Note from Heather: As a paleo teenager, I love finding other paleo teenagers and college-age paleo bloggers. I’ve been blogging here for nearly two years now, and I’ve been blessed to be able to connect with many other paleo food bloggers in my age group. The Paleo: The Next Generation series is meant to highlight their blogs and accomplishments while proving that you can eat paleo – and be a blogger! – at any age!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you found paleo/real food eating?
I found the Paleo/Primal diet and lifestyle due to chronic Lyme Disease taking over my body at a young age. It severely affected me both in the gut and neurologically, spiraling my health down a scary path. Because there is not necessarily a “cure” to address all of the damaging effects Borrelia Burgdorferi has had in my body, I decided to take the initiative and research the human body and its relationship to food in hopes to find healing. It was through these countless hours of research that I came across Paleo.
Q: How did you get into blogging and what’s been your favorite thing about it?
I began blogging as a way to keep my friends and family updated on my health status. Being ill and not seeing everyone all the time made the random social encounters very overwhelming, as I had to try and fill people in on everything that has been happening in my life. I still give health updates on my blog to this day, however, my favorite part about having a blog as a whole is that I get to connect with others with similar conditions like myself. It also fills my heart with so much joy and gratitude when I hear of people benefiting from a health article or recipe that I have posted.
Q: What’s the best thing about being paleo?
The best part of eating Paleo is that it has allowed me to cope with the various conditions that still plague my body. It has not necessarily “healed me,” as my body has been brought to a point that food alone cannot fix. However, without Paleo I certainly wouldn’t be here today. Overall, Paleo helps me get through a day!
Q: What’s the hardest thing about being paleo?
Honestly, answering this question is difficult from me, simply because I have been eating Paleo for so long and have learned to fully embrace it. There once was a day where I wished I could eat what everyone else was eating. However, I never let this be my excuse to drop of the deep end, as the state of my health has depending on eating Paleo. My quality of life would significantly decrease without it, therefore, I don’t really see Paleo as being hard. If anything, it would be that grocery stores do not stock more grass-fed organ meat 😉
Q: What’s your favorite recipe on your blog and why?
I have a large obsession with fresh herbs, as they are potent anti-histamines, and therefore help with my Mast Cell Activation Disorder. Therefore, my favorite recipe on my blog is the Crispy Roasted Leek Greens. I honestly could eat leeks everyday, whether sautéed or roasted.
Q: What advice do you have for other young people for eating healthier in the teen to twenty something world?
If I had any advice for someone around my age who was trying to eat healthier, I would say take the time to educate yourself. It can seem really daunting to take on a new “diet” such as Paleo, especially since it can come across as restrictive. However, if you take the time to learn the how, what, where, when and why between food and the human body, Paleo will stop being a label and instead will turn into a lifestyle.
Q: Any other words of wisdom?
Have fun and get connected! Even if you are not one to have a blog and create your own recipes, take advantage of all of the Paleo resources out there. It will fill your road to better health with tons of inspiration, and not to mention, lots of tasty food.
You can find Gabriella on her blog, Beyond the Bite, and on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Thank you for sharing Heather, I love the series!
Good Interview Hon! You have come such a long way. We are glad to see that you are doing so much better. Keep up publishing those great recipes.