Well, it's almost over.
Joe and I started "The Paleo Diet" on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013.
It feels like a LONG time ago.
On Sunday, March 31st we will be FREE to eat whatever we want!
But will we?
I've learned A LOT.
I've learned a lot about myself.
I can say, quite frankly, I can be DISCIPLINED.
I have not cheated.
I have not given in.
I have STUCK to the rules.
(which let me remind you are: No Dairy, No Gluten, No Processed Foods)
I am ready for my Cadbury Egg on Easter Sunday....
But that's about it.
There is a sentence in the final section of a book called
It Starts With Food - called Re-Introduction -
"What you don't miss, don't re-introduce."
This means, if you don't miss cheese on everything, if you don't miss chocolate everyday, if you don't miss beer or bread on your burger...then don't add it back.
I've learned that I don't NEED chocolate ice cream, a beer, you name it, I don't
NEED it.
The ONLY time I longed for chocolate was when Joe called to tell me he was going to be out of town for yet ANOTHER day....which was a stressful addition to my day and at that one and ONLY time in the last 40+ days did I NEED a food I could not have.
And guess what?
Instead, I ate a Cutie clementine and moved on with my day.
Paleo is not just a diet or a fast - it's a lifestyle. I GREATLY see the benefits of it.
I am NOT going to be millitant about it, but I am going to stick with it.
WE, as a family, are going to continue to make better food choices. (which means continuing with this Paleo mentality)
Special treats are for special occasions, not just because it's there.
Here are some MUST have books you need to pull off this Paleo thing:
Here's some things I did to make this as easy and efficient as possible:
WEEKLY: (I usually did this on Sundays)
COOK a dozen eggs in a muffin pan (350 degrees for like 14 minutes)
COOK a package of bacon on a baking tray (350 degrees for 15 minutes)
Make Chocolate Chili (from Well Fed)
Make 3 lbs worth of chicken (recipes choices galore in these 3 books)
Bake a squash or sweet potatoes (I prefer baked like fries) to have as a side for lunch all week
HAVE IN HOUSE ALWAYS:
Raw Carrots
Cashews, Pistachios, Almonds
Raisins
Craisins
Any FRUIT
Berries
Sweet Peppers
Celery
GOOD TO HAVE BUT YOU MAY RUN OUT:
Coconut (dried - from Costco or Trader Joes)
Avacodo (I put this on my eggs every morning)
NEW THINGS WE ALL LOVE - WHO KNEW!?
Zucchini & Yellow Squash peeled into spaghetti length noodles
Spaghetti Squash
Burgers with pasta sauce on top (no bun, cheese or condiments necessary)
Fritattas
Carrot "Fries"
AND because I am sure you're wondering -
Did you lose any weight?YES!
So far, Joe has lost 10 pounds and although I am trying NOT to weigh myself until Easter...so far I've lost 7 pounds. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, my "baby belly" is nearly gone....which until I went Paleo, no amount of sit ups has ever helped.
If you are interested in trying this diet, we are happy to walk through it with you. There are definitely some roller coaster moments on this journey....your body is flushing toxic bacteria from the lining of your gut...there are issues to get through - so, we're here!
And most likely, we'll be sticking with it too!
What a Lent this has been - I can't imagine a better time to sacrifice, deny yourself, and search for His presence in the midst of a struggle. (if you call no cheese, no bread and no cookies a struggle!).
We are so blessed!
Happy Easter everyone!
