The Innovative Dad
A psychologist’s blog about raising and educating children through the lens innovation.
Anyone Else Feel Rushed?: Menu Plan – Week of 10/10
Last week, I was worried that our routine was so new that I didn't know how to plan for it. This week, I'm feeling rushed, even though the week hasn't even started. The frenetic pace of the school year is here and I'm feeling it. In my head, I want to have more time...
Why Is a Psychologist Writing about His Menus?
This is a question that I have gotten a lot lately. And they are right. Menu planning seems an odd choice of topics. I’m not a chef or a nutritionist. What could I possibly have to say about this topic? I am, however, a dad and responsible for feeding my family every...
Getting Used to the New “Normal”: Meal Plan – Week of 10/3
We haven't had a normal week in almost a month. And, to be frank, there really wasn't anything normal about that week since school was starting. This week marks the kids' first full week of school and our first full week of work for this school year. This means that...
Cooking for Special Diets: Menu Plan – Week of 9/26
Cooking for individuals with specific dietary needs is no joke. I'm not talking about your dislikes of specific foods - those are more preferences (e.g. not liking raw vegetables or toddlers who only eat one color). Rather, I'm referring to medically necessary diets...
Time to Eat in the Hut: Menu Plan – Week of 9/19
The onslaught of fall Jewish holidays continues this week with the start of Sukkot. The exciting part of this holiday is the opportunity to gather with friends in our Sukkah (think non-permanent gazebo). Ironically, these meals were COVID-19 friendly before we knew...
Isaac’s Bubbie’s Zucchini Soup
Our friend Isaac introduced us to this recipe from his Bubbie's catering business. It's a simple zucchini broth chock full of nutrition and yumminess. 4-5 lbs. zucchini or yellow summer squash 1 large onion 2-3 carrots 2-3 cups chicken broth or consommé Dill Salt and...
Make Mine a Double: Menu Plan – Week of 9/12
This is a hard week to plan, prep, and cook for. Shortened weeks for the Jewish holidays compacts the available time. Throwing a fast day (Yom Kippur) into the middle of it makes it even more complicated. While this week is a crunch week due to the Jewish holidays, it...
Books for Talking about Forgiveness and Apologies
The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is right around the corner (this year, it starts on the evening of Sept. 15). This solemn day for Jews to focuses on repenting and turning back to a path of kindness and respect. Whether or not you celebrate this holiday, it creates a...
Rosh HaShanah Menu Plan
The arrival of the Jewish high holidays each fall means lots of cooking. While aspects of the holidays reflect themes of justice and repentance, there is also a theme of joy and happiness at the start of a new year. Menus reflect this desire to start the year off on...