We ALL have the friends or just people we've come across that question this lifestyle, and it can get to be a but much sometimes as well as difficult to not sound defensive or like a 'know it all'. Please share how you deal with this issue/ how you think going about this lifestyle should be shared with friends, family, and acquaintances.
It is imporatant to keep in mind that most of the time people will question you because they care about you, and don't want to see you go down a wrong path. Friends and family like to socialize with us, and this often envolves eating. When it becomes too difficult to socialize or for others to respect this way of life, this sometimes means you have to rethink your friendships and relationships with these people.
Never let people's doubts bring you down or make you feel discouraged. Try your best to be open-minded about others concerns, do your research, solidify your reasoning, set your own standards, and share what you can with those who respect you.
1) How do you deal with your parents questioning/ concerns, not eating their prepared food,and not offending them?
2) How do you deal with your friends concerns?
3) How do you make your relationships with your friends nd family work in social situations?
4) Have any of your friends become interested in vegetarianism, veganism, or raw veganism?
5) Has this ruined any of your frienships with people?
6) What do you think is vital when it comes to answering people's questions without coming of as a ' raw vegan elitist supremist' ?
7) How do you find the majority of people view your explainations? Do you find them to be more interested in the lifestyle or turned off?
8) ****TIps on how to stay sane and deal with the feelings of helplessness when you see people you are about going down the path to disease, depression, destrection, death..... etc.
**** If you only answer one of these questions, please help answer 8!
Keep it up you strong 30BADers! Thank you for your responses :)
V
Replies
1) How do you deal with your parents questioning/ concerns, not eating their prepared food,and not offending them? Even now as an adult...my parents are always trying to get me to eat this or that...I tell them thank you (as it is from a place of positive intent) however, I feel much better eating this way...non-judgementally...
2) How do you deal with your friends concerns? many of my friends (true friends) accept me for me...I don't try to change them...they do the same...besides they always knew I was a little (off) since I have been running since I was a child...they have their habits...I have mine...I love my running habit...life is all about decisions...they can be strengthening or weakening...but the person making them (aka me) is 100% responsible for them...
3) How do you make your relationships with your friends nd family work in social situations? lots of water, always bring a little baggie of veggies (and some chocolate nut balls - for the curious types) then I stay present in the moment, the conversation, the connection with people (not their expectations or my interpretations of their feelings)
4) Have any of your friends become interested in vegetarianism, veganism, or raw veganism? not really...I am however, loving the new friends I make who are interested in this lifestyle...great bunch of people...
5) Has this ruined any of your frienships with people? it has changed many of my interactions...since I am light, efficient, full of energy, dont complain, and take 100% responsibility for my circumstances...that doesn't sit well with those who want to have a few drinks to blow off steam. Initially some of these people distanced themselves from me...and I was just fine...those that wanted to found different ways of interacting...a walk in the park, lunch-salad and great conversation, shopping, running, ect...
6) What do you think is vital when it comes to answering people's questions without coming of as a ' raw vegan elitist supremist' ? we are all responsible for our choices...I would never judge another...I can only speak truthfully about my experience and I will only do that if asked...then I will share...otherwise...we are all people just trying to live the best lives we can...everyone's journey is different.
7) How do you find the majority of people view your explainations? Do you find them to be more interested in the lifestyle or turned off? I find them a little curious...sometimes I find them a little turned off (like I must be eccentric) but I stay true to myself and love everyone...that speaks more than any convincing or defending.
8) ****TIps on how to stay sane and deal with the feelings of helplessness when you see people you are about going down the path to disease, depression, destrection, death..... etc.
See them as healthy and whole...send them positive light...offer support...be an example...(oh and every now and then make a fantastic smoothie for them :)
Blessings and Peace RGR
3)
1. My parents are extremely supportive of my diet and do whatever they can to help. They know how compromised my digestion was before going to raw foods, and are very happy for me living this way. When I go to other people's homes, I always tell them how beautiful everything looks, and how good it smells to show them I appreciate the effort they have put into the meal/ dishes they prepared.
2. My friends will ask me questions from time to time, or bounce ideas they have about their diet with me, but I usually try to keep our conversations non-food based as much as possible, as I understand their are other important things to talk about in this life as well. Not all of my closest friends are raw vegan, but I appreciate them all the same for what they offer to my life, and I hope being their friend is something that inspires them in some way ( but if not that is totally fine).
3. I try to avoid the topic of food unless people have a burning question. I think it is really important for people to conduct research including their interests about their diet and their personal concerns. I ask people questions about what they are currently doing in their life that makes them happy and try to focus on the beautiful things in this life rather than point out negatives. I believe it is important to keep a well rounded outlook on things and search for ways to personally improve MYSELF but when it comes to others, they have to want to make the changes in their life that will lead them to what they think will/ what will bring them happiness.
4. Yes and No. Many of my friends are interested in my diet and want to learn more about it because they see how well it is working for me, but others are happy with their ways and energy leevls therefore see no reason to change anything. Either way I am happy to be able to inspire anyone to take an active role in researching about their health, or just questioning the mainstream.
5. No.
6. Be open-minded, listen to their entire argument, don't interrupt them, and be supportive. Don't laugh at them or be defensive. I remember how misguided I once was about what I though a healthy diet was, and acknowledge that I do not know everything.
7. Most people do not disagreee with my explainaions, but it isn't like that is all of the sudden turn them raw vegan in that instant. All I can hope for is that whatever I would say would become a catalyst propelling them in the direction they wish to go with their own research.
8. Acknowledge these feelings, but let them go. It is very important to set no attachment or detachment form these feelings: we shouldn't only be inspired by those who have better diets than our own to stay raw, or inspired by people have worse diets than our own to stay raw. It is important to look beyond a person's diet and see them. There are things about me that have changed since going raw, but also things that have stayed the same. I believe in myself, therefore I believe that people can change if they want to and have whatever life they want for themselves. Expressing this as your mindset is very liberating for yourself and those around you; it promotes open-mindedness.
Thank you Melanie! What a great response :) "Dr Graham is a doctor" LOL he's MY favorite doctor!