What do you say?

[Katie P]

When I talk to my family & friends about raw they always ask "how long are you gonna do this for?" Any advice on what to say? Apparently me saying "I plan on doing this forever" gets me some looks! People start to worry I won't get all the nutrients b/c I don't eat meat & other stuff

[Veronica01]

How about as long as you keep feeling great and being healthy. Then maybe they'll think oh ok, so at least she'll stop when she "gets sick" lol.

I just say im a raw vegan now... people infer what they want from it.

I'd like to know why the world is more scared of fruits and vegetables than they are of processed packaged foods! Jeez. You could say how long do you intend on consuming chemicals you don't know anything about?

[Veganforlife]

Oh let me tell you! I've been getting that for this fast, which is now day 61! But I tell them, "I'll eat when my body tells me to."

Some say, "Oh, it's not healthy!" (those being overweight, UNhealthy people telling me this, um, yeah, I'll bite). Others say, "WOW!"

I don't have to justify my health to others!

I usually write down Alissa's web site and tell them to read all about it. And I ask them, "Do I look UN-healthy?"

[ruffsongraw]

i havent been asked that, but if i was, would say " i am doing it for health reasons" and leave it vague, then change the subject. its nobody's business what you eat or why or for how long.

i think that ppl are afraid of this way of eating b/c it sounds to them like it would be very limiting and very boring. ppl want to "share" everything--from bad smells to good food to bad food to info that is none of their business. it seems "exclusive" to them in every way to eat only raw food. admittedly, the first time i heard about it, i thought, OMG you cant eay ANYTHING that way! nothing yummy, no traditional "comfort foods", no popcorn at the movies, no pizza at a party....but there is a lot more of course than i thought at first!! (and also all the health reasons! & the simple LOGIC of it..etc.....). i think its like the former drinker who quits drinking & at first he might be seen (by his drinking friends) as no longer fun, no longer a "joiner".
i love your question: how long do you intend on consuming chemicals you don't know anything about? HAHA!!

jen

[michigan roman]

this is a classic case of reversing the question , as in :

what im wondering is how long the people of america are going to ignore their flabby / weakly caused by wrongful diet disease ridden state and keep eating the same way ???????????????????????

hasnt it become obvious our standard american diet isnt making us great healthy beings and it needs a massive adjustment ???????????

then go on a juice fast and get totally highly energized and teach them a lesson on how wrongly informed on diet their washed up government via its ' electric whip ' (tv) has them .

[Veganforlife]

Good posts!

I also like when I DO explain what/how I'm eating, they will come back and say, "Well...you DO look good..."

Um, how else was I 'sposed to look from eating/treating my body right? WOW!!!

I usually don't get confrontational unless it's a complete imbicile (uh-oh! I used that word one other time on a thread and got a tongue-lashing for it), but unless it's a complete imbicile and I need to further explain, and then I realize that there is not getting through to this idiot.

My temple (body) is my spokesperson.

[T-Bird]

I just say " I don't know.....I'll see how far I go...."

Which is the truth, lol! Sometimes I add - maybe forever

It kind of ends the conversation unless they want particulars.....

[JCB44]

I would tell them as long as I feel this good.

[jurence]

I always say until i get down to my ideal weight, but that is only because of the funny looks i got when i told them "forever" in the beginning and got funny looks

[iwuvmydoggy]

You all have some great answers :)

After all the things I've seen people overcome by eating raw foods, all the things I've seen the human body capable of doing (healing wise as well as athletically).. I would just ask them why they eat the way they do & turn the concern around over to them. Maybe ask them if they have digestive problems, if they're sick often, if they're on any medications, if they have any diseases, etc.. And tell them about others that eat raw, what they've overcome and what they've accomplished, and if you have a story, tell that, too. They may want more info after that conversation! :D

Also may explain how simple it is to eat raw, because you don't have to know how to cook... You don't have to worry about getting food poisoning from fruits & vegetables (especially if you grow your own).. and if they mention the spinach or peanut butter thing, you can say that you buy local/organic & didn't have to worry about that... and you make your own nut butters from fresh, raw nuts.

There's so much you could say to people.. :D I've had people tell me that they don't eat anything "organic".. I was just like "wow.. so you like eating bug poison?... Raid is on sale down isle 11..." lol (but I can be pretty smart-mouthed... so... lol)

[Veganforlife]

iwuvmydoggy - that's funny! I've been smart-mouthed before, but would rather use the energy for other things! Benefit of fasting.

Now I'm still a wise ass, but that's a different story! LOL!!! :p

[Katie P]

Veronica01--I liked your comment on why people are so scared to eat fruits & veggies but will eat processed foods! That's awesome! & so true! I have never felt better eating raw & personally don't want to go back to eating cooked food ---even if it isn't "bad for you fodd" from a SAD's perspective.

I love this forum! It's so encouraging & nice to know that we're not alone in people thinking we're crazy. I'm starting to think they're the crazy ones!!!!

[Veronica01]

I always ate a lot of fruit my whole life, salads more or less in phases as i couldn't stand most salad dressing and avoided dairy. But I can tell you every time i read a food package and ingredient list I would shudder and wonder how bad the chemicals were for us and if eventually they would make a difference over time. So you can either close your eyes and pretend you don't know how bad the food is you put into your body, or you can be aware and limit or stop putting that food in your body. I just stopped buying canned food and boxed food because none of it every tasted good unless there was a ton of salt and seasoning to cover everything up. I love how every raw dish or even fruit feels like a flavour explosion in my mouth. I honestly think my body's intense love of fruit and vegetables led me to realize it wanted more of that all along. I don't even think i would be here at all if I didn't love fruit, I'm the total produce hoard of the family. :)

[RawSar]

Before I went raw when I got asked why I ate what I ate (packaged/processed foods) I always answered with : If the chemicals can preserve the food then can't it preserve me? How much do you think I would have to eat to get that benefit? :eek:

hahahaha... ahhh... so young and dumb. :p

When I get asked how long am I gonna eat this way I answer with: Foreverand ever.
I don't care about the looks, I find them entertaining.

[circle]

yea you should just say like...

how long are you going to be a fatty?

lawlz

[qnjnean]

how about "at least until the end of the day" really, I just like to use humor.