So at 35 I am paying for what I did to myself at 25. Extreme sports equal extreme tumbles and well, extreme injuries that slowly creep up and make themselves permanently known.
In an effort to slow down the already far too accelerated joint inflammation and autoimmune issues, I am succumbing to the cleanse.
Originally I had it on the list as one of those 1week, stereotypical, Wild Rose, eat nothing but greens and grapefruit type of things. You know, see what all the hubabaloo is about. But with the Olympics inspiring me to want to reinvigorate my athletic pursuits, I am doing the full blown, anti-inflammatory regime. AKA: going paleo. For a month.
I had thoughts of doing the reintroduction thing; going down to nothing and reintroducing foods to gauge sensitivity. But that is the mac daddy of food related regimes and I say....baby steps!
Step 1: learn to embrace the fat!
Not just any fat.
So today I bought free range, pastured (not pasteurized! People, there is a difference! We're talking grass eating animals here.) beef tallow. That's fancy talk for "lard". A first! Never even knew it existed...or that is was awesome for you! Sortta. Good for high heat cooking, anyway.
Then there was another first. I bought a cheese cloth. And then I clarified butter. See, butter has milk proteins and stuff and dairy is a biiiig no no. Oh how the firsts are piling up!
Ok, Day 2 and I have survived the good intentioned yet dangerous office mine-field. One must subtly put tuxedo cake handed saved especially for you by ones boss in garbage when he turns to walk away. Don't succumb to the "free food in the lunchroom" email either! And tonight, when you go for long standing "drinks" date with an old friend, don't drink. Instead... , go for raw oysters and soda water. Ok, maybe I can do this!
Day 9 and Step 2 - get creative!
So there are no carbs of any sort except what you get from fruit, of the fresh variety. So, no quinoa bread or any fancy gluten free products. Basically no sugar in any way. And obviously, no grains. Even whole grain. Pretend grains. Legumes. Nothing. Niet. Nine.
So what the hell do I eat for breakfast?
Because cooking eggs at 630am is a tough to idea (and meal for me to) swallow, introducing delicious banana cocoa breakfast bread! No sugar, no sweeteners just love (ok, and that super ripe banana and a few chopped dates). Slather some cashew butter and strawberries and it's all happy happy.
Day 16
Mostly good. Sometimes great. Feeling "steady". My energy levels, my internal clock, my cravings, emotions have all felt less volatile. Steady. Not sure if inflammation is down but everything else feels pretty good!
Day 18:
Today I wanted to dive my head into a chocolate fountain. Definitely cravings resulting from emotional trauma of the heart variety. Ate pistachios instead. But just cause they aren't chocolate doesn't mean you can eat a billion of them. Oops.
Day 24: it's all about coconut.
Coconut flour, coconut oil, shredded coconut and of course, coconut milk! Finally! I can make Thai food guilt free!
Day 27 and after a great but exhausting day of skiing, spaghetti and meatballs would be that comfort food that would pair oh so well.
So, here is my Paleo version! A big old bowl of Baked spaghetti squash and spinach with free range beef meatballs and roasted pine nuts. Yummmmmmy! But who am I kidding, I heart real spaghetti.
Day 31. I did it. No problem ;)
Got super creative in the kitchen and managed to bring a ton of variety into each day....Which for this stirfry gal is actually monumental.
So in sum:
Pleasure of cooking ignited!
5 pounds lost.
Psoriasis that has never retreated in the 10 years it's been lurking about, now nearly gone.
Joint and muscular tightness improvements.
Improved emotion well being and relationship with food.
Have decided to make this a permanent way of life...with one good cheat day per week, of course!
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