Author: Emily Gautreaux

Eight Cities For Winter Travel

Wintertime is often viewed as the least appealing season to go out and take on new adventures, but realistically that’s not true at all! Often, our favorite summer hotspots are transformed into white wonderlands, bringing a whole new perspective and round of fun activities to participate in. So grab your jackets and check out which cities you should check out this winter, told by Travel and Leisure!

Asheville, North Carolina

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, this city is filled with adventures. Head to the ski slopes for your winter sport or you can hit the hiking trails that are open year-round. You can learn all about Asheville on the downtown Asheville Urban Trail or explore the Biltmore Estate, which was George Vanderbilt’s 250-room chateau.  If you’d prefer inside activities to escape the harsh winter winds, wintertime is the perfect time to explore the crowd-less galleries and museums downtown.

New York, New York

The best thing about New York City in the winter? No crowds! You can easily peruse museums, comedy clubs, popular restaurants, and even a few Broadway shows without navigating through boatloads of people. Or rent some skates and try your hand at ice skating!

Honolulu, Hawaii

Make sure to pack your swimsuit because Honolulu is the perfectwinter escape for those who prefer warm weather and plenty of sunshine. Try snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, surfing the waves, or even just relaxing on the beach. If you’re looking for a few things to fill up your itinerary, head to the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Bishop Museum, or Iolani Palace to learn about the island culture

Venice, California

Just a few miles north from Los Angeles International Airport, Venice is a popular California city for its street vendors, canals, and infamous Muscle Beach. You can also dine in one of their excellent restaurants, food trucks, or cafes and then head out on a shopping trip in one of their upscale stores or downplay it in a mom and pop souvenir shop.

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, is placed on the shore of Lake Champlain in northwestern Vermont, just a few miles from Burlington International Airport. Stowe, Smuggler’s Notch, and Bolton Valley are just a few ski resorts that reside in this city, with slopes designed for beginners and experts. You can rent a room at one of their cozy Bed and Breakfasts and then head downtown to explore their shops, restaurants, live music, and their Church Street Marketplace.

Astoria, Oregon

Founded as a fur trading post in 1811, this city is right where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Only two hours from Portland and three hours from Seattle, the 4.1-mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge connects Astoria to Washington. Visit downtown to visit their small-town features, like the restored 1925 Liberty Theater or the Flavel House.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The ultimate winter sports lover’s dream, Jackson Hole is filled to the brim with winter activities for its visitors. You can hit the slopes or go ice skating, snowmobiling, back country skiing, and even horse-drawn sleigh rides. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to visit Yellowstone National Park in a snowcoach, with access to Old Faithful, bubbling mudpots, and wildlife. Jackson Hole truly is a winter travel spot that should be on everyone’s must do list.

Key West, Florida

Florida’s southernmost point, the drive to Key West takes newcomers across 42 bridges. With winter temps in the 70s, a booming nightlife, plenty of history and culture to explore, and an ample amount of water sports, this city attracts visitors worldwide. During the day, go snorkeling or diving in the coral reefs and then dry off and head to one of Duval Street’s restaurants for a fresh seafood dinner.  Even though its not your typical winter travel spot, consider Key West for a great getaway with a little warmth when you need it most.

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8 Things to Add to your Louisiana Bucket List

Louisiana is a state filled to the brim with culture and history, and it’s without-a-doubt a place everyone should visit at least once in their life. A melting pot of French, African, and American culture, you can find a bit of history around every corner. It’s safe to say that you’ll never be bored in Louisiana. Below, we are sharing 8 things every person should add to their Louisiana bucket list.

Take a ghost tour through the New Orleans French Quarter

Learn Louisiana history in a spooky way – with a ghost tour, of course! Between African slaves, invasions from pirates, and plenty of battles, New Orleans is the most haunted place in the States (if you believe in that kind of thing). Whether you prefer a quirky tour or a more formal one, make sure to set an evening aside to get the inside scoop and a hefty dose of a melting pot of culture.

Stroll through Oak Alley Plantation

Located in Vacherie, Louisiana, this plantation is named for the double row of southern live oak trees that create a canopy that run between the home and Mississippi River. The property was designated a National Historical Landmark because of its architecture and landscaping and is a sight to see on anyone’s Louisiana bucket list.

Eat Po Boys

According to history, the Po-boy was invented by two brothers, Benny and Clovis Martin, in order to feed the streetcar drivers in New Orleans in 1929. The Po-by is a sandwich that consists of roast beef or fried seafood (like shrimp, crawfish, oysters, or crab). Make sure to head to Killer Po Boys to grab this Louisiana classic.

Listen to the music at the Festival International de Louisiane

A free music festival in Lafayette, the Festival International de Louisiane is the largest non-ticketed outdoor Francophone festival in the country. This five day festival includes hundreds of performing and visual artists from up to 15 different countries,

Ride the Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River

This two hour boat cruise on the Mississippi River showcases New Orlean’s beauty and French Quarter architecture. Make it a lunch date, and add on the optional Creole lunch for a true New Orleans experience. It’s a great way to see a different side of New Orleans and is perfect to add to your Louisiana bucket list.

See the Saints Play in the Superdome

A must-do if the Louisiana Saints are playing a home game, the superdome is the sports and concert arena of New Orleans. Cheer and chant alongside fellow fans, and don’t forget to deck out in black and gold.

Eat beignets at Cafe Du Monde

Beignets, a square piece of dough, fried and then covered with powdered sugar, are a french delicacy that made its way to Louisiana and stayed, forever embedding itself in the culture (and stomachs) of fellow Louisianians. Ask anyone, and they’ll point you to Cafe Du Monde for the best beignets around. Experiencing the music, the outdoor dining, and the fried goodness of beignets at Cafe Du Monde is something everyone must add to their Louisiana bucket list.

Ride the St. Charles Streetcar line

In operation since 1835, the St. Charles Streetcar is the oldest continually operating streetcar line in the world. Aside from being doused in history, the streetcar line is also an exceptionally easy way to navigate the city. They run late, so you can take you time perusing the streets and taking in the sights.

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Weirdest Museums in America

America is known for a lot of things, so it’s no surprise that there is a surplus of weird museums for visitors to see. Mashable shares their favorite “weirdest museums” for all of the road-trippers out there looking to add a little variety to their next adventure.

From Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon, there are plenty of weird museums to fill your daily itinerary and learn some strange facts about American inventions and obsessions. From a Maple Museum to a Toilet Seat Art Museum, there is something out there from everyone.

1.  New England Maple Museum-Weirdest Museum

Located in Vermont (because where else would an American maple museum be located?), you can learn about maple syrup’s history dating back to the Native Americans and leading up to modern day, a 200 year coverage.

Then you can check out the gift shop and take some delicious syrup back home with you!

Address: 4578 U.S. 7, Pittsford, Vermont 05763

Admission: $5

2.  The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe

If you find yourself in Richmond, Virginia, you won’t want to miss this museum!

Dedicated to all things Poe, this museum is also located in the oldest standing building in the city. You can expect to find a huge collections of manuscripts, letters, memorabilia, and experience a realistic example of how Poe lived and worked.

Address: 1914-16 East Main St., Richmond, Virginia 23223

Admission: $6

3.  National Mustard Museum-Weirdest Museum

Love condiments? The mustard museum may be just the place for you! You won’t want to miss this Wisconsin sight.

Here you’ll find more than 5,624 different kinds of mustard from 50 states and 70 countries, you’ll even be able to use a one of a kind mustard vending machine!

Address: 7477 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562

Admission: Free

4.  Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum-Weirdest Museum

Yep, you read that right. Barney Smith, a 98 year old proprietor, has a toilet seat art collection he opens to the public every year in Texas.

With over 1,400 decorated toilet seats, Barney makes a new one yearly for his wife to celebrate their anniversary. Somewhat odd, yet somewhat charming.

Address: 239 Abiso, Alamo Heights, Texas 78209

Admission: Free

5.  Idaho Potato Museum

Fried potatoes, baked potatoes, french fries, hash browns, au gratin – if it’s made with potatoes then they’ve got it.

Located in Blackfoot, Idaho, this museum is for all those potato lovers out there! Learn about the

History of farming potatoes and don’t forget to get a picture with the massive potato replica out front!

Address: 130 NW Main St, Blackfoot, Idaho, 83221

Admission: $3

6.  International Banana Museum-Weirdest Museum

Calling all banana lovers! Check out this museum in Mecca, California and see a world-record of 25,000 banana related items and pictures. Don’t forget to try their homemade banana ice cream or milkshakes and then snap a pic with the massive banana statue!

Address: 98775 State Hwy 111, Mecca, California 92254

Admission: Free

7.  Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey

Most likely the best dinosaur museum in the country, this museum borders the line between awesome and weird. If you find yourself in Colorado, make sure to swing by and check out the animatronic dinosaurs that eat each other, fossil exhibits, and pre-historic records.

Address: 550 Jurassic Court, Fruita, Colorado 81521

Admission: $8.50

8.  Historic Auto Attractions

This isn’t your average car museum.

Here, you can see the car used in the Batman television series, the DMC DeLorean from Back To The Future, and the paddywagon from Ghostbusters. Make sure you don’t miss the collection of presidential and world leaders limousines and Elvis Presley’s personal car.

Address: 13825 Metric Drive, Roscoe, Illinois 61073

Admission: $12

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Students Interested In Education Career Have New Pathway

On October 16, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a new pathway that will equip college and career-bound high school students with the intent to pursue a career in education with knowledge and skills necessary for success when they graduate, Louisiana Believes shares.

Called the Pre-Educator Pathway, a part of the nationally recognized Jump Start career and education program, high school students will be able to take a unique progression of courses to encourage the development of strong, foundational academic knowledge and skills. In addition, students main acquire around 30-40 hours of practicum experience the help them become familiar with the K-12 teaching environment.

According to the Pre-Educator Pathway Overview, the mission of this pathway is to cultivate highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path to becoming accomplished teachers, beginning in high school and extending through college and into the profession.

This pathway is geared for those who are seeking to become an early childhood education teacher, elementary school teacher, middle school education teacher, secondary education teacher, special education teacher, art teacher, foreign language teacher, or computer science teacher.

The statewide credentials that are included in this pathway are CIW Web Security Professional (Advanced), CIW Web Security Associate (Basic), CIW Web Security Specialist (Basic), CompTIA A+ Basic, and CompTIA Security+.

“We are hopeful the newly-approved pathway will elevate the education profession as a career option for our young people. We also hope it builds a pipeline to fulfill the state’s need for diverse, capable, 21st Century educators.” said State Superintendent John White.

The practicum the high school students will experience will be a combination of classroom observation and classroom assistance, and they will develop an understanding of diverse learners and different learning environments.

The Pre-Educator Pathway will help high school students seeking a TOPS University Diploma and those planning on becoming a certified teacher by guiding them towards being accomplished educators throughout all stages of their life. By beginning this pathway in High School, the students who choose this pathway will be catered to passing the Louisiana teacher certification exams and the General Teacher Competencies required by Louisiana for teacher certification.

For students who don’t plan on becoming a certified teacher but intend to enter the education profession, the Pre-Educator Pathway will prepare them to take on alternative roles – like child care worker, substitute teacher, paraprofessional, professional tutor, or school system cyber security analyst.

Amy Weems, an assistant professor in ULM’s School of Education, said, “We are proud to offer this pathway for high school students who have an interest in serving their communities through the teaching profession. This pathway was built through strong partnerships with our local school districts, and we look forward to helping those districts to train their best and brightest high school students who will return to serve future generations. It is the very best example of how ‘grow your own’ initiatives can exponentially improve the quality of education we can offer to our students to better our communities.”

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Cheese Stuffed Mountain Meatballs Recipe

These giant cheese-stuffed meatballs have yet to meet someone who didn’t love them!  Everybody loves a good comfort food, and I’ve got just the thing for you! Made with a cheddar cheese filling and simmered in a rich red sauce, these Mountain Meatballs are the perfect, easy-to-make meal to fill rumbling stomachs. Pair them with a side of mashed potatoes and a veggie for a well-rounded meal.

This dish makes eight meatballs and takes a little over an hour to prepare.

INGREDIENTS

MEATBALLS:

  • 2 teaspoon Olive Oil
  • 2 red onions (finely chopped)
  • 3lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Coriander Seeds crushed
  • 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
  • 3 large eggs
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black Pepper (to taste)
  • 2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

SAUCE:

  • 1 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 red onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh grated garlic
  • 2 Red Chili Peppers (de-seeded and finely chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 1/3 cup Tomato Sauce
  • 1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/3 cup Cider Vinegar
  • 1/3 cup Molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
  • 5 cups Coffee hot, strong
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 tablespoons parsley (chopped)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEATBALLS

First, pre-heat the oven to 460 Fahrenheit and spray a large roasting dish with cooking oil.

For the meatballs, heat the oil in a large skillet and saute the red onion until soft (about 3-5 minutes), then remove from skillet and leave to cool completely. Place the ground beef, dijon mustard, oregano, cumin, coriander seeds, breadcrumbs, and the eggs in a large mixing bowl, add the cooled red onion you cooked previously, and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then, divide the mixture in eight equal portions, roll into balls (slightly larger than tennis balls).

Divide cheese into eight equal portions and add into each meatball. Press meatballs to close securely. Arrange the meatballs in the prepared dish and bake 40-45 minutes or until golden, then remove from oven.

Meanwhile, in the same skillet, heat the oil for the sauce and saute the onion, both bell peppers, garlic, chili, and paprika until soft. Stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, molasses, mustard, coffee, and tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Spoon out most of the fat in the meatball pan and pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs. Place in the oven for about 5 minutes or until sauce is heated thoroughly. Remove from oven, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

If you have any leftover, place into a tupperware container with a sealed lid and keep up to a week (if they last that long!). These taste even better heated up the next day for lunch – especially with a side of mashed potatoes!

Even better – you can meal prep this easily! Prepare meatballs how you would, but instead of putting them in the oven, put them in a container and pop in the freezer for later (you can do the same with the sauce!)

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Visit New Orleans on a Budget

Visiting New Orleans doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg! In fact, there are plenty of things to do that requires a grand total of zero dollars. If you know the right places to look, having fun on a budget is totally possible – especially in a culturally rich city like New Orleans. You just have to know where to find it.

A little bit of advice for finding the hidden gems of the city is to strike up conversation with locals and ask them where you should go! They’ll know the perfect places to send you for the best time with the most beautiful scenery.

Here are a few things you can do in New Orleans on a budget:

  • Visit Frenchman Street, New Orleans

An often underrated aspect of New Orleans, take in the french architecture and culture on Frenchman Street. Stop and listen to the live bands performing for tips, then head over the the Frenchman Art Market.

  • Listen to Live Music in New Orleans

It isn’t a true visit to New Orleans until you’ve heard the soulful Blues of street bands. Try and find as many as you can to experience the Jazz, R&B, and Blues of Louisiana.

Grab a coffee and enjoy the sights as you explore Audubon park. You could even rent some roller skates or bikes to see the park quicker.

You never know what kind of character you’re going to meet, so keep your eyes peeled for adventure and make sure to have fun!

Get ready to dance, because Magazine Street is filled with music and happy chatter. You can peruse this street for hours, stopping to watch the bands, grab a bite of true Cajun food, and stop in at a few small shops.

You don’t have to bet, but just watching the races can be fun! Plus, you get to meet the horses before the race, so pick a favorite and watch them win!

City Park is huge, so don’t worry if you don’t get to see every inch of it. Take in the scenery, fit in a couple of photo ops, then head to the Sculpture Garden located in the heart of CIty Park. Here, you’ll find intricate sculptures and artwork scattered for you to see.

  • Bywater District in New Orleans

This trendy up-and-coming neighborhood is perfect for a casual Sunday morning brunch. The laid back atmosphere compliments filling food nicely, so make sure to take your time and soak it all in.

This dog-friendly park offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the Mississippi River and New Orleans skyline you won’t want to miss.

Stroll from Bywater to downtown and experience the gorgeous scenery that this particular part of New Orleans has to offer.

Closer to downtown, this park matches the hustle and bustle of the city. Stroll through this waterfront park, take in the scenery, and grab a bite to eat from one of the small restaurants nearby.

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