This new life of parenting...

The thought of being a working mom with two little kids can significantly overwhelm me if I let it. In my love of spontaneity and winging it lifestyle, I suddenly find myself totally frozen. Overwhelmed with choices, and chores, and little needy people. Because of this, my journey of embracing parenthood has also meant embracing some lifestyle changes. As the author "From Frazzled to Focused" says, "allowing yourself to envision doing things differently is a formidable gift you can give to yourself" (Be warned, I will repeatedly quote this book, it is speaking my language!). As a mom I find I want to do it all! And as the author warns "not having a clear sense of what your top priorities are will lead you to focus on the wrong things." So in my frazzled chaotic state I'm turning from focusing on all the wrong things to setting some priorities.

"Systemizing allows you to leverage your time and minimize needless thinking and planning so you can do things you choose to do smarter and in the best way you can." When I first read that sentence it felt so liberating. It still does, every time I read it. AND I'm happy to say, having a meal plan (even a simple one that includes macaroni and cheese and spaghetti) is really helping. It takes away the agonizing moment when Jay and I look at each other (tired and hungry ourselves, with a crying child) and ask each other, "whats for dinner?"

So now that we've done a couple of weeks of dinner meal planning I'm thinking about what's the next frontier. What is that next system or plan that would continue to empower me and free up some of that crippled head space for things I really care about? Maybe it's a clean/dirty sign for the dishwasher so everyone knows when they can load their own dirty dishes. Maybe it's some wipes in a nice container on the bathroom sink so people can wipe it down daily cutting down on the grossness that is happening there currently. Maybe it's planning when I do laundry better so the dry, clean and unfolded laundry doesn't sit for a week waiting to be folded.

This life of "libearation through systemization" is a great life. Six months from now with TWO kids, I'll be planning my menus, organizing my wardrobe, AND having a consistent date night with your spouse set in stone, along with a pre-booked babysitter.

Bulgur Risotto with Corn and Shrimp

Bulgur Risotto with Corn and Shrimp

Yield: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbs olive oil

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 c. bulgur wheat

1/2 tsp. salt

12 oz fresh or frozen shrimp (shelled and devined)

      *we use salad shrimp or shrimp meat

2 c. corn

1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped

1 lime juiced

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)

PREPARATION

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring for 30 seconds; add bulgur and salt; stir 1 minute more. Gradually stir in 2 cups hot water, 1/2 cup at a time (waiting until bulgur absorbs it to add more), until bulgur is slightly soupy, 8-10 min. You may or may not use all the water. Add shrimp. Add corn, bell pepper, juice from lime and red pepper flakes; stir, adding water to keep mixture creamy. Cook, stirring, until corn and peppers and shrimp are warmed through, 1-2 minutes.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Per serving 347 cal., 9.6g fat (1.3g saturated), 45g carbohydrates, 8g fiber, 24g protein

Today I learned...

...about Stefan Lux. I get a daily email update with the media buzz from the previous day. Each day also poses a Question of the Day, and the answer to the previous day's question. 

Yesterday's question was "In 1936, a Jewish journalist and poet entered the assembly hall of The League of Nations in Geneva and shot himself, committing suicide before the entire group. Who was it, and why did he do it?"

The answer is Stefan Lux, "who shot himself in an effort to alert world leaders of Germany's increasing antisemitism, expansionism, and militarism." His last words were "C'est le dernier coup" ("This is the final blow,"). Most tragically Lux and his work has been mostly forgotten.

Taking the challenge

With this new season of life, going out for dinner 3-4 nights a week is no longer a viable option. One, now that Emerson is eating its getting expensive, it's also hard to find foods that are healthy and good for her growing body. Two, by the time we get home, settle in a bit, pee the dog, and get back out the door it's nearly bedtime. This makes for a rushed, awkward dinner. So its been a growing goal of mine to plan and cool meals throughout the week.

I'm excited to take the Real Food Challenge. I've even talked my family into doing it across the country. We've even picked out a hashtag, #caylessgirlscook. So I apologize that for the next month this blog will be filled with more family food related topics than...saving the world topics.

Onward!