Azanthia

Successes/Progress:

I picked up Green for Life yesterday and a raw recipe book while at the bookstore and read both cover to cover.

Tried my first green smoothie of banana, blueberries and romaine. It was good. I'll put either an orange or agave in it next time, though. It was a bit too green for me.

Ate lots of raw goodies throughout the day and am still feeling wonderful.

Not so successful:

"Munchies" for dinner at a friend's house last night found me eating some cooked food (some veggie dumplings and a small slice of homemade pizza). Although I avoided the worst of the unhealthy things, I was definitely in grazing mode and did not have any raw goodies to choose from.

What I've learned:

Next time I will most certainly bring something with me to share- I don't think I would feel comfortable sitting at the table and not eating. I also should probably start being more open with my new eating choices- this friend had gone so out of her way to make such a wonderful table of delicious food that I felt like a horrible guest to not partake. If she knew my decision she would have fully supported it and adjusted her menu accordingly.

So this raises an interesting question for me- why am I so hesitant to share my decision to eat this way? Why am I acting shameful about it?

Part of it may be that I'm not being totally open with my partner, who I know enjoys the fact that we eat the same things and both enjoy cooking and entertaining, etc. It has always brought us closer when we do those things.

So far, I've only mentioned that I am doing this for 4-6 weeks to see how I feel, with the intention that it will go so well that I will share my decision to continue at that point. I'm also hopeful that the beneficial changes will inspire her to join me. I haven't shared that I already know this will be permanent for me. I should be more open with that.

I think the other reason is that since our social group does host so many dinner events, there is a perception that those with food restrictions tend to cramp the style of the host. I don't necessarily want to be that person, and I think I am embarassed to think that someone has to "work around" my choice.

I think that is what it comes down to more than anything- I don't want to call attention to myself or force someone to modify their plans just to accommodate me. That is interesting and something I will seek to understand further and hopefully resolve in order to successfully continue to eat raw.

Ha! I suppose I need to "come out" as a raw foodist (would this be called coming out of the veggie drawer?)