Change In Diet- Paleo

So, I thought I'd be experimenting with "Green Smoothies" and telling you all about my adventures with the weird looking drinks, but my personal trainer changed that a bit. A little over a week ago, he asked me to try a new (for me) diet, called the Paleo diet for at least two weeks. It's also known as the Paleolithic or "Caveman" diet. I don't really like the word diet because it always makes me think I'm restricting myself from the fun of food. So I was skeptical before I started researching the plan. What was I going to have to give up this time, only to completely revert back when the two weeks were done? The results surprised me a little and now I'm a week into it and feeling like I could possibly make this a lifestyle.

The Paleo Diet is based on the thought that when humans were created, there was access to only a few foods, and this is how we are meant to eat today. There are a lot of variations, so I'll stick with what I know in the most basic form. You are allowed to eat meat, eggs, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and certain fats. No grains, legumes, salt, sugar, or dairy. There are exceptions within these categories, but that is the gist of it. So far, looking at recipes and planning out my weeks hasn't been too bad. Take this week so far, I've had a frittata with chicken sausage, tomatoes and spinach for breakfast, a variation of the stuffed pepper dish for lunch, and baked chicken breast with sautéed veggies for dinner. Snacks have mostly included almonds and golden raisins, also fresh fruit. Not bad, right? This diet is very "doable" and I'm excited to see the results. Do I miss my bread, pasta, brownies, cookies, oatmeal, etc? (I can go on and on with that list, LOL) I have had a few weak moments where I find myself plotting to dig into one of those restricted groups as soon as I hit my 2 week mark, but quite honestly, I haven't craved any of it like I thought I would. It does take some getting used to, mostly because it's so easy to find something to eat without thinking about what I'm allowed to have. I had a minor victory yesterday when a sales rep brought in free lunch to the office. Sandwiches galore on all kinds of different breads and various fillings, just so tasty looking. Thank goodness though; there was also a huge bowl of salad, with slices of grilled chicken in another bowl. I proceeded to fill my plate with the salad and chicken, skipping their very creamy dressing and opting for my olive oil and balsamic vinegar I had with me since I had a smaller salad I brought from home. I completely ignored the chocolate chip cookies, and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I was satisfied and hadn't ruined my diet.

So here I am at the end of week one and I'm not pulling my hair out, so that's a good thing. I've already thought about my meals for next week and I'm excited about trying new recipes. So far, I've felt like I've had more energy, and am less bloated. I'll keep you posted on any weight loss or body changes that take place. I have also had a few green smoothies while on this diet, but I haven't been consistent with them. I'll devote more time to them in another post. I have to give a special thanks to my friend Theresa who decided to take the challenge with me and has been so supportive and encouraging.

I hope you all are having a great week, and thank you again for sharing my Journey!

My Natural Journey Update

Lately I've been asked more about my experience with alkaline water and how to test your body's pH. Not only that, you wouldn't believe how many people I've spoken to in just the past 2 weeks who have engaged me in a conversation about living more naturally and removing chemicals from our lifestyles. It made it that more urgent to get back to my blog and focus more on my personal journey. So here I am! J

The last time I wrote, I explained a bit of the benefits in drinking alkaline water, so I know you're wondering, did it work? I honestly believe it helped me in a number of ways, but let me tell you my issue was not finding the water, but it was still drinking enough of it. My body needs at least 2 liters of water a day, but since I'm pretty active physically, I need more. It was difficult for me to consistently drink more throughout the day. However, within the last month, I've really been able to focus on drinking more and have been doing so. My goal is always to drink at least half of a liter when I first wake up in the morning, before my feet hit the floor. Then while I'm at work, I drink 1.5 liters. Anything I drink at home or at the gym later is all a plus. I've seen differences in my energy level, my skin is clearer, and my eyes and nasal passages are not as dry when I wake up in the mornings. I don't think it's a cure-all, but I definitely see the benefits of hydrating my body with alkaline water compared to acidic water.

Over the past months, I've heard about Kangen water, a purified alkaline type of water that you have to create at home using an ionizer that costs approximately $4000. Apparently, it's the best water for you, but I don't exactly know why. There's a weekly talk held locally about its benefits, so I may check it out in the next few weeks and let you know what they're saying about it. I recently went to a Bikram yoga class that carries Kangen, but when I asked the instructor about it, she said the Essentia water (pH 9.5) I was carrying at the time was the best bottled water I could get. Kangen can't be bottled and kept on the store shelves because it loses its benefits after 2-3 days. I'll keep you posted if I decide to check it out.

Oh, before I forget, I've gotten the question about testing your body's pH. The most convenient way is to purchase pH test strips, usually found in health food stores. The strips will come with their own instructions, but basically the best way is to test your urine or saliva first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. I haven't retested mine since changing my water, but I will try to do that soon. My diet hasn't changed in regards to its pH balance, so I'm not sure I will see that much of a difference, but I am curious.

So what's next for me in my quest? This week I'll be doing research on Raw or Green Smoothies. Generally, it's a smoothie you make using a green leafy vegetable, fruit, and water. That's it. I will share the results of my research in the next 2 weeks, and start drinking them once I've completed that.

As always, please consult with your physician before starting any new regimen. Thanks again for joining me on my quest. Have a great week!