Eating away from home

We are on our second week of Spring Break.  The first of which, we spent in Ohio visiting friends and family.  Of course – when searching for available times to meet up with friends and family, the schedule is going to almost always revolve around food.  Such was the case with my friend, Erin, and her family.  Erin’s husband, Brian, is a fabulous cook and loves to make such wonderful things.  Of course – these wonderful things might cause panic in a child that is a picky eater and worries about what people are going to try and feed him.  However, Erin and her family are also very kind and caring and know of the boy’s apprehension towards food.  So, rather than make just one thing, Brian made a whole variety of things.  There were crab cakes (which the boy tried….) and there was beef tenderloin, halibut, asparagus, cauliflower, and so many other amazing foods to choose from.  In the middle of dinner when it appeared that the boy might be overwhelmed by it all, Brian brought out a bowl of baby carrots for the boy.  Ahhhhh….something familiar and edible in the boy’s eyes.  It was a wonderful and stress free evening…for us.  And by the way, the boy LOVED the fish. 

What did we learn from all of this?  Well, beyond the fact that Erin and Brian are amazing hosts, we learned that if you put  it up front that there is a picky eater in the family, people are willing to try and cater to that.  We don’t ask anyone to go overboard, but if someone is planning a complete menu with things on it the boy is totally going to turn from, we do ask if they mind if we bring something else along for the boy.  It can be difficult and awkward, but is always met with understanding. 

Thanks to Brian and Erin for a delicious dinner and wonderful evening!