Leading causes of death in 2009: 1) Heart Disease 2) Cancer 3) Chronic Lower Respiratory diseases 4) Stroke 5) Accidents 6) Alzheimer’s 7) Diabetes

In 2010, 8.3% of the U.S. population had diabetes (the major leading risk factor for the #1 killer heart disease). The percent of type 2 diabetes has more than doubled approximately every 15 years.

In 2010, the health care costs associated with heart disease and stroke was more than $500 billion dollars.

Just in case you thought what you were doing was small, it isn’t. Good job guys.

2. No cheats. I do, however, wish I had made a few concessions like “It’s ok to eat a cupcake if it’s for a 1 year olds bday party” or “weddings are gray areas where alcohol and bread are free for alls”

3. Despite the internal struggle of self control at certain events, it is actually pretty easy. Linds and I have been getting much better at preparing meals.

4. Day by day. Normally Linds and I are meal by meal… But with paleo there is a lot if defrosting going on. So you really have to know… Early what you are planning to eat. Breakfast is consistent – Egggs, meat, peppers. Lunch is usually leftovers.

5. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty – Ground turkey mixed with mashed sweet potatoes. Season as desired. Cook on skillet or in oven until turkey is cooked through. Add some nuts to the mix if your want a complete meal for the go. Simple and ridiculously filling. Throw it it tupperware, or saran wrap.

Another favorite. – if you want to make ground beef taste…well, not like ground beef add some dijon mustard (paleo of course) or stone ground mustard to the beef before cooking. For us, it’s just what we needed as a replacement for worchestershire sauce.

Spaghetti Squash. Makes a ton of noodles. Put some paleo sauce and mix with meat your your choice (linds and I prefer Sausage) and bam! Spaghetti for days.

Cauliflower. It’s gross raw. Boil it, then put it in a food processor or blend it, and you just made yourself a flavorless mashed potato remix. Mix in seasonings.

2. I haven’t exactly cheated but I know I am eating wayyyy too many nuts, cashews, almonds, etc… Thus I’m probably not getting any dramatic results but my belt definitely decrease one size :)

3. I’m missing oatmeal, cottage cheese and of course sweets but I’ll be fine haha

4. I’ve been cooking on sundays pretty much the entire food for my week and I’m taking a ridiculous huge fred flingstone cooler that holds all my meals for the day.

5. Recipes: I basically made a huge badge of “chimichurri” which is olive oil with lots and lots of parsley, garlic and lemon juice and flakes of crush red peppers and I use that on chicken, eggs or steak. It is just a great sauce to add flavor to your food. If you guys want a more defined recipes just look it up on any paleo webiste and look for Chimichurri.

1. Good, bad and ugly ;)

2. No cheats here
(Unless you count the accidental potato incident)

3. Challenging!!! Hard for a quasi veggie/fish eater I realize I do not like fish or shrimp enough to eat them for 10 meals a week. Yesterday my daughter’s hot dog was looking pretty tasty, a hot dog… I’m just sayin’ ;)

4. Meal preparation is key. I did well then faltered and have missed at 4-5 meals along the way. Always on the go I intend to eat before I leave but my rowdy little angel monkey distracts me. It is hard to find a solution once out, or one that I am willing to pay for ($5 a salad with free greens at home). There is one solution- sashimi YUM! My budget does NOT allow for this. :( I’ve had it twice already ;)

5. One I recipe absolutely recommend for those who like tuna:
Tuna
Chopped Red Pepper
Chopped Onion
Cracked Black Pepper
Garlic
Tiny cubes of avocado

**YUMMINESS**
this is my saving grace.

2. I’ve had one, planned cheat meal; Enchiladas and Beer. Why? Because Enchiladas and beer are AWESOME.. Have managed to cut out all processed/unatural sugars, and it’s been easier than I expected.

3. Not too hard, but the temptations are there. I’m eating Paleo, and the biggest temptation I’ve had is a big bowl of Cinnamon Life cereal with milk.

4. I’ve been prepping meals (breakfast and lunches) ahead of time to take to work, and since I do all the cooking in my house anyway, have been making healthy, paleo meals for dinner.

5. I have a lot of good paleo recipes, but am always looking for more! Here’s one for breakfast that I’m really liking lately.

~ 1 Cup Cooked, Plain Quinoa
~ 1 Banana, sliced
~ 1/2 Apple, diced
~ 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
~ 2 Tbs Chopped, Raw Almonds
~ 1 tsp Chia Seeds
~ 3/4 Cup Unsweetened, Plain Almond Milk

Mix all ingredients in a sealed container and shake to combine. I usually make this the night before to let the Chia seeds absorb some of the liquid, and to let the almonds soften just a bit. Heat up and enjoy!