Shirley, how are you doing on the Paleo Diet?

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:34 am

Hi Shirley,

I was thinking of you this morning as I was preparing my caveman food - how are you doing with the diet? I bet you are making some major changes - it takes time to start shopping differently and planning differently. Is your husband going to be on your diet?
My husband LOVES it because we have steak and other meats a lot - he also likes my salads and veggies.

Yesterday we had baby back ribs - he slathered his half in BBQ sauce at the end of the cooking process but mine stayed plain with just salt/pepper. They came out just right and were delicious. The kids are not crazy about ribs because of the fat and other stuff attached so it leaves more meat to the two of us. We usually prepare something additional for the kids; but they go w/o the starch most meals too allthough David, my husband, likes to make grilled cheese sandwiches for them (whole wheat); as you know, I don't get near those sandwiches LOL!!

I prepared green asparagus on the side (I have found a brand of whole green frozen asparagus that you can whip out of the bag into a skillet and sautee with a little olive oil in no time - it is called VIP; I get them at BiLo grocerystore - they are 100% asparagus; no waste).

We had Medjool dates and tea/coffee for dessert.

Love,
Karen

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:20 am

Wow, Karen, you really amaze me the way you have gone from "not cooking" to preparing all your own food. I'm glad your husband likes the diet. Mine won't give up his breads and desserts.

I did really well on Wednesday and felt pretty darn good too!!

Yesterday we had company and she wanted a BLT sandwich for lunch since we have the tomatoes from the garden. I caved and had one also.
We also have cantelope and watermelon from our garden and although the pharmacist wanted me to give up fruit for a couple of months, I had some (a lot) of those also. I don't remember why he wanted me to go without fruit for 2 months. Maybe if I knew the reason, I'd do better. Anyway, I figured I'd already blown it for the day and in 2 months we won't have any (garden grown). I'm very good at rationalizing my actions, in case you haven't noticed - *slap hand*.

Anyway, today is another day

I did kinda feel as if I had a "sour stomach" last night. Perhaps the fruit did that. If so, it's hanging on this AM. If not, it's back from something else. I may go over and buy some Rhizinate today or tomorrow. That's what he told me to get if I am bothered by heartburn. I haven't been yet, but I feel it's coming. I haven't had any anti-acid meds since Wed. morning.

Well, this is getting a bit long so I'll close for now. Oh, you may think I'm a bit wierd but I had a small can of salmon for breakfast this morning.

Thanks for asking

Shirley

Post by **tex** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:12 am

Hi SHirley,

I wonder why your pharmacist doesn't want you to eat fruit. I don't see any reason not to eat a legitimate paleo food item such as fruit, as long as it doesn't cause you to have any sort of problems. I thought that fruit was a healthy choice.

Love,
Wayne

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:52 pm

Hi Shirley,

I'm with Wayne on the fruit - especially home grown; I wouldn't let it go to waste if I were you. Perhaps your farmacist is concerned about fruit due to the relative high sugar content? Did you guys discuss sugars? What is his philosofy/diet? Is he promoting the paleo diet? I thought not. Fruit is A-OK on the paleo diet.

Thumbs up for your "weird" choice of breakfast - a can of salmon sounds like an excellent choice of protein and a very good way to start the day. When you eat meat/protein in the morning your blood sugar doesn't start the elevations and succeeding dips that usually lead to cravings for more sugar/starches. I think you are doing great!!

Next time maybe you can have the BLT w/o the bread? Polly has found some kind of wrap (burito?) that is allergen free (probably not paleo but made w/rice or other grain) that you can use instead of bread for sandwich like meals.

Your husband is probably going to LOVE it when you start serving delicious meats throughout the day; he can still have his dessert and dinner roll, right?!

Keep it up, Shirley

Love,
Karen

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:02 pm

Just typed a long post but had a long phone call before I finished and then when I tried to submit it I was no longer logged in.

I'm too tired to repeat it all now, but I had a good day, I ate more cantelope, I stayed on the diet and Bill even had the same as me for lunch (with bread, of course).

Thanks, it does help to have others interested in what I'm eating/doing.
I really appreciate you guys.

Shirley

Post by **tex** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:15 pm

Shirley,

The next time that happens, try this: That post wasn't lost, it was just hidden. After you log in again, just click on the "Back" button of your browser, and you should find your post, alive and well. Just click on "Submit", to enter it.

Love,
Wayne

P S You're doing great on the diet.

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:25 pm

Well, I did Wayne, and the page was there but the text was gone. Or perhaps I didn't use the button. I have a "back" on my mouse and I use that a lot. Can't remember which one I did.

Thanks for the

Shirley

Post by **tex** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:36 pm

Well, it works like a charm with Mozilla, anyway.

Love,
Wayne

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:49 am

Shirley,

Almost 1am, just got back from Anchorage. Saw a funny show this evening called the "whale fat follies" at a club with my folks- they are visiting and we are having a great time being together.

Just curious, have you read The Paleo Diet yet? Author is Loren Cordain. If not, most likely you can pick up a copy at the library. The book is very interesting and helpfull when starting this diet.

Time for bed. Love you. Your awesome.

Joanna

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:45 am

Really glad you are all enjoying your time together and "whale fat follies" sounds hysterical.

No, I haven't read any books yet, just what I have read on the "net" and the paper the pharmacist gave me about it, and, of course, the education I have received here. I'll see if I can get the book. Thanks.

Joanna, are you mostly Paleo now?

:bigbighug:

Shirley

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:39 am

Hiya Shirley!

Just wanted to jump in and say "keep up the good work"! You have made a great start and have earned a gold star!

I think you might enjoy reading the book. I finally broke down and bought it. It is a fun read. Also, there are several weeks of daily meal suggestions and snacks included, which are helpful for getting ideas about what to eat.
Plus recipes - if you can call them that! They are VERY simple, especially for a seasoned cook like you.

Actually, it may not as difficult as you think it will be. I guess mainly because it's such simple eating. I am hoping that you will provide some more ideas about spices, etc. I liked your dill suggestion. I am finding that marjoram and thyme go together well on most veggies.

One of the few things that was real comfort food for me before going paleo was mayonnaise. I am not egg-intolerant and seemed to do OK with it. I would mix it with mustard (and GF ketchup before I found out I couldn't tolerate tomatoes) to make dressings for potatoes, salads, meats, etc. BUT......I see there is a recipe for mayo in the paleo book, and I'm going to make it today. It sounds so HEALTHFUL - you make it with flax oil and olive oil. It will be high in omega 3 fats! I'll let you know if it tastes OK.

Hang in there! One day at a time.

Love,

Polly

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:00 am

Wow, mayonaise would be GREAT!!! Gotta get that book. Thanks, Polly!!
I believe I've lost a couple of pounds already. I usually weigh myself every morning. I know you aren't supposed to do that - just weigh yourself weekly - but I can't seem to help it.

Thanks for the marjoram and thyme suggestion too. I'll need some varity, I'm sure.

:bigbighug:

Shirley

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:43 am

Shirley

Way to go on the weight loss!

It's exciting, isn't it? Have you been hungry? I am finding that when I think I am hungry, it's mainly psychological and that I'm not REALLY hungry. Years of conditioning, I guess......and maybe a little withdrawal from carb addiction.

Love,

Polly

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 3:33 pm

I do get hungry, but I find a some nuts seem to do the job as a "tide me over". I also have some baby carrots to munch on. Trouble is, I forget to do that 'till I'm uncomfortable.

That pharmacist wanted me to eat "something" 5 times a day and some protein each time. I'm finding it hard to do that!!!

Shirley

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:03 pm

Hi Polly, Joanna, Wayne, and Shirley,

What a great motivator you are Polly - the mayonnaise seems to have made Shirley more interested in reading the book. I am so lazy that even though I've read the book and own a copy of it I've never used a single recipe from it...........

Shirley, I do think you should try to eat whenever you are hungry - why is it difficult to do? I wrote another post in which I suggested keeping some cold pre-sliced flank steak in the refrigerator; it is great to use throughout the day for snacks - protein, yes!! Also, another easy way to get some quick and delicious protein is by cooking an egg or too - or make a smoothie with a raw egg added at the end. I find most grocery stores here have eggs from cage free birds - those should be higher quality and more omega-3 rich than regular eggs. They cost approx twice as much but since eggs are very inexpensive it's not bad.

Another wonderful way to have protein ready at hand is to make pemmican or jerky in a food dehydrator. You can by an excellent food dehydrator at Walmart for about $40.00.

Another suggestion for reading is Ray Audette's "Neanderthin" - it too has many suggestions of how to eat and what to do.

I would love to here about other books that any of you have found/read/enjoyed on the paleo lifestyle or diet.

Love,
Karen