I did a bit of a Google looking for low or no carb evening meal recipes and came across a lot of info on Paleo. The concept does absolutely make sense to me so I'm going to give it a go in the hope that I will feel even more healthy and perhaps even lose a pound or ten!
The first thing I noticed was that Paleo doesn't really include many of my store cupboard basics (cadbury chocolate, golden syrup) I needed raw 'clean' ingredients such as coconut flour and cacao powder. Back to Google I went and found Perfectly Paleo a great website that stocks all the bits I needed to get started. If you are new to Paleo and your local supermarket doesn't have the things you need I would definitely recommend having a look at this site. They were super helpful and delivered the following day.
When I'm on a diet one of the main things I'm thinking is: do I have to snack on raw fruit and veg all day? The answer is no! There are literally thousands of Paleo friendly recipes and snack ideas on the internet. Pinterest is great for inspiration and drool-worthy pictures. The first thing I decided to make were these date and coconut balls. They took about 10 minutes and really are absolutely delicious, I was sceptical but really they are. I even 'tricked' the kids into thinking I'd made after dinner truffles muhahahaha! Anyway, that's my little introduction into why I'm starting Paleo. Recipe below, enjoy and do let me know if you have any Paleo tips to share with me.
Ingredients
20 dates
½ cup almond butter
¼ cup coconut flour
2tbs raw cacao powder
1 tbs cinnamon
1tsp vanilla extract
shredded coconut
Method
1. Put the dates into a food processor and whizz up for about 20 seconds.
2. Add all other ingredients apart from the shredded coconut. Whizz for at least 30 seconds. It will be very thick and crumbly.
3. Form mixture into balls using your hands, you can wet your hands with a bit of water if it's too crumbly.
4. Roll the balls in the shredded coconut.
Done! You can eat them right away and refrigerate the rest for later.
Check out my Pinterest boards for more ideas!
Leigh - Headspace Perspective
These sound delicious, Amy! I've been trying to eat 'clean' now I'm working out properly and feel much better for it. I'm not keen on coconut, does the taste come through much? I can always tweak the recipe though. Thank you for the idea! Xxx
Simi
My husband would love these, as they have something like this in Sweden! I eat clean so no caffeine, refined sugars, alcohol and processed foods which suits me fine, especially when I was pregnant. X
Lizzie Somerset
Amy these look amazing, I struggle with healthy snacks and I'm bored of bananas! I adore coconut and discovered madjool dates a few months ago which I loved! I think my local health food shop would stock these raw ingredients too I'll nip to town and find out. Thanks for sharing, hungry now! Lizzie
Emma
These look like a really lovely healthy snack, really good for lunchboxes too. I have thought about following a paleo diet and I have a friend who swears by it and she looks great on it. Her skin glows! However, I won't mention the time I caught her at the fresh bread counter sniffing the bread and looking wistfully at it ;-)
Alice Project: Wanderlust
These look fantastic. and what simple way to do baking!
Claire at Life Love and Dirty Dishes
Quick easy and look delicious. My kind of recipe! #TheList
Kat
These sound really yummy Amy. Good luck on going Palao, you're right, I think it's a great thing going into summer. Fresh food always taste better in warmer weather! X #thelist
Robina - babylists.co.uk
These look scrummy. And I'll definitely be checking out the perfectly paleo website - sounds great! Thanks for hosting #thelist
Lara
These look yummy and I think my 4 year old would like them too! #thelist
Kate Tunstall
We don't eat carbs in the evening either. I'm aware of this diet but haven't particularly looked into it, mostly because I assume it will be a pain! But these do look amazing, perhaps I'll check it out properly. I'll let you know if you make me a convert! xxxx
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Emma T
These look great although I'm not a date fan. It's a shame that so many clean sweet recipes use dates. I need to find an alternative.
wendy
So quick and easy. .and healthy too,yay! Good luck with your new paleo lifestyle xx #TheList
Crummy Mummy
We've been Paleo for about 18 months now. Misery Guts is Type 1 diabetic and his blood sugar levels have been more stable than they've ever been since we've been doing it. Hope it works for youx #thelist
Nicole - Tales from Mamaville
These sound yummy and look delicious... thanks for sharing the recipe. On my to-do baking list!
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There's always time for tea
These look delicious! Good luck with Paleo, I don't think I'm disciplined to do it! xx #Thelist
Nadia - ScandiMummy
These look delicious! Thanks for sharing #TheList
Nadia - ScandiMummy x
Georgina Whitehead
these look fab, and a great snack for a coconut lover! however I hate coconut and only like the milk, so its lost on me, but good work! #Justanotherlinky
An imperfect mum (Catie)
They look divine and I admire your motivation so much to try this diet (I'd never heard of it so off for a Google)
Laura Edwards
These look yum! Love all things coconut as do the kids so will have to try them. I'm so conscious of eating to much processed food and we are not the cleanest of eaters. I find most healthy eating plans take up a lot of time and with our crazy house it can be a bit difficult. Always looking for simple and healthy recipes so will have to have a look into this x
Amy Treasure
Oh I know what you mean, just the planning and shopping for healthy foods can take it out of you! I am no saint when it comes to food but having these in the fridge really helps with temptation-especially in the afternoons when you need something and the kids love them too, as will yours if they're fans of coconut x
Mim
They look delicious! Hee hee what, Cadburys isn't part of paleo? Is that where I'm going wrong?! Can't wait to see more yummy paleo recipes from you x x #TheList
Hannah Budding Smiles
They look delicious! With baby due any moment I've not been buying/preparing much in the way of fresh food and I'm looking forward to getting back on it!xx #TheList
Silly Mummy
These sound nice - I really love dates! #thelist