04/23/2010 12:00 am
Life
French Women Don't Get Fat – Especially in Spring (Recipe)
Welcome spring – and say 'au revoir' to those extra pounds – with author Mireille Guiliano.
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Hello, spring. Though modern tradition designates January 1 as the beginning of our year – a common day for resolutions – it’s spring that’s the more appropriate period to start anew.
Springtime, when the light starts gaining on the dark, is the natural start of the year, which explains why in French it’s called printemps (and en Italien, primavera) literally in "the first time."
And spring is, of course, a time of regeneration. Our senses are awakened by new stimuli: the fragrance of blooms bursting open on the trees, and the sounds of birds, and children playing outdoors as the revival of outdoor activities begin. These sensations provide a wealth of slimming experiences. Oui, I said slimming. This works out pretty well as we begin to peel off those forgiving layers of winter sweaters and coats. We can hide from the scale, but we cannot hide from our spring wardrobe!
If your indulgences have gotten the better of you, if your equilibrium is askew or if you’d just like the opportunity to press the reset button, this is the time to start fresh. Nature is practically begging you to do so! Now is the time to embark on a health-and-eating spring cleaning. Throw out your bad habits. Ban your offenders. Reset your palate and waistline.
We’re used to having all the fruits of the hemisphere available year-round – which is why we see tomatoes at the supermarket in February. But it’s not the same as fresh, local food that’s in sync with the season. Those mealy, bland strawberries shipped from South America midwinter? They’re imposters compared to the succulent flavors and brilliant red hues of the ones grown and picked in peak season (May-June). Because food grown in season tastes better, it actually fills us up faster. Our taste buds are naturally more satiated in the first few bites. That means more satisfaction with less food. Now how’s that for portion control?
The best way to melt off those winter pounds is also the best way to truly take pleasure in the season: Savor the bounty of spring produce! Fresh fruits and vegetables are overflowing with nutrients and water, which flush toxins out of our bodies and help to ease off that cruel winter weight. At markets everywhere, the vibrant hues of spring greens are arriving in droves. Spinach, asparagus, mâche, fiddleheads, peas, ramps and leeks, the star vegetable of my French Women
books, are at their peak of ripeness, practically begging to be eaten. Because they’re so fresh, they taste divine without much fuss. Salt, pepper and a touch of good quality olive oil are all you need to experience the best flavor nature can provide. This ultra-simple preparation method also happens to be good for the waistline!
I use this time of year to recalibrate my equilibrium – with fruits and veggies as my detox prescription. After months of heavier, cold-weather dishes, I am giddy at the sight of spring produce. I begin to dream up new meals and recipes I can try my hand at, and new ways to revel in the season. I indulge in a bit of guilt-free monomania with my favorite trio of spring veggies: asparagus, peas and leeks. Just by cultivating an appreciation for the foods of the season (coupled with increasing the lengths of my walks), I feel re-energized and slimmer.
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In my area (South Carolina) the strawberries and leaf lettuce is just beginning to come in. We have local markets and farm stands where we can buy directly from the growers. That is where I shop for most of our fruits and produce until the fall. Then I head to Hendersonville, NC or Ellijay, GA for fresh apples and juice.
If you live in an area where you don’t know the farmers call you county or state agriculture office for a list of state certified markets. Don’t overlook the small independent farm stands if you drive the county or state roads.
Our gardens (vegetable and herbs) are coming along nicely. This summer the country roads will be lined with farmers and their wonderful offerings. I agree that garden vegetables such as asparagus need little prep… lightly steamed with a touch of fresh tarragon. One son sprinkles them with finely minced garlic chives.
As a kid, my brothers and I wandered along railroad tracks and vacant lands, gathering dewberries for cobbler. I would love to find those vines again. Now, urban housing and strip malls have taken over.
While in France, I noticed French women do carry some extra pounds. They also must have little willpower when tempted with those marvelous French desserts.
Mireille has never said ALL French women don’t get fat. No country on earth, even Japan, has zero obesity. Mireille says as much in her book…but the book is about those French women who dont get fat, and why. Plus there are plenty of statistics showing that France still has the lowest obesity rate in Europe…and in the world except for Japan.
What I noticed was that thin French women smoked like chimmneys. I do love garden fresh vegetables- and am already enjoying them. As for the rest of the "French way" of keeping slim my tastes are too plebian- for instance I like Hershey’s chocolate. So moderation in food and plenty of exercise will have to do for me.
We are waiting to pounce on the farmer’s market the instant it opens. If I don’t get some real, fresh, never-seen-the-inside-of-a-semi-trailer lettuce soon, I may completely forget what the color "green" looks like.
BTW. You don’t need to "de-tox" your body - unless you’ve been drinking something from under the bathroom sink or you’re a hopeless alcoholic. Your body is self-cleaning.
Remember, kids, medical advice should come from medical doctors and no one else.