I didn't even try

[Tirza]

Whoa! I went to a wedding this evening. Beautiful. The banquet was well presented and appetising. And I ate it. I just rolled over without a whimper and let them serve me. So far I can't say I feel sick or anything. Someone there told me that they have seen people bring spelt rolls because they can't eat wheat. I felt slightly ashamed of myself for not having brought my own food or at least for not eating beforehand. I could have just daintily sipped club soda or something. There were even celery and carrot sticks. It was such a funny thing, too. They actually had a first course with some kind of pasta salad and in with it were strings of green and yellow zucchini and carrots that had been done with a spirilizer. It was very cute. There was my reminder right there.

I ask myself if I am serious about this at all. I go to about a dozen of these weddings a year and I have no real plan for maintaining my raw diet while there. I still have no firm plan for Shabbos meals when invited out. When I think of it, I realize that fully 1/7th of my life is regularly subject to this problem. I have this serious health issue and I am letting this amount of time sift by without dealing with it.

I must deal with this. It is decision time, isn't it?

[DavidZaneMason]

-I hear you! The social thing is what kills it for many people! You are not alone....and it's a common item.

-You should never make other people responsible for YOUR health. Don't wait for them to feed you the right things.....BRING food wherever you go.....in your pockets, purse, or in a snack bag. Keep it in your car if you cannot carry it with you.

-Eat largely before you leave the house and when you return. Drink plenty of fresh water when you are not eating.

-If anyone asks politely...and one-on-one......then tell them you are on a diet of fresh, uncut fruits and vegetables. That should suffice. Otherwise just say you are not hungry. I usually order a glass of water to be polite.....then I don't drink it! Ha! ha!

-BRING plates of fresh fruit and veggies to parties.

-And BE joyful and happy. It's the greatest teaching and example you can give.

-Just my experiences / opinions.

-David Mason

[Tirza]

Thanks, you did make me pause for a little while in my self-flaggelation.

Perhaps some ladies could address this as to how one could take food. You know, you're all dressed up - hardly ever any pockets in dress clothes. You have this little bag that is just big enough to hold a lipstick and a key. I think maybe the best thing is to eat before and after and just sit there sipping something. I don't even trust those fancy goblets of iced tap water that they serve. I am sure that the club soda isn't any better.

ARGHHH! This is awkward and annoying. I have 3 more weddings in the next 2 weeks, too.

Actually, thinking back on last night, I just thought of something. These affairs go on from about 5 pm until at least 2 am. In that time there are about 3 different times when they serve food. I have seen people just hop from table to table, chatting with friends pretty much the whole time. I think I'll try that. Then it just looks like you are a social butterfly, instead of sitting bravely in front of an empty place setting, warding off inquiring words and glances. This may just end up to be the very easiest scenario for avoiding SAD food. With all of the ebb and flow of people at a wedding, one would not be too conspicuous this way.

[Graciebeliever]

EVERY moment is a decision moment.


Whether it be about eating raw or anything else.

We choose who we are, where we go, who we are with, and what we eat!!

I just keep going back to what Raw Priestess said " I don't HAVE to eat Raw, I GET TO!"

Amen to that..

I have the knowledge of what raw can do in my life and Today, right now, I will eat raw.

You must know a LOT of people!! I haven't been to 7 weddings in my whole life let alone per year! hehhe

Find a pretty tupperware bowl and pack some goodies in it and take it with you. Sit and enjoy the Wedding and Meal. If you decide that you Need, want or deserve the Wedding feast then do it and DON'T regret it. you can't have it both ways :)

I don't leave my house now unless I have my Neat Black lunch cooler with me. Even if I am only going to the corner store because, if I see or smell something I know will be wrong for me? I have ZERO excuse because I DO have what I need with me..

VOILA!

[Sharon in Colorado]

I would suggest bringing a pretty "gift bag" - you know, the kind with handles.

It will look like a gift for the newlyweds, but in actuality your food is stashed in there.

They are cheap too and pretty, so you can't go wrong.

Just carry it to the banquet table and leave it next to your chair. Noone will be the wiser and you won't have a bulky handbag strapped to your shoulder.

[Ireland]

Hi Tirza, I love your name - my daughter is Tirzah :) and it's one of the most beautiful names on the planet. :)

A good way to address taking your own food somewhere is to tell people that you are on a special diet for "medical" or "health" reasons.

(Truth is, my doctor told me to become vegan and stay that way because it's the only way my blood pressure stays down.)

If they want to know more, then by all means, share. If not, most people accept the "medical" reason without a hitch.

Just an idea.

[Tirza]

Hi Tirza, I love your name - my daughter is Tirzah :) and it's one of the most beautiful names on the planet. :)



We have the same name! Cool! Yes, I love it too. Do you pronounce it with "z" or "tz"? Say HI from me to Tirzah!

A good way to address taking your own food somewhere is to tell people that you are on a special diet for "medical" or "health" reasons.

(Truth is, my doctor told me to become vegan and stay that way because it's the only way my blood pressure stays down.)



Really! You must have an exceptional doctor! Is he a regular allopathic Dr.?

If they want to know more, then by all means, share. If not, most people accept the "medical" reason without a hitch.

Just an idea.

You are right, you are ALL right. Thanks so much for the kindly, non-pressured, non-judgemental support. This group is so great!

[Pailani]

I bring sunflower seeds with me everywhere I go - they can be packed in a small container so it's not obvious that you're bringing your own lunch. Lara bars are good, too. If you flit from table to table like a social butterfly, sunflower seeds and a Lara bar will keep you from getting ravenously hungry until you get home.

[rawpriestess]

of course you could think of it this way, 6/7 of the time, you are perfectly prepared, how cool is THAT?


admitting that you ate cooked food is 1/2 the battle,

YOU are doing great!!!

[spicyfull]

Well DavidZaneMason covered everything. I enjoyed the being happy and joyful part. That is what we are suppose to be, because we know how to live and party too. We are a bunch of happy NUTS.....T...H.........I.......N......K..

[Lay-Lay]

I love the gift bag idea. I usually bring a big purse to weddings. I always eat before I go or I will find out what they are serving and make a raw version and when before they serve me I will ask just for a empty plate.

Its a process, you will get there when your ready. Your doing wonderfully!

[Curleedst]

Where do you buy Lara Bars? What do they taste like?


I bring sunflower seeds with me everywhere I go - they can be packed in a small container so it's not obvious that you're bringing your own lunch. Lara bars are good, too. If you flit from table to table like a social butterfly, sunflower seeds and a Lara bar will keep you from getting ravenously hungry until you get home.