[New research shows that bread might very well have been a staple source of food in the paleolithic man's diet. All I'm going to say is that the firestorm that's going to erupt in the paleo community the coming days is going to be VERY interesting. I will explain why in this post. For those of you don't know what I'm referring to, bear with me to the end of the post and it will make sense.]
Something tells me there be a storm a comin’ in the form of a lot of really upset paleo diet followers. Because new research has just shown that bread was around for 30,000 years. Here’s a quote from the article:
“Starch grains found on 30,000-year-old grinding stones suggest that prehistoric man may have dined on an early form of flat bread, contrary to his popular image as primarily a meat-eater.

The findings, published in the [...]

Original post by rafael@thefitnessadviser.com (Rafi Bar-Lev)

1 Mile Carry (1/4 of your bodyweight)
Variations on this WOW are encouraged. See the “How-to” and “Variations” sections below.

How-to:
Warmup: A couple rotations of the Grok Squat and Grok Hang.
Time to complete: Approx. 20 minutes
Grok regularly carried heavy objects over long distances. Whether moving camp, carrying baby Grok to and fro all day long or bringing home the kill, carrying was a part of Grok’s life. And it should be part of yours, too.
Grab a heavy object (kettlebell, heavy rock, water jug, barbell, dumbbell, sandbag, loaded backpack, weight vest, etc.) that amounts to a quarter of your bodyweight and carry it 1 mile. That’s 40 lbs for an individual that weighs 160.
I recommend changing your carrying method over the course of your trek. Put the weight on one shoulder, then the other. Carry it in one hand, then the other. Place it across your arms or bear hug [...]

Original post by Mark Sisson

["Hey, if I miss a workout for something little like mountain climbing in -30F weather, then I'll never workout..."]
 
The idea of combining strength with flexibility to create an incredibly functional and strong level of fitness has been around for a very long time. Gymnastics is probably the best “pure” example of this — where the gymnast needs to be both flexible and strong to be successful. But there are plenty of examples of martial artists who were flexible and fit who started incorporating weight training to increase their strength. Bruce Lee is probably the most known example of this.
But despite it being well known that there are huge benefits to combining strength and flexibility, the idea of doing so is taboo to many men and women. Many men would not be caught in a yoga class for fear of seeming feminine and many women will not touch a weight over [...]

Original post by rafael@thefitnessadviser.com (Rafi Bar-Lev)

When you’re in the mood for something decadent, or a special occasion arises, or it’s a Tuesday and for no particular reason at all you’re craving lobster, MDA Reader Kerry Carlson’s Lobster, Grapefruit and Avocado Salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing is one to turn to.
Kerry’s lobster salad is flavored by a bold combination of tart grapefruit, creamy avocado and salty bacon. This trio of contrasting flavors will wake up your taste buds and demand they take notice of what you’ re eating. Each bite is a celebration of varying textures and flavors, and when one of those bites also includes a chunky piece of lobster meat, you’re really in for a treat.

Lobster is loved for its decidedly un-fishy flavor, which makes it a favorite even with people who don’t adore all types of seafood. The meat is mild and buttery and, in fact, it’s fantastic served with nothing more than [...]

Original post by Worker Bee

Despite our culture’s “problematic” relationship with personal health (yes, I’m straining to be this diplomatic), we sure do like our medical T.V. There’s the news of course, the doctor talk shows, and the dramas: House, HawthoRNe, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice… (I have no doubt I’m missing some.) It’s one of those head scratchers – kind of like our culture’s current penchant for food T.V even though the average American spends less time cooking than ever these days. When it comes to the news, they make anything and everything sound like an imminent emergency. (Swine flu, anyone?) As for the dramas, there are the good looking people, romantic plotlines, feverish action, and tear-jerking narratives. More to the point, however, you have bizarre assortments of random medical oddities, the suspense leading up to the eventual diagnoses, and the inevitable drama surrounding characters’ medical treatments and tragedies. It’s enough to pique anyone’s curiosity, [...]

Original post by Mark Sisson

[Don't be afraid to reach for big goals when you start something new. Sometimes we have a sub-conscious fear of success because success is new territory and an "unknown" - but success is built on facing the unknown - not running from it. It reminds me of a good quote by Sylvester Stallone, paraphrased, "When I get nervous and scared about an idea I have, then I know that it's a good idea and I should follow through on it."]
There’s a concept called the novice-effect that has been made popular by Mark Rippetoe, who is the author of one of the most important weight lifting books ever written called Starting Strength. The idea of the novice effect is that while a person who is advanced at an exercise can only make limited, set gains, someone who is completely new and has never before been introduced to a certain workout can make [...]

Original post by rafael@thefitnessadviser.com (Rafi Bar-Lev)

I’m not big on yoga, as most of you know. Too much idle time for me. I’d rather be playing. But last Sunday (a beautiful, sunny, SUP kinda day), I caved to the pressures of my wife Carrie, who loves yoga, and attended a session. It was to be a multi-hour event (a “workshop”) so we brought pillows and fur blankets to be comfortable. As we’re entering the studio, bedding in tow, I run into Michael Anderson, the owner of CrossFit Malibu sitting in the atrium, sipping on a Starbucks coffee. I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights and he just grinned. Mark Sisson, Mr. Primal, with a furry blanket and just moments from striking a pose and singing some oms. I told him that nothing was going on here, mumbled something about research and that he hadn’t seen anything. We winked and went our separate ways. [...]

Original post by Mark Sisson

 
For those who are interested in maintaining a healthy weight, finding low calorie alcoholic drinks is a common problem. In fact, one of the biggest reasons that so many people aren’t able to lose the weight is specifically because they are unaware just how many calories they are intaking through alcohol, with the culprit usually (but not always) being beer.
That being said, not all alcohol is equal and some has more calories than other. Here’s a breakdown of different kinds of alcohol and how many calories they’re packing:
1. Wines:
Dry Wine:  One Glass (3.5 FL OZ) has 157 calories.
Sweet Dessert Wine: One Glass (3.5 FL OZ) has 165 calories.
2. Beer:
Regular: One can has 153 calories.
Light: One can has 103 calories.
3. Vodka, Whiskey:
100 Proof Vodka: 1.5 FL OZ has 124 calories.
86 Proof Vodka: 1.5 FL OZ has 105 calories.
86 Proof Whiskey: 1.5 FL OZ has 105 calories.
The Bottom Line…
The bottom line, [...]

Original post by rafael@thefitnessadviser.com (Rafi Bar-Lev)

With the whirlwind of the Primal Challenge behind us, I have been enjoying getting back into the normal swing of things. Although nothing stands still here for long, it’s kind of nice to return to a familiar rhythm. With the calendars well into October now, I have my sights on fall – and seasons in general. While the topic of evolution and seasonality is intriguing, what I’d like to discuss today is what the seasonal transitions inspire: the reflection, the experimentation, the renewal. It’s a perfect time, I think, to rejuvenate stagnant routines (e.g. the week’s monotonous dinner menu, the gym circuit, etc.) and envision new practices. For some of us, the imaginative exercise might simply help us appreciate our choices from a new angle.

Even though school begins and obligations resume that were on hiatus during summer, somehow fall always takes on a slower, more introspective feel. Perhaps it’s because [...]

Original post by Mark Sisson

There was quite a response to the Primal Fuel release on Monday. Numerous early adopters were quick to order a canister or two of Primal Fuel. Others were vocal about what they thought was wrong with the product (for some it appeared that the sky was falling!), most notably that it was out of their price range. I’d like to respond to some of the feedback and make a few announcements you might be interested in learning.

First of all, I did in fact design this in response to the hundreds of people who have been requesting a convenient, delicious Primal-approved drink. While many consider me to be the “guardian” of the Primal lifestyle, I am and have always been intent on finding ways to honor our Primal genes in the context of a realistic, comfortable, pleasurable 21st century lifestyle. This is simply another tool to use as part of a [...]

Original post by Mark Sisson