Hello and Welcome! Me, my life, and my diet.

In exactly two weeks on August 8th I will be turning 18! Since that is the case I have decided to start a blog that documents my first year as an adult. First off I think I should start with telling everyone a little bit about myself and what I hope to accomplish.

My name is Amanda a.k.a Rawaholic. Right now I live at home with my mom and brother on the outskirts of Atlanta, GA. I have been home schooled my entire life and I just graduated in May '09! I have been a vegan since I was about 8 years old, but I sadly had no real appreciation for the healthy habits my mother was trying to instill in me. When I reached my early teens (13) I tried to get away with eating as much sugary and fatty junk foods as possible. I was overweight and had very little interest in getting fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

Fortunately I began to become health conscious the very day I turned 16. I had just finished off half a large cheese pizza and felt so sick afterwards! It was in that moment that I finally woke up and realized that something that I was doing was very wrong here.

It's now been almost two years since that day and I have come a long way. I am now at the correct weight, have no troubles MAINTAINING my weight, and am a healthy, active, and vibrant individual!

I don't believe in labels like veganism, vegetarianism, and raw foodism; these names are too often associated with religious fanatics within main stream culture, so I simply like to say that I eat a raw plant based diet.

Major goals for the year (so far):

1. Create a blog a

2. Earn my RHN degree from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN)

3. Get a part time job

4. Become more active/fit

5. Start an autumn garden in my back yard

6. Meet as many new people as possible

7. Publish a recipe book with my mother

8. Publish my poetry book

9. Help as many people as I can discover healthy living

10. Learn to just be me! :)