Losing an hour is rough on both me and Benji.
Every spring when the clocks jump forward, I try to get ahead of it. On Saturday afternoon I walk around the house, changing all the clocks, hoping it will somehow soften the blow of daylight-saving time. In theory, easing into it should help the transition.
In reality? It rarely does.
For Benji, though, there’s one clear benefit — dinner comes an hour early.
And that is a win in his book.
The real challenge comes the next morning. I’d love to sleep just a little longer, but Benji remembers that early dinner very clearly.
“Hey,” his face seems to say, “I got dinner an hour early yesterday… how about breakfast too?”
And just like that, the day begins.
Meanwhile I’m still adjusting, feeling like I’m already a step behind before the coffee even finishes brewing. Benji, on the other hand, handles the change much better than I do. After breakfast, he curls right back into his bed for a perfectly timed mid-morning nap.
Honestly, I wish I could accept the time change the way he does.
Maybe I’ll take a nap this afternoon, too.
On days like this, when routines feel a little off, simple meals are the way to go. I’ll probably make stuffed peppers for myself tonight, and Benji will get one of his favorite easy dinners — beef and rice.
It’s simple, nourishing, and perfect for days when everyone is a little out of sync.
Benji’s Simple Beef & Rice Bowl
This is one of my go-to meals when I want something wholesome and easy for Benji.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- ¼ cup peas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Lightly steam the carrots and peas until soft.
- Combine the cooked beef, rice, and vegetables in a bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil if desired and mix well.
- Allow to cool before serving.
This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen in portions for easy meals later.
Benji always seems to know when something special is cooking just for him.
By the time dinner rolls around, the time change doesn’t feel quite as dramatic anymore. The day stretches out a little longer, the evening light lingers, and suddenly an after-dinner walk feels possible again.
Maybe that’s the real gift of this seasonal shift.
It may steal an hour of sleep, but it gives us something back too — brighter evenings, longer walks, and the slow return of spring.
And with a full belly and a nap or two, Benji and I will adjust just fine.
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