How to Eat Local and Organic on a Budget
January 11, 2020(0)The concept of eating local and organic on a budget always seems to generate a certain amount of suspicion. As if parsimonious gastronomy surely requires some element of sorcery. All too often, health is associated with wealth. Maybe it’s because our ideas of eating healthy are warped by glamourized visual presentations of food flooding social…
Whistle Stop Grocery
September 30, 2019(0)As the air grows crisp, the days grow shorter, and Michiana trades in fiery temperatures for flame-colored leaves, it’s time to gear up for one last Pure Michigan hoorah. Whatever your destination, bypass I-94 and enjoy a rambling drive down Red Arrow Highway through Harbor Country—a group of eight small, lake-hugging towns that roll out…
The Carriage House Dining Room & Gardens
September 3, 2019(0)Plug 24460 Adams Road in South Bend, Indiana into your GPS and you’ll find yourself at an off-the-beaten-path historic Brethren Church amid cornfields secluded by arbor vitae. This destination location is home to the celebrated Carriage House Dining Room and Gardens. Since opening in 1975, the Carriage House Dining Room and Gardens has earned an…
Seasonal Spotlight: Kohlrabi
August 10, 2019(0)If you’ve been perusing the local farmers markets or received a CSA haul lately, you’ve likely come face to face with kohlrabi—a bulbous, alien spaceship-looking vegetable with climbing outer stems that culminate in a flurry of leaves. Meaning “cabbage turnip” in German, Kohlrabi has a crisp texture kind of like an apple, and it has…
What is a VegFest?
April 22, 2019(0)So your friend who only eats eggs if the chicken meditated, had friends, and enjoyed a diet of spelt and rose petals invited you to something called VegFest. For a born-and-bred Midwesterner raised on a steady diet of meat and potatoes, attending something called “VegFest” instead of vegging out on a Sunday afternoon is likely…
The Real Reason You Hate Working Out
April 22, 2019(0)From improving your mood to protecting your heart to keeping your brain healthy, each day seems to bring with it a new scientific report on the benefits of exercise. No matter how strong the evidence, you still find that you have to drag yourself to the gym, dreading every second. Or maybe you get excited…
Spring Salads You’ll Actually Want to Eat
April 11, 2019(0)A far cry from soggy mixed greens drowning in goopy dressing—solely serving as a promissory note that actual food is on the way—these are salads you’ll actually want to eat. Filled with things like beans, fresh produce, and whole grains, these spring salads will fill you up and are loaded with enough flavor and crunch…
The Case for Second Breakfast
March 30, 2019(0)“We’ve had one breakfast, yes. What about second breakfast?” So said the hobbits in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Second breakfast may not be as customary a meal in the U.S. as it is in Middle-earth and most European countries, but it’s a meal with merit nonetheless—especially if you’re fitting your workouts into the a.m. hours.…
Old Europe Cheese and Beer Pairings
March 1, 2019(0)Hosting a much wider range of flavor profiles than wine, craft beer is quickly being recognized as a prime pairing partner for our other favorite fermented food: cheese. Traditionally, beer and cheese are both farmhouse products and are made with similar base ingredients that go through a related aging and fermentation process. These common characteristics…
The Best BBQ in Austin
January 23, 2019(0)While there are infinite places to get your BBQ fix in Austin, Texas, there are only a handful of joints that achieve peak barbecue nirvana. There are the traditional BBQ joints that unfailingly churn out slabs of fork tender brisket encased in a thick layer of smoky, peppery bark. There are those that artfully pull…
4 Cheeses to Try on Your Next Pizza
January 21, 2019(0)Combine a tender, chewy crust with a slick of bright tomato sauce and a big ole showering of cheese and the result is no less than a little slice of heaven. The best homemade pizza recipes take just a few quality ingredients: dough, sauce, cheese, and perhaps some toppings. So there really isn’t much that stands…
10 Venison Recipes That Aren’t Chili
December 21, 2018(0)When you practice all year with a SpyderWeb Target, the result is typically nothing short of a freezer full of venison. Thinning out the herd of venison that lives in your freezer is always a fun and delicious challenge, and chances are, you already have a killer chili recipe up your sleeve. But when your…
15 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
November 13, 2018(0)It might seem counterintuitive, but Thanksgiving is actually the perfect time to broaden your collection of vegan recipes. From restriction erupts creativity! Whether you’re having an entirely vegan Thanksgiving, or you’re picking and choosing a couple of vegan Thanksgiving recipes to guarantee there’s something for everyone, your guests will welcome the change at your table…
3 Super Soups to Winterize Your Immune System
October 17, 2018(0)From chopping the vegetables to stirring the pot, brewing a bubbling, homemade batch of soup can be a soothing act of meditation. Soup has many healing properties—both unexplainable and scientifically proven. Toss in a few superfood ingredients and you can winterize your immune system in the most delicious of ways. Here are three souper recipes…
Gear Up For Bowhunting Season
October 15, 2018(0)The refreshing and crisp fall air, the tangerine ribbons of light creeping over the horizon, the stillness of the dawn—words cannot explain the feelings of gratitude, peace, and wonder that rise with the sun on a fall morning in the woods. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for all year. It’s opening day! Bowhunting…
Fall Produce Guide
October 2, 2018(0)When the air turns cool and the trees blaze with color, it’s time to taste the autumn harvest. It’s always sad to see summer produce fade out, but there is excitement that comes in with the interesting and complex vegetables of fall as the tomatoes and zucchini begin to vanish from the dirt-dusted tables at…
Seasonal Spotlight: Romanesco
September 8, 2018(0)Imagine the psychedelic love child of cauliflower and broccoli with lime green punk hair, and you have something reminiscent of romanesco. Romanesco is an edible fractal, which is precisely what makes it so captivating and stunningly see-it-to-believe-it beautiful. A vibrant display of romanesco at the farmers market has been known to stop people in their…
What Is Matcha and How to Use It
August 5, 2018(0)You might think matcha should have wrapped up its moment in the spotlight by now, but instead, matcha has been settling in as a welcome household staple and colonizing tea aisles across the country. Matcha may have started out in the U.S. as a superfood trend, but it has found a place in our hearts,…
Artificial Turf is Greener Than You Think
July 27, 2018(0)It’s no secret that synthetic turf offers a lush, beautiful, low-maintenance alternative to natural grass. But what many people don’t realize is that artificial turf is also a responsible landscaping option, with numerous environmental benefits, such as water conservation, chemical-free maintenance, and recycling options. Artificial turf products can even help green builders meet U.S. Green Building…
10 Naturally Gluten-Free Desserts for Summer
June 24, 2018(0)Summertime is all about backyard barbeques and checkered tablecloths topped with iconic seasonal desserts like strawberry shortcake, cherry cobbler, and blueberry pie. But when you have to avoid gluten, this often means having to replace traditional summer favorites with gluten-free versions that always seem have less than desirable textures and flavors that are far from…
Guide to Gap Years in Tibet
June 1, 2018(0)Sixteen thousand feet in the air, high above the Chinese mainland on the Northern slope of the Himalayas, lies the wondrous plateau of Tibet. A faraway land of spiritual mystery to most, Tibet is governed by China as an autonomous region. Often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” entering Tibet feels like you’ve…
Is Local Food Actually Healthier?
May 24, 2018(0)Figuring out how to eat healthy in today’s food landscape is wildly confusing. An abundance of food tempts us while the manifestos of paleo pledges, tie-dye donning raw food advocates, and a cornucopia of other dietary regimens make it even harder to decide which food path to take. Then there’s the “locavore movement.” The philosophy is…
The Mystery of Mantoro
May 2, 2018(0)How many times have you walked by a good-looking artisanal cheese at the grocery store, thought about diving in, but ultimately didn’t have the guts? Maybe it had a weird rind, or you weren’t sure how to pronounce it, or maybe you’re still traumatized from that one time you mistakenly selected a really stinky cheese…
It’s Farmers Market Season!
May 1, 2018(0)After enduring an unwelcome extension of winter, spring has finally sprung in Michiana and farmers market season is upon us! Why do we so strongly crave the arrival of spring farmers markets? Yes, it’s in part because we can finally nourish our overwintered bodies with a revitalizing array of freshly harvested produce—as well as bearing…
The Fondness of Fontina
April 8, 2018(0)There are two types of cheese… There’s the cheese that you daintily nibble off a marble charcuterie board while saying things like, “Hmm, quite nutty.” And then there’s the cheese that you melt and gaze longingly at after you’ve had one of those days and your soul is aching for some comfort food. Then there’s…
The Beauty of Brie
April 6, 2018(0)One of the greatest gifts the French ever gave us: Brie. We will forever be grateful to them for blessing us with Brie’s silky smooth, unmanageably gooey, buttery brilliance. Brie is a soft ripened, creamy cow’s milk cheese, which is easily recognized once molded into those familiar flat round disks. A fully ripe wheel of…
A Guide to Horticulture Internships Abroad
April 5, 2018(0)Hey you! Yes, you, with the “save the bees” bumper sticker waxing on about colony collapse disorder. It’s time to gain some expertise in your field. More than just gardening, horticulture is both an incredible science and a beautiful art, and at the end—there’s food! Today, opportunities in horticulture are among some of the fastest…
9 Herbs to Grow and Use This Spring
March 26, 2018(0)The secret to transforming easy dishes into extraordinary meals? Fresh herbs. The ultimate focus of spring cooking is to celebrate the freshness of a new season. This is accomplished in many ways, but perhaps the most prominent is the return of fresh herbs to the plate. Herbs that sprout up in spring are a breath…
7 Recipes to Fight Food Waste
March 21, 2018(0)According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 40% of food in America goes uneaten. FORTY PERCENT. It’s true, using the best parts of the best ingredients and transforming them into something delicious is, frankly, pretty easy to pull off. However, many think that doing the same with the scraps left behind surely must require some…
It’s Time To Evaluate Your Website Content
January 26, 2018(0)You’ve probably heard the phrase “content is king” once or twice since you’ve launched your website. At the very least you’ve picked up on the simple truth that content is the reason why people visit your humble online abode and share it with others. Basically, when it comes to a website’s success, content really is…
Don’t Take That Off The Menu!
January 25, 2018(0)Apparently it’s not the first time they’ve heard that about Lauren’s Special. Choosing what to order is always a challenge at a place like The Mason Jar Café. With so many local, organic options, the hardest part about deciding what to order—is having to decide on what not to order. Fortunately, Lauren has come up…
6 Food Trends That Will Take Over 2018
January 13, 2018(0)The warm glow of the holiday season has started to fade into the background and it’s time to kick those New Year’s resolutions into gear. A new year always brings new choices, new goals, and, of course, a fresh new batch of food trends flooding Instagram. This years food trends are providing a roadmap to…
Owning vs. Renting
January 8, 2018(0)As we ring in the New Year, a time of contemplating goals for the year ahead is at the forefront of thought. With this anticipatory planning comes an unavoidable question most will have to face at this time: Is it better to own or rent? You’ve come to a fork in the road and it’s…
Why is it Important to Learn a Foreign Language?
December 30, 2017(0)The advantages of learning foreign languages are mushrooming as the world becomes increasingly globalized and bilingualism is now perhaps the most useful real world skill to ever exist, rather than just being a nifty party trick. If you’re thinking about making the effort to learn a foreign language rather than expecting the world to accommodate…
How to Decide When to Take a Gap year
December 29, 2017(0)The school to work to retirement blueprint seems may seem like the natural progression of life. Disrupting the conveyor belt feels like it could be a fatal mistake, but the good news is there is a pause button. It’s called a gap year and it’s up to you when in your life you press that…
5 Snacks to Leave Out for Guests Who Graze
December 14, 2017(0)When company is en route, a good host knows it’s time to make like a Southern grandmother and have a cornucopia of snacks prepared for incoming guests. When you really want to impress your guests and keep their grazing habits satisfied, these five snacks to leave out for guests who graze are great to have…
Top 5 Healthy Thanksgiving Treats
November 20, 2017(0)When the long awaited Thanksgiving feast nears its finale and everyone is shamelessly professing that they can’t eat another bite—the dessert table is unveiled. Your eyes somehow make sure your stomach gets the hint that it must make more room pronto. This encore of desserts can steal the show on Thanksgiving, but instead of diving…
What Does a Mortgage Loan Officer Do?
November 9, 2017(0)It’s decided. You are ready to move into a new home or purchase a property. You’re so excited for this new beginning and looking forward to everything…except for the part where you have to go out and find a mortgage. Whether you’re a first time purchaser or a seasoned homebuyer, the first step is securing…
Krauted Kitchen’s Fermented Fusions
August 21, 2017(0)A small, roadside corner lot turned organic, sustainable suburban farm is triggering many double takes as passersby spot an ironically-placed Cabbage Patch Kid standing watch over Krauted Acres. She does her job well, as Krauted Kitchen has been turning out some seriously delicious krauts—all of them homegrown and homemade. Each and every one of these…
Why Your Business Website Needs a Blog
May 28, 2017(0)In today’s world, consumerism has evolved and settled in a place where people are becoming more conscious about what companies they give their business to. Before shelling out their money, consumers need to be sold not only on your products and services, but on your business as a whole. Customers demand nothing less than transparency…
A Guide to Volunteering Abroad
April 30, 2017(0)Do you ever get the feeling that you have a higher calling? A purpose that thrives outside the limits of 9 to 5 or the commercially driven promises of the American dream? Like a homing device lodged deep within your chest, your heart might just be trying to tell you that it’s time to volunteer…
High School Outdoor Education Programs Abroad
April 28, 2017(0)Your teenage years mark a new era where the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” loses its lighthearted demeanor and becomes stressful. This is the perfect time to escape this anxiety-inducing question and go abroad! Uprooting from familiarity and venturing out to experience life in another culture will prompt revelations…
15 Must-Haves For Your Website
April 25, 2017(0)There is no clear-cut way to go about creating a website. Nor is there a secret handbook that details how to piece together all the personalized elements of a well rounded website in a way that is exclusive to your company. The only known definite is that a prosperous website pulls out all the stops…
How to Attract More Visitors to Your Website
February 27, 2017(0)As a business owner or entrepreneur, it’s easy to feel like the deck is stacked against you when it comes to staking your claim in the digital world. Unlike massive corporate competitors, an extravagant marketing budget and an army of tech savvy millennials hashtagging up a storm about your business isn’t in the cards for…
5 Signs Your Website Needs Work
February 16, 2017(0)Accelerating at full speed into unknown territory, technology continues to push boundaries and surpass unfathomable limits. Driving right alongside, marketing strategies and business practices are similarly revolutionizing to keep pace with the times. Many of these advancements have undeniably eased a few burdens, but becoming complacent and falling asleep at the wheel of your business’ technological…
What Is Responsive Design and Why Does My Site Need It?
February 1, 2017(0) Take a moment to consider what device are you reading this on. Is it your work laptop? Home desktop? Maybe you’re thumbing through this page smartphone in hand? If you are reading from a smartphone or mobile device, you probably noticed that you didn’t have to endure the painful, tedious process of pinch zooming,…
Why Do I Need a Website Designer?
January 26, 2017(0)As the world rapidly journeys further into the digital age, having an outstanding website is no longer optional, but vital for business, marketing, and communication. Free website builders now occupy a not-so-small corner of the Internet, proclaiming their easy to use services that extraordinarily require no coding experience or tech skills whatsoever. Once seated upon a…
How to Get Enough Vitamin D in the Winter
January 5, 2017(0)The warm glow of the holiday season has dimmed, and the imminent grayness of winter has suddenly smothered the cheery atmosphere like a wet blanket. Southwest Michigan’s notorious perma-cloud has staked its claim and snuffed out the last sunlight we might see until spring. While some optimists look forward to cozying up by the fire…
Reducing Sugar in Holiday Baking
December 19, 2016(0)It’s peak cookie season and you’re willpower is running thin. Saying no to delicious treats and desserts is not only a daily struggle, but also a battle for your health. So how do you ensure that your New Year’s resolution to be healthier isn’t prompted by a sugar crash under a pile of frosting and…
Kiteboarding Adventures Abroad
December 13, 2016(0)Calling all thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, and dynamic daredevils! You are a rare breed that resists the tendency to search for the easiest route throughout the day. You follow whatever makes your heart race, blood pump, and spirit soar. Adventure travel is daring, exciting, and it calls for boldness and enthusiasm that invite you deeper…
A Guide to Business Jobs Abroad
December 1, 2016(0)As the way the world does business continues to evolve at breakneck speed, it is impossible to be a BA businessman or businesswoman and ignore the blooming global connectedness that has become the cornerstone of business across the globe. So no matter what field of business you deal in, landing a business job abroad is…
Language Programs in the Middle East
November 21, 2016(0)Beneath the mountain of unenthusiastic media exposés erected by persistent newscasters lays a diamond in the rough. Endlessly fascinating and ripe for exploring, the often misunderstood Middle East region has an extraordinary mix of antiquity and modernity. A true understanding of the Middle East begins with language study. Language schools in the Middle East offer…
Enduring the Holidays with an Eating Disorder
November 20, 2016(0)The holiday season is a wonderful and magical time that can often be equally as stressful. For many, the stress of being in containment with certain relatives for long periods of time is quickly alleviated by the thought of the secret family recipe they bring to the table. But for those suffering or recovering from…
A Guide to Adventure Travel in South Africa
November 14, 2016(0)Well, there’s adventure and then there’s adventure. True adventure is sometimes a world away because the allure of discovery is integral to who we are. When you hear the call of true adventure, it’s safe to guess that South Africa tours will be on the other end of the line. South Africa consistently swoons visitors…
A Guide to Media Jobs Abroad
November 1, 2016(0)Media reports littered with depressing headlines may have caused you to catch a few side-eyes as you ventured into a career in media. But a job in the media industry is far more profound than the bad news bears rep it often gets. In actuality, media is the medium, or the channel of communication which…
Go With Your Gut: The Importance of Probiotics
October 24, 2016(0) The mantra many of us spew with pride when inquired about our wellbeing goes something like: “Good! I’ve been really busy.” Demanding schedules keep us on a constant go, however, we are often caught running on empty and pushing our health further and further down our agendas. One of the most common maladies stemming…
Fighting Diabetes with Fermentation
September 28, 2016(0)Foods that have been fermented have exceptional health benefits, especially for individuals with diabetes. Experts suggest that adding a daily serving of fermented foods to your diet can help reduce insulin resistance and improve glucose levels. Many renowned scientists and researchers are trying to change the world by focusing on forward development of ideas, technology,…
Turmeric: The Golden Spice
September 13, 2016(0)In the tropical forest regions of southern Asia, India is hoarding a gold mine of their own. However, this type of gold doesn’t come with fleeting promises of everlasting wealth, but interminable health. Turmeric, also known as the golden spice, is a root similar to ginger that has recently attracted attention for its natural healing…
How to Be an Effective Slacktivist
July 11, 2016(0)Gone are the days when we hear about catastrophic and heartbreaking news from the six o’clock broadcast. Now, it starts with one breaking-news tweet. Next, a friend shares an article on Facebook. In no time at all, our feeds are filled with nothing but the latest global crisis or trending social cause. As our modern-day…
Volunteering Abroad in Kenya
May 18, 2016(0)When you think of Africa, you’re probably thinking of Kenya (or The Lion King). Simba’s kingdom is home to numerous national parks and reserves, and a landscape so diverse you can gaze upon its grandeur of snow-capped peaks, parched deserts, and tropical beaches for days. Not only is Kenya a tantalizing mixture of rare wildlife…
A Guide to Food Science & Nutrition Jobs Abroad
April 22, 2016(0)We’ve all seen (and probably envied) the hosts of those food traveler shows. International cuisine allures and offers us a glimpse into another culture. No matter what our background is, food is something we all have in common. If food science or nutrition is your specialty, you’re aware that food is much more than just…
A Guide to Communication Degrees Abroad
December 22, 2015(0)The way human beings are hardwired to connect through communication is profound and complex, even within each individual culture! If you are interested in studying communications abroad, you’re probably aware that the way we communicate varies greatly between cultures (who knows, you could be flipping someone the bird when you think you are just giving…