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.
AMEN!!! I think I’ll just print this particular blog and hand it to all those who want to preach to me about what I put in my mouth. OMG, I’ll be 50 in 2 days, can I not eat what I want???? I am not 100% Paleo, but I’m probably 90% there and I feel great….so thank you for saying what all of us who are making choices for our own bodies wanted to say out loud to the world. You are our voice. THANK YOU!!!!
Great post. Love your blog, sense of humor when you write and seeing that you are enjoying a great life. As you can see by all these replies… You are loved and appreciated by way more good peeps!
Of the Die Hard Paleo followers, how many actually kill the food they need to eat? Isn’t that the real Cave Man way? I know there are some out there, but I imagine there is a very high percentage that do not. Would they be considered NOT 100% Paleo? Are we getting in their faces about it?
Self-righteousness is not a virtue, no matter what one eats.
Isn’t it more important, like many have said, to listen to your body and eat what works for it and stay away from what doesn’t? I think it’s more important to eat as much of whole foods as possible and if the meal is higher in quality foods with a smaller percentage of ‘not as good for you foods, i.e. sugar) doesn’t that tip it in the healthier direction? Which is what I feel we should be aiming for?
I think it is more important to be careful of foods that are whole, Paleo AND foods, like M&M’s, that are GENETICALLY MODIFIED. Maybe these Paleo Nazis’ energy (which apparently they have so much of now) would be better spent fighting the war for quality non-modified foods overall?
You’re awesome. Well said. With love from Australia <3
p.s. One day, I will come to the U.S and give you a hug for sharing your banana bread recipe.
AMEN! There are some “purists” out there who are absolutely ridiculous! You have to eat what makes you healthy AND HAPPY! Otherwise, you have no more enjoyment of food in your life. There are some people who enjoy that. They eat enough to just sustain. But if we can enjoy a variety of foods, then why not!
And arepas are AWESOME! Used to make them pre paleo – with melted butter and honey on them! Great for celiacs like myself!
We all love you – change for no one! 🙂
My favorite part of your blog….is that you are HUMAN! Too many paleo people aren’t! Thanks for keeping it real.
Way to keep it real, Juli !! Keep doing what you’re doing, and let the feisty folks learn that they have to take some accountability for their decisions. This includes understanding their unique psychological, emotional, and physiological relationships with food.
Keep Calm & PaleOMG On.
Dr. E
Juli – you are amazing because you do share everything, the good, bad, ugly and beautiful. That makes you human and that’s why we love you. Let the haters hate while we all learn, together, how to love ourselves through your inspiration. xoxoo
I love your blog. You make me laugh. Keep up the good work.
Wow, it took me forever to scroll to the bottom of the comments!
I love this post. This is FOOD we are talking about. No one should get so fired up or offended about food. You’re not talking about murder or racism or politics, people need to chill out.
I honestly wouldn’t care if you never ate Paleo, I care about the awesome recipes you graciously provide every week!
Keep on keeping on.