Corrupting my family

I’ve got a fiancee who lives with me… he used to live on meat, dairy, and pasta, but has gotten a lot better since I met him. We got him to mostly give up dairy since we found out he’s allergic, he’s down to meat about once a week since I freaked him out about hormones (BGH and such), and he does like to eat salads now since I make big fancy ones. I’m trying to up the percentage of raw in his diet without him noticing (and hopefully with him enjoying it!). Like, these days, I put a salad and a banana in his lunch, along with the sandwich and piece of cake. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? I basically make him breakfast and dinner every day, and pack his lunch, too, so I’ve got lots of opportunities! He’s not too open minded about fancy faux-meat or faux-cooked-food recipes I make, I think because they’re cold things imitating hot things. Does anyone have any experience pleasing (very) picky meat-and-potatoes types with raw food?

Comments

  • MarichiesaMarichiesa Raw Newbie

    You know that is a tough one. My experience has just been not to force the issue. I continue to make the occasional flesh dish for my family but I am slowly decreasing the portion size while increasing the raw food portion of the meal. That way if someone is still hungry there is still plenty of GOOD stuff to eat. Plus they see how much I am enjoying my meals and they can’t help but be intrigued. Baby Steps!

  • germin8germin8 Raw Master

    Well, I don’t have experience trying to please meat-and-potatoe types… but I can make a recommendation. In the big salads you make… you can try making a nut dressing (like cucumbers, sunflowers, lemon, and spices blended up). Hopefully, your fiancee likes dressings on his salads. Or, you can try sprouting some lentils or other legume and sprinkle them in the salad. Or, you can sprinkle in germinated nuts/seeds. Or you can make a dehydrated cracker, patty, or bread (This one is great ) and break it into pieces like croutons and sprinkle that in. If he likes these kinds of dehydrates, he may ask for more! Well, you would hope.

  • That’s a very interesting topic.. I am in the same situation with my live in.. He wont give up anything period (meat, dairy etc. he is very stubborn even with scare tactics)...

    Do you do all the grocery shopping? Cuz if so I would stop buying certain things he likes (I did the same with my Bf in terms of dairy and sugar to start and then eventually I will stop buying as much meat and bread) so he is forced to eat my creative raw meals.

  • My mom is trying to do the raw diet, and was a big meat eater- her favorite meals right now are raw goat cheese (which even if he is allergic to cow, he can probably do just fine) on dehydrated crackers; avocado and cherry tomatoes sprinkled with sea salt; and raw hummus with stuff to dip in it. Since he’s really not into substitutions, how about just good-old healthy choices like a hummus/ avocado/tomato on sprouted bread sandwhich? It’s hearty, and hearty helps people transition. Also, try some of the raw pate recipes, and spread that on bread for a sandwhich instead of meat. Or at the very least, if he’s not willing to try anything new, add as many “typical” raw dishes that he grew up on into his days: cole slaw, guacomole, salsa, homemade pickles, fruit salad, etc. The more raw he eat, the more he’ll crave!!

  • spiritedmamaspiritedmama Raw Newbie

    I started another string that talks about my struggles/triumphs transitioning my meat eating family to a high raw lifestyle. It is called “Being Raw with a Family” in the forums section. I talk about a number of things that I and others have tried for transitioning. I would list them here, but I am tired and trying to get finished up and go to bed. But, I will try and remember to post more tomorrow.

  • Thanks spirited, I’m going to go read that other topic now. :)

    I’m going to try the hummus and veggie sandwich idea with cooked pitas… this fall we’re moving into a family house with a dehydrator, so maybe I can transition him to raw breads then! He loooves cooked hummus, so I’ll try raw on him.

    I do think it’s true that the more raw healthy food someone eats, the more they want it. I was really surprised when he started asking for big salads for dinner! And whenever we go shopping (which we do together) he’s become adamant about wanting as much organic stuff as we can afford. I wish I could make us green smoothies for breakfast, but our cheapo blender never blends the greens to drinkability. :(

  • spiritedmamaspiritedmama Raw Newbie

    O.k., I am back with an update. My family was all-raw from Monday through Thursday! We decided that for motivation for my husband and son, we would eat raw all but 2 meals a week. They could choose to go out to eat 1 meal and 1 dessert every week so that they can remain raw the rest of the week. It worked like a charm! Yesterday we went out for mexican (their absolute favorite food), and surprisingly enough they reported that the cola they ordered to drink was too sweet and tasted funny! Also, they didn’t want to finish all their meal, and reported feeling not so good after we got home. My son immediately went for fruit and other raw foods at home.

    The foods that my family has loved the most this week are my mock-cesear salad, and raw soups. Also, the green smoothies in the morning.

    Also, my son went to a teen event with a friend over night last night and he took 2 lara bars with him. I told him that it was o.k. for him to eat the obviously junky food when there, but to please keep it in moderation. When he got home, he said that he did eat 1 twinkie and drank part of one soda, but that the Lara Bars “saved his life”, and was happy that he had them. He refused McDonald’s and donuts for breakfast (his friends family offered), and just wanted to “eat an apple and chill out” when he got home.

    I am so proud of my family!

  • Spritedmama, how exciting—good for them.

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