Margarita

Margarita is the mother of three daughters and the keeper of a pet ferret. She works in car sales and likes walks in the park; before the pandemic, she liked the movies. Her five words are Outgoing, sensitive, friendly, compassionate, and open-minded. Her life has a clear shape, and she says so plainly: I was raised by a single mom, and now im a single mom. We do the best at raising our families. Asked what that takes, she answers: Being there for them, sit down and listen talk to them.

Her defining moments are mostly milestones she is proud of, and she counts them like trophies. All three daughters graduated high school, in 2016, 2019 and 2020. She found a better-paying job and moved her family to a better neighborhood. She bought a brand-new car, AND NOBODY HELPING ME. She explains: it feels good to not have to ask for help. Just from my financial stand point. Two moments pull the other way: an uncle's sudden death from a heart attack in 2017, devastating, and her own diagnosis with high blood pressure.

The hardest chapter she tells only when asked about a challenge she overcame. I was in an abusive relationship 7 years ago and I finally escaped that got my kids away from that awful way of living. He went to prison. I just couldnt have my kids see that anymore. My daughters mean the world to me and its important for them to live their best life. Asked what others admire in her, she imagines them saying I was strong and i put my daughters first. Her diary tells a story of leaving and rebuilding, with her daughters always at the center.

Her food world was shaped by that uncle: HE GOT ME TO EAT MY VEGETABLES AND TRY NEW FOODS HE TOOK ME EVERYWHERE AS A KID. Today her daughters lead. They find recipes, plan the week's meals with her, and take turns at the stove. Mexican food is on the table about three times a month. Through the pandemic the gym was closed, so My daughters encourage me and workout with me everyday, with online cardio videos and walks in the park. Her five food words: WIDE-RANGE, HEALTHY, SIMPLE, FLEXIBLE, AND HEARTY.

She is open to eating vegan, its a healthier lifestyle and great benefits to the environment, and she is one of the few women in the study who connects meat directly to climate: eating meat contributes to climate change. On animals she is frank about the gap: we can have pets but we dont think about what the animals we eat go through. The healthy event she would organize would address Child obesity, diabetes in minorities, issues she has seen in her old neighborhood.

Her superpower is faith: Believing in God and trusting in him, and prayer is very important. Her weakness is Being too nice, and she tells of friends she took in who later stole from her. Under stress she breathes, prays and talks to her daughters, we are so close. Dark chocolate is her one indulgence. The 2 a.m. question brings a loss: her uncle used to be that person, and since his death she has grown closer to her mother. Then: I dont really have any friends i can rely on which is sad.

On Day 5 she is content with how she eats; her goal now is money, saving to buy a house next year. Her letter, in capitals, is addressed to that future: YOU LIVE A LONG PROSPEROUS LIFE AND YOU GET THE HOUSE YOU DREAMED OF.