Well, it\u2019s that time of year again \u2013 cooler weather, celebration, and that feeling of dread that so many of us feel when faced with big holiday gatherings full of social pressure and off-limit foods at every turn.<\/p>\n
With Thanksgiving coming up here in the U.S., I had thought to invite my immediate family over, knowing I\u2019d be able to have control over the menu and its ingredients.\u00a0 But, instead, my husband and I will be joining the extended family.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 it will be good.\u00a0 But, because I\u2019m not sure if it will be good for me, I have back-up plans.<\/p>\n
I thought I\u2019d share them, along with other ideas for having an amazingly filling holiday that honors your food constraints and choices.<\/p>\n
Host Dinner Yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n This gives you the benefit of a clean kitchen (meaning uncontaminated by things you can\u2019t eat), safe and healthy ingredients, and leeway to suggest appropriate side dishes to your guests.<\/p>\n Help Plan the Menu <\/strong><\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t going to host the meal yourself, volunteer to help the host plan the meal so that it accommodates everyone\u2019s tastes and needs.\u00a0 If the host does not want help with planning, at least talk with them about your food concerns ahead of time to a) see if there\u2019s anything they might do to support you (and vice versa), and b) so that you can come to the meal prepared if accommodation isn\u2019t possible.\u00a0 It\u2019s no fun for anyone if you show up and realize there\u2019s nothing you can eat \u2013 do what you can to join in the meal.<\/p>\n Whether hosting or helping, look for hard-to-resist dishes and share the recipes with other guests<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. See if your local community garden, food co-op, or GF support group is offering holiday meal classes and\/or fixings.\u00a0 Invite others who will be preparing food for your shared meal or use a GF\u00a0menu as an example of what you could have. \u00a0Here’s an example menu from my local community garden highlighting local and seasonal fare:<\/p>\n 2. Find recipes for typical, familiar dishes that just happen not to use ingredients you can\u2019t have.<\/p>\n 3. Find recipes that are not quite the same, but close enough for others to be comfortable with them.\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n Volunteer to Bring a Hearty Dish<\/strong><\/p>\n As the member of my family with gluten and dairy constraints, I often volunteer to bring a side dish I know I can eat, that is also filling and delicious.\u00a0 My favorite is a wild rice pilaf with onions, garlic, celery, fresh cranberries, and pecans.\u00a0 I make it differently every time \u2013 adding different spices or fruit (like apples).\u00a0 I don\u2019t have a recipe that I follow, but there are a number online that will do the trick.<\/p>\n Cook a Turkey Anyway<\/strong><\/p>\n Turkey is readily available right now.\u00a0 Why not take advantage of a sale and cook one up anyway? You\u2019ll have plenty of leftovers that you can use for soup, casserole, lunches, stock, and other dishes afterwards.\u00a0 And they freeze well.<\/p>\n Fantastic turkey does not have to be difficult.\u00a0 It just takes a little patience and preparation.\u00a0 The best turkeys, in my opinion, are ones that have been thawed and brined, salted or marinated at least a day before you plan to cook them. This gives the meat plenty of time to absorb flavor. Find a recipe \u2013 Bon Appetit<\/a> has a number of them online, prep your turkey about 18-24 hours before you plan to cook it, and make room in your fridge until you are ready to cook it.<\/p>\n Come Prepared<\/strong><\/p>\n Nosh a little bit before you go so that you are not starving.\u00a0 Take a little of your own turkey as backup so you have the same food as everyone else, but you know what\u2019s in it.\u00a0 Bring that side dish.\u00a0 Know your limits and ask questions. \u00a0Be ready to gently explain why you are not eating Aunt Mildred\u2019s creamed corn with bread crumb topping or the home made rolls someone brought.<\/p>\n Remember to Have Fun<\/strong><\/p>\n Holidays are stressful enough.\u00a0 Knowing that you can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to eat certain things makes it all the more difficult.\u00a0 So, just do what you can to prepare and relax.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well, it\u2019s that time of year again \u2013 cooler weather, celebration, and that feeling of dread that so many of us feel when faced with big holiday gatherings full of social pressure and off-limit foods at every turn. With Thanksgiving coming up here in the U.S., I had thought to invite my immediate family over,… <\/p>\n\n
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