Positive Experience At Work

[lonewolf]

Just wanted to post a happy experience I had last week at work. At our staff meeting we had a celebration of fall birthdays. (They do this every year, and every year I've been handed a piece of cheesecake or fancy dessert and someone will say something like, "Oh, I know you can't eat it, but your kids will probably like it" and I smile and don't say anything.) But this year, my job-share partner is on the committee and she actually thought of me and bought me a whole package of Pamela's gluten-free cookies. I didn't even care that I can make them better myself. I almost cried because someone actually thought of me and took the time to buy something that I could eat. It was the first time that had ever happened at work.

[Kaycee]

Liz that is so nice of your job-share partner. It is wonderful to know that someone has thought about you and taken the time to find you something to eat. That sort of treatment brings a tear to my eyes.

That is an even better than the deal I get, as I have to supply the morning tea as in go out and buy it. But I always make sure there is something I can eat in there.

But I do hate it when someone offers me something and then turns around and says, "Oh that's right, you can't eat that" and whisks it away ever so quickly. Not that I was going to even think about eating it.

Catherine

[darlindeb25]

It is wonderful to be thought about. I work for a doctor and there are 6 of us there everyday. The doctor's wife always thinks about me and what she can bring me. At Thanksgiving last year, as is tradition, the doctor brings everyone a pie for the holidays, his wife specfically read turkey breast and found one that said--gluten free on it and that was my pie. I thought that wonderful.

Yet on a daily basis I have to remind the other 2 women to be careful where they eat. We have a coffee pot in the lab and on a daily basis, they have bagels, rolls, coffee cake, cookies, etc and eat at the coffee pot, dropping crumbs around the pot, on my invoices--a day may come that I request no more food in the lab. I don't care if they have it, but they do need to avoid the areas I must work at--it's scary at times.

[Jay Elle]

Thats so sweet, that they thought of you! In a world where people are out for themselves alot of the time, its good to know some people still care for others!

I nearly cried when my friends purposely cooked gluten free food so I could eat the same as everyone else. I know that it tastes plain to people who don't normally eat it, but it was nice not to have a separate meal.its a pet peeve of mine, being handed or offered cake then having it snatched away. Its not like handing it to me makes me eat it could have given it to someone else myself...

[jerseyangel]

Liz

I'm so happy that you co worker was so thoughtful! That must have just made your day

[TinkerbellSwt]

Liz, that is totally great that she thought of you. It wouldnt matter to me either what it was, it could be the worst tasting bread or cake in the world, but to be thought of.

If you dont mind I would like to share my experience too. It happened yesterday. We had our family picnic at the state park near my home. Now my family is supportive and understanding, but I have this cousin, who goes out of his way to make sure I have something to enjoy.

Now my mother made ribs for everyone, especially for me though. They were already cooked and did not need to be grilled. My cousin came over to me while I was eating my turkey chili (which my uncle made and was out of this world!) He made these packets of food. The foil packet contained stew meat, onions and red peppers, with only salt and pepper as seasonings. He made these especially knowing that I cant eat most things. He seems to do this at our family gatherings now, and it does make me feel special. In a good way.. not the excluded kind!

So anyway.. yay for you Liz! I know how you feel. Its a great feeling!!

[lonewolf]

I should tell another story too, that I almost forgot about. I have a sweet SIL who's a great cook. Last week, the day before my work partner gave me the cookies, she handed me a box and said, "You might like these for dinner". I looked inside and there were these really yummy meat patties that are a traditional food in Iran, where her husband comes from. She had figured out a way to make them with gluten-free crispy rice cereal instead of bread crumbs. They're the same meat patties that one of my BIL's had made with regular bread crumbs and tricked me into eating several months ago. Apparently she had remembered and when she wanted to make some, she thought of me and made them all gluten-free. They were delicious and the kids and I ate them straight out of the box and there was only 1 left by the time we got home. I made chicken for dinner that night and no one except my hubby was very hungry .

[TinkerbellSwt]

wow.. that is great!

isnt it great to have others think of us??

[Creative-Soul]

Lonewolf, I knew it really touched you to be thought of with such consideration, especially after what your BIL did to you! I remember reading that post while I was trying to read up on as much as possible (being a newbie!), and I was incensed, horrified and a little scared, quite frankly! I am glad that you do get to experience the reverse...thanks for sharing and giving me another reason to smile today!

[miles2go]

Just wanted to post a happy experience I had last week at work. At our staff meeting we had a celebration of fall birthdays. (They do this every year, and every year I've been handed a piece of cheesecake or fancy dessert and someone will say something like, "Oh, I know you can't eat it, but your kids will probably like it" and I smile and don't say anything.) But this year, my job-share partner is on the committee and she actually thought of me and bought me a whole package of Pamela's gluten-free cookies. I didn't even care that I can make them better myself. I almost cried because someone actually thought of me and took the time to buy something that I could eat. It was the first time that had ever happened at work.

Liz, I almost cried when I read your about your experience, too.

My vegetarian boss is the cousin-in-law of the governor of our humble state and she has unflaggingly brought gluten-free food to office events since I've worked there.

I just think it's so cool when people of privilege also remember.

[tarnalberry]

That's so wonderful they thought of you.

[kbtoyssni]

Awww, that is really sweet. I have some amazing coworkers myself and I feel so special when they think of me and my food. Them telling me about seeing something gluten-free at the store means more to me than just taking an interest in my life. Probably because food is such a huge part of what I think about everyday and you know no one else thinks about it as much that's it nice when the realize what a big deal it is to you.

[AndreaB]

Wow Liz that's great!

You to Stephanie and everyone else that has had a good experience.

[MistressIsis]

Such good stories, we need to post that stuff regularly...makes me smile big.

I do miss my old job for that kind of thing...worked with mosly R&D scientists and they still send me articles about advancements in food allergies. We did a birthday cake once a month for that month and suddenly I wasn't showing up for the social bit...when people started realizing I wasn't around for them they started getting something small I could have esp when it was my bday month. My CEO (fantastic man, actually found the Doc that Dx'd me) loves this dessert restaurant (he's also an investor) and was furious when they couldn't accomodate me on several work outings even though he would call ahead to the owners (of which I know 1).

[Guest nini]

My husband has FOUR co workers that are gluten-free, two with Celiac, one with MS and one on an elimination diet... Two days ago I made gluten-free "Tollhouse" cookies and he asked me if it was ok to take some of the cookies in for his gluten-free co workers since he claimed that I've "perfected" the gluten-free chocolate chip cookie... mind you, all I did was substitute the flour in the recipe for Orgrans gluten-free All Purpose Flour, and used Enjoy Life's chocolate chips. (Just google Tollhouse cookie recipe and you too can do the same!)

[lonewolf]

mind you, all I did was substitute the flour in the recipe for Orgrans gluten-free All Purpose Flour, and used Enjoy Life's chocolate chips. (Just google Tollhouse cookie recipe and you too can do the same!)

I've also found that it really is that easy. I gave my SIL a big cannister of gluten-free flour mix and she's made cookies twice - she was so surprised that they turned out so well. She's a pediatric nurse and has given my flour mix recipe and cookie recipes to a few parents at the hospital where she works. I also gave my mom some flour and she was surprised at how well the cookies she made turned out. I think cookies are about the easiest things to make gluten-free.

[steveindenver]

It's so nice when that one person goes out of their way for you. Last night I was telling my partner, that while I know he loves me and supports me, unless you are going through this, you really have NO idea what if feels like. Today is a huge day in our office, as Halloween is big here. Of course, my dept. brought a TON of snacks I can't eat, and I said I will bring pumpkin soup since I can eat anything you are bringing in! When we were planning and I mentioned this, none of them said, "Oh, well, what are some snacks you could eat, as we can bring some of those?" While I do like them all and they're a good group, they are selfish that way.

And I get so tired of being asked by someone, "I'm making such-and-such. Can you eat brand x?" For the love of G-d, DO SOME RESEARCH people and figure it out yourself. If I can call the manufacturer, so can you.

Sorry, that's my rant today. I'm just in a lousy mood but VERY happy that there are those out there that do think of us even if it's not often.

[jkmunchkin]

Awwwww, that is so sweet!!!

For my birthday last month 2 of my co-workers who know how much I love the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under from Outback, had it delivered and suprised me with a candle and singing and all!! It was the sweetest thing ever.

They actually wanted to get the chocolate Souffle from Roy's, because I always rave about it, but apparently it wouldn't have made it

[BFreeman]

I've also found that it really is that easy. I gave my SIL a big cannister of gluten-free flour mix and she's made cookies twice - she was so surprised that they turned out so well. She's a pediatric nurse and has given my flour mix recipe and cookie recipes to a few parents at the hospital where she works. I also gave my mom some flour and she was surprised at how well the cookies she made turned out. I think cookies are about the easiest things to make gluten-free.

I think cookies are about the easiest things to make gluten-free

This statement intrigues me because although I have made really good pancakes, muffins and cake, I have yet to make a good cookie. I don't like crispy cookies though; I like the chewy, soft ones. Would Featherlight Mix substitute equally for flour in a regular cookie recipe? Would I need to add xanthan gum?