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JUNE 2016 MAY 2016
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NOURRIR STAFF FOUNDER AND CHIEF EDITOR
Freya Boulakbeche freya@nourrirmag.com CONTENT EDITOR
Justin Hickman media@nourrirmag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Erin Smith, Fatima Olive, David Yusefzadeh, Catherine Franklin, Laura Buccieri, and Don Yeager ON THE COVER
Nicole Musselman cover photo by Marc Montoya, Koch lookbook photos by Yesi Fortuna and others by Tomboy KC SUBSCRIPTIONS
Media@nourrirmag.com www.nourrirmag.com
NOURRIR’S MISSION STATEMENT Nourrir, the French word meaning “to nourish” is a multi-media lifestyle magazine designed to feed all five of the senses - sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. We will feature food, fashion, travel, current events and women who inspire us. We don’t want to tell women how they are supposed to be, we want to give them information that will support their path, today. With commitment to responsive and insightful storytelling, and a keen and fresh editorial eye, Nourrir dares women to not only be good enough, but exceptional. We believe in you.
media@nourrirmag.com
facebook.com/nourrirmag
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@nourrir_mag
@nourrir_mag
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NOURRIR CONTENTS
STAFF
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EDITOR’S LETTER
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CONTRIBUTORS
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NOURRIR MONTREAL
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TWO BUDGETS 10 LUSTS & MUSTS
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NOURRIR INSPIRATION
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SPOTLIGHT
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NOURRIR BEAUTY
27
NOURRIR TABLE
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FINAL THOUGHTS
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EDITOR’S LETTER June heralds summer’s arrival. All things once dormant have bloomed in the Northern Hemisphere: leaves fully formed sway, grass needs mowing, lilacs intoxicate the day, the sun sets later and people, humans, have come outside in swarms. Welcome to Nourrir Edition 8: Summer Loving. Summer days of bike riding, bbq’s, best friends are the stuff of Winter’s fantasy; Summer nights of lazy wind, humidity, head moving to the sounds of Bob Marley or Prince, the stuff of rejuvenation. Today though, as I write this, I am stuck in France; Montpellier to be precise. Stuck is imprecise, rather my flight is delayed due to AirFrance being currently on strike. What a great opportunity to slow down, write out a few thoughts, and prepare for whatever comes next. This European trip offered plenty of opportunities to make new contacts, find inspiration for future editions, and solidify the continued desire for what we are offering you at Nourrir! June we take our hats off to Nicole Musselman, creator, designer, CEO, phenom of Koch Ready-to-Wear and cover! We are so lucky to be able to feature Nicole’s story, and share with you the behind the scenes as well as the final product. To build a empire of one, with love, passion, and taste feels like a breeze when you slip on a silk blouse from her line. We can be assured, the on-going path to creation remains fraught with fun, paper cuts, and fabric clippings! Also, let’s welcome back Fatima Olive. Her luscious make-up artistry shows us another way to enjoy freshening our look in accordance with the changing seasons. Nourrir also welcomes a couple new contributors: Catherine Franklin, a francophile living between, New Hampshire, Paris, Maine and Montreal; Don Yeager, A 5X New York Times Bestseller, Inspirational Speaker, Sports heavy weight and creator of the 16 Qualities of Greatness. I am so excited to share this edition with you. Please share you favorite summer relaxation spot, summer outfit, summer reading or other summer stuff with us on our FaceBook page!
Freya C h i e f E d i t o r, Fo u n d e r
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CONTRIBUTORS FATI M A O LI V E Fatima Olive is a freelance editorial makeup & hair artist. Her career spans a broad spectrum of the beauty industry from consulting with cosmetic companies to developing products, as well as writing about beauty. At the heart of it, Fatima is a beauty pragmatic - a woman who loves showing other women how to look their best with great products and simple techniques
DON YAEG ER Don Yaeger is a nationally acclaimed inspirational speaker, longtime Associate Editor of Sports Illustrated and author of 24 books, nine of which have become New York Times Best-sellers. He began his career at the San Antonio (TX) Light and also worked at the Dallas Morning News and the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville before going to work for Sports Illustrated. As an author, Don has written books with, among others, Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden, baseball legends John Smoltz and Tug McGraw and football stars Warrick Dunn and Michael Oher (featured in the movie The Blind Side). He teamed with Fox News anchor Brian Kilmeade to pen the 2013 best-seller “George Washington’s Secret Six,” a look at the citizen spy ring that helped win the Revolutionary War and then again in 2015 writing Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War that Changed American History. Don left Sports Illustrated in 2008 to pursue a public speaking career that has allowed him to share stories learned from the greatest winners of our generation with audiences as diverse as Fortune 10 companies to cancer survivor groups, where he shares his personal story. More than a quarter-million people have heard his discussions on “What Makes The Great Ones Great.” He has also built corporate programs on lessons from Great sporting franchises on building Cultures of Success. Learn more at www.donyaeger.com or contact don at don@donyaeger.com ERIN SMITH Erin possesses a dry humor, mixed with keen human understanding that makes her one of the funniest people we know. These qualities certainly are rare when combined. With her journalism degree in hand, Erin stands above the fray by avoiding mockery while evoking connection. Erin is also our beloved “staff writer”, “editor at large”, and friend. She is a woman wearing many hats, as so many of us do. In edition 8, she brings to light Nicole’s and KOCH’s story.
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CONTRIBUTORS C ATH ERIN E FR A N K LIN Catherine believes that we are all artists, each with our own specific talent and story to tell. She is obsessed with food, art, design, people and philosophy as well as the effects these things have on each other and our envirnment. Catherine is known to say “If we all act from a place of fearless love, it will lead us in the right direction.”
DAVID YUSEFZADEH David is the Executive Chef of Radish in Chicago. Radish creates healthy, ready to eat food on demand with a menu that changes daily. He has spent the last 16 years working in kitchens from Hong Kong to Boston to Chicago. He’s a graduate from Johnson & Whales University and the University of Minnesota in Food Science and Nutrition.
LAURA BUCCIERI Laura lives in New York City where she is currently getting her MFA in Poetry at The New School. Traveling is one of her biggest loves. Her mom started taking her all over the world when she was young, and that same wanderlust is now engrained in her. She is especially fascinated by the literary work in the places that she visits. When abroad, she alway try to find a bookstore that will have English translations of local poetry. Similarly, she hopes that her work “translates” across multiple minds and places. Gertrude Stein phrased it best when she stated, “I am writing for myself and strangers.”
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NOURRIR MONTREAL An Unfolding Love Story BY C ATHERINE FR ANKLIN
Montreal entered my life the first time during the summer of 2014. Reservations of all kinds surrounded this initiation voyage; grieving a break up with Paris proved intense. Not only did no other city inspire (because of the bias to the greatness of Paris), but especially not that one. At the time, the prevailing was that Montreal was trying to pose as the Paris of North America, the very thought made my skin crawl. On a cloudy, humid afternoon, the world renowned international jazz festival created the backdrop for my arrival; traffic was dense, people loitered everywhere, unending driving had emptied my reserves, my broken arm aching from a rollerblading accident in Maine three days prior, with no strong prospects for lodging. Despite all this, I wan’t phased. I was plagued by indifference; breakups are hard. Hours of searching and calling what seemed like all of the B&B’s in Montreal still left me on the street. Out of desperation, I recommenced from the top of my list to the first I had called, which was too expensive. Sleep and quelling the mounting anxiety outweighed sticking to budget, for the night. Much to my surprise, the patrons had a cancellation and offered me the room at a reduced rate. ‘Chez Francois’, overlooking Parc de la Fontaine, exuded cozy and clean; a welcome sight. Francois and his wife, the proprietors, were very welcoming and generous, but not overbearing. Their home felt like mine. With pronounced Quebecois accents, they prepared homemade waffles and pancakes for my breakfast, and drew maps with starred places for me to go visit. On the first night, the tentative plans arranged hastily with a friend of a friend of a friend in my beloved Paris seemed an irritation at best, a distraction at worst. Red lipstick, my secret weapon, and a cute top provided the antidepressant needed to make the final effort to walk out into the Montrealais night. James and I rendezvoused at the Plateau du Mont-Royal metro station, a distinctly French neighborhood in a linguistically-divided metropolis. We walked to a nearby bar. Bottled indifference evaporated the moment we walked through the door. Individual style reigned, French-language mingled with my favorite obscure dh’s cuts as people mingled in the understated yet cool design. Paris was in the vibe. I stopped holding my breath for the first time since I had left Paris, a year and change before. Montreal beats to a distinct beat. I felt comfortable, at home. But, Montreal is definitely not Paris. Depending on the angle, time of day, and lighting, one can feel tied to Western Europe or North America, sometimes both at the same time, lending to the city a strangely other-planetary quality. The city and its people are humble and accepting. Despite access to a ridiculous amount of cool restaurants, quirky coffee shops, star-studded cultural events, parcs and architecture, there lacks a pretension usually inherent in big city dwellers.
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Staying faithful to the Montrealais niceness with little circumstance or surprise, James (we had such good chemistry over drinks that he moved from acquaintance to friend) offer me his place for the rest of my stay. He was going to be away, and said that it was only “normal”. Naturally, without hesitatation, I accepted. James’s super mod and spacious apartment on the top floor of a small building took me off guard. The morning light flooding from skylights, illuminated the stunning view of a beautiful church from his bedroom and the en suite den. The whole place exuded personal, effortless style. James greeted me with bagels from Fairmont Bagels, and one of the best croissants aux amandes my mouth has savored, from Guillaume, an acclaimed bakery. My enchantment complete, the City moved into my personal space. Exponentially, and like falling in love at first sight, this city seduced me without me acquiescing. My first love, Paris, remained intact, all while Montreal had entered my veins. The remainder of my stay I let the city lead me. What could Montreal offer? What would this city reveal if I let it? Days were filled with coffee and people watching, an outdoor architectural festival underneath the Rene Leveseque bridge, meandering moments with Mont Royal park to admire the min-fountain. Nights we watched fireworks from James’ balcony. Montreal dragged me in deep, infatuation set in. Montreal possessed all the pleasures that bring me joy: affordable, happy housing, bike trails, endless food, French AND cheap tickets to the Mother Country (France, bien sur). My cynical self retreated tail between her legs. Imagine leaving a new love. For the next year, my google search bar was filled with Montreal. Maybe Montreal was just a dream? A mirage? A rebound? Then, on a rainy Tuesday night in mid October, she hesitantly welcomed me back. James, his boyfriend Guillaume and I awkwardly ate pate chinois a traditional Quebecois dish, (shepherds pie with corn), that they made specially for me. By morning my nervousness had passed. Intense feelings started resurfacing as I entered a Turkish/ Mediterranean café nearby. Plants everywhere lining shelves, hanging from the ceiling, in true Montreal fashion. Garage doors served as windows, the large shared tables decorated with mis-matched glasses. Light autumn rings crisp, blinding me as I worked. People coming in and out, sharing food, space, languages and work and leisure. I was home again.
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F A B D A L L A H H ( H T T P S : // F L I C . K R / P/ D M 3 O B 7 )
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TWO BUDGETS: FRUGAL For the gal who has champagne tastes on a shoestring budget - looks for under $100 JUNE’S THEME: SUMMER SOLSTICE
Born Sassy Crop Top (Etsy), $17.75
Trixie Wooden Clog, $17.99
Marine Striped Midi Skirt, $42
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TWO BUDGETS: SPENDY For the woman who has capital to invest in a chic wardrobe - looks for under $1000 JUNE’S THEME: SUMMER SOLSTICE
Prymal Weave PomPom hat, 95 Pounds
Sigerson Morrison, Cosie $325
Vivetta Navy Cotton Dress, $495
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LUSTS & MUSTS Here are five things we’re obsessed with this month - don’t say we didn’t warn you.
A PP S
BandsinTown If you are one of those people who loves live music, this is an app that will change your life. Track artists, genres and cities around the world. Every day you will get notices of what shows are happening that interest you. On top of that, you can by your tickets, share your shows with your facebook friends and so much more!
MUSIC
My Skin by Lizzo A celebration of herself; My Skin is an anthem, beautiful and haunting to living in her African -America skin, but also “ “My Skin” is a stance against the racial profiling of ALL ethnicities and the blind hatred that poisons our perceptions.” Lizzo. E V EN T S
Fete de la Musique Accra, Ghana Alliance Francaise June 21, 2016 Celebrate the great, late, Malian photographer at this sweeping representation of his works. 300 portraits to explore until July 24, 2016. A must see.
G I F T S TO G I V E
Carrie Clutch BOOKS
Where’d You Go, Bernadette: A Novel Hilarious coming of age story that is 1 part self-searching adolscent fun, 1 part adult mid-life crises, 1 part heartening and an easy read to throw in the beach bag.
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by Mar y Sol 100% crocheted clutch with raffia tassels, cotton lining and sip closure. We love the heart! There are three other colors: aqua, sunflower and navy. Use this little cutie at the beach to keep your phone from getting sand in it and for a few dollars for a popsicle. Or, throw it in your beachbag and go!
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NOURRIR GREATNESS The Value of Association BY DON YAEGER
Association leaders and corporate executives have long recognized that great lessons – lessons in leadership, team building, handling adversity, and managing success – can be learned from their peers in the world of sports. This explains why some of the most sought after public speakers at corporate events are sports greats – Miami Heat President Pat Riley, Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyewski, former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Rock Bleier and former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown are among the most popular speakers on the circuit. The lessons they teach and exhibit in their world translate perfectly into yours. In my 20-plus years as a writer for Sports Illustrated and author of more than a dozen books, I have been blessed to spend hours interviewing great winners like Riley, Krzyewski, basketball legend Michael Jordan and Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. Some of the best lessons I have learned, however, have come at the foot of the greatest winner of them all, the late John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach and winner of unprecedented 10 NCAA championships. Wooden also was an oft-tapped corporate consultant on the subject of leadership.
I think Coach enjoyed the look of surprise on my face. I remembered Nater, but just barely. What I remembered was that he was cut from his high school basketball team as because, even at 6-foot-11, he was too clumsy to offer the team any value. He didn’t give up, though, and several years later made a community college team. He became talented enough that several four-year colleges offered him scholarships. At the time, UCLA and Wooden were in the middle of one of the most spectacular runs in all of sports, winning seven of eight national championships. Alcindor had graduated, but Wooden had a new center, Walton, who he thought might be even better. Nater’s community college coach asked Wooden to consider his player. “I was told he could, at the very least, be a great practice opponent for Walton,” Wooden recalled. “So I spoke with Swen. I was honest. I told him he could go to a small school and play all the minutes he wanted, or he could come to UCLA, where he likely would never start a game, but where he could play against the best center in the country every day. That’s the best I could offer him.”
Before Wooden’s passing, I often traveled to Los Angeles to talk with him about Greatness and the traits of those who have achieved it. One characteristic he was passionate about was that the truly “great” understand that value of association. They know they can only become great if they surround themselves with others who are headed in that direction. Just a few years ago, the then 97-year-old Wooden, his mind sharp as any 30-year-old I had met, got a twinkle in his eyes when told me he had a story to share, one I would enjoy sharing with others. “Many people, when they ask me about coaching great players, always ask me about my two most famous centers, Lew Alcindor (who became Kareem Abdul-Jabaar) and Bill Walton,” the coach said, “But one of the greatest I have ever coached is a player many wouldn’t suspect. It was Swen Nater.”
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Nater didn’t flinch. He accepted the opportunity and, as Wooden had promised, he didn’t start a single game at UCLA. “Swen understood that to become the best he needed to associate himself with the best he could find,” Wooden said. “There was no better than Bill Walton.” Or John Wooden. When his three years at UCLA were complete, Nater had been part of a team that won a record-breaking 88 straight games and had played for three more national championships – all as Walton’s backup. Nater then made history when he became the first player selected in the first round of the professional basketball draft without ever starting a college game. He played 12 years professionally and now is a senior executive in the corporate offices of COSTCO. His career “is absolutely and directly the result of having made the decision to associate myself with folks who were the very best,” Nater told me. “I learned that you are who you associate yourself with.” Coach Wooden was succinct: “Mark these words… You will never out-perform your inner circle. If you want to achieve more, the first thing you should do is improve your inner circle.” At its core, that is exactly why associations hold annual events. Those conventions are a member’s opportunity to improve his or her inner circle, to learn and associate with the very best. Like Swen Nater, I hope that each of you have identified those in your profession from whom you could learn, those who share your passion for greatness. Then, while attending your state or national conferences, introduce yourself, spend time asking and learning what it is they do that makes them successful. These lessons are often transferable. Then take the lessons home with you. Make your aspirations known to your staff and your membership because they want to associate themselves with greatness, too. You’ll be amazed by what you can achieve when you surround yourselves with those headed in the same direction. At each of these steps you’ll understand why John Wooden agreed that the value of association is one of the most significant traits of greatness.
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NOURRIR SPOTLIGHT Koch by Nicole Musselman BY ERIN SMITH PHOTOS BY MARC MONTANA ,YE SI FORTUNA , AND TOMBOY KC
Fashions Nicole Mussleman is a total tomboy, and we’re in love. If the idea of square cut blazers and men’s button ups invoke images of Katherine Hepburn, Coco Chanel and Isabella Rossellini, you’d be on point. Chanel being the first to introduce the blazer to women’s’ wardrobes has remained a staple of runway culture for nearly a hundred years. Always a trailblazer, her personal wardrobe preferences inspired her brand and eventually the mainstream, drastically influencing the modern landscape. Never before had the fashion world seen women wearing garments traditionally reserved for the working man; but still her trademark suits and string of pearls exuded class and sophistication.
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Enter Nicole Musselman, tomboy fashion’s star that’s rousing the boyish hearts of women across the country. Out of Dallas, KOCH is reinterpreting the tomboy story and creating lots of fans along the way. She’s not the first to create the sexy tomboy look, but Musselman, founder of KOCH designs, is bringing feminine menswear to the forefront once again. Her pieces are effortless and enviable; her racks filled with slouchy pants, oversized boy shirts, flirty skirts and boyfriend blazers. Like the tomboy icons who’ve come before her, she’s motivated by the foremothers who made menswear their own during a time when woman were defined by the smallness of their waste and the bounce in their curl. With Hepburn as one of many inspirations, Musselman curates pieces that she hopes inspire confidence and can be worn with ease. Staying true to her mission to inspire confidence and independence, the majority of KOCH’s sewers are women, their workrooms are managed by women and she is purposeful about working with women in the manufacturing world. Female influence touches every piece of the creative process- from the pattern making, marking, grading, pleating, and shearing to the digital printing houses, KOCH has created a village. “The people I work with are smart, idea driven women who continue to grow the brand with intentionality,” says Musselman. In an industry that is wildly saturated with designers and innovators, a space that is fickle, ever changing and the pressure to stay relevant is a demand many fall victim to, KOCH has risen to the top and cut through the noise. Nicole explains that, like anything, it’s perseverance that will get you to where you’re going. She wasn’t lucky, she was hard working. And even then, many people with great ideas and beautiful designs remain unrecognized. “You’re going to hear NO many times, but you have to drown that out with Yes.” Musselman has a clear definition of what she wanted, and works tirelessly to define and redefine that along the way. She admits she feels the pressure to please her current customers, evolve the brand, and to show retailers KOCH has collections that are consistent. Her days are long, the demands for her time never cease, but she takes refuge in the quiet moments at home with her son, regenerating, and being still. Musselman is driven by the idea that her brand allows women to feel sexy, and confident. She believes strongly in individuality. When asked what inspires her creative process, she explains that much of where she draws inspiration is from worldwide feminine strength and culture. And there is much of that to be consumed. Our conversations have shifted around sexuality; it’s in the ethers of our culture. The spectrum of male and female identity is vast with traditional definitions now far more nebulous than we’ve ever seen. KOCH understands that one’s personal style comes from people having options to curate their own look, outside of the restraints of gender roles and conventional pairings. The contrast styling’s of male and female are what Musselman and her team strive to embody. It’s beautiful aesthetically and representative, socially. Her muse, she explains, is the interweaving of masculine and feminine elements: square lines, soft fabric; beautiful prints paired with a boyfriend jean. “I want my clientele to feel at ease and confident in my clothes.” You can find the full line of KOCH apparel at www.shopkoch.com
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NOURRIR BEAUTY Lighten Up - Summer Solstice BY FATIMA OLIVE PHOTOG R APHED BY MICHAEL HAUG , WARDROB E: B E THANY BURG G R AF, HAIR AND MAKEUP: FATIMA OLIVE , MODEL: VALERIE C ARPENTER
Summer is the perfect time to lighten up and let the sun in. Ditch dark and dreary pieces and step into classic shapes and lighter colors that brighten your look and lift your spirits.
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Ann Taylor tweed suit updated with shorts for a more modern twist. After all why not show off those beautiful legs!
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Monochromatic pallets can go from day to night. Ann Taylor High waist-wide leg pant paired with a beautiful blouse is a sophisticated option for work or play.
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Nordstrom Linen sleeveless jacket and pant are the perfect summer combination.
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Lightweight wrap day dress from Nordstroms keeps things cool and fresh.
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ordstro
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om - Topshop
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NOURRIR TABLE Cold Poached Salmon Salad RECIPE FROM DAVID YUSEFZADEH
Ingredients: Icelandic Salmon (6oz) skin removed 1 Cup Beluga lentils (black or puy lentils can be substituted) Green Oak lettuce Fennel (small diced) 2 cups Olive oil Rosemary Garlic Dressing: Grilled zucchini (grilled and chilled) 2 oz. Dill (chopped) 2 oz. Tarragon (chopped) 2 oz. Shallot (small diced) 2 oz. Lemon juice Olive oil Salt Cover lentils with water and cook on minutes heat for 15-20 minutes. Check them after 15 minutes and possibly add a little water to continue cooking. Remove from heat and cool. Cut zucchini into half lengthwise and season with vegetable oil and salt. Grill on both sides until a nice char forms. Cool and cut into rough small dice. Once zucchini is cold, combine it with dill, tarragon and lemon juice in a blender. Puree until smooth and slowly drizzle in olive oil. Set aside. Toss fennel with lemon juice and salt, set aside and let marinate for 10 minutes. In a medium sauce pan heat 2 cups of olive oil, rosemary and garlic over medium to low heat for 10 minutes. Slowly place salmon fillet inside and turn heat off. Let salmon sit for 5-7 minutes. Remove and place salmon in refrigerator. To assemble, season lentils with lemon juice and olive oil (you can also throw in fresh dill and tarragon if you truly enjoy the flavor). Place the cold salmon on top of the lettuce, lentils and fennel next to it and garnish with the pureed sauce.
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FINAL THOUGHTS A Woman in Whiskey BY LAURA BUCCIERI
In the lobby of the Marriott Marquis Times Square, a pack of men around forty and above are trying to shove their way around at Whiskey Live, a whiskey convention that happens in various cities around the United States. I stand watching for which man is eager enough to push into the tasting room first. I — a sophomore in college at the time— am working for Mackmyra, the first Swedish whiskey company of it’s kind, and one of the vendors at the show. I decide to skip the line, and head straight inside. I’m about a foot from the tasting room when a woman taps me on the shoulder. Excuse me, miss. Can I see your wristband? I explain that I am working the event, and she takes me over to a table amidst the crowd. Name? I give her my info and she finds me on the list. Can I see some ID? I can feel myself turning red. I pretend to be foreign, which
leaves me without a State ID. Do you have your passport or something, honey? I shake my head and hold out my student ID, instead. She looks me up and down, closely. Stick out your right arm. She wraps a 21+ wristband around my wrist. I thank her and power-walk inside. I find my booth and start setting up my station, as my adrenaline levels start to subside. I just snuck into Whiskey Live, I think to myself. My employer knows that I’m eighteen, of course, and doesn’t mind. He knows that I love whiskey and even more, that I know a lot about it. To him, I am the exception— a girl who likes whiskey. The attendees start to file in. Some are father-son duos, some come alone. Looking out into the crowd, I can count the number of girls on one hand. Most of them hold onto the men at their side.
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As I relax more and start shaking cocktails, I let my mind wander. When I was little, my mom showed me The Thin Man, which quickly became my favorite movie. It’s a 1930s film about Nick, a detective, and his wife, Nora. Throughout the film, whenever Nick and Nora attend an upscale dinner party, the men always retire to the study for a post-dinner whiskey. The women, on the other hand, retire to the living room, and chat. These sorts of gendered activities were, of course, quite typical in 1930’s America. Here, nearly 100 years later at Whiskey Live, I too feel a like I’m “intruding” on each man’s “post-dinner whiskey.” I finish shaking the cocktail and pour it into tiny glasses, ready for the taking. I’m the only one working our booth, which also makes me the go-to for any questions and tasting points: “Yes, I know how long it our whiskey is aged.” “Yes, in these kind of barrels, with this level of peat.” “Yes, I do know the name of the glass company that made our bottles.” I know where to buy our whiskey, too — and as the night goes on, it becomes clear that I certainly know how to sell it. As a woman working in this industry, one of the first things I learn is how to deduce the type of clientele standing in front of me. More specifically, I learn how to deduce the type of guy standing in front of me. I concoct a different approach for each type. For the guy who feels like he knows more than me (because he is a man and men must know whiskey better than any woman, even a woman working for a whiskey company): gently correct them, and tell them what our whiskey really tastes like. Then I let them think they knew this all along. For the guy who wants to show off his knowledge of whiskey, and who then wants to be congratulated for said knowledge, before or after asking for my number: tell them my cell phone is broken, but smile and act flattered that they would have even entertained the thought of asking me out. And lastly, for the guy who does not know or want to know about whiskey, but simply came to get drunk: Smile, and keep pouring. I do not encounter any woman that is here by herself, or with a group of other women. The only women I see are with men. Generally, they appear to act as if
they are at a monster truck rally, and want to leave as soon as possible. None of them show interest in anything other than stroking their man’s arm, as he sips and discusses his brand of choice. As the evening comes to a close, the men become drunker and louder. Pretty soon, they skip the whiskey-centric Q&A, and go straight to asking for another pour. We are told to stop pouring around ten p.m. and I do just that. The attendees stumble out, and I start packing up. This is my favorite time of night; I get to walk around, talk to the other vendors, and learn about their whiskey. We trade bottles and exchange emails. As always, I am surprised at the way the other vendors treat me: their behavior is nothing like that of my tasters from earlier in the evening. The vendors give me a firm handshake, expecting me to know all about whiskey. They debating with me about the best brand and type. In short, they treat me like an equal — but they also treat me like a man. I shake hands and play along with the macho demeanor, going back and forth about the facts we know about whiskey and high-fiving when our favorite whiskey brands are the same. When I get home later that night, I unload each whiskey bottle onto my kitchen counter. I take a sip of each one, make mental notes in my head. I enjoy the silence: just me and the whiskey. The sight and smell of each and every one of them pleased me. I liked seeing if I could tell their taste profile simply by the shade of amber they emitted. I cannot help but think of how many different people I had to be tonight, just to do what I love: the macho girl, the girl who strokes egos, the girl who laughs at every man’s joke, the girl who keeps pouring and doesn’t ask questions. It is overwhelming trying to live in a world that doesn’t yet know how to deal with women because of their lack of visibility in the community. But I would urge any woman who feels like they might want to get into whiskey to do it because you shouldn’t tailor what you love on account of anything, especially gender. Ask questions. Be bold. Be yourself. Drink whiskey. We need more women existing in spaces where they haven’t in the past. Occupy a space and see how you can transform it into something more equitable. Interrupt the pattern and step into the study, littered with men drinking whiskey and smoking cigars. And then, ask for a glass for yourself.
NOURRIR / ISSUE EIGHT
39 NOURRIR
ISSUE
7 MAY 2016
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NOURRIR / ISSUE EIGHT