WIAW busy day

Considering how leisurely my summer has been going, today was quite the busy day. With school starting so soon, things are really picking up, and I'm getting excited! And nervous and overwhelmed and anxious...

but mostly excited!

So check it. While I still have the time!

Thanks, Jenn, for the highlight of my week!

7:00 alarm goes off. 

Kind of early, but no biggie, I had been up for a while. I having trouble sleeping lately, and I have no idea why. Boo.

Morning started with some hot lemon water and blog reading while I waited for the water to work it's magic. TMI? 

 This was followed soon after with Breakfast (7:30ish): apple, protein frosting/dip, Ezekiel sprinkled with a little natural sugar and cinnamon pre-toasting. Yummy

After digesting, I headed out for my workout (8:30ish): 

just over 4 miles in  ~47 min- I've been doing intervals running 10min, walking, run 10 min etc
then I did some oblique/ab workout I found somewhere. sorry I don't remember

Enter shower, random compulsive cleaning, list making, and dressing, and I was off!

With my snack in hand: 

 Smoothie consumed en route too...

A teacher's mecca! So many supplies and posters and manipulatives and resouces!

Unless, you're a spanish teacher. Then, this is all you get.

My one measly end cap. I did get a few books of stickers and some stamps. And I also got some board trim, but it was a bummer to see how small of a section my content has. Oh, well it just means I had to get craft!

I totally flaked on getting a pic of my lunch, but this bad boy salad was incredible. And, it included avocado, happy eggs, and tofu. Two sources of both healthy fat and protein in one bowl!? Who is this girl!

 

Lunch desert was mighty tasty too: Ezekiel tortilla with PB and strawberries.

After some vacuuming and poster creating, afternoon snack.

Too many handfuls of these awesome spiced pumpkin seeds, and a lentil rice veggie burger. My appetite was weird today.

 Oh just some proof that actual work was done today.

And then, Dinner

 Soba noodle bowl covered in sauteed broccoli, zucchini, and tofu.

And, naturally, dessert

Classic cocoa oats topped with PB.

Tomorrow is going to be filled with some major classroom decorating and organizing! Can't wait to make that place feel like my own!

¡Salud!

~ Rach

Getting Real

Well, sh!t's gettin real in first-year-teacher world!

It seems with every step in this process, I get overwhelmed and begin questioning myself all over again.

First, student teaching. Then, the Praxises (Praxi?). Then, the OPI and WPT (the speaking and writing Spanish exams). Then, the interview process. Then, signing the contract. Then, starting curriculum planning...

Now, getting into my classroom!

I went to the school today for the official tour and some info about upcoming events and... drumroll, please... the keys to my room!

This is it from the door. As you can tell by the chalkboards, it's an older school, but the front wall is all whiteboards and that is a projector hanging from the ceiling, so that's a plus. I also love that the whole back wall is windows. They will come in handy during the hotter months since my room is in the part of the building without air conditioning.

This board by the door is where I plan on putting a monthly calendar, bienvenidos sign, hall passes, and bellwork sheets. 

Hung my alfabeto strip that my cooperating teacher donated above the far side board, and I plan on hanging a bunch of posters and art on some paper covering the board. I have a deep hatred for chalk and chalkboards, so I won't really miss it, and it's not in a convenient place to write on anyway since students will be sitting right next to it.

The front board that will actually get some usage.

Other side of the room. Not sure if both of those tables will be staying or not.

Definitely have some work to do getting it organized and "cutified" (?) how I want it, but I am so happy to have my own room to run how ever I want.

The previous teacher also left me all of his materials for each unit. Seriously, all of them. This is also a little overwhelming, too, because I have to sort through everything and see what I want to use.

Oy vey, I have a lot of work ahead of me. A whole lifetime's worth! I guess this is what it means to have a career.

So this is the before. Stay tuned for the after shot!

Here's to getting ready and getting set!
Salud!
~ Rach

need a change

Recently, I have felt like I am living in a body that isn't my own. Or, maybe, I have just become out of touch with what my body needs... again.

See, lately, I have been a carb and sugar monster. Somewhat like this guy, only far less jolly.

source

Even when I am sure to get enough of the good stuff (fruit, veggies, proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, enough calories) I find myself craving, and ultimately stuffing my face with refined, processed crap any chance I get. If there's cereal and soy milk, you bet I ate 4 bowls. If there's a loaf of bread, you know I ate 3 pieces strait up. Did it taste that good? No. Could I have just eaten on serving? Sure, I could have. But, would I have been satisfied? Nope.

At my apartment, I don't really keep this stuff around, so it's not as much of a problem. But, when I'm not at my place, like this weekend when I was babysitting in a house full of all that stuff, I seem to have no control.

I get mad and frustrated with myself, I obsess, and I beat myself up. Just like I did before.

However, I am not the weak girl I was before. I have learned what my body needs, and I made a decision:

Here's where it stops. I can't get back into this self-defeating pattern. Time to do some reflecting and listening to my body. It's trying to tell me something, and I need to stop trying to discount that.

I came to a conclusion. I am craving carbs and sugar because my body is missing something. I have been feeling like this a lot recently. Like the meals that used to be so satisfying and would keep me full for hours just aren't cutting it anymore. I have been ending every meal feeling like I need something else, and recently, that something has been overly processed crap. I should be able to be in a room with a bag of pita chips without feeling like I need to eat half of it.

I am a lot more active than I used to be. Working out has become part of my daily routine in a way that it never was before. I love combining cardio with strength workouts. My day doesn't feel complete with out a good sweat sesh. And, maybe, my body needs more.

In the past, I would have just immediately outlawed the stuff I have been snacking on. Just told myself "no more". But this isn't the past, and rather than going with my instinct to cut things out of my diet, I have been thinking about what I should add in. It's a terrifying thought for me, but I know that I need to do something different. 

I miss that clean energized feeling I had when I first transitioned to a vegan diet, and I want it back.

As I reflected on the way I have been feeling lately, my mind kept coming back to one thing. Eggs. They were one of my favorite foods before I adopted a vegan diet. I can't even tell you how many Spanish tortillas I ate during my study abroad. They are filling, high in protein, chock full of healthy fat and for me, have great staying power.

So, I have decided to reintroduce eggs into my diet. However, I can only even imagine eating happy eggs from happy chickens. This means I will only eat the organic, free-range, grass-fed eggs that I spend $6 on. And only at home. I know that restaurants aren't spending the big bucks on happy eggs.

source

To be honest, I do feel like a little bit of a failure with this decision. Like I'm not sticking to my morals by adding the eggs back into my diet. But, I know that the most important thing is to listen to my body and make sure that it is getting everything it needs. I am still extremely passionate about the benefits of a vegan diet, but I am not sure the label and the strict rules are something that I need right now. I am focussing on health and well-being, and the pressure of being the "vegan girl" might just be too much right now. Maybe I'll call myself "vegan*" (with the asterisk notating that there is more to the story- check the foot notes).

My plan is to buy some eggs and test the waters. See how my energy levels compare, how my appetite feels, and see if this is the right move. It's all about figuring out what I need, and what better time than the present, right?

So, here to needed changes, and powering through them even if they might be uncomfortable.

~ Rach

Mini Vacay

This weekend past Wednesday and Thursday, I took my first mini-trip of the summer. Big elaborate vacations are a thing of the past, and I am stretching my money this summer by taking 2 little trips to see friends from college.

This first was to the exciting city of Cleveland. I know, very exotic.

It was a blast, though!

Wednesday... CEDAR POINT!!

hearty breakfast and road sustenance

There it is! I hadn't been there for maybe 10 years!

Ash (our host) and Erin

excuse the super shiny, in line shot. the crew: Erin, me, Allie, and Ash

dinner was at Applebee's. Yes, that is Chipotle, which I brought in to Applebee's. Classy. Note to self, Applebee's is about as vegan-friendly as a hog roast.

 Thursday... Great Lakes Brewery!!! This one had been on my list for a while.

Allie and Ash ready for some amazing brews!

So glad Val could join us!!!

 Naturally, we started out with a flight. Had to sample all the offerings, and they were all mighty tasty.

 We split an order of the pretzels...

 And I ordered their vegan burger (yes, that's what it was called on the menu), minus the bun, add pub fries and extra pickle. Heaven on a plate.

Cheers! I went with "rye of the tiger". Delicious!

Overall, it was an amazing couple of days, and pretty cost effective since we were staying at Ashley's house. I am so glad I could not only knock a couple Ohio sites off my bucket list, but see some ladies that I hadn't seen since graduation. I can only hope that we do this kind of thing pretty regularly. Gotta stay connected!!

Here's to enjoying the summer... while it's still around!
~ Rach

Chicago and the Doobie Brothers

This weekend, my whole family went to the Chicago and Doobie Bros concert that I bought my dad for Fathers Day! It was a big thank you for everything he has done for me, especially in the last year.

Let me tell you, it was a blast!

The night started out at the broski's house (his part of the gift) with a little cookout, and a couple of beers.

I started out the night with a sentimental, college throw back... that was quickly replaced about halfway through with a much tastier and far classier, Stella Artois.

We did burers on the grill, and buried under that pile of jalapeños, tomato and pickle is a Boca vegan burger. The condiments are necessary to make it taste less carboardy. Everything was also promptly covered in salsa and mustard.

Good family time: Mom and dad loading up their plates, me and my bro's GF who might as well already be part of the family, me and my friend-date for the night (who I actually came friends with through the brother and is always my date at things like this... you know, because I can't seem to find my own dates haha), and the obligatory pic of the pup, Jolene, since my bro refused pics at this point.

After dinner, we headed to Riverbend for the concert where, naturally some shenanigans continued:

Some photo bombing

Some dancing

please ignore my platypus feet...awkward

Some lovin'

Ah there's the Bro/Sis pic I was looking for

get a room!

 It was an amazing night! Perfect weather, great music, awesome company. Who knew I could have so much fun with the family!? Oh yea, I did! Nothing is more important, and I am so blessed to have a family that is so close and genuinely like spending time together!

Here's to cherishing the love of family!
~Rach

Fitness Frenzy

I usually don't go into too much specifics when it comes to fitness. Honestly, I don't really consider myself much of an athlete, and I feel like a bit of a faker trying to talk about it. What is that about?

Also, my workouts aren't that interesting or exciting. You know, I'll run a couple slow miles, or do one of my fave DVDs, or go to a group fitness class. But that's nothing exciting.

However, in the past few days, I have had some entertaining fitness experiences, so I figured why not relive them here!

1)New Running Route!
From last Saturday till Tuesday, I was back in my home town babysitting/house-sitting for some family friends. I tried to keep up my normal morning workouts, and did pretty well. Running in my neighborhood, though, still makes me feel all awkward and nervous. I wanted to run, but not around the area.

So, I finally bit the bullet and bought a year pass to the county park nearby! I have always wanted to run the 2 mile bike path that goes around the lake, but the $10 expense was something I didn't want to sacrifice in y post-gad budget. I know, $10 isn't that much, but that could also feed me for 2days!

Well, I did it, and it was worth every penny! I ran there 3 times while I was home and loved every second. I did the path either 2 or 3 times, and found myself continuously running way longer thanI expected with how hilly the path is. But with these views, how can you not?

source

not my kids

2. Locked myself out of the car

After one of these amazing runs, I managed to lock my keys and cell in the car. Only me, I swear. A nice old man let me borrow his phone to call my dad (and waited for him to get there and unlock the car- probably because he thought I was a barely-16 yr old), but my dad was about 25 min away.

In the meantime, I did a little strengthening workout. Me, the girl who 2 years ago claimed to hate working out, used a little spare time to get even sweatier and look ridiculous doing squats, lunges, and planks in the grass next to the parking lot. 

I did a little leg circuit (3xs):

• 20 plié quats
• 20 bench lunges (right, then left) obviously, the picnic table came in handy here
• 30 calf raises (nuetral)
• 30 calf raises (turned out in relevé)

Then a little core circuit (3xs)

• 20 spiderman plans (10 each leg)
• 20 rolling T side planks
• 2 min plank

Man, oh man this little workout left me sore the next day! It hurt so good!

3. I got Zumba certified yesterday!!!!!

 This is the biggest news by far. I have been wanting to do it for the last 2 years and never had the cahoonas to do it. Well, in the spring (when I was still in school and had a little extra money to blow) I registered for the Basic 1 training.

Yesterday, I spent 9 hours learning, dancing, sweating, and having a great time! I really do love Zumba, and I am so excited to say that I am a certified instructor now!

bright gear was a must. Although, I missed the legging memo. I think I was the only one there in shorts, but it was hella hot, so I was ok with it!

The studio that hosted the training.

Oh yea, that's official, baby!

  I have no immediate plans to start teaching anywhere. I kind of feel like that would be a bad idea on top of my first year of teaching. I do have this dream of starting an after school class program at my job for the teachers and students and parents. Who knows, maybe after a couple months, I'll be able to start something up! 


Here's to fitness fiascos and feats, and to having a good time through all of it!
~ Rach