6-25-08
Post Intended for Tim VanOrden’s Running Raw Website

Hey, I’m Sam (male), and I’m the Running Raw Youth Leader. I’m one of the lucky few who find the wonder of RAW foods at a young age. I’m a ripe 17 and actually just graduated high school this past Thursday. One of my projects during my senior year of high school was to get a speaker to talk and impassion the school to take more care of the environment, the planet, and their own bodies. After nearly nine months of trying to get a speaker, and almost bringing one from California over to New York, I realized that the money could be spent on better things, like revamping the school via new educational courses in the Physical Education and Health classes, but also through creating better choices in the cafeteria. I am still planning for the next school year (though I will be at Indiana University) to implement a week of free sample raw food dishes and treats for students to try.
Anyway, back to my project. So, instead of getting a speaker, I spoke myself. On Wednesday, May 28 I made eight presentations throughout the day, and though at the beginning it was quite a challenge, by the second half of the day I was able to leave the script behind and just talk about what I like, know, and love. Through interactive games, brain storming, and imagination, I brought to light a wonderful discussion about raw food, human health, athletics and evolution, and planet Earth. I was very lucky to talk in front of groups of five kids, and groups of forty to fifty kids. Of course, there were some that didn’t care, even mocked what I had to say; some that stayed for the free apple incentive at the end (a choice of 3 different kinds may I add); BUT, to my very surprise, a lot of kids were actually interested in what I had to say. By the end of the day, seven kids even gave me their names and emails for more information about transitioning to a raw vegan diet, and one of the students I contact regularly and help him along the way. I’m so enthused by his interest in this lifestyle, and amazed to watch him grow as a person through this terrific change. It is inspiring to me to experience students asking me questions about the RV lifestyle who I thought would make fun of me for it. A lot of kids really understand the common sense aspect of it.
I really hope that in the near future, I can go around to high schools throughout the USA and empower more and more students to choose a healthier, and overall better way of life. While I’m still working on adding my own chapter to the PE and Health courses at my own high school, eventually I will create such material to spread to schools all over the country. Hopefully with the ability to impact the school cafeterias as well.

Now that I have a summer internship, it is interesting in the work place to see how long it takes to question my diet. I had one co-worker the other day comment that he’s never seen anyone eat a bigger salad. I told him unfortunately, I couldn’t fit any more salad in my bowl, but if he joins me at home for dinner he’ll have to prepare his eyes for the Armageddon of all salad eating. He asked if I was a vegetarian, so I explained……and with raw comes bigger proportions and stomach expansion. He said that the volume of salad I eat for lunch is the giant bowl his mother puts on the dinner table at a large family gathering. Also the fact that I’m 5’10 and 115lbs, he was amazed at the volume I consume and how skinny I am. He compared me to the skinny kid that wins the hot dog eating contest, except without the junk food. I never bring up the fact that I’m a raw enthusiast at work unless someone asks what my dietary preferences are, though many people at the office do comment on how I eat very large salads, or that I eat a lot of fruit. I just agree and tell them that their observation is completely valid.
One of the most awkward food experiences at work was on my first “Pizza Friday.” At work, every Friday is a complementary “Pizza Friday.” That means free pizza (and on one of the floors free salad too) every Friday afternoon. The first time I was there, all of the employees kept offering me free pizza, and insisting that I have some, and I just kept politely declined. I was actually afraid of offending someone, though I meant no harm. I’m content with my banana, lettuce leaf wraps. It’s amazing how much the workplace smells of excito-toxins once the pizza comes in. It smells up the whole building of pepperoni and grease, bringing back eight year-old memories. I’ve moved on though, and I’m glad I did.