Zucchini Lasagna

• This paleo style lasagna uses thin layers of zucchini in place of noodles. It is made exactly the same way as traditional lasagna is made, omit the noodles, cottage/ricotta cheese and cheese on top. Now by all means, if you are not as strict paleo eater, go ahead and add the cheeses. Either way, it is outrageously healthy and satisfying. Zucchini Lasagna 2 large zucchini sliced thin to resemble what lasagna noodles would like like 1 can of olives, chopped 2 14.5 oz cans of diced tomatoes 1 6 oz can of tomato paste 1 pound of ground meat of your choice (turkey, beef, sausage) 1 small onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp. oregano 1 tsp. basil 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper olive oil Optional: cottage/ricotta cheese, and other cheese of your choice. Nutritional yeast for topping (this has a cheesy flavor naturally) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Begin by sauteeing onion, garlic, and meat of your choice in a pan with olive oil. Add all seasonings and tomato and paste. Simmer until sauce begins to thicken. Now here is the fun part. :) In a standard size cassorole pan that is greased, begin by layering the sliced (with skins on) zucchini on the bottom of the pan. Add mixture and diced olives. Repeat with zucchini, then mixture and olives. Keep repeating until you end with sauce on top with more olives. Bake at 350 for appr. 30-40 minutes. Enjoy!!

Need Help Finding Paleo Recipes?

I found this site very helpful for paleo recipes. There are tons of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in betweens. Paleoplan.com

Avocado, Raspberry, and Peach Salad (With the BEST alkalizing salad dressing)

I am turning towards more alkaline foods during my pregnancy. Alkaline foods are the healthiest foods to eat. You want to avoid too much acidic foods if you can. I wanted to share with you a basic (very basic) salad, as well as this dressing that really makes it good.

Alkaline Salad and Dressing

1/2 c. of chopped peach
1/2 c. of chopped cucumber
1/4 c. of chopped red onion
1/2 of a avocado, chopped
1 T. of chopped fresh mint
2 c. of fresh chopped organic rommaine lettuce or baby spinach if you prefer that instead.
1/4 c. of organic raspberries
1/8 c. of chopped walnuts
Combine and toss

Dressing
1 T. of apple cider vinegar
2 T. of extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced fine
1/4 tsp. of sea salt
1/4 tsp. of black pepper
1 tsp. of fresh squeezed lemon juice
Whisk with fork well, and toss over salad. Enjoy!!!

Refreshing Cucumber Mint Drink

With fall approaching, this may be a little late in the season to drink. However, I actually made this by accident thinking it would be a salad dressing. I ended up not liking it as that, and came upon this drink. I am glad I did. It's so light, minty, lemony, and has a hint of cucumber flavor. You must try!!

You will need:
1 large cucumber
1 c. of ice cold water
2 T. of mint
1 T. of lemon juice (fresh)
1/2 T. of agave, honey, or stevia
Blend together and serve!!

A SUPRISE!!!!!!

I'm speechless!!

The Paleo Diet Solution Notes and Summary

If you have not read "The Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf, get your hands on it now. This is the best book I have ever read. It is a book I could not put down. It has taught significantly. If you choose not to purchase the book, I have highlighted key points Robb brings up in the book.

Here are 26 key points Robb Wolf talks about in his book.

According to Robb,

(1. We don't need carbs, our bodies make all the carbs they need from protein and fat
2. No simple or complex carb is healthy. It all converts to sugar, glucose, and fructose. Eating refined white bread and white rice is the same as eating a candy bar. Complex carbs are not healthier. They eventually break down to that sugar, but not as fast as simple carbs.
3. Carbs such as wheat, grains, corn, and table sugar cause blood sugar imbalances and blood sugar crashes.
4. The more carbs you eat, the more addicted you become to the sugar. You become leptin resistant which makes it so you constantly have to eat. Hence, you gain weight and experience bloating and other stomach fat.
5. The liver and panncreas are filled with toxic overload from carbs break down of sugar. The heart and brains also suffer.
6. Low insulin is optimal for health
7. cortisol releases in excess with carb overload. Too much cortisol is a bad thing.
8. High glucose causes type two diabetes. High glucose is caused by too many carbs and way to much sugar.
9. When you have high glucose levels, your body begins to attack itself and eat its own tissue up (waste away). Fat cells begin to increase making one even fatter. This causes weak bones, loss of muscle mass, loss of strength, and the inability to walk or run.
10. High glucose levels are toxic to the body.
11. Sugar from simple and complex cards react with good proteins in the body in a negative way. It damages hormones, enzymes, DNA, and hormonal receptor sites at the surface of each cell.
12. If you eat too many carbs, the damage to your gut gets worse and worse leading to many diseases.
13. All diseases, including cancer, start with how digestion works in the body. Your body cannot digest carbs correctly.
14. You must reduce inflammation in the body by eliminating all carbs such as wheat, grains, corns, and legumes.
15. The paleo diet heals the gut and entire body as soon as 6 weeks.
16. The more carbs you eat, the more damage you are doing to your body without you even knowing it.
17. Type 2 diabetes almost always leads to cancer and death if not controlled.
18. Medicine does not heal the body, it only slows down the death process.
19. Meat, veggies, and good sources of fat like avocados and coconut, remain unchanged in the gut, carbs like grains and wheat break down into a structure your body can't recognize.
20. Grains, corn, dairy, and legumes contain lectins. Lectins are not broken down in the digestive track, but rather stick around in the gut damaging it.
21. Lectins affect every organ in the body.
22. Gall bladder removal is the first sign of too many lectins.
23. Not properly digesting food causes you to always be hungry. This is a result of constant consumption of carbs.
24. Grains and other simple/complex carbs cause mal-absorption in the body.
25. Grains are pissed that you want to eat them, and they want to fight back.
26. Eating the Paleo Diet has changed the life of many people across the world. Countless studies have proven this diet heals and will prevent disease.

Approved Paleo Diet Foods

When I first started the Paleo Diet two months ago, I didn't know what the heck to eat. I couldn't believe everyone saying this was the "perfect diet." How? Well, two months later, I know how. You must practice this diet. It is not easy at first, but after two months, you will be a pro at it. Promise!!!

Foods to NEVER eat on Paleo Diet. These foods all contain lectins which are not good for anyone. If you do choose to eat rice and legumes, please remember to soak it for 24 hours before cooking. This reduces the lectins.
All Grains. This includes:
Wheat and gluten
corn
popcorn
rice
quinoa
millet
legumes (all beans)
all pasta that is grain based

Avoid all sugar and dairy, so no:
cheese
milk
cream
butter

Foods to eat in moderation (because they do contain lectins and you must soak these as well).
Nuts and seeds, including almonds. (I recommend soaking your nuts for at least 12 hours as well).

Foods to eat on Paleo Diet