How to "convert" Family and Friends

[jevans]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I have a question regarding trying to convince family/friends to at least TRY raw/living.

I, myself am still very new to eating raw. I started juicing about a year ago, then stopped. But have been doing it daily since the summer. Although I am not 100% raw, I am about 50/50. My belief in juicing and raw stems from my own experiences. I developed gout a few years ago and read that drinking concentrated cherry juice would help. It did. It took the symptoms away within one day. That started convincing me about the rewards of healing foods.
Since juicing and eating raw, I have noticed that I do not have anymore back pain (which was almost 40 years). When I would sit on the floor for a few minutes, I would have terrible hip pain and my legs would be stiff. Now I can sit for long periods and get up with no problem. My BP was about 145/100, now is down to 125-130/85.

The other day I was in a conversation with a friend and have told her many times about the advantages of juicing and/or raw. I have mentioned about the many food movies about this also and the scientific proof how foods can heal, etc., etc.
But they still turn a blind eye and are not convinced. My biggest argument to help convince them is that the people/experts that tout this lifestyle must be correct and telling the truth since THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO SELL ME ANYTHING! There would be reason to be skeptical if the "experts" are telling me to buy their "magic" veg pill, but they are not.

I also have another person that suffers from fibromyalgia and I have mentioned to her countless times about how juice/raw can help her tremendously. Her answer is "if that worked my Dr.s would know about it". With that answer I went over to the wall and started to bang my head.

I have an Aunt that is in her mid 70's and has had many health problems over the years. Mainly arthritis problems but her worst was breast cancer that she had 30 years ago. Lately she has had bad pain problems in her hips and back and was recently given a cortisone shot which did nothing. Dr.'s are just not helping her much. I honestly feel that she could benefit from a strong juicing program BUT trying to convince someone that age of a "natural" remedy will be met with great skepticism.

Her only investment would have to be a juicer and produce. But I am not sure how to convince her to even try it for a few months. I know the one thing that does concern me is that if I convince her to try it and it doesn't work, then I could end up taking a lot of "heat".

I am a huge proponent of this lifestyle and would hate to have anyone bash it since it did not work for them.

Any suggestions?

[Revvell]

Any suggestions?

Yes. Leave others to their otherness and take care of yourself. Everyone is on their own journey. If they see changes in you and want to know how/what, they'll ask. Otherwise. leave them alone.

[jevans]

Yes. Leave others to their otherness and take care of yourself. Everyone is on their own journey. If they see changes in you and want to know how/what, they'll ask. Otherwise. leave them alone.

Funny you should mention that. After I posted this thread I googled the question and two sites pretty much said the same thing. There suggestion was to lead by example. Don't push anything.

[Sampson]

Like the others mentioned, don't push too hard or they will fight it and there may be animosity. Life is a journey and many people are not open to changing their direction or are not ready to be open to new things.

You could however, try sharing some. Start simple, like maybe making some green smoothie in a blender and putting some extra in a mason jar before you go far a visit. Make sure what you do make is very tasty, like a banana strawberry smoothie with celery and spinach in it. (one of my favorites) then just offer some as if you made too much and can't drink it all. When they ask what is in it and how it tastes so good, then that is the opportunity to explain that it is whole raw foods and is as healthy as it is tasty. You could talk it up and explain how it takes only a few minutes to make it compared to a half hour to fry up a greasy sad breakfast.

I have turned one friend on to green smoothies for breakfast simply on the tast alone. She got hooked on the taste and speed of making them and had one everyday for a couple weeks which was enough for her to start to notice the health benefits. The health benefits she noticed after only a short time convinced her to start her own research into more ways to eat raw and she has been hooked for months now. I must say she that she is now more beautiful than she has ever been.


Sampson

[juicingmatters]

The hardest part about converting my family has got to be the taste and the personal hesitation. They simply do not want to eat healthy, because it is not jam packed with fat and sugar.

All I could get them to taste was orange juice. Even that they said was not as good as the packaged stuff.

[Bessie the Cow]

The one thing that convinced me to try and transition to raw foods was the personal experience and testimony of people who had been 100% raw for quite a while. I think the best thing you can do is lead by example.

[CathyA.]

Just do what you do, share your food and hope for the best. You can not change people who do not want to be changed. You can only set a good example.

[BlackKat]

I understand your frustration. It took me quite a few months to realise i needed to stop trying to explain to friends. My mom is a very "comfort food" type of woman. It brings her joy to cook for family. So at first it was hard for her to even comprehend the change in my diet... she began to listen though. I was able to explain the little discomforts: gas, bloating, bathroom issues, skin problems, allergies to her in a way that she started to see. She now finds joy in filling her kitchen with all sorts of fruits and veggies of all colors and has even converted her unhealthy junk food SAD food to more healthier cooked choices, like sweet potato in stead of regular... drinking juice with me anytime I make it. She seems to get it, although still has not converted which is fine with me. It's her choice, but as long as I can continue to educate her that's all that really matters to me because I think once you see what SAD food does to a body, and what living food can do to help the body... there is no going back.

I do have a couple friends however who think I am completely nuts. In these cases I just give my two cents and walk away from an arguement before it happens just to spare the added stress that I DO NOT NEED in my life. It's not worth it, personally. I do have a friend who is very ill, and thinks that she can't do raw food. I don't get it. I've tried to open her eyes but she is wrapped up in her own sick SAD world. This is someone I can't give up on, but in this case I can only lead by example like some of you have stated above. Sometimes people do need help, but with a more non-direct approach. Pushing anyone is going to make them not want to do it. IMO