Celebrating Inspirational Mums - Rachel Bermingham

The answers are from Rachael Bermingham, co-author of the worldwide cooking phenomenon 4 Ingredients. They have two books out in the UK (4 Ingredients and 4 Ingredients 2 – available from good bookshops and via Amazon). For more great recipe ideas go to www.4ingredients.co.uk and watch out for their two new books this year - Gluten Free in May and Fast Fresh & Healthy in September.



Q: Did you expect to become a mother?

A: Honestly - no, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd have 3 beautiful boys - I am blessed!

Q: How are you like your own mum?

A: We share the same crazy laugh - you can HEAR us coming!

Q: How do you differ from your own mum?

A: For teething or a cold I would turn to natural remedies and solutions more so than a medication.

Q: Please tell us about your achievements since becoming a mum (including parenting ones)?

A: Where do I start? I was excited I had my twins (8 months ago) naturally! So many achievements that make your heart burst with excitement and love - from the first time you hear them laugh, to their first tooth, to the first time they crawl or the first day at school - everyday is one of wonder and that is priceless.

Q: Describe your most challenging time in working towards your achievement?

A: Right now. Juggling a 5 year old, twin 8 month old boys, books, business and the everyday things can certainly be challenging. Yes it's hard sometimes but it's not impossible. You just have to take one step at a time and not get bogged down in the things that don't really matter - for me it's easy to prioritise - my children always come first.

Q: Describe the moment that you felt most like an achiever?

A: Everyday I get the balance 'right' is a small achievement. The first time I took all my three children to the beach by myself & actually went for a swim in the ocean with a six month old baby on each hip and cheering on my five year old as he surfed was an achievement. I really am grateful that I can do the things I love doing in life, in business and still be a good mum.

Q: What individuals offered you support?

A: I am blessed to have excellent friends who have been an enormous support emotionally. Physically I have a casual nanny who helps me out with the babies in school drop off/pick up times and sometimes during the week so I can get some work done.

Q; What organisations offered you support?

A: None really. If I was worried or wanted to know anything I would jump onto my iphone while breastfeeding during the night and google it - you can find the answer to just about anything on the internet!

Q: If you could revisit yourself when you doubted yourself, what would you tell yourself?

A: Breathe, relax have faith in yourself, you have everything you need right within yourself, just focus on your goals, take the steps to achieve them and keep positive.

Q: What would you say to a mum out there who has a dream or something they would like to do?

A: Write it down, put a timeline to it, schedule in time every week to take positive steps forward in achieving it - and keep positive! If a girl like me who didn't finish school and couldn't boil and egg go onto to co-write four cookbooks selling millions of copies just imagine what you can do!