Christmas Dinners With The Inlaws

[Mom2Twins]

Ok... so it is looking very likely that we will be travelling to my inlaws for Christmas. I told my Mom-in-law that we would give her lots of advance notice if we're coming, as she knows I'm celiac. She was actually the first person I called when my blood tests were positive and I was freaking out. We're quite close.

Still... I feel horrible to ask for special preparations for my food. I did mention to her that not all turkeys are gluten free, and she said it should be ok, she nevers buys the ones with injections or additives. I'm more concerned with explaining that the same knife can't be used for bread and for vegetables, that kind of thing. It makes me feel like a bad guest.

What's the best way to go about this? I have already offered to bring some of the food, as she's been having serious problems with migraines, and I don't want all of the work on her anyway. I just hate having to be so nitpicky - it's not my style, I'm a very "go-with-the-flow" kind of person.

For example, at a work meeting, the admin staff arranged for a gluten free sandwich from the caterer. Well, it didn't arrive with the rest of the food, they had to call the chef, who forgot to pack it with the order. The chef ended up DRIVING it to my meeting, where he knocked on the door, announcing "gluten free meal?". I nearly died of embarassment. Yes, I was truly grateful they went to such trouble, but I felt silly.

Any suggestions? I'm still new to this.

[Juliebove]

Would it be possible for you to cook along with her? That way you could see what is going on. Frankly I can't see someone cutting up bread and then cutting up something else, unless it is all going into the same dish. But maybe they do. I always wash my utensils if I am going back and forth to different foods. I also use paper plates on top of my cutting board for cutting everything up. It really helps contain the mess. But maybe that's just me.

[lovegrov]

Unless a turkey lists wheat, rye or barley in the ingredients, it's gluten-free. In 7 years I've never seen a turkey that wasn't gluten-free (unless it was stuffed).

richard

[aikiducky]

It sounds to me like your mother-in-law really doesn't have a problem with accommodating you, so it's really just a problem of your own making so to say.

Think about it the other way around: if your mil would have celiac, and you would cook for her for the first time - would you prefer that she gave you very clear instructions how to go about it, or would you like her to be shy about it and maybe get sick from food you cooked for her?

How about writing an email or letter, making a list of all the important points to look out for. You can write and explain that you don't want to be picky, but that unfortunately this diet requires that cross contamination has to be kept to a minimum, so you've written down the things to watch out for. Call it " The <insert your name here< Feeding Manual " or something cute like that if it makes you feel better. That way she has something to refer to.

Or just have a heart to heart and tell her how you're feeling bad about it. Sounds like you're close, so why not. You might find that she really doesn't mind.

Pauliina

[lizard00]

I think the previous poster gave great advice. Sometimes, you just have to be that picky person.

A week ago we went to my MIL's for the weekend. She is definitely getting the idea, but she still has things to learn, as would anyone who was either new to gluten-free or didn't know. SO, while she and her significant other cooked dinner for us, I stayed in there the whole time helping. Because I wanted to know EVERY seasoning, etc, that went onto my food.

She really didn't even know what I was doing, she just thought I was being helpful and it all worked out well. So, your idea to help cook is a good bet. It does two great things: you help, which is always appreciated, and it gives you a sense of control over your food.