Paleo Diet - For Me?

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning All,

Polly and I have talked a number of times re: the Paleo Diet and at this point in time I am just beginning to contemplate it. However, being a Buddist I am having a very serious time trying to decide how I can possibly pull it off. Very recently I have added a little fish and some eggs to my diet because I cannot get protein any other way. I would love to hear any suggestions on how I can do this and still observe my religious beliefs that all life is precious and not for me to be part of its consumption.

I feel like I need to do something since I am GF and really stick to my other MI avoidances, but just want to feel better.

By the way, somehow over the many months I have completely missed this section of our board and just discovered it yesterday. How is that for being really unobservant. Love it in this room.

Love, Maggie

[tex]

Hi Maggie,

I applaud your decision to at least consider the paleo diet, since it is the diet that our predecessors evolved on. To be honest, though, I don't see a logical way to coordinate that diet with a religion that does not condone the consumption of food items which are vital to the diet.

The problem, of course, is that religious denials are not based on logic, they are based on emotions, and they do not allow for exceptions, regardless of the needs of the individual, even if those needs are vital for life, in individual cases.

I'll be happy to offer my thoughts on why food restrictions by any and all religious organizations are totally unrealistic, and contrary to the laws of nature, and why you should ignore them and do what is best for you, but I certainly won't do it without your permission, since it will almost surely be interpreted by many as an irreverent viewpoint. If you are interested, I can even tell you why and how those restrictions were originally imposed.

I'll give you a hint of my opinion on why religious-based denials do not stand up to the test of logic, by offering the bottom line in my reasoning: Your well-being, and your life, is more precious than any religious doctrine in the world. Period. That statement, obviously, is in direct conflict with the stance of religions that impose food restrictions.

Love,
Tex

[MaggieRedwings]

You are most definitely right Wayne - knowing it is a dilemna and restrictions placed by religion. Growing up Roman Catholic sure let me know what restrictions were all about in many areas of religion.

My need to avoid "anything with eyes" far preceded my religious beliefs and have practiced this way before my 1/21/1970 when I knew what direction I was going and could really say I was a vegan. The religion came later. Since the ages of 8 or 9 I have avoided meat for one reason or another and fish came in 1970.

You can PM me with any of your views and I am most certain we agree on quite a number of them. I honestly disagree with "organized" religion and that is why ours is mainly Buddist but our own twists mixed in. Never 100% of any religion .

Love, Maggie

[tex]

Hi Maggie,

I've got to get to work now, but I'll PM you later. I need to think about what I want to say, and because of that, I'm usually a slow writer.

Love,
Wayne

[kate_ce1995]

Hi Maggie,

It sounds more like your personal mantra (not quite the right word I don't think) that is getting in your way if you've been vegan long before adopting a primarily buddist religion.

However, what I started out thinking was, what allowance, if any, does the buddist faith make for people with health issues. I know (only from the periphery) that for example, the religions that practice fasting during certain times, allow those who can't go long periods of time without food to eat. I'm wondering if a chat with a (whatever the term for minister is here) familiar with your faith would be of help. After all, like Wayne said, your life and well being is also very important.

I certainly wouldn't want to be in your shoes. I do hope you can find a compromise that allows you to improve your health and stay mindful of your love of all life.

Katy

[MaggieRedwings]

Katy,

You just might have hit the nail on the head and most certainly will talk with someone of the faith and see if they can guide me in a direction that will still allow me to feel comfortable with both the religion and my well being.

I am off to try and see what research I can do on this.

Wayne, look forward to your input to me. Should be most interesting and probably more than you would think, I will agree with you on.

Love, Maggie

[harma]

Hello Maggie I understand your struggle, wanting to do what is good for your health (regarding to your disease) and stick to your believes and values. When those things to do not match, things can get complicated. One thing I don't understand, what is the problem with eggs? You don't have to kill an animal for that. Chickens lay an egg everyday. It does not hurt them or does them any evil by eating an egg. And that's a good protein source. A second source is beans. In his first book, cordain says no to all beans. In his second book, paleo for athletes string beans are allowed (that are kidney, pinto, navy, white, lima, black and broad beans). I was surprised to read this. But it is a source of protein too. And than there is also something called quorn (at least here in the supermarket), it is a made of fungus and has a high protein content. And what about other sea food, with no eyes, like mussels.

And when it comes to animals, for me it is important they are treated well during live and slaughtered in quick painless way. In principle I don't think there is anything wrong with eating meat, because humans did it for million years. But of course this is a personal opinion. I understand very well other people can have another point of view

Being a vegetarian or vegan and paleo diet, is just not a very good match. Good luck in findig a suitable combination.