What is Paleo and How to Succeed with it

What’s All the Fuss About the Paleo Diet Anyway?

I was eating Paleo long before the world was calling it a “diet”. And, I am a big proponent of it because it really did help heal me and get me off of medications. This was one of the first things that proved to me that food really is medicine. Maybe because I’ve been eating this way and teaching others to heal themselves by adopting this lifestyle for so long, I truly do not think of Paleo as a diet. And my goal is to help you love it as much as I do, feel as great as I do, and not feel as if you are sacrificing anything so that you love your new lifestyle as well. Because, let’s face it, “diets” are not fun.

I want you to imagine a life where you have so much energy that you want to do more things than you actually have time for. Remember those days? Imagine that your digestion runs like clockwork and that your skin is radiant. Imagine if your aches and pains just magically lessened. These dreams are all within your reach with a Paleo diet.

A Paleo Lifestyle Can Heal You

I know, I sound like a commercial for Paleo. But, I have had such great success eating this way and helping others to eat this way that I want you to try it too. Listen, the truth is that grains (not just gluten) can create inflammation. Same for dairy. Inflammation causes digestive problems, aches and pains, and weight gain. With Paleo, we remove that inflammation.

After a few weeks, you will feel magically lighter – physically and emotionally.

1. So, what is Paleo?

2. Should you be eating this way?

3. Is it too hard?

Let’s start with what it is. A Paleo (short for Paleolithic) lifestyle means that technically you are eating the way your ancestors ate. In a nutshell, that means eating no processed foods, no artificial foods, no unhealthy foods. And, as with any diet/lifestyle, there’s a list of foods you cannot eat.

As with all other food-lifestyles, it’s so much easier to look at what you CAN eat rather that focus on what you need to avoid. It’s kind of a glass-half-full approach, and positive thinking is always the way to go. So, here’s what you can have:

Eat the Best Quality Possible of All of the Following Foods:

  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Poultry
  • Eggs
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Nuts
  • Potatoes
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Nut milks
  • Beans
  • Healthy Fats And Oils (Coconut, Avocado, Nut Oils)

Here’s What You Need to Avoid:

  • Sugar
  • Alcohol
  • Processed foods
  • Grains
  • Dairy
  • Legumes
  • Artificial Sweeteners
  • Vegetable, Peanut, Corn Oil

It’s funny the way our brains work. As soon as we are told we can’t have something, we have to have it. As a means toward making sure you don’t feel your foodie sensibilities are being crushed, I have tested soooooo many products and ingredients so that you will know which paleo-friendly foods you can circulate into your rotation so that you truly won’t miss some of your favorite foods.

I’ve tested out a ton of vegan/paleo-friendly cheeses. And there are some really good ones that you can use. The same goes for paleo-friendly snacks and desserts. So, if you are someone who just can’t go cold-turkey when it comes to your chicken parmagiano or you just have to have a cookie after dinner…. I’ve got you covered; just ask your questions in the comments below and I’ll give you specifics. You’ll also find that many of my recipes are old comfort-food recipes that have been Paleo-fied (ugh…. that cannot be a real word…) so just take a look and I’ve got your back.

I cook this way for my family and friends, and honestly, nobody misses the old versions of these recipes. If I don’t tell someone that the bowl of Cheeseburger Soup in front of them doesn’t have real cheese, they will never know. And yes, you can serve these things to even the pickiest eatersjust don’t tell them. Not ever. To this day, my husband’s favorite recipe of all time is this Cheeseburger Soup, but we call it just that… I don’t know if he’d like it as much if we called it Paleo Cheeseburger Soup…

Who Should Be Maintaining a Paleo Lifestyle?

If you are looking to improve any of the following areas, you really need to give this a try.:

  1. Digestion
  2. Energy Level
  3. Moodiness/Depression
  4. Hormones
  5. Weight Management
  6. Athletic Performance
  7. Inflammation
  8. Skin Texture and Glow

Is it Too Hard to Maintain a Paleo Lifestyle?

In a word, no. You can do this. And, let me tell you how you are going to succeed. You are going to take it one week at a time, with your end goal being 4 weeks. After the first week, you are going to feel so many awesome things going on in your body, that you will happily go into week two. At the end of week two, you won’t even be craving the things you thought you would never be able to give up. And weeks three and four, well those will be just a piece of “almond-flour” cake.

So, how are you going to make it through that first week? Because, that’s the real issue, right? I mean, once you start to feel better and look younger, it won’t take much willpower to do this, but starting can be sooooo hard. I know this. That’s why you are going to listen to me, and you are going to food-prep like your life depends on it before you start that first week.

Here’s How to Prep for Success:

  • Pick three dinner recipes to make this week (and make enough so you have leftovers).
  • Make sure one of the recipes is a hearty soup.
  • Make a shopping list of every ingredient you will need for these recipes.
  • Buy lots of vegetables.
  • When you get home from the market, unpack your bags, but do NOT put everything in the fridge immediately – take all of your ingredients that will not be going into one of your chosen recipes, and prep them before you store them away. This means, slicing up cucumbers, carrots, radishes, etc. It means roasting or steaming any other veggies (eg brussels sprouts, broccoli, beets, green beans, etc.). It also means washing and drying your salad greens. The idea is to have everything ready on a moment’s notice so you have them the second you think you are starving and you just can’t do this…
  • The day before you are starting your first week (so, today…) make a big pot of your chosen soup and keep it in the fridge for the week. I have found having a big pot of soup in the fridge is often a huge savior when you are starting out.

Need help Getting Started? Here are a Few Great Paleo Recipes

If you are more of a visual person, here’s an infographic explaining Paleo: 

Want More Paleo?

Here’s a great article if you are looking for Paleo-friendly restaurants – click here.

If your health is a priority, you should try a paleo lifestyle. It’s well worth the effort you will have to put into it at the beginning. And, in a very short time, you’ll start to reap the rewards of more energy, better digestion, and less inflammation. I’m here to help you… so, no more excuses!

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