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!
Today’s interview is with the amazing Macy Diulus of Paleo Crumbs. Macy has gastroparesis, but she doesn’t let that stop her from being an inspiration to others!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you found paleo/real food eating?
Hi everyone! My name is Macy and I am the blogger behind Paleo Crumbs. I found the power and importance of real food as a result of my poor health. At the age of 15 I became very sick to the point that I didn’t have the energy or feel well enough to go to school and became homeschooled. After a long process to be seen by a specialized doctor, a long, scary hospitalization, the necessitation of a feeding tube, I was ultimately diagnosed with multiple diagnoses such as gastroparesis, colitis, gastritis, lactose intolerance and a few food sensitivities. This all led my mom and I to look further into gluten free and then paleo as well. My mom has had several health issues as well including thyroid cancer and autoimmune diseases so she was already familiar with the gluten free and paleo world to which she shared many blogs and cookbooks with me that I instantly fell in love. I loved that the paleo lifestyle emphasized the importance of real food and all the inspiring healing stories of many bloggers who had healed or placed in remission many chronic illnesses from this real food lifestyle.
Q: How did you get into blogging and what’s been your favorite thing about it?
I had always really loved reading food blogs, even before I started reading gluten free and paleo blogs and I really enjoyed the weekly recipes and adventures bloggers wrote about. My mom and I went to a book signing for George Bryant and Juli Bauer for their cookbook “The Paleo Kitchen” and I was inspired to start my blog after seeing the amazing community and hearing them talk about their passion for real food. On the drive home from the book signing that night I got to talking with my mom about maybe starting a blog to which she fully supported and replied “Today is the day” a famous quote by Meghan Telpner. The next day I woke up and started brainstorming blog names and the rest is history! haha 😉
Q: What’s the best thing about being a paleo teenager?
The best thing about being a paleo teenager is no doubt the wonderful and kind community! I have met so many amazing kind, welcoming, and supportive people and mentors in the paleo community, including many paleo teens. I am so blessed to call many my friends!
Q: What’s the hardest thing about being a paleo teenager?
Honestly, I wouldn’t really say that there is something hard about being a paleo teenager for me, but also keeping in mind I’m not an average paleo teen or average teen for that matter especially with a feeding tube and not going to a “traditional” school.
Q: What’s your favorite recipe on your blog and why?
Oh that’s a hard one, haha! Probably the Chocolate Sunbutter Graham Crackers because it not only is one of my original blog recipes, but it is recreated from such a fond childhood memory! Plus, there is chocolate involved and anything with chocolate is delicious, haha! Also, I’d probably have to say my Green-a-licous Smoothie (which I guest posted on your blog!) as smoothies are such a daily part of my life! I love that this smoothie incorporates greens in it and still tastes super yummy!
Q: What advice do you have for other young people for eating healthier in the teen to twenty something world?
My advice would be to embrace it! Never let someone tell you it’s weird or let someone discourage you from taking control of your health or from being passionate about real food! Eating real nutrient dense food, such as those recommended by the paleo guidelines, is something I think anyone, especially teens should be proud of, and most of all enjoy! Also I would say that I like to think of paleo as a template and about listening to what works for your body and what doesn’t. Everyone is different therefore everyone will tolerate certain foods better or worse than others. Some people get so caught up in having to be strict paleo, but ultimately I think the important thing to remember is to focus on real nutrient dense food that nourishes your body and makes you feel awesome!
Q: Any other words of wisdom?
Lastly, I would say, know that no matter what obstacle or bump in the road you face in life-don’t be discouraged! Don’t let anything stop you from fulfilling or creating a passion! I never thought that I would be sitting here writing this with a chronic illness, a feeding tube, a blog of my own, and a strong passion for real food and photography! One of my favorite scriptures is Matt. 19:26. This helps me to remember that no matter what all things are possible!
You can find Macy on her blog, Paleo Crumbs, and on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Google+. Also check out her ebook, Paleo Crumbs Fall Favorites!
