Wait WHAT?! Juli doesn’t eat completely paleo all the time?! What a fake. What a liar. What a cheat. I hate her.
Don’t worry, I feel the same way.
But here’s the thing, I’m not paleo 100% of the time. Because frankly, that’s not how I can live my life. That’s not as happy of a life to me. Especially if I’m not competing. I like doing fun things, and most fun things to me include food. So I wanted to share some of the foods that I have found eatable within my dietary restrictions.
So get this. I don’t deal with grains very well. I seem to deal with corn just fine. I can eat a little bit of cheese, but too much makes me break out. Sugar makes me break out. Nuts make me break out. Boo. Beans and rice make me chunky. Annnnnnd alcohol makes me giggle.
So let’s go over some of the food and drinks that I decide to put in my body when strict paleo food just won’t make the cut.
- Corn tortilla chips. If I go to Mexican restaurants, I will almost have some chips. Not the whole basket, but some. Because they are delicious.
- Arepas. Do you know what an arepa is? If you don’t, you need to figure out where to get one in your city and love life with them in your life. It’s a corn pita stuffed with meat and plantains. It’s ridiculous. I hunt down the Quiero Arepas food truck in Denver on Twitter to find out how often I can get my hands are one of those beauties.
- Pupusas. Ok, so I didn’t know what these little babies were until one day, while hungover sipping on a homemade bloody mary at The Hornet, did I notice them on the menu. And when Laura ordered it, I snacked off her plate multiple times. They’re awesome. It’s like eating an eggs benedict, when the english muffin gets all wet. Ew, gross word choice. But for real. And THEN, Laura and I found pupusas in the gluten free section. Awesome, just awesome.
- Pizza. Who doesn’t miss pizza when they go paleo? Well, I do. So I tend to order gluten free pizzas at some restaurants when I’m out on the town. BUT I’ve found that some pizzas don’t love my insides. So recently, Laura and I found this pizza brand that we absolutely love, and you can find it at Whole Foods. Sometimes we top it with sausage and arugula.
- Taza Chocolate. I’m obsessed with this stuff. Thank god it’s out of my price range or I would buy it all the time. It’s HANDS DOWN my favorite kind of chocolate. No seriously, I dream about this stuff. It kind of tastes like it has coffee grounds in it, which I dig. I like coffee that stays in my teeth for later. Don’t act like I’m gross. You know that sounds wonderful.
- Alcohol. Ok let’s get to alcohol. My favorite wine is Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. I love ciders. I love mimosas and I newly love bloody marys. But when I go out to bars, I just stick with vodka sodas or shots of vodka.
That’s about it. Or at least all I can think of. You should share in the comments what you like to eat when you don’t eat completely paleo. Because everyone likes sharing.
Hi Juli! it’s awesome to hear you are a normal human being and enjoy non-paleo food every once in a while. I think everyone should, personally, pure 100% paleo is not good for me. I have to have some gluten every once in a while or my stomach will go crazy. Anyway, I’ve been hearing a lot of craze about carb backloading and some of my CF coaches asked me to try it out, just not do it strictly or eat pure junk like it’s suggested. I’ve read a bit about it just wanted to know if you’ve heard/read/tried it or can give me some advise.
Thanks!
Ice cream! This weekend it was Cold Stone while at Breck but it is usually always in the delicious blizzard/blast form.
I’m with you Julie, pizza and beer for sure are my top two cheat meals. Ice cream and cheese are next. Other than that I usually don’t feel too deprived.
I checked out every one of those and I think I would love them as much as you do… in fact, I am going out to get some of the chocolate as soon as my Whole30 is over!
Although I have issues with dairy and grains (and processed sugar) I LOVE the little Brazilian cheese bread balls at Fogo De Chao, which luckily are naturally gluten free :)
I also have to have a piece of my grandma’s homemade apple pie once a year, even though I don’t feel well after. It’s worth is sometimes!
And of course, organic red wine. I can totally handle wine if it has no added sulfites. Plus no hangover then!!!
Peanut butter cups…or any combo of PB & chocolate. I know that there are almond butter cups but they are more expensive and hard to find.
And corn chips. I love Mexican food and cannot go out for Mexican food without eating the chips.
Stephanie,
I love the peanut butter chocolate combo as well. I’ll share something I did…Next time you make Juli’s Amazing Paleo Sweet Potato Brownies, top a piece with almond butter like “icing”!!! It takes her already Amazing brownies to a whole new level of Amazingness!! You must try!
I do the sweet potato brownie topped with almond butter combo… a-ma-zing.
I do PB2 chocolate peanut butter cups, they’re delish and since they are lower in calories I don’t feel guilty for the cheat! I also sometimes have hummus with lettuce. Yummmm (ya I have strange taste who gives
My rule is “never cheat with wheat.” I will cheat with alcohol, small amounts of dairy, and of course SUGAR! But if I eat wheat I break out into hives and spend 85% of my day on the toilet. I’m sure you wanted to know that. But it’s the truth. I think my fav cheat is creme brulee. *drool*
Once in a while I have some cheese, because ooey gooey melty browned on top cheese is kind of heaven. And ice cream, with brownie chunks in it (which I sometimes top with home made whipped cream – don’t you judge me!). Other than that, my alcohol of choice is whiskey, Irish whiskey to be exact. And El Presidente Margaritas (which is basically 7 types of alcohol mixed together into a beautiful concoction). BUT! These are things I (try to) reserve for special occasions, otherwise, I tend to go way over board, and then my husband has to deal with me whining about how I feel awful because I ate/drank to much and feel like poop. And then he has to feed me pepto bismol for my upset belly. I’m a great wife!
Honestly pizza never really did it for me anyway. So I don’t miss it.
I’m with you on the corn, I’ll do popcorn with my little girl when we have movie nights at home, it’s just fun to pop pop corn on the stove. Then sugar… I struggle with sugar, and keep a bag of dark chocolate chips I munch on occasionally, and I eat regular potatoes every few weeks.
Yay your favourite wine is from New Zealand! (my homeland).
I was thinking the same thing, yay! And so glad to hear you crave corn chips too, Juli. My nemesis!
Thank you for your enjoyable commentary and inspiration. If you like Taza Chocolate you should try to visit the plant when in Boston (Somerville). You might be able to get a better price there.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is by FAR the best white there is!!! Good choice!
Sugar. I can’t stop eating sugar. I have cut back a ton since going Paleo but I still have a small bit every day camouflaged as dark chocolate. I just can’t help myself. Then there is wine and beer. All the seasonal beers at the store get me every time. Also, popcorn. It’s my favorite snack, ever. But I have found a way to pop regular kernels, in the microwave, in a brown paper sack, without oil. Then I season it with all kind of different concoctions.
Love that you have admitted to your cheats :)
I raid the $3 cheese bin at Whole Foods. That, and corn tortilla tacos.
City O City off of Sherman has FANTASTIC gluten free pizzas. You have to go give it a try. The only negative is that they don’t have ANY meat products. BOO
I’ve always wanted to go there!! but for desserts lol
To the non Paleo world, my familiy’s diet is crazy. They say they could NEVER put so much work into what they eat and have such self control. To the Paleo world, my familiy is just a bunch of cheaters. It’s all lost on me, because I don’t care about anything other than good health, and that’s what we’ve got. We’ve been eating this way for a year and our 15-year-old has his life back because of it. He was home bound for 8 years. Deathly ill. But that’s another story. All that to say we avoid grains and sugar. We eat some corn chips and some popcorn. We eat gluten free pizza every Friday. AND, we eat french fries once in a while from Culvers (Midwest thing). Oh, we also ALWAYS have paleofied baked treats in the freezer (Thank you, Juli) because this is how you get a husband and 3 pre-teen/teenage kids to stay on board.
I am not at the point where I can cheat in my diet. I have diabetes and since turning 21 alcohol has screwed up my blood glucose control. :( in the future I plan to cheat with alcohol, but less often than the past couple months when it was newly introduced in my life. And no more sugary/girly drinks that are terrible for me!! I learned my lesson and am paying for it now.
Barbara – I’ve been type 1 for 27 years (I’m 31 now) and have finally found a drink that tastes good & doesn’t mess with my blood sugar too bad. Give it a try & hopefully you’ll fall in love with it like I did: http://paleoblocks.com/paleo-recipe-robb-wolfs-nor-cal-margaritas/
We LOVE Nor Cal margaritas. We use the white or silver 100% Agave Tequila. The taste is smoother than the gold. Enjoy!
Barbara,
I’ve had Type 1 diabetes for almost 31 years (Since I was 12). I’ve run the gammut of alcohol – sweet drinks are no good for me either. Rum and diet coke (but I won’t touch diet coke now) didn’t effect my bs. Now I just enjoy some red wine – and I do well with it. Or shots. of Vodka ;) Seriously, the wine is ok- I usually don’t have to even bolus with it. Good Luck
HOORAY and high five to the Kim Crawford Sav. New Zealand wine truly is the best in the world (I’m only a little bit biased as a New Zealander) ;)
-Oreos. Neapolitan flavored Oreos to be exact!
-Popcorn.
-Fried pickles w/ ranch dip.
-Buffalo wings w/ blue cheese.
-Cheese!!
how did you know that i ate 8 cake donut holes before i came over here?! that was a cheat for me. this is day 2 with gluten because i forgot to mention when we were invited to dinner that i don’t eat it, so i had pasta salad and a small italian beef sandwich. boy, was i gassy later AND today!
my main cheat is dark chocolate. thanks for bein’ real, as always.
I’ll do the occasional corn chip, but only from one local restaurant that i know/trust.
GF pizza i do from time to time, then curse myself for it as no matter what i get a stomach ache. it might be fine if i had just ONE slice… but i tend to pair it with a refeeding day and, well, have 5 slices. Sure gets me back in the mood to go keto for a while, though.
WINE! I’ll have a glass or two a week. Cider; the same. Occasionally even have a beer. I’ve become extremely gluten intolerant, though I can have a Pabst and be just fine. Now for a real drink; Scotch. A nice single malt whisky. Neat. It won’t even knock me out of ketosis…
Oh that’s easy… SWEETS! Chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, or these crazy awesome whoopie pies with – vanilla sugar cookie (like a soft brownie-texture) with a vanilla cream filling.
If you like Kim Crawford you should try the Allen Scott Sauvignon Blanc. I like the taste better and it’s cheaper (still from New Zealand). But when I have a treat its usually red wine or tequila.
I live in Texas so anything with quest is greatly missed and pizza for sure.
Pizza, cheese Pringles or cheetos, kettlecorn, and dessert!
Juli, my fiance and I are trying the paleo challenge at our gym for 6 weeks. It starts this coming Monday the 28th. We keep a strict food log that a partner checks and for every cheat we do, our partner must do 50 burpees. This makes me sad for my partner as my birthday falls in this challenge and that means I must choose the torture of a fellow crossfitter, or the loss of my yearly amaretto cake. Mmmmmm amaretto cake! But I digress…… May I request more lovely crockpot recipes as we WOD at 6am, followed by work and a timely commute home which means dinner time is around 6pm. I love your recipes and am looking forward to this challenge (so I can squeeze my ass into a wedding dress for 1 day) and would love more time friendly food ideas if you have them. Thanks, Juli! You are the best!
Lol. I love this post because every once in a while I realize I am teetering on the edge of being the paleo-nazi with my kids and then I remember they are kids… Being healthy is my first concern, but having fun is important too. We tend to tolerate rice in moderation, and my kids live for sushi. So treat days include the kids faves: sushi rice, ranch dressing and the occasional gluten free pizza. For me, socially I normally only drink tequila on the rocks with a lime, but this time of year is our “Mardi Gras” we call it Gasparilla and I will definitely start my parade mornings with some bloody Mary’s!
I’m a poor example, BUT
Immaculate Baking Co. Gluten free chocolate chip cookies
Corn tortillas with eggs every morning
White sharp cheddar (you only need a little ;))
MOD Market’s gluten free pizza. Holy Jesus it’s good.
Almond Milk hot chocolates WITH Whipped Cream.
Gluten free brown rice pasta (Wal Mart style)
These are not really occasional siting in my diet. I have at least one of them every day… and I feel just wonderful :). Otherwise I will binge of gigantic chocolate desserts and entire bread baskets. True story.
Not into the whole corn thing. I have not eaten anything with corn (tortilla, chips, pupusas, etc) for well over 2 years. BUT my addiction is Pizza and Wendy’s Frostys. I am glad that I found a perfect, make at home, recipe for the frostys. Tastes EXACTLY like the ones I get from Wendy’s.
Any chance you could share this perfect recipe for Frosty’s? I’m already planning on cheating with one after my Whole30 challenge is up..lol.
Chickpeas (mmm hummus), peanut butter (esp in homemade bars…..), oats and brown rice (I bake a lot of breads that are split between oat flour and almond meal or brown rice flour/almond meal)…
Love this! And you are totally human, that is OK! My fave non-paleo foodstuffs are cookies and wine!
I am such a carnivore so paleo is perfect for me….unfortunately I love my booze and drinking buddies too much to give them up – so like you, it’s vodka (lime) sodas! And then the cheating continues unfortunately coz after a night out I crave pizza…which I always enjoy thoroughly and regret even more afterwards ;(
PS – try my favourite Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough (New Zealand): Staete Landt
Good Quality Tequila such as Patron is about as close to “clean” as you can get…(at least according to my trainer…hehehe)
Life without the occasional pizza, is not a life worth living…
sushi, without rice? um…no…
Wine…yes, please…
A “Crafted with Love” Micro-Brew…you bet!!!
All in moderation, right?? ;-)
I will be in Denver soon, maybe you can give me some pointers on dining out and “staying the course”???
My one cheat on my 21 DSD was popcorn with Parmesan cheese… had a little while watching the Patriots go down in flames last night. A little emo-eating there, but it was better than chips and glutenish stuff.
My paleo cheats are CHEESE, dark CHOCOLATE and SUGAR!!! I LOVE them! I am feeling more in control after my 21 DSD, though! Thanks for all the good suggestions, Juli, especially the pizza!
Thank you for this! Seriously! I love me some Paleo bloggers, but it is so refreshing to hear someone say that are not perfect 100% of the time. I knew I liked you for a reason!
TACO SOUP! Filled with beans and corn, and I love to top it with a dollup of sour cream and cheddar cheese. And it must be eaten with corn chips!!!!!
The foods that I eat even doing the paleo thing are some dairy (sour cream especially), popcorn, dark chocolate and tapioca goodies (pizza shells, crepes).
Bake goods, gluten free or not…I love baked goods! I am reading a terrific book, I think you would really like it. Smart Chefs Stay Slim. It isn’t about paleo, it is about balance and loving what you eat while still taking care of yourself health wise. I highly recommend it (have already given it to 3 people!)
Happy Monday!
Occasional drink: 1 shot pineapple juice, 2 shots coconut rum, 2 shots flavored (strawberry passionfruit usually) vodka, on ice. I would LOVE a pizza, but have not had grain since January 8, 2012, and am now afraid to try it!
If you like Against the Grain pizza, you’ll love Chebe bread and pizza mix! It’s 100% tapioca starch, so still in the Paleo realm but really tasty, unlike coconut flour pizza, haha.
Chocolate chip cookie dough!
*GASP!!!!*
ahh hell…I just love you more! I eat a lot of Paleo foods…Gave up dairy to 30 days and didn’t feel a difference health wise eliminating or re-entry. So when asked I say I am kind of Paleo mostly Primal and follow the Shannon Stark way of eating!
When you’re in Boston next week make sure to tour the Taza chocolate factory. It’s amazing and there’s lots of free samples.
I just noticed that they are in Boston when I looked at their website. I don’t think I’ll have time, but i’ll keep my fingers crossed
Against the grain breads are absolutely delicious. The pizza crust is sooo yummy.
Corn chips and refried beans are what keep me from being totalky paleo.
Paleo is hard. <—Fact. The hubs and I just started, he is way more dedicated and I kinda want to punch him for it.
Where did you get that scarf!!!?!
lululemon! it’s disgustingly expensive, but so worth it.
Popcorn is my addiction, although I haven’t had any in over a month (can’t resist at the movie theater though, so it’s a good thing I’m busy).
I eat a bite of dark chocolate almost everyday, and if I’m eating Mexican, I have to have cheese and sour cream. If I’m eating Middle Eastern/Indian, I have to have yogurt sauce, and I also love sushi (about once a month).
I also have a bag of gluten free pizza mix in my pantry, but I haven’t been tempted yet.
Thanks for the great post Juli! You might be antagonizing the paleo purists a bit with this one!! Haha….I like it. I cheat with popcorn popped in my stir crazy popper and I use a large tablespoon of coconut oil to pop it in. It’s awesome. I feel like the coconut oil negates the popcorn and it all evens out. Popcorn, and plain corn chips with no additives don’t seem to bother my digestive system. I never cheat with wheat or beans: bleh. Never worth it, and those aren’t even appetizing anymore. I do eat whip cream on occasion out of the can, and I eat dark chocolate…all the time. I’ll eat aged, pastured cheese…very occasional and sparingly. And, organic red sulfite free wine every night. I can’t give that up. Ever. I consider all these things to be my 20% of my 80/20% paleo eating plan. The 20% cheat is worth being strict for the remainder of the 80%.
By the way, why do you get to look so gorgeous when you’re stuffing your face with food?? No fair!
I LOVE pupusas too! I moved away from Colorado last year and so miss my beloved Tres Pupusas as a treat. :-)
I’ll have to figure out a way to try some arepas.
I can’t live without sushi…and a Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwich…when I’m not going Paleo. But that’s about it…they still make my stomach hurt, but it’s worth it once a month!! :)
Beer! To keep my paleo life viable in the long term I’ve got to compromise here and there….
Kim Crawford FOR SURE. I just got nearly a case a few months ago from AppleJacks (my second favorite place to shop) because it was like $8.99/bottle on sale. As for food – I’m pretty Paleo strict, but I don’t think I will ever give up tamales!
Hi Guys I’m a big fan of Arepas since I was born in Venezuela and this a typical food there, so I’ve been following the Paleo Diet for over 2 years now having excellent results with it, but at least 3 for times a month I make sure to have my Arepas which can be filled with so many things from shredded meat or chicken, Ham & velvita cheese or fresh cheese and fresh butter by the way they are extremely easy to make. the masa prep is like 5 min till you get the consistency then add 10 cooking if they are baked. you can cook them either Fried or Baked I prefer the last option though. Here is a link where you can get the Arina pan from if you ever tempted to try them I can get you the measures of water and the Arina.
http://www.amigofoods.com/harinapan34oz.html?gclid=CIzS34CH-rQCFQSqnQodAxkAwg
Thanks for posting this and for being so “real” with us! I am a few months into Paleo and finally realized that I can’t live 100% strict 24/7 either. I felt guilty when I induldged in my favorites but am slowly letting go of that. I need to enjoy these joys of life and like you said, otherwise we’re miserable! I’m glad you allow yourself treats…that makes me feel better too :)
Chocolate is a big one for me. I like plain dark chocolate and Sheridans hot fudge sundaes. I also like margaritas and tortilla chips when I’m at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants like Salty Iguana or Jose Peppers. One thing I think about often but still haven’t had since starting paleo 9 months ago is a yummy warm donut. Maybe if I just indulge like crazy I can get it out of my system. That’s kind of how things work for me and I’m good for a very long time.
I’m so glad you mentioned the Quiro Arepas truck. I love them! Those bastards (and they’re only bastards right now while I’m doing the Whole30:)) are outside of my building almost EVERY Tuesday. I love them!!
Other soft spots for me are pizza, beer, ice cream and chocolate. <— This makes me sound weak.
Against the Grain is AWESOME! They make a great baguette that is wonderful for making your own pizza or slathering with garlic butter to go with “pasta” dishes. Most of my family is just gluten free, so it’s wonderful to find things they can eat AND enjoy.
Yea my wife and I ate pizza 30 days after starting Paleo. We then laid in bed and thought about gagging each other because we felt like sh*t.
Popcorn. Just plain, white popcorn, with a dash of salt. When I watch movies, sometimes I just have to have popcorn. Just how I was raised.
All restrictions are dead to us on birthdays and holidays.
Oh man. I’m doing a whole30 right now and while I am loving it, I can’t wait to get back to a little more balance in my life. For me that means small amounts of tortilla chips, ice cream, chocolate and alcohol. And cheese. :)
I’m allergic to wheat so luckily even my non-paleo choices are somewhat rehulated.
Sushi with rice…cheese… ranch dressing!!!!…store-bought coconut milk dark chocolate ice cream…gluten-free pizza is divine…Justin’s PB cups
Regulated
Never cheat with wheat. But other than that, I do ok with corn and rice on occasion – not great, but no dire consequences. Dairy is awful for my allergies, but I can get away with it in the winter when most pollen/plants are dead anyways. :) And I eat sugar. If I eat dessert consistently, my face totally breaks out, but on occasion or in small amounts (like 2 hershey kisses) it’s ok. This is why Whole30 didn’t work for me. I think paleo provides excellent guidelines, but my life needs a little balance…and a little sugar!
I love love love rice crispy treats, pancakes, pizza, rice, quinoa, kettle corn, beer, manhattans and wine. I can’t do beer because I get all stuffy and icky and dairy, well let’s just say it’s extremely messy. Most of the cheats, I do every once in a while, but during the holidays, the alcohol consumption was at high. I think balance is key and I love that Paleo is such a great guide for me. I’ve truly learned a lot about my body’s needs and find it life changing. In this case, cheating is good because otherwise life would be a little boring.
mmmmmm… cider. I love a brand we have here called “BC Growers”. I don’t think you get it in the States. It’s 7% alcohol, and it’s not for wimps ;) There’s also a really nice local one called Waupoos Cider. nom-nom… maybe I’ll stop off on the way home and get some :)
Cheers!
D
Oh yay.. sometimes I feel so guilty when I slip but it is nice to know that EVERYONE slips!
I love pizza, it is a serious weakness of mine and so is crackers with cheese.
I made my latte everyday but coconut milk. I can not live without it. Before I went Paleo I thought that I could not live without coffee or my Puertorican bread but I have not cheat on bread yet. Before paleo I was eating pseudo paleo style without knowing it. So it been easy!!! I can eat plantains and meat everyday of my live. With some salad or veggies of course. I’m very happy with my new style of eating!! Bb
Gluten free pizza, corn chips, french fries.
My favorite cheat is tortilla chips and homemade salsa. I’m glad to see that you also fall off the paleo tracks also.
I have that scarf! When my husband bought it for me I told him to take it back, it was too expensive. Then I put It on and fell in love! My fav cheat is sushi and beer!
Juli! I love all of your posts and you make paleo seem so simply and enjoyable. I’m actually going to be in Denver in May and I would love to meet you!
that would be awesome!
since i started paleo in august 2012, i cheated once on xmas and 2 days after that with leftovers. it was on my favorite foods ever so it was worth it- artichoke dip and eggplant parm. i haven’t cheated besides that. i think i’ll just stick to holidays. i know if i cheat normally, it’ll just become a vicious habit and it’s not worth it to me. i like paleo foods too much.
Vodka shots … that is bad ass!
The Taza factory is less than a mile from my apartment; dangerous yet delicious! I know you are coming to Boston for some cooking classes; the factory is only about 10 minutes outside the city if you have time to visit – lots of free samples!
Still looking for THE best Paleo pizza crust. So far, most I’ve tried are a bust, so I just break down now and then, and have the real deal. My body can still deal with grains and dairy, so I guess I am lucky….Except it could get real easy to slip back too much. But give me meat, veggies, and good fats most of the time!!!!
Taza chocolate is my favorite…have you had their chocolate covered nibs? Amazing! The factory tour is pretty great and way too close to my house! Who am I kidding, it’s the best part of my neighborhood! Enjoy Boston, need any good places to eat or a great Crossfit box to visit, I have lots of suggestions. Love your blog and recipes! You make Paleo way more fun.
I eat dark chocolate on a pretty regular basis – TJ’s 85% Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Bar is my favorite cheap treat. One square will usually do it. A glass of red wine at least once every weekend. If I’m eating out, I don’t get too worked up about the type of oil something’s cooked in though I choose restaurants that have organic, grass-fed meat and gluten-free options whenever possible. Most restaurants have gluten-free options, but I’ve found if they call them out, they’re more likely to be accommodating and quality conscience in general. I pretty much avoid gluten all together except today, when I had a small chunk of still warm from the oven artichoke garlic herb bread in Pescadero. Totally worth it.
Oh man, I’d definitely cheat for that artichoke garlic bread. My only issue is that I’d eat the whole loaf and then go across the street and eat the artichoke soup at that bar (I can’t remember the name of it). Thank goodness I live in San Diego now…far, far away from Pescadero. :)
Duarte’s Tavern! After that and the bread from the market, I’d hit up Harley Farms around the corner for some divine goat cheese! We are in our first 30 days and I’ve had 2 glasses of wine and a cupcake at a wedding. Paid for the cupcake. :-(
Pizza. Entire pizzas in one sitting, with heavy beers. And mozzarella sticks…I should just give up hope on some kind of paleo hack for mozz sticks, right?
I cheat with almond milk, greek plain yogurt, cheese (so I guess dairy is a weakness) and beans (occasionally).
So as someone else posted they have created their own eating plan that works for them and that is what I have done. I am paleo most of the time though and am so happy my brother turned me on to your website. Your recipes are fantastic and have helped me to actually enjoy food again. I was in a boring rut. I have been eating this way since April of 2011. Healthiest I have ever felt in my life! Thanks for your website, you Rock!
My LOVE is and always will be ice cream. There is this delicious ice cream shop in Westminster, MD that sells shotgun shells and makes their own ice cream. 100% natural stuff – and it is sooo, sooo good. Recently, they took my advice and made a coconut ice cream with Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips. This is what I love about them — they are willing to play around with recipes.
Flour tortillas are a never (and gross anyways), but place a bowl of corn tortilla chips in front of me with homemade salsa and guac, and I will happily indulge. Also – cheese, because I grew up on the World’s Best Cheddar (Cabot), and I know I don’t have a problem with dairy.
Love that you are human!
I am doing ok with the fact that my daughter is selling Girl Scout Cookies right now…but I will cheat with…
Wine/cider
Wings and blue cheese (I’ll just sleep down on the couch)
Corn chips
And when I’ve been a really good girl…a Guinness.
I love taza chocolate! I end almost every evening with a piece of dark chocolate!
Love the Kim Crawford cheat…well worth the non-Paleoness…says the wine rep :) I think if you have a little wine with a Paleo meal, it is totally legit and balances each other out…again, says the wine rep.
i like your style heather, i like it a lot
I do love me some pupusas! We only have one place in town that serves them, but they are to die for! I love the pork+cheese mix; the 3 fillings they offer (in any combination) are pork, beans, and cheese.
Otherwise, I like chocolate – I usually pick dark for the nutritional benefits, although I prefer milk chocolate as far as taste goes. I love the dark chocolate almond and cherry clusters from Costco!
Pupusas are delicious! Popcorn at the movies with extra butter and that nasty white cheddar cheese powder that is probably all chemicals and no cheese. Pair that with some Haribo gummy bears and a coke. We go to the first showing of the day usually because I am channeling grandma so this is usually breakfast. Vile and wonderful at the same time.
Juli- my whole family love these pizza crusts! Even my, yet paleo kids, especially with bacon! I found these at my local coop and was quite excited, even more so when my husband said, I could have this every week, the crust is actually crunchy!!! Imagine my surprise. I have wanted to buy a loaf of their “bread” and do some sort of crock pot meat and have some good sandwiches!!! Glad someone else has found these little treasures, and I found them in the wee little town of Goshen, IN!
Kim is my GIRL. She treats me right all the time. Best Sauv in my humble opinion!
I’m fairly new to Paleo but feeling better everyday… except when I cheat, that is! I absolutely haven’t been able to give up dark chocolate, and I don’t think I ever will. And like you, tortilla chips, because Mexican food is my absolute favorite! Luckily, I’ve been able to cut back significantly, so now it’s definitely more of a treat than a regularly occurring thing, like it once was. Love your site, Juli!
This all makes me very happy. My biggest non paleo loves are popcorn, tortilla chips, and chocolate! Why isn’t there paleo version of any of these that taste just as good?!
Vodka martinis. And very dry Champagne. I am one classy chick.
My absolute favorite thing to eat when I’m doing an “off-Paleo” meal is chicken tikki masala. My BF and I have this hole-in-the-wall Indian/pizza place (which I also love for how random a pairing that is) that has the most amazing Indian food I’ve ever had. Seriously. It’s what made me love Indian food. And now matter how I try, I cannot recreate it at home, which makes me appreciate it even more.
For alcohol: prosecco. It’s Italian champagne, which means it’s cheaper than real champagne, and doesn’t leave me dying the next day.
<3 Arepas!!! Guilty pleasure and will be inhaling them when I go visit the family in 6 days. You should try it with carne mechada, avocado, swiss cheese (i know, i know) and an over easy egg. It's a-mazing!!! True venezuelan here ;)
I love Pizza but have found after going paleo it is not kind to my insides either, but I do love me cupcake topped with full fat buttercream frosting…and I like a glass of red wine, and a good stout beer. Those are my cheats if I have any, has to be worth the wrath of my system that follows. Loved this post by the way, and every other one you write keep up the good work!!
things i eat.. hummus, yogurt, oatmeal (gasp!) and GF pizza for sure. i mostly keep track of the things i shouldn’t eat like too much cheese, red bull, donuts/pastries/bagels/toast and for some reason eggs have been bothering me lately (boo)
I let myself have wine a couple times a week because it’s what helps keep me sane (and otherwise Paleo). For cheats I like French fries, ice cream, cheese, cheescake, chocolate… or pretty much anything else that’s dairy or white potato. Also sushi (you know… the kind with rice). And on rare occasions… I go grab a waffle smothered in delicious from the Waffle Window. Even if it hurts later, it’s TOTALLY worth it.
I love ice cream! Specifically, I love Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The lavendar wildberry is my favorite. I have some sweet potato and torched marshmallow in my freezer right now.
And wine. I like to indulge in wine occassionally.
And sushi. LOVE sushi. hummus. greek yogurt. pizza. cheese. FRENCH TOAST!!
I want you to know that i ordered some delicious Taza chocolate a moment ago for Valentine’s Day. ;)
“All things in moderation, including moderation.” Your willingness to admit that you are an imperfect human is part of the reason I keep coming back to this blog. (And the super-tasty recipes, of course!)
I think of my slips as indulgences rather than cheats, and I can’t wait to be done with this 21-day thing so I can occasionally have:
chocolate (all kinds, not just the semi-virtuous dark), homemade popcorn/kettlecorn, wine, whisky, ice cream, Chinese/Indian/Thai/Japanese food
Less than a week to go! Somewhere out there are some chocolate-covered almonds with my name on ‘em!
I LOVE AREPAS! If you ever find yourself in Las Vegas you MUST try Viva Las Arepas! I eat it for almost every meal whenever I go, they have the best arepas, empanadas, pastelitos, and tequenos. I’m drooling as I write this. Sometimes I even consider driving the 5 hours just to eat them, hah!
Red Bull. Don’t judge me.
I also love pupusas. Have you tried to make your own with Maseca? It is so easy and you can make your own fillings! After my 30 day “challenge” I want to start eating them again about 1/month… Right before I started paleo I bought a bag of it… it is lonely.
I was just introduced to Choffy. Not coffee, but ground cocoa beans check it out.
I always love how genuine you are, but this post is especially awesome. It is so important for people to see personal balance and to identify how they can create balance in their world. As always, love everything about this blog! :)
Oh wow, I feel human now and that I shouldn’t be so hard on my self when I don’t go Plaeo!
Pizza is on my list, as well as fizzy sour sweets lol like fizzy laces or something.
Ahhh Taza chocolate! The factory is down the street from my house! They’re such an awesome, local company that its so great to see them mentioned on a blog from another part of the country!
I was just reading this and thought about you.
http://theprimalparent.com/2012/03/31/ibs-depression-skin-fructose-malabsorption/
I know youre always trying to tweak your diet to fix some issues. Have you heard of fructose malabsorption before?
first off THANK YOU for this post. i’m relatively new to all this and find the extremists scary as f*ck. Robb Wolf just had some great entries around carbs which i foudn really interesting and i heard him talk about cider in a podcast which i love. WE ALL NEED TO RELAX! ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT USE ALL CAPS!!
anyway, i follow a weird mix of primal/paleo (almost no honey/maple syrup, some dairy (cream in coffee, kefir, homemade yoghurt, parmesan and other hard cheeses on occasion), occasional wine (although i’ve been booze free this month until last night when i had some whiskey – trying to cut down on what was almost a nightly 1-2 glass red wine habit). so i’ve already got some “cheats” as part of my normal diet.
i LOVE corn on the cob and refuse to give that up although i wait for it to be in season. i also love sourdough bread and i used to make an amazing thin crust pizza but i think i changed my gut flora cause i just can’t take it anymore.
sugar is another crutch but i think i got that out of my system…but mainly i like me salty starchy goodness.
i’m planning a trip to Kauai and so far my research has been alllllll around food…rum distillery, taro chip factory, wild boar and corn on cob by side of the road, farmer’s markets. i will do my best to stay on my “path” but i am telling you right now…pina coladas and mai tais WILL happen!!!
Oh heck, even depending on which Paleo guide you follow, they say 85% Paleo and 15% not is a good balance for most of us poor fools.
And I totally agree with you on that pizza and alcohol thing. If I cannot have pizza or tequila ever again we will have problems.
I’m so with ya girl….I just moved from Denver a few months ago, and damn I wished I would’ve met you then! I work at the paleo food cart in portland now…but I am definetely happier when i allow a little flexibility now and again…especially a good beer from Great Divide!! If you are ever missing pupusas and don’t want to go the non-paleo corny route, I make a paleo version that has mashed plantains and coconut flour in the dough!! It’s on my blog…http://risingmoonnutrition.blogspot.com/2012/12/primal-pulled-pork-plantain-pupusasor.html
Hope you like em…you’re great :)
Hi Juli! So glad to see that you love Against the Grain pizza crusts! They’re an awesome local company for us here in VT. I also highly recommend their gluten free baguettes. They are frozen, and can be thawed and re-frozen without losing their wonderful texture. I thaw one in the microwave for 30 seconds, hack of a chunk, split it and run it under the broiler for a minute. SO GOOD. And I can mop up all the tasty goodness in the bottom of my bowl. Yumyumyummm…and you rock, by the way! Thanks so much for your fun blog!
I live 2 blocks from the Taza Chocolate Factory. And they have a factory store. And yes, you can taste every flavor there. It’s a good thing I have a packed schedule, or I’d be in there multiple times a week! ;-) I just finished a whole 30, need to get in there… I hear they have some new flavors for me to try! If you’re ever in Boston again, it’s a must visit!
For me, chocolate, corn chips and alcohol about sums up all my cheats. My body just doesn’t tolerate dairy, grains or legumes at all. Kind of sad, but for the most part I don’t miss much.
Um, FYI if you are in the Boston area ever, Taza does tours of their chocolate factory and you can eat all the samples you want. Did you get that? All the samples you want. It’s amazing! And, truth be told, you don’t even need to go on the tour (but you should) because all the samples are sitting in their store. They are awesome.
I am so glad to hear others on the Paleo diet that go back to non-Paleo every once in awhile! I didn’t do this diet because I had major problems with wheat or dairy. I just did it to be healthier and feel better and of course to drop a few lbs! But last night was my husband’s birthday. I made him a chocolate chip cookie cake, which is his favorite. I just couldn’t watch him eat it without having a taste! Well, let’s face it, a whole giant delicious piece!
Glad to hear this! I have talked to many paleo friends and they say the same! My husband and I have 1 cheat meal a week… Normally Friday nights because by then we are tired of cooking! Then it is back to paleo on Saturday mornings!
I actually ‘cheat’ a lot, mostly with dairy. This is because, much to my chagrin, after trying out the Paleo diet for about 3 weeks and loving all of your great recipes, Juli, I found myself breaking out in hives. Everywhere. I looked like I had some kind of disease.
As it turned out – I was allergic to coconut. Which is problematic for staying pure paleo, so now I tend to substitute coconut products for their dairy equivalent (coconut oil becomes butter, coconut milk becomes dairy milk). Not a perfect fix, but it’s the best I’ve got right now.
So nice to know you don’t eat perfectly all the time! I’m a cheese and wine glutton :-) Well, glutton is a bit extreme. I like to enjoy both about once/twice a week!
I just found your recipe and was interested to find what you eat that’s not paleo, found the Kim Crawford savvy and that what we make (and a lot of other wines) at work, we are a contract winemaking winery in gisborne New Zealand…so pleased you love the KC savvy, it’s one of my Favs too…
Mmmm NZ wine… how I miss thee. Any Pinot Gris from New Zealand is usually a win, they do it beautifully. Here in OZ my best find is by a band of rebel wine makers called ‘Some Young Punks’, particularly their Riesling called “Monsters, Monsters attack”. Seriously good in a, we’re way too cool to take our selves too seriously at all, kind of way.
Food: Gluten free “Bombay pizza”, indian spiced chicken, caramelised red onion, cashew nuts and banana on a mango chutney base, topped off with natural yogurt…. hello!
I saw this shirt that said 100% Paleo 80% of the time and laughed because its true. I give myself a free day every week. I work nights and usually do 3 shifts in a row. The morning of after my last shift I get a buenos Dias breakfast burrito. It’s so yummy and I’m nice and full and then sleep all day. I also love anything red velvet like cupcakes or frozen yogurt. I was horribly reminded that I can’t eat clam chowder anymore because of the heavy cream so no milk products for me.
OMG, love this post. This is my first time on your site. I will def be back. I’ve been playing around w/gluten and dairy free diet. But just recently started adding more paleo recipes in. I’d say I’m 75% paleo, cheating w/almond crackers and chips. Every now and then quinoa and quinoa pasta. But the one thing that has been the hardest…Beer. I love beer. Going to a beer fest next month in Boston. Switched over to wine mostly but I do enjoy it so. Oh well. I’ll keep trying! Making your carnitas this week! Thanks!
Gluten free pizza for me! Corn tortilla chips, peanut butter cups… and nachos!
Marshmallows, hot chocolate, wine, and my favorite chocolate crinkle cookie.
Mmmm, so tasty
Thanks for sharing this Juli. It’s nice to know others feel the same way. Having just completed my first whole30, I can safely say I was not meant to constantly deprive myself of things.I already eat incredibly well. The paleo diet has given me back my health. So if a little dark chocolate and some gf cake will make me stay on track, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
Trader Joes sells a taza type product, but not as expensive. Only a few more months til TJs hits denver!
Feta. Feta feta feta on all the things. Feta, lemon juice, and italian seasoning on broccoli mountain. Feta and sausage in my eggs. Feta on my salad. Feta in my marinara and zucchini noodles. Feta on my pizza. Have to hide it from my toddler twin daughters because if they see it, they tackle me and it’s every girl for herself.
ok, so my non paleo is ice cream, peanut butter chocolate to be exact, pizza, and pasta, and Texas Roadhouse rolls and cinnamon butter! OMG! The hubby and I go at least once a week or everyother week. I feel like a deserve a treat! haha Oh, and beer
So, I love papusas, too!! I get them frozen at the local grocery store (they are imported from El Salvador, I think). We fry them up and top them with sour cream and salsa… OMG!
My husband is Mexican and they remind us of “tlacloyos” a fried or baked football shaped, bean stuffed, corn pocket that his mother makes.
If you like Kim Crawford, just wait until the new Trader Joe’s opens over on 8th and Colorado! The sell Kono Sauv Blanc. The vineyard is next door to Kim Crawford, is every bit as good or better, but very similar…at half the price.
Also, which Denver area Whole Foods has the Against the Grain pizzas? I love the GF pizza at the Walnut Room, but it doesn’t like my belly as much. They use Udi’s. I had GF pizza up at Enzio’s in Fort Collins and it was amazing. The waitress said she thought they got the crust from Costco?! Weird.
Anyway, just moved to Denver. Would love some hook up on local paleo sources.
Pax,
Andrew
PS Great Blog! Just found you.
If it’s gluten-free, I might have a bite…or ten !
Recently I was on a cruise, and when I told the waitstaff on the first day that I was gluten-free, the assistant waiter gave me some moist-looking gluten-free bread. I HAD to have some… and did for the rest of the cruise LOL
sauvignon blanc is also my wine of choice – I should try the brand you mentioned! I also have vodka sodas when I’m out unless the place seems to have good wine… however, usually hole-in-the-wall bars don’t tend to have the best wines.
Hey Juli, I’ve never had that chocolate, but I just bought some organic stone ground dark chocolate from Trader Joe’s because it looked similar. This stuff is heavenly and super cheap. You should check it out! http://www.clubtraderjoes.com/2012/09/trader-joes-organic-stone-ground-mexican-style-dark-chocolate.html
I am roughly half-way through a 60 paleo challenge at my gym and i’m really enjoying it!! I have tried all kinds of new recipes (one of which was your meatza! last night) and love all the food i’m eating. I agree, being human is much more fun than being perfect. That being said, have you ever looked into Ciroc vodka? It’s actually made out of grapes not potatoes! I can legitimize that to myself any day as a paleo-ish treat. Love your blog!
oooo i love you for telling me that
Great post! It’s refreshing to hear that other people who mostly follow paleo/primal guidelines also step outside the boundaries sometimes. My off-paleo items that I LOVE include the following:
corn chips — LOVE them
popcorn — I’m seeing a corn theme here….
pinot grigio — trying to cut out my daily glass and leave it only for weekends (which could be stretched from Friday to Sunday hee hee)
chocolate — I have a coworker whose mother owns a chocolate store and what she makes is heavenly….
sushi — yes, with the rice, sometimes I indulge.
Queso fundido. With corn tortilla chips. And if I’m really going to weaken toward wheat, then anything in a soft warm flour tortilla….
I wish I could eat pizza, it makes me sick :(
THANK YOU for saying your transitioning to Paleo was hard – my first week (after a year of denial that I needed to do this) I accomplished 50/50. NOt good not bad at least i started! Thank you for saying you still eat pizza from time to time. For heaven’s sake I live in Chicago – I must eat pizza it’s kind of a residency requirement – just kidding. I just love it.
Viva Venezuelan AREPAS!!!! Yayyyy! Delicious! Pure venezuelan stuff!! Chocolate, gluten free everything (since I’m celiac), and of course, corn chips!!!! ;))
Glad to hear that you are keeping the balance in life like the rest of us! When I first found your website I thought you might be a robot, but you’re just a hilarious human being :) Thanks for sharing all of these websites and for sharing your cheat foods (I have the same cheats!). Great blog!
Juli
I cannot wait to get your cookbook. I have been paleo for 6 months and my family acts like I have a disease. Jealous-I lost 10 pounds and feel great!! Can’t give up the dark chocolate and hard cider. I would drink hard cider everyday if I did not have such a guilty conscience. Love reading your blog-you say everything I would like to.
you can make paleo arepas by boiling cassava until its soft, mash it and cook it like you would cook a regular arepa. xoxo
Cheese!!!!!! When I’m about to get my period I crave salty things soooooooo bad and feta cheese does it for me :)
Try Kim Crawford’s Unoaked Chardonnay! You’ll get all the smack smack tartness you like in a Sauv Blanc, without the layer of butter. D-Lish!
Vodka? Three words: Martinis Are Good!
I LOVE Against the Grain crusts! So good, no stomach problems and I can top them with whatever I want!
Ok, I’m late to the game. BUT, it’s a really fun game, so I’ll play. First, I ADORE Tazo Chocolate but resent that the Whole Foods on 11th and Emerson doesn’t carry it. Super annoying. And BY FAR, the best GF pizza I’ve found is Panzano’s. The whole Panzano happy hour is downright miraculous. They make almost everything gluten free, and their brussel sprouts are orgasmic. Go there. Their mushroom GF pizza and their rabbit confit GF pizza are both incredible. Try the eggplant parmesan too. Cheers!
Hi!!! I just started reading your blog and I love it. I wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your website and thank you for all the wonderful recipes!
I also wanted to share my 4 favorite cheats….1. Ice Cream!!!!! 2. Pizza 3. Nachos! and 4. Chinese (mostly egg rolls). However, I always cheat with some kind of alcohol on the weekends, especially during the summer time. Nothing like a cold drink on a hot day.