Starting the Paleo

My wife and I began the Paleo Diet after I returned from Paraguay where I was traveling for my work with the Army.  The Paleo Diet, developed by anthropologist Loren Cordain of Colorado State University, proposes that the ideal diet for people follows the eating habits of our ancestors (pre-agricultural revolution). According to the good anthropologist, to follow the Paleo Diet reduces your risk of heart attacks, cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases. The rules for eating a Paleo Diet focus on foods ancient hunter-gatherer societies would have consumed.

Read more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/221449-paleo-diet-rules/#ixzz1OWnAm000

While in Paraguay I met a man who had lost thirty pounds while seemingly gaining an abundance of good health.  He had rosacea before, and that was now gone.  His energy levels were as he described, "better than when he was seventeen."  As I approach my 35th birthday, and have recently added a few inches to my waistline, but more importantly felt tired all the time, I thought what the hell...here goes.

Even before returning from Paraguay, I shared this all with my wife Kathy.  She was intrigued as well, we bought a couple of books, and we were off.

First things first, the Paleo diet rules:
1) Eat lean meats (Fish, shellfish, grass fed beef, chicken breasts etc.).
2) Stay away from any processed foods (sausages, bacon, salty meats)
3) No dairy (our bodies weren't made to digest dairy), get your calcium from green leafy vegetables.
4) No starches, legumes, or grains.
5) Eat as many vegetables (non legumes) as you'd like.
6) Eat as many fruits as you'd like.
7) No sugar, if you need a sweetener use honey in limited quantities.
8) Avoid caffeine if possible.

Second, when I began this adventure, I weighed approximately 178 pounds.  I was fighting joint pain on occasion, as well as chronic fatigue.

Third, I love to cook....so this is a bit of an adventure.

Kathy and I cleaned out our cupboards on 21 May 2011, and began our new lifestyle.  Stay tuned for recipes, updated information about how we are doing and more!