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I am a person who takes up very little space on this planet. Keep a low profile & don't ask for much. I was a vegetarian for 30 plus years & many of my friends & relatives didn't know cause I never asked for special treatment & would just "eat around" things. Well now the universe has given me this orphan disease where I must take up space & ask for what I need. Very new behavior for me. Asking for special foods is a HUGE deal for me. I'm thinking that I have to "get it" this time because if I don't, the universe may give me a bigger challenge. Viewing MC as a growth challenge rather than a bad thing or chore has really helped me to get to where I am (all of you too)!!! Love & light, Rita
It's great to hear about your recovery. I'm sure a big thing for you now is eating meat since you have been a vegetarian for so many years. Seems to me that if you have sort of kept being a vegie from your friends that it might just be easier to adjust to your new diet now. Have you not just expanded the foods you will eat? This could just be a good thing if it helps in your recovery.
Thats interesting, I think I tend to go about my dietary restrictions without asking for special treatment and "eat around" things that are no-nos for me. Maybe thats why I slip so often. Maybe I have to get more vocal about not being able to eat this or that. "food" for thought for sure.
I will practice on you guys. Had a stressful day today & had some D. So much of my AHA moment is about my history of being "needless & wantless". I'm a never say no person, people pleaser etc........ My lesson here, & I do believe every illness is a lesson, is to start to be more visible. Asking for special food because I deserve it is a great beginning. Love & light, Rita
You GO Rita,
You have a need and it CAN be met so don't be too shy to state your needs.
I'm not in the habit of asking for special treatment either and it would be very hard for me to do the same BUT I do believe I could if I really had to.
You are going to grow through this and perhaps end up being more comfortable on this planet.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
Rita, I find it easier to ask for help with these wonderful people than I would if I were face-to-face with them. Silly isn't it!
Everyone is sooooooo helpful and truely care about you (and all of us). I have found that "asking" is the ONLY way someone can help. We can't read minds, nor do we want to insult someone.
Ask away! When you joined the board, many posted saying that nothing is too stupid, gross and on and on........
The only stupid question (including asking for help) is one that isn't asked!
PS - I get embarrassed too but I bite the big one and ask anyways!
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
I love hearing your thoughts on this issue. My dietary needs are so special that I don't ask anybody for help (ecxcept you) - I don't eat out anymore and I pretty much don't participate in socail events centered around eating (sigh, that's most of them). I always carefully eat a meal before I leave the house so I won't become too hungry while away. Then I also carry my own snacks and food in my pocket book just in case I need something to keep me going if I have to stay out longer than I thought.
Rita, I like your thought that the MC is an opportunity for personal growth. I have viewed it that way too and I continue to see it that way. Not only has it been a huge challenge in terms of my exercising to figure out how to get adequate nutrition but it is also an opportunity to become more in tune with my body. I also feel that the diet I am on is very healthy - perhaps the diet will become my ticket to longevity? For now, the diet is the ticket to living each and every day to it's fullest. I love it!!
Love and Light, Rita and all you other wonderful girls and guys.
Very helpful feedback. I have been bringing some of my own food to restaurants so I can continue to have that socialization. I LOVE going out to eat, especially breakfast, & haven't yet figured out how to do that one. I am forcing myself to ask for the food that I need. After reading "against the Grain" I am much better equipted to ask in a way that gets results. Love & light, Rita
Awe Rita :( so sad to hear.. I am in a similar boat - I'm a peacemaker (or have frequently been in the past) and find it hard to voice my needs. This is in EVERYTHING in my life, not just my diet. I also frequently slip because I eat around things, and try to make the best of it without making a big deal, but can I say this?
You might also try voicing your needs in other areas of life as well, once you succeed in voicing your needs about food, because to NOT voice your needs is to create more chaos for yourself. In other words, for example, 3 people call you this week and ask for your prescence at some sort of event or chore, not because they NEED you, but because they WANT you there, to perform some function for them (i.e. shopping because you are so good at finding deals). You say yes to all three, and in doing so, create all sorts of problems in your OWN schedule and needs, such as getting chores done, getting the meals made, etc.
Now most people would voice their needs/opinions, call whoever and cancel, saying they just have too much to do, but I'm sure YOU'RE of the type who would just leave it, not wanting to disappoint ANYONE. This causes you stress, because you're not getting to YOUR needs until SECOND. This is a very loose example and can be molded to fit almost ANY situation, be it work, friends, family, or diet. You stretch yourself WAY too thin trying to accomodate everyone but yourself. You need to stand up for yourself and demand the things that you need to get done in your life. Deligate your responsibilities, don't take on such a HUGE workload, and just tell people if you can't follow thru on prior arrangements. I'm sure these people would much rather you have less stress and better HEALTH!!! :) Stress is a HUGE factor with MC. Since being diagnosed, I've learned to say NO to friends when *I* have priorities, to tell my ex-husband where to shove it in MOST cases, and that little things I used to fret over for HOURS are no longer that important in the grand scheme of things..
I have been a vegan for 35 years now and it always seems that I have to be asking for special food and now with MC and the GF diet it has progressed to the point of annoyance. I just avoid going to gatherings or a birthday party on Saturday since everyone has to always ask why I eat differently. It is just easier to stay home but then I start to feel sorry for myself. Thank the Lord Frank understands my predicament.
I am also the one who never said no to anyone and just did whatever I could to be the peacemaker, doer, etc. In 2003 I set my New Year's resolution to learn to start to say no. I would just overdo and then exhaust myself both physically and mentally. It has been a hard road but I have progressed to the point that I can now say No and stick with it after I do.
I understand where you are coming from and I want to let you know you have a friend and supporter - if not in person then in spirit.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Love the feedback & helpful hints. Don't know how you do it Maggie. I just caved & gave in to chicken & turkey. Fortunately, it looks like I can tolerate beans, so i'm hoping I can get back some of my favorite foods. Saying no is really an issue for me & I am working very hard on it. At 57, it is hard to change lifelong patterns but I am choosing life & with all your support wil hopefully succeed. Love & light, Rita
I am a person who takes up very little space on this planet. 
Keep a low profile & don't ask for much. I was a vegetarian for 30 plus years & many of my friends & relatives didn't know cause I never asked for special treatment & would just "eat around" things. 
Well now the universe has given me this orphan disease where I must take up space & ask for what I need. 
Very new behavior for me. Asking for special foods is a HUGE deal for me. I'm thinking that I have to "get it" this time because if I don't, the universe may give me a bigger challenge. Viewing MC as a growth challenge rather than a bad thing or chore has really helped me to get to where I am (all of you too)!!! Love & light, Rita 
So much of my AHA moment is about my history of being "needless & wantless". I'm a never say no person, people pleaser etc........ My lesson here, & I do believe every illness is a lesson, is to start to be more visible. Asking for special food because I deserve it is a great beginning. Love & light, Rita
I am forcing myself to ask for the food that I need. After reading "against the Grain" I am much better equipted to ask in a way that gets results. 
At 57, it is hard to change lifelong patterns but I am choosing life & with all your support wil hopefully succeed. Love & light, Rita