When the Energy’s Low: My Go-To “Lazy Day” Sheet Pan Dinner (and a Berry Limeade Sparkle Spritz)
By Latosha Walker, Wondering.Waves Founder
A Thursday Self-Care Story for Neurodivergent Military Spouses, Solo Entrepreneurs & Chronic Volunteers
There’s a certain quiet that settles over my house on Thursdays. By the time the week hits its midpoint, I can feel the edges of my energy start to fray. Maybe you know the feeling: the kind of tired that’s not just in your muscles, but in your bones, your thoughts, even your spirit. For me, as a neurodivergent military spouse, solo entrepreneur, and chronic volunteer, these days aren’t rare—they’re woven into the fabric of my life. After juggling emails, Wondering.Waves orders, and community commitments, sometimes all I want is comfort and simplicity.
A Real Thursday: Honoring the Slow
Today, the sky outside is a soft, pale blue. The sunlight slips through the window, casting gentle patterns on the countertop. My kitchen isn’t fancy, but it’s mine: a collection of mugs from different bases, a half-finished crochet project on the table, and the comforting clutter of everyday life.
I’ve always loved the color pink—a favorite passed down from my great-grandma. Family stories say she loved it so much she painted her entire kitchen pink. I never actually saw that kitchen, but the comparison always makes me smile. Even now, when I reach for a pink yarn or spot a pink mug, I feel a little closer to her bold, quirky spirit.
I wake up already knowing: this is not going to be a “crush the to-do list” kind of day. My energy is a tiny flame, not a bonfire. I grab my egg timer (my secret weapon for focus), but instead of setting it for a power hour, I dial it back—fifteen minutes to tidy, then a break. I rate my energy (today’s a 3/10), and with that knowledge, I give myself permission to slow down.
The Ritual of Rest: Self-Compassion in Action
If you’re part of the Wondering.Waves community, you know I talk a lot about honoring your rhythms. Some days, that means batching content or prepping for a craft fair. Other days, it means letting go—accepting that “good enough” is more than enough.
I light a candle (lavender, for calm), put on my favorite playlist (today, it’s a mix of 90s R&B and soft indie folk), and wander into the kitchen. My stomach grumbles—a reminder that, even on low-energy days, I deserve comfort and nourishment.
The Pantry Check: What’s On Hand?
I open the fridge and do a slow scan. There’s not much, but there’s enough:
Two chicken breasts, thawed and ready
A handful of potatoes, still dusty from the store
Green beans, bright and snappy
Corn—sweet and golden, a taste of summer
Carrots, bell peppers, and onions—begging to be used before they go bad
Rice in the pantry, for when I need extra comfort
Flavored sparkling water (today: berry limeade!), lemon juice, and a splash of vodka left from last weekend
The air in the kitchen is cool, but I know once the oven’s on, it’ll fill the space with warmth. The scent of fresh produce mixes with the faint tang of lemon and the earthy notes of potatoes.
A Meal That Cooks Itself: The Lazy Day Sheet Pan Dinner
There’s something deeply soothing about meals that don’t ask much of you. No complicated steps, no mountain of dishes. Just chop, toss, and let the oven do the heavy lifting.
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
Potatoes (cubed, skins on for rustic charm)
Green beans (trimmed, still crisp)
Corn (off the cob, frozen, or canned)
Carrots (peeled and sliced into coins or sticks)
Bell peppers (any color, sliced into strips)
Onions (sliced or chopped)
Olive oil
Seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, salt, pepper
Lemon juice
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. The kitchen starts to warm; the oven hums softly, a background lullaby.
Prep your veggies: Cube the potatoes, peel and slice the carrots, cut the bell peppers into strips, and slice the onions. Toss in green beans and corn.
The cutting board becomes a palette of color: orange carrots, red and yellow bell peppers, purple or white onion, golden corn, and green beans—a little rainbow of “use it up” joy.
Toss all the veggies in a big bowl with a glug of olive oil. My hands get slick, and the scent of garlic, onions, and herbs rises up as I sprinkle in the seasonings.
Spread everything on a sheet pan. The colors are cheerful—making even a low-energy day feel a bit brighter.
Nestle the chicken breasts among the veggies. I drizzle a little more oil, dust them with paprika for color, and add a pinch more salt.
Slide the pan into the oven. The sizzle starts almost immediately, and soon the air fills with the savory aroma of roasting chicken, sweet onions, and caramelizing peppers and potatoes.
Set the timer for 25–30 minutes. I use this time to rest—maybe crochet a few rows, maybe just sit with my thoughts and the music.
When the timer dings, I check the chicken. The juices run clear, and the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender, with the peppers and onions just starting to brown at the edges. I finish with a generous squeeze of lemon juice, the citrusy scent brightening everything.
The Comfort of a Simple Drink: Berry Limeade Sparkle Spritz
While dinner cools just enough to eat, I turn to my “treat yourself” drink. Today’s flavor? Berry limeade sparkling water. With vodka, ice, sugar, and lemon—this is the most refreshing drink ever: very light, bright, and just a little bit fancy.
Berry Limeade Sparkle Spritz:
1 shot vodka
1–2 Tbsp lemon juice
1–2 tsp sugar
Berry limeade sparkling water (or any citrus/berry flavor)
Ice
I fill a glass with ice—the crackle and clink are oddly satisfying. Vodka, lemon, sugar, then a pour of berry limeade sparkling water. The bubbles fizz up, carrying the scent of lemon and berries. The first sip is tart, sweet, and bubbly, with just enough warmth from the vodka to relax my shoulders. It’s so light and bright—like a little burst of summer on a quiet Thursday.
Non-Alcoholic Lemon Berry Fizz:
Skip the vodka, keep everything else
Add a little extra lemon or a sprig of mint if you have it
Perfect for sharing with friends, guests, or anyone who wants the sparkle without the spirits.
A Sensory Pause: The Meal Experience
I plate my dinner—chicken breast sliced, veggies piled high, maybe a scoop of rice underneath if I’m extra hungry. The fork sinks into the chicken, still juicy and steaming. The potatoes are creamy inside, crisp outside; the green beans snap with every bite; the corn is sweet and bright. Carrots and peppers add a subtle sweetness and color, and the onions almost melt into everything.
I take a moment to breathe in the steam, to feel the warmth on my face, to listen to the quiet of the house. I let myself enjoy every bite, no rush, no guilt. The flavors are simple but deeply satisfying—salty, herby, with a hit of lemon that wakes everything up.
Reflections: Why Easy Food Matters
I used to think that “real” meals had to be complicated, that I had to earn my rest, that shortcuts were a sign of laziness. Military life—and neurodivergence—have taught me otherwise.
Easy food is not a failure; it’s a gift. It’s a way to show myself love, to keep my body nourished and my mind at ease, even when the world feels overwhelming.
On days like this, I remember:
My worth isn’t measured in productivity
Rest is resistance
Simple routines can be sacred
Community & Comfort: You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this and nodding along, I hope you know you’re part of a community that gets it. We’re all juggling so much—deployments, moves, new projects, committee meetings, and our own unique brains.
Sometimes, the best thing we can do is share our shortcuts, our comfort meals, our little rituals that make the hard days softer.
So tell me:
What’s your go-to “low energy” meal? Do you have a favorite easy drink or a comfort ritual that helps you reset?
Drop it in the comments, or tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok @Wondering.Waves. Let’s build a library of comfort together.
With warmth, comfort, and a little sparkle,
Latosha
Wondering.Waves