My New Paleo Blog is Up and Running!

 It's ALIVE....ALIVE!

Great news, y'all!  The new paleo blog is alive......or, just live!  The name of the new blog is Paleo Cajun Lady. You can find it at the URL: http://www.paleocajunlady.com. 

I only have two post running right now. And, the blog needs a bit of tweaking.  But, it's up!

I'm sure there are a few of you taken back by the name of the blog. "Waaa, I didn't know you were Cajun?  Aren't you from Illinois?" First, yes, I am Cajun.  Second, I am NOT from Illinois. I just live here now.

I'm what I like to call a displaced Cajun lady.  I was born and raised in Louisiana. I currently live in Illinois, with my hubby and Boho.  We hope to retire in Louisiana. 

Anyhoo, you can read all about it on the new blog, http://www.paleocajunlady.com/?p=12 .

Or, you can get a couple of recipes for AIP paleo snacks, http://www.paleocajunlady.com/?p=29 .

Over the next couple of days, I'll be adding more recipes and info to the new site. Plus, I have some great posts for this blog.  I sincerely hope you enjoy both blogs.

If there are any topics you would like me to cover in either blog, let me know. I would be happy to oblige.

Go check out the new blog! Let me know what you think!

Http://www.paleocajunlady.com

Email: tmoperillo@gmail.com

Goodnight and God bless!

My PaPa's Shrimp Boat, Cajun Lady

 The original Cajun Lady, my Ma, dancing at     

                                                                                     Mardi Gras.

 My bro and me on PaPa's boat.

 My PaPa, Captain Guidry.

Take Me Back To Summer Salad- AIP Paleo Recipe

I am sooooo tired of this wretched winter weather!  Last night, I decided to make a nice summery salad for dinner.  The beautiful, bright colors brought sunshine to my plate.  The fresh mixture of flavors brought warmth to my soul.  It was the perfect combination of foods to make winter's cold bitterness disappear for a brief moment.

If you're sick of winter, try this revitalizing salad. It's also AIP approved.

Take Me Back To Summer Salad

For the Chicken:

1 Organic Chicken Breast, skinless and boneless

1 Tbsp Organic Oregano

1 Tbsp Organic Thyme

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour melted Coconut Oil over breast. Sprinkle herbs onto chicken breast ( feel free to use whichever herbs you like).  Once oven is at temperature, place chicken breast on shallow Baking Sheet and put in oven. Cook until internal temp reaches 165 degrees ( about 35 to 40 minutes).  Let chicken rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Cut into strips and lay on top of salad.

For the salad:

Bunch of dandelion greens

1 Roasted Beet, quartered

4 large organic Strawberries, sliced

1 avocado, chopped

1/2 Fennel Bulb, sliced

Place all ingredient in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss. Plate.

For dressing:

3 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Organic Honey

Salt to taste

Whisk ingredients together in small bowl. Add to salad and toss.  You can reserve some to pour over chicken breast if you like.

This is such an easy recipe, with great healthy benefits. Not only can it help rid you of the winter doldrums, but, it can help to nourish your body with vitamins and minerals.  I've chosen the ingredients based on their health benefits, especially when our bodies need it most.

Enjoy!

Super Bowl Paleo Recipe Roundup

Well, I'm feeling a little discouraged today.  Since finishing up my detox, I've been slowly adding some foods back into my diet.  Although my tummy troubles have not returned, I've noticed a few of my rashes have returned, with a vengeance.  My energy levels are much lower than what they were during those last days of my detox.  And, my face has broken out badly. Argh!

It's really weird to me that I'm going through these things.  I mean, the only things I've added are bananas, green apples, a tiny bit of raw cheddar cheese, and Dark Chocolate.  Perhaps it's the natural sugar in the fruit and the sugar in the chocolate causing my Candida to act up again.  I'm not sure. It is annoying though.

Anyway, I'm thinking I have to go full on sugar free and paleo again.  But, I'm not doing it until after Super Bowl.

Tomorrow, I will be making paleo Crock-Pot chicken wings, chicken tenders, nachos, and brownies.  All of the recipes can be found on my Pinterest boards, Paleo-A-Go-Go and Grain Free Treats. You can find them at www.Pinterest.com/bohoandmo.

Here are some other great recipes for a paleo Super Bowl party of your own:

Http://www.southbeachprimal.com/20-paleo-super-bowl-snacks/

Http://www.plaidandpaleo.com/2014/01/whole30-superbowl-snacks.html

Awesome wings

Yummy brownies

That should keep you busy!

I'll decide tomorrow what I'm going to do about my predicament.  I may do another detox.  If you're interested in doing it with me, let me know. Email me at tmoperillo@gmail.com, or comment below.  Here are sites where you can get more info:

Http://www.the21daysugardetox.com

Http://www.facebook.com/21daysugardetox

Http://www.pinterest.com-21daysugardetox

Goodnight and God Bless!

Did I Stay? Or, Did I Go Paleo?

So, after blogging for 22 days in a row, I figured I deserved a couple of days off.  Although, it was nice to have the time to work on other things, I missed writing.  Besides, I have been getting tons of emails asking whether or not I stuck with a paleo diet after my 21 days was done.  The answer is YES. I stuck with it.

The only foods I've added, so far, are some fruits and Dark Chocolate Bar.  Happily, I've been able to make my fruit and veggie juice again. And, I'm able to enjoy my bananas, too!

On Saturday, it will have been thirty days since I stopped eating nightshade veggies.  I can then start adding them back into my diet, one by one.  I've already decided to start with cooked tomatoes, since they're the least inflammatory.  If I don't have a reaction, I can keep them in my diet.  But, if I do have a reaction, I have to remove them and try again in three weeks.  We'll see how that goes.

I've decided to stay paleo, for the most part.  I will try to add some raw dairy or goat and sheep milk products from time to time. I actually bought some goat milk cream cheese and sour cream in preparation for when I'm ready.  I'll be using them to make some treats for Super Bowl Sunday.  That night should be a real test whether or not I can handle eating those foods.

Since finishing The 21-Day Sugar Detox, I have no desire to go back to my old way of eating.  I have felt so much better, I don't want to feel sick again. The program taught me to eat within certain parameters.  It taught me to appreciate the foods I am allowed.  At the same time, it showed me I could live happily without the foods that hurt me.  For that, I am grateful.

I'm going to take tomorrow off from blogging. I will return on Saturday with some yummy recipes for a paleo Super Bowl Sunday.  For tonight, I'll leave you with some photos of some of the meals I've cooked this week.  I'm working on compiling a cookbook with recipes I cooked during my detox.  Those of you who asked for the recipes should have them soon.

As always, should you have any questions or need my help, email me or COMMENT below.  Tmoperillo@gmail.com

Goodnight and God Bless!

The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 21

I DID IT! I have finally reached day 21 of The 21-Day Sugar Detox.I'm not going to lie. It was tough, especially in the beginning.  I have never been on such a restrictive program in my life.  Now, grant it, I was on the most restrictive level ( there are 3).  And, I had Candida and Autoimmune modifications which restricted me even more.  I also know, I haven't felt this good in a long, long time.

Diane Sanfilippo, author and creator of The 21-Day Sugar Detox, asked on her Facebook community page today, if anyone was continuing with the program after completing it.  I'm going to have to give that a BIG NO. With my modifications, I just don't think it's sustainable.  I need my fruit and nuts.  However, I will remain grain free. I'm also going to stay away from nightshades, pasteurized dairy, and some fruits and nuts.  Strawberries, walnuts, and cashews can be inflammatory.  I will continue to avoid these foods for the recommended 30 days.  Then, I will introduce them back to my diet, one by one, to check my body's response.  If they cause any bad reaction, I'll cut them out for another three weeks before trying again.  Yes, it's a process.

Tomorrow, I'll post stats and photos. I know I've lost some weight on The 21-Day Sugar Detox.  I'll weigh in in the morning to see the results.  I certainly feel as though my body has been detoxed.  I have more energy and can move around better. My skin is starting to clear up, too.  Of course, I've been putting Oil of Oregano on all of my spots and rashes religiously.  I think I'll leave my face out of the pics tomorrow.  I don't want to discourage anyone. Like I always say, sometimes you have to destroy before you rebuild.  Too bad it's on my face! Arg!

Meals today were pretty simple.  I cooked my husband and myself brunch around 1 PM.  For myself, I cooked bacon, zucchini and red onion hash, with a side of avocado.

My CrockPot was occupado, cooking up some healthy, chicken bone broth. So, for dinner, I reheated some of the chicken from last night.  On the side, I smothered green beans with bacon; and, added a cup of my last batch of chicken bone broth.  All was delicious, anti-inflammatory, and healthy.

Well, I'm looking forward to my first day of freedom tomorrow.  Although, I felt a little nervous over the last couple of days, that nervousness is gone now.  I'm not sure if I gained confidence by completing the program. Or, if I'm just happy to move forward.  Either way, I feel strong and ready for the next step.  I DID IT!

I hope I've encouraged some of you to begin or continue your journey to wellness.  If I did it, you can, too.  I'm not superhuman or special in any way.  I'm just like you.  I got sick of feeling sick.  So, I did something about it.  Was it worth it?  Without a doubt, it was.  

And, to those of you who don't think you can do it because it's too hard, I say, being sick is harder.  Going in and out of the doctors' offices, hospitals, and urgent care clinics is hard.  Having your organs removed, repaired, and probed is hard.  Getting poked and invaded with needles and instruments is hard.  Running to the bathroom every time you eat is hard.  Suffering in pain is hard.  Compared to all of that, this was easy.  I'll take a change in my diet over all that mess, any day of the week.

If you need or want my help or encouragement, all you have to do is ask.  I believe God put me on this earth to heal others.  The fact that I have an autoimmune disease strenthens my belief. How better to heal others than to feel what they feel, suffer the way they suffer, and restore health the way they restore health? Email me or comment below. Start your healing.  Tmoperillo@gmail.com

Goodnight and God Bless.

The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 20

Hey! There's a chicken in my CrockPot!

Wow! Only one day left of The 21-Day Sugar Detox!  I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm sure everything will be fine.  But, I know the task of adding foods back into my diet could possibly bring  back some of my symptoms.  That makes me nervous.

Luckily, I didn't have much time to fret over that today.  It's housecleaning day.  Knowing I would be busy all day, I put my chicken in the Crock-Pot and let it do it's thing.  I scrubbed, wiped, and laundered my day away. At around 3 PM, I ate my lunch, standing at the kitchen counter.  Since I didn't have time to make a proper lunch, I threw some beef from last night's dinner on some lettuce leaves, added some chunked avocado and a splash of red wine vinegar. Voila!

I really have noticed a huge increase in my energy level.  Before this detox, I would wake up tired. I barely had the energy to get dressed in the morning.  Now, I can clean all day with energy to spare.  The second best improvement is the lack of bloating and stomach upset.  My tummy is now completely flat.  I don't worry about eating anymore, because I know my stomach will not hurt afterward.  It's wonderful!

Now, for the downside, my skin is a complete disaster.  My body is detoxing everything; and, it showing in my skin.  I have breakouts on my face, legs, and chest.  In one way, I'm happy. I know these breakouts mean my body is releasing the toxins.  However, I hate looking like a pimply, rashy mess.  I hope this doesn't last too long.

At 6 PM, my chicken was done. I wanted a light dinner. So, I made a simple side salad of arugula, cucumber, avocado, and Greek olives.  Simple and delicious!  The chicken was so tender, it melted in my mouth.  

So, tomorrow is my last day of The 21-Day Sugar Detox.  I will be planning my meals for the week.  What will I do with so much freedom?  I have a few ideas, that's for sure!

I bid you a goodnight.  I can't wait for tomorrow to come! I hope I can get some sleep tonight.  As always, if you need my help, email me or comment below. I'll be back tomorrow with an update.

Goodnight and God Bless!