The paleo lifestyle incorporates whole grains, natural foods and strength training for longevity and good health.
The paleo lifestyle aims to approximate as closely as possible the diet and exercise habits of prehistoric human populations. In addition to eliminating processed foods, preservatives and chemical additives from your diet, the paleo lifestyle requires a faithful adherence to a regimen that incorporates meat, nuts, and plants, with as little preparation as possible, so that food items like bread and pasta are kept to a minimum. The paleo lifestyle has a small but dedicated set of followers, and if you're looking for a gift appropriate for a paleo adherent, there are several different categories to inspire you without tempting the recipient away from their goal of living healthily.
Gifts for the Paleo Kitchen
More often than not, sticking with the paleo lifestyle requires an extensive overhaul of existing dietary habits and preferences. Raw food is particularly paleo-friendly, so look for gifts that are useful for making salads and smoothies. An attractive set of wooden salad bowls, a wood cutting board for chopping fresh veggies or a high-speed, state-of-the-art blender -- such as a Blendtec (blendtec.com) or a Vitamix (vitamix.com) -- would be welcomed by any paleo person. Meat and protein is also very important to the paleo diet. A roasting pan or griddle for the surface of the recipient's range will help them stick to their diet goals and give them an excuse to cook more and spend less money on eating out.
Paleo Workout Gifts
The paleo workout -- while subject to ability and resources -- incorporates lots of high-intensity cardio interval training and strength training designed to develop the skills that were necessary for the life of a caveman, who had to hunt and capture a wild animal if he wanted to eat meat on a given day. A gift like an interval timer for the recipient's demanding gym routine would be an excellent idea -- the Gymboss (gymboss.com) is a popular and economical model that retails for about $20 as of June 2011. A weighted vest can be adjusted according to ability and intensity, and is portable to boot. Vibram FiveFingers (vibramfivefingers.com) are unique shoes that are designed to mimic going barefoot while offering protection from the harsh unknowns strewn across city sidewalks. Or buy a gym membership for the paleo adherent you know -- CrossFit (crossfit.com) is a particularly popular membership among the paleo set, as its gyms offer demanding routines rigorous enough for military training.
The Paleo at Rest
If the person you're shopping for decides to go all-out paleo, they might be chucking other trappings of modern life, such as their mattress and box spring. If that's the case, look for paleo-friendly gifts for nighttime, such as a hammock that can be hung from rafters or suspended on a frame indoors. Or perhaps the gift recipient in question prefers to spend their nights outdoors in true caveman fashion. Look for a single-person tent for the ultimate in portability and protection from the elements.
Popular Paleo Books
Several publications exist to guide followers of the paleo lifestyle so they don't veer off-course. Get "The Primal Blueprint" (primalblueprint.com) by Mark Sisson, which provides a complete interpretation of the paleo lifestyle including diet, exercise and philosophy with suggested products and services to boot. "The Paleo Diet" (thepaleodiet.com) by Loren Cordain is another paleo bible that adds a weight-loss and wellbeing approach to the paleo canon. Another popular paleo guide is "Protein Power" (proteinpower.com) by Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades, which outlines the benefits and importance of protein for the human body, and advocates upping protein intake and cutting down on carbohydrates for a long and energy-filled life.
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