Magnetic Menu System: Ready, Set, Please Work This Time!!

Since we've switched to "primarily vegan" eating choices, menu planning has gained greater importance, for without planning, it's easy to fall back into meals of frozen pizza, meat in the crockpot or quick meals out, which are typically less healthy.  I've tried, without much success, to find a menu system that works for our household.  Despite the wonderful suggestions I received from friends or found on Pinterest, eventually they all failed miserably after a few weeks here at the Willis Residence.  I either forgot what we were making, planned too much food for the week or had to make too many trips to the grocery store.  All of this created frustration, which led to abandoning the system all together........leaving us again with that evening stress after a long day of "What's for dinner???"

I needed something simple, that would communicate well, so both Aaron and I knew the menu details, since we both cook.  I also needed something that allowed me to see all my recipe choices, because I often I forget all my options and have little time to sort through cookbooks and recipe boxes.  Lastly, I wanted a system that would be very efficient, with less food waste and fewer trips to the grocery store, which in turn would be healthy for the budget!  

Last week I came up with a creative idea that combined my love of laminating, magnets and manipulative devices to devise a menu system that meets all of the above criteria:  It's simple, it's fun, it's flexible, it's efficient, it's tactile and it's visual.  I often wonder why I didn't think of this sooner??

Here's how it works:  I have magnetic strips for each day of the week in bright yellow (i just used the paper I had on hand, you could color code to your liking) and red strips that list possible food choices for any given week.  I started by making a list and putting into a table on a Word document: I included all my favorite easy and reliable recipes, along with strips that say "leftovers", "eat out", "small group" (this is our church group, we always share a meal, so it takes the place of cooking that evening) and "new recipe".  If the "new recipe" is a success, I would add it to my running document of additional recipes.  I also made duplicate strips for simple sides like broccoli, potatoes, rice, beans, salad, etc, that we might use multiple times in the week.

 I printed and laminated the tables and then cut into strips and put magnetic strips on the back - viola, my  new menu system was born!  

Dare I say it's actually "fun" to create the menu, moving the little magnetic strips around, but it's flexibility can't be underestimated.  For example, I had scheduled spaghetti with salad for Wednesday, but realized we had quite a few leftovers from Monday and Tuesday, so I swapped out the spaghetti for the leftovers and moved spaghetti to Thursday (which was originally supposed to be leftover night).

The last perk of this system is it's quite easy to go to the refrigerator and write down the grocery list for the week based on the posted menu.  I was able to purchase all the groceries for the week in one trip.    

Granted, we've only adopted this system for a week, but it's been a huge success - even Aaron gives it a thumbs up.   I'm looking forward to week 2 - that has to be a positive sign for success, right?  

I Will Not Give Up Cheese!

As many of you have heard, I have recently "gone vegan" - I'm just as stunned as everyone else in my life.  How did this happen?  That last words out of my mouth after discussing this with a friend who had recently become were "I will never be able to give up cheese - I can give up meat, sour cream, milk, butter, sugar, white flour, but please DON'T TAKE MY CHEESE!!!"

I decided to start some reading on a "plant-based" diet.  I questioned whether it was really necessary to give up all of my favorite things, perhaps I could just eat them in moderation.  After all, I've never been able to completely end my cravings for sweets, cheese or junk food.  And my will power is not strong enough to overcome those strong cravings.......so perhaps moderation was the key......knowing I can have them, just "some of the time".  

The first book I read addressed food cravings - "Breaking the Food Seduction" by Neal Barnard, M.D. The book discusses the reason behind food cravings and their causes, but most importantly, how to end them!  It didn't take long for me to realize the foods that were causing the cravings, were exactly the foods I craved!  Then the lightbulb - if I'm going to get rid of cravings, I have to give it all up, cold turkey.  After all, what did I have to lose besides my cravings?

It only took 5-7 days for my cravings to stop.  During this time, I remained "full" by loading up on fresh fruits, veggies and whole grains.  My sweet tooth was the toughest to tame, so I used a variety of Luna Bars to get me through any rough patches.  I still love Luna Bars, but need them much less often and sometimes only eat 1/4 or a 1/2 bar.  Otherwise my "go-to" dessert is fresh fruit.  

I continued doing more reading throughout this time, including "The Engine 2 Diet" by Rip Esselstyn and "The Starch Solution" by John A. McDougall, M.D.  I kept discovering the same information, not only were meat, sugar and dairy increasing my cravings, they were also significantly increasing my risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer.  All along I thought I needed meat and dairy to "be healthy" and meet my daily needs for protein and calcium - not the case, I can get all my calcium and protein from a plant-based diet. I know, those words shocked me too, but it's really the case.  Soon to be 41, I have no desire to spend the next 40 years taking pills, paying even higher health insurance premiums/medical costs and going to the doctor and/or hospital repeatedly.  I don't want to fight these medical conditions, I want to prevent them - and plant-based nutrition is the key!    

Eating has completely changed for me, I eat now because I need to nourish my body, not because I'm filling a craving.  I'd rather fill my body with the correct foods, than take several pills so I can eat the wrong foods.  The food, even organic food, is cheaper than the pills and the medical costs!  This is my new health insurance plan!  

The best part about this life change are the dramatic effects on my daily life - I have more energy, I can tell my blood sugar levels are stable throughout the day, because I've given up Sudafed, I'm sleeping better at night and I'm assuming my blood pressure is probably a bit lower as well, I still drink coffee, but drink less, my skin is clearer and I've shed 6.5 pounds in just under 3 weeks.  All without feeling hungry, deprived or tired- so now instead of being addicted to sugar, meat and cheese, well, now I'm addicted to fruits, vegetables and whole grains!   

I hope to write more about this vegan journey - but wanted to first share how it all got started.  Until next time.........

Thoughts from a "Recovering Consumer"

Miko enjoying the fresh air on his new "dog bed".

It's been almost year since my last blog post - OOPS!!  There have been lots of little self-discoveries along the way, but today I felt inspired to take the time to sit down and write......Why?  I chose to spend the morning sitting in the backyard with the dogs, working at my computer, writing down teaching ideas in my studio planner, daydreaming and laughing at the dog antics.  Not a big deal, EXCEPT that I had a 40% coupon at one of my FAVORITE stores that was only good today.......I could have missed a bargain, but the relaxing morning was worth a great deal more than the one more "thing" that I really don't need, as they say.

Several months ago I read a book titled "Consumer Detox - Less Stuff, More Life" by Mark Powley.  I have spent much of my life right in the thick of consumerism - participating freely, enthusiastically and willingly.  In my 20's, I had a perfectly decorated apartment, until I saw another way to more "perfectly" decorate it - I had the perfect wardrobe to express my sense of style, until something better and "more perfect" came along.  There was so much to choose from and I wanted a life filled with as much as possible......I thought "stuff" would bring fulfillment.  Perhaps it did, temporarily......along with that pesky credit card debt - YUCKY!!!

Then came my 30's...I had to learn to spend less, with more financial responsibilities, such as home ownership, balancing a budget for two after getting married.  These were the years of thrift shopping, where you could find anything for a bargain.  Out went my obsession with having the newest and latest styles or home decor - I just bought things I liked found thrift shopping quite a fun adventure.  I found LOTS of stuff at bargain prices.  Of course I would have relapse moments and return home with a bunch of new unneeded "stuff" from my latest "non-thrift" shopping spree.

But by my late 30's, I began to question whether I really needed every bargain I found.  Did I really need to have the latest home decor to live a fulfilling life?  Even if I needed all that stuff, WHERE was I going to put it???  How would I pay for it all without running up a huge bill?  It only takes a few times of moving and a couple times of paying off debt to make you revaluate your need for "stuff".

By the time my husband and I settled in Indianapolis, I realized our great accumulation of "stuff" wasn't bringing more fulfillment, it was actually creating more stress.  We had to organize all that stuff, clean all that stuff and pay for all that stuff......and probably, in the future, move all that stuff again!  There had to be a change, but it would not be easy, because, sad to say, I do love a bargain, I do love stuff and I do love to shop - so that is how I became a "recovering consumer".  I had to reprogram my desire for things, I knew this would not be an easy task......so I created an arsenal of tools including the following....

1.  My handy book and journal "Consumer Detox" by Mark Powley.  I highly recommend it if you want to make this change in your life.  It makes you think.......

2.  A budget and a desire to stay in the budget, stay out of debt and save money.  I now get excited as I see our savings grow.  If that excitement can match the excitement of a bargain.  WOW!  Then I have arrived!

3. My church community:  I recently joined the Mennonite Church and I have no doubt that this has helped strengthen my views.  Being surrounded by an entire church community that places great value on living simply and frugally, as well as giving generously to those in need certainly provides an invaluable model, as well as encouragement to continue on this path.  In addition, as we live more frugally, we have more to give to the less fortunate.  I also find myself experiencing great joy when giving, more so than a great bargain for myself.  Again - WOW!  I love this change!  

4.  Friends, Family and Life Experiences:  It's essentially free to spend time with family, friends have what I call a "life experience".  I can chat on the phone or have coffee with a friend - that brings me great joy, other than the cost of the phone call, which I pay for anyhow, there's no debt or stuff piling up.  My choice this morning to relax in the yard was a great "life experience" - it inspired me to write this post and didn't cost a dime!  Some experiences cost money - I'm ok with that too, my husband and I have two yearly traditions:  Camp Arcadia in Michigan and Indy 500 tickets - but, it is money well spent, without debt AND we aren't left with more stuff at the end to clean, organize and pay for!

It has been a wonderful day, it will always be a challenge to resist the urge to buy something I don't really need, but today was a big accomplishment in my opinion......I hope there are more days like this ahead.  It will most certainly lead to a life full of joy and possibility!

  Gilbert taking in the fresh air - one of his favorite pastimes!