We Love WIC!

Today was our tri-monthly WIC appointment. For those of you who don’t know, WIC stands for Women Infants and Children. It is a federal program run by the USDA Food & Nutrition Service which provides “supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.”[1]

In a word, it’s a blessing.

Since January, we have received checks which have purchased us 6 gallons of milk, 2 dozen eggs, 2 boxes of baby cereal, way more cheese than we could ever eat, carrots, cereal, tuna, and beans every single month. And today I was shocked to discover that Jack and I would receive even more food through WIC. On top of the food I already received, I’ll be able to purchase $10 of produce and 16 oz of whole wheat bread. Jack on the other hand now receives 60 jars of fruits and vegetables and 31 jars of meat!! Every single month! Wow!

Money is really tight right now and I have been making my own baby food in order to save money. But honestly, there is not much a difference between my food and Gerber’s and it is a heck of a lot easier to open a jar than to take the time to cook, puree and freeze a variety of fruits and vegetables. So when Sue, our WIC lady, showed me our new package I felt as though someone gave me a precious gift. I am so relieved to know Jack will be well fed.

This is so great for Jack. While he hasn’t complained about having the same five fruits and veggies until I make another, I am excited for the variety of foods he will now be able to experience. Plus, I was not looking forward to pureeing chicken and beef. Gross.

So, whoever took the initiative to form WIC, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for remembering the mothers who want to eat healthy and feed their children well, but often can’t afford the food. Thank you for standing up for us and taking care of us. Today you blessed me and my baby Jack.

Thank you.

(p.s. According to the WIC scale Jack now weighs 18lbs 8.5oz. No wonder my back is breaking!)

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[1] http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

Mental & Physical Health

I don't remember if I've mentioned this here, but I have had a pretty negative attitude in the last few months. I guess I said I was depressed due to sleep depravation. Well, the sleep depravation hasn't totally gone away and neither has the depression. I'm not clinically depressed. But I am generally down.

I just read an article on the effects of sleep on our emotions. Did you know that when you're sleep deprived your brain isn't able to process your emotions? An important part of sleep and specifically REM sleep is your brain's work to process emotions from your experiences. I think at one time I knew this, but this explains my general bah-humbug attitude towards life lately. It also explains why Jack is such a happy baby. If I slept 15 hours a day I would be happy too!

Also associated with this is my lack of exercise. I read somewhere else that taking three brisk 30 minute walks a week should help pick up one's spirits. And I'm sure diet has a part to do with all of this as well.

I think it's time for me to say enough is enough and to take control of my emotions by doing something about my physical habits.

• I will go to bed at 10:00pm. Seinfeld is not important. It will always be around and I do not need to watch the reruns on Fox every night.
  
• I will go on walks each morning... ok, we'll start with every other morning. I always feel better after a walk, it just takes some willpower to get going. I can do it!
  
• I will eat an apple a day - or at least increase my fruit and vegetable intake. Increased fiber is supposed to make you eat less and as I'm still trying to loose that baby fat I can use a little less unhealthy food and more fiber! (Not to mention the added benefit of speeding things up in the digestive track. Holy cow! Has everything dried up down there? No one told me that when I got pregnant)

So there they are. My mid-year resolutions. Will you hold me accountable?