Cooglife Holiday 2018 by The Cougar

Issue 28 // November 2018

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

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The Holiday Issue is finally here! And it’s actually coming out during the holiday time, which is great for you, but for me that meant I had to start brainstorming ideas for this issue before I even had time to put together a Halloween costume. It was tough, but it was worth it because now there’s all this great holiday content for you to enjoy! In this issue, you’ll find all types of content. There’s some seasonally appropriate stories, like a personal essay I wrote about my struggle with SAD. We also have a little guide to film photography, because I feel like right now is the perfect time to get into the hobby and plenty of photographers will be putting film cameras on their wishlists this year. There’s even another fashion editorial, this one is all about winter fashion (because it’s SO GOOD). I hope that in the stress of the last few weeks of school, this magazine is able to help you forget about all of the finals you have coming up and big projects you have due and offer you just a bit of solace as you start thinking about winter break and how you’re going to spend it. If you need an idea of how you can spend it, you should flip over

to the back of this issue and check out the little travel guide I wrote about Fredericksburg, TX. Of if your winter plans include staying home, you can flip over to my story about hosting a holiday party, and plan something with friends or family. We even have a guide on staying productive over the break that you should check out. We hope that you enjoy every page of this issue, and remember, we can’t create stuff like this unless awesome people like you (YES you, reading this very sentence right now) decide to step up to the plate and join our staff. Our doors are always open, and we are always looking to grow our little family over at the CSM. Apply now on GetInvolved because I promise you that it’s still not too late. And if you ever have any questions about the things that we write, or you have any suggestions for us about what we would be writing, feel free to send me an email at cooglife@thedailycougar.com. I hope you guys enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed making it. ☺

EDITORIAL Julie Araica, Executive Editor cooglife@thedailycougar.com Diamond Braxton, Assistant Editor cooglifeassist@thedailycougar.com

COVER Fiona Legesse, Creative Director ame@thedailycougar.com

WRITING

Adison Eyring Binish Azhar Jasmine Davis Laura Contasi Russel Gardin

ADVERTISING

csmadvertising@uh.edu cooglife @cooglifemag @cooglifemag

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

November 2018

Houston Events Calendar

Coogradioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holiday Music Picks

8-9

Local Holiday Shopping

10-11

Ways to be Productive

Hosting a Holiday Party

13-16

Winter Outfits

Managing SAD

20-21

Holiday Lattes to Try

22-23

A Guide to Film Photography

Staying Fit for the Holidays

Where to Volunteer for the Holidays

A Potato Soup Recipe for the Soul

27-30

Fredericksburg Travel Guide

Holiday Bucketlist

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

COOGRADIO’S HOLIDAY MUSIC PICKS

“O Holy Night” by Reba McEntire

“White Christmas” by Bing Crosby

“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

“Christmas Time is Heret” by Khruangbin

“Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney

“Last Christmast” by Carly Rae Jepsen

“Christmas in L.A.” by VULFPECK

“St. Brick Intro” by Gucci Mane

“Christmas in Harlem” by Good Music, Kanye West, Chyi Da Prynce, Teyana Taylor

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey

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Local Houston businesses to support during your holiday shopping

Writing by Laura Contasi | Layout and photo by Julie Araica With the holiday season fast approaching, supporting local businesses is one of the last things people think about. Picking up a cute card and gift at a local Target is enough for some, but why settle for generic when there are handcrafted artisanal goods just around the corner? Supporting local businesses and artisan shops can help to make your gift giving more special and unique this winter. Houston has an extremely diverse shopping scene, and whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re strolling down 19th street, or walking around the Montrose area, there are always plenty of small, locally owned shops to look around. Finding gifts from locally owned businesses will not only result in a thoughtful gift for your friends and loved ones, but may also make your shopping experience more memorable. Local vendors come together to host flea markets in various parts of town, most of which arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too far from the campus. Here are a few places to shop this holiday season that can help you support local artists and find meaningful gifts for your loved ones.

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F LE A AT S I LV E R ST R E ET The Flea at Silver Street is hosting a Thanksgiving event this Black Friday weekend. The Black Friday weekend flea market will host all kinds of vendors selling handmade collectibles, jewelry, home decor and more. The flea market also showcases local food trucks and other hole-in-the-wall eateries. You can find them at 2000 Edwards Street on Black Friday weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SAW YE R F L E A Located in a similar area, the Sawyer Flea is another curated outdoor market. They host every third Saturday of the month and post regular updates on their social media. Catch them on the corner of Sawyer and Edwards on Saturday Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

M AN R E ADY M E RCAN T I L E Nestled in the Historic Heights, Manready Mercantile is a locally

owned business that focuses on apothecary goods and supporting locally made items. The store offers a wide variety of products, ranging from whiskey soaked campfire jerky to eclectic, vintage fashion. The shop was originally run from the owner’s home, but can now be found at 321 W 19th Street.

J U B I LE E Another store located in the Historic Houston Heights is Jubilee. Jubilee has been a staple of the Houston scene for over 21 years. Located at 325 W 19th Street, Jubilee supports local jewelers and showcases trendy home decor within its walls. They’ll be participating in the 19th Street Sip and Stroll on Nov. 15, an event where customers can pick up sips of drinks and stroll as they browse through boutiques, antiques and more.

U H FAR M E R ’ S MAR K ET If you’re looking for a more alterna-

tive gift approach, you could always try foods! The University of Houston hosts a Farmer’s Market on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Vendors set up tents on different locations on campus and have a variety of products. Pop Soap, one of the vendors, sells all vegan, handmade products. From soap bars, bath bombs and beard oils, they’re sure to have something for you! The next two Farmer’s Markets will take place on Nov. 14 and Nov. 28.

T H E I M P EC CAB LE P I G The Impeccable Pig is a family owned boutique based out of Dallas, TX. The store was opened in 2002 and has found a home at 714 Yale Street. Not only do they provide fashionable clothes and accessories for women, they also support local non-profit organizations that embrace women’s empowerment, such as the Genesis Women’s Shelter and The Family Place.

BREAK REC HOURS November 21 6am - 7pm November 22 – 23 CLOSED

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December 5 6am - 6pm December 16 12pm - 8pm December 17-20 6am - 9pm December 21 6am - 8pm December 22- January 1 CLOSED

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 REGISTER BY: 11/28 Enjoy a day of biking through downtown Houston, shopping at a farmers markets and visiting Discovery Green! Student: $15 Community: $30

January 2-3 6am - 9pm Jaunuary 4 6am - 8pm January 5 10am - 8pm January 6 12pm - 8pm January 7-10 6am - 9pm WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Jaunuary 11 6am - 8pm REGISTER BY: 11/27 resume regular schedule This class is for advanced climbers. You must be able to climb a 5.8 and be belay certified.

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UHRecreation uh.edu/recreation Strengthening the Pride COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

Productive ways to spend your time during winter break Writing by Adison Eyring | Photos courtesy of Pexels | Layout by Julie Araica

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

Winter breaks can be rough. We spend the entire semester dreaming about all you’re going to do once you have five minutes to breathe, and then December rolls around and we forget all of our nice plans. You (and yes, I am projecting) waste days in bed watching Vine compilations on your phone, only getting up to do your skincare routine and grab berries from the fridge so you can eat them out of your hand like a sad, wounded, forest animal while you read Tracee Ellis Ross’s Wikipedia page. No more! This winter, we’re going to be staving off that seasonal affective disorder and inter-semester boredom in a healthy, productive way. Here are my recommendations.

Learn a new language

Last summer I got bored, re-downloaded Duolingo, and learned Norwegian just for the kick of it. It only lasted a few weeks but it made me feel smart and productive while I was doing it, and I’ve retained a passable knowledge of basic words and phrases. There are tons of benefits of learning a second (or third, or fourth, or fifth) language, not least of which is that it actually improves your grasp on English grammar rules. Luckily for us, the

Internet is chock-full of resources, apps and programs of varying prices (and accuracy) to assist you on your journey. Plus, with over 145 different languages spoken in Houston, I can’t think of a better environment to practice your new skills in.

Support Houston arts and entertainment

Houston has a vibrant and growing arts scene, and the easiest way to support it is by just showing up. Here in Third Ward, Project Row House is revitalizing the area through art without gentrification. With a constant stream of events and incoming artists from near and far, you’re bound to find something you’ll love. If performances are more your thing, we’ve got that too. The Alley Theatre will be showing their production of “A Christmas Carol” through November and December, and they offer a pretty decent student discount if you call and ask (the squeaky wheel gets the oil!). If you hate having to get dressed up to see a good show, The Secret Group is considerably less formal and features local bands and comedians all the time with multiple shows pretty

much every night.

Get a part-time job

Listen. You knew this was coming. Chances are we’re all broke here, and since we have the time off anyhow, you might as well profit off of it. Pull up that good ole Indeed page, look for (preferably paid) internships in your field, or just shake down all of your professors and connections until a research position falls out. The world is your expensive oyster and you are the broke pearl.

Read!!!!!

Read! Reading is good! Make Levar Burton proud of you. Get a library card in your hometown, dust off your old one, or just stay on campus; the MD Anderson Library will be staying open over most of winter break with adjusted hours. You already pay tuition, so you might as well take advantage of it. In the words of RuPaul, reading is fundamental – and on that note, if you’re staying in Houston over the break, be sure to check out the Drag Queen Storytime on Dec. 29th at the Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library.

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

How to be the holiday host with the most Writing and layout by Julie Araica | Photos courtesy of Pexels What would the holidays be without parties? Whether you want to host a Friendsgiving, holiday gift exchange or a New Year’s Eve bash, the basic rules of how to host a party remain the same. For me personally, I learned everything I know about party throwing from Martha Stewart and the Sims, and I feel like this knowledge will serve you well. Allow me to share. So the first thing you’ll want to do is invite people to your party (obviously). You’ll want to make sure to invite people at least 10 days in advance, but generally I like to invite people a solid two weeks in advance, because I feel like that’s long enough for people to set aside time unless they have made big plans beforehand. But this isn’t your wedding, so there’s no need to plan so far ahead of time. It’s OK for some people not to show up, and you shouldn’t take it personally as the host. When it comes to the actual invitations, there’s no reason to send out physical ones. This isn’t your 10th birthday party, so there’s no need to bring everyone envelopes with your party invite. Just create a Facebook event with all of the necessary information your guests will need. The great thing about inviting people to parties over Facebook is that you can even see when they’ve seen your invitation, and they can choose to accept or decline the invite, so you’ll get a pretty good head count ahead of time. If someone has seen the invitation but hasn’t responded, it also wouldn’t hurt to ask if they’re coming if you really need to know the specific amount. Now when it comes to planning the actual party, it’s always fun to come up with a theme. Maybe for something more laidback like Friendsgiving this

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Three winter looks for different occasions Writing and photos by Binish Azhar | Layout by Julie Araica

As the semester wraps up and the weather gets cooler, students at the University of Houston may often feel at a loss when it comes to figuring out what’s appropriate to wear and when. Because that may be what you’re really worried about when final seasons approaching, right? How many ways can we say ‘Houston’s weather sucks’ without sounding like a broken record? You already know its deal, sunny mornings are cold, and afternoons are cloudy and humid, and there is always a chance of rain. How can you prepare for every weather condition at once? And more importantly, how can you manage to look cute while doing so? Here’s a handy how-to, with broken down outfits for every occasion--because we know what matters most right now is what you’re wearing. Finals schminals. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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A REGULAR DAY Winter fashion is usually credited as most people’s best dressed season, where thick coats and expensive boots are retrieved from the very very backs of our closets. Houston’s winter time makes for unpredictable changes in the weather, so it’s always a good idea to layer up when visiting campus. A temperature drop from mid 80s to low 60s? You're a pro. Layer up with long sleeves and a heavy coat to wear and disrobe as you please. Our model, Billion, wears a thin scarf to accessorize and chunky German military boots, paired with textured corduroy to keep things interesting. It’s winter time, so anything goes. When the sun comes out and you start to break a sweat, shed the coat and go about your day. All items shown were purchased at your local thrift store. If you’re feeling a wardrobe change coming on, keep it easy on your wallet by visiting a Family Thrift or Value Village.

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

If you’re spending the day out, hitting the Galleria or picnicking in Hermann Park—you’re bound to snap a few pictures. Winter wear, although versatile, can be a little hard to maneuver when it comes to looking ‘cute’. Throw it back to some classics by falling in line with our model Billion, who adorns a smock styled oversized dress with a western suede vest. Winter doesn’t mean you can’t play with some color. Billion wears velvet blue shoes to keep it simple enough to stay comfortable, but nice enough to paint the town with your friends. You can layer up underneath to keep warm, and paired with chunky boots like hers, no winter can stop you from looking cute.

WHEN IN HOUSTON COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

Whether it’s a party, a club or even just Agora’s—carrying a lumpy coat everywhere with you is the last thing you want. Our only solution? Don’t. Chances are, you’re decked out in a really cute possibly pneumonia inducing outfit, and how can it be worth it if it’s not shown off? It’s winter time, which means the prospect of wearing a skirt is slim to almost none. Cute pants aren’t always impossible to find, and if you look hard, you can find ones to keep you warm as well. The best way to go about this is wearing something thick, for example, leather. Billion shows it off best, wearing leather (pleather works too) pants and yet again, some chunky booties. Her halter top is thick sweater material, and as long as you’re layering up underneath, the winter won’t get you down. Another tip; wearing layers of thigh high or knee length socks will keep you warm, stockings work too if you’re not showing any legs. Winter-wear can and will be conquered.

A NIGHT OUT 16

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 won’t be necessary, but if you’re doing a holiday party, Ugly Christmas Sweater parties are the only way to go. Get your guests excited! With decorating, try to be festive, but don’t go overboard unless you have the extra cash to spend. I would just suggest getting some stuff from the dollar store and getting creative with that. You’ll want to give yourself a budget for decorating though, and it honestly should make up a very small fraction of that budget. Now let’s talk about food, yay! If you’re hosting Friendsgiving, do a potluck so that you aren’t spending a ton of money and time cooking, and also so you get to try a bunch of diverse new foods you normally wouldn’t eat on your own. If you’re doing a NYE party or a holiday party, you probably don’t need to do much for food aside from some snacks. Try to be mindful of your guests dietary restrictions and pick snacks that everyone can enjoy. Bouncing off of food, let’s talk about booze. Don’t go overboard and buy a bunch of liquor. One or two types of beer and a bottle of vodka and some cocktail ingredients are probably all you really need. Or you could do wine if you prefer that. A lot of times, if your guests really want to drink something very specific they’ll bring it on their own, or at least pitch in on Venmo to help you buy it.

Now let’s talk about setting the tone you can do to be a great host at your of your party. You’re going to want to holiday party, but these simple tips are have a playlist ready beforehand. You sure to work in your favor and make can browse through Spotify and look sure that everyone at your party leaves for ones that you really like, or you can having had a great time. go the extra mile and make one on your own. It really depends on what type of tone you want to set and how important the music will be when it comes to setting that tone. When your guests start arriving, make sure to greet everyone and make them feel welcomed into your home. LONG / SHORT / BUZZ It’s your job as the VALID FOR FIRST TIME CLIENTS AT BISHOPS 3100 FANNIN ST. #105 host to make sure THRU 12/24/18 MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS that everyone is HOUSTU accommodated for. Set rules on plus-ones, and if your guests choose to bring plus-ones, be sure to make their plus-one feel welWITH PURCHASE OF COLOR comed as well. VALID AT BISHOPS 3100 FANNIN ST. #105 There are plenTHRU 12/24/18. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. ty more things

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My struggle with seasonal affective disorder — and how I manage it Writing and layout by Julie Araica | Photo courtesy of Pexels

So it’s winter again, and that means I’m feeling sad. But when I say sad, I mean SAD. As in, Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a very real medical disorder that can occur for some people with the change of the seasons. For most people, this happens during the winter. I am one of those people, and no amount of Mariah Carey, Christmas dinners and presents can really shake off the feeling I get when the weather gets colder and the days get darker. I’m going to talk a little bit about my struggle with SAD, and what you can do if you also suspect that what you feel is more than just “winter blues.” Although it isn’t known for sure what causes SAD, researchers speculate that it may have something to do with changes in our circadian rhythm making serotonin levels decrease in our brains during certain times of the year. A lot of symptoms of SAD overlap with those of major depression. For me, I have been officially diagnosed with clinical depression, and my symptoms always get worse when winter comes. What was already hard for me before becomes harder by ten18

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

fold. I frequently catch myself oversleeping, overeating and overcome with feelings of dread during this time, and for me, therapy has been enough to help me manage. For treating SAD, a lot of people recommend light therapy. I personally haven’t tried light therapy, but I have tried other things, like sleeping with my blinds open to allow the natural sunlight to wake me up. I’m also super strict about what time I go to sleep, because it’s super important to keep my internal clock in balance. I always go to sleep and wake up at the exact same time each day, even on the weekends or days where I’m busy. But Honestly, waking up at the same time is the most important part of this routine. If I’m up late doing something else, then I just have to deal with losing those hours of sleep, and I can’t let my body sleep-in to make it up, because I know that once I let that happen it’s a downward spiral from there. Eating a healthy diet is also recommended when dealing with SAD, but I feel like this is pretty obvious. A good diet might help, but personally I wouldn’t expect my symptoms to go away just because of a change in my diet. I think the more important thing

is avoiding unhealthy eating habits that you might be prone to while dealing with this disorder. I gained so much weight last year when I let my depression get the better of me and prohibit me from making conscious decisions about what I was eating. If you think you might be dealing with an eating disorder, or if you decide that you want to receive therapy for your SAD, I can’t suggest Counseling and Psychological Services enough. The CAPS office has walk-ins available for you to make an initial appointment from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get help, I know it’s hard, but you need to take that first step if you want to get better. And things probably won’t get better right away, you just need to be persistent and trust in the process. Don’t believe the negative stigma surrounding medication either if you decide that’s the course of action you’d like to take to help treat your SAD. To be put on medication, you’ll need to see a psychiatrist. There is a Psychiatry Clinic on campus that you can go to get help, but keep in mind that you must schedule an appointment ahead of time.

November 28th 11AM-2PM Student Center Plaza Free food, Free T-Shirts, and Free Cookie Decorating!

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

Writing and layout by Diamond Braxton With the holidays around the corner, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s normal to want to try a new coffee drink to match the tone of the weather. When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freezing cold outside, you might consider a hot chocolate or something warm and caffeinated. As the number of local Houston coffeeshops increase year-after-year, there are plenty of cafes for you to get your caffeine fix. These four coffee drinks should be next on your must-try coffee list. Photo by Diamond Braxton

Photo courtesy of Pexels

P E P P E R M I N T M O C H A LAT T E Nearly any Houston coffeeshop can offer a tasty blend of chocolate and peppermint to your lattes. As the days get colder, the need for a delectable blend of espresso, steamed milk topped off with a layer of foam increases. Peppermint mochas are the perfect combinations of sweet chocolate and a mint aftertaste that will make your tastebuds swoon. You can find this chocolatey, minty coffee creation at The Nook Cafe, which is across from the Calhoun Lofts on the University of Houston campus.

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C I N N AM O N C O RTAD O If you don’t want to cherish a big mug of latte, then consider having a cortado. Cortados contain equal parts of steamed milk and espresso. Cortados are often referred to as “short lattes” because they come in smaller glasses that could sit perfectly on your palm. The steamed milk in this espresso drink will help reduce the acidity and if you add a dash a cinnamon, and you’ll enjoy a natural sweetness to help immerse you in the holiday spirit. Some noteworthy coffee shops to have a cortado in Houston would be Campesino’s Coffee House or Catalina’s Coffee.

Photo courtesy of Pexels Photo courtesy of Roxana Beaver

Photo Courtesy of Pexels

D I RT Y S OY C H AI LAT T E S Chai lattes are usually equal parts of steamed milk and concentrated chai (each brand differs by each coffeeshop). Even if you’re a whole milk lover, consider substituting your chai latte with soy milk because the combination of soy milk and chai create a delicious flavor balance of creamy and nutty. You can also try making your chai “dirty” by requesting some espresso shots to give you your caffeine fix for the day! And don’t worry, the addition of espresso won’t destroy the sweetness of your chai latte. Visit Blacksmith, Doshi coffee house or Coral Sword to try a dirty soy chai latte.

N U T M EG CAP P U C C I N O If you tend to love your coffee with more foam than steamed milk, cappuccinos are the perfect coffee drink for you. With equal parts of steamed milk to frothy, thick foam, cappuccinos are loved by coffee-lovers from around the world. If you sprinkle nutmeg or chocolate powder on top of your cappuccino, you can eat the foam with a spoon, and it will taste like spiced fluffy clouds. Try visiting The Nook Cafe or Inversion to taste a foamy cappuccino. If you want your cappuccino to be extra foamy then ask the barista for a “dry cappuccino.” If you’d rather have your cappuccino have more steamed milk than foam, ask for a “wet cappuccino.”

Photo courtesy of Pexels COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

A beginner’s guide to film photography Writing and photos by Russel Gardin | Layout by Julie Araica

— With plenty of holiday season memories you’ll be wanting to capture, now is a perfect time to divulge in this hobby if you’ve been thinking about it

COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

So, you’ve heard the news that the antiquated style of film photography is “in” again, have you? Hey, I am right there with you, I started shooting the format about three months ago, and haven’t looked back since. In fact, it has rapidly become my “go-to” style, even with access to multiple digital cameras to shoot with. There’s a lot of initial hesitation with shooting film – How do I know the camera will even work? Where do I even buy film? How do I even process it? Is it even worth it? These are all valid questions, and they all went through my mind as well, so here’s what I did. First, you need to figure out why you even want to do it. Do you have a special memory associated with film photography? Do you think it looks better than digital photography? Do you just want the clout? There are no wrong answers, because we all go into things with a different rationale. Either way, you’ve decided why you want to do it, so let’s begin the research process. The “normal” format of film photography is 35mm, but 120mm is still a thing as well...kind of. I would argue that 35mm is much more accessible and you have a wider array of

options to choose from. 35mm film is smaller, therefore film cameras setup for 35mm film are more handheld and portable than its 130mm counterparts. Next, try to find out what camera to get. There are a lot of ways to figure this out, go based off recommendations and your own research. What I did was find out what sort of camera the film photographers I admire, Gunner Stahl and Terry Richardson, use. Turns out, they use a model called a Yashica T4. So, I did research on the model, looking at its specifics, and decided that I would like to buy it. Once you have a model in mind, I would begin looking to obtain it locally. I called the Houston Camera Exchange and inquired about the T4, and to my surprise they had it in stock. Once there, I was able to explain to them that this would become a new hobby of mine and asked for advice on caring for the camera as well as some film recommendations. Being that there is such a plethora of film to choose from, I suggest searching photography forums such as Flickr with the model of the film to get a general idea of the shots you will get with it. This will give you an idea on the speed of the film and model of the film that is

best suited for you. The shooting process is of of the most fun aspects; you take a shot and the anticipation to see how it turns out makes you want to finish the roll as quickly as possible. When the roll is done, you unload it from the camera, following the camera’s instructions on how to do it, that is. Now you have your first roll shot and I bet you are dying of excitement to see what you’ve captured. But how are you going to see them? Well, I use a website called the darkroom.com where, for $11 a roll, I can have my images professionally developed and sent back to me, with my “negatives” strips or sheets of transparent plastic film that has the image you captured. I dissuade people from going to places that do not return negatives, because if you are not satisfied with the way the processing turns out, you would not be able to take it somewhere else. If you have the negatives, then you can reprocess. That is film photography summed up. It is something worth trying, and it’s more than fun to do. Like everything else, just do your research and you should be set. COOGLIFE // NOVEMBER 2018

Avoiding temptation — how to stay fit during the holidays Writing by Diamond Braxton | Photos courtesy of Pexels | Layout by Julie Araica

While the holiday season brings families together, it also brings out endless amounts of stuffed turkey, fruit pies and other deliciously unhealthy foods. During this holiday season, focus on keeping your fitness and health goals in mind and don’t allow yourself to be swayed by temptations. Here are several ways you can stay on track with your goals.

Bring Your Own Dishes to the party

Bringing your own home-cooked food to a holiday party guarantees that there will be something you can eat that will fit within your diet regulations. It doesn’t have to be same food that you eat during the week, try looking into healthy holiday recipes and see if you can make yourself a treat that won’t make you feel tempted by the other foods that will be around you. Try looking into low carb brown24

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ies, cauliflower-based pizza or whatever else your body might be craving.

Announce Your Goals

Sometimes the best way to hold yourself accountable is to tell your friends and family that you’re on a health journey. If you explain the importance of this journey and how determined you are, they will respond positively and won’t make you try the pecan pie that grandma made. It’s also a good reminder to hear yourself repeat your goals to instill that dedication back into your mind.

Prepare your meals in advance

Cheating on a diet can happen when you’re not prepared. When you’re hungry and you don’t have time to wait for the chicken to thaw out, you might just decide to go out and get burgers. You can avoid this by meal-prepping. While meal-prepping can be a several hour

process, it will save you from having to cook three times a day. If the thought of eating the same thing over and over again for days disgusts you, then try meal-prepping for three days and then switch it up. There are many ways to meal prep, and always having food that you can eat nearby will help you avoid the temptations.

Stay on track with your routine

Don’t let the holiday season and cold weather make you forget your commitment. While snuggling up inside your house and drinking hot cocoa sounds nice, staying on track with your goals should be your main priority. Go to the gym in the morning so that you can have the rest of the day to lay around the house. Plus, once you get that workout in you’ll feel so thankful afterward, and your body will also be thanking you.

Giving back during the holidays — places you can volunteer this season

Writing by Diamond Braxton | Art by Erin Davis | Layout by Julie Araica Giving to others is one of the most common themes of the holiday season. This is the time where people stand in lines wrapped around buildings just to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. The time of giving is a wonderful time to come together as Houstonians through love and cherishes. One of the best ways to give this holiday season is to volunteer at local shelters, churches, food banks, etc. This compiled list will guide you through some volunteering options in the Houston area.

Houston Food Bank

The Houston Food Bank provides food to 800,000 people in need. Volunteer days are open from Monday to Friday and you’ll be able to help stock food, sort through food or prepare food packages for families. For their holiday opportunities, keep an eye out from Dec 3-8 for red barrels at your local grocery stores. You can donate food in the red barrel for

ABC13s Share Your Holiday Food Drive and watch live coverage of the event from Dec 7-8 on ABC13. You can also volunteer to work the Holiday phone banks from Dec 3-8. By doing this opportunity, volunteers get to register clients for holiday food boxes from the Houston Food Bank. This will help provide food for plenty of families for the holidays.

ect brings volunteers from all around during the holiday season. Their main goals is to provide visits to nursing homes, hospitals or other residential institutions. On their website there are endless amounts of different volunteer opportunities ranging from performing at nursing homes or just getting a chance to get to know the seniors.

Meals on Wheels

Toys for Tots covers all 50 states and its purpose is to collect and distribute millions of toys to families in need just in time for Christmas. If you go onto their website toysfortots.org, you’ll be able to find a location near you where you can drop off any old toys in good condition or if you’re feeling very immersed in the holiday spirit then consider going out and buying new toys to put a smile on a child’s face near you! There are several Houston locations, so just plug in your address and find the one closest to you!

Meals on Wheels provides Thanksgiving dinners for families who don’t have the money to share the holiday with their family. You can volunteer with Meals On Wheels on Thanksgiving day and spend the day providing meals to families all over Houston. At the distribution site there will be opportunities for volunteers to make holiday cards for the seniors that will also be visited.

The Holiday Project

In the Houston area, The Holiday Proj-

Toys for Tots

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A potato soup recipe for the soul — The Cougar’s editor-in-chief spills the soup recipe you’ll want to copy for your holiday dinner plans Writing by Jasmine Davis | Art courtesy of Vectoreezy | Layout by Julie Araica I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I know a lot about soup. I’d venture as far as to say it makes up at least 30 percent of my diet. Does this made me a little weird? Probably, but if loving the warm comfort of a bowl of hot soup is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Growing up, my mom was good at many things. Unfortunately for me, however, cooking was not one of them. Be on the lookout for my next article: A definitive ranking of canned soups. I’m partially kidding. But my mother’s cooking did have one saving grace: the baked potato soup. On at least two occasions, I faked a childhood illness in exchange for this soup. This soup is a spicy, creamy bowl of bacon-y goodness, which — for the sake of your heart health — I wouldn’t recommend making more than twice per year.

6-8 cups chicken broth Milk (as needed) Greek seasoning Salt (as needed) Sour cream (as needed) 6 chopped celery stalks 1 package thick cut bacon 1/4 brick Velveeta cheese Tabasco (as needed)

pot on low heat. 5. Cut your now-softened potatoes in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop the potatoes out of the skins and into the pot. I prefer to vary the sizes of the chunks.

1. Wash your potatoes before using a fork to poke holes in them. Microwave until relatively soft. You can also use regular old baked potatoes if you’d like to skip this part, but I prefer not waiting around for an hour.

7. Return the soup to a simmer and add greek seasoning and salt as needed. I also add about an inch wide slice of Velveeta, three tablespoons of sour cream and 1/4 cup of whole milk. This stage is all about thickening the soup — if you prefer a more brothy soup than creamy, reduce your measurements at this stage.

Ingredients you’ll need:

3. Drain some of the bacon grease and use the remainder to saute the finely chopped celery, onion and serrano pepper. The smaller you can dice the serrano, the better.

5-6 large potatoes 1 bay leaf 1 serrano pepper 1 whole large yellow onion 1 bag of Idaho Original Instant Mashed Potatoes (you won’t need the whole thing)

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2. Pan fry the bacon as the potatoes are softening. The bacon will need to be in smaller chunks once you add it to the soup, but you can do this before or after frying, depending on your preference. The bacon should be crunchy, not burnt.

4. Add the bacon, chopped vegetables, bay leaf and chicken broth to a large

6. Bring the soup to a boil for approximately five minutes, or until all ingredients seem done.

8. Use instant potato flakes to thicken the soup to your desired consistency. 9. Simmer the soup for another five minutes. 10. Feast. Add tabasco if desired. Thanks to the instant mashed potato flakes, this soup thickens quite a bit in the fridge. I recommend adding a half cup of water to the bowl before reheating.

A guide to your perfect winter travel destination — If you’re looking for the perfect holiday getaway from the bustling city, look no further than this quaint Texas town that is oozing ‘Gilmore Girls’esque charm Writing, photos, and layout by Julie Araica

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If you’ve found yourself daydreaming of getting the hell away from Houston and hopping onto the first flight to Boston this winter to experience, you know, actual winter, you are not alone. But if you are also like me and find yourself lacking the funds to make such a brash decision, I give you a more budget-friendly alternative that is about a four hour drive from Houston. I made a two-hour detour in Fredericksburg, TX on my last big road trip, and I was convinced that this was the most festive place for any Texan to visit who is feeling the holiday spirit, but unable to forget the fact that it’s still a solid 80 degrees outside in the middle of December (I can never forget). I will be convincing you of this too, through a number of different photos that capture the autumnal charm of the city, and a comprehensive guide to it. Located in the Texas Hill Country about an hour and a half away from Austin, and an hour and ten minutes away from San Antonio, Fredericksburg is a town that you can take a quick day trip to if your holiday plans include stopping anywhere near these two cities. The city is known for its wineries and German heritage, which is prominently displayed through its architecture and Pioneer Museum. And as a city that has made it a point to put its Germanic roots at the forefront of its overall feel and culture, you better believe that they go all out when Christmas time rolls around.

more hip. The restaurant also features an outdoor patio and all of their ingredients are locally sourced. One look is all it takes to realize that it just doesn’t get more German than Auslander Biergarten Restaurant down here in Texas. The restaurant looks like something straight out of Hessen, and boasts a fireplace, outdoor seating, live music and of course, plenty of beer. Could you think of a cozier way to spend the holidays? If you’re craving a cozy, rustic dining experience filled with the finest food and wines, then look no further than Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country Restaurant. This is a place to visit if you’re stopping by the area with a large

group of family or friends, because the restaurant has plenty of seating to accommodate for large crowds. In a city known for its vineyards, you’d seriously be missing out without paying a visit to one of Fredericksburg’s many wineries while you’re in the area. Grape Creek Vineyards is a very popular choice, but there are also plenty of other amazing wineries to visit.

Where to shop

The Fredericksburg General Store is a gift shop filled to the brim with knick knacks of all sorts. Whether you’re looking for a cheesy souvenir, or a unique stocking stuffer gift, this place is bound to have something for you to bring back home to family and friends.

Where to eat

If you’re in Fredericksburg, you might as well go all out and enjoy some German cuisine. Old German Bakery & Restaurant is a cozy diner that is perfect for breakfast or lunch with a menu featuring potato pancakes, schnitzel and more. If you’re craving German fare that’s a bit more on the high-end side and you want to kick back with a nice cocktail, then Otto’s German Bistro is perfect for you. Their menu is pretty similar to Old German Bakery & Restaurant, but the overall dining experience is definitely

When in Fredericksburg during November and December, go to the Christmas Store. In there you will find a vast array of holiday decorations that you’d probably be pressed

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to find somewhere else. Plus, this store is huge and sells stuff that isn’t just holiday related as well. There are plenty of souvenirs to bring home too, and there’s even fresh homemade jelly you can buy (and sample). Another thing to check out in Fredericksburg is its antiques. The Red Baron Antique Mall is a good place to start. It sells all sorts of antiques, from miscellaneous “junk” to extremely well-preserved pieces of furniture. If you’re itching to do some vintage shopping, check out Magnolia Pearl - Retail & Wholesale Clothing Store. This place is huge and sells a lot of older linen pieces with a rustic feel that have withstood the test of time. It’s like an Etsy shop filled with handmade, minimalistic and comfortable pieces come to life. If vintage shopping isn’t your thing, check out the Haberdashery Boutique for your clothing needs. This boutique is quite large, and the style of clothing ranges from rustic to bohemian. Offering both men and women’s clothing, this boutique is definitely one to look through.

What to do

And now we finally get all of the wonderful festivities going on during the holiday season at Fredericksburg, as well as things to do year round. We’ll start with some of the biggest events going on in November and December. The first big event to truly kick the season off is the Lighting of the German Christmas Pyramid & Community Christmas Tree ceremony. And yes, you read that right. In true Germanic tradition, Fredericksburg puts up a large pyramid up in the middle of its Marktplatz Park for the holiday season. The pyramid and tree are both lit at this ceremony, and there will be live entertainment to go along with it. On Saturday, Dec. 1 the 61st Annual Home Tour & Market will be held by the Pioneer Museum. The market will feature 21 boutique vendors and the home tour is a self-guided tour of Fredericksburg homes decorated for the holidays. Tour booklets can be picked up at the museum. On Dec. 7, there will be the annual Light the Night Christmas Parade on Main Street. This parade is huge, and you can expect to see very vibrant holiday float displays, dancing, live music, animals and more, all under the night sky. I truly can’t think of a better way to feel the holiday spirit than to watch this parade as it makes its way through the beautifully lit Main Street. If you don’t want to attend any event in specific and just want to enjoy the ambiance of the town during the winter instead, there is always something to do. If you love natural wonders, then Fredericksburg is home to Enchanted Rock where you can go hiking and camp. You might also want to check out the Old Tunnel State Park where you can visit a historical railroad tunnel that is home to 2 to 3 million bats, for free! There are many different museums that you can visit too, the most notable of which being the National Museum of the Pacific War and Pioneer Museum. Some other miscellaneous points of interest are St. Mary’s Catholic Church, whose gorgeous architecture can be viewed from almost anywhere on Main Street, and Rockbox Theater, where you can see world-class tribute artists perform tributes to artists including The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and more. 30 COOGLIFE

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11/24 Bobby Feeno AKA Arian Foster 11/29 American Aquarium 11/30 SAINt JHN 12/3 Next Town Down

THE BOX OFFICE AT REVENTION MUSIC CENTER OR CHARGE BY PHONE AT 800-745-3000

All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. A service charge is added to each ticket.

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520 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77002 www.ReventionMusicCenter.com