Just Another Manic Monday

From the minute my alarm goes off, my mind starts scrolling through my day...like a rolodex. When it gets to the end, it starts over and just keeps going. The good thing is, that I usually remember to take everything with me that I need for the day. But, sometimes, I forget to eat Breakfast, but I have a friend at school that provides me with treats (thanks, Karren!).

Today in 'Fitness for Life' we made Whole Wheat Soft Pretzels...for dipping, we had Nacho Cheese Sauce and Pizza Sauce... we compared the Nutrition Facts Labels...more on that tomorrow!


Whole Wheat Soft Pretzels
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 1/3 c. warm water (105-115 degrees)
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 1/2 to 3 c. flour
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 2 lg. baking sheets. In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water and stir until yeast is dissolved. Gradually stir in sugar, salt and enough flour until a soft, sticky dough forms. Turn onto a well-floured board. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes, adding flour as needed.
Cut dough into 12 equal size pieces. With floured hands, Roll back and forth to form a dough rope that is 15" long. Place on baking sheet and cross ends over to create the pretzel shape.
Prepare egg wash with
1 egg
1 tbsp. water
Brush on pretzels and sprinkle with course salt. Bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Due today...

As teachers, we are required to hand in our written plan for annual evaluation. That was due today. (Thanks again, Karren, for having the forms!) Since this is my 30th year teaching, I think it fitting to focus on technology. Thus, I have created my own teacher website, if you're interested, you can check that out here http://ng028.k12.sd.us/ . I hope to add new links each term, as I teach different courses. Before pre-registration in December, I would like to link the other FACS teachers' course descriptions so that students and parents can make more informed choices.

Also due today...

The only craft festival that we do locally is Winterfest, and that application was due today. Most of it was complete...the descriptions, the signatures, the check, and the digital photos. I just needed to pull it togehter and drop it off. A photo of our booth set-up was required. I ran across this one. When she was in High School, our DD#2 would sit in our booth with me on Sundays. Here we are...ready for customers!

Speaking of Darling Daughters...DD#1 called yesterday and was not feeling well. I have been thinking about her today, too, hoping she feels up to going to classes.

How was school today?

My first block class is Fitness for Life. I have been team teaching this with one of the PE teachers for 7 years now. It is an amazing concept. The students meet every other day with the PE teacher and work out...weights, cardio, games...the idea is to find activities that they enjoy, that can become a part of their lifestyle.
Then every other day they come to my Foods room to discuss Nutrition and making good choices. This week we made a Blender Drink and Whole Wheat Pancakes.

Orange Drink

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup lowfat milk

1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

10 - 12 ice cubes
Place first 5 ingredients in blender and whirl. Add ice and blend until desired consistency.

The pancakes seemed to be a hit. Well, especially since we start our at at 8:10 a.m. I did search through several recipes. Teenagers are not all fond of eating products that are too whole grainy. This recipe used both white and whole wheat flour, so good for gluten development and has the whole grain goodness!

Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 Tablespoon sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 to 2 cups lowfat milk

2 Tablespoons melted butter
Directions
Makes 4-6 large pancakes. Combine the dry ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients and stir into the dry ingredients. Cook on a griddle or in a nonstick skillet, over medium-low heat. (If the griddle's too hot, the outside will burn before they're ready to be flipped.)

Number of Servings: 6