Features
4
Feb. 9, 2022
The Runner
Avocado toast provides a fresh bite By Alexis Shofner Staff Writer If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then it should be a meal you enjoy. This loaded avocado toast is the perfect balance of fresh and savory and looks like a highclass vegan café meal without being overpriced. It’s a quick, filling, and easily customizable dish to start your day. Yields: 1-2 servings Prep time: 3-5 min Cook time: 7 min Total time: 10-12 min Ingredients: - Garlic Sourdough bread - 1 large avocado - Garlic salt, to taste - Pepper, to taste - Pinch of paprika - Baby Bella mushrooms - Cherry tomatoes - 2 cloves of garlic - Olive oil Optional Toppings: - Salsa or Hot Sauce - Vegan queso fresco - Micro Sprouts Directions: Prepare the veggies by mincing 2 cloves of garlic, slicing the Baby Bella mushrooms, and
Photos by Alexis Shofner/ The Runner
cutting the Cherry tomatoes into halves. After preparing the veggies, add olive oil to a pan over low heat and toss in the mushroom slices. Sauté the mushrooms for about 2 minutes before adding in the minced garlic, garlic salt,
pepper, and paprika (each seasoning to taste). At this point, pop the bread of your choice (garlic sourdough was used for this recipe) into the toaster so that it will be ready by the time the veggies are done cooking. Continue to sauté the mush-
rooms and garlic for another 5 minutes until they are soft and fragrant before cutting the heat. Now it’s time to plate. Cut the avocado open and smash it directly on to the toast and sprinkle on a pinch of garlic salt and pepper before adding the Cherry tomato halves.
Place the mushroom and garlic mixture on top followed by sprouts, salsa, and queso fresco (all toppings are of course optional and customizable). Eat immediately and enjoy this simple-yet-delicious meal.
By Victoria Cipres Special to the Runner
nick-nacks. They sell them in a single or two tier with a starting price of $8 at both Walmart and Amazon. Another multipurpose item that can come handle is a rolling cart! Many people use these for their art supplies, but this can be used for other things as well. If living in a small space, this can be used to store books, laptops/iPads, cups, bathroom supplies, cleaning supplies, the possibilities are truly endless. A rolling cart is a huge space saver and since it has wheels, it’s easy to move around to where you need it to be. On Amazon there is a Greensen 3 Tier All-Metal Rolling Cart that starts at $28.99, but it comes a coupon to save 15% on the item! When it comes to those late-night study sessions, it can be hard to stay focus and feel motivated to do it. Your study space should be a place where you have very little clutter and all the things you need can be in arms reach. What has helped the most is purchasing a desk bookshelf. This item is also multipurpose, and some can also be stored in different ways, such as being stood either on its side or bottom so it can fit the space you need it for. With the desk bookshelf
you can store your books, writing needs, coffee cups, mini speakers, small plants, and of course candles. The PENGKE Office Storage Rack is only $17.99 on Amazon but there are other options as well that range from $18-$25. Finally, the perfect lighting can change and create a whole different mood. Being in a lecture or working where there are fluorescent lights can be hard on your eyes and mind. LED lights are a great alternative for your study space. They come in a variety of forms, such as strips, curtain lights, and bars. With these you can change the color that best fits your mood. At Walmart, they start as low as $4.88. A personal favorite is the auruaLED Multicolor LED Light Bar for $9.97 at Walmart. It can be placed up right on the stand or can be placed behind your desk bookshelf. You can change the color and intensity of the light with a remote or an app on your phone. Your study space should be a place to relax and focus. To achieve that, it all starts on the way you surround and decorate your space so you can have a successful semester and have it become a comfort zone as well.
How to create a study space on a budget
Canva Illustration by Marlene Garcia/ The Runner
Life as a college student is both exciting and daunting. There are so many things that need to be done such as buying books, school supplies, and of course clothing items to wear. One thing that may seem not as important is the way one decorates their dorm or room. This may seem frivolous, but the way you decorate the space around really helps when it comes to studying and relaxing after a long day of lectures and work. Here are some tips and ideas to create a tranquil and zen space, especially during late night study sessions, and on a budget of no more than $30. Life can get messy fast, but that doesn’t mean your studying space should. Some organizers can get pricey. Look first at any clearance section at your local Target or Walmart. Organizers can also have a multipurpose use as well. One that has become a favorite in my collection is a Lazy Susan or a spinning turntable. Normally, this item is used for spices and kitchen items, but it can also be used to store and organizes your school supplies such as writing utensils, sticky notes, and other