Michelle Fagone - The Everything Weeknight Paleo Cookbook

Avon, Massachusetts

I would like to dedicate this book to Samantha and Calla. You are a constant source of inspiration, and you bring daily joy and love to my heart.

THE PALEO LIFESTYLE is not like most modern-day diet plans. In fact, it is probably the oldest diet in the world. The Paleo way of eating takes you back to the wisdom your ancestors possessed in the Paleolithic era, when man hunted and gathered his food. Back then, there were no fast-food restaurants or packaged microwavable meals. In fact, exercise and nutrition went hand-in-hand (man had to sprint after an animal to obtain his meal). Berries, nuts, and plants were foraged in their natural state. Fish were caught, not farmed. The simplicity and honesty of Paleolithic-era food produced bodies that were free of inflammation and distress.

Ridding your body of toxins found in inflammatory foods will contribute to increased energy levels. Your natural circadian rhythm, or body clock, will start working better, allowing you to pop out of bed after a great nights sleep. Your prescription medication and over-the-counter drugs may become a thing of the past. Aches and pains from arthritis or swelling joints will subside because you are consuming foods that do not irritate your body.

If this sounds too easy to be true, its not. You can do itthough it might not be as simple as you think. It depends on your starting point. If you are accustomed to quick-fix drive-thrus and processed packaged foods, then this lifestyle will take some planning, some overhauling of old ways, and a willingness to commit to your health.

The first step is becoming educated on how to fuel your body with chemical-free nutrition. For example, oftentimes you can get much better food at your local farmer than from most grocery stores, which get their meat from chemically-enhanced animals raised on cattle farms and livestock farms. At these farms, thousands of animals are stuffed into feedlots and live in their own manure. Not only is the large quantity of manure destroying our soil, it is also a breeding ground for bacteria. And guess how the farmers kill these bacteria? They put more chemicals in and on the animals. Think about this the next time you dive into a store-bought steak with no labels.

An informed consumer makes better decisions. Become an army of one and make changes with your wallet. You may pay a little more for your food up front, but the money you will save on medicine and future health issues will way outshine the initial costs.

You may have noticed that the CrossFit community largely claims this diet as its own, but the athletic community in general has latched on to this way of eating. Clean and organic foods prepared simply and tastefully are helping athletes increase performance and strength because the diet aligns their nutrition with the genetic needs of their bodies. You dont have to run a marathon to be considered an athlete. Start moving your body. Start playing outdoor games with your family. Just start. You will be surprised at how soon you will call yourself an athlete.

In the following pages, youll find 300 easy-to-follow, simple-to-prepare recipes, along with the tools to start your healthy journey. Isnt it time for you to take charge of your and your familys health? You are definitely worth it.

The Paleolithic diet or Paleo lifestyle has become increasingly popular in recent years. Also known as the Caveman Diet, the name refers to a period of time when people only ate grass-fed game, wild-caught fish, nuts, vegetables, berries, and occasionally, other fruits. These people lived before the time of modern agriculture and the domestication of animals. They hunted for their meat and gathered their berries and nuts. There were no grains planted in fields, no milk past weaning, and, subsequently, the population wasnt plagued by many of the diseases that are seen today.

Even though they had to find, hunt, and kill most of their food, your Paleolithic ancestors were still eating better-quality foods than most of the world is today. Not only are the hundreds of quick-fix weight loss products wreaking havoc on the human body, but the Standard American Diet (SAD) with grains at the helm is believed to contribute to a number of diseases caused by inflammation.

Paleopathology, the study of disease in prehistoric times, shows that when humans became reliant on corn and rice, signs of iron-deficient anemia began to appear. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 30 percent of the worlds population is anemic. This is largely due to phytates found in corn and rice, which inhibit the absorption of iron, says Robb Wolf, author of The Paleo Solution. Furthermore, after the rise of agriculture and food processing, there was an increase in tooth decay and infant mortality. Just like the rings of a tree can be used to determine its age, our ancestors bones tell a story, too.

So right now youre thinking that you need to move to the forest and take up hunting, fishing, and gardening to be on todays Paleolithic diet? That could not be further from the truth. The Paleo lifestyle simply requires a shift in your thinking. First, you will need to learn what foods are considered Paleo yes or Paleo no. From there, all you need to start on your journey toward Paleo success is a simple shopping list, an open mind, and a whole bunch of recipes. Switching over to eating Paleo does not have to be an arduous task. In fact, many of the recipes adored by families the world over can easily be converted to Paleo with a few carefully chosen ingredients and some fun substitution.

One of the most significant benefits of adhering to a Paleo lifestyle is the potential for decreasing your risk of developing a number of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Decreasing the risk of developing diseases can, of course, also be achieved by consuming a well-balanced, nutrient-dense, modern-day diet low in unhealthy fats, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and preservatives. However, the popularity of Paleo nutrition continues to expand, and people of all ages, demographics, and fitness levels are climbing aboard and sailing back to ancient ways, perhaps in an effort to reverse the negative impact that years of unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles have caused.

The high-fiber, low-saturated fat, high-antioxidant, and high-micronutrient content of the Paleo diet has many heart-healthy benefits. Such a diet composition can result in improved cholesterol profiles, decreased cardiac-risk scores, and improved blood-pressure status. It can promote a healthier heart and an overall healthier future.