Respecting the Origin of RFT

[Rawkinlocs]

This post is to address something that has been a concern to some of the members here on this forum as it has been evident from me recieving emails as well as some posts I've read here on the forum regarding the direction the board is headed.

So having said that, I want to point out that this is NOT a “general” raw food discussion board where any and everything goes. This is not a free Yahoo group, this is not something created on a whim by someone who just wanted a general, overall place for raw fooders to get together and talk about any and all aspects of raw eating such as eating raw dairy, raw flesh or raw eggs.

No, this is a board that was created by Alissa Cohen as a branch-off of her book, “Living on Live Food”.

This board was created for those who read her book and are interested in doing the 30-day challenge she mentions in her book; but itÂ’s also here for those new and not-so-new to raw who want to learn more about eating raw BASED ON the Living On Live Foods approach, which is what she teaches in her book and now, in her raw food classes that has helped MANY people! And yes, it's also for those who have been at this for a while to kinda hold the hands of the newbies, guide them, encourage them, etc. :)

Now, sure enough, she has never and probably would never insinuate that people who donÂ’t follow her approach to eating raw cannot join or participate on her board. She has been very fair in that light and has allowed participation by raw fooders no matter where they are in their raw lives.

But, I say to everyone here as a reminder, this forum is Alissa CohenÂ’s forum - created by Alissa Cohen, funded by Alissa Cohen, and is based on Alissa CohenÂ’s approach to eating raw foods which is apparent in her book, Living on Live Food. Therefore, if you have issues with her approach to eating raw, thatÂ’s well and fineÂ…but out of respect to her, I don't think it's fair to come here and disrespect her by putting down her particular views on raw foods.

The overall theme of this forum is not Natural Hygiene-based or 80-10-10-based (as Dr. Graham's is, for example). If you are practicing Natural Hygiene, 80-10-10 or just donÂ’t get into or believe in doing all the recipes or using certain spices, garlic, onions, etc., thatÂ’s all well and fine and totally within your rights as with eating or not eating anything else... but you should not down-talk her approach on this board (HER board) by coming here and telling people they shouldn'tÂ’ eat this, shouldn't eat that, etc especially if they are things that Alissa advocates consuming. We are free to eat (or not eat) whatever we choose, but to make blanket statements that "x" or "y" is bad for EVERYONE (as opposed to saying it doesn't agree with YOU), just causes too much confusion in the minds of those new to raw foods. Think about when you first went raw - if you had to weed through all the info that is out there regarding what plant foods are good and what plant foods are not - fat is bad, fruit is bad, tomatoes are bad, onions are bad, etc...would that not have made your head spin?

There is enough conflicting information out there in cyberspace as well as in books - but RFT is like a haven where people can come and know that they won't have to weed through a lot of stuff - that they can follow Alissa's approach and YES - JUST EAT RAW and then later on, allow their own bodies and intuition to guide them to consume less of this, none of that, or more of the other. THAT is her approach...it isn't high fat or low fat, she doesn't say you have to eat recipes for the rest of your life - her message is simple - just go raw and allow your body to get used to it, get cleaned out and then you'll better be able to "listen" to your body regarding tweaking your diet and eating more simply, etc. But let's not say (directly or indirectly) that one raw approach is more or less optimal than others...at least not here, please.

Is all of the above to say that in order to be a part of this forum that people have to ONLY follow AlissaÂ’s approach to raw? NO... of course not! But it IS saying that while you may disagree with it or some aspects of it, please remember that Alissa's approach to raw food as stated in her Living on Live Food book and DVDs is what this forum is all about and what it was founded on...point blank. If you type in your browser, 30daychallenge.com, you will end up at this site because that is what this site was created for initially. Simply put, just be respectful to Alissa and her approach to raw foods when on her site.

There are other raw food online groups and forums out there and if this one is not run as you would prefer it, we're not forcing anyone to stay here. I know RFT is the BEST...one of the most active, friendly and nicely formatted boards out there...but again, there are others if anyone feels that they no longer fit in with this place due to dietary changes, extremely differing views or if anyone feels we censor too much, we coddle and hand-hold too much, etc. There are forums out there that will fit specific desires and needs - paleo (raw meat/dairy/egg-eating), fruitarian, 8-1-1, Natural Hygiene, argumentative-drama-based-anything-goes-types and more!

Again, I hope no one took too great an offense to this post and hope that all will take into great consideration the things said!

Thanks for reading and complying.

[Rawkinlocs]

Hello everyone,

The first time I wrote and posted the above post (WOW, it's been almost a year ago!), it was entitled "WHOSE house is this?" and looking back on it, it came across kinda harsh. Today I decided to revamp it to "soften the blow" a little bit, but at the same time still get the point across. So, I've gone in and edited it to make it a little less "sharp" but it still may have a bit of a sting to it and come across as mean to some who read it- I'm sorry in advance for any toes getting stepped on and any feelings getting hurt as that is clearly not my intention.

So, please read over that (revamped) post and please don't think badly of me as a person, but try and realize that as a moderator I just have certain obligations to keep this board running as smoothly and as closely-related to the original intent of the forum owner as possible and sometimes a post such as what is written above is just one of those things I have to do from time-to-time!

[bowie]

Bump........

[peppermintpatty]

Bump--------