For anyone who's been Paleo for a while, the fact that the lovely holiday season is here won't be worrying, as you already know it's not only easy, but delicious to eat Purely Paleo foods and not miss a beat on any holiday enjoyment!
How is this possible?
By keeping the themes, flavors, colors and ideas that represent the holidays to you and yours, you can recreate everything in Paleo-friendly terms.
Some of the many things we incorporate in our homes, that I also use with clients include:
Swapping out dairy milk and white sugar for fresh coconut milk and a touch of honey, and skipping the booze, in order to make a kid-friendly egg nog.
Forget the bread-based stuffing; we go with assorted, roasted squash with sage, black pepper, olive oil and yellow onion and celery.
Instead of a theme drink along the lines of a syrupy Christmas Cosmo, it's a neat Ciroq Vodka (this brand is one of the few NOT made with grains or potato, rather it's made from grapes). Clear alcohol that is NOT derived from grain is a far better option to chose on occasion over beer or a 700 -calorie-alcoholic milkshake.
Cakes, cookies, pies? Not so much. Refer to my Paleo Truffle recipe for a small hint of Paleo decadence.
As always, offering plates of crudite and/or fresh fruit, like cinnamon dusted apples with raw walnuts for guests to nibble on when hosting cocktail parties proves a far healthier, and enjoyable option over cheese and cracker.
Got specific questions or need help converting your holiday menu plans into Paleo friendly versions?
Send me an email; it will make a great blog topic, and no doubt, your questions are shared by other readers, too!
Graham, Daisy & pressies... Christmas 2010
Nell,
What is the Paleo argument against the eating of cheese?
Respectfully,
Dana Law
Posted by: Dana Law | November 27, 2011 at 06:07 AM
All dairy is VERY acidic. It creates such an acidic pH in the body that Calcium is leached from the bones in an attempt to buffer and restore the body to alkalinity. At the end of the day, youre better off eating a cup of kale with 40 mg calcium than a cup of whole milk with 300 mg as the latter leaves you net negative in the Calcium balance scale.
PLUS- there were no dairy cows in the paleolithic era...
I advise that the only time dairy is a good idea is:
1) When you are an infant
AND
2) Your dairy source is coming from the same species (as in a baby breastfeeding from its mother!)
Posted by: Nell | November 27, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Such pretty dogs!! One of my best friends has a dog like that.
Posted by: Pensguys | November 27, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Thanks! We love our Weims!
Sent from my iPhone
Nell Stephenson
BS USC EXSC, ACSM H/FI
www.nellstephenson.com
www.shop.nellstephenson.com
blog: http://stephenson.typepad.com/train_with_nellie/
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twitter: @nellstephenson
Posted by: Nell | November 27, 2011 at 01:59 PM
Hi Nell! Happy holidays- I just bought my "tree" today... and a scented candle to make it seem real!
I wanted to ask about your take on Intermittent Fasting. It seems to be very popular among the paleo-sphere and with body builders, but is it necessary or really even beneficial, especially for those like me and you who are endurance athletes? Maybe this is another post in itself, but I've been wondering for a while you take on it! Thanks!
Posted by: chuck | November 27, 2011 at 08:45 PM
I will post about this!
Posted by: Nell | November 28, 2011 at 09:48 AM
Nell,
Thank you for the answer on dairy. I'll keep it as low as possible. Or maybe avoid them all together.
Another question. My wife and daughter ( a doctor) think seed oils are not dangerous. They make all our salads with soybean oil. I haven't been able to convince them that omega 3 oils are superior. They think I'm Going to extremes. Obviously I'm doing a poor job of explaining it What is the best reason I can give to eliminate them?
Your pupil.
Dana Law
San Diego
Posted by: Dana Law | November 28, 2011 at 10:28 AM
SOY is toxic! The worst of all legumes!! It leads to leaky gut, and then a whole host
of maladies throughout the whole body. Incredibly high in anti
nutrient content.
Do you have TPD book handy to refer to?
Sent from my iPhone
Nell Stephenson
BS USC EXSC, ACSM H/FI
www.nellstephenson.com
www.shop.nellstephenson.com
blog: http://stephenson.typepad.com/train_with_nellie/
book: www.wiley.com/buy/9780470913048
training plans: http://home.trainingpeaks.com/training-and-nutrition-plans/training-plans/nell-stephenson.aspx
twitter: @nellstephenson
Posted by: Nell | November 28, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Nell,
Don't have a TPD book. What's leaky gut?
Dana Law
San Diego
Posted by: Dana Law | November 28, 2011 at 09:59 PM
You must get the book.
Ive seen it on amazon for about $11.
Leaky gutis a name used to describe intestinal permeability.Tight junctions(TJs) represent the major barrier within the pathway between intestinal epithelial cells that line the digestion tract. Disruption of TJs leads to intestinal hyper permeability (the so-called leaky gut) leads to acute and chronic diseases such assystemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS),inflammatory bowel disease,type 1 diabetes,allergies,asthma, andautism.
Posted by: Nell | November 28, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Hey Nell,
On occasion I make almond flour pancakes. they are dairy and gluten free and can possibly be swapped in for a dessert. maybe making like a fruit glaze with berries tucked between two of the cakes would be pretty good. I can send the recipe.
P.S. love your dogs! I have hound/lab mix and we got him on a grain free dog food that keeps him energized all day. I swear after a 26 mile run he did with my husband, he still wanted to go for more. Unbelievable!
Posted by: Donna | November 30, 2011 at 10:06 AM
That sounds lovely-please do feel free to share your recipe!
Yes, grain fred is certainly not just for humans- but any mammals!
When would a wolf ever eat corn? Yikes!
Sent from my iPhone
Nell Stephenson
BS USC EXSC, ACSM H/FI
www.nellstephenson.com
www.shop.nellstephenson.com
blog: http://stephenson.typepad.com/train_with_nellie/
book: www.wiley.com/buy/9780470913048
training plans: http://home.trainingpeaks.com/training-and-nutrition-plans/training-plans/nell-stephenson.aspx
twitter: @nellstephenson
Posted by: Nell | November 30, 2011 at 10:32 AM
I just found your blog and am really enjoying learning more about the Paleo diet. I tried it years ago but with your new inspiration I might try it again.
PS - Love your Weims! I have 6 rescue Weims who all swim, run and mountain bike with me.
Posted by: Katie Malone | November 30, 2011 at 10:43 AM
That is awesome, Katie! What was it that put you off Paleo before?
Sent from my iPhone
Nell Stephenson
BS USC EXSC, ACSM H/FI
www.nellstephenson.com
www.shop.nellstephenson.com
blog: http://stephenson.typepad.com/train_with_nellie/
book: www.wiley.com/buy/9780470913048
training plans: http://home.trainingpeaks.com/training-and-nutrition-plans/training-plans/nell-stephenson.aspx
twitter: @nellstephenson
Posted by: Nell | November 30, 2011 at 10:48 AM