Last time we talked we sifted through low carb myths. When people think Paleo they think low carb. Low carb, especially for an endurance athlete isn’t a great option. Forget according to research, you try to fuel 15-20+ hour training weeks on low carb. You’ll faint. Click on the afore mentioned link to learn why Paleo has ZERO to do with being low carb. It’s not. End of story.

Ten days ago my husband herniated a disc in his lower back. He’s 57…. a damn good athlete, and no one mechanism of action caused it. The surgeon told us that in truth it remains a mystery as to why it happens. Yes years of wear and tear are contributors, but no good reason why.

His herniation was so bad that he was rendered unable to walk. In the span of days he went from being a fiv time national champion triathlete whose gone sub ten in an Ironman…. to not being able to walk without great assistance and peeing in a bucket in our living room. Total debilitation.

To make a long and painful story short, and help us get to the point…… he had surgery yesterday to remove a fragmented piece of disc that was wedged underneath a nerve. I have never in my life seen a human being in so much pain (former pediatric trauma nurse and mother who survived 17 hours of labor speaking here). He’s doing great and is expected to return to full activity in time. Our surgeon is brilliant and amazing. Grateful is an understatement.

I taught myself how to cook last fall. My husband has always been the chef in the home. But now he was in a position where he had to depend on me for meals. I made him breakfast lunch and dinner (and snacks!). In one meal he was hooked on my cooking.

“This is meat and veggies, I love this!!!” He exclaimed, as I wondered what type of meds we were giving him for pain. “You really CAN cook now.” Who is this man and what happened to my husband?

Post op last night we decided that he’d go through my cookbooks (referenced on the left) and I would do the cooking, as he’s not allowed to really do much just yet. I felt so accomplished. I felt so proud. There is something so nice about making food, good food to help the love of your life recover. I am a mom, a nurse and a coach…. taking care of people is what I do (excuse me, can you move over while I carry this cross around on my back).

“So this is Paleo?” He asked me. I held up my finger.

“Never say Paleo.” I told him. It’s true. “Say Mediterranean if you have to say something.”

We live in a society obsessed with labels and categories. I named this blog The Paleo Triathlete because I know Paleo bugs people and intrigues others. It’s not low carb. I am not a strict foodie.

The biggest change for me is that I don’t eat much bread. I lost my taste for it when I began easting sweet potatoes! At the same time… if we are out and they plop down wam bread fresh from the oven…. I sure am going to have it! I don’t make Paleo cookies, if I am going to have a cookie…. with frosting…. I want the real deal!

When you say Paleo to people though, they love or hate what you are about. I am comfortable with both reactions. You can’t really stir me. I use it as an opportunity to flash the mirror back at them. I will point out….. You will call Paleo stupid, low carb, a weird choice…. you get upset because this is what I enjoy…… it’s something inside of YOU that it doesn’t sit with. Not me.

In life ….. people don’t dislike you or things you do because of you. It’s because that mirrors something in themselves that they are uncomfortable with. People also…. spend a lot of time looking in your mirror rather than focusing on their own. That’s just how people are. So buck up and get cozy with who you are and what you are about.

Don’t say Paleo if you can’t handle the reaction. If you can…. it just rolls off.

As we were talking I wondered aloud…. I just fail to see how a diet based in fruits and veggies as the biggest food group is such a big deal. My husband agreed.

We bring him home this morning, and I have been going through the cookbooks. Here are some new recipies I am excited to try:

To be honest these meals are ridiculous to make. If you need a blueprint…. try this one. Click here. Essentially take veggies and some protein. Cook it all in ghee or coconut oil. Add a salad as a side. Or if you don’t eat Paleo add some grains on the side. You are still getting amazing beautiful nutrients and feeding your body well.

During his recovery, he is going to eat like a king. I can’t wait to get cooking!