Weekend Life In Brandon

Welcome to Brandon! The paradise of the prairies, the gateway to the west, the wheat city. Brandon goes by many names and is known for a wide variety of things. From the agriculture industry in the area to being an urban hub for the dozens of surrounding communities. The city is home to roughly 50, 000 people, yet it still boasts a community minded attitude. Neighbors helping neighbors and friendly "hellos" and handshakes are the norm. As students, some of us may be quite familiar with Brandon, either because we have lived here all our lives or because we reside in surrounding communities. Others, such as international students, may be completely new to the city. Either way, its important to know more about your city if your going to be attending university here. Most importantly, what you can do in Brandon on the weekend. While studying and assignments are great and all, you need to get a break in to get your mind off school. Luckily Brandon has no shortage of things to do. From nights at the cinema, to shopping trips to Shoppers Mall, you're guaranteed to have a blast. If movies and malls aren't your cup of tea, fear not as there's still plenty to see in the wheat city. You can hit the gym at the Healthy Living Center or you can lace up your shoes and play some bowling. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, you can be sure you won't go bored in Brandon. 

We may get a lot of movies on Netflix and Crave, but you can't beat that feeling you get when you see a brand-new release at the movie theater. Even better, many movies are now shown in 3D, which makes the experience that much better. Whether your seeing a comedy, an action film or maybe a sci-fi screening, your going to have a good time. The main theater here in Brandon is called Landmark Cinemas and is located at the far south end of the city.  It's officially located at Unit 100, 1570 18th st, However, most people know it as the big building adjacent to the Shoppers Mall. Here, you can catch the latest films with your friends and family. You can also hit the concession stand and grab a bite to eat before you see the show. While prices can be a little expensive for food, the quality and convenience make up for it. Given the fact that Landmark Cinemas have multiple screens in the theatre, you have a wide selection on what movie you would like to see. Why wait for the film to be put on Netflix or Crave? Book the night off, grab a few friends and head on down to the movie theatre to enjoy an entertaining night out. 

While catching a film sounds like a great way to spend the evening, what do you do all day? Shoppers Mall has the answer for you. With over 90 stores and services, Shoppers Mall is the largest mall in Western Manitoba and is located at the far south end of the city at 1570 18th st. With everything from clothing stores, to fast food outlets to entertainment shops, you will literally shop until you drop. If you need to buy a fancy new suit for graduation, Moore's has you covered. Maybe you need some new internet at your apartment, drop by the BellMTS outlet located in the mall. Or perhaps you just want to grab a cup of coffee with some friends, there's an onsite Tim Horton's at the food court. The food court is also home to a wide variety of other restaurants. There's an A and W, a Chinese restaurant, a Thai place and a DQ among others. Shoppers Mall also has some big box stores to boot. At one end of the mall you'll find Sport Check which sells everything from hockey sticks to bicycles. At the other end of the mall you'll find Shoppers Drug Mart for all your wellness needs as well as Sobey's in case you needed to do some grocery shopping. Whatever you choose to do down at the mall, its sure to take up your day. 

For many people the weekend is a chance to catch up on those gym visits. Maybe you had to skip leg day due to a test or quiz. Don't worry, you can still get those lunges in this weekend. Although there are quite a few gyms within the City of Brandon, the best one for students to hit up is the one at the Healthy Living Centre. The Healthy Living Centre is a fairly new addition to the University and is right on campus, across from the residence buildings. Besides the fitness centre, the Healthy Living Centre is also home to a large walking track. Therefore, you can get your cardio in, no matter how cold it is outside. Also, on site is two large gymnasiums where members can play a variety of sports with their peers. The north gym is home to the Brandon University Bobcats Basketball and Volleyball teams. When their respective seasons are in session, you can catch home games here and cheer on the Bobcats. The best part of the Healthy Living Centre is that you are already a member. That's right, a recreation fee is included in your tuition payment that grants you access to the Centre and its facilities. Visit the Healthy Living Centre on campus and get set up today. 

One of the most exciting, and satisfying, things to do in Brandon is to go bowling. Bowling in Brandon is always done at Thunderbird Bowl. Thunderbird Bowl is located at the southern tip of the city, at 2140 Currie Boulevard. Here you can participate in a game of bowling with friends or family. However, Thunderbird Bowl doesn't just have regular, plain 5 pin bowling. They also have glow bowling, included with awesome music and crazy light displays. That way you can beat your friends in fashion. There are very few things in this world that are more satisfying than winning a game of bowling. Besides bowling lanes, Thunderbird Bowl also has an onsite arcade. Somewhat of a rarity nowadays, arcades let you enjoy some older style video games, including some you can't even get on consoles. There's also a grill and a pizza place in the building, in case your packing a hunger from winning. A day at Thunderbird Bowl is sure to leave you wanting more. 

As you can see, there is plenty to see and do in the city of Brandon. From catching a film down at the cinema to going on a shopping spree at the mall. Your weekend is sure to be booked solid. Don't forget about that workout at the Healthy Living Centre. Get your exercise in and then head down to the bowling alley for a game of glow bowling. Take a break, just for a little while, from all those textbooks and hit the town.

How To Enjoy New Years Day

It's a New Year! New possibilities, new opportunities and new beginnings are here. Many people see the start of a new year as a fresh start. A chance to go forward with an open mind. However, they also see it as a chance to celebrate the previous year and all its accomplishments. It's well known that New Years Eve is packed with parties and get together's wherever you go, but what about New Years Day? The official start to a brand-new calendar year doesn't get the amount of hype that New Years Eve does. However, there's still plenty to do on the 1st of January. Whether your recovering from those late-night New Years Eve parties or are getting ready to go to a family feast, New Years Day is often seen as a break. Despite the lack of hype, you can still have an enjoyable and relaxing New Years Day! 

January 1st is often a cold, dark and dreary day in Manitoba. That being said you can still have a fantastic time on New Years Day. For many people New Years Day is seen as a day off. A chance to recuperate and prepare for the new year. Perhaps you are still recovering form those New Years Eve festivities. Or perhaps you just need a day to yourself. Either way, relaxation on January 1st has become the norm. Therefore, sleep in and get that much needed shut eye. Kick your feet up for the afternoon and enjoy a refreshing beverage. It also never hurts to turn on Netflix and binge watch your favorite TV show. If sleeping in and watching TV isn't your idea of a relaxing day, there's still plenty that you can do to enjoy your day off. Some people prefer a good novel. There's nothing like kicking your feet back and catching up on a good book. Or strolling through the neighborhood on a nice relaxing walk. Whatever you do to relax, your sure have an enjoyable, leisure filled New Years Day. 

While some people choose to spend January 1st by themselves, others have large family gatherings to attend. Some New Years Day dinners are just as large as the Christmas ones. New Years Day is a chance for family and friends to get together and enjoy that last holiday meal before regular schedules resume. Indeed, most stores and businesses are closed on New Years Day, giving families an opportunity to get together. From turkey and ham to mashed potatoes and stuffing, New Years Day feasts are something to look forward to. Don't forget about those desserts too! All kinds of pies, cakes and cookies dot the dinner table at New Years. No matter how big or small your get together is, your sure to make good memories.  

New Years Day is a chance for you to prepare for the New Year. A chance to kick back and relax before all the hustle and bustle begins again. Grab your favorite book or sit back and watch your favorite TV show, whatever allows you to rest up. For some people, however, New Years Day is the last holiday dinner. A time to see family and catch up with friends. Whatever your New Years Day held for you this year, hopefully it allowed you to recuperate and prepare for the brand new winter semester.

Cookies For Christmas!

Winter is here. The cold temperatures and white fluffy stuff on the ground make it hard to ignore. While winter is often seen as the worst of the four seasons, one thing makes it tolerable, Christmas. Its hard to find someone who doesn't enjoy the holiday season. Even if they act like a grinch, there's a good chance they enjoy the family get togethers and holiday meals. To prepare for those huge holiday meals, Christmas baking season kicks off pretty earlier. One of the most popular items is cookies. From sugar cookies to ginger cookies to the classic chocolate chips. Below are two of my favourite Christmas cookie recipes.

Classic Sugar Cookies ​

Ingredients ​

• 1 1/2 cups of white sugar ​

• 1 cup of butter ​

• 3 egg yolks​

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​

• 2 1/2 cups of white flour​

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda ​

• 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar ​

Directions ​

Sugar cookies! The name itself screams with utter perfection.  Unfortunately, they aren't the healthiest of snacks out there however with it being the holiday season many people make an exception. To start making a batch of delicious sugar cookies preheat the oven to 350 F. Then proceed to grease 2 cookie sheets with butter. In a large bowl cream together the white sugar and butter. Beat in egg yolk. Once this mixture is smooth add in the vanilla extract. In the same bowl proceed to add in the white flour and baking soda. Once well mixed stir in the cream of tartar. Proceed to form the dough into walnut sized round balls. Place the balls 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Cool and enjoy! ​

Soft and Chewy Ginger Cookies ​

Ingredients ​

• 2 1/4 cups of white flour ​

• 2 teaspoons of ginger ​

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda ​

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon ​

• 1/2 teaspoon of cloves ​

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt ​

• 3/4 cup of margarine, softened ​

• 1 cup of white sugar​

• 1 egg​

• 1 tablespoon of water ​

• 1/4 cup of molasses​

• 2 tablespoons of white sugar ​

Directions ​

There's nothing like biting into a gingersnap over the holidays! Somehow ginger cookies make the holidays that much better. Get a head start of whip up some ginger cookies before those holiday gatherings. To begin preheat the oven to 350 F. Sift together the white flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt into a large bowl. In a separate bowl cream together the margarine and 1 cup of sugar. Once smooth proceed to beat in the egg. Then add in the water and molasses. Combine the sifted ingredients into the margarine mixture and stir well. Shape the dough into small sized balls. Roll the balls in the remaining 2 tablespoons of white sugar. Place the balls on the cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool and enjoy! ​

With Christmas on the horizon everybody will be warming up their ovens to get started on their holiday baking. Why not join the crowd and whip up some fresh Christmas cookies? There relatively easy to make and are prefect for those large holiday gatherings. Give in to your sweet tooth and bake some cookies! ​

Delicious Holiday Muffins

Have you ever bit into a crisp, moist muffin and felt that heavenly embrace? The one thing that makes that feeling better is when they are Christmas muffins. Everyone loves holiday baking and Christmas muffins are no exception. Family gatherings across the city will no doubt have freshly baked treats on their Christmas dinner menus. From crunchy cranberry to berry blast, there are endless flavour possibilities. Muffins are also seen as a somewhat healthier alternative to Christmas cookies and cakes. My extended family always goes all out in the holiday baking department. Below are two of my favourite Christmas muffin recipes.

Berry Blast Blueberry Muffins 

Ingredients ​

• 1/2 cup of butter ​

• 1 cup of white sugar ​

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt ​

• 2 eggs ​

• 2 cups of white flour ​

• 2 teaspoons of baking powder ​

• 1/2 cup of buttermilk​

• 1 pint or small container of blueberries ​

• 2 tablespoons of white sugar ​

Directions​

Even people who aren't the biggest fans of muffins could go for a fresh blueberry muffin. This recipe will give you a dozen berry loaded, baked treats. To get started preheat your oven to 375 F. Spray the top of a muffin pan with non-stick coating such as Pam. Then proceed to line each muffin slot with paper liners. In a large bowl cream together the butter, 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until smooth and fluffy. Proceed to beat in the eggs one at a time. Then mix the 2 cups of flour with the baking powder. Beat in this mixture with the muffin batter. Once the batter thickens add in the 1/2 cup of buttermilk gradually. Crush the blueberries and mix them into the batter. Once the blueberries have been added and mixed well proceed to scoop the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 30 minutes or until muffins are golden brown. Cool and enjoy. ​

Crazy Cranberry Muffins ​

Ingredients ​

• 1 1/2 cups of white flour ​

• 3 teaspoons of baking powder ​

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt ​

• 1/4 cup of white sugar ​

• 1/4 cup of vegetable oil ​

• 1 egg, beaten​

• 1 cup of orange juice ​

• 2 cups of chopped cranberries ​

Directions ​

How do you turn on ordinary, plain muffin into something exciting? You add cranberries of course. These muffins are perfect for the holiday season and will no doubt get a round of applause from the entire family. To begin, preheat your oven to 400 F. Grease your muffin pan and then proceed to add in muffin liners in each of the muffin cups. In a large bowl sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. In a separate bowl beat the oil and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and silky. Add the egg and orange juice into this mixture and beat until smooth. Then proceed to combine the flour mixture with the oil mixture. Stir well and fold in the chopped cranberries. For a more intense flavour add another cup of chopped cranberries. Proceed to scoop the batter into the muffin pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool and enjoy! ​

This holiday season whip out your oven mitts and get baking. These muffin recipes are relatively easy to make and are perfect for bringing to Christmas gatherings. Whether your a berry blast fan or would rather go the cranberry route your sure to enjoy the holiday season that much more with these golden recipes. ​

Christmas Fudge!!!!

Christmas isn't here quite yet, but Christmas baking has already begun. Soon ovens will be running at full blast as bakers everywhere get ready to make their favourite holiday creations. Indeed, large families getting together over the holiday season racks up the demand for tasty treats. It may not be the healthiest of snacks, but no one can deny the joy they get from enjoying some Christmas goodies. With everything from cookies to cakes to fudge, especially fudge. There is nothing like biting into some good old, homemade fudge. Whether its caramel, butterscotch or chocolate, any homemade Christmas fudge is sure to put a smile on any kids face. As we prepare for the upcoming holiday season, I have decided to share with you two of my favourite Christmas fudge recipes.

Perfect Peanut Butter Fudge 

Ingredients ​

• 2 cups of brown sugar, packed​

• 2 cups of white sugar ​

• 1 cup of milk ​

• 2 cups of creamy peanut butter ​

• 1 tablespoon of margarine ​

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​

Directions ​

This delicious dessert is surprisingly easy to make. It also won't take away too much of your downtime with the end result blowing your expectations into the water. To begin mix the brown sugar and white sugar together in a large pot. Add the cup of milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Proceed to stir in the creamy peanut butter while reducing the heat to medium. After 5 minutes remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the margarine and vanilla into the mixture. Stir vigorously until the fudge hardens. Once hardened, pour the fudge onto waxed paper and proceed to cut into 1-inch pieces. Take a piece and enjoy! ​

Candy Cane Fudge ​

Ingredients​

• 2 packages of vanilla baking chips ​

• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk ​

• 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract ​

• 2 cups of crushed candy canes ​

• 1 squirt of red food colouring ​

Directions  ​

What makes homemade fudge truly holiday fudge? Adding candy canes into the mix of course! This unique yet delicious recipe will leave you with a vast amount of sweet treats. Any candy craver would sick their teeth into these fudge bars. To get started making your own candy cane fudge line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil. Proceed to combine the vanilla chips and condensed milk in a large saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium heat. Stirring frequently, remove the pan from the heat once the mixture is almost melted. Then continue to stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add in the peppermint extract, candy canes and food colouring. Spread the mixture into the bottom of the 8-inch pan. Chill for two hours, cut into squares and enjoy! ​ 

Two fabulous fudge recipes are now at your disposal. This holiday season give your grandmother a break and offer to bake the annual Christmas fudge. Whether you go with the peanut butter or opt for the candy cane, you'll be sure that the family will love these sweet treats. It also never hurts to practice and brush up on your baking skills. Christmas is still a ways away so why not bake a practice batch and try them for yourself. ​

Christmas Cake

With exam season approaching quickly the atmosphere around campus will certainly change. More late-night study sessions, more practice assignments and tests and more stress. Its no big secret that exam season is the most stressful time of the year for university students. The good news is that once that stressful period passes, the holiday season officially begins. That's right, Christmas will soon be here with holiday lights, family gatherings and freshly baked treats becoming the norm. When it comes to Christmas treats, few things beat a fresh Christmas cake. From cheesecakes to carrot cake or even plain, old fashioned marble, whatever your preference is your bound to find it on the dinner table at Christmas time. Listed below are two Christmas cake recipes my family always uses during the holiday season 

Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake 

Ingredients ​​

• 2 cups of chocolate cookie crumbs​​

• 2 tablespoons of butter, melted ​​

• 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar ​​

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon ​​

• 2 packages of cream cheese​​

• 1 1/4 cups of white sugar ​​

• 1/2 cup of whipping cream ​​

• 2 tablespoons of white flour ​​

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​​

• 4 eggs ​​

• 1 1/2 cups of chocolate cookie crumbs ​​

• 2 cups of sour cream ​​

• 1/4 cup of white sugar ​​

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​​

• 1 cup of whipping cream​​

• 2 cups of chocolate chips ​​

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​​

Directions ​​

Baking this cake is quite the task. However, the end result is priceless. When your finished baking this Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake you'll have the ultimate Christmas treat. Being made from scratch, makes it that much better! ​​

To begin combine the 2 cups of chocolate cookie crumbs with the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Firmly press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake this mixture at 350 F for five minutes. In a different large bowl beat the cream cheese together with the 1 1/4 cups of sugar, 1/2 of whipping cream, white four and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This mixture should be smooth and creamy. Once the mixture has reached the desired texture begin to beat in each of the eggs one at a time. Then proceed to pour 1/3 of this batter into the prepared pan and top it with 1 1/2 cups of chocolate cookie crumbs. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes and remove cake from the oven. Proceed to combine the sour cream, 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Spread this mixture evenly over the cake and continue to bake the cake for another 7 minutes. Following this, turn off the oven and leave the cake in there for 20 minutes. Meanwhile combine 1 cup of whipping cream and 2 cups of chocolate chips in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the chocolate chips melt, then stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Take the cheesecake out of the oven and pour this mixture over the cake. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 8 hours. Cut, serve and enjoy! ​​

Red Velvet Christmas Cake ​

Ingredients ​

• 1/2 cup of shortening ​

• 1 1/2 cups of white sugar ​

• 2 eggs​

• 2 tablespoons of cocoa​

• 4 tablespoons of red food colouring ​

• 1 teaspoon of salt ​

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​

• 1 cup of buttermilk ​

• 2 1/2 cups of white flour ​

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda ​

• 5 tablespoons of white flour ​

• 1 cup of milk ​

• 1 cup of white sugar ​

• 1 cup of butter ​

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​

Directions ​

Nothing says Christmas like a nice red cake with white icing. This red velvet Christmas cake will be that dessert everyone remembers. Don't be surprised if you get a few requests for the recipe. To start off preheat your oven to 350 F. Proceed to grease two 9-inch round pans with butter. Beat shortening and 1 1/2 cups of white sugar together in a large bowl. Once the mixture is light and smooth add in the eggs and beat well. Add in the cocoa and red food colouring. Mix in the salt, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 cup of buttermilk into the batter. Stir well. Then proceed to add the flour and baking soda gradually into the batter. Pour the cake batter into the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes and let the cakes cool. To make the icing combine the 5 tablespoons of flour and 1 cup of milk in a saucepan. Heat the mixture over low heat. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. Once it is cool proceed to add in the sugar, butter and vanilla extract. Mix until the icing becomes light and smooth. Then proceed to icing the cake with a butter knife. Cut the cake into slices and enjoy with ice cream!  ​

For generations families have celebrated Christmas with a variety of cakes. From that abomination called fruit cake to fluffy red velvet cakes and creamy cheesecakes, Christmas cakes have become almost a must have at the dinner table. Although the main course of Christmas dinner is always great, its the dessert that takes the cake! ​

Exam Season Support

Ah yes, exam season is finally here. The final stretch of the semester, the last mile to the finish line. They often say that the final mile in a marathon is the most difficult. Well, it turns out post-secondary studies follows a similar pattern. The truth is, exam season is a time of extreme stress and pressure. All that material that you learned back in September is back, and your expected to know it from top to bottom. December and April are two of the busiest months for university students, no matter how many years of school you have under your belt. Late night studying, reading the textbook through meal time and going over the same practice questions over and over again become the norm. Fear not! As there are shards of light at the end of this tunnel. First off, once you finish your exams you get a well deserved, relaxing two-week holiday before the second semester starts. You will finally have the ability to sit back, relax and enjoy some quality time with friends and family. In the meantime, and to assist you with getting through exam season, Brandon University offers a variety of services to help students deal with the added stress and pressure.

One of the best ways to deal with the pressure of exam season is to book an appointment at the Academic Skills Center. The Academic Skills Center, located in room 102 in the A.E. McKenzie building on campus, offers students assistance with math, writing and learning skills. These skills will prove invaluable on any test or exam you take throughout your post-secondary studies. Many students find themselves struggling in the field of mathematics, especially if they are not in sciences to begin with. At the Academic Skills Center, a skills specialist can work with you one on one, and assist in explaining principles and applying them in related questions. The Academic Skills Center also has a learning specialist. The learning specialist can assist you with a variety of academic activities such as reading a textbook more efficiently, writing short answers on tests and making study questions. They can also offer help in preparing for those long-winded essay questions of final exams. Speaking of those last page, hour long questions, the Academic Skills Center can also help you touch up on your writing skills. Whether its learning about citations and referencing or just how to organize your essay, a stop at the Academic Skills Center will relieve some of that added pressure. The more prepared you are for the final exam, the less stress you'll endure. Make sure you take advantage of all the Academic Skills Center has to offer this exam season. The best way to access the services at the Academic Skills Center is to book an appointment. You can book an appointment by stopping by the center or by calling 204-727-9737 

One of the best ways to prepare for the final exam, is to take the time to talk to your professor. Brandon University is known for its friendly faculty and stunning student-to-faculty ratio. The professors at Brandon University are always willing to assist their students in understanding the course material. Send your professor an email, a professional email from your university account. Even if you are on a first name basis with your professor its important to keep things proper in the post-secondary setting. Some questions can be answered over a quick email while others may require an appointment for further clarification. Either way, make sure you take the time to ask any questions you have before the final exam.  

Sometimes the added stress and pressure just becomes to much for us to handle. After all, there can be times when you have back to back exams and aren't nearly prepared enough for them. You may feel like your loosing all control over the situation. Luckily, Brandon University is equipped with some invaluable resources to help you through that difficult time. Counselling services are available to all Brandon University students, free of charge. Professional Counselors can help with stress, anxiety and depression, things that some students may experience during exam season. Not to worry, as the sessions are confidential so you can attend knowing your privacy is respected. To book an appointment with a counselor either stop by the office at room 102 in the A.E. McKenzie building or call 204-727-9737. Remember that if you need the support, its just a short phone call away. 

As you can see, Brandon University has a large variety of support options for students during exam season. For any type of exam or test, its important to make sure you are completely prepared. In order to assist you in this matter, the university has the Academic Skills Center, which can help you sharpen up your math skills or teach you better studying habits. The center can also prepare you for those long-winded essay questions of the final exam. Sometimes you may have very specific and direct questions. In this case it is best to email your professor directly. Your professor is the best source of knowledge you have when it comes to the course material. If in doubt, send them an email from your university email account. For many students, all the prepping in the world cannot take away their stress and anxiety. In this case it is best to talk to a professional counselor. We are fortunate enough to have that service right on campus. Professional counselling can be accessed through the Academic Skills Center and is free of charge. As we inch closer to the season that many students would like to avoid, remember that these support options are available to you. In many cases you pay for them in your initial tuition payment. It is in your best interest to take full advantage of them, should you require them. Happy exam season to one and all!! And happy holidays! 

Delicious Desserts For Thanksgiving

Turkey season is quickly approaching as students across campus get ready to celebrate a well-deserved long weekend with family and friends. Thanksgiving's a time to sit down and remember everything we take for granted. Whether that's all the support we get from friends, co-workers and family or the fact that we have the opportunity to pursue post secondary studies. Thanksgiving is also a time of classic, tasty deserts. In particular most people turn to baking pies. Whether its whipping up that pumpkin pie you've been waiting all year for or another crazy combination of ingredients, pies are a staple when it comes to Thanksgiving dinners. Below are two of my favourite Thanksgiving pie recipes. ​

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake​

Ingredients ​

• 2 packages of cream cheese​

• 1/2 cup of white sugar ​

• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract ​

• 2 eggs​

• 1, 9-inch, prepared graham cracker crust ​

• 1/2 can of pumpkin puree​

• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon ​

• 1 pinch of nutmeg​

• 1/2 cup of frozen cool whip ​

Directions ​

How do you make a pumpkin pie even better? You add cream cheese of course! This delicious delicacy is a perfect addition to any thanksgiving menu. To begin preheat the oven to 325 F. In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat the mixture until it is smooth. Blend in each of the eggs one at a time. Proceed to remove 1 cup of the batter and spread it on the bottom of the graham cracker crust. Once the batter is spread add the pumpkin puree and nutmeg to the remaining mixture. Proceed to spread the rest of the batter into the graham cracker crust. Bake in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Once the pie is cool refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Once chilled, serve with cool whip and enjoy! ​

Classic Pumpkin Pie ​

ingredients ​

• 1 can of pumpkin puree​

• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk ​

• 2 eggs​

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon ​

• 1/2 teaspoon of ginger ​

• 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg​

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt ​

• 1, 9-inch, graham cracker crust ​

There's noting like sitting down at the Thanksgiving table and seeing that delicious, plump pumpkin pie just sitting there. Despite it being made only around Thanksgiving and Christmas, pumpkin pie is fairly easy to make. To begin preheat the oven to 350 F. Whisk together the pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in a large bowl. After a few minutes of mixing the ingredients pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust. Bake the pie for approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Once cool, refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours. ​

Once it is chilled, cut and serve! ​

​These two pie recipes are sure to spice up your thanksgiving dinner this year. Whether its the Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake or the Classic Pumpkin Pie, your sure to get your pumpkin craving filled this year. Bake a pie, sit back and enjoy your long weekend! ​

St. Patrick's Day Beverages

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! The time of year that everyone wears green and consumes a large amount of Irish alcoholic beverages. A time of year that everyone goes leprechaun hunting and speaks in a classic Irish accent. It comes every year, on March 17th, and every year it provides people with a sense of joy and a variety of activities to do. One of these activities involves St. Patrick's Day drinks. Although the Irish cultural and religious holiday is often associated with alcoholic beverages there are a variety of unique and tasty drinks to enjoy in the dead of March that do not contain alcohol. Below are two recipes that are a great fit for the day dedicated to Saint Patrick.

First up is the Shamrock Smoothie. Everyone loves a good smoothie and a green smoothie is even better! It looks healthy, is healthy and tastes delicious. It is also incredibly easy to make. All it requires are a few ingredients and a blender. In a matter of minutes you'll have a full, fresh and tasty glass of a St. Patrick's Day Smoothie. The ingredients are as follows. 

St. Paddy’s Day Shamrock Smoothie

1 banana

1/4 of an avocado

1/2 c. full fat coconut milk

1-2 drops of peppermint extract

1/4tsp. vanilla

1 handful of spinach

First, cut up the banana and avocado into little chunks. Then combine the fruit and the 1/2 cup of full fat coconut milk in a blender. Add the few drops of peppermint extract, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla and a handful of spinach. Blend on high until mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass and enjoy! 

Another recipe that is a must around St. Patrick's Day is the Shamrock Shake. Indeed, we all know the signature Shamrock Shake from McDonalds. However, sometimes it’s more convenient, and healthier to say the least, to make it yourself. The Shamrock Shake is easy to make, only requiring a handful of ingredients and ten minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for a student who doesn't have a lot of time but still wants to enjoy the Irish holiday. Ingredients for the Shamrock Shake are as follows. 

Shamrock Shakes

2 cups of vanilla ice cream 

1 1/4 cups of 2% milk

1 teaspoon of mint extract

9 droplets of green food colouring

2 teaspoons of chocolate syrup 

2 tablespoons of whipped cream 

To start combine the ice cream, milk and mint extract in a blender. Then, proceed to add the green food colouring and blend the mixture until smooth. Drizzle the chocolate syrup into a tall glass and then pour some of the mixture into the glass. Top with the whipped cream and enjoy!

These two classic St. Patrick's Day recipes are just a few of the delightful beverages to enjoy in the month of March. It may not be St. Patrick's Day yet but that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a refreshing Shamrock Smoothie or dive into a chilling Shamrock Shake. 

St. Patrick’s Day Baking

It’s almost that time of year again. St. Patrick's Day is not to far away, which presents a perfect opportunity for firing up the old oven for some classic holiday baking. When most people think of holiday baking they usually resort to thoughts of Christmas, which is understandable. However, St. Patrick's Day can be filled with just as many cookies and cakes as when Santa Claus comes to town. There are loads and loads of recipes dedicated to the classic and iconic Irish holiday. Below are two of my favourite recipes to use every time March 17th rolls around. 

First up is a delicious and devilish brownie recipe. Luck of the Irish brownies are easy to make and taste fantastic. Not to mention they go incredibly well with any of the classic Irish alcoholic beverages. They don't take that long to prepare and can provide you with enough snacks for days. Perfect for a late night bite or a study snack! Ingredients are as follows.

Luck of the Irish Brownies

Brownie

4 squares of unsweetened chocolate

1 cup of softened margarine

2 cups of white sugar

3 eggs

4 teaspoons of vanilla extract 

1 cup of flour

1/2 cup of butter

4 cups of confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon of milk 

2 teaspoons of peppermint extract 

Green food colouring 

Topping

1 1/2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips

6 tablespoons of melted butter

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 

To start preheat your oven to 350F and prepare a 9x13 pan. Then proceed to melt the unsweetened chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave. Transfer the chocolate to a large bowl and begin to mix the margarine and white sugar in. Once the mixture is well blended beat each of the three eggs into the large bowl then add the vanilla extract. Stir in the cup of flour and mix well. Then pour the mixture into the bottom of the pan. 

Bake the mixture in the oven for 20-25 minutes then allow it to cool. Beat the 1/2 cup of butter and the confectioners' sugar together in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Gradually add in the milk along with the peppermint extract and drops of green food colouring. Once this is well blended pour it over the original mixture in the 9x13 pan. Refrigerate the brownies for half an hour. Once this is complete proceed to make the topping. In a medium sized bowl melt the chocolate chips and butter in the microwave. Following this stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then proceed to pour the topping mixture over the brownies. Once cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

Another recipe that is popular around St. Patrick's Day is Irish Potatoes. Ireland is often associated with potatoes so it comes at no surprise that such a prominent Irish holiday would have recipes dedicated to the iconic staple. However, this recipe is actually not for potatoes but rather cookies that look like potatoes! That way, you can enjoy a delicious treat while celebrating a symbol of Irish cuisine. Ingredients are as follows.

Irish Potatoes

1 cup of confectioners' sugar

1 cup of shredded coconut 

1 tablespoon of cream

2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon 

To begin, sprinkle the sugar on the shredded coconut in a large mixing bowl. Then add the cream and blend together. If needed, you can add another couple teaspoons of cream until the mixture forms into a dough. Following this take approximately half a tablespoon and roll the dough into balls. Proceed to place the ground cinnamon into a plastic bag and add the balls of dough. Shake well until the balls are completely covered. Once this is done, the Irish potatoes are ready to go!

These two iconic St. Patrick's Day recipes are a must every time the Irish holiday rolls around. Both are easy to make and can last for days! Although it’s still cold outside on St. Patrick's Day, you can keep warm by firing up the oven and baking these delicious delicacies. Most of us can't jump on a plane and go to Ireland to celebrate March 17th but with these recipes it will feel like you’re already in the plains of Ireland. 

Mental Health Week At BU

Last week the Brandon University Students’ Union hosted Mental Health Week. From Monday, January 28th to Friday, February 1st various activities took place for student’s to partake in and enjoy. The weeks activities brought forth a new level of awareness for mental health issues, which are often shot down as being unimportant or even nonexistent. As many students have come to realize, your mental health is just as important as your physical health! In order to properly and effectively tackle the semester, students have to have a good grasp on their mental well being.

Kicking off Mental Health week on Monday, January 28th was some De-Stress booths. The booths were set up in the mingling area, inside the KDC building, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Many students and faculty of the Brandon University campus took advantage of the De-Stress booths as a chance to sustain their mental health and let go of some of life’s worries. Things didn’t stop there. On Tuesday, January 29th BUSU hosted a free yoga session from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The session was put on in partnership with Campus Recreation and the Healthy Living Centre. Students who attended the free yoga session had the opportunity to de-stress and learn more about the mind freeing exercise. Therapy dogs also visited the campus last Tuesday to assist students in carrying on, despite what life throws at them. The dogs were located in the mingling area from 10:00 a.m. to noon and received lots of company throughout the morning.

On Wednesday, January 30th the campus was, once again, a hotspot for mental health activities. The Brandon University Students Union hosted a grab and go breakfast station in the mingling area. The breakfast started at 9:00 a.m. and continued until the food was gone! January 30th was also Bell Let’s talk Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of mental health. In recognition of this day Student Services and Student Wellness Leaders gathered in the mingling area from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to discuss mental health issues with students. Like the previous Mental Health Week events, this one was also well attended. Moving into Thursday, January 31st, the mingling area was once again in use. From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. community mental health organizations from around the Brandon area set up booths in an effort to assist students in any mental health difficulties they were facing. Organizations that took part included Prairie Mountain Health and Westwind Counselling. The various community booths had information on everything from depression to eating disorders, and various resources to assist in eliminating them. Finally, on Friday, February 1st free massages were offered on campus. On of the best ways to kick back and relax is to get a soothing massage, something many people took part in from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Library. To make the first day of February even better, BUSU hosted a cookie decorating session in the mingling area. The delicious and delicate activity saw packs of students take part. 

It is fair to say that the 2019 Mental Health week was a tremendous success. Like usual, it brought awareness and understanding to various mental health issues. These issues can make even the simplest of tasks impossible for some people. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that students know what resources are out there and how to access them.

View fullsize

PC: Creatice commons

Evans Theatre Update

With the start of the New Year, many organizations are looking ahead. The Evans Theatre on the university campus is no exception. The Evans Theatre is put on and organized by the Brandon Film Festival Inc. Throughout the school year, from September to April, the Evans Theatre presents a variety of movies for students to enjoy. Movies take place, generally, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Movies begin at 7:30 p.m. and cost $6.00 to attend. The Evans Theatre also has a concession stand on site. Here, attendees can purchase popcorn, drinks and candy bars for $2.00.

The Evans Theatre has now released their film schedule for January and February 2019. First on the list is a movie titled “What They Had”. The movie stars  Hilary Swank and Michael Shannon and was directed by Elizabeth Chomko. The film centers around how a woman must return back to her home community after her Alzheimer stricken mom gets lost in a blizzard. The women must also confront and come to terms with everything she left behind in her hometown as well as deal with her rebellious daughter. “What They Had” will be screened on January 18th, 19th and 20th. On January 25th, 26th and 27th the Evans Theatre will be showing a movie titled “The Happy Prince”. The film is a dramatic biography and tells the last days of the life of Oscar Wilde. While on his last breaths, Oscar's past come back to haunt him and he evaluates his life decisions. He continuously is taken back to thoughts of his suffering wife and his love affair. Oscar Wilde is portrayed by Rupert Everett, who also directed the movie. Other stars in the film include Colin Firth, Colin Morgan and Emily Watson. To end off the month of January, the Evans Theatre is showing the film “Reunion of Giants” on Sunday, January 27th at 2:00 p.m. An older film that hit screens in 2015, the Reunion of Giants is a documentary that was directed by Morgan Elliot. The movie shows the tale of the last two airworthy Lancaster World War 2 bombers meeting for a final time in 2014. The two aircraft took to the English skies one last time.

Moving into February, the line up at the Evans Theatre doesn't disappoint. Kicking off the first weekend in February is the film titled “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” The movie stars Melissa McCarthy, Richard Grant and Dolly Wells and is directed by Marielle Heller. McCarthy plays Lee Israel who falls from current tastes and turns to a new art, deception. “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” will be showing February 1st, 2nd and 3rd starting at 7:30 p.m. each day. Next in line is the film titled “Shoplifters”. This film follows the story of a family who is surviving poverty by shoplifting. A Japanese drama movie, “Shoplifters” is directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The groundbreaking film is showing at the Evans Theatre on February 8th, 9th and the 10th. Finally playing February 15th, 16th and 17th is the movie “Ben is Back”. “Ben is Back” stars Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges. It was directed by Peter Hedges. The film tells the tale of Ben Burns, a drug addicted teen, unexpectedly returning home at Christmas. Ben's family soon learns he is in grave danger because of his drug problems. This puts an ultimate challenge on Ben's mother to try and hold her family together against Ben's worst enemy, himself.

Looking Ahead, there is no shortage of quality films at the Evans Theatre. The best part, it’s right here on campus. The Evans Theatre is located inside the George T Richardson building, beside the Library. For $6.00, it’s an easy and affordable way to have a night out. Better yet, grab some friends and head to the movies this weekend.

Elf... Yes, That Movie

The season is approaching! The Christmas season that is. Although Christmas is still technically weeks away people are already getting into the holiday spirit. Soon there will be Christmas trees going up in living rooms, lights being hung from houses, and ovens in full bake made. One of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit is by watching Christmas films! Over the next four articles I will be discussing four of my favorite holiday movies that I continuously go back to each year. These movies represent the pinnacle of holiday entertainment.  In order to properly take in all that the Christmas season offers its best to start watching these films as soon as possible, especially if you've never seen them before. Of course, that would be quite hard to believe as the films I'll be discussing are so tightly associated with the holiday season it would be almost impossible for an individual to go through Christmas, year after year, and not watch them. 

The first movie to dive into for this year’s holiday season is Elf. Yes, that same Elf that is consistently on cable TV from the beginning of November until the end of January. Do people still actually have cable TV? Yes, yes they do. It is hard to believe but there was a time, long ago, that people watched movies through their cable provider and not online or on Netflix. It was during these ancient times, back in 2003, that the movie Elf first hit the box office. Ever since then it has remained an important part in many family's holiday traditions, given its family friendly comedy element.

Elf was directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum. The "elf" in the movie Elf is named Buddy and is played by Will Ferrell. The film also stars James Caan as Walter Hobbs, Zooey Deschanel as Jovie, Mary Steenburgen as Emily Hobbs, Daniel Tay as Michael Hobbs, Ed Asner as Santa Claus and Bob Newhart as Papa Elf. The movie has seen unprecedented success since its release in 2003 and grossed over $200 million worldwide.  Elf went on to inspire other Christmas films and musicals including Elf: The Musical and Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas.

Elf begins as Buddy, who is human that was raised by elves in the north pole, overhears Papa Elf explaining that he was actually born to Walter Hobbs and Susan Wells of New York. Papa Elf further explains that Susan died, and Walter is unaware of Buddy's existence as a Christmas elf. He tells Buddy that his biological father now works for a publishing company in the Empire State Building in New York City. Buddy then sets out to New York City on his own to find Walter however has considerable trouble adjusting to the basic human lifestyle, such as the food they eat and the clothes they wear. Eventually the giant elf discovers the Empire State Building but is thrown out by security. He then visits Gimbels department store in downtown New York. He is mistaken for an employee with his Christmas elf outfit and subsequently meets Jovie, an employee of the department store that he is immediately fond of. Buddy unfortunately lands himself in jail as he confronts, and pulls the beard off of, a fake Santa visiting the department store. Insistent that Walter Hobbs is his true father Buddy gets Walter to bail him out of jail. Walter, however, is dead set against the idea of Buddy being his long-lost son, especially after witnessing his bizarre behavior. Therefore, he takes Buddy to get a DNA test, which confirms that Buddy the elf is in fact the son of one Walter Hobbs. Walter reluctantly takes Buddy home to meet his new wife Emily and 12-year-old son Michael. Michael is put off by Buddy's odd behavior but Emily insists they have a duty to look after him in his "time of need." After a while Michael warms up to Buddy and encourages him to ask Jovie out on a date. During the get together Jovie realizes that despite Buddy's odd behavior he is a kind and comical person.  Meanwhile Walter is in danger of losing his job and brings in famous children's author Miles Finch as a last-ditch effort. Unfortunately, Buddy interrupts Walter's meeting with Finch and mistakes the children's author for an elf. A fight occurs with Finch storming out and Walter, angry over Buddy's interruption, disowning his elf-like son. On a tight timeline, Walter and his team find a stroke of luck when they discover Miles Finch's notebook. While presenting the new book to his boss, Michael storms in and informs Walter that Buddy has run away from home. Realizing that family is far more important than a damaged job Walter resigns and joins Michael in finding Buddy. While Buddy wanders Central Park on the eve of Christmas Santa's sleigh crashes in the park and it’s up to Buddy to fix it. Eventually, Walter and Michael find Buddy at Santa's sleigh and can hardly believe their eyes. Walter apologizes to Buddy and with the help of Jovie they raise enough Christmas spirit from the citizens of New York to get Santa's sleigh working again. In the end Walter has started his own publishing company and Buddy and Jovie are now happily married and living in the North Pole among fellow elves. 

You would be hard pressed indeed to find someone who has not seen the movie Elf. The Christmas comedy has sealed itself as a holiday classic. Families across the country settle into the couches each year to follow the journey of the elf like human known as Buddy. Whether it’s his hilarious attempts to fit into the norm of human culture or his faithful effort to gain his father’s approval Buddy the elf will leave a lasting impression of holiday spirit within you. 

Home Alone: The Christmas Movie To Own

Home Alone is Christmas comedy film that was made all the way back in 1990. Yes indeed, that is a very long time ago. Did they even have Wi-Fi or cell phones back then? What about Netflix? Nonetheless they did have this gem of a film. Home Alone is a movie that gets watched and discussed every single Christmas season. To some families it’s like a staple in their holiday tradition. Others, such as mine, even watch it when there's no snow on the ground to be found. Why my family likes to watch this particular film in the middle of July still alludes me. On the plus side I pretty much now every line throughout the film.

Home Alone was directed by Chris Columbus (no, not Christopher Columbus). The writer and producer of the film was John Hughes. Although there are certainly a lot of characters in the film, the movie centers around Kevin McCallister, a young boy who gets left behind by his family for the holiday season, played by Macaulay Culkin. The film also features Joe Pesci as Harry, Daniel Stern as Marv, Catherine O'Hara as Kate McCallister and John Heard as Peter McCallister. Home Alone was the highest grossing live action comedy film throughout the entire United States from 1990 until 2011. It still is the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time in North America when inflation is taken into account. Due to the film’s success four sequels were created and the second movie in the franchise, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, had the same original coast as the first movie. 

Home Alone opens with the McCallister family preparing to leave Chicago for their holiday trip to Paris. Kevin does not get along well with his cousins, that are staying over at his house before the big trip, and his other siblings. After fighting with his older brother named Buzz, Kate sends Kevin up to his room for the night. Kevin responds by saying he wishes his family would just disappear. Due to a temporary power outage no one's alarm goes off and in a rush to get out the door to the airport the McCallister family forgets Kevin in his room. When Kevin awakes he finds his house empty and believes his dream has been fulfilled. However, he soon comes to fear the 'wet bandits", two criminals names Harry and Marv who are famous for breaking into people’s homes and leaving the water running, who are planning to target the McCallister household after they discover that Kevin is home alone. Meanwhile Kate realizes that she forgot Kevin and quickly discovers that all flights to Chicago are booked and can only get one as far as Scranton, Pennsylvania. Therefore, upon her arrival in Scranton Kate enlists the help of a traveling polka band to drive her all the way to Chicago. Back at the McCallister household Kevin discovers that Harry and Marv are going to attempt to rob his house on Christmas Eve. Therefore, he bobby traps his entire house and prepares for the inevitable theft attempt. Despite countless, and I do mean countless, injuries and failures the "wet bandits" refuse to give up and chase Kevin out of the house into a neighboring home that is vacant. However, they were unaware that Kevin had already called the authorities and with some help from his neighbor Old Man Marley young Kevin successfully escapes and the police arrest Harry and Marv. In the end Kate, Peter and the rest of the family arrive back at home in Chicago to find Kevin. They are surprised to find the house in such disrepair and that Kevin actually went shopping for groceries. The movie closes out by Buzz yelling at Kevin for the mess he created in his room. 

Home Alone is considered to be the Christmas movies of all Christmas movies by many, and for good reason. It has won countless awards and is still sought each holiday season. Although it’s almost thirty years old it never fails to bring Christmas joy to all the families that watch it, every single year.

Christmas Cookie Cravings

Every day it’s getting closer and closer. No, not exam week, although that’s getting quite close as well, but Christmas. Although the jolly holiday is still many weeks away students and staff alike are getting into the early Christmas spirits. With Christmas lights, old time carols and loads of snow it won't be long before kitchens go into full baking mode. Christmas is, arguably, the busiest season for baking. With everything from cakes, cookies and chocolates the Christmas season certainly doesn’t possess a lack of flavour. With so much baking going on at once there are an absolute abundance of Christmas cookie recipes out there. Throughout the years I have come across two holiday cookie recipes that have really caught my eye.

The first recipe that has stuck with me through many Christmas seasons is that of Chocolate Pecan Sandies. These snowy snacks right away remind you of the time of year and certainly don’t disappoint in the creative department. The Chocolate Pecan Sandies are easy to make and only require 15 minutes for preparation. Best of all this recipe yields 2 dozen cookies, meaning you will have a collection of snacks leading into exam time. 

Chocolate Pecan Sandies 

Ingredients 

1 cup of butter at room temperature

4 tablespoons of white sugar 

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 ¾ cup of sifted all-purpose flour 

1 cup of ground pecans

¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup of sifted confectioners or powdered sugar 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with shortening 

Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Beat in the vanilla.

Add the flour, pecans and cocoa powder to the large bowl. Mix well.

Form dough into 1-inch balls and place on the greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Cool the cookies then roll them in the confectioners or powdered sugar. Enjoy. 

Another Christmas cookie recipe that I enjoy every holiday season is titled Big Soft Giner Cookies. It can be said the ginger has a very acquired taste to it. However, these cookies provide just enough ginger snap to be tasteful but not overwhelming so that even people who aren’t a real fan of the flavour of ginger can enjoy these delicious delights. With a preparation time of only 15 minutes and a baking time of a mere 10 minutes, these Christmas treats can be ready in no time.

Big Soft Ginger Cookies 

Ingredients 

2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons of ground ginger 

1 teaspoon of baking soda

¾ teaspoon of ground cinnamon 

½ teaspoon of ground cloves 

¼ teaspoon of salt

¾ cup margarine, softened 

1 cup of white sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon of water

¼ cup of molasses

2 tablespoons white sugar 

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Sift together the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and salt.

In a large bowl cream together the margarine and 1 cup of white sugar. Then beat in the egg with a fork and stir in the water and molasses. 

Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. 

Shape the cookie dough into walnut sized balls and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of white sugar.

Place the cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

With exam season approaching much faster than most students want it to it is important to bulk up on those early Christmas goodies. These two cookie recipes provide dozens of study snacks when you don’t have time to cook up something larger. Best of all they take under an hour to prepare, bake and enjoy. Christmas might not be here yet, but its cookies sure are!

Autumn Sweet Treats

Ah yes, the season of autumn. Many things are associated with this time of year. Back to school, Thanksgiving, Halloween and astounding scenery. However, baking can also be associated with fall. While it's true that Christmas takes the cake in terms of baking seasons that doesn't mean fall is out of the picture. There are plenty of seasonings, sugars and spices that are closely tied to the fall season. With cooler temperatures many people are experiencing the urge to fire up their ovens and bake delicious cakes, pies and muffins. Every fall season I have two recipes that serve as my go to for seasonal snacks. 

As students ‘time’ is the singular, most valuable thing imaginable. There is never enough of it and it seems to go by instantaneously. That’s why this Betty Crocker recipe for Easy Caramel Apple Bars is perfect for university students. Preparation time is only 15 minutes and each bar contains a measly 100 calories. Not only is the recipe easy to prepare but the ingredient list is also relatively short. Easy Caramel Apple Bars provide a quick grab and go snack when studying, assignments and projects begin to add up.

Easy Caramel Apple Bars 

Ingredients 

½ cup of cold butter

1 egg

¾ cup of caramel topping

¼ cup of all-purpose flour

1 finely chopped and peeled apple

1 pouch of Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix

Directions 

Heat oven to 350 F. Spray the bottom of 13x9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl cut the butter in to the oatmeal cookie mix using either a fork or pastry blender. Then proceed to still in the egg with a fork.

Set aside 1 ½ cups of the cookie mixture. Press the remaining cookie mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle the apple over the baked crust. Then mix the caramel topping and all-purpose flour in a small bowl. Proceed to drizzle the mixture over the apples. 

Take the 1 ½ cups of reserved cookie mixture and evenly spread it over the apples. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool for 2 hours.

Cut the bars into 9 rows by 4 rows and enjoy. 

Once in a while students realize that they can’t live off of treats and snacks throughout the entire school year. As attractive as cake and cookies are they usually aren’t the most nutritious items to eat. Luckily a recipe I came across a while back offers both nutrition and flavour. Pumpkin Bread is perfect for fall time snacking. This simple and long-lasting recipe can be stored at room temperature for 4 days or refrigerated for 10. Best of all it is packed full of nutrition. Each slice offers only 95 calories and 4 grams of fat. It provides a dose of dietary fibre and 42% of an individuals required Vitamin A daily intake.

Pumpkin Bread 

Ingredients 

1 2/3 cups of sugar

2/3 cup of vegetable oil

2 teaspoons of vanilla 

4 eggs 

3 cups of all-purpose or whole wheat flour

1 can or 15 ounces of pumpkin

½ cup of raisins

½ cup of chopped nuts 

2 teaspoons of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt 

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 

½ teaspoon of baking powder

½ teaspoon of ground cloves 

Directions 

Move oven rack to the low position within the oven so the top of bread pan will be in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 F. 

Grease the bottom of a 9x5x3 inch pan with shortening.

In a large bowl mix together pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar and vanilla. 

Add the flour, raisins, chopped nuts, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, baking powder and ground cloves to the mixture. Stir well.

Pour mixture into the 9-inch pan. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and loosen sides of loaf. 

Remove bread loaf from pan and place on a wire cooling rack with the top side up for 2 hours. Slice and enjoy.

Whether it’s Easy Caramel Apple Bars or Pumpkin Bread as this fall season continues on I'll have my oven working around the clock. These two recipes are designed perfectly for students as once you’ve baked your treat of choice you’ll have quick grab and go snacks for the rest of the week. Although it’s not Christmas quite yet, seasonal baking has already begun.

Soothing Drinks For The Season

Fall is in the air and although it's been a much colder season than most would like, winter is not officially here yet. Therefore, there’s still time to enjoy those spiced autumn beverages that we’ve all been craving since last fall. There are certain flavours, spices and seasonings that are heavily associated with the season of fall. Today, I will showcase two of my favourite hot beverage recipes that I believe make the season of fall bearable.

First up is a Pumpkin Smoothie recipe. Now many people may think that smoothies are more of summer drink and certainly don’t associate them with cooler temperatures. However, just because its cold outside doesn't mean you can’t enjoy that delicious puree of mysterious mixtures! Besides, anything with pumpkin in the title automatically screams two things, Halloween and Thanksgiving. The Pumpkin Smoothie is incredibly easy to make and doesn’t require half a ton of ingredients. It also only has 155 calories and is a good source of protein. If you’re a die-hard pumpkin fan than the Pumpkin Smoothie is just what you need to get through those dreary fall days.

Pumpkin Smoothie

Ingredients 

1 can or 16 ounces of pumpkin puree

2 cups of milk 

¼ cup of brown sugar 

2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon 

Directions 

1. Place your pumpkin puree in a tightly sealed freezer bag. Then proceed to freeze the puree for 24 hours.

2. Heat the bag of pumpkin puree for 2 minutes on high in the microwave.

3. Pour the milk into a blender. Then proceed to add the ground cinnamon, brown sugar and heated pumpkin puree. Blend until smooth and enjoy.

Sometimes the cool fall breeze brings on the desire to have a warmer beverage than a smoothie. One of the best drinks to warm you up is tea. While students are continuously locked in the debate of coffee versus tea, there is nothing more smoothing on a chilly fall day than a large glass of Hot Cranberry Tea. This delicious fall treat has a nice kick to it and is low in sodium. 

Hot Cranberry Tea 

Ingredients 

3 ½ quarts of water 

1 package or 12 ounces of cranberries 

2 cups of white sugar 

2 whole oranges, juiced

2 whole lemons, juiced

12 whole cloves 

2 cinnamon sticks 

Directions 

1. In a large pot combine the water and the cranberries

2. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to medium, simmer for 30 minutes

3. Add the sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks and cloves. 

4. Cover and let ingredients soak for 1 hour. Serve warm.

On a cool fall day nothing beats a seasonal beverage. Whether your holding onto summer with a Pumpkin Smoothie or embracing the change with a Hot Cranberry Tea you’ll be looking at fall with open eyes. These two recipes are both easy, inexpensive and relatively quick to make. If you find yourself with time to spare this season fire up the blender and get a taste of fall.  

Best And Worst Places To Study On Campus

Before starting at The Quill and gaining access to its facilities I was like many of you, trying desperately to find a quiet place to study. Throughout the past few years that I have been at Brandon University I have discovered some great and some not so great places to study on campus. Today I shall share my secrets with you all.

I have always wanted to get the bad news out of the way before the good news comes in; therefore, this article will be no different. There are a few spots around campus that are absolutely terrible when it comes to finding a quiet place to study. The mingling area comes in as number one. This is understandable as both Forbidden Flavors and the Brandon University Bookstore are located there. There are also a lot of students and staff that use the mingling area to actually mingle, therefore it gets fairly loud during the day. Harvest Hall is also generally not a good location to study for exams or tests. Being the main dining hall for all three residence buildings, Harvest Hall becomes a gathering place for students staying in residence. Studying in Harvest Hall also opens the door up to numerous distractions. One such obvious distraction is that of food. Being a food hall there would be no shortage of items to eat. There are also projector screens that show TV programs, which would make it considerably difficult to concentrate on studying. Finally, I’ve had students say to me that the campus courtyard is one of the best places to study. I must, however, whole heartedly disagree. An obvious reason as to why it's not a good idea to go studying in the courtyard, or outside in general, is that we happen to live in the province of Manitoba, where half the year we are covered with nothing but snow and -20 C temperatures. Even if we were to only study outside during the warmer months it still would not prove to be the best location on campus. This is because there are loads of distractions outdoors. With everything from traffic noise to wind and rain I can assure all of you there are far better places on the Brandon University campus to study for an exam.

Having looked at all the poor studying locations on campus lets address some of the positive ones. Overall, I have found that there are three great spots, some hidden away, that truly provide an oasis of silence. These environments are exactly what you need in order to properly prepare for an exam or test. First off, and one that is probably the most obvious, is the library. On campus we have one massive, singular, library housed in the George T Richardson Building. Here you will find desks with computers available for student use as well as an area in which you can print your documents off for a modest fee. On both the first and second floors you will find a collection of desks and tables that are available for your use in order to catch up on some that studying you've been avoiding or complete that assignment which is due soon. Being a library, there is also an abundance of research material available. Books, databases and other materials make the library the best spot to complete a research paper. However, as many students soon come to realize the library is a busy place. A quiet place, but nonetheless an active one as well. Therefore, there are other areas on campus that still provide a quiet place to complete your school work. One of these areas is located inside the Education building on campus. In the basement of the education building there is a gathering spot which the majority of education students use when they have their lunch breaks. However, it is rarely used in the evening or when education students are out on their practicum and therefore provides students with a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the university campus. Although both the library and the basement of the education building provide great places for students to sit down and study I have always found the Clark Hall study rooms to be the best on campus. Clark Hall, as many of you are probably aware, is the big old building at the front of the university campus that houses both the Faculty of Arts and the University Administration. Inside Clark Hall there are four floors plus a basement. On floors two through four you will find three study rooms, one on each floor. These study rooms are centrally located on each floor and provide, in my opinion, the best possible location for a student to study while on campus. Each study room is a fair size and includes a reasonable amount of tables and chairs. Here students can study in peace and quiet while remaining on the university campus.

Now that I have shared with you the best, and the worst, places to study while on campus go out there and see what spot best fits your liking. Like most things it is better to get a grasp on studying and assignments early in the school year, rather than waiting until the last minute. By that time, not only are you struggling to find a quiet place to study, you also have an incredibly short time line to get your work done.

Career Planning Workshops

Most people who choose to attend university and spend thousands of dollars do it because they have a goal in mind and receiving a degree from a post-secondary institution allows them to move ever closer to that goal. For the majority of us, that specific goal is a career we would like to see ourselves in. In order to prepare for this transition, from student to working professional, Brandon University has the Career Planning and Placement office. The Career Planning and Placement office is run by the Career Planning and Placement Officer and open to all students on campus. Here students can learn about on-campus recruitment, employer information sessions and employment referral services. The Centre also hosts a series of workshops throughout the year to teach students a variety of skills that will be useful in searching and applying for a job in their specific field of study. With the launch of a new academic year there are quite a few Career Planning Workshops approaching in order for students to develop their appropriate skills and gain information and on the career they wish to pursue.

For the remainder of September there are two key workshops coming up that students are welcome to attend. The first is on Tuesday, September 25th from 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is a workshop on how to properly write your resume and cover letter. In today’s modern world having a properly written and edited resume and cover letter are essential if you want even the slightest chance of landing the job you’re applying for. If the company takes a liking to your resume or cover letter you may be called in for an interview. A workshop on preparing for an employment interview is being offered on September 26th from 1:40 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Even though your resume and cover letter may have been stunning you aren’t in the clear unless your interview(s) go well. Both the How to Write Your Resume and Cover Letter workshop and the Preparing For Your Interview workshop will be hosted in room 104 inside Clark Hall.

Just because September ends doesn’t mean the Career Planning workshops do! After all planning and preparing for a career isn’t done overnight. The Career Planning and Placement Officer is hosting the workshop Finding Your Permanent/Summer Job on October 10th from 1:40 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Here students will learn techniques on how to successful find summer or permanent employment. Another workshop is set in the works for October 17th from 1:40 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. In this workshop, titled Planning Your Career, students will receive ideas and suggestions on how to better set and achieve their career goals. In order to be successful in any career you have to know how to properly network with people. Luckily there is a Networking Skills workshop being hosted on campus on October 23rd from 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to assist students in networking and communication techniques. There will also be a career planning workshop on October 24th from 1:40 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Employee Rights in the Workplace. This workshop will be especially useful to students wondering what exactly their rights are in the workplace. Finally, on October 31st from 1:40 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. there will be a workshop that I'm sure many teachers would like their students to take. A workshop titled How to Manage Your On-line/Social Media Presence will be hosted on campus and open to all students who wish to attend. Here students will learn how to properly and effectively manage their online activities in a professional manner. Like in September, all Career planning workshops will be hosted in room 104 inside Clark Hall.

To learn more about these specific workshops or about career planning in general visit the Career Resource Centre in room 115 inside the A.E. McKenzie building. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday with the office closed for lunch daily from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. All services provided by the Career Resource Centre are covered by the student services fee included in your tuition. Drop ins are welcome or students can make an appointment by calling 204-727-9651 or emailing the Career Planning and Placement Officer at pople@brandonu.ca.

Paw Pass And Its Benefits

The start of a new school year brings upon many things such as financial constraints, headaches and stress. However, it also brings in new discounts for both Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College students. Each year the Brandon University Students Union (BUSU) and the Assiniboine Community College Students Association (ACCSA) put together a student initiative called the Paw Pass. The Paw Pass in reality is a little sticker that goes on the back side of your student card. However, by presenting your student card with the Paw Pass sticker attached to various local businesses you could receive a hefty discount!

Obviously not every business in Brandon and the surrounding area take part in the Paw Pass program although there are over fifty businesses that do! These businesses range from dining establishments and entertainment facilities to apparel stores and health organizations. Some are dine-in restaurants such as the Wok Box while others are fast food places or pizza joints such as Dominos. The majority of businesses that participate in the Paw Pass program offer discounts between 10%-20%. However, there are a few that offer a greater percentage. One such business is Dominos pizza which offers students 40% off any pizza when you order online using the coupon code BOBCATS for BU students or ACC2018 for ACC students. Another great pizza place also provides students with a break when it comes to their financial resources. Papa Johns Pizza offers students 50% off regular menu priced pizza and 25% off on all side items. Finally, switching gears out of the pizza business, Lasting Image offers all students a discount of 25% off all block mounting, laminating and dry mounting. All three of these businesses are less than five minutes away from campus!

One last thing you should know about the Paw Pass is that the discount aren't limited to the City of Brandon alone! There are a couple of businesses outside of Brandon that are also part of the Paw Pass Program. These include the Dairy Queen at Neepawa which offers a 15% discount to students as well as the Super Thrifty Drug Store in Dauphin which also offers a 15% discount on regular priced merchandise. 

To receive your Paw Pass sticker head on down to the BUSU office, located on the first floor of the Knowles-Douglas Building. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. You will also receive a Paw Pass pamphlet detailing the discounts each business offers as well as any restrictions that may be in effect. Now that you know the most vital and important information there is for students to know get out there and grab those discounts! Everyone, and I do mean everyone, loves a bargain. As students any chance you get to save even a small fraction of money I advise you take it.