Forward Magazine May 2024

Taking the Leap

How to Land Your First Job Out of College

CAMPUS DINING MAGAZINE

Island Delights

A Tour of Sweet Treats from The Asian American and Pacific Islander Community

A Foodie Paradise Celebrating the Joy of Food During Your Summer Vacation

5 Alternative Ways to ActiveGet Beyond the Gym

the Box

2024 UsingGoal-SettingCreative Methods to Achieve Your Goals MAY Outside

Bold Creativity

Welcome to May, the month of “Bold Creativity”! This is the perfect time to explore your creative side and take bold steps towards expressing yourself through art, music, or writing. As we enter the season of blooming flowers and warmer weather, it’s a time of new beginnings and fresh perspectives. This month is all about embracing your unique creativity and finding new ways to express yourself.

Whether it’s trying a new hobby, taking a creative class, or expressing yourself through a personal project, this is the time to step out of your comfort zone and embrace your creative spirit. Don’t be afraid to take bold steps and try new things that will help you unleash your inner creativity.

So join us in our mission to live boldly this May. Let’s embrace the power of creativity and take bold steps towards expressing ourselves in unique and exciting ways. Let’s explore new avenues of art, music, or writing, and make the most of this inspiring season of growth and creativity. This is the time to let your creativity shine and make a difference in the world.

Fiery Flavors

Get ready for an explosive flavor journey with a fiery profile that’s bold, spicy, and smoky. It’s all about the intense heat of chili peppers like habanero and cayenne, balanced by aromatic spices such as cumin and paprika. Sweet notes from caramelized onions or roasted peppers briefly temper the heat, while smoky elements from grilled ingredients or smoked paprika add depth. It’s a bold, adventurous flavor experience that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

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A Tour of Sweet Treats from The Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Island Delights

Food is an integral part of culture as it is a way to pass down traditions and stories to generations. It also serves to bring different communities together with similar techniques that are shared all over the world. As we bring in Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, we must celebrate culture to foster appreciation and understanding of the diverse traditions within communities.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are all people who traced their origins to one or more of the 75 countries in the Asian continent and Pacific Island. Some of the Asian countries include China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, North and South Korea, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, to name a few. The Pacific Islands are as vast and rich in culture as they include countries like Guam, Indonesia, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, and many more.

TherearesomanyculturestodiscoverwithintheAsianAmericanandPacificIslandercommunities thatwillenrichyou.Learningmoreaboutoneanothercanalsobringourcommunitiescloser together,findingthatwearemoresimilarthanwearedifferent.Hereareafewofthesweetest treatsfoundinAsiaandthePacificIslands.

Banh Bao Chi

Wrapped in a chewy outer layer covered in coconut, these Vietnamese snowballs are a popular dessert for many Vietnamese families. Though the recipes may differ depending on the person making them, this treat is vegan-friendly and is the perfect ending after a savory meal.

Thai Mango Sweet Sticky Rice

Something different for your palate is this traditional Thai mango sweet sticky rice. Made with rice, fresh mango, and coconut milk, this dessert is associated with many Southeast Asian and South Asian countries such as Cambodia, Northeast India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, and Bangladesh.

Fa’ausi

Coconut Caramel Bread, or Fa’ausi, is one of Samoa’s most famous dessert dishes. Made with dense coconut bread and a sweet coconut caramel sauce, this treat will satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner or as a snack during the day.

Jalebi

A quick and easy treat popular in India, jalebi appears in weddings, celebrations, and festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Eid. It is also a well-known street food sold in many sweet shops. Jalebi has a fun spiral shape, is crispy and juicy, and is made with gram flour and sugar syrup. In different parts of India, jalebi is eaten for breakfast, adding a delectable start to their day.

Pineapple Custard Pies

Fijian pineapples are not only a popular fruit in Fiji, but there is an overflow in the country! The pineapple custard pies are a testament to that being a popular dessert served during morning and afternoon teatime.

Mochi Ice Cream

Located in many grocery stores in the ice cream section, this multi-textural treat will have you returning for more. Mochi, a Japanese rice cake, has many variations and was initially filled with red bean paste. Over time, the dish has taken on different alterations, and in the 1980s, mochi ice cream was created by Frances Hashimoto, wrapping the mochi dough around dollops of ice cream. You can find a variety of flavors, from traditional red bean and green tea to modern flavors such as double chocolate and cookie dough.

5 Alternative Ways to Get Active Beyond the Gym

As the weather gets warmer and the summer sets in, it is time to enjoy some fun in the sun. Warmer weather brings joy and great memories as it is a sign that classes are ending and break is among us. As you take this time to relax and rejuvenate, there are many ways to relieve stress and enjoy different activities. Summer break allows us to explore new places and hobbies to carry on to the new school year. Going outside and getting active is a great way to disconnect from social media and stay healthy during this break from campus.

Staying healthy is not just about what we put in our body but how we continue to keep our body active. A physically active body can significantly improve your brain health, strengthen bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of diseases. Regular exercise and movement have been linked to an improvement in mental health, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and boosting mental clarity.

The idea of working out, however, can be intimidating. One of the main places people go to work out is the gym, as the International Health, Racquet, & Sports Club Association found that in 2019, “about one in four Americans frequent there.” Nevertheless, many prefer not to go due to feeling self-conscious, lack of motivation, and unsure of how to use the machines, to name a few, according to FitnessFirst. co.uk.

There are various ways to stay active without worrying about going to the gym, and you can even include many recreational activities that you can do in the comfort of your home or neighborhood. If you want new ways to get active, here are five alternatives just for you!

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Hiking

Hiking is an excellent activity if you want to exercise while looking at beautiful scenery for an extended period. Usually, hiking is done in the mountains or various park trails. While enjoying the long walk, you work out your entire body, building stronger muscles, improving your heart health, and helping your sense of balance. Mentally, hiking in nature can help reduce stress and calm anxiety as you breathe in the crisp air. Try grabbing a friend this summer, stopping by your local park, and hiking for a few hours. This is a perfect way to disconnect from your devices and connect with the world around you.

Yoga

Yoga is a calmer and more relaxing exercise focusing on breathing, strength, and flexibility to boost mental well-being. These practices can be traced back to northern India over 5,000 years ago, mentioned in sacred texts in Hinduism called Rig Vedas. Over centuries, yoga has been adopted by many cultures and countries worldwide, finding the practice to relax the body. Postures are the foundation of yoga, and mastering them improves your flexibility, muscle strength, and spine protection and increases blood flow throughout the body.

Going Bowling

What seems like an entertaining activity with your friends on a Friday night is also an excellent workout for your body. Bowling is considered an anaerobic exercise, and it involves short, fast, and high-intensity movements that require your body not to use much oxygen, like cardio workouts. This activity helps you burn calories and promotes the growth of your leg and arm muscles as you carry and throw the bowling ball.

Gardening

Gardening can not only bring you closer to nature but can also have a significant impact on your body and health. While planting and upkeeping the garden, you will be digging, weeding, and transporting materials that will work up a sweat. According to Maryland Primary Care Physicians (MPCP.com), “Gardening works all the major muscle groups: legs, buttocks, arms, shoulder, neck, back and abdomen.” Working out the major muscle groups helps you strengthen them and burn calories. Try starting a garden at home or find a local community garden group in your neighborhood to volunteer to get started.

Hula Hooping

Many of us remember hula hooping as a child in elementary school gym class and recess, but the activity has become a distant memory with age. What was fun as a child can be a great way to get active as an adult. Hula Hooping is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise involving multiple muscle groups in your abdomen, hips, and legs. As you try to keep the hula hoop up with your waist, your balance improves, allowing you to adjust your posture.

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Outside the Box Using Creative Goal Setting Methods to Achieve Your Goals

It is never too early or late to begin setting goals for yourself. From personal to professional, having a plan for yourself is vital. Traditional goal-setting methods can often feel restrictive in the fast-paced world of academia, career pursuits, and personal growth. As you are trying to elevate, looking at other options to shake things up and change the approach to planning your success is essential.

German academic and psychologist Gabriele Oettingen pioneered various scientific studies on motivation and the impact of dreams on motivation. From that research, she developed the Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan (WOOP) goal-setting method to take a different approach to success, focusing on turning dreams into reality.

When thinking about goal setting, you may be familiar with the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. SMART goals take a different approach, setting specific and measurable objectives achievable in a certain timeframe. WOOP goals differ as they focus on identifying and overcoming obstacles that may hinder achievement. Both strategies are great to use and can help lay out the groundwork needed for success.

While you soak up the sun, think about what goals you want to accomplish and what method you should use. If you are interested in the WOOP method, here is how you get started.

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1. Wish

To begin your new goal-setting journey, you must start with your wish. Your wish consists of the goals you wish to achieve, from passing a class, landing a job or internship, obtaining a scholarship, or as small as getting enough sleep at night. When you make your wish, be clear and concise about what you want to accomplish.

3. Obstacle

Success doesn’t always come easy, and there may be hardships along the way. Nevertheless, it is essential to consider the obstacles that may come your way to stay prepared. Amid your journey to your goals, you may encounter potential setbacks or negativity that could throw you off the right path. These obstacles, such as doubts, negative thoughts, or bad habits, may be more internal than external. Identifying and getting ahead of these obstacles allows you to self-reflect and self-improve.

2. Outcome

Along with your wish, think about what positive outcome you would like to see following achieving your wish. Do you want that positive grade to lead to a scholarship? Are you hoping that an internship leads to a job? When thinking about your goals, writing down the potential outcomes allows you to visualize what it looks and feels like when you reach the finish line.

4. Plan

Once you have your wish and outcome and have identified the obstacles, it is time to plan it all out. Your plan should include how you want to overcome the difficulties to move closer to your goal. The more specific your strategy, the better your outcome will be. Using this plan as a reference throughout your journey will ensure your success.

A Foodie Paradise Celebrating the Joy of Food During Your Summer Vacation

As the days begin to get a little longer and the warm breeze feels the air, nothing says summer vacation than a few exhilarating activities that will ensure a great time. Summer’s mystical beauty brings endless opportunities to make memories with your loved ones and indulge in life’s simple pleasures. Across the United States and beyond, places are waiting for us to explore, and what better way to broaden your horizon than with food festivals!

Food festivals are a summertime staple as many restaurants and companies use this time to promote their business and products. A food festival aims to encourage you to try new food and expand your palate. Alongside new experiences, food festivals are a perfect way to indulge in your favorite treats, tasting flavors that remind you of good times in the past.

There are food festivals in almost every state, some promoted to specific towns, counties, or cities. If you are curious about your region, check your state’s website or social media accounts. Some festivals are more promoted than others; therefore, be on the lookout for any announcements. To start your summer planning, Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality would like to share some food festivals that may be in a city near you! Here are a few food festivals to look out for.

Picklesburgh- Pittsburgh, PA

Looking for a way to satisfy your pickle cravings this summer? The Picklesburgh Festival is just the place for you. Taking place from July 19th- July 21st, 2024, and with free admission, this food festival is dedicated to all things pickled, from vegetables, jams, wings, eggs, flatbread, and so much more. With 17 restaurants participating and an array of dill-icious pickle-themed food, beverages, and merchandise, this festival is not one to miss!

Georgia Peach Festival

On May 31st, 2024, the state of Georgia will get peachy! The Georgia Peach Festival returns to the state to celebrate the state’s fruit at the 38th annual event. With over 50 vendors and hundreds and thousands of peach trees, guests are in for a sweet treat! With quality food, arts and crafts, and merchandise, this event is fun for the whole family to experience.

Georgia VegFest

This year marks the 13th year of the VegFest in Atlanta, Georgia! VegFest is bringing veganism to the city and allowing people who are curious about a plant-based diet to get a taste of how you can spice up your plant-based life. This event is fun for the whole family, with live music, food trucks, face paintings, shopping, and education. Admission for this event will be $10 online and $15 at the door.

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47th Annual World Catfish Festival - Belzoni, Missisippi

Calling all catfish lovers, it is your time to shine! The 47th Annual World Catfish Festival is here to usher in the season of warm weather with a community event you won’t want to miss. The day begins with a 5k race around Belzoni, Mississippi, followed by delicious catfish and crafts for the whole family to enjoy. Get your appetites ready; this is a day you don’t want to miss.

Baltimore Magazine’s Crab Fest

Started by Baltimore Magazine to unite the community, Crab Fest is a perfect way to indulge in your love of seafood and crabs. As you join the fun, enjoy the food vendors from local restaurants, live music, and local shops to feel the city’s culture.

The Ashland Strawberry Faire- Ashland, Virginia

This free and family-oriented event celebrates the love for strawberries and raises money for the Hanover County Public Schools scholarship and non-profit groups. With over 300 vendors, there is fun for everyone, from food vendors to arts and crafts tables. This fair has been giving back to the community since 1982, relying on their loyal volunteers to make it all possible.

Annual Taste of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio, is hosting its annual Taste of Cincinnati event, one of the nation’s largest free culinary art festivals, from May 25th – 27th, 2024. Starting in 1979, this event has brought the community together through the love of food. With over 80 restaurants, over 500,000 attendees, and live entertainment, this festival is perfect for foodies everywhere.