Holiday Dilemma ...???

[Carolyn]

Hi y'all ... question here for everyone. In about two weeks, here at work, is our department Christmas luncheon. (Where the company provides the turkey, and then everyone else brings in some sort of dish.) This is my first year raw (well, I haven't been raw ALL year, but you know what I mean ... lol ...), and I'm really not sure how to handle this. I've responded that I'd tentatively be there. Honestly, I don't want to go. It won't be raw, of course, so I don't know what I should do. It's not the type of thing where you can easily eat lunch before going, since it's during the work day.

Anyone else have to deal with these type of luncheons? What do you do? Just not go? Or go and not eat? Help .... :(

[Ariannah]

The best kinds of luncheons are those whereby everyone gets to bring in whatever they want. :) Bring something raw! Bring a vegetable platter with a raw dip (guacamole perhaps? Spinach dip?), and cut up fruit, fudge balls, date-nut torte. a salad, the possibilities are endless.... Sure, they may consider it a "side dish", but you can make it your meal. If someone asks you why you're not having turkey, just say you are feeling like something lighter today.

Just don't eat the turkey and eat whatever raw things are provided! The only kind of social meals where I can survive are those where people are encouraged to bring things pot-luck style.

I assume this is pot-luck, and you're not assigned something specific to bring?

Hope this helps!
Ariannah

[Carolyn]

Hey Ariannah, thanks so much for the reply! :) Sadly at these lunches around here, nobody ever brings anything healthy ... lots of desserts and stuff like that. :( That's why I'm really considering not going. Not that I'd be tempted ... just that I'd starve!!! :eek:

I don't know ... I know it probably doesn't sound like a tough decision, but I guess I've just been dreading this for a couple of months now, knowing it was coming.

Maybe I'll be 'sick' that day ... hehehehee ... just kidding ... :)



The best kinds of luncheons are those whereby everyone gets to bring in whatever they want. :) Bring something raw! Bring a vegetable platter with a raw dip (guacamole perhaps? Spinach dip?), and cut up fruit, fudge balls, date-nut torte. a salad, the possibilities are endless.... Sure, they may consider it a "side dish", but you can make it your meal. If someone asks you why you're not having turkey, just say you are feeling like something lighter today.

Just don't eat the turkey and eat whatever raw things are provided! The only kind of social meals where I can survive are those where people are encouraged to bring things pot-luck style.

I assume this is pot-luck, and you're not assigned something specific to bring?

Hope this helps!
Ariannah

[DavidZaneMason]

Think on this:

-Right where the most crappy eating is going on.....is the place where a good raw-fooder shines! Someone who is happy and eating healthy. If you refuse to go to these places......and bring and eat healthy food.....and be quietly shining and happy........you are not doing anyone any favors! LOL.

-If, in the beginning, you want to avoid ALL temptation places and circumstances.....that is fine....but eventually YOU need to take your happiness to the streets and spread it........not keep it locked up like a flickering flame that will go out with the first good tempting wind. What do you really want?

-The above suggestions are great. Bring a fresh cut fruit vegetable platter, and a fresh cut fruit platter. Everyone will eat it (including you) and you won't have any explaining to do....becuase your actions will speak for themselves.

-In the end, I often attend 100's of family events and do not eat at all. My whole family is aware of my eating choices.....and I make a powerful statement by going....and supporting my family & friends....and letting them know I am there for THEM......and not for the food.

-What do you think?

-David Mason

[Ariannah]

Hey Ariannah, thanks so much for the reply! :) Sadly at these lunches around here, nobody ever brings anything healthy ... lots of desserts and stuff like that. :( That's why I'm really considering not going. Not that I'd be tempted ... just that I'd starve!!! :eek:
But the thing is, aren't you one of the employees? Are you also requested to bring something? These kinds of things are in your control. You don't have to "starve", just bring some things! It doesn't need to be a complicated or expensive "raw dish", it can be as simple as cut up veggies and dip, or cut up fruit. Most people can relate to those types of things.

In fact, I was at my DH's company party where they are very much into meat and taters, and it was potluck. I brought veggies, homemade crackers, dips. And sure enough other people had brought more varieties of veggies and fruits as well.

In the end it's up to you and whatever your personal comfort level is. But I think potluck style social events are the BEST way to ensure getting what you want/need. Be pro-active for yourself!

Ariannah

[calee]

Hi Carolyn,

I too work at a place where nobody eats healthy. I just take my big salad bowl everyday. One of my co-workers now eats salads several times a week. Another one has agreed to start eating salads once a week which is a big step. Everyone loves my flax crax and whatever I put on them. Everyone has their hands in my bowl of fruit. People eat junk, but really crave something good to eat.

On thanksgiving I ate with 10 SAD eaters who had the usual fare. I brought a big beautiful salad and had two plates of that. I could have stayed home with my salad but I would have missed the camraderie. I say go to the potluck and take a big salad or whatever else you'd like. Then take another container filled with some avocado or nuts etc, to put on your own plate. You can always have a raw snack at your desk if you're still hungry.

Don't let this set you apart from others because isolation makes it hard to stay on the raw path. We need socialization just like everyone else.

Let us know how you do!
calee

[katrina]

I too go through this every year. Even when I was vegetarian before becoming raw. Who wants to eat all that sugar, even if you eat cooked???? But the company provides everything! So I started bringing my own food a couple years ago. They think I'm weird with what I eat so I don't dissappoint ;) . This year I brought a beautiful plate with spinach leaves with Mock Turkey Salad scoops on it and a side of cranberry sauce with black and green grapes adorning the "turkey". They all ate pulled pork barbeque - GROSS!!! :eek: And i had to look at pig meat till I could wolf mine down. But at least I attended and ate healthy.


God bless you. I don't like these functions either.

[kmik]

I agree with everyone else... go, bring something good. But I would add, maybe to help curb and cravings when you see all that food, eat before hand... I understand you don't have time for a meal, but bring something heavy like Alissa's fudge. If you pop a few pieces of those before you go, you'll be full already and less likely to cave. Granted it's not the best food combining to eat nuts first, but it's better than everyone else is eating! Then bring veggies, or a salad, or even a date-nut torte to share. You can do this!