Decision

It’s been four years and a few weeks ago, I decided I don’t want to let it go. What my children eat now will affect them for the rest of their lives, and honestly, it could also affect their children’s health, too.

Time for Change

I want my family to be healthy and fit. When my children were born it was very important that they eat healthfully. I made all of their baby food and nursed each of them for twelve months or more. When I went back to work after having my last child, I began having dizzy spells. I'd walk down the hall and lose balance. Sometimes my heart would start beating quickly, for no reason at all. Finally, I went to my primary care physician who sent me to a neurologist. I was convinced that I had a brain tumor. After the neurologist examined me, I waited anxiously for a diagnosis. I was quite surprised at what he said. The random dizziness and increased heart rate were caused by stress, lack of sleep, anxiety and depression. He told me to get more sleep and to take vitamin B ( vitamin B is known to help treat nerve endings). I was annoyed. He knew I'd just had a baby and I thought, "He's making these assumptions based on that. There's something seriously wrong with me, and he's focusing on the fact that I'm a new mom. This is my fourth child. I'm a master at time management and I know what I am doing. "

As I drove home, I thought about the questions the neurologist has asked. How many hours of sleep do you get each night? About 4.What do you do for fun? Nothing- no time for fun. I thought about my schedule. My day started at 4:30 a.m., I made breakast, got all of the kids ready for school, dropped off three of them (1 at daycare and 2 at the bus stop) each morning, went to work, got to bed at about 11:00, and was up several times during the night.

It occurred to me that perhaps I was a little tired and that the only way for me to get more sleep, was to get a little help. I decided to talk with my husband. He agreed to make breakfast for the kids.

After about two weeks, I noticed that there were things like pop tarts and sugary cereals in my house. I was quite annoyed. I should have been more specific. Before we had children, we talked about the importance of preparing healthy meals for them. At first I didn't say anything. I think the worst thing you can do is to give someone a responsibility and then tell me how to do it. After a couple of weeks, I suggested that he give them healthier things to eat. He said he didn't have time. So, I decided to let it go.

Starting Out

My parents say that when I moved up North, I forgot how to eat. I have not. I am simply more thoughtful about what I choose to eat. Don't get me wrong, I love food. What is easiest for me to cook and what I want to eat when I am upset and anxious, are always foods that I grew up with. Large helpings of meat, vegetables cooked with pork, and lots of potatos and breads. I simply love the homemade cakes my mom bakes. These are the foods that I must always fight.