WIAW #100

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It's my 100th WIAW, can you believe it? 

It somehow seems like a fitting way to end the summer, since next week classes begin again.

In honor of the 100th WIAW and the conclusion of my wonderful summer, this post is travel-themed!

Lufthansa JFK -> FRA vegetarian breakfast meal

Like this delicious Lufthansa breakfast on my flight from JFK to FRA earlier this month. A Nature Valley Oats & Honey Granola Bar, a soft roll, jam, margarine, and berries - a great light breakfast before an early morning landing!

Or, from New York...

I could make a new Whole Foods compilation every day!

And sometimes I do...

Like when I'm staying in a hostel for the very first time in my life!

And, surprisingly, loving it despite sharing a room with 12 girls. I'll have to do it again - it's a great way to save money, meet new people, and be in the middle of it all!

And saving money means you can splurge on expensive food purchases.

SUUUUUSHIIIIIIII.

And Juice Generation Ravioli with its very generous cashew cream cheese, pesto sauce, and fresh kale? Love.

Just as much as Organic Avenue Veggie Tahini Wraps. Seriously, why don't we have these kinds of places in Boston??

Though it's probably a good thing, because their high prices totally blow my food budget...

Making it very advisable to kickback with some random ice cream-fruit-bean bowls, nut butter, and microwaved Quest bars (though most of the bar disappeared into my stomach while making this...)

I'm so delighted that I had the chance to go to Germany this year!



Not just because of the candy (and chocolate).



Though Nutella straight from the jar, or on a fresh breakfast bun, is a convincing argument



But I just love the country, culture, food in general, and getting to spend the time with my family! I just don't see them often enough.

We're a diverse bunch (teehee, see above) but everyone is wonderful. I have only a day and a half left to spend with family before it's back to school (I probably won't see my mom and little sister again until December, boooo) so I'm going to go spend some time with them now. Have a lovely day!

How often do you see your family?

How old were you when you moved out? I was thirteen #boardingschoolproblems (but PEA was THE. BEST.)

What's your favorite treat of the moment?

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Best On Campus Jobs

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The new school year is starting soon (or already has started, for some!) and that means it's time to start thinking about lots of things - what classes to take, who your new roommates might be, what the chances of getting a good TA are (or at least native English speakers), and how you're going to pay for all those books.

You know, to reduce the post-graduation debt burden.

In line with my last post about cool term-time jobs, here are some on-campus jobs that I recommend. I've worked some of these, but some of these are also jobs that friends have had and enjoyed. I hope it helps!

1) Library Student Work Position

I had the pleasure of working in one of Harvard's many magnificent libraries for almost two years, before scheduling issues meant I had to resign. It really is a great job because you learn how to navigate the library and you get first dibs on books - both super handy come exam time!

You also get to see a lot of books come in and out, so some interesting titles might catch your eye that you otherwise wouldn't have been exposed to. If you love books, it's a great job!

Haha, my life

Added bonus? On really slow days, you can either get to know your coworkers or do a little of your own reading, as long as you keep an eye out for library patrons.

2) Something in Dining

Whether you're working a register at a retail dining location on campus, serving food at a faculty dining facility (read: fancy-schmancy version of a dining hall), or working in a cafeteria, these positions often come with some tasty bonuses.

Free veritaffles? One can only dream.

If you're closing shift at a cafe, for example, you might get to take some day-old pastries home! Other positions often offer a free meal per shift or some sort of discount. Since you have to eat anyway if you want to be any kind of successful, it's a great way to earn money will simultaneously saving money on your grocery budget. Double win!

3) Flyering

One of the greatest things about flyering positions (aka, those jobs where you walk all around campus hanging up posters) is the flexibility. You'll often get a big stack of materials and a deadline, but when you actually do it is flexible as long as it's done before the deadline. So if you prefer to work in thirty minute intervals between classes and engagements, that's totally up to you!

Another great bonus is that you get fresh air and exercise (walking around putting up the posters) and that these jobs can sometimes serve as entries into more interesting, creatively demanding marketing positions. Positions that might even lead to something cool post-graduation!

4) Bartending

I had a friend who worked as a bartender and loved it. This job wouldn't be anything for me and it certainly requires a certain type of personality and sleep-wake schedule, but if you're a regular night owl and love partying, it's a very social job with lots of tip potential.

My friend loved being able to make up her own mixed drinks!

5) On-campus Representative

I'm a little wary of putting this one on the list, since these sorts of jobs are generally physically on-campus, but from off-campus employers. Still, if you're a very public person, a trend setter, or that kid that everyone knows, this could be a great job for you. Essentially, a company (say: Red Bull) pays you to represent them on campus, distribute flyers and ads, talk them up at events, and just generally be their face at on-campus events.

PfoHo Polar Bears at Harvard - not actually on-campus reps, just folks with way too much house (= Harvard version of dorms) pride. Especially for people who live in the Quad (=the land of far, far, faaar away)

This isn't a job for shy folks, but it can be a ton of fun for social butterflies - and a great way to get to know even more people!

The best way to find a job that speaks to you (though do bear in mind that the nature of the on-campus job is not one that is generally conducive to finding your dream job) is to contact the student employment office at your school. Many schools have online job databases with available positions. Talking to friends who work also never hurts, nor does going directly to a job (ie: the school library) and asking about employment opportunities.

Good luck!

What term-time job do you have?

How many hours do you work during the school year?

Have you had any of these jobs? Or do you have any to add to the list?

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5 Cool Term-Time Jobs

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The new school year is starting soon for most of us (and it has already started for some!) and while that means that we have another year of new insights, academic challenges and triumphs, and a whole new set of classes to look forward to, it also is a time of the year when many of us are thinking about our finances.

From http://blog30x30.blogspot.de/2009/06/which-student-are-you.html

There are enough reasons to be stressed without financial worry factoring in, but the truth is that it often does. School is expensive, guys. Even if you look beyond tuition and rent, there are so many other expenses:

Food.
Books.
Supplies.
A computer (and computer repairs, if yours is a little older).
Clothes.
Fun stuff.
Field Trips.
Transportation.

The list goes on and on and on and on, but most students don't have wallets that are equally matched. To mitigate student debt, it can be a really great idea to work during your studies.

But what sorts of part-time jobs can students, without loads of work experience and often with limited availability due to class schedules, get?

1) Babysitting.

This one is tried and true, but it pops up time and time again on these sorts of lists for that very reason. Babysitting is a job that often allows a lot of flexibility and can often also get you more than minimum wage per hour! I personally use Urbansitter and Sittercity to help me find jobs, since network/word of mouth jobs can be hard to get in a new town.

2) Tutoring.

Relatedly, you can give tutoring a go. I know there are some tutoring websites out there, like Wyzant, but I haven't personally had much success with them. These jobs can be even more lucrative than babysitting jobs, paying double or triple the hourly minimum wage rate (and why not start getting some returns on all that hard-earned education?) but they can also be much harder to get. If you want top-dollar pay, you'll usually have to work for a tutoring agency and those tend to only employ tutors with either lots of experience or an actual teaching degree. Some even require master's degrees!

Don't let this be yours.

3) On-campus Jobs.

While these tend to pay around minimum wage, in my experience, some schools are good about trying to keep the hourly wages more fair. These jobs tend to be more flexible and more willing to work around class schedules, but be aware that most jobs will require you to keep up your schedule throughout the busy midterm and final exam periods, since they rely on almost exclusively student workers who are just as busy as you are during those times. On the upside, these jobs can be easier to get than unaffiliated work, especially if you have work-study funding!

4) Petcare.

Whether it's dog-walking, cat-sitting, or the like, these jobs are great as a temporary work option in case you're around during major holidays or if you just want to get some fresh air with 'man's best friend' while lightening the burden of textbook expenses.

5) DIY jobs.

By this, I mean making up your own job! If you want a way to stay active and make some money, you might find that yard work is a good fit for you. Decide what your rate is (keep it fair if you want to get customers) and print out a few flyers with rip-off tabs on the bottom with your phone number or email address. Hang them around campus and, if what you're offering is needed in the air and priced right, you can find yourself making money helping faculty, staff, and other community members in no time!

I hope at least some of these help ease the path to graduation for you!

How do you make extra money?

If you babysit, how do you find jobs?

What's the best part-time job you've ever had?

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Recipe: Microwave Peach Cobbler

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Microwave Peach Cobbler

Serves 1

* 1/4 c. flour

* 2 Tbsp. quick oats

* 2 Tbsp. granola

* 2 Tbsp. crushed walnuts

* 3 Tbsp. brown sugar

* Dash of cinnamon

* Pinch of salt

* 1 Tbsp. butter

* 1 peach, sliced (frozen is okay, I used frozen)

1) Mix everything except the peaches in a microwave safe bowl, don't overmix.

2) Top with the peach slices, don't mix.

3) Microwave for 3-5 minutes, until set.

I microwaved it for another minute after this and it was perfect - not beautiful, but delicious!

4) Top with ice cream and whipped cream!

ENJOY!

What do you make in your microwave?

What is your favorite thing to make in the microwave?

What is your go-to quick dessert?

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Summer Party Fashion!

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There are those distinct moments when you realize that you're growing up. The milestones vary between individuals, but common ones include the first time you drive a car all by yourself, your first night in your own apartment, voting for the first time (and I hope you do vote!), etc.

I had another milestone last week - the first of my friends got married last weekend! In my mind, she's still the little girl with the awesome Lego set and the short hair.

Anyway, before this becomes all mushy-gushy-sentimental, here's a recap of my wedding party outfit.

wedding guest by lle-schreiber featuring alice olivia dress

Alice Olivia alice olivia dress
$375 - austique.co.uk

Giuseppe Zanotti platform pumps
shopsavannahs.com

Forever 21 perfume
forever21.com




All I can say is: SHOES.

What were some big 'whoa, I'm a grown-up' moments for you?

What's your favorite part of an outfit (shoes, top, skirt, etc.)?

What's the first piece you pick in an outfit?

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Guest Post: Lazy Afternoon Activities with the Kids!

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Today's post is a guest post from the lovely Claire Thomas!

Lazy Afternoon Activities with the Kids 

Hello Living Learning Eating readers! I’m Claire, I have two girls ages 6 and 5. I’m an avid craftie, foodie, and watcher of sappy television shows – especially Pushing Daisies. When I’m not picking out cute outfits for my daughters, I’m writing articles for the blogosphere about positive activities, crafts, and attitudes. We all know the feeling: it’s after lunch, eyes are drooping, and boredom is creeping its sneaky way into the whole family. As an experienced veteran of lazy afternoon fever, I have compiled a list of tried and true activities that will make those lazy afternoons a little more productive and family-oriented.

Indoors:
1) Build a Fort
This is my kids’ favorite activity. It’s also my favorite activity because most of the other activities on the list below can take place in a well-fortified blanket fort. Building a fort, whether out of pillows or blankets, with your kids is a great way to think creatively and problem solve. Piece of advice: take care not to attach blankets to potentially unstable structures. One misplaced tug on a blanket could send an entire bookshelf crashing down, which you DO NOT want. So, be careful, and have your kids be careful by telling them about Newton and architectural stability.

 2) Board Games 
Board games are so important for any family. They are far more beneficial for the overall health of a family then most people believe. Think about it: board games force children unwittingly to follow stringent rules, patiently take turns, focus on specific problems, and think creatively to solve those problems. Here are some of my favorite board games to play with my family that are fun for a kid or an adult: Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, Forbidden Island, Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, and Alhambra. You can view these games’ ratings and other board games here. 

3) Arts and Crafts 
Most parents are pretty familiar with throwing an arts and crafts-style afternoon. I suggest being a little bit more creative so that the craft or piece of art that your children produce will be something that they can be especially proud of. Example: for boys, have them create a rocket ship from a plastic bottle. Create a contest with rules and regulations for the best rocket ship based on height and aesthetics. For girls, have a jewelry making party. For some of the more complicated projects, invest in Wubber’s jewelry pliers. Girls can give the jewelry as gifts, wear it themselves, or even make friendship bracelets.

Out and About:

1) Trip to the Library 

Taking a trip to the library ultimately means a reading party in the blanket fort or on a blanket outside in the sun. I really don’t think that I need to stress the importance of kids reading books, so I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice it to say: It’s important for kids to read! Taking them to the library is also a cheap way for them to pick their own books from a vast supply. It also shows kids the importance of libraries so that they will always have a good attitude about them. Be sure to ask follow up questions about the books that they are reading to gauge comprehension level. Kids usually love telling their parents about the books that they’ve read so it’s really very exciting for them.

2) Trip to a museum 

There’s nothing better than learning. Even the local town museum is a great venue for a fun family experience. Grab some literature, a deck of gift-shop hometown-themed cards, and head back to the blanket fort. A local Discovery Center is also a great place to take children, if a bit more expensive but still informative. A learning experience is always a good way to go. Make your children passionate about learning through enjoyable experiences. School does not always provide that (surprise, surprise).

3) Watch a Family Movie 

This is kind of a last result for the afternoon activity, as there is not much activity involved. But that doesn’t mean that watching a movie together as a family has no value. Luckily, Rotten Tomatoes has compiled a list for those of us who aren’t movie buffs. There are fewer things that help a family bond than laughing together. Watching a movie together, especially a good one (no action or teen movies), creates a common emotional experience for your family as a whole consisting of highs and lows, happy and sad, relaxation and tension. A common emotional experience equals increased family bonding. 

I hope these activities help out your family this summer as the afternoons get increasingly lazier and the air conditioner more appealing. If you have more ideas or experiences about activities on lazy summer afternoons, leave a comment! I’d love to have a conversation.

Aren't Claire's suggestions awesome? I'm definitely keeping some of these on reserve for babysitting!

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WIAW #99: Euro-Style

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This WIAW uses old photos (and a few web photos), since I've been photographing everything on my cell phone but - alas - just realized that I'm out of coverage here in Europe, so I can't email the photos to myself without racking up obscene roaming charges.

My European eats look somewhat different from my US eats (no green smoothies, nooooooooo - how I miss my blender) but they're also very tasty. I love German food!

Because there are no green smoothies to start the day, I've been starting the day with muesli and Broetchen.

The muesli above is pictured with regular lowfat milk, but I really like mixing it up sometimes with buttermilk or yogurt. Yum!

Sometimes I have knuspermuesli (aka granola) with seeds and yogurt.

Somehow the dairy tastes different here - and even more delicious!

In Germany, I have Broetchen several times a week. But Saturday Broetchen are the best, because they're always fresh from the baker!

From Fork, Spoon, Knife

Lunch (Mittagsessen) is the cooked meal of the day, always followed by some tasty dessert like a compote and pudding.

What's for lunch varies, but vegetarian bratwurst with fresh potatoes and a side of sauerkraut or some sort of pasta dish appear pretty frequently on the menu.

In the middle/late afternoon, there's coffee (tea, in my case) and cake.

From Alexandra Cooks

Also, random shoutout to German chocolate: it's awesome.

In a country where the bread is so ridiculously amazing that you really can't believe it until you try it, what better way to end the day than with a bread-y Abendbrot? 

With chocolate is always tasty, as is with Ovomaltine spread or Nutella (or the Aldi knockoff, which I almost like better - I think I actually like the Milkyway version better than either of those last two options, though the Ovomaltine chocolate spread is my favorite).

With the heat we've been having, late night snacks of chilled fruit or ice cream are the best.

Frozen strawberries and quark

Then again, fruits and ice cream are always pretty up there in deliciousness.

What are you up to this week?

Where in the world are you right now?

How does your daily diet change when you travel?

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Test Tube Burger - The Solution to the World Hunger Crisis?

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The world's first test tube burger will be unveiled in London today.

The burger cost 220,000 pounds in development and was created entirely in the lab.

Using stem cells to preclude the necessity for animal flesh, this burger is the first real 'meat' burger that fits ethical vegan and vegetarian diets.

But this is about much more than feeding veg*ns. 

Professor Mark Post made a 5oz patty out of 20,000 tiny strips of meat grown from cow stem cells in hopes of bringing about a food revolution. Perhaps he's dreaming too big, but Professor Post hopes to see his in-vitro meat in supermarkets in the next 10 to 20 years.

The meat not only sidesteps the veg*n issue of killing animals, but may also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from raising livestock (given that all of those animals would no longer be bred/born were the meat industry to change in this way). Growing in-vitro meat releases 78% to 95% less greenhouse gas than raising livestock. 

1kg of the synthetic meat also only requires 2kg of feed to grow, as compared to the 4kg to 10kg required for animal meat. It costs 99% less land than livestock and requires 82% to 96% less water. Thus in-vitro meat may be a solution to the problem of producing enough food to sustain all of the people in the world.

The research was funded by an anonymous philanthropist who has a history of 'turning everything to gold,' according to Professor Post, which makes me wonder whether the philanthropist is primarily concerned with helping humanity with this Frankenmeat or whether s/he is more interested in helping his/her own bank account.

Thoughts?

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Review: Quest White Chocolate Raspberry Bars

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I love when my favorite brands are prolific, focusing on continued development and expanding their offerings rather than settling into contentedness with what they have. Quest Nutrition definitely gets an A+ for creativity and self-motivation.

The bars in their repertoire do very well and have obsessed fans (like me) but they don't let that stop them from constantly working on the next big thing and releasing new products every few months. And, impressively, they manage to create amazing flavors without a crazy long list of ingredients (I've seriously had bars before where the ingredients list literally wrapped around the bar).



My taste buds are still swooning from the Quest Cravings peanut butter cups that came out around last holiday season (they've also put out their very tasty chocolate chip cookie dough bars in the interim) and now they've released another decadent flavor: white chocolate raspberry.

I'm more of a dark chocolate than a white chocolate raspberry, but still - be still, my heart. I tried the first bite straight out of the package and really enjoyed it.

But then I microwaved the rest of the bar for 20-30 seconds and it was divine.

Remove from wrapper before microwaving, of course!

20-30, you ask? I put it in for 30 seconds, but by the time it had been in there for 10 seconds a delightful smell began to waft from the microwave, tantalizing my scent-based taste receptors and severely trying my patience and self-control.

Clearly, as always, the chocolate won and I lost patience before the 30 seconds were over.

There are actual chunks of white chocolate in there and a great raspberry flavor, staying true to Quest Nutrition's goal of making healthy snacks that actually taste like what they claim to taste like.

All without sacrificing their usual great nutritional stats (high fiber, high protein, low sugar, yum)!

Have you tried the new Quest White Chocolate Raspberry Bars?

What's your favorite bar?

Can you believe it's already August?

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