Tummy Tamer Tea

 

I has been six weeks since I ordered Heather's Tummy Care, Fennel Tea bag.

I used all 45 of the bags that came in the Tin. One a day, and on a rare occasion a 2nd cup in the PM. I drop the bag in the cup, heat 1 cup water to rolling boil and gently drizzle over tea bag, wait 10 minutes each morning at wakes\ up. Any cramps or bloating I have is gone within 5 minutes of the first 3 sips. In PM if I eat something that causes gas/bloating, like legumes, I make a cup and sip and it is gone in a few minutes.

I tried teabags from Amazon that look exactly like these, and they do not work well at all, plus I had to use 2 per cup to get it strong enough.

I ordered the 145 bags from Heathers Site. There are many other benefits from Fennel Tea and the seeds. I am starting to research those, THIS was my first search

 

Health benefits of fennel tea include improving immunity, balancing hormone levels, eye health, aiding in digestion, reducing inflammation, and lowering blood pressure

Does it taste delish? not really but It Works like Magic.

I love it so much I asked Bing AI to create 

"Tummy Tamer Fennel Tea a cup of tea with a fennel plants sitting in a mystical garden"

I love all of these.

This is my pic of favorite because it says the name and I love the cup, but my favorite is below. Which is your favorite?

New Tea For Me

 

Can you tell what kind of tea bag this is?

If you guessed Fennel Tea, you guessed it right.. I ordered this from helpforibs.com 

During 2020, IBS symptoms appeared and never went away. In early 2021 I stumbled on Heathers Web site helpforibs.com and her information and her daily newsletter changed my life completely. I printed her free list of foods to eat and not eat and have followed faithfully and am now only having IBS symptom's when I make a decision i can live without 5 fried shrimp any longer. Or a hamburger and fries.

helpforibs.com

Everything is better by following the diet plan, and what comes more than I like is bloating, gas and abdominal pains. For a 18 months I refused to order the fennel tea she suggested. Last week I did.

I could have ordered it from Amazon, but chose to try it first and give her the sale.

The tea does indeed help, I have only had 2 cups. this is not a delicious tea, this is a tea that when sipped eases the tummy. 

Clinical studies have shown that fennel, as part of the diet, helps regulate contractions of the small intestine and aids gas expulsion. Fennel relaxes the gut to relieve spasms of the GI tract. Fennel assists in the dietary management of IBS symptoms, and is exceptional for IBS bloating, gas and abdominal pain.

 my journey with IBS is under the label IBS and Me

Hominy Harmony

 

My senior memory, like an 8 ball, waiting for the right answer, read from my grocery list.

2 cans diced potatoes. 

My senior eyes SAW potatoes

but when I reached into the cabinet this week end I pulled out 2 cans of

Most of you might not know what GRITS is! I love it.

Or what White Hominy is.

Both are made from corn, and common in the Southern States of USA.

I was raised on Grits, but have never eaten Hominy.

The good news was I already had 2 cans of dice potatoes and I

Accidently Found a New Food that is IBS friendly.

I said to The 8 Ball Brain in my head.

What can I used this never before eaten Hominy?

Its Corn, I love corn, corn meal, and grits.

I love Grits and CHEESE

I put a helping of drained Hominy in my little fry pan, after spraying with Olive Oil

and as it heated I added 3 pieces of Seriosly Sharp Cheddar and let if cook

for about 3 minutes,

I LOVE IT! like marbles of grits and cheese. I had that and a slice of toasted french bread for breakfast.

Accidental Happy Find.

If you continue you can see it is a healthy food 

Feel free to skip the graphic if you hate the stuff.

I will be trying new things with it and add it to my IBS SAFE LIST

Heart Healthy Oats

 

Heart Healthy Oats that are IBS friendly

The pancake is my own recipe, adding oatmeal to my pancake mix and is a way to hide the oats that is healthy but not so tasty. I am not fond of oatmeal unless it is hot, full of butter and brown sugar.

I use gluten free flour, 1 egg, Vanilla soymilk and add oats.

I can't eat butter/brown sugar so that is out of the question.

Due to a sugar addiction I had to give up sugar 6 years ago, and the cookie that has saved my life is the one below.

The one below is healthy, tasty and yummy,

The cost is a little high, at $4.59 for 8 cookies, but I only eat one a day.

These have no sugar added, sweetened with natural fruits only.

gluten free, non gmo,high fiber

for more info I added the link to the Alyssas Cookie Site at the end of post.

There are 4 different cookies, I buy which ever they have but

PREFER THE CHOCOLATE, of course, of course.

The healthiest for me is the one Called healthy bites.

All the information and locations that sell them in their store is below or in the link.

 I buy mine at Publix and the cost is not bad because they keep me away from sugar. I forgot to mention I can only eat Canadian Pure Maple Syrup. Thank you to my Canadian Friends. 

List of stores that carry them is below with the link.

Alyssa's Healthy Cookies HERE

I Scream for Ice Cream

 

I scream for Ice Cream, and I can't have it. I gave up sweets 6 year ago to lose weight and the thing I have missed the most is 

ICE CREAM. Now I am making my own and eat it for 10 AM snack Every Day

My doctor suggested I drink ensure, one or two a day to up my protein intake.

I keep my IBS symptoms under control by my diet.

 I said Ensure has things in it that

aggravate IBS.  

I emailed Heather at HelpForIBS blog and asked if she was aware of Ensure or another protein drink that would work with IBS.

She replied No, all Ensure will aggravate your symptoms.

 She has suffered this since she was 9 years

old.

Heather said, make your own. Use soy, oat, rice milk when you make your fruit drinks instead

of water. That will add protein and be the same as ensure.

 I had already tried all the FAKE milks with cereal and could not stomach it, the taste was horrid to me. I love real milk.

I paid 4.59 cents for 1/2 gallon of  Organic Vanilla Soy Milk and

ITS A MIRACLE....

The Food I miss the most is ice cream. Vanilla Soy Milk with frozen mango and strawberries is delicious, it has protein, and it is the replacement for the ice cream I miss. No IBS harm done.

Protein added by eating ice cream!!!!!

 Place the amount of fruit you want, in the amount of milk that covers it and blend. I have been eating that with water/fruit and that is also delish.

Adjust to your own taste, sweeten if you like. I do not.

While chatting through email with blogger friend Rose,  

I mentioned my soy milk had expired. The expiration date was

2 weeks out, but next to it, it says only good for 7 days AFTER opened.

I complained it is too expensive to pour it out and no way can I drink it

all in 7 days. Rose said Freeze some of it. this sent me down the research rabbit hole and

Voila, enter MINI MIRACLE Two.... 

Not only did it say it could be frozen, but it also explained it only changes the consistency, does not harm the taste. And further digging gave me a list of ways to use the soy milk which means I can use it all in a week.

I have been making crepes/pancakes/muffins, and anything that requires milk, with water. Soy milk works well because I can't taste it and adds more protein.  (while typing this, maybe I should put cheerios cereal in the ice cream for a meal)

IF YOU ARE THE MADSNAPPER THERE IS ALWAYS A FLY IN THE OINTMENT!

COST!!!!

COSt FOR SOY MILK, whopping 220.32 YEARLY!

 Bobs Milk and My milk $417.40 year for MILK for 2 people. OY VEY!

The good news is I found soy milk for $1.50 less and realized I bought organic, and I am trying the normal stuff.  I do get to say once again, I scream for ice cream, and have it every day.

Have you ever totaled the cost of things you buy regularly for annual $$$ spent? If not do it NOW and joy me in my MADness!

Cheese Taco Breakfast

 

I am always searching for something new for breakfast that is compatible with my IBS list of foods.

I found scrambled eggs with cheese made a great breakfast taco.

Simply scrambling eggs and putting cheese in and fold in a flour taco straight from the package.

A few days ago, I read this post by Denise at English Girl Rambles and 

Wowser! thank you Denise.

Same food different taste. 

If you read her post, I KNOW MINE DOESN"T LOOK PRETTY like hers.

I placed Seriously Sharp Cheese in the pan spayed with Olive Oil

placed pan on medium heat.

poured egg mixture on top of eggs and when semi firm, place flour taco on top

and let it sit until egg started to set, flipped it over, when done, folded in half and onto my plate.

I used two eggs because I share the egg with Beau.

If you are a REAL cook who follows recipes, you might want to check her post.

Calories in mine were, PAST TENSE, ha ha at  350. and Beaus ate some of those.

IBS friendly, I have to take Dairy Pills when I eat cheese.

Our Body Needs Water and FUN

Fun for this day was taking photos of water bottle and playing with them.

I fill this bottle when I get up and drink from it until it is gone, fill again.

I like water but I forget to drink it. I put the glass there and forget. This bottle is BIG, I can't miss it.

It holds 1.5 liters.

THEY say a woman needs 2 liters a day. I drink a glass with my am pill and a glass with fruits

blended in it which gives me my daily needs

 I have not missed my 8 or more for 4 days now.

 

Reasons we need water below and my IBS Coach says IBS does better the more we drink.

she suggests twice what is normal. More water seems to be helping

Hiding Oats to be Healthy

 

I am not in love with Oatmeal. I eat it to be healthy, now thanks to English Girl Rambles, post about adding oat to her omelet, I found ways to HIDE my oats. 

I tried adding to my crepe for breakfast and it was ok but not delish. Delish turned out to be my cinnamon toast I have for breakfast a couple of times a week. My IBS loves fresh baked French Bread. I eat a few slices every day.  

Stir 2 spoons 100 % Maple Syrup with peanut butter, sprinkle cinnamon, drop a few oats in it, add a few Rasins and stir. spread the paste on French Bread.

I like my toast soft on bottom, crispy on top, which means I do Air Broil in Ninja oven on high for 2 minutes, I must stand and watch to get it just right or grab the fire extinguisher.

Just So You Know, I have to SHARE pieces with Beau and that is why there are 3. Usually, I make 2

Slushie News for Yous

Fodder Barrel is low and I thought I would share that I have added frozen blueberries to 

my Safe List for IBS..

I played with my favorite cup in PicMonkey Because I love the cup and PicMonkey.

 

The trick to eating fruit is to eat it in the AM and not PM. 

If you stay up to midnight PM at around 3 would be ok. It is not good to lie down after eating fruit. 

I count the frozen blueberries, no more than 10. 2 chunks frozen watermelon, 2 frozen strawberries and cover with water.

Blend

Cartoon Collage Because I  Could

Jinxed????

Four weeks after door repair, ceiling repair, I opened a letter on June 15th and BAM! out of nowhere.

Dear Homeowner, as of 9/9/2022 we will not renew your homeowner's policy.

We found in a digital survey your roof is over 15 years old and will need to be replaced or a inspection stating your roof is good for another five years, and we will at that time reconsider renewal.

that was the JINX that kept the ball rolling.

The storm came, the limb fell out of the dead tree on to the roof,

I called Monster Tree, to remove it. Tyler the tree guy warned me we needed a roof inspection, it felt spongy. Tree was removed

Phone rang and Bob's son who lives in a nursing home was in the hospital, there for 4 days resulting in many phone calls, I am the contact person.

The Red Dog appeared,

The deal was struck for a new roof, the money paid, the time set. 

They delivered dumpster early, 3 days before commencement of roof. blocks garage door.

Monday came, roofers were late, took a 3-hour Siesta, Monsoon came at 3. they left.

Next day only one roofer showed up, I had a hissy, 2nd one came at noon, and we found he had personal problems to handle

I was told a truck broke down, 1 crew called out, not enough workers, 

yada yada

I felt 

Bob has a 64-year-old son, that has been in a nursing home for 43 years. I received a call from the doctor telling me we need to put Robby on Hospice Care, they want to change him to a new HMO that will allow in house doctor in the nursing home, to treat and Hospice to come in and care for him. 

We discuss, and we make decisions, I talk to Medicaid/Medicare/doctors/nurses/nursing home etc

all while the bamm bamm in on the roof.

Stress and the constant ad on TV causes me to want Pizza.

I have none

the more stress I feel the more I want someone to

I am not supposed to eat pizza or spaghetti, but I have Spaghetti. In The House.

I make the sauce, simmer all morning.

I boil the water for the pasta at noon, dump the box of pasta in and the thing is 

full of those little black bugs. It has been in the cabinet for months since I can't eat it.

I rant, rave and burst into tears, and then serve sauce on my Rice Gluten free elbow pasta. It was already cooked, so re-heated it and served.

Next day I race to Publix, buy the spaghetti pasta, come home and cook it for Bob and by then have decided I will eat my IBS pasta and play it safe. Forgot we ate it the day before.

While all this is going on, the roofers are roofing, the phone is ringing, and the 2nd inspector comes and says there is no affidavit in the bag hanging on my door with the permit.

I say to him, it was there, I took it out and read it. The other inspector came and took that part and left this part. He says He did not SIGN he took it. I say in sugar sweet southern talk.

I AM TELLING YOU HE TOOK IT. I saw him do it.

He signs off and says Well if he doesn't have it, I will be back.

He did not have to come back; the whole thing is over and done and now I am dealing with two insurance companies and a wind mitigator investigator who is coming Wed the 10th to do an inspection to give me the report the insurance needs.

Get this! all this and they MIGHT NOT RENEW ANYWAY.

I emailed the Permit that we had a new roof to someone named Gabby and it's been 24 hours and I have no idea if she got it or if it is out in the Cyber world Lost.

Another Thing!

ITS ALSO HURRICANE SEASON!

 So, What's NEXT, Jinx???

I am typing this Thursday AM and as soon as I finish, we are going OUT FOR PIZZA!

Take that Jinx!

Two Hours Later!

We are home, I ate Pizza and await the ATTACK of IBS but at least I chose this one.

I came in here to publish this, and I found an email

From Gabby and she had emailed the permit to Progressive, and I also got the email

Stating

YOUR POLICY HAS BEEN REINSTATED!

YAY! Now I await the info on HOW MUCH WE WILL OWE!

But Wait, It's NOT over!  

Under the reinstated part, it said Credits will not be applied until we received the wind mitigation report.

Am I still

Will the investigator get here at 9? Will he/she get it done in time? Will the investigator have personal problems to attend and not show up?

Will the report get here before Sept 9th? Will a hurricane come? Will it blow off the New Roof?

Will it blow it off before 9/9? 

Will I survive? Will I thrive?

Cinnamon Toast

 

Bob Loves Thomas' Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread. When he makes toast with it, I drool worse than our 80-pound Beau.

I live on a strict diet that keeps my IBS symptoms somewhat under control. Also, I don't eat sugar, that means I can't have any of his toast.

My desire to eat his bread, started my brain thinking about how I could have my cinnamon bread and eat it too.

I considered what is in Bob's Bread and What i can eat that will not harm me

Voila!

2 slices fresh baked French bread, bakery style, no additives.

Sprinkle bread with a LOT of cinnamon

Mix one spoon peanut butter, one spoon PURE maple syrup (you might want to rob a bank before shopping for it) 1/2 box of Rasins.

Stir Well, smear on bread and pop in toaster oven.

Yes, the top is dark. I love it that way. I put the Ninja on HI Air Broil and stand and watch because it toasts in 2 minutes.

It leaves the bottom soft, the peanut butter toasted and crisp.

If you don't like burned bread, use lower heat and less time.

Below is a pictorial list of what I use for mine. I forgot to add the cinnamon

This can also be done with bakery Sourdough Bread. I also use the Sour Dough to make both of us French toast, dip in egg and fry using Olive Oil Spray and use the syrup.

PEEEE SSSSS the egg on the plate is Beau's 36 second microwave egg. He gets half for breakfast and half for lunch because he eats when we eat. If we eat something he can have, he gets tidbits of that.

I was told Fat is the worst thing for IBS, if Beau eats fat of any kind, he gets up the next morning and throws up, AT 3 am.... No Fat for the Dog and only a little for me.

The natural fat in the peanuts is ok IF eaten in small amounts. NOT by the giant spoonful.

Joining Brian for Thankful Thursday, I am thankful I found a way to make my own cinnamon bread, thankful that I have the money to buy the ingredients and that Cananda is still able to send us syrup.

Canadian Maple Syrup Rocks 

News from my Kitchen

Above are the 2 rotisserie chickens from Publix. I pulled all the meat off them and stored in the fridge. We had 4 mid-day meals using the off the bone chicken. And Bob had sandwich chicken for evening meals.

I am always looking for easy ways to feed us! feel free if you have a good idea to share it with me. Anything that requires very little cooking will do

 

Sweet Potatoes are healthy for dogs and humans. Microwave, peel and cut into slices and store. 

It's a great snack for Beau and for me.

they are soluble and IBS friendly.

 Alert! If you put a sweet potato in the microwave and cook it and leave it there for 28 hours, it dries out and taste awful.... Looks Ugly

Last week, I stood in front of the bin of not so pretty, dry looking taters. Sifting through debating if they were edible.

the Wal-Mart employee, a woman I see each week, said, if you will give me a second, I have a fresh batch to put out.

She came back with the prettiest ones I have seen in ages, that is one above.

There are still good people in our world...

Me and IBS

 

Most of you know I am battling IBS by changing my diet choices. I have been doing really well, but my symptoms escalated at an alarming rate no matter what foods I ate for the past week. I told Bob, this all started with daylight savings change. 

Of course, he Poo -Pooed that idea!  I reminded him he has had some of my symptoms for the first time ever. 

I received my daily IBS Newsletter from Living with IBS with this 

News Flash! Daylight Saving time can effect IBS.... It disrupts our body's natural timing, so springing forward may set your IBS Back...

My body went ballistic for the past 7 days. The good news is, after a period of time IBS should adjust to the new time. HOPE HOPE HOPE

IF NOTHING ELSE, this proves Bob was Wrong and I was Right HEH HEH HEH and it also gave me a chance to play in PicMonkey using my Avatars from Bitmoji. 

below is a quote from the link above.

“Permanent, year-round standard time is the best choice to most closely match our circadian sleep-wake cycle

 “Daylight saving time results in more darkness in the morning and more light in the evening, disrupting the body’s natural rhythm.”

We need to live our lives by the Sundial, that is how our bodies work best!

I LOVE BREAD!

When I started the quest to alleviate my IBS symptoms, I thought going Gluten free was the way to go.

I bought 4 kinds of gluten free flour and baked and gagged on most of them, I found only 2 that i could eat.

 I found this website   and with much research found I These Two Breads are safe.

Bakery Sourdough and French Bread.

Now that I am MadSuperShopperSnapper, I can tell you this bread has saved my IBS life.

I buy three at a time because sometimes they are out of it. I slice in 1 inch slices, and put in airtight baggies and remove my daily needs.

French bread makes fantastic French Toast and that gives me eggs that I don't have to TASTE and I use Pure Maple Syrup. Molasses is another thing I can use.

I use Sourdough with PB and Orange Marmalade, and Egg/cheese on top.

I now have FOUR breakfast foods that I love, Oatmeal is a 5th but I don't LOVE it.

I have to say here that 2 or 3 slices a day is the limit and IF I eat more, I wake up with a stomach ache.

there are foods I can eat if I eat small amounts.

THE GOOD NEWS HERE IS THE FRENCH BREAD IS ONLY ONE DOLLAR!!!!

a week of breakfast except for the eggs and syrup, but I only eat 2 tablespoons of syrup .

 

I am here to Talk

 

Each morning I drink hot Peppermint tea to settle my IBS tummy. Bob and I drink our coffee in bed, and for me it is tea first then coffee. 

I came back to bed and because I had no cup in my hand, Bob said, did your drink your tea?

This is my reply to Bob's yes or no question.

You know when I make my tea each morning, I only drink half. So yesterday I put the left over in a small red container and put it in the fridge. The lady who writes Living with IBS says cold tea works as well as hot tea, so I decided to try it. It worked just as good.

I am simply unable to answer a question with a simple answer! I could have said

"yes"   or even "Yes, I drank it cold today."

I had to go into detail of why, who told me and also including the fact the container was RED! I just wanted all of you to know, I do realize my posts are too long and I am working on LESS Words.

I speak like I write,  I write like I speak,

You would be shocked if in my brain you did peek!

Is this short enough? How did I do?

Dear Tigger and F on Nature Friday

Our gate into our backyard, for Nature Friday

I wanted to answer this comment on my Peppermint Tea for IBS post yesterday.

Tigger 

12:56 AM (9 hours ago)

to MadSnapper

Tigger has left a new comment on your post "Peppermint Tea, the wonders of it all":

Has your IBS got worse or better with age? Mine went through a few bad years and seems to have improved somewhat in the ladt 4 or 5 - which may be down to changed eating but i made no spevigic changes just adapted to what's available locally. It would be interesting to see if different cultures hzve different prevalsnce of IBS.

My first symptoms were 5 years ago at age 72. And not often until 2020 when the world shut down because of Covid. Answer is no not better with age, but better with research and finding out the triggers.

 I did read in an article that for some it gets better with age, some it goes away entirely and some it is lifelong.  Mine got better with changes in diet and amount eaten at one time. The odd thing was when i was 230 pounds and eating poorly i did not have it. It all started when I stopped eating poorly and started to lose weight and the more weight, I lost the worse it got.  I think culture might have to do with it, because each country eats differently, both in amounts and type foods. 

Here is a link I found today if anyone is interested in more info... HERE

Can you find Mr, and Mrs. Brown Anole?