Bastilla - the Moroccan Way

My latest culinary endeavor was dreamed alive after a friend and I went to a Moroccan restaurant for dinner. While the entire meal was fantastic, I was blown away by a dish called Bastilla. Friend even asked the waiter how to pronounce it correctly. Apparently the double L does not make a Y sound like in Spanish.

Anyway, we embarked on our Bastilla mission as soon as we arrived back at Friend's apartment. We googled recipe after recipe. None that we found seemed like it could really be for the amazingness we just ate. But alas, you should never judge a dish by its recipe.

Ingredients:

- Phyllo Dough

- 1 bag Sliced Almonds

- Chicken Breasts (5 or 6 maybe?)

- 8 eggs

- 1 Onion

- 1/2 cup sugar

- cinnamon

- ginger

- pepper

- salt

- some melted butter

You will also need:

- Large oven-safe frying pan (you can put tin foil over a plastic handle and it still works fine)

- Food processor or blender

- Large Bowl

1. Boil chicken and onion in a pot of water that just covers the chicken for 45 mins to 1 hour. Also make sure your cinnamon, ginger, salt and pepper are added before boiling. Spices are to taste, but don't worry if you use too little, there's a chance later to add more.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Cut up the chicken into small-ish pieces when tender. Put in a bowl. Set aside.
4. Scramble all 8 eggs with 1/3 cup of the water from the chicken. Cook them but make sure you don't over cook them. They will be baked later.
5. While cooking eggs, use a blender or food processor to grind up the almonds, sugar, and some cinnamon.
6. When eggs are done, add to the chicken mixture. I recommend putting the mixture into the food processor but it is not necessary.
7. Start to layer Phyllo dough in the pan. The dough should cover the bottom and start to go up the sides to fold over later.
8. Layer in the chicken mixture, then almond mixture, then more phyllo dough until you run out of mixtures. The faster you do this the better so the dough doesn't dry out.
9. Fold the dough over the top and "seal" it all together with melted butter.
10. Bake for 30 minutes
11. Sprinkle top with powdered sugar and cinnamon

I know it all sounds unconventional, but it tastes superb! It is the perfect mix of sweet and savory!

November Slump

By Allison Sass

October was a great month to be a post grad. I got to enjoy a bunch of outdoor activities and embrace fall, minus dealing with midterms and other college assignments. Now, October is over, and the first few days of November in Rochester have started out at around 30 degrees in the mornings. Yesterday there was even icy slush on the stairs from my apartment.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, since it'll be the longest time I've been home since early July. Other than that, November has got me in a slump. I need your help readers- why is November a great month for post grads?

Consider Your Readers At ALL Times

By Allison Sass

As recent grads, it's likely that most of you have at least thought about blogging, for either personal of professional reasons. Blogging is the thing to do right now, and I love it (obviously). I think that blogs are a great way for people to connect and share their opinions.

If you start a blog that you hope will attract a large fan base of readers, it's important that you are respectful to your readers. You might think, but this blog is MINE and if decide that I want to whine and put down others, I can do what I want. And.. you can. But don't expect to still have loyal readers when you're through.

Yesterday after work, I came across an article about a Marie Claire blogger downing a new television show that revolves around a romance between two overweight individuals. In her blog, writer Maura Kelly says, " I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room." and blames the new t.v. show for promoting obesity. Did she not stop to think that many of her loyal readers might be struggling with their own weight related problems?

What saddens me the most is that this blogger isn't just a cynical recent graduate with a hatred for the world, or an angsty teen. She is in her 30's and supposedly an accomplished writer. The fact that Marie Claire  published this blog on their website gives this well-respected women's lifestyle magazine a tarnished reputation.

The moral of all of this? Think long and hard about the audience you are attracting with your blog, and whether your blog is straight up offending them. It's one thing to talk about taboo subjects- it's entirely another to call your readers "fatties".

 Technology is great, and our generation embraces it more than most. It's also great to have an opinion, all good bloggers do! But please remember state it gracefully, keeping your readers in mind.. or else you'll find yourself in a Maura Kelly comment bashing situation, with noone to blame but yourself.

Stay classy, post grads.

Being Your Own Cheerleader

By Allison Sass

We've had a few articles recently about how the quest for happiness in post grad life can be trampled by feelings of depression and anxiety. Something that makes me anxious, and I'm sure loads of other post grads out there,  is not receiving constant positive reinforcement. I'm the type of person who likes to get things done quickly and efficiently. I put my whole heart into the projects I'm dedicated to, and I thrive on the rewards that come with them. In college, we are always rewarded, either with praise from our helpful professors, fellow students, or with grades.  In the post grad world, things are different.

I've learned to cherish every "good job" I receive at this point in my life, because they are few and far between. It's not that I think I deserve more positive reinforcement, but it did take me a while to adjust that when I complete a task well, it is just seen as a part of my job. In reality,  I'm getting paid to complete daily tasks, so why shouldn't they be done correctly?

Here are a few ways I've learned to cope with my need for reinforcement in the post grad world- I hope they can help some of you out there struggling with the same thing

- Vent.  I feel bad for my family, friends and boyfriend for having to listen to me talk about my post grad frustrations, but it's never good to keep emotions bottled up inside. Believe me, I've learned this from years of doing just that

- Congratulate yourself. Did you finish an assignment at work before deadline, or just do a really awesome job with it? Take five minutes and give yourself a mental break so you can soak up the fact that you are doing good work.

-Cherish the small things. Remember the day when your parents used to pin your A+ spelling test to the refrigerator? Do the same thing for yourself. Save emails of praise in a special folder in your email account. This way if you're having an off day, you can simply pull open the folder and remember that you are valued.

Cars, Cars, Cars

By Allison Sass

Anyone who has driven with me knows that my cute red Dodge Neon is nicknamed "the devil car". Throughout my time with the vehicle I have been towed about five times, and been to the mechanic more times than I can count for everything under the sun, while never actually being in an accident (knock on wood). Shikole and I have had a wide range of conversations about our equally disappointing Dodge Neons, so I thought a post about some tips for post grad car care might be in order.

-Keep up on maintenance. In college, I could survive without checking my oil because I would travel home for breaks and have my Dad check it for me. Now that I am home less frequently (as just because it's a good thing to know), I check my oil myself and am sure to schedule inexpensive maintenance appointments like oil changes and tire rotations.

-Find a reliable mechanic/ garage. Monro Brake and Muffler have been my "go to" garage for all of my car fixing needs. Try to establish a favorite garage in your neighborhood, so that when something goes wrong, you are dealing with mechanics that you can trust and won't take advantage of a young client.

-Come up with a worst case scenario plan. In college, I could walk to the garage if my car needed repairs. I also could walk to campus or take the bus to get groceries.  Now, in Rochester, I've come up with a bus route that I need to take in case of car trouble. Are there busses in your area, subway systems, or taxis? Make sure you have a backup plan! Your car might decide to stop, but your office will continue to run on the same schedule.

-Do your research. If you need to take the car into the garage, get all of the facts before you allow a mechanic to charge you hundreds for a repair. Consult with your car savvy friends/ family members to figure out a plan of attack.

What are your tips for post grads dealing with car trouble?

6 Organization Obsessions, High- And Low-Tech | The Frisky

Need help keeping track of all those job interviews? Tend to always lose the business cards you get while networking? Check out these organizational tools.

6 Organization Obsessions, High- And Low-Tech | The Frisky.

Be Happy

By Allison Sass

"Dont worry, be happy". It's a line in one of everyone's favorite reggae jams, but how often to we actually take the song's advice? I know that during my life I have sacrificed doing what I believe will make me truly happy because a.) it was difficult, b.) other people in my life convinced me that I should take a different path, or c.) I was terrified of letting down friends and family.  I've never had horrible outcomes by taking these paths. In fact, my need to please others has actually led me to enjoy some great life experiences. But, I still can't help but wonder, what if?

Your post grad life is the perfect time to move away from the "what if" cycle. You are on your way to financial independence, don't have four-year college dictating your life, most likely don't have children or a husband to dictate your life choices, and may even be in a completely new location where the only person creating your schedule is you.

For now, my happiness is in the works. I'm taking steps to improve my post grad life that I will share in a future entries, but for now (in keeping with our musical themed week) I'd like to leave you with a song that was always quoted by one of my Geneseo Communication professors.

He used to tell us that it wasn't our class grades or his approval, but the effort we put into our work and life that will ultimately make us feel happiest. He would always say "don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy". Here you go, post grads!

Connectitude, Linkativity, Transformitation

By Shikole Struber

Don Draper isn't the only TV show character to give tips on the job world. Barney Stinson of How I met Your Mother is also a career guru, in his own way. He might've been onto something when he suggested creating your own words. Everyone seems to be doing it these days. The Jersey Shore cast "smushes" and the new song "Bottoms Up" mentions getting "slizzard." Barney's words are a little more job appropriate though, the most noted being:

Possimpible - Where the possible and impossible meet. When you go beyond the possible and beyond the impossible

Barney also promoted the Video Resume. Which is not a bad idea if you do it right. There are some helpful do's and don'ts of a video resume here. And for your viewing pleasure, Barney\'s Video Resume.

Good luck job hunters. And remember, nothing, and everything, is possimpible.

Indulge in Your Passion

By Allison Sass

When living in the post grad world, extra curricular activities that may have defined who you were in college basically vanish. Suddenly, you are working for 8 hours a day and are exhausted.. missing the days when you were "stressed" over the fact that you had a magazine layout session and paper to complete in one weekend.

Whether you were involved in a club like the college magazine or newspaper, a greek organization, a musical group, or any other extra curricular activity, once you're out of college you realize quickly that it's up to you to create your own non work-related activities.

One thing I am hopefully going to be doing for the next month is a photography workshop, so that I can make use of my digital slr camera and potentially meet some others interested in photography in the area. Google workshops in your city and I guarantee you'll find a workshop that suits you! Believe me, there is everything from self-defense courses to knitting out there!

Something I miss about Geneseo (that has nothing to do with academics) is the art building's awesome practice rooms where I could play piano to my heart's content. I recently purchased an affordable keyboard, so I can now practice in my apartment! Craigslist is an excellent resource for musical instruments if that is where your passion lies- just remember to use caution, as with any online site.

What about you readers? How have you indulged in your passions in your post grad lives?

Motivation, Still a Problem

By Shikole Struber

There are still so many things in post grad life that you need to muster up some motivation for. It might not be an assignment, but it's just as hard.

If you are unemployed, you need motivation to search for jobs, then to apply for them. Cover letters are hard and take a lot of time and effort. There is also motivation needed to follow-up with applications, go to interviews, and through it all to keep applying for even more jobs in case you don't get any previously applied for.

If you are employed you need motivation to get up and go to work. There are mornings that I just look at my alarm clock stupefied because I can't grasp why it's making such loud noises when I want to sleep. You also need motivation while on the clock to complete the tasks assigned to you. It's inevitable that you receive that tedious task from your boss on Monday morning that is going to take hours to complete and all you want to do is put it at the bottom of your pile.

So how do you stay motivated post grad? It's not like there's a professor breathing down your neck to finish things. There might be a boss but they need to do their own job and not focus on yours. Some ideas...

1. Set yourself a deadline. You have 2 hours to complete this task and then you are free to focus on something else.


2. Have clear goals. Make sure you apply for 4 jobs in an hour. Then it can be break time.


3. If you aren't in the mind-set to start being productive, set a reverse deadline. Tell yourself you are going to begin productivity at 3pm, no matter what.


4. Create a reward for finishing your task. Promise yourself a smoothie on the way home from work if you finish that task you didn't want to do.

Post Grad Weekend Trips Home

By Allison Sass

In college, we had breaks planned for us every month or so that would give us a chance to go home to or enjoy an extra long weekend at school with no homework. In post grad life, you have limited paid vacation time (at least at first!) and must focus all of your traveling into the weekend timeframe.

I just traveled home for labor day weekend, my first trip home since I started my job in July, and have a few tips for post grads that are now forced to plan their own weekend getaways.

1. Make sure you have lots of water, caffeine, and snacks on hand if you plan on driving home right after your workday on Friday. I thought this would be no problem for me, but about 3 hours into my 5 hour drive home, I was thankful I caved in and drank that energy drink.

2. Watch the weather! If you are driving home on a Friday night and the weather forecast calls for torrential rain the entire evening, consider waking up early the next day and leaving then instead.  Driving in the rain is no fun, but driving in the dark in intense rain is just plain dangerous.

3. Plan ahead! Make plans for the time you will spend at home. Since you'll only be there for about 48 hours, you'll want to pack as much fun into your weekend trip home as possible. Don't waste time there just sitting around and figuring out what to do.

4. Leave your work at work. As someone who stresses about work while outside of the office, I know that it's especially important to leave you work behind when traveling home for the weekend, especially if you have a long drive! Make the most of your time at home. Don't worry, your work will be there waiting for you after the weekend!

Make the Most of Your Lunch Break

By Allison Sass

Your lunchtime is the recharge portion of the day that keeps you flying through the afternoon until 5pm. Why not make the most of it?

Here are a few unique ways to spend your lunch break- that won't break the bank!

-Go for a walk. Bring a pair of sneakers to work and take a leisurely stroll during your lunch break.

-Eat outside! This only works if it's nice out, but if it is nice outside, try to find out if there is a park or even a bench near your job where you can sit, relax, and enjoy a sandwich.

-Go for a drive. Driving helps me to ease stress, and sometimes on my breaks I will cruise around the neighborhood where I work.

-Meet a friend! If you and a friend work near each other, coordinate your lunch breaks and meet up to discuss your day.

What are your favorite ways to spend your lunch break?

Online Dating

By Allison Sass

"Recent studies show that 1 in 5 relationships begin online". You've probably heard this statement blaring from your television during a match.com commercial and thought "not my relationships!!". I know I did before last November.

To me, online dating only represented negative things. 1. it meant that the people who joined these sites were clearly desperate. 2. it inevitably included creepy moustached men who lied about their age and had hidden dangerous agendas. And.. 3. online dating just seemed so impersonal. People judge you based on a picture and a paragraph about yourself... need I say more.

I remained on my "too good for online matchmaking" horse until last November when a few friends joined Okcupid.com just for fun. At first, I was completely against the idea, and then in a sudden revelation thought "why not just try it?".

I signed myself up, and you know what? I realized that on top of all of my apprehensions, having an online dating profile is actually pretty entertaining. I didn't ever take my experience too seriously, but did end up meeting someone great who had never tried online dating before either. 7+ months later, and we are both very happy we chose to step out of our comfort zones. :)

For post grads who are new to an area and looking to get out and meet some new people, or who are searching for a special someone (it's okay to admit that readers!!)- I urge you to at least try online dating before you knock it. Some popular sites include okcupid.com, match.com, eharmony.com, and zoosk.com- but there are many more, google it.

Of course, be sure to use caution when meeting anyone in person that you've been talking to online. Don't meet for the first time in a private place, and take caution when getting into cars with strangers. Use the same precautions you might use if you met a potential mate at a bar or party. Get to know this person before trusting them.

But also remember to have fun! Meeting new people is always an experience. If you are looked down on by friends or family, brush it off and simply remind them that with a closed-off judgemental  attitude, they could be missing out on something great.

Groupon.com

By Allison Sass

I had a meeting with my boss yesterday to discuss marketing strategies and he brought up this excellent new-ish website called groupon.com. Not exactly related to marketing- but this website offers great deals for those living in metropolitan areas.

How does it work? The groupon deals are always significant - up to 50% off the normal price of a product (food, jewelry, clothing) or service (spa treatment, car inspection). But, they require a certain number of people to buy each coupon before they are put into effect.

For example, in Rochester, NY the deal for today is to pay 5.00 for 10.00 in food from the Classy Cookie Deli, which is actually a really cute place to eat down the road from my apartment. In order for the deal to go into effect, the deli required that at least 100 sign up and purchase the 5.00 coupon for it to go into effect. 100+ people signed up before 8am today.

Sound confusing? Check out groupon.com for more explanations. As a post grad with limited funds, this website has become part of my daily morning check email and blogs ritual. Check it out and start saving today!

Sticking Around

By Allison Sass

A year before I graduated college, I had my heart set on breaking free from my small college town and running to the lights of the city. Any city. As long as it was huge and well-known. I was thinking Boston, NYC, Austin.. anywhere where I could "start fresh" and land that awesome design/writing gig that I and millions of other recent grads knew we would be perfect for.

Around February reality set in, as I realized that in order to actually secure a job in one of these cities, I would basically have to move there blindly, find an apartment, and then look for work. I certainly didn't have the money to afford rent for even the smallest of apartments in these cities and began to think that it was time to consider more realistic options.

SUNY Geneseo is located about a half hour from Rochester, NY, a city known for the Eastman family (founders of Kodak), and for having lots of contact lens company headquarters. Not exactly the glam life I was intending on living post grad. So, I did a little research on the city. Since Rochester is close to Geneseo, it was easy to spend a day finding new and exciting things in the city. I even got the chance to walk around my current neighborhood before moving into my apartment.

Now that I'm in my affordable Rochester apartment, I love it here. I love that there are tree lined streets everywhere, people are outside walking rain or shine, and that my apartment has at least 20 shops, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife within walking distance. Rochester has more festivals and free concerts than I would ever expect a city to hold, and although it might not be well known, it's the perfect fit for me right now.

I'm thankful that I was able to explore this area while in college, and encourage other recent grads to do the same. Don't count out what's right under your nose!

It may not be the "glamorous" lifestyle you imagine, but you may find a city or town that offers everything you need, why not wait a few years to rent that Manhattan apartment so you can afford to enjoy living in it?

Stay Stylish After Grad: Shoes

By Shikole Struber

The Cap and Gown are out. Now what do you wear?

Sweat pants, tee shirts and hoodies might have worked fine for class, but they won't get you hired. They might get you fired, though. Pajamas in public seem less acceptable post grad too.

For Women:

These shoes are cheap (Payless) and comfy. They are a step up from flip-flops but nothing too fancy. Perfect for work and even for play. They also come in grey/silver so they will fit all your needs.

For Men:

Men have fewer options for cute shoes. But these are affordable and basic so they can work well for a post grad. These particular shoes are sold at Sears.

No matter what you put on your feet, make sure it can't come back to kick you in the ass. You don't want your boss to see you in those shoes that are so old the soles are flopping around...

Where do you buy your affordable shoes?

Eyes of Chocolate

By Allison Sass

When working in the "downtown" district of a city, it's likely you'll see some interesting people roaming the streets near your office. Normally, if a pedestrian makes me feel uneasy, I tend to practice the NYC trademarked "avoid eye contact/ walk very fast" maneuver. Honestly, if you look like you're on a misson, who is going to get in your way?

Unfortunately, lots of people.

It's important to use caution when interacting with strangers, we learned this in kindergarten, but it's also important to remember that all contact with pedestrians doesn't have to be scary or threatening. One day, while walking back into my office after a lunch break, I noticed a man sitting in his truck near the self storage business located in the bottom of the building where I work.

I could feel his eyes on me, and decided to perform the classic "I'm on a mission, don't mess with me" walk. Unfortunately, I looked up from the ground too quickly and made eye contact with this fellow. He looked at me, smiled a huge toothless smile, and said "hey sweetie, your eyes look just like morsels of Hershey's dark chocolate, Mmm mmm" while patting his belly.

I couldn't hold it in. I burst out laughing, said an awkward "thank you", and continued to book it towards my building. This little encounter certainly helped me to ease up around strangers, but I still am sure to use precaution.

Remember readers, if you EVER feel threatened while walking to work, you don't have to answer, or even acknowledge, anyone you don't feel comfortable around.  It might be a good idea to place some key contact numbers on your speed dial as well (the police, your place of work, parents). This way, if you are approached in a negative manner all you have to do is push one number on your phone.

Whistles, pepper spray, and hairspray (any girl who has accidentally sprayed herself in the face knows that this HURTS), are a few other essentials you might want to consider carrying with you if you work in a city environment. If you're worried about theft, consider splitting up your cash, credit cards, and other important cards into two different wallets, and leave anything you can at home in a safe place.

Do you have any funny stories about random street encounters, or any tips for our readers on how to feel comfortable around strangers?

Stretch Your Health Insurance

By Allison Sass

As Shikole mentioned in a previous post, living without health insurance can be scary and costly if you don't have the strongest immune system. But even when you receive the "golden ticket" of health insurance from that first full-time job you land- you're not out of the woods.

For those of you who have relied on your parent's insurance plans, you might be unfamiliar with the idea of copays, or paying for any type of dr.'s visit for that matter (believe me, I was in the same boat until I made the decision to work after graduation instead of attend grad school.)  Don't be fooled by ignorance- medical related costs can add up!

Here are a few ways to make your current health insurance plan stretch!

Read up! - Know what your copays are so that you are prepared when visiting a doctor. Specialist copays are normally twice as much as primary physician copays, so choose the type of doctor you plan on seeing accordingly.

Check with your local gym- The gym I'm about to join actually has a perk where your sign up fees are waived if you have an insurance card. Perks like these will save you money, and working out regularly will preserve your body.

Don't think you can afford a gym membership? Consult your insurance company and see if they will cover all or part of your yearly membership. Blue Cross Blue Shield covers up to 300 dollars in fitness related expenses.

Prevent, prevent, prevent!- On many insurance plans, basic dental visits are covered in full under insurance, but fillings and additional surgery are only half covered, or not covered at all. If you remember to brush your teeth and maintain your personal hygiene you will end up saving yourself money in the long run.

Take care of your entire body, and you will be healthier and have more cash to spare!

Get Healthy...Financially

By Shikole Struber

Budgets are boring. We all know this. But they are now something we need to consider. Rent, cell phone, credit card payments, student loan payments, car insurance, cable/internet, food, the list goes on and on. There are a lot of expenses a post grad has. And limited income. It's time to keep track of where your money goes.

Fidelity has a great tool that maps out where your money goes and compares it to how much you make.

Once you can track where your money is going you can start cutting back where you need to. Maybe be aware of the overage on your cell phone bill and save that $30 every month. Or recognize that you're spending too much on cable and cut back on the premium channels. You can get most shows online now anyway.

The Golden Rule of personal finance is to pay yourself first. Put $50 a month into your savings account before starting to pay your bills.

"Before you pay your bills, before you buy groceries, before you do anything else, set aside a portion of your income to save. The first bill you pay each month should be to yourself. This habit, developed early, can help a person build tremendous wealth. I wish I’d understood this when I graduated from college." - JD from getrichslowly.org.

After that your focus should be on decreasing your debts. Whether it be the credit card you lived on while unemployed or the student loans you need to repay, decrease your debt. Interest payments can be killer.If at allpossible, pay more than the minimum balance due. Even if it's $20 more, it will help with the interest. Also, instead of paying your credit card bill monthly, pay it bi-weekly. You can still pay off the same amount, the more often you make payment, the faster your principle balance decreases, and the less interest you will be paying.

And the most important personal finance lesson, which may seem obvious: Spend less than you earn!

Liven Up your Water

By Shikole Struber

Allison posted yesterday about the importance of hydration and drinking plenty of water. I am definitely one of those post grads who tends to drink nothing but caffeine and alcohol and really needs to work on the whole water thing. It's just so bland! There are a few simple ways to liven up your water, though.

• Add lemon


• Add lime


• Add cucumber


• Use it for tea


• Popsicle count as water, after the sugar is gone


• Add kiwi


• Add sliced strawberries

How do you drink your water?