Have you found it challenging to plan meals in advance?
A couple of weeks ago, I issued a challenge on this blog and our social media accounts. I challenged our fans to follow along as I plan on Sunday for meals during the week ahead.
The first week found me in the kitchen making snack boxes and salad lunches. Each evening meal was designed in advance and posted on the kitchen wall. Everything was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
Life happened. I changed some of the days around and one evening we just ate at a restaurant because of circumstances beyond our control.
This past Sunday, I did not plan as much ahead. I did not make cute snack boxes and salad lunches. I did post a menu for a “world tour” week of evening meals, each night with a different cuisine. 
Life happened again.
Monday evening, I fixed Wednesday’s menu. Tuesday evening, I did just fine sticking to the plan. Wednesday should have hosted Monday’s meal, but I went off the rails with scrambled eggs and potato cakes.
How did that happen? Three days into the week and the plan is shot.
It’s all in the planning or lack thereof. I didn’t make a thoughtful shopping trip. I realized at the last minute I didn’t have all of the ingredients to make the Instapot Butter Chicken.
But you know what? It’s fine. I am giving myself grace and trying again tomorrow.
The menu challenge and planning ahead is worthwhile and fun. Let’s keep trying together. It may not always work out the way you hope. That’s ok.
Above all, be kind to yourself.
