Two years ago during a Christmas visit with my brother and his family, we celebrated with lots of Christmas cheer. Paul then declared: “When we get home we are not eating any grains.” I said, “What’s with this ‘we’ nonsense?” and ended with a NO!
In the end, I did give in to limiting grains, but cold turkey wasn’t an option. We started with dinner – lots of big salads like you get in a restaurant minus the dressings that kill the fact that it was healthy. We use mixed greens, baby romaine or spinach for our base. Then cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, apple, pear or orange, (or any veggie/fruit we are in the mood for). Add some nuts/seeds like walnuts, pine nuts or sunflower seeds, then some feta or goat cheese, and of course protein!
For us, this was a great start and is still a staple dinner more than two years later. A few of our favorite salads are now:
Day-to-day now, we eat a lot of chicken (always all natural, organic if we can get it), pork and Paul’s favorite, steak. Top it with oil and vinegar or lemon juice and everything is yummy. We try and eat what’s in season and pair flavors that compliment each other, which makes cooking all the more fun if you like experimentation.
In the end, I did give in to limiting grains, but cold turkey wasn’t an option. We started with dinner – lots of big salads like you get in a restaurant minus the dressings that kill the fact that it was healthy. We use mixed greens, baby romaine or spinach for our base. Then cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, apple, pear or orange, (or any veggie/fruit we are in the mood for). Add some nuts/seeds like walnuts, pine nuts or sunflower seeds, then some feta or goat cheese, and of course protein!
For us, this was a great start and is still a staple dinner more than two years later. A few of our favorite salads are now:
- Mixed greens, cucumber, bell peppers, feta, walnuts, chicken or steak, oil and vinegar.
- Baby romaine, cucumber, green apple, goat cheese, walnut, (maybe some bell pepper), chicken or steak oil and lemon juice.If you need salad dressing other than oil and vinegar, make it yourself! You can find all kinds of great recipes at http://everydaypaleo.com.
Day-to-day now, we eat a lot of chicken (always all natural, organic if we can get it), pork and Paul’s favorite, steak. Top it with oil and vinegar or lemon juice and everything is yummy. We try and eat what’s in season and pair flavors that compliment each other, which makes cooking all the more fun if you like experimentation.
A great way to NOT get bored on the Paleo diet is by adding spices to your repertoire. Paul and I aim for organic, and I found a great sight http://www.etsy.com/shop/AdultIndulgences. We have a few favorites, Turkish Veils Turkish Spice Blend, Crimson Passion Jerk Rub Jamaican Spice Blend, and Moroccan Madness Moroccan Spice Blend.
Of course, we're not perfect Paleo people. We both cheat now and again, but having no grains in my diet helps me feel better overall -- especially with the effect the acromegaly has on my digestive system. In fact, I recently had pasta for dinner and then a waffle the following morning and felt the effects right away. So how can you make the move to Paleo as painless as possible? Remove grains from your diet one meal or snack at a time. Start there and then add in more as you become more comfortable with your changes.
What do you think about going Paleo? Is it something you can see yourself doing or is it intimidating? What questions do you have? We'd love to hear your thoughts in comments!
What do you think about going Paleo? Is it something you can see yourself doing or is it intimidating? What questions do you have? We'd love to hear your thoughts in comments!
If anyone is interested in just seeing what it means to eat paleo on a daily basis, I post photos on my Facebook page as well as recipes and nutrition information on my blog. I live it, and it's not a diet to me, its just how I live/eat, etc. It can take time to transition but it's a healthy way to be-- grain free! :)
ReplyDeleteDiane
http://www.balancedbites.com