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Messages - Bronwen

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26
Welcoming Committee / Re: Hello - newbie raw meat gal from South Africa
« on: February 06, 2011, 08:04:40 pm »
Hey Bronwen,
One day I will go back to SA (I was working over there for almost a year) and then we will have to meet ;).
I love, love, love your country!
Nicole

Hi Nicole
It would be great to have you to visit if you returned here! Where were you working and what were you doing?
Bronwen

27
Health / Re: Vitamin E?
« on: February 05, 2011, 02:40:07 am »
I get around 200% vitamin E from mostly pastured butter and egg yolks, yolks especially are pretty rich.  Pastured Meat is pretty rich as well.
yes, I didn't mention butter as I didn't know whether you do dairy or not Techydude. I make ghee for myself - don't know whether this is paleo or not, and it probably wouldn't classify as raw. But it is very high in Vit E, and is very soothing on the digestion. Its health benefits for the digestion and for better absorption of various nutrients are highly recommended by Ayurvedic physicians.
It is very easy to make , if you are interested I will describe it to you (it is basically Butter Oil - all the milk solids are heated off). But I would definitely recommend making it yourself, as the bought stuff is sometimes mixed with vegetable oil!

28
Personals / Re: South Africans?
« on: February 05, 2011, 02:33:04 am »
Hi Bronwen,
I phoned Pick 'n Pay "Country reared meat" head honcho and asked him whether the animals are grass or grain fed.  He said that they were grass fed.  He said I was to send him an email and he would reply officially.  I need to name our organisation... I think maybe RPD's South Africa, and use a logo. I found a lovely bushman painting of an Eland, so maybe will use that as a logo.  As soon as I put together a letterhead, I will do the email.  Do you approve of the name and the logo?
Cheers,
Dillis.
That sounds perfect Dillis, thanks. I phoned PnP Customer Service last week, as well as sending them an email. My questions now include the following:
Is their meat imported or local?
Is it grassfed, but more importantly, are the cattle pasture-raised (ie. not stuck in an enclosure and just 'fed' grass or hay!)?
And obviously, are they fed routine antibiotics etc etc or not?
Maybe you could include these questions in your letter as well - I have had no reply to my email yet, apart from an automated response, and the guy I spoke to at Customer Services said I must speak to the manager of my PnP to find out where they get their meat!! He wasn't very helpful, so I didn't pursue the conversation.


Am going to our Benoni fresh goods market next Saturday (it is every two weeks) - it appears there is a farmer there who sells lamb, so I will have a chat to him, and let you know.

Cheers,
BRonwen

29
Carnivorous / Zero Carb Approach / Re: Bowel Movements
« on: February 04, 2011, 03:06:30 am »
Likely there needs to be changeover of bacteria which may take a long period of time, so odds are you want to do what you can in the meantime to keep things moving. Going long periods of time isn't exactly the same as constipation, and might not be as dire as mainstream health would believe but it still seems like at least daily should be ideal. More than just food waste exits through the bowel, so its good to have regular transit to eliminate any festering stuff and loose toxins.
Agreed - and 'regular' will be different for each person depending on all sorts of factors including diet type and dietary volume, so switching to a new diet will take you through a transition phase and you will have to discover what the new 'regular' is for you, as well as what becomes normal consistency and volume, as this will change too. You can't compare it with what used to be 'normal' for you.
I've been squatting for 4+ years or so, although not every time. Sometimes I'll just raise my legs. To me this is one of the simplest things one can do to increase their general health. Shit should just fall out like watching a horse, not like some suffering dog that eats grain food. Any stress and engagement of those muscles consciously drains alot of internal 'chi'.  :-*
Raising legs is a good option.....can also just have a low stool in front of loo that you put your feet on. I agree with you about the internal 'chi' being drained....yogis believe same thing goes for excessively loose stools on a continuing basis, as well as excessive defecation (too often or massive amounts). But then the latter is often related to overeating anyway, which is energy-draining in itself.

30
Carnivorous / Zero Carb Approach / Re: Bowel Movements
« on: February 03, 2011, 08:21:46 pm »
I don't do low or zero carb, but when I added meat to my diet I noticed I was a lot thirstier. So I guess you would have to keep yourself well-hydrated to prevent constipation.

Also, if you are battling, try squatting! Porcelain bowls are the worst invention for human bowel health ever (after the dietary fibre pills of course!). Squatting is how we were designed to empty the bowels. Squatting 'aligns' the rectum correctly, encourages the anus to open and appplies pressure to the colon (so less muscular effort required)....so you get an easier and more complete bowel movement.

How to squat if you don't have a hole in the ground or can't go outside? Balance on the toilet seat if you can, or get a large 'potty', place two bricks on either side of it for height, and flush contents when you're done. Gives you a chance to examine contents if you're into to seeing what comes out in comparison to what went in.


31
Health / Re: Vitamin E?
« on: February 03, 2011, 08:11:18 pm »
Do you class avocado as a fruit in your diet? That has Vit E, about 2mg per 100g. Do you tolerate greens, especially wild greens? They all have small amounts of Vit E too.
    I do think grassfed raw foods have E in them anyway.
Yes, as far as I know, they all have small amounts, even egg yolks do.
I you have a sufficiently broad choice of paleo foodstuff (raw meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts) it would be difficult to have any deficiency!
Yes, I agree.....all these things mentioned have small amounts, so a varied diet should be giving the amounts we need.

32
Instincto / Anopsology / Re: Question for Iguana - Instincto carbs
« on: February 02, 2011, 05:51:00 pm »
Back to the problems with carbohydrates: It is my personal experience when selecting food only by smell, taste and salvation flow I prefer mostly tropical fruits. At the beginning of raw eating I have had no problems doing this (or wasn't be able to realize them). But know I realize them: cold hands and feets, muscle cramps, confusing dreams, feeling stressed and others. So I decided to reduce the supply of tropical fruits (I don't buy them anymore  ;D ). I lost wheight but know I feel much better and my healing processes continues.

Hi Susan

What sources of carbs do you eat now? i gather from your posts that you do include some carbs, but you feel better on mainly meat and fat sources.
I am in the process of exploring other carb sources and reducng my dependence on excess sweet cultivated fruit, esp bananas.

Thanks, Bronwen

33
Welcoming Committee / Re: Is fruit a sweet killer?
« on: February 02, 2011, 05:23:52 pm »
My problems if I eat too much fruit in the long-run: Thinning hair, receding gums, yellow teeth, weak teeth, enamel loss, feeling very cold (in winter), need of much more sleep, bad sleep, no sex drive, joint problems, emaciation (if only fruit), bady body composition, probably hormonal imbalance, dry skin, accelerated aging (!), fat maldigestion, gas, bloating, unnaturally high longing for sunshine

Did you find most of these symptoms disappeared on a lower fruit diet....esp teeth. My gums are slightly receding, have slight enamel loss on some back molars, making them a bit sensitive if I overeat acid fruit which I tend to limit anyway.? Did your teeth actually improve?
Bronwen

34
General Discussion / Re: Plantains vs. Bananas?
« on: February 02, 2011, 05:10:07 pm »
Ah, don’t go from an extreme to the other! I don’t think bananas are addictive,  we normally feel when we have enough of it. 10 or 12 everyday is much, but you should be fed up with it one day. Anyway,  I think it would be good for you to broaden you carb sources so that it does not depend on bananas only, and once a day would be more than enough. Try sweet potatoes, overripe plantains (much more wild and nurishing than cavendish),  sugar cane, coconut germs, other fruits.

Cheers
Francois


Thanks Francois - a wise suggestion, to broaden my carb sources. Thanks for the ideas. We only get the white sweet potatoes in South Africa (they are local). I don't think they are as nourishing as the orange ones. I tried some raw the other day - very starchy. Will increase ration of other fruits, maybe source some plantains in the meantime.

35
Welcoming Committee / Re: Is fruit a sweet killer?
« on: February 02, 2011, 03:28:18 am »
My problems if I eat too much fruit in the long-run: Thinning hair, receding gums, yellow teeth, weak teeth, enamel loss, feeling very cold (in winter), need of much more sleep, bad sleep, no sex drive, joint problems, emaciation (if only fruit), bady body composition, probably hormonal imbalance, dry skin, accelerated aging (!), fat maldigestion, gas, bloating, unnaturally high longing for sunshine

and HORRIBLE SKIN.

Thanks - very interesting. Over my 7 years of being predominantly raw vegan I went from high fat raw to low fat raw, as you did, gradually increasing fruit. But could never maintain it without 'lapsing' back to increased raw fat/veg or even cooked at times. So probably haven't had extended continuous periods on high fruit.
But can certainly identify with many of those things you mentioned to a greater or lesser degree, though i realise now that in the past I just accepted these as part of my body-typing and assuming I was in pretty good health. Also convincing myself thatsome of the symptoms (eg. teeth) were because I couldn't maintain LFRV/high fruit, and it was the constant switching that was causing them.

But since including meat once a day, and limiting fruit to once a day, I have started feeling much stronger, more energised, sleeping less and more deeply, teeth less sensitive. And suddenly this is raising huge questions for me.....if this change is making me feel like this in just one month, would a greater change make even more of a difference? Could I feel even 'healthier'  than I assumed I was in the past? That would be fab! This will be the year of finding out!



36
Welcoming Committee / Re: Hello - newbie raw meat gal from South Africa
« on: February 01, 2011, 09:26:34 pm »
Awesome sounds when you're in any of the reserves here - hyenas and lions at night are the best, but the nights are a cacophony of other sounds. I love the nightjars as well.
I've got a dog too -Tyla. Small scruffy terrier type, great at hunting lizards....maybe one day in desperation I might try one! LOL!! I feed him a BARF diet - mainly raw meat and bones, rest bland of plant foods - some fruit, veg, greens. Eggs. he thrives on it. Now I can share my lamb bones with him...
What's it like living in Benoni? Like what foods are typical of the region? What kind of meat do you  have access to? I love Africa, especially the wildlife. I used to volunteer at a wildcat shelter in northern MN and I'd get to work near big cats all day long and I just can't imagine seeing them in the wild, how amazing. Have you ever read or listened to the book Ingwe by Ingwe? I believe he grew up in south Africa and was taught by his native friends as a boy about tracking a wilderness awareness, fascinating read. Also Jim Corbett, who grew up in india and then retired in africa, an amazing nature writer, and my favorite author.
Benoni is OK - suburbs, but quiet. Lots of trees, we live near a dam which is part of a long extended wetland area with connected walks the whole way along, so do long walks there. Great birdlife. Temperate area, so soft temperate fruits - peaches, plums, etc do well here; also farmlands - mainly smallholdings subsistence style or to sell at farmers markets; veg - pretty much anything, I grow all my own greens. About two hours out the general city areas start moving into areas where there are lots of private game farms. One of my yoga students owns one, and I will be getting venison from them soon....not sure what, but a share of what they shoot for the pot.

Wildcat experience sounds fantastic. Haven't read any of those authors, but recently read "The Elephant Whisperer" by Lawrence Anthony, quite amazing.


Not quite brave enough to put the squat thing on yet. Either you do and I'll reply, or I'll become more familiar with folk on the forum and then hit them with it!

37
General Discussion / Re: Plantains vs. Bananas?
« on: February 01, 2011, 08:28:47 pm »
What went wrong!
Well, that's entirely my dilemma - nothing seems to be wrong now that I am back to just one fruit meal a day, with 10-12 bananas. But my month's experience just before going raw paleo, and from all the reading I have done re non-benefit of high fruit sugar / high carb diets, has really put confusion in my mind.

Just before changing to raw paleo at beginning of this year, I decided to give the LFRV (811-style) another go, and did no overt fats at all for over a month, and two fruit-plus-greens meals a day, or sometimes second one with non-sweet fruits, more salad-style.
Two main problems with this:
Had to eat VOLUMES to feel satisfied and I just can't be doing with that full feeling, and,
If I ate two fruit meals a day, would inevitably include bananas in both and way overeat. And then would have restless sleep cos still feeling full, even tho had taught class before bed. But also suspect carb-fruit sugar overlaod making my mind overactive. So no physical problems as far as health is concerned, but mentally I think the overlaod was affecting me.

So playing on my mind now whether I should really give the bananas a break and see if something actually changes or improves.......can one become 'addicted' to bananas do you think? the thought of stopping bananas is more scary than the thought of eating raw meat was when I went raw paleo? have no idea how or what I will eat then to make up for calories!!

38
General Discussion / Re: Plantains vs. Bananas?
« on: February 01, 2011, 07:33:15 pm »
Further to my previous post, I have to admit since joining this forum a few weeks ago whether it is wise or not to be eating so many bananas at all! Feels fine now, but down the line.....? So I look forward to following the posts in this thread to hear others' opinions and experiences on plantains and bananas..........

39
Welcoming Committee / Re: Hello RAW-PALEO-WORLD!! Party ON!
« on: February 01, 2011, 07:29:53 pm »
Welcome!
Interesting post youve of your history - very similar to mine, and I think probably similar to a lot of folk who have finally found their way to raw paleo in its varying degrees. I still eat a sort of mid-way carb rawpaleo: fruit meal mornings, animal as second meal. But huge doubts plaguing me about how good so muc h fruit is ....or not....as I seem to be hearing from a lot of people's experiences. I don't seem to be having any problems from it....but then most of the problems seem to be something that can also develop long term.

What sort of problems did you develop from a high tropical fruit diet? Maybe there are signs I should be aware of, that I may be experiencing and don't realise they are warning signs. The only warning sign at the moment is something more subliminal saying 'maybe all the bananas aren't that good after all'!!

I am in South AFrica....probably wouldn't be able to join a raw paleo party in Europe....but maybe one day we could organise a raw paleo safari in South Africa and you could all try out some of the wild game here!

40
General Discussion / Re: Plantains vs. Bananas?
« on: February 01, 2011, 07:18:44 pm »
I've never eaten plantains, but eat bananas almost daily - about 10-12 depending on their size! Find them very digestible and soothing for digestive tract. Never had any problems from them as long as they are properly ripe. But I only eat them as part of a fruit meal mid-morning, have meat meal later mid-afternoon. Find I sleep much better if I haven't eaten too close to bedtime. When I was still LFRV, went through a stage of eating a couple of bananas after teaching yoga in the evening, just before bed. But didn't find they did anything to improve my sleep.

Guess we all have to find what works for us as individuals! But hearing others' experiences always helps, cos gives new possibilities to try out!

41
Personals / Re: South Africans?
« on: January 30, 2011, 08:30:48 pm »
I'll find out from him if he knows anyone in Gauteng that gets meat from the farm like he does.

And, your post was VERY enlightening and helpful.....it would be great if you could ask your beef contact guy if he knows of anyone up here.

And no more Woolies ostrich for me - I knew it tasted bland!

I was hoping that if we could find enough people, we could form a little group who could visit the places who advertise free range and see for ourselves.

Great idea Dillis - maybe even if it's just us for now, we could check out some farmers' markets for some sources and maybe share costs. I have a problem getting to Saturday morning markets early tho, as I teach a class Saturday mornings. I only know of one in the Benoni area, twice a month. I could go there late morning and get some info, just need to find when it's next on.
I know there are plenty in Jhb area as I did a search for Farmer's Markets, lots came up. Pretoria Farmers market too.

Thanks for your info re the Pick 'n Pay meat. What are their prices like? Woolies stock those Bsochveld eggs too - glad to know you have been there and seen they are truly free range.

Wow, exotic for me.
South Africa.
Hope to visit you some day.

Are the safari animals good to eat?

- hippo, elephants, giraffe, zebra... you know, the ones on discovery channel?
Haven't gotten to try any of them yet. Hunting season starts in March, I am hoping to source some venison after that.
When I was a child eating cooked meat still, I tried  various venisons - loved them. Kudu, impala, bushpig, crocodile.....

Maybe we'll have to get a whole crowd of raw paleos to visit and we could have a raw paleo safari and feast...lol!!

42
Personals / Re: South Africans?
« on: January 30, 2011, 02:43:34 am »
I'm not sure whether the ostrich I mention is free-range or not, but my feeling is that it isn't, as its flavour was much blander than beef or lamb.Disappointing, as I was hoping for something a bit 'wilder' tasting. i left some of it in the fridge for a few days, and its taste improved tremendously, so I might do that occasionally for a bit of variety until I can find other sources.
But I agree, I would love to taste ostrich that has truly run wild and free and eaten its natural diet. Don't know about a whole ostrich egg tho - they are enormous!!

43
Welcoming Committee / Re: Hello. I am new to this forum
« on: January 30, 2011, 02:16:49 am »
Hi Dillis - great to connect with a fellow South African - I was starting to feel quite lonely here! At the moment I have just been getting grass-fed beef and lamb and ostrich from Woolworths. Not exactly cheap, but it's all I've managed to find in the month since I started this. Haven't tried any farmers markets or organic markets yet tho. Not doing chicken as I don't have a desire for it. Have done some raw egg (free-range from WW) before I started the raw meat, as a sort of transition, as I had been raw vegan for many years before this, so it was a big step! But have gone off the egg now, just doing raw meat.

WW lamb is all free-range and not fed routine antibiotics, which is also something to be aware of when choosing meat. If you buy a forequarter bulk pack of lamb it is much cheaper than the smaller packs. Their ostrich isn't labelled free-range, but isn't fed routine antibiotics. The beef you have to look for the ones specifically labelled free-range and not fed routine antibiotics. They only stock a small selection of thick-cut steaks and lean mince, in this category. The rest of their beef I am unsure of, as it doesn't have all the 'good labelling' I am looking for.

Good luck, and let me know if you find any other sources in the meantime.


44
Personals / Re: South Africans?
« on: January 30, 2011, 02:14:48 am »
Hi Dillis - great to connect with a fellow South African - I was starting to feel quite lonely here! At the moment I have just been getting grass-fed beef and lamb and ostrich from Woolworths. Not exactly cheap, but it's all I've managed to find in the month since I started this. Haven't tried any farmers markets or organic markets yet tho. Not doing chicken as I don't have a desire for it. Have done some raw egg (free-range from WW) before I started the raw meat, as a sort of transition, as I had been raw vegan for many years before this, so it was a big step! But have gone off the egg now, just doing raw meat.

WW lamb is all free-range and not fed routine antibiotics, which is also something to be aware of when choosing meat. If you buy a forequarter bulk pack of lamb it is much cheaper than the smaller packs. Their ostrich isn't labelled free-range, but isn't fed routine antibiotics. The beef you have to look for the ones specifically labelled free-range and not fed routine antibiotics. They only stock a small selection of thick-cut steaks and lean mince, in this category. The rest of their beef I am unsure of, as it doesn't have all the 'good labelling' I am looking for.

Good luck, and let me know if you find any other sources in the meantime.


45
Health / Re: Is hand washing with soap necessary?
« on: January 30, 2011, 02:04:04 am »
I haven't used soap for about 7 or 8 years now, apart from the occasional use of an olive oil soap on my hair, which I predominantly just rinse with lemon juice. Wash my hands with water after using the loo. In the mornings I do a vigorous skin brush - face and body - this cleans away all the dead skin and some dirt, improves circulation to the skin and allows skin to breathe and perspire freely. Face and eyes get rinsed with cold water. I only shower every second evening or so, as I swim most days anyway. A vigorous rub or scrub in the shower gets most of the dirt off (and scrubbing brushes can feel quite invigorating too!). Use a scrub of ground aduki beans (grind them myself) on my face. Use a water-based cream containing natural plant oils on my face only.
I would say my skin is in excellent condition, looks clean and fresh, no problems with body odours, break outs or anything. Face is clear. And apart from the occasional cold, haven't ever had any scary 'sicknesses' that could be caused by bad bacteria!
As little soap as possible would be my recommendation for healthy skin and healthy bacterial balance on the skin. Use a scrubbing brush with water if your hands are really dirty (no suggestions for mechanics, since I don't really ever have that sort of grease on my hands!). Or scrub with lemon skin or even a half lemon. And remember SUNLIGHT. I can't remember the details or where I read it, but apparently it is a wonderful skin cleanser (in terms of ridding the skin of the bacteria that contribute to odours if I remember correctly).

46
General Discussion / Re: Liver and mucus?
« on: January 29, 2011, 10:44:34 pm »
No burning sensations in throat at all - in fact it went down very well, very sweet. just the sudden rush of mucus that unnerved me.Muscle meat is fine - no mucus with that.

47
General Discussion / Liver and mucus?
« on: January 29, 2011, 01:31:15 am »
Have only been eating raw meat for a month now. Tried some lamb's liver last week (managed about 4 tsp) and again today (this time enjoyed it more - 8tsp). But both times I found by the second bite that I was suddenly producing a lot of mucus in my mouth, then it seemed to decrease as I continued, but was still there until I finished. Anyone else experienced this or have any comments?

48
Welcoming Committee / Re: Hello - newbie raw meat gal from South Africa
« on: January 29, 2011, 01:26:55 am »
Bronwen, hi.  You might try the pages of beyondveg.com.
Thanks Van, I will. Sounds like an interesting article, from what you said. And it just opened up a viewpoint that I had never really considered that much. In fact, that is what I like about this forum, is that most of the folk on here seem to have really 'been around' in terms of exploring different diets and viewpoints, which makes them a pretty broad-minded bunch, with opinions based on having considered most angles of a situation!
    Oh, and you might try eating your beef separate from your salads.  Salads tend to diminish the acid level needed to handle meat, especially  if coming from a veg. orientated diet.   All the best,   Van
Thanks for the tip......actually this last week I've felt more and more that they interfere, reduced salads down to a small handful of plain raw greens, but reckon I will just leave them altogether and eat them some other time.

I agree with you totally, there is something liberating about sleeping wherever you want. Sometimes I take my sleeping bag out to the patio and fall asleep to the chriping of the crickets and the stars shining down, then wake in the morning to the birds happily singing their dawn chorus...
And I love the frogs at night too....
I feel the same way about the porcelain throne, there's something constricting about using it. I live on a farm and you can pretty much drop trow where ever you are outside just when you feel like it....haha now that is freedom! Of course tact is appreciated too, nobody wants to step in your business! Also my mom grew up in south america at her parent's camp for kids and they had just hole in the tiled floor for a potty, I don't know if it had plumbing or just a crude hole, but it is something I always remember seeing (and using) as a child when down there.

Yeah, no joke, that could be an interesting topic, especially with a group of people like this, i'd read it.
Well, watch the pages...it may just appear....unless you get there first with a list of 'other paleo practices'!


Quote
What part of SA are you in? I can't wait to visit africa some day, I haven't spent much time in the eastern hemisphere but I plan to as soon as I can!

In a town called Benoni, near Johannesburg. You should definitely travel to Africa - there are parts that are still so beautiful and wild. And South Africa has  multidues of beautiful and wild places to visit (I love being in nature!). Where do you live in the States?

49
General Discussion / Re: What rawpalaeo foods are you eating right now?
« on: January 27, 2011, 05:38:58 pm »
Well, ostrich not quite as rich as I had anticipated from the little taste of blood. Thought it would be quite venison-like, but actually blander than beef or lamb! I would still eat it again though, as it had a very agreeable texture for me - easy to chew, and very little of the chewy white connective tissue.

50
General Discussion / Re: What rawpalaeo foods are you eating right now?
« on: January 26, 2011, 09:13:06 pm »
Ostrich! Have just taken it out the fridge to warm up, will eat in about an hour or so. It looks very red and juicy, tasted a bit of the blood and it was delicious. Supposedly a very lean meat. Will post my eating/tasting experience later. Here's a photo of my meal:


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