I Want to be Happy: the Depression Bomb Hits Me Way too Often.

Dear Tonya,

I saw a quote of yours on another website; I was interested in you right away. When you came to St. George I missed you, but you left a pile of books [Your Right to Be Beautiful: Miracle of Raw Foods] at the Health Nut, so I bought one. I couldn't put it down. I love your personal story, and the way you explain beauty. Your book was very motivating in a way I had never been before. Also, you're so intelligent and fun to read.

I've been looking into this raw food lifestyle for the past 7 years. I've read over a dozen books or so. I've not read them all the way through, some I just couldn't get into. I'm familiar with the Boutenko family and have read all their books. I bought Green for Life over a year ago and have been doing green smoothies on and off for the past year.

So, I'm very well prepared and have tried starting the raw food lifestyle several times. I have 3 children 11, 9, and 3 - So this has added to the challenge of taking on a whole new life. My concerns have always been balanced nutrition, like B12, D, and Iron, which I know have been problems for many on the raw food diet. I know Raw food is the best, but social pressure, traditions, and programming are tough to overcome. I've overcome many of them. This was all prompted by my oldest daughter, who began having migraines in 1st grade. They made her throw up, and ill. She missed a lot of school. I did get rid of her migraines by simply ridding ourselves of sugar, food coloring etc...

Now I'm doing this for me. We eat super healthy, but I'm not able to fully overcome some of my health issues, and I keep thinking, " I eat so healthy, why is this happening to me?" I figure I just need to heal, and take it up a notch. I'm at a point in my life that I care less about what others think and more about what is best. I just want to feel good all day every day, and have the energy to do what ever I think up. Also, I want to be happy; the depression bomb hits me way too often. You have to be ready personally with a strong self and... well, you have to want to think for yourself, not be told what to do.

Thanks again for being you and having the courage to write such great books, and live such an extraordinary life.