Meeting my Mentor (and friend!)
Has anyone ever had the chance to meet their hero? Someone who inspires, encourages and maybe even supports their cause possibly without them even knowing? Well this past weekend I finally got to meet mine! And her wonderful family!
For the past couple of years Kristen (of Kristensraw.blogspot.com & Green Mommy Blog) has been my biggest support with my transition to a raw diet firstly through her sassy and delicious recipe books, then secondly through her online friendship. We got to know each other personally through regular emails and facebook chatter (I’m even pals with her very funny and popular mother) then I kept threatening to come and visit her in Arizona.
Finally I did it!
And as expected we got on like a house on fire! (a saying both Kristen and her mum now know hehe among other Australianisms I unwittingly shared.)
Firstly Kristen and her ma picked me up from the airport then took me straight to lunch at Chakra 4 Herb & Tea House and demolished a lentil soup and veggie wrap and iced chai latte with almond milk. No photo as we were nattering away.
As most of you already know, I’m a big fan of Wholefoods so by special request, I got to stop by their local store to pick up supplies including some of this chocolate I’d been dying to sample since Kristen’s review. We don’t have a Wholefoods in Oklahoma city 
Um yep, it pretty much rocked! When I could keep it away from Kristen! 
Don’t you just love their number plates?
Then it was on to meet the furry family including the very popular Miso who Kristen rescued a few weeks back.
(Courtesy of Kristen’s Blog here as I was too busy playing with the puppies to get any photos)
Then I had the BEST vegan pizza in the world!! Homemade with love by Kristen’s mum herself! I’m going to be dreaming of this pizza all week! The vegan cheese was daiya. Kristen tells me apparently this stuff has revolutionized the vegan diet. I wish we could get it in Saudi.
Add a side of Food Inc watching and some of Kristen’s food made by her especially for my visit.
Her Ginger spice carrot cake. Are you jealous? Mmmmmmm. Pictured in the middle with small pieces of Earth Cafe’s cheesecake’s Coconut Carob & Cali Lemon Style.
This was the hit of the night. My Raw Food guru preparing food for me! This recipe will be upcoming in one of Kristen’s books. Keep an eye out for it!
Before I left for my flight home today, Kristen made me a beautiful salad with her famous Sweet Capri Dressing from her Easy Raw Salads & Dressings Book. Did I mention I felt spoilt?
It was such a lovely time (including Miso stealing my dirty knickers haha) and despite this I am counting on a return vist very soon (I’ve got to meet the bubby of course) 
I’ve said it already but I’ll say it again, thank you so much for having me Kristen and co. It’s see ya later, not goodbye xx
Who’s your hero?
Here’s a beautiful shot I got just after take off out of Salt Lake City, homeward bound to Oklahoma City ready to embark on week 3 at 105degrees culinary school.
How wonderful! It looks and sounds like you had a great time! Kristen is an awesome and ever-inspiring role model!
YAY! I’m so glad you two finally got to meet up, looks like you had a blast! And all the food looks SO GOOD! Have fun back at school Robyn, can’t wait for you to get home!
i think i have a few heroes…in alphabetical order:
aimee from a bitt of raw
averie (love veggies and yoga)
heather pace (sweetly raw); last but definitely not least
kelli (animal friendly eating)
i am so happy you got to me your girl!!!
Nice ones!
How fun getting to meet Kristen! The food all looks sooooo good too. YUM. Sounds like you guys had a fantastic time.
We had a blast.
hi robyn! how nice you got to meet kristen in person! it looks like you had a really yummy, fun time. (you two are glowing in that pic!=)
it would be so nice to meet all my blogging friends. carmella from sunny raw kitchen stayed with us last fall and showed us the ropes of raw eating. i wouldn’t be eating so much raw if it weren’t for her, that’s for sure!
another of my food mentors is a women named carol. she was an instructor of the vegan cooking class i took that completely changed my perception of food. she’s a sweetheart and we became really good friends. now i’m introducing her to raw food!=)
Aw thanks!
Isn’t it great to make friends that have such a positive impact on your life?
Awesome re Carol!!! Go you Raw Warrior
SS! You’re making me blush. Thank you for the amazing recap. I was going to do one myself, but hells bells, I’ll just send everyone over here to read what you wrote. Thank you, love, for the amazing visit. It was a blast – I could’ve talked with you for hours and hours. Greg, too! My parents, too! We all found you so fun, fascinating, hilarious, and damn sweet.
See you soon! XOXO
Kristen
I loved it too. You have no idea. It was totally worth the trip, and I cannot wait for a 2nd instalment xxx
LUCKY!!!!
I hope to get to hug Kristin and her cute baby bump this weekend!
xo deb
So glad you had a fun visit. And isn’t Daiya just scrummy?
Totally!
You are welcome anytime…and remember you have a bedroom with bedding…Ha..Wanting to know if you have to bring bedding???… That will be the Robyn Room. And sorry about Miso running with your panties.. What can you expect from a male dog?? We miss you already… Love Susan MUM
LOL yeah well now you know I have been brought up well…hehe. Miso is a little cheeky bugger. Miss you Mum!! Can’t believe you typed it the Aussie Way! xox
Kristen is a hero of mine too! And you, and all the other raw bloggers I have found…also greensmoothiegirl…(dot com)!
Also David and Yemiah Favor- radicalhealth.com
So fabulous!
Wow Tricia I hadn’t heard of David and Yemiah. I will have to check them out. Thanks for sharing!!
Wonderful! Looks like a wonderful time and so glad you two finally met. Thanks for sharing your fun experience.
Wow, cool pics and so awesome experience. So glad you got an opportunity to meet her, this was such a great read!
Thanks Christine x
How fun! Those two ladies are so inspirational!
That is so fun you got to visit Kristin. It really does look like you were spoiled by all of her amazing food preparation for you!
Hey Robyn! I had NO IDEA you were coming to Arizona! I live in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and had I known, I would have LOVED to meet you!!! Wow…what a missed opportunity (on my part!) that I missed out…well, if there is a next time…would love to make you my 1st “international” blogger meetup
xoxo
So glad you two got to meet. Thanks for sharing your story and what a fun time. And the pizza looks amazing!
OMGOODNESS, the pizza is going to be on my mind all WEEK!
Awesome
)
ok thanks to your fool proof instructions my first ever comment – well done dar!!