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Happy 3rd birthday blog anniversary 3 years paleo network

Happy Blog Anniversary to Me!

Wow – I wrote my first post on this blog three years ago today! Doesn't time fly? By that time I’d been eating paleo for the best part of a year, had lost loads of weight and was feeling amazing. I’d set this blog up ages before I plucked up the courage to start writing. I just attended my first Ancestral Health Symposium in California in August 2011 and came back full of enthusiasm ready to start the Paleo Network!

Since then we've now got Paleo Meetup Groups in every state in the country, I've written 5 recipe ebooks and the Paleo Network Facebook page now has over 79,000 followers! Who’d have thought!

I can’t wait to see what the next three years brings. I wonder, perhaps paleo will be mainstream by then?!

Happy anniversary!

Reflecting on Three Years of Paleo Blogging

Celebrating a Paleo blog anniversary isn’t just about marking time — it’s about reflecting on the journey, the growth, and the incredible community that has formed along the way. When I hit publish on that very first post, I had no idea where it would lead. What started as a passion project has become a full-blown movement, with thousands of readers across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond joining in the Paleo conversation.

The past three years have been filled with recipes tested (and retested), scientific studies read, Paleo events attended, and connections made with like-minded people from all walks of life. It’s amazing how one small decision — to finally share my journey — has rippled out into something so rewarding.

Highlights From the Last Three Years

Let’s take a moment to look back at some of the milestones and standout moments that have shaped this Paleo blog:

The First Ancestral Health Symposium — Travelling to California in 2011 was a turning point. Being surrounded by passionate researchers, doctors, athletes and fellow Paleo followers was incredibly inspiring. It reinforced how powerful ancestral health principles are when applied in the modern world.
Launching the Paleo Network Facebook Page — What started as a few friends and followers has now grown to a vibrant community of over 79,000! The support, questions, and shared recipes have turned a simple page into a valuable hub for connection and motivation.
Publishing Five Recipe Ebooks — From breakfast ideas to hearty dinners, these ebooks have become staples for many of you. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to know these recipes have made their way into so many Aussie and Kiwi kitchens.
Creating Paleo Meetup Groups Across Australia — One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been building real-life community. From Brisbane to Perth, passionate Paleo people have come together to share meals, swap stories, and build friendships.

Why I Started This Paleo Blog

Before I launched the blog, I spent nearly a year immersed in the Paleo lifestyle. I was losing weight, gaining energy, and watching old symptoms disappear — yet I struggled to find local support or practical information tailored to the Aussie experience. So many blogs and books came from American authors, using unfamiliar ingredients or referencing food systems we just didn’t have here in Australia.

I wanted to create something that felt local, relatable, and real. A place where Aussies and Kiwis could find practical advice, community events, and accessible recipes. And that’s exactly what this blog has become — thanks to you.

How the Paleo Movement Has Evolved

In just three short years, the Paleo movement in Australia has grown from a niche idea to a powerful force in health and wellness. Back in 2011, it was rare to find grass-fed meat at the supermarket or bone broth on café menus. Now, it’s hard to walk through a health food store without spotting Paleo snack bars, collagen powders, or references to ancestral nutrition.

Media coverage has exploded, podcasts are everywhere, and many mainstream dietitians are now familiar with (or even supportive of) Paleo principles. There’s been pushback too, of course — but that’s part of any shift that challenges the status quo. The important thing is: Paleo is now part of the health conversation. And that’s a huge win.

Reader Impact: The Real Success Stories

Of all the statistics — page views, Facebook likes, ebook downloads — the ones that matter most are the stories I’ve received from readers like you. Here are just a few:

A mother in Melbourne who reversed her child’s eczema by removing grains and seed oils from their diet
A FIFO worker in Western Australia who used this blog to create a portable, Paleo-friendly meal plan that helped him lose 15kg
A couple in Auckland who found their local Paleo meetup through the blog and now host monthly dinners for their community

These are the reasons I keep writing. These are the stories that make every late-night post and recipe experiment worth it.

The Future of Paleo Blogging in Australia

As I look ahead to the next three years (and beyond), I’m more excited than ever. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up:

More in-depth guides – covering topics like histamine intolerance, ancestral skincare, and food sourcing tips tailored to Australia and New Zealand
Real food travel guides – for cities and regions around Australasia that support a Paleo lifestyle
Member-only content – think downloadable shopping lists, monthly meal plans, and deep-dive interviews
Events and retreats – once the world fully opens up, I’d love to organise in-person experiences to connect us all

I’ll also continue to share the personal side of this journey — the wins, the struggles, the experiments — because I believe health is deeply human. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

What You Can Do to Support the Blog

If this blog has helped you over the last three years, there are some easy ways you can support its growth:

Share your favourite blog posts on Facebook or Instagram
Leave a comment – I love hearing from you!
Subscribe to the newsletter for early updates and exclusive content
Download the ebooks or recommend them to friends
Join your local Paleo Meetup Group

Every little bit helps keep this blog alive and thriving — and lets me keep creating free content for the community.

Gratitude for the Community

This blog is nothing without its readers. Your questions, encouragement, recipes, and shares have kept me going through every stage of this journey. From day one, I’ve wanted this space to feel like a conversation — and it absolutely does.

So thank you. Whether you’ve been here since the very first post or found the site yesterday, I’m so glad you’re part of this community.

Here’s to the Next Three Years!

As I blow out the metaphorical candles on this Paleo blog anniversary, I’m filled with appreciation and excitement. The Paleo world continues to evolve, and I can’t wait to keep sharing that journey with you — one blog post, one recipe, and one step closer to vibrant health at a time.

Happy anniversary to the blog — and thank you for being part of this wild, nourishing ride!

Paleo Birthday Cake Recipe

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Who said you can't have birthday cake now you're eating paleo?

My Mum is very careful to avoid all grains and sugars, so was both delighted and horrified when I presented her with this cake for her birthday! I didn't own up to the contents until she cut into it – she hadn't been expecting to cut into a melon!

Birthday Cake Ingredients:

A large watermelon
Double cream (use coconut cream if you don't do dairy)
Flaked almonds
Summer berries

Birthday Cake How To:

1) The key is in cutting the watermelon into a good shape. Cut the top and bottom off the melon (at the widest part). Cut the edge off carefully, making sure your cut is straight. There will be a lot of wastage in pursuing the perfect cake shape – so save it all for a fruit salad!

2) Whip up the cream (use coconut cream if you can't tolerate dairy) and spoon it onto the melon cake, arranging it to cover the whole cake.

3) Sprinkle the almond flakes onto the sides and top of the cake and decorate with fresh berries.

You can also use other types of melon or pineapple – or even tier them to make a layered cake. Have you had a go at making a paleo birthday cake? I'd love to hear how you made yours!

Paleo Birthday Resolutions

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It’s my birthday today, which is the perfect time to evaluate my achievements this past year – and to focus on what I want to achieve in this brand new, unchartered year.

This past year can be summarised by one word for me: Paleo! I’ve travelled to America twice for PrimalCon and the Ancestral Health Symposium and met so many amazing, lifelong, Paleo friends along the way. I’ve refined my Paleo nutrition and found what works for me. My housemate and a few friends have adopted a Paleo lifestyle, which I am thrilled about. I’ve spent a lot of time this year researching and reading in the Paleosphere – and of course, I started this blog. My biggest personal achievement this year has been my fitness. I have never been as fit as I am now and it enhances almost every aspect of my life. Linked into all of these factors, my sleep has been another huge transformation this past 12 months. I used to really struggle to fall asleep, sleep very poorly, then struggle to wake up in the morning. The last few months however, I’ve been tired at bedtime, sleeping soundly and waking up before my alarm almost every morning!

It seems like a timely point to work out what I want to achieve between now and my next Birthday, with the help of some “New Years” resolutions. So, from tomorrow: –

Resolution #1: I’m going to see the sunrise and sunset every day.

This is going to be quite a challenge, but it seems a really important link, to the body’s natural circadian rhythm. After all, we should live alongside the natural day; staying up until 4am isn’t good for us. Here in Sydney Sunrise is between about 5:15am (this month) and 7am in the winter months. This should be fairly easy. I’ll get up just before sunrise, so I should see the sunrise on my walk into work. The time of year will then determine how long I spend in the gym/ swimming pool before I go to work – or perhaps I’ll even start work early? Sunset will be a lot more of a challenge, as in Sydney it varies from around 4:50pm in June to about 8:10pm in the summer months (I do miss those long summer evenings in the UK!). I’m not sure how I’ll tackle this one in the winter, but the summer should be quite achievable.

Resolution #2: I’m going to get rid of five things every day.

One Primal area I really struggle with is minimalism! I have a lot of “stuff”. My friend Lars over at Primal Minimalist has recently started a new daily habit of de-cluttering his house by five things every day. I could honest do this every day for the next year – and probably still have quite a lot left by my next birthday. So this is what I’m going to do!

Resolution #3: I’m only going to eat local food.

I think I’m probably fairly compliant on this one already, when I eat at home. When I eat out however (which is all too frequently), I often have no idea where the food is sourced from. I need to know this. I think it’s really important to eat local food (and ideally, organic). This should also mean I am only eating seasonally, which is also important. I can hopefully achieve this by bringing in my lunch to work, and eating out less. When I do eat out, I’ll be very careful to select somewhere that uses local food – and I won’t be afraid to ask! One area that might not be possible is coconut oil; I’ll investigate further, but may need to make an exception here.

Resolution #4: I’m going to up the ante on my chin-up & fitness mission.

By my next birthday I want to be able to do ten unassisted pull-ups and be working towards hand-stand push-ups! I also want to be considerably fitter and stronger than I am today. As I have never been as fit and strong as I am today, this is all very exciting new territory.

Are you still sticking to your New Years or birthday resolutions? Which new Paleo habits would you like to adopt? What do you think of my resolutions?

Reflecting on a Year of Paleo Progress

As I look forward to another Paleo-filled year, I’ve realised that the power of consistent, conscious habits cannot be overstated. These resolutions aren't just short-term goals—they’re foundational lifestyle shifts that can build lasting wellness. So many of the benefits I’ve experienced—improved sleep, fitness, energy, and mindset—have been cumulative, reinforcing one another over time.

Resolution #5: Prioritise Sleep and Recovery

While my sleep has already improved dramatically, I want to go one step further and truly optimise my evening routine. That means limiting screen exposure after dark, having a consistent bedtime (even on weekends!), and winding down with stretching or meditation. Good quality sleep helps regulate hormones, improves recovery from workouts, and supports immune health—all key tenets of the Paleo lifestyle.

Resolution #6: Cultivate Daily Stillness

The past year has been full of activity—travel, social events, and fitness achievements. But one area I’d like to develop further is stillness. Whether it’s through daily journaling, time in nature, or a quiet walk without distractions, I want to find moments every day where I can pause, breathe, and centre myself. Stillness is a deeply ancestral practice, and a vital counterbalance to modern busyness.

Resolution #7: Learn a New Traditional Skill

Modern life makes it easy to rely on convenience—but as part of my Paleo journey, I want to reconnect with traditional skills. This could mean learning to ferment vegetables, make my own jerky, or even try traditional forms of movement like crawling or climbing. Not only are these practices practical, but they also build self-sufficiency and a greater appreciation for ancestral knowledge.

Resolution #8: Engage with the Paleo Community More

One of the best things about going Paleo has been the incredible community. Whether online or in person, I’d love to be more active in supporting and sharing with fellow Paleo enthusiasts. That might mean attending more local meetups, commenting more on blogs and podcasts I enjoy, or even hosting a Paleo potluck dinner. This lifestyle is easier, more fun, and more sustainable when shared.

Staying Accountable and Inspired

To stay on track with all of these goals, I’m going to start keeping a simple log. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just a few notes each evening about what I did well, where I could improve, and what I learned. Tracking progress is a great way to stay focused and spot patterns—especially when juggling multiple resolutions.

Celebrating More than Just a Birthday

This birthday feels less like a milestone and more like a springboard. I’m grateful for the health, energy, and clarity I’ve gained, and I’m excited for what the next twelve months might bring. From sunrises to slow living, and chin-ups to coconut oil, I’m committed to living intentionally and continuing to evolve on my Paleo path.

I’d love to hear from you—what new habits or challenges are you taking on this year? Are you inspired to revisit your own resolutions?

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