Author: Emily Gautreaux

A Guide to the Perfect Weekend Getaway in San Diego

Also known as “America’s Finest City”, San Diego is the perfect place to head to if you’re looking for perfect year-round weather, beaches, and plenty of outdoor activities. If you’re looking to plan a quick weekend getaway, San Diego is the perfect place where you can pack a lot into a few days.

If you end up flying into the San Diego International Airport, there are tons of handy ways to get to wherever you’re staying (we recommend staying downtown!). Grab a taxi, hop on the City Bus, or rideshare and head downtown. Within ten minutes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by restaurants, beautiful hotels, boutique shops, plenty of people, and a salty sea breeze. If you want a view of the sea from your hotel room, theManchester Grand Hyatt is the hotel for you. Plus, you’ll still be close to downtown!

Once you’ve checked in and gotten ready, head to Seaport Village in San Diego. Here you can get a great view of The Big Bay and stop by Margarita’s Kitchen or Marion’s Fish Marketfor a delicious lunch. Not that hungry? Grab a snack from Wetzel’s Pretzels, Ben & Jerry’s, or Frost Me Gourmet Cupcakes.

Then wander down to the U.S.S. Midway, an old United States Navy aircraft carrier that you can explore, either by yourself or on a tour. Next, check out Tuna Harbor Park, where you’ll see statues like Bob Hope entertaining the military or the infamous celebratory kiss of a sailor and nurse at the end of World War II.

Before dinner, head back to your hotel for a nap and to freshen up. Head to Rustic Rootand choose from an array of seafood, pasta, meat, or a vegan entree with a salad, side, or appetizer. After dinner, take in the crisp ocean air and downtown hustle before heading to your hotel for the night.

Start out your second day in San Diego with a delicious breakfast from Richard Walker’s Pancake House. Make sure to fill up because the day ahead includes a visit to Balboa Park, a 1,200 acre paradise, and urban park with 17 museums, and the zoo.

Balboa Parkis only about a mile downtown, which you can walk or bike. Make sure to stop at the Visitor’s Center and grab a map to plan out your day, then stop in at Prado Perk or Daniel’s Coffeefor some much-needed energy. Choose to stroll through the Japanese Friendship Garden or ride the vintage Balboa Park Carousel, or pick a couple of museums to wander through (perfect for those rare rainy days or hot summer ones). Overwhelmed with options? Download the Balboa Park app to help guide you.

After lunch at The Prado, it’s time to head to the San Diego Zoo(which is conveniently located in Balboa Park)! Here you’ll find 3,700 animals in their natural habits and climates. You can take a 35 minute guided bus tour for an overview if you’re interested!

After the Zoo, head back to your hotel for a little downtime before heading to Little Italy for dinner. For authentic Italian cuisine, head to Barbusa or Herb and Wood and eat your weight in pasta. After dinner, head back to your hotel, rest your legs and get ready for a final day on the beach.

End your weekend getaway with a short trip to La Jolla, about a 20-minute drive north. Relax at the “Children’s Pool” and watch the seals and sea lions as they sleep on the beach and swim. Next, find your way to La Jolla Shores and stroll along the mile-long beach and take a dip or two!

The next beach you’re going to head to in San Diego is Mission Beach. There, you’ll find a boardwalk, bike path, jump into the ocean, or opt for the calmer waters of Mission Bay. Play some carnival games at Belmont Park or play more traditional games like mini golf, bumper cars, or take a ride on the vintage (but totally safe!) 1925 Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.

For more travel related news and information, click here

Nicholls’ Teacher Prep Program Recognized Amongst Top Programs

According to a report, Nicholls State University’s Department of Education’s Teacher Prep program was recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality as one of the top programs in the country for its strong dedication to evidence-based reading instruction.

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) released its 2020 Teacher Prep Review: Program Performance in Early Reading Instruction on January 27, 2020. On the science of reading instruction in teacher preparation, their report found significant progress.

Nicholls State University was one of 15 undergraduate programs and the only college in Louisiana state to earn an A plus for exemplary coursework.

Dr.Alyson Theriot, teacher education department head, stated “We are proud to earn an A+ rating on our early reading instruction in our elementary education program. I feel that we are able to prepare our teacher candidates to teach reading by providing high-quality instruction here on our campus and allowing them to practice what they learn in mentor teachers’ classrooms in our partner school districts. It is a joint effort between our department and the P-12 schools.”

According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, Nicholls covers five essential components of reading-phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. These are covered with explicit and repeated instruction on each component, support for instruction with high-quality textbooks that accurately detail established principles of scientifically based reading practices, and opportunities for teacher candidates to demonstrate mastery through in-class assignments, tests, and other instructional practice.

These findings point towards a positive note when it comes to the national movement to bring down high rates of illiteracy. Of the 1000 evaluated traditional elementary teacher preparation programs, over 51 percent of the programs earned an A or B grade for their coverage of the key components, for the first time since the ratings began in 2013. This increase is up from 35 percent from seven years ago.

Successful reading instruction is directly essential to achieving educational equity. If a child lacks reading ability, it impacts their future educational advances and quality of life. What’s more, each year more than one million public school students beginning the fourth grade are unable to read.

“If a child is not reading at grade level, that child will struggle in every subject,” said Dr. Sue Westbrook, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. “This honor showcases the positive impact our teachers are having on the Bayou Region. I would like to thank the Department of Teacher Education for all they do for the children and citizens in our community.”

“The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit research and policy organization that is committed to modernizing the teaching profession. We conduct research to assist states, districts, and teacher prep programs with teacher quality issues. We don’t just call attention to what’s wrong, but offer concrete solutions to help solve teacher quality challenges.”

Nicholls State University is a student-centered regional institution located in Thibodaux, Louisiana. They offer accredited degree programs and unique learning experiences with a goal to prepare their students for life beyond the classroom and to have a successful career. They are dedicated to the education of their diverse student body while also providing a rich cultural and educational environment.

For more education related information, click here.

 

Cooking Tips from the World’s Best Chefs

Cooking comes easily to some people, and not so easily to others. Luckily, these professional chefs are dishing their biggest cooking hacks to make a not so easy task a little bit easier! Here are a few general cooking tips to help you manage your time better and be a little more organized in the chaos that can be a kitchen!

 Sharpen your knife skills

“Always keep your fingers tucked in on your non-dominant hand, using your upper knuckles to guide your knife as you slice. If your fingertips are tucked in, you can’t ever cut them! And for the highest degree of control over your knife. hold the knife by the blade, pinching the bottom of the blade between your thumb and the side of your forefinger. Grip your middle, ring, and pinky fingers around the handle for support, and avoid laying your forefinger over the spine of the knife.” –Sydney Willcox, The Brooklyn Kitchen

Get smarter with how you cut veggies

“Use a mandoline to cut down on prep time and ensure consistent slice sizes for your veggies.” –Willcox

Get innovative

“Try a seasonal ingredient in an unexpected way! If you have never tried juicing a sweet potato you will be pleasantly surprised. The starch in potato makes your drinks lightly creamy, and the flavor combination is perfectly sweet. This is a dessert vegetable juice, packed full of vitamins A and B complex and beta-carotene.” –Matthew Kenney Plant Food + Wine Miami

Cooking Tip-And to top it all off

“To make an impression on your guests, throw a simple garnish on your finished platter: mMicrogreens are easy and beautiful, or take an element from the dish, such as whole herb sprigs or extra spice, and add just a small amount to create a pop for the eye.” –Willcox

Blended

“Always put your liquids in your blender first—water, juice, broths—and then load your more solid ingredients—veggies, leafy greens, fruits. This takes stress off your blender motor, and as the blade spins your ingredients are more easily pulled down into the blender vessel and your blends are more consistent, smooth, and creamy. Adding your liquids first will lengthen the life of your blender and your ‘blends’ will come out perfect.” –Nina Curtis, The Ranch Malibu

Is it getting hot in here?

“Don’t be scared of the heat! If you are looking for a sear, you need to bring on high levels of heat. Without a smoking-hot pan, it will be close to impossible to achieve a crispy, caramelized browning on your steak, pork, chicken or fish. Also be sure not to overcrowd a pan when searing, otherwise the pan will cool down too much, and there will not be enough heat from the bottom of the pan or circulating around the meat in the pan.” –Willcox

Cooking Tip-Be a little salty

“Be sure to use a high-quality coarse salt for finishing your dishes: This is an easy way to really transcend your home cooking to restaurant-level quality. You can also use flavored salts, such as smoked salt, to add depth.” –Willcox

Olive oil makes everything better

“Take a note from Mediterranean dwellers and finish your dishes with a little drizzle of high-quality extra-virgin olive oil; it will make for a silky finish!” –Willcox

Let’s get juicy

“Never stab the meat with a fork or knife to flip it over. These punctures allow juices to escape and can lead to drying of the meat and less-flavorful protein.  Always use a spatula and/or tongs when you need to turn your meats.” –Aaron Taylor, STK

For more delicious recipes and a few cooking tips, click here.

Fun Facts Most People Don’t Know About Louisiana

To the outside world, Louisiana is known as the quirky state that’s filled with Voodoo and Mardi Gras celebrations and is home to Duck Dynasty. However, there is so much more to Louisiana once you get below the surface. Here are a few fun facts that most people don’t know about Louisiana:

-Louisiana’s legal system is not quite like the rest of the country’s. Instead of adopting English common law, Louisiana’s legal system derives from the Civil Code that was established by Napoleon in 1804. This code was combined with Spanish law, and was implemented in 1812.

-Professional wrestling was banned in Louisiana up until 2007.

-Louisiana is only one of two states in America that doesn’t have counties. Instead, the state is divided into parishes. Alaska is the other state that doesn’t have counties, and they are divided into boroughs.

-The tallest state capitol building in the United States is in Louisiana. The building is 34 stories, 450 feet tall, and was built in just over a year.

-The longest continuous bridge of water in the world belongs to Louisiana. TheLake Pontchartrain Causeway is composed of two bridges, is 24 miles long, and connects MetairiewithMandeville on the North Shore.

-Louisiana is home to several quirky “unofficial” capitals, and it may be our favorite fun fact about our great state:

    1. Rayneis known as “The Frog Capital of the World”
    2. Gueydan is called “The Duck Capital of America”
    3. Breaux Bridge is considered “The Crawfish Capital of the World”
    4. Church Point is called the “Buggy Capital of the World”
    5. Mamou is known as “The Cajun Music Capital of the World”

-We all know Louisiana is home to jazz, but they also claim to be the birthplace of U.S. opera. The first documented opera performance took place in 1796 in New Orleans and was a french comedy called Sylvian.The first Mardi Gras parade was held in 1837 in New Orleans. Floats followed about 20 years later in 1857.

-Speaking of Mardi Gras, visitors to New Orleans fill up 95% of hotel rooms during Mardi Gras, which rounds out to about 30,000 rooms.

-According to a New Orleans public ordinance, it is “unlawful for any person to use or wear in any public place, a hood or mask or anything of the nature of either or any facial disguise of any kind or description, calculated to conceal or hide the identity of the person or to prevent ready recognition of such person.” The only exception to this rule is when participating in religious or educational exhibitions, masquerade balls, or carnivals or parades during Mardi Gras.

-Float riders during the Mardi Gras parade are required by law to wear masks.

-The terms “Cajun” and “Creole” refer to two very different ethnic groups. Cajuns are descended from Acadians, who were French colonists that settled in Canada in the 1600s and were then forced out by the British.  Creoles consist of French and Spanish ancestry that were considered upper class in the 18th century. Over time, the term began to include native-born slaves of African descent and free people of color.

For more Louisiana related articles and fun facts, click here.

Louisiana Educators, Leaders Attend Jump Start Convention

According to the Louisiana Department of Education, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, approximately 1,400 Louisiana educators and industry leaders convened at the 6th annual Jump Start Convention. The convention was held at the Raising Cane’s River Center with the theme “Modern Pathways to a Prosperous Future.” The attendees reflected on the progress of the state’s premier career and technical education program, built knowledge, shared resources, and strategized for the future.

Jump Start began in 2014 and is Louisiana’s innovative career and technical education program. This program prepares students to lead productive futures as adults who are capable of continuing their post-high school education while earning certifications in high wage careers. Students in this program are required to attain the necessary credentials that are aligned with more than 50 approved pathways in order to graduate with a career diploma.

Before the Jump Start program, less than two percent of students graduated with a career diploma. Now, over one in five students will graduate with a career diploma. The number of industry-based credentials earned by Louisiana students has increased from 17,885 in 2014 to over 90,000 in 2018.

“Jump Start has fundamentally changed the opportunities available to young people in Louisiana,” said State Superintendent John White, who deliveredthe event’s opening address at 7:40 a.m.“However, it remains the case that too often those credentials are not translating into full-time employment after high school, youth unemployment remains high, and many high school graduates do not have concrete plans for their future following graduation. This convention presents an opportunity for educators and industry leaders to come together to discuss how we can better prepare our students for lifelong success, and in turn, move Louisiana forward.”

At the convention, which was a day-long event, the attendees reflected on recent CTE gains. Among those 2019 highlights are:

  • “Local education and business leaders across the state partnered to expand the Jump Start Summers program, which enabled 1,942 students, including those with disabilities, to receive paid, on-the-job career and technical training during the summer months. Participating students earned an average stipend of $939 and 1,650 academic credits, 472 dual enrollment credit hours, and 2,223 industry-based credentials.”
  • “Louisiana approveda new Jump Start pathway to equip both college and career-bound high school students interested in pursuing a career in education with the knowledge and skills needed to find success upon graduation. The Pre-Educator Pathway includes a special progression of courses to help students develop a strong foundation of academic knowledge and skills, as well as an understanding of diverse learners and the learning environment.”
  • “Louisiana expanded opportunities for high school students to develop knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, to help them succeed following graduation, all while earning career credentials and transferable course credit to LSU and Xavier University. The four new Jump Start STEM pathways, available to both college and career-bound students, include Xavier University Pre-Pharmacy; LSU Biomedical Sciences; LSU Computing; and National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center, or NICERC, Cyber Security.”
  • “Quest for Success, an innovative course that allows middle and high school students to develop essential workplace skills, explore various careers and industry sectors, and learn about themselves and their interests in order to successfully navigate life after high school, was scaled statewide. The course, which will replace the Journey to Careers course, was designed by the 22 educators who participated in the Louisiana Educator Voice Fellowship.”

The attendees also looked into the future of CTE through reviewing the implementation plan for Jump Start 2.0, which is a five-year expansion of the current Jump Start program that will focus on reducing the stigma around career education.

 

For more education related information, click here.

Authentic Cajun Recipes with a Healthy Twist

Cajun food can easily be classified as one of the top foods in the world. Each dish is perfectly seasoned, flavorful, spicy, and hits the spot.  Authentic Cajun recipes can be hard to come by, especially if you don’t live in Cajun country. Luckily for you, Paleo Grubs put together a list of the best spicy and authentic Cajun recipes just for you!

Here are the top ten:

Crispy Cajun Chicken With Parsnip Puree

In this dish, the chicken is cooked with chicken fat which leaves it extra crispy and compact with Cajun seasonings, garlic, and coconut cream. Pair it with some mashed potatoes or swiss chard for a well rounded southern meal.

 Hearty Paleo Jambalaya

This paleo recipe packs in the best of Cajun flavors! It keeps the meat and veggies separate from the rice, and packs plenty of punch.

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya With Cauliflower Rice

What’s better than chicken and sausage jambalaya? You won’t even notice the cauliflower rice because you’ll be distracted by how delicious everything tastes!

 Cajun Chicken With Zoodles

This dish has the full Cajun experience – tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, and chicken piled high with Cajun seasonings. Plus, it’s super easy to make!

Cajun Garlic Shrimp Noodle Bowls

“SOOOOO good! my 2 year old daughter had 3 helpings and the pan was empty by the end of dinner! Seriously delicious! Made ours with salad shrimp so it was more kid friendly to eat.” – Sarah

One Pot Cajun Pasta

“This was my first shot at a one pot pasta meal and I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about how the pasta would taste. I am now a believer and will definitely be making this recipe again. It was deliciously different and so satisfying. Followed the recipe exactly and didn’t miss that extra step of cooking the pasta and having another pot to wash. Thank you Megan!” – Jane

Blackened Salmon With Mango-Avocado Salsa

“This. Was. Amazing. I’m going to make smoked salmon wraps this week and use the salsa recipe for that as well. Anyone who wants to follow in paleo form, go for the super-simple paleo naan bread here. Been a lifesaver and helps to make variations of all these amazing recipes! Thank you for sharing!” – Brittany

 Chicken Smoked Sausage Gumbo

“Thank you for sharing this! Being from NOLA, my gumbo recipe has been handed down from generations and is literally an all day event. While not gumbo, is an excellent stunt double! I subbed the carrots with okra and since I have the smaller pot, used two peppers and four tomatoes. Thanks for sharing this fabulous recipe!”

Spicy Shrimp and Kale With Creamy Rutabaga

“I love this take on shrimp and grits. I’ve been to NOLA and let me tell you, they know how to do it right, haha! I’ve had rutabaga before but I don’t really remember it – need to try it again. Can’t wait to try this recipe!” – Isabel

Easy Cajun Chicken

“This recipe is THE. BEST!! It is BEYOND easy. Toss the ingredients together, toss in the oven. Done and done! My kids love it. We’ve used it for game nights. We’ve cooked when company comes over. It is delicious and the chicken turns out so tender and juicy I ALMOST feel guilty. Thanks for making me look like a great cook!” – Leighellen

For more delicious recipes, click here.