How do I make the change?

Okay, I have got a lot of questions about how to make the change from  the "American food guide" type living to Paleo Eating so I thought I would give some basic outlines and how to replace old items with new ones.

This is the Paleo food pyramid. (obviously)  Meat and Veggies are very important This is what your plate should look like at almost every meal:

Typically my breakfast doesn't look quite the same.I either have bacon and eggs or eggs and a piece of fruit.  other then that the sky is the limit to what kinds of meat and veggies you can mix with your meals.

Let me explain what things you can use instead of your old ingredients I want to go through the things you shouldn't eat one by one  and give your a solution for it. Lets start with start with starches. Potatoes and rice are the two main ones that I have weeded out of my life. I hardly ever had  a meal without rice or potatoes. ever. What I do if I ever feel like Id like something like that is kind of a trick on the brain I guess. It tastes a bit different but really good

Mashed or chopped Cauliflower

1. Put whole head of cauliflower (chopped up) in pot with water
2. add 1/4 tsp ground Pepper
3.add 2 cloves of fresh crushed garlic
4. Boil till cauliflower is soft enough to mash

5.Strain and put in food processor, or us a hand mixer or kitchen-aid Mixer

6. Add a tablespoon of butter, mix, and serve!

* If you have a food processor you should be able to chop it up like rice or turn it in to more  of a mashed potato texture. I have a Kitchen Aid and it made it more like a rice when I mixed it. (my daughter liked hers with soya sauce on it!)

Next lets talk a little about bread. I personally don't miss it but if you would there is a solution to that problem. I made some Paleo bread a few days ago and it tastes great! there are some different things though that you would need to make it.  Depending on the recipe you use you will probably need to have Almond Flour or Coconut Flour. I buy these at the bulk barn in Lethbridge but I suppose if you are from somewhere else try the bulk section of your store or look at local health food stores. This bread also takes Honey with a lot of you probably have on hand if Ive got about a one Litre container of it ( i like in on top of my bread too) I also used apple cider vinegar in the bread I made. Other than that the rest of the ingredients were basic baking stuff that most people probably have in their home if they bake. I'll add a recipe for the bread tomorrow.

Okay, so you know that vegetable oil or canola oil you have sitting in your cupboard that you thought was good for you.. well its not. I'm not going to get all scientific if you want that info read  "The Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf.. I know Ive suggested that a few times but it makes it all make sense.  Instead use Olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil. Oh and Butter.. Butter=Good ,  Margarine=Bad

Lets discuss Fruits and nuts.. good for you but don't go overboard.  Fruit even though it is healthy has alot of sugar in it,Fruit is good after a work out to give back the energy you used up. If I am tired in the middle of the day fruit helps me get that energy back up  so I can get through the day but that situation has only come up once in the past week of doing this because I never have that food coma from eating too much junk anymore. my food lifts me up, not drag me down. When it comes to nuts if I feel a little hungry between meals first I go to veggies for a snack but if I still need a little more substance I grab 5-10 walnuts and I'm good.

Water is a VERY important component. I 2-3 Litres of water a day. My skin has benefited from that and I'm sure a lot of other parts of my body have as well. When it comes to drinking skip the milk, soda pop, and juice. The only time I use any kind of juice is when I make a fruit smoothie. I should mention how I make my smoothies if you want to try.. all you need is orange juice and a bag of mixed fruit or berries (I get mine at Costco. I dont measure but I try to make a single serving most times cuz I use a magic bullet. so I would say about 1-1 1/2 cups  of your choice of fruit fill with orange juice so the juice covers all the fruit by half an inch or more(all depends on how thick you want your smoothie.. I like them thick) then blend till smooth! they taste great!

steer clear of anything that is packaged and has refined sugars. Everything should be real you should know exactly what the ingredients are.. almost everything I buy is only one ingredient- Vegetable-nothing added, Meat-plain nothing added, nuts-plain-no salt nothing added, fruit- same thing, herbs and spices fresh or dried. I add the ingredients to my food.. not a factory of some sort.



okay I'm done for the day.. sorry its so long but Its easier when you understand.. if you have any questions if I missed anything let me know!