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!
I found your blog via pinterest and I tried your avocado slaw and it was completely amazing! I have been wanting to try paleo but it’s scary when you look into it and see that there are booooks dedicated to it. That is just way to much work I say..I work full-time and school full-time. I am with you I just need to stick to working out and tweaking what I eat to work for me…and hopefully find a way to lose the last 20lbs. Because deep down i’m a fat kid in a medium sized body…lovvveee foood!
Figure out what works for you and go with it. Just because someone says you should do something doesn’t mean it’s the right way 🙂 your body is yours!!
Hey
I LOVE eating paleo, I’m a kiwi (new zealander) living in Abu Dhabi in the UAE and it’s super hard to find stuff here but I’ve manged to track down coconut oil which I buy by the gallon – oh and we have the sneaky bacon section in the supermarket, its like the xxx section of a video store – naughty kids corner etc.
I love the lifestyle, its so amazingly tasty, I love meat, eggs and I get sick to shit of people telling me that I shouldn’t eat bacon… would help though if I was trimming down, I have not lost any weight to date, I have eliminated dairy (not really fussed), all wheat etc… my only vice is chocolate, i don’t eat a tonne of it but clearly enough to stop me from dropping inches – something I need to work on clearly.
Sadly, there is no such thing as Crossfit in Abu Dhabi where I live which sucks, luckily I am moving to singapore in august which has a wicked crossfit community.
Anyway, just wanted to say cheers for your awesome blog, it cracks me up and has some seriously shit hot recipes.
Keep inspiring…!!
Thanks so much Jodie!! Hope you get to CrossFit soon!!
I know this is a few months old, but I had to comment. I 100% agree. My philosophy on paleo matches yours, spot on. And you’d think that after 8 months paleo, that I’d be used to other people’s reaction but I swear that it sometimes catches me off guard. Why all the paleo-hate out there? And the paleo-police are as bad as the paleo-haters!
My theory is that they are not eating enough bacon. 😉
Thanks for posting this!
Yeah people crap their pants about diet. Relax people, just relax
Juli, I am not a mushy person AT ALL….however, I have to tell you that your blog has helped me so much already. I hated and I mean HATED Paleo when I first started. All I did was think about the wonderful things I could never eat again. It depressed me and made me feel like a failure every time I enjoyed something that wasn’t “on the list”. Your blog has given me a breath of fresh air and allowed me to make healthy, fun meals for my family. I lost 4 pounds this week eating your recipes!! If I wanted chocolate…I searched your recipes for a healthier version. If I wanted a good spaghetti squash recipe…I searched your blog. You are amazing and I want you to know your hard work is GREATLY appreciate. Keep up the good work…it’s making a difference.
That is so freaking awesome Jana! So awesome! I’m going to share your comment on my facebook 🙂 keep up the good work!
I must say I agree with a lot of your points on here. I have had to figure out what works for ME and what works for me may not work for others. I am still trying to figure all this out but it helps that I find sites like yours. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes.
AND how did you like the snow today??/ Yeah, I’m from the Denver area too.
Booooooo to snow day!!
LOVE this – amen!
I mean really I hate this picture its from 5 years ago. :/ where the heck did it come from…anyways.
WOMAN! ROCK IT. You and I agree on this. Even my coach said the same thing, everyone’s body is different. Find what works. I love me some cheese from grass-fed beef — once in a while! (learning this now)
🙂 You make me smile. I so wish you lived in MI! LOL
Hi Juli,
I came across your blog a few months ago via a friend from my Crossfit gym back home sending me a link to your sweet potato brownies. I’ve been hooked ever since, your recipes are wonderful, but beyond that, I think you are hilarious and your posts literally make me laugh out loud sometimes. I’m pretty homesick for Boulder and Colorado in general, which is where I’m from, but I currently work and live in Kuwait. I really miss having a Crossfit gym to go to and other crossfitting/paleo friends. I went to Crossfit Flatirons and Crossfit Roots, both in Boulder, for about a year prior to coming over here. I do crossfit on my own or with a few friends that I’ve talked into it, here at the gym on base (I work on a military base), and I cook all of my own food so that I can stay Paleo. It’s hard to find the ingredients sometimes, but I’m just glad that I can still eat healthy and workout over here. I just wanted to tell you that I check your blog weekly for new recipe ideas, and because you talk a lot about Crossfit, Colorado, and just life as a paleo girl in general, and it makes me not so homesick 🙂 So thanks. I also really value your view on Paleo, and I agree with you. I went very strict for a while, and I have too big of a sweet tooth, so I would end up giving in and eating all the worst stuff, so I’d rather bake some awesome paleo treats instead 🙂 And I also love the sh*t out of almond butter, I order it by the case!
I LOVE CF Roots!! Nicole is so freaking awesome and an absolutely amazing athlete! Just saw her a little while ago for a cert! Glad my blog is helping and we will have to wod and eat together once you are back 🙂
Awesome post! A good friend of mine was just arguing with me about whether or not I eat Paleo. She, of course, follows a standard diet and has never read a thing in her life about Paleo. However, a friend of hers is doing some super strict Paleo thing so she knows everything. I have tried completely cutting out dairy and found no difference in weight loss or how I feel, so after 2 weeks of cutting it out, I promptly reinstated full fat cheese, greek yogurt, and cream. This makes me NOT paleo. I also do some baking with stevia and erythritol, honey gives me a stomach ache. This makes me NOT paleo. To me it’s all about trying out different things and seeing what works. Will I ever eat wheat in any form ever again? Probably, but I will do it knowing full well that I will feel awful afterwards and immediately regret it. I eat what makes me feel good and gives me the energy to live my life. I can’t obsess over labeling the way I eat. I say I eat Paleo because it is essentially what I do and mostly fits in with my way of looking at food. Anyway, my own little rant I guess. Love your blog!!
Your blog is awesome. I’ve just started the “paleo” lifestyle and am loving it! I of course, get the “you shouldnt be eating like that” or “you have no weight to lose” comments all the time, but like you said….I feel better eating this way. Your blogs are hilarious and your recipes are kick ass. I’ll keep following you for sure!