Struggles: Last...or First?

I struggle with my nutrition every day. My family still likes their treats and so every day I am faced with new challenges in the kitchen. I will not force my choices on them because I am a firm believer that forcing someone does not work. In order for something to work, people have to make the choice to do it. This struggle is mine and mine alone.

Growing up, I never had to worry about my weight. I was one of those kids who had a high metabolism. In high school, I weighed 108 pounds. I could eat whatever I wanted and never had to worry about putting on weight. In fact…when I first started dating my husband, I could out eat him!

That soon changed once I got married and started having babies. With my first baby, I had gestational diabetes and had to monitor my blood sugar carefully. Because of this, I watched my diet and didn’t put on an excessive amount of weight….but then came three more pregnancies within a five year span. I didn’t have gestational diabetes with any of my other children and I took great pleasure in eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Isn’t that the stereotype of pregnancy that we promote in our society? When you are supposed to put on weight, you are supposed to have cravings, and you are supposed to indulge…right? The problem was that I used that stereotype as an excuse to be lazy about my nutrition.  I decided that I was going to enjoy the pregnancy stereotype to the fullest and eat anything and everything that I wanted. NOT a good decision.

With my first pregnancy, I had gestational diabetes so I was forced to test my blood sugar twice a day and monitor my diet closely. This only made me more determined to thoroughly enjoy the nutritional stereotype of pregnancy to the fullest with my next three pregnancies since I did not have gestational diabetes with any of them….and unfortunately, I did. I only gained 19 pounds with my first pregnancy. With my second pregnancy, I gained 37 pounds. I had all four of my babies within a five year time span which did not give me much time to get back into shape in between.

Quite honestly, I lost myself in the pursuit of my dream of having a family. I lost sight of the reality of what putting myself last all the time would do to me. Let me make myself clear. I do NOT regret having my family. My girls and my husband are my life. My girls are the BEST thing I have done in my life….but I wish that I would have realized sooner that I did not have to sacrifice myself and who I was in order to become a mother and wife.

Taking care of myself makes me a better, happier mom and wife. Don’t put yourself last.

Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Muffins

I had ripe bananas that I needed to use up and I really didn't want to make the usual banana bread...because I would eat it! This was a healthier alternative and tasted great. It should be noted, however, that you can still overindulge with these so enjoy in moderation!

2 ripe bananas
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder (not necessarily totally clean, but OK in small amounts)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of all-natural sea salt
2 eggs, whisked
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
2 TBS raw honey
1/2 cup dark mini chocolate chips

In a small bowl, smash the bananas. Add eggs, vanilla, coconut oil and honey. Stir until combined. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Pour batter into a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Fill each cup about 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in one comes out clean.
Store covered in fridge. You can also freeze for later!