I have a new favorite cheat meal, and I don’t even feel bad about it.
It was about this time last year that I wrote my Beyond the Free Range Chicken post. In that post, I expressed that while I still love and desire to feed my family as healthy as possible, I’ve learned that it is more important to focus my time and energy outside the kitchen loving people. What’s more important?
- Raw milk and organic produce? OR
- Loving God and loving our neighbors?
I’m going to go with The Greatest Commandment.
Learning to Love
Little did I know what God was doing in our lives as He was teaching us to take hold of His commands and the promises of joy that came with them! He’s helping us learn to love better, to see people, and to share the hope He constantly provides. Meanwhile, He moved a 4-year old Bonus Boy into our house. He’s the son of one of the “neighbors we were loving on.” The 4-year old turned 5, and after a few months, it was decided that our family would adopt him.
The busy lives we had been living became much, much busier – but no matter because God has been in every part, perfectly providing everything we need. He’s been showing us during all of this how to let go of what isn’t important for His Kingdom and to fix our eyes more firmly on what He has to offer.
I could share thousands of words about all we are learning. But today, regarding food? Here’s a biggie I’ve learned: Who cares if you sometimes need to eat a less-than-perfect meal if the tradeoff is having more time to share Jesus’ love with others? Pray over the food, throw out the mixed greens or easy veggie to go with it, and trust that God is still providing His best for you.
This leads me to share my current favorite cheat meal. Don’t get too excited. It’s not even something to pass out over.
My Current Favorite Cheat Meal
It’s homemade-ish pizza.
Sure, I can make homemade pizza crust. Here’s the recipe for the days you have time. It’s fabulous. I recommend it. But you know what else I recommend for the days you don’t have time (because you’ve been sharing God’s love with people)?
Pre-made Pizza Crust. Organic…or not. Whole grain…or not. God is bigger, my friends. It’s just a pizza crust. This should not make us lose sleep. God’s purposes for our lives are bigger than the occasional serving of white flour.
I now regularly buy pre-made pizza crusts to keep in my freezer. About once every week, between foster care meetings and court dates and diapers and bottles and therapy appointments, I ask my big boys pull some out and top them as they please. This is our lunch or our dinner and it is so easy!
How do I make it healthier?
First, I don’t stress over it. A peaceful heart is great for one’s health. Second, we pull out mixed greens and eat salad with it. Often fresh fruit too. Again – SO EASY. It’s also fun and tasty, an added bonus.
And there you have it: My favorite cheat meal.
In the tug of war for all that demands our attention, loving people should win every time!
i loved every word of this. Outside of extreme cases most of us could learn a lesson in graciousness over food. My middle son is a newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic, as is my husband, but I’m still praying that we will not worship food! i’ve been there, stuck over the littlest detail… It’ s just not worth it. God is good, we pray and we eat the best we can. Thank you Laura for being so open to share how God is working in your family. It’s truly beautiful :)
Can’t wait to get the details about your Bonus Boy. Super cute name for him.
I remember your early stories about your son’s eczema. I assume with the changes in the way you cook sometimes now that it is resolved?
Hey Lissa!
Laura wrote a few posts regarding her youngest’s eczema journey. You can find them at this link: https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/?s=eczema
She wrote a great post about all the things they tried, and what eventually worked!
-Bethany (Laura’s assistant)
I remember his eczema being the trigger towards whole food and away from commercial junk. I didn’t know if the eczema is still a problem now with more short cuts in the kitchen. Thanks
Yes! Praise God, Malachi is doing awesome now! We still eat as much real food as possible, but we don’t have to hold as strictly to the diet anymore. :)
This is my life now!! We have a bonus GIRL. 9 months old. Lots of appointments, therapies and even surgeries. She has rocked our world! And we wouldn’t change a thing! Hoping to finalize adoption this summer. In the meantime I love this idea! I’m going to be buying some pizza crusts!!! Thanks!!
Congratulations!! Nine months old is such a fun age, too!
-Bethany (Laura’s assistant)
I love your balanced and healthy perspective on food! I couldn’t agree more. What we eat is important, but what we are is so much more important. And I’m with you on the fact that stressing over food is unhealthy , so eating an imperfect meal with peace sometimes trumps healthy and chaotic.
I agree completely. We eat very healthy – most of the time. But I also have “mama needs a break” meals, too. Favorites are storebought meatballs with storebought pasta sauce. And hot dogs with a can of beans. Not the organic nitrate-free ones, either. And the beans are the sugary baked bean kind. I feel no guilt.
One not so healthy meal among dozens of meals that are super nutritious isn’t going to kill anyone. Also related: Once in a while, it’s OK to eat your not-healthy meal like zombies in front of the TV instead of gathered around a proper dinner table.
“Mama needs a break” meals are my favorite. :-) Thank you for sharing your tips!
-Bethany (Laura’s assistant)