In my current Challenge group, many of the participants are struggling with how to stay on track when feeding their family. Now, I’m NOT a hard a$$. I would never say, “Well, you’re cooking. They should eat what you cook!!” That’s not my style. Being a parent to special needs kids and a picky husband, my dinners really are a blend of my food and their food. This is how I do it.
On Sundays, I plan my weekly menu. Here’s some insight into how I decide what will make it on the menu.
- Find 3 dinner recipes for the family. These are usually non-glippity glop types. Usually a grilled meat or a “healthy” casserole (like a ratatouille or zucchini enchilada).
- Plan two pre-packaged frozen or glippity glop type main dishes for the family. I mean, hey – sometimes I can’t get outside to grill because of rain or extreme heat. These may be frozen Pei Wei Orange Chicken or Baked Spaghetti (a kid/hubs favorite).
- Look for one or two vegan sides that can be expand into a main dish. Usually these compliment the frozen pre-packaged or glippity glop casserole. For instance, if I have planned frozen Pei Wei for the kids, then I may also make a Udon Noodle salad (guaranteed nose wrinkle from the kids) that I could eat. Note here: I always put my things on their plates. They do NOT have to eat it, but they do HAVE to try it.
- Buy lots of vegetables. Always put some sort of vegetable on the plate. I try for two vegetables. Elmo would be so proud of me! I believe in eating a rainbow every night for dinner. My favorite pairing is a green with an orange. Green beans with a sweet potato (4 mins in the microwave). Steamed greens with butternut squash. Asparagus with carrots.
- Bread is an option. When I started this health journey, rolls were a given on our dinner plate. If no rolls were available, my husband would get sandwich to eat with his meal. Now, bread is a treat. As it should be. That roll could be substituted for a piece of chocolate later on. Chocolate or roll. Chocolate or roll?
- Assume there will be fast food or take out night. For these nights, I always find a way to recycle leftovers. It may be a stir fry. Or maybe an omelet. I am never in short supply of leftovers. They make excellent lunches, too.
Above shows the differences between my plate and their plate. My plate is smaller but I leave a lot of room between foods for them. I load UP on veggies. Sometimes the grain and meat portion is combined on my plate if I’m making a vegan side. I almost never have an additional bread item. It’s calories I would rather have in a glass of wine or a little something sweet. Just my choice. If having a roll with dinner is important to you, then you should have it — for sure!!
The main thing to remember is that you are making progress toward your goals. When planning your weekly menu, you should do your best to make them flexible. Realize that it is okay for them to have something a little different from you. The important thing is to eat together. Talking around the dinner table, or in the living room on the couch, is so important. Focusing on learning about one another as we grow and change is essential. Eating a buttered roll… not so much.
Remember that you are worth feeling better and now is your time.
Speak sweet.
Filed under: A Work in Progress, About Me, Nutrition -- Not Diet Tagged: Dinner, Food Choices, Plate, Portion Sizes, Sunday PREP, Vegan, Weekly Menu
