The Way I Eat
Friday, April 8, 2011 at 1:32AM I know I have taken a few weeks off from my series an organized life, I just started to feel a bit repetitive on my goals and doings. The house is still in great order and everyone has adapted to this new organized life. I am one happy lady. We still have the garage to do, but the door broke so that project is on hold till it gets fixed. The series started as a sort of goal for the year to live more simply. To live with what only we use and love. I have been cutting back on spending. Not entirely, but a great bit. With this goal I also had in mind to nurture my body as a whole. I have had quite a few surgeries over the last couple of years, have been on too much medication, and my body was tired and overwhelmed. I would wake up in the morning feeling exhausted which would lead me to being agitated and just plain grumpy most the time. My stomach has never been quite right. I have been on oodles of medication trying to straighten it out, but nothing helped. I am more than happy to explain those aliments, but maybe not on the blog. If you have more questions email me. Anyway I have a dear friend who encouraged me to try a paleo diet for a month. After reading much about gluten, dairy, etc and the effects it can have on some bodies I decided to give it ago. It is a very strict diet and I was loosing a bit too much weight which was never my goal in the first place so after a few weeks I altered it a bit. I am now gluten free, low dairy, low grain, low starches, and low sugar diet. It's been about 6 weeks and I feel fantastic! I no longer wake up tired, I never need a nap, and the most important... ALL my stomach/intestinal ailments have gone away. The main question I get asked is what do I eat? Well, so far it's not a wide variety but it's growing daily. The key for me is to never get hungry. I eat five to six smaller meals a day basically. I am constantly googling whether certain items have gluten in them and my restaurant choices have gone down considerably. When I first started I was wondering if this could be a lifestyle I could maintain. I LOVE food, but in the end it seems I love feeling good more. I LOVE being there for my family in ways it used to be a struggle. It is so worth it for me. Oh, and don't get me wrong I still eat well, very well. I just don't get to eat bread which has always been my favorite.
Here are my go to places to find recipes although I have gotten quite good at converting regular recipes to my new diet:
A few tips that's helped me once I figured them out:
When I am in a rush or in need of a dessert and need something fast I grab corn chex's and add blueberries or a bit of chocolate chips. Vanilla Almond milk is my absolute favorite and I will add it to blueberries with raw almond slices. I will make a meal ahead of time that will last me most the week for when I make the family something that they love, but it doesn't fit into my diet. I carry around Lara bars for when I am out and about. I will still enjoy a burger I just don't add the bun, simple changes can be done to most meals. I will make desserts on occasion. The Mr. won't eat them, he says he can tell and I think he is entirely too picky. I rather like them, but I never have had much of a sweet tooth. The kiddos can't tell the difference which is what mattered most to me.
The down side of it all is the cost. That is something I am still trying to figure out. We had to up our food budget and I am going to have to try to be more crafty. Hopefully this month will be better since I got most my staples already (like bulk almond flour).
If you want full recipes just let me know I will be sure to post them!
I also hate to use the word diet, but I do not have a better one. It is not for me to loose weight but to be healthy. I try to stay away from scales, because they are not good for my soul. {This is for you Papa... no worries I am not on the wrong path... I love you!}
Reader Comments (21)
Just wanted to share another site as I have been following a similar eating plan - you may already know about it but just in case:
http://withstyle.me/
I am amazed at the way I feel too, especially after studying nutrition and being a little wary of those "diets" that eliminated things.
Thank you for sharing your experience:)
I hate the word diet too...although I never really strictly was on one, I've played with the idea to lose a few pounds (I'm sure it will be a while different story once I have children). But these dishes look delicious, healthy and I'll have to try the quinoa linguini! I never knew about it and I'm a huge quinoa fan!
wow...I am impressed! Not sure if I could do it. I love my carbs:) BUT I am so impressed with your self control.
This all looks so yummy but so good for you! Thanks for posting this Paula!
I love love almond milk..and vanilla coconut milk is pretty yummy too. My hubby and I recently started a low grain, low sugar diet as well. feeling great, love this post!
I'm so glad you posted this today. I gave up sugar a few weeks ago, mostly as a Lenten exercise, but also to see if it would make a difference in my overall health. So far, I've noticed a difference in my energy levels, and my skin has cleared up significantly. Unfortunately, I've kind of hit that point where I don't know what on earth to eat. I'm not the world's best cook (mostly for lack of time), and I love to snack during the day (I get hungry frequently). I'd love to see your "meal plan" and for you to post recipes, since this may be something I try to continue post-Easter. I'm so glad to see someone else trying to make similar changes~ I'd love to hear more!
Your meals look delicious and sound inspiring. I've been trying to eat less white carbs and lower my sugar intake for Lent but I hate to admit it has been difficult. I want to get to that place where the cravings are gone and I don't feel so tired and drained.
Good for you for sticking with something that makes you feel better! Those chocolate chip cookies look delish--would love to know the recipe!
i know several people who are doing the paleo diet, but i could never because i really just don't like meat... these meals look lovely though. gluten-free and sugar-free makes a big difference in how i feel too. glad you are feeling better!
Everything looks great. I told Michael recently that we need to adjust what we eat! Thanks for sharing this!
I wish we placed more emphasis on how nutrition affects our overall health. Diseases like hypertension, diabetes, arthritis are so closely correlated with how we treat our bodies. It's great that you figured out a way to help your stomach ailments. As always, you inspire me! xoxo
thanks for sharing all about your diet, paula. i would love to see some more quick meal and snack ideas (love the egg/chicken/tomatoes)!
I say you're making a 'lifestyle change' -- you aren't on a diet. A diet insinuates that it isn't permanent. Aren't these changes you are making intended to be permanent? I had suspicions for weeks now that I'm allergic to cheese and/or dairy. I haven't quite figured it out, but you're inspiring me to try gluten free for a few weeks. I also think I'll try Vanilla Almond Milk. Keep posting about this -- I'm very intrigued and hoping some of your solutions can help me too.
so glad you worked out your physical aliments & are feeling great!
could you share where you found bulk almond flour?
thanks!
nanne
So glad you are feeling better! Be sure to check out the blog: Gluten Free Girl and the Chef, or the book by the same name. Blog link is: glutenfreegirl.com
Even though I don't eat gluten free, I love the blog and bet you would too.
My husband follows a strict Paleo diet and as a result we eat somewhat along those guidelines as well. (Although I can't give up pasta!) One of the websites we frequent quite regularly is Mark's Daily Apple. We've made some really delicious things off of it.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/
I recently changed my diet as well due to stomach issues and a constant feeling of lethargy. I wouldn't say it has been hard just more of an effort money and time wise. But the way I feel is worth it, like you described. thanks for posting the helpful resources you use. And good luck!
C
Thanks for sharing this Paula. I've been making some changes in my diet lately too, just trying to eat better and being more conscious about what it is that i'm eating. I've recently made the switch to soy milk which hasn't been easy, I don't love the taste of soy so much. I think I might try almond milk though, it sounds like it's working for you. Glad to hear that you're feeling better!
Woohoo Fabulous that you have taken on this life change :D
I know about how hard it can be and how expensive, but after awhile it really becomes ok.
My son has been on a GFCF sugar free yeast free diet for most of his life. The only thing that gives me problem with it now is breakfast. And I never thought to just increase the number of his meals. will do that. For him to start I actually did it with him. And I have to say my sinuses never gave me trouble during that 2 year period that I was on it as well.
Thanks for sharing.
Will have to make that cookie for him. It looks good. I found an absolutely divine chocolate cupcake recipe that really taste as good as the real thing :)
So interesting because I keep hearing more and more about folks giving up gluten to try and feel better. Good luck & glad you're feeling better.