Tummy Gummies - REAL Food Recipe

Last year I shared a recipe for GP Gela-tea, a simple and soothing treat to have during a liquid diet or even just to snack on for some extra easy to digest nutrients.  As I wrote previously, it is shocking to be in a hospital for stomach problems and then be served coffee, Ensure (which has always made me worse) and jello.  The jello we are used to seeing, the neon red and green food most of us grew up on, is loaded with sugar, artificial flavoring, and color, all of which can possibly wreak havoc an a sensitive tummy.  
My own version, using herbal tea blends and gelatin I trust, was just what I needed when not feeling well.  Now I would like to share a new recipe using REAL fruit!

A-Wear-Ness Blendtec Giveaway #2!

With only a few weeks left before our 3rd annual GP walk, it's time to share once again one of my favorite, most generous sponsor's, Blendtec.  Just like last year they have donated 2 brand new blenders, each retailing at $500.  One of these will be up for the silent auction during the event on September 6th.  The other I would like to give you a chance to win.

Alive with HPN: A Life to Adjust To and Making the Most of It

I would like to take a few minutes and talk about TPN, how it has affected my life, and most recently the work I do.

Not only is August Gastroparesis Awareness month (which we are currently raising funds for), but August 3-9 is HPN Awareness Week.  HPN, TPN, what is all of this you might ask?

Stress Free?

"Saying yes to happiness means learning to say no to things and people that stress you out." 
Thema Davis

In my experience, there are two things that can really set a person off who lives with an invisible illness (ex. functional GI disorders).  One, "but you don't look sick," and two, "you just need to stop stressing out!"
I don't know about you but the latter seems to come up quite frequently in my life.  Especially when I am feeling better and begin to become productive and active again.  There seems to be a cycle of feeling better, doing more, a flare up,  then back to square one.  Square one usually means severe pain, bloating, nausea and/or fatigue.  Then it's time for more rest, frequent acupuncture visits, short walks, broth and gentle foods.

According to Psychology Today:
"Stress is simply a reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our physical or mental equilibrium. In other words, it's an omnipresent part of life. A stressful event can trigger the “fight-or-flight” response, causing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to surge through the body. A little bit of stress, known as “acute stress,” can be exciting—it keeps us active and alert. But long-term, or “chronic stress,” can have detrimental effects on health. You may not be able to control the stresses in your world, but you can alter your reaction to them."