Raw Food Rant
I read once that Mother Theresa was invited to an “Anti War Rally”. She refused. When asked to attend a “Peace Rally”, she gladly accepted. Seems like the same thing but one has negativity (anti-war) built into it, the other positivity. With that in mind, I want to comment on what I see as a tremendous amount of negativity and judgement in the “raw food world” but I am going to try to do it in a positive way.
It seems that everyone has their own idea of how you should eat. One “expert” says you should eat 12 avocados a day and no fruit. Another promotes eating bananas. Lots of bananas. Some say no fruit, others no grains. And the saddest thing is if you don’t do it exactly the way they say, somehow you are not doing it correctly. There is a lot of judgement and blame going on there. We already judge ourself harshly enough. Do we really need some else declaring us a failure if we don’t follow their dictates? So many of us (I include myself in that) already have a messed up relationship with food. Do we need to punish ourselves even more if we “fall off the wagon”?
It has always been my belief, here at Rawmazing that everyone is welcome, no matter where you are on your raw food journey. If something you read here or see here inspires you to add just one healthy thing to your diet, I am happy. I love raw food. I believe in raw food. I also believe in sanity and support. You will find both here.
At Rawmazing:
1. Everyone is welome, no matter where you are in your food journey.
2. You will not be judged. Even if you are eating 5 steaks a day. All you need here is a desire to learn about eating healthier and incorporating more raw foods (and less processed foods) into your diet.
3. You do not have to be 100% raw to receiving benefits from adding raw foods into your diet (but you really should try it sometime.)
4. We understand that everyone is at a different place on their raw food journey.
5. We don’t believe in terms like “falling off the wagon”. Implies failure.
6. We believe that food is an important part of life first, nutritionally but also sensory, culturally and simply for enjoyment!
7. No one has all of the answers. You need to figure out what works for you.
Have a wonderful Monday!
Renee wrote on March 28, 2011
I love your positivity! I completely agree that we need to accept each others food choices and offer encouragement and not preach at each other. We all have different nutritional needs based on our bodies and our environment. Living in a northern community like you I know that 100% raw is just not possible for me. Eating all organic is also not an option because we just don’t have enough of it here.
People on the S.A.D don’t spend nearly the same amount of time arguing about food choices as many in the raw and vegan communities do. A raw or vegan diet is much healthier and shouldn’t cause people within the community to disagree so intensely when they still have so much in common. I hope at one point we can all come together. Thanks Susan for working towards that!
Stephanie wrote on March 28, 2011
AMEN!! Thank you, Susan. : ) One of the most difficult things I encounter with transitioning to raw is the terrible guilt I feel when having an “off day.” But really, life is a journey and so is every aspect of it. Thank you for your encouragement along the way!
ivy wrote on March 28, 2011
No wonder we all stick to your site! ☺
Thanks Susan ☼
Cindy wrote on March 28, 2011
Thank you for this post! I love the information and recipes you post; one of the reasons I enjoy this site is because it does not have a “thou must” attitude. I want to include more raw items in my ever-changing diet, but I am not interested in going 100% raw all the time. So, I really appreciate that you provide the information and allow me to decide what works for me. Thanks again for an amazing blog and keep up the great work!
Barbara wrote on March 28, 2011
Thank you…this has been a more than 2 year journey for me. Sometimes I eat 100% raw and then others it’s more like 75-85%. I really prefer a raw lifestyle. I certainly feel much better raw. It’s also a social and humane issue of animals for me. My goal is to one day be 90% raw.
Thank you for all of the wonderful recipes and good solid information.
Debra wrote on March 28, 2011
I once heard Dr McDougall say “This isn’t a all or nothing diet. The more you eat this way the better you will feel.” I have taken that approach with my clients. I say it isn’t about what you take away from your diet it is what you add to your diet that counts. Add a green smoothie, add another salad, eat more fresh fruits and veggies. The more they eat this way the better they will feel and the more they will want to eat this way.
Great post!
Blessings, Debra
Raw Vegan Diet
Jacqueline F. Graham wrote on March 28, 2011
What a beautiful mind. *smile* Your sense of moderation and positive thinking are the very reasons why I feel comfortable here.
(((((Many blessings))))))
~Jacqui
radioactivegan wrote on March 28, 2011
Does someone really say you should eat 12 avocados a day? I can’t even imagine … I love your approach. I’m not raw by any stretch, but I feel like you give out great advice for people just looking for a new way to eat some raw foods without making me feel bad about eating cooked food too. Thanks for being so open!
Serenity wrote on March 28, 2011
And let the church say….. A—–Men!