Mount Hood

Brightening up your decor

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Birds are chirping, the weather goes from downpour to blue skies in a matter of hours, flowers are blooming and there’s a sense of optimism in the air. Spring has finally sprung, and with it comes the brightness and beauty of the season.

While this time of the year can offer you endless opportunities for pairing your outfits with either rain boots or sandals depending on the time of day, it can also offer an opportunity to brighten up your home with spring décor.
Of course, the option is always there to purchase your decorations, but instead I urge you to get crafty and make them yourself. It can offer a rainy-day activity to help liven up the space around you. So, get your art supplies out and get started on some of these projects.

Bright Chalkboard
Do some searching and purchase or find an old cheap mirror — I found mine at Goodwill for only $3. Apply tape to the border to make sure you don’t get paint on anything other than the glass. Use chalkboard paint and paint the surface. Apply two coats, and make sure to leave a good amount of time for it to dry in between coats. After this dries completely, paint the border of the mirror with a bright spring color, which can be any pastel. Once this dries, use colorful chalk to write fun messages on the board for your roommates or guests to see.

Ombre Vase
Find a cheap vase that you can paint on — I found mine at JoAnn’s Craft Store for $3. Find a bright acrylic paint, and mix it with white several times to create six different shades of the same color. With your vase, paint stripes on it one by one, but quickly enough as to not let them dry completely and letting the two blend together. You can stop the design at any point or carry it to the top. However, if you want to stop it, use tape to make sure you get an even line. Fill with flowers, real or fake, that match the color you painted on the vase.

Spring Garland
On white cardstock, cut into six separate squares, spell out “spring” using bold, large letters. Using separate colored cardstock, which can be of any bright spring hue, cut it into six larger squares. Paste the letters onto these squares. Using six separate clothespins, paint them a different shade that will match well with the colored paper you used previously. With a long piece of twine — which can be any size depending on how long you want the garland to be — pin the letters onto the string.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

Photo by: Caity Healy

 

Finding fitness through bodybuilding

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

A fitness competition beginning in the early 20th century, bodybuilding has been around for over a century. As it’s becoming a more approachable and reasonable sport for anyone to take part in, I spoke with junior ASL/English Interpreting major Kailee Goodrich on her work in it so she can share her experience with anyone considering taking it on. Overall, the sport has multiple categories: bikini, figure, physique, fitness and bodybuilding. Goodrich was a bikini competitor, which is characterized as a competition of judging women’s bodies based on the physique, scored on proportion, symmetry, balance and shape.
Why many choose to start varies, but Goodrich began hers “because of a bad break up … it was so terrible, I decided I wanted to do something for myself. My great idea was to get into the best shape of my life.”
Once she made this decision, she immediately found a coach and paid without questions first.
“This was a terrible idea… I hired a coach that wasn’t qualified. She gave me a cookie cutter diet (which) consisted of five egg whites in the morning with ¼ cup of oatmeal, four meals of 4 oz of tilapia and asparagus and my last meal of one protein shake with 15 almonds,” Goodrich said.
After prepping for 13 consecutive weeks that consisted of working out every day, multiple times a day, Goodrich noted that towards the end of her prep she was “unable to train because (she) was so fatigued.”
After registering for the show, buying the bikini, and learning to pose with her coach, she spent around $2500.
As for how competing made her feel, at first, she thought it was a great idea, noting that “I felt really proud of my willpower to stick to the diet and train for so long.” However, this only lasted so long.
“I was unaware of how much weight I was losing at such a fast rate… I didn’t know that I was developing an eating disorder known as overeating. I was able to overcome this struggle, but I rebounded with my weight once this competition was over.”
Her advice to anyone considering taking up bodybuilding as their potential fitness journey is “do your research about coaching…don’t be afraid to ask questions; as a consumer, you must be picky and do what is best for you.” She also notes that she would only recommend it “if the person was serious about wanting to push their physique.” However, “if they were just getting started in their fitness journey I wouldn’t recommend it…the decision to compete should be well thought out and planned.”
While bodybuilding can offer an incredible option for those wanting to push themselves harder than they ever have, it can definitely have both pros and cons; as mentioned by Goodrich, it’s not for everyone. As for her, it helped her feel more comfortable at the gym, but simultaneously it gave her a negative relationship with food that she struggled with afterwards.
Goodrich mentioned that she may compete again, but it would be in figure rather than bikini as it is more about your “physique than your good looks,” as noted by her. But for now, she’s happy with where she is at in her fitness journey. “I found flexible dieting and I haven’t looked back since.”
If you’re considering the sport, make sure you’re well researched and weigh the pros and cons of what it may entail. While everyone’s experience differs, it’s important to make sure that however you choose to go about it, you do so in a healthy way that works well for you and your lifestyle.

“It impacted my student life”, Goodrich mentioned. “I learned to overcome obstacles and persevere.” Through bodybuilding, she gained skills that she could later take and apply to her everyday life and use to help persist through hardships. “I proved to myself that I could do anything I set my mind to.”


Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

Photo by: Kailee Goodrich

Dear Ezi

Dear Ezi,


I have been struggling with self-confidence. I just feel worthless and ugly. I can’t find anything I like about me, even though all my friends constantly shower me with compliments. Any advice?

 

Thanks,

Confidence Conundrum

 

Dear CC,

I know that this is something so many people struggle with — I even have trouble with this sometimes! I have many tips, some I’ve read about and some I use, for you!

First of all, how you dress is as important as what your brain thinks. If you love your outfit and it’s something you rock, you will feel so much more confident. Wear something that you may not have worn before from your closet.

I know one thing I like to wear that can help me is a shawl cape thing. It makes me feel like a wizard! I also wear big hats from time to time. It’s kinda silly but it helps me feel tall and powerful! You just gotta find your wizard shawl and hat!

Next, fake it ‘til you make it! Posture is very helpful: stand tall, puff your chest out slightly, and — this is the only time I will encourage someone to be straight — stand straight and pull your shoulders back! It does wonders for posture and confidence.

Another tip is what I have seen called the “Murder Walk”. It’s a powerful tool for everyone and works for everyone. Walk like you are on a mission and walk with purpose. If you know superheroes, walk like the Winter Soldier. If not, walk like you are the most important person in the world and you have to get to your destination ASAP!

Remember you are a queen, king or royal and you are a wonderful and unique person. Nobody else can determine your self-worth for you. Friends are great but they cannot do everything.

Two final tips that I have for you is see the worth in others. Compliment people liberally! The person at the coffee shop who’s earrings you liked, tell them! The secretary sitting at his desk, tell him his tie is a great color! You’ll brighten other people’s day and start to see the silver lining. Finally, consider talking to the school’s counselors at the Student Health and Counseling Center. I am naught but a humble drag queen, but I personally know a thing or two about depression and this is a way I got support.

 

Hope this helped!

Grain Station Brew Works remodels familiar venue

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

For any student of Western or individual who has resided in Monmouth,  the name “J’s Cafe” is a familiar term. An ideal spot for Sunday morning brunch and catching up with friends, the restaurant offered both comfort and appetizing meals. That is why in 2017 when the location was temporarily closed, there was confusion and worry. To the joy, and continued confusion, of many, the restaurant was reopened and renamed “Grain Station Brew Works”.

A full remodel including a center-stage bar, new lighting, some re-painting and flooring all took place to alter this well-known location. The hours changed as well. Previously closing early in the afternoon, this new restaurant now stays open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends, offering those in search of late night bites another option to add to their list.

Being fond of J’s Cafe and all they had to offer, I was a little wary about a complete change of restaurant. That being said, I decided I should probably try Grain Station and see if I would enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed the original eatery. They did not disappoint.

I love the new interior; the lighting is bright and welcoming, the bar makes the restaurant more appealing across generations and the best part is the menu has much of the original fare.

I decided to order the Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast. Not long after my order went in, the waitress came back with a smile on her face and a plate carrying my huge meal.

I thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast. The combination of the berry and cream cheese flavors sitting on top of perfectly prepared french toast was phenomenal. The waitress checked back frequently enough to make sure that everything was served to my liking and always made sure my glass of water was full.

I was extremely satisfied with my visit to Grain Station Brew Works. While I will always love J’s Cafe and the feeling I had when I would sit in one of those booths, I am excited about the modernization of the new restaurant and how it was able to still stay true to much of their original menu. Overall, it was an exceptional dining experience and I would recommend it to anyone who has been hesitant to check it out.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photos by: Caity Healy, Paul F. Davis

Alternatives to single use plastic

Emily Wanous | Freelancer

Ever since I can remember, the environment has always been something that I worried about. It wasn’t until I came across a fact that slapped me in the face with raw truth that I really recognized the reality: every piece of plastic ever created is still on this earth today — every single one. Of course, this was something that I could have connected, but I had never even considered it until I read that fact.

Adding on to this grim realization, I found that in Oregon, major recycling centers do not recycle most common forms of plastic, such as plastic coffee lids, plastic grocery bags and more. This is mind-boggling, because not only will it stay on this earth, it won’t be used again in another form. With all of this in mind, I took it upon myself to switch to plastic alternatives for daily items. For your convenience, here are some of the alternatives that I’ve found beneficial.

The first item I chose to switch to was QOGiR Reusable Sandwich bags. They have super cute designs, and they are non-toxic and stain-resistant. On top of this, they are washable and inexpensive.

Second, I switched to Bee’s Wrap Reusable Food Wraps. These are washable, and can easily morph around both food and containers, to assure that your food is being saved well. Admittedly, they are a bit more work than traditional plastic wrap, but you get the benefit of knowing that aren’t using single-use plastic.

Third, I now use Wowe Organic Natural Bamboo toothbrushes. Toothbrushes may not even be something you consider when trying to reduce plastic usage. This specific brand is charcoal infused, and has BPA-free bristles. As a bonus, there’s no plastic packaging.

Fourth, I recommend using Earth Junky Mesh Produce Bags. Many of us do choose to use reusable grocery bags, which is a great start. However, imagine the number of times you buy fruits and veggies and use the plastic produce bags — this will allow you to cut those out entirely.

Fifth, I love using Mason jars. I use them for all my drinks throughout the day. Whether it be coffee, tea, water or anything else — these jars work great. If you buy coffee at Western coffee shops, among other places, they will gladly fill your cup instead of a one time use cup. And on campus, doing so will give you a 25 cent discount.

My sixth recommended product Unni 100% Compostable Trash Bags. I should note that these may be a bit less durable than traditional plastic bags, but they still work great and get the job done.

Seventh, I use resealable plastic bags. These may not be a special product, but what makes them helpful is that I do reuse them. It’s inevitable that you will buy plastic containers or bags at the store. When this happens, reuse the container as much as possible before throwing it in the trash.

The eighth and final product I’ve switched to is Nellie’s All-Natural Laundry Soda. It cleans everything thoroughly, and the packaging is tin rather than plastic. The best part: it’s inexpensive.

As Monmouth is a small town without a lot of shopping diversity, all of these products can be bought online. To find all of the plastic alternatives listed, head to Amazon. There, you’ll find everything listed and it may even spark a new idea of other ways you can rid yourself of plastic.

Contact the author at ewanous15@wou.edu

Photo by: Ecomaniaccompany.com

Upgrade your Girl Scout Cookies

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

‘Tis the season for a $5 box of the fan-favorite cookies. That’s right, Girl Scout season is in full swing, and with it is box on top of box of their mouthwatering baked-goods. And, yes, I must admit that I did buy a whopping $50 worth. While they’re perfect to snack on as they are, and likewise perfect for eating an entire sleeve- or box- of, they also can be altered to make some delectable desserts. So, go support your local Girl Scout troop, purchase some cookies and get started on these recipes.

 

Thin Mint Truffles

Crush one sleeve of Thin Mints until fine. There can be some bigger pieces, but it should mostly be crumby. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the cookies for later, then combine the rest with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese — which is equivalent to one package. You can let it soften by having it sit out until it gets close to room temperature. Mix until well combined, then form small balls of the mixture. Let cool in the freezer until they’re slightly hardened. Melt 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, then submerge the truffles into the chocolate. Top by sprinkling the set-aside crushed cookie, and let cool completely in the freezer.

 

Samoa Cheesecake Cupcakes

Take one sleeve of Trefoil cookies and crush until it’s very fine. Mix with 6 tablespoons of melted butter until well combined. Press these into the bottom of cupcake tins, and bake at 350 until golden brown, about five to six minutes. In a medium mixing bowl, combine 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, ½ cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of sugar, 2 eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then, take a sleeve of Samoas and crush it up well. Take half, and combine it with the cheesecake mixture. Fill the cupcake tins almost to the top with the mixture. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the cakes are set. Then, let cool for about 20 minutes in the refrigerator, and top with the remaining crushed Samoas.

 

Tagalong Milkshake

In a blender, combine about two cups of chocolate ice cream. You can also opt for vanilla and add chocolate syrup, if you’d rather do that. Add one cup of milk. Toss in about ⅓ cup of peanut butter. And finally, crush up about ¼ cup of Tagalongs and add that in. Blend and add more ice cream or milk until you reached your desired consistency. Top it off with whip cream and more crushed Tagalong.

 

Do-si-dos Creme Brulee

Crush roughly ½ cup of Do-si-dos and combine with 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Once well combined, form a crust on the inside of a small ramekin — or any dish that would work for a creme brulee. Bake for about four minutes at 350 degrees. While that’s cooking, heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of sugar until it starts bubbling, then remove from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk one egg yolk with ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Slowly add the cream mixture until it’s well-combined. Pour into your ramekin. Place the ramekin in a baking dish and surround the ramekin with enough water to reach about halfway up the side. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes, then let cool. Cover the ramekin with plastic wrap and cool in the fridge for three to four hours. When ready to serve, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of very fine sugar over the top, and broil just until it gets golden brown and caramelized. Make sure the rack is very close to the top of the oven, as you’re trying to mimic a torch with the broiler.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Caity Healy

How to shop The Find

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

If you’ve ever taken a stroll down Main Street, you’ve likely noticed an elegantly decorated shop: The Find. Perhaps you’ve looked at the appearance and assumed it was expensive, or even looked at one price tag and turned the other way. The truth is, though, there are a lot of great items I’ve bought from there that have not hurt my wallet.

This store sells a lot more than it may seem at first glance; decor, clothing, jewelry, shoes, antiques and more are sold within this small shop. While the options of items obviously vary, the surprising part is that the prices do as well.

“Our stuff is mostly new,” commented employee Teresa Hutchinson. “But we also have hand picked consignment from people that the owner chooses.”

The store is layed out in a fashion where the newer items are more towards the front, and at the back of the store, you find the lower priced, used items. The used items vary anywhere between clothing, shoes, decor and even jewelry.

From the back of the store, I’ve found many of my favorite items. I found a high quality mini dress that has quickly become my favorite, and it cost me only $14. This is less than you’d pay at most other stores, and the quality is better. On top of that, I’ve also found my favorite cropped hoodie and a cute jean shirt — all of which were $25 or less. So, once again, about the same price or less than you’d pay at other stores.

While this store does offer some cheap prices, there are also some pieces that can get pretty spendy. For instance, I was looking at a jacket that I was interested in, and the price tag read “$128” — however, that is the highest price I’ve seen yet.

Overall, the biggest takeaway is that the boutique really does offer more college-friendly prices than I originally realized. All it takes is a little bit of digging and a good eye. They call it The Find for a reason, so go take a look around and see what you can discover.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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