Loosening Comfot Zone

[MaryM]

Now that the kids can eat baked dairy and DS can eat beef, I've found my comfort zone loosening a bit. I know Mc Donald's is so bad, but last night for the first time since FAs we went out to eat without bringing our own food (with the exception of our Disney trip).  DD tried McNuggets and DS had a McRib.  It was such a strange experience.  Good, but odd.  We head to Disney again in a few weeks and having McDonald's as an option will make the drive so much easier!

DH's birthday is a week from Friday.  There is a very nice, upscale steak/seafood restaurant that we like.  I just called and had a great conversation about the kids' allergies.  The man I spoke to assured me that there are lots of options and that the kitchen staff knows about allergies/cross contamination, etc.  When I asked to make a reservation the person I was speaking with told me he was a chef there who happened to answer the phone and transferred me to the hostess.  I had the hostess note our allergies in the reservation per the chef's suggestion.  I am nervous but excited to surprise DH and for the kids.  I hope it goes well....

[twinturbo]

Oh, Mary I'm so happy to see that this is possible after all the avoidance, tests and nervewracking challenges. My youngest is so wildly allergic to milk (very high whey) that we haven't even tried beef with him. It's so hard to grasp it when we don't see that tolerance happen before our eyes--we only know when there's a reaction. Bon appétit!

[CMdeux]

This is such an oddly disorienting experience, isn't it??

Since DD has been tolerating some baked egg, we've gradually drawn back from a lot of things that were once completely unthinkable.

It still feels dangerous and-- well, DARING-- to do some things, or more properly, to "not" do some things that used to be so necessary.

We no longer automatically assume that restaurants with a breakfast menu are off limits, we just read labels on pasta now (not calling), etc.  Our options in eating out were virtually nothing three years ago.  Now we have two places other than fast food (well, okay, they're both kinda fast food, but not big chain fast food) that we go to, and we do it REGULARLY. 

We sometimes plan to just "wing" food when we go somewhere, and we NEVER used to do that.   

It feels strangely liberating, doesn't it?? 

I hope you all have a fantastic time, Mary!

[MaryM]

Just back from DH's birthday dinner.  It was a success.  Our waitress was phenomenal - she got a very nice tip.  The chef made special smashed potatoes for the kids (bc the baked potatos are rolled in butter) and every one enjoyed.  I have to send an email to the restaurant about how fabulous  our server was.

[hezzier]

Glad you had a great experience!!

[Janelle205]

So happy to hear about your success!

[yelloww]

Great!

I will never forget when ds was 5 and he could finally eat at McDonalds. It was so strange to be sitting there, waiting for something bad to happen (out of habit) yet knowing also that nothing bad was going to happen.