Paleo Diet – My Week 1 Update

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Barry

Last week I mentioned I was starting the Paleo Diet plan for 30 days to see how my body responded. To read the last post, please click here.  Here’s a run-down on what I consumed, how I cheated, and what’s happening as a result.

What I’ve Been Consuming

Here’s how I’ve been eating over the past week. First we’ll look at the major food types.

Proteins: The plan allows for liberal amounts of lean meats as the major source of protein. This past week I made a pork roast/stew in my slow cooker and added carrots, onions, celery, and some seasoning. It lasted for two dinners and 4 lunches. I also cooked some chicken breasts to supplement the dinners for the week. Breakfast consisted of eggs and turkey sausage… I don’t tired of eggs and my lipids/cholesterol levels are very good. Still I try not to eat them every day, though I could.

Fruits & Vegetables: I mentioned the carrots and onions in the stew. I’ve also been eating an orange each day and banana every other day. I’ve also nibbled on green seedless grapes and organic apple slices. I’m a big fan of fresh steamed green veggies, so I usually steam either green beans, broccoli, or asparagus or a combination of all three at dinner. I usually make more than Justin and I can eat (he will eat broccoli) so I can eat them the next day at lunch. I also had two salads at lunch with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado with some shrimp thrown in for some protein.

Grains: These are a no-no on Paleo, but although I haven’t had any toast or bread, I did finish the remains of the raisin bran and shredded wheat cereals; 1 bowl apiece. But I sliced up a banana to make me feel better about the transgression.  I also, in a moment of weakness, indulged in a handful of cheddar fish crackers. I’ve been told that having fish crackers in the house is a dead giveaway that I’m a parent. 8-)

Water: I’m a hugs fan of Dasani brand bottled water and buy it by the case. Tap water is disgusting and I’ve tried the Brita filtering system but it’s still gross. So I buy water by the case in plant-based plastic bottles, recycle the used ones and try not to feel too badly about it. I normally drink three to four bottles each day but I know from experience more water is a dieter’s best friend. So I’m going to up it a bit this week.

Coffee: Never giving this up. It’s pointless to want to at this stage in life. I’ve been successful in cutting out the dairy as it really only enters my system via Half-n-Half in my coffee. So I’m opting for either black with Splenda or with a non-dairy, non-soy creamer. Basically, chemicals in a cup. 8-) My plan is to continue this way for the 30 days and then reintroduce it..maybe…we’ll see.

Alcohol: My favorite red wine is Primitivo, an Italian zinfandel imported under the Layer Cake label. It’s like drinking liquid Nirvana. BevMo carries it if you’re interested. And don’t let the screw-top fool you. It’s to die for. I drank a bottle of that this week as well. It lasts a week because I use a vacuum stopper.

In all, not a bad first week considering the times when I felt I really wanted something sweet and resisted. Hopefully, these carbohydrate cravings will subside this week.

How I’ve Been Exercising

I walk our Canine-American Buddy twice a day. Sometimes Justin walks him after school, but for the past three weeks I’ve been doing it. About a half-mile in the morning and 2 miles in the late afternoon. I don’t jog..it’s just not pretty. So walking is it for me right now as far as exercise goes. I should be doing more. This week I return to work after taking three weeks off so I’ll return to walking at lunch before eating.

Other Changes

While not something new altogether, I’ve taken a conscious step to deepen my Buddhist practice in the past week. I don’t like labels but practicing as a Practical Buddhist (one that dispenses with robes and rituals) would has helped me to deepen my commitment to the Paleo diet. I mediate daily, read from books on my Kindle that support my path, and find that it reinforces my positivity. I also began writing a brief ebook called Practical Buddhism: Spiritual Practice Without the Robes and Rituals. I’ll release it here on the blog free for subscribers in about a month.

I’m not weighing myself. I know that I weigh around 230 pounds. That means I’m about 40 pounds over where I should be. When I feel my clothes start feeling looser, I’ll check in with the scale and see then what’s happening in that area. For now, not weighing in is a positive step because I want to remain focused on my nutrition, increasing my exercise and moving forward without an overt marker that might only discourage me.

So that’s where I’ve been and where I am this fine Saturday morning. Another update next Saturday. 8-)

Posted in Change, Personal, Personal Evolution | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Is the Paleo Diet a Simpler Way to Lose Weight?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Barry

There’s no doubt in my mind that a healthier lifestyle leads to a more meaningful one.

If, for example, we are near our target weight we are no doubt happier beings and therefore more content with ourselves and our life.

Because I need to lose about 20 pounds, I’ve been reading about a  diet/nutritional plan called paleo, (short for paleolithic diet plan). If you’ve not heard about paleo, just ask yourself this question:

“What did our hunter-gatherer ancestors eat?”

And the answer is: anything they could catch or dig up.

So Simple a Caveman Could Do It

Back in the days when the male members of the clan left for a few days on hunting trips, they generally brought back animals, fish, birds, and possibly a reptile or two. In other words, lots of lean meat.

They also dug up tubors, roots, and gathered other vegetation to supplement their carnivorous tendencies. To quench their resulting thirst (from running, hunting, chasing, etc.) they drank water and possibly a Big-Gulp every now and then (kidding). 8-)

Paleo-flow-chart

I’ve been reading up on the Paleo Diet plan for a week and I’ve come across some interesting information. Here is a comprehensive article on paleo from Steve Kamb over at NerdFitness.com if you’d like some depth.

The 21st Century Version

In a nutshell, paleo looks similar to other low-carb/high protein diet like Atkins or South Beach. It also has some shared elements with Tim Ferriss’ Slow Carb Diet.

All of these diets take advantage of the body’s tendency to burn carbs first, followed by fat and protein. The theory is that if you consume more protein than carbohydrates, your body will deplete its stores of carbs rapidly and then focus on burning fat. That leads to weight loss.

There are outspoken critics and passionate fans for both of these nutritional plans. I can speak to the effectiveness of the Atkins plan having lost 30 pounds on a modified version of it in 2005. I gained the weight back only when I slacked off and started down the path of eating more carbs like pasta, breads, and cereals.

In my experience, I found that the higher the protein content of my meals, the longer I felt satisfied and less likely to crave a high carb snack like goldfish crackers (a personal favorite) or even a slice of toast.

My parents have a friend who lost 50 pounds by, as she put it, “not eating white.” This meant she cut out all white foods, like breads, rice, pasta, dairy products, potatoes, etc. These are naturally high in carbs and, in a more sedentary person,  more prone to be stored as fat if not burned through exercise.

I’m not advocating the paleo plan for you, but I am willing to try it for a month to see how my body responds.

The Simplicity of Paleo

From what I can tell, the ease of following the paleo plan is its chief attraction. There are no calories to count, points to allocate, or portions to conserve. It’s said that it’s difficult to overeat on paleo.

You simply ask, “Is this paleo?” If not, you avoid it. It so, you eat it.

How you feel about it?

Is this a plan that appeals to your appreciation of simple nutrition plan? Would you be willing to join me in my month-long trial? Think it over and let me know in a comment how this plan strikes you?

PS And if you know where I can some fresh Mastodon, I’d be ever so grateful! 8-)

 

Posted in Deeper Living, Personal Evolution, Simplicity | Tagged , | 6 Comments

How Warriorship Leads to a More Meaningful Life

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Barry

The Mid-Life Crisis Meets the Warrior

The Mid-Life Warrior is a concept that came to me recently while reading a classic of Buddhist literature, Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior. by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. In the Shambhala tradition of Buddhism, the Warrior is a powerful concept that embodies both spiritual and physical aspects of life.

I was reflecting on my current lifestyle and how a lot men in their fifties, as they near the end of their parenting responsibilities, begin focusing on themselves. Because oftentimes such introspection and thinking turns into a Corvette or twenty-something girlfriend, our society frowns upon this time of personal evaluation and labels it a mid-life crisis.

In my case, I’m not interested in either a Corvette or a relationship with a twenty-something. My children are twenty-somethings and I can’t even image that. No, for me it’s more about lifestyle. It’s about cultivating a lifestyle based on a personal philosophy that’s grounded not in religion, but in my highest self; in ethical thought and actions.

I see my lifestyle changing dramatically in the next few years. My youngest child is nearly 16 and in just two years he’ll enter his young-adult years. When that time comes, he can stay with me or move on; it’s his choice. But my lifestyle will change regardless.

Warriorship is for Both Men and Women

There is no exclusivity of a mid-life crisis in terms of gender. They are just as common in women, and studies show that women experience them earlier in life than men. Women tend to begin self-evaluation as early as their late twenties while men do so largely in their fourth and fifth decades. There are exceptions, of course, and everyone is different. The introspection in women can be linked to the presence of children, their role in the home or workplace, and their sense of personal identity apart of all of these.

Speaking for my own experience only, I’ve come to a place in my life where my I can see the end of my direct role in my youngest son’s life. It’s a sobering thought to realize these days so filled with academic coaching, playing both mom and dad, and trying to model responsible male behavior will be coming to a narrowed conclusion.

Though my modeling of acceptable behavior will always be my paternal responsibility, I do know that I need to discover what my life needs to be going forward. My day-work is unsatisfying and I want to be free to pursue that which ignites my deepest passions.

Turning the Mid-Life Crisis Into Mid-Life Warriorship

I’d like to do away with the negative term once and for all. I’d like to focus this post on a new term, Mid-Life Warriorship because I feel it encourages rather than hinders our development.

My version of the mid-life warrior is the opposite of the battle-ready stereotype. Instead, I see it as becoming a warrior of peace, of kindness and compassion; a warrior dedicated to physical as well as emotional well-being and to the cultivation of a balanced life. Still, the warrior images of strength and courage are required to persevere in life, especially during periods of self-evaluation and discovery.

The Warriorship Triangle

I see warriorship as a continual path of exploration across three main components: spiritual, physical, and emotional.

Mid-Life-Warriorship

The base of spiritual discovery and development supports the resulting growth in both the physical and emotional components of our lives.

Each component would be defined as follows:

The Spiritual Component ~ Dedication to meditation or contemplative pursuits involving introspection and self-reflection without self-judgement.

The Physical Component ~ Disciplined in one’s approach to nutrition (focusing on healthier eating habits) and activity with an emphasis on yoga another favorite fitness routine.

The Emotional Component ~ Disciplined in practicing kindness, compassion for others resulting in an even-tempered approach to what life offers.

Warriorship and a Meaningful Life

Warriorship, as I’ve defined it, leads to meaning in life. I know because for months now I’ve been investigating and interacting with these three components of my life. I’m finding it an enjoyable journey.

Though it appears to be rather ego-centric in design, the goal is to better serve others and find meaning in doing so. It’s only through lighting a lamp that we are able to shed light on the path. In other words, working on ourselves better equips us to make a difference in the world.

In order to effect change, we first need to become the change.

What is Your Reaction?

Do you find resonance with the concept of a mid-life warrior or do you believe it’s nonsense? Do you see any validity in spending time in introspection and self-development in order to be happier and more content in life? Please share your reactions below or on this entry on Google +.

Posted in Deeper Living, Life, Personal Evolution | 2 Comments

Reevaluating Home

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Barry

What is home?

It’s a term that’s loaded with meaning. Most would say that it means sanctuary, a place of refuge, where love is found, where you can be you.  I’d agree. But it’s been my experience that home can also mean a place of insecurity, hyper-vigilance, fear.

Home can also be thought of as, perhaps, your largest single expense. A house, condo, town home, yacht, RV, beach bungalow….whatever the form, it is usually one’s largest, most costly expense.

I do not own real estate. I never have. I used to judge myself in a very negative manner because I didn’t. There are still large groups of those in western society who look down upon you if you do not own a home.

Home ownership is something of a quagmire for me.  Because I was raised in a society and culture where home ownership means so much, I still battle this demon periodically. As time passes, I think about investing in a home?

But I wonder if a permanent home would work for me? There are homes that appeal to me but, though it may be possible, they aren’t as conducive to raising a 15 year-old.

Living Aboard a Yacht

I believe I could live quite happily on a yacht in a harbor. I’d prefer a sailboat, maybe 30-40 feet. Slip fees in my area for two liveaboards would run about $500/month. Throw in power, parking permits, etc., and you quickly escalate in cost. But the idea is attractive to me.  Here’s a cool video to check out if you’re also interested in living on the water.

Living in a Tiny Home

While this appeals to my minimalist nature, I wonder if I could do this. One on hand, it isn’t much different than living on a yacht really, save the water v. land argument. Both are tiny inside and demand a minimalist bent in order to make it work.  Small homes are larger than their tiny cousins and those are equally appealing. See this video on ultra-small homes on CNN.

Living in an RV

A recreational vehicle, as they’re called here, are also known as motor-homes or big campers. This is a land-mobile solution that is gaining popularity as the housing crisis in the US keeps growing. I could see doing this in a vehicle capable of carrying a motor-scooter or and small street-legal dirt bike for local transport. Here’s a video of the interior of an RV for one person.

For now, the rented beach bungalow is home and probably will be for a few more years. Home can be anywhere you want it to be and anything you want it to be. 8-)

Posted in Living Space, Living With Less | Leave a comment

The 10 Payoffs for Living With Less

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Barry

I watched a video last night by a popular blogger in which he stated he through that minimalism was over. He said that he was under the impression that everything that could be written about minimalism had been written.

I’m summarizing here, but..really?

  • Is there an expiration dates for rejecting mass consumerism?
  • Does living with less stuff benefit only those who wrote about it two to three years ago?
  • Is minimalism simply a passing fad?
  • Is it too late to experiment with it?

Yeah…no.

Living with less is a choice. It’s made by thousands every day. People like you make this decision because they realize that owning too much stuff, buying the next shiny bauble that ABC, Corp. comes out with, and the stress both can create simply isn’t for them.

Here’s the payoff when you decide to begin living with less:

  1. You become aware of how powerful the consumerist force are
  2. You see numerous ways to hold on to more money
  3. You have more money (because you cut back on frivolous purchases)
  4. You’re happier because you experience less stress
  5. Your choices are infinitely simpler
  6. You appreciate and can afford more quality rather than wasting money on quantity
  7. You have more time (to do what you want rather than the things you’re supposed to do)
  8. You experience less urgency in life
  9. You feel better
  10. You experience liberation in way you never have

These are just 10 of the outcomes, payoffs if you will, that wait for you when you being living with less.

Read more about our 4-week eLetter course How To Start Living With Less -beginning on November 16- by clicking here.

 

Posted in Living With Less, Minimalism | 2 Comments