I think I’ve written a couple versions of my promised follow-up ‘Paleo’ post. First I wrote a post while reading Robb Wolf’s Paleo Solution. It was a mix of agreeing and ‘holy egotistic author’! Then I started a post about how I was going with the ‘well don’t knock it till you try it approach’ and incorporate some of the Paleo principles into my diet. Three weeks later you get this version 
Paleo
So to summarize (hopefully at some point I’ll get it together to write a more complete post on the topic), I really like the overall premise of Paleo (also called Caveman diet), which is basically to eat as close to our ancestors as possible. That means nothing processed of course, but also no gluten, beans, legumes or most diary (I’ve notice some Paleo folks do eat raw milk). The diet, or really lifestyle, is all about whole foods, meat, fish, vegetables, nuts and seeds. I’ve found quite a bit of variation in “versions” of Paleo with some people also including items that other people ban.
Photo Credit: Paleo Training
I think eating as close to nature as possible is absolutely fantastic, and of course would never argue with eliminating anything processed. I think this lifestyle is probably really great for a lot of people, and I’m sure people transitioning for the Standard American (crap) Diet (SAD) to Paleo see a lot of changes right away.
I decided I couldn’t really judge it until I tried it, and I’ve eaten very similar to Paleo-style in the past, so might as well. Um yeah.. that last about 6 days. I already eat very “clean” and pretty low-starchy-carb. But apparently my 1/4 c serving of raw Oats in the morning and an additional 1/4 c of Oats or Lavish Wrap in the late afternoon is the difference between me being happy & tummy satisfied, and feeling like I want to binge on cold Tilapia (yeah I know, weird right?!) and eat a pound of raw nuts or a jar of Almond Butter (ok fine.. I could eat a jar of Almond Butter any time :p). Maybe it’s completely psychological, or being scarred from Fitness competition carb-cycling, I don’t know.. but either way it just wasn’t for me right now.
So instead I’m just listening to what my body’s craving, which goes right in line with the type of exercise I do that day. On CrossFit days where I’m doing workouts with weightlifting and HIIT-style cardio I tend to want more protein and meat. So I starting adding a bit more meat into my diet in the form of Turkey and Pork Tenderloin (made an awesome homemade BBQ sauce and made Pulled Pork for the first time!). On Yoga days, I seem to just naturally want lots of vegetables and lighter protein (usually Tempeh or Tofu).
So enough of that.. onto the fun part.. cooking & recipes!
Recently from the Kitchen..
Last weekend I made this BBQ sauce. It’s my first attempt at homemade BBQ and is more tomato based than I tend to prefer, but it grew on me and I’ll definitely make it again!
For a fundraiser Paleo Bake Sale at CrossFit Central I made:
Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Walnut Joy Bars (I used the Date Walnut Bar recipe but subbed in Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips for the Dates and added Unsweetened Shredded Coconut)
Amazing, amazing.. I recommend them all! They even got a big thumbs-up from my co-workers 
Then for my own kitchen-creation I combined a few different recipe inspirations for these:
Pumpkin Coconut Protein Bars (low-carb, gluten-free)
2 scoops (~1/2 cup) Protein Powder (I used a Vanilla Whey Isolate)
1/2 cup Coconut Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
3/4 tsp Pumpkin Spice
1 cup Pumpkin
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
3 Eggs Whites
Sweetener of Choice (I used Stevia Extract drops, Honey would be great too I’m sure)
Pre-heat oven to 35oF. Combine dry ingredients. Combine Pumpkin, Coconut Oil, Egg Whites & Sweetener. Mix together dry ingredients and Pumpkin mixture. Pour into a sprayed/greased (I used Organic Coconut Oil Spray by Spectrum) and bake for ~35 minutes.
Note: When I first took these out of the oven at 35 minutes, I thought they might not be done on the instead, but after cooling they were just right, completely cooked through, but not dry at all. I think these were even better the next more cold. Yum!
Just Wow
Switching gears.. I’m still loving CrossFit! I’ll talk more about that in an upcoming post but you have to check out this video. The gym I go to, CrossFit Central, is home to some of the top women in the sport who are competing next weekend at the CrossFit Games. Amazing, inspirational, powerful.. just wow..
Games Bound from CrossFit Central – The Triune on Vimeo.
And I’m Curious..
What’s the last dietary/nutrition change you made that either completely failed or was a huge success? Do you notice your cravings change depending on workouts?
Fun Links
I gave up artificial sweeteners in March and it has been a huge success. I drink 2-3 cups of coffee every morning, because I LOVE it. I used to put 3 Equals in each cup. At first it was really hard, but now I honestly don’t miss it and I feel better inside and out.
Twitter: lamoothiegirl
says:
I haven’t wanted to mess around with my eating too much, but of course if I stuff my belly full of huge salads (with lean protein) I’m pretty full for a while anyway. My main focus has been quitting my calorie-counting ways as it was taking up too much time- I think my weight has almost stabilized but it’s nerve-wracking to be sure. (I first lost weight, then gained) I tend to eat pretty low carb except my daily popcorn addiction
and some crackers here and there.
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
I’m exactly the same way. I basically stopped specifically calorie counting for the reason that it was just a hassle. And the same with carbs. I can’t remember the last time I had pasta or rice (actually scratch that.. but the rice was in sushi rolls :p) and don’t miss either, but I certainly seem to have a bit of an oatmeal addiction.. I suppose there are worse things!
Do u know what the nutritional breakdown is of the bars? They look yummy!!!I try a modified Paleo but I need my carbs with weight training. I don’t have the energy without them.
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
I haven’t run the numbers yet, but I will and re-post it with the recipe!
we like the palep aspect, very natural and lots of veggies, nuts, seeds, lean meat. But I can’t pass up my dairy or Peanut butter. And yes, I will have GF bread or wraps. So I am with you. Listen to what your body needs. And for some Paleo is perfect! ya know?
p.s.
i’m going to Yoga this weekend!!!
whoops, meant to say paleo not palep
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
ohhh, what wraps do you get?!
I tried paleo for about a week or so, but when I almost passed out in a TRX core class, I knew it wasn’t for me. I NEED carbs. Lots now since I am running and training for a half marathon. I feel better giving my body what it wants and not following a specific diet. Although, I am thinking about going gluten free for a while to see if it eases my digestive issues. The last GI doctor I saw said I am having issues because I eat healthy. ??? I wasn’t quite satisfied with that answer, and so I am going to have to figure this out on my own now. I HATE DOCTORS!!! haha
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Ok, I’d run the other way from that doctor! I feel like they’re just so use to people eating crap, that that’s all they know how to blame. Doesn’t help that most doctors literally get only a few hours of training in nutrition in medical school. grr.. that makes me mad for you! But congrats on committing to a half marathon!.. not sure I’ll ever have the courage for that..
The most common misconception about Paleo is that it has to be low-carb. Simply not true. It’s a template, not a low-carb diet. For some of us looking to shed some fat, yes, lower carb is the way to go. For high-energy athletes who need more carbs, they’ll eat more carbs.
The overarching theme of Paleo isn’t low vs high carb, it’s about quality of food. Processed foods are simply unacceptable for health, and grain-based foods go against human biology–especially in the digestive arena. So, for those who “can’t do” Paleo because it’s too low carb, how about just adding the carbs you need back in, focusing on better quality carbs?
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Yeah I always try to distinguish between carbs and starchy carbs (except for starchy vegetable carbs of course.. mmm sweet potatoes :p). And truth is that most starchy carbs in our society are the crap kind! I would say I only eat “quality” carbs 98% of the time, but what “quality” is certainly seems to vary from one nutrition philosophy to the next. I’m not at all totally sold on the idea that we aren’t meant to eat grains, because really if you get down to the basic physiology are bodies actually seem to reflect that we are meant to have more herbivore-like diets.. i.e. flat teeth and short digestive tract. Humans have been eating grains & gluten for a very long time at this point (especially certainly ethnicity). It might not be long relative to how long humans have been on earth, but when it comes to diet, we do adjust/evolve pretty quickly. The body can do absolutely amazing things to adapt. Of course this is all relative, what works for me could totally fail someone else.
Hi! I am really not a fan of any “diet” that eliminates food groups but as I always say, to each their own. People can do what they want but just don’t tell me it is their way or the highway!
Glad you are listening to the bod! You might want to check out this post from Dr. J that had a report that ranked Paleo worst in all categories for diets. Not judging, just passing on: http://calorielab.com/news/2011/06/13/what-to-eat-for-weight-loss-and-health/#more-12098.
I have always wanted to try CrossFit but can’t afford it. I have my weights though!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Yes actually that came out (or I just happened to see it for the first time) right around the time I was starting CrossFit. I think that study was more about initial weight loss, whereas hardcore CrossFit folks promote Paleo for what they see to be performance benefits. But I totally agree.. the biggest turnoff for me for diet & exercise is when people say “this is the only right way!”.. ahh yeah no, not so much, in my opinion
Twitter: squatlikealady
says:
Okay so…first of all..raw milk? Huh? Would that mean non-pasteurized? I haven’t had dairy in a while (see point two
hehe) and even then it wasn’t milk so I guess I’m behind the times 
I most recently eliminated dairy. I can honestly say when I went vegetarian I felt no difference at all but when I cut out dairy I had less gas, less bloating, and less ACNE! I was particularly excited about the last one
Scott,
What type of specific carbs are fine for paleo? Also, what about wine?
thanks for a great recap! i’ve added tons more protein to my diet and it’s made me feel so much better. i no longer go through hunger swings and i feel much more balanced!
it’s always great to see your posts again!
i had a similar experience with paleo. i do think its a great ‘lifestyle’ especially if you wanna lose weight…but my dedication to zero carbs was just not there. i enjoy my healthy carbs like oatmeal…i think its wise to just eat what your body is craving!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Ditto
Really couldn’t have said it better!
Twitter: whatrunslori
says:
I tried Paleo, too. Ok, on and off again and always feel the same way as you. It’s great in theory but I just can’t handle that much animal meat. Well, without ANY grains. I love having the option and the all or nothing leaves me feeling like an almond butter binge-to-come, just like you.
Delicious baked goods recipes though! I’m going to have to try some of these.
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Thanks! I’m not sure when I added you to my reader or where I originally found you but I always check out your posts and just love all your recipes! I have too much of an all or nothing personality as it is to be that restrictive with food too. Lord knows eating a whole jar of nut butter is the last thing I need (haha.. not that that’s ever happened before or anything… righhhtt
)