How two ATs make it work: September Meal Planning

As you can imagine, being an AT in the secondary school setting is very time consuming.  Meal planning is one of the challenges that we face...especially since we are both ATs.  I know that Josh and I are not the only married couple who are both ATs so I thought that I would share a little bit of what we do to help make things work.  Now, we don't have rug-rats, so that "simplifies" things a bit.  However, we still face the challenges of home and away events as well as scheduling a few times when we can actually eat a meal together.  Many times, I will will pack 3 meals for each of us as we leave the house for the day.  Several days like that per week can be taxing on a marriage!  Most of the time, we can expect to eat dinner together (even if it is late) on Monday and Wednesday nights in the fall.  Another challenge that we face is that Josh has kidney stones and I was recently diagnosed with Celiac.  So, our dietary needs/restrictions can be very different.  Every recipe below is either GF or can easily be adapted to be GF.  

September

Now we are in a routine.  Games have started and each week’s schedule should be somewhat similar.  The only contention would be the occasional Thursday or Saturday varsity football game due to district stadium conflicts.  Since Josh and I share a district stadium, one of us will be away on Friday and the other will be home.  I usually try to cook enough on the weekends to get through the week but sometimes I have to throw in a meal on Wednesday.  Cooking on Tuesday night is hard because of the occasional volleyball game.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Lunch: Jason’s Deli (GF bread option!) Dinner: Pulled Pork	Lunch: Tuna Salad, GF crackers, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: BBQ Baked Beans & Sausage, Potato Salad	Lunch: Turkey Roll ups, Dill Pickle Spears, Strawberries Dinner: Leftover Pulled Pork	Lunch:   Double Dave's Pizza Dinner: Leftover BBQ Baked Beans & Sausage, Potato Salad	Lunch: Tuna Salad, GF crackers, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: Leftover Pulled Pork	Lunch: Away Game: Something on the way to the game Home Game: Turkey Roll ups, Dill Pickle Spears, Strawberries Dinner: Away Game: Whatever the team eats Home Game: Coach’s Social or eat out	Lunch: Chicken Spaghetti Dinner: Tailgate
Lunch: Jason’s Deli (GF bread option!) Dinner: Baked Salmon Patties & Baked French Fries	Lunch: Summer Sausage, String Cheese, Peaches Dinner: Leftover Chicken Spaghetti	Lunch: Pea Salad, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: Leftover Baked Salmon Patties & Baked French Fries	Lunch:   Double Dave’s Pizza Dinner: Leftover Chicken Spaghetti	Lunch: Summer Sausage, String Cheese, Peaches Dinner: Leftover Chicken Spaghetti	Lunch: Away Game: Something on the way to the game Home Game: Pea Salad, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: Away Game: Whatever the team eats Home Game: Coach’s Social or eat out	Lunch: Fajitaritos Dinner: Seafood Creole
Lunch: Jason’s Deli (GF bread option!) Dinner: Western Casserole	Lunch: Turkey Roll ups, Dill Pickle Spears, Strawberries Dinner: Leftover Seafood Creole	Lunch: Tuna Salad, GF crackers, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: Leftover Fajitaritos	Lunch:   Double Dave’s Pizza Dinner: Leftover Western Casserole	Lunch: Tuna Salad, GF crackers, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: Leftover Western Casserole	Lunch: Away Game: Something on the way to the game Home Game: Turkey Roll ups, Dill Pickle Spears, Strawberries Dinner: Away Game: Whatever the team eats Home Game: Coach’s Social or eat out	Lunch: Spagania Dinner: Tailgate
Lunch: Jason’s Deli (GF bread option!) Dinner: Josh’s Chili	Lunch: Pea Salad, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: Leftover Spagania	Lunch: Summer Sausage, String Cheese, Peaches Dinner: Leftover Josh’s Chili & Fritos	Lunch:   Double Dave’s Pizza Dinner: Leftover Spagania	Lunch: Summer Sausage, String Cheese, Peaches Dinner: Leftover Josh’s Chili & Fritos	Lunch: Away Game: Something on the way to the game Home Game: Pea Salad, Red Bell Pepper, Laughing Cow Cheese, Grapes Dinner: Away Game: Whatever the team eats Home Game: Coach’s Social or eat out	Lunch: Last of Spagania & Chili Dinner: Red Beans & Cornbread

Notes:

• GF means Gluten Free
• I make lunches for the week on Sunday and just stack them in the refrigerator.  These are easy to grab on the way out in the mornings.  
• Josh’s Breakfast - For Josh, I make breakfast burritos (original recipe or my adaptation) and freeze them.  Josh will put a package down the night before to let it thaw. He takes them to work and will heat them up there.  
• My Breakfast - I will freeze packets with various fruit.  I will put a package down the night before to let it thaw.  Before leaving for work, I blend the fruit with coconut milk to make a smoothie.

My take on Mentors

The SWATA blog and the BOC LinkedIn have recently centered discussions on mentors and mentoring.  This got me to thinking about who I have looked to when I had an athletic training crisis.  Who do I go to when I have a question about something and need to not feel judged?  So, I started from the beginning...

My mom and, eventually, my dad were my first mentors.  They were not just parents, they were good examples and I looked up to them and also looked to them, especially when I was older, for advice.  

If you were called "Coach" in Kerens, Texas between the years of 1993-2000, you were my mentor.  I watched everything that the coaches did and tried with everything that I had to be what they wanted me to be.    

In college, I was a wandering soul.  I had some low points in which people disappointed me more than I thought was possible.  However, Josh Woodall was there and we were good friends.  He was a senior in the athletic training program and I was a freshman.  I had no experience in athletic training as my high school did not have employ one (we may have contracted an athletic trainer but I do not remember).  My friendship with Josh grew into a strong relationship.  We will be celebrating 12 years of marriage in August!

My first job at a high school was at A&M Consolidated High School as the Assistant Athletic Trainer.  I worked with Jeff Mann who taught me more than he probably knows.  Sue Betts, the Assistance Athletic Director and Head Girls Basketball Coach taught be to be strong and to stand up for myself.  

Now, I am the Head Athletic Trainer at Rudder High School.  I like to say that Josh and I keep work and home separate, which is true for the specific events of the day, however, we discuss at length how to make our profession and workplace better.  Linda Baldwin, the Athletic Office Manager, is a confidant and a friend.  She guides me and always sees the silver lining in any situation.  

There have been several times when the life or well-being of a child were in my hands.  When the crisis is over, my first communication is to my husband and fellow athletic trainer.  

I have been a preceptor for several years now and find it rewarding.  I hope that these students learn from me and become proficient in skills while they are at my facility.  However, these students also bring something to the table.  The students bring with them their experience from several different areas; their undergraduate work, their childhood in a different country, etc.   

When I attend different conferences and workshops, I try to connect with athletic trainers that have not only come before me, but also connect with those that are on my coattails.  When I talk with those who came before me, I soak in their stories and the history that they possess.  When I talk with athletic trainers that do not even have a business card to present, I try to remember when I was in their shoes.  What did I need to know and hear from someone who got through those first couple of years?  So, if I could offer unsolicited advice to the young athletic trainer, this is what I would say:

• Don't work for peanuts; your contract rate should never be below $30/hour.
• Stand up for yourself and be the advocate for the athlete, no matter what.
• Dress professionally, it matters.
• Get involved early in your AT organizations, don't let decisions be made for you without your voice being heard.  

This is my take on the mentors that I have had in my life.   I hope that each athletic trainer has as good of mentors as I have had.  

MEME MANIA

I have really embraced memes.  They express my sarcasm in ways that I cannot always show appropriately or accurately.  As I am finishing up my "Christmas Break" and looking at my Spring calendar, my imagination ran wild!  Enjoy!

Pre-Wrap

I don't know why this is so funny to me!!!!!

Athletic Trainers are Geniuses!!!!!!

www.goodreads.com

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

― Albert Einstein

Many times, coaches and other staff find their way to a treatment table in my athletic training room...I can't count how many younger siblings I treat of formally injured athletes...and how many neighbors and neighbors' children have I evaluated for various injuries?  

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.” ― George MacDonald

However,  if I tried to build a house, sail a boat, or even update my iPhone, I would appear dumb and, at the very least, inexperienced.  

People seek the advice of an athletic trainer because of the education and experience that an athletic trainer possesses.  Just as I would seek a builder if I wanted a new home...or ask  one of my cool uncles to take me out on their sailboat if I wanted to go sailing...or ask Josh to update my iPhone when it goes haywire, I go to the expert, the person that I feel is going to give me the most quality solution to my questions.  

As the profession and perception of athletic training evolves, there are a few questions that one should ask themselves.  Answering these questions will certainly define your role and show your expertise, not only to yourself and co-workers, but also to your stakeholders.

• What does our public value and how do we, as athletic trainers, cater to that?
• Athletic trainers must justify our value and tell the public why we are valuable.
• The appearance of disorganization is devastating to the public view.
• Too many people still think of ATs as ‘good ole boys’; These people do not know our capabilities.  We must inform them.  Give yourself credibility!  
• Define your individual function.  Define your overall purpose.  Perform your function in a way that serves that purpose.  
• You are the smartest person in your athletic training room.  Prove it.  

― A personal reflection of a lecture from Danny Lovett

Athletic trainers are geniuses in the athletic training room and whether you realize it or not, people know that!  

BISD Physical Day

Bryan ISD hosted the annual 'Physical Day' last Saturday and in doing so, we did something that we have never done before!  We offered FREE immunizations and $15 ECGs!!!  

The immunizations were provided by the Texas A&M Health Science Center in what they call the Health Circus.  The Health Circus offers a wide range of services, including glucose checks, dental screenings and they even have door prizes!  I saw several young children who had received brand new bike helmets!!!!

The ECGs were offered by The Cypress ECG Project.  We had around 60 people take advantage of this amazing opportunity!  We anticipate that more people will participate next year with increased awareness.  

Below is the flyer that I made for the event.  I used easel.ly to make it (It was kinda hard to get used to but once you know your tools, its 'easy' to make a catchy poster!).  Also, Mrs. Brewer in our Art Department had them printed on their large printers!!!!

We did over 100 more physicals this year than we did last year.  A big thank you to Sandy Farris, BISD's Communications Director, for helping us to promote the event!  Also, we had many physicians, including Dr. Gill, Dr. Distefano, Dr. Barrow, and Dr. Seabolt who gave up their Saturday to make this a success!  Coaches from the middle schools and both high schools aided in vital ways as well.  Not to mention the graduate assistants who gained valuable experience in the process!

Well this is what my Saturday consisted of.  If you are hosting a similar event at your school, I hope that you are successful.  I also would like to suggest to you to seek out the opportunities available to you that would enhance your athletes' health and safety.  Some of our athletes were recommended to have a cardiac screen due to the findings on their PPE.  Since we offered the ECGs onsite, we were able to 'knock that out' with minimal cost and without a trip out of town to a pediatric cardiologist!

If you would like to know more about how all of this was coordinated, please email me!

What have you been up to?

The Bryan ISD athletic trainers have been busy this semester!  The team of 4 athletic trainers have worked to improve awareness about the athletic training profession and also re-evaluate the current policies and procedures that are in place to keep Bryan ISD athletes safe and healthy!  Here is a review of some of the efforts that we accomplished this year:

• Developed the Bryan ISD Athletic Health Care Team, members include:
• The head athletic trainers from both high schools in Bryan ISD, Josh Woodall and myself
• Athletic Director, Harry Francis
• Bryan ISD Lead Nurse, Sherri Meckel
• Bryan ISD Junior High Nurse Liaison, Alice Walker
• Bryan ISD Executive Director of Support Services, Grady Slaydon
• Team Physician, Dr. Kory Gill
• Nutrition Liaison, Dr. Randi Boleman

• Hosted a Town Hall Meeting



Photo from KBTX.com

• Provided a chance for athletes, parents and any member of the community to learn about the risks and benefits of sport, what health and safety precautions are put in place for the athletes at Bryan ISD and what serious illness and injuries parents need to be on the look out for!  A Q&A session  was also provided.  Local media covered the event, thanks to Sandy Farris, Bryan ISD's Communications Director.  

• Re-developed the Sports Medicine Manual-Some updates include:
• Baseline Peak Flow Meter Readings for asthmatics
• EMS surveys for after emergencies [Some other great tips are included in the latest NATA News-5 Ways to Foster Better Relationships with your EMS Teammates, page 36]
• EAPs for when BISD venues are reserved by outside organizations

• In addition to the discounted ($10) PPEs that BISD offers, we are also offering:
• Free vaccinations - Brought to our attention by Dr. Kory Gill and made possible by the TAMU Health Science Center-Health Circus
• $15 Electrocardiograms - Josh Woodall did the leg work to get the Cypress ECG Project to provide the amazing service!
• All of this will be available on Saturday, May 18th at the BHS Silver Cafeteria.  Doors open at 9:00 am and close at noon.

• Safe Sports School Award
• Josh and I applied for, and will be receiving, the Safe Sport School Award through the NATA!  

Photo from www.athletictrainers.org

• Met with Physicians that are not Team Doctors
• This provided a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves and inform physicians about the resources that athletes have at Bryan ISD.  The information was well received!!!

• Talked with State Representatives



Photo from Wikimedia Commons

• We have also made a trip to Austin and will be making another on Wednesday.  The last trip we took provided an opportunity to talk with representatives about SB 505.  You can find out who represents you by going here.  Once you locate your representative, give them a call and let them know that you want them to support SB 505!  For more information on SB 505, go here.  

I hope that you are as excited about your profession as we are!  If each of us makes a difference in our own workplace, imagine the change that would be made in the profession as a whole.  If you have any questions about the opportunities listed above, do not hesitate to email Josh or myself!  We would love to collaborate with you!!!