Note: this post has been updated.
The best side-benefit of the Paleo/Primal lifestyle has been the way I’ve been constantly, gently, inevitably nudged toward a life of greater thoughtfulness. The SAD pushers, the low-fat freaks, the whole-grain garbagemen – the Miss Trunchbulls of the School of Fake Food – set the stage for years of disconnection from my food, my nourishment, and my place in this world; and living more TTP (Thoughtfully Through Primalocity) changed that for me.
Yes, Miss Trunchbull!
I didn’t even know there was a such thing as a “Grass-Fed Cow” until around the time I began working out with Coach Rut. Primal? Paleo? Ass? Elbow?
The great thing is, I can’t un-know something like that. Once I was introduced to a way of eating that’s more than a Diet or a well-intentioned yet skewed morality play (V*g-ism), I was able to free up some previously bogged-down brain-space for actual, obsession-free, gratitude-filled, thoughtful living. (There’s a first time for everything, no? Har, har.)
My breakthrough was realizing that I’m part of a perfectly, beautifully orchestrated Plan. Humans deviate wildly and unknowingly from this central harmony, but it’s there, and bringing myself into alignment with it by nourishing myself more fully bonded me to it. Call it Mother Nature, call it The Force, call it whatever you want. To me, it feels like appreciative living. It’s everything that unites all of us.
Just a quick side note: I do not smell like marijuana or patchouli. Though I enjoy being barefoot, I also have several pairs of pain spikes high heels and I enjoy things like reality television and electricity. So no, I’m not a total hippie – but yes, I definitely believe there’s a beautiful and deliberate harmony to Nature that we’re well-served by tuning in to.
That’s right. I live there.
So I’ve continued to learn and explore. I’ve learned so much from the ideas presented by the Paleo, Primal, and Weston A. Price camps. (Update: I completed training as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and learned innumerable things from that experience; I’m now working on my Master’s Degree in Public Health.) I don’t agree with everything everyone says, and I’m prepared to defend that perspective. A few points I believe in based on the integration of ideas from my background and academic study:
1) I think food quality is critical to success. Nothing from a grocery store is going to nourish like something from a sustainable local farming operation engaged in integrated pest management and good soil management practices. Sometimes it’s impossible to eat local/pastured – it’s not always possible for me – and I respect that; but most of us can make the effort to seek out those resources at times. We vote with our dollars, after all. The Weston A. Price Foundation is a leader in this respect.
Jennings Farm in Medford, NJ
2) I don’t think fish oil supplementation is a good strategy (I used to, but I don’t anymore) and short-term supplementation is only useful if you’ve got a plan in place for correcting your 3:6 situation through Real Food. I think many folks are too quick to encourage the use of too much Fish Oil. (Update: I have taken the fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter oil blend for several years, which is vastly different from Fish Oil.)
3) I think dairy products like grass-fed butter and ghee are fully health-promoting, and raw milk products from cream to butter and yogurt are absolutely worth testing and incorporating into the modern diet. Yes, we are “human animals” and we can eat like we’re just hunting and gathering and fighting for life in the wild; but we’ve also honed the ability to think, love, appreciate and create. So nourishing, traditional foods like raw full-fat dairy (if it’s legal in your state, try finding it here) are absolutely useful in a nourishing diet. The work of Weston A. Price convinced me of this. Many traditional, non-westernized cultures thrived because of the nutrients (namely, vitamins A, D and K2) they obtained from their animals. Once you’re sure you’re not sensitive to it (and you’re probably not), you should try it out. You don’t have to like it and you don’t have to use it, but do NOT swear it off without giving it a try.
4) (Updated) For the vast majority of people, grains are totally inappropriate and unnecessary. We have more choices available, so we’re not bound by regional availability as traditional cultures who made heavier use of grains likely were. The occasional slice of traditional fermented sourdough or homemade bread from ancestral, non-hybridized grains may be OK, but most folks don’t take the time to seek the proper grains or prepare them properly (soaking, fermenting and sprouting).
5) I think probiotics are best obtained and maintained using real, fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and raw milk yogurt.
6) I think knowing where your ancestors “came from” is an invaluable way to tackle proper nutrition for you as an individual. There is no one-size-fits-all truth (Kitavans vs. Aborigines) but there is a framework (traditional/evolutionary) that’s appropriate for everyone.
7) There are a few tweaks you can make to your food plan depending on your goals – whether they be weight loss/gain, athletic performance, or treatment of psychological syndromes. All of these can be accomplished with a nourishing, quality-conscious, traditional-foods type diet. The excuse “I can’t do this ‘diet/lifestyle’ because _____” is totally invalid.
I use the word “nourishing” a lot. Because without an eye for what’s making me more fulfilled, more grateful, and more connected to my world and my body, I’m not nourishing myself – I’m just dieting. I want to build my intuition, my self-respect, and my connection to the world – starting with my food.
(Coming down from soapbox…now.)
Amen sister! I must remember to link to this post when I ‘come out’ next month. Perfectly perfectly said. Although I live in WAY northern CA and I grew up in the 70s so there’s really no arguing that I AM somewhat of a hippie
but still and all; we’re doing the right thing. Thanks for the great and thoughtful post.
You know, being a hippie isn’t such a bad thing – showers and hippie-ism aren’t mutually exclusive! Thanks for the feedback, and please invite me to the virtual coming-out party!
I wonder how many people will pick up on the writing genius you threw in there with the “really really good looking” bit. Blue steel, baby.
I love this post.
YAY DAIRY!
Um, what? Who said that?
GIVE ME CHEESE OR GIVE ME DEATH!
I picked up on the “z” joke. Made me smirk.
Thanks for this post. I love the concept of TTP.
Rock those knee-high boots!! Woot!
Thank goodness! I may have alienated a few readers who aren’t familiar with Z-ology!
I know this is an older post, but I just want to say that you are the bomb.com! haha, but seriously. I’ve just started out in the Paleo/Primal/WAP way and your blog has definitely been a light for me (“recovering” almost-vegetarian). I’ve been reading all your old posts and wanted to comment on every one. I liked your line in this one, “So no, I’m not a hippie – but yes, I believe there’s a beautiful and systematic interactivity in Nature that we’re well-served by tuning in to.” Preach it, sista!
I also started the OCM today. I’m excited to see how it goes. Anyway, just wanted to delurk and tell you that I really appreciate all of your knowledge that you graciously share on this here blog!
Wow, thank you so much! I needed this one today
If I may add one thing to the OCM, it’s to follow up by moisturizing with coconut oil (not that I don’t still love jojoba, but I’ve been putting a layer of CO on my face before bed and I wake up with the happiest skin). I need to update the OCM post with this data! Thanks for your comment and let me know if you come up with any OCM “tweaks” I need to know about!
I do hope that, since you wrote this article, you have discovered the ancient unhybridized wheat that is available now. I am gluten sensitive and can eat it. I get it from jovialfoods.com. It is called einkorn wheat. The “Iceman” was carrying it and it was cultivated and is now sold. LOVE IT! Do some research. This is the oldest wheat and is not a hybrid.
Denise
Denise, I can’t help but take exception to the “do some research” comment. It seems a bit sardonic! Perhaps you meant it lightly – either way, I’m aware of the ancestral grains and have even encouraged some very grain-concerned clients with either the time to prepare or the money to order them (from Berkshire Mountain bakery, for example) to try them out. I personally have a spot of traditional sourdough now and then. I don’t begrudge anyone their ancestral grains and don’t see the point of arguing their historical context as they are clearly a “traditional food,” which trumps the “historical reenactment” in my opinion. Thanks for reading and for your comment.
Oh, goodness! That wasn’t my intent at all. There was no sarcasm in that. You need a thicker skin, maybe?
This comment is what prompted the “do some research” suggestion. ” There are no strains of grain left that aren’t hybridized”. Straight from your post.
The comment implies that you are not aware of the einkorn grain – which is a pure strain, not hybridized and far healthier than anything we have today. Part of a blog is to share knowledge and I was sharing something of which you were, it appeared to me, unaware.
No offense intended, Your reaction though, makes me hesitant to post here again.
Best,
Denise
Thicker skin? Perhaps! I can admit when I’ve over-reacted
I am definitely a bit sensitive and still struggle with the fact that folks outside my family unit actually read this blog – folks who don’t have intimate knowledge of me or my intentions. I’ve endured some very harsh comments and criticisms through comments in the past, which is difficult and can condition my responses despite my best efforts to the contrary. Your comment is fair, and hopefully you can see where I might have been coming from, as I can definitely see your point(s) 
In reviewing the post again, I do think it needs some edits. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. The post is nearly two years old, and I have certainly continued learning since it was written. I failed to re-read it before posting my response to your comment. I do hope you’ll stop by again.
Thanks, Liz. No offense taken! I know several people who have blogs and I know what they endure from some really obnoxious people.
Did not mean any offense at all and have been enjoying reading on your blog. Thanks for posting helpful information. I search for it everywhere.
I have eight autoimmune conditions, one of them being lupus, and the reason I function so well is because I do not do what the “specialists” tell me to do. I do what I find on blogs like yours with diet and supplements.
Thanks for all your work!
Denise