For example, one of my problem food categories turned out to be nightshades--even tomatoes and bell peppers. I had suspected them a bit, but I initially decided they were probably Paleo and that the claims about them causing arthritis and the like were probably overdone. However, years later my health did improve when I eliminated them.

PaleoPhil, it took years between giving up the nightshades and noticing improvement?  What improvements did you notice?... arthritis??

Thanks!... Just curious

Just bumping this up to see what people are doing these days.

Since this thread I've also replaced my VCO with suet tallow for my skin. I don't have any skin problems or anything, but I still think it's great cuz I only need a little bit and not everyday as a moisturizer.  VCO I used more frequently.

Hahaha, I think it's funny to bring this up on a forum that is predominantly male posters

Lex, you're so open with own experiences and so thorough, detailed, and patient in answering questions that I'm learning tons from you... thanks for that!

GS, I'm looking forward to your 'all beef' experience!  keep us posted!

coconut oil has already been heated by the time you buy it

Hey Tyler, I think you did good for yourself to have them removed!... maybe it will present in the long run?  I looked up the half-life of mercury and it's 15-30 years in the CNS without chelation.  Also I found that the amount of mercury absorbed is up to 15 micrograms per day per amalgam filling, fish and seafood portion about 2.3 micrograms, and environment 0.3 micrograms per day.  Well, I'm not an expert, but sounds that proper removal can be a good thing.

Hi Dan!

Now for the questions.
-Should I eat my food right out the fridge or should I let it sit room temperature for a few minutes?
-Marinade? Is vinegar okay or does that damage the meat?

I do not at all like eating my meals cold.  My food is room temp when I eat it.

I think vinegar is supposed to be okay for white meat to marinate, but not red.  So if you want to add it to your red meat, just do so right before you eat.  I don't use vinegar though, so it's just what I've read.

If anyone has links or any book recommendations please post.

I think this forum has a lot of links for readings.  There are a few different diet types here with their own section, maybe you can peruse the section(s) of your interest and that will lead you to the books you want to read.

Anyway, welcome!, and what do you feed your dog?

Ioanna

Do most people here do crossfit-like workouts?  If so, do you also do other types of workouts (I know some people wrote about martial arts, etc.)?  What is the duration of your workouts and how many times per week?

Hi Dave,

Something about your writings is too darn cute!

I don't know much about your motivations, but your goals are obvious.  (You're way ahead of me with those liver smoothies )

I look forward to reading about your experiences!

Ioanna

Hi SD!

I have this idea that I live in the south cuz after growing up in the northeast, I now live in the DC area.  You're probably really in the south though 

...you come home at the end of the day (looking forward to, but not starving for) your first meal of the day.

...your prepared meal(s) for the day are for both you and your dog!  (lol, my dog is now my favorite and only eating companion.)

I love raw honey, but the onset of IBS symptoms happens so fast so I don't eat it anymore

Shelby,

I can relate to so much of what you have written. I went raw vegan at first, which I thought was helping initially, but then I got so sick... I weighed around 100lbs and I'm 5'7 and I was so badly anemic I looked like a ghost and my protein levels were dangerously low.

The pains of IBS are agonizing! 

For me sugars (raw honey, raw dairy, even fruits) made things worse (I was the complete opposite of constipated!).  Vegetables came out the way they went in, so I figured there was no point to eating them either.  ACV, lemon juice and drinks like Kombucha I thought were to be alkalizing or with probiotics absolutely killed my insides.  I was  basically trying to combine what doctors were telling me and what raw vegan advocates were publishing and it wasn't working.  So I finally started eating what didn't make my stomach hurt... eggs, fish,  and chicken. (Chicken was always cooked, eggs hard boiled unless I just ate the yolks raw, fish pan seared.)  Then I started adding raw red meat, and letting go of the chicken and fish.  It's only been... less than 8 mos and only a few months really committed to staying without carbs and mostly recently to fully raw to see how that facilitates my improvements, but I've come such a long way!!, though I know I have improvements still.  That eating is not the least bit painful is amazing in itself! My lips are very colorful red again and I'm back to working out at the gym and other activities to put the weight back on.  I'm at 115 lbs now.  I don't have the confidence yet, but hope to at least be able to add back seasonal fruits from the farmers market without ill-effect.  We'll see.

Anyway, my major changes toward improvement didn't happen until I eliminated starches especially.  I am far better with cooked lean meat than any starch/carb.   

I hope this helps!!  and wish you all the best, I really think you can significantly improve your health too!!  You're more than welcome to  contact me further if I can be of any help.

Ioanna