"What Are You Going to do With an English Degree?"

It is the dreadful question I've been asked all of my adult life.

As I went through my schooling I always had an answer. Write a book. Write for a magazine. Write for Disney. Write a book. Write a book. Write a book.

Yet, in the three years since I graduated from St. Ambrose University, I've been the one asking myself, "What the heck am I going to do with this English degree?" along with, "What the heck am I going to do with this journalism degree?"

This morning, on my 45-minute commute on snow-covered roads to my data entry job, I heard the perfect response to this monotonous question.

"What are you going to do with an English degree?" asked everyone in the world.
   
"I will carry it with me as I do everything that matters." -Cheryl Strayed

Heck yes.

I've been listening to Cheryl Strayed's audiobook, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar, in which she publishes letters people have written to her and the advice she gave back to them. Many of them are sad, some are dark, all are heartfelt and emotional. I am enjoying most her advice on writing. (Cheryl Strayed earned an English degree and eventually became a published author. I highly recommend her autobiography, Wild.)



I know several people who struggle to find what the purpose is of the degree they worked so hard for or of the career path they once were so passionate about. Will we really get the dream jobs we sought out for when we were 18 and decided on that major? Do we even still want those jobs now? Do we know exactly what those jobs even are?

I've found myself wondering a lot lately about where my career, or lack thereof is going. I get frustrated with myself, my lack of finding a good job in my field, and my slow progress.

But luckily, I have my Kyle here who points out to me that it has only been three years since I graduated. That I am only in my twenties, and that I am not going to have it all figured out yet. He kindly pointed out to me the other day that I have done everything I can up to this point, which was so nice to hear when I've always felt like I should be doing more.

It seems for those of us who chose the path of arts, we have to use our passion and efforts to create job opportunities out there. We have to pitch ourselves, our skills and our creations to editors or publishers who don't know they need our story. If you read the advice of other well-known writers, you'll know that rejection is a common thing of your twenties. Perhaps if we make it through all of the rejection and all of the waiting without giving up, that's when we can really find our success.

I know, however, in these three years of impatiently waiting for success, I have absolutely carried my degrees with me in all things that matter. I've held a job as a newspaper reporter, in which I had several bylines. I've been published in two small magazines, one of which I am now the monthly cover story writer. I've blogged about one thing or another for more than two years. I've submitted work to contests and other magazines.

These things seemed small to me as I did them, but looking at them now, I know they are helping me get further. I gained incredible experience as a reporter. Sharing my blog has landed me interviews and a magazine slot. Every magazine article is another publication on my resume. I may have started and given up on my book more times than I can count, but I am always thinking about it.

Fellow English friends, it might not be everything you hoped and dreamed. It won't be, but if you put your work in, and carry your degree with you, the chances are better that some day it might be everything.

As you go through everything that matters--a full time data entry job to pay the bills, waiting tables on the side to pay for your questionable English degree, trying to find yourself and what you set out to do--never forget that English degree that you worked hard for and wanted so much. Use it. You probably won't get paid for the things you do right away, but use it anyway. Write. Teach. Read. Blog. Write some more. In every way you can, use the knowledge you went to class at 8am with a hangover to learn. Then, someday it might just prove to be worth something.

I know mine will be.

Healthy Banana Pancakes

At 10:30 a.m. this morning, there was only one treadmill left for me at the gym. I ran, and ran, and ran some more. One by one, my Sunday morning treadmill-goers trickled away. Almost two hours later, I finally looked up from my kindle and wondered where everyone went. My treadmill was the only one still moving, my legs were still going, even my kindle had some power left.

Eleven miles on a treadmill is not ideal, but it seemed safer (and potentially less embarrassing) than dodging ice patches on the slick sidewalks.



What gets you through 11 miles on a treadmill?

It starts with a big ol' breakfast.

Since Kyle and I got our Belgian waffle maker for Christmas, I've been indulging in big ol' waffles before my long runs on Sundays. But Kyle has decided he wants less of the unhealthy flour we use, and more wholesome, "clean" waffles. He had a good point.

I found this recipe from a blog called Sweet Treats and More for banana protein pancakes, but I tweaked it a little. I used oats, cottage cheese, almond milk, a banana, chia seeds, egg whites and honey for the major parts. I figured that most pancake recipes could be used to make a waffle, but my first attempt made me think otherwise.

So I made the rest of the batter into pancakes, and they still did not hold together well. This sent me on a mission to find out what it is that glues all the ingredients into a perfectly fluffy pancake.

Any guesses anyone?

Baking powder! Which I ran out of yesterday making us some healthy muffins. Lesson learned.

However, our mushy, funny-looking pancakes tasted delicious. Even Kyle really liked them. I've never liked cottage cheese, but they are well disguised in this recipe and add healthy protein. I topped mine with more banana slices, peanut butter and honey for a good pre-run mix of carbs, protein and healthy fats. Yum!

I'm regretting now that I didn't take a picture of these, because honestly they were not pretty. But I assure you that if you use baking powder, not only will you have pretty pancakes, but they will also be tasty, very filling, and an extremely good and healthy start to your day.

You might even feel like going for a leisure 11-mile run after.

Banana Pancakes (Princess version)

• 1 1/2c. oats
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4c. almond milk
• 1/2c. cottage cheese
• 1T. honey
• 1t. vanilla
• 1t. cinnamon
• 1t. salt
• 1t. BAKING POWDER
• 1T. chia seeds (optional)
• 1 banana (or 1/2c. blueberries or other fruit, mix it up!)

Mix all of these ingredients together. Cook pancakes about 2-4 minutes on each side. 

Nutrition: 

2 pancakes, 1/3 of recipe (with the Chia seeds) = 

Calories: 266

Fat: 5.8g

Carbs: 45g

Fiber: 7g

Protein: 10g

(2 days later, got baking powder and tried the waffle version again. Sweet success!)

Red Velvet Cookies: a Princess Original

So, I'm a week late on my Valentine's Day dessert blogging, but the good thing is that Valentine's Day desserts can and should be eaten any time of year! So although it may be a week late, you are getting a delicious red velvet cookie recipe that you can choose to make heart shaped or not.

I, personally, would always choose the heart-shaped option.

Every year I get big ideas for Valentine's baking. There are so many cute things to do! But this year, I was falling off my baking wagon and did the unimaginable...I ordered cupcakes from someone else. I didn't think I'd have the time to put into my always sought after Valentine baking therapeutic session. Luckily, I was forced to.




A girl from the restaurant I work at asked me to make a cookie cake for her boyfriend. Since I don't turn down orders and I really needed the kick in the butt to bake, I said heck yes.

Thus I made a Princess Michelle original recipe for Red Velvet Cookie Cake, and Red Velvet Cookies, with cream cheese frosting.

(Of course there are thousands of recipes for red velvet cookies, and I might not be the only one to make them the way I did. But I made them without looking anything up, so I'm calling them a Princess Original.)

I used the same recipe my mom and I have always used for regular chocolate chip cookies, but added 1/4c. cocoa and a ton of red food coloring. It took several drops to make this thick dough turn a nice red-velvety color. I also used chocolate and white chocolate chips, mostly to give the cookie even more of the Valentine spirit.

Since I couldn't eat my friend's cookie cake, I had to make an extra batch to taste it. These cookies went with the Valentines I handed out at work, and most of them went in the tummy of my Valentine, Kyle.


These cookies turned out to be insane. Insane in the way the white chocolate and regular chocolate give them a sweet crunch. Insane in the way your favorite cake is now a cookie melting in your mouth. Insane with the way cream cheese compliments red velvet, the best couple in the land of baked goods.

And the cupcakes I had ordered for myself, also red velvet and cream cheese. What is it about this couple that is so irresistible?

Try these out for yourselves. It is a very simple recipe with an incredible outcome.

Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 eggs
• 1/2c. butter
• 1/2c. shortening
• 1t. vanilla
• 3/4c. sugar
• 3/4c. brown sugar
• 1/4c. cocoa powder
• 1t. salt
• 1t. baking soda
• 2 1/4c. flour

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix together eggs, butter, shortening, vanilla, both sugars and cocoa until well blended. At least two minutes.
3. Add salt and baking soda.
4. Add flour 1/2c. at a time. If dough is too runny, try adding another 1/4 to 1/2c. flour.
5. Bake cookies for about 12 minutes. Cookie cake will take about 14-15 minutes. Cookies will expand. 

*tip: Since these expanded so much, I made a sheet full of the dough and used the cookie cutter after they were done baking rather than before. Then you will have a lot of left over cookie pieces. Pick a good movie, plop down on the couch with your cookie pieces and a bowl of the cream cheese frosting if you're having a bad day.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8oz. cream cheese at room temperature
• 3c. powdered sugar
• 1t. vanillla

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar 1/2c. at a time. Enjoy!