Eating out While Raw...What do I do???

[cheflissy]

I know this has been discussed alot on this board. But I'm meeting a friend tomorrow for dinner and am not sure what to eat. I know I can get fruit or a salad or something uncooked like that. I've not eaten out before at a restuarant while raw yet. But my problem is that I eat only organic food and my body does NOT do well on food that aren't organic and obviously raw. I know at some point I may have to cheat but I really don't want to becuase I feel so yucky afterwards and not just a day. It's several days. I don't know this friend well enough yet to be comfortable to share with her what I'm doing with my eating habits and such and get into all the health things with it. I know too that a guy from work who likes me will be asking me to do something with him sometime soon and I get asked all the time to go to lunch after church with my friends, but I always turn them down cuz I don't feel like I can eat anything cuz it's not organic. I don't feel like I should ask to go to an organic restaurant either, cuz most of my friends are single and trying to make ends meet each month and am I. So...any suggestions? Thanks.

Melissa

[RawChicky]

I think you should start telling your friends about your health needs so that they don't put you in compromising positions

[konmai]

omg! Do I know the feeling of people just asking you to go out to eat all the time! hehe. :D Thankfully, before going raw, I used to be the one who didn't drink & having to avoid bars & happy hours w/ casual acquaintances. Same way in how to deal I guess. Here goes!

Is it possible to switch the plan to something else by any chance? Go have a picnic? You bring something, & she bring something? or you both can order take out for a picnic, but you can bring something to add to it like a raw organic fruit bowl? Some ideas. :D

There are always lots of free activities as well. Just have to look up some local attractions or monthly activities. They're usually either free or very inexpensive which would be great. :p

[juliebove]

Is it possible to dine at a restaurant that serves only organic greens? I don't know if there are any in your area or not. I knew of some in CA and also some here, but often they are the more expensive places.

[DavidZaneMason]

Listen:

My opinion is that you can't go around forever 'hoping' that people will serve you correctly. Take responsibility! Bring your own food. Explain that you are on a 'special diet' which is true.....and ask for a plate that you can eat the avocados, apples, bananas, graps, strawberries.....or whatever else else you chose to bring. Encourage your friend or date to eat whatever they want! If YOU are happy...they will be happy! (or should...ha! ha!).

-David Mason

[Pailani]

I don't feel like I should ask to go to an organic restaurant either, cuz most of my friends are single and trying to make ends meet each month and am I.

Generally, it only gets harder, not easier, when everyone gets married and starts families. (Or maybe it's just that everyone I know is a single-income family??)

A potluck/picnic sounds like a great idea. But I know it's not the same as meeting at some place to eat. It can take some practice getting used to making whatever arrangements you need - figuring out what/how to order, what you can bring that won't make you self-conscious. Maybe you should go out with a good friend first and practice before you're with other people where you might be a little more intimidated.

[Sheryl]

If you call the restaurant ahead and time and explain to them only organic, you can probably do what David suggested and work out to bring your food, slip it to them, and have them bring it out on a plate for you for a small fee. If you are eating there it's only fair to give them something!

Or if they do have organic greens (you never know) order a double salad, and top it with things you bring from home. Once before I brought young coconut noodles, sauce, and other veggeis, and had people from other tables trying (unsuccessfully) to order my salad!

Cheers,
Sheryl

[cheflissy]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I have done the picnic thing with another friend and it worked well. I just asked my friend this time if she wanted to do Starbucks or bring food to my place instead. We'll see what happens. Thanks again.

Melissa

[juliebove]

Generally, it only gets harder, not easier, when everyone gets married and starts families. (Or maybe it's just that everyone I know is a single-income family??)

A potluck/picnic sounds like a great idea. But I know it's not the same as meeting at some place to eat. It can take some practice getting used to making whatever arrangements you need - figuring out what/how to order, what you can bring that won't make you self-conscious. Maybe you should go out with a good friend first and practice before you're with other people where you might be a little more intimidated.

Depends on where you live. In this state you can't bring in outside food. It's a health code violation. I do know of some places that have allowed this, but most will not and some even have it posted on their door.

[rawpriestess]

Yes, is WA state you can not bring in outside food, however, you can always go to a restaurant that has outside seating, especially in the summer, alot of places do this.


I just recently went to a fantastic bistro, they had nothing on the menu that I could eat, so I just wanted to fast, (this is how I am handling restaurants now)but the manager came out and we spoke for a few minutes, I explained that I was a raw foodist, and he asked me a couple of questions, and then he brought out (at no charge by the way) a fantastic plate of fresh greens, herbs, white onion, fresh corn cut off the cob, lemon wedges, red pepper chopped, and a fresh glass of juice, it was one of the best meals I've ever had.

So, often speaking with the manager ahead of time REALLY helps.

but usually when I go out to a restaurant now, I just have tea, I order herbal tea, get a pot of hot water, and a glass of ice water, and I add ice to the hot water, to make it warm then I add a couple of tea bags, it's great.