I e-mailed my M-i-l.

[Ariannah]

I credit my DH with every word of the note quoted below. There is no detail provided - only offer of specifics should she indeed need it. I believe that for someone who really goes out of her way to try to meet people's specific needs, it is a wonderful note, and sounds like I still enjoy being with the family. (we do). Anyway, here it is:

"For some months now, I have enjoyed the benefits of a new way of eating. I feel better, look better, and don't need to follow such a strict regime as before. Because this way of eating is significantly different from the way I ate before, and you've always been quite careful to accomodate for me whenever you've had us over to eat, I thought I'd warn you in advance to prevent any confusion. The next time you have us over, please contact me so we can work out what I need for the meal. I will be happy to bring along my own food if that simplifies meal planning for the rest of the family."

[calee]

That is a terrific letter and I bet it's taken in the spirit in which you mean it. It's so great that you're speaking up for yourself so that your needs get taken care of. You have a great husband to help you with it!

lee

[rawpriestess]

sounds perfect. Precise and to the point.

[Autumn]

Sounds good. I would have changed one word though: warn. I would have used "advise". Warn sounds like something bad is coming, which is what raw definitely isn't. :D

I'm sure your MIL will be more than happy to accomodate you after such a thoughtful note. :)

[Ariannah]

Thanks everyone. Autumn, I agree about the word warn.

[ReneeSC]

Very well done, Hon!

I think it's just enough to pique her curiosity. Like I said earlier, when she SEES you, it will help her to understand!

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! ( waaay ahead of time! )

[CAdreamer]

We just returned from back to back 2 week vacations with family and friends.
Prior to leaving we just told each of 4 families we'd be staying with about our eating style. We mentioned only that we ate raw, nothing cooked, and that we would be providing whatever we needed, along with the preparation. If there was something they were normally eating for a meal and it was raw, we would be happy to partake.

We were told by the families that they really liked knowing they weren't expected to prepare something special, and how easy it made it. It was very workable and everyone seemed to appreciate the information ahead of time. It also prevented the unnecessary shopping ahead and planning of menus for company.