Hello to one and all. I have had a bit of difficulty pursuing a career in raw/living foods and am seeking your advice.
For the second time in my career, I have been told that I am not allowed to teach raw/living foods any longer, because it presents a conflict of interest for my employer. (I am referring to a couple of different health food stores. Usually this directive is spoken by the owner or manager). True, they sell meat, milk, canned goods, etc. there and I am a very staunch advocate of raw/living diet. And that is bound to pose a problem.
I have never hid my true agenda. My resume states my background quite clearly. They know what they are getting when the get me. I start out gently, and teach my way through quite thoroughly. I am always respectful and hard working, taking on every task imaginable, from sweeping floors to sacking groceries. I am never regretful of what I teach, or how I teach it, just dismayed by its reception.
I would really like to get out of retail altogether. It’s simply a bad fit for me. I would love to get into clinical practice, but fear the same/similar reception. Would I be able to support myself? I guess I’ve just trusted that steady paycheck more than I trust myself.
In my area, raw/living foods is not well known. There is no demand here for this knowledge. I must create the demand by introducing the idea, myself. As a result, I have become accustomed to teaching to a “hostile” audience; proving, convincing, etc. After 5 years of this, I don’t even know how to teach a “friendly” crowd! Could I even do it?
To be honest with you, I hate conflict. I would much rather not work in a strife-filled workplace. I am truly ready for a change. I’m ready for peace. I’m ready to work with and for people who embrace raw veganism.
I’ve written all the raw spas and retreats that I am aware of and have been told that they are not looking for any new raw teachers. What next?
Comments
(oops! probably ought to have mentioned that I am very naturopathic, and do not prescribe drugs, perform surgeries, etc. I deal in raw, fruitarian style diet, herbal remedies, some homeopathy, and the like.)
Thank you, Zoe. While you are certainly to be congratulated on your success in prepared raw foods, I really am not much of a chef. I’m more like a teacher. (anatomy, biochemistry, biology, physiology, etc.) My niche is a little, well, weird.
I will happily check out your website, however.
Thanks to all of your for your responses.
Actually, Chris, a raw healing center is EXACTLY what I am looking for. I would love to be a teammember on something like that. That is my dream! I will follow your prosperity link to see what that turns up.
As for what I, personally, eat, I am the lamest raw foodist in the world! I have several pieces of fruit or a smoothie for breakfast, green salads for lunch and dinner, and snack on fruit if I get hungry in between. Like most “doctors,” I’m not very good at practicing what I preach! Be glad that the naturopaths are NOT the chefs within the raw community! LOL!!! I know the patients are! Ha!
Brenilou, you sound very familiar with my area…are you from Oklahoma?
I am familiar with HAcres, but also disagree with consuming grains (I just don’t think they are anatomically appropriate foods for humans, who lack grain-processing organs, like a crop, and a gizzard.)
I am insecure about my comfort level regarding working at some of the clinics that have strict religious expectations. I am very commited to my personal faith, and really don’t want to feel pressured to change to someone else’s. That’s why Tree of Life was a no-go for me, and the Seventh-Day Adventist’s would be, too. I really need to be able to practice my own beliefs.
That being said, I do believe this is do-able. I am sensing a release, a freedom, inside me about this new adventure. It’s coming. I know it is.
Please keep the ideas coming. One of them is bound to be the right fit.