FAQ: All about the book, Practical Paleo

Last Updated 8/4/12 – I’ll add to and update this page as I see fit and more questions arise!

With all the advance copies circulating and reviews popping up, people who have had lots of questions about my new book, Practical Paleo, so I figured a post on some of the most frequently asked would be a good idea. Here you go!

If you haven’t already tuned in to the following interviews I did about the book, check them out! You’ll get lots of information on what’s inside the book as well as some answers, explained in even more detail, that are also listed below. 

Dr. Lo Radio – interview with Dr. Lauren Noel, ND

click here to download the MP3  •  click here load in iTunes

Underground Wellness Radio – interview with Sean Croxton

click here to download the MP3  •  click here to load in iTunes

Livin’ La Vida Low Carb – interview with Jimmy Moore

click here for the blog post/show notes  •   click here to download the MP3  •  click here to load in iTunes

SCD Lifestyle – interview with Jordan Reasonor 

click here for the blog post/show notes •  click here to download the MP3  •  click here to load in iTunes

Fat Burning Man – interview with Abel James

click here for the blog post/show notes  •  click here to download the MP3  •  click here to load in iTunes

And check out reviews of the book in my Review Round-Up post #1, post #2, and post #3.

Logistics – Where to buy the book.
Will Practical Paleo be available for Kindle, Nook, iPad and other eReaders?

Yes, but I am not currently positive of a date. It should be available as of the on-sale date for the hard copy book, August 7, 2012. That said, this book is very graphic-intensive and quite the reference manual, so I recommend checking it out in-print as well if you can to see if the eReader format is truly what you want.

Where will I be able to buy Practical Paleo in book stores?

The book will be available in most Barnes & Noble stores, Books-A-Million, Chapters (may vary, check with your local store), and other small, independent shops as well as some limited Costco stores – again, check with your local store and ask them to carry it if they don’t. The book is not currently in Whole Foods Markets, but if you ask the manager of the book/body care department for it (repeatedly?!), perhaps we can get it in there as well. I’m certainly doing my best locally but your requests will help a lot.

Of course, you can also purchase the book online from Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com

Which Costco stores will Practical Paleo be sold in?

This is the current list of stores where the book will be sold – it is just a test market list for now, but more stores may be coming soon.

3220 NORTHERN PACIFIC AVENUE
MISSOULA
MT
59808-1556


311 DANIEL WEBSTER HWY
NASHUA
NH
03060-5702


12221 BLUE VALLEY PARKWAY
OVERLAND PARK
KS
66213-2640


6675 MARIE CURIE DRIVE
COLUMBIA
MD
21075-6457


11220 DALLAS PARKWAY
FRISCO
TX
75034


3800 CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY
PLANO
TX
75074-2221


700 OLD CLEAR CREEK ROAD
CARSON CITY
NV
89705-6853


25900 HEATHER PLACE
WILSONVILLE
OR
97070-5785


3800 ROSEDALE HIGHWAY
BAKERSFIELD
CA
93308-6235


27220 HEATHER RIDGE ROAD
LAGUNA NIGUEL
CA
92677-3418


19001 27TH AVENUE
PHOENIX
AZ
85027-5036


1205 N MEMORIAL PARKWAY
HUNTSVILLE
AL
35801-5930


7171 CYPRESS LAKE DRIVE
FORT MYERS
FL
33907-6521


9010 MICHIGAN ROAD
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46268-3184


1800 CAVITT COURT
FOLSOM
CA
95630-6235


12155 TECH CENTER DRIVE
POWAY
CA
92064-7156

Wondering what’s good to buy at Costco while eating Paleo? Check out this post I found.

How and why did people get advance review copies?

In order to create some buzz about the book and get people excited about what it contains, selected practitioners, bloggers, and other people in the health and wellness community were sent a copy from a limited number of complimentary, early-released books. The majority of books we print are sent directly from our warehouse to stores or online retailers for distribution, so the advance copy number is limited. Books we send out early allow others to share opinions and their take on the book with all of you from their own perspective – not just mine – which is clearly biased! If you think you fit the bill for becoming an early reviewer on future books, please contact me here and I will add you to a list for consideration.

Content – What’s in the book. (Part 1)
How is Practical Paleo different from other Paleo books? I own a lot of them, do I really need this one, too?!

For starters, most Paleo books currently are either foundational science information or a cookbook, most do not combine these two elements together. In Practical Paleo, you’ll find easy-to-understand information on how food should work in your body, as well as how to fix it if it’s not going right. I cover comprehensive information on digestion (far beyond leaky gut, which is commonly covered in Paleo books) as well as blood sugar regulation. If you’ve never been to one of my seminars or workshops, well here’s your chance to learn my take on the whys behind a Paleo diet. I talk about food from my perspective as a holistic nutritionist, not someone who perhaps learned about and then decided to implement a Paleo diet in my own life – which is perfectly acceptable and wonderful to share in books as well it’s just not my angle! The basis for my arguments against “non-Paleo” foods is not a matter of “grains will kill you,” but more so “what are nutrient-dense, whole-foods that support your body versus those that potentially harm it.” This book will help anyone learn more about the whys of a Paleo/whole-foods based diet, from the complete novice to a more experienced Paleo-eater.

Many reviewers have called Practical Paleo a “Paleo Encyclopedia.” I love that notion because the book really is quite like a reference manual that perhaps you will sit and read through (at least roughly the 125 pages in Part 1), but then you’ll use it time and time again for reference when you need to recall something you aren’t quite clear on, or want to explain to someone else using simple terms and even pictures! This book helps make complex information simple, and puts information literally at your fingertips. For some, the 30-Day Meal Plans alone are proving valuable information that’s not collected in Paleo books elsewhere – even practitioners who work with clients and want to help them in reaching their goals! See Part 2 info for more on these.

There are one-page guides in the book for all of the following information:

Paleo Foods (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) - a comprehensive list of meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts, fats, oils, etc.
Stocking a Paleo Pantry (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) - another comprehensive list of non-perishable items that will help keep the food you make interesting and well seasoned
Food Quality (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) – this is a widely confused topic, and I’ve decoded labels for you on everything from chicken and eggs to seafood, produce and even milk/dairy products so you can make the best choices possible within your budget
Fats & Oils (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) – which to eat and which to ditch including hot and cold applications
Cooking Fats (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) - ranking of common cooking fats on the market, as well as recommended versus not-recommended items
Paleo Carbs (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) – we all know that fruit is a source of carbs, but what about starchy vegetables? There is life beyond the sweet potato and this list includes almost 20 items. It even includes (gasp!) white potatoes, but I recommend you read this post for more information..
Sweeteners (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) - clarity on which are natural, which are synthetic, and my top picks for which to use if you’re going to use them at all as well as which to never use
Gluten (also duplicated as a tear-out guide!) - how to find gluten hiding in foods, which foods commonly contain it, as well as which are gluten-free grains in the event that you’re going to eat some kind of grain but are keeping things strictly gluten-free
Digestion - how it should work, signs & symptoms that it’s not working, how to test it, what to do if it’s not working
Your Poop! - what is may look like, what it means, and what it should look like (you will love this page!)
Leaky Gut - signs and symptoms and what to do about healing it!

Does it come with a list of foods so we can use to mix and match for meal planning purposes?

Yes! The “Guide to: Paleo Foods” is a comprehensive list of foods from which to choose in your meal planning. There is also a “Guide to: the Paleo Pantry” that will be helpful in supplementing fresh foods with dried herbs, spices, sauces, and some canned/jarred items.

Do you talk about how to eat Paleo at restaurants and while traveling?

Yes! There is a section on “Paleo in Public” and how to take your healthy habits here, there, and everywhere. As someone who travels nearly 30-50% of the time, I am well-versed in making Paleo work away from home. My tips include what to do at parties as well as navigating menus at restaurants and making healthy choices within different types of cuisines.

Do you address issues with kids and families in this book?

No. I don’t have kids or my own family, so I don’t consider myself to be an expert on this topic. I recommend checking out Eat Like a Dinosaur by the Paleo Parents, Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso and the Nom Nom Paleo and Growing Up Paleo websites for information from Paleo moms I think are doing a great job. That said, if your kids are a bit older and want to look through recipes to select items to make together, perhaps some inspiration from this photo will suffice? Kids don’t need to be eating food that’s different from adults, though we often think that due to societal norms and pressures. Allow them to flip through the photos and pick out some things to try.

Does it come with help on how to combat chronic constipation, diarrhea, etc.?

Yes! There is an entire section that explains your digestive system, what it does, how it should work, and what can go wrong. Of course, along with that are tips and tricks for fixing problems you discover along the way of your digestion. The book also includes a “Guide to: your Poop!” which will help you to decode some common culprits appearing in your toilet regularly as well as how to fix them.

Does your book include info on your sugar detox?

No. This book is completely different from The 21-Day Sugar Detox program, which is currently only available as a PDF download.

Meal Plan Content (Part 2)
Is there a meal plan in Practial Paleo for my specific health condition or goal?

The following 11 meal plans are included:

Autoimmune Conditions – (autoimmune protocol – grain, legume, dairy, egg, nut, seed, and nightshade-free)
Blood Sugar Regulation (diabetes, hypoglycemia, etc.) – may also apply to hormonal imbalances, infertility, PCOS, etc.
Digestive Health (IBS, IBD, leaky gut)
Thyroid Health (Hypo/Hyper thyroid and Hashimoto’s)
Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, & Chronic Fatigue – may also apply to arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Neurological Health (Parkinson’s & Alzheimers) – also applies to those interested in a ketogenic plan
Heart Health (Cholesterol and Blood Pressure concerns)
Cancer Recovery
Athletic Performance
Fat Loss
Squeaky Clean Paleo – for general health or those who are new or just want a strict plan without anything else to worry about for starters

Are the 30-Day Meal Plans just lists of what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or is there more to them?

There’s a lot more to the 30-Day Meal Plans than simply meals! In fact, if you aren’t one to follow a meal plan or recipes to the letter, you can simply use the first sections of the 30-Day Meal Plans as your guide in creating your own meals as you see fit for as long as you like.

The 30-Day Meal Plans in Practical Paleo include:

introductory information on the condition or set of conditions addressed by that plan
diet & lifestyle recommendations including what to add and what to avoid (this component is perhaps the most critical page in the plan)
nutritional supplements & herbs to consider – these are not prescriptive recommendations, however, they are lists of some items and basic notes on what they do in the body that you may wish to research further or ask your naturopath or other practitioner about including in a plan that works to support your body’s health
supportive nutrients & foods that contain them – it’s all about the food, right?! This list shows you how you can literally eat your way to a healthier version of yourself by highlighting nutrients and their actions in your body that may be ideal for supporting healing with your current health condition or goals

I notice that some of the recipes listed in the Autoimmune Conditions meal plan contain some foods that are listed under the “avoid” side of our dietary recommendations, can you explain this.

First and foremost let me remind people to follow the add/avoid diet and lifestyle recommendations above all else. There may be a couple of small errors in my planning. I am human and I apologize for those mistakes! We’re even fixing any we find so that future copies are more accurate. There shouldn’t be too many errors in the plans as I’ve combed over them many times, but it happens. Additionally, if a recipe calls for an ingredient that is on the avoid list for your meal plan, avoid it. Use the noted ingredient change recommendation, or, in the event that you can’t figure out what should be swapped, please contact me via Facebook (preferably) or via email (only if you don’t use Facebook),

What sort(s) of athletes are you addressing in your book? Do you talk about both pre & post workout nutrition?

Since it would be nearly impossible to fit enough plans in this book for every person’s unique situation, the meal plan for Athletic Performance addresses the general goal of athletic performance, but does not focus on a specific modality or sport. I address pre and post workout nutrition mainly in the blood sugar regulation section where I discuss carbohydrate intake.

Does it cover food allergies and resulting symtoms (including eczema, for example)?

The leaky gut section of Part 1 discusses this information in detail, but the Autoimmune Conditions or Digestive Health 30-Day Meal Plan will be a good place to read more about how to heal digestive issues which are at the root of many food allergies and resulting symptoms.

Are there shopping lists included for the 30-Day Meal Plans?

While I’d love to have provided these lists right inside the book, at a whopping 432 pages, there was simply not enough room! We are, however, working quickly to compile these lists for you as free PDF downloads on the Practical Paleo book resources page in the coming week or so.

Recipe Content (Part 3)
Are nutrition facts available for the recipes in the book?

Yes! Every recipe that could possibly have accurate information calculated has been added to the Recipe Nutrition Facts page with links to NutritionData.com for your reference. Spice blends, bone broth, and some other recipes have not been calculated as information in the nutrient database is not going to reflect the true value of these items.

Are recipe preparation and cook times included? How about recipe yields?

Yes! All of that is included with each recipe.

Why do your meal plans point to recipes that include some ingredients that are excluded in my 30-Day Meal Plan?

To be fair, it would be nearly impossible, in one book, to create recipes that cater to 11 different meal plans! I have certainly considered creating a separate guide of much more strict recipes, however, since people’s needs vary so greatly, what I’ve done instead is to add notes on ever (or nearly every) recipe possible about substitutions where ingredients are included that you want to avoid. For example, some braised/slow-cooked recipes include tomatoes and are listed in the Autoimmune Conditions meal plan, but simply substituting bone broth in place of the tomatoes will yield a delicious and irritant-free recipe to suit the needs of that meal plan. Similarly, if nuts are included and not a main part of the recipe, they may merely be left off. All recipes have an allergen indicator about eggs, nuts, nightshades, and FODMAPs as well as the notes on other options, again, whenever possible.

Are there make-ahead/freezer-friendly recipes in this book?

Yes! Some of my favorite make-ahead recipes, though certainly not the only ones that qualify for this type of preparation include the Herb Salt Blends and Spice Blends, Swirly Crustless Quiche, Sauerkraut, Mom’s Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Lemony Lamb Dolmas, Balsamic Braised Short Ribs, and the Butternut Sage Soup.

Check out these videos which focus on the recipes of Practical Paleo

Order your copy of Practical Paleo today! Stay tuned for a more fun and delicious Paleo-oriented giveaways leading up to and through the official release week of Practical Paleo on August 7!