Tuesday Music Roundup

For those of you that don’t know, I’m an incredibly big music lover. I do, however, get into the habit of listening to the same bands consistently. Thankfully, free services such as the gracious Pandora and some friends with really great taste introduce me to all kinds of goodness. Many times those songs become background music, or are things I’ve already heard and love. Every once in a while, however, something really jumps out at me. I wished to share with you all. Because I can. I’m not claiming that any of these bands/songs are new or “up and coming.” They are just some of the artists I’m really loving right now:

1. The Dandy Warhols

This was definitely a Pandora find. Much of these guys come up on my station, and I love every bit of it. Their songs are cool and catchy. It’s great work music for sure.

2. I Monster

As hipster-liscious as this video is, I really enjoy the song. It’s a bit different from the other songs I’ve caught of theirs, also on my station. I enjoy the edginess.

3. The Kooks

I don’t know what it is about this guy’s voice, but I really enjoy it. I really enjoy the song “Stormy Weather” as well, but unfortunately they don’t have a vid for that one yet…

4. The Airborne Toxic Event

These guys were a great find. The lead singer’s voice is very similar to that of a close friend, so there was a bit of nostalgia involved. Excellent storytelling, and I had a blast learning how to play the acoustic version.

5. Lady Gaga

Ha! I bet you weren’t expecting that. Unless you know me at all, which in case you should know that I’m all about the “Judas” video right now. I love its playful controversy, the costuming is great, and again I’m a sucker for a music video that tells a story. It’s catchy and I shamelessly watch this one at least once a day.

What are you listening to right now?

Spots: Ohio High Life in Atwood Lake

When most people hear “luxury,” images of New York City hotels pop into mind... perhaps Aspen lodges next to thundering snowy mountain tops, or expansive vineyards in Napa Valley. While all of these glorious locations sound like a fantastic time, they’re a bit beyond my means as a student and freelance writer. Luxury, however, is far from lost on me. I’m a girl that loves the greater things in life, and thankfully I’ve encountered at least one way of experiencing that sort of sophistication nearly in my own back yard.

Dellroy, Ohio.

I know. I hadn’t heard of it either. As the Living Social Escape email sprung open from my Inbox, my initial reaction was: “Where?” But upon investigating, I discovered it was a whopping one hour drive from my native Akron and a total steal. Needless to say, I jumped on the opportunity to visit Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast on Atwood Lake in the not so well known Dellroy, Ohio.

I ceremoniously booked my stay for the week of my birthday (which happens to be this week… the big day tomorrow). I could think of no better way of ringing in my “quarter of a century” status than a couple of days of relaxation, reading, drinking wine, and eating a whole lot of delicious food. I’m happy to say that I was not let down. While the Cleveland and Akron areas got hit with severe storms, Atwood Lake remained peaceful despite similar weather predictions. All of my plans for nature and luxury were satisfied.

[there was a nature center at the park... with turtles!]

For those that are not so much the “outdoorsy” type, Atwood Lake may not be a prime location. Truth be told, a huge selling factor of the area is the abundance of Marinas and kayak (as well as boat) rentals. A couple hours out on the lake put a little soreness in the arms, and quite a sting on the skin—but felt amazing. Entirely worth the sunburn that ensued. There is horseback riding in the area as well, and a whole slew of hiking trails… which included one with a Jurassic-Park style observation tower for viewing the expanse of the lake. Breathtaking. Stopping by the local ice cream parlor after a few hours in the sun, too, was absolutely perfect.

[the view from the observation tower]

[have I mentioned my love for chocolate ice cream with peanut butter??]

Beyond the bugs and sweat, however, Atwood Lake really is a little gem in terms of luxury. Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast was absolutely gorgeous. The owners were nothing but accommodating and friendly. The Jasmine Room was absolutely gorgeous—cozy, but elegant. The décor had a rustic charm, but certainly felt more “luxury” than grandma’s house… though the assortment of board games in the sitting room was a fantastic resource during our stay. And the food… well, let’s just say that ricotta pancakes will now be making their way into my usual morning fare. Reading at sunset on a private balcony has become my new favorite pastime, as well as leisurely enjoying a glass of wine in the hot tub.

[and the owners landscape the entire things themselves... brilliant!]

[the gorgeous sun room where we enjoyed our breakfast]

Two other spots in the area certainly worth mentioning are the Lighthouse Bistro and Al-Bi Winery. The Lighthouse Bistro is positioned not far from Atwood Lake Park, and serves up the meanest steak I’ve had in ages. We’re talking smothered in carmelized onions and a blue cheese glaze… it was pure heaven. But I’m ahead of myself—we got the steak the second time we went there. The first round of Ahi Tuna, crab cake, and delicious fried pickles was enough to send us there again—and sample the lobster rolls as well. Topped off with a delicious Sam Adams Oktoberfest, it was just what the doctor ordered.

[ahi tuna]

[crab cake and fried pickles... Mmm]

Al-Bi Winery is an a-dor-a-ble little place that is family owned and 100% dangerous. By dangerous, I mean their wine is like the tastiest juice you’ve ever had in your life… but quite alcoholic. For the seasoned wine-o that enjoys dry cabs and the crispest Pinot Gregio, I wouldn’t recommend it. But if you enjoy a glass of something fruity and refreshing on a summer day, this is the place to be. They have a number of blends, dandelion wine, and pretty much the most delicious peach wine I’ve ever had. You really can’t go wrong with a place that names one of their bottles “Foreplay.”

[mixing the peach and raspberry wines together... delish!]

Alright, alright—enough with the gloating, I know. The moral of this story is that you don’t have to travel far to experience luxury and relaxation. Ohio may not be known for its sophistication, but there is certainly a quaint elegance hidden in Dellroy if you venture to look…

Why a Cycle Makes all the Difference

The weather broke a couple days this week and I had the chance to get out on my new piece of machinery and check out the local parks in the Lakewood area. There is really nothing quite like the feeling of the wind blowing through your hair with a pair of aviators to shield the slowly setting spring sun. I’ve found, however, that being on bicycle as opposed to riding in a car has a further appeal than the simple pleasure of raw motion. I’ve been able to witness the little nuances of my neighborhood, and some of the wonderful advantages of living in an area that has quite a bit of walkability to it.

There are, of course, those little things you never notice when you’re in an automobile—the wearing of the paint on passing buildings, the gorgeous flowers growing in your neighbor’s front yard. More importantly, however, the other four senses are vastly underutilized. You may hear the wind whipping into your car as you drive, but you don’t hear the sounds of conversation taking place on front porches, or the smell of a backyard barbeque. You don’t get as many opportunities to get out and get your digits wet (though on second thought the conditions of the rivers in Cleveland should discourage me from putting said feet in water in the future).

I’ve been frustrated at the changing of the times over the last couple of years. Why aren’t kids acting like kids anymore? Though many I’m sure were hiding away in their bedrooms listening to iPods and playing the newest videogame, I saw so many out today—with their parents at the park, throwing flat stones into the water. Some in the midst of play (yes, real life play), spilling imagination onto the sidewalks in groups. No antisocial tendencies… just kids being precisely that, saying hello as I whiz by.

I stopped to take photos of a gorgeous display of flowers and two young girls asked me if I was a “photo-grapher.” Laughing, I responded that I was trying—so happy that they were curious enough to even ask. While climbing around on large rocks and slabs of concrete on the lake’s edge I overheard a little girl comment to her mother that I as allowed because “I was an adult and knew what I was doing.” I immediately responded that she gave me way too much credit, but it made me smile. As adults, we rarely have these little interactions with strangers—instead opting to jump in our vehicles, drive exactly where we need to go, and try our best to avoid eye contact in the process.

I’m fortunate to see a lot of people out and about on bicycles here in Lakewood. I’m even more fortunate that the city is practically a grid, so there is no serious danger of me losing my way throughout its streets (as anyone will tell you I have the absolute worst sense of direction). By far the most fortunate I’ve found myself is in moving to a place that fosters community right at the street level. Whether the church a few blocks down is putting on a carnival for the kids, more work is being done at the community garden just a few streets down from my place, or the shouts and cheers from a little league game is trailing through the air as I ride by.

I know, this all sounds so very melodramatic—but it’s what really gets my gears turning (there’s a little bicycle pun for ya). Just take it as a little prod to get out and enjoy the nice weather… when we have it. The world is a beautiful, amazing place if we take the time to smell the roses, have an impromptu conversation with a new friend, or just stop to listen to the trains go by.

Cheers!

Adorable Adaptive Reuse: Sundress

Hello friends! I wanted to share with you the excitement of a recent project I finished. I mentioned it in a previous post about eco-friendly fashion decisions, but at that point the dress was not quite finished yet. The shirt had been properly adjusted, but the pieces had not yet been put together. Because I've been hard at work behind my sewing machine this weekend attempting to make my own shower curtain-- and the rain has actually broken, allowing for a little sunshine-- I figured it was the perfect opportunity to finish it up and make it wearable! I'm quite happy with the end result :)




Top: An old shirt I never much wore because the sleeves were kind of different. The fabric is super stretchy and comfortable, however. Cost: Free.

Skirt: A Goodwill find. I think I paid about $3 for it.

Belt: Also from Goodwill. It ran me a whopping $0.99.

Total Cost: $4.00. Not bad!

Now to get the full effect, the before and after:


I also took the time today to repaint the toes and fingers, just to add a little oomph! Now all I need is a nice glass of lemonade... and to finish that shower curtain!

Curry and Microbrews

So I’ve been in my new place here in Lakewood for roughly two weeks now—and realized that I have not updated once. The busy nature of finals, unpacking, and getting adjusted to a full-time work schedule have more or less gotten in the way of getting out during the day, exploring, and reporting back. Thankfully, however, my desire to have a little fun in my new neighborhood has won out over sleep… so I’ve managed to find a few great places not too far away and I’m making the time right now to spread the love! Anyone that knows me knows that I have a rather incredible love affair with food. And beer. Moving to another area opens up a whole world of possibility and exploration. I still have a long way to go, but here are some of my preliminary observations:

Mullens on Madison

This has become my usual go-to bar. I know. Who has a “go-to bar” after two weeks? I make myself sound like a raging alcoholic… sigh… But in all honesty, the rationale behind this statement all comes down to one tiny but incredible fact: $2 microbrews. As an obnoxious beer snob that scoffs at even the idea of drinking a beer with a “light” plastered on the bottle, this is a rather exciting prospect—because, you know, I really can’t afford to drink expensive beer at the bar. Hence, Mullens will provide less suffering for my wallet. But really, it has the best happy hour I’ve ever seen. And by happy hour I mean anytime after 7:00 on Wednesdays, and by best I mean everything is $2. Anything in the bar you see. It is rather obvious where I will be spending my Wednesday nights…

Thai Kitchen

Did I mention I painted my bathroom? It looks fabulous, and the best part is that one of my very best friends made the journey north to help me do so. Prior to the painting escapades, however, we decided to take a short walk (roughly one block) to Thai Kitchen—a very small, hole-in-the-wall establishment. Let me preface this by saying that I pretty much live and breathe for Thai food. There’s something about coconut milk that makes it less like nourishment and more like crack. I will say that Thai Kitchen is certainly not the best Thai I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t even put it in the top five. That being said, I’ve had a whooole lot of Thai. I would repeat my visit multiple times to this quaint little place regardless. The only downside: they only take cash. In most cases that will warrant me making a trip to the ATM prior to leaving (which kind of negates the convenience of it being so very close), but perhaps that will reign in the number of trips I make there…

[the "after" shot of the bathroom. we are two hardcore painters.]

India Garden

Looking for an Indian restaurant in the area was a must, but I was a bit unsure of the quality of India Garden at first. Granted, determining how nice a place is via website is never accurate, but the decision was made to go for it nonetheless. I’m really happy that decision was made. We ultimately ended up getting food to go, but the restaurant looks incredibly cute… and the food was great! Excellent curries, naan… and huge portions! I’ll be eating leftovers for a few days for sure. Though not on my end of Lakewood, I’ll certainly be making multiple trips back. I don’t know what it is about Thai and Indian food that just makes it the best comfort food… so good!

I’ve visited other restaurants in the area as well. There is a Winking Lizard very close to me, which is fantastic for both beer and wings. I was relieved to see an Aladdin’s in the neighborhood—as thus far I’ve never lived without one. They have locations in Akron, Pittsburgh, and apparently the Cleveland area. Delicious Lebanese food at a great price. Thankfully, I have not busted my budget any further at area restaurants—instead opting to cook at home the majority of nights. I am happy that both of my preferred grocery stores are also in the area (Aldi and Marc’s are both a must).

Thus we have determined that the Lakewood food situation is pretty bangin’.

#Winning.

Apartment Therapy

So I got the keys to my place and I move my things in tomorrow. That's right. Tomorrow. It's still quite surreal to me, even now. Most of my things are packed. Unfortunately not all of my things are packed quite yet. I also have a final due today at 2pm. And an article to write. Why am I blogging, you ask? I'm not really sure. Procrastination is a killer.

Regardless, I wanted to share some photos of the space! I will be chronicling the revamping of my apartment on Buildipedia, and I hope that you come along for the ride!

I named this post "Apartment Therapy" because that's really what this space is going to be about. As mentioned previously on this blog, I have a lot of changes happening, and I'm in a place where I need to focus on me. This apartment is going to be 100% catered to my psychological well-being. I'm changing the verbiage. Bathroom? Not so-- "Bubble Bath Sanctuary." Bedroom? Not at all-- "Dressing Room." Kitchen will now be known as "Center of Creativity," and the living room will be the "Relaxation Nook." You may call me crazy (and probably be right), but these are the little things that will transform my space into exactly what it needs to be. And transformation is necessary.

I really love my apartment already, but in a "I can't wait to change you" kind of way. Whereas I cannot in any way change the people in my life, my space is entirely manipulable. It will be a love/hate dynamic at times, and it will not be easy. But it's the kind of relationship I need to be in. I'm also incredibly psyched to paint, sew, and create. It's gonna be a bumpy ride, but I'm ready. Bring it.

[Chairs that my landlord apparently is giving to me inside the relaxation nook. Yay for extra seating (that will be hidden in a closet until needed).]

[Shot of the Bubble Bath Sanctuary. I'm enjoying the cute pedestal sink.]

[Where said bubble baths will be taking place.]

[This is a shot of the hallway, between the "Center of Creativity" and the "Bubble Bath Sanctuary." I'm likely going to be putting up a curtain and making it storage.]

[Where delicious dinners will be made.]

Stay tuned for updates and postings! Thanks for stopping by!

Headin' up North!

So it's official. I have signed the paperwork. I am moving to Lakewood as of May 1. It's going to be difficult to say goodbye to my home city. This wont be the first time that I move away from Akron-- I had a 2-year long stint in the great city of Pittsburgh, which was an incredible time in my life. I'm hoping the same for the next few years of my life up in the Greater Cleveland area.

Why, you ask, would I leave Akron? Many people who leave Akron do so screaming, hollering about what an awful city it is, how it sucks the life out of them. On the contrary, I absolutely love Akron. I think our city has an incredible amount of culture, and is moving in a very progressive direction. The energy that runs through the coffee shops, the classrooms, and the art galleries- from my own generation and others- is absolutely amazing. The fact remains that you either love Akron, or you hate it. Or sometimes you do both simultaneously.

Thankfully I am one of those that loves my city, but I am looking forward to the change. I've had a lot going on in my life over the last month, and I have even more to come: I graduate (finally) with my B.A. in Sociology from U of A next month, I start my Master's Program at Cleveland State in the fall, and I'm recently a single gal-- undergoing a painful but necessary separation from my boyfriend (who I still think the world of, and wish the best to!). I think it's safe to say that the summer is going to bring me a whirlwind of new experiences, opportunities, and chances to start a fresh chapter in my life.

So what now?

I suppose packing would be a good place to start! And finishing up all those papers and things that are necessary to pass my classes and get that piece of paper I've been waiting for all these years. If you live in the Lakewood area, please feel free to offer some suggestions-- be it tips on riding the Rapid, great restaurants in the area, or great little spots to relax and read ('cause I'm into that kinda thing). If you're one of the many, many folk that I so love in the Akron area-- I will certainly miss you! But I'm sure I'll be back to visit very, very often and I hope you come up to visit! It's been a great many years of my life. Now it's time for a new adventure! Cheers, everyone :)

***
Photo by Steve Snodgrass.

Big City Bliss: Chicago

So friends, I returned Sunday from a 3 day hiatus to the great city of Chicago. It was my first time in the windy city, and it was most certainly a fantastic time. I ate tons of great food, drank tons of great martinis, and did a whole lot of shopping and walking around. During my travels, I saw many tall buildings, discovered that the Sears Tower is no longer named the Sears Tower (Willis Tower, who would have thought?), and saw things that I realized that I’ve never seen in even the bigger cities of NEO. I expect to see really off the wall stuff in NYC, but didn’t realize how much commotion goes on throughout Chicago streets! Saxophonists, men shouting about the plight of the world from church doorsteps… it’s all so fascinating coming from my small(ish) city of Akron. I mean, we certainly get our fair share of people walking around downtown, but nothing like the immense business of navigating crowds, incessant honking from the taxis, and the incredible nightlife (who knew that some of the bars in Chicago close at 5 a.m.? Yes, you read that right). Here are a few things that I saw that I really enjoyed, and some observations I've made about this fantastic city:

[This is actually a traveling puppet show that is attached to a bicycle.]

[Some sort of local legend, this large sculpture is lovingly called "The Bean." I had a lot of fun playing in my reflection and getting tons of great photos.]

[In fact, this is a real live person, and I believe it was his music blasting from a speaker not far from his feet. I saw him move, I swear I did.]

Here are my few observations from staying in the city for two nights:

1. Driving downtown is to be avoided at all costs.
   
2. You have to make a million dollars to afford just about anything that doesn't come from Forever 21.
   
3. There is no Lois Griffin-esque lounge singer at the Grape Street Piano Bar, but it's a cute little place and I would definitely go back.
   
4. If it's a bar in a hotel, and it's not the Drake, it probably sucks.
   
5. Any hotel that lets you drink wine on the couches in the elevator is great in my book.
   

I'm certainly to be happy home, away from the rushed, overwhelming crowds... but I'm definitely looking forward to a future return trip to Chicago.

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Thinking About Eco-Friendly Wardrobe Choices

It’s time for spring cleaning, and you know what that means: a nice wrestle with your closet. Everyone is pulling out their “summer clothes” as the whopping 50-degree temperatures make us NEOhioans feel like we’re in a tropical paradise. We’re purging our closets of cardigans that have hung untouched on the hanger for months, tee shirts that we’re not 100% sure about the origins of, and (in my case) eliminating anything from my wardrobe that looks like a 14 year old would be comfortable wearing.

I realized last week, when a close friend offered to let me go through her two enormous garbage bags before dropping them off at Goodwill, that this purging is incredibly good for the environment. I mean, someone (in this case me) gets clothes for free and Goodwill benefits from whatever isn’t taken—no clothing in the landfills is fantastic. When we start getting the itch to replace those pieces with something new, however, many will run to the mall and get whatever trendy thing is hanging on the racks.

I admit, I took a (fantastic) trip to Columbus this week to do some shopping with the girls, and hit stores like Forever 21 and H&M. It’s pretty ridiculous to assume that we’re going to stop frequenting the stores we love. There are ways, however, that we can make choices concerning where and how we shop that can make our wardrobes much better for the environment. Here are a few:

Think Thrifty

Goodwill (and in our area the Village Discount Outlet) is not just for dropping clothes off. I’ve been surprised on a number of occasions that I’ve found quality, name-brand clothes at a really great price at the thrift store. Further, great clothes don’t necessarily need a known brand. You can find incredibly unique items that can work into your wardrobe flawlessly—you just have to look.

Consignment Shops

These are my personal favorites. I live literally two minutes from Plato’s Closet, and just found an adorable pair of Candie’s flip flops for $5. I’ve purchased a number of items in there at amazing prices—a BCBG Max Ariza dress for $18, tops from Old Navy, Wet Seal, and Express between $2-6. Another great consignment shop is located in Green (south of Akron), and is called Jerry’s Closet. Jerry is a wonderful person, and so very helpful! I’ve purchased American Eagle jeans for $12. Talk about a steal.

[I got both of these pairs of shoes at Plato's Closet for under $5.]

Clothing Swaps

Though I’ve never organized one of these, I’m pretty certain I’m going to have to really soon. This time of year is perfect for it. In essence, a party is hosted that involves everyone cleaning their closet and bringing their “unwanted” articles of clothing. This way everyone has a chance to swap, and it can be done very cleverly—setting the party up like a boutique. I personally think it would just be fun to try on all of the clothes together, serve martinis, and use it as an excuse to get dressed up before heading out for the night!

Repurpose

If you’ve got an old piece of clothing that you’ve held onto forever despite the fact that you never wear it, maybe it just needs to be repurposed. Perhaps the fabric is incredibly comfortable, or you love the print. If you’re crafty with a sewing machine, that fabric could find new life in a different article of clothing. Recently, I cut the sleeves from a shirt of mine, sewed it to a skirt I bought at Goodwill, and added a belt for a cute summer dress. Similar projects can be done—both with clothing you own, and great finds at the thrift store.

[The shirt (top left) had sat unworn in my closet for over a year, and the skirt (top right) was a $3 buy at Goodwill. I lopped off the sleeves of the shirt and made it into a tank, and now am in the process of attaching it to the skirt (you can see the pins in the photo still). The belt will be added to complete the look, and was also purchased at Goodwill-- for only $1!]

Only Buy What You Really Love

One rule that I’ve come to live by recently is to only buy what you really, really love. If you purchase thinking you may wear it, it’s likely that piece of clothing may only be worn once, if at all. Fall in love with your clothing. The more use it gets, the less wasteful the purchase is. Sure, you may donate that unworn piece of clothing—but your demand for that product increases the number of them that are produced to begin with! The economics of retail is a funny thing, but certainly is important when it comes to the amount of energy, water, and materials that are put into making clothing. Further, purchasing a handful of really great, quality pieces is much more eco-friendly than purchasing a closet full of clothes that will sit never worn.

Rethink Your Jean

Speaking of water used in production, our jeans consume a ton of it! Though those of us in NEO see fresh water as an abundant resource (thank you, Great Lakes), the reality is that it is quite scarce in many parts of the country and the world. One of these days, it will be even more so. There are a few companies these days that are producing jeans that use less water in the production process. This includes Levi's new Water Less Jeans. However, the greenest way to buy jeans is to purchase ones that have already been worn. Consignment shops are a great way to go.

Recycled and Fair Trade Clothing

There are plenty of companies out there that design and produce clothing made from recycled materials. Everything from shoes to tops can be found recycled from pieces or fabric from used pieces of clothing, plastic, or other materials. Another important factor to take into consideration is quality of work environment and value world-wide. Fair Trade products are created under fair working conditions, and purchased at a fair rate. Supporting these companies is a great way to increase the demand and value of these eco-friendly practices and pressure the larger companies to take a look at their own practices. If you're in or near Akron, check out The Market Path for adorable Fair Trade goodies and accessories.

There are obviously countless ways you can make your wardrobe a bit more eco-friendly, but the first step is just being conscious of the fact that what you wear does make a difference. Whatever you do, live and look fabulous!

Bites: The Ultimate Sriracha Burger

It seems Sriracha is popping up everywhere. Originally only found in the corners of Asian Grocery Stores and specialty grocers, it's appearing in places like our local Marc's-- and even on the internet via the Oatmeal (who so aptly dubbed it "hot cock sauce"). This Thai hot sauce is revered by many, and for good reason. It's an incredibly flavorful hot sauce, and it's pretty much great on everything.

My boyfriend puts Sriracha on everything from eggs to ice-cream (okay, maybe not ice-cream), so it wasn't a shock when one day he surprised me with an entire cookbook dedicated to the stuff. After seeing it sit with the rest of my neglected cookbooks for a month or two, we finally decided this week to give one of the recipes a shot: the Ultimate Sriracha Burger. Who doesn’t like a bunch of dead cow piled high with bacon, onions sautéed in bacon grease, and a delectable bleu-cheese-Sriracha sauce? Perhaps vegetarians may not, but this girl sure does!


Ultimate Sriracha Burger

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground beef (preferably chuck, 80/20)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 10 tablespoons Sriracha
• 4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 large sweet onions
• 3/4 cup blue cheese dressing
• 8 sesame seed buns
• 8 thick slices Swiss cheese
• 1 large beefsteak tomato, sliced
• Arugula or romaine lettuce

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, soy sauce, 5 tablespoons of the Sriracha, and the pepper. Do not overmix. Form the mixture into 8 patties, and set aside, on a parchment-lined baking sheet, covered, in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium high heat
3. In a medium frying pan over medium-low heat, cook the bacon, turning as necessary. While the bacon is cooking, peel and quarter the onions. Cut each section into 1/4-inch slices. Once the bacon is cooked through and slightly crispy, remove the slices from the pan, cut each in half crosswise, and drain onto paper towels, reserving the remaining bacon fat in the pan. Cook the sliced onions in the bacon fat over medium-low heat until they caramelize, 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Grill the burgers, turning once, 4 to 41/2 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer registers 130° to 135°F for medium-rare.
5. While the burgers are cooking, in a small bowl, combine the blue cheese dressing with the remaining 5 tablespoons Sriracha. Lightly toast the buns on the grill during the last minute of cooking time.
6. To assemble, spread the blue cheese mixture on both halves of each hamburger bun. Stack a burger patty, Swiss cheese slice, bacon, caramelized onions, tomato slice, and a small handful of arugula between each hamburger bun.

This is certainly not a low-fat meal by any means, but I will say that using the Foreman Grill definitely kicked some of the fat out of the burgers. We used spinach instead of the arugula (because we always have it on hand), and provolone instead of Swiss cheese. Regardless, these burgers were absolutely to die for—and in actuality I thought I may have a heart attack just looking at it.

Fatty or not, I would highly recommend trying this recipe—and running out for some Sriracha sauce ASAP. To close, here's a little humiliation of Adam for the road:


Enjoy!

The Calm and the Fury

Any of us know that sunshine is a rare and sacred commodity in NEO during springtime. After months of snow, three days of straight rain, then another day of snow, we finally saw the sun. I was actually able to throw my spring jacket on with my shades and enjoy a warm, pleasant afternoon. I headed to Mr. Zubs for lunch with a friend and the boy, then we headed back to Cuyahoga Falls to rummage the library's music collection and take a little stroll downtown.

Downtown Cuyahoga Falls is one of my favorite places in the area, and I think it's a really fabulous little space. It encompasses the idea of small-town feel and walkability. Unfortunately, it seems to not be as successful as one might think-- and many of its storefronts sit empty. Nonetheless, it is still a fantastic experience to just go down and enjoy the river. Today, however, the usual walkways that wrap around the businesses along the river were closed off-- the river overflowing wildly above them.

Though a bit crazy, it came nowhere close to the insanity being experienced in other parts of the world-- namely, Japan and other countries in the pacific that are being hit with massive earthquakes and tsunamis. My heart goes out to them. If you haven't caught up on the news or have seen the videos, I would recommend you do. Three inches of snow in March will seem far less traumatic.

It's amazing to sit and reflect about how important water is to culture, civilization, and development. Historically, water was a lifeblood, available access to trade and commerce. Water gives us the ability to grow. The rain comes to wash away the dirt and salt from our cars, our roads. Water is also a powerful force to be reckoned with as well, though, and I think this is one of these factors that don't really get attention until a crisis like this arises-- or you live in an area consistently faced with these and similar problems.

I guess the moral of the story is respect nature, and be prepared for uncertainty. I hope you Ohioans enjoyed the sunshine, but still kept the wounded and displaced in your thoughts and prayers (if you're into that). You never know, something could one day happen to you.

Human Trafficking Say What?

So I watched a movie last night called Taken. When the boy explained to me the premise of the movie, I was expecting a Liam-Neeson-kicking-ass-and-taking-names kind of a movie. It certainly was so, but I didn't realize the movie had so much to do with Human Trafficking! It was really crazy to visually witness those sort of brothels these pigs create and populate with drugged up teenage girls they happened to kidnap at airports in Europe. I knew it happened, I've even done some advocacy work for raising awareness, but seeing it was really eye opening and heart breaking.

However, I would like to say kudos to the movie makers. I'm not sure they were thinking widespread awareness when they made the film, but it's nice to see that it can open a few eyes while exploiting a very serious human rights issue worldwide... I feel I'll be writing an article on this in not too long.

Regardless, if you would like to find some information on human trafficking, check out The Polaris Project. They do some really wonderful things, including both local and national programs. Get involved!