Our grocery store has really nice samples of cheeses and deli items during peak evening hours and weekends.
I can snack my way through the right-hand side of the store. I think not being hungry helps reduce my impulse purchases. Yes, all very practical.
I knew something was off with the marinated pork roast with red onions and mango.
Normally samples are under a little clear plastic dome and nestled in ice. These paper sample cups were in the open air and only on a plastic tray.
As I chewed and swallowed, my common sense kicked in a little too late. Also, I saw a fly land on one of the remaining cups.
My youngest child reached for some of the pork and I slow-mo “noooooooo!”‘d her.
We went home, ate the dinner I prepared (okay, it was deli chicken), and I picked up my cousin from the airport.
Cuz and I hung out and watched a movie. I felt fine.
After the movie, I was washing my face and getting ready for bed. I felt rumbly in my tubmly, to quote the great philosopher, Winnie the Pooh.
I woke up in the middle of the night and was sick, violently sick. If I’d been a baking soda volcano, I’d have won first prize at the science fair.
If I were a two-liter of Diet Coke, I’d have had a whole load of Mentos dropped in me.
The worst part was, I had a houseguest (so I had to spew extra quietly), four kids in the house and no husband. He had perfectly timed a business trip far away. Coincidence? I think not.
My cousin left early to go to work and I was in the bed (and bath) in a daze for 36 hours. One of the kids came to check on me once to get the parental code for the Wii in exchange for a glass of ginger ale.
I’m all better now and back to normal. I’m a glass-half-full person, so the upsides are I lost four pounds and pretty sure I can keep it off by never grazing in the grocery store again.
The downside is we either have to repaint the bathroom or move.
Any amusing tales of near-hospitalization for me?
Ewww…. Lesson learned, thanks.
I was once ill from drinking old soda. Never had the volcano experience, but I actually would have welcomed something — well, maybe not THAT!
Glad you're feeling better. Make the hubs paint.
UGH! I almost never eat the samples anywhere because I had the pleasure of being a resident in The Dalles Oregon when the Bagwan Shree Rashneesh (yeah…I prolly spelt it rong) was busy taking over Antelope, OR. Someone from there tried to punish some city council members with salmonella in salad bars. Several folks got sick and it was linked back to the compound in Antelope. Crazy stuff!!
What were we talking about?
OH – I'm glad you're better and I'm sorry.
Oh no that's so terrible! I don't have any comparable tales but I do demo sometimes at my work (Trader Joe's) and I hope I've never made anyone sick :p
That is AWFUL! I think one of the hardest parts about being a Mommy is when you have been left home alone to be in charge, and are yourself absolutely incapacitated. It happened to me once, with an infant strapped into the high chair in the kitchen, while I was forced to throw up in the kitchen sink, because I didn't dare leave him in the room unattended, alone in that chair. He was just old enough to get into all kinds of trouble. And I had a stomach flu: temperature, aches and pains and throw ups. AWFUL! Your ordeal sounds terrible, Nota! Hugs!
Oooh, nothing to compare to food poisoning.
About 30 years ago I ate a Fish Filet at Mac's…36 hours later (no further details needed) I was limp and recovering. Never have I thought twice about eating that again or anything that vaguely resembles it. Ugh.
Hoping you are on the road to recovery and feeling hunky-dory soon!
fern
Thanks, you guys. I thought I was 100%, but my appetite is still down.
And I may be a vegetarian.
Sorry you had to take a hit for the team, but we'll all be extra cautious now. Glad you are on the mend. If you are going to have to repaint the bathroom, it's time to start thinking of redecorating the bedroom…….. 😉
In honor of Nota, I avoided all the samples at Costco today. :hug
NO!!!! Can you say "hot dog vendor"? I didn't eat meat for five years after that.
Hope you fee better 🙂
Right after my daughter was born, I got hit with stomach flu from Hades. I will NEVER forget, getting out of bed, running for the bathroom, reaching for the doorknob, and vomiting UP the bathroom door…
Yes, with a newborn to care for. 350 miles away from the closest relative. That night, HUBBY got the very same flu. Thank God the baby slept. I was so weak, I remember crawling up the hall for a drink. I felt so stupid. Until I looked up, and saw hubs crawling down the hall after me, for the same reason. PITIFUL…
Glad you feel better!
Okay, you are super funny, Sister. I think visually too -love the visual aids. Hope you feel better soon and thanks for the warning.
Heather
Thanks for the best wishes, ladies. Back to normal Normal-ish.
Feel better! You have inspired me to NOT eat samples anymore. Thanks 🙂
I live to be a horrible example of what not to do.
I am so glad you’re feeling better. You have taught me a great lesson. Eat before you go to the grocery store. Oh! I found your site when I was checking out Chloe Mountains FB page. God Bless,
PJ
Thanks, PJ! And nice to meet you. Chloe is one of my favorite people.
I thought of you today while I was shopping at Costco. I passed up all the goodies in honor of you.
Couldn’t hurt!
Hope you are continuing to mend! I got food poisoning from fish tacos while pregnant the night before dh left for a trip. Threw up all night, then took 3 kids to a baseball game with my dad a day later. I have never eaten fish tacos since.
Ooh, I would hate to not be able to have fish tacos again.
I am better, but still off the feed. I think I have stumbled upon the perfect diet!
Oh, I like you..
funny funny woman.
I had food poisoning last week from a buffet/wedding:
I wanted to DIE.
Why?
Because dying would mean I’d feel better.
Sometimes, death feels like an option.
Thanks for following me. I’m following your blog back now too. I might as well since, I’m stalking it waiting for your blog re-design.
I’m waiting for Frilly Coconut to open her queue so I can hire her for my blog design.
Ok, so I joined NOTA, by making a mistake and eating samples at Costco in Santee, CA on Tuesday, I spent all day yesterday with vomiting – not fun at all. I think I will never eat food samples again!
living on gingerale and crackers today. 🙁
Oh, honey! It’s is the WORST! I’d rather get a shot rather than throw up. I hope you feel better soon. The good thing about food poisoning is that it doesn’t last too long.