Laura made me that mug. Rad huh? So rad.
I need to make something perfectly clear. I am not a nutritionist. I am not a doctor. And I am not a therapist.
I am a food blogger. A human, paleo food blogger. I put paleo friendly recipes on my blog, on a weekly basis, to help people create more exciting meals for themselves, their family, and their friends.
Not ever, EVER, have I told you to follow my blog, eat how I eat, or drink what I drink. I live my life, share it with the world, and that’s it.
I do the same on my other social media portals. Like Facebook, Twitter…when I tweet twice a year, and Instagram. But when people lash out at me for what I eat, because I’m not “supportive” to the paleo community, I get very frustrated. Once again, I am NOT your doctor, I am NOT your mother, and I am definitely NOT your therapist. I am not a person who tells you what you should put in your mouth or how you should exercise or how you should deal with your issues. Because, well, you are not me. And I am not you. Our bodies are made differently and our minds are programmed differently. So what I may be shoving in my mouth truly has nothing to do with you. Because I’m not shoving it down your throat.
“Dieting” or eating a certain way is very difficult for some people. I would know, I’ve been there. Transitioning to paleo was incredibly tough for me when I first did it. But as I’ve gone on, I’ve figured out that eating a certain way that someone else tells me to, rarely works. Example: nuts. Almond flour pancakes, almond butter cookies, or just snacking on nuts. None of that works for me. Doesn’t mean I hate those bloggers or friends that have told me to try those foods. It just means those foods aren’t the best choices for me. Because MY body does different things than THEIR bodies.
What I am is a person who lives an incredibly happy life, with delicious food that makes me feel good, without ever feeling guilty or deprived. I eat the food that I know won’t make me sick and pass on the foods that I know will. I drink, I eat, I laugh, I workout, then I eat again. I don’t expect anyone to live a life like me, especially eat like me, but that’s exactly why it is my life.
Paleo is a controversial subject. But it’s only controversial when we make it that way. For me, it’s no longer controversial. It’s no longer frustrating. And it’s no longer an agreement I must follow. It’s a guideline to creating a healthier life for myself. That life includes bloody marys, sweet potato fries, vodka sodas, pupusas, roasted brussels sprouts, steak, kombuchas, dark chocolate, arepas, coconut butter, oh and bacon. Are all those things paleo? No. That’s why I’m not making those recipes for my blog. But it doesn’t mean I’m not shoving them in my face.
So while you’re worrying about what is going in my gut, I’ll be out enjoying life. Paleo or not. I recommend you do the same.
+1. I tried hard core paleo. I was miserable. I loosen up a little, choose when to fight my battles wisely, and I feel better, look better, and I’m not a pain in the ass to deal with.
You go girl.
High 5!
+1
Oh my lord, yes! All of this, yes. You’re amazing and I love that you take the time to share these delish recipes with us.
+1
Double high five! You rock!!
Julie, you are the best. All those Paleo-ers out there who monitor and bash each other are ridiculous and clearly have way too much time on their hands. I prefer to spend my time crafting, playing with puppies and eating…and that includes an occassional (horrifying) spoon of nonpaleo real peanut butter *gasp* Like people don’t ever fall off the wagon, right? Chin up and tell ’em to bug off already. <3 everything you post on here and while I follow a ton of paleo blogs, yours is always first on my list to check off in the AMs—because I prefer a genuine honest person with a personal story over someone who is trying to convince me to eat a certain way with every single blog they post.
Amen, sister! I love your blog and your no BS attitude, Juli!
I think what people tend to forget is that each person responds to food in different ways, and discovering what works for you (and not for someone else) can be a challenging journey. They want a cookie-cutter solution for everybody and it’s just not going to happen. I really believe that is at the heart of what the Paleo diet is all about! Keep doing what your doing!! I’ll keep reading. 🙂
Yes! What you said! What Vanessa said! I eat the way I eat and I share it so if you are interested you can learn. Make your own choices!
You’re awesome. I saw what that guy wrote on Instragram and quite frankly, he’s an idiot. The entire reason I read your blog on a daily basis is because you are the only person I’ve found who makes it ok to have a cheat day. You’re human and you remind others that it’s ok to be human too. Sometimes life is better when you don’t spend three hours in the gym or don’t stick to a completely paleo diet. Thanks for being rad and real. Keep it up.
Juli, all I can say is THANK YOU for being YOU. I read you blog regularly and you attitude towards life is inspiring. Unfortunately people take life way too seriously, and apparently they were taking your blog too seriously as well, and it’s their loss. You make delicious recipes and write fun, creative, and entertaining posts for people’s enjoyment and I applaud you. I have follow a Paleo lifestyle about 80% of the time and did 100% for the month of January. And guess what? It didn’t make me feel better and I didn’t enjoy it. Now that I have been transitioning back to about 80% Paleo, my body and system feels so much better (gluten free pizza is just needed sometimes or delicious gelato). Would everyone else feel the same? Absolutely not, but I have figured out what my body likes and does not like, and the fact that you express through your blog that you are human and enjoy life is refreshing to read. Keep up the good work and let the haters hate….they are the ones missing out.
TGIF! 🙂
PS: My husband surprised me and bought me a PaleOMG tank top. I love it and it is so great to workout in!
I’m so glad for this rant. Those people on Instagram were just ridiculously negative for no reason. Love all your recipes!
And this is exactly why I’ve distanced myself from the paleo label from the very beginning – there’s just tooooo much drama in the “community.” Yes, the vast majority of my recipes are paleo-friendly, but I ain’t getting on that bandwagon. Sorry.
*slow clapping*
lol!