Take Care Of Yourself

The election here in the United States is finally over, and it’s been distracting and exhausting. Politics isn’t something I normally talk about, but I’m deeply disappointed in the outcome. Lifting women up and helping them to be the best they can be in their health, relationships, and lives is important to me, and I won’t let anything change that. It’s been hard to ignore, though, so I’ve been trying to focus on what makes me feel good: food and family! 

Focus on Gratitude

I’m leaning heavily into gratitude these days, noticing how lucky I really am. I’m grateful for  my family and friends, for the beautiful place I live, and for the food I’m privileged to cook and put on the table for my family. From looking through my gratitude journal over the past few years, eating together as a family has always been important to me, and now that my son is nearing graduation, I want to savor this time we have together. 

I’m also thrilled that my son is feeling better with each passing day. He’s healing from his gut dysbiosis and mold toxicity, and is talking about going on a bike packing trip in Europe after he graduates from high school. He’s already starting to ride his bike again and join me on some dog walks. This is such great news, as he has been struggling for some time. 

There are small joys all around us, even when the world seems heavy. 

Focus on Food

Just last week I wrote about focusing on healthy food when I’m feeling tired, busy, or stressed. Of course, when you’re tired, busy, and stressed, it can be hard to make good food a priority. So how do I do that when I have competing priorities like writing my book, increasing my fitness on my bike, and getting the high school mountain bike team going for the season?

There will always be something going on, so I’ve developed several strategies to help me eat well so that I can feel good. I bet some of them will work for you, too! 

Meal Planning Systems. A plan takes the guess-work out of meals so you can focus on other things. I’ve used these in the past, but I need to be organized to make it happen. And right now, I’m definitely not there! 

Join a CSA. Each week, my CSA (community supported agriculture) box gets delivered. I get to choose fresh, local produce and it’s a great starting point for eating in-season fruits and veggies. It also saves me a trip to the grocery store!

Cook Once, Eat Twice. Right now, I can manage to plan two dinners ahead of time, and whenever possible, I double the recipe. It’s perfect for saving time, money, and cutting down on waste. It also means that there’s less cleanup! Here are some go-to’s that work for us:

• Extra rice or beans to have in the fridge as a base to another meal. 
• Freeze extra soup for a healthy, easy lunch another day. 
• Double up on a pasta casserole or lasagna, and freeze the second. 

Take Care

So, that’s how I’m taking care of myself right now. Gratitude for who and what I have in my life and nightly meals with my family. If things feel heavy for you, too, I hope this post encourages you to seek gratitude and nourishing food to feed your soul.