Survival Meals

The past two years has been chaos and one crisis after another. In September two years ago my husband suddenly passed away, the next month two family members were diagnosed with cancer. Also during that time one of my children was having scary health issues due to mold in our home, brought over the top with all the emotional stress. I was taking multiple trips to the hospital. We discovered the mold problem was larger than expected and then two months after my husband died we had to move out of our home. In the morning we were going to an appointment, in the afternoon we were suddenly moving out. The next month after that I had another emotional bomb drop on me, and in January we had to move a second time. In March my uncle who had been dealing with cancer for awhile previously as well passed away. And then two weeks later my kids and I were moving back into our original home. When we had moved out I had to throw out 80% of our belongings as they were all too contaminated by mold to be worth trying to save. So we were largely starting over again. A few months later I discovered that the mold was back in our home. I decided we could not stay anymore so I seriously began looking for a new house. The following August we were able to permanently move out of our home. All this while I was dealing with my own health issues from mold and chronic issues. All this to say I very much know survival mode. When you are in the throes of life turned absolutely upside down and nothing makes sense. You do your best to keep your family healthy. But sometimes simply FED is best, and the only option. There is a time for pursuing good health to the best of your ability through organic, grass fed etc. Sometimes your best is when everyone has eaten. These are some of my go-to survival meals. You can add and modify anything to tailor it to your family's needs. Try to aim for a bit of protein, carbs, fruit/veg and good fats if you can. If you can only do two of those and still retain a smidgen of energy-DO THAT. I have done both, in the beginning of the experiences I had my whole family on strict dietary structures to help detox from mold. I have also done the fed is best. You have what you need for YOUR family. Do what you can. This too will pass. You got this.

Survival meal #1 Pancakes

I have made them more or less gluten free with oat flour, or half and half with regular flour. Pairing with a protein is great if you can. Or you can add nut butter or protein powder into the batter for more nutrition! Fruit, smoothies, green juice or just a cut up cucumber can do just fine. Or whole carrots!

Survival Meal #2 Sandwiches

Obvious one here, it can feel sometimes in natural health that you're "not allowed" to have some things

Just put out bread, meat, cheese, lettuce. Depending on the ages of your children, everyone can make their own, or have something super easily put together. Add veggies if you can. I love having green juice powder on hand, for when all I can do is survive it makes me feel a little better about littles getting some goodness in

Survival meal #3 Chicken nuggets and potato wedges

Sacrilegious to put this on a natural health website I know. Shock and Awe all around. Again add veggies if you can, or green juice ( carrying the weight of the world on its back lol )

Survival Meal #4 Waffles and White Sauce

very similar to pancakes and it can be a lot of standing to accomplish, but I find it to be easy on my brain which carries a lot of value in survival mode. Add what you are able

Survival Meal #5 Rice and Sausage

Simple. Enough would be said. If I can i like to put 2 cups rice, 4 cups water in the slow cooker at noon with sausage of choice, and its done by supper. Add peas or broccoli and its done, or don't add them! Whatever you have to do. You can also do this with cooked chicken instead of sausage.

Survival Meal #6 Yogurt and Bagels

add what you can, its got probiotics, carbs some protein. Filling, yummy, simple

Survival Meal #7 Oatmeal and Toast

any number of breakfast for any meal. Or make it a baked oatmeal if you have the energy, for some extra protein

Survival Meal #8 Eggs

whatever form you like, Add what you can.

Survival Meal #9 Cereal

Rules are made up, if its all you can do and you're actually eating its a win. Adding protein powder can be great, simple yummy, filling.

Survival Meal #10 Popcorn and protein "milkshake"

For our milkshakes I like to just put whatever frozen fruit, milk and protein powder and some stevia and vanilla.

Survival Meal #11 Protein Bars

I've been in the thick of things, feeling stressed, nauseous and not feeling like eating at all. In those times if all you can do is a protein bar, do it.

Survival Meal # Ask for help

It feels like you can't sometimes, like you've been helped too much already, you couldn't possibly ask for more. You can. For true friends it is a blessing to help you and they want to. I've also been in the place where I had no friends, ask ANYONE if you're in crisis you need other humans. Ask for help. Community is a blessing for both the giver and receiver, don't deny someone the blessing of helping you.