HELP!! What to do?

[sweet pepper]

I need help. My sister-in-law invited my husband and I to a Valentine's Day Dinner at their church. My husband accepted as we usually go every year and sis ordered the tickets for us already. I was worried and started planning my defense to protect myself from cooked. They usually have like a potluck, so, I decided to bring a huge bowl of fresh fruits to share with everyone, my own tea and some raw trail mix to keep in my purse. Well, we met them for breakfast this morning, (which I am so proud of myself, I remained raw and had the fruit bow!) I found out that the dinner is being catered! UGH!! :eek: It is going to be the SAD meal from you know where! Cow, chicken, green beans smothered in pig and salad! $14.00 dollars a plate! What am I going to do. To not go will upset my husband not to mention ticking off my sister-in-law. How do you bring your own food and not be some kind of spectacle! I need help with this one. The dinner is on the 17th of this month, next Saturday!

[BecauseICan]

I would say to you to go and bring your own food and rejoice in the fact that you have been given the knowledge that you have and accept this as an opportunity to share your knowledge if asked. As for being a spectacle ~ you'll be being a BEAUTIFUL spectacle!!! ~ You have the awesome opportunity to share about this wonderful, fantastic, new way of eating that is changing your life!! Think of this as an incredible, positive opportunity to show your hubby and everyone that you are completely committed to becoming a better person and sticking with your new way of eating. And go and have a WONDERFUL time enjoying the company of all of the wonderful people in your life that want to spend time with you. :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Veganforlife]

Very well said BecauseIcan!!!
I had a similar situation with my Aunt and Uncle's Christmas dinner out at a restaurant. I brought the egg-less spread, veggies and a portobella, avo, 'maters, and olives cut up in a bowl. When the waitress came around I said, "No thank you. I've brought my own. I'm on a special diet." She understood. My family was very interested in what I brought to eat. Even tasting the egg-less spread AND loving it.
Do not feel guilty about bringing your own food. Offer to pay back the $14 bucks if that will help you feel better about it. Remain true to how YOU feel. It sounds as though you really want to remain raw - congrads on this morning's breakfast. See? It can be done!
So I would say bring your own food and rejoice in the day! :D

[aenea]

Our church has something like that and there is generally a salad that is prepared, so maybe if you make arrangements to have more salad or something then of course bring a baggy of fruit I don't think anybody would be offended :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I strongly suggest going, eating your fill before hand, and if it's possible to get a salad there, I would eat that to be sociable.

Or you could find out if the catering company could have salad or fruit available for you, telling them you are on a special diet. For $14 a person, they should oblige.

Whatever you do, don't avoid it, because this is good practice for you. This is going to come up all the time in the future, holidays, birthdays, BBQs etc. So better to be sociable (no need to bring up your diet or answer strange questions), then to start avoiding every challege that comes upon you.

[KatK]

When I get stuck like that, I just decide that it'll be a fasting day, and I don't eat for that 24 hr. period. That might be hard while you're transitioning to raw, though, since it's so tempting to just eat.

[Nimmanu]

I would take something SUPER filling, eat as much as I could stand on the way... and have a salad while there. Maybe take a small container of fruit and slip it out and onto your plate, drop the bowl back into your purse, and eat it as if it belongs there. If anyone asks you about it, just say that you brought it because you're trying to stay away from preservatives and artificial colorings right now for health reasons.

They don't need the whole story. As long as you keep it nice and low key, and you are eating something, most people probably won't bother you too much.

[sweet pepper]

Thanks everyone!!

You are all such wonderful support. I don't know what I would do without this board to come to.

OK - (taking a deep breath) I will remember, I CAN do this. I will not run away as I would prefer to do. I will meet this head on. I guess my fear is that for the past ten years I have done this on and off, repeatedly. This time I have kept this very, very quiet and I feel my mindset is so much better and I am able to live the raw vegan lifestyle. It is what I want for my higher self. This is my choice. It is going to be a stretch not to hide in my humble abode. OK, I have a full week that I can work on some really scrumptious raw recipies, from appetizers thru desert, I will bring my own dinner and some extra for others to try (they have to be good) and try to be normal and hopefully no one will ask any questions. Who am I fooling, everyone is going to wonder what I am doing? But, I will get through this and it will be raw vegan. OK. This is the plan.

Thank you all, you are my support in this SAD world.

Namaste'
Sweet Pepper