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.
You tell ’em!!! You rock and I enjoy your recipes and I’m glad you share them with us.
I am not usually one to comment, but this is crazy.
I follow your Instagram but I hadn’t seen all of the negative comments. I just went back and looked. I’d like to know what these people would say to Dr. Loren Cordain – the founding father of the current Paleo Diet movement. He has advocated 80% compliance and 20% “cheat” from the beginning (though I think that he personally now recommends 85/15.) That was built into the “Paleo Diet” from the start. It allows you to live your life and enjoy the fact that in the modern world food is way more than just nutrition – for better or for worse it is also a huge factor in socialization.
At the heart of it “paleo” was supposed to be about getting back to ancestral roots. Paleolithic people lived in a variety of environments with access to a variety of different foods – no single group ate EXACTLY like another. Why can’t that be OK now too? Feed YOUR body what YOUR body needs, just use “paleo” as a way to set some helpful base lines in this crazy modern era where poison is masquerading as food.
I LOVE your blog and I recommend it to EVERYONE – “paleo” or otherwise – because honestly who couldn’t do with some fantastic tasting recipes, that are usually low tech to make, and derive most of their flavor from the spice profile and not crazy ingredients, oh and they are so quick to make. Most of my friends are floored that I “find the time” to cook every night, that’s when I point them to PaleOMG. Plus you have encouraged me to start playing with my own recipes again!
P.S. I hate the word “cheat” we should come up with something better. It always makes it sound like you are doing something wrong!
I lurk, but don’t comment, but this one deserves one!
You rock. You say it. You live it. And at the end of the day, you are the one that has to look at your own reflection in the mirror. I bet you have no regrets.
I am already gluten free (Celiac) and dairy free (choice) and when I even “gasp” **mention** that I am eating Paleo, I have the gamut of advice sputtering my way. So I eat what I want, what my body needs, changing on the day to day. While I don’t cross fit (but secretly want to), I am at Yoga 6 days/week and some days, all I want is steak, with a side of burger. So I eat it. Other days, i want a quinoa salad with beets, chicory and pine nuts…so guess what? I eat it.
I call it the “i do what I want diet – cuz it makes me feel good” diet. And I have no regrets either. Life is too short to have too many restrictions.
Hey Juli!
First off, I think you’re awesome, and excellent. Nextly, I am newly diagnosed with celiacs disease, and let me tell you: its been a bumpy ride. I was completely lost and had no idea what I was doing. Then I began Crossfit and learned about the Paleo diet. I tried “hardcore” Paleo and failed over and over again. I knew this was a better way of eating, especially with my condition, but I couldn’t keep up. I started researching online for help and yours was the first blog I found. Your approach to food and how you eat changed my life. Whoever said something otherwise is oblivious to how amazing pancakes taste. And it’s certainly not a crime to enjoy them during a specific time of the month. Or whenever!
Thank you. Your outlook on life and sense of humor has helped guide me through this hard transition.
I wish you all the best!
Just wanted to say….Your F’n Awesome!!!! I love how real you are 🙂
Super LIKE! You tell ’em. BTW, your recipes are fabulous and inspired!
I love that you are so open about the fact that you don’t eat paleo all the time. I enjoy a lot of paleo food, but as someone with multiple food allergies, the last thing I need is more rules. Thank you for supporting the idea that we all need to eat what’s best for us and not beat each other up for it.
You had me at Arepas 🙂
Late to the discussion, but… As far as I can tell, this has always been a problem within the Paleo “community.” And I think it’s a big deterrent for newbies. Paleo and “clean eating” followers have such potential to influence positive change. But in-fighting is very suppressive and it reflects negatively on all the good that’s occurring. If you go through the archives of your favorite Paleo blogs, most have at least one of these posts. It’s sad really.
The mere number of supportive comments is a testament that people appreciate your work and agree with your sentiments! Thanks Juli!
I am a 64 year old woman. My digestive system has made so many changes for no obvious reason during the past year. Paleo has been a god send, as are you. I enjoy many of your recipes and your comments. People are quick to judge, but with help, eating can be fun and delicious. I must also add both my family Dr. and naturopath are supportive of the Paleo way of eating for my digestive health. All I can say is You Go Girl!!!!!! Thank you.