Yum

Solutions for the tired and the hungry!

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Greetings Delicious RDG Readers!

Before chronic illness, I was a better contributor in the kitchen. I’m a good cook, but the will to cook began to subside after having July and my disease diagnosis. Luckily, Zach has a passion for food to pick up all the slack.

Even as I type, I’ve made coffee… and nothing else today.

To be fair, I did make JJ’s lunch. But that’s more of a gathering than actual cooking. 

It can feel like failure some days when I don’t have the energy to help like in the past. 

And I know I’m not alone.

So, I reached out to an amazing resource and have some meal plan solutions for all of us!

But first, I’m took over stories at Global Genes! I take folks through a day in my world. Infusion/labs, toddlers, dogs, oh my! They are a world leader in rare disease advocacy and I’m so honored to work with them on this IG Take Over. You can see it in my Instagram stories and theirs today (also it’s archived on their page if you miss the 24 hr stories window).

globalgenes

A post shared by @globalgenes

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Meal-Planning For The Tired & Hungry

So many of us just don’t have it in us to cook, even without illness (there are an abundance of triggers that lead to burnout).

Sometimes I'll see a delicious recipe I want to try and then I look at the steps involved and I just collapse under the weight of ALL THE PREP involved.

I need help. 

And that’s when I reached out to my friend Philia Kelnhofer—otherwise known as Sweet Phi!

Phi is a childhood, life-long friend of my husband Zach and she’s the author of the cookbook Fast and Easy Five-Ingredient Recipes: A Cookbook for Busy People and her outstanding Substack newsletter. 

I’ve known Phi exclusively through the internet. She’s a treasure trove of insight into all things delicious and uncomplicated with loads of gorgeous photography and a heaping of authenticity as she shares life with her four kids.  

I wrote to Phi, “I want to make a grocery list and healthy meals/snacks that could come from that list to share with readers. Bonus points for things that can be meal prepped and ready to eat throughout the week. The idea is easy and healthy. Bc I know so so so many folks who have to live fatigued and are short-cutting with unhealthy choices.”

And like the amazing angel-genius she is, she whipped it together!

Download it here:

Meal Planning For The Tired & Hungry

4.02MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

You can take the grocery list to the store and have meals for the week:

• Applesauce Oatmeal Pancakes you can make once on a Sunday and, pro-tip, a double batch can be reheated throughout the week. 

• A simple fruit-filled smoothie to energize and satiate the sweet tooth.

• Two entrees you can make in under an hour! A one-sheet pan salmon with sides and a baked chicken dinner you literally just toss the ingredients into a baking dish with no chopping or prepping, just layer and bake.

• Chickpea salad that looks perfect to whip up without turning on a stove. 

• Peanut butter balls that can give you a boost of energy throughout the day.

I also love how so many items in this meal plan are brilliantly kid-friendly. 

And if this appeals to you, please get on Phi’s socials and newsletter, because she is dropping deliciousness like this every week. And the pictures are yummy. 

Let me know how the cooking goes and which recipes are your favorite! Also if you have allergies, restrictions, or questions, Phi is open to helping consult on options and alts. You can email her at Phi@sweetphi.com.

Now I’m hungry. 

Meet Sweet Phi!

Hi! I’m Philia Kelnhofer—Phi for short (pronounced like “fee”)—the creator behind SweetPhi.com. I started the blog in 2011 to share my love of cooking and storytelling, and it’s grown into a cozy corner of the internet full of easy, approachable recipes, kitchen tips, and everyday inspiration. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with my husband and our four wonderful kids: Ben (7), twins Frankie and Freddie (5)—fun fact, all three share a birthday—and Sam (3).

Along the way, I’ve written and photographed two cookbooks: Fast and Easy Five-Ingredient Recipes: A Cookbook for Busy People and Baby Food Maker Cookbook: 125 Fresh, Organic, Wholesome Recipes for Your Baby Food Maker. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner, a new family favorite, or just a little inspiration to make mealtime easier, I’m so excited to connect with you!

You can find me at www.sweetphi.com, my newsletter and on IG @sweetphiblog

What are your biggest challenges with cooking and/or summoning the energy to cook the meals you dream of?

Follow me on Instagram for more tips and pictures.

COMMENT OF THE WEEK

“Hi Taylor, glad your kidneys are healing and the numbers are improving from your diet but also I think you’re great outlook and positive positive energy helps you heal as well. Keep it up.” Susan

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If you’re new here and wondering, “what happened to this lady?” read:

I started writing this when I was on dialysis. It’s intended to be both memoir and a practical tool to help folks who might be going through something similar or those caregivers and family supporting someone with a challenging diagnosis. NOTE: This is not intended to replace actual medical guidance. Please consult your doctors on your individual challenges and situations. Please talk to your clinicians before adjusting any of your care protocols. Also names have been changed for most of my medical staff.

THANK YOU, NEW PAID SUBSCRIBERS!

Faye, thank you for being a new paid subscriber here. I am honored to make another friend on the other side of the world!

Thank you to Katie McUpton, Dienna D’Olimpio Harada, CC Couchois, Roy Lenn, and Dr. Richard Burwick for your founding level donation.