The End...or the Start of a New Beginning

Precious Yogi, It's been awhile since I posted. Unfortunately, a sinus infection topped with bronchitis really derailed any amount of energy I may have had for any activities. My total focus and energy has been devoted to healing the body. You'll be glad to know that I was able to maintain the diet portion of the Paleo lifestyle. I'm sure there was a bit of sugar in the prescription cough syrup, but it was paramount to getting at least a half-night's sleep, so down the hatch went the sugar. And little did I know how important the fermented foods portion of the diet would be until I began ingesting the brutal antibiotic prescription. The medication was so hard on the gastrointestinal tract. The only groovy part about getting that sick was meeting a wonderful doctor at the urgent care center, who encouraged me to take probiotics, borage oil (for Omega 9's) and to take fermented foods. I was truly surprised, and she advised that she has an Integrative Medical Practice in addition to her regular duties as a physician. WOW, the plan I'm following, "Your Personal Paleo Code" was written by a practitioner of Integrative Medicine. She nodded knowingly, said it's her passion. Seriously, after 12 years of medical school, internship, residency, who has time to put massive amounts of time into studying nutrition? You can believe I took her phone number. Lent has come, and gone. Yesterday was a beautiful Easter Sunday and spring has sprung. I was able to get through 43 days of this nutrition plan with a total of 3 cheats and in my book, that's a phenomenal success. Having not eaten any sugars, grains or dairy for that amount of time was a huge lifestyle change, and took more than willpower. I give credit to the Great Creator for granting the want, the will and the strength to withstand that impossibly long period of multiple detoxification. For awhile, it seemed as if it would never end! My grandmother turned 100 and I only got to enjoy the aroma of her birthday cake. The local churches and fire halls managed to garner success of their Lenten Fish Fires without my generous weekly visits for fried fish and cole slaw (sometimes for lunch AND dinner) My cravings for buttered bread, cookies and crackers did not, in fact, cause a nervous breakdown. Normally, I would expect to say a drop 14 pounds WITHOUT calorie restriction, or portion control was the best part of this experiment. But it's not. Not by a longshot. I've learned so much about nutrition, and find the research fascinating. I've learned about grass fed meats, and fermented foods. I learned about gut flora, and how to nutitionally support the immune system. I learned how the standard American diet has given us some of the world's highest rates of obesity and diabetes. And although the Paleo/Primal diet may not be for everyone, I've learned that there are MULTIPLE options available for people to take more contol of their own nutrition and health. I've learned of the strong connection between stress and sleep deprivation to weight management. And, I learned how to make kimchi. Yogi, I'll admit that when I broke the fast, I tried a slice of bread and butter (hurt my stomach), and to having a blessed spoonful of honey in my coffee. But you'll be happy to know, I'm back on the horse. I plan to make this way of eating, living, sleeping, exercising, a lifestyle. That's why it was so attractive, it's sustainable. I can't have 2 meal replacement shakes for the rest of my life. I'm not willing to keep a food log and count calories, it's just too time consuming and more work than I want to do. I don't have time for weekly meetings that prescribe hunger pangs. But I can continue the modified Paleo/Primal lifestyle. I can pay more attention to what foods go into my body, and assess how that food makes me feel. I can work on getting more, and better quality, sleep, and commit to get more exercise. Lent brought me more often to pray, and I consider that time to have been spritual food. And I've heard God's loving voice more clearly. My heart is closer to Jesus. And dear Yogi, I have more gratitude and love for you. Thank you for having my back, and being my sounding board. For forgiving my cheats and cheering me on. This blog will soon morph into something different, something more than the great Paleo experiment. Perhaps I'll be able to more confidently share news about the 4 Pillars of Health (nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress reduction) with you. And I certainly hope to comments from you. Until then, I remain Your devoted Yoga guide

Recommitment

Hi Precious Yogi
Another week into the nutrition plan and I'm feeling more committed than ever.  Finally feeling like this will be a sustainable lifestyle.

Today I'm in the bed with yet another sinus infection. Seems Rich and I are passing it back and forth as he's just recovering from one. I'm on antibiotics, probiotics, albuterol, anti-nausea meds and motion for the fever.  This is the first time in almost 24 hours that I've felt good enough to lift my head.

Funny thing, when I went to the urgent care center yesterday, the doctor advised I should take the probiotics and suggested I also get some borage oil for Omega 9's. You know I did a double take. No offense to doctors, they're amazingly long educational process rarely leaves time to explore nutrition. Before I could get the question out, she also told me to put fresh sauerkraut and kimchi in my daily meal plan, and to have my vitamin D levels checked.

OK, at this point I'm astonished! It turns out, as well as an MD, she has  an integrative medicine practice on the site, days it's her passion!

So I told her about the book with the nutrition plan, explaining the Author is on the same field. Wrote, she was all in. Once I complete the plan, of there are any questions or concerns, I've met my future practitioner.  I believe things happen for a reason, and Good just blessed my efforts to honor the Almighty with a healthier commitment to serve the Kingdom.

Awesome.

Y'all have a week of peace, joy and yoga. I hope to be back on my feet in time for class.

Mp