By: Jessica Garcia Saligan

A place that would be great to visit is the black sand beach. The black sand beach is in Silver Bay, MN. It’s an awesome place to go if you want to go and take a road trip with your friends or family and explore.

You can also swim there and a fun fact about the black sand beach is that it’s not connected with Lake Superior. So, on how it’s not connected, the black sand beach is a lot warmer than Lake Superior.

This second place will blow your mind. Lutsen Mountains is a ski area, but there are other activities you could do. It’s a fun place to go with your friends and family if you would like to enjoy a great view. Some things you could do there during the winter is: skiing, snowboarding. snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and a lot more.

And in the summer, you could go hiking, mountain biking, or paddlesports.

The one thing that they are most known for is the summit express they have; you get to go through all of the mountains and you will get an amazing view.

Third place, is if you would like to have a get away with your friends or a significant other during the winter and summer; go to Grand View Lodge. Grand View Lodge is a hotel, but not like any other hotels. Grand View Lodge has so many activities to do during the summer and winter time; they have 5 hot tubs, ice skating rinks, and there’s over 70+ spa services.

One thing that most people go for, is for a dinner inside a heated snow globe. I think in the snow globe you can fit up to 4 people. It has fairy lights all around, and the best part is that it’s heated and it’s also separated from any other snow globe.

By: Lauren Kottke & Ella Sutherland

If you are a busy teenager looking for quick and easy recipes to satisfy your hunger, we have 3 easy recipes that you’ll love.

The first recipe is the famous Gigi Hadid spicy pasta. Gigi Hadid is a world famous model that has grown quite a big following over the past few months. Her recipe has become very popular. Personally, we love this pasta and we make it at least once a week. The recipe has a garlicky taste with the traditional tomato sauce.

The ingredients you will need is:

•  1⁄4 cup of avocado oil
•  1⁄4 cup of green onion
•  1 tablespoon of minced garlic
•  1⁄4 cup of tomato paste
•  1⁄2 cup of heavy whipping cream
•  Red pepper flakes
•  Salt and pepper
•  One box of penne pasta
•  1⁄2 cup Parmesan cheese
•  1⁄4 cup of pasta water
•  1 tablespoon of butter

First you need to get a saucepan and skillet pan. In the saucepan fill it about halfway with water, and set on a stove top burner. Turn the heat on medium and cover with a lid.

While that is heating up, in the skillet add the avocado oil (you can use olive oil as well, we just personally like avocado oil better), the minced garlic, and the green onion. Mix that all together over medium heat.

Have the tomato paste ready because it heats up fast.

Once the oil starts to sizzle add in the tomato paste and mix that in with the garlic, onion, and the oil.

Once that is all mixed add in the heavy cream and mix.

Make sure you’re watching your water, because once it starts to boil add in your pasta.

To the sauce, add in the red pepper flakes, if you want little to no spice add a little bit, but if you want it to be more spicy add more.

Then add salt and pepper to flavor.

Turn off the heat and wait until the pasta is done. Once the pasta is done, save 1⁄4 cup of the pasta water before you drain it.

Add the butter to the sauce on low heat and stir.

Once the butter is melted add the pasta water and pasta to the sauce in the skillet. Add more salt and pepper to flavor and add the parmesan cheese. Mix all together, serve, and enjoy!

The next easy recipe is overnight oats. Overnight oats have started to gain popularity on the social media platform, TikTok. They are great for an on the go breakfast, especially if you don’t have time in the morning to cook breakfast. There are many different ways to make this, but over this school year we have perfected this recipe.

The ingredients that are needed are:

•  One half cup of oats
•  One half cup of oat milk (can use regular milk too)
•  3 tablespoons of chia seeds
•  3 tablespoons of honey
•  1 dash of vanilla extract
•  1 tablespoon of cinnamon

To start this recipe you will need a mason jar (or any cup with tinfoil). In the mason jar add the oats and milk. Stir those together.

After that, add in the chia seeds and cinnamon. Mix that all together until you can see the cinnamon and chia seeds are spread out throughout all the oats.

Next add the honey and vanilla extract and stir.

Once all the ingredients are in and mixed together, cover with the lid or tinfoil, and leave in the fridge overnight.

In the morning, cut up a banana and put on the oats and add granola if desired. You can add any topping that you like, those are just the ones that I add.

Serve and enjoy!

The last, and final recipe, is a salmon rice bowl. This one we have been making for a while now and is a little more complicated because of the salmon. It is a quick dinner and is great with leftover salmon.

Ingredients that are needed are:

•  Salmon (thawed)
•  2 tablespoons of soy sauce
•  1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
•  A pinch of salt and pepper
•  1 tablespoon of lemon juice
•  1 tablespoon of garlic powder
•  2 cups of white rice
•  1 whole avocado
•  1 pack of seaweed chips

First thaw the salmon for 1 hour.

Then in a bowl, mix the soy sauce, mustard, salt and pepper, lemon juice, and garlic powder together.

Start the rice in an instant cooker or a stove top.

Marinate the salmon in the combination of ingredients.

Put the salmon in tin foil and let sit for 20 minutes.

Put the salmon on a pan and heat in the oven at 375°, until the internal temp is 150°.

Once rice and salmon is finished, put down the rice in a bowl and mix up the salmon with the rice.

Next cut up the avocado and lay it on top of the rice and salmon.

Lastly, scoop the rice, avocado, and salmon into the seaweed and enjoy!

Those are just a few of our favorite recipes that are quick and easy. If you make these we hope you enjoy it!

By: Caden Kipfmueller

Jelly beans. Who doesn’t love ‘em? Jelly beans have been around for a while, and though their exact origins are lost in time, they have been a staple in candy stores for as long as anyone can remember. Kicking off in popularity during the 1930s, these beans have been a favorite of many famous people, including Ronald Reagan. In honor of the jelly bean, we will be going through the top ten flavors out there.

10. Juicy Pear
Perhaps one of the most accurate-tasting jelly beans, Juicy Pear is well known for tasting exactly like what it sounds like. It’s an acquired taste, but many appreciate it for its authenticity and accuracy.
9. Piña Colada
If you like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain then this jelly bean is for you. The Piña Colada jelly bean is fruity and proud of it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t taste great if you eat too many, which is why it isn’t higher.
8. Chocolate Pudding
One of the most underrated jelly beans, Chocolate Pudding has a deep, rich flavor. Unfortunately, it looks exactly like a variety of lower quality beans, and so jelly bean enthusiasts often mistake them for other types.
7. Strawberry Cheesecake
Known for its distinctive pink and red speckle, Strawberry Cheesecake is the type of bean everyone, young or old can enjoy. If only there were other cheesecake flavors!
6. Kiwi
There’s not much to say about Kiwi. It’s just good. 9/10 would recommend.
5. Buttered Popcorn
Easily the most controversial bean on the list, Buttered Popcorn is a savory choice even though most other jelly beans are sweeter. It’s not for everyone, but you may be surprised if you give it a chance.
4. Coconut
One bite of this bean transports you to the beaches of Hawaii, surrounded by palm trees. Perfect for any occasion.
3. French Vanilla
So good it makes you actually believe it’s from France.
2. Blueberry
This bean is so good it might as well actually replace the blueberry.
1. Caramel Corn
This bean is mind blowing. Many claim eating it is an out-of-body experience. It’s a travesty you can’t buy it individually, because the rest of the beans taste bland compared to this.

By: G. Johnson

Spring break is approaching fast and a lot of us are looking for something to do. This year spring break is April 1st to April 9th. We go back on Monday the 10th. That’s 9 days of break this year.

A lot of people don’t know what to do over break since it’s usually still cold, but I think it’s a great time to be productive and also have fun. If you’re looking for something productive to do you can clean, catch up on school work, or go through your closet and get rid of things you don’t need. This is good because you are cleaning and getting ready for summer – which is actually closer than we all think. Some other productive things you can do is work extra hours if you have a job. This would be great because you would make some extra money over the break.

If you’re looking for something fun to do over spring break here’s some ideas. You could, of course, hang out with your friends or family, cook or bake something, go on a day trip somewhere, go to the mall with friends, go for a walk or even do some winter activities for the last time like sledding, skating or skiing.

If you’re looking for something more spring friendly you could get outside, go for a hike by the river or walk around one of the nearby lakes. The weather might be a bit cold but it will be nice to be outside after the long winter.

If you’re looking for some indoor activities you could always rewatch your favorite TV show or movie, or watch a new one.

All of these things will hopefully help you have an enjoyable and fun spring break. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a good spring break!

By: Violet Hirman

In the past, tea was a reason to get-together daily, and was a huge part of so many cultures. Today, it still is for some. But a lot of knowledge and practice has faded into the background, obscuring the countless medicinal and mood-boosting benefits of tea.

Studies have shown that the majority of Americans don’t own a teapot or kettle, and that those who do don’t use them daily. Caffeinated coffee has taken the country by storm and replaced tea as the staple energy drink. There are several replacements for coffee in the tea industry that offer a natural energizing alternative.

One word. Matcha.

Matcha can be found on its own for making smoothies and drinks, even baked into pastries. It’s also a common ingredient in generic green tea, which you can find cheap at any grocery store.

Now, most people don’t like it because of the bitter aftertaste, but it’s easily sweetened with a little bit of honey.

Some other teas containing caffeine are chai tea (my favorite), black tea (also known as English Breakfast tea), white tea, purple tea, and oolong tea.

Natural energy isn’t the only benefit of tea, however. Chamomile, for example, is great for a restful sleep, and you can drink a cup before bed to help with sleep quality. Peppermint tea is helpful in easing stomach aches and digestion, and the Echinacea flower can be made into tea to shield against colds and fevers.

Tea ingredients can—and often are—combined with others possessing similar qualities to make an herbal mix, which can help to amplify their uses and benefits. For example, an herbal tea mixture of sarsaparilla, burdock, stinging nettle, and dandelion can help to clear up acne from the inside out. Topical mixtures and compresses can also be made from these ingredients and applied externally for the same use.

Certain herbal mixtures shouldn’t be taken too often or for too long, and by no means should they replace the presence of any medicine provided by a doctor, but they have their benefits and can certainly be used to ease the nerves.

It’s possible to grow and harvest many ingredients in your backyard to make your own herbal teas. But keep in mind that it’s a delicate practice, and it’s greatly recommended to talk to a local botanist or herbologist to get helpful tips and advice.

The benefits of tea are endless, and their medicinal qualities are bountiful. Next time you see a kettle in a store, consider making a simple cup of tea.

By: Calla Fragassi & Mackenzie Malek

The Bean Factory is a small coffee shop located in St. Paul, just off of Randolph. The name JS, or Just Steves, comes from the owner Steve who established the shop in 2001 and now runs the independently owned, local coffee shop and roastery.

Now that you know a little bit about The Bean Factory, let’s take you inside.

The menu is filled with a large variety of drinks, from different coffees to Italian sodas. We can’t forget about the choice of pastries such as donuts and croissants. They also sell a selection of local art, skin and body care products, as well as some of their own merchandise, such as hats and sweatshirts.

The Bean Factory, hence the name, produces their own coffee beans, so you will be guaranteed to have a fresh cup every time. They serve three different coffees daily; one decaf and two regular coffees from different countries. If you don’t find your favorite coffee on the menu, they will make you an individual cup of coffee at their brew bar. Just ask and they will brew it for you!

They are also able to make accommodations or changes to any drink you want to suit you. The Bean Factory offers a punch card where once you buy nine drinks, you get the tenth one free for a drink of your choice. They also offer seasonal drinks like apple cider, pumpkin flavored drinks, and more.

JS is very environmentally friendly, having all compostable lids, cups, straws, and napkins!

Some of our favorite things to get at the Bean Factory are an iced chai latte or a blended mocha for on the go! If we have a bit of time to sit and study or catch up we either get hot chocolate or Steve’s double smoky coffee. If you’re planning on sitting in, you can get your drink in a JS coffee mug, or if you’re on the go you can get one of their compostable cups.

When the temperature is warming up there are outdoor seating options along with the inside seating all year long. The outside patio has an overhead shelter and is decorated with festive lights. If you are lucky enough you will get to hear some local live music that plays at JS every once in a while.

JS is right between the Macalester Groveland and Highland Park neighborhoods, which is a very welcoming community. Welcoming communities build connections between newcomers and long-term residents by strengthening relationships, and communicating shared values. Along with the community itself, the staff is very friendly and inviting.

In 2019-2020, a new Starbucks was supposed to be built on the corner of Randolph and Snelling Ave, but the community expressed their opinions on the new building and how it would take away business for The Bean Factory. After a communal vote was held, the project was moved down to the corner of Snelling and Stanford Ave which is far enough away that the small coffee shop was able to keep their business and their customers.

Their mission is to serve the community by bringing only the best coffees, roasted to perfection. They are dedicated to providing their customers with the highest quality coffee beans from a variety of different countries. The Bean Factory has also been very thoughtful to the HPSH community as they are one of our hockey team’s silver sponsors this year! They have continuously supported the team and our players throughout the season, and we cannot wait for the partnership to grow!

After many visits to the bean factory and getting to know the friendly staff and welcoming community, trying the variety of drinks and food, buying the merchandise, and getting to enjoy the local coffee shop feel, JS has become one of our favorite places, because of all it has to offer.

For more information, please visit their website at:

• http://juststevesbeanfactory.com/