humor me
My favorite place in Paris: The Laduree on the Champs-Elyees.
It basically boils down to this: identify every single thing that gives you a stomach ache – in my case this would be soy, gluten, milk, cheese, nuts, etc. (or in nutshell, anything that tastes good)…
I had 1/2 of one of Ali's 4 macaroons. Did I mention there was a mountain of ice cream under those 4 macaroons that he gulped down in 5 minutes? Yes, life is very unfair.
And pretend that eating it in microscopic amounts isn’t going to bother you.
Take 2: Another visit to the Laduree. This time with Maya.
Sure I’ve had a perpetual stomach ache from the bits of French bread and the dabs of butter I’ve been consuming lately…
I had 1/4 of a macaroon...and Maya was thrilled to take the rest off her mama's poor, sick little hands.
And sure my eczema is kind of out of control again thanks to an unusual excess of clotted cream and caffeine…
Fortnum and Mason again...this time with Maya. I had no choice but to indulge in one last scone, despite the after effects.
And yes, I’ll be dealing with the fallout for a few weeks (at least).
But I must look at the bright side – I didn’t gain an ounce while on vacation! Actually, I lost a pound or two. And really…that’s not too bad of a deal.*
Right?
At the airport: a mountain of couscous and some crackers for good measure. Chock full of gluten but very tasty.
Right.
*(If I tell myself this enough I’ll believe it. Humor me here.)
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
this little meal falls into the ‘fancy this’ category… you look so chic
Thank you!
That is probably the saddest vacation story have ever heard.
Maya and Ali looked like they ate well…
I broke all my rules when we were in France. At a certain pojnt I just didn’t want rich/wheaty food. Ok that point was when I got home. I stopped eating wheat because of a skin thing, we should talk 🙂
By the first line of your post, I was worried that you came down with the stomach flu or something at the end of your trip! Glad you got some pleasure for your pain…
I usually wouldn’t even “go there” with the off limits foods, but if I was in Paris, all bets are off!
You’ll eventually be back to normal – and you’ll remember how good it all tasted.
Hopefully besides the food issues, you had a great time 😉
Oh gosh…can’t you take some kind of pill…like what they have with “lact-aid” but for gluten ;)?…hmm – multi million dollar invention! If only I were a food scientist.
The next time your going to have to go to some meat veggie eating country I think…who does that? Or maybe Japan – sushi! 🙂
Funny enough I had a tougher time finding things to eat in Tokyo…sushi is not readily available and the language barrier is quite a challenge.
Daaahling, it sucks, there is no doubt about it, BUT while fatties like me are indulging in way too many macarons, YOU are the one with the figure we all would kill for, and that is pretty freaking cool for you. Next time, just look at us and smile, knowing that when we are trying to stuff our fat thighs into a pair of jeans, it will be our turn to be jealous.
You probably also have fabulous cholesterol levels and heart function (if that’s any consolation).
*kisses* HH
You are crazy for considering yourself a “fatty” my friend! Fat thighs…I think not. In any case, I’d rather have a loaf of Paul’s bread than good cholesterol. I realize my priorities are VERY messed up.
That’s pretty impressive, Ameena! Every time I go on vacation, I come back at least 3 pounds heavier…LOL! I’m so glad y’all had a good time – stomachaches and all!
Poor you. I totally feel for you and relate to the impossibility of avoiding eating the good stuff that cause all sorts of problems while on holidays. And to the total un fairness of husbands who can eat anything they want. In my case I cannot restrict myself to only eating a tiny bit. I figure that I am going to suffer anyway so I may as well enjoy eating it and let the inner glutton free!
As you know I have some food sensitivities too, but sometimes it’s worth a little discomfort. A life without butter is not worth it!
Glad you are enjoying gay Paree!
Pray thee tell me this: You can still drink alcohol right? Don’t make me feel too sorry for you.
I don’t drink alcohol either…but this is by choice. But you can still feel sorry for me! I can’t eat bread after all, and who wouldn’t choose some tasty sourdough over a beer??
Sorry to hear about the subsequent stomach issues from your trip! Food sensitivities are never fun.
Ahhh boo! It would be so hard to deny all the wonderful eats while on vacation. I feel for ya lady! But oddly enough when I was in Paris, I didn’t gain any weight and I ate like a PIG, but I’m convinced it’s because I was walking nearly 10 miles a day in 4″ heels. No lie.
You are so right, life is unfair! What I wouldn’t give to be able to eat like a guy. I would have totally ingulged in one last scone too. 🙂
I am not sure I can humor you….girl, you know how much it all hurts you – and look at how thin you are, it isn’t healthy!!! You aren’t absorbing your food. Was it really worth it?
You can totally travel with food sensitivities, I do! You just need to put your mind to it and take care of yourself!
It really was worth the pain…I must say.
Gosh I don’t think I could resist any pastries if I ever travel to Europe. Sorry you couldn’t enjoy the yummy desserts…
Andy and I are going to Paris and I’m so excited about Laduree!!! I’m totally nervous that I’ll gain weight while we’re there but we’re chaperoning 20 teenagers on their senior trip so it shouldn’t be TOO bad. I’m sure I’ll be chasing after them.
I always joke with my friends that the best way to lost inches fast is to get your hair cut, but your method sounds so painful! I had the worst stress-related stomach issues in my first term of grad school and the pressure to measure up + insane work load stripped me any healthy glow I had prior to starting my MA. I actually went down almost 2 whole jeans sizes. I felt so awful the whole time that I kept telling my friends that I would gladly take back my 2 jeans sizes in exchange for feeling better. This term, I got my wish…and thensome! Hope the fallout is short and marginal, sis!
The last time I lost weight on vacation was about 6 years ago when I went to Vegas with a bunch of girls and partied every single night. It was exhausting! Ever since then I gain. I’m not even lucky enough to maintain though. Bummer about your tummy though…hope it tasted good even if the after effects suck. Feel better.
who thinks of putting on weight on vacation? I’m shameless. I don’t care. I always put on a couple on every vacation. And then I spend weeks cursing myself .
Gah – not being able to eat all the good stuff totally sucks. I went through that when I was little.
Would it help if I told you how pretty you look in those pictures?
Why yes, it did help. Thank you Leah!
I have to partake. I love experimenting new food so I know I wouldn’t be able to resist. When I vacationed in Belgium I was not happy with the food. Not enough veggies for me. But wouldn’t you know they had vending machines with…….waffles!!!! At least now you’ve had a real French macaroon.
Now I kind of want to go to Belgium…vending machines with waffles sounds too good to be true.
*Swoon* I hope to make it to grand ol’ Paris one day where I will eat an entire box of Laduree macaroons on my own. It’s a goal of mine 🙂 You all look lovely- can’t wait to see more vacation pictures!
Oh no, so sorry to hear that your stomach wasn’t in the mood for vacation! But not too shabby at all to avoid the travel weight-gain.
ah your paris photos are making me wish i were there right this very second! also, it looks like it might be WARM there?! even better. hope you had fun shopping….remember, you have to buy everything you like, because you can’t just pop on a plane the next week to hit the store up again 🙂
Even if you didn’t feel great, you still look great!
I would have done the same thing as you…eaten nibbles of every yummy thing I could get my hands on haha 🙂
Thank you Sonia!!
I would have trouble even limiting myself when all that amazingness is placed in front of me!
Oh my gosh, that literally is everything that tastes good. I love the look of delight on Maya’s face as she goes for that ‘roon!
I’m glad to hear that you at least got a little bit of the macaroons, that would have been so awful if not!! Maya looks very happy, lol.
Looks like Maya and Ali has a blast! Sigh.
Oh my goodness–looks like LOTS of fun & GREAT food!!
Love your silver lining!
Considering that you did {indulge} in cheese, bread and cookies I think you fared pretty well.
Welcome Home!
Every one of your posts never fail to make me laugh andddd I LOVE your jacket!!! Hope your tummy feels better :)))))!
Thank you Allie!
Minus the nuts, this totally sounds like me. Immediate payment for any sin. I feel with you!
some of these comments make me a little uneasy slash make me wanna slap my computer screen. not gonna lie. but i hope you had fun on vacation despite your food allergies! 🙂
sorry for being MIA
At least your hair looks really pretty!
I go on vacation TO eat! You poor thing!
Not bad at all especially for Paris… hope you still had fun even with the stomach ache.. and I sure hope there is more to the story then stomach aches and Maya’s stomach ache.. a fun night out in Paris pleeessseee
Just looking at all of the pastries had me gain a huge load of weight 😀
oh ameena, you have such great will power. i would have eaten all 4 macaroons plus the ice-cream, even if i was allergic 🙂
😦
I weep for you.
I haven’t not gained weight on a trip since I was slim about 5 yrs ago so I have one word for you: jealous!
welcome home- let’s go for a walk soon!
next time you go on vacation bring a bag….whatever makes you feel sick you put in the bag…and overnight it to me so i can eat it.
For a second I thought you were going to tell me to bring a bag so I could throw up in it…and then start eating again!
Well, if there – you gotta taste it! I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well but hey, the weight loss is always a plus 🙂 well for me anyways!
Poor you! That food is MEANT to be worshipped…and you, gorgeous, worthy, fancy you…should indulge in it and claim your humor…now, if only your head would tell your stomach to SHAPE up! What a loss indeed…I say, go to Whole Foods and make up for lost poundage!
Been reading up – sorry it’s taken me ages! I loved your comment a bit ago – um – last week? And couldn’t e-mail you back. GAH!!
Anyway.
What a divine little meal there – I’m drooling. And your kiddo is too cute for words.
Um. I so get you. I have trigger foods that do horrible horrible things to my body. ESP foods eaten outside the home. People ask why I even bother to eat those foods if I know i’ll suffer crazy consequences… and I literally tell them… every time… “Sometimes a little indulgence is worth the distruction!” and when they ask to hang out and i cant leave my house I tell them “i’m paying for what I ate. and i deserve it. and it’d to it again too!” haha
ive got issues =)
God, that’s like getting a dagger that doesn’t have a handle or something. You know how I think – seek and destroy insofar as carbs are concerned.
Probably just continue to channel Mother Teresa. At least then everyone thinks it’s because you really care, right?
I love Paris! I have loved seeing your pictures. 🙂 Makes me smile. Can’t wait until I can get back there.
I’d say it’s great deal to not put on weight that too when you were surrounded by such AMAAZING food (whatever may be the reason for not eating it).
You look Smart and chick in the pic with Maya.
The little one definitely looks very happy taking her mama’s macaroon.
Thank you Chandana!
Your a stunner! I should follow your philosophy… How you do it? I just dont know…. When in Paris…. all I could possibly do is EAT…. Eat everything I look at. Sorry to hear you get aches and pains, that just aint fair. 😦
You are too kind!!
I feel so sad 😦 I hope it doesn’t take weeks for you to feel back to normal!!!!
That’s so funny. When we went away last summer I didn’t gain any weight and I think it was because of all the walking each day. I think one day I spent nearly 10 hours on my feet and walking. At one point I am not even sure we had any idea where we were going, we were just walking all over in Spain.
Oh Ameena that’s tough =\ Your pictures are beautiful though. I want to grow up and go to Paris and have pretty hair like you =) haha
This may be one of the nicest comments I’ve ever received. Thank you!
i wish I could be your daughter. I know I have said this over and over again so don’t mind the redundancy but you have such a beautiful family mA. The pics are lovely and it looks like you are having a blast. I can’t wait to read more and see more pics of your fabulous vacation. I can’t wait to get to Paris… one day.
Hi Ameena! I love your blog can you please share with us a full day of eats?
I love your blog can you please share with us a full day of eats?
Hi Ameena! You are so skinny! I am so jealous. Do you even eat anything? Given your posts, it seems like you NEVER eat! This is concerning. Have you ever had an eating disorder?
Thanks for the concern but I have never had an eating disorder and I assure you that I do eat!
I had no idea that you had eczema. My son does and it is so frustrating. Does yours flare up from various foods?!
I think there is a link between gluten and my eczema flaring up…but it isn’t consistent so I’m not really 100% sure what is causing it. Has your son seen an accupuncturist? I’ve been seeing one for the last 6 weeks or so and I’ve had a noticeable improvement. I barely even need to put on cortisone! It’s expensive and insurance doesn’t cover it, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
I ran through the 74 comments before mine so I don’t know if anyone mentioned how beautiful you are. I find it hard to believe that they didn’t. Class and sophistication.
That being said, I would never ever trade skinniness for physical ailments. Give me the thunder thighs and healthy stomach. Life’s too short to not enjoy culinary creations. I hope your stomach ailments are short term and that you’re able to enjoy the good things in life soon.
First, you look fabulous: chic, sylph, great hair. Looking good is the best revenge! You are a saint to feed your family such yumminess while not partaking yourself.
Feel better! I am so sorry you are suffering! You are so gorgeous, but I wish you could enjoy yourself without stomach pain! As for the eczema, have you tried the Seabuckthorn stuff yet? it works miracles! SO healthy too!
xOXOXO
Barbara
Well you sure as heck don’t look like you need to lose any weight. You are beautiful just as you are, SERIOUSLY!
Have you found what triggers your eczema? Me and my son suffer from it, but I have no clue what brings it on… I really hate that I passed that down to him.
Thank you for the sweet compliment!! I know that my eczema is triggered by dust and weather extremes…I think that gluten bothers me too. But there is really no rhyme or reason that I can put a finger on. Have you or your son tried accupuncture? That is the only thing that has helped me. The only thing! I know it’s expensive but really, it’s worth it because I feel SO much better since I started going the last 6 weeks or so. And hopefully the Dr. can cure it forever. Or so he says?
LADUREE IS HEAVEN.
Nice job…I would have come back twice my size 😦 Looks like you all had a wonderful time 🙂
Aww 😦 Im so sorry about your stomach/allergy issues. One of the best parts of vacation is eating everythingggg because it is so new and exciting and hopefully delicious. 😦 Merh!