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.
PREACHHHHHH! love this and agree 100%
Awesome post Juli! Way to put on your brass undies and tell it like it is!!! I love it!!!
Boojaa!!!! Tell it like it is!! I totally agree with every single thing that you wrote. I just told someone the same thing…….”what works for me may not work for you.” I like what I eat and it gives me the energy I need to get through a very busy day, I do not deal with the afternoon slump that causes some to grab the crap food/drink, and I can do a LOT more than most because of what I chose to eat. Keep doing what you do and be happy…….it’s the best revenge!!!
Juli…
All I can say…we all love you..for exactly who you are. NO APPOLOGIES! Confession time. I was a kid who HATED to cook. I mean HATED. When I first got married I tried to be the good wife, attempting (poorly I might add) to cook stuff in the hopes I would make the hubby happy. When I realized how inept I was, I quit going into the kitchen. About the only thing I did well was eggs (Scrambled) and lasagna. Short of that..I didn’t attempt a THING.
Cut to starting Crossfit last year, and FINALLY jumping on the paleo wagon the end of last year. I remember finding your blog and thinking “damn, this lady clicks with me. LOVE her humor..LOVE that she references Denver where I grew up and still love..LOVE that her recipes are simple…for a NON cook like me.”
Cut again to 6 months later..and I LOVE being in the kitchen. You are my GO TO site for a lot of my recipes which I reference weekly. I’ve sent your site to numerous friends who are “paleo curious”. You’re a big reason why I feel confident in the kitchen and enjoy cooking now.
As far as the haters..I saw the shizzle go down on IG yesterday and was appalled. Who is anyone to say what you can and can’t post. PLEASE don’t make your IG private. I adore your food porn pics 😀 And I love seeing you liking some of us non bloggers pics of your recipes. (I got excited when @paleomg liked one of my pics :D) We all are adults who know what works for US..and if it is some non paleo stuff..so be it. I finished a Whole30 a few weeks ago, and while I valued what it taught me on how much of ingredients are skewed in things…will I go over strict paleo again?..no. I need the release of a few beers or a glass of wine..and I know what works for me.
So post on sista…blog on…and know the lovers far outweigh the haters. As a quote from my hubby’s fav movie says “Let your haters be your motivators.”
I love this post, because it is so true. Everyone has a different way of eating, and what most people do works for them. On a different note, I decided to try Paleo, and after eating Paleo for ONE meal, I felt 1000x better and more awake all morning. I am so amazed!
Dude, no shame. I had a molasses cookie today and I’m 99% positive it didn’t cause the meteor strike in Russia.
We were just talking the other day at our box and we all said your blog was our favorite go to for great paleo! Thank you so much for sharing all of your delicious ideas with us and also I think you are pretty funny too! I am doing the whole30 right now and I am so missing you almond butter cups and klondike bites. As soon as I am done you know they will be the first treats I make!
Love! Love! I couldn’t agree more. I love to do “paleo” baking and I’m always having it thrown in my face how it is not technically “paleo” since I use honey or coconut sugars. Silly stuff
My favorite comment “cavemen didn’t eat cookies or cake”
thanks so much for putting your recipes and experiences out there and on this site. i have made and really appreciated your recipes and hope you are encouraged by what everyone says and keep moving forward.
you go girl.