Partake in paleo?

I'm making 2012 the year of the 30 day challenge.

Inspired by a TEDtalk, "Try something new for 30 days", I plan to either do something or not do something for 30 day blocks and see what comes of it.  Because, after all, I can do anything for 30 days.

Now here's the hard part.  What to do first? (BTW, B's input? "How about trying to not be a perfectionist for 30 days?" Pfftt.)

I'm leaning heavily towards a "no sugar" themed commitment and maybe kicking it up a notch with the Paleo Diet.  The concept is similar to the Blood Type Diet, which I did for several years in the "aughts", but the PD allows meat.  I have type A blood and, according to the BTD, I come from agrarian people and didn't evolve to eat meat, it would seem (or maybe we thought chasing a deer for three days was too much work when there were berries to be had, whatever).

The criticisms of it are similar to those of the BTD, too.  Too limiting, too hard to follow, can't really duplicate what our ancient ancestors would eat, etc.  The naysayers make some fine, reasonable points.

Here are the concerns I add to the mix:
1.  I do NOT want to lose weight.  I'm currently 10 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight as a consequence of the scarcity of time.  If my options are eat or sleep, I'm gonna choose sleep.  My reason for doing the PD for 30 days would be as a sort of detox (excuse me while I pop another piece of caramel covered fudge in my mouth) and get me back on track with healthful eating.  I'm worried the limitations of the PD will result in me eating less and losing more weight.  When I did the BTD, I ended up looking a bit gaunt in a hollow-eyes-&-sunken-cheeks sort of way.  I'm older now and reaching the age when a little bit of fat can help soften the wrinkles.  An all-organic, no gluten, no dairy, no refined or processed foods diet means more time needed for shopping, planning and preparation.  If I don't have the time, I may end up just not eating.  Also, by removing sugar and grab-n-go prefab foods, I will significantly decrease my daily caloric intake.

2.  I'll be the only one in the household workin' the paleo plan.  This will mean planning/preparing separate meals.

3.  Cha-ching.  An all organic diet will be spendy.  In order to not lose weight, I think I'll have to increase the food volume in order to maintain the same calorie intake.  We are currently a one-income household and remaining budget conscious is crucial.

Who out there has done the Paleo Diet?  What was/is your experience?  Are my concerns unfounded?

Blame the mommies

Last night I read two pages in a book.

Not terribly interesting, I know.  However, since I haven't had time to read anything for pure entertainment since M was born, I'm pretty excited about it.  I knew being a mommy was a lot of work and a lot of time.  After all, I have a mom (of course), sisters, friends and coworkers with children.  I failed to recognize how much work and how much time.  I knew, but I didn't know.

I blame the mommies in my life (my mom, those sisters, friends and coworkers), for being so amazing and making it look easier than it is.

I'm blessed with an incredibly supportive husband, who is very engaged with M's care and yet I struggle to accomplish anything near the number of projects I did prebaby.

If I'm working, I feel guilty about not being with M.  When I'm with M, I become anxious about the work not getting done.  I miss conversations with friends, watching movies, volunteer activities, yoga.  I am working to find balance with it all.  Balance, it would seem, is elusive.

Or maybe I'm just not very good at juggling.  But I can learn.  And read fewer books.

Where are the girls?

Recently, I ranted about a new Portland company generating a lot of buzz for their innovation, but employed few female employees and zero in leadership roles.

Last week, I met with a peer who told me about a new client she was really excited about.  She described them as "innovative," "visionary" and "forward thinking" and got me excited about them.  I checked out their website.  Yes, they offer a fresh take on a needed product.  Yes, they're positioned for great growth.  Yes, they have an exciting vision for where they want to take the company.  No, they don't include women on their executive leadership team.

So this got me thinking.  What companies in Portland do have women on their executive team?  I would love to support these truly forward thinking companies with my buying power and word-of-mouth promotion.  Where are women leading, setting the vision, taking charge?  I'm not expecting majority seats; heck, I'll settle for companies with just 20 percent.

What companies do you know with women in 20 percent (or more) of leadership positions?

Yes, I'm still going on about this.