You've found the love of your life and have committed to spend the rest of your lives together. With all the excitement that comes with planning a special celebration to mark the day that launches you into the next stage of your life, your focus on healthy eating takes on added importance.
Ideally, as newlyweds you agree on the benefits that come from eating a diet consisting of meats, fruits and veggies and are able to design a home environment with Paleo as the central theme. Because we come from different upbringings, cultural experiences, life situations, and dietary histories, many of us find that one of the biggest challenges when first starting out together begins in the kitchen.
As we all know, physical nourishment is a basic human need that begins before we are even born and continues until the day we exit the planet. When you were a baby and young child, your parents made every decision for your food choices. As a young adult, out on your own for the first time, you began to explore your options and develop an understanding that the optimal human diet is the one we were designed to eat. Your partner has gone through similar experiences and has come to their own conclusions, which may differ significantly or slightly from your own.
Hopefully, you are finding that you agree on the concepts of healthy living by eating a Paleo Diet and can continue your commitment to following a Paleo lifestyle by following these basic guidelines:
Equip Your Kitchen
As you move in to your new home, put the majority of your efforts into designing and equipping your kitchen with the essential tools to make healthy cooking a pleasure. Check out The Paleo Diet Cookbook for a helpful list of essential items to include in your kitchen cabinets and pantry.
Stock Up on Paleo Staples
Spices, oils, and healthy condiments should be available at all times to make preparing meals simple and easy. Having to run to the store to buy an ingredient needed to make a Paleo snack or recipe can sabotage your diet. If your partner has a stockpile of non-Paleo foods available, you may be tempted to indulge for convenience sake. Stack the odds in your favor by keeping the Paleo staples on hand at all times.
To Love and To Cherish
You and your partner will face many important decisions as you begin your life together. From how you manage meal time, to who cooks, who washes the dishes, and what to eat. The list is endless. But, whatever your food choice perspective, there is no sincerer love than the love of food, as the old adage goes. Show your love by preparing and cooking delicious Paleo meals and snacks. Before you know it, both of you will be on the road to a long and healthy life together. Congratulations and may your life be filled with many blessings!
All the Best,
Lorrie Cordain, M.Ed., Co-Author of The Paleo Diet Cookbook
