snakeyjane's Journal, 14 December 2017

I am the only vegan at work, people seem to pity me, think I loose out, but I don't. So I usually bring some of my yummy food in and share. Today one of my colleagues brought something specially for me. They are coming round slowly :) 

Having diet restrictions, when I’m at a potluck of any kind, I normally bring one or two dishes I can easily eat and may set aside servings for myself beforehand to make sure I have edible foods. I then share the rest. Sometimes I may even find a bite or two of other things I can eat, but only if the recipes are listed so I know what it contains to avoid allergies! LOL 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Thank you, all. I did okay at the potluck. I brought carmelized onion dip and some beet chips (for myself, pita chips to share) and there was chicken and green beans I could have that were catered in. One of my coworkers took half my dip home with her (and all of my pita chips -- without asking) which was a little annoying. She doesn't seem to understand that I'm on a restricted diet and there are a limited number of things I can eat and that getting enough calories in a day can be a challenge for me. This same woman has basically taken fruit out of my hand before just because she wanted it and it was the last one. I was hungry, dammit. She is overweight (not that I'm shaming her weight, but one of us is more in danger of being undernourished than the other). I accidentally ate some chili that tore me up when I was out with my family Sunday. Eating out sucks for me now. I hate when people invite me out, because I don't like to order food without knowing exactly what's in it. Still a feeling a little discouraged today. Anyway, enough complaining. I'm going to spend some time in my kitchen cooking this week and make a concerted effort to clean my diet back up. I hope to be back to 100% by New Year's Eve. I'll check in with you all then. Glen, thank you so much for your kind words. I do need to practice standing strong and being an individual. Schmetterlinge, my mom bakes me compliant treats now. My coworkers have started taking interest in my diet and asking questions, but they still don't quite get it. :) SMProwett, I wish it was common practice to list the ingredients or share the recipe alongside dishes at potlucks! I did so with mine, making a little id card from a cue card, but no one else did. Maybe they'll catch the hint?  

Hey SnakeyJane- hope you're feeling better. Your story about the coworker taking food from your hand made me think of a couple of others I have heard about. One ended up having a fork put through his hand when reaching one too many times. Judge through the case out after he heard how the guy behaved. 

Oops! 'Threw' 

tension headaches - 2 Excedrin migraine and lots of water As far as social eating if they make fun of you for that it is because they are deflecting from themselves. Silently they will respect you for your choices.  

I used to be nasty and meddling enough (read royal pain in the arse!) to bring a stack of index cards to every potluck and pens along with extra serving utensils and knives and hot pads and just call it my potluck ‘kit.’ And thank people for writing down ingredients for those of us with allergies or who were interested. You’d be surprised how many thank you’s I got!😏 Also got more than a few dirty looks, but I figure if I can recognize the problem, I can try to become part of the solution, or at least try...or I’m just one more blow hard making noise. 🤷🏻‍♀️And THAT is NOT the example I choose to follow! 🙋🏻‍♀️ 

You guys and gal are great! Thank you for the support. I am feeling in higher spirits today but still trying to work out the knots in my gut. Glen, why do we let people pressure us into ordering food at restaurants when there's nothing on the menu we should be eating? This has happened to me more than once. My guess is that it's our intention to make people around us more comfortable, but I'm ready to start going against the grain (pun a little intended). Tom, I love your anecdote! I don't think I'll be stabbing my coworker, but she may get her hand slapped next time. Marquis, I actually decided/discovered my headache was not tension but pressure. There was a huge and sudden dip in barometric pressure a week ago, and my sinuses expanded. No fun, but it's over now. SMProwett, I think I may try doing that! Often people just need the opportunity to do right by us sensitive folks. :) 

Yeah, I’m just an meddling old so and so, snark. LOL. And at restaurants I’ve now gotten pissy about only getting water or a cup of tea if I don’t care for the menu choices or they can’t accommodate my diet, no matter how hungry I am. I have too many food sensitivities (migraines) and too many diet preferences (health & surgeries) to play games so I just politely say I’m fine with my drink and smile. 😄It may be something women can get away with easier than men. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Can you bring your own personal diet, so at least you have something to eat? Spread it out on one of the gatherings’ plates, and many people won’t notice you’re not helping yourself from the buffet. Good luck and I hope you feel better!