Paleo Diet?

I wasn't going to blog about this but after a really gross lunch I think I am ready to talk about it.

See, I didn't want to write about it because I'm just learning, and I've been researching it and have a lot of basic tips and websites under my belt, but I've not actually dived into it, and I didn't want to regurgitate a bunch of one liners that I've been reading about. Basically it's called the paleo, or cave man diet, because it focuses on ridding from your plate those things that man never ate while in his most natural state. AKA things from a box, most carbs, even white potatoes (for the inactive individual) and corn, even legumes like lentils, peas and beans. This site here gives an excellent run down of the basics.

For the link-wary, the two main things about paleo diet are these:

1. Emphases on lots of meats, fats like olive and avocado oils, coconut oils and coconut milk, and vegetables, nuts and eggs.
2. No dairy, grains or sugars (in fact, fruits only play a low to moderate part).

There are loads more, and there is an underlying way of life behind the paleo diet that I actually like, one of being healthy, active, as much like our natural wild man bodies are designed for. Sleeping well and long enough, getting out in the sunshine and fresh air (bye bye Words With Friends), not over-taxing your body with too strenuous of an exercise or sport, at least when doing the similar primal diet.

Anyways, so I have heard of this diet, but recently read a post on http://www.dooce.com/ in which Heather, the author, discussed still being on, and still absolutely loving, the paleo diet. It got me googling and link-clicking like a crazy honey badger, and I even brought up to Todd the possibility of us trying it, at least for 30 days or five weeks or whatever. Because I know I can give up cheese and pasta, but not if Todd's still eating it. Let's be real, this sort of change requires some camaraderie.

Then, today, we had http://www.luckywishbone.com/ for lunch and it makes me feel like throwing up now. I didn't even eat very much, not compared to what I normally devour when we order takeout from LW. But I seriously feel gross, bloated and now my stomach actually kind of aches from dealing with it. As we ate, I talked more and more about trying the paleo diet and it started sounding more and more doable.

Sure, I love cheese. But honestly, the most cheese I usually eat is parmesan, shredded and covering my pasta. I will of course indulge in brie and other fine cheeses at parties and stuff, but it's never a necessity. And the only other dairy I regularly eat is yogurt and both hard cheese and yogurt are considered the least offensive of the dairies as far as how they affect our bodies.

And another thing to remember is moderation is key. As one site said, you will fall. You will be at a party and a cheeseburger will speak to you and you will be unable to turn away. A little indulgence here and there is, like in every diet, no big deal.

So this is something I'm seriously considering. Todd has requested we wait until after Lent; I think the idea of having to give up meat on Fridays, plus quesadillas forever on top of that is a little too crippling to bear, which I can understand. But I think afterwards we're going to give it a try. I mean, steak and veggies with oven yam fries? UM TWIST MY ARM