What to say to family and friends?

[goingrawchelle]

Would someone be so kind and direct me to a thread of things to say to friends and relatives when they express their opinion of my new rawfood lifestyle? It seems I open up a can of worms when I mention this way of eating. Someone told me just yesterday about some actors and actresses who ate only rawfood to heal their cancers, "but no one can ALWAYS eat that way." No one seems to care about their health stating that we can get hit by a car and die no matter how we eat. Well THAT'S obvious...DUH! Anyway, I'm just hoping to hear some of your wonderful advice. Thanks in advance! ;)

[NoniPixie]

no need to say anything when they look at you and see how amazing you look, or when they listen to you and you talk with more passion and love in your voice. Just be a shining example and people will start asking you for your opinion on what they should eat!!!

[Rawkinlocs]

I agree...the thing to say to them is...nothing! Let the results that come as a result do all the talking for you...THEN they're gonna wanna know, "What are you doing that you look so great, so vibrant, so healthy?"

[Carlsbad]

My family was very supportive when I started raw (because they saw how unhealthy and heavy I'd gotten). The weird thing is that now I am looking so healthy and at a socially acceptable weight, the support has sort of faded away. It's almost like they want me to go back to "normal" now that I've "fixed" the weight issue. And I can see this becoming more of an issue as I continue on my raw path.

Ultimately, some people will be nice about it, and some people will be obnoxious, and it may surprise you who reacts which way. My family and my closest friends know I'm raw, but with other people I try to just fly under the radar. It works pretty well. Trust in yourself and in the raw journey, and come here when you need support!! :D

[RawHeaven]

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[Vivid Lily]

Just a little humor showing I can relate> Over the past 6 months I've been really trying to do Raw. Anyway my so called good friend. Said to me the other day. 'I don't know why your trying so hard to do this, it hasn't done you any good , you haven't lost any weight' 1st off - it's not the main reason I'm going Raw - it's for health reasons. I want to be healthier. and take less insulin or get off it. Well, you know I keep thinking of that and it's made me stronger , because I want to just show her. But it's the same person whom when we were shopping one day for a trip we were going on was nasty again. I picked up a cute but small pair of underwear (panties) and jokingly said I wish I could wear these. She took them out of my hand and said maybe you can't but I can. And she bought them!!!! Not very nice. But yes I'm still her friend. She just has verbal diarhea!!! That's all for now. Suzy:D

[DavidZaneMason]

Say, "Lately I'm eating all fresh fruits & vegetables". I would not further explain or dignify any critical responses (especially in public or in a group) but simply let your feet do the talkin if people do not respect your boundaries (personal diet, religion, sex, politics....are all NOT open for discussion unless YOU allow it or bring it up). This is just my experience. You would NEVER go up to a person at a restaurant and say: "Why are you eating THAT?"....or "You can't live on THAT!". Ha! ha! Don't accept that sort of thing from some one else. ESPECIALLY some one who is supposed to care about you...and support you in your dreams.

-David Z. Mason

[goingrawchelle]

Thanks for all your responses. I really appreciate the encouragement and advice.

I just came back from being with a friend of mine and we were talking about bringing meals to a friend of ours with breast cancer going through chemo. I asked her if she knew if our friend had to follow a special diet right now. She told me that she didn't and that she hadn't requested anything in particular. I opened my BIG mouth and said that she should be eating raw foods right now. Her reply to that was that she "wasn't being led to do that." So...all that to say...I wish I had been home to read your advice before I went to her house. Argh!!

[iamacranberry]

Hmmm...well, just don't do it next time. I think, though, that you could have been tactful in that situation even having not read the advice posted here.

[EZ rider]

Unless I know for sure that someone is supportive of the raw food lifestyle I don't say anything about it and if pressed I say "its personal just like my religious preferences". I have learned that SAD eaters just don't get it and will bare their fangs trying to take a bite out of you because if your right then their wrong and they just can't swallow that.

[lafsalot]

Have to agree with the previous posters - I would say nothing - after all, what really matters in the end is what you believe in yourself. However, as far as your friend (the one recently diagnosed w cancer) goes, I would have no qualms about dropping off a copy of "Crazy Sexy Cancer" by Kris Carr and/or the book, "Curing Cancer From the Inside Out" by Mike Anderson - still don't have to utter a word - the book and documentary say it all ~ Cathy

[onlyraw4me16]

I totally agree, say nothing let the results speak for themselves, they all soon will be running and asking you what do you do, we want to do the same.

Keep up the good work, it will shine out.

emma:D