First Year Stories: Meeting Expectations to Meeting in the Middle

As a teacher, you are always meeting someone else's expectations.  The expectations of your school, the administration, your coworkers, the students, the parents - the pressure is enough to bring on an anxiety attack.  And you have your own expectations as well - expectations for how your class will be run, how your students will behave, and how well your students will do in your class.  And you have expectations for yourself - you expect to be completely prepared for all of your lessons, you expect you can handle difficult situations with parents, students, and staff with dignity and grace.  And yet there are times (and there will be many of them) in which these expectations will not be met.

I realized that I run a very tight ship in my classroom.  My students come in, and I already have them with their planners out recording homework and their notebooks out recording today's objective and Do Now.  My morning classes greet these expectations by being very quiet.  There will be some chatting going on, but it's subdued and will usually stop when I come to see how much writing they've done in their notebooks.  To me, a quiet classroom is one I can control, and I feel my morning classes run very smoothly.

My afternoon classes are another story.  My first afternoon class comes in like a whirlwind - they need to chat with each other before they sit down.  They need to chat while they are working.  And recently, they felt the need to chat when I've been teaching.  That certainly did not meet my expectations, and I convinced myself that there was a big issue with this class.  I tried every trick up my sleeve - discipline ladders, rewarding the whole class should they not chat while I am teaching with a series of strikes.  Yet, nothing really seemed to work, and I found myself going to my coworkers with fear of losing control of my class.

My coworker had a prep during one of my afternoon classes, so she said she would peek in to see how it was going.  And after she did, she told me something I didn't expect to hear: "Your afternoon class is supposed to be like that!"  "But," I kept telling myself, "My morning classes aren't...why should this afternoon class behave so differently?"

I talked to my other 7th grade team members, and found they were having similar issues as well in terms of chatting and literal hyper activity in their afternoon classes.  My coworkers helped me see the bigger picture: they're coming off from lunch and their fine arts classes, where structure is minimal.  Then, they come to my class, where I expect them to be quiet and they just can't - they have too much pent up energy from the past two periods.  I realized at that point that it was my turn to change my expectations, instead of expecting others to rise to mine.  I set more concrete rules for when students would be disciplined, not something vague like "being loud" which I had before, but more like, "you will not chat while you are supposed to be taking notes."  I also practiced being calmer, and instead of constantly calling them back to attention with my countdown (which I only have to do once or twice with my other classes), I would stand there and wait and say, "we'll start this lab when you're ready" in a low voice.  I realized they're excited for my class and for science because they get to "do labs" - even in they're not 100% what that entails just yet, so they would quiet down pretty quickly.

Basically, the moral of this "first year story" is that sometimes you need to adapt and change your expectations.  Once I met my afternoon classes in the middle, I found myself enjoying them more.  And now that we are in the 4th week of school, I find they have also settled into my routine.  I opened my ears and my eyes to other classrooms as well, and watched as the 7th graders took forever to settle down, would run into the classroom and make a scene, or would have the absolute hardest time staying in their seats.  Moving forward, I realize that I need to not only adjust my expectations, but my teaching styles as well to fit the energy within this class.  My Do Nows need to be more concrete so they become settled quicker (a worksheet they will turn in for a grade instead of an open ended question in their notebooks) and I need to embrace the noise and the energy and realize a loud class is not a class I don't have control over.  That is not to say I need to throw away my expectations, and my students still need to know that they cannot chat while I am teaching and cannot be too loud or rambunctious during laboratory activities or experiments.

I feel that as a "first year teacher," there are so many things I was never told and a multitude of lessons I was never taught in school.  The hardest part about being a teacher is that although you are constantly surrounded by people, the profession can sometimes feel so lonely.  It is only you in that classroom, and you have no idea what is going on with other classrooms or other teachers when you are concerned only with what is going on within your four walls.  Sharing my story with other teachers helped me overcome my issues, and I hope it will help other teachers, be they first year teachers or veteran teachers, as well.

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Posted by Ali B at 10:10 AM

Back Workout

I've been working as a part time teacher at a local tutoring center for the past few weeks.  I enjoy the work very much and, like the students who go there, it keeps me fresh for the upcoming school year.  I've been working mornings since that is when I am at my best, plus I like having the rest of the day to myself.  However, I've really missed being able to sit on my laptop with a cup of tea and be productive in the mornings.  This morning, I woke up early and dressed for work, only to receive a call that my student had called out and they didn't need me to come in.  I was already awake, caffeinated, and dressed, so I decided to take charge of my morning and actually get some work done!

I always loved waking up early(ish) because it makes it seem like the possibilities for the day are endless.  Like, I actually have time to watch the Olympics.  I've been staying up way too late to watch the coverage (why don't they air it earlier?  It happened 6 hours beforehand!!), but this morning is the first chance I've had to plop myself on the couch with my laptop and keep the Olympics running in the background while I get some work done.  The track prelims are happening right now, and lot of these women are from countries I've never heard of, advocating for other women in their country to gain equal rights.  Plus, the sportscasters keep commenting on how this is the first year in which every country participating in the Olympics has sent a woman.  Pretty inspiring.  Especially when these women are running 100M in the time it takes me to run 50M.  I always get so antsy to work out with the Olympics on - all I want to do is run at the track and swim in the pool.  So in the spirit of the Olympics, I thought I would post a workout!

There are a myriad of reasons as to why it is important to have a strong back.  Having good posture not only makes you walk like a supermodel, but it helps prevent injury to your lower back as well.  Plus, many of these exercises will increase your overall core strength, which is incredibly important when it comes to running, climbing, swimming, and, well, any sport really.  To note, I don't like to assume that everyone who reads my blog knows exactly what I'm talking about when I say "lat pull downs" or "hyperextensions," therefore, this post became a little lengthy with all of my explanations.  I also provide adaptations for each exercise so that people of any athletic ability can find a challenge in this workout.  Remember, if you've been experiencing back pain, make sure you speak to a doctor before attempting any of these workouts.

planks - targets arms, shoulders, and back/core

Get into a push up position, but instead of putting your weight on your hands, put it on your forearms.  Keep your core tight and your spine straight; you don't want your belly to be sagging or your butt to be sticking up in the air.  If you've never done planks before, start by holding the position for 30 seconds.



Adaptations:
- hold position for longer.
- side plank - rest on one arm and one foot
- go into regular push up position for an extra arm workout







supermans - targets lower back/core
Lie on your stomach with your arms in front of you.  Lift your chest off the floor as high as you can and hold the position for a second.  Do not let your arms touch the floor.  Lower yourself back down.  Start with 10 if you've never done them before and then add on reps as they become easier and you can raise your chest higher off of the ground.

kick backs - targets lower back/glutes

Make a "table" with your body by getting on your hands and knees.  Use slow, controlled movements to kick one leg out behind you, straightening it as you kick back.  Lower your leg so you're back in the table position.  Repeat 10 times on each side if you've never done this before.

Adaptations:
- strap on an ankle weight
- use an inflatable disc.  I like to challenge myself this way because I'm kicking back with one leg while trying to keep my balance with the other.  Plus, when you're balancing on the disc, the leg you're kicking back with can't touch the ground, so you're creating a more difficult workout since you're removing the rest periods as you lower your leg back down.  To use the disc, place your weight over your knee right in the center of the disc (this will take some adjusting) and proceed with the workout.  A rolled up towel or yoga mat can have a similar effect if doing this workout at home.  

If you're at the gym: 

hyperextensions on ab machines - targets lower back

Google Images

You probably have walked by this machine dozens of time without knowing its true purpose.  It looks like a very odd machine, but it can provide a fantastic workout for your back.  To use the machine, place your feet against the platform and make sure the pads are resting right under your hip bones, against the top of your thighs.  You want to be able to bend over at the waist without the pads pushing into your stomach.  Bend forward at the waist and keep your back straight!  Pull yourself back up, still keeping your back straight.  To increase the difficulty, do more reps or hold a weight against your chest (like the disc-shaped weights that go on barbells).

lat pull downs - targets shoulders/back

Google Images

I love these next two exercises because they target so many muscles in your back.  However, you're going to need one of these machines.  Set the weight to about 10lbs if you've never used this machine before.  Even if the weight seems a little light, you want to make sure you have the motion/form perfect before you begin to add on weight in order to prevent injury.  Grab the bars and pull them down so you're sitting.  Tuck your legs under the foam cylinders in order to keep yourself from rising up in the seat.  Pull the bar down until it is at your chest, and then let the bar raise up using a slow controlled movement until you are just before the point of your elbows locking.  This is one rep.  Increase the reps (I do three sets of 8) or the weight in order to increase difficulty.

 rows - targets shoulders/biceps

Google Images

Similarly, you're going to need this machine if you're to do seated cable rows.  If you have free weights, I outlined how to do rows with them in this post here.  The cable rows, however, provide for more controlled movements, and you can usually tack on more weight using this machine rather than if you use the free weights alone.  Sit on the bench with your feet against the pads.  Grab the pulleys and scoot back on the bench while holding onto the pulleys until your legs are almost straight.  Keeping your back straight and your core tight, pull the pulleys back until your hands are at your sides, and then extend until just before your elbows lock.  That was 1 rep.  It's incredibly important for you to keep your back straight and your core tight, slouching can cause injury.

And there you have it!  I hope you hit the gym or just find a spot on your living room floor to work on your back/core strength.  P.S. Like that tank I was wearing?  It used to be a super baggy T-shirt!  I'll be demonstrating how I did this next week :)

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Posted by Ali B at 11:04 AM

Quarter Life Weekend Updates

I wanted to start a new series to give the blog a more central theme again.  I have loved writing in this blog because it has given me a creative outlet to explore all different areas as I journey through my quarter life crisis.  I have learned how to cook and bake, made lovely homemade gifts for others, found a love for running and being healthy, and met people whose words and encouragements inspired me at my lowest points.  I have also been able to express some thoughts about teaching (my new life path), which may increase in the very near future...

The main reason why I started this blog, though, is to share with others in their quarter life that it is ok to not have your life all figured out after graduating college.  I had hoped that my story would inspire others to make changes in their lives to better themselves and to follow their hearts, even though these changes may be drastic and scary.  In the hope to continue to inspire others, I wanted to create this Quarter Life Weekend Update series.  It may not be every weekend, but I wanted to have a place where I could talk about the challenges I have faced during my quarter life in hopes that others with similar stories will be able to find a place to relate and discuss.  Let's begin...

Someone once asked me the following question:

"At what point in your life do you consider yourself to be an adult?"

Is it when you graduate college?  Move into your own place?  Start your career?  Get married?  Or is it defined by something like age? 

For me, I believe I won't truly feel like an adult until I do two of those things: moving into my own place and starting my career.  And right now, I'm doing one of them. 

A few weeks ago, I had an insanely busy week.  In one day, I had a demo lesson for a middle school science position and a second interview for an elementary position.  I felt that both went well, and they said by the end of the week they would call me with an answer.  I was thrilled with the fact that my job search could be over so suddenly, which is somewhat unheard of in the teaching field.  I didn't want to get ahead of myself, but I began to imagine what it would be like to work in either position.  

I received a part-time offer at the elementary school, but unfortunately I had to turn it down.  The school is 1 1/2 hours away, and a part time salary would not have been sufficient to cover the costs of living out there.  I was disappointed it didn't work out, but I was also relieved that I wouldn't have to make a difficult choice.  If the right job was offered to me, would I have taken it and moved 1 1/2 hours towards the Pennsylvania border?  It was something that had kept me up the entire night before, because I did not know if I was ready to make that sort of decision.  I don't think I would have a problem living on my own, but 1 1/2 hours from anyone I knew?  That would be much different...

The second job just didn't work out, they decided to go ahead with another candidate.  I was extremely disappointed, but I was happy to have had the opportunity to give a demo lesson.  I tried to see the positive in the whole experience, but I'm not going to lie, I was despondent over the thought of having to start again from scratch.  It was still early in the hiring season, but to get so close with two different places and then not have either of them work out is incredibly discouraging.  Plus, by this point, I had sent out 70 applications, and I was forcing myself to search through the paper, stuff those manilla envelopes, and drag myself to the post office.  I wasn't about to give up, though, because I knew I was made of better stuff than that.  This whole story has been about facing one crisis after another, and I knew I could get over this week. 

And sure enough, the following week I was invited to a group interview for a middle school science leave replacement position at a school down the street.  I practiced my responses to some of the trickier questions I was asked during my other two interviews.  I made copies of transcripts, Praxis scores, and letters of recommendation for my portfolio.  I woke up early the day of the interview to research the school.  I even signed up to substitute teach in a middle school science class that week, just so I could get back in the classroom so I may bring pertinent stories and experience into my interview and (hopefully) demo lesson, if they asked for one.  I put every effort I had into this interview, and although I knew it was just for a maternity leave replacement, it was the foot in the door I needed. 

The interview went well, and before I arrived home there was an email in my inbox asking me to come back in for a demo lesson.  My lesson was to be a review of the metric system, and I put together a Powerpoint of tools used for metric measurement, reviewed how I would use the SmartBoard, created a review game and worksheet, and came up with ways I could help students connect the prefixes they saw on the page to measurements in the laboratory.  Afterwards, I met with the vice principal, who admitted he thought I was a strong candidate.  The second demo lesson was being conducted the following day, and the supervisor said she would give me a call afterwards. 

I sat on pins and needles that entire morning.  I was in the car with my parents, about to head down to Hilton Head, and I couldn't put my phone down for a second, in case that was the second in which she called.  I know it sounds silly, but to come so close a third time, to be down to the final two, and then not get it?  Have you ever been so close to something a few times, only to have it all fall through?  I didn't want to think about the dwindling number of job openings in the papers or online, and I wondered if anything would come up for me for the rest of the summer. 

The phone rang, I answered, and I was asked to come work at the school in September.  I immediately agreed, and now plans are underway.  The position is only a 2-month maternity leave, but it's the experience I need to land a full-time position.  Plus, the more I think about it, the more I fall in love with it.  It's a 7th grade life sciences position, the age and subject I'd want to teach.  I will be starting off the year instead of picking up someone else's class.  I'll do back to school night and other beginning of the year events.  I'm already planning out what I will say on the first day of school, how I will lay down the ground rules, and how I will set the tone for the year.  Plus, the position is right down the street, so it couldn't get much better than that when it comes to saving up money.  

Even though I might not have wanted to admit it, I did imagine myself with a full time position for the 2012 - 2013 year.  It sort of reminds me of what I was like during college, where I imagined myself beginning my career right out of school, moving into my own place, and becoming a full-fledged adult by the time I was this age. I had said this before, and I'll say it again, one of the most difficult things about being in your quarter life is that many people do have those expectations for themselves, and when those expectations are not met, you begin to feel as if you're doing something wrong, or that you failed at something.  Enter the quarter life crisis.  

It takes some time, but I have come to accept that whether or not you're living out on your own or have a full time job does not make you any less of an adult.  I am beyond thrilled to be starting this journey, and I'll be sure to keep you updated along the way with more weekend updates!  

2 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 2:30 PM

Quarterlette

About a year ago, I decided to start this blog as a means of sharing my quarter life crisis with other readers for the sole purpose of hoping that I was not alone.  I have found some very encouraging words along the way, and writing in this blog has given me a creative outlet and allowed me to pursue some of the things I'm passionate about.  While finding myself, I was able to share my story about learning how to cook and bake (seriously, before this my cooking skills were limited to boiling pasta), crafting special gifts, and honing my skills as an athlete, making myself healthier than I ever have been.  I was also able to share the ups and downs of teaching and the daunting task of finding a job, getting so close, and then being forced to start all over.  But most importantly, I hoped to inspire other young women (and men!) that this is the time in which you must take charge of your life and follow the things you are passionate about.  I honestly do believe this is the path to finding true happiness.

A few months ago, one of the founders of Quaterlette reached out to me and asked if I could share my story.  I immediately fell in love with the idea of the site because it's purpose is to unite young women who are going through their quarter life crisis.  I think the message from the co-founders says it better than I can:

"As three girls in our late-twenties, we have been exposed to endless stories 

from our friends about the difficulties that come along with this life stage. 

We’re old enough now where we have expectations for ourselves.  

We feel like we’re supposed to have an exciting job, 

a decent income, a cozy home and a fulfilling relationship.  

And if we don’t, we tend to feel incredibly lost.

However, while this time can be difficult and confusing, 

it can also be incredibly rewarding and life-changing as well.  

Some may call it the “quarter-life crisis” – we prefer to think of it as a tricky 

and exciting time full of changes, transitions and decisions. 

We’ve had exceptional and memorable days during our twenties, 

but we’ve had some challenging and anxiety-filled days as well, 

as we are constantly trying to weave together who we think 

we should be and who we want to be with the reality of who we are."

See? I could not have said it better myself.  When I read this, I knew I wanted to be a part of this platform, since these are all of the feelings I have had for the past 2 years.  I wrote up an essay and submitted it to these women, and I will be featured on this website sometime in the upcoming weeks.  I am incredibly excited to share my story with other Quarterlettes and hope to continue to inspire others to take that chance to make a change in their lives for the better. 

Many of you have expressed that you went through or currently are going through your quarter life crisis as well.  I ask that you share this site with your friends and family so that we can all realize that we do not go through this stage alone.  Even if you are not going through a quarter life crisis, the stories on this site are truly inspirational.  Please read and share, and I'll be sure to let you know when my story will be published!  

And thank you to everyone who has followed my story for the past year, I cannot express my gratitude for all of your kind words and support. 

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Posted by Ali B at 11:20 AM

Bacon and Cheese Grits

I've been craving comfort food lately.  First the waffles, and now these grits.  Plus I've been eating bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches for lunch for the past few days.  Last week was absolutely wild.  In 48 hours, I had 4 interviews, an offer at a tutoring center, and 2 callbacks (one for a second interview, the other for a demo lesson).  Over the past 4 months I had sent out over 60 applications and had heard nothing for those entire 4 months.  And then, by the end of last Monday, I had those four interviews lined up.  It's amazing how your life can be turned completely upside-down in a moment.  The interviews are for places all over North/Central Jersey, so within a few months I could be living somewhere new with a new job.  Or maybe I'll still be living at home, blogging.

Either way, it's a pretty difficult thing to wrap my head around.  I feel like I'm at a turning point here, as if I'm at the brink between young-adulthood and adulthood itself.  Many of my friends my age have had to make some pretty adult decisions over the past few weeks, and it looks like I may be doing the same this summer.  Even if these interviews don't work out for the best, I'm incredibly excited to have the experience and I'm looking forward to what ever lies ahead.

The moral of the story here is that when your whole world is up in the air, it's nice to have some thick, salty, cheesy, creamy, stick-to-your-ribs grits to bring you back down.

I love polenta.  It comes together in about 4 minutes and you can do anything with it.  It can be used for any meal of the day and you can boil it, grill it, or fry it.  The only thing you need to be careful of is you must be constantly whisking while you're pouring your grits (polenta) into the boiling water.  If you don't, it's going to clump up and won't be pleasant to bite into.  Once you have poured all of your grits into the pot, you can leave it alone and let it simmer so the grains soak up all of the water.  It doesn't get much easier than that.

The addition of milk makes the grits even creamier, and you could of course use whole milk or cream (I just didn't have any on hand).  And the more bacon you put into this recipe, the better it will be.  I mean, come on, everything tastes better with more bacon.  This is a simple recipe but incredibly delicious and the perfect thing to have heated up first thing in the morning.  I highly recommend making a batch right now, it will not disappoint :)

Bacon and Cheese Grits

Serves 2

Prep time: 10 min

Cook time: 10 min

Ingredients

-     ½ c polenta

-     ½ c milk

-     2 tbsp unsalted butter

-     ½ c shredded cheddar cheese

-     5 – 6 strips bacon, cooked and chopped

-     Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Follow the directions on the polenta package to determine how much water should be used (I boiled about 2 cups).  Pour water into medium sized pot and bring to a boil.  Add the polenta to the boiling water and begin whisking immediately to avoid clumping.  Lower heat and bring polenta to a simmer and cover.  When all of the water has been absorbed (about 5 minutes), pour in the milk and stir, leaving to simmer until the milk has been absorbed as well.  Mix in butter and shredded cheese and stir until melted.  Remove from heat and add bacon.  Serve immediately.   

4 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 8:48 AM

A Reflection

I know it's been almost a month since my last post, but this is the first chance I have gotten to breathe since student teaching began.  By now, I am teaching the entire day, as well as bringing the kids to their specials and to lunch.  On Wednesday, I spent almost 12 hours at school in preparation for open house.  I think the hardest thing about teaching is the fact that it is so physically and mentally exhausting.  For 6 hours, I have about 60 kids (between my math, homeroom, and science classes) who are watching my every move, hanging (but not always) on my every word.  I need to find ways to inspire them, to challenge them, and (most importantly) get them to remember the information.  And not just for a test, but teach it in a way that will stick with them for the rest of their academic careers.  When I'm not at school teaching, I'm at home planning units, planning lessons for the next few days, grading tests and projects, and trying to find a job for the summer and the fall.

There are some days I come home and reflect on every little thing that happened that day.  There were some days in which I sat on my couch and thought "I can't do this."  I feel most people do not and cannot understand what teachers must go through until they spend a couple months in their shoes.  I look at my cooperating teacher and I cannot understand how she balances her family, her life outside of school, and the needs of 60 children every day without fail.  I keep telling myself that it's something that comes with time and dedication, but it's so hard not to think I am failing because I am not at that level yet.  When I peek in the rooms of some of the other teachers in the school, I can tell they have been crafting their units for their particular grade for dozens of years.  The care and planning these teachers put into their every day teaching is remarkable and inspiring, and I hope to work towards what they have accomplished.

When you're inundated with planning or problems with students it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I've tried to teach myself to think of something positive that happened each day, whether it's getting a boy with anxiety to complete the writing portion of his test or (much to my pleasant surprise) watching my 5th graders eat up my poetry lessons, which I thought they would hate.  One boy in the class, who struggles in many areas, will pull me aside to show me what he has written for my poetry lessons, his face beaming and his voice getting excited.  It's those moments that I strive to hold on to because it is the reason I want to do this job in the first place.  I want to be that person that inspires 5th grade boys to write poetry and a sarcastic and unruly science class to explore the wonders of the deep ocean.  As my student teaching is coming to a close, I'm trying to sit and reflect on the things I still need to work on in my last two full weeks of student teaching.  I fear that I will not have enough time to develop lessons in which I differentiate instruction or practice different classroom management techniques but I need to remind myself that I will have the rest of my life to perfect these things.  I am not solely limited to my time left in student teaching.  When I first entered my quarter life crisis and was trying to understand what to do with my life, I realized I needed a job that was challenging and always changing.  Teaching is just that, because even if you've been teaching Kindergarten for 35 years you're always going to have a new set of students, with a new set of challenges and things to teach you as well.

I want to be a teacher because I want to inspire others, to help them reach their fullest potential, and to give them the tools they need to succeed.  I want to design lessons that are tailored to students' individual needs, that challenge their critical thinking skills, and that inspire them to do more.  I want to be a role model to students and help guide them through some of the most difficult and rewarding years of their lives.

This post was originally titled "Fried Onion Rings," but I guess I had more to say about the past few weeks than I realized.  This post quickly went from a quick update to keep my readers interested to a deep self-reflection on my student teaching experience.  Thank you for taking the time to read this, I guess the onion rings will have to wait until another day.

3 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 10:14 AM

Super Bowl Party Food (and other fun things)

These past two weeks have been pretty amazing.  They started off terribly, as I had already gotten sick from the kids and was incredibly overwhelmed with the thought of having my own classroom.  As the week wore on I became more comfortable in my new surroundings and confident in the lessons I started to plan.  I start teaching Math on Tuesday (we've just started the Geometry unit) and I couldn't be more excited.  As the weeks press on I'll be getting busier and busier, but I'm thrilled to continue down this path.  

In other fun news, I took a boot camp class on Wednesday.  I found this deal of LivingSocial that was 6 classes for $20.  The studio is about 15 min from my house and I even managed to get one (hopefully 2!) friends to sign up with me!  I consider myself to be in pretty good shape right now since I was able to get in 4 workouts last week (including a 3.3 mi run over the weekend!).  However, this class absolutely destroyed me.  It was a lot of upper body work (including pull ups with only 50 lb resistance!) and core work and my entire body was sore for 3 days.

I'm going back again on Wednesday. 

Seriously, this was such a fun and amazing experience.  If you love pushing your body to its limits I would absolutely suggest signing up for a class.  I learned a lot of great back and arm workouts that I hope to incorporate into my own workout circuits.  

And in other news, it's the Super Bowl this weekend.  Even though my boys didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year (I wore my Saints gear to school on Friday for "Super Spirit Day"), I will be attending a raging Super Bowl party along with every single person on the Eastern Seaboard.  Unlike every other person on the Eastern Seaboard, I will probably be in bed before midnight.  I thought I'd post some super sides and desserts that you can whip up tonight or tomorrow morning before you head to your own Super Bowl party!  Be safe and have fun!

Appetizers and Sides

Palmetto (Pimento) Cheese

Salsa

Zucchini Sticks

Desserts

Red and Blue Funfetti Cake

Cherry Lime Margarita Whoopie Pies

Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies and Royal Icing - the possibilities for this are endless!

3 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 2:29 PM

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life

About two months ago, I was told that today is going to be the first day of the rest of my life.  That's because today is my first day of student teaching.

I've had many mixed reactions from people who went through their student teaching.  Some people loved it while others said it was one of the hardest and most exhausting things they've ever done.  I hope that my experience will be a mix of both.  Student teaching is what you make of it.  You can go in when the kids get there, teach your lessons, and leave when the kids leave.  Or, you can come in early, tutor kids to help them catch up, bring in your own experiences and lessons, and stay after for extra curricular activities.  I really hope to do the latter.  I have been lucky enough to be placed in a school I've loved working in and have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the teachers, students, and parents.

I've also had many mixed reactions about the grade I'll be teaching - 5th grade.  I wanted to be placed in this grade because I want to see if I have what it takes to work with older kids.  I love the challenge that comes with teaching an older crowd and I feel that, like myself, these kids are at such a pivotal point in their life.  They're starting to develop themselves as individuals and will be going through a lot of changes as they advance through middle school.  The begin to discover what their interests are and where they fit in with the rest of the world.  I feel like kids these age need a lot of guidance, and I'm excited at the prospect of getting them ready for middle school.

Unfortunately, it looks like I won't be able to give the blog the attention I have been giving it in the past few weeks.  That doesn't mean I'm going to stop posting, of course, but the posts may be a little less frequent.  I was very fortunate to have a long winter break because it gave me time to decide in what direction I'm going to take the blog this year and store up some posts for the upcoming weeks.  I hope to also share my experience as an up and coming teacher, not just to other teachers but to young professionals in general.  I feel like your quarter life mark is an exhilarating time because it is full of change and new experiences.  Starting from scratch in a new job is always difficult, and I hope to keep inspiring others with my story.

I have really loved watching how much my blog has grown over the past few weeks and I deeply appreciate all of the new followers and reading the comments you have left me.  I love being able to teach others about how to stay active and healthy and yet at the same time sneak in some recipes to indulge in.  I love sharing my story and hearing about your own in all aspects from changing jobs to changing running shoes.  I hope you will continue to follow my journey over these next few trying weeks as I slowly start to discover what it means to be a teacher.

5 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 7:56 AM

Creamy Tomato Sauce

I. love. cream. cheese.  Seriously.  I could eat it with a spoon.  But, I hate cheesecake.  I really do.  I've tried all different types of cheesecakes and I want to like them because they come from cream cheese but to me, cheesecake just tastes like cream cheese gone sour.  I'm sorry, I know it's supposed to be these silky, decadent cake that melts in your mouth but honestly I cannot get over the fact that it tastes like overripe cream cheese.

I'm always thinking of new things to eat with cream cheese, but it normally just comes down to different types of crackers and jellies (which is not a terrible thing, obviously).  Then one day I saw a commercial where a woman was swirling a block of cream cheese into her tomato sauce.  Best pasta sauce ever.  Next time we wanted to make pasta sauce at home, I convinced my mother to let me throw in half a block of cream cheese.  And by convinced I mean strong armed.  As I put in each cube of cream cheese my mother stood behind me making those mother disgruntled sounds and said, "Weight Watchers would not approve.  I should have taken out my portion and let you fatten up your own sauces."

Ok, I don't blame her for getting worked up.  1 oz of cream cheese is worth 3 Weight Watchers points.  Oops.  So don't go having this cream sauce every night.  And that brings me to my next point - Paula Deen.

First, whether or not she has diabetes and how she chooses to live her life knowing that she does have it is her own business.  On the other hand, I understand completely that people are upset because she's a hypocrite and she took that shady endorsement deal.  But she wasn't standing there pretending her food was healthy, she was just dishing out what Food Network was paying her to dish out.  Many of her recipes, like the bacon cheeseburger between two Krispy Kremes and the deep fried cheesecake, are in my opinion just for shock value.  And yeah everything does taste better with butter, but don't go using a whole stick in your mashed potatoes.  A conscientious person should look at her recipes, think "I need to replace that with low fat dairy" or "Is that extra cup of mayonnaise really necessary?" and not just follow her recipes blindly.  And besides, have you seen any of the other shows on Food Network?  This morning I watched the Pioneer Woman whip up 4 sticks of butter to put on her french toast, which she coated in 4 egg yolks and 2 cups of half and half.  Really?  And by the way, this serves 8 people.  What I want you, reader, to take out of this is that you should always read a recipe very carefully before you make it.  See how many servings it makes or if there are any lighter ingredients you can substitute in.  Read the reviews and comments and see how other people have modified a recipe.

Take this recipe for example.  I tried to keep this creamy sauce as light as possible by using a lot of tomatoes and only 4 oz of cream cheese.  And as far as cream sauces are concerned, this sauce is not heavy at all.  It would go really well with any pasta dish or these grilled chicken and mozzarella raviolis that we buy at Costco.  It's definitely an indulgent sauce, but also a treat.  Plus, it's incredibly adaptable, so feel free to tweak the spices to fit your taste.  And again, you could certainly substitute low-fat or reduced-fat cream cheese for regular cream cheese.

I'm not here to bash anyone; I'm as much of a sucker for the Food Network as the next person.  But, I do know the difference between a healthy meal, a once in a while meal, and an avoid at all costs meal.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: life is all about balance.  Balance between the foods you eat, the exercise you get, and the other things that make you feel happy and healthy.

Creamy Tomato Sauce

Yield: 4 cups

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Ingredients

-                2 tbsp olive oil

-                ½ yellow onion, diced

-                2 – 3 cloves garlic, minced

-                1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

-                1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

-                2 tsp oregano

-                2 tsp basil

-                4 oz (1/2 block) cream cheese, cubed

-                salt and pepper, to taste

-                1 (6 oz) can tomato paste (optional*)

Directions

Heat a large pan over medium heat and pour in the olive oil.  Add the onion and sauté until onions are translucent.  Add in the garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, oregano, and basil.  Allow to simmer over medium – low heat for 20 minutes. 

Add in the cream cheese and stir until the cubes are melted and incorporated completely (about 10 min).  Taste and add salt or pepper, if desired.  Serve immediately over pasta or store in the refrigerator. 

*If you find your sauce to be too thin, add in the tomato paste.  If too thick, add water.  

1 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 12:19 PM

What I Ate Wednesday

I've been seeing these pop up around the blogosphere and decided today would be a fun day to partake in one myself, since I actually had a lunch worthy of blogging about.  Weird, I know, but lunch is my least favorite of all meals.  I'm just not creative enough to think up of a good lunch.  But brunch, that is definitely my favorite meal of the day.

Let's start with breakfast, which didn't happen.  I had to get a blood test this morning for a routine check up so I had to miss breakfast.  Terrible.  So for second breakfast I tried one of these.

I had a coupon for a 4-pack of Ensure so I figured why not.  Plus, I thought they would be good to drink on the days that I workout to get that extra protein needed to rebuild my muscles.  The vanilla flavor is alright, but I'd try the chocolate flavor before I get the vanilla again.  And I really don't see myself buying these unless I have a coupon or they're on sale or something.  Not because I'm cheap, but because I don't think they're necessary to drink all of the time (or maybe it's cause I'm cheap...).

For lunch, I decided to eat the food I was photographing.  Two birds with one stone, right?

Chicken with homemade BBQ sauce and cucumber salad.  Recipes to come soon!  Courtesy of Ina Garten.

And finally for dinner, beef stew.  Homemade too.  Although to be honest, I didn't actually eat much of this.  I made some eggs instead.  I just wasn't feeling the stew.

Let's see, what else happened today...

After my doctor's appointment, I headed over to Road Runner Sports to get fitted for some running shoes.  The process was actually pretty awesome.  First, they took a 3D reading of my feet to determine my balance, how much pressure I put on each foot, and whether or not I have high arches.  Well it turns out I have EXTREMELY high arches, and in actuality only my heel and the balls of my feet make contact with the floor.  I had no idea my feet were this bad but it does kind of explain the shin splints, knee problems, and ankle problems.  And it happens that I put more pressure on my left foot rather than my right foot.  So after that, they had me jump on a treadmill and they watched my stride as I jogged barefoot.  When you run, your ankle is supposed to turn in slightly to help your legs take the blow from your foot's contact with the ground.  However, my ankles were overpronating, meaning they leaned in way too much.  The guy suggested I get a shoe with a lot of stability and sent me to one of the sales associates.  After trying on three pairs, I was down to two of them, but one seemed a little tight while the other seemed a little loose.  The sale associate brought out a third pair of shoes as an afterthought and I fell in love.  They were not too tight, but my foot wasn't slipping out of them either.  Plus I already have a Nike+ sensor - now I can finally use it correctly!  I put them on hold and I'm going back on Friday with my mom to get them as an early birthday present :)

The sales associate was trying to convince me to buy the insoles too, but I wasn't really sold on them until she showed me how I ran with and without the insoles.  There was a noticeable difference in how much my ankle leaned in, so I caved and got the insoles.  I figured they would be a good investment, and if I'm going to take my running seriously this year I need to have the right equipment.  Plus you should have seen the video, I can't believe how much my right ankle leans in!

After that, I finally found a pair of black heels that work perfectly for me.  I have been looking for black heels for about a month now, and I finally found a pair that was comfortable and not too tall.  Another good investment in my book.

The rest of the day consisted of getting some work done for student teaching and going to the gym.  My workout session got cut short, however, when the power went out.  Some guys kept working out in the dark and the employees were like "yeah no, you have to stop."

Hope you all enjoyed my first WIAW!  How were your Wednesdays?

Please note that I am not advocating for RRS or DSW, just sharing what I did today.

7 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 8:45 PM

Top 5 Recipes of 2011

I can't believe 2011 is almost over.  In one year, I quit my job, went back to school, finished two semesters, and landed a student teaching position.  It's amazing what can happen in a year, this blog not excluded.  I have had so much fun sharing recipes, workouts, and thoughts with all of you.  I have met some great people and made some pretty extraordinary things I would not have made if it wasn't for this blog.  Writing in this blog has definitely helped me through my quarter life crisis, and I thank all of you for reading along.  I look forward to what 2012 has in store.

I had flip-flopped between calling this the top 5 posts or the top 5 recipes.  From the beginning, I wanted my blog to be a collection of topics, but it seems that this blog is slowly becoming more of a "food blog."  I'm not surprised, actually.  I don't know if I've ever told this story, but I knew something needed to change when I asked my mom, "How do you know when the soup is done?"  Yup, that happened.  After that, I began experimenting with cakes, cupcakes, cookies, dinners, and appetizers/sides.  Finding my way around the kitchen will certainly continue in 2012 as part of navigating through my quarter life crisis, and I hope to bring you a greater number of varied recipes throughout the course of the year.  I also hope to keep up with my running and workout posts, as well as updates on my path to become a teacher.

Honorable mention:  It's My Gym Too!

I had thought to write this post when I was trying to convince my mom to start using the free weights at the back of the gym.  Most women are hesitant to use free weights because (1) they are unsure of how to use them and (2) the back of the gym is filled with giant boys.  I wanted this post to be a starting point for a series of free weight workouts (which there will be more of in 2012!), and I posted this one a few days later.  I hope to continue posting about my running and ventures in the "back of the gym" in the upcoming year and help others find workouts that can get them in the best shape possible.

5.  Butterbeer Cupcakes

I'm not surprised these cupcakes made the list since they were made to mimic a popular drink from the Harry Potter series.  I was incredibly proud of these cupcakes because, even though I got the idea from another source, I adapted my basic white cake recipe to mimic the buttery and butterscotch taste of what I imagine actual butterbeer to taste like.  And I was very happy with the results.

4.  Grilled Pizza

This post was from one of my favorite nights this past summer.  Inspired by a dinner I had at Cape Cod, I invited all of my friends over to make grilled personal pizzas.  Even though it was dark and threatened to rain, everyone had a great time making up their own pizzas.  The pie dough was easy to make and the load was lightened on my end since I asked people to chip in toppings.  This was a great summer party idea and I hope to do it again this coming summer.

3.  Soft Gingerbread Cookies (Nana Cookies)

I think this is my favorite recipe from this year.  I had set out to find a recipe for soft gingerbread cookies that tasted just like my Nana's cookies.  After adapting a recipe I had found on Two Peas and Their Pod, I had come across the perfect recipe that brought me back to my grandmother's house in Connecticut.  Not only did I love the taste and texture of these cookies, but I made about 70 of them this past month and was able to share them with family and friends.  Even though these are traditionally Christmas-time cookies, I know I'll be making these throughout 2012.

2.  Butterscotch Whoopie Pies

To be honest, I didn't expect this recipe to make top 5, let alone take 2nd place.  I think this post was so popular because I included a tutorial on how to make whoopie pies using a piping bag.  And honestly, who doesn't love whoopie pies?  These came out so delicious and I'll actually have a new whoopie pie recipe to post within the first few days of 2012!

1.  Shrimp and Grits for Pat

I think the reason this recipe was the most popular was because of the story that went with it.  One reason I loved this blog is it has allowed me to share every part of my quarter life crisis, both the good and the bad.  Making this dish and sharing my story was incredibly helpful during my recovery and I thank all of you for spreading my story and taking it to heart.

I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year's filled with friends and family.  See you guys next year ;)

6 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 9:58 AM

Soft Gingerbread Cookies (Nana Cookies)

My grandparents passed away when I was young, but I'm lucky enough to have strong memories of them still.  I was also lucky enough to have my grandparents relatively close to me, so we were able to see them often.  I can still see my mother's parents' house in my mind, from the separate beds the two of them slept in to the pool table and slot machine in the basement.  The one thing I will always remember of my mother's mother is her cookies.  None of us ever really knew what was in those cookies, so we always called them Nana cookies.  And whenever we walked through the door of my grandparents' house, there would always be a container of Nana cookies waiting for us.  I'm pretty sure I also stuffed my face with about three or four before Nana put them away.  It's comforting to know that some things never change.

After Nana passed away, I didn't have those cookies again.  My aunt apparently has the recipe, but she said she's never been able to recreate them.  Once, my mom got some cookies from a coworker and she swore they tasted just like the Nana cookies, but I never got a chance to try them.  I had figured out years ago that Nana cookies were some sort of gingerbread cookies, but I never really understood how she made them so soft.  And besides, they didn't have that strong spice taste that many gingerbread cookies have.

Seeing the myriad of cookie posts in the blogs I follow brought back memories of these Nana cookies.  I made sure to really read the recipe for every ginger cookie I saw, but nothing really sounded right.  Finally, I came across a recipe by Maria of Two Peas and Their Pod.  I mean honestly, why didn't I think to check Maria's site first?  Her cookies even looked like the Nana cookies (except for the white chocolate chunks) and seemed to have the right texture and ingredients.  Plus, Maria knows her cookies, so any cookie recipe of hers couldn't be bad.  I bookmarked it and decided I would give it a try.

I cut the recipe in half and replaced the granulated sugar with brown sugar since I remember Nana's cookies being darker and richer than the ones listed here.  I also increased the amount of molasses.  This definitely made the cookie very rich, but it was not too sweet.  Plus, I think it helped balance out the intense taste you get from most gingersnap cookies.  When I opened the Tupperware container the next morning I was immediately transported back into my grandmother's kitchen - brown tiled floors and all.  I knew I got the recipe right.  I really loved these cookies for so many reasons and I know I will be making them again to share with my mom's side of the family for Christmas.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies (Nana Cookies)

Yield: about 3 dozen cookies

Prep time: 20 min          Bake time: 10 min

Ingredients

-                2 c + 2 tbsp flour

-                1 ¼ tsp baking soda

-                ½ tsp salt

-                ½ tsp cinnamon

-                ½ tsp ground cloves

-                ½ tsp ground ginger

-                ½ c unsalted butter

-                ½ c brown sugar

-                1/3 c molasses

-                1 tbsp canola oil

-                ½ tsp vanilla extract

-                1 large egg

-                granulated sugar, for rolling cookie dough balls

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

In a bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and spices.  Set aside

In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and the sugar.  Beat in the molasses, oil, vanilla extract, and egg until completely combined.  Add in the dry mix about 1 c at a time and combine completely after each addition.

Scoop dough into balls and roll in granulated sugar.  Place on baking sheet and bake in oven for about 10 minutes.  Remove baking sheets from oven and allow cookies to cool on sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. 

Adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod

4 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 10:20 PM

Thanksgiving Thoughts

I really do love Thanksgiving.  My family keeps things relatively small since my aunts, uncles, and cousins live all over the country and my grandparents passed away years ago.  My mother's brother lives in Westchester, but we usually get together with them for Christmas.  Thanksgiving is spent at home with way too much food for four people and a voracious Golden Retriever.  It's nice not having to worry about getting the house ready or making a ton of food for a family of 13.  I can go an run a 5K in the morning and make a pecan pie at 12 in the afternoon.  The only thing you have to worry about is keeping Shadow off of the table ;)

I am thankful for so many things in my life, I don't even know where to begin.  I'm thankful to have parents that support and provide for me while I'm trying to navigate my way through my early twenties.  I'm thankful to have a brother that I can call a best friend, which I know many siblings cannot do.  I'm thankful for Shadow, who loves me unconditionally, is always happy to see me, and shows me how to be a fighter.

I'm thankful for all of my friends, old and new.  I am thankful for those friends that I don't talk to regularly but when we get together neither of us can stop talking about our lives.  I'm thankful for events like Alumni Weekend and Wildwood that allow me to connect with old friends that I do not get to see that often because of the distance between us.  I'm thankful for girlfriends I can squeal with and go shopping with and I'm thankful for guy-friends I can joke around and make a fool of myself with.  I am thankful for the people in my life that enrich my mind, listen to my issues, keep my secrets, and share my beliefs and values.  I hope to tell people that more often this holiday season.

It still hurts, but I am thankful for the time I had with Pat and for being able to call him a friend.  I'm thankful for the photos we took together, the ultimate we played together, and the trips we went on.  After all of this is over, I'm thankful to have the memories of our time together.

I'm thankful for this body that can run 5Ks in under 30 minutes and play ultimate all weekend.  I'm thankful for these hands that can craft, cook and bake, and write in this blog so I can share my story with everyone.

I'm thankful for everything I have learned while at Ramapo College, and for being able to get into the program at the last minute.  I am thankful for Michael who helped me through a very difficult time in my life.  I am thankful for having been able to go into classrooms and see methods and theories put into action.  And right now, I am so thankful to the Board of Ed and the people at Woodside who got me a student teaching position in a 5th grade class.

I feel like to say I'm blessed is sort of cheesy, and I feel like to say I'm lucky would be a jinx.  So I am just going to say I'm thankful to everyone (including my readers!) who have helped me become the person I am today.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

3 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 12:03 PM

It's My Gym Too!

So I know I've been a little negligent of the blog ever since school started (my posts went from 14 per month to 5!).  Since school started up again, I've been insanely busy during the week working part time, going to school full time, tutoring, and doing field work in a local school.  I also feel like since I don't have time to bake and exercise as much any more I don't really have too many things to talk about.  October is my favorite month so hopefully I will have many things to post about apples, pumpkins, changing leaves, and baseball.  October also means colder weather and usually rain, so towards the end of the month I end up spending more time in the gym working on my conditioning than running outside.  So I thought that maybe a good way to kick off the month would be to do a series on conditioning workouts.  I got this idea from my mother, actually, when she asked me to take her to the gym to show her how to use the free weights.

I feel like the set up is the same in every gym - the free weights are always in the back, lined up against a wall that is just one giant mirror.  There are a few benches, but they're usually occupied by boys about twice your size, wearing shirts without sleeves that show way too much of their armpit (I mean seriously, did you rip off the sides of your shirt with your sleeves?).  I can understand where my mom was coming from - for women, it can be a very intimidating place, especially for people who have never used the free weights before.

My mom, like many women, chooses to use the machines that guide your workouts for you using pulleys rather than brave the free weights in the back of the gym.  However, you get a better workout with free weights because it engages not just the muscle you are targeting, but all of the muscles around it that help you lift or pull the weight.  Think about it, when you're at a machine doing bicep curls, your arms are resting on cushions, you're sitting on your butt, and the only thing you have to concentrate on is keeping your wrists straight.  However, imagine standing with a 5 lb free weight in each hand, keeping your core tight to support the weight in your hands and your forearms and triceps engaged to help your bicep bring the free weight up close to your shoulder.  So instead of just working out your biceps, you're also improving your posture by creating a stronger core and getting a slight workout in all of the other muscles of your arms as well.

If you go to a gym like mine, the free weight section is primarily geared towards men.  The free weights on the bench go up to 225 lbs, and the 5, 10, and 12.5 lb free weights are usually on the floor in a corner.  The boys are usually there in packs, with each of them taking up a bench even if they're not working out.  It's frustrating and intimidating and hard to get past but I want you to because believe me once you get past those boys in the back of the room and start focusing on you and your workout, you'll instantly fall in love with working out with free weights and never go back to those machines again.  My mom has barely used the machines since I showed her an arm circuit.

So when you go to the back of the room here are a few things I want you to remember.
- Be confident - you have a right to use the free weights too.
- Be polite - if the boys are in your way, just say "excuse me," especially if they're just hanging out and talking.  Make your presence known and don't be afraid to ask for a bench if they're just using it to hold their protein shake.
- Focus on you - believe me, that's what the other boys in the gym are doing too.  You're here for your workout, so don't even think about the workouts the other people are doing.  And everyone started somewhere.  Who cares if you're using 3 lb weights?  This is your workout tailored to fit your needs, you'll get stronger with practice.

Next time when I post an arm circuit, I want you all to remember this post when heading to the back of the gym.  Until then!

4 comment(s)

Posted by Ali B at 9:56 AM