These days, being a party host can be tricky, especially with all of the food preferences, allergies and intolerances people face these days! I was recently at a dinner party where there was a LOT of cheese. Bacon-wrapped jalapeno cream cheese appetizers (ooh!), gouda on toothpicks with pita crackers (ooooooh!) and the most delicious dip made of about fifty types of cheese (OOOOOOH! Can you tell I love cheese?). The dinner consisted of feta-stuffed chicken, and dessert was – my FAVOURITE – creme brulee. It was that moment where I was cursing nature for giving me a dairy allergy. I don’t like to call attention to it – I just politely decline any foods that won’t sit well with my system. There was another woman in this group, however, who announced that she was lactose-intolerant, and thanked our host for having lactose digestion pills on-hand. I was happy – it wouldn’t stop the hives, but it would definitely allow me to enjoy some of the delicacies in moderation! I asked our host (who is one of my favourites – she is a NATURAL) why she had them, as I knew she wasn’t lactose-intolerant. She told me that she purchases them strictly for entertaining, and puts them out with the finger-food in case anyone needs them. WOW! It made a difference for two of her eight guests – and let me tell you, it was worth it, because she is one of the best cooks I have ever met. Take a page from my friend’s book, and stock some Lactaid for your guests!
