Philosophy Weekend: News from Philosophy in Action

Every Saturday, I post the news of the week from my primary work, Philosophy in Action, where I apply rational principles to the challenges of real life. Here's this week's update.

Upcoming Radio Shows

Philosophy in Action Radio broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Below are the episodes upcoming this week. I hope that you join us! More upcoming episodes can be found here: Episodes on Tap.

Sunday morning, 28 December 2014: Q&A on Extremism, Overcoming Lethargy, Punishing Yourself, and More

I'll answer these questions on the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday morning, 28 December 2014.

• Question 1: Extremism Versus Consistency: What's the difference between consistency and extremism? I'm often called an "extremist" for my views – in my view, because I'm very consistent and refuse to compromise. Religious people are often called extremists too, yet that's really only consistency with their scripture. So how does "extremism" differ from consistency, if at all?
• Question 2: Overcoming Lethargy: How can I motivate myself to act to further my goals despite my overwhelming lethargy? I struggle with motivating myself to do what I know I should. I'm not inclined to do wrong, but I just find it hard to act to further my goals in life. I'm 26 and I live with my dad while I (slowly) finish my degree. I want to become financially independent and move out on my own, but I struggle with the normal, necessary daily habits required to get this done. For example, my dad wants me to do more house chores, and I can see how this is a fair thing to ask, given that he works two jobs to support both of us. However, when I think about all the things I should be doing a wave of lethargy overcomes me. It's the same story when I think about the homework I need to do, which isn't even very hard to do. Job searching and trying to build my resume are also on my mind, but I can't seem to get motivated to do that either. I have implemented GTD, but obviously once it comes to actually carrying out all of the plans, I can get a good burst of motivation for a short while, but then something doesn't go my way, and the lethargy hits me again. Both of my parents have clinical depression and anxiety problems, and I have seen first hand how it has affected their lives. I have spent most of my life combating depression and anxiety. I can always summon up a good mood for myself – sometimes by evading the pressure of my responsibilities, which is not good – and when I feel anxiety I am able to calm myself down by introspecting and thinking through it. So I know that I have the tools to solve problems in my life and achieve my goals, but self awareness has only gotten me so far. What can I do to raise my motivation and keep it up? How do I overcome the tendency to procrastinate and ignore my responsibilities? How do I put my philosophy into action?
• Question 3: Punishing Yourself: Should a person punish herself for wrongdoing by depriving herself of a value? A friend of mine destroyed her phone in a fit of anger over a difficult situation that wasn't her fault. Now my friend feels guilty about her outburst. She thinks that she doesn't deserve to properly replace her phone, as that would reward her irrational outburst. She wants to either buy a cheap phone or go without a phone for a while. That seems needlessly self-destructive. How can I explain to her that she really ought to replace her phone?

The live broadcast begins at 8 am PT / 9 MT / 10 CT / 11 ET on Sunday, 28 December 2014. The podcast will be posted later that day. For more details, check out the episode page.

Recent Podcasts

The podcasts of last week's radio shows are now available. Check out the full collection of past radio shows in the podcast archives, sorted by date or by topic. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast RSS feed too.

21 December 2014: Q&A on The Boundaries of Philosophy and Science, and More

I answered these questions on Sunday's Philosophy in Action Radio:

What is the proper relationship between philosophy and science?

You can listen to or download the podcast below, and visit the episode's page for more, including audio files for individual questions.

• Duration: 1:05:48
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (23.6 MB) or Standard MP3 File (22.6 MB)
• Tags: Biology, Economics, Epistemology, Ethics, Free Will, Metaphysics, Perception, Personality, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Science

Recent Blog Posts

Here are last week's posts to Philosophy in Action's blog NoodleFood, ordered from oldest to newest. Don't miss a post: subscribe to NoodleFood's RSS Feed.

• December 22: Activism Recap
• December 22: NoodleCast #325: The Boundaries of Philosophy and Science, and More
• December 23: Skinny Jeans
• December 25: Merry Christmas!
• December 26: Preview: Sunday Radio: Extremism, Overcoming Lethargy, Punishing Yourself, and More

If you're interested in more from Philosophy in Action, be sure to like our Facebook Page and subscribe to our Newsletter!

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The Paleo Rodeo #242

Welcome to this week's edition of The Paleo Rodeo!

The Paleo Rodeo is a weekly blog carnival featuring the best paleo-related posts by members of the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. The past editions of the Rodeo are collected on this page.

What is "paleo"? As I say in Modern Paleo Principles:

A "paleo" approach to health uses the evolutionary history of homo sapiens, plus the best of modern science, as a broad framework for guiding daily choices about diet, fitness, medicine, and supplementation. The core of paleo is the diet: it eschews grains, sugars, and modern vegetable oils in favor of high-quality meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables.

The purpose of The Paleo Rodeo is to highlight some of the best blogging of the ever-growing paleosphere.

Here is this week's edition:

Kevin Geary presents Year in Review: 2014 posted at Rebooted Body: Fat Loss + Peak Performance + Vibrant Health, saying, "So much has happened at Rebooted Body this year! Please allow me to share what we have done and where we are going in 2015! So many new and exciting projects!!"

Crystal Fieldhouse presents Episode 38: Meghann and Andrew Birks from Paleo Cafe Mornington Peninsula posted at The Primal Shift Podcast , saying, "Today we have with us good friends of the show, Meghann and Andrew Birks from the Paleo Cafe Mornington Peninsula. Meghann is a freelance writer (you might have seen her articles in Paleo Magazine) and on her blog Bam Pow Paleo and Andrew is a Pastry Chef turned Paleo Chef who is successfully managing his Crohns. They share their journeys with us, as well as their take on raising Paleo kids, dealing with schools and helping the community."

Eileen Laird presents Ep. 8 - Health and Nutrition Coaching posted at Phoenix Helix, saying, "This episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast is an in-depth look at health and nutrition coaching. Reversing autoimmune disease through diet and lifestyle is hard work. The rewards are absolutely worth it, but sometimes a little extra help can make it a whole lot easier. When do we ask for that help? What's the difference between health and nutrition coaching? What range of services are offered? Today, I'm joined by Angie Alt and Katy Haldiman. They both have autoimmune disease which they reversed through diet and lifestyle, and they now work professionally helping others do the same."

Amy Kubal presents Is Your 'Parking Lot' Paleo? posted at Robb Wolf, saying, "What if you had to pay to park certain foods in your house? This idea is so crazy it just might work..."

Meghan Little and Angel Ayala Torres presents Paleo Chicken and Dumplings, A Paleo Comfort Food posted at Paleo Effect, saying, "Looking for a warm recipe on a cold night? Try one of our favorite comfort foods...Paleo Chicken and Dumplings! This recipe is also great for using leftover Christmas Turkey!"

Sophie presents AIP / 3 INGREDIENTS PALEO VANILLA ICE-CREAM (VEGAN, DAIRY FREE, NUT FREE, LOW-FODMAP) posted at A Squirrel in the kitchen, saying, "With only three ingredients, it is probably one of the easiest frozen treats you can prepare in a pinch. This vanilla ice-cream is a crowd-pleaser and will be a hit for everyone in your family."

Clare Gravolet presents Spiced Cinnamon Maple Pecans posted at Happy Eater, saying, "These spiced pecans are a perfect quick and easy homemade holiday dessert!"

Meghanne Reburn RM presents MTHFR Have you heard about it? What's the deal anyway? posted at Modern Paleo Midwife, saying, "Meg the 'paleo midwife' explores MTHFR. Have you heard about it? What's the deal with it anyway? This post serves as a launching point to learn all about this common genetic mutation. How do you best support your body if you're pregnant or trying to optimize your fertility? This week, Meg tackles some of these questions."

Clare Gravolet presents Holiday Workout Challenge! posted at Happy Eater, saying, "Christmas may be over, but there are still more holidays just around the corner! To avoid the workout slump that generally comes with these back-to-back holidays, I created a two day workout challenge. I completed half on Christmas Eve and the other half on Christmas day, but you can divide it up in a few different ways. Join me for the challenge :)."

Sabine presents Gourmet Beef Roast posted at Cave Food Kitchen, saying, "Just in time for the Holidays, this is a classic roast recipe that will be a guaranteed success!"

Jeah Kessha presents Ancient Ghosts on Haskell Indian College Campus posted at Paleo all the Way, saying, "Trying to get in touch with North America's last paleo culture, Jeah Kessha takes on more than he can handle when he sleeps near burial grounds on the great plains of Kansas. This is a true story."

Louise Hendon presents Cinnamon Ghee Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Butternut Squash Recipe (No added sugar) posted at Paleo Living Magazine, saying, "Delicious and easy side dish without any added sugar. It's perfect for the winter."

Louise Hendon presents Is Einkorn Paleo? posted at Paleo Living Magazine, saying, "Einkorn has been getting a lot of press as a healthier, ancient, and more digestible version of wheat. But how healthy is it and is it worth eating?"

Vanessa presents Why we had a reverse Christmas feast posted at Fitbynature, saying, "Christmas traditions are too good to change, but maybe the order can? That way you can indulge without paying the price later!"

Many thanks to the PaleoBloggers who submitted to this edition of the The Paleo Rodeo! We love new members! So if you blog on paleo-related matters and you'd like to submit your posts to the carnival, please subscribe to the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. You'll receive instructions and reminders via that list.

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Philosophy Weekend: News from Philosophy in Action

Every Saturday, I post the news of the week from my primary work, Philosophy in Action, where I apply rational principles to the challenges of real life. Here's this week's update.

Upcoming Radio Shows

Philosophy in Action Radio broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Below are the episodes upcoming this week. I hope that you join us! More upcoming episodes can be found here: Episodes on Tap.

Sunday morning, 21 December 2014: Q&A on Philosophy and Science, Marriage without Love, Superstitious Rituals, and More

I'll answer these questions on the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday morning, 21 December 2014.

• Question 1: The Relationship Between Philosophy and Science: What is the proper relationship between philosophy and science? People commonly assert that science proves that the traditional claims of philosophy are wrong. For example, they'll say that quantum mechanics proves that objective reality and causality are just myths and that psychology experiments disprove free will. In contrast, other people claim that philosophy is so fundamental that if any claims of science contradict philosophical principles, then the science must be discarded as false. Hence, for example, they say that homosexuality cannot possibly be genetic, whatever science says, since philosophy tells us that people are born "tabula rasa," including without any knowledge of "male" versus "female." So what is the proper view of the relationship between philosophy and the sciences? Does either have a veto power over the other? Is science based on philosophy or vice versa?
• Question 2: Marriage without Love: Should people who merely like and respect each other ever marry? Imagine that a person doesn't think that he'll ever find true and deep love – perhaps for good reason. In that case, is it wrong to marry someone you enjoy, value, like, and respect – even if you don't love that person? What factors might make a decision reasonable, if any? Should the other person know about the lack of depth in your feelings?
• Question 3: Participating in Superstitious Rituals: Is it wrong to participate in superstitious rituals without taking them seriously? If I make some perfunctory observance or participation in some superstitious ritual, and do not believe the superstitious ritual is of any literal importance, am I still promoting irrationality? If I regularly read the horoscope in the newspaper, but do not believe astrology has any real impact on my life, does reading the horoscope promote irrationality? Likewise, in Hawaii, almost all retail establishments possess what are called "good-luck cats." A good-luck cat is a relatively inexpensive Asian figurine depicting a cat with one paw raised. Having this figurine is supposed to bring good luck to your business. You can commonly see such good-luck cat figurines in doctor's offices in Honolulu, and for your retail establishment not to have such a figurine would easily strike people as strange. If I spent just a little money on such a good-luck cat to decorate my business, and I didn't literally believe the figurine itself affected my fortunes, would the purchase be a concession to irrational thinking? Would such a gesture be "social proof" that would help other people rationalize more obviously pathological forms of irrationality, such as wasting hundreds of dollars on fortune tellers and psychic hotlines?

The live broadcast begins at 8 am PT / 9 MT / 10 CT / 11 ET on Sunday, 21 December 2014. The podcast will be posted later that day. For more details, check out the episode page.

Recent Podcasts

The podcasts of last week's radio shows are now available. Check out the full collection of past radio shows in the podcast archives, sorted by date or by topic. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast RSS feed too.

14 December 2014: Q&A on Differences with Family, Sales to Minors, Worthy Charities, and More

I answered these questions on Sunday's Philosophy in Action Radio:

How should a young adult manage persistent differences with his family? Should minors be forbidden from buying dangerous goods? What kinds of charities are worthy of support?

You can listen to or download the podcast below, and visit the episode's page for more, including audio files for individual questions.

• Duration: 1:08:10
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (24.5 MB) or Standard MP3 File (23.4 MB)
• Tags: Abortion, Altruism, Benevolence, Boundaries, Business, Charity, Children, Communication, Ethics, Family, Finances, Independence, Law, Negligence, Parenting, Personality, Rationality, Relationships, Rhetoric, Risk, Sacrifice, Torts, Values

18 December 2014: Paul Hsieh on "Radiology in Practice"

I interviewed Dr. Paul Hsieh about "Radiology in Practice" on Thursday's Philosophy in Action Radio:

"Most people have seen cool medical imaging devices such as CT and MRI scanners on TV shows. But what do those machines really do? Advanced medical imaging has revolutionized patient care in the past 25 years, allowing doctors to make diagnoses more accurately, quickly, and safely than ever before. Radiologist Dr. Paul Hsieh discussed the basics of modern radiology (x-rays, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine), how these different tests work, what they show about the human body, and how they help doctors take better care of patients." Dr. Paul Hsieh is a radiologist in practice in South Denver. He received his MD from the University of Michigan, then completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at Washington University in St. Louis, and an MRI fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Prior to entering private practice, he was an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Washington University School of Medicine. He is the co-founder of Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine (FIRM). He has written scores of columns, mostly on health care policy, as well as articles for The Objective Standard. He blogs offbeat tech news at GeekPress.

You can listen to or download the podcast below, and visit the episode's page for more.

• Duration: 1:17:28
• Download: Standard MP3 File (44.3 MB)
• Tags: Health, Medicine, Science, Technology

Recent Blog Posts

Here are last week's posts to Philosophy in Action's blog NoodleFood, ordered from oldest to newest. Don't miss a post: subscribe to NoodleFood's RSS Feed.

• December 13: Las Cruces Horse Trial
• December 15: Activism Recap
• December 15: NoodleCast #323: Differences with Family, Sales to Minors, Worthy Charities, and More
• December 16: Reminders
• December 17: Preview: Thursday Radio: Paul Hsieh on Radiology in Practice
• December 19: Preview: Sunday Radio: Philosophy and Science, Marriage without Love, Superstitious Rituals, and More
• December 19: NoodleCast #324: Paul Hsieh on Radiology in Practice

If you're interested in more from Philosophy in Action, be sure to like our Facebook Page and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Read more...

The Paleo Rodeo #241

Welcome to this week's edition of The Paleo Rodeo!

The Paleo Rodeo is a weekly blog carnival featuring the best paleo-related posts by members of the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. The past editions of the Rodeo are collected on this page.

What is "paleo"? As I say in Modern Paleo Principles:

A "paleo" approach to health uses the evolutionary history of homo sapiens, plus the best of modern science, as a broad framework for guiding daily choices about diet, fitness, medicine, and supplementation. The core of paleo is the diet: it eschews grains, sugars, and modern vegetable oils in favor of high-quality meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables.

The purpose of The Paleo Rodeo is to highlight some of the best blogging of the ever-growing paleosphere.

Here is this week's edition:

Eileen Laird presents Alternative Autoimmune Cookbook Review, Author Interview and Sample Recipe posted at Phoenix Helix, saying, "There is a new cookbook on the AIP block, and I couldn't be more excited! Today, I share a detailed review, an interview the author, and a sample recipe. This is more than a cookbook - it's part memoir, part delicious recipes, and part guidance for anyone starting their AIP journey."

Vanessa Green presents #morethanpaleo posted at Fitbynature, saying, "Being pregnant at the moment, I often think (well three times a day to be precise!) what I'm eating is physically making my baby. At 21 weeks, his urinary tract is up and running and his hearing is about to switch on. So today's poached eggs made the beginnings a new ears? Amazing stuff. But pregnant or no, what we eat is making the new me all the time! So eating first what you need then what you want makes a lot of sense to me. It's one of the things I fully endorse about a Paleo diet. Paleo's prioritization getting what we need first and ways we can enhance our health through food are actually quite simple to start to eat, getting your food and your health through nutrient density."

Melissa presents I made schmaltz, you should too! posted at Focus on Paleo, saying, "How to make this incredibly tasty delight."

Paul Jaminet presents Christmas Gifts posted at Perfect Health Diet, saying, "Some ideas for gift purchases, charitable donations, and petition signatures in this season of giving."

Sabine presents Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash posted at Cave Food Kitchen, saying, "There is something about combining sweet and savoury, that just really works. For example the combination of apple and bacon!"

Sophie presents AIP / Spaghetti Squash Alla Carbonara posted at A Squirrel in the Kitchen, saying, "Try this super yummy paleo version of spaghetti alla carbonara, packed with bacon, onion, and black olives. Full of flavors and deliciously satisfying!"

M presents Paleo Tuna Stroganoff, A Paleo Tuna Casserole posted at Paleo Effect, saying, "This recipe for Paleo Tuna Stroganoff is just like mom used to make...but Paleo...and unprocessed...but every bit as tasty! Great for lunch the next day, this Paleo Comfort food is sure to warm your family on a cold night!"

Laura P presents How To: Season A Cast Iron Pan posted at Rising Moon Nutrition, saying, "Cast iron pans can be some of the best around, and one of the most healthful cookware options. Here is a how-to on seasoning your cast iron and maintaining it to keep it naturally non-stick and cooking food perfectly!"

Nell Stephenson presents Healthy Paleoista Holiday Tip of The Day: Order in to Save Time! Introducing Paleoista Approved Fresh Food Delivery posted at Paleoista, by Nell Stephenson, saying, "Paleo expert Nell Stephenson invites readers to try the new Paleo food delivery service she's endorsing- Paleoista Approved That's So Paleo."

Diane Sanfilippo presents #170: The Wahls Protocol with Dr. Terry Wahls posted at Diane Sanfilippo, saying, "Dr. Terry Wahls talks about her book- The Wahls Protocol and about her journey with MS and real food."

Kevin Geary presents How to Radically Improve Your Physical and Mental Health with Cold Conditioning posted at Rebooted Body: Fat Loss + Peak Performance + Vibrant Health, saying, "Today, science is backing up those ancient traditions with studies showing that cold conditioning might just be one of the simplest and most effective methods to positively shift your health and your approach to living. And believe it or not, it’s actually enjoyable. In this article, I’m going to show you the physical and mental benefits of exposing your body to temperature variation and some techniques for making it a consistent practice in your life."

Laura P presents The Healthy Holiday Gift Guide posted at Rising Moon Nutrition, saying, "The health-conscious can be some of the hardest people to buy for! This healthy holiday gift guide will help you pick out the perfect gift for those foodies and health nuts in your life."

Many thanks to the PaleoBloggers who submitted to this edition of the The Paleo Rodeo! We love new members! So if you blog on paleo-related matters and you'd like to submit your posts to the carnival, please subscribe to the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. You'll receive instructions and reminders via that list.

Read more...

Philosophy Weekend: News from Philosophy in Action

Every Saturday, I post the news of the week from my primary work, Philosophy in Action, where I apply rational principles to the challenges of real life. Here's this week's update.

Upcoming Radio Shows

Philosophy in Action Radio broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Below are the episodes upcoming this week. I hope that you join us! More upcoming episodes can be found here: Episodes on Tap.

Sunday morning, 14 December 2014: Q&A on Differences with Family, Sales to Minors, Worthy Charities, and More

I'll answer these questions on the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday morning, 14 December 2014.

• Question 1: Managing Differences with Family: How should a young adult manage persistent differences with his family? As I grew up, I turned out radically different from my family expected. They think college is necessary for success in life. I didn't, and I dropped out. They eat the Standard American Diet and hate fat. I eat Paleo, and I glorify fat. And so on. Basically, we diverge on many points. I've never committed the mistake of attempting to preach to my family in order to persuade them, but many of them grew unduly concerned with these differences between us. They would argue with me on the subject for months, if not years, no matter what good results I had to show them. Assuming that the relationship is otherwise worth maintaining, how should an older child or young adult handle such contentious differences with his family? How can he best communicate his point of view to them – for example, on the question of college, after they've saved for two decades for his college education?
• Question 2: Forbidding the Sale of Dangerous Goods to Minors: Should minors be forbidden from buying dangerous goods? Under current law, minors are often restricted from buying goods regarded as dangerous, such as cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, or firearms. In a free society, should those restrictions be abolished or upheld? Should parents be allowed to permit their children to buy such goods?
• Question 3: Worthy Charities: What kinds of charities are worthy of support? Many people laud donating to charities, but they don't seem particularly concerned with which charities they support. However, I'd like my charitable dollars to do some good in the world – and do me good in return. So when is it proper to donate to charity? What kinds of charities are worthy of support or not? How can I judge the effectiveness of a charity? Are local charities better than national or international charities?

The live broadcast begins at 8 am PT / 9 MT / 10 CT / 11 ET on Sunday, 14 December 2014. The podcast will be posted later that day. For more details, check out the episode page.

Recent Podcasts

The podcasts of last week's radio shows are now available. Check out the full collection of past radio shows in the podcast archives, sorted by date or by topic. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast RSS feed too.

7 December 2014: Q&A on Karma, Responsibility for Pets, Gift Exchanges, and More

I answered these questions on Sunday's Philosophy in Action Radio:

Is karma real? Should I put my cat down rather than leave him in a shelter? How can I stop exchanging meaningless holiday presents with my siblings?

You can listen to or download the podcast below, and visit the episode's page for more, including audio files for individual questions.

• Duration: 1:02:05
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (22.3 MB) or Standard MP3 File (21.3 MB)
• Tags: Animals, Benevolence, Communication, Epistemology, Ethics, Family, Holidays, Justice, Luck, Metaphysics, Pets, Relationships, Religion, Responsibility, Siblings, Values

11 December 2014: Chat about "Philosophy of Religion: Design Arguments for the Existence of God, Part 4"

I discussed "Philosophy of Religion: Design Arguments for the Existence of God, Part 4" with listeners on Thursday's Philosophy in Action Radio:

"I discuss various Design Arguments for the existence of God, particularly objections to William Paley's Analogical Argument for Design."

You can listen to or download the podcast below, and visit the episode's page for more.

• Duration: 57:15
• Download: Standard MP3 File (19.7 MB)
• Tags: Biology, Christianity, Creationism, Evolution, Evolution, God, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Physics, Religion, Science, Theology

Recent Blog Posts

Here are last week's posts to Philosophy in Action's blog NoodleFood, ordered from oldest to newest. Don't miss a post: subscribe to NoodleFood's RSS Feed.

• December 6: Video from Eric Horgan Clinic
• December 6: An Exciting Hack
• December 8: Activism Recap
• December 8: NoodleCast #321: Karma, Responsibility for Pets, Gift Exchanges, and More
• December 8: Dog Agility Done Right… and Slow
• December 9: Preview: Thursday Radio: Chat on Philosophy of Religion: Design Arguments for the Existence of God, Part 4
• December 9: Resuming My Podcasts on Philosophy of Religion
• December 10: New Questions in the Queue
• December 11: Preview: Sunday Radio: Differences with Family, Sales to Minors, Worthy Charities, and More
• December 11: Adios, Premise Checkers!
• December 12: NoodleCast #322: Chat on Philosophy of Religion: Design Arguments for the Existence of God, Part 4
• December 12: Link-O-Rama

If you're interested in more from Philosophy in Action, be sure to like our Facebook Page and subscribe to our Newsletter!

Read more...

The Paleo Rodeo #240

Welcome to this week's edition of The Paleo Rodeo!

The Paleo Rodeo is a weekly blog carnival featuring the best paleo-related posts by members of the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. The past editions of the Rodeo are collected on this page.

What is "paleo"? As I say in Modern Paleo Principles:

A "paleo" approach to health uses the evolutionary history of homo sapiens, plus the best of modern science, as a broad framework for guiding daily choices about diet, fitness, medicine, and supplementation. The core of paleo is the diet: it eschews grains, sugars, and modern vegetable oils in favor of high-quality meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables.

The purpose of The Paleo Rodeo is to highlight some of the best blogging of the ever-growing paleosphere.

Here is this week's edition:

Meghanne Reburn RM presents Take a Chill Pill. The importance of stress reduction for optimal fertility posted at The Modern Paleo Midwife, saying, "This week 'Meg the Midwife' looks at stress and how it can affect your fertility. Learn about the different markers of stress can have an influence on your ability to conceive and learn how to take simple steps to reduce your stress levels."

Crystal Fieldhouse presents TPS 37: Move your DNA! With Katy Bowman posted at The Primal Shift Podcast, saying, "Jo chats with bio mechanist and natural movement champion Katy Bowman about her latest book ‘Move Your DNA’. Katy shares her (very well evidenced!) thoughts on how movement plays a bigger role than we realise in longevity and wellbeing."

Sophie presents AIP / CAULIFLOWER RICE WITH BOK CHOY – EASY PALEO VEGETABLE RECIPE posted at A Squirrel in the kitchen, saying, "Easy paleo cauliflower rice with bok choy; this recipe is autoimmune protocol friendly and ready in 5 minutes."

Louise Hendon presents What’s So Bad About Soy? Don’t Asians Eat a Lot of It? posted at Paleo Living Magazine, saying, "The Paleo diet recommends not eating any soy, but yet soy is such an integral part of many Asian cuisines. So why is soy so unhealthy?"

Louise Hendon presents Is Stevia Paleo? 5 Reasons Why Stevia Isn’t Paleo posted at Paleo Living Magazine, saying, "Stevia is often considered a healthy alternative to sugar, but is it really healthier? And how does it compare to artificial sweeteners?"

Eileen Laird presents Episode 07: The Wahls Protocol posted at Phoenix Helix, saying, "This episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast is an in-depth interview with Dr. Terry Wahls. We talk about her protocol in detail, mistakes people make, transitioning from vegetarianism, do a guided meditation, and get an update on her clinical trials. It's a power-packed interview!"

Vanessa presents Is Paleo Enough? posted at Fitbynature, saying, "My interest in nutrition stems from a life challenging illness (and the way back!). In 2010 I had emergency brain surgery to remove a tennis ball size brain tumor and to reduce the swelling of a melon sized sac of fluid surrounding it. In the four years since I have focused a lot on what I eat. I was obviously doing something wrong. I was the fittest sick person my friends, family or neurosurgeon knew. I didn’t realize that what I was doing eating wise is now called a ‘Paleo diet’. I think of it as a template for investigating my own body, a good descriptor for a nutrient-dense, toxin-free, whole-foods based diet that emphasizes animal protein and fats, starchy and non-starchy vegetables, fermented foods, raw dairy (when tolerated) and fruit, nuts and seeds (in moderation). I am not going back and now I am 5months pregnant with a healthy growing baby boy :)."

Nell Stephenson presents Healthy Holiday Tip of the Day: Shop Online for Paleoista Approved Food! posted at Paleoista, by Nell Stephenson, saying, "Paleo expert Nell Stephenson invites readers to get great saying on Paleo-friendly goods via the new Paleoista Approved Paleo Food from her partnership with Barefoot Provisions."

Meghan Little and Angel Ayala Torres presents Paleo Garlic and Rosemary Lamb Chops, A Holiday Entrée posted at Paleo Effect, saying, "This recipe for Paleo Garlic and Rosemary Lamb Chops is perfect for the holidays! Try it with our sweet and tangy Paleo Cherry Sauce and hold on to your hats!"

Sabine presents The Primal Kitchen Bar posted at Cave Food Kitchen, saying, "In my humble opinion, The Primal Kitchen Bar manages to stand out in the end by having a unique texture and taste, something the paleo world was waiting for!"

Many thanks to the PaleoBloggers who submitted to this edition of the The Paleo Rodeo! We love new members! So if you blog on paleo-related matters and you'd like to submit your posts to the carnival, please subscribe to the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. You'll receive instructions and reminders via that list.

Read more...

Philosophy Weekend: News from Philosophy in Action

Every Saturday, I post the news of the week from my primary work, Philosophy in Action, where I apply rational principles to the challenges of real life. Here's this week's update.

Upcoming Radio Shows

Philosophy in Action Radio broadcasts live over the internet on most Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Below are the episodes upcoming this week. I hope that you join us! More upcoming episodes can be found here: Episodes on Tap.

Sunday morning, 7 December 2014: Q&A on Karma, Responsibility for Pets, Gift Exchanges, and More

I'll answer these questions on the live broadcast of Philosophy in Action Radio on Sunday morning, 7 December 2014.

• Question 1: The Reality of Karma: Is karma real? Although the concept of "karma" has religious roots, it seems to contain a grain of truth, namely that people will, in the end, get what they deserve. So if a father is mean to his children, he will find them unwilling to help him when he suffers a health crisis in his old age. In contrast, children raised with love and kindness will be eager to help their ailing father. Is this understanding of karma true? Is this a concept that rational people might or should use in their moral thinking?
• Question 2: Responsibility for Pets: Should I put my cat down rather than leave him in a shelter? After listening to the podcast question about the person who lived in Philadelphia and wanted to get out of the ghetto, I got the motivation to land a great new job in Seattle. I am moving to a new city in a few weeks and will be traveling quite a bit. I will not be able to take care of my cat with all of the traveling. I don't have the money to hire people to watch my pet while I am gone. I have put the cat up on billboards and ebay classifieds with no responses. The cat isn't friendly to anyone but me, so I doubt a prospective adopter would choose to take him after meeting him. As my move date grows closer, I am wondering if it would be better to have my cat put down than to leave him with a shelter. What should I do?
• Question 3: Meaningless Gift Exchanges: How can I stop exchanging meaningless holiday presents with my siblings? My siblings and I are friendly but not close, but we still exchange Christmas presents. Mostly, that means that we buy each other stuff that we really don't want. That seems like a waste of time and money. I'd like to stop exchanging gifts with them, but how can I do so without hurting their feelings?

The live broadcast begins at 8 am PT / 9 MT / 10 CT / 11 ET on Sunday, 7 December 2014. The podcast will be posted later that day. For more details, check out the episode page.

Recent Podcasts

The podcasts of last week's radio shows are now available. Check out the full collection of past radio shows in the podcast archives, sorted by date or by topic. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast RSS feed too.

30 November 2014: Q&A on Objectivity of Manners, Fighting Words, Past Conversations, and More

I answered these questions on Sunday's Philosophy in Action Radio:

Are manners objective? Do verbal insults sometimes justify a response of physical violence? How can I stop obsessing over past conversations?

You can listen to or download the podcast below, and visit the episode's page for more, including audio files for individual questions.

• Duration: 1:06:41
• Download: Enhanced M4A File (23.9 MB) or Standard MP3 File (22.9 MB)
• Tags: Benevolence, Bullying, Character, Children, Communication, Convention, Crime, Education, Efficiency, Emotions, Ethics, Etiquette, Free Speech, Friendship, Justice, Law, Manners, Moral Wrongs, Parenting, Psychology, Reputation, Rights, Violence

4 December 2014: Chat about "Responsibility & Luck, Chapter Five"

I discussed "Responsibility & Luck, Chapter Five" with listeners on Thursday's Philosophy in Action Radio:

"In Chapter Three of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle develops the outlines of a theory of moral responsibility. He argues that responsibility requires (1) control and (2) knowledge. In Chapter Five of my book, Responsibility & Luck: A Defense of Praise and Blame, I explored and further developed this theory of responsibility. In our discussion of this chapter, we'll explore this theory in depth, considering twists and turns like the role of regret and involuntary ignorance and incapacity."

You can listen to or download the podcast below, and visit the episode's page for more.

• Duration: 1:00:49
• Download: Standard MP3 File (20.9 MB)
• Tags: Academia, Aristotle, Crime, Epistemology, Ethics, Justice, Law, Luck, Metaphysics, Moral Judgment, Moral Luck, Philosophy, Politics, Responsibility

Recent Blog Posts

Here are last week's posts to Philosophy in Action's blog NoodleFood, ordered from oldest to newest. Don't miss a post: subscribe to NoodleFood's RSS Feed.

• November 30: Activism Recap
• December 1: NoodleCast #319: Objectivity of Manners, Fighting Words, Past Conversations, and More
• December 1: Progress of Black America?
• December 2: Preview: Thursday Radio: Chat on Responsibility & Luck, Chapter Five
• December 4: Preview: Sunday Radio: Karma, Responsibility for Pets, Gift Exchanges, and More
• December 4: The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels in the WSJ
• December 5: NoodleCast #320: Chat on Responsibility & Luck, Chapter Five
• December 5: Hsieh PJM Column: "Should You Have to Speak with Others in a Way the Government Can Understand?"
• December 5: Link-O-Rama

If you're interested in more from Philosophy in Action, be sure to like our Facebook Page and subscribe to our Newsletter!

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The Paleo Rodeo #239

Welcome to this week's edition of The Paleo Rodeo!

The Paleo Rodeo is a weekly blog carnival featuring the best paleo-related posts by members of the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. The past editions of the Rodeo are collected on this page.

What is "paleo"? As I say in Modern Paleo Principles:

A "paleo" approach to health uses the evolutionary history of homo sapiens, plus the best of modern science, as a broad framework for guiding daily choices about diet, fitness, medicine, and supplementation. The core of paleo is the diet: it eschews grains, sugars, and modern vegetable oils in favor of high-quality meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables.

The purpose of The Paleo Rodeo is to highlight some of the best blogging of the ever-growing paleosphere.

Here is this week's edition:

Kris Gunnars presents 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Cinnamon posted at Authority Nutrition, saying, "Cinnamon is a delicious spice with impressive effects on health and metabolism. Here are 10 evidence-based health benefits of cinnamon."

Ute presents Should you ditch that scale? posted at Real Food 4 Me, saying, "Do you really need the scale to keep track of your fat loss, or would it make sense for you to ditch the scale and its ever powerful number entirely? Read this blog post to find out more."

Laura P presents Where Does Alcohol Fit In A Traditional Foods Diet? posted at Rising Moon Nutrition, saying, "Many on a quest for optimal health struggle with where alcohol fits into their lifestyle. This post is all about the traditional roots of alcohol, and which beverages are the best to choose for good health."

Sophie presents AIP / OVEN ROASTED CHICKEN WINGS WITH GINGER SAUCE posted at A Squirrel in the kitchen, saying, "Oven roasted chicken wings and drumettes; nicely browned and crunchy all over with a tender meat . Serve with an apple-ginger dipping sauce."

Kevin Geary presents The (Quick) Truth About Detoxes and Cleanses posted at Rebooted Body: Fat Loss + Peak Performance + Vibrant Health, saying, "As the holidays approach, you will hear a lot about cleanses and detoxes. Let us break that down for you and find the truth about how helpful these things really are!"

Clare Gravolet presents Sweet Potatoes and A Brussel Sprout Salad posted at Happy Eater, saying, "Thanksgiving may be over, but these two side dishes are still delicious options for your dinner!"

Clare Gravolet presents Coconut Lime Chicken Soup posted at Happy Eater, saying, "This recipe was adapted and made into a sweet and spicy Thai coconut-lime chicken soup! It's perfect for these cold (or mildly cold here in the South) days."

Vanessa presents Traveling Paleo posted at Fitbynature, saying, "I’m all for eating 80:20, where 80% of the time I eat the very best that my body needs, and 20% of the time I can indulge or eat out or eat less than perfect if I get stuck because my body can absorb it! Our body listens to what we do most of the time, not sometimes. Travel fits well into this category. And 'tis the season!"

Louise Hendon presents Our Favorite Christmas Recipes posted at Paleo Living Magazine, saying, "A list of Christmas recipes with descriptions to help you plan your Christmas celebration."

Louise Hendon presents Paleo Holiday Gift Guide posted at Paleo Living Magazine, saying, "We've put together a handy and pretty holiday gift guide for those looking to gift Paleo goodies this holiday season."

Many thanks to the PaleoBloggers who submitted to this edition of the The Paleo Rodeo! We love new members! So if you blog on paleo-related matters and you'd like to submit your posts to the carnival, please subscribe to the PaleoBloggers e-mail list. You'll receive instructions and reminders via that list.

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