Breaking the Repetitive Cycle

While Valentine’s Day may be February’s most popular holiday, a quirky February tradition called Groundhog Day looms in its shadow. According to tradition, on February 2, when the groundhog wakes from hibernation and leaves its den, it emerges as an honorary weather forecaster! 

If the groundhog sees its shadow, he will return to hibernation, and winter weather will continue for another six weeks. No shadow means an early spring. Every year since 1887, the groundhog has repeatedly tried to predict whether winter weather will persist. Try repeating that tongue twister three times fast!

Groundhog Day took on new meaning in 1993 with the release of the box-office hit by the same name. Bill Murray plays a self-centered meteorologist who reluctantly goes on assignment to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover their Groundhog Day festivities. His character soon discovers he is stuck in a time warp, repeatedly reliving Groundhog Day until he learns to look past his own concerns. The phrase started to describe that déjà vu feeling we’ve all experienced when we find ourselves in a monotonous or repetitive situation. 

If you are responsible for meal planning for your family, you’ve likely found yourself mindlessly repeating the same meals week after week. While we’re focusing on the theme of A New Year/A New You, why not resolve to break the cycle of repetitive eating? Here are some ways to introduce new and exciting meals to your family.

Tip 1: Switch Up Some Ingredients

When you’re cooking on autopilot and preparing the same family standbys, try swapping out an ingredient or two. For example, take your ordinary Taco Tuesday from simple to superb by switching up your fillings, toppings, or platforms. Instead of making your typical ground beef crispy tacos, spice up your beef filling with Chorizo, substitute ground chicken or ground turkey, or use pulled pork as a tasty alternative. 

Swap out a few of your typical toppings: pinto or black beans for refried, guacamole for diced avocado, crispy cabbage instead of lettuce, or tangy Crema in place of sour cream. Ditch the crispy corn shell in favor of soft flour tortillas, make quesadillas or nachos, or pile your ingredients on a tostada. Build a delicious, layered rice bowl or taco salad. 

Tip 2: Spice It Up

Recipes aren’t set in stone, they’re suggestions. Be adventurous and enhance your dishes by adding herbs and spices with an international flair. Add a taste of French flavor by seasoning with oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, or bay leaves. Add basil, paprika, cumin, and coriander to your French spice blend to make it Mediterranean. Mexican cooks rely on spices such as garlic, cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and cilantro for that south-of-the-border kick. 

Take your tastebuds to the tropics with Caribbean spices like jerk seasoning, curry, or ginger. Italian cuisine uses herbs and spices like basil, bay leaves, oregano, parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor of its signature dishes. Give your palate an Asian treat with bold spices like cinnamon, star anise, saffron, chili, ginger, cumin, and turmeric. 

Tip 3: Try Something New

It’s been said that cooking is the world’s oldest art, but sometimes our meals need more creativity! A little inspiration can go a long way. Browse through your cookbooks or search social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram for recipes you can get excited about. Get the family involved and set aside one night a week to experiment and try something new.

Tip 4: Skip Cooking Altogether

Plan a fun and flavorful meal that requires little or no cooking by building a charcuterie board. Assemble a variety of your family’s favorite meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spreads, along with some bread and cracker selections, and you have yourself a meal that’s anything but ordinary! 

If you still find yourself in a repetitious food cycle, support your favorite local restaurants or takeout outlets and treat yourself to a dish you’ve always wanted to try.