Review: Eat Like a Dinosaur

Eat Like a Dinosaur by Stacy Toth and Matt McCarry (The Paleo Parents) is probably the most helpful book I have in my paleo arsenal.

The book is in three basic parts:  the part for adults, the mini-book for kids, and the cookbook, which features incredible recipes.

The Part for Adults

This part not only introduces the Paleo Parents and their family, it is also full of helpful and extremely practical advice for switching your family over to paleo.  This is something that I had been struggling with, so I absolutely loved this part.  It doesn't dwell on the science behind paleo or attempt to "convert" you in any way.  It assumes that if you bought the book, your mind is already made up.  You just need help getting the family on board.

It also contains some of the most useful, practical information I've seen on purchasing paleo ingredients.  It lists kitchen gadgets that are helpful to have and where to find paleo ingredients like the various nut flours and butters and assorted oils.

The Part for Kids

This was a cute story, as told by Matt and Stacy's son Cole, about what it means to eat paleo from a kid's perspective.  I sat down with Elias and Maddie and we read the story together.  Elias thought it was funny, and Maddie kept roaring.  I don't know how much sunk in, so we may do another reading.  It's a much easier way to explain the reasoning behind what we are trying to do and why we are choosing these foods. I do hope in time that the kids will learn to automatically reach for the healthier foods.

The Cookbook

This is the best part of the book, of course!  We've had a chance to try several recipes out of the book now. Our list includes:

• 50/50 Bacon Burgers (oh yeah.....)
• Pork Roast with Squishy Squashy Apples
• Mini Egg Pizzas
• Kale, Bacon & Black Olive Pie (we used spinach)
• Fool's Gold (Chicken Nuggets)
• Sweet Potato Fries

We haven't really had the opportunity to experiment with the sweet treats and other snacks that are featured in the book, although I do have a bunch of apples that I want to turn into dried apple slices, and we are definitely going to try out their jerky recipes.

These recipes were all fantastic.  The bacon burgers were mind-blowing (and it was satisfying to see that we can grind bacon in our food processor...).  The mini egg pizzas not only make a good meal but can also be refrigerated for on-the-go breakfasts and lunches.  We are planning to try them using different ingredient combinations since packing quick lunches is always a concern of ours.  

One of the things I really like about these recipes is the way that they indicate how the kids can help.  

Maddie dipping the chicken pieces to make Fool's Gold.

Elias peels sweet potatoes for Sweet Potato Fries.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with a family who needs a little help getting everyone I'm board. I'm really looking forward to trying out the paleo dessert items and seeing how the kids like them.   It's also fun to see the kids paging through the book when I ask them to pick out a meal they want to try this week.