Calling Matthew and other paleos

Discuss issues related to multiple intolerances here.

Moderators: Rosie, JFR, Dee, xet, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh, mbeezie

Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Calling Matthew and other paleos

Post by Polly »

Greetings, my fellow cave-dwellers!

I really feel like I am making major progress toward mastering the paleo diet. YAHOO. It has taken a while to get used to shopping every 2-3 days (for fresh foods) and more preparation/cooking each day. Not to mention the necessary planning ahead. But I am enjoying the adventure (not to mention the taste and variety) IMMENSELY.

Yesterday here is what I ate:

B - chicken breast sauteed with mushrooms and squash sauteed with onions.

L - 2 "romaine wraps" filled with sliced turkey breast spread with guacamole, a bowl of homemade pureed carrot soup, and 3 figs

D - leftover chicken breast with mushrooms, collard greens, and mixed berries

Today:

B - banana and a pear and a handful of walnuts

L - 2 poached eggs and a tossed salad

D - will be carrot soup to start, then bison meat loaf, red chard, cauliflower, and sauteed apples with pumpkin pie spice

I am also making up a big pot of pureed broccoli soup today.


I have found that I am never hungry - as long as I eat some animal protein with each meal, as the diet recommends. It amazes me how little food I need to eat now to feel fully satisfied and energized. Also, I have become positively addicted to fresh produce - for some reason on this diet everything begins to taste better as more time goes by.

I am using mostly canola oil now for sauteeing because it has more omega 3s than olive oil does - plus it can be used at a higher temperature.
I have also found online that someone makes walnut butter (which is the nut highest in omega 3 fats) but it has to be kept refrigerated just like flax seed oil to maintain its purity.

Anyway, just thought you'd like to hear that this diet CAN be mastered - even by some like me who is cooking-impaired. LOL!

Love,

Polly

P.S. Please update me on your progress/discoveries
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
CAMary
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 620
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:57 pm
Location: California

Post by CAMary »

Polly-

How do you like bison? It tried it for the first time this summer while we were in Jackson Hole. It was very good, I thought, and much milder tasting than beef (Mike ordered a bison steak at a restaurant). My mom has a friend who prepares it regularly - apparently it is healthier than beef...

I wanted to try the romaine wraps - you mentioned them before - but I bought "salad-in-a-bag" this week as it was on special, so since all of my romaine is "pre-chopped" I will give them a go next week - sounds delish!

I'm trying to do better menu planning - better organization goes a long way in coping with dietary restrictions - and I've discovered a definite degree of lactose intolerance, so dairy has been cut back, although cheese seems to be okay...

Mary
*not* a paleo - but always looking for dietary inspiration and wiling to eat over @ Polly's any time :wink:
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Hi CA Mary!

You are welcome to come to dinner anytime! You know, you gave me a tip a long time ago that was so helpful. You suggested grilling a bunch of chicken at one time to have more for later in the week. I have been doing it ever since. Amazing what a difference such a simple little tip can make! A real time-saver. Thanks.

The bison meatloaf was excellent. Very sweet, moist, flavorful, and tender. I had thrown in some chopped celery leaves, parsley, onions, garlic, and a little shredded zucchini and yellow squash, and it was perfect! We had tried bison burgers before and really liked them, so we tried the meatloaf too. You are right that it is healthier than beef. But did you know that it is even healthier than boneless chicken breasts? No kidding. It has less fat than boneless chicken.

I think you will like the romaine wraps. I buy a cellophane bag of 3 organic romaine "hearts" (which are just young, crispy romaine bunches) -they last forever in the frig, too.

Too bad about the increasing problem with lactose intolerance, but it does tend to worsen with age, unfortunately. That's great that you can tolerate cheese. If I could eat any one of my intolerances again, it would be cheese. I'd gladly forego gluten, corn, soy, milk, even chocolate......for a hunk of cheese. SIGH. But it makes sense that you do OK with it, since any good cheese aged over 6 mo. has lost all of its lactose. You are so lucky to have only lactose intolerance and not full casein intolerance like I do!

Tomorrow's dinner will be easy - pork tenderloin (with sauerkraut) in the crockpot! I'm also fixing brussel sprouts and fresh beets and beet greens. You know, I never ate nearly as many varieties or amounts of veggies or fruits when I was a vegetarian for 12 years! Interesting.............. I think grains and legumes (both of which are not great for those of us with leaky gut because of the lectins) were the main staples in my diet. And of course, grains and legumes do not give a very big nutritional bang for the buck. At least nothing like veggies and fruit. I just saw a study where those who ate the most veggies and fruit (NOT dairy) had the strongest bones i.e. the least osteoporosis!

Hey, if you ever do come for dinner, it would be no problem feeding your kids. My 19 yr. old son eats hot dogs, cereal, pasta, etc. - although maybe your kids are more adventurous.

Love,

Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Matthew
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 529
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:44 am
Location: Denver, CO

Post by Matthew »

Polly and the Paleos-
Sounds like a jazz quartet. :grin:

It is very late. I am just in from the shop. Mired in a job that is pushing the boundaries of me and my equipment's abilities. Ten sets of nesting tables, four tables in each group. 400 separate parts, 960 mortises, 480 splines and countless hours of sanding, gluing clamping and un clamping.

Even in the most hectic of times I can take an enjoyable Sunday morning walk to the nearby farmers market this time of year and come home with organic Colorado apples , pears, peaches, plums, many green vegetables, squash and root vegetables. A quick trip to a market where I can buy safe meat and I am set with lots of food that can be put together in many ways and I never have to even consider additives or gluten . Last weekend on my walk home from the farmers market I had to laugh when I thought of Karen’s quote, “I have hunted and I have gathered”. I truly had.

It is an amazing realization , to quote Poly, “How much bang you get for the Buck” . Eliminating grains and legumes and eating all the other earth’s bounties continues to give me clearer and clearer energy on so many levels.

Polly, cooking impaired? I don’t think so. Like me you just needed an incentive to cook with the right ingredients for you . I would gladly sit at your table. At can’t think of a greater time than to have everyone enjoy my table . Can you imagine sitting down to dinner with great friends, lots of laughter and camaraderie and not having to question anything on the table? Gives me the shivers.

In that the “Land Of Nod” beckons I will have to leave details for a later post but can only be thankful that such a simple diet has allowed me to once again push my boundaries physically and creatively. A few years ago I would never have dreamed of taking on such a project let alone be able to do it.

Love and thanks

Matthew
harvest_table
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1509
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:29 pm
Location: Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Post by harvest_table »

Polly,

So glad to hear you are enjoying yourself and feeling good. Paleo is so simple and refreshing. This way of eating has done wonders for me.

Love,
Joanna
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Hi Joanna and Matthew!

I really do feel such a kinship with my fellow paleos. And it may be that we even have a genetic (familal) connection somewhere in the past.......considering our multiple intolerances and the way we respond to this diet. Whaddya think?

Matthew - Karen has made some wonderful quotes, hasn't she? One of my favorites was her advice for going out of the house - "Always carry a porkchop in your pocketbook!" I was drooling as I read about your selections at the farmer's market! And I am amazed at the job you have undertaken! What do the nesting tables look like?

Joanna, that list you shared earler was so helpful to me in thinking about the more unusual foods that we can eat. Have you tried bison? I know you eat other wild game. What is your favorite?

Here is my trick for cooking the leafy green veggies like kale, collards, turnip greens, etc. First chop up onions and put in pan. Then chop greens (large pieces) and add to pan. Then add water and let boil with lid on. For collards you may need to boil for at least 45 min. or more. Keep adding water (if necessary) as it evaporates until the onions and greens become soft. As the last batch of water evaporates, add a little chicken broth (I use Imagine brand) and allow it to evaporate (reduce) while boiling. This method of cooking uses no fat and minimum salt (from the final addition of broth). And WOW does it taste good.

In fact, the Imagine chicken broth is a staple in my kitchen. It makes a great "sauce" if you just pour it over chicken breasts and let it reduce by half during cooking. It gets thicker with wonderful flavor. And it is the base for my soups.

Here is how I make a really creamy, yummy and EASY soup. Put about 6 cups of chicken broth in a pan. Add 2 lbs. of a chopped fresh veggie (like carrots or broccoli) and slice up two large onions and add them. Optionally you can add some chunks of parsnips, too, if you wish. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cook for about 40 min. Let cool and then puree in batches. Stir and season with salt/pepper to taste. This tastes like a gourmet soup - any non-paleo would love it! And it is good for any meal.

BTW, for those who use mayonnaise, Hellman's now makes one with canola oil instead of soybean oil. Much healthier!

Please share with me your cooking ideas and tips. It is such fun to learn new tricks from everyone.

Love,

Polly and the Paleos :party:
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Matthew
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 529
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:44 am
Location: Denver, CO

Post by Matthew »

Polly
Thanks for the vegetable soup idea. I have done something similar but always started from scratch with the chicken broth. I have never found the Imagine chicken broth so will have to renew my search for one that I don’t have to take hours to make. I love adding chicken or vegetable broth to vegetables, fish and meat. When it cooks down it makes the most delicious gravey or sauce without the need to add any flour

As the cooler months approach my thoughts turn to soup. Just the thought of it makes me drool. I so much enjoy the exchange off ideas in preparing the simple food of the paleo diet. They seem endless and are all so good that I can never think that I am deprived of anything. In fact I can not think of a time that I ate all the bland grains that anything tasted as good as the food I eat now

Last winter on several occasions I made Winter Squash and Apple soup. No real recipe just cook winter squash such as butternut or acorn squash in chicken stock until tender, then chop up a few of your favorite apples. I like the tart ones. Cook until every thing is soft and puree just like you do your vegetable soup. Season with salt , pepper and my favorite, a pinch of tarragon. It goes with everything.

Ten years ago when I ate grains, wrong fats and lots of caffein for breakfast I would have had to laugh off anyone that said that in a few years that I would be eating Apple Squash soup with a few walnuts sprinkled on top and a soft boiled egg.

I often wake early and just the thought of something so good has my feet on the floor ready for a new day

Love this thread

Love

Matthew
Lucy
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1399
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 9:31 pm

Post by Lucy »

Polly,

I notice that your diet isn't really all that high in fats, particularly saturated fats. Is everyone on the paleo diet as concerned about lower saturated fats as you are?

For some reason, I was under the impression that some of the authors were sort of "eat all the sat. fats you want." What do the paleo books say?

Frankly, I love eating foods like this.
Just wish that I could get to the store that frequently.

Lately, I've just about been eating paleo anyway.

This morning, for a late breakfast, had a smoothie made of frozen organic cherries, a banana, a few almonds, a little bit of fresh organic cocoa, and just enough organic apple juice to liquify it, and a few ice cubes.

We ate a sort of combination late lunch/early dinner at the Kosher restaurant at 4 PM, or possibly a little bit after -- I had ground beef kabob, and LOTS of veggies, like zucchini, onions, yellow squash, tomotoes. Only thing that wasn't paleo was the green rice which has green peas in it and dill, among other spices, I'm sure.

Oh yeah, is plain iced tea paleo enough?

We were so full from eating so much when we got home, that neither of us wanted another bite of anything tonight. Usually, we would've had a modified version of Pond Scum tonight (modified because 1) I can't put the traditional wheat germ in it, and 2) sometimes I include coconut milk in it, and 3) sometimes I'm out of an ingredient.

Usually, I make gf pond scum with bananas, ice cubes, fresh organic baby spinach, apples, and pineapple juice. I suppose I really need to think about throwing some other kind of nut into this. Wonder what would be good -- macadamia nut, ya think?

Also, when we got home from the WFs tonight, Mom requested a glass of that delicious lemonaide that comes in the glass bottles, so we had that on top of a big ole glass of crushed ice.

It is VERY good, and made with agave nectar and white grape juice for sweetners. This probably isn't paleo, but it sure was good.

Didn't have any protein to go with it, but then we were still so full of our early dinner that we couldn't eat another bite.

Know what you mean, Polly, about getting addicted to fresh fruits and vegetables. When we were at the hotel where Dr. Fine's conference was, we ate rabbit food the whole time, plus the meat that was served at dinner time. I ate so much fresh lettuce that I couldn't believe it myself -- delicious!

I love romaine as well. Have seen the little baby versions, so perhaps we should try those. Do they make into a small wrap?

Polly, do you suppose that the folks with the strong bones were actually absorbing more calcium from all those fruits and vegetables, even though the actual amounts of calcium in fruits and vegetables might've been lots less than that in dairy, for instance?

Also, could a "BIGGIE" be that they are getting minerals through those foods?

I second the comment about being in the mood for some good homemade soups!

Yours, Luce
User avatar
kate_ce1995
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1321
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
Location: Vermont

Post by kate_ce1995 »

I want to find time to read up on this paleo thing. I do enjoy rice or potatos with my steak or chicken, but one of my favorite meals is a grilled steak and salad. You guys sound so happy on it.

Ever since going off my antidepressant, gluten makes me feel more sick, so I'm finding it easier to avoid.

I'm going to miss "my" farmer's market...right out back inside the deer fence! My cucmbers went crazy this year and I've been eating a lot of those. Erin has been taking fresh tomatos to school for snack too (they hardly leave me any tomatos). My corn fizzled this year. It was either too wet, or it got too dry during the last couple weeks of summer, or it got too cool too fast. We've been in the 60s or low 70s since mid August. I'm not complaining, but its an early fall here. In fact our trees are turning already...and mostly brown and dropping. Not the bright reds and oranges of a good season. maybe we'll be suprised though...we certainly haven't gotten to peak season yet.

We just ordered our cow (fresh butchered from a local farm) last week and got the freezer this morning. I'm trying to track down a chicken farm too to get 4 or 5 roasters. And I'm hoping Geoff gets a deer this year. If Vermont allowed doe we could walk out back and lasso one. I had one much apples while I mowed the lawn not 200 feet away a few weeks ago.

Well, I haven't added much to this discussion. But you guys are inspiring. And I'm trying so hard to do better on my diet. I said no to cake last weekend at a cousin's b-day party and I said no to pizza the other night when we unexpectedly had the kids and didn't have enough food out of the freezer for them too.

Well, boss is calling, gotta run.
Katy
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Good Morning!

Just finished my easy paleo breakfast....beef, broccoli, and garlic sauteed in oil. I use the Applegate Farms sliced roast beef, which contains only sodium lactate from beets and salt/pepper. I buy several cellophane packs at a time and freeze them. They thaw quickly and taste just as good as fresh.

Matthew, thanks for that soup idea. Am going to the store tonight to get the ingredients. Such a great soup for fall! The Imagine free-range chicken broth is safe and contains only organic veggies/spices. Of course it costs $$$, but I need some convenience items, so I am willing to pay. It is a staple for me. Comes in a 32 oz. carton, and I use it for so many meals. Plus it keeps well for several weeks (opened) in the frig. But I am impressed that you make your own broth!

Luce, good question about fats. As you might imagine, there is the complete Bell-curve gamut of opinions on this - from Cordain (The Paleo Diet) who recommends only lean meats to Audette (Neanderthin) who doesn't worry about saturated fat much. I am more in sync with Cordain, who is a PhD and documents lots of research. Plus, it makes sense to me that if our ancestors ate lean meats, then we should too.

Re your questions.......plain tea is allowable on the paleo diet. And macadamia nuts sound great for the pond scum (LOVE the term - did you make it up?). They are the nuts with the second best omega 6/3 ratio.

I have a question for you. Have you ever heard of the barbecue sauce they use only in northern Alabama? It's a white sauce made with mayo, vinegar, pepper, and salt. I am interested in it because I can't eat tomatoes and therefore the traditional BBQ sauce. I have some recipes, and I know it can be used for marinating and basting, but I am wondering if it could be used in a crockpot recipe, where is would be cooked a long time at low heat. Do you know?

Love,

Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Hi Katy!

It's great to see you here! I think you would really enjoy Loren Cordain's book, "The Paleo Diet". It makes so much sense both scientifically and intuitively. Perhpas you could read a little each night before bed - it is very interesting reading actually. And I still refer to it every few days because there is such a wealth of info.

Now, about losing weight - I saw a post where your goal is to lose weight before your wedding. I am here to tell you that there is no way you CANNOT lose weight on this diet. Right, Joanna?

Here is my personal experience. When I first went GF about 5 years ago, I weighed 134 lb. (I am 5'5"). Although I never had a weight problem, I seemed to gain a lb. or 2 every year, despite regular exercise. And I had developed muscle/joint aches and pains and extreme fatigue. After eliminating gluten and gradually discovering my other intolerance and eliminating them, I lost a few (maybe 2-3) pounds and of course, the ahces/pains and fatigue went away. But I was still eating processed foods - GF sweets, substitue flour and dairy products, etc.

About 6 months ago I decided to go paleo, but I still ate occasional potato chips, rice, etc. About 1 mo. ago I decided to be strict about the diet. Today I weigh 114 lbs. I feel terrific, am never hungry, eat all I want, and have more energy than ever. I think this is the weight I was meant to be genetically. Did you know that fossil records show that paleo peoples actually lost weight as they aged? Totally the oppostie of what happens today in our society.

Anyway, we would be very happy to help if you decide to go this route.

Love,

Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
User avatar
kate_ce1995
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1321
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
Location: Vermont

Post by kate_ce1995 »

Do you, Polly (and I guess you do because you've followed the book) find it that logical? I was reading some reviews on Amazon and some people find it kind of hokey. Do you follow it to a tee, or do you make allowances for some foods that do agree with you?

I will probably pick up a copy anyway. Anything that can give me hints on how to eat healthfully without gluten is a good thing. And I do realize that many of the review writers were just upset that they couldn't eat their whole grained whatever having no understanding of what it does to those of us who are sensitive.

Katy
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Hi Katy,

I do indeed find it logical!! I also find it impressively scientific. It has one of the most extensive bibliographies I have ever seen - almost 400 references to scientific journals of all types. As you will see, this is not just one man's opinion - the conclusions are backed up.

With your logical, scientific mind, I really think you will enjoy reading it. I think your comment is on the mark - people who don't understand (or live with) food intolerances really can't concieve of the lifestyle changes that some of us must make to be healthy.

For the first time in 6 mo. I am following the diet pretty much to the "T". Except that I still eat potatoes and other root vegetables. Cordain recommends easing into the diet and presents several stages. Let me know if you read it - it would be fun to discuss.

Love,

Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
User avatar
kate_ce1995
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1321
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
Location: Vermont

Post by kate_ce1995 »

I think I will order it. Any advice in it on how to get curmudgeonly guys to like vegetables? Or 9 year old daughters striving so hard to "be just like Dad" that they don't like anything he doesn't like?

Katy
Polly
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5185
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 3:34 am
Location: Maryland

Post by Polly »

Oh Katy,

I am not the one to ask about that. My 19 year old son still has yet to meet even 3 veggies that he likes (besides French fries and corn). He does like fruit, so I make sure to have lots of it on hand, and I gave him a daily vitamin when he was younger. Luckily, kids seem to thrive even if they don't eat a balanced diet for years! It hasn't stunted his growth - he is 6'5"!!!

Love,

Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Post Reply

Return to “Discussions About Multiple Intolerances And Treatment By Dietary Changes”