Informational Websites

• The Whole 30 (this is the program that I used to start my paleo journey)
• Mark’s Daily Apple
• Robb Wolf (also has a podcast that I highly recommend)
• Paleo Parents
• The Paleo Diet
• Paleo Diet Lifestyle
• Free the Animal (he’s a little explicit in his delivery)

Recipe Websites and Books

• The Food Lovers Primal Palate: Website | The Primal Palate: The Book
• The Paleo Diet Cookbook: More than 150 recipes for Paleo Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and Beverages
• Everyday Paleo: Website |Everyday Paleo (The Book)
• Paleo Plan: Website
• Paleo Cookbooks

Informational Books

• The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet by Robb Wolff
• The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat by Loren Cordain
• Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats (not a Paleo Book but more about getting back to traditional cooking methods)

Bone Broth a’Brewing.

Seriously, I love the smell of bone broth. Meaty goodness mixed with veggie trimmings I save in a ever-growing collection of freezer bags. Hubby bought bones at Whole Foods today and I immediately sprung into action. Armed with my new, but already worn, copy of Nourishing Traditions, I prepared to create a spectacular bone broth. But, alas, I cook by smell and as I browned the meat in my roaster, I realized that if I was going to make it two days with this potent aroma floating on the air I would have to add some seasoning that would keep me from gagging.

And so I wanted to share my Beef Bone Broth recipe, because while the basics are the same, sometimes a little change in flavor can make this a brand new experience. But before you read my recipe, make sure you head to The Nourishing Cook for her beef stock tips.

Coconut Fish and Kale Stew

Variety is the spice of life, right?

We are trying to add more variety in our diets. There is a whole world of meats that we can eat and we barely scratch the surface.

I’m learning that the key to this Paleo life is to step out of the comfort zone. It’s not easy! The thought of eating liver is enough to send running and screaming to the nearest vegetarian support group. The sight of fish heads brings horrible memories from childhood and eating anything that is fermented is not on my bucket list. But truth be told, and I credit this with actually enjoying food since removing all grains, gluten, etc. I actually enjoy food now and want to try everything. In fact, since September I have come to like cabbage (at least raw cabbage), zucchini, and wait for it red meat! These are all things that I would never eat before but of which I am now a fan.

So in my quest for variety, I decided to make a Coconut Fish Stew with Kale. It looks good doesn’t it? Well, the picture isn’t very good but it tastes so good. I need to stop taking pictures with my phone.

All Natural Homemade Deodorant– Option 1

This will be a short post, but I promise to update after my experiment is over. I’ve said it before but Paleo is so much more than just what we put in our bellies. The toxins in lotions, shampoos, and deodorants are also responsible for wreaking havoc on our bodies (go ahead; Google it!). So as part of our Paleo lifestyle, I am on a mission to find a safe way of curtailing body order. And I think I have the answer, or two.

I made two homemade options for us to try and hopefully we will have a concrete answer to which is best. If you try it please come back and let us know which one worked for you.

Coconut Oil, Baking Soda, and Corn Starch

• 1 cup of Baking Soda
• 1 cup of Corn Starch
• 4 heaping tablespoons of Coconut Oil (we prefer Nutiva Coconut Oil) measured while solid and then liquified for use.

1. Combine Baking Soda and Corn Starch mixing well to ensure it is blended.
2. Melt Coconut oil by placing it in a cup and setting cup in hot water (at least 70 degrees).
3. Add to BS/CS mixture and mix well. It will look a lot like yogurt.
4. Store in glass jar either in your bathroom or in fridge. If stored in fridge it will be hard (and cold) and you will have to warm it up with your fingers before using.
5. To apply, rub into armpit like lotion.

Corn Starch, Baking Soda, and Lavendar Blend (Dry)

• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1 cup Corn Starch
• 4–8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

1. Combine Baking Soda and Corn Starch mixing well to ensure it is blended.
2. Add drops of Lavender, mixing well to combine.
3. Store in glass jar.
4. Use cotton ball or something similar to apply. (shake before using.)

I am assuming that you could add Lavender to the Coconut Oil mixture too, but I wanted to see how I liked it without scent. After writing this I found that Everyday Paleo also has info on making homemade deodorant. We use very similar recipes (go me!!)

Dinner is Served Pay no attention to the non-Paleo cranberry jelly; it’s my one indulgence and it’s organic!

The aroma of bone broth fills the air and makes me want to make it out of every bone imagined. It’s so simple. My daughter, sister, and niece are asleep and my husband is playing Call of Duty: MW3. I opted not to split-screen with him, choosing rather to surf the net compiling lists of things I want to make with our first batch of bone broth.

We are both rather happy. Satisfied, but not overwhelmed by a turkey induced coma. We’ve spoken in great detail tonight about our new lifestyle. We have never regretted our decision to change our lives and live a primal existence. And while we have not given up all of the comforts of modern day living, we have definitely taken steps in the right direction.

Admittedly, I was a little worried about our Paleo Thanksgiving menu. As carboholics-on-the-wagon, most of our comfort foods relied heavily on breads, pastas, cakes, and pies. The meshing of my Black American Southern heritage and his Italian ancestry is not very Paleo-friendly, but we were both determined to see this through.

I’m glad we did!

Our first Paleo Thanksgiving was a success. We tried new versions of old favorites and by the end of the meal we were both in a state of euphoria.

What was on the menu?