Bit of a rant & moreeee...

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Comment by svelte_in_la on August 8, 2009 at 1:29am

Ignore it. They'll get over it eventually. Just keep your grades up and don't do drugs or screw a bunch of guys. That's mostly what parents are concerned about.

Comment by Bethany on August 7, 2009 at 10:15pm

I understand where you are coming from... Honestly, the best thing you can do for your own sanity and for peace with your family is to ignore their comments and keep doing what you're doing. I know it's really hard. My sister and brother in law especially have given me a brutal time about my diet (although, in my case, they don't stop there. Religion. Politics. The environment... they love to start arguments and get me all worked up).
The best thing you can do is take a deep breath. Acknowledge to yourself that their comment was alienating or hurtful. Keep making your delicious raw food. And then love them anyways. Family is family and for better or for worse they will always be there.

One thing that has really helped with my relationship with my sister is strongly defining who I am in areas outside of raw food. Raw food, veganism and environmentalism are all huge pieces of who I am, but it isn't who I am.
My sister assumed that because now that I am a raw foodie-vegan-environmental enthusiast that I have had a brain transplant.
I was visiting her condo a few weeks ago and we were talking about how I am going to decorate my apartment when I move out. I was mentioning how I like to mix modern and retro styles. She stopped me midsentence and said, "Bethany, you are a hippie now. Everything has to be made out of stone, clay or wood. You want everything to be earthy." I was like... hold on a minute. True, I am a raw food vegan feminist environmental girl.... but does that really define how I decorate? Does that really dictate my personal preferences?

We both realized at that moment that she had put me in a teeny tiny eco-friendly box. It was a short, blunt conversation but everything has been different since I clarified that I am more then just what I eat and how I throw out my trash. Her teasing is more playful (instead of insulting) and we have been getting along so much better.

I would recommend subtley expressing who you are oustide of raw food when around your family. Subtley remind them that you are the same daughter or sister that they know and love. Hopefully, they will overlook (or maybe even appreciate) how you eat at some point down the road. Until then, Hang in there!

Comment by CheL on August 7, 2009 at 9:32pm

they'll come around eventually,or at least realize that you're happy and healthy doing what you're doing...it makes too much sense :)