so, about breakfast...

it's not actually all about breakfast. Getting up early, and sitting down to eat breakfast with the kids is definitely something I am trying to do more of!

The bigger picture is that I am rethinking meals, cooking and food entirely...
I will say it was much easier to celebrate in my kitchen when I spent my days and nights here at home. Supper-time was always something I looked forward to and I think both the kids and I have been missing those times.

Lately, breakfast and lunch have tended to be sporadic, on-the-go/quick meals and I'm now striving to switch it up! I have always been solution-based, so having identified the way we, as a family "do food," i have come up with a plan:

On days that I have to work at night only, we'll have a hearty breakfast of juice, eggs, toast/grain, and our main meal (protein, starch, vegetable) will be lunch. This will leave just a few caloric needs for the evening so my sitter(s) can relax and play more/worry about mealtime less.

Days that I work both the lunch & dinner shifts, we'll heap it on at breakfast, have a light lunch and a more substantial dinner.

Days off.... they don't count and I'll just make sure we stay full of good & healthy food and indulge in the famous discretionary category ;)

On a side note, something that really grinds my gears is that I am not just thinking this all up for the first time; back when I was doing childcare at home, I had this down to a science and prided myself on creating individualized menus so that children went home after being here all day needing just a serving each of fruit, grain & protein to round out their day. Alas, those fancy files are saved on a no longer operable pc.

So.... (did I mention I am rethinking everything lately?)

A typical Split Shift Day (such as tomorrow) will look like this:


AM Snack
Yogurt
Granola

Breakfast
Eggs & Cheese
Toast (whole grain with butter and All-fruit spread)
100% Juice


Lunch
Pasta/Marinara
Green beans
Milk

PM Snack
Carrot sticks & Dip

Supper
Crackers(whole grain) & Peanut Butter
Oranges

Bedtime Snack
Leftover Birthday Cake

Oh, did I mention I have really been thinking these things through?
Here's a more thorough breakdown of our varying portions, based on caloric needs:
The 4 year old girl /The 6.5 year old boy /The Mama
.....................................................We all consume the same portion!

2 oz. Whole Grain Granola............................................................
4 oz. Yogurt.........................................................................

2 Eggs...............................................................................
1 Slice swiss cheese.................................................................
1 Slice toast /2 Slices toast /2 Slices toast
1 Cup juice /1 Cup juice /1.5 Cups juice

.75 C. Carrot sticks /1.25 C. Carrot sticks /1.5 C. Carrots
Processed Ranch Dip...........................................................

.5 C. Pasta /1 C. Pasta
.75 C. Green beans /1.25 C. Green beans
1 C. Milk.....................................................................

6-8 Crackers....................................... 1 C. Pasta/Rice
2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter........................ 4 oz. Protein
1.5 C. Veggie

BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, when I get home,
I WILL HAVE MY CAKE
AND EAT IT TOO :)

Gosh, I'm hungry now! And....... I think that is enough rethinking food for today!