How To Make Capirotada

    

    Capirotada is a traditional family recipe that my grandma and Tias make yearly on Good Friday to celebrate the end of the Lent season. This is a delicious Mexican bread pudding that is full of love and taste that brings my family together. Here's how to make this delicious dish that will have your taste buds jumping for joy.

 

Ingredients: 

(one cake pan)

• 3-5 bolillos (bread)

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3 little loaves of Piloncillo (brown sugar)

• 3 sticks of unsalted butter

• 2 cups of water

• 1 can condensed milk

• 1 can of evaporated milk

• 8 cups whole milk

• Vanilla 

• Coconut 

• Almonds

• Raisins

Instructions:

1. Add water, cinnamon stick, and Piloncillo to boil in a pot.

2. Melt butter (microwave)

3. Cut the bolillos in circles 

4. Brush melted butter on both sides of bolillos and place in an oven-safe dish

5. Put in the oven at 350°F for 30 min or until golden brown

6. Once the water comes to a boil, add the 3 milk ingredients plus vanilla (mix well)

7. Put the pot with milk mixtures on the stove and bring to a boil, once it’s boiled remove

the cinnamon stick 

8. Prepare the cake pan with butter

9. Put bread circles into milk mixture until soaked

10. Place the first layer of bread into a pan 

11. Add coconut, almonds, and raisins. Then add a second layer and do the same

12. Once your 2 layers are complete add the rest of the milk mixture

13. Place in oven at 350°F for 30 minutes

14. Optional add tostadas as a topping

Ready to enjoy!!

Champions League Preview

After an entertaining draw, all eyes are on Europe's biggest sporting competition. Starting April 9th Soccer fans worldwide will get the opportunity to see some of the world's best teams play head-to-head in the UEFA Champions League. 

ARSENAL vs. BAYERN MUNICH

If you're an Arsenal fan you've probably had many sleepless nights when you hear the words Bayern Munich, considering Bayern has knocked the Gunners out all 4 times they've faced them in the knockout stages (with the last meeting in 2016/17 ending in a 10-2 aggregate score). 

Bayern have not been the Bayern of old this season, so although this had historically been a bogey team for Arsenal there is lots of hope in North London. Similarly, this is not the same Arsenal squad as 2016/17. Arsenal are in a three-horse race atop the Premier League and have been nothing short of dominant since the start of the year. If star players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are at their best the Gunners will be an extremely difficult team to beat.

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-2 Bayern Munich

REAL MADRID vs. MANCHESTER CITY

A rematch of last season's semi-final (which Manchester City dominated 5-1 on aggregate) this matchup is becoming an instant classic. This year will be the third consecutive time these two teams matchup, with the victor going on to win the final in the last two matchups.

Real Madrid is a very complete team and is pretty comfortable atop of LaLiga right now, whereas City is in a tight race for the Premier League title. This is definitely something that can impact this matchup considering City will feel they are in must-win matches for the remainder of the season. If they hadn't drawn so early I would probably have these two teams as my favorites to make it to the final. Look for Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne to be key pieces if Manchester are to repeat last season's dominance. 

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: 5-4 Manchester City

ATLÉTICO MADRID vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Two teams with an established Champions League pedigree, this matchup offers a lot more than the perception it has online. Not many people would have predicted one of these teams to make it this far, let alone both of them considering the opponents they've had to face to get here. Dortmund topped the "group of death" while Atletico defeated last year's finalist Inter Milan before arriving in the quarters. 

It's hard to go against Dortmund considering what they have overcome thus far, but the individual brilliance that can come out of this Atletico side will be tough to beat. Both stadiums are fortresses and I doubt there will be many goals scored for either team. Antoine Griezmann will be the most vital figure in this match up and through him, I believe Atletico will get the better of Dortmund. 

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: 2-0 Atletico Madrid

FC BARCELONA vs. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Last, but certainly not least, comes possibly the most interesting storyline of the entire draw. Everyone remembers Barcelona's famous comeback win in the 2016/17 season, but Kylian Mbappé gave Barcelona their own embarrassing defeat in the 2020/21 season when he scored a hattrick at the Camp Nou.  

PSG will rely heavily on Kylian Mbappé if they hope to push through, while Barcelona will once again call on their young prodigies to carry them through. If Frenkie De Jong and Pedri can find themselves fit enough for this fixture it will be a much closer contest than others have predicted. There are amazing individual battles all throughout the field, but (if fit) Barcelona's midfield should be enough to just about scrape through.

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: 4-3 Barcelona advances in extra time

To a Well-Being, Safe Ways to Maintain Men's Mental Health

In a world where expectations often dictate stoicism and strength, the importance of nurturing men's mental health cannot be overstated. The journey towards well-being is not one-size-fits-all, and finding safe and effective ways to support mental health is paramount. Here, we delve into strategies that promote emotional resilience and foster a positive mindset for many male individuals with similar circumstances. 

• Open Dialogue and Support Networks:

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• Breaking the silence surrounding mental health starts with open dialogue. Encouraging men to express their feelings without fear of judgment is crucial. Cultivating support networks, whether through friends, family, or mental health professionals, provides a safe space for sharing concerns and seeking guidance.

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  Physical Health and Exercise:

• The mind-body connection is undeniable, and physical health plays a significant role in mental well-being. Regular exercise releases endorphins, reduces stress, and improves sleep quality, all of which contribute to a healthier mindset. Whether it's hitting the gym, going for a run, or practicing yoga, finding an activity that brings joy and promotes physical health is key.

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  Mindfulness and Meditation:

• Incorporating mindfulness practices into daily routines can have profound effects on mental health. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques help cultivate awareness, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional balance. Taking even a few minutes each day to pause, breathe, and center oneself can make a world of difference in managing stress and enhancing overall well-being.

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  Healthy Lifestyle Choices:

• Nutrition, sleep, and self-care are fundamental pillars of mental health. A balanced diet rich in whole foods nourishes both body and mind, while prioritizing adequate sleep fosters cognitive function and emotional resilience. Engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment, whether it's hobbies, creative pursuits, or spending time in nature, reinforces a sense of purpose and self-worth.

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  Seeking Professional Help:

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• Recognizing when additional support is needed is a sign of strength, not weakness. Mental health professionals offer valuable insights, tools, and support to navigate challenges and promote personal growth. Whether through therapy, counseling, or support groups, seeking professional help can empower men to overcome obstacles and cultivate resilience.

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  Setting Boundaries and Managing Stress:

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• Learning to set boundaries and manage stress is crucial for safeguarding mental health. Saying no when necessary, prioritizing self-care, and practicing relaxation techniques are effective ways to prevent burnout and maintain balance in daily life. Establishing healthy boundaries in relationships and commitments fosters healthier dynamics and preserves emotional well-being.

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  Cultivating Meaningful Connections: 

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• Building and nurturing meaningful connections with others is essential for mental health. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, volunteering in the community, or joining social groups, fostering connections promotes a sense of belonging and fulfillment. Engaging in meaningful activities that align with personal values and interests strengthens social bonds and enhances overall well-being.

In conclusion, prioritizing men's mental health requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses physical, emotional, and social well-being. By fostering open dialogue, embracing healthy lifestyle choices, seeking professional help when needed, and cultivating meaningful connections, men can embark on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Let's break the stigma, support one another, and foster a culture of compassion and understanding. Together, we can promote safer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives for men everywhere.

Disney Channel Throwbacks

Disney Channel Nite kicked off as a brand new Disneyland After Dark event for two nights this year on March 5th and 7th. This special after-dark event included many throwback photo ops from popular Disney Channel shows and movies and singing and dancing on Main Street. Disneyland Park was filled with lots of excited fans dressed up as their favorite characters from shows and movies.

The photo ops during the night were Cheetah Girls, Lizzie Mcguire, Teen Beach Movie, That's So Raven, The Proud Family, Zenon, Halloweentown, Hannah Montana, The Suite Life Of Zack and Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Camp Rock.

Character encounters included: Kim Possible, Mickey and Minnie, Lilo & Stitch, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, and Chip 'N Dale.

As someone who grew up on Disney Channel shows and movies, this event was so much fun!

Despite the long lines from many photo ops I still had fun during this special event. Here are some of my favorite moments and I guess you could say, my inner child came out during this night.

I am in my Hannah Montana moment and living the Best of Both Worlds! Hannah Montana is such an iconic show and during the night I saw many people dressed up as her.

Wizards of Waverly Place is an absolute Disney Channel show classic. By far this is one of my favorite childhood Disney shows and photo ops!

The parade was so engaging between the performers and fans. The parade included throwback songs from the High School Musical and Zombie franchise.  

"Yay Me" since I was able to get my moment living my suite life in this photo op. As a kid, I loved watching this show and occasionally I watch it to reminisce on the old Disney Channel.

Disneyland's After Dark Disney Channel Nite had special food and beverages for the night. There were so many delicious foods and drinks to choose from but because of time and wanting to take pictures at the photo ops, I did not have the time to try any snacks. Although I did not try any of the delicious foods, I'm hoping next year Disneyland bring back Disney Channel Nite again and I will definitely be indulging in those special snacks.

Spread Joy this National Puppy Day

Image Credit:Viviana Garcia

Puppies mature swiftly, but March 23 is a time to paws and enjoy their unconditional love.

The day, designed in 2006 by animal enthusiast Colleen Paige, encourages individuals to adopt dogs rather than support puppy mills. It also serves as a time to bond, treat, and play with kind canines. 

Dogs reach maturity in a year or two, depending on the breed; however, they all require patience, love, and nutritious meals. 

Pup Basics for National Puppy Day!

1. Puppy-proof your home. 

Make sure to put away all small items that can be choking hazards. Coins, jewelry, and rubber bands, according to the American Kennel Club, can pose harm to dogs. 

2. Avoid toxic foods. 

Onions, garlic, grapes, chocolate, and macadamia nuts are some of the most harmful ingredients for dogs to ingest. Each food can bear varying health severity and should be avoided at all costs, as stated by the Food and Drug Administration. 

3.  Keep up with the vaccination schedule. 

At about 6-8 weeks, a licensed veterinarian may give the first round of required vaccines. These shots will prevent the spread of diseases such as rabies and ensure the early stages of the pup remain healthy. 

Puppy fun doesn’t have to disappear because a study conducted by a University Counseling Center in 2017 highlights the health benefits dogs bring to college students. 

The study discusses how animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted activities (AAA) have positively impacted individuals who have received such resources.

“AAT and AAA programs can reduce levels of anxiety and loneliness, and increase student’s perception of their social support on campus,” as stated by authors of A Doggone Way to Reduce Stress: An Animal Assisted Intervention with College Students. College Student Journal., vol. 52, no. 2, 2018. 

Students who engaged in these resources said, “Seeing the dogs made me so happy and helped me forget about the stress of finals. They made my day 100% better.” (College Student Journal)

After 235 survey responses, “87% reported their experience with the therapy dogs provided high stress relief while 13% reported moderate stress relief. Not one student reported that their exposure to the dogs provided neutral, little, or no stress relief,” which demonstrates how beneficial animals can be for human health.  

Don’t have a dog? Don’t worry. Meet affectionate dogs on campus through “Doggy Therapy” Sessions hosted by CSUF Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). 

CAPS will host their third annual Student Mental Health Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 23, with about 25 resources, including the cuddly canines in the Quad,  between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

To learn more about upcoming animal-assisted therapy,  follow @csufcaps @capswellnessroom on Instagram. 

A Day at the Claremont Farmers Market

 A Day at the Claremont Farmers Market 

The Claremont Farmers and Artisans Market is a beautiful place to get your fresh produce and precious finds for very little money. I visited the Claremont Farmers Market last year and I got to explore the diverse amount of fruits and vegetables that were all so unique along with beautiful pieces of jewelry that were products from different countries that were being sold at the market. 

At the Claremont Farmers Market, there are entrances from each part of the downtown where it is held at. The first thing you see when you approach the farmers market are the bright colors from all the flowers, plants, and clothing displayed. At the market, there are several booths with each vendors’ items and produce, and some who had samples of their food that they sold in jars. I had never been to a farmers market before so this was my first time attending one. I experienced new flavors from the produce booths and got to try new fruits I have not heard of from countries I had not from before, as well as purchasing new jewelry for 

My first experience at the Market was very enjoyable, I got to experience the downtown area of Claremont and share the experience with my mother and sister who later joined me. The Farmers Market did have a lot of people coming to shop and get fresh produce. I noticed that many people came especially for the flowers, with their arms filled with all different colors in each bouquet that they had. 

The image below is a flower booth at the Claremont Farmers and Artisans Market. 

As seen in the image above, are a few of the many flowers that were sold that day but not seen in this image that I took at this booth I went to. When you attend the market, every produce that was there is super fresh and is noticeably well grown from the coloring and freshness of the fruits. 

This image is of one of the booths that I went to to purchase goat cheese.

As you can see pictured in the image above, there is fresh goat cheese sold in small containers, each with different flavored goat cheese. As I walked through the Farmers Market, the large text of “goat cheese” caught my attention, as it is one of my favorite snacks to enjoy. The young woman in this image stood for a photo after I purchased two different flavors of goat cheese, garlic and onion, and the other jalapeno chevre. This booth offered samples of the different goat cheese which I tried and was helpful in how I made my purchase in the goat cheese I sampled. It was a great experience to try new foods and flavors at the “Claremont Farmers Market”.

Attending the farmers market is an experience that I believe everyone should go to and support small businesses.

Neurodiversity through the lens of an Asian Woman

 

This blog will be quite different from my previous entry. In honor of Neurodiversity Celebration week, this blog will be dedicated to my story as a Neurodivergent Asian woman.

“Wow she’s so multi-talented," a common phrase I heard about myself growing up. For some reason, people thought it was impressive to learn how to play volleyball, train for taekwondo, learn how to do a butterfly stroke (in their 1st year of learning how to swim), and learn how to ride a bike at the ripe age of 8. As impressive as it may seem, if you learn all these skills in, let’s say… a span of ONE YEAR, wouldn’t you find it a bit strange? It's like I learned everything like that title of my favorite movie, "Everything Everywhere All at Once). This trait is actually a classic example of what we call “Hobby Hopping,” an ADHD trait that I learned from the extensive research I made after I got diagnosed. It's also often overlooked if you come from an Asian family that attributes your hobby hopping into greatness. 

Let’s take a step back and see how I got here. 

It started in 2016 when I got diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder a couple of months after graduating from high school. Everyone (Including myself) thought that it would be a good decision for me to take a gap year. (But mainly because I didn’t get into any of the schools I applied to anyway, so there was nowhere for me to go).

The following year I got accepted into a small arts school in the city. Perhaps it's been a while, and I forgot how to "School" which made me question if I had some type of learning disorder. I thought, "Maybe college just isn’t for me? Maybe college is just much harder than I thought it was going to be?" (Looking back, I should have been kinder to myself with my thoughts)

On one of my bi-weekly visits, I brought up my lack of productivity to my doctor. At that point I had been working with her for well over a year, and at that point, she knew me pretty well. Initially, she thought we just had to get the gears moving since I had been out of school for a while. But she didn't dismiss my concern quickly. She said we can run the test, but she needs to tlk to someone who's constantly been in my life since I was younger. No one knew me as much as my big brother, so she did an interview with him quickly. It didn’t take long for us to figure out that I am, in fact, neurodivergent.

Apparently, my brother had thought I had some type of ADHD growing up, but our parents brushed passed it. What even is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

"Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5)1, to help diagnose ADHD. This diagnostic standard helps ensure that people are appropriately diagnosed and treated for ADHD. Using the same standard across communities can also help determine how many children have ADHD, and how public health is impacted by this condition."

There are a multitude of symptoms that manifest themselves in unique ways and different types of ADHD depending on your characteristics.

Inattentive ADHD includes lack of focus, disorganization, distractability, trouble following directions, and forgetfulness,

Hyperactive ADHD includes impatient interruptions of others always “on the go,” excessive activity, difficulty paying attention, and fidgeting.

Can you guess which one your girl got diagnosed with?

Can you guess which one your girl got diagnosed with?

Trick question because I got diagnosed with combined type, which means that I got the best of both worlds, as Hannah Montana put it. 

All of a sudden, everything makes sense. It’s like that scene in The Matrix when Neo wakes up or when finally realizes the matrix or in "The Wizard of Oz" when it turned color from black and white. Their wee answers to questions that I have gaslighted myself (for years) into thinking was just me being lazy or whatnot, but apparently, it’s ADHD. ADHD, on top of bipolar disorder, is not a walk in the park but it can be managed. Although some days I feel like I've eaten a handful of M&Ms and Skittles (combined).

Here are some of the people/resources that have helped me accept myself throughout the years: 

•  @yellowchaircollective (on Instagram) -- They offer mental health and educational services specializing in Asian American theory and LGBTQIA-affirming approach. Their infographics are the highlight of my day because I get to keep learning things about myself that I wouldn't have found out on my own.

• @disorientrepresent (Emily Chen, on Instagram) -- I found them when I was researching ADHD in Asian women for a topic I had in my speech and debate competition. Which I ended up competing with for nationals and I ended up wining bronze (subtle flex). She is a Taiwanese American ADHDer who is a future speech-language therapist. She blogs her mind, which I should probably do too but her commentary and storytelling is so compelling. I shed a tear every now and then. This is one of my favorite quotes from her

“the model minority myth… Even in elementary school, without knowing the name of this phenomenon, I felt a constant, unspoken expectation to behave, ace math tests, and excel at the piano. Because of it, I somehow managed to suppress my ADHD and present as “good” and “smart,” thus fitting into the model minority stereotype. Since I was doing really well, why would I need any help? At least, this was what society had me believe.” if that doesn’t tell you about ADHD in Asian women, I don’t know what would.

• @chayteatherapy (My previous therapist) – I don’t think I can thank Chay enough. I found her a couple of years after I moved to the U.S., and it was a match made in heaven. She is a Filipino-American from the Bay Area who provides online therapy services. Unfortunately, I had to “break up with her, a.k.a changed insurance, and my new policy wouldn’t cover the expenses. The last couple I remember from her is that she’s holding onto the hope that one day we can work together. 

I have made so much progress in managing my mental health over the past couple of years, but one thing I want to note is that. it starts from accepted, and from then on, I promise it will get better. So to top this all off, if you’re a little Asian American girl, feel free to get help, and you may find answers you didn’t even think are worth questioning. 

Lastly, here’s a handout I made back in 2021 when I competed in the Phi Ro Pi national forensics championships, where I won bronze for speech to entertain on the topic of “ADHD in Asian Women”

 

Although this blog is for our feature article writing class, I hope that this reaches someone who needs to hear it. 

Happy Neurodivergent Week to all the brains out there! 🧠

With love from your resident boba girl, AJ Yabut ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶