Paleo/ Primal Eating- Why do it?

Weight loss, Healthier, more energy, No more medications, Better hair, better skin, better achievements at the gym, A fun challenge, Try something new that you don't have to pay for a meal plan or a gym membership! Brandon lost a pants size without stepping foot in a gym!

Try it for 21 days and I garuntee that you won't regret it!!

Typical week for us:

Paleo Meat staples:
Venison
Free- Range chicken or game birds
Nitrate free bacon or ham
Roasted Turkey
Pork
Try to go with Grass fed, lean meats for the bulk of your meat eating. Breakfast meats are tricky- we do ham, bacon or even left over pulled pork or steaks with eggs or in an omelet.

My Paleo Snack or side dish staples:

Cauliflower
Salad
Asparagus
Fresh Salsa
Guacamole
Carrots
Celery
Squash
Cucumbers
Onion
Peppers
Grape tomatoes
sesame seeds
almonds
Macadamia nuts
Cashews
 Berries or in season fruits
Almond flour (buy in bulk)
Coconut flour
Any fruit in moderation
a little dried fruit in moderation
Dark chocolate 72% or higher in moderation
*Eat all the veggies you want- some days I eat an entire container of cherry tomatoes for a snack.
Dijon mustard's
oil and vinegar
Herbs and spices


Try to avoid:
Dairy products (If full Paleo, if just primal- you may have full fat, raw organic milk products- Brandon is more Primal because he still does cheese and cream in his coffee)
Sugar (yes sugar is not paleo) replace with honey, agave nectar, palm sugar or maple syrup- all natural
Juices- make your own
White/ wheat flour
Grains- your body cannot naturally digest them
Starchy vegetables- no white potatoes or corn
Legumes- What the heck is a legume?
Soy
*When buying dark chocolate- try to get soy, dairy free - or make sure soy lechtin is last on the list*
Trans-fats
Processed- pre made foods.
Vegetable oil
Butter- unless grass fed
Best tip- Read the labels and make sure you know what all of the ingredients are before you buy them. Buy foods with the least amount of ingredients.

*I've noticed that if I pre-slice some of the veggies and keep them in an easily accessible container- I am more likely to snack on them rather than opening up a chocolate bar or a bag of nuts and dried fruits.
For a great description and shopping list check out Mark Sisson. For some great inspiration and to see what your foods are doing to your body, read the Friday success stories- make sure you have a box of tissues!
For a good recipe book check out: Make it Paleo
Or check out these blogs: nomnompaleo.com, http://www.primal-palate.com/, http://www.paleocomfortfoods.com/, http://www.balancedbites.com/, http://www.everydaypaleo.com/ or continue to follow our blog! :)

Let me know if you try it!