For December we read Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life by Sandra Beasley, a memoir about growing up with severe food allergies and how her family coped (and sometimes didn't), and how hard it can be to live in a world where food is dangerous and many people don't take allergies seriously.
It wasn't a particularly foodie book, but it certainly made those of us present very grateful for our lack of food allergies. It is easy to take for granted the freedom to eat pretty much whatever you like, and this book certainly makes you appreciate that.
Much of our discussion focused around how people respond to food allergies. Many people are perceived as being irrational to the point of being irritating or troublemakers, when from their perspective they are just trying to save the lives of their children. This was reflected in the group itself. One member was maddened by her sister-in-law's insistence on searching other people's cupboards for peanut containing products. Another had nearly lost a nephew numerous times to his nut allergy, and had witness firsthand unrelenting cruel responses from parents who went so far as to bully his mother on Facebook about her efforts to keep her child safe. This is a very sensitive issue that seems to get more complicated all the time. Hopefully science will make strides in resolving it soon!
For dinner we had a light supper, followed by a pretty extravagant (and high allergen) cookie exchange.
Dawn made gumbo and Lemon Pecan Shortbread cookies.
Katie W. brought prosciutto wrapped asparagus and (maybe peanut butter cookies?)
Heather M. brought Double Chocolate Mint cookies (I think).
Julie brought fried rice and sugar cookies, decorated by her kiddos!
Hoping all of you had a wonderful holiday season and your cookies found good homes!
Our next group meeting is Wednesday January 8, 2014 when we will be discussing The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore. There might be a few copies still at the Mountlake Terrace Library, or it is available
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Julie brought fried rice and sugar cookies, decorated by her kiddos!
Rachel brought double ginger cookies.
And for the life of me I can't remember who brought these cookies. Help!
Hoping all of you had a wonderful holiday season and your cookies found good homes!Our next group meeting is Wednesday January 8, 2014 when we will be discussing The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore. There might be a few copies still at the Mountlake Terrace Library, or it is available