Cannabis has been used by humans for thousands of years. It’s the oldest medicine we have. Tombs have uncovered shamans with pounds of female flower placed as a parting gift. It was the number one prescribed medicine in the 1800s, used primarily for fighting off opioid addictions.
So, with such a natural and beneficial plant, it makes sense that it would fit right in with a diet based on benefiting off everything that a more ancient diet can offer. You know – pre-processed sugars, carbs, and pink slime.
Hence, cannabis and the paleo diet. A match made in Cro-Magnon heaven.
Here we’ll break down how cannabis fits into a paleo diet and serve up some juicy, elevated grilled chicken with pesto and carrots.
Firstly, what is paleo?
The Paleo Diet is based on the premise that we should eat foods that our ancestors would have eaten thousands of years ago as hunter-gatherers. It eliminates nearly all processed food that can cause a myriad of health problems.
Strict Paleo followers seek out the items that were around a long time ago, rather than their modern equivalents. More moderate followers of the Paleo Diet believe that natural selection and selective breeding has helped make foods better tasting and more available.
Nevertheless, the very core of the Paleo Diet is a natural diet. Its focus is on natural foods and eliminates most of the processed junk that fills the grocery stores today.
That very principle of natural foods and historical use is the reason why cannabis fits perfectly within the Paleo Diet.
Cannabis & paleo
Many of the health benefits of the Paleo Diet match up well with those of cannabis.
For example, CBD is a major anti-inflammatory, but most of the processed foods we eat actually create inflammation. But cutting down on these modern foods and adding cannabis, joint, and other pains should drastically be reduced.
Digestive problems have plagued modern Americans as our foods have become less compatible with our, still, quite ancient digestive systems.
Paleo is much more friendly to what we evolved to digest and eat. Cannabis also helps soothe the mucous membranes of the digestive system and increase nutrient absorption.
Furthermore, in recent years, the level of depression and anxiety in our society has skyrocketed. Cannabis has been considered one of the safest and most effective treatments for anxiety.
This is especially true when broken down by certain strains, dosages, ingestion methods, and even terpene levels. Make sure you research which strains and dosages are right for you before you dive in and start a full-blown, cannabis-infused diet.
But without further ado…
Infusing olive oil with cannabis extract
Add ¼ to 1 oz (depending on your desired potency) to ground cannabis leaf into 16 oz of olive oil. Allow steeping in a sealed mason jar, in the dark, for one week to allow the oil and cannabis to interact without oxygenation. Strain leaf out and store oil in a cool, dry place.
Or…
Add drops of your favorite pure cannabis oil extract to 16 oz of olive oil, drops depending on the desired potency. Store in a cool, dry place in a sealed mason jar.
Potency will vary depending on the quality of the leaf, steeping time, temperature, and quality of the oil.
Grilled Chicken with Cannabis Pesto and Parsley Carrots
40 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
Prep
2
Servings
Ingredients
2 small chicken breasts
4 sliced carrots
4 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley + 1 tablespoon
Elevated olive oil***
Salt and pepper to taste
Pesto:
1 cup fresh basil
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
6-8 tablespoons cannabis infused olive oil**
Directions
Prepare pesto: Place basil, garlic, and nuts in food processor. Turn processor on and slowly add oil. Continue processing until a smooth paste develops. Add salt and pepper to taste, blending well. Store chilled until needed.
Cook carrots: Drizzle sliced carrots with olive oil and sprinkle with parsley, salt, and pepper. Roast in oven at 325 until soft, about 20 minutes.
Cook chicken breasts: Score breasts and sprinkle with salt and pepper. We recommend grilling or broiling the chicken, but you can also pan fry or bake. Make sure chicken is fully cooked.
Make two plates of chicken and carrots. Spread pesto on chicken, top with remaining parsley, and serve.
