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This is all a journey right? Tweak here, add there, change this up a bit....

For me I'd like to start focusing on:

  • Transition from shampoo to no-poo. (scary!!)
  • Make the leap from Vibram running to real barefoot running
  • Incorporate more fermented foods into my diet
  • Take a closer look at all the chemicals I might be coming into contact with and doing my best to eliminate them
  • Find a cow-share in my neck of the woods.

So, what's next for you?

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Why Vibram to real barefoot? With the dangerous things I could run into that way, I don't see the need for that one (or the additional benefit..Vibram is close enough for me...) – Eric Apr 24 2012 at 23:59
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I'm not looking for a benefit really, just want to try it mainly for the experience. And only on grass - not thinking i'd like to do concrete. I have a feeling paleowoman didn't run on concrete. :) – DanielleO812 Apr 25 2012 at 0:38
Don't be afraid of no-poo. I use organic conditioner only and my hair has never been better. – Kelly Apr 26 2012 at 20:43
Depending on how long your hair is, buns, ponytails, or headbands are your friends during the transition. It doesn't look as bad as you imagine it will, especially if you keep using conditioner. – Kelly Apr 26 2012 at 20:53
Thanks for the advice, Kelly. How long was the transition time for you? – DanielleO812 Apr 26 2012 at 21:02

14 Answers

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  1. Cowboy up and buy a half a grass fed cow.
  2. Learn how to make a basket by hand.
  3. Bark tan a deer hide.
  4. Make a brain tanned hoodie.
  5. Give less and less of a shit about what "everybody" thinks.
  6. Learn to play the Native courting flute really well.
  7. Dance more in my kitchen when I'm making dinner.
  8. Get a big dog and take even LONGER hikes into the remote mountains.
  9. Just pretty much love life.
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+1 for the grassfed cow... and dancing in the kitchen. – DanielleO812 Apr 25 2012 at 0:39
Question... what is a brain tanned hoodie? – DanielleO812 Apr 25 2012 at 0:40
braintan.com + hoodie pattern Brain tan hoodie! – Cacktus Wayfinder Apr 25 2012 at 4:44
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Your #9 is my #1 - other than that, awesome list. We just bought a chest freezer, half cow inc! – raney Apr 25 2012 at 4:53
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+1 for #8. Hiking in the woods with a dog is a meditative activity for me. – JeezLoise Apr 25 2012 at 13:28
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Start practicing minimalism

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I have "fallen away" a bit over the past few months on the eating part of it, so I would like to get some of that back to where it needs to be. I also want to up my amount of primal movement. In no particular order, I have contemplated:

  • Standing desks (had one, but moved to a different working location and no longer have it-really would like some way to stand most of the day, but sit some without a cumbersome move your desk process)
  • Eating more quality fats. Started eating chocolate coconut oil daily towards this end.
  • More walking and movnat style workouts, plus some lifting. If I'm going to continue getting in shape, I think I need some muscle building activities.
  • Fermented foods/drinks. Mostly want to make kombucha (even though I've never had it), but would like some others too.
  • Get away from electronics/light emitting devices at night. Don't know if I'll ever actually do that, as I'm on the computer now as it's getting dark out. What would I do at night if not play on the computer and watch tv?! :)

Great question. Can't wait to see other responses!

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Great idea about the electronics at night! That one's tough, but I will agree a good goal. I just purchased my stuff to start making Kombucha today... baby steps, right? – DanielleO812 Apr 24 2012 at 23:53
It's really difficult because a) I am addicted to my gadgets and b) I am working on my doctorate and often have course work to do at night. Procrastination from that is why I am on paleohacks right now. End of semester always means more paleohacks time. – Eric Apr 25 2012 at 0:01
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Definitely more fermented foods. I just dipped in to my first batch of kombucha the other night; it came out great.

Less dairy is also a must for me. I still eat Greek yogurt and toss a little soft mozzarella into my omelets now and then, but I find that I don't enjoy it like I used to, and I think it's about time that I gave it up completely. Cheese just makes me feel bloated anyway.

I also plan to do more lifting and sprinting.

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Just curious... how did you flavor your Kombucha? – DanielleO812 Apr 25 2012 at 19:48
When I started the secondary fermentation, I used two self-sealing bottles from a local microbrewery. To one bottle, I added some chopped strawberries, to the other I minced some fresh ginger. I let both flavors ferment and generate their own effervescence for two weeks, and the results were quite pleasing. – Steven Apr 28 2012 at 5:51
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My next step is my own farm. We are in Spain at the moment but the plan is to move to Australia and buy a small farm where where I plan on keeping a few animals and growing a few things to eat.
Between now and then, I can't see any major changes happening. I'm already old school stone age diet but have to make do with whatever meat is available (You just don't know how jealous I am of you people that have such easy access to cheap, grass fed meat).

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+ 1 for moving to Australia – killer Nibs Apr 27 2012 at 6:11
Thanks for that, Nibs. Are you living in Australia? – Warren D Apr 27 2012 at 11:29
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I am still pushing towards being a more "natural" and "outdoor" girl. I've been in a bad habit of watching movies, playing on the computer, or reading books when I should be out in the sunshine getting some of that natural vitamin D and enjoying the outdoors with my little squirrels (that's my daughters... little girls... get it?)!

Anyway, I've planned a super awesome vacation for my husband and I to the Rockies of Colorado and am getting really pumped about it! That is a big leap for me. I would rather do a city vacation with museums and stuff like that, but I think the outdoor bonding will also be good for our relationship (and good for me!).

I bought a pair of barefoot shoes from Merrel, which I really enjoy so far. I want to wear those more often than I do. I'm kind of lazy about putting them on...

I've started making my own shampoo and some other health and beauty aids I used to buy at the store, in the hopes of elliminating a lot of the harmful chemicals we get from store bought crap. I made the squirrels some homemade toothpaste, which didn't go over too well, but I'm learning...

I'm closer to that pull up every day! I put a towel around the stall bar in my bathroom at work and every time I go in there, I give it a try.

I would like to get more motivated to cook again. I've had some really bad experiences with some of the Paleo recipes I've tried and it has turned me off because A: It tastes gross and is a waste, and B: I am too cheap to throw anything away, so I end up gagging it down.

Those are all the steps I have taken or are in the middle of taking and want to take soon... Whew! Just thinking about all the work I've done and have to do makes me want to take a nap :)

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Stephanie, for the pullups you can also try to do a slow negative pullup. Start at the top position (jump into position or use a stool or whatever) and lower yourself down. Another thing you can do, that worked for an ex-gf. Grasp the pullup bar, while keeping your feet on the floor and pull on the bar until your back and arms start to shake a little. Do not try to pull yourself up. Now keep that shaking going on for another 60 seconds or so. This will gradually build strength. You can then test yourself at pullups once per week. – Warren D Apr 27 2012 at 11:37
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In no particular order:

  • Eat at home more
  • Make my own kombucha
  • Drink home made broth daily
  • Sleep at least 8 hours per night
  • Sprint once each week
  • Go on a long walk once each week
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I already do two strength training sessions every week :) – Banded Girl Apr 25 2012 at 20:23
+1 for the bone broth. I need to make this a goal, too! – DanielleO812 Apr 25 2012 at 20:41
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I've already made the transition to no-shampoo and it's been great. No soap for my beard either. I no longer scratch my face in my sleep until it bleeds. About twice a week I do rinse my scalp and face with diluted apple cider vinegar which keeps everything clean without stripping out the natural oils in my face and scalp.

What I'm going to do this year:

1.Make my own charcuterie - my wife bought the Ruhlman/Polcyn book, and I was reading it with some fervor.

2.Plan a one-week paleo hike a small portion of the AT.

3.Finally, we are looking for a new home this year from an apartment to hopefully something with enough land that I can raise chickens and grow a garden.

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@Joshua, did you find that there was a period of adjustment while your hair got used to not being shampooed? I have longer hair and am really hoping I don't have a period of time where I look unkept, since I work in a professional office setting. – DanielleO812 Apr 26 2012 at 15:12
Danielle, I have quite short hair, also work in an office, and I noticed for the first 3 weeks or so my hair was oily, but because it was short it just appeared like I had product in it. After my sebaceous glands caught up, my hair looks clean and shiny. Maybe go with the ponytail look for a few weeks until it clears up? Also the vinegar does seem to make hair (especially long hair) very shiny and healthy looking... so if you just take care of it by brushing you would be fine, I think. – Joshua Apr 26 2012 at 15:28
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Learn how to tell people about my diet and lifestyle choices when it matters (didn't tell friends tonight and ate things I shouldn't have out of politeness - am paying big time!).

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For me, quitting smoking and starting to exercise.

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I just quit smoking on December 30th after 9 years. You can do it! It's incredible how much better you will feel. Good luck! – DanielleO812 Apr 25 2012 at 12:23
Thanks! I've got 25 years into the habit... I think that's long enough. – Blitherakt Apr 25 2012 at 16:08
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  1. Sleeping in total darkness. I have a mask on order, am using a scarf while I wait for it to arrive, which looks stupid but hey! I'm asleep.
  2. Getting really disciplined about averaging eight hours of sleep per night. I've built up to an average of seven. I get up at the same time EVERY day but some days better than others about going to bed.
  3. Making my own kefir. I have kefir grains on order (looks at watch).
  4. Making my kefir from raw milk. It's a trek to get it.
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What kind of mask did you order? – DanielleO812 Apr 25 2012 at 19:49
The Sleepmaster: amazon.com/… – tdgor Apr 25 2012 at 20:35
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  1. I just recently started eating organ meats, so continuing that exploration!
  2. Minimize my alcohol intake - I am a daily wine drinker.
  3. Exercise! I have been doing the "food only" part of paleo. I have lost a lot of weight with diet changes only... Now it's time to build muscle.
  4. Bone broth - been meaning to try this, and my friend knows how to make it.
  5. No more brushing my teeth or my hair.
  6. Sleeping in a bed of mud, moss, or pine needles (rotating seasonally, of course).
  7. Once I'm in better shape, I should be able to kill a raccoon with my bare hands.
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Good question and answers.

  1. More offal and organ meats
  2. Start engaging in more active recreation. (Just bought a new bike and a kayak rack with my tax return, so no excuses)
  3. Better sleep - go to bed earlier even if I think I'm not tired
  4. Do better with the eating of vegetables now that it's getting into growing season
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