Is your life in a holding pattern?

I awoke at 3:45 this morning. Anxious thoughts whirled through my mind unbridled. It definitely took effort to pin them down, but the gist was this: I’m living life as if it were in a holding pattern. My daily actions don’t seem to accomplish anything. Each item is waiting on someone or something else. I find myself repeatedly chastising myself for “wasting” time.

But I’m not alone. Everyone is dealing with the COVID quarantine, and everyone has their hot buttons…need to get back to work, didn’t sign up for homeschooling, want to get out and see friends. Because of my focus in my blog, I’ll have to admit I’ve struggled with food during all of this. I’m off my game. I’m usually so organized. I have my routines with making a menu plan and shopping. But right now, I have to just step back and re-assess. What do I most need to do in this area to regain my sanity?

Stop thinking of cooking as “wasted” time

It’s more of a struggle for me to get dinner on the table these days. I’ve been resenting the time it takes to prep and cook. And yet I’ve exercised every day. Isn’t this just a different side of the same coin?

I think that’s a resounding “YES!!!” Prepping and cooking time certainly isn’t “wasted” if I’m making meals that nourish, sustain, and keep my family healthy. This may be even more important right now as we fight what could become a sedentary, lethargic, quarantine lifestyle where junk food becomes our go-to.

Instead, we need to be “comforted” with healthy, freshly made foods any time possible. Heaven forbid someone in your family contracts COVID, but if you maintain good food, good exercise, and good sleep you might be able to fight it off. So how to adjust?

Go for the simplest meals possible

How simple? I’m talking 4 or 5 ingredients if possible…particularly “one pot” meals. I’m not up to cooking a meat and two sides right now. If I can fix just one really good option with all of that in it, that’s my best bet. And I’m collecting more of these every day (link to chicken veggie soup).

Take a shortcut…or make it a party!

It’s certainly fine to grab shortcut foods. But sometimes that’s a challenge these days. Instead, try one of the fresh options here BUT make it a party and do more than you need so next time you don’t have to!

SERIOUSLY – put on your favorite music and sing along while you chop…or watch a movie or listen to a podcast or gather the family around and each one prep something different.

Enjoy time at the dinner table with my family

Most days I cook about an hour and eat for 5 minutes. Many nights my husband finishes eating before I sit down.

So, my new challenge is to cook, put the food on the table, then SIT DOWN and enjoy eating and talking with my family. They deserve my attention, and I deserve to bask in their conversations and laughter.

We’re all in this together

Yes, life may be in a bit of a holding pattern. But this is still precious time to nourish yourself and your family and enjoy this season together. It’s definitely not “wasted.”

I’d love to hear what food challenges you’re conquering today. Please comment below…’cause you know, I’m needing more connection right now!