working in a grocery store is frightening!

[samariah]

i started working in a grocery store and its frightening how little nutrition people take into their bodies. the vast vast majority of people buy mostly refined flour junk products, processed meat, dairy, cookies, candy, frozen dinners, iced tea, soda, chips and pretzels. no wonder everyone looks so unhealthy! its a constant reminder each day for me to take care of myself now. its amazing how many people subsist on nutrionless garbage.

[Rrose]

Yeh, and when we go shopping, everyone stares and asks, "what are you gonna DO with all that produce?"!!! As if it's a waste of money or something.:rolleyes:

[juliebove]

I could never work in a grocery store. I worked in retail at the same store for 17 years. We didn't have a grocery dept. per se, but we did sell some food. Mostly candy and nuts but a couiple of aisles of canned goods, pickles, fruit, chips, crackers, cookies, etc. That limited amount of food was doable to me and at one point I was even in charge of that dept.

What I hated though was going into the "candy room". We called it that even though it also housed tobacco products and chewing gum. It was a locked room with its own air conditioner. The air conditioner was there partly to keep the chocolate from melting in hot weather. And the lock was to keep employees (and would be thieves) from stealing the wares. Tobacco was and is still a hot commodity for theft. Thieves can make a pretty penny reselling the stuff.

Let me tell you, the aroma of that chewing gum, chocolate and cheap candy mixed with tobacco would just knock you over! I would have to open the door, run away and let the room air out for about 5 minutes before I could enter it.

I also hated working in that room. It was such a confined space and you had mixed odors coming at you from all directions. The only saving grace was the air conditioner, although in the winter that could be miserable.

I always tried to do my work in that room after lunch because if I did it before, I would not want to eat.

I also hated having to stock the candy, although I didn't have to do that often. I had employees under me who did that, but if they were sick or otherwise called away or couldn't keep up, I did have to help out. Smelling chocolate for hours at a time just makes you never want to eat it again!

At another point in time, I managed the garden shop. I much preferred that. I liked working with the plants and found it hard to resist buying beautiful plants that came through the door.

I also got a lot of free food during the summer months when I worked in that dept. People who bought their vegetable and fruit plants, seeds and trees from us and had a bumper crop would often bring things in to share with the employees!

[Ilse W.]

I always look at people's shopping carts in the checkout line. I feel badly for some of them, especially the older people who don't really have the money to waste on food that will not nourish them. It's harder for older people's bodies to take up the nutrients as it is, it becomes next to impossible to thrive on packaged stuff. Then I look at the carts with all the soft drinks, especially diet soft drinks, and fat-free, cholesterol free, etc. stuff and the people are huuuuge. Well some of us have been there. I have to keep reminding myself of that, so that I don't start getting that "holier-than-thou" feeling.:o

[samariah]

yeah i certainly dont want to get that holier than thou feeling either. its just saddening that things are this way, especially with older women, well any women, thinking they are eating healthy by eating all fat free, sugar free stuff with splenda, diet soda, white flour etc. we are so lucky to have all this nutritional information available to us now that wasnt so widespread as it was years ago. i am young so i feel so lucky to know how to eat properly now before problems arise down the road. but at the same time, its never too late to make changes for the better no matter how old you are.

[juliebove]

I always look at people's shopping carts in the checkout line. I feel badly for some of them, especially the older people who don't really have the money to waste on food that will not nourish them. It's harder for older people's bodies to take up the nutrients as it is, it becomes next to impossible to thrive on packaged stuff. Then I look at the carts with all the soft drinks, especially diet soft drinks, and fat-free, cholesterol free, etc. stuff and the people are huuuuge. Well some of us have been there. I have to keep reminding myself of that, so that I don't start getting that "holier-than-thou" feeling.:o


I do a lot of my shopping at Central Market and it is popular for its huge produce dept. and for selling organic food. I think a lot of raw foodists must shop there because I always see people buying more fruits and vegetables than I do. Makes me feel sort of guilty for not buying more. But... I do get an organic produce box each week and I try to base my meals around that so I can save some money. When I do buy produce from the store it's either because something is on sale for a good price, something just caught my (or my daughter's) eye, or I need something specific and I couldn't get it from my CSA.

Yesterday I went to the new PCC Natural Market in Edmonds. My daughter commented on how many people were eating apples! I thought perhaps it is because they are in season now. And the store does have tables and chairs for people to eat at, just like Central Market does. But then I learned that kids get a free serving of a fresh fruit or vegetable of their choice.

I think in this area, people are just more into eating healthy foods than perhaps they are in other areas. When I lived in NY, I had trouble finding good fresh produce, especially in the winter and forget about organic!

My daughter also takes a lot of dance classes. Most of the moms I have talked to at the dance studio said the only snacks their kids are allowed to have are raw fruits and vegetables. They all keep plenty of them cut up in the fridge for them to eat.

There is also a health food store next door to the dance studio and people will sometimes go there for snacks. There is a snack machine in the dance studio itself, but it get very little business. It does not have many of your typical "snack machine foods" and does contain things like small cans of fruit. So as snack machines go, it's not a bad one, although there is no fresh fruit.

[juliebove]

yeah i certainly dont want to get that holier than thou feeling either. its just saddening that things are this way, especially with older women, well any women, thinking they are eating healthy by eating all fat free, sugar free stuff with splenda, diet soda, white flour etc. we are so lucky to have all this nutritional information available to us now that wasnt so widespread as it was years ago. i am young so i feel so lucky to know how to eat properly now before problems arise down the road. but at the same time, its never too late to make changes for the better no matter how old you are.

What gets me are those 100 calorie packs of things. Seems they are putting so many more things in those types of packs. I know sooo many people who eat them and think they are doing a good thing. But they're nothing but refined stuff and chemicals.

[Raine]

I used to work for a major record label and was on the road all the time for 5 years (1990-95). I had been warned that life would be weird post-label.

I thought the worst of it was over when I had spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to turn on a vacuum.

But then, my boyfriend had to track me down at the grocery because I had forgotten my phone and I had been gone for 2 hours. He found me mesmerized in front of shelves of Chips Ahoy. When the heck did so many types of Chips Ahoy come out? And all the types of Coke there are?! I was just stunned at how many ways they could re-flavor and re-package the same bloody food.

.

[Rrose]

What gets me are those 100 calorie packs of things. Seems they are putting so many more things in those types of packs. I know sooo many people who eat them and think they are doing a good thing. But they're nothing but refined stuff and chemicals.

AND, the servings in those 100 cal. things are next to nothing!! hello???? I mean, that would not fill up a hungry child, much less an adult... but a RAW dessert would. Don't get it.:cool:

[juliebove]

I used to work for a major record label and was on the road all the time for 5 years (1990-95). I had been warned that life would be weird post-label.

I thought the worst of it was over when I had spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to turn on a vacuum.

But then, my boyfriend had to track me down at the grocery because I had forgotten my phone and I had been gone for 2 hours. He found me mesmerized in front of shelves of Chips Ahoy. When the heck did so many types of Chips Ahoy come out? My God have you seen how many types of Coke there are?! I was just stunned at how many ways they could re-flavor and re-package the same bloody food.

.


Hehehe. That's what I did when I moved back to WA. We lived on Staten Island for a couple of years. If you wanted Italian food, you had it made. If you wanted anything else, it was hard to come by.

When I moved back here and saw how much larger the grocery stores were and how much variety of things they had, I just twirled around and around taking it all in, and walking up and down every aisle. My parents were with me and they said they thought I would never come back out.

Even the produce was different. Here, I can get anything I want. In NY, I could get it if it was eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, or onions. Ha! Even the fast food stores sold those things.

[Raine]

AND, the servings in those 100 cal. things are next to nothing!! hello???? I mean, that would not fill up a hungry child, much less an adult... but a RAW dessert would. Don't get it.:cool:

I don't recall where I read this, but it was recent. People actually eat MORE with those 100 cal packs than they do with a big ass bag of chips. It's some sort of psychological reasoning for it.

On another note but speaking of sugar free / diet foods, I just watched Sweet Misery (http://www.documentarywire.com/sweet-misery-a-poisoned-world/) - oh yuck. What aspartame is doing to people is just tragic.

[samariah]

and its all refined sugar/carbs. how is that going to control your weight? it will just make you hungrier!

[juliebove]

I don't recall where I read this, but it was recent. People actually eat MORE with those 100 cal packs than they do with a big ass bag of chips. It's some sort of psychological reasoning for it.

On another note but speaking of sugar free / diet foods, I just watched Sweet Misery (http://www.documentarywire.com/sweet-misery-a-poisoned-world/) - oh yuck. What aspartame is doing to people is just tragic.


My husband will go through a whole box of those 100 calorie things! I bought them for him a couple of times. No more.

I also just read something about how people will overeat if they have too much food in the house. It said something inside their brains was telling them to get the food down to a normal level. And then they slowed down on their eating.

The article said if you must buy in bulk to keep a normal amount of the food in your kitchen, then put the rest of it away somewhere (like the garage) so you were not seeing it all the time.

[samariah]

i agree, i used to buy so much food at once and then id eat so much more. now i just keep the bare minimum in the fridge and eat what i need and waste a lot less.

[juliebove]

i agree, i used to buy so much food at once and then id eat so much more. now i just keep the bare minimum in the fridge and eat what i need and waste a lot less.

I should buy food on a daily basis. I can't feasibly do that, but I sure would waste a lot less if I could.

[Rrose]

I'm telling you, if I had a box of those 100 cal things, I would probably eat the entire box within a day, if not a few hours.....that is, if I didn't know there was a raw food alternative out there somewhere!! I used to do this, that is why I know:o :o :o

[Raine]

I shop 2x a week for whatever I need to juice and for salads. Plus by only having a motorcycle for transportation really cuts down on your ability to haul a lot of stuff home!

[MOTH]

I work at Whole Foods. I see a wide range of people checking out with a wide assortment of edibles. WITHOUT FAIL - the people who are overweight and sickly, are getting a bunch of processed, packaged goods - it makes me sad that they probably feel they are getting well just because a package of cookies/brownies/cake is labeled "organic." The trim, healthy and fit people all have predominantly veggies or fruits in their cart.

I'm not holier then thou - this is just an observation. I have great compassion for people who "don't know" about what they're eating.

[Raine]

I work at Whole Foods. I see a wide range of people checking out with a wide assortment of edibles. WITHOUT FAIL - the people who are overweight and sickly, are getting a bunch of processed, packaged goods - it makes me sad that they probably feel they are getting well just because a package of cookies/brownies/cake is labeled "organic." The trim, healthy and fit people all have predominantly veggies or fruits in their cart.

I'm not holier then thou - this is just an observation. I have great compassion for people who "don't know" about what they're eating.

I've heard WF is a great company to work for. How do you like it?

[MOTH]

I really enjoy it. I find them to be a very fair and honest employer. I work in the flower department so its' a little different for me then other employees...usually it's just me and my manager all day, with the flowers. Super-fun. :)

[samariah]

im thinking of working for whole foods if i move to portland. i love the store and it seems like a vibrant energetic place to work. i would love to know more about working there if possible!

[coco]

i would love to be able to go shopping every day, i miss living in the middle of a huge produce market! as it is my cart is so loaded down with produce at the checkout, i really stand out from all the other shoppers for sure. all the boxes, cans and containers of stuff people buy, wow. it's incredible, the percentage of actual food in most people's carts is little to none. and people wonder why they get sick? amazing.

[rawstrength]

As David Wolfe puts it, "most people are involuntary breatharians." Meaning that the those people out there on a SAD diet are getting no nutrition from their food, drinks and water. In fact, their food is probably robbing more nutrients from their body than it provides.
Every day I feel grateful that I am a part of the solution. I try to be very sympathetic and understanding towards SAD peeps. For example, everyone in my dormitory has the cold now, except for me. I'm feeling so healthy and vital and alive that I could have never believed I could feel this way.

[srsarri]

I just love it when I got food shopping and gather a cart full of produce!, Especially when the cashier gets mad at me because she has a big job ahead of her typing in all of the produce #'s into the computer! It makes them so mad, I used to feel bad but I really don't anymore. The people who are mad usually ask all sorts of questions like "geee, are you baking a couple of apple pies with all of these apples?"....

[Bethanie]

with their canned goods and cheaper cuts of meat and i wish i had the money to buy them fresh food veggies and fruit.
When i do get to that point if i can only help a few people i will feel good.

Most don't have the money to spend on fresh food and opt for the cheaper foods, sometimes i am able to start a conversation with them and i've seen them buy a couple of fresh item:D
B.

[srsarri]

YES, raw foods are more expensive, but I think its possible for anyone. On bad weeks, Ill get more bananas then usual, they are cheap and they fill me up!, It works with other fruits and veggies that are on sale too! Last week they had good deals on tomatoes and cucumbers at my local farm! so Last week I was tight with money, and it ended up being a tomato cucumber week! (well a majority of my food had those added because I got so much of it for so little)

Where there is will, there is a way! I have spent $35 on a full week off food at times and $150 at other times!, Just takes a little more work to weed out the cheaper stuff, Also, places like Whole foods are wallet killers! (However, I shop there most weeks because their stuff is gorgeous!) so it depends on where to shop too!

[Riiiya]

you know, back in UKraine we had an American professor at my university..and he made the most interesting observation. He first came ther ein early 90s and was shocked at how little trash people had- all their tiny trash containers had was potato peals and pieces of vegetables/fruits... And now he sees it becoming more like America- huge food containers/boxes/packages being thrown away

This is what i think about every time i see someone at a store with all the chips and frozen dinners and milk, soda drinks.. How much TRASH- both plastic and whatever "food" they contain...

[Rrose]

The raw foods can be and usually ARE more expensive, but hey, I eat less of the raw food by far, so it probably evens out, especially in the long run...

[RawHeaven]

i started working in a grocery store and its frightening how little nutrition people take into their bodies. the vast vast majority of people buy mostly refined flour junk products, processed meat, dairy, cookies, candy, frozen dinners, iced tea, soda, chips and pretzels. no wonder everyone looks so unhealthy! its a constant reminder each day for me to take care of myself now. its amazing how many people subsist on nutrionless garbage.

You should write a book Samariah.

What an amazing gift for yourself though to keep things in perspective regarding your health and lifestyle choices. I lived with SADers for a portion of this year and every single day I was reminded how people are living. It kept me on track with my goals.

[RawHeaven]

The raw foods can be and usually ARE more expensive, but hey, I eat less of the raw food by far, so it probably evens out, especially in the long run...

So is healthcare, doctor's visits and most of the treatments for chronic diseases & pharmaceutical drugs. Million/billion dollar range for some. I'd rather put the money in up front and save in the long run with my good health. Not to mention the food tastes better and I require less of it. :)

[RawHeaven]

I just love it when I got food shopping and gather a cart full of produce!, Especially when the cashier gets mad at me because she has a big job ahead of her typing in all of the produce #'s into the computer! It makes them so mad, I used to feel bad but I really don't anymore. The people who are mad usually ask all sorts of questions like "geee, are you baking a couple of apple pies with all of these apples?"....

Really? Which region of the country are you in? I'm not comparing, but I have never experienced this out in California. I shop at a natural foods co-op though, maybe this is why also. Lucky it wasn't me they were talking to because they might not like my response. What do you say to them or do you just let it roll off your back? The latter works for me most of the time. lol. Take care.

[Raine]

So is healthcare, doctor's visits and most of the treatments for chronic diseases & pharmaceutical drugs. Million/billion dollar range for some. I'd rather put the money in up front and save in the long run with my good health. Not to mention the food tastes better and I require less of it. :)

Every now and again, I'll pop into a site called www.Stretcher.com as it focuses on people trying to be frugal. On their discussion boards it's truly scary - people are so thrilled with their amazing buys on Ramen Noodles and one girl in particular was raving about how she solely shopped for foods with the most calories so she would stay full.

And yet, while all the people are raving about their noodles and Totino's Pizzas and freezing the milk they bought in bulk on sale, nothing is mentioned about nutritional values.

The whole concept of nutrition, etc., is just foreign to 99% of the people on that site. And without fail, most of those high processed food eaters are also the ones commenting on the fact that they have diabetes, they are on high blood pressure medicine, etc.

[RawHeaven]

The whole concept of nutrition, etc., is just foreign to 99% of the people on that site. And without fail, most of those high processed food eaters are also the ones commenting on the fact that they have diabetes, they are on high blood pressure medicine, etc.

Yes, they are confused and for the most part unaware. I was thinking about this just yesterday regarding an acquaintance who's in her mid-50's. She still eats white bread and bologna sandwhiches, LOTS of saltines and I mean a lot of them and processed foods galore. I'll give her credit though - she doesn't own a microwave. But there is never any produce whatsoever in her home. Not even an apple on the counter. She's working with 50 years of thinking that the way she eats is healthy. And you know it's generational, her folks and the folks before them thought it was healthy. It takes a lot of inner strength and will to break the cycle sometimes - there is a lot of energy around food. She's an intelligent woman but our (food) culture and fast paced lifestyle serves as an excuse for some people not to wake up I suppose. I do the best I can by trying not to judge and just share info when I'm asked. But it is frightening...very frightening. I agree.

[oai]

Every now and again, I'll pop into a site called www.Stretcher.com as it focuses on people trying to be frugal. On their discussion boards it's truly scary - people are so thrilled with their amazing buys on Ramen Noodles and one girl in particular was raving about how she solely shopped for foods with the most calories so she would stay full.

And yet, while all the people are raving about their noodles and Totino's Pizzas and freezing the milk they bought in bulk on sale, nothing is mentioned about nutritional values.

The whole concept of nutrition, etc., is just foreign to 99% of the people on that site. And without fail, most of those high processed food eaters are also the ones commenting on the fact that they have diabetes, they are on high blood pressure medicine, etc.

you know... the worse part i feel about that is they're spending any $$ on the nutrionless (and even dangerous) stuff at all! http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q94/SHOE_tutorials/current%20emo/disbelief.gif

[northernstars]

This may sound crude, but I think it is society's way of lessening the population! Unhealthy people usually use medications instead of changing their foods to extend their lives. I think those of us who are smart enough to only eat healthy foods will live much longer and healthier than most. Certainly our quality of life will be better!

[RawKnitster]

I do a lot of my shopping at Central Market and it is popular for its huge produce dept. and for selling organic food. I think a lot of raw foodists must shop there because I always see people buying more fruits and vegetables than I do.

I see your in Bothell. Me, too! I love Central Market! I shop at the Central Market in Mill Creek, PCC in Kirkland, and Whole Foods in Redmond. I have certain items that I get at each store. Most of my greens come from Full Circle Farms at the Farmer's Market in Country Village on Friday. I get fruits and other veges at the same FM from Tonnemakers. Have to confess I like to go to Yakima Fruit Market to fill in the gaps, mostly not organic, but good quality for good price.

About shopping a standard grocery store....this time of year I don't buy any veges or fruits there. I do buy the usual items for my non-raw family. Anyone who looks in my grocery cart at QFC is going to think I'm extremely SAD and that I never eat fruits and veges.

[Rrose]

So is healthcare, doctor's visits and most of the treatments for chronic diseases & pharmaceutical drugs. Million/billion dollar range for some. I'd rather put the money in up front and save in the long run with my good health. Not to mention the food tastes better and I require less of it. :)

Well said, I agree.

[annavon]

Ironically, some of those pre-packaged, prepared foods are not actually cheaper! Funny story on the same subject. My aunt and uncle were visiting my parents. My mom asked them about a vegetable she had seen in the store, something like brocciflower. My uncle replied "we wouldn't know, we never get past the frozen food ailse". I laughed when my mom told me this, I told her, well I'm just the opposite, I never get past the produce department. ;)

[fruitandveggies]

This may sound crude, but I think it is society's way of lessening the population! Unhealthy people usually use medications instead of changing their foods to extend their lives. I think those of us who are smart enough to only eat healthy foods will live much longer and healthier than most. Certainly our quality of life will be better!

Haha, I agree with this! I actually don't feel very bad for people who eat like that. You should never just blindly consume something without informing yourself on what its effect on you and the rest of the world is. I really have a hard time feeling pity for ignorance.

[Ilse W.]

Well, a lot of what you call "ignorance" is what people learned in school and from TV. We are used to our computers, I've had the internet ever since before the world wide web. It's easy for the "connected" to research things and come up with answers, or even realize that there are questions. Most people follow blindly what they see on TV. They think commercials are real, that advertising is truthful. They trust their government and believe that the FDA has only their best interest in mind. When they hear on the evening news that studies show that organic is no more nutritious than conventionally grown produce, they believe it to be so.

northernstars - Your idea about population control is not so far fetched. I just posted a link to a documentary on another thread about Codex Alimentarius

http://www.documentarywire.com/codex-alimentarius/

If you have 1-1/2 hours, watch it. The "real powers" seem to have in mind a world population of between 1/2 and 1 billion. This does not come from a connspiracy theorist either.

[debilana]

Haha, I agree with this! I actually don't feel very bad for people who eat like that. You should never just blindly consume something without informing yourself on what its effect on you and the rest of the world is. I really have a hard time feeling pity for ignorance.

I really have to disagree.We live in a world run by a huge media system,where "information" is slammed down our gullets all day. Not everyone is into food- there are people out there doing amazing things in the world with other people, kids,animals, etc- but never stopped to think about what they themselves eat. There are soldiers eating rations, poor people in inner cities with no means to fresh fruits, kids raised on junk that are addicted to it like herion.

I feel great compassion for all of us. I still eat SAD time to time because I know I am an addict to these flavors and textures,and it takes time to kick the habits of a lifetime.

One of my biggest peeves is when we treat people living other lifestyles that we condem as not worthy somehow. The angry vegan stereotype is well founded. Those of us who were lucky- and I mean LUCKY- I for one, stumbled upon raw food accidently- lucky enough to find a ways to be healthier, owe it to everyone around us to be kind, compassionate, caring, and remember everyone has fears and reasons for living the way they do. CHanging the way a person eats can be the hardest thing they ever do. I always remember how many times I had to read John Robbins before I atemy last slice of bacon. Those folks you are accusing of ignorance may be doing the best they can- for all we know, they might be raw foodies on a sad binge:D Hell I work for families and I had a client once with a MT DEW addiction. How do you think I felt checking out a case of that every week at the same store? lol

vegan compassion- raw love- spread the word but gently, and with kindness.

sorry for any typos, I am on the sticky spacebarlaptop:D

[Raine]

Haha, I agree with this! I actually don't feel very bad for people who eat like that. You should never just blindly consume something without informing yourself on what its effect on you and the rest of the world is. I really have a hard time feeling pity for ignorance.

Gotta love Darwinsim.

I've not had health insurance in years. The only reason I would get it is because of the motorcycle - but then you watch a film like "Sicko (http://www.documentarywire.com/sicko/)" and I realize I'd probably be throwing my money to the wind if I did get insurance.

If, God forbid, I did need an ambulance, I probably wouldn't have the presence of mind to call for approval from my HMO before I got hauled onto the stretcher - provided, of course, I wasn't knocked out.

Then of course, you get to the hospital and they could deny my claim because any "logical" girl wouldn't have her happy ass on a Harley because a it's a well known statistic that she's likely to get knocked over by some nutty SUV driving - cell phone - yapping - screaming kids in the back - driver.

LOL - i might end up as a Darwinism statistic myself, but at least I'll have 1450cc of thundering power between my thighs when it happens!

[fruitandveggies]

Oh, yes, I thought this would be mentioned. Yes, i surely hate the system that makes people trust them! I also really dispise that we can't trust them.
I suppose what I meant is that, in this day and age, no one trying to sell you something and/or holding a position of power can be trusted. You have to do research on everything before you put trust in it. It's so sad, but its terribly true.

And yes, I'm sorry for sounding harsh! I tend to get very upset when it comes to things like this. I feel sorry for people who don't know but at the same time, the should really do the research. Wish that it wasn't like this!

[kelsi]

I'm a teacher and often times I'll see my students at the store, i can almost always count on the most misbehaved kids having a cart full of junk food and the more well behaved students having a more balanced cart. Just an observation.

Someone said above about the cashiers getting mad about all the produce. Yesterday I got a glare from the cashier... eek. so I apologized, I dont think I'll go to her lane anymore.

[Ilse W.]

The store I go to is called Sunny Farms. Nobody gives me dirty looks when I come through with my cart full of vegetables. Aside for an abundant assortment of fresh produce, they also sell fresh fish and free range meat, which I buy for my furry kids, along with lots of organic products and supplements, and eco-friendly cleaning products. It's a great store, and a real asset to this fairly small community. I go to a "regular" grocery store maybe a couple of times a year, but do stop into Costco from time to time for their very reasonably priced organic produce (and meat).:D

[oai]

I was a junk food kiddie, & I behaved in school. Seriously, I was president of the NHS and had my soda & sour patch from the vending machine everyday. Let's not forget about the burgers, pizzas & fries. It's amazing how I've survived. :p

I also think I may have been able to combat the junk food affecting me as a student, because the teachers always "expected" me to behave, because i sport an innocent look. ;)

I read in a book that organic was no different from conventional... just more expensive and hyped up stuff, & I BELIEVED it! :eek:

[samariah]

I think the best way to bring more people to the raw lifestyle is to be as unjudgemental, sympathetic and understanding as possible. In my opinion, writing off non raw eaters as "ignorant" fundamentally fails to see them as the whole, real, complex, multi layered people they are. We can't label non raw foodists because don't we sure hate to be negatively labeled ourselves?

It is more than just a matter of doing more research. I, for one, feel extremely lucky that I am ABLE to do such research. With the excess leisure time I have had in the past, access to internet, etc I have been able to devote many hours to researching a very healthy lifestyle. I feel has been almost a luxury for me. However, the vast majority of people in our society, simply do not percieve the connection between food and health the way we are lucky to. It is simply a matter of lack of exposure. If I was never exposed to something all my life and as a result knew little about it, I still would not want to be percieved as "ignorant." Uninformed might be a better word. We are all learning more and more and more every single moment. Technically I AM ignorant, ignorant to what others might have learned beyond my own knowledge, ignorant to what I will learn tomorrow, and the next day and the next day. I believe the best (and most humbling) attitude to take is that we know very little about the universe but that we should loving share what we do know. I care about all of the people I encounter every single day, even if its hard to. I feel an overwhelming connectedness to everyone and I just want to share the health an bliss I have experienced. I want to bring everyone into the light as much as possible, not write people off as unworthy or "not as good as me." As raw foodists we are NO BETTER than anyone else. We simply are fortunate. Fortunate to have access to information that has greatly enhanced our lives. And all we need to do is be thankful for it and SHARE it unpretentiously with others.

:)

[saxmaam]

I think the best way to bring more people to the raw lifestyle is to be as unjudgemental, sympathetic and understanding as possible. In my opinion, writing off non raw eaters as "ignorant" fundamentally fails to see them as the whole, real, complex, multi layered people they are. We can't label non raw foodists because don't we sure hate to be negatively labeled ourselves?

Well said. I think that over time, some parts of our best knowledge will be borne out and other parts will prove false. It has happened to pretty much everyone who preceded us in history. It'll happen for the raw foodies, too.

When I first heard about the raw foods diet, I thought it was an outlet for control freaks. Then I bought a cookbook because of the beautiful and easy to make desserts and my thinking gradually turned around as I did more research.

One of the things I like about raw is that it dispenses with the "filler" foods. I never really wanted to fill up on bread, thick crust on pizza, white potatoes, or pasta. To me, they were just vehicles for the good stuff. It always bothered me that they took so much of the food pyramid. Now I'm gratified to have company when I think of these as empty calories, not good for me.

Susan

[ViolinCyndee]

I agree, and also check out other peoples' carts while on line at the cashier. I also used to work in supermarkets and was a baker for many years. So.. I made alot of that junk food.. At the time, I also ate alof of it, even though I was vegetarian.

[RawHeaven]

I think the best way to bring more people to the raw lifestyle is to be as unjudgemental, sympathetic and understanding as possible. In my opinion, writing off non raw eaters as "ignorant" fundamentally fails to see them as the whole, real, complex, multi layered people they are. We can't label non raw foodists because don't we sure hate to be negatively labeled ourselves?

Very well said. I think many of us forget that we used to be those very same non-raw food people that we speak of, lol. Thinking back there were several raw foodists that crossed my path over the years, I just didn't know they were raw. But I know they planted seeds and were non-judgemental. There was a time during most of my 20's when I used to eat fast food regularly, eat meat when I wasn't a vegetarian (ha), drink soda, consume baked foods including donuts with tons of trans fats for breakfast every single day at work, sometimes I'd have those same donuts for dinner, drink quarts of coffee and that's just the short end of it. I don't even know who that woman was, but I can certainly tell you I thought I was pretty intelligent, aware, capable, loving, generous, giving, ambitious and successful. And I probably was. It takes time to cross certain bridges and how soon we forget that we're probably the person we're judging - we forget to look in the mirror.

[Pistachios]

I don't recall where I read this, but it was recent. People actually eat MORE with those 100 cal packs than they do with a big ass bag of chips. It's some sort of psychological reasoning for it.



When reading up on MSG and similar chemicals (forgot the source), it was noted that these are added among other reasons to increase the appetite so that one would eat more/ a higher volume of the product before getting a feeling of being fullness. Translation: eating more of a product = buying more of the product & increased profit.

[rawstrength]

Thank the higher powers for FRESH. FRESH is a program in the city that I live in. FRESH grows organic veggies outside the city, then brings them by van into impoverished areas of the city, selling them for pennies or giving them away. They also start community gardens within the city and teach people to farm their own food. As soon as my class schedule lightens up, I am going to volunteer. I think we really, truly need more organizations like FRESH and David Wolfe's fruit tree planting foundation.

[Pturski]

I used to be one of those people lol. Im done eating garbage you never feel good after eating it.