I cannot begin to express my excitement over The Paleo Parents new cookbook, Eat Like a Dinosaur
Eat Like a Dinosaur just might be the ally you need in your quest to transition your family to a wholesome, grain-free diet. The key word in that sentence is “family.” While we can all make our own decisions as grown-ups, it can be exceptionally difficult to convince our independently minded offspring to accept the “correct” dietary choices (this never happens to you, does it?). If there is one major takeaway from this book (aside from the great recipes and tips) it would be Stacy and Matthew’s decision to radically alter their family’s diet all at once. While this “rip-the-band-aid” off approach might seem incredibly difficult to fathom with your cereal-loving posse, the logic of it does begin to make sense the more you consider it. Don’t make it a drawn-out process where your kids slowly watch their favorite foods disappear – it builds up a sense of anxiety and depression over the impending “loss” and only bad things can come of it (at least for teens and adults who have the ability to score their own food). I think I went on 4 “farewell tours” of all my favorite gluten-full restaurants before I went gluten free the first time in 2005. One tour was not enough. “Just one last time” will never come when you make too big of a production, it will only make you want to quit…before you’ve even had the chance to begin.
Of course your kids will balk at their new food (which is real food, as opposed to sugar frosted purple and pink gluten balls), and they will balk at losing their favorites whether you take them away one at a time or all at once. Think about it, would you rather deal with a week of hell while you transition (for which I highly recommend tip #3), or have a dozen little fights as you slowly remove the bad food one item per week?
More Than A Cookbook
The dinosaur inspired family story is adorable, and if your kids are dealing with visible physical symptoms related to their diet (ADHD, eczema, etc.) then this chapter will be quite helpful. I think it is critically important to help our kids understand that what they put in their mouth will directly affect how they feel, and if they want to feel better, they need to put better food in their tummy. Of course, they won’t care about this during the week of hell, but it seems to me that this story will be a great reminder of what your family is striving for.
The pictures are gorgeous which is a real plus. But what I really, really, really like about this cookbook is that every single recipe is simple enough to fit on one page. Easy and simple instructions that your kids (including your husband) can execute. Most of these recipes are very straightforward and simple, which might not sound like a plus for a cookbook, but let’s be honest: when your dealing with family life type of pressures, what we all need are dishes that are very straightforward and simple. Roasted Dijon duck breasts with wild mushroom creamy brown rice is great every once in a while, but not if you have to cook it between laundry and T-ball practice!
The illustrations by Amanda Gates are visually stimulating, bright and cheery but what I like MOST about Eat Like a Dinosaur are the little handprints over the numbered steps that are easy for children to accomplish on their own. Absolutely brilliant!
Fool’s Gold Chicken Nuggets (otherwise known as get your superheroes right!)
My kiddos absolutely flipped over the chicken nuggets, gobbling up the entire plate in mere minutes. They aren’t crunchy like most commercial chicken nuggets, the coating reminding me more of Shake ‘N Bake, which is a good thing because I used to LOVE that stuff in my former gluten-eating life! As for the Batman toothpicks, I was a little worried my boys would rebuff the non-crunchy nuggets so I devised a plan for turning them into “Kryptonite nuggets!”
Apparently, I need to brush up on my superhero knowledge because this is what I was met with:
“Um, mom? That would be SUPERMAN. Duh.”
Obviously, my attempt at circumventing a potential problem was not needed and I only made myself look like an imbecile in the process. Good one, Heidi.
50/50 Bacon Burgers
All I can say about the 50/50 Bacon Burgers (other than the fact I’ve made them 3 times this week) is OMG!!!! I’ve never had a better burger in my life. Like, ever. This recipe alone is worth the price of the cookbook. My meat-averse four year old ate 3 burgers the first night I made them. THREE!
In case you’re wondering what the orange stuff is, it’s Sriracha Mayo, an idea I got from this recipe over at Cook IT Allergy Free, simply add gluten free Sriracha sauce (to taste) to Soy-Free Vegenaise (or real mayo if eggs are allowed in your diet) and voila! A delicious dairy free alternative to cheeseburgers!
Features of the Cookbook
- 288 pages – more than recipes, includes a “how to” chapter for parents and “projects” to get the family spending time together
- illustrated kids story aims to get kids excited and thinking positively about embracing food changes
- over 100 recipes and projects which are grain-, dairy-, legume- and refined sugar-free, but not lacking in flavor or fun!
- all recipes have full color, bright, fun layout with corresponding photo – enticing to kids
- allergy-friendly book has top 8 allergens on each page and easy index in the back
- written & photographed by normal suburban family who turned their health around with switching to a “real foods” diet (lost over 200lbs, kids no longer have asthma, eczema, allergies, behavioral issues, etc.)
- All recipes are Paleo, but it’s not a Paleo specific book – it’s for all kinds of families with a wide range of food habits – including those with allergies, WAPF, GFCF or simply trying to eat better.
Check out the Video!
Stacy and Matt have given me an extra copy of Eat Like a Dinosaur: Recipe & Guidebook for Gluten-free Kids
To enter for a chance to win this giveaway, leave a comment telling me:
Which was more difficult for you to give up: Gluten-Filled Grains or Gluten-Free Grains (or dairy, soy, eggs, etc.)?
And welcome to my blog!
Whether you're here looking for advice on how to go gluten free (with delicious kid-approved recipes of course!), or to read some of the latest medical research on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity...or even to read about one woman's rise from the depths of gluten-free despair to a place of downright enthusiasm, it makes no matter. The point is, you are here now so let's have some fun!
Gluten grains have been really difficult to give up, but I think dairy has been even more difficult! I am able to avoid dairy about 80% of the time right now, but then I give in about 20% of the time….
Harder to give up gluten-free grains at this point. I have a strong wheat=arthritis association, but the final GF goodies….
Hardest for me to give up is rice, bread and milk. I guess it makes it harder that I’m not intolerant to anything, but my 18 month old daughter is.
I think dairy and soy was much harder than gluten to give up.
The hardest for me would be the gluten filled grains!
Socially, giving up gluten-filled food was hard. So much of our lifestyle as Americans revolves around food. But for me personally the gluten-free grains are harder.
OMG the gluten grains! I mean, gluten-free bread just will never be the fresh-baked, artisinal, wheaty goodness of a really good baguette. I also think that once you have practice giving up something so big (I had to give up gluten, dairy, and soy), when I finally gave up grains, it wasn’t nearly as hard as I had imagined it would be. I actually find it easier, sometimes. It’s like it’s just one less thing to think about. Now, if I could just get my little one on board.
Giving up gluten filled grains has gotten easier- I am scared to death of giving up more grains but need to work in that direction.
Giving up gluten was very difficult but I am coming to the conclusion I need to give up dairy completely and that is super difficult for me.
By far gluten filled grains. Seriously hard.
I think giving up gluten free grains was easier than giving up dairy. I miss cheese right now so much! Pizza is not the same 🙁
It hink the hardest is the dairy. I have my whole family GF now, but I can’t seem to get over the dairy. I know we need to, but we love our cheese!
The hardest part for me is the items with hidden gluten. Reading every label of everything I eat, and not trusting what they say. Plus I’m dairy free too, so I’m looking for dairy in places I wouldn’t expect either. Food can no longer be convenient, a plan is always needed.
I think every give-up is hard at the time, but giving up dairy was probably hardest, since cheese made everything better! 🙂
I think giving up Dairy is the hardest…
Giving up grains was hardest for me. I really do not miss dairy and I feel much better without it.
The beginning was very hard! I didn’t think I could eat anything! I think the hardest was the gluten-filled grains although not it is getting harder for me to eat dairy so its tough when I want pizza!
Feeling better is worth everything I have given up. That said, I think the initial gluten give up was the hardest. Now that I know how much nutrition affects everything (duh), it has been much easier to transition to grain and dairy free.
Genius on the mayo, btw.
Wheat was not so bad, the gluten free grains much more so. Really appreciate all the information you provide on this blog!
I think going gluten-free grains was a bit easier than eliminating dairy out of one’s diet. A lot of GF foods still have dairy in them, so you really have to be a label-reader! We have also given up soy, which is very tricky, I think! It is in everything!
For our family gluten-filled grains, my kids love there bread and crackers. Have found some breads that they have agreed to eat but no luck with crackers. For any milk concerns goat’s milk has worked well for us. Sent a request to Papa Murphy’s for them to look into offering gluten free pizza crust, we loved there pizzas and really miss them.
Initial glutens has been so hard with kids…we aren’t a “must drink your milk” family, so that’s easy. But, with kids and their friends and pizza/cupcakes etc…that’s been the hardest part. Im still trying to be organized enough to have the ability to whip out a substitute quickly, but am not so good at it.
It is at times hard to give up grains of any kind. That is the challenge.
Dairy is difficult…ice cream in particular 🙂 Though I have discovered a pretty yummy coconut based frozen dessert that I am loving 🙂
I would love to have to this book! My toddler daughter was diagnosed with gluten sensitivities last week and I need all the ideas and help I can get right now!
While I have not missed eating breads, rice, soy, dairy etc. (I actually feel better all around) it’s been difficult to find simple things to pack for my lunches at work. Making a sandwich was so easy. Now I have to be more creative which is good for me but not always a time saver in the morning. HA! Love this book and can’t wait to cook my way through it!
I found it hardest to cook without eggs. Thankfully, we’ve been able to add those back into our diet.
Giving up gluten free grain is so much harder for me. Gluten filled grains was easy, I am trying to go grain free and do good for a few days then fall off the wagon, get so mad at myself and start again. I would love to win this book I love their blog.
Dairy by far has been the hardest. Once I realized how much better I felt when I didn’t eat gluten, it was easier to pass it up. The cheese – well that part is hard!
So far dairy has been the most difficult one to avoid for my 8 yr old son. Specially keeping him away from cheese and chocolates is the hardest.
gluten-free grains are becoming difficult now that we have discovered gluten-free “oreo” cookies… need to get them out of my house right now!
But I know my biggest obstacle is going to be dairy. I love milk, my boys love milk, the hubby loves milk… but it needs to go.
Giving up gluten has by far been the most difficult thing to give up. It is still a work in progress. 🙁
The gluten free grains are the hardest to give up. It was fairly easy to replace the gluten treats we enjoyed with gluten free. If anything, our gluten free treats were even better than their original gluten counterparts. Going grain free means giving up some treats entirely. We’re still working on it.
Wow, this was interesting readin the comments : I had such a hard time
Giving up dairy, and felt kinda bad about it. Glad to hear that other people
Feel the same way. Gluten was difficult to substitute for me, but dairy
Seemed just impossible.
The hardest part for me has been the dairy, well mostly just the cheese, sour cream and greek yogurt. Everyday my afternoon snack consisted of chobani greek yogurt, it is so rich and creamy. Cheese has always been one of my biggest loves, if I could figure a way to make a pizza without the crust that would be fine by me as long as it had tons of gooey cheese!! I have given up glueten, dairy, corn, yeast and soy at this point, I am still very new to this, and have already had a few slip-ups, but trying hard to do this for my oldest daughter to help manage her ADHD without meds.
My kids had the difficult time with the gluten full grains. They missed the Panera bagel runs, going out for pizza etc…I think part of it was missing out on the experience of those things, not just the actual food. They eat GF versions now but mostly at home. They’re over it, but I still feel bad for them from time to time.
Hardest to give up will be dairy. We have been gf for 3 years and now my youngest is showing symptoms of dairy issues.
Oh and a comment about your burger, I love the mayo idea, I like to use sliced avacados on my burgers to help replace some of the creaminess of a cheese burger.
Dairy and gluten free grains definitely the hardest!
Probably the gluten grains because I miss bread still!
Gluten free grains are the hardest for me to give up. I LOVE rice. Dairy has also been difficult especially butter and cheese.
I can’t really comment about your specific question because we are still contemplating going GF. Approx 2 years ago, I was grain and sugar free following pretty much a low carb diet (at that point, going off grains was terrible and I felt bad for 2 weeks of detox). Fell off the wagon with pregnancy #2 and am now looking to overhaul the entire family’s poor eating habits. Son #1 has potential ADD issues, eczema, and I’m guessing some allergies – so I think GF is going to be our starting point, which is why I’m looking forward to browsing your site more and reading this book!
Oh, the gluten grains, for sure! Especially cinnamon buns. But I’m ever so much happier, now that I’ve done it. It was taking such a toll on my brain chemistry, and I didn’t even realize it.
Even though I ought to be ineligible, since I wrote the book and happen to own some 36 copies right now, I’ll share too.
Really the hardest thing for me was rice, the last gluten-free grain we elimated. Rice is pretty safe for us, other that the fact that it’s densely caloric and full of a lot of starch. I love Asian foods and the idea of Thai curry without rice or Vietnamese pho without rice noodles or sushi without rice was very unappetizing. We tried the pseudo grain quinoa for a while but not only is this not a solution (as it too is a grain) but it doesn’t work nearly as well either. We just had to accept that it had to go entirely.
So that’s why I was very happy to include some Asian dishes in the book, including Beef and Broccoli, Pineapple Curry, Rat on a Stick and Hot Pot. None of them have grains at all and are all delicious!
Hardest part has been getting dairy completely out of the house. Other transitions have been pretty seamless, but the dairy has been tough.
My daughter was diagnosed with Celiac 5 months ago and I thought the transition would be hard to GF foods but we all adapted quickly. We are considering going grain free at this time and I believe this would be a difficult transition especially for my husband. He loves pasta.
For me, I definitely think it was the GFree grains. The transition for me wasn’t easy due to the fact I was still sensitive to so many other non-gluten grains (quinoa, millet, sorghum, potato, white rice,etc…) and products (soy, dairy, eggs, etc..) that are in so many GFree products. So what I thought was “safe” typcially never was. And that was more frustrating than removing the gluten. At least in that sense I knew my enemy. So much pain and money down the drain as I continued the ‘try it and see” approach after the Celiac diagnoses. While I wasn’t familiar with the Paleo diet at the time, I found that simply not eating grains or dairy was the best for my belly. Now there’s lab testing, which you’ve done (and thanks for sharing so much of your story!!!), to help discover these crazy nuances. While only foods which I have purchased the ingredients myself and prepared in my own kitchen enter my mouth, my belly is happy, my brain is more alert and productive, my body doesn’t create so much pain that I live each moment of every day hiding the tears behind my smile. Yay! And, with that said, I am would love to win a copy of this cookbook….and my 5 kids may be just as excited as me 🙂
I have been gluten/dairy free for 5 years. gluten makes me so sick, and I was completely in the bed with two small children, that I never gave a second thought to eliminating gluten. It was only a hope at the time, but I was willing to do anything to feel better and to have a LIFE with my children. I do find it difficult when I am at a social function and everyone is eating good things. I tend to avoid those situations or find out ahead of time what they are having and bring my GF substitute, put it on their plates, and carry on. Due to additional health issues, I have eliminated all grains three months ago. For me, this is the hardest to eliminate because I don’t have an immediate reaction to those foods. It really helped after I got a Paleo cookbook to give me some recipe ideas. It is amazing what you can make grain free these days.
Gluten grains for sure! I still miss bagels and bread, but we know we are doing the right thing and that makes it easier to keep at it.
Giving up gluten was extremely hard… at first however I still struggle with giving up dairy and it has been a year and a half. There are so many great gluten free options now but not-so-much for dairy. I try to eat grain free for the most part now because I just feel better keeping out the grains. I hope to eventually go Paleo completely and I love, love, love Paleo Parents!
Gluten-filled treats are my nemesis. I don’t keep anything like that at home, but when offered to me by friends, I have no willpower.
Tough call, but gluten is probably the toughest… and dairy second, but only for cheese 🙂
Giving up gluten-free grains was definitely harder. Going gluten-free didn’t feel so much like deprivation because (in a comedy of errors) I figured out how to make pretty good gluten-free replacements. But giving up the gluten-free grains meant totally giving up on certain foods that I just could not make grain-free…bread, pasta, cookies, muffins, pancakes. And finding so many grain-free recipes that used nuts, that was a huge downer since my son is allergic to nuts. But still worth making the switch, so worth it!
Can your son eat coconut? There are many coconut flour recipes out there now.
I’m 56 and coming very late to the Paleo and gluten-free diets. In fact, this is my first few days of it!
For my family and myself I think that it’s going to be hardest to give up breads and pasta. It’s been a lifestyle for hubby (60) and myself; sadly we’ve brought up (still have two at home) all seven of our kids with lots of each of those!
Giving up gluten (grains and oats) has been the hardest thing on our family. I spent years ‘perfecting’ my bread making skills and had just started feeling like I ‘knew what I was doing’….and then the hubby and I had a little chat about his newest discovery 🙂 Now I am on a new adventure of learning how to bake with coconut and almond flour, but more importantly trying to find tasty meals that do not try to mimic our previous addictions. But, it is so wonderful to be able to make treats and not feel like we are deprived. The primal/paleo community has been wonderful and a great resource to newbies as ourselves 🙂
thanks!
For us it had to be grains. Especially for my 3 year old daughter. She loved her goldfish and bread and croutons! She has adjusted well and now I know I don’t crave any of those things.
We gave up many, many foods (gluten, then dairy, then legumes, then all grains) for our then 4 year old son. I think that when you see what it does to your child, it’s just much easier to let it all go. I don’t miss the gluten (discovered I can’t handle it either). The knowledge of the reactions we will get from is enough to make it totally unappealing. But I do miss the dairy! I didn’t have a problem with it, and it’s always so tempting.
For me it was gluten filled that was harder. My daughter was diagnosed about 1 month after me. She is also a girl scout and we were diagnosed shortly after cookie sales, so we had lots in the house. Also, people not understanding that you can’t eat certain things. Not being able to just go out with my husband who doesn’t have celiac without having to look them up first. Having a birthday at my daughters school that I didn’t plan for and her getting upset because she was left out.
By far, the gluten free grains are the hardest for me. going Gluten free and dairy free was no problem, but grain free is taking some work. Thanks to blogs like this, I’m having a better time that I thought! Thanks for the recipes!
Gluten-filled grains were the hardest, but totally worth it. Thanks for your blog — really enjoy it!
I think what I found the most difficult was giving up wheat-based food. It’s so pervasive in our Western diet, that it’s in virtually every kind of meal (even if it’s in tiny amounts as a binding or bulking agent).
Making the switch to gluten-free living was much harder than making the switch to paleo eating, probably because going GF was the first step for our family.
I have only been GF for about 3 weeks. I haven’t found it too hard because I feel fantastic. Of course, I haven’t hit any major holidays or social events so I’m sure that will be hard. And getting my kiddos on board has not been easy.
For me I have not had to give up anything. My 2 1/2 year old was just diagnosed and he is having a very difficult time giving up the grains. His Dad is just waiting for his scope so I am hoping that when he goes GF it will make it easier for my son!
Gluten-filled grains were the hardest for my daughter, she was 6 when she was diagnosed with Celiac. But she has adjusted well and is a healthy growing 7 year old! Thank you for all you do & I love your blog!!
It was hard to give up gluten full foods because I did not understand how many opportunities there are for gluten-free foods.
Gluten grains is the hardest to give. We rarely eat gf bread because it will never be the same.
I found the hardest part of going GF was the social aspect. It has been hard going to eat at restaurants or at a friend’s house and feeling like something is wrong with me because I can’t eat most of what is served. I am learning though and I know it will get easier! (Positive thinking – right???)
Going grain free has been the hardest for us, especially for my husband and kids! We’ve been gluten free for 6 years now, but the transition from gluten free to grain free has been tough. One step at a time. 🙂
I found fresh gluten full bread to be hard, but have always felt that dairy would be worse!
Only my youngest is gluten free. I would like the whole family to be. This would be the perfect first step. I am anticipating that gluten-filled grains will be the hardest to give up.
Wheat seems to be the trickiest and most all pervasive one to give up; they seem to sneak it into everything everywhere you look even unassuming treats like licorice has wheat flour in it! I have been baking gluten free for years now and inventing new recipes for kids and friends and in general find your able to have fun with it and make a good enough substitute for most things BUT the smell of freshly baked wheat flour bread from the bakery will always have an inexplicable lure! x
So far dairy has been the hardest!! I have been off Gluten for 9 months, and it was a fairly easy transition. I am now going to try and go grain free – not looking forward to this move at all 🙁
When I was first diagnosed with my multiple food allergies – the hardest thing to give up was CHEESE! Thanks goodness we finally have Daiya cheese! I’m so happy that you blog such wonderful things! After seven years on the GFCF (& nuts, fruits & eggs) diet – I’ve learned tons of infomration since discovering your blog spot!
I can’t wait to check out Eat Like A Dinosaur! Thanks!
We’re still working on moving the whole household away from gluten-filled grains. Its been hard but worth it! Great cookbooks really help!
I went gluten free last August and because how good it made my stomach feel. since I had experienced the pain since childhood I didn’t know any different until now. Living without the discomfort I felt for so many years has made it well not as difficult to go without, although sometimes I do have a craving for a piece of my moms pie. I suppose it Wld be harder for me now to go completely grain free since I do love my gluten free oatmeal, but I don’t eat too much bread or pasta anymore. Would love this book to get some great ideas on transitioning to grain free and getting my kids excited about it.
The most difficult thing was giving up bread, gf or not. I really like sandwiches.
We have only gone Gluten Free this month as our two daugthers were diagnosed with celiac’s – so the hardest part for me is actually paying attention to what is in food and moving to eat more whole foods. At this point it is all overwhelming, which is why I am thankful for blogs like you!
Its been over 2 years since i actually sat down and ate dinner with my family, it would be mean a lot to me to have that back
The hardest thing for me to give up is dairy for sure. I love oragnic eggs and yogurt! At least that doesn’t have glutten! We have been gluten free for about 6 months now. Thank you so much for all the info on your sight and recipies. :o) I would love to get a copy of your knew book too!
I miss grain breads the most!
I would say that dairy was probably the hardest for us to give up. I do have to say that first step into changing the way we eat was hard. There is a definite mourning period, but I feel like we are getting the hang of it, and it really isn’t too bad. I have thoroughly enjoyed your site, and you are a great source of information.
Wish I hadn’t missed the contest lol but oh well. This book sounds great, even watched the video. I have been pondering for a while about going grain free. Have been gluten free for 4-5 yrs and feel better but not 100% I had it in my mind that paleo diet meant meat and veggies but nothing else and I kept thinking “but I am already so limited now =( ” But this book sounds great. On my way over to check out their website right now. Thanks Heidi for sharing this with us.
I just wanted to congratulate Skye M. and thank you for the review. I’ve been wondering how useful the book would be if I had to delete eggs and nightshades as well but you are so danged popular all I’ve gotten the last two months was an error code. Either it was an error or a defense mechanism. I’m not quite sure which yet. 😀
Thanks Laurel and I am so very sorry about my website, it’s been crashing several times a week but hopefully the situation will get resolved soon!
With my 8 year old always wanting to bake/cook something, I am sure he will be excited to read through this book and help with recipes.
Gluten free grains were harder to give up, giving up gluten was easy because I had to due to celiac disease. I so need a book like this to help me make fun stuff for the kids. 🙂