Hi! I’m so happy you stopped by!
My name is Michele and I’m the creator of Paleo Running Momma – a website dedicated to bringing you the most delicious paleo friendly meals and desserts.
When I changed my diet in 2013, I started searching the internet for tips, recipes, and other people’s stories that resonated with my own. The amount of resources and incredible people I found inspired me to create this blog. It was time for me to give back and share experiences, mistakes, successes and failures as I learned to cook and eat real, whole, delicious food and make it work for me as a runner, too.
I started eating paleo for some really unoriginal reasons – to address longstanding digestive problems (IBS), help myself heal from a painful running injury, and finally drop my diet coke and cereal habits (trust me – it was time!)
When I started getting serious about healing my body, I began by going “gluten free”, but quickly realized there was more than just gluten that could be in my way. I learned that by eliminating processed foods, grains and refined sugar from my diet, I could potentially improve not only my IBS and tendinitis, but my overall health – physical and mental – as well as become a stronger athlete.
After I completed my first Whole30, I was hooked!
I was able to figure out what foods I tolerated best and which ones I struggled with.
While I don’t eat 100% paleo (I get asked this a lot!) it’s more of a guideline for how I cook and eat generally.
Now, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about food, specifically, how to create truly delicious paleo and Whole30 meals, grain free baked goods and real-food desserts that you and your families will legitimately crave and want to eat on the regular! You’ll find loads of real-life recipes for all occasions that your brain will love as much as your body does!
Fun Facts About Me
1.) When I started this blog I was obsessed with long distance running (to put it mildly!) and (secretly) wanted paleo to turn me into a superwoman-style runner.
While I DID qualify for and run the Boston Marathon twice (2014 and 2016) it wasn’t thanks to a paleo diet – in fact, I qualified for Boston the first time while eating a SAD diet and the second time on Paleo.
That said, I believe you can absolutely run well (and long distances) while eating a paleo diet! I did this for about 2 years before scaling back on my training and getting into yoga, which is what I do the most now!
2.) I have 3 kids – Diana, Emily, and Drew. I’ve always gotten lots of questions about whether or not the kids eat paleo – the answer is yes and no! They eat the dinners I cook for them, but, aside from that I don’t put restrictions on them since I found it wasn’t mentally healthy for any of us! Truthfully, my kids do not have medical conditions that require them to eat strictly paleo, so, I take a moderate approach to what they eat and we’re all pretty happy this way.
3.) The first thing I ever tried to “cook” by myself was peanut butter at the age of 4. My “recipe” involved peanuts, some aluminum foil and a hammer. Needless to say, it didn’t work, but little did I know I was actually on the right track! If only I’d had a food processor – my nut butter dreams could’ve come true!
4.) The first thing I ever cooked on the stovetop was bacon. I almost get emotional when I think about it 😉 Oh if only I’d known how that moment would shape my future! Now, I’m about my bacon and basically only eat the sugar-free Whole30 friendly variety from U.S. Wellness Meats. This stuff is AMAZING! My family goes wild over it.
5.) Comfort food is my jam. Seriously, I don’t really think “emotional eating” is such a bad thing, especially if you’re eating delicious REAL food that makes your body, mind and soul happy!
All the recipes I post are ones that I’m EXCITED to eat and genuinely make me happy. I cover everything from breakfast to dessert (in fact, those two are my favorites!) including lots of Whole30 friendly family favorites. My goal for this website is to introduce you all to new favorites that truly make you happy to eat Paleo style! Paleo comfort food for life!
6.) I have a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and worked as a social worker for 3 years before deciding to stay home full time to raise my kids. I had NO idea what a blog was at that time, and always planned to head back to work when my youngest started kindergarten.
I started this site 100% as an outlet, not with a business in mind, but when the time rolled around, I realized I felt so much more passion for creating recipes for Paleo Running Momma than for returning to my old career. I gave it a shot and put all my efforts into growing this blog, which meant learning a lot from scratch. The decision did not come easy, but I couldn’t be happier with where I am now!
If you have a question or would like to personally contact me, you can email me at the following address:
paleorunningmomma @ gmail . com
HI Michelle,
Based in Belgium and I just came across your blog. I am avid Paleo eater, already for years but work constraints, time management etc make it difficult sometimes. Now with the lockdown, I am rediscovering it all. Love your blog! Thank you for all the great recipes and ideas and inspiration.
Michele,
I have been making your recipes for years and they have been so helpful for when I’m on the Whole30! I’ve struggled with fibromyalgia for a long time and like you, I found that diet makes a huge difference! And I started a blog a few years ago to hopefully help people find alternative ways to help with their own pain. I hate prescription medication so I’m always trying new things. I’m currently doing 75 Hard because I’ve let myself slip with exercise over the years and it’s time to get back in shape! Diet can’t do it all haha.
Thanks again! You are awesome! I just
made your taco sliders the other night and everyone loved them.
-Emily
Hello Michele!
Thank you so much for your blog and your delicious recipes! My family and I are obsessed with your double chocolate zucchini bread. I used it as my son’s Birthday cake, and I have some loaves in the oven as I write this, for the special Moms in my life for Mother’s Day tomorrow. Thanks again! You are amazingly gifted.
Cheers!
Bituin
Hi Michele!
I am trying to eat healthier since health problems run in my family. I am also trying my hand at regular running, which has been good but challenging so far (I live in Panama City and it’s HOT). Thanks for your blog and I’m excited to explore more recipes!
I cannot thank you enough. I have been paleo for around 3 years—well, about 90% paleo if you average it out ;). Your site is a quarantine essential. I have been testing out your delicious recipes for about 2 years now. You are so inspiring in my journey to pursue grad school to become an RD. Food is medicine. Healing foods can taste even BETTER than those that are not. Fat (on paleo) is not the devil. I can see myself directing clients to you in the future 🙂
Dear PRM, You have the best recipes! I mean the best commentary, instructions and final product. Nothing has flopped so far 🙂 Whenever I want to cook something new I look to you. Just wanted to say I am grateful and appreciate you and your blog.
I just want to say thank you for starting this blog/pinterest/book/etc. I’ve “yo-yo’d” with GF/DF/LOWFODMAP/Whole30/keto/paleo since 2006. I have multiple health issues, IBS, SIBO, CANDIDA, hormone imbalance just to name a few. Your recipes have made it so much easier to navigate healthier eating for my body, as well as my husband and 3 yr old! There are so many tasty recipes that work for what my doctors and I found I need to help my body.
Hi Michelle!
I have followed you for years and have learned so much about foods from your blog specifically.
I grew up eating basically all processed foods and quick comfort food meals. When I moved out on my on at 19 I began learning about cooking and was intrigued by “healthy foods”. I house cleaned for a Jewish women who was an incredible cook and taught me so much about real foods. Around that time I was trying to avoid dairy simply to clear up my skin. While doing research on dairy free foods I came across your blog (I think on Instagram). I am not Paleo and was not at the time but I loved mixing in your recipes throughout the week for dinners along with my husband and I’s normal habits. Ps. I am going somewhere with all of this…
All that being said, about 3 years ago I was having GI discomforts on the regular similar to your story and completely went off gluten. Like you, I kind of thought that was all that needed to be done on my part with foods.
After about a year on a strict GF diet I was diagnosed with IBS and am still un-covering issues like Sibo and Leaky gut with my doctor.
I have strictly been on a low FODMAP diet for the last 2 year, and although it helped tremendously at first I am back to my old symptoms despite continuing on the Low-FODMAP diet- ONLY! Otherwise it’s bad news.
I often use your recipes and alter them to be low-FODMAP. Your cheeseburger soup for example is a staple in my home but I make it with Garlic infused olive oil, green onions and low FODMAP chicken broth.
Okay, that was all probably TMI but
what I am getting at is how did you get to a point where you could eat brussel sprouts, garlic, onions, apples and honey and not have IBS symptoms on the regular?
I am inspired by your story and want to use foods to heal my gut and eat Whole Foods but so many Whole Foods cause issues like you have discussed in your story.
Thoughts?
Warm regards,
Kimmy
Hi Michelle, I have been following you for over three years, I love your recipes!! Thank you!
I just baked your grain free banana loaf n it came amazingly deliscious. Thank you for sharing.