Weekly Meal Plan: Monday October 14th

Hello everyone.  Fall is in full swing here and I’m enjoying the cool weather.  In San Diego it takes time for the weather to change and it flip flops a bit until November-ish.  But the mornings have been brisk and I’m loving it.

Just in case you’ve been up at night worrying about it, I have found a solution to Thursday’s soccer practice meal dilemma.  While it stays cool I’m officially making Thursdays soup night (chili and stews count too).  I either make it in the slow cooker or transfer it there to stay warm.  We come home to a warm meal served with bread.  It’s easy and is also a good chance to experiment with more soups.

For more meal inspiration, see Org Junkie.

Monday: Left over night (from Big A’s family birthday party of carnitas)

Tuesday: Lasagna (recipe modifed) with salad and green salad and fruit

Thursday: Creamy broccoli white bean soup with cheesy bread

Friday: Greek Pita Pizzas with salad

More from Cooking Light…

Pumpkin Bread Recipes

25 Healthy Chicken Soup recipes

Lasagna 25 Ways

Making the tough decisions

A few weeks ago I had one of those weeks.  I had various writing deadlines, a few computer glitches, wasn’t feeling well and had to work my regular two days at the hospital.  To top it off, Little D has been clingy and one day before work he cried, wanting to stay with me.  Needless to say, I had several mini-meltdowns.

I started to think about how full my plate is and if just one unexpected item is added to it, it throws everything else off.  It’s been 4 and a half years since I started writing, working part-time and added another child and I feel tired and drained.

The problem is there are no easy decisions.  I’m not quite at the point I feel (financially) comfortable quitting my job and I do like the people and getting out of the house. But if I don’t have the time and focus for my writing it will never go to the next level.

And I can’t forget my family who relies on me for many things.  I feel like I could be a more joyful mom if my energy wasn’t thrown in so many different directions.  So after talking to my husband we have decided I would give my notice at work.  I’ll have more time to write and be with the kids.  It wasn’t how I envisioned this decision being made but it feels like the right thing to do.

I realize that it’s not always possible to have everything perfect before taking a leap like this.  Sometimes you just have to go for it even though it feels a bit scary and uncertain.

Anyone have to make a tough decision lately?

Research, links &  updates

A recent study published in Pediatrics found that introducing gluten between 4-5 months provides the most prevention for celiac disease compared to when it’s introduced early (<4 months) or later (>6 months).  The research has been showing this trend for a while with food allergies although it’s far from conclusive.  Because the research is evolving, it’s make sense  for someone who has a family history of food allergies or celiac disease to work with a pediatrician who is a board-certified allergist.

There was an interesting study in the September Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Researchers divided a third grade class into three groups: one was the control, another received a nutrition lesson on the health benefits of fruit and the third was simply exposed to their teacher eating fruit.  The latter two groups had an increase in fruit following the intervention but only the last group still ate more fruit a year later.  So with all this talk of nutrition education, having teachers model a healthy behavior was found to be the most effective.

Recently I wrote 5 Reasons Your Child is Hungry all the Time on She Knows to help parents identify why kids say they are really hungry.  I also wrote “5 Things Your Body is Dying to Tell You, taking the perspective of our hard-working bodies.

I confess to my most annoying Cooking Mistakes over at WebMD and do my best to answer the question: Are Processed Meats the New Trans Fat?

I’m getting ready to head to the annual Food and Nutrition Conference in Houston this coming weekend.  Jill and I will be exhibiting in the marketplace on Sunday for Fearless Feeding.  We will be giving away and selling the book, showcasing some new products and networking with other nutrition professionals.  If you are going to be there, please stop by.  I would love to meet you.

Have a great week!