My Take: Food Aversions During Pregnancy

Where I am now…

If you haven’t read my pregnancy story, click here.  I am currently 19 weeks pregnant, and I am happy to say that the majority of my food aversions have disappeared.  At around 7 weeks, nausea started kicking my butt in a major way.  From that week until about 15 weeks, I was absolutely miserable.  Let me give you a picture of what I went through… I’m sure many of you can relate!

Where I’ve been…

First of all, as I mentioned in my last post, the title “morning sickness” is a complete joke.  My sickness lasted from the moment I opened my eyes in the morning to the time I fell asleep at night (with about a one-week break over Christmas… thank you, Lord!).  On top of feeling completely disgusting at the thought of food, I was also starving all the time, even when I’d tried very hard to eat as much as possible.  Sometimes I would actually get a big meal down, but then I would be starving again 15 minutes later.  It was incredibly confusing for me.  How was it possible to be so hungry, but so grossed out by the thought of eating?  How could I feel so full, but then so hungry again just moments later?

While I didn’t actually vomit every day (maybe a total of ten times over those eight weeks), I gagged A LOT.  Anything could make me gag.  Cooking was out of the question, as the sight of raw meat would send me running to the bathroom.  Doing dishes was even worse (trust me, I would have rather done dishes than lie on the couch feeling helpless and horrible).  Public restrooms were often necessary, especially during travel, but something about just being in one made me gag over and over until I could get out.  And taking my cod liver oil/butter oil was quite the adventure (but I did it!).  I tried to grocery-shop with my husband one night, and the smell of the produce section sent me literally RUNNING to the car with a produce bag in hand.

The most confusing part of my “morning sickness” was actually trying to decide what to eat.  Nothing sounded good, tasted good, or smelled good.  If I was lucky, one of my choices would stand out as being not-quite-so-bad, but by the time I took a bite, that had totally changed.  Sometimes I would take two or three bites and then feel completely stuffed, and unable to squeeze in one more bite.  The emotional roller coaster of all this confusion was almost as painful as the sickness itself.  I would often lie on my husband’s lap at night and just cry over how hungry, sick, confused, and desperate I felt.  Sometimes I would go to bed really early just to make it stop (I usually paid for this the next morning with even more intense hunger).  During all this, the only thing that kept me going was the gratitude in my heart for the little creature causing all these symptoms.  I tried very hard not to complain, because I really hadn’t known before now whether or not I would ever experience pregnancy.

What Helped…

Looking back, I recognize some things that did help, and some foods that usually worked for me.  This is different for different women, but hopefully something below will help you!

1. Do not allow yourself to feel guilty.

I was somehow under the impression that women on a strict Paleo diet before pregnancy would not experience morning sickness.  Don’t ask me where I got this idea… it is not correct.  At first, I felt guilty that maybe I hadn’t been strict enough, and that I had caused my own sickness.  How ridiculous!  Chris Kresser even discusses morning sickness and food aversions in his Healthy Baby Code (which I highly recommend) as something that is a normal part of many women’s pregnancies – even Paleo women.  He also states that, while we do not really know what causes morning sickness, midwives say that increased sickness usually means a very strong pregnancy.  This was definitely a comfort to me!

Also, do not beat yourself up when you are not able to stay as strict as you were before pregnancy.  For me, it became more important to eat food that I could keep down than to eat food that was 100% Paleo friendly.  If you get to this point, roll with it.  My only firm rule was to remain gluten-free (even though everyone around me told me to eat crackers and drink ginger ale) and to do my very best otherwise.  Once you get through those sick weeks, you can improve your diet drastically and get right back on track.  Make sure you are getting the vitamins you need (preferably from food, otherwise from supplements), and trust that your baby will take the nutrients he/she needs from you.  That’s one thing that made me feel better – knowing that any deficiencies in my diet would have more effect on me than on my baby, as the baby was taking the nutrition he needed from me.  While it’s not good to be deficient yourself, you do not have to worry about the baby not getting what he/she needs, particularly if you are only off track for a short period of time.

Do what you can do.  There were days when the only things I could stomach were baked white potatoes with loads of grass-fed butter (this was definitely one of my go-to meals), or broccoli/potato/cheese soup (I ate two stockpots of this in two weeks… all by myself… it helped me feel less hungry, and that was such a relief!).  These were not choices that I would typically make, but eating something “less good” was better than eating nothing at all, and that was the alternative.  Do not misunderstand… I do not believe that pregnancy gives you an excuse to fill up on McDonald’s burgers, doughnuts, and milkshakes.  Do the best you can, but don’t beat yourself up if you are not 100% Paleo.

2. Listen to your protein cravings.  Most people who have eaten alot of good red meat before pregnancy have plenty of iron, and may not want to eat meat during pregnancy.  Too much protein during pregnancy can be harmful to both the baby and the mother (information from The Healthy Baby Code), so listening to your body is important!  If you are short on protein, your body will crave it.  I have not experienced this yet.  In fact, though I am no longer averse to meat like I was during those sick weeks, I still am not enjoying it or wanting it like I did before pregnancy.  When I do eat it, I have to take really small bites.

3.  Look out for weird textures.  This one probably varies from woman to woman too, but I had a very difficult time with food that was too chewy or food that was too mushy.  The perfect textures were soups, or foods that were soft but not mushy (like baked potatoes).  One night meatloaf did the trick.  Learn what works for you, and follow those trends!

4.  Try cold food items.  I found that eating something cold was much more refreshing than nauseating.  I made coconut milk popsicles, ate tons of applesauce (though that was sometimes too mushy), and even splurged on some gluten-free cereal with cold coconut milk.  Icy soda water with lemon also helped.

5.  Make sure you have lots of choices.  I completely agree with Melissa in her Whole9 article on food aversions when she says “bring the whole darn grocery store home!”  When you’re at the store (or when you make a list for your husband), think of as many possibilities as you can, and load up your cabinets with choices.  In that moment of desperation, hopefully you will have at least one thing that sounds semi-okay.

6.  Eat small portions, and eat more often.  The idea of three meals a day flew right out the window when my sickness hit.  Even now, I probably eat six or seven small meals each day.  Keeping your blood sugar from dropping too much, and preventing that desperation hunger, will definitely improve your situation.

7. Listen to your HEALTHY cravings.  Your body craves particular food items for a reason.  When you are pregnant, you experience more cravings because your body needs more vitamins and minerals.  I had major cravings for apples, and I believe there was a reason for that.  Do not, however, listen to your un-healthy cravings.  You will likely want sugar and processed baked goods because they are yummy and sometimes comforting.  Do not give in.  These foods will not make you feel better… in fact, they usually make you MORE hungry, and they begin creating addictions that you and your baby do not need.

8.  When you feel decent, cook something!  My wonderful husband took on all the cooking responsibilities when my sickness hit.  He would often make himself a steak and a sweet potato, and then try to cut the meat into very tiny pieces for me to try and eat.  However, he does not enjoy cooking or being in the kitchen, so at most mealtimes we played the “what should we eat?” game.  I learned quickly to use any time that I felt less nauseous to try and make something that would last a while… chicken soup, meatloaf, potato soup, etc.

9. Listen to music while you eat.  This sounds crazy, but it really helped take my mind off the food, and dampened the sound of chewing/slurping (a sound I’ve never liked, but one that became even more detestable during morning sickness).

10. Bland flavors win!  I don’t know about you, but my taste buds were (and kinda still are) on steroids!  Foods like sweet potatoes or bacon were way too overwhelming to eat.  I still cannot stand the thought of eating a sweet potato.

 

Ultimately, remember that this is only a season… it will end.  

And the best part… it’s all worth it!  These symptoms you’re experiencing are symptoms that you made a baby!  And that’s amazing.

 

If you have more tips, please share them in the comments!

I’m still alive! And I’m growing! (a v...

Note: This post is very personal, and may edge into the TMI (too much information) category for some of you.  You’ve been warned.

 

Some of you may have noticed that my last blog post was written in October.  And since that time, I also haven’t been very active on my Easy Paleo Facebook page.  A lot has been going on!  Actually, one very, very LITTLE person has been throwing a kink into everything.  That’s right, I’m pregnant!

This shot was taken in late December… I was already starting to show!

Death and Life…

We found out in late October.  It had been a very difficult month… my husband’s aunt, one of our most treasured relatives, had been fighting pancreatic cancer for quite a while, and everything really deteriorated during the month of October.  It was incredibly hard to watch her slowly slip away from us.  On October 28th, she passed away at only 43 years old.  We were, and are, utterly devastated.

On the day of her funeral, we discovered that we were pregnant.  It was a huge shock, and here’s why…

Infertility?

My husband and I have been married for nine years.  About two years into our marriage, we decided that it was time to have kids.  I stopped my birth control pills, and I fully expected to have a growing baby in my stomach by the following month.  It didn’t happen.  Those of you who have experienced infertility understand the emotional pain we suffered over the next year or two.  It seemed that everyone around us was getting pregnant and having babies, but for some reason we weren’t.

My husband and I both went to have things checked out by a doctor, and we were told that nothing was “wrong.”  We were told, however, that I was not ovulating regularly, and the words “polycystic ovarian syndrome” were tossed around.  I had no idea what that meant, and I didn’t really care to find out.  The doctors said that we would probably require some fertility treatments in order to conceive, and, at that point, we were in no financial position to consider that option (or adoption).

After stopping my birth control pills, it became clear that my menstrual cycle was not going to come on its own.  My doctor suggested that I call her office for medication to force a start every three months, so that’s what I did.  It was really frustrating to know that my body was not functioning as it should.  Since we would have still loved for pregnancy to occur on it’s own, we haven’t used any form of birth control in the last seven years.

Life Goes On…

Since all hope seemed lost, I prayed that God would take the desire for children away from me until it was time… the emotional suffering had to stop.  And miraculously, it did.  In the years that have passed since that time, I’ve been very content with my life.  I have an amazing husband, and we have grown in so many ways.  We have fallen more deeply in love, and we’ve had so many adventures together!  Looking back now, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.  Having nine years of marriage alone together has been pretty amazing.  And, to be honest, I decided during that time that I would be perfectly okay if we never had kids.  I even thought a few times that I might be really sad if I found out I was pregnant.  Life was good!

Back in July, 2011, we started eating Paleo-style.  After our initial 30 days, we noticed changes in physique, skin clarity, energy, sleep quality, and mood.  But after about a year, something really exciting happened… my period began coming on it’s own!  It still wasn’t coming every single month, but I didn’t have to call for medication again after that.  Eventually, it would show up, and it was always before that 3-month mark.  I was thrilled… it seemed that whatever problems had been preventing a regular cycle were disappearing.  I was excited to be healthier than I’d ever been, but the possibility of pregnancy was VERY far from my mind.

Shock and Awe…

At the end of October, I was pretty disappointed that it looked like I’d have to call in for medication like I used to.  It had been over three months since my last cycle, and though I had been having PMS symptoms for several weeks, nothing was happening.  As I had done so many times in the past, I took the routine pregnancy test before calling in for meds (this is required… just to be sure).  You can imagine my shock when I looked at the test and saw two pink lines staring back at me.

We went to see my doctor the next day, and learned that I was five weeks pregnant.  We were, and are, completely ecstatic.  Any chance of being disappointed by pregnancy flew out the window when I saw that little baby on the sonogram screen.  I could do nothing but sit there and weep for joy.

“Morning Sickness…”

I’m now 17 weeks pregnant… finally in the 2nd trimester.  At about 7 weeks, morning sickness reared it’s ugly head in the form of all-day nausea (who named it “morning sickness,” anyway?).  Now you understand why I haven’t been very active on my FOOD blog, or my FOOD Facebook page… because FOOD has been the absolute last thing I’ve wanted to think about.  

Let me explain something here… unless you have been pregnant before, you have no idea how horrible morning sickness can be.  I assure you, I had no idea.  My idea of “morning sickness” was having a little upset stomach upon waking up in the morning.  This was not my experience.  There were no foods that sounded good, looked good, or tasted good to me.  Any random smell (even those that I usually enjoy) could set off a gagging fit.  It was impossible for me to shop for groceries because seeing all that food would send me running, and gagging, back to the car (true story… and quite an embarrassing one!).  After just a few bites of whatever I had FINALLY decided to eat at a given meal, I would feel full and nauseous.  It was absolutely miserable.  Add sheer exhaustion to the equation, and you have a formula for one very uncomfortable pregnant lady.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly grateful for this growing baby… but pregnancy is no joke.  (If you’ve experienced food aversions during pregnancy, you should check out this post from Whole9.  It helped me immensely!)

During this time, we also moved out of state and traveled a lot to spend the holidays with our families.  Things have been a little insane.

I’m Alive Again!

Morning sickness ended promptly at 15 weeks, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my food over the last two weeks.  It’s pretty amazing to “like” eating, so don’t take it for granted!  I know I won’t from now on!

Now that food is back in the “enjoyable” category of my life, I’m back to blogging!  And I’m looking forward to sharing a few of my “paleo pregnancy” experiences in the days ahead as well.  In fact, in my next post I plan to share some of the other changes we made in the months just before we conceived.  I’m not sure how many of them are directly related to the fact that we actually did conceive, but I think they’re worth mentioning.  Stay tuned!

PS: Our baby is due to arrive around the 4th of July.  :)

No-Egg Breakfast Ideas

My husband and I have been taking a little break from eggs.  Now don’t get me wrong… we love eggs!  But we had gotten to a point where we were having them every single morning.  It is so convenient to pre-boil eggs, or to scramble some up quickly.  BUT, there are two problems with over-doing the eggs:

You will quickly get tired of them.  When you start thinking “I could probably go the rest of my life without seeing another egg,” you know you’re at a place where you need to take a break.  HAHA!

You can give yourself an egg allergy.  Did you know this?  I didn’t either, but I’ve heard it’s true.  

(Note: This was just confirmed by Diane of Balanced Bites: “You can become sensitive to any food if you overdo it and your body is prone to it. It may not be a frank allergy, but an intolerance or sensitivity, sure.”  Thanks Diane!) 

Our little break from eggs has been quite nice!  It’s been about a month since we’ve had eggs in our house, and we’re getting to the point where our egg appetites are returning.  For now, I think we’ll just keep enjoying some of our favorite non-egg breakfasts mentioned below.

 

1. Diced Chicken and a Smoothie – We love dicing chicken, sautéing it in coconut oil with a little salt and pepper, and just finger-fooding it.  Pair it with a coconut milk smoothie, and it’s a perfect, filling breakfast.

Make ahead: you can definitely do this the night before and pop it in the fridge.  Just re-heat the chicken in the morning, grab your smoothie from the fridge, and you’re good to go!

2. Breakfast Sausage and Sweet Potato – I love picking up some local, pastured pork sausage from my Farmer’s Market.  It is already spiced with sage, and several other ingredients.  I form them into patties, and cook them in coconut oil until they are no longer pink inside.  Pair with some buttered (grass-fed!) sweet potato, and you have an amazing combination!

Make ahead: I like to cook my sweet potatoes in the pressure cooker, and them mash them with a potato masher (imagine that!).  Add a little salt and lots of grass-fed butter, and then refrigerate.  In the morning, I like to cut up the sausages and heat them with the sweet potatoes.  SO good!

3. Bacon and….. Anything!  We love bacon.  Our favorite brand is Applegate Organics Sunday Bacon.  And guess what?  It goes with more than just eggs.  We usually pair it with some leftover veggies that have been hiding in the fridge from a recent dinner.

Make ahead: I have definitely cooked bacon the night before, and it is still almost as yummy re-heated the next morning.  However, my favorite way to enjoy bacon is to set my alarm 20 minutes early, run to the kitchen to toss the bacon in the oven, and then hop back in bed until it’s ready.  There is nothing like waking up to the smell (and taste!) of fresh-cooked bacon.

4. Leftovers!  Breakfast food does not have to be breakfast food.  Do yourself a favor and get over the notion that you can’t have Paleo Spaghetti, steaks, or beef stew for breakfast.  This morning I had leftover “secret liver burgers,” leftover swiss chard/onion saute, sauerkraut, homemade ketchup, and decaf coffee (with full-fat coconut milk and cinnamon). It was delicious and very filling!  Now I will admit… I’m not a big fan of super-spicy leftovers first thing in the morning, but other than that, I’m cool with leftovers!

Make ahead: No instructions needed here!

5. Primal Oatmeal – We love this recipe from Mark Sisson.  I’m taking a break from nuts right now as well, so this option is currently out for me, but it is oh-so-good!

Make ahead: This can also be made the night before!  Just pop it in the microwave with some extra coconut milk or almond milk, stir, and top with a little cinnamon.  It’s a nice, warm breakfast for cool, cozy mornings.

6. Garden Meatballs – These are perfect little breakfast packages.  They are made with grass-fed beef, and packed with veggies.  Pair with some sauerkraut, and you have a fantastic combination!

Make ahead: These are great pre-made, and even frozen ahead of time.  Pop them in a toaster oven for a quick re-heat.  YUM!

7. “Cereal” – This is a yummy little breakfast, but I definitely recommend making it with coconut milk rather than almond milk.  You will get some good fat from the coconut milk, and it will be much more filling than a nut milk.

Make ahead: You can definitely chop your fruit and nuts the night before.  Then just pour the coconut milk in the morning, and enjoy!

 

Fantastic Breakfast Add-Ons:

Sauerkraut: This is a great way to consume some fermented food on a regular basis.  And in my opinion, it goes with just about everything.

Decaf Coffee: Brew your favorite blend, and then stir in a generous amount of full-fat coconut milk.  Top with cinnamon.  This is a wonderful, creamy, filling addition to any breakfast.

Bacon: Enough said.

My Story… and WHY my eBook is only $4.99

I recently had the opportunity to share the following post with the sweet ladies who run Eat Play Live (be sure to go LIKE them for valuable Paleo information and support!).  They asked me to tell their readers a little about myself and my eBook, Easy Paleo: 21 Practical Ways to Simplify Your Paleo Life.  

 

After writing this, I realized that a large number of you, my readers and fans, may not have heard this story.  So why am I doing what I’m doing?  Well, I’ll tell you…

 

I started eating Paleo-style in July of 2011.  My husband and I were encouraged by our good friends to try a Whole30, and just see what we learn.  We learned ALOT.  Apparently, the foods you put into your body affect the way you look, feel, and perform… who knew?  During this 30-day introduction to Paleo eating, we started having more energy, our digestion problems disappeared, our sleep was better, the chubby “intertubes” around our waists started to melt away, our skin issues cleared up, and our headaches were non-existent.  This was too good to be true, right?  Nope.  It was true.  And it is still true.  We are enjoying better health than we have ever experienced, and we are so grateful for the constant reminders that real, whole foods are better than man-made twists on food (who came up with preservatives, additives, sugar, and changes to crop growth, anyway?).

 

After the revelations that took place during those 30 days, I began doing a ton of research, learning a ton of valuable information, trying a ton of Paleo recipes, and having a TON of fun with it all!  My husband suggested that I start a blog to record my findings.  What started as a fun little “journal” of my Paleo adventure has turned into a full-on website (www.EasyPaleo.com) that is packed with information, recipes, and tips.  The website has over 5,000 Facebook Fans, and we’re growing quickly!

 

In the midst of all this Paleo goodness, I started trying to convince the people around me to give Paleo a try.  Do you know what I ran into?  Excuses, that’s what!  The excuse I heard the most was “but it will be too hard… I don’t have time for all that!”  After hearing that excuse for about the 97th time, I decided that my theme should be “Easy Paleo.”  My goal is to help people realize that Paleo-eating does not have to be difficult. Whether you’re transitioning into a Paleo lifestyle, or just trying to maintain it in your daily life, my tips, articles, and Food Diary posts are meant to help you simplify!

 

Since I was learning so much, and my own Paleo experience was becoming so much easier, I decided to write an eBook on the subject.  It was a great way to compile my thoughts and ideas in one, compact place.  The eBook turned into 75+ pages of suggestions, tips, tricks, and secrets that have streamlined the way I “do food” for my family.

 

Don’t get me wrong… I strongly believe that Paleo-eating is WORTH your time.  However, it does not have to take an enormous amount of your time.  My goal with the eBook is to help you cut down on your time in the kitchen so you can spend more time with your family and friends.  I have shared with you my top 21 tips to bring simplicity to your Paleo life (don’t you just love that word… simplicity?)

 

Shortly after the book came out, I got some fantastic reviews from some of my heroes, including Robb Wolf, Whole9, Dr. William Davis (author of Wheatbelly), and Chris Kresser.  They had fantastic things to say about it, and I am still star-struck over it!  Read their reviews here.

 

I know what you’re thinking… “a fantastic, amazing eBook like that must cost hundreds of dollars, right?”  Well thank-you!  But no… It’s $4.99.  I priced the book at $4.99 for several reasons…

 

1. It’s my first eBook!  You don’t know me yet!  How can you be sure that I am to be trusted?  Robb Wolf can charge $25 for an eBook, but he’s Robb Wolf!  I’m not quite to his level yet… almost, but not quite (yeah, right!).

2. I didn’t want to hear any excuses for NOT taking advantage of this helpful information.  $4.99 is nothing… it’s less than most of the large drinks at Starbucks!  So don’t tell me “it’s not in the budget right now” (can you tell that I don’t like excuses?).

3. Well, there really isn’t a 3rd reason.  #1 and #2 pretty much sum it up.

 

So if you’re feeling like a prisoner in your kitchen, I hope you’ll check out my website and my eBook.  Hopefully your Paleo life will become as easy as mine!

Is Paleo Expensive? [my thoughts + money-saving ti...

Lately, I have heard alot of comments about how Paleo is “SOOOOOOOOOOO expensive!!!!!!”  I have to admit, I always get a little frustrated when I hear this.

Let me begin by telling you a little about my own budget.  My husband and I love Dave Ramsey, and we’re on the “get outta debt FAST” plan.  We live in a tiny 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom apartment that has a VERY TINY kitchen with no dishwasher.  We do not pay for cable.  We have super-cheap cell phones (they are not “smart”) and a minimal cell plan that doesn’t even include texting (GASP!).  We drive older cars so we won’t have to make car payments.  We are able to toss alot of money toward paying off our debt because we live very modestly and frugally.  And we are HAPPY this way!  Our time together, our memory-making, and our health is more important to us than “stuff.”  For more of my thoughts on this topic, click here.

(Update: We are now debt-free! And we have added texting to our cell phones… fun!)

That being said, I am no stranger to a tight budget.  I know what it’s like to stretch the items in the back of the refrigerator into an actual meal.  Trust me, I do not want to spend more than I have to spend on anything!

However, a major part of every human being’s budget (written or not) is “food.”  Unless you live on a self-sustaining farm, stocked with plants AND animals, you probably make several trips to the local grocery store or Farmer’s Market each month.

How much will you spend?  Well, you have a couple of options…  You can get a whole week of groceries for $50 (or less) if you stock up on rice, beans, boxed pastas, cans, processed foods, and other fake foods.  This may be a great solution for your wallet, but it will wreck your body (both now and in the future).

The other option is to BUY REAL FOOD.  You know… meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.  Paleo foods!  Is it more expensive?  Yes, real foods will cost you more than fake foods (very similar to the way a REAL Coach bag will cost you more than a knock-off… just not quite to that extreme).

 

What you have to do is answer this question: Is it worth it?

 

Let me make a few points here to help you decide…

1. In today’s culture, the expectation of how much we should spend on groceries is SERIOUSLY skewed.  Sure, grocery prices have gone up in the last few years, but if you are expecting to feed a family of four on $75/week, you must be filling your cart with cheap crap.  The folks on television give you ideas about how much you should be spending on groceries, but what are they suggesting you purchase?  From what I’ve seen, their suggestions are often based on the USDA food pyramid (which has GRAINS for its foundation!).  Think a little harder about how you came up with the amount you allow yourself to spend on groceries.

If you spend more on your cable or cell phone bill than you spend on food (the sustenance that nourishes and sustains your body), there is a problem.

2. When you make wise choices for your body, you protect your health.  So while it may be a little more expensive to buy REAL FOOD, you are almost certainly saving yourself from the inevitable medications, supplements, and even hospital bills that are looming in your future.  I’d say that’s worth the investment.  One of my Facebook fans also made the point that a Paleo diet may also prevent missed time at work due to digestion issues, migraines, joint pain, sickness, etc… not to mention the money that you would have spent on medication to treat these issues!  My husband and I have definitely found this to be true.

3. If you are eating REAL FOOD, you do not have to purchase supplements!  Grass-fed meat and healthy produce will provide almost all the vitamins and minerals you need.  Eat clean, and trust that you don’t need to make so many stops at GNC.

4. REAL FOOD makes you feel better!  Do you know how much people spend on feel-good items like alcohol, nicotine, coffee, etc.?  I have found that the increased energy and more steady moods I experience when I’m eating clean really helps minimize my stress-level.  So say “goodbye” to that outrageous Starbucks bill!

5. Eating REAL FOOD allows you to seriously chop the “eating out” allowance.  Now that we make real, delicious foods at home, we don’t have much of a desire to go out to eat.  We will occasionally go out on a date, but most of the time we would rather KNOW exactly what we’re eating, and enjoy the comforts of home!  We always make enough food to have leftovers for lunch the following day, so no need to go spend way too much money on crap food then either!

_______________

 

So yes… eating REAL FOOD may be more expensive than eating processed, knock-off foods.  

Is it worth it?  My answer is ABSOLUTELY!

As a matter of fact, when people ask me if Paleo is “expensive,” my immediate answer is NO!  I believe that a Paleo diet is one of the most important ways I can take care of myself and my husband, so I would find a way to make it happen no matter what!

_______________

In my opinion, you can either pay for real food with your wallet, OR you can pay for crap food with your health.

_______________ 

You may think you’re winning with that cheapo grocery budget right now, but you’re going to regret it later… maybe even tomorrow morning.

Now that we’ve established that Paleo-eating is worth the money, let me give you some good news!

IT’S NOT THAT EXPENSIVE!

Unless you are buying everything organic and only shopping at health food stores, a weekly grocery-shop shouldn’t break the bank!  I spend about $150 each week on groceries, and that covers real foods, grass-fed meats, any other grocery items, PLUS all our toiletries and paper products.  This amount also covers all breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners (including a few dinners that we share with friends).

While there are not usually a multitude of coupons for Paleo foods (usually they are for boxes and cans!), there are several ways to save money while you eat well.

*Don’t go all out on pre-packages snacks.  If you want to save money, you have to be willing to put in a little effort.  When we first started eating Paleo, we bought alot of Larabars, jerky, individually-packaged nuts, etc.  These items are pretty pricey!  I like to keep a Larabar or a PaleoKit/PrimalPac in my purse “for emergencies,” but it is far cheaper to make your own jerky, pack your own nuts from bulk bags, and generally just snack on vegetables!  The majority of our snacks are vegetables and fruits.

*Shop the Farmer’s Market!  You will be amazed at how much you can save by skipping the middle-man!  Support your local economy, and go directly to the farmer!  PLUS you get the added benefits of eating seasonally!

*Not EVERYTHING has to be organic.  Check out this chart for guidance.

*Buy in bulk.  Reserve a portion of your grocery budget to save for a big grass-fed beef order, or for a big tub of coconut oil.  You will get out cheaper this way.

*Take a few weeks to shop around, and compile a list of the best deals.  For example, I have learned to only buy almond meal at Trader Joe’s.  It is $3.99/lb. there, while almond flour costs $10.99/lb. at a regular grocery/health food store.

*Check out Paleo on a Budget.  She does a great shopping list and coupon match-up every week!

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For more information on the “expense” of Paleo-eating, check out these fantastic articles:

“Paleo is EXPENSIVE!” (Robb Wolf)

Priorities for Eating Paleo on a Budget (Diane Sanfilippo, Balanced Bites)

In the meantime, don’t come to me

(smartphone in hand, highlights in hair, car payment on mind)

and complain about how “expensive” it is to eat REAL FOOD.  

You just might hit a nerve.

Easy Paleo: 21 Practical Ways to Simplify Your Pal...

I am pleased and proud to announce the launch of my brand new eBook:

Easy Paleo: 21 Practical Ways

to Simplify Your Paleo Life.

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Whether you are transitioning into the Paleo diet,

or just trying to maintain a Paleo lifestyle…

it does not have to be difficult!

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Dr. William Davis, author of Wheat Belly,  says…

Chris Kresser, The Healthy Skeptic,  says…

“A new and very affordable resource for those struggling to implement a Paleo diet.”

Whole9, Creators of Whole30,  says…

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BUY THE eBOOK!

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(instant download)

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Only $4.99!

Also available for Kindle and Nook.

What Readers are Saying…

Michelle: I am new to the Paleo world and have been doing a lot of research on it. Jennie’s ebook made things simple and was the push I needed – she eliminates all excuses! I love the kitchen tips throughout and really like how the book tells you exactly what to do (and not to do) and makes the transition to Paleo that much easier. Jennie takes away all the doubt in myself that I can’t do this and I’m so excited to begin my journey. Keep writing Jennie!

Brenda: I loved this book. There is so much information out there about living a paleo lifestyle that it can be overwhelming. This book gives you the practical advice you need to keep it simple. The author gives shopping tips, planning ideas and ways to save you a ton of time. We are all busy so who wants to spend lots of time in the kitchen! This is a great tool for busy people trying to eat better using real foods. Finally, the price — what a bargain for all the truly valuable information you’ll be receiving. I’ll be watching for more books from this author. And speaking of the author, she is just plain helpful and pleasant. She regularly posts helpful info and kitchen tips on her website: [...]. She is also great on Facebook — very interactive and engaged.

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Read the Introduction:

Why I am Writing this eBook

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Let me begin by saying that PALEO-EATING IS WORTH YOUR TIME. I realize, since you purchased this eBook, that you are probably already sold on living, or at least trying, the Paleo lifestyle. Therefore, I will not take much of your time trying to sell the concept. Let me just say, though, that this way of eating is more than a diet… it is a pathway to better health, longevity, increased energy, weight control, better sleep, and the list goes on. Your menu is your life’s remote control. What you eat for breakfast has the potential to determine how you feel throughout the rest of the day. Your dinner choice may determine how you will sleep tonight. And your day-to-day food intake absolutely directs how you will look, feel, and perform as you go about your life.

So yes, a Paleo diet is worth your time. But (here is the good news!), it does not have to take an enormous amount of your time.

I realize that we live in a “microwave culture.” While it would be nice to live exactly like our ancestors, we must remember that they did not have to deal with 40-hour-per-week jobs, ridiculous schedules, or insane traffic! It is my personal belief that we do not have to suffer these “indecencies” either – they are only results of the choices we make – but that is another topic for another time.

In our daily rat race, where there is a fast-food restaurant on every corner, and a ready-made food item on every grocery store shelf, it is difficult to imagine spending more than a few minutes each day on the food we will eat.

Now, let us be reasonable… it is obvious that making our own wholesome, healthy food will take longer than waiting in the line at McDonald’s, but do you really want to look (not to mention feel) like the folks in that line with you? America is obese, diseased, and lazy, and the way we rush through life, without putting any thought or effort into what we are eating, is only worsening our state.

So again (one more time!), Paleo-eating is worth your time, but it does not have to take all of your time. My goal with this eBook is to help you cut down on your time in the kitchen so that you can spend more time with your family and friends. Trust me, at the end of a long work-day, the last thing I want to do is spend an hour sweating in the kitchen. It is tempting to just sit down, put my feet up, and say “pass the preservatives.” But I have made the decision to feed myself and my family in a healthier way; a way that goes against the grain (pun intended!) of our culture.

Since starting my own Paleo journey, I have learned many lessons the hard way! After dozens of hours planning, shopping, and cooking during the early weeks, I realized that something had to give if the Paleo diet was going to remain “our diet.” Life is too busy as it is, and even though Paleo-eating is worth my time, it was taking all of my time!

I hope that you will use these 21 practical ways to simplify your Paleo life. If you do, I guarantee that you will agree: Paleo-eating does not have to be difficult!