Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/632403
22 Hudson Valley Parent n February 2016 exercising and learning about proper nutrition and eating for good health. And the best part, I was going to be doing it alongside a group of wom- en who shared my desire to better themselves. But then . . . life decided to step in and throw a few curveballs my way. One week into the program, I was brought down by a bad bout of bronchitis. I could barely speak, or even sleep, without having a By MERLYN AKHTAR H ello, again! By now, I have just a few weeks left in the American Heart Association's BetterU Makeover Challenge. If you recall, my 12-week journey began in early November. I started out the Challenge very excited for the chance to finally take care of myself, to establish a healthier lifestyle. For once, I was looking forward to coughing fit. Like most busy parents, getting a week's worth of bed rest was not an option, especially not during the holidays. Taking care of my 5-year-old son, Aldrin, and get- ting to work each day was about all I could manage. My bronchitis lasted well into December and I watched the weeks in my Challenge tick by with immense frustration. Then, just when I thought I was getting well, I got hit with another curveball -a Life happened while I made other plans Making healthy snacks becomes fun as mother and son share their rice cakes spread with peanut butter and slices of apple on top. It's all part of Merlyn's healthy eating plan.