1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 1: Hi. This is Laura Vandercamp. I'm a mother of five, 2 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: an author, journalist, and speaker. And this is Sarah Hartunger. 3 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: I'm a mother of three, a practicing physician and blogger. 4 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: On the side, we are two working parents who love 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,320 Speaker 1: our careers and our families. Welcome to Best of Both Worlds. 6 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: Here we talk about how real women manage work, family, 7 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: and time for fun, from figuring out childcare to mapping 8 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: out long term career goals. We want you to get 9 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: the most out of life. Welcome to Best of Both Worlds. 10 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:37,239 Speaker 1: This is Laura. This is episode two hundred and thirteen, 11 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: which is airing at the very end of August of 12 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one. This is going to be a mailbag episode. 13 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,319 Speaker 1: We've gotten a lot of great listener questions. We do 14 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: one question every week, but we get so many that 15 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: we wanted to address a few more both that have 16 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 1: come in through our blogs that people email us. We'll 17 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 1: definitely share that information how to reach us. A lot 18 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: of these came in through Instagram at as well. We 19 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 1: are at Best of Both Worlds podcasts, so we'll go 20 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: ahead and dive right into this long list of wonderful questions. 21 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: So the first question, did you give up caffeine during pregnancy? 22 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 1: Any good substitutes? Because our listener is missing fall Starbucks, 23 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 1: she really wants her pumpkin spice latte is now airing. 24 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:28,319 Speaker 1: It comes out like new earlier every year. Have you 25 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 1: noticed this, Like, I think it's been in the August 26 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: time frame for a little bit now, But I am 27 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 1: always shocked because it's like, not anything fall like around here. No, 28 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 1: well it isn't most places. I think it's that they 29 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: want to get enough run of the pumpkin spice latte 30 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: before they get to the Christmas stuff, which has to 31 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: launch like November first, right, I mean, I think it 32 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 1: has so much love that people are just anxious for it. 33 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: They probably want to run it for as long as possible. 34 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 1: Can you get a pumpkin spice latte at other times? Like, 35 00:01:57,280 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: I don't think so. I think I think that's the 36 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: whole thing, right, is that it is special to that 37 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 1: time of year, and so it creates this demand in 38 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 1: the same way that you know, when McDonald's wasn't doing 39 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: the McRib sandwich all the time, that people had to 40 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:14,959 Speaker 1: like come whenever it was. I assume it's the exact 41 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: same with the pumpkins spice PSL. The PSL. This is 42 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,679 Speaker 1: a full on digression. Do you like pumpkin spice lot? No? 43 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:30,079 Speaker 1: I do not, me neither, So there we go. Now, 44 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:34,520 Speaker 1: I've been drinking my coffee black, and I gotta say 45 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:35,960 Speaker 1: it's a lot, got a lot going for it. I mean, 46 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: it certainly enables you to go longer without eating stuff 47 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: in the morning. I mean, you have cream in your coffee. 48 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 1: It's like having a breakfast before having an actual breakfast. 49 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:49,639 Speaker 1: I was having some issues with dairy in general, so 50 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 1: I found turning to black coffee was my way to 51 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:57,960 Speaker 1: deal with some of those. But to answer our listeners question, 52 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: I drank coffee through all of my pregnancies. I have 53 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 1: not found any particularly compelling reason not to. The current 54 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: recommendation is to limit it to two hundred milligrams, and 55 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: I looked it up at a pumpkin spice latte has 56 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty milligrams, So I am guessing. I 57 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 1: guess that's the standard size. I mean Starbucks has a 58 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: million sizes. Who knows, So I mean, I would say 59 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,560 Speaker 1: our listener should just go for it, all right, Like, 60 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 1: go enjoy your pumpkin spice latte. A lot of pregnancy 61 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 1: prohibitions are complete and total bs. I would be more 62 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 1: worried about the amount of sugar and a pumpkin spice latte, 63 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: like that's not good for you or your baby, But 64 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 1: no one worries about that, so there you go. The 65 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 1: bigger issue with having lots of coffee when you're pregnant 66 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: is that you have to pee all the time, so 67 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 1: you can't even like have a coffee before getting in 68 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: the car for thirty minutes to go somewhere, like you're 69 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 1: gonna be finding a rest stop somewhere along the way. 70 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: So that was my take on that. Sarah so I 71 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: she specifically asked if we gave it up, and I 72 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 1: did give up caffeine during my first pregnancy because it 73 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: took a very long time to have that pregnancy, and 74 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: even though it seemed like any risk was either non 75 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: existent or infinitesimal, I couldn't live with myself if something 76 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:15,839 Speaker 1: happened and I would have to wonder. So I did 77 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:18,600 Speaker 1: give it up and I drank decaf. However, with my 78 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: second and third pregnancies, I guess I had gained a 79 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 1: lot of confidence. I felt more confident in my ability 80 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: to reget pregnant should things have gone awry. I know 81 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: that sounds terrible, but it's true. And I drank coffee 82 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 1: every single day, So I would saying that the evidence 83 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 1: is not there that it like causes miscarriage. Like no, 84 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 1: So I mean like, let's not certainly not at that dose, yact. No, 85 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 1: not at all. So anyway, that's our take. We did 86 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: not give it up for you know, seven out of 87 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: eight pregnancies between the two of us. Here. Second question, 88 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 1: favorite kid products lately, any new fines and also how 89 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,600 Speaker 1: about for kitchen and food products? So Sarah, what are 90 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 1: what are you liking these days? So is really into 91 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 1: the Kiwi crate doodle crates. I don't get a bunch 92 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: of ki crates for every kid anymore because I find 93 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,239 Speaker 1: they just it's a lot of stuff in your house. 94 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: But the craft ones, which are the doodle crates, it's 95 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 1: kind of consumable materials and you create a project and 96 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:17,040 Speaker 1: she loves them. So that's been really fun. And they 97 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,799 Speaker 1: are not a podcast sponsor at least at this point, 98 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: so this is non spawn. I will say the rise 99 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 1: of shoes like sneakers, like real sneakers that are decently 100 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: supportive that have no laces for or velcro for kids, 101 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,159 Speaker 1: but magically kind of hug the foot. Are so great 102 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 1: and so convenient. And I noticed that in Genevieve's class, 103 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: like half the kids have the same pair of Nikes. 104 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 1: Is it the Nike Flex, that's what alex is. Yeah, Nike, 105 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 1: we love those. Those are everywhere and actually if you 106 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 1: look on Zappo's they have a lot of color options 107 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:50,359 Speaker 1: like that we didn't see in the store. So I 108 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:52,119 Speaker 1: think there's going to be a whole generation of children 109 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 1: who don't know how to tie their shoes. That is true. 110 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 1: Cameron has gray ones, Annabel has blue and black ones, 111 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: and Genevieve has gray and they're gonna get to adulthood 112 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: in all adult shoes will just be slip ons because 113 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 1: I'll be like, we never learned. It seemed like too 114 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: much trouble, Like what's that thing with the bunny loops 115 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: and like it goes around the the what I forget 116 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 1: how you're supposed to describe it to children, But yes, 117 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: the older kids learned. But yeah, we haven't even approached 118 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: that topic with Alex yet for tying shoes. So yeah, 119 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 1: Nike Flex all the way. So those are great kitchen. 120 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: I don't have a lot, you know, we I was 121 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 1: just thinking, like, we never buy kitchen gadgets. I don't 122 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 1: have a fancy blender. We do not have an instant pot, 123 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: so I don't have a lot there. But I will 124 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 1: say another back to school item, I ordered ll Bean 125 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: backpacks for the kids that were definitely the same ones 126 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 1: that I had as a kid. They're so nice, They're like, 127 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: well maybe they're aesthetically pleasing, and there is something so 128 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: fun and nostalgic to be like I had that backpack too, 129 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 1: just in a different color. So it's possible that your 130 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: backpacks from childhood might even last now with those Yeah, 131 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,040 Speaker 1: some of them last, others do not, So something to 132 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: keep up in mind. Although my sense is they often 133 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: get so grubby from what the kids do to them 134 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 1: that you want to replace them, even if technically you 135 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 1: don't have to replace them, like the seams are still there. Yeah. 136 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: In my house, Like I was thinking about this question 137 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: of like, you know, new baby products, for instance, anything 138 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: i'd seen different this time around. But Henry gets like 139 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 1: almost nothing new because my entire house is full of 140 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: kid chunks, so he's I have also been impressed, like 141 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,119 Speaker 1: as with the LLLL being backpacks. The things we don't 142 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: have to buy new, like the kid Craft toy kitchen 143 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: that has lasted through five children, the Thomas the train tank, 144 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: the engines that you play on, that Melissa Doug set 145 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 1: or whatever, not the Melissa Doug trains themselves, but the 146 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 1: branded Thomas ones, and then with the Melissa and Doug 147 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 1: set that you can use to do it. We have 148 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 1: a same a snowsuit from ll bean that not only 149 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: have my five children used, but three cousins did before that, 150 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: so that one has definitely gotten its money's use. One thing. 151 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 1: A couple of things we did get new this time around. 152 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 1: We had a baby katan rap which worked really well 153 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: for when Henry was an infant, and we sort of 154 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: transferred it around for all of us, like me, Michael, 155 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: the different nannies we had during his infancy, and the 156 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: one issue is that he loved it so much that 157 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 1: he would only nap in the katan until he was 158 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 1: approximately eight months old, which started to get a little 159 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 1: bit tiring that you're like, okay, I have to have 160 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 1: a baby on me for his nap. He like monopolized 161 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 1: in adults time for nap as opposed to giving the 162 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: adults a break, so we were always shifting that around, 163 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: like which adult gets the nap this time. Fortunately this 164 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: was during the pandemic, so everyone was around and able 165 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 1: to handle that. But he did love it, so there 166 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: you go. He did sleep in his SNeW at night. 167 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: And I know a lot of people have debated purchasing 168 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: the SNeW. I was in the hospital when I got 169 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,560 Speaker 1: a well timed email about a thirty percent sent off 170 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: sale on the snow, so I was like, I'm going 171 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: for it. I'll see if it works. It was fine. 172 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: I don't think it was life changing. I don't think 173 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 1: he slept particularly more than any of the other children, 174 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 1: but it was, you know, fine. And it's a nice 175 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: bacinet and I like the swattle cloths that come with it. 176 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 1: Those are actually really good. So you could also just 177 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:28,680 Speaker 1: buy the swattle cloths and skip the snow, although they 178 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 1: are meant to go in the snow, like they have 179 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 1: the side wings that you strap the baby into the snow. 180 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: But yeah, that was fine, not life changing, but perfectly fine. 181 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 1: One other thing, we've been buying Amazon Basics for some 182 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 1: of the kid stuff that I know they're going to 183 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 1: grow out of. Fairly quickly. So kid coats, for instance, 184 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: if you live in a cold climate, it is quite 185 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: possible that your children will need a new coat each year. 186 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 1: They will lose their coat. So while theoretically this is 187 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: the sort of thing that you might want high quality on, 188 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: that just seems like a waste when they're going to 189 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: leave it on the bus and at their activities and 190 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: all that sort of thing. So we've been buying Amazon 191 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 1: Basics and they come in just nice. They're sort of 192 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 1: sleek and fitted puffer jackets, and they come in different colors, 193 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 1: and the kids like the profile, and so that has 194 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:26,439 Speaker 1: solved that problem particularly well. So I would give a 195 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:31,080 Speaker 1: shout out there all right, next question, simple weeknight dinners 196 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: that the kids will eat. Boy, isn't this the perpetual question, Sarah, 197 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:37,959 Speaker 1: what will your kids eat? They'll eat more than my 198 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:42,040 Speaker 1: kids will eat. Yeah, my kids are reasonable. I am 199 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: not going to say I could throw anything at them. 200 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 1: And I certainly have that experience where you like work 201 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: hard to make a dinner and you put it down 202 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 1: and then like the initial reaction is just like I'm 203 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:56,440 Speaker 1: not eating that like violent, violent injection. So don't think 204 00:10:56,440 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 1: that they're like, you know, miracle children. But tacos always 205 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: a crowd pleaser. The adults can make taco salad, the 206 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:05,719 Speaker 1: kids can eat it in the taco shells. I've never 207 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: heard complaints on a taco night. Any kind of burger, 208 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: turkey burger, regular burger, it's going to be a crowd 209 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 1: pleaser and also can be easily converted into a salad 210 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,360 Speaker 1: if you don't want to eat it burger style. My 211 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:21,640 Speaker 1: kids love any kind of like chicken rice curry slash 212 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: thing I think, I mean they've grown up eating that, 213 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: either our nanny makes her own curry or even from 214 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: like takeout quick places like we have this local place 215 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:34,080 Speaker 1: either Pyo chocolatel or Chicken Kitchen. They love that. We 216 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: actually we had that, guess Claire tansy On and my 217 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: kids still love that salmon ramen bowl recipe from her cookbook. 218 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: They any kind of like Asian bowl with rice and 219 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 1: salmon like they will eat. And then finally, an unexpected 220 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: crowd pleaser. Laura's going to like laugh at this one. 221 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,720 Speaker 1: But is big salads, especially if there are like multiple 222 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:58,120 Speaker 1: components so they can control, you know, what doesn't go 223 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: into their salad. I'd say Cameron is the most picky, 224 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 1: and so sometimes I'll be like, Okay, you're eating dry 225 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:08,800 Speaker 1: lettuce with chicken because nothing else was acceptable from this spread. 226 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:11,120 Speaker 1: But the other kids will eat lots of different stuff. 227 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 1: I love the chopped honey mustard chicken salad recipe from 228 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 1: how Sweet Eats, which I think I'm going to learned 229 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: about from lag Live. I don't know, but we love 230 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: that one. And then she also has like a copycat 231 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 1: Fuji Apple Panera type salad on her site as well 232 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:28,679 Speaker 1: that the kids like. So, yeah, salad can be more 233 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 1: kid friendly than you think if your kids are not 234 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 1: like completely averse to lettuce or anything green. Yeah, we 235 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 1: have a more limited palette in our family, but some 236 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 1: reliable crowd pleasers, which I'll throw these out that I 237 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 1: think these are more likely to fly with many children 238 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 1: than the honey mustard chicken salad or salmon Rabben Buls 239 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: is breakfast for dinner, which we do every Wednesday, and 240 00:12:57,800 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: it's a little bit more elaborate than what we would 241 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 1: ever actually eat for breakfast because it's a dinner. So 242 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:08,599 Speaker 1: we do scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, and fruit, and you 243 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 1: know that is a balanced meal and everyone loves it. 244 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:16,079 Speaker 1: There's zero complaints on that except for Alex and Fruit, 245 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:19,920 Speaker 1: but that's a long standing issue. We also do make 246 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 1: your own pizza on Fridays, so this is a great 247 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 1: way to get the fun of Friday night pizza without 248 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 1: the dialing for some pizza somewhere. We buy freezer case 249 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: dough from the grocery store. You can also make your 250 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 1: own occasionally. Michael will do that. He's been doing that 251 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: less as he's been more back in the office sometimes, 252 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 1: but you can do that in a bread maker very easily, 253 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 1: but also easy to just buy frozen dough. People roll 254 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 1: it out in whatever shape they want, so if you 255 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: want to make a heart shaped pizza, that is totally cool. 256 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: You can buy pizza sauce also at the grocery store. 257 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 1: We do Raos, which has it's pretty good mazzarella cheese, 258 00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:05,720 Speaker 1: especially if you get the sort of Sargento big block 259 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 1: shaved off. It looks like more like pizza cheese when 260 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:12,000 Speaker 1: it cooks, and then whatever toppings people wish to put 261 00:14:12,040 --> 00:14:14,600 Speaker 1: on their pizza. So that's a really good crowd pleaser 262 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:18,439 Speaker 1: as well. I would also say that grilled cheese can 263 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:24,320 Speaker 1: be the basis of a very quick, easy crowd pleaser meal. 264 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 1: We have a our pancake griddle which we repurpose for 265 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: grilled cheese on those nights. Obviously, it's just a big 266 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: hot surface, right, you can cook anything on it. So 267 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: you line up the bread like grease it, line up 268 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: the bread, put the cheese on, put the top bread on, 269 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 1: flip it over. You can make like six grilled cheese 270 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: at the same time, which is convenient, and then serve 271 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 1: it with something else. So if you know, the kids 272 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: just want like carrots and apples or something, that would 273 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 1: be a meal, whereas the adults could have it with soup. 274 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 1: You know, there's a million prepared soups you can get, 275 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: and just look for one that are slightly healthier, like 276 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: healthier tomato soup or a salad, a bag salad from 277 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 1: the grocery store. So that is literally a ten minute meal. 278 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 1: Just make the salad in a bowl and then do 279 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 1: the grilled cheese on the griddle, and you have dinner. 280 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 1: So I would put a major shout out for that 281 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 1: one as well. Awesome. Well, we're going to take a 282 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 1: quick break and we'll be back with one more food 283 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 1: related question. All right, Well, we are back doing our 284 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 1: mail bag episode, our first of what will be more 285 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 1: than one mail bag episode thanks to all the great 286 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:45,120 Speaker 1: questions that listeners sent in. So, Sarah, what do you 287 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: eat for lunch? This listener says, I am out of 288 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 1: ideas for quick and healthy meals both in and out 289 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 1: of the office. So you tackle the in office part 290 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: because I'm useless there. Okay, I will tackle the in 291 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 1: office so one to two days. I keep it super simple. 292 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: Either if there are leftovers, then I bring those, or 293 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: my other standalone thing to bring is a frozen Amy's 294 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: burrito with carrots and a string cheese. That's just easy 295 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: to throw in my bag. It works. We also have 296 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: access to a free cafeteria, but I honestly don't go 297 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: there that often because A I get very tired of 298 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 1: what they have, and B I always get like work 299 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: randomly piled on me. When I go, people are like, 300 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 1: I like, you just asked for that because you saw 301 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,400 Speaker 1: me anyway. That's terrible. We should nobody listen to that. 302 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 1: Who works with me, You can ask me for anything anytime, 303 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 1: But yes, I don't go there every all the time. 304 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: And then one day a week. My new custom has 305 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: actually been allowing myself to order Uber East from wherever 306 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: I want, because I feel like I am allowed, yes, 307 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: and it comes out of my personal budget, as it 308 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 1: does with Josh if he does that for himself, but 309 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 1: I spare no expense. I ordered TI the other day. 310 00:16:56,320 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 1: I had like a super fancy spin salad yesterday. So yeah, 311 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 1: that's my that's my current plan. Because now when you 312 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 1: do the Amy's brute, you have a full fridge and 313 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:08,399 Speaker 1: freezer then and available to you that you can just 314 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 1: stick it in. Right yep. We have an office, like 315 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 1: there's a kitchen that like the whole floor shares micro 316 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 1: everything in the print, and a microwave. They got it. 317 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 1: That's obviously key. I mean, I would assume that anyone 318 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: in a sort of big office has access to at 319 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: least one of those little small fridges maybe, if not 320 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: a freezer in a microwave. If you don't, that's obviously 321 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:28,680 Speaker 1: a lot more complicated to try to make lunch work. 322 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 1: But hopefully your organization has at least figured that part 323 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 1: out at home. I mean, honestly, we're a big Leftover's 324 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 1: family too. We order sun Basket kits. I've mentioned this before. 325 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: They we started ordering when they were a sponsor for 326 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 1: a brief number of episodes and then have kept doing 327 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:54,760 Speaker 1: it ever since. We order enough for four people. We 328 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 1: have three adults who are usually eating it, Michael, Me, 329 00:17:57,560 --> 00:17:59,879 Speaker 1: and or Nanny, so then there is often enough for 330 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:02,720 Speaker 1: or lunch portion for at least me the next day. 331 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 1: And I'm the one who tends to eat the leftovers, 332 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:06,880 Speaker 1: so I do that for a day or two during 333 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 1: the week. We will often cook some sort of big 334 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:13,880 Speaker 1: protein on the weekend, So if we have steak, for instance, 335 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 1: on Saturday or Sunday, we'll cook more than enough for 336 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:20,640 Speaker 1: that meal because it's easy enough to just put two 337 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: extra steaks on the grill or to cook them in 338 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: the skillet or the oven or whatever we're doing, and 339 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,800 Speaker 1: then that can be the basis for lunches the rest 340 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:31,440 Speaker 1: of the week. I will slice it up and cook 341 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 1: it with veggies that we have. It's good with broccoli, 342 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,200 Speaker 1: kale or something like that, to make the steak a 343 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:41,679 Speaker 1: little bit more of a scramble with that. If we 344 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: haven't cooked a big protein over the weekend, we often 345 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:48,919 Speaker 1: have those pre cooked sausages you can buy from the 346 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:50,919 Speaker 1: freezer case that I'll just slice up and do the 347 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:54,760 Speaker 1: same thing, cook it with broccoli, or cauliflower, kale, whatever, 348 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 1: and make a meal out of that in a pinch. 349 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:00,680 Speaker 1: I will also do Amy's frozen burritos. I've been trying 350 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 1: the non dairy option. It's not my favorite, Like I 351 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:08,159 Speaker 1: would prefer to do something else, but you know, if 352 00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 1: there's not a good leftover, I will do a frozen meal. 353 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,879 Speaker 1: Since it's a rare thing to go out, I just 354 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: if I was going out, I'd do whatever, Like I 355 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:18,560 Speaker 1: wouldn't worry about it, Sam as Sarah, she's doing it 356 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: only one day a week, or if you're doing it 357 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,640 Speaker 1: once every two weeks, it doesn't matter as much's it's 358 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 1: if it's every day that it becomes a problem sort 359 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 1: of budget wise and health wise. But since I'm so 360 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,159 Speaker 1: rarely going out for lunch, I would just get whatever 361 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:34,880 Speaker 1: was out and available. So there you go. All right. 362 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: Next question, Sorry I'm reading we will finally move away 363 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:40,880 Speaker 1: from food. Moving away from food? All right? What are 364 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 1: some habits that you are really happy you kept when 365 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 1: it was easier to let go? So my first thought 366 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 1: on this one for me was running during pregnancy, because 367 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:55,000 Speaker 1: I like to run, but it was always definitely harder 368 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: when running for two but it was something that helped 369 00:19:57,800 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 1: me feel like I was still me and still able 370 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,439 Speaker 1: to get some of the mood boosting effects, although not 371 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:04,919 Speaker 1: quite as many since I wasn't going as fast and 372 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: as furiously. I've also been happy that I've kept up 373 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 1: with singing in choir. There was a gap when we 374 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:12,560 Speaker 1: first moved to Pennsylvania a few years, but I've been 375 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 1: back in it, And obviously there was a gap with 376 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 1: COVID as well, but we're starting up again in a 377 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: few weeks and making it too weekly rehearsals isn't easy 378 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: to fit in a big family, busy schedule, but I 379 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:28,280 Speaker 1: do not care. We make it happen. How about you, Sarah. 380 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 1: I think I would say budget tracking because I have 381 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 1: let it go once in the past, and I think 382 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: we took like a year off of that, and I 383 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: just feel so much better when we do it. So 384 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:41,919 Speaker 1: I'm glad that we keep up with that habit. And 385 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:43,760 Speaker 1: I say we because I mean it's more me, but 386 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:46,239 Speaker 1: my husband does contribute to that to some extent by 387 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: entering transactions and such. And I'll also say, and I 388 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: didn't write this, but my blog, I mean some might 389 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:54,919 Speaker 1: have thought like, oh, well, once you have kids and 390 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,400 Speaker 1: you have this full job, like why would you keep 391 00:20:57,400 --> 00:20:59,600 Speaker 1: doing this? How would you fit that in? And I 392 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:02,399 Speaker 1: have never giving that up, and I'm very very glad 393 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 1: that I have kept that habit going for many, many 394 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 1: many years now. Yeah, I've read Sarah's blog for a 395 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: great many years now, and I know that occasionally she's 396 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: gone through periods where she's like, I'm not sure I 397 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 1: can keep doing this, and we're always like no, please, 398 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 1: please keep blogging. I'm gladly she has, so that's good. 399 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,239 Speaker 1: All right, Next question, can you talk about hitting a 400 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,920 Speaker 1: slump at work and not feeling motivated? Do you want 401 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 1: to tackle this one first? Like, if our listener is 402 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 1: not feeling motivated, what do you do? I mean, first 403 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:35,680 Speaker 1: of all, you are normal. It doesn't mean there's a catastrophe. 404 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 1: We are all going to go through slumps sometimes, So 405 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 1: you need to figure out if this is just like 406 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:44,919 Speaker 1: a temporary, circumstantial slump which we all go through often 407 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 1: because we need to take a break or a vacation, 408 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 1: or if this is more like job is not fulfilling 409 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,640 Speaker 1: enough overall. I'm slogging through every day because if it's 410 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 1: like lack of fulfillment long term, you probably need to 411 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 1: do more about it. Then if it's just like you 412 00:21:57,800 --> 00:22:00,199 Speaker 1: need a break, you're tired, you're sick of every thing 413 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:02,439 Speaker 1: relating to COVID, maybe if you're in the medical field, 414 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 1: and then it's sort of a matter of figuring out 415 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 1: how you can get through that. Now, the other thing is, 416 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 1: and I didn't mention this, but this could indicate just 417 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:13,080 Speaker 1: an overall mental health issue that needs to be addressed. 418 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:15,679 Speaker 1: So maybe it's not just work. Particularly if it's more 419 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:17,719 Speaker 1: of a life slump or you not wanting to do 420 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 1: your work because you just feel like you don't have 421 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 1: it in you, that might be time to seek help 422 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 1: from a professional, because maybe it's not really about your 423 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:27,360 Speaker 1: work at all. Maybe it's about how you're feeling inside. 424 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:30,800 Speaker 1: And obviously right now we've all gone through stressors that 425 00:22:30,880 --> 00:22:33,439 Speaker 1: are different maybe than anything we've gone through before, so 426 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 1: it wouldn't be that surprising to need some support exactly. 427 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:40,119 Speaker 1: Definitely reach out for that if you think you need it. 428 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 1: Lots of ways you can access that these days, many 429 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: that are affordable and easy to do, so please look 430 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:49,119 Speaker 1: into that. I would also say that it may not 431 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: be a permanent condition, as Sarah was saying, and so 432 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 1: often when we feel like, oh, I don't like my 433 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:55,360 Speaker 1: job right now. The first thing we're like, I need 434 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:57,560 Speaker 1: to quit, I need to do something else. I mean, 435 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 1: maybe you do, but maybe that doesn't have to be 436 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:03,680 Speaker 1: the first thing. You think. You can just ride the 437 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:06,320 Speaker 1: wave for a little bit and say, well, maybe it'll 438 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:08,440 Speaker 1: come back to me, Like just do B minus work 439 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 1: for a while, Like the world will not stop spinning, 440 00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 1: it will be okay. If you are still in a 441 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:16,560 Speaker 1: slump after a couple months, then you can decide to 442 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,800 Speaker 1: take bigger actions. There's also things you can do in 443 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:22,639 Speaker 1: the moment just to boost your own energy and this 444 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 1: sort of self care. I hate that phrase, but yes, 445 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 1: these are things you can do to make yourself feel 446 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:30,960 Speaker 1: better in any given moment. We always talk about scheduling 447 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 1: like one little adventure per week, like doing something that 448 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 1: you would look forward to during the work week, maybe 449 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 1: even over your lunch break if you get a longer one. 450 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 1: You could go see a new park. You could go 451 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:44,159 Speaker 1: walk on a trail. You could go to a gallery nearby, 452 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:46,720 Speaker 1: go to a museum, go to a new restaurant you've 453 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 1: never tried, meet a friend somebody who was able to 454 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:51,639 Speaker 1: do that, meet your spouse for a lunch break, but 455 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:54,320 Speaker 1: just some sort of little adventure that keeps you excited. 456 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:58,320 Speaker 1: Trying to move by three pm every day, getting yourself 457 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: out and getting some fresh air, getting a little bit 458 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 1: of physical activity is a great way to boost your energy. 459 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:07,639 Speaker 1: I would also recommend trying to make space for real work. 460 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:11,159 Speaker 1: It is so easy to spend our entire days dealing 461 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,880 Speaker 1: with logistics and administration, and you know, it's like we've 462 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 1: got the project timeline for figuring out what we're going 463 00:24:17,840 --> 00:24:19,639 Speaker 1: to do now, it's like so not related to what 464 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:23,199 Speaker 1: you were actually hired to do and the part of 465 00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:25,840 Speaker 1: your job you actually like, like that you would tell 466 00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:28,080 Speaker 1: people about it parties if you are still going to parties. 467 00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:31,320 Speaker 1: So figure out what that is the part you love. 468 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 1: Figure out ways you can do you know, at least 469 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,919 Speaker 1: thirty to sixty minutes of it every day, and you 470 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:41,440 Speaker 1: will probably feel a lot more excited about your job. 471 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 1: And finally, if you don't feel like you're getting anything done, 472 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:48,200 Speaker 1: like just lean into some other aspect of your career, 473 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:50,880 Speaker 1: like relationship building. I mean, maybe this is the time 474 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:53,320 Speaker 1: where you go just do all those coffee dates, like 475 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 1: virtual coffee dates. If you need to call all the 476 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,439 Speaker 1: people that you keep saying you're going to call, like 477 00:24:57,440 --> 00:25:00,520 Speaker 1: get those on your calendar. And these new inputs from 478 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:03,159 Speaker 1: new people, can you know, start to counter burnout? And 479 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,439 Speaker 1: if nothing else, if you do decide that you want 480 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:07,159 Speaker 1: to leave your job, it'll be good to have all 481 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:12,240 Speaker 1: those connections nice and warm. All right, So let's I guess, 482 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 1: I guess I'm reading the questions. We never discussed who 483 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,119 Speaker 1: was reading the questions for city or like, we just 484 00:25:17,119 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: assigned it to you. Okay, we go all right. This 485 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:22,679 Speaker 1: later listener says, I've been in a leadership role for 486 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,439 Speaker 1: the past few years, but have found I need to 487 00:25:25,480 --> 00:25:28,080 Speaker 1: move on from my current organization. We are in mega 488 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:31,040 Speaker 1: transition mode, and I'm wondering if I should explore roles 489 00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: that are not people management. Due to all the personal 490 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: changes that her family is going through. One starting kindergarten 491 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:39,920 Speaker 1: for the first time, new school, new house, just moved 492 00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:42,440 Speaker 1: lots of stuff. Would it look bad to go from 493 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 1: management to more of an individual contributor role? Well, what 494 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,440 Speaker 1: do you think? I have some thoughts? Okay, So, first 495 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 1: of all, the personal changes that you mentioned kindergarten, new school, 496 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 1: and new house, I actually think those specific changes now 497 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: if there's something else that's not mentioned. Maybe there's more, like, 498 00:25:58,560 --> 00:26:00,040 Speaker 1: you know, a major illness or something like that. But 499 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:01,840 Speaker 1: those changes you mentioned are things are going to get 500 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:04,720 Speaker 1: into a groove fairly quickly, I'm guessing. I mean, once 501 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 1: you're kindergarteners at the new school, they're going to be 502 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:09,240 Speaker 1: probably adjusted in a week or two. So that probably 503 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:11,920 Speaker 1: isn't going to dictate you know, what your job needs 504 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:15,679 Speaker 1: to look like. However, if deep inside you are feeling 505 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:18,440 Speaker 1: you'd like a break from that more management type of 506 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:20,560 Speaker 1: role and you want to go back to a more 507 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 1: personal contributor type of role, I think there's no reason 508 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:27,040 Speaker 1: you can't do that. And maybe you're going to create 509 00:26:27,080 --> 00:26:30,199 Speaker 1: more of a very specific expertise and some niche that 510 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 1: will then help you later on do something else, or 511 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 1: you just are going to enjoy it. I think there's 512 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:36,560 Speaker 1: no harm in that. I know, at least in the 513 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:40,399 Speaker 1: medical field, people can do that. If I wanted to 514 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 1: go back to being largely clinical and develop some expertise 515 00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:46,960 Speaker 1: like that would be in one specific condition or something, 516 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,160 Speaker 1: I don't think anyone would frown on that. I mean, 517 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:52,880 Speaker 1: individual contributors do valuable work too, and I'm sure that's 518 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,240 Speaker 1: true in whatever field you're in, and then you can 519 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:59,080 Speaker 1: always now you have management experience, maybe you can consider 520 00:26:59,119 --> 00:27:02,639 Speaker 1: this sort of specialized and vidualized work experience, and maybe 521 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,119 Speaker 1: you go back to management or leadership later and more 522 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:07,120 Speaker 1: of a hybrid, or maybe you don't. So I think 523 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: I don't think your circumstances have to dictate, But if 524 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:11,399 Speaker 1: that is what you want to do deep inside, I 525 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: don't think there's any reason not to do. So. Yeah, 526 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:17,439 Speaker 1: I was very interested in the way she put this question, 527 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 1: like would it look bad to go from management to 528 00:27:20,119 --> 00:27:23,560 Speaker 1: more of an individual contributor? Look bad to who? Like 529 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:28,520 Speaker 1: who is this almighty resume deity who is dictating like 530 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:32,920 Speaker 1: what it has to look like? There is no one 531 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:36,720 Speaker 1: approach to a career and no one thing of like 532 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:39,200 Speaker 1: what everybody is looking for. In fact, most of the time, 533 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:43,359 Speaker 1: like if you are applying for other jobs, like it's 534 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 1: not your resume that's really getting you the job, it's 535 00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:48,920 Speaker 1: that there is somebody you know at the organization who's 536 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:51,920 Speaker 1: recommended you for a role. So it's your resume be 537 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:56,080 Speaker 1: what they're looking at, But it's because it's going into 538 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 1: someone's warm connection hands that they are already looking for 539 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:03,119 Speaker 1: reasons that you are the right person as opposed to 540 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:06,639 Speaker 1: being like ooh, I saw that she was not in 541 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 1: a job for two months ten years ago, Like there's 542 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:12,439 Speaker 1: I mean, people get obsessed with like these gaps on 543 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:15,400 Speaker 1: resumes too, As you know, it's not going to come 544 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:18,760 Speaker 1: down to that. So I think the key question here 545 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:20,720 Speaker 1: is what you want to be doing. As Sarah said, 546 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:24,440 Speaker 1: these personal things will all get adjusted very quickly. I mean, 547 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:26,680 Speaker 1: as long as it's the things are listed here. If again, 548 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 1: if you have a facing down, a major illness, if 549 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:30,959 Speaker 1: you are getting divorced, those are all bigger things that 550 00:28:31,040 --> 00:28:33,400 Speaker 1: might take more time to work through, but a new 551 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:36,359 Speaker 1: house you will figure out. The bigger question is what 552 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: you want to be doing. I would not agree that 553 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 1: management is inherently harder, if that is the way that 554 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:45,160 Speaker 1: she is phrasing this question, Like it may involve more 555 00:28:45,240 --> 00:28:50,720 Speaker 1: logistical moving parts, but it's just different. Managing a troubled 556 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:53,080 Speaker 1: team that you have inherited is like inherently going to 557 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:56,120 Speaker 1: be harder than managing a team you have personally carefully 558 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 1: assembled for a project you are all passionate about. Like 559 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:01,680 Speaker 1: that's a very different sort of man management experience. But 560 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:03,200 Speaker 1: if you've thought about this and you want to be 561 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:06,040 Speaker 1: in an individual contributor role and are worried about feeling 562 00:29:06,120 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 1: personally like you have stepped back, then you should probably 563 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 1: look for roles where you are going to be hired 564 00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 1: as something like an expert or a senior advisor or 565 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:19,920 Speaker 1: all these other terms of art that are about showing 566 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:24,160 Speaker 1: a position has prestige even though it is not necessarily 567 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:27,640 Speaker 1: the line management of a company. So look for that 568 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:32,960 Speaker 1: wherever you wind up going. Love that super specialist, super specialist, 569 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:38,479 Speaker 1: top secret, super special agent. You can make up your 570 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:40,640 Speaker 1: own job title, think about what would make you feel 571 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:43,680 Speaker 1: really excited, and then ask for that. All right, So 572 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 1: let's do our love of the week, Sarah, what do 573 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 1: you have for us? All right? So, as listeners know, 574 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 1: my sister owns a yarn store in North Carolina called 575 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 1: Warm and Fuzzy, and I don't knit, so it is 576 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:58,120 Speaker 1: very rare that she will post anything where I'm like, ooh, 577 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:01,560 Speaker 1: I want that. But obviously I follow her on Instagram 578 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:04,440 Speaker 1: because she is my sister. And she posted this Magner 579 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 1: project bag and there was something about it that drew 580 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:08,600 Speaker 1: me to it, and I was like, this is going 581 00:30:08,680 --> 00:30:11,520 Speaker 1: to be my planner's supplies holding bag even though it's 582 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:14,360 Speaker 1: supposed to be for like knitting projects, and so she 583 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:16,240 Speaker 1: gave me a discount because she's a very nice sister. 584 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:19,720 Speaker 1: And I love it. It It came. It's so cute, it's 585 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:23,600 Speaker 1: mint green. It perfectly nestles like my like fun pens 586 00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:25,880 Speaker 1: and like a couple of planners that I'm working on reviewing, 587 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,280 Speaker 1: and it's like up on my desk and like a 588 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: perfect area and it it just makes me so happy. 589 00:30:30,760 --> 00:30:35,000 Speaker 1: So yes, Canvas Magner project be awesome. I'm going to 590 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:39,280 Speaker 1: do a shout out to the National Parks Pass, which 591 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:41,160 Speaker 1: is really such a great deal. Like if you think 592 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:43,480 Speaker 1: you're going to be going for American listeners, at least, 593 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:44,840 Speaker 1: if you think you're going to be going to any 594 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:47,000 Speaker 1: of the national parks in the US, you can get 595 00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:49,240 Speaker 1: one pass for the year that allows your family to 596 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: go to all of them, which is very economical, but 597 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:55,360 Speaker 1: even more so for our listeners who have fourth graders, 598 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:59,440 Speaker 1: look into this. The US gives every fourth grader a 599 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:03,640 Speaker 1: free perks pass if they take a little online quiz 600 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:06,840 Speaker 1: about nature and stuff, and it gets your whole family 601 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 1: in for the whole year. So if for instance, you 602 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 1: have five children who have all been fourth graders, you 603 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:19,160 Speaker 1: can ride this train for a long long time. So 604 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:21,680 Speaker 1: Ruth is taking that little quiz so we can go 605 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:25,120 Speaker 1: to our national parks this year for free. That's awesome, 606 00:31:25,320 --> 00:31:28,640 Speaker 1: so look into that. Anyone who is fourth grade or 607 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:31,520 Speaker 1: the fourth grade home school equivalent. They also allow for 608 00:31:31,560 --> 00:31:34,160 Speaker 1: that too, So basically anyone who's nine or ten can 609 00:31:34,160 --> 00:31:36,760 Speaker 1: make it work all right. So this has been Best 610 00:31:36,800 --> 00:31:39,600 Speaker 1: of Both Worlds. This has been an all mailbag episode. 611 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:41,880 Speaker 1: We will be back next week with more on making 612 00:31:41,920 --> 00:31:46,360 Speaker 1: work in life fit together. Thanks for listening. You can 613 00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:49,880 Speaker 1: find me Sarah at the shoebox dot com or at 614 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:53,440 Speaker 1: the Underscore Shoebox on Instagram, and you can find me 615 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:57,719 Speaker 1: Laura at Laura vandercam dot com. This has been the 616 00:31:57,720 --> 00:32:01,200 Speaker 1: Best of Both Worlds podcast. Please join us next time 617 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:04,080 Speaker 1: for more on making work and life work together.