5 Primal Principles To Live By

When I began my primal journey several years ago, it wasn’t always the easiest thing to explain to people. Faces would inevitably glaze over as I sputtered out phrases like “real food”, “grass fed” and “healthy fat.”

My family was just flat out confused (okay, no bread…but you can still eat pasta, right?) and as I quickly began shedding the pounds, outright panic set in (how long will this diet thing last? Don’t you know you’re starving yourself to death!)

Today Paleo has officially entered the mainstream with the unfortunate label of a “fad diet”. There are a lot more people out there who think they know what Paleo encompasses, and there are a lot more people who really don’t like it.

Some typical responses I hear after someone finds out I’m Paleo are:

• No caveman would ever eat _____ (insert “modern” food product here- mayonnaise, coffee, etc)
• Is that a beer in your hand? I thought you were Paleo, bro…
• I don’t think they had blenders/food processors/slow cookers in the paleolithic era…
• So now you just eat bacon and eggs all the time? Can’t wait to see those cholesterol levels…

On the other end of the spectrum, you have some Paleo-purists who act like they will drop dead if a molecule of gluten gets within five feet of them. They meticulously measure every gram of protein, carbohydrate and sugar they ingest, while constantly debating over what constitutes Paleo.

I try to be pretty disciplined about what I eat, but I have been known to consume an occasional taco or drink a beer or two now and then. I want to be healthy, but I also want to have a life.

Like most things, I believe it all comes down to balance and moderation.

Do I think that eating bacon-wrapped beef balls sautéed in lard everyday is any healthier than eating some occasional oatmeal? Probably not.

Do I want to live a life where I have to think twice about eating a piece of fruit? Hell no.

Do I believe you can not eat meat and still be healthy ? Yes.

What I think makes Paleo or primal living so great is the emphasis on that which is real, natural, and simple. It’s really not a diet, it’s a way of life.

Here’s what primal living means to me:

1. Consuming the freshest, least processed foods I can find, ideally from local sustainable sources

To me, this is the foundation of what primal living is all about, and it also what makes it life-changing. Your body can’t help but look and feel better when you cut out processed crap and start eating fresh foods. Over a short period of time you will start to develop a hunger for nutrient-dense edibles instead of the empty calories of junk food.

2. Cooking meals that emphasize healthy fats, grass-fed/wild caught proteins, and organic vegetables

Another thing I love about primal living is the simplicity when it comes to designing a meal. You just need to focus on three key ingredients- protein, vegetables, and fat. The possibilities are endless, but it’s surprising how easy meals come together by just focusing on these three essentials.

3. Exercising outdoors through forms of physical activity that I enjoy

Exercise used to be a four letter word for me. Once I realized that I didn’t have to run ten miles a day to get into shape, the world opened up. When you exercise by doing things you like, especially outside, it transforms work outs to fun outs. You’ll find yourself exercising more without even realizing it.

4. Cultivating mental health through adequate rest and meditation

So much emphasis is place on food that other aspects of the lifestyle or overshadowed, but they are just as important. Sleep, your body needs it. Get around eight hours a day so your body can operate at peak performance. Our primal ancestors probably weren’t meditating away in their caves, but they did live some pretty stressful lives and had to deal with it somehow. Instead of bashing something with a club, I prefer meditation as a way to relieve stress and bring clarity to the often hectic world we live in.

5. Simplifying all areas of my life as much as possible

It’s pretty easy for excess to creep up in all corners of your life. I try to take a primal approach as much as possible to keep things as simple as I can. Focus on what is essential, remove what is not. We have limited time on this planet, and I prefer to spend it doing what I like with the people I love.

When I start to get overwhelmed about what is or isn’t Paleo, it helps me to come back and remember these principals. Hopefully it helps you too!

 

 

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