2 year raw anniversary!

TWO YEARS - 100% RAW VEGAN

As of today, I have eaten 100% raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds for TWO years!

This lifestyle has CHANGED MY LIFE.

I never thought that I would be where I am today... eating the food that i do. Hell, ask anyone who has known me for a while - i'd probably be THE LAST person on their guessing lists of people who would go raw vegan. I used to literally LIVE off of icecream. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No joke. When I wasn't eating icecream, I was eating white pasta, white rice, chocolate, cookies, brownies, and other junk food. I struggled on and off with eating disorders, sleeping problems, depression, learning disabilities, focusing issues, and so on. I was always tired and depressed. I needed a change in my life, and my diet is what needed to be changed the most. One day i just got really inspired and started researching.

First, I randomly went vegan (after being the person who would say "Vegan!? What do vegans even eat?! Berries and tree bark?! I could never go vegan!") I was only going to do it for a month just to say i tried, but after that month, I learned so much about the meat and dairy industry that I could not go back to eating dairy products.

While researching veganism, a soon-to-be friend Steve told me about raw foodists. He and his wife, Nicole, were raw. The day he messaged me about it, I could not be pulled away from the computer. I was addicted to the information. The more I read about raw foods, the more everything made sense to me. Why had I not heard of this before?!

Not long after, I started my raw journey and I haven't looked back. I have never felt this good in my life. Each day gets better and better. I feel like I'm on a constant high.... I love my life more than I ever imagined possible. I manifest positive people and situations in my life and I always have an abundance of fruit (thanks mom and dad!)

Granted, I went through some struggles, especially at first when nobody understood what the hell i was doing! Soon enough most people caught on and accepted my life changes. Now, those same people are coming to me constantly asking for recipes and tips to change their diets. Funny how things work!

I just wanted to share this snippit of my raw journey because i know that if I can do it, you can do it. It's so easy that it's almost ridiculous. If you want a life change and you want to eat the most nutritious foods on the planet and feel AMAZING, give it a try. Even if you just want to add more raw foods to your cooked diet. Or make more smoothies. Or eat some greens once in a while. Anything. I'll be here for you. I'm here to inspire and to help everyone in their journey to health. I don't judge.

I'm so glad I found this lifestyle. I love fruits. I love greens. I love my life.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me and inspired me along the way. You know who you are. (And that means you too, the viewer!)

I didn't have a huge party like I did for my one year anniversary party, but I did celebrate a little!

I made a low fat raw vegan mango pie... and I will share the process below (it's easier than i make it look and sooo delicious!)

ASHLEY'S MANGO "PAH"

-mangos

-bananas

-dates

-raw vanilla bean powder (optional)

1. chop up bananas and mangos in separate containers and freeze overnight.
2. press dates in the bottom of a pie pan, forming a crust.
3. puree frozen bananas in a food processor until smooth, creating "banana icecream" & spread a layer into the pan. put into freezer for a few minutes to let it set.
   
   
4. repeat the same process for the mangos. (puree into icecream, layer on top)
   
   
   
   
   
5. decorate the top with banana slices. For this pie, I even made "date dip" (dates blended with a TINY bit of water & a pinch of raw vanilla bean powder) and formed the word "RAW" using a cake decorator. In the future I want to make designs with this cool tool!
   
6. Freeze to let set, cut, and enjoy! Simple and delicious!

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CONTINUING THE SALAD CRAZE!

Today for dinner, Tim helped me make this raw kale salad with a side of fresh corn. It was sooo good:

i love tim hinck

THANKS FOR READING!

Speakez vid

Hey guys,

Check out my boyfriend Tim's new video blog! Right now it features a video made for the art show the other day. He just bought a pocket HD video cam which is really cool! I'm sure i'll be posting many more vids to come:

check it out: http://www.timhinck.com/outdoors.html

Speakez Art Show

New Reason New Renaissance Art Show

The art show was great. It was combined with a spoken word performance, which basically a mixture between poetry, rap, and preaching. I highly recommend going to an event like this - the spoken word crew (the speakez) performs at Mudpie on Monday nights in Chattanooga! Check them out!

There was also a dj and a saxophone player along with lots of art. The art was pretty interesting and there were a few pieces I really enjoyed, especially some graffiti pieces. There was also some cool photography. The vibe was good and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for everyone who came out! Here are some pictures:

me in front of my piece, Hidden Layers

me in front of 2 of my latest pieces

2 of my pieces

saxaphone playa

performing spoken word

the atmosphere

some arrrt.

another atmosphere pic

spoken word on top of a chair

awww.

Tim and I

spoken word freestylin' up close

chillin out

my brother & his friend Claire (and baby kelsey)

me and nathan (Tim's good friend)

worrrrd!

art show tonight!

Yesterday these guys installed 5 of my pieces for the new reason new renaissance art show here in Chattanooga, TN.

Interested?

TONIGHT, MAY 28, 7-10pm

The Loose Cannon Gallery - 1800 Rossville Ave.

COME ONE COME ALL!!!!!!

salad craze

As most of you know, I follow a high fruit, low fat diet.... and I base my calories from heaps and heaps of fruit. I typically don't eat A TON of greens, as I am simply not attracted to them on a constant basis. I just listen to my body and eat what my body craves...(notice i said BODY and not MIND!) However, there are definitely times when i crave greens, and when I do, i usually go crazy with them! I've been really enjoying a daily salad for dinner and I dream about it all day. Here is one I had tonight:

spinach-avocado salad with spring corn and zesty cilantro:

-lettuce

-spinach

-tomatoes

-avocado

-cilantro

-white & yellow corn

-alfalfa sprouts

YUMMMM.

Lower Leeda

Today I went out to Leeda to do a little climbing to start my day.

Tim and I hopped on a really cool 5.12b called Hypomania. We both did one pitch on it to warm up. I did the warm-up pitch with only one hang, which really boosted up my confidence to send it! Tim did another burn on it and sent it, and I got really psyched! I ended up flowing through it with ease, and as soon as i climbed past the crux, it started raining. I had to finish climbing the route as it was pouring rain on me, through easy-but-chossy rock scrambling. I felt like I was adventure climbing in the rain! ha! Needless to say, I was psyched to send it!

im happy!

After I got back in town I headed over to TBA to do a little training. I have been trying to work on my lock-off strength. I didn't stay long but i managed to climb a few warm-ups, do a few sets of off-set pull-ups, and climb a few problems with a 20lb weight vest while locking off each move. I'm slowly but surely getting stronger! PSYCHED!

new shoes came in: my favorites, the Evolv Talon!

SO EXCITED TO KEEP TRAINING!

House Warming Party

Last night we had a house warming party. It was a lot of fun! About 20 people showed up and we introduced them to our new place. Here are some updated pics of our apartment - which is currently an ashley hamilton art gallery! ha!

crazy elephant tapestry, crash pad couch, and art

front wall: ashley hamilton art, chair, and bike

a view from the door

Jonathan chilllin & my art on the wall

on a raw food note, check out this yummy simple salad i made. One head of lettuce, a few tomatoes, and an avocado. Simple and delicious!

new reason new renaissance art show

If you find yourself in the Chattanooga area on Friday, you should head over to the Loose Cannon gallery and check out this art show featuring local artists! Five of my pieces will be in it!!!!! It is from 7-10pm on Friday, May 28 @ 1800 Rossville Ave. SEE YA THERE!

RED RIVER GORGE

THE RED

I had a blast this weekend!!! I've never had so much fun getting my ass kicked at the Red River Gorge with Kasia!

It was hard to get climbing pics since there was only the two of us, but we managed to get a few:

me and oreo on our way

On Friday we left Chattanooga and hit up Roadside. We climbed a few hard tens and hopped on a twelve. It was a harsh welcome to the red river gorge! Endurance check!

Saturday we headed out to the motherlode. It was definitely a fitness WAKEUP call for me!!!! Kasia did 8 pitches and I did 5 or 6. Let's just say that I am super psyched to train now!!!!

kasia crushin moves on her proj, cut throat

proof i was at the motherload, haha!

Kasia's pup, Oreo. Isn't he BEAUTIFUL?!

Today we went out to solar collector but we were really tired! I ended up doing one pitch and kasia did two pitches. Then we sunbathed for a while, chilled at miguels, and headed home.

foolin around, getting a climbin pic in:

It was an awesome weekend and I am super motivated to train and get stronger now!!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK!

I AM ACCEPTED!

I'M ACCEPTED!!!!

I was just accepted to the fine arts program at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia!

I will be heading out to Australia on July 10, 2010 and staying a year.

I will be sure to keep everyone updated and post plenty of pics of my travels. SO PSYCHED!

done with freshman year - lots of things going on!!

Long time no talk!

First of all, I apologize for not posting sooner. Lots of things happened in my life! I will try not to overwhelm you - here is a basic update with different sections of my life (barefooting, school, climbing, raw veganism, art, and a new apartment... scroll down to what you like and leave the rest.) Hope everyone is doing well!!!

barefooting

As a continuation from the last post, I would like to add that I have become in love with the barefoot lifestyle. I did the "one day without shoes" sponsored by Toms Shoe company and the obsession with barefooting grew from there. I try to be barefoot as much as possible now.... and a couple family friends bought me some awesome shoes called vibram five fingers! They feel like I am walking barefoot with a slight layer in between the ground and my foot. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to be barefoot all the time but can't due to poor conditions and hazards. Barefoot is the way to go!

school

A few weeks ago I ended my freshman year of college. I am so glad I made it through! I ended my year on the Dean's list, as I made all As and Bs. I switched my major to art so from now on, i will be studying one of my passions. =)

climbing

Since school ended, i have been climbing frequently. I have spending most of my time at Little River Canyon in Alabama. I am definitely getting back in the game! A month or so ago, I sent a really awesome unnamed 12b at the canyon, which was the hardest thing i've done since i got back into climbing after my injury. I was psyched! I'm definitely getting into routes now and my obsession for climbing has returned 100% !!! I am going to the red next weekend with Kasia and I'm psyched!!!!!!!

raw veganism

I know the majority of my readers are fellow raw vegans, so as an update to you guys, i've been really enjoying the mangos lately!!! I'm sure everyone can agree. Also, Gretta and I have had some delicious durian feasts. MMMMmmmm!!!! Oh, and it's finally beginning to be watermelon season! ahhhh yes! Summer is upon us and the juicy fruits are emerging!

eating fruit with my second family, the Helms, on Gretta's 40th b-day!!!!

Hanging out with the only other low fat raw vegan in Chattanooga - Gretta! This is her 40th b-day and she has never felt better in her life!!!

Art

I have made a few new pieces lately and i'm working on some commissions right now. I'm getting inspired lately!

my "grafitti" on a bench at Climb Nashville

The logo I made for my friend Becky's photography: Sparrow Rose Photography
working on a new piece!

my newest piece: a combination of texture, drips, splatters, and swirls. email me if you are interested: badashclimber@gmail.com

New Apartment!

Tim, Jonathan, and I are now living in a new apartment. These are pics from the 2nd day we lived here, so they are pretty bare... more to come when we start decorating!!!

my room

view from front door

my bathroom

jonathan's bathroom

That's all, folks!