When my Auntie Mummy became seriously unwell in 2023, I asked: What did I really know about my own health?
As menopause approached and my cholesterol rose, I became more aware of health concerns affecting loved ones. After two decades in children’s social work, I realised I needed to care more for myself.
I studied nutrition, movement and lifestyle, retrained as a Health and Wellness Coach and changed my habits. I learnt I could still enjoy Guyanese food by adapting how I prepared it and what I ate more often, alongside establishing a regular movement routine.
That journey inspired my forthcoming book, "Keep the Culture. Change the Habits". It explores how we can cherish food, heritage and family traditions while making choices that support our health as we grow older.
With Guyanese roots and West African, South Asian and Portuguese heritage, I wanted the book to speak beyond my own experience. Harrow is wonderfully diverse. Culture shapes how we eat, gather and care for family; concerns such as Type 2 diabetes, weight, loneliness and mental health can affect people across communities.
In my heart-health and wellbeing workshops, I’ve seen the value of giving people space to reflect. Katie from the Resourceful Women’s Network said I gave women “time to pause and reflect away from their busy lives” and described my workshops as “comprehensive and uplifting”.
My publishing coach, Kemi Emmanuel, reflects the book’s message, saying:
“The book has encouraged her to move more, rethink her relationship with food and make intentional changes to her daily habits.”
Many of us care for others while overlooking our own health and emotional wellbeing. We may feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin.
My message is not about perfection, blame or giving up foods we love. It is about small, realistic changes, finding support and seeing midlife as a chance to do things differently.
I hope Harrow readers, whatever their heritage or stage of life, will consider the habits they want to keep or change, and how they can care for themselves and those they love.
More about the book, "Keep the Culture. Change the Habits", can be found on my website. The launch date is 21st November 2026.
