Good Reads (3/17/2014)

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Have some links.

Dana’s List

I found an interesting infographic about the rise of veganism.

Kyle and I are obsessed with my veganzied version of these Rosemary & Pepper Biscuits.

Some interesting facts about caffeine and where most of it really comes from.

The power of a gentle smile.

I really enjoyed reading about the habits of highly creative people. “They observe everything” (my life)

Kyle’s List

I had no idea that BuzzFeed produced any sort of content that wasn’t GIF-laden, 90’s kid nostalgia bait lists like, “34 Herps That Derp”…but then I read this extremely interesting long-form essay about MSG.

Speaking of list-driven pop culture content farms, sad to say that Cracked seems to be past its prime – though maybe I’m just aging out of their target demographic. Like most of his pieces, however, this David Wong joint is a solid read.

Exhibit #3,485,574,612 for always reading up on the details of the actual study, rather than whatever sensationalist/misinterpreted/clickbait headline the media prints.

It’s not much, but at least this is progress in the age-old battle of data versus propaganda.

Bonus video because dogs are awesome.

Good Reads: 3/3/14

Happy Monday!

Side note: anyone remember that Dashboard Confessional song, Hey Girl, from back in the day?

One of my favorite lyrics from it was “The world lives for the weekend.” I never really understood the meaning of that phrase until recently. Step #1745 in becoming an adult.

Enjoy the link’s!

Dana’s List

1. I really enjoyed Mark Bittman’s “Rethinking Our ‘Rights’ to Dangerous Behaviors.” It proposes a unique frame for the processed foods/ obesity debate.

2. Justine Musk continuously inspires me.

3. An interesting article on why moderation is health.

4. This article about the power of hooping & why it’s great for the soul really resonated.

5. As a novice writer (aka engineer trying to write a blog), I loved this.

Kyle’s List

1. This Amtrak promotion is pretty cool.

2. I’m sympathetic to the overall aim of the organic movement, but some skepticism is merited.

3. I always enjoy reading about people who buck convention when it makes all the sense (and dollars..*rimshot*) in the world to do so.

4. I also enjoy reading opinion pieces that are moderate and reasonable in tone, rather than the usual demagoguery.

5. Finally, ewwwwww.

Good Reads: 2/18/14

Hey friends, it’s time for another good reads post. Enjoy!

Dana’s List

Calling all feminists! I loved this reaction piece on xojane to the backwards WSJ opinion piece on “husband hunting.” I especially loved that the author quoted one of my college professors, Dr. Christine Whelan (Pitt students- definitely take her sociology of gender class).

Always on the lookout for more Harry Potter details form J.K.

I really appreciated the apparel designed for us kids who love to stay in.

Cry worthy articles (all good cries! promise):

The power of a single person/ having a friend.

Check out what this amazing Pittsburgh doctor does for the homeless.

Required reading for all dog lovers: Here are 20 essential facts dog lovers must always remember. The last one made me cry so much.

Kyle’s List

This article nicely sums up how I feel about House of Cards. The Doritos analogy is quite apt.

This doesn’t bode well for me, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

If you’ve ever wanted to read 1,500+ words on SpongeBob SquarePants – and who hasn’t? – this is worth your time.

Not really a read, but I liked this enough that I’m going to share with you anyway. So there.

 

Happy Reading!

So tell us, have you read anything good recently?

Good Reads 2/4/14

Time for a another post of recommended reads. Enjoy!

Dana’s List:

I loved this article: There’s something about Pittsburgh. I hate the weather, but I love this place.

I may have actually drooled over this recipe for Red Velvet Waffles.

Sometimes we all need that reminder that, Hey, It’s Ok (side: huge fan of this blog).

The only thing I’d change about the Abbott House is the amount of storage. Maybe these cheap kitchen organizers will help?! I want them all.

Kyle’s List:

No one would mistake me for an environmentalist or a hippie, but lessening our dependence on oil seems pretty practical at this point. To that end, this is an exciting development. Tesla (or its successors) have their work cut out for them, mainly in terms of making their product more affordable.

Like most twentysomething Americans, I learn most of what I know about society’s ills from Cracked articles like this one. As with anything on that site, it should probably be taken with a grain of salt. But still…kinda fucked up, isn’t it?

Speaking of fucked up, how about this?

There were a number of well-written tributes in the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s untimely, major bummer of a death, but this may have been my favorite.

“To all our listeners, this is what I have to say – God bless you all. And as for you bastards in charge, don’t dream it’s over. Years will come, years will go, and politicians will do fuck all to make the world a better place. But all over the world, young men and young women will always dream dreams and put those dreams into song. Nothing important dies tonight, just a few ugly guys on a crappy ship. The only sadness tonight is that, in future years, there’ll be so many fantastic songs that it will not be our privilege to play. But, believe you me, they will still be written, they will still be sung and they will be the wonder of the world.”

Good Reads 1/20/14

Hey friends! It’s time for another Good Reads post. Kyle and I read (possibly) too many internet articles. But some of them are pretty damn interesting. Here’s a list of some of the best reads we’ve come across since out last post.

Kyle’s List

I’ve experienced all of these, but especially #2.

We bought a heavy bag for the house, and I’m going to teach Dana how to box. This was a good primer on how to properly punch.

Bill Murray did an AMA. Everything is awesome.

Welp

FYI: The link above works on Kyle’s computer but not mine. Please let us know in the comments if it works for you! We’ve had quite a debate about it.

Dana’s List

Because we can always use another reason to love Robert Downey Junior.

I love the array of subjects BuzzFeed covers. This photography project is beautiful.

I made a blue velvet cake for my wonderful friend Eva’s birthday. I’ve never seen cake make so many people so happy. I also now know I want to take a cake decorating class.

I am so sad I’m out of peanut butter because I want this Black Magic Peanut Butter by Chocolate Covered Katie right now!

This article made the vegetarian in me very happy: “I was a Vegetarian for 5 Years & Today I Slaughtered a Chicken”. Unrelated: I learned that Betty White and Thom Yorke are vegan.

Via Pinterest

What Thom Yorke has to say about the whole veggie thing in general: “There is enough suffering in the world and if you choose to physically ingest it, then you should at least be aware of what you’re doing rather than assuming that that’s your right as a human being to do it.”

Greatist.com was on fire this month. I hate disposable water bottles and have bought maybe three in the last year. This infographic explains exactly how wasteful they are.

Anyone take a cake decorating class this week?

Did you guys read something good this week?

Good Reads 1/6/14

Let’s be honest here: We all spend a whole lot of time on the internet. And while I’ll be the first to admit most of that time is wasted on Facebook and baby animal pictures, occasionally I come across articles that are awesome or inspiring or just plain hilarious. Not to mention, it is cold as hell outside, so you might as well stayed glued to your computer for a while.

Here are some gems that Kyle and I have read over the past month or so:

Kyle’s List

The first essay I can recall seeing that explains why everyone I know (except my father) loves A Christmas Story.

An interesting look at the effects that technological advances have had on the way we consume media: The Year TV Got Small.

I found the final section to be particularly insightful.

Because, Sam Harris.

Dana’s List

This Ask Polly article really hits the nail on the head for general life advice. Mediocrity is a very real fear. Also, many Walter White references.

Brilliant idea of the week: The Rapid Packing Container. Brought to you by my other half (thank you, Molly). The simplest ideas are the ones that change the world.

I absolutely love this article about the intersection of creativity, authenticity, and feminism.

As usual, BuzzFeed knows where it’s at. We all need more reasons to drink more wine.

Be prepared to drool….

Soup is one of the only redeeming qualities of winter. Sweet Potatoes and grilled cheese are my favorites all the time. This soup combines all these lovely things!

I love the idea of savory cookies. Also, there’s something magical about cookies that are made with a cookie press.

I absolutely need chocolate red wine toffee marshmallows in my life.