Believe Manifesto

This may be the most random title of all time, but this is actually one of my life mantras. If you follow me on social media, you know that I talk about this all the time. Especially when it is warm enough to eat outside.

So what exactly does this mean? Basically it means, throw some things on a plate and call it dinner. You see, a few years back my kids went through this phase where they decided everything I cooked was disgusting and they would eat NOTHING. After a few weeks of this, I got fed up and I grabbed some carrot sticks, left over rotisserie chicken, grapes, cheese, and crackers. I put all of this on the table, let the kids make their own plates, and shockingly—they ate EVERYTHING. All of it and they loved it!

What?!

So you mean I didn’t have to slave over the stove for an hour to put a meal on the table? You mean I didn’t even have to use the microwave? I didn’t even have to pick up the phone and order a pizza?!

This is the best. thing. ever.

So since that magical day, I have pulled out the carrot sticks for dinner on a very regular basis! I also use the phrase to pack some punch when my kids are being whiny about what is for dinner. I ask them, “Would you like to eat carrot sticks for dinner every night this week?” No they usually say. Great! Then please hush and eat your food with gratefulness!

You all, anyone can do this! This is the easiest dinner ever and it is FLEXIBLE. Do you have leftover pasta salad in the fridge? Great, use that. You can do peeled mandarins, hummus and veggies, apples and peanut butter, dip and crackers, melons of all kinds, nuts, chips and salsa…there is no wrong thing here! The one rule of carrot sticks for dinner is—nothing can be warmed up or cooked. It has to be put out as is and put on the table as a family free for all. We have done so many “picnics” out on the back deck after we fill our snack plates. One of the best things about this is the variety. Instead of having one main dish and a few sides, you are literally having 4-10 sides but there is something for everyone which means everyone is happy!

Start now friends, put this on the meal plan weekly and save your self a night of cooking.