Saturday Reset

It's Saturday morning, and before my world wakes up, I'm standing in my kitchen trying to map out the days ahead. There's a quiet comfort in this moment—the rhythmic scrub of containers, a freshly wiped fridge, and spice jars lined up like little soldiers ready for battle. But beneath the calm, I feel that familiar, quiet pressure.

Next week is a storm of practices, intense studio sessions, and tournament games. It's the kind of week that tests all of us, running a relentless loop between the office, the field, and the gym.

Because it's berry season, the menu will at least look like summer, bursting with sweet, vibrant colors. But the rest of the plate? That's pure strategy, born from a mother's need to protect her kids. The wild rice is going on the back burner this week. The girls are pushing their bodies to the absolute limit, and heavy workouts demand fast muscle recovery—so white rice takes center stage. Comforting ground beef, rich salmon, roasted broccoli, and sweet potatoes will be our anchor. Quick turnaround meals for tired bodies.

When you're trapped in the spin of a rapid week, every single second counts. One more second of sleep is a victory. One less wasted minute in the kitchen is a breath of air. I plan like this because I want to engineer a little peace for them. Less stress. Less tension. Fewer of those painful, frustrating physical flares and irritations that crop up when their bodies are overwhelmed and run down.

Over the years, the girls have built the habits. They know exactly what uniform to wear, what shoes to pack, and when to step onto the line. Their gear is a science. But what we put into their bodies? That's the heart of the equation. The right food gives them the fuel to fight, but more than that, it gives us insurance. It reduces the variables, calms the inflammation, and gives us one less heavy thing to carry.

We do this because we know the beautiful domino effect of a well-fueled life: more sleep leads to more energy, which naturally leads to happy girls with full tummies, happy hearts, and one very happy mom.

The grind never really ends, but on Saturday mornings, over a clean counter, I know we're ready for it.