In my humble opinion. 🙂
Wine Bottles Shouldn’t be Anything But Beautiful
In my humble opinion. 🙂
The Easy, Healthy, Cheap Popcorn Recipe
This recipe is so simple, I don’t know how I didn’t know about it for so long! Recently, my friend told me the easiest way to make healthy popcorn your way:
Pour a few tablespoons of olive oil into a large pot. Add salt, pepper, garlic, or whatever other delicious combos you can think of! Pour in 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels. Be sure to add the lid to the pot, then set on medium high heat until the kernels begin to pop. Shake the pan occasionally to be sure the kernels don’t burn and are evenly coated in the oil and seasoning. In true vegan fashion, I added one and half tablespoons of nutritional yeast (kind of like vegan cheese topping) to the popcorn. Super easy, as healthy (or not) as you want, and also cheap (I bought my kernels in bulk at Whole Foods for a couple bucks). Yum!
My Little Sister is “Accepting Feminism”
My little sister has done it again. She has a tendency to write thoughtful, intelligent articles about feminism today. That’s right, the f word. Why would a 21-year-old care so much about crusty, old feminist theory? Maybe it was the influence of our inspiring lawyer mom. Or maybe she got sick of people asking if she was going to be dental hygienist when she told them she was studying dentistry (actually, she’s going to be a real, full-fledged dental school-educated dentist!). Or maybe it was her inspirational older sister who studied finance, quoted Gloria Steinem too many times, and encouraged her girlfriends to “just ask him out yourself, already!” Maybe I’m giving myself too much credit 🙂
Either way, Michelle’s article, titled “Accepting Feminism”, is too good to pass up. Here’s a short excerpt. Be sure to check out the rest on the RIT Reporter’s website.
“Men most often feel the effects of our patriarchal society as it impacts the women closest to them: their sisters, mothers and friends. Feeling disconnected from the movement, some men may have trouble relating to feminism. While this isn’t justifiable, it is understandable.”
Three years ago I expressed this sentiment in a Reporter views article aimed at convincing women to proudly accept the title of feminist. This time around, I’m calling out the men.
While it’s true that most men are not quick to accept the label of feminist – a Huffington Post/YouGov poll revealed that only 16 percent of men ascribe this word to themselves—I believe that the majority of men do, in fact, support feminism’s main belief. In my last article, I worded this belief as: “men and women are moral, political and social equals.” Although I would now include “and people of all genders” in this statement, the point still stands. With a similar definition of feminism, the Huffington Post poll asked this question: “Do you believe that men and women should be social, political, and economic equals?” Out of 1,000 people surveyed, 83 percent responded “yes” to this question. With only 23 percent of women in the poll identifying as a feminist, it’s clear that both genders had significantly more agreeable view of feminism once the dirty f-word was removed.
When you get down to the foundation of what feminism means, both men and women are clear supporters. By avoiding association with the label of feminism, men buy into the stereotype of feminists as radical, head-shaven, man-haters and give others permission to do the same. However, by accepting the role of feminist and helping to de-bunk the negative stereotype, men can help create a more equal society, a job too big for just one gender to do. Moreover, men should be willing to support a movement that aims at breaking traditional roles that negatively impact their gender as well…. Read on here.
Rabbit, Rabbit
Happy first day of October!
p.s. A British superstition stipulates that one must repeat the word “rabbit” to ensure good luck for the coming month. But be sure it’s the first thing you say that morning! I learned it from my Latin teacher. Now you know, too 🙂
Veggie Tofu Omelet
My pre-ride meal.
Three eggs, cherry tomatoes, extra firm organic tofu, low sodium soy sauce, green onions, cilantro
Next time, I’ll try it with a little spinach!
Pgh Gallery Crawl: Like a Pub Crawl, Except You Get Drunk on Strobe Lights
I’ve been to a slew of gallery crawls and gallery nights, mostly in Chicago, but also in Madison and Florence. The Pittsburgh gallery crawl was different simply because it was a new city whose art scene I have’t explored. And also, it was the first gallery night I’ve attended alone. I thought I could picture the night: me, wandering the cultural district trying to deceiver a tiny map from a brochure and barely making it past the parking garage let alone to a host of galleries. Thankfully, the night turned out quite the opposite. Was it the strobe lights? The crazy interactive video collages? The night air? The giant duckie? Who knows! Either way I had a blast, met a load of crazy people, and would do it again (alone) in a heart beat.
Zee
Kurt Hentschlager
I waited in line for this exhibit for an hour. I never actually made it to the room where the piece was taking place. But somehow, I left feeling like I had a good taste of postmodern art. Or maybe I try to find art in places where it’s not (intended to be). I’m known for thinking broken fence posts are part of sculpture gardens and that missing electrical outlets are accidentally unmarked installations. So I didn’t feel too disappointed to have spent an hour, crammed inside a tiny room with forty people, watching the smoke hiss out from under the door of the exhibit, wondering if we’d ever make it inside. I witnessed tension rise between people after a group cut the line. I met a man who, like me, ventured to the exhibit alone, and who took a moment to write down a note in a notepad he kept crumbled in his pocket. “Just for, you know, story ideas.” And finally, I watched a man get carried out of the exhibit room after experiencing a seizure. I was outta there in a second.
Granular Synthesis: Model 5 and Pol
Kurt Hentschlager and Ulf Langheinrich
Ironically (or not), the next exhibit I visited featured a large screen and four images of a women’s face, twisting and convulsing in repeated, robotic movement. At times both terrible and hilarious, needless to the say, the pieces made me very comfortable. Thankfully, I find uncomfortable art often times the most effective. Better to be disgusted by something than to think it beautiful in every way. Why? Because often beauty doesn’t really challenge how we think. Discomfort does.
For instance, getting a bit uncomfortable and exploring the city alone one evening.
Ciao,
Sarah
“Every single one of us possesses the strength to attempt something he isn’t sure he can accomplish.”
-Scott Jurek in Eat & Run
Running Hard, Getting Heathy, & Going (Almost) Vegan
This was my lunch today…
Spring greens, extra firm organic tofu, sweet cherry tomatoes, cranberries, carrots, chia seeds, and lite ceasar dressing
…and it was amazing! On Monday I decided to commit to vegetarianism (and to slowly transition into veganism in my own time). For now, I’m cutting out all meat except fish and also cheese. As a runner, I was hesitant to consider cutting out meat because protein is fundamental to my diet, but that was before I read Eat & Run. Wow, is Scott Jurek convincing! I’ll be honest; proper treatment of animals is important to me, but it was never enough to convince me to take the leap. Jurek’s transition into veganism is simply practical. Food=fuel=great performance. (Supporting animal rights and the environment is just a plus that comes along with it!) Vegansim made the runner feel better, perform better, and win. I’d be a fool not to at least hear-out the advice of an ultramarathon champion. I run marathons. Jurek runs 150+ miles races through deserts and up mountains. On a plant based diet. Just try not to be curious!
I’m sick of getting sick, of bonking out on long runs and rides, and feeling sluggish at work, so I’m giving a vegetarian diet a try! And eating vegan when I can limits my diet is good ways. At the work cafe, if no options are vegan, I have no choice but to eat the salad I brought that day.
The result?
Feeling deprived? Not getting enough protein?
Nope.
Just a really, really delicious homemade lunch.
It Doesn’t Get Better Than Tom Boy, Ambiguous Neutrals, & Moto! (i.e. My Fave Autumn Trends)
Every fall it’s impossible not to find a handful of beautiful, inspiration trends, and this year is no different. Here are my top faves…and who is doing them best!
1. Ambiguous Neutrals
I love this trend for cosmetics in particular (I’m addicted to a pale, barely-there nail color), but it translates effortlessly to apparel too…and even better in lingerie and intimates. Free People wins my vote for offering a gorgeous selection of nude intimates. Browse their ethereal “Sheer Shop” and just try not to buy something…
2. Borrowed from the Boys
Madewell is my top retailer for tom boy styles. But instead of being in-your-face boyish, Madewell strikes a perfect balance between sexy and casual cool. Let’s be honest, pulling off a tom boy look is 80% attitude. My personal style is certainly more feminine (and definitely not cool enough), but adding a touch of tom boy helps keep things in check. Like those weeks when I know I’m wearing too many dresses with cardigans, my Madewell slouchy rugby stripe sweater is there to save the day.
3. Moto
Good ol’ GAP has one of the best selections of moto-inspired apparel this season. An extra plus? At the GAP, you won’t break the bank on a hot trend (I got this jacket for 30% off). If I weren’t buying clothes for three months (my newest challenge now that the triathlon is over), I’d be all over their moto pants. And coated jeans. And moto puffer jacket. And biker jeggings….
4. The Conversation Sweater
j.crew and Madewell get the tie for this one. Mostly because I really, really want the Bien Fait sweater. Get it? If not, désolé, je ne suis pas désolé. 😉
5. Sporty
…but definitely not a yoga-pant, sweatshirt look. Instead varsity letter jackets, rugby stripes, and boxy cuts make this trend. Forever 21 gets the job done at their usual how-the-heck-do-they-do-it?! low prices. For me this trends might mean sneaking my ever-growing workout wardrobe into my daily wear. Think: Nike Luxe Track Pants.
What’s your favorite autumn trend? Do you think my list is missing anything?
3.1 Phillip Lim at Target is (Finally) Here!
Staying true to my challenge of no clothes shopping for three months, I did not (with much self-control) shop the 3.1 Phillip Lim collaboration at Target. My sister did, however, and she was gracious enough to take pictures of her finds for me. I’ve heard one of them might be a Christmas gift 😉
Ciao,
Sarah
p.s. Have you heard?! Peter Pilotto is next Target collab!
gibbsongirl.com 