Bistro Chic

A few days ago, I received two complimentary bottles of Mezzetta products in the mail. Mezzetta, a leading producer of glass-packed Mediterranean specialty foods, had also sent me a letter explaining that they were hosting a Make That Sandwich contest and would like me to enter using their products.

Now, I have never used Mezzetta products before but I do love Mediterranean food, so how could I pass up this opportunity! I began thinking about all of my favorite flavors of the Mediterranean – olives, peppers, feta cheese, hummus, and more. When I really thought about it, a sandwich was a very ingenious way to bring all of these flavors into one scrumptious bite. 

I quickly went to work, devising my game plan on how to incorporate all of my new Mezzetta products with other fresh ingredients. And, from there, a sandwich was born. I named my new creation the It’s All Greek To Me Panini!

For those of you who love Greek or Mediterranean food, this panini is really fit for the Greek Gods! And for the rest of us, who wouldn’t love hummus topped with veggies and feta cheese, all melted together in a sandwich?

I made the sandwich last night and immediately entered it into Mezzetta’s sandwich contest. I had so much fun making the panini (first time using a panini maker) and had even more fun eating it! All of the quintessential Mediterranean flavors stuck between two pieces of bread was more than I could ever want in a sandwich. And, I am being completely honest when I say I would have never made this brand new sandwich if it weren’t for Mezzetta’s contest. So, I want to thank Mezzetta for putting me up to this challenge and inspiring me to make my own Mediterranean-inspired creation. From now on, it’s no more blandwiches for me!

By the way, if you’d like the recipe for this amazing the It’s All Greek To Me Panini, check back on site next week. I will reveal all of the details then!

If you want to try your hand (or your new panini maker!) at making your own gourmet sandwich, you can find more details about the contest on Mezzetta’s contest Web site – Make That Sandwich. Hurry, the contests ends on Monday, September 7. 

Good luck and Good Sandwich!

As we head into the Fall season, the Westernized world is also entering into a new fashion season, which brings with it a hot debate about shoes – shoe height to be specific.

According to a recent article in the London Times newspaper, heels and pumps are no longer in fashion. In Britain and in many other Western countries, flats are now all the rage, particularly in the new fall fashion lines.

But, like other clothes and accessories, what’s considered a fashionable shoe height seems to change with weather – or at least the decade. The 60s and 70s saw high platform shoes, while the 80s and early 90s saw Converse sneakers and Keds, with the occasional stiletto mixed in. Then, in the late 90s with the introduction of Sex in the City, high heels, and I mean very high heels, became en Vogue again. Women around the world mimicked Carrie Bradshaw and rushed out to buy the unaffordable Jimmy Choo shoes.

But, after Sex went off the air, the heel craze seemed to deflate, leaving women in a foot bind over what the new shoe trend would be. Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait long. The weather changed again and heels were quickly replaced by comfort flats from Merrill, Born, and Keen, footwear that can almost double as active wear.

This new flat shoe trend also has been embraced by more than just women. Some authorities, like London’s Trades Union Congress, are encouraging women to wear flats to work. The group has even gone so far as to say that heels are demeaning to women and should not be worn to the office.

I understand that flat shoes are more practical and allow the wearer to do more throughout the day. And, for women who are model tall, flats can be a great option for a new look or to prevent height envy in a dating situation.

But for someone on the short side, a petite 5’1”, flats just don’t flatter. Heels, on the other hand, are what give my short stature a lift in a crowded room. Pumps enable me to elongate my legs and wear flowing pants that accentuate my modest curves. And, they bring a more distinguished essence to my whole look. 

Even if you’re not vertically challenged, flat shoes may be hurting more than your height. In a recent article, experts from Britain’s Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said that flats can cause more damage than heels, leading to shooting pains in the shins and arthritis. The reason being is that women, who are swapping their heels and even their gym shoes for flat dress shoes, are making their flats an everyday walking shoe. Experts say this is a problem because flat shoes do not generally allow the foot an opportunity to flex its arch. Furthermore, the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists even recommends that women wear a one-inch heel in most situations.

So, what will it be for you this season – heels or flats? Well, whether you’re embracing the newest flat shoe folly or are still head over heels for height, I believe you need to go with the shoe that looks right and feels right on you. But, if you’re still not sure which trend to follow this season, buy a pair of heels and a pair of flats – this way, you’ll always be prepared when the fashion weather changes.

Hi Friends! Great news – I have recently started a brand new twice-daily blog - Running With Cake!

No, the blog is not set in Europe (I can always dream though)….

And, I do not have pictures of me literally running with a cupcake in my hand. Running with Cake chronicles the many escapades I have as a runner and as a person who tries to live a healthy, balanced life (which is very different from my Bistro Chic theme – he he!). If you’re looking for daily motivation on how to have a healthier lifestyle, then be sure to stop by Running With Cake for a chat. 

Fear not – I have not yet abandoned my first blog child. But, because of my new baby blog and all of the demands that come with posting twice a day, Bistro Chic has a new posting schedule! I will now be posting on Mondays and Thursdays – so keep checking back for more fun news about Europe.

In the meantime, keep living the Bistro Chic life!

These days, traveling to Europe may be next to impossible because of the unstable job market and the weak dollar. It’s during these times when I rely on my memories of Europe, particularly England and Spain, to get me through my dry travel spells.

It doesn’t take much to remind me of these beautiful counties – it could be as something as a song, a pastry, or even nail polish. Nail polish? Now, that may seem an odd thing to remind me of my European travels, but wait until you see why.

Just a few days ago, I walked into Ulta – the beauty product chain – and saw that OPI nail polish just launched a brand new Fall/Winter line called Collección de España – or Collection of  Spain. I know – can you believe it! I was so thrilled to see OPI had finally created a line of polish as a tribute to one of my favorite European countries.

This fabulous new collection contains 12 brand new nail polishes all themed around Spain. Most of the colors are representative of the rich, dark colors of the old world country….

As is OPI’s tradition, all of the colors have themed Spanish names, reflecting Spain’s wonders, traditions, and history. These names include Pink Flamenco, Manicurist of Seville, Bullish on OPI, and Pamplona Purple. But, my immediate favorite for the new line is…..

Barefoot in Barcelona!!

I never knew neutral could be such a wonderful shade for nail polish! This very light brown, almost nude color, with a hint of pink, is perfect for just about any skin tone, which makes it great for everyone’s toes.

And of course, I love the name, considering Barcelona is one of my very favorite European cities to visit. The warm but subtle color reminds me of the moderate Barcelona climate and the gorgeous sandy shores of Spain’s Costa Brava, right off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Ahh, Qué Memorias!

So, if you’re pining for Spain or just want to add a little Spanish sizzle to your life, try the new OPI Collection of Spain, and say hola to your new pretty toes!

Americans have take your child to work day and even take your pet to work day. Now, in an odd twist to these annual work traditions, a French company is encouraging Americans to take, of all things, our cheese to work.

Bel Brands USA, a subsidiary of the French cheese producer Fromageries Bel, has launched a new promotion for its mini babybel cheese brand. The company has named August 20 as ‘take your cheese to work day’, in an effort to encourage people to eat healthier snacks – like mini babybel cheese, of course.

Although this is a very gimmicky way to boost sales for your product, mini babybel cheese is actually quite good. I had been curious about the little round cheese for a while and then, one day, decided to try it. I was quite surprised and pleased by the creamy, smooth texture of the cheese and the fact that it didn’t taste overly processed. Since that day, I have eaten many of Laughing Cow products, including the mini babybel, the cheese wedges, and the gourmet cheese bites. All of the products are relatively low in calories (only 70 calories per cheese round) and offer a good source of calcium and protein.

If you’re not the type to just sit down and eat a hunk of cheese, here are a few suggestions on how to easily enjoy your babybel in a professional and very French manner…

• Slice the cheese round and savor it on a few baked crostini or with a piece of crusty bread
• Pair your cheese round, cold or melted, with a few veggies for added nutrition
• Chop the cheese into cubes and add it to a fresh spinach salad
• Slice the cheese in strips and add it to a turkey dijon sandwich or a grilled croque monsieur

For other ideas on how to bring your cheese to work, check out Laughing Cow online.

Now, say CHEESE!

There’s a well-know debate over whether art imitates life or life imitates art. In the case of movies, I think it’s a little of both. 

Movies have greatly influenced pop culture for years. I’m sure a fair share of young men sported white t-shirts and leather jackets after seeing Rebel Without a Cause and what girl didn’t want to wear leg warmers after seeing Flashdance? Still countless other movies have motivated us to change our hair, clothes, or even how we talk.

In more recent years, movies with story lines set in Europe have led to film-inspired trends, and not just with clothing or hairstyles. Let’s take a look at a few….

Bridget Jone's Diary popularized journaling for women over 30.

Bridget Jone’s Diary – In 2001, the book by British author Helen Fielding, Bridget Jone’s Diary, was made into a movie. The movie was an instant hit in the theatres, but outside theatres, the movie did something else. It made journaling or keeping a diary cool again, even for women over 30. Some people could even argue that Bridget was one of the first bloggers, or at least an early blogger for her time.

Under the Tuscan Sun put the Italian region of Tuscany on the map for romantic tourists.

Under the Tuscan Sun – Two years later, in 2003, the movie Under the Tuscan Sun was released. Tuscany, with its vineyards, olive trees, and sweeping country sides, has been a popular tourist destination for years. But the movie really put the region on the map, making it not only a destination for senior travelers, but also a destination for young lonely women to find themselves (and a little romance) along the way.

Harry Potter and LOTR – For the sci-fi crowd, the Harry Potter series brought loads of muggles to London and Oxford to catch a glimpse of the boy magician’s haunts. Although set in a fictitious land, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, also brought a significant surge of tourism to New Zealand.

The Harry Potter series has increased tourism to London and Oxford.

Mama Mia – In 2008, Mama Mia the movie took the world by storm. But it also catapulted tourism in the Greek islands and for one main reason – destination weddings. The Telegraph reports that more and more couples are seeking destination weddings in the Greek Isles, and they want them to be as close to the movie wedding as possible, ABBA soundtrack included.

Mama Mia the movie was partly filed on Skopelos, an island in Greece.

Julie & Julia – Now, fast-forward to today. Food bloggers everywhere have been highly anticipating the release of Julie & Julia, a film by Nora Ephron that chronicles the life of a food blogger who decides to try the famous “French Chef” Julia Child’s recipes for a whole year.  Julia Child popularized French cooking in the early 1960s with her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but since then, everyday French cooking has taken a back burner to other food trends. Not only does the movie give hope to food bloggers everywhere, but it may very well bring about a new found interest in French cooking. 

Coco Before Chanel  – Looking ahead, in late September, Sony Pictures is set to release the life story (or at least the beginning story) of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the famous French fashion designer. The film has not even been released and already the movie has revitalized a “Coco” favorite – men’s pajamas. Chanel was known for wearing men’s silky pajamas in the early 1900s as her own bold fashion statement. According to the Telegraph, this trend didn’t catch on for nearly two decades when Claudette Colbert was seen wearing Clark Gable’s pajamas in the 1934 film, It Happened One Night. But, Angelina Jolie has revealed that she prefers men’s pajamas for lounging, which I’m sure will not hurt the pajama industry a bit.

As you can see, film-inspired tourism and other trends have definitely made their mark on society, particularly pop culture. Although there’s no telling what next year’s film-inspired movie trend will be, you may want to invest in a pair of men’s silk pajamas for the coming Winter season. Lucky for me, I already have a pair.

Hey all you single gals out there, if you’re still trying to snag a husband, don’t set your sites on an Aussie guy. A new study in the Journal of Population Economics shows that Australian men make the worsts husbands because they dislike helping with non-manly things, like housework.

In the study, British researchers surveyed 13,500 men and women aged 20 to 45 from 12 countries. Each was asked to about their attitude toward gender, housework, and childcare responsibilities. Overall, Australia ranked as the least egalitarian society (a society that believes in equality among the sexes), making its men unattractive marriage partners because they were more unlikely to do household chores.

The study also found that women living in less egalitarian countries were 20 to 50 per cent less likely to live with a man compared with women in more egalitarian societies.

If you’re still interested in finding a foreign man, try Scandinavia, Britain, or even the United States, which all ranked high on the egalitarian scale, making the men in those counties marriage potential.

Get those passports ready!

British citizens are mourning the loss of a beloved figure. But this figure is not a writer, actor, or even a member of royalty – it is Benson, the 64-pound carp.

Benson the carp has gone to the great fishbowl in the sky.

Intrigued are you? I was too when I heard the first few sentences of the story on National Public Radio on my way home from work yesterday. It’s amazing how those stories can hook you – every pun intended.

For nearly 25 years, Benson the carp, who was a girl fish by the way, swam the waters of a lake in Cambridgeshire, England. Carp can easily live to be twice that age, but her daily life took its toll on her, especially when she is said to have been caught and released at least 60 times.

And each time she was caught and released, her legend grew and grew, just as she did in weight and size. To catch a glimpse of the huge gold fish was an amazing experience, but to be one of the few dozen who would catch her during her short life was actually a monumental feat, one to be boasted about, with pictures in tow, for many years to come. I’m sure we’ll be seeing some of those photos floating around all over the internet very soon.

Much like old Nessie in Scotland (although there’s proof that Benson was real), Benson was said to have gained celebrity status, and was even voted Britain’s Favorite Carp in 2005 by Angler’s Mail. Quite an accomplishment for a fish I would say.

And, since her passing, her celebrity status has grown even more and the mythology around her has taken a life of its own. People are telling tales of how she died, why she died, as well as her age, weight, and astrological sign. No one really knows for sure until the autopsy results are complete.

But, one thing is for sure, Benson is now in deep freeze awaiting mounting where she will live in eternity on someone’s wall. She will be sorely missed by Cambridgeshire locals and tourists alike. Farewell Benson. Your catch and release days are finally over.

In her book, French Women For All Seasons, author Mireille Guiliano discusses how important the seasons are in the life of a French woman. The French woman dresses for the season, shops for the season, entertains for the season, and, of course, cooks and eats for the season.

Although Americans make a good attempt at eating with the seasons, utilizing farmers’ markets in the summer and orchards in the fall, the French really have perfected the art of seasonal eating. This is apparent in the endless recipe possibilities they have for such summer vegetables as the leek, as well as their many seasonal variations of soup.

I remember in college when I just started grocery shopping on my own. It was an exciting and daunting task all in one. But one thing I didn’t understand was why I couldn’t get certain foods anytime I wanted. Sure, carrots abound all year round, but try finding strawberries in the dead of winter in the north! And, if by some chance I could find what would be considered an “off season” fruit or vegetable, the high price would nearly make me faint on the sticky store floor.

My grocery-buying strategies have since matured and I now know which foods to buy during which season. And, I have to admit, buying, cooking, and eating according to season has some real advantages.

So, if you still need a reason to shop, cook, and eat with the seasons, here are 5 of my favorites!

Bistro Chic’s 5 Reasons for Eating With The Seasons

Less Expensive – As I mentioned above, buying produce in off-season can be quite expensive. Because the majority of nonseasonal food in your area needs to be processed and shipped from a distant location, there’s an added cost. But, buying seasonal and local produce often time cuts out expensive shipping and the middle man, resulting in more reasonably priced items.

Fresh and Tasty - When you buy produce items during the seasons they are meant to be purchased, you are more likely to get fresher and more flavorful picks. Have you ever tried eating a watermelon in December? I have a couple of times. And after the second disappointing melon – which had barely any red fleshy meat, let alone flavor, I decided to support my watermelon habit in summer only. 

Natural Abundance – Planning your meals with the seasons can help make sure your ingredients are readily available, and in large supply, at your local store. Think about it…you don’t have to worry about making your famous blueberry pie in June or July, because the main ingredient is plentiful during these months. But, try making a homemade cherry pie in December and you’ll have to rely on the canned version of these red beauties.  

Local Goodness – By eating seasonally, you’re supporting local growers and reaping the benefits of their great harvests. As mentioned above, out-of-season produce is most likely shipped from another part of the country or an entirely different country. When you buy seasonal produce, you can almost always find something locally grown (Farmer’s Markets) or at least within the same geographic region. 

Pick Your Own – My husband and I go apple picking every September. There’s something very organic and refreshing about selecting your own food right from the vine. And, of course, we love the many results of our efforts –  tasty apple treats like apple sauce, pies, crisps, and more. You don’t have to stop at apples either. There’s a variety of produce that you can pick right from the tree, bush, or vine, including raspberries, tomatoes, blueberries, and pears. To locate a pick-your-own orchard in your area check out pickyourown.org. You can select the appropriate state, then narrow your search by county.

Now that you’re motivated to eat with the seasons, check out this cool map from Epicurious. The site shows you what produce is in season each month of the year in your very own state. How convenient is that!

Happy seasonal eating everyone!

Although many a tourist have blushed at the site of a topless woman in the French Riviera, a new survey shows that young French women are having second thoughts about beach nudity.

Conservative young French women are covering up at the beach.

In the 70s and 80s, it was quite common to see French women baring all, or at least half, of their bodies on the beach. But, times have changed. These women have grown and have left the topless sunbathing to the younger generation – their daughters and granddaughters. But these days, younger women are taking a lesson from Aunt Prudie and covering up – and not just on the beach.

As reported in TIME, baring your breasts in France has almost become too trendy. And French women, never wanting to be seen as trendy, are opting for a more classic look that keeps their bathing suit tops on.

A survey titled “Women and Nudity” found that, among younger French women, a whopping 88% actually consider themselves modest, with the majority of them covering up around their own children and other women.

Not only do they have a problem with their own nudity, but they have strong opinions about public nudity. Nearly 50% said they were bothered by total nudity on beaches or naturist camps, and 37% said they were disturbed by publicly exposed breasts or backsides. 

So, if you’re headed to the French Riviera and hope to check out a few topless bathing beauties on the beach, you might be out of luck. But then again, some reports say that older French ladies are still willing to throw caution (and their tops) to the wind, but, honestly, who really wants to see that?