What attracts me to undergoing a raw food diet.

[mike92]

Particularly, I find it a fascinating way of maintaining long-term health. One thing about me is that I do not feel happy unless I am doing things in an alternative fashion. My way of thinking has always been...I guess you could say "out-of-the-box," and through partaking in this lifestyle, I'd feel satisfied with myself. Now, my family also has a history of high cholesterol, (though I am a teenager...I believe I'm currently borderline) and I'm curious to see if I could potentially avoid this through changing my diet and lifestyle. I'm also intrigued by human lifespan and how this type of diet could benefit that.

As it stands, I want to go to college for psychology, and being in college I'd say it's pretty unlikely for me to maintain a raw diet there. There are a couple of setbacks in partaking in this diet for me, though. One is that I'm a very urban person, and not very in touch with nature. I prefer an urbanized environment. Really that just boils down to my own personal preference. A few other setbacks I may have...

1. What do I do when I'm out with friends and they decide to go to a sit-down restaurant? Do I sit with them and not order anything? Perhaps a glass of water or something?
2. Family is not very interested in this type of thing. While I couldn't care any less, often I wonder what they would think of me doing this. It doesn't matter too-too much to me, though, as I want to distance myself from the SAD diet as much as possible. Like I previously stated, I'm happiest when I am doing things outside of the mainstream.
3. Money, money, money. Eating all organic and many raw foods tend to be a financial drain, unfortunately. I'm currently a jobless teenager with no source of income (that may be changing soon), and in the future, I'm clueless as to how I'll make money.
4. Living with parents. The longer I live with them, the longer I'll be bound to the SAD diet. I don't want that for myself. I'm interested in doing my own thing and pursuing my own interests. I enjoy collecting spring water, for instance, and there's no room for me to do that living with them.
5. Finding a girlfriend who is not supportive of my diet...well, perhaps if she wasn't, she wouldn't be worth my time right? I'm very much interested in doing what I like as opposed to what people want of me.

There you have it. I appreciate any and all help that I can get that I can piece together and set out a plan for the rest of my life. I know what I want and who I want to become...I just don't know how. Thank you.

[DawnD]

Hi Mike. You are on the right track. You are beginning. Learn. Gather information and recipes. Try out simple recipes to build a meal plan that fits your lifestyle. Go slow if you need to. Its all up to you. You can do this!!!

When you out with friends look over the menu for salads to eat. Look over the menu to see other raw veges to add to your salad and request that. For example, at a restaurant last week the salad offered was with meat. I saw that they served avocado with other menu items so I asked that avocado be added to my salad instead.

Family may not be interested now but one day you will WOW them with a raw food creation that they can't believe is raw!

As far as girlfriends, you will get the right one. Be yourself and you will attract someone who can hang with raw or your lifestyle.

And don't forget we are here to support you.

[babeak]

1. What do I do when I'm out with friends and they decide to go to a sit-down restaurant? Do I sit with them and not order anything? Perhaps a glass of water or something?
2. Family is not very interested in this type of thing. While I couldn't care any less, often I wonder what they would think of me doing this. It doesn't matter too-too much to me, though, as I want to distance myself from the SAD diet as much as possible. Like I previously stated, I'm happiest when I am doing things outside of the mainstream.
3. Money, money, money. Eating all organic and many raw foods tend to be a financial drain, unfortunately. I'm currently a jobless teenager with no source of income (that may be changing soon), and in the future, I'm clueless as to how I'll make money.
4. Living with parents. The longer I live with them, the longer I'll be bound to the SAD diet. I don't want that for myself. I'm interested in doing my own thing and pursuing my own interests. I enjoy collecting spring water, for instance, and there's no room for me to do that living with them.
5. Finding a girlfriend who is not supportive of my diet...well, perhaps if she wasn't, she wouldn't be worth my time right? I'm very much interested in doing what I like as opposed to what people want of me.


1. Order a smoothie, juice, salad, gazpacho, something to munch on. If you don't have anything at all it can be awkward. Always then ask if they can make you something that it is not on the menu.

2. I come from a family Texas Cattle farmers and it was hard for them to accept me being vegetarian. Then when I was vegan a bit more so and raw....well surely I am whacky. Now they just accept that I do my own thing. However, I still get snide comments occasionally from my brother and SIL, who are both obese. However, given that, I just don't think that I hold a high opinion of anything that they have to say about what I eat or decide to feed to my child. Sometimes SIL posts on facebook what she made for my brother's lunch and I am aghast. No wonder they are obese. Biscuits, deserts, meats, etc. Where are the veggies and fruits?

3. & 4. Do what you can....perhaps that is the best way to deal with living with family and finances. You can just think of it as adding nutrition to your current diet. Potlucks....go to potlucks in your area. Find a raw/veg Meetup group, Earthsave group to at least get you away from SAD. If you find several of these in your area, you can have an awesome meal for little money and is a great way to meet other people.

5. Dude....cruise through this forum and you will see all sorts of women wanting support on how to deal with their husband who is SAD. I think that when you are in circles of like-minded people that you will have no troubles at all. I don't think that it is that hard to find a girl who is vegetarian or vegan, depending upon where you live. Raw maybe a bit more difficult, but I guarantee you that vegetarian or vegan is not going to be unsupportive of you being raw. Some of your worries are legit, but this one is not a big one. It is certainly no bigger than am I going to find someone that I will enjoy spending time with for the rest of my life and who won't annoy me at some point. I think that personally it shows that you are a bit more sensitive. and that could work to your advantage. I wish my DH was even vegetarian, but that is not where he is at right now for a variety of reasons. So, that is also to tell you that even if you are not able to find the woman of your dreams who does not eat like you do.....if there is respect for each other, then it can work. I must say though that it will be easier if that person accepts you as raw. When I met DH, we made a deal that we would be vegan at home, but after we were married I wanted to dabble more in raw. To be honest as a non-veg, this has been difficult for him and for me, but really only because we added a child to the equation. However, all of that sounds like a long way off for you. Try not to get too hung up on finding the girl, it will happen. I gave up looking and my DH was right in front of me and it took several months before I really saw that.

Do your best and find support. Best wishes to you as someone with a lot of life adventure ahead. Enjoy the ride. :-)

[Raw Angel Mom]

Dear Mike, you seem like part of you isn't ready or needs to be convinced still. I find that our first step is to convince our mind that it is comfortable to do this life style. The best way to do this, is to take the plunge. I feel that you many need to go cold turkey for you or at least for 40 days. Your heart is into this but your mind is nervous, soon your mind will be ok with this diet.

Here is what i suggest most of all. Get DVD's and learn to do very gourmet meals. Plan ahead your meal and when it is time to socialize with others (12 steps to raw food is great to help us to do this). At some point, you will hit the threshold and you will know for sure without doubt and with solid ground, that this lifestyle is for you.

For your questions:

1. What do I do when I'm out with friends and they decide to go to a sit-down restaurant? Do I sit with them and not order anything? Perhaps a glass of water or something?

There are many options. Sometime, when i do fasting, i will simply go to the restaurant anyway with my friend and will order an entre which i simply give to my friend. That way the restaurant is selling you something, the waiter get a tips and your friends get very happy for this little bonus

Other options, is to bring your own salad dressing and your order a plain salad with vegetable. Victoria Butenko has preparred a little card tha she gives to the waiter to past on to the chef. Suggesting list of food and asking the chef to be creative. I just bring my dressing salad or sometime will ask for olive oil with a piece of lemon.

You can also call ahead in a restaurant and ask if they are willing to accomodate you. Most place, will do this because they want your business.



2. Family is not very interested in this type of thing. While I couldn't care any less, often I wonder what they would think of me doing this. It doesn't matter too-too much to me, though, as I want to distance myself from the SAD diet as much as possible. Like I previously stated, I'm happiest when I am doing things outside of the mainstream.

12 steps to raw food (Book). Yes it is an adjustment but remember you don't need to convince them but for you to feel very grounded about your need to be raw. My first interaction with both our familly. I would prepare food for us and share it with them. They did enjoy everything i made. They understand now that i eat the same but i just prepare the food to preserve the enzymes etc.... I sometime, share some picture of raw food meal. I never talk about my life style unless someone is really wanted to know about it. EDUCATE YOURSELF. The more you know the more you will be prepare with these strange questions they will have for you. Let them know that you are doing this for your health and you need their support while they know that you respect them and their choices.


3. Money, money, money. Eating all organic and many raw foods tend to be a financial drain, unfortunately. I'm currently a jobless teenager with no source of income (that may be changing soon), and in the future, I'm clueless as to how I'll make money.

Our health is worth every penny. In the beginning, yes it is expensive because of certain raw gourmet meal etc.... But at some point, you will eat far less and you can learn to grow your own food from plant pot and sprout for pennies. I was doing organic food already before raw food so for me, it wasn't more expensive and my grocery is actually less. On summer, i buy from farmer market and winter also they have some great farmer that have green house. When i first decided to buy only organic food, i got a raise from my work by 5%. When i decided to cheat and buy normal food, somehow my salary went down and freeze, when i said ok, i will do organic, i got my raise back. It is strange how our intention and the universe cans be in alignment. If you follow your heart, money always follow.

4. Living with parents. The longer I live with them, the longer I'll be bound to the SAD diet. I don't want that for myself. I'm interested in doing my own thing and pursuing my own interests. I enjoy collecting spring water, for instance, and there's no room for me to do that living with them.


They will be your teacher and help you to cope with others with their strange questions about your life style. It is a blessings. Ask for appliance for Christmas (good blender, food processor, dehydrator). I did 60 days raw food with a $30 food processor and a scheap blender, and i was fine. You don't miss what you don't know. Now, i cannot live without my vitamix, lol...
Doors will open for your needs, they always do, go with the flow and don't resist.

5. Finding a girlfriend who is not supportive of my diet...well, perhaps if she wasn't, she wouldn't be worth my time right? I'm very much interested in doing what I like as opposed to what people want of me.

Our world needs to learn tolerance. By being you, you are assisting others to be ok with other people that have different goals or needs. You still can have wonderful time together, you don't need to eat the same kind of food. If you get along with her and you both enjoy being together, who cares she isn't into raw food. She is a keeper. On the other hand, if you aren't happy then you need to do what is best for you. You will be both fine. When i first went vegetarian, the person i was with was so carnivore but he was wonderful and i am glad that i hold on to him for that time being. Now today, i am happily maried to someone that does eat like me. If both of your heart is compatible, this is what is the most important the rest you find a way to be together in balance.

[rawmiss]

1. What do I do when I'm out with friends and they decide to go to a sit-down restaurant? Do I sit with them and not order anything? Perhaps a glass of water or something?

I would change your social eating habits last. Even gurus eat some cooked when they are out with friends. I remember reading in a Dr. Cousens' book (and he is one of the most respected raw writers) about how he is a tiny bit cooked and that cooked bit is for social events.

2. Family is not very interested in this type of thing.

Your family will never "get it" unless it is their destiny to be raw.

3. Money, money, money. Eating all organic and many raw foods tend to be a financial drain.

I rarely eat organic, and there are lots of raw foodists who don't (if I could I would though).

The best advice I got when I was starting out was to find your comfort zone and stretch from there. This means that you decide how much raw you are VERY comfortable with and eat that amount. Later you re-evaluate this plan and add more raw.