First, I’d like to remind you about the current contest I have running: The Bolder Mat Company Yoga Mat + Stacy McCarthy’s Yoga DVD.

I get so many emails thanking me for sharing snippets of my personal life, I thought I’d share with you that in between writing reviews and hosting a contest, a birthday snuck up on me. The big 34 slapped me on Wednesday (the 12th). It seems pretty weird how time whizzes by until one day you’re in your 30s and you wonder where “Sweet 16″ went.

No, it isn’t raw…

Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually thrilled to be 34. Back in my 20s, some of my doctors weren’t even sure I’d live to see 30–my health was really, really bad. It’s surreal, actually, that I’ve come so far.

If this post seems a little heavy–and long–I apologize. I just thought I’d share my heart with you….

In February of this year, I lost a cousin. He would have been 33 this month. He was a handsome young man, a great husband and dad. I grew up with him, went to school with him, and thought we’d make fun of each other’s wrinkles when we were old. He was one of those cousins who was more than “just another cousin”.

Not long after that, I lost another cousin. I didn’t know him well. He lived in another state. He was only 36.

In early May, I lost yet another cousin. She would have been 29. She died just about 3 weeks shy of her birthday. She was always more like a little sister to me, than a cousin.

All 3 of ‘em left children and spouses.

And, as I celebrated turning 34 over 100 pounds lighter than I was at one time, I had an epiphany: I could die tomorrow. Although I’ve worked hard to be slimmer and healthier for the past few years, it isn’t always health-related issues that bring on death. Sometimes it’s a car accident. Sometimes it’s a freak act of nature.

I can’t tell you how many times I had walked by those glass doors and peered in at that turtle ice cream cake (pictured above). Oh, I have the willpower to resist. There’s no way I could count the times over the past few years that I sat on the sidelines and watched everyone else enjoy cake and ice cream or cupcakes at birthday parties and other celebrations–because I was on a mission to lose weight and attain my ultimate health. I didn’t lose over 100 pounds by gobbling up cake and ice cream. I lost it because I have a strong will, I’m dedicated, and I can persevere through almost anything.

So, I decided this: None of those 3 cousins I mentioned above got the chance to have another birthday. So, I celebrated. I splurged. I enjoyed my special day. And, yes, I ate cake and ice cream. I ate it for my cousins (yes, I’m an emotional eater!), and I ate it for myself.

I realize Raw Food Purists would frown on my decision. But I just couldn’t stand the thought of dying without knowing what that turtle ice cream cake tasted like! Some things are better left NOT a mystery. I don’t have to ever eat it again–although I enjoyed every single bite of the one piece I had (the rest went to family). I also enjoyed that little bit of Rocky Road and Peanut Butter Panic ice cream you’ll see pictured below.

I had a wonderful birthday. I’m so blessed!

My piece

Gooey Caramel Center

I actually had the piece of cake and ice cream with my family the night before my birthday. My mom thought it was funny to get me the two ice creams below (they’re those teeny tiny little containers) because she knows how much I used to love coffee ice cream and caramel… well, there’s not enough room here to write about my love affair with caramel over the years. Anyway, I saved those little containers for the next day, my birthday. And they were delicious!!!

Coffee Ice Cream + Dulce De Leche

On the morning of my birthday, my mom made me my all-time favorite (non-raw) breakfast EVER: a spinach omelet made with farm fresh, organic eggs (from our farm), spinach, bell peppers, sea salt and herbs, and a tiny amount of cheese. Also, a cup of herbal tea (in my favorite, big pink and white polka-dotted OVERSIZED cup).

Birthday Breakfast

Couldn’t finish it!

I decided to eat whatever I wanted on my birthday. Maybe next year I’ll have a raw cake and some raw ice cream. This year, I wasn’t equipped with a dehydrator, and a professionally made raw cake just wasn’t in the budget (or even available in my area).

I don’t think I splurged too bad,do you?

Birthday Lunch

bunch of spinach leaves

frozen blueberries

yummy macadamia nuts

DELISH!

I remembered my leftover omelet, so I threw it on top of my salad–YUM!

Zero Candy Bar

Turtle

I nibbled on that Zero and Turtle all. day. long. I was too full to eat dinner.

Birthday Cards

Here’s a few of my favorite cards I got this year…

(From my brother)

(From my parents)

(From my aunt)

I also did over an HOUR of yoga–it was FABULOUS!

What is your favorite part of your birthday? Do you splurge on cake and ice cream (raw, or not)? Or, do you chow down on raw veggies and treat it as just any other day?

And, if you’ve read this long post all the way through, you’re a fantabulous reader!

So… be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.