I thought this was something unique to deployment. But I was ran across this research from Douglas Hall and Dawn Chandler at the University of Boston that said periods of transition in civilian life (like the end of deployment for us) can make people feel unsatisfied, unseen, invisible - even when they were successful at a work challenge.

Hall and Chandler offered an example of someone working overseas for their company. When that person masters a completely different culture and language, or starts up a new branch of the business in that country, the skills required to master the new challenge are so huge that the person changes on a fundamental level. They return to the States feeling all "hail-the-conquering-hero." Yet corporate superiors still see this person as the same person he was before he went overseas and treat him the same.

Sound familiar? Our service members come home with all their new skills and experiences - some good and some bad. We meet them at the door with all of our new skills and experiences - some good and some bad. We treat each other as if we are exactly the same.

In one way, there is such comfort in sameness. We long for sameness. Sameness is safety. Sameness is that we still love each other and our life together here is still rolling along. But I think this research shows that transitions like the ones that occur after a deployment are times of opportunity to see each other, to witness the change in our partners, to make what feels invisible, visible. And move forward from there.

Meats can be cooked ahead of time and kept in the fridge or freezer.  For example, bake plain chicken and use it throughout the week to top salads, pasta dishes, or in sandwiches.

Sandwiches and wraps make great grab-and-go meals. Set aside time to make a bunch of them at once to have on hand all week.  For a more exciting lunch, get creative with these wrap ideas.

Salads are great, but who wants to chop vegetables every night?  Instead, make a large salad once a week to enjoy over several mealtimes. Dietitian tip: make it as colorful as possible with spinach, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.  Add meat or beans and voila! You have a complete, nutritious meal.

Ditch the stovetop- use a crockpot! Make bulk items such as turkey chili, your favorite soup, or experiment with new recipes online (try browsing food.com for ideas). Enjoy leftovers later in the week or freeze them for a later date.

Eggs aren't just for breakfast. Omelets make an easy, high-protein meal. Customize them with your favorite vegetables and cheese!  Here is a basic omelet recipe from food.com to get you started.

Nix the takeout and make your own Asian-inspired meal. For a quick and healthy dinner in no time, buy a pack of frozen stir-fry vegetables and simply toss it in a skillet. Add rice and meat/fish to complete the meal.  Check out this helpful article for more stir-fry tips.

Tuna is called the 'chicken of the sea' for a reason! Both convenient and protein-rich, it goes great on sandwiches, salads, or crackers. Buy it canned in water and add low-fat mayo and relish.

Don't underestimate PB&J.  Read up on the history of this classic sandwich on its own Wikipedia page! For a boost of nutrition, try adding fruit like banana.  Put it on high-fiber 100 percent whole wheat/whole grain bread and cut into shapes for fun!

Pasta is a cinch to make.  Make pasta primavera by adding vegetables and meat (AKA vitamins and protein!)  Plus, it's great for using up old produce. T

As I said earlier, these are just a few strategies I use while my husband is away.  Do you have any quick and healthy go-to meals?  Please share in the comments section!