Rock and roll, baby!

Yesterday, we spent the day at U-fest.  We know someone in the first band and stayed until the last band was on stage.  Anthrax was great (but would have been greater if there was less talking--it kind of made them sound old.)  It was an interesting day--pretty hot and sunny, then it rained (there was an actual rain delay), got windy, and we ended up cold!  I took a Trio bar and a Larabar.  That was definitely NOT enough food for 12 hours.

Today, we had a few friends over to watch the first game of the season.  My friends brought a potato salad--vinegar based instead of mayo--and guacamole and "special" sweet potato chips.  I have such great girlfriends--they are so considerate!

Earth

I got Earth: the book (audio book) on clearance and just finished.  After I got it, I realized I have the coffee table book already.  The audio book was entertaining and silly, as should be expected when the Daily Show is involved.  Now I'm not sure what to do with it.  I don't think I'll listen to it again.  But who knows....

PJ and Corn Chowder

I went to Pita Jungle for the falafel and a green ice tea.  It was good although I thought the falafel was dry, maybe a little overcooked.  Later I didn't feel well so I'm not sure if there was something wrong with it or I just overdid it today.

Creamless Corn Chowder

I bought fresh corn the other day at the grocery store and needed to use it.  I wanted to make the creamless corn chowder that was in USA Today.  I forgot to check the other ingredients needed so I made some substitutions.  I think it turned out pretty well and my husband liked it (although he added more pepper and I thought it was plenty peppery.)

Essentially, take the corn off 4 ears and blend.  Take the corn off another 4 ears for the soup.  Cook potatoes a little and add water or broth; simmer till cooked.  Add the onions, peppers, corn and corn blend.  Add seasoning throughout.  I think carrots could be added with the potatoes.

My time is over committed

I went to the orthodontist to get my new retainer.  He wants me to wear it "all the time" but I don't think I can wear it all the time in professional settings.  I will be wearing it a lot more than I have had to wear it in quite a while.

I saw Dr. M for my quarterly appointment for monitoring.  I can never really tell how it goes, but I never really think it went well.  When we were done, N and I went to Sonora for my blood draw and she took my vitals.  Nothing too exciting.

I went to a Biltmore dinner which was a buffet.  The buffet was essentially deconstructed Caesar salad, pasta and risotto, and beef.  So I had lettuce with vinaigrette, and a glass of red wine.  Not a good dinner at all!

Revo

I cleaned out about three boxes of groceries from my pantry, things I can't eat and my husband doesn't.  A box went to his parents.  Then my friends, K and A, picked what they wanted.  I was left with a few things.  One was a box of high fiber pasta that a coworker gave me.  He seemed very surprised when I gave it back to him, and I think he didn't want it either.  I didn't tell him (but I think he knows I think this) that he shouldn't buy crap just because it's cheap, and then try to give it away.

Another coworker was going to get lunch at Revo so she picked up my lunch too.  Their gluten-free chicken rice bowl (brown rice) is pretty yummy.  I may have to make this one of my regular lunches.

Knock, knock. I'm coming to lunch.

courtesy the bloggess

Not only do I struggle with what is or is not MS, everyone around me does too. And if it's not the MS, it's my broken, fused back.

I've been dealing with some pain issues for years, but not anywhere near as long as my back has been broken.  I experience extreme pain along the spine, accompanied by (ahem...) digestive issues.  MS doctors told me the pain was not an MS issue--I just need to lose weight**; non-MS doctors said it was MS--definitely nerve pain.  **The pain started while I was skinny, after losing about 50-60 pounds. I think I had my first undiagnosed MS exacerbation around then as well.  Someone told me last week that they thought it was "just back pain."

A few years ago, I started cleaning up my diet--no aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, potassium acetate, or soda.  I eat organic when reasonable.  I am recently diagnosed with allergies or sensitivities to wheat, bakers yeast and egg whites.  In addition, I no longer eat soy due to my thyroid condition due to MS drugs.  (Yes, I do like to jump to conclusions.  What of it?)  While my gut is going through detox, I am also banned from red meat, coffee, and dairy.  I really, really hope the ban is temporary.

I can not overemphasize this: I LOVE FOOD.  One of my favorite TV stations is the Food Network.  I collect recipes.  I want to make great food for people I love.  I love food.

I don't think I am usually a high maintenance person.  But now, we go out, and I have to quiz the server.  And sometimes the chef.  And research the restaurant before I go, if possible.  So now, I am "that" person: no this, no that.  I'm sure I'm making mistakes, but I'm not going to starve to death.
 
My husband's family, in their words, "don't understand."  Huge disclaimer here: I love his parents and think the world of them.  Here's the thing, though: if you asked them, they probably think they eat healthy--but they don't.  They drink soda, don't read labels, eat all kinds of sugar-free and processed foods, but they do throw in some fruits and vegetables.
 
I was nervous about going to lunch at their house.  They asked what I can eat.  I think this is going to be a recurring theme.  I'm not going to recount the details of eating there, but I was asked if I can eat watermelon.  Or an apple.  Maybe I misunderstood the question...
 
I can eat chicken and fish and turkey and probably pork--high quality meats if possible--organic or wild caught I was told, as well as fruits, vegetables, rice, potatoes, beans, and seasonings and sauces that don't have any of the banned ingredients.  See, I won't starve to death!  But if you buy lots of processed foods, I do need to see the labels.  My definition of processed is anything in a package--my apologies to anyone who disagrees with my very broad interpretation.
 
When we got home and I needed to eat something to take my medicine, I had some of the leftover chili beans and brown rice from the other night.  I added some spicy salsa to it and that worked very well--no crying at all!

Wine is what's for dinner

I can't have anything I usually eat for breakfast.  So, I have 2 links of Applegate chicken and apple breakfast sausage.  And a few strawberries.  And I try making a cold green tea latte with almond milk.  Meh.  I feel like I'm going through the motions, just eating something so I can take my medications.

For lunch, I pick up a large gazpacho from Bertha's with a side salad.  They give me corn chips and balsamic dressing.  I eat a little of the chips with my soup and a little of the dressing with my salad.  I'm not sure if either is allowed.  I have a piece of chocolate my coworker bought for me.  It is good.  Not great, but it's good.  I'm okay with one square.

I smell popcorn.  It's not on my menu, something in the microwave popcorn that I don't eat anymore.  I have pistachios.  I haven't had them in a long time and they are really good.  A little addictive even.  Probably too much salt, but who cares.  I got them in the shells to slow me down.  What else do you want from me?

I bought ingredients for this sandwich my husband really wanted me to make for him.  We saw it on Sandwich King.  When we watched the show last weekend, I thought I could have everything but the bread.  I make the fig spread and assemble his sandwich to cook between two pans (panini style).  I eat some of the fontina (couldn't find fontinella) cheese with the fig spread.  Suddenly, I remember that I can't don't eat dairy anymore.  I've eaten a really, really nice (but small) snack of cheese and figs.  And now I have nothing to eat for dinner.  I'm crying.  I drink wine for dinner.  Is that bad?

I realize that I need some food so I can take my medications.  I have leftover rice with half a can of chili beans.  It needs something else but I just don't care anymore.  I eat it anyway.  My husband sees that I'm upset and tells me it will be okay.  He wants to know if I would feel better if he didn't like the sandwich.  I tell him no, then I wasted my time and neither of us had a decent meal.  He really liked the sandwich.  I know it was awesome.  For him.  I don't feel okay yet.