Thank You GoMacro!

I'm so excited to share with my readers that GoMacro has just signed on to sponsor the Awareness Walk for Gastroparesis, happening in Bellingham, WA on September 8th, 2012.

Dedication to Spier

I can't help but dedicate a post to our beloved Spier, who would have been 13 next month.  We were blessed to have so many wonderful years with him and will miss him terribly.  Thank you Spier for bringing us  so much love and light to our lives, not to mention taking me on walks everyday.  May you   be as spoiled and happy in eternity as you were in life.

I stood by your bed last night

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

We could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me. 

A Trip to the East Coast: Exploring Options for GP/SIBO

I have to admit, I've debated whether or not to share this post, afraid I would come across as weak or failing to manage my own gastroparesis.  When looking back to the beginning of this blog and the journey I have taken, I'm realizing how much I used to write about my own personal day to day life with GP and the emotions that came with it.  My recent studies and work as a health coach has ignited a passion in me to focus on helping others by providing research, ideas, recipes and a positive outlook.
I've received a number of emails from readers who share with me how much this site has helped them, and clients who are finally feeling some relief and eating more nourishing foods for the first time.  The last thing I want to do is write about my own struggles.  However, I'm here not only as a coach but as a patient as well.  Now I want to give you a little update about my recent setbacks and future plans.

Asking the Right Questions

Despite doing my best to eat well, exercise, and manage daily life, there are still days that I feel challenged.  I still live with gastroparesis and the unpredictability of it can creep up when I least expected.  Whether the struggle be physically, such as needing an extra nap, a heating pad, or only liquids for a day.  Maybe its mentally searching for ways to cheer myself up and deal with the frustrations of being different.

Today, I read a book that asked the question, "Do you know where you are on your journey?".  It brought up an important thought to consider..."if you want a great life, ask great questions."  I'm going to quote a selection from the book, How Many Days of the Week can be Extraordinary? written and compiled by Dan Zadra and Kobi Yamada.

Herbal Tea Infusion

Water is essential, especially this time of year when the weather is hot and we need to increase our hydration.  Making a cold brew of herbal tea can not only help with this but also aid in digestion as well.  My wonderful friend Lindsey is always thoughtful when we get together, making a refreshing pitcher pleasing to the tummy and the eyes using herbs she grows right in her backyard!  Here is a recipe she used last time that settled nice after a small dinner with friends on a warm summer evening.  

FODMAPs Part II, with Handout!

If you have been following this blog or my Facebook page you are probably somewhat aware that I do my best to follow a low FODMAP diet.  To this day, the post Could FODMAPs be Related to GP? written back in November, 2011 is the most viewed on this website.  Since then, I have become much more familiar with this strange acronym by reading articles, books, and posts from other bloggers, listening to podcasts from healthcare practitioners and talks through medical universities. In addition, I've learned from personally working with registered dietitians as well as my own clients who seem to feel better when limiting these dietary carbohydrates.