Last summer, I told Farmer Chuck — the king of everything delicious at our CSA Sunrise Farm — that the onions we'd been getting in our basket were...
Read MoreLiving Paleo For Dummies Giveaway
It’s here! I spent the summer sweating, typing, cursing, testing recipes, and fighting with the world’s most detailed and ornery Microsoft Word document template — and now Living Paleo For Dummies is on bookshelves. I wrote the book with my co-author Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, and like all the Dummies books, it breaks down the subject of paleo into bite-sized, easily digestible chunks of information, from the science of why paleo works to how to exercise for maximum effect, as well as how to manage in a non-paleo world and fine-tune the non-food related aspects of a paleo lifestyle.
NOTE: I know you might not be thinking too much about being a paleo superstar right now, what with the holidays and presents and cookies and cocktails and wheeeee! That’s totally OK. Enjoy yourself, and maybe enter the giveaway so when January 1 rolls around, you’re ready for what 2013 can bring!
My Co-Author: Kellyann Petrucci
This was my first time writing with a co-author, and it was a whole new thing. Luckily, my writing partner also happens to be one of the kindest, most upbeat, generous women I’ve had the good fortune to meet. Say hello to Dr. Kellyann Petrucci.
Kellyann specializes in kids’ wellness — how can you not love that?!
Kellyann brought the big brains to our project. Check out her professional education and training: Board Certified Naturopathic Physician, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician, Certified Nutrition Consultant, and Certified in in Chinese Medicine — plus, she earned her BA from Temple University, her MS degree from St. Joseph’s University, and Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan College, where she served as the Postgraduate Chairperson. Whew! And then there’s this: “She studied Naturopathic Medicine at the College of Naturopathic Medicine, London, and she is one of the few practitioners in the US certified in Biological Medicine by the esteemed Dr. Thomas Rau, of the Paracelsus Klinik Lustmuhle, Switzerland.”
You can learn more about Kellyann at her website DrKellyann — or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
So, yeah. Kelly brought her heavy hitter status to the team. What did I bring to the table?
My Chapters
When Kelly and I sat down with our outline, we divvied up the contents: science and family-related stuff went to Kelly because (1) she’s got the pro training and (2) she has a beautiful family and tons of experience working with kids, thanks to her Superkids Wellness program. My assignments were the recipes (YAY!) and the practical matters like how to set up a paleo kitchen, how to eat in restaurants and go on vacation without crushing all your new habits, and what to expect if you do a 30-Day Re-Set.
Here’s a run-down of my contributions to the book:
Chapter 7: Stocking a Paleo-Friendly Kitchen
This chapter covers everything you need to know to create the ideal paleo kitchen, including food, cooking equipment, how to navigate the grocery store, and living paleo on a budget.Chapter 8: Paleo Jump Start: The 30-Day Reset
This chapter explains how and why 30 days just might be the magic number, along with some predictions about how you might feel each week, and — my favorite part — how journaling can help keep you on track.Chapter 9: Slow Down, Savor, and Keep It Simple
This chapter is a pep talk for developing mindful eating habits and covers the all important “treat vs cheat” debate.Chapter 10: Everyday Entrees
Recipes for everyday faves, including All-American Meatloaf, Chicken Fingers, and Zucchini Lasagna.Chapter 11: One-Pot Meals
Recipes for easy-peasy meals, including Classic Beef Stew, Pizza Frittata, and Slow Cooker Moroccan Apricot Chicken.Chapter 12: Vegetable Side Dishes
Recipes for for veggies to satisfy even veggie haters, including Sesame Kale, Sweet Potato Shoestring Fries, and Creamy Spiced Broccoli.Chapter 13: Snacks and Treats
Recipes for paleo-approved “treats” for special occasions, including Anytime Waffles, Pumpkin Pancakes, and Fudge Bombs.Chapter 14: Sauces and Seasonings
Recipes for the condiments that add zing, including Tangy BBQ Sauce, Grilling Spice Rub, and Cashew Butter Satay Sauce.Chapter 16: Dining Out and Traveling
This chapter is loaded with tips for how to find the sneaky ingredients in restaurant menus and how to take your new paleo habits out in the world (without making yourself nutty).Chapter 17: Enjoying Special Occasions
You know I think the whole point of eating well is to have a great life, so this chapter offers advice on how to enjoy special occasions with good intentions and plenty of joy.Chapter 19: Ten Foods to Always Have in the Kitchen
My go-to list of musts!
For a sneak peek, check out this Living Paleo For Dummies Cheat Sheet on the Dummies web site.
With Bonus Jen Sinkler
I distinctly remember the conference call to discuss the exercise chapter. Kelly was on the hook to make the list of recommended exercises, and our editor asked us about demo photos for each move. Without hesitation, I blurted (Really! Blurted! Very loudly and exuberantly!), “Jen Sinkler! OHMYGOD! If we could get Jen Sinkler, that would be so awesome.”
Do y’all know Jen Sinkler? Right now, she’s the Fitness Editor for Experience Life magazine, but she’s just about to kickoff a new professional adventure at her site Survival of the Fittest with Jen Sinkler. (In fact, if you stop by her new site now, you can sign up for her beautifully written, incredibly motivating emails. Seriously. Do it. She’s so so so great.)
Anyway… we were very lucky… Jen said “yes,” and was the perfect model to show that exercises like wall balls, pushups, swings, and rows make us all strong, sexy, and unstoppable. Thank you, Jen, for being a beautiful badass!
Living Paleo For Dummies Giveaway
Update January 1, 2013: HAPPY NEW YEAR! The drawing is closed and the winners have been notified.
To thank you for your tremendous support and to help kick off 2013 in healthful style, I’m giving away THREE SIGNED COPIES of Living Paleo For Dummies. Just enter the random drawing, cross your fingers, and see what fate has in store!
To Enter: Post to comments and tell us the biggest challenge you think you face for keeping up with a paleo lifestyle in 2013 — and how you might tackle it!
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Central on Sunday, December 30, 2012. I’ll randomly select three winners and make the announcements/notification on January 1.
Restrictions: None! All my friends around the world are invited to enter!
Buy a Copy
Why wait to see if chance favors you? Living Paleo For Dummies is available all over the place! Here’s where you can buy online:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books A Million
iBook
Google Play
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The only challenge I face for living paleo in 2013 is myself & I have no excuses. People at work think I’m weird for eating broccoli at breakfast? I fixed that already by just staring at them & chewing my incredibly yummy food. Eating the same things a lot? At least they’re veggies & not chips! Too lazy to cook? Having a slow cooker morroccan chicken recipe will fix that!
My biggest challenge living paleo in 2013 will be maintaining this life style with the tremendous instability I am facing right now. My home burned down on December 18th. I lost my paleo cookbooks and recipe cards I’ve made with great dishes. I am currently staying with family but they do not eat paleo. I hope to be back on my feet and in an apartment in the next few months. Staying with others who do not have the same views on food has been challenging to say the least. I am not able to do my weekly cook up and am trying to find a structure of cooking that works for everyone, wherever I stay.
The biggest challenge I face is with my daily struggle with Crohns disease, and the advice from doctors that I should be eating plain, bland, ‘white’ food! Yep, apparently I should be consuming bread and pasta and rice….can you believe it!
Ever since I have started eating more meat, more fat and more delicious foods, my daily pain has subsided and my body is thanking me! I am healthy! Here’s to continued renewal of my body and hopefully to a day of no pain and no inflammtion.
My biggest challenge will be to not get overwhelmed by the science of the Paleo diet and not get obsessed with the scale. I will need to stay focused on eating REAL food and not feel like I’m missing something when others around me are eating non-Paleo.
My challenge for 2013 is keeping prepared. The weekly cook-up is going to be crucial for the coming year. My goal for 2013 (in addition to eating clean and getting fit) is to study for and pass all four sections of the CPA exam for Colorado.
My biggest challenge is coffee, I love using artificial sweetener or sugar to sweeten, but also creamer, coconut milk is an okay sub, but just not the same as dairy, IMO
My biggest challenge is sugar. It is a constant craving for me.
My biggest challenge will be being too busy. There are lots of nights that I don’t get home from running the kids around between different activities until 7:40! Keeping myself Paleo during those times really is a struggle. I need to try to prepare more things that are easier to eat on the go!
Biggest challenge?? Resisting temptation – finding replacement behaviors for eating sugar/grains!
Keeping up with the work grind and cooking everything I eat. I *mostly* do this now, but the exceptions are very much not paleo!
Oh, and not being able to have eggs. Waaaahhh!
My challenge is to be able to cook food for our whole family without cooking 3 different meals. I don’t want to force them into eating Paleo (yet!).
I’m sort of looking forward to my biggest challenge–finding the time to cook paleo food for two! Hooray for finding a fella who’s willing to try something new 🙂
I think my biggest challenge will be being prepared. I’m short on time during the week so I will have to make sure everything is stocked and ready to go beforehand.
I started eating paleo about 3weeks ago…and my biggest challenge is sticking with it and having my family understand how good i feel now, and learning to ignore the doubters..and proving them wrong.
My biggest challenge is planning. As long as I plan my meals (and snacks if needed), then I am ok. If I don’t put any thought into our weekly meal plan, then I end up eating whatever is in the house (my BF doesn’t follow Paleo).
My biggest challenge is time and preperation and resisting the temptation to eat out. My wife and I both work and we have 2 kids under the age of 5.
My biggest challenge with paleo this year is finding a balance and always being prepared between a strict whole30 regimen and the wild crazy non-paleo world out there.
Chocolate. I want it all the time!
My biggest challenge in eating paleo is overcoming my anxiety and negative thinking and believing that change is possible. And that I can make it happen.
Preparation. When I don’t have my kitchen well stocked and haven’t planned my meals ahead of time for the work week I sometimes end up making bad choices.
Biggest challenge: eating perfectly healthy so as not to gain weight during an 8-week no exercise period in 2013 due to surgery…
My biggest challenge is getting my kids on board. I’m tired of the “there’s nothing good in this house! I just want cereal” argument. Also, planning dinners in advance would make my life less stressful.
My biggest challenge is the cooking/meal planning. I have a hard time figuring out what to cook and finding time to cook!
My nemesis is sugar. Artificial sweeteners aren’t hardcore paleo. Guess I should try some new fruits to satisfy that sweet tooth.
My biggest challenge will be working out consistently. This is the hardest part for me. I’m joining a very hands on, small group personal training gym in the new year so that I can get the support I need to really commit to getting strong and healthy. They’re totally on board with Paleo eating so it’ll be nice to not have to listen to those “burn those calories!” messages I get in my current fitness class. I’m really looking forward to it, but it’s a stretch for me.
My biggest challenge for 2013 is the same as it’s been for 2012: Finding time and motivation to work out! I’ve always been fit, but with going through a rigorous nursing school program it’s been really difficult to find the time and energy to get moving.
The biggest challenge for me is always “boredom snacking” and diet sodas. Addicted to the Coke Zero and Pepsi Max, and get drawn into snacking too much.
Hmmmm… Biggest challenge in 2013 will probably continue to be finding room in the fridge for all of the meat and veggies we need to get through a week!! (And there are only 3 of us!)
ps: Yesterday I discovered a WELL FED bracelet in my stocking! I put it on my eatin’ arm and cherished it anew with each bite of Cinnamon Beef Stew (about which my guests could *not* stop raving!). 😀
Oops! I only did the first part! How I might tackle it:
-Be more disciplined about *promptly* processing my veggies (cutting, steam sauteeing, etc) to reduce their “footprint” 😉
-Take better advantage of and be more creative with veggies from my grocers freezer (my local regular grocer carries a surprisingly wide range of veggies in their frozen section, including chopped turnips and chopped butternut squash)
-And, of course, the obvious: make a mid-week produce run!
🙂
My biggest challenge is always sweets. I don’t miss bread, or rice or even potatoes all that much. But every now and again, the temptation for cupcakes/candy/cookies gets really, really bad.
We’ve been Primal since August and have really loved it. But come January 22nd when we return from my husband’s surprise 40th birthday trip, we are going to do the Whole 30. I am looking forward to seeing what happens; no treat-hacks, honey, etc.
My biggest challenge will be staying away from Panera bagels. We are doing the Whole 30 in January and will hopefully transition to Paleo after that.
My biggest challenge will be to just get out of my own way, stop the endless research and just.get.to.it! I know, like I know, like I know that Paleo is what I need to be doing. Now I just need to do it!
I would have an incredibly hard time not enjoying adult beverages for 30 days. Sad but true.
My biggest challenge is managing my sugar cravings. I need to let go of the sweets and treats!
Biggest challenge will be to not eat my feelings when dealing with a significant health issue at the beginning of the year. My mouth has memory of foods still and I know I might want that ‘hit’. The crack, errrr, Sunshine sauce will help 🙂
My biggest challenge is that I adore baking, and treating others. However, if I am going to serve others, I always feel the need for a “quality control” check, even if it is a cookie I have made hundreds of times.
My biggest challenge will be to continue on the road to avoid dairy. However I feel so much better the cleaner I eat so I keep on going.
Being creative with food is my biggest challenge. I have a number of severe food allergies so many recipes require me to be creative to find a paleo approved substitution. A lot of times I just give up and end up eating the same few meals over and over.
I am so getting this for my in-laws!
My biggest challenge will be sneaking in unhealthy snacks. But with the recipes for tasty and paleo-approved snacks, I’ll be able to choose the better option!
My biggest challenge is two-fold and time-related: meal planning/prep and exercise. I have 2 school-aged kids and a toddler, hubby and I both work full-time, we’re planning to expand our farming efforts this year, and I’m going back to college this spring. It’s SOOO easy to say, “OOPS! Forgot to defrost the meat/chop the veggies/etc.; let’s eat out!” Or, “I’m much to busy to exercise!” I’m paying the price with my health and finances. Making healthy choices, both food and movement, must be top priority.
Had not thought about this until you asked the question but my biggest challenge in 2013 will be a lifestyle change that will include non paleo spouse sharing cooking duties. Solution? I will have to put some thought into it as I have a few months to figure it out.
My biggest challenge is my husband! Lol He hasn’t quite bought into the paleo life but he’s coming around since I’m telling him how important it is to me that we get more fit.
My biggest challenge is having a kid in the house who is split between two households – we’re just starting to embrace paleo, and her other home isn’t, so the sugar demon is still strong in this child (and, let’s be honest, in me)
My biggest challenge is always keeping Paleo when in the field for work. (and I mean literally at times in the jungle in a mining camp. its fun but not conducive to a paleo lifestyle!)
My biggest challenge will be to do the whole 30 starting January 1st. I got my husband to eat Paleo for the first time during the fall so he actually insisted we start the year with the whole 30 because he felt so good.
I’m diving into the exercise component of paleo living this year, and keeping up food prep while making time for exercise will be a challenge.
The cold weather in MN! It makes it hard to get to the gym because its sooooo cold and my gym is 8 blocks away! Spring, hurry up!
Peppermint mochas are the biggest challenge. They are on every corner in Colorado!
I’m so new to all of this, everything feels like a challenge. The hardest part will probably be planning ahead for those nights I’m too tired to cook and take-out would make life so much easier.
And thank you for inspiring me to complete my first Whole30. The change is truly remarkable.
Convincing myself that having to do all my dishes by hand is not a good excuse to avoid cooking!
Also, a Whole 30 in January. I have attempted it many times (Whole 23 anyone?) but have never completed an entire one.
A paleo pregnancy! If the situation should arise, I am up for the challenge. This past year has taught me so much!
Preparation is my challenge. I know I can do it but thinking too much about the shopping and preparation overwhelms me!
The biggest challenge I will face will probably be during the summer- my final term of my highly stressful maths undergrad degree: I’m a big emotional eater. Planning to beat off the cravings and urge to binge by locking myself in the library and letting myself eat literally tons of meat and veg. No restrictions on the healthy stuff!! 🙂
My biggest challenge is fitting in strength training. I run all the time but have a hard time remembering to do other exercises since they don’t have the same sort of endorphin reward.
My biggest challenge is work! Although it is absolutely no excuse, we go out to eat A LOT and it is often difficult to find paleo friendly dining options at the places we go. I usually try to find the most paleo food, but sometimes the smell of french fries overwhelms me and renders me powerless and I gobble a burger and fries!!!
My biggest challenge is my cravings for sugar and encouraging 3 stubborn teenagers to eat paleo. My solution is your book Well Fed that my awesome hubby got me for Christmas. The weekly cookup should be a great help and lots of great recipes.
My biggest challenge of 2013 is sugar! I’m beginning my Whole30 in just a few days and I think I will have the most trouble with that!
I’ll be completely new to Paleo- I think my biggest challenge will be cooking. I am a “grab and go” type person, and can barely keep up with my kids as it is. I’m planning on making some freezer meals and setting aside one day a week for food planning and prep.
My biggest challenge will be getting refocused and making time for food prep. Also, finding what works best during my training and racing times 🙂
Got my copy this morning! So excited to dig in. Thanks for releasing right when I needed a jump start 🙂
Eating out with co-workers is my biggest challenge. I pack goodies so not to be tempted and learned to say “No”
My biggest challenge is my kids..they will eat wht paleo diet.. sometime they get BORED or no patience.. they want fast easy like cookie from store or fast food.. since we know fast food or ready in box like cookie or nuggest are bad for them, they get bad allegric reaction from it.. it hard for me to take time to cook and prepare it.. but gonna try 2013 prepare ahead of time before i give up.. been doing it 1 1/2month now.
The same challenges from 2012: working more than full time as a single mother of a toddler. That equals very little time to shop, prepare and cook. And sleep. And exercise. And clean.
I’m hoping that as baby gets older, I’ll have more time. (I think I hear other moms laughing right now).
Biggest challenge – time. I’ll be getting married, buying a house, hopefully getting pregnant, and working 50 hours a week all the way.
How to tacke it – my fiance is NOT on board with Paleo for himself, but asked me if we could find 10 recipes we both know how to make and enjoy (even if he has to add a little cheese or something for himself). So we’re going to make a recipe book for ourselves, and that way we will hopefully be able to share the burden in the kitchen!
My biggest challenge is to stay active. I’ll be gung-ho about stretching, moving, and general physical fitness for a few weeks, and then suddenly two months go by and I’ve barely lifted myself off the couch/computer chair. It goes by so quickly.
My biggest challenge this year is being able to stay on track during the period in February when I get my knee replaced. Eating during my stay in the hospital and then afterward when my Mom cooks for us.
This looks amazing! My challenge in 2013 is sticking to Paleo Lifestyle as the only one in my circle who does this – the looks you get when you refuse the bread basket at work lunches, or say no to the cookies people bring in to the office gets harder and harder as people notice it’s not a “fad” you tried out for 6 weeks, but now that’ I’ve been doing it all year it becomes snarky comments at you.
The biggest challenge I face is me. I know that I need to be paleo to help get my thyroid and hormonal issues under control.
Three words: Sour Patch Kids!
I started eating Paleo about a year and a half ago when I was in a much more stable enviornment. Since then I’ve quite my job to focus on freelance opportunities, moved, and broken up with my long-term boyfriend. I’ve found that it is far more difficult to stick to the plan with my current erratic schedule, but my goal is to reign it all back in!
My biggest challenge is avoiding sugar. I can always rationalize why having a little won’t hurt me. But the reality is once I start having it, it is hard to stop. So I need to just abstain from it for the most part, except maybe on special occasions. The 30-day reset sounds like that might be a good idea after the Christmas holiday weekend in which I did allow myself quite a lot of sugar. The Dummies book would really help me learn how to do that. I absolutely LOVE Dummies books! They are so helpful!
My biggest challenge is managing my carb cravings. I need my pasta!!!
Biggest challenge is Sugar but I have to say that after 1 1/2 years of Paleo lifestyle, this is becoming easier. I have “cheated” now and then and plan to do a “30-day reset” on Jan 1…the book looks great, thanks for all you do!!
My biggest challenge is having my husband be on board with eating Paleo. My solution – just not to buy things that aren’t Paleo. 🙂
The biggest challenge will be keeping paleo during pregnancy. So far, many paleo foods are a huge turn off, as is cooking, and all forms of bread and cheese are really really appealing!
My biggest challenge will be working full time and still finding time to cook at home. I’ll have to be a weekend cooking warrior!
My biggest challenge is making food my teenage daughter will eat. She turns her nose up at what I cook a lot of the time…mostly because it’s not junk food.
My biggest challenge will be WEDDINGS! Every time I’ve gone to a wedding I just go overboard and then feel awful the next day. We have a few this coming summer and I need a plan to make sure I don’t let them take me too far off track. Crossing my fingers for a copy of your book!
Congratulations on the new book! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
My biggest challenge will be turning one planned cheat meal into a weekend to weeks of derailment!! I’m getting better.. Right?!?
biggest challenge is always activity – need to move more during the day, and do some scheduled fitness workouts. i’ve spent the last 3 months learning to cook and getting to know my kitchen – which was surprisingly enjoyable! New Year’s goal – move my ass more each day. LOVE your blog!
My biggest challenge is finding balance in between work, raising a very cute and active little good and sticking to my Paleo diet. I’ve fallen off the wagon so many times this year, I hope to stop doing that come 2013!
Sugar is one of my biggest weakness esp. In ice cream and chocolate. I am going to fight it with good food and post it’s to psych me up to keep changing my life.
Biggest challenge…helping our Son and his Family of six to start their Paleo Journey when they live two Provinces away. 🙂
I started moving towards a palro lifestyle in early 2012. I recently developed an allergy to almonds. My biggest challenge in 2013 will be to find adequate replacements for almond flour and almond milk.
Biggest challenge? Figuring out how to make Paleo work best for me as a Masters distance runner- it has to support my running and improvements in speed, endurance and distance. (I’m sort of Paleo-ish now, but have room for improvement) Tied or a close second? Managing my carb/sugar cravings (lifelong carb junkie) AND being Paleo on a GERD diet – no citrus, tomatoes, spices, peppers, etc.. (thank goodness Paleo supports gluten free, which I also need!)
The biggest challenge I face is going Paleo with two small children. My 3 year old is a no meat/carb kid, therefore I will be tempted by his food. To deal with this, I hope to dial back his bread and up what few veggies he eats.
My biggest struggle will be staying ahead of everything and trying to get my husband and 3 busy boys on board. working full time, lacrosse practice every night, homework and housework. I need all the help and advice I can get! I have dabbled with the paleo lifestyle and I know it is the ansewer to numerous health issues! Where to start? How to stay committed when the stress level gets high and the sugar cravings that never seem to stop. HELP!
My biggest challenge is staying Paleo in a household where the majority of my family is NOT Paleo, so my kitchen isn’t all-Paleo, all the time. Maybe it’s time to change that…
The biggest challenge is eating out and staying Paleo. I understand eating meat and veggies, but farm factoried meat..no thanks! Can’t avoid social activities forever, but perhaps there is a better strategy than avoiding eating out? Love the blog and looking forward to the book 😉
My biggest challenge is and will continue to be juggling our budget to afford feeding our family of 4 on humanely raised, grass-fed meats (and organic veggies). I realize the investment in health now saves later but our monthly grocery bill is enormous. Difficult to say the least with only one full time working adult in the household.
BY the way your Well Fed book is an awesome resource love it!
My biggest challenge is going to be completely making ALL meals paleo. Meaning, no more making one meal for me and one meal for my son. I’m slowly moving him in the paleo direction, and we’ll be there soon. No more sugary snacks and other unnecessary food items in the house. At all.
My biggest challenge to keeping up with a paleo lifestyle in 2013 is when I’m away from home and I am tempted to try out non-paleo treats. When I’m home, I have few temptations.
My biggest challenge is getting derailed from time to time. Getting back to where i want to be is hard for me. This year-no derailment!
My biggest challenge will be coping with a newborn and my eldest starting Kindy! Time to get a chest freezer and start getting super organised. I asked for and got(Hooray!!)Well Fed for Christmas. Can’t wait to see what else you’ve got in the Dummies book.
My biggest challenge for paleo will be not letting myself lie to myself that “oh, this piece of bread won’t matter or this rice doesn’t count”. The little things add up and little treats turn into habits.
My biggest challenge is wine. I just love a good red wine with my red meat. I think I’ll just have to save it for the weekends.
This looks awesome! My biggest challenge will be remembering to treat myself well under stress and not to turn to emotional eating.
My biggest challenge is the morning teas, lunches or just random cakes and sweets at work.
It’s about setting up a culture where it’s ok to not have something sweet and not being tempted.
My challenge is just to get better at planning ahead and learning how to keep things simple and satisfying.
My challenge is chocolate. I’m a sucker for anything chocolate and it just sets off cravings for more sweets. I’m joining the 21 Day Sugar Detox with Diane in January and really working hard to clean up my eating.
My biggest challenge is my love of cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. However, I can use this to my advantage for coming up with some new way cool recipes.
My biggest challenge would be making the time to prepare paleo meals. I’m a student, so I devote a lot of time to studying outside of home. Therefore, I tend to eat out a lot and would have to pre-plan my meals (like lunch and dinner). I love the energy I get from doing paleo so hopefully next year before my schedule gets packed, I’ll get in the groove of things.
Congratulations on the book! My biggest challenge will be eating healthy and staying healthy in the month of world travel prior to my wedding in July. Yikes.
My biggest challenge would be planning meals in advance but I have a copy of Well Fed and will use your plan
My biggest challenge is reluctantly saying no to my Filipino mother who wants us to eat egg rolls, rice, and pancit at her home 3 times a week.
My biggest challenge continues to be exercising. I’m an extreme introvert/loner and being around a lot of people for any period of time makes me feel like I’m surrounded by a thousand snakes. I’ve tried to get myself to move and exercise at home, but dislike it enough that I will always find some reason not to do it. This year I am determined to find something, besides walking to work which I do regularly, that I can stick to.
Hubby and I are starting our Whole 30 from 1 Jan. I think my biggest challenge is keeping my head in the game (thats why hubby is doing it too!) apart from that with a 9mth old and a 2yr old planning will be the key to me not reaching for their foods (bread, cheese etc) – but i just ordered a copy of Well Fed as a late Christmas present to myself!
I just moved in with two roommates and as much as I love them, they have brought out the worst in my eating habits. To combat this, I’m planning on using them both as exercise partners and making use of my love of lists and planning to show them that we can make good food without too much effort.
My biggest challenge is going to be keeping my husband motivated and prevent him from going back to the old SAD.
ZOMG SO EXCITING! I intend to buy this as soon as I see it sitting in the bookstore (hopefully the “Resolutionists” won’t buy all the copies before I can poke my nose in the shop…). Sounds like it’s a good “catch-all” mixture of science (woohoo!), cooking (yay!), and exercise stuff (not as fun as science or cooking, but also very cool).
But, I’ll enter the draw anyways. 🙂
My biggest challenge for 2013 is probably going to be “coming out” as a paleo eater. I’m not a preachy person, so I don’t advertise my eating habits to anyone, but I cringe to think about how my family will react when I say something crazy like, “I’ve stopped eating grains” (or “I eat a dozen eggs a week and that’s okay!”) I’m hoping that I can pick up enough scientific knowledge to satisfy the science-y people in my family and also grow a thicker skin to deal with the people who will pull the “Oh well, why don’t you just eat it this one time because you don’t want to be rude and besides there are starving kids who would love to eat this and blah blah blah” card. I’m also really (really!) hoping that Robb will get his nutrition cert up and running so I can posess some sort of credential and counteract the “Well you can’t trust the internet” idea.
(Another challenge–finding space on my bookshelf for MORE paleo books. But that’s not so bad as far as challenges go….)
My biggest challenge in 2013 is making sure I eat enough!! Have just started crossfit and am eating everything in sight, so my challenge is being organised enough to keep it paleo when I’m hungry after a WOD!
Oh and to fully convert my part time paleo boyfriend! (The book would be great for him!)
My biggest challenge is feeling weird about my eating habits around other people. I know it is silly, but sometimes I would rather just blend in and not get asked a million questions. Still working on it..
in 2013 I plan n doing a bit more running- the challenge will be to resist sweet treats after the runs! I also need to try to sleep more and switch off electronics at a reasonable time.
My biggest challenge will be traveling for work at least 50% of the time. I will be prepared with healthy, Paleo snacks and order wisely in restaurants. I always order double vegetables instead of a starch and they are happy to accomodate me.
My biggest challenge is actually understanding what I can and cannot eat. I’m an athlete who struggles with dieting based on my level of exercise at the time, if I’m training for a half marathon or triathlon or just exercising to feel fit! It’s great that there’s now a book that breaks it all down without going into severe detail which is where I get lost. Great idea!
My biggest challenge is finding time for physical activity. I have a small child, two jobs, and one car I share with my husband. So getting us all where we need to go takes a lot of time.
Like others, my biggest challenge in 2013 will be myself. I have been on and off, justifying too many cheats. So, I’m starting 2013 with a Whole 30 and we’ll go from there.
I have battled my whole life with my weight. Losing and then gaining it back. My son has been following the paleo diet and has been a big inspiration for me. I want to take the extra weight I have on and keep it off. I think that the Paleo diet is my solution. I know it will be challenging because I am a big sweet lover. I think that will be my biggest challenge as well as giving up coffee. I know the Living Paleo for Dummies will be very helpful for me to learn about the plan and to keep up with it for the rest of my life. Thank you for the opportunity to win a free copy. Debbie Arroco
Mine is avoiding the Rice and lentils I grew up with. Need to prep more ahead of the week.
Planning is always my biggest challenge. How many days have I stood in fornt of the freezer and said, ‘What shall we eat today?’ It’s all Paleo, no problem there, but I do need to think ahead a little more!
I’m sure the book will help.
The biggest challenges for me are eating paleo while dining out and traveling and also not going off on a complete binge because I indulged in a non paleo food.
Biggest challenge–Dairy. Even though it bloats me right up, I feel like I’ll use that over soy….. When you go out, it seems even harder to avoid especially when I don’t have coconut milk for my coffee. :/
My biggest challenge: motivation. I am past the point with my paleo and workout routine where I am seeing dramatic changes, so the hardest part is keeping up with it. My plan for 2013: One day at a time!
My challenge = desserts! Namely, chocolate that sneaky devil. I’m looking forward to my January Whole 30 because this body needs a healthy reset! Paleo changed the way I look at food, and taught me what healthy eating looks like. Having a book to reference for those weaker moments would be awesome!
My biggest challenge is probably the legal and nutritional fraternity. Here in South Africa there is a huge debate about the no carb movement and explaining to my doctor why I don’t want to take statins is like banging my head against a brick wall.
I’ve been following the Paleo community for almost a year, but my biggest challenge is just staying consistent. With the 3 non-paleo kids and a ‘kinda’ paleo husband (he doesn’t consume gluten, but does rice and corn), it makes it challenging.
Oh I’d love a chance to dig through this book. Sounds perfect.
I think my biggest challenge is to be diligent about batch cooking meals ahead of time. I always eat the worst when I don’t have meals available.
Congrats on your new book!!! I love the “for dummies” series. I will stick it in the bathroom for guests to read when they visit. I put all the books that I want others to read in the bathroom, it’s amazing how many overnight guests end up taking those to read at night. Which leads to my biggest challenge…Encouraging our extended families to simply cook meat and veggies when we come over for dinner. They feel insulted if we bring stuff and feel we must be starving our poor children if they don’t have mac & cheese.
Oh, craft beer and cheese. Cheese and craft beer.
Melissa, congrats on the book! I think that my biggest challenge is going to be keeping all of the “bad stuff” out of the house. My darling husband will often do something like come home with an apple pie…and not even a yummy Grandma baked apple pie, but a grocery store apple pie. I will then eat said pie, which isn’t all that good and set off on a downward spiral. I have no willpower sometimes, and even though I know how badly I will feel physically and mentally after, I need to be making better choices consistently.
By the way, I LOVE your recipe for the zucchini comfort noodles and will be devouring a HUGE bowl of them later today!
I just was checking out the book when I was Xmas shopping in Barnes and Noble! Looks awesome 🙂
My biggest challenge will be sticking to the Paleo diet when life gets crazy busy in my last semester of my undergrad degree! Luckily, I’m doing an independent study on Nutrition and the Paleo Diet with my physiology professor who has also been researching and trying out the Paleo Diet. Can’t wait to learn more about it!!
My biggest challenge is my family. They are not very supportive. I think the only way I know how to overcome it is by continuing to bring delicious dishes to family functions and help to show them this lifestyle is not restrictive.
I recently quit my job as a restaurant manger and became a part time high school teacher, a server a different restaurants, and was just hired to write curriculum for the local community college. Oh and I just ended a two year relationship so… I have a lot of changes going on in my life. Trying to incorporate good eating habits into that as well will be my biggest challenge. All those excuses aside I fell like this the best time to get serious about paleo because with everything else changing I can create a new me. A paleo version of me! I am very excited for this new year! It is going to be very challenging and if it all goes right very rewarding.
My biggest challenge in living Paleo is my family!!! 1 husband and 2 adult-kids live at home. None of them eat primal/paleo!
It’s not so much that they tempt me with their foods, it’s just frustrating!
Plus, I broke my wrist almost 5 months ago and it’s being slow to recover which has made exercise difficult.
I’d love to win your book!
My biggest challenge is that sometimes I’m cooking two separate meals. However, I’ve introduced my husband to roasted sweet potatoes with coconut oil and he loves it. So, I’m hoping if I keep introducing new foods he’ll keep enjoying (most of) them!
My biggest challenge is trying to conquer my digestive issues!
My biggest challenge time and having fibromyalgia. I’ll find a balance one day – I’m still a newbie.
My biggest challenge is giving up cheese…oh how I love cheese 🙂
Time and Fibromyalgia are my biggest issues.
Looking forward to reading this – and hope I win! My biggest challenge is finding recipes my 4 year old daughter will enjoy, too.
My biggest challenge with living Paleo is that it is hard giving up the things I have grown up on. Cheese… Bread… And I have a small obsession with reese’s peanut butter cups. But that obsession starts when I am either stressed out, or really tired from a long hard week at work and all I want to do is indulge.
In order to try and fix this I need to not have those food available, and to not stress so much! Everything will be OKAY.
My biggest challenge is getting access to the grocery store and scheduling time to cook. I take pubic transportation because I don’t have a car. So figuring out the logistics of trying to get to a grocery store after work or on the weekend, that sells organic produce and meat, and then carry 30 lbs of food (or scheduling multiple trips during the week) on said public transportation, can be just annoying enough to just get take out.
I hope this book would get me off the fence in deciding if this program is right for me.
My biggest challenge will be not giving into my husband when he wants to go out and eat S.A.D. food.
My biggest challenge is spending time with my big Italian family whom constantly want to feed me everything I shouldn’t have!
Biggest challenge = going sugar free for good! I have tried, and LOVE the way I feel when I am “off” sugar – my drug. I need to do it once and for all 🙂
The biggest challenge I have found is sticking to the diet, its hard…
My biggest challenge will be keeping to the Paleo plan while traveling and eating out for work. I’m constantly having to think ahead of what to pack etc. so that I don’t succumb to sugary carbo snacks because that’s the only thing to eat.
My biggest challenge I will have has been my one and only challenge my entire life. Not to let myself get in my way. I self sabatoge everything. I want a new lifestyle not a diet. Something I can commit to. I am not creative and cant come up with my own ideas for snacks meals ect. This book would be a great start for me : )
The biggest challenge I find in living Paleo is preparing the week’s meals and making lunches for my husband who can sometimes be “fussy”! 🙂
That’s an easy one! My biggest Paleo challenge in 2013 will be six months of pregnancy/recovering from a caesarian/adjusting to life as a mama of four kids under the age of six! As if staying Paleo isn’t hard enough, I’m giving myself a brand new hurdle to jump. My plan is to prep and cook in bulk, and freeze as much as I can in anticipation of not being on my feet much once Baby arrives.
My biggest Paleo challenge is not having a local support system. It is difficult to be the only one eating strange food when everyone around me eats grain, sugar, dairy, etc. For next year, my goal is to find a few new friends who support me.
My biggest challenge is being Italian!!! Pasta was a staple in my diet for so long, and there are days I miss it so much!
I was eating strict paleo for almost 3 months when my work schedule got absolutely ridiculous. I struggled and ultimately could not find the time to prepare enough food, and ended up eating whatever I could find for a few weeks.
I am hoping that next year before the Christmas rush I can do a few weeks of cooking and freezing food so that I am not left with an empty pantry.
My biggest challenge in keeping paleo is when it comes to staying away from soy.. the protein shake I have become so used to is soy based and I haven’t found any to replace it yet so for now I have them on occasion but maybe I can give it up for 30 days and see if I can’t kick the habit entirely.
Super excited about your new book!!
I have Well Fed so definitely want this one! 🙂
Biggest challenge will be to combat the stress eating. I was just diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, so I need to buckle down and get serious with making some positive lifestyle changes for the rest of my life.
The biggest challenge I face for 2013 is traveling! I travel a lot for work which means being in hotels with small gyms, pre-prepared foods and very few Paleo choices. However the way I will tackle this is simple: one – pack my jump rope with me wherever I go! Two: bring my travel WODs list, and three stack up on Paleo foods like Paleo kits, nuts, almond butter, and fruits and vegetables before I travel so I can control what I eat!
The oatmeal raisin cookies they serve in the campus cafeteria are my biggest hurdle. They are right there and included with your lunch and I’m not always good at resisting. I was hardcore Whole30 for 3 months before crossing paths with those evil, little sugar beasts!
My biggest challenge is I’m pregnant! Fighting the cravings is and will be hard. However, I know how great the Paleo lifestyle makes me feel and I just need to keep that mindset.
Staying prepared, planning my meals I think we’ll be a challenge post holiday. but my biggest challenge always is cheese and cookies. they are my weakness and I need to be strong.
I would like to heal my body with paleo way of life, I have some problems with my stomach and candida is a big problem too 🙁 And I am constantly tired 🙁
Paleo is my hope 🙂
My biggest challenge with paleo in 2013 will most likely be the same as 2012 . . . staying paleo when life gets busier and more stressful than the usual. Now that I know how I respond to these situations, I can look ahead and do some extra planning and prepping. Hope it works! The other obstacle is my son’s nut allergy. Finding more and more recipes and quick snacks helps.
Dealing with sugar cravings. I have totally gone crazy with the sugar this holiday season. I think a 30 day challenge is in store for 2013 to get me back on track.
My biggest challenge has been and remains getting myself to move. I simply have never met a form of exercise I like, let alone love. Food is easy, movement not so much.
It will be a challenge getting back into living paleo. I need to learn how to balance it with my work lifestyle, which includes traveling on weekends, working 16 hour days and only having access to limited healthy options. The way I am going to tackle it is to pre-make my meals but make sure what I make can be packed to go. I will always have snacks on hand and I will push myself to remember that paleo isn’t a diet it is a lifestyle. will it be easy… no but excuses for me don’t make me feel better and eating poorly is not fitting in well with my lifestyle. 🙂
I think my biggest challenge will be the same one I have been dealing with in 2012. Keeping consistent with the program. Taking the time to prep/plan/shop. Meals on days that I travel for work. Not getting lazy and just grabbing something. And working out regularly.
Honestly don’t know what I will do to fix this. Been working on the answer all 2012.
My biggest challenge is integrating the paleo lifestyle that I follow with the habbits of family and friends. It seems like people have a preconceived idea of what paleo is and for those who are not following a healthy lifestyle its hard for them to understand the why’s. This often leads to them unknowingly sabotaging my own eating. But hey, they’re family and friends and I will learn to adapt. I just wish there was a better way of integrating and getting them excited about it. Thanks and love your work!
My biggest challenge is no dairy. I have embraced coconut milk for soups and baking, but I miss cheese. A little less each day, so it is getting easier. The results make it all worth while!
Time is my biggest challenge – as a grad student, I rarely take the time I need to prep meals and plan ahead like I know I should. Paleo for Dummies would be very helpful as I try to get myself back in line this year. Congrats on another great book!
Traveling is always my biggest challenge.
Eating out with my vegan friends is the second hardest.
my biggest challenge is staying away from sugar. when i go without it, i feel great. however, someone will bring something sweet into the office, or i’ll have a crappy day and give myself the excuse that it’s okay to hit up the vending machine – i deserve it – and pretty soon i’m back on that roller coaster again. i need to be able to say no when treats are brought in, and to find more positive ways of dealing with stress.
Biggest challenge, as always, is corn! Anything made from corn, but especially popcorn and tortilla chips… But mostly, popcorn!
Variety will be the spice of life in 2013. I basically lived off of your chocolate chili, pad thai, chicken thighs and salad in 2012 and hoping to spread my paleo wings in the new year! Congrats on the new book!
I think the biggest chanllenges I face is letting other pressures wear me down and get me off track, along with the family not being on board. My plan to tackle the latter is to just cook what I want and if any of them don’t like it, then they are free to shop and cook for themselves. The six year old might not have much of a choice, but the teen and hubby certainly can choose wisely. For the stress, I plan to really take one day at a time and one meal at a time. That is all I can think about during this overwhelming next few months while I begin clinicals and still try to work, take other classes and run a household. One day at a time, and planning accordingly.
The biggest challenge for me is micro-brewed beer. I’ve been successfully eating paleo for over 9 months, but I still have moments when I must indulge in quality beer. It is my most difficult craving!
My biggest challenge -my usual challenge- is to keep it in budget. Hopefully, I’ll join a cooperative this year and everything will be cheaper!
My biggest challenge is what I call the “4:00 binge”.About that time everyday,I just want to eat everything in sight.It’s usually chocolate and any other sweets.I “need” to shape up and make 2013 my year for change.I have 4 kids and would like to be around a very long time for them and my future grandkids.Thanks for the chance to win this book!
My biggest challenge is I’m italian… it’s really hard to stay paleo in the world of Italian food (pastas, breads, cheese, etc).
I’m currently in culinary school to better my understanding and once done, I plan on spending some time working for GF and Paleo companies so I can start my own line 🙂
I’m a believer! I’ve been paleo for almost 5 months, lost 30 pounds and “fixed” a myriad of niggly physical problems, but my biggest challenges have always been PREP & PLANNING! I’m much more successful when I have a plan and don’t have to think much after a long day at work… I don’t even mine the prep so much (it can be sort of ZEN-like), but I need to have a plan.
Thank you, love Well Fed, can’t wait for II!
Biggest challenge is trying to get my 2.5 year old onboard and/or stay away from her leftovers!
My biggest challenge will be keeping the momentum going and not sabotaging myself!
Eating on the go. I don’t like to eat breakfaast until I’m at work so I need items that are easy to fix or reheat at work
Have 3 challenges when it comes to living completely Paleo…….time, bread, and cheese!!
My biggest challenge is my hubby, we plan on doing the Whole 30 starting January 1st. This will be my second time and I hope that he will feel good and inspired to say yes to paleo after that because that is my plan!
This will be great! My wife finally agreed to go Paleo starting next year! Our biggest challenge will probably be sugar. We both love sweets and baking. She will have a lot of trouble giving up rice as well.
The biggest challenge in my house is breakfast…I hate eggs! I end up eating bits and pieces of leftover stuff but I’m not satisfied.
To solve it I guess I’ll just get over it and cook a steak 🙂
My biggest challenge is going to be breaking this sweet rut I have myself in and detoxing from sugar…that and not caving to peer pressure over a glass of wine with the work gang…ugghh!!
My biggest challenge is being prepared! I just can’t seem to buy/cook ahead… I received Well Fed for Christmas and am really appreciating the breakdown of how to do this better!
Preparation is such a key factor to success with any diet. My plan is to dedicate time to weekly or bi-weekly shopping and meal preparation. Also plan to start with 30 days of strict paleo to reboot after the holidays and then switch to an 80/20 plan.
My biggest challenge will be to slow down on the cheese and chocolate. And once all the gluten free non-paleo Polish food from christmas eve is gone, staying paleo will be much easier (and my stomach will probably feel a lot better!).
biggest challenge is just to do it and stick with it – beyond that it is being able to continue while feeding the remainder of the house. My two children are very picky eaters.
I need to just make the commitment and stick with it. I know I can do it if I put my entire soul into it.
My biggest challenge is myself. Over thinking, over doing and just getting over myself. Looking forward to starting a new year with new goals and a new book – hint hint….
My biggest challenge will be to convert my family over to paleo with 3 picky toddlers. My kids are not big on meat so it might a slow transition for them.
My biggest challenge will be finding the time to plan my meals ahead of time! I’ve started making out a meal plan for January to make sure I have no excuses to get off track.
My challenge for staying paleo is family and friends. It seems everyone is a nay sayer.they call it a no carb diet and atkinsish. I plan to over come it by continuing to stay educated and come prepared with my own food! I’d love to win this book.
My biggest challenge will be timing and temptations. With my job and the long hours it envolves is hard to be organised and prepare meals to bring into the office. My colleagues often offer alot of tempations which due to this lack of preperation leads me to straying.
I really want to make a difference to my lifestyle this year and get on top of things so I need to get clued up on all the different options I have to help me keep on the right track.
My biggest challenge will be learning to say no to keep my schedule less stressful and be able to get the 7-8 hours of sleep I need but am not getting now!
I’m a Dieting Dummy and would LOVE to win the Paleo for Dummies!! My biggest challenge will be keeping momentum & excitement of beginning Paleo-type eating. I’m a Weight Watchers Lifetime member and REFUSE to return for the twenty-eleventh time. At 61, I have dieted myself up 60 pounds in the last 30 years and preparing for a healthy retirement. “If I do what I’ve always done, I’ll get what I’ve always gotten.”
PS Loving your homemade mayo recipe and made it for gifts!
My biggest challenge will be getting back into the swing of cooking. We got married in October and are still on a binge-fest and relying on take out. I’m going to use this week to research some quick(er) meals that are yummy. I got burnt out last W30 because I stuck with bland food! So glad you have a new book!!!
I am struggling with keeping Paleo whilst working full time and being a mom to twins. I try to cook ahead but can never quite keep up. Any help would be great!
My biggest challenge will be trying to fit in “clean” foods (organic, free-range, grass-fed, etc.) on a very VERY tight budget. For four people. I may not be able to go organic or grass-fed, etc. I may just have to get the menu items going and then try to hone in on the better quality stuff.
My largest challenge is moderation. I am okay living very strict Paleo; my last Whole30 was a breeze. I have a bigger problem when I come off the Whole30, so that’s going to be my focus.
My biggest challenge will be consistently preparing the food for all meals. Pre-planning will be key for me! I’m planning to use a few different books (hoping for the Paleo for Dummies book!!), and the internet for finding good recipes! I’m taking my whole family on this new healthy lifestyle.
My biggest challenge is making myself my top priority. I need to make the time for meal prep. Once I get the hang of.the weekly cook-up, I’m sure it will make this an easier transition for me. I would like to slowly convert my family to the Paleo lifestyle. I have been gluten free since July when I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance. I am feeling better but I know adapting to a completely Paleo diet will make me feel great!
I think my biggest struggle will be getting off of and staying away from hard core sweets! My plan is to find alternatives so I don’t feel super deprived and then binge!
My biggest challenge is feeding my family and keeping myself healthy. I have a couple of family members who are constantly trying to slip forbidden food into the house or bring home take out.
My biggest challenge: the cost of all the purest, cleanest food! Thank you for the opportunity. -Mandy
Honestly? French fries. I love to cook and I love to eat, and I love to buy local, fresh foods. Stocking my fridge with yummy paleo foods is not a problem for me (even with a full-time job and two busy kids). My biggest hurdle will be to NOT fall into the “hey, I’m really into my distance-running schedule and I’m burning thousands of calories… a plate of French fries won’t hurt” trap. It’s a slippery slope… which is why, 4 months after my last half-marathon, I need to get myself back in to shape AGAIN.
Marcy, I LOVE Sweet Potato Fries. Would those work for you?
Not letting eating out with the non-paleo man knock me off track. I just have to demand the food I need.
Biggest challenges for me are my job (long hours in corporate America), my addiction to Starbucks, and finding foods to cook that my son will eat. He’s a lot less picky than he used to be, but we’re still pretty limited. If I can get & stay on track with meal planning and weekend prep, and keep the caffeine and sugar monsters at bay, I might be okay!
My biggest challenge is just keeping it simple! I tend to get bogged down in the science of it all. Focus on 2013 is Simplicity – just eat real food baby! 🙂
I would say I am a good example of someone who is a strict paleo follower, but I think the biggest challenge for me in 2013 is going to get my sister on board with it. I know she would have a TON of success with it and greatly improve her health, but she wants nothing to do with it. It’s like the saying “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.” I’m still going to suggest she try it and see if I can change her mind. 🙂
Keeping a well shocked refrigerator/being prepared is my biggest challenge. I’m making a commitment to go to the farmers market more often and try new options to keep it interesting.
My biggest challenge is portion size… The food is so freakin’ good!!
My biggest challenge for Paleo in 2013 is bringing our kids (7 and 4 yrs old) in on the journey/lifestyle. My husband and I transitioned to a mostly Paleo diet in early 2012, but I haven’t made a big effort to change the kids eating habits to line up with ours. It is time to improve their eating habits and get away from their reliance on pasta, bagels and cheese…
Eating out. I don’t do it very often but when I do, everything is out the window!
I’m new to Paleo but found I have a gluten and dairy sensitivity earlier this year and think a Paleo lifestyle may work well for me. I’m definitely addicted to sugar though so that will be a big challenge for me.
My biggest challenge is to not indulge in the eating habits of my new husband!
So far my biggest challenge has been my schedule. It is my biggest advantage and disadvantage. I work as an athletic trainer so I am traveling and not always in control of my own schedule. I am hoping now that I have developed a routine for crossfit 5-6 days/week that I can now tackle diet and a overall healthy lifestyle. I am a planner so I am really looking forward to being able to food prep once a week and try and stay consistent. I work in a profession where I KNOW why I need to be healthy, now I just need to do it!
My biggest challenge is finding recipes that are comparitive to what I use to eat. AND of course avoiding sugar.
Biggest challenge is coordinating my meals with the family and getting them on board!
My biggest challenge is having an abundance of fresh and tasty vegetables ready to go when I want/need to eat.
Excited for the book!!! 🙂
I will be moving away from Prague in February (I am afraid I won’t be there to meet you there when you are here, booooo) and I am moving to a very veeeery small town, almost a village. In Prague (biiiiig big city) I am used to get the best ingredients, fresh veggies everywhere, wide range of meats, fruits, farmer’s markets… This will NOT be available for me once I am away from here, there is only one small grocery store in the town itself. I am really terrified of this major change, because since I went paleo I am practically addicted to shopping for groceries. The only way I think I am gonna deal with this is dust away those tons of dust from my bike and do some shopping after biking to the nearest bigger city (there is one 10km away and they have Tesco there, haha). SO I will a) have to find a way to work with less variety and b) start biking again and hopefully make myself even more fit :)))
My biggest challenge is getting into the gym!
Finding time balance has been the struggle for me in sticking to Paleo. My challenges often come when I failed to prepare. Here’s to being more prepared in 2013!
It is Me, Myself, and I!!! I need to remember how I feel when I move away from the Paleo lifestyle. I start to have the afternoon sluggishness, and I just don’t feel right! My skin looks awesome when I am “on,” and I just feel better!! My cravings also go away. I just have to remind Me, Myself, and I to stick with it . . .
I need to keep the forbidden foods out of my house! As these holidays have proven, I am addicted to carbs and bad sugary stuff, so I just can’t have them around!
Congrats on the new book!
Biggest challenge is being prepared even when life is hectic and there aren’t enough hours in the day.
I think my biggest challenge is meal planning and preparing, especially for one person!
I think I will tackle it by writing out a weekly meal plan and estimating how much meat I would eat (you book has been helpful with this)!
My challenges for 2013 are:
1- make Paleo lifestyle attractive to my family. I tried to do Paleo by myself, but it was HARD (time consuming to make 2 meals everyday, being tempted by the non-Paleo food in the house)
2- Minimize time in the kitchen/weekly cook-up: I need recipes that I can partially or fully prepare in advance as I will be busy writing my PhD thesis and spend time with my family.
The biggest challenge is snacking at work. I am going to avoid this by preplanning good snacks when that hunger hits.
My biggest challenge is portion control. I plan on purchasing smaller containers and portion as I store.
My biggest challenge will be trying to convince my 9 yr old daughter that this has to be a new way of life for both of us. She will miss her mac and cheese…
My biggest challenge is working and trying to stay Paleo. In a school environment there is always food. My goal for 2013 is to take my lunch and pack snacks so I won’t be tempted to snack on all the goodies.
My biggest challenge is staying resolved to avoid certain foods!
Hi Melissa, I think my biggest challenge for maintaining a Paleo diet in 2013 will be the weekends. I tend to stay pretty strict during the week and then lose my mind on the weekends. I would like to be better prepared for eating out and staying away from sugar.
Thanks and I’m so excited about your new book! Congratulations!
Biggest challenge is to quit worrying about the scale. i don’t have a lot of weight to lose, but i know exactly where i want to lose and my tendency is to always associate my food choices with my weight. my plan to conquer that unhealthy habit is to take each day one meal at a time, enjoy it, and enjoy my workouts and my rest time, too. thinking ahead too much stresses me out…
Making sure I take the time to shop and prepare my own food. With kids and a husband that are not exactly on board yet, if I’m not prepared I fall into eating poorly.
I also need to be present with each meal, and enjoy every bite.
This time I am committed to sticking to it for longer than a couple of weeks at a time!
My challenge is getting over myself, and the doubts I have created around me. I had completely converted to the paleo lifestyle and loved it! Then, I let one thing get me down, and I fell to pieces. I am ready to put those pieces back together, and get back on the wagon. This is the inspiration I needed. Thanks Mel!
My challenge for 2013: Maintaining my sanity while completing my dietetic internship that will span 11 months. I know I’m in for a lot of learning, but like I did in my undergrad, I will have that voice in the back of my head saying, “Is there really ONE right way of eating?” I’ve come to think, so far, that there is one right way for each person, and for me that leans toward Paleo. Anywhoo, the year will be interesting to say the least.
My biggest challenge will be to always have something ready to eat in the fridge. I work full time and go to school full time and it is a challenge. I have been doing paleo for about 6 months and rarely fall off the wagon, but I need recipes that I can make in bulk and either freeze of eat during the week. Your broccoli salad is a lifesaver. I take a big bowl with some left over meat, if I have any or some hard boiled eggs to work or school. When you feel so good eating this way you don’t want to stop. My husband has been good about trying to get meals on when I’m too busy, but they can be a bit boring. 🙂
There will be many challenges with it, unlearning everything I thought I knew about “healthy” eating, but ultimately eliminating sugar will be my biggest challenge. Now that I have been reading labels on everything, I am finding sugar in things I never even thought of it being in. But I am ready for the challenge! Bring it on!!
My biggest challenge is time. Time to get to the gym. Time to cook.. Time for everything!
I’m gearing up to start 2013 with a bang by going 100% paleo. I hope I win!!
My biggest challenge will be battling the sugar demon. My plan is to stay away from sugary foods and not take one nibble to reset my system.
I think my biggest obstacle is me…always second-guessing myself and beating myself up. I need to be kinder to myself and work on changing things for the better.
Congrats on the next book!
(and thanks for shipping worldwide!!!!)
My biggest challenge will be getting into a good cooking routine again! No one likes getting home from work and preparing a meal from scratch!
My biggest challenge will be my husband. I just recently completed a Whole 30 and want to transition into a paleo lifestyle. My husband bought me a bread machine. It’s a work in progress. 🙂
My biggest challenge Is dinners. I never know what to make. I don’t like spend a lot of time in the kitchen when my husband gets home from work. I want to spend time with him.
My downfall has got to be dairy and sweets. I did a Whole30 ending right before thanksgiving (and have cooked almost EVERY recipe in Well Fed – thank you!) and got very interested in long term paleo. Then the holidays came (enter the custards, creams, pana cottas etc) and I’m back on square one!
My biggest challenge will be dealing with emotional eating, as my husband is starting a new job and will be living 7 hours away for 6 months until I can move to where he is, this summer.
My biggest challenge is going to be getting my family on board. But I’m sure that once they see a happier mama, they’ll just “get it”.
My biggest challenge is going to be going back to strict Paleo after the holidays.
My biggest challenge is chocolate and sugar. I eat pretty Paleo most of the time and am getting the kids on board without trying to make them feel ostracized…that’s a challenge in a goldfish centric world.
Cool! My biggest challenge is going to be having enough food with me when I’m out of the house.
My biggest challenge will be staying prepared!!
My biggest challenge will be starting and STICKING with an exercise program. I always quit after a couple of weeks. Not this year though! To help me break this habit, I’ve decided on a set time to exercise and put it in my calendar with an alarm to remind me. My sister is going to be my accountability partner, which will also help.
I have come to terms with the fact that I will have to follow the AI Protocols with Paleo lifestyle and that I don’t have to inflict the same restrictions on my kids… They can eat some of the more “fun” foods that I am not able to. Remembering this when I’m bored with my eats will be the toughest challenge 🙁
My biggest challenge is Paleo treats. I need to gain control over bored/stress eating.
My biggest challenge is meal planning and cooking ahead on Sundays.
I think the hardest thing for me will be to find foods that my Autistic son will eat.
He is 4 years old. So Autism+Toddler=Massively picky eater..
He won’t even touch a veg!
my household needs [weighloss for me, IBS treatment for Hubby, and Weight gain for MiL. and healthy food for the kidlet.] Nope not a tall order at all.
The biggest challenge for me is variety. I am very limited when it comes to proteins because I really only enjoy the flavor and texture of chicken. Keeping it exciting will be my biggest challenge.
My biggest challenge will be being prepared for work and not cheating at lunch or during the 2pm slump. My plan will be to set aside some time on Sundays for food prep and planning. I can only do the best I can.
The biggest challenge I have is making my luches for work, I work at Trader Joe’s and surprising there isn’t a lot of good paleo quick options so I have to be prepared or I will have a bad day. I get up early and make my breakfast lunch and dinner but some days I just don’t have the energy, I need to continue to push through even if I’m tired!!i
My biggest challenges is going it alone in a house with 4 other people not willing to step up to the plate with me. I also want to somehow find a way to transition my son (autistic, ADHD, 1p36 duplication, behavioral issues, asthma, food allergies, and 2 heart defects) onto a paleo diet. Unfortunately, his father is not on board and we don’t live together.
The plan…1 step at a time! First me…get clean, get strong…set the example and hope the others see the change in me and want that goodness for themselves. Second…plan ahead for my son’s success. Create to-go meals he can take to his dad’s so his dad has no excuses. Third…enjoy our new healthier life! 🙂
I think the biggest paleo challenge is eating enough of the right stuff to fuel my workouts. Now that I can’t grab that easy granola bar 😉
My biggest challenge in 2013 is my pregnancy. All I want to eat are sandwiches and pancakes.
The biggest challenge for me isn’t the food itself but the expense of all the fabulous meat and then planning ahead to cook enough meals. Sometimes that gets exhausting. It can also occasionally be a challenge to go out with friends for drinks and dinner or happy hour. I just bought a slow cooker so I think that will help with expense (cheaper cuts) and planning meals. Thanks!
My biggest challenge will be overcoming my sugar addiction and finding appropriate Paleo substitutions for my husband and children.
My biggest challenge is trying to keep up my paleo eating lifestyle while my boyfriend does not and doesn’t understand why I NEED to eat this way. He’s all about me loosing weight and being supportive but he thinks the reasoning and the no bread is mumbo jumbo. Second challenge is getting my daughter’s father on board with better eating at his house like she eats at mine.
Money….hubby got laid off.
Also, hubby will not change his ways and keeps bad foods in the house.
When he gets a job, I will buy your book! (If I don’t win it!)
My biggest challenge with paleo is understanding the ratios of fat, protein and carbs. Would love to win this book. Thank you for the giveaway
My biggest challenge will be to.stay. prepared for the next day and the next day when the last thing I want to do.is make dinner or think about lunch for work at 8 at night.
ditto Christina – that is another big challenge of mine.
My biggest challenge will be keeping the family happy and satisfied while still spending time with them and maintaining my sanity. I’m hoping to master the art of prepping stuff ahead and always having the makings of quick dinners ready.
My biggest challenge will probably sticking with the paleo lifestyle when my whole family is not on board. Some family members seems to think that just a little bite won’t hurt. Since I am a sugar addict, on bite will hurt! I am looking forward to a great 2013 paleo year!
My biggest challenge is traditional baked goods. I think I could eat 90% paleo and allow myself the occasional treat. I am aiming for consistent, not perfect this year.
My biggest challenge is I’m a Dummy! This is meant to be my book.
OK fine, my biggest challenge is getting the food to my house- I don’t have a car and getting quality paleo friendly food as needed is sometimes a challenge; as the only thing within walking distance is a chain grocery; but I have been able to utilize my Zipcar membership to get it done – can’t wait until next spring when the farmer’s market reopens!
My biggest Paleo challenge is the fact that my husband doesn’t eat Paleo. Except when I cook. He’ll eat what I cook, but not the rest of the time. And he doesn’t like leftovers. He brings all of the non-Paleo foods into the house, and it’s really hard to avoid them. And he’s the one with the health issues! I finally bit the bullet and signed up for a Crossfit on-ramp starting Jan 7th. I can’t wait! I know it’s going to help me stay on track, I’m really looking forward to the support system.
My biggest challenge is my ex-husband! We’re still good friends and he comes over to hang out and brings all this junk, says he’ll cook and next thing you know it I’m at the table eating…I mean I didn’t have to cook. Sorry excuse but oh so true…maybe I need to change the locks on the door or move and not give the new address…yeah that’s the ticket…just move!!
The biggest challenge for me is the carb cravings. I did a pretty clean paleo for 2 months and then get de-railed when my mom (a HUGE sugar addict) was visiting. It has been supre had to get off the carb train since then. I know the worst part is the first week or two, but I am committed to hitting it hard starting Jan 2nd. Support is a big key as well, anyone care to join me?
My biggest challenge is family. Love them dearly but the comments about the “weirdness” of eating this way and guilt trips when they have “made gluten-free treats especially for me” when I’m not eating sugar is hard. I don’t want to make people feel like I’m creating a burden on them or forcing them to make dinner my way, nor do I want to avoid sharing meals with the extended family. It is difficult when there is so much misinformation that others believe so firmly and they only have the patience to listen to a sound byte response to their questions.
My biggest challenge will be limiting alcohol and making sure the paleo diet actually lowers my cholesterol, unconvinced after first blood tests
My biggest challenge is going to be having shoulder surgery in Jan! I have surgery at the end of the month to repair torn ligaments from a dislocated shoulder last month. It is going to be a challenge bc I cannot work out and I really do not want to lose the progress that I have made with Crossfit & paleo! Bc Crossfit is out for a little while, I am focusing on paleo to fuel my body for a quick & speedy recovery! I plan to make some meals ahead of time to freeze and have ready for post surgery. Planning will be biggest thing and I have a couple paleo friends to support me!
My biggest challenge is just biting the bullet and committing 100% to making this shift. I’m starting with a January 1 Whole30 so that should help!
My biggest challenge for 2013 is making sure I have the willpower to stay away from sugar – my biggest crutch – and to stop snacking! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
Breakfast is a challenge. But my biggest challenges are multiple food allergies and chronic fatigue syndrome. I’m allergic (or sensitive?) to Paleo-friendly foods like eggs and almonds. I’m trying really hard to develop a liking for coconut flavor!
My biggest challenge is being prepared all the time, so when my schedule gets blown to bits I have food ready to go. Death to the drive-thru!
My biggest challenge is snacking – I need to get away from nuts for a quick snack, I’m also very keen to get my husband onto Paleo for his health, if he can see just how easy it is, 2013 will be his year.
Oh, my biggest challenge is dining or partying with my SAD friends. It’s tough.
The biggest challenge for me has to be feeding three teens and a man with a healthy appetite on a teeny tiny little budget. I’m writing up my own collection of budget recipes and tips for myself; with lots of help from your site and books.
Just starting to get information on Paleo. Biggest challenge will be staying away from free food at work and those afternoon sugar cravings. Would love to win the book to help get me started!
My biggest challenge is sourcing quality products….but once that us done hopefully it will be easier! Also not being much if a cook I’m starting a new era where u supply good food for my family. All worthwhile 🙂 can’t wait to read your book. Love your style ….
My biggest challenge is sharing my house with my two kids that will devour crackers and oatmeal from morning to night if allowed – I need to convert them into veggie- and meat- eating machines with kid-friendly paleo recipes. I’m planning on getting them both (ages 5 and 7) into the kitchen with me to help prep and cook food that they will eat.
My biggest challenge is saying “no” to the chocolate in the office, I’m at my weakest at about 4pm! I’m going to take a range of herbal teas to work and make myself a lovely cup of tea when the chocolate starts calling my name.
My biggest challenge is keeping my food exciting! I loved my whole 30 challenge but these holidays have been tough. I need to get excited about new recipes and looking forward to all the food I get to eat! Love your insight and looking forward to he new book!!
Buying and watching my husband eat all the treats, breads and tortillas. But then I, after loosing some weight, will begin to make my own acceptable treats and breads. 🙂
My biggest challenge is going to be figuring out how many sugars/sweet potatoes are right for me……..and then sticking to that! 🙂
Biggest challenge will be finding prep time on the weekends to pack work lunches for the week. Will need to block it off on the calendar just like any other important appointment.
My biggest challenge is going to be staying away from sugar and chocolate. I will achieve this by trying one new paleo recipe a week. If I am eating yummy food, hopefully this will diminish my cravings for non-paleo food.
The biggest challenge is finding handy snacks that are good for me. When the hunger bug hits, I don’t want to wait to prepare food, but am used to grabbing a snack. So, I guess that ultimately means better planning on my end.
My biggest challenge is figuring out what my entire family will eat. I’ve had a hard time weining my 5 and 8 year old off high fructose corn syrup and MSGs. We have an active lifestyle and not a lot of time to prep entrees. I do great with veggies and fruit, but everything else is a bit more difficult for me.
My biggest challenge is to stay true to my Paleo lifestyle in house of 6 where 5 are non Paleo. It’s hard I can sneak some in but I mostly have to make myself something separate to eat but at times it’s not only $$ but time. still trying to figure it all out.
My biggest challenge is easily scheduling a “cheat day”, so that I can go to happy hour or celebrate with family and friends. Hopdoddy burgers, queso, and cake are my weaknesses. ARGH!
Fear of vegetables – okay not out right fear just don’t really like them. Unfortunately I passed this dislike on to the rest of the family so I need to learn how to cook them so that the whole family will eat them.
My biggest challenge is to not let the chocolate consumption get out of hand and to get my butt to the gym first thing in the morning at least every other day – I ALWAYS feel better and more motivated to make good food choices when I exercise regularly.
What an awesome giveaway! My biggest challenge is ALWAYS going to be eating out. Especially when friends want to share starters and I have to veto pretty much everything! How I tackle it now is always looking up the restaurant menus online before I go so I can choose the most Paleo-friendly dishes. Then I have a plan of attack and don’t get steered off course. If I know ahead what I am ordering and how I can adapt it I can relax and enjoy the social time with friends and family without any food related anxiety. It hasn’t always worked so I will try and do this better in 2013. 🙂
Biggest challenge: being prepared and keeping the fridge stocked.
My biggest challenge is utter upheaval in my life. We sold our home and are in a small rental while building. Our new home will be out in the country(yay) but too far from a CF box so I will have to learn to be more motivated on my own!
My biggest challenge will be my fear of missing out on new/delicious foods. Eating at home is fine, but I hate saying no to anything. Still, I’m super excited to start eating a little bit better, and I just got Well Fed for christmas, so that will definitely help.
My biggest challenge is going to stay with friends/family for a weekend. When I am not at home to prepare my own meals, it is much more difficult to stay Paleo.
My challenge is getting my family on board and convincing my hubby that it isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg. My goal is to fing recipes that appeal to them all and to find a budget friendly way to do it. Thank you for the chance to win this awesome book.
My Biggest Challenge is living in the moment. I tend to regret past indiscretions and then worry about future failings. If I can stay in the present, and just make it work for that very day, I have a chance to be a fitter happier person.
The things I thought would be the most challenging when I did my first Whole30 between Thanksgiving and Christmas all turned out to be no-big-deals. In the coming year, as I start another Whole30 (with a proper ending this time instead of adding the holiday cookie and pastry food group on day 31), eating out while traveling for work looms massive. My plan to meet this challenge includes planning what I will eat before getting to the restaurant, not falling prey to the “oh-poor-me-away-from-home-I-deserve-this-treat” thinking, and keeping a supply of clean snacks at hand.
My biggest challenge is being prepared and planning meals ahead in order to find the best prices. We are also trying to transition the whole family, so the super picky eaters are also a huge challenge. I am working on a meal plan and trying new recipes to find ones everyone likes, and my sister and I are looking for a place to buy bulk beef to help with cost. Adding your new book to my wish list! Look forward to reading it! Love Well Fed!
The biggest challenge we face in 2013 is keeping everyone on track. One of us (my husband or I) will be motivated about eating healthy, preparing food for our children, and the other one will have fallen so far off of the wagon, that the wheel marks have disappeared. Our children bicker and complain about the food selections, but they look better, seem to feel better, and may even behave better when they aren’t eating all of the crap of the current day culture menu. As long as I stay organized – with shopping, cooking ahead, and general prep for the week – we can stay focused on being healthy. Also, if I do the shopping, I can make sure we don’t have all of the tempting items in the house. So, the challenge – getting and keeping BOTH of us on task – and being willing to jump right back into it if we slip.
Thanks!
My biggest challenge is not the food side of it, I like to have a wine here and there especially when I catch up with people.
My biggest challenge in 2013 will be starting AND living the Paleo lifestyle with limited support from anyone really, other than myself!!
My biggest challenge is dealing with morning sickness, cravings, and food aversions. It has made a Paleo diet nearly impossible for me these last three months. Add to that first trimester exhaustion, and my poor body is all screwed up, pregnancy notwithstanding. My plan to work around this in the new year is to be better organized and buy the things we use often in bulk, order meats and fish for delivery, and try to limit the grocery runs to once a week for veggies and fruits and be better about the once a week food prep (and give that chore to the hubby). I’m hoping that if I have turned the corner with the energy issue, if I’m able to cook more that I can have a better next six months than the previous three.
My biggest challenge for 2013 is to continue living and eating Primal regardless of what my hubby does. He’s on and off (which is fine for him) but I end up being on and off as well. I just want to be on! So now I need to make it happen.
My biggest challenge is consistency. I go through phases of commitment but after about 3 weeks I fall off the wagon hard. I will try to tackle this by bringing my hubby on board to help with meal planning and grocery shopping and to truly use 1 hour on the weekends to prepare a meal or two to make the work week more manageable. I need a new mindset…I will view the cooking / meal planning as an exciting opportunity to relieve stress, improve my culinary skills and make my co-workers jealous of all of my home cooked meals 🙂 Wish me luck!
Trying to stay on Paleo while eating out!! Huge challenge for me
For me the big challenge is trying to stick to the paleo wisdom while living my life in an institutional setting where school food designed to appeal to teenagers is the day to day norm. That and the constant temptation to icecream. I think my personal goal will be to roll with my lapses in judgement a bit better and not allow one slip to develop into a binge.
My biggest challenge is keeping away from sweets and easy meals (i.e. take-out). To combat that I try not to keep anything sweeter than an apple in my house. I also try to keep some super-easy meals stocked in the freezer.
I’m a flight attendant and am away from home A LOT. I learned about Paleo this past May from one of our captains who had lost 36 pounds in 3 months so I was intrigued. Just needed to lose a lingering 10 pounds (which had been lingering for about 20 years…), though considered myself a healthy eater and love to cook. Once I started looking into the food blogs (and yours is one of my go-to faves) the Paleo outlook made sense to me and simple tweaks dropped those 10 pounds off in 5 months.
My biggest challenge for keeping it Paleo is my travel schedule. I am away from home so much it is a constant battle to bring enough Paleo food with me. I bring a huge lunch tote on my 4-day trips but to bring enough protein and veg is virtually impossible. I try to make good choices in the airports when I’m on the run, but it’s a constant struggle. I tackle this challenge by using the Facebook News Feed I’ve created for Paleo/Primal Lifestyle pages and read everything I can to keep me motivated. It’s working. 🙂
Thanks for all you do, and congrats on your new book! I hope your 2013 brings you continued success.
My challenge is sticking with the paleo guidelines when the rest of my family doesn’t.
My biggest challenge is eating at family functions. My family just doesn’t understand why I don’t eat cheese!
Love your site, I use your recipes ALL the time, they are AWELICIOUS!
My biggest paleo hurdle is trying to get enough sleep and recovery. Unfortunately, my job requires shift work and I am often working from 4pm to 4am. Not conducive to getting enough rest.
I would love a copy of your new book, my copy of Well-Fed is quite tattered and coconut oil stained. (It needs a friend)
I focused on the eating plan and food prep first and now i need to incorporate exercising going to start with just walking 3 times a week and work up to add weight training.
The biggest challenge for me for 2013 is sugar! It has always been a weakness, although now more in the form of dark chocolate, honey, or coconut sugar. I’m planning to do a sugar detox/whole 30 to kick off the new year right 🙂
I hope to move to the other side of the world this year, and generally changes in my routine really upset my exercise and eating habits – and this will be such a huge change!
Fortunately my partner is also paleo, and we will have to rely on each other for motivation to stay on the paleo path when times get tough.
My biggest challenge will be balance. I have been struggling with balancing family, work, school, nutrition, and workouts. My goal in 2013 is to find balance and get my family on board. We’ve been mostly paleo in the past, but have fallen off and been run over by the wagon.
Time to get us all healthy!
My challenge is living paleo out for the sake of my family and friends. No matter how much I want them to change their lifestyles they take the info I give them about the foods they eat and shrug it off and say its too hard and their way tastes better. Therefore, I put alot of pressure on myself to try and be an example for them and just hope it helps them.
My biggest challenge is tho keep it creative, so that I’m not eating the same few things over and over!!!! My copy of “Well Fed” is my inspiration!!!!!! <3
Okay, I already bought the new book (but if I come up a winner I’ll take another so I can pass it along to a friend who might benefit). I’ve been doing Paleo now since April 2012. The biggest challenge is the time it takes to source and prepare good food. (I’m lucky that the expense is not a big factor for me, but good meat isn’t cheap.) The other piece of the puzzle I need to put in place in 2013 is cutting back even more on beer and wine. I’m finding that gets easier all the time because my new, cleaner, body doesn’t react well to alcohol. Having said that, I’m signing off to have a beer. Happy New Year, all.
Not slipping up with wine or chocolate as well as my husband not being a paleo eater will be my biggest challenges.
My biggest challenge with paleo will be not eating junk food and drinking soda. I have always had a problem with soda. Hopefully I can overcome these bad habits this year and push myself to greater health. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone!
My biggest challenge wil be ranch dressing,Ranch Dressing, RANCH DRESSING!!!!!! Seriously, the homemade mayo is amazing… Can I manage without ranch dressing? Can I make something similar? …and can I make it though Disney for a week starting March 3rd? Those are my concerns. Can I do this?
I have a three-month old daughter and will return to work after 13 weeks of maternity leave on January 2. I was dabbling in Paleo before I got pregnant and then gave into all kinds of cravings and gained 50 pounds despite exercising during pregnancy. I have started back on weight watchers but really want to stop tracking and start eating within Paleo guidelines. My challenges will be worrying about losing weight, squaring Paleo with what I have learned about weight loss (low fat, anyone?), and of course finding the time to prepare, shop, and cook Paleo meals while learning how to be a working mom with a husband who works more than full time. I will tackle these challenges by prepping meals on the weekend and planning menus.
My biggest challenge will be converting my family to paleo in 2013 🙂
My biggest challenge(s) will be accepting the fact that fat-bottomed girls really don’t make the rockin’ world go round and embracing brussel sprouts.
My challenge is my lack of willpower when it comes to seeing pretty much any type of hot fried potatoes on a menu when I eat out! Hot fries, hot chips.. I plan just give it up- I know the oils are terrible, and I don’t like feeling blucky after I eat anyway!
My husband and I are just a few months into this lifestyle. We feel great and intend on keeping the habits up. Biggest challenge? Our friends and family who think this is a crazy way to live and eat. I get tired of trying to explain why it works for us and how living this way makes us feel so great.
My biggest challenge by far is when I’m exhausted and starving and dinner is going to take me an hour to make. I’m new to Paleo eating, so I’m still tweaking my methods, but times like that make it basically impossible to power through.
Sugar! Sugar is like “crack” for me!
My biggest challenge…diet coke and getting back on track. After previously losing 60 lbs, the weight has crept up on me. At 45 I am realizing that it’s about balance, implementing it into “life” is the real challenge. Here’s to a healthy 2013!
I travel for work weekly and often take co-workers and clients out to dinner and lunch. Sometimes five days a week. My challenge is to find restaurants or other food options during my road warrior travels where I don’t have time to plan ahead or have a private kitchen to stow and prepare food. I cannot prepare food at home to take on my weekly flights. The best option would be for me to stay at a hotel with a kitchenette or a corporate apartment. This would allow me to at least prepare breakfast, most lunches and daily paleo snacks. I am going to ask my Partner about corporate apartments right now. Thank you for reading. I hope you pick me for the Paleo for Dummies book give-a-way. Regards-Justin
My biggest challenge is learning the Paleo lifestyle in a compressive way. I’m working on drastic health and lifestyle changes for 2013 due to some medical problems that have challenged me the last several years and I believe Paleo can address these issues.
For so long my restrictive diet has been about “have to”. Now that I’ve found paleo, and the wonderful recipes on this site, I want 2013 to be about “want to”. So the challenge is to remain in that place of gratefulness for all the delicious food available to me with this way of eating.
Yay!! A contest that even I can enter from Switzerland! Actually, my biggest challenge for 2013 is eating enough. I know I probably don’t sometimes (although I am certainly not deficient in bacon, nuts, or dark chocolate). I am a major book hoarder so I’ll be getting your book as soon as I can 😉 and I’ll be sure to spread the word in my part of the world.
I just started reading about Paleo before Christmas and tried a week of eating less wheat and packaged food before the excessive holiday eating started so this would be great to learn more about it.
My biggest challenge with living paleo is being prepared. I’m a roll-with-it kind of gal, not much into planning. It’s something that I just have to do.
My biggest challenge is other people. I am super self concious anyhow, and I live in a rural, non-progressive community where I am certainly the lone wolf in terms of my adoration for the paleo lifestyle. I spent the first several months after learning about paleo shyly tapping the edges of the lifestyle because I was sure I would be ostracized by my family and friends. I read and read and read, both on the internet and the few books on healthy foods at my library. I resolved in November of this year that I am absolutely doing the right thing for ME, I will never try to push my nutrtion beliefs on anyone, but I have armed myself with information if anyone ever wants to learn about why I have made the choices I’ve made. My plan is to look so stunning, have so much energy, and feel fabulous so that the rest of my gang will happily follow my lead.
My biggest challenge in 2013 will be giving up a glass of wine with dinner and coffee with cream!
my biggest challenge in living the paleo lifestyle will be getting my family on board. Up to this point, it has been just me all by myself. I am hoping to get my kids and husband on board this year so we can all be healthier and happier.
My biggest challenge will be self-discipline and time-management. It takes some planning ahead to get into the paleo lifestyle and cooking the meals.
The biggest Paleo challenge I will face in 2013 is getting out of my own way! Once I get my mind in the right place, I can do anything. Traveling with work is another obstacle that takes planning and effort when I often don’t have the energy.
I work in sports medicine and Im on the road A LOT with teams that live off of pizza and chicken parm. I always bring small zip lock bags of almonds/coconut flakes and 1 serving almond milks. Also a few zip lock bags of carrot/celery sticks. I skip the pizza and go to my emergency stash and I take the cheese and the breading off the chicken parm. My athletes think im nuts.
Living the Paleo lifestyle is indeed a challenge! I am renewing my commitment in 2013 but I hope to find new ways to incorporate my family into my lifestyle. It is difficult making alternative meals for the hubby and kids, it’s impossible to go on vacation and find food I can eat, and holidays are a nightmare! Please help!! If I can find a way to “painlessly” convert my whole family we’d all be better for it. I’m cleaning out my pantry and Starting January 2…..baby steps.
Sugar. All that fricken sugar. I’ve been especially bad this holiday season, so saying no to that cookie is going to be a challenge for me but I’m going to give it a shot.
Oh my biggest challenges are my family- my husban who buys junk food all the time, an my mom who makes Sunday dinners that are the opposite of paleo… What am I going to do: be better about being the shopper and meal planner- eat ahead of time before dinners and the parents!
2 things. Coffee creamer. I know it’s pure junk, but Im addicted to it:( I’m moving towards giving it up 100% in 2013. The other is sugar. It spurs huge reactions when I give into it in even small amounts every few months. It’s gonna be my pitfall if anything is, but I will overcome it too!
Getting my family on board. A14 year old and 10 year old twins.
I will start paleo 2nd week in January. Surprise them. Their food will be served as usual alongside my paleo plates. I’m almost sure as the days go by I will hear, I want what your having mum. Then slowly more honey will be replacing sugar,and other none paleo bits will just not be replaced.
Good wishes to us all xxx
My biggest challenge will be planning ahead. I’m doing all my meal planning for January with lists for weekend prep (I have my trusty Well Fed guide).
My biggest challenge is COOKIES!!! I have a reputation as baker of awesome (sugary, floury) treats for my friends at grad school. I do ok with paleo dinner and lunch leftovers, though.
The biggest challenge is finding clean food in NYC’s suburbs. It’s really difficult to find raw milk and pastured beef here. And incredibly expensive, as are the local Crossfit gyms. It’s sad that it’s so much less expensive to eat crap food. Organic meat is over $20/lb! A small head of organic cauliflower can be $5. There local farmer’s markets are slim pickings. It’s only in Manhattan that you find everything, but, then again, Manhattan has become a playground of the uber-wealthy!
Still – I do what I can, the best I can. As a former Anthro major, I just love the theory and science behind Paleo!
My biggest challenge is giving up milk. Even raw milk causes a problem for me. As it turns out, I was thinking about it just this morning and realized that giving up coffee is what I need to do. I don’t miss milk anywhere except in my coffee cup.
My biggest challenges with sticking to paleo is my family – kids won’t touch veggies or anything ‘new’, and husband resorts to fast food and prepackaged foods when I just don’t have the energy to make a meal, and I hate making separate meals. Time is also an issue because I suck at planning, which takes up a tremendous amount of time. Hoping this book can help me out!
The biggest challenge I will face in 2013 is sticking with my Paleo lifestyle when eating at the houses of friends and family. My plan of attack for overcoming that challenge is to have more friends and family over to my place for meals and to be more open about the way eating certain foods makes me feel (um, like crap-ola). Happy New Year, Mel and congrats on your new book!
My biggest challenge will be sticking with it. I know I feel so much better when I eat clean paleo. Its using all the resources I have to stay on track and not fall off the wagon like I did this last year.
My biggest challenge is fitness. Getting my mindset to lift heavy and do some sprinting instead of cardio. 2013, it will happen.
My biggest challenge will be to complete my first 30 day reset (Whole30) while being a busy mom to 3 busy girls and to plan ahead so I have something to eat as I’m running out the door on most days.
Time management. Half of the week I’m up at 3:30 in the morning and don’t get home till around 11pm. On those days, food containing nutrients of any sort is preferable to the alternative — not eating at all. Hopefully my one-day-a-week food prep will carry us through (God knows my handsome, loving, wonderful husband cannot prepare sustenance for himself or me) and we will survive this last semester of undergrad.
My biggest challenge is that I HATE VEGETABLES! I’ve tried to overcome this. But because of this, I don’t know what half of them are and I don’t know how to cook them. HELP ME PLEASE!
My biggest challenge will be keeping food prepped and being diligent about that. I’m kind of lazy, and waiting until the last minute to get food ready makes the temptation to grab something fast all the easier. Can’t wait to read the book!
I have already tackled paleo once, for about a month and a half this fall and loved it!
I did have one downfall, wheat, specifically bread.
I knew going in the two hardest things to give up would be dairy and grains but the dairy was surprisingly easy to resist compared to the allure of a sandwich.
Pasta was easy to give up, baked goods (I dont have much of a sweet tooth) but bread was nearly impossible!
To make matters worse I work in a restaurant where the best thing on the menu is the burgers (I tried going bun-less, its just not the same).
I’m currently re-tackling the paleo diet (on day two) and would love this book to help me broaden my paleo horizons and make the crunch of a fresh baguette (drool) a distant memory!
My biggest challenge is to work out and gain some strength and definition. I already walk @ 40 miles per week, but I really need to fire up the kettlebells workout DVD that is still sitting in its protective plastic. I need to be stronger to carry my Jack Russell Terrier through airports when I travel with him. Sticking to strict paleo is not a problem as it has changed my life 180 degrees. I would never go back to bloating and depression. “Well Fed” is one of my favorite cookbooks ever! I will get the new book for my sister who is a pale, overweight vegetarian.
2012 was my year to lose weight, 2013 is my year to get strong! My hold back is fear of being the only outta shape person at my local box (I start Jan 7th).
I am overcoming this fear by telling myself “Fear-Schmear, time to get strong! Strong is the new skinny!”
Thanks for the give away and all your hard work, Mel!
I am so excited for this new book! You are so inspiring, Mel. I received “Well Fed” for Christmas and I believe it will be what helps me overcome my biggest challenge with this new lifestyle of mine. My biggest challenge will be getting the support from my husband. This will be my second time doing the Whole30. I’m starting on January 2 (my first was in November). I’ve been following a mostly paleo lifestyle since October. My husband is a HUGE grain consumer and is reluctant to accept my eating habits. He’s finally coming around and hopefully this new book will be as helpful as “Well Fed” was – I’m sure it will be! 🙂
Woo Hoo!! I received a copy of “Well Fed” for Christmas, too and gave out 5 copies. My biggest challenges are time management and working out. I’ve joined a gym I have to pass on my way home every night so I’m expecting the convenience factor to help me make time and stay consistent. Thank you! Thank you!
My challenge is my social circle and location. It’s winter in Cleveland and my city is a haven of micro-breweries and comfort food. My biggest paleo challenge is trying to fit my diet into the social things we do as a group. And avoid those great cold weather comfort foods that go so easy with a beer. I on and off the wagon, and ready to to make a real go at this.
My biggest challenge is meal planning consistently.
Challenges of 2012- converting husband and twin toddlers to eat this way with me…Done! (Twins get unhealthy snacks outside of home, but don’t ask for junk at home or the grocery store! Husband has lost 60 pounds.) 2013- the only challenge is time to cook and clean while hopefully opening a new school.
any suggestions? this is looking to be my Waterloo at the moment – my husband remains unconvinced that the improvements in my health and the weigh loss are sustainable on this way of eating.
I’m the biggest challenge facing myself in 2013!
Paleo is easy and Well Fed makes it easier.
What’s difficult is my brain, telling me I want to eat crap when I see an ad or commercial. I’m not hungry but I still think about the sweet sweet Mars bar or Whopper…I’m telling ya, I’m my own biggest challenge.
I have a plan! I’m also embarking on a 2 month Whole30 (I guess Whole60) to see if I can challenge myself further and really settle into a paleo lifestyle.
Stay tuned to read all about it on my blog!
2013 will be a challenge trying to come up with a variety of meals while attempting to stay on budget, pleasing my husband with delicious foods to keep him on Paleo and finding the time to plan, shop, pre-prepare food and work full time. (and still find time for my passions of gardening, refurbishing furniture and oil painting AND reading!!! Whew!
My biggest challenge remains my significant other – who despite being loving, open and understanding in all other areas, cannot seem to get over his love of bread enough to even try to go one day of paleo cuisine. To overcome this, I will model the desired behavior and offer to take over more of our meal planning and execution.
What little headway I have made with him so far is thanks to Well Fed – having a variety of delicious dishes has allowed me to make a bit of progress.
My biggest challenge continues to be sugar, sugar and more sugar. Argh! Started a detox today and looking into some supplements to help with cravings (from Diane Sanfilippo).
Congrats on the book!
My Biggest challenge will be saying no to foods that I really don’t want to be eating just because they are there! I’m a little compulsive. Cheats are ok, but for some reason I feel like I need to have everything any coworker offers. And there are a lot of offers around my office!
My biggest challenge for being Paleo in 2013 will be the guilt factor. I usually beat myself up for falling off the wagon for a meal. I have to keep in mind that it’s not the end of the world and to get right back on that Paleo horse! I also have to keep in mind that I’m not doing this to look like a goddess. I’m eating this way because it makes me feel good. I want to look like me, just healthier!
Getting the movement and exercise in gear! Not letting myself down will be my goal in 2013
My biggest challenge is to keep myself motivated and well prepared in the kitchen! (My family loves paleo – I’m the one who gets kitchen-time-burn-out).
My goal is to educate my family on the benefits of Paleo and have them be involved in planning and making meals and find exercise we can do as a family.
Looking forward to reading your new book. Well Fed was our first Paleo cookbook! 🙂
My biggest challenge to living a paleo lifestyle in 2013 will be when my husband and I finally share a household again. He loves to cook and eat pasta, and I find it difficult to say no to his creations. Plus, having him around puts a huge dent in my sleep time. The plan is to try to keep the pasta down to once a month when I finally move (and zero before then) and try to eat super clean the rest of the time. Don’t know about the sleep, though. 🙂
My biggest challenge to living paleo will be to consistently eat paleo during the work week. It’s hard to work full time, work out after work, then come home to make paleo food. It will take preparation and commitment to sustainably maintain the paleo lifestyle but I’m excited for it!!
My biggest challenge for paleo in 2013 will be the training I do for Ironman Florida. I sometimes feel that eating junk food is a “reward” for all of the miles in the pool, on the bike and pounding the pavement.
My biggest challenge in 2013 will be leaving food/paleo supply abundant California for Puerto Rico. Can Trader Joe’s open a branch there, stat?
The way I plan on tackling this though is to persevere in finding the best ingredients I can whilst staying open minded to new foods.
Biggest paleo challenge of 2013?? Mixing social life with cavewoman life! I’ll really be hitting up the Mexican restaurants for the easiest paleo friendly order (even though the chips and salsa can be very tempting!)
The biggest challenge I face with a paleo lifestyle is… the fact that I’m vegan. So many of my proteins are basically just glorified gluten. Since veganism isn’t negotiable in my life, I need to rely less on meat substitutes and find whole food proteins to replace them.
I have 2 challenges this year with my paleo change…
First, I currently live in Hong Kong which makes things a bit tricky in trying to find all the food choices. I’ve been able to track down most of the coconut oils and flour but they cost nearly double what you would pay for them in the states. There are also some veggies (spaghetti squash!! And jicama) that just doesn’t exist here. I’ve made do since I started this a few months ago – just have to be more creative.
My second challenge is getting my husband on board. He’s all talk that he wants to do it, but once he’s away from me or out of the house it’s very tricky. I’ve started packing breakfasts and lunches for him but the self-control is difficult for him. Will make for a fun 2013!!
My biggest challenge for 2013 is getting my family (especially hubby) on board to eating Paleo! Love that you’ve participated in a book that will surely help break it down for him, and show him that it IS doable!
My biggest challenge is that I travel 75% of the time for work and work dinners/room service seem to dominate my calendar… need more help with eating out Paleo as cooking is not an option on the road.
Biggest challenge: not planning in advance. My schedule is busy, but if I took the time to plan meals on the weekends, I’d not be scrambling to get dinner on the table on weeknights.
My biggest challenge is getting everyone in my family to eat paleo recipes. Since I’m the cook in the family I make all meals and my husband and kids have been slow to get on the paleo bandwagon!! My strategy is to just keep trying-yesterday I made a paleo chili and they all loved it-maybe there’s hope yet!!
My biggest challange(s) in 2013 are cutting sugar and adding variety to peleo eating. I’m always looknig for new and different recipes to keep things interesting and foods to cut my cravings or replacement foods.
my biggest challenges are (because I’ve already begun Paleo) is that I still crave terrible foods! foods that I know are terrible for me! It’s frustrating!
xo
My challenge is incorporating movement. I don’t live too far from Austin. Wanna come work out with me?
kids! They eat lunch and snacks, prepared by their childcare provider, with their peers. They won’t eat real food when there is a processed alternative or after eating junk all day, so when I serve them paleo they go hungry (and they’re cranky – which is really contagious and I am very susceptible). When I keep the kitchen stocked with the staples they like I set myself up for failure. I’m going to do a whole 30 in January and purge all the junk from the house. They will eat good food if that is the only option, or they can hold out until the next snack at daycare. It’s not ideal, but I’m not up for the challenge of converting 30 kids or finding paleo only childcare.
My challenge is beginning in a couple days, as I take the first steps toward completing the Whole30! I just purchased Well Fed to help me reach this goal! I know once I hit the first 30 days, I will have overcome my first giant hurdle!
It’s me. I’m the only one standing in my way. I read all the recipes and everything sounds great and wonderful and delicious but then I doubt myself. I try and make excuses (new mom, no time, too tired) but I need to do this for me, and my daughter and my family.
As an airline pilot I find it hard to find food at airports and I can only pack so much of my own.
My biggest challenges will be squashing my sugar addiction and overeating. I had lost 40kg very healthily, but have been putting a little back on because I just forgot how to say ‘no’ to frankenfoods.
When I eat Paleo I feel amazeballs, but as soon as I indulge in a small treat, it’s like Jekyll & Hyde… Healthy and fit and happy, to drooling snarling sugar monster 😛
It’s a challenge I know I can overcome, even though it gets quite severe, but it can be done.
My biggest challenge will be my family. My wife and kids are picky eaters first of all (whereas I like just about anything), plus they’re not into health & fitness like I am. I think this book would help me to be a living example of what it can be like to live a Paleo lifestyle.
Congrats on the new book! I am going to check it out.
Hi Mel! My biggest challenge for 2013 will be to concentrate on ME. As a student at Universtiy, living a paleo lifestyle is quite a challenge not only because it is quite expensive, but also trying to explain to friends what it is. I need to learn to politely say no, and remember that my body is mine. As a girl with PCOS, a paleo lifestyle is so healthy and really helps with the symptoms! 2013 is going to be my year:)
My biggest challenge is changing my mindset!!
Going Paleo in 2013. My biggest challenges will be keeping my 9 yr old daughter motivated on the diet and making my husband see that his bread and cottage cheese diet could be making him sick and he doesn’t want to understand it and why.
Avoiding sweets – that is always my biggest challenge!
My biggest challenge for 2013 is my family. That sounds horrible, but it’s not that they are un-supportive . We are a large family (7 kiddos) and feeding a busy, hungry, large crew on a budget can be tricky. Planning menus in advance are going to be crucial as well as teaching my kids WHY we are choosing to eat this way. And key for me is not letting occasional set backs sabotage the bigger picture. It’s not all or nothing, it’s a journey.
I need to work on meal planning. Too many nights I come home unprepared and end up having chips for dinner. I’m going to try to plan a week at a time, pull the ingredients together the night before, and maybe do some prep on the weekends as well!
Staying compliant the majority of the time is my chief challenge. I continue learning my triggers and I always get back on the horse, but I really want to get to the point where my triggers don’t trigger me to go there at all. I keep believing this is possible for me. : )
My challenge will be sitting next to my very picky eating 15 yo who eats pizza on almost a daily basis. The smell may just kill me. It will be good to get more meat in him, but I may have to hold him down to get any veggies in.
So fun to find your site and see that you are in Austin too!
my biggest challenge will be the change in eating didnt foods! not planning meals & preparing them ahead of time for those busy days & night! I’m ready for a change!
New to this world! Sounds interesting! Can’t wait!
Ah, my biggest challenge is just learning HOW to do this well!
My biggest challenge is support. I live with my boyfriend and his daughter and they are not supportive of my food choices. My boyfriend tries to be supportive, but it’s more like he’s being tolerant. They think I’m being extreme by cutting out the foods they like to eat the most. I end up eating something different than them most nights.
I plan on making meals they will not even realize are paleo, like salmon, chilis, and chicken dishes.
The biggest challenges i face with a Paleo lifestyle is everything. Cooking especially. I have two little girls, 3 and 1 and i have a hard time now deciding what to feed them let alone myself. The whole idea of Paleo is something my husband and i REALLY desire we just have no idea where to start. Thank you!
Mu biggest challenge for for the coming year will be actively participating in my journey to a complete paleo lifestyle. I work a lot and do not help enough with meal prep and clean up, although I’m a willing eater. My wonderful partner is the brains and the muscle behind things so far and I recognize I need to be more involved for us to sustain this lifestyle. I just need to make the time.
Eating out in restaurants!
My biggest challenge is being prepared, the weekly cooking sessions are tough when I have no idea what I’m making. I’m not a very good cook so I need to follow recipes in order to make food. The second biggest challenge for the year will be getting healthier overall in preparation for having a baby.
I need to acquire more recipes in order to do both of these and have been searching different books and websites for them
My biggest challenge is getting my kitchen organized! I have no places for my Paleo flours, oils, sugars, etc. I’m working on it though!
I’m just finding out about this lifestyle and am very motivated. I’m 45 and fairly healthy but I love pasta and bread and have been feeling sluggish I know I need to eat better and this paleo lifestyle makes so much sence. I need a good jump start to get started and this book really looks like the perfect start.. Help.
My biggest challenge is cutting out the sugar. I do well with it for a few weeks, but then break down and have some. Then I have to start all over again. I have moved to a new city all by myself to go to school and I think being on my own will be helpful in sticking to a paleo lifestyle. I’m going to school for holistic nutrition, so I hope to make new friends that are like-minded.
My biggest challenge is eating paleo within a family of decidedly non-paleo eaters. I’m slowly introducing paleo foods and reducing the junk in the house, but warm homemade chocolate chip cookies are my kryptonite…I love your cookbook and can’t wait to check out this new book!
My biggest challenge starting 2013 will be completion of my first Whole30! Beyond that, just staying away from sugar is really tough for me, but I’m determined to do it!
My biggest challenge is my family, their lack of support, criticisms and scepticism of paleo is exhausting. I’m looking forward to changing their habits slowly and educating them without lecturing, I think this book would really help me achieve these goals
I have suffered from thyroid problems (Graves disease, then radio iodine treatment and trouble adjusting to thyroxine) and low adrenals for 10 years now. I’m about to begin my 4th month eating Paleo, and I finally feel a difference… this way of life is becoming second nature to me. My body loves the protein and I can feel reactions and emotions so much more intensely – a primal throwback? I definitely feel I’m coming back to life, which fills me with joy as I’m 40 now and want my life to pick up where it left off!
Mel, your site has been a revelation, an inspiration and your recipes are fantastic, so thank you for giving me a goal to work to.
My challenge for 2013 is to slowly start to add some exercise into the equation, gently though as I don’t want to exhaust myself and set myself back. Crossfit is my aim but some way off in the future!
My biggest challenge will be affording all of my favourite Paleo foods! I’m moving out of home next year to live independently for university, and will need to budget and plan when packets of salmon and fresh farmer’s market veggies aren’t just magically appearing in my fridge!
My biggest challenge will be getting back on Paleo. I “fell off the Paleo wagon” over the holidays. Now’s the time to get back on track. Time to make the commitment.
I can think of 2 challenges. Both centered around really needing to go back to school:
1. getting in physical activity-enough to help, not enough to wear me down
2. The meal planning and prep.
I’ve already discussed with the hubster how he needs to help with #2, and I’m off to the gym to get started on #1
Happy New Year and thank you for what you do!!
I think my biggest hurdle for 2013 is the fact that I’m the only one in my household that eats this way. I hoping to convert the hubs and kids at some point soon! 🙂
My biggest challenge for going paleo is a non supportive family! Everyone thinks I’m nuts! But…I will relish in my new body when I’m done & a great big ‘Told YOU So’ will be in order.
Only then when they see my accomplishment will I be able to sit back & smile as I help them to achieve the same goal!
(I know this book would help explain to them what I am doing!!!)
Phew – thought I’d never get to the bottom of this page 😉
The sugar dragon – and I’m gonna slay it!
Congrats for your cool book! I’d love to have one.
Biggest challenge? Hard to choose. I think, since I don’t really like to cook, it will be making sure that I have Paleo food choices available instead of just reaching for something already prepared.
I am new to the Paleo lifestyle, but have adopted it whole-heartedly! My biggest challenge for maintaining Paleo in 2013: coming out to my vegetarian friends and family. I vow to boldly declare my new, deep and abiding love for pastured meat! I am Paleo out and proud!
My biggest challenge will be maintaining paleo in a non-paleo household. My strategy to overcome is to continue to serve them my paleo recipes, slowly buy less of the processed stuff to hopefully become a 75% (or more) paleo family.
My biggest challenge is the time in between meals. That’s when I have the hardest time saying “no” to all the no-no foods (I’m looking at you Dr. Pepper).
My biggest challenge is family. My husband is on board, however both sides of our family are not. It is difficult with holidays and family gatherings. We recently moved closer to them meaning more gatherings where we need to defend our new found love of eating real and delicious food. Some are slowing turning… this book might just go to one of them!!
My biggest challenge continues to be planning and prepping my meals. But after taking a sneak peak at Well Fed, I bought your first book and am looking forward to getting it in the mail and using your awesome recommendations to be better prepared! I’d love to get this book to help keep me on track!
Liks so many others, my biggest obstacle is “ME”!! I’m tired of making excuses and it’s time to just do it. Seeing too many friends and loved ones suffering from medical issues that could be resolved by better eating. Seriously don’t want to end up in the same boat, so 2013 is the time to make it happen.
Thanks you, Melissa, for this site and your book(s). With some support, I know I can make this happen. 🙂
I start training for a marathon on 7 January and I am worried that my energy will fail. Time to find some additional paleo friendly carbs!
My biggest obstacle is not allowing myself to have too many cheat meals. I will be doing the whole 30 program again starting 2013 to get me on the right tract again and hopefully I can stick with it. I have friends that are not very supportive or understanding so I give in easily when I’m around then. Its time to start saying no thank you and treating my body with respect and pay attention to what I put in. Its time to be the best I can be every day. Thanks!
I gotta lay off being a Bossy Pants. Mind my own business. Let sleeping carbs lie.
My biggest challenge is my “All or Nothing” Mentality. I have to realize that making one bad choice does not mean the rest of the day is a free for all of poor choices. I am trying to tackle this problem by using less negative thoughts in my head. I feel the promise of new beginnings and am excited about 2013.
My biggest challenge will be not eating sweets. I’m the lead decorator at a cupcake shop and I have to taste everything, but I really want to do the Whole 30 so I’m going to do my best to not try anything for a month. I’m really excited about committing to the Whole 30.
I think my biggest challenge is staying totally on track – I don’t slide down the slippery slope so much, but the weekly glass of wine or two tends to become near nightly. How will I avoid that detour? More planning and structure… Plus, we may be heading down the kid route, so that takes away my biggest vice! 😉
Giving up dairy – for two reasons. 1. Yum. I love it. 2. I am not entirely convinced it’s necessary from a health standpoint.
I think my biggest challenge is my mind telling me I am making a fuss that others will be put out by. That, and my busy lifestyle–preparing ahead and planning for travel are challenging. My plan is to do the whole30 and journal how that has an impact–mood, energy, sleep, etc. Also, allowing grocery store (like Whole Foods) prepared food for those days I don’t have the time and reminding myself I am worth it! thanks.
My biggest challenge are sweets. I can’t seem to kick the sugar cravings!! Planning to do my first Whole30 starting Jan 1st. It’s challenging because my husband loves junk food and sweets so they always find their way into our house. I just have to learn to not give in to the temptations!!
My biggest challenge with maintaining a Paleo lifestyle is making meal preparation a priority. I need to continue to experiment in the kitchen to stay away from the same recipes all the time. Your website is a HUGE help just to have a place to start. Sweets are definitely my weakness though so I will have to watch that too.
My challenge for 2013 will be listening to my body and really understanding what it can and can’t handle. i have some serious gut issues and was diagnosed with IBS but i think it’s a bit more…maybe gallbladder issues or food sensativities or something…i even thought celiac once. and in 2012 i actually lost a hospital kitchen job because of my issues, i was sick all the time and having to have someone take my post to…IMEDIATELY GOOO!!! and i didn’t want to be there at all when i feel that way every single freakin day. and since then it’s been tough for me to find a job.
So how i’m going to tackle my “gusty” issues is by going gluten free/Paleo i’ve pretty much figured out that bread seriously destroys my stomach and it’s like immediate pain and um…..can’t goo GOO.
first off…i’m going to take things slow and ease myself into it (and for my fiance). like gluten free spaghetti (luckly my fiance can handle that) and gluten free bread. and easing into eating vegetables. i’m not going head on and makeing a gourmet eggplate dish with mushrooms (mushrooms taste like dirt). it’ll be more like simple chicken breast with broccoli cooked in a crockpot, (my oven doesn’t cook right it’s really sad) and start makeikng Hot Plates for us too :D.
secondly since we are on a tight budget i’m going to start watching sales on food: especialy meat and make whatever i can with my crock pot, electric skillet or indoor grills (goerge forman my unlce salvaged from joplin and an open indoor grill that i haven’t figured out how to use yet). i’ve always been picky about meat, my favorite is chicken. i always eat chicken i really need to expand my horizens. both of us don’t really like pork (hot dogs…bleehk) and he’s getting me to eat beef which is actually really good.
as for vegetables i’ll most likely buy frozen vegetables or buy fresh and freeze them since we both arn’t really healthy eaters right now and i’ll be buysing basic stuff like broccli and carrots, cabbage and i’m curious about kale.
thirdly i need to actually cook more and figure out what’s paleo. i’ve already found that in my cook books most recipes are paleo or paleo-ish. like in my crockpot book there are things like fresh herbed turkey breast or and beef stew with bacon onion and sweet potatos or or asian ckicken fondue and many more. i’ll also actually start feezing things because stuff goes bad in the fridge (we learned the hard way)
and fourth of all, through all of this buying cooking and eating. i’ll really be paying attention to my guts and how they digest and how my body feels while eating this way. because right now after eating a bunch of bread this weekend, my stomach is in pain, i feel acidc in my throat and i have no energy. (not to mention bathromm problems)
and fifth of all, we can’t forget exercising. i’ll be takeing that really slow too and be using my 10 minute pilates videos daily. in high school i used these and trust me they work…don’t know why i stopped using them.
and last but not least i really need to get some insurance for doctors appointment ( i hate doctors…they usually tell me what i already know or suspect anyway) to figure out exactly what wrong. it could even be simply that my guts just don’t digest right and i need to treat my body nice.
Thanks Melissa!!
(i hope i got this in on time)
My biggest challenge is to be consistant with having food made ahead of time. When I’m ready to eat it is too easy to eat the wrong thing because it is there. You make it so easy to pre cook meals I just need to do it!
I have one major challenge: rice. I am up to my neck in rice in the city of Shanghai, where I live. I’m also surrounded by dumplings, (white flour), shredded spicy potatoes, (as good as they sound) and sugar, (yes, the Chinese love sweets). But, rice trumps everything. It’s everywhere and formerly one of my daily foods. I even ate it for breakfast before I went Paleo. But, Mel’s beautiful recipes have put a major dent in China’s rice sales because I don’t buy it anymore. It’s on offer so much that I do slip sometimes. One of my many resolution for 2013 is NO MORE RICE!!!
I want to take my food prep up a notch by making condiments myself. I have gotten the low hanging fruit of the paleo life by cutting out bread and pasta but I think there are small things like ketchup and mayo that can sneak up on you. My challenge will be to fine tune things to get the full benefit of the paleo life. I live your work!
Everything is a challenge. I just need help
My major food challenge is getting started. I’ve been thinking about cutting out processed foods and I’ve been slowly reducing the grains I eat, but it’s hard. I’d love to continue reading and learning more about paleo – especially about stocking a paleo kitchen!
My biggest challenge is finding time for good, meaningful exercise on a regular basis. My goal for 2013 is to change that and make it a priority!
Sugar, sugar , oh and warm buttery bread! Yum! I am fine as long as I keep it out of the house. An occasional treat every now and then, but my biggest challenge is that my husband and daughter are not on board the paleo wagon. I do my best to stick to what I know if good for my body, and try to slowly add variety to their diets too!
Fantastic site i’m intersted within starting triathlon myself i would like to do the ironman or ironman 60 to 70. 3