Paleo Plus One

Well, I’ve been quite the absentee blogger in 2013. January was a month of travels, of planning for what’s to come this year, and spending more of my free time away from soul-devouring technology. Refreshing, to say the least. It’s one month into this year, so here’s to reflecting a bit on how we got to this point. But moreso to  lay out some sketches of the road ahead in 2013.

Almost a year ago now, Kristin first sprang with enthusiasm that we do this blog project.  I couldn’t foresee myself as an interesting blogger. I like other interesting bloggers and I’m not them. Well the idea evolving in this space is to situate what we have to say about diet and health in the realm of personal observations; the goal is for you readers to consider the information we share in terms of also understanding us more as whole persons. (Kristin is very personable in her writing, but for my own part I’m not convinced I’ve been doing this as well as I could. So, let’s say a better blog experience for the reader should come around at some point!)

My 2012 was about deliberate and introspective tweaking and adjusting directions. I knew we were headed in the generally right direction, but more could be done. As I understand more, former certainties become less certain. The big theme was paradigm awareness. Paradigms are useful and can be trusted, yet distrust is also okay. Revisiting foundations. As usual I’m being non specific since this extends beyond the effective quality of just a paleo diet; so many things in life have to be examined and later re-examined.  I spent a lot of time thinking about how to collate resources available from various disciplines and how practical usefulness might emerge.

What stood out most in 2012 was Year 2 as a Daddy. I’ve come to see the clear endpoint in knowing better and doing better, because these are the concepts values and skills we must gift to our children responsibly. That introspective awareness as an individual needs to branch out to others and those closest to us first and foremost. One of the most amazing dynamics of family are the mutual influences that occur. We help shape our child’s worldview, but our child reminds and awakens us to what are the basic needs in life, the basic joys of living, and how much love is encompassed by nurture, reliance and affection.

*************

2013 has been interesting already, both in personal development and family experiences. Travel is already more of a priority this year. Time spent in natural environments, I mean to really be in them, is part of the new normal.

I shy away from resolutions, but there are some phrases and buzzwords floating in my head.  Vectors worth  pursuing. Here are a few:

• Proprioception - This basically just means having sense of bodily movement and touch and balance.  Through MovNat and similar skill plans I intend to focus more on exercises and skills that cultivate better sense of balance and feel, how my body is positioned in context to specific environments, loads and challenges. The goal is to move and navigate gracefully and confidently despite the circumstances. Traditionally I’m quite the klutz, so this would be a huge feat.
• Breathing - Short shallow breaths have been the norm for me as most people these days. A subtext of tension always seems to run through my muscles and bones – neck and shoulders – and it is most apparent in breathing. I hope to dive deeper into conscious deep breathing techniques this year, and determine how breathing impacts all sorts of activities.
• Minimize / Simplify - I come from an upbringing that wasn’t shy on clutter and disorganized households. The pyschological impact is probably more than I’ve recognized.
• Improved Sleep - This should go without saying. Some more lab work and lifestyle analysis will be required.
• Doing not Saying - Sort of contradicting this post, but talking less about what I need to do and just doing it will be a key element going forward
• Quantifying my health - I’m seeking more opportunity to partner with medical professional(s) aware of  the preventative plan to personal health care. Quality partnerships and tracking my health curve with consistent bloodwork will be priority, especially as I see age 40 starting to come around the bend.
• Get a skateboard - It feels right to tap back into this childhood past time. If I can improve my balance, mobility and proprioception, why not have some urban fun with it?
• Woodworking and/or other hands-on crafts - Applying oneself to movement skills does get the brain and hands inspired to work together in other ways. Traditional crafts – like woodworking – are just the ticket for me, creative and practical projects that also include some physical effort.
• Becoming certified in physical competence / laying groundwork to help others become physically competent - It’s a mouthful meaning I want to move better and be qualified to teach others how to move better. More to come on that front.

 

Peace out in 2013!