Week: FOUR/FIVE

I definitely missed a step in not posting results from last week. Anyway, things are going well. One benefit that I really want to talk about that surfaced recently is the way that I seem to cope with stress a little better. I'm definitely at the peak of a demanding schedule right now with student teaching and school at the same time. I'm terrible at juggling many things at once-- I'm more of a focus on one thing at a time kind of gal. Lately I've noticed that my stress levels are not as high, and I feel a little more sense of balance and clarity. I don't know how to prove that this is because I am eating Paleo, but I can tell you that I'm so much more level and at ease than before. For me, improving mental health alone is a reason to eat well.

On a different note, I read this nice little article about starting a garden: Starting Your Own Garden... I really can't wait for the day when I own a house with some room for a garden, or better yet-- a small farm. A dream of mine I've had since I was a child. Gardening has the obvious benefits: locally grown, organic, monitored by YOU etc. But I also think the physical act of gardening/farming seems so rewarding. A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of spending some time up at Tide Mill Organic Farm in Edmunds, Maine. Aside from this family of farmers being incredibly nice and cool, they were also some of the healthiest people I have ever met! They didn't go running everyday, or wake up early to do laps in a pool... instead they woke up when the animals did and work from early in the morning until evening, with a couple of seista breaks in between. I was able to help out with some of the farm labor, and boy do they labor... but at the end of a day of farming it just feels good. The women who worked the farm were just as tough as the men, and they all seemed to have this understanding of nature and animals that, I believe, we tend to lose as continue to divide ourselves from the natural world and focus too much on the manmade.

Anyway, I feel like a bit of a hippie with this latest post-- oh well. Those are my thoughts of the week.

Week: THREE

This week went pretty well as far as Paleo eating is concerned. In fact, I think my body is really starting to kick those terrible cravings (minus chocolate) and ask for something a little more substantial.. example: chicken and tomatoes. I almost find it hilarious that my body is starting to crave specific foods, and I'm assuming this is happening because I'm focusing on receiving the proper nutrients, thus changing the way my brain is programmed to fuel my body. I don't know if that really made sense, but the point I'm trying to get across is that I can tell there is a shift in the way my body is perceiving food and the purpose of eating. Interesting!

Also, I'm thinking of buying these attractive shoes:

I hear it is a more natural way of exercising because shoes throw us off balance... perhaps a little extreme??? I think I'll give it a shot anyway.

Week two continued...

My brother, who was my original inspiration to start the Paleo way of life, shared this video with me that has some great insight into the benefits of eating naturally- from the perspective of a gorilla. Sounds a little crazy, but we're all related-- Please check it out.

Also, I want to address the issue of starting the Paleo at 100% versus a gradual adaptation. To be honest, I started the Paleo with the intentions of doing it 100% all the time-- however, (as noted in my last post) our cravings and weaknesses often get in the way. I have to say that I can't blame myself or anyone else who falls back every now and then... after all, most of grew up eating processed food, no matter what the good intentions of our parents might have been. So yeah, going at it slowly at first, I think that's just fine. Because this isn't my first rodeo with the Paleo, I'm going 100%, but I think that it is definitely a lifestyle change that comes with gradual adaptation. The founder of the Paleo encourages participants to go at it full speed to really see the benefits, and if you can do it-- your are my hero. It has taken me time, but I'm getting there and I'm seeing the benefits.

What I've noticed only a few days back on track after the Texas food massacre:

• Skin is clearing up
• Belly fat reduction (seriously)
• Less of a desire to eat the bad stuff, and increase of the good

Week: TWO

So turns out that traveling and trying to do the Paleo is possible, but if you are like me you tend to think that calories and food don't count when you travel-- then it's all over before it begins. So yes, you guessed it-- I travelled over the weekend and broke some rules.

I was doing really well for week ONE, and all those terrible cravings were curbing themselves for healthier options of wholesome food. Truly, once you get over the first three days of hell while starting the Paleo, you start to forget about all the unnatural foods that our bodies really don't need-- and it really does get easier. However, I took a few steps back over the weekend and have to retrain my mind and stomach to get back on course. Fortunately, my body felt the crappy side effects of stepping off course and demands I step it up, and this will make staying on course that much easier this week.

Let's face it, I'm trying to justify my weekend of poor eating choices... but no, I'm merely allowing myself to make a mistake and learn from it. I can guarantee this week will be a good one.

I'm fortunate to have this whole week off of school and work which will allow me to prepare foods and practice some much needed cooking skills. Here's what's on the menu for tonight and tomorrow's dinner:

TONIGHT: Chicken and vegetable stir fry

-heat up a skillet and coat pan with coconut oil (thanks to Bry and Amanda for the tip)

-brown chicken

-add peppers (red and green)

-add onion

-allow chicken and veggies to heat up together, flavors develop as they brown.

***The great thing about this kind of dinner is that you don't need a lot of salt or seasoning for the flavors to come out. As the chicken and veggies cook they start to release all these gorgeous flavors that go so well together. I'll be a happy camper with this dinner tonight.

TOMORROW: Salmon with bok choy and roasted veggies

-Bake salmon (again, using coconut oil and a little salt and pepper to taste)

-Roasted veggies: carrots and brussels sprouts (the only way I'll eat brussel sprouts is roasted... so yummy!)

-Bok Choy: I like to heat up a skillet with a little bit of oil and allow the bok choy to become wilted and soft. Not the most flavorful of the greens, but when rendered in a little oil the flavor comes out. Goes extremely well with salmon, in my opinion.

***Salmon and veggies can go in at around the same time-- easy, easy.

Week: ONE

So far, so good. Just a couple days in and I'm not going through the major withdrawals that I assumed I would be going though. It's funny how panic-y people get over food, including me. I remember watching a comedy hour show with Kevin James as the stage comedian. Love that guy. Anyway, he mentioned how he loved going out to dinner, but going to restaurants where you have to share food is a nightmare. He brought up the example of getting pizza with friends. You sit at the table, hungry as ever, when suddenly the large pizza for 6 arrives and it's panic city USA. What if there isn't enough for me to have a second piece! Hurry, eat the first and go for the second... maybe sneak a third at the same grab!

I'm totally the same way. Anyway, I mention this because I'm learning that I can live without cheese and other dairy products-- it's not the end of the world. In fact, I'm doing fine without it and haven't really craved it so much. Relax, it's only food.

Tip of the day is water. Lots and lots of it. This seems to curb any unhealthy craving I tend to get after work or before I go to bed. I carry a 32oz Nalgene bottle with me everywhere and end up drinking quite a bit.

Okay-- so day #2... I'm good. Tomorrow is another adventure.

ps. thanks for the supportive comments :)

Why oh why did I start another blog.

Well, to be frank, this is my last shot at motivating myself to stick to the only eating and exercise solution that my body will allow: The Paleo Solution. For those of you not familiar with the paleo solution, the quick version is basically that I am restricting myself to foods that are only natural (not including dairy), and high in protein. Many have compared it to the Atkins Diet, but no-- it's not. I have posted about the paleo before, on my other blog, but I wasn't dedicated enough to follow it. I'm good with restricting anything made of gluten-- I've been doing that for over a year, but I do have a problem and I figured out that my biggest weakness is actually two things:

1. Time

2. Dairy

Time, oh time. I never seem to find enough time in the day to take a shower, let alone cook for myself. This is terrible because then I fall back on foods that are not great for me. I usually settle for a couple bowls of cereal. Guilty. I hardly ever take the time to cook real, nutritious food for myself.

My second weakness is dairy. I cannot seem to let go of cheese and ice cream, and this is ridiculous.

So, with this realization I have come to the decision to dedicate a blog to my journey with the paleo eating solution in hopes that I will follow it more strictly and see the results I want. If the results are not what I want then I have my answer as to whether or not this seemingly extreme lifestyle change is worth it.

My goal is to post at least once a week for ten weeks to describe some of the things I'm doing to follow the paleo solution and if they were worth the effort. Perhaps pictures will be posted if my body starts to see the positive results of the paleo... but only maybe ;)

Let's get started. Hooray!

Start date: March 5th

End date: May 15th