Eat! Eat! Don't you like the food here?

[manzana verde]

Hello (or Hola as the case may be):

I am currently living in a small city in Spain, working as a teacher in a school where all but one staff member is thirty years my senior. I love the raw lifestyle and am going to an organic farm in two weeks for a little retreat. My problem is that the people around me, particularly the mother hens, don't understand why I choose to eat the way I do.

Last week I went on a ski trip with my students and I had just come off a ten day fast (five water/five juice). At the point of the trip, I was still on a monodiet of apples to wake up my digestive system. They were very concerned that I was eating an apple at lunch and that I didn't want to have the cheese, bread, ham, croquettes, and tortilla (omelette) that they had ordered. Of course I had no desire to eat any of this and they insisted about every two minutes that I should. I eventually got so irritated that I left the table (with the excuse of going to take more pictures of the kids). When I first got here I was willing to diverge from raw for the sake of being social and building relationships. Now I'm to the point where I want to eat what pleases me and not other people, but I am surrounded by those who don't understand and think it's their business to "take care of me" with food that makes me sick.

Sorry to huff and puff, but does anyone have suggestions for how to maintain your raw lifestyle without offending anyone or causing them concern? I don't want them to think that I'm to good for their food, but I don't want to compromise my principles either.

[freshlight]

Welcome to the board :)
Just relax and enjoy your food,-you don't have to explain anything at all, nor are you offending anyone by eating an apple.

[Revvell]

Sorry to huff and puff, but does anyone have suggestions for how to maintain your raw lifestyle without offending anyone or causing them concern? I don't want them to think that I'm to good for their food, but I don't want to compromise my principles either.

First of all, your health IS too good for their food and secondly, it's THEIR choice to be offended.

Just as your health is your responsibility, their reactions to what you're doing is theirs.

In most cultures, what people know is food. It entertains them; keeps them from REALLY connecting with people (take the food away, what's left?); and it make them, and others, seem very giving when they force food on someone who doesn't want it.

Change your perceptions. When YOU become accepting of yourself and what you're doing, you'll see those around you doing so as well. It starts with you. They're drawn to your discomfort and you become prey to the predators ~ and yes, I know how they sounds and that's o.k. It is what it is.

[green jeanie]

one idea if you are going to be there awhile is to show them your favorite raw book or cook book

people tend to be able to not take things personally if you show them your humility (not that you are being at all arrogant...at all!!!)

but it can simplify things if you share what you are doing in light of it being something that was new to you once as well

like "check out this cool thing i am learning /this "program" or idea I am trying" I AM EXCITED...IT WORKS.....I AM LEARNING......GROWING....

then it is inclusive and there is potential...it is not just different......


everybody loves the latest new thing and also tend to want to support you if you are doing something cool.....not just a value system to believe in or rebel against

i been all around the world though....so i been there sister!!!! maybe bring extra raw food and reverse the direction....you offer them your food to eat and pester THEM if they won't eat their fruits and veggies!!!

[Zanjabil]

I would just simply say that I'm watching what I'm eating because of health issues, and leave it at that. It's really none of there business.

[RawHeaven]

It's really none of there business.

True dat.....

[spicyfull]

If you don't want to say it..........Buy Alissa's or Revvell's T-Shirt and let the shirt say it for you. Always remember YOU are the MASTER of YOUR Fate. Continue to take Charge of Your Life by Speaking up.

[klomasius]

Maybe try and make some lovely recipes to share. I have found this to be very helpful with my work colleagues. Even when they just see me eating colourful fresh foods and tasty dishes they seem to become more accepting.

In the end as others have said, it's their problem if they are not accepting. I'd just try and be as graceful and compassionate as possible in asserting my food choices. :)

[Revvell]

Gotta say it ~

Either do or don't do. There is no "try". Who said that? Yoda? :p

[manzana verde]

one idea if you are going to be there awhile is to show them your favorite raw book or cook book

people tend to be able to not take things personally if you show them your humility (not that you are being at all arrogant...at all!!!)

but it can simplify things if you share what you are doing in light of it being something that was new to you once as well

like "check out this cool thing i am learning /this "program" or idea I am trying" I AM EXCITED...IT WORKS.....I AM LEARNING......GROWING....

then it is inclusive and there is potential...it is not just different......


everybody loves the latest new thing and also tend to want to support you if you are doing something cool.....not just a value system to believe in or rebel against

i been all around the world though....so i been there sister!!!! maybe bring extra raw food and reverse the direction....you offer them your food to eat and pester THEM if they won't eat their fruits and veggies!!!
I love this idea! It's more or less standard practice to offer whatever you're eating to the other people in the room/in your immediate proximity. I usually just put a piece of fruit in my bag, but I should start taking things that I can pass around (i.e. pre-sliced fruits and veggies). If they don't want them, I can pester them a bit . . . but more importantly I can show that I'm not eating that way to be anti-social. I want to share the foods that I like with them just as they want to share the foods they like with me. (Except my food's better :-))

[green jeanie]

yes yes!!


and just writing that post really helped me too.....we are certainly NOT the norm with how we eat but i feel what i have gained to be a total GIFT

and we have the opportunity to share that gift

you could give someone a whole new life of joy and health!!!

[Eva]

I always throw out the ulcer card. LOL. I had ulcers before raw, now I do not. I know that meat, dairy and cooked food contributed to the digestive and other health issues I had. I have to be careful of my health.

People generally understand that.

It's not about it being better or whatever. It's just something I have to do, and it is better FOR ME. Sometimes people ask questions and want to share what I have. Sometimes they don't.

Either way, I am healthy and vibrant! :)

[Veganforlife]

Same here. I was so sick and lethargic and unhealthy pre-Raw. Now I am alive. Living.

I do not explain to people, unless they are curious. I just politely, but flatly say, "No thanks. Not interested." If they persists, then I start telling them about how I eat. Most are interested, some say they could never do that, they'd (love THIS one), they'd die! I just giggle (to myself) and then sometimes choose to get into it deeper, and other times not...

[Moretta]

Welcome and good luck on your RAWNESS journey.

Ditto to what others have already said.