Grok Throws a Party
Some weeks ago after the Power of Ritual post, I had to laugh when SophieE and desert tomte shared their idea for creating our own Primal holiday. Needless to say, the musing has got the better of me. (I’ve been dipping into the egg nog one too many times, you’re wondering.) Sure, the MDA community is scattered around the globe, and our holiday schedules are likely filled. No matter. Today, I’m letting all reason and purpose fly by the wayside. Sisson’s gone nuts, you might say. Maybe so. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard that. I respond to the charge with those immortal, wise words, “Why ask why?” So, I’m taking SophieE and desert tomte at their word today and devoting today’s post to a virtual Primal bash – with everything befitting a Primal fete as well as a New Year’s celebration. The staff and I are in. Are you?
Step right onto the beach. (Seriously, did you expect it to be anywhere else??) It’s sunset, and the party’s just starting. Grok will be our gracious host of course. (Did I mention he’s a party guy?) He’ll also be manning the spit where you’ll find a variety of roasted delectables. If anyone cares to share their expertise or additions to the meat offerings, do speak up. Being that I wouldn’t exactly trust Grok’s Paleolithic bartending skills, however, we’ll call it BYOB. Now this is getting interesting….
In fact, let’s go with a full out Primal potluck – a chance to show off the best of your best Primal dishes. (This definitely won’t be your grandmother’s church potluck.) Contributions, folks? Do tell – and describe. Can you envision such a grand and succulent lineup? Me? I’m bringing my big a– salad of course. But I imagine everything from soup to nuts: juicy lamb kabobs, grilled shrimp with orange mango dipping sauce, buffalo chicken. And don’t forget the stunning array of Primal desserts. Heck, this event could probably be it’s own cookbook! Hmmmm….
There’s no end to what could be included in the context of good, clean, Primal fun. Bonfire’s a given. Music – heavy on the percussion. Dancing. A game of Ultimate Frisbee. (Duh.) Jerky pinata. Beach sprints. (Hey, this is starting to sound a lot like PrimalCon.) As many Festivus fans as we have out there, how about a brief but passionate airing of grievances against the offenses of conventional wisdom this year? And who will be exhibiting their feats of Primal strength? (Grokkers tend to excel in this category.) Can a Festivus pole be rigged as a javelin? Maybe that’s sacrilege. Other ideas?
I’m thinking now about what such an event might really look like. With over a million readers a month, I suppose a special permit would be required. Noise ordinances? I’m guessing we’d get several citations. It’s all good. We Primal types tend to be an earnest but raucous bunch.
Being New Year’s and all, why not take a moment of the festivities to declare what we’re each celebrating this year. What has 2011 been for you on your road to health and vitality? On MDA, it’s been the year of ongoing success stories. It’s been the year of the 21 Day Total Body Transformation. It’s been the year of favorite posts covering everything from the Grokfeast Challenge to old school summers, intentional power outages to a Primal revolution of gym classes everywhere. Doesn’t it just make you want to bust out with a round of Auld Lang Syne? (I might need another Grok grog before that.)
Toward midnight (because how could any Primal party peter out before then?), there would be the ecstatic countdown and run into the waves. Give a final exultant farewell to all that 2011 has brought you – the good and the bad. Release it into the infinite sea surrounding you. Take in the wild power of the ocean to fortify your journey in 2012. Imagine beginning the New Year surrounded by a fully pumped, wild Primal horde whooping it up at midnight.
Who knows how long the party would last after that. In a virtual vision, anything’s possible. Time Square’s got nothin’ on this. There’s (non lip synched) music, an open sky, and plenty of good Primal food and – of course – excellent Primal company. Why not stay, sing, swim, and see the sun come up on 2012?
With that, my friends, I turn over our virtual Primal fete to you. Don’t be shy. What are you bringing? Volleyball net? Ukulele? Stupid human tricks? Best achievements and stories of the year? Most importantly, what are you bringing to the buffet? (Ha!) Enjoy, everyone! Thanks for yet another incredible year at MDA, and Happy New Year!
Grab The Primal Blueprint Cookbook Today and Receive Free S&H and a Free Primal Blueprint Poster
Posted By: Mark Sisson
Best. Party. Ever.
I’m bringing my kids – when they see a Primal community partying, it would be powerful incentive to Get Primal themselves!
Oh, and some meatball/bacon kabobs as my contribution to the Primal dinner.
Oh man can we call it Grokstock? I’m bringing the lamb shoulder, the prosciutto wrapped dates, my booty shaking genes and the ukulele… ooooohhh raw oysters on the half shell too!!
Grokstock – I LOVE that!!! Awesome….
Grokstok has got to become a real event! That IS awesome! I will bring the homemade guacomole and veggie chips for dipping! And maybe the volleyball net if I can carry it all!
I still vote for Groktober.
This MUST happen! Grokstock for the win!
I also vote for Grokstock.
Now THAT is the way I want to ring in the New Year! What an incredible picture!
Okay, put me down for burgers. Not just any burgers though.
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. cream cheese
2 jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup shredded cheddar
Dice jalapenos and mix throughly with cream cheese and cheddar.Form ground beef into 2 oz patties. Place about 1 Tbsp cream cheese mixture on top of half the patties. Place a second pattie on top and seal. Grill to taste. Serve in a lettuce wrap.
Hmm cream cheese? I just can’t seem to imagine that flavor in a burger….
Feel free to change it up. Any cheese should work. Cream cheese is just what I used.
That sounds awesome to me! Definitely trying this one.
cream cheese?? I can so picture, n taste that on a burger!!
Grokstock? great idea, I am in for next year….. where? when???
Yum, jalapeno popper burgers!
Having them this weekend for sure, thank you for the recipe!
Best party ever indeed.
Happy 2012.
A big old Greek salad and some lamb chops!
Oh, and my two kids, husband, and golden retriever. No one wants to miss this party!
I am so grateful for this year because even though I haven’t made it far I have recently found the inspiration I needed to start a primal blog and do a challenge on the blog in the new year! I would bring a primal tiramisu made from my angle food cake and primal custard. Cut the cake in 3 layers brush with tuaco (its a party!) and coffee then layer!!!
Hmm maybe I will do that for my new years party.
OH and I forgot, I always bring bacon wrapped cheese stuffed dates to parties…they keep me from the bad foods because I am too stuffed from eating them!
Grokstock is the best I’ve heard yet! The power of crowd sourcing at work.
I’ll bring the bacon-wrapped chicken bites!! (wrap chunks of boneless chicken and a slice of jalapeno in 1/2 slice of bacon. Thread on skewer. Repeat until all chicken is wrapped and then grill until chicken is cooked) Hmmm…maybe some of Elana’s Pantry’s minty hot chocolate for the evening too! Happy New Year everyone!
Bringing heart and liver stew!
Besides percussion, we need didges and key-harps
Feats of 2011:
Started walking the paleo road in aug/sep.
IBS almost gone.
Psoriasis minimized.
Strength improved a lot (leg press from 109kg -> 155kg)
Oh, and I sleep way better than I thought (using Zeo Sleep Manager to monitor it).
Well if I really want to do it up for a Primal New Year’s Eve Party I would have my husband smoke a whole brisket (Texas Style) on the Big Green Egg. It is absolutely delicious!
This should happen.
Agreed.
Ditto.
Can’t promise all of the above, but April 12-15 of next year will come close!
http://primalblueprint.com/products/PrimalCon-%252d-The-Primal-Blueprint-Experience-%282012%29.html
PrimalCon sounds awesome but a bit too pricey
what would be awesome is to have a set place, date, and time for people to meet, price of entry is a potluck item. Then you could pay per event for all the cool PrimalCon demonstrations! And who needs a hotel for l
Haha whoops wrong button! *for lodging? Camping is way more primal!
As much as I’d love to go to PrimalCon, I just can’t swing $795 US, plus lodging and a flight to the west coast from Ontario, Canada.
Best party ever!
Happy New Year!
Someone from my CrossFit gym brought a simple appetizer to our holiday party, which I wouldn’t mind bringing: bacon pieces dipped in dark chocolate!
I’d also bring my shaman drum, and maybe even my Celtic harp.
And I would give thanks for 2011 when I discovered the ancestral/paleo/primal diets and joined CrossFit!
I live in So. California…so Mark, if you ever decide to do this, I’m in!
2011 success – Finding Daily Apple and loosing 42lbs!!
Bringing – Grilled onions
Quarter an onion, add a tablespoon of butter a little salt and pepper, wrap onion up in bacon and then in foil and grill for a hour or so, Nirvana!
I vote we have a sand volleyball game. All my teenagers would love to play along with me! Im IN!
How does a whole roast pig sound? SO tender and succulent it slides right out of its amber skin, which now looks like a giant pig-shaped lantern in the firelight. (I wonder if you put candles in it if it would go up like its own bonfire?!?)
There will be greasy fingers and smiling faces all around! I know some terrific old songs, I’ve got a bodhran and I’m not afraid to use it, and I feel like DANCING.
Whole roast pig sounds like perfect party food for me. And, my hubby can supply the Irish button accordion to go with the bodhran. Happy feet!
Primal since March 2011 — 30 lbs gone, along with arthritis and hypertension!
I’m bringing steamed cauliflower in Alfredo sauce with crumbled bacon.
Thanks Mark!
Oh, yeah, and celebrations of my own feats…
20+ pounds lost since starting in September
No more GERD
Only two tiny bits of heartburn and I earned ‘em fair and square
Hernia stopped being tender
I have a JAWLINE
More sociable
More energy
I may be old, but I am ON it.
Bacon wrapped scallops and grain free stuffing (sweet potatos, turnips, onions, mushrooms, celery, roast, mix, consume)!
At the end of this year, I celebrate almost 6 months primal and a great start towards the rest of my (mentally) healthy life.
I’ll bring my dance moves.
I want a Primal Holiday.
I concur, this should definitely happen! What a great post, Mark. I’m just getting started but I am even more pumped now after reading this! I’ll bring some Benton’s Bacon, made in Madisonville, Tennessee – absolutely the best you’ve ever had. YUM.
There needs to be a whole pig and a whole calf on spits over a roasting pit.
I mean if you are going to be Primal, lets roast some meat !!!
I’d be in to add roasted game birds (duck and wild goose)!!!
I’m bringing sausage balls made out of the wild hog I just procured. So yummy!
Myself and my fellow Kiwis might teach everyone the most primal music/dance combo ever: Te Haka!
A haka would be awesome! Put me down for that.
I’ll bring Heaven on a Plate (otherwise known as Sweet Potato Gratin from paleomygoodnes.blogspot.com).
I know the perfect beach for this party, it’s only 6 miles away from my house here on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Sweet spot…I’m joining you on that beach…Primal Picnic Basket Included!
It sounds so much more exciting than the conventional New Years Eve parties that I know I’ll be attending this year! Too bad I don’t know more Paleo folk around me.
Also, +1 for Grockstock! Awesome
I’m bringing my appetite! Reading this post at 6am Sydney time made me want a roast for breakfast.
Some meat candy aka sausage-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates and some grilled asparagus with balsamic drizzle.
Add an extra happy dance in gratitude for finally being free of a carb-induced eating compulsion and for finally getting fit and feeling great!