Each Friday, I post pictures of my packed bento meals for the next week. (hint hint for my B post... check back if you want to learn more!) For me, it is a form of accountability as well as a record of meals that I can refer back to if I want to replicate things.
So far, people either think I am crazy or uber-organized. Yes to the first, no the second. I do this because it allows me to be on autopilot for my eating. I chose a plan and am able to do it fairly thoughtlessly except for a few moments each morning where I shove things into my lunchbox for the day. This allows me to skip through my days without expending much mental energy on food. (You know that crazy part from earlier.... my level of head noise is always very high, so any amount of shushing up worries or nagging thoughts is totally beneficial to my personal sanity level. Any my family's by extension.)
Recently, I ran across this post on Facebook:
My Friday Foodfest and eating plan are what free me from thinking about food all the time. In some recent research on Overeaters Anonymous, I found their focus on selecting
an eating plan and sticking to it to be instrumental in success.
I choose to follow the
Vemma Bode Plan because it is the only thing that has worked fairly easily for me. [disclaimer: affiliate link] I'm also doing some research into
Trim Healthy Mama right now, as the philosophies are almost exactly the same and it would broaden my recipe base.
I choose each week to prepare my meals in advance so that I am prepared for my chaotic life.
These choices allow me to eat on autopilot.
Are you tired of spending so much time and energy on food?
I think what you're doing is great for you! We each have to figure out what's best for us, given our issues and history ;-)
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
Exactly! :)
DeleteOMG, YES! I keep trying to create menu plans, but it hasn't really worked out for me as of yet. Trying to get the family involved in the planning and production as well. And I've got a question about bento boxes...but I guess I will save that for tomorrow, eh? ;)
ReplyDeleteLuAnn Braley
AJ's Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
I kinda cheated and pre-posted my "B" post earlier in the month... but you can see the "Bento on a Budget" link at the bottom of my B post. :) So glad you stopped by!
DeleteI completely relate to this. I have a food plan that I follow and it has allowed me to stop obsessing about food. And if I have a day when I go off-piste, I just get back on the next day. No harm done. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThat whole 'just get back on the next day' thing was revolutionary to me! It's funny what weird relationships we develop with food. Totally digging your blog... I need to get that kids book for myself! :)
DeleteIf I don't follow my menu plans then we spend more money eating out and what we eat is CRAP. Good first post!
ReplyDeleteI can very much relate to that... which is a downward spiral- less money left to buy food, so we eat out more... makes no sense, but it seems to be what happens.
DeleteOh, yes, am guilty of that often, finding that balance is often frustratingly hard, but I *think* I'm starting to get it, think at least, lol. Glad you stopped by and that I can follow along on your journey!
ReplyDelete~Kelly
www.leafynotbeefy.com
Thanks for coming by here too! I'm looking forward to having progress pics to share via your linkup here in a few months.
DeleteSounds like a great system! I find a lot of forethought brings me peace of mind too.
ReplyDeletePeace of mind... that's the ticket! :)
DeleteGood job! Lived with an eating disorder half my life and can really relate. Not thinking about food is so helpful.
ReplyDeleteUgh- amazing to me how food can consume our lives. I agree that not thinking about it is helpful- a lot of the times I just need some time/space away from it... but a girl's gotta eat!
DeleteHi! I don't do much with the food around our house, other than eat it. I have a wonderful wife who does all of the planning, shopping, and cooking. She packs everyone's lunches each night so mornings are smooth and, somewhat, worry-free. I love the Bento boxes, they make it so easy to portion and pack. We have several and use them often. Have a great month!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Dusty. I'm looking forward to reading up on your blog.
DeleteJulie! I think this is a great thing! It would work for me, if I had only myself to care for, but I have a companion, who is in poor health and it is really, really hard to get him to stick to any diet. He recently had a heart attack, and one would think that this would be a wake up call to straighten up, but he has not really made an effort to change his eating habits.
ReplyDeleteI, on the other hand, have an issue with malnutrition and failure to thrive, so I have had the opposite problem of trying to gain weight in a healthful manner. Not so easy as it sounds. I do not obsess over food, but I have to try and make nutritional choices that are good for me. What is good for me, is not necessarily good for him, and it's almost impossible to get him to cook for himself. Since I have parkinsonism, cooking anything is a struggle. I try to keep my sense of humor intact, but sometimes, I think I just end up with a fixed grin on my face; we all have our crosses to bear. It could be worse!
Thanks for sharing and stopping by; I love your site! Mary
Wow- you sound like my hubby. We are like Jack Sprat and his wife.... the man needs to put on a good 20+ lbs, and I'm trying to lose at least that amount. We both get frustrated with the process- it's comical to see us both have similar reactions to the scale or plate of food- for opposite reasons. I sympathize with caring for a partner who is struggling with health issues... in a similar boat here as well. For me, I realized that I may end up carrying the family load alone due to his health, so I've gotta find a way to take care of me. Blech.
DeleteI bet your humor helps tons! Somedays I laugh, somedays I cry. I want to laugh more.
Thanks for the heartfelt comment!