Thanks for all the comments!

[Sunny van Vlijmen]

It was great reading all your comments. I realized that some must have gotten a 'wrong' impression since my blog post was incomplete yesterday; I didn't add all relevant information...

First of all, I have been following a healthy diet for at least 2 decades. My kids grew up vegetarian and have known about what is considered healthy and what not. We've always incorporated a lot of fresh veggies. Then we moved to the States 8 years ago, and my children got exposed to foods in their school cafeteria (as well as by their friends) that were highly processed. Just like someone who had deprived themselves from certain foods during a diet, they went after all those unhealthy foods and there was no stopping them, only waiting and hoping that they'd find their way back on their own. Unfortunately, I used to be quite fanatic  in regard to nutrition and diet when I was young. My son didn't get his first taste of sugar until he went to kindergarten. But - oh my gosh - after that, he'd even make play dates based on where he'd get the most candy! I knew that if I tried to 'control' it, I'd only lose. I had to let go. At least, he would get healthy and whole foods at home.

When I read that many husbands seem to be quite supportive of their 'trying to be raw' wives, I admittedly felt a twinge of envy. My husband not only doesn't support me, he literally and actively goes against me. He brings home sodas, cookies with hydrogenated fats, 'commercial' meats, etc... He always felt sorry for our kids because I didn't bring home the kind of foods he grew up with. Often, his breakfast consisted of slices of white bread spread with oleo and topped with a mountain of chocolate and sugar sprinkles, for example. THis is 'comfort food' to him. It's not that he wasn't taught about the 'danger' that lurks in such foods, he just doesn't believe it to be true and basically says he doesn't buy into the hype. And - I guess - he believes himself to be an exception...   I DO believe in mind over matter, who knows, maybe he's the one who will teach me a lesson in the end? 

My husband is very conservative, and he still believes that feeding the family, doing the laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping etc. is a woman's domain - even if she has a full-time job, on top of all the other daily chores and obligations. I have to admit, I've never seen so many households where men pitch in! It's simply not normal from where I come from! Consider yourselves blessed and ahead of Europe.... ;-)

It sounds as though I am complaining, which I wouldn't want to be taken that way - I'm just stating the facts.  It's all about personal choices and accepting other people's views and choices, no matter what they are. I understand that he's like an old dog....set in his ways.  I'm just saying that it would be nice if I had support. However,  it is MY choice to be mainly raw (It isn't my goal anymore to be 100% raw....and I've never felt good on a 100% vegan diet to begin with. I love my cooked eggs....), so I need to make it work for myself, somehow.

In regard to the fridge situation: I am also part of a local CSA, and that's what makes it so difficult. Of course I've thought about getting another fridge, however, our house is so small (we had to downsize quite a lot when we moved here and the house just barely accommodates us...) that I literally woulnd't know where to put a small fridge! On top of that, my husband is totally against it and finds it 'crazy' to even want another one. However, I like the idea of using a cooler  (which I could put on the deck!) for the first few days after I pick up my veggies from the CSA, until there's more space in the fridge again. Such a simple solution that I hadn't even thought about!  Thanks for the tip!

Boy, writing really takes a lot of time! Now I'll have to hurry....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Deborah Grissam]

Sounds like you are going to have to be a little sneaky!   

 

NOTHING.......................................... sometimes the right thing to say

Just say nothing to him and just do you battles  secretly!  He willslowly  begin to see that your food is amazing. 

[djd]

My children are grown but I remember the fine line between feeding them healthy and not pushing them over it.  It was hard for me to see my son putting sugar in his natural (plain) yogurt.  :-)

A person has to be willing to change, we cannot force, only encourage.  I am fortunate that my European (French) husband was willing to take on board some of my American feminist ideas.  But he wants his courgettes cooked.  :-))

[Sunny van Vlijmen]

Awesome - thanks, Susan!

[Susan : )]

A number of rosacea sufferers are turning to raw foods to treat their skin and are ecstatic with the results.  Your body may be retracing...click here for more info.  Also, your body is detoxing through your skin.  I would consider stopping by the Loo and check out this thread:  Hippocrates Health DVD Series Lecture 2: Internal Awareness

 

 

Raw food and skin

Raw food benefits your skin because:

• It’s fibre-rich:

A low-fibre diet (high in processed foods like white bread) can leave you constipated, encouraging waste to build up and be expelled via other portals of exit, such as the skin. Instead, fill up on raw fruit, veg, nuts and seeds – they can improve a sluggish digestive system by speeding up waste elimination.

• It’s high in H20:

Heaps of fruit and veg have a water content of up to 90%…So, having your daily 2 and 5 can help hydrate skin cells, potentially decreasing the skin-dryness common to rosacea.

• It’s alkaline:

There’s a theory that rosacea may be worsened by mild acidosis (when the body’s too acidic).

Many raw foods help your body achieve a more alkaline-state.

Did you know that ferments and citrus fruits are naturally acidic, but become alkaline when digested?

On the other hand, cooked or refined foods (like meat and soda) are alkaline, but turn acidic in the body.

• It’s cool in temperature:

Rosacea is triggered by blood-vessel-dilating stimulants, like foods and drinks served at high temperatures. Served chilled or at room temperature, raw food won’t inflame your skin like a hot hamburger will.

What about raw living foods for skin health?

Good gut health is linked to a decrease in inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea.

Full of beneficial bacteria, raw fermented food helps maintain desirable microflora in your digestive system when imbalances occur (due to bacteria-destroyers like antibiotics and refined sugar).

Also, raw ferments can replenish the body with B12; this is noteworthy because there’s a connection between a deficiency in this vitamin and rosacea outbreaks.

List of raw foods for your skin:

Apart from the obvious fresh fruit and veg, here are some other ideas:

• Freshly-squeezed fruit and vegetable juice (great for providing your insides with a nutrient-dense drink that’s also high in H20…beetroot, carrot and apple is a delicious combo)
• Raw, fermented foods like creamy, coconut kefir and sauerkraut (sour cabbage)
• Brazil nuts (along with their fibre-content, they’re rich in zinc, a natural anti-inflammatory)

[Dee]

Your not alone Sunny. My husband does not eat raw. I only have one fridge, I cram everything in for now.

[Kate Frances]

Gosh, I think your 'old dog' needs to learn some new tricks! ;)

You sound like you're handling a difficult scenario with great dignity and integrity. I'm sure your children will thank you for their healthy upbringing when they're older.

[Sunny van Vlijmen]

So true that. Because I've been on a primary raw food diet since about a year, with 3 months of 100% raw, they know how much better I feel (except for the weight gain, of course...). Oh, by the way, Susan, since you are a moderator and have vast knowledge about the raw food lifestyle, I have a question for you: Since eating mainly raw, I had some 'negative' effects as well. Unfortunately, instead of my skin looking better, I actually developed Rosacea (or should I better say that it became so apparent that I got 'diagnosed' with it?).  The dermatologist told me to stay away from avocados, tomatoes, and several other foods that actually promote better circulation. I don't want to deprive myself of these, as most of them are a staple in the raw food diet. I wondered if you ever heard of other raw foodists who had the same experience? I'm hoping that they also didn't cut out those foods and that the Rosacea simply got better over time....

[Susan : )]

You will be full of energy and glowing when they are worn out.... You are refreshing your body while they are not!  : )

[Sunny van Vlijmen]

Susan,

That's exactly my attitude. However, he not only buys it for himself...he also buys it for the kids. Still, I know that they have the right to choose what they eat, and since they have a tremendous knowledge in regard to nutrition, they are making informed decisions - even if they choose the processed foods. Just like you,  I am NOT like I used to be 20 years ago when I tried to reform everybody ;-). It goes against everything I stand for, now!

I believe in the freedom of choice - for EVERYONE.

[Susan : )]

When your husband brings home all the junk foods...remember, he is buying it for HIM.  This is his choice.  Allow him to be who he is.  Remember, you are changing your lifestyle, not his.  When I stopped trying to get everyone else to change...I could fully focus on myself.  And then CHANGE came with GREAT EASE and JOY!  I have applied this to all areas of my life, not just the raw food lifestyle!