Spring Revival: Flora + Food

Whether it's color on your plate or in a brilliant bouquet of flowers, today's unseasonably warm weather has me dreaming of sun and the flowers and food of springtime.  A few floral images from my recent trip to France to make your holiday weekend a little brighter!

 from the marche au fleurs in Nice...

anemones in striking purples and pinks

 lush with texture

 i'd take them all home with me if i could!

 shopping the market in Paris

picture perfect renoncules

is it a flower or food? the castillo franco variety of radicchio (a fancy bitter chicory green) 

at Eataly in NYC.  GORGEOUS and edible, delicious in salads!

On the Radar...

Two recent bites of nutrition news popped on my radar in the past few days and they're worth a quick share.

1. Mark Bittman's op-ed in yesterday New York Times asks the poignant question: "why aren't genetically modified foods labeled?"  Don't ask, and nothing will change.  It's a pretty scary notion when you sit down and consider it for a quick second.  Read through the article for Bittman's lengthier musings, but when you boil it down, we're putting food/fuel/nourishment in our bodies that's somehow been altered--by man and machines. The USDA now allows three different types of G.M.O's (alfalfa, a type of corn used to make ethanol and sugar beets) to be used in food production, yet has no regulatory position on labeling around it.  Scary?  Umm...without question.  There's fear of cross-pollination with non-G.M.O. crops and the risk of serious allergic reactions.   I'll leave you with this: Europe is so wary of genetically engineered foods that it rarely produces them and has actually banned their import.  Maybe we should think about following suit?

 2. The New York Times strikes twice...Jane Brody's Personal Health column yesterday lays out the new set of Dietary Guildelines released on Jan. 31st by the USDA and Health and Human Services.  Interesting that the vast majority of the guidelines sound quite familiar (it's like they took the very words right from my mouth...trust me, they didn't!).  What's most interesting is that new guidelines take us back to the very basics of wholesome, sensible eating -- finally!  They place emphasis on nutrient-dense foods and how to feasibly eat fewer calories without relinquishing all the pleasure out of delicious, healthful food.  Brody, similar to moi, highlights that moderation is the true secret to eating well and enjoying your food.  Here's a brief overview via Ms. Brody (and in turn, myself): 

• Eat lots more vegetables and fruits, filling half your plate with them.
• Choose lean meat and poultry, and replace some of them with seafood.
• Consume mainly nonfat or low-fat milk and other dairy products.  (though I'm in full support of full-fat cheese -- in moderate quantities.  amazing flavor and taste translate to enjoyment and satisfaction via smaller amounts.  i will also make the disclaimer that i use whole milk in my coffee and my yogurt of choice is the local, organic *full-fat* brand, Maple Hill.)
• Choose low-sodium products and use less salt and salty ingredients in food preparation.  (using a bit salt in cooking gets the green light in my book and is often key to bringing out an ingredient's flavor, but over-salting or adding extra salt after the food's been prepared is where we can hit the skids.) 
• Eat more fiber-rich foods; replace most refined grains and grain-based foods with whole-grain versions.
• Use vegetable oils like olive and canola oils instead of solid fats like butter and margarine, but remember that all fats have lots of calories.  (for baking, sometimes real butter is a must though...which just means that we can be a little thoughtful when slicing up that not-too-small, not-too-large, piece of pie.)
• Eat out less; cook at home more often (a no-brainer and something I've been saying for years!)
• Drink water, calorie-free beverages and 100 precent fruit juice (4 ounces is a serving of juice)
• Bottom line: eat less, exercise more for a better-balanced outcome.

 images via: Village Voice, New York Times

Fresh Fashion + Food

In the spirit of NYC fashion week as it comes to a close today, here's a peek at my latest post over at Rue's blog -- some foodie-fashionista inspiration from my recent trip to Paris and some of the spring trends featured in the current issue of Elle UK.

soft & feminine: drop-dead gorgeous sheer pleats and a taste of light and lovely meringue

 all laced up and looking just lovely 

 bold brights: total 70′s energy and a French-favorite, the macaron

 authentic clean lines: vintage cafe chic and long skirts…one of spring’s absolute must-haves