Planning Parameters

Math Man has grown into a terrific cook since the pandemic, and it’s been a delight to come home at night and not always have to move directly into getting dinner on the table. Every. Single. Night. It’s been more than a relief to let some of that go, I feel cherished. Still, I have been taking the lead in creating menus and shopping lists, and the rest of what goes into running the kitchen for most of the last decade.

Math Man was a great parenting partner when the kids were small. We could swap at the drop of a hat, he could pack a diaper bag, knew what size shoes the kids wore, and could handle whatever the day threw at us as well as I could. 

Parkinson’s progression is to some extent unpredictable (though this review has some helpful data), and while at the moment I’m not terribly limited in what I can do, the advice is to be pro-active in preparing for a time when I perhaps can do much less. So the broken door lock got replace with one easier for me to use, and Math Man needs to be able to step in just as he did so long ago. This weekend he started shadowing me on the meal planning. Starting with the week’s menu. Which we keep on a call board thanks to Crash’s pandemic organization.

Math Man: How about French dip sandwiches for dinner Sunday?

Me: How about salmon instead?

Math Man: What are you thinking?

Me: Well, we should have at least one dinner that is built around fish for the protein, and at least one vegetarian dinner. Which nights do we need a quick dinner between work and an evening activity that a sandwich option would be a better choice?  What are you thinking?

Math Man: How do I figure out a menu that will include tater tots?

Me:

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Also me: Are there any nights one or both of us are out for dinner? what's in the freezer that we can use? What vegetables am I likely to be able to get at the farmer's market? Oh and I’ll be checking the board each morning to see what needs to be defrosted, if anything.