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.
juli–i’ve follwed your blog for a while–all i caqn say is THANK YOU. the fact that you’re smart, funny, creative –human, is what keeps me coming back.
your “detractors” are try’g to maintain the illusion that their way is the ONLY way–they’d feel so much better if they gave themselves a hug, said to each his own, and moved on.
I love this post Juli!
I just started a paleo blog and this is what I am aiming for! A place to share yummy recipes that I enjoy!
Check out my blog if you get the chance: http://baconishealthy.com
You are definitely an inspiration!
nicole
Rock on and be who you are. I have two allergies that don’t agree with Paleo: fish and nuts. So when I went Paleo, I had a really hard time at first because so many recipes were almond flour this, nuts that and eat fish, fish, fish, several times a week. I had to make a conscious effort to plan my Paleo lifestyle around being nut free, fish free, plus all the dairy free, soy free, grain free stuff. It was hard, but after time and careful consideration, I did it. No one can judge you because they don’t understand your situation from a truly personal perspective. If they did they wouldn’t be spewing the hate and that’s the truth! So continue doing what works for you and living each day to the fullest. Life is too short. 🙂
Juli – you help keep me sane! As someone who takes a trip back to disordered eating patterns more regularly than I would like, reading your blog and seeing your instagram photos helps to remind me that if the gorgeous woman behind PaleOMG doesn’t eat strict paleo all the time, it’s ok for me to relax about what I put in my mouth too. Thank you!
Go get ’em tiger! Awesome post.
Thank you for always being real. My favorite posts are your ‘rants’ because they come from your heart and are raw and true. I love that you’re not afraid to call out the haters. They seriously must have nothing else to do.
LOVE THIS! Thank YOU for all your recipes! I’m a chef who has just entered the paleo world and your ideas have inspired me!
amen sister! i can’t stand the legalism. i still struggle with guilt over eating certain not paleo foods…which is so silly! thanks for this reminder.
Can I tell you a short version of my story? I was 26, 4’10” and 200lbs. YES 200lbs, and I was unhappy! Then I started losing weight, I tried everything, I’ve done everything out there. Then in November of 2012 I was 152 lbs, a lot better, but still not where I wanted to be. A friend told me about Paleo, I figured why not, I’ll give it a shot, I will try anything! And the first Paleo meal I had was from a different blog and it was the most disgusting meal I’ve ever eaten. It was chicken with squash “mash.” It was bland, boring, and mushy. My Mom looked over at me, down at the meal and said “Kari I cannot do Paleo, this is $#!@$% disgusting.” Welp, what now? I discovered your blog! And OMG Paleo CLICKED! We have been Paleo for almost 4 months now, and thanks to you I weigh 130lbs, I eat delicious healthy food, and I work out. My Mom also lost 5lbs doing Paleo with your delicious recipes (and she’s 120lbs, 5′, and almost 60 years old). I absolutely LOVE your blog, and you’re such an inspiration for this new lifestyle I’m living. To anyone out there who’s critical, or who says you’re doing it wrong…screw them! Sure I occasionally eat a yogurt, or heaven forbid some dark chocolate, but everything in moderation right? So thanks Julie, for helping me be a better, healthier person, who doesn’t have to eat bland, boring ass food!
I had my very first arepa not too long ago, and oh my god…heaven!!
Keep doing what you’re doing and just be you.