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Bumped to dumped: Dumped when pregnant and facing motherhood alone, follow mum-to-be Farah Ishaq's bumpy journey to motherhood...
I'm not someone who likes to admit to having cravings, but my latest obsessions are the three Bs: broccoli, beetroot and blueberries. I can't go past a food shop without picking up one or all three, even though I know the fridge is bursting with the same items all looking a bit worse for wear.
You see I've got no appetite and I'm too tired to cook most days, so the broccoli languishes until it turns brown, the blueberries go white and furry and the beetroot just piles up (seemingly unable to go 'off') – but I feel an urgent intense need to have them in the house.
My sister laughs when I offer to make dinner for the two of us – invariably broccoli is mentioned as the vegetable accompaniment, she is now subject to my whims. Any one that comes for dinner is basically fed the same menu – baked salmon, broccoli and beetroot salad. With blueberries for afters.
Not exactly a rounded varied set of ingredients, though not the most unhealthy meals I could be indulging in with the excuse of 'eating for two'... I could definitely do with some more ideas about how to cook with the same old ingredients. Toying with ideas of making salmon and broccoli tarts, quiches, pies, but that all involves super effort doesn't it?
I do some research and realise that my subconscious is merely craving what it needs – my GP has just confirmed my latest blood tests indicate anaemia - and guess which vegetable has a nice high level of iron in it? Yes, that good old-fashioned super food broccoli. Along with stacks of that other pregnancy essential folic acid (not to mention immune boosting vitamins C and E).
Maybe this is one solitary good reason that I am single throughout this pregnancy.
No need to worry about the flatulent side effects of these kinds of vegetables in the night.
Ha ha.