What’s up

We could point you to all the research and evidence that suggests breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but you know this already. And you are probably in the midst of several New Year’s resolutions that include getting fit, losing weight and/or eating healthier.

It all starts with what you eat in the morning. But not everyone has time to blend breakfast smoothies before work.

Enter the breakfast parfait at Magpie Café on Perkins Road. Much better for you than store-bought varieties loaded with artificial flavor and sugar, this version is made with protein-rich 2%-milk Greek yogurt and fresh blueberries—one of those superfoods you should be eating regularly. The optional housemade granola (or dried fruit mix for those with nut allergies) adds a satisfying crunch to the creamy and naturally sweet parfait.

Magpie co-owner Lina Jacobs says when she worked in sales, she was always on the road and had a hard time finding a nutritious breakfast. That’s why besides the parfait, the health-conscious café—known for its local and organic items—also offers ready-made snack boxes with fruit, cheese and a hardboiled egg, as well as their popular variety of juices made fresh every day with vitamin-packed ingredients like kale, beets, carrots, apples, spinach and more.

Suddenly, it’s much easier to make that healthy first meal of the day a solid part of your routine. facebook.com/magpiecafe.brla —BENJAMIN LEGER

It’s a new year, and you should resolve to get out more and experience what’s going on around town. Here are a few ideas to start you off, and there are even more throughout the rest of the issue.

See: The Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival (Jan. 15-19) features two documentaries and three dramas this year, including the epic 1966 Kirk Douglas film Cast a Giant Shadow and the 2012 French film The Other Son. brjff.com

Sweat: In its second year, the Louisiana Marathon (Jan. 17-19) is already on par to draw a big crowd to Baton Rouge. Last year brought in 4,500 runners and 10,000 attendees. Finish up your training now or plan to participate in the weekend of festivities downtown. thelouisianamarathon.com

Party: The popular street party for the arts, Laurel Street Palooza (Jan. 10) returns downtown in front of the Arts Council building with live music, food, a silent auction and more. Get your tickets at artsbr.org.

Keep Partying: The weirdest party in town, the Surreal Salon Soiree (Jan. 25), is now in its sixth year. The artwork and the costumed revelers keep getting wilder and crazier. Read more about this year’s party and exhibit.

When forward Johnny O’Bryant III goes for a rebound, it seems effortless. The same goes for when forward Jordan Mickey puts up another two points to solidify a win, or when guard Andre Stringer pulls up and knocks down another three-pointer.

The LSU men’s basketball team is on the up and up with Coach Johnny Jones at the helm, but the work behind the scenes is also elevating the Tigers’ play.

This is where managers Steven Kushner, Hays Myers and Joe Gricar enter the court. Their jobs are 24/7. They prep video, fill water bottles, rebound players’ shots, clean up and do all the little things coaches and players don’t want to ponder.

Myers and Gricar joined the team during Coach Trent Johnson’s tenure. Kushner came on last year in Jones’ first year as head coach.

“We want to make sure the players and coaches are as ready as they can be,” Kushner says. “You put in whatever part you can, whatever demand that is. That’s what we’re here for.” —MATTHEW SIGUR