Welcome. Come on in, pull up a chair and sit right down. It has been a crazy couple of weeks around here!
First, the upstairs AC unit went out and is still not fixed. Don’t worry, it’s only the kids that are suffering. Kidding. I’m kidding. They are not suffering. They might be a little warm at night, but luckily it is not sweltering here in Texas, YET. Plus, that’s what top sheets are made for and sleeping in your underwear. I mean, really, I grew up in a house that did not have central AC and I lived. They will live, but I gotta figure that out. I don’t wish this problem on anyone. It is a nightmare. Every company that’s looks at it recommends something different, and I don’t really know that much about it. Nothing like a crash course in Manual J calculations, determining if the copper tubing if the right size and deciding whether or not to re-duct the whole upstairs. Like I said, it’s a nightmare.
In addition to that craziness, the hubs got a new job. Which is very YAY! YAY! YAY! because he is very excited about it (and I am really happy for him), but it has a fairly big downside. He has a horrendous commute and doesn’t get home until around 8pm, which has flung me into single parent mode. A place I do not relish being. I bow to all the single parents out there who do it day in and day out with no relief. You amaze me! Along with his new job, however, came a week-long trip to sunny California (San Jose, to be exact! the lucky dog.). So last week, while I was here in Texas dealing with broken AC, an ant infestation (don’t ask!) and a dog that decided to swim in the horse pond every night and come home covered in mud, he was jogging in Cali, eating real food (his hotel was an extended stay so he had a kitchen!) and soaking up lots of vitamin D. To be fair, it wasn’t all fun and games for him, he did have to work everyday but still, he was in California! The high was like 60, I think. Not right.
I wanted to give you an idea of why I haven’t been around. I have been living in crazytown, yes, but I have also been reading a LOT. There is some really good stuff going on right now in the “paleosphere”. I think anytime you get into something and see it working for you, it can be very easy to put the blinders on and start preaching, judging, or criticizing and, while the intentions behind it all are probably good, the outcome can be really bad. I think doing this can lead to people feeling alienated and, if people are feeling alienated, they are not going to get the message. I think this has got to be the main goal: getting the message out that eating real food is better for you. Period. I am trying to stay very open (read: taking my blinders off) to the idea that no one really knows what is the absolute best combination of things to eat. There is still much to be learned, but I think we are on the right track. Personally, I have no plans of going back to my old ways of eating because I can tell you (without a doubt!) that eating real food is the way to go, but how far should you take it? I think it is a very important question with a very personal answer.
Like the wonderful woman at The Paleo Periodical, I will warn you…this is a time suck. Big time. It is totally worth it, but don’t make any plans if you are going to read it all. One page, or comment, will lead you to another and that will lead you to another. It’s awesome stuff, just be prepared. Get a glass of water and some carrots. You might need a snack!
Now, get on it.
Start here, then go here(read the comments), after that go here and end up here (series of 5). and feel free to go anywhere in between that you are lead. I know, it’s a lot of going, but I can promise you it will be worth it. Except maybe you will come out with more questions than answers. That is ok. Never stop seeking.
If you are a woman…go here and here, and feel great about you no matter where you are with you at this moment in time. Because we are all made of awesome (Jess)! That means you too, boys!
Enjoy.
And just in case any of you are wondering, yes I am still cooking. Every day, twice a day. Food to follow.
Primal Belly 
Single Parenting…:( dont wish it on anyone…but hey 8pm…every night isnt bad at all! AND he got a Job YAYA! Try NOThing . Nadda. for 4-6 days at a time {yep dont get me wrong I
know there is worse out there..} BUT…Im so proud of you! No one knows what works for *YOU*…except YOU. keep on keeoing on sister! I love you!!!
I plan on keepin’ on. Thanks sis!
typos…GO FIGURE 😉
I actually have read some of what you mentioned, but not all of it. I started reading some of the things that I hadn’t already seen, and you’re right, it’s long and involved. I do agree with much of what they talk about though. I have been using primal/paleo eating in order to feel better, but I try to avoid using “substitutes” for foods I don’t eat. I found that doing that just complicated eating. I try to keep my eating simple, clean, and varied. Every now and then I’ll eat a food item that I normally avoid (because it makes me feel bad) to see how it makes me feel. Sometimes a food will still bother me, and other times I feel fine, and other times still I feel fine if I eat a little bit every now and then, but start feeling bad if I eat too much. At this point, I’ve really learned to pay attention to my body and how it feels and I make decisions based on that. I’ve healed myself enough that I can eat even the most bothersome food in small amounts and be fine, but I don’t throw caution to the wind because I know that for whatever reason I did bother me previously and I don’t want to go backwards in my health, so I’m just smart about how I eat now and am mindful about it. I definitely don’t make my eating a religion, and realize that everyone responds to food differently. We all needs to eat in a way that makes us feel our best.
Yep, your diet is just that. Yours. It is very personal and everybody is different. Thank goodness the world is full of a wide variety of fabulous things to eat!
You radiate pure awesomeness my dear!!! Keep setting an example!
No, YOU radiate pure awesome! Thanks!