We, seriously, have some of the best friends you could ask for! I was bad enough to accommodate with food before we found out the illustrator could not have wheat. We were sure no one would want to feed us now! Fortunately, our friends are always so nice about it when we come to their houses to eat! Since the holiday season is upon us, I thought this would be a good time to talk about how we go about dealing with our intolerances/food choices when we eat at other people's homes. 
I always ask if there is anything I can bring. It is always a nice gesture to take something anywhere you go so, offering ensures you will have something to eat. I like to ask what else will be served so I can make something that will go along with what everyone else is eating (besides the caramel gooey bars)!
When we are going for a long time, I make sure that I have some snacks too for later. Especially when I am going to our close friends houses...I will bring my "hobo snacks" (note at the bottom) for when they are chowing down on their treats!
My friends have started to ask a lot of questions too about specific foods that we can have. The fact that the food industry is getting better about labeling foods as gluten free has been very handy! It is always a good sign when you can identify all of the ingredients and the fewer the ingredients, the closer it is to a clean food!
So, on this occasion of dinner with friends, we had pumpkin polenta served with sauteed zucchini, squash and red peppers with black beans for me.
Pumpkin polenta served with chorizo sausage, black beans and red peppers for the meat eaters. 
My friend asked me lots of questions and with a little research online, she prepared a great dinner that was safe for all of us to eat!What are your suggestions for eating at other people's homes during the holiday party season?
A note on the "hobo snacks"...I always pack an emergency snack bag of dry cereal, apples and yes, bread. These are things that I keep on hand when I travel or go to events that I am never sure if I will be able to eat what is there. I know this seems weird to some people, but I am a grouchy hungry person and it is better for me to duck out for a few minutes and get my snack on than to be so hungry that I can't enjoy the place I am at! I know I am like a child, but I have learned to come prepared!
Great dinner & company!
ReplyDeleteI just found out I'm allergic to gluten and dairy, but I haven't mentioned it to my friends yet. (It hasn't exactly come up in conversation.) Any more advice on how to go about telling them and how to make it easier on people when I have meals at their houses?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Kiko, we do a lot of research before we go anywhere to eat. Most restaurants have websites so you can look up the menus. If you have detailed questions, you can call before hand to make sure you are making a wise decision. Then, when you order, confirm that you are getting the meal that suites your needs. Trust me, it will come up in conversation then. Also, when you go to people's houses, offer to bring something and in the same part of the conversation, ask what they are preparing so you can bring something that goes along with the other food. Most people will gladly have you contribute. At this point, if they tell you no, then just mention, I am allergic to dairy and wheat, so I thought I would contribute something to make things easier. Trust me, if people are inviting you over, they want you to be able to enjoy the party in every way! I hope that helps!
ReplyDelete