For the next 30 days, you will be embarking on a journey that will leave you, and your body thanking yourself for changing your lifestyle for the rest your life. My focus in writing this is for the CrossFit Aspire and DT1 members who are on the verge of making serious lifestyle change. This is meant to be a guide of what is and what is not Paleo. This will not be all-inclusive, and if questions arise feel free to contact me.

Great Paleo meal: Pork, kale, and avocado

Now, what exactly is Paleo? My favorite description that I have come across thus far:

“Paleo is the blueprint for healthy living and is still rooted in the food: Choose sustainable, nutrient dense foods, locally sourced when possible and good for you above all else; eliminate inflammatory foods, avoiding unnatural, heavily processed foods and administering a turn of the back to sugar, gluten, and grains.”

Paleo:

Lean meats
Chicken
Fish
Beef
Eggs
Nuts
Seeds
Starchy vegetables (ie: yams, sweet potatoes, Yucca, tapioca, etc.)
Non-starchy vegetables (anything green or colored in produce section)
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Coconut kefir
Fruits
Traditional fats (coconut oil, olive oil, ghee, Kerry gold butter (for our challenge it is ok), duck fat, lard, etc.)
Olives
Avocados
Coconuts
Sea salt and spices.

Not Paleo:

Dairy

Grains (including: “wheat, rice, cereal, oats, pseudograins, and nongluten grains like sorghum, teff, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, spelt, rye, barley, couscous, malt, graham flour, and so on. No bread, pasta, cereal, or PIZZA. And for now, don’t go shopping for gluten-free substitutes.”

Alcohol
Legumes (black beans, etc.)
Chocolate
Processed foods (almost everything in a box or a can!)
Sugar and all sweeteners in all forms
Soy sauce
Vegetable oils
Canola oil
Soybean oil
Any kind of soda
Any kind of fruit juice (unless you juice it yourself)

When in doubt flow chart it out!

What’s the easiest way to be successful in this challenge? My best advice is to completely rid your homes of non-paleo items. Can’t be tempted if it isn’t there – Out of sight, out of mind!! I will be posting 4 different Paleo-friendly recipes that I regularly enjoy!! Check back next week!

Great Paleo resources:

http://www.chriskresser.com

He has shopping lists available if you sign up for his free registration.

http://www.robbwolf.com

If anyone has any questions about any foods or beverages feel free to email me!! Good luck!