Easy New Year

Because it's what we do this time of year, I have started taking into account the way I live my life, and what possible (easy) steps I might take in an effort to improve the whole scene. Don't get me wrong, I love my life... many days I stay home and play with my youngest daughter, neither of us bothering to change out of our jammies until just before the rest of the family returns home from school and work. Inevitably, though, someone wants some sort of meal to sustain them, and that falls under my job description.

Since I'm not in the habit of preparing regular, consecutive meals for my family (discounting the popcorn lunches and mac-n-cheese dinner staple), I've decided to revise my approach in the kitchen. Let's face it, I can't really improve a nonexistent habit, so... first step, start making regular meals. Like, supper every night! That sounds pretty easy.

I happen to be a person that can't start with the first step. One idea brings me one step further from accomplishing my goal. In this instance, cooking supper every night means creating a menu. Which means getting an inventory of in-stock ingredients, and making a menu-specific shopping list. This is getting more complicated by the minute! I persevered, however, and came up with one week's worth of meals I knew my kids would eat and enjoy.

With list in-hand, I ticked off each item as it went into the cart, happily explaining to the ever-hopeful four year-old we couldn't get sugar cereal or grape soda or anything chocolate if it's not on the list! The whole family appreciated a hot meal that night, and every night for the whole week. Of course, no one wants to help with the dirty dishes or kitchen clean-up, but certainly this new plan has enhanced our lives.

Each night the kids take turns saying Grace before our meal. More than one of them has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to sit together as a whole family for supper. They all ask for a blessing on the meal "and the hands that prepared it". The tasty meal is made more delicious served with pleasant conversation and lots of laughter.

I'd like to tell you more about the meal plan, but I see the little girl on the couch is almost done with her popcorn, and appears to be licking the bag. It's probably time to get out of our jammies, anyway... and start thinking about adding real lunches to our routine.