"Is this Paleo?"

I love eating with people that don't necessarily eat the way I eat, but are genuinely interested and excited about a new way of eating. We are so engrained to label the way we eat...it just feels so much better to have it fit inside a box that can be taped up and shipped out, right?  I'm definitely not knocking the path, or evolution, that is so important in finding your personal recipe.

I most certainly started out asking this same question, and I wouldn't have found my way without the paradigm that Paleo provides. The Paleo way introduced me to trusting myself and my body when it comes to making the right decision for me.  There is so much to learn and tinker with when it comes to diet and nutrition, it's silly to think that there is one "Paleo" diet that works for everyone.

So, my reply to the question, "Is this Paleo?", is simply "I don't know.  How does it make you feel?"  Unless of course the question is asked of this....

.

...then my answer is "NO, run for your life."

The other question I get quite often is, "how do you know what foods to buy?"  Real food would be the easy answer, but it's apparent that we have largely lost our perception and connection with what real food actually is.  Going to the store can be overwhelming if you are new to this way of eating, but in actuality, it is so much easier than reading labels, calculating calories, deciphering ingredients and all the other fun stuff that comes with America's diet culture.  

It takes me a quick lap around the perimeter of Whole Foods to load up for the week.  My cart ends up looking something like this:

Produce

Kale

Avocados

Lemons

Lime

Sweet Potatoes

Turnip

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Brussel Sprouts

Diakon Radish

Zucchini

Squash

Radish

Basil

Carrots

Choose local and organic when available.  

You can tell what's in season by what's available from local sources!

Meat

Grass-fed beef 

*typically a few cuts of brisket, chuck roast, or ground 85/15 (all local)

Pastured ground pork (local)

Hickory Smoked Bacon (local)

Pastured whole chicken 

*chickens that have been pastured average 4-5 pounds in weight, including bones.  

Use bones to make a stock or broth.

Dairy

Vital Farms Pastured Eggs

Minka Farms Duck Eggs

Kerrygold unsalted butter 

Raw, grass-fed goat cheese 

Condiments/Treats 

Ghee

Coconut Butter raw, organic

Sprouted Almond butter

Dried Kelp

Olive Oil 

Coconut Oil

Himalayan Pink Sea Salt

Turmeric Powder 

*I actually get this from Whole Body as a supplement.
It comes in capsule form that you can break open and sprinkle out.  This helps maintain freshness and prevents spices from going rancid.

So, my answer to your question, "Is this Paleo?"  It depends.  It depends on your activity level, allergies, gender, weight, goals, stress level, taste preferences, genetics, and so many other factors that contribute to your "right" way of eating.  Learning to trust your body, rather than a label will tell you better than I can on what's "Paleo," or not, for you.