GOT 'PALEO?'

I thought it might be good, fun and interesting to change up the subject content of Pristine Clean Home and touch on topics a little deeper to heart and home.  I am speaking of the flesh and blood 'home' that houses the heart.  It, too deserves some cleaning and decluttering TLC!

The past year has been a year of change.  The year long kitchen make-over created a work space aesthetically more pleasing & infinitely more functional but a greater change has come in the way we use it!

It has been a gradual change, in stages... and has revolutionized the way we cook and eat as a family.  To be honest, PALEO was a hard sell for me, partly because it sounds rather unappealing and caveman-ish but also because I am a notorious skeptic of anything resembling a 'diet'.

Convinced by the life changes observed in my sister and best friend (who has been PALEO for 3 years), I resolved, at least, to investigate.  I read several books, tried a few recipes, talked with a couple of trustworthy physician friends and followed up on the research.  What I discovered changed my views and drastically improved the quality of life for our family.  The way our 'Paleolithic' ancestors lived and thrived for millenniums just makes sense!  It's not rocket science... it is really quite simple and very do-able on a budget.  And I love that PALEO is a lifestyle, not a fad that is here today and gone tomorrow.

But before I get too carried away, allow me to share the tremendous benefits we have already experienced over the past couple of months!

Benefits.  A few that have surprised us...

* ENERGY (We have more of it!)

* CREATiViTY (The OOMPH, concentration and desire has returned to really develop ideas knocking about in my head! It is as if my brain has been given more space in which to think and explore with clarity and vision!)

* PRODUCTiViTY (At work and school: Concentration, focus and comprehension has improved dramatically! Who knew?)

* PERFORMANCE (CrossFit athletes across the globe have gone PALEO.  These elite athletes understand the inseparable connection between nutrition and performance.  Experiencing it first hand, for me, has been a powerful endorsement.)

* SLEEP (Insomnia eliminated. Seriously! I experience quality sleep for longer periods of time and wake refreshed.  Yeah!!!  I go to bed earlier and wake earlier without an alarm!)

*3pm SLUMP  (It is gone!  No more mid-afternoon wishing for a nap!  Energy just keeps burning steadily all day long!)

* DEPRESSION ELiMiNATED. (I admit it.  Bouts of depression, particularly in the wintertime, have plagued me for years.  No more!)


* WEiGHT LOSS (Optimum weight has been restored and is being maintained without struggle and dieting!)

* DiSAPPEARiNG ALLERGiES. (We are talking extensive allergies: Foods, chemicals, growing things and air-born.  Eliminating systemic inflammation through nutrition has been an enormous boost in overall health and well being.  The pocketbook bonus: Medications for allergy symptoms have not been used for months!)

And the benefits are many, many, many more.  Too many to count.

Curious to know more?  Stay tuned.

Editor's Note: Photos courtesy of Google Images and are intended for your enjoyment.