Why I Enjoy Food Way More Than You Do (or anyone else that isn’t consistently raw)

[Dimond]

I wrote this article mainly for SAD people or anyone new to raw or struggling who may need encouragement. :)

Most people think they love food, but rarely do they really love it. Instead they are using it to have something to do, as a requirement in social or family situations, as a crutch during any stress, mindlessly eating because they’ve always done so, because they’ve become addicted to it, etc. Or it’s been heavily altered from it’s original state with cooking, chemical additives, sweeteners and/or spices to make you like it. There are a select few that truly love food and usually those are chefs or anyone else whose life revolves around food for more than just the normal reasons. I’m not unusual as I was eating for all the reasons above and ate all the typical foods everyone else ate. I could eat Italian-style food every single day. I could eat my dinner, followed by a pint of ice cream and a whole entire bag of chips without any obvious problems. I could order chinese food or pizza for delivery when I chose. I often experimented with a variety of so-called healthy diets :rolleyes: , but mainly ate junk. I didn’t really like restaurants, but I went quite often because that was part of socializing before I became raw. I wouldn’t say I truly loved food; it was just what I did. Now eating fruits and vegetables completely raw and with very little flavoring added or modification (often none), I can truly, without a doubt say that I love food authentically. Something wonderful happens when you become truly healthy while sticking with a raw vegan diet. You learn how conditioned we all are in terms of food. How we are taught healthy food doesn’t taste good. We’re given tasteless, flavorless vegetables (because they’re cooked or not prepared well) and think we don’t like them, but we force ourselves to eat them when we can because we’re “suppose to”. We may eat fruit, but often it’s also modified with added flavors, unhealthy ingredients, canned, frozen, etc. or it’s not organic, which can affect the flavor as well. Or we just learned not to like them among all the other choices. Our taste buds just aren’t use to pure, natural healthy food and therefore we miss out and everyone who isn’t eating this way is missing out. They (you) think we’re the ones deprived, but we have it easy and fun. Now we get to truly enjoy real food. We discover new foods we never had before, even though they were always available to us. We rediscover others we've tried before as well. As we progressively become more healthy, we find that we love fruits and vegetables. :eek: Love! Because they actually taste good. Because this is real food. Because with some modifications, we can create fancy raw vegan dishes if we choose like lasagna, cheese and chocolate mousse. Or we can keep it simple and just grab some fruit or make a salad. We find ourselves sitting and eating a bowl of fruit and relishing every single bite in a completely new and different way than how we use to enjoy food. The experience is so fun and the food is so delicious. We don’t have to feel bad or guilty that we ate something unhealthy. We don’t have to worry about gaining weight and depriving ourselves so we can lose it. We rarely have to go to doctors or take medication because we usually don’t have health issues and if we do, they can be healed with raw food, fasting or occasionally, supplements. There’s something so blissful about biting into a piece of a rich, decadent dessert, knowing that not only does it taste amazing, but also it’s good for me. Imagine social and family situations where you actually focus on your conversation and connections within these relationships, instead of what you’re eating. For many, being raw can be a spiritual, meditative experience that leads to other significant improvements. Every single thing about being a raw vegan, once you become accustomed to it, is a positive fun lifestyle that enhances all areas of your life. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made. Raw is a gift available to everyone. :)

[OnMyJourney]

Every single thing about being a raw vegan, once you become accustomed to it, is a positive fun lifestyle that enhances all areas of your life. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made. :)

I agree wholeheartedly with EVERY word of this and the last two sentences I just had to quote.

Wonderful article Dimond!! I tried to explain this very concept to a co-worker just this week. She was expressing her disdain for my lifestyle, while stating that I was, however, "an inspiration." :rolleyes: Then adding, "you must not love to eat, you just eat to live." :rolleyes:

[DopeRawAbundance]

I agree with some of what's being said... eating a meal and knowing its godfood that not only tastes good but nourishes is a whole new level of enjoyment. I get the idea that people that eat junkfood would think we're just forcing that bite of salad into our mouths all like "mmm" and hiding our grimaces of disgust behind a denialsmile. Why in flimflam would I get that idea? Because that's how I used to view healthy folk.

But I think it's kind of an uhh... iunno... "attack" to tell people you enjoy your food more than they enjoy theirs. The love I had for Pepperoni Pizza Croissant Pockets and Stuffed Crust Pizza and such will never go away, it holds a place in my heart... just not in my mouth anymore, since I'm more ya know... "conscious" about what I'm eating.

It's like I said above... I'm sure there's a lot of people on the opposite side of the spectrum that think that we don't really love our food. My diet has changed drastically over the years and I've loved food the whole time. I'm putting my money on "We all love food, mang!"

[tireofthis]

Thanks for the article. :)

[bikediva]

Before discovering raw, I hated food. My relationship with it was so tumultuous, it made me too thin, too fat, too obsessed. Even when I was eating something I loved, I felt guilty because I was out of control. I would try to avoid food, only to end up thinking about it more and more.

I find the more raw I am, the more in control and content I feel. Like each time I make a raw recipe, I'm further along the path I'm forging to health. And I'm amazed that, like you said, a piece of fruit can taste AMAZING--even better than a donut!

[OnMyJourney]

I agree with some of what's being said... eating a meal and knowing its godfood that not only tastes good but nourishes is a whole new level of enjoyment. I get the idea that people that eat junkfood would think we're just forcing that bite of salad into our mouths all like "mmm" and hiding our grimaces of disgust behind a denialsmile. Why in flimflam would I get that idea? Because that's how I used to view healthy folk.

But I think it's kind of an uhh... iunno... "attack" to tell people you enjoy your food more than they enjoy theirs. The love I had for Pepperoni Pizza Croissant Pockets and Stuffed Crust Pizza and such will never go away, it holds a place in my heart... just not in my mouth anymore, since I'm more ya know... "conscious" about what I'm eating.

It's like I said above... I'm sure there's a lot of people on the opposite side of the spectrum that think that we don't really love our food. My diet has changed drastically over the years and I've loved food the whole time. I'm putting my money on "We all love food, mang!"

I understand what you mean, but what "I" find is that I really didn't love that food as much as I "thought" I did...but what I did love was the memories attached to those foods, the emotions attached to those foods, which my mind had pretty much equated as a love of the food.

I went home for Christmas this year (my first Christmas on my raw food journey) and the smells and foods were ever present (along with all sorts of questions, accusations, probes, and confusion, but I digress...) and as I sat around with my family it hit me. I "loved" certain foods because I loved THEM (my family) and those foods had emotional value moreso than anything. I "craved" certain foods because I needed the emotions I had associated with them. So for Christmas I really didn't need sweet potato pie and all those cooked foods, I needed to be in the company of my family and really connect and laugh with them. Same thing for pizza (for me), it comforted me and I loved that emotion...but in my head I equated the emotion with the food and thought I loved the cooked pizza. Cognitively, I know that I don't like the glue that the pizza bread becomes in my body. I know that I don't like the animal product in my body that is on the pizza, I know that the cheese on that pizza is the source of my mucus/sinus issues...so do I really love that pizza. No, I love the engagement with my friends and family that it facilitated...and now I recognize that.

I can't speak for Dimond and would never dream of it, but my interpretation of the article wasn't a "holier than thou because I genuinely love food and you don't" but instead more of a documentation of the revelation that took place...in hopes that it would help someone else connect the dots. At least that's how it was for me.

[Dimond]

Thanks for the comments so far.


I understand what you mean, but what "I" find is that I really didn't love that food as much as I "thought" I did. That's exactly how I feel and also what I say when people mention that they don't like fruit or vegetables. I say you just think you don't. I don't think anyone truly loves any of the junk we've eaten. It's something we become conditioned or addicted to or are using in some way as I had mentioned, but mainly it's not real. I'm actually surprised how easy it was to get away from it all and how I never miss it a bit. And I'm an emotional eater and often an overeater.


I can't speak for Dimond and would never dream of it, but my interpretation of the article wasn't a "holier than thou because I genuinely love food and you don't" but instead more of a documentation of the revelation that took place...in hopes that it would help someone else connect the dots. At least that's how it was for me. It originally was suppose to be somewhat humorous, but didn't end up being. Maybe later I'll find a way to change that. Regardless it's not to say I'm superior or that raw foodists are superior. Really anyone can do this so we all have the potential to live our best lives. :)

[OnMyJourney]

Oh yes, I certainly took the title as humor (and noticed your choice of smiley as well). :)

[klomasius]

Nah... I love food WAY more than you! lol!

[OnMyJourney]

^^ hahahaha :p:p

[freelee]

"We don’t have to feel bad or guilty that we ate something unhealthy. We don’t have to worry about gaining weight and depriving ourselves so we can lose it. We rarely have to go to doctors or take medication because we usually don’t have health issues and if we do, they can be healed with raw food, fasting"

-amen! Nice one Dimond :)

[EatRaw]

Sweet!

Thanks Dimond!! Really really thanks!!! :)

dave

[T-Bird]

But I think it's kind of an uhh... iunno... "attack" to tell people you enjoy your food more than they enjoy theirs. The love I had for Pepperoni Pizza Croissant Pockets and Stuffed Crust Pizza and such will never go away, it holds a place in my heart... just not in my mouth anymore, since I'm more ya know... "conscious" about what I'm eating.

It's like I said above... I'm sure there's a lot of people on the opposite side of the spectrum that think that we don't really love our food. My diet has changed drastically over the years and I've loved food the whole time. I'm putting my money on "We all love food, mang!"

I agree dope!


I understand what you mean, but what "I" find is that I really didn't love that food as much as I "thought" I did...but what I did love was the memories attached to those foods, the emotions attached to those foods, which my mind had pretty much equated as a love of the food.

Same could be said for any raw food you decided to "give up" due to a health concern and 2 years later you don't want it anymore.....

Raw food is a choice we make everyday. There is no need to demonize cooked food to enhance raw. Everybody loves raw food - even if it's only the occasional strawberries and cherries in season each year. Or maybe a good cuke. Or just the lettuce and tomato on their blt......

On special sunday dinners my mother used to make rump roast and I loved it. When money was tight - it was pot roast - which I despised.

I haven't eaten meat in about 23 years, but I haven't forgotten what I liked and disliked. I'm an ethical vegan - so I will never eat these things again, and memories of sunday dinner from my childhood - not good. (It wasn't a good childhood to say the least.)

So there isn't anything here but that I loved the rump roast, and hated the pot roast.

And on to the vocab choice: You only LOVE food when you're hungry. When you're full and satiated - it is nothing - absolutely nothing.

Just like you love your bed when you're tired and cold, and when you warm and awake and desiring activity - it's just a clod of furniture.

And FRANKLY - the constant need to demonize cooked food sounds like a symptom of an eating disorder with the need to constantly reinforce "the rules".

[DRiz]

Before discovering raw, I hated food. My relationship with it was so tumultuous, it made me too thin, too fat, too obsessed. Even when I was eating something I loved, I felt guilty because I was out of control. I would try to avoid food, only to end up thinking about it more and more.

I find the more raw I am, the more in control and content I feel. Like each time I make a raw recipe, I'm further along the path I'm forging to health. And I'm amazed that, like you said, a piece of fruit can taste AMAZING--even better than a donut!

Bikediva, you took the words right out of my mouth - except for the donut part. I don't like donuts.

I love walking through the supermarkets or farmers market and heading straight for the produce section. I don't even have to think about the rest of it anymore! I love my fruit display on my counter at home, aesthetically it adds so much color and vibrancy to my life before I even eat it. I get excited paging through LOLF and finding a new delicious recipe to try, knowing that anything I make is allowed, filling, guilt-free and will make me feel wonderful.

I literally stumbled on this style of eating and am so grateful for having finally found my way.

I thought this was a great article. I am trying to introduce my co-workers into the raw diet lifestyle. Mostly they're just interested in the cookies I bring to work. But its a start.

[roboto212]

a spoonful of raw honey is like 2 minutes of taste bud heaven every night. I just dip in right before bed and exhilirate my taste buds like never before.


I used to hate brocolli, but I now believe it was because it was always cooked. Now that my taste buds are more enhanced, more in tune and more alive I absolutely love eating brocolli heads. I made a raw marinara sauce the other night and just dipped the heads into the sause, absolute bliss. This is true love and appreciation for food.

[roboto212]

I agree dope!



Same could be said for any raw food you decided to "give up" due to a health concern and 2 years later you don't want it anymore.....

Raw food is a choice we make everyday. There is no need to demonize cooked food to enhance raw. Everybody loves raw food - even if it's only the occasional strawberries and cherries in season each year. Or maybe a good cuke. Or just the lettuce and tomato on their blt......

On special sunday dinners my mother used to make rump roast and I loved it. When money was tight - it was pot roast - which I despised.

I haven't eaten meat in about 23 years, but I haven't forgotten what I liked and disliked. I'm an ethical vegan - so I will never eat these things again, and memories of sunday dinner from my childhood - not good. (It wasn't a good childhood to say the least.)

So there isn't anything here but that I loved the rump roast, and hated the pot roast.

And on to the vocab choice: You only LOVE food when you're hungry. When you're full and satiated - it is nothing - absolutely nothing.

Just like you love your bed when you're tired and cold, and when you warm and awake and desiring activity - it's just a clod of furniture.

And FRANKLY - the constant need to demonize cooked food sounds like a symptom of an eating disorder with the need to constantly reinforce "the rules".


I believe the OP is right in saying people dont truly appreciate food like we do. It really depends on how in tune you are, but whether you know it or not your taste buds are enhanced on raw food. YOu can taste the subtleties in fruits and veggies, you savor the delicious life that is still thriving in that raw food. Sure, I enjoyed eating fruit when I was SAD, but it was just another taste, a taste that could easily be replicated in candy or sweets. Now I understand the intricate nature of flavor in nature, how you can never truly replicate nature, its impossible (scientists have been trying for years to replicate the exact nature of Nature).

People on a SAD diet just think of flavor as flavor, food as food. We SEE the life we are eating.

[OnMyJourney]

Same could be said for any raw food you decided to "give up" due to a health concern and 2 years later you don't want it anymore.....

Raw food is a choice we make everyday. There is no need to demonize cooked food to enhance raw. Everybody loves raw food - even if it's only the occasional strawberries and cherries in season each year. Or maybe a good cuke. Or just the lettuce and tomato on their blt......

On special sunday dinners my mother used to make rump roast and I loved it. When money was tight - it was pot roast - which I despised.

I haven't eaten meat in about 23 years, but I haven't forgotten what I liked and disliked. I'm an ethical vegan - so I will never eat these things again, and memories of sunday dinner from my childhood - not good. (It wasn't a good childhood to say the least.)

So there isn't anything here but that I loved the rump roast, and hated the pot roast.

And on to the vocab choice: You only LOVE food when you're hungry. When you're full and satiated - it is nothing - absolutely nothing.

Just like you love your bed when you're tired and cold, and when you warm and awake and desiring activity - it's just a clod of furniture.

And FRANKLY - the constant need to demonize cooked food sounds like a symptom of an eating disorder with the need to constantly reinforce "the rules".

But you see, never was I trying to demonize eating SAD or uplift eating Raw. I was sharing a revelation that I had which allowed me to relate to this article. I wasn't trying to demonize SAD, I was trying to explain to a SAD eater who approached and told me that I must not love to eat, that I must eat to live that I DO in fact love to eat. That SAD eater initiated that discussion with ME, and was asking ME about what I eat, etc and I was explaining to her how much more I enjoy food now and why and how I had come to understand why I used to emotionally eat, etc. It was a conversation. I didn't approach HER SAD lifestyle, only my previous one. Because this experience just happened Thursday, it made this article resonate so much with me. I didn't come off as disrespectful, I even invited her over to watch me prepare some raw food and for a tasting.

And I have to say that a lifetime's worth of conditioning when it comes to SAD food (in my case, as that is all I can speak for) won't result in the same situation with reasoning as if I were to stop eating a particular raw food after 2 years. Yes, conditioning is conditioning, but I have a different understanding of food now that I didn't fully have when I stopped eating SAD. And I always love my bed...whether it's warm or cold out. :p I put a high premium on my rest! :D

[Green_Woman]

You only LOVE food when you're hungry. When you're full and satiated - it is nothing - absolutely nothing.

Just like you love your bed when you're tired and cold, and when you warm and awake and desiring activity - it's just a clod of furniture.

And FRANKLY - the constant need to demonize cooked food sounds like a symptom of an eating disorder with the need to constantly reinforce "the rules".

This, of course, may not apply to everyone. ;)

I for one love my bed all the time. I keep few possessions and try to simplify my life as much as possible, so my bed is a primary piece of furniture. I am GRATEFUL for it everyday. :D

In fact, as I thought about your comment and then scanned the room, I realised that EACH piece of furniture I do own is important to my daily function (I have no "accent pieces" as of yet) and therefore I appreciate it as much as I appreciate the floors on which it sits.

I do agree with one thing: no need to demonize cooked SAD foods... they do a pretty good job of demonizing themselves without our help!! :D :D

[Queen Bean]

DRiz...did you slip on a banana peel? :p

[VeGenesis]

we have it easy and fun. Now we get to truly enjoy real food. We discover new foods we never had before, even though they were always available to us. We rediscover others we've tried before as well. As we progressively become more healthy, we find that we [I]love fruits and vegetables. :eek: Love! Because they actually taste good. Because this is real food.

Thank you Dimond! The last month and a half has been the worst! The massacre of 57 people near my in-laws, the economic problems, the weather and the floods, the lack of fresh food (forcing us to cook things we never eat like brown and black rice), and the death of Nemo (the clown fish whose aquarium shares space in my bedroom - one reason I do not eat fish!).

My little fish dying and being forced to eat some cooked food may sound insignificant next to a massacre of 57 people (including 30 reporters!) or the floods in my yard, food shortages, destruction of homes and the deaths of a thousand people, caused by a Super Typhoon, but surprisingly cooked food and Nemo's death hit me harder than all the rest!

This morning, by the light of Nemo's tank... With his lonely sea anemone looking for him, I read the above post and it was like a hand up into a boat from the flood waters of life. I do love food! Human Fuel (food) is alive and I love life! I actually hate death.

In my own kind of raw food eating, that I call my VeGenesis Lifestyle, the lines are drawn, live food (human fuel) and dead poison. To call cooked food and animals "poison" may sound extreme to some, but consider how I feel...

My head aches, my nose runs, my back aches as well as my joints, I am depressed and my thoughts are in a brain fog - I HATE THIS! Doesn't it sound like I have been poisoned?

Alissa says, “Live foods create live bodies, dead foods create dead bodies”

In my own thinking...

Food (Human Fuel) is a source of nourishment, it makes our body healthy and alive.

So if food makes us healthy and alive - what word is the opposite of food?



"Human Fuel (food) makes us healthy and alive...
Poison makes us sick and dead!"


I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!

“Live foods create live bodies, dead foods create dead bodies”

Last night I told my Honeybun to not cook me anything anymore. I would rather fast or eat whatever fresh food is available than to eat anything that is cooked or canned anymore.

This morning as I read your post I became so inspired... I LOVE Human Fuel (Food!). In fact, I love it so much we have a symbiotic relationship! I Love Human Fuel so much, I can't live without it - Literally!

Once again...

Thank you Dimond!

[Dimond]

Your welcome, VeGenesis. It's definitely my purpose to inspire others. :)