Motherly Advice....Don't make your own life difficult #4...reassess your life...often...

 

 

Don't be a follower, be a leader.

 

That was one of my Mums mantras. She badgered us with that one. It worked. For better or worse, none of us are 'followers'. We all walk to the beat of our own drum.

 

So it amazes me sometimes, what folk will do, just because somebody else thinks its a good idea. Or even because I thought it was a good idea....lol!

 

I've shared recipes like those for Ricotta cheese and Greek Yoghurt, seen here, and had some friends rave about them, others not so much. Often, when pressed for what may have gone wrong with the recipe, they'll shrug and say 'I guess I just don't like Ricotta Cheese/Greek Yoghurt'.

 

What????

 

Then why did you make it? Because everyone else said it was good, has been one response.

 

Gotta laugh.

 

Don't be a follower.

 

Don't make cheese and yoghurt if you don't like it or eat it, just because someone else says it's a good idea.

 

Don't buy a pasta machine and roll your own pasta dough if the time taken to do so, and the effort involved, takes you away from more important tasks.

 

 

In fact, don't make things from scratch if it doesn't suit your lifestyle.

 

Making from scratch, is touted as the ultimate money saver. And it certainly can be. I'm one of the loudest voices on that topic. It has suited me for a good portion of my life.

 

But nowadays, we save money differently....

 

Fast food around here no longer means copycat KFC made with gluten free flour.

 

It's more likely to mean vacuum sealed cooked brown rice, turned into a tasty fried rice loaded with diced vegetables. Sometimes the vegetables are even of the pre-diced and pre-packed kind. Shock-horror. I know. Me. The Queen of Making from Scratch.

 

But sometimes it can happen that what was once worth making from scratch, or DIY-ing, is no longer so. Sometimes, you make new compromises to save money, time and energy.

 

Once, the most important thing here, was to save money.

 

Now, as we accept that our energy levels are not what they once were, and we hanker for meaningful time with the granddaughters, and the get-up-and-go to exercise, garden, clean and renovate, we accept that often saving energy, is more important.

 

Life changes. It really does. And faster than you expect sometimes.

 

Maybe you have a newborn, or you're caring for frail or elderly parents. Maybe like me, your child rearing years are coming to a close and you find you have more time, but less inclination.

 

Maybe, it's simply that in growing up, your family has morphed and become more health conscious, rather than dollar conscious.

 

Simple gluten free crepes with lemon and sugar, were up until very recently, a greatly anticipated treat for my daughter.

 

She's made the leap from school to tertiary study now, and let me tell you, it's a whole new ball game.

This is her usual breakfast nowadays. Seasonal fruit, muesli, and some odd combination of spread and granola on her toast. I cannot complain. It's certainly healthy enough!

 



 

This is her usual lunch. A bowl of vegetables is okay too. But for a Mama who has prided herself on her baking and cooking from scratch, it's a rude awakening.

 

This bowl of lightly steamed vegetables, dressed as if they were pasta with olive oil and Parmesan, got the nod.

 

But long gone are the bakes and risottos of yesteryear.

 

Now it's Quinoa...

 

...and Field Mushrooms dressed up as Pizza.

 

I've had to completely reassess my grocery buying habits and the way I plan meals and treats. It's a headache, let me tell you. Some days I just don't feel like me anymore.

 

Speaking of feeling different, the self has gone through some changes too. Two years have passed since a ripped jean or 3/4 pant have lived in this Mamas wardrobe.

 

Now it's all scarfy things, cardigan things, and even brooches.

 



 

Hells Bells.

 

Sometimes it frightens even me.

 

Fruit virtually drips from our 3 1/2 year old fruit trees and I have to hurry up and use it all. So baking still happens, as does jam and chutney making. But there's no more Jam Drops unless the Grandies are visiting, and chocolate brownies, even when made with mashed banana, are apparently an absolute no-no. Lemon butter, lemon slice and preserved lemon get a look-in, but sadly no more crepes with lemon and sugar. Sugar is a no-no too.

Sigh.   Life changes folks. Yes it does. And it IS scary.   I have to tap myself on the shoulder sometimes and just go 'who ARE you, now?'. It's mind boggling.   But we have to adapt.   The child rearing years draw to a close. A new era dawns. Grandchildren call. As does retirement.   It's rattling at times.   But here's what you can do.   Stop making yoghurt or crepes with lemon sugar if nobody eats them any more.   Stop wearing 3/4 pants and comfortable shoes, if the time has come to wear a pretty dress and heels, and put you first again.   Roll with the punches, go with the flow, accept the changes that life brings, and embrace them.   Some people in your life will think you've gone batty, because you're no longer being a follower.   But YOU might like it.   Be a leader, not a follower. Find yourself again. Reassess your life.   ...Mimi...