So the buzz word of the moment is the "Paleo" diet. What does this mean and what is this diet all about? Basically the idea is to eat like a hunter-gatherer would have, I will simplify this for you though...if it comes from nature and not from a box, you are getting healthier! Paleo eaters typically avoid dairy, gluten (anything that comes from wheat has gluten and it shows up in weird places too like soy sauce!) and anything that isn't a whole food. So a paleo diet may look like this...
Breakfast: mushroom & onion omlet
Lunch: Tuna & veggies
Snack: almonds, dried fruits, an apple or maybe some sunflower seeds
Dinner:lean meats and veggies
I started eating exclusively like this just before Thanksgiving because I was trying to naturally manage some major arthritis issues that were rearing their ugly head all over the joints in my fingers and hands. I had read a lot about changing one's diet to avoid sugar, dairy and gluten as a help to manage arthritis and inflammation symptoms. I found that by cutting out processed sugars, gluten and dairy I have seen a SIGNIFICANT improvement in my joints. No more red and inflamed sore joints on my fingers, no more dull ache and stiffness in my hands, it is working. I am thrilled because I am not taking any medications to manage this problem, it is stemming from my diet...wanna know how I know this isn't a placebo effect? Because when I cheated, just on Thanksgiving day, and had some pie, sweets and other things I had been avoiding for 2 weeks prior, my hands started to ache, my joints began to swell and I felt icky...I went back to avoiding these things again and BINGO, inflammation back down.
Healthy right? Okay, but eating this way I sometimes miss my sweets. Yes, I know that is part of the process but the other day I was in the kitchen and was wondering what could satisfy my craving for sweet and crunchy that wasn't processed and boxed from a store and would still be healthy.
Here it is...Paleo crack was born. Watch out though, it is HIGHLY addictive and since the serving size is 1/4 cup for 158 calories you do have to watch how much you eat but it is packed full of protein, no preservatives and no weird ingredients that I can't pronounce, plus it is sweet and fits the bill for knocking out a sweet tooth without knocking me off my diet.
Breakfast: mushroom & onion omlet
Lunch: Tuna & veggies
Snack: almonds, dried fruits, an apple or maybe some sunflower seeds
Dinner:lean meats and veggies
I started eating exclusively like this just before Thanksgiving because I was trying to naturally manage some major arthritis issues that were rearing their ugly head all over the joints in my fingers and hands. I had read a lot about changing one's diet to avoid sugar, dairy and gluten as a help to manage arthritis and inflammation symptoms. I found that by cutting out processed sugars, gluten and dairy I have seen a SIGNIFICANT improvement in my joints. No more red and inflamed sore joints on my fingers, no more dull ache and stiffness in my hands, it is working. I am thrilled because I am not taking any medications to manage this problem, it is stemming from my diet...wanna know how I know this isn't a placebo effect? Because when I cheated, just on Thanksgiving day, and had some pie, sweets and other things I had been avoiding for 2 weeks prior, my hands started to ache, my joints began to swell and I felt icky...I went back to avoiding these things again and BINGO, inflammation back down.
Healthy right? Okay, but eating this way I sometimes miss my sweets. Yes, I know that is part of the process but the other day I was in the kitchen and was wondering what could satisfy my craving for sweet and crunchy that wasn't processed and boxed from a store and would still be healthy.
Here it is...Paleo crack was born. Watch out though, it is HIGHLY addictive and since the serving size is 1/4 cup for 158 calories you do have to watch how much you eat but it is packed full of protein, no preservatives and no weird ingredients that I can't pronounce, plus it is sweet and fits the bill for knocking out a sweet tooth without knocking me off my diet.
Paleo Crack
1 cup whole oats (not the quick oats)
3/4 cup cashews chopped (I pulsed in the blender)
3/4 cup walnuts chopped
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
1 tsp cinnamon
First, add the honey, coconut oil and peanut butter into a microwave safe dish and melt then stir.
Add in the oats, cashews, walnuts and cinnamon and mix well (it will be kind of gloppy)
Spread into a thin layer on a foil covered cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 15 minutes, turn and stir and put back in the oven until crunchy (about 5-10 more minutes).
Let cool and store in air tight container. Makes 14 servings at 1/4 cup each for 158 calories a piece.
Enjoy!!!
1 cup whole oats (not the quick oats)
3/4 cup cashews chopped (I pulsed in the blender)
3/4 cup walnuts chopped
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
1 tsp cinnamon
First, add the honey, coconut oil and peanut butter into a microwave safe dish and melt then stir.
Add in the oats, cashews, walnuts and cinnamon and mix well (it will be kind of gloppy)
Spread into a thin layer on a foil covered cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 15 minutes, turn and stir and put back in the oven until crunchy (about 5-10 more minutes).
Let cool and store in air tight container. Makes 14 servings at 1/4 cup each for 158 calories a piece.
Enjoy!!!
