So...baby steps...I will learn as I go...be brave...maybe no one will notice...
I, or shall I say we...as this has involved my entire family...have decided to endeavor to pursue a way of eating that is titled Paleo or Primal. The two are different, we have learned, but only by degrees. The path to where we are is long and winding.
In 1996, I was diagnosed with Cushings Disease. Basically I had an adenoma (non-cancerous) tumor wrapped around my Pituitary Gland. Through picture documentation we established that the tumor had been residing all snug and warm in its place for 8 years. This had caused what amounted to a short circuit in the wiring of my electrical system. It had instructed my pituitary to signal my adrenals to produce extra cortisol to deal with what ever it was that occurred in 1986 or 1987. Because of the adenoma, the off signal never was sent to my adrenals. Thus I self administered obscene amounts of cortisol into my system unfettered and undiagnosed for roughly 8 years. To understand the affects you only need to understand Prednisone and what it can do to a body over a long period of time. The tumor was successfully removed in 1996 and due to the re-regulating of my body systems and the help of The Atkins Diet I lost a huge amount of weight. Since then, depending on jobs, children, depression, financial status (or lack there of) I have bounced around a bit with my weight. Other issues have taken center stage depending upon needs, real or imagined.
A few years ago I met a good friend and learned a great deal about Celiac's from her and her family. Shortly there after my eldest child was diagnosed gluten intolerant, I also was tested and show a remarkable lack of proper enzymes as well...of we go into Gluten Free Land. The road has not been too difficult to follow, perhaps in the beginning because of lack of knowledge and resources. My aforementioned friend was a wealth of ideas and willing to guide, she introduced me to The Gluten Free Girl cookbook and many others. Since then GF products, bloggers and resources have expanded to be almost effortless. I had gone to Culinary Arts School in college and will admit that this was of some help with general skills and adaptability issues.
So here we are now in 2010 and a new twist has been added in our dietary evolution...or rightly our devolution. We had already departed with grains in general that contained gluten, leaving all grains behind was not too hard to imagine.
Paleo/Primal eating is about consuming the same products our ancestors ingested pre-agriculture. Meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits...all gathered and not processed. All natural, all healthy and all tasty. We made the jump...it was surprisingly not difficult.
I will share the journey with you and I hope you will share back...like in the old, old days...it takes a village!!!
Happy Hunting!!!
