The title of this blog is deceiving. I am not 100% Paleo which angers some of the true Paleo folks out there. I would say I am as Paleo as I can be. I don’t get upset with labels, I don’t get upset with people who label themselves and I don’t get bothered by people who take jabs at me “You aren’t true Paleo.” Yeah yea. If that’s your biggest problem in this world than…. man….. you are a lucky person.
I truly just don’t know how I define myself. So I call it Paleo-ish and move along. Spending this much time even writing about it is too much time. I have stuff to do.
Why this way of eating? My health.
A few years ago I went through a devastating illness that I don’t talk about. Not because I am aiming to be secretive or that I am embarrassed about it. There are just some things that I don’t put on social media (believe it or not). Some things are for myself, my family and my inner circle. There are things in my life that are still personal.
As I endured it and cycled through a big cycle of burnout (thank you Ironman) I did a lot of research on the relationship between nutrition and disease. Specifically cancer. Which led me into neuro disorders of the brain, and how Mediterranean diets have been shown in some cases…. to help.
I was intrigued by all of it. I was intrigued by the role nutrition plays in disease. As an RN I know all about the role that medicine plays in treating disease. Not a lot of emphasis is placed on prevention. I was always a healthy eater, but my fruit and vegetable selection was limited. I ate a lot of grains.
Cycling through Whole30 really was a wonderful experience. I learned that I don’t have a sensitivity to gluten, or grain, or dairy. I felt good when I removed refined sugars, and I don’t eat much in terms of refined sugar or even processed foods. I taught myself how to cook (thank you You Tube!). I really fell in love with creating good food, eating more locally….. etc.
As an athlete I do understand the role of nutrition as it pertains to performance and even recovery. I began to wonder a bit about the role of sports nutrition on my every day health. I realized that when you do train for distances you may at times cross the line between health and detriment. At the end of the day training 20 hours a week can be VERY detrimental to health. That’s not a secret. So I was really looking for that line.
I am not interested in shakes, drinks, potions, pills or powders. We can get all of the nutrition we need from whole foods. Add in some fish oil, vitamin D if you live where I live and eat well…. you are good!
I am interested in learning how to cook more. I have more cook books than I have ever had. I am interested in fueling my body in the best possible way. I turned 40 6 months ago and I have survived a few horrific things. I want to be around when I am 80 crossing finish lines and living life.
That…. rather than what type of eater am I…. is really my focus. Others get bothered when you select a certain way to eat. I encourage them to look in their own mirror rather than mine. I am not strict on rules. I like a good beer and a crispy slice of pizza. I live by my rules. And I hope you can as well. I am certainly not a Paleo expert, the Paleo police. I am certainly not a Registered Dietician but am a Registered Nurse. Research is important to me and I know disease process.
Cookbook recommendations:
Quick and easy Paleo comfort foods
And I have more but that’s for another day!
The Paleo Triathlete 