By Lisa Hauf
What do you want for breakfast? CEREAL
What do you want for supper? CEREAL
What do you want for a bedtime snack? CEREAL
I can justifiably say summer is here and cereal is on the menu these days. Typically, nice weather means taking out the grill and changing up the menu. But it seems things have been so hectic that preparing a meal has been the last thing on my mind. I wasn’t planning for a super busy summer. I even cut back on the kids’ summer activities so we would have more time at home, but the late spring has really changed things up a bit.
It is remarkable how the weather can control so much of what happens around us. From what we eat, to when we go to bed, and even our mood.
A late spring in our home changes the dynamic greatly. I’ve been married to my husband for seven years and this is the first “late spring” we have endured together. Anyone who knows us knows springtime brings challenges to our home. My husband manages Nutrien Ag Solutions in Bismarck and sells seed and chemical to farmers. Since he doesn’t have an office job, he can help transport kids, get groceries and run errands a majority of the year. But come springtime, things change. He puts in long hours and his phone never stops ringing – from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. he will get calls and text messages.
As my husband commits his time to farmers, I am left to manage home life while continuing to do my job at NDFB. (Oh, and let’s not mention the fact I made the decision to get a puppy this spring, but that story can be for another day). I try my best but often find myself strained. Thank goodness my dad is retired and helps with the kids and drives them around – or there is no way I could do it. Between my job and trying to keep up around the house, what’s for supper is often the last thing on my mind. That’s why this time of the year frequently results in “help yourself nights.”
I often remind myself that my kids will be okay eating cereal three times a day (at least they are getting their calcium to build strong bones). We do switch it up a bit and have Uncrustables (I finally started making my own) or pizza from time to time. Last week we had summer sausage, crackers and cheese. Our simple menu is supporting the farmers in the state, which is always a plus!
Life is unpredictable, much like the weather. Life also gets hectic, and sometimes cereal just needs to be on the menu.
Lisa is NDFB's Public Relations Director and lives near Bismarck with her husband, three sons and new pup!