Raw with other NonRaw Family Members

[threedogs]

I need help. I love raw, but I am struggling. I'm finding it increasingly difficult with the non-raw members of my family around me. Well, seriously, it is ONE person who is making this difficult (O.K., it's the BF who is doing this) keeps bringing stuff into the house that I DON'T want to eat, but I cave in.... I am battling EVERYDAY, but am getting so tired of this. I've managed to keep him from getting most of the stuff that was always my downfall, like pastries and bread, but I will find stuff like cheese, etc. in the fridge. Once I have a bite, (as you well know), I feel so crappy.

On the plus side, my 22 yr old son & his girlfriend was telling me how he actually bought FRUIT when he was out yesterday. ("FRUIT!!" he said. "I NEVER buy fruit!" And that's so true :D ). He went on to say how he was craving pineapple and watermelon, too. All of my kids are so happy with my healthier eating and weight loss, and I guess I'm starting to influence them, too.

I've lost weight, as I shared in another post, feel better when I eat raw - I'm not blaming him for my own weakness, but I'm tired of having to establish how I want to live my life, EVERY DAY.

So how do you guys do this - those of you, like me, who have cooked food - and some people who just refuse to change (and maybe don't want YOU to change...) around you all the time?

[Oceana]

I understand 100%; I still HAVE to cook for my husband!
I will be watching this thread closely!

[threedogs]

Fortunately, I don't HAVE to cook for anyone, although I will do a meal for my son (who, I think, is lacking any food-preparation genes from me) once and a while. My BF loves to cook - how I wish he didn't. It's the food that sits around me that bothers me. Can't blame someone else for my own weakness, although I am SO angry that he (BF) won't take control of his food problem, despite some recent serious health dx's.

I had a wonderful experience last night. Had a function to attend - was in a program at my community college for women returning to school - a graduation - bittersweet - glad I graduated, but sad that I won't be in the same classes with the women I grew close to this past yr. It was a beautiful evening, and was very surprised that the majority of the food was very healthy - lots of raw salad, etc.

Of course, I ended up eating a piece of cake - halfway through I stopped, thinking, "WHAT am I DOING?" I knew I would feel crappy today from that.

What was amazing was, not only did I not fill my plate with lots of sweets, I was one of the last people in line for the food - not the usual for me. I preferred to stand and talk to the wonderful people there. (My skinny vegetarian daughter was in line way ahead of me - very funny!!!)

So I am making progress, even though sometimes I feel as though it is one step forward & two steps back.

[Pailani]

My family isn't raw. My kids are old enough that I was able to have them start making their own dinners a couple times a week, and I've stopped buying things like chicken (a smell I find hard to resist) and rice (which is hard to resist because it's wheat free and I can make excuses to eat it).

My dh doesn't try to undermine me by bringing home things he knows are favorites of mine, although he doesn't want to go raw and doesn't want his kids raw (I'm able to make them green smoothies, but that's it). But if your BF is trying to make it difficult for you, then you may need to establish some kind of boundaries or something. Let him know that you aren't going to pressure him to join you in eating raw, but that you need his support for the sake of your health. It wouldn't be fair to ask him to never eat in front of you, eventually you're going to have to be able to turn down cooked food that's in your presence, but he should be able to work with you and find a way to eat what he needs to without undermining your attempts.

[Nenyath]

It's really difficult! My bf tried to go raw with me but was not able to do it, now it's just me. There's different things in the fridge wich are extremely tempting and I have given in to my craving one to many times! Last time I did that, even though it was not much, I fell ill imediatly, throwing up and feeling miserable. I have not been particulary tempted by that after the episode. Then this weekend we were away and even though there were salad and fruit for me to eat I did not have the dressing and all the other wonderful foods wich make my day easier when it comes to cravings, so I gave in and in turn gained 2 kg (they are off now thanks to three days very high raw)

My advice would be, find out what tempt you the most and get your bf to keep it out of the house. If you find there is an item you can't stay away from there is one cure and while it may not be pleasant it is really effective, overeat on that item and mentally record how ill you feel after.. The onl other way I know of is having a very strong will! Good luck!

Fly forever free..

[Lay-Lay]

My husband when I first went raw the first time was not really that supportive and I allowed that to effect my chooses. This last time on the raw wagon is a different story. I told him that I didn't expect him to eat this way if he does not want to but I need to for myself, but I really need his help. Could you please just support me and help me whereever you see that you can. He really has. He don't bring chips and sweets in. He eats alot of raw with me at times. he takes me out to eat where I want to go, etc...

[rawstrawberry]

Hi Threedogs,

You can do it! I have a partner who is not raw and never will be raw. Sometimes we need to put ourselves in their shoes as well what if he asked you not to eat raw in front of him. My partners eating choices are up to him.

I think you need to sit down with him and map out a plan. Is there a drawer in your fridge he could keep "tempting" foods in so you don't have to see them. You could also set up different eating times so you are not tempted. Also it is a good idea to keep around similiar raw foods to what make you cave and than feel bad. Try making raw cheese or any other favs so you can substitute those.

Believe me it does get easier, soon cooked foods will look alien and you will start to crave raw.

Good Luck
Raw Strawberry

[rachelmh]

I asked this same questions a while ago when I went all/high raw, and my fiance didn't. The basic response was that he can eat what I make or make something else himself. He is losing too much weight (I seriously despise him for that) so he wants to add chicken or whatever back into his diet. When we go out to eat, he orders whatever he wants. I actually cooked chicken for him the other, and really had no problem with it. I was shocked!! And I do the food shopping and bought him ice cream (we happen to have the same favorite flavor) and it didn't tempt me. I made some banana ice cream. And I have some of Alissa's chocolate/fig cake in the freezer. I took a few bites from an individually packaged slice, and felt fine.

You will get to that point. You have to trust that this is the lifestyle for you. If you want it bad enough, you will have it. (At least this holds true for raw eating. If only it worked for weight loss, winning the lottery :p

[exurb]

can you persuade your BF to become a supportive BF (If you can't if it were me, I'd re-evaluate the BF!)

My husband makes a total effort to hide all his goodies, he's even taken to hiding his chocolate bars, nutella, peanut butter, etc in the drywall!!! (we're renovating :p ). He also makes an effort to indulge outside the home instead of always indulging in front of my face. He indicates appreciation for the healthiness of the meals I prepare for us both.

To be supportive of you IMO BF needs to keep all of that stuff out of sight. You're not saying he can't eat it or he has to eat like you, but at least be considerate to what you are trying to do and act supportively to help you achieve what you want.

BTW, it's not really weakness, you are being bombarded with more cues to eat that stuff than you need and currently your BF is not supporting you in your efforts. I read somewhere that overrating willpower is stupid -- standing next to a chocolate cake and trying to not eat it is stupid, making sure there's no chocolate cake anywhere in your sight is smart, and that will help you more to not eat chocolate cake than standing beside a friggin cake and trying to not eat it. Weakness to me would be not asking BF for support or attempting to bring your household more into a way that supports what you want to do, while having consideration for other members of the household.

Best wishes, hope some of this is helpful.

Hope that helps. My hubby is not totally raw, but he is totally supportive of my efforts to keep my health up and weight down.

[juliebove]

This is not a problem for me because the foods my husband likes best are things I'm either allergic to or simply don't like. I do some cooking but because of the food allergies, I refuse to handle those particular things. If he wants those I either buy them prepared or he makes them himself. Really the only meal I might have to make for him is dinner. He mostly has cereal or eggs (fixes himself) for breakfast, and he buys lunch at work or just doesn't eat it at all. He's not even home for dinner all the time.

My daughter still eats some cooked food and she has more food allergies than I do. So a lot of what she eats is expensive and I have to mail order the ingredients. Often, I make things just for her.

Fixing three meals at once is not a problem for me. I can (and usually do) eat a salad which they may or may not eat as well. My daughter doesn't like a lot of meat so it's often something meatless for her and some form of meat for him. He doesn't like a lot of starches or side dish things. But he does like junk food like ice cream and chips that I am not fond of. I do not buy these things unless he tells me to. I don't think they're necessary.

[lissomllama]

It can be done. I cook 3 full, tempting meals a day for my husband and I just repeat to myself that taste doesn't matter. Sure, the taste and texture of some cooked stuff seems wonderful but that only lasts a few minutes and then you're stuck with bad health. You have to just condition yourself to see that food is simply fuel that you need, so in that respect, we should feel lucky that we can enjoy the heavenly taste of fruits and nuts and veggies. Just keep remembering how badly you'll feel after eating cooked and it will get easier. Do something else after that to keep yourself occupied and you'll forget. You might also just tell your BF that you need a little more support than he is giving you. He doesn't have to change his way of eating, but he could offer you more encouragement and understanding.

[threedogs]

I am dealing with someone who is battling horrible health issues, which are probably due to a lifetime of poor choices. Well, it's beyond 'probably'. I have had long arguments about the fact that yes, it IS known what causes arterioscelosis! He's had two weeklong stays at the hospital due to unbearable pain in his legs, has had a serious aneurysm repaired about a year ago – and he still hasn't had a wake-up call.

There is no doubt that continuing with the life choices he has made during his entire life - well, those choices will kill him. He has already experienced a disabling condition, and his current relief is really only temporary, but he prefers not to think about that.

I'm fed up with this situation, and as far as my own eating choices, I do great on some days – but others....

Pailani, I usually eat by myself, and his food choices for meals don't bother me (for instance, last night he cooked chicken livers – yuck!) It's the stuff that is in the cabinets, fridge, etc. I actually emptied the cabinets while he was in the hospital (there was remarkedly little there that I needed to toss, because he wasn't able to shop for so long, to his increasingly disabling condition.)

Nenyath, it is so nice that your BF was willing to try going raw! That in itself is a HUGE credit to his love for you.

"...find out what tempts you the most and get your bf to keep it out of the house." – I'm doing just that. I was very vigilant when I began (he wasn't here, and since the drs have given him some tempory injections, he NOW is able to go to the grocery store himself – and has brought home some stuff that I just didn't think about before. So now I've just told him, don't get this or that (I have to be specific), because it is too tempting for me. Problem is, next time he will probably get SOMETHING else – so either I just dump it (I'm not above that), or make sure I have plenty of good raw stuff to compensate.

Iloverawfoods & exurb – Well, when I laid down the law I let him know that IF he brought home chips and/or candy, etc., it was going to get tossed. Simple as that. Believe me, exurb, if my BF hid the junkfood, I am sure I'd find it. With my BF, it is literally a life & death issue – he cannot continue eating (or smoking) as he has done in the past, or he will die. Simple as that. (He has also quit smoking, so I am watching that, too. I can smell it a mile away... )

Julieabove & lissomllama – Fortunately, my days of cooking meals for someone else ended a while ago. Unfortunately, my BF loves to cook. Healthy cooking is a foreign language which he adamantly refuses to learn. He is old-school Italian (my mother has passed away, but although she was second generation Sicilian, she knew enough to keep away from fried foods & lots of stuff that is bad for our human bodies). My daughters are vegetarian, were vegan for many years. Trying to make him understand that no meat means no poultry, pork, etc. was a major project.

"Just keep remembering how badly you'll feel after eating cooked and it will get easier." Yes, that's helping. I feel that the more I slip, the more I will simply 'get used to' that horrible sick feeling. So I need to stop it NOW. And I will.

Part of my problem is my living situation. I actually want to separate from him – I want him to leave - have spoken about this MANY times. He has agreed, despite his own hurt feelings, but says there is no place for him to go, can't afford his own apt., etc. He is either in denial, or is just doing all he can to avoid any change. It's taken my years to learn how to speak up for myself. This past year I was in a great program for women who return to college after a length of time; through the program I learned so much beyond studying - I grew so much, and discovered how to say 'no'.

But I am tired. Tired of having to fight for MY right to eat the way I want to, in MY house. Tired of having to bring up the painful subject of his having to leave, and his not-understanding WHY - maybe he is banking on that.

[Nenyath]

Threedogs, don't ever ever live in a situation where you are unhappy! Especially when you are an adult and have the possibilities! Seriously, that he can't find a place is his headache, I know it sounds harsh but do not sacrifice yourself and your health! If you want to part with him, lay some pressure on him to find his own place if the apartment is yours, else leave! All this is way easilier said than done and I really just wish you all the best!

Fly forever free..

[Linda1970]

For those that are tempted by foods in the fridge, is it possible for you to get another fridge? That has worked perfectly for me.

[Dragggon]

Well I do all my cooking out doors or in a space I set up in the garage,
I make sure I always ask before I bring in any foods that may be a challange ( ie the smell or trigger food ect)
I minamize the junk food I bring into the house and make sure that there are lots of raw treats around for Rawpriestess ( I make sure before I have one of my treats I as her if it will bother her and always make sure there are some goodies for her also ie raw brownies icecream Rawkies cinimon rolls mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)

and grow tons of fresh things for both us ( I am much more raw in the summer months) as I forage all day long in the gardens while tending them.

Got to love raw organic fresh from the garden :D
And we do share a few meals the same as many recipes we have spiced so I love them also ( I have always been one whom needs lots of taste)
It is actualy not to much trouble unless there is 2 feet of snow between me and the garage:eek:

and I do have a freezer and seperate fride in the garage also for my stuff.

[ShelShel]

Well, I started high raw back in March and am 100% now for 13 days. My husband tried to start raw this week...after three days...he said it just wasn't for him. :p But he tried and I love him for it. Anywho...My husband and 2 children still eat SAD. (with heavy doses of raw thrown in there! LOL :D )
It comes down to this. If I eat the cooked food...no matter how tempting...I will bloat, feel horrible...and be depressed with myself. Good motivation.
Secondly, I don't entertain any thoughts about the food I don't eat anymore. I use to picture what the texture of certain foods...I was avoiding...or even coffee aroma...I could taste it. Now I don't let myself think of those items. But that took months to come to terms with! ;)
I still have my weak moments and I tell the people who love me...no...you can't bring that home. I won't be able to control myself. My family honors me by helping in my time of weakness. (God Bless them!)
Don't sabotage yourself. Eat regularly! Eat something raw if you are struggling...it's hard to crave on a full stomach!

Hope some of this helps you. We all have moments of weakness...because we are human beings. But you can overcome....just keep on eating Raw! Stay strong! Look for options in your own family for support! Raw (((HUGS)))

[threedogs]

Threedogs, don't ever ever live in a situation where you are unhappy! Especially when you are an adult and have the possibilities! Seriously, that he can't find a place is his headache, I know it sounds harsh but do not sacrifice yourself and your health! If you want to part with him, lay some pressure on him to find his own place if the apartment is yours, else leave! All this is way easilier said than done and I really just wish you all the best!

Fly forever free..

You are absolutely correct. These are the words I would speak to someone else, so I need to follow them myself! It is not an easy situation, because, a.) in the past, I have always been a softy, to my own detriment, b.) he's been so sick that I felt that I would be the most cold hearted bitch (can I say that - oh, I did...) if I threw him out just now, and c.) he is simply not making this easy for me. Should I go to d, e, f, all the way to z? Naw, I'm sure you get the picture. In short, this is not at all easy, but very necessary. I have dedicated my summer to succeeding in both raw and in getting him his own place, even if I have to do it myself (yes, this is NOT something that is my responsibility, but if that is what it takes..)

The terrific thing is, I know now that I am strong, I don't have to take crap, etc. It is a process, though. Sometimes I feel as though that I, in my life-journey, take one step forward & two steps back. But I think that's only because I can't see the whole picture. My kids have told me I have made tremendous changes, changes that I don't totally see. They see it, and are so happy for me.

And that, I think, is way cool! :cool:

[rawpriestess]

it's all a matter of choices, that YOU must make,

is the BF the perfect partner for you in ALL aspects? if you answer NO, then rethink that

is it YOUR house? then you can say what comes in or not.

is he living with you?, and paying at least 1/2 of the rent? then he has a right to bring in his food, even if it is a challenge for you (although not very nice of him)

do you "feel" supported by your relationship with him, and it is the ONLY challenge you two have? then maybe he just doesn't understand how important this is to you, or how much it causes you to feel tempted

you really need to look at "for what purpose" is he doing this, not WHAT he is doing, it is easy to change the behavior, "IF" he wants to support you, he can just have another frige somewhere else or hide the particular food that you have issues with in an opaque tupperware, so you don't see it,

but "IF" he is really trying to passivly agressively control you, or undemine you or tempt you, then NOTHING you can say or do will EVER help, he isn't a nice person, and you may choose to release him from your life.

after all, life is too short to be with people who do not support our magnificense.

but only YOU know for sure, what he is up to,

so is he ignorant of your temptations, -- then he needs education!

or is he cruel and controling, -- then he needs to go!!

it's up to you.

Boyfriends are a dime a dozen, you can find them ANYWHERE, I am constantly being hit on and I'm in my 50's and weigh over 200 pounds, trust me there are wonderful, gentle, loving men everywhere just waiting to be kind to you and your children, so if this guy isn't PERFECT for you, there's another one right around the corner.

[threedogs]

If I eat the cooked food...no matter how tempting...I will bloat, feel horrible...and be depressed with myself. Good motivation.

Yes, ShelShel, it is good motivation. (As I type, I am SO sick... trying to counteract the - ugh - cheese I ate with lots of good watermelon & coconut milk). Congrads on your 100% raw 13 days - you are fortunate to have the support that you have. You are/will be a terrific influence on your kids (wish I had done this years ago..)

I did tell him (the bf) how sick it made/makes me, & don't buy this or that; he apologized profusely. IMO, actions speak louder than words. I am so fed up with all of this - I let him know that I know he's just buy something else - and I'll simply toss it if he does.

I just need to get out of this situation... for my own health & well being. It's good to know that others have struggled - and succeeded, too. And thanks for those raw <<<hugs>>>! Need them today - right back at ya!

Dragggon - sounds like you are a true partner for Rawpriestess! All that you are doing for her - well, that shows just how much you love her. You are terrific!

Linda - well, a second refrigerator might be a solution - if I didn't have such a food-addictive personality. It would just give the bf license to get whatever he wants (and kill himself faster, too). And just knowing it is in the house - would tempt me too much. Not on all days, but those tempting days still exist for me, at least for now. (My kids, btw, are extremely supportive - I actually think my son tossed out most of the American cheese [just that one brand - others taste like dung to me] that the bf bought when he heard that it tempted me. He used to throw out junkfood, including ice cream, when I bought them back in my SAD days, even though he enjoys eating that stuff!)

[threedogs]

Rawpriestess - I agree with you 100%

Guess it is because I have had so little 'space' of my own - I just don't need a guy, at least not for now. My children are basically all grown (yeah, that's never totally true...) I see this period in my life as a time when I can attain the many goals I have, goals that I now know I can attain. I have spent way too much time in the past just letting others decide MY life. It is good to see that there are true partners out there (you are so fortunate) - but it is simply not a desire for me.

Yes, it is my apartment. Yes, it is [mostly] my money.

I can't say that he is obviously controlling because I actually live quite independently, but of course, I am aware of the food-control-issue of the past. I can say that I can read him like a book, and know what he does - and now I tell him so. He may be attempting to do this now [control with food], but believe me, that's ended.

I have historically avoided unpleasant situations in the past. Getting him out on his own is definately unpleasant - I will do it. But I do believe he knows this, and is banking on it.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Haven't read through all the responses except that it's *your* apartment and money, but I suggest you give him his own drawer or shelf in the fridge and then stay away from it.

I live with cooked eaters, and prepare food for them as well and it is the biggest challenge. I'm the one with the health issue and I do get frustrated that I have to be buying this crap, so I go to the health food store and get them the natural versions because I don't want them eating things like Kraft products and unnatural meats and sulfered dried fruit. So in our cabinets is a bunch of health food "junque"...

Funny thing, dh and I went to the movies yesterday and it was around lunch and he was hungry. I was on day 18 of my fast and he was concerned about eating popcorn in front of me. I was touched that he didn't want me to feel uncomfortable. I just wish that was more of a standard when I'm raw and the family is eating vegetarian pizzas and bean burritos, which is a big trigger for me.

Well, now you can tell your boyfriend that you know someone who is a raw foodist with genetic high cholesterol who has a family history of heart attacks at an early age. I also suggest getting him some info from Dr. McDougall who works with heart patients, and not raw but advocates a very healthy low-fat vegan diet.

Hope that helps!

[threedogs]

you can tell your boyfriend that you know someone who is a raw foodist with genetic high cholesterol who has a family history of heart attacks at an early age. I also suggest getting him some info from Dr. McDougall who works with heart patients, and not raw but advocates a very healthy low-fat version of the SAD.

Ha! You have no idea - that would be totally useless. Healthy eating is not part of his vocabulary. I could put all the evidence just that red meat and all the butter, cream cheese, etc. he insists on eating does cause the health problems he has. It doesn't matter. He wants to eat a certain way, and that's it.

He does like good fruit, though, and that is to his credit. That's def. Italian - was big w/my mom, too.

No, I will not allow the crap in my house. We had a long, heated discussion about his wanting a 'steak once in a while.' I said, fine, buy & weigh a say, 4 ounce steak (ugh, I hate red meat), NOT a 32 ounce steak, but only after you have lost 25 lbs - mark it on the calendar, & then have another 25 lbs later.

I am so sick of his juvenile attitude (despite the fact that he's something like 14 yrs older than I am). I will not be his mother.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I have a BIL just like this. He is obese and super high trigliceydes, and just keeps eating fast food. He tries to lose weight and believes that when he orders a chicken sandwich and diet coke from Carl's Jr. it is healthier for him then his regular cheeseburger.

So I totally understand what you are saying, nobody can make him eat any other way than how he wants. He is in the state of mind that the doctors will fix him to get him to his next meal.

Good for you about not allowing that junk in the house. It's your place - you call the shots.

[threedogs]

I have a BIL just like this. He is obese and super high trigliceydes, and just keeps eating fast food. He tries to lose weight and believes that when he orders a chicken sandwich and diet coke from Carl's Jr. it is healthier for him then his regular cheeseburger.

So I totally understand what you are saying, nobody can make him eat any other way than how he wants. He is in the state of mind that the doctors will fix him to get him to his next meal.

Good for you about not allowing that junk in the house. It's your place - you call the shots.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - maybe he didn't have a wake-up call, but I did. I am doing this (raw), and nothing is going to stop me!

[Lay-Lay]

You have to be comfortable in your own skin and home.

Despite your relationship with him, if he doesn't want to help himself you can't help him anymore then just loving yourself and maybe he will see your changes and decide to make improvements. But, please make sure to do raw for YOU.

I hate to hear of couples going soar, but sometimes they are just not "the one".

My best best wishes for you and yours.

[Pailani]

We had a long, heated discussion about his wanting a 'steak once in a while.'

We've had that discussion, too (although it wasn't heated!) The way we ended it was that when dh wants a steak, he goes to The Outback and orders it. It happens usually once a year - on his birthday or Father's Day (we all go and order something else). Mad Cow Disease and possible cover ups scare me, so it's the one thing I put my down about and won't allow my children to eat, ever, nor allow it in my house.

[Nenyath]

To my ears you do sound strong Threedogs, you know what you want and that is a really good thing! Know that you truly deserves it also though, as RP said, life is just too short to spent on people who do you no good, and one thing more, you can do it. You can live your life the way YOU want it, with raw, with freedom!

I fully understand the problems around him being ill, ofcourse you would not have been able to do it then but as you say, this summer perhaps..

Fly forever free..

[Oceana]

Well I do all my cooking out doors or in a space I set up in the garage,
I make sure I always ask before I bring in any foods that may be a challange ( ie the smell or trigger food ect)
I minamize the junk food I bring into the house and make sure that there are lots of raw treats around for Rawpriestess ( I make sure before I have one of my treats I as her if it will bother her and always make sure there are some goodies for her also ie raw brownies icecream Rawkies cinimon rolls mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)

and grow tons of fresh things for both us ( I am much more raw in the summer months) as I forage all day long in the gardens while tending them.

Got to love raw organic fresh from the garden :D
And we do share a few meals the same as many recipes we have spiced so I love them also ( I have always been one whom needs lots of taste)
It is actualy not to much trouble unless there is 2 feet of snow between me and the garage:eek:

and I do have a freezer and seperate fride in the garage also for my stuff.

WOW!
You are a real SWEETHART when it comes to supporting RP!

[threedogs]

To my ears you do sound strong Threedogs, you know what you want and that is a really good thing! Know that you truly deserves it also though, as RP said, life is just too short to spent on people who do you no good, and one thing more, you can do it. You can live your life the way YOU want it, with raw, with freedom!

I fully understand the problems around him being ill, ofcourse you would not have been able to do it then but as you say, this summer perhaps..

Fly forever free..

Yes, thank you - I am stronger than I ever imagined. Tremendous changes can happen when you take one step at a time...

:D

[threedogs]

WOW!
You are a real SWEETHART when it comes to supporting RP!

And I second what Oceana said! :D

[Sharon in Colorado]

We've had that discussion, too (although it wasn't heated!) The way we ended it was that when dh wants a steak, he goes to The Outback and orders it. It happens usually once a year - on his birthday or Father's Day (we all go and order something else). Mad Cow Disease and possible cover ups scare me, so it's the one thing I put my down about and won't allow my children to eat, ever, nor allow it in my house.

Pailani I'm curious what you have ordered at Outback Steakhouse. I haven't been there yet but I'm sure a day will come when I'll end up there. I've seen their ads and they appear to be anti-vegetarian.

I once got talked into going to the Texas Roadhouse Kill I mean Grill and the girl who talked me into it announced to the waitstaff "she's a vegetarian" as if she was offering an apology. I asked her why she didn't just put a sign on my back.

Anyway I requested a big iceberg lettuce salad with tomatoes and onions which was the only non-meat or non cooked thing. All their salads come with tons of cheese, bacon, dairy dressing, etc, so it was nearly impossible to get a decent salad and what they brought was pretty sub-par.

The funny thing was the friend who insisted on going there orders a fish entree. This was a huge lesson learned - when going out with a meat eater and they ask if some steak house is okay with me, to speak up and say I'd rather go somewhere that offers a good salad selection.