Author: Emily Gautreaux

Nicholls and Chevron Assist in Small Business Recovery

Nicholls State University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Chevron recently partnered to create a virtual competition to assist with COVID-19 small business recovery in several south Louisiana parishes.  These parishes included Lafourche, St. Mary, Assumption, and Terrebonne parishes. Part of the competition required each small business to submit a statement on how the pandemic has affected their operations and identify how funds would be used if they were to be selected as one of the winners.  SBDC has now awarded eight small businesses $5,000 each to go toward recovery efforts.

Among the winners are:  Big Mike’s BBQ, Conner’s Repair Service, Country Kids Learning Academy, The Cove, Dat Sauce, Root2Rise, White Car, and Workout360.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, it created a dark cloud of uncertainty over the Bayou Region and its future,” said Jimmy Nguyen, Assistant Director of SBDC. “Nicholls and SBDC established this contest to provide hope for these businesses to progress forward. With Chevron’s generous donation, it provided not only financial relief but a boost of human energy to help the region overcome these challenges and become stronger.”

“Chevron believes in contributing to the areas where we live and work and, especially during this challenging time, supporting Louisiana small businesses,” said Leah Brown, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “We’re proud to partner with Nicholls to help a diverse group of local companies. Through these funds and the incredible work of Nicholls’ Small Business Development Center, we hope to see these businesses recover and thrive.”

Big Mike’s BBQ is a restaurant with locations in Houma and Thibodaux. Due to COVID-19, they had to lay off more than 50 employees.  Plans to move the restaurant to an improved facility were thwarted for at least two years by the loss in sales.  Big Mike’s plans to use the small business recovery funding to optimize how it performs to-co and takeout services.

“Winning this grant will give us the opportunity to implement necessary changes to our business quicker than expected,” said Lewis. “It will help us to energize our efforts to recover from the disruption of COVID-19. We are honored to be chosen as a winner, it renews our vision and is confirmation that we are doing all the right things to improve our business and to serve our community.”

Dean and Michael Conner operate Conner’s Repair Service out of Morgan City. Their various services were affected by decreased crude oil prices, and many of their customers have had to make cuts, resulting in a loss of about 40 percent of sales. The Conners plans to hire a new employee to do sandblasting and painting.

“Being a winner in this competition gives us confidence that we are not alone in our mission to bring stronger green initiatives to the oil market and manufacturing back to our country,” said Michael Conner. “We are very grateful for this opportunity and appreciate the recognition for the valuable work we provide for South Louisiana.”

Bonnie Soulet and Casey Soulet are the owners of Country Kids Learning Academy in Bourg, Louisiana. This childcare center provides services to children from birth to age 10, and the pandemic has caused renovations to fall several weeks behind. The academy will use the funds awarded from the small business recovery program to purchase technology to support student learning.

Bonnie Soulet stated, “We look forward to providing these valuable opportunities for our students. This says a lot about our company and the fact that people believe in our business idea, our determination and our knowledge in the childcare and early childhood education industry.”

More details on the individual winners are available in the full article located here.

For more education related information, click here.

Baton Rouge Woman Runs 26 Marathons for Charity

Now, here’s something to smile about coming out of Baton Rouge, courtesy of WAFB.  Baton Rouge resident, Rachel Jillson, recently ran 26 consecutive marathons in 26 days to raise funds for a children’s bike program, Front Yard Bikes.

Jillson was prompted to undertake this 26 marathon endeavor when word came to her that the state of Louisiana would be shut down, effectively preventing all of the kids in Front Yard Bikes program from being able to go to their beloved workshop to service and learn on bikes. In coordination with Front Yard Bikes owner, Dustin LaFont, they worked to bring the shop to them.

Running 26 marathons in 26 days can be taxing on the body as one might imagine.  Battling fatigue, sore muscles, and the elements, each grueling mile, Jillson raised over $6,500, smashing her goal of raising $5,000 for Front Yard Bikes.

“I wanted something local in our community,” said Jillson. “I wanted everyone’s money to go back to Baton Rouge. I wanted it to be something that was investing in the kids because they’re really what’s going to carry this town on and our future, and then I saw what Dustin was doing during the shutdown, the shelter in place, helping with the kids and it just made it even more of a reason this was the place that needed the resources and it would all go to a very good cause.”

Front Yard Bikes’ mission is to teach children how to work on bicycles, which is intended to assist them with learning useful skills they will take with them well into their lives.  Children are even able to earn a bike through their service in the program

Owner Dustin Lafont said, “That’s going to help us get a lot of kids summer jobs and to work their hours, be paid from home, and be paid for small things they can do. It helps us to get summer tool kits and activity kits that our kids can do from home because they can’t come to our shop and do them directly.”

Even though she is done running her 26 marathons, Jillson intends to keep on fundraising. You can donate through her GoFundMe and read more about her efforts on her Facebook page.

According to their website, Front Yard Bikes is a community bike shop that focuses on teaching participants of all ages how to fix and maintain bikes. We teach and develop skills in mathematics, physics and mechanics, while promoting inclusivity, mentorship, recreation and academic achievement. We offer youth in the community a safe, free after-school program. They are taught responsibility and become peer leaders as they are faced with ethical and moral questions in their day-to-day lives. The heart of our program is motivated by compassion for kids from low-income families that are willing to work for what they get. We hope to impact the youth of Baton Rouge, one bike at a time, one heart at a time, because the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

Their website includes several links, including to donate, purchase a bike, or even participate in one of their well-attended Friday Rides.

Information about how donations are used are identified:

  • A $20 donation can buy a trip for 14 kids to the BMX park
  • A $50 donation will provide up keep for our garden for a full month
  • A $100 donation will provide rent for 2 weeks.
  • Any donation of $100 or more, we will send you a free FYB shirt and thank you.

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.

The Best French Recipes Anyone Can Try

Parlez-vous français? Whether your answer is yes or no, we’re certain the answer to whether or not you like French food will be a resounding YES!  We agree.  Whether it’s the bread, or pastries, or cheese, or wine, it’s really no surprise that French food is one of the few breakfast, lunch, dinner options that really anyone can agree on.  The contribution of French cuisine to various culinary masterpieces cannot be understated.

Believe it or not, French food can be fun and accessible to anyone (even English speakers), and there are various books, cookbooks, blogs, etc. that are available to assist you, debunking the general expectation that French cuisine is too unapproachable.  Anyone can embrace, master and enjoy French cuisine – you don’t need to be French, and you definitely don’t need to be living in France to replicate these delicious recipes – although we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to vacation there soon and shop at a local store vs. whatever options exist for you where you’re at.

Thanks to Delicious.com for this article revealing recipes as part of what could be considered the ultimate French recipe collection.  While there’s way too many scrumptious options for us to list here, we hope you’ll explore the depths of this comprehensive article and find something that speaks to you.  Here’s the ones we found eye-catching!

French apple tarts with Calvados cream

French apple tarts make for the best fall desserts, but don’t let that stop you from trying them anytime.  The base is thin and flaky and the spiced cinnamon/sugar/apple filling looks so good, we’re going to want to make extra to eat the leftovers.  And you know we’re wondering what else that might go good on!?

Crunchy Syrian french toast

As though we needed another reason for a delicious brunch recipe!  This recipe takes a crunchy baguette, honey, saffron and orange to tantalize your taste buds with a European flare.  Impress your brunchmates with how you can take an ordinary dish to an extraordinary dish!

French onion soup

If you’re like us, you’ve never met a French onion soup you could resist.  Full of rich oniony flavor, topped with cheesy toasted bread.  Good luck not having this one over and over!

Tartiflette (French-style cheese and potato bake)

If you’re looking for French comfort food, look no further.  Yes, we’re talking cheese! Tartiflette is a traditional dish from the Savoie and Haut Savoie region of France. It is a gratin dish made with sliced potatoes, onions, wine, and bacon.  You just can’t go wrong with that combination.

Carrot and ginger soup with French-style lentils

This one is a shout-out to our vegan friends, and non-vegan friends will love this one, too!  Carrot Ginger Soup is packed with protein with the use of lentils.  It’s healthy, warming, and super easy to make.  This recipe is good for making in huge batches and freezing, too.

French-style fish stew

This recipe is sure to have your kitchen smelling amazing.  This fish stew marries seafood and the full tomato flavours of France to create a perfect union for your family to enjoy.  Be sure you grab some French bread so you don’t let any of that delicious sauce go to waste.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Tips for Ultralight Packing

According to SmarterTravel.com, packing light may be the blessing you never knew you were missing out on.  There’s no need to give up your style or comfort – just make a few tweaks here and there and see how quickly you can make the most out of that tiny bag and utilize your ultralight packing skills.  This will likely avoid those baggage fees or embarrassing moments trying to shove your overstuffed carry-on into the overhead bin.

Yes, we said carry-on.  That’s all you need.  Imagine a world where you don’t have to pay fees, you don’t have to worry about if your bag will arrive with your plane, you don’t have to crowd around the belt waiting for your bag to come by after a long flight.  Leave the heavy packers behind and get on with your adventure by following these great tips below for ultralight packing.  We suggest checking out this nifty packing list before you start, too.

Luggage

Typically, you’re going to want a featherweight suitcase, which is anywhere between 7-10 pounds.  Some brands, Lipault and Delsey, have luggage in the 5-6 pound range, while the MegaLite offerings from IT Luggage are even lighter.  Regardless of your choice, be sure you get one with enough organization options to keep your various items where you can easily access them. It also needs to be as roomy as you can get it without upsetting the airline’s strict sizing guidelines (check the airline’s website for particulars for dimensions and weight).

Clothes

Considering your clothing is what will take up the largest portion of luggage real estate, it’s important that you pay close attention to what you’re choosing for a trip.  Sure, wool and fleece is going to keep you warm, but that bulky, heavy fabric is going to take up a lot of room in your luggage and add to the weight of your luggage. When packing clothes, consider lighter fabrics (silks, synthetics, nylon, polyester, etc.), and if you need something to keep you warm when you arrive at your destination, consider putting that on when you board the plane so that it’s not taking up space in your carry-on.  You might be a little warm as you board, but you can take it off and stow it under your seat or behind you without incurring any flight attendant’s wrath. This will definitely help with ultralight packing.

Shoes

This one is as easy as packing only versatile shoes – can you wear that pair in more than one setting?  Dressed up, dressed down – does it work?  Consider wearing your bulkiest pair while traveling, and only packing one or two lighter pairs in your luggage.  Challenge yourself to pull off your entire trip with just one pair of shoes – this article can help!

Toiletries

Sure, you want to take all of your own, but do you really need it?  What if you packed none of them and used whatever was available at your hotel or purchased travel size options when you arrive? Consider packing only what you can’t get at your destination, such as medications.

Electronics

E-readers, tablets, and smaller laptops are the key to traveling light with electronics.  They save on both weight and space in your luggage. Just make sure you don’t leave home without the chargers!

For more travel related news and information, click here.

 

Waivers Provide for School Meal Sites Through Summer

According to Education Dive, a “non-congregate” waiver has been extended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service that will allow for school districts’ grab-and-go meal-service locations (school meal sites) to continue through the summer.

Since March, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has done great work using the program flexibilities and new authorities granted by Congress to make it as easy as possible for children to receive food through the department’s nutrition assistance programs during the national health emergency by provided school meal sites. This most recent announcement extends three key flexibilities that will allow current operations to continue without disruption and ensure states and program operators have time to plan for continued operations throughout the summer.  The first, as noted, extends the program through the second, while the second and third waivers provide for parents to pick up meals for their children and allows for flexibility as to when meals are served.  This way, families don’t have to make multiple trips to the location for pick-ups.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement, “As our nation reopens and people return to work, we want to continue to be flexible since there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to feeding kids. Extending these waivers throughout the summer ensures local operators can make plans that best suit their communities and keep children fed.”

Recently released data from the School Nutrition Association (SNA), which tallied responses from nearly 1,900 school districts across the United States, showed that 81% are making use of drive-through pick-up sites, while 58% allow families to walk up, 42% are delivering meals to homes, and 32% are making use of school district buses for distribution.

Various advocacy organizations, including SNA and No Kid Hungry, voiced concerns that if waivers were discontinued, school districts would not be able to continue serving meals because of the remaining stay-at-home orders that exist in varying degrees across the nation as states slowly reopen. Additionally, several summer programs and facilities that would generally provide meals, for instance camps and libraries, have been forced to cancel due to the ongoing health crisis.

“Extending these waivers will give schools and local organizations more of the necessary resources and flexibilities they need to continue to operate meal programs safely, effectively and efficiently,” according to a statement from No Kid Hungry. “Summer is already one of the hungriest times of the year for many kids as they lose access to free and low-cost school meals. This year, we are facing skyrocketing need, as the COVID-19 crisis continues to push millions of families into poverty and hunger.”

The survey above conducted by SNA also showed an unfortunate statistic – that 80% of respondents say their district is serving fewer meals at the school meal sites than they would normally if the schools were open. Ninety percent responded that financial loss was a moderate-to-serious concern, and 861 of the districts estimated the revenue decline at more than $626.4 million for the current school year.  Accordingly, SNA is advocating for passage of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, which includes $3 billion to help offset some of that loss in revenue. The House of Representatives recently passed the $3 trillion package, and this bill now waits approval through the United States Senate.  Regardless of the outcome of that bill, families can rest assured that meals will be as easily accessible through the summer months.

 For more education related information, click here.

Top Food Bloggers & Their Top Recipes

If you’re a regular to our blog, you no doubt share in our guilty pleasure of being addicted to recipes.  Who among us doesn’t have dozens of cookbooks, maybe mail subscriptions, regular emails from different sites and food bloggers you’ve signed up with over the years. Let’s be real with each for just a bit – there is now not, nor will there ever be a shortage of content for recipes, whether print books, online bookmarked sites or hand-written notes from generations past.  In this week’s blog, courtesy of an article from The Muse, we’ve listed our favorites from a list of 25 popular food bloggers and their best dishes.  Check out their full article for options for work lunches, home dinners, or superb desserts.

Can You Stay For Dinner

These Chicken Parmesan Wraps use egg roll wrappers for a healthier way to indulge your taste buds with the delights of chicken parmesan!  They’re also kid friendly and crowd pleasing! These light and low calorie wraps are filled with shredded chicken, marinara sauce, mozzarella, spinach, parmesan cheese and basil, then baked into crispy delicious bites that are even better dipped in leftover marinara!  Does it get any better?

How Sweet It Is

If you’re not able to access a campfire easily, we’ve got the perfect solution to solve that camping dessert itch you need to scratch – introducing S’mores Cake in a Jar.  First things first, Mason jars are just fun – packed with buttery graham cracker crusts, fluffy chocolate chip cake and marshmallow topping, then browned until bubbly? Well, there’s just no way to explain just how perfect this jarred delight is – you simply just try it for yourself.

A Cozy Kitchen

Check out these Zucchini Fries with Roasted Garlic Aioli and Sriracha Mayo– super simple and beyond delicious, these crunchy, garlicky finger foods are made even better with the two sauces this recipe provides. While the zucchini is baking, whip up the simple sauces and in 20 minutes, any second thoughts you had on zucchini will turn to thoughts on going for seconds.

Joy the Baker

Let us introduce you to what we’re dubbing the “Almost Everything” cookie – check out this recipe for Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Nuts, oatmeal, chocolate chips.  Yes, please! These babies are soft and hearty – don’t skimp on the nuts and chocolate.  And if you decide to just have these for dinner, we promise we don’t tell.

Naturally Ella

Now for something slightly more healthy, but definitely not less tasty – Roasted Veg Tacos with Avocado Cream and Feta.  If you’ve got an abundance of summer produce, this is the recipe for you.  While vegetarian tacos might sound unappetizing, this recipe is loaded with flavor and perfect for a lighter summer evening meal. The avocado cream is truly the star, and if you’re feeling adventurous, take a shot at homemade tortillas for a more authentic texture.

Healthy. Happy. Life

Let’s take a dip – namely the Creamy Tomato Garlic Hummus Dip.  This rich textured, creamy dip with just a hint of heat is to die for.  Of course you can always kick up the spice level as you see fit.  It’s perfect for dipping veggies, using as a sandwich spread, or even as an accompaniment for salads, bagels or toast.  This dip is sure to be a hit at your parties, but make it in bulk because it will go fast!

For more delicious recipes from other food bloggers, click here.