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No holiday table is complete without desserts. In fact, at my house, if I tried to pull a stunt like Thanksgiving without gorgeous desserts, I may be banished from my home and sent to a cave somewhere. At the very least, I would get massive eye rolling to the tune of…"Oh MOM!!!" This Paleo OMG Pumpkin Pie is insane. Just sweet enough with a creamy pie filling and a flaky, buttery crust. Saving room for dessert is a total DO! Salute! Keep thinking big and living bold! - Dr. Kellyann

Paleo Workouts for Dummies  is smokin’ hot off the press! WHOOT! My friend and fitness expert Pat Flynn and I  wrote Paleo Workouts for Dummies  because we want you to have the edge. We want you to know the absolute latest, most trend-setting, effective workouts and performance nutrition that exist on the planet. Must you be a member of the endorphin club … grunting and groaning away at a gym to achieve results?    No. If you want to turbocharge fat loss, fight aging and get lean and strong you need this book. I promise, there’s nothing else like it on the market. Absolutely nothing. Think about our ancestors. Did they ever get on a scale?  No, and not because they didn’t have access to one. They didn’t need to! Ever see an out-of-shape Neanderthal? Neither have we. Put two and two together and you’ll understand that humans who lived eons ago were fit times two! This book shows you how to master the art of squats, hinges, sprints, crawls and more — all the moves that made our Stone-Age hunter-gatherer ancestors super fit and strong. Not to mention these moves also contributed to enhancing their cardiovascular systems! The bottom line: They hunted, they gathered and they didn’t drive. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were healthy specimens, to be sure. This book provides a step-by-step guide to echo some of their lifestyle habits, including movements, food choices and more. Its pages reveal A LOT of truths about the way you should move your body. You will learn that less is more when it comes to working out (really!). You’ll also discover how  you fuel up before and after your workout can affect your goals tremendously. The fact is, you walk around either in FAT-BURNING MODE  (lean, strong, energized and SEXY) or, you walk around in FAT-STORAGE MODE (gaining weight just looking at food —  and YES, you really can be in fat-storage mode and work out every day). You either create “hormone hell” working out, or you improve all of the structure and functions of the body with your workouts. You can either work out and build a lower body that is the envy of everyone (you know what I’m saying … a great fanny) or you can work out all the time and still look the same.  Speaking of fannies … most women I see over 40 have flat butts. They are obviously not letting their exercise routines and hormones work for them.  The way to a fantastic fanny? In this book! You’ll also learn about an effective,  SUPER weight-loss secret that takes no time: Mini-Fasting— a simple, sensible edition to your primal workouts. As for food, I share 10 primal foods that help you perform everything ten times better. Super good stuff. So Fanny UP!  Belly OFF!  Embrace Paleo Workouts, and get a SEXY PRIMAL BODY! Remember, STRONG is the new SKINNY™ ! I’m working up a BIG giveaway soon — stay tuned. Keep thinking big and living bold! Dr. Kellyann P.S. Be on the lookout for tomorrow’s post, where my “Paleo OMG! Pumpkin Pie” recipe and other Paleo holiday dessert recipes will be served up for your holiday table

Jen Sinkler is the author of the blog Thrive with Jen Sinkler So you probably want to know about the "giveaway" piece of this. Here you go: I'm giving away 3 signed copies of these bad boys! I just have one question: Tell me what you want out of all of this Paleo stuff. Living Paleo can take you from where you are now, to where you want to be. Tell me, where do you want to be? The bottom line question: What do you want Living Paleo to do for you?   To Enter: Post to comments and tell us your goal - what do you want Living Paleo to help you achive in 2013. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 18, 2013. I’ll randomly select three winners and make the announcements/notification on January 21. Restrictions: None! All my friends around the world are invited to enter! Ready? Set? Well for the love of 2013...Go! Live bold, think big – and find your power! Dr. Kellyann

Is it a total oxymoron to have the word vegetarian and Paleo in the same sentence? Well, some may get persnickety about this, but I definitely do not. Here's why: If you keep in mind exactly what Paleo is, (and is not) you'll gain some perspective: What Paleo is: A framework of foods. Foods that are the healthiest foods in each food group that we should consume. Simple and clean. What Paleo is not: A bunch of rules to follow short term with inflexible boundaries. Paleo is also not meant to make eating more confusing or extreme. So, just because someone doesn't eat a cow, should we throw them to the wayside? No way! They deserve to know their framework, and their healthiest options too. Let's start with an awesome vegetarian holiday table: Paleo Vegetarian Main Course: Provençal Vegetable Soup Paleo Vegetarian Fish Main Course: Pecan Crusted Salmon Paleo Vegetarian Appetizer: Primal Sweet Potato Salad Paleo Vegetarian Side Dish: Mashed Cauliflower Paleo Vegetarian Dessert: All American Paleo Cheesecake (OMG! SO worth it! Kid friendly too...) Keep thinking big and living bold! Dr. Kellyann

Paleo Cocktails - The do's and don'ts so you can Drink and be merry After more than 20 years in practice helping people to feel – and look — their absolute best, I know of a few of their questions that I can set my watch by. Conversations with patients often went like this: Patient: “I get all this real food stuff. It totally makes sense! But … can I still drink (fill in the blank here, it’s usually wine).”   Me: “Uhhh, maybe.”  And then I go on to explain that drinking alcohol on a regular basis isn’t part of a Paleo lifestyle. That said, enjoying a cocktail on occasion is okay, whether you wish to raise a glass in celebration, sip a glass of wine to take the edge off or cool off at a hot, Mexican fiesta with an ice margarita.    Here are the four keys to successfully including alcohol in your Paleo lifestyle: 1. Consume alcohol intentionally and responsibly. Dial into what you are actually doing. In other words, don't pound drinks until you de-evolve. 2. Be in tune with the individuality of your physical makeup. Every person on the planet has a different biological makeup. And each of us handles alcohol differently. Those who have various health issues will want to be super careful about the amount and types of alcohol they can handle and should experiment and explore to see what works or doesn’t for them.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, colitis, ulcerative colitis and celiac disease are conditions where alcohol may irritate the digestive system. A glass of wine here, a champagne toast there is probably not going to cause major issues, say my friends who have digestive disorders. But again, you’ll have to be the detective on this one. Investigate what works and what doesn’t. 3. Be Selective with Paleo-Smart Indulgences. Although no alcoholic beverages are technically Paleo, some are definitely better than others. The following are better choices because they are gluten free and “cleaner” than most other options: Organic red wine (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot)* Organic white wine (Sauvignon Blanc and Albarifno)* Vodka that’s made from potatoes (Chopin, for one) Tequila Rum * These drier varieties are better choices because they have less sugar. Why not the other stuff?  A day after consuming wheat-heavy beer, whiskey, rye and bourbon or sugary cocktails may find you feeling like you swallowed a bowling ball. Not to mention, that nice ol’ headache that often accompanies these indulgences. Tip: Always drink a glass of water between glasses of wine or spirits to keep you from getting dehydrated. 4. Pick and choose ahead of time the events at which you may  indulge. Consider going without as the holiday-party invites escalate. I often advise clients and patients to skip alcohol all together, especially as we get into full swing with the holiday season. You don’t need to consume alcohol at every gathering. Tip: Order club soda with two limes or a couple of olives. No one will know you’re not drinking alcohol — you’ll fit right in! Plus that drink in your hand appeases inquisitive friends.     In summary, what I love about Paleo is that it’s a customized framework that’s extremely individual. Paleo stresses foods and beverages that work best with our body. After you create your framework, you can become as healthy as you’d like. It’s really that simple!   Hope these guidelines help! Salute! P.S. When you’re ready to commit to a complete cell overhaul, which involves going on my 30-Day Reset journey, you’ll find that alcohol is an absolute no for the entire 30 days. You can learn all about the 30-Day Reset in my Living Paleo for Dummies (Wiley) book. And next month, we plan to offer an amazing get-healthy nutritional plan with detailed guidelines for the 30-Day Reset, including meal plans! (Stay tuned.) When you embark on the 30-Day, you stick to some simple rules that will help you make some big gains. Healing your gut, building better cells, cutting sugar cravings, boosting your immunity, becoming a natural fat burner, looking young and fresh and performing better are just some of those promises. The white-knuckle program crushes sugar cravings in just 30 days. But to get there, you must avoid all foods and beverages with sugar, including alcohol .       After you have done the 30-day Reset and your body is strong and free of those conditions you set out to heal, then celebration cocktails are a go. If you have deep conditions that need to heal, this may take longer. Keep thinking big and living bold,  Dr. Kellyann (photos by freedigitalphotos.net)

Food and Drug Admin. Takes Steps to Get Rid of Trans Fat — Hooray! Yes! It’s about time. As I’m sure you’re aware, the Food and Drug Administration took a big step this week toward potentially getting rid of most trans fat from out food supply, saying it has made a preliminary determination that a major source of trans fats  —  partially hydrogenated oils — is no longer "generally recognized as safe." If the preliminary determination is finalized, according to the FDA, then partially hydrogenated oils will become food additives that could not be used in food without approval.   Trans fat can be found in processed foods including desserts, microwave products (like popcorn!) , frozen pizza, margarine and coffee creamer, and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Trans fat, which basically, in a nut shell, is NOT good for you — its assets include increasing the shelf life and flavor of foods. I don’t think trans fats do much for our  body’s shelf life, do you? Don’t get me wrong, we do need fats and by putting healthy fats on your plate, you’re helping nourish every structure and function of the body, including your brain. Healthy fats also help you absorb nutrients more efficiently and keep you feeling full. The Key? You have to pick the right ones, including those from sources such as avocados, olives, butter and ghee. Coconuts fats and certain nuts and nut butters are also excellent sources. I cover the topic in my most recent book, Paleo Cookbook for Dummies (Wiley, 2013). (Photo by freedigitalphotos.net)

Any good athlete knows what my Living Paleo food sponsor (and uber famous Crossfitter) Dan Bailey always says "Nutrition is the Foundation of all performance." The right recovery food will replace your body with the nutrition it needs for growth  - and allow your body to heal and recover so you can be consistent in your efforts.  After a workout,  your body needs protein, and a more dense carbohydrate (starchy vegetable). Instead of grabbing a bagel or a bowl of pasta, be Paleo Smart and give your body what its designed to eat; a Paleo approved starchy carb like a  sweet potato, or some spaghetti squash. Pumpkin, Kohlrabi, Jicama, beets are all also a go.   Side note: Some athletes fuel up on rice or protein shakes for extra energy. This can be Ok for some, as long as your gut is in tip-top shape and you don't have any conditions that are in play (like an autoimmune problem, or intestinal distress). Again, this is why I love Paleo. Because is NOT extreme, but Paleo is your template - you decide how Paleo you want to be based on YOUR needs. However, I always urge people to steer clear of gluten for fuel, because well, in addition to other reasons, it really creates havoc in the gut. Too much to make it really worth it unless its a very once in a while thing... you know, pasta in italy, a special occasion - that kind of thing.  Here's some recipes that will give you SUPER recovery (not to mention Super Immunity)!  SPAGHETTI SQUASH FRITTERS Prep time: 10 min • Cook time: 5 min • Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 1/2 onion, finely minced 1/2 cup almond flour 3 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 spaghetti squash, roasted and shredded (about 4 cups)  1 to 2 tablespoons coconut oil Directions In a large bowl, mix onion, almond flour, eggs, salt, and pepper with a whisk until combined. Squeeze any excess moisture from the squash with a clean dish towel or paper towels, add to the bowl, and mix well. Allow the batter to rest 10-minutes. Place 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil in a nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high heat until the oil is melted and shimmers. Swivel the pan to coat the bottom.  Drop 1/4-cup servings of batter into the pan, making sure they don't touch. Cook until browned on the bottom and starting to set, about 4- to 5-minutes. Flip gently and cook the other side until browned, an additional 3- to 4-minutes. Cook in batches, adding more coconut oil to the pas as necessary. Serve hot.  Tip: These fritters are great topped with browned ground beef or lamb, served with Hearty Chili or enjoyed alongside grilled meats.  Vary It! Substitute shredded zucchini for the spaghetti squash!  SPAGHETTI SQUASH AND MEATBALLS   Prep time: 10 min • Cook time: 40 min • Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 1 large spaghetti squash 3 tablespoons water 3/4 ground beef 1/4 ground pork 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, minced 1 large egg 1 clove plus 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon coconut oil One 28-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes 8 large basil leaves, slivered Salt and ground black pepper, to taste Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the speeds with a large spoon. Place squash cut side down on the baking sheet. Sprinkle the water onto the paper around the squash. Set aside.  In a large bowl, mix the meat, parsley, egg, 1 clove garlic, salt, and black pepper with a fork until combined. Measure a tablespoon of meat and roll into a ball between your palms. Line up the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, about 1/2 inch apart. Place both baking sheets in the oven and set timer for 25- to 30-minutes.  While the meatballs and squash are roasting, place the coconut oil and 2 cloves garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and then add the tomatoes and basil. Stir to combine, increase heat, and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and reduce heat so sauce is just kept warm.  When the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through (about 25- to 30-minutes), add them to the tomato sauce to keep them warm. Leave the spaghetti squash in the oven to bake for an additional 10-minutes.  Remove the squash from the oven and, using a hot pad to hold it, scrape the inside with a fork to shred the squash into spaghetti-like strands. To serve, mound spaghetti squash on individual plates and top with sauce and meatballs.   BEEF AND BROCCOLI WITH ROASTED SWEET POTATOES   Prep time: 10 min • Cook time: 40 min • Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional 1 tablespoon plus, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, divided 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1 pound ground beef 2 cups chopped broccoli Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, and cinnamon (if desired). Mix well so that the potatoes are completely covered in oil and spices.  Place the potatoes in a 9-x-13-inch baking dish and arrange in a single layer. Bake for 30-minutes, turning the mixture once. Remove from the oven and set aside.  Heat 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil in a large skillet until it's liquid and shimmering. Add the garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Cook until the onions are soft.  Add the beef to the onions and garlic, breaking up the beef as it browns. Drain the excess fat; remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.  Add the remaining coconut oil to the skillet and heat until the oil is liquid and shimmering. Add the broccoli to pan and cook until it's bright green.  Add the cooked beef and the sweet potatoes to the broccoli, mix well, and heat through. Serve immediately. Tip: You can roast the sweet potatoes the day before. Tip: This recipes is a great recovery food after a Paleo workout! Make this delicious meal in bulk.   SCOTCH EGGS   Prep time: 15 min • Cook time: 30 min • Yield: 8 servings Ingredients 2 pounds ground pork 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Pinch of ground cinnamon Pinch of ground cloves 1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, minced 1 tablespoon dried chives 2 cloves garlic, minced 8 hard-boiled eggs, peeled 4 ounces fried pork rinds, optional 1 raw egg, optional Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, tarragon, parsley, chives, and garlic. Knead with your hands until well mixed.  Divide the pork mixture into 8 equal servings. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten it into a pancake shape. Wrap the meat around a hard-boiled egg, rolling it between your palms until the egg is evenly covered.  Place the meat-wrapped eggs on the baking sheet.  If desired, place the pork rinds in the bowl of the food processor and process until they resemble bread crumbs; pour them onto a plate or in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat the raw eggs.  Gently roll each wrapped egg in pork rind crumbs to get a thin dusting. Roll in the raw eggs and then roll a second time in the crushed pork rinds to evenly coat. Place on the baking sheet.  Bake for 25-minutes; increase the temperature to 400 degrees and bake an additional 5 to 10-minutes, until the meat balls are golden brown and crisp.  Tip: Moisten your hands with a little water if the raw meat sticks to them while you're wrapping the eggs. Note: If you use pork rinds, make sure they're all natural and contain just pork and salt-- no MSG or other additives. A good brand is Carolina Gold Nuggets.  Recipe Courtesy of Melissa Joulwan (www.theclothesmakethegirl.com)   BACON BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP   Prep time: 15 min • Cook time: 1 hr • Yield: 6 servings Ingredients 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cut into large chunks 3 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 1/2 pound bacon 1 small onion, chopped 1 small apple, peeled and chopped 3 cups chicken stock 1 cup coconut milk 1 teaspoon salt 1 to 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, to taste 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Toss the squash and carrots with the coconut oil. Arrange the mixture in a baking dish and roast uncovered for 35-minutes or until tender.  In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Sauté the onion and apple in the bacon fat until tender, about 5-minutes.  Add the squash, carrots, chicken stock, and coconut milk and bring to a boil, stirring often.  Remove the pot from the heat and use an immersion blender to blend your soup until smooth. (Alternately, you can blend the soup in a food processor or blender in several small batches and return it to the pot.)  Bring the blended soup to a simmer and season with the salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Serve in large bowls garnished with crumbled bacon or freeze and save for later.   Recipe Courtesy of George Bryant (http://civilizedcavemancooking.com)

Why did I decide to offer a Paleo food home delivery company — livingpaleofoods.com — when clearly a big part of my message is about getting our fannies back into the kitchen? Talk about a conundrum! Well guess what? There is a time and a place for Paleo home delivery. Consider my livingpaleofoods.com sponsor, Dan Bailey.  As one of the top 10 fittest athletes in the world competing at the last three CrossFit Games, Dan says, “Nutrition is the foundation of performance.” And, yes, he chooses Paleo home delivery from  livingpaleofoods.com.  Dan travels a lot (he recently spent a month at CrossFit headquarters!), so good nutrition and high-performance fuel are important to him. With that, he needs a “food strategy” that works. And since he basically works out for a living, his fuel has to be there every time he needs it. If not, he’ll end up grabbing liquid nutrition and sub-par foods … not good! But none of you are Dan Bailey, and if you are truly going to start living Paleo, there’s only one way — you must familiarize yourself with the kitchen. What’s so awesome about Paleo — and one of the reasons why it’s gotten so much traction — is that cooking Paleo is totally non-intimidating because it’s ridiculously simple. Consider the procedure for one of my favorite simple, bona fide Paleo dishes: Put some healthy oil in a pan Brown some meat in that oil Add a spice or two, if you want Add veggies Stir it up, cover and let it cook for about 10 minutes Top it off with a delicate spice, if you wish Voila! That is how I make many of my meals. Sometimes, I throw in some cubed sweet potatoes or top it with some spaghetti squash, if I feel like I need more. Beyond looking — and feeling — great, benefits from a Paleo diet are numerous. But obtaining those benefits means following a Paleo lifestyle must be relatively consistent. And that’s where a nice mix between cooking on your own and relying on a convenient source such as livingpaleofoods.com  can help many. Consistent, healthy-food strategies truly are required to get the most out of life. It’s the start-up time that can be difficult. Many need that initial push. When our cells are sick — and literally starving to death — it’s hard to build any momentum. Inertia is a tough dragon to slay. Physics tell us “an object at rest will stay at rest unless it is set in motion by a disruptive force.” You’re the disruptive force when it comes to living Paleo. But getting to that first step isn’t easy.  (Thankfully, after you put a plan into motion, and get past that difficult first step and build momentum, everything becomes easier.)  This is where prepared meals can really help. When you start eating organic, fresh, Paleo-approved proteins, vegetables and healthy fats from livingpaleofoods.com.  You kick toxins out of your cells, add the nutrients in and you actually feel like and have the energy to step back into the kitchen. Who Can Benefit From livingpaleofoods.com?  Folks always on-the-go  If you’re always on-the-go and there’s often nary a kitchen in sight, consider livingpaleofoods.com! Livingpaleofoods sponsor Dan Bailey, for example, is on-the-go for long stretches of time, thus livingpaleofoods for him is a lifesaver. Those who need Plan B’s  Let’s say your cruising along well on the Paleo plan, cooking and preparing a lot of your own meals, when all of the sudden, you’ve got no energy or time to cook. Or maybe you haven’t set up your healthy-food strategy in its entirety yet. What to do? Have a livingpaleofoods product on hand for Plan B, and you’re good to go! It sure beats cracking open a crinkly package of something that’s not good for you and will destroy a lot of the good you’ve done thus far! Mother’s who’ve recently given birth  Moms with new infants need to eat well, but chances are, unless they have friends and family delivering healthy meals, they’re eating a whole lot of take-out! So yes, getting your fanny back in the kitchen is paramount to living Paleo, but if you need a little something to get your plan started, or have no energy or time to cook, or are caught in a bind, or simply want to give yourself a treat …  livingpaleofoods.com may offer you a solution.

Have you recently been casing cookbooks and blogs looking for a good Paleo tailgating or potluck food? Stop the search! Meatball poppers are just the ticket. Take these to any gathering and you’ll score more points than MSU did against U-M in 2010 when the Spartans took down the Wolverines with a score of 34-17! I appear often on television stations and have also hosted many community Paleo nights. For these types of events, it’s imperative that the finished product is easy to transport (I don’t cook it on-site). This meatball appetizer (From my Paleo Cookbook for Dummies) is always on the menu, and everyone loves the taste explosion when they pop one into their mouth. Serve these with Moroccan Dipping Sauce and you’ve got one wining combo. MEATBALL POPPERS Prep time: 20 min • Cook time: 25-30 min • Yield: 12 servings Ingredients 2 pounds ground beef 2 tablespoons pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper 2 teaspoon coconut oil 1/4 cup minced onion 1/4 cup minced celery 1/4 cup minced carrot 1/4 cup minced walnuts Directions Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line an 11-x 17-inch rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the beef, pepper, cayenne, and chili powder. Use your hands to mix well. Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook until they're translucent, about 4-minutes. Add the walnuts and sauté for an additional 2-minutes. Set the onion mixture aside until it's cooked enough to handle. Combine the cooled mixture with the meat and form it into 24 meatballs, roughly 1-inch in size. Place meatballs on the lined baking pan and bake 25- to 30-minutes. Serve warm with Moroccan Dipping Sauce if desired. Tip: These meatballs are the best grab and go snacks! Freeze these and stock up. MOROCCAN DIPPING SAUCE Prep time: 5 min • Yield: 1/2 cup Ingredients 2 lemons, juiced 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon sweet, hot or smoked paprika Pinch of ground cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, minced 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, minced Directions In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. Continue whisking as you stream in the oil, then stir in the cilantro and parsley. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate it if you're not going to eat it within the hour. It keeps for two or three days in the fridge without diminishing its flavor. Recipe compliments of Melissa Joulwan, author of Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Love to Eat and The Clothes Make The Girl (www.theclothesmakethe girl.com)

Before you stick your fork in this whole Paleo thing, consider this: The Paleo diet isn’t about a spear, a campfire and a hunk of meat. Paleo has always been about balance, simplicity and attention to food quality. Reworked Atkins … Not! It stupefies me when people ask me if Paleo is a “reworked Atkins” diet, to which I reply, “You will not find one Paleo blogger or track one Paleo recipe in any of the books out there that give a nod to artificial sweeteners (Splenda is okay on Atkins!), allow low-quality processed oils (such as Canola — a green light on Atkins!), or are okay with grains added in at any point in the progression (Atkins does this in the later stages — even though in small amounts). Yet I can’t negate that the original Atkins diet helped a lot of people. I’ve seen it in my practice — it’s no doubt a reality. But here’s the thing to dial into:  If you want to lose weight, boost immunity, fight aging or heal your health issues, there is one way — and only one way — to get there and stay there. Go Paleo! Get the toxins out of your cells, and get the nutrients in. Period. You will look young, alive and sparkling. Many of the Atkins participants were undoubtedly better than when they started on the Atkins plan —  some considerably. But I didn't see the same radiance with them that I do with those following a Paleo diet. It seems to be such a common stamp with Paleo people — that “primal sparkle,” the one that happens when your cells are bathed in nutrition. Although I give Atkins a fair-and-square nod for all the people the program has helped, I go wonky when I consider those Atkins bars, which are a toxic sludge fest not worthy of a landfill. So let me be clear, I respect the diet for all of the people the original Atkins program has helped, but  then … some things got in the way of a good thing The Paleo Template When you go Paleo, it’s important that you fill your plate with vegetables — that’s what the Paleo template is all about. Ideally, your plate should always feature two different vegetables in different color groups (red pepper, green broccoli, sort of thing). This will allow your cells to keep the nutrients in, while kicking the toxins out. Beyond vegetables, protein and healthy fats will keep Paleo followers well fueled and help the structures and functions of your body to work well. The trick? A balanced plate! Your Paleo Style Begins with Paleo Play From the Paleo template (lean meats, veggies, healthy fats, small amounts of fruits, nuts and seeds) you decide your Paleo style. You’ll need to test how many carbohydrates your body can handle, as this depends on many factors (current energy, stress and activity levels, to name a few). I call this “Paleo play.” See how it all plays out, day and after day, and make changes as needed, if you’re not seeing the results you want.  The bottom line? Keep the meat — but don’t forget the veggies! And if you’re feeling like you need a little more filler with your meal, add Paleo-approved starchy vegetables, such as sweet potatoes or spaghetti squash. The idea with protein consumption is to get as much as your body needs- and no more. This is usually about a gram of protein per pound of lean tissue. Maybe more if you're active.

When you add healthy, good ol', back-to-nature fats into your diet, you actually lose weight!  I know … crazy, right? Every time I am featured on the news, I talk about healthy fats, because fats matter a lot.  Pop Quiz! Which oil is best for sautéing vegetables? A) Safflower B) Coconut  C) Olive  Answer: B, coconut oil  “A” is out because safflower is a cheap, poor-quality, industrial oil that is likely rancid by the time you grab it from the grocery-store shelf.  "C” is out because as much as I love olive oil, it’s really more of a drizzle-oil — heat breaks down olive oil fast and, thus, it goes rancid. Coconut oil wins because it has about every healing property possible in one product. Plus, you can heat the sucker up and it won't go rancid. Bottom line: Rancid fats make you rancid — a concept that’s pretty easy to digest, yes? The wrong types of fats or fats not used properly cause inflammation throughout the body, and inflammation is the pre-curser to just about every modern-day disease, including heart disease. Here’s more about fats: Paleo-approved fats include: Coconut fats Olives Avocadoes Animal fats Nuts, seeds, nut and seed oils, and nut and seed butters Cooking at high heat can damage some oils, causing oxidation that makes otherwise-healthy oils likely to cause inflammation. Avoid cooking with extra-virgin olive oil and nut oils; instead, use these types of oils to toss on salads or drizzle over cooked food. For high-heat cooking — on the stovetop or grill or in the oven — always use saturated fats from animals or coconut-sourced fats. High-heat oils: Coconut and palm, ghee (clarified butter) and animal fats Low-heat oils: Macadamia nut and avocado No-heat oils (cold-use only): Olive and walnut The following oils are so bad, they should be dead to you: Canola (rapeseed) Cottonseed Grapeseed Margarine Partially hydrogenated vegetable Rice bran Safflower Soybean Sunflower Vegetable and shortening

Ok, so I was on the set of The National show Daytime…and Jerry Penacoli the TV Anchor was ALL about this bread. Before you knew it, the entire staff was eating the stuff… you'll love it and never miss the gluten crap. Who wants to feel like they swallowed a bowling ball after a little slice of bread anyway? I highly recommend adding a little grass-fed butter or ghee to really blow your mind!    Paleo Almond Banana Bread: ¾ cup coconut oil 1 cup of honey 2 ripe, chopped, bananas 4 eggs ½ cup coconut milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1½ cups almond flour ½ cup organic coconut flour ¼ tsp salt 2 tsp baking powder Instructions: Mix together coconut oil, honey, eggs, vanilla, coconut milk, and blend well. In a separate bowl mix the almond flour, coconut flour, salt, and baking powder.  Mix the wet with the dry together, and add chopped bananas.  Spread into a greased cake pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes to an hour (cover it with tin foil 15 minutes into the baking process so that the top doesn't burn). Stick a toothpick into the cake and bake until it pulls out clean. Recipe compliments of my buddy Chef Cristian Feher of http://www.tampabaychef.com

I just had to say yes. When the folks over at Wiley asked me to spearhead yet another title in their popular media franchise — for Dummies — I couldn't say no. I wanted to say no. After all, the fabulous Melissa Joulwan (you know her … author of the wildly popular Paleo cookbook, Well Fed, and equally popular lifestyle blog, the clothesmakethegirl.com) and I had just finished writing Living Paleo for Dummies. And if that’s not enough, right off the heels of that project, Wendy Warner MD (the physician whom Dr. Oz calls “the doctor he trusts his family with,” medicineinblance.com) and I just completed Boosting your Immunity for Dummies. Two back-to-back books is exciting, yes, but  matched with grueling hours of writing, not to mention the epic battle with Microsoft Word. At times I’d look in the mirror and say, “Who’s this shabby girl?” Ok, I’ll come clean. The 24/7 writing schedule I was on pretty much stripped away my zing — nearly every drop. Teasingly, I’d tell others, “Writing health books has been the unhealthiest thing I’ve ever done!” And yet I simply couldn't resist bringing Paleo Cookbook for Dummies to you because I knew it would be a powerful resource … off the charts in awesomeness! So, about the book! There are several attributes that make it a stand-out among Paleo cookbooks, including its diverse collection of recipes as well as its wide-ranging list of contributors and their talents. Hey, variety is indeed the spice! Massive Diversity You simple cannot go wrong when you have recipes that are diverse, comprehensive and thoughtful. If you are a vegetarian, I’ve got you covered with dishes like Lemon Cucumber Noodles with Cumin (page 229), Zucchini Pasta with Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce (page 230) and Cocoa Cauliflower (page 221). If you’re a raw food lover, you’re all set with dishes like Kimchi (page 227), Summertime Watermelon Soup, (page 112) and Cabbage Slaw with Tangy Carrot Dressing (page 171). Are you a fish-eating vegetarian? Then you’re sure to love the chapter on Seafood and Fishmonger Meals, like the Salmon a La’ Afrique du Nord (page 193). Meat lovers rejoice over the cornucopia of meat-centric recipes. Recipes like Mango Coconut Chipotle Chicken (page 260) are at your fingertips. Here they are — great flavors, cooked in the healthiest and most “Paleo” kind of way. Is there anything better than that? Top Chefs, Authors and Bloggers I’m so grateful! When I look at the contributors list I have to say, “Girl … you CRUSHED it with this one!” These contributors are fantastic, unique and so different from one another. Each has a gift to share. Check ‘em out: Mark Sisson, marksdailyapple.com  Melissa Joulwan, theclothesmakethegirl.com Michelle Tam, nomnompaleo.com   Arsy Vartanian, rubiesandradishes.com George Byrant, civilizedcavemancooking.com Nick Massie, paleonick.com Jason Crouch, paleopot.com Audrey Olson, primalkitchen.blogspot.com Alissa Cohen, alissacohen.com Whole9 Stamp! There are a ton of whole9-approved recipes in this book (that’s huge in itself!). The folks at whole9life.com (and authors of NYT Bestseller of It Starts with Food) have set a standard in the industry that when they give it their nod, it means no added sugars (real or artificial), grains, legumes or dairy. It also means all packaged products have ingredients free from soy, additives or preservatives of any kind. This makes it easy to lose weight, crush sugar cravings, heal health conditions and look and feel your best. All of this and every tip, trick and trap has been addressed (after seeing and learning from patients for years —  you get it down!). There’s even a chapter dedicated to the kiddos. Can you now see why I couldn't say no to this book? I had a vision from the get-go of bringing to you not only some of my tried-and-true best recipes, but all of my faves from the best chef’s, authors and bloggers out there. And now it’s actually here — woot! Bottom line: You’re gonna love this book and I’m over-the-top excited to bring it into your life! Keep thinking big and living bold! Dr. Kellyann

The Background Everyone who knows me knows I love kids, perhaps more than grown-ups … or even a night out in Paris.  In fact, I’ve heard time and time again, “Kids are your thing — you should be a pediatrician!” That's what brought me to authors Stacy Toth and Matthew McCarry. Founders of PaleoParents.com, their family-based website reflects the two of them and their lifestyles. These Paleo parents have three young children,  run a business, and are always looking for ways to stay on-budget and still not eat crud. They  make it work in a very busy world, offering tips for eating the healthiest foods without grains, legumes, dairy or refined sugar. I gobbled up their first book, Eat like a Dinosaur, a family-friendly children’s cookbook. My own two kids loved the recipes, so I was totally stoked when I received a copy of their second book, Beyond Bacon. The Premise This book shares great information and recipes about pork. Yep, nose-to-tail pork. Right now you’re thinking: “Pork??? An entire book on pork?” Indeed! First, readers learn a ton about why pork is a healthy addition to the menu. They also learn how to navigate around finding the healthiest cuts and how to save money. In addition, readers discover that local famers and butchers are great resources.  And the best part? More than 100 really awesome recipes (all extremely practical) fill its pages!    What I Love It's a hardbound book. I’m a bit of an old-school book snob and totally dig the cover. The entire book was stunning, actually. The design alone makes it an easy, enjoyable read. I have been a practitioner for 21 years, yet I learned a lot about why buying high-quality pork is super important. The book dispels all the myths about pork —  hook, line and sinker. Readers learn about good Omega 3-fats in high-quality pork. As well, they find out that pork is a great source of vitamin D – who knew? This was a biggie for me (most people I test for vitamin D have a severely low level!). It’s comprehensive and easy to understand. I could give this to a Paleo newbie and he or she would totally get it and love it. Or I could recommend this to Paleo aficionados and they, too, would gain tremendous value. In fact, anyone who’s passionate about a healthy diet without grains, legumes, dairy or refined sugar will get a lot out of this book. It's a jam-packed resource, so you truly get your money’s worth. The recipes  are AMAZING. Check it out … Sweet and Sour Pork, Brownie Sundae and Asian Short Ribs … I had to make them as soon as I cracked the book open! They were right up there with some of my favorite all-time recipes from Eat Like a Dinosaur — Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Pucks and Fools Gold Chicken Nuggets, all some of my kids favorites. Beyond Bacon features more than 100 recipes (and each is rated for difficult level)! Alert: The “Sweet Thangs” section is to die for.   Why You Should Add This Book to Your Collection … in Such a Noisy Paleo-Book World Quite simply,  there’s more then meets the eye when it comes to pork.  This is a book that undoubtedly keeps readers engaged, —  flipping through the gorgeous pages is a true pleasure.  And again, the recipes are very well done. The authors keep kids top of mind when creating healthy, tasty recipes. Score! What Didn't Float My Boat I couldn't lock myself in the kitchen for a week and make every single recipe  …  immediately!  So, reader, meet the humble hog. You may just fall in love.

You cleared out your cupboards. You stocked your kitchen with healthy Paleo foods. Now its time to go Paleo-plus, as in stocking up on primal super foods that will undoubtedly help you get you from where you are now to where you want to be. Primal super foods work overtime in the multitasking department — they heal the gut, decrease inflammation and flood your cells with   nutrients that are more often needed over any others. In fact, super foods help you heal at the deepest of possible levels, from the inside out. This helps to boost your immunity and your energy levels. As well, super foods help you perform at your very best.   Push away that toaster, rice maker and deep fryer and get ready for some good old-fashioned super foods that will move your performance needle far.  1. Unrefined coconut oil Unrefined coconut oil is a favorite oil with which to cook. It can be used for high-heat cooking (and the oil won’t get rancid, which is often a big problem with other oils). Even if you start out cooking with healthy oil (such as olive or macadamia oils), the high heat can oxidize the oil (which means the oil becomes damaged or rancid) and you end up with unhealthy oil. When you use unhealthy oils, you create inflammation in the body, which is the backstory behind many modern-day diseases, including heart disease.  Coconut oil also is a good replacement for butter, because it’s solid at room temperature, and provides a creamy, delicious taste. With its anti-bacterial, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a sure bet you’ll boost your immunity for better performance using coconut oil.  2. Sweet potatoes I would wager just about all of my “chips,” if betting on sweet potatoes as the food that leads in athlete recovery. These great vegetables give your body the energy you need to refuel and recover. They’re superior to white potatoes because they contain more beta-carotene (that's why they have that beautiful orange glow) and contain no anti-nutrients, unlike white-potato skin. Anti-nutrients, incidentally, can cause gut disturbances and nutrient-depletion … who wants that? Dice them, sauté them or mash them with a little cinnamon and nutmeg, and you’re all set!  3. Grass-fed meats It’s critical for the success of a Paleo athlete to get the right nutrients in his or her body for a beneficial workout, and to re-fuel well for recovery. This is where grass-fed meats really pay off, as they are more nutritious then conventionally raised meats. Grass-fed beef, bison, lamb and goats have less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and calories than most other meats. Grass-fed beef also has more vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and a number of health-promoting fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and “conjugated linoleic acid” or CLA. CLA may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer. In fact, in a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels. Switching from grain-fed to grass-fed meat products places women in this lowest risk category. Researcher Tilak Dhiman from Utah State University estimates that you may be able to lower your risk of cancer simply by eating one serving of grass-fed meat each day. You would have to eat five times that amount of grain-fed to get the same level of protection.  Tasty Tip: The fat in grass-fed beef is so healthy that you can actually eat it — no need to trim the excess fat! 4. Eggs Protein plays a big part in the Paleo athlete’s life. Whether you need to pre-fuel with protein and fat, or you need to recover with protein and dense carbohydrates, eggs are your go-to source. They’re a quick protein source that you can have at the ready whenever you need them.  Eggs are filled with vitamins and minerals, including choline and biotin. These two minerals are pretty important because the biotin turns what you eat into energy, while choline moves cholesterol through your bloodstream. Tasty Tip: Don't put the brakes on eating eggs because you fear their cholesterol. Almost everyone produces less cholesterol in their bodies based on how much they consume in food. Studies show that dietary cholesterol doesn't have much affect on blood cholesterol.  5. Homemade bone broths Bone broths provide ridiculously awesome deep healing. These broths are flavorful liquids made from boiling animal bones for an extended period of time, often with vegetables or herbs, and then straining out the solids. The resulting broth is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, which make you perform at your best. Bone broth is a powerful healer that reduces inflammation, heals infection, boosts immunity, stimulates bone health, heals the gut and even has a calming effect. For a great bone broth recipe, check out Chapter 18 in the Paleo Cookbook for Dummies. Tasty Tip: Bone broths heal the digestive system, which helps your immune system strengthen and enhances hair, skin and nail health. In addition, joint pain disappears and your body naturally de-toxes. You can even give some of this liquid gold to your pets — they’ll grow the healthiest coat you can imagine.  6. Organ meats You may be asking why anyone would want to chow down on organ meats. But because these meats are so nutritional, it’s totally worth becoming familiar with them. Athletes are always looking for the best sources of protein, and organ meat is definitely one of them. Kidney, liver and heart all have a high concentration of fat-soluble vitamins, and they’re one of the best sources of Vitamin D. That Vitamin D boost should be a huge motivator, since many people have severe Vitamin D depletion. Organ meats also have essential fatty acids, which are great for the brain and that membrane that lines your cell walls. The most important thing to know about shopping for organ meats? Quality matters. It’s essential you get the finest quality available because not only is deep nutrition found in organs, toxins are stored here as well.  To avoid this, purchase organic, free range which will have considerably lower levels of toxins.  Tasty Tip: For more information on healthy organ meats, go to www.grasslandbeef.com/storefront.bok. 7. Fermented foods Since the gut has a lot to do with overall health and performance, fermented vegetables (or perhaps dairy, if tolerated) can be a great part of your food choices. Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria that are great for gut health. Try kimchi or sauerkraut, or ferment some beets or carrots for fermented vegetable choices. If you are one of the few that can tolerate dairy, then fermented dairy is an option as well. Just be sure and choose raw, fermented, full-fat dairy such as cultured butter, yogurt, kefir, and cheese — you’re getting a healthy fat, a fermented food, and conjugated linoleic acid, which possesses tremendous healing effects. 8. Full-fat coconut milk Paleo athletes love full-fat coconut milk. It’s high in saturated fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are both easily burned as fuel by the body. Coconut milk also is a wonderful substitute for heavy cream or yogurt. Buying full-fat is important because the lighter versions are simply the full-fat version, watered down.  Tasty Tip: Always check the labels. Avoid brands with sulfites or added sugar. 9. Berries There’s no arguing … berries taste great and are perfect for adding to a post-workout meal. Low in fructose (you definitely want to keep fructose on the low side to avoid blood-sugar spikes), berries rank high in antioxidants and nutrition. If you can’t get them fresh, frozen berries are a great substitute. In fact, one should always have a spare bag of frozen, unsweetened berries in the freezer. Tasty Tip: For a super luscious way to eat berries, drizzle full-fat coconut milk over them. You’ll feel like your indulging in a sweet. The good news: Berries aren’t overkill, so they don’t create sugar cravings. 10. Meat jerky Athletes often want to refuel with a snack immediately following their work-outs. Paleo snacking is different than the boxed and packaged snacks of modern day. With a little imagination and willingness to try new things, you will find great post work-out options, such as meat jerky. The trick is to find a healthy source that doesn't include added sugars or processed ingredients. Making your own jerky is a good idea if you want to avoid lots of added salt or processing — there are many recipes online. Besides being tasty, jerky is convenient, high in protein and easy to take just about anywhere. Tasty Tip: When purchasing jerky, read labels carefully. Avoid nitrates, MSG, soy, gluten or added sugar. Jerky should be free-range with no antibiotics or added hormones. One of our favorite brands is Steve’s Paleo Goods.

How do you turn one 3.5-minute segment into two 5-minute segments? You come armed with results! When I arrived at the station, no doubt everyone there was eager to hear more about this "Paleo" thing. Truth be told, it was not really me that delivered — it was Frankie (shown at left). Frankie, who works in the control room at NBC affliate KMIR in Palm Springs, dropped 140 pounds in the past year by living Paleo. Frankie's on-air appearance included a lot of gushing about not only losing weight but sleeping better than ever, having better skin, waking up energized and just "feeling like something really changed." The thing is, I KNOW what changed ... like so many that start the Paleo diet to lose some LBs, they find other incredible changes happening. Things start to shift and they not only become fat-burning machines, they actually feel better than they every have. After almost 20 years of helping patients look and feel their best, I am more confident than ever in the Paleo template. When your cells are healthy, you glow, pure and simple, and that's all there is to it. If you don't believe me, ask Frankie!  

Yep ... I'm still up to the same old tricks ... and having a lot of adventures along the way. I arrived in the desert this morning — Palm Springs, CA, to appear on NBC affiliate KMIR. The temperature registered at about 109 degrees, which barely seemed to phase the locals. The mountains on the way in — with the windmills blowing — was like something out of a movie, something you don't see (EVER) on the East Coast. The folks at the station were an absolute delight and one of the crew just lost 140 pounds in the past 12 months following the Paleo lifestyle! So what was supposed to be a 3-minute segment turned into not one, but two 5-minute segments! I left a trail of coconut aminos and Paleo bread crumbs, and lots of people thinking ... I've got to try this Paleo thing! It was a great day.

All Work and No Play Makes This Author a Dull — but Smarter! — Girl   ... You may think I’ve been pretty quiet lately, and that I flat-out disappeared. That’s not quite the case … I’m on a mission for you and your health. These past several weeks have been full-speed-ahead on a variety of projects. I love what I do and have taken on super-human workloads to the tune of about 15 hours per day for … well, a long time. I’m not complaining — not one bit. I’ve lived with my high-energy self for a good while. I’m intense and focused, which are traits not embraced by everyone. Speaking of focus, my vision is super-clear and if anything crosses my path that is not congruent with my vision, it’s an immediate "no.” I love living that way and I suggest you give that philosophy a try. It makes work and lifestyle choices a lot easier! I’ve channeled my recent research and findings into several outlets this past year. In a nutshell (a Paleo-approved nut, of course), I’ve been busy with:   - Living Paleo for Dummies (2012, Wiley). I co-authored this book with celebrity Paleo chef Melissa Joulwan. It’s been selling like crazy and is becoming one of those classic "must-have" reference books. I’m really proud of the book and blown away by the unbelievable sales, which tells me people care about health in a big, big way. Amazon gave it a great review by such Paleo pros as Melissa Hartwig of Whole9, the Paleo Parents, Nom-Nom Paleo; Paleo fitness guru Pat Flynn of The Chronicles of Strength; and the absolutely lovely and popular Paleo chef Arsy of Rubies and Radishes.   - Boosting Your Immunity for Dummies (2013, Wiley). I worked with Dr. Wendy Warner, M.D. on this enlightening book. She’s a brilliant holistic doc who was coined by Dr. Oz as the doctor with whom he trusts his family! A great all-around health and wellness book, it shares solutions for combating everything from the common cold to autoimmune diseases and even cancer — all naturally. Boosting also dives deeply into food and Paleo nutrition.  Also outstanding: the recipes, courtesy of celeb Paleo chef Melissa Joulwan of theclothesmakethegirl.com and Primal guru Mark Sisson of marksdailyapple.com. We garnered a 4 ½-star rating from Amazon, and are receiving great feedback from some of the best doctors in the United States!     - Paleo Cookbook for Dummies (August 2013, Wiley). Remember The Joy of Cooking? Well this 360-page wonder is truly “The Joy of Paleo.” No kidding. Go ahead and think of one possible cooking/recipe/Paleo-transitioning question and you’ll find the answer in this book, the quintessential solutions guide for Paleo-passionate cooks. As the author, I invited nine Paleo greats to contribute to this treasure, and 75 percent of the recipes are whole30(™)-approved. You can pre-order on Amazon, as it’s not slated to be out until mid- to late-summer.     - Paleo Fitness for Dummies (December 2013, Wiley). Working with fitness guru Pat Flynn of thechroniclesofstrength.com, we’ve created a book of veritable blue-ocean stuff. There is NOTHING like it in the marketplace. I was the luckiest girl in the world to have met the smart, talented (and very funny) Flynn at a Mastermind gathering in Philadelphia, where we became instant friends and made this book happen. If you want the absolute cutting-edge ON FIRE fitness info., this book is for you. Our goal was to help readers burn fat and get them insanely lean and strong … in just minutes a day. - Just Signed a “Sa-weeet!” Contract on Another Book. I promise that it will be awesome, and that's all I’m saying about that for now! Check back in a few days and you’ll get the update on my latest home-delivery ventures.

What exactly is GRIT? I know it sounds like the stuff that ends up between your bathroom tiles - all icky and stuff. Nope, not the grit I'm talking about. When you think of Grit, think of someone like Jack Canfield who was told by 144 publishers to "hit the road Jack" before finally landing a publisher that said "yes" to his manuscript called Chicken Soup for the Soul. What did his grit investment get him? Well, he and his co-author Mark Victor Hansen became best selling authors selling over 115 million books worldwide. How about Sylvester Stallone? He was completely broke, living in his car, but somehow found it within himself to not only sell his screenplay for the movie Rocky, but got even "grittier" (something you should know about me... I love to make up words) and scored the leading role in the film as a complete unknown. The Grit factor even pays off in character roles. If you caught the Hunger Games, you were probably perched at your seat completely compelled by the main character Katniss Everdeen, who's grit is the basis behind the entire gripping storyline. Where does grit come from? Were these people given a special gift? Nope. Were they taught grit? Nope. Do they know something other people don't know? Well, maybe. Grit comes from your WHY. Your why is what drives you to plow forward. It's your purpose. It's a goal or a mission that you want to fulfill so deeply - your physiology won't let you stop plowing ahead, even when turbulence hits because as sure as I'm standing, it will. Grit is the byproduct of your mission. When something is so meaningful, so important, you sink your teeth in like nobody's business. It's when you want something so badly that it doesn't matter what life throws at you. The wheels can come off the wagon, and you just keep going. Why am I mentioning this stuff? Well, because your health, your effervescent, and your energy levels are directly proportional to how much you are living your purpose. This is a HUGE factor when assessing your health outcomes. It's like this: Your WHY + Your GRIT= Your Overall Success in Life No doubt, there are days I feel like saying screw my purpose, screw git. I'm going back to bed - with a damn bag of Twizzlers, and what's it to you anyway? But before long, that internal drive takes over. That purpose that flows through my veins and I get back up - battle wounds and all. So it may seem like an oversimplification to just ask the question: What's my WHY? But when you take the time to discover this, there's no going back. Life may not get easier, but I can promise you will feel a greater sense of "inner brilliance." Thanks for stopping by! Live bold, think big – and find your power!

Cheers! Welcome to my first blog post on drkellyann.com. This website is dedicated to helping you launch your crazy awesome life! I’m so glad you’re here! Here’s what’s on my mind: Putting yourself out there is, well…. no joke. It’s risky, a lotta work, and downright scary as all. So an intelligent person may ask, why do you even bother? I learned something very early in practice - I’m in the solutions business. People came to me wanting solutions and strategies to create a better life. Finding those solutions became my complete focus. I began to dig deeper than I knew I could, and ended up spending ½ my life doing so. I was on a scavenger hunt looking for answers, and travelled literally around the world to find them. It was my passion, my obsession and definitely my personal journey. These are the questions that clunked around in my brain: How do we get well, stay well and look damn good doing it? How do we fight aging and live longer, stronger and disease free? After years of studying the habits of different cultures, learning from the créme de le créme docs, and spending time working with many patients, I found answers. Ridiculously simple solutions to many of the outrageous (and totally preventable) problems that cause so much suffering today. If you have a message that may inspire someone to create a better life, you gotta go for it. To me, it’s a moral obligation - and that’s why I bother. I have an obligation to help you develop the habits to get well, stay well and look amazing - because I know, it’s your birthright. With a couple of strategies, you can finally clear out all of the confusion and make your life simple… and with simplicity, you get results. So, I may be shakin’ in my shoes starting this new adventure, but it’s not about me being comfortable. The message I have is bigger than that. It’s about helping you to move towards a better life. Every week I’ll give you your daily dose news, tips or inspiration to help you decide, commit, and Get. It. Done! I know that you get a lot of junk in your in-box every day. I don’t like it when marketers email me everyday. I promise I will never do that. I respect your time and your privacy. Thank you for reading – and please – email me anytime to let me know how I can help you. Live bold, think big - and find your power! Dr Kellyann