I love to cook.
But I have found myself in a rut lately. Actually the rut began when the newest twins started eating solids-so we're going on almost a year now. This is not normal for me. When any of my friends say they're in a food rut...they mean a month of cooking the same 8-10 meals. That's O.K. Everyone goes through it for their own reason.
Here's my reason: I start thinking about dinner from the moment I wake up (Because in a rut you don't make weekly menus).
What do I have in the freezer? What do I thaw? What side dish to make? Will the girls like it? Can the babies eat it? Will Paul eat It? All important questions to think about at 9 A.M.
So after answering all these questions in my head I usually end up making three meals. Here's where the phases begin.
The FIRST PHASE begins at 4:30 when I start preparing the babies meal. They eat half and throw the other half on the floor.
Now the SECOND PHASE begins. At 5:30 I'm starting to prepare Ava and Emma's dinner. There is usually a component from the first phase. They eat half and drop half on the floor.
Cooking Break then Baths-story time-reading time and finally Bed Time.
The last and THIRD PHASE can now begin. It's now between 7:45 and 8:15 when I cook Paul's and my dinner. Using bits from dinner 1 and 2 this phase is where I LOVE to cook-but my rut has interfered.
I can experiment-try out new recipes-or be plain Jane knowing my husband will love and eat anything I make with a big smile and an "I love you" and the end.
Spring is coming and I'm ready to kick this rut! Spring means Grille time and lighter ingredients. The rut may be coming to and end but unfortunately the three phases are here to stay for a little while longer.
Ha ha, I love your phases...4:30 for me is when I say oh crap what am I going to make...and I continue to ask myself that until 6pm when Steve comes home and then I throw something together and pretend I knew what I was doing all along! hee hee! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, thanks for your guest post today! I wasn't sure if you got a chance to take a picture, but I think it's fine without it...everyone seems thrilled to have some awesome new recipes to try...so THANK YOU! :)
ReplyDeleteI think I am more like Jocelyn, not knowing what I'll making until the last minute. I like to throw things in right before dinner time.
ReplyDeleteOften we also follow this pattern for dinner. Three meals, I mean. Sometimes I make a different plate for each kid, depending on what I'll know they'll eat.
Thanks for the recipes on Jocelyn's blog!
-CK