Trip Success

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 7:42 pm

We just got home from our trip to California. Everything went well and I didn't get sick. We had a mini refrigerator in our room but no microwave and we were on the go so much I really didn't have time to food shop. My husband took a large rolling duffle which has enough room for me to put a large plastic container in it. I had individual containers of almond milk, packets of salmon, hemp protein, Epic bars and Oskri coconut bars in it. There was a store close to our hotel where I bought Applegate uncured beef hot dogs that are fully cooked, bananas, gluten free bread, chips cooked in coconut oil and Gerber butternut squash (baby food). For breakfast I had almond milk & hemp protein and a banana. On the two days we went out for breakfast I had my protein drink and then I ordered a side of bacon. Lunch was on the go and I took two hot dogs, Canyon Bakery gluten free bread and squash along. We ate dinner out and the restaurants were good at serving everything plain. The biggest challenge was on the day of the Rose Bowl. We left our hotel at 4:30 a.m. and didn't return back until 7:30 p.m. A tailgate buffet was included in our package. I called ahead of time to ask what they were serving that was gluten free. They had chicken & pulled pork that were gluten free. I was worried because I didn't know if it would be gf and what other ingredients might do me harm but I really didn't have a choice other than to eat it. On New Year's Eve we were at a pre-game party and I had white wine for the first time in two years. I didn't drink much of it and it didn't seem to do any harm but I realized that I really didn't miss it that much. I never did drink it that often but would drink some on social occasions. I wanted to share for those who are afraid to travel. Our flight was over five hours and I couldn't pack food like I do when we're driving on a trip, but it is doable. We had a great time and I'm thankful that I didn't let my apprehensions about what I would eat spoil our trip.

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 7:49 pm

Marcia,

Thanks for sharing, and I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful time. Sometimes we have no choice but to eat what is there, and it usually works out! I think if we stay the course the rest of the time, those little ups and downs don't hit us as hard. I also always carry my gluten ease with me and take it before eating at a restaurant (even if they tell me it's ok). Better to be safe than sorry!

Post by **tex** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:30 pm

Marcia,

It's great to hear that your trip went so well. Thanks for the update.

Tex

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 6:31 am

Thanks, Jari and Tex. It was a trip we will remember for a long time. I failed to mention that I took Gluten Ease every time I ate out, too. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Janie · Post by **Janie** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:27 am

So happy for you, Marcia. It is great to know that there is life with MC. I am trying to overcome anxiety leaving the house by myself. I am a newbie but I take all the hints everyone posts on here and either use them or file away for future reference. I was hoping Penn. State. would have won. But my NFL team made it to the playoffs. Go Pack Go!

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 12:41 pm

Hi Marcia,

Thanks for the update and you had an exciting game! Your report will definitely help folks on the forum.

Did you eat the hotdogs cold? (Since they are already cooked?)

Brandy

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 3:28 pm

Janie, your time will come. When I first found this group and I read the success stories I didn't think I would ever get there. But I did, and life is pretty much normal again. Hang in there! The game was heartbreaking but it was an awesome game and I am so glad that we were able to experience it. As a senior at PSU my son will have that memory forever.

Brandy, Because the hotdogs were fully cooked I did eat them cold. They really weren't that bad. One day I was in an Uber eating my hotdog on a piece of gluten free bread as we drove through Hollywood. You gotta do what you gotta do!

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 7:12 pm

Janie,

I was just where you are about a year and a half ago. I was terrified to leave the house. But, as you get control of things and start feeling better, that will subside. I literally prayed all the way to school on my first day back, and once I got in the building, it was fine. I've been on several trips since then. It will come for you too! Hang in there. Read everything on here and ask lots of questions.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 7:26 pm

Glad the trip went really well and you enjoyed it!!

Janie · Post by **Janie** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:05 pm

Thanks Jari and Marcia for the pep talks. I read a lot of the forum that I can and mark all the hints. But what kind of individual packages of Almond Milk do you use and salmon too, Marcia? I eat salmon and drink almond milk. I am not sure if this should be under the trip or in another area of the message board? But someone can move it or leave my rambling here.

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 5:17 pm

Marcia said

Because the hotdogs were fully cooked I did eat them cold. They really weren't that bad. One day I was in an Uber eating my hotdog on a piece of gluten free bread as we drove through Hollywood. You gotta do what you gotta do!

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:01 pm

Janie, The Silk Almond Milk comes in an 8 pack of 8 oz. cartons. I purchase it at Wal-Mart and you can probably find it online. The Bumble Bee premium wild pink salmon used to be just salmon and salt. Now they have added vegetable broth, which contains soy. I don't react to soy but I try to avoid it because my EnteroLab testing for soy was high. I didn't realize the change until I purchased it for the trip. I think it tasted better before they added the vegetable broth, but maybe that's just because I'm used to eating food without a lot of additives. I will continue to take it when I travel just in case I need some quick protein. The bison Epic bars are good for travel, too. They fit easily in a pocket of a jacket. I'm trying to work up the courage to try sardines but I haven't gotten there yet!

Thanks, Gabes. I don't know where I would be without the advice from this awesome group.

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 9:01 pm

Marcia, so, so glad you had a great time! This puts a smile on my face! Thank you so for the details of your food, that really helps. I'm excited about these hotdogs you speak of, going to check into those and those coconut bars.

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:21 pm

Thanks, Martha! Applegate also makes a turkey dog that I have on hand for quick trips but they didn't sell them in CA. I love the coconut bars. I first found them at TJ Maxx and now I buy them online at Swanson Vitamins. Many times TJ Maxx only has the ones coated in chocolate and I can't have them. I saw a different Oskri bar at TJ Maxx, I believe it was peach but I hesitate to try anything new.

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:50 pm

Hi Martha!

Your post makes me smile :-)

Once a person gets a good stretch of healing under their belt it sure does make it easier to venture out....and I have to agree that it helps to not have to constantly be reminded what we can or can not eat every minute of the day.

It was really scary in the beginning for me too....once I was able to get the body to stop having abdominal pains and no acid reflux doing things got better and better and the super support here helped me stay the course. I will use the Glutenease also as needed too....not sure if it is helping or not but not willing to take the chance right now either.

Cheers to a successful experience that you will remember and cherish forever

Erica