Hi friends – Happy Weekend!
Before I get to the topics of today’s post, I want to say how much I loved reading your comments about the “Get Hungry” post – lots of really good comments and conversation! Thank you so much for that and I’m so glad that you guys liked the post so much! I’ll be sure to include more like that in the future. If you like what you read here, please pass the link on! (and you can follow me on Twitter to get FeatTweets!) Let’s build the FitFeat community so that we can continue to share and exchange all of our ideas!
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Do any of you ever watch that show on TV called “What Would You Do?” where they have hidden cameras taping actors doing something morally out of line to see how people respond that aren’t in on it? I feel like I was on that show today…
This morning I completed my annual CPR/AED course, which is a requirement to maintain my ACE personal trainer certification each year. I don’t like to be a Negative Nelly (publicly anyway, ha ha!) but the guy that taught our class today was not only dry as the Sahara desert but also completely unqualified to teach people life-saving techniques. I take it seriously because if I’m ever in a situation where I need to put this training to use, I want to know I am competent at it. And the steps often change slightly from one year to the next so I want to be sure I’m comfortable with the protocol. I feel bad for the people in the class today who were first-time attendees – even for those of us that were there for renewal, he was all over the place and completely confusing. I hope that if I ever need someone to perform CPR on me, they weren’t ONLY trained by this clown.
I’m strongly considering contacting our local Red Cross chapter – it was that bad.
So like the TV show, I’m asking: What would you do? Would you consider calling to let them know that their instructor needs further training before being let loose with a real class or would you chalk it up to him having a bad day and stay out of it? I’d love to get your input on this!
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OK on to fun stuff!
Anyone else still suffering from Kombucha withdrawal? Have you seen any of the main brands back on the shelves yet? (Not the pasteurized imposter wanna-be Kombuchas – they don’t count!) 
Since I’d been missing my BUBBLY booch so much, I mentioned recently that I was left no choice but to attempt to make my own. My first experiment with making Kombucha tea is going the same way my first attempt with sprouting went, which is to say UNSUCCESSFULLY. 
I followed the steps to a “T”…
And hid it away to do it’s thing for 2 weeks.
But after 16 days…. I don’t think it’s really growing anything. Which is a big Bummer with a capital B. I think that the culture kind of expanded but supposedly I should now have a second culture growing on the TOP of the tea. But I don’t.
The directions mention that the culture can be damaged by heat so maybe my first mistake was ordering it in the summertime when the box it shipped in had to sit in my mailbox till I got home from work one day – probably BAKING the whole time in our 90+ degree heat.
I refuse to give up! I’m hearing that kombucha should be back on the shelves in August… so if I can get my hands on just ONE bottle somewhere then I will try again using THAT as the starter rather than the dried one. I’ll wait until WINTER to order another dried culture if I have to go that route.
Because even when it’s back on the shelves it’d be really nice to save money by making my own anyway!
OK, blog buds. All this tea talk has me thirsty!
Let me know your thoughts on the “What Would You Do?” question! Can’t wait to hear what you would do!
– Shari B. =)
#1 by Shari B. on August 2, 2010 - 6:44 am
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Hi everyone! Thanks for the feedback – sounds like the general consensus is that I should make the call. I appreciate all of your thoughtful comments – thank you!
#2 by Joan on August 1, 2010 - 9:20 pm
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I would definitely make that call to voice your concerns, being that you have had the course many times before from various instructors. This one gave you serious concerns, with your concerns outlined and concise. I agree with Bernadette…your call could be the one to determine if they take other complaints seriously or not.
.-= Joan´s last blog ..Rasperry Ice =-.
#3 by Guy on August 1, 2010 - 10:08 am
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Yes, I would contact the local chapter as soon as possible, and explain your concerns, as the issue of life and death require the respect and understanding of the class to be accurate and precise, no room for error here. G
#4 by Bernadette on July 31, 2010 - 4:33 pm
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Big Bummer about the Kambucha… I was really hoping that would be successful!!! I have one un-opened bottle in my fridge that I’m saving for a ‘rainy day’… or in case of emergency whichever comes first!!
Ok… so here’s my opinion about the ‘what would you do’ question. I would call and give them your honest opinion about the instructor, it does not need to be presented as you are ‘tattling’ on him but I really think that the Red Cross would want to know, they after all, are like YOU and care about the product they deliver. Here is my reason for feeling this way: A couple years ago my daughter (who goes to private school) got a new teacher in her class (each classroom has 2 full time teachers) this teacher was mean, rude, condescending, and just overall un-pleasant. It got so bad that at one point my daughter started having nightmares about her… so I went to the directors and just voiced my concern and they told me that they had gotten other complaints and had decided that just one more and she was out. Had I not said anything not only my daughter but other children may have had to suffer thru an unbearable school year when these kids normally LOVE school.
I’m sure you will get alot of different opinions, this is just mine but I think as long as it’s an honest complaint there is no harm in making the call.
Have a great weekend!!
xoxo
#5 by Alison on July 31, 2010 - 3:58 pm
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I too am totally bummed about the lack of Kombucha on store shelves… it was often my “treat” if I was feeling rowdy! I considered trying to make it myself too – but it seemed too complicated (as described by the hippie chick at the hippie grocery store). Glad to hear it’s likely to be back on store shelves in August.
Hard to say what I’d do about the instructor, it would have to be really bad for me to make a phone call… but the fact that this guy is “teaching” people to save lives? Yeah, that’s a toughie.
.-= Alison´s last blog ..How to Make an Awesome Salad =-.