Inspiration from Catena Zapata, Argentina

It all started a month ago, when my husband and I decided to eat simply, local and organic.  We also stopped eating grains, dairy, legumes and nightshades. While it sounds drastic, it actually makes it very simple.  What’s left to eat?  Wholesome, natural food.

We eat avocados, nuts (no peanuts which are legumes), fruit (dried & fresh), greens, eggs, grass-fed meats, almond milk, lemons, limes, herbs, carrots, beets…lots of yummy food.

My guiding principle is, keep it simple.

Caveman Diet (Cavewoman?)

We are eating similar to the Caveman or Paleo diet, but I don’t call it that because I don’t like labeling eating. I prefer to think of it as a new way of shopping and eating. I haven’t changed what happens in the kitchen; I still use pots and pans, bake, sauté, chop and sauce.  And if you share a meal with me, everything will be recognizable and there will be no conversation about restrictions.

Sourcing Food

Living in a community where healthy food is easy to get is extremely helpful.  I’ve never shopped at the farmers market (I don’t like the crowds, using weekend time, or shopping outdoors). I don’t have food shipped to me direct from farms (although I think that’s pretty cool).  There are four markets in my area that carry local and organic food, so I just shop there and nowhere else.

Saving Money

I didn’t think about this costing more money or less because helping my husband feel better was my first criteria.  What I’ve found though is this way of eating is cheaper.  There is no more money being spent on anything in a bag or can (processed), so all that money is now available to pay a few more cents on organic, local produce. Grass fed beef is super expensive so we eat less beef, instead we have lamb, chicken or seafood which I prefer anyway.

Tighten, Leaner and Lighter Body

I’ve learned first hand that the old saying you lose inches first, is true.  The first change I noticed was the puffiness in my face disappeared.  Then I noticed that my arms and legs were tightening. My body felt like it was “righting” itself. It’s been 27 days and I’ve shed 5 pounds.  Am I happy? You betcha!  Am I hungry?  No. It’s really a better and more satisfying way to eat.

Medical Changes

My husband’s left arm has been palsied since October 2009 (post-spinal cord surgery). He can now move it across his body in a standing position.  He used to struggle through the day and be physically spent by 7:00 p.m., now he’s back to his old routine of enjoying activities until 11:00 p.m. or later. For several years, he has been working hard to walk but the distance was stagnant; this week, he walked 25% farther.

Sharing My Story

Like so many others, I’ve struggled with my body image my whole life. Even when I was (an unhealthy) 87 pounds, I didn’t know I was too thin. In the peak years of being strong and lean, I didn’t appreciate that my body was in great shape, instead I silently self-criticized. Hitting the fourth decade of life was a bit of a shock, everything I once did to lose a few pounds or shape up, no longer worked.  Simply eating only local, organic, fresh food is working.

If it’s on your mind to gain health in 2012, I hope my story gives you an extra boost of energy to go for it.

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Today, we ascribe a bit of romance to cooking from scratch–making our own bread, cooking “homey” stews with cheap cuts of beef.  Thirty years ago, my mom cooked from scratch to save money and feed a large family.  I thought she worked too hard so I decided I wasn’t going to be a housewife and that meant, not learning to cook.  She laughed (encouragingly) at my feminism and crowned me, Microwave Queen. My teen years, I only ate microwaved Elena frozen burritos every day.  I even proudly made a pineapple-upside-down cake in the microwave. Then I went to a liberal arts college on the far north coast of California.

I lived off campus with older students who were health conscious.  No microwave allowed.  The little cooking I did consisted of putting food in a steamer basket in a pot and putting the lid on.  When I moved to San Francisco, I loved, loved, loved eating out.  I could tell you the best place for a Martini, roasted garlic and baked brie, Italian pot roast or the best French restaurant.

After marrying and moving to the ‘burbs, I thought Hubby was going to cook because he had been a bartender and foodie early in his career. He made the drinks but he only cooked if it involved an outdoor grill. For a decade, I made spaghetti, steak, microwaved potatoes and salads.  I subscribed to Sunset Magazine and played around with recipes a bit.  I thought my friends who followed Martha Stewart were neurotic.

Meanwhile, Hubby built me a huge raised bed garden.  I remember looking at him cross-eyed, saying under my breath, “do you know how much work gardening is?”  I gamely filled the beds with herbs, vegetables and flowers.  By the third year, it was a pitiful plot of under-nourished leggy herbs and pale, sickly vegetables.  I was working full-time and traveling a lot. Hubby’s response was to buy me a few cooking classes and a wine refrigerator for Christmas.  I traded one of the classes for a knife sharpener but I did learn all about wine.

His persistence has finally paid off. Seventeen years after we started dating, I’m in cooking school and actually learning how to cook.  My favorite recipes come from Epicurious and I no longer scoff at Martha Stewart.  The garden is once again functional–I’ve even started seeds this year.  Hubby’s throwing out hints about raising chickens which of course, I’ve always called horrid dirty things.  Fresh eggs would be nice though…

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R.B. Meyer Photography, All Rights Reserved

This is an excerpt from Lessons From the Creek, written by Life Coach & Adventure Leader, Deb Martin.  I’ve been reading her email newsletter for years.  She lives in the Michigan woods enjoying a lifestyle vastly different than mine.  Peeking into her world always brings me peace, joy and common sense good advice that I can use.

Give it A Rest, by  Deb Martin

Once again, January has locked the northland in a deep freeze.

With the cold temperatures, little moves. The creek has numerous ice bridges over it and the little bit of running water moves toward the river like liquid gelatin. In an otherwise silent world, the river itself is full of ice flows, creating an unearthly groaning sound as they bounce off the frozen bank. The chickadees, jays and nuthatches stay busy at my bird feeder, a little more frantic for the food that will sustain them in these cold temperatures. They have become friendlier, grateful I imagine for the unending source of seed I am able to provide. They speak little, too busy eating for warmth than having conversation over a meal. The deer move in each evening for a snack on what’s left of the corn I’ve thrown down for the jays. The squirrels have moved inside their tree-top nests, the partridge and rabbits are buried deep in their snow caves. There is little evidence of night activity beyond a few mice prints on each night’s new snowfall. Life moves minimally. Everything has fallen silent.

And even though we have so little light during these days of January, I too feel the urge to close my eyes and enjoy the peaceful darkness of a nap. …more

Note from Alana – The picture above is me on an atoll in Belize. I wrote an article for CleverGirls & LifeScoop about taking a Virtual Vacation.  It’s a lot of fun when you can’t get away!

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2010 was the best of times and the worst of times (nod to Charles Dickens).  A lot of wonderful things happened, but honestly the end of the year overwhelmed it all.

By September, Hubby’s spinal cord injury progressed to the point that if he did not have surgery immediately, he would be completely paralyzed.  The difficult operation morphed into a critical situation on the operating table; but in the care of three skilled specialists, they repaired the spinal cord as much as humanly possible. However the cord damage was so intense, he spent the next month in a San Francisco hospital for spinal cord injuries, learning to walk again.

Still the Superman type, he’s worked full time since coming home from the rehab center.  I’m his full time assistant. I help him shower dress and eat.  I bring him what he needs at his desk and drive him where he needs to go.  His left arm is temporarily palsied, once it comes back to full function, he’ll be able to do much more by himself.

I’m thrilled by his progress.  Before the surgery, he was getting more and more paralyzed in both legs and arms over a four-year period. Two months post-surgery, he has progressed from a wheelchair, to a walker, to a cane and now sometimes without a cane.  His muscles are stronger in his legs, and his attitude is hopeful.

Our 17 years together has prepared us well to cope and be strong.  Bobby’s pushed himself and me to ride to the top of tall mountains on our bikes, ski deep powder in the snow, cross rivers on our motorcycles, run 10ks in the rain, scuba dive into caves, and surf among sharks (not kidding).  If we had our choice, of course he wouldn’t have these physical problems, but it’s just another adventure, another mountain to climb.  Bring on 2011!

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Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses.  American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27.  They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook.  Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.

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I love, love, love this idea of promoting small business shopping the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I buy almost everything from small businesses…groceries, clothing, gifts, shoes, jewelry, art, wine and dining out.  Supporting small businesses creates a sense of adventure and fun.

American Express asked me to write about one small business, and I’ve selected Oxbow Market in downtown Napa.  Filled with small shops, it’s heaven for foodies, art lovers and wine drinkers!

Here’s a list of all the artisan purveyors and here’s my itinerary for a perfect small business Saturday.

Share a glass of wine with a friend at Oxbow Wine Merchant (there’s also a Wine Merchant in San Francisco’s Ferry Building) and pair it with a cheese plate from Oxbow Cheese. (The cheese gurus craft a perfectly paired cheese plate for your wine selection.)  After warming up on wine, stroll through the merchants “stalls” and visit Culinary Heritage Antiques for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for yourself or a friend (it’s owned by a Sommelier).  The Oxbow is a charming, intimate space so I spend time asking lots of questions and chatting with the experts at the Whole Spice Company and the truly amazing 7th generation natural beef company Five Dot Ranch.  There are several places to eat; my current favorite is C Casa, an artisan Taqueria, enjoy festive, friendly service and addictive gourmet tacos. Before I get in my car to head home, I run back into the wine shop and buy a few bottles of Uvaggio, grab some Kara Cupcakes and get a cup of Joe to go at the famous Ritual Coffee.

If you’re near Napa, check it out or discover your local neighborhood stores & tell me about them.

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective , which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

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Some birthdays involve big trips, lovely parties, friends or family, but this year, I’m resting.  My spirit says, give yourself the gift of quiet time. I made no plans except to care for myself.  As I happily played in my garden, I opened a beer and turned on the radio.  A Reggae tune came on, transporting me back to college…good times, good friends and a decidedly slow pace on weekends. (Was it a sign?)

When I give someone a birthday card I always wish them a fabulous year ahead.  Last year was packed with parties/events, wine tasting, work, and unfortunately some personal crises.  Frankly, if the next 12 months are a little calmer, I’d love it.

So this year, all I have planned is a trip to Germany (as a guest of Wines of Germany) & Paris (my gift to myself), a reasonable work-pace and of course, the best gift in the world will be an improvement in my Hubby’s spinal injury.  Keeping my fingers crossed and a positive thought, and making a big wish when I blow out  my candles.

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When my Himalayan cat passed away this year, I knew it was time– we had shared 18 wonderful years together.  Over only a week, he just wound down until he finally curled up in the closet and slept. I called the vet, who came to the house (mostly for me).  I laid Claudius on my lap and said goodbye. A moment later, he was gone.

About a year after I got Claudius, we moved to Bobby’s house in Marin.  An indoor cat in the city,  he’d watch the video, A Day in the Park from his kitty condo.  Once in the country, Bobby put him in his own tree and he was delighted!  Claudius was playful, smart and spoiled.  He had his own stay-over pet-sitter so he was never alone; he ate off of china (on his placemat on the floor) and I kept him beautifully washed and brushed. (He was great about being bathed.)

I miss him and I’m grateful for the memories.

**The crew at Etched Images, etched this Napa River rock for me through their fabulous service Etched Eternally.  They offer pet memorial stones along with high quality etching on wine bottles.  (A discount for their celebration line is in my guide.)

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First thing in the morning, go outside.  Take time to look at the sky, listen to the birds, walk around your garden or neighborhood and notice the world around you.

I read this somewhere years ago and it is great advice.  When I’m home, I visit my backyard or walk up the hill with my dog.  I look to the horizon while Tulip sniffs for signs of nocturnal activity that she missed while sleeping.

When I’m in New York, I leave the tiny apartment and escape into the busy street life, eyes wide open while my senses catch up.  I feel joyful and curious about the world outside myself.  Even when visiting in-laws in Kansas on a freezing, snowy February morning, a quick walk re-calibrates my attitude and prepares me for an indoor day.

I’ve found that this little trick works all day long, but it’s especially powerful in the morning and before I go to bed.  Saying good night to the stars and the neighborhood is powerful and peaceful.

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Alana's Reading Chair

When I was single in the city, I spent many evenings with my friend Randy.  Randy lived in a series of small studios with efficiency kitchens that were owned by neighborhood old timers.

Randy and his long-time love, Shelly, spent months and sometimes years living in foreign countries.  Rumors of their return to North Beach to rest, sock away more money and say hello to old friends would circulate and then one day I’d walk into a local joint and Randy would be behind the bar again. His specialty was bartending, not like today’s mixologist, but an old-fashioned friendly face behind the bar.  Blonde blue-eyed Shelly was enamoured by all things Chinese, so she spent more time overseas, teaching in Chinese universities.

I’d stop by Randy’s place on his day off and he’d often be reading or composing a letter to Shelly. He’d put it down, offer me a cup of tea and we’d sip it at a little table surrounded by shelves stacked with books and CDs that spilled on to the floor.  After tea, we’d pick a book, sit on a low couch strewn with old pillows and a batik cover and he’d read a chapter or two.  As I listened to the story, I entered a familiar, relaxed and imaginative place.

After marrying and moving to Marin, I introduced my hubby to the joy of reading aloud.  As expected, he enjoys it as much as I do, but more so when I read to him, rather then vice versa.  Unfortunately our tastes in reading material presents challenges; he tends towards men’s adventure magazines and non-fiction and I prefer big novels and classics.

I haven’t given up though; I’m always on the look-out for a story that he’ll enjoy so I can relive the simple joy of story-time.

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My life sometimes attacks me at a dizzying speed.  There’s plenty to think about…family, home, work, health and friendships. It’s a human condition.  I’ve found that happiness and serenity come when I’m not laser-focused on an outcome, but rather viewing each day as a new adventure–what’s around the next corner?

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