When I first came across the Paleo autoimmune protocol, or AIP, I had two completely different, contradictory reactions. My first reaction as someone who was looking for relief from my Hashimoto’s disease symptoms was totally optimistic and hopeful. I was excited: “Maybe this is the way I need to eat feel better!” My other reaction, even as someone who was already eating Paleo, was actually probably better described as a meltdown: “Well, what on earth can I eat, if I give up even more foods?”
Those two conflicting reactions were what prompted me to write this book. I want to make starting the AIP easy for you. If you’re reading this, then I want you to know that it’s absolutely possible to follow the AIP without feeling deprived, like you’re on a diet or like there’s nothing left in the kitchen to work with when it comes to making tasty meals. Every recipe in this book is 100 percent AIP-friendly, which takes the guesswork out of the elimination phase and makes it as smooth a transition as possible for you.
Now let’s focus on my favorite thing: flavor! When you start off with what appears to be such a long list of AIP no’s and not a lot of “yes, please” foods, it feels like you’re going to be stuck eating boring, bland food. I really want to show you that doesn’t have to be the case! It’s possible to make boldly seasoned dishes with layers of flavor and still adhere to the AIP, I promise. The recipes in this book will show you how, with interesting food pairings and twists on classic dishes. I’ve tried to give you back the foods I never thought would be possible on the AIP. Got a craving for curry? I’ve got you covered. Missing internationally inspired dishes? You can have those. Want to make some comfort food? You still can!
For you moms and dads out there, never fear! You can bring these delicious, nutrient-dense foods straight into your regular meal rotation, without protest from the kids who will be happily eating this way right along with you. Because everybody loves delicious food! Familiar and easy-to-find ingredients form the base of these recipes, making it almost effortless to serve meals that have people asking for seconds.
The key to eating AIP is making the most of your kitchen time, without having to spend hours at the stove.
I make this easy and approachable with simple cooking methods, make-ahead meals and batch cooking tips.
I hope you and your family love these recipes as much as we do!