START GIVING: CHANGE YOUR LIFE TODAY!

This is an amazing story of a woman who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Her spiritual advisor told her to give 29 gifts in 29 days and it totally changed her life and her healing.... a change in mindset, to say the least. Check it out, its powerful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdH8xZ6eer8&feature=player_embedded

THE DATE PEOPLE

I AM SO EXCITED. I finally received a call from The Date People. No, It's not a dating service =P.

DATES ARE IN SEASON!!!!!!

The Date People is a small farm in Niland California. They grow the most delicious dates you could EVER IMAGINE. They are moist, sweet, and too good to be true. I get SOOO excited just thinking about them!!!!!!!

I ordered 10 pounds. They will arrive next week. I am beyond excited!!!!!!! wooohooooo!!!

You should order from the date people too. Not only are they more delicious than any other dates ive ever had, but also they are way cheaper than dates at the grocery store and you will also be supporting a small farm and some really good, kind people.

Check out their website, www.datepeople.net , and order dates today! Call them up and get on their waiting list... they'll call you back and you can experience the magic of fresh dates as well!!! I recommend the barhi dates, they are to die for!!! =) Oh, and you don't have to pay until you receive the dates! very cool!

Anyways, sorry for not updating in a while... its been hectic trying to get caught up with school. I'll update soon!

Surgery

On Tuesday I had surgery on my heel.

It was a little more hectic than expected.

The surgery was supposed to be pretty simple. It was supposed to last 2 hours. It ended up lasting 5 hours.

The x-rays showed that my heel bone was in 4 pieces. IN reality it was in 25 pieces. Ouch. The doc said it was one of the worst foot injuries he had ever seen.... and it was one of the more complicated surgeries he had performed.

I was under general anastesthia for the surgery. They also gave me a pain block in my leg to numb the pain for a little while after I woke up. It was only supposed to last for about 5 hours, but it lasted over 24 hours! I was on medication through an IV and I also had narcotics at the push of a button. I had to sleep at the hospital for 2 nights... i was miserable.

Im home again and in a lot of pain.

Its not easy to stay positive at all times when you are bed-ridden. Im trying my best to see the good in this situation, but it keeps raining on all of the plans i had for the next few months.

Everything will work out. I'm not sure when and im not sure how, but it will be okay.

deeeeeeep breath.....

hooked up to a bunch of stuff at the hospital

NARCOTICS at the press of a button!

Where the wild things are:

BERRY BOY!

Check out the blog of Christopher, a five year old fruitarian.





http://rawberryboy.blogspot.com/

Straight from his blog, Connie writes:

"Berry Boy is a blog about a 5 year old fruitarian named Christopher. His favorite colors are green and purple. He loves dinosaurs, riding his Power Wheels 4 wheeler, watching far too many cartoons, riding his scooter to the park, and walking his dogs, Pippi and Scamp. He has never used shampoo, soap, lotion, insect repellant, or sunscreen, and refuses to have his hair cut. He has never tasted a Coke, doesn't know what a donut is, and gave up birthday cake when he got sick from eating a piece. He loves berries, apples, peaches, yellow watermelon, cherry tomatoes, and inventing his own recipes from fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, and seeds. He knows the dangers of eating what he calls Bug Food and wishes Mommys and Daddies everywhere would stop feeding it to their children. We invite you to come along for the ride as we watch this beautiful child grow up and realize all the potential he was born to enjoy.
Proudly,
Christopher's Oma"

SHARING THE LOVE

My friend Sarah from www.livingfruity.blogspot.com recently created an amazing recipe e-book with her family. She has 2 beautiful, vibrant children who also base their diets from fruits and veggies.

Straight from her blog, it says, "Sharing the Love: A Low-Fat Recipe Guide contains 40 recipes, encouraging quotes, special hints, and several inspiring stories to help motivate you in your quest towards living a vibrant and healthy life. These recipes are great for those just starting out or for those who need a few new ideas to add to their already healthy diet."

...and it is exactly that. It is probably the best online raw recipe book I have ever read. It is full of heart-warming and inspiring quotes. The recipes all sound delicious and it makes me want to eat them all NOW!!!

Her son, Elijah, is currently working to overcome epilepsy. It has been a long battle for him and the expenses are mounting. You can read more about it on his blog, http://rawepileptichealing.blogspot.com/

If you donate over $10 to Elijah's fund, you can get your own copy of Sharing the Love. Not only will you be supporting a good cause, but you will also get to have your own copy of some of the most delicious recipes you can imagine!!!

Read more about Sharing the Love and how to donate here: http://rawepileptichealing.blogspot.com/2009/10/sharing-love.html

Keep Elijah in your thoughts, prayers, intentions, or whatever you want to call it. =)

injury promotes thinking

A lot has happened since my last post.

.....but a lot of the memories have already been faded away by bigger happenings in my life.

Fast forward.

Triple Crown: the first competition of a 3 bouldering-competition-series. Boone, North Carolina. Hound Ears.

It was a beautiful day. PERFECT weather. Good people.

I was working on this climb called Flash or Trash. It was a classic v5 in the area.

I was getting so close!

Finally I was near the top, going for the last HUGE hold. I hit it with two fingers and fell. Bam.

I screamed as my foot hit the ground. I never scream like that.

My foot started burning. It felt like it was on fire.

Oh well, i just sprained it... or rolled it.... thats what i kept saying to myself.

But I couldn't walk. i couldn't stand up. I couldn't even wiggle my toes.

I camped out in extreme pain. I grinned and bared it all through the award ceremony and after party as i sat in Friksn's booth.

The next day we drove back to Chattanooga.

We went to the ER to get X-rays... which is all a story within itself.

Long story short, I broke my heel. It is in 3 or 4 pieces.

This week I am not allowed to do anything. I have to keep it VERY elevated 24/7. I'm not allowed to go to class... I'm not even allowed to get up for more than 5 minutes at a time with crutches.

I was sooooooo bummed at first. I couldn't stop crying. The climbing season JUST started and I will be missing it.

But after a few days, I have a whole new mindset.

healing is 90% in the mind.... and it starts now. I am so happy that I healed so quickly and that my foot is in perfect condition. I am so excited to be able to climb again. I am so grateful for this slow-down in my life and the opportunity to THINK and PRIORITIZE my life! I know exactly why this happened and I am so thankful for it. LIFE IS GOING JUST THE WAY I WANT IT TO GO!

I was EXTREMELY stressed before this. I was crying myself to sleep every night. School was taking a huge toll on my mental health. It was not good. I didn't have time to do anything I wanted to do. I wasn't doing enough climbing, I hadn't had time to make ANY art, I didn't have time for meditation or time to think.... But now I do.

I have had many epiphanies over the past few weeks and even a 'calling.' This accident is the first step in the right direction.

My life just formed 2 separate paths... I'm taking the new one.

It sucks that it had to happen in this way, but it'll all work out in the end. I am healing fast.

I can't wait for my new life to begin.

A few more thoughts....

I cannot deny my brain the knowledge that it is craving at this moment.

I talked to someone who is actually taking the same course at the University of Natural Health that I am planning on taking. It is not a degree, but a certification. I feel like it is a good start in doing what I want to do.

I am not your typical person. I do not care to get some high-paying job if I am going to hate it. I do not believe in, or even understand, that philosophy. I would much rather get a job that I love doing that pays very little than dragging my feet to a job every day that I can't stand.

I want to be happy in my life. I want to follow my passions. I want to follow my dreams.

And I will.

Likewise, I am not your typical student. I am not going to sit through this mainstream BS and listen to them talk about things I have no interest in. I am going to take a stand and give my mind what it wants most, and that is knowledge about truly natural nutrition. I want to learn everything there is to know about our biological diet and the hygienic approach to health. Because of this, I could care less if I am getting a degree RIGHT NOW. That can always come later if needed. I need to feed my brain the knowledge that it longs for!

I am a believer in creating my own reality. If I focus my thoughts on something, it will become true, within reason. I am creating my own life right now. It is starting with gaining knowledge about natural health. I have already lived through over a year and 4 months as a raw vegan, but I feel like I am only ankle deep in my journey to health.

A couple people have told me that I will never find a job if I don't get a degree. First of all, I never said I WASN'T going to get a degree. I just am not getting one right away. The director of the program said that many people go on to get actual degrees. I am just beginning my phase in education about nutrition. I am planning on taking a certification course to become a certified natural health practitioner and a certified holistic nutrition practitioner. I will be taking an introductory nutrition course, an Advanced Natural Lifestyles & Philosophies I & II course, an Advanced "Applied" Nutrition course, and a course on Humans’ Natural Biological Diet. The class descriptions can be found here: http://www.unh-edu.org/certified_natural_health_practitioner.html

From what I understand, after enrolling in a class, I will receive the books with key lesson concepts. I can read them and study at my own pace and then take practice tests. When I feel I am ready, I can take the actual tests. Everything is at my own pace and I can learn in my own ways.

I feel like if I ever decide to go back to UTC, or any other conventional college, I will have a more solid baseline of knowledge about natural health. So if I were to take a mainstream nutrition class someday, my arguments and debates will be more valid, as I will be coming from a more educated background.

Like I said, I am creating my own reality. I believe that I will get a job doing what I love to do. I love to help people. I love nutrition. I love natural health. I love writing. I love inspiring people. I love conversation. I love teaching people. I can combine all of these into many different things. I don't know what exactly I want to do, but I have endless possibilities.

I was also looking into Dr. Douglas Graham's Lifestyle Coach Certification Program. It sounds like something I may be interested in for the future. You can find information on level one here: http://foodnsport.com/shop/coaching/certified-lifestyle-coach-level-1.html and level two here: http://foodnsport.com/shop/coaching/certified-lifestyle-coach-level-2.html

I want to point out that although I do not tend to agree with the teaching styles at many mainstream schools, it does not mean I am TOTALLY opposed to them. I think they are great for some people and many people find them to be perfect for what they want to study. However, I do not think that they are for everyone. At this point in my life, with the intentions that I have for the future, I do not think I will benefit from a conventional school. I may go back and study certain classes when the time is right and when my mind craves the information. For now, UNH seems like it will suit my needs.

I have always been a little “different.” It takes people a while to understand me. As soon as people finally understand one aspect of my life, it seems like I dive into something else that requires a little getting used to. It took quite a while for my friends and family to accept me as a raw vegan. Many people thought I was being a little too extreme. (But is eating what we are biologically designed for 'extreme?' Is eating food from nature 'extreme?!' In my opinion, eating animal products is extreme!!! But this is all besides the point...) Now I would like to continue my education in a not-so-conventional way. I realize that many people do not understand the choice I am making, but like they had to accept my diet, they will also eventually accept my educational choices. It is also worth mentioning that I have lots of support from many different people. I am very happy that so many people believe in me and support me with all their might.

If theres a will, theres a way. And I WILL become an expert at natural and hygenic health. I am taking the first steps NOW.

A few thoughts on conventional education

Why am I here?

Why did I think a mainstream university would suit me?

I am so far off the conventional realm of things.... This is not a good idea.

Why do we go to school, anyway? What IS school?

Who came up with it? When did it become the “norm” to go to school?

Don't get me wrong. I love to learn. We are born to learn. We are curious creatures.

But when did this “school” thing come into action?

Can't I just learn from experience?

Can't I learn from exploring the world on my own?

Can't I learn from hands-on activities? ...From touching, feeling, and creating things?!

Why do I let some man in the front of the classroom control my life?!

We are being forced to learn things on a certain schedule and in a certain way.

There is something unnatural about that.

Something about this idea irritates me.

We are curious creatures. We need to learn at our own pace.

We need to learn what we WANT to learn at certain times in our lives.

Here is a great quote by John Holt:
"The child is curious. He wants to make sense out of things, find out how things work, gain competence and control over himself and his environment, and do what he can see other people doing. He is open, perceptive, and experimental. He does not merely observe the world around him, He does not shut himself off from the strange, complicated world around him, but tastes it, touches it, hefts it, bends it, breaks it. To find out how reality works, he works on it. He is bold. He is not afraid of making mistakes. And he is patient. He can tolerate an extraordinary amount of uncertainty, confusion, ignorance, and suspense ... School is not a place that gives much time, or opportunity, or reward, for this kind of thinking and learning."
(There are some great info and quotes here: http://www.blog.lifewithoutschool.info/2007/09/unschooling-quo.html)

When I have kids, I am not putting them through school.

I will teach them basic concepts when I feel the time is right (reading and math) but as for everything else, it is totally up to them. They can learn at their own pace. They can learn what they want to learn.

If they want to know about the solar system, we can go get books and learn about it. We can go to a museum and they can look through a telescope and we can discuss it. We can make drawings and sculptures... anything that they want to do to learn about it.

If they want to do yoga, we can go to classes.
If they want to climb, I can teach them. We can climb outside and learn about the rock.

If they want to learn about plants and animals, we can go exploring. We can visit farms. We can watch movies (Planet Earth, anyone!?) We can do anything to help them learn.

Whatever they want, they will learn about it. At their own pace. With all the time in the world.

Thats what learning should be about.

"I am beginning to suspect all elaborate and special systems of education. They seem to me to be built upon the supposition that every child is a kind of idiot who must be taught to think. Whereas, if the child is left to himself, he will think more and better, if less showily. Let him go and come freely, let him touch real things and combine his impressions for himself, instead of sitting indoors at a little round table, while a sweet-voiced teacher suggests that he build a stone wall with his wooden blocks, or make a rainbow out of strips of coloured paper, or plant straw trees in bead flower-pots. Such teaching fills the mind with artificial associations that must be got rid of, before the child can develop independent ideas out of actual experience." -- Anne Sullivan

(www.unschooling.com)


I am EXTREMELY interested in natural health. I came here to UTC to study nutrition. I know, I know... its a mainstream college... They are going to teach me about the food pyramid and a lot of BS. I was planning on just sitting through the class and trying to resist argument after every statement they make.

But why would I even want to put up with that when I could learn what I WANT to learn somewhere else?

The classes here make me cry everyday. Education should not make a student cry. Learning should be fun. Learning should be something that one is excited about!!!

I keep looking at the descriptions for the classes at the University of Natural Health. It's an online school. As I read the information about the classes, it excites me! The feelings I have are similar to a child waiting for Santa to deliver presents on Christmas. My mind is craving that information. I want to learn it. I don't want to wait! I am ecstatic about learning this information. Isn't that what learning should be about!?

Online classes seem to be optimal for the lifestyle I want to live. I can get sufficient sleep (which natural health is all about!!!) and start my classes when I WANT TO START THEM! I can focus when I WANT TO FOCUS! I can climb, make art, and travel when and where I want! I feel that it will be perfect to suit my needs.

Some people tell me that I need the college experience to be around the people. They tell me that it's not just about the education, but about meeting people. I can understand that. BUT. I am part of this AWESOME climbing community and I meet new people everyday. I meet people at the health food store and I meet farmers at the farmer's markets. I meet people everywhere I go who share common interests. I don't need college to meet people. I have TONS of friends and they multiply constantly.

I am so sick of conventional education.

I want to learn things... but not in the way they want to teach me.

Let me learn what I want to learn!

I crave this knowledge. I LONG for it.

I CAN'T WAIT TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL HEALTH!

For the record, UNH is over $10,000 cheaper than UTC. Also, I could get a side job at the health food store or something and bring in a little spending money for food. I am glad that I am standing up and doing what I want to do.

Support me if you want. I am doing it either way.

college life

Okay okay,

sorry i have been MIA on my blog!

I've been active on facebook, which most of you have, so I haven't thought about updating for the others who aren't up-to-date with me.

I am now almost a month into college life. It's SO much fun!

Let's start from the beginning. I changed my dorm around:




And we put up some of my art above the couch:


My roommates are awesome! We are all weird in our own ways and we have lots of fun together. I live with 3 other girls and we all have our own rooms. UTC dorm rooms are super awesome. Here are a few pics:





THE CLIMBING HERE IS SPECTACULAR. I love being able to climb outside WHENEVER I WANT. I can go everyday after class if i want to. It's so awesome! I hardly ever climb on plastic anymore... just real rock! (Although i think im going to join one of the gyms for training) I am staying super busy with climbing... can't wait for bouldering season!


FOOOOOOD!!! My meal plan is the best. I just go in and fill up a box of fruit. Last week i got a box of oranges and a box of bananas. I had 88 oranges in my dorm! I did a day of just orange juice and i felt so light and strong!!! I ended up sending a 5.12b that day first go of the day! I was psyched! Here are a few pics (I also had a banana icecream party not too long ago)






SCHOOL is hard. I am working hard though. It has been consuming all my time and has been stressing me out. I AM NEVER TAKING 17 HOURS AGAIN!!! bad idea!!! But I am staying strong and pulling through. I have been going to tutors for almost every subject. I am trying anything to pass.... and i WILL.

I will try my best to update more.

welcome to my dorm

I just realized i havent shared any pics of my dorm (except for you guys who are friends with me on facebook!)

here are a few:

300 bananas a day

I'm goin bananas!

The other day the head chef of UTC called me and wanted to know if i wanted 2 boxes of ripe bananas. Of course I said yes.

layers and layers and layers of bananas. So many. Too many! They were all really ripe.

So. I froze about 3-4 big tubs of them for banana icecream. I have been making smoothies with the fresh ones all day for the past couple days.

I took about 10 bunches over to my friends house who has an excalibur dehydrator and I dehydrated them into banana chips (I actually just returned from their house to pick them up --- they are really good!) I usually don't eat much dried food but when you have this many RIPE bananas, you would too! I can't wait to share them... dried at low temperatures, nothing added!

I still have about 10 bunches of fresh ripe bananas left. I think i may have to cram more into the freezer... but we are running out of space! haha! I've been offering bananas to all my friends too.

Its banana city up in here!!!

Here are pictures of just a PORTION of the bananas we had...

My meal plan

Last week I moved into my dorm at UTC (University of Tennessee in Chattanooga).

At UTC, if you live on campus, you MUST have a meal plan. The cheapest plan is $525 a semester.

We have lots to choose from. Chik-fil-a, a pizza place, sushi, subway, and more. Yum! I can't wait to dig into that thurrr chicken!!!!!

The small fruit stand has apples, bananas, and oranges. ONE piece of fruit costs $1.09. Yes, ONE BANANA. ONE.

When I found this out I freaked out a little. If I can eat up to 22 bananas a day (on banana island, which I do a LOT during the winter), then that would be over 23 bucks just for one day. Ridiculous.

I got in contact with food services... but before I talked to them, my good friend steve (who got me into raw foods) talked to the head chef of UTC who works for aramark.

I met him when I first got here and he was SO nice. He basically told me that whenever i need food, I can go back behind the UTC kitchen into his HUGE walk-in fridge and pick out anything I want. He also told me that he can order me boxes of fruit.

I walked in the fridge. There isn't a lot of variety, but I can definitely get by. There were apples and oranges (they didnt look good). There were also honeydew and i think cantelope... but those wont be there too much longer. There are also veggies like cabbage, lettuce, and spinach... but if i do eat greens, i prefer them to be organic.

There are also boxes of bananas.

So....... I guess I will have to get by. If i get a box of apples, I will make applesauce. or my raw oatmeal (bananas and apples pureed in food processor... left a little chunky... sprinkle raisins on top... and dash of cinnamon if desired)

Last time I ate an orange at UTC, it burned the outside of my mouth. weird.

But i do somewhat trust the bananas. They look good. I guess I will doing a lot of time on banana island this year.

I can do this. If anyone has any suggestions, tips, or ideas, please let me know!

I am so glad i talked to food services.... i have a good deal now! I just need to play around with the variety somehow.....