Keep It Simple, Stupid.

No, I'm not calling you stupid. I'm just here to tell you how I've learned to keep it simple.

When I first went Paleo in 2012, I wanted to make things look and taste as "regular" as possible. I was heavy on the specialty baking, which calls for expensive ingredients that come in tiny little packages. Not only would my indulgent recipe only yield 6 almond flour muffins, but I'd eat them all in one day (they were melt-in-your-mouth good), my intestines didn't thank me, and my bank account dwindled.

Since that time, I've learned the importance of simplicity with this diet. Sticking to whole foods in as close to their original form as possible is not only cheaper, but less time-consuming, and, I feel, easier to digest. I only occasionally splurge and make a dessert or complicated meal.

Many people say to really plan ahead. To that I say, "You must not have children. I barely have time to go to the bathroom!" But I DO put together some pretty darn good meals with minimal effort.

My advice for "KISS"ing:

1. Pre-cut your Veggies - This is the single best advice I can give. Spend an hour or two chopping all of your veggies to last the week. That way, when it's time to get dinner on the table, you're already halfway there! And cleanup, again, is way easier. I also find I eat more vegetables when they're already prepared. (See photo above. Note to self: Photography skills are seriously lacking. Must work on that. Check to make sure the floor has since been cleaned.)

2. Have herb/spice blends prepared and ready-to-go in your pantry. I keep my old empty spice jars and put together new herb blends so I can season my meals in a pinch. (Ie/ breakfast sausage blend, steak spice, herbs de provence and italian seasoning) That way, each time you go to make a steak, you can just sprinkle on your blend and you're done, rather than pulling out the same 5 herbs every time which takes forever and makes a big ol' mess. The Paleo Mom has some awesome recipes. (www.thepaleomom.com)

3. Steam it! - Sometimes the best way to enjoy a vegetable is to just steam it. It's not fancy, but it's fast, easy to digest, and the kids (mine, at least) love it. Don't forget to drizzle with some oil and sprinkle with salt. Vitamins are fat-soluble so it's easier to absorb the good stuff when you're consuming them with fat.

4. One pot meals - I'm talking soups and stews. They dirty fewer dishes (bonus!) and typically take less time to prepare and don't require your constant attention.

5. Make double - always double your recipe. Heck, triple it, if you can! Freeze your leftovers in either individual or family-sized portions. That way, on days when you're really run down or in a hurry, you can skip the cooking thing altogether. This has saved me MANY times.

That's pretty much all I've got.

As a side note, I'm so excited my almost 4 year old just tried her first ever fresh blueberry and she loves it! I'm not sure where her aversion originated from, but every year since she was a baby we've tried giving her blueberries and she's screamed. A plate of spinach, she will devour. But goodness - don't offer a blueberry! I did have to bribe her with chocolate (Enjoy Life Brand). But she did it...and now I've realized the consequences of my actions - now I have to share my precious blueberries. *sigh