[Lady_Di]

There is a lot of differing ideas about just exactly what is Paleo. I say whatever works for you. Bottomline, I think there is a lot of truth about listening to our bodies. Everyone is unique. I do like the idea and my body responds to the simple fact that my genetic history has not adapted to the modern diet. Genetically for example, I don't do well with lactose. Genetically I am able to drink like a fish. Though I choose not to, for a myriad of reasons. But I digress. Some folks are actually missing certain enzymes because of their genetic history. Like the Indiginous people, Native Americans who do not produce the enzymes to break down alcohol. And do not even get me started about what the white man's diet has done to my NA friends and family! When they eat as their ancestors did, there is little to no diabetes, no cardiovascular and kidney disease. Anyhows... I rather doubt any body does well with a processed food diet. But dang if that stuff is not addictive as all get out!

I know for years I simply ignored my body, put blinders on. Not really in touch with what my body was feeling, not a good way to live. I think many of us have the 'ignore the elephant in the living room' syndrome. Disassociate from what simply is.

I prefer reality today. Practicing acceptance, does not mean I am powerless. It actually empowers me to do the next right thing and be conscious. Part of being in the present, in the now. That was then, this is now. I love that old saying, that if you have one foot in the past, one in the future... you will be pissing all over today. Can not change the past, but we can learn from it. Listening to our bodies is part of that process.

There is a lot of evidence about low grade inflammatory process in our guts that is common to many people today. On a microscopic level, we can see it quite clearly and the labs also tell the tale. I hope everyone gets a yearly C-reactive protein test in their yearly blood work. As it is a simple indication of inflammation, which is linked to so many disease processes it is not even funny. Anyhows, as I babble on here which I tend to do... My gut simply is not happy with most of what is common in today's diets. I feel lighter, cleaner inside and out when I eat simple.

I like to call it the God diet, eating things the way God made em. Unprocessed. Unrefined. Whole.

Ever hear the saying that the less there is on the ingredient list the better?
And whole foods, don't even have an ingredient list, making that an excellent yardstick to gauge if something is healthy or not.

btw... My experiment last week with the organic kefir was a wonderful surprise. It surprised me how much I liked it. And all those probiotics and prebiotics are very helpful. I absolutely love the experimental process! I am a very good test subject~

Try it, you might like it~!

...and if you do not like something the first time, do not give up on it. Might be you were in a bad mood, or biochemically in an odd place. Or that was not the best kumquat, or whatever you might be trying for the first time. I like to always give new things 3 chances, just in case there was some reason it was not ideal situation. Like the chef having a bad day or the ingredients not being of the highest grade. When I eat a strawberry for example, some are much better than others, no?

As a foodie, I like to try new tastes, explore cultures thru what they eat. A great suggestion I heard once.... Try something new once a week. And eat colour. The more colour in your diet the better!

Eating the rainbow today. Watermelon and strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes. Wonderful lemons. Have not picked a protein. And you know what, I might not. Since I have surgery tomorrow, it might be nice to have less in my gut. I am taking prunes with me. I like them extra dried out prunes, they become really chewy and better than candy. Just to keep things moving with all the narcotic I will be having on board and what not. And I am looking forward to the excellent food this hospital makes, it is like a 4 star restaurant, I can order anything I want. So veggies, fruit and protein... will be exactly what I will be consuming.

When I had my first knee replaced in December, I was able to lose a significant amount of weight. Between the PT, gym time and the good eats, it is an opportunity to really concentrate on health and wellness. Also feels great to be spoiled rotten by the great staff! I admit it, I love hospitals. Always have. They have always felt like home to me.

It is also a way for me to network with those in my profession and it is always a good time to make a good first impression. Who knows, I might be working here in the near future.

My dad was right, it is all about attitude. In anything we are persuing.

Progressing along this road less traveled, no perfection in sight.

d