Anybody eating Paleo/Primal/traditional foods?

[knittingintheround]

Is anyone eating a paleo/primal or traditional foods diet? We've made a lot of changes in the last few years, sloooowly transitioning to a more traditional diet. Last year, I made more changes toward primal eating/exercising and felt great (lost weight, felt stronger, less anxiety/depression)...but, I fell back into old habits, and am feeling like I need to get serious about my diet/exercise routine again. I'm working part-time now, and I'm having a hard time coming up with quick and/or portable meals/snacks I can eat before leaving the house or take with me to work. Not to mention time for exercise.

I just got the Primal Blueprint Cookbook (by Mark's Daily Apple) from the library and it's awesome! I've copied so many recipes!

Just thought we could support eachother and share tips and recipes.

[kristen.c]

I've heard snippets and tidbits about Primal/Paleo but haven't done much research. I've been having major gastrointestinal problems on and off since last spring and I think that something like this could possibly work well for me because of the limited number of things I am able to eat at this point. I will have to check out the book you posted!

[knittingintheround]

The MDA site has good info, and he also has another book, The Primal Blueprint, that outlines the primal way of eating. The cookbook just has recipes, no background info. You might try the library--I got both books through my system.

You can also look at the Weston A. Price Foundation for tradtional foods info (soaked grains, raw milk, ferments).

It may very well help.

[kristen.c]

Thanks! I just requested both books from the library!

[knittingintheround]

I made a primal meal (salmon cakes) last night that was really good. And simple!

I looked around at a few different recipes and cobbled together my own based on what I had--canned salmon, 1 egg, dried (unsweetened) coconut, dried parsley, celery, and green onion. Fried the salmon cakes in bacon fat and served on a salad. DH made a dressing/dipping sauce with mayo, lemon juice, Old Bay, and parsley. YUM!

I made the salmon patties up ahead of time...they were a little watery (I probably should've drained the salmon first).....but I stuck them on a plate with a tea towel over them in the fridge and by dinner time, they had firmed up.

I would make these again, especially when I need a prep-ahead quick meal. We don't eat a lot of fish, since I worry about PCBs and other toxins, but I could really use the omega 3s....I bought a wild-caught salmon, but need to research different brands to find the best option. If anybody has one to recommend, please let me know!

[knittingintheround]

Posting to keep myself accountable!

Tonight--grilled pork chops, salad, and mashed cauliflower (cook it just like mashed potatoes--it's SO good!).

But, last night was a primal diet failure--pizza. Oh, well. Back on the wagon tonight!

[kristen.c]

Still waiting for the book from the library. Our library has 3 copies. One is due back Feb 15, but the other two not until May 21 & June 4. I'm still scratching my head about how that's possible with our 3 week check-out.

I'm hoping the Feb 15th person is a good patron and actually returns the book!

[knittingintheround]

Still waiting for the book from the library. Our library has 3 copies. One is due back Feb 15, but the other two not until May 21 & June 4. I'm still scratching my head about how that's possible with our 3 week check-out.

I'm hoping the Feb 15th person is a good patron and actually returns the book!

That's weird. Maybe they've been loaned to patrons in other systems via interlibrary loan. If you don't get them, you could try ILL-ing them yourself. I have pretty good luck getting things through the Maryland library ILL.

ETA: I don't think requesting them through Marina will work after all....I think if the book exists in your local system and you try to ILL it, you'll get an error message. If the February copy doesn't come in, ask your librarian. Maybe he/she can ILL it for you. --from you former MD public library employee

I also have this one waiting for me to pick up at the library:
The Paleo diet cookbook : more than 150 recipes for Paleo breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and beverages by Loren Cordain.

[kristen.c]

I was finally able to pick this up from the library and flipped through it a little bit last night. It looks like a very similar program to how we have been eating lately which excites me. I'm at waiting spot #2 for the cookbook portion, so hopefully that will be ready when I'm done reading the whole way through this one!

[knittingintheround]

I was finally able to pick this up from the library and flipped through it a little bit last night. It looks like a very similar program to how we have been eating lately which excites me. I'm at waiting spot #2 for the cookbook portion, so hopefully that will be ready when I'm done reading the whole way through this one!

Awesome! It's nice when your research reinforces what you are already doing. I think you'll really like the cookbook. I can't wait to try some of the desserts....they all look fabulous.

We've been doing pretty good...I'm still eating some grains--gluten-free brown rice tortillas ocassionally and soaked granola (recipe from Nourishing Traditions), mostly because they are quick and easy lunches/snacks for me on busy work days. I've started doing ferments again, too...so far, just gingered carrots.

I also made these banana muffins using coconut flour and my DD ATE THEM! She has a pretty limited diet and doesn't readily try new things very often, so I was thrilled that these were a success.

I get too overwhelmed having too many things going at once, so I've just tried to focus on 1 or 2 changes and then go from there.

I'm also really excited that some friends are starting a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.....I'm planning to go to the interest meeting next month. I hope that getting involved in the group will give me some more inspiration and resources for eating better.

[sandyks]

I'd love a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation. My naturopathic doctor highly recommended that site just this past month to me, so I've been reading it and making changes accordingly. It's definitely a bit of a change for me (ok a lot of a change), but I'm working on it. It's so backwards of what I've always been taught.

[knittingintheround]

I'd love a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation. My naturopathic doctor highly recommended that site just this past month to me, so I've been reading it and making changes accordingly. It's definitely a bit of a change for me (ok a lot of a change), but I'm working on it. It's so backwards of what I've always been taught.

That's great, Sandy! It IS a huge change from the mainstream low-fat, 6-12 servings of grain a day mindset. Like any change, I find it's easier to take baby steps. I've made lots of small changes over time and although I still have a way to go, I feel like I'm making some headway. My biggest hurdle is introducing more WAPF/primal food into DD's diet. And to try not to be such a control freak about it. LOL!

[sandyks]

Definite baby steps. The website has so much info, it'll take me a while to read it all. Now...WAPF/primal food......gotta go look and see what that even is. I haven't made it that far yet. lol

[knittingintheround]

Definite baby steps. The website has so much info, it'll take me a while to read it all. Now...WAPF/primal food......gotta go look and see what that even is. I haven't made it that far yet. lol

WAPF= Weston A. Price Foundation
primal= You can read about the basics of a primal diet here...some similarities to WAPF, but some notable differences.

[rbunnymom]

I went to a gluten-free conference last year where one speaker swore by this diet. I bought her book. It is mentioned on the Weston site. I will look it up later and post the title.

[knittingintheround]

How's everybody doing? I'm getting energized by the warmer weather and thinking ahead to all the fresh veggies. We made a great meal on Sunday--grilled pastured pork chops, mashed cauliflower (it's my standby in place of rice or mashed potatoes), and kale cooked in bacon fat. Mmmm....

I made some fermented pickles last week for DD (the only fermented veggie she'll eat) and made another batch of soaked granola. I've also been doing smoothies (for myself) for quick lunches.

And I'm brainstorming ways to get more good fats and bone broth into my 5 year old. I'm planning to try a chocolate/avocado pudding for her next...something like this recipe. Might try to sneak in a tablespoon of bone broth, too, in place of some of the water.

[kristen.c]

I'm not following as strictly as I could, but doing pretty well for the most part. We've been doing a lot of grilled meat with a veggie side for meals. Tonight is pork chops and sweet potatoes on the grill. Hubby is loving all of the meat meals lately and say's he's "onboard with this gork thing" as long as the meat hits the plate.

[knittingintheround]

I'm not following as strictly as I could, but doing pretty well for the most part. We've been doing a lot of grilled meat with a veggie side for meals. Tonight is pork chops and sweet potatoes on the grill. Hubby is loving all of the meat meals lately and say's he's "onboard with this gork thing" as long as the meat hits the plate.

Ha! My husband is totally on board with all the meat, too. It does make meal planning so much easier, especially in the warmer months when you can throw some meat on the grill and fix a salad or other veggie.

[kristen.c]

Our oven needs a new igniter so we will definitely be doing meat and veggies on the grill for a few days-- luckily it's supposed to be really nice weather! Last night we did our sweet potatoes on the grill just wrapped in tin foil and it worked just as well as doing them in the oven. (And we will probably start to do them this way now so that when the weather gets warmer the AC doesn't have to run harder to compensate for the oven heat!) The local organic market has about 6 different varieties of sweet potato right now and they are all delicious!

Right now I am boiling some eggs to have for lunch. I actually had a couple yesterday at a craft meetup and they hit the spot so much so that I want them again today. I'm not making any special mayonnaise to use, just the regular old TJ's organic mayo which is made with soybean oil. I figure since I don't use a lot of it hopefully it won't be that big of a deal.

[knittingintheround]

Ugh! Another appliance on the fritz?! We've had to get a new dishwasher and a major furnance repair in the last few months--very frustrating!

The grilled sweet potatoes sound great! We'll have to try that.

My MIL just made deviled eggs the other day from some farm eggs she got from a friend--they were so good! I want to try this recipe. But first I need to perfect my hard boiled egg--I only make them once a year for Easter egg dyeing and I never can quite get them right. :/

As for mayo, I made my own for the first time--it was the omega-3 recipe from the Paleo Diet Cookbook...it was really easy--half flaxseed oil, half olive oil, egg, and lemon juice. I didn't taste so great on it's own (you could really taste the flax oil), but mixed with tuna salad or whatever, it was fine. I do like the Spectrum stuff, though. But boo on the soy and canola.

[kristen.c]

Ugh! Another appliance on the fritz?! We've had to get a new dishwasher and a major furnance repair in the last few months--very frustrating!

The grilled sweet potatoes sound great! We'll have to try that.

My MIL just made deviled eggs the other day from some farm eggs she got from a friend--they were so good! I want to try this recipe. But first I need to perfect my hard boiled egg--I only make them once a year for Easter egg dyeing and I never can quite get them right. :/

As for mayo, I made my own for the first time--it was the omega-3 recipe from the Paleo Diet Cookbook...it was really easy--half flaxseed oil, half olive oil, egg, and lemon juice. I didn't taste so great on it's own (you could really taste the flax oil), but mixed with tuna salad or whatever, it was fine. I do like the Spectrum stuff, though. But boo on the soy and canola.

I would have never thought to put avocado in with the egg yolk! Genius!

I'm pretty sure the Trader Joe's organic mayo is Spectrum. I've bought Spectrum when TJ's is out and we need it right away and it tastes the same and the jar is the same size with the same lid color. I've never made my own before, but maybe it's something I will try in the future!

I saw on tv to cook the "perfect" hardboiled egg you start with cool water to cover the eggs, let the water boil for 1 minute, then turn off the heat and cover the pot for 10 minutes, and then immerse the eggs in ice water until cool. I tried that and all I got were runny yolks. I experimented and the time that works well for me is boiling for 5 minutes with all the other instructions the same. Any longer and the yolks get too dry and the green ring appears, but shorter and the yolks aren't firm. You should experiment a little and see what works best for your tastes!

[knittingintheround]

Thanks for the hard boiled egg method--I'm going to try it this week.

I really need to have some quick snacks/lunches ready to go in the fridge. I have to leave the house by 12:15pm to get DD to school and myself to work...so lunch is around 11-11:30. I also have to pack something for a snack, since I work til 6:30pm. Usually it's a yogurt cup (not ideal because of the sugar) and soaked granola or a Larabar (ok, but not great, because of the natural sugar).

On a positive note: I have successfully eliminated the sugar from my morning coffee (again) and have been good about taking my cod liver oil each day. And am feeling sooo much better emotionally. So, yay for that!

Tonight's dinner--grass-fed hamburgers on the grill....lettuce on the side or as wraps instead of the buns.

[knittingintheround]

How's it going? I'm doing pretty well and feeling really good (no PMS...LOL! Really, this is huge for me.)

I've been limiting my grains to oats. And sugar to Lindt 85% dark chocolate when I feel the need for something sweet. Still taking high-vitamin cod liver oil daily. It's making a huge difference in my moods. And I've been trying to get outside in the sun and sneak in exercise when I can (this is still my biggest hurdle..finding/making time!)

As for food, this week was kind of unusual, because I didn't get a chance to stock up at the farm store (it's only open 2 days a week and I just didn't make it)...But, we ate out of the deep freezer/pantry and didn't cave and order take-out! Yay!

I also went to the first chapter meeting of the new area WAPF group, which was fun. I think it'll help keep me accountable, too. They are planning all kinds of events like demos, farm tours, etc. so I hope to learn some new things and share with other traditional-foodies.

I'm looking forward to the start of our CSA (we pick up our first share in about 1 month!) to help inspire me! SO ready for those spring/summer veggies and fruits. Strawberries! Tomatoes! (Today, DH said, "I could take or leave tomatoes." Can you believe that! LOL!)

[sandyks]

I'd love to see a sample menu! (hint hint)

So you eat primarily meat, fruit, veggies, natural fats. Your fruit is your carbohydrates and oats.

[knittingintheround]

I'd love to see a sample menu! (hint hint)

Sure! I tend to rotate the same few things...Sometimes I'll have breakfast foods for lunch...or just have 1 mid-morning meal (sometimes I can't stomach food first thing in the morning) and a snack later.

Breakfast:

--soaked oatmeal (soak with water and 2 Tbsp. whey the night before) with whole milk or cream, chopped apples, cinnamon, butter and more milk or cream on top

OR

--granola (soaked granola recipe from Nourishing Traditions) with whole milk and fruit

OR

--scrambled eggs with greens (arugula or spinach) and cheese (lately, I've been putting the kefir cheese on the side)

OR

--smoothie (kefir, coconut milk, and/or yogurt with fruit and/or greens)


Lunch:

--hardboiled eggs on salad with avocado and homemade dressing (either oil and vinegar or homemade mayo base)...will add fermented ginger carrots on top if I have them.

OR

--chicken or tuna salad with homemade mayo and fermented pickles

OR

--bone broth with some ginger and fermented carrots...not very fillling, so I might have a spoon full of coconut oil with a little peanut butter before or afterward.

OR

--scrambled eggs (if I didn't have them for breakfast that day)

Dinner:

--usually meat and 2 veggies, ideally one fermented veggie.

Other simple dinners we have often:

--tacos (use lettuce instead of tortillas or taco shells)
--salmon burgers pan-fried in bacon fat with salad or veggies on the side.
--hamburgers (w/o bun) with salad and oven fries
--chili
--soup with homemade broth and leftover meat and veggies
--bacon and eggs

I don't like complicated main dishes...plus, DH does a lot of the cooking for dinners these days, so he usually grills meat and I prep the veggies/sides ahead of time.

Snacks/desserts: Larabars (a convenience food, but sometimes it's my best choice when I'm on the go/at work); fruit; nuts; coconut milk ice-cream, coconut oil & peanut butter (off the spoon or made into 'candy' with raw honey).

[(Michelle)]

This is a pretty interesting way of eating. I'm going to see about incorporating more of this in to our meal planning.

There's a really easy way to get great hard-boiled eggs, by the way. Use your coffee maker! Seriously. You can fit about 4 to 6 eggs in the glass carafe. Put your eggs in first, then measure in your water so you know how much you'll need to cover them without overflowing. Then put the water in and run a cycle like usual. Leave the eggs in the carafe of hot water for 10 to 12 minutes, then take them out and they should be perfectly hard-boiled.

[knittingintheround]

Michelle! I've never heard of making hard boiled eggs using a coffee maker! Too bad we have the kind without a carafe!

I've been doing pretty good, food-wise. I even had enough will-power to say no to the Easter chocolate a co-worker brought in. It's amazing how my sugar cravings have all but disappeared. I think getting enough healthy fats makes a big difference.

[sandyks]

I don't know how I missed your menu post. Thanks for posting it! :)

I notice that you don't have much carbohydrates like fruit etc. Is it not included in this type of eating?

[knittingintheround]

I don't know how I missed your menu post. Thanks for posting it! :)

I notice that you don't have much carbohydrates like fruit etc. Is it not included in this type of eating?

The Primal diet is low-carb. I'm not sure that WAPF really addresses carbs. I'm not intentionally avoiding fruit....but am avoiding grains/beans. I'm doing a combo Primal/WAPF diet...a combo of the 2 approaches seems to be working for me.

[sandyks]

Interesting. It reminds me of that Atkins diet in a small way only different. lol

[kristen.c]

The Primal diet is low-carb. I'm not sure that WAPF really addresses carbs. I'm not intentionally avoiding fruit....but am avoiding grains/beans. I'm doing a combo Primal/WAPF diet...a combo of the 2 approaches seems to be working for me.

That's what I'm doing, too.

I've not cut out grains completely, but I try to really limit what I do have. My belly definitely feels better after eliminating beans though. We used to eat a lot of beans!

[sandyks]

Ordered WAP's book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration and Nourishing Traditions Cookbook from Amazon using my Swagbucks. Can't wait to get them! :)

[knittingintheround]

Ordered WAP's book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration and Nourishing Traditions Cookbook from Amazon using my Swagbucks. Can't wait to get them! :)

I've been wanting to read Price's book...I'll have to see if I can get it through the library. Let us know what you think once you read them.

[sandyks]

Will do! :)

[knittingintheround]

Just a !

I've kind of fallen off the grain-free wagon, but am trying to get back on again. Our schedules at home have been really off lately (DH has different hours at work and just the general changes of summer have reallly messed with our meal time routine)...it's really thrown me for a loop!

But, I'm getting inpspired by all the local summer produce lately! Yesterday, I made a really yummy lasagna using yellow squash and zucchini as the 'noodles'. Just slice the squash lengthwise in thin strips and layer with meat, cheese, and sauce like any other lasagna. Yum! Gives you an extra serving of veggies and doesn't feel like a rock in your stomach....not to mention, it's a good way to use up all those surplus summer squash!

[sandyks]

I've actually been doing much better! Eating minimal grains and lots of produce and some meats. Love summer produce!

I really love the cabbage lasagna. It's actually cabbage rolls but layed out in a lasagna form instead of the hastle of rolling it all up and such. Good eats!

[knittingintheround]

I've actually been doing much better! Eating minimal grains and lots of produce and some meats. Love summer produce!

I really love the cabbage lasagna. It's actually cabbage rolls but layed out in a lasagna form instead of the hastle of rolling it all up and such. Good eats!

Good for you! Have you noticed any changes healthwise since limiting grains? I feel much better when I do--more energy, less anxiety/depression.

I'll have to try the lasagna with cabbage...maybe in the fall. We got a lot of it (mostly napa) in our CSA early in the spring. I like it, but prefer it raw. Cooked, it tastes a little too cabbage-y for me. I made a yummy Asian style slaw with it--napa, ginger, grated carrots, radish and rice vinegar...mmmm....

[sandyks]

Well I had a doctor's appointment today. He did an A1C on my blood sugar (I'm a diabetic) and told me to keep doing whatever I've been doing because it was my best A1C ever. Woot!

[thinkgreen]

Yesterday, I made a really yummy lasagna using yellow squash and zucchini as the 'noodles'. Just slice the squash lengthwise in thin strips and layer with meat, cheese, and sauce like any other lasagna. Yum! Gives you an extra serving of veggies and doesn't feel like a rock in your stomach....not to mention, it's a good way to use up all those surplus summer squash!

This sounds delicious! I'm going to have to try it!

[knittingintheround]

Well I had a doctor's appointment today. He did an A1C on my blood sugar (I'm a diabetic) and told me to keep doing whatever I've been doing because it was my best A1C ever. Woot!

Wow! That's wonderful!

[thinkgreen]

Yesterday, I made a really yummy lasagna using yellow squash and zucchini as the 'noodles'. Just slice the squash lengthwise in thin strips and layer with meat, cheese, and sauce like any other lasagna. Yum! Gives you an extra serving of veggies and doesn't feel like a rock in your stomach....not to mention, it's a good way to use up all those surplus summer squash!

I made this last night and it was really good! I used zucchini on the bottom layer and yellow squash on the top layer. I also layered in grass-fed beef, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, vidalia onion, oregano, thyme and lots of garlic. Yummy! I'll definitely be making this dish again!

[knittingintheround]

I made this last night and it was really good! I used zucchini on the bottom layer and yellow squash on the top layer. I also layered in grass-fed beef, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, vidalia onion, oregano, thyme and lots of garlic. Yummy! I'll definitely be making this dish again!

Yay! Glad you liked it!

[thinkgreen]

Originally Posted by knittingintheround
Yesterday, I made a really yummy lasagna using yellow squash and zucchini as the 'noodles'. Just slice the squash lengthwise in thin strips and layer with meat, cheese, and sauce like any other lasagna. Yum! Gives you an extra serving of veggies and doesn't feel like a rock in your stomach....not to mention, it's a good way to use up all those surplus summer squash!

I'm having this again tonight! I layered it with organic grass-fed beef from Maverick Ranch, mozzarella, ricotta, lots of garlic, oregano and Gia Russa's cherry tomato sauce. It should be done any minute now. I can't wait to eat!

[knittingintheround]

Just a bump for this thread since there was mention of paleo on another thread!

I kind of fell off the wagon for a while, but am trying to get back on. Still a combo of primal/tf (eating some grains, mostly soaked oatmeal). My current baby-step is to eat a BAS (Big Ass Salad per Mark's Daily Apple) every day for either lunch or dinner. I'm finding it pretty easy, as long as I commit to prepping all the ingredients ahead of time.

Anybody else still eating this way?