Paleo Quick Tip of the Day podcast #2- You are getting Sleepy...

Paleo Quick Tip of the Day #2 -You are Getting Sleepy...

Today is step number 2 in “going paleo”, and it’s a real sleeper...
That’s right- step #1 last week we getting rid of grains, in particular wheat, since that is the most consumed, and most devastatingly altered from its original, biblical and pre-biblical state!  If you have kept off of grains for the past week, Congratulations!

By now you must be feeling some of the benefits, and are just starting to get over the “withdrawal” from this drug-like insidious bad food.  Stick with it- getting rid of the grains in your life is still priority #1- take it day by day, and eventually you won’t even think of eating grains, since you will realize just how they make you feel, and how they make you look and perform, both mentally and physically- you will realize that they are just-not-worth it to consume!!

So, keep it up, but this week your assignment, should you choose to accept it- Mission Impossible-style- is to...SLEEP!

Really- getting 7-9 hours per night of good, quality sleep is more than just restorative, both mentally and physically- it is magical!  The latest information on sleep research is that some areas of the brain are much MORE active during sleep than waking.   It appears that, during sleep, the brain actually cleanses itself of toxins, among other essentials.  Suffice it to say- sleep exists for an essential REASON, otherwise there is not way that mammals in the wild would go into what are essentially short comas, during which they are incredibly vulnerable!  Sleep must not only be important- it is essential and necessary, for animals and for US.

So, for week #2 of your paleolithic transformation, going “Back to the Future”, you should plan to get around 8 solid, satisfying, wonderful hours of sleep each and every night!  Don’t stay up late watching TV- and also download this free little piece of software for your computer- http://justgetflux.com/  The flux app will automatically dim your computer screen at night, and make it brighter in the mornings, thus attuning the light conditions of your machine to your own circadian sleep rhythms- it really helps you get to sleep at night, bottom line!

So, enjoy this week of ample sleep.  You will begin to feel so much better, and be so much more productive, during your waking hours- thanks to this ample sleep.  It really is second only to- banning wheat!

Have a great week, sleep well, and next Wednesday we’ll have another stepping stone in your Paleo Transformation- on Paleo Quick Tip of the Day!

J

Paleo Quick Tip of the Day podcast #1 Grains are enemy #1!

Paleo Quick Tip of the Day #1

Grains are Enemy #1

I know you don’t want to hear that about grains!  Grains, especially “healthy whole grains” have long been touted as the base of our wonderful food pyramid, loaded with minerals, vitamins, and wonderful carbs and protein...

But grains, i.e. wheat is the main one we consume, are also loaded with toxic chemicals  like phytic acid, which actually blocks your bodies ability to absorb these minerals, along with gluten.  Gluten and the lectins that accompany it are actually poisons that attack the microvilli in your small intestine, eventually making your intestine permeable.

This causes you to have a “leaky gut”- isn’t that a lovely condition?  Now, particles can pass right into your bloodstream from your intestine.  This can, and will, cause digestive problems and eventually autoimmune disease.  And the lectins actually stop your intestines from being able to heal the lining that the gluten damages!  Talk about chemical warfare against the human that ate the poor wheat babies- the grain!

The end result of grain consumption?

First, obesity, followed by diabesity, which leads to all of the modern diseases that are the scourge of civilization: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis... the list goes on and on.  Is grain the ONLY cause of all of this carnage?  No, but it is the PRIMARY cause!  Just eliminate grains from your diet, and you are MORE than half way to being healthy, fit, and vital for the long term.

I know, it sounds hard, and it is.  I won’t kid you there.  But it is also very, very much worth it!  The results you and those about you will see from just this one elimination in your life are astounding- fat can rapidly disappear, skin conditions clear up, mental problems like brain fog and depression can go away... the changes can be magical!

And so, it is that important to get rid of grains in your life!  Try it for the next week.  Eat eggs for breakfast, bacon, sausage.  A Big salad topped with meat or seafood for lunch.
Grilled meat and loads of veggies topped with loads of butter for supper.  Nuts and dark chocolate for desserts and snacks.  You need NOT go hungry!

I don’t care what else you do that you think you should change!  If you don’t exercise, fine.  Smoke cigarettes?  Great!  Sleep 4 hours per night?  Good for you.

All I want you to concentrate on this one week is to eliminate grains!  No bread, crackers, pasta, cookies, buns, cake... you get the picture.  It is THAT IMPORTANT for your health that NOTHING else will improve your health as much.  Try it out, and I guarantee you will be amazed at the effect it has on your overall well being, both physical AND mental.    And later, well we can talk about those other small matters...