trying to pull away from a family of junk food addicts!

[Startastic]

Hello I am Christina age 31 I am a mom of 2 boys. I live in southern California with a family of junk food and meat addicts. I am here looking for support since I live with my hubby, 2 kids and parents. my parents diet is nothing but cakes, cookies,ice cream and beef (I kid you not) our house is stocked with so much junk. I have my little area I keep my fruits, veg and other raw items. but the temptation to have soemthing quick and easy is high. my hubby is willing to try what I make and actually likes most of it but he considers it to be more of a side dish to some sort of meat.:rolleyes: my older son is autistic and has sever food issues and is very limited in what he eat. and finally the baby he is almost 3 and is showing a preference to the crap. he used to love green smoothies but since he sees everyone else eating crap he is going to the dark side despite my attempt to stop him:(

I have know about raw for many years but I was never sure it was something I could do or really wanted to do. I am not much of a meat eater and have only really eaten chicken or turkey for the last 15 years. the last few years it has been harder and harder for me to actually be able to eat poultry since I start feeling ill at just the thought of eating. I am mostly a carb and cheese addict. I've always preferred the texture of raw veggies but I am still working on getting over the fear of trying new foods since I grew up eating lots of junk and never having a normal family setting so I have always just grazed on food. I also have to get over the mindset that things need to be cooked. it's like subconsciously I am programed in a way that I know is wrong and not what I want but I haven't fully figured out how to stop. like this morning I made a yummy fruit smoothie but even though I was content I opened the fridge and grabbed some cheese.



so yeah I am looking for support that isn't really at home.

[lovenlife]

I had no one raw around me when I first started. I showed up at potlucks often and tried lots of raw foods. I also got educated as to why this was a way of life for many.

Learning and getting clear WHY you want this, why you want to eat raw food and seeing all it can do for you, will keep you inspired and resistant to the bad stuff.

[revdrcyn]

I was about to join the Witness Protection program to get away from my SAD family and friends, then I found some raw potlucks on Meetup.com -- now I am actually hosting one each month as well.

It is so wonderful to have a community of healthy friends - and the food everyone brings is amazing, to say the least.

Check it out!

[nadien alexandra]

I feel your pain. And I understand how difficult it is to know what's good for you, but be driven to the dark side with so many bad influences around you.

It's all about self-control. be strong in your convictions. feel that high that kicks in when you know that you've got the secret and you're living it.
Remember that it isn't so hard, you've just got to do it. Treat your body with respect.

transition slowly, but make that transition! Stop eating cheese one day, a few days later, cut out the bread... Then, don't turn back.

good luck. :)

[somelikeitraw]

Hi Startastic, welcome to the forum! This is a great place for support.

I agree with lovenlife, figure out the deep down reason why you want this and hold onto it. It can be rough living in a houseful of SAD eaters, especially when you are starting out. There are some incredible women on this forum that have 6, or more, kids and they homeschool, and they work, and they take care of the food for all of the SAD eaters in their families. I look at them and think that I have it easy! For me, the reason why I went raw has been extremely helpful in my staying raw. This forum has also been a big factor.

My family are SAD eaters and I don't know anyone, outside of this forum, that is a raw eater. About 3 months ago I found a raw restaurant about 45 minutes away and hope to connect with people there. I don't get there very often but I sure appreciate it when I do!

You are on the right track and we're all here for you.

[CathyA.]

Yeah...there are a lot of us in the same boat. Hang in there. My hubby has finally quit asking when this "phase" I'm going through is going to pass. It's been over 2 years. My family no longer pressures me to eat SAD items. BUT...I do not pressure them either. You can do this. It's okay to do this just for you.

[mrsthreecats]

Sorry but can someone explain what SAD means in the context of raw food. Thanks Lyny

[nadien alexandra]

Standard American Diet.

I really like what everyone has said here.

There are a lot of people in this forum who are doing this with huge SAD families around them, who do not understand their choices.

You have to be the one to understand for yourself, and keep yourself going.

I think, if your pursue this lifestyle, you could dramatically affect everyone around you. They will see how healthy you are, and want the same thing, or at least, come to understand that your choices just might be the right ones.

This is my hope, for my family. I want them to see what Raw can do for you. By helping myself, I am helping them. Although, ultimately, I will help myself.

[LeafLicker]

I'm new here too and we have some similar stuff going on. Actually, lots of it.

My hubby eats a lot of garbage too (and then complains because he's getting fat and on blood pressure meds... go figure). I'm also a big carb and cheese junky. I also have two autistic children and both of them had food issues.

I'm curious what the food issues are that your autistic son has. My sons were EXTREMELY picky eaters (would only eat chicken nuggets, fries, ice cream, and potato chips)! If this is the issue you're facing, I would be happy to help you with it. I have worked with my children extensively with this, through much trial and error, and am happy to report that they now both have wonderful diets! I was eating edamame and thai salad with peanut dressing with my youngest just last night! I developed VERY sneeky ways of get good, nutritious food in them and then teaching them to appreciate fresh veggies and fruit. If this is your situation, please feel free to PM me and it would be my pleasure to share what I did with you.

As for support and encouragement on your raw journey, I need this also so would enjoy the mutual support should you be so inclined.

Best of luck!

LL

[somelikeitraw]

Startastic and LeafLicker - You may both want to visit this site (www.sunshineboatright.com) for help with your young ones and their eating more raw foods. This lady is wonderful and used to post here often til life got so busy. She is a pioneer of raw foods and autism and has made a huge difference in the life her autistic son.

My husband also complains about his "baby bump" and is on high blood pressure meds. He thinks I am doing great and moans about how he wishes his BP was like mine. He has tried to make some changes like drastically limiting fried foods and eating smaller portion sizes.

I have found that if I just eat my raw foods and let my family alone to eat their SAD food that occasionally they ask to try something I have made. My daughter does this more often than my husband does. If I offer them something she is also more likely to accept. If I push, they resist. So, the best way to help them is to just help me and let them see the benefits by my example.

[LeafLicker]

Ohhhh... Thankies for the link, somelikeitraw! I'll def check it out!!

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW..........Welcome to MY World.