a month off…
you may have heard me mention a time or three here or on twitter that my stomach hasn’t felt right since returning home from nashville last month. if you haven’t then, well…my tummy hasn’t felt very good since returning home from nashville last month.
it could be due to a number of things. lack of sleep, certain foods, the fact that my dog consistently misses the pee-pad when he pees, the overwhelming amt. of laundry (most of which is my sons) or…my decaf mochas with a 1/4 scoop of sugar free vanilla???
grrr.
there are 5 things i am not suppose to have – dairy, sugar, caffeine, acidics and white flour. those are inflammatories and the ones that cause the most discomfort.
4 of those 5 things….are in my decaf mocha with a 1/4 scoop of sugar free vanilla 😦
this i have known for quite some time, but miss mandy pants felt the need to lovingly and firmly remind me that this isn’t helping me at all. she encouraged me to cut out coffee for a bit to see if it would help my tummy.
so, tonight while we talked on the phone, i decided i would cut it out of my diet for the month of march. [sigh] and right when i hung up i thought – dang it! i should’ve committed for one week!
either way…i’m committed. there’s no going back now. and i won’t. i know this will help me one way or another. it’s worth the absence of something i totally enjoy to potentially gain something even better and more beneficial.
now all of you know. sheesh, i’m in deep and committed, eh?
is there anything you’ve been thinking you need to omit, or even add to your life, that might benefit you? wanna join me this month?
[and if i’ve missed anything, mandy, be sure to clear it up in the comments. really! 🙂 ]
inProgress 
Tam, I hope you see the irony here….
This is the season of Lent. Many of us in liturgical churches are doing just what you are doing…giving up something for 40 days to “gain something even better and more beneficial”.
During our Ash Wednesday service, we were reminded that this period of time was designed to remind us that we need to look to God….for everything. During Lent, it’s not about what you give up, it’s about being able to look to God when you realize that something is missing. All too often, when we are “missing something” we try and replace it with something else rather than replacing it with God. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness he said “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
This reminder of how God the provider promises to provide for all our needs isn’t lost on your trial…
Sad… going without coffee for that long. But I hope it helps your tummy feel better.
You can do it. And you can do it well.
I just completed my 8th week doing no soft drinks. At the halfway point (which I didn’t know was the halfway point at the time) I had a soft drink accidentally, I know, I know…how could it be accidental?
Superbowl party. I just grabbed a drink mindlessly from the cooler to go with my burger and took a huge gulp from it. It was nasty. I decided then since I had gone 4 weeks without I’d reward myself, little knowing that my stomach would rebel for the nest 4 or 5 hours or so.
Anyways, I say all that to share encouragement. I’ve been “off soft drinks” for 2 months.
And if anyone is keeping score, I’ve actually lost 20 lbs too.
Methinks it is time for your son to take over his own laundry. 😉
Wow, have fun with the no coffee thing… it should help a lot!
You can do it.
I had to give up all caffeine in October. Found out I have a heart condition…doctor said…no more caffeine and no more stress!! I have done a great job with the no caffeine after the first two weeks, that is….but it’s this stress thing…I can’t seem to give up!
I was not a coffee drinker but hot chocolate was a must every day…two or three times a day…and chocolate? Oh, that was VERY hard…never thought I could do it.
But it has also helped to have friends who help me out with that.
Good luck…know you can do it!!
When I had my stroke 2 years ago, I had to start taking a MAJOR amount of medication to keep from getting these KILLER migraines. Well these medications have side affects ((or is that effects?? it’s 5:34 in the am who cares). Being kind of whoozy all the time.
Being in the professional world everday and having 3 kids it’s time I am not whoozy, I am going to stop taking this medicine, and walk it out. When I was training for my 5K last year, I had less migraines and never took the medicine.
Yep.. Let’s try this.
Good for you! Your body’s health is extremely important….and nothing is really worth sacrificing that.
I’m with HW on the laundry issue. Even though they are great kids and you love serving them… giving them this responsibility would be good for them, and you! 🙂
I plan on teaching Asher and Shawn how to do their laundry (and mine) by the time they are 6. LOL
We’re going to the beach for a week in May, and I’ve decided that it will be a lot more fun if there is less of me, so one of the things I’m giving up is the soft drinks – I’ll let you know how successful that is.
On the laundry – i detect a trend. We found when Jamie had to do his own that 1) his favorite hoodie got washed every day, and 2) it took more than just trying an outfit on for it to be declared “dirty”
1) I’m proud of you.
2) You really did say “GRRRR” out loud on the phone. And I laughed inside.
3) I, too, thought maybe you should go for a week instead of a month… But didn’t say anything. heh
4) Join you this month? No way. (as she sips her homemade decaf mocha)
5) That last part about the decaf mocha isn’t true. I only have ‘coffee’ drinks in the afternoon/evenings. 😉
I really, really need to exercise. I too have health issues and mine mystify the doctors, but the one thing they all suggested was to exercise. UGH! I did start a few weeks ago, but then got sick, but haven’t started back up since I have been better. I just have to remember that with all my junk there is very few things I can do myself to improve my health and exercise is one. So here I go…i am motivated (not really, but I will do my best).
Oh, I relate so much! I had to give up sugar, caffeine and dairy among other things back in September. It stinks! I am used to it now…well I still miss my coffee like crazy! I have begun to drink green tea like it’s going out of style! 😯
I’ve been kinda needing to omit fried foods. They tend to perform jihad on my stomach.
This is almost like a resolution…and I don’t do resolutions…
I have a bad attitude today…must need more coffee!!!
You can do it!! (One word of help: tea)
I didn’t know you had stomach “issues.” I have had issues myself with dairy. So I know (a little) of how it goes.
As a side note (or not so side) I was thinking yesterday of people who quit smoking. Quitting smoking is one of the hardest (besides like heroin or something) addictions to quit. There are many methods of quitting, but I was thinking about the ‘cold turkey’ one. I worked with a girl who “quit smoking” for the duration of her pregnancy plus three months for breast feeding. That’s a year. A year. I know physical addictions don’t hold on for that long. But she picked it back up on the other side. Why would you do that?? I wanted to know. Once you had quit, wouldn’t you just want to quit??!? I realized that the psychological addiction was more powerful than the physical addiction – that she probably spent her whole pregnancy telling herself, “just 7 more months – 3 more months – 14 days” etc and in her mind never did actually quit.
All that to say … if you’d like to make a qualified change, and really cut out these things … don’t spend the month counting the days. Then all it is is a month’s ‘vacation.’ Focus on how much better you feel (you will) and find healthy things to replace the unhealthy. Then when the month is up, you’ll have something to do, instead of just a guilt complex over what you should do.
unsolicited advice. It drives some people nuts. If you’re one of those … I apologize. 🙂 But I love ya.
Tam, you’re going to feel SO much better! I just know it!
I’m drinking only water for 40 days (starting yesterday) as part of Blood Water Mission. http://tinyurl.com/cxghgn And I’m reading through the book of Exodus as part of Lent.
But there’s a LOT that I need to take OUT of my life so I can actually get back on track with my health goals!!!
When Lent is over and you want to have coffee again, you can try this alternative recipe:
First get some Silk brand soy creamer. They have vanilla and it is really good. Put it in Decaf coffee. Folgers’ buffered decaf is easy on the tummy, and I have never had a problem with Starbucks’ decaf either. For sweetener, go to the health food store and get some stevia or some …what is that other natural sweetener? I can’t remember it right now. It’ll be next to the stevia. It won’t taste exactly like your junk food coffee, but it’s a very nice fix for a coffee lover. 🙂
I almost forgot to tell you. The stevia is VERY sweet. Start with miniscule amounts and work your way up.
i am currently enjoying a cup of caffeine free passion fruit tea with a packet of splenda. im very happy about this choice.
i did know it was lent, but wasnt thinking about it when i made this decision last night. its a great focus tho, thats for sure!
i talked to my kiddos this morning about this and they have decided to cut out all their “bad” afternoon and after dinner snacks/munchies…ie: cereal bars, fruit snacks and such. theyre replacing them with fresh fruits and veggies only. they gave me a list of their faves and now theyre ready to go!
yay!
and thanks for all the tips, friends! invaluable!
russ – I AM SO STINKING PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!
This may sound silly, but I was just out with a really bad case of pnemonea… my brother-in-law bought me a case of Costo’s brand of Vitamin Water. I could not get enough. During this time I completely forgot about my diet soda habit…
Wondering if you had some water to flush your system, that tasted better than plain if that would help?
Idea…
Praying,
R
Oh, one more idea…
For some reason Splenda upsets my tummy… have you tried Stevia? You can get them in the same kind of packets as Splenda in the health food section at Fred Meyer or Top Foods. It is a sweetener completely made from a plant leaf that happens to be sweet.
Another idea…
xoxo,
R
rox – yes. anita mentioned stevia too. i’ll pick some up at fred meyer this week. ive wondered about splenda upsetting my tummy.
and i agree….i always need a good flushin 😀
yeah for the kids!! Wow – that’s awesome. 😀
I’m going with the splenda=bad theory. One tiny taste of something with splenda or nutrasweet in it and i’m sick. I’ve never tried the stevia…
Regardless, YEA YOU! I’m working on a few things for Lent (and I already screwed up the no-meat Friday thing… that wasn’t something I’m working on, just a lenten rule in our church) and as I do my thing I will definitely be praying for yours. You being well is worth any drink. I promise.
i should do that too, but i am so addicted to caffiene, serious headache today from lack of c0ffee. i think i will give up something like choclate…love it.
sorry to hear your tummy is acting up again..
That’s awesome your kids are joining you! I have given up sugar and diet soda for Lent…..and oh how I could really go for a triple fudge chocolate cake and a diet pepsi for my afternoon snack right now!
I Haven’t been taking my naps like I should – Maybe I had better get started – bye!
i need to take the month off of sugar… but honestly i don’t know if i can. i need to somehow cleanse my pallet so i won’t crave it!!!! you’re a braver woman than i!
so proud of you, you’ll be amazed by how much better you feel after this month!
When I was diagnosed with diabetes I was told to eliminate caffeine. I have eliminated coffee but the de-cafe tea taste like dish water, so I still drink some black & oolong teas, although I also do drink green tea.
I agree with Roxanne and Gitz, Splenda is bad for my stomach.
Having brought my blood sugar level under control over the last 5 years I am looking to add stuff to my diet not take anything away.
Good luck with your coffee free month.
For a moment there, I thought you were shutting down your blog for a month!!!!!
I don’t really have a sensitive stomach…Mark on the other hand….
I am with @brandiandboys ….I need to cut out a lot of sugar or sugar as a whole…
cutting back on food would be a good thing also 🙂
Well, I’m just gonna sit here and say “GO TAM GO!” Because I don’t think I can get rid of anything…i’m a pure mess. However, I do need to drink more water. Today, I had none. I’m pretty lame.
I’m proud of you. Your tummy thanks you!
Hugs,
Fran
So it was Miss Mandy who lovingly and firmly reminded you and encouraged you to give them up huh? F-i-i-i-i-iinne! 🙄
I would suggest before anyone start taking ‘vitamin’ water or ‘sports’ waters that ‘taste’ nicer than ‘ordinary boring’ water ( which our bodies desperately need) they carefully read the label and see how much SUGAR (also known as carbohydrate in drinks) they contain. Many of these so-called improved waters have as much sugar as Coke does in them!
Of course, my suggestions don’t hold anywhere near the same weight as Miss Mandy’s!
But i’m not bittter. at. all.
I hope Miss Mandys idea does work and your tummy and health get somewhere near where they should be in this month Tam – and i’ll give up that extra hour lie-in in the mornings for the rest of this month in support! : shock:
if the shock does not kill me that is! 🙂
As Lori first said above – Lent is for 40 days – do you have what it takes to last that long for Him??
<B
I used to smoke back in college. I quit for a long time but somehow allowed the enemy to convince me that I “needed” it after Daddy’s death. I didn’t go back to smoking regularly but I don’t want to smoke at all so that has been what I’ve given up for Lent with the intention that prayerfully after Lent I won’t feel the need to smoke at all. I am claiming complete deliverance from that. Praying for you too Tam concerning the things you are seeking deliverance from. Love you!
Kudos to the kiddos! Fresh fruits and veggies are nature’s little pick me ups!
My faves: celery, raw squash & zucchini, seedless grapes, oranges, nectarines, peaches, bananas…
MAN I’M HUNGRY!
One of my favorite “midmeal” (between meal) snacks is grapes and reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (just a few small slices). Great taste combo.
On the stevia note: My mother in law swears by it. She says to get the liquid form (comes with a nice little dropper) and lasts for months. She carries the little bottle around in her purse. It’s about the size of a big bottle of white-out.
Well, I’m omitting juice for the month, as pretty much the only other thing I drink normally is filtered tap water. The money saved will go to a charity (I’ve forgotten which right now…it’s on pinkhairedgirl.net…_
I’d omit beer too, but since the 2 cases we have lying around came free, that wouldn’t achieve much really would it… 😉
I need to add : more creative time, more Diane time – both of these flow from a desire for more God time, so I think they are extensions of it anyway.
Hope the month yields results for you Tam.
i really hope that helps your tummy issues. hmph.
i’ve given up something for lent for the first time this year… [thankfully it’s not my favorite hot frothy beverage.]