We did something wild and crazy last weekend. We had six people over for dinner. I know. Crazy, right?
And you know what’s even crazier? We had a gluten-free, nut-free, meat-free meal. And no one left hungry or unhappy (as far as I could tell).
Whether it’s a health requirement or a personal choice, it seems dietary restrictions are more and more common. It’s not all bad. Necessity is the mother of invention. It forces us out of a rut we might be in – like the meat and potatoes many of us grew up with. Getting creative can be very satisfying.
Dietary restrictions push us to be more conscious of our choices and to eat healthier in many cases, so it’s not all bad. . . . providing we choose a positive, mental attitude.
Ultimately, we are wise to listen to our bodies. Is there a food that really doesn’t sit right with you? What’s scrumptious for one could mean suffering for another. If you’re suffering there could be an important reason worth investigating.
With the world wide web it’s super easy to find recipes for specific ingredients we want to use, or ones we want to avoid. Supermarkets also provide many obscure ingredients that were not available years ago. Dinner doesn’t have to cramp anyone’s style.
See the links below for a few recipes for restricted diets. (Full disclosure, I haven’t tested them.)
A little tip for looking at recipes online
To avoid all the painful scrolling through ads and lengthy commentary there is always a link in small type somewhere at the top of the page that says, “Jump to Recipe.” Problem solved.
Gluten-free stuffing
Sugar-free peanut butter cookies
Meatless chili
With the arrival of the holidays don’t be tempted to drop your good health for your good cheer. Of course you don’t want to deny yourself entirely. But consider that cheer, or joy, can be acquired in many ways that aren’t about ingesting food or drink, like: playing your favourite tunes, discovering new ones, going to a matinee, or making Christmas cards. Crazy, right?