Just sayin' hello

[Mary Anne]

I just came across this board, thought I'd introduce myself. So many new raw foodists to meet. I recognize Rock n' Locks, Gosia and Alissa from the other boards -- *waves!*

I've been raw one year and two months so far. I LOVE IT!

I am 41-years-old and raw foods changed my life. I started out doing this because I kept getting bladder infections, one right after the other. I was fed up with going to the doctor and just getting anti-biotics and no real answers as to why this was happening or what to do to stop it.

So I took the matter into my own hands and wow, no bladder infections ever since. Not only that, my teeth got whiter, I lost weight, I no longer get headaches (I used to take 3 aspirins a day and drink coffee to get rid of them -- and I thought that was normal!!) No more sinus problems, no more PMS, no more swelling and bloating, no more insomnia, my eyes got brighter too. And my middle-aged stomach is as flat as a board!! (I put some pictures up to share if anyone is interested).

It wasn't an easy road. The first six months were the hardest, trying to find the perfect approach. And I'm still working on it. Interesting that you give up all the pastas and breads and sugar, and there's always something else standing in the way. For instance, trying to conquer my addiction to organic dried fruits and transitional gourmet raw foods is a tough one. Bad teeth run in my family so gotta watch those dried fruits! (Darn!) One step at a time though ... ain't that always the way?

Anyway, I'm glad I stumbled across this site and found more people to walk the walk with. I only know less than a handful of raw foodists in real life, so the more sites to chat with people, the better.

Good health to all!

Love,
Mary Anne

[Rawkinlocs]

*waves - Hey Mary Anne!! Glad to see you here. :)

Okay, I just viewed your pics...no WAY can you be 41! You look terrific Mary Anne. Raw foods have done you GOOD!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Mary Ann,

Welcome :) I just love to read success stories! I really like reading the ones where they say their headaches went way (gee, can you tell what I get???). I'll have to go and see your pictures. I'm assuming they must be over on the 30-day all raw challenge section?

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[vegbaby]

Hey, welcome!! :)

Melanie

[CherimoyaMel]

Welcome! Glad you found this board!

Melanie

[Jay]

Hi and welcome to this board!
You look great! You look so much younger than you are... it's like they say: age ain't nothing but a number!

Take care!

Joke :D

[Curtis]

Welcome Mary Ann, glad you are here. :)

[Jo-Ann]

Hi Mary Ann, welcome aboard :)

Jo-Ann

[VeganWannaBe]

Hi Mary Anne!
I found this site 3 days ago and absolutely cannot seem to stay away!
Your post was so encouraging & helpful ... I am only on day 2 of the 30 day raw food challenge. Yesterday, my day one, I had a small set back when my children pulled out their Halloween candy ... but I put a stop to my indiscretion fairly quick. Today is a new day & I will do even better. Your post brought to my attention that this change really is worth it! Thanks for sharing ~

[SimplyRawesome]

Yes, welcome Mary Anne! You do look fabulous! I'll be 46 in January and I wish I had your stomach! But, having a 10 pound baby at 29 and then a 8# 4oz. baby at 31 did a real number on my skin. It would be nice if the raw lifestyle would repair that but I won't count on it.

Glad you're part of our growing family.

[Curtis]

I must have missed you nutrimom, welcome :)

[SimplyRawesome]

Thank you Curtis! :) I made my debut on the homeschooling board.

[Mary Anne]

Thanks for the warm welcome beautiful fellow raw foodists!

:)

I can't wait to navigate this site more when I get to work on Monday, as my home computer is a bit slow. :mad:

Rawkinlocs -- You look fantastic! This site is so cool, the photos are so big and bright, I love it!

Helen of Tennesse -- I met you a few times on other boards. Nice to see you again. You're looking good :)

VeganWannaBe -- Don't beat yourself up, you're only on your second day, don't worry about Halloween candy. It took me three months before I gave up candy completely and then another three months before giving up french fries. One day at a time, don't concentrate on your cheating, concentrate on the good you're doing for your body. (((HUGS))) After some time you'll lose your taste for sweets and other junk food -- it won't even taste like food anymore, then stuff like broccoli will taste like candy. YUM!!

Nutrimom -- You look amazing too! (You remind me of that 1980s actress and Sports Illustrated model, Lisa Hartman. Did anyone ever tell you that?)

I'll check out everyone elses pictures and profiles on Monday -- on the superduper fast computer!

Much love,
Mary Anne

[SimplyRawesome]

Nutrimom -- You look amazing too! (You remind me of that 1980s actress and Sports Illustrated model, Lisa Hartman. Did anyone ever tell you that?) Thanks Mary Anne! LOL. Do you mean Clint Black's wife (Can you tell I'm from the Nashville area?):D Lisa Hartman who played CJ on Knots Landing? No, she is not one of the people I've been told I resemble. I wish! The actress I'm told I resemble the most is Helen Hunt.

[VeganWannaBe]

Oh my gosh ... today went wonderful! No cheating at all :p
Thanks for the boost of confidence Mary Anne .... you are so right ~ one day, one meal at a time!
I have to share this b/c I am so proud: today my hubby came home from the field (Army training) just until Monday. Anyway, we took the kids to see a special preview showing of "Polar Express" here on post. As always, he purchased all four of our kids their own popcorn, soda, and candy. Then proceeded with "our" order. When he asked what I would like I told him I was fine so he went ahead with a smaller popcorn and a soda for him. Although I was asked during the movie by both my husband & my children if I wanted any of their goodies, I simply said no thanks. This, my friends, is a huge accomplishment for me! After we made it back home I told my hubby about the 30 day raw food challenge and how I was ready to get healthy again & he gave me a big high five. For dinner tonight he joined me for a huge salad of lettuce, red cabbage, bell pepper, bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, radish, tomato, scallions, and advocado. The only difference between our two plates was that his had salad dressing on it. He thought dinner was perfect and very filling. How cool is that?!

[SimplyRawesome]

VeganWannaBe,
That's AWESOME!!! You have every right to be proud and I'm SO proud of you too! That IS HUGE!!! You go girl!!! Now go have a couple of dates as a reward!! LOL.

We have this huge container of pretzels and everytime I walk by I can hear them calling me. My son thinks I've lost it because I tell the pretzels to "SHUT UP!" when I pass them. But I will admit, I ate one of the suckers so they'd leave me alone! :( It's a challenge walking by them without grabbing a handful. I'm glad the container's half empty. And you sat there between hubby and kids with popcorn and who knows what else! You get FIVE GOLD STARS!!! ;)

[qetta]

Hi to Mary Anne and nutrimom! You both look GREAT.

And VeganWannaBe - that is awesome. Go you! :)

-Lisa

[SimplyRawesome]

Thanks Lisa! Sure do appreciate it. :o

[Alissa]

I was trying to think of who nutrimom looked like! You’re so right! nutrimom, you do look like her! I always liked her when i was little and wanted to look like her, i thought she was so cool :p
Welcome Mary Anne, nice to have you aboard!
xo Alissa

[Rawkinlocs]

We have this huge container of pretzels and everytime I walk by I can hear them calling me. My son thinks I've lost it because I tell the pretzels to "SHUT UP!" when I pass them. But I will admit, I ate one of the suckers so they'd leave me alone!

ROTFLMBO!!! Nutrimom, that is one of the FUNNIEST things I've seen in a long time! I hear ya though....I might have to try that with those darned chips! Thanks for that! :D

Veganwannbe: That is GREAT...congrats on your day and your hubby joining you for dinner YOUR way!

[SimplyRawesome]

I might have to try that with those darned chips! Thanks for that! :D
LOL. My pleasure! The best part is the look on your kids' faces when you start talking to food! It's priceless! ;)

[Mary Anne]

Nutrimom -- Yes, that's it, Lisa Hartman Black!!

VeganWannaBe -- You're doing so good, so early in your journey! Amazing! And very lucky to have such a supportive hubby! You go girl!

Ha-ha, and I'll join Rawkinlocs and Nutrimom when I tell the dried organic mangos and Raw Lara Bars to "SHUT UP!" My teeth have been a little sensitive lately, so I'm cutting down on the dried mangos and Raw Lara Bars (heavenly, I tell ya!)

The challenges never end, do they?

Love,
Mary Anne

[vegbaby]

What are Raw Lara Bars? Sounds like something I need! :)

melanie

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Melanie,

You can read about and order Lara bars at:

http://www.larabar.com

Although it lists stores that carries them, many other stores do carry them that aren't listed. You can check your health food store and see if they have them or if they would order them if you're interested.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[tglasco4]

Welcome Mary Anne,

As an experienced raw vegan I am sure we will all be hitting you up for info!:) Glad you are aboard.

Peace and Blessings.

Todd

[smasty]

Heya Mary Anne! Good to see you!

I just ordered two boxes of Lara Bars...I've been addicted to them in the past, but got over it. It was a stress thing. They're great for tucking in a briefcase or glove box just in case hungries hit. I keep thinking I should just make my own...but they're so nice and convenient.

Hey...your pics look great!!

Sue

[Olive]

Smasty,

I've tried making my own version of the cherry pie bar--cherries, dates and almonds, no sweat right?--and they just don't taste the same! Hmmm, some secret, classified ingredient maybe? :p I'll let you know if I hit on the right ration!

[smasty]

Hey Olive!! I haven't had a chance to say hi to you yet!

Yeah, that's my fear...I'll do all the work and they just won't taste the same. Cherry is one of my favorites...and Cashew Cookie. Hmmm...2 ingredients there, cashews and dates...how hard can that be? Ah well...I kind of like having something raw I can unwrap...reminds me of the olden days on SAD where EVERYTHING (every single thing) I ate had a wrapper. :)

[Olive]

Hello to you as well Smasty! I like the wrapper as well :o . . . reminds me of the Clif bars I consumed in mass quantities!

[Gosia]

Hi Mary Anne!!! It's so nice to see you here!

I wish I had more time to write. I have several papers to work on and absolutely no time for much more:( I am also applying for a new position and might be moving to Tasmania (I am slightly concerned about the availability of durians there, because I like having them once a week).

I am still working on that bikini photo-shoot :)) It is coming up, definitely (well, some time in the future).

Warm regards,
Gosia.

[Tanja_swe]

Hi Mary Anne, I recognize you from some other board but have never "spoken" to you. Anyway... just wanted to say welcome and I hope you'll enjoy your stay :)