There are a few questions I’m asked frequently:
“Can I eat bacon?”
“Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world?”
“What (product, resource, Paleo/Primal/WAP-friendly goodie) do you use/recommend?”
I decided it was time to compile a list so as to answer at least two of the three burning inquiries listed above. (The other answer is, of course, “YES!”)
Full disclosure: I’m an “affiliate” at a few of these companies (look for the asterisk). I get credit for any purchase made IF you click over from this blog. This does NOT account for my decision to recommend these products/companies. I use and believe in everything below – in fact, I bought from these companies long before I was ever an affiliate. Again - I use every product listed in this series.
All that said, you don’t really need to buy (or raise, or grow) anything but meat & veggies to make this lifestyle work. All this is just the extra garnish on the Pot De Creme.
MEAT
Short list:
Local farms if possible
Bacon from US Wellness Meats or Heritage Food USA
Eggs from Tropical Traditions
Meat (all kinds) from Tropical Traditions, Heritage Food USA or US Wellness Meats
BACON: Let’s answer the question “Can I eat bacon?” first. YES. You can eat bacon. In fact, it may be the best choice when it comes to pork products. (Why? See this study.)
Locally sourced pork bacon (main); broiled beef bacon from USWM (inset). Not pictured: Happy Tummy.
MORE important than that, however, is to always, always, ALWAYS seek pastured pork. Your pork should be from a local farmer who feeds and raises their pigs in a humane, environmentally-appropriate manner – this produces the most nutritionally sound meat.
For us, bacon is almost a luxury, as we’re bound by local availability and the cost-restrictive nature of ordering “the good stuff.” If you don’t have a local farmer, I highly recommend ordering your bacon from US Wellness Meats.* They have both nitrate-free and sugar-free varieties. Their beef bacon is phenomenal as well – but you must make it under the broiler! Heritage Food USA is also an excellent option.
If you worry about any of the (delicious) bacon fat being more prone to oxidation when pan-fried, you can bake it instead (on foil, atop cookie sheet, for 25-ish minutes at 350). Again – the beef bacon is best broiled!
OTHER MEATS and EGGS: Again, local farms (or CowShares) are ideal – but you can also mail-order quality meats from Heritage Food USA, US Wellness Meats, or Tropical Traditions.* TT eggs are terrific (the pastured chickens, in addition to the bugs n’ grubs they find on pasture, are also given “cocofeed,” never soy) and both HFUSA and TT are good sources for beef, lamb and bison (and TT has organ meats). I also love anything from US Wellness Meats, particularly their compassionate-certified pork and chicken feet. USWM is incredibly supportive of the Paleo/Primal/WAP community and their entire staff is wonderful.
OTHER FOODS
Short List:
WFN Mayo Tamrind Chutney
Fab Ferments Kraut Vital Choice Sardines
PIF Ghee KerryGold Butter
Coconut Aminos/Vinegar Pure Wraps
Red Palm Oil/Coconut Oil/Palm Shortening Celtic Sea Salt
Dave’s Gourmet Sauce Kasandrinos EV Olive Oil
GOOD ENOUGH TO BUY (NOT DIY): I have several obsessions that fall into the “yeah, I could make a decent version at home, but these are SO DAMN GOOD I feel like paying shipping and also throwing the geniuses who made them a parade” category.
First, the healthy mayonnaise from Wilderness Family Naturals. Oh. My. Gawd. It is amazing. Blended with chicken, crumbled bacon and sauteed onion – it’s a chicken salad-gasm. And it’s a blend of uber-healthful oils (including coconut) and organic spices. I have never tasted anything like it – I buy it by the case. (Fact: Every other mayo – especially the store-bought kind, and including Miracle Whip – is garbage. Garbage ingredients, garbage flavor.)
Next, the many amazing Krauts from Fabulous Ferments. I’m obsessed with Red Apple Caraway, Cosmic Curry, Hot Kimchi and, of course, original Kraut. (If you make your own, check out Diane’s recipe.)
Finally, Ghee from Pure Indian Foods. I talk more about it here. I first met the people behind the product at the Weston A. Price conference way back when. Since then, a few notable “Paleo” peeps have put their “stamp” of approval on it – but, I promise, this was awesome long before the Paleo Elite discovered it. (Ahhh, pride. “Not a sweatpant that fits me well.”) They are great people and their ghee is made in the Ayurvedic tradition from the delicious, Vitamin K2-rich butterfat of grass-fed cows. Bonus for me: they’re a local company.
OTHER GOOD STUFF: I’m always stocked up on the following (clockwise, image below):
Coconut Secret‘s Coconut Aminos (better than soy sauce) and Coconut Vinegar;
Red Palm Oil from Tropical Traditions (add a dab to savory stews – I’m convinced of the health benefits);
Celtic Sea Salt;
Tamrind Chutney (a great addition to homemade BBQ sauce);
Wild-caught Sardines from Vital Choice* (I trust this seafood source more than any other, and they’re packed in water, so I can add my own EVOO or mayo);
Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions (those who like a less coco-nutty aroma should try this one); and
Pure Coconut Wraps (delicious weekend treat – wrap a bacon, egg n’ pepper scramble for a sweet-n-savory breakfast).
Not pictured:
Palm shortening (a great, highly saturated cooking oil with a neutral flavor);
KerryGold butter (available in stores – for when I can’t make it to Birchwood for raw milk butter);
Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauce (amazing flavor, decent ingredients for when there’s no time to DIY, and available in stores);
Kasandrinos Imports Extra Virgin Olive Oil (MOST AMAZING OLIVE OIL ON THE PLANET)
SNACKS
Short List (besides the obvious homemade fare – the below are travel-friendly):
Paleo Kits
Sea Snax
Coconut Flakes (WFN, Tropical Traditions or other)
WFN Macadamia Nuts (soaked/dried)
Artisana Coconut Butter
I love Paleo Kits, and not just because they’re delicious and portable. Sales of these products support Steve’s Club National Program. See this page for more. In short, every purchase helps fund athletic training, nutritional guidance and mentorship for at-risk youth. The video below features some of the hard-working athletes from Steve’s Club Camden, which shares space with my home gym.
Other great, portable snacks: Sea Snax; olives (any kind); hard-boiled eggs; coconut flakes (my favorites are from Tropical Traditions and Wilderness Family Naturals); Artisana coconut butter (individual packets – yay); soaked and dried macadamia nuts from WFN (these nuts have the most favorable Omega 3: Omega 6 profile); and, if you REALLY REALLY NO REALLY can’t find anything else and are literally starving (or being forced to choose between these and Tofu or Vital Wheat Gluten – ick), or Kind Bars (they’re gluten-free but do have some other junque – you can track these down in almost any Starbucks or airport shop). All that said, when I eat a good breakfast (often with a cup of coffee made in my new AeroPress), I usually don’t need to snack.
FOOD FOR PETS
We feed our bulldozer dog raw, and we’ve been around the block with everything from homemade grind to pre-made specialty brands. His digestion has never been better since we started ordering these raw chicken“steaks.” They’re a mix of organs and muscle meat/meal, coconut, and a bit of foliage for good measure. Behold, an email from the woman who runs our Kennel…
There is no greater compliment for a dog owner. (The poops don’t lie.)
I imagine our pooch will outlive us. (Not only does he love to play AND sleep to the max, he knows no “cheat days.”)
I am in love with the paleokits! As a full time college student (last semester!) it can be challenging when my class schedule simply does not allow for lunch stops… enter the kits! My other major love has been returning to cast iron pans, since I am no longer trying to uber limit the oils (yay coconut!) the cast iron has returned to full use!
Thanks for these recos! I’m new to Paleo and not a fan of coconut so it’s def challenging to follow. I’m also leery of pork after Paul Jaminet’s three part series last week. I was loving bacon in the morning with my eggs, but am thinking I need to stop eating it now. I’m excited though to hear about the mayonnaise, and the only thing that could top that reco would be a healthy, yummy tasting salad dressing. They all contain oils other than Olive oil, which is frustrating. I don’t want the hassle of making my own. I like convenience! Great post!
Sorry about the double post! I blame Facebook.
I re-wrote my post when I thought the first one was lost, so the second one is more what I wanted to say. Thanks!
Try Theo’s 85% dark chocolate. No soy lecithin or other garbage. Phenomenal taste and texture. I buy it at Whole Foods.
Thanks! useful info!!
Nutiva Coconut Manna (similar to Tropical Traditions coconut cream). Ground up coconut paste in a glass jar that can be used in place of coconut milk for cooking, mashed into sweet potatoes, or just eaten straight from the jar.
Ohmigosh. I love it – I adore Artisana’s coconut butter. I’ve thought about using the CB/Manna to exfoliate my skin before…too decadent? ;P
You MUST try ChocoVivo’s chocolate. Stone ground, small batch fermented and roasted beans, personal relationships between the maker and the grower, amazing flavors (she’ll even custom blend!), and no crap! All that and they chocolate is A-MA-ZING! Expensive, but I value not only the product, but the time it takes to create something like this.
Sounds amazing!
Hi Liz!
thanks for all these great recommendations, this is a great resource!!
okay, so for chocolate, i am absolutely in love with TAZA chocolate company. they have so many great things going for them that i think you’ll appreciate as much as i do. they are a sustainable, responsible, and community focused company out of Somerville, Mass. they are SO GREEN it is unbelievable! they recyle everything, barely use any electrical power, and they even partnered with a bike delivery company for everywhere they possibly can! they also believe whole-heartedly in fair trade chocolate and do most of their business with the farmers face-to-face. anyway, i could go on and on about how amazing this company, but the very best part is the chocolate is amazing!! and a super paleo plus . . . it’s SOY-FREE!!! yey!!
here’s a link to their website if you are interested. i hope you get a chance to try it out and maybe even get a few more paleoers on board with this amazing company. my favorite is the ginger dark chocolate disc – so divine!!
http://www.tazachocolate.com/
peace and happiness
Wow, thanks for this link! I’ll check it out right away!
Askinosie single origin chocolate bars. Definitely my fave (and I eat a lot of dark chocolate
) (but only gluten free brands)
The brazilian chocolate brand AMMA is amazing.. No lecithin added, just a really pure, organic product that tastes better than any other chocolate I’ve tried.