Amen.
And when people say things like, "Oh I just couldn't live without gluten!" I mean, seriously, do they think it's a lifestyle choice?
You are so right about this. It forcefully reminds me of conversations I used to have with uninformed folks in NYC talking about food.
IT isn't a choice, it is nature letting you know that this food is poison.
I love the image of offering arsenic. Perhaps that will let people understand.
I just came upon your blog, look forward to reading it further. Any chance of meeting you at the Sock Summit in Portland in April? Are you a sock knitter?
Totally agree--I have severe oral allergy syndrome (all raw fruits, tree nuts, raw root veggies, & soy) and it's like pulling teeth to find out if there are tree nuts or soy in foods!
You go Girrrl! I'm with you all the way.
Oh, I mean...you go sista!
Gahhhh! You know some of those things you guys can't eat I love (I adore nuts), but above what I eat I adore my friends even more than food. And funny old me, I prefer my friends live, not dead or seriously ill - especially if it was something I did to them !!!! I always assumed that having people to a meal was a way of enjoying (and kind of celebrating their existence) so if you can't find a way to give them not only stuff they are not allergic too - but actually enjoy - afterall we meant to enjoy our friends and vice versa...... So if you ever popped by - I would have taken the opportunity to find a gluten free- and nut free bakery to avoid any kitchen contamination that could harm you, why would that be hard? Sheesh, people are wierd out there
Besides some of the best food opportunities arise from needing to be inventive and think different combinations - allergies don't have to be a curse but can be a whole opportunity for people to explore other options for their friends, it nmight be a pain for you - but if you're a friend then I can't see why anything would be too much trouble
and more sheesh
sorry for the long rant, but sheesh... that attitude, sheesh
Just meant to add that Nr.3 used to have a friend with serious life threatening allergies - she came to stay once with a 3 page document ofd things that might kill her, but I had also found out well before (from her mum) what she liked and could eat - down to the brand and the box and the whatever. The kid still lives and y'know, it was no big sweat...
I read her rant-good stuff! With a plethora of food allergies, I am often frustrated, angry and sometimes just plain hungry!
Kind of a nice thing happened, though. My SIL has been severely allergic to garlic for years. The rest of the family has never taken her seriously. But now that my allergies (including garlic) are medically documented, not only does SIL feel she is not alone, but the rest of the family is looking at her with new eyes.
"It's often exhausting to be so alert about food all the time" so so true - and then so frustrating for people to think it's just fussiness!!
Makes me crazy.
Sometimes people just don't get it. While, I'm only allergic to strawberries, it's a pain trying to eat in the summertime! I do hate it when people act insulted b/c I won't eat their fruit salad at BBQ's and such. Seriously people!!!
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