I went to MacDonalds today. . .and was so happy!

[eachpeachpearplum]

We have one of those MacDonalds with the Play Land attached. I had been steering away since I went 100% as the french fry smell. . . .well you know, I think that smell alone is a mind altering drug -Lol!

So, I decided to bite the bullet as I needed somewhere to hide during this heat wave and grabed the two wee ones. . . along with my insulated picnic bag - FULL OF RAW FOODS!

We arrived and set out our picnic. No reaction at first from other parents but then we started getting stared at. I thought I would get complementary comments or smiles.

No I did not.

I got daggers shooting at me! I was feeling so good about myself - you know that happy feeling you get with raw - that it did not bother me in the least. I DID make a purchase too btw.

But what I did also felt was this HUGH sense of sadness for everyone there; I so wanted to share the raw food message like some sort of crazed evangelical minister from the movies! I felt like we had this light around us - it was very wierd! I could feel the unhappiness of everyone around me.

What you might find interesting too is that with high raw That Smell I mentioned earlier would have devistated me but today. . . nothing, nope, nadda twinkling of desire! :p

My kids never once asked for them too! :eek:

[PATH301]

WoW having your kids not ask is a huge statement by itself!!!!!!!!!!!

[misslinda]

good for you !!!!!!!!!!! " you deserve a break today at........... :) "


cheezers!

[Graciebeliever]

Original message by Eachpeachpearplum
"But what I did also felt was this HUGH sense of sadness for everyone there; I so wanted to share the raw food message like some sort of crazed evangelical minister from the movies! I felt like we had this light around us - it was very wierd! I could feel the unhappiness of everyone around me"

Wow is this the total truth!

I find myself almost weeping at the sadness and lostness I sense around most people. Grocery stores kill me for this and I too feel like there is a light around me as I walk around all that delightful produce.

On the contrary, when someone is vital and glowing you have to believe that they eat at least enough raw to give them that precious aura. Maybe this is just me but I have noticed that people either really gravitate to me or they really put their head down and ignore me.

Like for instance, yesterday when I went shopping I loaded up on all my fruit and veggie staples and the guy checking me out said "Wow, you must have a lot of cooking to do" and I said no actually I don't cook anymore I eat everything raw and he literally stopped what he was doing and he looked at me dead in the eyes and didn't say anything, it was almost like he wanted to see inside me and know what my thoughts or motivations were.

The YOUNG bagger behind him piped up and said "yeah man I'm eating lots of stuff raw now too, it is awesome" and the spell was broken and the checker seemed to want to ask me 1000 questions but he just looked down and rang me out. I thought at first he would ask me why but something inside must have stopped him. I felt very sad :(

[chilove]

Wow! Good for you! Very cool!

I know what you mean about the sadness. So many times I get depressed when I think about how much people are suffering and how needless it is. But that is why I'm determined to dedicate my life to letting people know about the wonders of raw. :-)

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Biff]

I usually make it a habit to buy something at any business that I go to and use their facilities. If I go and meet friends at a sports bar to watch a game, I will at the very least, order a few bottled waters if they do not have anything else on the menu that I am willing to eat.

If I go to a fast food place to let my daughter play there, I will buy a chicken sandwich, and an order of fries, and get it in a "to go" bag. (I do not eat anything in it, nor does my daughter.) I then feel free to sit there with the bag on the table and let my little one play. My daughter plays in the playland, snacks on the healthy food the I brought separately -- and the restaurant makes their money off of me.

Then, on my way home from the fast food joint, I give the bag of food to a homeless person on the side of the street that is holding a sign up wanting a handout. I feel that this arrangement, everybody gets something that they want.

This might help with the "stares" that you get from other parents, as it might be possible that they were upset that you were using the playland for "free" and too cheap to buy anything. (not knowing that you know the facts of how bad fast food is for your child!)

[Sharon in Colorado]

Biff that is an excellent idea, thanks for bringing that up - I was actually thinking the same thing!

I don't normally take my kids to a private establishment just to play unless I'm going to support them. However, I was never one to take my kids to fast food playlands, but if I did, I'd either buy a bottle of water or a salad, or even a meal of some sort and drop it off with a homeless person.

The daggers of looks were probably that you were using their facilities for free, and not supporting their business. The facilities are actually put there for paying customers, so the children have something to do while the parents are eating. Funny thing, it's usually for parents who can't control their children, LOL.

Not that I've had to run into a fast food restroom off the road when travelling - ha. Sometimes though I'll try to buy something if I have a buck in my pocket, like a bottle of water.

Sometimes when we have an occassional meeting at Whole Foods or Wild Oats, even if I'm not hungry, I'll just get a bottle of water.

EPPP I think it is great though to be in an establishment like that and resist the temptation, you did well. It takes a lot of practice for sure. Now I just don't dig fast food smells, the smells don't agree with me.

[Conscious Midwife]

I usually make it a habit to buy something at any business that I go to and use their facilities. If I go and meet friends at a sports bar to watch a game, I will at the very least, order a few bottled waters if they do not have anything else on the menu that I am willing to eat.

If I go to a fast food place to let my daughter play there, I will buy a chicken sandwich, and an order of fries, and get it in a "to go" bag. (I do not eat anything in it, nor does my daughter.) I then feel free to sit there with the bag on the table and let my little one play. My daughter plays in the playland, snacks on the healthy food the I brought separately -- and the restaurant makes their money off of me.

Then, on my way home from the fast food joint, I give the bag of food to a homeless person on the side of the street that is holding a sign up wanting a handout. I feel that this arrangement, everybody gets something that they want.

I also find those fast food play areas not so sanitary, especially the indoor ones.

This might help with the "stares" that you get from other parents, as it might be possible that they were upset that you were using the playland for "free" and too cheap to buy anything. (not knowing that you know the facts of how bad fast food is for your child!)


DITTO

My guess was that the stares were out of shock that you brought your own food to a commercial establishments play area, not really th content of your picnic lunch. 'Cause I never get stares at a public park when I have kiddos and food in tow.

[eachpeachpearplum]

I usually make it a habit to buy something at any business that I go to and use their facilities. If I go and meet friends at a sports bar to watch a game, I will at the very least, order a few bottled waters if they do not have anything else on the menu that I am willing to eat.

If I go to a fast food place to let my daughter play there, I will buy a chicken sandwich, and an order of fries, and get it in a "to go" bag. (I do not eat anything in it, nor does my daughter.) I then feel free to sit there with the bag on the table and let my little one play. My daughter plays in the playland, snacks on the healthy food the I brought separately -- and the restaurant makes their money off of me.

Then, on my way home from the fast food joint, I give the bag of food to a homeless person on the side of the street that is holding a sign up wanting a handout. I feel that this arrangement, everybody gets something that they want.

This might help with the "stares" that you get from other parents, as it might be possible that they were upset that you were using the playland for "free" and too cheap to buy anything. (not knowing that you know the facts of how bad fast food is for your child!)

That's a good point; however I did actually but three bottles of water which the kids had poured into cups with lids & straws. But yes I like the idea of buying a meal and giving it to the needy.

Cheers :p

[Mookie]

McDonalds french fries use beef tallow.
They have no effect on me.... they are not even vegetarian.

I agree with everyone here who said the "looks" you got were probably
because McDonalds Playland is not a public park and you are not expected to bring your own food there.

[Veganforlife]

I agree folks were looking at you because of the non-paying issue. I'm a biker and when I'm on the road if I have to "go", I used to "go" in McCrap's (sorry, but I can't even say their name anymore - the crooks!), but after reading Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation I cannot even give them the satisfaction of my urine! For all I know, it may end up in the food - which would not surprise me!
Sorry, but I feel very strongly against McBarf's. I have never eaten a Big Mac and if given the choice of eating one or being shot, I would be shot. I feel THAT strongly about the corrupt corporation that is feeding our youth and praying on us guinea pigs. I feel this way towards McUgh's more then the other fast food joints, which I will not frequent, simply because McPuke's is the first to have gone nuts with their money-greedy CEOs, their revenues and spreading their cancer throughout the world.
I DO NOT like McSpit's!!!
I better not keep posting here or I'll be kicked off... :eek:

[Doe]

But what I did also felt was this HUGH sense of sadness for everyone there; I so wanted to share the raw food message like some sort of crazed evangelical minister from the movies! I felt like we had this light around us - it was very wierd! I could feel the unhappiness of everyone around me.
I get that feeling quite often in public especially when I see loving parents with small well behaved children. I feel so sorry for them, like Sarah Conner in the Terminator movie looking at the precious children that she knew were about to die. It's like time stands still for a moment, then life goes on. I do try to share the truth with those who will listen. It's just that at the times I feel that horrible sadness usually isn't the appropriate time. Especially not with my momentary "you're going to suffer and die" attitude. Guess I need to work on myself.

Teri S

[Rawkinlocs]

LMBO @ Veganforlife and all the many variations of the "McName"!

Why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel about Mc______! :D :p

McCrap
McBarf
McUgh
McPuke

Did I miss any? Oh yeah...McSpits LOL!

Maybe if parents called the place by THOSE names, kids wouldn't WANT to go!

"Hey Johnny, wanna go to McCrap-on-a-hot-sidewalk today?"

"Uhhh...no thanks Mom!"

[Vegan Diva]

I had the same reaction (as many people mentioned) when reading your post. I think the looks were do to not paying for a meal.

I do experience sadness when I watch the way some people eat. I felt this way last week watching a coworker eating lunch. His brother and wife dropped by the office. They were all scarfing down McDonalds food. He is making changes in his diet. He's been asking me questions for months and reading my blog. It can be harder for some to make changes in their eating lifestyle. Food can be extremely addictive.

@ Veganforlife,
I have similar feelings when I think about Mc____ and many other restaurants. :p I rarely eat out.

[juliebove]

McDonalds does sell salad and apples. Some locations have fruit salads. We used to go there and order these things. Now my daughter refuses to set foot into one, even if the toy does look appealing. After finding out that the fries contain wheat and milk (and not disclosing this fact), she sees them as evil. She is allergic to both of these things plus 5 other foods. When she first found out she would shout "Evil!" as we drove past one. Now she just ignores them.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Thing I hate about McBlank and other fast food salads and fruit choices is that they just plain don't taste good! Last week I gave in to a cheapy salad from Wendy's and it was just awful. They certainly use their fare share of chemicals and such on the poor innocent plant life there.

Oh - Rawkinlocs I've asked my kids if they want to go to "Taco Hell" or "Taco Smell" and they're like "sure"! They don't like McP's but for some reason they like Wendy's. I cannot tell you how much the greasy smell of that food in the car makes me want to vomit.

So I need some good bad names for Wendy's and Carl's Jr. Anyone got any?

[Veganforlife]

Good for your daughter! Salads, apples? I wouldn't trust these things. First off, the salads have MORE sugar in them then their shakes. The apples I bet too are tainted. I trust N O T H I N G from these sheisters!
If you (all of you) have not seen Super Size Me - that's a must-see! Followed by reading Fast Food Nation - true, true eye openers.
That's too funny too, because when my second youngest grandchild was younger, by a couple years, he LOVED McGagme's. It was the happy meals that he wanted, not the food, which nuggets? They only use big breasted old chickens. But when we would ride by one I'd say the same thing that they are EVIL, because they are... :p

[dreamrawalwz]

Those salads and fruits are bad for you also. Possibly irratiated and full of chemicals. They mostly use iceberg lettuce in some of the salads. The new "apple and walnut salad" sounds healthy, but those walnuts are not raw and are candied...how healthy is that!? Sheesh, stupid McCrap lol. I think at Wendy's the saladsall contain chicken, cheese, or something else. I WISH it was just that easy, but sadly it's not. When I drive by those fast food places I want to vomit from the smell! I swear I'm breathing in the fat and greese lol...am I the only one?

[eachpeachpearplum]

OK OK Ok . . . a bit off track here!

I really just wanted to voice how good I felt and that I have managed to get to a point where I am not turned into a mass of cravings by being near it.

I read here about so many people struggling with cravings I thought it might be nice to hear.

OK - I get it I should have bought more!!!!!! :eek:

Thanks for the comments all :p

[Conscious Midwife]

The fruit in those places that's prebagged and sliced has been chemically treated after slicing to prevent early natural spoilage.

Other Names for WENDY's:

Wimpy's
WenDisease
Wennie's

[Rawkinlocs]

The fruit in those places that's prebagged and sliced has been chemically treated after slicing to prevent early natural spoilage.

Other Names for WENDY's:

Wimpy's
WenDisease
Wennie's

Good ones! One more to add...
"Break-Windy's"

Carl Jr.'s (never heard of 'em...must be a local thing Sharon?) could be
"Hurl Jr.'s"

[Veganforlife]

When I drive by those fast food places I want to vomit from the smell! I swear I'm breathing in the fat and greese lol...am I the only one?

YES! I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way! I'm breathing that crap and it's going in to my body! Damn them!!!
And what's also sad among fifty thousand reasons NOT to eat there, they make things taste and smell appealing (or so they say). Not to me! What could be more wonderful then the smell of strawberries or the beauty of opening pea pods and seeing those little babies laying all in a row? I think fruits and veggies are about the most beautiful things on Earth!
Oh - how about Burger Barf (Burger King - home of the whopper - how could we forget?)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I think at Wendy's the saladsall contain chicken, cheese, or something else. I WISH it was just that easy, but sadly it's not. When I drive by those fast food places I want to vomit from the smell! I swear I'm breathing in the fat and greese lol...am I the only one?

The salad I got at Wendy's is vegan. It is a small .99 cent side salad with shredded carrots and grape tomatoes. I'm not a fan of tomatoes and I should NOT have used the viniagerette, because like veganforlife mentioned, it had lots of sugar in it, plus salt, chemicals, etc. I should have eaten it plain. The lettuce wasn't terrible but it just doesn't compare to the organic baby leaf lettuces I use at home.

I would like to mention that there is no actual sugar in the salad itself, aside from naturally occuring sugars in the carrots and tomatoes. Just in the dressing.

Thanks for the name suggestions. Carl's Jr. is just another discusting fast food joint, like Booger I mean Burger King.

I like break-Windy's :D that was hilarious!

[Veganforlife]

You still have to be very careful getting salads at these fast food places. They treat the lettuce and all the other "fixins" with chemicals to keep them fresh.
I don't trust A N Y of them. :mad:

[Lay-Lay]

McDonalds does sell salad and apples. Some locations have fruit salads. We used to go there and order these things. Now my daughter refuses to set foot into one, even if the toy does look appealing. After finding out that the fries contain wheat and milk (and not disclosing this fact), she sees them as evil. She is allergic to both of these things plus 5 other foods. When she first found out she would shout "Evil!" as we drove past one. Now she just ignores them.


They put sugar in their salad according to something I read a while back. So I don't trust their salads or their fruit.

[Sharon in Colorado]

If any of you have been following the recent threads, we've been going over how things are heated during processing, fruit and vegetables are treated, some heated, some frozen, some dipped in something or other to keep away the fruit flies or other vermin. Or there are problems with E-coli on sprouts and other green leafies.

So, unless you are growing it yourself or foraging, some of the food we get from the supermarket or hfs, organic or not, is probably going to be questionable.

Not that it should not be eaten, as it's definately a step up from processed cooked food.

The point being that anything you buy from a store may or may not be superior to some "fresh" food from a fast food joint.

[wyjoz]

McDonalds We have one McDonalds restaurant in T's with a playland. About 8 years ago, when my son was very young, we would frequent this restaurant because of the newly built 'playland'...

It was great! Sadly, over the past couple of years, the place is not being kept clean. The play area always seems to reek of children's 'diapers' and visible grime is always present on and around the play equipment. Upon cleaning, not done very often; here is a chain letter: it might be true or think about it????? children eat and play for hours and 'throw up'

McDonalds, Chuck E Cheese, Discovery Zone... Some of you might not be parents, but you may have nieces, nephews, grandchildren or friends with children. This will pertain to you too. As I read the following, my heart sank. I urge each and every one of you to pass this on to as many people as you can. I cannot stress how important this is! This is very disturbing news. In addition to the following true story, I will also add that my own sons were playing in the ball pit at Chuckee Cheese one day.

One son lost his watch, and was very upset. We dug and dug in those balls, trying to find the watch.

Instead, we found vomit, food, feces, and other stuff I do not want to discuss. I went to the manager and raised hell. Come to find out, the ball pit is only cleaned out once a month. I have doubts that it is even done that often. My kids will never play in another ball pit. Now read this:

PRETTY SCARY!!

Please read and be very careful with our childern!!!

Be very careful when taking your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc.to the McDonald's Ball Pit play area. Ask the manager when was the last time they cleaned the play area out. Please read this even if you don't have children and forward it to everybody you can! This is so sad and so terrible!

Hi. My name is Lauren Archer, my son Kevin and I lived in Midland,TN. On October 2nd, 1999 I took my only son to McDonald's for his 3rd birthday. After he finished lunch, I allowed him to play in the ball pit. When he started whining later on, I asked him what was wrong, he pointed to the back of his pull-up and simply said "Mommy, it hurts." I couldn't find anything wrong with him at that time. I bathed him when we got home, and it was at that point when I found a welt on his left buttock. Upon investigating, it seemed as if there was something like a splinter under the welt. I made an appointment to see the doctor the next day, but soon he started vomiting and shaking, then his eyes rolled back into his head. From there, we went to the emergency room. He died later that night. It turned out that the welt on his buttock was the tip of a hypodermic needle that had broken off inside. The autopsy revealed that Kevin had died from a heroine overdose. The next week, the police removed the balls from the ball pit. There was rotten food, several hypodermic needles: some full, some used; knives, half-eaten candy, diapers, feces, and the stench of urine.

If a child is not safe in a child's play area then where? You can find the article on Kevin Archer in the October 10,1999 issue of the Midland Chronicle.

Please forward this to all loving mothers, fathers and anyone who loves and cares for children!

Don't think it's just McDonald's either or that this is something that just started. When my oldest son who is now 9 was small the area Burger King closed their play area for awhile for "remodeling" because in another town there had been an incident similar to the one described above that happen @ a Burger King. A little boy had been playing in a ball pit & started complaining of his legs hurting. He later died too. He was found to have snake bites all over his legs & buttocks. When they cleaned the ball pit they found that there was a copperhead nest in the ball pit. He had suffered numerous bites from a very posinous snake. I wouldn't let my son play in the ball pit after that. I was lucky even though that wasn't at our Burger King or McDonald's it could have been. I still have my son. Please send this on so that it doesn't happen to someone you know.

the link: http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/ballpit.html asks to break this chain: and writes: that this is "Urban Legend" then states:::afterall, they are designed for and used by children, who aren't exactly the cleanest or most conscientious folks on the planet. But even adults can be careless (even malicious) and use the play areas as a trash can, a hiding spot for incriminating items, emergency restrooms and other undesirable uses. Some of the children who use them aren't always the cleanest creatures on the planet either. So I would not take my children to play there; as though McDonalds would tell you the truth and own up to being so clean? or what about 1/2 after cleaning a child vomits or another one does not make it in time to go to bathroom? Remember children usually go right after eating. It's a very normal reaction food in food out even for us adults; anyways; Joz

[juliebove]

Of course any place where children play can be unclean. And that includes outdoor playgrounds.

As for the hypodermic needle, that could happen anywhere. I've lived in areas where seeing those around are very common. You just have to teach the kids from an early age, if it isn't theirs and they don't know what it is, don't touch it!

[juliebove]

Good for your daughter! Salads, apples? I wouldn't trust these things. First off, the salads have MORE sugar in them then their shakes. The apples I bet too are tainted. I trust N O T H I N G from these sheisters!
If you (all of you) have not seen Super Size Me - that's a must-see! Followed by reading Fast Food Nation - true, true eye openers.
That's too funny too, because when my second youngest grandchild was younger, by a couple years, he LOVED McGagme's. It was the happy meals that he wanted, not the food, which nuggets? They only use big breasted old chickens. But when we would ride by one I'd say the same thing that they are EVIL, because they are... :p

How could a salad have sugar in it? We don't eat the dressing. Neither of us do. Yuck! I don't think they apples are tainted. They come pre-packaged.

I didn't see Super Size Me, but I also don't think it's an eye opener. It is possible to get healthy things at fast food restaurants. Might not necessarily be organic, but at most places they can be gotten. There is NO reason to order huge portions of anything anywhere.

[juliebove]

They put sugar in their salad according to something I read a while back. So I don't trust their salads or their fruit.

I don't think so. I'm diabetic. I've never spiked from eating a fast food salad. Nor did I taste anything overly sweet about them.

[honeybee joy]

I call McDonalds Sh*tDonalds, and I call Burger King, Booger King, and Taco Bell is Taco Hell. IHOP is ISLOP, or IFLOP. I just thought of another one. It is not very nice though.... Pizza Hut, can be Pizza Sl*t.

I was thinking about what everyone said about people giving her dirty looks for eating in there. Why would people be giving dirty looks because she brought some raw food in? I mean, happy people don't give dirty looks, unless they are judgemental and unhappy. She bought bottled water. The people could have felt uncomfortable, because they were there eating junk, but you have someone come in with raw food, buying bottled water, because her kids want to play there. What is wrong with that? If people are angry, they will try to find any reason to judge and make others feel uncomfortable, because they do. Their hate just oozes out at anyone that is different from them, because deep down they are the ones that are insecure about themselves. I think it might have made them feel uncomfortable. IMHO. I don't think you have to eat a burger and fries to go enjoy the playground. Bottled water is sufficient enough.

[juliebove]

I call McDonalds Sh*tDonalds, and I call Burger King, Booger King, and Taco Bell is Taco Hell. IHOP is ISLOP, or IFLOP. I just thought of another one. It is not very nice though.... Pizza Hut, can be Pizza Sl*t.

I was thinking about what everyone said about people giving her dirty looks for eating in there. Why would people be giving dirty looks because she brought some raw food in? I mean, happy people don't give dirty looks, unless they are judgemental and unhappy. She bought bottled water. The people could have felt uncomfortable, because they were there eating junk, but you have someone come in with raw food, buying bottled water, because her kids want to play there. What is wrong with that? If people are angry, they will try to find any reason to judge and make others feel uncomfortable, because they do. Their hate just oozes out at anyone that is different. I think it might have made them feel uncomfortable. IMHO. I don't think you have to eat a burger and fries to go enjoy the playground. Bottled water is sufficient enough.

Personally I think it is rude to bring your own food into a restaurant. And in this state it is a health code violation.

[honeybee joy]

Originally Posted By juliebove
How could a salad have sugar in it? We don't eat the dressing. Neither of us do. Yuck! I don't think they apples are tainted. They come pre-packaged.

Do you bring your own dressing in, or do you eat the salad dry? If you do bring your own dressing in, then you are breaking that said health code violtation.

[rawpriestess]

I have found McDonalds to be always clean, neat, tidy, kind considerate, friendly, and they allow older people to come in drink coffee all day, read the free papers, and visit for free in air conditioning.


I have eaten there when they first appeared in the 60's and didn't care for the food, I prefered Jack in the Box, but always got sick to my stomach after eating those burgers, so never became a big deal for me, I much prefered A & W or Taco Bell, when I was younger.

But I remember when the ONLY fast food place you could get a salad at, was McDonalds, and it was sooooo very nice to be able to eat a nice fresh salad, while others were eating burgers.

I've always found our McDonald's here to be highly clean all the time, especially the kid's play area, and the bathrooms, I would eat off the floors, they are spotless.

When I was vegetarian and not eating meat, but still eating cooked, they would go out of their way to make me a sandwich with no meat and lots of cheese and fresh tomatoes, lettuce etc. they were always so accomodating, and charged me way less than they should have.

They still make me special salads when I go in there now, when we travel,

I can get a huge fresh greens salad covered with fresh tomatoes, and chopped white onion, for only $2.00, because it has no meat in it, they charge me very little, it's actually cheaper to go there and buy one of their salads with no meat, than to go to the store and buy it in a bag, so I always get my traveling salalds at McDonalds.

I've seen Super Size me, and they do have some healthy choices on the menu, not all of their food is deep fried, and full of sugar.

People MUST take responsibility for what they put in their mouths, it's like eating a candy bar for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then complaining that the Candy company made you fat, what a ridiculous notion.

[juliebove]

The only McD's I've been in that I'd say was really dirty was one in the SF bay area. I went into the bathroom to find a woman sitting, yes sitting in the sink, applying some makeup. She then told me that neither of the sinks worked and hadn't for some time. I got the feeling there were a lot of transients in there. The prices were much higher than other McD's in the area as well. Then again, it wasn't one of the nicer areas.

[honeybee joy]

Wow, now I am not sure of this, but on the ingerdients for McDonalds apples and grapes:


Apple Slices and Red Grapes:
Apples, red grapes, calcium ascorbate (a blend of calcium and vitamin C added to maintain natural color). or Apples, red grapes, ascorbic acid (vitamin C added to maintain natural color), calcium chloride.

Fruit & Walnut Salad:
Apple Slices and Red Grapes, Low Fat Yogurt, Candied Walnuts

Candied Walnuts:
Walnuts (TBHQ and/or BHT may be added as preservative), sugar, peanut oil, honey, salt, wheat starch, maltodextrin, xanthan gum, soy lecithin, natural (vegetable source) and artificial flavor. Contains walnuts, wheat and soybean ingredients. May contain shell parts, tree nuts and peanuts.

I have noticed that when I have ate salads from fast food restauraunts that my brain gets foggy and dizzy, and my nose gets runny. Anyone ever experience that? That is without their dressing also.

[Judy]

The salads don't contain sugar, only the dressings do and they are served apart. I have eaten a salad once at a McDonalds in Italy, and it was big and fresh. I'm not a McDonalds fan either and haven't been there for years, but I can tell you that. On the other hand, I live in Europe, and depending on the country, the McDonalds offers a variety based on culture. So in Italy, they offer more salads, and rather good ones too. And in The Netherlands, where I live, you certainly don't have XL meals. What's small in America, would be XL here. And in Asia, you can be sure that there's oriental food on the menu. Anyway, wouldn't want to sound like I'm advertising McSchmk...!

[Ariannah]

http://www.snopes.com/critters/snakes/ballpit.htm
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/archer.htm

I don't like McD's anymore than the next person, and I am a clean freak for strange places my children may play, but I always check snopes.

[Ariannah]

Personally I think it is rude to bring your own food into a restaurant. And in this state it is a health code violation.

It seems a person can't win... if they order bottled water or something like a small salad (or nothing at all), they're being cheap.

I don't bring my own food to restaurants, but I don't consider McDonald's to be a real restaurant. Here in Canada fast food places seem like herded assembly lines. Any place that to me has 5 cashiers waiting with lineups at least 20 people long, isn't what springs to mind when I think "restaurant". At a real restaurant I'd not feel compelled to order just water because the waiter/ess would listen to any deviations from the menu I might want to order.

I've gone in to Dairy Queen with my friends and they'll order their greasy fries and mile high fake icecream cones, and nobody says boo to me if I am munching on an apple.

It seems these places get plenty of business, that one customer out of the thousands that flow through there per day, actually wanting their swill, isn't going to be a problem.

Also, eachpeachpearplum DID mention that she did buy bottled water there, so she did purchase something to validate her time there. I've gone to McDonald's before with apples and bananas while my friends and their kids ordered the factory vomit and nobody said boo to me. Then again I wasn't at a location which had a "playland".

[SijaeintheRaw]

Nah.....I don't think you should have bought more. In a former life I would have gone there and bought nothing but a couple of 50 cent ice cream cones so I think buying 3 waters was plenty. People probably aren't used to seeing people bring in their own food but that's their problem not yours. I would totally do the same thing if I needed a cool playplace.

And GOOD FOR YOU!!! The important part of your post was the fact that you just didn't crave the crap. I took my kids to wendy's during my 30 day challenge when we were out, they were starving and I needed to get something into them. I was pleasantly surprised. I also didn't crave the smells at all.

:D

Laura

[swingbolder]

Aw, big deal if the OP went into Mickey D's and didn't pay for anything. With all the tax breaks these big corporations get, with all the damage they do to the environment and to the labor situation, they oughtta give back to the public and let kids play there for free. Like it said in Fast Food Nation, the true cost of fast food to society is not reflected in its price.

Just my opinion.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Aw, big deal if the OP went into Mickey D's and didn't pay for anything. With all the tax breaks these big corporations get, with all the damage they do to the environment and to the labor situation, they oughtta give back to the public and let kids play there for free. Like it said in Fast Food Nation, the true cost of fast food to society is not reflected in its price.

Just my opinion.

Actually they do donate some of their proceeds to the McDonald house, for children with special needs.

Since each restaraunt is independently owned it is up to that owner to allow people to use their facilities for free. We have the free enterprise system here and they get to choose what they want to do with their businesses within their legal rights.

If stuff like that started getting mandated imagine all the freedoms we would all have to give up in this country.

[Veganforlife]

Swingbolder? I'm with you sister! After reading Fast Food Nation - McSpit's won't even get my urine! I will go behind a bush before I give them the satisfaction of ANYTHING anymore. It's obvious that many of us (not us here per say), but us as humans are confused and that's exactly what these big corporations want us to be - confused and gullible. As far as McPoophead's House? That's a HUGE tax write off for them and if the American Cancer Society wasn't creating cancers, there wouldn't be a need for McGagme's Houses. And that's a whole other thread that should be going on...I refer you to the Cancer Prevention Coalition website, www.preventcancer.com, where you will find information on the ACS.

For example, see:

www.preventcancer.com/losing/acs/acs_mammography.htm

www.preventcancer.com/losing/acs/rejects_regulation.htm

www.preventcancer.com/losing/acs/wealthiest_links.htm

Also, a search engine is available on the site.

But...I like that this thread is all about opinions and I have read each and respect each of ya'll's rights to voice these opinions. Another fine perk of freedom of speech!

[Ariannah]

Veganforlife, absolutely! I don't see a corporation that contributes to so much disease as philanthropic in the slightest. If they really cared, they'd stop making the almightly dollar off the addictions they cause. That's why I said in my previous post, that I don't consider McD's to be a real restaurant. It's like a zoo in there, and is not any place I'd call a "restaurant", despite what heading you'd find it in, in the yellow pages.

I doubt Mickey D's gives a rip if one person brings some fruit into their joint as long as they still have the herds baahing for them to give them big macs and supersized fries. They still are a multibillion dollar industry.

Now, in a real restaurant (doesn't even have to be fancy schmancy, either, just, real), I'd likely not bring anything of my own to eat. However, if there were truly nothing I could, or wanted to, eat on the menu, I'd simply sip some water or at least try to get some salad with no dressing. If the waitstaff appeared friendly and accomodating, I'd ask for something special and leave a generous tip if they could manage to get what I request.

I have and still do use the facilities at McPukes though, as often my 4 year old who's doing an "I gotta go" dance would rather pee her pants than go in a bush :)

[juliebove]

Do you bring your own dressing in, or do you eat the salad dry? If you do bring your own dressing in, then you are breaking that said health code violtation.

We don't eat dressing. Neither of us like it. We like our veggies plain.

[juliebove]

The salads don't contain sugar, only the dressings do and they are served apart. I have eaten a salad once at a McDonalds in Italy, and it was big and fresh. I'm not a McDonalds fan either and haven't been there for years, but I can tell you that. On the other hand, I live in Europe, and depending on the country, the McDonalds offers a variety based on culture. So in Italy, they offer more salads, and rather good ones too. And in The Netherlands, where I live, you certainly don't have XL meals. What's small in America, would be XL here. And in Asia, you can be sure that there's oriental food on the menu. Anyway, wouldn't want to sound like I'm advertising McSchmk...!

Even here in the USA, the meals vary by location and whether the particular establishment is a franchise or not. Yes, you will generally find the same old burgers and fries at all of them, but some have other offerings as well. One of the McD's on Staten Island was run by an older woman who seemed to always be there and in charge of things. The play areas were always very clean and she made sure that nobody was doing anything they shouldn't. I have never gotten a "bad" salad at any McD's, and due to our many cross country moves, I've had food from a LOT of them. And by "bad", I mean vegetables that were not fresh. It's true that the greens might not always be organic and they might not always have the combination of veggies I prefer. But they are cheap, quick and fresh. One think you have to remember is that it is "fast" food. This is the kind of place you go if you want something fast! And not all of those locations have kiddy playlands. In fact a lot of them don't.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I am trying to remember a salad from McD's and I think it was probably one of the better salads I've had from a fast food joint. It had baby green lettuces and the dressing was Newman's Own which if I'm not mistaken is organic. Of course not raw which I wasn't at the time I had their salad. The tender greens are good enough without dressing.

So even though they are not my cup of tea, their side salads aren't half bad. Better than Wendy's which I don't care for at all.

Yes, if I was in a situation where I was in dire need of something to eat and there was only McD's I would indulge in several of their little side salads.

Of course Ray Krok's idea was not to sell burgers, but to make money. Who would deny that.

And I'm thankful that they provide a clean restroom for a weary traveler.

So there.

[honeybee joy]

Man, I need to come to your McDonalds, I wish I was that lucky to get a beautiful wonderful salad, every time I have ordered a salad there, and this is at several locations in my area, or any fast food place for that matter, there is loads of iceburg, and a few of the mixed greens tossed in there. Hardly anything else. It has been iceburg!! I never get it for $2.00. They ALWAYS have charged me for the meat in the salad, even though I do not get it. The tomatoes are soft and alot of the times close to rotting. It is not a pretty thing. High five to you all for getting hooked up.

Even if the salads were fresh, I am sure that they are filled with sulfites and other junk. They put MSG in everything else, why would they not put it in their salads. I mean come on, this is McDonalds. I would only get their salad if my life depended on it. My body is extra sensitive, and doesn't like it when I put that stuff in it.

I am happy that it works for you guys though!

Here is the ingredient list from Micky D's.

It does show that iceburg is the first ingredient, which means that is what they use the most.

Side Salad:
Salad Mix: Iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, spring mix (may contain baby red romaine, baby green romaine, baby red leaf, baby green leaf, baby red swiss chard, baby red oak, baby green oak, lolla rosa, tango, tatsoi, arugula, mizuna, baby spinach, radicchio, frisee), carrots. Grape tomatoes

[learningrawways]

I worked at McDonalds for 12 years while my children were in school (for a franchise) for the flexible hours, and then again for another year in a corporate owned one because I could not find a job in my field. I have to say, I cannot eat at McDonalds anymore and I ate their gasburgers for years. I still like the smell as when someone will bring lunch from Mickey ds and it smells up the break room but I have no desire to partake of any of that food. McDonalds is all about profit AND they do not treat their workers very well. Especially in the corporate owned ones--they work you and have no conscience about how they use everyone--from managers down to the crew members. Once I was online I found several sites about Mcdonalds and there a lot of ppl who hate mcdonalds. And I think it's justified. Try working a 9 1/2 hr shift and not being able to go home. And that's after you've been running around like crazy because they can only have so many workers to make their profit. But all that is beside the point. I saw several ppl come in who would bring food, it wasn't often, most ppl would come in to spend money. It is certainly not going to hurt their profits that peachpearplum brought her own food in, plus she did buy something so to me that's good enough.....there's too many other things to worry about lol.

About mcds donating money to the Ronald McDonald house for children, it's such a small amount put towards charity compared to the profit they are making....and they make sure it's advertised. McDonalds does an excellent PR job, they know how to get ppl in their stores. They will do things for the local area which makes them look good to the public.

It's just my take on this thread, I actually feel no resentment to McDonalds but I do resent how McDonalds has changed the way how our food is produced and it's not for the better. Although their salads are better than the other food--but also remember, I read an article in newspaper about McDonalds not too long ago, and foods served in the USA actually had a higher fat content than food served in Europe. So when I hear ''McDonalds'', I'm leary lol.....

[Sharon in Colorado]

Here is the ingredient list from Micky D's.

It does show that iceburg is the first ingredient, which means that is what they use the most.

Side Salad:
Salad Mix: Iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, spring mix (may contain baby red romaine, baby green romaine, baby red leaf, baby green leaf, baby red swiss chard, baby red oak, baby green oak, lolla rosa, tango, tatsoi, arugula, mizuna, baby spinach, radicchio, frisee), carrots. Grape tomatoes

This was well over 3 years ago when we were travelling to move here. They have probably changed since then, but I remember being rather shocked that their salad was all spring mix and no iceberg.

Oh, tatsoi, I'm surprised to see that in there too.

[honeybee joy]

I do remember the salads being better in the beginning. That was right after Supersize Me. Ya, I tried to like them, because it is easy to just go thru the drive thru, but it didn't work for me.

You know what I would love to do? Open a fast food raw vegan restauraunt, with maybe some cooked vegan foods for the cooked vegans. With a drive thru. It would make it easy for many to go raw. When I used to work alot, I found it hard to prepair foods for myself. And sometimes it is nice to have something prepaired for you!

[lissomllama]

Those salads and fruits in fast food restaurants are not healthy. They may technically be raw (although, I'm sure they've found a new way to ruin that as well) They are irradiated and hopped up with chemicals to make them keep their color and crispness. That crap sits around in chemical filled bags for months because it has an unnaturally long shelf life. I don't trust any of these companies as far as I could throw them. Not to mention that just giving them money (any amount) is contributing to pollution and their advertising which helps many people crave this junk and go out and buy it and further contributes to a society of sick, obese, drying people. I would rather go hungry for a little while than eat something I knew was tainted with chemicals far worse than pesticides. These fast "food" places will never get a cent from me. Those reports about the syringes, knives, fecal matter etc. in the ball pits are disturbing as well! I wonder if they are true. I know the actual story about the mother is false but those items could easily be in those ball pits. I wouldn't be too inclined to doubt that they don't often clean these pits judging by the rest of the horrors these companies support or turn a blind eye toward.

[Veganforlife]

Honeybee Joy - that would be awesome, wouldn't it? A fast Raw Bar chain! Shoot with Alissa's recipes, they could be whipped out in no time!!! I think though before that would happen, we have to make more folks believe that this IS the way to eat. And we're up against some pretty crooked corporations too. But an awesome thought - no doubt.

[Sharon in Colorado]

It is obvious that any fast food restaraunt or ANY restaurant for that matter is likely going to have conventional, treated produce whether it has been treated in the fields or treated with vitamin C powder to keep the apples white, so there is no need to continue on and on about the quality of the produce there. I think the point has been made!

Also unless you are buying 100% organic produce from the store I wouldn't be too confident about it being any superior in quality to those in restaurants. We could go over the chemicals all day long that aren't completely removed when washing...so what is the point in bashing fast food salads...these are the best options for some people in a pinch and for some people new to raw food, it will work just fine until they are ready to take their diet up a notch.

EEEP -

Chuck E Cheese's has a decent salad bar, with spinach and a lot of veggie selections. It would be a good place to take the kids if you were looking for a play area.

This is just an idea for someone looking to take their kids somewhere cool and indoors.

[dreamrawalwz]

Interesting Sharon - I've NEVER seen a salad bar in Chuck E Cheese, at least not around here. I think every restraunt (even fast foods) cater more towards that area. Like the McDonald's in France have baked fries instead of fried (at least the ones we went in to ... I ate the salad there ;) )

[Sharon in Colorado]

That could be - between California and Colorado they could be more health-minded.

[swingbolder]

Since each restaraunt is independently owned it is up to that owner to allow people to use their facilities for free. We have the free enterprise system here and they get to choose what they want to do with their businesses within their legal rights.

If stuff like that started getting mandated imagine all the freedoms we would all have to give up in this country.


Uh, nowhere did I say that the GOV'T should start forcing McDonald's to let non-customers use their facilities, LOL.

As a small business owner I agree with you in theory, however, you can't really call our system "free market" when it's so rigged via cronyism and political corruption. Corporations make, bend and break the rules to benefit themselves with the blessings of our elected officials. Each Mickey D's may be independently owned but they benefit from an overall system that does damage to this nation healthwise, environmentally and economically. That said, and without getting into some huge political discussion, I believe that little guys like us have a moral prerogative to try and SUBVERT that system any chance we get. . . like bringing our own organic fruits and veggies into McDonald's whenever we want and not buying their crap. . .yep, we need MORE of that type of subversion n this good ole US of A. ;)

[rawpriestess]

I ate at McDonalds in June of this year, the salad had NO iceberg lettuce at all it was fresh, green crisp, huge, they gave me a double size, because I ordered without meat, and they only charged me $2.00 they also gave me all the bacon, eggs, cheese etc in little containers on the side, I just gave them to someone else in the restaurant, who was so happy to get them.

I enjoyed my salad and couldnt' even finish it, it was so big, it was wonderful, and I used their restroom, bought some water, got to sit in A/C and watch all the kids having fun, and it was a very pleasant experience, of course, I don't read the paper, or watch TV, so I'm not tainted by any of that rubbish,

I go ONLY by my own opinion and experience, as that is my reality, not someone elses.

So, if you are on the road, hot and tired, and need a cool, clean place to eat, and rest, I suggest McDonalds, who is a wonderful place to eat, play, and work (as many of my friend, put themselves through college with their part time McDonalds' jobs) thank Goddess for a place that is cool and clean to sit, on a hot summer's day, where I can get a raw salad, that is fresh, that wouldn't have happend 30 years ago.

and in Washington state, it is illegal to bring in any outside food to an eating establishment, because of health codes.

[honeybee joy]

My friend told me the McDonalds in France irritated the parent company back in america, by taking out large newspaper adds that basically said we apriciate your business, but Please only once or twice per month. LOL isn't that funny! :p He said he read it in some print newspaper.

[Lay-Lay]

I don't think so. I'm diabetic. I've never spiked from eating a fast food salad. Nor did I taste anything overly sweet about them.

I'm just saying what I read. I wasn't saying it was true. I don't see how that is possible either. I think I also saw that on that Supersize me movie too, but he may have just been talking about the dressing. I will have to watch it again and see.

I do remember about that movie that their fruit parfait has as much sugar and stuff in it as one of their small sundaes.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I do remember about that movie that their fruit parfait has as much sugar and stuff in it as one of their small sundaes.

Sometimes they count the natural fruit sugars as their total. Just like Raisin Bran has a high sugar count, which is mainly coming from the raisins.

So if one were to get a parfait, minus the yogurt, then there'd still be a lot of sugar in there. However, I do not know if the fruit in their parfaits have sugar syrup or not.

[Lay-Lay]

yeah I figured that. It would be nice to know how many are natural fruit sugars and how much is the other.

[Sharon in Colorado]

http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.nutrition.index1.html

I found this and noticed that the fruit parfait without granola has 1 gram more sugar than their low-fat ice cream.

All their nutritional facts are here.

[Lay-Lay]

Thanks Sharon. I only wish they would seperate good sugars from bad sugars. That would be the real teaser.

[lissomllama]

Well said, swingbolder! I totally agree.

[juliebove]

I'm just saying what I read. I wasn't saying it was true. I don't see how that is possible either. I think I also saw that on that Supersize me movie too, but he may have just been talking about the dressing. I will have to watch it again and see.

I do remember about that movie that their fruit parfait has as much sugar and stuff in it as one of their small sundaes.

If it's the dressing then it's most likely not sugar at all, but high fructose corn syrup. At least in this country. That's cheaper than sugar here and the sweetner of choice.

If OTOH you are talking about the naturally occuring sugar in the lettuce and tomato, etc., McDonalds didn't put that there. It's just there. There is no way to avoid sugar unless you want to eat just meat and fat. Any fruit or vegetable contains sugar. Some more than others.

[juliebove]

Thanks Sharon. I only wish they would seperate good sugars from bad sugars. That would be the real teaser.

All you have to do is look at the ingredients. It's all there on their website, no matter what country you live in.

[Veganforlife]

I personally do not trust McGunk's and don't trust what they are posting on their web site. They have so much money that they can put whatever they want to. If the common person were to question that, do you really think they would tell you the truth? Come on! They are so full of lies and they have a huge percentage of the public brainwashed. Not me man!
If I had a choice of eating something from there or being shot - I'd be shot. I feel that strongly about the corruption of McPuke's.
It makes me McSick!!! :mad:

[Lay-Lay]

juliebove I think you missed what I was talking about or else I didn't explain myself well enough.

[honeybee joy]

I know we are done talking about this, and I am not trying to shove this in anyones face or anything, I also wanted to add if my past posts about this seemed a little arrogant and rude, they probably were a little, ( I am really emotional about M'cDonalds). I am sorry. I think I should have phrased things a little more softer.

I also rememer how addicted I was to that food, and how bad I wanted to stop, but couldn't.

Anyways,

I sent McDonalds a email asking them if they put any chemicals, preservatives, or natural ingredients on their veggies, and I never got a reply back.


Thinking about this, I find it really sad that there is a company that does not care about the well being of human life, that the dollar in their pocket is more important. I just don't get it. I have always loved people, and try to go out of my way to give the best to the world. I think we are all conected to one another. It just hurts me. I guess that is why I have a hard time supporting that company.

Anyways, no hard feelings.

*I wanted to add* We all gotta do what we gotta do, and some times eating a salad at McDonalds is one of them. I do understand.