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If you’re looking for some unique events to take in this fall, you’ll find them in the Big Apple. With street festivals, comic conventions, and more, the city that never sleeps is your ticket to fun. Here’s a look at some highlights:
New York Comic Con – New York’s biggest comic event returns to the Javits Center October 13th through 16th. Special guests include Mark Hamill, Kevin Smith, and Jason Mewes revisiting the roles of Jay and Silent Bob during a special live podcast, John Landis, Rose McGowan, and more. The event will also be in conjunction with the New York Anime Festival.
CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival – From October 18th through 22nd, the world's most important platform for the discovery of new music, CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival, invades New York City with over 1,300 artist performances and dozens of cutting-edge films. CMJ fills more than 80 of the city's greatest venues, nightclubs, and theaters with over 120,000 fans, music industry professionals, college radio tastemakers, bloggers, press, filmmakers, and musicians.
The Chocolate Show – From November 10th through 13th the largest show in the United States completely dedicated to celebrating all things chocolate comes to NYC. Sounds delicious!
Baking is one of those things that even confounds expert chefs. The precision and timing required to make truly delectable baked goods can take some getting used to. If you’re interested in teaching yourself how to bake, here are some tips to get started:
First off, get a recipe and follow it. Baking is very difficult to improvise within, so following a simple, understandable recipe to the letter is vital in getting your basic skills where they need to be. It can often be instructive to try to make the same recipe multiple times to polish your results.
Prepare your ingredients ahead of time. When baking, unless noted, all ingredients should be at room temperature. Adding hot or cold liquids to doughs and batters can make them set differently. Pre-measure everything in advance before you start mixing anything – since baking is very time-sensitive, rummaging around for ingredients can throw you off.
Making sure you have the proper pans and baking sheets is also essential. Different sizes and materials can greatly change the consistency of your end product when it comes out of the oven. Do not substitute baking pans unless you’re ready to deal with the problems it might create.
Don’t open the oven door often! Keeping a consistent temperature inside the oven and protecting your cakes from shocks is vital in ensuring that they cook through and do not fall.
Let your final product cool completely before tasting or cutting it. In many recipes, the last stage of baking happens after the cake is removed from the oven, giving it time to bind together. Cutting too early can result in flimsy, crumbly baked goods.
Autumn's arrival means more chilly nights and get-togethers warmed by the cheer of good friends. What better time to make Mulled WIne? It's extremely easy to do; just follow this simple recipe, which should take about 20 minutes to make, and yield 10 servings.
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles dry red wine
- 4 ounces port or brandy
- 12 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 large orange, zested
- Serving suggestion: Garnish with cinnamon sticks or freshly ground nutmeg.
Directions:
Combine ingredients in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Do not allow mixture to boil. Heat for 20 minutes and serve in a large, heat resistant punch bowl.
Recipe courtesy of The Food Network; Show: The Cookworks
Comic books aren’t just for kids anymore! They’re called “graphic novels” now and often tackle the serious issues of adult fiction. There are hundreds of excellent graphic novels on the market, but if you’re looking to dip your toe in the water, here are five great introductions to the medium's power and potential.
- Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. The longtime newspaper cartoonist’s memoir of her maturation and her relationship with her father won Time’s Book of the Year award in 2006. Not comic book of the year, book. It’s that good.
- Epileptic by David B. This wickedly skilled French cartoonist uses his incredible visual imagination to bring his brother’s struggle with epilepsy to fantastic life. Each page is a feast for the eyes.
- Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The only superhero entry on this list, this world-changing book is layered, complex, and dark. Don’t judge it by the disappointing movie!
- Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid On Earth by Chris Ware. Chicago-based illustrator Ware is one of the most formally imaginative artists working today. Each of his pages is a rich and engrossing tapestry.
- Red Eye, Black Eye by K. Thor Jensen. This humble travel narrative follows the author as he circles the United States by bus, encountering strange people and hearing bizarre stories.
Comic books aren’t just for kids anymore! They’re called “graphic novels” now and often tackle the serious issues of adult fiction. There are hundreds of excellent graphic novels on the market, but if you’re looking to dip your toe in the water, here are five great introductions to the medium's power and potential.
- Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. The longtime newspaper cartoonist’s memoir of her maturation and her relationship with her father won Time’s Book of the Year award in 2006. Not comic book of the year, book. It’s that good.
- Epileptic by David B. This wickedly skilled French cartoonist uses his incredible visual imagination to bring his brother’s struggle with epilepsy to fantastic life. Each page is a feast for the eyes.
- Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The only superhero entry on this list, this world-changing book is layered, complex, and dark. Don’t judge it by the disappointing movie!
- Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid On Earth by Chris Ware. Chicago-based illustrator Ware is one of the most formally imaginative artists working today. Each of his pages is a rich and engrossing tapestry.
- Red Eye, Black Eye by K. Thor Jensen. This humble travel narrative follows the author as he circles the United States by bus, encountering strange people and hearing bizarre stories.
Getting in shape (and the motivation to exercise, period) is no easy feat. For many, there is always an excuse as to why today is NOT the day to throw on the old sneakers and hit the gym. So why not create an excuse—an achievable goal—for why today IS the day to get in shape?
How about setting a goal to run a 5K (3.1 miles)? Although it may seem impossible now, with a can-do attitude and training plan, anyone can get in tip top running shape and cross the 5K finish line with energy to spare. A great plan to follow is Cool Running's Couch-to-5K Running Program. Not only does it provide a day-by-day running schedule that has helped thousands of people run three miles in just two months, the program also has a Facebook fan page for discussion and inspiration from other former couch potatoes sharing their accomplishments. Signing up is the first step, so check out Active.com for running races near you!
At the end of the program, not only will you be a healthier person, you'll realize that there's really nothing you can't do.
Are sniffles interrupting your life with your dog? Fear not! Try bathing your pup at least twice a week. Vacuum your home frequently, install air filters, and restrict Fido to a few rooms. This should clear your head enough to get a good night’s sleep and help you enjoy that game of Frisbee.
If allergies have kept you dog-less, consider adopting a small dog that sheds little and can be bathed easily. Here are some popular breeds recommended by kennel clubs for allergy sufferers:
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frisé
- Cairn Terrier
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Maltese
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Poodle (all sizes)
- Schnauzer (all sizes)
- Welsh Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
Don't let the sniffles get in the way of that special brand of uncondiitonal love you can only get from Man's Best Friend.
Whatever your dog looks like, a little preparation will keep you both happy.
Tags: allergies, American Hairless Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Cairn Terrier, dogs, Irish Water Spaniel, Maltese, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Schnauzer, Welsh Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier
Sushi—it’s good for you, and it’s never been more popular. But the ancient culinary art offers a dizzying array of options, and it can be tough to know where to begin. These tips are a gentle introduction to a sensational world of taste.
First of all, did you know that not all sushi is raw seafood? Sushi means cooked vinegared rice topped with other ingredients. Sashimi is the raw stuff. Try cooked or vegetarian items first. Eel (unagi & anago) is always served cooked, usually with a sweet and savory sauce. California rolls have avocado, cucumber, and cooked imitation crabmeat (kamabokoor surimi). Squid (ika) or octopus (tako) are often grilled, as is shrimp (ebi). Alternatively, vegetarian rolls like kappa maki (cucumber) are a great introduction to sushi style.
When moving on to sashimi, start with what you know. Sushi isn’t much different from eating any fish; it's just not cooked. You’ll see many unfamiliar fish on the menu, but many more will be old favorites. Fans of grilled salmon, seared tuna, calamari, or scallops won’t be surprised by the taste or texture of sashimi.
As you branch out, stick to milder fish. Scallop (hotategai), red snapper (tai), squid (ika), and halibut (ohyo) are particularly mild and great for beginners. Tuna (maguro) may look strong due to its rich, dark colour, but it’s also a very mild and common in sushi restaurants.
Let the chef (itamae) help you. A dining choice called omakase essentially means "chef's choice"; the itamae will choose what he thinks is good that day and serve you until you’re full. If you’re adventurous enough for the omakase, tell the chef you’re a beginner and if you have strong likes or dislikes. He’ll craft an expert’s introduction to sushi for you.
Be sure to kick back with a glass of sake—it tastes great served hot or cold. Enjoy!
The dawning of affordable color printing has made it possible for us to put photographs on just about everything. This has, naturally, opened up markets for all sorts of personalized gifts. Companies like Zazzle and Spreadshirt let you take your photos and other artwork and put it on a wide variety of products. Here are a few photo-rific ideas for some great, inexpensive gifts.
One popular creation is a photo mousepad. Given the amount of time we all spend at our computers, placing a treasured snapshot right under your hand ensures it’ll always be seen. Or, if your family is the type to sit around over cups of coffee or a bottle of wine, why not create photo coasters to keep on hand for any occasion?
For something a little more formal, online photo galleries like Flickr, Kodak Gallery, and Snapfish offer photo books in a number of different styles, including an accordion-folded “brag book” that is great for displaying multiple shots. If you're looking for something a little funnier, CafePress lets you put photos onto a t-shirt, which you can use to immortalize a particularly embarrassing shot for all eternity.
Cereal and toast are great, easy breakfast options, but if your morning is calling for something heartier, whip up a batch of homemade pancakes instead of hitting the nearest diner. For a great whole wheat pancake recipe that is easy to make and MUCH healthier than your average diner pancake, check out the recipe below from Food.com, which makes about 12 medium-sized pancakes. Eat them plain, drizzle syrup on top, or add your fruit of choice or chocolate chips to the mix.
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups low-fat/skim milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large egg
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 -2 cup fruit (i.e., sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries…your choice) (optional)
Directions:
1. Depending on your preference (see description above) blend/mix all ingredients except fruit.
2. Heat pan on medium till drop of water "dances" in pan.
3. Pour batter into pan to desired size of pancake, if using fruit add small handfuls to individual cakes after pouring into pan.
4. When bubbles appear on surface and begin to "sink" flip and cook on other side until brown.
5. Note: if you are using a good non-stick pan it is not necessary to use oil in the pan!
6. Repeat with remaining batter until all gone.
7. Serve with favorite topping i.e., fruit, syrup, jam etc.
And make sure to read the recipe's reviews—many users who've tested it out have tips and tricks of their own to share! Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/100-whole-wheat-low-fat-pancakes-151328#ixzz1BxbYGNxD.
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