The Paleo Mama

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Well Fed 2 Releases TODAY! My Favorite Paleo Cookbook!

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Melissa Joulwan, Paleo blogger from The Clothes Make the Girl has CRUSHED it again with another incredible cookbook, Well Fed 2, More Paleo Recipes for People Who Love to Eat. I’m not kidding when I say her first WellFed cookbook was and is and always will be my favorite cookbook. I have sent hundreds of people to her website because I just LOVE her. I love her cooking style. I love her international recipes. I love all the spices she uses. She is incredible and we (the Paleo community) are so lucky that she is creating all these delicious Paleo recipes.

Well Fed 2 is just as good, probably even better, than the first. Wanna know what I love about it: 

  • If a book can have Feng Shui – this one has it. It’s so easy to read and it flows.
  • Each recipe has variations that she calls, “You Know How You Could Do That?” She tells you how to “Spice it Up” or how to use a different meat or vegetable in the recipe. This, in my opinion, is awesome. She takes one recipe and makes it 3, or 4, or 5!
  • On each recipe is a “Tastes Great With” and she recommends a few other recipes from the book that it might taste good with.
  • The Table of Contents is all on 2 pages! No flipping, no searching…it’s all right there in front of you. As a cook, I love this!
  • This cookbook is great if you are doing the Whole 30. Melissa doesn’t “Paleo-fy” desserts because she is more interested in helping you eat well every day. There’s a few fruit recipes that are great for a dessert, but no muffins, cookies, and cakes. My kind of gal!
  • She talks about what Paleo is, and emtional hunger vs. true hunger.

Wanna know what I love about the recipes?

  • Each recipe tells me the serving size, prep time, and cooking time. I can easily find a recipe that will fit into my schedule.
  • They have intense flavor. Melissa has a very internationally developed palate, which I, absolutely, love. You won’t find boring salt and pepper recipes in this book. You will find a diverse cuisine that will open up your taste buds and have you questioning why anyone would think Paleo is boring!
  • I love the Burgers, Balls and Bangers section. It is inspired by different sausage, meatballs, and burger cuisines from around the world. There’s like 18 recipes in this section that you can whip up in less than an hour and they are a healthy and quick protein to grab when you are hungry.
  • Did I mention that I love that she keeps it simple? She does not Paleo-fy recipes!!! This is great for someone like me who doesn’t really make much Paleo desserts or baked goods. I think that keeping it simple is the best way to eat.

Recipes that I Love:

We made the Pina Colada Chicken which was amazing. This recipe uses her homemade JERK seasoning (pg. 82), chicken, onion, peppers and coconut milk. It makes a delicious sauce that you just want to drink!

I, also, LOVE the Better Butter recipe (pg. 60)! In this recipe you are infusing butter with all kinds of spices and making Ghee out of it! Ghee is clarified butter that has all the milk proteins removed. It is, also, Whole 30 approved and many who can’t have dairy, can, safely eat Ghee. Melissa let me share this recipe with you!

If you would like to order this amazing cookbook that JUST released today, you can get it on Amazon for 33% off today!!! 

>>>Click here to grab Well Fed 2 now! <<<

Better Butter (pg. 60) 

Photo Credit: David Humphreys
Photo Credit: David Humphreys

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound organic, pastured butter
  • 1/4 small onion, coarsely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and smashed 2 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 or 2 small dried chiles
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom pinch ground nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Place the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a bubble. When the surface of the butter is foamy, add all the other ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered on very low heat until the surface is transparent and the solids are on the bottom, about 45-60 minutes.
  2. Place 4 layers of cheese cloth over the mouth of a jar and carefully strain the butter through the cloth. Discard the spices and milk solids. You can store your Better Butter at room temperature for 2-3 months (but I betcha it won’t last that long).

NOTE: Plain clarified butter, known as ghee, is another must-have kitchen staple. To make plain ghee, just melt the butter as directed above, simmer for 10-15 minutes, then strain to remove milk solids. OMGhee!

How I made it: I took the butter and put it in my silicone pan (can order one here) to make little individual servings of Ghee. This way I can just grab one to sauté my eggs in or to throw on my sweet potato or steak.

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If you would like to order this amazing cookbook that JUST released today, you can get it on Amazon for 33% off today!!! 

>>>Click here to grab Well Fed 2 now! <<<

 

Want to read more Book Love posts? Click here for all my favorite books I’ve been reading!

The Paleo Slow Cooker and Preview Recipe

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As a homesteader and mother by day and a blogger by night, I have a hard time keeping up with everything. GASP! Oh yes, my life can be in shambles at times. However, for two years I have managed to cook 98% Paleo meals at home. I believe in the 80/20 rule and most the 20% non-Paleo foods we consume is when we eat out. Despite my inaquacies and my lack of time, I feel it is important to give my family the healthiest food possible. This is the job I took on when I held my first child to my breast and promised to nourish her and grow her with proper nutrition. From that day, it has been my desire to give my kids the best I can. And sometimes I fail. But, thank God for grace. It covers me when my shortcomings get the best of me. All this to say – – this would not have been possible without my slow cooker.

Oh yes, you heard me right, my beautiful, incredibly talented slow cooker. It puts out delicious meals while I clean up chicken poop from my daughter’s hair and try to fold my endless pile of laundry. It works it’s magic while I sit here on the computer typing about my love for it…oh yes, it’s working it’s magic right now. The best part about my slow cooker is that it takes me 5-10 minutes max to throw together a healthy, Paleo meal for my family. Seriously, I’m not sure if I would be Paleo without it!

Now to find good Paleo slow cooker meals…well, that’s been another challenge. In walks my favorite slow cooker cookbook ever – the Paleo Slow Cooker: Healthy Gluten-Free Meals the Easy Way. This deliciously made book was created by Arsy Vartanian of Rubies & Radishes, a top Paleo blogger in my book! There’s lots of great Paleo bloggers that I absolutely adore, and Arsy tops the list…along with Melissa Joulwan of The Clothes Make the Girl (who has a new cookbook coming out real soon!). These girls put out incredibly tasteful recipes. It’s not your same old boring salt and pepper ingredients. Oh no, it’s ingredients with an ethnic flare that open up your tastebuds and make you think, “Oh wow, this is what I have been missing.”

The Paleo Slow Cooker is loaded with recipes that do this to you. Not only are these recipes easy and simple to throw into a slow cooker, but there 125 recipes from appetizers to desserts that only require the ease of a slow cooker. My personal favorite, so far, is the Apple Cider Pork with Rosemary. Arsy gave me permission to share this delicious recipe with you. Isn’t she the best?!

Apple Cider Pork with Rosemary – The Paleo Slow Cooker

Ingredients:

  • 3lbs of pork roast
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 2 cups of hard apple cider 
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp minced fresh thyme
  • salt and pepper just before serving

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Brown the pork in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. Turn the heat down to medium and saute the onion in the remaining coconut oil for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and apples, cook for another 3 minutes, and then transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
  4. Add all the other ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  5. Salt and pepper to taste, then serve.

Servings: 6

If you would like to purchase this book, you can find it on Amazon for only $19.29 (it’s nearly 30% off!)! This is a steal for a hardback cookbook! You can, also, buy it on Kindle for $9.49!

Buy The Paleo Slow Cooker Hardcopy – click here

Buy The Paleo Slow Cooker on Kindle – click here

Please go visit Arsy on her blog, Rubies & Radishes to find more delicious recipes that she is creating!

Want to read more Book Love posts? Click here for all my favorite books I’ve been reading!

10 Steps to Eating Paleo and Why You Should Consider it

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My family and I have been eating Paleo for two years now. I blog about new recipes I’ve created, helpful articles to get people on track, and how to raise healthy, Paleo kids. But, maybe, you’re reading this and you have heard this word, “Paleo”, pronounced “Pay – LE – O”, but you’re just not sure what it’s all about. Maybe you’re intrigued by it. Maybe you’re turned off by it. There is so much information flying around the internet, especially in the “Paleo world”. It’s extremely hard to figure out what is right and what is not, but when it comes to Paleo, I have learned that what may be right for me, is not right for you.

So, as best as I can, I am going to share with you what Paleo is and why you should consider eating Paleo: 

1) Paleo is not a low fat diet. If you are eating Paleo foods, then you are, naturally, eating a diet that is high in fat. Don’t get scared away! Studies have shown that a diet high in healthy fats is the way our bodies are designed to function. Take a look at this article explaining  cholesterol and fat and this article which takes the fear out of fats for you! As we start to see, saturated fat is NOT bad for you. Eating Paleo encourages you to eat saturated fats in the form of coconut oil and butter, and Ghee. These fats are great for cooking at high temperatures with. Olive oil is, also, a great fat to use in salads and to drizzle over foods, but not for cooking. It shouldn’t be heated up above it’s smokes point (which is 325degrees). When oil gets heated beyond its smoke point, it starts to break down chemically. It loses most of its antioxidants, releases toxic chemicals in the form of smoke, and becomes filled with carcinogenic free radicals. SCARY.

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2) Paleo encourages the consumption of generous amounts of animal protein. This includes red meat, poultry, pork, eggs, organ meat, wild caught fish and shellfish. Since I started eating Paleo 2 years ago, I have become more aware of my source for meat. Paleo encourages you to source out the best and most healthiest cuts of meats. Buying locally raised, sustainable meat from nearby farmers is the best way to ensure that the quality of your meat is good. The nutrition of your food greatly increases when you source your meat appropriately.

3) Paleo encourages the consumption of fresh vegetables either raw or cooked and served with fat. Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes are also a great source of non toxic carbohydrates.

4) Paleo encourages a moderate (to low) amount of fruits and nuts (organic is preferred) . If you have autoimmune issues, or are trying to lose weight, or have digestive issues, then you should consider cutting out fruits and nuts altogether. I really recommend this book for anyone suffering with an autoimmune disease. It has over 100 recipes that are egg, dairy, wheat, nightshade, and nut free. If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, you, definitely, want to avoid these foods.

5) Paleo encourages you to cut out all grains, beans, and legumes from your diet. This includes, wheat, oats, corn, rice, soy, beans, and barley. This is the hard one for most people to overcome. But after 2 years of eliminating them from my diet, I, honestly, don’t even miss this stuff. The reason why Paleo encourages you to eliminate these foods is because these foods are toxic to our bodies…especially the modern forms of them. The wheat of today is not the wheat that was consumed thousands of years ago. We are eating a genetically modified form of wheat that has absolutely no nutrition in it for our body. Beans should be excluded because they are also toxic, unless properely prepared. Beans (and wheat) should be soaked for hours, even days, in water to release the phytic acid (an anti-nutrient) in them. Beans are even toxic in their raw form; a defense mechanism to protect themselves from birds chowing down on them. And even after soaking them for hours and days, they still don’t compare nutritionally to a steamy pile of vegetables cooked in a healthy oil. So, best to leave the beans (and the gas!) and choose something your body can handle a little bit better.

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6) Paleo encourages you to cut out all vegetable and hydrogenated oils including margarines, crisco, peanut oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and safflower oil. These oils are terrible for you because they are taken out of their raw state and are injected with a catalyst. This catalyst is usually a metal of nickel, platinum, or aluminum. The oil now resembles something that is “plastic” not oil and your body, especially your blood, starts to become thicker along with it. Your heart has to work harder to pump your thicker blood through your system.

7) Paleo encourages you to eliminate white sugar, soft drinks and processed foods. We all know that these foods are subpar to the foods we get on the “outside” of the grocery store (meat and veggies). Processed foods are loaded with things like high fructose corn syrup, artificial colorings and flavors, and other forms of chemicals that are terrible for our body.

8) Paleo encourages you to eliminate dairy (other than butter) for a month and to see how your body does without it. Some people are unaware that they may have a dairy allergy, or they just feel better without it. If you can’t live without dairy, then you should consider raw dairy, full-fat, and/or fermented dairy. We consume raw dairy in our house. We have our own dairy goats and we drink their fresh, raw milk. Read here why raw milk is good for you and why my Paleo family drinks it.

9) Paleo encourages you to eat only when you’re hungry and not to stress if you skip a meal. You don’t have to eat 3 square meals a day. The reason behind this is because this is what how our ancestors used to eat. They would have to wait for the hunt and kill to eat or when food/harvest was available to them.

10) Paleo encourages you to enjoy life, exercise by doing something you enjoy, and to eliminate external stress. It stresses the importance of sleep.

Personally, Paleo has liberated me! I don’t have to count calories. I don’t have to starve myself. I eat when I’m hungry, but I make sure I grab something that is going to nourish my body. I have lost 65lbs eating Paleo. My husband has been able to come off his statin drugs. My kids are growing strong and are rarely sick. Not only has Paleo changed my life physically, but mentally as well. I have more clarity when I am eating Paleo because I don’t go through having sugar cravings, sugar crashes, or out of control binges.

Why not give Paleo a try? Try it for a month and see how you feel! I guarantee you at the end of the month you will feel amazing! If you are unsure what to cook or where to start to look for good Paleo recipes, I encourage you to take a look at these Paleo Meal Plans.

Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and my blog for more Paleo suggestions and recipes!

 

Paleo Meal Plans- 50% Off This Week Only!!! (Sale extended to 10/7!)

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Hey everyone! I wanted to send out a quick email to tell you about a really great sale that is happening this week only. It’s a Back to School Sale to make your life easier! Holistic Squid offers two different plans, depending on what your diet preferences are: Real Food Meal Plans and Paleo Meal Plans.

These plans will make your life easier!

That’s right, your dinners will be all planned out,  and Holistic Squid will even hook you up with a complete shopping list so all you have to do it grab the ingredients and get cooking quick and delicious meals your whole family will love.

The Real Food Meal Plans and Paleo Meal Plans are 50% OFF if you subscribe this week using coupon code BRAINFOOD.

1 year subscription: $72 now only $36/year

Quarterly Subscription: $33 now only $16.50/quarter

Monthly Subscription: $14 now only $7/month.

Excited yet? Subscribe now or keep reading.

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Healthy eating doesn’t have to be a chore. But, lots of times it just doesn’t come easy to a busy family with kids back to school. You are running around to practices, pick-up lines, and then, on top of that, haven’t even thought about cooking a healthy meal for the night. As a busy mom, myself, I feel your pain. I have 2 goats, 17 chickens, 2 dogs, 2 kids at home with me, I work from home, and try to manage to keep my house clean on top of all that. It just doesn’t happen sometimes.

These meal plans are my lifesaver. All I have to do is pick up the groceries for the week and follow the recipes in the evening. But, don’t just listen to me. Look at the feedback from others who are using these meal plans:

“This working mom’s life has gotten a whole lot easier thanks to you – most appreciative of your hard work – thank you!!” – M.

“I get your meal plans and they are truly WONDERFUL! Thank you for taking the time to do them, we haven’t had cereal for dinner in weeks.” – Selene

“I’m a busy business owner and first time mom to a 19 month old who wants to feed my family nutritious meals and stop eating out all the time.  I love how the meals are flavorful, toddler friendly, and packed full of nutrition!” – Jenny

“You really make it easy to come home and have a healthy meal on the table in no time.” –  Mare

“As a single dad of 4 kids, I have been a subscriber to your Real Food Meal Plan since February.  It has saved me immeasurable time and we have enjoyed your recipes.” – Jean

Don’t wait any longer! This special offer is only available to September 30 at midnight. Use the code BRAINFOOD when you checkout to receive a 50% discount for the entire time you are subscribed!!!

Click here to order Real Food Meal Plans at 50% OFF today!

Click here to order Paleo Meal Plans at 50% OFF today!

Paleo/Primal Lunch Box Ideas

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Do you find that packing a Paleo lunch box is extremely difficult? It can be pretty overwhelming. That’s why I’m writing this post today. I want to encourage you that the daunting task of packing a non-gluten filled lunch is completely possible and, possibly, even easier than you thought!

Here is what I made for my kids for lunch the other day: 

Wait, don’t you homeschool? Technically, yes. But my daughter is only Pre-k/Kindergarden age so we just, pretty much, have a lot of fun during the day. I’m enjoying these early years. Did you see what I posted on Facebook the other day about homeschooling? It’s a conversation I had with a woman at the Social Security Office.

Lady: “Why isn’t your daughter in school…she looks like she should be in Kindergarten?”
Me: “Nah, she is only 4.”
Lady: “Well, then she should be in pre-k, right?”
Me: “Technically, I guess.”
Lady: “Then why isn’t she?”
Me: “I homeschool.” …..hoping that with being short, she would get off my tail.
Lady: “ohhh then why are you here and not homeschooling her? Shouldn’t she be learning something today?”
Me: “Because this is why I homeschool…so I can go and do whatever I want with them.  Plus she is learning how to put up with idiots like you. ” I said that last part in my head.
Lady: “Wow, I’ve never heard that before…I’m not a big fan of homeschooling.”
Me: “I’m not a big fan of talking to you. Have a good day though.”

Crazy, eh? And, yes, I really said that last part.

Back to lunches…

Even though I homeschool, I still present healthy, colorful foods to my kids. It really helps get them to eat better. My kids do eat some high quality dairy, so we include that in our lunches.

Need more lunch ideas and inspiration? 

Great things on Amazon for lunches: 

Don’t forget to follow this real food lunchbox page for great ideas!

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Kick the Weight With Keto – How to Lose Weight & Feel Great on a Paleo Ketogenic Diet

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Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you this great book I’m reading called, “Kick the Weight with Keto – How to Lose Weight and Feel Great on a Paleo Ketogenic Diet.” It’s a book by a woman, Kim Knoch, who was eating everything right on Paleo alone but still wasn’t losing weight. After discovering that it wasn’t because of a lack of willpower, laziness, or anything else, she prescribed herself a low-carb ketogenic diet. Kim began treating her disability to lose weight by using a ketogenic diet cure.

Kim has dropped from 260lbs to 220lbs!!! She describes this way of eating as a “lifestyle”…kind of how Paleo is to me! I love that she is open about her continual transformation saying, “I didn’t want to wait until I’m “perfect” to share this method, since I am for the time in my life having success!” Before Keto, Kim had come to grips with the fact that she was meant to be obese…but not anymore!

What is a Ketogenic Diet? 

Kick the Weight with Keto uses “nutritional ketosis” to tell your brain to use ketones for fuel instead of glucose. Ketones break down fatty acids, either from fat in your diet, or from your own body fat stores. When you lower your carbohydrate intake enough your body starts breaking down fat for fuel! Which, obviously, is a great thing! When you are eating loads of carbs, your body uses glucose to burn fuel and doesn’t tap into fat stores causing weight loss. Kicking yourself into ketosis requires diligence and a deep desire to see your health (and weight) improve.

Is Kick the Weight with Keto for me? 

Do you want to lose weight? Has your weight loss stalled with eating Paleo or Primal alone? Do you suffer from metabolic issues (thyroid, adrenal fatigue, PCOS) or blood sugar issues? Are you a healthy weight but would like more mental clarity? Then Kick the Weight with Keto is for you!

**Nutritional ketosis has worked for so many different types of people. If you are pregnant/breastfeeding or have type 1 diabetes, then you should avoid a Ketogenic diet.

What’s the Diet Like?

The Keto diet is somewhat similar to eating Paleo or Primal(with the inclusion of high quality dairy) and uses a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb guideline. Kim gives you a suggestions of what to eat and what to avoid to help kick your body into nutritional ketosis. In the book you will find 2 weeks of suggested meal plans and LOTS of recipes. In fact, half the book is recipes!!!

After reading Kim’s book and educating myself more on nutritional ketosis, I am going to be adding it into my nutritional regime. I have, personally, lost over 60lbs eating Paleo, but my weightloss has stalled. I’ve been ok with that because I am comfortable with myself, however, I, clearly, have around 15-20 more lbs to lose. I’m pretty sure Kick the Weight with Keto will do the trick! Won’t you join with me?

Click here to learn more and get Kick the Weight with Keto!

 

Here’s a few awesome recipes and a peak inside the book: 

Keto Meatloaf

Ingredients:

  • 1lb of ground beef
  • 1/2 cup of tomato paste or low sugar ketchup
  • 1 TB onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup crushed up pork rinds

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with hands or in a food processor.
  3. Form into a loaf shape and put in a baking pan.
  4. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

A few other great recipes from her book that I love:

Crispy Cauliflower Crust Pizza

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Stuffed Chicken Breasts

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Low Carb Sub Sandwich “Unwich”

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Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

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Click here to learn more and get Kick the Weight with Keto!

Want to read more Book Love posts? Click here for all my favorite books I’ve been reading!