This guest post comes from Natalie and Holly over at The Modern Proper. Their mission is to change the way people think about hospitality, one delicious recipe at a time — and in our series with them, we’re excited to share recipes that will nourish you, your family, and loved ones alike. Below, they’re sharing a hearty, easy-to-prep salad for combatting the midday hunger slump—and that even saves well for leftovers. Enjoy!
Power up and push through! That’s what I tell myself every day around 2 pm when I’m too tired to eat and too overwhelmed to rest. Once I push through, this “slump” generally only lasts until dinner when I get my second wind to enjoy my family for the evening. I’m finally past the sleepless nights (all my babes are sleeping through the night, no one is nursing, and I’m NOT pregnant). And boy does if feel good, but my babies are still young and busy, leaving me with that dreaded afternoon low when I remember that it’s been hours since I’ve eaten, or worse…I haven’t eaten at all.
I’m faced with a choice: Do I pick the crumbs off my kids' lunch plates or do I do the right thing and fuel up for the rest of the day?
I’m not talking about a good ol’ carb overload. I'm talking about fueling myself with something delicious, healthy, and filling. Something that will sustain me and help me finish the day strong, rather than crawl to the finish line.
Why is it so hard for us moms to make good choices mid-day? The reasons are aplenty, and I’m the first to admit that I fail miserably in this department.
So, while I'm going to give you a few tips to better care for yourself, it's not in a spirit of hypocrisy, but rather to recommit to taking my own advice and caring for myself, as well. Here goes:
Tip 01. When meal planning, make dinners that will provide you with enough leftovers for the following day.
Tip 02. If your schedule is busy, make sure to schedule a lunch for yourself. You’re working a real job keeping those babies alive and happy, so act like it. A timed lunch is necessary, even if it means eating with your employers.
Tip 03. If you do make a lunch from scratch, make enough for a couple of days. Multiply your efforts and prepare for those days when you don't have the luxury of cooking.
Tip 04. Make sure that what you’re eating is going to fuel you, not just fill you. A green smoothie, protein with a few veggies, or a hearty salad are great examples of quality over quantity. Make it count.
While I'll go ahead and toot my own horn and tell you this is great advice, you're not alone in making bad choices. As moms, we all mess up. We all have days we try to just make it to the end, neglecting ourselves in the process. I’ve eaten my fair share of toddler leftovers, and empty, desperate carbs. However, I know that when I take a moment to eat a real lunch for myself the benefits far outweigh the effort, and my mid-day slumps quickly flea allowing me to do more than merely survive the rest of the day. It's worth it. We're worth it.
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Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tbsp water
- ½ cup olive oil
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp yogurt
- 1 tsp honey
- Pinch of salt
Salad
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 bunch kale, ribs removed, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup goat cheese
- ¼ cup raw pepitas (or any other small nut)
Instructions
- For the dressing: Mix all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until combined. For a creamier texture, blend in a high-speed blender.
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread out the sweet potatoes in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Toss until all pieces are coated. Roast until tender (about 20 minutes). If you want them a little crispy, broil for 3-5 more minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss kale with tahini dressing.
- Top with sweet potatoes, goat cheese, and pepitas, then enjoy!!
- Note: Kale holds its crunch for more than a day even when dressed. So save those leftovers and thank yourself tomorrow when the 2 pm slump hits!
