Monday, May 18, 2009

Stress and My Gut

Before I post, I want to share the good news...our next issue is on press! It's a really good one and all of our energies have been focused on print media for the past couple of weeks.

I've been preoccupied for a bit longer and can't believe how much time has elapsed since my last post. I find that stress doesn't do much for creativity.

I don’t recall a period of my life where I’ve been under so much pressure. When I look at the cost of college and I look at what happened to my college savings, when people all around me are getting laid off, when my advertising pages are off their usual numbers, when, as an "elected official" in my town, I am swept up in nasty small town politics…the stomach acid just flows. You know what I am craving? Saltines.

Saltines are those bland, sodium laden crackers that are just perfect for an acid gut and I can’t eat them. I’ve tried toast. I’ve tried plain cereals. I’ve tried a variety of rice crackers. Nothing is taking their place right now.

I always felt bad for my celiac son when the 24 hour flu bug hit the house. Everyone else eased back in to eating after a killer attack of the vomitrociousness with ginger ale and saltines. Of course, he’s been on a gluten-free diet for so long that he doesn’t know what he’s missing. He thinks plain toast is what you eat after you’ve been ill.

So in lieu of Saltines, I have been planning a reunion with my high school friends. I read in the paper this weekend about the benefits of life long friends and figured these ladies who knew me when I was a total lurch with buck teeth would quell the acid in my stomach far better than any food. But, if anyone has the perfect gluten-free answer to Saltines…by all means, let me know.

Kendall Egan

7 comments:

Lynn said...

I think Kame sesame rice crackers are a pretty safe bet. They never bother my stomach. Of course, bananas, white rice, applesauce and tea are also good for an upset stomach. I now use gluten free/ sugar free orange flavor Reguloid fiber drink on the advice of my gastro doctor and I enjoy Activia yogurt (really helps).

Anonymous said...

sorry you're stressed--I saw this GF recipe for saltines that I've been meaning to try: http://jacobithe-glutenfree.blogspot.com/2008/03/saltine-crackers.html

Elizabeth Barbone's book Easy Gluten Free Baking also has a recipe for Saltines.

Let me know how they turn out!

Follies Girls said...

Best to go with some corn tortilla chips. More importantly, wash it down with a few margaritas and have a blast with the girls!

Follies Girls said...

Best to go with corn tortilla chips. More importantly, wash it down with several margaritas. Have a great time with the gals!

Unknown said...

Have you tried Glutino's crackers? The original are like a butter cracker to me. Not a saltine but they definitely help soothe the stomach. I would also reccommend unless you like a lot of fennel to not try the multigrain.

erin rogers pickering said...

I can feel your pain. Sesame rice crackers or Glutino pretzels twists - that is what I turn to.
Have fun with your friends... it'll do you a world of good.

Unknown said...

I use herbal tea--Peppermint or Chammomile works great. I have used it for myself and my son since he was a baby. Nothing else seemed to work but the teas worked within a few minutes.