Today starts our fourth week of eating paleo as a family. Just so there's complete full disclosure out there, our whole family has not done Paleo these four weeks 100%, but Story has. She's the reason we're doing this, and so when we aren't around here we do cheat a bit, but as a family we're creating meals at home that are 100% Paleo.
Story & her Paleo lunch!
Many of you have asked how Story's doing and let me just tell you that I am SO PROUD of this girl. She has had one breakdown over this special meal plan and that was yesterday, three weeks in! We were eating at Mama Fu's and she asked if she could have something and we told her that it wasn't okay for her belly and not Paleo. Immediately the tears formed in her eyes. The kind of tears that get huge right before they spill over the eyelids, yes that's what happened. Through her sniffles she declared, “I don't like eating paleo anymore”. My heart hurt for my little girl in that moment. Aaron hugged her and then we began making a list of all the dinners that Aaron would make this week that were special for her; pizza, cookies, pumpkin pie, lasagna, etc.
Shopping for Paleo meals.
So, yes she's doing awesome, but this is hard. Really hard. Also for the love it's Christmas time, and can I tell you that there are no healthy foods at any Christmas party I have been to. Every kid event has them decorating cookies, building gingerbread houses, or creating the largest cup of hot chocolate full of marshmallows, candy & sprinkles that you have ever seen. That friends has been so hard for her. She's been a champ and hasn't cheated or indulged in any of those sweets for the past 3 weeks.
Story taking her own dinner to a Xmas party.
Tonight I made some special treats because my girl deserves it. Here's the recipe for PALEO CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES from my cookbook, Paleo for Beginners.
- 3 cups almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375
- Sift together dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Beat in the eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut oil with a hand mixer until well combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, drop tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, cool, and serve.
Y'all you need to make these soon. They were so yummy!
I'm looking forward to this upcoming week as Aaron creates all kinds of delicious food for us that is all Story-approved! If you have any great recipes for us feel free to share in the comments!
Three weeks and only one breakdown? I’m a grown up (claims my birth certificate), and I didn’t make it three days without a tantrum! She has a lot to be proud of and so do you! My prayer is that as she continues to feel better, the choice to eat things that nourish her becomes easier, and if she’s having a rough day, let her know that she’s in good company. Our prayers have covered The Feast where all things non-Paleo and overflowing with gluten will be heaped upon the table. It will be awesome.
Hi Jamie-
I love hearing Story’s update. Wow, everyone is doing great!! I wanted to share my 12 days of Christmas cookies recipes to see if any of them sound fun for Christmas. I love that eating healthy can taste good too! (Even though sometimes when being out and about other things can look really tempting too).
http://justenjoyfood.com/2013/12/12-days-christmas-cookies-series/
Good for you all and especially Story! Could I ask why you are having her eat that way? Is it stomach pain or other health issues? I just ask as my daughter has developed very pronounced stomach bloating and wondering if Paleo might help her.
Jennifer – visit that post I referenced about our whole family going paelo. She’s had some health issues and so we are trying to clean out her gut and this is the plan we are on. 🙂
That picture of her holding her little paleo meal to take to the christmas party makes me want to just give her a hug and anything she asks me for! I don’t know how you are doing it, but I am proud of you for making these choices for her even when it’s so hard. I’m curious what health issues eating paleo would be good for; I have only really heard of people eating paleo because they do cross fit or something and it’s kind of hand in hand for some reason =) I wonder sometimes if people with certain issues should be going paleo versus gluten free. And I don’t know that I really understand the difference! I’ll have to get to googling.
http://www.annesage.com/blog/2014/12/gingerbread-paleo-waffles-recipe.html
Hi Jamie!
I found your website through my cousins Kimberly and Philip. My family has been eating mainly paleo for the last two years. I have three children and I understand that it’s not always easy especially for my two teenagers who just want to fit in. I have found several websites useful and I hope you will too. Check out againstallgrain.com and balancedbites.com. Pinterest is also a great place to search for recipes. I hope this helps!
Thanks so much for your website recommendations!
Thanks girl!
Thanks Sara! She’s a trooper and still going strong. We’re trying to clear out any inflammation or infection in her gut, so this is what the doctor thinks will work best. She’s also taking tons of natural meds. Nothing prescribed. We’re hoping for good results!
If you are still eating paleo I highly recommend the blog against all grain and both of her cookbooks. Her desserts are delicious.
YES we love her cookbooks!