Ch-ch-ch-CHIA!

In preparation for my first half-marathon (it's not until June, but you know. . . ), I've been reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.  It's about the author's quest to find the secrets to eternal running.  He is fascinated by the Tarahumara people of the Copper Canyon of Mexico because of their endless ability to run far and long distances.  He sets out to find the Tarahumara to learn more about their culture and what it takes to be such amazing runners.  One day, while in the Copper Canyon, McDougall begins to tire from a long day of foot travel in the heat, even with more trekking to go.  A native notices his exhaustion and offers him a drink that they call iskiate to boost his energy.  McDougall describes this drink as "home-brewed Red Bull."  He later learns that it's also known as chia fresca, or "chilly chia."  It's a drink made of chia seeds, water, sugar, and lime.  And after downing the iskiate, he felt completely rejuvenated with enough energy to go much further.  Sounds like a magic potion, right? I was inspired to go on my own little quest to finding these chia seeds.

Apparently chia seeds are packed with lots of nutrients to help energize the body.  McDougall writes that "a tablespoon of chia is like a smoothie made from salmon, spinach, and human growth hormone."  He goes on to describe all the different nutrients that are in chia seeds.  As I continued to read, I just kept thinking, "I gotta get a hold of these chia seeds!" Now this is all new to me, but of course these little seeds have been around forever.  They sell them by the package on Amazon, you can buy packs at certain grocery stores, and, yes, they're also used to grow "pets."

I was at the Thriftway down the street from my school in West Seattle, and I walked over to the refrigerated shelf to grab a Perrier, and I caught a glimpse of these bottles labeled Mamma Chia.  I looked closer and I could see little seeds floating in the bottle.  I thought, "No way!  Did I just find the magic potion?!  Can I, too, be a Tarahumara?!"  I forgot about the Perrier, and reached for the Mamma Chia instead.  I turned the bottle around and read the label.  Eureka! I cashed out, brought it home, and saved it for the next day.  Morning came, and rather than stopping at Starbucks on the way to work, I popped open the Mamma Chia bottle.  I drank half the bottle during breakfast, and saved the last half for lunch.  I must admit, I was feeling good!  My energy level was up, my mind was clear, I wasn't shaky, and I didn't crash.  Nor did I get a caffeine withdrawal headache, which I was really afraid of, so I was really glad to not get one.  Did I mention that they taste great?!  Before taking a sip, I didn't really know what to expect.  Was it going to taste like medicine, or have more of an earthy taste?  Will they be crunchy, or hard to swallow, or what?  It turns out that the drink is totally delicious (especially the raspberry passion flavor) and the seeds go down really easily, kind of like strawberry seeds when eating strawberries.  They just add a little bit of texture.

I've been drinking Mamma Chia for the last 2 days and have felt really good both days.  As a matter of fact, I've got a bottle right next to me right now.  I'm fueling up before I go to the gym (22 weeks before the big run!).  For any runners out there, be a Tarahumara and get a hold of the iskiate.  It's all about the Mamma Chia.

Talagang Pinoy!

 Got these little Tagalog tees for the kiddos.  I couldn't help myself.  There were so many others that I wanted to get them, but I didn't want to go crazy.  These were my top 4. 

Isaac:  Kuya means big brother

Mia:  Maganda means beautiful

Xavier:  Pogi means handsome

Roman:  Bunso means last born.

Here they are!  Goodness, aren't they just so stinkin' cute?  Ay sus!

Writing About Reading

The great thing about having a whole bunch of smart family members in the education field is the abundance of resources that we have amongst each other.  My sister Tin and I have had many many conversations about teaching literacy.  Over the summer, I shared with her that one of my goals for this school year was to get the kiddos better at writing about their reading.  She recommended this book Notebook Connections by Aimee Buckner.  It's all about getting children to think critically about the books they read, and writing down their thoughts.  After reading it by the pool in Vegas in July, I was really inspired to go into my classroom and teach them these different strategies right from the start of the school year, so we could build good notebook habits.  Unfortunately, my school didn't have the kind of spiral bound notebooks I preferred (I know, I'm picky!), so we had to put an order in, and it took until November for them to arrive.  

Now that I've started to implement these strategies into their reading time, the quality of their journal writing has shown good progress, and it's only been a little more than a month!  Reading is such an abstract skill.  It's not like writing and math where we can see exactly all that we know.  Having the children journal about their reading has helped turn reading from abstract to concrete.  The strategies that I've learned from the book and used in the classroom have allowed the children and I to actually SEE what the children know about their books, and how we can challenge them to dig deeper.   In addition, they really ENJOY taking time to journal about their reading. 

For any reading teacher out there, I highly recommend this book.  It's an easy read, with high leverage strategies.  Get the kiddos writing about their reading and watch them take off!

2011 Year in Review

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!  I can vividly remember last New Year's Eve, my cousins and I standing around my kitchen island and toasting at the end of the countdown.  We told each other that it's "our year."  We say that every year.  So, has 2011 really been my year?  Sure!  It started out pretty difficult, but as the year went on, everything just kept getting better and better and better.  Here are some of my highlights of 2011.

February:  We said good-bye to our beloved and sassy Grandma Mary.  We know she's partying it up up there.

February:  I cut bangs and still have them.  Yes, it's a highlight.

March:  5 days of Maui, baby!

June:  Finished my first year as a 4th and 5th grade teacher, after 5 years of teaching K/1, AND I earned my professional certificate.  It was quite a stressful career year, which is probably why there are no big highlights for April and May.

July:  Met Mario in Vegas for one mission--see Celine Dion!

August:  rented a house on San Juan with the cousins.  Epic 3 days together.

September:  Mom turned 60, and lookin' good.

October:  Signed up for my first half-marathon.  Stay tuned in June for how the "Rock 'n' Roll" went.

November:  Ardon threw a surprise party at my place for my 30th birthday.  He's awesome.  And OMG I'm 30?!

December:  Christmas with the family.  A highlight of every year.

That was it for 2011.  Bring on 2012!  It's gonna be my year.

Merry Holidays!

From our family to yours!

Non-Resolution Resolution

As we near the end of 2011 and ring in the new year of 2012, it's time to re-evaluate life and figure out what to resolve.  For many (myself included) it's a time to start a new diet, work out regimen, clean the house more, or to cut something out cold turkey.   For others, it's more financial--shop less, eat out less, and for Seattlites, brew coffee at home.

The truth is, I really suck at honoring my new years resolutions.  For me the resolution lasts for about 3 weeks, then I'm over it.  Lent rolls around and for 40 days and nights I'm back on it until Easter.   Yes, working out, eating better, or saving money could all enhance my life, but let's face it. . . They're all pretty torturous.  In addition, they are all things that I've gotten better at over the years ("gotten better at" doesn't mean I'm totally good at it yet).  So, what is something cool that I can call a resolution?  This year, I'd like to take a new approach. . . Add something to my life that will bring me even just a lil' bit of joy, almost like the non-resolution resolution.  Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of things in my life that bring happiness--I have an amazing family, wonderful friends, my health, a great career, a beautiful city condo, and a truly incredible boyfriend.  Really, I couldn't ask for more.  But I know there are other things out there that can just help me keep balanced.  What can I do to enhance my quality of life, or increase my happiness and decrease my stress?  It could be something like take more baths, go to more happy hours, always have a fresh bouquet of flowers in the centerpiece vase, or write in a journal.

So, what is my non-resolution resolution?

Cat Picardal's 2012 Resolution:  explore Seattle more.  In the last 8 years I've found all my favorite spots--restaurants, parks, shopping--and have enjoyed all that downtown and Capitol Hill have to offer.  But I know there's so much to this city that I have yet to see and experience.  2012 is the year for me to live like a tourist.

Another Goodie

Couldn't help but smile when I opened this one up from Mar.  Oh, Romano...

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