Welcome to Tidy Thursday! Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April shares her favorite time savers for the most neglected meal of the day, lunch. Thanks, April!
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Lunch Time
By April Welch
What do these things have in common:
- A grumbly stomach.
- A cranky attitude.
- A clock that’s moving too quickly for all that needs to be done.
They can often be found in the car of an overstressed, under-appreciated adult on any given work/school day.
Yes, this could be you, your friends, and at one time was me.
So how did I get from there to here? (You know, the organizing expert showing you how to overcome the many expectations of life.)
I slowly, but surely, came up with a plan ... {I know, let me have it ~ GROAN}
Seriously though, healthy lunches really do come from planning.
Don’t worry, I’ve heard it all before from my clients:
Sure, plans may be great for someone else, but for me? It’s a no go!
I’ve tried this meal planning thing before, I suck at it!
Not so fast!
Just like other weeks here on Tidy Thursdays I have some ideas to get you started & keep you motivated clear into next year!
Remember, these are new habits you’re creating ~ so you WILL stumble more than you succeed at first. The most important part is that you keep tweaking & trying until you get it figured out for the way you live within your system.
Now, first things first. Who are you feeding?
- Are we looking for lunch plans you can take to work or volunteer sites?
- Or are we focusing on a student lunch that may not have as many resources available? {no refrigerator or microwave}
1. Gather those who will need to tote their lunches, snacks & other edibles away from home.
- Call that all famous “family meeting”
- Mom
- Dad
- Johnny
- Susie
- Grandma
- And just like back in Preventing Summer Brain Drain begin collecting ideas. Try asking:
What are your favorite lunches?
What are your favorite snacks?
- Remember to assign a record keeper to take notes.
- Brainstorm ideas.
Some of the ideas in my home are:
- Lunches:
- Spitwad sandwiches {peanut butter & mini marshmallows}
- wraps
- Ham & Cheese
- Tuna
- leftovers
- Snacks:
- carrots, cucumbers in lime juice, celery w/hummus
- cheddar cheese cubes
- pretzels
- yogurt
- apple slices
If you find that you’re met with the virtual sound of crickets, you can check out a few sites on the web.
Some of my favorites:
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- She is one of my favorite foodie blogs to follow! {since I can burn water & all!}
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- She makes you want to be Southern {even if you don’t like the south!}
Someday I’ll work up the courage to ask for her Watermelon Jam.
- She makes you want to be Southern {even if you don’t like the south!}
-
- What this one man is doing to change nutrition in our children’s minds
{& stomachs} is just awe inspiring! Be sure to watch a few of the
how-to videos WITH children in your life
- What this one man is doing to change nutrition in our children’s minds
Some I found while researching for this article were:
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- this blog keeps the tight budget in mind when creating meal ideas
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- these guys have a quick reference for ingredients ~ definitely worth checking out
-
- great list of ideas & resources
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- this is where I was inspired to learn more about Bento Lunches {try not to
be intimidated, remember ~ glean ideas first until you feel more
comfortable}
- this is where I was inspired to learn more about Bento Lunches {try not to
2. Next, talk about creating a rotation.
- Use calendar to post the assignments
- if you’re tech savvy:
- create a “lunch menu” calendar you can refer to on your phone {Google is awesome for this}
- if you’re a touch & feel kind of environment:
- use a blank calendar sheet that can be posted near lunch box supplies
- if you’re an ‘on the fly’ kind of soul
- assign options for days of the week on a blank sheet of paper either in a chart or as a list & utilize it as a reference {don’t forget ListPlanIt.com if you just want to fill in your choices}
- if you’re tech savvy:
Two reasons this works:
- when a choice is assigned to a day ~ less thinking is required
- it’s easier to ensure you have what you need when you know what’s coming up in the next week’s options
Now, I know, some of you are resisting already. You’re thinking ~
I don’t want to be stuck with something if it doesn’t sound good that day.
Guess what!!! That means you CAN choose differently ~ that morning. BUT ... if you don’t feel like thinking {or making a decision} you have grab & go solutions at the ready. This would be called ~ the
compromise. Also known as ... a better solution than what you’re already doing ~ that isn’t working {grin}.
3. Prepare accordingly:
When I teach my meal planning class, I remind attendees that grocery shopping isn’t over when you pull in the driveway.
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- Steps that are overlooked:
- unloading the groceries
- putting the groceries away
- Steps that are overlooked:
and the most under utilized opportunity?
- prepping the veggies, fruits AND snacks when you’re in the mode of putting things away.
Think about it ~ you’ve done the errand of acquiring the groceries, you’ve put things away ~ why not just keep going & prep stuff while you’re in the kitchen {while you’re already in the mode of figuring out how things are going to fit everywhere}
- Why this is important:
If you’ve done all the prep work after shopping {when you most likely have
more time}, then when it’s time to run out the door {when you most
likely DON’T have more time} you’ll have created a ‘grab & run’
solution.
Wallah!!!
Now, as I mentioned, my kiddos enjoy taking leftovers {I know, weird, huh?}. But just the same, we put dinner away differently now too. I’ve invested in some of the smaller Ziploc containers that fit in their
lunch boxes {or brown paper bag} & they instantly have meal size {healthy} fast food!
Also, when they come home, we have a spot in the pantry dedicated to snacks they don’t have to ask permission to eat. This is great for when they arrive home during my “work hours” & can’t {or shouldn’t} interrupt me.
They’re not left to choose between being hungry or winging it.
The time investment here can be substantial if you’re not savvy about how you “piggy back” your tasks.
Piggy Backing: {organizer’s definition}
- combining tasks or activities based on where your mindset is at the time.
- implementing new habits immediately after already established habits
example:
“I’m horrible about taking my vitamins”
solution:
“I’m great about brushing my teeth everyday ~ I will take my vitamins right after I brush my teeth”
Next week we’re gonna head to that scary place of overwhelmed schedules where I’ll teach you my tried & true tip for time management! Till then...
Keepin it tidy,
April
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April Welch, CPO© is a Certified Professional Organizer residing in Central Washington State with her husband & two children and has been instinctively organizing most of her adult life.
While her philosophies are centered on how individuals are ‘wired’ she believes in providing a fun and educational environment with simple solutions to all organizing dilemmas. She offers live workshops, virtual organizing, tele-classes, habit assessments, public speaking, a radio show online and most recently Mental Clutter Coaching. April is the Franklin Covey® Family Organizing Guru & the Spokesperson for ListPlanIt.com April can be found on: Facebook and Twitter
