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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Update: Healthy Lifestyle a la Paleo

I've been on the right track...then off it...then back on, off, on, off and now I'm BACK on again! This time I have a clear understanding of what my body really needs and doesn't need. I guess its all a learning and growing experience - Life.

As I read over my past updates, I'm pleased with how much I already knew and how much I really want to live a better, healthier lifestyle. At least it shows that I'm consistent and I'm making progress!

Enter Paleo Lifestyle - stage left...
Also known as Primal or Caveman diet, the paleo is a way of eating that resembles how ancient humans and peoples of indigenous regions would eat to meet their nutritional needs - without the pre-fab, modern day kinds of processed foods we are overindulging in nowadays.

For me this is not a diet. It truly is the way I intend to eat for the rest of my life. It happens to have a catchy name and be a popular movement among fitness minded people. But the principles of eating this way are not new. Pioneering practitioners of good nutrition have been suggesting, recommending and demanding that human beings should eat this way since the turn of the 20th century. Around the 1950's a dentist by the name of Dr. Page developed a food plan that very closely resembles paleo in order to promote overall wellness for his patients. There is no doubt in my mind and I believe the facts are obvious and they speak for themselves - whole food nutrition and eating to properly nourish the body is the ultimate way to live disease free and in total wellness, physically, mentally and even spiritually.


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Paleo Tortilla Recipe

In my search for foods that fit my new paleo lifestyle, I've turned to the Internet (of course) where there is an amazing amount of information, recipes, blogs and people all sharing their knowledge on the subject.
I'm so grateful for that. Truly, I am my mother's daughter. Mom was the best cook ever and she NEVER used a recipe. She just made food that was good, using her imagination and intelligence.

This is my second "recipe" - inspired by other paleo cooks but re-worked to suit my own likes. I hope you like it too as it turned out to be a very versatile little recipe.

From this recipe you can make "tortillas", crust for pies and tarts, crackers, pizza and I'm sure other things you come up with on your own.


I found a similar recipe by the civilized caveman. But I like using almond butter for "breads' so I changed it as follows.

Pre-heat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl add

1 cup almond butter (I used freshly ground from the bulk section at Winco)
1 cup coconut flour (Bob's Red Mill)
3 eggs
1/2 tsp sea salt

I mixed the ingredients by hand, kneading it until all combined.
Next I made little balls with the dough.

The oil from the almond butter make this easy and not too sticky. I placed the balls on parchment paper, covered with another sheet (only because I don't have a real rolling pin and didnt want to get my wine bottle all greasy) and rolled the balls flat and about 1/8" thick.

I placed the parchment paper with the dough into the oven and baked them until the edges turned brown - about 10 min.

Once I had about 11 "tortillas" made I decided the rest should be crackers so I cut the remaining flattened dough in to cracker shapes. I sprinkled the tops with a little sea salt before baking. I actually got busy with the rest of my dinner and forgot one batch. They may have been in the oven for about 20 min but they didn't burn, they were just crispier - which I think is ok for crackers!

Try it and let me know what you think!