Valentine’s Day has long been thought of as a day for lovers.  It can actually be depressing and downright annoying for people who are not in a relationship.  With this being said, that does not mean you can not grab a couple of your friends, cook up a yummy meal, and make the best out of the “Hallmark holiday.”  The following recipes will shake the Valentine’s Day blues out of even the most cynical folks.

Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon

Ingredients
2  (5 to 6 ounces each) filet Mignon (about 1 1/2 inches thick)
Coarse salt and very coarsely ground pepper
2 teaspoon(s) olive oil

Directions
1.  Season filets very generously on both sides with salt and pepper (especially pepper), patting in firmly.
2.  Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high. Cook filets until desired wellness, 3 to 5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) for medium-rare.
http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/pepper-crusted-filet-mignon-recipe
You can also bake the filets at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes for medium.  Just add or subtract minutes depending on your desired wellness.

Skillet Green Beans

Ingredients
1 lb green beans
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons bacon grease (can substitute 1 T butter and 1 T olive oil)
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt (can substitute regular table salt; use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon)
Ground black pepper

Directions
Snap the stem ends of green beans, or cut them off in a big bunch with a knife if you would like. Melt bacon grease in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and onions and cook for a minute. Then add green beans and cook for a minute until beans turn bright green. Add the chicken broth, chopped red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Turn heat to low and cover with a lid, leaving lid cracked to allow steam to escape. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until liquid evaporates and beans are fairly soft, yet still a bit crisp. You can add more chicken broth during the cooking process, but do not be afraid to let it all cook away so the onions and peppers can caramelize.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/fresh-green-beans-one-way/

Chocolate Trifle

Ingredients
1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup water
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (1.5 ounce) bar chocolate candy

Directions
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares.
In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8 ounces whipped topping until no streaks remain.
In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture, and half of the 12 ounce container of whipped topping. Repeat layers. Shave chocolate onto top layer for garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Trifle/Detail.aspx

Serve these delicious morsels with your favorite beverage and enjoy!  Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Whether it is Hershey, Dove, Sarris or Ghirardelli, it is nearly impossible for many of you to deny the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth sensation that chocolate brings. The temptation is particularly strong at this time, given the fact that Valentine’s Day is drawing nearer. However, many people never stop to question the strong cravings brought about by this treat, or why they even occur in the first place. It may be associated with the delicious taste, or the feeling you get by eating it. There has even been rumor that chocolate gives the sensation of being “in love” or “happy.” You may be wondering if there is any truth to this, and the answer is yes.
For years people all around the world have given in to these chocolate cravings, and you may be surprised to learn that chocolate is actually good for you! However, this is mainly true for dark chocolate as opposed to milk or white chocolate. This is due to the fact that dark chocolate increases blood flow to both your brain and heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. Research also shows that dark chocolate “contains several chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical your brain creates when you feel like you are falling in love. PEA encourages your brain to release endorphins, so eating dark chocolate will make you feel happier.”
The presence of the chemical PEA and this release of endorphins could certainly be the cause of such strong cravings, especially during this time of the year when many people chase after those feelings of love and happiness.  Junior Liz Shaw comments, “My favorite chocolate is Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate, because it is just so different from what you’d expect from Hershey’s. It has a deeper flavor, and in a way I think you can feel in love or just plain happy, because when you eat chocolate you are treating yourself. That’s what being in love really is about: treating yourself to the company of someone you really enjoy.” Another student, junior Ty Walden, had this to say: “I personally like dark chocolate. I like the taste of it and I definitely think that chocolate gives me a happy sensation.”
Although it is not good to over-indulge, studies have shown that eating chocolate two to three times per week has numerous other benefits. It is good for your heart, brain, blood sugar, and also contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals. Some of these include potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron. Research states, “The copper and potassium in dark chocolate help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments. The iron in chocolate protects against iron deficiency anemia, and the magnesium in chocolate helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.”
Reportedly, two of the world’s oldest super-centenarians (those who have lived past the age of 110 years) were adamant about eating their beloved dark chocolate. Jeanne Calment (1875-1997) ate an average of two pounds of dark chocolate per week, until her physician induced her to give it up at age 119, three years prior to her death at age 122. Although this is an extreme example, it supports the previously stated information about the benefits of eating this miracle-candy.
So whether you are eating chocolate for the benefits it provides, or simply the savory taste, it is arguably one of the best types of candy you can put into your body. Perhaps this Valentine’s Day, you will not feel so guilty when you discover you have finished nearly half the box of your favorite chocolates. Either way, feel free to submit to your cravings for chocolate this year, knowing that it could perhaps be your ticket to a long, healthy life.

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Each and every year February 14 rolls around in a haze of pink hearts and sparkly greeting cards. Suddenly entire isles in Wal-Mart and Target are devoted to giant teddy bears and Hallmark stores are producing tons of pink and red cards.
Sorry single people, it is Valentine’s Day.
For a holiday that is supposed to represent love, a lot of people really, really hate Valentine’s Day. Google “Singles Awareness Day” and you get over 15 million hits. No kidding. “Anti-Valentine’s Day” will give you over 2 million. So why all this Valentine’s Day hate?
Probably because, well, it is Singles Awareness Day. It is a day devoted to telling your significant other how much you care about them, but if you do not happen to have a significant other, it is a reminder of that. “It’s good for people who are in relationships, but if you’re single it’s depressing,” said Millersville student Jennifer Krider.
Another V-Day complaint? The corporate takeover. Candy, card, and flower companies all stand to make a buck off of the love-struck. Hershey’s has everything from a ten-pound tin of candy retailing for $110 down to a $4.75 candy bar. “It’s an overrated Hallmark holiday,” Deborah Nichols proclaimed. That point of view is shared by many who feel that the gifts overshadow the meaning behind the day. “You can tell someone you love them any day,” continued Nichols.
So if you are single on Valentine’s Day, do not worry about it. There is no need for you to spend the night eating Ben & Jerry’s. Get out and have some fun. If you do not know what to do, here are some ideas:
- Get together with some other single friends.
Who better to spend Singles Awareness Day with than other people who understand it? Have a movie marathon or grab some dinner and focus on your friends.
- Treat yourself.
That pair of shoes you have been looking at? Buy them. That video game everyone else has? Pick it up. It is a day about love, so show yourself some love.
- Relax.
No valentine means no pressure. Kick back on the couch and watch the game. Spend all night playing Words With Friends. Whatever floats your boat.
- Get back into a hobby.
Baking, running, knitting, drawing, dancing, the crossword puzzle…Today would be a great day to pick up the things you used to do.
And if worse comes to worse, flat out ignore it!

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Many of you will be visiting your local convenience store in the upcoming weeks, perusing the cards for the perfect way to express your love for another.  It may seem quite unbelievable that people have been following this same routine since the 1400s.  The Valentine’s Day card has an evolving history all of its own, originating in Europe.
Cards began to replace valentine gifts over the years, and with this widespread demand across Europe, cards began to be mass produced in factories.  These cards were still hand-made at factories, borrowing techniques from modern art such as Daguerreotypes.  These cards were black and white images that sought to evoke some romanticism, and were adorned with colored paints by the artists.  This effect was a practical and aesthetic solution to quickly decorate the stationary.  More lavish cards were dressed with real lace and ribbon.
Once the tradition of card exchanges reached the States, it quickly became popular among mainstream commoners.  At this time, all cards in Europe were now being machine produced; however, many artists and printers still used hand-crafted designs on many cards in the U.S.  Esther Howard is accredited with introducing the Valentine’s Day card to Americans in 1850.  During this era, the cards were quite often of religious nature.  It is believed by some historians that the “Sacred Heart” and accompanying angels that are common symbols of this time are early illustrations of our popular heart and cupid image.
Cards during these years were high commodities.  Some cost fifty dollars, which was nearly an entire month’s pay in most cases.
To avoid the inflated prices, sailors would craft “Busk Valentines” for their sweethearts while at sea.  These valentines were long, slender ivory or wooden sticks, embellished with hand-carvings and seashells.  The women would then wear the busks in their corsets as a reminder of their good men.
In the mid-1920s manufactured valentine cards became mainstream with the opening of Norcross Printing Company, founded by Arthur Norcross in New York City.  During the preliminary years of the company, cards were sold in sets of four and six ranging from twenty-five and thirty-two dollars. Norcross had some grand, upcoming competition however, known as Hallmark.  Hallmark now distributes nearly 150 million valentines annually in the United States alone.
Thankfully in the 21st century we do not have to be concerned with valentine cards costing a month earnings. Yet there is no doubt that Valentines Day has evolved into yet another Hallmark holiday.  While cards are a touching gesture to loved ones on this day, you certainly can get creative and express your care through a hand-made card.  Not only are these more treasured, but also cost effective.  On this Valentine’s Day take some time to reflect on the origins of the valentine, for this may inspire you to appreciate the thought of love that flows through the process from design, to production, to exchange.

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Commuting plays a large role in the lives of most people, whether it be commuting to work, school, or anywhere in between.  The term commute normally evokes thoughts of traffic jams, gas prices, and overall frustration.  I have commuted to Millersville for the past two years.  I live approximately an hour away in Exton, PA.  The drive is reasonably easy albeit monotonous at times.  I have found that commuting possesses positives and negatives, so I thought I could go over a few of them.
As most students will know, parking at Millersville is usually an infuriating waiting game.  This game includes, what I like to call, “car stalking.”  This is when you creep behind a fellow student in the hopes that they are getting in their car and leaving, usually to no avail.  Parking at MU also necessitates the important skill of parking on random, muddy hills and hoping that you do not get a ticket.  The parking game is not one that I enjoy playing.
The time in between classes is usually when commuters need to get the most creative.  We do not have apartments or dorms to go back to so it is necessary that we find alternate areas to study and relax.  There are a few spots that I have found are conducive to relaxing and/or studying.  The newly renovated SMC has a ton of seating and hidden areas to study or catch a quick nap.  The computer labs are also excellent places to do homework (assuming that they are running).  Additionally, The Anchor has ample seating to grab something to eat and do a little work.   A major downfall for the commuting student, and students in general, is the absence of a library on campus.  As a commuter, I relied on the library as my “go-to” spot to do work in a quiet, accommodating setting.  The make shift library in Gerhart falls short of offering enough seating and space.   If you do not feel like studying or relaxing, the gym in the SMC is a great option.
I recently found out that there is a commuter lounge at MU.  It is located in the bottom of the SMC.  They have plenty of computers, comfortable chairs, and televisions for your working, sleeping, or viewing pleasure.  There is also a commuter house located on Frederick Street.  It has a second floor kitchen so you can bring your lunch and warm it up on campus.
There are many places to eat on campus, but my favorite is the Sugar Bowl located beside Chryst Writing Center.  The Sugar Bowl offers yummy food and large enough tables to spread out or chill out.  It is also a nice option during the busy lunch hour when The Galley, The Anchor, and dining hall are overcrowded.
So if you are a commuting student who is getting frustrated with your commute and the challenges that go along with it, remember that although there are downfalls to commuting, Millersville offers some great resources that can enhance your overall college experience.

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A new semester means a new year and a new year means New Year’s Resolutions. For many of us, our New Year’s Resolutions have something to do with getting better grades, becoming more organized, boosting our health, or losing weight.
For instance, junior Diane Gallagher’s resolution is to “eat well Sunday through Thursday so I have tons of energy for school.”
Resolutions are usually easy to incorporate into everyday life, especially at the beginning when our motivation is in full swing. But as time moves on it becomes more difficult to find the time or energy to continue. Many of us think the reason for our failure is because we are lazy or not committed enough.
In the case of Nancy Lapkiewicz, a sophomore International Business major, her goals change frequently throughout the year, causing her to give up on participating in resolutions all together.
Failure is common for one simple reason that is often overlooked: humans are creatures of habit. According to John M. Grohol, founder and editor-in-chief of Psych Central, the average time it takes to create a habit is 66 days or roughly two months.
No wonder most of us give up! There are bound to be days in that two month period when the motivation just is not there or other factors intervene like unexpected illness or a huge workload.
Simple steps like creating a wall of goals in your room, enlisting the help of friends and family, and keeping a daily log of your efforts can help keep you oriented towards your goal.
With that being said, having a constant reminder is the key element in turning your resolution into success. British nutritionist and personal trainer James Duigan says to go easy on yourself, especially in the month of January when feelings of failure and depression are at an all time high. He also suggests breaking your resolution down into stages, making it easier to accomplish your final goal.
Whatever your resolution, slow and steady wins the race.

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Whether you know her as Rose Nylund from The Golden Girls, or Elka Ostrovsky from the more recent show Hot in Cleveland, it is hard to deny the flawless talent of Betty White. Born in 1922, she has had a career in acting for over seven decades. As some of you may know, NBC recently had a special for her 90th birthday, which received as much media attention as The Golden Globe Awards.
Betty, dressed in a beautiful turquoise gown, was surrounded by all of her friends. She was paid special tribute from Morgan Freeman, Amy Poehler, Tiny Fey, Hugh Jackman, Seth Meyers, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ellen DeGeneres, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, Jay Leno, Ed Asner, Zachary Levi ,and even President Barrack Obama. The night was filled with everyone showing their support and appreciation for the actress, along with their certainty that she will make it to her 100th.
Along with her acting career, Betty White has succeeded in becoming an author and comedian. She has written the books “Betty White’s Pet-Love: How Pets Take Care of Us,” “Betty White In Person,” “The Leading Lady: Dinah’s Story,” “Here We Go Again: My Life In Television,” “If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t),” and most recently, “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo.” She has been a member of the board of directors of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association since 1974, and has donated thousands of dollars to many zoos and organizations in order to help save animals. In addition to these contributions, she was made an honorary forest ranger for the USDA Forest Service. White claims that she had wanted this position since she was a little girl, but back then it was forbidden.
Her career in acting started immediately after high school graduation, but was interrupted by World War II when she joined the American Women’s Voluntary Services. After this she appeared on many radio shows, and finally had her very own called The Betty White Show (not to be confused with her sitcom on CBS). Her career significantly picked up when she landed the role of Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls. Junior Kelli Kerr stated, “I grew up watching The Golden Girls with my mom and little sister. I liked it from the very first time I watched it, and I still watch it every night on the Hallmark channel. Rose is definitely my favorite on the show, and it’s crazy that she is the last of them that is still living. I definitely see her making it to her 100th birthday!”
Today, she now hosts a television show called (Betty White’s) Off Their Rockers. The show will be a cast of elderly men and women “pranking” innocent people, with Betty White as the host. Huffpost TV describes the show: “Coming out of NBC’s star-studded 90th Birthday tribute to Betty White, Off Their Rockers is a new series hosted and executive produced by White that features a troupe of older men and women playing pranks on innocent people. Unlike many other prank shows, there was no reveal that it was all a joke to the victims. That could be because no one got mad at the elderly pranksters. The common response to the antics of these older folks was amusement, delight, or a shaking of the head with a smile.” Junior Emily Jones stated, “I heard of that show recently. I love playing pranks on my friends, so I think this show will be hilarious. I definitely want to watch it!”
As you can see, not even age can stop Betty White from doing what she loves most. Her career is keeping her as busy as it always has, and she continues to bring smiles to her supporting audience. At her 90th birthday, she proved that age is only a number when she planted a kiss on Zachary Levi, who asked for her hand in marriage (with the ring to prove it). Not even Obama could believe her age, and jokingly requested her official birth certificate. Betty White ended the night by smiling and saying to the crowd, “Talk about milking it! To be able to spend a lifetime in the business you love with the people you love — and get away with it — is marvelous!”

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