Wedding Question

[Googles]

My brother and his fiance are getting married in the fall. They are both really awesome and are letting me stay with them as I am the one with the least amount of disposable income (I'm a student). However, when I posted something on Facebook about gluten free eating my brother's fiance was like "let us know what you want us to get for you for while you are here". I don't want to offend them and don't want them to go out of their way for me at what will already be (I'm sure)a very hectic time for them. How do I tell them that they don't have to worry about food for me? I don't want them to be offended, but since I am driving alone both ways I don't want to worry about getting glutend. They are being so awesome I don't want to be rude. They both saw me eating food when we went to my grandfather's funeral a while ago, but I was there when the food was bought but they weren't there yet so they don't know that.

I was also wondering about checking grocery stores in the area that they are living for gluten free food. Is there a way to check what foods stores like Kroger or Whole Foods will have at a specific store? Would I be able to call the store ahead of time, or just need to check it when I get there? I will bring some food with me, but I'm sure that there will be perishables that I will want to get while I am there.

Does anyone know anything about Nashville, TN?

[Skylark]

I would travel with gluten-free bread and cereal and figure I could get the rest of what I need at just about any store. My family is very level-headed about my diet and nobody takes offense when I'm a little worried about food. They let me eat what works for me.

You're driving so you'll have a car and it will be really easy to shop. You might ask for some fresh (non CC) sandwich stuff for the day you arrive to have with your bread and I'd mention that fruits and veggies are a mainstay. Then you can check out what they have and shop for what you need the day after you arrive. Offering to cook dinner is always a good way to control food preparation and it would probably help them out since they'll be busy.

[ravenwoodglass]

When I traveled to my DD's wedding I also drove and with it being a 6 hour drive both ways the last thing I wanted to be was glutened. I brought my toaster from home, a small pan and disposable cutlery and plates. I was staying in a hotel with a kitchenette but didn't want to use theirs for CC reasons.

I brought fresh fruit, bread, pnut butter and crackers along with a couple cans of Dinty Moore beef stew. They said that what was being served at the reception was safe but I didn't want to chance it so I ate before the wedding and nibbled on a fruit cup while I was there. All went very well even though my meals were a bit boring.

My DD and her new husband were so busy with enjoying their day that they really didn't notice that I didn't eat the meal and no one at the table I was at even questioned my 'fruit' for dinner.

[notme]

Does anyone know anything about Nashville, TN?

i know it's *awesome*! i loooove to visit "The Guitar"

our kroger has boar's head sandwich meat and cheeses. i would bring: bread, a cutting board, frying pan. you should be able to get whatever else you need out there for a few days. i just came back from vacation in nj (13 hour drive) stayed with friends/relatives and did well (till the last day and *I* screwed it up LOL) the only thing i really am nervous about is eating during the drive - i munch on honey nut chex and plain cashews all day. it's not the greatest but it keeps me from having to stop a kazillion times because the drive takes for ever! lol then when i do stop, i play 'NOPE! Can't Eat That!' at the truckstops hahahaha

good luck! and ps my kroger carries redbridge

[notme]

and a toaster would have been good. i had to broil my bread on foil in the big oven (pain in the butt!) but it worked in a pinch i am thinking of naming my toaster and putting a little face on it so i can introduce it to my host(s) when i visit. also, they got to hear STOP TOUCHING MY FOOD *alot* till they got it through their head. we are pretty close so they know i mean no offense...

[Reba32]

Googles, just let your hosts know that because you're driving, you can bring a cooler with you and bring your own foods. If they are planning a meal or two to include you with any of the pre- or post-wedding parties, then give them a list of foods that you absolutely cannot eat, and a list of foods that most non-Celiacs don't think about reading labels on (like packaged meats and nuts and candy). You'd be surprised at how many people don't know that "enriched flour" is made from wheat, and will tell you that a pot of homemade soup is perfectly fine for you to eat!

They're your family, they'll understand and will have to get used to your funny eating habits sometime right!?

Last year I went to visit a friend for a couple of days, and she said she had the entire family scrubbing the whole house before my arrival to make sure that my stay was enjoyable for everyone. We went grocery shopping together when I got there, and we all ate well during my visit.

If you treat it like some sort of mystery, then no one in your family or circle of friends will figure it out. If you let them know what Celiac is, and what you need to avoid, it gets easier, and family meals are much more enjoyable.

[Googles]

Thank you all for your input. This will be the second time eating with family since I was diagnosed. They were all really good about it last time. So I hope it goes similarly this time. All your advice and insight is helping me feel calmer about the trip. I can't believe I'm nervous and the trip isn't until the beginning of October.