Good question... I dunno what is the answer. I'll do some Googling and get back to you if I discover an anything. You should email the people at Medifast as they probably could help you..

Do you have a dog? Give it to him and then Christmas say, "The dog ate it."..

Hi Zaphirah! I am in a similar situation myself. My Dad is very low income, and his "thing" each year is to send me something from Swiss Colony. The accounts there are very easy to get, and they do have fresh and dried fruits, which I have steered him toward this holiday season. (He thought he'd send some cheese, and I freaked - nicely).

BUT - given your situation, I would accept it, gloat over her generosity in helping you feed everyone who doesn't eat the way you do, and keep yourself raw...

I'd have to agree. Thank her for her generosity for the other members of your fam who can eat it... and keep on keepin' on eating whatever you want to eat..

That said, if you do have a dog... raw meat is quite healthy for them!!! I had my dog on the BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet, and he went from acting like he was 6.5 yrs to a puppy. I put him back on a normal Medifast diet because I was having such difficulty with the smell of the raw meat... but he turned fat and lazy again..

I actually have some raw chicken in the fridge. I'm going to transition him back because it's not fair to him to know how unhealthy he is becoming and to not help him out!.

Didn't mean to thread jack there! I'm sure (at least I think!) that your mom's heart was coming from the right place, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your health to honor and appreciate that...

Yep, in agreement. Be gracious and thankful to your mum who was trying to do the right thing. Honor the gift - prepare it wonderfully for everyone else and still honor yourself with raw/vegan. One can cast a wide net with respect even encompassing beliefs other than their own without compromising. It's not a matter of right/wrong, it's a choice. Choose wisely...

"It's the thought that counts!" comes to mind! If it were me, I would recognize the gift as a symbol of my mom's affections and be very grateful. As long as she feels sincerely thanked, I'm sure she won't care if the meat goes in your mouth or not. To avoid feeling guilty, I would just imagine the gift as if it were an inedible object, like a bunch of candles. You don't have to burn them! And you certainly wouldn't try to eat them!.

Good luck..

I agree with the above great posts. I would continue to eat the way that makes me happy.....make clear what I want/how I want to eat.....and then prepare and help people with whatever diets that THEY have determined are right for them. This all applies to adults - and not children.....who need more guidance and direct provision..

-David Z. Mason..