Hello, and greetings from Venice...

[AphexPhode]

Florida that is. My name is Teresa. I'm married, 27 years old. My husband and I recently moved to sunny Florida. We came from cold, grey and gloomy Michigan. We live close to the Gulf of Mexico. I was vegan 5 years ago, but became very ill. I was eating lot's of junk food. Pasta, vegan cheese, tofu, tempeh, fake meat, etc. No wonder I became sick. I went from a junk food vegan to a hardcore meat eater (sorry to anyone who is grossed out by that). Two month's ago I went vegan again, this time cutting out most of the junk. I still ocassionally have tofu. I try to properly combine my foods, as outlined in Fit for Life. I find myself eating a lot of apples, banana's and grapes. I love young coconuts but the only place I can find them is Whole Foods, and they're sometimes spoiled. I dont have much good to say about the produce found at the Whole Foods near me. It's overpriced, sometimes rotting, and half of it isnt organic. I enjoy spiral slicing zucchini for dinner, and topping it with my own raw vegan pesto. I feel like I definitely need more variety. I also have lot's of cravings. I crave cooked food's all the time. I need to lose weight. I have gained 20 pounds a year for the past 4 years. I used to be thin, I hardly recognize myself anymore. I find myself easily depressed, and turning to food for comfort. I have started exercising lately. My husband and I play tennis most evenings, or when it's warm enough, swim in the Gulf of Mexico. We also walk most mornings. Since I have gained so much weight, I have become very uncoordinated. I own a Vitamix, Saladocco, and a Champion Juicer. I thought about buying a dehydrator, but i've read that dehydrated food hurts your teeth. For snacks I love to eat Medjool dates.

My goal is to lose 80 pounds, become more limber and strong, and feel good. I want my skin to glow. I want to feel alive. I know raw food can help me get there. I'm glad I've found this board.

Cheers,

Teresa

[misslinda]

~@~@~@ Warmest welcome Teresa ~@~@~@~

So glad that you can join us. You will find of great bunch of people here with individual personalities and style. I believe that the things you want, you CAN have. Let us know how we can help you.

"Life's greatest gift--is the ability to want to choose!"


Making changes,
Linda :)

[Jay]

Hey Teresa and welcome to this site! You're so lucky to be in warm California (hmm, is it still warm out there? have no clue to be honest...)
anyways, glad you are joining us!!

Joke

[Rawkinlocs]

Welcome Theresa!

[twinyoga]

Welcome. I'll be in Florida in February and I'd love to be all raw then. It'll be for two weeks and the produce will be so fresh. (I'm in cold Cleveland Ohio)

[Joopie]

Hey Teresa, welcome! I'm 26 and coming off of a bunch of diet changes as well so maybe we can cheer each other on. I wish you the best with your weight loss (I'm aiming for a loss of at least 100 lbs.) and in gaining your health! This board is great. :)

[AphexPhode]

Thank you for all of your kind words.

Miss Linda, thanks for the warm welcome. :)

Jay, I'm actually in Florida, not California, although I wish i was in Cali. One of my favorite places in the world. I've never been to Belgium. I'm sure it's amazing. Thanks for the greeting :)

Rawkinlocks, :) thanks

Twinyoga, Which produce should I keep an eye out for in February? I honestly am clueless about when which foods are in season. thank you :)

Fightyorke. I've had the pleasure of sampling some of the products that glasserorganicfarms has to offer. Their salsa and guacamole are awsome. Their raw vegan veggie pie is yeasty tasting. And I almost broke a tooth on their essene bread. It was hard as a rock. LOL. The healthfood store near me carries many of their products. They do have an awsome pesto. mmmm...so tasty.

Joopie, I'm also trying to loose near 100 pounds. It seems impossible to me, but I know it can be done. Please, if you feel like it, contact me via email, and we can cheer eachother on. I have a lot to learn, and I hope to be able to purchase Alissa's book within the next few weeks. take care, and hang in there.