Wander Susan Wonder

If you are tired of people talking about Paleo…you do not have to read this blog, promise. I’ve been tired of people talking about Paleo for a while now. These days my rebellious heart (or my pride) keeps me away from bandwagons….or at least I try to stay away from them. Don’t get me wrong…I have tried my fair share or fad diets….but I always hated it. I have never been the skinny girl, and years of trying and failing have kept me just plain frustrated. I told myself just eat everything in moderation and you’ll be fine, but if you have ever seen me around a plate of cookies or cupcakes or ice cream or chips and salsa, me and moderation barely know each other at all.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I finally got disgusted enough with myself to give Paleo the good ole college try. I don’t really know what finally flipped the switch….I just got too tired and mad at how I looked and felt (I understand that there are insecurity issues there…but let’s save that for another day).  I started out with this book….

This was just cheap on amazon…so I read through it. It gives a really simple overview of why eating this way is important and helpful, and gives lists of good foods and bad foods, and then gives lots of recipes to try. I read it in like 20min guys….not a big deal…and then I took the plunge.

I began eating only meat, fruits, veggies, and nuts (excluding peanuts…which still makes me a little sad). Yall….I’m telling you the truth…within 3 days I felt 200% better. Take it from a fat kid who loves food….I felt amazing and was truly surprised by it. And I’ve felt good ever since I started it. Truth. Truth! Now this thing takes planning (which is NOT my strong suit), and sometimes I have to eat grilled chicken out of Tupperware while everyone else busts open a pizza box, but it. is. OK.  Annnd, me being me….I’ve cheated a couple times (what can I say, it happens) and guess what happened….I got totally sick. It’s amazing how your body reacts to bad food….once you’ve started pumping it with good food. Plus, its major motivation not to cheat.

Sooo, I’m super new at this…and still looooove a good cupcake, but here are a few things I’ve learned:

This is my best friend. You just throw healthy food in…leave for hours….and it’s cooked when you get back. What a magical concept.

This is almond flour….and it’s what you need to make bread-like things without using grains (which are a Paleo no-no). It makes really good muffins and banana bread, and makes you feel like you’re still normal.

Dates. Praise Him for dates. I’ve always thought they were normal and fine, but after cutting sugar, these things taste like straight up candy….and I get really happy about it. Also, they’re everywhere here in the desert, so the sweet tooth can go to bed at night.

I am in no way an expert in this, probably never will be, but if I can stay at this almost a month and still have motivation to keep going…..I promise ANYONE can do it. Take it from the girl who’s inner fat kid won’t quit….I promise you can do it.

All that said, if this new flavor ever makes it to my part of the desert, you better believe I’m letting the fat kid out to play and just dealing with the stomach ache: