My story.
I have been writing this Paleo recipe blog for just about a year. Until very recently I knew nothing about the Keto diet.
Paleo for me has always meant sugar, dairy and grain free recipes; I came to this way of eating long before I knew it was called Paleo, urged by my own health needs, as I had been struggling for years with allergies and “gallbladder disease”. I thought it was the best possible thing I could do for my body.
For a time it was indeed a very good thing. In two short years I was able to wrestle my naughty gallbladder into submission and get rid of dairy, which got rid of my allergies.
Eating Paleo was like a stepping stone, a very important one, but little did I know I had just scratched the surface…
Complications
Yup, just as I thought I had it in the bag, and I could live happily ever after, drinking Prosecco and eating Paleo cupcakes, I had a rude awakening:
For the first time I measured my fasting blood glucose, and found out that is was quite high. (Normal fasting glucose levels should be around 85 to 95, instead mine was from 120 too 140, that is almost considered diabetic!!)Â I slowly came to the realization that I am insulin resistant…Then my mother told me that diabetes runs in the family…
In the light of this new knowledge a lot of pieces of my puzzle fell into place: Hormonal imbalance, fibroids, insomnia, mood swings, shortness of breath…
Now it all made sense!
Good thing I thought I am in good shape! DENIAL that’s what I was in, not good shape!
A lucky break!
All those realizations happened as I was sitting in during my colleague Tracie’s Ketogenic diet group. I was in the perfect place.
So I started the diet myself, and got completely sucked into it.
It was like those scenes in the movies, where boy sees girl and romantic music starts playing…
Between Keto and I it was love at first sight…or should I say bite?! In fact I am so lucky to just love fat, any kind of fat, bacon, lard, coconut oil, YUM! This love was meant to be!
My new love!
So far my new Keto diet love helped me lose 6 pounds (not much you say, but weight was not my main problem) and slowly slowly during the last 6 weeks I have seen my fasting blood glucose levels go DOWN.
From 140 to about 95.
Not bad, right?!
Before I was constantly grazing, now I am not hungry, so I do not have to even snack between meals. I can go all day without eating and still feel great.
My brain is working better, my notoriously bad memory is improving, I am much calmer! (and my husband much happier!!)
I can do an hour of yoga without wanting to die, actually starting to really enjoy it!
I can do a whole workout on the rebounder without having to stop gasping for breath!
All this after a meager 6 weeks!!
Right: May 2014 – during
…so the story continues
Can a girl be faithful to Keto and still see Paleo??
I think so! I think they will not mind.
Especially when this girl likes to take the best out of everything and then make it her own.
I have a very clear vision about healthy and tasty foods. Maybe not everybody shares my taste, because it is quite old-fashioned. I like stuff our grandparents ate. Not just our grandparents, but also somebody else’s Gramps over in Korea, or Brazil, or Japan….any wholesome traditional food is great.
My Keto!
So MY KETO is going to be quite different from most.
I want to bring you the best BESTEST foods!
Fresh, organic, seasonal, local, free of allergens, super nutrient rich….ALL OF IT! Oh wait, I forgot TASTY!!!
Do not forget I am the specialist of making things taste good…ask all the people who ate liver at my house, even for the first time, and loved it! If you follow my recipes, you now they are pretty tasty!
So the story continues, my recipes will be a little different, but not too much.
They will still be healthy, delicious and a bit unusual (like me).
As this post has been a long thought process, you will find that I have already started publishing some Keto recipes, like this first Grocery Haul For the Ketogenic Diet
Even did a nice round-up of low-carb recipes.
AND a whole week of Low-carb meals!
I would love your company…
…on this Keto journey of mine. I would also love your feedback and any idea you care to share with me.
The beauty of a small blog is that it’s like a small business: You can give individual attention to your clients, and make the experience quite personable!
So hang around and I will keep sharing good food and nutrition ideas, and I will keep you posted on my progress.
I can not wait to see what amazing recipes you create Vivica! Here’s to your health on Keto!
Kelly yo are so sweet! <3
Thank you for sharing your story, Viv! It’s so awesome that you found what works for you. I can’t wait to follow a long and try some of your delicious recipes!
Than you for the kind words Arsy! It means a lot when coming from an awesome cook like you!!
Looking forward to your recipes as I’m still trying to figure out what diet works best for me. Always looking forward to new ideas on the food front!
Thank you Leslie! It took me may years of trial and error, but I think I finally found what works for me! 🙂 Good luck with your search!
I recently made the transition to the Keto Diet too. I have been strictly Paleo for about two years, but still had multiple health issues. The worst is probably osteoarthritis, at 65, I was facing knee replacement surgery. As soon as my body got into ketosis the arthritis pain let up, and my fasting blood sugar has dropped from 158 to 108, I believe it will go down further as I progress on the diet. My energy level has greatly improved. I feel fortunate to have been able to take in some of the World Diabetic Summit over the past two weeks. I am totally convinced that this is the answer I’ve been seeking for forty years. Thanks Vivica for the recipes and meal plans. Enjoy the journey.
Luci
Thank you for sharing this with me, Lucille! I feel exactly the same. I feel like a ship which finally found harbor 😉
Can’t wait to see some recipes from you as I am doing Ideal Protein. I am on ketosis now and feel amazing. I have been doing this for 4 weeks and I have dropped 12 pounds. I recently had shoulder surgery and have just started picking up more body weight exercises which has slowed my weight loss some but I am happy to be turning fat into muscle.
WOW congrats Angie! I have only dropped about 6 pounds in 6 weeks, but I am also working out daily so I am hoping for a bit of muscle weight 😉
I am working on recipes now, have a few ready, but no time to publish 😛 should sleep less….
Looking forward to your recipes.
Thank you very much Dr Horvitz! It’s awesome that an MD would recognize “good” ketosis 😀
Talk about what you need showing up when you are ready! I have been gluten, egg and dairy free 7 months after testing positive for sensitivity. Unfortunately recent blood tests showed inflamation still too high and insulin resistant. A1c 6.2. Same day got email for diabetes summit learning about the keto diet. Today I find your blog from following Rubies & Radishes! I need all the help I can get.
Thanks for the recipes and support!
Mimi, hang in there. I really think Keto is the answer for insulin resistant. It is not the easiest diet to follow but the rewards are so great it makes it all worth it. Give it a shot!!
Hi, Vivica, it’s great seeing your blog! I can relate to your story. When I was around 35 and pregnant with my 2nd child, I started having prediabetic symptoms. For the past 6 years, I’ve been more and more Paleo, and also more and more low-carb. Now, I’m almost age 41, and by staying with a low-carb Paleo diet, I am still able to keep good blood sugar levels through diet. I am so glad to see your blog, because so many times, I look at Paleo blogs which have high carb recipes. Sweet potato pancakes are not good for me, even if they are Paleo! Now, I’m hoping to start a blog to help people get better information about prediabetes–there is a LOT of misinformation out there, and I wish more people could learn about keto-Paleo, like on your blog.
Thank you Tenny! My mission is definitively to help educate people about the benefits of eating a keto diet!
I’m so glad your shared your story! Inspirational! 🙂
thank you Kate <3
Hi Vivica,
I just found your blog (and subscribed!) I know from my own experience, when eating keto, it’s the only time I feel “normal”. My problem is staying keto. I hope to gain inspiration from reading your blogs as I have a goal of losing 50lbs by end of March 2015.
I am curious of one thing. When you were studying for certification on nutrition, is the SAD diet and conventional “wisdom” still the main curriculum ? I am wondering if and when nutritionist will be taught about the pitfalls of “heart healthy” grains.
I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙂
Hi Jackie
thank you so much, I really hope the blog can help. If you would like to really get rid of the weight and the issues, you could fill out my inquiry form and we get on a call about it. https://thenourishedcaveman.com/call
I am NOT a dietician, I am a nutritionist, so my program was based on the Dr Page Food Plan for Balancing Body Chemistry
http://www.ifnh.org/lifestyle_diet_wholefood_nutrition.htm
Which is really close to a true Paleo diet!!
The day when conventional dietitians will get away from under the thumb of corporate sponsorship and rule, and learn what really damages the human body is not yet here. BUT will never come too soon!
Thank you ! I will definitely consider your coaching call help! Also, thank you for the link to Dr. Page.
Cant wait to read and learn more.
You are very welcome!! 🙂
I listened to you on an interview, I can’t remember the podcast, but I enjoy your down-to-earth, sensible advice and manner.
Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome!
I have lost 14 pounds in the past 6 weeks doing mostly keto so would love to recieve recipes and any updates , thanks for sharing
I have been on a keto cycling diet for over a year now. It has worked wonders, I am down 30+ lbs and after the new year aiming for 30 more. I’ll be at my goal weight 180
Congratulations Lucas, that is amazing!!!
I am so excited to read of others success! My journey with keto began 2 months ago and my scale has barely budged but before and after pics reveal several inches gone and my face has also changed. I would like to follow you and others like you. Im so excited I’ve been trying to figure out how to share with the unhealthy masses. I too am not only doing this for the weight loss. I’m arthritic and insulin resistant. So glad to have found this lifestyle! Yay for us!
Yay for YOU Tina! i am so glad to be of help! I hope you keep going with your keto journey, please check out my post about keto Paleo too!
I came across your blog when I searched for information on keto diet and fibroids. I would like to know if the keto diet is good for people with fibroids? Thanks so much. I want to go the keto way but I have problems with fibroids.
Akua, keto paleo does help to regain your hormone balance, so as fibroids are driven by excess estrogen, it will help control them. As I dealt with fibroids myself, I can tell you it will need more than just the diet!
Hi! What have you noticed made a difference with fibroids? Thank you!
I cured them with iodine therapy and herbs….email me directly if you need help. vivica@thenourishedcavemn.com
It was interesting hearing about your Keto diet, I have a bit more to achieve (lose 100lb), starting with consistent small changes and the other thing is starting my own trying to be healthier site documenting my weight loss journey.
Thank you for sharing Vasso and good luck on your health journey! I was strict keto for 3 years and now I add in weekly carb ups! As a perimenopausal woman, my body loves it 🙂
Thanks ! Keep up the good work!
Iam so delighted that I found this story, & can’t wait to start as soon as possible
Thank you Tina!! Good luck with your keto journey!!
Thanks for sharing your experience Vivica! Like you I’m also in love with the Keto diet and the results you can get from it. When I started my journey I found there to be a lot of conflicting information but I managed to find a video which really helped me figure everything out 🙂 Here’s the link: goo.gl/uGN7yL
Hi Vivica,
I am slowly going over to paleo/keto. Had dreadful keto flu and had to step back as I am a carer and my dad ended up looking after me. However I do want ti gradually transition over so I am concentrating more on Paleo at the moment. Like yourself I love high fat foods, eg , bacon.
Also I have your book Keto Paleo and am just in the process of making the KetoPaleo Almond bread. Just waiting fir it to cook a little longer. I like the look if the naan bread, so will be giving it a bash soon.
I have ME and PK diet has found to be helpful for thus condition so I want to transition onto it.
Love your book and enjoyed reading about your journey to PK.
Kind regards
Barbara
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback Barbara! I think transitioning gradually can always be helpful. I was Paleo myself when I started and only after 2 years I found keto!! Good luck with everything and if you like the book please do leave an Amazon review! <3