How to Add Variety to Your Meals During Shelter in Place [Episode 105]

Thriving In Motherhood Podcast | Productivity, Planning, Family Systems, Time Management, Survival Mode, Mental Health, Vision

Today we're talking about how to add variety to your meal planning during this time when we are all at home with our families.

Key Points from this Episode:

• I've always had the philosophy that I cook one meal. My kids have never experienced double-cooking where we have one food for the adults and another food for the kids.
• We allow kids to say "this isn't my favorite" but not "eww! I hate this" and those kinds of negative talk.
• We have the family rule that kids must take 2-3 "polite bites" of everything on their plate and after that, they don't have to eat any more if they don't want to. The kids can make themselves toast or a sandwich if they are still hungry, but I don't cook anything extra for them.
• I cook to what I want to eat because I'm doing the work.
• Watch some YouTube to get some inspiration for something different!
• Add something like homemade croutons to an existing salad you like to change the whole feel.
• Cook enough food that you have leftovers (at least for the adults) to take some of the work out of prepping food.
• Consider organizing your fridge where leftovers are all together and easily accessible so they don't get lost in the fridge.
• Take something you normally make and find ways to change up the flavor combinations and it will revitalize the food!
• Make something (like sauerkraut, tortilla, or pita bread) from homemade that you usually buy and it will feel new again!
• Make a triple batch of muffins and freeze whatever you can't finish. They are quick to heat up in the microwave and a great snack.
• Blend ice cubes into snow cones and add orange juice!
• Leftover smoothies or kefir ice cream can go in popsicle molds to save for another day.
• Homemade granola can be added to smoothies or ice cream.
• Mix in a pre-packaged oatmeal packet with regular oatmeal to spread out the sugar and flavor.
• Subscribe to a produce box delivery! They add variety and excitement to your fruits and veggies.
• Try something that sounds crazy like Chickpea Cookies!
• Find some friends to share recipes with!

Resources

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• Misfits Market Organic Fruits and Vegetables delivery - coupon code for 25% off your first box: COOKWME-LO0GPI
• Faithful Plateful
• Mel's Kitchen Cafe - Muffin Recipes
• Pinch of Yum
• Refurbished Blendtec Blender
• Silicon Mini Muffin Pan
• How to Make Sauerkraut
• Cultures for Health - Kefir Grains