Thank you all for your kind comments and feedback on my early wedding plans. I’m really glad that you all like the deep purple color! It was also interesting to hear everyone’s perspectives on wedding size. The responses were varied, from big to small and everywhere in between, from small ceremony to huge reception, to just the two of you 🙂 I fully intend to reach out to all of you who offered your help, so watch out! We will probably end up with a medium-sized guest list that hovers between 150 to 200 people because my dad’s side of the family is huge – it’s unavoidable when you want everyone to come! But the fact that it’s in Scottsdale when most of my family is from the Midwest is an interesting issue, too. We’ll see!
~*~
Happy Friday! Another week gone by already? I can’t believe I’ve been at my internship for 6 weeks now. It seems like I started just yesterday.
As many of you know, I am a big creature of habit. So it’s probably not hard to guess that I’ve been enjoying delicious parfaits all week long. Same ingredients as in my last post: Stonyfield plain yogurt, Kashi Go Lean, blueberries, and a lot of cinnamon and almond butter!
The only bad news is that I might not be able to keep it up much longer. I’ve been experimenting with what kinds of food work for my stomach and what don’t, and my tummy troubles have returned with a vengeance this week 🙁 I suppose it’s going to be a lifelong practice of figuring out what doesn’t make it hurt…but I hope that I can get a good grasp on it soon. It’s hard to have a social life when you’re walking with a hunch and wanting to rest at 3:00 pm.
Fortunately, this lunch combination seems to be just what the “Dr.” ordered. The Dr. McDougall’s line of soups are SO good! I’ve mentioned them before, but the split pea combined with Kashi crackers is particularly amazing. My co-worker (Hi Sydney!) always comments on how delicious it smells when I walk past her cube!
Another fabulous option: Trio bars. I’ve reviewed these in the past and you really can’t go wrong with any of the flavors. You can buy them in bulk at Costco and for a great afternoon snack. This is the “tropical” version with dried fruit, cashews, pumpkin seeds and almonds.
And the final thing that makes the tummy troubles a little easier to bear: dinner with the fiance 🙂 Bobby had a “birthday coupon” to Noodles & Co. (even though his birthday isn’t until September 13) so we had a meal on them last night. I had another form of a “trio” here! I started out with the mixed green salad with tomato, cucumber and sesame soy dressing.
For the main course, I went with the Japanese Udon Noodles served with shrimp. The noodles are really chewy and dense (just how I like ‘em!) and the soy sauce combined with stir-fry veggies such as carrots and broccoli makes this dish pretty awesome. I was a big fan.
After dinner, I hunch walked my way home – I’m not exaggerating, it’s really not a pretty sight – and relaxed so that my stomach felt better. It’s a weird feeling because I’m always still hungry when I have pain (if not more so!), but the only way to make it go away is by laying in a certain position for a certain period of time. I’m telling you, my body is crazy.
Around-the-Blogosphere
- My friend and co-worker Renee sent me these links the other day and I thought they were hilarious. Check out these crazy food blogs: Insanewiches and Fancy Fast Food.
There are a ton of great giveaways going on, too, but since I have to eat and run to work, I will have to save those for another time. I feel like a broken record, but I’m still so behind on email and blog reading. If you’ve sent me something recently, please know that I will respond :shock: I’ve got to figure out an organizational system a la Caitlin to get myself back on track.
Abrazos,
I am so excited to hear more about your wedding plans!! I’m sure it is so exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. Your parfait looks bomb, and I have terrible tummy problems as well and I think it may be from the loads of dairy I eat. I can’t help it though, I’m stubborn and I love dairy hahaha. That trio bar sound yummy, I’ve seen them around, but never tried it. I may have to. I hope you have a great day and your tummy stops hurting!!!
Love your pretty parfaits. They always look so good. Sighhh tummy troubles. I had a really bad spell last weekend but have been sailing smoothly through the week. My doctor has determined I have a lazy digestive system. Not a real diagnosis but ya know, basically just saying sometimes it just decides not to digest and my tummy stays full. Now since the food isn’t digesting- I am also still HUNGRY, despite the amount of food sitting in my belly. FUN. No idea what makes it go and not go! He gave me some medicine which I haven’t tried yet. I’m supposed to take it on a regular basis to make sure I have no episodes but I hate taking pills… Too much info? haha. Glad to see your post up! I’ve missed ya
Hey girl! I was having tummy issues too before I switched up my diet completely and now they’re all gone. Definitely play around with things though and find that culprit. I totally know what it’s like to be in pain all of the time! Sometimes when it comes back because I ate something I shouldn’t have (like the Mexican place on Wednesday), I think, “ohhh, here we go again” like it is normal. I have to remind myself that it is certainly not normal and that diet has everything to do with it. Good luck!!!
I hope you feel better. I had awful problems in college, thankfully they’re gone now but I never figured it out. Wedding planning is so much fun! Try not to let it get too stressful, b/c it can be. We had 150 at our wedding, and I thought it was such a perfect size!
Can you link the stomach pain to the consumption of gluten? I’ve had serious stomach and digestive issues for years–thought it was something I would just have to put up with–but by accident the doctors discovered I’m a celiac. Now that I eat less gluten, my stomach problems are virtually non existent. You should maybe look into it.
I have also experienced tummy trouble. One thing that has helped a lot is taking a probiotic daily (I get mine at Whole Foods but they sell them everywhere). I take it every morning with breakfast and it definitely helps keep things feel better in my tummy.
I’m sorry about your tummy troubles. Have you considered lactose intolerence? Mine didn’t hit me till my sophomore year of college. The probiotics in yogurt are supposed to help (with that one meal) but I’ve still found that it’s just easier to avoid it first thing in the day. Which makes me very sad.
I’m up for wedding advice! It’s almost my 2 year anniversary… my biggest regret is not having gotten a video made. The whole thing is a huge blur!!! I remember walking down the aisle… and then I have to resort to the photo album. I have our vows and everything but I definitely wish I could have seen it from someone else’s perspective!
Your stomach pain sounds VERY SIMILAR to something I deal with about once a month. I get this nasty pain (different than period cramps) almost like my food is stuck in my GI tract. I have to lean over to walk, and the only way it stops hurting is if I lay on my stomach. Eating never helps, even when I am hungry and I have the pain. Here are two things I have decided it could be:
1) Gastroporesis, which is when your GI tract slows down, usually after surgery!
2) Gallbladder problems…
I haven’t had it checked out because it doesn’t happen very often, but if it start happening more I will check it out (you should too!). Good luck, I hope it feels better.
Ah babe, sorry about the tum tum troubles I’ve been having them too, but in other ways…but similar. Laying down? Ultimate solution! Sucks when I have to be sitting in a chair all day long! boohiss!
Can’t wait to catch up this weekend!!!
Hey Jenn! So sorry to hear about your tummy! Are you eating enough during the day? Sometimes if I let my stomach get too empty (usually when I’m running around like a crazy person) and then eat later, I get really bad cramps and need to lie down. Maybe more yummy snacks to munch on could help! 🙂
Have a great Friday and an awesome weekend!
I am going to pick up some of those soups… I love to have things at work so I don’t have to remember my lunch! and soup is always yummy!
FEEL BETTER! Eat tons of crackers…it always makes me feel better =)
LOVE those soups too! My favorite is the Tortilla Chip.
Sorry about all of your tummy trouble! Do you think it’s the dairy?
Bobby and I share a birthday! 🙂
I’m sorry the tummy troubles have come back 🙁 I have lots of weird stomach stuff too, and I just have no clue if I have a mild form of IBS, if I’m allergic to something, or what. It’s never consistent and I can’t tie it to one food, but I have “the hunch” often, too. if you find something that works, let me know!
You know I’m here for ya with the tummy troubles AND with everything!! 😀
have you been to the doctor to test for food allergies? it might be an allergy to dairy or something? good luck!!
Planning weddings is so much fun, so i can’t wait to help! I myself have certain stomach problems especially after eating certain things to eat, so i totally know what your going through girl! its trouble because like you said its not fun having the pains when your trying to have fun! hopefully you figure it out! have a wonderful friday! 🙂
http://saladdiva.wordpress.com
I’m sorry to hear about the tummy troubles. I went through a summer like that three years ago. Nothing was working. My body just wasn’t jiving. I ended up seeing a specialist, and it helped. Now I sort of know what foods won’t work.
It is a never-ending process, it seems.
Also, I don’t know if I said this in the last post – but do count on me if you need wedding help!
Awww does the dairy fairy hate on you as well? I try to limit myself to 2-3 servings (I could easily have dairy at every meal/snack since I’m home right now). If I go over that limit it’s bad news bears!
I’m not kidding you, I used to the exact same pain from time to time. I would still get hungry, it hurt to stand up straight, if I laid in a certain position I would be fine. I found using a heating pad helped sometimes. Hope your tummy troubles go away!!
Your parfait looks so good! I’m sorry you are having tummy troubles. I hope they get better soon!
O man Jenn i am so sorry, I am honestly going through the same thing right now. Just keepin it off the blog 🙂 I literally go to bed in pain, regardless of if i have a burger or a cracker! I’m really afraid it might be dairy, as K said- but I haven’t even tried to give it up yet! I’m gonna try out one of those digestive teas, or tummy teas or whatever they are and see if it helps! Sooo lame ugh! Love u though 😀
hope you find out what your tummy ailment is and feel better soon!!
that shrimp and noodle dish is right up my alley 😀
hope you have a very happy friday!
So sorry about your tummy trouble. I agree with othr commenters that you should experiment and find the food culprit. My stomach can be very sensitive as well, but I have learned what causes me the most discomfort and I stay away from those items. If you still can’t find the source of the problem, I think a doctors visit is definitely in order.
Love the look of the noodle and shrimp dish. 🙂
I love, love, love Trio Bars. I have been eating the Blueberry and Strwberry flavours for a while and I finally had the Tropical this week. They are kind of hard to get for me because only one place that I know have it and if I don’t head in that direction I usually have to do without, which sucks.
For stomach cramping and pains try something light, hot and dairyfree. Water with lime and honey, tea with honey or sugar. There is a sugar water mix that is supposed to wrok wonders but I don’t know the mix ( I think it also has salt or something), maybe someone else knows what I am talking about and can help.
Aww sorry about the tummy troubles Jenn! That soup looks divine though and I’m glad you get to eat something so delish to soothe your troubles 🙂
Wow, 6 weeks? I feel like you just started too! hahah
Happy weekend!
You were quick on the wedding date!!! We got engaged at the end of March and although we’ve always known the rough date (November 2010) we had not picked an exact date yet. Mostly ’cause we were having venue issues.
First we thought we would have it in Tulum, Mexico but that didn’t work out. We even flew down for a site visit and on our second day there they told us that they were bleeding money and wouldn’t likely be open for our wedding. Aftewards they tried to take it all back.
Just last week we found our wedding venue on another Mexican vacay! lol We’re getting married at Cabo Azul in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Soooo excited!!!!!!
We’re going back and forth on contracts so we don’t have a date yet although we are working on all the nitty gritty! 😉
Oh and I’m leaning towards fuschia and orange for our colours. lol
PS: The deep purple is AWESOME!!
ooo wedding planning is so exciting! Can’t wait to read more detail!
oh no!! I’m so sorry to hear about your tummy troubles Jenn!! I have those A LOT and I find that laying off anything cold (including sandwiches and salads) has always been helpful. In addition, drink TEA!! But non-caffeianted (no coffee in the morning! Sorry!). Thank you for sharing those funny links! hahaha it has provided a ton of entertainment at work today. 😛
By the way, if you want to hit up Trader Joe’s of WF anytime, let me know!! I’m in need of some goodies!! (Something for the tummy??)
hey bender! from what youre describing it sounds like what i went through with lactose intolerance. i started off not being able to drink milk and then it became gradually and gradually worse. you’d also be surprised at just how many things are made with some form of milk, it can totally sneak up on you. If it isn’t the dairy, its probably another allergy or perhaps a gall bladder issue- i would def see a doctor because they can really help u narrow down the problems and live a better life of food with no tummy problems! good luck!
Sorry about your tummy. Crackers are good for it though. Maybe brothy soups would help too.
Noodles is a good place. I like their chicken noodle soup a lot.
Dr. McDougalls soups are amazing…one of my favorite quick foods.
I hope that your tummy feels better soon!
Awww, so sorry to hear you aren’t feeling good! Oddly enough I’ve been having weird stomach things for years off and on, worse this summer,and SOOOO painful yesterday that I actually made two appointments – one with a regular MD, and another with a naturopath. I’ll let you know if they have any good advice 🙂
Countin down the days til Monday!!! Have a great weekend!
PS, I officially hate living so close to a Whole Foods. I spent entirely too much money there today 🙁
I hope your tummy feels better soon. That trio bar looks so good! I’ll have to find some!!
Hello beautiful! I am sososo sorry to hear about the tummy woes. Do you have to lie on your left side to ease the pain? That’s what I do, and it definitely gets things, uhm, flowing!
Have you considered the dairy? You’re a smartie and probably have, but I know yogurt first thing in the morning used to kill mine! Or perhaps it’s the processed soy in the Kashi deliciousness? Also a bummer.
Anyway, I hope you have some relief soon! And I also hope you have a fantastique weekend!
Sorry about your tummy troubles! Your eats look good though!
ugh! im so sorry! i hope you figure out what is bugging your tum tum ! I love you!
Ai yi yi I hear ya on the tummy problems!! I was on vacation last week and THREE NIGHTS I was ‘home” in bed with serious stomach pain; the ONLY common factor we could figure was TAP WATER (in Miami)?? I figured out I can’t have a lot of dairy or I get bad tummy pain. Have you read that book “Eat Right For Your Blood Type”?? It really helped me with what works for my body..although I’m obviously still a work in progress. I feel for you hon!! ;-(
I’m so sorry your tummy problems are back Jenn 🙁 How inconvenient!
Aww, I am so sorry to hear about your tummy troubles! I hope you find a solution to your aches ASAP.
I’ve seen those Dr. McDougall cups around for a while but never tried them. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hope you’re feeling betta suga! I have been feeling actually sick to my stomach every afternoon for the past couple days because… I haven’t been drinking..COFFEE! It is crazy how bodies get so addicted to caffeine so fast! Maybe some tea in the afternoon or before lunch will help the probs?
Those blogs are hilarrrious! Kailey (snackface) just introduced me to possibly my newest favorite blog, evah: http://www.itsfaturday.com/ ….HILARIOUS
Have a good weekend love!!
As like many other people, I totally feel you on the tummy troubles! I’ve been tested for all the usual suspects and so far no doc has been able to give it a “name,” or been able to find one single source. So I just chalk it up to random food intolerances and stay away from pain-inducing foods. Hopefully you’ll be able to reach some conclusions though! Remember to take time to de-stress too 🙂
Oh what a bummer! Yogurt isn’t a safe haven for most who have tummy troubles caused by milk … but that said, my husband gets a bad stomach ache every time he ate Kashi Cereal. The soy protein used in that and other products just doesn’t work for him; which I hear is a common problem. Hopefully it is just the food!
I’m so sorry to hear about your stomach problems! I know you’ve been treating them for a long time, so maybe these questions are strange, but have you considered anxiety? Also, I have a lot of trouble eating out at restaurants or eating more junk than usual and getting really ill. I attribute it to the idea that I’ve just been eating too clean for too long and I just can’t stomach the processed foods anymore. I also moved in with my sig other recently and have been suffering. Maybe the change in eating habits associated with that (oh, compromises!) is irritating your GI tract.
Udon noodles are some of my faves!
I have one of those big families too… my mom has eight sibs and my dad has four (and they all have tons of kids)… thank goodness the boyfriend’s an only child 🙂
Im chiming in with no formal wedding but a SKYPE one we all can attend.
HOW FUNNY WOULD THAT BE?
you could be sponsored by POM Wonderful and catered by hungry girl.
love,
Miz, who paid 10.00 for her wedding at the justice of the peace’s office.
Perhaps that you wrote about pre-wedding plans + tummy troubles in the same sentence could be the key. Any added stress can cause our ‘barrel’ to overflow and we begin to react to foods that never bothered us before.
I know you and I have talked about stomach issues before but I wanted to say that’s exactly how I feel when my stomach acts up- I’m always still hungry (or even hungier) but know that it won’t make the pain subside. I have to lay down- which usually means going to sleep and then it’s fine when I wake up. But while it’s happening – it’s so uncomfortable. I feel your pain – literally! I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about it in your next post – which is going to be a video- right??? 😉