Paleo Lifestyle

You may be confused what the Paleo diet is; here’s Paleo in a nutshell! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv-1lJR2bTw

Although this diet may seem like just another fad in the nutrition world, this lifestyle is based heavily on knowledge from Anthropology, Archaeology, and Biochemistry. If I could give one piece of advice to my readers it is to abstain from processed foods and start eating real foods. Although many diets embrace this idea, the Paleo diet takes it a step further by defining the “real/human” foods as the foods humans ate before the introduction of grains, legumes, and dairy. Instead of thinking as the foods one cannot eat on the Paleo Diet, one must think of the many foods that we can enjoy.

Paleo Definition of real foods: meat, seafood, vegetables, healthy fats, fruits, and nuts

The Paleo Diet is about variety. It is important to eat real foods in season. Try to familiarize yourself with local food vendors and the way they grow their food or raise their animals. Animals should eat what they are meant to eat depending on the species (ex: cows should eat grass, not grains). As you learn more about this diet, change your mindset and start thinking of what foods would be available if you had to live off of the land by hunting and gathering foods. Also begin to think of what kind of a lifestyle a caveman would maintain.

This graph explains the Paleo Lifestyle in a quick view. Click to Enlarge. 

Why am I here? Why would I create this blog?

It started a few summers ago, when the healthiest and most important man in my life found out he had 3 blockages to his heart, one being a 90% block in the Widow Maker, which usually results in death. My dad was one spike of blood sugar away from a heart attack. When he realized someone like him, the picture of health, had heart disease he searched for a problem in his lifestyle. At the time he believed he ate a fairly wholesome diet, and throughout his life he had been a high school athlete, college rower, a triathlete competing in Ironmans, and had recently joined crossfit. What was wrong? After extensive research for the best diet on Earth, he found the one we were designed to eat. He found the diet that humans evolved eating, The Paleo Diet. Call it what you may, Caveman Diet, Primal Eating, or the other versions people have trademarked to make money. To me it’s the only definition of a healthy diet. He began eating this way- avoiding all grains, dairy, soy, refined sugars, and legumes- sleeping longer, walking more, lifting weights, and looking at the world with a new perspective. This new lifestyle made him feel better than he had ever felt, and the major drop in the scale was just a plus. My father’s first mission was and is to live long and to see his grandchildren one day. His second mission was to change the world by leading as example. His example has in turn changed my interests, passions, and life goals.

Why did I change my life as well?

While it may seem extremely strange that a 19 year old has been willing to devote her free time to the health of herself and the health of others, it really should not be strange at all. Has our society blinded us to the fact that what you put in your body is actually you? The pizzas, ice creams, cookies, cupcakes, and you name it… Is that what you want to be? I realized I didn’t. I grew up eating that crap, probably more than most people because I was the pickiest eater you could ever meet. I didn’t touch a vegetable until a few years ago, and a daily intake included poptarts and chicken nuggets.  I had no idea what I was doing to myself and no one stopped me! I was thin my whole life, even stick-like looking at some points, but it wasn’t until high school that I realized my health mattered. At first I went in the wrong direction, looking for low-cal options to my favorite foods that were still made of crap just less calorie crap. It took a few years for me to learn what healthy eating is and I’m still learning loads of new things everyday. When my dad began his paleo journey, I started beginning my journey as well slowly. I first cut out all gluten and dairy and processed foods like Mr. John, my health coach, had advised (Mr. John had a huge influence on my interest in health). I felt better immediately, my weight stopped fluctuating and the bloat disappeared. I slowly eliminated things that I hadn’t realized until then were actually unhealthy. My diet became more and more resembling what my dad did and I made the decision to transition into the Paleo/Primal lifestyle myself. Yes I’m 19, so many people say “it’s too expensive” or “it’s too hard” or “you’re obsessed” and “I could never do it”. This diet is not any of those things.

 

1. It’s too expensive– No, no, no, no, no. Before giving excuses, please do some Google searches like “How can I eat Paleo on a Budget?” for starters! And I promise you that you can find hundreds of people explaining how to eat this way on a budget.
2. It’s too hard– I’m sorry to say but eating whole delicious foods is not hard at all, it’s enjoyable and makes you feel good. There are a lot more hard things out there like battling disease or quitting an addiction. Someone following this diet will without a doubt tell you that they still eat delicious foods. Does a steak with pasture buttered vegetables and a piece of fruit for dessert sound so painful to eat…? I enjoy eating every meal I make.
3. I could never do it– Many people can’t find a motivation. Start looking for one because the benefits are numerous: lose a few pounds, clear your skin up, have more energy, sleep at night, prevent diseases and cancer, become a better athlete, YOU NAME IT. But stop giving excuses, start today, because I did. It changed my life and it brought me to this blog to change yours as well.