Get Raw and Get Social!

Get Raw and Get Social!

By Tina Leigh

Is your commitment to living a raw lifestyle disrupting your social calendar? For many, especially newly raw, this is not uncommon. Fear of pressure to indulge in cooked and processed foods, desserts, alcohol and coffee can thrust even the most vibrant raw foodies into hibernation. But, a commitment to raw foodism doesn't mean you need to divorce your co-workers, friends and loved ones to live like a hermit. Instead, an added benefit of your raw journey is the chance to meet like'minded folks who are looking to build new relationships, too!

My Top Tips to Get Social while Staying Raw:

1. Peruse Community Boards at Your Local Green Markets
   Many green and local markets have a bulletin board near their restrooms or dining areas where folks can pin up business cards, event notices, announcements and invites. Look for fliers for raw potlucks, recipe-swapping events, "cooking" classes and group activities. An added bonus is typically these gatherings are free except for the dish or dishes you prepare and bring to share.

   You can even post your own event announcement and make it stand out with a special theme like, "Need Ideas for Raw-Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner?" or "Learn How to Make a Rawmantic Dinner for Two"!

   Attending small group events like these will expand your friendships, sharpen your raw cooking skills and likely expand your recipe collection. Nice!

2. Dine Out at Raw'Friendly Restaurants
   Familiarize yourself with the restaurants and cafés in your local area that specialize in living cuisine or organic, vegan and raw preparations. Many times, a café announcing they cater to vegans and vegetarians will be happy to accommodate your raw requests as well. Don't hesitate to invite your non-raw pals to join you. Most café’s open their doors because they have a delicious and creative menu, and your friends might just find they enjoy the cuisine and want to hang out there too.

   Raw Restaurant Resources:
   http://www.happycow.net/
   http://www.soystache.com/raw-food-restaurants.htm
   http://rawfoodrestaurantguide.com/blog/

3. Join an Online Community
   Online, social networking has been bringing people of all walks of life together for years. From Facebook to YouTube, Twitter and Meetup, you can find a group of followers for just about any interest. Just like dating and travel sites, online communities for raw living have sprouted up by the dozens. Some of my favorites are:

   http://www.facebook.com/Sunfood
   http://twitter.com/Sunfood
   http://www.youtube.com/sunfoodtv
   http://rawfood.meetup.com/

4. Attend Retreats, Classes and Seminars
   Most every city has centers for well being where you can take cooking classes, practice yoga and meditation, attend seminars on the benefits of a raw lifestyle, and sign up for retreats and local events. These are safe places to connect and build relationships and learn from those around you. Some great resources are:

   http://www.welikeitraw.com/rawfood/2007/04/upcoming_raw_fo.html
   http://www.rawhealthexpo.com/
   http://www.wendygreenyoga.com/

No matter how you connect, be confident in the knowledge you have more to offer now than ever before. And with these fun and reliable resources for expanding your social circle, it would be a shame for you to be hiding out. So get out there, get connected and get social.

About Tina:

Tina Leigh is an experienced leader in the fields of integrative health & nutrition and personal transformation. She experiences deep satisfaction from serving as an instrument for leading clients to total mind, body and spirit harmony. She believes with a little support and skilled guidance, all beings can manifest their ideal weight, achieve total self-confidence, restore youthfulness and vitality and release stuck energies, damaging core beliefs and binding addictions.

Using a blend of holistic modalities including Health Counseling, Natural Food Meal Preparation and Nutrition Coaching, She is able to exercise her gifts and expertise to help clients develop the healthy body they dream and achieve optimum health and desired reality. Formerly the President of Urban Cuisine, Tina has been guiding her clientele to achieve their highest and best for over a decade. She has been featured on Fox News, in Cooking Light Magazine and on The Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown.

To learn more about Tina and Tina Leigh Integrative Health, please visit Tina Leigh Integrative Health

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