I’m back from Hawaii… barely. After two weeks of snorkeling in 80 degree weather then coming back to 25 degree weather with snow on the ground has been difficult at best. But I’m not complaining! No no no. I feel so lucky to have spent two wonderful weeks eating fresh ahi and papaya and running wild in those tropical farmer’s markets. Hubby was hard put to keep up with my enthusiasm as I bought loads of avocados, papaya, passion fruit, goat cheese and salad greens.

While I was over there, I took advantage of some extra time and brain power to read Robb Wolf’s new book, “The Paleo Solution.” This is a must read folks. Robb is a living and flourishing model of how the paleo diet can heal. His enthusiasm and knowledge pops off the pages and runs around your room. He has a degree in biochemistry so he really knows his stuff but makes it digestible for everybody, no matter your geek level.

Robb came to the Paleo diet the hard way, crawling on his knees and wheezing. His family genetics were not good to start with; hospital visits with the health plagued parents were a regular family outing. He was determined to not fall prey to his parent’s fate by doing the “healthy thing” and going vegetarian. His health went from borderline to bad, fast. In an ironic twist of fate, his mother saved his life with her own.

She was quietly diagnosed with celiac’s disease one of the times that she was in the hospital in dire straits. The diagnoses seemed to be almost swept under the table in all the bru ha ha but Robb latched on to it. He began to research celiac’s disease and was blown away with what he found. Whole grains aren’t good for you?? Tofu out? What??

He decided to try the diet out of desperation, since he was on the brink of going down at the tender age of 26. Off to the store he went and bought a rack of ribs, cooked them up, and ate them with a large salad. Hummmm, felt better. After two weeks of eating Paleo he was a new man! The doctors didn’t believe him, but he knew what had changed.

He has devoted his life to walking and talking the Paleo way. He is determined to help as many people as possible, since he was unable to help his parents. And let me tell you, he is contagious! I want to run shouting through the street……. “I have the answer!”

I took advantage of hubby being on tropical time too and read him much of the book. Guess what?? He has agreed to do one month Paleo, no cheats, starting March 1^st. I’m so excited! With him on board it is going to be so much easier to succeed at this. (We almost got my mom on the paleo wagon too, but she’s dragging her feet.)

Since we have been home we have eaten mostly primal but tomorrow we freeze the chocolate covered mac nuts and the white chocolate buttons and start anew. I am going to get back on counting my carbs.

Robb Wolf doesn’t have many recipes in his book. Most of them are very simple for the on the go athlete or beginner cook. One of the recipes I did latch onto and make this morning was his sweet potato hash. (Highly modified of course. Can’t help myself!) It is an amazing breakfast/ brunch.

Sweet Potato Hash

Based from the book “The Paleo Solution” Serves 2- 4, depending on how hungry you are.

8 strips of bacon, preferably nitrate free

1 onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 large bell pepper, chopped

1 pound of sweet potato, cut into ½ inch cubes

1 bunch of kale chopped

1 teaspoon of dried thyme, rosemary or oregano (or all!)

Salt and pepper to taste

Cut the bacon into bite sized pieces and fry till perfectly done. Remove those juicy meat candy from the skillet and place on paper towel to dry. In the yummy bacon grease, fry over medium heat the onion and garlic for a minute till fragrant. Then toss in the bell pepper and the sweet potato and continue to fry, covered stirring here and there, till the potatoes are done, about 10-15 minutes. Add the kale at the last few minutes and cook till just done. Sprinkle with herbs and salt and pepper and serve hot and yummy! One of my favorite things to do is  baste an egg or two and lay on top of a hash mountain. Basting eggs is really easy. Just fry them as usual, then add 2 -4 tablespoons water to the skillet right at the end and put a lid on. Wait for a minute or two and tadaa!

Perfect. Enjoy.