‘I never peel the skin off fruit and veg' and 5 other things on my ‘I Don’t' list.

When Holly Wainwright shared her ‘I Don’t' list a few years ago, I felt seen. A weight lifted off my shoulders, as I realised it was okay to not do ALL the things. It doesn’t make me a bad mum/wife/daughter/friend. We’re only human and we’re all just doing our best. 

For me, the ‘I Don’t’ list is about recognising the priorities of what’s important in your own life, and letting go of the things that don’t matter (to you). While, also understanding that everyone has different priorities, aligned to their own internal values system. 

For example, I don’t put a lot of effort into gift wrapping, but I do put a lot of thought into the present itself. It might be presented in a plastic bag from the bottom of the cupboard rather than beautiful wrapping paper and ribbons, but surely it’s what's on the inside that counts? Confession time, I often say ‘the kids helped me wrap it' to hide my terrible sticky tape skills. 

When it comes to mealtimes and food, there are also plenty of things on my ‘I Don’t' list. While we’d all like to be serving our families gourmet, nutritionally balanced meals, three times a day (all organic of course), the reality of life gets in the way.

Here are 6 of my ‘I don’t’ rules about food to get you started. You have full permission to steal them for your own list. 

1. I don’t peel the skin off fruit and vegetables

My kids have never eaten apples with the skin off – or peeled grapes, or pears. Sure, some fruit and vegetables require peeling, but things like mandarins and bananas they can peel themselves. Thanks Mother Nature!

My family is regularly presented with roasted pumpkin with the skin on, as well as potatoes with the skin on – I could go on. For me, life’s too short to be adding extra steps to the fruit and veg prep, plus a lot of nutrients lie in the skin, so get stuck in. It’s a win-win! 

2. I don’t pass judgment on my husband’s cooking

My favourite meal is the one cooked by someone else. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love cooking. But the reality is, most nights I am trying to assemble a vaguely nutritious dinner for my family of five in approximately eight minutes. 

When my husband cooks, he experiments with different ideas, or he returns to the classics from his British childhood. Is it always the meal I would have made? No. But do I ever comment on what he creates? Also no. 

In the past I might have hovered in the kitchen asking questions, but now I just let him get on with it. It’s a meal I don’t have to make, and it’s usually delicious. 

3. I don’t tell my kids when their treats are actually healthy 

Is there anything better than finding a ‘treat’ for your kids that’s actually healthy? 

When my kids were younger, I could get away with ‘treats’ like blueberries and strawberries, but now they’re 4, 6 and 9, they’re a little more savvy. 

Enter, YOP pouches by Yoplait. With flavours like Choc Banana and Jam Donut, they’re the unicorn of snack foods. My kids get excited about them as a sweet treat, without realising they actually have a 4 star health rating, with 8 essential nutrients, probiotics, and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. 

Served as a lunchbox addition or post-dinner treat, we all feel like we’re winning. My kids think they’re getting a sweet treat, while I’m in smug mum mode knowing they’re actually eating something nutritious. 

Image: Supplied. 

4. I don’t ask my kids how they'd like their sandwiches cut

Search for ‘lunchbox ideas’ online and you’ll be met with images of sandwiches cut into ‘fun’ shapes like stars and love hearts. What happened to the rest of the sandwich, did you throw it away? Also, who has time? 

Not only do I refuse to do fun shapes when it comes to sandwiches, I also don’t give my kids an option of ‘squares or triangles’? You get what you get (and you don’t get upset). 

Image: Supplied. 

5. I don’t accept input from my kids on what we're having for dinner

If it was up to my kids and what they ‘felt’ like for dinner, we’d all be existing on a diet of noodles, pizza and lasagne. Not that any of these are wrong occasionally, but variety is the spice of life. Plus, I’m not making a special trip to the shops just because one of my little cherubs really wants spaghetti and meatballs.

So, I don’t ask my kids what they want for dinner, I just tell them what we’re having. Sometimes my answer to “what’s for dinner?” is met with moans and groans, but I’m not running a restaurant here, there’s only one item on the nightly menu. Deal with it.  

6. I don’t let my kids eat the 'grown-up' sweets in the house 

Dear kids, when you’re a grown-up, you can choose to buy yourself the fancy chocolate. But until then, those boxes and slabs you see tucked away up high are for the adults only.

I don’t ask to eat your leftover lollies from Halloween or foil-wrapped Santa chocolates from Christmas, so please don’t ask me to share my special chocolates with you. They’re strictly for after you’re in bed, and anyway, they’re spicy, you wouldn’t like them. 

YOP Pouches are the perfect snack for kids on the go. Get your hands on the delicious Jam Donut and Choc Banana flavour at your nearest Coles. 

Feature Image: Supplied.