Other people's reactions to raw food living....

[gabriele]

I'm wondering if there has been a discussion at all about other people's reactions to this raw way of eating. I know one thing, if i mention it to any of my co-workers (in a hospital, no less) i will be dragged upstairs for a psych exam. I can smell microwaved bacon somewhere around me as i speak! They would totally think i am nuts. My family just wants me to lose weight and thinks this is kind of a radical plan. I'm exhausted trying to explain everything because no matter how i do it, i risk coming off as preaching, or pointing out the deficiency of their diets (including the hubby) and then they get defensive. I don't care what my co-workers eat but i do care about my family........

i would love to hear anyone else's thoughts on this.....

[freshlight]

i don't try to explain anything or talk about it,-it's no use. If people are really interested in being raw, then you'll become a great example to them and then they can still decide whether they want to change their lives or not. It's their decision and the more you'll try to convince them in the beauty of this diet, the more will they run away from you.
If you want to change the world then start with yourself,-the results are going to be amazing! Just lean back and enjoy your lovely little big "secret" ;)

[MelissaO]

My family is so so about it. I explained to them that I am trying not to eat processed foods, I want my foods to be as natual as they possible can be. If our creator wanted us to eat pizza or McDonalds then that would have been in the garden of eden - Eve was tempted with a lovely apple - not chicken nuggets. Most foods now a days are man made or over processed and not made by the earth. The book Green for Life is an excellant book to let your family read to understand why eating raw is a very good and healthy lifestyle

As for my friends they are all junk food obsessed and will never understand it no matter what I say, do, or show them .

(I hope I do not offend anyone with using something from religion as my reference )

[DebB]

I love it Melissa, "Eve was tempted with a lovely apple - not chicken nuggets"!! Love it! *Ü*

[lsadeseyens]

There are a couple friends of mine that I am able to talk (preach) to about the raw food diet. They still eat sad 98 % of the time. Will eat raw with me if we go somewhere I can get a salad or to the local raw restaurant, but for the most part I don't say too much. I have been to functions where there has been cooked food and raw, I will just put raw on my plate and if anyone asks me anything then I will briefly tell them what I am doing. Some are more accepting and interested in raw than others. My husband and two sons are not raw~~don't really expect them to become raw, but they are all very supportive of me doing it. My mom and brothers and sisters all thought I was doing something strange at first, until I explained that as I have been raw, my achy joints are not so achy anymore and that it is for health reasons. I must admit, that when I told my mom I was going on a juice fast thennnn she thought I was nuts (she is 87 years old and old fashioned in her ways) I wish that my husband and kids would join in, but when I can afford it I am going to give my oldest son my vita-mix (his girlfriend & stepdaughter) eat almost NO vegetables. He has an 11 month old little girl and is determined that she will eat more healthy. I figure if he has the vitamix, he can do fruit smoothies, green smoothies and whatever else he can do to get nutritious foods into them. I am having 4 friends over for dinner at the end of Jan (SAD eaters) and it will be interesting to see where the conversation goes. I am starting a juice fast and don't know if I will be off of it by then, so I know there will be questions when we sit down to the table and I am there with my glass of juice. We'll see how it goes. I am in it for myself and if others don't understand then so be it.

[RawLibrarian]

I only talk about what I eat with people who show interest. Otherwise it could come off like preaching or being self-righteous. I have been tempted to jump in when co-workers complain about various ailments that could definitely be improved by dietary changes, but I keep it to myself; most people really dislike unsought-after advice. I figure that if anyone sees my green smoothies and salads and asks about them, that is my opportunity to say something.

[pixelkatt]

I agree with freshlight.. I start with myself. Most people don't understand really what the heck I'm doing and why I want to eat raw. My grandmother in law god love her told me that I could eat the veggies on her plate because they were raw.. I tried to explain that they were steamed but she didn't get it, so I just nodded and said yes I could if I wanted to, lol.. I don't try that hard to explain. I feel like if people want to know they will ask. And trust me I have some awesome friends that are very supportive and totally get what I am doing but wouldn't want to do it themselves and that's okay with me. I try hard not push what I am doing on someone else. I feel like I don't wanting people preaching to me (about anything) so why would I be that way with someone else? We all have our own paths to follow, right? :)

[spicyfull]

Stay with the Program, things will work themselves out. By you being and Example, your Family will come around. Soon your co-workers will be asking you........What did you say you were doing? Time is a Healer and a Moderator. It's Your Life, so Why not RAW.

[dreamspinner]

I have just made day 3 of being rawvegan, but in my past attempts at being raw and there have been several, I have learned to keep things quiet. What everyone is saying about being an example and changing yourself is what I have decided is the best thing to do. I have even been laying low around my dh! HA! He actually took a side glance at my salad last night and asked if I would make him one! I said 'of course I will'! He has even taste tested my cashew cheese dip with cauliflower & broccoli. I am hoping, this time around #1 I succeed for myself and #2 my family and friends and everyone will see the marked change in my health and spirit and will want that for themselves. So, onward ho!!

dreamspinner

[cara4art]

It really depends on who you hang with, IMO. More traditional, and often older people don't get it, or people who are just into SAD, period. But in more countercultural and younger circles, it's more accepted, even if those folks aren't completely into themselves at least there's the consciousness of this being totally viable way of life, especially when they can see you looking great and glowing with health. However, the more traditional, and often older group really has a problem wrapping their brains around WHY people would want to eat raw unrefined food as the Creator made it. Personally, I have a problem, as likely everyone else here(otherwise you all wouldn't be here)wrapping my brain around why people would want to eat dead, chemicalized non-food that all it does is over-feed you and under-nourish you with disastrous health results.
To be fair though some older people are coming around, but they likely had more open minds to begin with, hence starting up this unusual venture as our society at large certainly doesn't encourage raw.

[jacsam]

Personally I don't really say a whole lot to people......someone noticed that I had lost some wieght and gave me a compliment and then asked what I was doing....so I just told them that I was trying to eat better and got a gym pass....just mention gym or exercise and the conversation stops.

[jacsam]

Another thing.....if someone is really interested in the way I'm eating.....I mean sincerely interested, I'll share with them. One way to weed out the sincere ones is to tell them to go to Alissa's website, get her book. You know they are truely interested when they get her book, read it and then want to talk. Most people really aren't that interested and are just being polite.

[solarliving]

Honestly It was difficult at first dealing with others reactions. Just because I was so excited about the benefits of raw foods and wanted to share it with everyone. What I have learned over the years is that some people will be interested and some won't be. I happen to be a massage therapist, so I tend to talk to my clients about health and nutrition. The green smoothies are something I generally tell them about because of how easy it is to add them into your lifestyle. What really knocks their socks off is when I actually show them pictures of raw food recipes.

[ViolinCyndee]

My family just thinks I am the 'hippy musician' of the family, so basically they just write it off to that.

I have been talking about raw to my boss, though, and he is very interested. I bring in food for him to taste, and he is amazed. In fact, he even bought raw lunches from me a few times, and had loved everything I brought for him!