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!