Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky...
This post is sponsored by Puritan's Pride.
Eating paleo can
definitely present some challenges. The main one being time. As a whole food, real food, non-processed
way of eating it can require more cooking and food preparation. It’s not as
easy to run through a drive-thru, throw a frozen dinner in the microwave, or
grab a pastry on the way to work. We’re all busy, but whether it’s one person
or the entire family this can all be solved with just a bit of extra prep and
planning.
An hour or two
on Sunday afternoon devoted to food prep can be priceless in succeeding with paleo. Taking time for weekly food prep will set you up for success and help
you avoid reaching for junk food just because it’s quick and easy. Instead,
you’ll have a variety of paleo options at the ready!
Some people prep
entire meals for the week and place them in containers ready to grab and go. If
you’re on the go a lot, or the only member in your family that is paleo, this is a great idea. Others may prep ingredients to
have ready for use throughout the week. For example: chopping veggies, baking
chicken breasts, and boiling eggs. I do a combination of the two. I prep
ingredients and also make some complete dishes, especially breakfasts. There
are many ways to handle your weekly food prep, try them out and see what works
best for you!
If you have kids
I highly recommend getting them involved on your food prep days. Food prep days can be fun! There are lots
of ways they can help out. Have them measure out ingredients, stir or mix, and
even place things in containers or baggies for storage. My kids love to the
crack eggs for me (and I only occasionally have to fish out a little shell). I
have found that kids are more likely to eat healthy foods if they help prepare
them.
Foods to prepare on your weekly food
prep day:
Snacks. Paleo snacking is a breeze when you
prep in advance! Boil eggs, make trail mix, pre-portion nuts, chop fresh veggies and fruits, or make Paleo energy balls. Also, be sure to check out Puritan Pride’s Paleo section. They have a ton of great
Paleo-friendly snack options.
Smoothie Ingredients. Wash and chop (and freeze as I do or
refrigerate) fruit and wash fresh greens for quick and easy smoothies
throughout the week.
Breakfast. Breakfast can be the toughest meal of
the day as we’re rushing around in the mornings. Try making a breakfast quiche, Paleo bread, or paleo muffins to make your
mornings less stressful. If I know it's going to be a really busy week I sometimes make a double or triple batch of my paleo waffles to reheat. The kids love them.
Chicken Breast. Bake, broil, or grill chicken breasts
for a quick and easy protein source throughout the week. Use them in chicken salad, with a side of steamed vegetables, or
to top a green salad. They can even make a great breakfast in a pinch!
Paleo Mayo. The majority
of mayo you buy at the market is not Paleo-friendly. Try whipping up a batch of
your own. Don’t be intimidated, it really is quick and easy.
Focus on things
you use most during the week and that will save you time. The possibilities are
endless! My best advice for succeeding with paleo is meal plan and food prep. Always. You'll be amazed how just a little planning and prep can make living paleo a breeze.
