Raina ~ Being dairy free has been basically life-long.  My Mom decided not to give me dairy until I was 2 years old, when a doctor told her that I would die without it. I consumed dairy products until one day, in first grade, I had a huge ice cream sundae and a cupcake. I sat down on the kitchen floor, screaming and crying. I told my Mom, "I don't know why I'm doing this, but I don't think I should eat dairy!" I have never eaten dairy since.

I am now 15 years old and I'm perfectly happy with my almost-vegan diet (I don't eat meat either). People often ask me, "What do you eat?!" Well, I eat what anyone else eats, only minus the meat and dairy. It's not that hard. I've been through many frustrating food pyramid lessons and birthday parties, but now I've finally realized that I don't mind as much as I thought I did. It's my life, and a healthy one at that.