Building Your Future in the United States The Immigration Insider
July 2018
A Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking How to Get Started
From the Desk of
Clare Corado
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
It’s that time of year when we celebrate the formation of the United States and remember the ideals it was founded on. One of those ideals is that our country is stronger when our population is enriched with immigrants from all corners of the globe. We love that we get to participate in that process every day! I’m happy to announce that we’re rolling out this new version of our newsletter. Some of you may remember earlier versions, which included a lot of clip art. Now we’re trying to kick it up a notch. (Hey, we’re lawyers; using visuals is not something they teach us in school!) We’ve also resolved to stop talking exclusively about immigration law in the monthly edition. Of course, we’ll always keep you up-to-date on immigration news through our Facebook page. However, these days I think sometimes our brains could all use a bit of rest from hearing about immigration controversies.
That feeling of carrying nothing but your necessities on your back, walking in the wilderness as trees brush against you, and listening to wildlife call out to one another are just a few of the reasons why people fall in love with backpacking. It challenges your resourcefulness and determination and rewards you with a huge sense of accomplishment. Not to mention backpacking is a great workout. For avid hikers, the added challenge of carrying 65 pounds on your back tests core strength and stamina while utilizing leg muscles. If you’ve been hitting the trails or the gym lately, you might already be in good shape for a backpacking trip. Here are a few more suggestions for your first trip to make it a safe and enjoyable experience. When you’re just starting out, ask friends and family or visit your local outdoor store to see if they have gear you can rent or borrow. This can help you find out what works for you and what doesn’t before committing to a pack or tent. Consider borrowing or renting a tent, sleeping bag, and cooking equipment. A well-fitted pack makes all the difference, so while you may try out a pack from a friend who’s a similar size to you, this could be an area you want to invest in for long-term use. Many outdoor stores offer custom measuring services and will help you pick the right pack. Take it out on a few test runs with at least 30 pounds of weight to ensure it’s a good fit. It’s no fun to be out on the trail when you find out that a strap chafes your hips. Test and borrow gear.
We hope you have an excellent summer with your loved ones. Enjoy the sunshine!
- Clare Corado
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Cover story, continued ...
Consider a shorter route.
clothes, a quick rinse in running water is the most environmentally friendly way to do it.
There are plenty of two- to three-mile trips that give you a chance to hike during the day, make camp for a night or two, and hike back out at your leisure. And you’ll probably be impressed with how even those few miles become challenging with your pack on. In the spirit of packing light, you’ll want only what you absolutely need on your trip, and some of the weight in your pack should be dedicated to keeping you warm. In desert regions, even when it’s 90 degrees by day, temperatures can drop significantly at night. As Renee Shippey, REI outdoor program coordinator and backpacking extraordinaire, reminds us, “It’s easier to stay warm than to get warm.” If rain is a concern, you will want a rain jacket, and gloves and a hat may also be useful. On multi-night trips, you’ll often wear the same clothing for most of the trip. If you’re on an extended trip and need to wash your Layering will be your friend.
It’s tempting to choose that alluring 12- mile loop across alpine lakes. After all, the internet raved about its gorgeous views! But if it’s your first trip, consider a route that sounds easy. You can always plan a longer route for your next trip, but once you’ve hiked eight miles out, your only choice is to hike those miles back at some point. And when unexpected situations arise, like altitude sickness or dehydration, its best to be close to society.
Consider a class or a guided trip for your first time.
REI offers many backpacking classes, as does the Northwest Outdoor Leadership School and many other recreation companies across the nation. For your first trip, programs like these might be a good option to learn the basics under the tutelage of an outdoorsman, and at the same time, you’ll get to test out a lot of the essential equipment to learn what you like. Remember, part of the joy in backpacking is experiencing nature free of most of your possessions, so don’t worry about having the newest gear your first time out. You’ll burn even more calories when you’re having a good time. Plus, you’ll return more confident about what you want on the next trip. Happy trails!
You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. The Elvis A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon. S’mores in a Jar Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker, melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family.disney.com/recipe/smores-in-a-jar. Strawberry S’more-cake If you really want to wow your guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the summertime classic. Gooey s’mores meet Can I Have S’more? Creative Twists on the Campfire Classic
fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective.com/smores-strawberry-shortcake-recipe . S’mOreo A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow. S’mores Milkshake Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor. com/2013/08/30/smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer. It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer and see what great new s’mores you can create!
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Where Essential Oils Come From
Sourcing the Sweet-Smelling Stuff
because steam distillation is so easy to do, most essential oils you see on the shelf will have gone through this process.
Call it a pseudoscientific fad or a medical revolution; either way, essential oils are more popular today than they have ever been. Though research on the efficacy of lavender, ginger, and the dozens of other sweet-smelling oils is conflicting at best, people are using them at an astonishing rate. In fact, according to Stratistics MRC, essential oils were a $5.91 billion industry in 2016 and are expected to reach $12.85 billion by 2023. Whether you’re an essential oil acolyte or you fly into a rage at the faintest hint of bergamot, your mind is probably already made up about aromatherapy. The question remains, though: Where does all this delicious-smelling stuff come from? Most essential oils are derived from a process called steam distillation . Soon after harvest, the plants are placed on a mesh inside a sealed still, into which steam is injected. As the steam rises and envelops the plant, it breaks it down and lifts its constituent components up through a tube and into a condenser. The condenser cools the resulting vapor and collects it in liquid form at the bottom. Since essential oils do not mix with water, they float on the surface, where they’re siphoned off, bottled, and shipped off to a distributor. There are other methods, such as expression (aka cold pressing), but
Lavender essential oil is harvested from sheaves of l avandula angustifolia , that purple herb you see all over gardens across the United States. There are lavender farms all over the world, from California to Japan to Brazil, but the biggest world producer of lavender is, interestingly, Bulgaria. Tea Tree oil comes from the leaves of melaleuca alternifolia , commonly known as narrow-leaved paperbark, a short, bushy tree that produces white, fluffy flowers in the spring. The trees are endemic to Australia, but today are usually farmed in New South Wales or Queensland.
Bergamot is distilled from the peels of lime-green Bergamot oranges, or citrus bergamia . Most of it comes from coastal areas around the Ionian Sea. Whatever you do with it, use it sparingly on your skin — it can amplify skin damage from the sun!
Take a Break!
Charred
CHILI CHEESE CORN
Ingredients
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4 ears of corn, husked
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1/2 red chili (such as Freson) or jalapeño, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons high-smoke point oil, such as canola or vegetable 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 ounces fresh cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled
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1/4 cup cilantro
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Heat grill to medium. 2. Brush corn with 2 tablespoons oil and grill until visibly charred, 10–12 minutes. 3. Cut kernels off cob and combine with shallots, chilis, lime juice, cheese, and remaining oil. 4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
COLONIAL JULY USA CONGRESS
WASHINGTON REVOLUTION PARADE FIREWORKS
INDEPENDENCE DAY BARBECUE FREEDOM AMERICA
Recipe courtesy of BonAppeitt Magazine
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3500 DePauw Blvd, Ste. 2071 Indianapolis, IN 46268
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Clare PAGE 1 A Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking PAGE 1 Take Your S’mores to the Next Level PAGE 2 Where Do Essential Oils Come From? PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Charred Chili Cheese Corn PAGE 3 Must-See Swimming Holes of the World PAGE 4
Secret Swimming Holes of the World
Exclusive Spots You Must See to Believe
Dos Ojos, Mexico
Summertime is for swimming, but why settle for a community pool when you can have access to the most beautiful swimming locales in the world? These three exclusive, little-known spots are sure to take your breath away.
The Spanish translation of the name for this magical system of caves is “two eyes,” and you’ll want to have yours checked after you see this swimming hole. When limestone bedrock collapses, a sinkhole called a “cenote” is formed. The previously unearthed water from the natural aquifer balances a color palette of earth tones with the most majestic shades of blue you’ll ever behold. The calling cards for these bodies of water are the Blue Eye and the Black Eye. Both offer unforgettable experiences, but the price of entry is a hefty sense of adventure. You’ll need a full set of scuba gear to get to either hole.
Hali’i Falls, Hawaii
With its spiral staircase of waterfalls, this remote jungle location offers up more than one unique spot to take a plunge. Visitors never fail to be awestruck by the deep blue- green hue of each pool created by the four cascading waterfalls. Hali’i means “to spread out,”which is precisely what each waterfall does, showcasing a serene experience unlike any other. But the beauty of this one- of-a-kind experience is only outdone by its exclusivity. To reach these pools, you’ll have to hike through dense forest, deep marshes, and wide-open pastures of sugar cane.
The elegance of this location in the British Virgin Islands will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a cathedral. The large boulders and natural rock formations create shallow caves that will captivate your eyes as you wade through the water in wonder. When you exit, you’ll witness the sight that gives this beautiful spot its name. A handful of 40-foot granite boulders form private pools as if that was what they were made for.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda
A day in the Caribbean is like living every moment inside a beautiful pastel painting.
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