Tell me about you

[peacelover]

I am new here and would really like to know the folks I am talking to a little better. :)

Will everyone tell me something about themselves?

I' ll start.

I am 37(one more day). I have been a vegan for 6 years.
I live in a small Texas town called Celina where high school football is king and we wear WAY too much orange colored clothes
I am a wife and a mom to 2 13 year old kiddos-1 boy, Josh. 1 girl, Rachel.
I am an energy healer(Reiki and Sound energy) and a medium...yup really.
I make candles and soap.
I work by day for a software company as the manager of the implementation services department but I am working on becoming my own boss soon.
I am a total morning person and have a wicked sharp sense of humor.
I am a huge dreamer and great at planning-less great at the follow thru

I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up...

Tell me about you too please oh please oh please
:D
Melissa

[rawpriestess]

Hi,
My name is Christine
I am a psychic and artist
51 until March 18th, then I will be 52
I have one son Tom 36 who has 5 daughters
I live with my soulmate Dragggon
I am a practicing High Priestess of Witchcraft
I am totally self employed
I drive a classic Mercedes roadster
I live in a big house on a beautiful secluded Lake
I have been on TV and radio many times
I have been vegetarian for 10 years
vegan for 7 years
raw for 47 days
I have one dog Draggon
one cat Shadow spirit
and two birds Cocoricco
and Lacey
I am an organic gardener, Reiki Master Healer Teacher, I paint, I make stained glass, I teach many classes, I am a raw food chef and caterer, I teach art classes, I am a real estate investor, I built a castle on an island in my 20's, if it is creative I have either already done it, or am doing it now, or both.

That was fun, Can't wait to read about more people.
Let's hear it from all of you out there.
Rawpriestess

[sweetgoddess]

It doesnt surprise me about the castle Christine! ;)

Hi..I am Carmel
33 years old and a Leo
I live in port orchard, washington right now...I moved here 3 years ago from Toronto, Ontario to live with a man I met online-who I am now married to!
I have a 10 year old daughter~Laura~who I named after Laura Ingalls :p and who is my best friend.
I paint-acrylics- and am just delving into watercolor.
I am an organic market gardener, selling at the Farmers Market.
I love to sing, read,paint, write, grow things, make things , go on adventures and love
I am an Eckist ( that's the spiritual path I am studying)
I edit and write for a newspaper on spirituality.
I am about to move to Montana and start a self-sustaining homestead right near Glacier Park. ( in May)
I love yoga!
I collect fairies and believe in them.
I swear I had a past life in Camelot. :eek:

very fun. Great idea!

[Rawkinlocs]

Awww...isn't this nice :D

I'm Cherie, 33 going on 34 in July (fellow Leo here Carmel :p)
I am a spiritual person, but not a religious person and I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ but I respect others' beliefs and often end up finding similarities within them all ;)
I am a SAHM with my own Internet business(es) - web design and selling hair-related ebooks; and I homeschool my 4 children (ages 2, 6, 12 and 13)
Married 15 years
Reside in MI, but soon to be moving back WA...Olympia to be exact)- looking forward to possibly meeting Carmel, Christine, Linda, and other Washitonians!
Was born and raised in Detroit, but lived in Tacoma, WA for 7 1/2 years between 1991 and 1999.
I began my quest for eating raw in January of last year and have come a LONG way from when I first began this
We have two kitties, sisters by the names Ginger and Cinnamon
My family has recently committed to being raw so now we're ALL in this together! (YAAAAYY)
I am licensed in the state of WA as a Cosmetologist although I don't practice it fully any longer...I do natural hair care from my home

[karotw]

This is a great idea!

My name is Karen, I'm 38, will be 39 in July - Cancer here!

I live in Costa Mesa, CA (Orange Co.) with my soulmate, Rob

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, but have lived in many place - Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Connecticut, San Francisco, CA (my favorite) and now S. California.

More spiritual than religious, though I grew up Lutheran, which has had a strong influence on my life. I find that when I have an open mind, I find many more similarities with others spiritual/religious beliefs than I do differences!

I was a social worker for 11 years, then did a complete career change. . .
I currently work as a technical project manager with business continuity planning - I love it, but most people are bored to tears LOL
I am also part of a small videography business which is great fun and keeps us all really busy!

I have been clean and sober in AA for 5+ years

My eventual quest for the Raw Diet began in a 12 step program called Food Addictions in Recovery Anonymous - I lost 130 lbs there and began to realize that the food we eat can dramatically effect how we live our lives.

I have no children of my own, but 2 nephews whom I've spoiled for 18 and 21 years!

No pets at this time - though I long for the day when there will be furry kids in my life again.

I am a voracious reader. . .always reading something, usually 2 or 3 things at a time. I know just enough about a lot of things to be dangerous ; )

[joy]

Fab idea.

I'm Joy.
Californian living in Denver, CO.
26...but I usually forget and say 23.
Married 1 1/2 years to a man I met working in an orphanage in India.
We have a cat, Claire.
Follower of Jesus (me, not the cat...we think she may be Buddhist).
I studied theology and worked in publishing, then moved to Colorado and became a pastry chef. That felt wrong with eating a raw diet, so...I quit.
Now I do raw desserts.
I teach yoga.
I love the world and have been all over it.
I write and draw and paint and sing, and would sleep outside every night if I could.
My husband just agreed to do 40 days of raw food with me next month, so I'm elated about that...sometimes he's just so logical. ;)

Bless,

Joy

[Penni]

Hi,
I am 39, married 7 yrs to a great man who is in Chiropractic school at the age of 47. He wanted to change careers. We met on the Internet.

I have no kids. I have PCOS and have never once conceived but
RAW is my answer I beleive somewhere in me.

I have been raw 11 days now. I am currently not working and plan to stay home.

Raw is for spiritual reasons as well as physical , to me they are one. I am Mormon.

I love this site soo much, I have gained soo much. I come on daily and sit here for hrs when I am struggling. Today, I am eating cookies. :( I am nannying for a family and though I brought some of my RAW, I am surrounded by familiar foods.......... but I have only had a couple of cookies today.. For me, when I am home, I have no choices but RAW and that sustains me ok..... This situation however, is like death============ we will see how it goes.

Any rate.. nice to meet you!!

[Meowzr]

Hi, I have been here for about 2.5 weeks now.
My name is Kristen
I am 38.5 -Gemini
I have been married for 12.5 years.
We have 2 Alaskan Malamutes (Tovah & Tundra) and 2 cats (Sarah & Schroeder)
I am a Massage Therapist (mostly Myofascial Release), formerly a Medical Assistant, Software Tester.
I am reading "Messages from the Masters" by Brian Weiss.
I am not religious. I prefer the spirituality referred to in Brian Weiss' books.
I am inclined to be more romantic than analytical.
I like to do Power Yoga.
I savor time with family and friends, as well as "alone time". Balance is key.
I went to Provence, France a few years ago and LOVED it. I could live there!
I am a loyal friend.
I love to garden and see the magic that happens every Spring and Summer :-)

[Myka]

Hi,

I am 31. I have been a Raw for 17 Days, before that I was Vegan for a month.
I'm originally from Israel. I speak Hebrew and Russian.
I live in LA with my boyfriend who recently moved here from Boston.
I work for an Internet Company.
One day I want to work in Alternative Health, focusing on nutrition. I'm figuring it out right now. Checking out what works best.
I'm not religious per say but do believe that we are all one, all made from energy and I think that we are here on Earth to learn and to come back if necessary.
I use to be really creative once but life took me away from that. I am working to change that and re-invent myself.

[Blissed]

Story this life time is one of a Bama gal relocated to many places in the world [San Diego, India, Santa Fe, Dallas/Ft Worth], and currently living in Houston, TX a 2nd time, and remarried to hubby #1 (after 8 yrs apart :D ). Only child is a 2.5 yr/old Pomeranian named Jazz. Oh, also 41 and an Aquarian.

Have been vegetarian for ten years (by this Thanksgiving), and started Raw last August [been reading about it, thinking about for about 7 yrs]. Had a bump in the road over the holidays, though know that this is the right route for me at this time, and so recommitting to it 100%, stating my intent and sharing it with others to manifest it so.

Have worked in several areas [banking/accounting, publishing, law, airline, non-profit, health service, automotive], though heart in for service [Massage Therapist pt for now] - day job is a Manager [Admin] for an Automotive manufacturer. It definitely has its moments of fun for me too.

Past-times enjoy include everything from riding motorcycles with hubby, to knitting, organic gardening, reading voraciously, and seeking greater presentness expansion through breathwork and buffing working with LivingAtEase.com Loving life, and feeling more complete and healthier on Raw!

[heather]

i love this idea.

heather celeste
pisces, just turned 31
married in september 2000
husband is a deputy sheriff
i used to work for a realty management company as a manager, then a marketing director
i have three children, Mackenzie (8), Tyler (3.5), VIctoria (15 months)
after the birth of Victoria i decided to not go back to work because she is ill and we want to cherish every minute we have with her.
i love Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga and going to the teacher training in October!!!
i used to live in the 'burbs in a house. loved to work in my garden. sold my house so i would not have to go back to work and now am in an apartment.
i am very intense - all my life the people closest to me have told me that i am psychic, though i would describe myself as extremely intuitive. i do view this intuition as a gift, but it does cause me some stress. i battle anxiety and have taken zoloft for years. with yoga and raw i have been able to decrease my meds and hope to discontinue them within the next few months.
i became an ovo lacto vegetarian in college, and again in december.
transitioned my entire family to vegetarians in december as well. now they are all using soy substitutes (except for the kids - they are drinking organic milk)
i am in recovery for an eating disorder. EDNOS.
i was raised catholic, but became very interested in the occult as a teen.
i still identify myself as catholic, but am VERY accepting of others of differing beliefs. i personally believe we are all children of god, however you choose to worship.
i love the snow, the mountains, the ocean, butterflies, faeries, flowers, babies, being pregnant, fountains, candles, essential oils, the moon, stars, anything that sparkles.

[zoetastic]

I'm 24
currently live in miwaukee, wi
originally from texas
went to college in new mexico ;)

graduated with a degree in business with a concentration in marketing
am working as an administrative assistant ;)

moved here to be with my boyfriend (who I met online ;), we've been together about a year and a half now.

i'm 5'4 and currently weigh 175lbs (my highest weight was 210)

Tonight I'm going to join the gym by my house that has classes similar to jazzercise and I'm going to commit to going every monday and wednesday :) yay!

[peacelover]

WOW So many awesome souls here..you all have such interesting stories.

I hope to get to know you all soon

Love and light
Melissa :D

[Indigo_Girl]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=6][COLOR=Indigo]
Merry Meet to all of you lovely spirits,
My name is Celissa and I am 45 living in TYler, Texas :( but only for a short time. Yaaaayyyyyy........We are going to travel to New Mexico within a few weeks...network with some like minded people and look for a place to relocate to. I am a mother of 2 beautiful children, daughter is 24 and my son is recently 14. I UN-School him and we are so happy with this decision I made 2 years ago. My husband and I are newly weds.. We had a Shamanic Indian Ceremony here on our 7 acres. I wanted to have a Hand Fasting but some folks would have flipped out!! We have been together for one year in April. We are soulmates!!
I want to share a lot with you guys as I see some other ladies did the same so I am not holding back. :D
I dreamed about my husband 3 nights before I met him. I met him @ a fish-fry with mutual friends. It blows me away when I tell people. I think some folks think I am looney when I tell them..but it does not matter..I know it is real. My daughter had spent the night with me on the night of the dream and when I awoke that morning I sat on the edge of the bed telling her about my dream and what he looked like. And I almost did not go to the fish fry, so the story goes like this... I was telling him about Aromatherapy ( I am a Clinical Aromatherapist ) and we started talking about permaculture and he could not believe here sits a woman in EAST TEXAS ( BIBLE BELT CAPITAL) that thought like I did. Anyway I left, and not realizing he was the man in my dream until he called me on that Sunday evening. We have been inseparable ever since. We are both interested in permaculture/alternative living/organic farming......I am a spiritual person NOT RELIGIOUS. WE are ready to relocate and get OUT OF THIS STIFLING place. :p I was raised Babtist but knew that was not my truth. If you have to label me you can say I am Ecclectic Wiccan. Last week I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes and this is pushing me into being 100% Raw. I have been studying Raw for over 2 years now..have even consulted with Alissa over the phone over one year ago..have read books..been on rawfood.com at the forum for 2 years..but off line for one..just now back on line..and I have Alissa's Book & DVD...so here I am...my husband( whom is 46) loves to juice and my family knows that RAW is the right way...it is just over-coming COOKED FOOD ADDICTIONS....like being addicted to tobacco, alcohol or drugs. It is Horrible the SAD diet. But if I want to live I must do this. I have been preparing for one week now by eliminating things out of my diet. I choose not to go the Conventional/Orthodox way..I will heal myself Wholistically and Raw. I have been a vegetarian on and off for 24 years...I am into Natural Healing, want to move somewhere..where right down the dirt road from me..are people who want to drum. We love New Age Music and listen to echoes.org every weekend on a local radio station. Very meditative. I am also a licensed Aesthetician but not practicing at the moment..I have been at home now since July, and my husband is in early retirement and we are getting ready to travel. He is outside right now working on our RV so we can go in two weeks. I read all of your intros, you all sound lovely and I am looking forward to your tips and support. I will have some pix up in a few days. I am starting my 30 day challenge tomorrow. I could talk alot more about beliefs and the condition our world is in..but most of you I am sure are AWARE..or else you would not be here........Brightest Blessings to all of you, Indigo_Girl

[Mieke Benton]

Hi, my name is Mieke and I live in Bend, Oregon.

In 1998 my path lead me to Paul and his 3 children. They were from Hood River, Oregon, I was from Deinze in Belgium. In 1999 I married Paul and the children and moved to there home in Oregon. (I brought my Belgian Golden Retriever with me of course!)

We lived a year in Hood River.
Than moved to Maui with the kids and the two dogs. (Was very challenging, but we learned a lot!)we lived there for a year and then came back to the mainland.

Paul and I drove trough all the states at the West Coast, plus Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona te FEEL where we wanted to live.
We choose for Bend, Oregon. I felt the best in Oregon.

Today the children are ... Andrew 15 years, Angela 13 years, Christopher 10.

I am 34, will be 35 in September.
I am a Virgo, Cancer rising, libra moon and mars in Leo.
I am a Reiki Practicioner, have a public practice.
I manage the Bakery in Wild Oats, the natural food store.Wild Oats (http://www.wildoats.com)

I speak Dutch and English, some French, German and Spanisch and studied Latin and Greek.

I also work with Sound and Color. Work with Angels.

I am learning how to empower myself on all levels.
I am 100% raw for 2 months and 10 days.
I lost already 19 pounds.

I love to travel and communicate with people all over the world.
I have a website that is connected with more than 90 different countries.
Love and Light Bridge around the World (http://www.angelfire.com/music/light1)

I love the books from Paul Ferrini. Paul Ferrini (http://www.paulferrini.com)

I am learning how to rase my vibration.
I am learning how the universal laws are working and learn to use them concious in my life.
I am learning to love myself on all levels and remove all beliefs of victimhood.
I am learning to transform all fear in to love.
I am learning how to create more and more joy in my life.

[Indigo_Girl]

Well put on everything you said. I am going to go check out your websites now. So nice to hear of so many women all of us on the same path. :)

[Old Fashioned Oats]

Hello, my name is Malinda and it is really wonderful to read all about you guys. I am married and have three wonderful daughters. Two are married and the youngest is a senior in high school. We live in Lebanon, Oregon. I stumbled onto this site a couple of nights ago while searching for any kind of information about raw foods. I am looking for information, encouragement, and recipes as I go on this journey.
A couple of years ago I started eating 85% raw and 15% cooked. Because of health problems I have decided to get back to eating raw because I feel so much better and am much healthier.
Honesstly, I do well for a few days then I cave. Anyone have anything to share about how to not give in to the wrong foods??? I know I have a lot to learn and I need to be strong! :o
Thanks,

[catherinethegreat]

hi there

I'm Catherine
36 - Virgo with Scorpio moon and rising.
Born in LA grew up in San Diego
Have lived in Minneapolis MN, Ashland and Portland Oregon, and now back in Los Angeles.
I've been sober from drugs and alcohol for 17 years.
quit smoking cigarettes about 7 years ago.
Graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1992 BFA in photography, film and video - Photo concentration.
Worked in Theater - The Guthrie - Oregon Shakespeare & Portland Center Stage
went to school for art therapy and drug counseling - short detour!
Worked with Miguel Ruiz and the Toltec path for 5 years and then decided to take what I learned out in the world.
Started my own photo business 3 years ago
Met the love of my life at the same time!
Live with him now. and our two cats ( Pretty Girl and Patricia ) Planning on getting a puppy this year.
Spiritual not religious - hate oppression of any and all kinds and rules that judge.
Was put on steroids last year for hypothyroid and effexor for anxiety from a car accident. Gained 30 pounds and couldn't get out of bed - very depressed.
Found out about Raw foods in January and got myself off my medication and jumped in 100% Raw on Jan 10th. I'm almost at 2 months and have seen a huge change.
I love to Gwen Stefani ( yea I'll admit that ! ), knitting, making raw recipes, learning, travel( going to Spain in May! ), photography both as work and play, meditaion, yoga, working out at the gym, not having a schedule, not having a boss, creating my own plan every day, wearing jeans, hearing success stories from raw!, working on a book of photos about body image, music, learning guitar, secretly wish I was a rock star, although everyone I know - knows that. Love to be alone or with people that are totally real - clean - aware.
Love the pursuit and fulfillment of the best life(day) ever and continue to be a student of it!

thanks you guys for all sharing so much - love learning about you!!!!!

xo
*c

[AutumnBreezColordLeavz]

I did not see this till now....I must be blind.

My name is Tammy
Born as a Gemini, and a Rooster in Chinese Astrology (June 1969).
This is my year!
I am happily married and have to boys. 13 yrs. and 10yrs.
We have an interesting life with the foreign service, moving from place to place every few years. We have residency in Utah, but currently we live near the Meditteranean, and previously lived in Austria (Loved it!)
Don't know where we will go next?! As a spouse I find it very challenging, get the kids into new schools, finding your way around,working, and culture shock. Things become close to normal in a year and a half and then you are looking at packing it up for the next place in a years time after normal sets in. We have got to travel many places and the kids have recieved an education in person not from a text book. We have experienced many places all over Austria, Germany, Paris, England, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Cyprus, and soon to see the pyramids in Egypt.
I am an artist. I am compassionate. I have a guardian personality. I have recently found a way to enjoy my daily life with my new hobby in cycling. It brings me and my husband closer, as it is a love of his too. Now I look forward to the new place even more, for somewhere new to cycle. I have been hoping for England or Hungary. Europe, get on train and go where ever.
Often things are very difficult to find and do concerning sprouting and wheatgrass growing. I have to order by mail alot the things many take for granted in the states. Including convienence and store openings.
ie,...I ordered Alissa's book beginning of Feb. Still waiting for it in the mail in March. Snow storms on the east coast of US don't help.
I have gone through growing pains with the lifestyle, but I believe it is making me a better person in the long run. I have done more soul searching then ever and finding love for myself. Finding out who I am, and learning to be more assertive in life to get what I want out of it.

[Lara]

I am a 35 year old Libra on the cusp of Scorpio. Rooster in the Chinese astrology.
I am a happy wife to Johnny and ecstatic mommy to Isabelle, who's 3 years old. Being a mom is so awesome and so challenging. I just love it.

I am a chiropractor and I have a bustling wellness center in the heart of Oakland, California. I've been practicing for almost 8 years now. Before that I was a massage therapist for 8 years, which led me to chiropractic.
I love what I do, and I find myself wanting to shift some things in my life this year in a radical way. I want to be in the position to hire an associate doc to see my patients and start her own practice (it's very woman/child-centered practice), so I can be a housewife for the first time in my life. I want to be home now. We want to get pregnant at the end of the year or so.

My husband is very supportive, he manages the business/marketing aspect of the practice and just wants to see me happier than I've been.

I would love to be able to travel again- I love it so. I speak Spanish and a bit of French. 6 years ago, I went on a dream trip with a girlfriend to Paris, 2 weeks in the springtime-we shopped, ate and laughed our way through Paris! It was incredible! Before that I went with another girlfriend to Oaxaca, Mexico for their Day of the Dead celebrations, it was awesome.

I have been vegan for the past 5 years, for health, ethical, and spiritual reasons. Since Isabelle was born 3 years ago, my energy has gone down as we've turned to vegan processed "fast foods". Before she was born, I weighed a healthy 125 lbs, I gained 50 lbs during the pregnancy ( I weighed more than my husband! :mad: ) and before this raw thing, haven't been able to lose any. I've lost 10 lbs so far, and I feel great. I feel this has been the missing link for my family in terms of our health. I am so grateful to know you all- I look at this discussion board 2-3 times a day for inspiration and yes, good recipes!

I am spiritual, not religious, I know all faiths and philosophies have truth in them. I respect everyone's choices in what they believe. I go to a Science of Mind church (not to be confused with Scientology) here in Oakland. This philosophy celebrates truth from wherever it comes, with full acceptance. We celebrate Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Easter,Ramadan and whatever we can bring into the church.

I love reading all about you all!! This was a great idea!!!

[ashabean]

Such a great, and intereting thread. So wonderful to hear about the paths of everyones life.

So here's me

My name is Asha, I am 29 years old & I am freaking out about turning 30!!!!! :p

I am from Oxford, England, but I moved to upstate NY 3 years ago to marry my hubby, who is from the US. We met in Boston 5 years ago when we were both on vacation.

We have 4 cats, 3 live with us here, and one lives with my mum in England... (our kitties here are...Zeraya and Aubrey (English), Lunafish the tunafish (American)) And Elfrieda lives in England... and yes you can hear the accents in their meows!!!

We are moving back to England is 6 months, I am so very homesick and it has been a stressful ride living in the US - but my amazing hubby has made it bearable.

I have been vegetarian since I was 5 years old, and 80-90% raw for almost a month.

I am a pagan with a love for buddhism and a passion and energy for the old religion of England. I love the ancient landscape of my country and miss the stone circles and burial chambers. Not being able to touch my homeland is like having apart of my heart missing. :(

I am a graphic designer by day, and at night I make handmade Book of Shadows, and hope to make it a full time job one day.

I am an artist, who is slowly refinding my creative path and passion again.

I am a very sensitive person who has lost themselves and who is trying to make friends with themselves again.

I love my cats, hubby, family, and my friends.
I love Julian Cope (whacked out, crazed English musician)
I adore Ani Difranco
I love organic gardening (although I left my graden behind in England, so I am weeding my minds garden instead).
I love reading, especially British Folklore books.
I love pink and swirls and shiney silver stars.
oh, and I love my piercings.
I also love avocados, peas and cucumbers.

But most of all I love the path I have been given to find a honest, real life, no matter how stressful, tiring and hard it may seem, it is my life, and I shall work hard to be happy so I can start to help others :)

[Pailani]

I'm Leslie, I'm 44, married and have 4 children.
I homeschool, and I've found my niche in my involvement with the online homeschool community. Between that and raising my kids, I don't have time for much else, but I feel very fulfilled with my life
I'm spiritual, Christian in a traditional sense
I've been wavering between vegan and near-vegan for almost 5 years, now hopefully 95 percent raw, I want to be in good enough health and have energy to enjoy my children and put in the kind of time and effort they need from me
I like to read old books
I love Chopin, Hawaiian music and Jackson Browne
I've never been much of a cook and I don't like spending time fussing in the kitchen, so raw seems like a good fit for me.

[Trishy]

Wow..there are definitely some interesting and fantastic people here! I am excited to take part...so here is some more about me:

I am 31 years old, Cancer
I am pregnant with my first child, due September 22nd (auspicious because it is the autumnal equinox)
I am partnered with a wonderful man named Ken. Our love story is that he told me he loved me and gave me a ring the first time we met...I told him if anyone else had said it I would have called them crazy and walked out. But...then I told him I loved him too, and we've been together ever since (4 years this year).
I am a Reiki Master in the Usui tradition (good to see so many practitioners here!), and in the Run Valdr system which uses Reiki and the runic symbols for healing.
I am also a medium and a channel (I allow divine presence to speak directly through me)
I am a very spiritual person, and love to read the teachings of different paths and incorporate them in my life. My favorites are don Miguel Ruiz (the Four Agreements/toltec) and Conversations with God.
I love to craft (sew, crochet, quilt) and to write.
I have been on and off a vegetarian diet for many years...but am now ready to committ to my health!

I'm sure there is more I can say, but...I'll look forward to getting to know everyone much better in the future!

Trishy

[heather]

how funny......i just reread my post and saw that i wrote that i just turned 21!!!

correction: i just turned 31. LOL :D

[Pailani]

Heather, I did the math and wondered if you had married very, very young! LOL!

[jgunn]

Hi !:)

Im Jodi
36 year old , Scorpio
I was an accountant for 12 years, then carreer change, Im almost done my massage therapy course
Boyfriend is a Gemini and I love both of him lol :D
I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada
I own too many animals , quite a number of rescues from dogs cats to llamas cows goats horses etc. :)
I spent a year in nepal and india rediscovering myself after my divorce
I am spiritual but not a by the book religious person
I volunteer coach mites girls baseball, i cant have kids, so I play with other peoples then send them home lol :D

looking forward to making alot of new friends here :)

[coffeesquirrel]

ok wow there was so much i did not know about you guys lol
ok here goes

my name is jennifer lawinsky (no relation to monica i promise) :)
i keep forgetting my age but i'm either 26 or 27
i'm a virgo with the sun in virgo and on the chinese stuff i'm the snake **personally not that fond of snakes ... why i couldn't be something cute and furry i have no idea
I am a eclectic hedge witch and occasionally do psychometry
i have one son, 4 his name is ethan, and i have yet to meet my soul mate but i have faith that he is out there somewhere lol. right now I work for a flexable manufacturing co. doing data entry and other various office stuff, but i've worked in home security offices and for the phonw co. I live in a tiny tiny town in the middle of ks (my home town which i swore i'd never move back to lol) and eventually i plan to move again but i want to plan it out before i do that. I've been reading about raw for about 6 months and in jan i finally decided it do it... - the amount of times i've fallen off the wagon but i just keep trying again. so i guess that's always a plus. I have one cat named maxwell (my son named him after the cook at his school). hmmm other than that i'm a pretty simple person so i guess i'm done :) oh and i have a passion for books any books and all books ... i used to read the dictionary for fun.

[MelissaB]

Hi everyone

My name is Melissa, one of several on the board. lol :) I'm 26, Cancer, partnered to my complete mental, spiritual, and emotional opposite for 2 years. :p But I love her dearly and it seems to work for us. We want to have a baby and are in the baby making planning stages now. :rolleyes: We just bought our 1st house together here in Arkansas. We are not sure that this is the place for us and any children that we have, but this is where we are right now and we are making the most of it.

I am an athiest.

I am an avid number cruncher and am currently in college working towards a CPA while working full time.

I am an obsessive reader and can usually finish most books in 2-3 hours.

I used to hate cooking but now find that I love being in the kitchen 'uncooking.' Am completly in love with the different combinations of banana icecream that I can make. ;)

I love all music. Rap, Blues, Opera, Metal, Country, Tribal, Classicial, etc.

I adore modern art and musuems.

That's me the quick version. :)

[PixieGreen]

My name is Christa, Sagittarius sun, Pisces moon, 33 years old. Unmarried and not really looking: I'm content. I have a wonderful cat named Ivy who has been a dear friend for over 10 years.

Interested in Buddhism, shamanism, and a bit of wicca. Grew up Catholic, and respectfully choose another spiritual path.

I love to read, although as a book dealer I have access to more books than ever but less time to read them . :)

Hobbies: Lifting weights and running. Decorating my little home. Living simply/ radical simplicity; I enjoy dumpster diving for treasures. My ride is an electric eGo scooter and I can't *wait* for the weather to warm up so I can ride the bike paths again. Un-cooking is a new hobby, and so far I love it!

[lodestar]

Hey, you are inspiring and I find your backgrounds very interesting.

My name is Cristie.
I am 51, born in August.
I have been married for 31 years and adore my husband.
I have eight children. Four boys and four girls ranging in ages 29-13. Two are still living at home and one is serving a LDS mission in Toronto, Ontario.
I have ten grandchildren.
I look at the glass half-full.
My health is fantastic.
I ski, walk, read, help my neighbors, love music, good movies, and enjoy quiet time.
I have many parrots, finches and one kitty.
This is my first post and I look forward to making many friends.
My predominately raw life began 18 mos. ago.

[rawjojo]

Hi There!

I am just about the big 3-0-!!! Yikes, I remember when that was really, really old!
I am very happily married to a wonderfully cute construction worker! We have been co-habitating for the past 6 years. No babies, yet, neither one of us are anywhere near ready for that. We are barely responsible enough to care for our two "babies" (dogs). Ages 2 and 16. We just lost our last puppy at age 18 so that has been quite a tramatic thing to get over.
I seem to change my careers quite often. It's a bit joke around my family. I have been in college more times than you can count.
I'm a graphic designer, a hair stylist, a yoga instructor, a reiki practioner, a semi-professional vegetable farmer (with empasis on the "semi"), etc, etc, etc!!! My career choices seem to go from one end of the map to the other. It keeps it interesting.

Oh and I am a former Tropical girl living in COLD, SNOWY OHIO! ugggggg!
Well, I'm really not a former tropical girl, I've always lived in Ohio but I like to pretend that I came from hawaii, or malibu, or miami or somewhere warm and fabulous and that someday I am going back home!!!!! ha-ha!

Oh yeah, I drive a big a** truck and absolutely love the beach and the water. I'm close to Lake Erie so that's pretty much where you'll find me.

rawjojo

[Revvell]

Hi there!

Just joined this site this a.m.

My name is Revvell (pronounced revel) and I took it as something to live up to ~ as in revelling in life. I am Aquarian.

I'm a raw foodist ~ off and on for about 5 years. On now. My husband Bo and I just moved into a new home in Glendale, Ca. and are making it into a place to hold raw food retreats.

One thing I will divulge about me is, when I turn someting into teaching, it keeps me on track so! there we go!

We just got married last August and have no children or pets as we both travel for business as well as pleasure.

I also create jewelry and home/bodycare products.

Injoy and eternal-harmony ~

Revvell

[Bevrr]

Bevrr here...Gemini....looks like I'm one of the more senior gals .....numerically that is. I feel physically and mentally in my 40's most days, although I am turning 56 June 2005. Decided to try eating raw and healthy. I want to keep feeling good and keep the momentum going for years ahead.

Long time married and have two sons in their 30's...one in DartMouth Nova Scotia and the other in Florida. I adore travelling and plan to do much more in the future now that hubbie and I are retired. My interests involve water sports like sailing, paddle-boating, waterskiing and pontooning, mainly because we choose to live on a lake in the Kawartha Lake System...Southern Ontario Canada. I am a nature gal...walks in the country, bird-watching, etc.
Living in the land of snow and ice, one tends to appreciate the spring,summer,fall months a great deal.

[flutterfly]

Hi, I am Georgie
Born on New years Day in Wisconsin
58 years young
Live in PA and will be moving to MA in May
I have been a care taker for many older people with cancer,had my own Day Care, Bakery,Cleaning service, been a Nanny, do foot reflexology, massage,Foster Parent for 5 years, carteing service, am a Certified Raw Chef,bodybuilder in younger years, and many more things.
Mom of four, Grandma to 5, Great Grandma to 2.

I do not work at this time because of a hip injury but will be working by June
Been on the Raw path since 1998

[VeganVixen]

Hello my name is christa (or neva,my middle name and nick name)
I live in a teeeny texan town and am 19
I will soon be going to nursing school in San Antonio
I currently have no religion (more spiritual beliefs)and many of them are based on buddism ,paganism and some ancient chritianity ......
I have a poodle (goldie),a hound (clue),a pony (dutch),and a 2 cats kickapoo AND elfie!!!
I event(a horsey sport) ,dance ,love art ,speak russian ,love fairies ,organic growing and love animals

[growinhealth]

hi joy, it is great to hear about you and your husband and how you met I'd actually like to hear more about it some day. YOu seem so interesting...what caught me was JESUS and India...I want to go to India as well and work in Orphanages...I love children

[growinhealth]

Hello my name is Jacqueline it is interesting to learn about all the different types of people on this site...I say a little about myself too
I am a 22 year second quarter Junior in college getting my bachelores in English then moving onto my Masters in nutrition emphasis on alternative medicine (that is why I love this site)
I am a Christian-firm believer in Jesus Christ as my Savior love Him dearly could not live without HIM-NEED HIM SEVERELY
I am in love with the East, well Indiana and hope to move to southern INdiana when I get older (so much more opportunity for raw eating) also KEntucky where I first Learned about SERene Allison and REjuvinate your life cooking. I can't wait to learn all I can about Raw Fooding and hopefully help others into health through nutrition. I want to one day move to India and work with the chirldren

[Autumn]

Wow, my bio is going to be far less interesting that most here, but here goes:

My name is Autumn (yes really), and at one time my last name was Woods. :D
I am 37 years old, a Gemini.
I have been married 4 times (I tend to upgrade my husband along with my computer.)
I was born, raised and lived in Pennsylvania for 32 years.
I met my current husband online and moved to Alabama with him 6 years ago. The day I met him is the day I moved, although we had been emailing and telephoning for about 18 months. (This one I'm sticking with! :D )
In reality, I have no children; in my heart I have 5.
I was raised Catholic, consider myself Christian, but other than that I am still confused.
I have a Masters in English. I am a professional resume writer and have owned my own business for 17 years. I also write, proofread, edit and do a bit of desktop publishing.
I once touched Bono. YUM :p
My constant companion is my little dog, Mandy, who I adore.
I once wanted to be a professional ice skater.
I don't know how to drive.
I love gardening and car trips with my husband.
I sketch, sing and do other creative projects, but not any all that well. I love to sketch pregnant women, since I find them so beautiful.
I've played the piano since I was 7 (again not all that well), and have played several different instruments throughout my life.
I call nearly every member of my family every single day to tell them I love them.
My absolute favorite pasttime is reading.
I collect anything heart-shaped.
Believe it or not, I am at times very shy.

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Great idea...
I am Lana, 44 years old & new to this site.
Married w/2 Poodles (Toy) Casey Marie & Starlett Sue
We are jewelry artists, boutique in Northern Michigan.
Just starting on Raw foods...
I love to laugh & learn...
Love my TIVO...TV is great w/no ads..
I'll post a photo real soon...
Hello to all !!! :p

PS.. Real sick of SNOW !!!!

[vegangelist]

just want to say to you lana: wow! awesome! mackinaw city. went to my mackinac island years and years ago as a kid and have longed to go back since. actually, haven't been to michigan in over 10 years....but i miss it, esp sleeping bear dunes, frankenmuth, holland, crystal lake, beulah's cherry orchards, etc. my mom and her family were from grand rapids, so I have spent many beloved vacations in that mitten up there in the north, just has been a long time.

ok, down to business:

my name is kristi. officially: kristilyn joy. kristilyn is something my parents made up as a combo of the two names they were considering at the time. i go by kristi tho b/c it is easier and otherwise people tend to slaughter my name and call me kristi lynn (with a twang too-it is texas after all) rather than the correct, kristilyn (pronounced crystalline). my middle name is such b/c my parents had lost their first child (who was 7 months old at the time) after some time in a coma after an accident when (as it turns out) my mom was about 6 weeks pregnant with me. the joy comes from the joy of new birth after their sorrow. my mom has told me tho that as an infant i looked to many almost identical to my older sister marisa. some members at church were even aghast at our similarities.

i just turned 32 in february. i was born and raised in houston, texas as was my father and his mother. my father (who is deceased) was a math-analytical type. he was an engineer and an attorney. my mother is a teacher and a musician. so, i am an interesting combination of two different personality types. i have strong tendencies toward both the analytical/rational personality as well as the creative/artist personality. it makes for a strange combo. in fact, i am more of a typical male/spacial thinking/analytical/rational type than my husband is (he is all artist, complete with disorganizational skills and no business and money sense!). anyway, it has made me the type of person that does not fit well into any one personality type or sub-culture of people. b/c i am little bits of very different things.

I am married to my (2nd) husband, whom i have known since 2 weeks before my 18th birthday. he and my sister have the same birthday, july 15th and are disturbingly alike! (yep, she is unorganized too!) my husband is a custom cabinet maker and general artist (no $ for that part tho). he does pen and ink the best, but has worked with stained glass and various other mediums. he does the art and woodwork and i balance the check book, pay the bills, etc... we have been married for 17 long months. the second marriage is actually even harder than the first (i am finding myself becoming a statistic). i always swore that i would be married once and then would stay that way forever. but, with my first marriage i made a bad, impulsive decision. with this one, i made an even more impulsive decision. if i had it to do all over again, i would do things much differently. i might even still be single. my problem is that in my 20s my priorities for a partner were much different than they are now. strength in a man: emotional and spiritual were not a concern for me. too bad i realized how important they were (or at least admitted that) too late! i just tend to pick weak men (my father was weak) b/c i am a mother-type, a fixer. and...oh, you that story. but, at 32, i am kind of tired of having to "fix" men. i want one that has at least some of his stuff together :) the real problem: i LOVE my husband, have for years. i just don't know if i can LIVE with him!

Our kids: 3 dogs (with only a small-medium sized back yard). Ripley (about 4) is a Plott Hound (a coonhound variety) from the SPCA. We got him full grown about 1 yr ago after having been abused. Bailey (1 1/2 yrs) is a (mostly) black and tan Coon Hound) from the Humane Society. We got him at about 3 months. Abby (3 1/2 months), who is shown in my avatar, is my baby. the boys are my husband's babies. but abby is my sweet little girl. she is a snuggler. she is a bassett hound/pitt bull/boxer/asst other stuff mix from a friend of a friend of a friend. as you can see, she is precious (totally unbiased opinion).

i was raised charismatic episcopalian. i know that sounds like a contradiction in terms. the church in which i was raised was kind of the leader in a charismatic revival in the late 60s and early 70s in this area, so we were a hippy church (kinda). many folks wore jeans and flip flops and such and our church music came out of our congregation and was very folk-influenced and involved alot of tambourine music. in contradiction, my husband was raised very traditional episcopalian so, even tho we were raised in the same diocese, our upbringings could hardly have been more different. actually, i have not been going to church actively for a few years now. various reasons-some of them even valid (almost). but, many just involve me not wanting to deal with God on some levels. but, i am really at a point where i am ready to return.

i currently (and for the past 2 1/2 yrs) have worked as a paralegal/case manager for a bankruptcy attorney. this is probably the first job that i have ever really liked. i like it b/c i think i am good at it, so i feel good about it. my boss, even tho trying at times, is good to me. i work very independently (for the most part), which does well for me, and we have a very casual office (another plus). this is the only job that i have ever held for more than 13 months. Seriously! I have always been bored in most other jobs b/c anything that would keep my interest I was underqualified for (educationally speaking) and anything that I was qualified for was really beneath me, as far as being mentally stimulating/challenging. This has held my interest at least for now. Tho really, at this point, i think i dream of going to law school. but, who knows?

i have been vegetarian/vegan for close to 2 years and very high raw since about october. i was "raw-curious" for about a year prior to that. i know it will be a long raw journey. but, i wouldn't want to go back!
i love music of many different varieties (no rap or heavy metal tho, with rare exception). but, to get an idea of my favorites and my "type" of music: be good tanyas, jennifer daniels, sarah harmer, peter paul and mary, lisa loeb, nickel creek, nick drake, joan baez (early stuff esp), sam cooke, gypsy kings, natalie merchant, david gray, etta james, lizzie west, janice joplin
to name a few.

i love movies (probably too much). i love to read, but i don't read novels or other "stories" as much as I would like b/c i know myself. once i pick up an engrossing book, i have trouble focusing my energies on anything else, including sleep and eating :) i love music and dancing. i dance all over the place: the car, the store, just wherever i hear the music! i am (believe it or not) a romantic! right now, the book that i keep coming back to is "Dominion" by Matthew Scully. It is just wonderful. About many animal issues and humanity's disregard for them as part of God's creation and our obligations to them as such. It is wonderfully articulate, intelligent and well thought out.

My husband says that i am fiesty! hmmmm....He may be right ;) I am very opinionated and strong-willed about certain things for which I have a passion. and yet, i am very laid-back and casual about many other things. i am very loyal, giving and patient at times and at others, impatient and demanding. it just depends on how far you have pushed me. i can be gentle and tender as a lamb, but also fierce as a bull. no mono-emotions here! i tend to be who i am most of the time. some may not like me when they meet me (that is, clashing personalities), but if they do then they know that what they see is what they get. that who they are seeing is who i am.
oh....and did i mention, i can be a bit talkative? :D

i love the water and mountains (to visit-b/c i love the city too much). i love shoes and jewelry and pottery and flowing, feminine clothes. i love flip-flops. i love sitting in the hammock in our yard. i love snuggling with abby. i love watching movies in front of a fire, wrapped in quilts on a saturday night (yeah, i sowed my wild oats at an early age). i love helping people learn things, discover things and overcome struggles. i love feeding people (esp now, i love feeding people GOOD food) and having them be satisfied by such.

about kids (of the non-canine variety): i don't have any biological children. my 10 yr old nephew is the closest thing. i want children badly! my clock is really ticking too!! i have never been fertile, so that is definitely a struggle. of course there are other issues too: rocky marriages, financial issues, etc.... but, in my fantasy world: i would not be working anywhere but home. i would be a SAHM. I would have 2 kids via natural home birth, raised raw from birth and they would be homeschooled. too bad fantasy strays so far from reality. now you see why we have to have so many dogs!

kristi

[DennisMB]

Hello All

After reading this thread I had to go back and check the heading again, actually, checked it out twice, to see if it was a “Lady’s Only” thread or if the “Gents” were included. I see it has no reference to gender at all, so I thought I would tell about myself and put one on the boards for the “Gents”.



So here it goes!



My name is Dennis, and I am a 45 year old Police Officer and a divorced father of 3 kids who unfortunately don’t live with me. Cole is 17, Caitlin is 15 going on 30, and Logan is 10, and from what every one tells me, the one who is closest to me, and who drives me crazy. So, I think that says something about me. I feel sorry for my parents and my teachers. I was a royal pain in the butt growing up! I wish I could go back to me teachers and tell them how sorry I really am for all the crap I caused them, and despite how bad I was in school, I actually turned out quit well. As it turns out I had a learning disability and compensated by acting out. As for my parents, they know the situation and I make sure a day doesn’t go by that they don’t know how much I love them and appreciate them not disowning me.



I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and presently live in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. My grand father was a minister born in the States, Minnesota if I am not mistaken so I feel a very strong kinship with Americans. He moved to Canada after WW2 when he learned Canada had tons of souls who needed saving. I spent 12 years in the military and I am sick over the young American lives been lost in Iraqi. I am presently single and a Christian and looking for my soul mate, if such a thing is possible. Being a hopeless romantic, I am sure there is some one for me, although so far, she eludes me.



I learned of this Living and Raw Food diet by accident while I was fasting and doing a search on Google for something. I was on the Atkins Diet and found it wasn’t working for me. I really missed my fruits. I started going RAW approx 5 weeks ago and have not looked back since.



I am 5’7”, weighed in at 176 pounds, 19% body fat, high cholesterol, depressed, and had severe mood swings. I know that doesn’t sound very heavy but 30 pounds on a 5’7” frame is a lot of extra weight. Since then I discovered Alissa Cohen and her Living Food Book and DVD and I have never been the same. I have dropped 26 pounds and am down to 16% body fat, not depressed, no mood swings, and have a very clear mind. I feel like I am a totally different person and am on a new discovery of me. I have people saying things to me like, you’re so much fun now, you look so much younger. Then I get the how did you do it question. I tell them and they look at me like I had 3 heads or something, lol. Come on guys, its just RAW foods! I am now back into the weight room and hopefully going to lose some more body fat and gain some lean muscle mass. All hopefully in time for the summer weather and water skiing and not worrying about what I look like in a bathing suit! I’m sure you ladies can relate to that!



Cheers all



Dennis

[Momof3]

Thanks to Peacelover for this thread! It is the perfect way to get to know our raw-e-pals! It is amazing, though I'm not surprised, how many spiritual and creative souls we have here!

Hey y'all! As they say here in Mississippi. I'm Deanna a total newbie to raw today is day 2.
I am rapidly approaching the big 40 (June 21), and I'm a Yankee transplant in the rural bible belt. I am married to Ben for nearly 8 years and I am mom to Kyle-13, Susanne-7, and Jordan(boy)-5. I am currently a SAHM homeschooling our two youngest via a Montessori method. I enjoy scrapbooking, scuba diving, organic gardening, and reading. I am very interested in spiritual healing.
I am very spiritual and respectful of all beliefs. My DH was raised Jewish and I Presbyterian. We are bringing the children up to also respect and learn from all other beliefs.
I began our family’s quest for healthy foods 5 years ago; after my mom passed away at age 56. We gave up meat and dairy at that time and started eating as organic as possible. Since moving to MS 2 years ago the traditional SAD has crept back into our household and I gained back all the weight I had lost. It is also easy to get addicted to "healthy-junkfood". My DH is almost 100lbs overweight and I'm 40.
I'm so eager to clean my body back out again! (My current profile photo is a few years old when I was eating mostly vegan) Loose weight and heal my body of aches and pains, rosacia and thyroid problems. My DH has begrudgingly agreed to give this a try for 30 days. He is a total meat addict though so wish me luck. I want to feed the kids as much raw as possible too. I can't wait for my dehydrator to come.
It's nice to "meet" all of you! I look forward to getting to know you better on our raw food journey.
Deanna :)

[emmylou]

I am Emily and live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
I am 23 and 1/4 years and a 7th year college student(yikes!). I am studying Special Education and will be working with kids with emotional and behavioral disorders. I currently work with kids with disabilities part time.
I have no pets, kids, house, or really much at all! I think I move around too much and leave things behind. However, I did tear up a majority of my parents' yard for a garden. I think they secretly love it.
I love to travel, am a distance runner, love to take pictures, and LOVE to eat.
Have been vegetarian for 11 years now and vegan for 3. This raw stuff is pretty new to me, but it feels very natural.
I have a pannic disorder and have pannic attacks on a semi regular basis. I hope my change in diet will help reduce/eliminate them. I guess we shall see!

[Sass]

Hi... My name is Michele

I'm 42
A virgo
I'm not religious, but curious about the after death thing.
I love photography.
I'm single living in Upstate NY with my 2 awesome boys age 17 and 20, They are vegans and a few weeks ago my 20 year old decided to go Raw, so here I am researching like I did when they went vegan. I'm not vegan but I dont eat meat and really like the idea about this raw diet.
I work part time in a warehouse picking orders for antique ford auto parts and attend the University of Phoenix online college, it's proving to be quite a challenge as I haven't been in school in 25 years. :eek:

I absolutely love yoga but dont do it enough.
I dont have any pets at this time except a newt I've had for about 13 years, until my divorce 5 years ago I raised miniature horses and always had dogs.I miss having animals and hopefully someday when I own my own land I will have pets again.
My family are my best friends and we are all very close, I feel blessed for that.
I hope to make some good friends here, You all are so interesting. :)

Michele (Sass)

[spockafina]

I'm Annie - 21, from Connecticut
I took this past year off from school to figure out what I wanted to do (after wasting 3 years/lotsa money at UCONN switching majors every semester). I'm going to school again in the fall to study Health Education - I want to teach middle school. I"m very excited to start school again!

I have a boyfriend who is on his way to becoming a teacher - he is finishing up his Masters and starts student teaching for a semester in the fall before he will be certified. We've been together almost 4 years - it's been wonderful. We plan on moving to California as soon as I finish school (2 1/2 - 3 years - we're both really looking forward to it).

I live with my (crazy, pain-in-the-bum) mother. My brother and sister are both in their 30's, married, with kids. My father died 4 1/2 years ago.

I'm currently working in the bakery at Stop & Shop part-time, just so I have enough money to pay for all the fruit I eat, health insurance, and student loans. It's the easiest job in the world - I work evenings, prepping everything to be made in the morning. I work alone, and have minimal customer contact.

I think humans are hideous creatures and our civilization will eventually implode, at the rate we're going. The only people I've met who have the same opinions on this country, society, politics, and the rest of the world are old true hippies and hard-core trekkies.

I like to go camping, hiking, mountain biking, play tennis, swim in the Sound or nearby lakes, and I love to read. I also like to sew and make my own clothing - unfortunately I don't have a machine, so it takes me FOREVER.

I'm an odd combination of Deadhead/Trekkie.

[pineapple]

Hi,

My name is Nancy.
I am 37, a Pisces from februari.
With two beautifull kids
I'm born in Surinam, South America
Came to live in 1975 in Holland, as Surinam was a colony of Holland in those days.

After years and years of eating the authentic Surinam cooked/fried/baked dishes I started to avoid meat and now being a vegetarian I almost eat raw. However I still cant stay away from bread.

I love: my kids, nature, my natural hair (will try to get some ideas from Rawkinlocs), everything else that is natural, movies, talking to all sorts of people, walking, biking, reading.

I am greatful to everyone on this forum for sharing their knowledge and recipes of course.

Nancy (Pineapple)

[Randolyn]

Great thread!

Ok well I "had" typed a whole biography I think :eek: and well it disappeared :mad:


Briefly: My name is Vikki I am 42, my husband Sean is 37. We have 2 boys Jacob who is 3 1/2 and Noah who will be 5 in July. We are homeschooling. I am 6 months pregnant. I have a multitude of health related problems. I am not yet 100% raw but close. I am feeling better than I have in years already!!

[siempresam]

Glad you all bumped this up - it's interesting!

My name is Samantha
I'm 27, and a Taurus
I live in New York City in Queens
I went to college in California in the Napa Valley where I earned two BA degrees - one in International Communication and the other in Spanish - I graduated in 2001
I spent about 9 - 10 months in Spain during college
Just got married not too long ago to my 28-year-old husband - he runs an internet cafe and coffee/shop
I work at a rare instruments dealer shop where I am a receptionist
I take a pottery class on the weekends (am taking the summer off, though, to spend time with my husband - will start up again in the fall)
I am attempting to write a book
I am on my 4th day raw! (I know, I have been a member forever, but at least I'm finally doing it!)
I grew up Christian, but now I would say that I am spiritual and not part of a specific religion or path
I have a cat named Pixel (my current avatar on here)

That's it for now!

[PeatrixPotter]

What a great idea!

My name is Lydiann. I am 25 and a Pisces.

I was born in Phoenix, but moved to Southern California when I was 2. I grew up in the Antelope Valley, and lived all over the LA area starting when I was 19. I now live in Lake View Terrace which is in the San Fernando Valley.

I will be starting my second year of law school at Southwestern University this fall. Right now I am doing a summer internship at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles in the Community Economic Development Unit. We give support and legal advice to community-based organizations with our central office in South Central LA. I eventually want to end up in Employment law.

I am also in AA. I have about 5 months of sobriety. I find that this fits in well with being raw because I, who used to overindulge on food, alcohol, etc., am now trying to purify myself and be the healthiest I can.

I love animals, and have a cat named Peatrix (hence my screen name) who is my best friend.

I am spiritual, but not religious, and have always been a believer in "psychic phenomena." I definitely have an awareness of the spiritual aspect of life.

I hope to hear from all of you!

Peatrix

[cactus]

I thought since I have introduced myself in a previous post, and it wasn't as bad as I thought, Id join the list and tell you guys about who I am, I live in England, but I have spent my entire life till recently living in the boonies in Australia, I love it out in the middle of nowhere and the wildlife was incredible, now I live in a city and it takes a lot of getting used to,

I am 42, or I could be 43, I stopped counting at 30! I have 3 children from a previous marriage, ranging from 18 to 23 years old, one of them still lives in Oz, one lives in Utah and the 18 year old lives with us here, I also have a toddler with new husband(well I say new but its been six years,he is so brilliant that every day with him as is good as when we were first married and it feels like yesterday,)

I have been into power lifting and stregnth training for the last 20 years, on and off, (had severe health problems so sometimes I had to let it rest) I play the violin, and I am into craft, folk art etc, I have a close family even though they live all around the world ( brother in oz, brother in Newzealand and sister in Utah) my mum moved here not long after me when my father died in the recent past from cancer,

I have loved being a mum and have been at home bringing up kids now in one form or another for over 23 years but I am hoping to return to work, as a morturary assistant when my son starts school,

my nick name Cactus Ive had since a teenager, I have a tattoo of a little cactus and for some reason they are my favourite plants, because they seem to suvive almost anything, just like me:)

so thats about it really, I look forward to particpating in this group, and so far I have learnt so much just from reading what everyone has to say and I hope one day I can be as knowledgeable as some of you here about living the raw way.

[Jimmy Bear]

I thought I couldn't leave Dennis swinging in the wind thinking he is the only guy here.

Also, I think guys are far more secretive and that's why you don't see a lot of posts from the fella's here.

My name is Jim and I live in the Midwest (secretive) and am just exploring the RAW lifestyle. It feels right and it makes sense when you look at it closely. I have diabetes and have to be very careful what I put in my mouth (well, I'm supposed to be careful).

I am a Christian and offer no apologies for that.

I hope that I can find the courage to jump into this RAW lifestyle with both feet but I do have a wife who has no interest, so you can see the problems that can create for the one who does not do the cooking in our home.

I find all of you very interesting and love reading your stories. I guess the old jokes about donut's and cops have top go out the window with Dennis' post.;)

Thanks for being here and I'm thinking I love the lady who started this site (can't remember her name). I get the feeling she really cares about us and our journey.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you.

Jim

[lallen13]

Hi, My name is Lorna

I have been on this board for awhile but never posted an intro.
I started the 30 day challenge in Feb this year-80 to 90 percent since then
I am taking online classes at UOP and did a research paper on raw food
I am 48 with two grown kids and two beautiful grandbabies
I have had 15 different blod clots in one leg that seem to have gone away
since raw. :D
I love my church and I love my Lord
I believe He has given us everything we need to be happy and healthy if we will just listen
I have an in-home day care for 21 years
I love this board and the people on it, they have given me inspiration and the courage to stay raw.

[stevek42]

I'm 24, and have been a vegan for 7 months
I live in Northern Virginia (Leesburg), which is in the mountains but getting a bit too busy
I am a Hermetic Christian and a member of Builders of the Adytum
I am a Sr. Instructor for Oracle Corporation
I've lost 40lbs in 5 months by going vegan and about 70% raw. In the last two weeks, I've gone 100%.
I always start huge projects, get really into it, then get tired of it
But I'm a definite lover of daydreams.

[rawpriestess]

Hi my name is Christine
I am a Pisces with a Virgo rising, My Moon, Venus and Jupiter, are all in Taurus -- Mars in Aries and Venus is Taurus conjunct 1 degree in the 8th house -- Gemini midheaven (for those of you who are into Astrology)

I am a High Priestess of Witchcraft, was raised Presbeterian, but they couldn't answer my questions, such as, "If killing is a sin, and you will go to hell, where do all the police men and soldiers go who help save out world?" "And if reincarnation isn't real, then why did Jesus's disciples ask him if the blind man that was born blind, had done something and his blindness was a punishment?"

I have been married 4 times (so far) am with my soulmate, but refuse to marry him (Why mess up something that is working so well? although I call him my hubby!)

I am a professional psychic artist, that means I get to stay home all day and color pretty pictures for money (YES!)

Actually, at the age of 3 I was drawing dead relatives, that you could identify from the drawing, so my mom thought I was some kind of prodigy, and told me not to tell anyone. Finally at the age of 12, I let people know what I could do, and my entire life changed. Art fairs and festivals most weekends, no childhood really.

I married my first husband when I was 14, had a child at 15, and he is my best friend, also my first husband is a close friend, and none of the others do I even know where they are. (although I THINK I can still remember their names)

I am 52 going on 15. My current lover, Dragggon is my soulmate and he is only 47 and looks about 25, I love tall, thin, long haired, hard body freaks (as lovers).

I live in a big beautiful home on a lake, at the bottom of the bald hills near Mount Rainier in Washington state, but am currently looking to buy an island in Fiji and move to a less populated area of the world.

I have built a castle on an island with an ex-husband, took us 12 years, and we used all our own money, never borrowed a cent to build it, and it was our life.

I was a professional belly dancer for about 20 years, and went to Japan to dance in 83' for the summer, it was a wonderful experience, I will never forget, they treated me like royalty.

I have been a professional costume designer, house remodler, choreographer, catering chef, portrait artist, receptionist, customer service representative for a huge company in a big city (my one "real" job)-- 12 years, just to prove I could be part of society!!!-psychic, tarot reader, crystal ball scryer, actor, belly dancer, organic gardener, raw food chef.

I designed my own deck of fortune telling cards, that are sold all over the world.

I have my own DVD "How to Develop Your Psyhic Abilities"

I love to create anything with anything, I always said give me a hot glue gun and a stapler and I can make anything.

I have written 15 Raw & Living food un-cook books.

I currently am owned by one dog--Draggon Doggin, my black lab/Rot/Pitbull mix--my familiar and best friend (next to Dragggon the man)
Shadow Spirit my gray kitty, who really is Dragggon's familiar (the man, not the dog)
Cocoricco, and Lacey -- my two parrots,
and countless critters who live on and around our property, a black mink, who adopted me years ago, a family of lake otters, who come by every morning, two families of Great Blue Herrons, who love our dock, a family of bald eagles who live in the cotton wood trees near our home, and many possums, skunks, beaver, elk, deer, ferrel cats --- oh yes, and Mama Bass who lives under our dock and raises a family every year.

I love to read, and write and prepare food, and I am turning our home in to a castle from the inside out.

Blessings,
Rawpriestess

[Shona]

I am also new to Raw Food Talk. I have been reading the forums for a while, but only registered this morning. This is my first post!

I am 39 and a Cancer. I will be 40 in eighteen days. Yes, I am counting.

I am a single mother with two children ... a son [13] and a daughter [12]. We have two dogs ... a collie, Tessie [7] and a mixed hound, Buddy [1]. We also have a cat ... Felix [age unknown].

I live on beautiful Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada.

I am currently a full-time university student working on a BA in Cultural Anthropology. I love reading and learning new things. I am so happy I waited to pursue a degree. I think I appreciate it more now.

Like many others here, I am spiritual, but do not consider myself religious. I am a pagan woman who is trying to live more in tune with the cycles of Nature. My first love is Witchcraft [I am a green Witch], but I am also very interested in Buddhism and the spiritual tenets of Yoga, both of which blend beautifully with paganism.

I first became interested in vegetarianism around 17. This lasted for many, many years and then I just kind of slid into veganism. It was a very smooth and easy transition. For health reasons, I have been a long-time follower and advocate of The McDougall Program [ultra-low fat vegan].

The raw foods lifestyle has just recently come to my attention. I've heard about raw foods before, and even have a raw foods 'cookbook' - Vibrant Living by James Levin and Natalie Cederquist. This time, though, it feels different. It is like the Universe is giving me a nudge and telling me to pay attention. So I am.

I am slowly easing into raw foods. I am setting small goals for myself and when I reach one, then I move on to the next. My goal date to start the 30-Day Challenge is August 5th [New Moon].

I am looking forward to chatting with you all on the forums. It is nice to have others to share the raw journey with.

Shona

[solarliving]

I've been here for a little over a month and started out seeing raw eating as a way to add more fruits and veggies to my diet, now I have cut out a lot of the processed food I was eating and barely eat cooked food anymore.

I am 31, soon to be 32 In August (another Leo.) I have gone through a major lifestyle change this year. I finally quit smoking 4 months ago, which naturally set me on a path of completely healthy living. I used to be a very excessive person. Smokes, drinks, sweets, rich foods, I did it all too much and now I am slowly healing my body from all the abuse I put it through. I live in Southern California but I am originally from a small town near Tahoe. I have been a massage therapist for 10 years and I have my own practice in a beautiful office near the beach. I live a pretty simple life. No children, no pets, well except for my boyfriend. I studied Hypnosis and EFT 5 years ago, and I am presently working to build that part of my practice since I quit smoking. I am also studying Structural Integration/Rolfing. I have always been passionate about nutrition, herbs, and all plants. I love Trees! I want to live in a giant garden with waterfalls. I paint and play the guitar. I consider myself to be a spiritual, deep thinking person. I am constantly seeking and I love life. It is funny because my clients always thought I was a vegetarian and super healthy, now I am becoming what people always thought I was. I come to this forum several times a day, I think I am addicted. It is nice to be able to share this experience with others and I have also sent some friends to this site who are experiencing some health problems. Coming here keeps me inspired to continue the raw lifestyle.

[JumpinJax]

Hi everyone!

About me:

*28 year old female, 1/2 Puerto Rican, 1/2 French Canadian
*Live in Brooklyn Heights w/ my fiance and cat, Chico
*Executive Assistant at a Consulting Company in NYC
*I love yoga and running
*Tried veganism, macrobitotics, vegetarianism, fasting, etc.
*Trying to overcome candida & fibroids
*Went to college in CT and studied Cultural Anthropology
*Very spiritual, but not commited to religion
*Enjoy reading about Buddhism & nutrition
*Plan to move back to New England one day and open and health food shop!
**I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE FOUND THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lightsomelemon]

Hi everyone,

I'm 28 and a Sagittarius.
I'm currently living in Fredericton, New Brunswick after moving from Toronto, Ontario last year.
I'm gettting married in 3 weeks to the love of my life. We've been together for about 6 years.
I have no children or pets, although I would like to in the future.
We bought our first house last year and have been busy renovating- I have learned so much.
Interior design is a hobby that I would love to turn into a career.
I love to read about nutrition and health.
I can't wait to read Alissa's book -It is in the mail to me as I type.
I'm into transitioning. I transitioned into a vegetarian, then a vegan. I'm now on the journey to raw.
I'm looking forward to learning from and getting to know everyone here,

Sherri

[vixana]

You all are so amazing...
I am 23 almost 24 from Daytona Beach
Virgo ..and I fit the description to a "T"..
I am single have been that way for almost 2 years and I intend to stay that way until I find a guy that is serious about dating ..aww I love musicians :rolleyes: ...
I am a bartender..well I have been to soo many schools I can do anything but I am searching for my direction or passion in life..my dream to be an actress..who's isn't
I am not a raw foodist yet but strive to be..I am the type of person who will gather all the info I can on something before I do it..There are also things I need to tackle first..I am a smoker :eek: .......
I love to workout but have been battling eating disorders my entire life..I have had everyone and I would love to just live my life without worrying about staying on a particular diet just to stay thin..I am 30lbs heavier then I normally am ..Yuck but I will get there..
Oh and since everyone else talks about it ..I am catholic ....I was the catholic schoolgirl who definately rebelled ;) ...but my faith is important to me but I respect other people's beliefs..just as long as they have faith in something...
I love rock music and classic rock ..not typical for a girl but thats me and I love the whole rock star image..life ..clothes ...music ..everything...except the drugs...
hugs to everyone
VIXANA

[*~Butterfly~*]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[jennykiss75]

I am 29, soon to be 30 on August 29th – Virgo here!
I live in Salem, Oregon but was born an raised in Portland, Oregon.
I am a soon to be wife on August 13, 2005 and I am marrying my High School sweet heart in Montana, at Glacier National Park.
No kids for us yet…but I am ready, willing and able. We are planning on moving to the country and home schooling the kiddos. We do have two big fat dogs, Clarence and Winston and a dependent soon to be Grandma.
I have worked for the State of Oregon for 4 years, nothing to thrilling but it is stable and I get retirement, my honey is a brilliant Electrician
I am obsessed with my intestines (I know it is weird) but that is why I finally made my way to raw, we heal from the inside out.
I was not raised in a religious environment, but I believe there is some sort of force connecting us all. I have read many Buddhist based books and even reaped the rewards of inner healing as a result.
I love this forum and I am waiting for my raw transformation!

Jenny

[misslinda]

Misslinda
__________


Hi fellow brothers & sisters in Rawland!

*30 y/0

*WA State

*Gemini

*Single by choice

*Love jazz,new age,country,international and classical music

*Spelling bee champ 7 years in a row !!!!! as a youngster:)

* all sisters no brothers

*Plays violin and piano

*Favorite raw dish: 1 banana sliced with raw coconut milk drizzled and drizzle of blackstrap molasses--add 1 tbsp raw almond butter or raw cookie of choice

* Favorite Raw Line: "I love the way this RAW-tten food tastes!"

* Favorite Raw Memory: A member had started a thread about OXY-powder,a product used to help with bowel movements. Apparently the preceding posters thought it was about the laundry stain cleaner OXYCLEAN. They went on about how great it was---moderator eventually came in and clarified the subject! :p



C'est Moi ! ;)

[Jodi]

I haven't replied to this thread yet. I guess it's time!

You know my name: Jodi.
*I turned 41 a couple weeks ago. I'm a Cancer.
*Married 20 years this year! No children. Just could never see myself a mother.
*Tho, I'm mom to my yellow lab Rudy.
*Work part-time for a swine vet. (Yes, a pig doctor)
*Live in a house built in 1910.
*I have two brothers.
*Hobbies: crocheting, gardening, reading, working in my old house, camping.
*Live in a small Indiana farm-town. Just moved here to be closer to my family, we have lived for the past 18 years in a south suburb of Chicago. So, this town is a nice change.

If I think of anything else....I'll add it later!

Jodi

[dahgluvr]

Hi, this is a nice thread...I thought I would uncover it again! :)

Everyone has such an interesting story!

My name is Christine, I'll be 35 this year (Libra). I was a vegetarian since age 21 and have been 100% raw for almost a month now! Woo-hoo!
I am a perpetual student who still doesn't know what I want to be when I grow up. I'm single by choice and no children...I have a great dog (my avatar) named Re and a cat named Sappho.
I've worked at a natural food store for the last 8 years and am wondering where I am headed...I am always taking classes to keep life interesting! Photography, painting (oil), ceramics, sign language and...?
I love to read, but have an addiction of getting books, but not reading them! :) I love blank paper and the smell of morning. I play piano and am tring to learn the fiddle and djembe.
I was interested in eating raw for long time for health reasons.....weight and also that breast cancer runs in the family. Since diet is such an influence on health and disease, I finally decided to go raw! I hope to influence my sister and get her energized!
I am so glad I found this site! I was just surfing the web and stumbled upon it, but already it has had a great affect on my life! I ordered the book and dvd and have gone full steam ahead! Too-toot! :p

[squawkers7]

I'm a 41 yr old mom with 7 kids..yes 7, that's not a type-o.
I just moved back to a small town in NH from AZ...so I don't have a garden this yr or a bunch of fancy kitchen equipment and there isn't a health food store in town, in fact there isn't even a grocery store here.
I have tried a lacto-ovo veggie diet a couple times in the past and recently trying it again. My 13 yr old son got me searching fruitarian diet online and found some great info. Almost my whole family is addicted to meat & junk food so it isn't easy. I was born into a family (and then married into a family) with lots of health problems and refuse to follow their example & spend the rest of my life complaining or wondering why I have so many aches & pains.
I have to many interests to list them all...but do like photography, music, reading, camping, yoga, traveling & origami.

[Rawmommie]

Hey, don't complain about being a snake...at least you aren't an Ox. :rolleyes:
I'm Karen, I'm a pisces and 32 yrs old.
I grew up in St. Louis, MO and lived there most of my life except for a year in Dallas Texas where I met my husband.
We now live in the country (100 miles from where I grew up in MO) in a small town of 3000.
I UNschool my 3 children, ages 11, 10, & 4. It's a joy!
I'm a liberal, opinionated(workin on it), passionate woman. I love Trees, anything to do with nature, yoga, gardening (although I'm no good at it), reading and talking. :rolleyes:
I have a petsitting business that is slowly growing and a houseful of strange animals. A dog with 1 blue eye (Sapphire), a Polydactyl cat, Poly, who has 6 toes on each front foot, and now a new kitten who is a Japanese bobcat who has a stump instead of a tail (Linx)
I'm finding my spiritual path after declaring myself as an atheist years ago. I've come to find it's just not as simple as that. I'm more pagan than anything, but tend to shy away from labels when it comes to spirituality.
I've went raw November 2004 after eating lowcarb for 3 years. I've struggled, but I feel like a new person is bursting from me and each day I learn more.

Oh, I like to ramble. Did ya notice? ;)

[Dawn39]

My Name is Dawn
I'm 35 and a Scorpio or Rooster
I'm married to my Soulmate
I have three boys one 14 yo , two 11 yo's ( the twins were a try for a girl)
I used Depo Prevera at the request of my Doctor after my twins were born ( after they were born I was 5lbs away from the weight I was when I got pregnant) I gained 75#s in two months, I kid you not. The Nurse wanted to know what I was doing.
I have done everything to lose ( I was in the military)
I had most of the weight down , and gained it back when I quit smoking.
We homeschool and I find that they teach me something new everyday ;)
I used to try to wear all the hats, working Mom, Church Mom, T Ball Mom, National Guard Mom, Going to College Mom, Wife, operated a small farmette, keep up with the Jones', Cub Scouts.
Well I stopped I do church at home ( through Bible studies, TV evangles, books etc) Most "Christians" in this town do not view this as church.
I decided I'm not judging anyone.
I quit college 4.o GPA, Quit my job, quit sports and clubs and were happy!
I may sign up at the Ymca just to get us out of the house.
I have lived all over grew up just under the Mason Dixon, at the time it was a small rural community, now it's jammed packed.
Went to the Army lived all over. meet my husband he's from the West Coast so we've lived in a few states.
My sister for years has been trying to get me to swallow this herbal remedy or that ( I counted 20 supplements that they took during a visit for one day!!)
I do herbs but naturally in my food or tea, I do vitamins from the source.
I always had the concept that raw fresh food was the best.
And now I'm here with like minded people.
I am not 100% Raw, but the changes I've made are getting me there, I didn't cringe at my naked body in the mirror, I did not cry on the scale.Thanks to Alissa and y'all on the site.

[twinyoga]

I'm glad this thread was uncovered. Here's a bit about me.

I'm 32 (33 on Friday!...a Virgo), born and raised in Cleveland, OH.
I met my hubby on a blind date and we've been married 4 1/2 years and have 17 month old twins (a boy and a girl). I have no plans to have more children. This pregnancy was tough enough.
I was vegetarian for quite a long time for moral reasons (I just see flesh and bones when I prepare or look at the food!) before the pregnancy and then ate a bit of animal protein off and on while pregnant.
I learned about raw right before I got pregnant so I was really anxious to get back into it after the birth.
I'm pretty darn healthy. I have always like being thin, I have a tendency to be more of a medium build if I don't watch myself. But I have a fascination with diets and exercise so that's why I love raw. I've run the Chicago marathon, but will never do that again. I am dealing with some post-pardum issues but that's probably because it's really hard raising twins!
I'm a stay at home Mom and love it. It's hard but it's the most fun I've had in a long time.
My college degree is in percussion performance (I was very good!) and then I went into non-profit management and worked for several years as a fundraiser and event planner for nonprofit organizations. I miss the arts, though and am planning a career change when the babies start school.
I will probably become a personal fitness coach, or a holistic nutritionist.
I love yoga, but will never teach it because it will take a lifetime for me to learn what I need to from it. I practice yoga daily.
I have a cat, Freddie. I would love to have more cats, and dogs, horses, everything. I love animals.
I'm Jewish and love my religion. I love all religions and am a very open minded person. I just ask for honest and truthful friends.

Why do I stick with raw? Because it's so natural and so easy (if you let it be) I like when things are uncomplicated and I was getting tired of worrying about calories, fat, blah, blah, blah. Raw has simplified my life when it really needs it. I am also proud to be stepping away from main stream food and the poor health it contributes to.

Thank you for letting me share.

[levamssg]

I liked this thread the first time around ... fun going through and reading it again. Such diverse, interesting folks here.

I'm Terry, 56, Taurus
Married to my third husband 5 years now. Things are good. (Ist hubby was killed in an accident, 2nd marriage was 21 years -- two completely different people who happened to live in the same house, so finally we moved on)
I have two sons, one grandson; hubby has one son and two grandkids
Two cats share our house (or should I say rule)..., Kaz and Trax. Trax can be a bratcat, but she's a cutie. Kaz is calm and relaxed.
I'm a two-time cancer survivor. Found Raw food the second time around, and now I'm profoundly healthy!
I invest in real estate, rehab houses, rent or retail the finished product.
I'm spiritual, not religious. Not good with rules. (Guess that comes with being a product of the 60's!)
I'm a certified massage therapist and reiki level 2, but have let both of those skills slip away from me for the time being. Getting back there slowly.
I come from a very psychic/healing family -- skills I admire. My husband says I absolutely have them ... he sees them, I don't.
Used to be an avid quilter, reader, and gardener. More things that have slipped away. Getting back into gardening now.
Like yoga and exercise, and try to fit them in as much as possible
Grew up in Minnesota, have traveled most of the USA, and have lived in Idaho, Massachusetts, Utah, Australia, and now reside in St Louis Missouri.
Been a raw foodist for a bit over a year now

Still not sure what I want to be when I grow up ...

[ReneeSC]

I'm Renee, (37 - gasp!), married to Bryan, mother to Natalia(15) and Alexa (13); and we're also homeschoolers. We're church attendees, and it's taken us a LOONG time to find our home there, but we have. ( claps! finally! )

I'm here because we've been praying and PRAYING that we'd be shown how to fix a huge mess in our house:

Husband: (45), disabled combat vet, on high doses of medication for cholesterol ( liver poisoned ), steroids for severe asthma and allergies, but he's off of his heart medication now; he's also off of his PTSD medication ( causes more liver damage). After being a black berret for many years, being combat wounded, we traveled to Manhattan where he was working at the Federal Building. September 11th, 2001 pushed him over the edge emotionally; he saw it all and was under the building before it collapsed. It took a year for him to come off of the last two medications. He says he feels MUCH better since he has.

Mom ( Moi ): (37- ugh.. I repeated that! lol ). Was once also a soldier, very athletic, body builder, but had trouble with food in general. I've had two bouts with anorexia, one bout with bulemia, and now I'm battling a 3-year-old injury due to exercizing ( hmmm.. ), so now I'm battling a huge weight gain.
By the age of 34, I was going into full menopause! ( what??), I've been told I have SEVERE fybro-cystic breast disease, am going into diabetes ( he told me that just before I heard my mom is really sick from it ), my blood work came back nasty, my bones and joints need work.
I dunno WHAT to do about this neck injury, but I'm praying about that, too.

Natalia: (15) Huge weight gain in the last 4 years. She has had terrible trouble with restlessness, gastro-intestinal tract problems, vertigo-like symptoms, and.. lately...... a LOT of vomitting.

Alexa: ( 13 ) A bit UNder weight, feels sickly..and weak sometimes. She battles nausea, stomach pains, sickness, and ...after a few rounds of anti-biotics... a SUPERyeast infection.

As sick as my two girls have been, they've still continued to practice and publically perform at least one or twice a week for the past 7 months. However, it's been very hard. Had they not been homeschooled, it REALLY would have been a mess.

Due to the vomitting we couldn't stop, my husband began calling several doctors. The doctors said.... get this.... "We want her diet changed IMMEDIATELY! We're not going to do any further testing on her at ALL..until her diet is completely changed over a period of time."

( THIS was the answer to prayer we'd asked for...and I mean... literally! My husband would NOT agree to putting the kids on a vegan diet beforehand)

Because a MEDICAL DOCTOR(s) said this to my husband ( in unison ), he was willing to deal with the TRUE issues; our diet was in the toilet, and we'd better change it before someone dies!

A week later, they were out of town on a mission trip, and I snuck off to the 14 Carrot health food store where I asked this question:

"What can I do to cleanse out her system, rebuild her gastro-intestinal tract, heal her sickness and stabilize her weight?" ( for my oldest, we then talked of my youngest )

I walked out with Barley Green, ProBiotic Stabilizer, the saladacco, mortar/pestal, both Alissa's book and her DVD video(s)..along with a bit of things to cook with. Natalia has taken her new "medication" without much complaint... and that's amazing !


They arrived home at around midnight this past Saturday. At 3:00 AM, my husband and I were still awake watching Alissa flit around the kitchen on the TV.
By 12:30 the next day, I was in the kitchen tearing it apart.
And..( cry! ) there was my husband with me..... not a complaint out of him.. not one! He even insisted on using the saladacco himself!

We're now on day 3 of our Diet Change.

I slept like a baby last night, and awoke ALIVE!

I can't wait to see how my daughters look and feel after a month of this!
Myself included. I wonder how many ailments we can get rid of by the end of this year! ( ? )

[Ariannah]

I'm 38, Christian - I do attend church, but I accept and enjoy all people.

I have 4 children full time and a stepdaughter who visits sometimes. I homeschool (relaxed style, eclectic, but mostly unschool) my children like many people on this board.

I've been vegetarian, vegan, SAD, eating-disordered (now recovered), low-carbish (Carbohydrate Addict's Diet - still a high cooked meat diet - ugh), then back to my vegan ROOTS, then after cleaning my house and getting rid of all chemicals and chemical fragrances (I and many people in my house are moderately sensitive), we switched to organic, which led me to raw. I've been raw since end of June, and only had a few cooked food incidents since then.

My interests are my children of course, my guitars, knitting for family and for charity, organic food, my bike, reading, and online communication.

[Beyond Syntax]

Thank you all for the peek into that which is you. It is nice to see the various spiritual endeavors and hear the happiness exuding from all of your fingers.

I am Adam from Philadelphia, currently employed as an Insurance Underwriter

30 years young

Father of 3 (2 girls and one boy...ages 7,8,9)

I am also with my soulmate, with whom I've recently engaged in a life long union, which we will soon ceremoniously cymbalize under universal earthly law (as opposed to the governments statury laws, which are beyond my humble comprehension).

I am into my 3rd day of 100% raw diet. Previously vegetarian for a year and organic for a few years prior to that.

My wife and I try to create a very mind/body conscious household and our children all embrace the lifestyle.

I am an obsessive learner who loves a challenge. I've been writing poetry and writing and singing my own songs since I was a teenager and a few weeks before I turned thirty (last November), I took up learning the bass guitar. I've been in several bands and other various musical projects, focusing on the music as a wonderful medium to further express my poetic message of spreading the ideals of freedom.

Evolving into the raw diet was a natural progession for me in my quest for freedom. Now that I am here, I can't wait to unload all my questions in the discussion forum.

I find it very empowering to gain mastery over the cravings that exist within my ego body. I've grown to realize that my ego body does not necessarily know what is best for it, but that I have to take control and stick to what my intuitive body knows is right. My intuitive body knows that to eat living food makes sense. That to partake of that which is flowing with the life of the "mother", connects me to the "mother", and thus puts me in balance with the cycle. Unfortunately, my ego body has been bombarded by all of the subliminal advertising, traditional american stigma, as well as the implied carniverous prerequisite for manhood, which has left deep and unhealthy cravings within me.

That's why I'm here!

To enlist the aid of those who are experienced in battle.

Thank you all in advance for allowing me the opportunity to sprout new and wonderfully edible leaves.

Cheers - Here's to longevity!

[Fuzzball]

Wow...I can't believe it's taken me this long to find this post...and to think, Revvell made this her first post and now she's knocking on 2,000 !! :eek:

One of the few vocal males on the board....sometimes speaking before thinking.......but I'm working on that.... :D

*44 years and a Leo...
*Married over 17 years to my first and only life partner who I robbed from the cradle...(ok...she's mid thirties...)
*3 daughters, 16, 13 and almost 8.
*I'm a minority in a sorority, totally outnumbered by left-handed females. (but I have my own bathroom)
*We happily homeschool our daughters
*Two dogs, one 13 years, the other 9 months...it's amazing how young the older one has become!!
*Work for a national telecom company, building my own Internet company on the side to get out of the daily grind.
*Christian who Loves Jesus Christ
*Volunteer at a Christian radio station that specializes in putting fresh new talent on the air. (Station was actually the first in the nation to be called "Christian" rather than "Religious"....)
*Former Elder in my Presbyterian Church
*Escaped from lower Michigan (yes, I'm a troll) at 18....not missing 8 months of Winter at all! Arrived at AF Basic Training in early January in shirtsleeves and became a Texan immediately!
*Favorite Authors: John C. Maxwell, Og Mandino, Robert Schuller, John Mason, Jim Stovall, Bruce Wilkinson, Clive Cussler, Jeffrey Archer.
*Watched Alissa's DVD reluctantly and was hooked immediatly. I'm now a recovering meatasaurus that loves BBQ and Chik Fil A nuggets. :eek:
*Honestly cannot believe that this founding member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is happily associating with so many of other beliefs.....just reinforces to me that I am right to judge people individually and not as a part of a greater group..... ;)

Anyways, I've fallen down lately and need to get back in the saddle. Have been reading too much from diverse sources that clearly show that this is the way to live a long and healthy life, and I want to live to see my Grandchildren get married!

[TimmyC]

Hi my name is Tim, I'm 38, but I feel like I'm 25 or less in spirit, but hopefully physically soon. I'm married to my wife Jena for 15 years. I have two boys, my oldest Brendan who's 12 and my youngest Kael who's 7. Oh yeah I'm an Aries, born on my mother's birthday. We have a strange connection. It's weird, but she can tell something's wrong with me on the exact day, and then she calls to find out what's wrong. I've never known her to be wrong.

I really don't know how I got to this Raw Food stage, but I think it had something to do with divine intervention. One of my good friends mentioned that he juices, and that started me on my research journey. He had said he felt great when juicing. Why intervention? Well I've been eating SAD foods for all of my life. Only after the age of 26 did it start showing. I love SAD foods, so this is a one day at a time thing for me. There's no way I would have thought of this on my own BTW.

Anyway, after I read a bunch of stuff on RAW I decided to go 100% last Sunday, so I'm on my eighth day right now, and I feel great. I wasn't feeling great for say the past 15 years. I've had back pain since my mid 20's, and I believe that is gone after one week. I'm so thankful for that. There's not been a doctor in this world that has been able to help me. This way of life (I hate to call it a diet as diet to me means short term) has helped me with that!! In addition to RAW, I exercise as well. I exercise using my body weight only, no weights, and that's worked out very well for me the past few weeks.

Where I'm from? I grew up in South Dakota. I was a swimmer, played basketball, football, cross country baseball, and track. I did really nothing but sports all of my young life. I was a state chapion swimmer if you can believe that :). Moved out of my house when I was 18, and joined the Navy to see the world. I ended up living in Scotland, UK for six years. I met my wife over there and was married in a little chapel with only friends attending (it was awesome). My wife is from Colorado. I served in the Military for 5.5 years and supported Dessert Storm (Gulf War the first one). My wife an I then got out of the Navy and moved back to South Dakota (got our degrees), and I worked for a large computer manufacturer there (for 11 years). After that my wife got a promotion so we had to leave for St. Louis. I've been here almost two years. I still can't find a job so I'm pursing my MBA at Washington University @ St. Louis.

I identify with those that are spiritual, but not religious. I thought I was one of a very few. Although I do belong to a Lutheran Church (baptised Catholic, parents were Unitarian for a short time, then raised me at the UCC Church in Vermillion, SD. I did graduate from a Baptist university, but one of the cool things about this institution is that you didn't have to be Baptist to go. I've read the bible in its entirety thanks to them. I believe there is a God, and he sends me messages when my life isn't on track. Not messages in the form of words, but something my mind understands and puts in its own words in order to set my direction in life.

I'm very in tune with myself, and I have a unique gift in that I have an incredible intuition about people, and most of the time my intuition is correct.

My parents are divorced. I have two brothers and three step-sisters kind of like the Brady Bunch :).

What do I do for fun? I like riding my moutain bike, golfing, fishing, taking walks with my wife, playing with my kids and watching them grow. Now I like being part of this group!!

Last but not least I'm grateful to the people here telling their stories. Thank you! It would be cool to meet sometime!

[VeryBerry]

What a great idea!

My name is Nicole. I am 27. Leo & Horse (chinese astrology)

I have been vegetarian sinse I was a teenager, 14-15. I was also vegan for a while. I love raw food and I really do not like to cook. I started to eat a lot more raw food about a year ago. Today is my 2nd day 100% raw, and it feels great!

My interests:
Raw food & nutrition (but you knew that! LOL)
Public Speaking (I am a member of a local Toastmasters club)
Yoga (I love power yoga, especially sun salutations)
Personal development

I am positive, enthusiastic and creative. (or at least I like to be)

I live in the Toronto area with my boyfriend Frank.
I am a graphic designer and I work for a magazine. (It sounds glamorous, but it's not) I also have my own graphic design business, part time.

There are some really great people on these boards.
It was so nice meeting you all.

[samadhisoul]

Peace All,
I am Aisha, a 26 year-old mother of 6year old Amirah, 3 year old A'Gyasi, and 11 month old Samadhi.
We have been vegetarian for 5 years now and I was raw for about 6months--till I became pregnant with Samadhi, craved donuts, and gave in-*hangs head in shame*.

I spent 8 years in the Army Reserves (thank you Samadhi ;)), and have just earned by BA in English from Indiana University.

Raised Buddhist, I am in the process of discovering my spirituality and am studying Kemetics and Paganism.

hmmmmm, what else? I guess that's it :D

[karenisraw]

Hi all!

40 years old
Graphic designer/art director
May possible attend Aveda hair school
Used to show horses
Used to ice skate
Won national graphic design award
Have a roomate with 2 kitties, Pumpkin & Winter
Have a boyfriend of 7 years
May also attend college for Communications
Used to live in Iowa and Maryland, but now reside in Minnesota (yeah!)
May favorite sports star is Kirby Puckett who died this last week of a stroke
My favorite movie star is Julia Roberts
My new hero is my raw vegan doctor
I love to garden
I like to excercise sometimes
My whole family is into the advertising or art industry
I love the Olympics

[karenbeel]

I love this thread it is such a pleasure to meet you all.
I just turned 37 on Monday so I am a piscies
I have been 100% raw for 3 months now
I live in Bloomington MN although I am originally from the UK all my family are still there I moved to the US with my hubby.
I'm married as stated above and have been married for 17yrs, I met my husband on a bus coming back from London, I was 17 and he was 23. He was stationed in the Air Force in the UK for 2 yrs we got married and here I am.
I am a Mum of an almost 13yr old girl.
I work partime at a Chiropractors offece and I am also a substitute paraprofessional for the Early Childhood program here in the local school district.
I love to garden and go on bike rides and walks.
I love being raw


One thing I do miss though is my family in the UK, hopefully one day I would like to move back there not so sure hubby would though LOL!!!!!

[frozenme]

Wow such a diverse bunch. I'm pleasantly surprised.

I'm 43, July baby so I'm a cancer.
Married with 3 children ages 15, 6 and 5.
Max is the baby of the family he is our standard poodle, he just turned 1. We are training him to be a visiting dog. He will go to hospitals and nursing homes to get lots of attention and give some unconditional love to those who need him.
I homeschool. Hubby is a USAF Chaplain.
We live in North Dakota, and being RAW here is sooooooo hard.
I was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and PCOS 5 years ago and have not felt good or right for a very long time. The fatigue and weight problems are just the tip of the iceburg. :(
I decided I need a big change if I wanted to keep up with my kids and have fun with the rest of my life.

This board has been very helpful and I look forward to reading more.

[Misty*Mountain]

Hi! My name is Melisaa (though most friends call me Missy). I'm 23 yrs old (yup, I know, I'm a youngin :p ). I live in Stokes States Forest in Sussex County, New Jersey where I work as an environmental educator at the NJ School of Conservation. Basically I get paid to spend my days outdoors, teaching kids about ecology and the environment (not too shabby, eh?). I hope to someday open a my very own school-- a School for Ecological Education and Healing. Basically, I want to teach people about the environment so that they can gain an appreciation for nature, and I also want to teach others how to live sustainably so that this beautiful land can be appreciated by future generations. And ever since I've begun my raw journey only a couple of months ago, I've realized that I should add a raw food preparation aspect to my future school! Wouldn't that be great! So yeah, people will come to my school not only to learn about the environment, but also to learn to live healthily! Anyway, so as you've probably guessed.. I'm an idealist! I want to change the world.. I want to make it a better place.. and so I live my life by the words of Ghandi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world". I believe that in order to make a change, we must start with education. :D
Ok so besides all of that, I really enjoy shakin my booty at live shows.. Going to see live music is a huge part of my life.. Music is an incredibly healing and uniting force.. and dancing to live music is my very favorite pasttime. I play a bit of guitar.. and I sing. I also love hiking, yoga, travel.. I spent 3 months in New Zealand last year and I had the time of my life.. I think travelling is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. I love reading books and learning new things. Sometime I feel overwhelmed by all of the information that is out there... I just want to know it all! I like to sew and make crafty things too.. although I haven't been doing too much of that lately. Hmm.. ok I think that pretty much sums me up... Nice meeting you all :D

[smorgasborg]

You are gonna love it in Montana! I was born and raised in the Big Sky country.

[xBetterOffRawx]

Ok, so this is my first time posting on here but i saw so many interesting people on here I figured this was a good place to start.

*My name is Christina, I am 27 yrs old and have a 3 yr old son named Asher.

*My husband was hit and killed by a drunk driving on Feb. 6, 2006 while riding his bike home from work. We had been together almost 6 yrs and he is my inspiration for going raw. He had been vegan for about 8 yrs and very much believed in the power of eating a raw vegan diet. He ate about 90% raw and was the most energetic and motivated person I have ever known. I miss him every waking moment and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

*I have been vegetarian for about 9 yrs and vegan for approx. 7 yrs. I was a "normal" weight when I was veggie but for some reason when I went vegan my weight started to climb! Too much processed foods, lack of exercise and stress in my life has only caused my food choices to get worse and thus my weight to climb and my health to be sub-par.

*I was born and raised in Orange County, CA. I am the complete opposite of the sterotypical "OC girl", thank god.

*I am Straightedge. I do not use drugs, drink or smoke.

*I love cats and currently have 5 (Roundie, Sqwog, Mr. Beezersteen, The Mini and Froggiegert). I also have an American Pitbull Terrier who is the greatest dog in the entire world, his name is Ishmael.

*I live in Lancaster, PA but due to my husbands death I am moving back to San Juan Capistrano, CA the first week of April to live with my parents (ugh) while I finish college.

*I am not sure where I am at spiritually. I tend to gravitate towards zen buddhism these days, it has given me alot of comfort while dealing w/ my husbands death.

*I am planning on going to law school, I am a bit of a late starter =)

*I like hardcore, metal and conscious hip-hop.

*I like to sew, read, cook (and uncook, I know, ha), explore, walk through the woods, sunbathe, ride bike and fill my lungs with fresh air.

Breakfast calls.
Christina

[vickiesltw]

Hi I am Vickie or Lil' Brat the Clown

I am 37 years old, aquarius
Live in Tulsa Ok, buying our last house ( i hope ) with half acre yard( so excitied)
I have been raw for 7 days before that straight up anything diet.
I have been married 10 years. My darling husband is very supportive and trying raw food too
I have no kids, 1 cat and my vita mix. It is hard to decide which I like more the vitamix or the cat.
I have my own business as a professional entertainer. Lil' Brat the clown is my favorite character. I create costumes clown and historical costumes for other people.
Walked the applachian trail in 2001 and look for to biking the American discovery trail in a few years.

We went all raw because after researching several diets they all seem to have one thing in common, raw fruits and veggies. So I decided if they all agree with them they must be the right avenue.

I

[maraw]

This thread is great! And looks like it has been around for about a year now. I was just wondering the other day about some of you. What your family life was like, etc. This is really nice. Makes everything a little more personal.

My name is Anna. I am 39 (and holding - birthday is in July).
I am a Christian wife (married 7 1/2 years ), and mother of 4 - ages 6, 5, 3 and 2 - 3 girls/1 boy. They are all wonderful and precious in every way possible.
We live in the country just outside of Houston, Texas. We have a little less than 3 acres - seems just the right size for us. The kids love it out here and I like the quiet.
We have 1 dog, a sweet, very old Borzoi named Pasha, and two cats. One cat, Odo, is a ginger tabby and is very loving and a real part of the family. The other one, the kids named Moses, is a young grey tabby that is feral. He just hangs around at a great distance and eats the mice and lizards. We love him just the same.
I went raw last year to lose weight, but found that it changed my life profoundly in the process. I was a vegetarian for 6 years until I became pregnant and the cravings for animal-based foods overtook me. I am thrilled to have returned to sanity once again.
When I was single, I was the Public Relations Director for a local non-profit organization. It was a very rewarding job, but it had become my life. I was happy to have met my husband and changed my direction toward a more personal and loving lifestyle.
I grew up on the Gulf Coast, and went to college in West Texas. I am now pursuing an additional degree in nutrition and have already started teaching others about raw and whole food preparation. I look forward to additional training at Alissa's upcoming class in May.

Things I love the most: my God, my husband, my children, cooking (I could do it all day), reading, happy music and peacefulness.

[Purl]

I thought I replied to this thread bt apparently I didn't, so here goes :p

I'm Shannon

I'm 31

Married for 8.5 years

We have 4 dc 8yo ds, 8 yo ds, 5 yo ds, and 2 yo dd.

We live in New England and I've only left New England 3x times. :rolleyes:

My twins were born 3 months premature and were dx'd with autsim at the age of 4. We tried several meds for 4 years, but recently we tried the gluten free/ casein free diet and it;s working better than the meds did!!! So they have been med free since Dec 26th!!! YIPPEE!!

We live in a house with an in-law apt. My mother lives there. Worst decision I ever made. We have learned to make the best of it, but I hope to move away some day. I'd love to live in the Berkshires.

We have 2 cats: Georgia and Lil' Kitty-yet-to-be-named. :D

I am a SAHM. I love Flylady, but I think I will be a flybaby forever.

I have always had issues with food (always too much or way too little)

Raw is the best thing I've heard of in a long time.

I hope to lose about 33 lbs overall.

I also like to knit, read, and study-esp the Bible.

[VibraTechJulie]

I guess you can tell my name is Julie. This thread is so wonderful and thought I would fill you in about me.

I am 43 (for one more month). I have been a vegetarian for 7 months, vegan for 2 months and 100% RAW for 15 days and loving it!! Lost 17 pounds already :D

I live in a small Oklahoma town called Pauls Valley but am only an hour from Oklahoma City or about 2 1/2 hours from Dallas.

I am a wife and a mom to 2 sons (22, 20) and grandma to 2 grandsons with another due in June. My hubby, Ron, is the love of my life (3rd times a charm) :o He is my best support although he isn't commiting personally to the Raw Life (at least not yet).

I work at a JOB as a physical therapist assistant but have my own business where I do energy healing. (I am a Reiki Master Teacher and also use 5th Dimensional Vibrational Healings with tuning forks) I usually do this work at Alternative Health Fairs and Spirit Fairs. :p

I took the course to be a Certified Raw Chef and in June will take the Instructor Certification. I do plan also to pursue the Teacher Certification to complete the Raw Courses Alissa offers. I would love to have a career in Raw Foods. It goes very well with the other vibrational healings I do ;)


I am also a morning person. I engage in sungazing. This is a wonderful time to do my meditation. Iconsider myself a spiritual person, not religious, although raised a Methodist. I believe in One God, Many Paths. It was actually after doing sungazing that I gave up meat and then eggs, cheese and now Raw just seems like the culmination of the journey to health.

I have a dream of a Wellness Center in Norman, OK. It will happen. Just a matter of time.

I wish you all the greatest successes in your Raw journey, in your health and in the love you have for your friends and family.
Julie