How to Start
So you want to start changing your life. Congratulations! Once you make the transition, you will never look back! {record scratch!!!} I could sit here and tell you that you that I will be easy, and you will never cheat, and you won't ever want "bad" things again. But I would be lying. Whhhaatttt???
Instead, I will tell you this: (cue the rocky balboa sound track} If you want to be healthy, fit, feel good, and look good, you will stick with it. Why? Because where theres a will, theres a way! Learn about paleo, and the paleo lifestyle. Learn about food and what will be the best choices for you and/or your family when there isn't an optimal choice. Do yourself a favor and try and eat clean and 100% for 30 days. This will allow you to really see the changes and benefits of the paleo lifestyle. Believe it or not, your taste buds will change. In my experience, and others that I know the first 2 weeks are the toughest. Your body is going to be craving everything your used to feeding it. So you have to be sure to be eating enough proper nutrients - protein, fats, and veggies. You will need to fight the urges. But you will get through. I promise! Don’t over think it, and don't beat yourself up over a small slip. If you eat a cookie, don't get down on your self. Get up. Brush yourself off. And start fresh. Here are some tips and tricks to help you to begin your journey:
Clean out your Pantry and Refrigerator!
Take everything that isn't paleo (such as pasta, rice, crackers, cereal, cookies, chips, flour, sugar, milk, juices, dressings, etc. If a caveman didn't have it, it shouldn't be here) Give these foods to non-Paleo friends or, if unopened, to your local food bank. If you don't have tempting food in the house at your disposal, it will be harder to get. ESPECIALLY when you first begin. Exceptions….If you have children in the house, this will be tough for them. Keep a small area with limited snacks. If your eating better, than they should be too. But as kids, taking all their snacks away cold turkey could lead to a very unhappy house! Now that you probably have a TON of room in your pantry and fridge – lets go shopping! |
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Shopping List
Spices to keep in the house:
Sea Salt (Preferably in a grinder, trader joes is cheap and good!)
Ground Black Pepper (Preferably in a grinder, trader joes is cheap and good!)
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Cumin (I use this on chicken and pork ALL the time! Its a strong spice, so don't put too much at first)
Cilantro (for a lot of mexican dishes)
Curry (If you like Indian style food)
Dill (Great on fish, and Ive used it on chicken)
Paprika
Rosemary (This is one that is great to have on the house, but also very flavorful to have fresh.)
Thyme (Also good to have ground, but flavorful to have fresh when needed)
Oregano
Basil
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ginger
Chili Powder (For some flavor and heat)
Cayenne Pepper (For some flavor and heat)
Red Pepper Flakes (For some flavor and heat)
Some tips on spices:
When your buying a spice that may be a combo of something (Like say, a Fajita Mix or a taco mix) Make sure to look at the back. They like to sneak sugar and/or other weird ingredients. Also, some mixed spices with have a very high salt content - I would suggest using these sparingly if at all
Some great Oils for good fat and cooking:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (unless cooking on a high heat)
Coconut Oil
Staple Veggies to keep in the house:
Red Onions
Yellow Onions (I typically have red and yellow. They have a slightly different flavor when cooking certain things)
Celery (Ads lots of flavor to dishes)
Fresh Garlic
Sweet potatoes
Lettuce of any kind
Spinach
Broccoli
Carrots
Tomatoes
Proteins to always have on hand: (these are good for go to, quick meals)
Eggs
Chicken (I like to buy the packages of the small chicken tenders and I break them up into smaller portions. So in a whim, you can defrost and cook up quickly!)
Ground Beef
Ground Turkey
Frozen Shrimp
Tuna
Great quick snack items:
Sun Butter and/or Almond Butter
Almonds (Try and make sure they are in the raw)
Pistachios (Try the non salted ones)
Apples or other fruits you like
Avocados
Other staple things to keep in the house:
Broths (Chicken, Turkey, Vegetable, Beef, etc.)
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (not the store brand, I would get Briggs. Its a good brand)
Canned Coconut Milk (To make curry dishes, or some recipes that call for cream, you can use this. I would recommend the full fat Trader Joes brand)
Almond and Coconut flour (Used for some baking and/or thickening sauces)
Recommended tools:
Crock Pot (Best thing I ever got! One with a timer is helpful if you work long days)
Food processor (Its not a necessity, but I use mine a lot. I would get on that is at least 8 cups. It makes for cutting veggies WAY faster (although, sometimes it does cut them too small)
A good set of knifes. (be careful. fingers are precious, and knifes are sharp :)
Sea Salt (Preferably in a grinder, trader joes is cheap and good!)
Ground Black Pepper (Preferably in a grinder, trader joes is cheap and good!)
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Cumin (I use this on chicken and pork ALL the time! Its a strong spice, so don't put too much at first)
Cilantro (for a lot of mexican dishes)
Curry (If you like Indian style food)
Dill (Great on fish, and Ive used it on chicken)
Paprika
Rosemary (This is one that is great to have on the house, but also very flavorful to have fresh.)
Thyme (Also good to have ground, but flavorful to have fresh when needed)
Oregano
Basil
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ginger
Chili Powder (For some flavor and heat)
Cayenne Pepper (For some flavor and heat)
Red Pepper Flakes (For some flavor and heat)
Some tips on spices:
When your buying a spice that may be a combo of something (Like say, a Fajita Mix or a taco mix) Make sure to look at the back. They like to sneak sugar and/or other weird ingredients. Also, some mixed spices with have a very high salt content - I would suggest using these sparingly if at all
Some great Oils for good fat and cooking:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (unless cooking on a high heat)
Coconut Oil
Staple Veggies to keep in the house:
Red Onions
Yellow Onions (I typically have red and yellow. They have a slightly different flavor when cooking certain things)
Celery (Ads lots of flavor to dishes)
Fresh Garlic
Sweet potatoes
Lettuce of any kind
Spinach
Broccoli
Carrots
Tomatoes
Proteins to always have on hand: (these are good for go to, quick meals)
Eggs
Chicken (I like to buy the packages of the small chicken tenders and I break them up into smaller portions. So in a whim, you can defrost and cook up quickly!)
Ground Beef
Ground Turkey
Frozen Shrimp
Tuna
Great quick snack items:
Sun Butter and/or Almond Butter
Almonds (Try and make sure they are in the raw)
Pistachios (Try the non salted ones)
Apples or other fruits you like
Avocados
Other staple things to keep in the house:
Broths (Chicken, Turkey, Vegetable, Beef, etc.)
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (not the store brand, I would get Briggs. Its a good brand)
Canned Coconut Milk (To make curry dishes, or some recipes that call for cream, you can use this. I would recommend the full fat Trader Joes brand)
Almond and Coconut flour (Used for some baking and/or thickening sauces)
Recommended tools:
Crock Pot (Best thing I ever got! One with a timer is helpful if you work long days)
Food processor (Its not a necessity, but I use mine a lot. I would get on that is at least 8 cups. It makes for cutting veggies WAY faster (although, sometimes it does cut them too small)
A good set of knifes. (be careful. fingers are precious, and knifes are sharp :)
Other Resources
So, aside from my blog – there are other great sites out there with recipes and advice. Check out my links and resource section!