If you are a regular reader of this blog you already know that my husband, daughter, and Mom are highly sensitive to gluten. Since this is the case, almost every recipe we post on this blog will contain a gluten-free version of the recipe.
While I have known about the Paleo diet for a long time, I didn’t know a lot about it. I knew it was a more restrictive and extreme diet than just being gluten-free. So I didn’t research further into it.
Last month I was really in a reading mood and kept looking for a good book. All of the e-books I wanted to borrow from my library’s website were all on a waiting list. I finally decided to read a book called: The Paleo Primer
The most basic explanation of a Paleo diet is that you avoid: gluten, grains, sugar and processed foods of any kind. You do eat lots of fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs. I found dairy was a bit iffy. Some people say it’s okay while others say to avoid it.
Since most of our meals are Gluten Free, to begin with, stepping it up to Paleo wasn’t difficult. The hardest part was refraining from snacking on junk food like chips and ice cream. Avoiding coffee creamer was nearly impossible.
So why would I put myself through this? Here are the positives I have experience and why I am continuing this diet:
- Lost four pounds the first week (I was so shocked! I have never lost weight that easily or quickly!)
- Lost four pounds the second week!
- Food tastes better and sweeter, even though I’m not eating any sugar. I noticed this change happening during week number three. Fruit taste so much better once I had detoxed from sugar. Store-bought yogurt doesn’t even taste good anymore because there is so much sugar added to it (33g per serving!!).
- I have discovered many new healthy and delicious recipes that got me out of the typical food rut I had been stuck in for years.
- It’s a diet where you still get to eat bacon–I mean come on, that’s a good diet to be on!
I’ve been on this diet for a month, and I’m hoping in time I’ll start seeing clearer skin as well.
*I have found that Paleo diets tend to be adamant in saying that you should (always and forever) only eat free-range, steroid-free, 100% organic everything. While this concept is ideal and the best for your body, it isn’t always available or affordable. My family of five lives off of one income. I buy normal meat from the grocery store. If the organic stuff is on sale, I’ll buy it then. After all, I wouldn’t want to give you the impression that if you can’t buy organic meat/produce then you might as well go ahead and eat a frozen pizza. Eating any type of meat/produce is still going to be healthier than eating processed food.
Breakfast
I used to skip breakfast or eat a bagel– both were definitely making me fat. I think switching to eating eggs, sweet potatoes, and/or avocados for breakfast helped me lose weight.
One of my new all-time favorite breakfast is a Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe from Food Apparel! My husband requests this several times a week. We even eat it for supper sometimes. It is very filling, and sweet potatoes are now considered a normal breakfast food in our house.
If I’m not in the mood for eggs and want more of a sweet breakfast I make Paleo “Tortillas” from Stupid Easy Paleo. I add vanilla and cinnamon. Then I top those with maple syrup and Fried Bananas from Rachel Schultz.
Another great pancake recipe is this simple and fast 3 Ingredient Pancakes from Recipe by Photo. It’s just one banana, two eggs, and a pinch of cinnamon. These definitely have a banana taste to them so if you like bananas then these pancakes make a great breakfast!
Coffee Creamer was one of the most difficult things to cut out. I have to have coffee in the morning. I’ve tried lots of combinations using honey, coconut milk, almond milk, coconut sugar, coconut oil, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, even pure maple syrup. All of these were alright but nothing tasted quite as good as actually dairy creamer. After a month, I’m finally adjusting to drinking black(ish) coffee.
Speaking of almond milk, I found out how to make my own, and it’s very simple! Homemade Almond Milk by Natures Nurture Blog. Plus you can use the leftover almond pulp to make homemade almond meal/flour.
If I need a pick up in the afternoon I’ll usually make this Iced Vanilla Coffee from Against All Grain. It is very good!
Paleo Meals for Lunch/Supper
This is where I really broke free from my normal food rut. The following recipes are now some of my go-to recipes when I’m tired of steamed fish and vegetables. These are almost too good to be healthy.
These Paleo Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes from Paleo Newbie made me very happy! I can’t believe how well sweet potatoes go with Sloppy Joes; it was like they were made to be together! I add mustard and pickles to the top of mine and are fabulous as leftovers!
This Baked Honey Mustard Chicken from http://damndelicious.net. It isn’t from a Paleo Blog but just happens to be Paleo. I discovered it while trying to do something new with chicken thighs. I was a little nervous making it but was surprised by how good it was. I currently have some chicken thighs in my fridge waiting for this recipe to be made again!
Snacks and Desserts
This was by far my biggest struggle. I was in the habit that every time my kids took a nap or went to bed at night I would break out the junk food! I always had a stash of the good candy hidden for stressful days (ahmm moments throughout every day).
I’ve replaced chips with fruit, almonds, and cashews. I still desperately miss BBQ chips.
One of my new favorite snacks is 3 Ingredient Energy Bars from The Kitchen. These are made from dates, dried fruit, and almonds. She used dried cherries, so that is what I used, and I highly recommend that combination.
For dessert, I often make this Chocolate Orange Avocado Pudding from Food Doodles. At first, I really wasn’t that crazy about it, but I found I kept making it over and over again. Once I became more sensitive to sugar this tasted much better. I always add fresh fruit and almond slivers to this pudding. I usually make this once a week now.
I’m still super new at this whole Paleo thing and I would love to hear from you in the comments. What are your favorite paleo recipes?
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Anna
B says
Do you happen to remember the recipe for the tortillas? I used to lovemaking that stupid east paleo recipe but I can’t find it anywhere now and your link doesn’t work. I’m kind of freaking out! I remember it had arrowroot & coconut flour and eggs but not sure the amounts and really want to make them for breakfast “burritos” 🙁
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Bummer, it does seem like that site no longer works! I was able to find the recipe for you!
2 eggs
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
1 tsp coconut flour
pinch salt
1 tsp ghee
1 tbsp water
Kit says
Thank you for a quick and brief overview about paleo diet. Ive been seeing a lot of Paleo dishes online and I never really understood it. Ill share this with my friend as well who is on pescatarian diet right now, she might want to consider this.
Alexa says
Hiii!! Everything looks fabulous and what a great idea! Do you have an IG account where you have shared these recipes ? Would love to follow you!
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Absolutely! You can follow both us here: https://www.instagram.com/blessedbeyondcrazy/ #blessedbeyondcrazy and here: https://www.instagram.com/lindawiseman61/ #lindawiseman61
Katherine says
Can’t wait to try the recipes in your article! I’ve been on Paleo for nine months and have lost more than 30 pounds! I’m never hungry and I feel great! Thanks for your advice and recipes!
Anna Martin says
Wow, Katherine! That’s amazing! Congratulations and way to be dedicated!
Rose Barile says
Simple banana pancake recipe. It will do in a pinch yet I can’t say I loved it. I think I might grind some almonds and chia seed and add to the batter next time.
Nikki says
I felt the same way. Eating them right now and just can’t say I love them but they should have tasted better than they did. I’m not paleo, just low cal. I even added a few chocolate chips and it still didn’t help. They are okay but probably won’t make them again.
Daren says
love it
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Thank you!!!
Anna
Claudia Gonzales says
Am so ready to try it
Kate says
Hi Linda,
I have made several variations of the 3 ingredients banana pancakes. This one is good too. I made a couple changes and instead of making them like pancakes i made them like crepes and Oh My were they delicious! Thanks for sharing that recipe.
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Hi Kate,
Making crepes is a great idea! So glad you were adventurousness and modified the recipe and tried something a little different.
Thanks for sharing and for dropping by and leaving us a message.
Have a great day!
Linda
Katina Scott says
My daughter loved these pancakes. Thanks for the recipe.
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Hi Katina,
That’s great! We love them too!
Enjoy!
Linda
Laura says
Thank you! It was a great read . As you I’ve been seeing a lot about paleo the last couple of years but never really tried it. Now after reading this is have to say ,you have inspired me to give it a try. I also fallow a gf diet but the most difficult would definitely be giving up sugar! Adding sweet potatoes and bananas would be helpful. I’m going to seriously give it a try. 7 years ago I weighed 350pounds, I lost 100pounds eating gf and trying to stay away from dairy. The last several years I’ve just stayed the same weight even though I should lose another 80 pounds. I’m sure the paleo diet would do the trick. I’ve suspected sugar was the reason why I haven’t lost the rest of the weight. Thanks so much for your nudge
Sincerely Laura!
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for your comment! That is amazing that you have been able to lose so much weight by watching what you eat!
Anna
Eli says
Hi there!
I enjoyed reading your post (and getting some new ideas)! I just wanted to add that I don’t think paleo blogs (or any bloggers recommending organic meat) are trying to be snobs. There is a very good reason for their recommendation. Confined animal feeding operation (CAFO – also called factory farmed) meat is so poorly treated and can really do damage to our health. A quick Google search for CAFO meat/factory farmed meat can give lots of good resources.
We also are on one income – my husband is a teacher and I stay home with our three kids. We make sacrifices in other areas to purchase meat, eggs and milk locally. For us that just means eating less of it.
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Hi Eli,
Thank you for your comment. I wrote this specifically for people who are new to eating healthy. If someone is going from a typical “SAD” diet to a Paleo or healthier diet then the sticker price for healthier food (not to mention organic) can come as quite a shock and might deter someone from making the switch. I know we never would have made the switch to a gluten free diet if it hadn’t been medically necessary for my daughter because everything is much more expensive. So yes! Organic is better! I know that. But a non-organic chicken doesn’t have quite the sticker shock and is still healthier than a frozen boxed meal. Then once someone gets used to eating healthy they can gradually take it up a notch and eventually be all organic. That was my point. I’m sorry for using the word “snobbish” I’ll change it :). Thank you for your comment.
Anna
Tarrian says
The pancakes look super good. I recently found a recipe for pancake muffins. Do you think these would turn out if I baked them in mini muffin pans? Thanks ☺
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Hi Tarrian,
I’m not sure if they would turn out as I have never tried that. But if you do give it a try please let me know how they turn out!
Anna
Dena says
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing these recipes! I’ve already made a couple of these recipes and love them! My kids love the chocolate pudding (we dip apple slices in it!) I’m just starting out on the paleo diet and still get confused on what is considered paleo and what isn’t. As far as the cheesy cauliflower breadsticks (those look amazing btw), but isn’t cheese considered non-paleo?
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Hi Dena,
Great question! Here is a link that talks about this: http://www.paleodietfoodlist.net/2012/10/is-cheese-paleo-substitutes/
Quote from this link: “So is cheese paleo? Is there paleo cheese substitute? Dairy is a very heavy grey area on the paleo diet; strict adherents forbid it completely whereas moderate followers make concessions for occasional allowances. If any, butter and aged cheeses may make an appearance on the paleo menu but in extreme moderation. As far as true paleo goes, dairy has no place on the diet. This means no drinking milk, consuming milk products or indulging in the goodness of any dairy. However, even by paleo gurus, it has come to be understood that dairy can have beneficial effects too.”
Hope this helps!
Linda
Sarah UmmYusuf says
Great list you have here! And thanks for including my almond milk post as well. 🙂
Blessed Beyond Crazy says
Thank you Sarah and thanks for such a great recipe! We appreciate you letting us share it with our friends 🙂
Have a great day!
Linda