I wrestle with lots of things in life, constantly it seems, and diet is one of them. Veganism is a conceit; you won’t save any animals or feed any poor people by eating imported quinoa and avocadoes. But in a similar vein is the paleo diet, one I have tried but just cannot stick with for too long. I feel like I’m doing nothing but eating meat all day, and I like meat but enough already! Give me some nice homemade bread with jam and I’m happy with that, too. So I try not to worry.

I have also wondered at the conflict between “paleo” and Christianity, what some have acerbically labeled a “cult of Wheat”. Some paleo bloggers assure us that there is no conflict. Others say evolution contradicts Christian doctrine so you can’t do both…others wonder why a God would create celiac disease if we were commanded to eat wheat…And as for solidarity with the poor, there are many poor in the world who would jump at the chance to eat some meat, and who seem fine overall on a diet of grains and beans, when they get to eat them.

Can you say confusion? So I look deep into myself and know that what I’m really commanded by God to do is not be a glutton. So I don’t indulge in gluttony, and I remember my body is a temple and the only earthly home for my soul, and I treat it as well as I can.

God never said we had to be ascetics. Earth is bountiful. Just be thankful for the bounty and praise God for it.