preparing to live raw with a family who is "cooked" -- advice?

[lambe]

at the end of march, im leaving for ireland for the next 6 months. im going to be the au pair for a family who seems relatively open minded, young, not-yet-jaded, et cetera. the live in a small country town in eastern ireland & raise sheep.

has anyone had experiencing sustaining a raw lifestyle in this kind of situation? i want to be as a agreeable as possible as this is JOB, not a vacation, & i dont want to be too adamant in imposing my eating doctrine on a family i dont know. i expect to just go grocery shopping on my own, but i always feel awkward being raw & eating in someone else's home. or eating alone in someone else's home; i really dont want them to think im a big weirdo. i just dont find it plausible to be sitting down with them as they gnaw on roast beef at dinnertime with their tots that im supposed to be minding. or if it is plausible that i sit down with a salad ive made while they gnaw on roast beef, i dont find it plausible that theyre not going to think im a big weirdo & be secondguessing their decision to bring this new age chippie from america into their home. or something. :o

[GlimR]

I would explain your way of eating up front and ask if that is alright with them, out of courtesy. Then remember it is just food and often not a big deal to eat something different from the family unless you make it one and the food you need or want is available. Sometimes the au pair eats seperatly anyway, sometimes just with the children. What a very cool experience you have ahead of you...wishing you a great adventure!

[RawHeaven]

What a great opportunity! I'm sure your host family is picking up a good vibe from you and vice versa if you've picked one another. How you view yourself really dictates how people view you. In other words if you think you're a "weirdo" chances are they will too. If you are feeling comfortable with your food choices, then generally it peaks other's curiosity irregardless of what they think of you. In truth, we have no control how other people view us really. And as you continue along this path, you will inevitably run across a person or two that's going to think you're a new age hippe raw food eating nutcase. I'm proud to be one, lol. Seriously, just go and have fun, learn and enjoy being with this family. They have a lot to learn from you too. Especially the kids. Be true to yourself.

[lambe]

aw thanks guys. yr both sweet & wise.

[theresaann]

they will be intrigued and feel lucky to have you! They will learn so much from you, you'll see. You will help change their lives.