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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Christina Saschin
Try snacking on a handful of almonds between meals. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Brain food for finals

Christina Saschin
December 15, 2014
Put the coffee down and munch on some healthy snacks to give you sustained energy for finals.
Molly Rzepecki makes pulled pork sandwiches at 1078 Gallery for its December Mixed Media Mixer event Sunday. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Local sisters cater to therapeutic food needs

Christina Saschin
December 12, 2014
TherapEATic Catering, founded and maintained by two local sisters, turned 1 year old this November.
A holiday pasta dish with kale and tomato. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Holiday pasta

Christina Saschin
December 8, 2014
Not sure when to use kale? Try cooking some noodles and adding kale and tomatoes to create a festive dinner dish.
Chicken goat cheese tacos Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Chicken goat cheese tacos

Christina Saschin
December 1, 2014
These tacos are easy to make for lunch or dinner, and are perfect for busy college students prepping for finals.
When shopping for a discount Thanksgiving dinner at Safeway, students can use their rewards cards for deals on stuffing and bread rolls. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Discount Thanksgiving

Christina Saschin
November 25, 2014
The Orion compared prices at Safeway, Raley's, Wal-Mart and Save Mart to find out where students can get the best deals for a quick and affordable Thanksgiving dinner away from home.
Pumpkin cookies fresh out of the oven Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Pumpkin Cookies

Christina Saschin
November 17, 2014
Add pumpkin puree to your favorite sugar cookie mix for this fall-themed treat.
Goat Cheese Apple Tarts, a delicious treat inspired by "The Hunger Games." Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: ‘The Hunger Games’ Goat Cheese Apple Tarts

Christina Saschin
November 10, 2014
Can't wait for the "Mockingjay" premiere? Try these deliciously sweet and filling tarts to get in the spirit of "The Hunger Games."
A Red pizza from Grana, a wood-fired foods restaurant downtown. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Grana offers simple yet delicious pizza

Christina Saschin
November 7, 2014
Tucked away at the edge of downtown, Grana is a great dinner option for those who enjoy wood-fired Italian food and wine.
Homemade Scotch eggs Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Scotch eggs

Christina Saschin
November 3, 2014
You can make this English breakfast dish at home, cup of tea optional.
A regular burrito with chicken from Bulldog Taqueria on West 2nd Street. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Bulldog Taqueria has quick service, juicy burritos

Christina Saschin
October 29, 2014
The Orion sampled some local Mexican grill at the restaurant's new location downtown.
A DIY pumpkin spice latte. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: DIY pumpkin spice latte

Christina Saschin
October 27, 2014
Pumpkin spice lattes are all the rage during fall. Here is how you can make one yourself and save some money.
Berry and Banana Pancakes with a Café Latte and syrup at Sin of Cortez. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Sin of Cortez offers fresh food, family feel

Christina Saschin
October 22, 2014
The Orion checks out Sin of Cortez, a quaint breakfast and lunch restaurant two miles from campus.
Forbidden Rice and Chicken. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers Digest: Forbidden Rice and chicken

Christina Saschin
October 20, 2014
Try some black rice and cook it with orange bell pepper or butternut squash for a festive, Halloween feel.
Sweet potato grits Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Sweet potato grits

Christina Saschin
October 13, 2014
These sweet potato grits are country-inspired and can be eaten for breakfast or as a side dish.
Alexander Madrid, a server at Upper Crust Bakery, pours some soup for a customer. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Fall meal picks

Christina Saschin
October 11, 2014
The fall season brings with it comfort food and recipes using the season's produce. The Orion offers its top choices for scrumptious fall dishes in Chico.
Black bean and vegetable soup Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Black bean and vegetable soup

Christina Saschin
October 6, 2014
This quick meal complements chilly fall weather and offers relief for students hit by the cold and flu season.
Last year's Passport Weekend event at Grey Fox Vineyards. Photo courtesy of Grey Fox Vineyards.

Passport Weekend offers taste of Butte County

Christina Saschin
October 5, 2014
Get away from Chico next weekend and check out what local farms and wineries in Butte County have to offer in this ninth annual Sierra Oro Farm Trail event. The Orion offers its top picks of places to check out on the trail.
Chicken casserole dinner with rice. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Hummus-crusted chicken

Christina Saschin
September 29, 2014
If you're looking for a hearty, complete dinner meal, cook up some rice, pop open the oven and bake chicken breasts with zucchini and yellow squash.
Chico State alumnae Melissa Oji and Samantha Fernandez, catch up over coffee at Naked Lounge. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Favorite fall drinks

Christina Saschin
September 24, 2014
Autumn officially returned this week. Check out The Orion's picks for best places to bring fall to your taste buds.
WRECing balls are a great post-workout treat. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: WRECing Balls

Christina Saschin
September 22, 2014
Looking for a post-workout energy source? These WRECing balls are filled with quick-acting sugar, fiber and protein to hold you over until you eat a more substantial post-workout meal or snack.
Students can use their Wildcat ID to get great deals at restaurants in Chico. Willie the Wildcat illustration courtesy Chico State Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Student meal deals

Christina Saschin
September 19, 2014
The Orion offers its picks for top student food specials in Chico.
A New Orleans-style sausage and rice dish. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: New Orleans sausage, rice dish

Christina Saschin
September 15, 2014
Try out this flavorful dish, inspired by the rich cultural food of New Orleans depicted in The CW's returning drama "The Originals" on Oct. 6.

Readers, Digest: Students’ favorite international dishes

Christina Saschin
September 10, 2014
Since the Chico World Music Festival is coming up, I snagged students on campus to ask them about their favorite international dishes.
Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Popeye egg scramble

Christina Saschin
September 8, 2014
This week's recipe is a breakfast inspired by the popular cartoon character Popeye.
ALL FIRED UP!, a local rock cover band, performing last year at Taste of Chico in downtown Chico. Photo courtesy of Downtown Chico Business Association and Jon Yunker.

Taste of Chico offers delicious samples from local restaurants, businesses

Christina Saschin
September 7, 2014
If you are new to Chico or haven't gone to many restaurants downtown, the Downtown Chico Business Association's 29th annual Taste of Chico event is perfect for sampling food from different local establishments.
Vegetable rice pilaf Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Vegetable rice pilaf

Christina Saschin
September 1, 2014
On a time crunch? Add vegetables into your rice dish in lieu of making a salad.
Denine Shern bakes cupcakes every morning before her shop opens at 10:30 a.m. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Chico cupcake shop continues confection craze

Christina Saschin
August 29, 2014
Head downtown to Denine's Cupcakes for a sweet treat between classes or after a dinner with friends.
Bidwell Bars Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Back-to-school Bidwell Bars

Christina Saschin
August 25, 2014
Take these quick, on-the-go snacks with you when you go for a hike in Bidwell Park or a swim at One Mile.
This breakfast parfait will fuel your morning for finals. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Breakfast parfait

Christina Saschin
May 9, 2014
Fuel your brain for finals with this granola and berry-filled breakfast.
This colorful, crunchy dish is full of protein and fiber. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Rice-filled bell peppers

Christina Saschin
May 3, 2014
Use a bell pepper as a bowl for this wild rice dish.
This potato breakfast sandwich is full of omega-3 fatty acids. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Rustic potato breakfast stack

Christina Saschin
April 25, 2014
Start your morning with a quick and simple eggs and potatoes breakfast.
This wrap is loaded with vegetables and protein from quinoa. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Spring veggie wrap

Christina Saschin
April 21, 2014
This wrap provides protein and phytochemicals for vegans and meat lovers alike.
Celebrate Easter with chocolate egg nests. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Chocolate Easter egg nests

Christina Saschin
April 20, 2014
Delight guests with this quick, easy and festive treat.
A grilled corn and black eyed-pea salad is perfect for dinner after Thursday Night Market. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Grilled corn salad

Christina Saschin
April 12, 2014
Utilize your barbecue for a fresh outdoor meal this spring.
Enjoy an apple stuffed with apples for dessert. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Cinnamon baked apples

Christina Saschin
April 1, 2014
Scale an apple pie down to this super simple single-serve dessert.
Try a fresh quinoa and kale salad for a serving of protein. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Quinoa kale salad

Christina Saschin
March 15, 2014
This salad is the perfect to-go lunch, packed with protein and veggies.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with quick corned beef sliders and a cabbage salad. Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Irish corned beef sliders

Christina Saschin
March 10, 2014
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with an easy twist on corned beef and cabbage.
Prepare a Southern-inspired gumbo to celebrate Mardi Gras.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Southern seafood gumbo

Christina Saschin
February 28, 2014
Celebrate Mardi Gras with a pot of gumbo.
Saute a medley of vegetables for a simple stir-fry.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Simple spicy stir-fry

Christina Saschin
February 21, 2014
Top sauteed veggies with a sweet and salty sauce for a quick but delicious dinner.
Make tortilla bowls from scratch and fill them with spicy tilapia and a sweet mango salsa for a fresh take on traditional tacos.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Mini mango fish taco bowls

Christina Saschin
February 14, 2014
Try a fresh twist on taco night with these tropical taco bowls.
Red velvet pancakes set the mood for a romantic Valentine's Day breakfast.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Romantic red velvet pancakes

Christina Saschin
February 8, 2014
Love and the smell of pancakes are in the air with this special occasion breakfast idea.
Chocolate pudding cups dressed up in martini glasses are sure to satisfy a sweetheart's sweet tooth.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Dressed up chocolate pudding cups

Christina Saschin
February 7, 2014
This chocolate treat is a sweet way to show someone that you care.
Morsels arranged like Olympic rings satisfy salty and sweet cravings of sports fans watching the 2014 Winter Games.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Sochi salmon with sweet, salty Olympic rings

Christina Saschin
February 4, 2014
Prepare Olympic-themed snacks for the 2014 Winter Games.
Grilled chicken nachos make a great dish to bring to parties, or just eat at home.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Readers, Digest: Sodium-savvy Super Bowl nachos

Christina Saschin
January 24, 2014
Don't have tickets to the big game? Invite your friends over for some nachos and enjoy the commercials.
Apple cinnamon bars make a great snack for students on the go when school starts.Photo credit: Christina Saschin

Healthy apple cinnamon bars spice up school days

Christina Saschin
January 17, 2014
The new food columnist offers a nutritious and easy to bake snack perfect for students on the move between classes