Closing the Chapter on Paleo Paisan & Top 10

Note:  You’ve been warned.  This is a long post.  I feel an explanation of the changes coming is due, but if you’d like to just skip to the Top 10 you can do so by clicking here.

As you know, last month I announced that I was going to be making some changes to my blog.

Enter transition phase.  Hello, nice to meet you. While I updated my about and about me pages with my new perspective, they’re more top-line summaries of what I want to talk about today.  It’s time to enter some scary territory and talk more about it.  I say scary, because everyone seems to feel so passionate about their view on food.  It is highly personal.  But the time has come. Here goes.

I had a little six-month hiatus from blogging that started last September.  September 2014 was filled with moving boxes, a funeral, a wedding, and a transition from a working woman to a dietetic intern.  Lots of positive changes, but chaos nonetheless.

Change and chaos often cause me to self-evaluate, as it’s through challenges, conflict, stress, and trials that I feel like we really see who we are.  What we’re made of.  So it was during this time that I had some major ah-ha moments and realized a change was on the horizon.  I needed it.

I mentioned when I started posting again in February that I was shifting the perspective of my blog and that I would be expanding beyond just offering foods that fit into the paleo diet or “clean eating”.  For me, this shift is really an important one.

I spent some time reflecting on my own way of eating.  I realized that I had been sharing paleo recipes for about one year.  And I believe that through the blog I was sending the message that this was the one right way to eat.  Sure, I had some mention in those posts about flexibility and not being super-strict, but by endorsing paleo at all I was spreading the notion that certain foods were good or acceptable and others were not.  Even though I stated in several places that good-or-bad and black-or-white was bad.  Let’s face it, I was still hanging onto those “rules” by trying to be paleo at all.  On top of that, I feel I was “false advertising”.  Because I’m not a dieter or good with black-and-white.  And even though I like a lot of paleo foods and dishes, I really don’t even know if I ever was able to strictly follow paleo for a sustained period of time.  Like even a full week.  Because while I like paleo foods, I really like other foods too.

Like I mentioned, everyone seems to have such strong opinions about diet, nutrition, food, health, wellness, fitness, and exercise.  People get heated about it!  I follow many foodies and food bloggers on Instagram and maybe you’ve seen it too, but if not, you’d be shocked by some of the comments.  Vegans commenting on paleo photos with hateful remarks of disgust.  People following a standard American diet criticizing a paleo breakfast photo for being cholesterol on cholesterol on saturated fat.  Die-hard paleo crusaders blogging daily about what they feel are ridiculous carb-and-sugar packed vegan treat recipes that are titled “healthy yada yada muffin” or bashing paleo bloggers for “paleoifiying” desserts.

And I get it.  We all are looking for the optimum formula for ultimate health.

We all want to feel great, feel good in our own bodies, and be our best.  We’re an achieving society that likes success and accomplishment.  We feel responsible to take care of our families and loved ones in the best way possible and nourish them to thrive.  And we know that diet is linked to health in the way that a diet and exercise regime (or lack thereof) can contribute to diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Heck, you’ve witnessed part of my journey.  The period when I drank the paleo diet Kool-Aid (haha, no pun intended… cause Kool-Aid is so not paleo…) to answer all of my problems.  Because if I’m being honest that’s really what I did.  Yes, I was and am super interested in the link between diet and disease.  And yes I do think there’s some validity to many of the latest studies about many of the facets of the paleo diet like the anti-inflammatory and thus disease preventing component.  But trying to eat paleo wasn’t the answer to all of my problems.  In fact it caused a few problems too like stress, and worry, and restriction followed by “screw it”.  Cause could I eat that?  Could I buy that product or did it have “bad” ingredients in it?  What could or couldn’t my mom cook that I could eat when I went home? I couldn’t have anything I wanted for breakfast.  When we went out to eat, my friends and family were always kindly asking if I comfortable going to restaurant X or Y; did they have something I could eat there?  Sounds really fun, doesn’t it?

I had my own symptoms and ailments that led me to look to the paleo diet for a cure.  What you might not have seen unless you knew me then, was that I also unintentionally went pretty vegetarian because I just didn’t like a lot of meat or seafood growing up or in college.  I was a little picky growing up.  And through my college dietetic curriculum (whether this is what was actually preached or just how I interpreted it) I graduated with the impression that there were hard and fast rules:

• Whole wheat and whole grains are good.
• Fruits and veggies are good.
• Get most of your calories from carbs.
• Fat is bad (except mono- and polyunsaturated fats, and plant-based “butter” spreads, both in moderation).
• Red meat is bad (except maybe once a week).
• Chicken and turkey are the only ok meats cause they’re low-fat.
• Tofu and meat alternatives (like tempeh) are good.
• The mediterranean diet is good.
• Fish like salmon is good.
• Artificial sweeteners are good and sugar is bad.

But I didn’t feel good trying to live in these black and white rules.  This way of eating didn’t make me feel awesome.

When I recently self-reflected and was truly honest with myself, that was the truth; with paleo I had tried to go on a diet.  And the fact that I did that made me frustrated.  Embarrassed almost.  I liked to think I was smarter than that.  That I knew better from the get-go that diets don’t work and that they’re not sustainable. And that restricting anything only makes humans want it more.  And that restriction will eventually lead to an indulgence because restricting’s just not possible forever by human nature.

I’m human, and I’m curious, and I’m not perfect.

Just like millions of others in this world of instant gratification, “I want it now”, and “things need to be quick and easy cause I’m busy”, I sought the magic answer or quick-fix out there for health.  I mean last I heard, the diet industry was a $60 billion dollar a year industry.  So I’m certain I’m not alone in seeking answers.  It is all just a part of the journey that makes me who I am.  So I’m thankful for these experiences and learnings.

I really believe there are no failures in life as long as you are learning something.  

Also, as part of my continued personal growth, I’m practicing being vulnerable (scary) and honest (like really, honest with myself) so that I stand stronger, more grounded, more secure, and proud of who I am.  No apologies for being me.  So sharing this is an exercise in those things and to be a new voice that supports people in finding a truly healthy and balanced perspective.  Not to perpetuate nutrition myths, or present loads of one-sided research, or claim I found some magic cure-all for health, or that my way and what works best for me is right and obviously should work for you too.  And I urge you to question and get curious about anyone or anything that does make any of those claims.

Because here’s what we know.

And by know, I mean here is what is 100% scientifically proven and we can all generally agree upon.  For the general population that does not have medically diagnosed, food-related diseases…

• Vegetables are good for us.
• Highly refined and highly processed foods probably do not offer major health benefits.

And from there it gets fuzzy.

• The big three: meat (and animal products), grains, and dairy.  These are generally largely controversial.  With these come the debates on gluten, lactose, dietary cholesterol, saturated fat, etc.
• This list could go on and on.  Artificial sweeteners, GMO’s, food dyes, how much fruit is good (it’s got sugar in it, therefore it’s debated), organic food, antibiotic and hormone injected meat, fat (what kinds are good, how much is good), supplements, and so on, and so on, and so on.

Because guess what.  We really don’t know 100% if meat, grains, and or dairy are good or bad for our health with certainty.  Or any of the topics mentioned above.  There is loads of research.  For every research study you can find that says one is good for you, you can find another that says it’s not.  We’re left with so many people who are confused about what’s really good for them.

In fact, while to-date we know a lot about nutrition, we really only know enough to say what is generally good:

vegetables and real identifiable food with known, recognizable ingredients.  We don’t know enough to say, “I know what work for you”.  That is for you to determine.  Only you can decide what amount of animal products, grains, and dairy to include in your diet.  And what ratio of carbs, fat and protein to eat.  And I encourage you to stop looking for that magic right formula or diet.  Cause as of now, there just isn’t one.  As much as sometimes we’d like to believe there is.

Instead, I urge to spend your time efforts exploring your own body …woooah, heyyyy, not where I was going.  Let’s try that again.  I urge to spend your time and efforts exploring your own relationship with food and how it makes you feel.  What do hunger and full feel like?  What does balance really feel like?  What does freedom with food and trusting your body feel like?  What does loving your body exactly how it is feel like?  Have you ever appreciated what your body can do and is capable of?  How do you do that?  What does it feel like to stop looking outside yourself for answers so you’re not susceptible to whatever the next diet fad is?  What does it feel like to focus on enjoying life, creating joy, and living in the present moment instead of have a head consumed with thoughts about food or thoughts that you’re not good enough or you want to change yourself?  When you think you’re hungry, are you really physically hungry?  Or are you emotionally hungry for something like safety, comfort, affirmation, or love?  How do you know?  Spending your efforts here instead of throwing yourself into the rules of a new diet will reward you ten-fold.

Most food bloggers that follow a diet (like raw, or ketogenic, or whatever) are really saying, “guys!  I found a diet and way of eating that works for me!  And I feel great and I love it and I want to share it with you!” And that IS awesome.  And I’m not here to tell them they’re wrong.  Because it if it works for them and they feel food and body peace, then that’s exactly what we want.  At the same time, we should always question diets that strictly exclude a food or foods and qualify it/them as bad and forbidden.  (The exception to this is of course a medically warranted condition like someone with a peanut allergy avoiding peanuts or a celiac avoiding gluten.)

So I urge you to question what works for YOU.

And to not blindly follow someone else’s diet because you’re seeking your own peace and harmony with food and body trust.  You won’t find it in their diet and you’ll be forever searching for the next and the next diet, and your friends and family will be trying to keep up with you and what you can and cannot eat.  Go back to the questions mentioned above and spend your time there.

End of story. 

If this moves you to comment, I urge you to be respectful with your comments below.  Remembering that this is not meant to criticize anyone, no one is perfect.  I’m simply sharing my experience as an imperfect human being.  I’m also sharing what I’ve learned over the years of studying, reading, and learning about nutrition and what I believe works.  I also want my posts to reflect my beliefs, because before in my gut, I always felt there was something not 100% right about doing a paleo-only blog.

Now onto the Top 10.

 

Top 10.

As I work through the transition from Paleo Paisan to what comes next, (I just bought my new domain name today!!  Exciting!!) I thought it would be fun to reflect back on the top 10 recipes from Paleo Paisan’s year of posts.

Number 10.  Homestyle Beef Brisket.

A slow-cooked brisket for some comforting, simple goodness.  My second most pinned recipe on Pinterest.

Number 9.  Garlic Mustard Roasted Salmon.

Super easy marinade (mustard, tamari, garlic, and olive oil) that doubles as the sauce. Perfect for a quick, healthy dish.

Number 8.  Thai Beef Salad.

A fresh, crunchy salad with all of my favorite things about Thai food: sweet, salty, spicy, and umami all in one dish.

Number 7.  Butternut Squash Soup with Apple and Carrot.

Warm, vibrant soup packed with nutrition and flavor.  Simple enough for heating up on a cold day and gourmet enough for entertaining.

Number 6.  Make Your Own Cashew Cookie Larabar.

Your favorite store-bought snack, made at home.

Number 5.  Nana’s Italian Tomato Sauce with Pork & Sausage.

A family recipe I hold close to my heart.  I still feel like Nana’s with me each time I make it.

Number 4.  Mediterranean Sweet Potato Salad.

Toss sweet potatoes with spices, roast them, and then add a simple dressing.  My third most-pinned recipe on Pinterest.

Number 3.  Roasted Fennel.

Nothing makes me happier than to see this on the top 10, let alone top 3.  It’s one of my favorites. Fennel, salt, pepper, and olive oil is all you need.  What my dad famously says about vegetables, “it tastes like candy!” is true here.

Number 2.  Thai Red Chicken Curry.

I break down all the Thai ingredients you may not be used to cooking with or buying.  Take that, cooking intimidation!  Looks like it worked.  Glad you love Thai food as much as me.

 

And finally… drumroll please… most popular recipe of Paleo Paisan is…

 

Number 1.  Make Your Own Almond Milk.

Way easier than you might think, this recipe can be made with equipment you already have in your house.  By far, the most-pinned and most clicked recipe.

 

There you have it!  My longest post ever.  A reflection on where the site’s/my journey has been and where it’s going.  I hope you’ll stay along for the ride.