Visiting Family...

[EscapeArtist]

I am visiting my Grandmother in a month or so, and have been back on the raw wagon. My grandmother knows of my trying-to-go-raw (thanks, mom), she calls it 'rabbit eating', and quite frankly she seems rather worried or she wouldn't hassle me about it at every chance she gets. We're staying at her house, and she said that I am not allowed to go over unless I eat like 'a normal person'.

Now, I have considered not being raw while there, but there remain a few very large issues. I am a celiac, and have a big list of other intolerances, so I won't be able to eat her food or use her dishes anyways, as I'm very sensitive to cross contamination, because of that. Of course, she does not believe in this sort of thing (cross contamination) either... So either way I'm crazy, I guess.

So I am wondering if anybody has been put in a similar situation and what they did to stay raw with as little attention as possible? Or any suggestions in this tough situation?

[somelikeitraw]

WOW.
My heart is going out to you! It sounds like you might want to educate Grandma about your disease. If she doesn't believe in cross contamination would she be willing to eat food off of a plate that had poo on it? You can wipe the plate clean with a damp paper towel. I'll lay odds that she won't want to eat off of that plate!

I visit SAD family and they are all fine with my bringing my high speed blender and "doing my thing". I don't force my way of eating on them and they don't force theirs on me. I wish everyone had this kind of support. For me, it is so obvious that I am so much healthier that they think my eating my way is great, and they are quick to add that they could never eat that way themselves.

Is there any way that you can bring yourself to tell your Grandma that you have done a lot of research and have chosen to eat this way because it works best for you, and then ask her why she chooses to eat her way? Did she work out this way of eating for herself because it seems to work best for her? Or is she just eating the same way her mom ate, and her grandmom ate, and her great grandmom ate?

There is a story of a lady who buys a ham and cuts both ends off before she puts it in the pan to bake it (keep in mind that it would fit just fine with it's ends on). She does this for years and years and years. Her husband finally asks her why she does that and she replies that her mom always did. So she calls her mom and asks why mom always cut the ends off and her mom's reply was that HER mom always did. So they call Grandmom and ask her why she has always done this and her reply is..."because my roasting pan was too small."

If you aren't up for the confrontation, I would simply point out that life is far too short to waste precious time that could be spent together because of dietary issues. I would ask if she is really serious that you eat her way or you're not welcome in her house. I mean, really? Seriously? She would rather not have you in her life that let you eat the way that you find feels better for you?
Lots and lots of :hug:hug:hug:hug to you.

[Raw Angel Mom]

You deserve to be healthy and you shouldn't compromise your health to make others comfortable. Just don't eat her food plane simple or bring raw snack.

You need to sit with your family and explain them your health condition and you need their support.

You don't need to convince them but you.

You need to read more about raw food to have solid fundation.

When i first went vegetarian i went back to SAD by pressure of the family. Once i found out that an entire culture were vegetarian because of their religion and saw they get pregnant and are strong, nobody could convice me anymore to keep eating that food.

Now being a raw vegan, nobody either can convince me that cook food is better then raw. I simply has no energy on cook food even if this is healthy, with raw food, i am in balance and function.

Keep reading and don't talk about your diet anymore unless people beg to know. 12 steps to raw food is a great book on how to cope with family and friend.

You deserve to be healthy and please don't compromise your health.

[EscapeArtist]

Thankyou both for your replies

I have tried to explain, but there is no getting through to her. She is very old fashion and very controlling.

That's so great that your family allows you to bring all of your equipment Somelikeitraw :) I think that going looking a lot healthier might be the best thing I can do at this point to persuade her. The trip has been delayed by a few months, so maybe I'll shoot some before and after photos and bring them with me, too.

I will ask her just that, and let her know that it is her decision whether I come or not depending on whether or not she accepts my choices. Thankyou :)

Actually 12 steps to raw is the only raw food book I have read and own Angelmom :) But It has been awhile, I will re-read that part of the book.
Bring a raw snack... Hmmm I wonder if bringing a LOT of dates in my suitcase would suffice. I'm trying to rid some candida problems so I'm currently not eating high-fat things like nuts... The trip is only 2 weeks long. I'm thinking, worst case scenario is I end up fasting. I am just afraid that I will seem even more extreme in that case, and that she will end up taking me to a eating disorder clinic or something? (You'd have to know her.. Very rigid character.)
It does paint a very chaotic picture for the future.. I suppose that we shall see, depending on HER choice whether she wants to see me for the first time in 5 years, or not

[modernmonkey]

EscapeArtist? Are dates wise if you are susceptible to Candida? I would have thought they should go to and you should stick to fresh fruit instead IMO.
:heart:

[Hopandskip]

Somelikeitraw...that is a beautiful reply. I think sticking to your convictions and in a loving way making it her choice is exactly the right thing. The hard thing here for Escape Artist, will be sticking to it if she says "yes, you must eat my way to come." But if she does, it will be a great growing place for both of them.

We must learn to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others. When the plane is going down the first thing they say is ... put the oxygen mask on yourself first...

[EscapeArtist]

EscapeArtist? Are dates wise if you are susceptible to Candida? I would have thought they should go to and you should stick to fresh fruit instead IMO.
:heart:

Ohhh that makes sense... So that's why I'm craving them all the time and feeling itchy every now and then!!
Out they go!