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

Paleo Update

I am giving you all an update. I have had an amazing few weeks.  Today is the 18th of March, I started the Paleo lifestyle change on Ash Wednesday, Feb 22nd.  It was a challenge at first to know what I could eat, and couldn't eat. But a whole new world of Organic Foods, opened up to me. I also started entertaining thoughts of eating things I don't usually, or never have before.

I bought the Paleo Lifestyle Cookbook which comes with three extra books, PLUS a BONUS dessert book. So I now have access to hundreds of Paleo recipes, Meal plans, Herbs, and Desserts!! Who would have thunk??? LOL

I also invested in a Ninja QB900B Master Prep Revolutionary Food and Drink Maker, Gray. I LOVE IT. I make my own Almond Flour, Salsas, Guacamole, and of course the main reason I bought it was for the Smoothies!!  It is amazing!! Does things in a snap (press of the button), clean up is easy too. This set has a Chopper, and the Pitcher. I recommend it for anyone who does a lot of Cooking, Baking, or Entertaining.

So the benefits so far that I have seen?

I can walk faster. I feel better. I can actually run a short ways without feeling like I will die!! LOL My energy is better. My clothes fit bigger, some too big. I bought a pair of pants the other day for work, and had to return them the next day, because I couldn't keep them up!! All in only 3 wks. AMAZING...

I have behavioral medical issues, and since I have changed my lifestyle, Let's just say that I will be talking to the doctor about decreasing a few things, and monitoring me. :D I may be off all meds, EVENTUALLY!! Wouldn't that be lovely!!!

That is what has happened in my life the last month. I am loving it. People are noticing changes. While yes I like to be told, you have great strength to do this, or resolve to stick with it. I would rather see them get excited and start making changes for themselves. I have done so many Fad diets, and failed. This isn't a diet per-say, it is a way to live healthier, closer to the way our bodies were meant to consume and process food. Once I increase my activity level, even more changes will happen for me. THAT IS EXCITING!!

Bright Blessing to you all! I will you health and happiness.

Namaste,
KitCat

A New LifeStyle, is it for me?

Have you ever heard, found, or been told something that just "RANG" true to you?

Found yourself, searching and looking at these things going WOW, there is a lot of info out there. Thousands of people are doing this...

I felt this way, am still feeling this way.

My close friend Meg, told me about this Diet/Lifestyle called Paleo or it's nickname, "The Caveman Diet".. If you can hunt for it, forage it, pick it, like the Paleolithic man, then you can eat it. OK WEIRD, is what I thought at first.. They are freaking NUTS.

Of course as soon as we stopped texting, I turned to the computer, and GOOGLE'd it.. Holy Cow!! The hits I got about this. I was stunned. There are a bunch of different "schools" of thoughts, but ultimately, all natural, lean meats, no sugars, no grains, no dairy (except butter).

Well lets look at that for a min... Having lived with Meg for 4 years, I learned how to cook Gluten-Free,  as well as started using Kosher Salt & Sea Salt. Having family and many friends who are Diabetic, I am sugar conscious.. I personally don't use much milk, except for cheese(Food Out), milk chocolate, and ice cream occasionally.

So that left me thinking how far off am I from being Paleo? I have to add Veggies, OMG lots of fresh fruits and veggies to my diet. I don't mean calorie count diet, just to what my body consumes type diet. That can be expensive, which is one of the reason I don't do much in the first place. I don't have a car, so I can't shop every few days to keep fresh in the house. Lastly I am picky, not very experimental when it comes to Fruits and Veggies. I like what I like. LOL

So that was the first issue.

Next I am a STARCH Queen!!! I love my Pasta, potatoes and my rice. How was I going to go without that? It's cheap, easy to fix, and FILLING!!! HOLY MOLY, I am gonna die...

First thing I decided was is this REALLY something I wanted to try? Was I ready to change things in my life? Were my reasons enough to sustain me through the rough patches?

I am a food lover. Not to be mistaken for a Foodee. I enjoy my food, I like knowing that I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and not a single person can tell me WTF about it. I like to cook, I am a great cook too. I like cooking for people. How was this going to affect all this?

Then I realized that if I was eating healthier, and cooked in this manner, with all these ingredients, there isn't a single person I know that COULDN'T eat my cooking/baking. Oh alright.. That is interesting. I like that idea. I hated bringing goodies, that my gluten-free friends couldn't eat, or my Diabetic friends could literally only "lick"...

Second thing I did, I cleaned my pantry and my fridge out. Yup, I gave away all my Pasta, I looked at labels. Got rid of every sugar, dairy, Gluten item in my house. If I could give it away, I did. Otherwise I trashed it. By Ash Weds (A week now) I had nothing left in my home that wasn't edible on Paleo. I literally had nothing in my house, but meat and salad.. LOL

I look forward to finding good deals, and shopping come Pay Day. There are so many natural options open to me, to replace things I might "feel like I am missing".. I can't wait to dive in and try things. Shopping new stores, plus visiting old ones I haven't seen since Meg left.

I have book marked and printed Paleo recipes. Built lists of pantry items to have on hand. I am ready for this change. I will let you know how things go on this journey of mine. I just have to say, I know my body, I veer towards many of these ideas anyways. It hasn't been that hard, once I am able to have the food on hand that I can eat and not be hungry, I know I can do this. ;-)

Namaste,
Kit Cat