How to Handle A (Food) Emergency

Two nights ago, I spent five hours at the ER with my elderly mother.

While she’s since recovered and back in the comfort of her home, the incident was a stark reminder of the kinds of food emergencies that can crop up when you’re unprepared.

I was cooking dinner when I got the call; my mother was unresponsive and the caregiver was taking her to the hospital.

My inclination was to drop everything and dash out the door.

The thought crossed my mind that I should eat something first. (After all, I was already preparing our evening meal)

However, my stomach was tied up in knots at that point, and the thought of eating something did not appeal to me. (A rare occurrence, actually).

It also occurred to me to grab a snack for later but I reasoned that I (a) wasn’t hungry and (b) I could eat when I got home – even if it was as late as 10:00pm.

Of course, the way it played out in the end – it was after midnight when I finally left the hospital.

And I was absolutely ravenous!

So, the moral of this story is to always, always have a snack with you – a handful of nuts, perhaps, or a gluten-free power bar

Consider it a basic rule.