Good advise John,

I went to a Christmas event last night.. pot luck. But I just put a spoonfull of everything on my plate that wasn't meat. I just kind of spread it out and eat slowly ( it was plates on knees...not at table which makes that easier!).

I generally don't eat dinner at all, and I am not eating to please others ( I did have a chunk of chocolate pie..ah well).

Just remember  its nobody's business but your own what you eat! Take some home if it makes them happy! Food is such a social thing that it can be hard to comply with the needs of others.

We have a friend with a very bad back, he can NOT sit! ( just stand and lay down or kneel) Well THAT really makes people uncomfortable.at meal times .....but he deals with it.

Enjoy all you can.

Yes, we should eat within reason and know our particular limits - especially if we're eating meals that someone else has made (and perhaps not prepared the way we're used to). 

A blockage over the holidays would not be fun!

The preparation and cooking of meals by some one else is a very good point, I hadn,t thought of that!

My younger son is cooking this Christmas meal... :-)  He is such a good cook  He is buying everything..... I just got out the  Christmas table cloth on the table.. Dish washer is busy  washing the special plates etc. as we speak.. Tom bought me a nice table Christmas flower center piece.. I will make 2 pies, one pecan and one pumpkin -- I will make one Friday--and the other one Saturday.... I will be DONE !!!Then all I have to do is dress up Nellie in her favorate dress, and get myself pretty.. ???????????????? :-}{?? AND have a V-8 !!!!!!!

As far as eating goes, ????????  I NEVER stuffed myself anyways.. I don't think holidays are just for stuffing your face for.. I hope Nellie doesn't sing through "grace" this time.. She is so off tune....... But if so? It is a good laugh.....  No fancy Christmas plate settings for her.. I will keep her in her place !! 

During grace, I will say a special prayer for everyone here.. if Nellie allows it.. but I can speak louder if needed....... :-) she may be the boss of much of my life, but if I feed her some crackers early she may be a happy camper....... 

A good idea is to count consciously your food. First of all,  it slows down consumption. Also, finely  chewed food has less chance of getting blocked  (I think ). Also, it is very hard to put your foot into your mouth while you're chewing. And you don't have to answer immediately because you aren't done swallowing yet. This moment can save your hide,  if you think about it.

Y'all have a wonderful "Hallmark " holiday. 

And please drive safely. I want to hear all about afterwards. 

I plan to be that one, the one who brings a container or two for carry home food. This way I can say I can't eat it now but I will certainly eat it at home.

This will be my second extended family thing since getting Oscar. Thanksgiving was good even though I ate like a starving person. Family dinners are a smorgasbord serve yourself deal in my family. This means everyone controls what they eat and how much. Lots of folks with varying dietary needs in our family, as long as you've ate no one bothers with what you've ate. Lots of grazing before hand too. Veggies, cookies, cheeses, pickled things...

Hi Felicity, I love the word "smorgasbord" and I love that style of eating. Give me that and bread and rolls. if I got away with it I would put every thing between bread. my wife had to shake her head at a mash potato and mustard sandwich she found me making

Hi Felicity, I always bring my own containers...... Wish others would also, I run out.. Bring back the different things that I don't regulay eat or make at home, it is nice.

Glad your up and around now, hope your Christmas meal is extended for days ahead.. Best, M.

John, really? mashed potatoes and mustard on rolls??????? Your a hoot!!! Nellie couldn't handle all of that at once.  Hope your drinking a lot during that sandwich!! Do some walking to move that through nicely.. :-)  Happy holidays to your and yours.. Be safe driving.. M.

And their is even worst so bad its probably best kept to myself!! lol. the very best for the hols

John, Your just a creative man.. That is a good thing.. :-) Enjoy it.. 

Safe holidays to you and yours. M.

Really John mashed potatoes n mustard sandwhich ????? Lol