Etiquette Refresher

As Frank Sinatra crooned (or Sid Vicious belted), “Regrets, I’ve had a few.” Yes, I’m no saint, and have made my share of mistakes, as a hostess and as a guest. Recently, a good friend shared an email from a dinner guest with her food concerns. I was horrified and asked if I could to post on my personal Facebook Wall. My oh my, the responses were overwhelmingly ones of disbelief, pity and horror. And yes, this is not a joke, this did happen. Here is the post:

Picky eater alert!!! OMG! This is soooo over the top. These people really should just stay home. I have a few food allergies but I always try it or eat around it. I would never in a million years have a hostess try to conform to this. This is beyond allergies. This was sent to a vegetarian friend who was entertaining:

Thank you so much for asking! Due to a sensitive digestive system (past health problems ) & producing breast milk, I do need protein with my food and we really do our best to keep organic especially with (daughter's name).I apologize in advance as this may seem quite challenging but the secret is just to keep the food simple. We eat a lot of just barbecued meat and steamed vegetables.(daughter's name) is pretty easy and will eat a handful of whatever I am eating as long as it's not too spicey. You are right I am keeping her away from sugar, colorings, preservatives etc.

Here is what works foodwise for me:

YES to:
Organic or pesticide free meat & veg
Love lamb,chicken,salmon (wild) well cooked, (husband) likes medium rare.
Not a big red meat eater, but will eat it if it's organic/ pretty pure (unless I am in final trimester of pregnancy, buffalo (its antibiotic free) can be frozen, beef
Dark leafy greens 4 iron,love beet leaf tops favorite, then chard or curly kale, just a few leaves enough
Broccoli,asparagus,green beans, artichoke, carrots, zuccini,peas,potatoes,pumpkin, sweet potatoes etc
Avocado, ( love, love guacomole), tomato not big on lettuce
Eggs & quinoa great,stay light on grains
Butter
Plain is good we generally steam veg pretty well done, and cook in butter or barbecue


NO to:
Gluten ( wheat, oats,barley etc )
Bell peppers (green or red peppers) totally intolerant
Sugar (maltodextrin,glucose, corn syryp, honey,artifical sweetners like aspartimine ,fruit juices in food) totally intolerant. Agave & stevia ok,occasional glycerin. Watch this as most pre-prepared foods have sugar in them including a lot of smoked food.watch sauces,marinades etc
Flavors (artifical or natural) do not digest
Not too hot spice wise - I'm a mild, but as I am recovering from a cold garlic and ginger are great, but leave some plain for (daughter). 
Mushrooms, vinegar
Raw meat
Onions- occasionally are ok as long as well cooked & small quantity
Go easy on the dairy (milk,cheese),often intolerant in newborns,if do it go for goats or sheep products
Margarine,deep fried foods hard 2 digest
Yeast (don't handle it well)
Microwaved food (don't digest well)
Soy products(tofu,soy sauce etc) (intolerant)
Gsm (Husband) has problem with a preservative often put on lettuce in restaurants we think its a glycerin of some sort.
We love fresh fruit but I can not mix it with other food, not that keen on cooked tomatoes either. 

• Just wanted to recap that as we approach the holiday season, we could all use a reminder to say please and thank you and be grateful, even if you are handed a PB & J sandwich. Food and wine are important, but truly what matters most is our friendships.
  If you want a chuckle see one of my previous blogs: Confessions and Irritations of a Food Freak