The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson was one of the first books I read on the primal/paleo way of living. I had already arrived at many of the same conclusions but was glad to find such a well researched and well written summary.
Though Mark approaches healthy eating and lifestyle from a slightly different perspective, we agree on all the basics. His website is a great resource for healthy recipes and health information. He also has a huge archive of success stories from other people eating the way you are (grain free, sugar free, lots of healthy fats, etc) if you need any inspiration!
From how to make your own cultured butter to a completely new take on breakfast casserole, Mark has great resources for anyone. Mark’s blog is fun to read, and at over 60 years old, he is proof of how a healthy lifestyle can keep you looking young. (he looks decades younger!)
The Primal Blueprint was his first book and it explains the benefits of removing certain foods (grains, most dairy, vegetable oils, beans, etc) and how to optimize important lifestyle factors (sleep, stress, exercise, etc).
I like that Mark approaches health and diet with a whole-person mentality and takes complex topics (like gene expression) and makes them easy to understand and applicable for the average reader.
Who is this book for: While Mark’s writing appeals to many readers, he definitely seems to really connect with men, especially younger men with fitness goals. I would give this book as a gift to anyone just starting off in this way of eating and to several guys who could benefit from his info.
Mark’s other book is called The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation and as with his past books, it is well written and easy to read.
I felt like it was an easy read and that it was simple to follow. I personally didn’t like it as much as his original The Primal Blueprint but I don’t know if that is just because I have already been eating this way for several years so it seemed more basic to me now (whereas I read The Primal Blueprint early in my real food journey).
From Mark:
It’s a practical, action-oriented guide for how to eat, exercise and live Primally – a step-by-step, “cut to the chase” resource to make a smooth and quick transition into a healthy lifestyle. In it he tells you exactly what to do every day for 21 days to take control of your health for the rest of your life. Mark explains what this new book is all about, what’s in it and who it’s for here.
I like that it has actionable steps for each day, much like my own Wellness Challenge and that it makes the switch to a healthier lifestyle less overwhelming.
Nothing in The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation is really new information if you’ve already read The Primal Blueprint or Mark’s blog, but the info is good and I can see this being especially helpful for those just starting off or those who need some additional help in making the switch.
Have you read either of these books? What did you think? Share below!
Aajonus Vonderplanitz created the Primal Diet in 1997, his first book “We Want To Live” was published in 1997 10 years before this book. His diet is based on raw meat, raw dairy and all other foods in their raw state, because cooking food destroys too many vitamins and enzymes which we need. He also gave many food remedies for healing specific diseases which were often effective. Most of the people who followed his diet reversed their diseases, including cancer. Humans did not cook our meat when we were cavemen and its much healthier for us to eat raw meat.
You should read “We Want To Live: The Primal Diet” and “The Recipe for Living Without Disease” by Aajonus Vonderplanitz. He promotes eating raw meat and raw fats for healing the body.
My 5 yr old keeps on telling me how she loves the food and that her stomach never hurts anymore! 🙂 It’s been really hard with some of the girls so it’s really great to hear that sometimes!
Just found your site – subscribing. Love Primal Blueprint!
I love primal blueprint website and was thinking of getting the books soon!!
I love Mark Sisson’s site and the Primal Blueprint, wish they had it at our library…Love, Love, Love your site…..Thanks a million…Kim
I am just learning about the Primal Blueprint and I found your comment on Mark’s Daily Apple. I will be following Wellness Mama now too! Love all the recipe ideas here on the site!
greetings, new to your blog but 12 yr lowcarber who is curious about a more Primal/Paleo lifestyle. would love to win these books. shared your link on my “fitness” Facebook page. I’m a military wife, living overseas. I teach yoga, pilates, meditation, Zumba and am a Certified Personal Trainer through the Cooper Institute. Looking foward to diving deeper into your site.
I just decided this morning that it was time for me to order the Primal Blueprint and my co-worker wants one too. Thanks for the review!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! We’ve recently converted to the low-carb/grain free lifestyle for a variety of reasons (I am insulin resistant and obese, one of my kiddos has intractable epilepsy and she’s just gone on MAD for seizure control, I’m raising kiddos and caring for one amazing husband and I want them all to be as healthy as they can be) and I’m reading every bit of helpful information that I can get my hands on. Your Blog has been a Godsend!
oh this is so exciting, i’ve been wanting to check out this book for a while.
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