Two Prong Approach when You Are Faced With a Difficult Task
On a cold winter afternoon I received a call from my daughter’s doctor. He said we will have to put her on a special diet. I did not think much of it then.
But, when I looked at the details outlined in the email that he sent it was a whole another story. It is a very restrictive diet pretty close to what is popularly known as Autoimmune Paleo. This, by the way, is stricter than the Paleo diet.
Today is the first day of her new diet. Oh boy, am I exhausted? But at the same time, I feel good. It did go well.
The day started with a quick stop at our local library to pick up some cookbooks. Then, I made a special trip to grocery store to buy produce and meats, carefully consulting and checking items off my shopping list.
Then I spent a few hours of cooking, to put together dinner and some leftovers for her lunch tomorrow.
I felt I am learning to cook all over again. I cannot be on autopilot when I cook; I have to be very conscientious about what I add while cooking. So many ingredients and items that I use in everyday cooking, being off limit it is a big challenge.
However, it is a challenge I am totally up for if that helps her heal.
My biggest concern is not the actual challenge of cooking meals within the constraints but whether she will eat enough. My daughter is a picky eater and she eats a lot of junk food. Now, with junk food totally out of picture along with sugar and most spices she does not know what to eat.
Substituting chocolate chip cookies, potato chips and popcorn for broccoli, baked sweet potato wedges, cucumber slices is definitely healthy and should provide her much needed nutrients.
When I read the list of foods she can and cannot eat, I almost felt like a deer in the headlights.
I did not even know where to start. After giving it a day to sink in and not thinking much about it, I decided to take some baby steps. I looked at various websites and found some easy recipes.
Next step was to check what I already had on hand and then making a shopping list. Then on it just felt so much easier.
My fairly good cooking skills and experience helped too. Now, I have a meal plan and materials required for a whole week worth of meals.
It was a curve ball thrown to me and I am proud to say I handled it pretty well for now.
This is a two prong approach I use in many situations and can be applied by anyone. It works every single time for me.
When faced by a daunting task, first of all don’t let the overwhelm take over. I give myself a little break; I stop thinking about it altogether. I do something else that completely occupies my mind. My favorite activity is to read a book.
You may indulge in your favorite activity. Do something you know will help you get your mind off the problem at hand for the moment.
Then, I just look at a small step that I can take, does not matter how small, something that I can do right away.
Most important aspect of this being something you can take action on immediately. That is what creates the momentum and gets you going.
Sometimes I don’t even know what my following step is going to be. What I do know is that once I take the first step the next one will become evident.
Then on I just start taking small baby steps and before I know things turn out to be much easier than first envisioned.
Give it a try when you are faced with a difficult task and you feel clueless, not knowing what to do.
I would definitely say we are off to a good start. With a little planning and learning on my part and a little cooperation from her side, I hope it is a smooth sailing all the way.