"Paleo" Commercialized

Organic Cigarettes....Really?

The paleo diet is continually becoming more popular and even the most harsh critics cannot deny this.  Ebooks and conventional paper + ink books are being released at an impressive clip.  The mainstream media has definitely taken notice by doing more stories on the phenomenon.

Before jumping into this foray, please educate yourself on the foods of the diet.  For the purpose of this post I will boil it down to this, this diet revolves around fresh meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit.  In simplest terms, that is it.  Buy these items unprepared and create meals out of them yourself.  Don't rely on a restaurant, a bakery, or a factory to create "paleo friendly" foods for you.


That is exactly what I have noticed with paleo and gluten free.  Many businesses are jumping on the popularity of these trends by creating foods that they say fit within the parameters.  Great, I am all for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.  But do not assume that just because a muffin or loaf of bread is gluten free and "paleo friendly" that it should be anything more than an occasional treat.  It is highly processed, nutrient poor crap....plain and simple.


Highly processed, nutrient poor food is the cause of many of our lifestyle diseases.  I have seen many obese people dedicated to gluten free.  I wonder how this is possible because I just assume they must be eating paleo or primal.  Then I see what they eat and it only differs in that they now substitute gluten free foods in where gluten containing foods were.  The opportunity to add in nutrient dense, whole foods while removing highly processed, nutrient poor foods is completely missed.  


So next time you think about buying a paleo muffin, think about the organic cigarettes pictured at the top of this post and just say "really?".  


CP

Andrew Weil is Making a Splash

 

He recently wrote an article with this quote in it:

No one's health is improved by swapping out natural saturated or monounsaturated fats for skim milk, sugars or processed grains.

 His writing has been leaning more paleo/primal lately.  It is going to take more big name "experts" getting messages like this out to the public.  Robb Wolf and Loren Cordain do a great job but few people have heard of them.  Many more have heard of Dr. Weil.  The more we are good examples of health, strength, and vitality, the more our ideas will be taken seriously by the media darlings.


CP

Why Don't People Bring Steak to the Office as a Treat?

*warning: this post is off the cuff, written quickly, and may be kinda hard to follow.  but heck, this works at some of the most wildly popular blogs out there.*


To answer the title, it's because animal fat is vilified as a killer in our country.  I think everyone knows a doughnut may make them fat if you don't eat them in moderation but they do not think it will kill them.  This crap is constantly brought into the office.  My office mates are always complaining about their weight and/or health.  There is definitely a disconnect.

I often wonder why the default snack generous people bring in to share is some sort wheat laden handful with sugar on top.  No one brings in fruit, nuts, or jerky to share.  There are many reasons I can think of for for that.  Wheat covered in sugar is cheap.  Wheat covered in sugar is convenient.  To bring in the healthier options would require more money and more effort.  That is what is wrong with our food system.  The good stuff is harder to acquire.


I can easily say no to this crap.  My addiction to it ended years ago.  Part of me wants to bring in some fruit as an experiment but some of the doughnut fairies in my office will see right through my scheme and most likely get offended.  Screw it, I am gonna do it anyway.  I wonder how long bananas and apples will last in the common area.  Maybe after that, I will bring in a small beef appetizer.  I will let you know how it goes.


CP

"Drugs Don't Work"

I love some of the quotes from this interview:

"Drugs don't work.

"We need a different solution." 

          "It is 100% reversible." 
             
          "You can't medicate your way out of a bad diet."


I don't like that he feels public policy is needed as a solution.  Parents need to wake up to the fact that the crap they feed their children and allow them to consume is detrimental to their health, plain and simple.  There needs to be a paradigm shift in the thinking about nutrition.  We sure as hell cannot rely on our government in that regard.  They may come around in 20-30 years but that will be too late for millions of adults and children.  Don't let today's children live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents or grandparents.  Are you going to wait for our government to save you and your children?


CP