They are special, but also, they're expendable.

So like every other dancer, I decided to watch “Breaking Pointe.”  Yes, I just started, I’m a little behind…

So during Episode 2 I heard that the dancers in this company should know that, “they are special, but also, they're expendable.”  (Oxymoron?...)

To quote comedian John Pinette, my immediate reaction was, “Nay Nay!”  What became even more “Nay Nay,” was that in discussing this with other dancers, everyone seemed to accept this and agree with it!!

It breaks my heart that our industry has convinced everyone that they are easily replaced.  It is so difficult to get up every day and go to all of those auditions feeling completely insignificant.

Here is the thing… Are some dancers expendable?  Of course!  But who are they?  The Diva Dancers, as I will be calling them.  The dancers who arrive late, sludging (yes I just made up a verb out of a noun) into class, the dancers who think they don’t have to practice, the ones who grown during rehearsals, the ones who talk trash, dancers who giggle when someone is injured, and anyone who takes it upon themselves to criticize others and break them down, among other things that I’m sure we could devote an ENTIRE blog to…

They are expendable.  

I get it though.  The goal of Ballet West is to push the dancers to achieve greatness and to never stop trying to improve somehow.  So, if you think you can be replaced, you'll try harder.  But what about being encouraged to be better, working in a supportive environment that inspires you to takes risks, and being rewarded for your hard work?

Your goal as a performer should be to become indispensable, irreplaceable.  You become one of a kind through your talent, work ethic, personality, behavior, etc.  Are there 1,000 other dancers who fit your “body type” or “type cast?”  Yes!  But NO ONE can replace you!

I am sorry to all of whom (probably most of us) who have been taught that you are expendable.  You are not.  It is ok to stand up for yourself.  To ask for a break if you need one, demand that there is a convenient restroom, or stay true to your personal moral code.

I know many of you are reading this thinking, “Um, Lyndell, to get a job, I have to be willing to do anything.”  Yes, that is what we have been taught, but you can get there by being yourself.  May it take a little longer?  Possibly, (I’m still climbing up that ladder), BUT you won’t lose who you are along the way.

Do not be an expendable dancer and if someone makes you feel worthless, it is ok to walk away.

To every dancer who has ever worked for me or who will in the future, you could NEVER be replaced!

XO,

L

Food! (Part 6/6)

Recipes!!

Here are some great recipes submitted by dancers and other health-conscious individuals!  Thank you to all who contributed!!

1. Homemade Salsa
2. Turkey & Black Bean Chili
3. Chicken with Goat Cheese and Arugula Recipe
4. Spaghetti Squash:
5. Crock-Pot Chicken
6. Mediterranean Nachos
7. Chicken with Mushrooms & Onions
8. Fish Tacos
9. Corn and Black Bean Salad
10. A Great Start to Your Morning

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Homemade Salsa (Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

3 Roma Tomatoes (sliced in ½)

2 Cloves of garlic (sliced in ½)

1 tbsp Fresh Cilantro

½ of a fresh Jalapeño

½ tsp Cayenne pepper

2 Stalks of green onion (Sliced into 1 in. pieces)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Place in a blender or food processor (I use my Ninja!)


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Turkey & Black Bean Chili (serves ~8 as-is, but doubles easily to feed a crowd. I once made a triple batch for a 4th of July party full of metal-head boys and they went crazy over it.)

Ingredients

1 package lean ground turkey (about 1.25 lbs)

2 cans of black beans, rinsed

1 can of tomato sauce

1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes (I like to use one 14.5oz can of plain diced and one 14.5oz can stewed)

1/2 to 1 cup of diced white onion (depending on how much onion you like)

2 TB olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

2 TB chili powder

1 TB garlic salt

3 tsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne (optional)

1. Brown the onions and meat in the olive oil. When the onions start to get translucent and the meat has very little pink left, add the fresh garlic and spices. I do it in a cast iron skillet so the meat browns nicely, but if you want to cut down on dishes, you could do it in your stockpot.

2. Add meat/onion mixture to beans and tomatoes in stockpot. Simmer AT LEAST 30 minutes, but up to 2 hours.

3. Eat! Tasty also w/ a few dashes of Tabasco, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt, mmm)

We used to serve this over elbow macaroni and do chili mac (very 60s recipe!), but we cut down on refined carbs a few years ago. Sometimes I'll serve over whole-wheat penne, polenta, or a baked potato. Delicious by itself, too!

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Chicken with Goat Cheese and Arugula Recipe

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lbs total), tenders removed, breasts pounded thin

Kosher salt

Ground black pepper

1 large bunch arugula (about 4 ounces, trimmed)

4 oz of soft goat cheese (chevre) broken into small pieces

1-2 Tbsp butter or olive oil

Wooden Toothpicks

Method

1 Preheat oven to 425°F. Pound the breasts thin to make them thin enough for rolling. To do this place a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken breast. Use the smooth side of the meat pounder to pound thepiece thin.

2 Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. On a clean work surface lay cutlets flat, smooth side down. Layer with arugula leaves and pieces of goat cheese in the center. Starting with the narrowest ends, roll up the chicken cutlets into a tight roulade and seal with toothpicks to keep from unrolling.

3 Heat the oil on medium high in a large cast iron pan (or other non-stick oven-proof skillet). Place the chicken roulades in the pan and brown on all sides.

4 Place the skillet in the oven and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove pan from oven (take care to not touch pan handle with bare hands!) and remove the chicken from the pan. Cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Remove the toothpicks from the chicken and slice the roulades into rounds to serve.

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Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients

1 Spaghetti Squash (2 if you want some leftovers!)

Favorite Marinara Sauce

Goat Cheese

Portobello Mushrooms

Pre-heat oven at 375 degrees

Slice spaghetti squash in half and scoop out seeds

Melt 1-2 tbsp organic butter and drizzle on inside of squash

Season squash with salt and pepper (red pepper too if you would like some spice!)

Line cookie sheet with foil

Place squash halves face down on sheet and cook in oven for about 25-30 minutes

**You will know it is done when it is soft to touch and slightly browned on the bottom

Let cool for about 10-15mins and then take a fork and scoop out the squash (it will look just like spaghetti!)

Slice and sauté mushrooms with organic butter

Mix marinara sauce with the squash and layer mushroom slices on top with a scoop of goat cheese

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Crock-Pot Chicken

If you don't have a Crock-Pot, you definitely should! It is the easiest way to make meals.  I put chicken drumsticks and thighs (with the bone) in a Crock-Pot.  You can add either teriyaki or BBQ sauce and coat the chicken.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Afterwards the chicken is so tender it just falls off the bone and it's perfect for leftovers!

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Mediterranean Nachos

This one is really easy! Place pita chips on a plate, then add hummus (for a great hummus recipe, click here), mozzarella, and feta cheese.  Place into a microwave to heat up and let the cheese slightly melt.  Take out and add kalamata olives on top and voila!

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Chicken with Mushrooms & Onions

Take thin chicken breasts and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides and light coat with flour.  Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a sauté pan, place the chicken, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side (or until golden brown). Take out the chicken breasts.  Place chopped onions in the already hot pan along with a tablespoon of unsalted butter. Sauté the onions for about 1 min, then add another tablespoon of butter and sliced mushrooms into the pan. Continue cooking for 7-8 minutes, until mushrooms are soft. Add in a little white wine to deglaze the pan and stir in the brown bits. Then place the chicken back in with the mushrooms and onions to soak everything up.

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Fish Tacos

Take filets of tilapia and brush with olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin.  Place into a sauté pan for about 3-4 min on each side.  Take an avocado and slice it into small pieces. Warm flour tortillas and place tilapia, avocado, and shredded lettuce.  You can always add salsa instead of the avocado.

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Corn and Black Bean Salad (serves 4-6)

Ingredients

1 can of corn niblets, rinsed

1 can of black beans, rinsed

1/2 chopped red onion

1 chopped red bell pepper (or whatever color you prefer, but I like the mix of colors w/ the other ingredients)

1 chopped cucumber, peeled (I usually use English cucumber, but if I have Persian cucumbers on hand, I'll use those. They don't need to be peeled and I like the extra crunch they give.)

Customization options: add halved grape/cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, black olives, kalamata olives, avocado, scallions instead of red onion...whatever sounds good and is in your fridge/pantry! ;)

Drain the canned veggies, and chop the fresh ones. Toss everything in a big bowl with your favorite vinaigrette, and chill before serving.  It would be really tasty w/ just olive oil, fresh lime juice, and salt and pepper, too.

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A Great Start to Your Morning

To start the day, I drink a glass of aloe vera drink (sugar-free) that I buy in huge bottles at a Korean supermarket for $2.99. Internal healing, anyone? Once a month, I harvest an aloe leaf from an outdoor plant...strip it...and blend it into the drink for an extra boost. Yum. So good.

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Enjoy!