Dear Friend,
Tough life's seasons sometimes make managing care tasks like cooking challenging.
When we are the person in our home that is primarily in charge of food tasks, that can be stressful!
We all experience different times when our capacity for cooking is little to none.
For example:
Postpartum - those early weeks (and months!) after birth leave little room for cooking and managing the tasks surrounding food.
Recovering from surgery, illness or a medical procedure - when you need to be in bed and resting, you aren’t able to be in the kitchen preparing food.
Caring for a loved one during a hospital stay - when you’re being pulled away from your home for more time than usual with responsibilities above and beyond your usual daily life, this can put a lot of strain on your ability to prepare food at home.
First of all, I'm here to remind you: this is okay.
These tough seasons are part of life. Self compassion and grace is essential.
The goal is being fed. It's about meeting your basic needs for nutrition, not striving for an unattainable ideal of perfection.
If you have advanced notice, you can manage the anxiety leading up to these seasons by planning ahead.
Preparing ahead, mentally, practically and logistically, can help you be your future friend during those low capacity times.
Consider what a strategic nourishment plan might look like for you.
How will you ensure that you and your loved ones are fed during an upcoming hard season?
Here are some gentle ideas:
✨ Seek Support: Lean on your circle of people. Ask family, friends, or neighbours for assistance with grocery shopping/pick up, meal prep, or cleanup. Don't hesitate to seek paid help for home cooking assistance if feasible.
✨ Meal Trains and Scheduled Prep: Start a meal train, inviting people to bring scheduled, prepped meals. It's an act of kindness that many people are happy to provide.
✨ Stock Up on Ready-to-Eat Staples: Fill your pantry and fridge with ready-to-eat essentials: crackers, cheeses, canned goods, easy proteins, prepped veg and fruits, granola bars, and more. Consider purchasing prepared foods from grocery stores or food prep businesses.
✨ Plan Takeout and Ordering: Create a list of restaurants, their contact details, and potential meal ideas for takeout. Having these options handy can be a lifesaver.
✨ Prep Ahead: If you can, prepare meals and snacks in advance. Portion out individual meals or create larger family-sized portions and freeze. Prep snack trays for easy access during the day.
Having a plan in place ensures you're nourished during times of stress and limited capacity.
What strategies have helped you in the past? I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Warmly,
AmyYour Dietitian Doula
P.S. - Are you in the midst of a hard season and need help NOW with nourishment? Grab my struggle day nourishment guide here: https://www.amymarshall.ca/strugglemeals
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