Throughout the academic year, Melinda Giampietro, Options Founder/President, will share some of her favourite things in her monthly Founder’s Feature. Melinda loves reading, data, research, and following academic and adolescent news around the world.
March Book of the Month
I enjoy reading about leadership within different industries. I find people’s real experiences much more helpful than just following research. At a recent dinner event, a fellow business owner was telling me about Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect↗, by Will Guidara. Guidara’s restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, has been named the best restaurant in the world. The book explores his journey of creating a hospitality first culture, while also extending this thinking to his own team. The book is full of warm anecdotes and easy lessons to reflect on and integrate into practice. I appreciated the reminder to ‘Find the Third Option,’ meaning to face challenges by thinking around the problem, not straight at it, to find another, better way to solve it.
March Cookbook of the Month
I received the Whitewater Cooks Together Again↗ cookbook from BC resident Shelley Adams from a friend as a holiday gift (thanks, TOK!). I am a fan of Shelley’s and have all of her previous cookbooks. Her recipes focus on local offerings and are simple, fresh, and fun to make. Although I think many of her recipes lean into summer best, I tried these this winter: Warm Roasted Potato Salad, Sheri’s Fancy Chicken Noodle Soup, Roasted Salmon with Curry Sumac Butter, Braised Moroccan-Inspired Garlicky Short Ribs, Italian Nonna Ricotta Cake, and Amazing Chocolate Almond Cake (great for gluten-free guests). I can’t wait to dig into more recipes this summer.
March Recipe of the Month
For some reason in late winter, I find myself making these two recipes often: Ina Garten’s Warm French Lentils and Chicken Ramen-Noodle Soup. Both are easy and healthy. They are warm and cozy, yet hint at the freshness of spring around the corner. And who doesn’t love a good Ina classic recipe?
See here for Warm French Lentils↗ from Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That↗.
See here for Chicken Ramen-Noodle Soup↗ from Barefoot Contessa Go To Dinners↗.
March Podcast of the Month
I am really enjoying The New Yorker’s The Runaway Princess↗ podcast. I am three episodes through the four-episode series. The story is about the attempted escape and aftermath of Princess Latifa from her father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. The story is heart-breaking and disturbing and questions the actions of those with political power to silence the truth. It’s an engaging listen while you’re walking, cooking, or driving.
Listen on Spotify:
March Elite Achiever of the Month
I love to follow the journeys of women breaking barriers, boundaries, and records. Caitlin Clark is our March achiever. In February, she became the NCAA women’s basketball all-time leading scorer (3,569 points) with a 49-point game, also setting a new career-high. This girl gets it done. This article↗ in The Athletic explains her prowess and impact on the game. Not only is she changing the way that we perceive female athletes, but she is also doing it with grace, respect, and integrity. I can’t wait for my Nike “You break it, you own it.” Clark 22 t-shirt to arrive.
March Travel Recommendations of the Month
One of our Founder’s readers requested a ‘Melinda’s Top Travel Recommendations’ for spring break.
So here are a few of my favourite things:
This Beis backpack↗ (this is the colour I have) goes everywhere with me. It folds completely open for easy packing, has a generous laptop pocket, slides over a carry-on, and is super comfortable on a long travel day.
Everyone in my family uses this Patagonia Black Hole Cube↗ as our dopp kits. While a little non-traditional, we love them. Mine is bright purple, so it stands out in my luggage.
I find my hands get so dry on planes. I always have this Caudalie hand cream↗ in my carry on. It is hydrating and soaks in quickly.
I use this Lulu bag to keep my essentials (phone, passport, wallet, Kleenex, Airpods) in. I find the 2L↗ is the perfect size for travel, and great to have for whatever adventure awaits you, leaving your hands free.
I wear this Varley half-zip↗ on almost every plane ride. It is comfortable, looks presentable, doesn’t wrinkle, and is easy to layer. If I’m going full comfort mode, I wear the matching pants↗, too, with my reliable Stan Smith↗ sneakers.
Please note, some items are affiliate links.
To read more Founder’s Features, check them out under the Options News↗ category.
