Is drinking wine paleo?

A lot of crossfitters and paleo eaters ask me if wine is OK?

My answer is usually something like this: As long as humans have picked fruit, and as long as fruit has rotted, alcohol has been paleo.

If you let fruit sit around long enough, its sugars will naturally ferment with native yeasts and turn into alcohol. It's hard to image early cavemen not noticing this and enjoying it.

Most paleo consumers agree that we don't want to eat processed foods or drink. I think this rules out most hard liquor, beers and cocktails. Many have added sugars and harvested grains in them.

If you are looking for the most paleo alcoholic beverage then drink wine. Look for wine made locally.

What you want in a paleo wine

• You want it locally made
• You want to tour the facility and meet the winemaker
• Be sure the wine is fermented completely without residual sugar
• You want it without additives or alterations.

Ok, I admit I'm biased. I live in wine country, enjoy the beverage and publish a travel magazine for San Luis Obispo County that thrives on wineries. In fact, when I retire, I'd love nothing more than to buy a winery in Paso Robles.

Would you like to buy a winery?

Our office landlord and advertising client, Pacifica Commercial Realty, started a new wine division to help people evaluate buying or selling a winery. They publish a comprehensive list of wineries for sale in Paso Robles. I find my self browsing it looking for my dream retirement. Well, maybe one of these days...

Here is an excerpt of the article:

Pacifica Commercial Realty launches new wine properties division

Pacifica Wine Division is headed up by
Steve Meixner and Newlin Hastings.

Blending local commercial real estate expertise with wine industry resources to bring buying a winery from a lifestyle choice to a smart investment.

Ah, the romantic notions of owning a winery: Wandering through vineyards in the early morning light; sipping the fruits of your labor as the gentle laughter of visiting wine lovers, mingled with a classical concerto, floats through the air.

Passion? You may have plenty of that, but if you dream of owning a winery or vineyard, desire eventually takes a backseat to the reality that this is a very competitive business that requires large amounts of hard work, determination and capital. To be successful you need expert resources, good advice and a solid plan.

Enter Pacifica Commercial Realty, the Central Coast’s market leader in commercial real estate.  Pacifica has been in operation in the Paso Robles market for more than 30 years, and has additional offices in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara.  In response to growing demand for its advisory services and transactional experience, the Paso Robles office recently launched its Wine Properties Division to represent buyers and sellers of wineries and vineyards throughout the Central Coast region.

For more information on buying and selling wine properties in the Paso Robles area, visit Pacifica’s Wine Properties Division website, pasowinerealestate.com or call (805) 237-4040.

Is acupuncture Paleo?

Acupuncture is ancient, so it's Paleo right?

OK. That question is a little tongue in cheek, but seriously, I wonder if there is anything to back up the traditional Chinese medicine of acupuncture.

I was recently doing some work on a client's website and reading about the kinds of things the treatment is supposed to help. Our client does acupuncture in San Luis Obispo, CA. Check out these claims and let me know what you think. Here is an excerpt from the Treat Paine Acupuncture site:

Acupuncture is considered an effective frontline treatment for a variety of conditions according to the U.S. National Institute of Health, the British Medical Association, and the World Health Organization.

Painful Conditions:

• Low Back Pain
• Knee Pain
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tennis Elbow
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Neck Pain
• Nerve Pinch
• Headaches / Migraines
• Stomach Pain
• Menses Pain
• Sport Injuries

Women's Health:

• Infertility
• Painful and Difficult Pregnancy
• Morning Sickness
• Malposition of Fetus / Breach Birth
• PMS
• Irregular Menses
• Dysmenorrhea
• Endometriosis
• Fibromyalgia

Mental - Emotional Problems:

• Depression
• Anxiety - Palpitations
• Irritability
• Stress
• Low Energy
• Insomnia

Digestive Problems:

• Irritable Bowel Disease
• Dysentery / Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Cramping and Gastric issues

Cancer Treatment:

• Adverse Reactions to Radiation & Chemotherapy
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Quality of Life
• Anxiety / Depression
• Immune Suppression

Acupuncture Needles:

The needles are about the size of a human hair or 1/12 the size of a typical hospital needle. They are extremely fine and slip easily thru the outer dermal layers without causing pain. The needles are sterile and disposed of after each use.  Nearly all patients notice a calm and enjoyably peaceful feeling post-treatment. 

How It Works:

We know acupuncture has multiple specific effects on human physiology and blood chemistry. Inserted needles result in local and systemic changes.  The brain centers responsible for modulating pain and mood are regulated.  Localized concentrations of the bodies endogenous pain relieving compounds are multiplied. Damaged nerves return to normal levels of intensity and duration when sending signals.   

The Mechanism: 

Systemic:  A Harvard study(1) showed that a signal from an acupuncture needle regulates the limbic center in the brain. Within the limbic center lies the hypothalamus which regulates the endorcrine system. It is hypothesized that acupuncture needling regulates the limbic center which regulates the hypothalamus which regulates the endocrine system and this results in the diverse effects that are observed.

Local:  Acupuncture has been shown to return a damaged nerve to it's proper signal intensity and rate of firing.  It also stimulates an increase in localized concentration of Adenosine which acts as the bodies endogenous pain reliever.  

It Is Not In Your Head:

A recent study at the University College London provides a rational basis that acupuncture effects are not the same as the placebo effect.  This new research showed a region of the brain involved in pain response, the ipsilateral insular was activated during real acupuncture and not during fake needling. Therefore, acupuncture causes measurable physical effects unrelated to a patient's positive or negative expectations and beliefs.   

Are The Needles Sterile?

Absolutely!