well in the middle of the bowl and set aside. Combine wet ingredients in the order listed above, leaving out lemon juice and zest. Pour wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients and slowly whisk the corners of the dry ingredients in. Once fully combined, add lemon juice and zest. Oil a nine inch circular pan, then pour batter evenly into the pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown. While the cake is cooling, use parchment paper to create a stencil to make a design in powdered sugar. Once the cake is cool, apply the stencil and tap on the powdered sugar using a small strainer or spoon. Set raspberries beside the cake for guests to apply to their slice. For more details check out the full recipe at feelgoodfoodie.net.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu