May Carnivore Contest

Dean · May Carnivore Contest

May Carnivore Contest

All foods should be as natural, fresh, and whole as possible. Animal fat should be kept high, 60-80% of calories, and carbs should be kept as close to zero as possible. The cleaner one eats and the closer they get to an exclusive raw animal diet, the more points they can rack up. The goal is not to be perfect, but to see how close you can get to our ancestor's diet.

Allowed
* any part of any animal (clean cuts)
* eggs
* dairy
* condiments, seasoning
* beverages

Wow

>>> To get any points you must have only what's Allowed and remain under 10g carbs. <<< Wow

If you have something not allowed or go over 10g carbs you are out for the day, you get zero points.

If you water fast for the entire day, you get 5 points. This is NOT to encourage starvation practices.

Add up your points each day. You can get up to 5 points per day. Cool

One point for each, for having:
- only allowed items + under 10g carbs
- no dairy (except butter)
- no condiments (except ZC)
- water as only beverage
- raw animal part / raw egg

Sunny

Badger

All right, here we go!

Where exactly is the line between condiment and seasoning? Tabasco sauce, for example, doesn't seem too far from spices. And homemade mayo is just fat and raw egg with some spices. Sure, it's usually made with oil, but I'm assured that it works just fine with tallow or lard, if a little stiff at fridge temps.

And by VLC dairy do you mean only butter, or are you including cream and cheese?

Dean

Well, since one must stay below 10g of carbs, what do you think of not even having "VLC" anything? Would that work? I would imagine one would have to be careful to eat only butter, cheese, cream, cream cheese, sour cream, that sorta thing, right? Or do you think it should say VLC, which would mean those types of dairy?

On the seasoning, that is a good point. I think zero carb sauces should almost be considered seasoning and not condiments. There are lots of zero carb condiments, though, like mustard and mayo.

There, I changed it. So, now, as you say, things like hot sauce can be considered seasoning. But, mustard and mayo would not be. Now, if one took lard and mixed it with raw eggs... I pity them, I really do. LOL

I have lard in my cupboard. It is not the greatest thing to eat at even room temp. It's gunky. Great for fryin' eggs, but to eat with raw eggs, oh no! Shock

Good suggestions, Badger! Yup

Anyone else have any? Cool

Rubbish? Don't bother suggesting it. Wink

BTW, for anyone that thinks this Contest is hard, just remember, back in February, we had 14 people that went a total of 231 days following a much harder challenge, and many of them kept saying how easy it was. This May Contest allows dairy lovers to eat cheese on those burgers, and drink those eggnogs. This is gonna be easy. Out with the carbs and in with the animal fat. Wink

Get on board the keto train. Grin

Badger

Excellent changes. So do you think that you'll slip back onto the Devil

cream

or will you stand firm against it? LOL

Dean

I'm gonna work toward extremely rare and sometimes raw meat, raw egg yolks daily. Eventually, the butter will go. The sauces might go fairly soon as well. When I get down to clean cuts of animal parts, eggs, dry seasoning, and water, I'll have to figure out just where to go next. But, so far, I'm cutting things out slowly enough that I don't feel deprived at all. Just making minor adjustments. Who knows if I'll ever go back to dairy. I must admit, I sure loved it. One thing's for sure, I'm really cleaning out my system doing this elimination stuff. Feels good. And, this is keeping me miles away from sugarland! Yup

Sol

Dean,

Intriguing contest. I may join.

Is mail-order pemmican considered processed meat if it's really clean? US Wellness has a pemmican with only these ingredients: beef jerky, beef tallow, water, sea salt.

Also, what constitutes a beverage? I assume you're allowing coffee, which I don't drink but lots of people on the bus do. I like my homemade kombucha but it has sugar (and tea) in it so I'd probably get above 10 grams of carb too quickly if I included kombucha. Is water with lemon in it ok as a beverage?

Kool-aid is ok, right?

Thanks,
Sol

wifezilla

The only problem I had in Feb weas getting enough FAT. Other than that, it was quite easy.

~mina~

i have a great recipe for mayo.. it's just animal fat blended with a splash of very hot water (melting it); then egg yolk, a spash of vinegar, garlic clove, salt, parsley blend again until you have a thick and creamy sauce. is vinegar allowed?

but really it is a versatile SAUCE that plays out like mayo.. so i think it should be a ZC sauce hehe

ill make a big batch if it can be in the challenge Heart

but ill rid my fridge of all mayo during the april challenge if not.. you know what is best for me

what if i make mustard? its just mustard powder and water with a splash of vinegar lol im such a cheater. Devil

I actually only had mustard one time this month.. and yes yes i know its a condiment im only playing around! but im serious about my recipe above being a sauce!

sorry to be the local contrarian! but you know, its so hard to give things up.. our brains really want it. i dont think i can allow myself to have dairy or AS (are you allowing that on this challenge? yucky).. it just doesnt agree with me and I would overendulge. im also going to start trying for a baby in june so no way am i putting AS in my body! but it will be nice to have a piece of cheese with my eggs sometimes and cheese is pretty good for most people. and then 10g limit is great.. that limits how much cheese a person will consume (although i think a block of cream cheese would be <10 haha jk.. errr.. Outta Here

)

but I am willing to do whatever I need to in order to be a healthier me! Heart

~mina~

oh can i suggest new team names? like the Butterflies and the Rainbows?

i think that would go over well Heart

Heather L

Valcan

~mina~

awesome haha! LOL

Dean

I've never heard of a carnivorous butterfly? Wow

How much Kool-Aid did you have yesterday, Mina? LOL

~mina~

Dean

Mina, is that what your avatar shows? Well, that goes just fine in these Carnivore Contest Wings, don't ya think? Thanks so much for bringing that in to serve us, Mina. Smile

The sticking point I was referring to was this issue of condiments, not animal fat. Trust me, I don't think anyone should limit animal fat. Cool

BTW, I thought you'd already made this mayo. Mina, no offense intended, but have you ever seen lard from the cupboard? It resembles glue or something like that. It's all sludgy. Believe me, you probably wouldn't wanna mix raw eggs up with that. Wink

So, what are we really trying to figure out, here? How Mina can cheat? LOL

Perhaps you should join Jude and Shae some night, at the back of the Bus, and see how it's really done. Devil

~mina~

no i dont want to cheat Sad

Dean

I'm just jokin' with ya. I know you wouldn't cheat, Mina. Heart

Sol

Dean,

I'm in for the May contest. There'll be a couple of days where it won't be easy (socially) to keep the diet. If I decide to do a water fast for those two days do I get 4 points per day?

Sol

Dean

Sol, that's great you wanna sign up. Cool

Yah, I guess you would get 4 points if you did a water fast.

Social eating. That's always a tough one, huh. Thank god for IF. It has saved me many times. I just avoid the food at the carb fests most social events have. Restaurants are much easier, though, cuz one can usually order meat.

I'll start a list to send to the head Boot Babe. They'll start construction on the May wing, and get all the amenities in place. Devil

May Carnivore Contest
Dean
Sol

So, who else wants on the list?

~mina~

I want in!

golly... youre going to wean me from coffee, dean...

im not going to be such a sweetheart Heart

but i need to come off it next month anyhow. ill start cutting back now Sad

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Dean
~mina~
Sol

OK, you're in, Mina! I think this one's gonna be a better challenge for all of us. Yup

Billi-Jean

Damn, I ditto what mina said (including the sweetheart bit! LOL

)...ugh, have to get rid of the black gold Sad

I'm going to be left with meat, fat, eggs, butter and salt, since I don't eat other dairy or use spices or condiments... Shock

~mina~

yay to early mornings!! good morning BJ Heart

yeah we will be crabby for a while.. ive only had one cuppa today and drinking broth.. on four hours sleep, my associates should love me today!! Devil

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Dean
~mina~
Sol

So, BJ, you're signed up. Java's not too hard to give up. I'd suggest cutting down, though. I won't lie about the two days of major headaches and then reoccurring headaches over the next 10 days. I'm just now starting to feel better. Caffeine is like alcohol on a zero carb diet. They both really mess with me. I get so sensitive to everything, especially when I remove all dairy except butter.

Man, BJ, it sounds like you are on an even more strict regimen than I am. Great way to detox. I wanna see how far I can take this, and, if I do bring anything back into my diet, I will be able to experiment to see what I can handle, one thing at a time. Last April, I just had plain pork and beef and water for 15 days straight. I then started rapidly adding all sorts of stuff back in, and never figured out what caused certain issues. Right now, from all the junk I've eliminated, my sinuses are so clear, which for this time of year is quite amazing. I'm also feeling better every day.

Just how far I'll go is gonna be interesting to see, but the way I figure it, why not cleanse myself and heal myself while I'm up for the task, and be able to trial certain things in after that. Plus, I really wanna get fully keto-adapted. Nobody has been able to pin down how long that takes. I really think there are many things that interfere with that, including coffee and booze.

It's good to have ya in this wing of the Ward, BJ! Cool

Billi-Jean

Thanks Dean! Heart

Yeah, the coffee thing is really bugging me. Sad

I think you're right about becoming more sensitive...maybe that's what's happened to me because I really find it's affecting my mood, concentration, sleep etc. But I've been under a lot of stress with exams and finances and stuff, so part of me keeps thinking maybe I'm imagining the things I've been experiencing as being due the coffee, or that maybe it's just still part of the keto-adaption process...so, until I give up the coffee I just won't know.

I've been keeping my regimen so strict because I still remember the period last year when I was using spices and herbs, how I could never seem to get that satisfied feeling of having eaten enough. I just wanted to keep eating -so I was having a similar reaction to the spices and herbs as I do with other carbs. A bit of sea salt is the only thing I seem to be able to handle that doesn't trigger that insatiable 'hunger'.

I don't miss 'flavouring' my meat, anymore -in fact the idea of messing with the taste of the meat has become a bit of a sacrilege! LOL

Oh, I can still drool over some of the recipes that get posted and if I had someone make them for me I'm sure I'd have a hard time resisting, but when I actually go to cook, myself, all I really crave now is the natural flavour of the plain meat on its own.

But the coffee...sigh...that's a whole different ball park for me, and the idea that I need to give it up makes me feel, as mina would say, *sceered*. LOL

That's why I know I'm so addicted to it, because I can't imagine what I'm going to do without it! Shock

Crazy really, because a little over a year ago I never imagined I could live without carbs either.

So it's with a bit of trepidation that I'm joining the May Contest, but if that's what it takes to help get me determined to beat the caffeine habit, then this is where I need to be -even if the Boot Babes have to lock me in the rehab room to keep me in this wing! LOL

Bobi

I guess I won't be joining the May contest, I don't want to give up my coffee Dean!!!

jeff

Dean

But you guys don't have to give up coffee to join. So, why not join and get the points you can? Confused

jeff

Dean

Well, jeff, after all the phone calls and mailers I got from your board members and stockholders, not to mention all those WI state legislators, and I then threw in the towel and made dairy an official carnivore food (yah, I know, like eggs, it's from animals... I read all the glossy brochures Roll Eyes

), you can at least indulge in all the cream in that coffee without losing any points for that. Besides, let's face it, you'd probably lose those points most of the time for drinking other things, right? Wink

Yah, this is hard core, but for those of us who are wanting to take this a bit further, we may need more of a challenge. I think we should be given a chance to get that challenge, while all of us remain in one wing of the Ward. With Random Assignment, you have just as much chance of getting on a team with some hard cores. I bet you'll be glad you joined then. Yup

Sol

Dean,

I don't believe that stricter is necessarily better when it comes to diet. I've been on some pretty extreme diets in my life and there's a point where the benefits I might gain physically, I will lose emotionally.

In my case, I love heavy fat VLC carnivoring because my gas, bloating, and constipation are GONE, my liver isn't complaining, I don't have body odor, I'm never very hungry, I'm losing bodyfat, and I'm sure I'll be gaining benefits as I continue this way of eating as all these benefits are after only a couple of carnivore-heavy weeks.

But, I watch myself when I think that stricter is better. For example, I've been enjoying my kombucha and I believe my liver is using it to heal. I get the same feeling when I drink water with lemon. So, because ancient cavemen didn't have access to lemon trees very often does that mean that I'd be healthier if I dumped the lemon water? Because somewhere back in time meat was never cooked does that mean that I should never cook meat? I eat lots of raw meat but when I go to dinner with friends I'll eat cooked meat. I think the connection with people is more important than going stricter in my diet. I'm not saying I'll eat grains or starchy veggies when I go out or to friends, but I don't see harm in a salad of lettuce and spinach and cooked chicken.

Dean - I'm not picking on you. I'm declaring my feelings to the whole bus. I love the bus because we support each other in a common goal - of being more carnivorous. But, I hope noone ever judges anyone who pays attention to what their body needs and what is important to them in their relationships.

Sol

jeff

Oh, ok. Count me in. Like you said, at least I won't lose any extra points for putting that delicious high fat heavy whipping cream into my coffee.

On a related note, I have now been cream and cheese free for I believe 5 or 6 days now. I have noticed no difference in anything. I must be one of the lucky few that are not lactose intolerent. I'd be willing to give them up if I felt better or healthier by doing so, but with no noticeable changes, I see no reason to.

Dean

jeff, I don't think you're getting much lactose, cuz you are eating really low carb dairy. I'm really not sure what everyone thinks is the problem with dairy. It may just be the extra calories. So, yah, it's sort of a moot point, cuz, after all, it is animal fat.

Sol, I understand what you are saying, but, these Contests/Challenges are for people who are trying to get away from things, and to see what they can do without. Plus, it is a good way to eliminate things, and then add them back to see how much you can tolerate them. It's sorta hard to structure it, you know. It's not gonna be perfect, but it does help people get away from junk.

I hear ya on the social thing. Some people feel they need to do that, others don't. I understand both points of view. But, this is more of a challenge. Some people need these challenges more than others. Being strict, for awhile, anyway, is not always a bad thing, cuz it helps one get into better habits. If you never try to do anything, you can easily say "it can't be done" and then you will get nowhere. Being strict all the time isn't necessary, and I totally understand that.

I know that, for myself (and I've heard others comment about it as well), that until I challenge myself, I'm not sure what I can do on a regular basis. Gaining that confidence is a really helpful thing for many. Also, we don't all just one day decide to stop eating tons of carb foods, including grains and all, and then the next day we decide to go carnivorous. Most of us have evolved to get here, and some are further along than others.

We all need to figure out what toxic treats (or healthy supplements?) we can handle or want to include in our diets. But, as I said, this will hopefully help us to figure that out. Anyway, I'm open to different ways to structure a Challenge/Contest that everyone can participate in as a group. Or, we could all just have little challenges that we could have small groups participating in. See, this has already been discussed before, and most people wanted one big party. Wink

But, suggest away.

Sol

Dean,

Great reply. Thank you. All of your points are well considered. I'm glad you don't view strictness as a moral superiority thing.

I'm still in for May and am looking forward to the challenge, although for me the only challenge will probably be the social one. Yeah, I get that it's not an issue for some people.

Thanks,
Sol

jeff

Sol

Dean,

I've never figured out the dairy thing. When I was eating omnivorously, I never had problems with ice cream, too much hard cheese would constipate me, and milk, even raw cow or goat milk and even kefired raw milk would put me to sleep.

I just bought some whipped cream cheese from Whole Foods (in preparation for abstinence in May -- don't recall if dairy is a no no in May, though) and, geez, this is great stuff, almost all fat and it tastes tons better than slabs of butter. But, I notice the desire to eat tons of cream cheese so I'm going to slow down on buying the stuff.

Sol

Dean

Sol, all animal derived foods are in for May. Check the OP.

Many use dairy to get their animal fat ratio up. Right now, I'm eating TONS of butter. It seems the more animal fat I eat, the better I feel.

Some say there are opiate like proteins in dairy. I know that when I was drinking those eggnogs every day in March Heart

, I had lots of bloated feelings and gas and such. I'm feeling much better without it. But, perhaps that opiate deal is real, cuz, I found myself hopelessly in love with the stuff. My divorce lawyer's phone calls to WI have been nonstop since April started. Roll Eyes

Sol

Dean,

Yeah, I've heard the opiate thing as well and I believe it, based on my experience.

I just finished eating 8 ounces of whipped cream cheese that I bought a couple of hours ago. That's 770 calories of mostly fat, with no effort. I couldn't eat 8 ounces of butter that quick. So, because I don't get any "stop" signal with this whipped cream I'm going to guess that it's not the best for my body, although my body could be deficient in something and wants to eat tons of this stuff.

Anyway. I'm going to way slow down my consumption of the kinds of dairy that I could eat non-stop.

Sol

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Dean
jeff
~mina~
Sol

jeff, you're in. Cool

Dean

jeff

Sol

Dean

Does anyone think we should add those to this Contest? Grin

Sol

You know, I didn't have any bad reaction to that 8 ounces of cream cheese. I really really like this carnivore high fat way of living. Even if it someday gives me high cholesterol, clogged arteries, and heart disease, at least I won't get fat! Isn't that worth something? Yup

A way to sell carnivorism to the masses might be to tell them that it's really bad for their health but they won't get fat!

Dean

I think the diet soda market already has that copyrighted. Wink

Bobi

Okay, I'm in too. If Jeff can do it, so can I. I have noticed no changes since being dairy free, I guess I don't have any problems there, that's good to know. I'll drink my coffee in May and add my heavy whipping cream back in. I eat only carnivore anyway, that's a given for me.

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean
jeff
~mina~
Sol

OK, Bobi. Glad you decided to join us in this wing. Cool

Kim

Count me in.

Kim

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean
jeff
Kim
~mina~
Sol

Alright, a fellow Tiger! Cool

So glad you decided to join us for May, Kim.

Sunny

Tracy

Maybe. I'm re-reading GCBC (third time) and want to try it out, bc I felt great during the Feb challenge. I just ate way too much cheese :(

On the fence between keto-adaptation and yummy Spring veggies at the farmers market...

Course I'd have more money to spend on MEAT at the farmers market, so...

considering it. Don't put me down yet, but don't count me out yet either :)

Kristelle

Count me in Dean! Happy

Sol

Hey Dean,

I'm going to try some herbal teas, a lemon/salt/water drink and some coffee enemas to see if I can help my liver to heal a bit more quickly during this transition to no carbs. (I haven't had kombucha in a few days so that wasn't the magic bullet.)

Anyway, if I understand the rules of May correctly, if I eat no carbs, have meat including some raw meat daily, then I can have these beverages and get 4 points per day. Is that right?

Sol

p.s. Does coffee count as a beverage if I'm not ingesting it in the usual place? Devil

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean
jeff
Kim
Kristi31
~mina~
Sol

OK, Kristelle, you're in. Cool

Dean

Sol,

Sounds right if you are drinking tea, although, if it's just herbs and has no caffeine or anything, it could be like seasoning. Lemon juice is like ZC sauce or seasoning. Don't worry about that. And, yah, you would need to drink the coffee. LOL

~mina~

*passes out*

Dean

On witnessing the number of people who are having dairy issues, I've slightly modified this Contest. Also, it really ceases to be a Contest if there is no component of a challenge involved. If it's too easy, what's the point? And, remember, instead of having several different Contests/Challenges going on at the same time, this is supposed to be a combined Contest that we can all participate in and benefit from. So, the processed meats have been totally dumped, since most people stay clear of that junk anyway. And an extra point will be given for excluding dairy (except butter for the fat). This will give those who are really trying to cut out the dairy, a challenge that is meaningful. I'm really starting to see just how casein intolerance is widespread, and the fact that this type of foreign protein was introduced so recently in our evolution easily explains it.

Anyway, this Contest may not be for everybody. It may be that some have already arrived at what they are gonna eat and drink forever. But, many of us are still struggling toward a more paleo WOE. The whole point of these challenges is to practice modified behavior with WOE. I have noticed just how much my sinuses were affected by dairy, because always at this time of year, when pollen and other agents would trigger severe allergy symptoms, this year I don't have those issues. I did last month when doing the cream, but, since dumping all dairy except butter, I'm much better. I may dump butter come May, just to see if things get even better, but, I doubt that butter or ghee would cause me many issues, anyway.

Check the OP. It should be a great Contest that will be a real challenge for May. Cool

Sol

Dean,

I'm gonna drop out of the contest. It's gotten too strict for my taste and won't inspire me. At some point, coconut oil became "less than" in the contest yet I believe it to be a very healing food. Plus, some people do find dairy to be very healing, although I agree - many, myself included, do not.

I will cheer from the sidelines for those who are motived by the contest.

Sol

Karen

Ok count me in...it will be fun..i might end up with ZERO points some days..but thats ok...he he

Dean

Dean

Tracy

Ok, count me in. I know some days are gonna be zero bc of outings. Got a zoo excursion soon, and we always bring our own food (meats, cheese, veggies, pickles etc). I also know that tomatoes are coming soon, and I'm gonna eat 'em! But I'll look at this as a good guideline for myself, regardless.

Or...I could really delve in, and see if it shifts these last few pounds? It is coming up to bikini time, after all Devil

Re: just water - clarifying that this means water with nothing added at all - no herbal tea, etc. Personally ( Roll Eyes

) I think herbals are ok - no caffeine, just herby things steeped in water. Likely used by our paleo bro's for, uh, medicinal purposes and, like, stuff.

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean
jeff
Karen
Kim
Kristi31
~mina~
Tracy

Alright, Tracy! Glad you decided to join us. Cool

On the herbal tea thing. Herbs and spices (seasoning) are allowed. So, if you take pure herbs and put 'em in water and make herbal tea, then that is fine. Regular commercial teas (decaf or not) would obviously not be. Even a bit of lemon or lime juice is like seasoning, like on fish or chicken, so, you can even do hot or cold water with some lemon or lime.

Matt

In.

I like the increased strictness- 10 grams instead of 20. It'll help me limit my eggs- I can eat up to 20 of those things in one day Shock

Tracy

Awesome re: herbal tea. I like hot drinks.

This one's going to take some discipline for me, but that's why I'm interested. I'm not eating much vegetation lately though, save the amazing garlic-stuffed olives I picked up at Costco. Wow, they're good.

I know that some women have had trouble shedding weight on carnivore - curious to see if I can, though I only have a few vanity pounds left. Like you, Dean, it's that soft roll around my tum I want to get rid of. Thinking measurements rather than scale would be the best way to track progress, or calipers.

jeff

Bobi

Me too, Dean. It's not a challenge to me. I've been eating like this for over 2 years too.

Manaloa

Count me in, even though I'm actually starting tomorrow. I need to get back on the bus. My goal for the month is only beef, eggs, butter and water. I've been feeling wretched lately.

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean
jeff
Karen
Kim
Kristi31
Manaloa
Matt
~mina~
Tracy

Welcome to the May Carnivore wing, Matt and Manaloa. Cool

Great! Up to 11 participants so far.

Tracy, I think that it takes awhile to get our hormones adjusted to start losing. So many people bounce around with what they eat, never sticking to anything long enough for their body to adjust. I find it difficult to understand how people can claim that this type of eating won't allow them to lose weight, when they aren't even following it long enough, or they are not exercising, or they are binging on food, instead of IFing and eating only when really hungry. It's not enough to think we can just pig out on fatty meat for a week, and include things like dairy, that may give us trouble, and be totally sedentary, and then expect miracles. Our bodies don't work that way. Our metabolism is screwed so bad from years of abuse, so, it might be wise to figure out how to evolve into this WOE and actually give it a chance. Few do. And, the power of carbs is so incredible in the modern world, that it is not hard to see why.

jeff and Bobi, it's up to you guys if you wanna stay. I think it would be great if you did, though. It's gonna be lots of fun.

The points one wants to accumulate should be based on whatever personal goal they have for the month. Y'all should be figuring that out now, cuz, when I do the final roll call, I'm gonna ask you what your personal goal is for the month. So, be thinking about just how many points you'd like to rack up, to really challenge yourself. Yup

Dean

I've modified the OP slightly. Everyone have a look. I've made it simpler. Now, for condiments, one can do mayo, mustard, horseradish, hot sauce, whatever, and still get the extra point, as long as it's ZC condiments. As long as it has no carbs in it, any condiment is allowed for the extra point. If it has any carbs in it, you can still do it, as long as you keep your total carbs for the day under 10g, but you won't get that extra point.

BTW, I've also removed CO from the allowed list. I am not sure why I put it there in the first place. It's not a seasoning or condiment, so it really is out of place in this contest. Aside from condiments, seasoning, and beverages, this is supposed to be about eating animal foods exclusively.

This May Contest is very similar to the February Contest. The difference is, it allows for a challenge to go further into carnivorism for those who want to push the envelope a bit and see what they can or can't do, or would be better off, without. For those who just want the one point a day, like they got in February, they are actually allowed more, cuz they can do any kind of condiment and any kind of beverage, as long as total carbs are under 10g. If you check the February Contest, it was more strict, yet there were many who said it was an easy contest, so this should be even easier. If you want extra points, that's when it will get a bit more challenging. But, that's the whole idea of a challenge, you know. Wink

Please check over that OP, and start figuring out how many points you can rack up in the 31 days of May. Challenge yourself with it. Go for all you think you are capable of. When I do roll call this weekend, you'll need to post those numbers. After that, I'm gonna divide us into teams and the Boot Babes are gonna get out the blow torch to seal the doors of this wing. Cool

Tracy

I'm shooting for 3pts a day, at least, so 93 total.

Dean

So, Tracy, would you say you might be able to do 100? Everyone should pick a goal that will really challenge them.

Tracy

I know - for some reason I'm apprehensive about this one. Ok - put me down for 100.

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean 155
jeff
Karen
Kim
Kristi31
Manaloa
Matt
~mina~
Tracy 100

Tracy, it's just that you said:

Sol

Well, I'm back in. Not because eating carnivore will be hard but because eating carnivore socially will be hard for me. So, that's my challenge - to eat in a way my body absolutely loves and not worry about others being uncomfortable.

So, put me down for 155 points. I'll get as close as I possibly can.

Is commercial jerky that's only made with beef and salt ok? I don't think of it as processed meat. If not, then I'm going to be doing some fasting in May.

Sol

Kim

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean 155
jeff
Karen
Kim
Kristi31
Manaloa
Matt
~mina~
Sol 155
Tracy 100

Welcome back, Sol. Cool

That jerky sounds just fine. As Kim asked, where do you get such good stuff? Usually jerky is so processed.

IF is what gets me through social situations. I'm going to a gathering in a couple hours. Everyone is bringing all kinds of crap. This happens all the time. I just ate a super rare rib-eye with loads of butter, so I won't need anything for hours on end. Wink

Sol

Dean

Tracy

I'm not sure why I'm apprehensive. I think bc it limits the little "treats" I can have. A mental thing - still have some trouble now and then with comfort eating. But it's like quitting smoking, isn't it? (something I still have to do...actually, will be doing at the same time! I still can't believe I relapsed.)

One habit I am practicing getting rid of is my tea consumption. Not that I think tea is a bad thing - I am having only one cup of caf, and the rest decaf or herbal, with no cream/coconut milk except in one cup (usually later in the day, as a "treat".) It'll save me money (CM is spendy, and I use a lot) but it'll also cut down on caffeine and a few carbs - and since I IF (casually) it'll be more a true fast if I don't use milks throughout the day. Plus it's breaking a habit - a theme for May.

Also breaking the habit of taking sweetener in coffee, when I have it. I've found that cream makes it sweet enough. I used to find coffee bitter, but now I can have an espresso straight up. If it's good espresso, that is ;) A few years ago, I took 3 tsp sugar in my tea! Amazing how your palate changes. Bear really hit the nail on the head with the acculturation thing.

May is birthday month for me and my best friend, and June is birthday month for my fella, niece and nephew. So I need to plan for outings, as in what food I can bring along to eat. I think that's part of the apprehension as well.

Kim

Stormwolf

Can I get in for 125?

~mina~

yay! more people for the butterflies and rainbows teams!!

im so excited Grin

jeff

Dean

jeff!

Don't you wanna be a butterfly? They are such fierce flesh eating animals!

LOL

I think Mina may need to limit her Kool-Aid consumption. Wink

Dean

Dean

I guess you can all start posting your goals, and we can add 'em to the list of participants. Just figure out what you wanna shoot for that's both realistic and will challenge you for the 31 days of May. Cool

For those who have already posted their number, feel free to post any changes if you want.

Kim

I am going to be away from home for the first few days, so I will aim for at least 104 points.

Kim

Dean

Gotcha, Kim. Cool

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean 155
jeff
Karen
Kim 104
Kristi31
Manaloa
Matt
~mina~
Sol 155
Stormwolf 125
Tracy 100

Manaloa

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean
Bobi
Dean 155
jeff
Karen
Kim 104
Kristi31
Manaloa 155
Matt
~mina~
Sol 155
Stormwolf 125
Tracy 100

~mina~

i think i will go for 24 points total. im reaching high.

actually I just need some time to think about this. Heart

eta: butterflies

Billi-Jean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean 155
Bobi
Dean 155
jeff
Karen
Kim 104
Kristi31
Manaloa 155
Matt
~mina~
Sol 155
Stormwolf 125
Tracy 100

Goin' for the whole shebang! Yup

Tracy

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean 155
Bobi
Dean 155
jeff
Karen
Kim 104
Kristi31
Manaloa 155
Matt
~mina~
Sol 155
Stormwolf 125
Tracy 155

Screw it - I'm going for it too. Go big or go home.

Nikki

I have been contemplating this challenge since I joined and I would like to participate although I am very new and have only been back to the 20g Carbs / day for that last 2 weeks (although I have been lo-carb since October).

My point goal is going to be 93 which will be a challenge (sorry to my teammates but please beat on me if I start falling behind Hammer

).

I really need to break a stall Wall

I have been on and believe this strictness of carbs will do it and also get me into a healthier overall way of life. No more processed meats yeah! This is also my first foray into lack of any vegetation or nuts/seeds.

Heather

I'm in, my goal will be all points as well.

Tracy

Herbal teas are ok - what about mate and/or white tea?

Dean

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean 155
Bobi
Dean 155
Heather 155
jeff
Karen
Kim 104
Kristi31
Manaloa 155
Matt
~mina~
Nikki 93
Sol 155
Stormwolf 125
Tracy 155

Welcome to the May Carnivore wing, Nikki and Heather. Cool

Tracy, as long as the stuff you make "tea" out of is herbs, spice, seasoning, or things like lemon or lime juice, stuff like that, then that is no different than putting these things on meat. So, if you put 'em in water, no big deal. Commercial teas are out, caffeinated or not. What is mate or white tea?

Bobi

May Carnivore Contest
Billi-Jean 155
Bobi 155
Dean 155
Heather 155
jeff
Karen
Kim 104
Kristi31
Manaloa 155
Matt
~mina~
Nikki 93
Sol 155
Stormwolf 125
Tracy 155

Dean

Wow, all these ambitious 155ers! Shock

All gonna give up their java! Wink

I'd seriously recommend starting to cut down now. Or at least have some headache medicine handy! LOL

BTDT, and I wished that I had cut down a bit before April came. Yup

Sol

In preparation for May, I've been cleaning out my cupboards and fridge. I've given away all of my dry carbs (pasta and such) to my cleaning lady. I'll give away the frozen carbs or toss them. I don't have any cravings for carbs; I just am enjoying the decluttering of my fridge, freezer, cupboards, and pantry.

I'm also getting the urge to simplify my meals so I think I'll be eating lots of raw fatty meat, raw animal fat (with a little seasoning perhaps), and raw eggs in May. Less cooking, less crockpotting, simpler shopping trips, less stuff in my fridge. I like all of that.

Sol

Also, along the theme of simplification, I'm finding that with much less body odor I'm not needing to shower every day. I've read that there is value to not bathing every day, that natural and healthful acids on the surface of the skin get washed away when we bathe. For over a year now I've used plain soap instead of toothpaste. Now, I'm washing my hair once a week or so whereas I used to wash it every day, for no good reason. Next I'll stop using shampoo and use coconut oil, or whatever I read about that might do the job. And, I'm getting back into sun gazing. I'll post separately about that.

So, May for me is going to be about decluttering my mind, my home, my diet and my body. Lots of intermittent fasting, I suspect, too. And, I'm hoping that a slab of bodyfat will roll off as well. Sunny

Sol