Bistro Chic

When it comes to health and wellness, Americans may think we know it all. Yes, we diet like crazy, eat all low-fat foods, and drink vitamin water, but do we really know what it takes to live a healthy lifestyle?

It has long been recognized that European women weigh less and are in better overall health than American women. And, for the most part, European women do not rely on diet pills, diet drinks, or diet foods to live this healthy lifestyle. Instead, they rely on simple healthy living lessons passed down from generation to generation. These lessons are so easy that anyone, even Americans, can adopt them.

European women are more often seen walking or riding a bike, rather than driving a car.

What is a European woman’s secret to a healthy life? Well, it’s really no secret at all. To live a healthier and more European lifestyle, take your cues from our sisters across the pond by following these healthy life lessons…

5 Healthy Life Lessons From European Women

1. Walk or ride a bike everywhere you go – Although European women may frown on formal exercise, they have found a natural, easy way to incorporate exercise into their daily lies. From young to old, from shop workers to lawyers, European women walk or bike everywhere they go, which boosts cardiovascular health and helps keep off the weight. Now, unless you are in a large metropolitan city, walking or biking everywhere may not be practical or even safe. Instead, try to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, whether it’s taking a walk at lunch or meeting with friends to go dancing instead of food.
2. Eat fresh – And I don’t mean Subway. Choose fresh, all-natural foods, which are lower in sugar and are void of preservatives unlike processed or prepackaged foods. Besides, when does fresh bread, fresh fish, and fresh cookies ever not taste good?       
   

   Yogurt, filled with healthy probiotics, is popular all over Europe.

3. Leave room for Yogurt - Yogurt has been popular in Europe for many years. And it’s no wonder. It contains healthy probiotics that aid in digestion, boost your immune system, and stave off infection. And, because it’s loaded with protein and vitamins, it’s nutrious and keeps you feeling fuller longer.
4. Choose quality over quantity – As someone once said, even if you can’t afford the best food, eat the best food you can afford. This means high quality, full-fat cheeses, pastries, sauces and other things that are usually off limits on an American diet. The key is to eat better food, just eat less of it. So, instead of eating a whole bag of low-fat cookies (many dieters will because diet cookies never seem filling enough), have 1 or 2 pieces of rich, dark chocolate.       
   

   Drinking just 3 cups of tea a day can help prevent heart attacks.

5. Make a Tea Time –  Tea is the most popular beverage in most European countries, especially Great Britain, and rightly so. Most of us know that tea has a numerous health benefits, particularly for cardiovascular health. But, a recent study from the Tea Advisory Council found that drinking at least three cups of tea a day can lower the risk of heart attack by up to 70 percent. Other studies have shown that drinking tea can help reduce the incidence of stroke, cancer, and promote blood flow around the brain. Now that’s a healthy drink!

Whether she’s French, British, German, or Italian, European women have a few things to teach us about living healthier lives. Now, all we need to do is be willing to learn.

Prior to visiting England, I was never much of a garden person. You could say I really didn’t appreciate a garden or all the work that goes into making a garden beautiful.

But after seeing the amazing gardens at Hampton Court, Kensington, the Cotswolds, and other places in England, I was enamored with the vibrant colors and lush landscapes of the quintessential English garden. From my experiences in England, and other European countries, I have to say that England has some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. And, those classic English gardens are some of the things I remember – and miss – the most about Britain.

Today, I am happy to report that I was able to fill a little of my looming English garden void. My team from work ventured to a local botanical garden for lunch. It turned out to be one of the most memorable work-related lunches I’ve had. 

Although the botanical gardens spanned for, what seemed like, miles, we only had about 20 minutes to amble around the gardens after our lunch in the cafe. Luckily, one of the first gardens outside the cafe is the English Walled Garden. 

The garden was a true tribute to the gardens of England, complete with ivy, topiaries, and manicured hedges – but no garden gnome!

We first entered the garden through a charming little blue gate, that clearly shown of British style.

From there, we saw fountains, specialized flower gardens, and quaint covered walkways.

As well as pokey little steps leading to other flower-drenched areas.

And, just check out this cool checkerboard design…

Whimsical and elegant, all at the same time!

Seeing the gardens in all of their splendor gave me a familiar melancholy feeling. I was happy that, for even a short time, I was able to relive my British travels, but sad knowing that I would not be headed to England anytime soon.

So, as I expected, my trip down England’s memory lane was quickly brought to an end as we all headed back to work.

I was back in my cube 15 minutes later, planning my next trip across the pond. Sigh….

Last night, my husband and I took a quick trip to Europe for a little classical music concert under the stars. Ok, we really didn’t leave the state, but we were magically transported to France and Austria through the sites and sounds of Ravel and Mozart.  

These days, I’ve been trying to add a little more European flair to my everyday life. Attending an outdoor classical music performance seemed to have just the right amount of European flair that I needed for a Tuesday night.

The performance started at 8 PM – which is rather late for someone who is used to being in bed by 10 PM! Ah, but that’s the European lifestyle for you.

We sat on the lawn, brought our own wine, and listened to Lang Lang and Herbie Hancock (you don’t get to see that duo everyday) play Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Mozart’s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, and Ravel’s Ma Mere L’Oye. 

What a night for a concert! Not only were my husband and I delighted by the wonderful sounds, but we were also dazzled by the beautiful sky, full of awesome colors…

The sky seemed almost on fire at one point. Just gorgeous!

Prior to the concert, we took a stroll through the sculpture walk where I just had to take a few snapshots of the odd-looking art…

There was even a bronze statue of a little boy that reminded me of the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens in London (only with a little less clothing).

Ahh…to be in London again.

Well, at about 10:45 PM we were transported back to reality, packed up our things, and headed home.

Although the music and the surroundings were beautiful, I have to be quite honest. It’s very hard to live like the Europeans (ie. staying out late) on a Tuesday night when you have to work the next day! 

Ciao!

Would you love to get an exotic facial but just can’t afford the luxury? Why not try a beauty secret that French and Greek women have been doing for centuries? In Mediterranean countries, including Greece and France, women have been using homemade beauty products since ancient times. Even today, do-it-yourself beauty products are quite popular in the Mediterranean and other European countries. And why wouldn’t they be? They cost less than store-bought beauty items and are made with all-natural ingredients that help your skin stay soft and young looking.

The French use cucumbers to relax and soften the eyes.

In the book, French Women for All Seasons, the author Mireille Guiliano explains that when she was growing up in France, her mother would often use a homemade facial mask. She had two specific ones for summer – a strawberry version (mashing strawberries together with honey and vaseline) and a cucumber version, where sliced cucumbers would be mixed with yogurt and applied to the face and eyes. Both masks add important nutrients and moisture to the face, keeping it healthy and glowing.

I’ve also read that Greek women frequently use pantry items, including yogurt, honey, bananas, and avocados to create nourishing facial masks. Hmm, maybe this is why they all look like Greek goddesses?

The Greek Goddess Artemis

I’ve only had one facial in my entire life, and it wasn’t even a full facial (extractions just don’t sound fun). It was a quickie facial where the esthetician had me steam my face over a hot bowl of scented water. Then she applied some beautiful smelling paste to my face and let me lay there to relax. After she wiped off the mask thoroughly, she gave me a light massage then applied face cream. It was wonderful and just what I needed to relieve the stress of the day – without the scary extractions. 

Aside from the extractions, the main reason why I have only tried even a mini facial once is that they are crazy expensive. So, after reading about how the Mediterraneans make their own facials, I thought I’d give it a try.

And, I just so happened to have all of the ingredients for a perfect Mediterranean-inspired facial mask in my pantry. How clever and convenient!

I took steel-cut oats…

Oats used an an exfoliant...

And mixed them with plain Greek yogurt (I’m sure you could use regular yogurt but Greek yogurt is so much thicker – and besides, it’s Greek!). I didn’t use it all so I’m saving the rest of the yogurt for tomorrow’s snack!

Plain Greek yogurt - the base of my yogurt oatmeal mask

I added a little honey from my fancy schmancy stay at the Ritz….

This is some "Ritzy" honey!

All of the ingredients made a nice thick paste that was good enough to eat, in a weird sort of way. I promptly put the mask all over my face, except for my eyes.

Trying my yogurt oatmeal mask on for size.

My husband was quick to point out that I had chunks of “stuff” all over my face. Nice, honey.

Ooh, this is feels a little odd.

I then used a couple cucumber slices for my eyes, to add to my whole at-home facial experience.

Relaxing with my cucs...

Ahh, relaxing…

I'm ready for my close-up now...

After 15 minutes of pasty bliss, I rinsed off my mask with warm water, and proceeded to wash my face again with my regular soap (Clinique). My face felt a little tight at first, but oddly refreshed and a little smoother than it felt before. I added some facial cream and called it a night.

This morning, I honestly can’t tell if my face is softer from the mask or if I just had a much more restful night’s sleep. Maybe it’s a little of both.

But, if you’re looking for an easy, do-it-yourself facial mask to try, here’s one to start with…

Bistro Chic Mediterranean Facial Mask

2 tbs plain Greek yogurt (any brand will do)

1-2 tbs oatmeal (for exfoliating purposes)

1/2 tsp honey

2 cucumber slices

Mix the first 3 ingredients in a bowl and apply the mixture all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Place cucumber slices over the eyes, lay back, and relax for 15 minutes. The max will quickly dry on your face. Rinse with warm water thoroughly and continue with your nightly face-cleaning ritual.

So the next time your face needs a little lift, look no further than your pantry. You may just find the makings of a Greek goddess inside – and I don’t mean the salad dressing!

Ciao!

A few weeks ago I posted some pictures of my unruly, not-so-British garden. Since then, I have spent at least 3 full days in the garden, weeding, trimming bushes, spreading weed prevention pellets, and more. Although the garden looks much better than it did before, it is still no where near my image of a true English Garden. So to compensate, I did what any English Garden-loving person would do – I bought a Garden Gnome.

Introducing Merlin, the Bistro Chic garden gnome.

Please welcome the newest member of the Bistro Chic family, Merlin the Garden Gnome (yes, that is his real name). Merlin comes from a long line of gnomes who have inhabited gardens all around the world. 

Gnomes became popular a few years ago with the French movie Amelie, about a young woman who sent her father’s garden gnome all around the world, hoping it would, in turn, inspire her father to do his own traveling. Travelocity also popularized the gnome in its marketing campaigns, showing the gnome in many different travel situations.

Merlin perched on a boulder in my garden - all is well.

But, before garden gnomes were seen as globe trotters, they were known for guarding gardens in Germany (that’s where they get their Bavarian look), and eventually migrated to Great Britain in the mid 19th century where they became overnight celebrities. As the legend goes, true garden gnomes protect and bring good luck to the gardens they inhabit. They are said to like mingling with the animals into the wee hours of the morning and are known for playing tricks on garden owners.

Merlin enjoying the cover of smoky fog from the 4th of July fireworks.

Although many British now consider them kitsch, the rosey-cheeked dwarves remain quite promiment in the gardens of England – although the Chelsea Garden Show did ban garden gnomes this year.

Now, I don’t plan to send my garden gnome on his own adventures all around the world, I do have a special assignment for him – one that I have fondly named, the G-Gnome Project. Merlin has been charged with restoring order back into my chaotic garden. This will be a challenging task, but one that any green-blooded garden gnome would welcome. 

And if by the end of the summer, my efforts to better manage my garden become futile, I will still, at the very least, have a cute garden gnome.

Calling all chocolate lovers! Researchers in the United Kingdom need your help in discovering the potential health benefits of dark chocolate. No, I’m not joking.

Could you eat chocolate every day for a year?

As reported in yesterday’s Telegraph, Scientists from the University of East Anglia, that’s in Norfolk, England, are looking for 40 volunteers to eat dark chocolate every day for a year. Hmm…sounds too easy, there must be a catch, right? Well, sort of…

Researchers are looking for postmenopausal women under the age of 76 (bummer, I don’t qualify) who don’t smoke and have been taking cholesterol lowering drugs for at least a year. These specific qualifications do serve a purpose. The researchers believe that the chocolate, rich in flavonoid plant compounds found in cocoa and soy, could protect postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes from developing heart disease. Wow, wouldn’t this be deliciously amazing if their hypothesis proved to be true?? 

Those who qualify for the study must eat a dark chocolate bar, specially made by a Belgian chocolatier (ok, can this get any better?), every day for a year. One caveat, the chocolate bars are said to have a “bitter” taste. Hey, it’s still chocolate.

For the love of chocolate!

If you’re like me and too young for this gig, you could always do your own experiment, eating chocolate every day for a year and noting your daily health. Better yet, skip the experiment part all together and just eat the chocolate. But, in the meantime, let grandma know that her dream job has just arrived!

For the most part, the French do not snack. But when they do, they make it sound so much better. Although popular as an after school treat for children, le goûter – a late afternoon snack – has become part of the French culture as much as afternoon tea is in England.

Le goûter: France's afternoon treat.

Le goûter, pronounced “luh goo tay”, happens around 4 PM, when children are getting out of school and workers are heading into the last 1-2 hours of work. At this time, children will rush home in a frenzy to get a delicious treat, just enough to satisfy hunger or a craving, but not enough to spoil the appetite for dinner.

You may also see adults in France heading into this same frenzy around 4 PM, when the typical afternoon lull has set in. French workers, professional and non, will take to cafes and tea houses to grab their own snack – I’m sorry – le goûter. 

But you won’t find potato chips, candy, or beef jerky during this ritual. For French children,  le goûter typically includes a piece of bread spread with chocolate or nutella – France’s equivalent to peanut butter.

Nutella: Europe's answer to peanut butter.

But of course, adults wouldn’t want to eat the same thing as children for  le goûter. Adults have more sophisticated treats like chocolate croissants, macaroons, or fruit tartes – usually accommpanied with strong coffee or tea.

Now, I’ve said time and time again that French women do not snack. And, if you ask a French woman if she snacks, she will undoubtedly say no. Yet, the French woman most likely does practice the tradition of taking le goûter. However, she does not consider this snacking, because le goûter is not considered snacking. It is more like a refined, cultural experience to share with friends, family, co-workers, or even by yourself. 

I wonder … maybe le goûter is the French way of secretly being able to snack without admitting that they snack. Hey, I want to do that! Well, being the notorious francophile that I am, I just had to try see what this new afternoon delight was all about. 

So yesterday, about 3:30 PM, I delved into the office treats that were leftover from a catered lunch. There were so many pastries to choose from that it was difficult to make a decision…

Yummy pastries for my le goûter.

I selected three blossoming beauties – a chocolate chip brownie, a pecan-chocolate square, and a chocolate chip square. Seeing a pattern here? Even for the French, chocolate is key for le goûter, so who am I to break tradition, right? I had one bite of each treat, to see which one I like the most. I ruled out the brownie immediately. It was mediocre at best and who wants to waste calories on something that’s mediocre? Next, I had the pecan bar, which was tasty, albeit a little dry. I had one more bite of that, then moved on to the chocolate chip bar. This pastry actually had little chocolate chips in it and melted caramel. Although it, too, was a little dry, it was the best tasting of the bunch so I ate the whole thing with a little peppermint tea. I needed to offset the sugar. Besides, sweets always seem better when you have them with tea.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time I had an afternoon treat, but it was my first time having le goûter. And, I can honestly say that it’s not that much different from my typical afternoon pick-me-ups. But, even still, just saying that you are having le goûter is so much more refined than saying you’re having a snack. 

So the next time your 3 PM hunger rolls around, don’t snack, grab a pastry and coffee and enjoy your le goûter with the rest of the sophisticates.  Yours truly included!

Ciao!

Some say the quintessential Spanish siesta is a dying practice, others are trying revive, or at least hold onto the luxury. Although the typical Spanish siesta (a 3-hour break around midday) is basically unheard of in the United States, there are a few ways that we in the States can bring a little R&R into our own workday.

Relax with your own version of a Spanish Siesta!

The Art of the Siesta

The siesta has been associated with Spanish culture for many years. But, even in Spain, the art of taking a siesta can mean different things to different people. Some Spaniards will actually go home to nap for their siesta. Although a great idea in concept, this is not always convenient for people with long commutes. Others will take long, leisurely lunches with friends and co-workers, while others will run errands, exercise, or snooze in the park. 

To offset this long lunch break, Spaniards will work from about 9 AM to 8 PM each day, with a 2-3 hour break around midday. This lifestyle is very different from most industrialized nations in Europe, but even most European countries seem to take longer lunch breaks than Americans. However, this long-time practice may be changing.

A Dying Art?

According to a 2008 article in HR Magazine, employers in Spain have been rethinking their practice of allowing long afternoon breaks that extend the Spanish workday far into the evening. For example, in 2006, Spain’s government axed the siesta for its workers and adopted a more American-style work day with a one-hour lunch break and a 6 p.m. closing time. This has some workers up-in-arms and even protesting the new rules, while others are rejoicing. Those in support of putting an end to the siesta cite the need for Spain to be more in line with the rest of Europe in doing business and improve the work/life balance by shortening the typical workday.  

Siesta – My experience

My experience with the siesta is that it is alive and well, at least on the East Coast of Spain. When my husband and I went to Barcelona a few years ago, we learned quickly that the Spanish siesta wasn’t just a myth – something that we’d heard about in history/culture classes. It was very real, and from a tourist’s perspective, rather irritating. 

Just as we were getting to our daily destination and preparing ourselves for an authentic Spanish lunch, we noticed many shops and even some restaurants  changing their signs from open to close – stating they would reopen in 2-3 hours. It only took one lunch at a Spanish McDonald’s (the only thing that was open) before we learned to get up early, site see early, eat lunch early, and take our own siesta from 12-3 PM. Once we were used to this rhythm, as much as you can get used to it in a week’s time, we began to really appreciate the art of the siesta.

Since this time, I have been trying to recreate the Spanish siesta in my own life. It is very challenging, especially when I, like most Americans, only get 1 hour for a lunch break. But, it is possible to adopt some of the principles of the Spanish siesta, such as relaxation, meeting with friends, getting outdoors, etc., and have your own Americanized siesta.

10 Ways to Take a Spanish Siesta (on your lunch hour!)

1. Take a walk, either by yourself or with a coworker
2. Browse a local bookstore or music store       
   

   Browse a local bookstore on your Americanized siesta.

3. Peruse a local farmer’s market, or an indoor market in the winter
4. Read a book or magazine on a park bench
5. Meet a friend for lunch and tell people it’s a business meeting (so you won’t be tempted to break your date)
6. If you have an office, close your door and do a few yoga stretches to loosen stiff joints
7. Grab a tea or coffee at a local cafe       
   

   Grab a tea or coffee and people watch at a nearby cafe.

8. If you live in a metropolitan area, browse the nearby shops or take a quick tour of a tourist attraction
9. Stash a blanket in your car and head out to a forest preserve for a picnic
10. Get a mini manicure or pedicure at a nearby salon. An added bonus – take a nap in the massage chair! The ultimate siesta!

Whatever you do, the whole point is to relax and escape from the stresses of work for a little while. But I caution you, try a siesta once and you may be hooked!

Ciao!

I guess I’m not the only one who’s trying the restaurant diet these days. If you are headed to England anytime soon, you may find it easier to get a seat at a posh restaurant or even a local pub.  The Times online reports that the British are opting to go old school by spending more time and money cooking at home, rather than dining out.

British pubs are a little less crowded these days...

For the past four decades, informal eating out (spending 15 pounds or less), was one of Britain’s most successful industries. Now, a new report by Allegra Strategies finds that British dining out has actaully declined for the first time in 40 years. In fact, only one in nine meals will be consumed outside the home this year, as opposed to one in eight in 2008. Strategists predict that if the trend continues, one in five people will plan to eat out less during the next 12 months. 

This is bad news for the many restaurant owners and employees. Research published in Eating Out in the UK 2009 already reported that 15,000 jobs have been lost in the casual dining out sector alone in the past year. And, the informal eating out market is predicted to decline by at least 0.5 % by the end of the year.

Restaurants and patrons are feeling an unmistakable pinch during the recession.

Researchers predict that the industry will improve in 12 to 18 months, but others say that this rebound may only be temporary. Steve Gotham, project director at Allegra Strategies, said:

“This report shows that, while some companies continue to do well, many are suffering.The industry will have to become more consumer-focused as customers won’t forget what they are learning in the recession. Eating out may have become an everyday experience, but when the economy picks up, people won’t go back to paying over the odds for a meal.”

Compare this trend to that in the US, where a recent gallup poll shows that Americans are eating out nearly as much as they were before the recession, but we are just spending less when we dine out.

So, like the British, Americans are also feeling a pinch this year, but we are hard-pressed to give up our fast-food!

Want a great laugh for a Monday morning? I have just seen the funniest and most outrageous thing that I’ve seen in a long time. So, imagine you are packing for a week at the beach. You want to make sure you have just the right vacation clothes and shoes for your ultra chic look. Sandals can be very cool – yes, but you need something different this year, something that will make you stand out from the crowd. Well, here’s just the thing for you. And, not only will it help you stand out from a crowd, but it also will keep you towering over the crowd all day and night. Enter the High Tide Heel…

Photo: courtesy of National Pictures and Telegraph UK

The shoe has the sassiness of a stiletto, but gives you beach practicality with it’s built-in flippers. How convenient, especially when you want to make a quick exit from your blind date. Perfect for both all-day beach wear and for an evening stroll along the pier.

But, like ocean water, it is a little murky where the idea for these babies came from. Some sources say they were designed by Belgian artist Paul Schietekat for an exhibition in 2006 (according to an article in the Telegraph). However, Australian designer, Lisa Carney, has also claimed that she designed the shoe as a joke for one of her fashion shows.

Although never intended for mass production, similar designs and styles have been hitting the catwalks for months. It remains unclear whether or not diehard fashionistas have been brave enough to wear these on the beach – high tide or not.

Unless you are uber cool or a have a weird mermaid fetish, I’m just not sure that this look is a good look. Besides, I wonder how they do actually walking in sand – wouldn’t they sink? 

No thanks, I think I’ll pass on this Belgian beauty, it’s a little too flippn’ wacky (and tacky) for me.