[Chynna]

You could always bring some salami and cheese cubes, buffalo wings or just plain wings, baby spareribs, raw veggies, low sodium cold cuts. There's definitely many choices that work well for appetizer platters.

As far as the meal goes, you could try eating before you go there and limit yourself to only the appetizers or you could bring your own meal and explain that you don't really care for corn beef and have to follow a certain eating plan. I'm sure they will understand.

Everyone pretty much has their own 2 cents to add as far as the Atkins WOL goes. If you don't mind talking about it, then you could educate them about your new WOL or if you would rather not talk about it, just kindly let them know that you don't care to elaborate on it for your own reasons. Every time I mention that I am eating the Atkins way, I get a lot of know-it-alls who try to convince me it's not healthy. This is why I would rather not let anyone know. My decision to follow Atkins is no one's business but my own and I make sure to let everyone know that in case they do have something to say. I know it sounds a bit harsh, but it's my way of fending off saboteurs.