Embracing Change (in the kitchen)

Over the Christmas holidays, with all four children at home for two weeks, I wanted to keep things interesting.  I decided to come up with some different ways to break up the monotony.  I thought it would be a nice treat to let each child pick what we would have for dinner one night.  I realized just how easy it can be to please my children when the list included items such as coleslaw from Sam's, Manwich, and chicken nuggets.

When it was Abby’s turn, I asked her about her choice of spaghetti and meatballs.  Spaghetti is a staple in our home, but I rarely add meatballs.  I asked if she wanted me to make meatballs to go with the spaghetti or buy the frozen ones to heat up.  She looked at me and shook her head sheepishly.  Neither.  She wanted her special meal to be a can of Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs.

There’s some insight to my mothering skills. 

In the past, I have wished I could do better with domestic activities like cooking and sewing.  For years, I blamed my lack of interest in these areas on having young children, finishing school, or working full-time.  Now that I’m at home full-time, I’ve been able to fill my time with other things.  I still don’t have it in me.  I would rather be doing something other than cook.     

I'm fortunate to have a husband who doesn't mind the same three or four simple dinners, and my oldest daughter loves to bake and decorate for special occasions.  My children don’t mind eating hot dogs or something from a can.  Apparently, it’s preferred.

Then in the month of January, things started to change.  In the interest of improving myself as a runner, I’m trying out new foods.  I tired of buying so many convenience foods for the kids, and with some possible allergen concerns with one family member, I’m now making special meals.  In short, I’m spending more hours in the kitchen than ever before.  I’m trying to do a better job of feeding my family. 

I looked around my kitchen the other day, and it’s starting to become unrecognizable.  New items grace my cabinet shelves such as quinoa, Greek yogurt, mushrooms, and more whole grains.  There are brands from the health food store that I'd never heard of that have taken the place of the boxes of mac and cheese. 

But then I look at the floor next to the refrigerator and see my all too familiar 12-pack case of Diet Coke. 

I haven’t gone totally over the edge yet.