I think it was sometime this past fall where all I kept hearing about from my sister, Joey  and her husband, Jake,  was Paleo, Paleo, Paleo and cross-fit and Paleo and well you get the idea!  As they started shrinking…and when I say shrinking I mean that their bodies shrunk to a beautiful, fit, and healthy natural weight, I started to ask more questions. Joey finally just told me…get the book! The Paleo Diet, by Loren Cordain, Ph.D. Ok so it was weeks before I even purchased the book, but made the decision to try this ‘lifestyle’ change…why?  Here is why.

I was…

tired of being tired

tired of feeling bloated

tired of sitting back watching our society crumble into this health crisis of obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc.

tired of not having enough energy in a day to keep up with THREE boys under the age of 8

tired of hearing Jake tell me about it

Its Paleo I go!

So back in December, right BEFORE the holidays, and just weeks before my 1/2 marathon run (crazy I know) I went on my little journey…still not even knowing why it was called The Paleo Diet. Duh. I finally got the book.  It’s based on what our Paleolithic (stone age) ancestors ate-lean protein, fruits and veggies.  Food that our bodies are genetically designed to eat! So off I went thinking of meals, snacks, etc. that would get me through each day. After many conversations with Joey and starting to read the book I am enjoying  all the great facts about our hunter and gatherer ancestors!

My challenge

I am a mother of three crazy cute boys and wife of Guy. We  love chips, salami, pizza, crackers, bread, cheese, peanut butter, chocolate, ice cream, chocolate milk. We never run low on Eggo waffles,  and my 3-year-old lives off chocolate milk, pretzels and  yogurt.  So, how the heck am I going to swing this change on everyone-yikes!  Right now I need to see myself through this. Guy will eat whatever I put in front of him, the kids are an entire different ball game that I need to be mentally prepared so I don’t go insane, therefore I am not ready for that change……..yet.

Things I am working on

• trying brocoli
• thinking about trying coconut milk, oil and water…an ingredient used often in the Paleo diet, but I am very scared of the coconut, it makes my stomach roll just thinking about it…the same effect tequila has on me
• almond butter-i miss my peanut butter! I am slowly warming up to the creamy cardboard taste of the almond…slowly

Things I am realizing

• When you change your eating habits and have very specific dietary requirements,  foods that I never would have eaten are starting to sound ok (like brocoli, and seafood).
• I still love to guzzle a good beer and enjoy a glass or bottle of wine.