Summer

Life Ramblings Travel June 17, 2015

Ahh summer vacation.

Sometimes I just can’t believe that the kids are gone and I get to take a break for 2 whole months! I’ve felt like the luckiest person on the planet this week, and I’m really trying to savor every day.

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Last week, my parents were in town, so I still felt busy, but this week I’ve had moments where I just didn’t know how to spend my time. I’m working with a colleague on creating an advisory curriculum for our middle school students next year, so that has helped me create some structure in my day. And going to 9:30 gym classes is amazing. Matt has also been working from home a bit more and it’s been a luxury to make egg tacos together for lunch.

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What else is new?

I’ve been working on healing my stomach issues, as IBS stuff was really bad in March and April. I feel soooo much better and I can attribute that to a couple of different things:

-Re-starting probiotics and never skipping a day. I take these.

-Eating 95% gluten and dairy free. This seemed impossible at times, but I was desperate when I was having stomach cramps every single day.

-Adding a magnesium supplement.

-Getting acupuncture.

-Switching birth control pills. Those hormones can do crazy things to your body.

-Attempting to slow down and rest. More yoga. More reading and less internet. Summer.

So, yeah, this was one of those bad experiments where I don’t know which intervention fixed which issues, but I’m just happy to feel better.

The other big thing is that we’re heading to Europe this summer!! Here’s our route starting in Nice:

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My excitement is through the roof! And I’m meeting up with friends in Nice and Amsterdam! I’ve been spending a lot of time on TripAdvisor trying to figure out what activities we should fit into about 2 full days in each place. Any recommendations out there?
See ya.

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  • Samantha
    June 18, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Go to Winkle 43 in Amsterdam for the best pie! It’s also a great casual cafe and breakfast spot. I wish I had gone there everyday on our trip last summer. Also go to Moeders for dinner. It’s a nice restaurant with traditional Dutch food. They have photos of mothers all over the walls and if you bring one of your mom they will put it up on the wall. Amazing food! My fiancee and I were there on our last night and were sad we didn’t go everyday as well. Also rent bikes one day, it’s so fun riding around!

    • Laura
      June 18, 2015 at 8:41 am

      Thanks for the recs.!!

  • Kate
    June 18, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    I love the the probiotic rec – I also have IBS issues and have been contemplating starting a magnesium supplement as well. Would you ever do a day in the life type post about what you eat for meals these days?

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Laura
      July 6, 2015 at 10:08 pm

      Yes – I can certainly do that in a future post:)

  • Becca
    June 18, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    When do you go to Amsterdam!?! I am going in 3 weeks!

    • Laura
      June 19, 2015 at 8:54 pm

      July! I think we will miss you by a week!

  • Kat
    June 19, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    As someone who also suffers from IBS, I have found the “low FODMAP” diet to be very effective for helping control symptoms. The idea that you can follow it 90% of the time (and allow 10% wiggle room) got me on board. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, but here’s more info in case not! http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/low-fodmap-diet

    Would also love to see a “day in the life” post on what you eat!

    • Laura
      July 6, 2015 at 10:07 pm

      Thanks – I’ve tried it before without much luck:( I can do a day in the life post in the coming weeks!

  • Danielle
    June 20, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    Amsterdam is one of my favorite places! Go to !Pancakes! Amsterdam…..always a huge line with traditional Dutch pancakes. The Van Gogh museum is wonderful as well as doing a picnic lunch in Vondel Park. So many great things and such a beautiful city. Rent a bike and look around the city that way. And you have to eat a freshly made stroop waffle at the farmer’s market.

    • Laura
      July 6, 2015 at 10:06 pm

      Thank you! We did the Van Gogh museum and a picnic in the park. I LOVED the city!

  • Vanessa
    June 30, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    Hello! I live in the Dallas area (Las Colinas). I was hoping you could share the name of your acupuncturist. I did acupuncture when I lived in Florida and loved it, but have not found anyone here. A recommendation would be very helpful.

    Thank you!!

    • Laura
      July 6, 2015 at 10:04 pm

      I went to Coleman McMurphy at the Morningside Clinic. It’s probably a bit of a drive for you, but he takes insurance!