How many of you have seen THIS VIDEO that is circulating the internet? Four men, who have paid a considerable amount of money to travel through the wondrous canals of Venice in a gondola, have their eyes glued to their cell phones. The gondolier comments on how they are in this magnificent place and yet they see nothing but their phone screens. How sad is that? They will reach their destination and then look up in surprise that they have missed the whole journey. What a wasted opportunity to admire the beauty of one of the world’s most unique cities. Do you find yourself rushing through your days trying to fit everything in, often stressed, your heart rate elevated, your breathing shallow, adrenaline flowing? Are you missing out on the journey? If so, you are missing out on the opportunity to savour your days, the beauty of your life and to enjoy the company of those you love. Like those men with their noses stuck in their phones, you see nothing but a blur in your … [Read more...] about Are you missing out on the journey?
fructose malabsorption recipe
Getting your nails done is busy work
Yesterday, I went to get my nails done. I do this once every three weeks so that in between I don’t have to fuss about them since I have weak nails and I always seem to be filing them. I now don't think about them at all - except to admire them. Anyway, while I was at the salon, there was another lady also getting her nails done and she spent the whole time talking about how busy she was - how she didn't even have free-time to watch TV. But perhaps this was only her perception of her life because she was after all able to find time to have her nails done. Busyness is still often worn as a badge of honour, and she exasperated me with her monologue of all the things she managed to fit into her life. The inference was that her busyness somehow made her superior to the rest of us. I felt like engaging her in a reality conversation but I know that few people are ready to hear the truth so I refrained. Is that woman you? Do you mention the “busy” word multiple times a day? Are … [Read more...] about Getting your nails done is busy work
Never trust anyone – 10 Trans-Siberian Low Fodmap Lessons Learned
As some of you may know, I have been away for a little over three weeks on a Trans-Siberian adventure. We travelled from Beijing in China through Mongolia, then through Russia up to St Petersburg, all by train. It was wondrous, eye-opening, disconcerting and at times painful. The painful part came from food choices that were made for me with a promise they were onion and garlic-free, and from the restrictive use of shared toilets on the trains. [Tweet "Set menus and shared toilets are an IBS sufferer’s worst nightmare."] Following is what I learned from this journey, which I knew from the get-go would be a tricky one to negotiate but which I was determined to undertake nevertheless. I don’t let my IBS stop me from travelling. My main triggers are onion, garlic and fructose. The only things which can be hidden in food are the garlic and onion so they are the only things on my laminated cards, which I always carry with me when I travel – in the language of the country, of … [Read more...] about Never trust anyone – 10 Trans-Siberian Low Fodmap Lessons Learned
How to Prep for a Colonoscopy
Colonoscopies can be scary things but they are an essential part of the diagnosis of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). In this video, I give you some tips for how to prepare for one while staying safe on the low Fodmap diet. … [Read more...] about How to Prep for a Colonoscopy
How a Xmas Card caused IBS Symptoms
Stress is deadly for irritable bowel symptoms. We all know that by now. But today I have a story of stress to tell you that illustrates the effect perfectly. The arrival of a Christmas card did it. Watch the video to learn how something supposedly as joyful as a Christmas card could cause that much stress. … [Read more...] about How a Xmas Card caused IBS Symptoms
Do you Have a Favourite Low Fodmap Recipe?
Not long ago, my 26-year-old son came for dinner and I asked him what his favourite meal was that I used to cook for him when he lived at home. He thought about it for a while and then shook his head. “No idea,” he said. “You cooked something different every night so I couldn’t form a favourite.” That wasn’t actually true for his whole life I’m sure, but I do like variety in all things, including my food so he probably had plenty of different meals. But, five or six years ago I found the low Fodmap diet, which eliminated my IBS symptoms and my food world grew much smaller. What to do? I still had my husband and son to feed. So, I took it on as a challenge to create delicious low Fodmap meals. I decided to make a new meal every night, photograph it and post it on my blog. I did that for several years and so my son never had a chance to find a favourite recipe. This is not a bad thing – it’s good. I had a creative outlet and my family looked forward to dinner because every night … [Read more...] about Do you Have a Favourite Low Fodmap Recipe?
