Author: Emily Gautreaux

The Perfect Warm-Weather Getaways To Escape The Cold

With the cold fronts that have been coming through the US, it’s understandable if you find yourself daydreaming of warmer days by the ocean, with the sun beating down on you. If you’re longing to get away to warmer climates, you’re in good company! Thankfully, Travel + Leisure has created a roundup post of affordable warm-weather getaways that take you from snow to sand.

The Cayman Islands

Dreaming of white beaches and turquoise waters? Then the Cayman Islands is the perfect warm-weather getaway for you. Grand Cayman is the biggest of the three islands, so there is plenty of opportunity for shopping trips and delicious cuisine. You can also visit Stingray City, where you get the chance to swim alongside stingrays.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This town is set when it comes to culture, dining, and experiences for travelers who are looking for a relaxing warm-weather getaway! Make sure to swing by The Cabo Arch, which is a rock formation jutting out of the sea.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Want to visit somewhere that looks like it’s straight out of a postcard? Then you’ve picked the right place! You’ll find glimmering beaches, crystal clear water, and coral reefs. Go shopping in the morning and snorkeling in the afternoon. You’ll literally be living your daydream!

Grenada

Ranked one of Travel + Leisure’s 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018, Grenada is home to brilliant teal waters and welcoming locals that love to show you around. If you visit in February, you’ll be able to see the island’s Independence Day celebrations for the United Kingdom in 1974! This island is perfect for your next warm-weather getaway.

Little Torch Key, Florida

One of the Florida Key islands, you’ll find Little Torch Key about two thirds of the way west. Here, you can stay at theLittle Palm Island Resort, where no television or cell phones are allowed. This resort is on a private island and completely cuts you off from the outside world, which is the ultimate relaxation technique.

Barbados

This is the perfect getaway for those that are looking to get in touch with nature. You can paddleboard, go diving, or explore a wildlife preserve. You can also touch up on your history and learn about the Native Americans, British Colonizers, and West Africans who once took up residency here.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Ready for year-round sunshine? Playa Del Carmen is the place to go in the winter months when you are looking for a warm-weather getaway due to the teal waters, shimmering white beaches, abundance of activities for the entire family, shops, and authentic cuisine. You can also experience tours of the Mayan ruins nearby.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Famous for reggae and chill vibes, you won’t be disappointed by a warm-weather getaway in Montego Bay. Experience crystal-clear waters and inviting locals for an authentic Jamaican stay. You can spend your entire day lounging by the water or head to some shops to find some souvenirs. Stay at the Half Moon, a luxury resort that includes two miles of beachfront, an award-winning spa, and golf course.

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A Guide To Cajun Mardi Gras

You already know about the carnival-style Mardi Gras, but what about a Cajun Mardi Gras? Cajun Mardi Gras is exactly what it sounds like – Mardi Gras – Cajun style. Traditionally, this festival is known as Courir de Mardi Gras and takes place throughout Acadiana.

This festival is rooted in French medieval history and was brought to Louisiana in the 19th century. Cajun Mardi Gras is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, which is February 25, 2020, and is commonly referred to as “the real Mardi Gras”. There are plenty of traditions that take place during Courir de Mardi Gras, like chasing chickens, a unique twist on trick or treating, and gumbo cookoffs.

Luckily,Louisiana Travel put together a guide to the traditions of Courir de Mardi Gras. Here they are!

Trick or Treat: Gumbo Style

 This main festival event is rooted in the name; a couriror “run” led by thecapitaineof the Mardi Gras. Participants will dress up in costumes and masks and will travel by horseback, foot, or trailer to make their way through the neighborhood while doing the other ancient ritual of begging. In Tee-Mamou, the capitaine will raise a flag to let the Mardi Gras runners to dismount their transportation and begin chanting the “begging song” called Le chanson de Mardi Grasand approach the houses.

The participants will then go from house to house singing and dancing for the owners so they can get different ingredients for the communal gumbo that is served later in the evening. The last ingredient and the main spectacle of the entire festival is the chicken.

Chase the Chicken

Much like most traditions, each town has a unique take on how they put on the Courir De Mardi Gras. Since the chicken is the highlight of the celebration, it’s hilarious to watch people chase the chicken throughout the neighborhood! In addition to the chicken run, you’ll see beautiful costumes and masks, hear traditional Mardi Gras songs, and try delicious homemade Cajun cooking.

Certain towns, like Mamou, Iota, Elton, Church Point, Faquetigue, and Soileau, you’ll experience food and events more authentic than the towns hosting the festival.

Want to experience a Cajun Mardi Gras yourself?

In Eunice, Louisiana, the week long festival begins on February 21, 2020. The first couple days set the tone for the celebration with music, crafts, and every traditional Cajun dish you can imagine, from boudin and crackins to backbone stew. Then, on the day of Mardi Gras, you can participate in the Courir de Mardi Gras downtown and collect ingredients for the communal pot of gumbo. You can end the celebration with a Cajun dance party at Lakeview Park and Beach.

If you head to Church Point, you can catch their 59th annual Courir de Mardi Gras that takes place on February 23, 2020. Here you can see buggies, wagons, and horseback riders decked out in colorful costumes, listen to live music, chase the chickens, catch a greased pig, and enjoy delicious gumbo!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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