(PHOTO COURTESY JONAS TARM PHOTOGRAPHY) PLUS A LITTLE EXTRA FROM US AT THE PENGUIN!

Happy Holidays (And Winter Break) From The Penguin!

THE PENGUINN E C ’ S S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S P A P E R

The time has come! You can put down those textbooks, and put your feet up for a few weeks during break. Plus, we have a nice new issue of The Penguin to accompany you by the fire! At a time when Boston becomes almost intolerably cold, let us warm your hearts with contributions from your fellow students on many topics. If it’s food you like (and let’s face it, that’s really what the holiday season is all about), check out our special vegan recipes on page 9– perfectly green food for a perfectly green issue! Also, check out

David Adewumi’s review of the newest restaurant on the block: Amelia’s Taqueria. Frankie has something to say about smartphones, and Nick has a special holiday wishlist for warmer climes afar. We have an in-depth review of a previous NEC concert from Vivian, and some timely tips for traveling (safely!) with your instrument over the break. Lastly, read Syd’s guidelines for surviving winter with your family! Wherever you’ll be this break, we hope it’s a good one. We’ll be thinking of you, and can’t wait to see you all in the new year! Happy Holidays, everyone!

PLACES WE’D RATHER BE THAN

BOSTON THIS WINTER

RESTAURANT REVIEW: AMELIA’S TAQUERIA

FLYING WITH INSTRUMENTS

WHAT’S LIFE LIKE WITHOUT A SMARTPHONE?

VEGANISM 101 & VEGAN

COMFORT FOOD!

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ISSUE 64 DECEMBER 9, 2014

(PHOTO COURTESY AYANO TOMIOKA)

penguin CULTUREOn Phones And Trains And ... by FRANKIE YU

Second-year MM Trombone ... WE WONDER IF YOU’RE EVEN READING THIS RIGHT NOW

If you are a modern day person, the above scene will no doubt be familiar to you (unless you were too busy looking at your phone to notice)! I, of course, am guilty of doing this myself, and it has been a subject that I have been thinking about a lot lately. It’s staggering how much these little machines have taken over our lives. On the train or bus, in class, in our practice rooms, during meals … they are everywhere! On the plus side, we have access to nearly whatever we want, whenever we want at the tip of our fingers: email, news alerts, last minute subs for ensembles … anything! And we’ve certainly come a long way in terms of technology (I still remember my first “Nokia brick phone”). However, I some-times feel like these little things have intruded on our lives where they shouldn’t. I have often seen friends or couples out

to dinner where both are on their phones, or– sadder still– one is on the phone while the other sits quietly waiting. I’ve seen this with parents, too - one (or both) parents gazing at a phone while the child sits blankly staring. Now that we can instantly occupy ourselves with our headphones or games or email or social media we end up going from one thing to another thing without a mental pause. How many of us have found that we reach the end of the day and feel as though we haven’t had a break? Or we reach our destination on the T and feel like our head is so scrambled and focused on email that we can’t quite remember where we’re going? Is it just me? Maybe it’s that time of the year and I’m losing my mind, but I think it’s mostly that I have forgotten how to take advantage of these small breaks throughout the day. We have to remember how to use

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by DAVID ADEWUMIThird-year BM Trumpet

Oh the nights we spent together, Cappy’s II. Why did you leave me when I needed you most? After two loving years of delicious pizza you ripped the crust right from under my tongue, and took it with you to the great beyond. I will always love you and cherish you, oh Buffalo Chicken Slice. Now that you have gone, I must confess to you: I have de-filed my tongue with the horrid House Of Pizza, your mortal enemy. Forgive me, oh Cappy’s. I have done wrong in your sight. I do it only because they have pizza, the fruit of the gods, however their pizza will never compare to yours. But rest assured that I will meet you again, Cappy’s, when I walk to the cornerof Hemenway and Westland. As the months since you left went on I had no place to eat, hunger reigned supreme in my stomach. Nothing, not even Bistro 33 could satisfy my mind, soul, and body like Cappy’s could. Yet there was a glimmer of hope. Out of the ruins of the beloved Cappy’s II (may she live forever in our hearts) came a restaurant only plebeians would enter– Amelia’s Taqueria. I only crossed that threshold in a nostal-gic quest to feel the gentle caress of the pizza slice once again. The restaurant was adorned with fine artifacts of a Latin American influence. I noticed the music had the same spirit, so I came to the conclusion that I was indeed in a Lat-in American restaurant. I approached the front counter and asked “WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EDIBLE DELIGHT?” The server gave me a look that only a cat can give to a vacu-um, “Eeeh, everything is soooooo good here. Ummmm, you try any burrito.” Succumbing both to my hunger and my curiosity, I got both a Chile Verde Pork Burrito and a Steak Torta.

After Free Boloco day, which for me had turned into “Free Boloco three days in a row and scoring multiple free Chipotle coupons” day, I am no stranger to eating the delights of the burrito kind. But there was something that intrigued me about this Chile Verde Pork Burrito specifically. The white tortilla, steamed before assembly, was quickly adhered to by the monterey jack cheese. Given the choice between white and brown rice, I choose the white which was the perfect resting place for the Chile Verde Pork that was layered on in big servings– clearly marinated and slow roasted for several hours. Then came the typical accou-trements: lettuce, tomato and guacamole, the guacamole being the standout (obviously) and seasoned perfectly. As the flavors started to sing and dance with each other they sent my senses to the 7th dimension. If there IS an ultimate feeling of pleasure it would be found in the tortilla of Amelia’s. The Torta was equally delicious, like a Mexican hogie. The bread was fried for a few minutes on the grill, and then loaded with cheese and steak with your choice of veggies. The end result was a two-handed, filling, and delicious meal that I look forward to eating again. And there in that restaurant, with the music of “La Bamba” play-ing in the background, I found something that was lacking in the burritos of Boloco and Chipotle– It was the spirit of Cappy’s II. Though Cappy’s II has departed, her spirit lives on in Amelia’s. And here’s to hoping she will be with us for the rest of our college lives. If tomorrow morning you too find yourself distraught over the loss of Cappy’s II, then go to Amelia’s and you’ll discover that Cappy’s truly is always with us.

our free moments to unwind and re-gather ourselves before diving right back into the thick of things. I have found that in my quest to avoid my phone, engaging in conversation with people in my surrounding area is actually … kind of fun. For example, I was just in Whole Foods and exchanged recipes with a woman while we stood picking green beans! Talking to other people isn’t necessary, but my discovery has been that simply taking part in and connecting with my surroundings has helped me feel more in control of what I am doing. And in that, it has also

given me the simple and unexpected pleasure of engaging in short conversations with strangers. We spend so much time in the practice room, it’s good for us to get some human in-teraction! Besides, there are so many people in this city that chances are you won’t see them again. Even this past break, just a simple “Happy Thanksgiving!” at the checkout or as I leave a store has some how lightened my own mood. So my advice is to get out there and participate in your surroundings. Just try it, you might find you like it.

Amelia’s: Cappy’s ReincarnateDAVID REVIEW’S HUNTINGTON’S NEWEST RESTAURANT

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Boarding AnxietyHELPFUL TIPS ABOUTS FLYING WITH YOUR INSTRUMENT

by ANDREW NISSENSecond-year GD Trombone

Unless you’re lucky enough to play an instrument that can be neatly fitted into a small bag (I’m looking at you, flutists and hand cym-bal players!), the prospect of simply boarding a plane with your livelihood and constant partner can be a little nerve-wracking. Of course, if you play the cello it’s not as much nerve-wracking as it can be wallet-emptying being forced to pay for an extra seat. If you don’t play those instruments, but still suffer from “boarding anxiety” never fear, though. By necessity, I happen to be widely traveled (that 36 hour trip from Australia isn’t getting any shorter) and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way to ensure your baby always gets on board with you and you can rest easy.

Research the airline you’re flying with.This is essential. Every airline is different and every country has a different regulating body that sets guidelines for flying. In the U.S., this is the FAA. In Europe, the EASA. In Australia, the CASA etc. These regulating bodies all have guidelines around musical instruments and airlines should follow them, but inevita-bly people face opposition from particular airlines and locations. There are airlines I never fly with any more, usually because of negative experiences with them in the past. Print out the relevant sections of the law so you can have it on hand if you get any grief at the gate.

Know what kind of plane you are traveling on.Believe it or not, my trombone case is linearly shorter than a guitar case. This helps greatly when challenged by attendants at the gate who are measuring me up by eye! Know which planes may not fit your instru-ment at all (for me this is usually an Embraer 190 or smaller). In the cases it may not fit in the overhead, you can always kindly ask for your instrument to be stored in the coat closet at the front of the plane.

If you can afford it, pay for early boarding privileges.Being a musician, you’ve probably checked your luggage for a fee already. It would be expensive– and risky– to also check your instrument. It can be annoying, then, when you turn up to the boarding gate and every other person has a roller-board seemingly about to burst at the seams, and they’ll do anything to squish that baby into an open overhead compartment. I find it necessary to board as early as possible in these cases. Most airlines charge a small fee for “earlybird” check-in and boarding privileges. Southwest charges $12.50 for this (a bargain), and the beauty of Southwest is that once you’ve boarded the plane

and put your instrument in the overhead, you can sit wherever you like!

Be kind. Be open. Smile!It may sound obvious, but most people are not themselves while traveling. We seem to think that the plane is going to leave without us unless we act like jerks, sometimes. However, the best way to act (away from airports, too!) is with a gentle

assertiveness and happy disposition. Explain to anyone who questions you that you travel with your

instrument everywhere you go. Assure the gate agent that it will fit in the overhead.

Thank them for their concern, and do what you can to make them trust you fully. Gate agents encounter some pretty stressed people, so the more you convince them you’re in control of your situation the more they are inclined to treat you well.

If all else fails, gate check!This is only a practical solution for

those of us who play metal instruments, unfortunately. Because of the temperature and

pressure changes in the luggage cabins, I’d be wary of putting a delicate string (and woodwind, in some cases) instrument underneath. Still, I’ve found it a helpful option to have available, and have never, ever endured damage because of it. When you date check, your item is the last to go on the plane and the first to come off!

Everyone’s experience will be different, but with the amount of stamps my passport has accrued over the years compared to the level of damage my instrument has (literally none from flying), I’m confident that these techniques have helped make my flying experience less stressful. Now, I just have to figure out how to get more leg room … Have a great break, everyone!

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EXTENDED FAMILYProbably the most affronting part of break. For those of you with a weird Uncle Ernie who are looking for an easy way out, you’ve come to the right place!

• Tattoo Nicholas Cage’s face on your face to give the illusion that you are not there. You’d be surprised how little anyone wants to talk to you!

• Only respond to nosy questions with Nickleback quotes. Again, you’ll be left alone quite nicely. WARNING: Do not listen to any Nickleback to achieve this goal. You may be sucked into the vortex and rendered unsalvageable.

• Knit yourself a cocoon. Hide in the cocoon. Live in the cocoon. Love the cocoon. If you don’t know how to knit: learn.

FAILUREWith all the pressure of acing your classes and triumphing through performance after performance, the imminent threat of doom seems closer and closer to your mortal form. Consider these alternatives to panicking:

• Start a cult. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much better life becomes with a hoard of loyal followers. They’ll bring you coffee. They’ll bring you joy.

• Hide your tears with Botox. Legitimately get Botox. Too much Botox. An endless stream of Botox. Your friends and family may seem concerned about your new plasticized face…but at least you won’t be crying into your egg nog in front of Grandma Susan.

• Pay better attention to how poorly your compatriots are doing. When you better notice the plights of your peers, your own struggles seem like child’s play.

FINALSThe word brings utter terror. But standardized testing in musical academia is not the end of the world! Especially when you have so many options for pushing through till break:

• Remove yourself from this earthly plain of existence. If you simply catapult yourself into space, you’ll find that finals are the least of your worries.

• Get thee to a nunnery. Nuns/monks have no finals.• Take up yodeling. Not only will teachers get so horrendously annoyed that they won’t make you sit for a final exam, but

you’ll also be relieved of any duties at this school seeing as you’ll most likely be removed from the premises.

See? It isn’t all bad. Another alternative to these excellent suggestions is doing the work. I don’t recommend this path. It is dark and desolate. But the results are more along the lines of what your parents would prefer. Hang in there, kiddos. The cocoon is calling, and soon your fears will all be allayed by a shroud of snow and sleep. Let Netflix carry you away into tomorrow. #nunlife2014.

Surviving the HolidaysAVOIDING QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR DISTANT RELATIVES AND MUCH MORE

With winter comes great responsibility. Such responsibility comes in different forms, but always yields the same result: panic. The sight of snow heralds in finals, family, and failure, and none of these can possibly bode well for the bundled up balls of stress we have all become. To regulate your stress, I have compiled a list of helpful tips and tricks to make it through break without setting fire to your music binders.

by SYD RVINSKYSecond-year BM Voice

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The days are growing shorter and the thermostats are plummeting here in the arctic tundra of NEC. “Fall” semester can no longer be described accurately by its name. It feels like Jack Frost has taken us in his ic—alright, no s-s-simile can describe how c-c-c-cold the winter feels already. Inspired by a recent excursion to sunny California for an audition, here are five places I’d rather be during the winter than Boston.

I wouldn’t trade the atmosphere around NEC in the wintertime for anything, but if Boston had a little less chilly climate, I wouldn’t complain. Stay warm, everybody.

Cape Town, South Africa Average High Temp in December: 77°FIt’s clear that the Southern Hemisphere is the place to be, with Cape Town rounding out our carefully constructed list of random warm places. Cape Town is No. 1 on the list “52 Places to Go in 2014” by the New York Times, who affirm that the city is in the midst of a renaissance brought on by a revitalized celebration of art and design. Thrill seekers can ride the zipline over nearby Constantia, and oenophiles can rejoice in the wineries outside of the city.

San Diego, California Average High Temp in December: 65°FSan Diego is home to some of the world’s most consistently beautiful weather. You can bet good money that on any given day this week, you can go outside in a T-shirt, sip a cold drink, and not see a cloud in the sky. The homes are beautiful, the beaches pristine, and the people are warm and friendly. The San Diego Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals, diversified across 800 different species. Can’t make it to SD? You can still keep an eye on the Zoo’s koala exhibit right here: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/koalafornia/koalacam.html

New Orleans, Louisiana Average High Temp in December: 64°FThis time of year, the jazz scene in up here is cool—a little too cool. I’d rather be in the birthplace of blues than buried in a blizzard. The land of po’ boys, gumbo, and red beans and rice must feel like paradise right now compared to the icy bite of Mas-sachusetts. Good food and good music are never hard to find; the sheer amount of culture is downright inspiring. As they say in Louisiana, “Let the good times roll” right on down to New Orleans.

Brisbane, Australia Average High Temp in December: 82°FWhile we’re freezing our tails off up here, Australia is basking in the glorious light of summer. Rude, Australia. The capital of Queensland’s gorgeous scenery features beautiful parks and a picturesque coastline to explore, but really, anything’s better than looking at last week’s snow not melting on the sidewalk. You can even catch a cricket match at Woolloongabba– worth the visit for its name alone. I’d give my finest boomerang to spend December down under.

Orlando, Florida Average High Temp in December: 73°FTwo words: Disney World. Who wouldn’t want to take a break from end-of-semester stress to hang out with Mickey Mouse and his buddies? In addition to Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando features fun theme parks like Sea World® Orlando, Discovery Cove®, and Universal Studios Florida®, where you can enjoy rides based on your favorite movies. Although more humid than San Diego, Orlando’s weather remains nice and balmy even as prime “crack season” for woodwind players descends upon Boston.

Escaping the ColdYOUR TRAVEL GUIDE FOR DECEMBER 2014

by NICK TISHERMANThird-year BM Oboe

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Symphonies In C by VIVIAN BUCHANANThird-year BM Voice

A CONCERT REVIEW OF THE PHILHARMONIA 2 CYCLENEC’s October Philharmonia concert featured symphonies by Mozart, Stravinsky, and Bizet. These three symphonies share a common tonality: C Major. Through this similarity, the listener had the chance to observe how each composer treated the tonality in the context of the classical symphony. The Philharmonia gave a brilliant and refreshing rendition of these works through their rhyth-mic precision and dynamic contrast. Mozart’s Symphony No. 28 was a charming introduction to the evening. Devoid of the intricacies of Stravinsky, this purely classical symphony serves as the standard foundation for the two later symphonies. The intimacy and unity of this smaller orchestra is evident when compared with the much larger orchestra employed by Stravinsky. The strings beautifully contrast the lyricism of the Andante with the marcato articulations of the Menuetto Allegro. Overall, this simple symphony was wonderfully executed and was thoroughly enjoyable. After the standard Mozartian symphony, I found it interest-ing to see how one of the masters of twentieth century music treat-ed the same genre. Although standard in its use of the classical four-movement symphonic structure, abrupt transitions from section to section are reminiscent of Stravinsky’s earlier works. Referring to the frequent modulation to related keys and the extensive use of first inversion chords, John Heiss said that this symphony “...should be called ‘Symphony in C and all its Neighbors.’” This symphony has been compared to a Cubist painting; the correct passages are all present and in their proper places, but they are viewed from disjoint angles, just as Picasso placed all the features of his paintings in their correct positions, but all are seen from different perspectives. I found the Philharmonia’s performance of Stravinsky’s neo-classic Symphony in C fresh, energized, and youthful. In particular, an extremely talented woodwinds and brass section made this symphony very effective. Each section perfectly grasped the crisp articulations that Stravinsky is famous for. The virtuosic bassoon tremolos in the Allegretto, reminiscent of Stravinsky’s Oc-tet for Wind Instruments, were perfectly executed. While the horn section struggled with certain passages, I was very impressed with the clean, piercing precision of the principal trumpet, Justin Kohan. Overall, I found that the orchestra’s strongest moments were when the rhythms were crisp and staccato. Here they were able to demonstrate their excellent musicianship and accuracy. The

slower, more legato movements however, seemed to be lacking in energy, and often not together. In the fourth movement, the violins raced ahead of the cellos and basses. It was surprising how the orchestra flawlessly tackled complex metric changes and syncopa-tions in the third movement, yet struggled with the comparatively simple rhythms and tempos of the second movement. Overall though, the energy and vibrancy of the orchestra paid excellent homage to Stravinsky’s great experiment in neo-classicism. Written in 1855, over twenty years after Berlioz had forever changed orchestral language and thirty years after Bee-thoven had shattered the archetypal classical symphonic form with his ninth symphony, Bizet’s Symphony in C reverts back to an outdated and pre-historic art form with no originality of his own to contribute. Understandably, this piece was written as a student exercise and in clear imitation of a historical style. It is certainly impressive when considering that it was written by a 17-year-old, and shows great talent in melodic invention, thematic handling, and orchestration. However, in the presence of masterpieces like Stravinsky’s Symphony in C as well as Mozart’s, Bizet’s symphony deserves no place in the standard repertoire. With these limitations in mind, I think that the Philharmo-nia did an exciting a job in their interpretation. After the fierce articulations and extreme dynamic contrasts of the Stravinsky, it was impressive to see the equally gentle restraint that the orchestra used in handling the lyrical passages of this symphony. The oboe solo in the adagio, played by Elizabeth O’Neil, was beautifully executed and varied every time she repeated it. The strings sumptu-ously displayed their innate lyricism in Bizet’s flowing melodies. I did find however, that the violins again raced ahead of the orches-tra at the beginning of the finale. In my opinion, the woodwinds again dominated the orchestra with their clean articulation and musicality. Although I remain unconvinced that the C major theme jus-tified grouping Bizet with Mozart and Stravinsky, I was thoroughly impressed by the Philharmonia’s nearly flawless performances of these three pieces. It was indeed interesting to see these three composers’ different approaches to the same tonality, while still maintaining the “Classical” approach. I left Jordan Hall with a great respect for my fellow classmates who performed that night, and I can’t wait to see how this orchestra faces new challenges in the coming concerts.

If you have an NEC concert you’ve reviewed, send it in to thepenguin@necmusic.edu! We’d love to include your voice in our future issues, and it’s always great to see our amazing NEC concerts get more press!

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penguin RECIPES

Do you eat grass? How do you get protein? Do you miss meat? What about cheese?? PIZZA??!?!?? These are just a few of the many questions that I frequently get blasted with when I drop the bomb that *GASP* I’m vegan! At this point in the interrogation, shock and horror are plastered across the person’s face as if they literally cannot comprehend how living without consuming animals or animal byproducts could be pos-sible. (Psssst! It is.) Having been vegan for over a year now, I’ve learned to handle these situations with lightheartedness, and a nonjudgmental attitude. I quickly retaliate with, “Grass is my favorite! It’s actually my go-to snack! How did you know?” In all seriousness though, there are so many miscon-ceptions about leading a vegan lifestyle. I am here to break the barriers between the omnivores and herbivores so that you too can become more knowledgeable about veganism along with ways to incorporate aspects of it into your life.

Misconception 1: Vegans are all dirty, smelly, hippies.We walk around with no shoes on. We are laden with the smells of mother Earth (i.e. haven’t showered since God knows when). We climb trees to pick all the fruit for sustenance (okay, I’ll admit the 5 year old in me thinks this sounds awesome). We drive hippie-mobiles. This equates to some sort of broken down Volkswagon from the 80’s or earlier, a bike, or the be-loved station wagon. What is deodorant? I’m pretty sure I’ve never done any of these things, and if I have, I’m a little upset that no one ever told me that I smell. Aren’t friends there to tell you the cold, hard truth that you stink? Just because someone is vegan does not mean that they are a hippie. I like to think that many vegans are just strongly connected to the Earth, see-ing as all of our food comes directly from it. We are also very concerned with our health, the environment, and animals. We also shower! Or at least I think I showered today …

Misconception 2: We don’t get enough protein. This will forever be an issue for all vegans and vegetarians, it seems. It is by far the most frequent question I receive (And the absolute most annoying one)! I do, in fact, get more than enough protein. Shocker!! There are many vegan foods that one would consider a “protein.” I tend to dislike this saying be-cause, in actuality, a food doesn’t have to fit in the little protein box on the food pyramid to have protein in it. Again, I know you must be shocked! Meat isn’t the only food with protein in it. In fact, every food has some amount of protein in it (even vegetables and fruits)! A few of the foods that I enjoy that are considered high in protein are: quinoa, tempeh (compressed soy beans), beans, legumes, tofu, and avocado. There are many different forms of a vegan diet, and consequently differ-ent ways to rack up protein. I personally try to eat high quanti-ties of lower protein food such as fruits and vegetables. In the end, I always end up with more than enough protein. From this lifestyle I always enjoy the benefits of never feeling lethar-gic after I eat, or lacking energy. Living food = a live body!

Misconception 3: We can never go out to eat. Ever. It’s true. Whenever people drag me along to go out to eat with them, I usually have to wait outside the restaurant until they’re finished. It gets a little cold in the winter ... but there’s nothing in those meat and dairy filled restaurants for me. This statement so far fetched I can’t even. Yes, I’m that basic girl that ‘can’t even’ when it comes to this topic. Oops! In the past year and a half I have eaten at each and every restaurant people have suggested we go to. I have never gone hungry (mostly because people feel the wrath of my h-anger and want to make that stop as quickly as possible). Of course there have been times when my order didn’t come out as I specifically requested, but no one has ever been rude about fixing it, and

by TAYLOR BLANTONThird-year BM TromboneVeganism 101

KEEPING WITH OUR GREEN COVER, LET’S TALK GREEN FOODS!

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in the end I have always left happy. Most restaurants will cater to me and let me sort of make my own meal, or I just modify a vegetarian dish to be cooked vegan. Also, shout out to all the amazing waiters who have endured me giving semi-complicat-ed orders every now and then. HOLLER!

Misconception 4: It’s a diet. WRONG WRONG WRONGITY WRONG. Diets don’t work. Or at least if they work, it’s only temporary. If you’re trying to be vegan to lose those few pounds before winter break just so that you can go all out on that holiday food (who’s to blame you? Those little Pillsbury cookies in the shapes of every holiday-related objects are like crack), maybe do some recon-sidering. I am all in favor for being vegan for any amount of time, even if just for a day! However, it should be about what you will gain in health, and not lose in weight. Veganism is a lifestyle for me. Not only do I know that I am putting whole foods into my body, but I’m also helping animals and the envi-ronment. I will be the first to admit that it is a challenge. BUT, it gets much easier. This lifestyle has made me rethink everything that goes into my mouth. Instead of, “How many calories are in this Oreo?”, I now think “How many GMOs and preserva-

tives are in this Oreo?” (They’re vegan, btw)! I have limited my intake of processed, nonorganic foods (even vegan foods). I have replaced diet soda with more water. This is all due to my lifestyle choice, not because I’m on a diet.

How can YOU incorporate the vegan diet into your life? You can do it! YES, YOU.Whether you have an omnivorous or vegetarian diet, there are always ways that you can incorporate veganism into your life. Many people across the US take place in a little something called Meatless Monday. This is one day week that you eat no meat. Save that bacon for Tuesday or Wednesday … or any of the other days of the week, but on Mondays it’s “facon”. This is a great way to test what being a vegetarian for a day feels like! If you’re really feeling daring cut out dairy as well. You could also do the opposite and cut out dairy and not meat. Dairyless Monday! The lack of alliteration is lame, but oh well. If you’re one of those people that ‘can’t even,’ then just try to incorporate maybe one dinner or lunch that is vegetarian or vegan. Along with these options, anyone can include more fruits or vegetables into their diet. ANYONE.

VEGAN COMFORT FOODSSince the Holidays are coming up I thought I’d give you a few of my favorite comfort foods but veganized for those Meatless Mondays we talked about. Remember that? Okay, good.

Vegan Chocolate Chip CookiesI’d like to say that these cookies have been approved by literally everyone who has eaten one... I mean five.

2/3 cup plus 1/2 cup flour1/4 tsp salt1/2 tsp baking soda4 tbsp coconut sugar (brown sugar also works)4 tbsp white sugaras many vegan chocolate chips as your little heart desires. (Dark chocolate is usually vegan, just check the ingredients!)1 tsp pure vanilla extract2 tbsp melted coconut or vegetable oil3-5 tbsp non dairy milk of choice, as needed

Preheat oven to 380 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients and mix very well. Add wet, and form into a big ball. Now make little balls from the big one. For soft cookies, refrigerate until cold (otherwise, just bake right away). Bake 7 minutes, or until they’ve spread out and look just a little undercooked. Remove from oven when they’re still a little undercooked, then it’s important to let cookies cool at least 10 minutes before trying to remove from tray, as they’ll continue to cook while cooling. For soft cookies, store in a lidded plastic container. For crispy cookies, store in a lidded glass container.

*TIP: Because there are no raw eggs in this vegan cookie dough, please feel free to eat it straight out of the bowl. You know you want to...

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Vegan PancakesThese pancakes are the way to my heart. Every girl deserves a fluffy, vegan pancake.

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I like using half wheat and half all-purpose. Trust me, it’s better.)2 tbsp white sugar2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt1 1/4 cups water1 tbsp oil

Step 1 Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk the water and oil together in a small bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour in the wet. Stir just until blended; mixture will be lumpy.Step 2 Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the griddle, and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry. Flip, and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.Step 3 Have a great rest of the day, which you will because you just started your day with pancakes.

Vegan Mac N CheeseBetter watch your back Kraft!

1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions1/2 cup vegan butter (Earth Balance brand is my favorite)1/3 cup all purpose flour1/2 cup nutritional yeast (This is the ingredient that gives it a cheesy flavor. It’s available at Whole Foods) 3 cups non dairy milk (Almond or soy would work great!)2 tsp salt2 tbsp tomato paste1 tsp garlic powder1 tbsp lemon juice1 tbsp agave nectar (or honey)

Step 1 Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and return to the pot.Step 2 While the pasta is cooking, in a medium saucepan head the vegan butter until melted. Add the all purpose flour and whisk. Allow to cook, whisking frequently, for a few minutes until a roux is formed. Step 3 Add the non dairy milk, nutritional yeast, salt, tomato paste, and garlic powder and bring to a boil. Lower he heat and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is nicely thick-ened to the consistency of cheese sauce. Add the lemon juice and agave nectar and stir.Step 4 Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir to incorporate. Step 5 Immediately enjoy that pot of vegan, cheesy goodness.

Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share with the NEC community? We’re always looking to expand our culinary horizons. Get in touch with us at thepenguin@necmusic.edu, and we’ll feature

it in a future issue!

10 DECEMBER 9, 2014

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