New York to Philly!

I feel a little lost due to the fact that I have not been in class the past two weeks! My trip to the east coast was wonderful! I was able to stay in a beautiful neighborhood and see a ton of amazing artwork. The one issue I knew would be a problem for me was eating! I was very fortunate to be staying down the street from an organic grocery store! I was able to get a few snacks and some very interesting bagels (If anyone has every had squeaky cheese, these were very similar, none the less, I ate them).

Traveling with a group of college students who don't have a ton of money to spare is very difficult for someone who can not eat cheaply. Pizza, sandwiches, or other quick venues was were everyone wanted to go. Great for them, but kind of a pain for me. Luckily, I was not the only one on the trip who needed to watch what she ate. I was traveling with a grad student who has crones disease, so she was in the same boat as me. One key thing I learned from her was the ability to enjoy smell rather than taste. We bonded in the fact that we could not touch or taste but we could still smell the aroma of pizza and mexican burritos.

3 days into New York I began to get frustrated. I got stuck with salads while everyone was eating these delicious looking meals with sauces and french fries! All I ate were salads with no dressing, if I was lucky oil and vinegar, but mostly very bland. I let myself get upset for a few minutes, but had to be realistic in the fact that I may never get to eat that again and I just have to deal with it. I slowly began to look and eat my salads differently. I ate much slower enjoying the taste of different cheeses, vegetables, and nuts. Reading 'Out of This World' by Mary Swander has really opened my eyes to enjoying the foods we put into our bodies. From the time they are planted in our garden to preparing them and finally eating them. She has really taught me to slow down and enjoy the thing we can have in life.

Anyways, back to my trip. Eating controlled most of my time there. Where and what I could eat, and when would be the next time I could eat. It looks like I have to prepare a lot more in the long run for trips. Packing all my own snacks and GF food.

I did however slip up almost every time I ate out whether it be a salad or just fruit, most likely due to cross contamination. I made it though and a lot of lessons were learned along the way!