I used to have it in the bag.
Literally.
Fruit, sandwiches, pretzels, trail mix, veggies, and maybe even some hummus.
All packed in a small cooler for a road-trip. This frugal and smart fitness coach knew how to travel with health in mind.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve lost my culinary road-trip mojo. My resolve seems to have petered out. Hop in a car and all bets are off!
Recently, we had to take an unplanned trip to Philadelphia. I quickly threw some apples, granola bars, and home-made juices in a cooler and we set off. I was strong. We were going to save money and eat healthy snacks. Maybe pick up a little something for lunch.
Rest Stop #1: Sure everyone can have Starbuck’s, and grab breakfast while you’re at it! A steamer, a few lattes, and some baked treats to go, and we were back in the car.
Rest Stop #2: Thirsty again? Sure! Go for it. Another little snack won’t hurt ya. Beef jerky and a Lunchable? Sounds good to me.
Who am I, anyway? I’ve never ever purchased a Lunchable! My kids had no idea where their mother had gone. They were baffled.
And giddy.
In my sugar and carb stupor, the remainder of the drive was a blur.
I could chalk up my behavior to the stress brought on by the need for the spontaneous trip, and yet I was quite aware of the truth that what we were consuming would only exasperate that stress, rather than calm it.
Oh, did I mentioned that we also drove HOME that very day?
Do the math. That makes double the rest-stop foods consumed.
The day after the binge brought no physiological surprises. We fully expected the lethargy, stomach-aches, and water-retention. My kids woke tired and grumpy. I woke needing a detox.
As I reflect back, I realize that sometimes, even with the best of intentions, Mama gets tired of planning.
And even though we ate our way to Philly and back, I must admit we had a nice time together. Munching and listening to an audio book.
I guess if Mom dropping the ball every once in a while makes for an entertaining memory for the kids, I can willingly choose this route again in the future. So often, I feel the pressure to view every circumstance as an opportunity to teach my kids a life lesson – for instance, “Be prepared, or you’ll waste a ton of money on food that will send you straight to the rest-room – more than once.”
It was kind of nice, for this time, I didn’t teach them a darn thing.
Unless one considers giving instructions on how to balance a hot drink and a bag of dried and cured chunks of meat on one’s lap a life skill.
If that’s a life lesson, I taught it in spades.
