Very interesting responce...

[msmia]

I've been raw for ~one month... (off and on for several months prior)
I recently went back to work at a place I haven't been for several months & everyone has been commenting on how much weight I've lost (only 10 lbs but I guess it looks like a lot more) & how great my skin is. They ask "what have you been doing?"
I've been saying "I'm on the Raw Diet" & without fail they look at me like I'm a freak. I get comments like "it's not worth the sacrifice". That's too strange/ wierd/ hard work/ etc...
Well today someone complimented me & said "what are you doing?" & I said "just eating a lot of fresh fruits & vegetables". The responce was "Oh, that's so healthy. That's the right way to do it". It's so funny to me that by not labeling my new way of eating it becomes totally acceptable but to call it RAW food diet makes it somehow strange & un-doable.
I know you all have similar experiences but it really just struck me today: the absurdity of praising someones accomplishments & in the same breath criticizing the very thing that has caused the initial compliment... When will people learn?
Food for thought - no pun intended.
Msmia

[Pailani]

Yep, I know what you mean. That's my usual response when asked about my diet - "I'm eating a lot of fresh fruits & vegetables." Nobody ever questions that, so it's always a safe answer.

[tracyinfo]

Ditto what Pailani says! That is what works best for me.

[swingbolder]

>>That's the right way to do it". It's so funny to me that by not labeling my new way of eating it becomes totally acceptable but to call it RAW food diet makes it somehow strange & un-doable.<<

I do the same thing. I say that I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and they say oh, good for you. The few times I've talked about raw mostly I got a really negative reaction from people, so now I don't mention it unless someone's really interested.

In fact, I heard second-hand from my husband that his racquetball partner's wife (whom I know and get along with) was saying that raw people are weird. This coming from a woman who is longtime vegan and has a very restricted diet (no nightshades, no wheat, no this and that) for health reasons. We all went to see Star Wars last week and I'm glad I didn't mention it to her.

[deedub]

yeah I just started working on a fairly long project and when people asked me about my eating I just said I was vegan. On further questioning I said I don't eat soy. They had a little mini freak about me not getting any potein. Finally I just said your right to get out of the conversation. :rolleyes:

[Revvell]

I usually tell them I'm raw ~ wait for a reaction or response. If it's a knee-jerk reaction (usually is), the first question of course would be ~ "Where do you get your protein". This gives me a chance to either educate or... (many here have read my other responses soooo, not going into it again) depending on THEIR next reaction/response...

Then, I can also question them. So! You like the way you feel and look? You compliment me on how I look; I tell you how that was obtained and you negate everything I say. You are correct, you cannot/will not do what I am doing. That's why I look the way I do and you look/feel the way you do. I'm willing to do what it takes, you aren't. Simple. Now, we can drop the subject and move on.

IF they are willing to hear more, we can have an excellent conversation. IF I don't at least tell them what I am doing, someone who just MIGHT be looking for a different way wont even have the chance to persue it.

Also, I have a tendancy to share. I organize a non-raw group at a chain restaurant once a month. I will often bring a fruit pie or something equally tasty to share. The reason most folk have no understanding of this lifestyle is, folk are afraid to share it, explain it, examine it, understand it. They leave folk thinking they are "just" eating more fruits and veggies.

Might I suggest, expanding YOUR horizons while assisting (those who wish to) others in expanding theirs? Share what you are doing! Jump in with both feet! Stop judging how you "think" they will react/respond before you say what you are doing! You don't want them to judge you, so, you diminish your life! Guess what? You've judged them; you've judged yourself! AND, they've already judged you so go ahead and share your truth ~ all of it!

Injoy ~

Revvell

btw ~ most the time I go on and on like this ~ I'm talking to me as well. :)