I'm Closing the Group! (NOT really)

Our group has grown quite a bit recently, and we're learning that with growth come complications.  I created this group to provide a safe, positive environment for discussion about the Paleo way of life.  Our members include all types of Paleo people, from the hardcore to those attempting to lead a healthier lifestyle through gradual change.  Even those dealing with food allergies like me.

As can be expected with such a large, diverse group, we have lots of different views.  We'll never all agree on what it means to be "Paleo".  Even the big players in the Paleo world don't agree with one united definition- because it doesn't exist.  There are at least nine different versions and spin-offs of the lifestyle, and they all vary to some degree.

Dairy, red wine, and dark chocolate (oh my!) have all stirred up some controversy in the group. Even nightshades have been questioned lately.  We have to remember that we have all come to Paleo for different reasons and are at different stages in the lifestyle.  In fact, we do have people in the group who can’t eat nightshades.  We also have people who can't eat eggs or coconuts.  That doesn’t mean nightshades, eggs, and coconuts aren’t acceptable Paleo choices.

Paleo is not a one-size-fits-all diet and it certainly isn't about other people’s intolerances. Our group is about all of us finding your own path, and supporting each other so they can reach their Paleo bliss too. 

While NOLA PALEO does not encourage cheating, we live in New Orleans and celebrating is what we do best.   Heck, we’ll celebrate just about anything!  But for me, I’m a lifer and in it for the long haul.  Does this mean that I never cheat?  Absolutely not!  But I would ask you don’t judge me when I make a food choice that you don’t agree with, I do the best I can but I'm still human. Even Mark Sisson said recently, "A bite of really good, really crusty bread with butter at a restaurant? It’s been known to find its way into my mouth without much ill effect."

I've "closed" the Facebook group, which means that anything you say here stays here. It won't show up on your newsfeed anymore. So feel free to be open and honest.  We’ll continue to welcome new members and hopefully we’ll continue the upward momentum.  Each member can add others to the group, so feel free to add those you think might be interested.

With almost 400 members, you’re going to see posts that you don’t agree with.  I can’t stop that.  However, I ask that everyone respect each other regardless of your personal views. I'm not asking that you stop giving tough love...sometimes we all need a bit of tough love.  But choose your words carefully and say it in a supportive way.  We are not here to cut each other down. 

Thanks for everyone’s positive contributions to our community.  Your continued participation and support is the heart and soul of the group.  New Orleans has a bright Paleo (and Primal) future but we have to stand together!

Robyn Ledet's Paleo Story | Down 57lbs!

I spent the majority of my adult life suffering from being overweight, anxious, severe heartburn, poor sleep, repeated sinus infections, insomnia, and even became somewhat of a hermit in my own home.

In May of 2012, a coworker suggested that I give up my SAD diet and try a Primal/Paleo way of eating. I felt amazing after only two weeks. I was able to give up a 20+ year habit of daily Prilosec within three weeks, my knees were creaking less and I was sleeping better.

While I only lost 11 lbs from that May to March of 2013, I was feeling so much better that I was no longer as concerned with my weight. I found a coach in March of this year and stepped up my game by diving full into the Paleo LIFESTYLE, instead of just the clean food.

I continued to clean up what I was eating, started some light exercise, made a conscious effort to reduce stress, balance hormones & get into a stricter sleep pattern.

As of today, I've lost a total of 57 lbs (46 in the past eight months) and only have 20 more to go to reach my goal. I remain heartburn free, anxiety has been dramatically reduced, I'm sleeping so much better, rarely get sick anymore and I've become quite social. I honestly feel younger at 48 than I did at 30!

No Poo With No Waxy Worries

Not everyone gets the whole no-poo movement.  (I still giggle when the words "poo" and "movement" are used together. Pardon me while I compose myself. But seriously, I'm talking about the idea of using baking soda and vinegar to wash your hair.)  You know, the idea of using baking soda and vinegar to wash your hair?   I was pretty confident that it wasn't going to be for me. I have long, dry, thick hair, and the thought of using these ingredients didn't seem like a good idea.

I found out pretty quickly that I was wrong and within a few weeks my hair was soft and beautiful.  It was an incredible transformation.  I wish I had taken photos of how it used to stand straight out when held in the center.  But I'm certainly not going back to recapture the moment...sorry but you'll have to trust me on this one.

After a full year of being happy with my no-poo transition something went wrong.  I wondered if my baking soda had gone bad or the vinegar was off. Something had changed and NOT for the better. 

My hair became waxy after I cleaned it. It seemed to get worse and worse with each wash.  I refused to go back to regular shampoo and conditioner again.  I searched the web looking for solutions and tried several alternatives but nothing seemed to be perfect.

I finally realized that as the seasons changed the New Orleans Water Dept adjusted the amount of additives and chlorine they use in the tap water.  My verbiage may be wrong, but basically the sebum binds with the minerals in the water and forms a goopy, waxy mess!  Definitely not the look I'm going for!

Solution: 

Distilled or cheap bottled water

I know, I know, I'm cheap too but bear with me.  At first, the idea of buying bottled water seemed to defeat the initial purpose of going no poo in the first place.  You can use the cheapest bottled water you can find. I buy a 2.5 gallons of distilled water for $2.00 and it lasts me several months.  I have incredibly long, thick hair but you don't need much with each wash.  I've heard that you can boil tap water to get the same effect but I'm not organized enough to do it ahead of time so it can cool. 

You just need enough water to mix with the baking soda.  I use 1T for each cup of water.  I have found that I can use less baking soda with the distilled water than the tap water.

Fill up a mason jar with your bottled water and put it in the microwave until it is warm to the touch.  Pour about a cup of the warm water into an empty mason jar. Add the baking soda.  Use the mixture on your DRY hair and massage.  Then use the leftover water to rinse the majority of the baking soda solution out of your hair. Once you get the bulk out then you can use tap water to rinse the rest.  

Continue with the vinegar process and use tap water as you normally would. The tap water is only problematic when it is in contact with baking soda, not the apple cider vinegar.

All in all, it was an easy fix to a pretty big problem.  Sure it's a headache having to heat the water in the microwave but that really isn't a biggie now. I do get lazy occasionally and just opt to use a J R Liggett shampoo bar instead. But my love with no poo has been reclaimed again.  

What's your favorite natural beauty treatment?

Checkout www.nolapaleo.com for the full blog and website.

This is a collaborative blog

and each post is the opinion of the person submitting it.  

Not everyone will agree with every post, but our individuality is 

one of the things that makes our group great!

Join the Facebook group from New Orleans with 360 members: 

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