Paleoista: The Modern Cave Girl

I'm sure you have heard the paleo diet called a lot of things: Caveman Diet, Primal or the Paleo Lifestyle. Until a month ago I called is scary and refused to think about giving up my pasta. I've been doing a lot of reading in my search to loose weight and get healthier. What ever name you choose it's a way of eating based on the idea that we are healthier when we mimic the nutrition of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. It's a movement, it's an investment, it's a choice and it's not always easy. I'm going to slowly jump in and see how things go!

Let me break the bad news fist: Eating paleo means avoiding many foods that are at the top of your favorites list. Different paleo practitioners promote varying guidelines. I'm going to follow the guiding rules of meats and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, a little starch and I wish I could say I've managed the NO SUGAR but I'm not there yet! I also fully believe in local, organic, and hormone free products. Yes, I'm that person and no I don't wear hemp.  However I'm also on a serious budget...the whole husband in school thing. So I don't always get to splurge on the hormone free items. I do it when I can and don't feel guilty if I can't afford it that week.

The coolest thing I've found so far, there are so many online blogs and resources for eating Paleo and still being able to have items like pancakes and dessert.

I won't lie. I still plan to eat dairy and sugar in moderation and enjoy alcohol. I've always been more of a spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law kind of gal. Also with my love for food I will never close myself off from trying something. However I do think that Paleo is a good every day option for me. Remember it's a personal choice that allows you to be HEALTHY & HAPPY!

Each of the “No” or as my husband says when talking me down from my diet ledge “don't do it” foods has its own unique properties that ensure its place on the list. Generally, these foods are excluded because they either negatively affect your metabolism, or cause systemic inflammation, or in my case both. I can't say I dislike them, they all taste fabulous but my body has a love hate relationship with them. (I'm looking at you, grains.)

The “don't do it list” includes the following, I will be trying really hard to be avoiding these items. Again I'm not perfect and I've learned baby steps are a better approach for me, I'm going to limit if not remove completely:
Processed foods
Grains
Legumes
Soy
Added Sugar
White potatoes
Vegetable oils

The Yes Please List:
I will try to eat: animal-based protein, vegetables, fruits, and natural fat sources.
All animal proteins of the local organic, hormone free variety...
All vegetables, except as listed above
All fruits
Quality fat sources: coconut products, olives and olive oil, avocados...yes, please and thank you
Nuts and seeds
It turns out I've finally caved to a way of eating that I think I can embrace. You will see a recipes pop up here and there as I slowly switch my eating.