7 Most Pointless Foods
As a fan of real food, some of the things I see on sale completely baffle me. This is my list of the seven most pointless “foods” on sale in a store near you…
1. Packet egg whites.
Where to start with this one? What’s wrong with the poor victimised yolk and all of the nutrition it offers? And exactly how hard is it to crack open an actual real egg?
2. Coconut oil spray.
I wrote a whole post about this one – the point of spray oil is to make sure we have a low fat diet – so given that we aren't scared of fat, coconut oil in a spray can is a complete contradiction…
3. Avocado spread.
My avocados turn brown not longer after I've cut them – yet this stuff stays mysteriously green…
4. Mashed pumpkin.
How hard is it to cook up a pumpkin and mash it?
5. Light coconut milk.
I eat coconut milk and revel in what an incredible fat source it is. They reduce the fat? In coconut milk? There would have to be a national shortage in coconut milk before I’d buy this.
6. Meat in a can.
I just don’t get it?
7. Fruit sugar.
Given that fructose is the sugar we want to avoid – they've cleverly separated it so we can get a huge hit in one go.
Do you agree with my list? What would be on your list of the most pointless foods – and why?
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How to Make Panang Beef Curry
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Are You On Facebook?
If you aren't already following the Paleo Network on Facebook – you should be! With several thousand followers and several posts a day there will be something to inspire, motivate, provoke some intrigue – or just make you laugh!
Facebook is also a great way to get quick advice, see what's going on in the World of Paleo and get local knowledge on all things health and Paleo – whatever time of day it is.
So, if you aren't a fan, please head on over and like the page! And if you have any suggestions about what you'd like to see – get in touch!
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How to Make Tom Yum
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The Paleo Lunch Recipe Book
My Paleo Lunch Recipe Book is now on sale!
With a typical SAD lunch revolving around sandwiches and pasta, a Paleo lunch requires a bit more thought – and is far more rewarding than a refined-carb-heavy sandwich!
I know what it's like to be busy and in need of good Paleo lunch options. I've put this recipe book together, with lots of recipes that can be prepared in advance, to make lunchtimes that bit easier. The book contains recipes for lunches you can make at home and take into work – as well as recipes for lunches when you have a bit more time on your hands.
The book has 92 pages and includes:
- Soups
- Salads
- Paleo “sandwiches”/ wraps/ burger recipes
- Lunches to prepare in advance
- Sauces & dips
- Paleo “noodles”
- and much more!
The recipes contain lots of varied ingredients (that are easy to source), including chicken, beef, fish, seafood, beef, turkey, ham and bacon. There are also some meat -free vegetarian recipes – as well as some featuring fermented foods and offal!
Here are some of the beautiful photos from the book:
At the moment the book is available as an ebook – but the print version is getting closer! As with all of my books, it's available for instant download and comes with a 30 day guarantee. You can pay securely using credit card, debit card or paypal. If you'd like a copy – you can buy it here.
I've created this recipe book for people of any country (being from overseas myself, I know how annoying it is when a recipe book is only in metric or imperial measurements!)
The book is $17, but I offer big discounts if you buy more than one of my recipe books in one transaction – you can find the bulk prices here.
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8 Signs That You Are Gluten Intolerant
The Paleo diet is completely gluten free, since it omits grains entirely. When going Paleo many people (who previously thought that had no issues with gluten) find that many symptoms they used to have completely disappear. It also seems common for a rare gluten exposure to have quite an impact, even though the person may have consumed gluten everyday previously. Are you gluten intolerant?
What’s the difference between celiac disease & being gluten intolerant?
Celiac disease is a severe, sudden immune reaction to the protein gluten, which has immediate autoimmune reactions. It prevents the sufferer from absorbing essential nutrients. Gluten intolerance is on the same spectrum, but the reaction to gluten is not so sudden – and even harder to clinically diagnose. Unfortunately tests for celiac disease and being gluten intolerant are not as advanced as you might imagine – and it can be very difficult to get a clinical diagnoses. The best way to find out how gluten affects you is to undertake a strict elimination diet – luckily the Paleo diet does just this.
8 signs that you are gluten intolerant
- Gastrointestinal (GI), stomach and digestive issues; perhaps gas, bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea or IBS
- Headaches or migraines
- Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue
- Sudden mood shifts, irritability or depression
- Dizziness, balance problems and tingling or numb hands and feet
- Another autoimmune disease diagnose (perhaps as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Ulcerative colitis)
- Hormone imbalances or unexplained infertility
- Inflammation, swelling or joint pain
If you've got any of these symptoms and still consume gluten, it’s definitely worth strictly excluding gluten – and going strict Paleo – for 30 days.
And why you mustn't go “gluten-free”…
You can’t fail to notice the commercialism of “gluten-free”. There is a gluten-free version of everything – and often the ingredients are quite frightening. To achieve the properties that gluten provides in things like break and cakes, the manufacturers often have to use dozens of ingredients that you probably haven’t heard of. Not Paleo – and not good for you either. Whilst gluten is a particularly problematic protein, lots of other grain proteins are believed to have similar reactions. The healthiest way to go gluten free, is to avoid substitutes – and eat real, whole, Paleo foods! Instead of buying gluten-free bread and cakes, find alternatives to bread – and change your diet completely!
How does gluten affect you? Do you completely avoid gluten? I’d love to hear your comments, below!
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Do You Get Too Much Vitamin A?
What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, which is either found ready formed – for example in animal products such as meat and dairy – or as pro-vitamin A, beta carotene, in fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene is then converted into Vitamin A in the body, with the help of the hormone thyroid.
Vitamin A is crucial for many functions, such as vision, reproduction, breast feeding and in maintaining healthy skin, teeth and bones.
Liver is a great source of vitamin A. For beta carotene, the more intensely coloured the fruit or vegetables – the higher the amount of beta carotene it provides. Supplements wise, cod liver oil is an excellent source (just make sure you check the ingredients and choose a good quality supplement).
Vitamin A Toxicity
If you don’t get enough vitamin A you can experience immune and vision issues – but conversely it is equally problematic getting too much. In fact excess vitamin A has even been shown to result in birth defects. Excessive consumption of beta carotene is not so serious, but it will make your skin turn yellow or orange, which would look rather alarming! Fortunately the skin will return to it’s normal colour once intake of beta carotene is reduced.
Another issue with excessive levels of vitamin A, are that it appears to reduce the bodies ability to utilise Vitamin D. As people tend to be deficient in Vitamin D (perhaps more so than Vitamin A), this could be a real problem. As with so many vitamins and minerals, it appears having a good balance is crucial.
Have you had your levels checked? How were they? Are you concerned about toxicity? Please share your experiences in the comments below.
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Recipes: Raw Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
Let’s face it; sometimes, we all crave a bit of chocolate. Even we Paleo folk have our weaknesses. Fortunately though, our chocolate fixes don’t have to be laden with sugar and dairy. In moderation, raw cacao is extremely healthy, bursting with antioxidants and beneficial phytochemicals. There are loads of different ways you can enjoy it, and for me it's much more delicious than the cheap and nasty stuff people buy stacks of in the supermarket. What better way to enjoy it than as part of some delicious, no bake, easy to make, mini macaroons?
Makes 12
Chocolate Coconut Macaroons Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup Almond Butter
- ¼ cup Coconut oil
- 2 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 5 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Chocolate Coconut Macaroons How To:
Cover a flat baking tray with some baking parchment.
Mash the banana in a large bowl. Whisk in the almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla if using to form a paste.
Add the cacao powder to the mix, one spoonful at a time, stirring well.
Stir in the coconut, making sure all the mixture is well combined (I used my hands for this part!). Form the mixture into 12 mini ‘macaroon’ shapes, and place on top of the baking parchment.
Leave in the fridge for at least an hour to fully set. If you can’t wait that long, 10 minutes in the freezer is just as good!
