I vividly remember one of my patients from when I first started my practice. I was single, 25 years old, and at the time, still living with my parents - I guess I would have been like a modern day millienial. This particular mom came to see me because she wanted to lose weight and needed more energy. Sound familiar? I thought this was going to be an easy fix - recommend some diet changes (at the time, gluten removal and dairy removal were foreign concepts), add some supplements (specifically adrenal support, some b vitamins and some minerals before bed) and exercise. The look on her face was priceless (pretty well it was a look of “Are you *bleepin* kidding me?) and her answers to my recommendations were, “I don’t have time to take vitamins! I don’t have time to cook and eat healthy! I don’t have time to exercise!” We both looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity. In my young, single, naïve mind rang the word, “WHAT??!!!” So, fast forward years and years later and I am a working mom. The weight can sneak on over night (especially around the belly), more energy is required to get through the day and exercise is the last thing on my mind. I try my hardest to get to yoga once a week. It would be my dream to be able to do it daily, except that seems to happen only while on vacation. The one thing, though, is I always remember to take my vitamins. I make it happen as it only takes about 20-30 seconds. Our family eats fairly well - compared to the average North American family, we are probably considered health freaks. We are definitely healthy eaters at breakfast, lunch is pretty good, but dinner can be somewhat less healthy - especially if we are pressed for time. But no matter what, those vitamins go into my body. I know people tend to think that they don’t need vitamins because they “eat well.” Unfortunately, the way our food is grown and handled, it isn’t as healthy as it was. So, my vitamins are part of my self-care routine. I deserve it and I am worth taking care of…because my motto is, “If you don’t take care of yourself, then who is going to do it for you?” When I think about that mom I saw all those years ago, I now know what it feels like to have no time for self care, to feel overwhelmed and exasperated and to be “lost”. But I hope she found the courage to heed my advice and the desire to take the time to look after herself because frankly, she deserved it.