Where's the BEEF? My Carnivore journey & how to get started yourself

Firstly, I need to apologize to everyone I ever told to eat more veggies.

Nothing I had tried was really making a dent in the inflammation I had & a powerful addiction to carbs so I decided to try a carb elimination - cold turkey because I cannot do carbs in moderation.

I gave away or tossed all the carbs in the house & at the office which only I would eat.

I stocked up on meat.

I bought containers for meal prepping.

I started focusing on carb-free on 10/1/24.

It was only supposed to be for 30 days to get rid of inflammation and kill the control carbs seemed to hold over me. But by the end of 30 days, I noticed I could work brain puzzles like Sudoku with more focus & that my clothing was looser. So, I did another 30 days. And, another.

I noticed that I cold read the dash in my vehicle without my readers. How cool is that? So, it's not just getting old???

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to follow the carnivore diet for you and your family. The carnivore diet is straightforward: you eat only animal-based foods and eliminate all plant-based foods. Here’s the detailed layout:

Carnivore Diet Basics

Allowed Foods:

• Meat: Beef, pork, lamb, poultry, organ meats (liver, kidney, etc.)
• Fish and Seafood: Salmon, tuna, shrimp, scallops, etc.
• Eggs: Chicken eggs, duck eggs, quail eggs, etc.
• Animal Fats: Butter, tallow, lard, suet, and ghee.
• Dairy (Optional): Full-fat, low-lactose options like heavy cream, hard cheeses, and butter (if tolerated). Why low lactose? The -ose in lactose equals sugar which is a carb.
• Bone Broth: Homemade or store-bought without additives.
• Seasonings: Salt (preferably unrefined, like sea salt or Himalayan salt). Avoid herbs and spices for strict adherence.

• Vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes.
• Sugars and sweeteners.
• Processed foods and oils (e.g., canola, soybean oil).
• Beverages other than water (strict: only water; relaxed: coffee, tea, unsweetened options).

Breakfast Options (pick one each day):

1. Scrambled Eggs & Bacon

• Cook eggs in butter or bacon grease.
• Add salt to taste.

• Grill a steak and pair it with sunny-side-up eggs.

• Use eggs and a small amount of full-fat cheese.

• Season with salt.
• Pair with bone broth as a side.

• Top with fried egg or melted cheese (optional).

• Slow cook or grill with salt.

• Sear in butter or beef tallow.

• Bake or pan-fry.

• Slow-cooked with salt.

1. Beef Jerky (homemade or no-sugar-added store-bought).
2. Hard-boiled eggs.
3. Pork Rinds.
4. Cheese cubes (if tolerating dairy).

1. Whipped Heavy Cream (unsweetened, for those allowing dairy).
2. Egg Pudding (blend eggs, butter, and salt, then bake).
3. Bone Marrow (roasted, for a nutrient-rich treat).

Step-by-Step Instructions to Follow:

1. Stock Up on Essentials: Purchase a variety of meats, fish, eggs, butter, and other allowed items.
2. Prepare Meals Ahead: Batch cook meats, make bone broth, and have snacks like jerky or boiled eggs ready.
3. Drink Plenty of Water: Stay hydrated, as you won’t get water from plant foods.
4. Simplify Seasoning: Use only salt and butter for cooking.
5. Track Your Progress but don't get on the scale too often, at least not initially. One pound of muscle takes up less space than one pound of adipose (aka fat) tissue so you may not see the scales budge while your clothing begins to hang more loosely. Monitor how you feel physically and mentally as you adjust.

Some say this way of eating is restrictive, but actually it was freeing as I have felt great and can do more of the things I want to do. I eat until I am full or the food stops tasting good. I have found over time, that I eat less variety and tend to stick to mostly beef, bacon, butter & eggs. This makes my other half crazy that I can eat the same food day after day without any variety. But, hey, I have zero need for variety in men either so I don't see an issue! Y'all be blessed!

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