Cantonese raw food information/literature?

[ajay5150]

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can educate my Kung Fu instructor on the health benefits of leading a raw vegan lifestyle. Any Cantonese books or websites? He keeps telling me I'm too skinny and I need to eat meat. He's Cantonese and he used to be a butcher so I wonder if it's totally futile to convince him. He can understand simple English but when I say words like "enzymes" or terms like "structured water" I think I lose him. He just says, "You need at least eat more tofu! You too skinny!" Any suggestions on how I can break the language barrier?

[Sharon in Colorado]

LOL - my Tae Kwon Do Master tells all our kids to drink their milk. And I thought most Asians didn't consume milk much. Well, at least until they come to this country huh?

I wouldn't start talking about enzymes and such, but your strength should show through. If he sees the product of your healthy lifestyle as powerful, that would be evidence enough for him, don't you think?

Anyways, I thought Bruce Lee was quite skinny. And full of power.

[Revvell]

Sifu Jimmy Woo was big on that kind of thing ~ and spoke English. I never bothered with "trying" to educate the un-educatable. As Sharon says ~ show what you can do.

When I was lifting as a meat eater, one couldn't see my muscles. Became vegetarian and was ripped w/out "trying". Just training 5-6 hours a day as I was doing as a meat-eater.

Just go 'bout your business and enjoy life. More fun that way.

[ajay5150]

I wouldn't start talking about enzymes and such, but your strength should show through. If he sees the product of your healthy lifestyle as powerful, that would be evidence enough for him, don't you think?

well other than the younger students, I'm the only one not groaning and making other strange noises during the final phases of class. I thought he'd notice this but he just points out that I'm too skinny. I'd really like to educate him on the raw foods thing so that he can understand that I'm not crazy or something. He doesn't understand why I won't eat tofu. He says, "it's okay you eat tofu raw!" Apparently he knows some other kung fu teacher who is vegetarian. I think the other teacher told my teacher that I can't just eat fruits or veggies and that I need more protein! so now he's on this kick telling me to eat tofu. it's better than before when he was trying to convince me to eat meat, but still!!!

There's got to be some chinese raw food movement, right? where though?

[Sharon in Colorado]

Ask him if gorillas eat tofu.

[kiwilime]

I wish there was a chinese raw movement :) . I know this might not help much but I remembered my dad reading this Chinese book on how to cleanse and fast with fruits/vegetables and etc...for 21 days. His friend let him borrow it b/c my dad needed to lose weight. I remember this b/c my dad lost about 20 pounds. In any case, I just called my dad and he said there are books on cleansing the body. Keep in mind that my mandarin is "everyday language mandarin" so speaking to my dad about raw is hard. In anycase, my dad said he will find out for me the title of the book and where to buy it. The only problem is the book I'm sure will be titled in Mandarin so I have no clue how to pass the info to you. Maybe I'll just ask where his friend got the book from. I live in a different state than my parents so I haven't mention raw to them. I know they wouldn't understand b/c they think a diet of rice/fish/soup/tofu....etc is already really health. But since they are getting older, and are more into "prevention" of sickness.... I know when I mention things like oh eating raw nuts is better than roasted b/c of the nutrition and you get more benefits from it..they seem to care more and are now eating raw nuts. Best of luck to you!!!

[kiwilime]

Ajay,

My dad just called, he gave me the title of the book but its in Chinese (mandarin). But he told me that the Chinese newspaper had a phone number to call to get the book. I know this isn't necessarily about raw but it might be a good start. I also know you asked for cantonese but I think mandarin and cantonese share the same characters (writing)...right??? LOL...I grew up in the states. Here is the number for that book 718-746-8889. My dad said to press 6266 after. Hope this helps.

[pfc]

I ditto the gorilla statement!
When someone is asking me/bothering me about protein I usually tell them that calorie for calorie leafy greens have more protein than most any food, and are more absorbable. Then I aks them what the strongest animals on the planet eat? Gorillas, elephants, hippos, oxen, horses etc. They all eat mostly leafy greens and/or grasses. Often there is this moment after I say it where they just look at me, then the recognition dawns on their face. Just to put the point home I usually add, "And out of a billion or so species on the planet, we (and our domesticated animals) are the ONLY ones who eat cooked food...and we're the ONLY ones with consistent chronic diseases.
AJAY! You stong like Gorilla!

Let us know when he says it!!!
BTW - My brother has been focusing a big portion of his life on Kung Fu for many years. I got him to understand some of the benefits of 'raw' but he thinks it's too hard. Could you post (or pm me) a testimonial about how it's changed your practice? Thanks!!

[ajay5150]

Ask him if gorillas eat tofu.

I tried that one. But he didn't understand. And before I could elaborate, one of the less knowledged students jumped in and started telling me how gorillas do eat meat. I know that's bull and I started to argue but then i realized I was blemishing his academic ego and didn't want to create tension with my kung fu homies. He told me that a particular african gorilla does eat meat. So I said I'd like to see some documentation on the meat eating gorillas to which he replied, "sure I'll get you some!" Yeah riiiiiight, he's thinks he knows everthing and if you prove him wrong he gets angry/tense/violent. It's just not worth it to argue or even attempt to convince that student. But my teacher is different. I know he'd listen if I could put it in terms he'd understand, hence my request for cantonese literature/information.

[ajay5150]

Ajay,

My dad just called, he gave me the title of the book but its in Chinese (mandarin). But he told me that the Chinese newspaper had a phone number to call to get the book. I know this isn't necessarily about raw but it might be a good start. I also know you asked for cantonese but I think mandarin and cantonese share the same characters (writing)...right??? LOL...I grew up in the states. Here is the number for that book 718-746-8889. My dad said to press 6266 after. Hope this helps.

Thanks a million!!! I'll call that number asap! That's really helpful of you! I am so grateful that you got that info! :) :)

[ajay5150]

BTW - My brother has been focusing a big portion of his life on Kung Fu for many years. I got him to understand some of the benefits of 'raw' but he thinks it's too hard. Could you post (or pm me) a testimonial about how it's changed your practice? Thanks!!

gladly but where should I post it? here in this topic or???

[pfc]

You can go to the 'User CP' area at the top and then go to the left side and go to 'send a new message', type in 'pfc' for the private message and I'll get it!
Thanks!!