Author: Emily Gautreaux

Why You Should Travel More in 2020

Traveling is something everyone has on their bucket list. I mean, who doesn’t want to be a cultured nomad, roaming the earth and having only the best experiences? Unfortunately, life tends to get in the way. Traveling means planning, money, packing, reservations, and time off from work. It’s easy to get sucked into your nine to five, daydreaming of the day you’re finally given the opportunity to pursue your heart’s wildest dreams.

Did you know that traveling can actually be really cheap? Don’t have time to take off from work? Weekend getaways can be really fun and just as fulfilling. Plus, traveling offers physical and physiological health benefits!

Here are some benefits of traveling you should get prepared to experience!

  • It improves your health.

That’s right. Traveling can help cut down on stress and lower your chances of developing heart disease. Going out of your comfort zone can make a huge impact on your mental health, and the physical exercise that usually accompanies sightseeing will help improve your physical health.

For some, traveling may even be a way to help improve depression and anxiety symptoms! As always, make sure to contact your physician when going abroad to make sure you’re up-to-date on your physical.

  • It helps you disconnect.

Traveling is a great way to take a step back from your day to day life and focus on something new. With traveling, you’re able to get out of your routine and remove yourself from the stressors in your life.

When you’re traveling, you can shift your focus and put down the phone. So go ahead, book that flight and set up your “away from the office” email and R E L A X.

  • It makes you smarter.

Whether it’s book smart or street smart, traveling seems to have an impact on both. When you travel to other countries, you’ll most likely learn small phrases or words to help you communicate with the locals. Just learning bits and pieces of other languages helps your brain function, according to the Huffington Post.

As is the rule of life, where something can go wrong, it often will. Traveling will help improve your problem solving skills and critical thinking, which can be easily applied to other aspects of your life.

  • It improves your understanding of other cultures.

The world is filled with rich culture, so why not learn about it? Traveling to experience other cultures first hand is so much more filling than reading about it or watching it on TV. You’re able to see what they see, eat what they eat, smell what they smell.

Understanding other cultures will help enrich your life and develop empathy towards those different from you.

  • It helps you develop lifelong memories.

You loved hearing your grandparents and parents traveling stories, so why not create a few stories of your own? You never know the kind of experiences you’ll have when you travel abroad. Maybe you’ll see some amazing views or try food you’ve never tried before. Maybe you’ll make lifelong friends, or learn something about yourself.

Regardless, when you travel you’re bound to create lifelong memories you’ll be able to tell your own children and grandchildren.

For more travel related news and information, click here.

Top Five Dessert Recipes

Almost everyone loves desserts, whether it’s ice cream, cookies, or cake. So, when Taste of Home shared their most liked, most shared, and highest-rated dessert recipes, we knew we had to share it here too!

“Awesome, delicious, and so easy to make. I took it to a Christmas party and they had a contest for the best dessert. I won! Everyone loved it!!”  – Estelle

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°.

Line a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or cast-iron skillet with the pastry. Then, trim and flute the edges.

Next, beat cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Spread into pastry shell and sprinkle with pecans.

Whisk remaining eggs in a small bowl, then gradually whisk in caramel topping until egg and caramel are blended. Slowly pour mixture over pecans.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Once finished cooking, cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight before slicing. Garnish with additional caramel ice cream topping.

“This has turned into a family favorite, especially with the grandkids. Easy to make!!” – Cheryl Green

Directions:

Let cookie dough stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften. Press into an ungreased 13×9-inch baking pan and bake at 350° until golden brown, about 14-16 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Fold in 1-3/4 cups whipped topping. Spread over crust.

Whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes in a large bowl. Spread mixture over the cream cheese layer. Top with remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate curls if desired.

Cover and refrigerate until firm, 8 hours or overnight.

“Delicious! A light, sandy cookie. I like the addition of the cherries. Would make again!” – Sue Falk

Directions

Cream butter and confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Flour and cornstarch gradually, beating until well blended.

Dust hands lightly with additional cornstarch and roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press lightly with a floured fork. Top with nonpareils or cherry halves.

Bake at 300° for 20-22 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

“Every time I make these delicious banana bars, they get gobbled up so fast! A great way to use use up ripe bananas and have a great desert. I always half the amount of frosting because it makes so much.” – Laurie Par

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, bananas and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir into creamed mixture just until blended.

Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter in a small bowl until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost bars.

“The family loved getting more of their favorite part, the filling! Total hit!” – Kim

Directions:

Pulse cannoli shells in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add sugar, cracker crumbs and melted butter and pulse just until combined. Press onto bottom and sides of a greased 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Beat the first four filling ingredients until blended. Then, beat in ricotta cheese and extracts. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread into crust.

Refrigerate, covered, until set, about 4 hours. If desired, top with pistachios.

For more delicious recipes, click here

Twelve Things You Can Only Find in Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana, also known as the Happiest City in America, is at the heart of Lousiana’s Cajun and Creole Country. It’s the perfect city to add to your bucket list if you want to find fields of rice and sugarcane, bayous and cypress swamps, discover authentic music, and delicious cuisine.

Lafayette is a town immersed in Cajun culture, which is what sets it apart from many of the other towns and cities in Louisiana. As a matter of fact, Lafayette has many unique experiences you can only find in this unique part of the world.

Here are 12 things you’ll only find in Lafayette, Louisiana!

1.  Cajun French Culture

This area of Louisiana was settled by Acadians who were kicked out of Canada in the late 1700s when they refused to give up key aspects of their culture. They found refuge in southern Louisiana, and to this day keep their culture alive. Around town, it’s easy to pick up on the Cajun-French dialect that saturates the town –phrases like cher bébé, meaning darling, and names like Boudreaux and Thibodeaux.

2.  Festival International de Louisiane

Hosted annually in April, the Festival International de Louisiane is the largest international outdoor Francophone music and arts festival in the country. More than 300,000 festival-goers come to celebrate their French heritage through music, food, and art.

3.  Cajun Music in Lafayette

Home to artists like Lost Bayou Ramblers, Pine Leaf Boys, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, The Magnolia Sisters, and Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band, Arcadiana is fertile ground for local and internationally recognized musicians.

4.  America’s Largest Swamp

America’s largest swamp, theAtchafalaya Basin, is bigger than the Florida Everglades. You’ll find this swamp features in the History Channel show Swamp People and Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid.

5.  Cajun Food

Not to be confused with Creole, Cajun food is true southern soul food. Most recipes start with the holy trinity – green bell pepper, onion, and celery. A few Cajun dishes you must try are crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, rice dressing and chicken and sausage gumbo.

6. The Best Boudin and Cracklins  in Lafayette

Boudin and cracklins were invented from resourcefulness on the Acadian’s behalf. They made it a point to utilize every aspect of the pig when cooking, which led to the invention of boudins and cracklins. This is a roughly half-pound, half-foot length of sausage available for purchase in most every local meat market and grocery store. Cracklins are fried morsels of pork fat with the pork skins.

7.  Avery Island

Avery Island is where Tabasco sauce originates from, created by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868. You can tour the factory and museum and make sure to get a unique souvenir at the gift shop!

8.  Popeyes Only Buffet in Lafayette

With over 2,600 franchises in the world, you can find the only buffet version of the fried chicken joint in Lafayette, Louisiana. Fill up your plate with buttery biscuits, red beans and rice, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, spicy chicken, and coleslaw.

9.  Evangeline Maid Bread

Evangeline, a famous Acadian refugee, has her memory in everything. Now 100 years old, Evangeline Bread is still produced specifically in Acadiana, where half a million loaves are made weekly.

10.  A One-of-a-Kind George Rodrigue

Painted by George Rodrigue, this painting depicts the poet Longfellow about the reunion of Evangeline and her lost love, Gabriel. Fans can see his artwork at galleries in Lafayette, New Orleans, and California, but this hidden gem can be seen in Asma Boulevard off of Kaliste Saloom Road.

11.  Courir De Mardi Gras

Courir de Mardi Gras, meaning Fat Tuesday Run, is a unique tradition to Acadiana. This is where partakers where masks, pointed hats, and homemade costumes, then go door-to-door begging for ingredients to make a communal pot of gumbo.

12. Borden’s Last Ice Cream Shoppe in Lafayette

Borden’s dates back to the 1800s as a highly recognized dairy brand and mascot, Elsie the Cow. Visitors can visit the last standing ice cream shoppe for a blast to the past and ice cream malts, shakes, sodas, and scoops.

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.

 

 

Nicholls State Announces New Interim Athletics Director

Matt Roan, the current interim Director of Athletics at Nicholls State University, has accepted the position of Vice President and Director of Athletics at Eastern Kentucky University. Replacing him will be Lindsey McKaskle, who is currently the executive associate athletics director for internal affairs.  Roan will remain in his position at Nicholls State University until the end of January.

Nicholls State University President, Dr. Jay Clune, states; “Matt has done a phenomenal job for Nicholls State University and our student-athletes, and I know Lindsey will continue that trend. We are going to conduct a national search to find the individual who meets our university values and can continue to build upon the positive momentum in the classroom and on the field.”

In her current role, Lindsey McKaskle oversees internal affairs including compliance, reporting, academic services, sports performance, facilities, equipment, and game day experience. She also serves as a senior woman administrator.

McKaskle joined the Nicholls State University athletics department team in June of 2017. Originally from West Monroe, Louisiana, McKaskle joined Nicholls after working with Roan at Eastern Kentucky University. While she was at Eastern Kentucky University, she was the assistant athletic director for compliance and student success, as well as a senior woman administrator.

Lindsey McKaskle earned a bachelor’s in sociology in 2003 from Louisiana College and was also a four-year letter winner for the softball team. She then went on to earn her master’s in sports administration from Belmont University in 2009. Before being hired at Eastern Kentucky University, she has served as a compliance intern at Belmont and Vanderbilt.

Matt Roan was hired initially as athletic director at Nicholls State University in 2016. Ever since, he has led Nicholls Athletics to achievements on and off the field, including:

– Record-breaking GPA and retention rates of student-athletes

– Conference championships in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball and football

– NCAA postseason appearances in football and women’s basketball

– Landed the largest donation in school history for the Barker Hall Expansion Project

– Added beach volleyball to the competitive slate and reinstated indoor and outdoor men’s track and field

“Matt has been a driving force in the success and momentum we have seen in community support both on- and off-campus,” Clune said. “We will certainly miss him and his family, but we wish him the best at Eastern Kentucky University.”

Dr. Clune added; “We have a succession plan. I have complete confidence and trust in Lindsey McKaskle to do the job, as I do in our coaches and athletic staff to do their jobs. It will be business as usual over the next several months as we notch more victories and hopefully win more championships.”

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.

“Nicholls supports the educational, cultural, and economic needs of its service region and cultivated productive, responsible, and engaged citizens.”

For more education related information, click here.

 

Two Nicholls’ Programs Ranked by Online Publication

Recently, Intelligent.com released a 2020 College Rankings Guide that ranked the best online degrees from colleges and universities across America. They researched which colleges are the best at teaching online and which colleges are doing the best in the top degrees.  Nicholls Online health science and history programs made it into this list. The health sciences program was ranked number 40 and was the only Louisiana school to place in the health sciences ranking. The program was also listed as a Pre-Professional focus for a stand-out detail.

The history program ranked number 30 and was the top school from Louisiana on that list, followed by Northwestern State University at number 48. This program was listed as having the best focus on modern history.

The guide by Intelligent.com was based on an assessment of 1,604 accredited colleges and universities. Each program was then evaluated on the quality of curriculum, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. Also considered in the rankings was student engagement and potential return on investment, among other evaluations.

Intelligent.com aims to help students connect to the best resources and provide the best advice in a way that is easy to analyze and digest. They do this by connecting students to schools that best meet their needs.

Nicholls health sciences degree works to prepare graduates for advanced educational and clinical practice options. This pre-professional concentration prepares students for graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and other professional programs in healthcare careers.

The history program at Nicholls provides students with a solid foundation on varieties of regions and cultures. Students will be able to write coherently and practice critical thinking about complex societies and issues. The program is student-oriented and flexible for a variety of students, both traditional and nontraditional.

Nicholls State University was also recently ranked by Great Value Colleges in the top 50 Colleges for Students with Disabilities.

Nicholls ranked in at number 44 and was the only Louisiana based school on the list. They were selected for their commitment to providing accessibility and services to allow each student from every background to achieve academic success regardless of their unique needs.

This ranking acknowledges Nicholls for its Bridge to Independence Program, which enables students with autism and other intellectual disabilities to acquire employable skills. It’s currently the only program in Louisiana of its kind and is certified by the Department of Education.

Nicholls also houses the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders, and Dyslexic Advantage gives the college 10 stars out of 10.

Great Value Colleges chooses its rankings by researching several lists that help students with disabilities pick their ideal college. After they’re done looking through these lists, they find which colleges have consistently performed well and then conduct their own research to ensure the colleges are truly disability-friendly.

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.

“Nicholls supports the educational, cultural, and economic needs of its service region and cultivated productive, responsible, and engaged citizens.”

For more education related information, click here.

13 Untraditional Meatloaf Recipes

Meatloaf is a dish that graces almost every dinner table at least once. It’s a traditional German/Dutch meal that’s easy to make, delicious, and great for serving large parties.

But sometimes, traditional can mean boring. In an effort to defeat meatloaf boredom, Rachael Ray came up with a list of 13 deliciously untraditional meatloaf recipesthat you’ll want to make again and again!

1.  Cheeseburger Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes

This recipe has all the tastings of a cheeseburger wrapped into one delicious loaf. In it, you’ll find ketchup, bread-and-butter pickle chips, potatoes, and, of course, perfectly melted cheese. Swap out the bun for mashed potatoes and you’ll be in meatloaf (and cheeseburger) heaven.

2.  Mashed Potato-Topped

For all of the potato lovers out there, this one’s for you. Fill up your plate with parsley and scallion filled slices, and find true joy in the heaping of equally tasty mashed potatoes on top. This recipe is so good, you’ll have seconds (and thirds!).

3.  Chipotle Beef & Chorizo

Turn up the heat with this meatloaf recipe! A spicy twist on the traditional recipe, it has fiery ingredients like chorizo, chipotle chile, adobo sauce, and cumin.

4.  Turkey Meatloaf Burgers

Think meatloaf turned turkey burgers. Take a bite of this dish and experience juicy ingredients like macintosh apple chunks, onions, and celery. Topped with a sourcream cranberry sauce, it’s like a Thanksgiving party in your mouth.

5.  The Classic

Sometimes you just have to go traditional. This classic meatloaf recipe has the standard meatloaf mix, bread crumbs, ketchup, and onion all baked into the perfect loaf. Bake some veggies for a well-rounded meal or opt for mashed potatoes for something filling.

6.  Lean, & Mean

Trying to stick to a healthier diet? The lean, mean meatloaf uses lean ground beef and eggs to make a low-fat, high-protein dinner. It’s the perfect comfort food recipe without compromising your health.

7.  Bacon-Wrapped

Is it even American if there isn’t bacon involved? This recipe is bound to make a meatloaf fan out of even the pickiest eaters. They’ll be running to the table the minute the smell of the bacon hits their nose!

8.  Turkey-Thyme Meatloaf Burgers with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

This elegant twist on a classic recipe will have your mother begging for the recipe! Thyme, parsley, and scallions combine to create a deliciously herb-y turkey burger, and the orange juice and brown sugar compliment perfectly as a citrus-flavored gravy. Serve over mashed sweet potatoes and you have an easy to make but elegant meal.

9.  Asian Turkey

Have Asia on the mind? In this dish, you’ll find all the hints of your favorite Asian recipe – soy sauce, scallions, and chili paste galore!

10.  Moroccan Chicken

I know what you’re thinking – a Moroccan chicken meatloaf? It’s a bit of a reach. Just trust us. Once you’ve tried this loaf that incorporated raisins, dried apricots, and turmeric you’ll be making it weekly!

11.   Crustless Tex-Mex Cheddar Pie

This cheesy Mexican meatloaf pie replaces a traditional crust with red peppers so you reduce your carbs without compromising on your favorite foods.12.

12.  Healthy Bison & Quinoa

This one’s for the health nuts out there! The bison meat is leaner than traditional beef and the quinoa offers more protein than the breadcrumbs.

13.  Grilled

Ready to fire up the grill? This recipe has you wrap the meatloaf in aluminum foil and stick it on the grill – perfect for those hot summer days!

For more delicious recipes, click here.