Raw food and swineflu concern

[Girl_gone_raw]

Hi, I have some questions about raw food and swineflu.

Me and a friend is going on a holiday to greece in a week, and just hours ago we had an argument about immune system, well in fact, it was my immune system that was the topic and swineflu.

She eats "normal", like almost every other scandinavian people do (we live in Scandinavia) and she does not like me being a raw vegan. I have been a raw vegan for about 4 months now, and she still comments negative on it every day to me, and she even tells me all the time that she looks forward to me eating like her again. She HATES it, and she gets annoyd at me for choosing this lifestyle. I hate that she hates it. But I will NOT let her persuade me no matter WHAT she does. NEVER will I ever go back to eating like her and others I know. I truly belive that raw food is actual FOOD and not "stuff" like my friends like to call it.

I'm sorry this post is getting longer ny the minute, I just need to get this of my chest. I am so angry that they will never let me be, they always have to put me down! Just...leave me alone already! Enough is enough!! 4 months and they still don't get it, this is MY LIFE, MY HEALTH! ... wow :mad:


And so earlier today, my friend said "well, if the swineflu is getting anyone sick on this trip, it's gonna be you. You are sick, your immune system is totally gone with this raw food thing you have going on. If you would go to the doctor and take a blood test, he would send you straight to the hospital because you are sick!"

And I got really mad inside, but I did not dare show her (I do not like arguments with friends, really uncomfortable". This "telling off" happened in front of two other people that she knew, and I did not. I was kind of embarressed as well, because she made me look so stupid in front of them. I lost my words and forced myself to laugh it off, I am sad to say.. :(

For a while now, I have not been very good with eating everything I should I guess, mostly been eating fruits and nuts. Just been so stressed and not home very much. And I have been very tired at times, but I think she uses that (or abuses) to make raw food look bad. But that is NOT raw food's fault, that is my fault. But I really do not think it is because of the food, I think it is because of the lack of sleep I have. I have not been sick at all since I became raw. AT ALL! And there she stands in front of me, telling me of like I have one foot in the grave already because I am a raw vegan now!? Come on.. when I say that it is because I hardly sleep, she refuses to hear it and blames it on raw food and makes me feel so lonely and weird for eating like this, no one else does in this area, raw food is very very new in this country...

It is so hard and very very annoying when I constantly have to defend myself to her and them, and I get annoyd because they get annoyd at me. I am tired of it!


So finally, my question is, since I have not been eating much vegetables or seeds, oils or superfoods and berries +++, but mostly fruits and nuts for a while (I am going back to vegetables and seed and all raw foods very very soon!! Just been neglecting it because I have been also very depressed and stressed for different reasons, but am I more likely to get the swineflu then? Is my immune system more weakened because of my "fruterian" way for this past while?

It would really suck if I got sick and she did'nt, then she would have even more ammunition to put in her "I hate raw food lifestyle" - gun..

I'm sorry if I seem childish, my claws are getting longer towards this constant intoleranse to my new way of living, enough already!

[katchmoleen]

My question is, why in the world do you want to go on a trip with this friend? I doubt if you will even have a good time if she is constantly hounding you. A true friend would not act this way. I am sure your immune system is in great shape, and you are tired for other reasons. If it were me, but this is with the personality I have and may be harder for you, I would tell her that you are tired of her treating you the way you do and that you no longer wish her to talk negatively about your diet. If she is a true friend she will abide by your wishes. If she won't, find another travelling companion.

Recently I got the stomach flu that was going around work, but I was well in half a day, instead of the two days that everyone else suffered.

Hey, I will go to Greece with you, no problem. Just send tickets!;)

[snoops]

I believe our immune systems are far better than "normal" food eaters. We are feeding our bodies, they are eating junk that is detrimental to their immune system. Your friend will get sick before you would I think. Go and have fun. Eating just fruit is better than eating junk. But you should include more greens.

[Girl_gone_raw]

Thank you for replying katchmoleen!:)

Yeah, I know how it must seem for people reading my post, people must wonder why I go on this trip!

I do not have many friends, and she is my best friend, althoug recently, we have become more and more frustrated with eachother.. Wonder how the trip is going to turn out..

I have a hard time getting new friends, I just do not know where to get them! Where is this friend-store you all get your friends at?? It looks like everyone has so many friend, I don't get it.. from where do you get them?? :o

So I guess, I really want and have to hold on to the few I have, even if they seem to hate the new me.


I feel like she is my enemy and friend at the same time now.. I do not dare tell her to leave me alone and not say bad stuff about my food. Because she will just get mad and defensive, and I can not say anything good about raw food because she hates hearing about it. She hates me even talking to ohers about it.


Me and another friend were discussing food in my car, and when she came in she said "PLEASE, talk about something else, I can not stand hearing about it. Talk about something else!"


I really dislike that side of her.. I can feel anger building up inside, I do not dare let it show. :rolleyes:

I have enpugh problems already, and raw food is the only thing keeping me up these days. "At least I am doing something right" kind of thought, but when everyone around me beats it down, I just feel lost.


I wished I knew one another person eating like this, just ONE!! I hate being the only one! I am not a good example for what raw food is about and what it can do for you, but unfortunally I am the only one my friends get to see. A depressed, insomniac, stressed out girl. But I am worj\king on getting better with all my strength I can get from myself, and I say to them " this is not raw foods fault, it is ME, one perosn, and me being like this has absolutely nothing to do with raw foods, so stop it!"

But they won't hear me!

I am so frustrated right now, I can't believe it!! :confused:

Snoops: I really hope you are right. Not that I want anyone to get sick, but I really do not eant to be the forst one to get sick, because then I would never hear the end of it.. Yes, I agree so much, I need to eat much more greens, that's for sure!

[Revvell]

I do not have many friends, and she is my best friend, althoug recently, we have become more and more frustrated with eachother..

Be your own best friend and you'll always have a best friend. This person isn't.

[Girl_gone_raw]

I do not dare be alone without friends, even of they are bad friends I have to hold on to them.

But yes, maybe I can work on being my best friend inside of me, and not let them get to me as much as they do.

I just get so frustrated when my bestfriend suddenly becomes a doctor and can tell me that I am sick, seriously ill and that I have no immune system. And she was so sure of it as well!?? Weird.. the whole thing was weird!

What kind of a thing is that to say to a person? I am sitting there, appearently just as healthy as her and everyone else, but still she says these things.. what is that all about?? I just don't understand her mind, and that drives me crazy when I do not understand.

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

What kind of a thing is that to say to a person? I am sitting there, appearently just as healthy as her and everyone else, but still she says these things.. what is that all about?? I just don't understand her mind, and that drives me crazy when I do not understand.

Could it be that she envies you? Perhaps she's unhappy about her diet and lifestyle but don't have the willpower to do anything about it. Misery loves company you know.

My girlfriends mother often teased me about not eating meat. She pitied me and said I was missing out.
Finally I had it with all that and asked her why she saying those things. Turned out she envied me and that she would also like to quit meat but felt she wasn't able to.

Your "friend" sounds much much worse though. I have broken up with friends for reasons like that. A bad friend is certainly not better than no friends. Trust me. Such people will only drain your energy.
And you might be alone for some time, but new friends will come around. And sometimes old friends will actually change and you will get back together (it has happened to me).

Where in Scandinavia do you live by the way?

[Revvell]

I have to say, if this is what you call "friend", who would you call an enemy? Friends support you; enemies undermine. She's an underminer.

What I've found is, when I let go of people who don't support me, I make room for many more who do. They can't come in when that spot is taken.

[PammieTaj]

Just walk your own walk. You'll be fine.

A friend of mine had the swine flu and said it was like a bad cold. Lasted a week. Not what the media and governments world wide and big pharmaceutical want you to think it is.

[Thick]

When you start to value yourself more and not allow anyone to mistreat you or disrespect you, you will be so glowing and positive that you will attract much more positive people into your life.

One day will come when you are so much more healthy in every way and she will realize then that you are right.

It's no wonder you are depressed and unhappy with her kind of energy around you--you need people around you who understand you, not people who don't understand you and belittle you=/

I have seen a lot of scandinavian people on this board and wonder if perhaps there is a meetup group of some kind in your country. If there were you could make some new friends who you would instantly have more in common with and you would also have a place to go without this friend. You would naturally distance yourself from her without a big scene or confrontaion because she would not want to go with you.

I don't have very many friends either. I have reconnected with old friends through facebook. There's your friend store!=)

[Ilse W.]

For those who think that a fantastic immune system is the answer to swine flu, I recommend you read Jon Barron's latest Swine Flu update here http://www.jonbarron.org/baseline-health-program/2009-08-03.php

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

What I've found is, when I let go of people who don't support me, I make room for many more who do. They can't come in when that spot is taken.

Very true Revvell! Even though there might not be many raw fooders around, there are probably people who will understand and support you.

[snoops]

Interesting article. Seems reasonable. What do you think of him selling the products he says you should use to protect yourself though? Interesting that your immune system could be used against you.

[margoss]

You may want to tell her that you don't complain about her choice of food & you expect the same from her especially on this trip. This trip may be a time for you to learn to travel on you own. Not trying to be a downer but I can't imagine letting someone ruin Greece for me. It's been one of my dream trips for 28yrs. I thinks she's jealous of your choices. You may want to sit down & discuss this b4 you leave. I don't why she thinks she can treat you this way unless you let her. I don't like confrontation either but standing up for yourself is not confrontation.
I agree with Revell...I had to let some people out of our life but the people brought into our life are amazing. They are much better support than the old. Do I miss the old..sometimes, but the pain endured to have them in my life was much worse than adjusting to not having them.
I think it is harder to meet people & become close friends as we mature. I'd like a 'friend' store too!;)
I truely hope you have a great time. If you have a tiff on the trip, don't let it ruin it for you. This is part of hanging around with those that are 'different'. I've decided that I'm not the one that different & difficult to eat with anymore..everyone else is. My choice isn't hard for me, they make it hard for them:D

[rawxstasy]

Learn to love and accept yourself. Eventually you will reach a point where you would rather have no friends than people like this in your life. I would seriously ask her why she has to be so negative about your lifestyle. You don't demand that she live a certain way, so why should she?

I think she is jealous and controlling. I think she is uncomfortable with your lifestyle. In her mind, you "should" be like her.

Even though I am 44, I have been able to make friends. It is more difficult when you are older, but still possible! It took some time, join up with different groups that you are interested in. like a hiking group, or whatever. Or take a class.

[Eva]

I went to Greece when I was 19. I was with family, and we were driving from Hungary to Greece. What a trip!

I was with:

my cousin. She was about 35 at the time? And VERY unhappy. She had gone from a Barbie doll to about 30ish pounds overweight, just from being unhappy.

her fiance. He actually would not speak a word to me! Why? Because I'm half American, and that means he doesn't like our politics, and therefore takes it out on people. He was quite the chauvinist. Can you see how my cousin was less happy? Ugh. So, that made for an awkward trip. He also drove like a maniac. And I have not been the safest of drivers in my life, so ME saying that is saying a lot.

and her 8-year-old daughter. Who is now 16 or 17 and is a pretty cool chick.

I STILL HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE. Sometimes I went on my own to the beach or wherever. Sometimes I wanted to pull this chauvinist guy's hair out! But I still had fun. It was the trip of a lifetime. Greece is a beautiful country that I hope to visit again one day with my husband.

If you are going, you are going. Enjoy it!

And, seriously, you need to take a step back and take care of you. You are allowing stress. Allow yourself joy. Get to the root of the issues. Fix them. I know life is not so simple, per se. But then again... it can be if you will let it...

Thank you for sharing with us. I really hope your trip goes great.

And tell yourself your friend is clueless. She's not raw. She's not a dietition. She could very well know nothing, so I can't imagine she's the greatest person to let stress you out.

Love and hugs to you!
Eva

[Ilse W.]

Snoops - Jon Barron has a great book on his website that's a free download: "Lessons from the Miracle Doctors". In it you get all sorts of fantastic information, including what supplements to take etc. He always tells you the details of what it is and what it contains, so that you can choose where to get the stuff. It's not necessary that you buy it from him. I've used the liver and blood support tinctures from his company during his annual world-wide liver detox, and swear by the "colon corrective", mostly for convenience. When I first read about one of the products, I go to the website and look up what it contains so I have the choice of getting it elsewhere. He is one of very few people on the internet who I trust.

[snoops]

Thanks. I will look into the book. It all sounded reasonable and well written to me. I just hesitate when they are also selling something. I used to trust Mercola a lot more before he started selling so much stuff. I understand though that they have to support their free websites somehow.

Thanks again for the link both to the article and the book. The swine flu thing makes me a little nervous considering what he said. Not that I would EVER get the vaccine. It pays to know the best prevention especially when a strong immune system is not it:eek:

[Revvell]

Seems many folk here are more afraid of the effects of the "friend" than they are of the swine flu. lol

[Thick]

Seems many folk here are more afraid of the effects of the "friend" than they are of the swine flu. lol

Well, she already has the friend...

[Revvell]

Well, she already has the friend...

lmsssao.... :p

[Eva]

Well, she already has the friend...

I'm laughing too! So true!!

[Seedy]

The effect of a raw food diet and swine flu H1N1 virus is an interesting one. There are a couple of possibilities. One is that with all of the phytochemicals and antioxidants in raw fruits and veggies, raw fooders will be less likely to get the flu due to a strengthened immune system. This is he likely outcome if the virus remains as it is. If, however, the virus mutates over the summer into something a kin to the Spanish flu that killed millions in 1918, we raw fooders could be in trouble. That flu was so deadly because it killed the young people with the strongest immune systems due to what is called a cytokine storm. Cytokine storms happen when a great immune system gets over protective. When the infection is in the lungs, for example, a cytokine storm can produce so much antibodies and mucus that it blocks airways and results in suffocation. So far, there has been no sign that the current swine flu has mutated into the Spanish variety, but we'll know more come this fall. As an asthmatic (though thankfully under control now that I stopped using wheat and dairy products), I have to debate whether to follow my doctor's advice and get the vaccine this fall, or skip it and hope for the best.
Seedy

[drbloem]

I just posted this on my website. Please click here to access the original post which I will update frequently:
http://drbloem.com/2009/08/07/h1n1-swine-flu-and-swine-flu-vaccine-danger-resources/

I believe that the untested swine flu vaccine which has multiple ingredients that are either known to be harmful or that have no proven safety record is potentially the biggest threat to the health and survival of the world population.

Because this is an issue of global importance, I strongly advise you to educate yourself on this topic and to share this information with everyone you know both inside and outside of the United States.

Many of the links have information that is mind boggling, extremely disturbing, and difficult to believe. I encourage you to carefully study and consider it. Then decide what steps you need to take to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

You can use the ShareThis button at the bottom of this post to easily e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter this information to your friends.

I plan to update this post regularly with the most useful resources that have information about the swine flu virus and the swine flu vaccine.

* www.pandemicfluonline.com
This website has a flier and brochure that you can e-mail or print and distribute in your community.
* www.drtenpenny.com
Dr. Sherri Tenpenny is a renowned authority on the topic of vaccination and related health risks.
* www.medicalvoices.org
Medical Voices Vaccine Information Center - A Resource for Physicians and Laypersons
* www.homefirst.com
Dr. Mayer Eisenstein has been conducting weekly webinars on the topic of vaccine dangers. I highly recommend checking out the archive which has webinars on a wide variety of topics such as vaccine exemptions and vaccine toxicity.
* http://mdvaccinechoice.wordpress.com/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MDCVC/
Maryland Coalition for Vaccine Choice

The following websites have frequent updates on the swine flu and related topics:

* www.infowars.com
Preparing for Martial Law: International Swine Flu Conference to Be Held in Washington
New York Proposes Mandatory Vaccinations for Health Care Workers
* www.prisonplanet.tv
* www.globalresearch.ca
Martial Law and the Militarization of Public Health: The Worldwide H1N1 Flu Vaccination Program
* www.rense.com
Startling New Evidence That The 'Swine Flu' Pandemic Is Man-Made - Novartis Patent Detailed And Mass Murder Charged

[Girl_gone_raw]

Thanks for all the replies guys! As some of you asks and wonders, as I have wondred, if she/they are envious. But after today, I know they just think I am completely mad..I'm talking about my "best"friend and her family now as well as my other friends.

Both my bestfriend, her mother and her stepfather is going on this trip to Greece, and today I heard a feedback from her mother as well "well, we don't want to see you getting sick in Greece, because your immune system is so weak and you must be so weak from eating this way" I felt that burning sensation in my stomach, that was anger. I wanted to shout "I AM NOT A LUNATIC!! straight in her face! :mad: They all just stood there, watching me with sad puppy eyes as they were having an intervention with a drug addict or something!! Trying to cure me or something, from raw foods!!

I'm telling you guys, I don't know how much more of this I can take. I never would have thought that me changing my life to become a raw vegan, would bring such lonelyness and hurt into my life. I'm even crying as I'm writing this, I don't know what to do, how to make them leave me alone about this.. EVERYBODY I know, are judging me and telling me that I am a sick person in my head and that this is making me sick, and they tell me all the time, every day, at every meal, every time they eat "THIS is what is real food" they say, and they wave their food in my face.. How can I go on living with this judgement in my ears 24/7???

My bestfriend has a big brother, that I liked as a good friend and he seemed to like me too!But when we were at a gathering a while ago, I started talking about that we are the fifth ape, and that we are animals too, and that I think and believe that we too should eat like other primates and stuff (I love talking about this stuff, exiting!) And I get so fired up when talking about evolution and Darwin etc. But sadly, people mistake my enthusiasm for crazyness.. :(

But today, I found out that he had left the party because of me, because he thought that I was weird saying this stuff and that I had changed and become a lunatic, and he did not want to be there anymore because of me.. That broke my heart you guys :( And my bestfriend(his sister) said "so you see?It's not just me thinking that you have become weird and crazy. You have changed and you are not normal anymore, many people say that to me" she said.


I just want to disappear now, I am so embarressed and ashamed of myself and me being raw, I'm sorry, I just don't know where to get strength from anymore.. I am depressed, I feel so lost, wish all of you guys could come to Scandinavia just to show them that I am not the only one in this world thats eating raw food, and that I am not crazy.. I just feel so un-normal. They obviously talk behind my back about this, and she said that her mother and stepfather were gonna want to talk to me about me eating raw food, because they don't want me to get sick because I am travelling with them and stuff..


Please guys, please help me, I want to be strong, but they are stronger than me all of them combined. How can I handle this inside of me? How can I think positive? :(

I am gonna be 30 years old in a few years, they treat me like I am a lost teenager!They make me feel like the biggest weirdest loser on this planet. It is heartbreaking for me.

[Thick]

Are they paying for your trip to Greece. I'm sorry, but I would not go with them, even if it were free. It also sounds like they do not want you to go with them.

You need to find some more friends. Do you live in a very small town? Is there a larger city or university area near you?

[Girl_gone_raw]

No, I am paying for it, but we leave in a week, and I do not dare say that I do not want to go. I do not dare letting my friends know my true feelings, I am sad to say. Although I have become more angry because of this disrespectful treatment she/they give me. Maybe i will explode one day.. But that's not good either..

I live in a big town, and probably several schools I do not know of as well!I am new in this city. Because I did not have friends in my previous city, my brothers ex girlfriend became my friend, and I moved to her city. And here I am..

Without my friends, I do not dare go out meet other people alone. sorry, I feel like I am a big disappointment.

It seems like her family thinks that this is just a weight loss diet that I am on. They have not understood that this is my new way of living! She said "can't you at least eat some pasta?" I said "no" "come on, you can at least eat a little chicken meat?" I said "no, I can not eat any animal"

They just don't get it!!.. And when I try to explain it to them, they roll their eyes and give eachother looks like I must be suffering from a serious disorder.

[seRAWnity]

Not sure what I can that everyone hasn't already said, honestly I wouldn't go on a trip with such negative people. If you are paying for the trip can you reschedule the reservations for a later time, go by yourself possibly?? I used to be surrounded with negative people because I never had enough cojones to tell the negative ones to shove off.... over the years I've grew to realize that I'd rather be alone than let these people into my life... but when I started being true to myself and who I am the types of people I want in my life just seemed to show up.... I guess what I'm trying to say is when you give off positive loving energy you will be surrounded by it in return....

Being raw doesn't bother any of my non-raw friends, they wish they could have the will power to do it, they know it makes sense. Some think I'm crazy but they do not put me down for it as I won't as to what they choose to eat... We all make our own choices in life. I share information when someone asks questions but I certainly would never "preach" although I wish I could!!! Raw is a wonderful feeling!

It's not hard to meet new people, you just need to take that step and say hello, look in a local paper for groups to join, most places have book clubs, walking buddies or yoga groups, knitting groups, etc, if you can't find one put out an ad, I bet you'll get tons of responses....

Alissa's book is full of great information, it can give you what you need to not feel so isolated in the raw food lifestyle, it just makes sense, plain and simple.... I read it almost daily to affirm why I do this, especially when I feel like cracking.. another book that changed my life a lot is Happy Yoga by Steve Ross, I'm sure there are many places you can turn to for help getting over this shyness you seem to have.

I wish you best in your decision making with this trip and hope you do what is the best for YOU not your so called friends..

{hugs}

[Thick]

Does your brother have a new girlfriend that you could befriend?

Please don't worry about disapointing us..we just care about you and want to help you feel more accepted and happy.

If you dont want to tell her goodbye forever, maybe just take more time for yourself between visits. Could you tell her that that the comments about your diet are upsetting you?

I appreciate that you are very demure and reserved and don't want to go meet strangers by yourself. Perhaps some of your anxiety towards doing this is because you have such assholes for friends. Not all people are like that, I assure you!!

[Girl_gone_raw]

seRAWnity: yes, I would like to make new friends that did not act like I was on trial for being insane in the moment of my raw food-crime, if you know what I mean. If I had known what a hurricane in my life this was gonna become, I do not know if I would have the courage to do it. And then I woulsd still be stuffing my face with red meat, pizzas, burgers, and drinking milk, sodas and stuff. Things I would not dream of touching now.

I do understand and expected some negative response, but wow.. WOW! This is overwhelming this negativity from people who used to like me.. People even getting up and leaving a party because they can't stand listening to me. I feel like such a psycho.. at least thats how people view me of now.

So it would be wonderful if I could get the guts to go meet new people. Maybe one day I will try your suggestions!

Thanks for replying!


Thick: No, my brother does not have anyone new, and me and him live so far from eachother..

Thank you for telling me that I do not have to worry about disappointing you guys, that is my main concern, to be further disappointment to people. Still does not matter if it is strangers or friends even.. My selfesteem is lower than low and I can see it so clearly that I need to boost it up so I will not be so depressed. I try to look at Philip McCluskeys videos for motivation and I turn to this forum also now, and thank you so much for taking the time to communicating with me, even if I sit on another continent than you maybe!


I know I have a long way to go in becoming stronger and standing up straight besides my friend(s), and it helps to know that there is a raw food community that is very supporting and tolerant, that just gives me more motivation in being raw.


I need som e training on not taking what they say personally, but just letting them say what they mean about me and my life, without me crying when I get home because I feel so hurt. I just need to become less vulnerable.. but how!

It's difficult.

[Revvell]

Until YOU get that these people are not your "friends" as you keep calling them, nothing will change. You're hanging on to them as though if you let go, you'll drown. Are you a masochist?

You know, us "guys" (we're mostly women here, btw) have given you a LOT of support, advice and encouragement. Either take it, or don't. One thing I've found is people haven't made themselves miserable enough to make changes and until they do, it's like shoveling smoke.

Enjoy your journey.

[Girl_gone_raw]

And they are so sure I am the one who is going to get sick on this trip. That I need to eat normally in order have as good immune system as them.

I have been eating more greens now before the trip, but still, because I have been so depressed, I have been very sloppy about eating well raw foods. Just fruits and nuts until now.

I hope I can consume enough greens til this trip comes, so I can be stronger and have more energy.


Revvell: yes, sorry did not mean you were guys as in men. I know, I need to get the strength to distance myself from my friends sicne they can not like the new me. But I am very scared in facing this life alone without anyone to talk to, I do not dare that, not yet. But yes, very good advices from people here, and I am grateful.

[Thick]

OK, how about if you stop talking about raw foods and health related things with them? When I first expereinced raw I thought it was so important that everyone know about it--I was on a crusade...but now I just let my new health speak for itself and if they want to ask, I tell--but only when asked a direct question.

Perhaps tell them that you are sorry to have talked so much about raw food, and that you'd like to leave raw foods completely out of your conversations from now on. If they feel that you have been tiresome and preachy, then they will be relieved.

Finding raw is a lot like finding religion in some ways. If my best friend suddenly became completely into a cult or religion and tried to convert me and everyone she knows--I might also worry about her and think she had gone crazy, right?

[iluvmangos]

And I got really mad inside, but I did not dare show her (I do not like arguments with friends, really uncomfortable". This "telling off" happened in front of two other people that she knew, and I did not. I was kind of embarressed as well, because she made me look so stupid in front of them. I lost my words and forced myself to laugh it off, I am sad to say.. :( !

Next time just walk out. Who cares who's there and if you know them or not? When she realizes you're not gonna take it, she'll quit. I'd refuse to discuss it anymore with her at all. She's a control freak.

[Girl_gone_raw]

Yes, you are right.. I regret so much talking about my life changing event from raw foods. I wish I could take all those conversations back, from everyone I ahve talked to (a lot). I am so embarressed. I was just so happy and I wanted everyone to realize what our most logical diet really was! It was like a secret had been told that I' d always wondered what was..

But now, I have become the crazy one, and if I say I will not talk about it anymore, the damage is done I think. There is no turning back for me with all my friends, but I sure am gonna try my best to not mention it again, and also tell them that I will not speak about it, even tho I have not for a long time, but they bring it up whenever food is in the picture. But I will try and make a deal with them, somehow.. And see how they react.

If they can not leave it be, and have to comment everytime they see me eat an apple or a sallad, then so be it I guess. Just have to learn to shut off my ears from the negative comments. I wrote on a text message to my friend now "we all have to do what is best for ourselves, what we believe is right. We only get one life, and I have my opinions and you have yours"

Her response was "Let's just hope that nothing happens to you on this trip since you have gotten so little nutrition for 4 months"

They/she calls me brainwashed, yes like I have joined a cult or something..

And yes, maybe I have gotten brainwashed, my brain has finally been washed from believing everything the food companys has told me my whole life. My brain is now more clean than ever, when it comes to what to put in my body..

[iluvmangos]

Please guys, please help me, I want to be strong, but they are stronger than me all of them combined. How can I handle this inside of me? How can I think positive? :(

I am gonna be 30 years old in a few years, they treat me like I am a lost teenager!They make me feel like the biggest weirdest loser on this planet. It is heartbreaking for me.

You know what? Just lose these control freaks. Meet some new people.

http://rawfood.meetup.com/

[iluvmangos]

And yes, maybe I have gotten brainwashed, my brain has finally been washed from believing everything the food companys has told me my whole life. My brain is now more clean than ever, when it comes to what to put in my body..

And that's exactly what you should tell them if they call you brainwashed again, if you give them the opportunity by choosing to speak to them again.

[Girl_gone_raw]

I really hope I do meet new friends yes.. Just wished that people were a little bit more open minded about this in this town. And that more people became raw so I did not have to feel so alone, you know? I would have loved living in the states! It seems like raw food is more accepted and more people are raw!


I hope the raw food movement will hit my country like a tornado one day, just..blowing everyones mindes and people will understand more and be more tolerant, even if they do not eat raw themselves..

But in the mean time (if it ever happens) I will shut up about my lifestyle to anyone, and hope I meet some new people very soon!:)

Wonder how a boy would react if he liked me, you know? Would he feel like I was psychotic? I wonder..

hehe, I wish I could tell them that Iluvmangos, without them rolling their eyes at me and my sickness as they like to call it.. They belive that what they have heard all throug their lives, is true and nothing can ever ever change that.

They get so angry at me when I tell them to not eat that much red meat and processed meat, but that they should switch to chicken and fish at least. But they won't hear of it.

[Thick]

They get so angry at me when I tell them to not eat that much red meat and processed meat, but that they should switch to chicken and fish at least. But they won't hear of it.

They are just as offended by you telling them what to eat as you are. Although its hard to see people you love eat foods that are bad for them & the animals--you have to let them make their own decisions. The best you can do is lead silently by example.

[Girl_gone_raw]

yeah I know, I agree.. From now on, I will not bring my diet up first, and if they do, I will try to be so brief as possible or try to avoid it or something..

Now it just makes me angry when they sit talk trash to me while they themselves sit there smoking, eating burger, candy, soda etc. and telling me that I'm going to get sick and that I have'nt got good nutrition in me.

ridicoulus behaviour of them, I think.. But still, getting so rejected from people who used to like you, it hurts! My friend still like me in a way, but she says she misses the old me and that I have become abnormal.. I can't believe she says that! The only thing differen about me, is me discovering atheism and Darwin and me becoming raw.. I'm still me.. Nothing else changed!

They are blowing this all out of proportion. It is actually THEY who is making me look sick and not mentally well, and then they believe it themselves at the end..


How dare they call me brainwashed, when they eat the food the company's tell them to eat, drink the chemical fluids coca cola tell them to drink, spread sugar, butter, processed foods all over their meals, fry their foods in fat, preparing and heating food like they have always done without ever thinking about how damaging the heating actually is, especially high heat. Bbq in the summer, never thinking what the flames actually are doing to their food. Never thinking about what eating black burned food does. Just following their normal, never before touched, routines..

And they are on my back about NOT eating this crap?? To hell with it :mad: I hate it when they call me sick, and themselves do not have their eyes open to what they are doing. So not right!! :mad:


*cooling down...* Breathing in.. breathing out... ok, I'm good! :)

[cara4art]

while it totally sounds like these people are NOT supportive at all and are causing you more pain than it's worth to be with them, it also sounds like you might have hit them hard and heavy with the raw food facts too. I know you were probably really excited about it, but a lot of people who are very ingrained in their eating habits feel threatened when one of their friends does a radical turnaround with their diet, and tells them all about it. Far better in this case to lead by example, no matter what these naysayers say or do. In the meantime, you might have to back away from these people and look around for people who support you in what you do, even if they're not personally into it themselves. There are a lot of people who aren't raw, but admire the discipline and radiance that results from a solid path in this direction. Some will be curious, even to ask questions, and then you can share. For these other nay-sayers, at this point it's not going to matter WHAT you say, since they seem to be set in this idea that you're "crazy, on this crazy diet and when are you going to get off of this" kind of thing.
With friends like this one sure doesn't need enemies - IMO! And I see nothing but trouble coming up with this trip under these circumstances - you have a stunning opportunity to stand up for yourself and back AWAY from this. Let the chips fall where they may! I know it isn't easy to just get out there and make a whole bunch of new compatible friends, but this is what you might have to do.

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

I really hope I do meet new friends yes.. Just wished that people were a little bit more open minded about this in this town. And that more people became raw so I did not have to feel so alone, you know? I would have loved living in the states! It seems like raw food is more accepted and more people are raw!

You haven't said which Scandinavian country you live in. I'm curious.
Because here in Sweden raw foods and the benefits of them are widely accepted even though few actually eat them in any significant quantities.

Some people understand the benefits of my lifestyle but worry about me not getting enough protein, calcium and calories, but I kindly explain it to them and they seem to accept it.
Some people do not understand the lifestyle at all though, but that's always to be expected no matter how you live.

I've always been careful about not forcing my beliefs or opinions on people, not only when it comes to food.
For example, I rarely recommend music to people, I just put the music on whenever they come and visit me. That way they will listen to it with an open mind and if they like it they will ask me about it.
The same thing applies to lifestyle. I just eat and live the way I prefer, and I'd like to think that I've inspired a lot more people doing that than I would have been doing trying to talk people into something.

And trying to make people feel bad about their way of living is certainly the worst way to inspire change. It will only make them defensive.
People are curious by nature. Let them be just that!