Elana Amsterdam shows us how to cook like a caveman

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Elana's pantry: Paleolithic Diet offers gluten free options

Food blogger Elana Amsterdam shares her quick and simple recipes with tips for a healthy lifestyle

If you think the "Caveman Diet" is just for those with a pre-historic palettes, think again.

The Paleo Diet (short for paleolithic), also known as the Caveman Diet, is a way of eating that mirrors the way our ancestors ate back in the day when hunting and gathering--not harvesting--were the primary sources of food.

Nutritionists say the diet is a good way to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar, while losing weight.

Recipe: Mustard Salmon Filet

But making the leap to eating gluten and grain free, with a focus only on meats, vegetables, fruits and nuts, may make you feel like you're being deprived of your favorite foods.

Elana Amsterdam, the food blogger behind Elana’s Pantry says the dishes can be surprisingly good and satisfying, that even children love them.

“I have two children, 13 and 14, and a husband. And I don’t want to cook healthy meals that they don’t eat.  It has to be healthy and tasty,“ says Amsterdam.

She says one of the secrets to cooking delicious dishes is to use almond flour, which has twice as much protein as wheat flour.  So things like bread can be enjoyed by those with allergies to wheat, but is healthy too.

While there is a focus on fruit, vegetable and lean meats, don't worry, there are plenty of treats.

Recipe: Sesame Noodles

One of Amsterdam's favorite is ice cream made out of coconut milk and hemp seeds.

“Lightly sweetened with honey, it’s healthy enough to eat for breakfast.”

Recipe: Flourless Nut-Free Brownies

Amsterdam has just released a new cookbook, Paleo Cooking --a collection of simple paleo recipes that offer nearly 100 recipes featuring lean proteins and simple vegetable dishes, plus classic desserts–all free from grain, gluten, and dairy, and made with natural sweeteners.