Mount Hood

Recipes to use up your berries

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

They’re colorful, delicious and everywhere during the sunny months. Berries are one of the best parts of spring and summer, and one of the great things about them is that they can be used for so many things besides just being enjoyed by themselves. Here’s a list of just some of the ways to throw them into the mix for when there’s no shortage of berries, but maybe a shortage of ideas.

 

Snacks:

For something to take on the go, berries can be prepared in a few different ways. They can be dried in the oven and added to a granola mix, which is perfect for taking along to class or on a hike. Left undried, they can also be added to yogurt for a quick and easy parfait for breakfast or a snack. Another easy way to use them when time is short is to throw them in the blender with a bit of juice and ice and make a smoothie.

 

Desserts:

Berries can be incorporated into almost any dessert. For one that has berries as the central ingredient, there’s popsicles that can be made by freezing juice and berries in molds that can be found in most grocery stores. Additionally, strawberry shortcake is a classic dessert that can satisfy a sweet tooth.They can also be used in homemade ice cream or sprinkled on top of cheesecake.

 

Other:

A fresh berry-centric fruit salad is incredibly easy, and can be a great addition to a picnic or potluck event. If there happens to be fruit punch at said event, a fun way to keep it cool and beat the heat is to use ice cubes with berries frozen in them. For a different setting, such as a homemade brunch, heating some berries with a bit of water and sugar makes an easy and awesome syrup to go with pancakes or toast.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

How to get started with spring cleaning

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Spring — it’s all fun and games until the topic of spring cleaning comes up. For many students, the answer to the question of how much spring cleaning they plan to do is whatever their spring class schedule will allow. However, spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a huge, daunting task — it can be broken down into much more manageable parts that can leave living spaces feeling much more spring ready.

Start with the car. If your house, apartment or dorm is a little intimidating, start with the vehicle that has endured a Monmouth winter’s worth of snow, mud and rain. There’s also the fact that there will soon be many more opportunities for driving with the windows down, and the satisfying sensation of wind blowing through your hair, an experience that shouldn’t be dampened with the sound of loose trash blowing around as well.

One smaller thing to tackle is the backpack or desk where loose papers from every term this year tend to accumulate. Winter Break was met with students focusing on holiday plans and sometimes traveling, with little time to sort through papers and forms from the fall. There’s always at least a few loose leafs that could stand to be dumped in the recycling instead of the bottom of a backpack.

Another good starting spot is the closet. Taking a good look at it might reveal one or two things that have not left their spot throughout the whole season. While it’s understandable that tank tops, shorts or dresses might not have been touched, any winter clothes that managed to last the whole, long Monmouth rainy season might be worth reconsidering.

As for other living spaces, one way to start is by making a list of what needs cleaning the most or what’s been put off and become a bigger problem than it needs to be. Maybe the floors have been swept but not mopped for some time? Or, maybe the pile of clean laundry has been getting bigger but never been put away. Perhaps the clutter in one room has never been organized, or you’ve been avoiding looking under the furniture and facing the mess that’s there. There’s almost always something, especially considering the busy schedules of students.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Camping trip essentials

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Spring: the season when Oregonians jump at the chance to enjoy being outdoors when it’s not gray and raining. As the sun starts showing up more often, people start showing up to various campsites around the Pacific Northwest. Fortunately, there’s usually no shortage of them, though sometimes reservations go quickly.

Like any trip, however, camping requires some preparation. Here’s a list of the basic necessities that will make camping breezy.

 

First aid kit: A basic pre-made one from a sporting store or a homemade one can work. A few things it could contain are bandages, antiseptic wipes, extra water bottles or emergency thermal blankets which are compact and can easily fit into any kit. These items can all be purchased at stores like Walmart or Fred Meyer.

Firewood: Most official campgrounds will have firewood for sale, but the front office selling it closes after certain times. So if you arrive too late, it might not be an option for the first night. Firestarters are also a helpful shortcut to get a campfire going quicker. It’s important to note that it is suggested that you buy firewood where you are planning to burn it, to prevent the introduction of invasive species in new areas.

Lanterns or flashlights: Ever tried to find the bathroom in an unlit campground at night? Would not recommend.

Cooking utensil: Not only will you likely need dishes and utensils, you’ll also need something to wash them with, especially for long trips. Since s’mores are bound to happen, this should also include roasting sticks. Portable burners for cooking can be found at stores like Target or Walmart as well as most sporting goods stores.

Directions: It’s not uncommon to lose service on a camping trip. If you’re going somewhere you’ve never been, or just somewhere you haven’t been enough to know the way by heart, relying on spotty cell service might be risky. Remember, “maps” isn’t just an app — you can take the “old school” version with you wherever you go.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Top four senior photo spots on campus

Karlene Curtin | Freelancer

The journey towards receiving a degree is commonly regarded as difficult, rewarding and worthwhile. Once every graduation requirement has been fulfilled, the application to graduate is completed, and cap and gowns have been purchased, for many the next step is a fun one: senior photos.

After finding the perfect photographer, the next thing to think about is where around campus the photos will be taken.

Western Oregon is home to several different areas around campus where senior photos have the potential to look fantastic. Here is a list of the top four places on campus to head to for your next session.

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In front of Rice Auditorium

The brick design and the surrounding plants and nature create a stunning, yet simple, background for portraits.

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In front of Todd Hall

Leafy green plants serve for great backgrounds. In the spring, they sprout flowers, which adds to the beauty of the landscape.

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The Grove outside of Ackerman Hall

Gorgeous green hills and tall trees create great open lighting and a playful atmosphere.  

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Western Oregon University sign

This one is a total classic. It has locations on the three out of the four corners of campus. The sign beside Rice Auditorium has the least amount of foot traffic.  

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Contact the author at kcurtin14@wou.edu

Photos courtesy of Karlene Curtin

Easy way to make delicious funfetti cookies gluten-free

Morgan Taylor | Freelancer

Changing your diet to wheat-free can, for many, be challenging; it can be hard to adapt and find enjoyable food to eat. This recipe is easy and simple — it is a delicious and fun twist on a childhood favorite treat.

 

GLUTEN-FREE FUNFETTI COOKIES

Start to finish: 20 minutes

Servings: About 24 cookies

 

Ingredients:

One box of gluten-free Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix, which can be found at Roth’s Fresh Markets

⅓ cup butter (melted)

2 eggs

4.5 ounces softened cream cheese

Powdered sugar to garnish cookies

You will also need a hand mixer, a mixing bowl and a baking sheet.

 

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray baking sheet with a nonstick spray.

In mixing bowl, with the hand mixer, combine the eggs, melted butter and softened cream cheese. Blend until smooth.

Slowly add the cake mix and mix with a mixing spoon until it reaches an even consistency.  

Roll dough into small balls, and coat with powdered sugar.

Place on baking sheet, and flatten each dough ball with the base of a glass.

Bake for 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of cookie.

Let cool and enjoy.

 

Contact the author at mrtaylor14@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Morgan Taylor

Six quick tips for beginning gardeners

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Confusing weather patterns, allergies acting up and restless seniors are pretty good indicators that spring has arrived at Western. With the sun finally making some appearances again, it’s the time of year that plants begin to bloom.

Planting a garden, whether for purely aesthetic purposes, for growing fresh food or a little of both, is one of the many opportunities that comes along in springtime. Since everyone has to start somewhere, here’s some tips for those just starting out with their own gardens.

 

  • Make sure you have everything necessary for maintaining a garden. Is there enough space for each plant? Are there steady sources of water and sunlight?
  • Try starting small or easy. Some plants require more time and management to keep alive and healthy. According to finegardening.com, some of the easiest plants to grow include snap peas, sunflowers, cucumbers and zinnias.
  • Include the timing in the overall planning. It might be nice to imagine the whole garden blooming at once, but some plants peak in spring and early summer, like blueberries, while others grow best in late summer and fall, like squash and pumpkins.
  • Start building the habit of taking care of the garden. Add watering, feeding and checking for weeds to your routine to avoid forgetting to take care of plants and risking their health.
  • Do some research to find out if it’s a good idea to buy different soil or mulch for the garden. While not necessarily a requirement, they can make it easier to maintain the garden overall. Nutrient-rich soil can help plants stay healthy while mulch helps keep weeds away.
  • Be patient. Whether starting from seed or a small plant, produce plants often won’t yield much in the first year. They will need time to grow and a committed gardener. Flowers can be nice because they give the satisfaction of the quick and near guaranteed payoff of blooming, which can be encouraging to beginning gardeners.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Campus Voices

“If you really want to go to a place, look up how much it will cost and make a plan. Sometimes if I don’t have money for it at the time, I’ll pay with my credit card and make a real effort to pay more on in next time.” Margot Meehan, junior economics major

“Eat in more – don’t go out every night. If you’re staying in a hotel, try and stay somewhere with a kitchen.” Steve Richmond, sophomore public policy major

“Don’t go anywhere too extravagant, too far away. Look for adventures a little closer to home.” Macaela Gertz, early childhood education major

“Collect cans…there’s also lots of dog walking apps, you can make some good extra money that way.” Eli Foster Griggs, senior ASL/English interpreting major

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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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