most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-21T10:55:29Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/user/8574 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/69285/what-percentage-of-your-monthly-budget-is-spent-on-food-vs-say-housing-car-et Firestorm 2011-10-09T15:29:50Z 2013-05-12T04:07:30Z

<p>Right now, we're spending about 20% of our household monthly income on food. This is, from what I can see, about on a par with much of the world, where food comprises between 20% and 30% of the annual household income. A lot of my friends are appalled that we're spending so much on food, so I am wondering if our food budget is really so outrageous compared to other folk who are on the same general nutritional track that we are. (Primal; carbs in the form of winter squashes in season; roots like sweet potato, taro, cassava; eggs; grass-fed or forage-fed meats; berries and limited tree fruits and above-the-ground vegetables; animal fat as the primary fat, supplemented with only coconut, avocado, macadamia, or pecan oil)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/171935/does-the-existence-of-a-population/171945#171945 Firestorm 2013-01-08T21:28:47Z 2013-01-08T21:28:47Z

<p>The only thing that it proves is that for THOSE people, it may be less harmful. (You can't prove a negative -- so it is impossible to prove that it is not harmful at all). Extrapolations from small populations cannot be made to the larger population, and even if it is completely innocuous under Situation A, that does not mean that it is not dangerous under Situation B.</p> <p>There is some evidence that "traditionally prepared" wheats and grains may be less reactive, even in sensitive individuals. However, traditional preparation is time-consuming and is not used for even 1% of the commercially prepared grain foods on the market today. Traditional preparation, which includes both the sprouting of the wheat AND long fermenting (most of these cultures make their 'breads' and noodle dishes from a 'mother culture' that may have been fermenting for decades or longer -- almost none of the traditional cultures that make wide use of grain use "rapidly risen" breads through direct application of yeast to flour and sugar... a technique that is shown, in vitro and in vivo, to cause inflammatory proteins to be released) has, however, been shown to reduce the inflammatory response individuals may have to eating wheat.</p> <p>In the same way, for a single individual who is apparently thriving on a high-wheat diet, without the ability to analyze gut flora and inflammatory markers, there is no way to tell whether this person is actually -thriving-, or is, in fact, an inflammatory time-bomb just waiting to go off. IF, on the other hand, suitable controlled research were able to prove that this person is, indeed, thriving on that diet and is showing no signs of inflammatory markers or hepato-protein sensitization, all it would prove is that, for this person, wheat is not a source of inflammation at this time (and it does not rule out the fact that, at some later point, that same person might begin to react to wheat -- it can only address the here and now).</p> <p>Hope this helps.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/171914/brand-of-yoghurt-with-no-sugar-added/171936#171936 Firestorm 2013-01-08T21:17:00Z 2013-01-08T21:17:00Z

<p>Couple of tips on the whole 'yogurt' issue.</p> <ol> <li><p>Best suggestion for yogurt is to make it at home. It's super-easy -- you don't need anything more than good milk (I strongly suggest local milk from grass-fed cows if you're going to eat dairy) a thermometer, a little yogurt culture (or any brand of plain, live-culture yogurt--the more strains the better), a quart jar, and a warm place to let it culture.</p></li> <li><p>Most good brands of plain yogurt are free of added sugar (though they will have sugar in the nutritional chart, because milk has lactose, which is a form of sugar). HOWEVER, do NOT buy "nonfat" yogurt. Part of what keeps yogurt from wreaking havoc on blood sugar is the fat in it, which serves to slow down how quickly that lactose gets into your bloodstream.</p></li> <li><p>Real Greek yogurt uses different bacteria than 'regular' yogurt. If they're telling you that the only difference is that it is strained, you're probably paying too much for what you could do yourself by buying a quart of plain yogurt and straining it at home in cheesecloth or butter muslin (and then using the whey to make cultured veggies!!!) If you can get genuine Greek yogurt (Fage or Oikos come to mind), go for it -- the more varied the beneficial bacteria in our gut, the healthier we'll be.</p></li> <li><p>In place of dairy yogurt, you might consider things like kombucha, Kevita (cultured coconut water), or even making coconut-milk yogurt (I've heard that the SoDelicious Coconut Milk yogurt is pretty good, but haven't tried it myself). Also, your local grocery or deli may have some naturally cultured vegetables like kimchee, saurkraut (the naturally fermented stuff -- not the fake vinegar version), beet kvass, or traditional gardiniera (Sicilian cultured veggies).</p></li> </ol>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/171905/carb-addiction-in-vegan-kids/171931#171931 Firestorm 2013-01-08T21:06:11Z 2013-01-08T21:06:11Z

<p>Actually, there has been a great deal of success with ketogenic diets (80% or more fat, 10% or less carbohydrate) in managing autism-spectrum disorder. Here are several journal articles. I would encourage the parents (or you) to hit your local library to request copies of these to actually read the studies. Ketogenic diets started out as a low-side-effect option for managing epilepsy, but over the years, the relationship between saturated fat intake (in particular, including liberal consumption of cholesterol) and brain health have been scientifically documented. </p> <p>In fact, just this year there was a early abstract at one of the conferences I attended discussing turning around early-onset Alzheimers and Parkinsons with a high-saturated-fat, ketogenic diet! </p> <p>Application of a Ketogenic Diet in Children With Autistic Behavior: Pilot Study J Child Neurol February 2003 vol. 18 no. 2 113-118</p> <p>The Ketogenic Diet: One Decade Later Pediatrics March 1, 2007 119: 535-543</p> <p>The Ketogenic Diet ICAN: Infant, Child, &amp; Adolescent Nutrition 2010; 2:6 370-376</p> <p>A Ketone Ester Diet Increases Brain Malonyl-CoA and Uncoupling Proteins 4 and 5 while Decreasing Food Intake in the Normal Wistar Rat J. Biol. Chem. 2010; 285:34 25950-25956</p> <p>Experience in the Use of the Ketogenic Diet as Early Therapy James E. Rubenstein, MD; Eric H. Kossoff, MD; Paula L. Pyzik, BS; Eileen P.G. Vining, MD; Jane R. McGrogan, RD; John M. Freeman, MD J Child Neurol. 2005; 20 (1): 31-34</p> <p>Branched Chain Amino Acids as Adjunctive Therapy to Ketogenic Diet in Epilepsy: Pilot Study and Hypothesis J Child Neurol 2009; 24:10 1268-1272</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/167882/dry-paleo-sweetener/167886#167886 Firestorm 2012-12-17T21:36:30Z 2012-12-17T21:36:30Z

<p>I've had good success with finely ground dates as a sweetener. Finely ground raisins or currants would probably work as well, but dates tend to be more dry and easier to get to a nice texture, plus, as they are baked, they soften and spread nicely. At the beginning of winter solstice baking season, I buy a couple of pounds and run them through my food processor, so I have ground date ready to use. I use 1/2 cup of ground date for every cup of sugar called for in the recipe, though this ends up a good bit less sweet than the 'sugar' version -- I like it that way, but if I'm making it up for other people and they have a serious sweet tooth, I'll go with a 2:1 ratio of dates:sugar</p> <p>I've also had good success using coconut sugar, which is less reactive in the glycemic index than honey. I tend to use coconut sugar on a 1:1 ratio with the white sugar called for in recipes, HOWEVER this creates an end product that is noticeably less sweet than the white-sugar counterpart. I'd guess that, in order to get the same level of sweetness, one would probably need to increase to 1.5 cups of coconut sugar to each cup of white sugar.</p> <p>Another option, though it's an expensive one, is maple sugar. Maple sugar can be used 1:1 for white sugar, though I'm more likely to toss a tablespoon of it into my cup of coconut sugar for a little extra sweet kick in holiday goodies that others will be enjoying, like my Primalemon Bars.</p> <p>One thing I -wouldn't- recommend is Xylitol, though I know some people swear by it. I've tried several recipes using it for cookies, and despite the claim that it "cooks, bakes, and sweetens 1:1 with sugar" it doesn't. My experience is that cookies and baked goods made with xylitol come out with a hyper-sweet, flat taste and are 'cold' in the mouth like they've had mint added to them, even when there's no mint at all.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/160167/why-are-we-still-getting-sick/160188#160188 Firestorm 2012-11-08T17:20:18Z 2012-11-08T17:20:18Z

<p>I get sick a lot less often, and when I do get sick, it's not nearly as devastating as it used to be -- but being paleo or primal, even 100%, doesn't mean you'll never get sick. It just means that your body will have an easier time getting OVER being sick, with fewer incidents of prolonged, chronic illness developing out of acute sickness.</p> <p>I do have a lot fewer problems with things like pollen allergies and stuff -- it took about 4 years of bone broth, raw honey, and homeopathic support, but now, when everyone else is miserable with allergies (especially seasons like this ragweed season in Texas, where pollen counts have been through the roof!), I haven't had a sniffle -- just the occasional "gee, my eyes are a little itchy today".</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/65778/thoughts-about-kevita-coconut-probiotic-drink-to-replace-soda Firestorm 2011-09-18T16:53:30Z 2012-10-27T19:50:31Z

<p>Ok, so I've been enjoying the benefits of a paleo-style diet for a while. I foray into more neolithic diet only in a few areas. The first of those is dairy. I do eat some fermented dairy (raw-milk yogurt, Greek-style), cheese (mostly hard cheeses), and butter... however, my other foray is in the area of soda. I really like the bubbly refreshment, especially during "century days" -- for those who don't know what those are, they're the days in Texas where the temperature climbs over 100 -- especially on Gulf Coast Texas, where it's usually combined with pretty high humidity. </p> <p>Several years ago, I ditched regular soda, and started drinking stevia-sweetened sodas (up to 3 cans a week). However, lately, I've been debating even letting go of those -- however, I still like that bubbly, light feeling. So I was thinking about changing over to KeVita, which is a coconut-based probiotic (fermented) drink. It's got just enough bubble, and it really isn't "sweet" per se. It's got a nice tang that is really refreshing. I'd like to get folks thoughts on whether this might be a worthwhile change (again, at the rate of about 3 bottles a week).</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/156101/looking-for-paleo-lifestyle-ms-resources/156157#156157 Firestorm 2012-10-16T18:36:26Z 2012-10-16T18:36:26Z

<p>I'm 25 years post-diagnosis. I have a congenital immune defect (JOB Syndrome/Hyper-IgE Syndrome) and Multiple Sclerosis. I've gone from being bed-bound and requiring a mobility device to get around, to being back on my feet and working (and walking) full time, as well as maintaining a significant improvement in the cognitive deficiencies common to MS. </p> <p>99% of the changes occurred because of a dietary change that eliminated grains and focused on a high-fat (60-85% of my daily calories come from fat), moderate protein, specific carbohydrate diet. I'm more 'primal' than "paleo' at this point, because it works best for me, but I disagree strongly with an earlier poster who said this way of eating would make no difference -- it made a PROFOUND difference for me.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/153327/freshman-15-sos/153416#153416 Firestorm 2012-10-03T16:04:35Z 2012-10-03T16:04:35Z

<p>On the 'all nighters' thing, I've found that I don't retain as well long-term when I do the all-night prep/cram ... however, sometimes things just have to get done. So here's what I have found to be helpful.</p> <ol> <li>Take a late-evening 'nap'. Unlike the 20 minute power naps, this is usually a 90 minute to 3 hr nap. I usually start at the end of my last meeting (between 7:30 and 9pm) and sleep for 90 minutes to 3 hrs. </li> <li>I usually wake naturally at this point, anyway, so when I do, I get up, and work hard for 3-4 hrs, usually starting around midnight or so, and working until 2:30 - 4am. </li> <li>THEN, I go back to sleep for 90 minutes to 3 hrs (depending on my work schedule). </li> </ol> <p>I find that this causes less adrenal stress, and while I'm still tired the next night, I'm not completely wiped out and exhausted... and that middle-of-the-night stretch, where most people are quiet, I get a LOT done... plus, the sleep before and after allows me to move most of what I cover then into 'long term memory', so my memory retention is much better using this method.</p> <p>Good luck!</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/152774/sugar-free-flavoured-syrups/152813#152813 Firestorm 2012-09-30T18:50:22Z 2012-09-30T18:50:22Z

<p>Any thoughts on Xylitol? I know that it's diabetic safe, and prevents yeast overgrowth, so I've had a number of folks who had alternative health people recommend it to them. I haven't found anything that says that it's bad... so what do you think?</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/152569/getting-back-on-paleo-wagon-in-2nd-trimester-of-pregnancy/152573#152573 Firestorm 2012-09-29T13:31:30Z 2012-09-29T13:31:30Z

<p>I know it sounds counterintuitive, but all those carbs can actually aggravate and extend morning sickness. At the same time, a super-high fat diet can be tough while the hormones are worked up. </p> <ul> <li>I would gradually work your way into a paleo diet. Start by getting gluten-based grains out of there -- if you HAVE to have grains, stick to white rice (rice crackers, etc.).</li> <li>Next, I would trim down your fructose-bearing foods (fruits, juices, etc.)</li> <li>Add broth, even if it's not bone broth right up. Homemade chicken broth is a good choice</li> <li>Cook your meats in broth, instead of frying, broiling, grilling, etc. It reduces the gag-worthiness until your body gets past it's hormone issues.</li> <li>Start increasing your protein, using lean protein sources at first, and gradually increasing the fat to include more fatty meats</li> <li>Supplement with wild salmon oil or krill oil. It is vital to your baby's neurological development, and the nervous system is growing REALLY quickly now.</li> <li>For carbohydrates, eat sweet potatoes, taro root, yucca root, yam, and some beets and carrots.</li> <li>Eat some leafy greens like spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, etc., every day if you can. </li> <li>Gradually add fats back into your diet, so that you're eating at least 40-50% of your daily calories from good fats by the 16th week... Start with avocado, grass-fed butter or ghee, coconut oil, and then gradually add meat fats back in as your body gets more hungry as the pregnancy progresses.</li> </ul> <p>The best macronutrient ratios for fetal development seem to be 30% protein, 40-50% fat, and ~20% carbohydrate (mostly from glucose sources of carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, taro, and rice)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/146491/hack-my-spicy-food-intolerance/146503#146503 Firestorm 2012-08-31T19:04:09Z 2012-09-18T15:40:50Z

<p>I've had similar problems, but handled it differently. First, I let my gut completely heal (which took about 2 years), then, I adjusted to the fact that things like hot peppers are, essentially, poison -- they produce a reaction in the body that can cause serious inflammation -- serious enough that, for some people, it mimics what may be perceived as a "burn" -- in fact, in sensitive individuals, capsaicin on the skin can even cause blistering. I know that some people will argue that it -isn't- a burn... but it looks and feels enough like one that that seems to be pretty safe "common language" to use to describe the reaction.</p> <p>In addition, peppers are nightshades, and contain salicilates -- two other substances that, for a large number of the population, can either exacerbate existing inflammation or actually cause additional inflammatory response on top of the capsaicin response.</p> <p>Now I love spicy food, and grew up with a lot of it, so I'm not going to give it up, but there are a few things I did that helped minimize the impact:</p> <ol> <li><p>I don't eat spicy food every single day. In fact, I try to keep my spicy food to no more than 2 days a week, with 2 days in between for my gut to deal with the damage (Mucosal tissue heals really fast if you're gentle with it.)</p></li> <li><p>I use tried and true tools, with centuries or millenia of history, to calm the fire: Sour cream, avocado, full-fat greek yogurt, and cheese (yes, hiss boo --but if I'm eating peppers, dairy helps to calm the fire in the intestines)</p></li> <li><p>I take higher-than-usual doses of pro-biotics the day of and the day after a hot-pepper-filled feast, to help restore the healthy bacteria killed by exposure to the hot-pepper-chemical soup.</p></li> <li><p>I follow days of spicy food with days of food that is particularly gentle to my insides -- bone broth, boiled or poached eggs, etc.</p></li> </ol> <p>For me, this has minimized the amount of time I spend in pain, and enabled me to restore at least a moderate tolerance for spicy foods, at least with the understanding that anyone's going to have some trouble when they're intentionally eating the gut's equivalent of battery acid. <em>grins</em></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/146435/integrating-fish-into-packed-lunches/146437#146437 Firestorm 2012-08-31T14:33:49Z 2012-08-31T14:33:49Z

<p>Vital Choice smoked salmon (in a pouch)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/145990/paleo-is-making-me-feel-sick-tips/146008#146008 Firestorm 2012-08-29T15:00:09Z 2012-08-29T15:00:09Z

<p>The mind is a VERY powerful tool. If you have ethical/moral/spiritual reasons for avoiding meat, AND you dislike meat, the conflict that your mind is going through may very well be causing a stress reaction in your body, leaving you sick and exhausted as you try to make the transition.</p> <p>It is important to note, too, that digesting meat uses different enzymes and body processes than digesting vegetables. If you've been vegetarian for a long time, your body would have to re-learn how to manage digesting meat -- after having spent 4 years as a vegan, it took me almost a year before I could comfortably digest anything beyond fish, and I still occasionally struggle with certain muscle meats. </p> <p>For me, the change overall was a good one, even though getting started was a rather long and occasionally uncomfortable uphill trek... but I didn't have ethical/moral/spiritual issues with making the change -- which may very well make "going paleo" and eating meat more traumatic to your mind/body connection than it's worth. I would seriously consider, if you are already healthy, perhaps just eliminating grains, and using a lacto-ovo vegetarian or pescatarian diet to bring you the rest of the way to the kind of health you wish to achieve, without stressing out your mind/spirit/body as much.</p> <p>It's possible to be pescatarian (fish eating) or lacto-ovo vegetarian and still maintain a primarily paleo foundation. Just make sure you're eating enough calories if you're working out very hard, and don't be afraid of using fat calories (primarily coconut oil and grass-fed butter/ghee) to help you round out your diet and make sure your body is getting enough fuel.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/145821/how-to-drink-bone-broth-at-work/145833#145833 Firestorm 2012-08-28T19:31:39Z 2012-08-28T19:31:39Z

<p>I drink bone broth at the office, but I don't nuke it. I have one of those little "coffee warmer" things, and keep my mug of broth on there, where it stays nice and toasty.</p> <p>Oh, and BTW -- I've had a couple of folks mention the "yummy" smell -- especially during the winter when it's doggone chilly out. I've converted a couple of the folks on my floor to home-made bone broth (if not a replacement for their coffee, then a high-quality adjunct, right?)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/89688/whos-okay-with-white-potatoes/89771#89771 Firestorm 2012-01-12T17:57:04Z 2012-08-15T19:12:31Z

<p>They're not a staple in my diet, but with some healthy fats, I have no problem with them. They're a ROOT, after all -- and what could be more ancestral than digging up some yummy roots and throwing them on the fire or in a stew-pot? Virtually every food out there, in gross quantities contains some kind of toxin. It's how they protect themselves so they can re-produce. I don't eat grains because the toxins in grains (and seeds and nuts, in my case -- with the noteable exceptions of pine-nuts, pistachios, macadamias, and cashews) totally mess with my body. Potatoes don't do that... especially if I cook them in animal fat or serve them with animal fat and protein. So I eat potatoes, on occasion, prepared in ways that my body likes.</p> <p>I like sweet potatoes better than white potatoes. They are more colorful, taste better with butter or bacon fat, can be used in everything from mashes to hashes to curries and stews... but white potatoes have their place in my ancestral nourishment. </p> <p>For those who asked -- here's my recipe for Sweet Potato Curry</p> <ul> <li>2 to 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled, quartered length-wise, and sliced into 1/4" slices</li> <li>1 lb meat (what I use depends on what I have on hand at any given time)</li> <li>2 cups bone broth</li> <li>1/2 cup Hatch green chilis (we like the HOT ones... but you can use mild if you prefer)</li> <li>1 white onion, chopped coarsely</li> <li>2 tablespoons ground cumin</li> <li>2 tablespoons ground coriander</li> <li>2 teaspoons ground turmeric</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon mustard seed</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon sea salt OR 2 tablespoons coconut aminos</li> <li>2 tablespoons ghee</li> <li>1 to 2 cups cauliflower florets</li> </ul> <p>Heat a large cast-iron dutch oven until hot. Add ghee and curry spices, and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Toss in onions and meat, and cook until meat is seared. Add sweet potatoes, cauliflower, Hatch chilis (or any other chili pepper--or even bell pepper), bone broth, and sea salt. Let simmer for 30 minutes. Open and pour coconut milk into mixture. Stir well, and allow to simmer for at LEAST another 30 minutes. Longer is better on this one, and if you cook a day ahead, chill and re-heat, that's even more scrumptious!</p> <p>We eat this as a "stoop" -- thicker than a soup, but thinner than a stew. You could serve it over rice if you wished. We don't -- we'd rather use a spoon and not have the flavor diluted with rice <em>winks</em>.</p> <p>This re-heats magnificently, so don't let the quantities throw you. I make it on Sunday, and we eat it for lunch for the week (usually alternating with my chipotle chili taco beef over leafy greens). Like most potato meals, though, it doesn't freeze well. The potato texture will change and, at least for me, the texture changes are... not great. One alternative we've found that DOES work if I know I'm going to have to freeze is making the curry without the potatoes in it, then preparing the potatoes separately as WHIPPED MASHED SWEET POTATOES, which DO freeze well -- then thawing both pieces together and serving the curry over the mashed sweet potatoes!</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/141588/vitamin-d-for-a-cave-dweller/141605#141605 Firestorm 2012-08-08T20:01:28Z 2012-08-08T20:01:28Z

<p>May I ask what your reasoning is for not supplementing? (Especially considering that the USRDA has already been determined to be insufficient for health -- it is meant to prevent diseases like rickets -- not to provide optimal health). I found supplementation with vitamin D in MCTs to be highly beneficial when I can't get sun, despite consumption of salmon, scallops, and herring in substantial quantity.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/141565/help-im-allergic-to-beef/141567#141567 Firestorm 2012-08-08T17:16:26Z 2012-08-08T17:16:26Z

<p>There is no quick fix that I've found -- however, after 2 years on a GAPS-style program, I've found that I can eat moderate quantities of many foods I couldn't eat before, with no real digestive issues.</p> <p>In terms of meat, though, there are a LOT of options. If possible, I'd drop the dairy completely for a while, instead of substituting goat/sheep dairy. Meat options can include all kinds of things... fish, poultry (chicken, cornish hen, turkey, quail, pheasant, ostrich), goat, lamb, mutton (sheep), venison, rabbit, seafood.... there are so many options.</p> <p>Next, I'd recommend a REALLY GOOD pro-biotic. There are a couple of excellent ones on the GAPS site, or you can check the refrigerator section of your local health-food store for a probiotic supplement with a minimum of 30 million bacteria, guaranteed.</p> <p>It isn't fast, and it isn't easy -- but it worked for me.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/141510/moral-objections-to-certain-food/141562#141562 Firestorm 2012-08-08T17:00:45Z 2012-08-08T17:00:45Z

<p>I think that a lot of people make choices regarding their food based, to some extent, on moral issues. If eating something is going to make you feel guilty, then absolutely don't eat it -- where I think I diverge from some applications of this principle, though, is that I believe that, while we may choose to INFORM others of the reasons that we eat -this-, but prefer not to eat -that-, it is RUDE to force our moral issues onto others' plates by demanding things like "legislation", etc., to force others to our brand of "food-think".</p> <p>I have used coconut syrup, produced by a company that uses 1/3 of their trees to produce syrup and 2/3 to produce other coconut products. The trees that are being used for syrupare also being used to produce coconuts ON THE SAME TREE, using 6 month alternating production, despite the above-referenced article that says that it isn't possible or isn't being done. </p> <p><a href="http://www.tiana-coconut.com/sustainability.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tiana-coconut.com/sustainability.html</a></p> <p>That being said, I personally don't believe that coconut syrup is a solution to over-consumption of sugar for my body. I think the only way to truly heal from over-consumption of sugar is to spend time without eating sugar, including coconut sugar. However, coconut syrup has been a great boon for special treats like Yule Logs, birthday cakes, and wedding/anniversary cakes in our household. We'd already figured out how to make these kinds of things without refined flour -- so this was a natural "next step" for us.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/140863/do-you-think-the-health-youre-in-can-affect-conception/140878#140878 Firestorm 2012-08-05T19:36:54Z 2012-08-05T19:36:54Z

<p>Absolutely! I recommended a specific pre-conception nutrition program for my moms/dads who were about to conceive, starting 6 months before conception (ideally) to 3 months before conception (at least).</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/140510/whats-the-feeling-on-reverse-osmosis-water/140520#140520 Firestorm 2012-08-04T00:11:55Z 2012-08-04T00:11:55Z

<p><em>nods</em> We use a Berkey with a special fluoride filter, rather than RO -- the systems we looked at didn't have a consistent record of removing fluoride, and they also weren't consistent about removing bacteria from untreated water -- which we worry about down here with things like hurricanes and such.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139866/are-ocean-eclipe-4-oz-salmon-packages-legitimate-salmon/139875#139875 Firestorm 2012-08-01T19:46:30Z 2012-08-01T19:46:30Z

<p>Apparently, they're legit. Their wild salmon filets are listed as MSC sustainability certified.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139704/do-changes-continue-after-first-two-months-of-the-diet/139841#139841 Firestorm 2012-08-01T16:56:33Z 2012-08-01T16:56:33Z

<p>I've continued to lose, albeit more slowly, through the past 3 years. I've had several plateaus, ranging from a few weeks to half a year, but my body's always progressed again towards better health (which for me, includes lower weight) once my body's had a chance to stabilize with the new information after a period of accelerated weight loss. </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139770/slow-weight-loss/139839#139839 Firestorm 2012-08-01T16:48:02Z 2012-08-01T16:48:02Z

<p>Ok, what I'm going to say is coming from a woman (post-menopausal) who's lost a good chunk of weight since going primal. Some of it may be uncomfortable for you to hear, but it's made a HUGE difference in the way I live my life and in the loss/maintenance of a really unhealthy amount of weight. </p> <p>First -- stop weighing yourself every day. In fact, stop weighing yourself every WEEK! If you -have- to weigh, do it at your doctor's office, when you go in for your appointments, and get rid of the scale at your house. </p> <p>THEN -- focus on what you're doing RIGHT. Focus on your healthy diet, on listening to your body's hunger signals, on moving your body every single day doing movement that you truly love, on getting enough sleep (which is one of the BIG factors that people neglect, thinking that it doesn't really matter), and making sure that you're well hydrated and that the food that you choose is the best quality food you can afford.</p> <p>Bail on the juicing and other "mock foods" -- the only exception I'll make to this is pureeing vegetables to thicken stocks, etc. The whole purpose of juicing is to cram a whole lot of fruits and vegetables into your body in liquid form -- which isn't really supportive of learning to eat food in a healthy way. Just make your veggies, proteins, and fats as whole foods, minimally processed according to your body's needs (for example, I have to cook my veggies MUCH more than my mate does, because I had surgery 25 years ago that damaged my ability to digest plant fibers -- so I have to cook my vegetables until they're mushy--but I figure that it's better than not eating veggies at ALL!)</p> <p>Once you've done that - -relax. The weight WILL come off. It may not all come off at once, and it may take more time than you originally thought you wanted to invest -- but if you're not on the scale all the time, you'll realize shortly that you're starting to FEEL better -- that you have more energy, that you're not as tied up in thinking about food all the time... THOSE are signs that you're healing, and losing weight seems to be a side-effect of, in general, getting more healthy.</p> <p>Let go of the scale, and someone else's ideas of numbers, and strive for health and create your own goals that aren't related to whether or not you're getting certain numerical results. EVERY body is different, and your body may need more time to adapt as it's dropping weight than someone else's.... but that DOESN'T mean you're not getting healthier along the way... which is a much more useful end result, IMO.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139829/what-are-vegans-reasons-for-avoiding-unfertilized-eggs-from-pastured-raised-chic/139838#139838 Firestorm 2012-08-01T16:33:14Z 2012-08-01T16:33:14Z

<p>Vegans, in general, from a philosophical perspective, believe that retaining ANY animal in captivity for the purpose of providing food for humans (including, for truly strict vegans, using honey -- which they consider 'stolen' from bees), is unethical. They do not believe that animals or creatures of -any- sort should be exploited for the purposes of feeding another species.</p> <p>It isn't about whether the egg is fertile, or whether the chickens have been raised 'naturally' for food -- the issue is that, for a vegan, -any- consumption that exploits animals or 'steals' their 'babies' or their production is unethical. That includes milk from cows, eggs from chickens, honey from bees, leather, animal-based glue, etc.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106573/red-meat-reduces-depression-what-do-you-think-of-this-study Firestorm 2012-03-21T20:09:44Z 2012-07-27T14:48:33Z

<p>Ok, so here's an interesting study -- Curious about what people think. </p> <p><a href="http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowAbstract&amp;ArtikelNr=334910&amp;Ausgabe=256885&amp;ProduktNr=223864" rel="nofollow">Red Meat Consumption and Mood and Anxiety Disorders</a></p> <p>Here's a <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5895227/scientific-proof-that-red-meat-makes-you-happy" rel="nofollow">summary link</a> for folk who don't have access to the actual article, since the journal doesn't have an abstract up.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/138622/weight-loss-while-hypercaloric-is-it-real/138696#138696 Firestorm 2012-07-27T14:46:32Z 2012-07-27T14:46:32Z

<p>My situation's a little different than most. I am a former anorexic, 35 years post-treatment. At my lowest weight, I weighed about 92 lbs on a 5'5" frame. To get there, I ate between 300-400 calories a day, with NO fat.</p> <p>Flash forward 20 years, and I was up over 450 lbs (we don't know how much over that -- it's as high as my doctor's scale would weigh), on a vegetarian, low-fat diet, taking in about 900-1200 calories a day (yes, it was mapped and documented, including having meals prepared by a nutritionist). I'd been dieting most of my adult life, because once I stopped starving myself, I blew up like the ever-touted balloon. It didn't help that I have a life-long autoimmune disorder that requires oral steroid treatment, and THEN, in my late 20s, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the ONLY treatment that doesn't cause Grade 3 or worse side effects for me is... guess what... oral steroids and immune suppressants!</p> <p>3 years ago, I moved from vegetarian to, specifically, a low-carbohydrate (&lt;60 g per day) version of primal nutrition with winters being "moderate carbohydrate" (100-150g per day) (not all primal is 'low-carb', but that's what my body seemed to function best using). It took me 2 years, but without counting calories or keeping detailed charts, I dropped over 150 lbs. When I -did- start logging, I found that I was eating about 35% higher caloric content than when I'd been 'dieting' before (~1200 when dieting, on vegetarian diet. ~1800-1900 on &lt; 60 g per day carbohydrate, primal diet). </p> <p>I'm not as active as some of these folks who write these blogs are. I swim (paddle around the pool) for half an hour, 4-5 days a week, on average, which is about all I can manage during the summers in Houston, without setting off my remitting-progressive MS or an autoimmune crash. I garden, and do work around our house. I hike and even do some rock-climbing and stuff when I visit my children... but I'm not this huge "workout queen"... and I'm STILL fat, by any measure.</p> <p>I don't know what goes into losing weight, but I do know that it is definitely not as simple as Calories In- Calories Out.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/138682/my-csa-soy-dilemma/138688#138688 Firestorm 2012-07-27T14:11:48Z 2012-07-27T14:11:48Z

<p>I wouldn't. And I would reinforce with your farmer that the risks of soy are part of the PLANT. Yes, commercial GMO soy has a whole other set of issues, but the phytoestrogens and phytates are there regardless of whether it's "organic/biodynamic" soy or GMO commercial soy.</p> <p>On the 'wasting food' issue -- I'm not big on wasting food either, but I wont' eat something that I am pretty sure will make me sick, just because it's there. I'd rather compost it and use it to feed the soil, instead of using it to feed me. (Soybean IS good for that -- it's very high in nitrogen and adds a nice nitrogen balance to your compost!!! Our roses LOVE soybean meal out of our cabinet from when we cleaned our cabinets out! We had soybean meal in there as a supplement in breads to increase the protein content, and I composted it along with our wheat flour and other grains.)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/138665/i-want-to-go-paleo-but-how-i-can-start-without-the-support-of-my-picky-eater-hus/138685#138685 Firestorm 2012-07-27T14:04:50Z 2012-07-27T14:04:50Z

<p>There are LOTS of foods you can prepare even for a 'picky' eater. I know. My companion is very... particular. </p> <p>However, when I started, I started because I had to do something for myself or risk no longer being mobile at all. So I started WITHOUT her support. Yes, for 2 years, I prepared two separate meals -- a meal for her and one for me. We let the girls (2 of our 4 children were still living with us at this time) choose from one menu or the other. </p> <p>Was it sort of a pain? -- Oh yes it was!</p> <p>Was it really hard and sort of exhausting some days? -- You bet your bottom dollar!</p> <p>Was it more expensive than buying any-old-thing and just putting it out there? Yup, it was!</p> <p>"So why do it," you ask? </p> <p>Well, I was 450 lbs, with multiple sclerosis. Walking more than 6 steps was torture. I couldn't fit into a chair, or buy a pair of jeans. I couldn't go visit my kids in other states because I couldn't fit in an airplane seat and flying was TORTURE... and when I GOT there, all I could DO with them was sit in a doggone CHAIR. To me, that was no kind of life.</p> <p>What did I get OUT of all that effort? Well, I got down under 300 lbs (it took almost 2 years -- so it wasn't like I rushed out and lost 150 lbs in a couple months or anything). I got my mobility back, can work a full-time job again and still have energy left to write my novels at the end of the day (3rd novel being published this YEAR!!! YAAY). I can garden again. I can WALK again -- even with the complications from the MS!!! I can ride a motorbike. I can hike with my Air Force son through the national parks in Korea. I will be able to see and play with my grand-baby (due in January). </p> <p>There are a MILLION reasons why, no matter how long it takes, or how hard it is, or how expensive it can be, or how annoying it is to not be able to eat the pizza they bring into the office when everyone else is and your co-worker leaves 3 slices on your desk because you didn't come to the pizza party... it is worth any extra effort you can put in. </p> <p>My life isn't perfect now, and neither is my health. I still have MS. I still have the same auto-immune disorder that has plagued me since birth. I'm getting older, and slower, and old injuries still give me a bit of a "hrumph" at times -- but I could be SOOOOO much worse than I am. I know that, because I've been there. So whatever the effort, this is a priority for me. I did it with nobody supporting me, and without even being able to TALK to my companion about it, because she was so worried that I was going to "force" her to do it too... but it was too important to give up. </p> <p>So if your mate or lover doesn't support you -- that's ok. If it's important to you, you'll be able to do it anyway. </p> <p>If your mate or lover sabotages your efforts... well... maybe it's time to think about whether the relationship is healthy, and figure out how to either heal it or let it go. </p> <p>Once things start working for you, maybe your significant other will be interested in giving what YOU'RE doing a go -- especially if, despite the struggles, you do it with joy for the potentials in it.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/138566/hot-dogs-are-gluten-free/138569#138569 Firestorm 2012-07-26T23:20:14Z 2012-07-26T23:20:14Z

<p>The easiest thing to do is read the label of the hot-dogs you're thinking about buying. Look for any grains as fillers. If they have anything in them besides meat, spices, sometimes milk or egg powder, maybe water, and maybe nitrates (if you buy the commercial ones), then I'd worry -- especially if they say "vegetable fillers" or "grain filler".</p> <p>It's best to buy from places that you know source their animals properly -- but I think it's interesting that the old "Lips and Assholes" comment (does anyone know -that- reference????) is actually a BONUS for us. Hot dogs are often made out of by-products.... organs, skin, fat, and other typically "uncouth" forms of meat. If you're sourcing from healthy animals, this can be a special gift -- organ and non-muscle meats that your kids or the picky members of your family will actually EAT!</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/171935/does-the-existence-of-a-population/171945#171945 Firestorm 2013-01-09T11:44:19Z 2013-01-09T11:44:19Z

Actually, Sam, it is. Whether it is a carbohydrate-rich, or carbohydrate-poor diet, small populations who thrive at either extreme cannot be used to extrapolate an overall level of 'ideal' carbohydrate consumption for everyone. Too, like the above examples, it cannot address -future- issues, only here and now. An individual's macronutrient needs will certainly vary over time. You'll find that, among those who follow the evidentiary curve regarding the fitness of grains for human consumption, there are a wide range of macronutrient profiles.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/65778/thoughts-about-kevita-coconut-probiotic-drink-to-replace-soda/158430#158430 Firestorm 2012-11-05T17:57:44Z 2012-11-05T17:57:44Z

I've actually found that I enjoy it -- I've developed a taste for the super-greens one that has surprised me, and like the mango coconut flavor as well.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/65778/thoughts-about-kevita-coconut-probiotic-drink-to-replace-soda/158456#158456 Firestorm 2012-11-05T17:56:29Z 2012-11-05T17:56:29Z

My experience with stevia has been positive. The flavor gets a lot of people, but as long as I stick to pure stevia or stevia extract (without the addition of dextrose or sugar alcohols), it doesn't cause additional cravings or blood sugar irregularities, and it has actually improved my glucose tolerance over time. It's an herb, and has been used and grown for centuries as a sweetener in teas, so in my mind, it fits the 'paleo' category well.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/156372/how-to-eat-so-little-carbs/156383#156383 Firestorm 2012-10-17T21:02:38Z 2012-10-17T21:02:38Z

Truthfully, depending on where you are in the world, while it may, generally, be healthy, it is certainly not 'eating seasonally'. Low carb isn't part of a paleo diet, but eating seasonally certainly is, and salad veggies, unless you happen to live in Southern California or a sub-tropical climate, probably aren't growing this time of year, so if a person is striving for a seasonally-relevant diet, salads in the winter wouldn't be it.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/110812/nursing-as-birth-control/110846#110846 Firestorm 2012-09-24T17:55:24Z 2012-09-24T17:55:24Z

While it is important to prepare for co-sleeping, just like it is for just about every aspect of bringing a child into the world, breastfeeding and planned bed-sharing actually reduce the risk of SIDS in households where the parents are non-smokers. <a href="http://thebabybond.com/Cosleeping&amp;SIDSFactSheet.html" rel="nofollow">thebabybond.com/Cosleeping&amp;SIDSFactSheet.html</a>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/150241/how-to-make-bone-broth-taste-better/150263#150263 Firestorm 2012-09-18T15:44:36Z 2012-09-18T15:44:36Z

Wow, I've never had a problem with my chicken broth gelling up -- I wonder why... I'll have to experiment and see if I can figure it out.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/141565/help-im-allergic-to-beef/141567#141567 Firestorm 2012-08-10T21:16:29Z 2012-08-10T21:16:29Z

Yogurt of any ilk doesn't have enough bugs to restore your intestinal flora unless you're eating quarts of it a day. If you're also eating naturally fermented vegetables, it might be a decent option, but really, if you're struggling with serious food sensitivities, you need a probiotic that provides more than 30 million bacteria per serving -- OH... and be aware that when you start taking it, you may experience flu-like symptoms from the die-off of the nasty bugs currently populating your intestines.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/141521/eating-only-when-hungry-and-late-night-snacking Firestorm 2012-08-08T16:48:05Z 2012-08-08T16:48:05Z

Plus one for going to bed when getting hungry late at night. I've found that my body still, even after 3 years, gets confused with signals between &quot;hunger&quot; and &quot;tired&quot; -- I almost wonder if it's that &quot;we're out of energy&quot; signal that my body is interpreting as &quot;need to eat for energy&quot; instead of &quot;need to sleep to re-charge&quot;...

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139770/slow-weight-loss Firestorm 2012-08-04T00:07:25Z 2012-08-04T00:07:25Z

Oh -- one thing if you have to have a smoothie for breakfast because of time, here's a GREAT one! 1/3-1/2 cup coconut milk (the whole-fat canned stuff); 2 scoops really GOOD protein powder (either egg protein or good whey powder with nothing in it but grass-fed whey. I like either Upgraded Whey or Bluebonnet Whey); 2 cups ice cubes, 10 drops stevia, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (and vitamin D drops if you're not going to be able to get outside or it's winter).

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139829/what-are-vegans-reasons-for-avoiding-unfertilized-eggs-from-pastured-raised-chic/139851#139851 Firestorm 2012-08-01T19:42:33Z 2012-08-01T19:42:33Z

This hasn't been my experience with vegans, either. Most vegans I know are very savvy about vegetable sources of protein, and actually do- eat a good bit of protein rich food, especially in what used to be called &quot;complimentary combinations&quot; like rice and beans, wheat and legumes, etc.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139829/what-are-vegans-reasons-for-avoiding-unfertilized-eggs-from-pastured-raised-chic/139843#139843 Firestorm 2012-08-01T19:40:47Z 2012-08-01T19:40:47Z

Pollination doesn't take any 'animal-production'... honey, though, is considered by most strict vegans as an &quot;animal product&quot; like milk and eggs.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139829/what-are-vegans-reasons-for-avoiding-unfertilized-eggs-from-pastured-raised-chic/139837#139837 Firestorm 2012-08-01T19:23:46Z 2012-08-01T19:23:46Z

I get a LOT of exposure on this one, having been a vegan (I trained as a midwife with a midwife from The Farm, as well as having several friends who were &quot;PETA&quot; vegans. For some folk, it -is- a nutrition decision -- less protein, more alkaline-raising foods, etc., but the vegans aren't any more 'fat phobic' than the rest of the US -- they're fine with olive oil, coconut oil (saturated), palm kernel oil (saturated)... it's strictly -animal- fats that get the kaibosh.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139829/what-are-vegans-reasons-for-avoiding-unfertilized-eggs-from-pastured-raised-chic/139837#139837 Firestorm 2012-08-01T16:38:08Z 2012-08-01T16:38:08Z

Colin, that is actually NOT part of the equation, and the tone of your response seems un-useful and hostile. The arguments about cholesterol and saturated fat are more often used by vegetarians -- especially those heavily into promoting their own vegetarian fitness plan. Veganism is much more related to the sanctity of life, and, I think, in some ways is a response to the corporatization and industrialization of our food system.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139066/paleo-wedding-cake-alternatives/139068#139068 Firestorm 2012-07-29T03:25:04Z 2012-07-29T03:25:04Z

Kelleil, wheat cakes are served at subsequent weddings -- cheese is an ingredient, no different than wheat. If you can eat cheesecake, that might be an option for you, regardless of whether you did it for your last wedding. For you, cheese is &quot;flour&quot;. <i>grins</i>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/138559/shelf-stable-homemade-paleo-canned-goods/138567#138567 Firestorm 2012-07-28T19:09:06Z 2012-07-28T19:09:06Z

@Lena, I can honestly say in 35 years of pressure canning that I've never had those issues. Are you, by any chance, at a higher altitude? (2000-3000 ft above sea level?)