Skater of the Month: Nikki Tesla

Welcome to our monthly feature on the blog where we help you all get to know our players a little better! This month, we're featuring our 2015 team Secretary:

Skater Name: Nikki Tesla

Number: 134

Story Behind the Name: With a hardcore love of all things Steampunk, and a husband who is an electrician, taking the name of a famous Nineteenth Century Inventor just seemed to fit. Plus, now I can aim to be "electrifying" on the track!

Hometown: A small town in Northern CT

Derby Experience: I've just passed my one year anniversary playing Derby! I'm excited to be skating on the Team's Roster this season and I can't wait...

Sports background: I've played softball and soccer. I used to ride bikes or rollerskate for HOURS after school every day. I did Kempo Karate and Ju Jitsu in high school and college. Now, it's all Derby or trying to get in extra cardio at the gym.

Why Derby: At first it was just a way to get more exercise. Now it's a constant way to challenge myself both physically and intellectually.  There's so much to keep track of and to try to master! I love it.

Derby Style: Ummm...sometimes it's a pure case of "fake it 'til you make it!" Basically, I try to bolster my teammates in whatever way works best on the track. I fall down, I get back up, and keep moving on.

Why Pair O' Dice: Originally, I came to POD because two of my coworkers were already affiliated with the team. I stayed because we are a tight-knit group of fabulously strong girls who work to support each other both on and off the track. It's like having a new, extended family.

Derby Goals: To learn to be a great blocker and solid addition to the team.  Then, after that, I'd love to learn to master track awareness so that I can become a solid swing, playing both offense and defense on the track.

Favorite players: Can I name my own teammates?  LOL.  Seriously, I want to learn to skate low and fast like our own Donny Brook. I want to learn some epic shenanijams from our Suga Burn and I want to learn to take advantage of the rules in the smartest ways possible like Astra Knot.  Outside of POD, I'd love to someday be as strong and agile as Western Mass' Rammy Lammy, and be able to maneuver as confidently backwards and forwards as Boston's Shark Week.

Outside of Derby: Librarian by day... I'm a reader, writer, and answer finder. I love to curl up with a great book or in front of my favorite cheesy sci-fi tv shows.

Things I have learned about derby: I've learned it's a sport you need to be passionate to play. I've learned that Derby works best when you have team mates you can depend on and they know they can depend on you. Really though, I've learned that no matter what, there's always more to learn about Derby! 

POD's Healthy "Fuel" of the Month

In the interest of fun and nutrition - and showing that yes, you CAN combine the two sometimes - we are going to be featuring one healthy meal a month that can be used to help fuel up before a game or to recharge afterwards. Every once in a while, we'll probably also have a recipe or two for some fabulously tasty treats...because what Derby girl doesn't love treats??

This month, we're going to feature a simple recipe that can be a great way to refuel after a hard practice or a big bout! (Yes, I know the after-party usually features a whole different kind of "fuel," but go with me here...) 

CHICKEN STIR-FRY

Picture from Healthy Today  Healthy Tomorrows

Ingredients:

1 package whole wheat couscous

1 lb. chicken tenders 

1 head of broccoli

1 red pepper

3 scallions 

10 baby carrots 

2 tblspn olive oil 

1 tblspn rice vinegar

2 tblspn red. sodium soy sauce

1 tlbspn Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 

Directions: 

1. Pour olive oil into a large skillet and bring to medium heat. 

2. Turn heat down slightly, bringing skillet to medium low heat. 

3. Chop vegetables and add to pan, starting with the broccoli and carrots (the harder veggies) first as they'll take longer to cook. Stir occasionally to keep from burning.  

4. Prepare the couscous according to package directions. 

5. Cut chicken into small pieces and add to veggie skillet.  Turn heat up a notch and stir frequently to ensure chicken cooks through. 

6. Add vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes to taste.  

7. Place a decent portion of couscous on each plate, then top with chicken and veggies. Serve!

Stir-fry is one of those great meals that you can basically make out of anything. Beef, Sausage, chicken, rice, noodles, couscous, and whatever veggies you happen to have around the house. I've used eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, every type of veggie you can think of!  I chose this recipe to share as it's the one I make most often. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein and contains important nutrients like niacin and vitamin B. I also like to use the whole wheat couscous because it gives an interesting texture to the stir-fry and increases the dish's protein and fiber content without adding massive calories. No matter what you put in your stir-fry, just go easy on the soy sauce.  Adding all that sodium in after a good workout will only make you feel dehydrated and gross - hello bloat! Buy low sodium and use as little as possible. 

The next time you're looking for a quick and easy dish to throw together, give a chicken stir-fry a shot! Let me know how it goes. 

- Nikki Tesla #134

Skater of the Month: Donny Brook

Sorry all for the "radio silence" this past month. A few personal issues took over during the month, but we're back now! So, here you go...

 
Welcome to our monthly feature on the blog where we help you all get to know our players a little better! This month, we're featuring our 2015 team Vice-Chair: 

Skater Name: Donny Brook 

Number: 86

Story Behind the Name: Donnybrook is sort of a family name; it's what Gramps named his farm. Donnybrook was a fair in Co. Dublin that, over 500 years, devolved into a yearly drunken brawl. I feel it translates well to derby.

Hometown: Kelly's Irish Alps

Derby Experience: I'm starting my 5th year of roller derby! Wow. I hadn't been on skates since I was a kid. I am also a founding member of Pair O' Dice City Roller Derby in 2011.

Sports background: Theater, drinking, dog-walking. Those are sports, right?

Why Derby: I had no idea what I was getting into. I came cause I figured I was fast and could take good hit (that theory has panned out). I stay because its an opportunity to be the best me I can be. My body, mind and patience are constantly challenged and are continually get stronger!

Derby Style: Billy-goat and bean dip.

Why Pair O' Dice: POD City is strong and pretty! We work really hard. We try too hard and fall on our faces. We laugh and get up. We push ourselves till we puke and come back for more. We'll play with a roster of 7 and never stop smiling.

Derby Goals: 1. master a 360 jump. 2. train strong jammers 3.Keep derby as a part of my life forever

Favorite players: Jurasskick Park (He skated on Team USA!). Oh, if only I could skate like him....

Outside of Derby:  Totally obsessed with fiber art. Knitting, weaving, crochet, and learning to spin. I make fabulous hand-dyed yarn too.

Things I have learned about derby: Everything! I came in with zero knowledge of the sport or the dedication it takes to maintain a league. I didn't even know how to skate when I started. That's what is great about this community- we accept and guide everyone to be the best they can be. I would never be where I am now without the help and care of everyone in this sport.

Holiday Treats to Tempt You: The Second Edition

Now that the Holidays are fully over, we here at POD want to give one last goodies hoorah before going back to thinking healthy. As promised, here are two more of OUR favorite goody recipes! Enjoy.

BROWNED BUTTER BACON RICE KRISPIE TREATS (Submitted by Tesla...originally via Suga)

Photo taken from www.cookeatplayrepeat.com

Ingredients: 

4 slices of bacon

1 stick (4 oz) of unsalted butter

1 (10 oz) bag of marshmallows 

1/4 tsp. seas salt

6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal

Cooking Spray

Directions: 

1. Fry bacon in a small pan to desired crispness. Lay flat on paper towel to drain. Once cool, chop into pieces. *try not to eat any of the deliciousness...*

2. Spray an 8 x 8 pan and set aside. 

3. Melt the stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Once the butter starts to melt, stir continuously. Let the butter first froth, then start to darken a little, until it turns brown and smells toasty. KEEP STIRRING so that the butter does not stick to the bottom of the pan and burn. 

4. Turn off the heat and stir in the marshmallows. Stir until completely melted. 

5. Take the pan off the cooling burner and stir in the rice krispies, sea salt, and bacon pieces until well combined. 

6. Spoon the mixture into the pan you set aside. Spray the back of your spoon with cooking spray and then press the mixture hard into the pan to make sure it fills out the pan completely. 

7. Once cool, you can cut and serve! 

SWEET POTATO PIE (Submitted by Tesla) 

Ingredients: 

Picture from Tastebook.com

1 premade pie crust 

2 - 3 small sweet potatoes

1 tsp. salt 

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup heavy cream (though I've used Half and Half in a pinch) 

3 eggs

3/4 cup honey

Cooking Spray

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray surface of a baking sheet, then cut sweet potatoes lengthwise and place halves cut side down. Bake until the sweet potatoes feel tender. 

2. Put the potatoes off to the side to cool for about 10 minutes. Turn the oven heat up to 400 degrees. 

3. Spray the inside of your pie dish then unroll the crust into the dish and press the sides firmly, creating a good shell. 

4. Remove the potato peels and smush the insides in a large bowl. 

5 Mix in the ginger, cinnamon, and salt.  Then add the eggs, one at a time, beat each into the mixture until it feels combined. 

6.Add the honey and heavy whipping cream, while mixing continuously. 

7. Pour the filling mixture from the bowl into the pie shell, then bake at 400 degrees for 50 - 55 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. 

8. Cool, then enjoy! 

...And that ends our special Holiday goodies posts for this year. Keep an eye out for our next Healthy "Fuel" of the Month post, where we'll be getting back to business!

Skater of the Month: Haulin-Sass

Welcome to our monthly feature on the blog where we help you all get to know our players a little better! This month, we're featuring our 2015 team Chair:

Skater Name: Haulin-Sass

Number: 318

Story Behind the Name: My name is pretty sentimental. It's in honor of my late boyfriend who was an over the road truck driver. He had planned on opening up his own trucking company named "Westhaulin". I combined the name of his company with my sassy personality and became Haulin-Sass!

Hometown: Born and raised in Springfield MA aka "the 413."

Derby Experience: I joined POD on 9/22/2013 and have loved every second of it!

Sports background: Aside from doing many endurance challenges and just general "keeping in shape" athletics, I didn't really grow up playing any sports.

Why Derby: I never really took an interest in any of the "typical" sports. But one day while at work my coworker was talking about derby and I found it fascinating. Unfortunately, there wasn't a local team for us to try out for, so we talked about creating our own league. Neither of us had ever played before,

though... I then quit that job and a year went by, when a friend of a friend mentioned she played for a local team and invited me to come watch, after that one night I was immediately hooked and kept coming back! Shortly after I started skating I found out my grandmother was a derby girl, no wonder I was so drawn to it; It's in my blood.

Derby Style: I am still working on that. I don't feel that I have enough experience under by belt just yet to have a specific style... But, I do put everything I have into what ever position I am playing.

Why Pair O' Dice: I like to think fate brought us together. At just the right moment in my life a friend of a friend came into my life and invited me to come see the team practice, and I never left.

Derby Goals: I'd like to become a much stronger Jammer.

Favorite players: Well, Of course there is my Derby Wife, Vicious Aloysuis, (-->) but every player that I have met in the short time I've been playing derby has made a huge impact on me and I truly appreciate each and every one of them.

Outside of Derby:  In real life, I work for World Energy in the energy procurement field AKA energy superhero.

Things I have learned about derby: No matter how long you have been skating, there will always be something new to learn - be it rules, or skills. Most importantly, don't get discouraged!

Holiday Treats to Tempt You: The First Edition

So, it's the Holidays and though we here at POD have been trying to think healthy (at least once a month!), even we can fully admit that there is no better time to embrace the goodies than now.  As promised, here are some of OUR favorite goody recipes! Enjoy.


PANCAKES A LA REF (Submitted by Brian)

*Makes One*

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole milk
1 egg
1/4 cup flour
1/2 Tbsp melted fat (butter, lard, bacon drippings)

Directions: 

1. Meanwhile, heat a skillet or sauté pan to medium (butter will sizzle but not brown)

2. Beat egg and milk together thoroughly
3. Gently whisk in flour
4. Stir in fat
5. Pour batter into pan after the butter stops sizzling
6. Flip when top of pancake becomes dry
7. Cook another few minutes on the other side

Serve with maple syrup, marmalade, lingonberries, or powdered sugar

Image and Recipe from The Gunny Sack

HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIE CUPS (Submitted by Sass)

Ingredients:

1 package Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough
½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips
12 mini pretzels
1 cup Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Put 1 tablespoon of the sugar cookie dough into each of 24 greased mini muffin tins.
3. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool completely in the pan before gently removing them.
4. Make the chocolate ganache by bringing the whipping cream to a boil in a pan on top of the stove and then stirring in the hot cocoa mix.
5. Put the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a large bowl then pour the hot cream over them and let it sit for 3 minutes. Then, stir until the chocolate chips are melted and the ganache is smooth.
6. Break off the loops on some mini pretzels to use as handles.
7. Melt the white chocolate in a small pan on the stove and use it to attach the pretzel handles to the cookie cups.
8. Spoon the chocolate ganache into the cookie cups and top with mini marshmallows.
*For best results, store the hot chocolate cookie cups in the refrigerator until ready to serve* 

Rather than overload you with too many tempting recipes all at once, we're going to help you savor the sugary goodness by promising more recipes later.... stay tuned for Holiday Treats to Tempt You: The Second Edition, coming soon. 

POD's Healthy "Fuel" of the Month

In the interest of fun and nutrition - and showing that yes, you CAN combine the two sometimes - we are going to be featuring one healthy meal a month that can be used to help fuel up before a game or to recharge afterwards. Later this month, we'll also have a post with some fabulously tasty treats...because it's the Holidays and a Derby girl needs her treats!

This month, we're going to feature a simple recipe that you can really eat over an over...it's quick and easy to make. You can also cook a larger quantity of this recipe so that you have easy, healthy leftovers to reheat later. When it starts to feel too repetitive, you can season differently or switch vegetables and still enjoy the same basic meal several times a week. 

BAKED CHICKEN WITH VEGGIES 

Ingredients:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts 

(proper portion size is 3 oz. per breast)

Olive Oil 

Pepper

Green Beans 

Water

parchment paper

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 

2. Lightly coat bottom of pan (you can use a baking sheet or a glass/ceramic baking dish) with olive oil to prevent chicken from sticking.

3. Place the chicken breasts into the pan, making sure to leave space between them, and season however you would like. I usually just add a little bit of pepper to the chicken. 

4. Take a piece of parchment paper, lightly coat one side with olive oil and place the paper (olive oil side down) over the chicken breasts. This acts as almost like the skin would on the chicken, sealing in the moisture as it cooks and preventing the chicken from drying out. 

5. Place in oven on center rack and bake for about 35 minutes. Chicken should look opaque when cooked, and if using a meat thermometer to check, the temperature should reach about 165 degrees F in the center of the chicken. 

6. As the chicken is cooking, bring a 1/2 inch salted water to boil in a large frying pan or saute pan.
7. Add green beans, cover, and cook until green beans are tender to the bite and water has evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes.

This meal is actually super healthy and fuels you for exercise with a lot of lean protein.  Women, especially are supposed to eat about 5 1/2 oz. of protein rich foods a day (USDA recommendations) and this healthy chicken is an easy way to do so throughout the week.  You can switch things up and eat different veggies, like carrots, sweet potato, broccoli, or any mix you like! 

Don't forget to check in with us later this month for some fun, not-quite-so-healthy recipes! 

- Nikki Tesla #134

Skater of the Month: Astra Knot

Welcome to our monthly feature on the blog where we help you all get to know our players a little better! This month, we're featuring our 2014 team Chair:

Skater Name: Astra Knot

Number: 321 (Blast off, get it?! LOL)

Story Behind the Name: After thinking about a bunch of different things, I decided to combine two of my favorite things in life. I like space and knitting, hence Astra Knot.

Hometown: Duluth, MN

Derby Experience: I've been skating for several years now, and though I spend most of my time as a blocker, I'm having fun jamming at scrimamages, too.

*Just a side note for you all, too, Astra may be our outgoing team Chair, but she was just voted in as one of our 2015 Co-Captains and has also coached Freshmeat in the past. 

Sports background: I used to play on a volleyball team and loved it. I grew up in Minnesota so there's also been some skiing in my life, LOL... but now it's all Derby!

Why Derby: I was dragged to watch a game originally and realised as I was watching what a fun way it is to release aggression. The more I watched, the more I wanted to learn about derby and the more I figured out that I wanted to play! Plus, teammates are awesome and you get to knock girls down. What could be better?

Derby Style: Hmmm...aggressive? Hard blocking...knock 'em down! *grins* Also knowing and playing to the rules. That way I know what I'm talking about when I contest a call or try to strategize a big upcoming jam. 

Derby Goals: To play hard, but fair and to have fun whether we win or lose. 

Outside of Derby: I teach high school, which I love, but can ...let's just say drive me to find release in hitting girls at Derby, LOL. I love to curl up and knit, read mystery novels, and take naps whenever I can!

Join Pair O' Dice City Roller Derby!

WE WANT YOU!

Pair O' Dice City Roller Derby is now recruiting. 

Have you ever wondered about Roller Derby? 

Want a place where you can get in shape and make great friends?

Come check POD out!!

We're looking for new skaters, refs, and NSOs (non-skating officials).

If you're at ALL curious about Roller Derby, come check us out!

Sunday from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m..

Thursday from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Interskate 91 South (2043 Boston Rd, Wilbraham, MA 01095)

For more information, you can email us at skate4podcity@gmail.com

Skater of the Month: Meryl Creep

Welcome to our monthly feature on the blog where we help you all get to know our players a little better! This month, we're featuring the other half of the Pair O' Dice City Rollers' awesome co-captain duo: 

Skater name: Meryl Creep

Number: 9

Story behind the name: Well, my husband found great joy in trying to find me a name. He wanted people to call me Fugly Motha because he figured people would just call me Fugly!!

Hometown: Springfield, MA. 

Derby Experience: I have been skating for a little over four years

Sports background: I did gymnastics for eighteen years.  I was the captain of my high school gymnastics team. I was on a team for a year in college and then coached in my 20's.  My coach died this summer and I reflected a lot on my childhood as an athlete. As a gymnast I competed under what used to be Classes. I was Class 2 - above that was Class 1 and then Elite.  My best event was the balance beam. I was fourth in the state on that event and fourth in Western Mass in that event, as well. After an injury, I had to leave gymnastics.  I was also a diver and a diving coach before I came to Derby. 

Why Derby:  One day, I watched the movie Whip It and then googled roller derby. I found a league in the area and went to their fresh meat night! I love derby because it gave me back something I was missing in my life. I am a mom, a teacher, a wife and I didn't feel I was me. I was always a jock! I was a gymnast for the majority of my youth. I played soccer, softball, and was a diver. I was a diving coach and a gymnastics coach. I missed being physical.

Derby Style: I think my derby style is aggressive, but I am also a team player. I have also become much more vocal in my playing these past two years. 

Derby Goals: To see how far I can get my body to go, what my body can learn, and to really get back into jamming. 

Favorite Players: Besides myself? LOL. I love watching the Gotham Girls. Philly is an awesome team to watch.  I really end up watching a lot of tournament play. 

Outside of Derby: In "real life," I am a Special Education teacher, teaching high school English to students with reading and language disabilities. Aside from Derby, I also love drinking (J/K!!), reading, watching movies, and motorcycle riding with my husband and friends. I want to get back into working out at the gym. Oh yeah, tattoos... but I don't know if that counts as a hobby? *grins* 

Things I Have Learned about Derby: I've learned that I have good days and bad, but that no matter what, I can be strong. 

POD's Healthy "Fuel" of the Month

In the interest of fun and nutrition - and showing that yes, you CAN combine the two sometimes - we are going to be featuring one healthy meal a month that can be used to help fuel up before a game or to recharge afterwards. Every once in a while, we'll probably also have a recipe or two for some fabulously tasty treats...because what Derby girl doesn't love treats??

This month, we're going to feature a simple recipe that can be modified in a lot of different ways to satisfy different tastes and to mix things up so that you can make it frequently and not get bored! All you really need is a blender...

GREEN SMOOTHIE

Raspberry Kale Smoothie
from Cooking Classy

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt

10 cashews or plain almonds

1/2 cup frozen baby kale

1 cup fresh baby spinach 

1 medium banana

1 medium bartlett pear

6 frozen strawberries 

1/2 cup water

Directions: 

1. In blender, add ingredients in this order (for easiest blending) - yogurt, nuts, greens (kale and spinach), fruits (frozen first, then fresh), and lastly water

2. Place top on blender and puree ingredients. 

3. If necessary, pause blending and push ingredients to bottom of blender (BEFORE replacing top and restarting) if blender seems to be working too hard to puree. 

4. If consistency seems too thick, add a little more water and reblend. 

5. Pour into a cup and enjoy! 

The green smoothie I had for breakfast
this morning - yogurt, cashews, kale,
spinach, broccoli, blueberries,
strawberries, banana, and pear.

This is the quick recipe that I use for my morning breakfast shakes.  Really, though, you can use any combination of fruits and veggies to make a green smoothie.  What's important is that you start with some kind of liquidy base - you can use yogurt, milk, almond milk, cottage cheese, then add in the fruits and veggies, and some sort of healthy protein option - like peanut butter, nuts, chia or flax seeds. If you remember those three key components, you can use any multitude of options in your smoothies and still have a healthy meal replacement or "recovery" meal after a tough bout. A good smoothie will taste great and not only give you a burst of energy from some protein, but help keep your immune system up and running with all the vitamins and antioxidents you're intaking. 

AND...even though this shake looks green and like it should probably taste like a salad, let me tell you bananas and berries make it taste fruity! They're really delicious, I swear.

Let me know if you try this and what modifications you make...I'm always looking for new options!!

- Nikki Tesla #134

POD's Healthy "Fuel" of the Month

In the interest of fun and nutrition - and showing that yes, you CAN combine the two sometimes - we are going to be featuring one healthy meal a month that can be used to help fuel up before a game or to recharge afterwards. Every once in a while, we'll probably also have a recipe or two for some fabulously tasty treats...because what Derby girl doesn't love treats??

To kick things off, we're going to start with a simple, easy recipe that can be modified in a lot of different ways to satisfy different tastes and to mix things up so that you can make it frequently and not get bored!

EGG WHITE FRITTATA

Egg White Frittata Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients:
1 Tblsp Olive Oil
8 egg whites (or I use the 16oz. carton of egg whites you can buy in grocery stores cuz I'm lazy, LOL) 
1 small onion
1 red pepper
3 oz. baby spinach
3 oz. soft goat cheese
Hot sauce or salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Pour olive oil into large skillet on stove top over medium heat.
2. Chop onion and pepper into small pieces then saute in skillet until softened and onion becomes translucent.
3.  Add baby spinach and cook for about 1 minute until spinach is just wilted.
4. Add egg whites to the skillet, making sure to cover the vegetables evenly. Cook on stove top for about 5-8 minutes. The edges of the egg whites should start to look browned and cooked, but the middle will still look slightly watery on top.
5. Remove from stove top.  Turn on oven broiler.
6. Break goat cheese into small pieces and place evenly on top of frittata.
7. Place skillet into oven on top rack, just below broiler for about 2-3 minutes.  The top of the frittata should finish cooking and turn a lovely pale golden brown color.
8. Remove from oven, let sit for one minute, then cut into four wedges to serve.


You can change up the veggies in this frittata super easily.  Just use whatever you have at home,

An (full) egg fritatta with spinach, onion,
and goat cheese that I made. YUM.

making sure to cook the firmest vegetable (like broccoli, peppers, etc) first so they soften before the egg whites get added. You can also use different cheeses or no cheese at all. This particular recipe is a go-to on weekends in my house, because it's simple and pretty quick. (about 20 mins start to finish). We also add a lot of hot sauce because we like things spicy!

This frittata is good for before a practice or game because it's got protein, veggies, and some fat from the cheese, which all help fuel you but it's light enough that you don't have that awful heavy feeling while you skate.  It's also great for refueling after a workout for all the same reasons.Two wedges of the frittata are about 300 calories, so as long as you share the other half with someone you're still eating a healthy meal that won't immediately cancel out that cardio workout for the day.

Let me know if you try this and what modifications you make...I'm always looking for options in cooking!!

- Nikki Tesla #134

Skater of the Month: Suga Burn

This month we're going to start a new feature on the blog to help you all get to know our players a little better! To start off, we're featuring one of the Pair O' Dice City Rollers' co-captains: 

Skater name: Suga Burn

Number: 250

Story behind the name: Derby related injury - I got a huge 2nd-degree burn on my arm making mexican chocolate marshmallows for the ref room. The number is the point where sugar reaches the "hard ball" stage in candymaking. I am actually not into derby names that much, but people who use their real names tend to be...more "gooder" than I am.  Also I have a last name that no one can pronounce.

Hometown: Timber Ridge, VA, basically a sheep farm by the side of the highway

Derby experience: Three years on skates, this is my second season playing.  I was briefly a ref which was an unmitigated disaster.

Sports background: My dad was a runner and babysat by bringing us along to his track workouts. Through high school I was pretty active, but avoided organized sports because I sucked at them and in the south that is a Big Deal.  In college I did club rugby, ultimate frisbee, karate, and got kicked off the rowing team for not passing the swim test.  Post-college I got into ultrarunning and long course triathlon.   

Why derby:  I am pretty sure that originally I wandered in because summer ultimate had ended for the year and I was bored and looking for something to do during the winter, and honestly after almost 10 years in the same co-ed sports league the drama had built up.  I have no idea why I stuck with it, to be honest, except that it was the winter - the league was new and had no organized fresh meat process and picking up the skills was wicked hard for me.  Glad I did though - the game is very mental and always challenging, as I put it “no matter how good you are, you will always find a way to hilariously suck.”  Plus, roller skating turns out to be sort of fun (because the last time I skated pre-derby I broke my ankle so bad I needed 3 surgeries which was not fun).

Derby style: Calm, composed, and rules-minded blocker in bouts.  Shenanijammer extraordinaire, who often comes close to fouling out in scrimmage.  If the refs don’t have homework after a scrimmage, I failed miserably.

Photo by Eric Wallis Photography

Why Pair O' Dice: I came to POD after I had gone inactive for a while after my first season.  I really love that the entire league is one team and everyone is treated equally and empowered. I also love that derby is treated as a sport, not a part-time job.  It was time for me to feed other parts of my life and I am really happy with the balance.

Derby goals: Inspire a WFTDA clarification or rules rewrite ala No Big Deal (will become a jammer if necessary to do so).  I also really want to get involved with Fresh Meat and Scrimmage 101 training.  With the right sequence of training I know that skaters have more fun and become more well-rounded and empowered.

Favorite players: Lil Paine and Artoo Detonate from Boston.  I also adore Chantilly Mace from Bay Area because she full on nopetopuses out (legally) when she is just over a jam.  Crawling through the pack?  Getting hit out and just standing there, refusing to go back? Yep. In an alternate universe where I was an elite jammer, that would SO be me.

Photo by Danielle "Daneurysm" Millea

Gear: Suede and croco leather Riedell 965s with custom plates, Zombie 98a wheels (still not hard enough), 187 knee pads, Scabs elbow and gaskets, Triple 8 wrist guards, S-1 helmet, Crazy Bounce toestops, and 2.4 sisu mouthguard.  Smartwool socks, capris, and lots of bandanas.

Outside of derby:  I have degrees in geological and geotechnical engineering from Columbia and MIT.  I recently hit that point in my career where I am expected to manage, not do, and it forced a re-evaluation of my priorities.  Currently launching a brand new career in social entrepreneurship. This spring I applied for and was selected for the Education Pioneers Data Analyst Fellowship; I am currently in the placement process for it which is both exciting and frustrating on a daily basis.  I also make candy, grow things, make objects, and like riding my bike and such outside.  Also always have a freelance gig cause/economy - gotta diversify.

Things I have learned about derby:  There are at least 6 ways to do a transition and one of them will make sense to everyone.  Fishnets don’t work once you start wearing gaskets.  When it stops being fun, take a break. Interskate 91 South is all-request on Wednesday nights and they play video (I request Marky Mark and Salt ‘n Pepa every time). NSOs always have cookies.

Some Summer Funzies

Our team, the Pair O' Dice City Rollers take two breaks during the year.  Once at the holidays, because everyone likes to spend time with family, and then again at the beginning of official summer to let players get their kids settled in to camp, to take vacations, etc.  Our summer break is actually going on right now.

Just before our break, though, we got to do a really fun practice...one that both reminded us of the sheer FUN of skating and how much we'll miss getting together for two weeks, and one that was just silly enough to make us feel less guilty for wanting to enjoy a little break from regular practices.

So what did this "FUNZIES" practice consist of, you ask?

Some of the POD players playing the "road kill
ball toss" game...

Skill-building fun games, of course!

First we played freeze tag...with a twist. We divided up the playing zone into two distinct areas.  In one, you could only skate forwards, and in the other, you could only skate backwards.  It was hilarious! Awkward at first, but soon we were all zooming along without even thinking about our skating and transitions from one direction to the other. The tricky part was actually having to army crawl through everyone else's legs to unfreeze them! Believe me.

Soon, we took this to the next level and played it as "zombie tag." When playing this way, the original "it" doesn't just freeze their prey, they convert them into "its" as well, until it's a case of last skater skating!

After some decent reydrating, we moved on to a game that doesn't have an official name.  In some places, it's just a ball toss game, in some it's played with a stuffed toy rather than a ball, so it's called, "road kill."  In any case, we divided into teams of three and had two objectives as we skated round the track.  One was to pass the ball at regular intervals between our own teammates and second was to try to intercept the other team's passes.

More of the "road kill ball toss" game.  

Again, we got so into it that we totally lost track of all the practice skills we had to employ in order to make the game work! We were transitioning, orbiting around one another, creating mini-walls, and throwing in mini-hip checks all over the place.  It was a blast!

Finally, we ended practice by taking turns on a quick obstacle course.  The more veteran skaters were aiming for not only speed, but challenging themselves to work harder on each skill, while some of us newer skaters were just trying to make it through without falling, LOL! The course started out with wide, tightly angled slolams leading into a jump.  Then we had to plow stop before doing some kind of fancy footwork weaving through cones.  Next, we had to run on toe stops through a narrow gap and then sprint for a hip check on an "opponent."  The final challenge on our turn around the track was to weave through a mini landmine field of helmets as if they were an opposing pack.

I'm proud to say that on my third time through, I managed to complete each obstacle successfully...if not necessarily as gracefully as some of the other skaters. *grins*  All in all, it was a night that really reminded each of us of how FUN it is to just skate and to hang out with each other, which really are the best parts of being on a derby team, after all!

-Nikki Tesla #134