C'est le printemps!

If you have watched the news, France is shocked by several shootings in a row, the latest happened in a school in Toulouse.  Politics have decided to take a pause on their electoral campaign for a few days.  It's a good thing, we can have a break from the political candidates who are overly advertised in the media.  

On a lighter note, spring has finally arrived! my favorite season.  It's been sunny for 2 weeks in a row now.  So I am really delighted by the weather.  My parents will be visiting us in a couple of weeks and we are planning on going to London and The Netherlands for a week only.  Don't know how we can do it all on such a short period of time.  They want to see the tulips in Keukenhof (Netherlands), the Van Gogh Museum and The Hague. I must say I'm looking forward to this trip!

Happy Spring to all!

  

On being frustrated about my weight

Many people struggle with their weight.  As for me, the pounds started to add up coincidentally after my move to France.  My weakness: I have discovered French food.  Every weekend, we had to go to my In-laws and we would have a 3 course meal everytime.  A starter, a main course, cheese and dessert.  After a while, I dreaded those family meals.  Too copious for my eating habits.  Before my moving, I was eating basically rice on a daily basis, like all Asians do. lol

Last June, when we went for a mountain hike in the French Alps, my husband and I realized that we were out of shape and out of breath.  A little thing clicked in me, I've said to myself, enough is enough.  And from then on, I have started to do something with my extra weight.

          Reminiscing the French Alps

 It's been almost a year now, and I've only lost 10 lbs.  I have still 10 lbs to lose to reach my initial weight.  I didn't follow any diet. I have cut down on the portion of meals. And just plain exercice, I did stationary biking regularly at home, but it began to take a toll on my knees.

Since we were going back to Canada on December, we were afraid of gaining weight again because of all the food available during the winter festivities.  As expected, we had so much lobsters and other stuff only available in Canada.  But we did not gain weight.  We hitted the gym in Ottawa and Montreal.  

Back in France, my husband said he misses the gym and is eager to get a membership in a gym nearby.  Gym Membership in North of France is cheap, 33 euros/month.  I wouldn't find that in Canada.  After 2 months of intensive cardio, we haven't lost any weight.  We sure look more toned but it's not enough!  Of course, we have cut down on food, but we must reduce even more.  grrrr!  I guess I would have to eat smaller portions.

Meanwhile on the news these days, they said that red meat is pretty bad for our health.  So I guess I would have to cut down on that too. 

My goals for now, continuing to exercice like a mad woman and eat less meat.

When I was visiting my family in Canada, I have rediscovered Végépâté.  It is such a delight.  It almost tastes like meat pâté.  I tried to make this at home since there's no such thing as végépâté in France. It was not as good as the store bought version.

Can you cut down on meat? what are your favorite vegetarian dishes? Do you have tips to share on weight loss? haaa j'ai faim!

http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/meat+linked+higher+risk+premature+death/6299982/story.html

                                                 

Combien y'a-t-il chats?

 

 hum, this is only moss that fell off the roof

There are a least 7 cats on the farm.  Some are even half domesticated, but I don't think they would be able to feed themselves.  The white cat has decided to live inside the house, much to dismay.  The owner wanted a lot of cats so they can chase mice.  Only the female cats do the work. lol

When will people learn?

Tomorrow, we will mark a sad anniversary. A year ago, the Japanese have suffered greatly from natural disasters which  led to a nuclear catastraphe. To date, we do not know the health impacts of the this nuclear accident on the Japanese population. They are fairly discreet about it.  

Meanwhile in France, when we first heard the news, Industry and Environment ministers  had to call the press right after this nuclear disaster. They tried to reassure the French that Fukushima was not Tchernobyl, it was less serious. 

France is the second most nuclearized country in the world.  Nuclear power is part of the life of the French since the oil crisis of '70. Despite all the efforts to develop new clean energy, policy makers still favor this energy. I think we are not safe from a nuclear accident in France. Politicians is so stubborn in maintaining the nuclear power that they are willing to lie and hide informations from the population.

The French government even tried to pass nuclear as a clean and carbon-free energy to the European union. 

There is something that is often ignored : uranium comes from Africa, and mostly from Niger. Working conditions are precarious in those uranium mines and the waters and soils are contaminated.   

What we wouldn't do to meet French growing demand of electricity for a few human lives?

picture from : http://www.bizimugi.eu/?page_id=4563

Happy Women's day

I am grateful for those women who fought for women's rights. Thank you.