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.
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.