What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 12/2

Noticed I'm chicken heavy this week, but nothing else was jumping out at me as I prepped the menu.

BBQ Chicken (requested by the 11year old) Brusselsprouts/Zucchini/Bacon Bake

Shepards Pie

Chicken Piccata, Steamed Asparagus, Yellow Squash

Crockpot Sticky Chicken, Cauliflower "rice" Pilaf", Green beans

Bonus Last Week:

Sweet Potato Chili

Mongolian Beef over Broccoli and Carrots Stirfry

Salsa Dancing Chicken, over Coleslaw Mix, Avocado

Mexican Meatballs, Mashed Cauliflower, Spinach

Pesto Chicken Spaghetti Squash

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu and Thanksgiving Recipes

Since it is a short week, and need days for prepping, I tend to go really easy on my menu this time of year.  I'm talking Taco Bar, BBQ Chicken (just bake 45 minutes and serve) with salad, soup, kielbasa, leftovers kind of week.

So, thought I'd share some Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes - we're trying to keep myself Paleo (stomach reasons) and everyone happy.

Veggie Tray
Deviled Eggs

Brined Turkey from Joy of Cooking Cookbook
(Small ham, but will probably heat up Friday or Saturday with leftovers all weekend)
Mashed Potatoes in Crockpot
Herb Gravy
Autumn Pudding (Sweet Potato Casserole)
Reg stuffing for hubby (Stouffers)
Paleo Stuffing - made with sausage and apple
Asparagus Casserole
Coconut Almond Green Beans
Apple Crisp/Crumble
(Couple Pumpkin Pies frozen for crowd)

Other Paleo Recipes I think look great:
Butternutt Squash
Another Paleo Stuffing with sweet potato sausage and cranberries
Cranberry Sauce
 Spice-Rubbed Turkey

More From Paleo Diet Lifestyle:

• Mushroom butter roasted turkey;
• Cranberry sauce;
• Beef, celery, walnut and apple stuffing;
• Beef rib roast with green peppercorn sauce;
• Deviled eggs with bacon bits;
• Crab stuffed mushrooms;
• Roasted sweet potatoes with rosemary;
• Tender baked carrots;
• Braised cabbage & bacon;
• Pumpkin pie;

These look great for next year as well from Oh Snap Let's Eat:

•  Paleo Thanksgiving Desserts -
•  Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing/Dressings -
•  Turkey Brine from Paleo Spirit 
• Overall Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes from other blogs and websites
• Pesto Mashed Potatoes -
•  Twelve in Twelve Paleo Pumpkin Pie 

Recipe: Autumn Pudding aka Sweet Potato Casserole

One of our favorite recipes for years! This is from one of my dear friends and spread like wild fire through our community.

The only difference I do now is omit the flour on top, still tastes good!






Ingredients

• 3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and mashed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten 
• 2 1/2 tbs butter 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 1 tsp vanilla

Crunch Topping

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour (optional for Paleo/GF)
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans 
• 1/3 cup melted butter 

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.

Mix ingredients, pour into a greased 10x6 baking pan. Cover with crunch topping.

Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes.

Crunch Topping:

Mix together the brown sugar, flour, and chopped pecans.
Dribble 1/3 c melted butter over the crunch topping, after it has been placed on the sweet potato mixture. -Try and spread the melted butter as evenly as possible over the crunch topping, but don't obsess. As it bakes, it will usually even itself out.

What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 11/12

Forgot to do last week's menu, and on top of it already overwrote my excel spreadsheet when making this weeks menu - whoops.

This week:

Shepards Pie

Beef Stroganoff Soup

Orange Chicken over Broccoli

Asian Ribs, Sauteed Bokchoy and carrots

Hash (Chicken sausage sauteed with onion, garlic, 2 red apples, sweet potatoes)

Kielbasas and Sauerkraut (just did in a pot until done!) Pickles, and some chips

Roast Sticky Chicken, Mashed Parsnips, Steamed Spinach

What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 10/29

• leftover soup and roast from last week (this made so much.  The soup I reheated and added 1/4 cup coconut milk, package of asparagus cut in about 2" segments, garlic, and some leftover diced bacon. Was really good!)
• meatza sausage crust (this was a little heavy, next time 1# sausage and 1# ground beef.  I also mixed in a handful torn up spinach leaves, and some mushroom slices I crumbled in my hands), Side Salad (cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and spinach leaves)
• Salsa Dancing Chicken, shredded cabbage salad, Jicama (sliced, raw) with Guacamole
• cp mushroom roast, mash cauliflower, asparagus
• Open-Faced bbq shred pork on portabellas, (leftover cabbage salad), sweet pot fries
• brats, romaine, sauerkraut, onion rings

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 10/22

•     Seafood enchiladas (1+# Cod and 1# shrimp) with avocado on top -side salad
  
      Sweet potato chili w/ avocado and sour cream
  
      BBQ Chicken Thighs, brusselsprouts/zucchini
  
      "other" Paleo Pad Thai (We love this recipe more than the other one we were using! Sunshine Sauce and Egg a little longer prep time, but delicious!)
  
      Left over roast and soup from last week (it made a lot! Adding in some asparagus and diced bacon for more flavor)

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 10/14

Meatza Pizza

Meatza Pizza, Side Salad

Jambalaya

Asian Pork Ribs, Bok Choy, Carrots

Sweet Potato Cauliflower Soup, Roast slices

Beef Stroganoff Soup

Coconut Chicken, Roasted Parsnips, Asparagus

What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 10/7

What? Dinner Posted on time?? What is this sorcery?
 
Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Burgers, Yam Fries, Fruit (Strawberries and Grapes)

Chicken Piccata, BrusselSprouts and Zucchini, Steamed Baby Carrots

Moroccan Chicken over Romaine (sometimes we do this with Cauliflower Rice, not in the mood this week)

Steak, Asparagus, Roasted Parsnips

Breakfast: Eggs in Portabellas, Country Sausage Patties, Fried Sweet Potatoes, Avocados

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 10/1

Pecan Crusted Chicken, Spinach Salad (Strawberries and leftover feta), Green Beans

Crockpot Roast Sticky Chicken, Zucchini and Carrot Bake, Spinach Salad (bacon and diced hard boiled eggs).

Shepards Pie (so good!)

Spaghetti Squash with Fresh Tomatoes Recipe (and added Pancetta)

Th was youngest daughters birthday, went to Red Robins (California Burger no bun!)

Fr: Large Salad with leftover Chicken, Bacon, Egg, diced Carrots, Celery.

Picture of the family's' plates - even the kids eat everything I prepare (you get what you get and you don't throw a fit has been our mantra since they were babies).

What's For Dinner: Weely Menu 9/23

• chili dogs (uncured beef), over yam fries, side salad

• spaghetti squash - pad thai chicken (Liked this texture much better than with zucchini noodles!)

• Tacos (some times we do with romaine wraps, some days with taco salad, this week we allowed our once in a great while cheat and did with corn shells (I don't do wheat bc of my tummy).

• Frittata, sausage patties and fruit

• Pecan crusted chicken - spinach salad (sliced strawberries and feta)-green beans

• bbq chicken - roasted zucchini mixed with brusselsprouts - tomato/cucumber slices

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 9/17

Crockpot Smokey Roast

Beef Stroganoff Soup
Burgers - salad - fruit
Cabbage Mango Slaw- bbq chicken thighs -sweet pot rounds
Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Grilled Chicken (but with this pesto recipe)
crockpot smokey roast, asparagus, mash. Cauliflower
Orange chicken/carrots/broccoli - loved this last week, doubling the recipe!

What's for Dinner: Menu 9/8

Damn-that-game-was-sloppy-sloppy joes (in honor of Sunday's sloppy Seahawks game) over portabella mushrooms, yam fries, salad
Jambalaya (so much <3 for this recipe!)
Orange Chicken (YUM!! Will double next time) w/ steamed broccoli and steamed carrots
mexican meatballs and avocado - over mashed cauliflower, salad w tomatoes and cucumber
beef stroganoff soup
breakfast hash: onion, apple, swt potato, chicken sausage, egg

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 9/3

Some weeks you just want simple, quick, easy dinners.  This was last weeks menu for me - back to school, busy-busy, thinking of simple dinners I wouldn't have to do much in the kitchen every night.

• Burgers / chips / fruit /salad           
• Ginger Chicken /carrots zucchini/parsnips           
• Steak / Mashed Cauliflower / Asparagus           
• Broccoli Salad (love this salad!), uncured hot dogs / pickles /tomato slices  (I did these wrapped in romaine in an almost Chicago Style, so good!)       
• Greek Chicken Salad           

Recipe: Broccoli Salad

One of our favorites - old recipe from pre-paleo, just need to find a paleo-mayo and good to go again!








Broccoli Salad 

Ingredients:

• 5 slices Bacon (need to include in cooking time)
• 2 head broccoli, cut into Florets
• 1/3 cup red seedless grapes, halved
• 2 large green onions, chopped
• 1/4cup and 3tablespoons Mayonaise
• 1tablespoon and 1 teaspoon Tarragon Vinegar
• 2TBL and 2tsp slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/3cup raisins

Place Bacon in large skilllet; Cook over medium heat til evenly browned, Drain, crumble and set aside. (I like to toss in 350 oven for 20minutes for entire package)

In large bowl combine the broccoli, grapes and onions.
 
Whisk Mayo and Vinegar together in separate bowl.  Toss with broccoli mixture and chill. (longer you chill the better the flavors mingle)
Just before serving, toss with bacon, almonds, raisins.

Recipe: Cabbage Mango Slaw

This recipe from Everyday Paleo cookbook is really good - cannot find it online, so posting here to share!

Kids Love Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients:

    2 cups purple cabbage, diced
    1 cup cucumber, diced
    1 shallot, minced
    1 green mango, finely diced
    1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
    2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
    Black pepper to taste

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients together in a medium salad bowl. Mix and serve!

What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 8/26

• shrimp curry/cauliflower rice
• salsa dancing chicken, Avocado/roma salad,  cabbage-mango slaw
• Sweet potato chili - avocado and sourcream
• Ginger Chicken - roasted carrots - spinach salad
• breakfast - sausage hash - eggs - fruit
• cp bbq pork,brussel sprouts, portabella, leftover cabbage slaw

What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 8/19

I get a little behind posting my menus, but I figure at least this way new recipes I can comment on as well!

Tacos (Salads and in romaine leave shells - all toppings on counter for everyone to make their own).
Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki Sauce drizzled over top-
Clams Italiano and Ratatouille
Jambalaya with cauliflower rice
Mini Meatloaves(love this cumin meatball recipe, use it for taco meat, meatloaf, etc!) (add leftover tzatsiki sauce drizzled over it, yum!), roast turnips, sweet potato thyme rounds
Sauted Chicken, Mushrooms and Asparagus topped with Cauli-Fredo Sauce (and spaghetti squash) I thought the faux alfredo sauce was okay, but husband is getting cauliflowered-out.  Might try this again later in the fall and try to thin it out more with coconut milk.
Shrimp Curry over Cauliflower Rice - Supposed to have this tonight (Saturday 8/25) but it's so nice out swapping to shrimp salad.

What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 8/13

2 weeks in one, as I didn't do last weeks menu:

uncured hotdogs/spinach salad/fruit (Back from Denver today, needed something easy, leftovers from last thursday).

BBQ Chicken, Zucchini Carrot Bake, sliced avocados

Cajun Jambalaya with Cauliflower Rice

Portabella Mushrooms with Burgers (on top, open faced sandwich), yam fries, salad

Crock Pot Sticky Chicken, Asparagus, steamed carrots

Gluten Free Mac/Cheese (Not Paleo, but Birthday Girls  request), Burgers, Tomato and Avocado Salad

Mongolian Beef stir-fried with extra carrot sticks and broccoli

Steak, Mashed Garlic Cauliflower, Green Beans (french sliced removes the legume so  you're left with the pod).

BBQ Chicken, Broccoli Salad (similar to this one, need to write up my recipe), steamed carrots

Hotdogs, sweet potato chips, salad fruit (heading to denver in morning, going easy!)

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 7/22

• Sweet Potato (as the bun!) Chili Dogs (100% Beef Uncured!), Salad (Spinach leaves, tomato, cucumber).

• Ginger Chicken, Roasted Carrots and Zucchini, Mashed Sweet Potatoes (from the inside of the "buns).

• Meatloaf (using Mexican Meatball Recipe sans enchilada sauce), Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, Green Beans 

• Paprikash Chicken, Asparagus, Oven-Roasted Parsnips

• Pesto Spaghetti Squash, Grilled Chicken, Cherry tomatoes

What's For Dinner: Menu 7/15

Sweet Potato Chili (Double Batch) with Avocado
Shrimp Curry over Cauliflower Rice
Paleo Pad Thai
Beef Stroganoff Soup
Asian Chicken Salad
Pepperjack Burgers with bacon strips, Steamed Asparagus

What's For Dinner? Weekly Menu 7/9

Yam Pancakes, Uncured Sausage, Fruit Salad
BBQ Thighs, Sweet Potato Salad, Spinach Salad
Mexican Meatballs, roasted eggplant, carrots
CrockPot Pork Carnitas, Guacamole, portabella mushrooms
Steak Dry Rub, Avocado Salsa, Chopped Broccoli Salad
Pesto Chicken, Spinach Salad with Cucumber and Tomato, Zucchini Sticks

What's for Dinner: Menu 7/1

Sweet Potato and Sausage Chili - topped with Avocado and Sour Cream.  This was really good - entire family loved this.  Original Recipe called for Bison, we used Italian sausage.

BBQ Thighs, Brusselsprouts, spinach with tomato and cucumber salad.

Spaghetti Sauce with sausage, onion, and mushrooms, over spiralized Zucchini.

Crockpot Smoked Pork, over portabella mushrooms, yam fries.

Mushroom, Swiss, Burgers, zucchini sticks, radishes, carrot sticks, (for 4th of july) trying Pork Rinds dipped in Salsa as treat as well.

Yam Pancakes, Uncured sausage (spinach and feta), Fruit Salad

Recipe: Mongolian Beef

I've had this recipe for so many years now, I'm not sure where I got it from originally.  Like the Adobo recipe, replacing soy sauce with coconut aminos.  The recipe also calls for 2 tsp cornstarch which I'm debating leaving out all together, or finding a paleo substitute.. I'm not picky on thickness factor.




Ingredients:
2 TBL Coconut Oil
2 Carrots thinly sliced
1 Tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 Tsp sugar
2 TBL Coconut Aminos
3/4 Cup Water
1# beef round steak, cut into strips
2 Cloves Minced Garlic
1 Tsp Coconut Aminos
1 bunch green onions cut into 2" pieces

Optional: I like to add broccoli into this as well

Directions

In Medium Bowl, mix 1 TBL of Coconut Aminos and Garlic - stir in beef and let sit for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix together water, 2 TBL Coconut Aminos, sugar, and red pepper flakes, set aside.

In a pan, heat 1 TBL Coconut Oil and cook and stir beef in hot oil for 1-2 minutes, remove and set aside.

Heat 1 TBL oil in pan, saute carrots, white part of green onions (And broccoli if desired) for 2 minutes, toss in green part of green onions and saute additional minute.  Stir in Beef and cook until sauce boils and beef thoroughly heated.

I'll be serving over Cauliflower rice.

Recipe: Chicken Adobo

The original recipe I obtained several years ago from my friend Nicole and have discovered only one ingredient isn't "Paleo-Friendly" (Soy-Sauce) but the substitute for it is perfect! (Coconut Aminos).

We used to serve this over rice with a veggie, but now (depending on our mood) can use cauliflower rice, or spinach leaves.





Ingredients:

1-2 pounds Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks
1/4 Cup White Vinegar
1/4 Cup Coconut Aminos
2 Cloves Crushed Garlic
2 Bay Leaves
1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

In a deep pot, combine all ingredients, except chicken.  Mix it well, then place chicken in the pot turning a few times to get coated.

Cover and allow to come to a boil, turn down heat and simmer 30 minutes, turning over occasionally.

Uncover and cook additional 15 minutes, turning occasionally.

That's it!

What's for Dinner: Weekly Menu 6/24

Adobo Chicken, Cauliflower Rice Pilaf (this recipe but add in diced onion, celery, little bit of bacon and chicken broth), Asparagus

Burger Wraps, Kale "Chips", Yam Fries

Mongolian Beef with Carrots and Broccoli, over cauliflower rice (The cauliflower head makes a lot, so I divide it into two meals).

Salsa Dancing Chicken with Avocado, shredded cabbage salad

Taco Salads (Trying the recipe from the meatballs and making as taco meat).

Pecan Crusted Chicken, Pear Salad, Zucchini Sticks

For Dinner Saturday I made a breakfast for dinner:  sauteed portabella mushrooms, made breakfast sausage patties, uncured bacon, used the yam fries recipe and cubed it instead of sliced it, and some fried over medium eggs.  Paired with a Bloody Caesar for me and the mister.

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 6/18

A little (okay a lot) behind posting this week, but only because last week's recipes were 60% disaster I almost didn't want to post until I made sure the meals were good. Protip: Cauliflower Rice is not a good substitute in Chimichangas.  We decided to not try making old recipes we liked "Paleo Friendly" as the substitutions were horrible last week.  We'll keep on trekking on with our new cookbooks and other forums and blog recipes.

• Clams Italiano and Ratatouille were a hit
• Chicken Piccata, Steamed Asparagus (in chicken broth and lemon pepper seasoning), and Wilted Spinach (in leftover chicken broth/lemon pepper juice)
• Beef Stroganoff /Soup with Extra Sliced Zucchini we poured the Stroganoff over the top of in the bowls.
• Moroccan Chicken over Romaine
• Bratwurst Wraps with Spicy Mustard and Brusselsprouts (Sauteed in onion and bacon)
• Taco Salad (For adults) Taco wraps in cabbage leaves for kiddos.  My favorite taco meat mixture used to be 1# hamburger, 1# sausage, 1 taco seasoning packet, and 1 chili seasoning packet.  After 6 months without this, we tried this this week and it was way too salty.  Husband thought we should try the same meat mixture in the Meatballs recipe we like.
• BBQ Shredded Pork (In Crockpot) Wrapped in Cabbage Leaves, steamed carrots and Broccoli, baked yam fries (Although mine look like: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/jenwilliams_/Paleo/photo-1121.jpg).
• (And of course, family over last Saturday so Bacon Avocado Burgers again - we do like hamburgers when it's sunny!)

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 6/3

Last week's menu ended with a bit of leftovers, pushed some days off to this week.  One of the meals from last week had Sunday night of this week instead.

• Mexican Meatballs, Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, Wilted Spinach (in a little coconut oil, salt, pepper and garlic)
• Beef Stroganoff/ Soup (This was good, needs more zucchini for the noodle effect).
•  Walnut Pesto tossed with sauteed chicken, sliced yellow squash, spinach (was supposed to be a Pad Thai Night, but discovered too late we're out of almond butter, so had to improvise, had leftover pesto in the freezer).
• Shrimp Curry over Cauliflower Rice
• Apple Shallot Pork-chops, Mashed Parsnips, Steamed Asparagus

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 5/25

Last week I had a shortened menu since I knew I was having company over for the weekend and put off buying a few days worth of meals until this week.  Bonus meals in this week's posting! It's a BBQ weekend for Memorial Weekend, so burgers 2 weeks in a row!

• Burgers (lettuce wraps this week), Yam Fries, Fruit Kabobs, Veggie Sticks
• BBQ Chicken and Ribs, Veggie Kabobs, Brussel sprouts w/uncured bacon
• Brats (not uncured, it's a cheat ) and Sauerkraut (in a Romaine Wrap), Deviled Eggs, Pickle and Tomato Slices
• Baked Sweet Potatoes, Filet Mignon Steak, Steamed Carrots
• Fish Tacos in Cabbage Leaves, Avocado Slices, Cantaloupe Slices
• Mexican Meatballs, Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, Wilted Spinach
• "Spanish Rice" (Stuffed peppers recipe with cauliflower rice mixed in)

What's For Dinner: Weekly Menu 5/21

• Open-Faced Burgers (your favorite recipe) on Sauteed Portabella Mushrooms (add tomato slices and spinach leaves), and Yam Fries
• Stuffed Peppers
• Paleo Pad Thai
• Uncured Sausage, Eggs, Avocado and Tomato Slices
• Chicken Piccata, Steamed broccoli, Zucchini Noodles
• Salmon/Cherry Tomato Salsa, Spinach Salad, Steamed Asparagus

Menu Resources

When starting out, I wanted to get a couple new cookbooks to help give me ideas.

 I've started with The Paleo Diet Cookbook by Loren Cordain and Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso. So far, both cookbooks have winners and losers. But both warrant keeping and still using daily. (Next up I plan to purchase Well Fed by Melissa Joulwan.

Another resource I browse daily and have printed out several successful recipes: www.reddit.com/r/paleo. Great information, pictures, and recipes.

And Pinterest as well - I share my recipes, and find others that have gone really well. My pins are at pinterest.com/dragonflyjen/paleo.

Under the Paleo Diet Cookbook, for example, here are some recipes we've tried:

pg 86 Chicken Marsala is great. (I haven't made homemade broth from it yet, just use storebought still)
pg 88 Turkey Burgers - have had twice, I like - everyone else can take it or leave it
pg 98 Beef Tenderloin Roast is good, but what it really did was open my eyes to buying the filet mignon roast and using as rare steaks - now that meat is good! The kale leaves were bitter, and the chopped onion sauce on top I didn't like, so just go for the meat next time lol
pg 100 carne asade with the holy guacamole on pg 100 on lettuce leaves were nummy
pg 102 Beef Bourguignon turned out to be stew when I didn't know, thought it was a roast LOL - had this for jim's birthday and it was really good - would do again
(pg 114 stuffed bell peppers were gross, don't do this one, the one I have pinned we've done 3x now and much better than this one!)
pg 132 the Grilled Snapper Recipe - we like the seasoning, and do it one whatever fish we do (Tilapia or Cod)
pg 138 Diablo Crab Legs - yes please! Was good.
pg 142 Paleo Tilapia Tacos were good.

pg 162 Roasted Baby Squash and Carrots was awesome side dish! We love this one.
pg 170Carb Lovers Cauliflower - is a mashed cauliflower with a zuchini mashed with it (did it in the blender the first time, now use my immersion blender) This is AWESOME! little bit of chicken broth, 6 garlic, so good!
pg 172 eggplant and basil saute was okay - no one else cared for it but jim and I.
(pg 185 the creamy coconut curry that goes on pg 82 coconut cashew chicken was not very good.)
pg 228 baked yam fries are my favorite!!

I'm not a Caveman

Intro:
I want to have a place to organize my family's journey on Paleo/Primal. I've had questions and want to share my weekly menu's to help others in the same boat. I didn't start out my journey knowing I was Gluten Intolerant, but I ended up realizing it when I started moving foods out of my diet and introducing things one at a time to figure out the horrible bloating, stomach issues, etc earlier this year. I always knew I was lactose intolerant, but the gluten intolerance should not have surprised me since my mom is allergic to wheat and my dad does have Crohn's disease. I should get tested to help my body, but so far, the Paleo has really been helping.

Backstory:
In January - I decided to cut out all breads and pastas because I was getting more and more bloated despite cutting back my serving portions, and exercising and was still gaining weight (fat not muscle). So I opted to cut it all out on my own -- whatever the family had, I would eat the meat and veggies, but throw in a handful or two of spinach leaves for the rice/pasta substitute. No one had to "suffer" because I was cutting out breads and pastas. I still breaded things and made sauces at the time, so it wasn't strict and an easy way to ease into it.

After a couple months my husband notices my energy levels increasing and my weight loss - my husband noticed, he notices nothing! He said, "wow how much weight have you lost?!" - After that he wanted to try all of the family going Paleo Diet which is Zero Grains (not just gluten free which makes substitutes of things) - so now we eat all fresh, nothing from packages really, meats and fruits and veggies -

Meals:
Right now we own two cookbooks: Everyday Paleo, and the Paleo Diet. A typical dinner can be a roast, Brussel sprouts sauteed in scallions and bacon, and a spinach salad for example. No rice, no pasta, no white potatoes, but we do sweet potatoes or yams occasionally. We have done mashed parsnips, mashed cauliflower, cauliflower rice pilaf, and shredded zucchini makes a GREAT pasta substitute -- dear-hubby(my half-Italian Stallion) actually liked the spaghetti meat sauce over zucchini (julienne peeler to get them skinny).

For lunches I take leftovers with me to work - with tupperware filled with celery and almond butter, an apple, a banana, a baggie of almonds, raisins, beef jerky. These make morning snacks and afternoon snacks throughout the day - I always toss a handful of spinach in my tupperware dish with the leftover dinners - lots of chicken or beef - need to be able to stay full.