Food Social Relatives

[Vasiliki]

How do you guys handle the upcoming holidays?

I have Christmas Dinner happening at my mother-in-laws place, and flour usually ends up EVERYWHERE! She does a whole bunch of baking and cooking that day, and often hugs everyone with her flour-covered apron on. Recently she exclaimed all happily that she made gluten free cookies specifically for me! Only after trying one and getting a headache did I realize she was preparing all the cookies on the same counter... with regular flour on the rolling pin to keep everything from sticking.  (I've noted my error in this, even though I triple-checked before eating it)

I've tried expressing my anxiety for Christmas to my husband, and he's not sure what we should do. My mother-in-law has very very beginning stages of dementia and doesn't remember everything when we tell her lately.

I've offered to make my own food and bring it with us to the entire event, but I feel like it's going to be a day of cross contamination. Like, bringing my own plate and fork kind of thing.

How do you politely tell people that you've just brought your own.... everything...?

[icelandgirl]

Gosh I don't know.  I have the same issue.  We went to my mom's for Thanksgiving and although I'm sure she did her best,  the chicken broth she used in the turkey and gravy was not gluten free.  I also saw her sampling the potatoes and stuff and resampling and asked what she had eaten prior...an English muffin.  I ended up only eating what I brought which was stuffing, cornbread, cranberries and dessert.  It kind of stunk...although much better than getting sick

  I'm not sure how to handle Christmas either.  I know it's just food...but I'd like to enjoy mine like everyone else.

[bartfull]

I always bring my own food (yes, and dishes and utensils) when I go someplace. I just tell the people something along the lines of, "I get SO sick from gluten that I have made it a rule to never eat anything I didn't prepare myself." Then to soften it I admire all of the food the other folks prepared and tell them how much I wish I could eat it because it looks so good/or I remember how good it was. When they start feeling sorry for me I tell them it's the COMPANY that matters most.

[Darren]

The above advice is best. Just say it and do what you need to do to stay safe. And for goodness sakes don't worry about offending anyone, it's your health not theirs and as long as you are polite and say how much you would love to try their food but simply can't, that's all you can and need to do. Everyone will be done eating soon enough and then you can just move into drinks! Don't sweat it just Have fun!

[icelandgirl]

19 hours ago, bartfull said:

I always bring my own food (yes, and dishes and utensils) when I go someplace. I just tell the people something along the lines of, "I get SO sick from gluten that I have made it a rule to never eat anything I didn't prepare myself." Then to soften it I admire all of the food the other folks prepared and tell them how much I wish I could eat it because it looks so good/or I remember how good it was. When they start feeling sorry for me I tell them it's the COMPANY that matters most.

You are so wise bartie!  I'd love to have dinner with you!  

[ravenwoodglass]

You could do a gluten free Christmas dinner at home on Christmas Eve and then load up a plate (with a microwveable cover) with your gluten free turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes etc and pop it in their microwave as all are sitting down to eat. You could even bring a small plate of cheese and crackers for yourself and a larger one to share before dinner. And don't forget a yummy desert.  You won't feel deprived and the others won't feel guilty eating their yummy poison in front of you.

[bartfull]

4 hours ago, icelandgirl said:

You are so wise bartie!  I'd love to have dinner with you!  

No, not wise, just experienced. And you are welcomed to come to the Black Hills any time. We'll have dinner at my house because the only gluten-free restaurant in the area (that pizza place I always rave about) burned down the other day. I sure hope they rebuild.