In France, the food is the thing.
The man and I were hiking in France for two weeks. It was amazing.
I will be exploring the benefits of living a little bit more like the French (or Italians, we did spend a couple of days in Italy too) for better health.
First, the food.
The food is the thing in France and Italy. It is an event. The main event.
Food is not an accessory, or simply fuel, or a way of coping, or something to do, on your way to something else.
Food is the main event.
The first week we were hiking in the Alps and even at every hut we stayed at the food was amazing. Our meals were served to us, on proper china. In appropriate amounts.
Meals made with local ingredients, without preservatives, and prepared at our huts. No processed foods, convenience foods and definitely no takeaway.
The meal is the focus.
Over dinner and coffee we met people from all over the world. Hikers ranged from 15 years old, no one younger is allowed to do the Tour du Mont Blanc, and to 70ish (a solo hiker, a woman from New Zealand). People from South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, the US, Canada and Israel.
We had a designated table to sit at and every night was another fantastic conversation with new friends.
Even at restaurants, we noticed how nice it was that people were talking to each other. That no one was on their device, it was odd to see people with a phone at a table.
Not too much.
The plates were small, in comparison to North American ones, the portions were small, more like a suitable size and even after a full day of hiking it was enough.
You had time to enjoy the flavours. The hosts were obviously proud of their meals, the presentation and the service.
It was refreshing. I hope it doesn’t change.
Cheese is also considered a vegetable.
C’est la vie. You can’t have everything, but at least the coffee was plentiful and delicious!
Change your mind, change your health,
Shayla
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