I have decided to make Sunday my day for meal planning and grocery shopping. With two teenage sons, having good healthy food on hand that they will eat and want to eat for dinner (that is not just fatty pizza!!) can be challenging.
I asked them both for a list of their favorite foods and which ones they want to be in charge of cooking one night per week each.
The 13 year old came up with tacos and Cuban pork lion and the 16 year old said chicken cacciatore and steaks with asparagus and Brussel sprouts. Not too bad! I then came up with some other healthy options and made my grocery list along with salads with proteins such as chicken and shrimp for lunches (we work at home a lot) and some breakfast staples for frittatas and green smoothies.
The week of dinners is planned for the first time in a few years.
Yes, this happened on day 2 of no more alcohol! This is day 3, early in the morning and I’m awake and feeling wonderful, although a little sore from the long bike ride yesterday!
I feel good knowing I am actively planning for our healthy whole food consumption and involving the kids in the process has been a dream of mine for so long. I never got around to either of these small but very important tasks because I always chose wine instead of this. And this is why I weigh 50 pounds over my ideal weight and have stiff sore joints…. because I ate crap and didn’t exercise all of 2019, all while guzzling as much wine as humanly possibly while running a million dollar business as the CEO!
Simple things like this make me happy. I need to remember this when the little voice tries to tell me otherwise. I know it’s going to try to seduce me and try to get me back, but I know better this time. Been there too many times.
Do your kids cook? How do you have the kids help or cook in your family? I’d love to hear!
I love my new life! 
So weird, I had exactly this conversation with a friend earlier today. I’m finding it increasingly frustrating thinking of foods to cook for two teenagers (one non meat eater), my husband and I. Working full time and generally busy with life, I just always think about it too late and it becomes a ball ache. I love food but increasingly I’m reaching for rubbish, easy stuff which is naff and fattening! I am going to take a lead out of your book. I’ll plan meals, do shopping list and involve the boys too.
Thanks for sharing xxx
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I am so happy it helped you. To me, they are capable of cooking. I know I did and so did my husband in our teens. Simple meals are great, and they can repeat them weekly for mastery and then add more. I would like them to each cook two meals a week eventually. That will be a big help and they will learn and appreciate all the effort more!
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I’ve told my two tonight that they are going to each cook a meal every week. It can be the same meal until they can do it independently and decide they want to try something new. You have spurred me on!
Xx
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Seriously Lisa, I got home from work more motivated than I’ve been in ages. I went to the farm shop and now I’m looking at recipes and writing a shopping list. I feel upbeat again.
That’s down to you!!
Thanks 😊
Claire xx
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Yay!!!! How awesome. There is so much I have been missing out on. I’m feeling lucky right now to realize it and end the madness.
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Madness is the word!! 😊
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Yes!!!!
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