RECENTLYI came up with, what I thought was a fantastic idea yesterday. While making out my grocery list this week, I kept getting very frustrated with thinking of new meals, or at least, what to eat by the end of the week. Coming up with breakfasts my husband can just hand to children 2 days a week (he lets me sleep in 2 days and gets up with them and feeds them and changes diapers, etc.), lunches that my son will actually eat, and dinners for the entire family! Now, my husband will eat anything, as long as I don't tell him how I made it. However, we have discovered that he is allergic to certain shell fish, like shrimp. This kinda put a damper on my menu system I had implemented a few years ago. My son, however, is very picky and will only eat certain things. He really doesn't mind eating mac-n-cheese 4 days a week. In fact, he asks for it. But, my daughter is starting to get tired of it and I don't blame her. I prepare lunch and breakfast just for my kids, "catering", as it may be. But at supper, they are served what we are. I am a huge stickler for eating the right way.
So I devised a plan. Every day of the week, the breakfast will be the same week to week. For example, on Sunday I can serve muffins. It's tradition in our family. Started way back w/ my mom. This is something I can make the night before and as we are getting ready, the one who has not nabbed the shower first can serve muffins and banana, and then as we are walking out the door, the adult who didn't eat can have their fill. Also, for the 2 days that my husband serves them breakfast, he can make poptarts and banana and milk or mini muffins, banana and milk (see a pattern: each breakfast, I serve banana and milk to start the day). Now, here's where it got tricky: LUNCH! I am a big supporter of the food groups. I try everyday to insure that my children get a protein (whether it be ham, bologna or peanut butter), diary, fruit (applesauce, grapes, or jello) and a grain (bread, crackers, etc). I allow my son sprite at lunch and juice for my daughter. She doesn't always eat her fruit, but she will her juice. I try to fit V8Splash in the day at somepoint, but I don't serve them sweets (sprite or chocolate) after 4 o'clock. Noticed a bad pattern when my son has sprite with supper. My problem was not coming up with enough meals. I was able to come up with at least 6 (on Sunday afternoon, we got for pizza w/ my in-laws after church), but how to let my son have some control over what he is eating. I finally figured it out, with the help of my big sis (I love you, sis). I called to talk to my mom to ask for her help and my sis answered instead. Also a homeschooler, she tries to come up with creative meals throughout the day. So, we decided that I could kill 3 birds with one stone. I'm going to make a chart for the fridge with all the food groups. This way, he'll learn these in a "game" of sorts. I will put, say, a picture of GRAPES on the fridge (thanks to her magnetic/laminator) with the word written across. He learns great this way, memorizing pictures and letters. Each day, he'll get to pick his meal. We'll move it off the fridge once that fruit or protein has been used. I think it will work and I'm really excited about this...
Dear Lord, I thank you that you have given me this fun and creative idea to help my children learn. I pray that I will be able to work it out, so as not to get frustrated. I pray that this will bring some sense of responsibility to the kids, while having fun. I pray that this will help me to eliviate the pressure of meal planning.
I read your scrapbook page entry as well...is the retreat you're going to the one at Camp Singing Hills?? I was asked to go on that one but couldn't since I'll be at a homeschool convention that same weekend.
I certainly am glad you enjoyed the verse and music on my blog. It's one of my favorite songs. My Mom died 4 years ago and that's one song I listen to that makes me think of her enjoying heaven. Oh how I can't wait to get there to see it for myself though!! = ) I hope all is ok - is there something I can pray for regarding your bad news from last night?