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!
Another awesome post. I’m glad you talked about this, because I always felt bad that I’m not one of those “scream Paleo from the rooftops, convert all my family and friends” kind of people. I kinda felt bad about it for a while, and was all “I’m a terrible person because I don’t care about what the people in my life eat”. Truth is, I don’t care what other people eat, and I don’t want them to care about what I eat! Don’t ask me a million questions about what I “can” and “can’t” eat at the dinner table. Just shut the hell up and don’t look at me.
Top five blog posts, for real.
Thank you Allison!! I feel the same way 🙂
Awesome post…it’s so true. You totally have to find what works for your own body. I’ve been guilty of being judgmental of others (cuz, of course, I know I’m right), as my best friend is a vegan *gasp* and also still about 25 pounds overweight *duh*…but since I’ve gotten so tired of people being critical of my eating habits (even though I never get sick and am at an ideal body weight and body fat %) I’ve given up on judging (or IMO trying to be helpful) others choices!!!!
Judging is just dumb.
Great rant, but my paleo point of view gets even more extreme than the luminaries you mention. You see, I’m a farmer who was paleo long before paleo became paleo when I made a commitment to eat ‘clean’….only pastured/browsed meat either I or someone I personally knew had raised. Same went for veggies, fruit & dairy. When my milk cow (yes, I even milked her) went dry, I gave up dairy entirely for a year, but have gone back to some since my butter supply ran low. I got a little lenient with the nuts since macadamias and Brazil nuts don’t grow here, but opt for organic when I can get them. I eat lots of local fish & game foods, too. But my point is this….while the paleo/primal/whatever way of eating you want to call it, unless you are eating CLEAN foods…not sh!T meats from Costco, you might as well still be sucking down a Twinkie at the molecular level of cellular damage done to your body. Just remember, it not ‘you are what you eat’….it’s ‘you are what you eat eats.’
That’s really intense Sandra. Good for you!!
Have I told you yet that I love you?
I have?
Damn.
I love you cougs
We both love your site and dig your sense of humor and recipes.
Keep on keeping on girl! You’re awesome.
Joel & Rena
Joel YOU’RE AWESOME. I think you’re a dude, but I’m not positive, but love when guys post on the website because it doesn’t happen often. Thank you!
I follow your site and love your recipes. Plus you are hot
Rob, you’re the simple kind out there aren’t you. I like you. You’re hot.
Oh Juli – You are a breath of fresh effin air! You make my days so much more enjoyable when I read your rants. When someone pisses me off about my opinion I tell em – “This is Jeanneosophy baby” and when they ask – “What’s that?” My reply is “Jeanneosophy – I’m right and you’re wrong” 😀
Thanks Jeanne!! You go girl!
This post is so timely. I’ve had a few group potlucks that I’ve been to lately and it drives me crazy that people comment on what I’m eating (or not eating). I’m just eating my own stuff that I brought and I don’t comment on their cinnamon rolls, or breads, or pastas, or bean infested chili, so why do they have to comment on the fact that I’m only eating the muffins I brought? Makes me want to become a hermit and never have to deal with people again! I’m getting better at not getting so upset though and watching them get sick around me when me, my husband and my two kids are all in school and daycare of some sort and not one of use spikes a fever, runny nose, or throws up. I feel like our health speaks loud enough.
And I completely agree with you on making Paleo work for you. I could never do the strict whole 30 cold turkey. I had to transition into it over the course of a year and do what worked best for me and my family. It was freaking hard! Try telling your six year old he can’t have cereal with his milk. Do you know what happens? He cries…real emotional I’m heartbroken over my cereal cries…not even the annoying I’m just trying to get my way crying. Anyway … I make Paleo “treats” all the time because that’s how I can go to the grocery store with my kiddos and not load up on cookies and cereal. It gives them something to look forward to. It helps my husband not buy goodies at the coffee shop in between classes. We all do what we can to be healthy and live happy.
Thanks for your post and sorry for the crazy long reply. Also, I love squash as much as you do. Unfortunately my family doesn’t. They need to learn to like it though because I keep making your recipes anyway, even if they’re not super happy, hahaha.
We all do what we need to do Jacey! And thank you for the long reply! It’s always great to hear what’s on people’s mind! Stay healthy and happy!! That was cheesy.
Heck yeah, Juli! Eff all those Paleo Nazis, LOL I love my grass-fed cheese, dark chocolate, & almond/coconut flour more than anything, and I’m totally for tweaking Paleo for what makes YOU feel good. I’m just doing Whole 30 bc, like Dani, I want to prove it to myself (I got too Paleo baking crazy, lol I love raw organic honeyyy!) and I totally threw Paleo out the window after Thanksgiving until now. Dumbest choice EVER. Felt horrible and couldn’t fit into my pants! Anyway, grok ok! This post is what a lot of people need to read.
Paleo nazis blow. Paleo goodies rock. I want to bake something right now because of your post lol
Awesome!!! I have been looking for something like this for a long time. My January calendar is filled with a new recipe every day. I have loved everyone.
Currently I am dairy and gluten free so they work awesome.
People do need to check in with there bodies and figure it out.
I love how my husband puts it when he sees very overweight unhealthy people, “and that is just somehow okay”.
Dont complain, figure your sh*t out and do something!!!
Thanks for your site!!
No Rebecca, thank YOU for reading my site!!