Jessica DeMay - Clean Paleo Comfort Food Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes That Nourish Body & Soul

100 Delicious Recipes That Nourish Body & Soul

Jessica DeMay

M y health struggles began with thyroid issues when I was a teenagerI found myself dealing with fatigue, heavy periods, and an enlarged thyroid gland. I was diagnosed with and put on medicine for hypothyroidism. The medicine I was on pushed me into hyperthyroidism, giving me late-stage osteoporosis when I was just seventeen years old. My doctor gave me radioactive iodine to destroy my thyroid, so it didnt weaken my bones further. I will be on thyroid medicine for the rest of my life.

Then, for seven years, from age nineteen to twenty-six, I struggled with an eating disorder that almost took my life. I was hospitalized multiple times, became too sick to work, and dropped to a very low weight. The last time I was hospitalized, during the fall of 2013, I went into a coma for a few days. It scared me to think I could have died from the choices I had been making. It made me realize how serious it was, and it was my wake-up call to get healthy.

I started to care about nourishing my body. I was gaining weight, and I wanted to do so in a healthy way. Im thirty-three now and the healthiest I have ever been: Im at a healthy weight, and I have a great relationship with food. And paleo has helped me get here. Even though it can be seen as restrictive, it has actually been the opposite for me, giving me confidence to eat more fat and calories than I ever have. I still enjoy treats, eggs (not just the whites!), snacks, and, of course, full meals. It was worth it to me to feel so much better. To anyone who has struggled with an eating disorder or been obsessive over food, I encourage you not to count calories. Trust your body as you are feeding it nourishing food.

After recovery from my eating disorder, I still dealt with some physical symptoms that I didnt think were a big deal, but definitely werent normal for my age. I was in my twenties and had arthritis in my knees and breakouts on my face. I knew this was common and didnt worry about it much. Once I completely gave up grains and dairy, my knee pain went away and my face cleared up.

Back when I was a teenager, food had never even been considered as an option for treating my thyroid issues. But perhaps food choices could have helped with my issues. Since I switched to a paleo lifestyle, my bone density has improved. I have been able to stay off prescription drugs to increase my bone density; Ive worked on bone strength naturally by taking collagen and vitamin D and doing weight-bearing exercise a few times a week.

I was not raised in a household in which my mom or grandma taught me how to cook. I dont have those memories, but that doesnt mean my passion for food is any less. I am a self-taught cook, and I learned to bake before I learned to cook. I got into baking as a teenager and found a deep love for it. Starting with plain ingredients and turning them into a delicious treat was a way for me to unwind and relieve stress. I even won some baking competitions, which gave me enough courage to start my blog, Real Food with Jessica. Paleo baking is different, of course, and theres a learning curve, but its incredibly rewarding. I love that I can bake and share these recipes with people who are missing treats.

Note: This is my personal story. I am not a doctor or dietitian; Im just sharing what has worked for me. Consult your doctor for a plan that works for you.

All the recipes in this book are easy enough for a cook with any level of experience to make. Some are quicker and have shorter ingredient lists than others, but none are overly complicated. I love recipes with short ingredient lists and quick steps, but I wont sacrifice flavor for ease. Sometimes its worth it to take the time to make the more involved dishes. I like to save those for the weekend, when time isnt as pressed.

Be sure to read every recipe through entirely before starting. This will help ensure you are making it correctly and adding ingredients at the right time.

There is a chapter of basics that are easy to make, but most of these are now available as store-bought items. Dont feel like every ingredient needs to be homemade to make it a successful dish. Take shortcuts where needed to make a recipe work for you. Its more affordable to make condiments from scratch, but its less time-consuming to buy paleo versions in the store. Both are equally good options.

Each recipe has a key labeling it nut free, egg free, and/or low FODMAP, when appropriate, so you can tell right away whether it fits your needs.

I love getting my daughter involved in the kitchen; even at a young age, she can add ingredients to a bowl, stir, and scoop. She has a kids knife to help cut fruit and veggies, and we have a good time together. She is always more likely to try a food she helped prepare as well, which is an added benefit.

I would love for you to find a friend, child, or significant other with whom to share the cooking experience. It is more fun and rewarding when youre cooking, eating, and even cleaning up with someone. You are creating positive memories and an enjoyable experience around food. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

comfort food paleo

C omfort food paleo is all about taking real ingredients and creating something that is hearty, nostalgic, and enjoyable.

When I started my food blog in 2015, people responded well to the comfort food dishes I was making. They loved the healthier takes on the Sloppy Joes, casseroles, and baked goods that they were familiar with. And they inspired this book! I have recreated some of our favorite familiar flavors and dishes so you can continue to enjoy them. The dishes I create are inspired by meals I grew up eating or cooked before transitioning to a paleo lifestyle. Theyre remade to be grain free and dairy free. My hope is that youll continue making memories around the new versions of these dishes. After all, completely giving up your favorite foods isnt sustainable, but recreating them is! Eating paleo definitely doesnt have to mean salads for every meal or plain chicken breast. It can mean exciting food the whole family will enjoy.

I am not claiming these recipes are low calorie or low fat, because that is not the point of paleo. The focus should be on eating nourishing foods and not worrying about calorie counts. I dont like it when recipes are labeled guilt-free or skinny. Food should never make you feel guilty. It may make you physically feel unwell, which is why you choose to not consume it, but you shouldnt feel shame over what you eat. I dont create recipes to be guilt-free, but free from ingredients that may not work well with your body. My recipes fall in a wide range of low-carb, low-fat to high-carb or high-fat dishes. They are all, however, made with whole food ingredients that will nourish your body and make you feel satisfied.