What's on your Thursday Menu?

Morning everyone! It's the FIRST DAY OF IN PERSON SCHOOL! We are starting slow with a hybrid model just for the highest need students (SPED & ELL) so across the whole district we only have about 3,500 kids coming in today, but anxieties are high everywhere, nonetheless. Yesterday the City of Boston announced that they are in the "red" zone again for the first time in many months and the city is close to a shut down again, so it's likely we'll only be in person for a few weeks before this all ends, anyway. Sigh. Anyway, today should be SILENT on my end. All of the scrambling to get ready is done and everyone should be too preoccupied to reach out to me today. I am looking forward to the quiet :)

I have been a total mess about eating. I have no idea why I have been such a jerk to myself about sticking with a plan. I ask myself, "are you really hungry?" and the answer is a resounding "NO" but I still can't keep my hands out of the refrigerator. Anyway, I am admitting it here and today's plan is to really reign in back in with low low low points to make up for the overages I have had all week so far. Now that work is calming down, I also plan to give more time to exercise. I have been doing just the minimum because of my crazy schedule and heat, but it's no excuse anymore.

QOTD: What are the top 5 most used emojis on your phone? We played a cute game at work the other day. Everyone had to submit their top 5 emojis ahead of time anonymously in a google form. Then they put them up in the zoom screen and we all had to guess which employee matched with which set of emojis. It was really funny. Anyway, mine are: 1.) Red Balloon 2.) Smily Face with Tears 3.) Surprised Face 4.) Rainbow 5.) Praise Hands

I hope today is a good and quiet day for you and you get a couple of quieter weeks.

i am shocked that it is October and also wondering how it?s only October. This year will never end.

Have the usual full slate of meetings today but I?m looking forward my Pilates bookcamp this evening.

Editing to add QOTD - ? (orange), ð?- (beach umbrella), ð?'? (Purple Heart), ð?"¥ (Fire), thumbs up ð?'

I am thinking a protein oatmeal for breakfast, some cheese for lunch, a light and fit before workout, maybe some chili for dinner. It?s a few rough plan though.

anyone have any ideas for a good, transportable side dish? We?re doing a socially distant bbq on Saturday and the house is making grilled meats and veggies. I am thinking a quick caprese with cherry tomatoes and the little boccacino but it seems too simple.

have a great Thursday! The weekend is in sight.

the caprese sounds good or a bean salad which I hate.

potato salad? or pasta salad?

Side dish that you can munch on with no guilt or for everybody?
Something that you can eat too: broccoli cheese bites.
Something for everybody but not so good for you: rice salad. This is a typical Italian summer salad but always a hit here when I bring to bbqs because not many people have had it.
Let me know if you want any of the recipes.

ohh, broccoli cheese bites sounds fantastic! I would love the recipe!

12 servings (I usually double everything for a party)

• 16 oz of broccoli florets (steamed & drained)
• 1.5 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 3 eggs
• Salt & pepper
• 1 Cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 375F
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl
3. Form small patties and lay on a parchment lined baking sheet
4. Bake for 25 minutes, turning the patties after the first 15 minutes
5. Let it cool & enjoy.

Oh yeah, I'm making these!!

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/228277/tomato-watermelon-s alad/

Watermelon Tomato Saald. Lovley with meat and unique.

Oh, I've done a watermelon feta with lime vinaigrette but never with tomatoes. that looks yum.

I love caprese salad. I always add red onions, fresh basil, and a balsamic vinaigrette. Also some crusty Italian bread.

I sometimes make a layered fruit salad in a clear glass bowl. It looks very pretty with layers of strawberries, orange slices, fresh pineapple, kiwi, bananas, grapes, and blueberries, in a syrup made from fresh juices. I have a recipe if anyone wants it.

Another dish that gets completely eaten is a tray of shrimp wrapped in bacon and grilled.