A problem with food

[swiddweas]

forgive me if this post is kinda confusing. I'll do my best to explain my thoughts.


Several people whom I am close to have mentioned that I have a problem with food. These are people who I have known for 20 years or more. When I ask them to expound upon that statement, they can't quite put it into words.... strange.

Has anyone else been told this or feel this way about someone else, or even yourself? If so, what do you think a problem with food looks like? Why do you think this way?

I AM thinking alot about food constantly, it seems. However, does that mean I have a problem? Eaither I am planning menus for a week, going grocery shopping, putting food away, preparing, dehydrating,freezing, canning, cooking (for my loved ones who aren't raw), baking, grinding wheat, and planning,shopping and preparing my own raw food meals. All of this takes alot of time. Do you suppose this is what they mean? I love cookbooks, and have a huge collection of both raw and cooked. The majority are raw books, however.

I mean, the pre occupation with food is valid in this case, is it not? Does anyone here think alot about food and think it is becoming obsessive?

Patte

[Rawkinlocs]

IMHO, when you first begin a new way of life whether it's newly becoming a vegetarian, vegan, or raw fooder or even other aspects that aren't food related, you're going to spend a great deal of time "becoming acquainted" with your newfound lifestyle changes!

When I first began wearing my hair unprocessed with chemical straighteners, I was reading every book, visiting every website, asking questions on every forum that had to do with African-American natural hair care. Now, it's been 5 years since I've had my hair processed and it's very much second nature to me so I don't visit the sites, read the books, or chat on the forums as I once did when I was first learning it all.

Same with raw. I don't visit many sites and this is pretty much the only raw food forum I frequent and I don't find myself consumed with food as much as when I first began this journey.

It's becoming second nature to me and the same will happen with you! Once the newness of it all wears off, you will not be so focused on learning, but will simply be doing!

As for all the food prep, what about cooked food eaters who plan meals (what's wrong with meal-planning and organization??) LOVE to cook and they spend lots of time swapping recipes or buying cookbooks, learning to cook exotic or ethinic foods, or spend a lot of time preparing huge meals for their families and friends! People LOVE to label and pick on those of us who are eating differently than the mainstream. That's all it is.

People will try and "diagnose" you with an eating disorder or something because you spend a lot of time thinking about food or preparing food or making sure your food is of the best quality for YOUR body while they're "not thinking about it" and shoving all kinds of crap in their mouths and then later on, wondering why sickness has come on them all of a sudden.

Just do you! People will always have something to say when you're doing something that is not of the norm.

Also, keep in mind that we live in the times of "instant, NOW, microwave it, fast food" and so it's "unusual" for people to spend time in the kitchen like in the old days! There was a time when families got a home-cooked meal EVERY night, not just on Sundays. Now-a-days, people are into quick and easy. So, what you're doing with raw foods is NO different than the things our grandmothers, great grandmothers and beyond did with cooked food! It's called taking time, love and preparation to prepare the best, most wholesome foods for yourself and your loved ones! :)

[RawFoodieMom]

Hmmm... When they say you have "a problem with food", they can give you no more input then that? :confused:

How long have you been raw? I think when you're new to raw, it's normal to be engrossed in it as you learn, make changes to your lifestyle, get used to the idea of raw and how to handle it with others, and incorporate it into your life. I would think that the longer you are raw, the more it becomes a natural part of your life, and maybe less time-consuming and more "automatic" at least as far as the planning and stuff goes.

Is it possible that they think you have a problem with food because your approach to food and what you eat is different then theirs?

Debra

[yeahbethany]

I AM thinking alot about food constantly, it seems. However, does that mean I have a problem? Eaither I am planning menus for a week, going grocery shopping, putting food away, preparing, dehydrating,freezing, canning, cooking (for my loved ones who aren't raw), baking, grinding wheat, and planning,shopping and preparing my own raw food meals. All of this takes alot of time. Do you suppose this is what they mean? I love cookbooks, and have a huge collection of both raw and cooked. The majority are raw books, however.

I mean, the pre occupation with food is valid in this case, is it not? Does anyone here think alot about food and think it is becoming obsessive?

Patte

Patte,

Rawkinlocs has a VERY valid point. She may be right about this. However, ultimately, nobody knows if you have a problem with food except YOU.

Do you feel that these behaviors that you describe ENHANCE or DETRACT from your quality of life? Sometimes its a fine line. Do you enjoy the whole process, or do you feel like this is causing you to have no life? There have been times when I have enjoyed it, and times where I felt like it severely hindered my quality of life, and therefore was a problem.

Does that make sense? The behavior in and of itself may or may not be a problem, depending on how it effects your happiness and quality of life.

Just some thoughts from someone who's been at this for almost two years. =)

[Rawkinlocs]

That's a GREAT point Bethany!

[rawpriestess]

I think what others have said is so perfect, especially Rawkinlocs.

When you first start anything NEW, you do tend to want to learn everything about it, that is human nature.

But is sounds like you enjoy food preparation, I do too. I was making all kinds of fun gourmet stuff when I was a kid (I thought is was gourmet at the time) and I always collected cook books, even as a child I had a child's cook book, I used to make stuff out of that, instead of playing outside on weekends.

I grew up being a gourment catering chef, among many other artistic things, so if YOU enjoy it, who cares what any one else says or thinks.

has it occured to them that THEY may have a food problem and are projecting it on to you? hummmm, makes one think.

I think you are fine, just enjoy your life like Yeahbehtany says, only you know if you are having a challenge, and if you are happy, what a challenge is that?

Blessings,
Rawpriestess

[LNdolls]

And it is possible that your 'problem with food' is actually their problem with you not doing what they want - paying attention to them and validating them and their needs, wants and activities. I suspect it is not about the food at all.
When people change, other people get upset and often project these upset feelings onto the person who changed - let them think what they want. You can trust that if you indeed have a problem with food that you will know.
Best Always,
LN

[swiddweas]

WOW!

I wasn't expecting such introspections! I feel better.

Thank you all.

My reply to one of my loved ones who said that I had a problem with food was, "Well, then, so do most people, including you because anyone who is overweight definetely has a food problem."

"That was a good answer!" was the reply.




Much love and grace unto you,

Pattye

[Jamie]

The only time I DON'T have a problem with food is when i'm raw... otherwise it is an obsession. So,, I"d rather have my obsession focused on what is healthy and gives me energy and vibrancy( is that really a word? Looks weird).
And as Moms and wives, we must think of food all the time,, what's for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks,, what to make for company, what to take for potlucks,,, it's our lives...We have to focus on food.

So don't worry about what anyone else says,, people are always gonna pick something out to judge us on.... :rolleyes:

Blessings,
Jamie

[TimmyC]

Just to lighten this up a bit:

I have a problem with food. That is keeping my raw food around for me to eat, as my family of SAD eaters are double-dipping...:) They want their cake and to eat it too. So I'm obsessed with making sure I don't go back to the SAD by ensuring I have enough raw for me and what my body needs. We joike about it all the time at my house. Eventually they'll come around, and our house will be balanced once again.

Tim

[Essensual]

OMG! I thought I was the only one with this problem! My little carnivorous brood eat up all their stuff and then weasel they ways onto my lap to eat my goodies too! Little JOKAHS! :D