A Few Links for a Sunday Afternoon.

I've watched it since the beginning and am excited for the season premiere tonight, but I have to agree that Entourage has jumped the shark.

Given that the new iPhone was released this week, it's pretty terrifying to realize that phone companies are trying to cover up the connection between cell phone use and brain tumors.

Here's the trailer for The Social Network, the movie about the founders of Facebook.

The boys are back tonight.

College Cooking Class: Shrimp Fried Rice

For one of those nights when you need to use up a bunch of leftovers but still want something filling and satisfying, there's fried rice. The trick is to use rice that's been sitting in the fridge to get the right consistency. Throw in whatever veggies and protein source you have, and eggs if you have some, you've got a quickly whipped up yet delicious dinner.

Ingredients:

- 3 cups cooked rice

- 1 cup cooked but frozen shrimp

- 2 eggs

- 1/2 cup frozen peas

- 1/3 cup chopped baby carrots

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

1) In a slightly oiled pan, lightly scramble the two eggs until soft and not completely done. Put aside on a plate.

2) Place frozen peas and chopped baby carrots into dish with water and microwave until heated through.

3) Let frozen shrimp thaw in a bowl of cold water.

4) Add some oil into a large saucepan and add the cooked rice. Stir around.

4) Add cooked veggies and eggs, then 1 tablespoon soy sauce.

7) When it is uniformly mixed and starting to get crispy, drain and add the shrimp. Stir in the other 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.

8) Mix well and serve. Chopsticks optional.

A Few Links for a Summer Day.

Holy Rollers opens this week! I highly recommend this fascinating movie based on the true story of Hasidic Jews smuggling ecstasy in the late 90s.

Is buying overpriced hipster duds worth compromising your conscience? We should boycott American Apparel for its disgusting appearance discrimination.

I just came back from a pricy Trader Joe's run, so maybe I should follow this man's guide to eating well on $1 a day...

College Cooking Class: Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Tonight I'm sharing a recipe that got me through finals: delicious and healthy pesto pasta with chicken and green beans. It's a balanced meal in a bowl that has protein and veggies. I recommend getting the fresh Genova pesto from Trader Joe's, but you can make your own if you have fresh basil.

Ingredients:

- 1/4 of a package of penne pasta (or any other noodle)

- 2 small, boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- 1 tablespoon pesto sauce

- 1 cup green beans

- 1 teaspoon olive oil

- parmesan cheese to taste

1) Turn on the stove and set up water to boil for the penne; defrost chicken in a bowl of warm water.

2) Rinse green beans and set aside in a bowl with some water.

3) Let the pasta cook on the stove. When it is done, drain in a colander. Place it back in the pot it was cooked in.

4) Cut up and cook the chicken in some olive oil for a few minutes on each side.

7) Heat green beans in the microwave; then cut up into smaller pieces.

8) Add chicken pieces and cut up string beans into the pot of pasta. Add pesto and sprinkle on some parmesan cheese. Add more parmesan cheese.

A Few Links to Celebrate Summer Break!

I survived finals and am now starting summer vacation by visiting family in Los Angeles! Here are a few links to ease into the summer.

These tips on packing will help all chronic overpackers actually fit stuff in a suitcase!

I am obsessed with 30 Rock, but this news might be a dealbreaker...

Fans and haters of Sex and the City alike will appreciate this interpretation of the soon to be released sequel.

Who doesn't love Liz Lemon as she sings about working on her night cheese?

A Few Links for a Study Break.

In the midst of studying for finals I haven't been able to post much, but I do have a few links for those in need of a quick study break.

Behold the $500 100 layer lasagna in all its glory...

Would you spout a racist quote for a free appetizer?

This newly-wealthy journalist doesn't need to worry about the collapse of the business model.

Keep up all the good work studying — it'll all be over soon!

Meatless Mondays?

The city of San Francisco has passed a measure to persuade its citizens to forego eating meat once a week! The Board of Supervisors claims that one less meat meal per week will help people develop healthier eating habits and a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Say it ain't so!

Here's the thing: I love meat. Obviously, I respect vegetarians for their decision not to eat meat, whether it's a health reason or because they love animals too much. However, I don't think it's right to push one's dietary restrictions onto another person. I have lived in a vegetarian co-op, and the majority of my friends are vegetarian. I have learned to cook savory meatless meals that still pack protein. But that's not my full time choice, and I don't think a city agency should foist its beliefs onto everyone.

The measure encourages "all restaurants, grocery stores and schools to offer a greater variety of plant-based options to improve the health of San Francisco residents and visitors and to increase the awareness of the impact a green diet would be on our planet." That's all fine and dandy, but what about people who are just fine chowing down on their bacon cheeseburgers? I consider myself a highly environmentally sensitive individual (I recycle, compost, shop at used clothing stores, etc.) but cutting out meat from my diet is one step I think is taking it too far. If I enjoy eating something, I shouldn't have to give it up because self-righteous vegetarians think their lifestyle is more environmentally friendly than mine.

Here's to being open minded about food, and looking at other ways to incorporate food sustainability that don't necessarily involve eliminating the most delicious source of protein: meat.

Hey, it's part of my Jewish heritage to eat corned beef sandwiches!

p.s. Here's one food item I'm fine with outlawing: rare coffee beans found in animal dung...