The Importance of Raw Food Community

Making a change, any change, in your life can be hard. We are comfort seeking creatures of habit and often times, the longer we have held the same habit, the same pattern of thought, and the same routine, it is even tougher to change our old ways.  Changing eating patterns is no small task

Food is comfort, food is nurturing, food is tied to family, friends, and cultural traditions that are so ingrained in our sense of self, that to change our way of eating can often lead us into an identity crisis. If you have ever been to another country, you can surely understand the intertwining of food and culture. Some of my happiest memories growing up were sitting at a table full of friends, family, and a home cooked meal.

I have seen many people not understand the gravity of their decision to change their diet. It can feel as if they’ve been cast away to a desolate island, full of mango trees and coconut palms, but void of the company of their normal social routine. All of sudden, going out to eat becomes a booby trap, going out to a bar for a night of drinking no longer seems fun, and everyone around them is questioning them about a lifestyle that they are still unsure about. Sound familiar?

The good news is that eventually you will learn to dance between your two worlds without loosing your friends or your mind. And I promise that your friends will get used it; you might meet them in the middle sometimes; and eventually your new lifestyle will feel as comfortable as your old. (but better because you’re not sick anymore.) You’ll become full of energy and have a newfound zest for life, and anyone who loves you, will notice and be happy for you.

Until you get to that place of ease and grace, there is raw community for support. By raw community, I mean any raw food related event in your local area including: raw food potlucks, festivals, lectures, classes, parties  . . . If there are none in your area, then there are online message boards, online groups, e-mail lists, raw food telephone coaching. . . I would say that 75% of my clients who call for a coaching session just want to talk to someone doesn’t think they are crazy!

I organize a monthly raw food potluck and I am witness to the magic that happens each night. People leave energized with huge smiles on their faces. They thank me over and over again, when it is they who make the event special.  Attendees make connections, get a tidbit of information that they needed, get a boost of motivation, some extra confidence, but most importantly, they are surrounded by people who are making positive changes in their lives. Suddenly, they are no longer alone.

I have been organizing raw food potlucks for awhile and I never fully understood why more people didn’t come each night. What I realized after talking to people, is that most are afraid of being judged. Maybe they are “not all raw”, they have a skin problem or weight issue and they are embarrassed to show up, they still eat meat and are afraid that other’s will attack them, or some other similar fear. I can relate to their fears. I used to be afraid of going to the gym because I didn’t want to look out of shape.  When I finally got the courage to go, I realized that everyone was so concerned with themselves that no one paid any attention to me.

The truth is, that no one is perfect and, like I mentioned earlier, making any change in your life is really hard. We all need each other. We need support, laughter, friendship, and validation. We are not making positive changes in our lives to be perfect, we are doing it because we want to live, we want to be happy, we want to feel good, and, for most of us, feeling good is super connected to what we eat.

All types of people come to raw food events, all shapes, all sizes, newcomers, old pros, the curious, and the know it alls:) Raw food is for everyone, no matter what percentage of raw in your diet, there is no denying that fresh organic raw fruits and vegetables can benefit almost everyone at any age. So check your fears at the door and come explore the wonderful world that is raw foods. It can change your life or at the very least make it a little better, a little healthier. Believe me, no one is judging you except for maybe yourself.

Most of us that organize raw food events work long hours for little pay and little recognition. But we do it because every once in awhile someone will send us a testimonial how something we did helped them to get the information they needed to feel better; perhaps we have a miracle healing testimonial with raw foods, and we feel that it is our duty to spread the word; or maybe we had a raw food mentor or teacher that really inspired us and we are paying it forward. But even if we organize the most amazing raw food event in the world, it is nothing without the participants.

So go ahead attend that raw potluck in the next town over! Drive a little more than usual for that raw food speaker who is touring in a nearby city! Sign up for that raw food festival you’ve always wanted to go to! I bet you’ll get just the information, support, and inspiration that you need. You can thank me later:)

♥,
C

Question of Day:
Do you attend raw food events? What has been your experience?