Going out to non-raw restaurants with friends and families

[jenjenn]

Most of the time I don't go out to eat in restaruants. However I'm thinking ahead to those times when I go visit my family and we want to go to our "regular" restaruant. Or when I meet a group of friends and they're like let's grab a bite to eat. I don't ever want to say no I'm not going to go and make up excuses, But i also don't want to have to go and defend my self about why i'm not eating or have to put up with tempataion and or pressure to eat.

So my question to all you raw foodist lifestyle livers how do you handle these situations? :(

[Drawn]

I don't tell everyone I'm raw unless they see the difference in me and sincerely ask what I'm doing differently. Telling people who haven't asked me about it often makes them defensive about their choices so they attack mine. I find that its better to lead by example and share with those sincerely interested. That being said....

On the rare occasion I go out with friends I scan the menu for raw items I like and ask the server to bring me an entree size salad and ask if they can add in those things I see on the menu that are raw. If I'm not sure if they are raw, I ask about it and make my decision from there. Bringing my own salad dressing and some seeds or nuts help if I really think I'm going to need them for temptation. But, if I don't want to bother with the nagging questions and judgements, I just order a very plain entree size raw salad and slip some dressing on it. We shouldn't be shy or ashamed of our choice to be raw but I understand the desire to want to keep the attention off you and on the festivities at hand. Especially when you know you are entertaining with a rather hostile crowd.

[rawpriestess]

Hi, this is how me and my (almost raw) hubby do it.

Pretty much all of our friends, know we are raw but even if they didn't they couldn't tell, because we read the menu, front to back to see what types fo things they have on the menu.

We printed out these cards, that says basically, "Hello great chef, I only eat raw fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, I don't eat anything frozen, canned, boxed, cooked or processed, nothing out of a bottle, or pacakge. so please use your culinary expertise to create a raw veggie/fruit/nut plate that really shows off your true genius, but most of all have fun."

below you will find some ideas of what might be things I would love to eat.

then I list the foods most likely to be in theire establishment,

for Asian, I have celery, brocolli, mushrooms, shitaki, carrots, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, bok choy, mandarin oranges, lemon, mushrooms, basil etc.

for Greek, I have olives, oregano, basile, thyme, red pepper, onion, olive oil, tomato, garlic etc.

for Mexican I have cilantro, tomatoe, lettuce, onion, tomatillos, cactus, brocolli, zucchini, mushrooms,

for That I have
mango, carrot, cabbage, mushrooms, asparagus, ginger, garlic, coconut, coconut water, brocolli etc.

or you can just put it all on one, which I used to do, but the cards got bigger and longer, the more I knew about the dishes, and started frequenting more and more cooked restaurants, and wanting uncooked foods.

It's pretty easy, all you do is either look at the menu, and see what they have that is a veggie plate or fruit plate, and you can order that, or you can almost always get a green salad and add mushrooms, brocolli, tomatoe onion, cilantro, raspberries, lemon, apple, arugula, etc.

I prefer a little more excitement, so I ask the chef to use thier genius, this usually brings me the most gorgeous meal at the table, and for much less money.

One time I was out with 3 cooked friends, and after they had orders, their steaks, and spaghettis, oyster, etc, I ordered this veggie salad plate, and then all three of them changed their order to mine, they thought it sounded so good. All I could do was smile, it was the first time that we spent time together that they didn't all want to go home and take a nap after lunch. LOL

So, be differnt, be brave, go for it, be raw, ask for what you want, they are there to serve YOU.

and most of all, have fun.

[levamssg]

Jenjenn -- You don't have to "not eat" when you go out. We go out to eat quite often. I do basically what Raw Priestess does ... look over the menu to see what raw ingredients might be on hand. When it's time to order, I ask our server about their salads ... and mention that I eat raw veges and fruits, and could they put something creative together. For the most part, the server gets into it -- and is quite proud when they present a very large and creative combination of whatever they could find. Granted, it is salad, in many different forms, but allows me to not miss social events and still eat well. For dressing, I carry an orange - slice it in quarters and squeeze the juice over the salad.

You can get some type of salad and sometimes fruit most anywhere -- even fast food places. Granted, there are places that have Nothing -- like coffee shops for example. So, have a piece of fruit along with you and sip some water. After all, it is the social part you want anyway.

I don't defend myself at all. If asked, I simply say I choose to eat raw because I believe it is healthier and it works for me. that's it. I don't go into why raw, enzymes, etc etc. I just leave it there. People I'm around can see I'm pretty darn healthy and have heaps of energy, so usually there isn't much discussion about it.

Don't let worries about 'what do I say' or 'what do I eat' stop you from enjoying socializing with your family and friends. Just go along, be yourself, eat what you like, and enjoy yourself!

[julesmoz]

Great ideas, drawn, rawpriestess and levemessg! I love it when there's a social hurdle I'm facing in raw foods, and you people make it sound like it's totally a breeze! Very, very encouraging, as social pressures were the biggest things in my mind keeping me from going all raw.

I also had an idea while I was reading your posts. I can make some cards like rawpriestess does, and add on there that if they come up with something great, it will be a HUGE motivator for me to come back, and I will tell you all about their restaurant and their creation! Free advertising for them. I won't feel bad asking them to be creative if I feel like I'm doing them a favor in the process :) And hey, maybe I'll get some more ideas for things I can make myself at home, too!

Thanks for starting this thread, jenjenn. It helped me a lot :)

[eatyourbroccoli]

We printed out these cards, that says basically, "Hello great chef, I only eat raw fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, I don't eat anything frozen, canned, boxed, cooked or processed, nothing out of a bottle, or pacakge. so please use your culinary expertise to create a raw veggie/fruit/nut plate that really shows off your true genius, but most of all have fun."

what a fabulous idea!


also, in response to the original question, i personally always stick with salad. i've not yet acquired the ingenious of learned raw foodists (as rawpriestess above obviously has :) )! i ask for olive oil as dressing (which i HATED when i first went raw, and now i love it..) and make sure it's nice and big (and, of course, without any cheese or cooked veggies..)

if anybody questions or criticizes you, i suggest gently reminding them that you're respecting their decision to eat whatever it is they are eating, and that they should respect you to eat what you desire.

always easier said than done, i know
:rolleyes:

[redron]

Hi,
I now understand what to do at a resturant. What about dinner parties? My husband has two groups that we attend that have dinner parties monthly. We all take turns being the host of them. Do I bring my own food and answer all the questions that are sure too follow or not go to them for awhile until I am more sure on the program? There isn't always something safe to eat at these affairs. :confused:
Yo-yo girl

[kmik]

redron,

I always eat before I go somewhere like that, so I have a full belly to avoid snackie temptations. Then, yes, I bring something, but to share. Frequently people bring dishes along to dinner parties to help the hostess anyway, so it's not so odd. Then, if the hostess does have something you can eat, great, otherwise just eat your food, and if anyone asks, answer whatever you feel comfortable with.

[robertandenith]

<<"Hello great chef, I only eat raw fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, I don't eat anything frozen, canned, boxed, cooked or processed, nothing out of a bottle, or pacakge. so please use your culinary expertise to create a raw veggie/fruit/nut plate that really shows off your true genius, but most of all have fun.">>


OMG I am just now reading this, this is AWESOME!! Thanks so much for your input!!! would you mind if I copy this? :o :D

[WingedSpirit]

I think about what I would eat anyways if I wanted something at home. Again, there is always salad. Recently I went to a sports bar and got a tostada salad without chips, meat, cheese and dressing on the side (An easy way to say no to the dressing without having to bug anyone. Doesn't bring questions either) What this ended up being was avocado, tomato, onion, peppers, salad, and a delicious surprise, the dressing was just cilantro and avocado! (nope did NOT eat the tostada either. But no one had to know that I went out with! It was my b/f and he has NO idea I'm raw!)

When I go out for mexican I get the fresh table guacamole and fresh pico de gailo and eat them both with a spoon.

When I go anywhere I get a salad and ask for fresh fruit for dessert. A lot of other diets do that so no one blinks.

[lissomllama]

Salad salad salad! I alwalys order a big salad and if it's a place with a salad bar I can go fill up on cherry tomatoes and other good stuff as well. It does bother me that they aren't organic but I deal with it.