The Raw ... The Vegan ... The Vegetarian

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Permalink Reply by Randomguru on December 13, 2007 at 5:20pm

You've raised some interesting points. And it's worth further consideration to truly identify what one's lifestyle actually is...

I consider my(self) to be a raw vegan. I started out vegetarian, then found out I had high blood pressure, which prompted me to do research on how to lower my BP naturally. And found out that cholesterol comes from animal products. I became vegan. And then I discovered the benefits of going raw, and thus ended up a "raw vegan". I'm sure that if I said I was a "raw foodist" I might very well be eating foods that are strictly raw, but not necessarily vegan, like raw milk or salmon sashimi.

But for being "raw vegan", I don't feel it's a label, rather than a title for a certain lifestyle... :o)

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Permalink Reply by Alkalize on December 13, 2007 at 5:37pm

I am not fully there yet, but I am slowly moving to Raw Vegan lifestyle. Still finishing some cooked vegan food in the fridge :)

Cooked vegan meals just don't feel right anymore. Still taste pretty good though :)

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 13, 2007 at 10:45pm

My timeline looked like this:

Spring 2001 - gave up milk

Early 2002 - incorporated enzymes with meals - consumed 50% raw food

September 2003 - consumed 75% raw food

November 2004 - gave up all meat except fish

January 2006 - gave up cooked food. Used enzyme supplements sparingly

Giving up meat showed me the largest difference, health wise. Giving up cooked food showed me the largest difference energy wise. Raw fish, raw cheese, and raw honey are still a part of my diet. The cheese is the only item that gives me issues every once in a while. I have not had raw cheese since July, and it may not make an appearance back.

For many, this seems to be a process. The process, also, is not shared in the same light by everyone involved, as it was only within the past few years that consumption of meat no longer sat well with my new path. This may not satiate the militants, but I honestly care very little for that aspect anyway.

Thanks for the response on this one.

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Permalink Reply by Maryellen on December 13, 2007 at 6:03pm

I eat a cruelity free diet. People are always going to be confused by labels as many view these lifestyle choices as a swinging door-sometimes your fully devoted and sometimes you will have a turkey leg (like on Thanksgiving). I stay consistent in my choices and people just start to get my lifestyle. To quickly summarize my choice I use one of two terms : "raw-food Vegan" or "living foodist." I also use these terms so as to explain my refusal to eat certain food items (refusal to eat often confused as an eating disorder) and to establish food boundaries. However I feel that if I walk the path of raw foodism people will need very little explanation.

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 13, 2007 at 10:50pm

Yes, "living foodist" is another one I like, and explaining that to people tends to take the "wincing" out of their routine if they instead first heard "raw foodist" (not that it matters to me)

I have also heard stories about people getting an earful from so many cooked foodists out there that the raw-friends I have are reluctant to even bring it up in conversation. Me? I could care less ... I actually thrive on times when people like to challenge me for my food choices. Overwhelmingly, people are curious and respective ... but eeeeeeeevry once in while you find one who displays such inherent rudeness, that it only becomes such fun to pick their reasoning apart (slice to the left, slice to the right .. none to retaliate, none will fight!)

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Permalink Reply by tanawana on December 13, 2007 at 8:18pm

Throw "Fruitarian" in there to help muddy the waters too :O)

Seems this definition gets alot of flexibilty these days.

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 13, 2007 at 10:52pm

I eat mostly fruit anyway as it makes my life just so much simpler. As for identifying with it? Well, those are corners I just do not like to put myself into. "Defining" who I am by what I eat can be dangerous because I can also be "undefined" by it as well.

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Permalink Reply by Ian on December 14, 2007 at 1:56am

... or pianist, environmentalist, bassist, Marxist, economist, individualist, activist. At times, language gets hijacked by politics, sadly.

The suffixes of "er" and "ist" mean the same thing - "that which" or "one which". The preferences lie with the individualist, or if it just sounds better. Racer, sexer, pianer, Marxer, or fascer would be in completely different realms without the "ist".

No matter how hard we try, the labels still cannot get shaken from our psyche :-)

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Permalink Reply by Joy on February 26, 2008 at 9:28pm

Don't forget extremist.

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Permalink Reply by onelove.amyruth on May 5, 2008 at 4:54pm

joy,
simple and i love it!
a.ruth

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Permalink Reply by ~~Melissa on December 14, 2007 at 8:14am

Keep your friends close and your personal labels closer! LOL. I avoid using any of these labels outside my home because I get so tired of the same conversations that come up with those astounded that one could eat differently than the mainstream and live to tell.

With people who understand making food choices for better health, I find the labels helpful, because, for the most part, there's a mutual understanding that the labels are simply markers on the map, not strict rules.

I actually had a significant breakthrough in my own quest to figure out how I want to live and eat recently because of the labels. I had been vegan years ago. In those days I don't recall the 'cooked' versus 'raw' distinction being made. (Insert, a stray from veganism and ten years of health crises and confused eating here.) Then in November of this year I came across a website with the words RAW VEGAN in big letters, and I knew I had found what I was looking for. I immediately grasped that I could take the raw aspects of my old vegan ways, let go of the cooking, and move toward good health and my natural body weight. As I read those two lovely words, I said outloud to myself: I've found it.

Helpful and annoying, those labels are!

~~Melissa
I write about my transition to raw and consequent weight loss here
http://returntoeatingintuitively.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Maureen Veto-Slater on December 14, 2007 at 9:29am

I'm glad you brought this up. I do not like narrow labels for many reasons but I'll talk about two. The first reason is because some people develop a sanctimonious attitude that just.....turns me off. Period. And as soon as "they" impose their label or moral compass upon you.... they automatically commit themselves to living by a higher standard in their own house? And that brings me to the next reason. The fact that once the first group does this....It's a shame for them that the rest of us can see through their windows. And of course then we talk about it. So it really serves no one. How about a plant-based diet? Even though I organize a raw food meetup, I still like to say plant-based. Or....it depends upon my mood or who I'm talking to. Labels are just that....labels. I would prefer to embrace diversity. That is the tone that I like to set for my group. Also, I say it's not a religion and I believe that stress also does harm to the body. Why bother? Plant-based is a quick answer and removes the knee-jerk backlash often found in our society today. If they're sincere in wanting to know about your diet.....you'll know it and share more than a label. If their asking.....just to trap you into a narrow definition.....try "plant-based. NEXT!" No time for that nonsense. One usually knows the difference. But that's just my two cents. Thanks for posting the question!

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