Eating Out..

My birthday was last Thursday. My parents are taking me out this evening to celebrate. My dad sent me a some what frantic text, "Where do you want to eat?" It was the 3rd or 4th time he had asked me.

This is where having an onion and garlic allergy and loving food that generally is made with those items causes me large problems. As I was trying to reply, he called me. As he asked once again where I wanted to eat, I wanted to cry. Where I wanted to eat I knew that I would end up ordering food that would only cause me pain.

I want the Pesto Portabello from Avivo (which has garlic in it). I want the French Onion Soup from Imbiss Grille (which is a really bad idea and the restaurant no longer even exists). I want the Chicken Picata or Eggplant Parmesan from Sweet Basil. I want fajitas. I want real BBQ sauce. I want the Mongolian Beef from the Magic Wok. I want salsa (that doesn't taste sweet) and chips. I want ravioli. I want real pizza. I want Salad Dressing. I want ketchup. I want to be able to eat anything that is on a buffet and not have to ask everyone what and how they made their contributions. I want to ignore labels. I want to be able to go out to a restaurant with friends and not have to give such specific directions and ask so many questions that I am the problem customer. I want Sour Cream and Chives Potato Chips.

I do not want to have sores in my mouth. I do not want an upset stomach. I do not want to vomit or have other digestion problems. I do not want hives or to nearly scratch off my skin when I am too close to lilies. I do not want to fear that when an ingredient label says "spices" it generally includes onions.

I was expressing my frustration to my cousin who also has these allergies. When I asked her to say that it is ok to splurge because its my birthday. She asked me, "Do you want to end up in the hospital?" I then realized how lucky I am. I am not yet to the place where splurging lands me in the hospital. I occasionally splurge, like the chicken pesto cavatappi that I had from noodles 2 weeks ago and I paid for it with an upset stomach and a headache.

This ultimately comes down to what I willing to live with: Safe food and no pain? Or foods that I miss and have problems?

I decided to go to HuHot tomorrow. I will use the sesame oil and soy sauce. Which I have found that I really love. It takes a lot more effort to eat out than it once did, however I am trying to live a normal life.