Why you shouldn't wear white after labor day.

Labor Day was originally started in 1882 as a way to celebrate American workers contributions and achievements in improving socioeconomics. Most Americans typically celebrate with a small family vacation or camping trip, but more and more are staying home to take advantage of local festivities. In Peoria, we are celebrating our 50th year of the Labor Day Picnic and Parade down by the riverfront. So what are some things you can incorporate into your family's Labor Day festivities??? How about a Neighborhood field day to get the kids out in sun complete with fun contests, goofy crafts, and nifty snacks?

The contest, crafts, and snacks are the reason you shouldn't wear white because let's face it... Kid's are MESSY! Wearing white is just setting you up for stain removal if you're going to do some heavy celebrating this weekend and there are kids involved.

So let me introduce some fun contests and crafts (indoors and outdoors since Hurricane Isaac isn't being too forgiving) from Family Fun's August 2012 Issue.

Water Balloon Fight
Fill up a kiddy pool or bucket with a few inches of water to cushion water balloons and keep them from sticking together. Then fill those water balloons up and dump them in. Team up and hold a water balloon fight for a splashing time.

Recolorize your flip flops
Rather than throwing out those popped or left over water balloons from the water balloon fight, recycle them into a cool craft for the kids. Tie them to flip flops for colorful and a new take on fashion.

Paint some rocks
Let's face it kid's love to paint and be creative. So why not put some paint on an upside down frisbee and let them design some rocks for the garden path or walkway? Then just rinse the fisbees off and voila another instant game!!

Design your own sprinkler
Transform a 2 Liter bottle with a 3/4 inch female to 3/4 inch female adapter and a rubber hose washer into a homemade sprinkler. Just poke some holes in the 2 Liter and widen them with a bamboo skewer and then hook it up to the hose. Then turn on the fun!

Squirt Gun Floaters
Have kids hold a small cup with a ping pong ball inside. Arm each child with a squirt gun and a bucket full of water and hold a contest to see who can spray enough water into float the ball out of someone's cup.

Wet and Wild Jump Rope
Have a contest where each child gets a cup of water and a turn at jumping rope and see who can keep the most water in the cup after 5 jumps.

Frozen Fruit and Yogurt Bites
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, spoon small dollups of yogurt into drops, and place a raspberry or piece of fruit on top. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes, and then serve for a cooling treat.

Shake it all up Slushy
Use a blender to combine 5 1/2 cups ice, 2/3 cup cream of coconut, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1/4 cup water. Serve it up with little umbrellas for a taste of the tropics.

Have a blast this Labor Day Weekend and remember to get out of the house to enjoy the weather, hike a trail, host a picnic, or a neighborhood field day!!

4 Reasons Your Kids Should Play In Dirt

There is a saying that "dirty kids are happy kids" but this saying goes far behind happiness because, truth be told, more and more research has been finding that dirty kids are in fact healthier kids! Allergies and auto immune diseases are on the rise in children, and scientific hypotheses and smart mamas have been saying its because kid's are not getting exposed to germs and bacteria as much as they used to. Children nowadays have a sterile environment free of as many germs, microbes, and well pain old dirt as possible for parents. In the rush to protect our children, are we really just putting them at risk for an improperly developed immune system?

Lysol commercials and even Clorox are now touting that we must disinfect our children's environment, their toys on a daily or weekly basis, and even the air they are breathing! This marketing campaign is particularly disturbing because children's immune systems are developing strength by the constant exposure to these germs, microbes, and bacteria. So by limiting the number of germs they are exposed to we are in fact lessening the load on their immune system which will limit its effectiveness in preventing future sickness and disease. In fact, the National Institutes of Health conducted a study from 1988 to 1994 and found that 56% of Americans ages 6-59 had an allergy or sensitivity to at least one allergen. This statistic is up by almost 5 times from a similar survey completed in 1980.

In a study published by Science in March of 2012, mice exposed to little or no germs and mice with a normal  bacteria infested environments were studied in comparison with each other. Based on the results of this study, researchers found that the germ-free mice had inflammation of the lungs and colon due to hyperactivity of the immune system's T Cells. The inflammation they found closely resembled asthma and colitis which are frequently occurrences in many of today's children. In addition, these researchers found that mice who were exposed to germs during the first weeks of life (equivalent to the first year or more in humans) had a longer-lasting immune system protection even if exposed to less germs in adult life. It seems that microbe exposure in early life is essential to strong immune system function later in life.

In addition, pet or farm animal exposure at an early age can also help children avoid allergies according to another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In addition, this study found that children in larger families that were exposed to a larger range of bacteria had fewer allergies than those in the smaller families of most American families today.

So what's the real deal with these studies and statistics? Well to fight off the notion that all germs are bad, we need to look at how our immune system works and more importantly that not all germs are bad. In fact, our skin is normally and naturally covered in bacteria that help protect our bodies. This bacteria can not only help to prevent inflammation, but according to Dr. Mary Ruebush, an immunologist and author of Why Dirt is Good, it actually helps cuts and scrapes heal. She also mentions that early exposure to germs and pathogens can actually reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease as adults! Dr. Mary recommends parents let their kids play in the dirt (and suggests parents do the same) not only for the bacterial benefit but also as a stress reducer. Digging in the dirt releases the feel good hormone serotonin in the brain which can induce relaxation and better moods for the whole family.

So what can you do to help your little ones immune system develop strong?

1) Don't sterilize your child's life. Children exposed to germs at a younger age have stronger immune systems and let's face it, your child will put everything in their mouth whether you've cleaned it or not. So don't fret if he or she shares toys with Fido because they are preventing cardiovascular, allergies, asthma, and colitis in later life.

2) Let kids play in the dirt. Join them outside by planting flowers or a vegetable garden together to nurture great bacteria balance and some mood boosting serotonin release for everyone. If your little explorer is searching under the couch, don't stress if he gets a hold of some under shoe goo or left overs the mop didn't quite reach.

3) Encourage healthy gut bacteria. Make sure your kids are taking a probiotic especially if they're suffering from colic or gas or have recently had a vaccination or round of antibiotics. This will prevent harmful bacteria from taking over the body environment and help get the beneficial bacteria back into the foothold of health in their bodies.

4) Play it smart when washing hands. Don't use antibacterial soap all the time as this can wipe out the beneficial bacteria on the skin that can help heal and reduce inflammation in case of skin injury. Antibacterial hand cleanser can do the same, but dry out skin quickly due to the added alcohol. I recommend to only use regular soap and water and not to use soap at every hand wash. Just rinsing the hands in warm water while rubbing them together can remove most residual residue and help decrease the amount of bacteria on the hands. Of course if Johnny down the street has strep throat and is coughing all over your house, it would be a smart idea to use soap and stick to washing up prevention as much as possible.

5) Encourage children from the neighborhood to come on over and play. While you may not have 5 kids living under your roof, the more is truly the merrier. The more exposure your sweetie gets from Suzy down the block and her 4 siblings, the better off her immune system will be. Host a sleep over or playdate and team up with other neighborhood moms to spread the responsibility. After all who doesn't love an afternoon to themselves catch up on that novel you've set aside for the past 15 months or to throw another load in the laundry?

Thimerosal Containing Vaccines Increase Risk for Developmental Disorders

Long has been the debate on autism being linked with vaccination, however many parents, researchers, scientists, and doctors are questioning the safety of vaccination in the high dosages recommended by the CDC due to research publications on the additives and preservatives in these vaccinations that have been linked with brain abnormalities, motor neuron death, and neuron toxic effects. Even our government is claiming that research shows that vaccines are still effective, however after looking into their published studies we see evidence of adverse reactions in high numbers that are, and I quote, "favoring rejection" of a vaccination but yet ignored in the conclusions of the literature review.

Dr. Christopher Shaw, a neuroscientist that is an authority when it comes to designing models for Alzheimers, Parkinson, and ALS-parkinsonism dementia complex research, published a study in 2009 on the effects of the injectable aluminum ingredient found in vaccinations given to children. He found specifically that this injectable aluminum had not only negative behavioral effects and motor deficits, but upon dissection found that it also caused motor neuron death that could predispose our children to Alzheimers and Parkinson later in life. After publishing his study in the medical community, there was a resounding silence and no refutable evidence or conflicting studies were presented to the public in the two years following his publication. Since this additive in vaccines is given to our children you'd think that research showing the efficacy and safety of this chemical additive would be presented, but the truth is the research just isn't out there!

In numerous analyses of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) by Drs. Mark & David Geier, they have found a causal link between thimerosal containing vaccines and increased rates of autism, mental retardation, speech and personality disorders, and even abnormal thought processes. In 2001 they published the first ever epidemiological study that associated thimerosal from early childhood vaccination with neurodevelopmental disorders, and they received a serious backlash from their findings. In fact, their research has been criticised by the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, his research has been retracted by Autoimmunity Reviews, and his findings are now being discredited by the Special Masters of the US Court of Federal Claims. Here is a list of their published studies with the National Library of Medicine, notice most if not all have to do with vaccination additives and associations with negative outcomes.

In August of 2011, the CDC's literature review conclusions stated that the evidence was inadequate to favor or reject a causal relationship. However if you look at the actual adverse events reported in their study and their conclusions based on those events it does not add up! Even when there is a moderate to high epidemiological assessment of an adverse event they rule it as inadequate, support of vaccination, and only in two cases did they conclude that the adverse events reported favor rejection of the vaccine. Want to read that yourself?

So what can you do to decrease your child's risk?

1) Research the literature and publications available on the side effects of vaccination and the risk factors for your children.

2) Determine if you or your child has any risk factors for developing a reaction after vaccination.
3) Talk to friends and family members about their positive and negative experiences.
4) Make an informed decision on whether to vaccinate, use a alternative or delayed vaccination schedule, or not vaccinate at all.
5) If you decide not to vaccinate, make sure you fill out an exemption form that complies with your state law's requirements and submit it to your child's daycare or school.
6) Talk to your doctor or pediatrician about your choice. If you find they are not supportive of your decision or question your decision repeatedly, some parents may prefer to find a doctor that is more open minded or supportive of their choice to be an informed parent.

High Magnesium can Lower Blood Sugar

Obesity and diabetes rates are soaring in the United States and many Americans are finding it harder and harder to keep their blood sugar stable. Metformin and other diabetic medications are being given to individuals who are showing pre-diabetic and insulin resistance in an effort to slow the progression to Type 2 Diabetes. This is a huge concern because these medications can have debilitating side effects such as headaches, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and even vomiting which can severely impact the daily lives of these patients.

We need to find some natural options for these individuals that can help to restore normal blood sugar and decrease insulin response. I've already discussed in previous blogs how diet can play a huge role in not only how your body uses the food you eat, but also how most white flour products (breads, pasta, and processed or boxed foods) and processed sugars can also alter the way your metabolic hormones respond to the food you intake. My recommendations up to this point have been to increase water intake to half your body weight in ounces daily, get 8-10 servings of fruit and vegetables everyday, and to cut out or significantly reduce the amount of bread products and processed sugars you consume. For many of my patients I have also recommended Sugar Balance to help restore insulin response associated with syndrome X, obesity, and type 1 and 2 diabetes.

According to a recently published study from the Medical College of Qingdao University in China, high dosages of magnesium have been shown to significantly lower increased blood sugar, fasting blood glucose, and also increase the expression of insulin receptors on the pancreas and in skeletal muscle in Type 2 diabetic rat models. This study compared magnesium dosages of low (200mg) to medium (1000mg) to high (2000) daily. This is a huge step towards understanding the relationship of essential nutrients in regulating body processes and also introducing an additional mineral that should be evaluated in individuals with insulin resistance and diabetes.

So whats the big deal about magnesium? Well it's used by every organ in your body including the heart, muscles, and kidneys and it also helps to build bone and teeth strength. Approximately 90% of Americans are magnesium deficient and since most of us aren't eating our nuts and dark green leafy vegetables we are really lacking! So how can you make sure that you're getting enough magnesium? I usually find that many of my patients that are suffering from muscle cramping, spasms, and overall tightness are severely deficient in magnesium. I recommend you should start by talking to your doctor about taking a high quality and highly absorb able form of magnesium such as Triple-Mag to increase your magnesium intake. Since individuals vary in how much of a deficiency of magnesium they need, I usually recommend a nutritional consultation with our office by appointment or phone consultation on risk factors, dietary intake, and how to perform a magnesium calibration to make sure you're getting enough.

As a helpful guide to determine if you're magnesium deficient, I've listed common symptoms of magnesium deficiency below:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Sleep disorders
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Low blood pressure
• confusion
• muscle spasm or weakness
• hyperventilation
• insomnia
• poor nail growth
• seizures

If you're concerned that many of these symptoms apply to you or that you're not getting enough magnesium, I highly recommend calling our office to schedule a phone consultation to determine risk factors, your dietary intake, and how much magnesium you truly need. Call 309-689-6200 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Andrea Schnowske today.

5 Ways the Brain is affected by Sugar

Obesity rates are on the rise in the United States and many folks find their weight getting out of control without realizing how obesity really affects their bodies, brains, and their health. The main causes of obesity are due to hormone changes in the body and resistance to the effects of sugar which are due to over indulgence and declining muscle mass due to inactivity.

According to The Indian Sugar Mills Association, sugar is classified as a food "used to improve the palatability of many foods" and is the "cheapest instant source of energy" (ISMA, 2005). However recent research has shown that sugar has similar effects in the brain to select abusive drugs and has a dependency associated with it as well. Sugar is also responsible for changing many psychological and physical functions in the body almost immediately including increasing insulin beyond normal levels, increasing estrogen levels, causing an increase in weight gain, and also effecting aldosterone levels responsible for maintaining blood pressure.

So how does sugar intake and obesity effect our brain?

1) Sugar causes addiction. When we eat sugar the serotonin receptors in our brain that are responsible for "feeling good" are flooded with sugar very similarly to the way heroin acts in our brains as well. This can lead to addiction over a short period of time and can also cause an association between sugar and pleasure. As a result we may associate periods of sadness with a need to eat sugary foods. Think eating ice cream when we are depressed or eating a whole box of chocolates in one sitting. Overtime our brains will eventually dull to this sensation and we will need more sugar to get the same "good" feelings.

2) Obesity causes immune system dysfunction. In a recent study by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, obesity has been shown to cause system wide inflammation in the body which leads to decrease immune responses and it there has also been a causative link associated between the increased inflammation and brain damage to the orbitofrontal cortex responsible for controlling impulsive behavior. After this area of the brain is damaged, children tend to act more impulsively and partake in uninhibited eating patterns that cause further obesity.

3) Obesity increases risk for dementia. Studies have shown that visceral fat which is the fat between our organs in the abdomen specifically causes an alteration of normal hormones in addition to the aforementioned systemic inflammation. This combination can lead to brain damage that can lead to a decreased total brain volume which is associated with a higher risk of dementia as well as poor function on cognitive tests.

4) Dieting fads cause binge eating under stress. According to a study in the Journal of NeuroScience in January they found that  mice who lost 10-15% of their body weight tended to eat more then they normally would in stressful situations and their gene expression for regulating stress responses were changes as well. This combination of gene changes and our previous addiction and association of sugar to "feeling good" can cause people under stress to food binge which can lead to further obesity and hormonal changes.

5) Obesity causes memory loss. A study published in the Journal of American Geriatric Society looked at associations between memory function tests and BMI and found that for each BMI point increase there was a 1 point lower association on the memory function tests. Hypotheses as to why are associated with brain damage due to systemic inflammation and the effects of hormones released by fat.

So what can you do to reduce your risk and adopt some Healthy Habits?

Eat a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Try to cut back on processed foods such as white flour, white sugar, and boxed foods which can lead to body inflammation, sugar addiction, and obesity.  Stay active and engage in regular exercise to reverse changes associated with sugar addiction, insulin dysfunction, and obesity.

What are the benefits of chocolate?

Now now I know many of you are thinking why in the world is she talking about chocolate and benefits in the same sentence, but the truth of the matter is that sometimes you just need a little nibble after a meal to truly feel satisfied. I just happen to be one of those people and I am here today to share with you some of the benefits (and cons) of chocolate and some Paleo friendly chocolate choices.

So let us start at the beginning of the chocolate making process so we can understand where our food comes from. To begin with cocoa beans are fermented and processed to form cocoa solids and butter. The cocoa solids are mostly used to create dark chocolate while the cocoa butter alone is mostly used to create white chocolate. Now where does milk chocolate come in do you think? Well to sum it up milk chocolate is made primarily of a mix of milk solids, sugar, and a small amount of cocoa solids for the chocolate taste. All chocolate has a varying amount of cocoa butter and sugars added to add a bit more tongue friendly taste since cocoa solids are bitter all by their lonesome.

So before I get to the benefits I do want to go over some cons and warnings about chocolate consumption so that you're aware and informed before you dive in to defend chocolate as a main food staple of Paleo. (It's not and shouldn't be a large part of anyone's diet matter of fact.) So one main con of chocolate is in fact the sugar additives contained to make it sweeter. Sugars can lead to insulin dysregulation, hormone imbalance, and weight gain no matter how you look at it and how much you consume. So that little nibble of chocolate should have as little added sugar as possible if you're going to indulge your sweet tooth. Another con of chocolate is the high amounts of phytic acid and oxalates which can bind to essential minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium that are essential for strong bones and many body functions. High oxalate contents can also lead to the formation of kidney stones, so you must be careful when consuming foods that are high in oxalates (spinach, beets, and parsley also fall in this category). The last con I am going to share with you today is that many chocolate factories can contaminate their chocolate with soy lecithin as an emulsifying agent or even some gluten grains. So if you're going to indulge in chocolate and you have a gluten allergy please be careful and go for a higher quality chocolate with better processing quality.

Now on to the benefits! Dark chocolate is a good source (not great) of iron and magnesium. Dark chocolate is also rich in antioxidants which can help prevent free radical damage in your body. Dark chocolate is usually very low in sugar so it can be the healthiest choice for your sweet tooth and help to satisfy a dessert craving. As another plus, cocoa butter is a healthy fat provided its high in saturated fats and low in polyunsaturated fats. It can also be used to help make healthier dessert preparations for a mild chocolate taste. So if your sweet tooth needs a treat a square of dark chocolate that's low in sugar is a great choice to bypass dessert.

So what are some good brands of dark chocolate that are paleo friendly? According to the Paleo chocolate sampling expert opinions of Jonathan and Julie:
1) TCHO Pure Notes Dark "Chocolatey" 70% (TCHO also offers a flavor wheel of chocolate flavors including nutty, citrus, earthy, and chocolatey.)
2) Green & Black's Organic Dark 85 ( they also boast an espresso flavor)
3) Theo Spicy Chile 70%
4) Endangered Species All Natural Extreme Dark Chocolate 88%
5) Dagoba Xocolatl Bar 74%

As an added plus I've seen #4 at the local Schnucks, Hyvee, and Naturally Yours here in Peoria :) As an extra chocolatey bonus for those of you whose sweet tooth is now salivating... I've included a link to a delicious Paleo Friendly Chocolate Coffee Caramel Bar. MMmmmm I can't wait to try this one!

Changing your Shoes Decreases Knee Pain

If you're suffering from knee pain or osteoarthritis then you need to rethink your wardrobe and how it is affecting your foot health. If you haven't been paying attention to how your choice in shoe can affect how much torsion and pressure is put on your knees, then you are doing your body a severe injustice.

When you wear shoes with a "positive" heel you are doing the equivalent of wearing a heel. (Yes, that is correct. Even if you are a man you could be wearing a heel!) Positive heeled shoes have a large wedge underneath the heel and cause our weight to be shifted forward over the pads of the foot and the toes which aren't meant to be the load bearing structures in the feet. This can lead to foot pain, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and some pretty gnarly looking feet! (Yes, I said gnarly and no I don't want to show you pictures of some of the feet I've seen walking into my office.) In addition, the weight shifting on the front of the foot can cause excessive loading over the arch in the foot and lead to fallen arches due to weaken muscles that have spent their lifetime encased in restrictive footwear with no where to stretch and no use for them to move. But the real reason you stopped in today was to learn about how shoes can affect your knees, so I'll get back on track.

When you wear these positive heeled shoes they can also increase the amount of pressure put on the joints in your knees and lead to premature degeneration, pain, muscle imbalances, and even osteoarthritis. All of which are not fun by the way. So you need to lay off the positive heeled shoes and switch to either negative heeled shoes or flats. I personally love and highly recommend Earth Shoes because they have incorporated this negative heel technology of 3.7 degrees of a heel in the front of the shoe to keep your weight back on your heel. I have four different pair in different colors and styles to compliment my wardrobe and go with almost any outfit. I also find them very comfortable because not only do they put my weight over the load bearing ankle (where it should be) but they also have a large toe box (the width of the shoe where your toes go) to minimize pressure and rubbing that can also disfigure your feet. I've also had much experience with the fact that wearing these shoes all day long does NOT cause foot pain or knee pain while the gazillion other shoes I have in my closet do. There's also a few other more sporty brands that I'd recommend including Vibrams, Zemgear, Sockwa, and I've even seen that Nike and New Balance have come out with some as well.

Recent research from the University of Sao Paulo has found that wearing minimalist shoes which are shoes that lack supportive structure, arches, and thick heel padding can also decrease the loads on the knee in patients with osteoarthritis. In addition, their newest research has shown that these minimalist shoes also decreased the load on the knee even when climbing up and down stairs, which is usually the worst issue for osteoarthritis patients. Want more info on the study? 

So what can you do to decrease your knee pain?

1) Switch to a negative heeled shoe or a flat shoe.
2) Let your tootsies out of their shoe cages at least 2 hours or more a day. Make sure that you spend this time walking so you can move those joints and stretch out the muscles associated for happier feet.
3) Strengthen the supportive muscles of the knee joint to make sure that you lessen the load on the joint. If you're not sure what kind of exercises to do or not sure which muscles are weak, please make appointment with your biomechanically inclined doctor to get some advice and guidance. If you need a hint on this one think chiropractor, physical therapist, or orthopedist.
4) Get your feet adjusted by a chiropractor! I've had quite a few patients come into my office with knee pain and are amazed by the fact that an adjustment can correct the mechanics of the foot and leg and even decrease low back pain. If you need a chiropractor, I just happen to know a local one that fills the qualifications for #3 and #4 on this list. 

Paleo Cookie Fail

So I've embarked on 2 days of Paleo so far and my week has been full of laughs. For day one, I had a co-worker bring in very delicious looking cookies that were "yummied" by fellow co-workers in front of me. This was interesting since I had work to do in the break room table. I can definitely say the cookies got a few dirty looks from myself and while tempting, I did resist!

Unfortunately this got my baking itch moving for the day. (For those of you that don't know me, I loveeeee to bake and frequently go on baking sprees that I share with neighbors, friends, family, and coworkers when I go overboard with treats.) This means I was in full baking frenzy mode by the time I got home that night. I searched for the paleo dark chocolate chip recipe in hopes that it would quell my need to bake and satisfy my sweet tooth while I was at it. I came across quite a few different recipes, but unfortunately none of them quite fit the bill for my yet fully stocked Paleo kitchen. (A Paleo kitchen looks similar to a regular kitchen albeit a bit less in the pantry and a much more colorful assortment of fruits and vegetables in the fridge.) I had only coconut flour and it seemed that most of the cookie recipes called for almond flour or an almond flour/coconut flour mix. So embarked on a Paleo baking spree to try out the first recipe while substituting coconut flour for almond flour.

For those of you that haven't tried this, I assure you it does not work nor resemble a cookie after baking. Coconut flour absorbs much more liquid than almond flour and thus I ended up having to triple up on wet ingredients to make it anywhere near moist enough to stick together. After pouring it on a baking sheet (alas no parchment paper or silicone mat) coated in coconut oil and baking.... It resembled a very sad looking pancake with dark specs. It was done all the way through however and being the adventurous gal I am I tried it. It reminded me of a gooey pancake that someone might make as a joke because you can't really bite into it. Not too bad but not too good either.

Back to the mixing bowl.... Recipe #2 called for a little more zest and ingredients such as baking soda and vanilla for flavoring so I decided that I might be able to make due with this one and just doubling up on moist ingredients. Matter of fact, a light bulb in fact went off over my head when I thought that instead of dark chocolate chips I could try adding all natural peanut butter for that extra moisture. After mixing the batter and having it resemble actual cookie batter I thought I might have come across a winner. So I baked them for 6 minutes as the slightly modified and substituted recipe called for. They looked pretty good coming out of the oven if I do say so myself, however the taste was not anywhere near anything I have ever tasted in my life. It had almost no taste (other than that of a somewhat chalky after taste) and you could barely taste the peanut butter. Cookie attempt #2 was also a fail.

I gave up on my baking frenzy and decided it would be best to focus on ideas for breakfast, so I hard boiled some eggs instead. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that haven't changed in years and the ones that are most flexible in meal time. I definitely didn't discover anything out of this Paleo world good, but I think I found that eggs can be incorporated for breakfast, as a side at lunch, or to top a salad at dinner. Just make sure to indicate that they are hard boiled on the shell so you don't try to crack one for breakfast. I found a great trick is to use a crayon (I have plenty of these around the house compliments of Camryn) or a black sharpie to mark an X on the top of the shell.

Well so long for now and hopefully next time I will bring you some more palate friendly recipes that are Paleo and tummy friendly. PS If you find any other dessert recipes that are Paleo to die for, please let me know!! :)