Learning to cook

Learning to cook for Paleo can be a tricky business. We are going back here to cooking big meals with lots of meat - it usually means, lots of planning, shopping & cooking.. To succeed with this lifestyle, one must stock up the cave and be armed with a collection of recipes, just right for any situation:

• Fast (Oops! It's dinner time)
• Easy (Throw it in and let it cook)
• Feast (big meal for a big appetite
• Luncheon (light and great for packing)
• Snack (crackers are out - now what??)
• Desert (learning to indulge)

Note the difference between Fast and Easy. Recipes I file under Easy are the key to entertaining company, impressing my mother-in-law and generally looking like a super-mom without standing on my head. Most of them need to be planned a few hours (or even a day!) in advance - but will take a few minutes of supervision here and there and will mostly cook themselves.

On the other hand, Fast is for those days when you simply can't or won't plan ahead. Actually, I find I need one or two of those each week, so I don't feel like eating is more trouble than it's worth! Leave me alone till it's dinner time and I'll work something out.

One note about Desert category. Paleo is not one of those diets that is based in deprivation. It's about indulging yourself in the things you should be eating - rather than spending your days craving or feeling guilty. Paleo deserts include... Nah, I won't spoil it. (Most of them are still in the works!)

And if you are a paleo parent, you will need to figure out how to win your kids over too.  Review Paleo Kids page for some principles, ideas and resources.  It doesn't have to be as lonely as it seems!