Russell James - Raw Food - Raw Food Diet
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17

Nov

2007

Are You Being Tested?

Saved in:-   General



You know the drill: You realise there’s more options out there, there’s a different way of doing things. You embark on a healthier lifestyle, you embrace the lifestyle, you even think it’s a great idea to tell all your friends; you can’t understand why everyone doesn’t know about raw food, “it’s like, the answer to everyone’s problems, man.” At work/college/home you start getting questions, and lots of them, followed by some very confused faces. The questions turn into a ritual dinner-time ridiculing, things start to get a bit uncomfortable. You find yourself compelled to start defending yourself, but you don’t; you just keep doing what you’re doing because you see the truth in it. You just know it’s right.
Like yourself, I’ve been the subject of some ridicule from other co-workers because of all the fruit and salad I bring with me everyday for lunch.
Sure, sometimes you may fall off the ‘wagon’ and get caught by the Food Police, to be told, “but you’re not allowed that, are you?”. But generally, you’re pretty ‘good’, people can’t help to notice that there might be something to this raw food thing. Then the questions start to change, they become a little more genuine, people seem intrigued by what you’re doing. Not in a patronising way, but in a respectful way. You may even start to get compliments. Imagine this: I’m standing in the queue for tea at where I used to work. I’ve just come back from a 1 week detox fast and I’m eating mainly raw foods. I’m queuing for some hot water for my peppermint tea, and I’m behind another manager I work with. This guy is a man’s man; he’s all about beer, women, football and the pub. He has a cigarette behind his ear, ready to light for his ‘fag break’ (I think the word ‘fag’ in this context may be an English colloquialism, so for the record, it means cigarette). So he turns to me, clutching my herbal tea bag and box of salad, looks me right in the eye and says, “your skin’s looking good, Russ”. It was the least most likely thing that guy was ever going to say, and I was amazed, if not very amused. So what happened? I have been inspired to write this blog post after a conversation with a new friend. My new friend had read, and commented on, my story and how he had experienced a similar scenario as I had, with his colleagues. I have to say he’s not the first to mention it either, so what’s going on?
A curious thing has happened, however, in that now many of them come up to me asking for dietary advice.
We’re tested everyday, no matter who we are and what we do. We’re tested by the Universe (or however that shows up for you) to see if we’re ready for the next phase, we’re tested by potential and current partners to see if we’re up to the job – to see if we’re ‘the one’. Hell, we even test others in this way too, c’mon…I know you do. When you make the change to a different lifestyle, you are setting an example, so you will be tested to see if you walk your talk. Yes, we know that everyone would benefit from eating at least a little more raw foods, and most people that hear you talk about it know this on some level. That’s why it causes so much interest, but people want to see that you believe in it first, before they take it on board properly. They want to see it’s not a fad, that it’s not a phase your going through. Raw food isn’t a phase, it’s a lifestyle. It’s not something you can un-learn when you know about it, even more so when you’ve experienced it – you can’t forget the energy, how much better you look and feel, how much more inspired, connected and loving you feel. That stuff’s with you for life.
My manager, in fact, comes up to me on a daily basis and asks if what he’s eating is alright. I try not to be too strict with him, but there have been a couple of times where I told him that what he was eating was atrociously bad, and he actually threw the entire thing out in the trash.
So when you walk your talk, when you’re non-judgemental (as much as you can be), and when you follow a path that people may not see the truth in (yet), you give them a gift. You give them the gift of example, and you make it easier for them to see the doorway, ultimately leaving it for them to decide whether they want to go through or not, because you can’t save someone who’s not yet ready to be saved – I’ve learnt this first-hand recently.
Kinda shocked me that my words could have such power, that another person would actually listen and believe the things I say.
You’re a pioneer, you’re maybe in the top 1% (that’s a generous estimate!) because you dare to be different. You’ve dared to ask questions of your own and you just won’t settle, you won’t settle for mediocre health, not for you or the people you love. That really is an amazing thing.
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  • http://www.therawfoodcoach.com Karen Knowler

    Wow Russ. Great post. You came over all inspired! : )

  • Debbie Took

    Hi Russell
    I reckon you are line for reward from ‘The Universe’ for this wonderful blog, which
    must have inspired a lot of your readers! It can sometimes be a bit wearing having to explain and sometimes ‘defend’ our choice to put good raw materials into our bodies. But I have found over time that simply being a living testimony to the raw diet softens any negative attitudes towards it, and people do then start to ask (positive) questions. As I’ve seen you in the flesh, Russell, I know you are an excellent living testimony! Someone I know kept saying how worried she was about my diet. After a few months of comments I did become a little exasperated, so said to her, ‘Look at my skin, my hair, my teeth and my eyes. Do I look unhealthy?!’ There were no more comments after that. As you stay, Russell, just sticking to the diet (so they know YOU believe in what you’re doing and it’s not just ‘one more diet’) and showing them that not only are you not wasting away but the very opposite is happening, will get people thinking, and in that way we can ‘be the change’! Very best wishes.

  • Pam

    Great Post, Russell! Anyone that does rawfood or any other special way of eating knows exactly how the feeling is that you wrote about.

    Thanks for sharing and making a whole lots of sense!

  • sue ure reid

    hi Russell- not only are you an artist and a great chef- but this post shows you are also a great writer. Good on you! love Sue.

  • Sarah

    Russel I also think it’s not a fad being rawvegan.I’ve been raw vegan for over a month and thought it wasn’t really hard but the problem is I’ve been craving bagels.Do you know a recipe that can look and taste like bagels?I don’t think anyone has came up with it yet but I think your smart enough to figure it out.It’s ok if you haven’t figured it out i’m just a curious 15 year old trying to see if rawvegan bagels are possible.

  • Sarah

    Sorry for giving you another request but Do you also know how to make rawvegan fries?I’ve been trying to make it but it’s hard when ever I dehydrate the potatoes it doesn’t look like fries anymore and doesn’t taste like it.

  • http://www.synergychef.com Richard Hemsley

    great looking sites!
    I am inspired continually by those who are radiating their joy. I have had this dram for several years and it is starting to take for as the network grows. Please` check out my little blog getting started reaching out to all live chefs who seek to be the difference.

    Talk to you soon! My telli is on the website.

    here is the blog!

    http://livechefcollaboration.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.synergychef.com Richard Hemsley

    FYI got REAL RAW Almonds? We are making a group co-op buy for OG’s low as $7/#. Also I have chipotle which I cold smoked and dried waiting to be ordered for rinding.

  • http://returntoeatingintuitively.blogspot.com Melissa

    That was very enjoyable to read. During my vegan years, it was ridiculous how co-workers steered all social conversations into what I was eating that day. Now that I’m raw vegan, my friends and family look at me with raised eyebrows, waiting to see how my health fares and if I lose the weight I need to lose. We raw foodies will forever be nutritional guinea pigs for those on the SAD diet, methinks. I don’t mind though, ’cause I’m feeling great.
    :-)

  • Charles

    I never did thank you for posting this, by the way. Great to see a blog dedicated to me. I’m glad my story proved inspirational to your readers.

  • http://anitrabear.etsy.com Anitra

    Great post! I am sure I will hit that wall soon. lol I love the Raw Food sweet treats. If I eat cooked cake now it seems to be tasteless to me. I am not sure why, but my thoughts are hmm I could have done with out that…

  • Helen

    My daughter has shoed me that there is a better healthier way of eating. Yes you can loose unwanted weight and be healthy and eat as much as you want of extra greens and fruit. I love it. Most of my cook books however are now pretty much useless.

  • kara_lamb

    I haven't really experienced too many challenges so far with eating raw. A lot of friends have shown interest and are very inquisitive, but my youngest son, Micah, who is 12 has been mocked and bullied when he has taken vegan lunches to his Young Marines unit here in San Diego. Surprisingly, it is his very overweight Commanding Officer who has been doing this for the past four months! We only just found out about it this weekend, and are addressing it. Your article was an inspiration to read! :)

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Thanks, Kara.

    It makes me sad to hear about the bullying, but I'm also so glad you are able to address this. Sounds like his Commanding Officer has some projection going on there.

    Good luck with it, love to you all and your son.

  • Traci

    I've been raw for under two months now, and my friends keep asking when I'm going to start adding cooked foods back into my diet. They think that because I have cured my health problems, I'm going to go back to the “Standard American Diet”. I am very patient in explaining that I feel great eating raw, and never want to go back to eating SAD. My best friend is an athlete and thinks that she needs her protein from meat. After reading your blog post, I have decided to stop trying to talk her into the fact that athletes can be rawbies. I'll just let her watch and learn from my example. It just kills me when she complains that she's training like crazy, and not losing weight. I shall bite my tongue.

  • Rene

    …well….as you say I had been questioned many times in my life first from my family who love to eat meat….and secondly in my work since I am vegetarian and vegan cook….
    …I have a short history about…..when I back to Chile….(from when I come from)…and I say to my dad I am vegetarian now….he laugh and joke on me saying I become a cow now…so next time he will have only grass for me on lunch….few month later he made a medical check and the doctor recommend him stop to eat meet….and eat more raw vegies….so he come to me ask him for nutritions advice…..there I laugh and I comment who its the cow now…. :-)….. anyway only the not informations make the people follow pattern of behave, I believe many of us are been trap on fear for something new….when decide to cross that fear we see how easy was…..
    …Bless….

  • Ibelieveinjesus

    Thank you SO much for your site and all the recipes/help/info on it. Your help is such a gift, and I just want to thank you. I am so new at raw food and want very much to make it stick, and it's people like you and your site and their sites that are such a help and encouragement. I have bought books, but seeing videos and hearing others' comments and problems and answers are all part of what makes a difference between sticking this or not. Thank you!!!

  • Kimberly

    Hello Russell and thank you for sending me this blog. I have a husband & two teenage boys and since beginning a raw food journey our entire family has increased their consumption of fruits and veggies. I don't know if I can ever “win them over” in this direction, but planting that seed and setting a good example is the most responsible and loving thing I can do for their health. Thank you for being such a good example for me!

  • http://www.easyconsciousliving.com Barbara

    Hi there Russel, daring to be different takes courage and perseverance. I live in Cyprus where the majority of people here are big meat eaters. When I first decided to become vegetarian 12 years ago I was made fun of… the usual “rabbit food” comments. When I switched to a high raw food diet …. it was more like “What do you eat ? ” inquisitive comments.

    I suppose it's just taking it with a pinch of salt, a smile and keep on doing what works for you.

  • http://twitter.com/ElsitaMora Elsa Mora

    Hola Russell.
    I started eating raw just a few weeks ago and I have been tested everyday… I am 100% convinced that what I am doing is right and good for me, but the problem is the pressure from other people. The pressure is subtle sometimes and obvious other times. I haven't been perfect in these few weeks but I already see the benefits of my new way of eating. My biggest challenge is just becoming strong in what I am doing and being able to overcome the obstacles that life puts in front of me. I am happy that I discovered the power of raw food and I am going to keep getting better at maintaining this lifestyle.
    (I forgot to say that what inspired me to change the way I eat was my oldest brother. He is 48 and suffering from an advanced type of cancer. It has been so scary seeing what a bad nutrition can do to your health)
    Thank you for this post and thank you for being an inspiration.
    Elsita :)

  • Kate

    Oh gosh this post is making me feel good. I was having a really bad day today, and this helped. I made some sprouted oatmeal for breakfast (which didn't sit well with me as I usually eat fruit) then I did something weird. I ate a McDonald's cheeseburger. This isn't normal behavior for me anymore and I still like almost all my old favorites…. but normally I don't choose them any more. And today… well today I felt kind of ill after eating that. Then I went home and cried because emotionally I was all over the map. Then the wonderful raw nachos I was looking forward to for dinner, complete with raw sour cream and some sort of cheesy sauce with sundried tomatoes in it totally didn't come out as I thought they would. So in a nutshell, it was a bad food day for me. And all the foods were really heavy or dense or solid or made of nuts with very little real fresh produce going on. I bought a fresh pineapple to start the day anew tomorrow.

    Anyway, everyone got to see me sitting there munching on my nachos while they plotted over spaghetti and french bread. Most everyone tried them. A few even liked the chips. They also got to see the inside of a young coconut, which, thanks to you, I learned to open more or less. So today was a huge learning day for me, and having you point out that that is brave, venturing, non settling behavior somehow makes all the trials and errors a lot easier to handle.

  • Karen Hammer

    Its true, sometimes without trying to talk or convince people is when I've made a big impact they just saw me losing weight, changing, happier… and researched it or learned or asked questions and decieded its the right thing to do for them to improve their health Karen

  • Bev

    I knew we needed to start eating more fruits and veggies, I just didn't realize I would be transitioning to raw until it happened. I've still a long way to go until I am totally raw, but my husband and son have commented on how their digestion is doing better with the changes I have made. They both say, “Go for it.” I've gotten as far as raw fruit until lunch for a couple of months now. Now I'm going for raw at lunch. I can tell my mindset is changing. We went to a cookout and after I filled my plate, I noticed it was all raw, without even giving it any thought. I had looked at the sausages and hamburgers with a passing glance and thought they just didn't look appetizing. My kefir grains should arrive in the mail today and my dehydrator on Friday. I look forward to availing myself of your expertise!

  • Rawangel

    Transitioning to vegan-raw since Feb. of 2010 and definitely know this is the way to live for quality of life. Testing is the way to grow and to help me realize this is the way to have a healthy life. I live in south Louisiana and the food is….well, cooked, for a long time. I still have cravings for gumbo and fried shrimp. I met a couple last evening and shared a little about living the raw lifestyle. They said when we had time they would like to hear more. One hour later, at a restaurant, with my husband and daughter, they walk in and I am eating gumbo! I failed that test miserably. I felt bad all night and once more I will get back on my feet and move on to my 100% raw lifestyle. So yes, I realize I will continue to be tested but even when I fail, more test will come. I do pass more than I fail! Thanks for being there with your great site and sharing all of your raw knowledge with us.

  • Kerryn

    This is so true! I have found my housemate asks me all the time if what she is eating is ok, (usually not, but im not too harsh) and my friends are really open to discussing what i eat. Its just some of my family members that are, unfortunately, still in the ridiculing stage…

  • Woodhousemill

    I can totally relate! I began a raw food lifestyle about 4 months ago because of chronic illness. Since then I've lost 35lbs and feel healthy and more energetic than ever. At first my friends and family thought I was crazy. Now they come up to me and comment on my weight loss, or how great my skin looks etc. They ask me to show them how they can start on a raw food diet. It kind of shocks me that people are coming to me for advice on this kind of thing and, being so new at this myself, not completely confident. However, I have definitely discovered my passion in life which I plan to pursue with everything I have.