Where I’m from I grew up listening to this one radio station called “97.9 The Box.” This radio station had a segment where they would allow callers to call in and introduce themselves. The callers would basically say who they are and where they are from.

Well… I think it’s about time to introduce myself. My name is Adrian and I rep Houston, Texas all day e’ry day. Ya heard! Lol jk … but seriously. I am no stranger to Popeye’s chicken, Frenchy’s (the one in 3^rd ward by TSU, the original)… basically any type of southern comforting classic like macaroni and cheese and barbeque. I loooove IT! I love food PERIOD. Usually the better it tastes (the fatty, fried, smothered, deliciousness of it all), the more I want it.

I’m so hungry right now that I have to take a break to go eat or else I just might go chase the Popsicle truck down… be right back…

Ok, so where was I… oh yeah, me. I have never eaten vegetables on a consistent basis. If I did it was either frozen, out of a can, or cooked with bacon/ham. That may come as a shock to some, but my entire life has been busy and cooking takes a long time. When I was little I ate either fast food or cereal and milk. I wasn’t one of those little girls that wanted the happy meal; I always wanted a big Mac with the regular size fries and drink.

Good Food has always made me happy. I don’t know why, it just does.  I remember not being able to go to Astroworld for whatever reason and I was sooo sad and my gra’ma offered me a piece of cheesecake. I remember being happy sitting in a chair at the kitchen table. My legs were too short to reach the floor and they just swung back and forth. I can still see my gra’ma sitting across from me and we just ate the cheesecake. The tears hadn’t even dried on my face and I was happy again.

I didn’t realize this until recently. I’ve always coped with food. Good food has always brought back good memories. In my family german chocolate cake is synonymous with my aunt Louis and tea cakes are synonymous with my gra’ma. Multiple people in my family have staple dishes that are associated with them. When I eat dirty rice I wish my Aunt Tut made it. (I’m rambling) I’m saying this to say that with all the good things, memories, and tastes these foods have brought me and my family, they have also brought bad things. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are some of the bad things that are associated with foods that I absolutely love and adore.

The reason I decided to eat a raw vegan diet for thirty days is because I partially don’t care that the food I love is clogging my arteries and giving me diabetes. I mean, why does it have to taste so good!?! Why do I crave sweets like it is crack cocaine? I am DEFINITELY not opposed to stealing candy from my loved ones… that’s a problem.

So eating raw for thirty days is part of me saying that I do care how I end up.

Adrian