Are you a “Raw Foodist”
I have been thoroughly enjoying the responses to the salt post. I knew when I wrote it, there would be varying opinions. To use salt or not is objective…as your responses to the salt post have indicated! It also brings up an important point. Are we labeling? I have wanted to address this for a while because we like to use labels and unfortunately division occurs because of those labels.
People like to separate into camps. There even is a new school-old school raw food dichotomy present these days. Unfortunately it is full of judgment. Which is why I don’t like labels and why I deviate away from calling myself a “raw-foodist”. Really what I am is a person who is interested in eating the food I like in the healthiest, most nutritious form possible. In my opinion, that is raw.
Yes, there are certain foods, like Kale that develop more of some nutrients when cooked. So does being a raw foodist mean I can’t cook my kale? Not in my book. Am I 100% raw? Sometimes. Am I high raw? Most of the time. But there you go again…another label, “High Raw”. Do we need that label just to make ourselves feel good? To stroke our own ego? To put ourselves ‘one up’ over someone who isn’t?
Google “raw-foodist” and you will come up with all kinds of silly descriptions of what eating a raw food diet means-mostly written by people who have no experience with a raw food diet. We are freaks, fadists – and, oh my – you better talk to your doctor before eating natural raw foods because, who knows what might happen when you introduce more healthy food and nutrients.* I think that people should be advised to consult their physician before they eat a fast food, super-sized meal at McDonald’s!
The problem with labels, whether it be raw, vegan, vegetarian…is that they are divisive. Society, our broken food system, corporate farms and advertising make it hard enough to eat healthy in our society. Do we really need to put a label on someone and separate and judge them by how good at being raw we think they are? It doesn’t bring us together, it drives us apart.
I have friends that are complete meat and potato eaters. A green vegetable? Never. Now, because of what they are learning, they are starting to make different choices. Small ones but changes nonetheless. In my book, that is fabulous. Because all it takes is that one small step and before you know it, you are on the road to better health.
What it all comes down to is you. Your body and what you feel is best for it. See if something resonates in you and figure out if it works for you. Determine what your goals are. Eating mostly raw does amazing things for me and many people I know. It is why I am here, why I dedicate so much time to getting the message out.
Instead of labeling, let’s supporting anyone who is making choices to be healthier with their diet, no matter where they are along their path. Ditch the labels and share the recipes. Set an example instead of judging. Be a community.
Peace and Blessings!
*If you have health issues you should always consult your doctor before making any changes.
Andrea wrote on July 29, 2010
Labels are OK as long as they aren’t accompanied by unbearable smugness. I think that’s what bugs me the most about people who define themselves by their diets, no matter what that diet may be. There are so many aspects to your humanity, and your diet is among the most boring (this is based on the hours upon hours of conversations that I have had with Atkins people). 🙂
I don’t say this to disparage your site, which I enjoy thoroughly.
Nzingha wrote on July 29, 2010
I think labels, like electricity, can be harmless or harmful, depending on the mindset that is using them. Vegan and raw foodist are just words, and when used wisely, they aid communication. They’re descriptions, short-forms, which convey information in a very concise way.
I’d rather tell a waiter I’m a vegan, or raw foodist, than provide a long list of what I can and cannot eat. And I wouldn’t feel I was labeling myself. To my mind, I’m just communicating. Likewise, if someone tells me they’re an environmentalist, or a feminist, an enormous amount of information is communicated to me about the person’s beliefs, passions and worldview (provided I have enough awareness), without me having to conduct a question and answer session.
However, labels become a problem when they’re misused, or used in propaganda, as this article demonstrates: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/16/orthorexia-mental-health-eating-disorder
I think it would be difficult to do away with labels completely. They serve a purpose; we just have to be mindful how we use them, or allow them to be used in our presence.
Elizabeth wrote on July 29, 2010
Woo-hoo! I love this post.
I will be a guest speaker next week at a local University for a class called “The Anthropology of Food”. It has occurred to me that I am the specimen/the freak to be analyzed. I do eat a lot of raw and most closely represent your point of view. It will be interesting to hear and see their reactions.
I agree with you 100% 🙂
J. Bosley wrote on July 26, 2010
Beautifully written article! A joy to read! I too believe that labels of all kinds can often times be helpful and informative but labels tend to peel off, then they become partial labels. We are constantly changing and we all have much to learn so lets avoid the “absolutism” of labels and give them less credence.
Jodie Bonfrer wrote on July 26, 2010
I read with great interest the blog and the comments.
About labeling I know all about that as I’m a 69 year old trans gender from New Zealand and openly live my life as a girl no matter where I go.
And people are quick to label you as gay and I certainly are not gay at all and live with my female partner on a nice little farm growing as much my self as I possible can.
I always have been very health conscious and used to steam rather than cook my food and at my age are very very fit and have not been on any medication for at least 30 years.
I believe in balance, to much alcohol or any thing else in excess could imbalance you, I never eat processed food at all,I want to know whats in my food and control how much salt or any spice added.
I also believe in food fermentation rather than freezing the food.
Make kefir and rejuvelac almost every day.
Life is so wonder full if you give love and share life with others.
So yes lets stop labeling and do what you want to do with out hurting others What a heavenly life we could have here.
B&E wrote on July 26, 2010
I Love Labels of all kinds.
Whether it is about a Product,
a Person, a Group.
Labels are very informative.
I’m a Wife, a Christian, a 100% Raw Food Eater.
Love being Labeled them all!
Ida wrote on July 26, 2010
Thank God ( or whoever ) for your sane approach. This is why I am on your mailing list. I sometimes call myself an omnivore, or a flexitarian. These days I’m eating mostly raw, but I love to cook up a vegie broth with seaweed, burdock, and all kinds of good stuff. It keeps me warm and nourished. I believe like you, we need to bring people together, there’s already enough out there to divide us- black/white, gay/straight, Christian/Muslim, ad infinitum. When it all comes down to it, we have more in common than not. We all need food, shelter, and love.
Elizabeth wrote on July 26, 2010
Love it!! Well written. You do a great job. Keep sharing your gifts!
Peace and Raw Health (no matter what %),
Elizabeth
Kelly Parr wrote on July 26, 2010
Excellent! This could preach!