There’s GAPS, Paleo, and Lacto-Paleo. Gluten-free, dairy-free, grass-fed organic meat and happy chickens. It can be a lot especially when everyone is changing their diet or is intolerable to something for whatever reason.

And it can seem like a mountain when there’s just so many good ways to eat and everything seems like it will change your life. It will for a season and there is a season to everything.

I alluded to a new schedule on Friday and  how it has changed our life. Well, not completely. It’s just another level in the pursuit of simplicity.

I know what we should eat and why we should eat. I also know when we should eat. I am  passionate about seasonal food. And the few times a winter when I cave and buy tomatoes, I remember why I only like to buy them in July. We don’t have to eat gluten free or anything free for any reason other then our personal well-being and the knowledge that we feel so much better after eating good whole food rather then filling up on junk.

I have gained a lot of knowledge and know-how over the past few years on food; and so I’m letting myself coast a little bit on our  food scene. We sat down, my husband and I, and wrote out a realistic schedule for how our life is now. What meals we’ll all be home for and what nights are late practice nights. And we organized our meals. It’s so great. Our whole weekly life is written on our giant whiteboard, free for the observation of any guest and available for daily reminders.

It’s a bare bones schedule but it is a lifesaver. I know that on Thursdays we’ll be having a pasta dish, my creativity can run the full gamut and not run out of pasta dishes. We have a foreign night so I can actually use my steamer basket bought at a street market in Taiwan and hardly used. We’ll be using the chopsticks at least once a week, proving that they were a good buy and a great reminder of our time in Asia. Friday nights are our relax night, simple and easy food. Popcorn, apples, cheese, a glass of wine. All finger food and the few dishes can wait for the morning.

It’s one thing that I don’t really have to think about anymore and in this season of our lives, that’s a gift. I can focus on my girls who are changing every day, my man  when he’s at school or practicing or up late studying, and myself, making sure I don’t get spread too thin again.

Sometimes we tend to complicate simplicity. We think that more is good and busy is a sign of success but sometimes its not. Sometimes its better to be gentle with ourselves and not live as if life is a sprint. It’s a marathon and I want to enjoy the journey. And that means keeping it simple and streamlined. 

How do you plan your meals? What inspires you and keeps you on track?