| Archive for The Magic Bus Trip Never get off the Bus! |
| Kristelle |
Kristi's adventures, Part 4: A step forward...Taking a step forward...I've made a few adjustments in my diet in the last 24 hours and these seemed to have helped, mostly with energy. I dropped the Vitamin C pills and chose instead, to go back to raw red bell peppers (also a good source of Vitamin A), 1-2 daily. I really love that mix of peppers, olive oil, lemon and NOW...iodized salt, just enough to get my much needed intake of iodine. I think this, in addition to Vitamin C (and possibly sodium and chloride), was missing from my diet. In addition, I am now taking Vitamin D. A small dose in summer, around 500-1000 IU and plan to go higher, up to 4000 IU (probably 2000 IU) the rest of the year. Other than pepper, lemon, the occasional liver, eggs, shellfish or other organ meats, no carbs. Mostly fatty meat, eaten 100% raw. No dairy, not even butter. If I need some extra fat, I may add some olive oil, coconut oil or eat an avocado or two. Oh, and if need be or just as a treat, I may eat a few almonds or macadamia nuts. For some reason, I have a headache today. Most probably, the sodium in the salt. Tonight, I'm going out and having (cooked) LOBSTER. Yum. A good source of iodine, BTW. I eat the whole thing, legs, brain, eggs, intestines. I prefer females for their red eggs. |
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| Sol |
Kristelle,
Have you considered kelp or other sea vegetable for iodine? Sol |
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| Kristelle |
Yea...don't like it. A little table salt each day won't hurt me. | ||||
| Jessica |
Wow, the whole lobster, that is excellent! I've never had more than just the tail. I've been wanting to buy a fresh one for sometime.
Sounds like one of the healthiest things you can eat! :) ((((((hugs))))) Jessica |
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| Kristelle |
Lobster was amazing. I left nothing of it but the shell. 
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| Jessica |
Wow!
You are my idol!!! 
Jessica |
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| Kristelle |
So I think I'm overdoing it with the iodine...tummy ache, nausea, metallic taste in my mouth. At least, my sinus congestion is gone and my ears are unblocked. I'm switching to iodized seasalt (France) instead of table salt.
I'm also reducing Vitamin C intake as I don't think I need that much. Some Inuits apparently consumed on average 30mg daily. The skin of whales, organ meats and stomach content of certain animals of caribou contained some vitamin C. Also, only a little amount is needed to prevent scurvy and on very low-carb diets, C competes much less with glucose decreasing the need for C. I'm going with tomatoes, 2 a day, with olive oil, lemon and salt, as usual. Very mediterranean-like, my ancestors actually come from that region (Spain, Turkey) so it's perfect. Let's see what happens. Vitamin D is at 2,000IU daily. Keeping it there for now. Liver, probably once weekly for Vitamin A. Tomatoes contain some as well (from beta-carotene!). I'm finally on the right track...Hallelujah! |
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| Dean |
Kristelle,
I'm like you. I hate taking supplements. I haven't for at least a year now. I was wondering what I could eat for Vitamin C (or any other antiscorbutic substance?). I am only doing some mushrooms and black olives for any vegetation. I love doing without plant foods. My gut is so quiet. What would you recommend? Thanks. 
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| jeff |
What about some non-sweet citrus, like lime or lemon for vitamin C? I'm too lazy to check fitday right now, but they are both pretty low carb and probably contain a decent amount of vitamin C. |
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| Dean |
I wonder how much C there is in Frank's RedHot Sauce, since it's basically just cayenne peppers.
Ah, the antiscorbutic needs of a carnivore! 
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| Jessica |
Im following an anti-candida diet (pretty much meat and fat, with some green veggies if I want) but she does recommend certain amounts of vitamins and minerals. Sea salt is recommended (I bought gray french) because it has about 80 or so minerals in it. Vitamin C at about 4 grams per day. For Vitamin D, I think 800 to 1200.
She allows lemons and limes (fresh only) to be added to water. I drink seltzer water once a day and put in several slices. I take quite a few supplements (vitamins, minerals, fish oil). I grew up taking vitamins because our family eye doctor stated things like,he could tell if you are low on vitamin b by looking at your eyes. I just started taking b complex and I think i'm really feeling better. I did a quick google search, these are the top veggies for vitamin c: sweet & hot peppers mustard spinach (is this mustard greens or spinach?) pokeberry shoots (no idea what these are) watercress parsley here's the link for all vitamin c foods in order of highest: http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-000101000000000000000.html She recommends making parsley tea if you have urinary infections instead of cranberries, for instance (or taking drugs). Cheers, Jessica |
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| Kristelle |
Since adding back some Vitamin C and iodine, I've mostly noticed my skin improving in texture, more energy, less sleepy after meals, sinuses barely congested if any and more regular (i.e. stools BUT somewhat lighter in color and with a tint of red, perhaps from tomatoes). My face is also less pale than usual.
Still room for improvement but I'm pretty sure it's a question of time. My body is slowly but surely recovering. I'm considering eating more organ meats and seafood. We'll see... |
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| Jessica |
Sounds like you're making some good progress and great discoveries!
I need to eat more organ meat. I can't seem to find chicken liver, my favorite. All I can find is beef and veal liver. I've been craving it really badly lately, so I must be needing it. I used to have chicken livers every Thursday night, which is the night my husband spends with his friends and is not home (he cannot stand the smell, lol). Hugs to you, Jessica |
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| Kristelle |
Thanks Jess.
I'm having calf liver today. Hard to find good quality organ meats in my area though. |
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| Dean |
Kristelle,
Have you ever had kidney? |
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| Kristelle |
I've had kidney many times, it is amazing...one of my favorites. Usually tastes pretty sweet.
Yesterday, I added some more fat to my diet...macadamia butter. As you know, I love it and it is, by far, my favorite "fat meal". I realized since adding in some C and iodine, I was eating much less fat than usual. That's why I was so hungry lately and eating almost 4 times a day!!! 
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| Kristelle |
Darn it! The macadamia is giving me trouble, major constipation. No more, I promise! How many times have I said that b4?? It's just that it's soooooooo good and one of the few fat sources that I really enjoy. BUT, no more. No IFs or BUTs.
Now, with the macadamia being history 4ever, I choose to move on to healthier, more SATURATED fats with no ANTINUTRIENTS or difficult-to-absorb proteins: BUTTER. My high fat experiment of the last 2 days, especially tonite, eating tons of butta' with my slab of raw rib steak, has taught me one important lesson that, for some reason, I ignore, time and time again: EAT MUCHO FAT, like really alot!!! And just enough protein. I feel so good, so energized, and my skin always becomes so soft, almost like a baby. It's just amazing how things improve so fast. I want to reiterate (did I spell that right?!): BURY YOUR FACE IN FAT and have a little protein on the side. But eat mostly saturated (preferably animal fat) with animal protein. I'm thinking that not enough fat in my diet is responsible for my digestion problems and deficiency in certain nutrients, possibly Vitamin C, iodine and other stuff. Fat contains important nutrients (i.e. fat-soluble vitamins like A, D and E) and serves as a fuel for the digestion process. Not enough fuel, protein gets improperly digested, don't get all the nutrients from protein I should be getting, undigested protein get putrefied in the colon and triggers immune response in the body...histamine levels go up, allergic reactions like hives, adrenal exhaustion (tired after meals), etc...the list goes on and on. So, while supplementing with iodine or C may help, it doesn't solve the underlying problem. So, here is what I'm gonna try... Yes, you guessed it! A VERY high fat diet with no extra vitamin C or iodized salt. No vitamin D either. Raw meat and butter, nothing else. I really DO hate supplements but if I realize I really must, then I will. I also noticed my weight increasing (probably water weight too) in the last few months and hope the fat will help. From 135lbs to 149lbs in just 3-4 months on a VLC diet!!! I'm 5'7. I'm not fat, but not my ideal weight either. Maybe, it's my thyroid ... who knows? We'll just have to see... 3.......2.........1..........here I go! |
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| Kristelle |
OK, so I'm a little freaked out and a little scared that certain symptoms may come back without the C and iodine. Mostly the C, like bleeding gums and eventually loosening of teeth...no thanks! So, I'll still be eating a little pepper with some olive oil, lemon and sprinkle a little salt. I'll keep supplementing with Vitamin D too. I just think it's better to make one change at a time. I'm really impulsive and extreme sometimes...that's me!!! Eventually, I might make these other changes. But, for now, one thing at a time. So, like tomorrow morning, if I post a message saying that I'm going high-carb, low fat and that fat is the devil and carbs, the best thing to ever come our way, don't be surprised!
But, in all likelihood, that is NOT going to happen. |
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| Dean |
Hey, Kristelle.
You are such an inspiration, cuz, you know that we are carnivores, and you are willing to do what is necessary to figure out what is gonna work for you. That is what the Bus if for, after all. 
I think it's so great that you never give up. You're getting there, and you are MUCH healthier than you would EVER be eating any other way, and you KNOW that. 
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| Kristelle |
Oh Dean...... you know this Bus wouldn't be the same without u. I can always count on you! And you always make me feel good.
Back at you!
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| Kristelle |
I'm really enjoying this VERY high fat diet and butter suddenly tastes so good. I finally decided to drop the salt from my diet. And keep the rest the same for now. | ||||
| jeff |
So it's just butter and fatty meat now? | ||||
| Dean |
And Kool-Aid, jeff. Don't forget about the Kool-Aid.
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| jeff |
Of course! 
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| Kristelle |
Guys,
I made some changes, yet again, to my diet. Let's just say I'm adding in a little more carb and banning dairy for the rest of my life...it just doesn't sit well with me. I'm still including lots of fat but half or more or that is vegetable. At this point, I just don't have any other choice. More later... |
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| Amanda |
Hi Kristi thought I'd poke my head in and say Hi, mm I started reading at the lobster part, I havent had lobster in so long but lobster or shrimp dripping in butterrrrrr.....mmmmmmmmm....ok, when i was eating mostly raw I'd go for oysters a lot, do you like these, my bf swears theyre an aphrodiac, don't know about that i researched it some, it has a lot of zinc which contributes to the male um area, so yeah... hey what did you use macadamia butter with I love macadamia nuts, if the butter was giving you issues why not the oil, i love that too, also why do you use so many vitamins?? i never really believed in them, i use a few now a liquid magnesium (only cuz my doctor says im deficent) and fish oil/GLA caps and I try to take a liquid selenium for hair and nails but outside of that I think most are unnecessary especially since your eating so much raw you shouldn't fret, ok girl have a good day -Amanda | ||||
| Kristelle |
I tried raw oysters and hurt myself while trying to open the shells, fingers bruised and all, OUCH! it also took me 4ever to open them...and it was really salty...not particularly good. The night I had oysters, I had trouble sleeping and lots of joint pain. So....yea, I'm not planning to have any in the near future. Not so good experience.  Lobster, on the other hand, is a whole other story but never tried it raw.
I ate the macadamia butter by the spoonful with nothing else. Really good but doesn't sit well with me. Sometimes, I really hate my body!!! 
I'm just taking Vitamin D supplements right now, 2000IU daily, not too much sun here and most of the year, it's pretty cold, especially this year. I live in Montreal, Canada. I personally don't like the idea of taking any supplements and believe that a healthy diet provides everything but until I find that miraculous diet...and no matter the diet, vitamin D is mostly gotten from the sun so I still have to take some, I think... unless, of course, something in that miraculous diet doesn't require extra D. I just don't know. I'm also eating a little fruit (bell pepper) for vitamin C cause I recently experienced symptoms of too little (i.e. bleeding gums). The iodized salt is also helping me with energy and digestion. Dairy is out. Definetly! Got the worst zit ever yesterday from butter, plenty of pus, deep and painful, on my chin, hadn't gotten one of those in ages! Plus other smaller ones around the area but they were hives. Olive oil is ok but not paleo so not too happy about including it in my diet. But, I don't really have a choice. I tried bone marrow in the past but 1) didn't like it 2) didn't react well to it. Right now, I'm having 12 tablespoons of OO. Yes, 12!!!!! I need fat, the meat alone just doesn't provide enough.
I really want to believe in the totally 100% carnivorous diet but for some reason, it's just not working out for me. Trust me. I've tried and tried and always to no avail! It's so frustrating. Add to that the fact that I've actually gained weight in the last 3-4 months, about 15 lbs!!! And always feeling bloated now.  Like that's how I feel sometimes. I just feel so helpless.
I'm gonna have to try a different approach and maybe go back to 100% carnivorous at a later time to see if I do better. BUT...No matter what I do, I'm staying away from nuts, dairy and grains. I'm trying to avoid veggies but I just might include some in the near future. As always, trial and error. No real success yet, only failures but one day, success...I can't give up, I will NEVER give up...the answer lies somewhere. Hear me roar....GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! hehe... |
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| jeff |
I love your persistance, Kristelle. Stay with it. I know you'll find what works for you. | ||||
| Dean |
Kristelle,
It's pretty rare for anyone to be 100% carnivorous. Not even Bear wanted to do that. And, 100% raw carnivorous is even more rare. I think you are on track in figuring things out, though. You are lucky you don't have SAD cravings to contend with, cuz that throws most people into a real perplexity, trying to figure things out. Eliminating everything one can, except certain animal foods, is usually a great place to start trying to figure out what one can handle. But, even that is no foolproof method. Hang in there, and keep experimenting. You may have some bad reactions to certain things, but, I bet if you were not taking a true paleo approach, you'd really be in trouble.
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| Kristelle |
Giving it a last try, I mean the carnivorous diet, all animal diet. All because of Nicola and the article she sent recently written by Rosedale. It got me thinking again...don't ever get me thinking!!! 
So anyways...I think I may have had too restrictive a diet and missed out on many nutrients with my last 100% raw carnivorous diet. Contrary to the Bear, I think organ meats as well as shellfish/seafood need to be added and are a very rich source of nutrients. Some muscle meat is good too and the more fat, the better. So, my diet will now consist of some organ meat (including a few containing some Vitamin C like thymus gland and brain), shellfish, muscle meat (mostly beef, occasionally lamb, fish and other). I'm also gonna eat some cod liver + oil daily, just a little to get my vitamin A and Omega-3, to improve the ratio of Omega-6:Omega-3 as most of the meat comes from grainfed animals. I will eat all raw, expect for that cod liver and the occasional outing at a restaurant (i.e. lobster). 99% of the time, my food will be of animal origin. No vegetable fats/oils. No dairy. The exception will be the occasional fruit or seaweed. A typical meal would include some brain/thymus (for the Vitamin C), perhaps another organ meat like heart and some muscle fatty meat like chuck or rib steak. Just before, I will have some bone marrow until I get my share fair of fat. The "entree" will usually consist of some shellfish (iodine) such as shrimps, lobster or scallops, dipped into cod liver oil, some cooked (canned) cod liver (just a little), with the occasional salmon roe or lobster eggs. Today, I had some raw shrimps, dipped into cod liver oil, with some actual cod liver (of which I got approx. 10000IU of A, 1.5g Omega-3 and 8g of total fat). Then, a little later, ate some raw beef bone marrow until I was full. And later today or tonight, will have some veal thymus, baby goat heart (sorry baby!!! ) and chuck beef. Again, the cod liver is the only thing cooked. It comes in a can and only includes cod liver, the oil and salt. A can should last me 3 days...
I also had enough sun today such that I really don't need extra vitamin D. I'm really optimistic about this diet. It seems pretty much complete to me, in terms of nutrients, is varied and pretty tasty. The cod liver was AMAZING!!!!  , yes I was shocked...I expected it to taste bad.
In the fridge, I have some veal brain, lamb tongue, beef kidneys, more veal thymus and scallops waiting for me. In the freezer, some bison heart and kidneys. With some bone marrow, from beef + veal. I also plan to buy some lamb testicles..curious to how they taste. They have this weird name in french...I forget now! Most of the meat is vacuum-packed so should last pretty long in the fridge, the meat in the freezer is from many months ago. Wish me good luck!
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| Dean |
Kristelle,
With all that variety of animal parts, you shouldn't have to worry at all about nutrients. Get enough sun, and you should be fine. Remember, the more you eat this way, the less you will need any extra nutrients.
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| Badger |
Wow, that variety sounds awesome. I know we're on opposite ends of the continent, but do you have any tips on how to find brains, thymus' and the like? | ||||
| Kristelle |
Look around, that's the only way. Eventually, you may find...
Yesterday, my energy was through the roof...it was crazy!
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| Kristelle |
It's been 48 hours since the start of my experiment...and I'm feeling wonderful. Bloating: gone...stomach flatter, lost 1lb, sleeping better, more energy, skin better, less hairs falling from scalp, softer hair and skin, really hungry only once a day, sinus congestion gone, dark circles FINALLY vanishing, and overall a better sense of well-being. Only downside, diarrhea this morning but I'm thinking this may be a detox.
The secret, at least for me, appears to be variety and sticking to animal food sources only. Organ meats and shellfish contain so many important nutrients that I think lack in muscle meat. Bone marrow is also very nutritious. Maybe raw helps, most probably. And I'm having some brain today. So, that's it for now...going to the market to buy me some scallops, shrimps and maybe, if I find, some fish roe. My friend, Amanda, has also started eating more high-fat, low-carb in hopes of losing weight and improving her depression. She even ate some raw kidney yesterday. People, I'm spreading the word. 
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| jeff |
That's great to hear, Kristelle. Maybe you've finally hit the jackpot! | ||||
| AlexF |
Kristelle, I've said it before and I'll say it again: You should be a scientist! You are so willing to experiment and try new things and when something does not work, you keep your head up and move on to the next experiment.
It's all about discovering what works for you. In the end, you will reap great rewards for all your effort. Awesome!
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| Kristelle |
Thanks Alex, I'm definetly reaping rewards as we speak. Feeling great and lost another 2 lbs. | ||||
| Dan |
As long as your only doing mushrooms...
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| Kristelle |
With all those organ meats and shellfish, I was beginning to eat too much protein relative to fat.
I just can't do bone marrow anymore, yuk! and butter, I get the worst abdominal cramps every single time... So, I'm reintroducing some fats into my diet...I really want my body to run on ketones. Lots of olive oil (with pepper and some lemon) and macadamia butter...yea, I know, I said I'd never eat nuts or nut butters again...but, I need fat and I'm sort of desperate. I had some today and no problems yet. I really feel full, like MUCHO! I've also decided to eat a minimum of protein and just in the evening. In the AM, protein always seems to get me real tired and I suspect it's because it stimulates insulin, lowering my blood glucose far too much. Lots of the other symptoms I experience like drowsiness, vision trouble, headaches are often associated with hypoglycemia. I also get carb cravings during that time. I also thing that excess protein is causing hives. I really need to lower my protein intake. I will eat fat during the day and at night before my protein. Basically, whenever I'm hungry. A typical protein meal will include some fatty muscle meat, organ meat and shellfish. A little of each. To summarize, lots of fat, a little carb, a little protein with enough variety to provide me with all the necessary nutrients. |
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| Dean |
That and Shawn's finest.
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| jeff |
It sounds like you have a great plan, Kristelle. How much protein do think is enough? And how much to you think is too much? | ||||
| Dean |
And, don't forget Lucky Chuck! 
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| Kristelle |
So, I am changing my fat source. I found goat butter (a little pricey) and will try that. Maybe I'll do better with goat vs. cow. Time will tell. I tried the butter this AM and it was nothing like cow butter, so much more tastier and so yummy! I can definetly see myself bingeing on it. But too much and I start getting nauseous.
So, I'm dropping olive oil and macadamia butter. I've always believed animal fats to be superior to vegetable fats. Please GOD...make this work!!! I also bought some more cod liver in its own oil. Plenty of Vitamin A, D and omega-3. Very good too. I'm just taking a little, I don't want to overdose.
Got some baby goat kidneys, veal heart cut into 100 grams pieces with the fat left on. I really love this farmer's market I go too. They have everything! They also have bison liver...yum! Maybe I'll have some in the near future. |
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| Kristelle |
I'm also changing my eating schedule, I'll explain why...
Eating protein in one meal, I'm more likely to increase my blood sugar and insulin too much in one go. So, I plan to eat 3-4 times daily, probably 3 times. Each time, about 100 grams of meat/seafood (approx. 15-25 grams of protein). Fat, as much as I want. No limits on fat!!! A typical day would look like this: 1st meal (AM): cod liver+oil, shellfish and extra butter if desired 2nd meal (afternoon): organ meat/muscle meat + butter 3rd meal (evening): same as previous Should I do poorly on goat butter too, I'll probably try some coconut fat, from coconut milk or shredded coconut. I just don't dig coconut oil, makes me wanna gag! |
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| Kristelle |
Chuck is waiting for me...a little cold but I'll warm it up in no time.
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| Heather L |
I bet it is nice to have an impressive farmer's market. It sounds so much better than what we have here. I am hoping ours will get better as so many more people are looking to buy locally.
I was going to mention that I really like the texture of coconut milk that is cold in the refrigerator. It makes it creamy like yogurt. Yum. |
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| Dean |
Kristelle, just exactly what is it of Chuck's that you're gonna warm up?
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| Dean |
Lucky Chuck!
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