I hate to burst anyone's bubble but I have some commentary on the "French Paradox". You know the one - how the French can eat and drink all kinds of decadently caloric food and wine and remain catwalk thin. That type probably exists most often along the leafy streets of certain upscale Parisian arrondissements, but there are loads of examples of those who belong to the more normal human species. Those of you who knew me before the age of 45 could possibly have labeled me abnormal - I admit that up to about then I could consume vast quantities without developing unsightly spare tires around my middle BUT the Michelin man syndrome is creeping up on me too. And living in France is NOT helping. Shock of shocks - I have plenty of French company in the "tire wars".
Not only does France produce too much of a good thing for the gourmand, they also live quite a social lifestyle. We are forever being invited to and also hosting various aperitifs, diners des amies, fetes to herald the arrival of this or that seasonal food (next week it is 50 kilos of oysters arriving exclusively for us, the us fortunately includes various old friends of MFM (my Frenchman) courtesy of his Bretagne connection), lots of vignobles (wine-makers) expositions, etc etc etc. There are simply too many reasons and occasions to eat and drink in the country!
Not such a bad thing is probably what you are thinking about now and on the whole I have to agree with you. It all just takes a shift in self image and new demands on self control. Something I realize I am woefully short of. Damn. So after a week eating pizza, pasta and the kitchen sink in Italy and then a return to Paris parties, followed by the kiss of death visit to MFM's parents' home where his father, a former professional baker, is OBSESSED with cooking (Multi-coursed lunch and dinner everyday beginning with aperitifs, moving through starter, main dish, side dishes, cheeses, wines, 3 desserts, yes 3, I told you he is a baker, and ending with cognacs) I need to eat only gruel for a month.
Problem is..........we are invited to another dinner tomorrow.
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