I’ve been watching the fabulous reviews coming out for Gather: The Art of Paleo Entertaining. People are making and loving and sharing the incredible recipes within and – no surprise – raving about this beautiful book.

I don’t just say this because Bill and Hayley, the authors, are also dear friends: I love the book THE MOST out of everyone. Don’t even try to love it more than me. You won’t. I win. I WIN.

I’m rarely rendered speechless, but I was for a moment upon receiving this book. The fact that I tricked these two talented, brilliant, inventive Paleo bombshells into giving me their phone numbers so that I can send texts like this:

…is just beyond my comprehension. This book is insane. It’s impress-the-Mother-in-Law, pass-down-to-the-grandchildren amazing.

This book isn’t just a cookbook. It’s an investment in your health and your collection of bound, health-promoting conversation pieces. It’s a volume of recipes for dinner parties, lunch with friends, weddings, events, and any other situation where health is as important as enjoyment.

Here’s what I said about it in my Amazon review:

I don’t know how else to say it. This book is fabulous!

The post Gather! appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

So…while we all sit here worrying about the apes discovering fire and firearms and science and politics (because I KNOW that’s what you’re doing in-between being a genius and refreshing this blog), something happened.

Bad news, people: the squirrels are growing in mental fortitude. They’re outsmarting our human capacity for outsmarting their animal capacities. They’re gaining control of our woodpecker feeder.

See below: the normally dangling suet has been reeled in and tied up by these devious bushy-tailed backyard-dwellers, and we now know that it’s US who are in service to the squirrel.

Somebody come over. Bring a ladder.

So here’s the deal: I need to get smarter in the man-vs-wild way. Because when the squirrels move from hijacking the suet to taking over Whole Foods, I need to know where my next meal’s coming from.

In preparation for the animal apocalypse, I’ve gone pre-doomsday preppers (ya know, when you buy a bunch of books you don’t have time to read and equipment you don’t know how to use for for storage in the underground shelter you plan to build with all your woodsy, handy friends). I now have an arsenal…of BOOKS. These books will enable me to become more prepared for what clearly lies ahead, if these sticky-fingered squirrels are any indication. Here are my recent purchases:

Girl Hunter – recommended by a member of our facebook community. I’m absolutely loving it so far. And by “so far” I mean the part I’ve looked at so far: the cover art. #Adorbs

Back to Basics – because we’re looking to start homesteading. (No, I’m serious. More on that in the coming months. Advice welcome.)

Aaand just for kicks, Basic Butchering. I’m reading up on how to REALLY take on the process of …processing.

So here’s my list: learn to grow, hunt, process, outsmart my backyard wildlife, and be completely self-sufficient, without having to get off facebook or stop watching television for approximately 36 hours each day. Any advice?

The post The squirrels are outsmarting us; or, how to avoid the animal apocalypse without ever leaving Amazon. appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

(Said in my best “most interesting man in the world” voice: I don’t always do reviews, but when I do, I prefer to do them on books that rock my socks off.)

(That is the FIRST time I’ve ever written “LOL.” *Pangs of intense regret*)

Even though I was pret-ty sure I knew a pretty hefty bit about broth (I mean, I have a MUG about it, for Pete’s sake) I found myself totally enthralled by everything in this e-book. It’s not just about broth – it’s about every component in, near, and around broth, and everything those fabulous components can do! Before this e-book, I had never seen this information all in one place.

This book rivals anything on the Traditional Food Interwebs for density of information and enlightenment about one of my FAVORITE traditional foods. It’s well worth the buy, from both a scientific and a practical perspective. Multiple “Real-Food” heavy-hitters, including Sally Fallon and Mark Sisson, agreed to have their personal broth recipes reproduced in this book!

And lucky me – Jaclyn, the author, agreed to do a little interview with me!

Me: What inspired you to get SO in-depth on bone broth?

Jaclyn: I guess I’d have to credit that to my type-A personality and my Dad! Let me explain…

When my husband suggested that we follow a paleo diet a few years back in order to get fit for our wedding, I immersed myself in paleo-related books, blogs and forums. I learned everything there was to know about the paleo diet and made sure that we practiced it to a tee. (I wanted to look my best at our wedding dammit!) While we reached our aesthetic goals, we were unable to rid ourselves of our lingering health issues. So I decided to tweak our paleo diet to incorporate more traditional and nutrient dense foods. In my true all-or-nothing fashion, I soaked up all that I could from the Weston A. Price literature, GAPS teachings, and other traditional and real food blogs. We made bone broth a staple in our diet and saw incredible health improvements.

While I found tidbits of information about bone broth (recipes, techniques, and claims of incredible health benefits), I had to hunt for them and piece information together to get the whole story. My Dad, a fellow paleo and traditional foods enthusiast, suggested I create a single source of comprehensive information on bone broth. I was immediately excited about joining the community and helping to spread the word about bone broth’s wonderful healing properties. I’m hoping that others will benefit as we did!

Me: What are the top five things broth can do for folks? What’s your “sales pitch” to turn the broth-wary into the broth-chugging?

Jaclyn: Choosing five when there are so many health benefits is not easy, but I’ll give it a shot!

• Supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption
• Bolsters the immune system and helps ward off illness
• Strengthens bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and aids arthritis
• Promotes healthy, supple skin and strong teeth
• Helps manage autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease, Crohn’s and multiple sclerosis

For the broth-wary, I would borrow Robb Wolf’s infamous sales pitch, “Try it for 30-days and see how you look, feel and perform.” My father, husband and I all experienced improved digestion and immune health by sipping on one large mug of broth/day. Your readers in particular might also be pleased to hear that we all got compliments on our skin as well! The nutrients and minerals in broth, particularly proline and glycine, two amino acids critical to the production of collagen, do wonders for smooth, supple skin. (Liz’s note: This is a dang-ole FACT!)

Oh, and broth is easy and inexpensive to prepare, nourishing and nutritious, and tastes delicious. Why not give it a try? No need to chug though, your readers should feel free to sip!

Me: You got permission from TONS of traditional foods heavy-hitters to reproduce their recipes for almost any kind of broth and stock you could imagine. Out of all those recipes and wisdom, which is your favorite nutritionally? Flavor-wise? 

Jaclyn: As I’m sure you know, the members of our community are incredibly generous and supportive. I’m grateful for the permission I received from traditional foods advocates such as Sally Fallon, Mark Sisson, Christa Oreccio, Vanessa Romero, and the others.

When it comes to nutrition, I’d have to say that Sally Fallon is Queen. Both her Beef and Fish Stock recipes even taste nutritious – if that’s possible! They are chock full of the most nutritious types of bones, veggies and seasoning, and her methods are designed for optimum nutrition.

As for taste, I’m preferential to a recipe submitted by Lea of Paleo Spirit for “Brown Beef Broth.” While it takes a bit more preparation time, roasting the beef bones results in a rich and deeply satisfying flavor. It’s certainly my husband’s favorite.

We have plenty of varied recipes in Bone Broth: A Recipe For Health; there’s definitely something for everyone. We cover most types of bones and different cooking methods – some super simple and others more complex, but all nutritious and delicious!

Me: What are a few tips for broth beginners?

Jaclyn: Start simple! I would direct beginners to the “Bare Bones” version of broth in my book. It requires minimal effort; it can even be prepared before leaving for work. Think bones, water and apple cider vinegar… it can’t get much more simple than that. It does however require a decent slow cooker, which I highly recommend for those interested in making bone broth a regular part of their diet.

In fact, we’ve dedicated an entire section of the book to “Tips & Tricks” and include tips for saving money and time, maximizing nutrition and flavor, and storing and serving broth of all types. The purpose of the book is help others improve their health with broth, so we’ve made it foolproof!

For more on Jaclyn’s book, head over to Bone Broth for Health!

The post Bone Broth for Health: everything you ever wanted to know about BROTH! appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

“…love is a great beautifier.”

And how true that is! (I love love.)

Yet I can’t help but think that if Louisa May Alcott knew what I know, she would have said something different. Something more like:

“…things that smell like dead fish in an old gym sock are great beautifiers.” 

Seriously. I’ve got three products to prove it.

All right, I’m exaggerating a bit. These products don’t really smell like the fitness center on a fishing boat. But they DO reflect the whole, natural, skin-loving, living ingredients they’re derived from. And sometimes natural ingredients smell…natural.

And not everything in nature smells like rosebuds. Here’s the deal: our skin is a living, breathing thing. The more alive, robust, and natural our skin care is, the better our skin responds to it. I learned this the hard way: in my fight against acne, eczema and dry skin, I relied on synthetics, “fragranced” drugstore junk, and other products that were, for all intents and purposes, dead. Not surprisingly, they didn’t work. What my skin truly craved was something ALIVE. (I devote a large chunk of my Skintervention Guide to this topic.)

I found that, while natural, holistic remedies that smell good are perfectly helpful, some MAJOR power lies in natural products with a MAJOR nose.

And these remedies definitely pack a wallop. I absolutely LOVE them. I’ve even grown to like their signature smells.

Stinky Skin Care Product 1: Green Pasture Beauty Balm with Fermented Cod Liver Oil.

Fermented Cod Liver Oil may smell funky, but it’s the absolute BEST nutritional tool when it comes to healing the skin from the inside-out (another topic I tackle in my guide). It’s no surprise, then, that it’s also a topical powerhouse. Unrefined Cod Liver Oil was traditionally used in the treatment of burns, but argh! That smell!

Green Pasture has combined their FCLO (the ONLY FCLO I recommend) with shea butter, butter oil (yes, butter oil – it’s amazing for your face), coconut oil, and cranberry essential oil to make an only slightly off-smelling skin care work of absolute genius. My friends Hayley and Diane are absolutely obsessed with the stuff – as am I.

Smells like…A clean, buttery fish tank…in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner. (*joke)
Feels like…A smooth, intensive moisturizing treatment.
Helps with…I’ve heard reports of this balm helping with eczema, rosacea, dry skin, skin tone and redness.

Stinky Skin Care Product 2: Vintage Tradition Tallow Balm

Tallow is one of the oldest, most traditional natural skin care products out there. (We talk about eating “nose to tail” – but what we get from our properly-raised animals doesn’t stop at food!) Components of Tallow match components of the human skin – the skin recognizes this in a way that surprised even me. This balm doesn’t REALLY stink, but the smell is certainly unique.

The catch: your tallow must be from grass-fed/pastured/naturally raised cows. Vintage Tradition has made an amazing tallow balm that also includes organic Olive oil – another one of my go-to skin care oils.

Smells like…A slightly musty picnic in a barn.
Feels like…A smooth, intensive moisturizing treatment.
Helps with…I’ve heard reports of this balm helping with diaper rash, eczema, and dry skin.

Stinky Skin Care Product 3: 100 Percent Pure Purifying Seaweed Facial Masque

While this masque has a few extra ingredients – dermatology darlings like a Vitamin C component and Alpha-lipoic Acid – it’s based around some majorly nutrient-dense skin-nutrition: kelp, bladderwrack, and french green clay. Masques are an absolute skin care favorite of mine, as is the amazing nutrition (for body AND skin) that we find in the sea.

Despite the fact that I’m as unfamiliar with seafood as a Kansas girl SHOULD be (Mermaids. Chesticles. Just HOW FAR did that sushi have to travel to get to the Midwest?) I try to incorporate seafood and sea vegetables into my diet – and my skincare routine – as much as possible. The peppermint in this masque adds a nice touch, but it’s still got that anosmatic twinge.

Smells like…An algae bloom (which isn’t as lovely as it sounds).
Feels like…A tight and intense skin treatment.
Helps with…Skin “detox” (a fancy term for “pore cleansing”), skin texture and tone. Masques like this also give nutrients to the skin.
Does not help with…my jar-opening skills.

I generally blend up most masques with Apple Cider Vinegar (for tightening and toning) or Calendula hydrosol (for a more soothing treatment). While I wait for it to dry, I enjoy a cup of my favorite skin-care tea!

Cheers!

Want MORE Skincare tips and tricks? Curious about how nutrition
and good digestion can help skin heal?
Check out my Skintervention Guide!

The post Stinky Skin Care: three (stinky) remedies that WORK appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

…but it’s not the prospect of a pastured-beef-liver-filled-grass-fed-meatball that gets me out of bed in the morning.

In fact, I find it kind of hard to get out of bed in the morning, no matter how much weird food awaits.

Strange confession, I know. But the truth is, despite all the liver in my freezer and pastured eggs in my fridge; despite my more-than-adequate vitamin D levels and my love of lard, I’ve been in a Primal Hole lately. I’ve been stuck in my own little world of ERMAGERD LETS TALK ABOUT FOOD ALL THE TIME FOREVER, which usually makes me happy, but lately I’ve been…meh.

I’ve been pretty lost as to why. My food is perf. The nutrients are flowing. My sat-fat is sat-fatting all over this mug. (Literally. This mug is full of saturated fat.)

Americano whipped with butter & coconut oil. Dash of cinnamon on top.

(PS: I do like big mutts. One slobbery, sweet one in particular.)

I believed I had all the ingredients to bake up some Paleo-fied happiness, but I just haven’t been feeling like a happy-peppy-person.

The curtains opened when Mark Sisson’s new book, The Primal Connection, arrived at my door.

This book couldn’t have hit me harder if the UPS guy’d thrown it at my head. From the moment I opened it, in fact, I was smacking myself in the head. There are so many gems in this book – I can hardly stand it. It’s everything I needed to understand what may be amiss for me – namely, me.

Ya know how John Lennon was the Walrus? Well…I am the disconnect.

It’d be harsh to say “I’m doing it wrong,” but the truth is – the disconnect is ME.

What Mark did with this book was remind me, powerfully and primally yet with the backing of solid science, that it’s not just about food. It’s about connecting with what makes us beings on the Earth. 

• That’s shutting off “technology” and realizing that more screen time doesn’t mean more productivity.
• That’s stopping the ridiculous quest for somebody else’s brand of perfection.
• That’s realizing that work MUST wait.
• That’s cultivating a TRIBE; being part of a community, and allowing interaction for the sake of interaction (not work!) to invigorate me.
• That’s touching, feeling, moving, being in nature. (Preferably with bare feet, and with the Gokhale method in mind)
• That’s realizing that it doesn’t matter if potatoes are Paleo if my feet haven’t touched the bare-ass ground all day.

There’s science behind all of this. Real science. And common sense. Mark covers all of it. Real health starts with how we live, not just what we eat.

Of course, food is wrapped up in the “how we live” equation, but health requires more than just clean food – and that can’t be ignored. I see it more clearly now than ever in my nutritional therapy practice, where people eating so-called perfect diets are seeing issues that Mark’s philosophy would, I suspect, address completely.

Here’s something that’s really, really sad: I used to go outside every day. The Paleo Pooch and I covered at least 4 miles rain, wind, sleet, hell or high water. We once walked our route in 18″ of snow. Not kidding.

But now there are days when I don’t go outside at all. Weekdays are workdays, and I’ll go outside on the journey from car to office and back. Weekends are catch-up days, and there are times when I realize, 36 hours later, that I have neither been outside nor noticed the weather or the sun. Sure, I go to yoga and CrossFit, but those are inside activities too. I know I’m not the only one who’s had these pitfalls of modern life slip by unnoticed.

I’ve been blessed with amazing work and an amazing community, but I’ve been talking to them through a computer instead of in-person. I’ve been Skyping-in my friendships.

Me and D-sizzle, Skyping it in.

The first thing I touch when I wake up in the morning isn’t the handsome Cave-husband to whom I’m beyond blessed to be married. It’s my iPhone (I know, I know – the cell phone shouldn’t be my alarm clock) as I check, with one bleary eye open, the e-mails that came in during the night.

The dog has a doggie-door so he can hang in the backyard while I type-type-type and text-text-text.

I’ve buried myself the last 2 years trying to do everythingeverythingallthetime, never shutting off the computer or my phone.And, unfortunately, during that time, nobody has gotten my best. And I’ve definitely lost myself a little.

I’m going to change a few things, and if The Primal Connection is right, it’s going to change my health and my mind-set. Unfortunately, I can’t always bring my camera-phone along for the ride, but I’ll sure write about it…when I plug back in.

In the interest of total technological hypocrisy, I’ve got AWESOME news! Mark Sisson is coming on the Balanced Bites Podcast very soon! Perhaps we’ll record barefoot from around a campfire…

The post The Primal Connection (& why it’s not liver that gets me out of bed in the morning) appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

My compadre Todd, a Primal Adventurer and Head Groksman over at Primal Toad, has done what he usually does – created an awesome, people-helping product out of sheer passion – and come up with a pretty dang crazy-good “Toadally Primal Wellness Bundle.“

The TPWP has, like, everything you could ever need to know about living the Paleo/Primal/Real Food lifestyles…and it’s cheaper than a bargain-bin waffle iron. (I don’t know what that means. But trust me.)

The Toadally Primal Wellness Bundle is full of books by well-respected bloggers, practitioners, Primal culinary geniuses, and Real Food lovers. There are how-tos, why-tos, and everything in-between. Nutrition, food, lifestyle, babies, birthing, sleeping, eating, healing and fermenting…whatever you’ve been wondering about, it’s here. The only other thing you could possibly need in your whole entire life is a Dark Chocolate Espresso Krunch bar. Because…duh.

(I only wish my upcoming skin care guide had been ready in time to make the package! I promise – soon!)

As Toad says, “nutrition may be the most important but it’s meaningless without other lifestyle factors. These include play, sleep, skin care, fitness, socialization and in comparison to today’s society, slowing down and enjoying the countless blessings that we are all surrounded with.”

Amen!

Toad provided me with an awesome overview of all the goodies you’ll find in the bundle. Here goes:

• 33 ebooks (listed below) with a total value of $479
• On sale for 7 days – January 7 to January 14
• Sale price of only $39 – 92% savings of the total value!
• Includes automatic entry into the epic giveaway with a total value of $1122

Important notes

• The sale ends on Monday, January 14 at 11:59 PM EST.

• Click on the links to the ebooks (below) to learn more about them.

• Paleo Crock Pot Cookbook is linked to Caveman Feast. Please understand that the PDF you will receive includes 31 crock pot recipes.

• The PCOS Unlocked: The Manual you will be receiving is 52 pages worth; not the entire guide. Why? It has a specifically unique value and thus $47 selling price. A significant discount code to purchase the rest of the guide is inside.

• The giveaway ends at the exact same time of the sale. Todd (Primal Toad) will announce the winners on the giveaway page and email them too. Please go to PrimalToad.com/Giveaway2013 to learn more about the prizes.

• Due to the unique nature of this sale, no refunds will be offered. With the bundle containing 33 ebooks at a cost of 92% of their normal price point, everyone is bound to find immense value well worth $39.

Paleo, real food, grain free & coconut oil cookbooks

• I Love Real Food Cookbook ($12) by Svenja Trierscheid @ Paleo-Foodporn.Blogspot.de
• Beyond Grain & Dairy Cookbook ($17) by Starlene Stewart @ GapsDietJourney.com
• Grain Free Meal Plan Cookbook ($18) by Cara Faus @ HealthHomeHappy.com
• Well Fed Cookbook ($15) by Melissa Joulwan @ TheClothesMakeTheGirl.com
• Cooking with Coconut Oil ($20) by Jennifer @ HybridRastaMama.com
• Paleo Crock Pot Cookbook ($10) by Abel & George Bryant @ CivilizedCavemanCooking.com

Lacto-Fermentation, pantry overhaul & freezer guide

• Restocking the Pantry ($10) by Kresha Faber @ NourishingJoy.com
• Lacto-Fermentation ($20) by Wardee Harmon @ Gnowfglins.com
• Freezer Cooking Guide for Grain Free Meal Plans ($18) by Cara Faus @ HealthHomeHappy.com

Indulge in treats without feeling guilty

• Indulge: 70 Grain Free Recipes ($25) by Carol Lovett @ DitchTheWheat.com
• Toadally Primal Smoothies ($10) by Todd Dosenberry @ PrimalToad.com
• Paleo Ice Cream ($10) by Ben Hirshberg @ BenHirshberg.com

Give birth, nourish your newborn, then educate him/her on real food

• Real Food Nutrition for Kids ($20) by Kristen Michaelis @ FoodRenegade.com
• My Buttered Life Baby Edition ($5) by Renee Harris @HardLotion.com
• Nourished Baby ($19) by Heather Dessinger @ MommyPotamus.com
• Unbound Birth ($5) by Jenny Yarbrough @ UnboundBirth.com

Heal PCOS & boost metabolism

• PCOS Unlocked: The Manual ($24) by Stefani Ruper @ PaleoForWomen.com
• Eat for Heat ($10) by Matt Stone @ 180DegreeHealth.com

Simplify, live exuberantly, camp w/ your family & play music

• 3-2-1 Stop: Stop Running and Start Living ($5) by Lorilee Lippincott @ 321-Stop.com
• Family Camping Handbook ($7) by Katie Kimball @ KitchenStewardship.com
• The Musical Brain ($3) by Abel James Bascom @ FatBurningMan.com
• Exuberant Animal ($10) by Frank Forencich @ ExuberantAnimal.com

Paleo time: travel, myths, cleanse, start anew or go wild

• 30 Day Intro to Paleo ($15) by Bill & Hayley @ Beta.Primal-Palate.com
• The Wild Diet ($17) by Abel James Bascom @ FatBurningMan.com
• 12 Paleo Diet Myths ($10) by Matt Stone @ 180DegreeHealth.com
• 21-Day Paleo Cleanse ($24) by Neely Quinn @ PaleoPlan.com
• 21 Myths About the Paleo Diet… Debunked! ($19) by Aglaee Jacob @ Eat-Real-Food-PaleoDietitian.com
• Eating Out and Traveling on the Paleo Diet ($15) by Aglaee Jacob @ Eat-Real-Food-PaleoDietitian.com

Take care of your skin homemade style & heal acne

• Ultimate Secrets to Acne Freedom ($29) by Tracy McCullough @ TheLoveVitamin.com
• Cure Your Skin Compulsions ($29) by Tracy McCullough @ TheLoveVitamin.com
• Guide to Homemade Skincare ($19) by Roxanne King @ TheHolisticMama.com
• My Buttered Life Gift Giving Edition ($5) by Renee Harris @HardLotion.com
• My Buttered Life Summer Edition ($5) by Renee Harris @HardLotion.com

Okay, peeps! If you’re into it (and you KNOW I’m into it) click on the nifty button Todd created for me (below) to make ‘em all yours. If you do, I get beaucoup credit for sending you over! Make me look good!

(Please remember that no refunds will be offered due to the unique nature of this sale.)

The post The Toadally Primal Wellness Bundle! appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

Photo shamelessly ripped and manipulated for the purposes of this post. Click for source.

(Unless, of course, it involves something I, Liz the Blogging Cave Girl, wrote and am pre-selling on Amazon. We’ll get there. Under the tutelage of the world’s foremost expert in the field, I’m getting better at shameless self-promotion!)

I’ve searched the furthest corners of Ask Jeeves the world for the best, most perfect, most exciting Paleo-friendly nifty-gifties out there. These are at the top of my list – for giving and receiving. {hint, hint, Cave Husband.}

Now, I say “Paleo-friendly” because my first concern here isn’t Paleo Perfectionism. This time of year I’m more Primal Hedonist than Food Fun-Hater. Therefore, I hereby declare that several of these fall under the theme Caveman Would if ‘e Could. Would Grok refuse a life-changing cocoa-butter-based coffee bar?

I think not, friends. I think not.

These goodies will keep you healthy and, of course, hungry for more. They will definitely make your holidays happier. (Material things always do that, right?!)

Paleo-friendly Holiday Gift #1: Steve’s Original PaleoGoods.

Proceeds from sales of Steve’s PaleoGoods fund Steve’s Club National Program, a program that I’m involved with and passionate about. We’re able to provide mentorship and fitness training to at-risk youth with your support, but that’s not the only reason to love these. They’re also really, really, REALLY stinkin’ good. They keep me sane and well-fed during unexpected airport delays and time crunches (and, ya know, breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and the Paleo MRE goes with my husband on deployment.

We even trim the tree with them, because…why not?

I stock up on Apple Pie PaleoKits (yum), Cinnamon Paleo Krunch (double yum), and Dark Chocolate Espresso Krunch (double duh). They’ve got dressings, dried fruits, super-clean jerky of all kinds, and gift baskets too. Buy a kit, help a kid. Love.

Oh, and keep your Paleo Krunch in the freezer for a cool, tasty, perfect treat. You’re welcome.

Photo by the amazing Bill Staley of The Food Lovers

Paleo-friendly Holiday Gift #2: Sardines. Yes, sardines.

I’m a little obsessed with sardines. Fish oil…meh.* I want all the goods that are supposed to come WITH my EPA/DHA. Like CoQ10, calcium and protein. What better way to say “ditch the pills” with love while staying in the holiday spirit? By buying your loved ones Bela smoked sardines!

These come packed in olive oil, “with LEMON,” and plenty of other jazzy flavors. They’re smoked, so they don’t taste fishy. And the tins are just adorbz, no?

These are available online or at Whole Foods.

*Want to know why Fermented Cod Liver Oil is different from fish oil? Read this.

Paleo-friendly Holiday Gift #3: Not a chocolate bar. A COFFEE bar.

When Diane and I performed our comedy show Balanced Bites Workshop in Portland last year, we found the adult chocolate-and-coffee-lovers equivalent to Willy Wonka’s: Cacao. Inside Cacao, we found a coffee bar.

Not a chocolate bar. A coffee bar. Not the kind you drink. The kind you eat. And then I realized that my life to that point had not been complete.

The Ka-POW bar, made by Sagahun Handmade Chocolates, is the best thing since sliced meat. Read why here.

My favorite quote: “The idea behind the confection is to treat coffee beans like they’re cocoa beans.”

Uhm, SOLD.

The Ka-POW bar uses cocoa butter; coffee from small-batch, local (to Portland) roasteries, and sugar. Yes, sugar. Let’s not pretend we don’t all get a lil’ sugar sometimes – whether that’s from dried mango or sweet potato or a coconut macaroon (that’s up next). Context, people. The sugar is wrapped in a perfectly healthy fat – cocoa butter – and did-I-mention-coffee. This treat is Hallalujah for your mouth. It’s simple, it’s well-sourced, it’s a dream wrapped in a rainbow.

Paleo-friendly Holiday Gift #4: Hail Merrys.

Hail to the Merrys indeed. The best way to get a gluten-free coconut enthusiast in a Happy Holiday tizzy is to send ‘em a goodie like this. (Thanks, D-sizzle, for buying my friendship with such an amazing gift!) This company occupies that eco-aware, health-conscious middle-ground between the thoughtful omnivores and the vegivores: there’s not a Paleo on the planet that doesn’t appreciate responsibly-sourced, delicious food – plant-based or not.

And they have some RIDICULOUS flavors in these holiday tins, including strawberry shortcake, chocolate, and sea salt caramel. Ingredients center around organic maple syrup, organic shredded coconut, fair trade dark cocoa, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic Madagascar bourbon vanilla, and sea salt.

Simple ingredients, simple enjoyment. And this will be a HUGE hit, even with the gluten-ful. Bring these to a party and nobody will touch the flour-filled “special brownies.” (Actually, I guess that depends on what kinda party we’re talkin’ about. Amiright?)

Paleo-friendly Holiday Gift #5: A future gift of the best book ever.

Shameless plug: My book comes out in May, and it’s available for pre-order on Amazon! If Michael Pollan and Tina Fey had a book baby, this would be it. Modern Cave Girl is about all the “whys” and “are you kidding meees?” behind the food we eat, delivered in typical Liz fashion (if somebody can put a name to that “fashion,” that’d be grrreat).

When a skeptic asks you the following questions about your Paleo/Primal/Real Food choices…

Haven’t you read The China Study?
Isn’t all that cholesterol going to clog your arteries?
Don’t you need whole grains and vegetable oils?
Why doesn’t your chosen diet have the word “Skinny” in it? 

…You can simply hand them this book. It explains everything, from how the Margarine industry and the factory farm industry are connected; how we got hoodwinked by Canola Oil, and why meat-eating is definitely sustainable and ethical. All with a healthy dose of snark, sarc and sat. (And truncs.)

A handwritten note that says you bought MCG for a loved one is THE can’t-miss gift of the season.

Nothing says “I love you” like things you can’t use yet.

Paleo-friendly Holiday Gift #6: the best Olive Oil ever.

REAL, delicious, peppery Kotinos Olive Oil from the company owner’s village in Peloponnesos, Greece is the most unique, spectacular olive oil you’ll ever taste. Trust me. I’m a Cave Girl. And Cave Girl would if she could (and does when she can).

Olive Oil is a traditionally-valued ancestral food. It has a long history in culinary culture and it’s a total foodie’s delight – when sourced right. I love fat – delicious, healthy, satiating fat – and I believe we need a variety of fats. When it comes to plant fats, coconut, red palm (carefully sourced) and olive are my healthy go-tos.

I dip, top, and drench veggies in this stuff. I make my stuffed grape leaves with it. I take swigs of it on occasion and even use it on my skin (more on that in my upcoming skin care guide!) It’s legit.

That’s all, folks! I’d love to hear about YOUR go-to holiday nifty gifties. Give me more to recommend to the facebook and twitter crowds!

The post Paleo-friendly HOLIDAY GIFTS! {hint, hint} appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

I can make the bed without actually getting out of bed. (It involves flailing.)
I can use the word “sisyphian” in a sentence. (See? I just did.)
I can spell the word “pterodactyl” correctly on the first try. (The same can’t be said of “sisyphian.”)

But I can’t write the comprehensive guide to delivering a swift roundhouse kick to the polycystic gonads. (Excuse that harsh title – but anyone that’s dealt with PCOS knows that’s exactly what it deserves.) I can’t help every woman on the planet with her PCOS. That’s the what Stefani Ruper of Paleo for Women has done – and she does it extraordinarily well. Beautifully. Powerfully. Eloquently. Compassionately.

I’m honored to know Stefani and proud to talk about her guide. (Below: the two of us at the Weston A. Price Foundation Conference.)

Thanks to Laura of Ancestralize Me for the picture!

Stefani’s journey began with her own recovery from PCOS, and continued as she culled through volumes of medical literature as well as the experiences of the countless women she’s helped. In the process, Stefani identified not only the approach to recovering from PCOS, but the causes and approaches for four types of PCOS.

Did YOU know there were four types?!

As friends of mine began to want to start their own families, I began to hear the words “PCOS” again and again. It seemed to me that everyone was dealing with PCOS. The diagnosis seemed as broad as “Irritable Bowel.” And it didn’t seem to discriminate by outward health, fitness level or body fat. My friends were having trouble taking the next step in their lives, and it was all because of that ubiquitous label: PCOS. I hated PCOS. But I didn’t understand it.

I’m a female (duh), and I find my own dang hormones frustrating. I’ve been Taking Charge of [my] Fertility, which has been a total revelation – but it hasn’t brought me to the level of knowledge that Stefani Ruper’s guide – PCOS Unlocked – has.

(Estrogen is harrrd, you guys.)

Female hormones are beautiful and complex and confusing. Having them doesn’t make you an expert – but owning your right to be in control of them does.

Understanding yourself, I truly believe, is 90% of any battle. Owning the process of recovering – and approaching it with confidence – only happens when you understand for yourself what’s happening and how to fix it.

With PCOS Unlocked, Stefani has opened that door for every woman. Your mother. Your sister. Your best friend. Yourself.

Oh…and there is a FLOW CHART. As if you needed more reason to buy.

The tools in PCOS Unlocked are simply not available anywhere else. PCOSU helped me understand:

• How to interpret my OWN blood work without having to blindly trust a well-meaning yet ill-informed physician
• How to practice “self-love and forgiveness,” which is crucial to recovery
• How to exercise properly to support a positive hormonal environment
• When to use supportive supplements and herbs
• What hormonal birth control actually does to the hormonal environment

There is audio. There are videos. There are supplemental guides to hormones, food choice and more.

But what PCOS Unlocked really does is firmly establish the universal baseline: as Stefani says, “every woman who has PCOS has it because of damage that has been caused by straying away from what her body naturally needs.”

So there are no tricks or sleights of hand in this guide. It’s truly about knowing yourself well enough to take care of your own needs and move forward. The greatest point Stefani makes is the need to “move constantly towards natural nourishment.”

That isn’t just about eating Real Food. It’s about nourishing ourselves with true stress (emotional or physical) management by identifying the sources and addressing them. It’s about mitigating inflammation. It’s about identifying a history of, or tendency toward, calorie restriction (intentional or unintentional) or carbohydrate restriction (well-meaning or obsessive). It’s about owning and changing the things many of us have done in one way or another for our entire adult lives.

Did I mention there is a FLOW CHART?!

WE DESERVE TO KNOW THESE THINGS.

I believe in this program, so much so that I’ve become an affiliate. I’ve even pointed potential Nutritional Therapy clients toward the program before discussing consultation options. It’s an affordable, superior alternative to even the most individualized consulting. I believe in it 100%. Questions? Ask away in the comments.

The post Kicking PCOS in the gonads…with PCOS Unlocked. appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

Most recently, it came to my attention that referencing genetically modified foods was important.

Folks also have suggested I add raw dairy and properly-prepared grains to the mix; however, encouraging people to seek raw dairy really needs to come with a discussion of HOW to source it and from where (too many words) so I leave the dairy to fall under the “fats from pasture-raised animals” line – as I do think dairy fat is amazing and a great source of Vitamins A, D and K2. However, I don’t necessarily think dairy protein (as in, milk) is appropriate for everyone. So if you’re in the know, you know. I don’t begrudge anyone their raw milk. (More context on the “is it Paleo?” question here.)

There’s also the question of “properly-prepared grains.” That’s one I don’t generally advocate, though not because they can’t be part of a wholesome lifestyle. I don’t have a problem with properly-prepared grains per se, but I do think, against the backdrop of the rest of the 100 Words, they are one thing that can be dispensable and unnecessary. Hey, same can also be said for nuts – which I did include in 100 words – but that’s the forager in me.

All in all, I think it’s the last 3 lines that are most important. Hope you like – and feel free to leave suggestions in the comments or on the facebook page!

The post Good Nutrition in 100 Words (version 4.0) appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.

*Has actually now been replaced with EDAA: Extreme Downton Abbey Addiction.

Here’s the straight talk: Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo is the definitive work on Practical Real-Food Nutrition. It is the only book of its kind on the market. It’s a one-stop shop for helping friends, loved ones, experienced Paleo eaters, AND even the Real-Food-Uninitiated live a better life. Order it NOW.

Oh, and one more thing: Poop Pageant. (That’s all I’m gonna say. And it should be enough.)

Diane is my friend and colleague (we do a podcast and a workshop series together), so I know the volume of information she has to share and I was eager to pore over every word in her book. I committed, though, before turning a single page, to be fully honest and fair, no matter what, and to write a totally unbiased and truthful review. And, with that commitment in mind, here’s an illustrated version of what I came up with:

Here’s what Diane understands that is too often forgotten: It’s not always JUST about food. Food is important (it’s why she’s got hundreds of pages of recipes, meal plans, and food-choice advice), but, in fact, health often starts one step back: with the terrain with which your food interacts.

The digestive system – your internal food-use landscape – allows your food to interact with your body in a way that sets the stage for improvement or frustration. When it works properly, it pulls the nourishment from food. Ignoring the quality of your own digestive landscape can block your ability to make progress when it comes to health, fitness, or simply being a better-nourished version of you. This sucks, because we all want better food to fix all our problems. But these are the facts. I see it in my practice. (Which now, thanks to Diane’s book, has a “will work for food PaleoKits” sign on the door.)

Even the best food, poorly digested, can continue to mess you up. Diane has undertaken multiple certifications and extensive training to understand this – and bring the solutions to us through her book. So we get the tools for understanding digestion, recognizing problems, and for fixing what may be causing frustration.

Oh, and “digestion” isn’t just about what happens in your stomach. It begins outside your body and in your brain; involving everything from hormones to salivary glands to the gallbladder, pancreas and intestines…and it ends, of course, with a Poop Pageant.

And that’s just Part One of Practical Paleo. The rest of the book is filled with recipes, meal plans (including those that identify foods – like nightshades and FODMAPs – so they can be avoided) and tips for snacking, stress relief, achieving life balance, and for NOT getting strip-searched by TSA. 

So, yes, this review sounds like a rave. But I promise, it’s an honest rave.

I’ll put on my Lavar Burton hat now: Practical Paleo is amazing, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Get yourself a copy!

Click on the book cover below to order.

The post Practical Paleo: It’s more than just a Poop Pageant. appeared first on Cave Girl Eats.