Raw 101 - Finding Support with Raw & Living Foods

So... You've decided to go raw? You're jumping into living foods, head first? Congratulations!!!

Before going further, I'd like to suggest some *raw* food for thought (pardon the pun) that will make the transition that much easier for you. You'll see, you won't regret taking the time to think about these things before finding yourself in the heat of the action!!! 

Whenever we undertake a major shift in our lives, we have this notion that everyone else will follow along. Well, we know deep down, that's just not the way it goes. Each of us follows his (or her) own path. Choice is an integral part of life. And we must assume the consequences of OUR choices, not of that of others. This being said, you will no doubt encounter situations that are far from pleasant, as you transition to raw and living foods. The rolling of the eyes. The question avalanche. The emotional blackmail. And others... Who would torture you in this manner? Your worse enemy? You wish! Your parents, your friends, your co-workers, your kids, your life-partner... The intentions underlying such behaviours are mostly well intentioned, but can prove desastrous in the end. Unless... you are equiped with just the right tools to face such situations!

SUPPORT

There is a lot to say about support. Most importantly, no matter where it comes from, it must provide you with positive tools, even proactive tools, to be able to better face life during your transition to raw and living foods. Once living foods are an integral part of your lifestyle, people will see the positive results you are achieving by themselves and will be less inclined to want to have you change your mind. The only ones that will persist will be those pig-headed people... The ones nobody can ever satisfy. And to those, you just smile, pretend you don't really understand what they are talking about, and go on your merry way. Just like that. Why waste your precious energy debating useless and impossible to win wars? Any parent will tell you: one must learn to chose his battles.

An obvious source of support resides in seeking out learning opportunities. In our case, there is nothing like seeing a person grab three or four vegetables, a sprig of herb, three spices and a tall glass of water, and conjure up a sublime soup, to convince us that we really want to be doing the live food thing. And that we want to keep on doing it!!! You will find in these classes other people, just like yourself, that will appreciate the support you can bring, by sharing your life experience with raw and living foods, by exchanging feelings and thoughts too. Certain people have a knack to make any ackward situation seem hilarious, easily solved and so positive! 

There are, of course, the great classics of raw and living foods education: the Hippocrates Health Institute (Florida), the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute (California), and the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center (Arizona). We all wish we had the luxury of going to such places. A few of these offer from time to time, seminars that you can attend online. These public or private conferences (then you have to pay to participate), bring forth some very useful and quality information, at the leading edge of the living foods lifestyle movement.

If you can't make it to one of those respected centers, there could be, in your little corner of the world, some groups that do give workshops of a few hours or a day in length. Generally, these are rather fun events, when one learns in a most pleasant environment. .

You could also find support in other places, although it will not be so "formal". I am thinking of the Raw Spirit Festival or the Simply Raw Festival, for example. There is also Raw in Montréal that offers potluck suppers and movie nights. You only have to do a little research to find such events. Then, all that is required, is a friendly handshake, a welcoming smile, an attentive ear, a bit of spunk and a good dose of respect for others and there you go! You will have more support than you thought possible!

And that's not all. Next week, I will discuss another aspect of support while transitioning to raw and living foods that deserves your full attention.

Until then, go... Socialize with other people passionately transitioning to raw and living foods! And come back to let us know what you find, so we can share all our experiences and findings with others. I will be waiting!