Paleo

I've been on the Paleo lifestyle for about a year now. I've always had to make the conscious effort to stay away from sugar, as it is a weakness for me (and most people). I've found the Paleo "diet" (it is a lifestyle, but I will refer to it as a diet for this page) to a reasonable diet and one that I could easily maintain, as there are so many options. I am not a huge meat-eater, but with my husband being on the Keto diet (for a temporary amount of time until he loses the desired amount of weight), meat is definitely a big staple in our household. Also, being a part of the healthcare industry, I do know the actual dangers of sugar and the theorized dangers of red meat. I've always lived by the concept of everything in moderation regardless of debate.

Since being on the Paleo diet, I've come across a few recipes that I would like to share. I've never been much of a cook, but since I've had my twins, I try to make most of their food at home. Also, I like to pay mind to the issues out there, like GMO/Monsanto and also try to buy Organic whenever reasonably priced (with twins, we're on a tight budget). I'm not much of a foodie, so my husband and I take turns on making dinner usually. Mine are usually simple, like Kale and Bacon fried in Coconut oil; where my husband's are usually a bit more elaborate.

A few things (permanent shopping list) I could never live without in the house are:

• Coconut oil (I use this with everything and even have replaced body lotion with it (sshhh)).
• Cinnamon
• Coconut flour
• Almond flour
• Honey (replaces refined sugar)
• Agave nector (replaces refined sugar)
• Random fruit (usually always strawberries, Fuji apples, oranges, cherries and blueberries)
• Eggs
• Kale (I use always in eggs and smoothies)
• Greek yogurt (not really paleo)
• Farmers cheese
• Almond butter
• Macadamia butter (homemade)
• Chia seeds
• Hemp seeds
• Bacon

-If you have these on hand, you can make a lot of paleo recipes!

My favorite recipes (mostly snacks/treats). If you have a sweet tooth like me, but do not want to give in to the badness of sugar - try paleo on for size and give these treats a whirl:


1) Apple Cinnamon Muffins (a great finger food for breakfast!):

• 1 cup almond flour 
• 6 tablespoons coconut flour 
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 1/2 apples grated (in food processor) 
• 4 eggs--lightly beaten 
• 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil 
• 2 tablespoons honey

1. Mix together almond flour, coconut flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. 
2. Add eggs, honey, melted coconut oil, and diced apple to the flour mixture and gently mix until combined.  
3. Spoon into greased muffin tins and bake for 25 or so minutes until golden brown at 350 degrees.

Makes 12 small muffins. 

 2) Homemade Macadamia Nut Butter:

• 1 pound Macadamian nuts (soaked and dried/roasted)
• 6 Tablespoonds Coconut oil
• pinch of salt
• 4-6 Tablespoons of raw honey (optional)

1. Pour nuts into food processor. Process nuts until they are creamy. 
2. Add coconut oil, salt and honey if using. 
3. Blend until the nut butter is completely pureed.

The Macadamia nut butter will set up once you refrigerate it. Adding coconut oil to the butter helps the macadamia nut butter to thicken and spread easily.

3) Paleo bread:

• 2 cups blanched almond flour
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• ¼ cup golden flaxmeal
• ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 5 eggs
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1. Place almond flour, coconut flour, flax, salt and baking soda in a food processor
2. Pulse ingredients together
3. Pulse in eggs, oil, honey and vinegar
4. Pour batter into a greased 7.5 x 3.5 magic line loaf pan
5. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes
6. Cool and serve 

4) Macaroons:

 

• 6 egg whites 
• 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt 
• 1/2 cup raw organic honey 
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract 
• 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees  2. Whisk egg whites and salt thoroughly (at least 5 minutes) 3. Add honey and vanilla, and whisk until well combined 4. Fold in coconut 5. Drop rounded tablespoons of batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper 6. Bake for 17-22 minutes until lightly browned

MORE TO COME....