Category Archives: Lifestyle

Christmas Traditions

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Christmas traditions are about more than just celebrating a season.  They are about celebrating family and keeping the magic of Christmas alive for generations to come.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, and though my family gets busier and busier, our traditions bring us together and keep us close.  We always make a big deal out of Christmas.  However, the gifts are not the main focus of the holidays for my family.  Keeping the magic of the season alive is the most important thing.

Today, I am sharing a few of my most precious Christmas traditions. These traditions truly make this the most wonderful time of the year.

  1. During the Great Depression, money was tight.  That didn’t stop my mother’s side of the family from giving the gift of love.  On Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas Day, the family members would hug each other and say, “Christmas Eve Gift” or “Christmas Gift.”  In fact, it became a game to see who would be the first to offer their Christmas Eve or Christmas “gift.”  The tradition has evolved over time, and now we race to be the first one in the family to greet someone with Christmas Eve Gift or Christmas Gift.  We even wake people up at midnight with the greeting, just to win the game.
  2. Christmas isn’t just about gifts in my family.  We celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by helping others.  We all try and help others all year round, but at Christmas, we try and make it extra special.  We want our children to be grateful for what they have and to always have a giving heart.  With that said, every year, we, along with the Texas High School Tigersharks, adopt a family for Christmas.  We all buy gifts for the children and adults alike and provide them with a full Christmas dinner.  If the children we adopt are young enough, my dad even volunteers to play Santa and pays a visit to the children personally.
  3. My family and I get a real Chrismas tree from Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm.  This tradition started about 5 years ago because my husband was frustrated trying to put up our fake tree.  We drove out to the lot, picked a tree, and watched as they cut it down and shook all the lose needles out of the tree.  The kids LOVED it.  We drink cocoa with the family that owns the tree farm and huddle by the wood burning fire inside the barn.  But the most special part of this tradition is finding random golf balls, from the nearby golf course, throughout the farm.  Each year, we bring home a golf ball and write the year on it and hang it from our tree.
  4. This tradition is very messy, and not for the faint of heart.  Every year, we buy each person in our family a package of tinsel.  But before we put it on the tree as decoration, we have our annual icicle fight.  We run around the house, jumping over dogs, furniture, and occasionally each other, throwing tinsel at each other, like snowballs.  It is not uncommon to find tinsel buried in the couch in February.
  5. Christmas Eve night, we make cookies for Santa and reindeer food to scatter outside for Rudolph and the gang.  Here is the recipe I use for reindeer food.

    Photo courtesy of http://www.amodernmrs.com/2013/12/magic-reindeer-food-recipe-and-poem.html

    6. During the day on Christmas Eve, my sister and I “plant” individually wrapped peppermints in a soil-filled small pot, with my three-year-old nephew.  When wakes Christmas morning, the peppermints have magically grown into candy canes.

    Photo courtesy of Pinterest

    7.  Lastly, on Christmas Eve night, the kids are allowed to open one gift each.  Each of them gets new pajamas, house shoes, and a coffee mug.  After they open the gifts, I make homemade hot chocolate, while they change into their new pajamas and we all sit down to watch a Christmas movie before bed.

These are just a few things that make Christmas extra special for my family.  I hope the traditions are passed on when my kids have children of their own.  What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

College Student Discounts

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Between paying for tuition, books, the dining hall, and a dorm room your budget probably seems a little slim. What if I told you there are tons of discounts you can get just for being in college? From everyday essentials to specialty items, these companies want to treat you to savings created specifically for college students.

Also, don’t forget to pick up a personal discount card designed for Texas A&M University-Texarkana at the front desk of the University Center. It has great deals for businesses in the area.

FITNESS

Anytime Fitness

  • One Week Free Trial

Legends – State Line Texarkana

  • One Week Free Trial

Sportsplex By Health Care Express 

  • $42 Student Rate

FOOD

Chick-Fil-A

  • Free Drink with Student I.D.

Chipotle

  • Free Drink with Student I.D.

Gusano’s – Texarkana

  • Show Student I.D. and Discount Card for 10%.

Subway

  • Show Student I.D. For 10% Off

Taste & See

  • Show Student I.D. For 10% Off

Twisted Fork – Texarkana

  • 25% off All Pizzas with school discount card.

Waffle House

  • Show Student I.D. For 10% Off

General 

Amazon Prime for Students

  • 6 Months Free
  • 50% off Prime Membership After Trial
  • ALL Prime Benefits including FREE 2-Day Shipping
  • Added College Deals

FedEx Student Discount Club – With Student ID

  • 20% Off Envelope Shipments
  • 30% Off Package Shipments
  • Available at FedEx Stations

Sam’s Club

  • Offers Student Membership and Benefits
  • See Local Club

UPS – Richmond Texarkana

  • 10% Off Printing Services

MUSIC

Spotify Premium For Students

  • $4.99 a Month
  • Includes FREE access to Hulu.

Services

Geico

  • Students can save up to 15% on select coverages with a minimum of a B average.

Nationwide Insurance

  • Drivers up to 24 years in age can get discounts with a minimum of a B average.

State Farm

  • Offers up to 25% off insurance for students in good standing.

TECHNOLOGY

Adobe Creative Cloud

  • 60% Off Creative Cloud Application Bundle
    • Includes PhotoShop, Lightroom, AdobeXD, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Acrobat Pro, 20+ Desktop and Mobile Apps, Free Tutorials, Regular Upgrades

Apple Electronics – https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop 

  • Student Pricing available for current and newly registered college students.

Be Still…

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“The body benefits from movement and the mind benefits from stillness.” (Sakyong Mipham)
One may stress the importance of staying physically active and the benefits it has on the body but I think society forgets that taking care of the mind is just as important. In a world, full of things that are out of one’s control, natural disasters, and mass shootings it is difficult to find peace within the mind. When the body become overworked, the mind becomes stressed and that can lead to a person feeling overwhelmed, unhappy, and frustrated. Personally, I find comfort in meditation, something I recently started doing this year in August. Meditation is so much more than “turning off” your thoughts but more so of allowing yourself to feel okay with whatever emotions that are trying to come through at that present moment. Some may find themselves “busy” from the time the sun rise and way after the sun sets thinking there is zero time to carve out to meditate. However, meditation doesn’t have to require taking up most of your time a quick ten to fifteen minutes every day could make a big difference in your life.

Being honest and vulnerable with yourself is the key to being happy. To an extent this is why most people are unhappy or confused about themselves and about life, because instead of dealing with their emotions it’s “easier” to let things fall by the wayside. People tend to keep doing this until it finally begins to affect their daily living. I recently came across a website (www.howtomeditate.org) it says, “Meditation can also help us to understand our own mind. We can learn how to transform our mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. Overcoming negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts is the purpose of the transforming meditations found in the Buddhist tradition.”

“The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions.”

Meditation is learning how not to let everything that doesn’t go your way affect your emotions. Sure, life is sometimes unfair and the bad things that will happen to you are sometimes inevitable, but you also have to remember that one’s attitude play a significant role in that as well. I’ve always heard that, “life is 10% of what happens and 90% of how you react to it,” do you agree with that? Referring back to the website I mention earlier it states that, “By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency.”

“Peace; it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” –unknown

How Do I Look?

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I stood in front of the closet with my arms folded and let out a long sigh. I do not usually put extra time and effort into planning my outfits, but this was a special occasion. I was going to a communications conference that Saturday and had no idea what I was going to wear. When I asked my mom, she told me to dress business-casual. I looked on Pinterest for outfit ideas, confused when I saw outfits that I had always been advised against. I had always been told to stick to neutral colors, but the outfits I saw had a mix of colors and patterns. This was when I noticed that the rules had changed.

Business-casual is a new term in fashion, only dating back to around the 1980s. It was used in companies where the employees did not spend as much time in front of consumers and spent more time in the office. It became a way of expressing yourself and still maintaining a professional attitude without the formality. What is business-casual?

Robert Johnson, executive team leader of human resources at Target in Texarkana, said “Business casual for me would be a nice pair of jeans, a nice polo shirt. For ladies, there are several variations of blouses and shirts that are definitely appropriate for an interview. When I dress business casual, I wear a long-sleeved button-up and slacks or khakis.”

For men, this is a simple take on business casual that is always acceptable. The look is easy to replicate and there are many different variations to it to make it more unique. 

Business casual has changed over time and pieces considered unacceptable like jeans or sneakers can be dressed up to look more professional. Overall, business casual is a step above what you would wear on a typical day, but not fancy enough to be formal. Blazers and sports jackets can pair with chinos, khakis, or nice jeans. When choosing a pair of jeans, it is best to stay away from overly distressed jeans and wear a dark pair.

It is also important to remember that business casual depends on the workplace or the event. When going to an interview Johnson said you should present yourself at your best.

“I’ve been doing this for several years, and you can tell when a person is presenting themselves to the best of their ability or not. I say this because you could have someone from a scheduled interview come in whatever they were wearing that morning. Their tennis shoes are not laced up or tied and you can tell if they could have done better than that,” said Johnson.

The dress code at Target is more relaxed than other businesses and it is not a deal-breaker for you to come into an interview with jeans. However, there are times to keep jeans in the closet. If possible, it is best to overdress a little for an interview than underdress. The interviewer will be able to tell if you have spent time on your appearance and it will make a good impression on them.

Women have a variety of clothing options to choose from, which is part of what made my outfit decision for the event difficult. I did not know if I should wear a skirt, dress, blouse, heels, pants, or flats. In Vanessa Rodriguez’s article, “What is Business Casual Attire for Women? Outfit Tips, Advice & Ideas,” she writes a list of tips to help women pick the right outfits. One of the safest options is khakis or dark pants with a button-down shirt. Sweaters are also a very good choice.

An important tip for women to remember is to pay attention to the types of shirts and skirts or dresses they wear. It is considered inappropriate for cleavage to be visible. If a blouse is a little sheer, make sure to wear a camisole underneath. Skirts and dresses should stay at knee length or longer. Clothes that are too tight also can send the wrong message to a potential employer or business connection.

With many options out there, the most important idea to remember is that there is no simple answer for what to wear. Your outfit will depend on the environment and the nature of the event. No matter what, take your time to pick the outfit that makes the best impression.

Random Acts of Kindness

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The holiday season is upon us.  Rather than adding to your wish list, or stressing over the trappings of the season; find your joy by doing random acts of kindness.

Random acts of kindness are selfless acts of kindness directed at complete strangers, with the sole intent of spreading love and kindness.  There is no better way to celebrate the joy of the holidays.

Below is a list of easy and fulfilling random acts of kindness.  Give them a try and see how they improve your holiday season.  You might just want to make them a part of your everyday life.

  1. Buy a stranger’s coffee.
  2. Leave some change in a vending machine, so that someone can get a free drink.
  3. Take some homemade treats to nurses, firefighters, teachers, or cops in your community to thank them for all they do.
  4. Leave a big tip for a waiter or waitress in need.
  5. Make treats and put them in the mailbox for the mailman.  Be sure to leave them a note, so they know the treats are for them.
  6. Take pet food, old blankets, and pet toys to your local shelter.
  7. Take flowers to a local hospital and have a nurse give them to a patient who needs to be cheered up.
  8. Donate food, books, toiletries, and warm clothing to the local homeless shelter.
  9. Do chores for a friend or family member.
  10. Adopt a deployed soldier and send him/her some much needed holiday cheer.  Here is the website:  http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/
  11. Give someone your place in line.
  12. Visit a nursing home.  Just talk to the residents, play board games with them, or get some friends together to sing Christmas carols and hand out Holiday cards.
  13. Give a hot drink to a Salvation Army bell ringer.
  14. Give a gift card to a stranger at the grocery store.  Any amount shows you care.
  15. Take classroom supplies to a teacher or two.  If you have Dr. Morton, then you know he always needs dry erase markers.
  16. Adopt an Angel from an Angel Tree.  Most of the time, these children aren’t asking for a lot.  I personally have adopted several angels over the years, and each time it cost me around $50.

Above all, this Holiday season and all year round, show kindness, compassion, and love for your fellow man.  Restore your faith in humanity by blessing strangers with random acts of kindness.

How To Get More Sleep?

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Sleep, what is that? Might sound like a foreign word to a vast majority of people worldwide, especially college students. It is said that people should get at least eight or more hours of sleep, but when you’re in college that is something most can only wish for. So, what is stopping students from getting an adequate amount of sleep? I’m here to talk all things sleep, how to start getting more of it and tips on sleeping better at night.

As you can probably imagine pulling all-nighters is nothing new for students and in doing so it throws off sleep patterns. So, of course, for some college students getting less than eight hours of sleep before having to report to class is the new norm. However, the real issue is that it’s not healthy for the brain or body. According to my own personal sleep diary AKA my fitbit, it tracks my sleep pattern. Some nights I’ve gotten as little as 2 hours and 43 minutes of sleep while other nights I’ve gotten closer to six hours. Either way it’s still isn’t enough to really be productive throughout the day. So, what is the secret to college students getting more sleep, here are a few tips.

1. POWER DOWN: An hour before going to bed turn off all electronics. In fact, if you have an iphone there’s a ‘do not disturb’ feature that allows your phone to not make a sound or even vibrate when that feature is on.

2. LIMIT YOUR NAPS: On average a person should keep their naps at a minimum, less than 20-30 minutes.

3. ROOM TEMPERATURE: It is said that people sleep best when the room temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees.

4. SET YOUR BODY CLOCK: Going to bed and waking up at the same times every day even on weekends are keys to a healthy sleep.

5. EXERCISE: I know that this is something that many people despise but it can be very beneficial to getting a good night’s rest. Try working out three to four hours before bedtime.

6. LISTEN TO WHITE NOISE: There are many apps and machines that offer oceans waves crashing, rain, thunderstorm, or soft classical music.

7. FREE YOUR MIND: Try meditating or writing in a journal two hours before bed. By doing this it can help relieve stress or anything that is on your mind. Also, try seeing a counselor to talk about your problems.

8. STAY HYDRATED: Sometimes if your body is dehydrated that can lead to not being able to sleep or fatigue.

9. DECLUTTER YOUR SLEEPING SPACE: Clean and declutter your room. Sleeping in a clean and organized room can actually help put the mind at ease. Also, lowering the lights and use darkening curtains.

10. EAT BETTER: Avoid eating heavy foods, if you’re going to eat something let it be a light snack two hours before bed. Try something like fruit or crackers.

Dear Future Self

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Dear Future Self,

The things that has happened in your past are permanent and there is nothing you can do about it. Stop dwelling on the things that can’t be changed! The only thing you can do now is too not make the same mistakes. You’ve pinned a lot of things to your bulletin board which is also your vision board, because Steve Harvey says that everyone should have one. I don’t know exactly where you’ll be in the next 10, 18, or 25 years but I hope you’re in place of peace and happiness in both your personal and career life. I mean, are you still going to Justin Bieber concerts, are you married, do you still have the same friends, did you ever go to grad school, did you ever purchase that all black jeep wrangler, and lastly did you ever find the courage to move out of Texas AKA the greatest state in America? I have so many questions, I hope someday you come back and read this and reflect on your current life. Right now, you’re a 23-year old college senior and is set to graduate in December 2017. I’m giving you some advice for the future, I know you’re stubborn but for once in your life just consider following at least one tip.

Here are the top ten things I would like to say to my future self.

1. Believe in Yourself: Remember why you got the word ‘believe’ tattooed on your wrist at 19-years old. Don’t ever forget this. Always believe in yourself and in your own abilities. During time of adversity is when you should trust yourself the most. Listen to your gut, everyone may not understand the decisions you make for yourself, that’s none of your business. You do what feels right. Because difficult roads can lead to an awesome destination.

2. You Belong: No matter what board room meeting you’re in, grad school, or television network you’re on, you belong to be there just as much as the person sitting next to you. You’re a hard worker and persevered through the tough times which is why you deserve a seat the table. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel less than. Trust me when I say there are going to be times when you feel like you’re not good enough and start doubting yourself, it is during those times that you must be your own super hero and not dwell on the things that are out of your control.

3. Don’t Compare Your Life to Other People: Okay, I want you to read this very carefully. ‘Don’t compare your life to other people.’ What you see on social media isn’t always a true reflection of a person’s life. According to Erving Goffman, a well-known sociologist that studied the self, describes social life to a performance. Goffman uses a theater type metaphor to explain how people present themselves. He pretty much says that we act different when we think we’re being watched “front stage” and is the complete opposite when we’re not being watched “back stage.” If you’ve ever been to a concert you know on stage everything is “perfect”, but backstage there it is probably a lot of chaos going on. What I’m trying to tell you is that everyone’s journey in life is different and the finish line is at a different place for us all. When the time is right for you to have something, you will have it. No matter what happens no one can stop something that was specially meant for you.

4. Try New Foods: You’ve been a picky eater your entire life. Still at 23-years old your go to food are cheeseburgers. Also, can you try to eating vegetables, I know they’re disgusting but they’re healthy for you and you want to live a long time. Also, start drinking more milk. I know you hate that too, but it’s good you. You don’t like trying new foods because you automatically think you’re not going to like it. Again, stop being a ‘know it all’ you won’t know until you try it. You won’t be young forever, so this fried food diet you have can’t last forever.

5. Accept the Word ‘NO’: Here’s another one that you might have to read a couple of times to fully process. On your way to success get used to hearing the word ‘NO.’ You’re going to be rejected from certain things a few times, that’s okay! One or a couple people’s ‘NO’ does not mean something wasn’t meant for you. At the time it might hurt, but eventually you’re going to have to get over it. You might not get accepted in grad school right away, or that television show you want to work for, guess what, it’s not the end of the world. All the ‘NO’s’ that you’re hearing only means you need more preparation for the thing you want. Keep working and when the time is right you’ll get it.

6. Travel, Travel, Travel: You’re young so travel at every chance you get. Stop waiting for other people to join you on the exciting excursion, if you have a place in mind that you want to visit to then go already. I think every good journalist should be multicultural. Go learn about all those places you’ve pinned to your visionboard, try the “weird” foods, and get used to being in unfamiliar places. Fill up an entire passport!

7. Do Things That Make You Happy: Through this journey called life don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Surround yourself with good people. No matter what your friends say you are really funny, even if you do tend to laugh at your own jokes. Although you’re not much of an outdoors person try to become one. Getting fresh air on the regular is an energy booster and will ultimately keep you in a good mood. Maybe you can go camping someday…maybe!

8. Relax: Right now, you don’t know what the future holds so you’re a little… well actually a lot anxious. Just Relax! Focus on the present moment, you’ll eventually get to your destination in due time. Everything will work out.

9. Outwork Everybody: This is a very important piece of advice. In anything you do be the first one there and the last to leave. Yes, they’re might be people smarter than you or even more experienced than you are. However, the thing that will set you apart from everyone else is your work ethic. This world is competitive, if you want a seat at the table you have to fight for it. The thing that is going to get you to the top is perseverance. I remember hearing former first lady Michelle Obama say, “You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is your biggest advantage.

10. Go to Every Justin Bieber Concert: I know I was wondering whether or not you’re still obsessing over JB, but let’s be real here you’re still seeing him in concert every chance you get! He’s a talented guy, I just don’t understand why so many people find him annoying. Now the real question is, how you are going to meet him?

So, there you go future self. You’re probably reading this with the biggest smile on your face because in deed everything worked out! I know it’s easier said than done, but current you can stop being so anxious about the future.

Now I would like to hear from you, what advice would you give your future self? Don’t forget to post your advice in the comment section below.

Delicious Dishes – Thanksgiving

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Since 1621, Thanksgiving dinner has been a popular tradition amongst Americans. We use this day to spend time with family, kick back and watch football, and most importantly, prepare amazing feasts. Students around campus have been generous enough to share their Thanksgiving family recipe traditions. From appetizers to dessert, these have been combined so you have the opportunity to create a delicious meal, and maybe start some yummy traditions yourself.

Grandma’s Cranberry Sauce – Anonymous Grandma

  • 1 Pound Fresh Cranberries
  • 2 Cups Water
  • 2 Cups Sugar
  • Dash of Cinnamon

Rinse berries and remove stems.

Heat water and sugar to boiling mixture for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Stir in berries and add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Heat until boiling. Continue to stir until berries start popping.

Pour into mason jars and chill for 2-3 hours in fridge.

Enjoy with toast or pastries!

Green Bean Casserole – Misty Jones

  • 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • 1 tsp. Soy Sauce
  • Dash Pepper
  • 2 Cans (4 cups) Cooked Green Beans
  • 1&1/3 Cups French’s Fried Onions

Mix soup, milk, soy, pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until hot.

Stir and sprinkle with remaining onions.

Put back in oven for 5 more minutes.

Holiday Dressing – Anonymous Mother

  • 4 Sticks Butter
  • 2 Pounds Tyson Chicken Breasts
  • 2 Boxes Chicken Broth
  • 3 Packages Cornkits Prepared
  • 2 White Onions Chopped
  • 6 Stalks Celery Chopped
  • 1.5 Tsp Poultry Seasoning
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 Loaf Toasted White Bread
  • 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

Crumble toasted bread and set aside.

Slowly boil chicken in 1 box of broth and 5 cups of water.

Meanwhile, sauté 2 white onions, 6 celery stalks, 1.5 tsp. poultry seasoning, and 3 sticks of butter. Can add dash of salt and pepper. Cool a few minutes and mix in chopped chicken. Do NOT add broth.

In separate bowl mix 1 stick of butter, 1 can cream of chicken soup, and broth until warm and soupy. Cool for a few minutes then add sautéed mixture. Add toasted white bread and cornbread.

Beat 6 eggs and add to mixture. Mix. Add broth from pan you boiled chicken in as needed.

Spray pan with Pam, pour, and cook 1-2 hours on 350 degrees.

Jan’s Coconut Pie – Misty Jones’ Grandmother

  • 3/4 Cup Sugar
  • 4 tbsp Cornstarch
  • Dash of Salt
  • 2 Cups Milk
  • 4 Eggs, Separated
  • 1 tbsp. Butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 Cup flaked coconut
  • 1 Baked 9-inch Pie Shell

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a heavy medium sauce pan; stir in milk. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, but constantly until mixture thickens and boils for 3 minutes.

Beat egg yolks well in a small bowl, slowly stir in 1/2 cup of the hot mixture. Then stir back into the saucepan. Stir constantly for 1 minute, remove from heat.

Stir in butter, vanilla, and 1/4 cut of coconut. Pour into pastry shell.

Beat egg whites until foamy white in a medium size bowl. Beat in remains 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tbsp. at a time, until meringue stands in firm peaks. Pile onto filling, sealing to the edge and swirling into peaks. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup flaked coconut.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until coconut is toasted and topping is golden tipped. Watch carefully so coconut doesn’t burn.

Cool pie at least 5 hours on a rack before cutting.

Don’t Let the Flu Catch You

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You are coughing, you can’t breathe, every part of your body hurts.  You roll over and look at the clock, it’s 3 a.m.  You have to get up in a couple of hours to go to class and you realize you have the flu.  What do you do?  What could you have done to avoid this conundrum?

Unfortunately, not everyone knows what to do when they are sick.  They feel they must go to school or work, despite running fever and feeling ill.  This is how the flu spreads.  Here are a few tips to avoid spreading or catching the flu.

  1. If you feel ill, and especially if you are running fever, stay home.
  2. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  3. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
  4. Wash your hands often.  If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  5. Don’t touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.  Germs are often spread by touching something contaminated and then touching your face.
  6. Keep your home and workspace clean and disinfected.
  7. Get plenty of sleep.  Your immune system has to work overtime when you are tired.
  8. Exercise.  A healthy exercise routine keeps your body healthy.
  9. Avoid stress as much as possible.  Oftentimes, stress can weaken your immune system and cause physical symptoms.
  10. Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.  Keeping yourself hydrated and eating a healthy diet is a good way to support immune system function.
  11. Take a quality multivitamin.  Keeping your macro nutrient levels up can help support a healthy immune system.
  12. Above all, get your flu shot.  Pharmacies give the flu shot and it is covered by most insurances.  This preventative measure can save you tons of money on cold and flu medications and loss of work.

If you begin to feel ill, there are other things you can do to shorten the virus.  The over the counter, non-drowsy remedy Oscillococcinum is a great way to feel better fast.  You could also try taking Zinc, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin C to boost your immune response.

With the cold and flu season in full swing, it’s important to be vigilant.  Stay healthy!

 

Counseling Available for All Students

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Imagine you’re in a store.  You see a man up ahead.  He looks familiar.  But rather than brushing it off and moving on, something strange happens.  Your heart races, you begin to sweat, your throat closes up and you can’t breathe.  You begin to cry.  You don’t know what is happening, but you know you have to get out of there immediately.

A few short years ago, that was my life.  The mundane details of my life caused debilitating panic attacks.  I had escaped abuse, moved on with my life, and was finally happy.  Why was this happening to me now?  I didn’t understand it, but I knew I needed help.  That is when I met Brianna Taylor and Barbara Wilson.  Those two women saved my life.  If it weren’t for them, I have no doubt I would not be in school right now.  Back then, I could have never balanced a family and being a successful college student.  Thankfully, now I have the tools I need to work through issues and to be successful.

When I first met Brianna and Barbara, they were counselors for Community Healthcore.  Brianna was my primary counselor and Barbara worked on my PTSD.  These two caring individuals are highly trained LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors).  And now, Texas A&M – Texarkana, is lucky to have them as part of their staff.

Counseling services through Brianna and Barbara are available to any TAMUT student, free of charge.  The number of sessions for students are determined on a case by case basis.  Brianna said, “We help students with anything from test anxiety, all the way up to something more significant, such as trauma or PTSD.”

There are multiple ways to make an appointment for counseling services.  Students can drop by or call the Counseling Center at 903-223-3186, or they can send an email to counseling.services@ace.tamut.edu.  Professors can also make referrals for students in need.  The Counseling Center is located on the fourth floor in the main campus building.

Don’t be afraid to take care of your mental health needs.  There is no reason to be ashamed or afraid.  Barbara said, “We’re people too.”

As with any other mental health professional, the TAMUT counselors are bound by privacy laws.  All sessions are completely confidential.  Don’t neglect your mental health.  Make an appointment today.