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New York, 4:02 PM
Sun Nov 8
25 posts in the last 24 hours
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07/28/09
Secondly - There have been recent findings that people who obsess over healthy food, eating, restriction are in fact employing some of the same tactics/coping mechanisms of Anorexics, Addicts and so forth. It's called Ortorexia Nervosa. And like many addictions, diseases this is about control.
Do I know this woman? No, so I cant deny/hold up what she says about her addictions simply disappearing. It's not my place, what I can say is that there is no overnight cure all for addiction. Most programs will express that it can take your entire life to control your addiction. You are never really "cured" of it, if this helps her copse and get through life then BRAVO. But every person is different and I don't think Raw food will cure everyone of addiction or health issues, we are a hell of alot more complicated than that.
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07/28/09
I can also understand this woman's desire to spend time with others who share her lifestyle. Being different can be isolating, and people are often very skeptical (as she describes) of the choice to be a vegan or a raw foodist.
We don't consider it unusual when people want to hang out with and/or date people of the same religion or political persuasion as them. It is natural and human to want to spend time with people who validate your values and lifestyle choices, and who won't judge you as "odd" for them. I wish that I had more vegetarian and vegan friends simply for convenience. When I am at a BBQ it is way less awkward if there is at least one other vegetarian/vegan there to eat veggie burgers with. :)
07/28/09
Being vegetarian (as I am) doesn't limit my social circle, or even where I can eat most of the time. And nutritionally, there's nothing about a raw diet that is "better" than, say, a non-raw vegan, vegetarian, or any other varied diet.
I think it gets problematic when you view yourself via your diet. Ie. you are "better" as a person for eating one way than another, or attributing moral qualities to food. That kind of thinking can lead to issues, and in people with addictive personalities, it often is a way to have a very exacting, specific form of control.
07/28/09
Bingo. Because as soon as you slip, you're, by definition, a 'worse' person.
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07/28/09
(I realize this sounds like I'd rather have my friend have a coke addiction than an extreme diet, which is not true. The extreme diet is clearly healthier. I'd just prefer for my friends to not be proselytizing about anything. Ever.)
07/28/09
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07/28/09
I think her habits were due to her environment (fast-paced, long hours life of restaurants kitchens, etc) It looks like she's found a healthier way to remain in realm of food and hospitality, without losing herself.
My own family has had multiple struggles with addiction, so I definitely do see the link between addictive personalities and the need the self control by filling the "void" with a serious of destructive behaviors.
Side note: As a ethicurian and foodie, I would definitely say ix nay on some of those smoothie ingredients-ay.
07/28/09
Every user (at least that I've met) has their "box," where they keep their tools. Like the little Chinese silk box where my old roommate kept her small pane of glass, chopper, straw and coke.
The actual use of whatever drug it is ALWAYS has some kind of ritual or significance, and I suspect it's an attempt by the user to attempt to put some kind of structure around their behavior. It gives a (false) sense of safety and regularity. In my experience, people are just as afraid of quitting the ritual as quitting the drug.
This feels to me like this lady has simply switched one set of rules/rituals for another, albeit healthier, set.
07/28/09
"Yeah, I went raw that night."
"The guys are cool, hot, hip, athletic, yummy. Yeah!"
"This is all about self-love, ladies."
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Also, I think that disordered eating is pretty rampant in our culture--I'd say that a significant portion of women in America, feminist or not, have dealt with it in one way or another.
07/28/09
07/28/09
While feminists are probably more aware of those things, they aren't immune to them, or innoculated from them by being feminist.
ED's, by the way, are always deeper than image. They are never just about appearances. You don't develop an unhealthy relationship to your body and food because of vanity. You develop it because of conflicting social messages, deep cultural gender issues, personal trauma's and emotional issues, and mental illness.
07/28/09
Basically, if you have the genetic makeup for an ED, being a strong feminist isn't going to be enough to stop you from getting one.
And did you know that, for whatever reason, eating disorder sufferers actually have, on average, higher-than-average IQs? When I was deep in my disorder I hung out on a forum for other people with EDs who weren't necessarily "ready" for recovery. They were nearly all smart, feminist, liberal, interesting women who just happened to have a brain disorder.
07/29/09
07/28/09
You can't win. If raw foods make this woman happy, then I'm more than delighted for her.
07/28/09
07/28/09
That said, she's incredibly lucky to be living in a place where that lifestyle is possible. I have a hard enough time being vegan in the city I'm in; it would take a miracle to find hemp seeds.
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My father quit drinking when I was young, and was repeatedly approached after AA meetings by people from evangelical churches. He would always say "I can't exchange Jim Beam for Jesus. I have to find my life."
07/28/09
You know what? It totally worked.
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07/28/09
I hate how they preyed upon the AA crowd. Once they're in the church, the addicts don't get any support, like they do in AA. Makes me sick.
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07/28/09
Well, I take that back. I'm not FULLY comfortable...but I find it easier to deal with and to find balance with than I did with other addictions.
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07/28/09
Many people who, for instance, restrict food, look "healthy". People who exercise constantly may appear healthy as well. It's not indicative of their mental or emotional state.
If you're using food or exercise, even if "health" is involved, to control emotional issues, it can be a problem. It's the obsessive component that's the issue. If you eat healthy most of the time and then have french fries and freak out, then run 12 miles and hate yourself for it, then that's a problem.
A lot of it is about attitude and emotional responses.
No one is knocking health. But it's not as simple as that, depending on the person and the issue.
07/28/09
I still have moments, though, and I still deal with feeling like I "failed" because I'm not still size 0 and like to eat damned food sometimes.
07/29/09