The previous Great NEWS post discussed the Coconut Craze and this week we talk about the Paleo Craze and going primal in your exercise, fitness and nutrition programs. For many years there have been significant articles, buzz and comments about how the modern diet filled with refined carbohydrates, fast foods and sugars is causing a disease and obesity epidemic. After learning that saturated fats are healthy it is now a great time to move forward to discuss additional choices and forms of saturated fats. The Paleo Craze describes both the newest and oldest trends of how humans may have evolved for eating and living healthy, resilient and strong.
Coconuts are a healthy primal food and saturated fat.
There is significant evidence to show that enjoying a Paleo lifestyle may be a great choice to enjoy enhanced beauty, energy, fitness and well being. This depends on applying the key distinctions and proven principles. Like any lifestyle recommendations if you are not careful and committed to the highest standards it can backfire and cause you even more problems. The Paleo diet is not about adopting an Atkins Diet or a mega meat eater mentality. It is about eating organic, primal, and sustainable foods.
Anchovies, herring, mackerel and wild salmon are good sources of healthy fats and protein.
The term Paleo comes from the Paleolithic age when humans were referred to as hunter gatherers. Humans at that time consumed mostly nutrient dense organic whole foods abundantly available in nature. These are often referred to as “wild foods” in that they are provided by nature in their wild state. Their diet consisted of local foods that could be gathered in season, foods that could be easily stored and foods that could be hunted. This was before the period of larger settlements based on more modern agriculture practices revolving around domesticated animals, growing grains and mono cultured hybrid crops.
No matter what part of the world people lived they were limited to what they could catch, gather, hunt, preserve and trap in their territory. Foods included algae, animals, berries, birds, eggs, fish, fruits, herbs, green leafy plants, insects, leaves, meat, mushrooms, nuts, reptiles, roots, seeds, shellfish, spices, sea weeds and vegetables. Additional products later included animal dairy such as butter, cheese, ghee, kefir, lassi and yogurt.
Eating fresh berries, fruits, greens and veggies in a rainbow of colors is primal and healthy
Eating Whole Foods and Wild Foods
Because the brain and spinal cord are approximately 60% saturated fat your body craves and needs fat to function, survive and think. The modern world of low fat and no fat diets is totally in conflict and in-congruent with how our bodies are programmed. In the wild there are many great sources of foods rich in saturated fats to feed the brain which is essential for survival especially during periods of cold, hunger and stress. Fat is a survival food and our bodies are programmed to consume, process and store fat as a survival mechanism. Therefore it is essential to understand this primal coding and feed your body the proper foods to insure your healthy survival and prevent human sickness.
Contrary to what many are being told by the diet industry, medical field and mega food conglomerates when you understand the human body and its nutritional needs the Paleo craze can work wonders for your beauty, health and vitality. Like any program or recommendation it is essential to understand the key details, descriptions and distinctions for peak performance and super success.
As with many things in life it appears the story of the hunter gatherer society is coming to light again and the reawakened awareness of the numerous benefits of a Paleo lifestyle has become a major health craze with far reaching implications. When you listen to your own intuition and use your common sense you will see how this program makes natural sense and is sustainable for the long term.
As people look for ways to be eating healthy, enjoying active lives and exercising the Paleo Craze is definitely worth learning for long term fitness, lifestyle and wellness. By avoiding the excess carbohydrates, fast foods and processed foods you eliminate the junk foods most likely to cause health issues, obesity and weight gain.
Because the Paleo diet includes nutrient dense organic whole foods like algae, berries, dairy (raw), eggs, fish, fruits, greens, herbs, insects, grass fed meats, mushrooms, nuts, roots, saturated fats, seeds, sea weeds, shellfish and whey it is filling, nutritious and satisfying. Most of these foods should be consumed raw or as minimally heated as needed. This is important to keep you feeling good, fueled and full so you are not constantly hungry and snacking on junk foods. Excess heat breaks down the enzymes, minerals, nutrients and vitamins in foods while also making it less energetic for the body.
Avoiding fast foods like burgers, fries and sodas is important for your health.
Avoiding Processed Foods
Avoid all foods created, invented or patented since 1900.
Never use a microwave to heat food or water.
White bread, flour, pancakes, pasta, pizza, potatoes, rice, sugar,
Cereals, grains and oat meal (Avoid quick oatmeal. Steel cut oats should be soaked in water 12 to 24 hours).
Corn bread, chips, flakes, tacos, High Fructose Corn Syrup, (Heirloom native corn or maize is acceptable in many parts of the world. Avoid any potential GMO corn)
Canola, Corn, Cottonseed, Soy oil (GMO oils),
Peanut, sunflower, vegetable oils that are processed, refined, heated,
Fried oils, hydrogenated oils and margarine,
Soy beans, soy formula, soy milk, soy protein powder, soy textured vegetable protein, (organic edamame and properly fermented miso, natto and tempeh are OK).
Also avoid all Confined Animal Feedlot Operations (CAFO) which use antibiotics, GMO grain feeds, hormones and unhealthy concentrations of animals. Also avoid farm raised fish which are fed un-natural foods.
Acceptable Preparation Food Tips to Consider
Proper food combining for vegetarians is important to receive all the needed amino acids (proteins) needed on a daily basis.
All dry beans and legumes must be soaked for 12 to 24 hours and drained prior to cooking. Fresh whole beans can be eaten raw or slightly sautéed or steamed.
All dry whole grains and rice must be soaked for 12 hours and drained prior to cooking. Avoid modern hybrid wheat and consider whole grain Kamut, Rye or Wild rice. Black and brown rice with the rice bran is ok. Amaranth, chia and quinoa are ancient grains/ seeds with minimal hybridization.
All raw nuts should be soaked for several hours and drained before eating. Avoid roasted and salted nuts and seeds.
Broths, soups and stews are great for nourishing and warm meals. Be sure to include lots of greens, vegetables and whole food ingredients. Avoid over cooking.
Cultured raw foods such as sauerkraut, kim chee, pickled beets, cucumbers, fish, mustard and fish sauce
Wild foods like aloe vera, cactus, dandelions, mushrooms, roots and wild fish (anchovies, herring, mackerel and sardines).
When you are eating a wide variety of organic nutrient dense whole foods and wild foods on a consistent basis you will soon discover how easily your emotional, mental and physical health improves to transform your health. Now is a great time to discover and begin implementing a Paleo lifestyle for improving your eating habits, fitness and well being as you experience great results quickly.
Chia seeds are a great energy and endurance food.
The Great NEWS regularly discusses the mantra of “You are what you eat” and therefore it is essential to eat a wide variety of nutrient dense organic whole foods for great endurance, energy, immune function and wellness. Avoid modern man made fake foods, fast foods and junk foods This means avoiding anything with modern day Genetically Engineered (GE) canola, corn, cottonseed and soy which is harmful and un-natural because it results from man made biotechnology experiments and laboratory engineering instead of our creator and Mother Nature. The Paleo diet will help you prevent exposure to experimental biotechnology foods because it avoids all genetically engineered foods that are dangerous to your health.
This Great NEWS post was dedicated to educating you on healthy foods and The Paleo Craze and why it is healthy even though it contains animal products and saturated fats. Many people are confused due to misleading advertising, diets and self serving food conglomerates that make money from your eating, health and over weight issues. The Paleo Craze and lifestyle can enhance your energy, fitness, health, immune system and stamina. Go Paleo and enjoy primal living.
What is your current Gap?
What fake foods, fast foods and junk foods are you still eating you know you should trash? Write them down and decide to eliminate them and replace them with healthy Paleo foods instead.
Mastery Action Plan (MAP)
Create a four week menu of Paleo foods. Trash the processed foods and replace them with Paleo foods. Reread the article on Saturated Fats to identify which ones will work for your global location and mindset regarding health. Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon promotes the Weston A. Price Foundation principles.
Call to Action
What comments, commitments or questions do you have regarding the Paleo Craze and lifestyle?
Next week the Great NEWS blog will share: The Paleo Craze (Part 2)
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