A confession, and some sloppy joes.

March Meal Plan Week 4

It’s officially Spring, and we need a shake up.

On top of our “normal” seasonal depression, lately we’ve seen friends experience trauma, our kid struggle with a difficult situation at school, and just generally found that our “happy distractions” are feeling hollow. They’re no longer up to the task of temporarily numbing the dread and disappointment we feel from the boisterous boondoggle that we’re finding all around us. *Anyone else?

Side note: Also, as I’m writing this, Courtney just sliced her finger open in the kitchen and we were reminded that I am not great in an emergency, so…

An unfortunate side effect for me (Will), is that when things are like this, I shut down creatively. I stop sketching doodles in my notebook. I don’t listen to (or play) music. I subconsciously go into some fail-safe, life-support systems only mode. This not only deprives me of joy (*and the art world of my aforementioned kick-butt tattoo designs), but also the exact sort of mental/emotional stimulation that is often the cure for my funk. I hate that I do this. I’m telling you, in hopes that just saying it will help me to consciously know and do better, regardless of the season.

I know that as the weather warms, we’ll start to eat more meals outside. We’ll play more music on the bluetooth speaker, we’ll gather more with family and community even as our range is extended, and we’ll all get a bit more space from one another. (*crucial for us introverts here). We will have gardening and house projects to pour ourselves into. It will just be better!

So as I wait and listen for the sounds of birds (and yappy dogs) to fill the backyard again, I’ll commit to playing music and singing along as we cook up dinner this week. *and you should too, deal?

This week’s meal plan could just as easily be called “What to cook when the Mrs. is away on business,” (which will happen soon; though I am in deep denial) because this collection of recipes couldn’t get much easier. Two 30-minute meals, two 45-minute meals, and one crock pot dump and go meal, makes for smooth sailing in the kitchen this week. Enjoy!

30 Min Shrimp Taco Salad

We don’t believe in wimpy flavorless salads, and this shrimp taco salad is anything but. It’s a fresh, easy and quick meal that’s bursting with flavors thanks to the seasoned and sauteed shrimp and the creamy avocado dressing. Which, BTW you will want to make extra, so you can put it on everything. (especially buffalo chicken pizza) so. good.