Just wondering how you all handle the critics in your life. I've had people tell me "Just chill out and enjoy a cheeseburger" "You're too radical" "Get off your high-horse" "Not everyone has the same high ideals as you" and many other things. I'm not going around preaching the raw-food diet (though it wouldn't be a bad idea) I know people aren't receptive to it. I don't criticize others' food choices, why do people think it's OK to comment on/criticize mine? It's really bringing me down and making me feel like maybe I really *can't* do this after all. Maybe I should just shut up and enjoy that cheeseburger with everyone else, who cares if it makes me fat and unhealthy. Especially on Sundays I have a hard time. After church we always go out to eat with a group of people. Lately I've been avoiding church altogether just so I don't have to be forced to go out to eat and eat non-raw foods. I can occasionally eat out with friends and not feel guilty, but I'm not willing to go eat burritos every Sunday, know what I mean? SO how do you all do it? How do you still have friendships with people that don't eat like you? How do you handle social situations? HOw do you handle the criticisms? Sorry for the long post, I'm just really feeling down about this. :(
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i really don't have this problem, because i strive to surround myself with like-minded or positive, tolerant people.
when i can't, i change my surroundings.
when i can't do that, i only let my RAW lifestyle come into play in a situation, when necessary as subtle as possible. for example:
at the office potluck, i made a RAW apple cobbler. all of the traditional Southern ladies in the office loved it, and commented on how much it tastes like the 'real thing' which...inmyhonestopinion...isnt the real thing, haha.
at home, i make raw desserts and leave them around the house, and my roommates love eating them with me.
if out to dinner with people, i simply order a salad, or a fruit cup. (hold the cheese and egg and meat on the salad where applicable), and simply ask for oil and vinegar). no one thinks anything of it, usually. or if someone comments, i say, 'oh i wasn't feeling very hungry; i figured i'd go light'
i also leave out some of my RAW nuts and fruits and veggies, so that they have them accessible should they choose to incorporate more RAW in their life and diet.
in sum, i don't feel like my lifestyle has to be setup in such a way that its 'me or the rest of the world'
I think the best way to handle critics is to just be healthy and to radiate that health in general. I am 31 weeks pregnant (my first), vegan, and usually make 1-2 meals per day large-ish quantities of fresh fruit. I was a little nervous for my pre-natal appointment this morning because I had just had blood/urine analysis done during my last appointment. The results came back just fine--my midwife was especially happy about my glucose score--despite the numerous bananas, berries, pineapple and canteloupe I may eat in a day.
While I was with family over the holidays, I know that many of my relatives were skeptical of my "weird" diet, but how can they argue with a visibly healthy pregnant lady who has a very active fetus!? My mom kept commenting that I looked to be carrying a basketball under my shirts because I have not gained much extra weight anywhere else! My point is that being living evidence of a healthy lifestyle "working" is the best counterargument to present to anyone who is critical.