What is Paleo?

To me, eating Paleo isn't a diet, or a fad. This is a new lifestyle for me. I catch a lot of flack from people who don't fully understand what is is, why I do it, or think I'm crazy for doing it. People will ask me how I lost so much weight because nothing they're doing is working - my reply is simple. I cut out wheat/gluten, grains, legumes and dairy. It's that simple. They will look at me like I have 8 heads and tell me, "Oh, I'll never do that". Well, then don't ask me! And feel like shit for the rest of your life :)

Essentially, eating Paleo involves eating meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts (not peanuts) and seeds. In a "nutshell" (pun intended), it's eating how our ancestors/cavemen ate. Cutting out foods that require to be processed before eating them will, without a doubt, make a huge difference in how you look and feel. Don't believe me? Give it a whirl. I dare ya.

I do cheat a bit. There are grey areas of this way of living that I don't feel necessary, or just won't give up. Alcohol is one of them. Anyone else have 3 kids that drive them crazy all day? No? Just me? Well, alcohol gets me through it all! ;) I do limit the types of alcohol I consume to wine or, on occasion, gluten free beer. Also, "no sugar" is another principal of eating Paleo. I don't eat any white/refined sugar, but I will eat things made with cane sugar from time to time. Moderation is key here.

Why shouldn't we eat these things? We've been eating them for centuries. No one has complained. There are skinny people that eat them all day long. Well, I bet they don't feel as good as a person who doesn't eat them! Instead of going into a lengthy explanation of why each of these foods is no good for us - I'll just point you to a place that has all the info in one spot. This website is a great place to get all kinds of Paleo information.

For those of you who ARE thinking, "I can't do this" - I assure you that you can. My brother tried to change my mind for years. I would make fun of him all the time. Well, joke was on me. Eventually (and determined to prove him wrong), I told him I'd try for one month. After that month, I felt so great that I just did not want to go back! Yes, I cheated from time to time, but in the end, I always came back to my Paleo ways. If a cheese lover like myself could give up cheese, I assure you YOU CAN DO IT!!

And do my dear brother Tim: For all the making fun of you, and flack I gave you, I am truly sorry! You saved my life. Okay, maybe not my LIFE, but because of what you taught me, I am no longer depressed about what I look like and how I feel. I feel healthy again!

Moral of the story is, I think you should all come take a walk on the wild side with me my fellow cavemen! (and woman!)

Live.Love.EAT!

Dana