Final Reflection

So, for our FINAL blog post to end this class, we are supposed to basically grade ourselves and reflect on ourselves as a learner... So, what did I learn, did I do the required assignments for this class, and how do I see myself as a learner???

Let's start with what I learned... Really, I think this has been one of the best classes I have taken during my Graduate career at USD! I'm not just saying that because I want a good grade in the class, but it was a practical learning experience. Jeff taught us different tools to integrate technology in the classroom and we were VERY hands-on in actually using the tools. We were able to see the successes and difficulties of using technology in the classroom by actual classroom teachers (teacher panel class and visiting the Lindsay Community Day School). And best of all, we created our Personal Learning Network and REALLY networked with other people in the education field. We didn't necessarily talk sooooooo much about theories and "important" education people out there, which we get so much in all of our other classes... we were just in it in the sense that we really dove deep into the technology aspect and I LOVED IT!!! So, what can I say about what I learned??? I learned a lot! I now have a real understanding of what Twitter should be used for and it definitely is not what I thought it was! I learned about Prezi and how much cooler it is than PowerPoint!!! I learned about how we all learn differently, which is seen in our classrooms that we teach in. I learned how to create a symbaloo and how to add a voice-over using jing. And, I learned how to blog and how to manipulate and add cool things to your blog!! Now, that's not everything I learned, but bits and pieces!

Now for the technical part... did I do the required assignments for this class... YES!! (haha) I may have been a little late in a few posts or lagging on becoming a resident in the virtual world, but I got there. I think with the flexibility Jeff gave us this semester, this class was not only a learning experience, but it was stress-free and FUN!!!

How do I see myself as a learner??? From Pink's book, I would definitely see myself as right-brained, but I do have left-brained tendencies... Like I mentioned in a past blog, I'm a little bit of both, which is a great mix in our world today, since we are moving away from the left-brained world to more of the right-brained side! I think this class made me think a lot about my future students that I will have in the classroom. With technology, there are so many different aspects to bring to a curriculum that hit different learning styles, but it is important to know my students and how they learn and apply that to my curriculum. I really like what Natalie mentioned in our teacher panel about how she was using technology to help her with the different learning styles, but what she didn't realize is that she wasn't doing anything bodily kinesthetic. Her students were forced to sit in a chair and use their laptops, but they way they learned best was by moving around, so her curriculum had to change. I think this is such an important aspect in teaching that many teachers do not "get". They are so stuck in "their way", that change is impossible... I think as teachers we need to move out of the "well, that worked before, so why won't it work now?" attitude and more towards really getting to know our students as DIFFERENT learners.

So... with that said... what grade do I think I earned this semester??? or do grades even matter?!?! ;)  Well, if I would have to grade myself.. I'd say A is for Annie, and A is for Awesome (which I am), so I think A!! (haha) All in all, I really enjoyed this class, my classmates, and our professor. Jeff-- I really do hope you continue to teach this class at USD because this class was definitely one of those classes that I actually wanted to go to!!! and it was very informative!

I do plan on continuing to tweet and blog and hope to see my classmates on Twitter and Blogger as well!! Also, I plan on updating my personal blog with more recipes and more upcoming travels in the future (new post on our trip to Anguilla will be up in January!!!)

Thanks for reading!!! And Happy Holidays!!

Annie

Digital Reflection Part 2

Sorry that this had to be broken down into 2 parts... I actually didn't think I would go past 5 minutes with my reflections!!  Also, part 2 may sound a little rushed... I had a few technical difficulties with using jing and decided to press cancel not just once, but twice after recording my reflection, so if I sound tired, I was (since it was my 3rd time around!!)  Anyways, ENJOY!!!!

Digital Reflection Part 1

This is Part 1! I actually didn't realize I was already at 5 minutes, so I'll finish the rest in another video!!!

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My Symbaloo Creation

Stay tuned... My Digital Reflection piece will be using this Symbaloo creation!!!

Teacher Panel & our last EDUC 578 class

First off, I would like to thank our teacher panel, Jen Roberts, Greg Ottinger, Natalie Priester, and Susan Glassett for taking the time to join our EDUC 578 class last night and share what you do with technology both inside and outside of the classroom!  The discussion was very insightful and helped me really pull together what we've learned in EDUC 578 from Professor Heil and what I can potentially do in my very own classroom when I finish my Credential and M.Ed. journey at USD.

Some things that put insight on using technology in the classroom was that integrating technology is not easy and takes time to show real progress.  Hearing our panel's journey throughout their careers is very motivating.  Like the saying goes, "what you get out of life, is what you put in" and it goes hand in hand with integrating a new innovation in the classroom.  I think it is very important as a new teacher or any teacher that is going outside of the "norm" is to know is that things won't change right then and there, it takes time, guidance, and development for that change to be really noticed.  With technology in the classroom, there will be those who are hesistant, but I think with our progress in obtaining our M.Ed's at USD, we are already taking a step forward with being prepared to implement this innovation.

From our EDUC 578 class, our main objectives are to looking at how we were learning as a student when we were in school, how we are learning now as professionals/M.Ed. students, and how our students learn.  What stuck with me from the panel was how important it is to have that individualized instruction for EVERY student in the classroom and how technology can make that possible.  Whether it be from programs that Natalie shares with us that allows her to individualize her lesson plan on the computer and hitting submit right there on the spot, to Susan talking about the ability to give her students to choose what they want to do.

Lastly, I think I resonated with our panel when they discussed how technology may be seen by some as alienating one another from face-to-face and critical social interactions, but in reality it is a way for those students who are shy or quiet or don't have as strong of a voice to really be able to express themselves.  This allows for our shy students to step forward in sharing and collaborating instead of forcing them to stand up in the front of the room and speak when they are not yet comfortable.  I know this, because I was that shy student all through grade school.  I absolutely hated speaking in the front of the class and I was hesitant to raise my hand and share my thoughts because of that fear of speaking in public.  I personally didn't get over this until my junior/senior year in high school, but it was a terrifying experience!

Again, thank you to our panel and it was a great close to a great semester with my fellow EDUC 578 classmates!!!

(If you want to check out some notes from the Teacher Panel, click on my Class Notes tab)

My New Year's Resolution...

So.. I know it's awhile til the new year, but I feel like 2011 has come and gone way too quickly!!  With finals (or in grad school... final presentations and final papers) here basically next week, I've been trying to keep myself sane by thinking about how much fun I am going to have with all of my family home for the holidays!  Then, I got to thinking about what I want to do for my new years resolution.  To be honest, I've NEVER kept my new years resolution past... maybe a month (and I think that's pushing it!).  So, this year, I REALLY want to knock completing my New Year's resolution off my bucket list...

Here are my ideas (in inspiration to some of my facebook friends who have kept their resolutions):

• Complete some organized work-out/run/marathon (ie: Mud Run, Breast Cancer walk, Turkey Trot, Bike the Bridge, etc.) at least once a month. (I had a friend do some sort of 5k or more once a month and she truly was an inspiration!)
• Become part of the 365 days picture group (talked about in my blog reflection for EC&I 831)... or maybe a 52 week picture group since once a week sounds a little more realistic... (but with today's technology of smart phones, why wouldn't I be able to take a picture with my cell phone and post it somewhere every day???)

Any one else have other inspirations for their New Years resolutions???

On a side note... I'm counting down the days til the 20th (15 more days) until I pick up my nieces and nephews (and bro and sis-in-law) and we meet the rest of the family + extended family and head to Disneyland!  I can't wait to have all of my nieces and nephews together for the first time since my youngest niece was born!! :)

My nephew Anthony (Aaron's brother)

Kaila, Andrew, and Karessa (My nieces and nephew in Seattle, WA)

My newest niece Elissa

My nephew Aaron on his 1st Birthday (Anthony's brother)

Technology in the Classroom: Lindsay Community Day School

For one of our actual "assigned assignments" for our EDUC 578 class, Professor Heil had required us to observe a classroom that integrates technology in their curriculum.  Now, I was actually kind of excited to do this outside of the classroom.  The reason?  I have yet to experience seeing a teacher use technology in their classrooms.  Not in my practicum experience, not in my community service learning experience, not in my volunteer experience, and not in my work experience!!!  (I've worked at a middle school in the LAUSD school district for 6 years, a high school in the GUHSD for a year, and currently work in a middle and high school in the SDUHSD).  I kind of expected something technology besides the use of a computer lab along my Credential and Master's journey, but it has yet to happen!

Now, what did I envision in my experience??  I expected to see SMART or Promethean Boards (since I've heard that many of my classmates in this class and other classes have them in their practicums), maybe some tools on the Internet, or even computer collaboration.  What I REALLY hoped for was to see a classroom that is integrating the use of iPad's, since this was my "focus" in EDUC 579 and I had written a grant for iPad's in the Science classroom for a curriculum innovations class I took this past summer at USD.  But since I procrastinated and waited last minute to research what schools in San Diego use the iPad (if there is even on), I instead was given the opportunity to accompany Professor Heil and Christina A. to the Lindsay Community Day School and I was VERY impressed with what I saw at this small school.

Students at Lindsay school share lunchtime with their children.
Photo: Sam Hodgson

Lindsay Community Day School "is a high school program for pregnant and parenting teens. Lindsay offers a comprehensive academic program including prenatal and parenting education classes. It has a staff of two fully credentialed teachers who are assisted by two teacher aides. It also offers childcare for babies and toddlers while students attend school. Our two major goals for pregnant students who do not wish to attend a regular school setting are as follows:

• To help each student cope with her special needs because of early pregnancy and approaching parenthood.
• To help each student continue her academic education.

(Excerpt from: Juvenile Court and Community Schools)

(Also, check out SDCOE's website that shows a video about best practices at Lindsay and also features Dawn Miller, who is a teacher at the site and past graduates of the school).

Honestly, I didn't really know what to expect, since all I knew about the school was that Professor Heil worked in conjunction with the site and that the school was focused for pregnant and parenting teenagers.  When we first arrived at the school, I had no idea that we were actually already there.  Lindsay is located on the corner of Ash and Union in Downtown San Diego which is not the ideal location for a high school.  From the outside, the building looked like a regular building you would see if you walked down the streets of Downtown San Diego.  We entered through a door on Union to see walls filled with art and work of the students.  We entered Dawn Miller's English classroom and immediately, my focus was on the babies!  Now, I don't have any of my own, but I have lots of nieces and nephews and I LOVE playing with babies!  We introduced ourselves to Dawn, then she went on to guide the class to their activity of blogging on their laptops.  The classroom was not filled, but had about 15 female students, most of who had their infants right alongside their desks.  Girls would come in at different times to sign-in and then proceeded to sit at their desks and catch up to their other peers.  Dawn went on to have other students help those who have not yet signed up for their blogger accounts and one student even went up on the SMART board and used the laptop to visually show how to sign up for blogger.

This definitely was not what I expected to see, since I've seen other programs for pregnant and parenting teens look like.  These girls were there to participate and learn.  They were open to helping one another out and most of all, they were using technology that I had not seen in the classrooms I have been in!  Walls along the building had pictures of the girls and showed their progress to graduating with a diploma.  The SDCOE's video explains how many of these girls pass the CAHSEE, get their diploma, and go on to college or a vocational school.  This truly was an environment that was student-centered.  It may not be a traditional school environment, but these girls were getting the attention that they needed to succeed and also were getting the help and resources they needed in their personal lives.  I very much enjoyed my visit to Lindsay and had a great tour guide who was a prior graduate of Lindsay and now works as a teacher's assistant at the school.

Lastly, check out the article about Lindsay Community Day School in my blog below!

*On a side note, I would appreciate any help with embedding the video on SDCOE's website to this blog post!!

Lindsay Community Day School

Check out this article that gives insight on the school Professor Heil took Christina A. and I to this past Friday!!

Teen Mothers Toil for Diplomas at Lindsay School - voiceofsandiego.org: News: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 | No one batted an eye
when a pigtailed toddler wandered into Dawn Miller's high school
history class, picking her way…

EC&I 831: Introduction to Connected Learning

It was really interesting to see how this EC&I 831 class is very similar to our class here at USD!  I really like the idea of "Open Access Courses" and I really like the structure of how this Blackboard Collaborate works!  Bummer that it is expensive like Alec Courcos mentioned!

Anyways, here are some take-away points and ideas that I thought of during this video:

• How can something like this open education course be used in our classrooms in our schools?  Whether it be at USD or another college or in our schools that we work in?
• Can Blackboard Collaborate be part of the new M.Ed. in Math, Science, and Technology Education program that USD is re-vamping? (Who can I mention this to?  Because I think it is a great tool if USD wants to make the program a hybrid course!)
• San Dieguito Union High School District (where I work) currently offers online/distance ed. for their students.  This is completely online and does not require students to come to school.  There are no restrictions as to who can take these online classes and are geared towards helping those students who are behind in college credits "catch-up" to graduate on time.
• Now, my issue with this is that I personally have taken online classes in college and have found that distance ed. classes take A LOT of self-motivation.  With SDUHSD allowing any students to enroll in these classes, are they setting up these students, who are already behind, for failure?  If they already exhibit that they are "failing" classes, what makes the school district think that they will have the self-motivation to learn on their own?
• Maybe something like an open classroom with scheduled meetings may be more beneficial rather than just having an entirely online class where the student is basically learning on their own??

• The idea of an open course or open classroom.  I personally REALLY like this idea because I am a big believer in networking.  With having an open classroom, I think that the more people involved, the more ideas and collaboration we are able to work with, but I did have my doubts like many of my classmates about the credit versus non-credit participants.  In this video, I think I was given more of an understanding about how credit students are noticed by the professor and how he mentioned that he looks out for those students more than the non-credit participants, which I think is very important in that classroom environment.  I think that it is great that non-credit students can participate to improve their professional development in a formal classroom-type setting.

• The idea of network mentors.  I think this is great and I'd love to be a network mentor for this USD class next year!

• Blackboard vs. Adobe Connect: I have a friend who is in the credential and masters program in Los Angeles and she posted something on facebook today about how she doesn't like Adobe Connect because she can't pause, rewind, fastforward, etc. the recordings of her class.  I've asked her if I am able to see one of her classes and she sent me a link.  (I currently can't get past the "connecting" part, but hopefully I can update you all with my thoughts on Adobe Connect!)

To view the EC&I 831 Open classroom, check out their website at: http://eci831.ca/

EC&I 831: Social Media, Networked Learning & Digital Identity

After watching this video, it made me think again about my own digital identity and how "open" I've been in this digital world.  Personally, I think these past few weeks I've been a visitor rather than a resident in my own digital identity.  There are so many other "factors" that take part in my journey (classes coming to a quick end very soon, work becoming more hectic, Thanksgiving break, being on a "personal" vacation), but I feel that I really need to step it up and really make that effort to become part of this network of learning because it will be so valuable in the future when I do have my own classroom!

Now, looking at how I want to become an "open educator", I've been planning ahead in my educational and professional development on making sure I am a resident even after this class is over (in less than 3 weeks! YIKES!).  Personally, I think it is going to take a lot of self-motivation, especially with Christmas break coming up, to maintain my routine of checking up on TweetDeck, Blogging, Bookmarking on Diigo, etc. but I really do not want to lose my Digital Identity with the people I've connected with building our PLN's.  Some of my plans are to:

• Keep up with Twitter--I was VERY hesitant at the beginning of our journey, but have caught the Twitter bug!  After this class is over, I plan to keep up with the resources of #ipadchat, #ntchat, & #edchat, but I hope to find more "hashtag groups" to follow that are of personal interests like cooking!
• Maintain my personal blog--It's been hard to find the time, but I hope to update my blog and document my personal journey!

 Some points from the EC&I video that I found interesting:

• The Flicker idea of sharing a picture every day.  I LOVE to take pictures and hope that Santa brings me my Canon T3i that I am wishing for this year!!  One of my friends on facebook made a New Year's resolution to post a picture every week, so hopefully I can do something similar to the two ideas!
• Google: Our new business card-- I've googled myself in the past and have found it interesting to see what is shared on the internet!  I've seen my LinkedIN profile as well as my facebook and myspace on my google search.  I also found a few pictures of myself in the image section!  At first, it seems a little scary to know how easy it is to find someone on the Internet, but I see it as, as long as you don't share your entire life story on facebook, or other social networks, it is a part of the process of being a resident and putting yourself out there "professionally".
• What makes a PLN?  Not just the tools but more of the people behind it.  I hope that I don't lose that connection I've built within Twitter, blogging, EDUC 578, etc after this class is over!

"Open Education is the simple and powerful idea that the world's knowledge is a public good and that technology in general and the Worldwide Web in particular provide an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to share, use, and reuse knowledge" 

(William & Flora Hewlett Foundation)

To view the EC&I 831 Open classroom, check out their website at: http://eci831.ca/ 

Check out this blog post on PLN Resources!!

My Adventures in Educational Technology: Regina TLs Day of Learning: Anytime, Anywhere, Any...: Keynote Resources from: bit.ly/SaskTL Anytime,Anywhere, Anyone (Resources) - #SaskTL Dr. Alec Couros couros@gmail.com @courosa skype:...

I'm Thankful...

Student-Centric Learning: Disrupting Class by Clayton Christensen

**Whoops! I was just browsing through my blog and noticed that this post was in the "draft" mode and never published... so here it is!!!**
 
Disruption toward Student-Centric Learning  

What are some alternatives to the current model?  Thinking of this model, could you recommend an alternative for each of the steps in Figure 5.1.

Looking at the public education's current "commercial system" that looks at:

• Subject-matter experts (left-brained learners) to create textbooks that are part of a "scale-intensive value-chain business,
• Curriculum experts at the state and local levels to make decisions about what textbooks to use, and
• Teachers using a method of teaching that they are products of,

we (students at USD in the credential and Master's programs) are  taught to look outside of the box and change the current teaching styles to truly help our students learn.  Now the big question is... how can this be done?  In my Methods & Psychology of Mathematics (which as a Science-focused student is REALLY difficult for me to change my way of thinking "math", but is really allowing me to grow as an educator), we have been given methods of teaching mathematics that are working in other countries like Lesson Study.  Lesson study is a professional development process that Japanese teachers engage in to examine their teaching practice, with the goal of becoming more effective. Teachers collaboratively plan, observe, and analyze actual classroom lessons then draw out implications for the design of the specific lesson, then share their findings with their colleagues.  To provide focus and direction to lesson study, the teachers select an overarching goal or theme that then serves to guide their work on all the lesson studies in their “cycle”.  Currently, Japan is excelling in math scores compared to the United States.  Lesson study includes teacher collaboration and inquiry-based learning, which is lacking in the classrooms in the United States.  On top of this, Japanese lesson study includes an open-classroom environment where observers reflect on classroom lessons as a group to help the teacher improve their practice.

If I had the opportunity to move away from a value-chain business to a facilitated user network, some things that I would change are:

• Textbooks being used as a supplement for learning, not to guide how a teacher teaches lessons;
• Collaboration between teachers across all disciplines;
• Inquiry-based that allows for students to really think and less teacher lecture;
• No standardized testing so that teachers are able to teach to their students needs rather than having to cover every little bit that is on a test;
• Continued teacher professional development;
• Individualized instruction that focuses on the needs of the students;
• More technology in the classroom.

Pinterest: Social Media Icons & Online Student vs. Traditional Student

I thought these images were cool!  I saw the images posted on Pinterest and thought I'd share!!

Lasagna Night!! Sneak Peak...

Comfort Food: Meat Lasagna & Lasagna Florentine: Florentine Lasagna 15 min Prep Time 40 min Cook Time Serves 6 Ingredients: 8oz (1/2 package) Lasagna noodles (cooked) 1 container (15...

Theory of Disruption

Disruptive innovation was coined by Clayton Christensen and describes a new product that replaces an older product because of factors like efficiency, effectiveness, easily accessible, affordable, etc.  Christensen states that “an innovation that is disruptive allows a whole new population of consumers access to a product or service that was historically only accessible to consumers with a lot of money or a lot of skill”. 

The examples given include:

·      The “disruptee” being four-year colleges that may be too expensive and not as convenient for people to access, but the “disruptor” or the disruptive innovation being community colleges that are fairly inexpensive compared to a four-year college.

·      The “disruptee” being fixed line telephones that can only be used at home, where the “disruptor” or disruptive innovation being cellular phones that can be used pretty much anywhere and are a lot more convenient.

“Characteristics of disruptive businesses, at least in their initial stages, can include:  lower gross margins, smaller target markets, and simpler products and services that may not appear as attractive as existing solutions when compared against traditional performance metrics”.  

Some disruptive innovations that we see today include the innovation of Netflix or Redbox.  The “disruptee” being Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, where these companies were more expensive and not very accessible.  The “disruptor” being Netflix, that is easily accessible over the internet and through the U.S. mail system, or Redbox that is easily accessible at grocery stores, 7-11’s, and common places that you would travel during your daily routine.  Not to mention these “disruptors” were much cheaper than Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.

One situation that I see in the school systems are the newly innovations of tablet computers, like the iPad or products like the Kindle that are giving schools a new and possibly more efficient way to replace textbooks.  Currently, it is often times cheaper to buy a digital version of textbooks for college classes, versus buying the actual book itself.

Just thought I'd share!

So, as I am here waiting for WebCT to come back to life (USD's WebCT/Blackboard is currently down and I have homework due!), hopefully it will be sooner than later... I thought I'd share a few pictures of our Zipline Excursion in Puerto Vallarta!  Enjoy!

Right before we start our adventure
(after the speed boat ride and
BUMPY trek in the Jungle Jeep)

My Donkey... La Guitarra
I think she ate some bad grass before
we left because she was tooting up
a storm!!

Coolest experience ever! (Before they dropped me straight down
down into the water!)

One of the many ziplines!

#ntchat

So, I'm currently participating in #ntchat at the moment, well, I'm being more of an observer because we are chatting about how to build a new teacher and principal relationship.  Since I'm not quite in my own classroom yet, I think the advice that is being given will help me in the future.  More info to come!

On a side note, I'm using TweetChat for the first time, and I REALLY like the pause button feature since I find myself doing 10 other tasks at the same time!!!  So cool!

(Update):  So I basically observed #nt chat for a little more than an hour.  I saw our classmate, Marissa, on there as well!  Since I couldn't really give my feedback on the discussion of building a new teacher and principal relationship, I figured this information would be beneficial to me in the future!  Anyways, I really like how involved veteran teachers and administrators are in participating in the #ntchat.  Its great to see the collaboration and support to pretty much strangers!  I'm glad to have this extra support in my M.Ed. & Credential journey!

On my 2nd side note, I had a harder time trying to figure out TweetChat other than pausing!  I was trying to figure out how to follow people, and didn't want to miss out on the chat, so I was going back and forth from TweetChat to TweetDeck (which I feel I have mastered!)

The Life of Good Food... Good People... & Good Travels...: Tortellini with Butternut Squash, Mushroom, & Font...

Here's a link to my other Blog... I'll be posting my recipes here :)

But for now, enjoy the one's I've already posted!!


**Disclaimer: After learning about all the in's and out's from EDUC 578 about how to change settings in our blogs, I have yet to change anything from when I first published this blog, so the design will change soon as well... Now to find the time!

The Life of Good Food... Good People... & Good Travels...: Tortellini with Butternut Squash, Mushroom, & Font...: Hands-on Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Serves: 4 1 small butternut squash (2 lbs), peeled & cut into 1-inch cubes 1/2 button ...

The rundown of my Innovation Week!

Previous Weeks Dinner: Grilled Tilapia, Roasted Eggplant, Wild Brown Rice Medley, and Steamed Veggies

Day 1 (Monday): Stuffed Feta and Spinach Chicken, Brown Rice Medley with Roasted Red Grapes, and Steamed Green Beans

Day 2 (Tuesday): Grilled Rib-Eye, Steamed Veggies, and a Baked Potato 
I forgot to take a picture this day!  The boyfriend is in charge of making dinner on Tuesday's since it is my long day.  He surprised me with some wine, candles, and a yummy dinner!

Day 3 (Wednesday): Tortellini with Roasted Butternut Squash in a Mushroom Cream Sauce

 

Day 4 (Thursday): Panko Breaded Pork Chops with Roasted Brocolli topped with Feta (I LOVE FETA!!)

Day 5 (Friday): Arugula and Spinach Salad with Feta, Shredded Parmesan, and Red Grapes (this was lunch)

For dinner I made Shrimp Tacos with Black Beans and I forgot to take a picture because I was in such a hurry to eat before I went out to play a soccer game!

Day 6 (Saturday): Stuffed Asparagus and Jack Chicken, Roasted Parmesan Acorn Squash, Side Spinach Salad

Day 7-14 Consisted of Carnival Cruise Food
For those of you have have been on a cruise, you know how you gain at LEAST 10 pounds off of their unlimited all you can eat food!  For those of you who have yet to cruise (you HAVE to do it at least once!), my menu included anything from Eggs Benedict, Belgian Waffles, Buttermilk Pancakes, Eggs, Oatmeal, Cereal, Fruit for breakfast.  Burritos, Mongolian Noodles, Grilled Paninis, Tandoori, Pizza, Calzones, Burgers for lunch.  And for the best part... DINNER!  Consisted of Steak, Prime Rib, Chicken, Pasta, Lobster, Mac & Cheese, Mahi Mahi, Tilapia, Spankopita and Stuffed Peppers, and so much more, I'm sure I forgot...

Now, after that binge, here's my projected lineup for this week!

Monday: Chicken Enchiladas with Fat Free Pinto Beans
Tuesday: Boyfriend's Choice (hopefully healthy)
Wednesday: Spinach and Spring Mix Salad topped with Grilled Chicken, Almonds, & Feta
Thursday: Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Friday: Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa Salad
Saturday: Open for suggestions!  Any other favorites????   

**I'll post recipes soon!