Purple: I like it when you’re in style. I really, really do.

Though it is true overall the French smoke more than Americans — it is much less than we believe, and it is not why they are thin.

I saw them eating those pastries — yes I did. They DO eat them. There are bakeries on every corner in France and they sure as heck wouldn’t stay open for business if they weren’t making money.

But there are many differences:

1) The pastries are not the size of a football (like here in the US). They are real, ‘normal’ sizes.
2) They’re not loaded with tons of sugar & high fructose corn syrup (like here in the US)
3) They know when to stop when they are full. They’re not going to eat 3 or 4 pastries (like I see way too often here). They have one, truly enjoy it, and don’t feel guilty about it.

The MAIN difference I saw and experienced between the French is that they have a healthy relationship with food.

I saw French women eating many “bad” foods, and not just once in a blue moon…but not on a daily basis either. They clearly understand the meaning of “balance and moderation” which for some reason has become blurred here in the U.S.

I will agree that they do walk a LOT. A lot more than here in the US….but then again, most cultures walk a lot more than we do

So smoking is not the reason they are thin. And if you look at statistics, the French LIVE LONGER than we Americans. They also have lower rates of heart disease and diabetes, and have 3 times FEWER heart attacks than Americans. So if they were smoking so much, how the heck are they living so long and so well?

So clearly it’s not the smoking

I dont mind the presidents address, I welcome any discourse between myself/husband and our kids. I find that it’s the events/opinions/actions/news/etc that are contrary to our views/beliefs that give us the best conversations.

Obama…yeah I’ve been pondering this one all week. I agree with your friend’s post and agree with a previous commenter…creepy! Not sure whether the speech will be live for the rest of the folks. If it is not real sure whether our little academy will be tuning in or not. I can assure you our conversation will be different than the “suggested” lesson plans for the schools.

Thanks for sharing the links. Have a great weekend.

I did an applesauce head to head one time, comparing two different recipes: http://kitchenkungfu.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/applesauce-brawl-to-the-finish/

As far as the President’s address, I don’t have a problem with the speech per se, but the following “curriculum” I take serious issue with. I mean, making kids write a letter about what Obama has inspired them to do, etc., is really creepy. I don’t care who you are, kids should not be writing about how inspirational you are unless it’s 100% their choice and their idea to do it. Read your history, folks. NOT what we want here.

I made a homemade applesauce last year using a recipe from The Crockpot Lady. It was really good! Then she also had a recipe for applesauce chicken that was a little spicy but also very good.