Best Australian Blogs 2012 Competition

I'm very excited to be a nominee in the Best Australian Blogs 2012 competition! I seem to be the only Paleo/ Primal blog in the competition, so it would be great to get into the final, so more people find out what this Paleo thing is all about!

If you feel inclined to vote, I'm on the fifth page as “The Paleo Network” and I'd love your support!

Why Blogging Still Matters in the Paleo World

Since starting this site, I've been continually amazed by the Paleo community – not just how welcoming and supportive it is, but how engaged, curious, and passionate people are about living well. Blogging might feel a bit retro these days, but it continues to be one of the most powerful tools we have to share ideas, connect with others, and question the mainstream.

Being nominated in the Best Australian Blogs competition back in 2012 was an exciting milestone for me, not just because of the exposure it offered, but because it was an early sign that the Paleo movement was gaining traction here in Australia. At the time, Paleo was still widely misunderstood – and definitely seen as fringe by most health professionals and media outlets.

But this blog – and the many others like it – helped change that.

The Rise of Paleo in Australia

In the early 2010s, Paleo was slowly making its way into the Australian conversation. People were beginning to question food pyramid guidelines, investigate the role of sugar and grains in inflammation, and think more critically about modern processed foods. It was an exciting time – and also a confusing one.

There weren’t that many reliable Australian-based Paleo resources. Much of the information came from the US, which, while useful, didn’t always translate well to our local food options, brands, or health systems. That’s why being part of a growing Australian-based Paleo blogosphere felt so important. It was about creating a resource grounded in our landscape, our lifestyle, and our realities – whether that meant understanding Medicare rebates for functional medicine, or knowing which supermarket brands of tinned coconut milk didn't contain thickeners or gums.

Blogging vs Social Media: Why Long-Form Still Wins

With the rise of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, it’s easy to assume blogging might have had its day. But long-form content still serves a critical purpose – especially in the Paleo and health space. Social media is brilliant for inspiration, short hacks, or beautiful food photos – but it’s not where you go for in-depth recipes, scientific explanations, or nuanced comparisons of food quality and sourcing.

Blog posts allow space to:

• Break down complicated topics like the differences between grain-fed and grass-fed beef
• Share personal health journeys or Whole30 recaps
• Review Paleo products in detail
• Explore deeper issues like environmental sustainability, ethical meat sourcing, or food labelling laws in Australia

Google also continues to favour long, in-depth content when it comes to SEO – meaning blog posts often rank better and longer than fast-moving social media content. That’s another reason competitions like the Best Australian Blogs are valuable – they shine a spotlight on this kind of work and remind readers of the depth that long-form writing can offer.

How Blogging Helped Grow the Paleo Network

Since launching this site, I’ve received hundreds (if not thousands) of emails and comments from people who’ve found a recipe that helped them stay on track, a piece of advice that made the transition to Paleo easier, or simply a sense of relief that they weren’t alone in feeling overwhelmed by nutrition dogma.

That kind of connection is what blogging does best.

I’ve also had the opportunity to connect with so many amazing people in the Paleo, Primal, and real food world – from local butchers and farmers to nutritionists, CrossFit coaches, and passionate home cooks. Being nominated for a blog award was a nudge to keep going – and to keep creating helpful, inspiring content that’s grounded in real Australian life.

The Challenges of Running a Health Blog

Of course, it's not always easy. Writing consistently while juggling life, work, and everything in between can be a challenge. Algorithms change, website updates break things, and sometimes it feels like you’re writing into the void. But then someone leaves a comment saying the beef and kale stir-fry helped them get through a tough week, or that your explanation of seed oils helped them understand what was upsetting their digestion – and it makes it all worthwhile.

There’s also the responsibility of staying up-to-date with research, avoiding fear-mongering, and presenting a balanced, evidence-informed view. Paleo has grown and evolved over the years – and so have my views. That’s why I’m passionate about continual learning and updating old posts where needed.

How You Can Support Paleo Bloggers

Blogging might seem like a solo endeavour, but readers play a huge role in making it worthwhile. If you enjoy the content you read – whether it’s here or on any other site – there are a few ways you can help support it:

• Leave a comment – It helps with SEO, but more importantly, it shows the writer someone’s listening
• Share a post on Facebook, Pinterest, or with a friend – Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing there is
• Subscribe to newsletters – It’s the best way to stay connected and see the newest posts
• Support affiliate links or product recommendations – If they’re products you’d buy anyway, it’s a no-cost way to support the blog
• Vote in blog competitions – Like the Best Australian Blogs comp – these votes help Paleo blogs gain mainstream visibility

Looking Forward: The Future of This Blog

Although this post is a flashback to 2012, the core mission of this blog hasn’t changed: to make it easier for Australians to embrace a Paleo lifestyle in a realistic, accessible, and inspiring way.

In the years since, I’ve written hundreds of posts, developed multiple recipe books, shared my Whole30 experiences, and explored everything from hormone health to barefoot running. And there’s so much more to come.

Whether you’re here for meal inspiration, troubleshooting your digestion, navigating kids lunchboxes, or just curious about ancestral living – thank you for being here. Your support is what makes this blog continue to thrive.

Final Thoughts

Being part of the Best Australian Blogs competition was never about the trophy or the votes – it was about standing up for something that matters. A reminder that food can heal. That community counts. And that every blog post, no matter how small, can be part of a much bigger movement.

If you’re new to Paleo, welcome – there are hundreds of articles here to get you started. If you’ve been reading for a while, thank you – it means the world.

And if you're ever wondering if one person can make a difference? You just did.