Oh the life of a working mom! On Sunday I have the best intentions. I meal plan for the week. I carefully select fresh produce at the grocery. I make ahead what I can. I try to plan for leftovers if needed. This week, by Sunday afternoon, I had a casserole in the fridge and enough paleo pancakes to get us through the first few days. I was on top of the food game! Then Monday rears its ugly head and I have to hunker down and stick to my guns. Sometimes mamas, you just have to push through. Stick to the plan. But in the meantime, I ride the emotional roller coaster that is my mid-week fatigue. It goes a little something like this:
- Denial. It’s Wednesday. I hit snooze this morning and forget to set the meat out for dinner. I remember this on my drive home. I consider getting a pizza. Or Chipotle. But no, the meal plan. You cannot forget the meal plan. You were going to stick to it, waste no food, and SAVE MONEY. No. eating. out.
- Guilt. Ok. I can make myself go into the kitchen. I stare at the pantry, the refrigerator. I contemplate the fruit bowl. But finally, I just defrost the meat. I am such a bad mom if I order out. What did we have for breakfast? Was it healthy enough? Probably not. I should buy more avocados. We need to eat more vegetables… This can be a very long stage.
- Diversion. Well, before I begin I might as well start that load of laundry. Or write a blog? Or grade papers? Is there homework to be done? I should probably let the dogs out too. WAIT! You are teetering dangerously close to denial and takeout again.
- Anger & Bargaining. Why did I plan a stir-fry with orange zest and minced garlic…on a Wednesday!? What was I thinking? Oh just great. The good skillet is dirty. Maybe if I just make this tomorrow it would be better. If I order takeout today, we can eat healthy tomorrow, right?!
- The Upward Turn. Well, juicing that orange was rather fun. Minced garlic is amazing. Oh I just love to see all of the colors together. Okay, chopping vegetables is therapeutic. I guess I will continue on with the stir-fry.
- Acceptance. This smells great! I am happy to serve my family a home cooked meal with fresh ingredients. I don’t even know why I was dreading this.
- Hope & Health. We sit down together. We have a great meal (if I do say so myself!). I learn that there was a “council” of 7 year old boys at the playground evaluating the game of Dinosaur for both recess breaks. Apparently, playing dinosaur during both recesses was becoming a scheduling problem. (It was decided to have free play during second recess, in case you were wondering.) I feel great about eating healthy and all is well.
