Things That Help Me Succeed on My MS Diet: Wahls Paleo Plus

I hear people talk about changing one's diet as "a complete lifestyle change" and that is no different here. When I got home from hospital and knew I was going to be changing my diet for good I got rid of just about all my kitchen gadgets, my rice cooker, ice cream maker,toaster oven, baking stones, baking pans, flour and powdered mixes. I threw away any food that was in a box, can or came directly associated with a logo. I had a new way forward and it was taking shape. Now, it should be said, this new path was not far off from the trajectory I was already headed, but I definitely got there quicker than I had anticipated. It was probably easy for me to make the switch so rapidly because I had already envisioned this diet, in some abstract way, as ideal. Life is funny, how it prepares us.

I had to get pure and simple. I was about to eat as naturally as I could, which meant if it was wrapped up in plastic, cardboard or had to go through any printing process to get to me it was probably too much processing and I could go without. Pure meant to get as close to the source as possible. I was already a fan of only eating meats that had bone in it, that way I wouldn't be fooled by meat glue, if you do not know what meat glue is, it is worth a google. When it came to vegetables I was still buying bags and wrapped things which, although it seemed okay at first, I felt much more confident in the foods that I put in bags myself. This confidence goes a long way in being able to absorb nutrients and gain all the benefits of the foods we eat. The mind is really where digestion starts. 

I look at the grocery store, and how t is set up, I ask myself where can I find food that is worth eating no matter where you go the answer is the same, it is around the perimeter. That is where the Butcher and Produce departments are as well as the Bakery and Deli neither of which I visit any longer but you can remain relatively healthy by restricting 90% of your food shopping to these departments. The minute you enter an aisle you are going to be inundated with logos, ads and High Fructose Corn Syrup. I get my spices, coffee and tea from the isles but beyond that, when it comes to food, I don't step foot in them. Because of that my home is filled with pure food, I have to shop 3 times a week to keep it that way but it is a pretty simple trade off for me at this point. 

Now you specialty diet folks, I mean all of you that are gluten free, vegetarian or vegan and I am sure there are many many others, you may not be able to use the perimeter rule. That is fine, there is no one answer for everyone, your health and mine, although they may be equal, will not be arrived at in the same way. 

I have a regular list of great foods that I keep stocked in my home, that is the first and best thing to help me succeed at my diet. Beyond that there are a number of other things that, without, I would probably fail miserably.

They are...

1. A Juicer Blender (like the Ninja or VitaMix) - For the amount of raw food I choose to eat, my ninja is something I use every day for a morning drink. I try not to call it a smoothie because there are a lot of preconceived ideas to what a smoothie is and this beverage is not covered by any of them. Here are some of the things that you would find in my morning drink.

1. Beets
2. Daikon Radish
3. Avocado
4. Mushrooms
5. Hearty Greens
6. Ginger
7. Coconut Milk/Cream (can)
8. Water
9. Horseradish*
10. Diatomaceous Earth*

* = not added everyday

I have had a lot of people ask me about the Diatomaceous Earth and why I use it. First thing you should know is that it is a food grade DE. I use it because my diet is so fat laden and it is knowns to help control cholesterol. and whether it does or not it absolutely helps me calm down about cholesterol a bit. Here is the study I found that helped me choose to add this to my diet, I do not believe it is something Terry talks about although I could be mistaken.

2. 8 Cup Food Processor - This is something I use to slice large amounts of raw vegetables.When I got home from hospital I could not use my left hand and so cutting things was very difficult, I decided that owning a food processor was a solution to that. The main thing I use it for today, because I have use of my left side again, is shredding cabbage for Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut, which is something I eat very regularly.
3. An Iron Skillet - Once properly seasoned, it gives me a non-stick I can use on the stovetop or in the oven and adds much needed iron into my diet This is my go to pan, I cook everything in it, if you might look to me to help derive some recipes from this is a must have. In a few weeks I will post instructions on how to properly season a skillet.
4. A Cat - This diet is very good for cats (at least the meat and fat parts) so I got one. Lü and I eat, for the most part, the same things, I take portions of all the food I prepare separate it out and freeze it. Later, I use my juicer blender to make her food, to which I add Taurine and some of that Diatomaceous Earth. She is on a strict raw diet that includes organs as well as greens.
5. NO CHEATS IN THE HOUSE - Now I am a firm believer in cheating on this diet, within reason. Meaning once every week or 10 days to have a sweet or something to take the edge off but if you buy salted chocolate covered caramels well, all bets are off, trust me. This kind of means living alone is probably best for success. I am lucky enough to not have anyone clambering to live with me that I get to enjoy living with nothing but meats, fats and some viggies in my house. Yippee!

Now that you know some tips on how to get your new diet under way lets get into the nitty gritty of what we need in the fridge. Next Week - Grocery Shopping