Decision Day...

Today's post is going to be a bit personal. A testimonial if you will.

I know I have talked a blue streak about how awesome Paleo is, who I think is amazing, blah, blah, blah...

But guess what, I also live in the same world as you do. I have real world issues and problems. Those of you who have read my blog, or who know me in the real world already know this about me, so it's a refresher. I was diagnosed with Border Line Personality Disorder, Depression, and Bi-Polar Disorder about 5 years ago. It took awhile but I have found a medical combination to treat and balance my Chemical Imbalance, so that I generally function alright. I have triggers and bad days but who doesn't right?

So I started Paleo a little over a year ago. I was off wheat for over a year, I didn't know that my body had changed so much. I knew I had lost weight, my clothes didn't fit. I could run after a bus without having a coronary, that was the coolest thing. I was sleeping better.

I have made comments in other posts about our bodies not having Gas. (Did you know Farting isn't something we HAVE TO DO?) It's a way our bodies tell us that we are eating something we shouldn't be. I think this one fact is so absolutely interesting, because the first thing that happens to me when I start shoving wheat products in my face, is yucky tummy and then GAS...

The fact that after eating wheat and dairy, I can't breathe through my nose, because it becomes itchy, runny, and I sneeze often, is a sign that I shouldn't be eating those things. Not that I am "allergic" but that my body can't process and digest it, nor should it have to try.

Stress sucks. I think it is the number one killer of all humanities resolutions.. Just sayin'

I had been saving for a "Stay-cation" which is happening in 2 weeks. One thing after another has been happening to deter funds from going to the savings nest. However, I haven't had the funds to help me eat correctly either. So basically since my Scooter was stolen, I have fallen into the trap of eating crap. I can't afford anything, so I have eaten all the cheap crap I can get my hands on, which all has wheat in it.

Guess what folks...

I am at the end of my rope...

I feel like Shit. I am done feeling like shit. I haven't had a good night sleep in a while, nor has my stomach felt normal in a long time. It always feels bloated. I have had a headache all day. Nothing has seemed to help. I have spent most of my days the last two weeks slowly devolving into a pit of despair. I hate it. Even though I take my meds, I can still feel that feeling of helplessness, and hopelessness start to take over, then it gets pushed aside by, I don't care/give a F*%K. Not a healthy way to live...

So I decided today, to change it.

Two things I decided.

After my stay-cation, I will be saving up for a mini-deep freezer to store these great meat packs from 'The Butcher Block".

Secondly. I went straight after work to buy "REAL" food. Spent the last of what I had saved for my Stay-Cation, but bought Meat and Eggs. I had frozen Broccoli in the Freezer. I craved some O.J. for some reason, if you know me, I don't like it, but got my Liquid Vitamin C. I am finally for the first time in WEEKS full, on protein and vegetables. BUT ABSOLUTELY NO WHEAT.

I am taking back my life. My body. I am going to do some research I may even stop my medication eventually. But I want all of me to be healthy. I know that means I need to also get off my ass and work out, Shut up. 70% Diet, 30% exercise. Let me get my diet (that which I put in my body) down first. Then we can tackle the other 30%.

Anyways. As I have said in other posts, I have never in all my FAT life found something that I endorse proudly, like I do Paleo. I have been to Weight Watchers, counted calories, points. I have done Nutri-Systems. That food was nasty and expensive. I have done the gym thing. OA meetings. I have found nothing that I was successful with ON MY OWN, other than Paleo. It is easy.

The hardest thing to do, is read your labels. Actual if it has a label, it probably isn't Paleo. ;-)

I would love to have more people learn about this amazing Life Style, and listen to their bodies more. I think so many more people would begin to feel better almost overnight.

Namaste,
KitCat

Staying Motivated, Never know who you will inspire!

Hi Guys,

Life gets super busy sometimes, with all the things that I do, and ways that I split things up, I don't get here often enough. I apologize.

Recently I went on working sta-cation, and after having "mostly" followed the Paleo Lifestyle, I apparently stunned many people. Friends I hadn't seen, wondered where the rest of me had gone. They thought I looked amazing.

In my mind, I haven't done much, gone down a few clothes sizes, and I still have so many healthy eating habits to incorporate, I feel I have much to do still. So in my mind, I am not a "Good Pale-ian" (is that a word? If Not I just made it up and it is now).

I started down this path, in February of this year (2012) not to lose weight, but to get healthier. To hopefully get to a place where I may have enough minerals, vitamins, and healing going on in my body, to decrease the medicine I have to take. I am a diagnosed Bi-Polar w/severe Depression, & Borderline Personality Disorder. Um yeah that's a whole lot of crazy for a girl who used to be an out going, fun loving child. So what happened?

Diet, and hormones happened.

I can't do much about my hormones, but I can affect my diet. Which does help change SOME of my hormonal, and chemical changes. So those are the reasons for me to chose the healthy, organic, way of the Paleo Lifestyle. The immediate benefits just happened to be weight loss for me. Hmmm are those changes that I am going to reject? Yeah right!!

Any who,  I am so pleased to say that one of the things that I have tried to do, is "Paleo it Forward". I believe so much in this lifestyle, I want others to believe in their own health and wellness, to at least try it for 30 days.   It's a difficult commitment to make at first. I know, remember I was in your shoes once. However, I am research hound, and went straight to Google, to find out my alternatives off the bat, before I made any decisions. Happily I found them over time, and built up all the resources that are here in my blog. I am always available for questions as well.

Apparently I have inspired someone to try this lifestyle. She is someone I have admired for many years, and I am honored that she will be working to improve her own health and well being. That I could be that catalyst for her, like she has been for me for so many other things in my life.

I believe that one of the two best articles I ever read was written by Paleo On A Budget, explaining how we can only do what our budget allows us to do. BUT we do the best we can within that budget. The other I will find you when I am home on my own computer. It basically said that money shouldn't over ride the desire to for us to change our habits. We can always alter the Paleo Lifestyle to what we need. I am GREAT with not eating cheese/dairy, it isn't healthy for us, but if after your 30 day challenge you truly want to incorporate an ORGANIC version back in, by all means, find a RAW, Unpasteurized form of cheese, and organic milk as well as butter (Kerry Gold is the best butter I have heard about) to use in your Paleo diet. I basically stick with Almond milk for my Coffee or cooking needs. I also use Turbino sugar, rather than the chemical versions of sweetener. I also still have my honey too.

You just find what will suit your tastes, and budget the best. I usually have a freezer filled with frozen veggies, and meats. I buy on sale, and that way I won't be hungry. Then I can buy fresh fruits, avocados, and keep my almond butter, almond meal, stocked up as I need it.

My two favorite things from Trader Joe's is their Coconut Oil, taste and cost, you can't beat. I have tried about 10 different types of Coconut Oil, but they are my favorite so far. The other is their Almond Meal. I used to grind my own from fresh almonds, but it was more like granulated almonds. The baked goods, and pancakes I can make with Trader Joe's Almond Meal are to DIE FOR!!

Whole Food Market will soon be carrying a line of Paleo Breads, from Julian Bread Company. For now it is only available on-line.

I hope these tips help you in your journey. Please feel free to contact me if you need help or want support on your journey.

Namaste,
KitCat

"Welcome," said the Spider to the Fly...

Chaos Balanced??

That is an oxymoronic statement isn't it?

WTF?

But seriously, that is what my mind is, and what millions of people live with on a daily basis. A mass amount of chaos screaming through your head, but your semi-logical part is telling you, "Control your thoughts", while your medication is trying to slow down the speed at which those thoughts go. Or what those thoughts make you think.

I am not sure how many people even can recongize someone with a mental disorder these days. People think I am a sweet, lovely woman/lady. They have no idea that somedays, I would rather punch them in the head, than talk to them. However, because by law, my job, and not wanting to be put in the hospital, I control those feelings of angry, or irratition. They pass.

But it is still a chaotic thought.

Hello readers, by now you know that I am semi-deranged. My name is Cat, I work for a retail company, in the middle of the masses. Tell me how I survive this daily onslaught of chaos? I HAVE NO clue!! Seriously. Sometimes I have really good days though, so I suppose that helps, part of the balance in my life.

However that is sorta off point.

See "Chaos", my thoughts travel sometimes in tangents which bear no meaning to what I was discussing. Somewhere in my head, it seemed like it did, but hmmm not so much when said out loud.

Entries here will not always be co-herent. Nor will they always be happy. Dark and ugly at times, make you want to check and see if I am taking my meds at times, even.. But this is my new blog. First entry, public access.

Why??

I am finally not ashamed when I am in my Balanced Cycles, of admitting that I am Bi-Polar, that I have a mental disorder, which is a chemical imbalance in the brain. I have no control over it. I do however have control over how I deal with it. Taking my meds, education to my friends, so they understand me better, and watch out for my seclusion, and to OTHERS  so they will know they aren't alone.

Everyday I take my pills, is a day I am taking back for myself. Everyday, that go to work, is a day that I prove how strong I am getting.

That is how I am bringing Balance to my Chaos.

Your never alone!!
Blessed Be,
Cat