Holiday (and other) parties

[Sillybloss]

I've never been much of a drinker, but my husband is. We've found ourselves recently in a position to socialize with a lot with a certain circle of friends in pizza parlors and pubs where they do not serve any food I can eat and everyone drinks beer for 3 - 4 hours. We unfortunately don't have other socializing friends and have had trouble networking in our area. My husband really enjoys the cameraderie of these "get-togethers", but I'm really beginning to severely dread them, as I can't eat to cover my non-drinking, can't drink to cover my non-eating and don't enjoy being the only sober one in the crowd. This is the part many raw-fooders mention as the toughest -- the social element (especially when it involves food)! Since it's Holiday Time, I thought this would be an appropriate time to bring up this issue.

Any suggestions?

[honeybee joy]

Throw a raw party at your house. I think alot of raw dishes have a gourmet vibe, so some might not even think of it a raw, but a fancy version of a holiday dish. And it will give you a excuse to decorate. This board is filled w/ fun holiday recipes, plus Alissa's book, & other books.
Or, another thought comes to mind, bring a fun raw dish w/ you, enough to share, then you do not feel out of place, & can offer some to your friends.
I am going to throw a raw x-mas party, I will have some champagne or something for the drinkers, but you can defenantly make it happen. So pumped about it. Love the holidays.

[ksabe98]

Hi, Maybe you can bring with you some flax crackers and dip or some raw grawnola that you make yourself with a piece of fruit then what I do in these situations is order a club soda with a lot of limes and then make my own lime soda to drink. Believe me if they are all getting drunk they are not going to notice your food and drink at that point. Maybe you can also make a compromise with your spouse to go to his joint every other time and then check into the local raw goings on and join that so you can socialize with those of 'your kind' if you wil,l the other half of the time. Hope this helps.
Lisa

[exurb]

Do you want to consider having a glass of red wine, that's raw, it's just not non-alcoholic. They'll even have that at the pizza parlor.

Most pizza places at least will have salad on the menu. Pubs usually also have salad.

I'm not knocking the idea if you're comfortable with it, but I personally never bring my own food to a restaurant. Carole Alt says she subtly will take her own raw apple cider vinegar-hemp salad dressing in her purse, but when really stuck and there's on the menu nothing raw, she asks them to make her a salad with everything they have that's raw. In social situations I just eat a salad if there's nothing else on the menu, maybe eat some more of the anchoring food before I go, like crackers and nut cheese. If it's at someone's house that I know, I sometimes bring a raw dish that everyone will like if that's appropriate, usually something that will appeal to everyone and sort of blend in. I try to relax and enjoy life, I don't want to become like a raw freak that no one wants to invite over because they think it's difficult.

[honeybee joy]

Sad, I didn't think of us as raw freaks. Thats a new thought. I didn't know that being a raw vegan made it so hard to make friends, or for friends to deal w/. Most friends want to go out of their way to make things accomadating for all. If they really are your friends they will accept you whatever package you come in, raw vegan or not.

[Sillybloss]

Thank you, all, for your suggestions! You all have some good ideas. There aren't any raw food groups in my area yet, nor have I met anyone else who is raw, but I'm hoping things pick up soon as there has been a lot of classes available in my area to learn about this lifestyle. I'll pursue that a bit. I also like the lime water idea! Actually, as far as food, if going to a restaurant I DO bring along dressing for a salad and also some nuts and dried fruit to put on top. Sometimes even an avocado. Unfortunately, some places (believe it or not) don't serve salad! So then I'm stuck!

[kmik]

There aren't any raw food groups in my area yet

SoCal? I really find that hard to believe... although here I am in Chicago... and my knowledge doesn't go far beyond LA.

But maybe if you tell everyone here what city you're in, or a big city near you, someone will come up with ideas for you???

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Make sure to drink the wine. It covers all the bases.

Salads are fine at the pub.

I suggest eating before you go out.

Most people understand.

If you must, just tell your friends your're having a procedure in the morning and must fast the night before. They never ask why.

Did I mention to drink the wine?

Peace,

M.B.