Shopping with the Maker's Diet in mind...

Today marked the first trip to the grocery store since I started on The Maker's Diet.  I knew that it is going to be somewhat of a challenge to find the best options to fulfill the recommended foods.  Sadly, grass-fed beef and poultry is not widely available.  While I found plenty of organic, vegetarian-fed beef and poultry, that is not the same.  While hormone-free is still better than the other choices, it would be better if it is also grass-fed.

So far, the best find of the day is The Farmer's Cow milk and eggs.  The Farmer's Cow is a local group that is "committed to providing fresh, local products to Connecticut and surrounding areas free of artificial growth hormones (rBST) or unneeded pesticides and chemicals."  This is beneficial for many reasons.  I love the fact that I am able to support local farms while fulfilling one aspect of the diet.  In addition to the milk I purchased (eggs weren't on the list this week), I picked up some spices.  The Maker's Diet has a listing of the top recommended herbs and spices with a description of the benefits they are touted to have.  Partially due to the recommendation and partially due to my personal preference, I picked up some cilantro and sea salt.  I also bought some marjoram, but that was totally a result of the recommendation.

Cilantro is one of those herbs that I absolutely love but just never had any in my spice rack.  It is an excellent addition to salsa and guacamole.  Marjoram is one that I am not too familiar with, so I will be researching some good recipes that use it.  As for salt, I am not a big user of a salt shaker.  I have had the same container of table salt for more than 10 years.  Timing is everything, though, as it is now empty!  Rather than replace it with the same thing, I figured it was as good a time as any to switch to sea salt.

Today, I decided to do a partial fast.  Doing a regular partial fast is recommended by Jordan Rubin.  He states: “Fasting is the high-powered spiritual tool for breakthrough in body, mind, and spirit. The average person feels much better and lives healthier by observing a one-day partial cleansing fast each week.”


As I wasn't going to be doing a lot of eating, I also opted to to take a day off from exercise.  Both decisions were somewhat influenced by other factors, but it was a logical decision.


Finally, one product that I am strongly considering adding to my routine is Primal Defense Ultra.  This product contains HSOs (homeostatic soil organisms) like Jordan Rubin used on his quest for health.  I am not yet sure if I will, but if it can help me I would like to try it.

'Diet' is NOT a four-letter word...

As I begin day 3 of The Maker's Diet, I find myself in several discussions about it.  Most people are curious as to how it is going - which is great! - though it is a little too soon to tell if I have gotten any real benefit out of it.  Others ask about the various details - rules and regulations - of the diet.  One thing that is extremely unique about The Maker's Diet is that it is not primarily intended as a weight-loss program.

The word 'diet' has a lot of negative connotations in today's society.  This is largely - if not entirely - due to the numerous fad diets that simply do not work or the highly restrictive diets that may work but are so hard to follow that most people drop off of them.  In fact, the word 'diet' simply refers to what you eat on a regular basis whether affected by societal trends, food sources, or traditions.  The American diet that many of us 'follow' is, in fact, a 'diet' - though not a very healthy one.  'Going on a diet' is really an erroneous phrase as it would literally mean that you are going to start eating as opposed to not eating anything.

As such, The Maker's Diet is simply what the people would have prepared and eaten in a way that would have been available in biblical times - no microwave, no teflon, no high-fructose corn syrup, no partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, etc.  Sure, it goes a little deeper than that, but that is essentially it.

One thing that stands out with The Maker's Diet is that, as it is not primarily a weight-loss program, it is not focused on calorie counting.  In fact, when I read the book, I was somewhat surprised but the complete lack of any mention of portion control or calories.  This is NOT a low-fat diet.  Actually, consumption of fat is encouraged in order to better absorb vitamins A and D.  However, it should also be noted that biblical laws are intended to be observed - i.e. no gluttony.  Some form of fasting is suggested on occasion.  One reviewer noted: "It is amazing that by eating what God intended you to eat, you will have the body that God intended you to have."

Thus it begins!

Today marks the first, official day of my journey to wellness with The Maker's Diet!

OK, so I started with last night's dinner, but I am not really counting that when it comes to being 'IN' Phase 1.  Phase 1 is designed for a 14 day period, and I am trying to take that literally and stick to calendar days - not a dinner to dinner day.

Up at 7:30 today, thanks to Ginger, the dog, needing to go out.  Fortunately, the snow isn't too bad yet.

I started my day with my daily serving of VIDACELL as is normal.  I had recently been mixing the VIDACELL with oatmeal.  Oatmeal is not allowed during phase 1, so I simply mixed it with 4 oz. of hot water as is recommended.  I find that it works best to give the VIDACELL some time to dissolve in the water prior to consuming it, so while it sat there dissolving I started making my breakfast.

Breakfast consisted of a 2 egg omelet with broccoli, onions, and flax seed cooked in a cast iron skillet.  I am not entirely sure if cast iron was used during biblical times but teflon sure wasn't!  The Maker's Diet recommends that everything be cooked in glass, stainless steel, or cast iron - no teflon.

Following breakfast, I took 2 of my 1,000 mcg (microgram) B12 supplement.  Yes, it is intended for 1 per day, but as I am trying to correct a perceived deficiency I decided to use two today.  There is no known toxicity problem with taking too much of the B vitamins.  While I wouldn't supplement with any more than 2,000 mcg, I feel safe with that dosage.  As well, though my B12 supplement is not terribly expensive, I have no desire to spend more than I need to.  I fully intend to revert to taking only 1 per day and potentially stop using it all together once I am in full swing with the diet.

I am writing this while giving my body time to digest.  Shortly, I will be doing an exercise session.  I am as yet undecided on using the Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board or spending some time with my T'ai Chi DVD.  I may do a combination of the two!

Oh, and thank you Josh for yet another resource!