Thanksgiving Rant - Page 7

AngusandBuddhasMom · ‎03-10-2010

@TenderMercies wrote:
@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@Mj12 wrote:
I have a severe food allergy (peanuts); I never ask people to 'make concessions' or change any menus. I just end up not eating much because I don't know what might be in something or how it was prepared. Once in a while, a host will ask beforehand if there are any dietary restrictions, then I'll speak up. Otherwise I just go and do the best I can with what is there - then eat afterwards. Not a big deal. But don't get so offended that a few people brought it up.
None of these people have allergies, or I would have mentioned that to the hostess. When these employees sign their contracts, they also fill out an Emergency Medical Form which has them list any kind of illness, medication, emergency contact, and allergies. In many ways, I probably know more about their medical issues than their family members.
You realize to be GF is Celiac?
No, it's not, actually. I know plenty of people who don't eat gluten as a dietary choice who don't have celiac. My ex was a vegetarian who had been gluten free for a year before we started dating, and he started eating gluten again when we dated. Some people think that gluten effects brain function and is generally unhealthy for the body.
Yes it is if you have celiac,my DD has celiac. For some it is not a fad or a trend. Those who do it as a choice are lucky they can switch on or off their eating habits. But people like my dd who has no choice but to be GF for her health do not take it lightly.
I think you missed the point which is that not everyone who chooses to abstain from gluten does not necessarily have celiac. As I said, my ex chose not to eat it for other reasons. He did not have celiac, and this employee who requested a gluten free meal told me last week that she doesn't have celiac. I saw her eat pizza. She said the she likes to indulge every once and a while.

I didn't miss the point. Post 60 is the first time you have included that the person who is GF does not have celiac so if you had clarified or made mention earlier I would not have pushed the point. I realize people don't always have celiac.

TenderMercies · ‎06-03-2017

@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@Mj12 wrote:
I have a severe food allergy (peanuts); I never ask people to 'make concessions' or change any menus. I just end up not eating much because I don't know what might be in something or how it was prepared. Once in a while, a host will ask beforehand if there are any dietary restrictions, then I'll speak up. Otherwise I just go and do the best I can with what is there - then eat afterwards. Not a big deal. But don't get so offended that a few people brought it up.
None of these people have allergies, or I would have mentioned that to the hostess. When these employees sign their contracts, they also fill out an Emergency Medical Form which has them list any kind of illness, medication, emergency contact, and allergies. In many ways, I probably know more about their medical issues than their family members.
You realize to be GF is Celiac?
No, it's not, actually. I know plenty of people who don't eat gluten as a dietary choice who don't have celiac. My ex was a vegetarian who had been gluten free for a year before we started dating, and he started eating gluten again when we dated. Some people think that gluten effects brain function and is generally unhealthy for the body.
Yes it is if you have celiac,my DD has celiac. For some it is not a fad or a trend. Those who do it as a choice are lucky they can switch on or off their eating habits. But people like my dd who has no choice but to be GF for her health do not take it lightly.
I think you missed the point which is that not everyone who chooses to abstain from gluten does not necessarily have celiac. As I said, my ex chose not to eat it for other reasons. He did not have celiac, and this employee who requested a gluten free meal told me last week that she doesn't have celiac. I saw her eat pizza. She said the she likes to indulge every once and a while.
I didn't miss the point. Post 60 is the first time you have included that the person who is GF does not have celiac so if you had clarified or made mention earlier I would not have pushed the point. I realize people don't always have celiac.

Noooo, read again. I clearly stated that my ex didn't eat gluten as a choice and did not have celiac, and you responded saying that keeping gluten free meant you have celiac.

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

@TenderMercies I have Celiacs. My BIL had a girlfriend who does NOT but refuses all foods made with gluten. She has NO health issues, she simply changes her diet based on how she feels at the time. Last year, THIS was the request he gave me for HER THEN diet:

* No gluten

* No fat

* No sugar

* No meat.

I told him that I make a foods that I can eat and so they would be gluten free. I keep my food items as low in sugar as possible due my health issues but some things simply have sugar in them and in that case, I don't eat them. No meat? We're having turkey. She's free to bring a meatless dish but there will be vegi dishes served as well.

The response? SHE wanted sugar-free foods so could eat like everyone else. SHE wanted a fish dish because she wants something besides side dishes.

I said: SHE is free to bring both. I will NOT be making anything else; will be happy to warm HER stuff, however.

SHE did not attend. HE broke up with her soon after that. WE were thrilled.

mousiegirl · ‎03-09-2010

@TenderMercies wrote:
@JJsMom wrote:
Have you even discussed this with the host? Maybe she doesn't care. You're getting awfully worked up for an event you are not hosting or attending.

Personally, if I were hosting, I'd want to know these things, and I'd try to accommodate as best I could. It's not that hard to do on Thanksgiving because there are so many options and side dishes. There's usually something for everyone.
That's my point, and that's why I'm getting "awfully worked up." If you are vegetarian, pescatarian or don't eat gluten and you understand what a traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes, then why, when invited to a private home, would you request additional dishes like fish when you know you will have options?

@TenderMercies No manners, that's why.

goldensrbest · ‎03-10-2010

If your invited to eat at a persons home ,you eat what they serve.

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.

TenderMercies · ‎06-03-2017

@SahmIam wrote:
@TenderMercies I have Celiacs. My BIL had a girlfriend who does NOT but refuses all foods made with gluten. She has NO health issues, she simply changes her diet based on how she feels at the time. Last year, THIS was the request he gave me for HER THEN diet:

* No gluten
* No fat
* No sugar
* No meat.

I told him that I make a foods that I can eat and so they would be gluten free. I keep my food items as low in sugar as possible due my health issues but some things simply have sugar in them and in that case, I don't eat them. No meat? We're having turkey. She's free to bring a meatless dish but there will be vegi dishes served as well.

The response? SHE wanted sugar-free foods so could eat like everyone else. SHE wanted a fish dish because she wants something besides side dishes.

I said: SHE is free to bring both. I will NOT be making anything else; will be happy to warm HER stuff, however.

SHE did not attend. HE broke up with her soon after that. WE were thrilled.

@SahmIam It's always been my experience that people with specific dietary NEEDS are really cool about it when it comes to public dining. They never make a big deal out of it and always manage to make due in challenging situations. It has also been my experience that people who make dietary CHOICES not based on medical issues are incredible pains in the rear. One of the main reasons I split with my ex bf was because of him being a vegetarian. He practically lived with me, so he was always around at dinner. I am someone who loves to cook, and I especially love cooking meat. I would be constantly making him tofu and stir fried vegetables which I would eat, too. On some occasions, I would make myself something special like a lasagna or a pot roast with lots of side dishes, so he could eat something. When I would make these meals, he would get in a miff, because I made something special for myself, but I didn't make something special for him. When we would go out to eat, he would complain if the restaurant didn't have enough options. When we would go on vacation to all inclusive resorts in the Carribbean, he would walk around pouting, because the restaurants didn't have enough options, too. I vowed to never date another vegetarian.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

Can I believe the nerve of some people? Absolutely

Do I think they are rude? Absolutely

I have vegetarian friends, gluten free friends and vegan friends. If they are invited to someone's home for a meal, they never bank on food options being available. They show up and enjoy themselves but generally don't eat.

I would never expect someone offering a meal such as this to take my eating preferences into consideration. That would be like me saying I don't like stuffing inside the turkey, can you be sure there is a pan baked separately?

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

@TenderMercies wrote:
@sunshine45 wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@sunshine45 wrote:
as a frequent host, i do like to know if any of my guests have special requests or needs regarding food. i would get in touch with the host and let him or her know that a few people have requested gluten free/vegetarian options. it is NOT difficult at all to accomodate these requests and the host may very well prefer to know in advance.
Yes, and if the hostess asks me if there are any special dietary requests or needs, I will absolutely tell her that I have someone who keeps gluten free, a vegetarian, and a pescatarian. I am not, however, going to call up a board member, and tell her that she has to make a tofurkey and bake a fish on Thaksgiving.

i think it is wrong to NOT contact the host, especially if you are the go between. i dont think you have to make a tofurkey or even bake a fish, but LOTS of vegetarian options as i suggested would fill the bill for both people. it is not difficult either to order a beautiful smoked salmon platter if the host wanted to.
"LOTS" of vegetarian options? For the 3 guests who don't eat meat? There are 12 employees, the boss and his husband, the hostess and her husband, and her 4 kids, and she's supposed to make LOTS of vegetarian dishes for these 3 people? The meal is at 1PM. I eat salad 3 times a week for lunch as a choice, and I eat everything. Why can't they suck it up and deal?

i am talking about easy dishes like a salad, haricots vert, carrots, a vegetable tray, a tray of olives/pickles/pickled onions, brussel sprouts, pickled beets, .....the veggie list is endless. i dont know about anyone else, but we offer lots of vegetables at the thanksgiving table. it is NOT a big deal.

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
I work for an organization that employs a lot of people who come to my city to do their job for short periods of time, then move on to other cities or return home. I currently have a dozen employees who are in town through the beginning of December. A long time member of my board of directors has invited these employees to her home for Thanksgiving dinner. I sent an email out to these employees to let them know about the invitation and to RSVP, so I can do a head count. At least 3 of these people responded saying things like, "I'm gluten free, so I'll need options" and "I'd like to request either a fish or vegetarian meal." Is it wrong that I'm angry about this? I can understand these requests if this were a working dinner on any normal day, but a dinner hosted by a board member on Thanksgiving? I don't want to be rude to them, but I feel like saying "It's Thanksgiving dinner, folks. You get turkey and the usual fixins. Accept it as it is, or make other plans." Can you believe the nerve of some people?
Does the board member who is extending the invite know you have a problem with the responses you are getting? Maybe she is OK with knowing about the requests.

If you have a serious food allergy like Celiac or you are a vegan or pescatarian then the "usual thanksgiving" choices are not the same as you seem to think they are.

I think the point is, on Turkey Day it’s turkey on the menu, and come or don’t come, no catering to every diet/lifestyle choice when you’re being invited to someone’s home you don’t even/barely know, as an unnecessary courtesy the host is extending.

There are allergies that have become trendy to have, and vegan or whatever is a choice. Everyone doesn’t need to honor every choice every individual thinks they need to make. Throw out ultimatums and sit in a hotel bar on Thursday.
Celiac is not a trendy thing.

People claiming to have celiac disease, without being diagnosed by a doctor, and people claiming to need a gluten free diet, or those who simply state they are on a gluten-free diet, is very much a trendy “thing” right now; another “pay attention to me, I’m special” trick.

Google “why do people claim to have celiac disease” for quite a few medical articles on the subject.

Is celiac disease real? Absolutely. Can some people get nasty-sick if they eat gluten? Absolutely. Does everyone who states they “must” eat gluten-free have celiac disease? Heck no.

And people who have had years-long, serious struggles with the disease, actually having it and honestly suffering from it, will 99% of the time take it upon themselves to make their own food arrangements; they don’t ask or “expect” to be catered to.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

@AngusandBuddhasMom wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@Mj12 wrote:
I have a severe food allergy (peanuts); I never ask people to 'make concessions' or change any menus. I just end up not eating much because I don't know what might be in something or how it was prepared. Once in a while, a host will ask beforehand if there are any dietary restrictions, then I'll speak up. Otherwise I just go and do the best I can with what is there - then eat afterwards. Not a big deal. But don't get so offended that a few people brought it up.
None of these people have allergies, or I would have mentioned that to the hostess. When these employees sign their contracts, they also fill out an Emergency Medical Form which has them list any kind of illness, medication, emergency contact, and allergies. In many ways, I probably know more about their medical issues than their family members.
You realize to be GF is Celiac?

I totally respect that there are people diagnosed by a doctor as having Celiac disease.

However, gluten free is another trendy thing to do right now by many people and having CD has nothing to do with it. I have friends who eat gluten free as a weightloss plan.