Teacher Planner

With my new found big girl job I have been on the hunt for the perfect teacher planner. This has actually been a bit of a struggle. As a Spanish teacher I teach EVERY class in EVERY grade (in the lower school). So instead of having a new lesson plan each day I will really only need one a week but for each different level. For example, if there are five kindergarten classes I will see ONE each day. Whew...how do you plan for that? That is over a million bajillion kids!

Of course I went to Erin Condren to look at her ideas...no lie I had been praying for a job in May because I knew that she was doing a big teacher discount for May :)

Low and behold she had what I was looking for!

Aside from being able to pick your own front cover there are loads of goodies inside! From an information sheet for substitute teachers to seating charts to extra list pages to keep track of students and grades (I ordered extra pages to make sure I had enough). I also got extra notepads tacked onto the end so I could jot down notes to students and/or parents. Click HERE for Erin Condren's site! I canNOT wait to get mine in the mail!!!!!

Wine Wednesday

Ladies and Gentleman, it is official...I have a new favorite wine! Her name is Meditrina and she is a red table wine (my favorite kind). On her super adorable website you can find all sorts of info on where to purchase!

Since it is a red table wine it has a mixture of different grapes. It also has a fruity tone to it which I of course LOVE!

Maybe I am biased because it has a big ole curly M on it but man oh man is this wine good! I got it from a sweet friend on my birthday and have not stopped drinking it since! At around $15 a bottle it is a perfect gift for anyone who is a wine lover :) I know that Heights Wine and Spirits carries it for all you Little Rockians. So go try some! NOW! I'll pretend it is Friday if you do :)

Healthy Ruebens

After starting my health kick I am back on the path of searching for ways to still eat my favorite foods but in a healthier way! Last night I had a Rueben and got the dressing on the side. But I can't help wondering how I could make it even healthier! I stumbled across this recipe from My Recipes (and originally came from Cooking Light!) for a Turkey Rueben. Their recipe reduces what can normally be a 600 calorie sandwich (like the one pictured on the left) to 255 per serving (the one below)!! What gives? Using the turkey for one, and of course using Fat Free 1000 island dressing-which really tastes quit good, reduced fat cheese and lots of mustard!

The more I make things at home the more I realize that I can make them good for me! Be prepared for a homemade/tweaked version of this recipe to come!

Here is the original recipe that can by found HERE!

Photo by: Randy Mayor

Turkey Reuben Sandwiches

Smoked turkey stands in for corned beef in this lightened variation of a deli favorite. Serve with a pickle wedge and chips.

Cooking Light OCTOBER 2006

• Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 sandwich)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 8 slices rye bread
• 4 (1-ounce) slices reduced-fat, reduced-sodium Swiss cheese (such as Alpine Lace)
• 8 ounces smoked turkey, thinly sliced
• 2/3 cup sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup fat-free Thousand Island dressing
• 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided

Preparation

Spread about 3/4 teaspoon mustard over each bread slice. Place 1 cheese slice on each of 4 bread slices. Divide turkey evenly over cheese. Top each serving with 2 1/2 tablespoons sauerkraut and 1 tablespoon dressing. Top each serving with 1 bread slice, mustard sides down.

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 sandwiches to pan; top with another heavy skillet. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden; remove sandwiches from pan, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and sandwiches.

Nutritional Information

Amount per serving

• Calories: 255
• Calories from fat: 38%
• Fat: 10.7g
• Saturated fat: 4.8g
• Monounsaturated fat: 3.9g
• Polyunsaturated fat: 1.5g
• Protein: 19.6g
• Carbohydrate: 18.9g
• Fiber: 3.4g
• Cholesterol: 44mg
• Iron: 0.7mg
• Sodium: 865mg
• Calcium: 311mg