Paleo Approach Cookbook Review & Sample Recipe: Paleo AIP BBQ Sauce

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cookbook cover linked to sales page

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.”
~ Cesar Chavez

Big and Beautiful

If you follow Sarah Ballantyne (aka The Paleo Mom), you know she never does anything halfway. Her first book, The Paleo Approach, is an encyclopedic guide to reversing autoimmune disease. This cookbook is the much-anticipated companion, and it contains over 200 autoimmune-friendly recipes. She will be the first to tell you that she writes BIG BOOKS! And they’re beautiful.

What’s Inside

  • Over 200 AIP-friendly recipes: kitchen staples, breakfasts, appetizers, salads, snacks, soups/stews, meat/poultry, fish/shellfish, offal (organ meats), side dishes, sweet treats, and beverages.
  • A cool recipe format: In addition to photos and detailed instructions, every recipe contains preparation time, recipe tips, creative variations, and also detailed nutrition facts, telling not just the macros (calories, fat, carb, protein) but the vitamin and mineral content of the meal as well.
  • 6 weeks of meal plans with shopping lists: Designed for two people, they can be halved or doubled. The time-consuming recipes are scheduled for the weekends, and some of the weekday recipes incorporate leftovers to save time. Each meal plan is nutrient-dense, incorporating all of Sarah’s recommendations for seafood, offal and a wide variety of veggies, while still including some good old-fashioned comfort food.
  • Food Lists: The resource section contains a ten-page “A to Z” food list, called “Yes No Maybe So.” It’s a detailed checklist for the foods you can and can’t eat on the AIP. The “maybe” column contains grassfed ghee, egg yolks, fresh legumes (green beans and peas), fruitbased spices, seedbased spices, and seed/nut oils. These foods are eliminated initially on the AIP, but are considered Stage One Reintroductions, which are the foods most easily tolerated and recommended as the first to reintroduce.
  • Low-FODMAP resources: People diagnosed with small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) often need to follow a Low-FODMAP diet temporarily. Sarah has included FODMAP alerts on every recipe, with modifications if applicable. Also, two of the weekly meal plans are Low-FODMAP.
  • Cooking Guides: The beginning of the cookbook is full of helpful charts like meat cuts and cooking times, measurement conversions, grilling tips, oil smoke points, and alcohol burn-off times. It’s information helpful to any cook, paleo or not.

A Few of My Favorite Things

  • A Recipe Top Ten: Sarah and I are both firm believers in getting nutrition through food, not supplements, whenever possible. She’s created an appendix in the resource section that shows which recipes have the highest concentration of which vitamins and minerals, so you can actively choose the ones you need.
  • Substitution Charts: Many common foods aren’t allowed on the AIP, and new cooks can feel at a loss, without their familiar ingredients. Sarah tells you which AIP foods are good substitutions for flour, butter, tomatoes, pasta, bread, crackers, and more.
  • Quick Description of the Why’s behind the AIP: An awesome two-page summary that efficiently describes how the AIP works: through nutrient density, gut health, hormone regulation and immune health. It’s basically the cliff notes for her first book: The Paleo Approach.
  • A Picture Recipe Index: How cool is that?

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the barbecue sauce in a bottle

Sample Recipe

Ready for a recipe? Last year, Sarah asked if I would like to test some recipes for her book. Yes, please! My favorite was this barbecue sauce, which I used on a rack of babyback ribs. Let me tell you now – it’s gooooood! She’s graciously agreed to let me share it with you!

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Phoenix Helix Recipe Archive

Barbecue Sauce (Paleo, AIP)

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  • Author: Sarah Ballantyne
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat the palm oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 10 to 15 minutes, until caramelized.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  3. Remove from the heat and purée with an immersion blender.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Condiments
  • Method: Stovetop

More Delicious Recipes & Resources

Update: A giveaway was held to celebrate the publication of this book, and the winner was chosen with a random number generator. Congratulations to Heidi! If you didn’t win, don’t despair. The book is reasonably priced and worth every penny. You can purchase a copy here.

Do You Have My Books?

226 comments on “Paleo Approach Cookbook Review & Sample Recipe: Paleo AIP BBQ Sauce”

    1. Heidi

      Thank You Eileen,

      I’m so excited to be getting this cookbook.

      Your blog is absolutely inspiring and I’m thankful I found it.

      Just want you to know you’ve made a big difference in my life and now I get a great cookbook too!!

      Take Care!

      Reply
  2. Clarissa Eichelberger

    I’ve preordered one, but would love one to give to my mom! I like you on FB and I subscribe to your blog 🙂

    Reply
  5. Paige Fisher

    Already liked your page a while ago so I just subscribed to your blog too! 😀 I’m practically on it everyday anyways 🙂

    Reply
  8. Megan

    Love following your journey on facebook and ca’t wait to continue to heal my SIBO and UC with more help from Sarah!

    Reply
  10. Jeannine Jalanivich

    You ROCK! I love your Facebook page and liked it….I also have subscribed to your emails! This diet has saved me in so many ways…mentally and physically! My bowels are healing…my outlook on life is so much better! NOW if I could win The Paleo Approach Cookbook so that I can expand my AIP recipes that would be the ICING ON THE AIP CAKE!!!!

    Reply
  12. Katie Dore

    Liked on fb! Im from England and have an order with amazon that i placed 6months ago for this book that hasnt been sent as they cant source it! Winning it would be AMAZING!!!!! Xxxx

    Reply
  22. Cj Sargent

    Thank you for the review and thoughtfulness in hosting this giveaway. Also gratitude to my friend Erin @enjoying the journey for helping me along in my Paleo/AIP journey. It is c she who brought me here.
    I now gladly follow on Facebook.

    Reply
  23. Judy

    I check out your blog through email, love trying the recipes and helps me with my autoimmune disease and I share your info with 2 of my daughters who also have autoimmune disease, thank you

    Reply
  24. Siobhán

    I’ve absolutely no idea what date it is, maybe I’m too late for the entry to the book present! But I’ve just signed up to the blog anyway!!

    Reply
  27. Erin

    That sauce looks fabulous! I am a fan on Facebook – if I won, I’d gift it to my friend who is AIP curious {my copy is already on pre-order, ha!}. Thank you for the chance!

    Reply
  29. Elaine Spier-Kalmar

    Just liked your FB page and am following you on Pinterest also. I have had problems my whole life and really think this is the way to go for me. Thank you for all your dedication and work.

    Reply
  30. Jerri-Lynn DeGayner

    Hi, I signed up for your blog and liked you on face book…please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you.

    Reply
  38. Carrie Olfert

    I have liked you on Facebook for a while now and now just joined your email blog. I have recently received your book and just started to read it. Can’t wait to see the cookbook. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

    Reply
  39. Holly

    Hi! I run two facebook groups to support people with food-related health issues (one for dairy free and one for grain free life) and I’ve been AIP for 6 months, healing my PCOS and celiacs. 🙂 I’ve liked your fb page and would love to be considered for the giveaway!

    Reply
  40. Lorena Pacheco

    liked and subscribed .. I just started my Paleo journey and I am obessed with it want to learn ALL that I can so I can improve my health thanks for the giveaway

    Reply
  43. Kay

    Already subscribed to your blog. Please enter me. I love what you give us here, but you know I keep asking for menus…:) so the book would be awesome!

    Reply
  46. Jenn

    Such a wonderful giveaway, I am so excited for this book to come out! I subscribed to your blog. Thank you for all the work that you do to support the AIP community!

    Reply
  50. Charlotte E.

    I am already a subscriber. Thanks for the contest and for the endorsement of the book. I’m glad to know that you recommend it.

    Reply
  57. Colleen

    Eileen, I am already an email subscriber but I don’t have a facebook account. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book, and also for all you do. Your blog is a valuable resource. Best, Colleen.

    Reply
  59. Deanna

    I am both a fan on FB and subscribe to the blog. Really looking forward to getting a copy of this book, my sister is getting great results eating on an AIP lifestyle and I can’t wait to follow in her footsteps.

    Reply
  60. Lisa Bonen

    I just subscribed to your email list. I’m always looking for recipes and ways to eat paleo. Love your website too!

    Reply
  64. Gina

    I won Sarah’s cookbook last week in a drawing at her book signing. I have to echo your review and say that I love this cookbook. Everyone will definitely want to get a copy of it! I made the barbecue sauce last night along with her Roasted Pork Shoulder recipe. Wonderful. And her roasted radishes are AMAZING. Who knew you could roast radishes? They were so good, I have to get to the store to buy more. This time I plan to make a double batch.

    Reply
  67. Brenda Scott

    I subscribed to your newsletter..& liked your page! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge! I’d love to have this book!!

    Reply
  69. Carina Best

    I am new to this way of eating and cooking and would be very grateful for this book! I am excited to embrace this way of life and turn onto a new path! I have recently liked your FAcebook.

    Reply
  70. Carol W

    I’m delighted to have discovered your website. After years of trying with conventional medicine to deal with RA I’ve finally decided to try this approach. Surely it has to be more beneficial than all the chemicals that I’ve received! I’ve gratefully subscribed to your blog.

    Reply
  72. Naomi

    I liked you on facebook (as Almost Bananas), don’t know why I hadn’t liked you already! Thank you thank you thank you for shipping this worldwide, I can rarely enter giveaways. 🙂

    Reply
  74. Helena Webb

    Reading the Paleo Mom’s first book now and finding it to be a revelation! I am struggling with MS and porphyria, so am looking for low protein paleo ideas (people with porphyria have a metabolic disease which impairs protein digestion). This book would be greatly appreciated and I’ll gladly pay for postage 🙂

    Reply
  76. Marion Douglas

    I am already a subscriber. I read your entire blog and was pleased with so much information. I also liked you on facebook. The book looks interesting. If it is half as good as your blog, it has to be fantastic!

    Reply
  78. Tamie Graves

    I liked your FB page and am already signed up for your newsletter. I would love to win the giveaway. I feel so much better since I’ve been eating Paleo but am getting a little bored and need to switch up what I’m eating. Thanks!

    Reply
  89. Lisa M

    I liked your Facebook page! I’ve been a big fan and follower of both your blog and Sarah’s for a couple years now. On my second AIP attempt now; trying to heal so I can take better care of my family. This cookbook would be a huge blessing!

    Reply
  92. Kirsty

    Hi. Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome book, I follow Sarah’s blog all the time. I,m in New Zealand 🙂 liked your FBI page.

    Whoops meant fb page!!

    Reply
  93. Carey Bostwick

    I would love to win the cookbook. I am already receive your emails about your new blogs. I also have been a fan of yours on Facebook.

    Reply
  97. Monika

    I liked your FB page and subscribe to your e-mails. Thank you for your AIP series–very helpful. Looking forward to the cookbook!

    Reply
  100. Amanda wright

    Liked and subscribed! I’ve lost 85 lbs eating paleo and I am a huge advocate. I’d love some new inspiring ideas and recipes

    Reply
  105. Jacqueline

    I already like your Facebook page and subscribe to your blog! This book looks amazing. I tried AIP once before without a recipe book and I failed miserably. This would help me so much!

    Reply
  108. Faith Lennon

    Thanks for the sneak peek! I’ve looked forward to the cookbook since the Paleo Approach first came out. I follow you on facebook and receive emails.

    Reply
  109. Ruth

    I just subscribed to your blog – really excited to hear about your journey. My mother has RA (since she was in her mid thirties). She has been hospitalized 3 times just this year and we almost lost her as an indirect result of the biologics she is taking. I pulled her off of the medicine and changed her diet. We are hoping for remission.

    Reply
    1. Eileen

      How scary! I’m so glad she pulled through, and that she has you, with your knowledge of alternatives. Gentle hugs to you both.

      Reply
  110. Niki

    I’ve liked your page on facebook. Can’t wait to see the new cookbook! I loved the Paleo Approach, it’s absolutely life changing.

    Reply
    1. Eileen

      Sorry you had trouble – sometimes those emails go to your spam folder. I added you manually to my email list today, so that should work!

      Reply
  115. Vanessa

    I have done both. I can never get enough of good paleo-sites. Thank you so much, that you open the giveaway to the whole world.

    Reply
  116. Toni

    This Paleo Approach Cookbook would be extremely instrumental in helping me with my autoimmune disorders – CFS/ME, SS, RA, Lupus, Fibromylagia, Hypothyroidism, Epstein Barr, CMV, IBS, GERDS, including herniated discs, IBS, GERDS, sciatica and other issues. Currently reading “The Paleo Approach – Reversing Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body” and it’s fantastic! What a helpful journey your books and site have been for all of us….Thank you.

    Reply
  117. Kerri

    I have been a fan of your Facebook page for awhile and just signed up for your newsletter. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  118. Stephanie Amolsch

    Liked you on FB! Surprised that I wasn’t already a fan, slipped through the cracks, I guess it was meant to be!

    Reply
  119. Jackie

    Subscribed to your blog. Follow Paleo Mom too and would love a copy of her new book. Thanks for offering this giveaway!

    Reply
  122. stephanie

    It is people like you and Sarah Ballantyne who keep me sane when the going gets tough … thankyou and keep up the inspiring work:). I already love you fb and blog!

    Reply
  126. Stacy

    I’ve liked you on Facebook and love some of your sample recipes! I’ve struggle with IBS for years, and am looking to get my gut healthier to end this!!

    Reply
  127. Sarah Sir Hendrey

    I can’t wait to read this cookbook! I am at a loss as to what I can eat or how to modify any of my favorite recipes. I liked your page on Facebook. Thank you!

    Reply
  130. Bethany

    I liked you on facebook! Would love to win a copy of this book – I’ve already heard so many great things about it!! 🙂

    Reply
  131. Jaclyn

    Oh man, would I love this book! I’m only 1 week into my AIP journey. I put it off for quite a while, because I’m “too busy” (I have four kids under 7, and the youngest is not even 6 months old yet). But I’ve realized that I need to MAKE time to be healthy, even if it means way more time in the kitchen. So happy to have found your blog recently (via Pinterest when I was looking for good sausage recipes!), and I have “liked” your FB page.

    Reply
  132. Katherine

    I “liked” your page on Facebook. I would love a copy of this – I have Hashimotos and RA and am very interested in continuing my education about how changing my diet can help control my symptoms.

    Reply
  139. Courtney

    200 recipes?! This would be a fantastic resource for me as a I battle candida and continue to follow AIP to help heal my digestive system.

    Reply
  142. Monica

    I liked your page on fb as well as joined your blog. i glanced thru it and was so intrigued. Going back now to continue to read..I’m sharing the giveaway info

    Reply
  144. Julie

    I’d LOVE to have a copy of this for my fiance and I–I’m struggling with autoimmune disease while he isn’t, and I’d love to be able to feed him well while eating food that helps me heal.

    Reply
  146. Rene

    I’m subscribed and liked your fb page 🙂 I’m new to AIP and I would
    Never have made it through week 1 without your recipes. Thank you!

    Reply
  148. Sunny

    I’ve been following u on FB for some time now, & of course liked you on this !
    Plus I get your blog and continue to get much help in my struggle to find health with 3 Autoimmune diseases . Thanx, Eileen for this generous offer!

    Reply
  149. Judy M.

    I already like your fb page and I have been subscribed for quite some time now and read every post. Thanks so much for all the good info. and inspiration. The cookbook sounds wonderful.

    Reply
  157. Suzanne

    Liked on Facebook. Thank you for the giveaway! Your site has been such a huge help to me as I begin my AIP journey.

    Reply
  159. Valerie

    Thanks for your generosity in offering this cookbook giveaway.
    I have both subscribed to your blog and liked your facebook page. I am on an 18 year journey now to recover my digestive health and am hopeful that this book will be a primary tool to use for following the aip diet.

    Reply
  160. Anita

    Thank you for the giveaway. I am already subscribed to your email list and on Facebook. I would love a copy of this AIP cookbook. I need new recipe ideas to keep me motivated on such a strict diet.

    Reply
  161. Michele Ritan

    I liked your FB page. But I like your blog much more! Best of the AIP sources–thanks for your thoughtful work.

    Reply
  162. chris Blankenship

    I “liked’ your page. … I am just starting out with Paleo and my mom who has R.A. could really benefit from this book. 🙂

    Reply
  163. Anna Aspnes

    I have been waiting for this book. Subscribed and liked. I started AIP 6 weeks ago thanks to the information on this site. The chronic inflammation in my spine started subsiding after 3 days. Thank you for the chance and all the information you share.

    Reply
  166. Jane Larson

    Liked you on Facebook. I’ve been a frequent visitor anyway, since everyone in the autoimmune protocol seems to cite your blog frequently. Love what I’ve been seeing here.

    Reply
  170. Frances Young

    I am part of your blogpost email community.
    Love your site and Sarah’s too.
    The Paleo Aproach book is awesome.
    Can’t wait to see this cookbook

    Reply
  172. Susan

    I am subscribed to your blog and like your FB page. I am working my way through the Paleo Approach and would love to get a copy of the cookbook.

    Reply
  174. sabrina

    oh THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!
    This book is on my wishlist. I live in Canada and am soooo excited you are offering this book to your readers up here! thanks a bunch! I subscribe to your awesome blog!

    Reply
  175. Susan

    I love The Paleo Approach and am having much success on the plan. I also love your blog, Eileen (I am subscribed), especially the recipes, so I am REALLY looking forward to winning Sarah’s cookbook!! 🙂

    Reply
  176. sheila

    Hi Eileen- I subscribe to your blog/e-mails and find them to be very helpful. The cookbook looks wonderful and would be a great complement to the Paleo Approach.

    Reply
  177. Debra

    I’m both a subscriber and have liked your Facebook page. I’d love to get a copy of the cook book. My medical bills are sky high, and I can’t really afford to buy it.

    Reply
  179. Linda Lee

    I have been doing Paleo AIP since Jan…and with much success/thanks to Sarah’s first book. I would LOVE to receive her COOKBOOK.
    ALSO was thrilled to find your site as I too have RA. I already do subscribe to your blog. THANKS for all the INFO you put on it.

    Reply
  182. Annemiek

    Hi Eileen, thank you so much for hosting this give away! The book is an absolute must for me. I’ve been on AIP for 15 months now, getting the hang of it, and really interested in recipies to spice things up a bit! Thank you for opening the challenge for overseas participants 🙂

    Reply
  183. cindy

    I’m already subscribed. I love, and thank you for, the information and recipes you provide.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win Sarah’s cookbook.

    Reply
  185. Maggie

    I appreciate all of the help and support you and your blog have provided me. I am beginning to turn a corner and have become so clearly aware of what my body can and cannot tolerate! Thank-you.

    Reply
  187. Jennifer

    This looks like another great resource for good health and good food. Thank you for including Canadians in the draw. I follow your blog and also your FB page.

    Reply
  188. Toni W. From KY

    Hi Eileen!

    Since I am a recent new subscriber of your blog, I liked your page on FB (didn’t know you had one…OOPS!) and left a comment on your grilled fruit post. It really was a nice picture even though I agree with you on preferring fruit raw!

    All I can say is I WANT THIS BOOK! As someone new to the AIP approach this book would be a tremendous resource / asset to help continue my success through education on the approach, expanding the breadth of recipes I have access to try, and driving the consistency I need to maintain success. I have heard of Sara Ballantyne by reading Mickey Trescott’s book. She seems to be well respected and a leader in the AIP approach.

    All I know is that it’s working for me even in the short 4 weeks I’ve been applying the diet. I’m a lifer and want to learn as much as I can so I can help others down the road!

    By the way, thanks for helping me with my chicken broth. I now have a crockpot of chicken broth on my counter that’s been simmering for 5 days now and it’s crystal clear! My first successful batch ever! I guess the third time really is a charm!

    Love your blog and so glad I stumbled across it by accident through US Wellness Meats!

    Can’t wait to try the BBQ sauce! Oddly that’s the next thing on my list to try! I have my AutoImmune Paleo Cookbook open to Mickey’s recipe ready to give it a go sometime this week. Just need to go buy cherrys!

    Reply
  189. Denise

    Thanks for the generous give away. It is websites like yours that help with the realities of the autoimmune world and the consequences that follow. Thank you!

    Reply
  194. Lisa

    I follow you on facebook and subscribe to your newsletter. I’d love to win a copy of this fabulous book. I love what both you and Sarah Ballantyne write about healing through good food.

    Reply
  195. AnnaO

    I like you on FB and am a newsletter subscriber. Love your levelheaded approach to AIP and I’d love a copy of of The Paleo Approach Cookbook 🙂

    Reply
  198. Lindsay R.

    Already subscribed to your blog and now added Facebook. Have been researching AIP for a few months and started my protocol 45 days ago. Have pre-ordered Sarah’s cookbook already but would love to pay it forward if I won a copy, I know many who would benefit! Thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  203. Lindsay

    Liked and subscribed. I would love a copy of this book. I have been following AIP since February-am very excited for her cookbook. I also need to avoid a lot of FODMAPs so I could really use her special info about that!

    Reply
  205. Tabitha

    Would love to test drive a copy of this book!
    Friends who have seen the change paleo has done for us are always asking for a book they can follow, would be nice to have a resource to point them to.

    Reply
  207. Jillian

    I’m already subscribed. Looking forward to Sarah’s awesome addition to her book, which I read and re-read and referred to often!

    Reply
  209. Erin

    Hi Eileen, I just subscribed! I’m so thankful to have found your site and others in the paleo/AIP community. I’ve been very ill for over 14 years despite conventional medicine and I feel like I’ve finally started on the path to regaining my health thanks to you, Sarah and others. Thank you so much for your dedication in helping us on this journey! Blessings to you!

    Reply
  210. Joanna

    I’ve liked you on FB for a while now. 🙂 I also subscribed via email (am already subscribed via blogger). Would love a copy of Sarah’s cookbook. Thanks for all you do here.

    Reply
  214. Debbie

    Hi! I just liked your FB page and subscribed to your blog! I have had fibromyalgia and a cascade of other health issues for 20 years now. Just found out about paleo and AIP. I think this will be key for my healing! Thank you for offering the cookbook giveaway!

    Reply
  216. Diane Dahl

    I liked your page and subscribed to your blog. I have been sick for 2 years and am desperate to be well. I have been AIP for months but it is so hard without guidance. I can promise you I would put this book to good use if I win!!!

    Reply
  221. Jenessa Proctor

    I would love a copy of this book! I’m a 24 year old graduate student who has been following paleo/AIP for 1.5 years now. Huge fan of both yours and Sarah’s work and information. You both inspire me greatly!

    Reply

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