Megan Flynn Peterson - The Big 15 Paleo Cookbook: 15 Fundamental Ingredients, 150 Paleo Diet Recipes, 450 Variations

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WHO BELIEVES IN ME EVEN WHEN I DONT

I found Paleo at a time in my life when I was otherwise lost. It was the summer of 2011, I had just moved to a new city, and my life was rife with transition. I was gaining weight, feeling sick, and having trouble getting out of bed in the morninganxiety and sadness had crept into my day-to-day life, and I wasnt sure how to shake them off. I was eating an almost-vegetarian diet full of dairy and whole grains because I thought that was healthy and balanced, but I wasnt losing weight, my skin was breaking out, my hair was falling out, and I felt sick and dizzy every day.

Sometime around October, my mom mentioned a way of eating that someone at her gym had introduced her to: Paleono grains, no dairy, no sugar, no legumes; lots of meat and vegetables, and some fruit. It sounded extreme, especially for someone whose diet consisted mostly of caramel lattes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and vegetarian pasta dishes, but I dove in headfirst and was amazed by the almost-immediate results. I felt better overall after just seven days. My skin cleared up after a few weeks. I felt calmer and had more energy. After just a month, I had returned to my normal weight and the bald spots on my scalp were filling in with healthy new hair.

I began exercising again. And somehow, after what had become a pretty complicated relationship, I was able to start loving food again. I come from an Italian background, so eating, cooking, and feeding people is in my blood. Some of my favorite memories include my mother in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove, pouring glasses of wine for friends, and setting out huge platters of meat and cheese. My friends always knew not to eat before coming over. When I first went Paleo, I really worried about what a life without pasta might look like, but as I began cutting out processed foods like sugar, grains, and dairy, I learned the power of real foodand that it can be not only vital to our well-being but also delicious and, if I may be so bold, life changing.

I may not be rolling out pizza dough these days, but my kitchen is still a place full of love where people gather for great food, friendship, and laughter. I had always thought of myself as a health-conscious person, but when it came to food, I didnt know where to begin. For a long time, I ate whatever I wanted, felt terrible, and then ran miles to leave behind whatever guilt I was feeling. But when you start with food that gives back to your body, there are no emotional consequences. There is something so empowering about taking charge of your health through nutrition. And its even better when you can make it happen with delicious and satisfying real food.

I feel honored to be sharing these recipes with you. I hope you find something amazing here.

T he more research you do about Paleo, the more youll read about organic and grass-fed foods. Weve all heard You are what you eat, and this applies here: By choosing beef thats been raised on grass as opposed to corn, you are maintaining a grain-free diet by extension.Paleo can be a little tough on a budget, but meal planning will save you so much money in the long run. And I always want to encourage people to just do their bestif you cant afford grass-fed beef or organic vegetables, purchase the best quality that your budget will allow and feel good that youre still making healthy choices. My experience with Paleo is just thatmy own. People change their diets for any number of reasons, and I always want people to know that you dont have to be feeling terrible, or struggling like I was, to benefit from Paleo.

Some people make a switch to Paleo for health reasons, while others just want to lose weight. Some have gluten or dairy intolerances and find that this diet just works better, while others might not have any food allergies but find that a cleaner diet simply feels better. If you havent started eating Paleo yet, here are some tips for a successful first few weeks: Get rid of any non-Paleo foods in your pantry or fridge. (You can donate nonperishable items to your local food bank.) Dont keep any cheat items as treatsyoull do so much better if you go all in at the beginning. Stock up on the basicsthis book youre holding has everything you need for great meal ideas. Take a look at the Table of Contents () to get an idea of The Big 15, and then go out and buy eggs, good-quality meats, and lots of vegetables.