Primal Journal - Siobhan page 47

[Siobhan]

No pics!

This is kind of a sad story, but it is one that I can't get over. Some years ago a co-worker of mine was tragically killed. She left a husband and two teenage sons. None of them knew how to do laundry or change the sheets on a bed. They couldn't FREAKING CHANGE THE SHEETS!!!!!!!!

I have a co-worker right now (male) who claims he can't use laundry machines - doesn't know how because "the women in my life have always taken care of me." This is a man who is responsible for putting people on life support machines. Note: he is currently single, and his last girlfriend threw him out repeatedly, towards the end changing the locks and calling the police.

Well, I have accomplished something today after all. Took a check over to my new landlord, got my former landlady to vouch for me (and had a nice talk with her), packed two boxes (!), paid my bills. Back is really sore!

[Siobhan]

You know, classic French cooking is totally primal. I just found an old cookbook that was first published in 1930. (I have an English translation.) Example: instructions on how to thicken sauces with egg instead of flour. Totally primal. About 10 ways to cook eggs involving cream, butter, mushrooms, ham, bacon, and shrimp. Also some alternative meats like frog's legs, pig's feet, pig's ears, and rabbit. Pork chops and applesauce - the only ingredients being chops, apples, salt, pepper, and pork fat. Oh, you can throw in some butter if you want, and maybe mustard. Sausages, kidneys. The word "canola" does not appear anywhere. Nor does "low-fat." Primal, primal, primal.

[Siobhan]

These are just some notes I jotted down a while ago -

When I started reading MDA it was so in line with my own experiences with food and addressed all the issues I had with CW. Like...

- Fiber is filling. If fiber is so filling, why can I eat four bowls of hi-fiber boxed stuff and still be hungry? Bloated and gross, yes. Satisfied, no.

- Supposedly healthy high-carb meals, whole grains, etc. provide energy and are satiating - so why do I fall asleep after a "healthy" lunch? And why am I hungry an hour later?

- The total absence of all that Puritanical BS about being fat and unhealthy because I am weak, spineless and lacking in willpower. Or that I eat too fast, or off the wrong size plate. Actually, I'm fat and unhealthy because eating became totally politicized and I've been told (and fed) a load of crap almost my whole life.

Being something of a scientist myself, I find this theory fascinating and love reading about it. I mowed through Taubes's and Cordain's books like a hot knife through butter.

On this note, I feel like having a treat. I think maybe an almond butter/coconut oil/honey thing. Haven't had that in a while.

[Judg]

For me it was "why am I told that iron supplements should not be taken with whole grains and dairy because they inhibit mineral absorption, at the same time I have been told all my adult life that whole grains, dairy, and legumes is the healthiest way to eat?" That threw me for a total loop.

[Siobhan]

Yeah! And since you read my journal, you know I enjoy wildlife, birds, etc., and I am always, always told at lectures and presentations, "DO NOT FEED BREAD! PLEASE! It is not nutritious and can cause starvation as the animals need nutritious foods instead of empty calories." So, um, why are people eating it? Don't I need nutritious food instead of empty calories?

Woke up in a fair amount of back pain after doing some light packing. This was rather ominous as I will be moving this month. Off to the chiropractor and today I will take it somewhat easy although it is hard to do so at a time like this, and except for the pain, I am full of energy and very eager to get started.

[Siobhan]

One thing I notice in looking at other journals and communicating with others is that many people eat the same thing a lot. They have the same breakfast every day, the same lunch, and then a few dinners, so they always know exactly what they are eating. I don't think I can do that. I can't even make a smoothie the same way twice. I suppose it would help to be more organized. I should come up with a plan, like beef two nights a week, chicken two nights a week, fish two nights, wild card one night. But I know I won't. I just buy whatever looks good and is on sale. That reminds me, I have some bananas to freeze.

Felt a little weird and shaky and realized I hadn't eaten for a rather long time. Also the chiropractor visit seems to take a lot out of me for some reason. (It's not rigorous, I mostly just lay there.) I had a piece of chicken, some squash, and half an avocado, fixed me right up!

Showered and just rinsed hair. It feels okay. Maybe I can do this every-other-day shampoo thing.

[Siobhan]

Been a whirlwind of activity! Yesterday I went over to my new home to talk over some details with my landlord. He is such a good person and a real inspiration to me. He views projects and tasks, not as chores or obstacles, but as welcome challenges. He is energized when faced with a problem to be solved, and he is extremely intelligent. (He is a retired surgeon AND software engineer!)

We called Sears to purchase the laundry machines - let me tell you, I find it hard to believe that Sears is still in business. I was connected to the call center, stated my intention to purchase machines, gave the model numbers - but "the system was down." After several failed attempts, she transferred me - I thought she would stay on the line and explain, but I had to start over with a new person. Although they have inventory in the computer, it is totally inaccurate and they have to go to the stockroom to check. If one makes any changes in one's order, such as deciding to pick up the machines instead of having them delivered, or use a Sears card instead of a Visa, the entire process has to be started over. After almost an hour on the phone, and discovering they couldn't actually verify if they had the machines I wanted in stock, and telling me they couldn't be delivered for two weeks, my landlord said, "Let's just go to the store in my truck and pick them up." The store is 45 minutes away. So off we went. At the store, again quite a hassle, and they did not have complete sets in stock, and there was much checking of the stockroom. Finally I pointed to two rather more expensive machines and said, "How about if I take those at the price of the ones I picked out but you don't have?" The manager readily agreed to this. The deal was done and somehow an additional discount made its way onto my tally sheet. (Makes me wonder about their pricing.) The machines were loaded in the truck and back home we went. My landlord is actually excited about moving them upstairs through a trapdoor with a block and tackle! He seems to view it all with great enjoyment. Very different from my current landlord! He has the plumbing all set, and the electrician is coming today to put in the high voltage dryer circuit. Again, he seems excited about the project, enjoying the process. The deal is that he is paying for the hookups - basically the improvements to the property, and I purchased the machines. I plan to stay there for some time and I am so happy to have my own new laundry machines that no one else's knickers have been washed in.

Still, I can't get over Sears - they made it hard for me give them money! How can you operate a business that way?

Didn't eat that much yesterday but did enjoy rather too much red wine - 250 ml., about a third of the bottle. An old friend called because today is my birthday and we talked for three hours. That was the best birthday present I could have. Anyway, I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine while chatting. Still, my macros were good. Woke up hungry and had a hamburger patty and an artichoke with plenty of butter. Cleaned out a closet and loaded up the car with things to take to the thrift shop. Must see if they want some of my furniture.

[Judg]

I can't eat the same thing day after day either. Breakfast, perhaps, because I don't like thinking in the morning. But seeing as I prefer to skip breakfast when it's doable...

At our age, daily shampoos are definitely not necessary. Except in very hot, sticky weather, I go two or sometimes even three days.

Hope your back is better today.

[RestlessLegs]

Happy Birthday, Siobhan!

I'm relatively new out here on this forum and have not started my own journal yet. But I have been reading a few journal posts, and yours caught my eye early on. I have only visited Maine two times - I'm a northern California girl - but I absolutely loved my visits there and I hope to go back again. So, I really enjoy reading your journal and how you describe your life there. And how exciting about your move into your new place! Congrats on that.

Reading that it was your birthday made me finally come out of the shadows of lurking and wish you a happy birthday. I'm a June baby, too! I'll be 49 in two weeks.

Have a wonderful day!

[Siobhan]

Thanks Cheryl, and happy birthday to you a bit early! I am glad you like my journal. I am really glad I started, it has been a very worthwhile experience and very helpful for the transition to the primal lifestyle.

An old friend called me last night and we talked a lot about PB - a son of a friend of his is studying to become a biologist and wants to spread the paleo/primal word. This young man flunked out of college a couple of years ago, too much partying, and then he discovered paleo and now is a very focused student and passionate about encouraging people to make dietary changes. My friend didn't know much about it, but is very interested because of the change he has seen in this young man, so I steered him in the (hopefully) right direction. Told him to start with "Fathead" and here, of course.

I just heard that Ray Bradbury died. This makes me very sad. I attended a lecture by him seven years ago - what a mind that man had! He will truly be missed.