It's OK If Your New Year's Goal Is Survival
Happy New Year!
I sincerely hope it’s been happy so far. And it gets better and better as you go. It’s been a little overwhelming on my end. If you’ve followed along on my socials, you know we are moving to a new house, and it’s been A LOT of work to get my family of five (plus a dog and two cats) into our new home. We’re getting there. It’s gonna be great. Right?!
Whew. Whether you’re jumping into the new year with projects and goals, or you’re just hanging on for dear life, I feel you. I’ve been in both situations, and you know what? They’re both OK. Because whatever you need to do in this new year, is what you should do. Not what anyone else is doing or what they think you should be doing. This is YOUR new year.
And to kick off the year a little less stressed, take this week’s recipes with you to the grocery store and BAM, you’ve got five yummy family dinners for the week.
No matter what the year ahead brings, I’m glad you’re here and we get to go through it together!
*Be sure to scroll to the bottom where I’ve changed things up a bit. FFP Quick Tips is now Just Sayin’. It’s a short and sweet message from me to you about something on my mind.
My New Year’s Resolution? Survive.
By Momstrosity Co
Here we are again, friends. The beginning of a fresh new year. My newsfeed is full of positive manifestations for the next trip around the sun.
Resolutions to run that half-marathon. Cook dinner more often. Hit the gym with regularity. Read more.
Most years, I’m right there with them. In my mind, I’ve conjured a list 5 miles long — of all the things I hope to accomplish in the next year.
Versions of my best self. Habits to make me a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, and a better fit for these snug jeans.
But this year, I’m laying it all down.
I can’t.
The truth is, I’m in the weeds. I’m in the when-will-my-kids-sleep-again weeds. I’m in the lots-of-little-kids-with-lots-of-big-needs weeds.
I am knee-deep in picky eaters, dirty diapers, temper tantrums, health issues, and repetitive dinners.
This is not my year to run a marathon. This is not my year to drink two gallons of water a day, or to make uber-healthy, home-cooked meals every night, or serve on all of those committees.
It is my year to survive.
This is my year to sleep when I can. To give myself grace, always. To embrace the mess.
I think, as mothers, we put a great deal of pressure on ourselves, whether we realize it or not. Small imperfections during the day equate to our shortcomings in our own mind.
Messy house? I should clean more. No clean socks? I’m way behind on laundry. Kid acts out in school? I let him watch Frozen too often.
We need to stop. I need to stop.
The reality is this: my kids don’t need a mom who looks great in leggings right now. Or a mom who makes individualized quiches for all the kids in class.
They need a mom who does her best to love them well — imperfections and all.
So this year, if you need it (spoiler alert: you almost definitely do) — give yourself grace. Some years aren’t meant to be record-breaking. Some years are meant to survive.
RECIPES OF THE WEEK:
OK, we’ve made it through all the holiday events and cheese trays and our kids’ stocking candy, and it’s time to get back to eating real food and making family dinners. But don’t stress. We’ve got you. These five delicious recipes are just what you and your family need this week. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Ingredients:
4 medium-sized chicken breasts
1 12 oz bottle favorite BBQ sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
Garlic powder
Cilantro leaves
Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
Cover the bottom of your slow cooker with Worcestershire sauce.
Add your chicken breasts to the slow cooker, trying to lay them side by side.
Sprinkle a light coat of cilantro flakes and garlic powder over the chicken breasts. Cover chicken fully with BBQ sauce. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top.
Allow the chicken to cook all day on low, between 6 and 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Serve it as breasts, or shred and serve on buns or Texas toast with your favorite sides.
Lemon Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients: