Anyone Else Terrified Of V-day?!

[penguin]

I just started the whole gluten-free thing a week and a half ago (and apparently my comfort McD fries are no longer safe ). DH is taking me out to dinner tonight, how do I approach the gluten-free thing without coming off like a hypochondriac?!

I've tried eating out a few times and I feel like a paranoid idiot, any tips?

And the candy flying at me from all directions, ACK!

[jenvan]

Ha ha! Heart shaped gluten...that is very funny

Do you know where you are going to dinner? If so, you could call ahead and let the chef know you will need a special, gluten/allergy-free meal. Some easy options that allow for less discussion than complicated dishes, soups, sauces or desserts: 1) salad w/oil and vinegar dressing, or lemon (or bring your own, i do make sure you say no croutons, etc and verify that they use a separate clean bowl to mix your salad, as some restaurants mix salads in the same bowls before they end up on your plate. 2) baked potato, steamed vegetables or sauteed veggies--only in olive oil, garlic, onion 3) a meat, unmarinated and seasoned, or seasoned with purse spices, salt/pepper, cooked on a clean grill or pan

Try to enjoy your night and get yourself some candies that are gluten-free...snickers, skittles...

[mommida]

Would it be possible to go to a chain restaurant that has a gluten free menu? P.F. Chang's, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabarra's, Legal Seafood are some of the places I can think of.

If it's too stressfull to go out, stay home and cook a romantic dinner together.

You are right about the heart shaped gluten! Even our safe peanut butter cups and snicker's can have gluten in the special holiday shapes.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Laura

[lonewolf]

What about postponing your dinner until tomorrow? The restaurant would be less crowded and you'd have a better chance of getting extra help from your server and the chef.

[penguin]

In an effort to surprise me, DH won't tell me where we're going

He's bad at surprises, so at least he's trying. He's trying to make it more special since it's our first married valentine's. I'm not sure he knows enough about the gluten-free stuff, but he assures me he'll take care of it.

I can only hope he did some research and made reservations, for pete's sake

Did I mention I hate Valentine's Day?

[lovegrov]

I can't help you with the restaurant since you don't know where you're going. But many types of candy are gluten-free.

One piece of advice, though. If you've been gluten-free for just a week-and-a-half and you've already tried eating out a few times, you're eating out way too much, especially for someone who just started. Eating out is the riskiest thing you can do (other than eating something you know isn't gluten-free).

richard

[penguin]

Richard- I didn't want to eat out, I had to because I had to travel to see my grandfather who is in ICU out of state. I tried eating at my friend's house when I could (and did a lot of health food shopping), but some of the time I couldn't. I did a lot of research before I left, I think I did ok. It was all bad timing.

Also, there's a pretty safe restaurant chain here in Austin (Chipotle) that I eat at in a pinch.

[Canadian Karen]

Hi!

Just have to say that although is it scary eating out, it is sweet that your husband is trying to make this a wonderful, memorable, gluten-free Valentine's Day.

You see, I wouldn't know I got the same as I get every year, a card (albeit he does say in the card that he thanks God every day for his wonderful family and "fantastic" wife). Oh well, after 13 years of marriage, you would think I would get used to it by now! Terry is one of the "It just a commercial rip-off" believers...... Aaaahhhh, I married such a romantic!!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and I will keep my fingers crossed that your don't get glutened......

Hugs.

Karen

[elonwy]

First of all, since it looks like you're not getting out of dinner, you have every right to be paranoid, and you're not an idiot. Please don't let the pressure of this holiday keep you from taking care of yourself and protecting yourself from gluten. He's trying really hard, but its ok if he fails, don't let the "well he tried" lead you to eat something you don't feel is safe. If he succeeds, brilliant, but if not, let him know how much you appreciate him trying, and then eat something safe. It took my bf about 3 or 4 months before he "got it" to the point where I could trust him fully with a meal. He'd be upset when he failed, but we got through it all. I think its alot to ask you out to dinner this early in the diet, but it sounds like his heart is in the right place.

We're doing cheese and chocolate fondue at home, since our tradition has always been the Melting Pot, and my local ones won't accomodate ( though others will, it seems to be a case by case basis).

Good luck, and if doesn't work out don't let it get you down too much, its a made-up holiday anyway.

Elonwy

[penguin]

I do hate Valentine's Day, however, it's not a made up holiday (tell your husbands and boyfriends!)

As anyone with any kind of parochial education can tell you, it's a saint day:

(From the history channel.com)

"Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France."

Other fun facts:

*Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women.

*In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

* an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year.

Thanks for all of your help! Here's hoping I don't get glutened!

[lovegrov]

Chipotle is very good and fairly safe. I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather.

As you get more experience, you'll discover things that are easy to carry. It'll be second nature. I travel all over the place and although I DO eat out some, I carry most of my food.

richard