Mount Hood

New year, new you: how to stay on top of resolutions

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

When the end of the year rolls around, many people decide to create resolutions for the new year, whether it’s fun goals to accomplish or ways to improve the way someone is currently living. A potential problem that arises from these resolutions is accidentally or intentionally dropping them not long after declaring them. Here are some tips to try and help stay on top of those New Year’s resolutions.

A simple fix that seems to be trending is to invest in a planner; not only could that assist in planning out resolutions in general, but it can also help with staying on track for the future. By using the planner, goals can be set for each day, week or month — depending on the goal itself and how often someone feels they need to be doing it.

Alternatively, merely writing down aspirations for the new year can be effective. By creating a checklist, goals can be tracked and marked off with ease. Writing down resolutions in a notebook is a simple way to do this, or even inputting them into a checklist style note on a smartphone. A fun way to keep track of resolutions is to write each individual goal on a sticky note and place them somewhere that will be seen every day. For instance, the sticky notes can be placed on the wall, the door to the bedroom, around a mirror or miscellaneously placed across the surface of a desk.

Setting reminders on a smartphone can also be beneficial to those struggling to maintain new year objectives. By going into the calendar app, an event can be set up on a day of the person’s choosing, and it can be set to repeat whenever and however long is desired. This way, a person can check their progress each day, week or month, or it can be simply a way to remember while the resolution is still fresh and potentially forgettable.

Lastly, tell family and friends about any New Year’s resolutions so they can assist in the process of keeping them. They can provide support and encouragement when first starting out, or if a goal starts to become particularly challenging. They can serve as a pep squad of sorts to make the process of completing the objective easier, or even help with completing the goal by actively encouraging, which in turn can make the activity more enjoyable as a whole. 

A final thing to keep in mind is that it’s okay to fall behind on resolutions; things can happen in life that alter plans previously made, but anyone can pick themselves back up where they left off.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Slide, glide and skate at ice skating rinks

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

An activity that becomes popular around the winter season is ice skating, and can be a fun way to get out with friends during the holiday break. Here are a few places sprinkled around the northwest.

Lloyd Center Ice Rink is located at 953 Lloyd Center in Portland, and is directly in the center of the mall. Found right across from Macy’s on the first floor, the ice rink provides an opportunity for patrons to freestyle skate, take skating lessons or even reserve for a birthday party. 

Lessons can be for people from preschool to adult level, and cost $123 for 30 minutes a week for seven weeks of classes, but is currently on sale for $113 until Jan. 4. Those who sign up for lessons get free admission to all public skating times from the sign up day through the seven weeks of lessons, along with free rental of skates on the day of class. Lessons for current registration will run from Jan. 6–Feb. 22. For advanced competitive skaters, there are 45–60 minute sessions that cost $12 for drop-ins and $105 for a 10 punch card. Admission currently for the holiday season from Dec. 14–Jan. 5 is $20 and $4 to rent skates. Their hours are Monday 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. but is closed on Christmas, Thursday 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m.–8:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. More information can be found at lloydice.com.

Mountain View Ice Arena, located in Vancouver, WA at 14313 Mill Plain Blvd., also has private and public lessons and availability. Potential customers have the opportunity to take private lessons for both figure skating and hockey. Each sport has different coaches available to choose from, and times that are available and fees vary from person to person. For individuals that are new to ice skating in general, their Learn to Skate program offers group lessons from four year olds to seasoned veteran skaters. Sessions are held once a week for eight or nine weeks, and are all taught by experienced skaters. The current price for public admission is about $10 with a $4 skate rental fee, and passes of various lengths can be bought for $299–$899. Their schedule varies each week and day-to-day, but generally times are from anywhere between 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Look at their website mtviewice.com for more information.

Winter Village is in Hillsboro at Jerry Willey Plaza at 943 NE Orenco Station Loop. It opened on Nov. 29 for it’s fifth season, and is an open-air ice skating area. There isn’t any online or pre-sale options to purchase at this location, however tickets are available to purchase 15 minutes before the skating session begins. General public admission costs $13 for ages 12 and older and $10 for ages 4–11. Family packages can be bought for $40; rental for skates is $5. Private sessions are available for Mondays, toddlers get to skate on Tuesdays and public skating is from 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. with schedules varying for the holidays — the rink will close early on Dec. 24 and will be closed fully on Dec. 25 for Christmas day.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Enjoy another festive holiday dessert with this Hanukkah pastry

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Christmas isn’t the only holiday that happens in December — Hanukkah takes place just before Christmas, and lasts eight days. Here’s a Jewish pastry recipe that can be made during this holiday.

 

NUTELLA RUGELACH

Start to finish: 1 hour 45 minutes

Yields: 48

For the dough:

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

½ cup sugar

3 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch of coarse salt

2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out dough

For the filling:

4 ounces walnuts 

½ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

Pinch of salt

12 oz nutella (jam or chocolate chips can be substituted)

For finishing:

3 egg whites, lightly beaten

 

Make the dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and cream cheese at medium speed. Add sugar, and beat until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Add vanilla and salt, and beat to combine. Reduce speed to low, and beat in flour. Remove from bowl, and divide into three pieces on a lightly floured surface. Pat into disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour, and up to overnight.

Make the filling: In a food processor, combine walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pulse until fine.

Preheat the oven to 350 F°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece of dough into a 12-inch round, less than ⅛ inch thick. Spread evenly with nutella (it may help to have the nutella a bit melted so it doesn’t tear the dough while spreading). Sprinkle with ⅓  of the walnut mixture. Gently press ingredients into dough with your fingers.

Cut the round into 16 equal-sized wedges (triangle shaped like pizza slices). Beginning at the base of each wedge, roll to enclose filling, forming crescent shapes. Pinch to seal. Place on prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and filling ingredients. Brush tops with beaten egg white. Bake until golden brown, 25 minutes.

Recipe from eatingbirdfood.com

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Hit the slopes at these locations during winter break

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

With December comes the winter season, which in turn brings snow — albeit, rarely when in Oregon. During Western’s winter break, try visiting these places in Oregon with friends or family to get in some skiing or snowboarding during vacation.

Mt. Bachelor is located in Bend at 13000 SW Century Dr. It’s open every day, and has a live weather cam on their website to inform visitors about the current amount of snow that’s on the mountain. The conditions report can be found by clicking the “what’s open” option on the main home page, which then gives the viewer an update on the state of the resort. They have a variety of winter-related activities available to patrons, such as skiing, snowboarding and sled dog rides. In addition, for customers who do not have their own snow gear, there are rental options for equipment from helmets to snowboards. Rental packages vary from about $55 to a little over $200. 

Season passes can be bought in advance and work for the 2019-2020 winter season — which varies but is typically from November to May. Their lift opened Friday, Dec. 13, and is available to use from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The cafe they have available for use is open from 7:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m. The West Village Mountain Gateway Building is open from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. More information in regards to passes, hours and rentals can be found on their website mtbachelor.com.

Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge offers lessons and various lodging options for guests; similar to Mt. Bachelor, Timberline also has a weather conditions monitor on their website. It provides updates on the temperature, snow levels and amount of fresh snow that has fallen, with pictures that are frequently updated to physically showcase the amount of snow in each area. From snow tubing to snowshoeing, it provides multiple options for winter activities for everyone. There are lifts scattered throughout the lodge along with two terrains for guests to roam. 

The operating hours for the Schoolyard and Thunder terrains are from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Multiple bundle packages for lodging and activities vary in price from around $100 to about $500. The season passes for adults is $439, and pass holders are able to gain discounts around the lodge and shops. Even more prices, deals and information can be found at timberlinelodge.com.

Hoodoo Ski Area in Eugene is not currently open for the 2019-2020 winter season, but will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, along with holidays, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. In the meantime, prospective customers can check on the current state of the mountain using the webcams and updating system on the website. Ski lessons will be available for groups, private or both, and the levels for each lesson vary by the individual or group skill level. In addition to skiing, there is snow tubing and a multitude of events for the public to attend. More information can be found at skihoodoo.com. 

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Get festive with these Christmas themed iced sugar cookies

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Once the holidays come around, my household becomes filled with various sweets and treats for family dinners. An easy and fun recipe that I do with my mom is Christmas themed sugar cookies. Here’s the recipe she uses — try it out with friends or family members during this holiday baking season.

 

CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIES

Start to finish: 4 hours and 30 minutes

For the classic sugar cookies: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¾ cups (or 1 ½ sticks) unsalted, softened butter

2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening

⅔ cup sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the basic royal icing: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

2 large egg whites

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

MAKING THE CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIES

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking powder, and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until just combined. Add the flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Dust a work surface with a sprinkling of flour. Unwrap the chilled dough, and put it directly on the work surface. Roll the dough ¼ inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut shapes in the dough, and transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets.

Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, until they are set but not browned. Remove from the oven and place the baking sheet on a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely.

MAKE THE BASIC ROYAL ICING

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg whites and lemon juice until the mixture is completely smooth. The mixture should have the texture of a glaze. If the mixture is too thin, add a bit more sugar. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of lemon juice. You can add a few drops of food coloring if desired, or you can divide the icing among many mixing bowls if you need more than one color.

The best way to ice sugar cookies is with a pastry bag fitted with a small or medium tip. First, outline the cookie or design, then fill it in. Let the icing harden before serving.

The cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days.

Recipe from “BAKED: New Frontiers in Baking” by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Check out Haole Island Grill for another food truck option

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

Haole Island Grill is located in Independence at 1350 Monmouth St in the parking lot near Roth’s. It’s owned and operated by Christopher Savignard, who started the food truck in February.

Savignard is a graduate from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, and is a classically trained French chef. He wants to own his own restaurant someday, using the food truck as a step towards reaching that goal. 

Savignard and his wife initially lived in Las Vegas, Nevada before moving to Monmouth in June 2018. He picked the area based on the size of the town and the desire to slow down his fast-paced lifestyle.

“We love small town living and wanted to stay local and offer a unique dining choice for the wonderful people in the Monmouth/Independence Community,” he said.

He got the name for the food truck from a previous term used by his coworkers while he worked in Las Vegas.

“I used to work with quite a few Hawaiians in Las Vegas,” said Savignard. “I would often cook family meals for my crew, and they would say ‘Wow! This Haole can cook!’ They said it with love & affection and I never took it any other way.”

Their menu consists of island inspired dishes; Savignard and his wife had travelled throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Polynesia and the Caribbean, which is where he got his inspiration from.

For first-time customers, he recommends a few items based on the customer’s preference or current mood. Usually, the Hawaiian-inspired Haole-Huli Chicken or Mojo Steak topped with homemade Chimichurri sauce is what he recommends. The Haole-Huli Chicken is chicken with Hawaiian-style BBQ, and the Mojo Steak is made with a Cuban Citrus Marinade.

If a customer is craving something with a little heat, Savignard recommends the Jamaican Inspired Jerk Chicken. In addition, he suggests the Tropical Chips and Pineapple-Mango Salsa as a beginning appetizer along with a Marionberry Mock-Mojito as a beverage choice.

According to Savignard, their signature dish is the Haole-Huli Chicken Island Plate on a bed of Coconut Rice with Polynesian Macaroni Salad & Tropical Mango Coleslaw, and he recommends that it be paired with the signature drink: the Marionberry Mock-Mojito. For customers that don’t prefer meat, Haole Island Grill offers a few vegan dishes, such as tofu and Caribbean Spiced Black Beans.

“Our goal is to provide the best of the best while creating something special for our guests,” Savignard said. “Every detail, every component is made with passion and pride in order to craft a delicious meal that will keep them coming back for more. As we like to say, Come and Get Your Grub On!”

Haole Island Grill is open from 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 12–6 p.m. on Saturdays. They also travel for events, which are posted to Facebook and their Instagram at the handle @haoleislandgrill, and can be found on their website www.HaoleIslandGrill.com as well.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@mail.wou.edu

Photos by Cora McClain

How to become ‘too blessed to be stressed’ during finals week

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Finals are fast approaching, and with finals usually comes stress for most students. For many classes, the final project or exam can be a deciding factor for grades, so here’s some helpful tips to keep the stress down during prep and finals week.

 

  • Try drinking a warm beverage of some sort — such as tea, hot chocolate, cider or coffee — if an energy boost is needed, especially. For some, a warm beverage can really relax both the body and mind, and could be largely helpful during study breaks.
  • Continuing from the previous point, be sure to take breaks while studying. While it’s nice to finish homework all at once in the span of four hours, study breaks should be taken every hour or so. Smaller breaks — 10 to 15 minutes — should be taken every hour, or about a 30 minute break every two hours. It gives the mind a chance to rest without overloading it with information.
  • Take naps during the day to fully rest the mind as well as the body. After a nap, students can be left feeling refreshed and ready to take on more studying.
  • Additionally, yoga and meditation are the perfect chance for relaxation; yoga is a good way to get in some exercise as well. Even just taking the time to take some deep breaths can help someone calm down and ease the stress they could be feeling.
  • Try going for a walk — or jog or run, whichever works best for each individual person. By getting outside, it can help clear a student’s head if studying becomes overwhelming. The fresh air can feel nice and revitalizing during a study break.
  • If baking is relaxing, try baking brownies; the prepping process can busy the mind so it isn’t focused on schoolwork for a short amount of time, and a sweet treat will be waiting after all the studying is done. Try adding in something to make the brownies special as well, such as chunks of peppermint.
  • If frustrations need to be taken out physically, go to the dollar store and buy some cheap plates. Cover a wall with a tarp and chuck them at the wall and floor. The tarp will make for an easy cleanup, and the shards from the destroyed plates can be used for an art project, like a mosaic.
  • Take a hot bath with bubbles, a bath bomb or bath salts — or all three if desired. A hot shower or a foot soak with epsom salts both work as alternatives.
  • Take a moment to write something; venting stresses from the past days, weeks or months by writing them down can help relax those tense shoulders. If jotting down stressful happenings doesn’t help, try writing a short story or designing a character.
  • Blast loud music and sing to distract the mind from all the chaos swirling around. Do it in the house, or take a drive with the windows down and stereo turned all the way up.
  • Simply watching TV serves as a good break from schoolwork. Find a TV show on some streaming service — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. — and just let autoplay do the rest.
  • Find a Humane Society that’s nearby or within driving distance and pet dogs. The pets will have a fun time and the body won’t feel so tense.
  • Finally, going in hand with study breaks, find time to partake in hobbies — like painting, reading, drawing, knitting or baking. Students may lessen their stress levels by setting time aside for themselves instead of constantly worrying about exams and finals.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

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