Obligatory forum Introduce yourself thread page 422

[Misti]

Hey, all! My name is Misti, and I am a writer, a mother, and a grandmother. My children range from 32 years to 9, and my grandchildren from 10 to just turned 1. (Unless you count the little guy who is scheduled to make an appearance in a few weeks.)

Location: Live in Michigan

Age (If you want): mid-50s.

How Primal are you: I have been grain free for 4 years. I learn a lot from primal and paleo blogs, but I'm not sure I can claim the title "Primal". Not yet, at least.

Do you consume dairy: occasionally. I eat raw cheeses from time to time and I love raw milk in my coffee, though I usually save that for special occasions.

Do you drink coffee or tea: yes - a cup of coffee in the morning with coconut milk, cinnamon, and a little powdered (unsweetened) chocolate. Iced tea when I want to "be social" at a restaurant. I can never find anything that's safe to eat, but brewed iced tea seems OK.

Motivator for switching to Primal: My husband was diagnosed with celiac four years ago, and a few months later, out youngest son was as well. In doing some research about celiac, we discovered the specific carbohydrate diet and went grain free as a family. Over the next few months, through cheat, er "experimenting", I discovered that I am very sensitive to all grains. Even the corn based waxes on commercial vegetables or the grains that commercial animals eat can make me sick. In searching for recipes, I came across paleo and primal blogs and became intrigued. I have evidently been sensitive to grains all my life. For me, the sensitivity largely presents as muscle and joint pain -- even as a child, I exercised very little because moving was so painful. (Well, and due to undiagnosed hypo-thyroid, I had no energy anyway. But the pain didn't go away until I stopped eating grains.) Needless to say, I am far, far from fit. However as I have started to feel so much better, I have also felt the urge to MOVE. So far, that has been qi gong longevity exercises and walks severl times per week. (I was excited this morning to realize that I had pushed my walk up to two miles yesterday and I woke up feeling energized instead of having leg cramps! Hurrah!

Favorite exercise: so far, walking. I have a fantasy to be fit enough to walk across southern Sweden with my grandchildren when I retire!

Favorite Primal food: all of them! Oh..one? I am shocked to say that my firtst reactin was "salad greens". I used to hate them, but not anymore. Now I crave them!

Best part about being Primal: Energy and lack of pain! Hands down!

Worst part about being Primal: That social thing. Since for me, having even of traces of grains is very painful, I pretty much don't dare eat anything bought and prepared outside the family. I used to be one to try anything -- anything at all -- but now... *sigh*

I look forward to getting to know everyone better.

[Jeffybear]

Hey everyone, Jeff here from America's Buckeye state. I'm 47 years old and just getting started in this Primal thing...Go Groc....although I have been somewhat successful with the Southbeach diet a while back.

Do you consume dairy: Some...creamer for coffee and some cottage cheese

Do you drink coffee or tea: coffee, one cup a day when at work

Motivator for switching to Primal: I need to drop about 50lbs and would love to see my abs.....I know they are in there somewhere

Favorite exercise: I like to ride my bike, have recently been doing 10.4 miles in about 40 minutes at least 3 times per week. I was jogging but jogging with an extra 50lbs was killing my knees

Favorite Primal food: Steak

Best part about being Primal: I don't feel hungry most of the time

Worst part about being Primal: No mashed potatoes or potato chips

[DrJosh]

Around 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis. For aaaaaages my gastroenterologist told me it had nothing to do with diet and kept trying new drugs. He wanted me on immune-suppressing drugs (which apparently help), but I flat out refused. My immune system’s weak enough! In the last couple years my mum and I have been reading a lot about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which has cured thousands of people like me, and I’m giving it a shot. Basically, removing grains and sugars – sound familiar? I have to start off very strict with few foods, then add something new every couple of days to see how I react, but so far I’ve had massive improvement! I’m convinced that diet is by far the main factor in my condition. I started reading MDA a few months ago, and it’s given me an abundant list of references for when people tell me I need to eat grains. The twice-a-week fitness regime works wonders too.

The Dr part of my username is cos I’ve almost finished a PhD in Medical Science. I love the fact that every post Mark puts up has references throughout, especially links to peer-reviewed literature.

Your location: South Australia

Age (If you want): 28

How Primal are you: Restrictively – I’m actually on a similar diet for health reasons, but I’m living the primal lifestyle.

Do you consume dairy: Lactose-free milk in my tea, homemade yoghurt and cream.

Do you drink coffee or tea: Tea. Probably too much. :P

Motivator for switching to Primal: Health, see above.

Favorite exercise: Play. I live on a 62 acre property, so I just run around and climb trees!

Favorite Primal food: Who can overlook the all-in-one package of eggs? I love a good steak, but haven’t managed to eat one properly for a while. Something about low stomach acid? Working up to it.

Best part about being Primal: I’ve put on weight for the first time in a decade. At 6ft tall, I’ve only recently gotten above 60kg (130lb?).

Worst part about being Primal: Well-meaning friends who think I NEED grains to live.

[Pachamama]

Hello, i am very, very happy to join this amazing community
Location: I live in Marzano,countryside, close to Genova, Italy

Age (If you want): 34 years

How Primal are you: I am turning completely primal since 10 days

Do you consume dairy: i eat them quiet often, it's a kind of experiment because when i was grain addicted, eating dairy and grains together, gave me so many health problems, now dairy without grains is working fine but i know i can't overdo with them!

Do you drink coffee or tea: yes, especially in a break moment in the afternoon, i'd really love a cup of coffee with dark chocolate 85% without sugar, it's a pure pleasure

Motivator for switching to Primal: I had eating disorders and suffered of emotional eating almost my all life..but after the emotional issue was resolved, i was always in trouble, always hungry and unhealthy..so little by little, i arrived here..i tried before a Zone nutrition style but after a while i understood that isn't for me..too many grains and too many calculations for my taste!Reading and reading here i am, and i think this is my destination, because it's exactly what i was looking for : i wondered so much of how ours ancestors were eating, i was thinking that how they tell us to eat ( the carbo pyramide is mad!!) it doesn't make any sense.Especially since i went to live in the countryside, i changed my lifestyle: more and more movement, good food close to home..but still i was missing something..so what happened? grok called me in my subconscious and i said "Yes, i am ready"

Favorite exercise: First, i really love to walk, especially in the bush, and almost every morning i have my 5 minutes kettlebell swings, once in a week another kb wo, swings and squats..sometimes i don't miss to run very fast with my son, is 3 years old and he really loves to do it with me..such a fun

Favorite Primal food: Eggs, meat, fish, veggies..eggs first!but really love nuts too, i'm trying several kind ( brasilian, macadamia etc)
Best part about being Primal: I am not always hungry anymore,no more stomachache and i am full of energy.Primal recipes are sooo yummi, more then what i was hoping

Worst part about being Primal: I am italian, everywhere is a big bla bla issue about the absolute sanity of mediterranean pyramide,but is also true that many people, more and more everyday, have problems with 60% dayly intake of processed grains food ( weight gain, intolerance, fatigue etc..)so not everybody looks at me like i turned mad and sincerely i don't even mind too much
I hope my very terrible english is understandable

[Pachamama]

Hello, i am very, very happy to join this amazing community
Location: I live in Marzano,countryside, close to Genova, Italy

Age (If you want): 34 years

How Primal are you: I am turning completely primal since 10 days

Do you consume dairy: i eat them quiet often, it's a kind of experiment because when i was grain addicted, eating dairy and grains together, gave me so many health problems, now dairy without grains is working fine but i know i can't overdo with them!

Do you drink coffee or tea: yes, especially in a break moment in the afternoon, i'd really love a cup of coffee with dark chocolate 85% without sugar, it's a pure pleasure

Motivator for switching to Primal: I had eating disorders and suffered of emotional eating almost my all life..but after the emotional issue was resolved, i was always in trouble, always hungry and unhealthy..so little by little, i arrived here..i tried before a Zone nutrition style but after a while i understood that isn't for me..too many grains and too many calculations for my taste!Reading and reading here i am, and i think this is my destination, because it's exactly what i was looking for : i wondered so much of how ours ancestors were eating, i was thinking that how they tell us to eat ( the carbo pyramide is mad!!) it doesn't make any sense.Especially since i went to live in the countryside, i changed my lifestyle: more and more movement, good food close to home..but still i was missing something..so what happened? grok called me in my subconscious and i said "Yes, i am ready"

Favorite exercise: First, i really love to walk, especially in the bush, and almost every morning i have my 5 minutes kettlebell swings, once in a week another kb wo, swings and squats..sometimes i don't miss to run very fast with my son, is 3 years old and he really loves to do it with me..such a fun

Favorite Primal food: Eggs, meat, fish, veggies..eggs first!but really love nuts too, i'm trying several kind ( brasilian, macadamia etc)
Best part about being Primal: I am not always hungry anymore,no more stomachache and i am full of energy.Primal recipes are sooo yummi, more then what i was hoping

Worst part about being Primal: I am italian, everywhere is a big bla bla issue about the absolute sanity of mediterranean pyramide,but is also true that many people, more and more everyday, have problems with 60% dayly intake of processed grains food ( weight gain, intolerance, fatigue etc..)so not everybody looks at me like i turned mad and sincerely i don't even mind too much
I hope my very terrible english is understandable

[denisecripps]

I'm obviously missing something, but I'm new here, and I can't figure out how to start a new thread and post a new question, so I'll just reply to this one and hope someone comes to my rescue and explains how to post

Here's the question I wanted to ask:
I'm wondering whether Life's Basics Plant Protein Powder (Vanilla Unsweetened) would be considered Paleo/Primal since the protein is all derived from rice, hemp, chia and pea. I'm allergic to eggs, casein and whey so I can't drink typical protein shakes. One serving has just 5 grams of carbs and is great in every other way (does not contain yeast, corn, soy, gluten, wheat, milk, egg, whey or any artificial ingredients or preservatives), but is it Paleo??

If not, can anyone recommend a clean, dairy- and egg-free protein powder?

[thwilson]

Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA

Age: 33

How Primal are you: 50% on exercise, 90% on food

Do you consume dairy: Yes, daily Greek Yogurt and heavy cream. Tillamook Cheddar weekly, fancier cheeses occasionally.

Do you drink coffee or tea: Daily coffee, with heavy cream.

Motivator for switching to Primal: In a moment of inspiration I decided to listen to my body more closely. This started me down the path of primal. I stumbled on MDA, saw it was a great fit, and find the guidelines are a helpful reminder.

Favorite exercise: Toddler-swings with my 32lb son.

Favorite Primal food: Eggs, Asparagus, Coconut Oil, Butter, Zucchini

Best part about being Primal: Food tastes better, simplified diet is mind-clearing.

Worst part about being Primal: It’s all good

[lifebeyondwalls]

Your location: Alexandria, VA

Age: 26

How Primal are you: Just getting started, coming up on one week without grains.

Do you consume dairy: Almost daily; only raw or fermented dairy from pastured, organic cattle.

Do you drink coffee or tea: Occasionally, one to two cups of black and/or green tea.

Motivator for switching to Primal: I've been interested in 'food science' for some time. First read The Omnivore's Dilemma approx. 2 years ago. Came across the idea of eating 'paleo' on Reddit which lead to Googling and Mark's Daily Apple. Decided I'd put off eating better for too long and wanted to do something about it.

Favorite exercise: Hiking/Backpacking

Favorite Primal food: Beef (100% grass-fed and organic, of course).

Best part about being Primal: Being able to eat delicious food that's high quality.

Worst part about being Primal: Having to give up trips to the local pizza joint and my homemade mac n' cheese.

[Jeri]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jeri

I live in Clayton NC

I am not sure how primal I am but I think I am at least 75% and working my way up to a higher percentage

I do eat some dairy, mostly cheese but not a lot of it

I do not drink coffee or tea, I have never liked either one

I have not started doing any exercises yet I plan on seeing where I need to begin, using the primal fitness guide that I was able to download, this weekend

I love a good steak with some grilled asparagus ro a nice piece of salmon

The best part of being primal is that my husband is doing it with me and that makes it easier

The worst part is I still want diet coke but I have not had one, not even a sip, for 4 weeks.

My motivation for doing this is that my family is riddled with diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure and I do not want to have to deal with those health hazzards, especially the diabetes. My husband decided to join me because 3 days before I began this journey his doctor put him on meds for high cholesterol and told him that his blood sugars were raising and he needed to loose 40 or more pounds. He watched his mother suffer with diabetes and all the complications that go along with it when you refuse to change your diet. She passed away 6 years ago in her early 60's, much to young. He has already lost 20 pounds and is feeling much better and has a tremendous amount of energy. He is loving it. I follow up with my doctor this Tuesday, but I already know my labs are good, they are actually better than they were last year, and as an added bonus I have lost 9 pounds. I also have more energy and feel better, and I also am loving it. My daughter is thinking about going Primal as well. Then I just have my two boys to work on. One lives at home so he eats primally when he eats with us and he does not complain to much.

[NextSteps]

Newly registered on the forum from just north of NYC. Here's my intro:

Age: 51

How Primal are you: 70% +/-

Do you consume dairy: yes, home-made kefir, butter, a little heavy cream

Do you drink coffee or tea: both, trying to substitute green/oolong tea for coffee most of the time

Motivator for switching to Primal: concerns about fasting blood sugar, weight, waist size creeping up

Favorite exercise: swimming, walking, gardening

Favorite Primal food: veggies

Best part about being Primal: more constant energy level

Worst part about being Primal: I miss being able to eat "everything in moderation"

Maybe its the big "M" but I was putting on weight much easier than in the past plus my annual physical showed big increase in cholesterol & triglycerides (albeit from an insanely healthy level to an enviable but less healthy level) and a fasting blood sugar of 99, which scared me since my husband was diagnosed full Type II Diabetic in June. I'd like to lose a few pounds but I'd be happy to change my body composition to more muscle/less fat. Besides eating low carb, along with my husband, I've been doing body-weight exercises and a 10 min morning ab routine. We've been eating low-carb since mid-June and I've been exercising regularly for a couple of weeks. My pants fit better - yay - but my weight, my fasting blood sugars, and, according to my body composition enabled scale, my body composition are unchanged. Guess that's completely normal. I find that making small changes over time works best so I'll cement the weight bearing routines before adding more walking or whatever. Love this site & the forums - fabulous resource.