It HAS to be paleo, meaning no grains, refined sugars, canola/vegetable oils, etc. Why is that? Well, that has a long answer, which I'll save for another post, but short answer is this:


While our diets have adapted since the Agricultural Revolution about 10,000 years ago, we haven't evolved much since then. Our biological processes haven't evolved much so while grains and other “processed foods” became increasingly commonplace, our guts just haven't evolved at the rate of agriculture and these things require radically different metabolic and digestive processes than what we are currently set up for. And so we struggle with these “new” foods  at every mouthful.

And again, while we haven’t changed genetically since the first Agricultural Revolation, our diets--and waistlines and health and modern disease rates and...--sure have.


Second picky item? These cupcakes should be consumed with the understanding that making them and eating them is a treat. A treat.

These food holidays occur every day. National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day, Caramel Apple Day, and International Day of the Nacho are back-to-back...to back. Talk about wrecking all your hard work in the kitchen and the gym following these national food days!

Too often we succumb to the belief that "We deserve."

I've had a hard day.
I deserve a bowl of ice cream.

I listened to a friend complain about her coworkers for an hour and a half.
I deserve a glass of wine.

I worked my buns off in the office all day and my boss didn't say one word about the amazing report I just handed in.
Screw him. I deserve to call in sick tomorrow.

I am of the belief that we deserve nothing. We exist, we act, we react. When we discuss "deserving something," we suggest that, in the universe, there are defined, clear, and consistent effects to our actions, and since we abide by those rules, we therefore deserve merit, a special reward for our work that fails to encompass the purer motives for our actions and reactions in this universe.

Plainly said, if you want a bowl of ice cream, then have your bowl of ice cream, enjoy it, and move on. Simple as that.


Okay, enough with the philosophizing. Let's get down the tasty stuff!

I came across the following recipe that I wanted to share with y'all from the very talented Elana of Elana's Pantry. Enjoy responsibly and make sure to check out Elana on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook!

If you're truly abiding by the "treat principle" (namely, reserving treats, like the paleo chocolate cupcakes above, for special occasions), then you're on the right track! Hopefully soon--if you haven't already--you'll be able to completely nix food guilt from your mind after indulging in a little indulgence from time to time.


Add this strategy to the Treat Priniciple and you'll be golden:  Get in a killer metcon workout before indulging your sweet tooth within an hour or two afterwards. Try this one on for size