I know there is an answer to this...

[theresaann]

Just a little venting here...but this forum is all about support, right?

I am a holistic healthcare practitioner, but also a vegan personal chef. I just went back to raw, but have to cook for clients, plus my own family, virtually daily. The cooking for clients (who don't want raw food dishes) isn't tempting, actually, but for my family, its hard to make them cooked food and not join them. Actually, I DON'T really WANT to eat cooked food. Its more of an emotional/social thing. My fiance, who has never eaten vegan, much less raw, before meeting me is sort of bummed out about the idea of me not "eating with him" anymore if I'm all raw (meaning not sharing the stuff I cook with him). I totally get that, but I just dont' want to be cooked anymore.

Tonight I'm making my family this delicious (cooked) Indian meal with authentic dosas even, and gosh darn it, its just hard to not partake in that food with them! hmm....I'm just venting really. I think the answer is to just stick to my guns and employ super human will power...anyone else cook daily for others but stay 100% for yourself? Help!:confused:

[Raw.N.It.Out]

It's hardcore. Although I have not been *Raw* for very long, when I did start eating *Healthier* on SAD, I'd sometimes (not often though) cook the same old meals for others, & I think just PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, with on-going mindfulness skills really help me out! Some breathing, meditation, becoming much more so relaxed & feeling good about YOU & what YOU'RE doing for yourself in the LOOONG run can help!

You have a lot of the know how already from being a *holistic healthcare practitioner, but also a vegan personal chef* to stay strong & hang on!!

Good Luck to you & Take Care

[Anastazia]

I can totally sympathize...for me, the first time I experienced this challenge was when doing long fasts, but still cooking for my hubby & friends...did it for long periods of time, numerous times, & was able to only by the grace of God, especially in the first few days of the fast...

...when raw, I've learned there are ways to not give in...

One, have your food prepared first, & nosh on it while making theirs...don't sit down at the table famished!

Two, on a night when it's especially tempting, make yourself something really special, & if it means having dessert first, go for it!

Also, when the smells of their food are getting to ya, put some essential oil, even vics or tigerbalm under your nose, the smell of it will help you not to be so tempted, cuz a lot of food temptation is from the SMELL!!!

When I'm struggling, I'll often eat first, then join them at the table & have my dessert while they eat dinner...

...when I'm REALLY struggling, I'll eat separately, & fellowship over dishes or whatever afterwards, explaining that I'm just not hungry, & have learned to not eat when I'm not hungry, or it just turns to fat...lol!

Hope something here helps you somehow...

~Anastazia~