At Evolve, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: juicing can be an incredibly beneficial complement to the Paleo lifestyle. While you certainly should continue to eat your solid Paleo foods (especially Evolve’s delicious Paleo Balls), a little fresh juice every now and then is a great way to get the nutrients your body needs to run healthy and efficient. Evolve has recently started producing a delicious line of juices, with flavors like Simply Greens, Beet It, The Hangover, and more.

Here’s just a few of the benefits you can see when you try out Evolve’s Paleo juices along with your healthy Paleo lifestyle:

Enhanced Nutrient Intake

Fresh juice is a more efficient method for your body to absorb nutrients from fruits and vegetables, naturally. According to Dr. Oz, “Fruit and vegetable juices retain most of the vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) that would be found in the whole versions of those foods. These nutrients can help protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, and various inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis.”

Boosted Immune System

Due to your increased nutrient intake, your immune system is receiving a beneficial boost from fresh juice.

Increased Soluble Fiber Intake

Due to the way we juice our fruits and vegetables, much of the valuable soluble fiber from the product remains in the juice, giving you incredible benefits. Soluble fiber is extremely important for digestive function and can help prevent infectious or respiratory diseases. We remove the insoluble fiber, which can block the absorption of specific nutrients and enzymes.

Count on Evolve Paleo Chef for your juice needs!

At Evolve Paleo Chef, we are always looking for new ways to keep our clients healthier. We encourage everyone to test out juicing on their own, and if you’re in one of the many areas we serve, be sure to order from our delicious juice selection!

How Evolve Paleo Chef became an allergy-friendly resource in Kansas City.

I have been in the meal-planning and meal-delivery business for a few years now, and something that I have come to notice is that we serve more and more families with allergies and intolerance. Being in the food industry, I have worked at my fair share of restaurants and you hear it in the kitchen all the time: People are allergic to everything from gluten, to peanuts, to mayonnaise, and everything in between. But why? This is not the way it used to be- even in the past 20 years. Why are we all so sensitive? Have we become a society of pansies?

There are a few prevailing theories. First, we have diminished the amount of bacteria in our gut. In other words, we live in such a clean society, from our hygiene to our food, that we haven’t built up any immunity to some things. Check this study out:

“A study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences compared the gut bacteria from 15 children in Florence, Italy, with gut bacteria in 14 children in a rural African village in Burkina Faso. They found that the variety of flora in these two groups was substantially different.
The children in the African village live in a community that produces its own food. The study authors say this is closer to how humans ate 10,000 years ago. Their diet is mostly vegetarian. By contrast, the local diet of European children contains more sugar, animal fat, and calorie-dense foods. The study authors posit that these factors result in less biodiversity in the organisms found inside the gut of European children.
The decrease in richness of gut bacteria in Westerners may have something to do with the rise in food allergies in industrialized countries, said Dr. Paolo Lionetti of the department of pediatrics at Meyer Children Hospital at the University of Florence. Sanitation measures and vaccines in the West may have controlled infectious disease, but they decreased exposure to a variety of bacteria may have opened the door to these other ailments.”

The irony here is that while we have protected ourselves from infectious diseases, we have opened ourselves up to obesity, asthma, autoimmune disease, and allergies. Now I know this is just a small study, but it could provide big answers.

The second prevailing theory is that we are not exposing children to allergens soon enough, in a similar vein as the theory above. Do you wait to give your kid peanuts in an effort to shield them from getting an allergy? That waiting could, in fact, be exactly what causes an allergy to develop.

So what can we do?

We don’t know exactly why we are getting more allergic to foods, but we know that, for some reason, we are. So, what can be done about it? I don’t know. I am not a doctor nor a scientist. I am a chef, and all I can do is cook food for people with allergies and prepare meals in such a way as to not get them sick. That is what we do here at Evolve. Through our weekly meal delivery services in Kansas City, Wichita (new locations in Omaha and NW Arkansas), we bend over backward to make food for those that are avoiding certain allergens. We also ship gluten-, dairy- and soy-free snacks and pantry items all over the United States. We do not have all the answers, for if we did, we would not be in the food business. We would be in the book writing business. All we can do is to come along beside you and be a resource for your journey.

For the most part, we can customize any food option for you. If you have any requests, please do not hesitate to put them in the special request box when you place your order. While we can’t do everything, we can do a lot. Please let us know how we can help you. If you have any questions about what we do, or how we do it, please do not hesitate to call 913-747-5559 or email me at caleb@evolvepaleochef.com.

Feel Better…Live Paleo,

Chef Caleb Summers

New year, new you, right? A new year is one of the best excuses to start new things to ultimately improve yourself for years to come. If you’ve considered going Paleo before, all of us at Evolve Paleo Chef urge you to take advantage of the new year and go Paleo in 2015! If you’re new to this, or if you’re currently Paleo and need some extra motivation, here’s a few of the best reasons to go Paleo:

Weight Loss (Obviously)

Going Paleo is one of the healthiest, most sustainable ways to lose weight, and keep it off. Going Paleo is really a lifestyle change, so the pounds will not fall off the way they can with a crash diet, but unlike a crash diet, they will stay off. On Paleo, you’re never hungry, and the pounds will shed. That’s what we call a win-win.

Better Skin

The Paleo lifestyle can vastly improve your gut health. With a healthy gut and digestive system, your skin can actually heal itself from common conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and more!

Balance, Balance, Balance

Life is all about keeping everything in perfect balance. When it comes to your body, balance is especially important. Adhering to the Paleo lifestyle helps keep your systems in balance, and can help relieve the symptoms of diabetes, depression, Chron’s and celiac disease, allergies, inflammation, and so much more.

Let Evolve help you go Paleo in 2015!

At Evolve Paleo Chef, we try to keep going Paleo as easy as possible on you. With our weekly meals, delivered to several Midwestern areas, and our Paleo Pantry with Paleo snacks and ingredients, we are here to be your resource for all things Paleo.

Keep these incredible benefits in mind and go Paleo in 2015! You’ll be glad you did.

Christmas is this week, which means that the food is coming! If you’re still unsure how you’re going to manage to stick to your Paleo lifestyle this Christmas, Evolve Paleo Chef has some helpful survival tips for you! We posted a useful article about staying Paleo over Thanksgiving, and while all of those rules will help you too, we thought you may need a few more! Remember that Evolve is always here to be your ultimate Paleo resource, and all of our delicious foods and snacks, shipped nationwide, are a wonderful way to help satisfy your cravings at the Christmas table this year.

Learn how to just say “No”

Grandmothers and aunts are notorious food pushers, no matter the family. So, while they will inevitably try to shove carbs, and lots of sugar, down your throat, it’s best to learn beforehand to firmly say, “No” and stick to your guns. If they keep pushing, explain how much Paleo has helped improve multiple facets of your life and how you aren’t willing to waste all your hard work on a few days of indulgence.

Keep your immune system in check

Getting sick, especially this time of year, is not good for anyone. When you keep in mind how much the Paleo lifestyle supports your immune system, and how much many other foods can drag you down, you’ll be inspired to stick to your Paleo lifestyle this Christmas!

Exercise and eat before you go

Before you head out to your Christmas get-togethers, eat a big, nutritious Paleo breakfast! If you’re not hungry when you arrive, you’ll be way less likely to indulge on any non-Paleo foods. It also makes a great excuse for those food pushers if you simply explain that you’re stuffed from the meal you ate before you came. We may be biased, but these are a few of our favorite Paleo breakfasts.

Let Evolve help you out this Christmas, and in the new year!

Sticking to your Paleo lifestyle this Christmas is easy, if you just prepare beforehand! Remember how much hard work you’ve put in and all the progress you’ve achieved and realize that in the long run: eating all that bread and those pies is just not worth it.

It’s almost time for the New Year, which means that we’re all about to make the exact same cliché New Year’s “Resolutions” we do every year, that we inevitably totally give up on by February and will not even remember by May. But, what if this year, you could make a resolution that you’ll actually enjoy, all while working towards achieving all those goals that you could not seem to fulfill every other year? If you answered, “Yes! Tell me more!” then here’s your answer: go Paleo, and let Evolve Paleo Chef help! Here’s just a few of the ways that going Paleo can help you feel better and achieve all your New Year’s Resolutions in 2015.

Resolution 1: Get Active

The Paleo lifestyle is the perfect complement to an intense workout routine, like CrossFit. When you eat Paleo, your endurance naturally increases from all the clean, healthy food you are treating your body to. Your muscles also have the best advantage to get lean and toned, due to the heightened protein intake advocated by the Paleo diet. If you’ve promised to get more active in 2015, going Paleo is your best bet!

Resolution 2: Lose Weight

This is a resolution that nearly everyone makes, yet no one seems to achieve. To lose weight, and keep it off in the long run, the Paleo lifestyle is the way to go. You will never feel hungry or deprived, and there’s so many ways to cook your favorite foods, Paleo style (If you’ve ordered from Evolve, you know exactly what we’re talking about). Thankfully, you won’t be sharply cutting your calorie intake, you’re just going to take in better, fresh foods without dairy, sugar, gluten, or carbohydrates—all the things that weigh you down.

Resolution 3: Get Healthy

Leading a Paleo lifestyle offers SO many health benefits, outside of getting toned and losing weight, that we would be going on all day if we listed them all here. The Paleo diet can help increase your heart health, decrease your cholesterol, boost your immune system, decrease inflammation, allow your body to more effectively absorb nutrients, and so much more. If you’re ready to boost your overall health in 2015, Paleo can help you!

If you’re ready to go Paleo, make it as easy on yourself as possible with Evolve Paleo Chef. We provide affordable, convenient weekly meals to clients all over Kansas City and Wichita, with more to come! We also have a great online pantry for anyone to order our Paleo snacks and foods nationwide. Have a great New Year’s everyone and remember to feel better, live Paleo!

Learn how going Paleo can help alleviate the effects of Celiac disease

At Evolve Paleo Chef, many of our clients come to us and order our food because they are interested in reaching the pinnacle of health. However, the Paleo diet is not only good for building muscle, losing weight, and being generally healthier, it can also serve as the best nutrition plan for those who suffer from gastrointestinal issues like Celiac disease. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, “Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. Two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications.” If left untreated, Celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders, anemia, osteoporosis, intestinal cancers, and more.

Why is Paleo great for Celiac patients?

The Paleo lifestyle is one of the best options for those who suffer from Celiac disease because Paleo is gluten-free, carb-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free. Foods containing gluten, sugar, and dairy, are especially likely to make a Celiac patient extra sick and at risk for the development of other disorders. Once a Celiac patient has their disease under control, adapting to the full Paleo lifestyle is a great option because not only is gluten eliminated, but other foods that may promote the growth of bad bacteria in the gut are also eliminated, like carbohydrates and sugars. When the small intestine’s health improves and is maintained, those suffering from Celiac disease can begin to absorb nutrients properly again.

Let Evolve help you eat Paleo for Celiac disease!

While you should always consult your doctor before beginning a new diet, especially if you are a Celiac patient, going Paleo is an option you should definitely consider. If you live in the areas we deliver our meal plans to, start ordering Evolve meals today!

You can also visit our online shop to check out the incredible Paleo food options we have available for nationwide shipping!

With the beginning of December, cold and flu season is in full swing. While everyone is scrambling to shove as many supplements down their (and their children’s) throats, many do not realize that boosting your immune system to combat cold and flu season is as simple as the food they are putting in their bodies. Evolve Paleo Chef has some Paleo foods and suggestions that you should be focusing on this cold and flu season to make sure that you stay as healthy as you can be!

According to this article from Paleo Leap, “There’s a lot you can do to keep your immune system functioning as well as possible, and most of it has nothing to do with Emergen-C and Air Borne. A Paleo diet reduces the strain that modern toxins place on your immune system, letting it focus on staving off the flu going around the office instead of worrying about gluten in your bloodstream.”

Eat healthy fats

Healthy fats are full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are essential to your health. They help with weight loss, improve heart health, and are key to boosting your immune system. Be sure to get these healthy fats from avocados, eggs, fatty fish, and Evolve’s Trail Mixes and Paleo Balls

Build up gut-friendly bacteria

Foods full of probiotics, or good bacteria, are key to boosting your immune system this cold and flu season. This gut-friendly bacteria helps increase your body’s absorption of calcium, iron, vitamins A, D, E, K, and much more. Foods that are full of gut-friendly bacteria include kimchi, miso, and sauerkraut.

Get vitamin D

Vitamin D is huge for your immune system, maybe even more so than vitamin C. Ways to increase your vitamin D intake include spending time in the sun, taking supplements, eating fatty fish like salmon or tuna, eating certain mushrooms (like Portobellos), eating eggs with the yolks, and eating beef. Try Evolve’s delicious Paleo jerky to help get your daily dose of vitamin D!

Let Evolve help you boost your immune system the Paleo way!

At Evolve Paleo Chef, we want everyone to be able to handle whatever cold and flu season throws them, the natural way. Focus on eating Paleo foods that boost your immune system and you’ll be feeling great all year round!

At Evolve Paleo Chef, we like to think of ourselves as creative geniuses. While we do make some pretty brilliant Paleo dishes (if we do say so ourselves), we also have a collection of our personal favorite Paleo resources that can offer a lot of support, guidance, and recipe ideas for cooking Paleo. The entire team at Evolve strives to make abiding by the Paleo lifestyle something you want do do because you love the food and you love the way it makes you feel, so the more motivation and selection of foods you have, the better. Here’s a few of our favorite Paleo resources and why we love them:

Anything by Robb Wolf

Robb Wolf is basically a Paleo god. He’s written numerous books and is a major Paleo authority. Picking up any of his books, whether it’s his 30 Day Paleo Transformation, Paleo Dining Out Guide, Paleo On A Budget Guide, or The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet, Wolf will guide you to Paleo success. Some of you may have joined Evolve in the 30 Day Challenges which followed Wolf’s plan, so you have seen first-hand how effective his plans can be. Click here to visit his online shop. Click here for a great infographic on “Troubleshooting Paleo.”

Paleo Blogs (Besides our own)

The best way to get useful tips and recipes for the Paleo lifestyle is through other Paleo-ers. The Institute for the Psychology of Eating compiled a list of the Top 50 Paleo Blogs for you to check out as an incredible Paleo resource. Our own blog also frequently offers helpful tips, recipes, and other news about Paleo so be sure to check back often!

Nom Nom Paleo

This book, by Michelle Tam and Henry Fong, is a fun approach to a Paleo cookbook. This book is visually gorgeous and offers up dozens of Paleo recipes along with over 900 step-by-step photographs and cartoons to make cooking Paleo absolutely fool-proof. Click here to check out the website and order the book!

21 Day Sugar Detox

This is an incredible resource to use when you’re getting started with Paleo to help you cut out processed foods, carbs, sugar entirely from your diet in a healthy, natural way. This book provides tips for success and motivation while also educating you on the toxic effects of processed sugar in your body. Click here to visit the website.

Use Evolve as a resource too!

At Evolve Paleo Chef, we don’t just cook Paleo, we also live Paleo daily. We have years of experience and expertise that you can always take advantage of. In addition to our personal knowledge, our online shop that’s full of snacks and Paleo cooking options is also one of the best Paleo resources you can find! Visit our online shop today!

As most of us know, the holidays can be a strain on everyone’s waistline. With all the decadent feasts and desserts, it can be really hard to stick to any diet. At Evolve Paleo Chef, we want to make living Paleo as simple and enjoyable as possible; we want you to love the food you are eating and also love providing your body with the best nutrition available. We’ve got a few survival tips to help you make it through the holidays without losing total control and keep in mind that if you live in the Kansas City area, Evolve Paleo is offering holiday catering to provide you with totally Paleo, gluten, sugar, and dairy free main courses and side dishes.

Make Your Own Food

By bringing your own food, you can ensure that you have good Paleo food to eat and you can also encourage family members to see what the Paleo lifestyle is all about. Or, you can offer to be the host of the get-together this year and you can be entirely in charge of the majority of the menu. Even if you can’t stop your grandma from bringing her famous stuffing, you will know that there will be plenty of Paleo options for you. Try making a Paleo-style version of that delicious stuffing recipe with Evolve’s Paleo Bread!

Don’t Expect Perfection

If you’re going to be successful in staying on the right track this holiday season, you must accept that you may give into temptation, and it will be okay. If you plan out a small cheat beforehand, you will be more likely to eat something that you really love and be satisfied than if you deprive yourself and then pig out on carbs and desserts when you can’t resist any longer.

Intensify Your Workouts

Consider spending more time at the gym, whether you increase the frequency or duration of your workouts so that you can stay ahead of the extra food you’ll be eating over the season. Boost your protein intake to help make your workouts more effective with Evolve’s delicious beef jerkies!

Find a Buddy

Chances are, you have a family member who is also trying to stick to a healthier lifestyle through the holidays. It’s much easier to take on a nagging or nosy family when you have someone else to weather the storm with you. Finding someone who shares your pain and can sympathize with you will help you feel better and will help you avoid temptation.

Let Evolve help you make it through the holidays!

At Evolve Paleo Chef, we know how difficult it can be to stick to your healthy Paleo lifestyle through the holidays. You do not have to go at this alone. Our online shop features some of the best Paleo foods and snacks you’ll find! With Evolve, it’s easy to survive the holidays, Paleo style.