Archive for August, 2021

A Delectable Midnight Treat

Monday, August 9th, 2021

I know being at college you are often consuming delectable treats and snacks in your free time and in your dorm sometimes you get the urge to just create something on your own. I know for me at midnight I always found my roommate and I ordered from the beloved Insomnia Cookies or any dessert place we saw that was open. Even taking the leap in getting out of our dorm and spending money at the dorm market to buy any candy like gummy worms, or any ice cream that they had. From originally living in the NYU dorms I know that most underclassmen dorms do not get the luxury of having the appliances that a kitchen contains. If you are lucky most college students have a mini-fridge and a microwave. Still, if you have those one or two appliances the chances of you keeping it or even using it are slim since the dorm room is so small. This made me venture into the world of dessert and snack creations. While I explored different recipes that were easy to make, and required very few ingredients, and were tailored to the needs of college students I stumbled upon one of the best recipes I make in the dorm, and even at home when I have a real kitchen. Luckily, I know a snack/dessert recipe that can be altered in many different ways for it to fit your own needs. It is known as “vegan edible cookie dough”.

It is your lucky day. Here is the recipe to create the tastiest, healthy, and protein-packed edible cookie dough. For this dessert, you will need chickpeas…. Yes, I said chickpeas, and trust me you won’t taste them. You will also need some type of nut butter, or sun butter if you are nut-free. You will also need some oats, and vanilla extract and the final most important ingredient is the dark chocolate chips in my opinion. All you need to make this is a blender if you have one, or you can use a fork and mash it up while you mix in the oats, nut butter, and vanilla extract. It is that easy. Just mash all the ingredients together and then top it off with some dark chocolate chips, and there you go. If you do not like dark chocolate chips you can add as many other toppings, and customize them to your own desire. You do not have to worry about getting food poisoning from the raw eggs or anything like that, because there is raw produce in this, therefore it will leave you with that sweet chocolatey feeling of happiness, and pure joy.

Carine, Author: Carine, Author:, Priscillla Says:, Carine Says:, Melanie Says:, and Jane Says:. “Vegan Chickpea Cookie Dough.” The Conscious Plant Kitchen – TCPK. 03 Mar. 2021. Web. 15 July 2021.


After you create this, if you have a mini-fridge you can store it in a container and save it for later. If you are lucky enough to also have a microwave in your dorm, you can form the dough into a ball and place it into the microwave, and watch your healthy, vegan cookie dough be transformed into a quick and easy cookie. Not only is this snack/dessert recipe easy and fast, but it also will leave you not becoming broke in your bank account. I know many college students that spend their own money on GrubHub, UberEats, and even Postmates placing those orders for those midnight treats. I have to admit, those midnight treats from the best dessert places in NYC are hard to beat but the delivery fee really will break your bank account. That is why this quick and easy recipe can be made in bulk and last days. This results in no more everyday midnight orders, and constantly spending your money on delivery fees without even noticing, now you can wake up and want a treat to go to your mini-fridge, or snack draw and grab this cookie dough out and eat it with delight without even spending a penny.

Shoemaker, Written by Caitlin. “Chickpea Cookie Dough Recipe: The ULTIMATE Guide.” From My Bowl. 01 Mar. 2019. Web. 15 July 2021.


By: Hanna Mandel

Hanna Mandel studies Drama at NYU Tisch in hopes of being on the big screen one day. She hopes to venture into writing, directing, and producing. She loves to travel and explore new places, as well as trying new foods!

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Plugging in with Good Intentions — Chapter 5: Bridge the Distance

Monday, August 9th, 2021

Despite the exceptional ability to search on the World Wide Web and instantly receive information, our modern-day technology allows us to accomplish one significant thing — bridge the distance. Today, we have the ability to communicate with people across the world. Advancements in technology and the Internet have come so far, and they continue to develop and improve for the better. We are extremely lucky to even have a mini device that fits into our pocket that can connect us to not only people, but places to eat, shop, and entertain ourselves. 

It seems bizarre to think that our elders were accustomed to sending handwritten letters and playing board games for entertainment. The amount of time and effort it takes to execute tasks such as ordering something from Amazon or looking up the latest news is cut in half because of technology and the Internet. A world without modern-day devices is almost inconceivable.

Think of the Covid-19 pandemic that we are still suffering through after more than a year of its discovery. Due to the transmissibility of the virus, many of us have had to resort to utilizing technology in order to connect with others. Health regulations and social distancing guidelines have created a wider gap between all of us. Despite this, the ability to continue with everyday life is possible because most of us are lucky enough to use devices that help uphold some degree of communication. From remote learning to working from home, we are still able to maintain our connections. Web conferencing applications such as Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet are just a few of the many platforms that allow virtual face-to-face meetings from anywhere that has an Internet connection. 

Even if you don’t prefer turning on the webcam, there is still the ability to simply talk to others through technology. While it was an early contraption, Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone revolutionized communication. While some of us might not own a landline anymore, most of us do have a mobile phone that can make calls. 

Fast forward to the 21st century, it’s safe to say that times have changed and younger generations continue to utilize other means of communication. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have been popularized and allow users to instantaneously express thoughts and connect with people worldwide. Whether you prefer to call, text, web conference, or simply post an update on social media, technology and the Internet allow you to communicate across great distances. 

Personally, I can’t go a day without using some form of device that connects to the Internet. One time I did last most of the day without my devices. Though, I do have to admit that it was for a challenge assigned by one of my professors. Notably, a digital detox is good for the mind and body, as it’s a way to appreciate the tangible reality that is right in front of us.

In the end, it’s important to recognize the need for boundaries and knowing when to take a break from technology and the Internet. Yet, once you’re ready to log back into that device just remember to plug in with good intentions


If you’re in need of services to bridge the distance check out these deals from The UPS Store!


By: Sydney Ly

Sydney Ly studies Communication with dual minors in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is currently working in retail and has experience as a tutor. Her passions include but are not limited to reading, listening to music, and watching The Office.

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Alone in Boston: Pt 1

Saturday, August 7th, 2021

The summer before starting college was one of the most fun and cherished times in my life; my friend group from high school got closer than ever before. We spent almost every day together swimming in the lake, getting ice cream from the local creamery and going for sunset walks. We poured our hearts and fears out to each other in a way we never had, sharing moments of weakness and sadness over leaving home and facing change. 

That summer felt like a fairytale, a dreamscape I often looked back on during my first week in Boston when I romanticized my high school experience and sought comfort from my memories. 

That same summer, I spent the final week of August sharing boogery and blubbering goodbyes with my friends. After packing up everything I could fit into two suitcases, my eldest sister, Randi, and I headed to the airport. The plan was for Randi to accompany me to orientation weekend, stay in my dorm room with me for a few nights and fly out on Monday while my parents drove out to Boston the following weekend with the rest of my belongings. As we headed to the airport, I felt a gut-wrenching nervousness. It was the kind of anxiety that made me feel tight and wound up on the inside, like I’ve been holding your breath for too long. 

Boston definitely gave Randi and me a warm welcome. It was already 97 degrees when we touched down at Logan Airport around 11 in the morning. The heat radiated off the tarmac like a pan of overdone brownies.

We arrived outside Warren Towers over an hour later after struggling to understand the spider-like subway system. Three tall towers loomed over us, connecting at the bottom like a fork. We made our way up the escalator and into the small lobby which was separated from the rest of the dorm by a small office and two gruff-looking security guards.

Obviously irritated from the heat and confusion of the new freshman class, the guards dismissively informed us that visitors were not allowed to stay overnight during move-in weekend. In a panic, Randi and I begged the guard to let her stay the night and she would be gone in the morning. 

To our relief, the guard begrudgingly agreed. As Randi and I took the elevator to the 17th floor, a new realization set in. There was nowhere Randi could stay for the rest of the weekend for a reasonable price and she would have to change her flight and depart the next morning, leaving me all alone for the rest of orientation. 

The state of my dorm room only made me feel worse. It was no bigger than a small classroom, with four raised beds lining each wall, complete with a dresser and desk below. I was the first to arrive and chose a bed opposite the large windows that overlooked all of South Campus. The view was my only reprieve in that room. I smiled to myself as I spotted the stadium lights of Fenway Park. 

The view from the 17th floor of Tower A in Warren Towers. Photo credit: Toni Baraga

I tried to hide my disappointment and sadness over Randi’s sudden departure but I’ve never been good at hiding my emotions. We shared my twin bed that night, trying to enjoy our last moments together. The sweltering heat was our blanket as we slept on the stiff mattress, covered only with a single fitted sheet. 

Randi left promptly the next day. I sat alone in my dorm room and looked out the window over Brookline, feeling small and insignificant. Never in my life had I been so alone and I didn’t know what to do with myself. 

One by one my roommates started to arrive, each as uninterested in socializing with me as the next. They were all quiet and neat, which was nice, but it made adjusting really hard. I expected to be friends with my roommates instantaneously as we bonded over being non-locals and new to campus. I had hoped they would join me for Welcome Week events and we could explore campus and the city together. That dream dissipated quickly, however, as they all turned down my invitation for dinner in the dining hall. 

My first week at Boston University was one of the hardest times in my life. I cried every night under my small blanket so my roommates wouldn’t see. I attempted to make friends but it seemed as if no one was interested. By the time my parents arrived, I still had no friends and no fun adventures to brag about. 

I was broken and insecure. Coming to Boston felt like a huge mistake. I was completely blindsided by the fact that my first week was nothing like what movies or TV shows depicted. There weren’t people on every corner inviting you to parties and club meetings. It seemed as if everyone had found their friend group and already knew what they were doing. 

If there’s anything that I learned from that week, it’s that college may not be what you originally expect. You may not like your roommates and you may not make friends right away. The first week can be extremely lonely and heartbreaking. You might spend your first weekend eating by yourself in the dining hall and watching Netflix in your room, but that’s okay. 

You don’t need to have your new college life figured out in the first week. In fact, no one does. Friends change, classes start and life goes on. Instead of wallowing in the sadness of being alone try to focus on school and put your energy in your academics. Eventually your social life will catch up and the other stuff will work its way out. 

Overview:

  • Transitioning from high school to college is extremely challenging. It won’t be perfect at first and that’s okay. Taking time to adjust, rather than getting down on yourself, is very important. 
  • Making friends can be difficult. It may not happen right away, but exploring other avenues such as joining clubs and speaking with students in your classes can be great places to meet people.
  • Don’t let your preconceived notions become expectations. Everyone is going to have different experiences adjusting, so take your time and try not to compare yourself to others. 
  • When you’re feeling down about your social life, try to focus on academics instead. Being productive in other aspects of your life can be a good distraction and may also lead to other possibilities of friendship. 
https://www.campusclipper.com/new/popup1.php?CUP_COD=4115

My name is Toni Baraga and I am a senior in COM at Boston University studying journalism with a minor in archaeology. I have a passion for writing and I believe that everyone has a story. I have worked as a reporter for various newspapers, such the Somerville Journal and Boston University’s Daily Free Press. I grew up in St. Paul Minnesota and reside in Boston.  


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Chapter 2- The First Week at University (Full of Homesickness and Doubt)

Saturday, August 7th, 2021

In the time between accepting my offer to attend Boston University and actually moving there from New Jersey in September of 2017, I underwent a spectrum of emotions. There were certainly times when I was ecstatic to be starting my undergraduate studies at BU. For instance, I had an overall positive experience during my freshman orientation at the end of June. On top of that, my family was proud of me and other people outside of my familial circle were excited about this change on my behalf. While I eagerly looked forward to September, I didn’t necessarily feel their level of enthusiasm. 

At random times, like when I went shopping with my mom and aunt to pick out some stuff for my dorm room, I felt nervous about going to Boston. Gradually, these feelings of anxiety continued to grow and linger, even as my family packed all my things in the car and drove to Massachusetts, so that I could officially start my first semester.

When it came time for my family to return to New Jersey, I remember crying and having difficulty saying goodbye. I clearly recall the overwhelming sensation of loneliness after seeing them leave as I stood alone, surrounded by the unfamiliar urban landscape that would be my new home for the next few years. This loneliness didn’t suddenly evaporate after a few days. Although I enjoyed my classes during my first week at BU, I couldn’t shake away my homesickness. I knew that moving from my small hometown to Boston wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect it to be so challenging to adapt to my new environment and independence. I felt like I was the only one that was struggling, which made me feel even worse. Everyone around me seemed to form new connections effortlessly and seamlessly integrate themselves into their new setting. This eventually led to me thinking: If I am missing home this much, maybe choosing Boston was a mistake. Maybe I wasn’t as ready for change as I thought I was.

View from my freshman dorm room

In coping with my homesickness and doubt, I was honest with my family about how I was feeling, which was the best thing I could have done. I knew that if I had acted as though everything was alright, I would have been detrimentally bottling up my negative emotions. I was fortunate in that my family not only sympathized with me, but encouraged me to give BU a try. They instilled me with confidence during this period of my life when my self-esteem wasn’t too high. They urged me to not give up on Boston so readily because I might end up liking the city. Deep down, I also knew that if I ended up giving up, I would probably regret the decision and be left thinking “what if?” for a very long time. 

In my endeavor to give Boston a try, I decided not to rely on family so much. During my first (and also subsequent weeks), I called my family nearly every day. Although keeping in touch with friends and relatives from back home was important, I realized that this constant communication was preventing me from getting to know my new environment. Therefore, I tried limiting myself to texting and making a few phone calls a week.

I also attempted to stop myself from being cooped up in my dorm room constantly. Being confined within that comfortable space heightened my feelings of loneliness and homesickness. So, I started taking walks, even if they were to nearby places, like to Brookline Booksmith (one of my favorite bookstores) or a coffee shop. Just going somewhere outside of my room helped immensely, whether it was doing homework in the lounge of my dorm, BU’s library or a coffee shop. These small steps made me start to feel more part of the community instead of a spectator. And this was only the beginning of my adjustment to life in a city after living my whole life in a small town, where my high school graduating class was smaller than some of my lectures at BU. 

Image credit: https://www.brooklinebooksmith.com/about 

Everyone’s experience with starting college is different. Some people face more homesickness than others and homesickness can be handled in various ways. Here are some websites that offer more tips on how to deal with feeling homesick: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-handle-homesickness-in-college , https://www.hercampus.com/life/how-deal-homesickness-freshman-year/


By: Monica Manzo

Monica Manzo recently completed her undergraduate studies at Boston University where she majored in English and minored in History. Currently, she is planning on applying for some masters programs in publishing. In her free time, she can be found either reading or adding to her pile of unread books.


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Visiting the Bronx Museum

Thursday, August 5th, 2021

New York City has its well-known museums: The Met, MoMa, Guggenheim. They all happen to be in Manhattan, but sticking to just Manhattan can leave behind a collection of other great museums across the city. One of those museums happens to be the Bronx Museum; and unlike the others where you’d have to pay twenty or thirty dollars for a ticket, this one happens to be free of charge. 

The Bronx Museum of the Arts is located on 165th Street and Grand Concourse, only a ten minute walk from Yankee Stadium or a three minute walk from the 167th Street Station on the B and D trains. It was founded in 1971 with a focus on contemporary art that can represent and engage the diverse communities within the Bronx. Its collections and exhibitions show artists from Asian, African, and Latin American backgrounds that are not typically seen in traditional museums. It also provides educational programs that serve the community, and directly supports Bronx-based artists as they develop and pursue their art. The museum is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary with plans to grow bigger in upcoming renovations.

To enter requires only to go on their website (http://www.bronxmuseum.org/) to reserve a free ticket due to Covid. The space is small with only enough room for two exhibitions. When I visited, those two exhibitions were Born in Flames: Feminist Futures and Wardell Milan: Amerika. God Bless You If It’s Good To You.


Wangechi Mutu, Heeler VI, 2016.

Firelei Baez, On rest and resistance, Because we love you (to all those stolen from among us), 2020.


Born in Flames: Feminist Futures is an exhibition that invites fourteen contemporary artists to bring in artwork that reflects on past and current attitudes toward women and generates new and hopeful imaginings of the future. The range of work varies from Wangechi Mutu’s heels made of clay and wood to resemble termite mounds to Chitra Ganesh’s mix of ancient Indian epics in the style of pop art with feminist commentary to Huma Bhabha’s deconstruction of a woman’s body parts into bits of styrofoam and clay and plastic to Clarissa Tossin’s Where the River Meets the Sea, a long piece of fabric full of running water, lush greenery, and the pollution and industry that interrupt both. Each woman brings their distinct cultural background and experiences to their art, creating clever and thought-provoking deconstructions and reconstructions of womanhood, generating futures that adhere to or completely flip our expectations of what women can be. 


Wardell Milan, My knees getting weak, and my anger my anger might explode, but if God got us then we gonna be alright, 2021. 


Wardell Milan: Amerika. God Bless You If It’s Good To You is an exhibition dedicated to exploring white supremacy in modern America. Eyes drawn roughly in charcoal and pencil follow you wherever you go, leading toward paintings of beautifully rendered flowers with painted vomit over them and mangled bodies that are stretched and warped and caricatured in different mediums. A big sculpture of a Klan hood dominates the center, and even in passing there are small paintings with Klansmen whose hoods can only be seen by looking past their white backgrounds. The grotesque renderings seek to express the active and passive ways with which racial violence is maintained on Black communities. Paired with the exhibition are performances that occur every two or so weeks that explore marginalized identities affected by said violence, the closest one being on August 18th at 6 pm. 

I was in and out of both exhibitions in less than an hour, yet was left in more awe than at any visit in the Met. The museum featured art that was much more daring and innovative than bigger collections like the Whitney. The cultural diversity of the artists provided new ways of seeing that illuminated issues and ideas that I haven’t seen in any other museum. There should be more museums like the Bronx Museum, and for that reason it is a museum I will definitely go back to and revisit. Who knew that such a gem could be found so far from Manhattan and for free?



By: Jared Skoro

Jared Skoro is a junior at NYU Gallatin studying a mix of English, Political Science, and Psychology. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring a new neighborhood of the city every weekend.

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Hard to Beat Vegan Food

Wednesday, August 4th, 2021

As you walk around the NYU campus, there are restaurants as far as you could see. For students with dietary issues, there are many restaurants supporting those needs. One of my favorite restaurants that every student should go to no matter if they have dietary restrictions is Le Botaniste. This restaurant is located in Soho, Midtown, and the Upper East Side. I recently discovered this plant-based restaurant. They have hot and cold bowls that are already made, and the best thing is that you could also make your own choice of a bowl with a wealth of ingredients to choose from. My main point regarding this restaurant is that they have endless protein options which are very important when you do not consume meat or even fish.

They have options ranging from breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and even wine. If it is your first time going here are my ratings. You should definitely get the Red Fruit Chia pudding. Chia seeds are full of important nutrients that our body needs. They are full of antioxidants and fiber, along with many other nutrients. Eating them does not only make you feel good, but it also is very good for your health as well. This is the perfect and refreshing meal or breakfast, a snack, or even for dessert. When you scoop it up the consistency is thick and light leaving a coconut, nutty, and fruity flavor left in your mouth. It leaves your taste buds feeling happy and refreshed. The punches of fruit as you eat your way through the jar give punches of berry goodness. I rate this one 9/10.  

“Menu – Le Botaniste: Food and Wine Bar: Plant-based Organic: NYC.” Le Botaniste | Food and Wine Bar | Plant-based Organic | NYC. 22 Apr. 2021. Web. 15 July 2021.



My second and bar far favorite choice for lunch or dinner is their Botanical Salad. A lot of Le Botaniste’s ingredients are vegetables that support your gut health. Their Botanical Salad contains salad mix, quinoa, avocado, root vegetables, Tumeric onion, red sauerkraut, and pea shoots. What is spectacular about this meal is that it contains forms of vegetables, proteins, and fats. My favorite ingredient in this salad has to be the red sauerkraut. I am a sucker for anything that helps improve gut health and digestion, and that is exactly what the sauerkraut does because it is filled with probiotics. This salad is not only filled with multiple nutrients to nourish your body and vibrant colors, but it is fresh, raw, and will keep you feeling energized for the rest of your day. The best aspect of this meal is if you want to add extras they have many other side dishes, beet meatballs, steamed greens, pea shoots, tofu, etc. The options are endless. This one gets a 10/10 rating from me because you can get it how it is, or customize it to fit what you want!!! Definitely check this one out.

“Menu – Le Botaniste: Food and Wine Bar: Plant-based Organic: NYC.” Le Botaniste | Food and Wine Bar | Plant-based Organic | NYC. 22 Apr. 2021. Web. 15 July 2021.


Anyone and everyone should definitely check this spot out. You can eat in or get delivery. This restaurant is the freshest and healthiest spot if you wanna support your gut health. None of the options have ever been bad, everything has always tasted amazing leaving me feeling satisfied and good. The location in Soho is the best option for NYU students. It is only a walking distance away, and trust me it is worth the walk. Take a break from your meal plan, or the NYU cafe’s and take a leap of faith and try Le Botaniste. 

By: Hanna Mandel

Hanna Mandel studies Drama at NYU Tisch in hopes of being on the big screen one day. She hopes to venture into writing, directing, and producing. She loves to travel and explore new places, as well as trying new foods!

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Wine, Tradition & Conversation

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

Wine plays an important role in my life, and I’m not alone. For thousands of years it’s been a central part of religious ceremonies: Catholic communions, Passover Seders, ancient rituals to Dionysus. As someone who studies religion and cares deeply about food, wine means a lot of things to me. A glass paired with a home cooked meal is a lovely treat to myself and friends, it makes a good housewarming gift, it goes well with late night reading, and it can tell us a lot about the place it comes from: the land that grew the grapes, the religion of the makers, the culinary traditions of its homeland. But what I love most about wine is that it can bring people together and create lively debates, conversations, and connections. Living, eating, and cooking around the world has taught me a lot about what wine can and should do for us.

From a wine festival at Sacré Cœur in Paris. We celebrated with wine, cheese, live music, and art!

In the French tradition of the salon, drinking is combined with intellectual debate. Thinkers, writers, and artists gather at a cafe and discuss: what do we value? What should we value? What are we reading, what art is in fashion, how might we make our world more just? What does it mean to be just? In my world, I’m inspired to bring this inquisitive spirit into book clubs, dinner parties, and study groups. I pour everyone a glass of deep red wine and we start talking. Ask at least as many questions as you answer. Put out a charcuterie plate or a baked wheel of brie, and let the ideas-and wine-flow.

Discussing our favorite reads: Dani is telling us about The Romance of American Communism

In Israel I learned about how important wine is in the Jewish tradition. On each holiday my professors would teach us about what we were celebrating, accompanied often by a history lesson and related treat: apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah, challah on Shabbat, latkes around Hanukkah. The Hebrew word for the blessing of wine is Kiddush, whose root means holy or sacred. In your own life try connecting to your religious or cultural heritage. Do you or your family pair wine with certain foods or ideas? Or, ask your Jewish friends if they celebrate Shabbat and-if you’re lucky-maybe you’ll get to celebrate with them. Enjoy a little kosher wine and learn about what makes wine so important in Judaism. Share your oenological practices. Ask yourself why wine is or isn’t important to you, and in what context.

A little Shabbat charcuterie with a friend from Tel Aviv at Amelie Wine Bar near campus

In my personal tradition wine is best paired with a cozy night spent reading or talking with friends. There’s nothing I love more than spending time with people I love over a bottle of wine, catching up and discussing and laughing. I’ve learned a lot about wine and what it can do from living around the world, and in my home I try to incorporate my favorite parts of different traditions. We celebrate Shabbat with a good glass of wine, gather to discuss around a bottle, and share recipes and pairings with people we love. Try incorporating nice wine into your culinary, intellectual, and religious/cultural traditions.

From a poetry reading in the park on my friend’s birthday. Celebrating her with wine, literature, candles, and cupcakes.

Please drink legally and safely. If you don’t know your limit, drink in little bits with people you trust. Wine should be something you intake in moderation, and it’s safest when we approach it with goals of cultural learning and understanding rather than to get drunk. Stay safe, stay smart, and enjoy your wine!


Cora Enterline is a senior at NYU studying law, ethics, and religion. She’s studied and worked in Paris and Tel Aviv, where she loved biking, traveling, dancing, and teaching English. She has a love for foreign languages, sad novels, themed dinner parties, and red wine by candlelight. This summer, follow her blog to learn easy, student-friendly recipes and find inspiration from around the world for your own dinners, picnics, and culinary adventures at home!


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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An Ode to Chicken: Chapter 4 — Finding Delight in Cheap Eats

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

My favorite food has been, and most likely will always be, chicken. 

I love chicken there is no denying that. My attempts at being vegetarian in the past have all failed at the sight of chicken tenders. It’s America’s favorite protein and the key to my heart. It’s chicken

Growing up in a family of five, there were many nights my parents didn’t have time to prepare a meal. Juggling full-time jobs and three kids, there were many evenings that we called upon our favorite cheap and easy restaurant: The Flying Chicken. The unsuspecting little restaurant, with orange walls and just a few tables, was known for selling out quickly, with only a few chickens left at the end of the day but only if you were lucky. 

Another favorite of mine in Chicago: Brasa Roja. When The Flying Chicken closed its doors for good, this is where we satisfied all our cravings. 

Pollo a la brasa, or grilled chicken, is something Colombia has mastered as a country. With perfect golden skin, every piece is just as juicy as the next. Although it might seem simple, Colombian grilled chicken is an art in itself. The chicken must marinate in a mixture of spices like oregano, thyme, cumin, and cilantro before being grilled to perfection. It’s a tedious process with results that are worth it. 

When my father would bring home white plastic bags filled with huge styrofoam boxes, I knew what was coming: pieces of roasted chicken sitting atop white rice, chunks of potatoes, and arepas made from corn flour stuffed with cheese. My brothers and I fought for whatever remained, always unsatisfied with the amount given. 

Although chicken might seem to be the focus here, the real point of what I’m talking about is how food does not need to be fancy to be considered “good.” Pollo a la brasa, albeit underrated and difficult to perfect, is not fancy food. It’s simple food that is meant to be eaten with your hands and an abundance of napkins, with oil stains collecting on the front of your shirt. Despite this, it remains one of my favorite meals because of the amount of flavor packed into a $12 styrofoam tray. 

The traditional way of cooking pollo a la brasa. Although seems like rotisserie chicken, it is considered grilled. 

I’m not saying expensive food isn’t good; I work in a restaurant with high prices and amazing meals. But, expensive food is not always attainable for college students. This has led to me exploring the hidden restaurants tucked into corners on empty streets or exploring local grocery stores for good eats. 

On the nights where I am desperately missing pollo a la brasa, I take myself to the grocery store and pick up the next best thing a rotisserie chicken. The possibilities of rotisserie chickens are endless: chicken salad, tacos, burritos, buffalo chicken dip, sandwiches, and more. All for $10. 

The flavor might not be the same, but no one said you can’t doctor up a rotisserie chicken to your own liking! Personally, I love to shred mine. Then, when I’m ready to eat I’ll season it according to what I’m craving. This is a great way to not only get the most out of what you’re paying for but also being able to experiment with a wide range of different recipes. Like I said before, the beauty of chicken is chicken. It’s easy, versatile, and cost-friendly. Don’t be afraid to prepare it in new ways! Your options are endless from fried, baked, seared, and stuffed chicken. Whatever you’re heart desires. Just be sure to share, and remember: all food is good food. It doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive, or covered in spices you can’t pronounce to be considered tasty. Take delight in the cheap eats, and share the deliciousness with others! 

If you’re curious about pollo a la brasa, I recommend trying Tio Pio! They have a great roasted chicken that is similar in flavor to the real deal. Check out the coupon below for a delicious burrito from them! 


By: Allegra Ruiz

Allegra Ruiz is a junior at New York University and she is from Chicago. She studies English and is minoring in Creative Writing. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, reading books and essay collections, and cooking for her roommates. Currently, she lives quietly in New York. 

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Plugging in with Good Intentions — Chapter 4: Music Mix

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

There’s no denying that music influences our mood and form of expression. Whether you’re a composer, performer, or a mere listener, music can be the perfect outlet to express creativity and let out emotions.

With technological advancements, we can listen to any song our heart desires with just a few clicks of a button. 

Sometimes we need a distraction or boost to our everyday lives. For me, I think of music as an abstract companion. As long as I have a device that can connect to music, I know that I can depend on it to be there for me. I never go about my day without listening to some form of music. Even if it’s a busy day, I’m sure my ears will end up hearing a tune from a commercial or the radio playing from my neighbor.  


Back in third grade, my school required us to learn how to play the recorder. I became so fond of it that I made my parents purchase my own recorder instead of renting it out from school. It also helped that we were told that we would be rewarded with colored ribbons each time we mastered a song. This incentive definitely pushed me into trying my best and advancing my skills. I would say this was the point where music became a bigger part of my life. 

Once I reached fourth grade, middle school band teachers were brought in to introduce us to the other instruments that we could learn to play. At this point, it wasn’t mandatory to learn another instrument nor play the recorder. Still, I chose to learn how to play the flute and went on to perform in numerous school concerts. Along with playing in the middle school band, I played for the all-city band that was made up of students from different middle schools in Quincy, MA. From making new friends to developing music skills, I owe it to my younger self for sparking my appreciation and enjoyment of music.


Maybe you’re not a big fan of music. Yet, let’s look at the wide range of benefits that music brings to our lives. 

1. Mood Matcher

  • Music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music are perfect for discovering new music and creating playlists tailored to your mood. From songs to sing while in the shower to crying in the rain, the search for new music never has to end. 

2. Mental Health

3. Social Connections

  • Music can easily be shared with others via the Internet. From individual songs to packed playlists, you can find people who have similar music tastes. 

4. Cognitive Boost

  • Listening to music can block outside noises and improve your concentration.

5. Increase workout endurance

  • High tempo tracks can help boost physical activities. By blocking out distractions, you can focus on building strength and endurance.

These are just a few of the many benefits that music can bring into our lives. From meeting new people to keeping calm under stressful activities, listening to music stimulates our ears and brain activity. It doesn’t matter if you are musically inclined or a fan of a certain artist. Remember it’s all about having fun, encouraging good vibes, and plugging in with good intentions


If you’re in need of some tech to help foster your music career or some new headphones to listen to some tunes, check out Adorama!


By: Sydney Ly

Sydney Ly studies Communication with dual minors in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is currently working in retail and has experience as a tutor. Her passions include but are not limited to reading, listening to music, and watching The Office.

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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How Creativity Can Be A Part of Your Life

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

Oftentimes when we think of creatives we think of the outliers in our society: the people who get paid to sing, dance, paint, write stories, or make movies. We think of experts with natural born gifts and we do not associate our untrained eyes, hands, and voices with these artisans. Yet art and creativity are all around us. Up until a certain age we are schooled in the arts, through school plays and elementary arts classes. And even now, whether we are personally involved in the creation of art or not, we have access to films, television, books, and creative videos. 

Yet, there can still retain a measure of distance between us and the art we take in. It is important for us to acknowledge and embrace the role of art in our lives. We should give ourselves over to its therapeutic qualities and understand that art is not simply a superfluous ornament of daily life but a core facet of being human. We need to tap into the arts in whatever way we are drawn to them in order to connect more deeply to the human experience. 


Escapism

When you’re having a tough day you can disappear within a tv show or a film. You can turn on music and drown out the noise around you or take a deep dive into the virtual archives of incredible artists.

One of my favorite still life paintings that I completed

Vacation

If you’re looking for something cultured and new to do with loved ones you can visit museums, take a paint and sip class, or go to the theater. Concerts, drag shows, poetry slams, and live music are great options for special (or everyday) occasions. 

Some of my FAVORITE books

Creation

You can doodle in your notebook when a lecture gets too heady and unbearable. You can set a timer for fifteen minutes and see what words you can produce to fill up a blank page. You can paint poorly, sing in the shower, write fanfiction, or create fan art. You do not have to be an expert to create art. 

Therapy

You can do any of the above activities alone or with others to deepen relationships and fellowship in memorable ways. These acts can be community building and relaxing. Furthermore there are therapists who specialize in utilizing art to reach and heal inarticulable traumas. With professional guidance, something as simple and accessible as painting can be a soothing outlet. 


Art has many places in our lives. As we work to acknowledge that truth and incorporate more creativity into our day to day habits, we will see the world in a more colorful and hopeful light. 


Taylor Custis is a recent graduate of NYU where she made her own major because it sounded like a cool thing to do. She enjoys stories of all kinds, ethnic foods, and spiritually charged candles. She is currently in Queens embarking on a career in written and visual storytelling.


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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