Simple Paleo Pleasures

Food groups and menu items suitable for the paleo diet should be posted here.

Moderators: Rosie, JFR, Dee, xet, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh, mbeezie

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Polly
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Simple Paleo Pleasures

Post by Polly »

Hi! I don't know if anyone will stop by - it will be interesting to see. We haven't had any activity here is the cave for a while.

I have been enjoying 2 very simple paleo pleasures: nuts and infused water.
I bought a big bag of mixed nuts in the shells (no peanuts of course) and emptied it into a basket, along with a nutcracker and pick. It sits out on the counter. I had forgotten how much fun it is to eat nuts this way - and there is no salt or oil to worry about.

I got the idea for infused water from Cordain's latest cookbook. I fill a glass bottle with water and add fruit slices - lemon, orange, lime, kiwi, berries - whatever you like, either singly or mixed. You can also add some spearmint. Then I leave the water in the fridge to chill. I can't believe how refreshing it tastes........and NO added sugar or corn syrup.

Cheers!

Paleo Polly
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Jan
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Post by Jan »

Polly,

Thanks for those great tips. I always have a bowl of nuts out for the holidays. That's been a family tradition of mine forever. I also love the fall squashs, baked with just a little olive oil brushed on them.

Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jan
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Post by Polly »

JAN!!!

I can't believe there is someone else in the cave here with me!!! YAY!!! Are you eating paleo at this point? How is your MC doing?

We always had the basket of nuts growing up, but only at the holidays. I'm going to keep it out all year now, I think......such a healthy and convenient snack. Re the infused water, it really is a treat! I have always mixed pure apple juice with seltzer water as my main drink, but, of course, that still has a lot of sugar and is not truly paleo. The water is much healthier!

Happy holidays! From one squash-lover to another, here is your gift:


BUTTERNUT SQUASH and SAGE SOUP

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
2 pkgs. butternut squash (20 oz. each), cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 garlic clove, minced
5-6 cups chicken stock

Preparation:
Heat oil in lge. pot over medium heat. Add onions, parsley, and sage; saute until onions are soft, about 5 min. Add squash and salt; saute until squash softens and onions are golden, about 6 min. Add garlic and stir for one min. Add 5 cups of stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until squash is very soft, about 25 min. Cool slightly.

Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Return soup to pot. Thin with additional stock if desired. Season with more salt, and pepper, if desired.
Makes 8 servings.

Tips:
1. Try to find the squash already cut up in pkgs. in the grocery store. (Working with the whole squash is difficult - you have to cook it first to soften it enough to get a knife thru)). My store has them in 20 oz. pkgs., but I have to cut them up a little more to measure 1/2 inch.
2. I use Imagine chicken broth, which is safe for me. It's expensive, but I'm worth it! LOL! There are cheaper ones you might be able to tolerate - I have to avoid yeast, and most commercials broths contain yeast.

This soup is a paleo gourmet treat - you will LOVE it!

Love,

Polly
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Post by mbeezie »

Hey Paleo Polly,

Thanks for the tip on the infused water. I'm going to try it with some Texas Ruby Red grapefruits - they are delicious right now.

I also remember the bowl of nuts for the holidays. We eat tons of raw nuts and seeds and I have them packed for our trip. My faves are raw pistachios and raw pumkin seeds.

Here is a delicious salad I made tonight. We have tons of arugula in our garden and I have been enjoying arugula salads since I avoid lettuce.

Arugula, Fennel and Onion Salad

8 cups arugula
2 fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Juice from 1 large lemon
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Place arugula, fennel and onion in a large bowl. In a small bowl whisk together lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Toss dressing with salad.

Love,

Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
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Post by Polly »

Hi Mary Beth, fellow cave dweller!

Thanks for the salad recipe - can't wait to try it! Fennel is one of my favorites. Isn't it amazing how GOOD simple real foods taste once you get used to the paleo diet?

Here's something I tried for the first time last night (my own recipe):


Mashed Root Veggies

peeled and cut up rutabaga, parsnips, carrots, and Jerusalem artichokes
salt and pepper
fresh garlic or horseradish, optional

Simmer veggies in water until tender. Drain. Return to pot and contiinue to heat for a little while, stirring constantly (this removes excess water). Mash and add garlic or horseradish (to taste) and salt and pepper to taste.

It was my first experience with Jerusalem artichokes, and I liked them - kind of a sweet, nutty, turnipy taste. But they sure are weird looking and not easy to peel. Knobby little things!

Love,

Polly
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Post by mbeezie »

Thanks Polly. I will give that a try. I've only had Jerusalem artichokes in restaurants - never made them. And I love horseradish so this will be great.

Yes, I agree, simple foods are the best. Paleo is a difficult transition but once you make the switch it actually simplifies things quite a bit.

Have a great holiday!

Mary Beth
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Post by Joefnh »

I love it Paleo Polly... How well do you tolerate nuts? I would be afraid of trying them

--Joe
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Post by Polly »

Hi Cavepeople!

Yep, Joe, Paleo Polly here. LOL. I have been mostly paleo for quite a few years, but because of my recent flare decided to go full paleo again. So I am not eating any rice or even white potatoes just now. And am feeling better than I have in months!

I almost always do OK with nuts now (not as well during the recent flare). Of course, peanuts are a no-no. I do love nut butters - the ones that contain ONLY ground nuts (no added oils). My lastest favotite is macadamia nut butter - I love to dunk apple slices in it. Joe, you're probably wise to avoid them for a little longer. Can you tolerate nut butters?

Love,

Polly
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Post by Matthew »

Hello Paleo Pals all-

It has been a while and it is wonderful to see some interest in the Paleo Diet. I have been strictly Paleo for some years and it works very well for me.

My computer hard disk quit some months ago and I have been in no hurry to get it repaired. In fact a few months hiatus from computer and internet has been far better than I expected. A blessing in disguise. What happens is supposed to in my universe So I am back once again. Still lots to do to put the computer back in order but I am religious about backing up so it is as simple as doing it.

I am another big fan of all the kinds of winter squash and grow several varieties in my garden every year that last most of the winter stored in my cool, dark, dry basement .

The squash soup and fennel salad sound wonderful. I make a squash soup with cooked squash, chicken stock, either home made, Imagine or Kitchen Basics and sated onions, garlic and fennel and blend the way Polly suggested . Imagine and Kitchen Basics are good but I prefer my own home made chicken stock.

I baked several squash from my garden and when cleaning up after dinner I simply scooped out the squash from the skins and packed it into a glass bread pan and covered with plastic wrap. The next night I cut out perfect slabs and fried them up until brown and crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. A perfect accompaniment to Wayne's hunters stew and its myriad of possible variations found here.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12842

Merry Christmas to all!

Love

Matthew

P.S. My computer and internet habits may never be the same again. A good thing.
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Post by Polly »

MATTHEW!

I was hoping you'd join us in the cave! So good to hear from you. I hear you about taking a break from the tech - it's good for the soul.

Did you see the thread just above this one in the Paleo Diet Forum? Deb started it by posing a question about the diet. Later down the thread she posted a link to a very interesting article about how much less food one eats on the paleo diet compared to the Mediterranean diet. I though you'd be interested because you had experienced that lack of hunger some time ago.

Happy Holidays to you, fellow caveperson!

Love,

Polly
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Post by mbeezie »

Cave Dwellers,

Have you tried Justin's nut butters? I love that they have single serve packages that are portable. I do OK with chocolate and they make a choclate hazelnut butter that is delicious and not super sweet like Nutella. The only nut that I can't tolerate is almonds but everything else is just fine. I also avoided nuts for a while when I was initially healing.

Mary Beth
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Post by TummyTroubles »

That infused water sounds positively delicious. I've had water with lemon and peach, but I don't think I've ever let it sit overnight in the fridge. I can only imagine the flavor the water absorbs. Sounds yummy! Considering I now stay away from most juices and sodas, I can imagine that this would be extra refreshing. Thanks for the tips, Polly.

Let this be a toast to better health. ;)
Jane
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Post by Polly »

Jane! :welcome: to the cave!

Are you trying the paleo diet? Tell us more about your diet.

I'll join you in that toast! :toast:

(That's fruit-infused water in those mugs, of course!) TeeHee.

Love,

Polly
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Post by Jan »

Hey Paleo Polly,

Yes, I've been following paleo for quite a while with the addition of some bread and crackers on occasion. I am gluten sensitive but am working on getting some steriod and stop smoking weight gain off. The only thing that continues to bother me are raw veggies. I can have a salad now and then without any problems but more than that and I'm reaching for the immodium.

You comment about the butternut squash made me giggle. I don't have them precut in my small town. I buy the whole squash and then cut it into pieces before I peel it. I tried the potatoe peeler with no luck. I usually saute my squash and onion and garlic in a little oil. Then I add the chicken stock and curry powder (just a little goes a long way). I use an immersion blender in the pot rather than messing with a regular blender.

Hope you and the other "Cavefolks" have a wonderful Merry Christmas.

Jan
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. - Saint Francis of Assisi
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