Pulse Shots

HaLloween at Home HaLloween at Home

JENNIFER RUSSO

It has probably been the SCARIEST year most of us can remember and we all know it’s going to be a little different when it comes to celebrating Halloween. Don’t FREAK out! Oh alright…I’ll KILL the DREADful puns and share some ideas on how you can have a SPOOKtacular time from home this time around. From scary movies to delectable treats, creative decorating ideas to tasty potions, there is plenty of opportunity to make this holiday one of the most SPIRITed yet.

Thrilling Movies

Why not do a movie marathon on Halloween or extend it to one movie per night the entire month of October? Go all out with popcorn and Sour Patch Kids, wear your favorite cozy jammies and prepare to scream and jump. You’ll find these being aired live the whole month as well as on streaming services. From the classics we all know and love to some newer attempts at making us hide under the covers, here are some of the top-rated choices: Hocus Pocus, Halloween (1 &2), The Shining, Get Out, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Child’s Play, Pet Semetery, The Blair Witch Project, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Omen, The Craft, The Witches of Eastwick, Dracula, Death Becomes Her, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Others, Us, The Exorcist, El Orfanato, Psycho, The Conjuring, The Cabin in the Woods, The Ring, Insidious, Audition, IT, and for some G-rated nostalgia, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

Virtual Events

There are a few virtual events listed on Facebook that might inspire some goosebumps or help you tap into the mystical. There’s Hocus Pocus and Horror Movie online trivia happening this month (10/7 and 10/21 at 8:30 PM respectively). Perhaps an online class with Christopher Penczak, High Priest and Temple of Witchcraft founder is up your alley (Oct. 30 from 7-9 p.m.), or create your own event and challenge your friends to a pumpkin carving contest and have a Zoom meeting to show them off.

Halloween Deco

The stores are open and so is Amazon…and there are many ghoulishly great things to buy to spruce up your house. Orange and purple lights, ghosts, gravestones, spiderwebs, skeletons, bats, animated witches, inflatable pumpkins, a holiday tree decorated with spooky ornaments…why not go ALL OUT this year since you are home! There is no such thing as too tacky this year. Get weird.

Sweet Treats

Cinnamon Sugar Halloween “Cookies” – This could not be easier. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350. Get some flour tortillas (whatever flavor you like, but I think wheat works best). Buy a few Halloween shaped cookie cutters and cut the shapes out of the tortillas. Dip the cut outs in melted butter and press one side into cinnamon sugar. Lay these out on the sheet topping side up and bake for 10 mins. Done.

No-Bake PB Cup Cheesecake

Give a spring form cake pan a quick once over with cooking spray then press in Oreo crumbs mixed with enough melted butter to give them some texture on the bottom and halfway up the sides. Chill for a bit. In a bowl, beat together 3 tablespoons of sugar with 1 ½ packages of Philly cream cheese, adding a cup of heavy cream and a ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Beat until thick and fluffy (2-3 mins). Get the crust out and cover the bottom with PB cups (whole or broken). Spread the cream cheese filling over these and top with crushed Reese’s Pieces and candy corn if you’d like. Chill for a few hours.

PS– you know all the candy will be 50 percent off as soon as Nov. 1 comes, so you can always make this post-holiday…or just eat all the cheap candy. We won’t judge.

Witch’s Brews

Well, I mean you’re home and don’t require a designated driver, so indulge a little! Here are a few drink ideas to get you started.

Wicked Elphie - Shake up some OJ, Midori melon liqueur and Sprite and pour into a colored sugar-rimmed martini class.

Headless Horseman – Shake vanilla vodka, gin, a tablespoon of pumpkin puree, a dash of maple syrup, and orange juice. Serve in a wine glass and garnish with a graham cracker over top.

Black Magic – Shake up Jägermeister, spiced rum, lime juice, agave syrup and cranberry juice.

Devil Made Me Do It – Shake up tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and ginger beer. Pour into shot glasses and drip in a couple drops of tabasco…if you dare. Garnish with a thin lime slice.

Love Potion – Muddle some blackberries in a shaker and add tequila, peach juice, lemon juice and agave syrup with a dash of grenadine. Shake and serve up with a whole blackberry garnish.

Dress Up

Who says you need a party to dress up? Some of the most trending costumes for guys this year are Dr. Fauci, The Mandalorian, Alexander Hamilton and Tiger King. Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Carol Baskin and Janet from The Good Place are all up there in popularity for women’s costumes. Instead of getting something from a store though, we challenge you to get creative – but we don’t recommend ninja costumes since you’ll just blend in with normal people. However you choose to celebrate Halloween, please do so safely.

THE QUEER VOTE: 2020 THE STATE OF LGBTQ+ ISSUES IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND WHY IT MATTERS. GIULIANO D’ORAZIO

Currently, I’m writing this article you’re about to read; it’s mid-September, 2020. The weather can’t make up its mind: the mornings are suddenly frigid, but the afternoon sun faintly burns with the glow of summer. My mind, however, as it pertains to this November’s election, is most certainly made up. I am voting for a more progressive, more diverse, executive cabinet. I am voting for an informed, compassionate and sensible response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am voting to fire Betsy DeVos and to hire someone qualified to lead this country in a time of educational upheaval. I am voting for a platform which recognizes that All Black Lives Matter. I am voting to let kids out of cages and reunite families. I am voting to protect a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her healthcare. I am voting to respect Science. I am voting for a cabinet that recognizes LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. I am voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for president/vice president.

As queer folx, our very existence is political (it’s important our allies know this, too). The societal acceptance some of us enjoy today is a direct result of decades of radical political activism, spearheaded by trans women of color — work which, out of unfortunate necessity, continues to this day. In my January ‘Out and About’ piece, I highlighted some advancements in equality the LGBTQ+ community has seen in recent years. One can point to the legalization of marriage equality, which happened in the United States in 2015, alongside over 18 nations worldwide over the course of the past decade. Sadly, as with most progress, these things tend to take two steps forward and one, sometimes giant orange, step back.

The current White House administration has, according to the Human Rights Commision, “pulled the U.S. away from its position as a leader on advancing human rights for LGBTQ people around the globe.” The evidence is rather staggering. I’ll just name a few:

1. Ban on Transgender Troops:

As of 2019, the Trump-Pence policy which bars any transgender person from enlisting to serve in the US military continues to be upheld and will continue for another four years, should the president win reelection.

2. Eliminating Pride guidance for embassies:

In 2019, the State Department halted its tradition of sending memos to U.S. embassies encouraging them to participate in their local LGBTQ Pride festivities. In fact, top State De- partment officials denied requests made by some embassies to fly a Pride flag. (Human Rights Commision)

3. Removal of LGBTQ+ Issues from White House Webpage:

Just hours after being sworn in as president, any and all mention of LGBTQ+ issues were removed from the White House official website. (Human Rights Commision)

4. Rollback of Housing Rights for Transgender People:

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced its rollback of a rule that protected transgender people from discrimination by homeless shelters and other housing services receiving federal funds. (National Center for Transgender Equality)

5. Workplace Discrimination:

The Department of Labor announced a proposed rule that would allow federal contractors to “exempt themselves from equal employment opportunity requirements”. This is the type of legislation which allows businesses to refuse employment to LGBTQ+ individuals on the basis of “religious freedom”. (National Center for Transgender Equality)

Despite his purported support of the LGBTQ+ community in his 2016 run, Donald Trump has been quietly rolling back rights and silencing our voices as he loudly distracts. It is impera- tive that now, more than ever, we get out and vote to protect not only our rights, but the rights of all marginalized communities. If you need help registering to vote or want to check your registration status, go to: www.vote.gov

4 2 0 5 0 IN THE 8 A SLOW BURN

ELLIOT MERCIER

Technology is one of those concepts that doesn’t necessarily advance at a constant pace, or even linearly: innovations and ideas only coming due to special circumstances, skipping the prototype and going straight to a product to buy. The pandemic — that will still be present in some manner by the time this article comes out — brought forth a slew of ideas attempting to mitigate the amount of contact necessary to get basic activities, such as grocery shopping, done. Some are a bit wacky, like pool noodle hats in German cafés establishing a six foot minimum distance between customers. Some are helpful and innovative, like supermarket Lidl offering an app that lets customers know when their stores are least populated.

The most well-known innovation however, especially here in the states, is curbside pickup, a practice in which a store or vendor has the product picked out and simply places it in a customer’s vehicle when they arrive. This is present in almost every non-essential business nowadays, and has even spread to the world of cannabis transactions.

Recreational pot shops have been open since May but the guidelines and regulations surrounding them have still been strict, with a fair amount not allowed to house more than one thousand customers a day. If familiar with standard marijuana purchasing procedure, one could easily imagine that maintaining strict social distancing practices and a completely sanitary work environment can be a micromanaging nightmare. Up to this point, all transactions regarding cannabis consumption were done with cold hard cash. This method and the red tape wouldn’t be able to support the demand that would obviously rise as consistent employment and weekend rituals fell. Long periods of isolation, no bars to go to and paranoia getting to some more than others, there would be no better time to have a pleasant smoke.

Recently, the GFA Federal Credit Union announced a partnership with an app known as Hypur, a way to provide contactless purchases of marijuana. The company believes that reluctance and the fear of being prosecuted on a federal level for indulging in legitimately legal substances is what’s preventing many recreational pot shops from flourishing even more. Being compared to PayPal and other virtual wallet systems, Hypur is a step in the right direction towards the easily accessible, but the next step after that is still in the hands of the dusty suits in Congress.

With a new shop hopefully opening up in Shrewsbury this month called Holistic Industries Inc. and many more waiting to open their doors later this year, it’s safe to say that even if projections will likely be dismal like last year’s, there will still be a high demand for anything to take your mind off of the world right now. In the meantime, maybe learn a skill while you figure out Hypur and other apps that will inevitably come. What did you learn? I learned to sing, to the displeasure of many.

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STYLE Savvy

STYLE SAVVY APRIL GODDARD

Hello readers, and welcome to the festive and fabulous month of October! It seems like only yesterday that March was beginning and so much has happened since. Adjusting to the “new normal” has been challenging at times, but positivity and working together has allowed for us to make great strides in rising to meet the challenge and adjusting to life as we now know it.

One of the most notable changes that I have seen personally is the transition from office culture to work from home culture. This huge shift has changed how many of us prepare for our traditional nine-to-fives, from how we manage a work-life balance, to our lunch breaks, to how we dress. I find the latter of great significance. Gone are the days when you put on your coat and work-casual slacks and head to the office.

Now this begs the question: do I really need to continue to invest in formal work attire? The answer is now, and for the foreseeable future: no, not really. A silver lining in all of this is that you now get to dress with comfort in mind and can get everything done without the inevitable morning and evening traffic jams. But how to dress when there is still a chance of “face-to-face” meetings online?

The most important thing to remember is that you do not necessarily have to sacrifice comfort for style. My go-to is a nice sweater with leggings and cozy slippers. By keeping your bottom half comfortable for long days of sitting, working and simultaneously chasing after your kids, you can do it all-without leaving home.

The key is to keep the rest of your look relaxed, yet presentable. I love a traditional oversized cowl neck sweater, because it is long enough that you can wear leggings, while the cowl neck is dressed up enough to keep with a professional appearance. Pair with a bit of makeup (if you like) and a low bun, or hair brushed and down to tie the look together. The point here is to be presentable for a surprise meeting with your boss while still being able to comfortably do everything else that you need to for the day.

What are your favorite work from home outfits? Although work from home life certainly takes some adjusting to, as with anything, once you get into the routine of it, it becomes second nature.

SPORTS & SPORTS & FITNESS FITNESS

AFFORDABLE WAYS TO STAY FIT AT HOME

KIM RUSCITTI

In a study conducted by TD Ameritrade in July 2020, 59 percent of Americans surveyed said they weren’t planning to renew their gym memberships after the pandemic. Whether due to financial and job losses, a dislike of wearing a mask while working out at the gym, or months of quarantining at home turning us into hermits, more and more people are turning to home workouts.

If you have a corner of your house with a pile of dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats, exercise balls, or your mom’s old ThighMaster – now’s the perfect opportunity to dust off your gear and get moving at home. No gear at home? No problem. There are plenty of ways to stay fit whether you’re on a tight budget or have a little extra to spend toward your workout goals. The below possibilities invite flexibility and creativity, and can be done whether at home or on the road.

No matter your budget or the workout you choose, the most important thing is to get up and move, and have some fun while you’re at it.

Couch to 5K training program (free): Most anyone can become a runner by following the Couch to 5K program. Over nine weeks, individuals with little to no running experience work their way up from zero running to running a 5K (3.1 miles) in 30 minutes without stopping. Motivate yourself by signing up for one of the many virtual 5Ks being offered these days—most even come with a t-shirt and medal (costs vary by race).

Smartphone Apps (most are free): Track your outdoor workouts through free smartphone apps like Map My Run, Runkeeper, Nike Running Club, and many others. These apps have the ability to track your pace, mileage, and time during your runs, walks, or bike rides; each workout is also saved so you can track your improvement.

Yoga with Adriene (free): If you’re looking to improve your flexibility, check out Yoga with Adriene. Adriene uses her YouTube channel as well as her website to share free weekly yoga workouts. She has an abundance of information and a large collection of different practices tailored to skill level, workout length, and subject matter (i.e. back pain, injuries, stress). YMCA 360 (free at the time of publication): In response to the global pandemic, the YMCA created an on-demand video platform as a way for its members to experience their favorite classes while the gyms were closed. Aimed at serving the Y community but not exclusive to members, YMCA 360 offers group exercise classes, youth sports classes, and wellbeing classes online, making it easy to stay fit and healthy at home or on the go. Free access is available to everyone, though the organization said this may be subject to change in the future.

Google (free): Not into any of the above options? Google “body weight exercises” and you’ll hit the jackpot of free resistance workout exercises on how to use your own body for a stellar workout.

FitDeck (starting at $15): If you’re someone who values variety over routine, switch up your workouts with FitDeck, a pack of illustrated exercise playing cards for guided workouts. First seen on Season 5 of Shark Tank, there are now a number of FitDeck alternatives out there. Each card illustrates the exercise in three levels of difficulty (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) in order to accommodate individuals of all abilities. FitDeck makes a number of different decks depending on one’s interest, including body weight, yoga, stretch and more.

Exercise Dice ($25): Getting a full body workout is now as easy as rolling the dice. Amazon sells a number of “exercise dice,” which are large foam, multi-sided dice with workouts for strength, stretch, HIIT (high intensity interval training, i.e. jumping jacks and mountain climbers) workouts. Roll the dice and get a complete workout at home or on the go.

Beachbody On Demand ($99/year): Remember when P90X was all the rage? Those workouts are part of the Beachbody family. For an annual fee, you’ll have access to dozens of workout programs for all fitness levels and interests—from high intensity training to low impact workouts. The company even offers a free 14-day trial so you can explore the options and whether it’s a good fit for your home workout goals at no cost. Nike Training Club ($15/month): For a monthly charge, the Nike Training Club (NTC) app offers personalized training and an extensive library of workouts ranging from yoga and mobility to cardio and strength. According to NTC, all workouts are led by Nike master trainers, and sessions range from 50-60 minutes.

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BACK TO HEALTH JENNIFER RUSSO

In times such as these, it is often difficult to find the silver lining on the clouds, especially when it comes to focusing on our own health. For months now, we have had to change the way we do pretty much everything. We must wear masks in public places, we must stay away from crowds of people, many of our favorite places to visit are closed, and people have been experiencing more anxiety and depression than ever before. In some cases, this has resulted in adopting bad eating habits, drinking a little more than we would have before, not being able to go to the gym, and a gen- eral feeling of laziness. With Fall in full swing, it’s time to bounce back.

Let’s start with our mental health - begin with choosing one thing to be grateful for every single day. It could be a person you have in your life, the fact you have a roof over your head, or even just a thankfulness for coffee. Anything that makes you feel secure or happy. Just one a day – write it down on a small piece of paper and toss it in a bowl. Watch that pile grow and realize that there are still good things to be had.

Next, we can take a look at the health of our relationships. Have we crawled into the cave during this crisis and become antisocial? Use some of the extra time you may have been granted to reach out to someone else to say hello and check in and let them know you’re thinking of them. As much as it may have been good to take a break from the amount of interaction we were used to, be- ing human we need our relationships with other people. Nurture those.

Now, our physical health. Think about how you can take advan- tage of the fitness and health opportunities that this more virtual world brings. For me, that was realizing the place where I go to fitness classes wasn’t reopening anytime soon and becoming an instructor so I could teach both myself and others virtually instead. For others, it might be learning how to cook something themselves that they can’t get at their favorite restaurant or getting out of the initial quarantine food binge to focus on a more healthy eating lifestyle. For some it might be reconnecting with nature and getting outside to hike, walk or bike more. The weather and the views are great out there…poke your head out and look around!