Get your lunch box ready {Paleo To Go}

People ask me all the time, "What is the hardest part about eating a Paleo diet?". The answer is simple, the food prep. When you can't eat grains, dairy, or sugar, you start to get desperate when you have to travel or pack your lunch. It's even harder if you have kiddos that have to live the Paleo/grain free way. I find what tends to happen is that I eat the same thing every day for months on end. Most likely because it's easier, I don't have to put much thought into it, and it saves time. It also gets very, very boring. I've been searching and pinning lunch ideas for almost a month, when I see the Paleo Parents on Instagram talking about their new book, Paleo To Go... They were also looking for people to review it... Hello, jackpot!

 
Paleo to Go is a fantastic book for those of us on Paleo who are out of ideas and stuck in a rut. It's also a real life saver and an invaluable tool for anyone who is new to the Paleo diet and trying to stick to it. I don't have any issue sticking to the diet because if I stray, I get really sick. But many folks follow the Paleo diet to better their health. If they get desperate one day, they will grab something off the diet. That's ok, but this book will help you so you never have to be forced into that corner again.

Let me tell you what I love about Paleo to Go, it has food lists for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks. It also has a sheet for kids to write out their favorite Paleo treats and meals so that you can post it to the fridge. That way packing lunches becomes so much easier. I'm not a kid, but those lists would make meal prep for me so much easier as well. They also list their favorite Paleo Legal convenience items (pictured above without links, sorry). This makes your life even easier when shopping, and takes the guess work out of ingredient list reading in the store. This is a life saver if you are new to the diet as well.

What I also love about Paleo To Go are the recipes. I'm always in the market for new delicious recipes and the Paleo Parents always deliver. I'm especially looking forward to making the Blueberry Breakfast cookie. What is the best part about well tested and top quality recipes provided by the Paleo Parents? The fact that your entire family will enjoy the results as well. They won't even realize that they are eating something that is good for them, let alone grain free, dairy free, and sugar free.

Right now you can get your digital copy of Paleo to Go and a copy of Three Phase Paleo (you can check out my review here) for 40% off, Click here to view more details. That's two amazing e-books for one amazing deal. Plus you can download them to your Kindle or iPad and have all the information at your fingertips no matter where you are. Let me tell you that even if you have been eating the Paleo way for awhile, you will want to invest in both books for the recipes alone. If you are someone who is still unsure about the Paleo diet, if you are looking for a way to eat a healthier lifestyle, or if you are like me and just about allergic to everything including the air... Buy these books. I promise you, these are the real deal and you feel better about yourself and you won't feel deprived for a second.
Still curious? Click here to view more details

If you are a gambling person, visit me on Instagram. I'm giving away a copy of Paleo To Go starting today. For an extra entry leave a comment here letting me know you visited the Paleo Parents and signed up for their newsletter.

Happy eating y'all.

The prettiest little Paleo muffin

This is not a sponsored post. This is just something I wanted to share.
I just love happy accidents when I bake. It's a lot better than the latter, and let's be honest, I have lots of accidents when I bake. Especially when I'm trying my hand at something grain free or Paleo. Working with nut flours or coconut flours can get really ugly if you don't have the right ingredients. Lucky for me, this time when I tried to substitute ingredients it worked out great.
I got Danielle Walker's Against All Grain cookbook for Christmas. My mom had bought it a few months before, and I had taken full advantage of borrowing it. I spent New Year's Night tagging the book on dishes and baked goods I wanted to try. I had already discovered that her Real Deal Chocolate Chip cookies are the real deal, so I was eager to try something else. Since it was the end of the holiday season, I had an extra can of pumpkin laying around, so I decided to make her pumpkin muffins (without the chocolate chips). They were good, and texture wise felt like honest to goodness baked good. Then I tried her banana bread and that was a disaster, I forgot baking soda, but added it at the end, then I didn't cook them long enough, then too long, and I was about to throw in the towel, when...
The Hubbs cleaned out our pantry and discovered four little cups of natural apple sauce. When he asked if he should toss them, I said no, checked the dates and decided to try the Against All Grain pumpkin muffins again, but this time with apple sauce. 

I was nervous, but Oh, Em, Gee, they were delicious. I tweaked the spices a little and by using apple sauce instead of pumpkin, they yielded the apple cinnamon combo I had missed all season. That is not to take away from my Mom's Paleo Apple Crumble, but there is just something about a muffin!
These only take twenty five minutes to bake and are delicious warm, especially if you can spread grass fed butter (paleo staple) on them.
I take zero credit for this recipe. This is just a happy little accident that I have been celebrating everyday. Ok, twice a day.


Apple Cinnamon Paleo Muffins sugar/dairy/grain free contains nuts **adapted from Spice Pumpkin Muffins/Against All Grain
Preheat oven to 350 Grease your muffin pan with coconut oil or use liners
2 cups blanched almond flour 3 TBL spoons coconut flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1 cup (8 oz) unsweetened applesauce 1/3 cup maple syrup 2 large eggs room temp 2 TBL spoons melted coconut oil 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional 2 TBL spoons chopped nuts)
Combine all your dry ingredients, whisk together, and set aside. Combine all your wet ingredients, making sure your melted coconut oil has cooled. Once your wet ingredients are well blended, add your dry ingredients, a little at a time until combined. Fill each cup of the muffin tin 2/3 of the way full. Bake 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes: Depending on your brand of applesauce, you muffins could come out sweeter. I found that organic applesauce yielded sweeter muffins. If you are paleo but have no issue with soy, Coconut Spray can be used. You can find it at Whole Foods and it's like Pam but Coconut Oil.
These stay fresh for up to five days refrigerated. If they last that long. Both kids love these!

What I Eat Wednesday {Introducing 3 Phase Paleo}

**This post is sponsored by Paleo Parents, however the thoughts and opinions are all mine.  Paleo Parents are not medical professionals, and neither am I.  This is a post about a lifestyle that I follow, and a book written about that lifestyle.  Before starting any new health regimen, please consult your regular care physician.  Thanks.

I know this isn't your typical Wednesday post, but I get a lot of questions about what I eat.  For three years I have been eating food that is free of grains, sugar, dairy, and caffeine.  Crazy right?  So the question that pops up the most is, "what on earth do you eat?", and my simple answer is chicken and avocados.  But there is a lot more to my diet than that.  Today I'm going to share with you the Paleo Lifestyle.  I say life style because it's so much more than a diet, and with the help of a new ebook, 3 Phase Paleo, understanding and committing to the Paleo Lifestyle has never been easier.

Last fall I discovered Paleo Parents on Instagram, after following Danielle Walker.  The Paleo Parents are amazing and have written two cookbooks, Eat Like a Dinosaur for your celiac/paleo kid, and Beyond Bacon, which is literally filled with Bacon/Pork madness.  I bought it for my mom for Christmas and there is something in there called "Bacon Jam" that you can dip apples in... Hello!  Following them on Instagram is a lot of fun and very informational because their entire family eats paleo, even their young boys!  What started out as a mission for better health for Stacy, has turned into a lifestyle for the entire family. 

3 Phase Paleo

3 Phase Paleo is completely different from any other Paleo book I have purchased.  This book introduces you to the Paleo Lifestyle in a way that looks at whole health.  Do you or someone you know suffer from an autoimmune illness?  Do you suffer from seasonal allergies or food allergies?  Are you looking for a way to cut out unwanted chemicals and preservatives out of your family's life?  This book will give you information that can answer any and all of those questions.

3 Phase Paleo

But in addition to answering questions on the whys of the Paleo Lifestyle, 3 Phase Paleo takes it a step further by helping you transition into Paleo in three phases.  In Phase One you start by cutting out all gluten, refined sugars, and chemical laden and processed foods.  The book includes (printable) shopping lists, and a chart to show you just how to move from over processed foods to "paleo" foods.  For example you go from pancake syrup, to pure maple syrup, to grade B maple syrup.  You can move from regular cold cuts, to organic cold cuts, then finally to proteins made at home, cutting cold cuts out completely.  This information in Phase One is extremely valuable, especially if you'd like to move your entire family, kids included, over to a Paleo Lifestyle.

Phase Two includes cutting out grains all together, dairy, processed oils (corn, vegetable, soy, canola), and legumes.  They give you substitutions for each, and let you know where to find the recipes later in the book.  Cutting out all grains and processed oils is difficult, I know that for sure, but what this book does is give you clear guidelines, products they favor (and not because of endorsements), and ideas on how to eat a Paleo Lifestyle at home and on the go.  This includes a list and photo on how to stock a Paleo Pantry, and a guide on how to eat at some choice restaurants on the go.

Finally in Phase Three, you will get an introduction to healing foods, bone broth and fermented foods included.  As someone who suffers with a few autoimmune illnesses, this information is informative and invaluable.  I'm a firm believer that food can heal you from the inside out.  In Phase Three you will find out how to use healing foods to do just that and more.  This is a major part of the Paleo Lifestyle because many of us who follow it, rely on it to keep us healthy.

Now for my favorite part... The Recipes!

3 Phase Paleo

I'll be honest with you, going from a Gluten Free diet to a Grain Free, Sugar Free, Dairy Free diet was scary.  Three years ago I cried that I had to give up rice and my Starbucks Ventis.  Today, I grateful for the discovery that the majority of foods I was eating, while they were gluten free, were causing me major health problems.  In discovering that I was allergic to most grains, whether they were gluten free or not, I felt like I would never eat anything but chicken and avocados.  I couldn't have been more wrong, but it has take me three years to feel like I'm eating good food again, and not just rabbit food.  Recipes like these in 3 Phase Paleo make it easy and delicious to maintain my Paleo Lifestyle.  From the very basic, but delicious, Easy Peasy Pancakes, to the amazing Spaghetti Squash Alla Carbonara, you will not go hungry without free reign on fast food.  I promise.

What I liked about the recipe section were the easy to follow directions (since I'm not the best in the kitchen) and the beautiful pictures of food that made my mouth water.  Most of the recipes require ingredients that are easy to obtain, nothing crazy that you may or may not have to order on Amazon.  And many of them are kid friendly, or can be made that way, since this is a book for the entire family.

This book grabbed my attention immediately because it is a fool proof way to make a major lifestyle change.  Eating this way is not easy, it takes prep, it takes commitment, but with this book, you could be on your way to a chemical free, preservative free lifestyle in just three easy phases.  If you have been thinking of eating the Paleo way, or if you suffer from an autoimmune illness, take a moment and check out 3 Phase Paleo.  It's a great way to start out the year, to jump start your health, or make that change that you have been thinking about.

I'll admit that there are some days that I really wish I could just drive thru and order my dinner.  There are days when I wish I could just grab a bagel and a coffee and go.  But I can't, not without seriously getting sick.  I get that choosing a Paleo Lifestyle seems like a simple choice for me, and on most days it is.  But I'm grateful for finding a way to stay healthy, not just for me, but for my family.  I can't be mom if I'm sick and in pain, so I've committed myself to this lifestyle.  After reading this book, I'm even thinking about phasing my family into a more Paleo way of life.  If you have ever wondered what I eat, or why everyone is gaga for Paleo, this book will give you all the details.  Recipes included.

     

 

To purchase your copy of 3 PHASE PALEO click here.

**This post was sponsored by Paleo Parents

***Absolute Mommy is now a proud affiliate of Paleo Parents

 

Mom's Paleo Pumpkin Crumble {It's Fall y'all}

Last Fall I spent a good amount of time looking for a pumpkin recipe that would deliver all the comforts of fall.  I had been on my diet for about eight months and was pretty sure Thanksgiving was going to be a total bust on this new grain free/sugar free/dairy free diet.  It wasn't so bad, but nothing tasted like fall, or pumpkins, or comfort.  No big deal, but I missed all of that fall pumpkin pie spiced goodness.
This year I'm not going to have to watch everyone eat pumpkin pie from the sidelines.  This year I have a Paleo version made just for me by my Mama.  Yup, Mama Linda has done it again, and has come up with a delicious pumpkin crumble that will make you say, "I can't believe it's not Paleo".  This recipe is a hybrid of two recipes in Practical Paleo; Pumpkin Pie Custard (page 404) and Fresh Blue Berry Crumble (page 406).  I'll also include some notes from my Mom about what she will do differently the next time she makes this.  In addition, my daughter Caitlin, loves this crumble.  I hate to break the news that it has no real sugar or dairy in it!
Mom's Paleo Pumpkin Crumble

Adapted from Practical Paleo

For the Pumpkin Custard

1 c. canned or fresh pumpkin Mom used canned

2 eggs

1/4 c. maple syrup grade b is best, Mom used regular

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 c. full fat coconut milk unsweetened Mom used Thai Kitchen in a can

pinch of sea salt

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice Mom used McCormick

For the Crumble

1 c. almond meal/almond flour

1/4 c. melted coconut oil, ghee Mom used coconut oil

2 TBL spoon maple syrup

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 pinches sea salt

In a bowl combine the pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut milk.  Add pumpkin pie spice and sea salt, mix well.  In another bowl combine the almond meal, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and sea salt.  Set aside.  Use coconut oil to grease a pie pan, tart pan, or casserole dish, then pour in your pumpkin custard.

First Note from Mom:

The first time she made this she poured the custard into a pie dish and then topped it with the crumble. The crumble sank in many spots of the custard.  While it didn't tasted bad, it made it a little soggy. The crumble that stayed on the top of the custard was crisp and delicious, so Mom suggests the following step:

Place the custard into a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes to let the custard set a little.  Once it's set, take it out and cover the custard with the crumble topping.  Then return to the oven for 30 to 40 minutes until the crumble topping is starting to brown and the custard is beginning to crack.

That's it.  It's really easy just like the Apple Crumble and it's so delicious.  Let me know if you make this.  I'd love to hear if you did anything different to make it your own.  As I publish this post I'm testing some more Paleo recipes I found on line.  Let's just say not all recipes are as successful as this one.  Paleo baking is ALWAYS an adventure.