One of the number one questions I get in my email:”Is eating out healthy possible and can I still remain social?” Jodi, a friend here at Raw Food Inspiration.com posted this question: My husband and I are part of a social dinner for 8. We all get together every 3 months for a gourmet dinner for 8 at one of the 4 couples homes. It would be uncomfortable to tell the other 3 couples that we are now only eating veggies, fruits, nuts ,and seeds. Do you ever go off for just a few meals now and then? Our dinner parties are important to us and it is only 4 times a year. So I am finally decided that it was time for a bit of Fresh Inspiration on the subject of eating out healthy, socially and deliciously.
I suppose it can be difficult to be different, especially if this is something you are fairly new to in one or more areas of your life. I have always been different on just about every subject and I believe I am just use to the “talk” around and about what Darlene is doing now. Being on the leading edge and an innovator can be risky but it is also more exciting, adventurous and worth it.
Eating a 100% or high raw food diet is a fairly new concept to most of us, as crazy as this sounds, especially in countries where fast food restaurants, dining out and processed foods are so readily available. Today I can’t believe how much the idea of a raw food diet has grown over the past 15 years. It is so awesome that you have decided to be a part of this leading edge experience of health but now you maybe a bit uncomfortable when you are the only one within the circle of your current friends and family who is eating different from the rest of the group.
Each culture is centered around core values, belief systems, music, connection, common interests and FOOD. When we diverge from the one of the major center pieces of our cultural, especially as big as food is, it can feel so uncomfortable in the beginning. But take heart my friend all is not lost, just because you have decided to take on an “extreme” path to health in no way does this mean you need to give up all your current friends, family and fun. You are the leader! You are the one that will inspire the rest and the majority may follow you eventually. They will be so speechless when they see how amazing you look and feel from your new lifestyle change.
10 Eating Out Healthy Tips
(Eating Out Healthy Picture: Couple eating salad by Ambro)
There are no rules to eating except the ones you place upon yourself so how you do raw food can be different from how I or anybody else does it. I will however give you a few tips…
- While your educating yourself on raw food lifestyle, inspire those friends and family in your life with fun, casual tips and inspiration about what you are learning. Keep this personal as to not offend them or give them the impression you are trying to get them to eat this way too. More ideas on how to approach your friends and family CLICK HERE
- Remind yourself that your friends and family like you for other reasons beyond what and how you eat. Of course if you start eating with your feet, they may get a bit distant. lol
- Remind yourself that your friends and family like you for other reasons beyond what and how you eat. Of course if you start eating with your feet, they may get a bit distant. lol
- When going out of your home keep fresh foods with you. This will keep you eating out healthy no matter where you go and what you are doing.
- Once you have created enough really awesome raw food dishes you feel comfortable sharing, have your friends and family over for a special, elegant dinner. I like to make it feel like a 5 star restaurant. Let them know you would like to practice your new food preparation skills and ask them if they wouldn’t mind supporting you by joining you for a delicious dinner. Most generally when people as asked and invited to support you they usually accept because they love you.
- When eating out healthy, if this is your goal, do some research as to the restaurants that will offer you a fresh experience. When I go out I look over the menu and write down all the fresh ingredients on the menu. Then I ask them if they can make me a fresh salad made with these fresh, uncooked, raw fruits and vegetables. Sometimes I get a beautiful salad with beautifully chopped fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes the chef or manager comes out and creates me something so creative and amazing. And of course there are the times when I just get a bunch of chunky vegetables on a plate. I always love to bring my own dressing or avocado and orange if I can. Mexican restaurants that make their own fresh guacamole and salsa are my favorites because I can use them as my dressing.
- Remember you can eat whatever you want when you want! People are constantly saying to me, “Oh you can’t have this or can you have that?” I let them know I can have what I want AND I choose not to eat those foods because I love the way I feel when I choose only fresh foods. Jodi, if you want to enjoy your 4 times a year dinner bash do so. You will know if that will work for you or not. When you’re eating so healthy and then go off and eat foods your body is no longer use to, it will let you know how that worked for it.
- Create new connections to support you as well. You can join a Meetup.com group, create a raw food group of your own by advertising it at your local health food store(s), join an on line raw food community (I love www.30 bananas A Day.com), and anything else you can think to connect with others who are or have changed their diet too.
- As long as you don’t pressure anyone else with your new lifestyle changes, give love, ask for support and remain respectful of others choices, your family and friends will still be your family and friends and you can all be a healthy happy family still!
- Eating out healthy can be an adventure with the right attitude. Imagine the possibilities of new delicious tastes and ideas you can come up with to support you on your treasure hunt of finding the places and people who will add to your life!
I hope this has supported you on the path towards greater awareness, health and fun on your raw food journey. Please feel free to ask me any further questions you may have concerning eating out healthy and remaining social butterfly!
Big heart hugs lots of love and inspiration! LIKE my fan page and Eating Out Healthy page if you do!
Darlene xx