Why do I keep calling myself JB? Stupid.
What’s up with my picture for this post? Yeah…I don’t know either.
Ok. I don’t really like talking about paleo with people. I definitely like talking about food, that’s for effing sure, but paleo…that’s a touchy subject. Even with people who eat paleo. Everyone thinks their opinion is right. Little do they know, it’s actually me who is ALWAYS right. Ok, I’m kidding.
But people don’t like being questioned, ESPECIALLY if it’s about what they eat. So I don’t question people. But when they question ME and tell ME what I’m eating is dumb, I want to cut a b*tch. Geez, that was a bit much. But seriously, I don’t question your oatmeal, I don’t care about your pizza, and I sure don’t give a f*ck about how many beers you had last night. So why do you care what I eat? Your life is YOURS. You make it whatever you want. You create your future. And you are in control of your health. So if oatmeal allows you to poop because of it’s ‘added fiber’ (well, you’re a liar) but I’m happy for you.
The thing is, the paleo diet was created off of the assumptions of the caveman diet. Cool. I’m not a caveman. I may not shower as often as I should, but I’m definitely not hunting down my food, suffocating it with my massive thighs, then eating it’s liver for extra iron. That’s just not me. Now chasing after a cupcake truck, that’s a different story. But I eat a certain way because it makes me feel better. My bowel movements are awesome. Yes, I did just say that. And I perform in the gym better than I ever have. Do I eat bacon? Yes. Do I eat a BALLS TON of fat in the form of nut butters? Yes. Do I eat chocolate covered walnuts far too often? Oh sh*t yes. But I still call myself paleo and am quite fine with that. Does that mean I follow the ‘paleo guidelines’ out there? No. But that’s because I was crazy strict paleo for some time and it didn’t work with my lifestyle. It made me crazy. Tell me I can’t have something, I want it 10x more. I’m like any other human out there.
But because of how much I’ve played around with my diet, I know what works for me. I know that I can’t eat a ton of cheese, but I’ll definitely do it sometimes. I know I will gain weight when I’m eating a sh*t ton of sweet potatoes, but I’ll still do it sometimes. And I know all this stuff because I’ve tried it all. I’ve been a little chubster eating my whole wheat sandwhiches and low fat crackers, thinking what I was doing was right. I’ve also been the very skinny person eating rice and beans. I was the person who hated the paleo diet and thought it was unrealistic. But then I tried it. And used my brain to it’s full potential. And figured out that what I had been eating in the past made me feel terrible.
Ok, now I’m just going on a rant. The whole reason I’m writing this is because paleo is what you make it. I update this website with recipes regularly to give people options. That may mean I will call my Bacon Alfredo a “paleo” dish or my coconut and almond flour waffle a “paleo” dish. You’re not cool with that? You havin’ a sh*t fit because cavemen didn’t have the means to cook like that? I don’t give a sh*t. Seriously. This is my website and I will make whatever I please and call it what I want.
I really do respect everyone’s opinion out there, but I also never want anyone to be afraid of trying the paleo lifestyle because they think it is intimidating and/or restricting. The paleo diet is what you want it to be.
Are you a Whole9 follower that restricts your sugar and does not make paleo pancakes because it is defeating the purpose of cleaning out your diet and getting control of brain? Awesome bro.
Or are you a Mark Sisson follower who still consumes raw milks and cheeses? Cool bro.
Or are you a Health-Bent or Civilized Caveman follower who mixes up their diet with gluten free meals and amazing primal desserts? Sweet bro.
I don’t care what you follow, but do one thing for me…stop questioning other people’s lifestyles. Stop forcing your ideas on others, paleo or not. And stop thinking your way is the only way. I eat this way because I love it, but I know my friends can eat grains and are perfectly fine. I don’t care that they do that, nor do I say anything when they do. Because it’s THEIR body and THEIR life.
And start reading. Figure out that one way isn’t THE ONLY way. These are some of my favorite websites and resources out there.
Health-Bent’s point of view- my favorite, it works best for me!
You’ve got a great perspective on Paleo and your blogs crack me up. I’ve been eating Paleo for about 2 months and feel so much better, have lost some of the weight I’ve been blaming on aging…I’m aiming to make 50 the new 40 (even though I still have 2 years until that “milestone”.) Love the recipes, keep them coming along with your your great posts! Also a “JB”.
This blog is perfect. My wife and I decided to give the ‘paleo’ lifestyle a shot a few days ago. My friend who follows it made me aware of your site, said he has met you before and your awesome. I have pulled a lot of recipes off your site (thanks by the way). I posted a question on a bodybuilding forum I use and the general consensus was its pointless and one guy criticized me for not really following paleo because I don’t eat grass fed organic meat. I haven’t had a single grain or drop of dairy in 4 days, weighed myself today for the hell of it and already down 3.5. I know weight fluctuates daily but I was impressed.
Regardless your post is great. Thanks again and keep the great recipes coming
Standing ovation! Hands down the most accurate (and funniest) description of how it feels when someone gives you the stink-eye for not eating Grandma’s yeast rolls at the big family BBQ. I know I’m late to the party and this post is a year old – but man, it was exactly what I needed to read today.
You just keep on being awesome. 🙂
I’m late, too, but exactly what I needed to read at the right time! Just started (well, trying) the paleo lifestyle and frustrated with so much conflicting information. This blog is by far my fave and my .’go to’. I don’t know if I’ll get to 100% paleo but isn’t it enough that I’m being more conscious of eating clean and learning what works best for me?! I think so! Thank you to juli for being real!!
Thank you for this post. I have been eating a mostly Paleo diet for about two months now. I love it and I feel A LOT better (on the days I don’t cheat a little). But, often because of the perfectionist I am I worry I am not doing it jsut right. But this post changed that and made me feel so much better. I LOVE you blog, it is so honest and funny! Keep up the good work and keep inspiring people like me!
Can my toddlers and I come live with you? You have room, right? Your room mate is so lucky.
Thank you for being so real!
I just found this post and it is EXACTLY what i needed to read! I loved it! It is so hard to figure out what works for you, and it takes a long time to do that.
I get so much crap from my co-workers (who think I eat too clean) and my friends (who make fun of me for being paleo, but then give me crap, and make me feel guilty, if I have pizza with them)
I just started focusing more on my lifting and getting into the competition side of CF, and I had to change my diet to incorporate more starches, because i was dying in workouts and I took so much crap from my “strict” paleo friends.
People need to shut it and let people fuel themselves to live, and eat cupcakes every once in a while! (because duh, cupcakes!)
Thanks for being real Juli!