Breaking the news to your family (that you're going raw)

[KissyKate]

So how do I do this? My family is always hearing me talk about doing this, doing that, never taking me seriously. I am positive they will laugh or just humor me and go "oh ok, sure Katie." My DH doesn't even have faith in me. I am determined to change my wishy washy flakey ways and have them never doubt me again. I am determined to do this, for my health and my future. I have to do this and I will do this.

I am thinking that once I get completely raw for a couple weeks, I can say, "See everyone I am a raw foodist now..." Better than saying "well I just starting trying to eat more raw..."

So I want to hear how you all broke it to your extended family about going raw. Did you tell them before or during?

I am also considering, strongly going vegan as well. How can I communicate with my family that morally and for health reasons I do not want to eat animals or use animal products anymore - - without them thinking I'm totally nuts or putting down their way of eating?

Thank you for sharing your advice and experiences!!

[Coriander74]

Be prepared for the "where are you going to get your protein" and "you're not going to be eating enough" and "that doesn't sound healthy" statements LOL.

Last year when I first went raw, I told my family that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I had researched the raw lifestyle and wanted to try it. I provided my parents with Alissa's book, and showed them the answers to the protein and calcium questions, as well as showed them the before and after stories. They were supportive, but concerned. I showed them how wonderful Raw really is when, within the FIRST MONTH, my chronic pain was gone, my stomach issues were gone, I'd lost 8 pounds and I was glowing healthy. The next 5 months kept getting better and better.

WHen I told my folks I was going raw again, they couldn't have been happier. They saw me through another hospitalization and weight gain, and now that I'm taking control of my situation, they're very pleased.

I explain myself in these words: "I'm eating in a way that is best for my body's system. This happens to be a raw vegan lifestyle. I don't feel that eating meat or using animal products fits into my own life, and I'm happy with what I'm doing."

Best of luck!

[beppa66]

I was really amazed that both my parents were totally receptive to it. I feared the worst, as I grew up in NE and ate meat – breakfast, lunch and dinner! I started by telling them how great I've been feeling, (headaches gone, sleeping better, more energy). And baby-stepped them to the full story. When they would ask, I'd say "oh, I have been adding fresh juice, and lots of fruit, nuts and vegetables...with a brief explanation about the enzymes" My mom ended up asking for the dvd and my dad offered me a smoothie machine! LOL Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great.

[Shoney]

do you need to "break it" to your family? If they already have lost faith in you, my guess is their comments may not bolster your own self-confidence all that much.

In my family I am known for my "ninety degree corners;" decisions I make that appear rash even if I have been thinking/researching something for awhile. When I share my big decisions with them, it is their comments that tend to come back and haunt me when I myself begin to doubt if I'm on the right path.

Perhaps quietly doing what you've set your mind to do will mean more to them, especially as they see the tremendous changes that going raw can bring. Even in front of your dh, just quietly making raw food, serving it along with whatever your family is accustomed to, will speak very loudly! :)

[SmilingRawDancer]

I never "broke it" to my family, I just kept eating raw, and when they would comment on my choices etc. I'd give them specific reasons for why I was eating what I was:
I'd make a smoothie prior to eating out with them, and they'd ask why I'm not eating at the restaurant...instead of saying why I WASN'T eating at the restaurant, I'd say why I WAS eating a smoothie:
"I feel like I could use an extra blast of blueberry antioxidants today, and this maca stuff is supposed to be really good for your energy."

I've found that the less defensive I am, the more they feel like they're the odd ones out of some amazing lifestyle. Like they're the ones who missed the memo.

So I never said that I ONLY EAT RAW FOOD, I just say that I'm eating as nutritiously as I can.

And if they bring up something about protein, or why I don't eat dairy, I just calmly explain. I just say that the thought of drinking something that came out of a cows boobs creeps me out, and that horses get all their protein from grass, and they do fine.
And then I ask if they've ever seen anyone with a protein deficiency.
......they never say yes.

The more you make it like a HUGE proclamation, the more pressure is on you to keep something up, and the more eyes are on you waiting for you to fail. Just eat raw, and if they ask about it, answer.

I've learned that smiling and nodding does WONDERS in life.

[barose]

Month 4 and I still haven't told my mother I'm 100%. I don't feel I need to at this point yet. If she asks about my diet, Ill tell her.

[Green Life]

Here's how I did it.

I started a journal.

Once I had gone several days writing in my raw food journal all the reasons and why and what foods i am eating that day, ect. and the benifits i was seeing, I emailed my jouranal to those I thought would give me a hard time with it and just told them i am doing something new, and I thought I would share.

This way, they can read and have time to really think about things before they comment to you about their thoughts.

This really worked for me.

[Eilene]

My family accepts that I am RAW. In fact my mother loves what I make so much that she said if she lived with me, she would easily eat 100% RAW! Now that is awesome. I'm going to make her a Cheesecake for her birthday. She also loves, loves the Ginger cookies from this site.

[GHOST27M]

So how do I do this? My family is always hearing me talk about doing this, doing that, never taking me seriously. I am positive they will laugh or just humor me and go "oh ok, sure Katie." My DH doesn't even have faith in me. I am determined to change my wishy washy flakey ways and have them never doubt me again. I am determined to do this, for my health and my future. I have to do this and I will do this.

I am thinking that once I get completely raw for a couple weeks, I can say, "See everyone I am a raw foodist now..." Better than saying "well I just starting trying to eat more raw..."

So I want to hear how you all broke it to your extended family about going raw. Did you tell them before or during?

I am also considering, strongly going vegan as well. How can I communicate with my family that morally and for health reasons I do not want to eat animals or use animal products anymore - - without them thinking I'm totally nuts or putting down their way of eating?

Thank you for sharing your advice and experiences!!

I have a movie you may want to see. email me if you want the link

I dare not post it . We had issuses with it when I did.

But if you are thinking vegan this may help you. This is Ethical VEGAN so if you just want to do it for health as I did (at first) then you may not want to see it.

[GHOST27M]

I actually e-mailed my family and told them last night.
they think I am weird now.




Last time they saw me was november 2006 and I was still a chef.
we all met up for my fathers funeral; he died of cancer. As does most of my familly on both sides. All smokers and SAD eaters.

I dont smoke never did and refuse to just think my family genes are gonna kill me.

[snowdrop]

i don't tell people.
i let the results win them over first, then when they ask...
use discretion only answer what they are ready to hear.
after a while they want the same results... you can let them in on it.
that's when they really have a listening for it.

;)

[KissyKate]

I have a movie you may want to see. email me if you want the link

I dare not post it . We had issuses with it when I did.

But if you are thinking vegan this may help you. This is Ethical VEGAN so if you just want to do it for health as I did (at first) then you may not want to see it.


Is the movie, Earthlings that you're refering to? If so I watched it yesterday (as much of it as I could) I was blown away, horrified and still reeling from it today. I may try to watch more if I can tomarrow.

[dreamrawalwz]

Don't do this for THEM. Do this for YOU. I'm also one to say I'm going to do xyz and then fail and they never take me seriously anymore. Just don't tell them anything. It's your personal decision. It's your body. It's kind of like a self-fufilling prophecy. If they go "yea yea, whatever Katie" and then you slip up one day, would you think "i knew they were right. Why try again and fail." Don't give them that satisfaction. I'd just keep quiet. People don't announce they're eating McDonald's :rolleyes: I don't know about you, but I always feel I have to "prove it to them" that I can do a certain task. Well, prove it to them, but don't tell them. Just eat raw and let them come to you. If you do mention at least that you've become vegan, provide information for them and don't argue with them or debate. Just give them the information quietly and let them learn.

[Shoney]

Never heard of it, but the title reminds me of the book and website, The 100 Year Lie.

Could someone please email me the link for this film?

Thanks!