Walking Down the Red Carpet

Please imagine with me for a moment....Rubyvroom slides out from the back seat of a black stretch limo in a clingy little chartruese designer number from Richard Tyler, shoes from Christian Louboutin and glittering baubles from Harry Winston. Trying to make her way through the paparazzi, she slinks down the red carpet, being stopping only for a brief interview with Mary Hart and Ryan Seacrest before she make her way into the theater to receive the coveted.........

I couldn't resist the opportunity to savor the moment in my own little way. Yes, I have been given this exciting recognition by two of my favorite people; first I would like to thank Jenny Nelson of wlydeandraw.blogspot.com and then Bob Bush of legallyraw.blogspot.com. (and of course the Academy) for this award. I am truly grateful, and humbled to be chosen as an inspirational blogger by two people who have been such a big inspiration to me!

I would like to share a bit of history about this award before I pass the honor on to five other of my personal favorite inspirational bloggers. (Thank you to Keely Bush for the background). This award (and three others) is the brainchild of Christy Z of WritersReview.com. You can read the full rules, the meaning of the award and get your award badge at her post under blogger awards on her site. Basically, if you are tagged for the award, you go her site, get the badge for your site, then tag 5 others.

So without further hesitation..... the envelope please! My five winners of the Inspirational Blogger Award are...

My friend, Blaqberry, of Hi-Rawkus.com. and Twitter. Her quirky artistic charm, spunkiness and deliciously creative recipes have help to motivate me to stay raw at times when I thought I might shrink back into my old ways. She has helped me to stay the course and be the raw girl I have become today. (I bet you didn't even know that, did you, Blaqberry?) I want to send out big LOVE to my girl!

Then there is Chadd Biehler from Atlanta and Vegannosaurus.com. This fellow is not only terribly creative in the raw kitchen but he has a wicked sense of humor that I just love. He is a true talent and I am pretty sure he is a name we'll be hearing more from in raw circles in days and months to come. Thanks to Chadd for keeping it real and helping me along on my path. Check him out as Chaddb on Twitter.

Oh, and then there is my beautiful friend JulieK in Orlando! You can see what she has going on at juliesrawambition.wordpress.com, as well as on Twitter. Her blog site is beautifully done and she is the jet setting, gourmet raw food fashion stylist of my raw food friends! Following her on Twitter and on her blog is like taking a glamorous mini-vacation all the time. She certainly deserves this award because she is part of my daily inspiration.

Then there is a new kid on the block, Raw Allison, who I am just really getting to know through Twitter, but she has a great new blog you can find at blog.rawodyssey.com This Vegas girl has got it going on and I believe she deserves this award for all of her inspirational musings! Those of us who follow her are waiting with eager anticipation as she paces the floor for her new and glorious Vita-Mix! Congradulations, Allison.

And then last, but certainly not least is the beautiful and exotic Linda Salas of Twitter and her blog cocoymango.blogspot.com. Linda is from Mexico, thus her blog is in Espanol, but she is so filled with love, light and daily inspirations. Linda is currently expecting her first child and those of us who have been following her are so excited and eager as she is bringing forth a new member to the raw community. Linda is always there with cute and encouraging comments. Keep up the impressive work, Linda!

Before I exit the podium, I must recognize one more person....

Although this particular person doesn't have a blog (unless she has been hiding it from me), she is a true source of my daily raw inspiration, Dea - or DeaLivingLotus on Twitter, as she is known. Dea currently lives in Sicily, but it feels like she is just next door to me. Offering words of strength, love and encouragement....she keeps me motivated and inspired everyday. I feel blessed to have made such a true friend in Dea. So, she gets my Most Honorable Mention, even if she doesn't have a blog, yet.

In closing, I want to recognize that there are so many others who have helped to bring me to and continued to help keep me on this amazing journey for the past three years. The beautiful Carol Alt, Dhrumil of WeLikeItRaw.com and GiveItToMeRaw.com, Sarma of Pure Food & Wine and OneLuckyDuck.com, Heidi & JS Ohlander of RawFoodRealWorld, Philip McCluskey of Lovingraw.com, Cynthia Beavers of Pure Raw Cafe, Tanja Andrews & Oscar Grimm of Freshtopia.net. Goodness, there are so many others that I cherish, as well. A great big THANK YOU to all for reading my blog and commenting on my ramblings. It is a real pleasure to be all about REAL FOOD in TULSA!