Reflection time. Will you share?

[Gosia]

It's been nearly 3 months sice I registered with this board. I must say that coming here HAS helped me in my raw journey. I had been raw for over a year, but there were things that were holding me back from progress. Namely, occasional social occasions at which I allowed myself to eat cooked. It's not about the fact that I was breaking some puritanical rules, but more about the fact that I did not feel very good afterwards (pimples, constipation, feeling lethargic). Coming here has helped me to cross the barrier.

How about you?

Cheers,
Gosia.


PS I wish I could post more, but I am so busy (working full-time, plus lots of studies on top of that in preparation for a new job, AND home duties).

[vegbaby]

This question couldn't have come at a more perfect time, Gosia - thanks! I was all raw for 3 months straight this summer then "fell off the wagon" for a month, got back on, fell off two weeks later, got back on, then last night had a cooked meal with friends! Just when I think I'm doing good and will never go back, I take a taste of cooked food and WHAMMO - I'm drugged and starting to make excuses why one meal won't hurt me.

The good news? Today I'm back on raw, so it's taking me less and less time to get back in line. I agree that it's not about being strict with myself so much as how badly I feel after eating cooked...
:(

[Wrecked Spark]

Thanks for sharing. My issue isn't about the philosophy of eating raw... it's simply the entire lifestyle change. My hubby's parents are European so their solution to everything is to eat. If I've only had one plateful it's almost insulting ~ not because they're trying to be difficult, but because that's the way it's always been. If I were not to accept what they offered (we have dinner with them fairly often) it wouldn't be so much of a rejection of the food itself, but a rejection of them. Not a good situation when it comes to in-laws. :(

I find it's fairly easy to maintain the course when we're at home except for a few moments of insane cravings; I'm counting on that fading as I progress. The most difficult situations are the social events as so much of our culture is programmed to celebrate anything around a feast ~ be it homemade, restaurant gatherings, parties, etc.

Sometimes I haven't the energy to start into a long-winded conversation during a social event about why I don't want to eat somewhere or how I feel about the situation simply because it's only going to cause ripples... I'm quite outspoken for the most part but there are times when speaking out against the wishes of the group are inappropriate or simply inconvenient. I want this to be a pleasurable experience... not an entirely uphill battle.

I don't have any problems going ahead when friends disagree or have questions or the like, the problem comes when it affects their normal routine ~ like when we want to meet for lunch or dinner. Then it suddenly comes a bit of an obstacle.

I'm hoping I will learn to find solutions to these problems or at least be able to handle them with grace and finesse. I don't want to compromise (which is what I'm doing now) but I also don't want to have to put everyone else out either, or make them feel as though their choices are somehow bad or unacceptable to me. They're my friends and family for goodness sake ~ I don't want them to feel as though I'm rejecting them. That undercurrent is always there, no matter how subtle.

There is the other minor issue of having to find my way around the kitchen. Currently I'm not allowed within ten feet of the room ~ I uh, eh-hem, have a bit of a reputation... not culinarily blessed. :D oh... hee... I made that word up.

I will have to learn how to prepare meals ~ at least there isn't any heat so there's less of a chance of burning. :o There was only two settings for me... off and HIGH = scorch. :p

Anyway, thought I might share that as perhaps others are having the same struggle.

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark

[Sweet lips]

Thanks for the topic - I did well through the summer until I allowed the stress in my life to overcome me and sought comfort. I realize as Smatsy told me before, that the stress will be there. I also essentially stopped going to the gym, and now I feel everything.

The positive aspects of my journey, even though my percentage of raw has decreased ( I am on the increase now), is that I have begun to let go of some baggage - and seeing something in my that really need to change. I am appreciating life so much now. I worship God who is far greater than I, and yet, I realized that I was not respecting that which I beleive. So, this raw journey even though my eating has not be 100% raw is the beginning of some very powerful truths for me, and adding the eating I know will just allow me to be the very best that God created me to be.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Thanks for sharing. My issue isn't about the philosophy of eating raw... it's simply the entire lifestyle change. My hubby's parents are European so their solution to everything is to eat. If I've only had one plateful it's almost insulting ~ not because they're trying to be difficult, but because that's the way it's always been. If I were not to accept what they offered (we have dinner with them fairly often) it wouldn't be so much of a rejection of the food itself, but a rejection of them. Not a good situation when it comes to in-laws. :(




I hope I don't get flack for saying this, but based on personal experience, I have found that when people get insulted about other people not eating their food, it's kind of a bruised ego trip. The only reason I believe this is because I have done the *exact same thing*. I remember so many times when I have asked people just to 'take a taste' of my food. These were people on diets, vegetarian (with chicken stock on my soup), etc. I didn't do it if I knew someone had an allergy, but thinking back I feel horrible, knowing what I know now about how addicting certain foods can be.

I think the remedy can be solved beforehand by calling the host and telling them you are on a special diet and can only eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and that you are happy to bring those foods over. This way you avoid somebody giving you a guilt trip because their ego was bruised. But that of course is useful only if you desire to stay raw all the time.

[Jay]

My hubby's parents are European so their solution to everything is to eat.

uhmm, just to point something out, although I know you probably didn't want to generalize this: I'm European, but I don't force people to eat... And I know others that are like me, just so you know, okay? But again, I'm sure you didn't mean it like that... what nationality do they have?

[Wrecked Spark]

Oh dear.

You are absolutely right Joke. My sincere apologies. In Canada, when people who have immigrated from Europe (no matter where) we generally say European, rather than specify exactly what country they're from. Eeeek! It's not meant in a defensive way at all... much the same as anyone from Europe might say "they're American" even though we may be from Canada. Sticky use of words when no offence was intended at all. :( I'm sorry.

They are Italian and Dutch. And they LOVE to eat. :) My closest girlfriends are Polish and Portugese and they LOVE to eat... it was simply me being lazy rather than specific.

I hope you weren't offended.

With my humblest regards,
Wrecked Spark

[Jay]

Of course I wasn't offended!!
I just noticed, but like you said yourself, we, from Europe, might generalise as well about 'those americans'... so don't worry, I still like you ;)

Italians are fond of eating, that's a given, but then again, now I'm generalising too! Sorry Fragola if you read this. But most of the time, when I think of the Italian people: I'm thinking great looking guys, lots of macho's and of course: 'la mamma' , hee hee, but okay, this thread was about reflections, so I'll stop rambling now, sorry to have invaded the thread Gosia! (are you Italian too? if so, I'm sorry to you too! :o )

[Wrecked Spark]

yes let's be very clear...

generalizing can be so dangerous! But it's okay... Canadian have a funny reputation worldwide as being very uptight and boring so hey... we've all got them. :D

Please let me reiterate that I intended no harm or ill portrayal about anyone.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some strong hard beer to guzzle and a hockey game to go watch.

;)

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark

[glad_2beme]

I am Italian and I love to eat, and my last name rhymes with a yummy Italian desert...guess thats why i am so sweet...hee hee

[Wrecked Spark]

by the way...

I hear Roots is having a heck of a sale on warm plaid flannel...

They'll go great with your muckluclucks.

!!!



Okay. Now I'm just being a pain in the butt.

Not particularly unusual.

Back to our regularily scheduled reflection program...

Listen to this story, eh??


So I was canoeing down the St. Lawerence when my raccoon hat suddenly blew off in the northernly breeze... just as I bent down to fetch it from the water my beer slipped out of my hand and I tipped over my plate of fried back bacon. Damn those mocassins... always getting in the way...


:o heh heh

!

[Wrecked Spark]

hmm.

Maybe that's only funny to a Canadian.

:confused:


LOL


Cheers!
Wrecked Spark

[Jay]

by the way...

I hear Roots is having a heck of a sale on warm plaid flannel...

They'll go great with your muckluclucks.



uhmm, are you talking to me? :confused:
and what are muckluclucks???
and no, I didn't get the raccoon hat story... you're weird Wrekkie! But funny weird, and sweet and hilarious and all, mwuah! :D

bye!

[Jay]

I am Italian and I love to eat, and my last name rhymes with a yummy Italian desert...guess thats why i am so sweet...hee hee

Tirramisu??

[Wrecked Spark]

Well at least I got a good belly laugh out of it!!!

ROTFLMAO!!!

Mucklucklucks (spelled horrifically, of course) are Eskimo mocassins or some variety of warm fuzzy footwear oh which I have neither the ability or inclination to pronounce.

I'm making horrendous fun of myself using all the stereotypical Canadian images.

Well, :D eh-hem...

NEXT!!!

Sorry Gosia. :o

Yes... reflections...

[Jay]

OOOOOH! lol, now I get it :rolleyes:
I remember this TV series with David Crocket or whatever his name was, he had a raccoon hat too!! Aahahahahaaaa!

Have you seen that eppisode of South Park where they blame Canada for everything!! They even made a song about it, lol!
But Canadians are cool, I know some canadians, and I love your sense of humour, although I admit, it's not always easy to follow, but that's probably also due to the fact that we are in front of a screen and I can't see the funny faces you're making! :D

[glad_2beme]

no, cannoli....but I love tirramisu