Coconut oil is like wine – there are lots of great ones if you know where to look, just as there are some very disappointing ones out there! So make sure you get what you’re paying for.
We all know by now how good coconut oil is, it’s a great way to get more fat in your diet, it’s really stable at high temperatures and it’s really good for cooking in. But if you’ve recently searched for coconut oil, you’d be forgiven for feeling completely overwhelmed and confused at the choices available.
So, what do you need to consider?
Choice One: Refined or Unrefined.
Coconut oil is either refined, or unrefined. A refined oil won’t have that coconut taste or smell, so it can be a good one to have on hand for cooking more delicate dishes, that you don’t want to take on that distinct coconut flavour. Refined coconut oils will still have a great fatty acid profile (and full of those great MCT’s). If the label doesn’t specify, assume it’s a refined oil. Of course to refine the oil is to process it. So if you can, stick with an unrefined oil – but this is great to have on hand for a particular recipe that demands it, or if you’re cooking for someone who can’t stand the taste of coconut.
Unrefined oil is a staple in my house. It does have the distinct coconut flavour, however, between brands there is a huge variation. Some taste way milder than others, so it’s best to try a few until you work out which is your favourite.
Choice Two: Virgin or Extra Virgin.
You’ll likely only see these labels on unrefined coconut oil and unfortunately there seems to be a lot of ambiguity about what they actually mean. As a base assumption, virgin and extra virgin should be a lot purer, and from the first pressing of the coconut.
Choice Three: Expeller-Pressed, Cold-Pressed and Centrifuged
Your next option is how the oil was extracted from the coconut. The less heat used in the process, the more raw the final product – the milder the flavour will be. If the extraction process did heat the oil, it’s not too much of a concern as coconut oil is so stable at high temperatures.
Choice Four: Bulk, Jar or Spray
Your next choice is how you buy the oil. If you use a lot of it, you’ll do far better buying in bulk, instead of individual jars. And as I’ve written about before – I strongly suggest you avoid buying a spray can of coconut oil!
Choice Five: Where to buy
I find it so expensive to buy coconut oil local unfortunately – it’s also hard to find it in bulk quantities. I buy mine from iherb, who ship internationally (get $5 off using code DUV741). It works out far cheaper and they’re got such a big range you can experiment with a few, to work out which you prefer.
And if you do buy a bad one? Don’t throw it away – there are loads of non-edible uses for it!
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/5-ways-to-pick-a-good-coconut-oil-min.jpg?fit=680%2C680&ssl=1680680PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-04-12 09:43:072025-05-25 09:59:175 Ways to Choose a Quality Coconut Oil
“Health food” commercials are getting worse and worse – and of course I'm not referring to adverts for kale or grass-fed beef. I'm talking about products with a list of unpronounceable ingredients – products I go out of my way to avoid. And given that you're reading my blog, I suspect you do too.
There seems to have been a huge turn here. It seems to slow be becoming the norm to eat an unprocessed diet of real, whole foods. Avoiding processed carbs like bread and pasta seems to be slowly becoming mainstream, and a feat of fat is definitely starting to disappear. I get the impression the manufacturers of all those other food-like-products are getting worried…
So which advert has been annoying me most this week?
Flora Pro-Activ
Cue upset wife that her husband has high cholesterol. He undertakes the Flora Pro-Activ challenge for three weeks, has his cholesterol re-checked. Ends with happy wife, now her husband isn't about to drop dead due to a high cholesterol invoked heart attack.
So what is the Flora challenge? For three weeks you eat 25 g of Flora every day, make sure you eat your wholegrains, replace BAD saturated fat with healthy saturated fat and generally keep your fat as low as possible. Nooo!
And what does Flora Pro-Activ actually contain?
Ingredients: Water, Vegetable Oils (30%), Plant Sterol Esters (12.5%), Buttermilk, Modified Waxy Corn Starch, Salt (1%), Emulsifiers (Mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Sunflower Lecithin), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Citric Acid, Flavourings, Colour (Beta Carotene), Vitamin A and D
And evil butter? Let’s remind ourselves of the dangerous ingredients that contains: Pasteurised Cream (from Milk), Water, Salt. Three ingredients that I have in my kitchen; compared to unidentified “vegetable” oils and a host of ingredients not available at the local farmers market.
Despite a lot of research showing a higher cholesterol actually lowers the risk of heart attack, of course, these companies still like to keep us fearing cholesterol. More worrying is the margarine they want us to eat to benefit our health – so chemically processed, they are a fat that our bodies don’t recognise at all.
The other issue, is the claim that the plant sterol esters in this product actually lower your cholesterol. The adverts make it sound like a magic potion, with the ability to dramatically cut your cholesterol in a matter of days. The reality is that alone, these chemicals can supposedly only reduce cholesterol by a maximum of 10% (average results presumably a lot lower) – and of course that’s assuming reducing cholesterol is a good thing.
All in all I find the advert extremely misleading and think it’s outrageous that they come into our homes every day, suggesting that if you love your family, you need to make sure they eat 25 g of margarine a day – or risk losing them to heart disease.
The Myth of Margarine: What’s the Real Health Risk?
For years, margarine was touted as the heart-healthy alternative to butter — a spread allegedly designed with your arteries in mind. But now that we’ve pulled back the curtain on what margarine actually contains, many of us are asking a far more sensible question: why were we ever told to eat this in the first place?
The truth is, margarine is an ultra-processed product engineered in labs and pumped full of chemically altered fats. These fats, including trans fats and processed polyunsaturated oils, are nothing like the natural fats our bodies evolved to metabolise. And no amount of rebranding or health halo marketing can change that.
What Happened to “Natural”?
It’s amazing to witness the food industry’s efforts to redefine what’s “healthy.” Butter, cream, eggs — once demonised — are now slowly regaining their rightful place in real-food circles. And while health-conscious communities have been embracing whole foods and ancestral eating patterns for over a decade, mainstream advertising is only just starting to notice. But instead of embracing these shifts, many brands are scrambling to cling to their outdated models, doubling down on their margarine and cholesterol-fear campaigns.
“Cholesterol Lowering” – But At What Cost?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: cholesterol. The suggestion that lowering cholesterol is always a positive outcome is deeply flawed. Numerous studies have shown that cholesterol is essential for hormone production, brain function, and cellular repair. Lowering it artificially through chemical means, without addressing the underlying cause of poor health, could actually be harmful.
Not to mention, many of these cholesterol-lowering spreads (like Flora Pro-Activ) aren’t doing anything particularly miraculous. As mentioned, their key active ingredient — plant sterol esters — might reduce LDL cholesterol levels by around 10% at best. And that’s in ideal conditions, alongside a textbook-perfect low-fat, grain-heavy diet. But does this reduction equate to reduced risk of heart attack or stroke? The evidence simply isn’t conclusive.
Marketing vs Science: Who Do You Trust?
When you see a glossy commercial that plays on fear and emotion — a worried wife, a serious voiceover, a heartfelt pledge to “take control” — you’re not watching science. You’re watching marketing. These ads aren’t concerned with long-term health outcomes; they’re focused on brand loyalty, product sales, and cleverly timed emotional triggers.
Compare that to the growing body of independent research that’s highlighting the role of nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods in long-term wellbeing. More and more nutritionists, doctors and ancestral health advocates are saying the same thing: eat real food, minimise inflammatory ingredients, and don’t fear healthy fats.
The Paleo Perspective on Spreads and Fats
If you’re following a Paleo lifestyle, the idea of margarine probably seems laughable. Why would you swap something like grass-fed butter or ghee — both rich in vitamins A, D, E and K2 — for a synthetic product with preservatives, chemical stabilisers, and ambiguous “vegetable oils”?
Butter, coconut oil, animal fats and olive oil have stood the test of time. These are fats our ancestors consumed, often in abundance, without the chronic health epidemics we face today. Margarine, by contrast, is a modern invention born out of post-war industrialisation and misguided dietary guidelines — guidelines that are only now being dismantled as the science catches up.
The Bigger Problem with “Health” Products
Flora Pro-Activ isn’t the only product blurring the line between food and pharmaceutical. Every aisle in the supermarket is filled with processed products dressed up with buzzwords: “cholesterol friendly,” “heart smart,” “low GI,” and “plant-based.” But if you flip the packet and read the ingredients, it’s a different story entirely.
These labels exist to distract you from what’s really going on: ultra-processed food manufacturers are cashing in on health trends without genuinely supporting better health outcomes. They’re relying on outdated nutritional myths and fear tactics to keep consumers locked into a cycle of dependency on fake food — while real food sits quietly on the perimeter of the store.
What Can You Do Instead?
So, what’s the alternative to taking a “cholesterol challenge”? It’s simpler than you might think. Here are some truly health-supportive swaps:
Use butter or ghee from grass-fed sources — it’s natural, nourishing, and doesn’t require a marketing campaign to prove it.
Choose olive oil or avocado oil for cold applications, and coconut oil or animal fats for high heat cooking.
Eat a nutrient-dense diet full of vegetables, pastured meats, nuts, seeds and wild seafood — real foods your body recognises.
Get your fats from whole sources like eggs, oily fish, olives and coconuts.
You don’t need a challenge. You need information — and real, nourishing food that doesn’t come with a side of marketing spin.
Conclusion: Trust Your Instincts, Not the Ad Break
The next time an ad tries to scare you into believing your breakfast spread will determine whether you live to see your grandchildren, pause. Think critically. Ask yourself: does this message align with what I know about real health and real food?
If something feels off, it probably is. If a product needs a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign to convince you it’s good for your heart, maybe it isn’t. Trust your instincts. Trust your body. And above all, trust the food that humans have eaten for generations — not the version that was created in a lab to mimic it.
What do you think about the Flora Pro-Activ challenge and the health commercials that come into your home each day?
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Eat-margarine-or-your-family-will-die-min.jpg?fit=680%2C680&ssl=1680680PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-04-09 09:30:372025-06-01 17:11:31“Eat Margarine or Your Family Will Die” – Really?
Since I started on my weight loss journey, I've learnt so much. Crucially – there is so much more to weight loss than just “eat less and move more”. That's why I've got together with the leading experts in nutrition, health, fitness and mind to bring you a unique bundle, giving you all the tools you need to lose weight and regain your health, this Easter.
In this exclusive bundle, you'll find grain-free recipe ebooks, ebooks of ketosis, fermenting your own foods, eating well on a budget, and cooking gluten free dishes. We've also got a couple of meal plans, giving you step by step plans and recipes for every days of the month.
From my recent survey, I know so often weight gain is a symptom of other health issues – that's why this bundle includes several ebooks focusing on health – including specific issues such as Thyroid, Autoimmune conditions and Hashimoto's.
Fitness and movement are also hugely important on your journey, so we've got you covered with programs you can do at home. If you garden, you'll learn how to grow your own produce to support your healthy lifestyle (& save money whilst doing it!)
The talks on mindset were HUGE in the summit in January, so we've included a Mindset Reset for Weight Loss in this bundle and loads of resources to build your self confidence & ensure you succeed on this transformation.
So many of you have emailed me asking for help with emotional and binge eating – this bundle includes several ebooks dedicated to these issues – you can transform these behaviours with the help of these experts. We all know how important sleep is – so if you're not getting good sleep every night, you'll love the Deep Sleep Every Night audio included in this bundle.
The Unconventional Weight Loss Easter Bundle includes 45 ebooks, MP3 audio programs, ecourses and meal plans. Over $1000 of value for just $37!
Find out more about the ebooks, ecourse, mp3's and programs in the bundle below:
The bundle explained….
Recipe Ebooks
Seasonal Juicing – Summer by Claire Ragozzino of Vidya Cleanse
The 25 seasonal recipes in this eBook highlight produce and flavors that help align the body with spring, incorporating bitter greens, alkalizing citrus and fresh herbs that promote gentle cleansing and support of the liver, kidneys and colon.
This 40-page eBook includes: 25 refreshing summer recipes for juices, tonics & blended elixirs accompanied with vibrant photographs, A comprehensive “Tools of the Trade” guide to assist in purchasing the right juicer for your needs, and Holistic nutrition tips & herb profiles peppered throughout the pages
Oh Lardy’s Guide to Fermenting Fruits and Vegetables by Kelly Liston & Tamara Mannelly
In This ebook, You Will Learn…
The importance of the roles gut bacteria play in your digestive tract.
The basics of the process of fermentation, how it happens and why.
The benefits of consuming fermented foods (there are so many!!)
What materials you need to ferment foods at home to get you on your way to becoming a confident fermenter.
How you know when you food is fermented and other frequently asked questions.
How to make almost 40 different recipes easily in your own kitchen; recipes your whole family will love! and more!
Nourished Cooking by Sarah Smith of Nourished and Nurtured
Nourished Cooking is packed with over 60 nutrient-dense recipes. All recipes in this book are gluten-free and use no refined sweeteners. This book contains 49 GAPS-legal recipes and 58 grain-free recipes, suitable for Primal eating
Eat Well, Spend Less by Tara Buss of We Got Real
If you’re frustrated with your climbing grocery bill, wanting to eat well, but feel like healthy food is just too expensive – this is the ebook for you.
If you’ve taken steps to transform your eating habits, this ebook with help you get your food budget under control & give you lots of ideas for simple and tasty inexpensive real food meals – and help you to source budget-friendly, healthy food.
How to Become a Better Home Cook by Lindsay Moe of Live In Kitchen When Lindsay first started cooking she had no idea where to start. She dug her heels in and from there built her knowledge to the comfortable level she is at today. This book takes you through the steps she took to teach herself how to become a better home cook. By following these steps you can start your own journey into confidence and joy in the kitchen.
How to Become a Better Home Cook contains 40 pages of tips, tricks, and recipes that allow you to teach yourself how to cook. This allows for a highly individualized learning experience that will suit your tastes, needs, and learning style.
Desserts Raw and Simple by Jules Galloway of julesgalloway.com
This beautiful recipe ebook features 25 easy-to-make, delicious raw desserts, including the 10 most popular recipes from the blog. Recipes are Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Cane Sugar Free and Paleo Friendly. The book gives easy step by step instructions – even for newbies, full colour photos to help you nail your finished product as well as tips and tricks to help your raw desserts turn out perfect every time
Essentially Gluten Free 30 Grain Free Recipes by Ester Perez of Nurture my Gut
Are you on a gluten free or grain free diet and worried what meals to feed your family? Are you working to rebuild your child’s immune system only to find your child refuses to eat everything you make? Is eating a constant battle?
Are you exhausted making meals, only to find your child won’t eat them? Does your child suffer from asthma, eczema, celiac, gluten sensitivity, food allergies or low immunity? Are you on GAPS, SCD, paleo or gluten free diet and want flavourful and wholesome recipes for your family? Are you uninspired by cookbooks with no pictures? If so, this is the perfect grain free kid-friendly cookbook for you!
Naturally Sweet Treats by Jan Berry of The Nerdy Farm Wife
When Jan's son was little, he had to go on a special, grain free diet. It’s tough for anyone to do such a thing, but even more so for a kid who couldn’t understand why he suddenly couldn’t have his favorite foods anymore. It was a huge adjustment period and Jan spent many hours in the kitchen, coming up with ideas for new foods for him.
This eBook contains a summary of his story and many of his favorite dessert type recipes. It only includes foods that could be made with ingredients commonly found in most grocery stores.
Some of the recipes qualify as Paleo, some as GAPS, and some as SCD – but this book is not intended to be a quantitative guide to any of those diets. Dairy, eggs and nuts are included in some (but not all) of the recipes, with substitution suggestions given when applicable.
The Naturally Sweet Treats eBook is perfect for anyone looking for fresh, new dessert ideas!
Making Organic Food Affordable by Justin and Tara Wagner
Making Organic Food Affordable, full of “organic food hacks” to help you do just that: help you make organic food affordable by getting around the high prices and filling your fridge with the healthiest food possible for a fraction of the price.
Keto-Adapted by Maria Emmerich of Maria Mind Body Health
This ebook is your new nutrition ‘bible’. Maria has included every trick she knows to get you healthy and lose weight fast in this book. Detailed descriptions of Intermittent Fasting, over-eating days, keto diet recipes and much more!
Nourishing Eats by Sarah Smith of Nourished and Nurtured
Nourishing Eats contains 60 nutrient-dense, grain-free recipes. All recipes are gluten-free and use no refined sweeteners. This book is perfect for the GAPS Diet since 57 of the recipes are legal for the Full GAPS Diet. It is also suitable for Primal/paleo eating.
Gluten Free for the Family by Karen Mahoy of Gluten Free for the Family
This ebook is packed full of recipes the whole family will enjoy – and all gluten-free!
• 15 chapters chocked full of budget-cutting resources • 50 pages of simple steps you can take to cut your bill by at least 25% within a month • What you can do to drop your bill by at least 15% in the next week • Resources, ideas, tips, hacks, and strategies all in one easy-to-access place and instantly downloadable
A Backyard Summer by Caroline Potter of Colorful Eats Nutrition
A Backyard Summer offers grain, gluten and refined sugar free recipes perfect for all your summer events. Written by Caroline Potter, Nutritional Therapist Practitioner and author of the blog Colorful Eats, this recipe ebook contains over 25 simple and seasonal recipes that all ages, backgrounds and tastes will enjoy. With an emphasis on coming together over food and laughter, A Backyard Summer has entertaining tips to correlate with each recipe so that you can focus on the people who come to gather at your table.
Cooking Techniques & Recipes with Olive Oil Ebook by Laura Bashar of Family Spice and Mary Platis of California Greek Girl
Gold medal winner of the Global Ebook Award, this new cookbook teaches you how to use olive oil using various cooking techniques, from poaching to baking and everything in between. Includes recipes, tips & photos. Purchase the enhanced pdf-version here.
Seasonal Juicing – Spring by Claire Ragozzino of Vidya Cleanse
The Vidya Seasonal Juicing series is meant to provide you with holistic knowledge of the different seasons and how to marry this with your daily juicing habit, so you can connect in with your deepest inner wisdom, your vidya, to maintain that clarity of body, mind and purpose through the ever-changing seasons.
This 40-page eBook includes: A comprehensive “Tools of the Trade” guide to assist in purchasing the right juicer for your needs, The “Juicer’s Pantry” guide featuring seasonal produce charts for early and late summer, and an Ayurvedic herb and spice chart for boosting and balancing your juices and uses Accessible and affordable ingredients
Health
The Autoimmune Paleo Breakthrough by Anne Angelone of anneangelone.com
The Autoimmune Paleo Breakthrough presents a new model for patients and practitioners interested in reversing autoimmune disease as quickly as possible. Learn how to use the autoimmune protocol along with Functional Medicine and Nutrigenomics to investigate and correct the root causes of your autoimmunity.
Simple Natural Health by Nina Nelson on Shalom Mama
Simple Natural Health is the book you need if you want to be more intentional about your family’s health. This book isn’t just another dogmatic “what not to do” that will make you feel bad for past choices. Rather, it’s a holistic approach to health – mind, body and soul – with a lot of money and time-saving tips thrown in. You’ll love the comprehensive guide to using herbs, tips for saving money on nourishing whole foods and simple approach to a naturally healthy lifestyle
The Super-Mom's Guide to Managing Thyroid & Autoimmune Disease without Going Bonkers by Jen Wittman of Thyroid Loving Care and Your Best Thyroid Life
Motherhood is the toughest job in the world—and it only gets tougher when you’re diagnosed with a thyroid or autoimmune disease. Take back your cape with this eguide which provides real-world, actionable lifestyle tips that have worked for me and for dozens of my coaching clients. It’s the perfect companion to The Radical TLC Solution: Home Healing Program to address all those specific challenges that mothers with thyroid or autoimmune disease face.
Streamline your world and take back your (well deserved) title of Super Mom with these simple ways to save time, boost your energy, and be the kind of mother you want to be.
Healing Hashimotos by Dr. Alan Christianson
The most common type of thyroid disease is hypothyroidism and in the modern world, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Medical treatment guidelines focus only on thyroid hormone replacement. Mind you this is with precious little finesse in dosing and very few medication options. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a complex interaction of genes, environmental toxins, nutrients, the immune function and other hormones. Consequently, many patients need correction in a unique combination of these areas to really feel their best. The purpose of this book is to serve the savvy, educated patient who is questing to regain their optimal health. For those of you who have done the basic steps and still are not at your best, this ebook is for you.
Colds + Flu Season eBook by Carol Little of Studio Botanica
Carol has written this book for busy people who want to enjoy a healthy winter OR maybe even gallivant through the cold months~ Proclaim this winter THE healthiest yet — starting with 10 TIPS for Prevention. Pamper yourself with soothing baths, healing teas and EASY to make healing remedies from the pantry. Puzzle no more about whether it’s a cold or the flu with a simple symptoms chart to guide you! Promote quick relief for cold + flu symptoms with step-by-step recipes and suggestions.
Includes 32 pages of helpful information & full colour photos. Includes 28 time-honoured proven recipes & links to many more
Raw Paleo-Primal Cleanse by Melissa Heing of Raw Paleo
The DIY Raw Paleo-Primal Cleanse is an instructional ebook. It includes complete recipes and detailed instructions on how to do a raw Paleo-Primal cleanse at home.
Fitness/ Movement
Move Well, The Ancestral Body Way by Charby Ibrahim of The Ancestral Body
If you're sick and tired of busting your gut in the gym, for months and months, only to see modest results… this is the ebook for you. We're all guilty of riding the motivational roller-coaster when it come to exercise; fact is – we're time poor. What if I told you that you could get all the exercise that you needed, without ANY equipment, in just 5-30 mins a day, from the comfort of your own home. This ebook will show you how.
Homemade Muscles by Anthony Arvanitakis
On 2013, Anthony had his left leg amputated and it was probably the most difficult time of his life. Instead of letting this event destroy him, he used it to become stronger – physically & mentally. And Homemade Muscle was born. Dedicated to providing people with the best ways of becoming strong & lean without going to the gym. Homemade Muscle is also about motivation
Homemade muscle includes: • Video Tutorials: Exercise guides, progressions and variations for every level, either you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced trainee • Muscle building exercises: Which bodyweight exercises you have to do to effectively build muscle • How to get that Six-pack: Learn which are the typical reasons most people fail to get abs and why doing a thousand sit-ups a day is not the solution to a shredded stomach • Arms, Chest and Back: The most important muscle-building bodyweight exercises for your arms, chest and back • Which diets really work – How to lose weight without starving yourself to death! • Nutritional Tips: Simple to follow nutritional tips that can increase your fat loss results with little effort, put them into action today! • Which supplements work: Do you need supplements to build a lean mean physique? Which work according to science which ones are a waste of money • Motivation & Goal Setting tips: The most difficult thing probably when trying to get into shape is staying motivated.
The Fit Mom BluePrint by Lindsay Tupper of Paleo Fitness Mama
The Fit Mom Blueprint Program includes
• Manual: Instantly downloadable and printable program manual. • Charts: Special food charts to help you stay on track with your goals. • Workout Program: Exercises designed to be quick but very effective for getting in shape fast! • Video Demonstrations: Videos of all exercise moves. • Meal Plans: Sample meal plans, to make sure you are eating a balanced diet. • Modifications: Special modifications for mothers who are breastfeeding. • Nutrition Tips: Advice on what to eat for optimum fat burning and muscle building. • Fitness Tips: Learn the most effective types of workouts to do to get in shape quick! • Customizable: Select between a beginner and an advanced program to fit your needs. Both are included so move up when you are ready!
1 Day Flat Belly Jumpstart ecourse by Derek Kuryliw
Derek’s program includes
• 21 Day Flat Belly Jumpstart manual • 21 day exercise plan • 21 meal tracker • approved foods list • private access page
Meal Plans
30 day Low Carb Meal Planner by Celeste Ashton of Femme Fit
The 30 Day Low Carb Meal Planner ebook will kick start your weight loss and turn your body into a fat burning machine. The secret to a successful low carb health and weight loss journey is eating foods with a low carbohydrate value, in addition to good sources of fat and protein. This 30 Day Low Carb Meal Planner takes all the stress away as everything has been carefully planned and calculated for you. If you thought low carb eating meant boring foods, you are in for a huge surprise! The recipes are delicious and will delight even the most hardened critic.
What do you get in the 30 Day Low Carb Meal Planner? • Four weeks worth of mouth watering, induction friendly breakfasts, lunches and dinners. • Beautiful color photographs of the recipes you will be eating. • Quick and simple recipes that take no more than 15 minutes to prepare. • For ease of use all recipes are in metric and imperial measurements. • Full nutritional information, calories, kilojoules, fat and protein values, on a per meal basis as well as a comprehensive daily count. • A complimentary BONUS day. • Induction – 14 comprehensive hints and tips. • How to lose weight fast eating low carb. • What is ketosis? • Glossary of low carb and nutritional terms.
7 Day Healthy Meal Plan For Kids from Super Healthy Kids
Eating healthily is so much easier when the whole family is involved. This is a 7 day meal healthy kids meals plan and includes free printables, and a meal planning 101 guide.
Garden
The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil by Susan Vinskofski of Learning and Yearning
The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil e-Book teaches a way to garden that:
• builds healthy soil • is more disease resistant • eliminates the need for toxic pesticides • requires no digging Tomato-Painting • requires little weeding • produces delicious, nutrient-dense vegetables
The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil e-Book includes: • an alphabetical guide to vegetables to help yield a rich harvest from the vegetables you plant in your garden • 10 recipes that use the wonderful nutrient-dense vegetables that you’ll be growing! • 67 downloadable pages
Grow Abundant Herbs & Greens… In Pots! By Nicole Newman
Do you want to easily grow delicious herbs & greens for your green juices, salads, soups & herbal teas? Are you tired of having your herbs turn into ‘dried arrangements’ in pots before you can harvest them? Do you secretly want to feel the satisfaction of saying “I grew that!”?
If you follow the steps in this ebook you’ll be successfully harvesting your own herbs from pots in less than 14 days. Author Nicola Newman is an organic gardening teacher, fine artist and certified Permaculture designer who teaches busy people how to set up low-maintenance, organic gardens to support their health.
Your Mind
Mindset Reset for Weight Loss by Victoria Morrison of Weight Loss Mind Coaching
ebook, mp3 audio and three bonus pdf reports on Thinking Like a Non Binger, Resourceful Beliefs and Mindset and Train Your Brain to Focus.Victoria Morrison is a weight loss mindset expert. 30 years in the health and fitness industry and finally conquering her own binge-eating issues led Victoria into the field of positive psychology. She created Mindset Reset for Weight Loss for smart women who want to drop the struggle and drop their excess weight.
Using CBT, NLP and other modalities, clients quickly transform their mindset and get on track for transforming their bodies permanently. Victoria is passionate about helping others let go of what is holding them back: “It’s easier, faster and more fun than people expect– and the results are amazing. Be your ideal weight and enjoy the experience – why wouldn’t you give that a go?
Detox Your Mind, Transform Your Life by Hong Curley
Ebook and audio. This ebook demonstrates how changing your perspectives and beliefs can heal chronic diseases and transform your life. Packed with deep, profound spiritual and psychological wisdom and knowledge, it will help you instantly detoxify the thoughts and beliefs that make you sick and transform them into beliefs that create harmony, health happiness and unlimited abundance. Fasten your seat belt because you are about to go on an emotional roller-coaster ride with tears, laughter, excitement and wonderment. This book will put a smile on your face, hope in your heart and joy in your soul.
Falling in Love Again by Elizabeth Rose of Life with Elizabeth Rose
Falling in love again has been written especially for you – the woman who is ready to call in love…beginning with love for yourself. You, the beautiful woman who is ready for mega transformation, lofty dreams and lots of JOY. You are yearning to fall in love again with someone special, and/or ready and willing to fall in love again with you and your life.
But… Although you are ready to call in love, you feel stuck. You’re uncertain of your direction in life and you lack self-love and self-confidence. Secretly, you even feel undeserving of love at times. This is the ultimate love-guide for transforming you, your life and your relationships. It is jam-packed full of heart-centered storytelling, challenges around your mind, body and soul, plus loads of tools and how-to’s to tackle each challenge and live life fully and with love.
Self Confidence & Emotional Eating
5 Steps to Overcome Emotional Eating by Kes Cardoso
So many of us struggle to dissociate food with comfort. If you’re sick of yoyo dieting and emotional eating, this is the ebook that could change all of that. This ebook will help you conquer your innate freedom so you can make peace with your emotional – and finally satisfied – belly.
Binge Eating Breakthrough by Chelsea O'Brien of Binge Eating Breakthrough
Here's how to stop binge eating and eat in the way you've always wanted. In this ebook you'll learn the exact steps and specific directions for how to get control over your cravings (even if you've been trying for years). This book takes the guesswork out of how to stop binge eating or compulsive overeating by utilizing resources you already have…but may not have realized how to use effectively. The book explains the simple yet effective way to re-create your relationship with food. How to Stop Binge Eating and Take Control of Your Life! by Kristin Gerstley of End Binge Eating
There is an amazing life just waiting for you once you beat binge eating. This ebook will teach you: An easy-to-follow three-step process to sky rocket recovery and overcome binge eating once and for all The seven factors that may contribute to the development of Binge Eating Disorder according to the latest research and how they affect you The five ways you can achieve a healthy, positive body image right now – even if you are at your lowest point Why dieting is a BIG no-no if you are a binge eater and what steps to take so that you never have to diet again The simple three-step process to finally stop jumping on the “diet of the month” train, while still losing weight The easy to follow four-week plan to see results almost instantly How your daily routine may be adding fuel to your binge A little known technique that will not only help you overcome binge eating, but it will also put you on the fast track of living the life you have always imagined
Nourish Yourself by Anastasia Amour
In a perfection and Photoshop driven culture, so many of us automatically link food with the need to change our bodies. The result? Guilt. Fear. Negativity. Perpetuating the cycle of body loathing, even if we think we aren’t. What we need is to eat out of nothing but the utmost respect for our amazing bodies. What we need is a healthy relationship with food.
Do you: • Spend a lot of time thinking about food? • Feel guilty after you indulge in a treat? • Want to eat healthily, but can’t seem to get out of the cycle of eating junk? • Go through periods of bingeing/purging? • Find yourself putting items in your shopping basket that you don’t really need or want? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, these are all signs that your relationship with food may have some unhealthy elements to it. This guide is for you.
A Teenager's Perspective on Food Restrictions by Erica Braha of Edible Attitudes
This ebook reflects a raw, honest experience of living with food sensitivities… This guide breaks down all of the conflicts that arise when going against the norm of the Standard American Diet in an effort to heal the damage that it causes. Erica dissects these issues and the emotions that accompany them in an effort to help others both understand her experiences and also to help them face their own challenges with greater ease.
Healing What's Eating You by Rev. Ke'ala Vai of Aloha Healing Women
Since 1999 Rev. Ke'ala Vai has successfully helped many women heal at Aloha Healing Women on the Big Island of Hawaii. Knowing that it would be impossible to reach the vast number of people who need help on their path of healing, she has put what has worked for others into Healing What's Eating You. This holistic protocol works for people with eating disorders, abuse issues, grief, weight concerns, emotional and physical illnesses and for those seeking a spiritual path of awakening. Included are self help workshops on Aromatherapy, Complete Cellular Mental Alignments, Crystal Therapy, DYNAMIND, Food Combining for weight loss and management, Ke'ala Kards of Positive thinking, Neural Lingual Programming, Reflexology, Reiki and Stress reduction. Illnesses such as – Abuse, Eating Disorders, Depression, Negative Energies and clearings and Poisons that effect you, are discussed. Alternative methods of healing such as Acupuncture, Dream Analysis, Exercise, Hypnotherapy, Massage and Pet Therapy are explained as options that you might want to explore. Most importantly this book teaches you how your thinking effects every arena of your life. The sections on Manifesting, Prayer, Ke'ala Kards and Spirituality show you how to take your healing path into your own hands. Your thoughts create your reality. No one can heal you, but you and the powers that be. By honoring and learning the lessons from your challenges, you can release them to be free to enjoy a life full of harmony, peace and happiness. Begin your healing now by opening this ebook.
Live to 110 by Weighing Less by Wendy Myers of Live to 110
This is the guide for you if you’ve struggled with yoyo dieting, fad diets, losing weight only to gain it back, emotional eating, unstoppable cravings, fatigue & insomnia. If you tried rigid fad diets, this is the toolkit to help you gain control. You will learn:
• The best diet template for weight loss – The Modern Paleo Diet • 6 Quick Start Rules to get you started losing weight NOW • The 15 habits of highly effective eaters • Fitness tips that really work • How to stop cravings dead in their tracks • Stress reduction techniques • And so much more!
30 Days to a life made full by Shanti Landon of Life Made Full
This ebook will give you everything you need to live life to the full for 30 days, including:
Paleo dinner recipes: 30 days of paleo (grain-free) dinner recipes with photos of each recipe, a list of staples to have in your pantry and a daily shopping list At-home beginner workouts: No special equipment required; workout at your own pace, in your own home Inspirational devotions: Get encouraged and find new perspective; find focus in a different devotion every day, with a new theme each week.
Meditation & Sleep
Jai Release Meditation Program by Julie Piatt
This series of protocols is set to a provocative and ethereal musical backdrop that comprise a comprehensive 30-minute meditation program suitable for both beginners and seasoned practitioners we call JAI RELEASE.
Premised upon an ancient and universal “humming technique,” Following along to Julie’s guided prompts provides easy access to that elusive gap where the thinking mind shuts down – and your soul can breathe. An expert in all matters spiritual, Julie has spent decades studying, pursuing and practicing a wide array of meditation disciplines from all sects and perspectives, travelling the world to collect and test techniques native to a myriad of exotic locales. Of all the techniques she has practiced over her 30 years of healing exploration, the method set forth in JAI RELEASE has proven to be the most powerful, effective and transformative.
Meditation Audio to reprogramme People Pleasing by Louise Thompson
A meditation audio to reprogramme People Pleasing for instant stress relief
When we try to please others by trying to fit with what we perceive their expectations of us to be, we become less of ourselves. Sometimes we give and give so much of ourselves to people pleasing that we do not know our own wants and preferences any more, much less realise they are just as valid and important as anyone else’s needs. This is a crying shame. The meditation audio will help you reprogram and give your own needs the importance they deserve.
Also get two Two free chapters of Louise’s ebook, “The Busy Woman’s Guide to High Energy Happiness”.
Deep Sleep Every Night by Glenn Harrold and Hypnosis Audio
Join the thousands of people who have overcome their sleep disorders and insomnia by using this superb, high quality hypnosis MP3 by Glenn Harrold – the UK's best-selling self-help audio author with sales of 4,000,000.
Insomnia and other sleep problems are often caused by stress, anxiety and a busy mind at bedtime. Glenn's highly acclaimed hypnotherapy techniques and audio production will help you overcome these problems in a completely safe and natural way. Also includes a pdf guide to self- hypnosis
The Stress Buster ecourse by Mark Laham of The New Yoga
You experience everything through your Nervous System. Understand how the mindbody connection is working together, and how that understanding can lead to a happier, healthier, stress free life.
Eliminate the stress from your life by stopping them right at the source
Increase Energy, and focus so you have juice left over at the end of the day
Improve over all health and wellness
Learn to stay calm in the middle of chaos
Learn to take charge of your life
Over 10 audio mp3 lectures and 1.5 hours of content!
Discounts
Not only do you get all the products above, but we've also lined up some great discounts you can use right away!
Save 20% at Bare Bones
Bare Bones make broth the old-fashioned way. No junk, no fillers, no flavorings, just real food—the kind recommended for GAPS, paleo and Weston A. Price lifestyles, among others. And the kind our ancestors knew was essential to good health. We use only bones from animals that lived the good life because what goes into the animals body goes into our body. Save 20% off your basket (code valid until 4/18/15 at 11:59 PST) Ships inside United States Only.
Save 15% at Kasandrinos International
Kasandrinos International is a small company owned and operated by Tony and Effi Kasandrinos. They sell premium extra virgin olive oil that is imported directly from olive groves in the Sparta region of Greece. Save 15% on your order (ships internationally)
50% Discount at PaleoPops
A Paleo Pop is Nutrient Dense Energy Bite made with wholesome ingredients. These superfood treats are packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants & full of energy. Save 50% off your order. Ships inside United States Only.
10% discount at Bulletproof
Bulletproof offers products to help people to reach a state of high performance and achieve their full potential, mentally and physically. Get the original Bulletproof coffee here. The code is limit one per user, excludes kits and tech, and is valid until April 20.
Got any questions about the bundle sale?
Check out the FAQ's page – chances are it's been answered there!
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/UWL-Easter-Bundle-Weight-Loss-paleo-health-summit-min.jpg?fit=680%2C680&ssl=1680680PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-04-04 20:24:522025-06-27 14:05:31What’s in The Weight Loss Bundle?
When switching over to a real-food, paleo diet, one of the things so many people really struggle with is giving up the soft drinks. They’re addictive, reallyaddictive. An awful lot of people, almost exclusively, drink cans of diet coke during the day, switching to glasses of diet coke at home.
Years ago we were told it’s fine if it’s a diet soda. They have no calories! They have “diet” in the name. They’re virtually a health food.
I’ve already written a lot about why soft drinks are so bad for us (perhaps especially the diet versions) and might even result in violence, so today – let’s get practical. If you’ve been used to drinking soda after soda – how can you quit this habit?
Well, whilst it may seem impossible, it isn’t. Honestly, you’ve got this. Here’s my 7 step guide to giving up the fizzy drinks.
1) Commit. You’ve read the reasons why soda is bad – you’ve decided you want to stop. Now it’s time to get serious.
2) Get rid. If you’ve got some soda bottles stashed in your fridge, or some cans in your draw at work, it’s time to get rid of them. You’ve got to be kind to yourself and give yourself the best chance of success – keep fizzy drinks at arm’s reach won’t help you! If you hate to be wasteful, donate them to someone who’d appreciate them.
3) Work out an alternative. I highly recommend sparkling water, at least initially (you can even carbonate your own water). The bubbles will replace the bubbles you’re used to and make it far more interesting than still water. Add in a slice of lime for a bit more flavour. Herbal teas are another great alternative and don’t need any sugar or milk to make a great drink. Kombucha is a perfect alternative too – it’s got a slight fizz and sweetness and has the bonus of being incredibly good for you. Steer clear of juices – there’s no point in replacing one sugary drink for another.
4) Keep hydrated. Make sure you don’t quit the soda in isolation – you’ve got to replace it with another fluid to avoid dehydration! Keep a note of how much you’re drinking to make sure you’re having enough.
5) Expect withdrawal. Your fizzy drink of choice may have had a lot of caffeine. Expect your body to miss this regular caffeine hit. If you want to go cold turkey, expect headaches, and know that you will get through it in a few days. Otherwise, you might choose to replace the soda caffeine with more coffee or tea temporarily. When you’ve successfully ditched the soft drinks, you can start to reduce your coffee intake gradually.
6) As a mixer? So you’re doing really well during the week – but at weekends your go-to drink is a spirit with a fizzy drink mixer? Don’t slip back – try soda water, tonic or just ice as a mixer instead!
7) Off the rails. If you really really NEED a can of soft drink, if you just MUST have some – drink a big glass of water first, and take a five minute walk. If you still really need that drink, go ahead, have a small glass, but make sure you enjoy it and don’t punish yourself for it – you can get straight back on the wagon without sabotaging your amazing effort!
Are you a reformed soft drink addict? How did you quit?
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/7-steps-to-wean-yourself-off-soda-fizzy-drinks-coke-min.jpg?fit=680%2C680&ssl=1680680PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-04-02 09:00:412025-05-31 17:05:557 Steps to Wean Yourself Off Soda
Just a few weeks ago I converted the old sand pit that the previous occupants of my house had left behind, to a vegetable patch. Well, when I say converted, I mean mixed some topsoil into the sand. I also re-purposed an old archway they’d left behind into a climbing frame for some green beans.
I put in loads of different seeds to see what would work, and basically forgot about them – until yesterday I saw 28 fully grown beans climbing up the arch! The basil is also working well, but it looks like the spinach I planted has been a bit too much of a hit with the slugs.
I’d love to become completely self-sufficient, even if just for vegetables – hopefully with a bit more experimentation I’ll be able to plant more of what works and abandon planting seeds that have no chance in my garden.
Vegetables are surprisingly expensive to buy – and there’s no choice. There are perhaps three varieties of tomatoes, one type of zucchini, two spinach varieties – whereas in the real world there are hundreds of varieties. Take the beans as an example, they’re currently about $5 a kilo at my local supermarket (non-organic). I bought the entire packet of seeds for $1.50 and it looks like I’m going to get quite a big crop.
I also love the idea of being able to pick my dinner off the vine/ plant immediately before cooking it. You really can’t get any fresher than that! Of course, I can also guarantee that my veg hasn’t been sprayed with nasty chemicals, so that’s another huge win. And what can be more satisfying than eating the rewards of your labour!
I’m hoping that since temperatures never really get down to a frost here, I’ll be able to grow something all year round. But failing that hopefully with the aid of my dehydrator, some pickling recipes and my freezer, I should be able to wean off buying my veggies from the supermarket.
Whilst I have got a garden, I’m hardly using any space for my veg – if you’ve just got a balcony, or can squeeze in a window box, you’d be amazed what you can grow – give it a try!
Getting the Most Out of a Small Garden
If you’re working with limited space, don’t be discouraged. In fact, some of the most productive gardens come from small, well-managed plots or containers. Vertical gardening is a game-changer — climbing frames, trellises, and even hanging baskets can help maximise growing space and improve airflow around plants. For things like tomatoes, cucumbers, peas and of course, beans, growing upwards rather than outwards means a bigger harvest from less ground.
Raised beds are another great option, particularly if your garden has poor soil. They allow for better drainage and give you full control over what goes into the soil. A mix of compost, aged manure and topsoil can create a nutrient-dense base that supports a wide range of crops. Raised beds also make it easier to access your veggies without bending or kneeling, which is a bonus if you're out there every day weeding or harvesting.
Planning for Year-Round Produce
Here in Australia, the relatively mild winters mean that year-round growing is more than possible in many regions. Even in cooler areas, with a bit of protection like cold frames, row covers, or greenhouse tunnels, you can continue to harvest fresh food right through the colder months.
Try planting cool-weather crops like kale, silverbeet, beetroot, carrots, broccoli, and radishes as your summer crops begin to fade. You can stagger your plantings to ensure a constant supply and make use of microclimates in your garden — sunny walls, sheltered corners or areas with slightly warmer soil. Keeping a simple planting diary can help you track what grows well and when, making next year’s garden even more successful.
Companion Planting for Natural Pest Control
One of the most effective ways to grow food without relying on chemicals is by planting strategically. Companion planting pairs crops that help each other thrive. For example, basil can improve the flavour of tomatoes while deterring pests. Marigolds planted near beans or zucchinis can help ward off aphids and whiteflies. Nasturtiums are excellent decoys, drawing pests away from your main crops.
Incorporating herbs throughout your vegetable beds not only boosts biodiversity but helps mask the scent of your crops from unwanted visitors. You’ll find fewer pests and a more resilient garden overall — and of course, having fresh herbs at your fingertips is a culinary bonus.
Making Use of Every Harvest
When your garden starts to flourish, you may find yourself with more produce than you can eat fresh. That’s where preserving methods like fermenting, freezing and drying come in handy. With a dehydrator, you can turn tomato gluts into sun-dried tomatoes, or kale into crunchy chips. Herbs can be dried and stored in jars to use all year round. Fermenting is another easy option — think homemade sauerkraut, kimchi or pickled cucumbers using basic brine and spices.
Freezing is ideal for things like spinach, green beans, chopped zucchini and cooked tomato sauces. Just be sure to blanch vegetables first to lock in colour, flavour and nutrients. Label everything clearly and rotate your freezer stock so nothing goes to waste.
Seed Saving and Swapping
Once you’ve had success with a few crops, you might consider saving seeds from your best plants. This not only saves money but encourages plants that are naturally adapted to your soil and climate. Start with easy ones like beans, peas, tomatoes and chillies — just be sure to dry the seeds thoroughly and store them in a cool, dark place.
Joining a local seed swap or gardening group can also be a great way to expand your collection without buying expensive seed packets. Many communities run informal exchanges or even host seasonal meetups where people trade seedlings, cuttings and gardening tips.
Creating a Low-Maintenance System
Gardening doesn’t have to be time-consuming if you set up systems that work for you. Mulching around plants helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil quality as it breaks down. Using a drip irrigation system or even recycled grey water can reduce watering time and keep your crops happy during dry spells.
Regular feeding with compost tea or seaweed solution helps boost plant health naturally. And if you keep compost bins or worm farms, you’ll always have access to nutrient-rich organic matter to top up your beds — no store-bought fertiliser required.
The Satisfaction of Growing Your Own
There’s something truly rewarding about eating a meal where every vegetable came from your own backyard. It’s not just the taste — which is almost always better than store-bought — but the satisfaction of knowing you planted the seed, nurtured it, and harvested it yourself. Gardening connects you with the food you eat in a way that buying from the supermarket simply can’t match.
Even failures are part of the learning process. You’ll discover which crops do well in your microclimate, which pests to watch for, and what soil amendments your patch might need. Over time, you’ll refine your approach, and your garden will become more productive, more resilient, and more tailored to your needs.
Start Small, Grow Big
If you’ve been thinking about starting a veggie patch but haven’t yet taken the plunge, there’s no better time to get started. You don’t need acres of space — even a few pots on a balcony can yield fresh herbs, salad greens, or cherry tomatoes. The key is to begin with a few easy crops, build confidence, and expand from there. You’ll be amazed at what a small plot of soil and a little sunlight can provide.
I’d love to hear if you grow your own veggies, and what you’ve had most success with! Any tips would be gratefully received!
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Grow-your-own-veggies-vegetable-patch-organic-gardening-Paleo-Network-3-min.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1600600PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-03-28 18:04:092025-06-01 18:17:21Why I’m growing my own veggies
Whenever I even mention the b word I get called out. Yep, apparently bacon is highly processed and must be avoided at all costs.
But is it really bad?
Almost everything we eat is processed in one way or another. We buy our meat cut, or maybe ground. We buy our meat dried or frozen. When I think of processed meat, I think of meat that has been ground up, combined with chemicals and other dubious ingredients and given a completely new form and shape (think “chicken” nuggets and hot dogs). Bacon is not processed like this.
Why is bacon so different?
Bacon has been around for a long time, from the days we needed to preserve our meat to enable us to keep it for longer without it going bad. I don’t think the fact it’s preserved is the issue – the issue is how it’s preserved – and there are a lot of differences here.
Traditionally, bacon would have been preserved using salt, but since we’ve all got so worried about the wrong things being unhealthy, we now avoid sodium like the plague – so many modern techniques use ingredients that are a long way from natural, to preserve the meat.
If you’ve looked at the ingredients on packs on bacon, you’ll have seen huge differences. Looking at my local store, they offer bacon with contents between 83% and 95% pork – clearly the lower pork content bacon is to be given a wide berth.
But what about the other ingredients in packages bacon? Here are the ingredients I found, in various quantities:
But did you know you can get bacon uncured, without any of this? If you have a butcher like mine, you’ll be able to get pasture raised uncured bacon, without any of these additional ingredients.
What about nitrates?
Nitrates are a big talking point when it comes to bacon. Well, even unprocessed bacon contains nitrates naturally, and believe it or not celery is high in nitrates – and we don’t see warnings on sticks of celery. For more information on why dietary nitrates aren’t a bad thing – check out these studies: Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure in Humans: Role for Nitrite-Derived NO Hypertension, 2010, 56, 274-271 and Dietary Inorganic Nitrate Improves Mitochondrial Efficiency in Humans.Cell Metabolism, 2011, 13, 149-159.
As for the sodium, when you eat a natural paleo diet – it’s often actually a good thing to get more sodium into your diet.
And the fat content?
Of course, a huge argument against bacon is the saturated fat content. Yes, bacon is a lot higher in fat than turkey. But I don’t need to tell you why eating fat is not a problem, do I?
What do you think about bacon? Do you eat it often? Where do you get yours?
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Is-bacon-really-bad-unhealthy-nitrates-processed-paleo-min.jpg?fit=450%2C450&ssl=1450450PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-03-25 14:51:382025-05-25 10:52:17Is Bacon Really So Bad?
Have you ever tried meditating? Perhaps you’ve dismissed it as being a bit too hippy and new age? Or wouldn’t know where to start?
Well I’m here to convince you why you should give it a go!
What is meditation?
I really like this description by Jon Kabat-Zinn:
[meditation is] paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment
Why should you do it?
Meditation has been shown to physically change your brain, just 27 minutes a day has been shown to increase grey matter after just six weeks.
Meditation reduces inflammation
Immune function is increased with regular practice
Pain decreases
It increases happiness whilst lowering depression, stress and anxiety
It enhances compassion and emotional intelligence
It allows you to control your emotions far better
Your focus and attention span will increase with Meditation practice
Your memory will also improve
If you have any type of sleep issues, there is a lot of evidence suggesting a mediation practice could make a substantial difference
But how?
It’s definitely not easy, but you can start right now. The more time you spend practicing, the better you’ll get at it, and the more you’ll benefit. You don’t need anything to start, nor do you have to sit in a funny position or chant or spend the whole day doing it. Even if you only have ten minute spare, that will be a perfect place to start. There is an old Zen saying:
“You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you are too busy, then you should sit for an hour.”
I find the best way to start is to sit somewhere quiet, where you won’t be interrupted. You want it to be light and airy – the aim here is not to fall asleep. I repeat: You do not want to fall asleep! Sit comfortable and focus on your breath. As you breathe in, notice the sensation of the air entering your nose. Notice the breath as you pause before you exhale. As you exhale, again, notice the sensation of the warm air leaving your body.
Thoughts will keep entering your mind, but the trick is to not chase these thoughts. Let them enter your mind and let them exit, without taking part. I like to think of it like a blue sky with lots of balloons. As a balloon (a thought) comes into your vision (awareness), instead of taking hold of the string, just watch it float away. If a thought pops in your head about what you’re going to make for dinner tonight, don’t engage with it and start thinking about what ingredients you have in the fridge. Just acknowledge the thought as if you’re just an observer
You know sometimes when your phone or computer start acting up and you have to restart? This is how I think of meditation. It’s giving your brain a break from the constant chasing of thoughts. But it’s also very different to sleep. When did you last give your mind a break?
If you’re new to meditation, it’s so much easier to get started with guided meditations instead of trying on your own for the first time. I go to classes, but there are so many great mp3’s and free youtube meditations that will help.
I’d love to hear your meditation experiences and tips.
How Meditation Fits into a Paleo Lifestyle
You might be wondering why meditation is being discussed on a Paleo blog. But when you think about it, the Paleo lifestyle isn’t just about what you eat – it’s about how you live. Stress, chronic overwhelm, and modern distractions are not part of our evolutionary design. Our ancestors weren’t glued to screens, juggling 20 tabs in their brain at once. Meditation is a simple, ancestral way to restore calm and clarity – something we desperately need in the modern world.
Regular meditation can help regulate cortisol levels, improve sleep, and support better decision-making – all things that support your Paleo goals. When you're calm and focused, you're more likely to eat intentionally, sleep well, and move your body with purpose. These are foundational habits, and meditation helps reinforce them.
If you’re curious about how to get started, try short guided sessions through apps like Insight Timer or Calm. Or keep it old-school: sit, breathe, and observe your thoughts. It’s all part of tuning in, not checking out.
🧘♀️ What does meditation look like for you? Share your experiences in the comments – I’d love to hear how it’s helped (or challenged!) you.
Creating a Consistent Meditation Habit
One of the most common hurdles with meditation is consistency. We know it helps. We know it feels good. But somehow, life gets in the way. The good news is that building a meditation habit doesn’t require discipline so much as it requires structure. Just as you might meal prep on a Sunday or schedule your workouts, the same principle applies to your mindfulness practice.
Try attaching meditation to an existing habit. For example, sit for five minutes before your morning coffee, or wind down with ten minutes before bed. You can even create a ritual around it – light a candle, make a cup of herbal tea, or use a specific meditation cushion to anchor the habit. These simple cues signal to your brain that it's time to be present.
Remember, there’s no perfect way to meditate. You don’t need incense, Himalayan bells, or to silence every thought. Some days your mind will wander relentlessly. Other days, you might drop into stillness easily. The key is to keep showing up – without judgement.
Forms of Meditation You Can Explore
Just like there are different Paleo approaches depending on your lifestyle, there are many meditation styles – and you don’t have to stick to just one. Here are a few popular types to explore:
Mindfulness meditation: Focuses on observing thoughts and sensations without attachment. Great for beginners.
Body scan meditation: A gentle way to bring awareness to physical sensations, often used for relaxation or pain relief.
Loving-kindness meditation (Metta): Cultivates compassion towards yourself and others by silently repeating positive phrases.
Breath awareness: Involves concentrating on the rhythm of your breath. Especially useful during stressful moments.
Walking meditation: Combines movement with mindfulness and is a great alternative if sitting still feels difficult.
There’s no need to force yourself into a style that doesn’t suit you. Play with different approaches and see what resonates. What matters most is how you feel after – calmer, more grounded, and more aware.
Using Meditation to Break the Stress-Eating Cycle
Have you ever noticed how quickly we reach for snacks when we’re overwhelmed? Stress eating isn’t about hunger – it’s a coping mechanism. Meditation helps create a crucial pause between the feeling and the impulse. That pause is where you can make a different choice.
By building awareness through meditation, you become more attuned to your emotions and physical sensations. You might notice the tightness in your chest before the biscuit in your hand. Or realise that what you really need is to take a break, not eat. Meditation strengthens this self-awareness muscle and helps you respond rather than react.
This awareness doesn’t just apply to food. It helps with sleep, movement, relationships, and how you handle life’s curveballs. The more you meditate, the more you build that internal resilience – something that’s arguably just as valuable as nutrition or fitness in a modern Paleo lifestyle.
Meditation and Your Nervous System
We often talk about diet and inflammation, but rarely do we talk about the nervous system in the context of healing. Yet it’s one of the most important pieces. Chronic stress keeps your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) activated. This can suppress digestion, disrupt sleep, and even inhibit fat loss and muscle repair.
Meditation is one of the most effective tools for activating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). This not only supports gut health but creates a fertile environment for the body to heal, repair, and thrive. It’s not woo-woo – it’s physiology. When your body feels safe, it functions better.
Start Small, Stay Curious
If the idea of sitting in stillness feels daunting, start small. One minute. Two minutes. Just enough to tune in and notice what’s going on inside. Maybe your breath is shallow. Maybe your shoulders are tense. Maybe you haven’t exhaled fully all day. This simple act of noticing is the beginning of mindfulness.
You don’t need to clear your mind or become a monk. You just need to listen in. Over time, these small moments of presence add up – and ripple out into every part of your day.
You Already Have What You Need
The best part about meditation? It’s free, portable, and always available. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive apps (though they can help). All you need is your breath and a bit of time. Whether it’s a few deep breaths in traffic, a moment of stillness before lunch, or a wind-down ritual before sleep – you can begin right now.
So if you’ve been curious but hesitant, take this as your sign to give it a go. You might be surprised how just a few minutes a day can completely shift the way you feel, think, and move through the world.
🧘 Still unsure? Try it for a week – five minutes a day. Then notice the difference. Let me know how you go – I’d love to hear what shifts for you.
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/10-Reasons-Meditate-Meditation-Mindfullness-buddhism-Primal-Paleo-Network-min.jpg?fit=680%2C680&ssl=1680680PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-03-05 00:22:192025-05-30 15:18:33Why Meditation Might Be the Best Thing You Do Today
Antibiotics are a touchy subject. There is a lot of overuse (you hear all the time about doctors prescribing them straight away, without even being sure what the issue is) and resistance is becoming a real problem.
Whilst I’d love to say I’d never take them, there are certain situations where antibiotics truly are a modern miracle. In fact, I took them not so long ago when I found out I was host to an unwelcome parasite. The problem with antibiotics, is that as well as killing off the infection, they also kill off all of the good bacteria in our gut.
With diminished good bacterial colonies in the gut, this can significantly reduce your immune system and mess with your hormone balance. But it doesn't have to be permanent. Here are some steps you can take to help your gut to repair as soon as you've finished the course of antibiotics.
1. Eat strict paleo
So perhaps you’re clean eating had lapsed slightly before your antibiotics – but now is the time to get back on the wagon. Ditch anything processed and eat real, whole foods, keeping sugar (from natural sources) and carbohydrates low whilst you’re healing.
2. Eat fermented foods everyday
Have some kombucha, sauerkraut, yoghurt or kimchi ready to go. Fermented foods will help to re-introduce probiotics to your gut – so make sure to mix up your fermented foods and eat them regularly. You can also look at probiotic supplements.
3. You've taken care of probiotics – don’t forget prebiotics
Soluble fibre such as that provided from root vegetables and peeled fruit is a great way to feed the good bacteria you need to re-establish.
4. Eat bone broth
Said to be able to resurrect the dead, bone broth is the ideal nourishment after your course of antibiotics. It will help support your liver and digestive system –so make sure you have a big batch ready to go.
Ok, so I've added a few more things…
5. Prioritise Sleep and Stress Management
Rest is one of the most overlooked components of recovery, but it’s absolutely essential after a course of antibiotics. Quality sleep allows your body to rebuild, repair tissues, and regulate immune function — all of which are vital when your gut is healing. Aim for at least 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night, and try to maintain a consistent bedtime. If you're struggling with sleep, reducing screen time before bed and using natural light during the day can help reset your circadian rhythm.
Equally important is managing stress. Chronic stress impacts the gut-brain axis and can hinder gut repair. Mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, and even spending time in nature have been shown to reduce cortisol levels and support digestive health. The gut is incredibly sensitive to emotional and psychological stress, so make self-care a part of your post-antibiotic protocol.
6. Remove Gut Irritants
Even if you’re eating a strict paleo diet, now is a good time to take it a step further by eliminating any known gut irritants. This might mean avoiding eggs, nightshades, nuts, or high-FODMAP foods temporarily if you suspect sensitivity. These foods, while healthy for many, can provoke inflammation in a compromised gut. Focus on easy-to-digest meals like soft cooked vegetables, slow-cooked meats, and broths while you rebuild gut integrity.
Additionally, consider reducing caffeine and alcohol intake during your recovery. Both can irritate the gut lining, impair liver function, and disrupt your sleep — all of which slow down healing. Once you’ve re-established gut balance and overall wellness, you can reintroduce these elements mindfully, if they suit your lifestyle.
7. Support Your Liver
Your liver plays a huge role in detoxification — and after antibiotics, it’s likely working overtime. Supporting liver health can make a big difference in how quickly your body bounces back. Incorporate liver-friendly foods like leafy greens, beetroot, lemon, and dandelion tea. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower also help increase your liver’s natural detoxification enzymes.
Supplements such as milk thistle, turmeric, and NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) can support liver regeneration and antioxidant status, but it’s always best to check with a healthcare provider before introducing new supplements, especially post-antibiotics. Your focus should be on supporting the liver gently and naturally through nourishing foods and hydration.
8. Reintroduce Movement – Gently
While your energy may be lower after illness and antibiotics, light movement can support lymphatic drainage, circulation, and digestion. Gentle walks, stretching, or even slow yoga flows are excellent ways to stimulate the body without over-exerting it. Movement also helps regulate stress, boost endorphins, and support healthy sleep — all essential during your recovery phase.
If you feel up to it, increase intensity gradually as your energy returns. Be mindful of how your body responds to exercise post-antibiotics, and don’t push through fatigue. Recovery is not a race, and overtraining can set you back rather than speed up the healing process.
9. Track Your Symptoms and Progress
Everyone’s microbiome is unique, so it’s a good idea to track your progress during recovery. You may want to keep a food and symptom journal for a few weeks to identify patterns. Pay attention to bloating, bowel movements, skin changes, mood, and energy levels — all of these are connected to gut health. If you’re noticing lingering symptoms such as fatigue, digestive issues, or new food sensitivities, it might be worth consulting with a functional medicine practitioner or naturopath to assess your gut more thoroughly.
There are also comprehensive stool tests available that can give insight into your current gut bacteria, the presence of pathogens, and levels of inflammation. While not always necessary after a single course of antibiotics, they can be helpful for those recovering from multiple rounds or long-term gut dysfunction.
10. Be Cautious with Future Use
Once you’ve been through the process of rebuilding your gut microbiome, you’ll likely be more mindful about when antibiotics are truly necessary. Not every cold or sore throat needs medication — in many cases, your body can heal with rest, hydration, and immune-supporting nutrition. The more we use antibiotics for minor issues, the greater the risk of antibiotic resistance, and the more damage we may be doing to our gut ecosystems.
If you do need antibiotics in the future, prepare your body ahead of time. Eat fermented foods, reduce sugar intake, and start a probiotic supplement alongside your medication (at a separate time of day to avoid immediate neutralisation). Continue the protocol of bone broth, prebiotics, and stress reduction throughout the course and for several weeks afterward.
Final Thoughts on Gut Recovery
While antibiotics can be life-saving when used appropriately, they come with consequences — particularly for your gut health. Fortunately, your body has an amazing capacity to heal when given the right support. By eating a wholefood paleo diet, prioritising rest, reducing stress, and nourishing your gut with probiotics, prebiotics, and broth, you can significantly reduce the disruption caused by antibiotics and bounce back stronger than before.
As always, stay in tune with your body. If something doesn’t feel right or symptoms persist, seek advice from a healthcare professional who understands gut health from a holistic perspective. Your microbiome is a living, responsive ecosystem — treat it well and it will return the favour.
What’s your approach to antibiotics? Have you taken many courses?
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/4-things-you-must-do-after-a-course-of-antibiotics-min.jpg?fit=680%2C680&ssl=1680680PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-03-01 00:17:312025-06-01 18:19:394 things you must do after a course of antibiotics
Do you get enough Vitamin D? Luckily we seem to be coming out of the sun-fearing era slightly, but even so, with so many of us in office jobs, it can be really hard to get enough vitamin D.
Whilst some foods are fortified with vitamin D, they aren't natural whole foods-and even so, the amount they provide is tiny compared to the levels you can get naturally, from the sun.
There’s no substitute for getting regular blood tests to find out exactly where your vitamin D levels are sitting, but did you know certain symptoms may indicate a deficiency?
How’s your mood?
Sunlight boosts serotonin levels, which are associated with our mood. If you’re feeling inexplicably blue, vitamin D is definitely worth investigating.
You have darker skin
The darker your skin, the more sun exposure you’ll need to get sufficient vitamin D levels. This means if you have darker skin and live further from the equator – or spend a lot of time indoors, you’re more likely to be deficient
You’re in pain
If you have bone or muscle pain, this could also point to low vitamin D levels. In fact, most muscle weakness appears to be linked to low levels of vitamin D.
You’re tired
If you’re generally feeling fatigued, this could be because you don’t have enough of the vitamin D required for its role in energy production.
Respiratory issues
Another potential symptom is chronic respiratory problems such as asthma – it’s been observed that higher vitamin D levels can decrease the severity of asthma attacks.
You’re overweight
Being overweight means you need move vitamin D in your system, since its fat soluble – whilst decreased levels also make it harder to lose weight.
You get every infection and bug going around
Vitamin D plays an important role in your immune system – so if you’re catching one thing after another, get those levels checked!
Getting Vitamin D Naturally: Smart Sun Exposure
The best and most efficient way to get vitamin D is through direct sun exposure on bare skin. But how much is enough? That depends on a few factors — your skin tone, location, time of year, and how much skin you expose. In Australia, spending around 10 to 20 minutes in the sun between 10am and 3pm (depending on the season and your location) can be sufficient for many people. However, in winter months or for those living in the southern states, more time may be needed to maintain adequate levels.
It’s important to find a balance between safe sun exposure and avoiding overexposure. Brief, frequent periods in the sun are generally safer and more beneficial than occasional long sunbathing sessions. Aim to expose areas like your arms, legs, or back without sunscreen for a short time, then apply protection if you're going to be outdoors longer.
Why Supplementation May Be Necessary
For many of us, especially those working indoors, living in urban environments or with darker skin tones, regular sun exposure isn’t always possible. In these cases, vitamin D supplements can be a useful tool. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is the most effective form for supplementation, and it’s often recommended to take it with a fat-containing meal to improve absorption, as it’s a fat-soluble vitamin.
The dosage varies depending on your current levels, but many health practitioners suggest 1000 to 5000 IU per day as a general maintenance dose for adults. However, a blood test is the only way to know your baseline and the correct dose you may need. Too much vitamin D can be toxic, so it's important to supplement mindfully and under professional guidance.
Food Sources of Vitamin D
While food won’t give you enough vitamin D to rely on exclusively, it can still help you top up your levels. Natural food sources include:
Oily fish: Salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring are among the richest sources.
Egg yolks: Free-range eggs have higher levels of vitamin D than caged varieties.
Beef liver: Not for everyone’s taste, but a traditional nutrient powerhouse.
Mushrooms: Specifically UV-exposed varieties like portobello or shiitake can provide some vitamin D2.
These foods can complement your sun exposure or supplementation, but most won’t provide sufficient levels on their own, particularly in winter or during periods of limited sunlight.
The Link Between Vitamin D and Hormonal Health
Vitamin D plays a key role in hormone regulation, particularly in supporting reproductive and thyroid health. In women, low levels have been linked to PMS, PCOS, and even fertility issues. For men, vitamin D is essential for testosterone production and overall hormonal balance. A deficiency can contribute to mood instability, fatigue, and reduced libido in both sexes.
As many people on a paleo diet focus on rebalancing their hormones through real food and lifestyle changes, optimising vitamin D is a critical piece of the puzzle. Ensuring adequate levels helps stabilise mood, supports adrenal function, and enhances resilience to stress.
Vitamin D and Bone Density
Most people associate calcium with bone strength, but vitamin D is just as important — if not more so. Without enough vitamin D, your body struggles to absorb calcium from food. This means even if you’re consuming plenty of bone broth, leafy greens and sardines, you may not be benefiting fully if your vitamin D status is low.
In older adults, low vitamin D levels are associated with increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. For younger people, ensuring adequate levels helps lay the foundation for strong bones later in life. If you follow a dairy-free paleo diet, monitoring your vitamin D becomes even more crucial for maintaining skeletal health.
Children and Vitamin D Deficiency
Children need vitamin D for proper growth, immune support and bone development. In Australia, where the slip, slop, slap campaign has successfully raised awareness about sun safety, many children now get very little unfiltered sun exposure. This has led to a resurgence of rickets in some areas — a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency resulting in soft, weak bones.
If you’re raising your kids on a paleo lifestyle, make sure they get some time in the sun each day. Encouraging outdoor play not only boosts vitamin D but also supports mental health, physical fitness and sleep. In cases where sun exposure is limited, a child-specific vitamin D supplement may be recommended by your healthcare provider.
When to Get Your Levels Checked
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned earlier — from fatigue to frequent illness or mood swings — a simple blood test for 25-hydroxyvitamin D can give you answers. The ideal range varies by practitioner, but most integrative and functional medicine experts suggest levels between 75 to 120 nmol/L for optimal health (higher than the minimum reference range used in conventional medicine).
In Australia, you may need to request this test specifically from your GP, and it may not always be bulk billed, depending on your symptoms or medical history. Regardless, it’s a worthwhile investment if you suspect your vitamin D levels are suboptimal — especially heading into winter.
Final Thoughts on Vitamin D and Paleo Living
For those living a paleo lifestyle, vitamin D is one of the few nutrients that can’t be reliably obtained from food alone. It’s essential for immunity, mental wellbeing, hormonal balance, bone health, and energy levels. With so many people spending their days inside under artificial light, it's not surprising that deficiency is common — even here in sun-blessed Australia.
Whether it’s stepping outside for some midday sunshine, including wild-caught oily fish in your weekly menu, or taking a high-quality supplement after checking your blood levels, taking action to maintain healthy vitamin D levels will support every aspect of your health and wellbeing.
When was the last time you made a conscious effort to get some sun? It might just be the missing link in your wellness routine.
When did you last get your levels checked? Were you deficient?
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/7-signs-deficient-vitamin-d-sunshine-paleo-network-min.jpg?fit=450%2C450&ssl=1450450PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-02-26 00:18:482025-06-01 18:20:277 Signs You’re Deficient in Vitamin D
I've bought frozen fruit quite a few times recently. It’s often far cheaper than the fresh equivalent, and it’s far less wasteful, since I don’t eat a lot of fruit. In the summer it’s great for a quick frozen dessert too.
So I’ve been horrified to read about the recent contamination recall on frozen mixed berries. Apparently certain packs have been recalled due to a potential Hepatitis A contamination. It hasn't been long since the horse meat scandal, but this seems so much worse, since the only ingredient in these packs is the fruit. With the hose meat contamination, it seemed to be mainly in heavily processed foods.
With illness starting up to 28 days after exposure to the Hepatitis virus, it may not even be clear yet how widespread the issue is. The official advice is now to boil berries before eating – but really, who does this?
The other shocker with this latest recall, is that the fruit in question is from China and Chile. I meticulously check where any fish and seafood I buy comes from, but had naively assumed the fruit would be domestic.
It really begs the question how can the contaminate have got into the product in the first place? Contamination often seems to occur through transfer of fecal matter from an infected person. Unbelievable that in this day and age of health and safety standards that could happen.
After hearing about this latest scare, I'm going to freeze my own fruit from now on. It’s going to be local fruit, washed and organic. It seems to be the only way to ensure you actually know what you’re eating.
How Safe Is Imported Produce?
The recent frozen berry contamination highlights a much bigger issue — the risks associated with imported produce. While Australia has strict food safety regulations, imported food is subject to different standards. Despite some testing, not all shipments are thoroughly screened. Many countries that export produce to Australia have lower hygiene standards, and even if a supplier is following guidelines, cross-contamination during harvesting, processing, or packaging can still occur.
When we rely on imported food, we’re often in the dark about the conditions it was grown, handled, and packaged in. The cost savings might seem appealing at first glance, but it comes at the expense of transparency and control. Buying local doesn’t just support Australian farmers — it drastically reduces the chain of custody, making it easier to trace and trust the food you eat.
Why Boiling Berries Isn't the Answer
The advice to boil frozen berries before consumption might sound like a simple fix, but it’s far from practical. Berries are often used in smoothies, desserts, and raw dishes where texture and flavour matter. Boiling them alters the consistency and can destroy the very nutrients that make berries such a healthy addition to your diet — particularly vitamin C and antioxidants, which are heat-sensitive.
More importantly, the need to boil fruit before eating should be a red flag in itself. We shouldn’t have to cook our food just to make it safe from viral contamination. This approach treats the symptom, not the cause. Instead, the focus should be on securing clean supply chains and demanding better oversight from food regulators.
The Value of Seasonal, Local Fruit
One of the best ways to avoid imported frozen fruit is to buy local produce when it’s in season and freeze it yourself. Not only is this safer, but it’s often cheaper, and the taste is superior. Strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes, when bought at peak season, can be frozen at home and used later with no compromise in quality.
Look for local farmers markets, co-ops, or fruit picking opportunities in your region. These often provide the freshest fruit with minimal handling, and you’ll be supporting local growers who take pride in their standards. Freezing your own fruit allows you to control everything — from the moment the fruit is picked to how it's stored and used.
How to Freeze Fruit at Home
If you’ve never frozen your own fruit before, it’s easier than you might think. Here’s how to do it safely and effectively:
Choose ripe, unblemished fruit: Wash thoroughly and allow to air dry.
Slice if needed: Cut larger fruit like mangoes or peaches into bite-sized pieces.
Pre-freeze: Spread fruit in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper and freeze until solid. This stops clumping.
Store: Transfer to freezer-safe zip lock bags or airtight containers, label with date and type, and store in the freezer for up to 12 months.
This method helps preserve the structure, flavour, and nutritional content of your fruit — perfect for smoothies, baking, or snacking straight from the freezer.
The Bigger Problem: Processed Convenience Foods
Food recalls like the berry incident tend to get a lot of press, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Many processed convenience foods — even those marketed as “healthy” or “natural” — are made using imported ingredients from questionable sources. Whether it’s frozen vegetables, pre-cut salad mixes, or packaged snacks, the more handling and processing a food goes through, the greater the risk of contamination.
That’s why a paleo approach, focused on simple, whole foods that are close to their natural state, offers a powerful line of defence. When you prepare meals from scratch using fresh, seasonal produce, you drastically reduce your exposure to risky ingredients and hidden contaminants.
What Needs to Change?
Ultimately, the solution lies in better regulation and consumer awareness. Food imports should be subject to rigorous, consistent testing — especially when they come from countries with lower sanitation standards. Label transparency should also be mandatory. Consumers deserve to know not just the country of origin, but also how the food was handled, processed, and transported.
In the meantime, the best thing we can do is vote with our wallets. Support businesses and brands that prioritise traceability and ethical sourcing. Choose Australian-grown wherever possible. And when in doubt, go back to basics — fresh, local, and home-prepared beats processed and imported every time.
Final Thoughts on Frozen Fruit Safety
The frozen berry scare might be out of the headlines now, but it shouldn’t be forgotten. It serves as a wake-up call about the importance of food traceability, quality control, and consumer vigilance. Freezing your own fruit is a simple and empowering step towards a safer, more nutritious kitchen.
So next time you’re at the shops or market, think about what’s in season, what’s local, and what you can freeze yourself. It’s a small action, but it adds up — for your health, your confidence in your food, and for the safety of those you prepare meals for.
I wonder what the next food scare will be?
https://i0.wp.com/paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/are-you-eating-contaminated-fruit-paleo-network-min.jpg?fit=450%2C450&ssl=1450450PaleoGirlhttps://paleo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Paleo-Network-Site-Header-Logo-White-1561.pngPaleoGirl2015-02-20 00:10:492025-06-01 18:34:21Are You Eating Contaminated Fruit?
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