Grocery Shopping with TN: The Reality.
Grocery Shopping with a Broken Face
People always ask what trigeminal neuralgia feels like. I usually say it’s like being electrocuted through your jaw, or like a power drill in your ear.
But what they don’t ask is what it’s like to grocery shop with trigeminal neuralgia. If it hurts that bad, how do you eat? And honestly? That’s the part no one talks about. It brought me down to 84 pounds and almost took me out completely.
I love food. I was always heavy. Every holiday I ever went to someone in my family would make a comment on my weight, and I dont mean just when I became a teenageer - I really was always a few extra pounds heavier. The big joke now is: “Well, we never thought YOU would have trouble gaining weight”. Its true as I struggle to stay in the 90’s.
I have always loved cooking. I love culinary science, figuring it out, pairing flavors… trying different techniques. Watching Beat Bobby Flay and Chopped. But when you live with a face that’s trying to kill you, things change.
I love fruits and veggies. Some days, food is joy. A burst of flavor. Vitamins. A little spark. Other days, I look at something I love—and just think: ew.
It’s not the food. It’s the pain. Cold hurts. Chewing hurts. Sometimes I can’t have the things I like. Sometimes I can’t have anything at all.
This week? I’m hurting. I need soft. I need hot. Hot feels safe. It tells my body “you can eat this.”
Another consideration: Pain makes you tired. It makes you irritable. It turns a simple task like cooking into a mountain. And as much as I love my kitchen—I really do—it’s not always fun anymore. So I make it easy. Not because I don’t know how to cook. But because I’m tired.
How I Eat with Chronic Pain:
Walmart+ – I’m on disability. For $49 a year, they deliver groceries and prescriptions same day. That’s huge.
Salad kits – They’re $2, they don’t rot in my fridge in 48 hours, and I can choose the flavor I want right now.
Steamfresh veggies + rice + protein – Soft, fast, filling.
Meatballs – Easy to chew, and I can flavor them however I want.
Beans – Always. Black, kidney, chickpeas. For nutrients, texture, and flavor.
Rice, Potato, Pasta - Easy and versatile.
Eggs: SUPER easy way to get protein.
It’s not fancy. It’s functional. And that’s what food becomes when your face is on fire.
And Then There’s This…
You might think, “At least she has disability.” Sure. But here’s the kicker—disability counts against me.
The government considers the money I worked my whole life for (that they took out of every paycheck) as “income.” So guess what? I don’t qualify for food stamps.
Because I “make too much.” Even though I’m sick. Even though I need healthy food. Even though I can’t work. The system punishes people who worked hard.
I wish I hadn’t. Some days, I think, why did I give so much? Why didn’t i just show up, punch a time card, do the minimum and leave at the end of the day? Why did I waste my life in a cubicle? For this?
And then I remember—I’m not the problem. The system is broken. They talk about health. But it’s about money. Too bad there won’t be any money left if we’re all dead, right? Anyway…
This week, I’m keeping it simple.
Fruit: WAY too expensive. What I would DO for some fresh strawberries and blueberries. Ive been buying candy in the flavors of fruit instead. No nutritional value but, i just love fruit so much, id rather eat the sugar than miss out on my citrus and berries all together.
Microwavable rice. Something fun—maybe street corn rice. Meatballs. Frozen bags of veggies. Beans for bulk and nutrition. It doesn’t take much.
But when your body hurts and your budget is tight, a hot meal that doesn’t make your face explode is something to be proud of.
If you’re out there struggling to eat with chronic pain—you’re not alone.
If your fridge is a mix of soft, microwavable, “please-don’t-hurt-me” meals—same.
You’re not lazy. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just surviving. And that counts. And this is for you.
This is my recipe for my favorite Budget - dont kill me - meal. I have shared it several times as a budget meal, or in one case a girlfriend who recently got dentures and was looking for something healthy, soft, and wouldn’t break the bank.
Dana’s Favorite Rice Recipe:
Rice- 2 portions.
Veggies - 1 -2 portions of your choice of veggies (fresh, canned or frozen). Dont forget about the cans… i cant tell you how many times ive added corn or peas last minute!
Beans- 3 cans (reheat on stove or microwave).
Protein: I do one serving but if you are a meat forward person then i would go with two and maybe remove one can of beans.
Seasoning: USUALLY i use Sazon. You can use absolutely ANYTHING you would like… if you love marinara sauce - toss it in. A1 and worstershire? Sure. Alfredo? Go for it. I stick to a simple dry seasoning mix that i either make myself or purchase.. however Sazon is my personal go to for this dish as it generally works with all my other ingredients.
Directions: Make it all and toss it into a giant salad bowl. Season, eat, and put it in a Tupperware in the fridge - you now have grab and go meals all week, that are healthy… inexpensive, and easy to chew.
Ideas for Ingredients:
Rice: Pick your fancy. I like boil in a bag, i like microwavable, i like the knoor rice sides to mix with brown for flavor. Trader Joes frozen Jasmine is also a favorite. Sometimes i do use Orzo, pastina… or ditalini pasta if im just more in the mood for that texture. When i make it for JUST ME: I do two servings. (brown + something else usually).
Veggies!: Anything you want! Sometimes if I am cooking something else… ill use the leftovers to make a rice thing to keep in the fridge but lately, ive been LOVING Steamfresh Vegetables. I prefer anything with broccoli… but also really like to see colors. I dont want just broccoli. I bought the antioxident mix one and really liked that. Also leftovers from chinese or american usually pairs really well if your looking to use them up. When i do it for JUST ME: I usually use just one bag of steamfresh or the equivelent in the amount of veggies. I like to throw in a can of corn, peas, carrots sometimes BUT - BEETS DO NOT WORK. I love pickled beets but trust me, leave them out of this one. I have seen crasians… i cant eat them but i bet its delicious.
Protein: For me this heavily depends on how im feeling. What can I chew without pain, and what do i have the ability to make right now… am i able to stand in front of the stove for a half hour today? Sometimes.. but not always.
Chicken: SO many more ways then you think to use this ingredient. When i am up to it.. sure, i like to bake or saute the typical breast and thigh, but i also love dino nuggets (quick chop chop)… rotissere chicken (shred)… slowcooked chicken (also shred but great flavors of your choice and minimal work), leftovers from restaurants (chicken Alfredo, parm, marsala… to habachi or Chinese chicken and veggies). I personally think turkey is disgusting so that is all I am going to go over for poultry.
Red Meat: YES i am lumping it all into one… Meatballs (or frozen turkey meatballs which i prefer since they are always juicer) are nice and soft, can be cut small and easily swallowed on harder days. Steak: LOVEEE a good ribeye and when i am feeling up to it - i usually make a call down to daddy to see if hes in the mood… because if i can eat ribeye - thats cause for a celebratory dinner out. Beef: Generally, its just not my favorite (very unpopoular i know)… i just think it tastes like blood unless its a great cut of meat. But i do love Roast Beef Sandwiches with horseradish.. and i can cut that into littler pieces as a platter. Pork: Easy, cheap, i usually do a slow cooker shread with whatever flavor or i dice up porkchops and toss them into the rice.Game Meat: This is my personal favorite! I love Lamb, Duck, Venesin, Oxtail, Goat, Bison… while living in Texas, Missouri and Kansas… Tennessee too i got to learn more about the varieties of options other than beef. Depending where you live though some things can be more expensive than others.
Fish: I dont love fish in this particular dish. That being said: Shrimp, scallops, or Salmon could be used really really well.
With Love,
Dana & Nicky
