Starting today.NEWBIE..Need Answers!

[MommyOf2]

  I am on day 1 stage 1!  What nuts are allowed?  I read that peanuts and cashews are not allowed.  Also, what about black coffee?  How long should I do Stage 1?

Thanks!

Looking forward to being a much healthier me!

[Lilnicki]

The stages as set out here are just a sugested way of eating paleo. You dont have to follow them exactly. How long should you do stage one???...... until you feel ready to move onto stage two. Coffee should really be avoided by the end of stage three, so it's up to you whether you phase it out gradually or just go cold turkey. ( Beware of the banging headache that will surely follow though!!)

I eat hazlenuts and almonds because those are the ones i like the taste of...... i also eat sunflower seeds as they taste nutty.....probably 2 handfulls of nuts and seeds a day is plenty.

Good luck and feel free to ask anything you like

Nicki

[MommyOf2]

Thanks Nikki!

I am soo gad you responded so quickly.  I will hound you a lot this week since I am feeling scared that I might not be able to stick to it.  I WANT to very badly.  I just wrote in another post that I am going through very bad peri-menopause and the headaches are unbearable.  I am always sleepy.

I need to make a change and I am hoping this is the right one for me. What about seeds this week?

Thanks so much!

Natalie

[houmax]

Some good info on nuts from a Paleo diet approach...

15.Eat nuts, if you like, but beware the omega-6 load in some nuts. Grouped and ranked from least to most omega-6 content, we find: (good) macadamias; (okay) cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, and pistachios; (worse) pecans, brazil nuts, and pinenuts; and (terrible) walnuts. Nuts may require soaking and drying to eliminate toxins. Remember that peanuts are legumes, not nuts. Avoid rancid nuts. You might need to limit nuts if you're trying to lose weight
http://www.modernpaleo.com/principles.html

They list cashews, but most Paleo people avoid them since you can't eat them raw, they're poison unless processed.

I skipped stage 1 myself, I had already been eating Paleo before I found this website so I didn't want to eat just anything for my feast. So I just went to stage 2 when I felt ready and never looked back. I've been Paleo for just over a year.

My first post...
http://www.cavemanpower.com/forum/new_caveman-t514.0.html
...wow, a year already. Man time sure flies.

[MommyOf2]

Thanks Houmax!

I needed the info on the nuts.  I appreciate all of the info you provided!   I am excited to be on day 1stage 1 but for some reason feel a little scared, too! Unsure why...maybe afraid to fail or maybe it's a fear of the unknown....

[houmax]

Thanks Houmax!

I needed the info on the nuts.  I appreciate all of the info you provided!   I am excited to be on day 1stage 1 but for some reason feel a little scared, too! Unsure why...maybe afraid to fail or maybe it's a fear of the unknown....

You'll do fine. Expect setbacks but just don't let the occasional cheat meal get you down. We all cheat sometimes. Ususally the crappy way my body reacts from cheats reminds me why I went Paleo in the first place.

A big added advantage for me is I used to always get real bad seasonal alergy attacks. Since I gave up milk I have not had a single sinus problem. This from a person who used to have to take medication just to keep from getting sinus infections 2 or 3 times a year. I still have cheese on occasion but I try to go for goat cheese. Sometimes a little Munster. Mostly feta on salads thou. If I really crave milk I'll have some almond milk as a treat.

[MommyOf2]

 
Hey that's good to know because my little one is suffering with severe allergies.  The cedar here in Texas is extremely strong.  Esp this time of year. She's on Allegra and Nasonex. 

BTW for the meal for tonight, should I eat paleo or eat whatever I want.  I was thinking about Chili!

What do u think??

[houmax]

Alright, another Texan.

I'm here in Houston and 1/2 the guys at work are suffering now. I'm doing great, no sinus problems at all.

I eat chili sometimes(no beans). The canned stuff is not competely Paleo since they add flour but a little every once in a while seems OK to me. I might have chili twice a month. Homemade would be better but I'm too lazy to cook a big pot of chili just for me.

[houmax]

Some info on milk and sinus problems...
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA236836

And if you have some free time 
http://www.notmilk.com/kradjian.html

[MommyOf2]

Thanks for the link. I will look at it now.  I am on stage 1 day 1 and it says to eat whatever I want.  I make my own chili.  Can I eat it the way I make it since I'm on this phase or should I already be doing Paleo for my one meal?

I am in (North) San Antonio.  The Cedar is brutal, but I am not affected by it.  I just moved to Texas 6 years ago and I love living here.  I love the Texas/Patriotic Spirit here.  I love the weather and the hill country!
My goal...look hot in a short jean skirt with cowboy boots!!  It's how the ladies dress around here and I love it!

It would be nice to feel better as well because I'm in my 40's and this hormonal thing is killing me.  Always tired and many headaches.

[houmax]

Welcome to Texas.

I love the Hill Country. There's some fantastic mountain roads west of San Antonio. 337, 335, 336, 16. Cool towns like Bandera, Leakey.

Since your in stage 1 I'd just make it as you like it. There's plenty of time to adjust as you progress.

[MommyOf2]

I went through Leakey and Bandera to go to a park. So, I didn't stop.  But Leakey was definately like a town from the past. Old, quaint and the police officer standing there waved as we went by. 

We went to a park called Gardner.  It was so beautiful and we went the scenic way to get there from here. 

BTW what are you doing in your profile pic?

[houmax]

That's Jack Black in a scene for the movie Year One.  

He's shooting an arrow at a tamed ox.

Me...

[MommyOf2]

Oh, I see that it's Jack Black.  The pic is so small.  WOW, look at you!  Nice bike.  Are you a part of a bikers club?  You look very fit!  What phase of the Paleo are you on?  How long have you eaten Paleo?
I just finished reading both links you sent me.  Pretty shocking and enlightening stuff.  I am going to try to decrease my girls intake of milk.  Maybe try to get them on Almond milk. They are so young so I will have to make adjustments slowly.
 
Can I have sunflower seeds on phase 1?

Love the pic! 
 

[MommyOf2]

UH OH.....I just ate a carrot and half thinking we could have veges in stage one and then I re-read what we can have...
OOPS, only on day 1 and already messed up! 

[Lilnicki]

"I've just messed up!"

Not at all ..... remember the stages are only a GUIDE...... if you want a few veggies on stage one then have them !......stage one is mainly there to get you sick of eating junk food ( at feast time)...... so don't sweat the small stuff

Nicki x

[MommyOf2]

OK thanks Nikki! I am pretty darn hungry...can't wait for dinner!  Not used to feeling hungry, I guess!
I've grazed on walnuts, had a carrot and a half and an orange.  Been sipping green tea all day!

[SidheDraoi]

welcome welcome! I never went through the stages but as far as I know you can eat whatever you'd like on stage 1 so long as you make sure to fast for most of the day.  veggies are good, nuts, i eat about a handful. but then again too many omega 6s upsets my stomach so i limit my nuts/seeds. Its all about preference. I don't eat a bunch of meat products, I prefer vegetables, but thats my preference.  This is a very flexible diet so have fun with it! only 2 things not allowed as far as I am concerned is dairy and grains, i am more concerned about the grains than the dairy, but I see dairy as a grey zone. and thats also my preference. :p a lot of customizing with this diet, but grains are the ultimate no-no so watch out for them!

[MommyOf2]

Thanks, SidheDraoi!

Starting day 2 today.  Don't seem to be quite as hungry...YET!  I will get in some kind of exercise today.  Not sure what just yet because I am nursing a runners knee. I can usually run through it but I hurt it cross training and I hurt it pretty bad.  So, I have to be careful what I do. 

I am taking my real estate state and national test on Thursday of next week and hoping that I won't feel tired or hungry during the test.  It is a 2 hour long test!

Again, thanks for the support.

Natalie

[Lilnicki]

A good form of excercise if you have a slight injury is swimming..... is this something you enjoy or have access to??

Nicki

[MommyOf2]

Unfortunately, we don't have a pool.  But, I am getting on the board here to see if we can build a community one...fingers crossed. 

I've also looked into getting a bike.  Just until I'm better because running is really my exercise of choice!

Well it's 3:30 here and I'm doing fine.  Grazing on almonds throughout the day and had a pear earlier.  Going to have an apple now and then planning on a veggie and chicken omelet for my one meal. I would love to slather cheese all over it but I want to start getting into the Paleo frame of mind!

 
Nat