Happy Holidays

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
We have come to the end of a fruitful semester, we hope you have a great holiday season and we wish the best luck for your finals! See you back January 21st!

SMILE!

SMILING IS THE BEST THERAPHY 

With exams around the corner we thought we would brighten your day up with cute animal pictures :) let us know what you think or share your own favorite pictures!

Snowy Tuesday Tips

TIPS ON SAFELY CROSSING THE ROAD IN THE SNOW/ICE

• It is harder for cars to slow down in the snow, so make sure they come to a full halt before crossing the street.
• Do not assume that the cars are going slower for you; they might be going slower because of the snow!
• Do not run or walk quickly across the crosswalk; you might slip and fall.
• Remember, walk like a penguin!

Tuesday Tips

THINGS TO DO ON THANKSGIVING BREAK

1. A Thanksgiving Nudl Mealshare.  A potluck with Olivia and Monica at their cozy apartment will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. this Thursday. RSVP here and pick a dish to share with everyone.
2. The most famous Twin Cities holiday event, the “Holidazzle Parade”.
3. Holidazzle begins on the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs Thursdays through Sundays, culminating on Sunday, December 20. The event takes place in Loring Park and is open Thursdays & Fridays from 5 pm-9 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am-9 pm. It is free for all ages to enter, and you can enjoy the downtown skating rink, meet Santa Claus, watch holiday movies, listen to musical performances, and browse great local foods, beverages and merchandise items on site. For more information and a full schedule, visit www.holidazzle.com.
4. The Depot, in downtown Minneapolis, opens their beautiful indoor ice rink on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, and will be open for skating all Thanksgiving Weekend. Thanksgiving Day hours are 10 am – 9 pm. The rink opens at 10 am – 11.30pm daily during the rest of the weekend. http://www.thedepotminneapolis.com/
5. Saturday marks the opening of the annual Wells Fargo WinterSkate at Rice Park in St. Paul. A grand opening celebration starts at 4:30 p.m. Bring your own skates, or rent them for $2.

Thursday Thoughts

EAT THE RIGHT THING

With academics becoming more demanding as we reach the end of the semester it is easy to forget to eat properly. Good nourishment is one of the most important factors in keeping you alert and awake. Below is a recipe for a hearty soup that is very quick to make and can be frozen (the flavor is maintained!). Try it out and let us know what you think!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 1 large yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, diced

1 pound carrots, scrubbed (or peeled) and chopped (~4 cups)

Salt and Pepper

2 cups Veggie Stock + 2 cups water

1/3 cup creamy or crunchy salted natural peanut butter (use less for a less intense PB flavor)

2 tsp chili garlic sauce (use less for less spice)

TOPPINGS: Fresh basil, cilantro, or mint; coconut milk; brown sugar or agave nectar (sub honey if not vegan); Sriracha hot sauce

(NOT LISTED: Coconut or Olive Oil for sauteing)

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat a large pot over medium heat.

Dice onion and garlic. Add to pot with 1 Tbsp coconut or olive oil (or nonstick spray). Add carrots and cook for 5 minutes.

Season with a healthy pinch each salt and pepper, then add veggie stock and 2 cups of water and stir.

Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until veggies are tender (test by cutting a larger piece of carrot in half – it should cut with ease).

Transfer to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth and creamy. (Cover with a towel in case your lid leaks any soup while blending.)

Add peanut butter and chili garlic sauce to the blender and blend to combine, using a ‘puree’ or ‘liquify’ setting if you have it.

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. For a touch of added sweetness, add a Tbsp or so of brown sugar, maple syrup or agave nectar (or honey if not vegan). Add more chili garlic sauce for more heat.

Serve immediately with fresh basil or herbs of choice. A drizzle of coconut milk will add a creamy, sweet touch. Serve with sriracha for extra heat.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Serving size: 1 of 4 bowls Calories: 224 Fat: 14.6g Saturated fat: 2.2g Carbohydrates: 19g Sugar: 8gSodium: 239mg Fiber: 5.7g Protein: 7.1g

Tuesday Tips

COLD INCOMING...

(Reflections from a first year student from MN)

Many Macalester students fear the Minnesota’s infamous winters. Settle down people. Yes, the winter in Minnesota is colder than most places across the U.S. and around the World, however, with a little preparation, the winter will become one of your favorite times of the year.

In order to combat winter, the first step is dressing properly. The most important thing is dressing in layers. This means wearing a combination of long sleeve shirts, sweaters, hoodies, and jackets. It is also important to cover your head and hands with gloves and a hat because heat will escape through these body parts, thus making you cold and further your hate of Minnesota winters. A good pair of winter boots is also necessary. Get over thinking about fashion, because the road and sidewalk salt will leave your boots looking crusty. The best boots have good insulation and are waterproof, meaning appearance is often an afterthought. Places such as Patagonia, The North Face, Goodwill, and Sporting Goods stores sell all of the necessary clothing.

If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, hand and feet warmers are a nice luxury to have. Purchasing a package from Target at the beginning of the season and storing them in your dorm room is a good idea. The key to enjoying Minnesota winters is dressing properly. If you can keep your body warm, then you will be able to stop complaining and start enjoying. After overcoming the initial shock of it being cold outside, you will notice all of the fun things that you can do in the winter.

Pastimes such as sledding, ice skating, and snowshoeing are all prominent in Minnesota and should be taken advantage of. Just remember if you cannot handle winters, it’s just four years of your life.

Seize the day and enjoy the SNOW!  

Thursday Thoughts

FUN IDEAS TO STAY AWAKE IN CLASS

It has been a long semester and as we are approaching the end it is easy to just go through the motions. It is imperative that you keep performing like you have; this starts by being active in the classroom. Here are some tips that will help you stay awake and focused in class:

• Write your name with your non-dominant hand before the start of class-Try it!
• Sit in a different section of the classroom-new perspective!
• Sit at the front of the class
• If you are feeling groggy, go to the bathroom and splash your face with water
• Bring and eat an apple in class
• Drink water and stay hydrated
• Take a different route to class
• Take notes (take discussion notes as well to keep your brain active)
• Sit up and focus on your posture
• Get good sleep!

These are some ways that you can help your mind stay focused. Let us know some of the ways you use to stay focused!