“But, Pau, why don’t you start a blog? And you should name it “The Belgian Palate”! Let me check on Instagram if that name is taken”… And this is how it began!
I guess my coworker got tired of the way I always going on and on about food whenever she would ask me a question that required more a “yes or no” type of answer. I can’t help it! I’d talk for hours about those latest studies that were so interesting (no, but seriously they were!), or on how the fact that some experiments or life hacks made on rats were mind blowing, or on how we should all be sleeping more, exercise, and drink more water (Gosh I sound annoying)! Typing this, I am actually really starting to think she told me to write a blog so I would keep my mouth shut at the office. But hey, if that’s what it takes, I’m good with it! I love challenges!
The main idea of this blog is to share knowledge, thoughts, debates, mostly about nutrition and health because this is what I like the most, but really, it could be anything from mindset, to sport and well being (I could also write about how I dream of binging on chocolate in front of Netflix every night! I am only human after all…).
I’ve learned from one of my favorite podcasters that, “knowledge is not power! It is potential power, and it only becomes power once you use it!” And that’s from Jim Kwik, with the Kwik Brain podcast, you guys should check him out RIGHT NOW (I’m not kidding, GO!). After listening to this genius everyday, I would just feel really stupid if I didn’t at least try to share my little blondie knowledge on health and nutrition!
I’ve started getting curious about nutrition about maybe 9 or 10 years ago, but really getting into functional nutrition a bit more than a year ago. Since then, I can’t seem to stop myself from learning more. I quickly came to realize that, if you’re not willing to put in the work and the researches when it comes to your health, you’re never going to get the right answers. Especially not from our standard health care system, and/or the food industry. If they could, they’d tell you need to smoke to get oxygen, and they’d put a label with “Healthy” on it. They are not doing it with cigarettes, but they are certainly doing it with everything else. Collecting your paychecks thanks to “lies feeding” is what they do best! Needless to say that given the obesity epidemic we are in, they are really good at it! The other day I couldn’t believe it when I overheard someone saying (while eating a bucket of fried chicken) “But it’s natural!”. First of all, let’s not even get into the debate on why that fried chicken is everything but natural, but even if it was… Do you know what else is natural? Petroleum! Get the point?
I also quickly realized that most of the books or podcasts I listen to, are far from being common knowledge, and yet THEY SHOULD BE. Have you ever come across that quote on social media that says “People eat junk food without batting an eye, but offer them something healthy, they become researchers.” I don’t know who is the genius who wrote this, but this is SO it. First, people legitimately hate being told what to do, that’s number one. Number two, if you do manage to have them listen to your point, they’re going to come up with very original reasons and arguments to tell you how eating crap is creating their best life. It’s fine by me, I don’t like to lecture anyone, you do whatever the heck you want. But I do like to answer questions when they’re being asked. So at first, when I listening to those podcasts, I would screenshot the episodes and post them on Instagram to share them. I was hoping anyone would listen to them, or at least get curious. But let’s face it, I’m far from from being those bimbo influencers with 10k followers, so the message wasn’t quite getting across. With this blog, I want to share anything I’m learning so hopefully, you will be able to make better choices for your health without having to get 36 prescriptions for it (plus it’s free so that’s pretty cool too!). I will put all the references for the podcasts and books for those who want to take it to the next level (and seriously, you should. Some of those guys have the sexiest voice ever 😉)!
As I said, I don’t like telling people what they should or should not do. But I do hope that if you landed on this page, you actually want to make a difference and upgrade your health and well being. And that’s why, if by reading this blog occasionally, you are learning something new, and making a change towards living a healthier, better and longer life, then my mission is accomplished! I can die in peace (well, no, I take that back, I still want to do a lot of epic sh*ts!).
Have fun and feel free to shoot me an email if you want to discuss anything further or if you have any questions!
Bisous, Bye Bye!
Pauline
If you are under the impression you have already perfected yourself, you will never rise to the heights you are no doubt capable of.
Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day
The Belgian Palate 