Indulgences: A Recap

What it comes to is this - I have no sense of discipline.

I want chocolate? I eat an Alter Eco bar.







I want a beer? I drink a RedBridge.

....Or three




I want love? Well... what happens next is complicated.

People are not a food.

Lately, I've been indulging myself in anything and everything. Be it choc, alc, or a night out with pals. My bank account is dwindling. Writing projects don't get done. Student papers don't get graded. On a daily basis, I fly by the seat of my farty pants.

But goddammit, I am having fun.

The truth about indulging on IBS is this. It's bad news bears, as my sister Mose would say. Especially when indulging on addictive substances - like tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. The guts get addicted too. That's why every IBS guide warns against them.



Take it from someone who's currently smoking and drinking to poop.



This is not just my experience. In the ten emails I received from my call for submissions last summer, I found a couple commonalities among us. Nearly every IBSser claimed optimum wellness from eating only whole foods, exercising, and reducing stress.

None of those criteria can be had if you are smoking, drinking, and caffinating.

If you wanna tame your IBS,
You gotta deal in healthy practices.

End of fucking story.

Here's one last indulgence for you - stolen from Sarena. I invite you to copy and post your own answers too. If there's one indulgence that won't hurt IBS, it's this.

14 Random Things!!!

1. Why did you start blogging?
When I explained my diet, people always exclaimed in horror: What do you eat? How do you live? The blog is my way to show 'em. It is possible to live without doughnuts, pasta, pizza, and ice cream, and eat really yummy stuff.

2. What is one food you could never live without?
Probably GT's Kombucha. Is that a food? Seriously, I need one every single day.



3. What is your biggest fear?
Running out of money.


4. Name three things in your bag.
Socks, Everyday Throat Spray, and a wine key.


5. Favorite Ethnic Food.
Mediterranean - hummus, falafel, grape leaves... lemony garlicky goodness!


6. If you could spend 1 month anywhere, where would it be?
Haworth, UK... where the Bronte sisters are from... Despite the tourism, it's maintained the vibe of a chill small town... there are farms and rolling hills... the pubs are filled with rough old guys in the evenings... The moors are the most beautiful place I've ever seen.





7. Favorite recipe found on someone else's blog.
Definitely socca. I make it on a regular basis. Thanks, twins and Eimear and Sarena!





8. When did you last laugh?
Last night hanging with snotty boy and watching Iron Man. When the movie got cheesy, I laughed at it. And I made fun of him for liking it.

FG and Snotty Boy... don't get excited... just good pals

10. What band/album are you most smitten with right now?
I'm more into songs. But when REM's final "Collapse into Now" came out last fall, I listened to it pretty much every single day for months. They have been my favorite band since I was ten. Once, I got to meet them!

FG before FG - the fatty next to Stipe

11. What is the last book you read?
Hunger Games! I loved it at the start. But towards the end, Katniss got a little on my nerves. Not sure if I'm gonna pick up part two.


12. Who is your favorite comedian?
Ardal O'Hanlon. Irish dude. He was on the shows "My Hero" and "Father Ted," and does amazing stand-up as well. He's one of those people who comes off as naturally funny. Like, if you were to hang out with him, he'd be hilarious just being himself. Of course, I don't know him or anything. Check him out on YouTube.




13. Do you have any tattoos?
Four: Gemini symbol, witch's face, nautical star, and the Chinese character for voice.


14. Do you like your middle name?
I have two middle names. My parents gave me Elizabeth. When I was confirmed, I took the name Jean. This is funny, because I was supposed to choose a saint's name, and instead, I took the name of a missionary, Jean Donovan. She was murdered in the eighties in El Salvador.



I don't know... she looked like a nice person in a photo in our religion textbook. And I'm not even Catholic anymore, but I keep the name. My eighth grade teacher Mrs. Watson started calling me Anney E. J. And it stuck. Friends call me AEJR or sometimes just E.J. So yes, when I got my middle name, I became who I am.


And now you know who I am - My name is Anney Elizabeth Jean Ryan.

Now your turn!

Indulge me in some random facts about you!