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.
January Cookbook of the Month
My husband ran his first marathon in October (Chicago: well under 4 hours!!). As a thank you to his running group, we hosted a holiday brunch. It was so fun. I definitely made some standby recipes, but I also ordered Brunch Season: A Year of Delicious Mornings from the Buttermilk Kitchen from our library. Regular readers know I love Maine. Chef Suzanne Vizethann runs a restaurant, Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriners, in Camden, Maine, one of my very favourite towns. The book has chapters for each season with savoury dishes, sweet plates, and many baked goods. Some highlights: Asparagus Frittata with Goat Cheese, Baked Strawberry Pancake with Vanilla Marscapone, Ali’s Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze, and Cherry Yogurt Crème Brulé. I don’t have to return this one to the library for two more weeks, but I will buy it after that, for sure!
January Book of the Month
I stayed up way too late last night to finish this, and I want everyone I know to read this book!! Culpability by Bruce Holsinger is a rare piece of fiction that really isn’t about the story being told, but more about the social commentary regarding issues that society is struggling with at this very moment. The book’s narrative revolves around a fundamental debate regarding the moral consequences of AI. The writing is so smart and makes the debates and challenges accessible and dimensional. I don’t want to give away too much, but please, if you read it, email me; I want to discuss.
January Podcasts of the Month
I love to walk this time of year and enjoy the cold air. I grew up in Upstate New York, so I love snow, and snowy walks are my favourite. I listen to a lot of podcasts on my walks. Two of my new favourites are:
Good Hang with Amy Poehler. She is so funny and able to instantly build rapport with guests. I appreciate the beginning segment of each episode when she talks to someone who knows the guest and gets their impression of them. It’s an interesting lead-in. My recent favourite episode was with Ina Garten. Julia Louis-Dreyfus gives the inside scoop on Ina and then does her own episode a few weeks later.
Rolling Stone Nashville Now. I love country music, and this podcast, which started in July of this year, has the inside scoop. I’ve learned about many new-to-me artists. My current favourite song is “Not at this Party,” by Dasha. They interviewed her in September, and it’s a great listen. And the most recent episode ranks the 25 best country albums of 2025.
January Canadian Business of the Month
Last year, my trainer, who is from PEI, sent me a holiday gift box from PEI Preserve Company. It was delicious and so unique. It had chocolate-covered potato chips! As gifts for Options staff and friends of Options, I worked with them to curate a custom holiday box. They were so easy to work with (thanks, Olivia), and the gift featured many different PEI items. It was also a better bang for our buck than other gift box companies we have worked with over the years. They even customized an Options Solutions gift box. I can’t recommend them enough, and it always feels good to support a Canadian company.
January Featured Articles of the Month
We had one of our best years ever for US early decision acceptances. There is so much going on in the higher education conversation in America; it is hard to keep up. We are really paying attention to one area that isn’t talked about as much: the ability to stay in the US on a visa after graduating from a US college. For many of our families, this is one of the main reasons they consider attending a US institution. The prospect of starting a career in a diverse employment market is appealing and strategic.
Here are two articles looking at different angles of this topic. The first NYTimes article addresses the H-1B visa, a work permit for international students sponsored by an employer and a pathway to permanent residency. It is from a MAGA angle and explains how fragile and politically charged the visa may become.
This Business Insider article looks at the H-1B changes from the employer angle and explores the new sponsorship fee, social media vetting requirements, and wage-based lottery system. The sponsorship fee does not directly affect new graduates, but as employers look to reshape their policies, they are reevaluating all foreign hiring practices.
January Featured Appliances of the Month
Two of my favourite Zen activities in the winter are ironing and sweater shaving. They are just so satisfying. So, I was thrilled to find a Rowenta iron from my husband under the tree. It is so fancy and acts as a steamer. It has a really pointed edge for ironing details. I love it. I use the Conair Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover, but I’m really eyeing an upgrade to the Nori Trim Rechargeable High-Power Fabric Shaver. Good thing my birthday is in January!
Also, for the past decade, one of the most used appliances in our house has been the Cuisinart Brushed Stainless Steel Griddler. It is the best panini maker. I bought one for my son for Christmas. It makes family sandwich night much easier. The iron plates are removable and go right in the dishwasher.
Finally, last year my son bought me the best kettle. I recommend the Hamilton Beach Compact Gooseneck Kettle. I keep it right on my desk. It is the perfect one large cup size, and I find I prefer hot water to cold water all day long in these cold months. This would also make a great hostess/teacher/friend gift.
To read more Founder’s Features, check them out under the Options News category.
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