The three o’clock slump can put a major kink in getting a healthy dinner on the table. So can the post-school game, unexpected company, the project creating overtime you didn’t want, the sick kid… the list goes on and on. Here are three strategies I use to get dinner on the table when life goes nuts.
Cook Early
If you work inside the home, cook dinner early in the day. Cook after breakfast before the slump hits. When I was at my worst with adrenal fatigue, I’d cook dinner as soon as I had enough energy to do so. Never wait until 5pm to start cooking if you have afternoon slumps.
If you work outside of the home, this means starting the crock-pot or using planned leftovers. Cook on the weekends or batch cook in the evenings and stock the freezer with the parts and pieces or full meals you need to get dinner on the table fast. Make a list and don’t forget to thaw things by popping the already cooked pieces in the fridge the night before so they’re easier to deal with once you get home.
If you’re having a good day, fix extra in case you have a bad day tomorrow. Chopped veggies will keep a few days in the fridge, no problem.
If you’re really in a pickle, double the meal and eat the leftovers the next night.
Prep Ahead
If you work inside the home and you have enough energy in the afternoon, do your prep work ahead. Chop the veggies in advance and store them in the fridge. Make any needed sauces or sides.
If you work outside the home, prepping ahead can be a boon to getting dinner on the table faster. Chop all the veggies and make all the sauces you’ll need for the week on the weekend.
It’s also a good idea to chop up a bunch of onion, celery and carrot and cook it ahead. Portion it out into containers and freeze. Use it when you need it. Roast chickens and freeze the meat, make stock and freeze that, too. If you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue, cook parts and pieces whenever you’re up to it and use them when you have to.
Back Up Plan
ALWAYS have a back-up plan. Always keep a meal in the freezer in case things really go South and you have to choose between a freezer meal and calling for a pizza delivery. Always assume there will be days you burn dinner, hit a wall. Keep your freezer stocked for those days. A meal with unsoaked grain or grocery store meat is better than fast food or a pizza.
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Excellent KerryAnn. It is so easy to think that a meal has to be ‘just so’ in order to be acceptable. I love your suggestion of cooking the onion, celery and carrots to freeze and use later. That’s not something I’d thought of. Thank you!
Millie recently posted..Money: April 30 to May 6
Hi Kerry, This post really caught my eye this morning. I sure appreciate the tips first off, but was also struck that you wrote this for mamas with afternoon slump or adrenal fatigue. I have been dealing with this the past year along with dietary changes due to discovery of food allergies (wheat, corn, sesame, sugar being my biggies). I’m doing much better now (a year later) and really really curious how often you find a connection between adrenal fatigue and food allergies. ??
After the article, I read your personal story and was totally floored. I’m sooooo sorry you had to go through that. OMG that’s amazing you survived that long being so sick. Of course it’s wonderful you were able to discover the issues and fix them for you and your children. Wish I could reach back in time and just hug and care for that sick version of you. Sorry.
I feel like I need to get the silver out of my teeth as well and do some similar process as you did. I recall playing with mercury, as a child, after breaking a thermometer.
I love following you by fb and appreciate all you share, thanks so much,
Aly
Oregon mama
Aly, it seems everyone I’ve met who has gone off of intolerances then found themselves dealing with adrenal fatigue. It’s like your body realizes the offending food is gone and struggles to figure out how to live normally without a constant onslaught and always having to fight. For some folks, it appears to level out quickly and they are able to quickly overcome it. Others like myself, it takes longer.
I appreciate hearing from you!
KerryAnn Foster recently posted..eCourse: Purge the Crafts and Office Supplies