French women don't get fat...

Elegant Woman

Recently, I've been noticing a handful of my favorite bloggers packing up and moving overseas to France and it got me thinking: what's the big idea? It didn't take long before I *got* it too and became fascinated with all things French.

I really got to thinking how chic and slim the woman of France are and I was quick to google the diet of France and I came across the book French Women Don't Get Fat. 

The sound of that came as a sigh of relief, to think  I can indulge in cheese and butter and wine and baguettes and good food and not get fat??!? I really liked the sound of that. This book is based more on lifestyle versus an actual diet.

This is what I uncovered:

-  French women eat for pleasure, therefore, they eat slowly and moderately.

-  French women don't exercise at the gym, however, they walk just about everywhere.

- When eating out, the platter in France is 1/4 smaller than the American platter, therefore they're "required" to eat less...

On a personal note, although I've never lived in France and I was raised on tortillas and more tortillas, I always savor my food. I eat slowly, I eat moderately and I walk on my lunch break. I sneak in snacks throughout the day and I drink plenty of water (up to a gallon a day on a good day). I don't awalys make it into the gym, and at my worst I gain an average of 5 pounds in the winter months only to lose it again come summer. This might not be the ideal diet for a fitness model or bodybuilder but it is a far more ideal diet for the ordinary woman who covets a more feminine physique versus a more toned physique.


Some arguments against the diet are that French women smoke to stay slim. While this might aid them, I personally don't smoke and I've managed to stay slender even after baking two little ones.


Other arguments are that greens aren't readily accessible as they are in France. The truth is, they are, they just take a little more time then a typical drive-thru. On another note, my family and I had never been through a drive-thru until I married my husband at 18!

You can read more about the diet in summary over at WebMd here.

Ah, Almonds (Sonoma Diet)

 [ Photo by JC ]

Once the warmer months approach I almost make a 180 degree personality shift from winter crafter to sports enthusiast. I've never in my life met anyone quite as complicated as me.  I do, however, hone my craft skills so long as I am in the great outdoors, enjoying nature and finding every excuse to take a break every fifteen minutes to mingle with the neighbors.

So it comes to no surprise that as of lately I have been haunting personal trainers sites and googling everything from the Mediterranean diet to the benefits of almonds, until I came across this article by my former personal trainer in Pasadena, CA, founder of Intense Heart, speaking on the benefits of the Sonoma Diet.

I've been a long time fan of mediterranean foods and foods packaged as nature intended them. I don't drink soft drinks, rarely do I drink fruit juices, instead in lieu of them I drink 16 cups of cold water a day (equivalent to one gallon) as you tend to burn calories in doing so, if you don't believe me, read the article here. Another trick my trainer taught me was that green veggies such as brocolli and salad tend to burn calories as you consume them.

After researching the Sonoma Diet, I realized most of the foods he was recommending were the Sonoma diets "power foods" which are almonds, brocolli, spinach, olive oil, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes, bell peppers and whole grains.

The Sonoma diet consists of three phases:

In Phase I, totaling 10 days, one can be expected to lose up to 10 lbs in one week. In this week you consume no fruit, eat your power food veggies, lean meats or seafood, limited dairy (I suggest almond milk if you can acquire a taste for it) and whole grains.

Phase II, you remain here until you attain your desired weight, consists of the above with fruits, fat free yogurt and sugar free snacks.

Phase III, consists of the aforementioned foods with additional snacks such as dark chocolate.

If this diet interests you, I urge you to review the diet here or consult The New Sonoma Diet: Trimmer Waist, More Energy in Just 10 Days.

Happy Grubbing!

D.I.Y. [ featuring puppy love ]

      

I've been itching for a new project to undertake but presently I'm limited to the confinement of a work desk and computer.

Materials:
+download template here (makes 2)
+glue (or tape)
+scissors
+straw
+ [optional] coffee (milk, nescafe and sugar to taste, add ice cubes and enjoyment to the mix. Blend it up  or enjoy it a la rocks)
+ music (may I suggest some Miles Davis )

Glue sides of two circles together to create a snug fit over straw. Next, allow your straw to "slip into something more comfortable". Enjoy.
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 ::Terms & Conditions::



I believe sharing is caring. I believe design should be fun, friendly ( comedic if the occasion calls for it) and affordable. I believe everyone has an equal right to make their house their home & haven. That being said, please feel free to share but always do so giving due credit to LaTendedera and a link back to this original post. And please, do not duplicate material for sale. All rights reserved. I thank you in advance. I'm glad we're friends.

Get Your Grub On + Shrimp ( and other sea medley) Cocktail

So this picture doesn't do my amazingly delicious shrimp cocktail any justice.
Seafood is my thing and now that the warmer months are here (sorry northern states), I'm getting my groove back with seafood.

It such a cinch to cook up a cocktail. Even if you find yourself far from the sea, a bagged variety of shrimp from Thailand should do the trick. Despite Texans' efforts to speak favorably of gulf shrimp, I beg to differ.

Boil some water, add salt and keep the water to a minimum. About 2 cups of water per cup of shrimp, to get a real concentrated shrimp flavor. You can add some abalone, clams, oysters, squid and octopus. Or, again, a bagged variety of pre-cooked octopus and shrimp medley should satisfy your fix, if you have one.

Dice up one avocado, one tomato, half a purple onion, one cucumber, and a few sprigs of cilantro. Allow the broth and shrimp (or seafood medley) to cool. Serve up in a sexy cocktail glassware or big 'ol cup like me.

Add a dollop of ketchup, squirt of lime and a squirt of Tapatio, Valentina or Huichol  sauce and you should be good to go.

Get Your Grub On + Carribean Chicken Salad

Today I treated myself to lunch. I ordered my usual { summer favorite } Carribean Chicken Salad.

What the heck is the Carribean Chicken Salad you ask?

Let me infuse your mind. It is, yes, a salad, but with chunks of pineapple, walnuts, mandarin slices, tortilla chips, grilled chicken, a side of pico de gallo with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette

+3/4 cup of olive oil

+1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar

+salt (to taste)

+italian seasonings (for presentation)

Add ingredients into a jar and shake to blend prior to serving. I save my homemade dressing in recycled spaghetti sauce jars or these.

Pico De Gallo (for the salad)

+one tomato, diced

+1/4 onion, finely chopped

+3 stems cilantro, finely chopped

Enjoy!

Get Your Grub On + Meatball Sandwich

                
I know, I know it was only yesterday I was lamenting here about how I was going to try harder to post on decor and DIY and pretty things...

But you're here  because you like me {kind of, sort of, maybe, you haven't quite figured it (me) out}, right?

One thing is for certain, I love food and so I have to document this because one day I want to come back to this page and think ah yes, that meatball sub was really yummy. Know what I mean?

And cooking is very DIY, is it not? Not that I made this little guy but I do approve of this recipe here.

Note to self: Add eggs to the recipe, cut the calorie counting!

Gone!

Get Your Grub On {Camarones Aguachile}



[Image: EatDrinknbMerry]

I can't resist. Despite efforts to refrain from blogging about food, I've caved in.

Afterall, wonderful Mexican blood runs through my veins and I am fortunate enough to have been raised since my infancy on all the sweet (sour?) delicacies the world craves (nay acid-reflux sufferers).
So, while yes, I lack sufficient content under Anti-Depressive Decorating, Re:loved (Before & After's) and my Freebies could use a little more picante, I love to share. My husband's recipe to follow:

Camarones Aguachile
2 lb. shrimp  (bagged variety will work)
12 limes
12 serrano chilies (Spicy factor: high. You can reduce the number of chilies)
1/2 purple onion
pinch garlic salt
salt (as needed)
cucumber (optional)
avocado (optional)

Remove shell from shrimp. Set aside.
Squeeze the juice out of your limes, set aside.
In a blender, add the serrano chilies, 1/2 onion, add lime juice, garlic salt and salt. Blend it up. Add salt as needed. A water consistency is the norm hence the name aguachile.

Dice up your cucumbers and avocado and toss it into the mix. Serve on homecooked tostada or tortilla chips.

Ah, yes, How was your Super Bowl Sunday? Mine was super. I ate good food, listened to some David Bowie while I ate my grub. Tuned in to The Black Eyed Peas at halftime, ran 15 minutes after all the commotion and then off to bed.

Happy Monday!