Re: My First Thanksgiving

[Guest guest]

I haven't had to eat Thanksgiving dinner elsewhere, but I have

attended BBQs and family dinners since the diet changes (mine are

pretty extensive) including a wedding and a bat mitzvah.

I ALWAYS call ahead to find out what's being served. For the

wedding and bat mitzvah, I emailed my hugs list of food

intollerances to the families. They each forwarded my list to the

caterers who prepared special meals for us. The caterers then

provided detailed menus of what we'd be eating and I would review

and detail my concerns which they would correct. For non-catered

functions, I ask specifically what's going to be served. If it's

pot luck (they have no control over what's being brought) then I

make sure to bring multiple dishes, all of which we love and can

eat. Yes, that means I bring way more than my fair share, but it's

worth it. If it's not pot luck, I generally offer to bring a

dessert that my daughter can eat and I tell them (making it sound

like asking so they don't get offended) that I'm bringing something

for us because of my food allergies explaining that I can't expect

them to go out of their way to figure out something that I can eat.

This usually works for us, but we've been at it for less than a year

so we haven't encountered every situation yet.

Trudy in NH

[Guest guest]

I suggest that you do just as your bil suggested and call the country club. My

uncle was married recently and the reception was held at a country club. I

called the country club and explained the situation. I was put in touch with the

head chef who definitely knew what I was talking about. I arranged to have a GF

meal at the reception. It was great. I did not get sick.

If it is any decent sort of place, they will be willing to go out of their way

to accomodate guests.

My First Thanksgiving

> Hi,

>

> This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx Celiac and I am so bummed

>

> out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving Dinner at his Country

> Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the country club and " ask

> about the event and it's specifics " since he " didn't know what I could

> or could not eat with gluten problem " .

[Guest guest]

Hi Maureen...

*hugs* I'm sorry you have to deal with this stress for your first

Thanksgiving after diagnosis. I would recommend you call the country

club as soon as possible and speak to the chefs. Actually, I ended up

getting married at a country club, partially because they were

EXTREMELY willing to work with us on the menu. I wanted to have a

completely gluten free, largely vegetarian meal, including a gluten

free wedding cake. I supplied them with my favorite recipes, the

specialty flours and soy sauce etc, and they provided us with a

perfect gluten free meal. I know this isn't a party that you are

throwing, so they may not be quite as flexible, but I'm sure they can

look at the menu and determine what would be acceptable for your

diet. They might even be willing to make you something special, given

enough time, or serve you special things. Some of the old traditional

recipes are a bit problematic for us... but maybe if you can get them

to serve some things from their regular menu, you can put together

something you will enjoy...

What about having one of the companies that makes gluten free pies

deliver one directly to the country club? Or for that matter, to you

directly? Or bringing your own pie/ whatever special thing makes you

feel like it is " thanksgiving " .

I have had mixed experiences at country clubs and weddings. The main

problem is finding the right person to talk to, especially when they

are actively serving the meal. But, once you do, I would say that

they tend to be more helpful than your average restaurant, as their

reputation/service is even more vital to their identity. Once you

know what you can eat, if there is something you like, you can ask

for extra servings of it. four portions of smoked salmon? why the

heck not! Do they regularly serve baked potatoes? A really nicely

made baked potato is just the thing to fill you up and is highly

unlikely to contain gluten. Top it luxuriously with green onions,

butter (or margarine) and sour cream! Because you're worth it and

it's Thanksgiving! How about an uber gourmet salad? (tell them no

croutons unless they want to die young, obviously)... any possibility

of creme brulee on the menu? (out if you can't have dairy, of

course...) Ice cream sundae? (ditto) How about chocolate fondue?

(only dipping fruit).. cheese plates and/or cappucino is also a nice

european way to end a meal... One time I was on a cruise ship and

there was nothing on the dessert menu I could eat. The concierge had

the chefs construct a ridiculously large ice cream sundae - it was

literally the size of my head. (and i felt guilty because there was

no way i could finish it...)

I don't know if this is a possibility for the country club, but one

trick my mother used, because I was never able to tolerate turkey

(and she went to considerable trouble to order supposedly GF turkeys-

we finally concluded it was an allergy), is make a cornish game hen

rather than a turkey. It's actually more convenient than a big old

turkey, especially for small families or families where there is one

celiac and everybody else is turkey or ham crazy and they turn out to

not be GF. It also feels more special than a plain old chicken.

Take care, and I wish you a very happy holiday. There's always

Christmas! Hopefully in time, your brother in law will understand

that kind of situation is really not good for you. (PS... champagne

is GF... i say your brother in law treats you to a REALLY NICE

BOTTLE! Or at least a cappucino...)

>

> Hi,

>

> This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx Celiac and I am so bummed

> out. Usually we have dinner locally with my family which would have

> been easy -- I could have helped out my mother and I would have been

> able to enjoy dinner. But for the first time we are travelling out

of

> state to my brother-in-laws. If that wasn't bad enough, I just

found

> out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving Dinner at his Country

> Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the country club and " ask

> about the event and it's specifics " since he " didn't know what I

could

> or could not eat with gluten problem " . Sigh! I do not forsee a

Happy

> Thanksgiving for myself. Has anyone else ever had to eat out on

> Thanksgiving?

>

> Maureen

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry if this comes up twice, but I think I just lost my last post.

I hope you get as lucky as we did at our country club for my

daughter's baptism party this summer. We have 8 celiacs in the

extended family, and the chef offered to put little cards on the

buffet to show which foods were GF. It was almost everything at the

brunch, and no one got sick. Good luck! Phoebe

>

> Hi,

>

> This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx Celiac and I am so

bummed

> out. Usually we have dinner locally with my family which would

have

> been easy -- I could have helped out my mother and I would have

been

> able to enjoy dinner. But for the first time we are travelling

out of

> state to my brother-in-laws. If that wasn't bad enough, I just

found

> out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving Dinner at his Country

> Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the country club and " ask

> about the event and it's specifics " since he " didn't know what I

could

> or could not eat with gluten problem " . Sigh! I do not forsee a

Happy

> Thanksgiving for myself. Has anyone else ever had to eat out on

> Thanksgiving?

>

> Maureen

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who responded!

I contacted the Country Club, and the woman in charge there spoke to

chef who gave her the following information:

the menu will be turkey with cornbread stuffing, sweet potatoes,

mashed potatoes, veggies, and they will make a note about the gravy.

And to watch out at the appetizer buffet.

I am to have someone remind him about the gravy when we get there.

It sounds good but I am a little nervous with the talk I have heard

about some turkeys having gluten and how some cornbread stuffing

having wheat. Should I assume that because he is a chef he is

extremely knowledgable in these areas and not worry about it because it?

Maureen

>

> Hi,

>

> This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx Celiac and I am so bummed

> out. Usually we have dinner locally with my family which would have

> been easy -- I could have helped out my mother and I would have been

> able to enjoy dinner. But for the first time we are travelling out of

> state to my brother-in-laws. If that wasn't bad enough, I just found

> out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving Dinner at his Country

> Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the country club and " ask

> about the event and it's specifics " since he " didn't know what I could

> or could not eat with gluten problem " . Sigh! I do not forsee a Happy

> Thanksgiving for myself. Has anyone else ever had to eat out on

> Thanksgiving?

>

> Maureen

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who responded!

I contacted the Country Club, and the woman in charge there spoke to

chef who gave her the following information:

the menu will be turkey with cornbread stuffing, sweet potatoes,

mashed potatoes, veggies, and they will make a note about the gravy.

And to watch out at the appetizer buffet.

I am to have someone remind him about the gravy when we get there.

It sounds good but I am a little nervous with the talk I have heard

about some turkeys having gluten and how some cornbread stuffing

having wheat. Should I assume that because he is a chef he is

extremely knowledgable in these areas and not worry about it because it?

Maureen

>

> Hi,

>

> This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx Celiac and I am so bummed

> out. Usually we have dinner locally with my family which would have

> been easy -- I could have helped out my mother and I would have been

> able to enjoy dinner. But for the first time we are travelling out of

> state to my brother-in-laws. If that wasn't bad enough, I just found

> out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving Dinner at his Country

> Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the country club and " ask

> about the event and it's specifics " since he " didn't know what I could

> or could not eat with gluten problem " . Sigh! I do not forsee a Happy

> Thanksgiving for myself. Has anyone else ever had to eat out on

> Thanksgiving?

>

> Maureen

>

[Guest guest]

Also, call and talk to the chef directly. It is hard

enough to explain the diet as it is. I would think the

chef would be better able to communicate the exact

ingredients for you, explain about possible cross

contamination etc.

There has only been one time in 3 years on this diet

that I've had the opportunity to go to a fine dining

restaurant. The chef knew exactly what Celiac was and

I had one of the most amazing dinners of my life.

Molly

--- Nina wrote:

> This menu sounds very simple. Most of us could

> easily create this

> meal without special ingredients and have the whole

> thing gluten-

> free. However, never assume! The mashed potatoes

> could have a gluten

> stock in them, the cornbread stuffing more than

> likely does contain

> wheat, and you don't even know what they are putting

> in/on the

> veggies or sweet potatoes. Please ask more

> questions, even about the

> appetizer buffet and NEVER assume!! Don't feel like

> you are bugging

> anyone at the Contry Club. First, you are a consumer

> and they should

> want to please you. Second, and most important, you

> are a wonderful

> person who deserves to eat dinner just like everyone

> else. If a few

> people have to go to a little extra trouble to help

> you, that is

> OK!! Just make sure you say your thank-yous! (And

> don't hesitate to

> bring some of you own foods if what is available

> won't fill you up.)

>

> Good luck!

> -Nina

>

>

>

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx

> Celiac and I am so

> bummed

> > > out. Usually we have dinner locally with my

> family which would

> have

> > > been easy -- I could have helped out my mother

> and I would have

> been

> > > able to enjoy dinner. But for the first time we

> are travelling

> out of

> > > state to my brother-in-laws. If that wasn't bad

> enough, I just

> found

> > > out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving

> Dinner at his

> Country

> > > Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the

> country club

> and " ask

> > > about the event and it's specifics " since he

> " didn't know what I

> could

> > > or could not eat with gluten problem " . Sigh! I

> do not forsee a

> Happy

> > > Thanksgiving for myself. Has anyone else ever

> had to eat out on

> > > Thanksgiving?

> > >

> > > Maureen

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________

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[Guest guest]

I am going to bet that the stuffing is out, cornbread generally does contain

flour with the cornmeal. I have no idea what the sweet potato thing is, but ask.

If you like sweet potatoes it could be fine. Unless they cook their mashed

potatoes in broth (doubtful) they are probably fine, but ask how they are

prepared. The turkey is probably fine, and my guess is bc they are preparing so

many meals that day they don't stuff the turkeys, but ask. My family stuffs the

turke, with gluten stuffing, but that's in a controlled environment. I would NOT

recommend eating stuffed turkey anywhere but home! You will have your best luck

if you call mid-morning or mid-afternoon between rushes and talk directly to the

chef with menu in-hand and ask him the ingredients in everything, how things are

prepared, etc.... Don't feel like you ar bothering him, if you call at a

convenient time he should have no problem talking with you.

________________________________

From: SillyYaks on behalf of Maureen Corrigan

Sent: Fri 11/18/2005 6:52 PM

To: SillyYaks

Subject: Re: My First Thanksgiving

I sent my concerns in email this time, feeling that I would be better

able to explain in writing and I was sent a more detailed list of the

preliminary menu, e.g., " Sweet Potato Maple Gratinee, White Truffle

Scented Mashed Potato, Corn Bread Toasted Pecan Stuffing " vs. " sweet

potatoes, mashed potatoes, and corn bread stuffing " among other things.

The chef " is also sympathetic to my needs but is concerned because

there is no way of him knowing if the Turkey is gluten free. Nor is he

able to verify all the dishes mentioned in the preliminary menu " I was

given. But I was told that I can bring my own food if I wish. It is a

little inconvenient given that we are traveling 5 hours to get there,

but that is probably what I will end up doing.

Maureen

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx

> > Celiac and I am so

> > bummed

> > > > out. Usually we have dinner locally with my

> > family which would

> > have

> > > > been easy -- I could have helped out my mother

> > and I would have

> > been

> > > > able to enjoy dinner. But for the first time we

> > are travelling

> > out of

> > > > state to my brother-in-laws. If that wasn't bad

> > enough, I just

> > found

> > > > out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving

> > Dinner at his

> > Country

> > > > Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the

> > country club

> > and " ask

> > > > about the event and it's specifics " since he

> > " didn't know what I

> > could

> > > > or could not eat with gluten problem " . Sigh! I

> > do not forsee a

> > Happy

> > > > Thanksgiving for myself. Has anyone else ever

> > had to eat out on

> > > > Thanksgiving?

> > > >

> > > > Maureen

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________

> Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> http://farechase.yahoo.com

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bridget,

Thanks for the info, unfortunately I won't be able to call the chef as

we will be in route that day - we are travelling from NH to NY. Not

only is this my first Thanksgiving as a dx Celiac, but it is also our

first Thanksgiving away from home. Usually we have Thanksgiving here

with my parents (much simpler) and then travel on Friday down to my

husbands parents house in NY. However, this year my BIL wanted to

" host " Thanksgiving, which ended up being up at his CC. Sigh!

Maureen

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi,

> > > > >

> > > > > This will be my first Thanksgiving as a dx

> > > Celiac and I am so

> > > bummed

> > > > > out. Usually we have dinner locally with my

> > > family which would

> > > have

> > > > > been easy -- I could have helped out my mother

> > > and I would have

> > > been

> > > > > able to enjoy dinner. But for the first time we

> > > are travelling

> > > out of

> > > > > state to my brother-in-laws. If that wasn't bad

> > > enough, I just

> > > found

> > > > > out yesterday that we are eating Thanksgiving

> > > Dinner at his

> > > Country

> > > > > Club! My brother-in-law told me to call the

> > > country club

> > > and " ask

> > > > > about the event and it's specifics " since he

> > > " didn't know what I

> > > could

> > > > > or could not eat with gluten problem " . Sigh! I

> > > do not forsee a

> > > Happy

> > > > > Thanksgiving for myself. Has anyone else ever

> > > had to eat out on

> > > > > Thanksgiving?

> > > > >

> > > > > Maureen

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________

> > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> > http://farechase.yahoo.com

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>