Hurry, please not much time [Archive]

lissomllama

07-17-2006, 10:38 PM

That is ridiculous. It is not rude at all to tell her that you will not eat cooked. This is your life choice and it sounds like your friend needs to read som real information about raw, vegan foods and gain some perspective. So much of this lifestyle is veiled in heresay. Bring something of your own in a tupperware container that contains a vegetable,a leafy green, a fruit and some nuts and she will see just how balanced your diet is. If you food combine, just eat one thing right after another and you could also order a salad and eat as much as you like. Your friend has no right to take you out to specifically try to choose what you will eat. She should want to take you out to be with you and be your friend. Print out some basic information on raw veganism and show her how wrong she is. Some people will never understand our choices but you can try to show them. Tell her that you are eating healthier and feeling better than ever and if you were not eating well, you wouldn't feel well. The body isn't a big mystery. when we're sick, we feel sick, when we're well, we feel well. Simple as that. Wear some colorful clothes and look your best and don't back down. This is your body, not her's and she has no reason to try to change you just because she is confused. No one can stop you, but you. By the way, a cooked meal is NOT what is not balanced. How is eating something that is dead and has had its nutrients leached from it and changed by high heat into toxins a balanced diet???

Dimond

07-17-2006, 10:40 PM

You should explain to her that if she really cares about you, she should support you. Have you tried giving her more information on raw and it's benefits? I personally would eat what I want & not what someone is forcing me to eat. That's not hurting her feelings. You would be hurting yourself by allowing her to control what you eat.

Dimond

07-17-2006, 10:42 PM

Lissomllama, we were posting at the same time. :) You said everything I was trying to say, except I kept it brief.

lissomllama

07-17-2006, 10:43 PM

Hehe! We RAWk.

Green Life

07-17-2006, 10:51 PM

Yes, but...

I was told If I didn't eat, then i would go to the hospital for an eating disorder.

thanks, though

Tirza

07-17-2006, 10:52 PM

Wow, you are worried about hurting her feelings?? Why isn't she worried about hurting your feelings?? You are doing your best to develop a healthy lifestyle. Those close to us should be supportive even if they have their reservations. They should also know that when faced with strong opposition, it is the human tendency to resist just as strongly. So forcing an issue like this is not the way to convince someone to change.

How long have you been totally raw? Has there been enough time for any deficiencies to have shown up if they are going to? Do you look anorexic (to her)? If you haven't been raw long, ask her to be patient with you - give it time to see if you get more healthy or less. If you have been raw for a relatively long time and you are showing improvements in your health, or at least are not showing diminishing health, then that should be proof in and of itself. If you look anorexic, (I know, that is a completely subjective judgement) then I don't know what to tell you. I hope that you really are in control of your eating and that health is your goal rather than just thinness. If she knows that your main goal is just to be thin, then you must expect her to suspect you of being swept away into some fad. People are fond of repeating those old sayings about "Moderation Being The Most Important Thing". One thing to remember is that many people feel very threatened when someone close to them is losing weight, especially if they were overweight before. It totally alters the dynamics of a relationship.

Let your friend know that you are intelligently following a fully nutritious plan, not a crazy fad. If you are aware of well known and well respected public figures who follow this diet, make your friend aware of them. Try not to be over-bearing about your enthusiasm. Try not to be too persuasive of those who are not in the same point in their life. The less that you appear to be a raving fanatic, the better. Try to stay social. How comfortable you are with your friends in food situations (and how accepting they are) may depend largely on your own attitude, confidence and graciousness.

You should assure your loved ones that your health is your number one priority and that in a worst case scenario, you would be prepared to change your diet if needed. Then you make sure that you really are in control of this and are being intelligent about it so that you don't prove the naysayers correct.

Dimond

07-17-2006, 10:57 PM

Yes, but...I was told If I didn't eat, then i would go to the hospital for an eating disorder. And how is she going to force you to go to the hospital? If it's gonna be such a problem, don't meet with her. Only YOU have control over you in this situation.

lissomllama

07-17-2006, 11:06 PM

It doesn't sound like you have an eating disorder but it does sound like you've got a problem with letting someone else control you. No one can force you to go to the hospital or do anything else for that matter. I think you might need to seriously reevaluate this friendship because it sounds like she is trying to force things on you. Stand up for yourself and eat how you want. Don't let this person control any part of you. You said that 'you were told that if you didn't eat you would be taken to the hospital'. Are you eating? If you are truly following a healthy raw lifestyle, you or anyone else has nothing to worry about. Tell them that you are eating full raw meals every day.

Green Life

07-17-2006, 11:06 PM

RawFoodieMom

07-17-2006, 11:12 PM

Maybe she's worried since you don't eat when you're out with her that you're skipping a lot of meals. I would suggest ordering a big salad/fruit plate or something. If you order a big salad, bring a nut/raisin mix and your own dressing to put on it. Then when she says she's worried about your eating habits, ask her what exactly she's worried your not getting. If she says protein, explain to her that leafy greens create protein in the body, and you've added the nuts and stuff. Get her to give you more specifics about what she's concerned with and you can explain why it's NOT an issue. This will hopefully make her feel better that you're getting your nutrients. And if you don't skip the meal it will make her feel better too.

fwebes

07-17-2006, 11:13 PM

You have some choices. You can bring your own food and whip it out, even at a restaurant. Show her that you're eating. Order bottled water so as not to be too rude. Most restaurants understand that some people have very restrictive diets. You can decide to meet her outside of an eating thing, like at the park. You can go to a restaurant that will have fruit or green salads and just ask for lemon juice for your dressing. You can also bring her a list of everything you've eaten that day and what you will finish the day with. And you can tell her to mind her own business. Threatening you with hospitalization is not friendship or caring, it is controlling. And most control freaks will not be satisfied until you succumg to their wishes. So either stand up for yourself, or let her go as a friend, cuz she doesn't sound very friendly.

lissomllama

07-17-2006, 11:13 PM

Well first of all, tea usually isn't raw, and if you go out, you should be able to get at least a salad or ask for some raw veggies. Almost all restaurants have a simple salad and some lemon wedges to use for dressing. You could also easily bring some nuts to munch on or top your salad with. Maybe to her it looks like you're anorexic and not eating well because you don't eat when you're with her. That is understandable at a cooked restaurant. Can you suggest that you go out to a raw place (if there is one near you) or just make a fancy raw dinner party at your place or even her's for that matter. If you appear to not be eating, of course you'll worry people who care about you, although I still think she is coming across as overbearing.

juliebove

07-17-2006, 11:14 PM

Huh? Okay... I've seen information that indicates that cooking tomatoes and carrots brings out more of the nutrients in them. I've also seen information indicating this isn't necessarily true. But other than that, what difference would it make if you ate something cooked or raw? Does your friend never eat salad? Where are all these people who only eat cooked food? I've never seen them.

mcasburn

07-17-2006, 11:15 PM

I'm confused... you're an adult with a family. You said that this is a friend, not your husband. Who's going to force you to go the hospital?

Lay-Lay

07-17-2006, 11:16 PM

Why don't you challenge her to do raw for 30 days.

Personally I would just find a new friend. Friends even if they don't agree with you don't threaten you or make you feel threatened. They don't tell you what what you should or shouldn't eat either.

You are not obsessive by eating raw. It sounds like the opposite is true. She is obsessive about you being raw.

Why do you only have tea in front of her??? When I go out I eat a big salad with avocado or I bring my own creamy rich dressing or I bring some of Alissa's Angel hair and marinara and candy balls for dessert.

Maybe if she seen you eating she wouldn't be so concerned about you. My family and friends are always wanting my food when we go out!

Dimond

07-17-2006, 11:17 PM

Even a bowl of fruit is something you should be able to get at a restaurant, if not a salad.

You can do this. You are a grown married women with two kids.

lissomllama

07-17-2006, 11:22 PM

Well, She was sugessting the hospital to warn me not to get sick with this "radical diet" and obsessiveness about food because whenever I DO go out with her to eat, I never eat. Just some tea.

She wants me to stop being obsessive.

I don't want to loose her friendship as I know she means welll...... don't you see what I mean?

Thanks
Green life

More directly, we do see what you mean, but you may not be dealing with this in the best way. If you are going to lose her friendship over something as inconsequential as dietary choices, then you may not need her as a friend to begin with. Even if you were anorexic, that is no reason for her to not be your friend.

Raw foodism, is not obsessive. Most people in this society just want to make it soud ok to eat SAD because they don't want to make sacrifices for optimum health, so they call those of us who are making conscious health choices, "obsessive" and "fanatical". Some people truly are confused but many know deep down that what we are doing is right. Both sides need to be educated more and shown good examples. So show them a good example.

Green Life

07-17-2006, 11:23 PM

Green Life

07-17-2006, 11:25 PM

You can do this. You are a grown married women with two kids.

Yes, but just because I'm grown up with two kids, doesn't make me perfect, LOL. I am still a person with problems like anyone else :) :)

Smiles,
Green life

honeybee joy

07-17-2006, 11:26 PM

It will just take some time for her to get used to it. I had that problem with a friend. They were always "concerned". I really wonder if it had to do with them being concerned, of just worried about any change in the friendship. I have learned that sticking to your ground and being firm but polite works the best. Most people think just eating fruits and veggies is a form of a eating disorder. They just don't know. They don't know that meat and dairy and bread and all that jazz is bad. I always like to take the opportunity to educated those who like to "worry" about me eating raw. I tell them all of the bad things about SAD. Eventually your friend should get used to the idea. If she doesn't stop, let her know that it bothers you, and this is your life and your decision, and that you have already heard her unwarranted opinion and that you don't need her to repeat it again. Let her know that you just don't want to hear it anymore. I had to do that. I also had to let them know that if they did not stop that I did not know if I could spend time with them anymore. They backed off after that. Some times you gotta set up a hard boundary.

Anyways good luck!

rawpriestess

07-17-2006, 11:29 PM

I'm sorry but I really don't understand this post.

you are an adult

you have someone that you wish to meet with, who you THINK is a friend?

where is the freind part?
she obviously wants to control you

and yet you want to keep this friendship?
for what purpose?

she certainly isn't a freind, she is threatening you!!
and exactly HOW can SHE send you to the hospital?

I simply don't understand this, are you under doctor's orders, or a court order, or is she somehow in control of you somehow? CAN she send you to the hospital? Are you in HER care someway?

I am at a loss here, there is NO friendship, she is NOT in control of you, you are an adult and can make your own decisions, and she is not your mother, you are not a child, she is not your guardian, I see no way that she can tell you what to do without YOUR permission.

just dont go, it's that easy, drop this so called friendship, you have plenty of freinds here on this board.

lissomllama

07-17-2006, 11:29 PM

I'm sorry you feel hurt, that is no good. She may very well be coming from a place of caring but not expressing herself well. That happens too. But you should explain to her that a piece of toast really can do alot of harm in the human body. For a raw foodist it can cause horrible cravings and sudden toxicity after having been eating healthy for so long. Cooked food is unnatural in every way, so yes, even a little bit of something that is not biolgically appropriate for the human body will hurt it. Maybe she doesn't get this because her body is used to that poison. But for a person who has a pure system, it will hurt them. It isn't rude at all to bring your own food to a restauarant and you can be discreet and still order raw stuff from the restaurant as well or just insist on making a raw dinner at home to share with her.

Tirza

07-17-2006, 11:32 PM

I am a little concerned myself over how the postings are going. Please, Green Life, Please reassure us that you are really eating a rounded well rounded raw diet!
It sounds like your friend may have some reason to wonder if you are anorexic if you don't eat in her presence. You must show that you don't have an eating disorder if you want people to buy it.

Green Life

07-17-2006, 11:33 PM

Well,

thank you all. Such tender advice. thanks so much ! :) I feel better already. Just going with her and ordering a salad should be ok;;;

She isn't a care giver per se,,, but a spiritual Momma so to speak. She is 30 years older then I, so she has alot of information and does help me out with other things, ect. We go to the same church and Bible studies, ect. We are sorta like a Mother daughter relationship.

the controlling thing gets me, though. I don't like to be controlled.

thanks,
Green life

honeybee joy

07-17-2006, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted By GreenLife
I think i'ts rude for me to bring my own food in a restruant for some reason

If you feel uncomfortable about it, then maybe just bring something small, and order a side salad. Then you don't have to feel uncomfortable. I have done many years of waitressing and people do that stuff alot. It is normal, and buisinesses are happy to do it, because they want you to come back.

Lay-Lay

07-17-2006, 11:34 PM

Well

she was just saying that I will END UP in the hospital if I don't watch what I'm doing to my body by not eating the sad.

I wonder if she IS trying to control me? Hum. never thought of that.

I think i'ts rude for me to bring my own food in a restruant for some reason.

She says things like whats it gonna hurt to eat just a SMALL little bit of toast, for heavens sake?

I feel sorta hurt myself and confused.

thank you again. Your replies are so loving.

Green life

I don't think it is rude at all to bring food in if they can't meet my dietary needs. I have even brought food in a gave the cook my recipe and asked them to fix it. This is a way of educationg people about raw. If 5 people go into the same restraunt all requesting raw food, don't you think they would eventually put something on the menu. It is not rude at all, if anything it's rude not to have a basic salad or piece of fruit on the menu. And noone ever objets to adding your own delights to their basic recipe. I have had cooks and waitresses ask me for recipes. They like seeing new things.

Why don't you ask your friend to be your raw buddy and support you in your food choices, but first have here over for a very nice raw meal. If she won't help you then that is just not a friend.

My husband when I first went raw 3 years ago thought that I had went overboard and was crazy, but when later when he saw changes in me it changed his tune, then I asked him to support me and he did. I almost had pizza yesterday. I really did almost give in and have that nasty stuff, but he stopped me. He asked me "why are you doing raw? Do you want to be sick again? Then he went in the kitchen and fixed me some lunch. You need people that support you in what you do.

honeybee joy

07-17-2006, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted By GreenLife
She isn't a care giver per se,,, but a spiritual Momma so to speak. She is 30 years older then I, so she has alot of information and does help me out with other things, ect. We go to the same church and Bible studies, ect. We are sorta like a Mother daughter relationship.

You don't have to answer this question if it is uncomfortable, but how was your relationship with your mother/parents?

I am sensing that there is a part of you that finds being controlled as being loved. In a way it irritates you, but it is attention, and it makes you feel needed and cared after. Was you mother unavaliable?

I know that I was always finding these older women who would mother and smother me. I liked it, it filled the void of my relationship with my unavaliable mother. It made me feel cared for. It was attention. It drove me wild, but I put up with it, because it filled a empty void.

I realized it was not healthy. I can't say what made the change, I guess I just realized that I have to love myself, and I am the one responsible for being cared for. If this is something that is going on that there is a deeper issue at hand. There is a reason on why you are attracted to this relationship.

Rawkinlocs

07-17-2006, 11:57 PM

How does cooked food (such as toast) make you feel? Does it make you all bloated and uncomfortable? Does it ever give you headaches or stomach aches?

If so, then there's yours answer! Tell her that if you WANT to eat cooked food, you most certainly could and would...but you don't eat it because you don't want to, you choose not to because it makes you feel badly physically and eating raw, living foods makes you feel GREAT!

Since you are both church-going women, point her to Gen. 1:29, tell her that you are eating to take better care of your body which is the temple of God because if you defile it, He will destroy it and point out to her the numerous church folks who are sick and you refuse to end up being like that!

There are a LOT of things you can "go there" with her on if you really want to.

As it's been said here by others, she sounds like she could use some educating about raw foods and how cooking foods destroys the nutrients and converts the food into a toxic state, etc.

She probably can teach you a lot of things about life and about spirituality, but I've seen some church leaders, matriarchs and pastors who are NOT the picture of health and while she may be older and have some things to tell ya, this is one that she can learn from YOU on...you just have to be willing to take the reigns here on this one!

I have some older friends and relatives who I get advice about "some" things on...but they don't know everything! LOL!

This is one of those situations where those SAD names for raw foods can do some good because she thinks you don't eat or don't eat balanced...but if only she knew that you are eating or if you choose to, you have the ability to eat chocolate pudding, brownies, "pasta" and sauce, etc. maybe she'd be more inclined to believe you are not suffering from an eating disorder.

Does she have reason for this concern other than the fact that you are eating raw? Have you had an eating disorder in the past that she knows of?

Is she healthy? Is she overweight? Is she on ANY meds at all? Those are all things to consider and point out since she is nitpicking YOUR dietary habits.

It sounds like you two just really need to sit down and talk and you school her on some things about this way of life you have chosen. Show her there is no need for concern...point her to links, before/afters, success stories of people regainging their health, recipes, nutritional information, etc.

If none of that helps and she is still insisting that you have a "problem" then perhaps it is time to re-evaluate this friendship if she cannot and will not accept you for who you are and where you are even after you show her there is no need for concern and that you are eating perfectly healthy.

Lay-Lay

07-17-2006, 11:57 PM

what information does she have that you don't or can't get from another source? You don't have to answer if this is to personal.

Green Life

07-18-2006, 12:00 AM

Honeybeejoy,

My M other and I are very close, and always have been best friends that way.

thanks, though. It's a good thought.

Green Life

07-18-2006, 12:04 AM

It's just not the information that she has or what she can offer me. Friendship goes both ways, I guess.

Rawkinlocks, yes, your right. I can see that maybe now it's MY time to help and guide HER!

thanks All
Green LIfe

Lay-Lay

07-18-2006, 12:05 AM

very good, see if you can't help her.

spicyfull

07-18-2006, 12:07 AM

You teach people how to treat you....................

Green Life

07-18-2006, 12:10 AM

Yes, exactly :0 :) :)

thank you ALL

Green life

Coriander74

07-18-2006, 12:30 AM

Well, She was sugessting the hospital to warn me not to get sick with this "radical diet" and obsessiveness about food because whenever I DO go out with her to eat, I never eat. Just some tea.

She wants me to stop being obsessive.

I don't want to loose her friendship as I know she means welll...... don't you see what I mean?

Thanks
Green life

Sounds to me like SHE is the one obsessing!!! I can understand her fears if she never sees you eat, however like everyone else here says... order something raw, a HUGE salad with nuts... I have never heard of friends who are legally able to force someone into an eating disorder program. Talk with her about your raw lifestyle. NO-ONE can force you to do anything you don't want to do!!! This is YOUR life not hers!!! Be who you want to be and the heck with anyone who doesn't like it. :D
All the best tomorrow, let us know how it goes.

Sharon in Colorado

07-18-2006, 12:55 AM

Hey Green - I am not sure I'd be comfortable going to this lunch date at all. The whole time I'd be anxious about "what is SHE going to say to me now"....etc. etc. etc.

And then she'll challenge you and tell you that God gave us meat and Jesus ate fish, etc.

And you will need to answer her this way, etc. etc. etc.

I wouldn't be able to enjoy the visit because I'd be so concerned about what is going to come out of her mouth and how I should have reacted.

But I do agree that if you go through with this date, you should tell her that when you eat that stuff, it'll make you sick. And not only say that it makes you sick to eat toast or cooked food, but you feel FANTASTIC eating raw food, YOU'VE NEVER FELT BETTER IN YOUR LIFE. Focus on the positive. I wouldn't even "go there" with her problems, because she will soon admit that she's got some herself. It is so much better to be a positive light.

But I will tell you what - if and when she does bring up that the people in the Bible ate meat and cooked food, then I encourage you to suggest that maybe she should really practice eating that way - clean, kosher, organic foods prepared, cooked and served just as it was served in Biblical times, and maybe she should even avoid restaurants. I bet that will make her zip up in no time flat.

honeybee joy

07-18-2006, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted By Sharon in Colorado
And then she'll challenge you and tell you that God gave us meat and Jesus ate fish, etc.
And you will need to answer her this way, etc. etc. etc.

There is a chapter in the book Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens, in Chapter 18, and he seems to thing that Jesus probably was vegetarian.

In reference to fish, he seems to thing that he might have used fish as a metaphor for the deeper meaning of fish, since the fish is a christian symbol. It could mean the feeding of the higher teachings of Jesus to the masses. (When Jesus fed fish and bread to all of those people.) Jesus did speak in parables. If interested I suggest reading that chapter.

I do remember reading in the old testement somewhere, where it is directly speaking to those who consume meat, that when around vegatarians, they eather need to abstain from meat whilst dining with them, out of respect.

Then, I remember somewhere in the old testement, where I want to say David, but please dont quote me on the name of the person, because it has been ages since I have read this, but someone in there had someone sneak them vegetables, insted of eating the meats that the king was eating, and that he ate vegetables, and it said that he was stronger then the ones who ate meat because he ate just vegetables. I think he was able to beat or win something because of it.

I wish I had the exact verses, so you could show them to her. Maybe someone on here can give them to you.

berrymarymac

07-18-2006, 01:36 AM

I've had a lot of friends "concerned" with my new lifestyle. But I think they should support us, not look at us and say, "oh, well that doesn't sounds healthy!" (yes, someone told this to me once.)

You could be doing worse, you could have had stomach stapling in which you can eat maybe 4 bites of food and then want to vomit. or you could not be eating at all or becoming bulimic. You seem to be eating very healthy. I feel bad about taking my food to a restaurant and haven't tried this yet. But ask for a large salad or two side salads combined into one. Print out info as others have said and give it to her. I think there is a raw food pyramid somewhere out there on the net.

But you could be doing something like Atkins or another diet that could cause heart disease. You are eating the healthiest of anyone out there and be proud of it! It's an amazing achievement for you and embrace it. Confront her, if she is a true friend then she will try to change and support you or be glad that you brought that up. If she is rude, etc...then she is not a true friend!

oh and I found the raw food pyramid!! Raw Food Pyramid (http://ionizedwater.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/rawfoodpyramid.jpg)

lissomllama

07-18-2006, 02:18 AM

That's wonderful mrandal, I love the pyramid. I'm going to print it out and put it in the kitchen for fun!

berrymarymac

07-18-2006, 02:24 AM

That's wonderful mrandal, I love the pyramid. I'm going to print it out and put it in the kitchen for fun!

They also have a poster for sale on the website, I might get one for college! Poster (http://www.ionizedwater.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/booklist.html)

jenna rose

07-18-2006, 04:44 AM

you could make your own raw dressing to take with you.

that way you can have a huge yummy salad. and have a bowl of fruit salad. i'd be stuffed after eating that.

dreamrawalwz

07-18-2006, 05:39 AM

If she is 30 years older then you it sounds like she is set in her ways. Hard to get older people to understand and go past the "meat and potato" type of food. She grew up when meat, milk, and bread were the staples. Hard to teach old dogs new tricks (though I know some that can lol).

As for having that one bite of toast thing...it's like telling someone who's allergic to wheat, corn, sugar, and dairy that that "one piece of cake won't hurt you, go on...eat it!"

I think this is an old thread....so how did it go?

yeahbethany

07-18-2006, 07:32 AM

Hi Green Life,

You are under no obligation to explain or defend your choices to anybody.

I hope you enjoy the lunch with your friend and being in her company. =)

-Bethany

IamLoved

07-18-2006, 07:55 AM

Hi!

I think that I do understand what you are trying to say. It seems to me like this freind of yours is concenrned about your health (and if you have only been drinking tea in front of her I can see why) and does not know how to approach you about it. She probably thinks that she is helping you. A lot of people (well most people really) don't understand a thing about eating raw and living foods and think that all you eat are celery sticks and carrots!

Do you have Alissa's book? If so bring it along to the lunch and show her the recipe section and the pictures of the delicious food you can indulge in. Let her see you eating nuts and avocadoes other high fat foods. Print out some information about the raw food lifestyle, things that convinced you to go raw, and give them to her. I think that she really does care about you, she just doesn't know how to properly express it.

I have faced this issue with well meaning friends as well. They just need to be educated on what this way of eating means and why it is the best way for me. You can do it! Go to the lunch armed with information. Once you explain it better to her maybe she will understand. You could also refer her to hallelujah acres (I know I spelled that wrong!) which is a Christain ministry. While I don't agree with all thier stuff it might help her to see a Christian ministry that says eating raw foods is good for you.

Please let us know how it goes.

Ariannah

07-18-2006, 08:00 AM

Tomorrow I have a luncheon date with a good friend.

The problem is, she is insisting that I eat SAD because she is worried about me.

What can I do? She said she wants to make sure I eat a balanced meal while I am there, not just raw food.

I don't want to hurt her feelings. What am I going to do?

Please help me YIKES!

Thank you
Cheers,
Green Life

(This is long but I so badly need to get it off my chest. If at least one person hears this and applies it, my experience will not have been all for naught)

Does this friend compromise her whole lifestyle around
your preferences?

One of my waking up experiences this year is that I cannot let myself be manipulated by what other people, no matter how well intentioned, or what type of relationship we may have. I am me. And when I eat, I eat what I choose and it's my own personal responsibility.

I suppose I am a tad touchy on this because if I let other people's opinions influence me all the time, I'd be a mushy pile of goo who never would be able to get her hands on a bite of raw food EVER!

Last year, shortly after I got married, I did just that, I allowed myself to eat cooked food, "just so I wouldn't stand out" or "just in social events to please other people", and it spilled over into EVERYthing. I found myself making cooked food on purpose at home when I had the self-named "freedom" to eat what I wanted without interference from others. Then, the quality of the cooked food got worse and worse to the point where I was eating almost *anything* and not checking ingredients.
I fell into a mild sort of depression, because I missed myself.

This was because I had the false mindset that what other people thought about me and my life somehow mattered more than my own personal deep rooted convictions based on experience, research, prayer, and the fact that I felt like a million bucks on raw and mostly organic food!
I like people, and like to make them happy, but when it crosses the boundary of some place where no other people have jurisdiction (my own body and what I'll allow into it), that's where I have to draw the line.
We so desperately need to be pro-active about what we need.

YOUR FRIEND HAS NO JURISDICTION over this issue.

I'm a slippery slope type of gal. I HAVE TO BE "extremist" or it just won't work. I cannot have 'just a little' to satisfy a friend. If I were alcoholic, would I accept a bottle of wine from a friend who owned a vineyard? But but but... what if she named this particular grapevine section after me???
See where I am headed? People can think of all kinds of ways to mess with you, and it's up to you to say, "I appreciate your thought/concern, but I must remain solid in what I want and need."

My awakening experience came when a) I realized that changing like the wind depending on who I hang out with was plain old stupid. b) I don't notice other people bending over backwards to accomodate who THEY are based on my passing observations, so why should I do that??

Sorry for the long winded monologue, but I am very passionate about this issue. It's my own lack of a backbone that was the slippery slope to my fall off of raw, and growing one has put me back on.

IamLoved

07-18-2006, 08:07 AM

Honeybee -

You are right. It was Daniel though and he didn't want to eat the meat and wine from the Kings table as it was offered to idols so he requested to just be given vegetables and water. The servant of the king did not want to grant Daniels request because if Daniel started looking sick the servant would have been punished. Daniel requested a 10 day trial period and the servant agreed. It says that the servant "proved them" for 10 days. At the end of the 10 days they looked healthier and better than all of the others so they were allowed to continue eating only vegetables and water and were not made to eat the meat.

I had completely fogotten about that text. Thank you so much for bringing this up! That would be a wonderful thing to show to your friend as well. You have gotten a lot of wonderful advise here.

Again please keep us informed of how it goes.

Green Life

07-18-2006, 10:34 AM

O.K. Here 'goes,

WOW I cannot express my heartfelt gratitude for every single one of your heart felt posts, Thank you so much!!

I am mulling everything over in my head and if I had some printer ink left, I would copy this entire thread to refer to so That I can know exactly how to handle this! :)

Not that I will read it in front of her, LOL.

We are going to a Thai place, and hopefully they have raw stuff as I have never been there.

So, off I go. First it's our prayer group, then off to lunch.

I will let you know what transpires, my raw food family !

Cheers!
Green life

Sharon in Colorado

07-18-2006, 10:35 AM

There is no doubt that Jesus was not a vegetarian. He ate broiled fish after the ressurection and had lamb at the Passover (last supper) which was traditionally served at the time. I am not so sure that Gabriel Cousens follows the teachings of the Holy Bible, rather the Essene Gospel.

I did not want to get off track with this, but seeing how Green is going to be lunching with a fellow Christian, no doubt this subject of eating meat in the Bible will be brought up. Sometimes when I bring up Genesis 1:29 to a fellow believer, this will get brought up by them and it often ends up going back and forth. It is like having a well-trained Mormon or Jehovah's witness at your door. You could be going back and forth with this person and there's never an end to the debate. Because each side is so adament about their belief system and their own interpretation of the scripture.

Green please keep us updated - I am very interested in this. I'm going to pray for this situation of yours!