Zipping it....

[Ariannah]

How many people have to find themselves zipping their lips when discussing food and/or weight loss in order to maintain respect for other people and their current mindset?

I so often hear "Well isn't it so nice that you have found what works for you and you're willing to stick with it!"

I believe so much in raw. In 4 short months (I found the e-mail I wrote to someone in which I was starting raw - I actually started in June) I've seen so many changes in myself, and believe that raw is it!

I don't think it's just something that works "for me", but it's real and universal. Our bodies were designed to take in the natural food of life. But in this PC day and age we've gone overboard and in something as basic for all humans as food we have to say "This works for Joe, and that works for Jane, and the other thing works for Robert,"... blah blah blah...

So, I smile, and nod, and show respect for the fact that many other people simply aren't ready to understand why increasing the raw foods in their diet is a good thing....

[sweetgoddess]

I find sometimes I get the clear instinct to zip it.
For example, the other day I was in the airport and was waiting for my plane. I got into a conversation with the girl next to me. She was young, very overweight and never once smiled. It broke my heart. I had one of Alissa's business cards on me and so wanted to hand it to her and say " This changed my life so much and it could for you also." But my instinct told me that was an invasion of her space and privacy since she did not ask. I realized she would have to first look for an anwer or alternate way of doing things.

With people I know however, I now find I never have to zip it. They have seen me change so much and I think they find the energy of it and my enthusiasm contagious and they are open to hearing anything I say.

Maybe, eventually, we will carry this energy so strongly even strangers will react like that.
Its always the best thing though to consider the other person and to trust your instincts.

I understand what you are feeling, how incredible a raw food diet has been for you and all the amazing changes it has and still is resulting in.
I understand you want to share and spread that delight. Everyone deserves to feel like this, dont they?

I tell you though. every time you even just mention it, whether someone was open to it or not--you planted a seed of awareness. You never know how that will serve them in the future, and I believe it is no coincidence when this happens.

I am so glad raw is bringing so much good to you, it makes my heart dance to hear about it. Soon, you will have everyones heart dancing. Some will do a slow dance and some will dance up a storm.

You're doing wonderfully!
May the Blessings of Radiant Health be Yours~

[Essensual]

I understand exactly what you mean. I get a lot of that from folks around hear. So I've use the "zip it" approach to my advantage. I don't say anything unless they ask...they I tell them as much as they can handle. If they keep asking...I keep talking. Then...when they least expect it...I just let them BORROW Alissa's book or DVD. Whichever medium I think will work best/ or is most convenient. Haven't had any real "converts", but I can definitely say I have seen an increase in the interest in better self care, as well as the appearance of more fruits and veggies in people's eating options. Besides which, RandN...no one, absolutely no one can deny the changes they are seeing in us every single raw day.No one.

...I can see the interest in people's eyes and I'm like..."come on, just ASK me. I can help you...Really."

[rawpriestess]

I remember when I first heard of eating raw food as a lifestyle.

I was in a vegan cooking class, and there was some leftovers, I asked the person next to me if they wanted any of them, as I was handing them out, and the person, said, "No, thankyou, I'm thinking of going raw."

Of course, I had no idea what this was, so we started chatting, within one week, I was in a raw class with Victoria Boutenko, and the gang, and that was it.

So, I think whenever there is any kind of opportunity to mention the raw lifestyle it is okay, but only if there is an opportunity.

If someone would have just walked up to me and told me that they could help me with my "fat", I would have been totally humiliated and NEVER would have gone there.

I think the best thing you can do, is to be open to talking about it whenever it "feels" right to you.

I've often seen enormous people who could barely walk, and I just want to drag them home with me, and feed them raw delicious meals, only to realize that they are exactly where they need to be for their personal experience.

Since, everything is perfect in the Universe, all I can do, is be a shining example to others, and if they want to learn what I know, I will gladly share with them.

So many of my freinds are now raw-curious because they see what is happening to my energy level, and my body, as it slowly but surely shrinks away, they see me eating the most delicious food on the planet, and they see my bright smile and happy attitude.

When they do ask, they are truly interested in exactly what I am doing that is so different than before, since they know I was vegan for such a long time, they always want to know what am I doing now? Because it sure looks great on me.

So, I tell them, that I found the fountain of youth, and that I will be happy to give them the "secret", and everyone wants to know a "secret". LOL

[Rawkinlocs]

Funny about the "zip it" concept. I use it but once it almost backfired on me (in a good way...sorta).

Before we moved back to WA, my neighbor from down the street was overweight, had a tumor on her pituitary gland, diabetic, and some other things as well. I SO wanted to talk to her about eating raw and how it could change many of her issues, but she "seemed" to be one of those who took everything her doctor(s) said as gospel...so I zipped it!

Well, one day she called me and told me of this woman from her church who kinda talked to her about becoming a vegetarian and also mentioned eating raw to a degree. I shared with her that is something I had been doing and her response was, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?" It was kinda like she felt I had been holding out on her information I knew could help her and she went on and on about how she's tired of doctors and all the medications she has to take and this woman got Alissa's book and dvd, bought her dehydrator and processor, went on a 3-day juice fast and says that she is definitely going raw.

So, sometimes zipping it is best, but sometimes (and I guess we kinda have to have an intuition about it) it's best to share if/when a door is opened to do so.

[ebonysea7]

Well, Rawkinlocs, it just goes to show you never know. I'm just glad that the woman got the information eventually.

Sounds like sharing the raw lifestyle is a lot like sharing the gospel. Can I get a witness? :)

/gfj

[Rawkinlocs]

Well, Rawkinlocs, it just goes to show you never know. I'm just glad that the woman got the information eventually.

Sounds like sharing the raw lifestyle is a lot like sharing the gospel. Can I get a witness? :)

/gfj

Amen! **waves hand**

I was thinking the SAME thing ebonysea...it really is a lot like that.

[Ariannah]

I get this "Isn't it great that you've found something that works for you!" business even with people who are aware that I am doing raw. However, some people have been encouraged to increase their raw by seeing pictures of me :).

But for many people I get this, "Well, that's um... different", and "What works for you may not work for me"... so in general chat, with acquaintances, when the conversation is clearly about "diets", I find myself having to bite my tongue and not say, "but yes, it is 'for everyone'!" because I cannot stand it when people say something like that to me...

[ebonysea7]

Yes, we all know that as human beings the diet works for everyone. But also as human beings it only works if one is willing to try it. For most, whether or not "works" is more related to preference rather than health benefits. All smokers know that it's not good for them yet many continue because it's easier than quitting. It "works for them." I know because I used to feel that way.

When it comes to other's opinions I've just learned to let it go. Either they'll get it or they won't.

/gfj

[tvillemom]

AMEN!! My Father-in-law just had a heart attack Monday. My DH could not believe it. He said things like, "my dad eats well, and works hard, I just never saw HIM having a heart attack!" Well...REALLY he eats whatever he wants, and works an active job, but no true exercise....so I asked my DH to tell me what WAS so healthy about him eating .....(I won't name all the sad meals) My DH is slowly coming around. Hopefully he's going to cut out on most of his meats and processed foods....maybe NOW he'll listen. I guess what I'm trying to say is....I make comments, and let people KNOW where I stand, and when THEY are ready, they'll come asking!! ;)
OH by the way...my Father-in-law is FINE...they put a stint in and he's coming home from the hospital today. (in case any of you were wondering!)
Wendi

[tvillemom]

HEY..RP, I just got Victoria Boutenko's "12 step" book in the mail today!!! I was soooo excited!
Wendi :D

[rawpriestess]

Tvillemom:


COOL!!!!

That was my very first Raw book ever, and she was my first teacher, I just love her and her entire family.

She is an inspiration to us all, I hope you love the book, it is one of my favorites, as far as letting people know about how we are addicted to cooked food.

[twinee1]

Thats me .."Zip it" for sure ! I have brought it up in conversation and find that those I mention it too are "concerned" about me. I have gotten shot at a few times on my Body Building Forums... ones I "used" to frequent. Since going Raw I find I have to stay away from those forum. I get alot of flack, even from a few competitors I know who are in the Mediacl Profession, if I post anything about Raw Vegen type diets. That is taboo in the Bodybuilding Fitness world !

Oh well I have been "saved" they are not.

[truthseeker]

Yes!!! Very hard for me to bite my toung, but I do and then a bit after a conversation has passed I regret it! But I have to follow my instincts and inspite of my wanting to share I can feel when I should and should not share.

There are times though, as I mentioned in another thread, that I will just be near someone....anyone, anywhere....and I'll get an impression of that persons health. Don't know why, didn't ask for it, it just happens. For example me and hubby went to the movies last month and we went into the cinema and sat, the place filled up as we talked, then out of the blue I got an emence vibe from the man in front of me to my right. Not a good one either, didn't sense death on him though, but BAD health, I felt it was a problem with the walls and major valve in his heart. I don't even know what that means, it's just what I felt all of a sudden. Ok, so am I moved to tap him on the shoulder?????? YES..... but do I???????No. I just about had to argue with myself not to do it.

Ok so, regular conversation with family....although I have 5 people who have followed me to the raw path within the past 6 months, no one really seems to be interested in the whole health topic....UNLESS it's to complain and seek sympathy. And I AM HAVING A VERY......VERY hard time with these kinds of conversations with people.

I was at a wedding last week. Of course there's the usual conversation, Oh so and so had a baby boy, Oh I lost weight, Oh my sugar is so high now and I had to start taking meds for it and uncle Stan's ulcer is bad... blah, blah, blah....as soon as I MENTION eating healthy...have not even gotten to raw yet...it's ya, ya I know I use to excercise and watch what I ate, but that didn't work for me....blah, blah, blah,

These people are just SSSSOOOO unapproachable to me! I do not push anything at a point like that, I just knod my head, smile and feel the life force being SUCKED out of me as they whine on and on and on....

I do sense that they are where they need to be as I think RP mentioned. But most of these people are elderly (there are many in my family) and I ask myself...how much time do they really have to get to that place where they are ready for this??? I SO badly want to expose one of the most basic TRUTHS OF LIFE to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sometimes wonder why it is that I have saught the path of a healthy life (my children being my motivation) all the while I have only ever had everyday regular aches and pains....while at the same moment in time there are people dying and still they have no will to seek answers and learn about their very own existence. I know how well this wonderful raw life serves me and my family. And I know how I got here. I guess I'm still asking that age old question.........why am I here? ....... WHERE IS EVERYBODY ELSE ? And what is taking them SO LONG TO GET HERE????

Thanks....I feel better now :o

[sachis2112]

Oh, yeah. I zip it. But not always out of respect. It's usually because I don't want to waste my time trying to convince someone who makes themselves known to be closed minded.

[Sharon in Colorado]

There's a very nice lady in my Taekwondo class who just had a colonoscopy and has other health challenges. I always ask her how she's feeling but I haven't had the courage to bring real health and raw food up to her. I'm having a "Rawktober Rawluck" later this month - I may give her the flyer - someone is speaking and telling his testimony.

I just think it's extreme to certain people who aren't really at 'the end of their rope'. It's hard to swallow - all raw food. If they aren't on their death beds, or at least not scared of an impending death like Cancer or risk of heart attack - most aren't ready to hear about all raw food unless they are already vegetarian or health conscious. They just don't realize that there are multiple benefits.

It's a huge life change out of their comfort zones and unless they hear someone else's testimony or see a huge change in someone they know, how could a person present it to them as being appealing?

[Ariannah]

Then there are the people who have lost weight on various diets like a low-carbohydrate diet (many of them do involve lots of greens and vegetables), and now that their weight is down and they feel somewhat better they think that that is all they need, they don't need anything else. I mean, I know so many people who have lost weight and kept it off on a wide variety of diets, so people that have already BTDT don't really feel the need to go searching for another way to eat.

[Essensual]

*bucks* Ooooooooooohhhh yeah ah ah ah as! ;)



Well, Rawkinlocs, it just goes to show you never know. I'm just glad that the woman got the information eventually.

Sounds like sharing the raw lifestyle is a lot like sharing the gospel. Can I get a witness? :)

/gfj

[Raw_Medic]

Sachis,
I'm with you...I generally zip it when I'm dealing with closeminded people. That's my pet pieve. I have a really hard time dealing with closed mindedness. As a paramedic, I see people every single day that would like to share the raw diet with. Of course I don't, but even the people who are close to me. I work with another girl in my station..she's my partner (we have two medics per ambulance) and she's been a friend for about 6 and a half years now. Well we've only recently started working together. She noticed a lot of differences in me. I don't think she was comfortable talking to me about diet, so she started to mimick me. She told me one day that she was trying to eat less meat, and more salads. Well, I figured that the seed was planted, so I started to let her sample more of my other meals. I wanted her to see that "my way of eating" wasn't necessarily boring. I let her try my angel hair zuchini and raw pesto sauce (one of my faves btw) and she wanted to know how to make it. She came back the next shift (we work every 3rd day for 24hrs) and told me that while she was at home she made the pesto and everyone in her house loved it! She said that because she didn't have a saladacco like me, she just cut her squash up into chunks and ate it that way. As time progressed she actually went the opposite way with her food choices. I didn't really understand...then the other day she told me that she had to stop eating so much of the raw stuff because she was getting headaches...I tried to explain detox to her...but it didn't register with her...sigh...

I will continue to be an example and hope that others will follow my example.

[Goldenrod]

I'm lucky that once a week I get to spend time with the other Moms in my homeschool group. None of them are raw, though several are working on it, but they are all very open minded, curious and we have some wonderful discussions. I don't get that any where else in my real life and feel very blessed to have them.