I just read that coffee has a protein that reacts in the body in the same way gluten does. If gluten keeps me from losing weight, is drinking coffee defeating the weight loss goal of going gluten free.
Think I'll try going Yerba Matte for a while to see.
Week of April 1 - 45 miles
Week of April 8 - 55 miles
Week of April 15 - 70 miles
Week of April 22 - 85 miles
Total goal for April - 255 (I'll settle for 200)
I've been "easing" toward different eating habits over the last few years, but mostly playing with it. Eating "Primal" for breakfast doesn't do much good when you throw in a Snicker's bar for lunch. A couple of years ago I gave up wheat for Lent and was surprised at the difference. Now, I go for a few days, then slip. (Today is "day one" after lunch yesterday.)
The "Primal Blueprint" is the plan that I like best. The author's blog is "Mark's Daily Apple" and I've gleaned a lot (including recipes) from that site.
There's also "Paleo" - the biggest difference is that Primal is a lot more flexible. A little dairy, a little rice, morning coffee...
Both emphasize "clean eating" - but their basis is not my basis. I read "Cultured Mama" who wonders if "paleo/primal" is Biblical? Granted, they base their eating plans on the assumption that humans evolved into eating whatever they eat. I believe that God created humans fully evolved.
However...God gave us food. And it does seem to indicate that (in the beginning) humans were vegetarians.
Genesis 1:29
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
Not until Noah, did humans have the "green light" to eat meat.
Where does that leave primal/paleo?
1 - in order to answer that, you need to separate the eating plan and science, from the philosophical reasons for creating the plan. If you take away "evolution" reasons, what you are left with is a basic "grain/legume/frankenfood-free" eating plan that encourages you to choose foods that have been raised cleanly and without hormones, additives, artificial fertilizers.
Remember - NOBODY EVER DIED FROM NOT EATING WHEAT.
On the wheat topic - what kind of wheat? What we know as "wheat" today is very different than even the wheat that was grown 50 years ago.
Well for starters, the wheat we eat today is not the same wheat of 50 or even 100 years ago. Since the demand for wheat is so high (second biggest crop in the U.S., second only to corn), scientists have been genetically modifying the plant to make it grow faster and produce higher yields. This means that wheat is not rich with nutrients and health benefits like it once was.
Wheat now qualifies as a "frankenfood" - also, check out this article on "wheatbellyblog"
I guess this turned out to be about wheat - and that's okay. Every time I eat wheat, I cough. And cough. Clue bus?
My son (Tom) has the "official" diagnosis. Mom carries the gene (check) Tom as the symptoms (check).
Now, the idea is to stop it where it is. Tom's vision is 20/40 in his right eye and 20/400 in his left eye. There is a blind spot in each eye that (at this point) do not overlap.
He was at college in Marquette when this started, and the closest neuro-ophthalmologist is at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee - Wednesday I drove to Marquette, Thursday we drove (I drove, Tom rode) to Milwaukee and then drove on to Buffalo Grove to spend a little time with Aunt Deb. Friday, we went back to Marquette and yesterday I drove home. I'm pretty road-weary at this point.
It was the providence of God that we were sent there (first choice was Mayo Clinic, but there were no appointments) because the doctor in Milwaukee suggested an experimental treatment (the "magic light bulb".) Near-infrared light has been used in a colony in Brazil that has a very high incidence of Leber's with promising results. Tom is NOT in a controlled blind study - that means that he can continue to use all of the supplements that are also suggested.
The list of supplements is rather impressive and I learned a few things about vitamins that I didn't know. More research required. I'm making a page on this site so I can keep track of what he's taking and how much (since I'm buying)
If his vision stays where it is now, he'll be okay.
With only 2 weeks before trying to ride 100 miles in a day, I've only been on the bike once this week. What I don't want to do is put myself at risk for not being able to make it...even slowly.
With packing, etc., I'm going to ride, enjoy and go for a metric century (or more) in the fall when the weather is cooler.
slave2freedom.com
Podcast from "Livin La Vida Low Carb"
I like this: "I can't say that I won't eat sugar ever again, but I can say that I won't eat sugar for the next 120 days."
The podcast is talking about the similarities between drug addiction and sugar addiction - after eating a bunch of sugar, your brain over compensates (carb crash).
If you put some awareness about it, you can learn to understand the relationship between the way you eat and the way you feel.
Food journaling...not fat, carbs, etc. Just write down what you eat and how you feel...and then how you feel an hour later...then you can see the connection.
Sugar - the most addictive substance on the face of the planet.
(note: I've been off flour for a month and I feel good - the first few days was rough...maybe it's time to fight sugar)
Extreme cravings?
Everything Starts With Breakfast
- blood sugar is naturally low - if you don't eat first thing in the morning, protein, your blood sugar will never stabilize.
I'm going to cheat and date this for yesterday, since I'm a day late.
I gained 1/4 pound this week (I know the problem and it's solvable.)
I did try a new "recipe" - a real no-brainer, but it fits the carb, calorie, and all the rest of my guidelines.
The battery in my pedometer went dead (I think I have a limited number of times I can put it through the washer) and I bought a new battery Wednesday.
~~~
* Exported from MasterCook *
Slow Cooker drumsticks
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : "flat belly" ingredient - dairy AND wheat free
- dairy free - low sodium
- moderate/complex carb 6 points
Blood pressure chicken
lunch Meals to freeze
slow cooker soups and stews
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 chicken drumstick and skin, R-T-C
12 ounces black soy beans, canned - eden
2 cups green beans, frozen
2 cups baby carrot
12 ounces diced tomato
1/3 cup brown rice, long-grain
any desired spices -- curry, turmeric, chicken spices, any herbs that go with chicken...
put all the ingredients except for the drumsticks in the slow cooker and add enough water or broth to cover (to cook the rice). Put drumsticks on top. Cook on low until done (I started it at bedtime and it was ready to pack for lunch in the morning...if you start it in the morning it will be done at dinner time)
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 314 Calories; 10g Fat (28.4% calories from fat); 23g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 10g Dietary Fiber; 41mg Cholesterol; 112mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 3 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fat.
Serving Ideas : - freeze for lunches
Medical:
Fitness:
Skin
Hair:
Objective: Take all the right supplements
Objective: Take care of myself
This is the really, really difficult one, because it's so easy to fall off that wagon and so hard to get back on.
Objective: Focus on "The Primal Blueprint"
Objective: Focus on "anti-inflammatory/anti-aging" eating
Objective: Focus on "Blood Type Diet" (this should fit nicely, since it's very similar to the Primal Blueprint.)
Objective: Enjoy the journey
Objective: Use the blogs