Paleo Cookbook For Dummies (27 page)

Smoked salmon wrapped in nori sheets

Addressing Common Questions about the 30-Day Reset

You decided to commit and go for the 30-Day Reset. Fantastic! But what about those nagging questions? How do you get away from feeling lost, aimless, or like a weirdo? Easy! In this section, I tackle what I call the big hitter questions that I get in my practice, at dinner parties, on the running trail, at the dentist, at the mall — you get my drift. Any question you have, I probably cover it here! And if you've dug up a question I haven't touched on, tweet me your question:
@drkellyann
. I'll get you an answer!

These 30 days are about you! Whatever adjustments you have to make in your crazy, awesome life will be well worth their (unprocessed) salt to get these 30 days done. This 30-Day Reset is the best cleanse you could ever give your body and mind. You'll see — and so will everyone else!

Can I put salt on my food?
Well, salt can either kill ya or make ya well. Quality matters here in a big way. If you eat table salt, you're eating a refined food. If you eat a pure, natural salt, you're eating minerals that support you. I've used Celtic sea salt for years and find it to be really pure and filled with minerals.

When you do make the switch to a high-quality salt, you don't get iodine from it because iodine isn't naturally occurring in salt. To counteract this problem, incorporate some of the following Reset-friendly iodine sources:

• Seaweed such as kelp, nori, and dulse

• Proteins such as eggs, meat, and poultry

• Vegetables such as Swiss chard, asparagus, and spinach

• Strawberries

My favorite way to get iodine is to mash some nori sheets in soup or a salad or use them as a wrap.

What kind of sweetener can I use?
You may not like this one, but for 30 days, the answer is “nothing.” Just get this done, and your sugar cravings will really diminish.

Can I have alcohol? I really like wine at night.
For 30 days, alcohol in all forms (even for cooking) is a no-go. All those things I promise you about healing your gut, building better cells, cutting sugar cravings, boosting your immunity, and so on aren't going to happen if you're drinking alcohol. Can you white knuckle this one for 30 days? You'll be glad you did.

Can I take vitamins?
Yes. However, you're flooding your body with so many nutrients that you probably won't need much in the way of outside supplementation other than fish oil, vitamin D, and for some, a probiotic if some extra healing power is needed.

Are nut butters okay?
Yes! In moderation, all nut butters (except for peanut butter) are okay. Many people find it reassuring to know that sunflower seed butter (found in most grocery stores) is even a good replacement for peanut butter. The serving size for these items is two tablespoons. Check the labels to make sure you're not getting stuff you don't want, such as added sugar.

I love butter on my sweet potatoes. Can I use it just for that?
Nope, sorry. I know, I know. It seems ridiculous that you can't have a little butter on a sweet potato, but no dairy means no dairy. However, ghee and clarified butter are okay because the sugars, water, and milk solids (including the often troublesome lactose and casein) have been removed. Just make sure your butter is from a grass-fed source so you're getting the full nutritional value.

What in the world can I eat for breakfast?
If I had a penny for every time a patient asked me what to have for breakfast, I'd be writing this book from my private island. I know eggs get old, but eggs are just a super healthy protein that fuels your brain and body. If you can't bear the thought of one more morning with eggs, here's another idea: Whatever protein you cook at night, make some extra for your breakfast. As I note in
Chapter 11
, breakfast doesn't have to center on traditional breakfast foods.

One of my favorite breakfasts is salmon and a handful of berries. Another is protein with some kimchi. Keep an avocado around for a great breakfast fat because it's so versatile, or just grab some coconut flakes or a teaspoon of coconut butter with a protein. Even a nut butter right out of the jar works.

How much are these 30 days going to cost me?
The truth is, I can't tell you buying superior-quality foods that can change and possibly save your life costs less than buying a breakfast muffin at the quick mart. I can tell you this much though — most people have no idea how much they're eating. Prepare to be amazed when you find out how little food your body really needs to be satisfied when eating foods with a high nutritional density. You may actually end up spending less on food overall because you're buying fewer packaged foods! You may have some initial cost layout when you stock up, but in the long run, you can seek out deals through farm markets, big box stores, and store sales. I know many families who eat 100-percent Paleo foods on very little means.