The Shelves Overfloweth With New Paleo Reading (and Cooking) Material…

Remember when the only paleo books on the market were “The Paleo Diet” and “The Paleo Solution”? It was a time before iPads and smart phones, back when we still had to read books with pages… Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how we survived… Well, lucky for us we are no longer stuck living in the ‘dark ages’ and our paleo reading material options have grown exponentially (not that it takes much when you start with two…). If you’re looking to expand your paleo library with the latest and greatest here are some excellent options:

Books for Cooking (Also Known As ‘Cookbooks’)

The Paleo Slow Cooker: Healthy Gluten-Free Meals the Easy Way – By: Arsy Vartanian

Okay guys, humor me here. This one is probably my favorite book in this whole post – and let me tell you why (whether you want to know or not…). Um, my name is on the cover. Yeah, pretty cool, huh? So, I didn’t actually ‘write’ the book, but I did write some of the information sections, and FYI, I stand to make no money from you purchasing this book – but I recommend that you do anyway. The recipes are wonderful and many of them are autoimmune friendly or give directions for how to make them that way.  This book is full of beautiful pictures, great recipes and lots of information about how paleo eating benefits you and your family’s health. Slow cooking – “Nothin’s more delicious.” (That was a line from a song in a play I saw when I was in grade school – damn good line…) Pear Ginger Pork Chops?? Yes, please!

Everyday Paleo Around the World: Italian Cuisine – By: Sarah Fragoso

No, that’s not a mistake. Everyday Paleo’s, Sarah Fragoso has done it again! She’s definitely an overachiever! Seriously, she was already on fire with two awesome cookbooks and super cool Paleo Pals kid’s book. But lucky for us, she didn’t stop there. Sarah is taking us around the culinary world, paleo style!  First stop – Italy. Who needs flour filled pasta, greasy, breaded eggplant parmesan, and thick crust gluten bomb pizza when you can have Sarah’s Spaghetti Carbonara, Mushroom “Risotto” and Paleo Chicken Marsala? You’ll learn the Italian cooking techniques and be feasting on Italian cuisine before you know it.  Delizioso!

Paleo Lunches and Breakfasts On the Go – By: Diana Rodgers

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve been asked for ‘quick and easy’ breakfast and lunch options for school, work, and time-crunched situations. We’re always on the move – like BUSY and we gotta eat, right? If your life is moving fast and food prep is not high on your list of priorities, if you’ve got fussy kids, or if you’re bored with the same old eggs for breakfast and salad at lunch – then RUN and get your hands on this book.  Soups, salads, wraps, sides, snacks and condiments – your food day is about to get a whole lot more exciting. And did I mention that the forward was written by the one, the only, THE ROBB WOLF! You can’t go wrong with this book on your shelf – your taste buds, your lunchbox and your family will thank you!

Gather: The Art of Paleo Entertaining– By Hayley Mason and Bill Staley

If you’re not only looking for an amazing paleo cookbook but a coffee table book too, Gather is the answer to your paleo prayers. This is by and far one of the most beautiful paleo recipe collections that’s out there.  Gorgeous pictures, delicious recipes and as the clever title implies an exceptional guide to paleo entertaining. Whether you’re planning a brunch, outdoor grilling party, or holiday meal this book shows and tells you how to get it done. If you’re not planning on doing any of those things, or even cooking for that matter; you still should add Gather to your collection. I mean, who doesn’t like to look at beautiful pictures of food??

The 30 Day Guide to Paleo Cooking – By Hayley Mason and Bill Staley

Yep, you read that right – Hayley and Bill have this writing thing down –somehow they managed to turn out both Gather and this great 30 Day Guide to Paleo Cooking. Are you one of those dudes (or dudettes) that isn’t exactly culinarily gifted (yes, I would be a member of this tribe) and whose daily menu consists of eggs, chicken and broccoli? Or do you find yourself struggling with the “What should I make for dinner?” question on a daily basis? Well, struggle no more.  This book is EXACTLY what the title implies and so much more. There’s a 30-day meal plan, weekly shopping lists, recipes and ‘express eats’ recipes for those days when time is of the essence.   Jump-start your paleo cooking adventures and add this book to your collection.  I think I might try my hand at the Pad Thai with Chicken. (FYI – my last attempt at Thai food was about as successful as the maiden voyage of the Thai-tanic…)

Primal Cravings: Your Favorite Foods Made Paleo – By Brandon and Megan Keatley

Do you remember Loaded Baked Potato Soup, Ranch Dressing and Pepper Poppers? What about treats (yes, I said TREATS – not EVERYDAY foods…) like Thin Mints (damn them Girl Scouts…), Devil’s Food Cake, Warm Biscuits with Honey Butter and Apple Pie? Well, now you can have some of your favorites (remember, treats are treats!!) made primal and/or paleo style.  From burgers with ‘potato buns’ to Western Omelettes To Go, Primal Cravings has got you covered. Simple recipes, great pictures and some damn tasty comfort food!

Beyond Bacon: Paleo Recipes that Respect the Whole Hog – By: Matthew McCarry and Stacy Toth

Okay guys, brace yourselves because I am about to completely BLOW YOUR MINDS. Are you ready? Here it goes – Bacon isn’t the only thing that you can eat from a pig. I know!  Complete shock and awe, right? If you’ve got your bacon makin’ skills honed in then it’s time to grow your pork based culinary repertoire (it took me like 20 minutes to figure out how to spell that…). Beyond Bacon shows you how to render your own lard, make your own sausage and BACON (no it does not come out the hog in perfect strips of salty deliciousness…).  Chops, ribs, shoulder, carnitas, ground pork and even sweet breads – it’s all in here. If you’re a bacon fanatic you’re gonna go “Hog-Wild” when you see all of the other things you can do with pork.  

Against All Grain: Delectable Paleo Recipes to Eat Well and Feel Great – By: Danielle Walker

We all know grains and dairy (for most of us) are no good, right? But how the heck are we supposed to cook and bake with these new-fangled ingredients? Coconut flour, almond milk, fish sauce, coconut aminos, palm shortening, honey… Yeah, this stuff is different.  If you’re looking for new recipes for some of your old favorites, then this is your book. From everyday recipes like Cauliflower Rice and Citrus-Cumin Chicken to treats like breads, scones, pies, cakes and waffles – there’s something for everyone.

Fermented: A Four-Season Approach to Paleo Probiotic Foods – By: Jill Ciciarelli

You may not believe this but sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha and yogurt aren’t the only paleo probiotic food options.  I know, right? If you are an avid fermenter or if you’d like to become one, this book is for you. From the ingredients and tools you need to the methods and recipes – it’s all here. Fruits, veggies, condiments, meats, yogurts, vinegars all of it delicious and ‘Ferment’abulous!

Health/Fitness and Lifestyle Books (Also Known As ‘Health/Fitness and Lifestyle Books’)

Digestive Health with Real Food: A Practical Guide to an Anti-Inflammatory, Nutrient Dense Diet for IBS & Other Digestive Issues – By: Aglaee Jacob

Everyone always says that you should trust your gut – but what if your gut is sick? Where do you turn for answers then? To Digestive Health with Real Food – that’s where! If you’ve got digestive issues, IBS, leaky gut, celiac disease, SIBO, FODMAP sensitivity or just have ‘plumbing’ problems then you’ve got to pick up this comprehensive guide to all things intestinal.  It covers everything you need to know about leaky gut and digestive issues and tells you how and what to eat to help manage the ‘pipes’. There are diet, supplement and lifestyle recommendations, lots of tables and charts and a great section full of gut friendly recipes. So if your gut has been less than reliable lately, take my recommendation and grab a copy of this digestive health bible.

Paleo Fitness: A Primal Training and Nutrition Program to Get Lean, Strong and Healthy – By: Darryl Edwards, Brett Stewart and Jason Warner

Do you like exercise? No, I mean REALLY? Yeah, it feels good when it’s over, but are you truly enjoying it? And everyone talks about a ‘Paleo’ lifestyle including diet and smart exercise, but what exactly does this lifestyle and exercise program look like? If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions or if you’re new to the paleo diet, exercise and lifestyle, this manual is perfect for you!  It details paleo exercise plans to fit every level of fitness (Tabata Tuesday, anyone??), has demo pictures of all of the movements and exercises, talks about setting goals, and covers the basics of paleo eating. If you’re ready to get off the couch, prioritize your health and feel great this is the perfect resource to get rolling.

Primal Moms Look Good Naked: A Mother’s Guide to Achieving Beauty through Excellent Health – By: Peggy Emch

Okay, first off I just want to put it out there that I have never been (nor do I have any plans in the near future to be) pregnant. Additionally, I do not even have a plant for fear that I might kill it so motherhood is not necessarily my number one priority right now. (I am one hell of a good aunt though!) That being said, I know that there are a lot of moms or women that want to become moms out there. If you’re one of them I’m gonna go ahead and guess you’d be interested in looking good naked…  Am I right? If you’re hoping to become pregnant, currently expecting or recently hatched this book is the perfect fit for you. It covers eating for, during and after pregnancy – the Primal/Paleo way. There are also tips for exercise, information about common pre/during/post pregnancy issues (varicose veins, cellulite, weak abdominal muscles, postpartum depression, etc.) and supplement recommendations. If you want to be, are or have been pregnant and you want to look and feel great both naked and clothed pick up a copy of Primal Moms.

PHEW!  That was some heavy reading to say the least. Now, no one out there should be complaining that they’ve got nothing to read. Head to the book store or to Amazon and add to your Paleo library. These are some real page turners!

What are you reading??

Amy Kubal

Amy Kubal is a Registered "Paleo" Dietitian and the ring leader of Robb's RD consulting team. She works with a wide range of clients from competitive athletes to those dealing with complex health problems. Check out her bio and consulting options, and her blog Fuel As Rx to get your Paleo nutrition fix.