I submit to you that it doesn’t even take going Paleo or Primal “everyday” to not get a wealth of good out of this book, Everyday Paleo
…But it’s more than that and I think, fills a very nice niche. In my last review, I remarked how that book seemed to me to represent the potential for a great first book — rather than the many books available that give you the ins, outs, whys and what fors for going Paleo/Primal as a lifestyle, from a more evolutionary or scientific basis. Im just saying this might be a good alternative for some: let the food be your guide from everyday one.
While Sarah Fragoso’s book is much cookbook, with dozens and dozens of recipes, it’s much more and I can’t help thinking that this might be the ideal first book for a women with kids to take care of. It gets practical — everyday — right away.
After a few introductory sections on where Sarah is now and how she got here and why, it dives right in to a complete list of what you should have in your pantry and your fridge. A little bit about tools of the mom trade and we’re off into the recipes, all in full color. I really have to congratulate the folks at Victory Belt Publishing, because the whole layout of this book is just fun and colorful. And you know what? I would not be surprised if your kids might just like turning the pages themselves. It’s really a fun page turner.
In terms of the recipes, this just shows once again that the folks who lament avoiding grains, sugar, processed “foods” and other untouchables — because it would “be so boring” — are just full of it. There are now around a half dozen full color Paleo cookbooks on the market with dozens and dozens of recipes each, and they are as varied as are their authors. There is no limit. The surface has only been scratched.
…And how many of you like eggs? Perhaps for a first, Sarah has an entire section on egg based-recipes. Sunny Deviled Eggs? I’m trying that soon. And in the main dish section, I must try the lasagna that uses zucchini in place of pasta. I’ve used eggplant a-la moussaka-esque lasagna, but it looks like the prep time & effort is a lot better here. There are just so many (how many kinds of meatballs do you like?), and there is a distinct “your kids will like this” tone and theme. I suspect Sarah tried most or all of these dishes on her kids, so that leaves open the door for a criticism: was this book co-authored by your kids, Sarah? Fess up.
And OK, is this crazy or what: a whole workout section in a cookbook? It’s perfectly logical to me, and best of all, Sarah provides tons and tons of photos in sequence, showing exactly how each exercise is done; and not just for you. There’s also a section on how to exercise your kids, and even how your and your significant other can work out together.
So really, it truly is the sort of book that could serve as anyone’s entry into this whole crazy life. But I think that if you’re still in the rat race, have kids that might be resistant to the changes, or a spouse, then this may just be that one book that helps you unlike any other.
It worked for Sarah. Wanna see?
Sarah Fragoso
Uh, think her family oriented cookbook and workout guide might be worth having in your collection? I do.