Cavewomen Don't Get Fat: The Paleo Chic Diet for Rapid Results

by Esther Blum

Bringing the tradition of The Paleo Diet and The Paleo Solution to women, a protein-rich, hormone-balancing, and detoxifying program that helps you get muscle tone, lose fat, and feel gorgeous fast.

MILLIONS OF YEARS OF EVOLUTION CAN’T BE WRONG

So maybe you’re not flaunting the latest in saber-tooth style. Or beating your dinner to death with a club hours before you eat it. You’re a twenty-first-century woman. Life has changed drastically since your ancestors discovered fire. What hasn’t changed is how your body works. You’re still sporting the same metabolic ten­dencies as your lean, toned Paleolithic sisters. Which means that achieving a strong, healthy physique is simpler than you think.

BURN, BABY, BURN

What’s a modern woman with ancient needs to do? Return to her roots with a back-to-basics approach to eating that is tailored specifically to her nutritional, hormonal, and real-world needs. The Paleo Diet isn’t just for hard-core CrossFit­ters and meat-loving men. Today’s cavewoman can enjoy protein-rich, hormone-balancing, de­toxifying, and satisfying foods that will help her lose those annoying extra pounds, build lean muscle mass, and feel like the gorgeous god­dess she is meant to be. When you are able to understand the relationship that carbs have with your body, you’ll finally get the results you’re looking for—for life.

LOOK GOOD IN YOUR GENES

The ultra-feminine Paleo Chic Diet will help you hit your metabolic reset button, lose weight, and maintain your physique with a balanced, clean way of eating that won’t put your body through the same metabolic trauma that makes traditional diets so ineffective. Ready to achieve the svelte, sexy, healthy body you’re designed to have? What are you waiting for? Go wild!

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Cooking, Nutrition

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2013

About the author

(From http://www.livinggorgeous.com/about/)

Hi. I’m Esther Blum. I’m a wife, mother to a wonderful boy (age 6), friend, avid reader, networker, photographer, humorist, hunter-gatherer, clinical and holistic dietitian with 20+ years of experience, and author of Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous, Secrets of Gorgeous, The Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous Project, and Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat.

But first and foremost, I am the reality Barbie. And like you, I have struggled with figuring out what to eat and what works best for my body. As a teenager, I had a nasty junk food habit of diet Coke and Snickers bars which left me feeling tired and irritable in the afternoons. I also developed a wicked case of acne and went through years of antibiotics and ultimately Accutane to try and clear it up. And then, there were the college years of becoming a red meat vegetarian, when I became horribly anemic. My favorite decade was the fat-free 80’s (remember those?), followed by the high-carb running years and then the eat-a-bowl-of-cereal-at-4am-after-nursing-your-newborn-all night times. You get my drift.

I am no different than you, but what set my life back on track was literally returning to my roots through Paleo eating. After struggling with post-partum insomnia in my thirties, I decided to apply the principles I used on my clients to help get my energy and my body back on track. Since then, I have helped restore balance in my life, broken free from cravings, gained back appetite control, and have maintained my weight without killing myself at the gym.

The solution to my problems became the Paleo Chic protocol, and it has worked gloriously well on my clients.
esther-book-signing-pic-250

Now, I enjoy:
Plenty of healthy foods
Consistent energy throughout the day, even if I have not slept well the night before
Mental clarity
Balanced moods
Feeling great inside my body
Spending quality family time with my boys and a life filled with gratitude
My mission is to improve the health of those around me and across the globe, and to create changes at a public health level. Using my own life experiences, as well as those of my clients, friends, and family, I have created an online program to help re-shape how we think about food when it comes to our bodies.

I’m a nutritionist, but I don’t treat symptoms; instead I like to clear out food allergies, metabolic clutter, and a defeatist mindset. My mission here at Living Gorgeous is to help people like you become the best version of yourself that you can be. It’s about doing a little detective work to find out what roadblocks are standing in your way and keeping you from achieving your health and fitness goals. It means being happy with your body, amping up your sex drive, empowered by your choices, and feeling good about your life.

So join me in this journey and see what your life can become. An authentic, balanced, deeply satisfying life awaits you.

Live Gorgeously,
Esther

Reviews

[Lauri Rottmayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cavewomen Don't Get Fat is a terrific book! I've read just about every book out there on the paleo diet since we adopted this style of eating in 2010.

I enjoyed the female focus of this book. Blum writes in a style that is comfortable and you feel like her friend. As an aside, I signed up for her newsletter and it comes addressed to, Dear Gorgeous. I love that!

In the book is a lot of solid information about how the paleo diet can get, and keep, you healthy. Blum addresses various female health concerns and offers a plan to right them.

I like how the detailed instructions are given and, yet, the encouragement that even taking a small step in the right direction is better than no step is also there.

I'd highly recommend this book to any women who has considered the paleo diet. And we ALL should be considering it at the minimum. Terrific book! I can't wait to get my hard copy of it so I can write and make notes in it. :-)

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a paleo diet book/plan that is geared towards women. The author explains the research behind paleo and why it is thought to be healthy to eliminate sugars, and grains and many carbs and to eat a diet based on organic grass fed meats, organic grass fed dairy, and organic produce. She says that her diet eliminates processed foods, but she really does not. She includes things in her diet like powdered green drinks - how is that not processed?, and turkey bacon, sliced turkey lunchmeat, shirataki noodles, whey protein powder, and supplements - all of which are processed. She advocates eating lots of healthy fats and explains which ones she considers to be healthy and why she thinks others are not healthy. She has a 14 day detox plan, followed by a paleo reset plan and then her paleo chic plan. I found it a bit confusing that before listing her 14 days worth of detox, she suggests that you drink a green shake/ juice drink three times a day during detox, but those green juice drinks are not included in her daily lists. There is also a list of simple recipes - and they are quite simple and should be easy to follow even for a non-cook, although to me, some of them are too simple and would really need added seasoning to be palatable. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read about the Paleo Diet before, and felt confident and well-versed in the increasingly popular dietary regime. However, I learned so much from Esther Blum, I was astounded. She unveils the science and medical logic behind the regime without overwhelming or confusing. The book is conversational but extremely informative and fun. The recipes included are spectacular, as is the advise and guidance presented by Ms. Blum. For any woman looking to change her routine and thus change her life, I would highly recommend this book. Even if you don't want to follow the paleo diet this does such a remarkable job explaining the dietary needs of the female body that any woman, no matter where she falls on the diet spectrum can learn and adopt something from the text.

[Ashley Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book free from the publisher with a request that I read and review it for Goodreads.

I thought I was getting a book that would make the "paleo" diet more do-able in the modern world. The premise of the author's ideas are good in thought. However, she explains throughout the book all the changes she wants the "everyday" women to make to their lifestyles-not just diet, but make-up, cleaning products, etc. The drastic changes are not do-able in this day and age. Not to mention the cost that is associated with throwing everything you have away and buying all new products.

The author does make a caveat in the conclusion that even if you do small parts of the paleo lifestyle you are making changes in your life but this differs from her assertions throughout the book that you are collecting toxins all throughout your body just by living your life in the post-industrial revolution world and the only way to "survive" is to adopt her lifestyle.

I might be tempted to adopt the basic tenets of her beliefs but you can be assured I won't be changing every bit of my life as she suggests.

[Denise Tarasuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Full of important healthy living information and Paleo diet helpful hints. Esther Blum tells all…Detox and get the sugar out! This is a terrific book for anyone who eats! Perfect with information at your finger tips. I shall be recommending Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat to my patients. This is a gold mine full of important life style information that can extend your life with a smile!

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway. I am just starting to get into the paleo diet and found this book to be very informative. I love that it comes from a female prospective that is easy to understand. The food guides and receipes look wonderful and I can't wait to get started with the diet after having read this book.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a witty, intelligent, science-based perspective on the Paleolithic Diet. The author supports her opinions with nutritional science, but in a style that makes you feel like you're talking to her over coffee. There is a clear start-up plan and an extensive recipe list to help readers adopt this eating style for maximum benefits.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been working on being paleo, and was very successful for about 2 months but as always vacations set you back. I wanted to read this book for a bit more background on how to eat paleo, not necessarily they why, but the book does go into that. I like that there are a lot of recipe suggestions as I find that is many peoples, include my down fall it the question of what to eat. I do not like however that there is a section promoting taking supplement, which is something I disagree with but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Even if you are just thinking about going paleo, its a good read to give you some ideas on how to make it work.

[Kelly Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super informative read about paleo. I like how she breaks it down into a simple understanding of how we break down sugar, or not…. What our liver goes through when we consume food and how the nutrients work for your cells. I heard a podcast with this author and immediately bought her book. It was a fast read however I never look at the recipes. I feel like the information is the same as other “guides” but the delivery was interesting. You will not feel like you are reading a school science book. The info is the same because it is basic protein , vegetables, some fruit.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good info. A bit disappointed in the number of supplements recommended. It doesn’t seem practical to try and take all of them and there wasn’t much explanation of how to prioritize. There was little repeat in the 14 days of recipes. As a single person that wasn’t practical. Yes, I could repeat on my own but options or suggestions would have helped. Intro says most recipes are for a single serving, they are not. Her see you later ovulator book is much better (if it fits your life stage).

[Kelli J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book if you are completely new to the Paleo diet. I think it is a good resource and introduction and looks into how it affects women specifically and their hormone levels which I appreciate! Will definitely be using the recipes as well.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked a lot of this book. Makes sense. It’s hard, though, to pretty much give up alcohol, sugar, and bread/pasta/refined carbs! The author doesn’t guilt you, though, or make you feel bad if you slip up. It’s more encouragement and tough love and a positive attitude!

[BizCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent recipes.

[Ieva Andersone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and non categoric introduction to paleo diet adjusted for contemporary lifestyle. Relaxed and practical advice, and lots of recipes.

[Iêda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tem umas coisas úteis, mas não explica nada direito. E, quando falou que fruta engorda, eu desisti, porque tudo tem limite.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great. Mixed messages. Lots of get out clauses / 'cheats' suggested by the author for getting around her own 'diet'. But contains some useful information, ideas and easy recipes.

[Fos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paperback

Lots of great low carb information, as it pertains to women specifically

[Shannon Rochester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically I read this book because I haven't looked too much into Paleo...I know my body doesn't seem to work like so many others so I pretty much try everything out there...now that I am older, I think it is much more serious and I need to try harder to be healthy and to feel good. Honestly, I am not sure how long I could do it but I DO have many food sensitivities and this pretty much cuts most of them out. If this doesn't work, I am basically going to have to mix and match from ALL the diets and try to fix myself. Lord knows the medical people don't seem too concerned...here, take this pill I get a kick back for...here, let's try this surgery...I don't want to take any pills and I don't want surgery so it just might be time to put my big girl panties on and get uncomfortable for awhile to see if this works.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the love of my life, my BFF and partner of 29 years!
Great book.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I don't follow the paleo diet, I have been interested in it and its benefits for several years now. I saw this book in the library and thought it might be interesting, as it addresses women's concerns and their metabolic system, rather than giving just another broad overview of the paleo diet. While it is true that the book is concerned exclusively with the female metabolism and the benefits of the paleo diet for women's hormonal upheavals, I found the tone of the book rather patronising and infantilising. Just because you're writing science for women doesn't mean that you have to strip it down of all complex terms and not-so-straight-forward explanations. No, not at all. Women are as able to comprehend science as men and we can do as well with all the hard facts that are normally included in this kind of book. So, all that being said, I found the author's childish tone rather off-putting, so I didn't enjoy this book.

It was useful, though. Even though most of the stuff is basic stuff you can find in most websites dedicated to paleo nutrition and lifestyle out there, there were a couple of things which not many people acknowledge. Unfortunately, the author just mention them briefly, not giving them enough importance - she's probably expecting you to log in on her site or make an appointment for her business if you happen to spot some of the problems she mentions. Anyway, kudos to her for recognising that restricting your diet by cutting off whole groups of foods might lead to further intolerances (p. 148). This is something I had believed for a while, even though I don't have any scientific evidence but my common sense. If you don't suffer from gluten, lactose or whichever intolerance there's no need to cut off those foods from your diet. Yes, paleolithic hunters and gatherers may not have drunk milk or eaten bread but that doesn't mean that you can't. In fact, if you can, you should - it is an evolutive advantage and you should take advantage from it, hang onto it and pass it on to your descendants. Always in moderation, of course, but no need to avoid any food completely just because it is the dietary fad of the moment. The author takes a different stand on this point, one which I'm not sure I agree with (restricting your diet implies eating certain foods more often and this might lead to new intolerances). But all the same, kudos to her.

The recipe collection included in this book is rather unimaginative but I can totally understand that it was not the intention of the author to give you some original recipes to bow your palate - the market is saturated with paleo cookbooks, mind you - but to offer some functional options that will get you through the long working day of a 21st century woman with our much hassle in the kitchen. Point taken, lean protein everyday and when the hunger strikes and your craving something sweet, take a glass of boiling water with a tablespoon of raw cocoa and some cinnamon (or whichever spices rock your boat).

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2013/12...

The increasingly popular Paleo diet gets a female-focused guide in Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat . Author Esther Blum has a casual, friendly style of writing that makes Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat a pleasant read (I always like it when health books are both informative and enjoyable). If you’re wary of jumping into the proverbial Paleolithic water, this book is a good introduction. Ms. Blum’s “Paleo Chic” way of life is laid out in such a way that it looks doable, even for the busy modern woman. If you’re already familiar with the high protein and vegetable-rich Paleo diet, a good portion of this book will be repetitive (though the Paleo Chic diet does derivate from the traditional Paleo diet once or twice). That being said, if you’re a woman starting the Paleo diet then Ms. Blum’s chapters geared toward female hormones are well worth reading.

Almost all diet and nutrition books require outside research before beginning, and Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat is no exception. However, Ms. Blum’s research did point me in the right direction when it came to said research. Overall I recommend Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat . Ms. Blum’s writing style is appealing, the Paleo Chic diet is well thought out, and the book is an excellent motivational tool and guide to getting back in touch with our nutritional roots.

[Amanda Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone, guys too!, looking for a doable approach to the Paleo diet AND to feeling great! It took me 1 week to read Esther's book and I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of information. As a dietitian myself, I am familiar with nutrition basics and consider this book very informative for everyone that wants to better understand nutrition. From macronutrients, GMOs, why eating real food is so essential, the why and how of certain supplements, and a bounty of awesome recipes, Esther's writing skill makes this book fun and inviting to all readers, even those who have never attempted the Paleo way of eating.
My personal experience: My body responded to the first week of this eating plan by releasing 4 pounds of body weight. Being that I lift weights, walk, and stay active, I am very comfortable in knowing I did not lose muscle mass and that my body is on the path to using fat stores for energy. I sleep like a rockstar and don't have intense cravings plus I have the energy I need to get my workouts in. I needed a push out of my comfort zone to nix my daily chocolate and GF cracker habit (so yummy but still holding me hostage with bloating and no movement toward my goal) and getting started on the first 2 weeks did just that!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of the Paleo diet -- and I *am* a person who adores juicing and quinoa, two things that most Paleo guidebooks don't really allow -- but I was interested in CAVEWOMEN DON'T GET FAT because I was curious about how author Blum would work a feminine perspective to a diet that, frankly, can tend to get a reputation for being predominantly geared towards meatheads on Crossfit. So, in that respect, I think this was a handy book that emphasized feminine hormones and stresses, allowing a softer viewpoint on this high protein, low carb diet trend.

While I, personally, have no interest in the paleo diet, I do encourage female readers looking for a slightly different spin on the plan to give this one a try. I'm sure it will be informative, especially to those who are mostly unfamiliar with paleo as a whole.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I didn't give it a full 5 stars because I have not actually put the diet into practice...yet. I have been familiar with Paleo for a while now but never felt I had a good action plan for transitioning to it. With this book, I feel like I could do it! It really lays out a good plan of action and the guidelines to get started. This book was so easy and quick to read withs lot of information in the beginning and the plan and recipes towards the end. I am confident that if I actually apply Esther's plan and stick to it (actually doing and sticking to eating plans is hard for me), this will work for me and I look forward to making it a lifestyle for myself. I can't wait!

[Kathryn Curtiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for starting Paleo, especially from female/stress/lifestyle challenges perspective. Simple to read, entertaining with quick wit. Simple recipes that most anyone could handle, although most could use a bit more spice. Author advocates a less-processed way of eating, but does include some powders and minimally processed foods along with dietary supplements, so is not hard-core Paleo... exactly what she sets out to explain from the beginning of the book. Would highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their health where it matters most, where it all starts - in the gut with the foods we eat.

[April Shallow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was very informative and an easy read. This was my first venture into the Paleo world as far as reading goes and I found it very intriguing and worth a double look and possible way to go. Like many diets and types of lifestyle changes each person has to adapt it to fit them and how they see it working for their budget and family or lack there of in some cases. I found it to be worth the read and definitely something I would recommend to anyone interested in learning more about Paleo and the changes it can help or cause in a woman's life.

[Doris Herrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so many friends who are following the cavewoman diet that I wanted to learn more about it. Blum's book is filled with common sense tips on how to remain healthy while eating like our paleo ancestors. One of my favorite things about her writing style is that Blum gave us the science behind the diet without sounding highly technical. I was particularly fond of the recipe section.

If you are interested in learning more about the Paleo eating plan, this book is an interesting way to look at it.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review. I had heard quite a lot about the Paleo-Diet but most of what I read was either too dry or too technical. This is an absolutely FUN way to introduce people not only to the Paleo Diet but a more Paleo Lifestyle! This has really made me think about the way I eat and live! I would recommend this to anyone thinking about the Paleo Diet as a MUST READ!

[Leanna Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a good reads giveaway the same day I downloaded it to my Kindle. I guess I was really supposed to read it. I enjoyed the writing style and it looks like many of the recipes are going to be wonderful. I was already familiar with most of the concepts, but it was nice to have a review. If you are dissatisfied with your current diet or physical health, you will likely find something helpful within the cover of this book.

[Denise Morse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an easy and quick read that goes beyond just the simple "what to eat on Paleo" and is a bit more holistic than that. It extends to getting rid of plastic in the house and living a more Paleo-centric life. While the tips were interesting and useful, for me they may be a bit too much to tackle all at once.

The book lost me a bit during the supplements section. I think if there is a next addition, a easy to read chart or visual would help make sense of it all.