Going Paleo

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Yep, it's true.  Peter and I made the decision that we would start a Paleo diet.  Well, to be more accurate, I made the decision and then talked Peter into it.  I've never been "against" or "for" a paleo diet before.  I knew several people who did it and loved it, and I always thought, "Great for them, but I don't need it.  I'm already gluten-free and avoid processed foods, so I'm good."  So here's why I decided to go paleo...

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A couple of weeks ago I started having really bad asthma attacks.  Like, really, really bad.  I haven't had to go to the hospital yet, but several times I have wanted to.  Right now as I'm typing this, I am considering doing another nebulizer treatment (I've already taken my rescue inhaler and magnesium supplements, to no avail).  I have had asthma for as long as I can remember, but it has NEVER been this bad.  I don't know if it's something in the air, some sort of pollen, some weird plant that I'm not used to, smog, whatever...  But it has gotten so bad that I am having irrational thoughts of buying a ticket back to the States ASAP.

My brother has always bugged me about cutting out sugar to decrease asthma.  I thought it might work, but never really had the discipline to do it.  But, now that I've been eating more healthily, I realize it wouldn't be too far of a stretch.  I don't drink soda, I rarely eat sweets (exceptions made for Christmas-time, when Peter's mom made a ton of delicious, gluten-free desserts for me, which might have caused the asthma attacks since my body isn't used to so many sweets), and the only "processed" food that I eat is rice pasta or the very occasional salt and vinegar potato chips...  

As I've been doing more research, I've read a lot about asthma being an autoimmune response.  If your autoimmune system isn't healthy, then your asthma will be worse.  Many people claim that a paleo diet has "cured" them of their asthma.  So I'm going to try it!  I know it has also been beneficial for people suffering from other auto-immune disorders, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and more!

Here's what the paleo diet consists of (read more here):

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Allowed:

Meat (grass-fed, hormone-free)

Seafood

Veggies (fresh)

Fruit (fresh)

Eggs (hormone-free, free-range)

Nuts

Seeds

Healthful oils

Not Allowed:

Grains

Legumes

Dairy

Refined sugar

Potatoes

Processed foods

Refined vegetable oils

I think the only difficult part for me will be to cut out dairy and rice, because I do enjoy yogurt for breakfast and rice with my dinner meal.   I will have to get creative on how I prepare meals from now on, but I know Pinterest will have lots of ideas for me!  I think the only hard part will be finding grass-fed, hormone-free, and free-range meat and egg options.  So far I have found organic eggs, but I'm not sure if they're free-range.  Also, finding healthful oils might be expensive.  Not difficult to find, but expensive here in Brazil!  Organic fruits and vegetables are abundant here.  Salmon is kind of pricey, but worth it.

I am so desperate, I am going to try it.  Starting... NOW!

Are you interested in hearing about my progress?  

Should I post updates on the blog?  

Would you be interested in joining me in this challenge?  

(Also, on a side note - I'm not doing the diet to lose weight, but I do think that might be a side-effect.  Should I post before, in-progress, and after pictures?)

Let me know in the comments below.