This is the practice that has made the biggest difference in making our Paleo lifestyle EASIER (for more tips like this one, check out my eBook).
I make dinner in my kitchen almost every night. And every night I pack lunches for the following day.
What this means is that I have to consciously make the effort to prepare enough food for both dinner and for lunch the next day. When dinner is done, I go ahead and put lunch-size portions in glass containers WHEN I put dinner on our plates. While we eat, the lunch portions cool.
After dinner, I do the dishes, and put the lids on our lunches. Dump some snack foods (carrots, jerky, nuts, berries, etc.) into your lunch box with them, and store in the refrigerator.
In the morning, lunch is ready to be taken to work – easy peasy.
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!
MARK TAYLOR CARLEEN MURRAY MALYSSA BRANNON MELISSA FRITCHER KEITH DE SYLVA
Send me an e-mail to claim your prize: Jennie@EasyPaleo.com
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Special thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway.
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What Are You Giving Away?
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The Grand Prize!
Here is what you will receive if you are the Grand Prize Winner… a Paleo Gift Basket!
1. Nope, I’m not kidding! This is my all-time FAVORITE cookbook, so it had to be part of the Grand Prize! For more information about this amazing resource, click here. For a few posts that include items I’ve made from Paleo Comfort Foods,click here. The pictures in the book are stunning (who doesn’t love looking at pictures of Paleo food?), and everything I have tried has been delicious!
2. Melissa Joulwan has just released her BRAND NEW eBook, Well Fed. It is full of wonderful information and mind-blowing recipes. I absolutely love it, and I’m sure you will love it too! Click here for more information.
3. A copy of my own eBook, Easy Paleo: 21 Practical Ways to Simplify your Paleo Life. I have heard lots of great feedback from those who have already purchased the eBook, and that makes me so happy! For more information about it, click here.
4. This is the best honey I have ever tasted, and it comes straight from my local Farmer’s Market. The farmers who sell it are super-nice and very passionate about their honey. You will love this.
5. My favorite item from Trader Joe’s… Salsa Verde! If you have tried it before, you know why… it is delicious, and it tastes great on nearly everything. For more information and ingredients, click here.
6. Plus more! I have a few other things I just may throw in… I’ll keep you posted!
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5 Runner-Up Prizes!
If you do not win the Grand Prize, don’t worry! There is still a chance for you to get something! 5 lucky people will receive a Runner-Up Prize…
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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Robb Wolf says…
“Jennie! This is fantastic! Great job on the eBook, and thank you for the kind acknowledgements.”
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Dr. William Davis, author of Wheat Belly, says…
“Blogger/writer Jennie Harrell produced this quick, to-the-point primer on getting started on a Paleo diet, a diet approach consistent with us Wheat Belliers. Anyone struggling to start–and stick–with this approach should take a look . . .”
“Dallas and I both love the concept behind your e-book, and the material you chose to include. Easy Paleo will fill in the blanks for so many Paleo eaters who have all of the tools at their disposal, but aren’t sure how to put them all together. There are plenty of resources that cover the “What do I eat?” and “What don’t I eat?”, but the “How do I make it happen within the constraints of my busy life?” has been left mostly unexplained. Your tips and tricks will fill in the blanks, and help folks get out of the kitchen faster – which gives them more time to truly enjoy the benefits of their Paleo diet. Well done!”
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!
You made it to my NEW website, EasyPaleo (formerly, LetsGoPaleo.wordpress.com).
I started LetsGoPaleo.wordpress.com as a small blog where I could record things I was learning, and share some cool tips with those interested. I hope to continue that here on EasyPaleo, plus more!
My blog has grown quickly, and I am so grateful to have so many followers and regular viewers. Thank you!
I have some big goals for the future of my Paleo outlet, so I decided to turn my blog into a REAL website.
I am now EasyPaleo! 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, Recipe Tree, and Food Diary should help you simplify! Please check out my new site, and watch for new posts and additions. I am excited about great things to come!
Finally, I would like to express extreme gratitude to my friend, Scott Pruett. He is a website genius, and has provided so much advice and assistance during this transition. Honestly, there is no way any of this could have happened without his help. Thank you Scott!
