Raw, Single, no SAD food around..but not me!!!

[tzip]

With the utmost respect and admiration for all the raw food superheros (including the host of this web site- Allissa Cohen), I can not understand how to make this program work living with a husband and several children who are not committed to this program. So many, if not all of the raw food gurus are single or married to like minded individuals and tell you to get rid of anything not raw in your house.They make it sound pretty easy that after 90 days of this you'll be cured from all food cravings forever. Well, doesn't that sound great- to remove all temptations b/c who would go out in the middle of the night for a bag of chips or a slice of pizza. That's too much effort and time to realize the folly of such a choice.
But for me, I can not remove tempting foods in the house. My older children like to munch on chios and crackers and my husband enjoys cookies and biscuits. Additionally, being the mom I am responsible for cooking meals. Being so health minded I draw certain limits, but that makes it even more difficult for me. If I were to cook hot dogs for dinner I'd have no desire to partake. The problem is I cook "healthy"foods like hearty soups made of organic ingreidients and whole grain pastas with cooked homemade sauces and the list can go on and on but you probably get the point. This is what really tempts me and I more often than not eat these foods which I never really wanted in the first place, but the aromas....
Now for my question. Are there other people ie. moms out there facing the same obstacles and if yes what do you do to stay committed to the raw life style which I know cerebrally is the best for me.
Any feedback will be so helpful.

[snoops]

I am in the exact same situation. If I make my husband and son some meat dish there is no worries about me wanting any. But like you I try to cook them healthy vegetarian dishes a couple times a week and I usually end up sharing with them.

Absolutely a problem. I am not sure what to do about it. I try to make them more meat dishes so I don't want any but I don't want to do that to them either.

I think at this point in my life, 3 or so un raw dishes a week maybe the way I have to go. Eating raw the rest of the time is still miles better than what I used to eat, so I may have to be satisfied with that.

[contessa20]

I think like most of the people here on RFT, I'm the only raw vegan in my house. For me it comes down to what I want for MY body. What my husband and son choose are their business but it's my choice what I eat.

To help with cravings I try to eat before I cook, make things for them that I would never have even eaten on SAD or just replicate a raw version of it.

[Moretta]

I think like most of the people here on RFT, I'm the only raw vegan in my house. For me it comes down to what I want for MY body. What my husband and son choose are their business but it's my choice what I eat.

To help with cravings I try to eat before I cook, make things for them that I would never have even eaten on SAD or just replicate a raw version of it.

Ditto to the T.

[T-Bird]

I'm a single parent with teens who do not want to go raw. This weekend, made chocolate chip cookies for DD as she was at a loose end and having teenage angst and asked for them.

It was very challenging, not to taste the dough - I love dough! Not to sample a cookie!

Not to sit with DD and share them. I sat - but it wasn't the "bonding" you see on TV!

I was also in a "down" mood where I am lackluster, fatigued, and it all seems pointless. I made it through though, but yeah - it was rough.

This is where being 100% becomes such a motivator.

4 1/2 months of 100% vs the melted chocolate on my finger

If I didn't have that bolstering me, I would have licked the finger. If I licked the finger - I would have sampled the batter - if I sampled the batter, would have had some cookies.

In the beginning - just 1 day of 100% bolstered me to 2, then a week, and so on.

[rkk]

I am in a very different boat, being single, living alone, and no kids or husband. So my perspective is obviously different. But I don't understand why being the 'mom' forces you to have to cook unhealthy foods for everyone. Just prepare lots of healthy raw food for yourself and extra for them (so they can also eat some raw food), and if your husband and kids still want junk foods then they can make it themselves. Sure, they might get frustrated or annoyed for awhile, but I would think they would adapt soon enough. If you cook meat or unhealthy foods for them, you are only harming their health... so preparing healthy raw food is not only an act of love for you, but also for them too (even though they may resist it initially).

[T-Bird]

rkk,

Trust me, it's just not that easy, ok?:p

I have had some successess with the kids, DD has 1 oz of green smoothie each day - non negotiable. We call it the daily dose. Her friends have tried and like it - but she continues to hold her nose.

DS enjoys the pineapple green smoothies, that is a victory for me.

They are required to taste each dish - just to see. That is all I get is a taste usually - lucky if they don't spit it out.

I do my best to cook the vegan foods they grew up on at least several times each week. When I get a dehydrator, I will try to get them into more meal things raw.

Until then - walk softly and carry a large smoothie!

[tzip]

Thank you T-Bird for understanding and to rkk just wait until you have teenagers. I've tried all raw days for them but it just did not go as I had planned

[mstrish]

I am the only raw vegan in my house. I will cook vegan for my husband but draw the line on meat. He helps me with juicing and preparing foods on the weekends for us that are raw. He has introduced more raw foods into his menus....I think because he feels better. If I am feeling tempted by his cooked stuff I will go take a bath or read to get my mind off of the food. It has been a challenge and I have slipped up a few times with chips(love them) but get back on track. Currently I'm doing a juice fast/feast cause I had some SAD food over the holiday this past weekend. I think the best advice for you is do what feels right in your situation, wheather its 100% raw or 90% raw. Keep your focus on what you desire.

[snoops]

And just because I don't believe in eating meat - doesn't mean I can force that choice on others. I married a carnivore and my son became one because of him. I was the one that changed.

I only work 1/2 time and so it falls to me to cook the meals, buy the groceries etc. I am blessed not to have to work full time so I am not complaining about what else I have to do. In a family and a marriage you need to respect each others wishes.

That they will eat vegetarian 3 or 4 days and week is huge to me.

[asecretchord]

Same situation here. In fact, I recently fell off the raw bandwagon because of this exact issue. It's difficult.

[freelive]

Just do the best you can. You are not what you eat. It is not a proclamation of your worthiness. It is a choice every day.
I don't think we actually crave cooked foods physically- these kind of cravings go away in 3 days. it is a psychological craving- you know that your now raw emotions will get duller again, when you eat heavier food.
So the real question is to learn to make yourself to allow your emotions no matter how unpleasant(or how strong pleasant too!), and then change your thoughts, so you could feel better.
I didn't read Angela Stoke's book Raw Emotions, but it should be good, because she went through all of that.
There are a lot of ways you can help yourself feel better like EFT, Sedona method, focusing, meditation, etc.

[ShelShel]

Just let me say for the record...I feel your pain. :p It's so very rough. I came to raw 13 years into my marriage...with a ten year old and seven year old who were very happily SAD eaters. :rolleyes:
Since then, I feel that they have all made HUGE improvements to their diets. 100% whole grains, soy milks, nuts, fruit smoothies...raw veggies as a side. But they are still meat eaters and they love a pizza on Friday nights...with wings. Chinese food on Sunday evenings. The list is endless. :eek: If it's not one SAD food, it's another.

Did I mention my hubby's love of movies and the popcorn machine in our living room? Movie candy in the cupboard at all times!

It can become virtually overwhelming. However. :) I've made it work.

Some of my tricks. First, I inform everyone! I let them all know not to even ask if I want some. I'm not eating it...if it's cooked.

Second, I always have something on hand that will take the edge off instantly. In your position with the cookies. I would have mixed up a batch of raw brownies first! (raw walnuts, medjool dates & carob mixed in a food processor and pressed into a pan....sets in the fridge within a half an hour)

I personally...for the first two weeks starting back to raw, cut myself some slack. I let my family eat out a lot. It relieves the pressure of me always cooking and falling temptation to the cravings. After the two week mark, my cravings almost completely fade away and I can do anything and stay raw. It doesn't faze me after that point. But getting to the two week mark is the challenge.

I also keep lots and lots of raw snacky foods around. By that I mean, things I can snack on when others around me are snacking. My family eats a lot of popcorn (movie lovers) and movie candy. So, I mix up raw chocolate, nuts, coconut oil and agave. Scoop into little balls and chill. This will taste exactly like a candy bar...kid you not. And dehydrated kale chips with sea salt, pepper and olive are a great substitute for popcorn. Like crisp salty with crunch chocolate.

It's finding what you need to substitute to be happy in your current lifestyle. Without making everyone around you upset that you are eating raw. If you love your food...they won't care what you eat. If you are miserable...they will try and convince you to "Eat something cooked!" Because they love you and hate seeing you upset. Don't sabotage yourself like that.

It is doable...but it sure does take practice, perseverance and love. Forgive yourself when you give in and don't wait for the next day to eat a raw meal. Start with your next one. One raw meal a day is better than none!

Good luck. You can do this!

[snoops]

great ideas shelshel!!

[tzip]

I second that. The kale chips sound yummy and crunchy,
Tommorrow is another day and another oppurtunity to make wise decisions.
Thanx for all the great comments.
This forum is a life saver.:)

[EatRaw]

I know cerebrally is the best for me.
There ya go! It's all up here :) <--- Its got to be STRONG! Am I saying its easy? Nope, nothing worthwhile, is easy! Now having said all that. :D

Just stay as high raw as you possibly can, with some of the above mentioned ideas! Both my children are raised (don't live @ home) my wife is still a SAD eater...but shes knows its not the best for her, and she has almost stopped eating meat (at least I never see her eat it:D ) so I do agree its easier for me. I used to smoke 3 packs a day (quit 30yrs ago) driink coffee, drink beer...I've done it all....LOL... I don't think theres much I haven't eat...and I was the cook most of the time!

Its all in the mind, there HAS to be a STRONG desire! Then it becomes easy!
:)<----

dave

[Aleesha Sattva]

i don't worry about what they are all eating... i explain and share my thoughts with them... about their choices (occasionally) and otherwise i keep my thoughts to myself. after all... who's to say my way is the right way for them?

what do i do? i assist them to cook for themselves when needed otherwise they all prepare their own foods (10 yr old and 15 yr old)... hubby does the same. i worry about myself... making something simple and wonderful.

do i get tempted? yup. but my health is important to me .

[jgunn]

heres the thing , if you really want this bad enough you wont set any perceived limitations onyourself .

nobody is holding a gun to your head and telling you YOU have to eat the food you prepare for your family, or forcing you to buy them store bought chiso's chips crackers and cookies.

there is literrally HUNDREDS of raw vegan cookie, cake, pie, cracker, chip recipies that are in my opinion healthier options than storebought versions, or even homemade SAD style, perhaps if these are you familys vices you can look into those as starting points into helping them eat a little healthier once you get em hooked the smoothies and raw vegan meals are sure to follow , maybe not 100% but time only tells over time my friends and family are slowly coming over to my side :D it does happen but be patient !

concentrate on your own improvements, the proof is in the raw vegan pudding ! you can change yourself but you cant change anyone else unless they want too :)

set your boundries and and stay withen them, if you fail .. dust yourself off and carry on :)

good luck and were all rooting for you and everyone else struggling with the same. :)

[greenfeline]

For me I let my husband fend for himself. If he doesn't want what I am making then he makes his own food. Teenagers can fend for themselves too. With little ones, if they are hungry enough they will eat what you give them! Plus little ones you can more easily mold their food choices. They naturally gravititate to sweets, so...why not fruit!

[T-Bird]

Hey tzip,

Any updates? How's it going?