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Category: Just for Fun

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For many, Halloween is the first holiday that signals the start of the numerous celebrations that carry us through the rest of the year. This year Halloween will require us to stretch our imagination and find safe and innovative ways to have fun and celebrate with our friends and family while being mindful of the global pandemic. If you’re in need of ideas, here is a short list of ways to celebrate this year's Halloween!

  • Halloween Candy Chute-If you live in an area with a high volume of trick-or-treaters, then you may find yourself wondering how to pass out candy while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Well the Candy Chute is here to help! Easy to make and install, it requires a quick trip to your local hardware store and some pieces of PVC pipes that you can set up near your front door. Feel free to add any spooky or scary decorations to cover the chute. And be sure to have plenty of candy to send down the slide!
  • Zoom Costume Party/Contest- One of the best parts of any Halloween is dressing up in a costume and attending parties with your closest friends. Thankfully with the aid of Zoom or Webex, it’s possible to still have a celebration and show off your costume. Gather as many friends as you can, play some classic spooky music and show off your outfit. If you want to have an extra bit of fun, turn it into a competition! Create categories and find small tokens to use as trophies. Need a category suggestion? Why not give an award for ‘Best DIY Costume?’ Want to prepare food during the party? Be sure to read our upcoming blog post on Halloween snacks that will go live this Friday!
  • Scary Movie Night Marathon- From Hulu, to Netflix, to classic Halloween movies on Disney+ there are numerous platforms that hold treasure troves of scary films. Whether it’s a goofy, action/adventure film with cheap scares or the latest nail-biting horror movie, there are countless titles available for your viewing pleasure. Need an idea of what films to watch? Check out our blog post this Wednesday that will feature some of Himmelfarb’s staff member’s favorite Halloween movies. 
  • Read a Horror Novel- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Pet Sematary by Stephen King. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. These are just a few stories and books people think of for tales that send a shiver down your spine. Light a candle, make a cup of your favorite tea or coffee blend and try to relax as you read about the strange, creepy places and the characters that may haunt your dreams. Want to read a new spooky book? Consider picking up The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, Fledgling by Octavia Butler, The Good House by Tananarive Due or Beloved by Toni Morrison. 
  • Search for the Best Decorated Home- Scrolling through social media, you may have already spotted pictures and videos of people decorating their houses with fake cobwebs, glowing orange lights and large, felt spiders scattered across their lawns. If you want to stretch your legs and escape your home or apartment for a while, why not pile into your car or put on your mask and go for a quick walk around the neighborhood to admire any decorated houses in the area. Maybe it will spark ideas for how to decorate your own home next year!

These are just a few of the many ways you can celebrate Halloween this year! Regardless of how you decide to celebrate, be sure to have fun and stay safe!

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Hand squeezing stress ball while donating blood.
Image by Michelle Gordon from Pixabay

Have you wondered how you could help others during the COVID-19 pandemic? Donating blood is an easy and free way that you can make a positive contribution during these times. 

Donating blood with the American Red Cross is easy, and can even help you embrace the spirit of fall and Halloween! Donate during the month of October to earn the Vampire Badge in the Blood Donor App. If earning the Vampire Badge isn’t enough motivation for you, you can also enter to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card during the month of October. You can use the Blood Donor App to schedule an appointment to donate, complete your pre-donation questionnaire (RapidPass), and track your blood’s journey from donation all the way to completion. You can also join the GW team within the Blood Donor App and have your donation counted towards GW’s total lives impacted.

Ever wonder if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 but were asymptomatic? The Red Cross is currently testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Donating is a great way to find out if you have COVID-19 antibodies. To be clear - you will not be tested for COVID-19. Antibody tests assess whether or not you’ve had an immune response to COVID-19; it does not determine if the virus is currently present. People with antibody-positive donations can help coronavirus patients by donating convalescent plasma. Eligible convalescent plasma donors must be fully recovered from COVID-19.

Whole blood donations are used for blood transfusions, but can be used to help multiple people by separating red cells, plasma and platelets. The requirements for donating whole blood are simple: Donors must be healthy and feeling well, be at least 17 years old, and weigh 110 pounds or more. If you’ve donated blood recently, you should wait 56 days between donations. Donor centers are taking proper safety precautions during the pandemic. All donors and staff are required to wear masks, beds are socially distanced, and enhanced cleaning processes are being followed.

Donating blood is a great way to contribute in a small way during the pandemic. If the Vampire Badge and the chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card aren’t enough to convince you to donate, perhaps the post-donation cookies will entice you! Happy donating!

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Now that Summer is over, there is no better time to prepare for colder temperatures on the way! That’s right, it’s time to break out those sweatshirts and scarves, to go on long walks to see the changing colors of the foliage. Let’s not forget that it is also a prime time to look forward to the bountiful opportunities that the end of Summer’s harvest has to offer us. 

With colder temps in the forecast it can be too difficult to resist comfort foods. What better time to challenge yourself to indulge those guilty pleasures while eating healthy? 

Cooking Light has a slideshow of forty recipes that are filled with vitamins and autumnal vibes! I don’t know about you, but their Chicken and Gnocchi soup certainly has my attention. 

Want to try something new? The American Heart Association has a Sweet Potato Nacho recipe that is not only low in salt and calories, but has an excellent source of protein and fiber! Not only that, but the cost per serving is under $2.00 as well. Talk about a way to eat healthy, while not breaking the bank. 

If you are abiding by a vegan diet, there are plenty of recipes for you also. What could be more autumnal than a set of Roasted Pumpkin Lasagna Boats? Or even a Butternut Squash Risotto? Both offer not only a promise in flavor but in presentation as well! Me? I can’t wait to try this Vegetarian Chili recipe. 

Lastly, a meal is not complete without a dessert! These Hasselback Apples give a new definition to apple pie. Don’t even get me started these Warm Spiced Cran-Pom Toddies that would be perfect on the coldest of days. For the non alcoholic version, simply substitute the rum with some hot apple cider. Want to impress your roommates or family? You can also try these Poached Pears that would compliment any autumnal dish. 

Whether you are local, or far away, attending campus from home, we wish you a safe and happy Autumn season and can’t wait to see you back on campus. 

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Fall starts next week and the Metropolitan DC area contains many parks, hiking trails and outdoor activities to help you enjoy the cooler weather and fall foliage. Here is a quick list of local parks, orchards and trails that are the perfect places to explore, while we continue to practice social distancing guidelines. 

Green Springs Gardens: Located in Alexandria, Virginia just off of Little River Turnpike, Green Springs Gardens is a great place to visit on a sunny day. Walk along the paved pathways that lead to several different ponds, enjoy the blooming flowers or pop into the gift shop. There’s plenty of open space, so you can keep your distance from others, while enjoying some fresh air. (Bonus: if you’re an artist, Green Spring Gardens is an excellent place to draw or paint!)

Roosevelt Island: Nestled between Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, Roosevelt Island sits on the Potomac River and offers excellent views of Rosslyn and Georgetown. There are three hiking trails that run around or through the island. Placards contain information on the history of the island, the wildlife in the area and President Theodore Roosevelt’s connection to the park. If you’re lucky, you may even cross paths with a deer, rabbit or other local critter. Roosevelt Island is a great way to spend a cool fall morning or afternoon!

Scotts Run Nature Preserve: Interested in a more rigorous hike? Drive down Georgetown Pike to Scotts Run Nature Preserve. Boasting seven marked trails with various degrees of difficulty, the preserve brings you closer to nature. You can choose a trail that leads to the bluffs overlooking the Potomac River, walk and observe the wildflowers that grow in the area or sit on the craggy rocks and dip your feet in the flowing streams. One day is not enough to fully explore Scotts Run, so be sure to make multiple trips while you can. 

Apple/Pumpkin Picking: No fall is complete without a visit to a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch and luckily there are plenty of farms in the surrounding area.  Cox Farms will open up their Drive-Through Market next week and will offer goods such as apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, fresh produce and other treats available for pick up. The market will run through November 2nd, so there’s plenty of time to place an order. Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia is now open for apple picking and their pumpkin patch will open later this month. Though the farm is open every day for apple picking, you must purchase tickets to visit during the weekend. This year’s apple picking season will feel different with farms and orchards implementing social distancing and mask guidelines. Be sure you read and understand the rules before making a trip for some freshly picked apples!

Whether you're a hiker on the hunt for the next challenging trail, a baker in need of some fresh fruit for your favorite holiday treats or just a student in need of a quick respite, there are countless ways to socially distance and enjoy this fall!

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plate of food

As we've moved into the 2nd half of 2020, we have seen many changes - to our routines, our lifestyles, and our habits. Instead of attending classes in person, we reach out to each other online. While we may be more accustomed to this stay-at-home lifestyle, it is important that we don’t neglect our physical health and our dietary needs.

Did you know that the American Heart Association has a collection of recipes that are both good for your body and for your wallet?

Why not try their take on one of my personal favorites, Huevos Rancheros! Their recipe is not only loaded with key nutrients and vegetables,  but it’s also low in salt, and packed with protein and fiber. Or if you are one of the many of us with a sweet tooth, try their Grilled Fruit Kebab recipe. Kiss those cravings for chocolate goodbye with a bit of honey, and some natural fructose to replace the processed stuff.

The American Heart Association recipes contains a special section that is specific for those who are on a tight budget. Sign me up for their Tuscan Bean soup, or their Tandoori Chicken with Brown Rice! 

If you are really trying to get the most out of your dollar, EatingWell has several recipes that serve up to 4 people for $5.00 or less!

Busy at home? You are not alone. As most schools are currently functioning with limited access, it can be very difficult to find the time to cook while there are other responsibilities that require your attention. If you have a slow cooker, EatingWell also has some great suggestions for some coffee-braised brisket and a savory barbecue snack mix.

Times may have changed, but that does not mean that your diet has to suffer. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Stay healthy, and don’t forget: We are here for you.

 

Further reading can be found at:

American Heart Association Recipes

EatingWell Healthy Dinner Recipes

EatingWell Dinners That Serve 4 for $5 or Less

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Himmelfarb Library: We're Here For You!

As we begin the Fall 2020 semester, we know that this semester is going to be different than other semesters. With most classes moving online, and a very few operating via a hybrid model, we all have to adapt to a new way of learning, teaching, studying, and conducting research. While we’re all doing things a little bit differently these days, Himmelfarb Library wants you to know that we are still here for you! 

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Sparkler

Out with the old and in with the new. If you’re feeling any regret after all those Holiday cookies, or goals long forgotten in 2019, don’t worry, you’re not alone. With the change of the calendar year, many of us take the time to reflect on not only the past year, but to also look ahead and ask ourselves “What do I want to change this year?” 

Before jumping on the bandwagon and hastily filling out a list of things you want to accomplish in 2020, it might be a good idea to simply stop and think about yourself. Ask yourself: “Have I made any new year resolutions in the past, and if so, did I stick with them?” If not, why not? What lead you astray in what you set out to tackle? This may be key to not only helping you think differently about any future goals, but to challenge yourself to have a wider perspective so that you can lay out specific and measurable goals.

Not sure where to start? The National Kidney Foundation has a great example of laying out SMART goals on their website. A New Year, a New You: 5 Tips to Make Achieving Your Goals Possible

Remember, there is no need to rush the creation of your SMART goals. Attainable, realistic goals take time to measure out and to plan for. As awesome as it would be, most goals are not as simply obtained as checking off items in a shopping list. It can be difficult to be accountable to ourselves sometimes, even harder to check back in the weeks after the new years to track our progress. Don’t fret, no one is perfect. Even if you slip or miss a few steps of progress, you can always keep working towards your goal. Make it a task to set aside some time for you to ask yourself “Where am I at with this goal?”, “What is working, and what is not?”, “What are some things I need to change to make this happen?” 

No resolution is too big or too small. (Even if you’re looking to just improve your posture!) Real Simple has some excellent suggestions for smaller, and easier to obtain goals in their article: 

8 Health Goals You Can Actually Stick To in 2020

Wishing you all a safe and happy New year from the Himmelfarb Library! May all your goals this year be conquerable. 

 

Related articles can be found here: 

Making New Year's Resolutions That Stick: Exploring How Superordinate and Subordinate Goals Motivate Goal Pursuit

Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy 2020

Seven steps for making your New Year’s resolutions stick

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Various herbs, lemon, and salt on a white table.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Welcome to the end of another wonderful semester! Whatever your winter break plans, know you have earned some rest and relaxation. So instead of stressing about what to bring to that ugly sweater party or holiday dinner, why not let us do the work for you and recommend a few simple, healthy recipes?

If you really want to impress your hosts/guests, look no further than this Roasted Fennel with Charred Tomatoes, Olives, and Pecorino. This simple recipe requires just a single dish (I suggest a sheet pan), so clean up is a cinch. If you want to make it a bit more substantial, add mild Italian sausages and some chunks of ciabatta to the mix!

Looking for something even easier? This Lemon Green Bean Almondine is a sure hit, and you can prep everything the night before. The bright, acidic lemon is a lovely counterpoint to all the rich, creamy foods we usually serve during the winter.

This Winter Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad is the lunch you need to hold you over until the holiday party spread. If you’re worried about how to remove pomegranate seeds without making a mess, have no fear! All you need to do is score four lines in the pomegranate to quarter it, then submerge it in a bowl of water while you pull it apart and remove the seeds. The pith will float, while the seeds sink.  Just remove the pith and drain the seeds. Voilà! A mess-free way of de-seeding a pomegranate.

Last but not least, a delicious host gift. Everyone brings wine, candles, and cookies, but you’ll stand out with this homemade Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark. You can trade out the pistachios for just about any other kind of topping – different nuts and seeds, your favorite candy, shattered peppermints, coconut flakes, dried fruit. Mix and match whatever sounds good. I suggest sticking with the original, and adding a sprinkle of good chili powder if your hosts are fans of spicy food!

Happy Holidays, and we’ll see you in the new year!

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Himmelfarb’s Humanities and Health Collection is much more than a leisure reading collection. These books can provide insight into the lives and experiences of those who have been sick and those who provide care.

book pages

Himmelfarb Library selectively acquires books in the Literature in Medicine genre for its Humanities and Health Collection. The collection is located on the first floor of the library, near the information desk and includes more than 200 titles that can be checked out for up to 9 weeks. 

 

Here’s a sampling of a few of the titles available:

Awdish, Rana. In Shock : My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope . First edition. New York: St. Martin’s Press; 2017. (R154.A93 A3 2017)

Day, Carolyn. Consumptive Chic : a History of Beauty, Fashion, and Disease . London ;: Bloomsbury Academic, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc; 2017. (RA644.T7 D39 2017)

Lerner, Barron H., Lerner, Phillip I. The Good Doctor : a Father, a Son, and the Evolution of Medical Ethics . Boston: Beacon Press; 2014. (R725.5 .L47 2014)

Obreht, Téa. The Tiger’s Wife : a Novel . 1st ed. New York: Random House; 2011. (PS3615 .B73 T54 2011)

Picoult, Jodi. My Sister’s Keeper : a Novel . New York: Washington Square PressBooks; 2006. (PS3566.I372 P53 2004)

Solzheni︠t︡syn, Aleksandr Isaevich. Cancer Ward . New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1968. (PG3488 .O4 R313 1968)

Tweedy, Damon. Black Man in a White Coat : a Doctor’s Reflections on Race and Medicine . First Picador paperback edition. New York: Picador; 2016. (R154.T84 A3 2015)

You can browse the Humanities & Health Collection in the Online Catalog or come into Himmelfarb and browse the physical collection.

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thankfulFeeling stressed about the calories to come? Fear not, for there are abundant ways to eat well and to enjoy the food you make this holiday season. From pumpkin soup to apple salad with figs and almonds, there is no shame in indulging in savory and sweet temptations that don’t break the scale. 

Instead of the fatty foods or dishes smothered in butter, why not reinvent Thanksgiving with something that will not only taste good, but promote healthy eating? The Mayo Clinic has several recipes you can try, like their Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup, Honey Glazed Sweet Potatoes, and a Rustic Apple-Cranberry Tart. These recipes pack flavor that is low in fat and sodium. No need to reach for the stretch pants with these healthy meals!

Regardless of your dietary needs, there is something for everyone, like this low carb Broiled Shrimp with Buttermilk Remoulade from CookingLight, or the vegetarian-friendly Beet Hummus with Blue Cheese and Walnuts. The options are endless.  What hors d’oeuvres, main dishes or desserts will you decide to include on your plate this year?  

To explore additional recipes, please explore these options identified by Himmelfarb Library: 

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