I'm Darryl Edwards, a personal trainer and clinical nutritionist based in London, England.  This blog documents my experiences with a primal lifestyle that has made me fitter and healthier in my 40's than ever before.  

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Reading List
  • The Paleo Solution
    The Paleo Solution
    by Robb Wolf

    Paleo for weight loss, performance and disease prevention. Read my full review here.

  • Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    by Robert M. Sapolsky

    The impact of too much stress in our lives - impotence, obesity, heart disease and much more...

  • The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy
    The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy
    by Mark Sisson

    Usually we have to go back to basics to progress, this is a great place to start!

  • Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    by Rick Smith, Bruce Lourie, Sarah Dopp

    "Think about the toxic chemicals you put onto your body, and are exposed to on a daily basis.  Frankly, quite worrying..."

  • Protein Power
    Protein Power
    by Michael R. Eades, Mary Dan Eades, Mary Deans

    First published in the mid 1990s.  Amongst other things, disputes the 'fat intake causes obesity' argument and reasons why the high carb/low-fat diet doesn't work.

  • Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    by Christopher McDougall

    An inspirational read, whether you are a 'runner' or not.  This book also investigates why expensive 'cushioned' running shoes increases the likelihood of injury.

  • In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    by Michael Pollan

    An insight into real, simple and nutritious food.  Insightful.

  • Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    by Michael Pollan

    An excellent, non-scientific common sense quick reference to the often confusing question : "What should I eat?"

  • The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    by L. Cordain

    An alternative to Cordain's first book "The Paleo Diet" if who want to consider the impact of Paleo on athletic performance.  It is geared towards endurance athletes but an interesting read nonetheless.

  • Vegetarian Myth, The
    Vegetarian Myth, The
    by Lierre Keith

    I'm an omnivore.  I believe it is healthy to eat naturally-reared meat, non-farmed fish as well as a wide variety of fresh vegetables.  This book is an interesting read and has a lot to say about why becoming a vegetarian isn't necessarily the best option for humans.  However read this, do your own research and make up your own mind.

  • The Second Brain
    The Second Brain
    by Michael D. Gershon

    A discussion about the complex nervous system working in the gut, which produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin.  In fact much more serotonin is produced in the gut than the brain!

  • The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
    The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
    by James Le Fanu
  • Swindled: From Poison Sweets to Counterfeit Coffee - The Dark History of the Food Cheats
    Swindled: From Poison Sweets to Counterfeit Coffee - The Dark History of the Food Cheats
    by Bee Wilson
  • Cancer: The Evolutionary Legacy
    Cancer: The Evolutionary Legacy
    by M.F. Greaves
  • The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    by Loren Cordain

    This provides extraordinary insight into the reasons behind adopting a paleolithic diet.  Some aspects are controversial and many may feel it is too dogmatic.  I have often gone back to this book and re-read it for clarification as Dr Loren Cordain is often mis-quoted.  There is now a revised edition (2010 edition) to counter some of its earlier criticisms, this is an excellent resource and a must-read for any one serious about paleo nutrition.

Entries in Recipe (2)

Monday
Mar072011

Paleo: Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet Potato Chips (serves 2-4)

Ingredients:
 
3 medium size sweet potatoes (scrubbed)
3 tablespoons of avocado or coconut oil
seasoning: black pepper, thyme, paprika, rosemary

Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7.
  2. Slice each sweet potato into slices.
  3. Mix the oil and seasoning into a small bowl. Dip the sweet potatoes into the mixture.
  4. Transfer the sweet potatoes to a non-stick roasting tin and bake for 20 mins or until sweet potatoes are browned.
  5. Leave to cool before serving.
Friday
Nov122010

Nutrition: A Paleolithic Breakfast

A Paleo Breakfast

Here is the Paleo breakfast I had earlier today.  Not a cereal grain in sight.

I tend to eat eggs most days for breakfast.   Eggs are great for many reasons.  They are a wholesome food.  Eggs are a high quality protein food - containing all the essential amino acids and a great source of macro and micro nutrients.  It is easy to digest and has a high level of bioavailability, which means that most of the nutrients ingested are absorbed and utilised by the body.

Here's an example of my Paleo Omelette:

Ingredients:

  • 4 organic free-range eggs;
  • A few spinach or callaloo leaves finally chopped;
  • 1/4 clove of garlic;
  • chopped onion, sweet peppers (red/green/yellow) and tomato;
  • 3 heaped teaspoons organic virgin coconut oil (used for frying);
  • black pepper, paprika and thyme for seasoning;

Method: 

  1. Crack the eggs into a bowl;
  2. Add garlic, black pepper, thyme and paprika to taste;
  3. Beat well with a fork;
  4. Put a small frying pan on medium heat, add the coconut oil and heat until hot;
  5. Add your eggs and move the pan around to spread out evenly;
  6. When the omelette starts to firm up add the onion, sweet peppers and tomato;
  7. Use a spatula to turn over and cook until golden brown (or longer if preferred). 

I have added steamed beetroot, carrots and red cabbage to increase the antioxidant count, and also walnuts to increase the quantity of healthy fats.