Walking with a Green Giant

Ten  years ago I met Elizabeth. At the time she was a mother of three adorable kids and the wife of a devoted husband. She was stunning and intelligent and full of life. She did things a little differently though-she didn't eat white bread, she didn't eat food coloring and when I was shopping with her at the grocery store for a few items for a picnic she read every label looking for high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. I thought she was so weird, as I thought all the people were who were so intense about food. It's just food right? ;)
I feel fortunate to have had many people come into my life to introduce the value of different aspects of proper eating habits to me from a very young age. However, I largely credit Elizabeth to getting through my thick skull and motivating my stubborn soul to action. Because of her I was motivated to really learn the difference between white flour and whole wheat flour 8 years ago and the great value in grinding one's own flour.
Elizabeth is the one who shared her Kefir grains with me and walked me through the process in person, calming my fears and satisfying my curiosity about making Kefir myself. Finally, when I told her about my interest in starting a blog and having a data base for all the information I've learned and I'm continuing to learn, she was the most supportive and encouraging.
Today, Elizabeth is the mother of six healthy children and the wife of an even more loving husband. She does homeschool, makes her own bread from soaked whole grains, still doesn't eat white sugar, food coloring,high-fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils, etc. She is still gorgeous and still mentally sharp. She is an accomplished gardener, she has beehives, chickens, and her family runs a small goat dairy where those who want to enjoy the benefits of raw goat milk can purchase milk. Amazingly self sufficient and continually learning more and more about everything there is to know. I have always loved picking her brain on whatever her new venture has been. As I converted to more of a healthy lifestyle I valued what time she could spare to answer my bevy of questions. What has always impressed me the most is how much courage she has when surrounded by naysayers. Elizabeth is a Green Giant through and through, and I finally feel like I can walk with her on the green path.
Thanks Elizabeth!