Where to start.

Many of our friends and family have seen our lives changed by this lifestyle and want to try it out.  And I certainly want to be of help and for them to experience this too.  But where do you begin?

I would say to get a book from the library or buy one depending on how committed you are.  I would recommend Practical Paleo, the e-book we started with Paleo Plan or It Starts with Food.  Now clean out your fridge of anything that will go bad in the next 30 days.  Give it to someone who hasn't seen the light.  Or wait until you use up everything first.  Then you should probably pack up things in the cupboards that might be triggers.  You don't have to get rid of it (yet).  I'm just asking for 30+ days here.  Just be sure to put it somewhere for later, if you decide that this isn't for you. Then you will need to get a meal plan together.  You gotta know what you will be eating or you might just fall back on old standbys.  Then go grocery shopping.

I would recommend this first 30+ days you treat as a Whole 30.  Whole 30 is an idea from the book It Starts with Food.  It's strictly Paleo.  It includes only whole foods.  This means no Paleo-ish things.  This isn't the time when you figure out how to make paleo pizza or that there is paleo bread.  It also means no sweeteners of any kind.  It's a cleanse of sorts I suppose.  As in It Starts with Food after 30 days you stay strict but have one day where you have dairy, to see if you have a reaction to it.  If not then you know you can add it back if you choose or you know it will not cause a problem if you want a little cheese here and there.  A day or two after trying dairy, do the same thing, while staying strict have a day that you add gluten and see if it causes a problem.  You can also try this with legumes and non-gluten grains.  Pay attention to your body to see how these things make you feel and decide what works best for your body.

Now if you are like us this 30 days will have you sold.  And then you will clean out your pantry and start trying recipes for paleo treats and paleo bread.  You will want to buy every paleo recipe book you can find. Or maybe you will decide it isn't for you and now you know.