Hasselback Chicken

     If you've read any of my previous recipes, you know that chicken is a common protein in my house.  Unfortunately, chicken can get rather redundant and boring.  Here's an easy twist on simple baked chicken breast.

Hasselbeck Chicken

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
2-3 slices of deli meat (I used turkey breast)
2-3 tablespoons of shredded cheese (I used Mexican blend)
2 tablespoons light or low fat mayo
Salt and pepper, to taste
Teaspoon each of garlic powder and dried parsley

Directions:
     Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place chicken breasts onto a greased baking sheet.  Using a pairing knife, make three to four slits in the top of each breast.  You want them deep enough to fill but not all the way through.  Fill each slit with cheese and deli meat.
     In a small bowl, combine mayo and seasonings.  Spread mixture over each chicken breast.  Bake, uncovered for 20 minutes.  Enjoy!

Hasselbeck chicken served with green beans and tomatoes and brown rice with spinach.

Bad Case of the Stripes

     Each year, I try to incorporate some character education within my reading and writing curriculum.  I feel that it's a lost subject in today's high-rigor schools.  What I do is very simple and takes maybe 20 minutes every couple of weeks (the goal is twice a month but sometimes that just doesn't happen).  I find a read aloud that has a message; sometimes these are broad, other times I target misbehavior occurring within the classroom (bullying, stealing, tattle-telling, etc.).  After reading and discussing, I plan a simple activity to post in the room and then send home.  We refer back to this activities if needed.  It's amazing ho powerful these little things are and it really builds a strong classroom community!
     This particular activity is great for the beginning of the year.  It's a read aloud of David Shannon's Bad Case of the Stripes.  The moral of this story is to be yourself no matter what the people around you are doing.  This is a well-loved story and the kids really get into it!  I've found that if the teacher is 100% invested, the kids will by-in quickly and the activity will stick.  I completed this activity a month or so ago and my third graders still say things like, "Remember that Camilla was scared at first" or "Don't forget to be yourself even if you really do like lima beans."  It's awesome!
     After reading, I had the kids write about a time they had to "be themselves" even though it was against what other's were doing.  I went around and took each student's picture (just a head shot).  I printed them out in black and white.  The kids, then, gave themselves dots, stripes, spots, etc.  We created a bulletin board with a quote from the story.
     I loved teaching this activity and I loved watching my class learn and grow as whole children!  I will definitely continue planning these activities, no matter how crazy busy our schedules get.  Look for more updates :)

"When Camilla stops trying to please everyone else and isn't afraid to be who she really is, her bad case of stripes goes away."

Get off me bro! At-Home ideas for fleas...

     With any four-legged friend comes the pesky flea.  Well, today, I've had enough!  Recently, Maverick (our five year old German Shepard mix) has come down with a bad case of the fleas...and yes, that's a reference to the David Shannon book that only teacher-people will understand.  I wish that the simple lima bean was the answer, like in the story, but unfortunately, with fleas, it's never that easy.
     Now, first and foremost, I'm by no means an expert in the art of flea removal...I'm just sharing my experience.  Also, I do take Mav to the vet regularly and he is on monthly flea and heartworm protection.  Lastly, my pup is special...in the sense that he's my dog.  I would never do anything intentionally to hurt him.  We are also very close (just ask my husband!).  We did (Maverick and I) have a conversation about the fleas and what I was going to try.  I know I'm a weirdo but that's my business!
     Moving forward, I decided that I had to try something.  His September dosage of flea prevention didn't last the entire month and I can't just re-up half way through (too many chemicals).  So until then, I did some research and found several different things that I can do around the house to alleviate some of the itching and irritation.  [I looked at several different online sources, so I posted the links at the bottom if you're interested.]
     One of the most important things for keeping you and your pets healthy is cleaning.  Mind-blowing, I know!  My husband and I have a great routine of weekly cleaning every Sunday.  It's the best way for us to get all of the housework done within our crazy schedules.  Bathing the pup, vacuuming, and laundry (sheets, blankets, dog bed, etc.) are what I found to be essential in flea removal/prevention.  Makes complete sense and you're probably already doing it!
     Another thing that is complete common sense...but often overlooked (in my case, specifically)...is the outside environment.  We live in a complex with a lot of nature.  This is awesome for the view and dog walking ability, but not so great for flea prevention.  These pesky critters live in tall grass and bushes waiting to grab a hold of the pup.  There are several things you could do.  One is to avoid walking in woods and areas with tall grass.  I've also seen doggie socks that can shield your pup's legs from unwanted hitchhikers.  Lastly, you can wipe down your pet's legs when they come inside from walking or playing in grassy places.  This will help knock off any bugs or, even, bacteria that may have joined your dog.
     Another thing I decided to try is a "lemon brush."  This one's easy and has multiple benefits!  Fleas are known for being sensitive to citrus.  They are repelled by the smell.  The lemony freshness is also great for doggie odors!  Simply make a lemon water solution...two lemons sliced in water with a dash of salt.  After a hard boiling and steeping, cool your water and store in the refrigerator.  I use a sponge and rub Maverick down with the lemon water twice a day (once before I leave for work and once before I go to bed).  
     The last thing I decided to try is mixing apple cider vinegar is his food.  I do a teaspoon of ACV with two tablespoons of wet dog food and 1 1/2 cups of dry food...once for breakfast and once for dinner.  I was worried that Maverick wouldn't eat it because of the vinegar smell, but, surprisingly, he gobbled it right up!
     Today completes a week with these remedies and we have definitely noticed some changes.  The number of fleas spotted on Maverick has significantly decreased.  I can not say that he's flea-free but it is working marvelously.  I will continue these routines since none of them are chemical based or harmful.  The only thing that we're still struggling with is the dry and itchy skin.  I'll get back to you on that!

Here are the links of some of the websites I found:
http://everydayroots.com/flea-remedies
http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_multi_flea_control
http://analilscorner.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/flea-and-tick-remedies-for-dogs-part-2/