On Our Way to Spain and Portugal!

On July 19, Marc and I took off from New York and began our journey to Spain and Portugal!  Over the next few posts, I'm going to be documenting our trip so you can see all the amazing sites from our eyes!

Goodbye, New York!

Zucchini Lasagna

My mom gave me a bunch of zucchini from her garden the other day and the first thing I thought about making was a zucchini quiche. So delicious! It looked something like this:

I'll post the recipe soon! :-)

I know that my mom will be sending more and more bags of fresh vegetables to my house again soon, so I started scouring my favorite blogs for new recipes.

I landed on this one: Zucchini Lasagna from Skinny Taste blog. I can't wait to try it this week!

Zucchini Lasagna
Skinnytaste.com 
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8 • Old Points: 8 pts • Points+: 9 pts
Calories: 345 • Fat: 17 g • Carbs: 16 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 36 g • Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 801 (without salt) 

Ingredients:  

• 1 lb 93% lean beef
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
• 15 oz part-skim ricotta
• 16 oz part-skin mozzarella cheese, shredded (Sargento)
• 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
• 1 large egg

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan, brown meat and season with salt. When cooked drain in colander to remove any fat. Add olive oil to the pan and saute garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30-40 minutes, covered. Do not add extra water, the sauce should be thick.

Meanwhile, slice zucchini into 1/8" thick slices, add lightly salt and set aside or 10 minutes. Zucchini has a lot of water when cooked, salting it takes out a lot of moisture. After 10 minutes, blot excess moisture with a paper towel.

On a gas grill or grill pan, grill zucchini on each side, until cooked, about 1-2 minutes per side. Place on paper towels to soak any excess moisture.

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well. 

In a 9x12 casserole spread some sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover. Then place some of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with the mozzarella cheese and repeat the process until all your ingredients are used up. Top with sauce and mozzarella and cover with foil.

Bake 45 minutes covered at 375°, then uncovered 15 minutes. Let stand about 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

5 Friday Favorites! [Classroom Edition #2]

Last Friday, I blogged about my Five Friday Favorites from Pinterest. I decided that I would follow the same routine this week and keep it "classroom inspired" again. It's pushing me to find great ideas to use in September. I hope our teacher followers find it useful, too!

My pins this week are focused on "Evidence Based Thinking" for essay writing. Unfortunately, we let go of teaching our narrative units last year and emphasized expository writing only. These charts will come in handy throughout the year.

1. Good Readers Show Evidence chart. Follow this link for a free download! 

2. Pushing Our Thinking chart. My students use these scaffolds to support their evidence and thinking.

3. Language of Essays chart. I feel like I breeze through these terms in September, but notice it's necessary to have them displayed in the room somewhere.

4. I love these teaching points for my September read aloud! 

5.  How Events Impact Characters & Teach Them Lessons chart. I want to model this thinking through short texts or read aloud's. So important! 

12 Places to Get FREE & Low Cost Books for Your Classroom!

I started collecting books for my classroom when I was in college. I always envisioned my classroom housing a huge classroom library - providing a literature rich environment for my students. I knew that I wanted a full library with a great balance of fun, nonfiction books along with chapter books/novels. I didn't know what grade I would land, so I started collecting books for first-third graders, since those were the grades I really wanted to teach... and when I didn't land a job in the lower grades, it was ok, I used the resources below to collect the most popular chapter books! Most nonfiction books can be used in any classroom. All ages of children truly enjoy reading books about animals, natural disasters, and famous people/events in history. 

Whenever I talk to a new teacher (friends, family, student teachers), I always give them these hints for finding books to build the ultimate classroom library. I cringe when I hear new teachers saying that they spent tons of money on books. There's no need to! Follow these tips, adapted from Really Good Stuff. 

1.  Garage Sales - My number one spot for purchasing books! Don't pass up this great opportunity!

Summer is the perfect time to scout out yard and garage sales to supplement your classroom library.  Look for sales that advertise children’s items, as they frequently have children’s books on sale, as well.  Teacher Brandi Forman swears by yard sales: “When I would ask about buying all of the books at yard sales people would always ask why.  A lot of the time they just gave me the books or sold them to me very cheap when I said I was a teacher.”

2.  Library Sales- Also an amazing resource! My local library has one big sale each Spring and I was able to purchase the most popular books for nickels and dimes. 

Call your local library and find out when they are having their next book sale.  Many libraries periodically sell off books in their collections to make room for new titles.

3.  Scholastic Book Orders- A great resource, if you have bonus points from your kids ordering. 

Scholastic Book Clubs give students and parents a chance to bring home new titles, but they also reward teachers with bonus points that can be used to purchase books for the classroom.  Those monthly book order points add up quickly, so browse the fliers and pick out the titles that you think will benefit your students the most.

4.  Thrift Stores and Goodwill- You'll find great books at these shops!

Most thrift stores get a ton of donated books.  In fact, most get so many that they have a designated day of the week when books are on sale.  Contact your local thrift store to see if they have sale days and if they offer teacher discounts.

5.  Donations- I've received great donations over the years from class parents. Ask around to family members, too.

Teacher Reta Troxell suggests asking families for donations of books for the classroom library.  “Lots of times parents will send in books from their personal libraries that they are willing to donate. I got my whole collection of Dr. Seuss books that way,” she explains.  Make a request at the beginning of the school year and then throughout the year in monthly newsletters or on your class blog.

6.  DonorsChoose.org- I've heard of teachers having great success with this!

DonorsChoose.org is a website that allows teachers to request items for their classroom.  Donors then decide which projects they want to fund.  Many teachers have had success in requesting books for their class libraries.  Teacher Dawn Hart agrees, “I’ve gotten sets of books free from generous donors and it was truly a blessing!”

7.  eBay- I purchased A LOT of nonfiction books from eBay. Great, great deals for starter libraries!

Search for books by the “lot”, “collection”, or “group” to find the most books for your buck.  Watch out for shipping charges though, as books are heavy to ship.

8.  Craigslist- Never tried it, but worth a shot!

Place a free “wanted ad” on your local Craigslist site to request classroom library books.  Oftentimes, you will be able to find someone willing to donate books or sell them to you at a cheap price.  As always, make sure you never meet or go to anyone’s home alone when picking up books.

9.  First Book- Again, I've never tried it, but sounds great!

The mission of firstbook.org is to give students access to high-quality children’s book.  To do this they offer teachers significant discounts on children’s literature for their classroom.

10.  Other Teachers- Love this idea! 

Consider switching library books mid-year with another grade-level teacher in your building or district.  It is a free way to expose both classrooms of students to new book collections while alleviating some of the financial strain on the teachers.

11.  Grants- I've applied for grants for book club books. Definitely worth it!

Some large corporations have educator grants that you can apply for.  Submit an application for a grant requesting children’s books for your classroom.

12.  Freecycle-Sounds awesome! Never tried it!

Freecycle is a collection of local groups that are based on the premise of giving away things that are no longer needed.  Members can place “wanted” posts for the things they are looking for – in this case children’s books for the classroom library.  It is free to join and you can find a ton of things for your classroom – for free!

Building a classroom library can be a lot of fun! Take advantage of these FREE and INEXPENSIVE opportunities around you. 

Cheese Lovers! Ideas for your next party!

I saw this adorable idea on Kathie Lee & Hoda and had to share! I really can't wait to try these. I know that my mom and sister would get a kick out of them, too. Cute addition to any party.

Everything below is taken from The Today Show - check out the video at the bottom to see the process in action! 

Cheese balls can be so much more than just a chunk of cheddar rolled in nuts, and Michelle Buffardi, author of "Great Balls of Cheese," is dedicated to proving it. Check out how to cheese balls more creative with her clever recipes. 

Wise & cheesy owl

Serves 15-20

For the owl:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For decorating the owl:

• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see page 94)
• 2 small round butter crackers, such as Ritz Bits
• 2 small pitted black olives, sliced
• 1 carrot
• 2 scoop-shaped corn chips, such as Fritos Scoops!
• Crackers, for serving

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, shallots, mustard, salt, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Set aside 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture; you’ll need this for the eyes. Form the remaining mixture into an owl shape — it should look like a large egg. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, layer the almonds around the back and sides of the owl for the feathers, leaving the breast area plain. To make the eyes, spread each small butter cracker with half of the reserved cream cheese mixture, and stick an olive slice in the middle. Affix the eyes to where the owl’s face will be. To make the beak, slice two 1⁄4-inch pieces of the carrot into triangles, and make a mouth below the owl’s eyes. To make the feet, slice 6 slivers from the remaining carrot and arrange at the bottom of the owl. Finish the owl by pressing the 2 corn chips into the head for ears.

Serve with crackers.

Nacho cat

• 16 ounces cream cheese,softened
• 1 1⁄2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, preferablyo range
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1 jalapeño, cored, seeded, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato salsa
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Pinch coarse salt
• 1 carrot
• 2 nacho cheese tortilla chips
• 1 pitted black olive
• Fresh chives, for decorating
• Tortilla chips or crackers, for serving

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, onion, jalapeño, salsa, cumin,and salt until combined. Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

While the mixture is chilling, peel strips from the carrot to use as “stripes” on the cat and set aside. Peel the carrot until you reach the middle. Remove any bits of carrot sticking tothe core of the carrot and reserve for the cat’s tail.

Before serving, unwrap the cheese ball and break off a 3-ounce portion (about the size of a golf ball), roll into a ball,and set aside; this will be the cat’s head. Form the remaining cheese mixture into an egg shape, and place on a plate.Arrange the reserved carrot strips on the egg shape to make the stripes. Attach the reserved carrot to the back of the cat for the tail. Place the reserved golf ball–sized cheese ball on top of the cat to make the head. Stick the chips in for the cat’s ears. Cut the olive into eyes and a mouth and arrange on the cat’s face. Finish with pieces of chives for the cat's whiskers. 

Serve with crackers. 

S'mores ball

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1⁄2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese,softened
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 8 graham crackers, crushed, for coating
• Graham crackers, for serving

In a double boiler or a glass bowl set over a pot of simmeringwater, melt the chocolate. When smooth, remove from thewater and add the sugar. Stir until combined and let cool,about 15 minutes.

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the chocolate mixture, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until combined and even colored. Blend in the marshmallows.Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Before serving, roll the cheese ball in the crushed graham crackers to coat.

Serve with graham crackers.

Minestrone Soup- YUM!

I LOVE minestrone soup! During the fall and winter, this soup is a favorite lunch item that I have a few times a week. I fell upon this recipe while visiting one of our favorite blogs, Skinnytaste (shown on our sidebar to the right). 

Even though it's summer, and the last thing we want to think about on these hot days is soup... print this recipe or Pin It so that you can come back to it in a few months!

Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 • Size: 1 1/2 cups • Old Points: 3 • Weight Watchers Points+: 4 pt
Calories: 190 • Fat: 3 g • Carb: 32 g • Fiber: 8 g • Protein: 9 g • Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 483 mg • Cholest: 0 mg
Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can white beans, drained, rinsed (cannellini or navy)
• 32 oz container reduced sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarians)
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
• Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt and fresh black pepper
• 1 medium 8 oz zucchini, diced
• 2 cups chopped fresh (or frozen defrosted) spinach
• 2 cups cooked small pasta such as ditalini or elbows (al dente)
• extra parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Crock Pot Version:

Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic and saute until tender and fragrant, about 15 minutes.

Transfer to the crock pot along with the remaining broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, parmesan cheese rind, salt and pepper. Add the rosemary, basil and parsley, cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Forty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add zucchini and spinach. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Remove bay leaves, rosemary sprig, parmesan rind and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle 1-1/4 cups soup into 8 bowls with 1/4 cup pasta in each and top with extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Stove Top Directions:

Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic and saute until tender and fragrant, about 15 minutes.

Add the remaining broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, parmesan cheese rind, salt and pepper. Add the rosemary, basil and parsley, cover and cook on low 40 minutes. Add the zucchini and spinach, cover and simmer until the zucchini is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves, rosemary sprig, parmesan rind and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle 1-1/4 cups soup into 8 bowls with 1/4 cup pasta in each and top with extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Two Trending Videos - MUST SEE!

Here are two AMAZING videos that I saw on social media today:

1. Jessica Simpson's wedding video. OH.MY.GOD. You just have to click play. Makes me want my wedding day back very badly!

2. New Derek Jeter commercial released today, RE2PECT. 

Calling ALL Teachers! Penny Sales at Staples!

For those of us who just ended school a few weeks ago, school is the farthest thing from our minds. BUT,  flyers are already in the mail for Back-to-School shopping. Staples and Office Max are two stores that have great sales posted. Target and Walmart are pretty great, too! They offer school supplies at a very low price, sometimes for nickels, dimes, or quarters. They're the best for scooping up class sets of supplies! 

A few years ago, Staples started their amazing "penny sales." Teachers were able to receive class sets of supplies for items like these:

These deals were AMAZING and a life saver for so many teachers! I haven't seen a penny sale posted for Staples yet, but I'm really hoping they offer at least one or two this summer. I heard that Office Max had a few already.

Here are a few deals that Staples does have this week:

Full Refund (FREE!) Sharpie 2 pack

17 cents for 1 subject notebook

25 cents for rulers

Check your local Weekly Flyer at Staples for more deals!