A couple of weeks ago, after Family Day at the ED program, Social Butterfly queried, "Do you think my siblings would come if they were still at home?"
How long do you think it took me to buy a plane ticket? Not long, I'll tell you. MVP was the logical choice for a last-minute trip because let's face it--Denver is a hella lot closer to San Diego than Chicago or Erie. MVP talked to his professor about missing a Monday lab and it was done.
In a wonderful coincidence, the program is closed Friday, so SB will pick MVP up at the airport and they're driving straight to Big Bear to go snowboarding. Fun, right?
The only complicated thing about the trip is that SB doesn't like to eat food that isn't prepared by me. She does it, daily, at the program--in fact, they eat restaurant lunches--but it's not what she prefers. So in a situation that can only be described as poetic justice for a woman who bemoaned she was burnt-out on cooking, I cook. And honestly? It's not that big a deal.
Planning three meals and two snacks for a girl that has to get her calories in come hell or high water is no mean feat though. You see, when anorexics begin to eat again their bodies go into a hyper-metabolic state and they must eat a lot more calories to gain weight than you and I would.
To complicate matters, SB is also very lactose-intolerant. Overall, this is a good thing because it is what had us a the doctor when this was starting. That said, what are the best foods for putting on weight? Why foods that contain lactose, of course.
I am becoming a consumer of all types of new products--almond milk, yogurt cheese and the like.
To complicate already complicated matters, SB has a marked preference for healthy food. It's easy to get lots of calories from junk food, but a bit harder to do it in a way that utilizes all whole grains and fruits and veg. But I persevere and prepare food the opposite way I've done it my whole life--by adding calories instead of subtracting them.
That's a sampling of the food I'm packing up for tomorrow's snowboarding trip. We have deli turkey and yogurt cheese sandwiches on thick whole-wheat artisan bread. The avocodo is in a separate tupperware. There are everything bagels with cream cheese. Homemade banana-oatmeal muffins, strawberries, bananas, almond milk, Silk smooth protein strawberry-banana juice, salad with roast chicken to toss in, wheat rolls with butter and Sun Chips--because when you really, really need the calories, only a chip will do!
I'm really looking forward to spending time with MVP, but that they won't be home from snowboarding until later Friday evening means that I got to say yes to the free theater ticket to see "Rock of Ages" with friends; there was only one extra ticket, so Mr. Fix-it will join us for dinner and then we'll continue on to the show.
I think I deserve a night off!
I'm trying to think healthy and not be envious of a hypermetabolic state...
But then, life isn't fair.
What is AWESOME (besides the fact you get to see Rock of Ages!) is a fun day of snowboarding with a big brother and a mom who knows how to pack an awesome lunch!
Enjoy the family time this weekend. ♥
Posted by: Karen (formerly kcinnova) | March 30, 2012 at 01:27 AM
your son is pretty awesome...all of you are :)
Posted by: gary rith | March 30, 2012 at 07:24 AM
I'm just so impressed with how wonderful you all are to each other. I'm sure that you have your moments, like any family, but I admire the way you have rallied round your daughter.
And the dark Chocolate Silk Almond milk? YUMMY.
Posted by: Navhelowife | March 30, 2012 at 07:51 AM
What a great brother.
And mother.
It has got to be pretty challenging, prepping food in a whole new way.
Posted by: Green Girl in Wisconsin | March 30, 2012 at 10:07 AM
If you ever want a second career, I'd buy box lunches from you any day!
Posted by: Claudia from Idiot's Kitchen | March 30, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Yummers! Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Smalltown Me | March 30, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Does she eat turkey now?
It has to be hard to switch from trying not to eat calories to making things with lots of them!
Posted by: mom taxi julie | March 30, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Wow, it's so great to hear she is progressing! This is such great news. And good on her brother for being so supportive.
Posted by: Aunt Snow | March 30, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Your family just rallies around each other and that is spectacular! I hope they have a blast, and I know you will.
That is quite the sampling of yummy food, you get an A+!
Posted by: Busy Bee Suz | March 30, 2012 at 05:44 PM
So glad that the whole fam is able to support SB -- and so happy for you that you get to see Rock of Ages!
Posted by: lanes | March 31, 2012 at 09:15 AM
You're doing a great job Jenn! And yes, you deserve a nt off. Have a great time!
Posted by: Jen | March 31, 2012 at 03:49 PM
My sister and I were laughing one day about my 40th birthday coming up. I was remembering how my present for my 18th birthday was a suitcase....and that I left home the very next day.
...and she suddenly said, "I was really angry when you left home."
Wha...!?
She said, "You left me there."
I had no idea.
It took her 22 years to say that. She was 13 at the time and there was disfunction in our family, that is obviously not in yours.
All the same, perhaps it's hard for SB to be the last chick at home.
Posted by: Deborah J | April 02, 2012 at 12:54 AM
You're doing a great job Jenn! And yes, you deserve a nt off. Have a great time!
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You're doing a great job Jenn! And yes, you deserve a nt off. Have a great time!
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