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February 11, 2008
Thank Heaven I Packed My Lunch!
MR packed up my lunch in my cute little container with the baby freezer pack and the trap door for dressing: releases into the salad when you turn the crank. I sure was glad, because I walked into the room where the buffet lunch was set out and there was nothing but gak. Seriously.
First, a decent bowl of romaine lettuce, but no, come closer and you can see (or maybe you could have seen it better, I didn't have my glasses on) that the lettuce is covered in a gaky creamy Caesar-like dressing, and I am guessing it's not Walden Farms. Then there are the "salads," a coleslaw drowning in mayo, followed by a potato salad drowning in mayo.
Next, a potted plant. I take it we are not to eat that, but I am as likely to eat it as either of its two predecessors. Seriously folks, I can understand eating a creme brulee or a Kobe beef slider. But mayo covered lettuce at a hotel? Glad I brought my lunch!
Then there was the cold cut tray, which did to its credit include turkey. Then a sad bowl of sliced under-ripe tomatoes, but a cheering dish of pickle spears, to which I helped myself.
I'd had a whey shake (choco banana) for breakfast in the car (thanks to Danny C for driving!) and a nonfat no sugar Light and Fit Dannon yougurt courtesy of the breakfast buffet and then I had my delicious salad with salsa verde, yogurt, and flax oil. I happily munched on yogurt covered collard greens (raw) and no one said a thing. "I always bring my own food to these things cause you never know," I said to one of our nurses, who didn't bat an eye. No one did, actually. I am starting to think that no one really cares what one eats, except for those few who have their own personal issues that they project onto you. When I am well fed and not in the grip of the compulsion, I can ignore so-called social pressure cause the truth is: nobody is paying attention to me. They're too wrapped up in their own issues and their own cookies to notice if I'm eating or not. Sure, it's not always true. But overall, it is. And when it's not, it's still my own right to eat what I want.
I really don't know what I'm going to do with all this inner peace. I'm suddenly so happy, feeling absurdly free. Huh? Making up a whey shake for Danny for the morrow, he needs protein.
Meanwhile, the day long seminar was a huge success. It was great to see some friends who have done truly incredible work, and to meet up with some awesome unorganized nurses who are doing the best they can in their own workplaces. Danny and Lisa and Susie came away with a lot of new info, good background on the work. I was proud of how they interacted very naturally, not a hint of nervousness. It was indeed a charming gala.
And on to another one today... also with a safely packed lunch.
Posted by april at February 11, 2008 8:04 PM
Comments
I almost always take packed lunch to things, due to being vegan & therefore the choices invariably being rubbish. And badly-labelled.
No one has *ever* commented negatively that I can remember. As you say, most people just don't care what someone else is eating. Unless the food provided is so diabolical that they're all wistfully eyeing up your lunch, which *has* happened to me :-)
Posted by: Juliet at February 12, 2008 6:46 AM
I know how you like to tweak recipes...here's one for a garlic kale dip that you could CR: http://www.chow.com/recipes/11351
Posted by: gini at February 12, 2008 1:39 PM
OMG! I have that same salad container with the freezer pack and the little container you turn and the dressing comes out! AND I BROUGHT MY SALAD IN TO WORK TODAY IN IT TOO!
Do you have the companion one? Wider, flatter, with three compartments around the edge and a little modular cup in the middle?
Swap 'em, collect 'em! Be the envy of your block!
Posted by: Ashley/allswellinhell at February 12, 2008 8:35 PM