Going Paleo? Diet Tips and Paleo Effect Cookbook Review

Today you're in for a treat. Recently a copy of The Paleo Effect by Meghan Little and Angel Ayala Torres crossed my countertop and I've been giving it a good read and test run.

Yes, I read cookbooks front to back.

First of all, what is paleo, or a paleo diet (actually it's a lifestyle!) and how does it fit into a whole foods living frame of mind?

All About Paleo
In a nutshell a paleo, or paleolithic, diet focuses on natural, unprocessed foods. A paleo diet is naturally gluten free. Paleo diet followers don't eat dairy, grains, legumes, beans, processed sugars or processed fats.

Why? The health benefits are too good to dismiss. The authors of the book, Meghan and Angel, claim that within a month of going paleo they slimmed down, said goodbye to migraines, no longer experience insomnia and got rid of annoying joint pain. Sounds pretty good doesn't it?

So, what do paleo people eat?

• unprocessed meats and fish 
• fresh fruits and vegetables 
• herbs and seasonings 
• nuts, roots, oils
• animal products including eggs and honey

I know you're wondering about dessert. Yes, this cookbook also tempts your sweet tooth with recipes for everything from chocolate chip cookies and banana bread, to apple pie and maple-glazed pear cheesecake.

Is Paleo Food Any Good?
So, how does this style of cooking/eating/living taste? Pretty darn good! Here's a recap of a few of the recipes I've tried. (Note that since I'm a vegetarian, I didn't venture into any of the meaty offerings. But I will let bacon lovers out there know that yes, bacon is included in a paleo lifestyle!)

Lemon Garlic Asparagus (pg. 115): As a kid I never liked asparagus. As an adult, I'm trying to enjoy it more. So, when I saw a new simple recipe to "spice" up this green veggie, I was ready to try it. The combination of baking asparagus in olive oil with garlic, cayenne and lemon juice is simply perfect.

Blackened Salmon (pg. 161): The hubby made this recipe all by himself to try salmon for the first time. He did swap out a few of the suggested seasonings to fit his palette, but the cooking instructions worked perfectly for his first-time fish cooking experience. He loved it and has asked for salmon to frequent the grocery shopping list!

You can find out more about following a paleo diet on Megan and Angel's website, Paleo Effect. Or, pick up the book The Paleo Effect and study the first 12 pages of the book which guide you through the dos and don't of going paleo. Then dive into the recipes!

So, have you tried the paleo lifestyle? What do you think? Tell me in the comments below or give me a shout on Facebook!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Disclosure: The Paleo Effect by Meghan Little and Angel Ayala Torres mentioned in this blog post was provided free of charge from Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. for review purposes. No monetary compensation was sought or awarded in exchange for the review. All thoughts expressed on Whole Foods Living are solely my own. ~Angela

Even the Best Cooks Need Some Inspiration

Photo Credit: Skyhorse Publishing

We all have our favorite meals. But, where do you turn when your go-to dishes suddenly lose their oomph?

I adore reading cookbooks. Yes, I read them.

They sit on my nightstand and get perused page-by-page to give me a little cooking inspiration. Sometimes I make the recipes and other times I use them as a starting point for my own creations.

I absolutely adore cookbooks with research and information about the ingredients and cooking methods.

This past fall, Skyhorse Publishing was busy putting out several new titles. I'm happy to give you a sneak peak of a few upcoming reviews I'm working on.

The Non-GMO Cookbook by Megan Westgate and Courtney Pineau
With the recent announcement by General Mills to stop using GMO ingredients in its original Cheerios cereal formula, everyone's interested in genetically modified organisms and how they affect our health. The Non-GMO Cookbook is put together by the directors of the Non-GMO Project, a movement to bring awareness about food labeling and nutrition. This cookbook explains the good, bad and ugly side of GMOs. Recipes in the book cater to several lifestyles including vegan, diary-free and gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Miniature Desserts by Abigail R. Gehring
OK, I've already talked about my weakness for sweets on Whole Foods Living too many times. So, when Gluten-Free Miniature Desserts crossed my desk, I was beyond excited. Finally, I can have my allergen-friendly sweets in healthier portions. This cookbook ventures into everything from tarts and cookies, to whoopie pies and bundt cakes. I'm drooling already.

Low Carb High Fat Baking by Mariann Andersson
So, so there's this "new" concept behind healthy eating called LCHF--or low carb high fat foods. It's supposed to reduce your cravings for sugar without denying you delicious baked goods. Coconut flour, a byproduct of coconut milk production, seems to be the cornerstone of this approach. I can't wait to learn more by reading Low Carb High Fat Baking.

The Paleo Effect by Meghan Little and Angel Ayala Torres
Are you going paleo? If so, The Paleo Effect serves as a primer for this grain-free, dairy-free "caveman-like" approach to eating. The whole idea is to eliminate processed foods from your diet (Yes!!) and focus on eating natural, whole foods (Woo!). This type of eating is supposed to benefit people with gastrointestinal issues, lactose intolerance, diabetes and autoimmune conditions.

Have you stumbled upon a great cookbook recently? Tell me all about it in the comments below. I'm always looking for more cooking inspiration!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Disclosure: The Skyhorse Publishing books mentioned in this blog post were provided free of charge from Skyhorse Publishing for review purposes. No monetary compensation was sought or awarded in exchange for the review. All thoughts expressed on Whole Foods Living are solely my own. ~Angela