Before I found recovery, I thought my grown-up life to be like TV shows. When no one followed my script for their lives, my expectations led to resentment.
Ideally, my family of three would join my extended family for meals, holidays, and parties. We’d laugh together and cry with each other. Our deep love for each other would carry us through life’s tough times.
Without their knowledge or consent, I signed my parents, my siblings, and their significant others up for this adventure of life-long support and camaraderie. I assumed we were all on the same journey.
When one of them had a crisis, per our implied agreement, I rushed to comfort them. I laughed at their funny stories and empathized with their disappointments. When they were sick, I took care of them. I thought we were taking turns caring for each other and I went first.
It was their turn to take care of me. I thought they knew that. They did not. Instead, my feelings got hurt. I was stuck in an unhealthy pattern of expectations and resentment. My dysfunctional pattern of thinking is common in families affected by alcohol use disorder or substance abuse disorder. When one family member suffers from addiction, others learn maladaptive ways of coping. The first time a maladaptive method works, we latch on to it and repeat it over and over.
Changing maladaptive family patterns takes years of recovery and strong boundaries. Because I had neither, I started small by practicing these skills in my kitchen.
Last week, I tried to make Starbuck’s sous vide egg bites in my home without success. Instead of waiting for unsuspecting relatives to come to my rescue, I asked for help.
ROR’s very own Leslie Glass is a fantastic cook who often treats us to delicious French soups. She taught me how to poach my eggs, and the results were perfect. I got to take an easy, inexpensive culinary adventure from the comfort of my own home. I purchased:
I added 1 stem of broccolini, one small shallot, and one small clove of garlic, all finely chopped and sautéed in one tablespoon of butter. I also added 3 tablespoons of grated cheese.
Add all of the basic ingredients to a food processor, which is certainly not French, and pulse. Fill a large skillet half-full of water and heat to simmer. Add the floating metal egg-poacher. Fill each slot with egg mixture and top with mix-ins. Cover the pan and let cook for 8 minutes.
The eggs were a perfect make-at-home imposter. Even my husband loved them. The best part of this recipe is each person can add their own toppings. These would be great with bacon, sausage, spinach, peppers, ham. The options are endless and no side dish of resentment.
Want more of Pam’s delicious recipes seasoned with recovery tools? Check out our cookbook, The Codependent in The Kitchen.
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