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
Your site was recommended to me in a group. I had been Paleo for a couple of years once before (IBS/dairy allergy management, felt better overall), fell off the wagon for I don’t remember why. Now, I’m back on the wagon again and loving it so far. Your recipes are amazing. Can you tell me if there will ever be a book on the horizon? So many of the Paleo recipes in my recipe app are yours! 🙂
Hi, thrilled you’re enjoying the recipes! I’m currently working on a paleo baking cookbook that will be published March 2020.
I just did a 28 day detox that was paleo as well….went back for blood tests (very detailed blood tests and fin out that I have so many issues, infections, inflammation,all levels are way low…and it appears I am a mess! Been doing WW and lost about 15 lbs in 3 months – but for me that is not good enough and the doctor said no wonder you can’t loose anything – so we did paleo for 28 days strict….but as we go forward looking now for new recipes, tips and tricks for bread, yogurts, snacks etc – all paleo friendly – so hoping I can learn a lot of things from your blog!
Hi! Reading your IBS posts was comforting because I’ve had an incredibly similar experience to yours – lactose intolerance as a young child, IBS throughout high school and college, the constant self-blame and the struggle to eliminate symptoms. I’m excited to read your recipes. But I was also wondering if you would write more about your recovery from the tendinitis you mentioned in your post. I am also a runner and am struggling to find a training plan that will help me get back into running after injury, because I tend to get injured with shin splints when I increase mileage. I’m really interested to know more about how you jumped back in.
I have been doing clean eating for a while and in order to improve my health and weight lose I will give the next level a try. I know it will be hard since I am carb lover. At work may of my co-works are doing Keto, but always for a month or so, I would like to do a lifestyle change overall. What do you recommend. Keto or Paleo?
Michele, I love your blog and recipes. Do you have a cookbook published or thinking of doing one?
Just a quick note to say your recipes are always amazing. A week has not passed in over two years that I haven’t made a recipe or three from your blog. Most of the meals are on rotation. And your baked sweet breads are a weekly food prep. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Thank you for all you do, I just came across Paleo Running Momma and your recipes look amazing.
Just ran across your page as I was researching paleo, seriously considering giving it a try. I have struggled with my weight since about age 8 and have tried almost everything there was out there…had very few lasting victories and have never had sustained, long-term success. Fought a good fight but have never won the war! YET… I’m now 57 and am dealing with joint and blood pressure issues due to the excess weight, I’m sure! I am in recovery from years of serious alcoholism now, almost 18 months!!! I have finally owned the fact that food has always been an addiction for me, even more pervasive than the alcohol was. I am excited to try paleo and see where it leads. Loved your blog…good energy, great visuals, beautiful family! Thank you !!! Go girl!!!
Hi!! Awesome blog, I love to see people having success with changing their diet. My fiance and I eat paleo, and just discovered the Fodmap diet. One thing we haven’t given up is hard cheese, like sharp cheddar and goat cheese. Is that something that would make a big difference, do you think? I do still have a little bit of IBS and digestive problems.
Hello Michelle,
I came across your blog and wanted to say it’s cool that you’re carrying the rich of Paleo and alternative diets.
I first went paleo in 2013 and have been on-and -off for the past nine years. In that time I’ve figured out how to make a mean batch of almond flour pancakes (puts the Jack in flapjack, right?)
In any case, keep sharing your knowledge of paleo with the world and encouraging others to eat healthily.
Best,
Jack