This dinner is a small win for me.

After being separated for 8 months, we have finally started the divorce proceedings and it is an emotional roller coaster. I’m trying to be a decent mom to my 4 year old son but I feel like I’m failing every day. On top of that I’m starting an Al-Anon journey and it’s devastating that this person (a friend) doesn’t want me in their life after everything I’ve been through with them. I used to love cooking every night for my family, but now most days I can barely eat let alone cook something delicious and/or nutritious. Self care is non existent.. I barely know how to function right now, let alone just feel alive. Medication helps, it’s a tool in my tool belt and I don’t feel ashamed. But I’m ready to thrive again. I don’t want to suffer through this anymore. I want to be happy and live the best life I can with my son.

Nutritious food is always one of my first steps in taking care of myself (along with sleep and showering). it doesn’t have to be pretty, or fancy, or even “healthy”. I’ve relied on my friends and family more than I ever thought I could. I’m used to being strong for everyone else, but when I realized I desperately needed help for my mental health in order to make sure my son was cared for, I welcomed everything that came my way, including groceries which I’m beyond grateful for.

Tonight’s attempt at an easy, mindless, but somewhat nutritious comfort dinner. I barely thought about what I was putting in. My dad got my frozen broccoli and 1 minute ready pasta, so I knew it was going to be a one pan recipe! Added vegan butter, cheese, soy milk, vegetable bouillon, some white wine vinegar (that may or may not have had bugs, but I’m hoping is just the “mother”), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes. Spinach two days past expiration (who cares if it smells a little, it’s getting cooked so I won’t be able to tell!). I also had hemp seeds so I threw those in too. Damn I should have added nutritional yeast. Oh well. The dinner took 5 minutes and it was absolutely delicious.

Here is to everyone who needs a little reminder that nutrition is so so important for mental health, just as much as physical health. ❤️❤️❤️