This summer has included a few hours well spent to provide peace in the fall. I planned out 30 whole days of meals and took inventory of my freezers. We cleaned out the fridge. Reorganized the pantry to make the most sense. Why spend precious summer days in this way?
* We’ve all been there. Some of us ALOT. “Oh no, it is 5 o’clock already? We need to eat dinner again?” Too many nights of frustration, as if dinner is a surprise attack. Comes each day. I don’t want to waste any more brainpower in the “Oh No” mode. Peace in the planning.
* It is easy to grab the calendar, mark out the days that are extremely full. For example, Mondays we will be gone all day. Officially now crock pot days. Having company on the 18th? Great, time to plan without running to the store (which usually means spending more than you plan, right?)
* Too much food wasted. It sickens me to think how much poverty there is, and I am throwing food away.
* Too much food wasted. Again. “Yikes, I didn’t know this was back there!” The gross factor.
* Too much food wasted. Yep. These are some difficult financial times for many of us. Planning means using what we have, buying what we need. My list was substantially tighter by looking at the freezer list first, thinking long-term as in what can be used for this or that again? Here is a great site that really inspired me http://lifeasmom.com/2009/11/meal-planning-planning-more-than-one.html
* Peace of mind. There is something comforting to me about having food set aside. Perhaps it is the sheer privilege of ability. Factor in the rewarding feeling of money well-managed. The gratitude component, being extremely thankful that right now, today, we are abundantly provided for and ready to share with others. Let this not be lost on us.
* Hospitality is set to go! Having a plan means you are ready for spontaneity without stress. Ironic, yes?
It seemed overwhelming at first, but these few hours time investment have just taken away one piece of the Fall Frenzy, and paved the way one step closer to intentional peaceful living. More details to come on Friday.