Well, this is embarrassing. You'd think I'd be checking in, after my few week break from blogging, feeling all relaxed and svelte. Nope. See, even though I took a few weeks to dial things back and prioritize spending quality time with my family, that was only half of what I needed to do to feel swell. I know the food part is important. Of course, I know this. Sometimes {achem} it just takes takes my shorts getting snug to remind me that I need to pay attention to what I am eating. Either I can admit that, or I can give the dryer stink eye... even if the dryer settings haven't changed in the past month.
So, what happened? Well, let's see... I started the summer off with too many balls in the air, and between (the craziness of) day camp shuttling and lots of afternoon activities, the heat of the summer (which makes this CA girl absolutely wilt), a few work projects, the bevvy of normal home/mom responsibilities, and seemingly 'no time' to shop, we ate out too many nights. Don't get me wrong, eating out is fun. I love it.
As a family, we frequent local Mexican, Indian, Korean, Thai and Japanese places that whip up meals different than those I make at home. The problem with eating out is that you don't really know what the ingredients are in your meals... and then there's the cocktail (or two...) that always seems a part of a meal out. And while the notion of having someone else cook/serve/clean up is hugely appealing to me as a busy mom, it's time that I take my own advice so I don't feel like a sausage stuffed in casing come August.
I am determined to get back on track, but this is going to take a little more organization/planning than I'm used to, if I am going to keep all the balls in the air, be present for my family, and take care of myself. I have a wealth of amazingly delicious-- and simple-- recipes here on the blog, in my head, and filed away in notebooks. My goal is to create a simple program for myself so I can easily stay on track. As I muddle through this 'return to swell', I am taking copious notes. If it works, I look forward to sharing my plan, recipes and tips with all of you! How does that sound? Have you gotten yourself in a similar rut this summer? Leave me a comment and let me know your biggest stumbling block to eating well when you're super busy. I'd love to hear I'm not alone... and please do share any tips you may have for getting back on track! Together we can do this!!
I find the biggest challenge this summer to be a lack of schedule. During the school year, I work at an elementary school and of course I eat breakfast, snack and lunch at the exact same time every day. Sometimes in the summer we are at the beach until late at night, and sleep in the next day, throwing our meal schedues way off. I am working to be spontaneous and enjoy the fun that summer brings, but also to eat my meals at approximately the same time each day. This somehow helps me make healthier choices (and prevents me from eating every time my kids eat!)
ReplyDeleteI like your statement about creating a simple program for yourself. Simple is key! One thing I like to do when I'm super busy is batch cook. So I prepare food for the week on Sunday and freeze it or keep it in the fridge . . . and then just thaw it out or heat it up each day. I love doing big pots of veggie soups or stews. Simple. Easy. Healthy. Easy. Did I say that already?
ReplyDeleteHi! My problem is that hotdogs are easier, super fast, only takes one hand to make, taste good, the kids eat them, I don't have to turn on oven and bake my house, no dishes, no brainer!! But, in the end, you look and feel like what you eat. Good Luck and look forward to your plan! Thank you!
ReplyDelete