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Here Is A Top Chef’s Recipe For Cannabis Brussels Sprouts

Jillian Peterson
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Here Is A Top Chef’s Recipe For Cannabis Brussels Sprouts

Before Top Chef became a breeding ground for product placement and celebrity judges, there was cheftestant Robin Leventhal. The colorful and fast-talking Seattle chef finished 5th in Season 6 of the hit Bravo series. She’s now an artist and teacher in Walla Walla. Not one to shy away from cannabis, she’s sharing her recipe for the often misunderstood holiday side dish: Brussels sprouts. They can be delicious, really! Here, she tells you how. 

I know you might think Brussels are gross, smell like dirty feet and remind you of your grandma. I’m here to set you straight! Things have  changed since you tried them when you were 5-years old and couldn’t see over the counter.  Now we know that crispy on the outside and tender on the inside (not mushy) is the way to transform these mini cabbages into jewels on the plate and smiles in your belly.

You could add bacon, but you already knew that! Finally, the herb butter just adds that extra bit of love that makes them irresistible! Of course, this recipe will be delicious if you omit the herbaliscious butter, which I recommend for a family affair.  And finally, please, please, please do not use frozen vegetables! They just perpetuate the hater’s justification of calling them vile. Fresh is always best, and for the holidays, nothing else will do! 

Herbaliscious Brussels Sprouts

Serves 8-10

Prep time 10 minutes. Cook time 30 minutes. Oven temp: 375˚ F.

  • 2 lbs honey nut squash or butternut, sliced in ½-inch half moons
  • 3lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half from base to top
  • 1/3 c. shallots, quartered and sliced 1/8th inch thick
  • ¼ c. bacon cut cross wise 1/8 inch thick (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp herbaliscious butter
  • 2 Tbsp oil (I prefer grapeseed but canola, vegetable or a blended olive oil are fine to use)
  • 1 tsp. Kosher or sea salt to taste
  • Fresh ground pepper

Preheat oven to 375˚ degrees. In a bowl toss the Brussel sprouts with the 2 Tbls. oil and spread cut side down a sheet pan. Place the cut half-moons of squash alongside the brussels, brush with oil and sprinkle all the vegetables with the salt. Roast until tender through when pierced with a knife and cut sides are caramelized, approximately 30 minutes. If you need to get a bit of color at the end of cooking, use the broiler for a minute or two as needed to enhance caramelization.

While the squash and brussels are roasting, in a small sauté pan cook the shallots and bacon on medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Add the herb butter to melt, reserve until squash and Brussles are finished roasting.

Once Brussels and squash are done cooking, toss with the herbaliscious shallot-bacon-butter, a few fresh grinds of black pepper, taste for salt and adjust if needed. Serve immediately and remind your guests to have a happy and safe holiday!

5 Great Thanksgiving Movies To Watch On Turkey Day

Anthony Washington
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5 Great Thanksgiving Movies To Watch On Turkey Day

It’s Thanksgiving time! Soon you’ll be bombarded with intrusive family members, tons of delicious food, and—hopefully—enough booze to get you through it all. But first you should revisit some classic Thanksgiving flicks to help you prepare. Here are five of the best Turkey Day films.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

For whatever reason, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles doesn’t seem to get the same respect as other beloved John Hughes or Steve Martin movies. Which is a shame, because it’s one of their greatest flicks and includes a fantastic performance from John Candy. The pillow scene is also an all-time classic.

RELATED: Tips To Successfully Celebrate Thanksgiving With Cannabis

Home for the Holidays

Jodie Foster’s directorial debut is a funny, sad, and all-too-real examination of what it’s like to return to your small hometown from a big city to spend Thanksgiving with your family. Holly Hunter is great in it as are Robert Downey Jr (who plays her brother), Anne Bancroft (her mother) and Charles Durning (her father).

Grumpy Old Men

The 1993 comedy about two old, lifelong rivals feuding over their sexy new neighbor put Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon back on the map. But more importantly, it also features a memorable Thanksgiving dinner scene.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

An obvious but essential pick. No Thanksgiving week would be complete without a revisiting Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy and the rest of the gang from the 1973 animated film. Plus, it’s just 23-minutes long, which leaves you plenty of time to cook/trick your cousin into trying to kick a football.

Rocky

Everyone knows that the 1976 Sylvester Stallone classic is one of the all-time great sports movies. But the film, which is much funnier and weirder than you remember, also includes a pivotal scene that takes place on Thanksgiving–in order to get his sister Adrian to go on a date with his best friend Rocky, Paulie throws their turkey into an alley. It’s perhaps not the best way to treat your sister on Thanksgiving, but–if you’ve seen the rest of the movie, or any of its many sequels–you can’t say Paulie’s strategy didn’t work.

Longtime Marijuana Critic Joe Kennedy Now Embraces Federal Legalization

Brendan Bures
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Longtime Marijuana Critic Joe Kennedy Now Embraces Federal Legalization

Back in 2016, as Massachusetts voters were considering legalizing recreational cannabis, Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D) didn’t mince words about his position. “I don’t think marijuana should be legalized,” he told Boston Magazine.

Now, as legal adult-use cannabis sales have begun in the state, Kennedy has changed his tune and is embracing federal legalization, he announced in an op-ed for STAT News. Kennedy’s change of heart stems from widespread legalization at the state level, leaving the federal government unable to effectively regulate and manage the burgeoning cannabis industry.

“Given the rapid pace of state-level legalization and liberalization, I believe we must implement strong, clear, and fair federal guidelines. To do that requires us to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and legalize it at the federal level,” Kennedy writes.

He cites various sobering statistics about the federal government’s failed War on Drugs, including the disproportionate persecution to people of color and deadly opioid addiction rates. Kennedy is also in favor of removing marijuana’s Schedule I status, so that federal research institutions can properly study the plant in its full capacity.

“As long as marijuana remains regulated by the CSA, the federal government is barred from rectifying these failures or acting with any oversight authority as states move ahead with reform at record pace. So a broken, patchwork system flourishes in our country today with no federal guardrails—like the ones we have for alcohol and tobacco—to protect public health and safety and ensure equal justice,” Kennedy writes.

However, it’s worth mentioning that as recently as March of this year, Kennedy was still beating the prohibition drum. He told Vox’s Ezra Klein he worried that legalizing cannabis could further the state’s opioid problems.

“One of my main focuses in Congress is on mental health and addiction and there are a number of voices in that community that do pose serious questions about either the decriminalization or legalization efforts,” he said.

Whether Kennedy’s new position stems from a genuine change in belief, or if he’s jumping aboard the train to please his constituents remain open to interpretation. The congressman’s actions will speak louder than his words. Or, more accurately, if his actions will live up to the pro-cannabis proclamations he made this week.

As Kennedy wrote: “My concerns about the public health impact of marijuana remain. But it has become clear that prohibition has wholly failed to address them. I believe legalization is our best chance to actually dedicate resources toward consumer safety, abuse prevention, and treatment for those who need it.”

4 Ways To Avoid Gaining Weight Over The Holidays

Maria Loreto
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4 Ways To Avoid Gaining Weight Over The Holidays

A sad reality is that by the time next year’s Thanksgiving rolls around, a large percentage of Americans will be losing the weight they gained during the previous holiday season. This is no exaggeration, either.

A 2016 study analyzed nearly 1,800 people and found that we start gaining weight around mid-November, peaking by New Year’s eve. It takes us six months, starting in January, to get back to our original pre-Thanksgiving weight.

So, what can we do to avoid gaining weight without being the holiday’s resident party-pooper? It’s quite simple. The good news is that you won’t have to diet. The bad news is that you’re going to have to switch up some habits.

Mind your eating

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Related: 7 Crucial Cannabis Hacks For Surviving The Holiday Season

When faced with delicious cookies and treats, try to prioritize and eat your favorites without going crazy on the carbs and sugar. Pay attention to when you’re hungry or full, avoid overeating, and watch out for your portions. You’re still able to eat everything you want to eat, just be aware of what’s on your plate and make sure that you’re also having a fair amount of plant-based carbs, proteins and fats.

Workout semi-regularly

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Even though the holidays can be a challenging time to work out, it’s important that you remain physically active, especially if you’re going to enjoy your meals. It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is that you pick up a workout habit and stick to it, allowing you to stay in (sort of) shape for the duration of the holiday season. By doing a workout that you like, it’s much more likely that you’ll stick to it, even during the holiday season.

Eat smart snacks

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Related: Does Spending The Holidays Apart Doom A Relationship?

Have fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetable snacks when hungry, and try to avoid snacking if you’re full or simply bored. Limit yourself to eating only when your body is telling you it needs to eat.

Try to get some sleep

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Different studies have found correlations between sleep and weight gain, probably because poor sleeping habits are linked with poor energy and more hunger, resulting in more eating and less physical activity. Poor sleep has also been linked to a slower metabolism, so always try to get the rest you need.

Instagram Purges Fake Likes And Followers

Maria Loreto
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Instagram Purges Fake Likes And Followers

Instagram is the latest social media website to take serious measures against fake accounts, which increase the audience of hundreds of real Instagram users. These third party apps have been around for a while, leaving spam comments, fake follows and likes when interacted with.

On November 19, Instagram published a blog post where they explained their new security feature, claiming they want to keep the app as an authentic space, where users can have real experiences and interactions.

Via Instagram:

Starting today, we will begin removing inauthentic likes, follows and comments from accounts that use third-party apps to boost their popularity. We’ve built machine learning tools to help identify accounts that use these services and remove the inauthentic activity.

Fake followers and likes are prevalent on Instagram, especially now that it’s become a legitimate place of work for bloggers, influencers, and more. The company’s blog post also explains that users who have benefited from fake accounts will get a notification explaining that fake likes, comments and followers have been removed from their accounts, and that this sort of behavior goes against the social media platform’s Community Guidelines.

Users who employ the services of third party apps usually have to pay for this, providing their login and password information. “Their accounts are sometimes used by third-party apps for inauthentic likes, follows and comments. Not only does this introduce bad behavior into the Instagram community, it also makes these accounts less secure,” reads the Instagram blog post. These users will have to change their passwords in order to keep using their Instagram accounts, and will also have their experience impacted if they keep using banned apps.

This focus on policy enforcement and online security measures follows the involvement of Facebook and Instagram in polarizing scandals that have influenced different elections throughout the world.

The One Lie Most Of Us Tell Our Families During The Holidays

Amy Hansen
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The One Lie Most Of Us Tell Our Families During The Holidays

If you’re one of the few several many countless people who don’t super-love spending time with your extended family during the holidays, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. And by comfort, we mean making sure you get a good night’s sleep, even if you have to fib a little.

A Holiday Sleep Study from Intex (an airbeds company) reveals that more than half of us, 52 percent, lie in order to keep from sleeping over at a relative’s home. What, you don’t like the feel of a steel bar digging into your back while sleeping on the fold-out couch?

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It’s no wonder hotel rooms are hard to come by during the holidays. These are some of the ache-inducing sleeping arrangements people reported being subjected to during the holidays:

  • 62 percent admitted they had been relegated to a couch
  • 39 percent had been provided a bed that was too small

Related: What Your Sleep Position Says About Your Relationship

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  • 44 percent slept on the floor, such as in a sleeping bag
  • 13 percent (more than 1 in 10) of adults have found themselves assigned to a child’s themed bed

Related: How Using Marijuana Can Effect Your Sleep Patterns

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  • 7 percent have had to resort to sleeping in a tent

Yep. A CHILD’S THEMED BED and a TENT! Crashing on a couch is heaven compared this these options. Here’s a holiday gift idea: a hotel room for your most cherished loved ones.

Where Does Indiana Stand On Legalizing Medical Marijuana?

Mike Adams
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Where Does Indiana Stand On Legalizing Medical Marijuana?

Now that ten states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, regular citizens are becoming more interested in the pot laws in their neck of the woods. Unless a person keeps close tabs on these types of developments, it can be difficult to know everything there is about where it is legal, where it isn’t and when legalization might be happening. This is especially true ever since the CBD craze went full steam ahead this year. It is shocking to hear just how many people believe medical marijuana is legal in their state because a company sells the non-intoxicating compound of the cannabis plant at their local mall or health food store.

Indiana is one of these states where, unless a resident is obsessed with monitoring marijuana news on a regular basis, there seems to be some question about the legalities surrounding marijuana. Some of this disorder is mostly to blame on the vagueness of the laws surrounding CBD products. But the truth of the matter is marijuana, even for medicinal use, is still mostly illegal in the Hoosier State.

Here’s the rub:

Possession of anything other than hemp-based CBD containing less than 0.3 percent CBD is prohibited statewide. Anyone busted with up to 30 grams of marijuana can be charged with a class A misdemeanor and endure penalties of up to a year in jail and fines reaching $5,000. In some cases (i.e., habitual offenders) small-time marijuana offenses can be charged as felonies. There is prison time to be had for those unfortunate folks who fall into this category.

Meanwhile, Indiana is almost entirely surrounded by states that have legalized for medical and recreational use. The most recent includes Michigan. Voters there decided in the midterm election that adults 21 and over should be allowed to buy and grow weed for personal use. Neighboring Illinois could impose a similar reform next year at the request of governor-elect J.D. Pritzker.

But isn’t Indiana’s CBD law essentially medical marijuana? No, not really. Most states with medical marijuana laws on the books have an established regulatory system in place for patients suffering from various conditions. Indiana doesn’t have anything like that. All of the legislation introduced over the year attempting to implement such as thing throughout Indiana have failed miserably at the hands of legislative forces. In fact, none of the medical marijuana bills brought forward have so much as received a hearing. An interim legislative panel even decided over the summer that medical marijuana was not something the state should entertain in upcoming sessions.

Not even the issue of decriminalization (eliminating the criminal penalties for pot possession without legalizing it) has been given a fair shake. But these concepts are expected to discussed once again at the Statehouse in 2019.

Indiana Representative Jim Lucas, who has been leading the charge for legal medical marijuana, said earlier after taking a pot-related field trip to Colorado that the legalization of medical marijuana “is the right thing to do for Indiana.”

Most Indiana residents agree. A survey conducted two years ago by WTHR found that 73 percent of the population is in favor of the state passing a law that allows people with specific health conditions to use cannabis for its therapeutic application. Even the older demographics, which are traditional opposed to legalization, responded mostly in favor of this reform. Whether the State Legislature is prepared to entertain this idea in the next session remains to be seen. But it might be forced to or suffer the consequences. A recent article from Forbes suggests that legal marijuana in states like Michigan is ramping up the black market in Indiana and other areas of prohibition.

Why the 1:1 Ratio Of THC And CBD Is Canna-Magic

Mary Schumacher
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Why the 1:1 Ratio Of THC And CBD Is Canna-Magic

While there are a myriad of dosage ratios when it comes to THC and CBD, having equal amounts of each cannabinoid either bred into the strain or concocted via cannabis alchemy means a therapeutic, medicinal effect. Used often to combat the side effects of chemotherapy like nausea and sleeplessness, the 1:1 ratio promotes calmness and tranquility.

What Are CBD and THC Respectively?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that’s proven to be a miracle treatment for inflammation, anxiety and even severe seizure disorder, but to really work its magic, there needs to be other cannabinoids, including a dollop or more of THC.

CBD is known to somewhat counteract the flightier high of THC and mellow it out the higher the amount of CBD compared to THC. THC is the cannabinoid most known throughout the world as the one that gets you high and keeps your mood elevated. It also has many medicinal properties, but it’s psychoactivity is tempered by an abundant presence of CBD.

CBD:THC Ratios

While research is yet ongoing as to which ratio combinations create the “best” effects for certain disorders, anecdotal evidence suggests quite a bit in this realm. For example, if THC really makes you paranoid or anxious, a 2:1 CBD:THC ratio is more likely to be the answer for what ails you, as the extra CBD tends to eliminate the oftimes heart-racing effects of high THC.

The 1:1 Ratio

Since the “Golden Ratio” is already taken, we’ll call this the “Emerald Equation.” It is about as medicinal as it gets. If you are suffering from a disease or other health problem that has you writhing in pain or completely sleepless, it’s highly likely that a dropperful of 1:1 tincture will quell your discomfort and have you sleeping, sleepy or simply slightly sedated enough to get out of your head about the pain and sickness you’re experiencing.

If you’re looking for less of a high and more of a sense of relief, look for a reputable, concentrated 1:1 ratio tincture or oil and take as directed by your cannabis medical provider or by the consultant at your local dispensary. This is not the math to get you blazed, per se, but it is truly the way to combat severe symptoms of fibromyalgia, insomnia, the side effects of cancer treatment and neurological disorders like Multiple Sclerosis.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Is Pissing People Off With Her ‘Don’t Overeat’ Instagram Post

Amy Hansen
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Sarah Michelle Gellar Is Pissing People Off With Her ‘Don’t Overeat’ Instagram Post

Everybody’s favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar, just posted some photos on her Instagram — throwback pics of her 2007 Maxim shoot. Like many IG users, instead of just posting attractive photos of herself, Gellar used an excuse to remind people how hot she is. In this case, her excuse du jour was Thanksgiving. She captioned them:

I’m just going to pin these up all over my house as a reminder not to overeat on Thursday #thanksgivingprep

And then the commenters went crazy.

For many, it was an innocent joke. But to others who read into the caption, it was fat shaming and a trigger for those with eating disorders.

Related: 8 Celebs Who Were Food Shamed For No Good Reason

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Comments include:

Your caption is problematic and I suggest you do some research on eating disorders, the mental health issues that go along with them, and how diet culture is harmful to women. Girls look up to you, and you should be mindful of the message you’re sending.

it’s hard not to see this as encouragement to restrict calories

I think she’s great and obviously very beautiful, but the caption was pretty sad and disappointing but that’s just my opinion and I’m pretty sure it was a joke.

You are my hero but I kind of respect you less for this ?

This caption is really damaging to people with eating disorders or body dysmorphia. I urge you to edit your caption to something less harmful.

Please consider rewording this, there’s nothing wrong with eating or being something other than skinny. And this post is a great way to trigger people’s eating disorders.

Don’t make this about eating. That’s weird. Just post your pics and go.

One day of eating good food and enjoying tradition with your family and friends won’t change your body. And even if it did… is it bad to be anything but slim?

But most people came to Gellar’s rescue, seeing the post for what it was: a joke. And at the very least, a good reminder not to make yourself feel like absolute garbage the day after Thanksgiving.

Thank you for promoting a healthy lifestyle! You can enjoy Thanksgiving without going crazy!!??

If this triggers someomes eating disorder then that is on THEM not @sarahmgellar quit blaming others for your OWN actions!

I don’t agree with the packaging of this inspiration to monitor enjoyment on a holiday, especially when we live in a toxic society that already holds women to unhealthy standards in terms of age and beauty.

NEWS FLASH: celebrities can’t eat like the rest of us and look like they do. If this hurts your feelings then you really need to figure out why that is, because that’s weird and irrational.

As a former anorexic and bulimic, I don’t see any harm or malice in the post. She looks amazing and shouldn’t be shamed for looking that way. You are also body shaming her for the way she looks.

The amount of people here defending the idea that one day of indulgence is something to obsess over makes me realize that we have a lot of work to do still when it comes to spreading the #bodypositivity movement.

Whatever your plans are for Thursday, don’t be swayed by one person’s Instagram post that really seems to be more about posting throwback photos a few days early.

5 Things To Do In NYC While Fully Lifted

Mary Schumacher
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5 Things To Do In NYC While Fully Lifted

There’s a magic in the air of NYC, and it’s not just the buzz of loosening cannabis laws wafting through. You can walk down the street with a joint now and the worse that can happen is a menial fine. (Though we recommend a more discreet approach to the Big Apple.)

There are enough things to do in the city that never sleeps that it can literally make your head spin, edibles or not. Here are 5 experiences targeted to experiencing the big city while high, whether an old hat or a first time visitor from Sheboygan.

Visit the top of the Empire State Building

Chances are, if you live in NYC it’s been a long time since you’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building. But no matter what time of year, as long as there isn’t a windy nor’easter, going to the top of this majestic building is alway a breathtaking experience, but is utterly heart-stopping when lifted just the right amount.

Reacquaint yourself or feast your eyes on NYC, night or day, and it’s something you’ll never regret. Don’t forget to set your phone’s camera to panorama and get the ultimate banner photo for your blog or social media page.

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Go to an off-Broadway play

Sure, seeing a fully produced, critically acclaimed Broadway show on cannabis or not is a blast. But seeing a quirky, off-Broadway production is a completely different experience, as you never know what to expect. Eating an edible beforehand is the best way to maintain a good feeling throughout and also curb any aches or pains associated with sitting in the same position for awhile. Often actors will go to the venue bar and mingle with patrons, as is the case at 59E59 Theater, where you’re sure to find something intriguing.

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Sleep No More

There’s nothing like a crazy creepy, immersive theatrical experience to really bring out the heartbeat of a high-flying sativa. Seeing The McKittrick Hotel’s infamous show that revolves around Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the 1667 Paisley witch trials, you really should be prepared for some thrills. But we also recommend not knowing much more than that before going in. This nighttime activity ends up in a cool bar for after show cocktails, but bring your vape pen for before and after. Your nerves will thank you.

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Visit The Sony Wonder Technology Lab

Buzzing with the literal electric pulse of the early 90’s tech boom, get a look at how things work on the tech side of things. The “How Devices Work” experience shows behind the scenes glimpses into how high, high tech is made in order to produce films or perform virtual heart surgery.

It shows how much deeper tech goes than the apps we interact with to kill time throughout the day and it’s trippy as anything, so it pairs fantastic with weed.

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Eat to your heart’s content

If there’s one thing New York’s known for, it’s the variety and quality of cuisines packed into its busy streets. If you’re getting ready for a stroll through Central Park, another great thing to do while high, check out Landmarc restaurant in The Shops at Columbus Circle, where this bustling French restaurant really knows how to fancy up a burger.

You should also explore the options in whatever part of town you find yourself in. Stop into a random dumpings spot or try a cuisine you’ve never experienced prior. A quick restaurant search of the neighborhood online will reveal the top rated restaurants and if it gets 5 stars in NYC, it’s got to be good. Munchies recommended.

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