Couponing for IC

     So, couponing.  It is something that Dennis and I picked up to try to cut down on our grocery bill.  I have learned quickly that 1. it is not easy to do and 2. it is really hard on IC diet items.  My family and I have been eating gluten free pasta, cookies, and brownies for a while.  We have not made the full shift to gluten free bread yet as none of us find it appetizing since that one brand we got the first time is nowhere to be found.  The sad part is that gluten free items are costing us soooooo much.  We have been lucky to catch some sales on Mac-n-cheese or spaghetti, but these have been few and far between.  Last pay check I did manage to get the $7 box of cookie mix for $3 out of the damaged goods area.  Other than that it is hard.  We have been trying to eat at home more, so I have been trying to come up with more and more that my family will eat that I can partake in too.  Spaghetti has been a staple in our house since I can add Pesto to it while everyone else uses pasta sauce.  We are very much tired of it though.  We are also tired of rice and gluten free mac-n-cheese.  The kids are warming up to green beans, but we can not get them to eat carrots or anything else.  Corn is something I avoid because it has to have butter and pepper for me to eat it, and if you are on this site you know how bad pepper can leave you feeling. 

     I have found some fun recipes that I love to eat along the way.  One of them is not really stick IC following, but I have found that I can eat it.  What I do is saute up some bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms in a grape seed oil (I got rid of canola/vegetable all together).  Once those have crisped up I add in chicken breasts that I have cubed up.  The flavor from the veggies cooks right in.  I add that with a bowl of rice here and there and it is amazing.  You can also add it to a gluten free tortilla shell and have a fajita.  It is something all of my family loves.  We also are big on grilled chicken legs that have been marinated in IC friendly grape seed oil and seasonings, then boiled for 15-20min, and then grilled.  The main dish itself is not a hard thing for me to make, but it is the side dishes that we repeat over and over that are getting annoying.  SO, Dennis and and I have made this plan that we are going to try new dishes that we find off of the internet at least 1x a week to "spice" things up in the kitchen...LOL.  I have agreed to try non IC friendly foods also because the chiropractic adjustments are helping so much also.  I'm not going to go back to non ic friendly foods all the time, but on occasion to make my family happy. 

     I do not know how many of you out there are loosing your hair because you are on Elmiron, but I can tell you I know the feeling.  When I was on it it was falling out in handfulls.  I did get off because of the Chiropractic adjustments (I'm sure some of you think I'm full of myself and crazy saying that), and they do help a lot.  My urogyno was impressed.  For those that are still on it and feel like you just want to scream because your hair is falling out remember you are not alone.  There are a ton of us out here who have gone through that.  When you all get the chance take a look at different products that are out there.  Take biotin every day.  I still do.  I am also trying out the AVON Reconstruction 7 hair products.  So far so good!!!!  I went from my hair not growing in November-February to having shoulder length hair that I'm putting up in a cute headband now because it is too hot for summer.  My family has noticed it grow back in, and my husband has commented on the softness.  This was not all done on the Reconstruction 7, but since I came off the Elmiron.  I can say though that the product you use will help make your hair softer or harder.  I tried sooooo many different products before I found one that made my hair feel sooooo soft (the reconstruction 7).  I will tell you a secret though...I also like to use the argan oil as a defrizzer from POSH.  I know that I don't sell POSH, but I do love that product. 

      For those of you who are paler and you are on Elmiron experiencing the lovely side effect of the itchy skin or dry skin...USE SUNSCREEN!!!!  I've been off of the medication since February and I still have to use a ton of sunscreen.  I tried normal sunscreen while I was on the boat for our anniversary earlier this month and I burnt like nothing else.  I was in pain till last week it burnt so bad.  When the kids and I went to the waterpark for scouts recently I wore a different sunscreen (and so did my red head).  It was AWESOME.  We didn't burn at all.  We tried the (and you CAN NOT laugh at me for saying this) AVON sun+kids sunscreen.  It starts out this blue color that you rub on so you see where it is at, and then it absorbs in a normal color.  It was awesome.  Of course my red head loved being blue for like 5seconds until it absorbed in, but I loved it because his skin didn't burn at all....and he burns usually within 5min.  So, yeah I LOVE it.  Just wanted to share that with you all. 

     Well, I better run.  I have to get looking at my homework.  60 days till I am DONE with school (for now), and then I walk that following Sunday for my BACHELORS!!!!!  Dennis and I are excited we are in the same ceremony getting our Bachelors of Arts degrees.  Have a great day everyone!!!!

SEE YA!!!!

Oh boy I'm neglecting this

Wow, yeah it has been 6months.  FORGIVE ME!!!!

These past 6 months have been crazy busy for me.  I started seeing a Chiropractor for my IC and because of that and the diet changes I do not need Elmiron anymore.  Yes, I AM OFF OF IT!!!!!  I got to grow my hair back out.  I think it looks ok...LOL.

Over the past 6 months I have lost some weight while I have been at it.  I do know what triggers symptoms and what doesn't now.  I have been working out more, and enjoying the summer with my kiddos.  I rarely am in bed with pain now.  It is great to be able to be up and about doing everything while not letting anything hold me back.

One of the things that I have done recently that I am extremely excited to share about is that I have started participating in 5Ks.  A lot of women out there with IC will tell you it is impossible to workout/walk/run/jog.  I am here as living proof that you can.  I have done 4 races since January.  My family has even started joining in on them with me.  While I'm not the most fit person out there, I am a person who is willing to try.  Because I take care of myself and visit my chiropractor often I can do things like this without the pain that other women talk about.  I kept myself moving on days that I hurt until it became where I needed to rest.  I've been back to the gyn and everyone is excited at the progress.

I am now officially under 3months from graduation.  Dennis and I will participate in the graduation ceremony in San Diego, CA in Oct.  We are super excited.  I plan on being on my best behavior while I am there, but I also plan on getting an adjustment from Dr. A before heading out there too.  I want to be the best me I can be while I am there.

Well, I really should get off of here because it is our 11th wedding anniversary and I still have yet to cook dinner.  Remember KEEP MOVING, EAT HEALTHY, and VISIT A CHIROPRACTOR!!!!!