A Paleo Kitchen…where to begin?

 

A Paleo Kitchen…where to begin?

Starting a new way of eating is challenging, exciting, and a little
overwhelming. You’ve spent years eating a certain way, or maybe
bouncing from one diet to another, and the thought of making more
changes makes you a little nauseous.  Maybe if you just switch out a
couple of things: use coconut milk instead of cow’s milk, but keep the
cheese. Use almond flour instead of white flour, but keep the
spaghetti noodles. Add a few veggies to the refrigerator stock.
Hmmmmm. That’s one plan. OR you could have confidence in your
commitment to make a healthier life for yourself and your family and
see this as an opportunity to cleanse, renew, and refresh. And really,
why are you clinging to those pudding cups? That cereal? The diet
Pepsi? What’s holding you back?

Once you decide that you’re committed to trying paleo, or just a
healthier diet in general, my first tip is to replace your non paleo
items with paleo. Your processed foods with whole foods. Your gluten
foods with fruits and veggies. The fewer unhealthy items you have
lingering in your kitchen, the less likely you are to regress or to
forget your original intentions when starting this lifestyle change.

Alright, so maybe this doesn’t apply to you. Maybe you’re ready to go
but…where to begin?  Eggs, veggies, meats, and a few fruits, that’s
pretty much common sense. But what about flavor? What about baking?
What about when you get that craving for something sweet? Here is a
list of foods that a paleo kitchen should not have, and foods that my
ideal paleo kitchen should have 🙂 Tweak as needed, of course,
depending on your taste or allergy needs!

NO
– Grains
– Legumes
– Dairy
– Processed foods
– Added sugar
– Soy
– Vegetable oils

YES
– Eggs (cage free/organic)
– Meats/seafood (grass fed/organic)
– Vegetables (organic/local)
– Fruits (organic/local)
– Honey (local and raw)
– Maple syrup
– Almond flour
– Coconut flour
– Cocoa (sugar free and organic)
– Unsweetened shredded coconut
– Seasonings and spices, the more the better! Definitely cinnamon,
basil, and chili powder 🙂
– Canned coconut milk
– Almond milk
– Nuts and seeds (unsalted and raw)
– Other quality fats (ie coconut oil, olive oil, other oils such as
avocado, almond, or walnut)

Other sometimes used items:
– Coconut sugar
– Coconut aminos
– Dried fruit (no added sugar or anything else)

In addition, if you don’t have them already you may want to consider
investing in a good crockpot and food processor.

Happy shopping!

-Suzanne